Though it was a jade pendant of little value, it still held some worth.
Qin Xingchao had tightened his belt for half a lifetime to save up for a house in Daliang City, never daring to spend recklessly. That jade pendant was the only item he could use to maintain appearances, and losing it had genuinely upset him for over a month.
But he had lost it at the Prince’s Residence—a place he couldn’t just barge into to search.
At the time, he was traveling incognito with the emperor. If their cover were blown because of him, whether the emperor found out or not, he felt it would be perilous…
Just as his distress lingered, like timely aid in a snowstorm, that young woman appeared before him.
Daliang City truly was small. Qin Xingchao, moved to tears of joy, disguised himself the next day and showed up in front of Xi Hongrui.
Seeing the eager look in his eyes, Xi Hongrui slowly revealed a smile.
Back then, though she hadn’t anticipated the male lead would cause trouble for her, she had considered the possibility of mishaps.
She was a maid, and the Chongwen Emperor was the emperor—her life, death, honor, or disgrace all hung on the emperor’s whim.
But how could the weight of her entire fate be so lightly suspended on a thread entirely beyond her control?
So, after securing that one thread, she pulled out another, stepping firmly on the jade pendant that had slipped from the waist of that landlubber.
The man’s entire outfit looked worn from long use, the kind you could find anywhere on the streets.
Only an elegant dagger and that distinctive jade pendant seemed to hold any value. If he lost one of them, how could he not be tormented by its absence?
She waited outside, confident that the reputation of Linglong Pavilion, boosted by the transmigrated woman, would eventually draw him in.
Yet, this guy actually took over a month to show up. Later, it occurred to her—what if he was just too poor to dare step into Linglong Pavilion?
Xi Hongrui waited left and right, but he never came. Her initial calm finally burned away, and in a fluster, she took the initiative to visit Official Qin’s residence.
Finally luring the fellow over, Xi Hongrui sprawled lazily, gently fanning herself, and said leisurely, “Hmm? What kind of jade pendant?”
Qin Xingchao immediately grew frantic, describing the pendant’s appearance with animated gestures.
Xi Hongrui watched his performance with feigned surprise, waiting until his throat was dry from talking before suddenly bursting into laughter. She leisurely drew a jade pendant from her pouch, dangled it before him, and swayed it back and forth. “Does it look like this?”
At the sight of the pendant, Qin Xingchao breathed a sigh of relief and reached out eagerly. “Yes, yes! That’s the one!”
But Xi Hongrui abruptly pulled her hand back, fixing her dewy eyes on him with a meaningful gaze. “Now that I’ve found your jade pendant, how will you thank me?”
Qin Xingchao: …
He wasn’t a three-year-old; he understood the ways of the world. Staring at the fox-like young woman before him, he could only reply gravely, “I am deeply grateful for your help in finding the pendant. I will not forget your kindness. These—”
“Ha ha ha!”
Xi Hongrui suddenly laughed aloud, tossing the pendant directly to him. “Just teasing you! I am the Crown Princess Consort’s personal maid—I’m not interested in your trinkets. Besides, someone like you couldn’t possibly own fine jade. It must be fake, right?”
Qin Xingchao: …
“Right, right! It’s fake! But it was a gift from my mother, so I’m truly grateful to you for finding it!””Hmph.” Xi Hongrui lifted her chin triumphantly.
Then she asked as if casually: “You’re not following your master today—what’s his background? He doesn’t seem like the painter he claims to be, more like a high-ranking official.”
Qin Xingchao: …
How should he reply? The emperor was the one who told this lie. As a mere guard, anything he said would be inappropriate.
But since Xi Hongrui asked, he couldn’t remain silent. Allowing this deceived person to grow suspicious would also count as his failure.
This was the trouble with being the emperor’s guard—trivial matters could become monumental, and you never knew which decision might lead to your downfall.
After much deliberation, Qin Xingchao finally settled on a suitable response: “You’ve guessed correctly, miss. My employer is indeed no ordinary man, but he truly is a skilled painter.”
