The private room fell silent. Shangguan Lin looked at Ye Wuyun, his eyes filled with hope.
"Wuyun, just help us this once. We are being targeted now. If there's any slightest disturbance, those people from the Divine Dragon Palace will be one step ahead. This means our every move is known to the enemy. There must be someone of theirs among us. Only you can achieve a victory by surprise."
Ye Wuyun, though appearing indifferent and distant, possessed formidable martial arts, profound and unfathomable. If he were willing, he could certainly help them. The crucial question was whether he was willing to get involved in this mess.
Compared to Shangguan Lin's eagerness, Ye Wuyun showed no extraneous expression throughout, remaining cold and uninterested.
"I've told you, this is your business. Don't drag me into it."
After speaking, he turned to look out the window, his gaze distant and hazy, as if something of importance hung in the air. He watched with absorption and focus.
The atmosphere in the private room became stiff, filled with a cold current. Shangguan Lin's surroundings exuded a hidden darkness, his pupils flashing with the ferocity of a sinister wolf. This awed the others in the room into silence, none daring to breathe.
This Prince Lin was known to kill without blinking. They had to be careful. If he couldn't do anything to Ye Wuyun, it didn't mean he wouldn't vent his frustration on them.
Just then, the door of the private room was lightly knocked twice, and a respectful voice sounded.
"Your Highness, someone from Rouge Pavilion wishes to see you."
"Rouge Pavilion?" Shangguan Lin raised an eyebrow, a fleeting sharpness in his eyes, then calmly said, "Let him in."
Mo Ruyan of Rouge Pavilion was known to everyone in Yan Jing as his confidante. In reality, she was merely a friend with whom he could converse. Although Ruyan was a woman, she possessed a man's boldness and did not quibble over minor details, so he often went there to drink and relieve his boredom.
Su Qier, dressed as a young servant, bowed and cautiously walked in. The chilly air within the private room made her tremble involuntarily, even her breathing becoming cautious.
The atmosphere here doesn't seem good. Have I stumbled into a confrontation? she even felt a coolness on her neck, the coldness of a blade seeping into her skin.
"Who are you?"
Shangguan Lin's pupils were cold and fierce, like a bloodthirsty wolf ready to devour everything around him.
Su Qier belatedly felt fear, but the arrow was nocked and had to be shot. She spoke cautiously in a low voice, "This one is a servant from Rouge Pavilion. Miss Ruyan sent this one to find Your Highness, saying she has something to discuss with Your Highness."
"Ruyan has something to discuss with this king?" Shangguan Lin was slightly taken aback. Although he and Ruyan were the subject of much gossip, their interactions were as placid as still water, with no deep connection.
This was quite unusual. Shangguan Lin narrowed his eyes suspiciously, his cold gaze emitting a chilling light. His body moved abruptly, and he was beside Su Qier in an instant. He reached out, clasped Su Qier's neck, and said coldly.
"Speak, who sent you?"
Su Qier's breath hitched. She fell to her knees with a thud, pleading repeatedly. Her hands involuntarily clutched Shangguan Lin's leg as she trembled.
"Your Highness, spare my life! This one is truly from Rouge Pavilion! This one is truly from Rouge Pavilion! Your Highness, please don't kill me! I know nothing!"
As soon as Shangguan Lin approached Su Qier, he realized she was just an ordinary person. It seemed he had overreacted. Looking down, he saw this servant dared to hold his leg and became furious. He kicked out, sending Su Qier flying directly out of the private room, accompanied by a cold shout: "Scram."
Outside the private room, Su Qier scrambled out, still begging for mercy, "This one is going, this one is going! Your Highness, spare my life!"
But as she reached the staircase, the corners of her lips curled into a cunning smile. Holding her chest, she strode downstairs.
Damn it, that kick was really fierce. Her chest ached faintly. She had to leave quickly, fearing Shangguan Lin might discover her soon. Her figure, as swift as a cunning rabbit darting from its burrow, disappeared downstairs in the blink of an eye, exited the gate of Qingyu Tower, and headed straight for the street...
An incense stick's time had passed. Yun Xiao glanced up at Qingyu Tower, still not seeing Su Qier's figure. She pursed her lips and smiled, thinking she wouldn't have the fortune to keep that girl. Turning to Xiuxiu beside her, she said, "Let's go."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xiuxiu took two valuable items to a pawnshop and exchanged them for three thousand taels of silver notes. It was just enough for preparations, to buy some precious medicinal ingredients, and to craft an exquisitely sharp scalpel.
The two turned to leave. Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind them, followed by a gust of wind that swept towards them. Someone grabbed Yun Xiao and ran.
Yun Xiao was somewhat bewildered. Xiuxiu, behind them, afraid something might happen to her Highness, hurried to follow: "Wait for me, wait for me."
The three disappeared in an instant, melting into the crowd.
In Qingyu Tower, the VIP room on the third floor, the atmosphere remained cold. Shangguan Lin unhurriedly sipped his tea, looking at the man opposite him. The man gazed lazily and distantly out the window. The wind gently brushed his ink-black hair, making it appear elegant and beautiful, completely untainted by dust.
His serene and handsome features showed no ripple, nor did his request cause him any unease.
"Wuyun?"
As Shangguan Lin spoke, Ye Wuyun stood up. His light purple brocade robe billowed, releasing countless subtle fragrances. He moved towards the door, his figure exiting as his leisurely voice echoed, "Don't you feel something is missing from your person?"
At this remark, Shangguan Lin was startled. He looked down and saw that the colored silk and jade pendant hanging from his waist was gone. Raising an eyebrow, he knew how it had been lost. His expression immediately turned gloomy and unpleasant. He suddenly shouted outside.
"Muli, immediately investigate who just came!"
Standing outside the private room was Shangguan Lin's personal guard, Muli. Hearing the prince's angry voice, he knew something had happened and immediately responded cautiously, "Yes, your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
The private room fell into a dead silence, filled with a killing, oppressive atmosphere...
On the street, Su Qier pulled Yun Xiao, running wildly like a madwoman. Only when she was too exhausted to run another step did she stop, bending over and gasping for breath. Yun Xiao had remained silent the entire time, but Xiuxiu, who had caught up, was furious.
"What are you acting crazy about now? Why are you dragging our mistress?"
Su Qier took deep breaths, panting heavily. Once her breath returned, she ignored Xiuxiu and took out the stolen jade pendant, dangling it in the air.
Sunlight shone on the precious jade, displaying a soft luster. It was smooth as silk, with exquisite carvings. The peonies, small as beans, were distinct petal by petal, with flowing lines. It was clearly a valuable item.
"Got it."