Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Watching Lu Yunqi's cup overflow as he kept pouring wine, Murong Jie finally cleared his throat to remind him.

Startled, Lu Yunqi quickly set the wine flask aside and cleared his throat, saying, "Tsk, she's a looker, ain't she? But... nowhere near as good-looking as you, hahaha!"

With that, he grabbed Murong Jie's chin and leaned in to plant another kiss on his lips.

Fortunately, no one was paying attention to them at that moment—all eyes were fixed on the stunningly beautiful Xie Lianyi.

Murong Jie finally reacted, pushing him away and saying, "Young Marquis Lu, why don't you just watch the beauty dance!"

Lu Yunqi cheerfully scooted back over and asked, "Oho, jealous? No need! You're this young marquis's one and only consort—those others can't hold a candle to you. Besides, what does Xie Lianyi have to do with me? I'd bet she'll be His Highness the Second Prince's catch by tonight."

Prince Cheng's wine cup had already fallen to the floor, tumbling off the steps onto the plush gold-threaded carpet.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince's eyes were practically glued to her.

And the First Prince—his expression was subtle, appreciation mixed with a hint of contemplation.

A smirk curled at the corner of Lu Yunqi's mouth as he whispered to Murong Jie, "So, who do you think Miss Xie will end up with tonight?"

Murong Jie poured Lu Yunqi a cup of wine and said, "What does the young marquis reckon?"

Lu Yunqi chuckled, pointing at the three princes. "Those three are going to fight tooth and nail over her! Ah, heroes have always fallen for beautiful women. And besides, it's in your Murong blood—born lustful, yet convinced you're deeply romantic."

Back then, when the old emperor refused to let the Yuezhi queen go, he thought he was doing right by her, never realizing that nation's king and queen were deeply in love—even after the queen was disgraced, the king never gave up on her.

The old emperor took the Yuezhi queen by force, then massacred the entire Yuezhi tribe to bury the scandal. But Lady Rui, defiant to the last, refused to let that shameful past stay buried, leaving that dog emperor with a scandalous legacy.

Now, with such a beauty before them, he wondered if these three legitimate princes would turn on each other.

Murong Jie's face stayed blank, but his eyes slid to Lu Yunqi as he said, "Whatever the young marquis says, so be it."

Lu Yunqi let out a dry chuckle, thinking, *You're really good at faking it—I bet you're even more hyped for this drama than I am.*

Propping his elbow on Murong Jie's shoulder, he jutted his chin out and said, "We're not going anywhere tonight—staying right here for the show! Come on, keep this young master company for a few more rounds."

Fine wine in glowing cups—Lu Yunqi was soon buzzed, and by the end of the drum-and-dance show, most guests were plastered too.

As for what went down later at the banquet, everyone's memory was fuzzy. All they remembered was Miss Xie Lianyi's dance bringing the whole capital to its knees, mesmerizing every official, civil and military, of the Great Xia dynasty.

Especially the three legitimate princes—the most revered in Great Xia. Except for the eldest, Murong Feng, the other two were still single.

Winning the Poetry Immortal's disciple would be like gaining the backing of every scholar under heaven.

Plus, after her dance, Miss Xie Lianyi wrote a poem for Prince Cheng's birthday. Not a grand masterpiece, but still a fine piece of elegant verse.

Lu Yunqi thought, *This is Great Xia's top star—one look and you're hooked for life!*

After the banquet, Prince Cheng, being smart about it, had the drunk nobles escorted home, but set aside a cozy little courtyard for Lu Yunqi to crash in.

But the second Lu Yunqi stepped into the courtyard, he was stone-cold sober. He tugged at Murong Jie and whispered, "Come on—while it's dark, let's snoop around Prince Cheng's place."

It was late spring easing into summer, and the estate was bursting with blooms. Though it was hard to see at night, Lu Yunqi holding Murong Jie's hand felt like a young couple strolling through a park.

Murong Jie, hand in hand, kept a straight face, but inside he felt a bit awkward. He asked Lu Yunqi, "Where are you taking me?"

Lu Yunqi replied, "Just wandering—catching some gossip, watching some drama. On a dark, windy night like this, who knows—we might find something interesting."

They say a jinx is the most accurate—no sooner had Lu Yunqi spoken than a splash echoed in the distance, followed by a few servants' screams that cut off fast.

The second Lu Yunqi heard the ruckus, he grabbed Murong Jie and bolted over, hiding behind a rock formation to watch the action.

And what a sight—Xie Lianyi was frantically hauling a man out of the water. The man's build looked familiar. Lu Yunqi squinted, then whispered: "Oho, isn't that the Third Prince? Looks like this kid beat everyone to it!"

Third Prince Murong Yu, coddled by his two older brothers, was the most spoiled yet the most useless of the three.

But his fief was the best, the Empress spoiled him rotten, and the Emperor had him wrapped around his finger.

His older brothers always gave in to him, and knowing he'd never be emperor, he just settled for being a rich slacker, planning to retire to his fief and live a cushy, worry-free life.

