“Wow, he’s so handsome, babe—”
Liu Yueti leaned against Bai Zhen’er’s shoulder, her eyes sparkling.
The sound of splashing water filled the air as she looked at He Jiaoyun, who was still thrashing around in the pond.
“You’re really putting on a show.”
“The water’s barely up to your calves.”
Only then did He Jiaoyun realize it. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her, as though they were all laughing at her.
She hurriedly pulled up her soaked sleeve to cover half her face and awkwardly tried to climb out.
Bai Zhen’er stepped forward and stood guard at the edge of the pond.
He Jiaoyun nearly ground her teeth to pieces.
“Bai Zhen’er! How dare you!”
Bai Zhen’er looked unbearably pleased with herself.
“Why wouldn’t I dare?”
“Everyone is watching! How could you behave like this?!”
He Jiaoyun was drenched from head to toe and trembling with anger.
“Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you’ve gotten yourself into?!”
“Really?”
Bai Zhen’er turned toward the maid.
“Wenshu, did I get myself into trouble?”
Wenshu approached with a smile.
“No, Miss.”
“Master said that Imperial Censor He is nothing to worry about. If you offend him, then so be it.”
“See?”
Bai Zhen’er smiled sweetly as she bent down and held out one finger.
Then she pushed He Jiaoyun back into the pond.
“Who told your father to be so useless?”
Amid He Jiaoyun’s scream, Bai Zhen’er proudly turned around, wrapped an arm around the starry-eyed Liu Yueti, and said,
“Come on, Yuebao. Let’s go to the banquet!”
Not far away, on the second floor, Ling Buzhan stood by the window and watched the entire spectacle below.
“Interesting.”
He smiled, his gaze following Liu Yueti until the two disappeared from sight.
“Wasn’t Miss Bai always gentle and well-mannered, never getting into conflicts with anyone?”
Wei Zhao gave a quiet laugh.
“Maybe…”
“She just can’t afford to lose face in front of her best friend?”
“Huh?”
Ling Buzhan looked puzzled.
Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow.
“Women care about their pride.”
Then she asked, “Do you know where Shen Hanzhi is?”
“Northwest corner.”
Ling Buzhan swirled his teacup, watching the pine needles floating in the tea.
“The Regent has come, which means he’s showing the princess respect. Naturally, he doesn’t have time to ‘mingle with the common people.’ They have to find somewhere nice to put him on display.”
“Her Highness arranged a private seat for him over there and even invited a…”
“A qin player?”
Wei Zhao frowned.
Xie Anshi had deliberately mentioned him, so this musician was clearly no ordinary performer.
Ling Buzhan took a sip of tea.
“I heard he’s better at killing people than playing the qin.”
Wei Zhao’s eyes widened.
“The Ghost Qin Master!”
She immediately jumped out the window.
“If he gets to him before I do, I’m going to hold you responsible!”
“Can you please use the door?”
Ling Buzhan helplessly set down his teacup.
“How can you be an assassin if you’re this impatient?”
Feiying quietly asked, “Master, didn’t you say that an assassination attempt on the Regent would definitely fail?”
“That’s right.”
Ling Buzhan chuckled.
“But if things don’t get chaotic up ahead, how are we supposed to take advantage of the confusion and search for what we need?”
Feiying was stunned.
“Then… Miss Wei…”
“She’ll definitely get away.”
Ling Buzhan smiled.
“When she realizes I used her and tries to chop me to death, remember to help save me.”
Feiying was speechless.
“Me?”
“Master, please accumulate some good karma!”
……
Meanwhile, Bai Zhen’er and Liu Yueti pretended to admire the flowers while actually searching the crowd for Wei Zhao.
According to their plan, the anonymous tip had already been sent to the Regent’s residence. Once Shen Hanzhi learned that he could catch the assassin from their previous encounter at today’s Flower Appreciation Banquet, there was no way he would let the opportunity slip.
Once Wei Zhao was caught by the Regent, Bai Zhen’er would step in and protect her, claiming that it was all a misunderstanding and that Wei Zhao was actually her guard.
That way—
They could successfully separate Wei Zhao from Ling Buzhan while also gaining a powerful female guard!
Liu Yueti rubbed her chin.
“The more I think about it, the more I feel like I’m a genius…”
“Could I secretly have a talent for being a strategist?”
