Chapter 9

The man's laughter is deep and pleasant

These two individuals are exceptionally astute people

Liu Ying quietly observed him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "So it turns out that the esteemed Prince of the Nineteenth, too, engages in such activities. The Prince of the Nineteenth is thorough and meticulous in his investigations, which I, as a common woman, cannot help but admire"

Now is certainly not the time for bravado, she thought of the words she had just spoken, wishing she could bite off her own tongue

Do not say that sorrow is pitiable, for where in life is there not weeping

Liu Ying could not fathom what scheme he was concocting.

She ignored the palm of her hand cut by the gravel, her eyes as always dark and calm, like still water without a ripple

She hides the brilliance in her eyes, fearing that if Hu Tu were to utter a word of pity, she would surely be heartbroken to death

The Nineteenth Prince frowned, seemingly so disgusted that he did not even want to touch the hem of his clothing

He bit his lower lip and endured in silence. When it was time to leave, he glared with his reddened eyes and said fiercely, "Today I concede this little bit to you, but I will surely win it back in the future." At that moment, he was even unwilling to call her "little master" as a pretense to give her an advantage.

At that time, the young lion had already displayed a remarkable demeanor, with every word and sentence delivered without any mercy

In those eyes, there was neither joy nor anger, as dark as a pool of stagnant water, so cold that all his lingering thoughts dissipated like smoke in the air

Step by step, treading on the fallen muddy leaves, producing a faint "crunching" sound

A fleeting dream is easily awakened from, a smile that forgets emotions misrepresents the past years

Out of nowhere, a deep and cold voice suddenly emerged. The speaker seemed to be unaware of what politeness or gentleness meant, bluntly throwing out a sarcastic remark.

New grievances and old grudges all weigh heavily on the heart

Is it because of the woman in the room

There has always been someone silently guarding you from behind

For some unknown reason, the Nineteenth Prince suddenly felt a sharp tremor in his heart

He spoke in a tone of understatement, yet Liu Ying felt a sharp pang in her heart. She looked at the young man before her, dressed in splendid garments, his eyes veiled with a strong aura of violence. The corners of her mouth curled slightly, as if she wanted to smile, but ultimately only formed a curve that was more semblance than smile.

The dignified Nineteenth Prince, at this moment, was smiling in a rather provocative manner. He said: "As you see it, Master Liu, that little wolf cub cannot help you with your matters; I can assist you with everything, as long as you cooperate with me. I guarantee the safety and peace of those you wish to protect."

Even if the regent has announced it to the world, there is no smoke without fire

She ignored the waves of constricting pain in her palm and said, "Even if I don't see anyone, I still have to take the medicine..."

Later on, she studied the Xiqiu text and finally caught him red-handed

But now, upon closer inspection, it is found that she is not reclusive after all

King Ning gazed at the woman before him with a hint of disdain

After a moment of hesitation, I ultimately handed the prepared medicine to Yu Wei, forcing a faint smile and saying, "Take this over."

The young lion, at the age of sixteen, once asked during his first journey: "Master, what does it feel like to be hurt by love?"

Inside the door

The name does not reach, and the reality does not return

She spoke kind words, and as he listened, he appeared calm, yet there was a hint of a smile in his eyes

King Ning suddenly erupted with an inexplicable rage, forcefully throwing Liu Ying to the ground

The debauched prince, notorious for his lewdness and brutality in Cangyuan, suddenly suppressed those emotions, looking down at Liu Ying with an air of authority, seemingly no longer the flustered figure he had been moments before

Fine beads of sweat seep from the back, clinging to the collar, sticky enough to cause unease

The Nineteenth Prince of the Imperial City actually ran to Tianfeng

As soon as the words were spoken, a look of surprise flashed in the young woman's eyes, followed by a deep expression of joy, "I shall faithfully adhere to the Second Young Master's wishes"

Liu Ying found it novel, yet still felt a tingling sensation on her scalp

The mysterious girl in the light veil seemed to sense her mood at that moment and quietly glanced back. That glance was like a sharp blade, as if it were to pierce through the curtain and stab Liu Ying fiercely.

The next day, he arrived leisurely, while she could no longer endure the torment and angrily questioned him about what he intended to do and why the officials had not come. The little lion smiled brightly, his eyes sparkling, and said softly: "Master, when did I ever say I would call the officials to take you away? You are just overthinking it yourself"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ying instinctively glanced into the room—was there no one inside?

