Sima Qing snapped out of his complicated thoughts just in time to meet Jiu Yue’s utterly shocked gaze.
She was looking at him as if he were some kind of street thug.
Sima Qing: “……?”
His eyelid twitched, and his mouth moved faster than his brain. “Misunderstanding. This prince meant no offense.”
Jiu Yue narrowed her eyes suspiciously, her raised fist pausing mid-air as she checked her collar.
Fortunately, she preferred wearing fitted martial attire rather than flowing robes. Though damp from the water, her collar remained tightly secured, even covering the red cord of her jade pendant.
“That was my mother’s keepsake,” Sima Qing explained calmly, eyeing her fist. “When you put it on earlier, I couldn’t help but recall the past and got lost in thought… It’s definitely not what you’re imagining.”
Jiu Yue froze, her clenched fist slowly loosening.
So it was about a deceased loved one…
Now seemed like the time to say something comforting.
She scratched her head awkwardly, struggling before finally blurting out, “How about I become your—”
Before she could finish, Sima Qing’s death glare landed squarely on her.
Jiu Yue swallowed the last word and quickly amended with a sycophantic grin, “Haha, I meant as a tool—a jade-pendant-wearing tool! If you ever miss your mother, just call me over to wear it for you.”
Sima Qing: “……”
Exhausted, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If there’s nothing else, you should hurry back.”
“There is, there is!” Jiu Yue straightened up and fished out a slip of intelligence from her clothes… though it was now smudged from the water.
No matter.
She casually destroyed the note and lowered her voice. “Your Highness, Prince Ping has been frequently entering the palace these past few days—apparently to see Consort Xue.”
Sima Qing opened his eyes, his tone indifferent. “Let him. It’s fine.”
Jiu Yue’s eyes widened. “What’s their relationship? Isn’t it inappropriate for Prince Ping to visit Consort Xue like this?”
After all, Consort Xue belonged to the emperor.
Sima Qing glanced down, amused by her gossipy expression. “Nothing inappropriate. Don’t forget, his daughter is being raised in the palace.”
Jiu Yue nodded in realization.
So there was a legitimate reason.
“As for Consort Xue…” Sima Qing mused for a moment, then crooked a finger at Jiu Yue’s eager face.
She leaned in, ears perked, and heard him whisper, “Consort Xue once had feelings for Prince Ping.”
Jiu Yue: “!”
Now that was juicy gossip!
She whipped her head around, but Sima Qing was already prepared, pressing a finger to her lips. Jiu Yue hastily covered her mouth, signaling she’d keep it secret.
Sima Qing’s lips twitched as he straightened.
“And how will you keep it secret? The same way the entire manor knew I could stand within moments last time? That kind of airtight secrecy?” His smile was familiar, laced with sarcasm.
Jiu Yue: “……”
“Can’t people have a little more trust?” She shook her head, then suddenly remembered something and grew serious. “Prince Ping has an expert by his side—someone even more skilled than Qiu Dongfang. He’s been tailing me these past few days, but today, Prince Ping sent him to Qingnan.”
“I couldn’t find out what they’re planning, though.” She frowned. “Your Highness should stay on guard.”
Sima Qing raised a brow.
Qingnan?
What else but to silence someone?
“Noted.” His gaze drifted to the side of her ear. “Are you adjusting well in Prince Ping’s manor?”
“It’s alright.” Jiu Yue sighed. “Prince Ping is harder to kill than I expected.”
“Patience.” He chuckled softly. “This matter… will be over soon.”
Jiu Yue gave him a strange look but flinched when his hand suddenly reached toward her.
“Don’t move.” Sima Qing pressed lightly behind her ear, adjusting her mask. “Are there any secluded spots in Prince Ping’s manor? Old Tao made a few spare masks for you. I’ll have Mo Jin deliver them later.”
Jiu Yue finally realized something.
Her previous mask had also failed after getting wet in Nanxun’s courtyard, exposing her.
Seems this thing isn’t waterproof.
She made a mental note before tilting her head. “There’s a rundown courtyard in the southwest corner of Prince Ping’s manor, with a dog hole. It’s safe.”
Sima Qing: “……Fine.”
With matters settled, Jiu Yue prepared to slip back into the water. But just as she ducked out of the boat’s canopy, she turned abruptly, her gaze locking onto Sima Qing’s legs.
“Your Highness… you won’t retaliate for that stab, will you?” she asked abruptly.
Sima Qing paused, meeting her pointed look. After a beat, he replied, “The warrant’s been revoked.”
Jiu Yue grinned.
“Then… partnership confirmed.”
With a splash, she dove into the lake and vanished.
The moment Jiu Yue left, Qiu Dongfang clambered back into the boat.
“Your Highness, she’s gone.” He sprawled on the deck, catching his breath. “I heard her mention a partnership earlier—who’s partnering with whom?”
Sima Qing remained silent, staring at his legs for a long time.
Yes.
Partnership.
From the start, that stab had been her gesture of cooperation.
Otherwise, the blade would have aimed for his throat—or his heart.
He exhaled deeply, the long-standing puzzle finally resolved. For once, he felt a rare lightness. Glancing at Qiu Dongfang, he urged, “Go finish the act with her.”
Qiu Dongfang: “……”
With a resigned sigh, he obediently plunged back into the water.
Meanwhile, Prince Ping’s idyllic day out had been thoroughly disrupted by Jiu Yue’s heroics.
By the time boatmen shouted, “They’re saved!”, Prince Ping turned to see a vessel nearing the shore—Jiu Yue sat drenched at the bow, while another woman lay beside her, lifeless or unconscious.
The woman’s attire marked her as a maid from Ruyi Residence. Prince Ping barely spared her a glance before focusing on Jiu Yue.
Once ashore, he whisked her away.
In the carriage, he chided, “Yue, you don’t value yourself enough. A lowly maid isn’t worth risking your life—especially when you’re still injured.”
Jiu Yue suppressed an eye-roll and leaned into the act.
“Your Highness, I just… I knew how helpless she must have felt. That kind of despair…” Her tears flowed freely—partly fueled by the golden leaf she’d lost while swimming back.
Prince Ping fell silent.
Back at the manor, he summoned maids to tend to Jiu Yue before leaving again.
Relieved, Jiu Yue shooed the maids away, washed up quickly, and slipped into the mute girl’s courtyard.
Most of the hidden watchers were stationed near Prince Ping’s quarters, leaving few to trail her. With Mei Wuchang absent and the mute girl’s subtle cover, Jiu Yue easily reached the dog hole unnoticed.
After a while, she indeed received a box slid into the room, accompanied by a note.
Jiu Yue froze, then crouched down to open it. The first thing that caught her eye was a single line:
"Prince Ping will attempt to assassinate me again. Ensure you’re the one who carries it out."
Jiu Yue: "…"
She fell into deep thought.
Why on earth would Sima Qing suddenly have a death wish?
If she were the one to execute the assassination, he’d be dead for sure!
