After my father was sent to marry into the princess's household, I became the darling of the en

Rong Jing leaned against the headboard pillow.

The dim candlelight illuminated his bloodless face.

He lowered his eyes and didn't immediately offer a price, but instead asked a question.

"Your Highness, what price does Tingfeng Pavilion think is appropriate to know about the background of a prefect of Yunzhou?"

Xiao Mingyue took a sip of tea.

"I'm afraid you wouldn't even look at gold and silver."

"I will not use the secrets of the Great Yong court for trade."

"All you can ask for is a bargaining chip to return to the Yan Kingdom."

Rong Jing chuckled softly, the flickering candlelight casting a shadow over his already sunken eyes.

"I want Your Highness to send a message to the capital."

"Take Rong Jing, the hostage prince of Great Yan, for example. He tried to escape from the southwest during the chaos, but he encountered a peasant uprising and a plague on the way. Both of his legs were broken, and he became a cripple."

"He has been arrested and detained by the Princess and is being escorted back to the capital."

Xiao Mingyue raised an eyebrow; she hadn't expected Rong Jing to make such a request.

You have to understand that releasing this news would be tantamount to telling everyone that he left Beijing without permission.

"Are you going to deliberately reveal your whereabouts?"

Rong Jing nodded. "Before I left the capital, I pretended to have broken my leg while drinking and closed the gates of Lazy Garden to visitors."

He picked up the tattered piece of clothing: "But someone knew my whereabouts with pinpoint accuracy. That assassin even knew I was injured, and after severely injuring my old wound, he escaped. Why do you think that was?"

Xiao Mingyue narrowed her eyes: "You and Granny Qi took a forest path to Qianyuan Village. Logically speaking, it's impossible for the people of Great Yan to have deployed defenses in Yunzhou in advance."

Sitting opposite her, Rong Jing nodded in agreement, "That's right, so it must be that my disguise in the capital was exposed, and that person followed me all the way to Yunzhou."

"However, after Granny Qi and I entered the Forest of Immortality, they got lost due to the miasma and traps, and only caught up with us again these past two days after we settled in Cangcheng."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingyue's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

"The Great Yan actually planted spies in the capital that you didn't know about? You are the master of Tingfeng Pavilion."

Rong Jing gave a self-deprecating smile. "Your Highness is joking. Although Tingfeng Pavilion's spies are spread across all walks of life, they are not all-pervasive or omnipotent."

To put it bluntly, flies don't land on eggs without cracks. Only when those people themselves slip up will Listening Wind Pavilion have a chance to hear the "rumors".

However, if a spy is truly well-trained, holds a high position, and is morally upright, then Listening Wind Pavilion will have no way to take action.

However, this still did not dispel Xiao Mingyue's doubts.

"How did you determine they were from the Great Yan, based solely on tonight's assassination attempt?"

The temperature in Rong Jing's eyes gradually decreased.

"Judging from the assassin's bone-shrinking technique just now, he comes from Xilin Mountain, which is where the Yan Kingdom's royal family keeps assassins. This technique is also one of Xilin Mountain's unique skills."

"It seems my elder brother is impatient. He's worried that I'll join forces with His Highness and wants to get rid of me, this potential threat, before he can."

Having been immersed in deceit and treachery for many years, Xiao Mingyue immediately understood what he meant.

"If that's the case, and tonight's attack fails, they will soon spread the news of your departure from the capital to alert the Emperor."

"Not bad." Rong Jing shifted to a slightly more comfortable position. "The hostage's unauthorized departure from the capital has undoubtedly offended our Emperor of Dayong. I will be imprisoned immediately upon my return to the capital."

He raised his eyes, his gaze meeting Xiao Mingyue's directly.

"Since we've already been exposed, why don't I offer this credit to Your Highness, and have you personally escort him back to the capital?"

Xiao Mingyue nodded. This young man was thoughtful and resourceful, far exceeding her expectations.

"At the same time, I can use my prestige to solidify the illusion that you are crippled, lull Rong Hui into a false sense of security, and give you more time to make your plans when you return to Yan."

