Chapter 117: The Devil in a Saint's Skin

At that time, she was representing the Yan Prince Mansion, attending a banquet at the Rui Prince Mansion. Xiao Jingyuan was not present then.

She had always disliked such hypocritical occasions, so she left the flower hall to get some air by the lotus pond. Who would have thought that Prince Rui would follow her without a sound.

Prince Rui had drunk a bit too much; his handsome face was flushed with a faint red, his eyes were somewhat unfocused, and even with her maid present, he dared to openly tease her.

"Sister Ning is distant with me. Clearly, when you were little, you used to hug my neck and call me brother, saying you wanted to marry me when you grew up."

Shen Shuangning had loved beauty since she was small, and naturally, she was a face-watcher. As her brother said, she was only willing to be close to those handsome brothers and sisters.

Prince Rui was the Second Prince at the time, his features inheriting the peerless beauty of Empress Wang. He was indeed exceptionally handsome, and being of royal birth, he possessed a unique, noble temperament that made him stand out.

Coupled with the fact that he had a good relationship with Shen Shuangning's brother and often came to the Duke Mansion, Shen Shuangning naturally became familiar with him.

But as for saying "marry him," perhaps it had been said, but she hadn't even been five years old then; how could she understand the meaning of marriage?

Even her grandmother had said that when she was small, she had clamored to marry her cousin Shen Miaoyun!

Childhood matters were hard to remember clearly; even if there had been such a joke, it was just childish talk and could not be taken seriously.

"Prince Rui, please conduct yourself with dignity!" Shen Shuangning put on the airs of an Heir Consort and scolded coldly.

She was already a married woman; Prince Rui's words were a great offense. If heard by others, it would only damage her and the Yan Prince Mansion's reputation.

But Prince Rui didn't care. At that time, his power was at its peak, and he didn't fear the Yan Prince Mansion at all, acting with complete impunity.

Shen Shuangning didn't want to get entangled with a drunkard and just wanted to escape quickly, but who would have thought that Prince Rui would step forward to pull at her, his hand even reaching toward her face.

It was also at that moment that she was shocked to realize that Prince Rui actually coveted her beauty and that his behavior was so dissolute and rude!

At that time, Shen Shuangning only had A Zhao by her side. A Zhao was a mute and had a frail body, while Prince Rui had fought in battles and had great strength; with a casual wave of his hand, A Zhao was thrown heavily to the side.

Later, Prince Rui hoisted Shen Shuangning onto his shoulder, and regardless of how she struggled, he dragged her straight into a room, wanting to force himself upon her.

Shen Shuangning felt despair in her heart and was even prepared to seek death.

At the critical moment, a knock came from outside the door; it was the voice of a servant from the Prince Mansion.

"Your Highness, Master Cangji has important matters to discuss; he asks you to go over immediately."

Prince Rui's hand, which was gripping Shen Shuangning's shoulder, paused abruptly, and he subconsciously asked: "Teacher is looking for me?"

So Prince Rui hurriedly got up, casually straightened his messy clothes and crooked crown, and then left her behind and went straight out.

This unhesitating obedience was enough to show how much Prince Rui respected that "Teacher."

Later, Shen Shuangning fled the Rui Prince Mansion as if escaping, and from beginning to end, she never saw what that Master Cangji looked like.

Regarding what happened that day, she didn't know if it was a coincidence; even recalling it made her heart race, but she alone remembered the name "Cangji."

Never did she expect that this person was actually the Eldest Young Master Xie, and that he was actually Prince Rui's man!

Recalling Prince Rui's respectful attitude toward Xie Yan, even calling Xie Yan "Teacher," then Prince Rui's later attempt to rebel likely had everything to do with this person.

After figuring out this key point, the previous doubts seemed to have answers, and Shen Shuangning only felt a chill down her spine.

She was one of the few people who knew the inside story of the Hou Mansion. It seemed that Xie Yan not only wanted to take revenge on the Hou Mansion but also wanted to turn the entire royal family upside down!

If Prince Rui eventually ascended the throne and Xie Yan became the Emperor's tutor, his power would inevitably be overwhelming. Then, wouldn't causing the Xie family's destruction be just a matter of a single word from him?

Shen Shuangning had already seen Xie Yan's true face and knew he was a ruthless person.

Thinking of this, Shen Shuangning's heart shook violently, and only one thought remained in her mind: No matter what, she must never let Xie Yan return to Prince Rui's side!

But who should she tell about this?

