Someone exclaimed in surprise, “What? His Highness the Crown Prince took her back to the Eastern Palace?”
“In my opinion, Wen Shuyu’s real goal was to get close to His Highness and live in the Eastern Palace. That’s why she staged this whole Blood Talisman incident.”
The person continued, “But she was too harsh on herself. To pursue His Highness, she didn’t hesitate to harm her own body with the Blood Talisman.”
“She’s really going all out. I’d say she might actually become the Crown Princess. None of the other women pursuing His Highness have ever risked their lives like this. Who could compete with her?”
Someone nearby shook their head. “No, no, it wasn’t Wen Shuyu who wanted to recuperate in the Eastern Palace. I heard that Prime Minister Wen wanted to take Wen Shuyu back to the Prime Minister’s residence, but His Highness took her from Prime Minister Wen, saying that with his high cultivation, he could immediately detect if Wen Shuyu felt unwell.”
“Could it be that His Highness has feelings for Wen Shuyu…?”
Someone interrupted, “Don’t jump to conclusions. His Highness has always been kind-hearted. Since Wen Shuyu was injured because of him, given His Highness’s temperament, even if he doesn’t like her, he would definitely take responsibility for the matter.”
There was also someone who loved stirring up trouble.
“I heard that tomorrow is His Highness’s birthday, and the Eastern Palace is hosting a grand banquet, which is also a selection banquet for the Crown Princess.”
“Apparently, His Highness hasn’t liked Wen Shuyu all these years. Forced matches never work out. Now that His Highness is getting older, the Emperor is no longer forcing them together. The legitimate daughters of several important court officials have been invited to the Eastern Palace for this birthday banquet. It’s clearly meant to select a Crown Princess for His Highness.”
“Wen Shuyu happens to be staying in the Eastern Palace to recuperate. She’s always been arrogant and domineering all these years. When she finds out, she’ll definitely cause a scene. Just wait and see, tomorrow will be quite a show…”
As dusk fell, thick darkness enveloped the sky above the Eastern Palace. A crescent moon hid behind drifting clouds, casting dappled silver light through rustling leaves.
Eastern Palace, study.
A masked figure in black landed gracefully and knelt before Xiao Jingchen. “Master.”
Xiao Jingchen was flipping through a book in his hand, raising his eyelids slightly. “Did you swap them?”
The figure in black nodded. “Yes.”
He respectfully placed the two fake Blood Talismans on the desk.
The figure in black was named Chengying. He was the one who understood his master’s temperament best, which was why he was shocked when he received the order today.
He was His Highness’s hidden guard, different from the shadow guard Mo Yu, who often appeared in public. No one except His Highness and the members of the hidden guard camp knew of his existence. He was often assigned more secretive tasks by His Highness, usually involving serious matters like assassination or arson.
But tonight, his mission was merely to replace the two fake Blood Talismans in the Empress’s palace with real ones.
Earlier today, after the Princess used the Blood Talisman and injured herself, she later regained consciousness. The Empress, concerned and worried about her, severely reprimanded her for harming her own body, confiscated the remaining two Blood Talismans, and warned the Princess never to dabble in such dangerous things again.
Tonight, His Highness told him that the Princess’s Blood Talismans were all fake and ordered him to replace the two fake ones confiscated by the Empress with real ones, just in case someone discovered them later and the Princess was reprimanded again for causing trouble or even deceiving the Emperor.
No killing, no arson—just swapping two talismans. More importantly, His Highness was doing this for a woman.
Chengying was astonished.
He asked, “Your Highness, how did you know these two talismans are fake?”
Xiao Jingchen turned a page of his book without looking at him. “Wen Shuyu values her life above all else. She wouldn’t risk her life for such things. The blood was likely dripped onto the talismans afterward.”
Chengying: !
So she deceived you, yet you’re not angry? You even helped her. Since when have you become so forgiving?
Xiao Jingchen set down the book in his hand, his gaze falling upon the two fake Blood Talismans.
“She’s become more attentive toward me. Before, she would only profess her affection with words, but now she’s putting effort into devising such intricate schemes. She deserves some reward.”
“That’s why I allowed her to stay by my side. Seeing me every day will surely make her happy.”
“In the past, I kindly warned her not to provoke me. I wanted to spare her, but she never listened. Then again, her devotion runs deep—she wouldn’t give up easily.”
Chengying: “…” He couldn’t help but detect a hint of pride in that tone.
Suddenly, Xiao Jingchen’s gaze froze.
He picked up the two Blood Talismans and stared at them intently. “Chengying, these two Blood Talismans…”
Chengying responded, “What is it, Your Highness?”
The dim candlelight in the hall cast a shadow across Xiao Jingchen’s profile.
He stared at the two Blood Talismans in his hand, enunciating each word deliberately, “They’re real.”
His voice held surprise, tinged with disbelief. “They’re actually real.”
“I was mistaken. She isn’t that scheming.”
“Wen Shuyu’s feelings for me run this deep? For a mere birthday gift, she would disregard her own life. This is truly reckless.”
His tone was inscrutable, leaving Chengying uncertain whether his master was pleased or angered.
Then, Chengying watched as his usually impassive master rose to his feet, sat back down, and paced back and forth across the hall.
Finally, Xiao Jingchen looked up and asked him, his voice laced with urgency and concern, “Has Wen Shuyu retired for the night?”