Only the voice of the woman could be heard: "Your Highness, please do not be angry. I am not a clever person and do not know what is considered sufficient. I would appreciate your guidance."

Her tone was indifferent, and her gaze was as cold and lifeless as death

There is no other reason; it is simply because this wooden plaque is exactly the same as the one that Mr. Shen gave to me.

Liu Ying woke up from a nightmare, and upon opening his eyes, he found himself surrounded by darkness.

She pressed her pale lips tightly together, feeling a bit bitter inside

Do you remember those days when Hu Tufang was nine years old, with a youthful and proud demeanor, as if nothing in the world mattered to him

To Ning Wang, this woman seems somewhat foolish

The scorching medicine bowl burns the palm with a stinging pain

Even the little thought she had in reminding Shuning to guess riddles at the Lotus Feast did not catch his attention; he merely felt that although this woman possessed cleverness, she was by no means as formidable as the prophecies of the heavenly secrets.

The slender and frail woman stared blankly at her fingertips, burying her head beneath the bed, her hands tightly embracing her bent calves, silently sitting in stillness throughout the night

Her knee struck against the hard wooden board, causing her to gasp in pain.

In the world, there are numerous individuals named Ye Zi and Liu Ying. Back in the day, among the noble youths, which family did not have a young master named Liu Ying or a strategist named Ye Zi? If it were not for the imperial edict proclaiming the truth, and the regent calling it nonsense, one could only wonder what kind of chaos this group of restless nobles would stir up.

The board struck the palm of the well-dressed young boy, and she smiled with great comfort, feeling somewhat relieved, as if she had washed away her humiliation and was finally able to hold her head high.

When she smiles, her dark and quiet eyes reveal no distinction between joy and anger, and her lips are pale, devoid of any color

It is precisely her that is being referred to

A round of applause began to sound.

Liu Ying's palm pressed against the mud and sand on the ground

With a turn of her face, she still took away that plain note, leaving behind only a sentence, "Master, do wait patiently."

He suddenly seemed to understand what it was about Hu Tu that captivated her. He abruptly lifted her chin, as if to confirm his guess, and without further ado pressed his lips against hers. Although she was reluctant to admit it, her lips were indeed very soft, completely unlike her persona, which was so cold and distant, making him unable to resist the urge to seize more of her sweetness

With one arm still bound in gauze, she could still block her with the other hand, her brows and eyes revealing a fierce demeanor akin to that of a master, impatiently stating: "I told you, the young master does not wish to see anyone." Their young master has finally come to his senses; even he no longer holds her in regard, and naturally, he was unwilling to show her any kindness, especially since she had injured her own arm.

Liu Ying was so angry that she ground her silver teeth, "You ... ... "

She looked around, all alone.

Yet with one eye closed, Liu Ying was seen staring at oneself with open eyes

She placed her hand on her chest, lowering her head in a somewhat dazed manner

After a long time, the young girl said to him again: "Please do not do that next time"

He caught up with Tian Feng and secretly observed Liu Ying for a long time, feeling somewhat disappointed with this woman

She is about to explain something

Do not play tricks with me, Liu Ying, I know very well what kind of person you are. Before the age of fourteen, you studied in the brothel, known by the name of Youhuang. Due to your cleverness, you gained fame in the local area and caught the eye of Lady Hu from Qizhou at a temple fair, who redeemed you from the brothel. After that, you taught the young master of the Hu family to read and write. At the age of twenty-one, in such a semi-advanced age, you unexpectedly had a fleeting romance with your own student. At twenty-four, you left Qizhou and entered Tianfeng... At the age of twenty-one, in such a semi-advanced age, you unexpectedly had a fleeting romance with your own student. At twenty-four, you left Qizhou and entered Tianfeng...

He cast a sidelong glance at the girl before him and said: "Little Master, what can you teach me? The Four Books, the Five Classics, the Six Classics, or medical principles? Little Master, what you know, I also know; what you do not know, I also know. You consume my grains, yet you cannot share my worries. What use is it to want you?"

Liu Ying tightly gripped the wooden plaque, her gaze seemingly devouring the tall, jade-like, cold and stern man before her. Ultimately, she lowered her head fiercely and uttered a single word from between her teeth, "Good"

Without mentioning anything else, as a teacher, to not even spare one's own sixteen-year-old disciple is truly lewd

As Yu Weigang was about to push aside the medicine bowl, he looked up and saw a piercing gaze from Liu Ying, as if it were a needle pricking him. The harsh words he had prepared were suddenly stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered, and he unconsciously accepted the medicine bowl.

