Chapter 4, Secrets of the Palace (I)
"It was just a nibble, how could it turn out like this?" she couldn't help but murmur
An invitation that she had almost forgotten arrived as scheduled
Murong Qi followed behind Ji Che, lost in thought. After walking a few steps, they turned a corner, and a warm yellow light appeared before them. Under the light, a middle-aged couple selling wontons had not yet closed their stall. A large pot was steaming with hot vapor, and a few sparse customers were sipping soup.
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At this moment, a servant came to report that the Prime Minister, Lord Wei, has sent an invitation for the Duke of Xin to visit his residence for a discussion
When Murong Qi saw Wei Nange again in the back garden of the Prime Minister's residence, he indeed expressed surprise and regret over her hand injury, just as Ji Che had anticipated
Murong Qi, feeling unconvinced, pouted and said: "Is it really that serious? I know you don't want to provoke trouble with the royal family, but I also have my limits; I don't really intend to harm her..."
"It looks quite serious, is it alright?" Wei Nange reached out to gently support Murong Qi's right hand, which was bandaged like a thick bear paw, his expression revealing concern.
"You... you are overthinking it..." Although she said this, her voice had already weakened considerably, clearly indicating that she had accepted his criticism deep down.
On the tenth day of Murong Qi's stay in Liaoyang Jing
Is that so? Ji Che's fingers left her brow and finally rested on her neck, his tone growing increasingly cold: "How does the taste of 'Peach Blossom Drunk' feel? Is this also something I have overthought?"
Murong Qi frowned as she held the elegantly worded invitation that exuded a faint fragrance, the four characters "Remaining Situation" on it instilling a sense of dread in her
In the words of Xiao Jiu, this is merely infatuation, but Murong Qi believes that this is what is known as love at first sight
Guo Zichen cried: "Young master, please don't do this..." www.hetushucom.com
"Wait a moment, A Che, you can't just leave me like this," Murong Qi said as he grabbed his black arrow-sleeve. "I don't know how to play chess, I will give myself away. Once I expose myself, I won't be able to stay in the capital; if I can't stay in the capital, Xiao Jiu must come back; if Xiao Jiu comes back, you will definitely be annoyed to death by him..."
Ji Che cast a glance at him and said, "This is your matter with her, what does it have to do with me?"
Speaking of this "best aesthetic," it takes us back to when Murong Qi was still a young girl. At that time, in the eyes of little Qi, the most exquisite man in the world was her father. He was gentle and affectionate, knowledgeable and talented, and his words and actions exuded an innate nobility and elegance, even his choice of words and sentence structure was of great taste. In contrast, her mother, who was cold and aloof with an exceptionally high combat power, and the group of uncles and aunts in the Kasyapa Temple who spent their days meditating, practicing martial arts, and cultivating, could not compare. The invincible aura of Lord Xin Wang illuminated her entire childhood.
Ji Che: "... ..."
Murong Qi turned his head, somewhat disappointed: "Ji Che, your so-called number one intelligence network in the world is nothing like this!"
Ji Che stood up and brushed off his clothes, intending to take his leave from Guo Zichen.
Ji Che silently looked at her for a while, then suddenly weighed the dagger in his hand and unexpectedly stabbed towards the back of her hand.
"Yes, yes, yes, this young gentleman has already given instructions earlier," the proprietress said with a smile as she placed the bowl in front of her, deliberately glancing at Ji Che for a moment. "You are truly fortunate, young lady"
Ji Che said coldly: "The woman just now is the deputy commander of the 17th regiment of the Imperial Guard, and the 17th regiment is a renowned royal assassination unit, directly obeying the orders of the royal family. The targets they pursue are all significant and important figures. If you had struck with that knife just now, you would never be able to return to Liaoyang City again."
An unfamiliar woman, probably a romantic partner of Xiao Jiu. She would never admit that this was something a man had taken advantage of.
He does not speak, yet she will maintain her distance. As she watches him turn and continue walking away, she cannot help but feel frustrated as she touches her lips, having been taken advantage of without any means to reclaim her dignity. It is truly unfortunate. She must inquire about what exactly the "Phoenix Palace" is and what the so-called Young Master Phoenix has done to provoke the pursuit of the Imperial Guard's Seventeenth Battalion.
Guo Zichen once again twitched his lips: "Unless it is a particularly large business, Young Master Feng rarely makes an appearance. His true appearance still requires further investigation. Additionally, Miss Murong, please do not call me..."
On a chilly spring night, she was only wearing a thin long garment. The outer robe she had casually taken was lost during the scuffle, and in her haste to leave, she did not have the time to retrieve it
Guo Zichen: "... ..." Please do not ignore me, alright
The so-called fate is ineffable, and opportunities must not be missed as they do not come again
Nevertheless, he still instructed Guo Zicheng, saying: "Xiao Guo, continue the investigation into Fengyou Palace and find someone to follow up. As a spice trader, these individuals seem to have been appearing too frequently around the officials in Liaoyang recently."
I knew that A Che, you treat me the best, surely you cannot bear to see me suffer from hunger and cold
Is that Young Master Feng always wearing a mask because of his unattractive appearance? Guozi, do you not have more detailed information?
Ji Che slowly took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the dagger clean, and said淡淡道: "The intelligence network of the Hongshui Gang does not exist to investigate an inconsequential spice dealer"
Indeed, after childhood, the harsh realities constantly remind her that the halo of idols is often the most deceptive. However, the values and aesthetic views that have long been formed are deeply rooted, so whenever Xiao Qii imagines the appearance of her future beloved, it is generally similar to that of her father, which is to say, someone like Wei Nange.
