Yanhu Lake is located in the heart of the most bustling area of the capital city.
The Ruyi Residence, the largest restaurant in the city, is connected to it.
Those who come here to consume are either princes, nobles, or second - generation rich and second - generation officials. In short, it's a place for burning money, and ordinary people don't dare to step into this place easily.
But it has to be said that the service you get for the money is really enjoyable.
On a scorching summer day, the attic in the middle of the lake is exceptionally cool. There is not the slightest bit of noise from the common people around, only the chatting and laughing sounds of the customers downstairs.
Looking around, all you can see are lotus leaves stretching as far as the eye can see. Although the lotus flowers are not in full bloom yet and there aren't many of them, they are still pleasing to the eye.
It couldn't be more comfortable!
Jiu Yue was also quite impressed. Prince Ping noticed her delight and ordered a whole table full of dishes. After filling her stomach, Jiu Yue lazily lay on the railing.
Feeling the gentle breeze, smelling the faint fragrance, and looking at the cold drink from the restaurant in her hand, she couldn't help but think that Prince Ping seemed to be very rich.
Last time in the carriage, he casually gave her a money bag full of gold leaves.
After returning to Prince Ping's Mansion, he also tried to please her by buying her a lot of jewelry and clothes.
Now, he is spending a fortune at the Ruyi Residence to enjoy himself... Thinking of the matter of the Yunjiang salt merchants, Jiu Yue fell silent for a moment.
How good is this guy at embezzling money?
She silently swallowed a mouthful of the cold drink. Suddenly, she heard Prince Ping behind her say, "With such beautiful scenery and a beautiful lady by my side, how about I play a tune for you to liven up the mood?"
Jiu Yue turned around and met his expectant and nostalgic gaze: "You used to love watching me play the zither the most."
Jiu Yue: "..."
What else could she say?
So Prince Ping happily went downstairs.
Jiu Yue twitched the corners of her mouth. She didn't know what had gotten into Prince Ping today. He was acting like a peacocking showing off his feathers and annoying her all the time... But since it wasn't her money being spent, Jiu Yue could just bear with it for the time being.
She sat on the railing, swinging her legs boredly, while silently sorting out Prince Ping's advantages in her mind.
Previously, she had no concept. Jiu Yue only thought that it was difficult to kill Prince Ping because of the people protecting him. But after entering Prince Ping's Mansion this time, Jiu Yue finally had a real sense of what Nan Xun meant by "trouble".
The high - level fighters around Prince Ping are the most obvious factor.
These people, like Mei Wuchang, were all recruited by Prince Ping from the martial arts world... According to Mei Wuchang, those who were not convinced were beaten into submission by the previous owner of her body.
There are quite a few of them, and they are not weak. In a one - on - one fight, they are no match for Jiu Yue. In a fight against ten of them, Jiu Yue could barely end up with both sides suffering losses. Against twenty of them, she could still escape. But if there were forty of them, Jiu Yue reckoned she would have to magically grow wings on the spot to deal with them.
Secondly, there is the power behind Prince Ping.
From what Mei Wuchang said, Prince Ping used to stay in his fiefdom and was not allowed to return to the capital without a summons.
But two years ago, when the Empress Dowager passed away, Prince Ping had to come to the capital to pay his respects. However, once he came to the capital, he just wouldn't leave.
Only Prince Ping himself knows how ambitious he really is in this regard.
Moreover, there are the group of dead - loyal warriors trained by Prince Ping.
Perhaps similar to Sima Qing's training camp, Prince Ping also has his own way of training sharp - edged warriors. This group of dead - loyal warriors is the most troublesome.
Mei Wuchang is just the one who is openly keeping an eye on her. As long as she gets close to Prince Ping, there will be countless pairs of eyes secretly watching her, which really troubles Jiu Yue.
It's even difficult for her to eavesdrop... It's probably because of the last setback that Prince Ping is more cautious than she thought.
Even on this attic right now, she doesn't know how many people are secretly following.
Jiu Yue rubbed her face expressionlessly, cursing under her breath, then lowered her head and looked at the lake somewhat boredly... only to find that there was a small boat on the lake at some point.
The gentle breeze ruffled the water, making the small boat sway along with it. It was quite a sight.