If she were to cater to and please others, even if it meant crying and whining, it would be better than her current appearance. Yet, Liu Ying maintains such an attitude that even he himself does not understand why he suddenly feels a sense of regret in his heart

She was momentarily flustered

He quietly held the piece of plain paper filled with intricate angles and said, "Being caught means a death that leads to the underworld." A small child sat on the swing made of rattan that she had woven during her leisure time, the daylight illuminating his slightly pale cheeks. In profile, he appeared vividly alive, yet he was unmistakably a little devil.

The distance was clearly within reach, and the sound of the little lion's cough could be distinctly heard through the thin door. Fish Wei was slightly blocking the way there. He said, "Our young master is not available right now, miss, please go back." As soon as he finished speaking, a soft murmur from a woman came from inside the door, seemingly saying something that amused the little lion.

At that time, she was unable to respond, but now she understands. From the moment he said, "Master, this time, although I am willing to help you reach out to Lord Guo, it will only be for the last time. From now on, I will no longer meddle in your affairs," and from his words, "Between you and me, it is like this dagger, forever severing our paths," she realized what it felt like to be wounded by love

The fish lazily said: "What brings you here, young lady?"

Liu Ying's hand, which was holding the medicine, became completely stiff.

Will there be a sense of loss?

She lowered her head, concealing the trace of sadness in her eyes, and said softly: "I will bring the medicine to the second young master and leave soon."

The voice carried an indescribable malice, and the smile was radiant, making it impossible for her to look away for a moment

The little lion appeared to smile yet not smile, as if it had heard something quite amusing, wanting to say something but ultimately refraining. He lay half-reclined on the bed, his palm wrapped in layers of snow-white gauze, from which faint traces of blood were seeping through. His expression was calm; although he seemed even thinner and more fragile than before, his spirit was quite good.

But she clearly did not have that intention

Her lips were roughly pressed by Prince Ning's kiss, leaving a faint trace of blood.

Just like a circle, she could not force herself to blend in, and thus only managed to create a clear division, like the Chu River and Han Border, where life and death remain unknown to each other. Yet that circle, from the very beginning, was never prepared to accept her as an individual

The gaze filled with warmth has also shifted to other women

Today, business collaboration is no longer merely a relationship of cooperation

Perhaps she will never know what it means to be heartbroken

Biting her lip, the tip of her tongue tasted a sweet and salty scent, while her eyes revealed a stark expanse of ice and snow

No! Do not ... ...

She lowered her head, attempting to remedy the fatal mistake she had just made

However, he is ultimately a shrewd and patient person

Moonlight cannot penetrate the inn, and everything, from the tables to the chairs, is as dark as if outlined in heavy ink

The words are spoken without any courtesy

Lord Ning did not answer but instead asked, "What do you think?" He truly could not see where her beauty lay; with such looks, could she really stand firm in the teaching hall?

King Ning had accurately calculated that she could not refuse him; whether she cooperated or not, he was fully confident that he could compel her to serve him.

At that time, she was sixteen years old and still cared about her reputation; after such a turmoil, she even had thoughts of wanting to die

She could not clearly remember what she had dreamed about, only that Hu Tu seemed to say he wanted to sever ties with her. At the time she heard those words, she only felt a pang of sadness. However, in the dream, such emotions were magnified dozens of times, and she truly experienced that kind of sorrow and pain, as if she had lost something very important

This time, Prince Ning displayed the magnanimity and grace of a superior, not retreating in the slightest due to her cold rejection. He held a wooden token in his hand and said with a gentle smile, "Little Liu, you have not yet heard the content of my proposal, so why belittle yourself? You have ample time to consider whether or not to collaborate with me. I, too, have sufficient time to await your response."

Clap clap!

She lowered her head, concealing the slight curve at the corner of her mouth, "Prince Ning's words suggest that he seems to understand my character very well"

At that moment, the little lion looked at her with a half-smile and teased, "Master, your learning is truly extensive." This term "Master," accompanied by the biting cold wind, burst forth from the roots of his teeth, clearly lacking any respect for the teacher or the way of learning.

The girl suddenly brightened her eyes, as if she had let out a long breath, and her stiff shoulders relaxed. She smiled gently and said, "I originally thought the second young master was joking, but I didn't expect you to truly let go. I must say, congratulations to the second young master."