Indeed, indeed. Murong Qi nodded eagerly, "At this time, being able to enjoy a bowl of hot wontons is truly a blessing!"
What brings her melancholy are the young men she knows, either disciples or followers of the Kaye Temple, or eunuchs and guards from the capital. Occasionally, there are some of a different type, but they are all the same group of debauched young masters who indulge in wine and pleasure all day, or the burly men from Ji Che's gang who are illiterate and engage in brawls as a daily routine. Finding a man as clear as a mountain spring and as gentle as a spring breeze is indeed a daunting challenge. They are all the same group of debauched young masters who indulge in wine and pleasure all day, or the burly men from Ji Che's gang who are illiterate and engage in brawls as a daily routine. Finding a man as clear as a mountain spring and as gentle as a spring breeze is indeed a daunting challenge.
Madam Boss : `` ... ... ''
According to the investigation, this business is indeed a major spice dealer in the Dayou and Shiya regions, with nearly half of the officials and nobles in the country as their clients, particularly many in Liaoyang. The big boss of Fengyou Palace is known as Young Master Feng. Guo Zichen twitched his lips, "Also, Miss Murong, please do not call me Guozi..."
An hour later, Murong Qi followed the young leader of the Ji family, walking on the deserted streets of the capital city as midnight approached
Ji Che exchanged a few words with his boss, and when he turned around, Murong Qi was already seated at the table, wiping the chopsticks with his snow-white sleeves. Upon seeing him sit down, he very obsequiously handed over the pair of chopsticks he had already cleaned, his phoenix eyes smiling like crescent moons.
At that time, she was in the magnificent Duke's residence, munching on sunflower seeds while listening to Guo Zichen's investigation report. Ji Che was half-reclining on the couch, resting, occasionally using the dagger in his hand to swat at the flies that passed by, effortlessly dispatching one with a flick of his wrist.
Murong Qi never expected him to launch a sudden attack. Although she reacted quickly enough to dodge, the sharp blade still left a small cut on her finger, causing blood to flow. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Ji Che and the book had already put away the dagger and said calmly: "Now you can tell Wei Nange that your hand is injured and you cannot play chess."
Upon seeing this youngest minister of the current dynasty again, she became even more certain that she indeed harbored different feelings for him—her heart would race, her words and actions would become flustered, and she always wanted to steal another glance at him. However, when their eyes truly met, she could not help but look away.
I never expected that I would actually encounter one of them today
Because Wei Nange's appearance perfectly aligns with her ideal aesthetic—gentle eyes like a deer, a straight nose, and lips that always carry a smile, embodying the grace of a gentleman, with every gesture exuding an enchanting scholarly aura.
His fingers were a bit cold, and Murong Qi asked somewhat nervously, "What is 'Peach Blossom Drunk'?" After saying this, she suddenly recalled a scene from earlier in the cellar, when the strange masked man named Feng Yuan seemed to be nibbling on her neck before the intoxicating fragrance within her dissipated.
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Murong Qi, of course, did not notice that she was shouting at the boss's wife from a distance: "Sister-in-law, please do not add cilantro to my bowl, and add a bit more pickled vegetables and chili..."
Ji Che's expression slightly cleared up, and he nodded, saying: "There are too many cunning and deceitful things in Shiyaqi, it is better to keep a distance from Beigong Tanhua"
Murong Qi hurriedly took a few steps forward, blinked his eyes, and said pitifully: "A Che, I am hungry..."
Well... it's quite frightening, why would one laugh at a time like this... As expected, he does appear more amiable when he maintains a serious expression
"I accidentally scratched it." Murong Qi sighed, squinting his phoenix eyes and shaking his head, "I truly apologize, Lord Wei, but I cannot accompany you to finish the game."
The person walking in front indeed stopped and turned around
"Who?" Ji Che retracted his finger and smiled faintly.
"Pot, what did you just say? Fengyou Palace sells spices? It's not an assassination organization or a cult?" Murong Qi spat out a sunflower seed shell, expressing great surprise at this outcome
In a moment of impulsiveness, she blurted out: "Lord Wei, having achieved much at a young age, remains unmarried to this day. I wonder if there is someone in your heart whom you favor?"
Your Highness, how did your hand get injured
"It was just a coincidence." He did not appreciate it, but a hint of unnaturalness flashed in his eyes
"It's nothing... it will be fine in a couple of days." Looking at the handsome face so close at hand, Murong Qi's confident demeanor inexplicably faltered, causing him to quietly take a step back.
Good ... ... Alright
Guo Zichen: "Young Master, this is not an issue, but before that, could you please correct Miss Murong and ask her not to call me 'Guozi' anymore?"
She hurriedly took out a small mirror from her bosom and, using the dilapidated lantern by the roadside to check, saw a faint red mark on the back of her neck, which, upon closer inspection, resembled a flower painted with rouge.
Murong Qi gazed at Ji Che's back, repeatedly contemplating that although the incident was triggered by the deadly "Peach Blossom Drunk" from Beigong Tanhua, it was indeed her fault to have fought in the residence of a foreign envoy. It would be better to lower her stance and admit her mistake, yet she did not know how to begin. Just then, a gust of wind blew from somewhere, sending a chill through her body, and she couldn't help but sneeze, softly whimpering, "So cold..."
"However, if any damage occurs, the consequences are unpredictable." He showed no signs of concession, extending his long fingers to precisely point at her forehead, "Do not forget who you are now. I do not care about any private agreements you had with Prince Murong Zheng two years ago, but 'Murong Qi' has already disappeared from the royal family, while 'Murong Jiu' has not. The new emperor has yet to ascend the throne, and at this time, involving yourselves in secret actions within the royal family will bring no benefits to either of you."