Their eyes met in mid-air, and they smiled simultaneously.

Talking to smart people is so easy and effortless.

"Your Highness is wise. After all, Your Highness has accumulated great prestige in Dayong, and no one dares to question Your Highness's words."

Everything seemed to be going smoothly and logically, except for the killer who escaped tonight.

Xiao Mingyue said, "But the assassin who came to kill you tonight escaped alive. Even if I spread the word, how could Emperor Rong Hui of Yan easily believe it? Once the people he sent return to report, your lies will fall apart on their own."

Rong Jing did not rush to answer.

He pulled a small white porcelain bottle from under his pillow and poured the powder inside onto the tattered cloth.

A faint fluorescent glow appeared on the fabric.

Xiao Mingyue's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Did you leave a mark on him?"

Rong Jing picked up the piece of fabric and looked out the window.

Just before Xiao Mingyue arrived, he had already sent a message using his unique flute music, and his spies in various places would be keeping an eye on the man's movements along the way.

Soon, he will be identified by those seemingly insignificant people.

Perhaps he was a peddler, a merchant, or even just a beggar.

The reason why Tingfeng Pavilion became the largest information network in the martial arts world is that its members are not just outlaw masters.

Everyone could be a member of Listening Wind Pavilion.

"He can't escape back to Yan; he'll be found within three days."

"At that time, my people will send him false information to confirm that I have become a cripple."

Looking at the strategist in front of her, Xiao Mingyue felt a sense of admiration.

This plan was formed in a short period of time after she proposed the deal.

This kid is ruthless to himself, and he's incredibly cunning when it comes to scheming against others.

"You've planned everything perfectly, and even I've become a pawn on your chessboard."

Rong Jing lowered his head slightly, "Your Highness is too kind. We each get what we need, and besides, Your Highness is guaranteed to make a profit in this deal."

Xiao Mingyue pondered for a moment, "How much of Cheng Rui's matter can Tingfeng Pavilion find out?"

Rong Jing casually tossed the tattered cloth onto the side of the bed.

"As long as he has done something, Tingfeng Pavilion can find out everything, including which noble people in the capital he has corresponded with, how much money he has received, and even how many mistresses he has kept in private, where they live, and how many properties and shops they own."

"Everything will be presented to Your Highness without any discrepancy."

Xiao Mingyue nodded.

"Yunzhou is located in the heart of the southwest, far from the emperor's reach. Cheng Rui can control everything here, so his backing must be extraordinary."

"I need to know whether he is a lackey of a powerful clan or a money bag for some member of the royal family."

Rong Jing bowed slightly. "Your Highness, rest assured, the case file will be delivered to your desk before noon tomorrow."

Xiao Mingyue was very satisfied with this answer.

This deal was indeed only beneficial to her and had no drawbacks.

She decisively made the decision, "Sect Leader Rong, deal."

"Anyway, I've been away from the capital for so long, it's time to send a big gift to my good brother in the palace."

She then stood up, straightened her cuffs, and said, "It's late, Pavilion Master Rong, please get some rest."

Just as he was about to turn around, Rong Jing's voice rang out behind him again.

"Your Highness, please wait."

Rong Jing lifted the covers and walked to Xiao Mingyue.

"This is our first transaction. I, Rong, will deliver a message to Your Highness."

He took out a secret message tube from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Mingyue.

"This is a report from the capital sent by Tingfeng Pavilion half a day ago. Someone beat the Dengwen Drum to accuse Marquis Weiyuan Qin Feng of secretly communicating with the Northern Barbarians and having a son."

"That child is General Qin Lie."

Xiao Mingyue's fingers, which were holding the silk, slowly tightened, and she suddenly looked up.

"Who is it?"

Rong Jing shook his head. "This person has been placed under the protection of the Censorate, and his identity is unknown."

"Therefore, Princess, once the matter in the southwest is settled, you should return to the capital as soon as possible."

"Otherwise... I'm afraid it will be too late."