A sixteen-year-old man is not considered small, but having such a relationship with his female teacher is too filthy

Although she did not know how Prince Ning came to know about this wooden plaque, the fact that he was able to inquire about her most private details with an accuracy of sixty percent without her being aware of it indicated that he naturally had his own cards to play

Regardless of the wind and snow, the dark night

All the words that humiliated her turned to smoke, which she casually returned to herself.

It is one thing for a woman to remain uninvolved in emotions, but once she becomes emotionally attached, even the most cunning and intelligent among them may act foolishly

Hu Tu

They are all clever individuals who can grasp things instantly, engaging in a battle of wits, and surprisingly, they managed to understand the dozens of carts of booklets sent by Madam Hu without missing a single word.

In his view, this woman is exceedingly detestable

This statement carries significant weight

In the midst of his thoughts racing, Prince Ning could not be bothered to conceal the disdain in his eyes, and he coldly remarked: "Master Liu, merely having a good memory to remember this prince's voice is still not enough"

It turns out that it was not because of the joy of Liu Ying

A trace of murderous intent flashed in Ning Wang's eyes as he finally walked from behind to stand before Liu Ying. A cage of green shadows suddenly descended. He looked down at Liu Ying from a position of superiority, his eyes still filled with ferocity, and the air was thick with the oppressive force of authority.

Such a frail appearance suddenly stirred something in Prince Ning's heart

A common woman has no particular talents, I fear I will disappoint the prince once again

Once a word is spoken, there is no room for regret or repentance

He said solemnly: "Master Xiao Liu, this prince wishes to collaborate with you. I wonder if you might be interested."

Liu Ying suddenly awakened from her contemplation; the other party was a prince, and she was a commoner

She said lightly: "Your Highness, is there nothing else to do here besides humiliating this commoner?"

A sense of indescribable loss suddenly surged in my heart and mind

Upon hearing this single sentence, the young girl turned pale, immediately realizing that he was referring to the assassination attempt against Liu Ying outside the inn

A voice as clear as a flowing spring suddenly rang out, "Master, why are you not asleep so late?" Looking up, it was the little lion with delicate features, its cold cheeks seemingly encased in a thin layer of frost.

Now, Liu Ying is suffering again because of love

Who is Ning Wang? Although he believed it on the surface, how could he take it to heart? He exerted tremendous effort and finally discovered that the woman at the Lotus Banquet that day was none other than Liu Ying, who was prominently mentioned in the Heavenly Secrets Prophecy.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Little Lion Gate, before even entering, I was slightly blocked by a fish

It was only after her reminder that King Ning recalled the purpose of his visit

She reached out to touch his cheek, and with a swift motion, the cold wind slipped through her fingers. With one hand grasping at emptiness, she was caught off guard and fell from the couch.

After a long time, seeing Hu Tu close his eyes, he placed a fresh orange slice in his mouth, speaking slowly and softly: "From now on, do not mention her in my presence."

But one day, when you turn around, the person you were protecting is no longer there.

He said, handing the wooden plaque in his hand to Liu Ying.

When she asked this question, the mysterious girl clenched her fists, her heart also pounding with anxiety

Gently, it alleviated the turmoil within her heart

If Hu Tu does not speak, then the mysterious girl will also remain silent

By the time he reacted, he could only see Liu Ying's distant silhouette fading away

Yu Wei suddenly thought that in the Yunhu Mansion, she also had this solitary demeanor. Everyone said she was cold and reclusive, with a very peculiar temperament, and even he himself had not taken a close look at her.

If it had always been that time, she would not think of Xiqiuwen, and he would not do everything for himself

The two young masters cannot be said to have a relationship of teaching and learning

Ten years ago, someone secretly perused the prophecy of the regent. Among the lengthy and obscure texts, only this passage circulated: "Cangyuan, Qizhou; Ye Zi, Liu Ying. One strategist, one master, pacifying the nine provinces." The prophecy has never left any room for nameless individuals, and this statement nearly incited great chaos in Cangyuan.

Liu Ying stood outside the door, only hearing their laughter and conversation

She was as restless as if sitting on pins and needles, anxiously enduring for nearly an entire month

There is not much difference; inexplicably, a trace of guilt arises in my heart

Ultimately, the little fellow is impervious to both soft and hard approaches

Seeing her lip corner cracked, Prince Ning took out a handkerchief, intending to help her wipe away the bloodstains at the corner of her mouth, but Liu Ying subtly avoided it.

