Chapter Sixteen: A Long Night

The night was deep, and all was silent.

The carved window of the princess’s bedchamber was propped open by a slender wooden stick, allowing a gentle, cool breeze to drift inside. The palace lantern swayed lightly.

Xu Qingzhao sat cross-legged on a floor cushion, her eyes profound as they gazed at the dazzling starry sky. Her left hand supported her cheek, while her right toyed with a teacup, lost in thought.

Not far away, Ren Ye lay sprawled on the floor, eyes blankly staring at the ceiling, appearing utterly drained.

After two full hours of “soul resonance,” not only was the fate of a Heaven’s Pardoned individual depleted, even the hairs on his body seemed sucked dry. No exaggeration—it was a miracle of life!

Among all the strong men in the world, Ren Ye felt he possessed eight bushels of talent all to himself.

Fortunately, the princess was a woman of her word. She honored her promise and demonstrated to the “Emperor of Yin and Yang” a mysterious and unfathomable form of magic…

“If you’re tired, you can sleep here for a while. With me around, no one should be able to harm you,” Xu Qingzhao said emotionlessly as the cold wind brushed her face.

Lack of emotion was, in itself, a form of emotion.

For Xu Qingzhao, she feared becoming entangled in the karmic consequences of being a Heaven’s Pardoned person. Yet, ever since she began exchanging equivalent fate with one, she couldn’t help but feel she was getting the better deal...

On the soft wool carpet, Ren Ye wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at the ceiling with a pitiful expression. “Sigh, I haven’t slept well for over three years now, so what’s a little more?”

“Over three years?” Xu Qingzhao asked lightly. “Did you do something wrong?”

“No, maybe I just never really adapted. I feel wronged, resentful, a bit regretful, and yet somehow it feels like it should be this way? Haha, probably all of it,” Ren Ye emptied his mind. “It’s like there’s a long-suppressed negative emotion in my heart that’s never been released.”

Xu Qingzhao didn’t understand his meaning and wasn’t inclined to ask further, falling silent again.

“Dong, dong-dong!”

Outside the quiet bedchamber, the sound of a few gongs broke through Ren Ye’s conflicted thoughts.

It was midnight.

Ren Ye snapped back to reality, suddenly sitting up from the floor. He grabbed his clothes and began dressing. “My beloved princess, you should rest early. I will be leaving now.”

Xu Qingzhao ignored him.

After a moment, Ren Ye finished dressing and headed toward the palace gate.

“I told you, as long as you don’t seek death yourself, I will do my best to keep you safe,” Xu Qingzhao said, supporting her cheek and turning her head. “But if you act on your own initiative, no matter what happens, I will watch coldly.”

Though she appeared ethereal and detached, nothing within the prince’s mansion escaped Xu Qingzhao’s watchful eyes. She knew tonight Ren Ye intended to take a risk and thus kindly cautioned him.

“My beloved princess, I forgot to tell you—I have never liked being passive...” Ren Ye laughed, tossing the words over his shoulder as he pushed open the door and left with flair.

“Foolish man, incurable...” Xu Qingzhao shook her head gently, expression serene, gazing out the window.

...

A moment later, at Prince Huai’s bedchamber.

Ren Ye sat upright in his chair and issued orders. “Proceed with the plan we set yesterday. You will now go to the Liyuan to select a songstress. Mix that female thief into the group and bring her here. If she resists, use force, but be sure to keep her alive.”

“Understood,” Er’ang replied, then hurried off with accompanying eunuchs.

Ren Ye then looked at Lian’er inside the hall and gestured for her to hurry. “Go to the Palace of Pleasures and prepare as I instructed.”

Inside, the candlelight flickered as Lian’er’s face turned pale. A strange fear welled up in her eyes.

Ren Ye was curious. “What’s wrong? Why do you look as if you’ve seen a ghost?”

“N-no, Your Highness, I truly feel as though I have seen a ghost,” Lian’er answered, forcing herself to speak. “Ever since you returned from the princess’s bedchamber, I’ve sensed an eerie presence... as if... as if…”

“As if what? Speak freely.”

“As if I saw the dead, or those shamans who wander the mountains to drive away spirits and summon souls. It’s just very heavy with yin energy,” Lian’er confessed. “You wouldn’t...?”

“Don’t worry,” Ren Ye waved her off. “Every time I return from the princess’s place, I feel drained... but today, especially so. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

“Should I prepare now?”

“Yes, go ahead!” Ren Ye nodded.

...

Past midnight, inside Liyuan.