“Oh~” Xi Hongrui immediately “understood,” “He’s a retired high official, right?”
Since she provided the answer herself, Qin Xingchao promptly agreed with “Mhmm,” then offered a few evasive remarks before turning to leave.
But Xi Hongrui suddenly called out: “Wait!”
Qin Xingchao stopped and looked back at her: “Is there anything else, miss?”
Xi Hongrui took a red Brocade Pouch from the shelf, swaying it before him with a smile. “Find time to give this to your master. Have him try it. If he likes it, please bring his family to visit Linglong Pavilion often~”
Qin Xingchao: …
He looked up at Xi Hongrui’s blossoming smile, slowly accepted the pouch, and replied: “Yes.”
As long as this Brocade Pouch was intended for the emperor, he had no right to refuse.
Thus, deep within the palace, the Chongwen Emperor received an object from outside through his chief guard: “What is this?”
Not daring to conceal anything, Qin Xingchao reported every detail of the incident before the throne.
As he spoke, memories buried deep in the Chongwen Emperor’s mind suddenly resurfaced. He rushed to the corridor.
Seeing that the corridor had been unknowingly replaced with Midnight Epiphyllum, he flew into a rage: “Where is that parrot? Who changed it!”
Everyone around knelt in terror. De Ren’s eyes darkened, and immediately a young eunuch crawled forward, trembling: “Your Majesty, this servant noticed the parrot had been there for a long time, so I thought…”
“Scoundrel!” De Ren kicked him to the ground, his voice shrill with anger. “What have I taught you? How dare you act on your own judgment!”
The young eunuch didn’t dare speak, only kowtowed repeatedly to beg for mercy.
Seeing that De Ren had disciplined him, the Chongwen Emperor’s anger subsided slightly. He flicked his sleeve, unwilling to bother with the mess, and left it all to De Ren to handle.
The young eunuch wept pitifully, looking up at De Ren: “Godfather…”
De Ren said nothing, patting his face. The young eunuch instantly understood his meaning.
Though he might escape death, he couldn’t avoid punishment. Everything he had worked for until now was gone in an instant!
…
After the Chongwen Emperor left, he opened the Brocade Pouch. A strange fragrance immediately wafted out.
Looking at the peculiarly textured “plum blossom” in his palm, he grew curious. He brought it to his nose, carefully savoring its scent.
He turned to ask De Ren: “What is this?”Rushing over in haste, De Ren wiped the sweat from his brow from the journey and said with a deferential expression, “Forgive this humble servant for my limited knowledge, but I couldn’t discern the origin of this item either. Perhaps when you have time, Your Majesty could personally visit the owner to take a look?”
Upon hearing this, the Chongwen Emperor recalled the young woman in red he had seen by the water and was immediately delighted. With a wave of his hand, he declared, “Excellent! Tomorrow, we shall go on another incognito inspection!”
De Ren bowed low, humbly agreeing, and even began offering suggestions to the Chongwen Emperor.
Prince, I’ve helped you once—that’s already the utmost of my kindness. Don’t expect anything more.
Just as Xi Hongrui lazily fanned herself at the counter and lifted a hand to wipe her sweat, a distinctive fragrance suddenly wafted into her nostrils. It was a scent she had only ever detected on the Heir of Rui Wang and Old Rui Wang—not even the Prime Minister’s residence had it. So Xi Hongrui knew: he had arrived.
Lifting her head languidly, she looked at the newcomer and laughed brightly, “Oh, great painter, you really came~”
The Chongwen Emperor gazed at the young woman lounging lazily against the counter. With her movements, a glimpse of her snow-white collar and delicate neck was revealed, glistening with a thin layer of sweat under the scorching summer heat, clinging lightly to her garments. When she raised her head, it unveiled a smile as radiant as peach blossoms.
As her lively eyes met his, the Chongwen Emperor, in high spirits, spoke up, “Yes, I’ve come. Am I a bit late?”
Xi Hongrui couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
Not late, not late, you old fool!