Xiao Jingyuan was currently running around for the Xie family's affairs and likely couldn't spare the energy to deal with Xie Yan. Right now, the most important thing was the safety of the Hou Mansion.

Shen Shuangning's thoughts turned a hundred times, and finally, a name popped into her mind—Pei Zhi.

That's right, she could go to Pei Zhi!

Pei Zhi was the Crown Prince's man, standing exactly on the opposite side of Prince Rui, and his brain was better than hers. Letting him solve Xie Yan was the most appropriate thing.

She was just a noble lady; even if she had a little cleverness, her individual strength was ultimately too small, so she could only seek help from outside.

Once the thought was set, Shen Shuangning acted immediately.

That night, she draped a plain-styled cloak over herself, took advantage of the thick night, brought A Heng, and quietly slipped out through the small door in the southwest corner of the Duke Mansion.

Pei Zhi had once said that if she encountered an emergency, she could wait for him at Li Ji.

This was her first time setting foot in Li Ji to find him.

Xie Yan's whereabouts were currently unknown, and all parties were investigating. Time waited for no one; if she didn't make things clear tonight, she wouldn't be able to sleep.

Auntie Liu of Li Ji had long recognized Shen Shuangning, and seeing her arrive late at night, she couldn't help but show some surprise.

"I am truly sorry for disturbing you so late," Shen Shuangning said with some apology. "It is just that the matter is urgent, and I had to come overnight. I hope Auntie Liu will not blame me."

Auntie Liu hurriedly waved her hand: "Fourth Miss, what are you saying? Please come in quickly. The night wind is cool; the private room upstairs is warmer." As she spoke, she led her toward the stairs.

After entering the private room, A Heng took the cloak she had removed, and Auntie Liu turned to brew a cup of hot tea, also serving a plate of peach blossom pastries she had always loved.

It was the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the peach blossom pastries on the plate were still warm from the oven.

As the lid was lifted, the clear, sweet scent of peach blossoms spread out, mixed with the mellow richness of the tea, which also diluted the chill of the night.

"Fourth Miss, please enjoy. I have already sent someone to invite the Young Master, but the Young Master is busy, so I don't know if he can make it. My people are quick-handed, so they won't let Fourth Miss wait too long."

Shen Shuangning nodded. If she couldn't see Pei Zhi tonight, she would come again tomorrow, but it would be even harder to see him during the day.

The small red stove on the side was warming the tea, bubbling "gudu gudu."

She sat by the window, and through the half-open carved wooden window, she could see a wonton stall still set up below.

As the night watchman approached, the stall owner was also about to close up. The end of the street was quiet, and no one ever came.

Shen Shuangning's slender fingers held the teacup; she was a bit anxious, but she also knew she couldn't be rushed.

That night, Xiao Jingyuan returned to the North Guard Division.

During his absence, Su Chen had been in charge.

Theoretically, everything related to the Holy Heaven Sect rebels had to be handled by the North Guard Division, but it happened that Xiao Jingyuan was seriously injured and unconscious, so all affairs were handed over to the Three Judicial Offices.

These Three Judicial Offices were the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Dali Temple.

The high-ranking officials of the Dali Temple and the Censorate had Empress Wang's people among them.

Xiao Jingyuan happened to receive a piece of news: the Empress wanted to weaken the Xie family's power.

The Yongning Marquis held the military power of the Tongzhou Garrison, which was the key.

If the Empress's people were allowed to interrogate those few rebels, who knew what they would extract.

As soon as Xiao Jingyuan returned, he was busy taking over the matter, but several officials were very slick and didn't want to release the people, so he spent some time before he could have the prisoners escorted back to the North Guard Division.

Fortunately, those few people were very tight-lipped; even under torture by the Dali Temple, they hadn't revealed a single word.

And Xie Yan's servant, Sui Ying, was naturally the key target of attention and had suffered quite a bit.

But he was also the toughest one; there was almost no complete skin on his body, yet he refused to reveal a single word about Xie Yan, preferring death over surrender.

Just as Xiao Jingyuan was about to step into the interrogation room of the North Guard Division, Qingfeng came to report: "Heir, Master Pei requests an audience."

This was a rare guest.

Xiao Jingyuan raised his eyebrows, unable to help but wonder, did the Crown Prince also want to get involved in the Xie family's affairs?

"Please invite him in."

Before long, Pei Zhi, dressed in white, arrived stepping on the moonlight and said straight to the point: "Pei wishes to exchange a piece of news with the Heir for a person."