The eunuch overseeing the ceremony shouted in his husky voice, “By order of the prince, those selected, proceed to the Palace of Pleasures to serve!”

The sound of gongs rang out as the young eunuchs within the courtyard busied themselves. Soon, all the songstresses and maidservants gathered in the outer courtyard, lined up in rows.

“Guard Hong, please proceed!” the senior eunuch raised his arm, looking at Er’ang with a helpless expression.

Er’ang nodded slightly, then briskly entered the ranks of songstresses to begin selecting.

Under the night sky, the lights flickered.

Liuling’er hid among the songstresses, her eyes fixed on Er’ang. She mobilized her thoughts to once again sense the subtle connection between herself and him.

...

He was faithfully loyal, showing no signs of abnormality.

After selecting more than ten people, Er’ang arrived before Liuling’er. His eyes, upon seeing her enchanting figure, blazed with undeniable passion.

“I have my monthly cycle; I fear I cannot serve Your Highness properly,” Liuling’er bowed gracefully, secretly signaling to Er’ang.

“What use are you?!” Er’ang scolded her, then following her hint, looked toward another songstress skilled at playing the flute. “Are you on your period?”

The woman blushed and shook her head.

“Then step out,” Er’ang nodded to her and quickly passed by Liuling’er without another glance.

...

Half an hour later, over twenty skilled songstresses proficient with various instruments were brought into the Palace of Pleasures.

Ren Ye sat on the throne, reeking of alcohol, drunk and shouting, “I am in a foul mood. Play music and dance. If you can cheer me up, great rewards shall be yours!”

His voice echoed, and a group of stunning songstresses began to bustle. Soon, the palace filled with the harmonious sounds of zithers and lutes, ancient and melodious music rising.

Ren Ye drank the finest wine, feigning a rakish air, eyes half-lidded as he admired the dancers’ seductive forms. Yet his mind wandered elsewhere.

“Er’ang...!”

“At your service.”

“Have you identified which one is the female thief?”

Ren Ye’s eyes swept across the women in the hall as he quietly asked.

Er’ang bent slightly, covering his mouth with his palm. “The woman playing the flute on the left side is the thief I fought with in Chunxiang Garden.”

“Are you sure?”

Ren Ye turned to him, eyes fixed intently.

“I am certain—it’s her.”

“When I summon her to bed later, you prepare the bedchamber first. Remember, do not reveal anything prematurely. She is highly skilled in martial arts and light-footed; under no circumstance must she escape.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I will capture her alive,” Er’ang responded, then quietly left the hall.

“Ha ha ha!”

Ren Ye laughed heartily, raising his cup and standing up, staggering slightly as he shouted, “Keep the music coming, keep the dances going!”

On the right, Lian’er, serving in the hall, sent a glance to a maid after Er’ang departed.

...

Once Er’ang left the Palace of Pleasures, the sycophantic expression vanished from his face.

He first visited Prince Huai’s bedchamber, deliberately distracting the night-duty eunuchs before slipping away unnoticed.

Half a quarter later, he returned accompanied by a woman disguised as a common maid, arriving at the Tranquil Heart Hall.

As soon as they appeared, two eunuchs emerged from the corridor, one calling out, “Who goes there?”

“It’s me.”

Er’ang frowned and replied, then stepped up the stairs, pointing to the maid beside him. “The prince is drinking and reveling at the Palace of Pleasures and sent us to fetch some personal items.”

“Oh, so it’s Lord Hong! Please come in, please!”

“Lord Hong, I don’t recall seeing this maid before.”

“She’s from Liyuan. Don’t ask too much,” Er’ang said coldly.

“Yes, yes!”

The two eunuchs showed obsequious expressions and tactfully stepped aside.

“You need not follow us. Stay alert on duty.”

“Yes.”

After a brief exchange at the hall’s entrance, Er’ang led the maid inside.

The eunuchs guarding this place were arranged by him and Lian’er. They knew exactly who was on duty and where, so Er’ang encountered no one else along the way.

In the dim corridor, the maid trailing closely behind Er’ang slowly raised her head. “Has that useless one detected the songstress’s abnormality?”

“Reporting, master, that useless one’s plan is to lure the flute-playing songstress into the bedchamber, then I will take action to subdue her,” Er’ang replied, eyes burning as he licked his cracked lips. “The eunuchs inside have no strength nor martial skill; he dares not act rashly.”

“Hm.” Liuling’er nodded with satisfaction. “Are you sure you can open the secret chamber’s mechanism?”