“Of course!” Bai Zhen’er looked around. “I told you that you’re smart.”
“But she’s not here.”
“I don’t see Wei Zhao, and the male lead isn’t here either.”
“It’s fine.”
Liu Yueti patted her.
“We can just go straight to the northwest corner. Shen Hanzhi will definitely catch someone there.”
“And besides…”
She draped an arm over Bai Zhen’er’s shoulder.
“Bestie, have you noticed that you’ve been gradually turning toward the northwest this entire time?”
Bai Zhen’er widened her eyes innocently.
“Have I?”
“You have.”
Liu Yueti pinched her cheek, exasperated.
“You hopeless little thing!”
“Hehe.”
Bai Zhen’er smiled sheepishly.
“Then let’s just go find him.”
Liu Yueti shook her head.
“Forget it. There’s no such thing as a perfect person in this world. This tiny bit of lovesickness is your one and only flaw.”
She reached over and straightened Bai Zhen’er’s hair.
“Go on. Let that ridiculously lucky Regent see just how adorable you look today!”
The two followed the sound of the qin toward the northwest corner.
When they cautiously peeked inside, they immediately saw Shen Hanzhi sitting at a table in the courtyard.
Bai Zhen’er’s eyes lit up, and she stepped directly into the courtyard.
A sword suddenly appeared in front of her.
Cang Yu’s voice was cold and stern.
“The Regent is here. No unauthorized persons are allowed to approach.”
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
Liu Yueti quickly shielded Bai Zhen’er’s neck.
“That’s dangerous!”
She whispered to Bai Zhen’er,
“What do we do? He won’t let us in.”
“It’s fine.”
Bai Zhen’er casually pushed the sword aside.
“He’s just trying to scare people. He’d never actually draw his sword.”
Cang Yu: “…”
He could only watch helplessly as Bai Zhen’er walked straight inside and sat in the seat farthest from the Regent.
It’s not like this was my idea. The Regent himself ordered me to let her in!
Shen Hanzhi lowered his eyes, pretending not to notice her arrival as he stared at the wine cup in his hand.
Bai Zhen’er secretly moved one seat closer.
Then another.
Then another.
Shen Hanzhi: “…”
Liu Yueti finally couldn’t take it anymore.
She stood up, grabbed Bai Zhen’er, dragged her to the table beside Shen Hanzhi, and pushed her down into the seat.
“You. Sit here!”
She flicked her sleeve and sat behind the two of them, staring intently.
This was her premium viewing seat—
Her sacred post protecting her best friend’s romance!
Bai Zhen’er sat stiffly beside Shen Hanzhi and remained silent for a long while.
Shen Hanzhi was equally quiet as usual. He said nothing, but the hand holding his wine cup hadn’t changed position for quite some time.
“My lord.”
Bai Zhen’er finally spoke softly.
“Why are you listening to music all by yourself here?”
She secretly glanced at him.
“There are so many beautiful flowers outside today. Have you seen them?”
Shen Hanzhi’s expression shifted slightly.
He turned to look at her.
“I…”
The melody suddenly changed.
Clang!
The qin player on the raised platform suddenly drew his sword and leaped into action.
Several flashes of cold steel shot straight toward Shen Hanzhi!
Bai Zhen’er gasped.
“Look out!”
Shen Hanzhi immediately pulled Bai Zhen’er into his arms and swept his sleeve outward, knocking away the hidden weapons.
Cang Yu had been prepared for an attack. He leaped forward to intercept the assassin.
But two throwing knives suddenly came flying from the side.
A masked figure vaulted into the courtyard, kicked Cang Yu away, and simultaneously blocked the Ghost Qin Master’s sword strike.
The two assassins deliberately lowered their voices.
“How dare you steal my prey? Are you tired of living?”
Seeing that the attack had failed, the Ghost Qin Master immediately turned and fled.
Shen Hanzhi’s expression turned cold.
“Pursue him.”
“Kill him on the spot.”
Several dark figures shot after the fleeing assassin.
Still in Shen Hanzhi’s arms, Bai Zhen’er struggled to turn around and met Liu Yueti’s equally panicked gaze.
The plan!
What about our plan?!
One of those two just now has to be Wei Zhao!
Liu Yueti hurriedly stood up.
She had to chase after them too!