Chapter 92: Chapter 88: The Deal

Shen Jingxian: ?

What is this person talking about?

What antidote, what antidote?

Oh, could it be the poison Qi Qi just administered? The antidote should be sought from Qi Qi, why ask her?

She was just a pretentious princess.

“What is Pavilion Master Yu talking about? If you let this Princess leave, naturally you will get the antidote.”

The Princess did not deny it.

Could it be that she really poisoned him during their first meeting?

And the reason he hasn’t shown symptoms is because the Princess wants it as leverage?

If it were ordinary poison, the Princess wouldn’t be so confident; it must be the Imperial Family’s secret poison.

It is said that the Yunyi Country’s Imperial Family has a poison used to control subordinates. Anyone who takes this poison and harbors disloyalty towards their master suffers the pain of a thousand ants devouring their heart.

This kind of poison, carried personally by the Princess, shows she is indeed cherished.

Yu Qin looked at Shen Jingxian’s face, seemingly trying to gauge how credible her words were, but as he watched, he realized… he couldn’t see anything at all! As long as he looked at the Princess, he would naturally zone out and his mind filled with thoughts of how beautiful, elegant, captivating, and pure she was.

If Yu Qin lived in modern times, he would know there’s a term called seductive innocence.

Yu Qin, unbeknownst to himself, had a thing for seductive innocence; in other words, he was utterly bewitched by Shen Jingxian’s appearance.

He could only look away, his thoughts returning, “It seems, Your Highness already knew about Yu?”

He had never told the Princess that this was Guiyun Pavilion, and there were no traces of the words ’Guiyun Pavilion’ within the architecture.

At the same time, he had ordered that no one was allowed to call it Guiyun Pavilion, instead referring to it as a village, so how did the Princess know its name?

Coupled with Qi Qi’s real identity being exposed, Yu Qin couldn’t help but wonder if his years of planning had been uncovered.

As for Qi Qi, whether he belonged to Yunyi or the other side, was also unknown.

He thought he had concealed this well, but unexpectedly…

“Naturally.” Shen Jingxian didn’t say much, the more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Qi Qi had already left, and as long as he coordinated with the outside forces, no matter how many mechanisms Guiyun Pavilion had, it wouldn’t last long.

The mechanisms are inanimate, but people are alive.

Since the plot has deviated from the original, she didn’t mind making it even more different.

Being one of the male protagonists, Yu Qin’s hidden identity was known to Shen Jingxian.

The Eldest Prince of Xiqi Country, the Empress’s legitimate heir, after her death, his identity was usurped by a traitor.

He always knew his identity but couldn’t return to his country, only secretly expanding his power.

In the original story, with the heroine’s help, Yu Qin successfully returned and ascended the throne. But now, Shen Jingxian wanted to advance this event.

She wanted to see how Yu Qin ascending the throne early would affect the plot, and this is also why she revealed her identity from the start.

The most favored princess of Yunyi Country, unlike powerless princesses from other nations, she thought, Yu Qin must understand this principle.

“Yu Qin, if you want to return to your country, I can help you.”

Yu Qin, like Song Yan, could endure, for bearing what ordinary people could not is what allows one to stand out among the masses.

Such a person must be quickly subdued, not giving him too much time to think.

Shen Jingxian directly pointed out his identity for this reason, though she seemed at a disadvantage, she wanted Yu Qin to think she stood at the pinnacle.

Yu Qin was indeed stunned.

“What does the Princess want me to do?”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch; no one knows this better than an assassin.

Shen Jingxian understood Yu Qin’s concerns, if they were to negotiate, it must be based on mutual equality; no one would be kind to another without reason.

If she couldn’t state her reasons, even if she offered resources to Yu Qin, he wouldn’t accept them.

It’s not that he didn’t want them, but that he didn’t dare.

Who would eat candy that might be poisoned?

Shen Jingxian had to prove Yu Qin’s value.

Indeed, Yu Qin’s value.

Only by proving Yu Qin’s worth to her, could he have the confidence to trade with her.

Sigh, a battle of wits is much harder than escaping.

“Actually, I’ve been looking for Pavilion Master Yu for a long time, just never had the opportunity to meet, and this time the opportunity coincidentally presented itself.”

“To be honest, I want to sit on that seat, but my identity… needs a more powerful backing, Pavilion Master Yu surely understands what I mean.”

The art of speech is ambiguity, Shen Jingxian actually said nothing, yet in Yu Qin’s ears, she said everything.

“With such an important matter, doesn’t Your Highness fear Yu Qin leaking it?”

“The higher the risk, the higher the reward, what does Pavilion Master Yu think?”

…

Qi Qi led Song Yan out; Guihun Pavilion had a dedicated secret passage, he emerged quickly, plus the effects of the drug just administered, hindered those pursuing, he left unimpeded.

But once outside, he realized things weren’t as he imagined, the Imperial Family was blocked outside the gate, unable to find an entrance, completely unlike the imagined clash with Guihun Pavilion.

But Qi Qi had no time to think further, he hurriedly proceeded to rescue the Princess, only to find Guihun Pavilion already deserted.

The once grand hall of Guihun Pavilion still retained some warmth, the scent of men mixed with alcohol, meat, and powder hanging in the air.

These scents, Qi Qi had smelled countless times, yet today seemed different, beyond the unpleasantness, a hint of fragrance lingered.

Some dishes were scattered on the floor, appearing to be spilled in a hurry, but only some, not all.

Shen Jingxian sat alone on the high seat, sipping something, without any trace of surprise upon seeing them, as if she had anticipated it.

Or perhaps, she stayed here, waiting for them.

“We are late to the rescue, please forgive us, Princess!”

“Where are Dark One and the others?”

“Reporting to the Princess, they are without life-threatening injuries.”

Hearing this, Shen Jingxian nodded slightly. To survive Guihun Pavilion’s assassins, her Hidden Guards were indeed capable.

“Have Father and Mother arrived?”

“The Emperor, Empress, and Prince Rong’s Heir are waiting outside for the Princess.”

“Shen Ming is here too? Why is he here?”

“Perhaps because the Princely Heir is concerned for Miss Song’s safety.”

Oh, she forgot that Song Yan and Shen Ming were engaged. But that’s part of Song Yan’s revenge plan, not something she’d comment on.

“Hmm, let’s go.”

Shen Jingxian stood, her steps composed, demeanor calm, as if everything was under control.

Qi Qi suddenly felt the once sweet and naive Princess was an illusion, now this strategizing Princess was the true one.

Little did he know, she just drank the wrong wine earlier, and now with the alcohol kicking in, she feigned strength.

She loathed this world where one drink could topple everything!

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