That's exactly why he wanted the best of everything—whatever he wanted, his brothers would give in, even if it cost them.

Xie Lianyi patted Murong Yu's cheek, shouting anxiously, "Prince Yu, Your Highness, are you okay? Quick—someone, get the estate doctor!"

She pressed hard on his chest, and Murong Yu coughed up a mouthful of water, then collapsed into Xie Lianyi's arms, bawling, "I don't wanna die, wuwuwu, I don't wanna die! Mother, save me! Mother, save me!"

Xie Lianyi slapped him hard across the face with a crack and said, "Third Prince, take another look—who am I?"

The slap brought Murong Yu back to his senses. He stared at her, dazed, and said, "Miss... Miss Xie?"

"It's me," Xie Lianyi said. "You were boating on the lake and slipped in by accident. I happened to pass by, and turns out I can swim, so I fished you out."

The Third Prince, scared half to death and half-drowned, now stared at the beauty before him—fresh as a lotus out of water—totally spellbound.

He grabbed Xie Lianyi's hand and said, "Miss Xie, thanks for saving my life! Tonight I drank too much and insisted on boating, not letting any attendants come along. If you hadn't saved me, I'd be dead here tonight. I've got to repay you for this!"

Xie Lianyi looked at him and couldn't help laughing out loud. "Oh? And how's the Third Prince planning to repay me?"

Murong Yu, sincere or not, looked Xie Lianyi dead in the eye and said, "I... I want to marry you! I want to make Miss Xie my Princess Yu!"

Xie Lianyi laughed harder, getting to her feet. "The Third Prince is full of it. I'm three years older than you—how could I be your princess?"

Murong Yu stood up and said, "My mother said a wife three years older means gold bricks at your door! You wait—when I get back to the palace, I'll ask Father and Mother to arrange our marriage!"

Just then, another rushed voice called out: "Third brother! Third brother! You okay?"

Lu Yunqi, loving the gossip, clicked his tongue. "Perfect timing. See that second brother? He's definitely here to steal your third brother's girl."

Murong Yu stood up, looking pitiful. "Second brother, your lake is way too deep—I almost drowned! If it weren't for Miss Xie, I'd be dead right now!"

"Don't talk nonsense! The Third Prince is blessed—what's all this about dying? If you died, how would I explain that to our parents? Someone, go get hot water ready—don't let the Third Prince and Miss Xie catch cold."

The servants rushed off to get hot water and led the Third Prince away.

The Second Prince then gave Xie Lianyi a bow and said, "I'm really sorry, miss. I insisted you stay to compose poetry so late, and now you're soaked too. It's so late—why not stay here for the night? If you go back like this... and catch cold, I'd feel even worse."

Xie Lianyi hesitated, looking at her soaked clothes, then said, "Fine. Going back like this would be a pain. I'll take you up on that."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. This way, miss. Someone—take Miss Xie to Fuchun Courtyard."

*Oho, Fuchun Courtyard—that's the Second Prince's own place! Keeping a young lady in his private courtyard—what's he up to?*

Once they were gone, Lu Yunqi grabbed Murong Jie and took off. "Quick, quick—let's go catch more of the show!"

Murong Jie had no choice but to let himself be hauled up onto Fuchun Courtyard's wall.

Two heads peeked over the wall, but the courtyard was pitch dark, with just one lamp flickering like a bean. Lu Yunqi, who'd come for gossip, felt the wine hit him—and passed out on the spot.

Murong Jie, speechless, hoisted him off the wall and hauled him back to their lodgings.

As soon as he closed the door, he saw Xiao Hei appear outside the window.

Murong Jie got Lu Yunqi settled, drew a brocade quilt over him, and walked out the door.

Under the moonlight, Xiao Hei, dressed in his night gear, bowed to him: "Master."

Murong Jie asked: "How's it going?"

Xiao Hei replied: "Everything's going according to plan. By now, Murong Pei has entered Miss Xie's room, and tonight's plan is bound to work. Tomorrow..."

Murong Jie nodded and said: "Has Fairy Liuyi's poetry collection been delivered to her?"

Xiao Hei nodded: "Don't worry, Miss Xie knows it by heart. However..."

"However what?"

Xiao Hei hesitated: "However, what if Miss Xie's identity is exposed?"

Murong Jie sneered: "Rest easy. Fairy Liuyi died of illness three years ago, and she spent her last five years in Yuezhi. Besides me, no one can blow her cover."

Xiao Hei was relieved: "Understood, Master. What should I do next?"

Murong Jie said: "Let's sit tight and see."

Xiao Hei asked again: "Should we take the opportunity to kill Lu Yunqi? After all, he's dead drunk by now!"

Murong Jie frowned: "No need. I still have use for him."

"Use... use? What use could keeping this useless wastrel serve? Master, isn't it beneath you to keep him around?"

Now everyone in the capital knew that his lord was humiliated night after night. When a single stroke of the blade could end it all, why keep him alive?