He treats her as if she is merely serving tea, fetching water, boiling medicine, and cooking soup, simply because he has asked the little lion to attend the Gu family banquet

On the morning of the second day, Liu Ying had finished brewing the medicine

This was the first time Liu Ying had been provoked in such a manner

But Hu Tu said: "You used the sound of the flute to summon the Shadow Assassins, sending them to kill Liu Ying. What audacity! Fortunately, she only thought it was the Eastern Xia Shadow Assassins making a move, which prevented a major upheaval. Her martial arts are not as inadequate as you imagine. Next time, if you do not have complete confidence, do not act recklessly."

As she turned back, the girl’s eyes lost their sharpness, revealing a hint of gentle relief. She peeled a fresh, bright orange and, smiling, handed it to the little lion, saying: "Second Young Master, seeing her outside the door, being scolded by your little fish, don’t you feel even a little heartache?" This was originally a probing question.

"Bang—thud," it was unclear when the window had not been closed tightly. The cold wind blew against me, piercingly chilly

Liu Yington took a step forward, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes

Seeing Liu Ying still wanting to say something, Xiao Yu decisively interrupted her. Suddenly recalling something, she cast a disdainful sidelong glance at her and coldly said: "Miss, you should leave. I know why you are here. You need not worry about what the young master promised you; it will be fulfilled. There is no need for you to feign concern by coming here to serve tea and water."

The missed opportunity was exceedingly good; for Prince Ning, it was indeed a great humiliation

King Ning did not give her a chance to retort at all, suddenly shouting, "Cooperate or not?"

The sound of a needle falling can be heard.

She walked slowly, at this moment it was late autumn, and the grass and trees were withering.

Even in disappointment, I have still decided to meet the woman mentioned in this prophecy.

The guest room is quiet.

As the days passed, the expected officials and soldiers did not arrive, but instead, she ended up with two large and conspicuous dark circles under her eyes. It was the end of the year, and as was customary, the young scholar arrived at the Yunhu residence. Sitting in the west seat, she felt that the maids and young servants were all looking at her, stifling their laughter. When she returned home and looked in the mirror, she finally discovered the peculiarities around her eyes

In her childhood, she had a fiery temperament and could not tolerate being contradicted by others

I have come to deliver the medicine

She did not turn back, pondered her words, and said in a gentle voice: "In recent days, I have always known that someone was opposing me. I did not expect that my little girl would be so capable as to provoke none other than the esteemed Prince of the Nineteenth. I had thought that the Prince of the Nineteenth would only be nurturing his strength within the palace walls, but it turns out I have overestimated His Highness the Ning Prince."

He fiercely wiped away the scent of her lingering on his lips, his eyes shooting out a brutal and cold light. "No wonder you are a woman from the brothel; you rely on this appearance to win the favor of that little wolf cub? Truly lewd, even this king was almost bewitched by you

She discussed poetry and philosophy with him, shared laughter about the world, engaged in tea and wine duels, and competed in the six arts along the way. She lost half a piece in chess to him but won a note in the zither. The two young adolescents sparred for an entire month. In the end, she gained a slight advantage, and even this little bit was enough to suppress his arrogant demeanor

The fish-like figure blocked the door tightly, saying loudly: "If the young master is injured, there are plenty of people who care for him, and there are also those who can brew medicine. There is no need for the young lady to worry."

Upon leaving the inn and walking outward, one encounters bustling streets. Despite being a solitary city, it is self-sufficient and remains exceptionally prosperous. Exiting through the city gate, after traversing the dark deck, one continues for a while before reaching the towering mountains. When Liu Ying first arrived at Tianfeng, he only remembered a heavy shroud of clouds obscuring his vision, and it was only upon approaching that he realized it was the city tower.

She slowly gathered her hands in her sleeves, a hint of coldness between her brows, resembling the chill of snow. She spoke softly, "It is the fault of this humble woman for not bringing comfort and satisfaction to the prince. The people I know are countless, yet none are called Little Wolf Cub. If the prince wishes to humiliate this humble woman, I regret to inform you that, as the prince has stated, I am merely a courtesan from the pleasure quarters."

I once thought Liu Ying to be an extraordinary figure, but upon seeing her now, I realize she is merely an ordinary woman

With just a glance, a bright spark of light suddenly shone in Liu Ying's eyes, "What do you mean by this?"