Er’ang respectfully answered, “The National Sword displayed in the hall is the switch to the secret chamber. But a few days ago, it found a new master. That useless one secretly took the real sword, replacing it with a replica pressing the switch. Only those who understand its mysteries can enter. Master need not worry.”

Liuling’er nodded again. “Let’s hurry.”

Less than seven hours remained before the morning’s deadline. Liuling’er was anxious to finish quickly and avoid further trouble.

They quickened their pace and soon arrived at the main hall.

...

“Squeak!”

The hall door closed. Liuling’er stood in the darkness, cautiously surveying the surroundings with wary eyes.

Er’ang rushed forward, circled the towering throne, and picked up the fake National Sword.

“Click!”

Gears turned, and the wall split open, revealing a secret passage slowly emerging.

“This is the secret chamber that useless one discovered,” Er’ang said, proudly showing it to Liuling’er, excitement shining on his face. “Master! After this, I only beg to... to share intimacy with you once more... even if I die immediately afterward, I will have no regrets.”

Liuling’er looked coldly at him. “You go in first.”

“Very well!” Er’ang did not hesitate, striding into the secret passage.

Liuling’er closed her eyes slowly, carefully sensing the subtle connection between them with her mind. Once she confirmed Er’ang’s loyalty was stable, she nodded in satisfaction.

Within a few breaths, Er’ang’s voice came from the passage. “Master, no abnormalities detected.”

Liuling’er furrowed her brows and softly called out, “Spring Breeze Favorable Map.”

“Whoosh!”

A flash of light appeared, and a scroll abruptly materialized in Liuling’er’s hand.

She gripped the magical item tightly, holding her breath as she stepped lightly into the passage.

The flickering torchlight danced restlessly. Liuling’er’s eyes gradually took in the full view of the secret chamber. In her ears, the alert from the Star Scar Gate sounded.

[Congratulations, enchanting songstress, you have discovered a secret passage hidden in the prince’s mansion. Task completion: 1/3.]

Hearing this, Liuling’er’s heart leapt with joy. She took the torch Er’ang handed her and, turning toward the densely packed shelves, asked, “When you and that useless Prince Huai came here, did you find the construction blueprint of the previous dynasty’s princess tomb?”

“No, I did not find such a record,” Er’ang shook his head.

Liuling’er lifted her gaze and saw the iron door at the far end of the chamber, her expression curious. “Where does this lead?”

“I don’t know. But that day, when I and the useless Prince Huai were here, we encountered a fierce ghost...” Er’ang vividly recounted that day’s experience.

After listening, Liuling’er cautiously approached the iron door. Since she had been tasked with investigating this secret, naturally she wished to uncover its mysteries...

“Master,” Er’ang looked at the flickering flame and spoke softly, “I have been out for nearly half an hour. I must return to the Palace of Pleasures to report, or that useless one may become suspicious...”

“Go,” Liuling’er said calmly. “Don’t close the secret chamber door. Once I finish the investigation, I will find a side room to hide. You can come back for me then.”

“Yes!” Er’ang saluted and asked, “When that flute-playing songstress is brought into the bedchamber, how should I handle her? If the useless Prince Huai speaks with her, the plan will be exposed.”

“Tell him that the female thief is highly skilled in martial arts and possesses strange, unfathomable supernatural powers. Have him find a safe place to hide her,” Liuling’er said, eyes fixed on the iron door, her mind clear. “Once he leaves, pretend to lose control and kill the songstress. No witnesses.”

“But those two young eunuchs at the hall entrance saw us just now...”

“Kill them both before you leave. Ha, I have my ways to divert attention.”

“Understood!”

“Go,” Liuling’er nodded slowly.

“Whoosh!”

Er’ang swiftly disappeared into the secret chamber.

...

In the dark, narrow corridor of the Tranquil Heart Hall, Er’ang hurried back to the Palace of Pleasures to report.

Silence surrounded him, broken only by the rapid sound of footsteps on the floor...

“Er’ang!”

A familiar voice suddenly rang out: “What’s so special about that woman? Isn’t Lian’er good enough?!”

The words sent an icy chill down Er’ang’s neck. In a flash, he drew his famed sword, Inviting Moon.

The torchlight flickered, revealing Ren Ye’s figure.

Seeing him, Er’ang’s pupils contracted, and with a stubborn expression, he shouted, “You useless man, no one can harm my master!”

“Smack!”

Lian’er, hidden on the left, stepped forward and slapped Er’ang. “What’s so special about her? You forget loyalty so fast, even quicker than the prince undressing!”

As she cursed, she slapped a delicate talisman onto Er’ang’s chest in an instant.