Xiao Jingyuan's expression was indifferent, his tone carrying a hint of detachment: "Those few are major suspects in the case, and who knows how many eyes are watching. Why does Master Pei think I would release people for a piece of news?"

Xiao Jingyuan snorted coldly: "Fantasy!"

Since Pei Zhi had come, he naturally had the confidence to take the person away. He smiled slightly and said: "Has the Heir dreamed of anything bad these years?"

Xiao Jingyuan's expression changed slightly, and he narrowed his eyes to examine him.

Pei Zhi let him examine him, but said something without a beginning or end: "The Heir is very loyal to the Emperor. If the Heir could still maintain his original intention after hearing the news Pei has to tell, Pei would have to admire him."

"What do you mean?" Xiao Jingyuan's tone was already somewhat unfriendly, and a murderous intent even flashed in the depths of his eyes.

It was only natural for a subject to be loyal to the Emperor, but this Pei Sanlang had said such things, making it hard not to think too much—that he had no respect for the royal family, and even had rebellious intentions toward the Emperor!

Xiao Jingyuan stepped forward, his eyes like knives: "Do you know that I have the authority to execute first and report later?"

As soon as the words fell, a cold light flashed, and Xiao Jingyuan had already drawn his sword.

This precious sword, which didn't know how much blood of rebellious officials and traitors it had stained, was pressed coldly against Master Pei's fragile neck. With just a little force, he could take his life!

For a moment, Pei Zhi's gentle brows and eyes flashed with sharpness, but it disappeared in an instant, showing nothing.

He said gently: "Heir, please calm your anger. Pei has no other meaning; I just couldn't bear to see the Heir's sincere heart being kept in the dark. What I want to say concerns the Heir's background."

Xiao Jingyuan's face changed, and his expression loosened.

Pei Zhi raised his hand, his fingers gently pushing away the sword on his neck, and said: "Can the Heir listen to Pei's detailed explanation now?"

When Pei Zhi walked out of the North Guard Division, Sui Ying, covered in scars, followed behind him.

A carriage was parked at the corner of the street, hard to notice without looking closely.

Sui Ying's prison clothes had been changed into clean ones, but the blood from deep within the wounds quickly stained the new clothes into patches of glaring red.

He was half-supported by someone, his footsteps staggering. In his eyes looking at Pei Zhi was full of confusion: "Why did you save me?" He had never seen this Master Pei before.

Pei Zhi stood by the carriage, not looking at him, and said indifferently: "I was just entrusted by someone."

After pondering for a moment, Sui Ying looked at him and asked: "Is it... the Young Master?"

Pei Zhi's usually gentle brows and eyes were somewhat dull at this moment: "If you think it is, then it is."

Sui Ying's whole body shook, and the light in his originally dim eyes suddenly lit up, like dust-covered sparks suddenly being blown into flames.

Yet he couldn't stop coughing a few times, the fishy sweetness surging into his throat. It took a long time for him to catch his breath, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Is the Young Master alright now? I, I did not betray the Young Master."

Pei Zhi then glanced at him, his gaze lingering on his face for a short time. Even in the hazy night, when Sui Ying mentioned his Young Master, those eyes were sparkling.

However, this brightness did not last long.

Pei Zhi suddenly raised his hand, drew a short sword from his sleeve, and actually stabbed it into Sui Ying's chest!

Sui Ying's pupils suddenly dilated, looking in astonishment at the white-clothed gentleman who had just saved him from prison.

He didn't understand why the other party had saved him, only to turn around and kill him?

"You, why..." Sui Ying's lips moved, but blood rushed out from the corners of his mouth.

Before he could finish his words, his body went limp, and the light in his eyes extinguished.

Just as he was about to kneel to the ground, Pei Zhi reached out to support him, his blood-stained fingers gently covering his wide-open eyes, slowly closing them.

The servant on the side was already scared out of his wits.

And Pei Zhi's handsome face was calm, looking exactly like a devil in a saint's skin!

On the other side, the Li Ji clerk who had just arrived, seeing this scene, fell to the ground in fright.

Pei Zhi turned his eyes to look at him, and his cold, lonely expression finally changed. He frowned and asked: "What are you here for?"

Seeing him look over, the clerk suddenly shuddered and stammered: "Fourth... Fourth Miss, is looking for you." ===== CHAPTER 118 =====

The waiter saw him look over, suddenly shivered, and stammered, "The... the Fourth Miss is looking for you."