Jiu Yue couldn't help but take a few more glances... and then she saw that there seemed to be an old man on the small boat, huffing and puffing as he danced.
Jiu Yue: "..."
She rubbed her eyes and couldn't help but look again. The small boat was still there, but the old man was gone.
Jiu Yue retracted her gaze somewhat doubtfully. However, when she lowered her head this time, she saw a familiar figure flash by on the lower floor.
At the same time, someone was pushing and shoving, and that person was bumped to the edge of the railing and forced to look up.
Their eyes met at this moment.
Jiu Yue slowly widened her eyes, and there was a big "awesome" in her heart.
The next second, that person lost his balance and fell directly into the lake.
With a "splash", the water splashed everywhere. The guests on the first floor immediately became noisy, shouting to save the person, but no one showed any bravery after shouting for a long time.
Jiu Yue's eyes flashed.
Just as Prince Ping came up holding a zither, what he saw was the scene of Jiu Yue tapping her toes and leaping down from the high building.
"A Yue!" Prince Ping's pupils shrank. Hearing the "splash" sound, he quickly walked to the railing and looked down, but all he saw was the still - rippling lake.
...
The lake was rippling, causing the lotus leaves to sway.
And under one of the lotus leaves, Jiu Yue quietly poked out her head and carefully looked around.
Under the lotus leaf next to her, a face in women's clothing also emerged.
"Stop looking. It's very safe here." This person was actually Qiu Dongfang.
Jiu Yue relaxed a little and then turned to look at him, holding back a laugh and saying, "There are only two situations for wearing women's clothing: never and always. Congratulations to you."
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Qiu Dongfang pouted and tugged at his skirt. He was a bit convinced and said, "It's a last - resort move, okay."
Pretending to be a woman falling into the water would make it more reasonable for Jiu Yue to rescue the person.
"Swim with me quickly. The prince is waiting for us over there." Qiu Dongfang didn't waste any more words and dived under the lake again, swimming in another direction.
Jiu Yue held her breath silently and followed him forward. After swimming for a short while, there was a shadow over her head.
Looking up, it was a small boat.
Qiu Dongfang knocked on the bottom of the boat and then motioned for Jiu Yue to get on, while he himself stayed in the lake, secretly observing the surroundings.
Jiu Yue, with a lotus leaf on her head, slipped into the boat like an eel along the side of the boat.
To avoid attracting attention, she didn't stand up but crawled into the cabin.
After wiping her face a little, Jiu Yue looked up and saw Sima Qing with a complex expression on his face, and Fu Yu behind him wearing a straw hat and a rain cape.
"Hey, so the old man who was dancing just now was you." Jiu Yue looked at Fu Yu's outfit with great interest and gave a good review. "It's quite realistic, but a bit too agile."
He was so agile that she almost thought there was something wrong with her eyes.
Fu Yu: "..."
Fu Yu silently walked to the stern of the boat to keep watch.
Only then did Jiu Yue look at Sima Qing. Without any hesitation, she picked up his hanging sleeve and wiped the water off her face.
"Your Highness, long time no see." Jiu Yue sniffed, pulled his hem to sit on, and asked furtively, "Why did you suddenly look for me?"
Sima Qing silently looked at the woman in front of him who looked like a water ghost, forcing himself to ignore the fact that she was using his sleeve as a rag.
"......Prince Ping should visit General Xiao in a few days. You should try to go with him."
Jiu Yue was taken aback for a moment and then asked knowingly, "Do I need to reveal my identity?"
"Not necessary. Just give him this at the right moment." As Sima Qing spoke, he took out an exquisite jade pendant from his robe and handed it to her.
It was only about the size of a thumb, and the red string tied to it had faded a bit.
Jiu Yue picked it up and looked at it. She guessed it was probably a pre - arranged token between the two, so she put the jade pendant close to her body.
She still had to go into the water later, so she couldn't let it fall.
Sima Qing originally wanted to say something else, but seeing her carefully hanging the red string around her neck and tucking the jade pendant close to her skin into her clothes... he suddenly forgot what he was going to say.
After Jiu Yue had put it away properly, she looked up and saw Sima Qing staring at her chest.
Jiu Yue: "..."
Oi! Kid, where are you looking!
