The Prince's Residence

As he walked down the street, he racked his brains for a solution.

Just as Di Jintian had said, he had indeed been thinking too simply. He had assumed that as long as he got Ji Xuanyuan safely back to the capital, everything would be fine.

Now, he had to find a way to get involved in the investigation. He could not stupidly sit around waiting for others to investigate, only for someone to pin a black pot on him and the Di Yun Escort Agency one day!

As long as he could join the investigation, if nothing else, he would at least be able to obtain plenty of investigative materials and clues at the earliest opportunity, giving himself a measure of initiative.

At that thought, he took out the bronze badge Liu Jiashan had given him yesterday. After pondering for a moment, he slowly shook his head and tucked it away again.

At present, he had two opportunities to get involved in the investigation. The first was the bronze badge Liu Jiashan had given him upon entering the city yesterday—he could become one of Liu Jiashan's gray-clad agents and participate in the Shadow Pivot Court's investigation.

This method was simple and direct. It would let him enter the investigation at the fastest possible speed, while also allowing him to draw upon the Shadow Pivot Court's resources to a certain extent.

However, the risks were considerable as well. Gray-clad agents were essentially temporary workers outside the official ranks. Put bluntly, they were people meant to take the blame, and the Shadow Pivot Court could kick them out and sell them down the river at any time.

This seemingly simplest and most straightforward method was not reliable. He needed more cards up his sleeve to ensure he could retain a certain degree of initiative.

Then the second method was obvious: go find Ji Xuanyuan!

Only by standing high enough could one seize the initiative.

"Then that's what I'll do... The Fifth Young Master did say to find him once I'd rested. Time waits for no one—I'll go now!"

With that thought, he immediately changed course and headed for the southern district.

Southern District, Everpeace Street, Cloud Rest Garden.

Xiao Fan looked at the grand four-courtyard residence before him and could not help sighing. Being rich really was nice... Compared to his own shabby little house by the city wall, this was the difference between clouds and mud.

Knock, knock, knock!

Xiao Fan knocked on the broad, imposing vermilion-lacquered gates.

Creak... The gates slowly opened.

"You are?"

"My name is Xiao Fan. His Highness the Fifth Prince sent me here. Please trouble yourself to announce me."

The gate attendant froze briefly. "Xiao Fan... Oh! I remember now. You're Young Master Xiao, the one who escorted His Highness, aren't you?"

"That's right. It's me."

The gate attendant immediately pulled the vermilion gates wide open. "Please come in, Young Master Xiao. His Highness specifically instructed us that you are an honored guest and that we must receive you properly!"

"Thank you, thank you."

Xiao Fan followed the gate attendant into the courtyard and looked around... Whoa!

Sure enough, the courtyard hid its splendor beneath an unassuming exterior. From outside, there had not seemed to be much to it—at most, its superb location and expansive grounds spoke of its owner's wealth and grandeur.

But only upon entering the inner courtyard did he see the carved rosewood lattice doors and mother-of-pearl-inlaid screens that provided the finishing touch.

In the front courtyard, cranes cried amid the wind through pines. Nine century-old twisted pines stood at the entrance, their gnarled branches coiling like dragons and serpents locked in battle. Beneath the pines stood crane-shadow stones, their natural veins resembling white cranes spreading their wings!

At the center stood the Stream-Pillow Library. This two-story wooden pavilion jutted out over an artificial hill, its ground floor raised open, with a stream flowing straight through the building. In high summer, its watery mist was cool and refreshing as autumn.

In the rear courtyard, springs bubbled within Cloud Rest Garden, steam rising like an immortal realm among the clouds. What word but marvelous could possibly describe it?

So this was where a prince lived... was it...

Before long, Xiao Fan was led to the reception room. Ji Xuanyuan was nowhere to be seen, but an elderly steward arrived instead.

"My master entered the palace early this morning and has yet to return. I hope Young Master Xiao will forgive us."

"No matter, no matter. I'll simply wait here."

Xiao Fan accepted the teacup and took a sip. Smooth on the tongue, a thread down the throat... He could not taste any of that at all...

After all, he was a crude martial man. Fine tea or poor tea, it all tasted the same in his mouth. As long as it quenched his thirst, that was enough.

"As expected of His Highness's residence. It truly is exquisite beyond words!" Xiao Fan praised sincerely.

The old steward smiled faintly. "You flatter us, Young Master. Cloud Rest Garden was designed with such care because this was originally the residence of His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince?!" Xiao Fan was stunned.

The old steward continued, "Indeed. Before His Highness the Crown Prince moved into the Eastern Palace, he lived here. After entering the palace, he gifted this residence to my master."

"No wonder it is so extraordinary... In that case, His Highness the Crown Prince must have a fine relationship with His Highness the Fifth Prince?"

At that, joy rose in the old steward's heart, and he could not hide his pride. "More than fine! His Highness the Crown Prince and my prince are brothers born of the same mother. Their brotherly bond runs deeper than blood!"

The Crown Prince was the Empress's legitimate son, and also the eldest imperial son. With that birthright, he was practically born to be heir to the throne...

Ji Xuanyuan was likewise the Empress's legitimate son. It was said that he and the Crown Prince were very close—an elder brother kind, a younger brother respectful, the very model of royal brotherhood.

It seemed the rumors were true after all.

"For royal brothers to share such affection is truly rare," Xiao Fan said with a sigh.

That frightened the old steward badly. "Young Master, mind your words! Every royal brother shares deep affection—how can you call it rare!"

"Ah, right... Yes, yes, you're right!" Xiao Fan scratched the back of his head as he spoke against his conscience.

After the old steward left the reception room, Xiao Fan began to think.

The reason the Crown Prince treated Ji Xuanyuan so well was probably not purely out of brotherly affection... After all, royal brothers... those who knew, knew...

Fortunately, Ji Xuanyuan was an idle layabout with no ambition. He never gathered factions or stirred up palace struggles, which was why the other princes did not see him as a threat.

Just as his thoughts were wandering wildly, a considerable commotion came from outside. Another visitor?

"Fifth Brother, Fifth Brother! I came to see you!"

"My master went into the palace early this morning and hasn't returned yet... Oh my! Your Highness Princess, please slow down—mind that you don't fall!"

"Into the palace? He can get up that early? I don't believe it!"

"Even if you lent this old servant ten more sets of courage, I wouldn't dare deceive you! My master truly went into the palace. Why don't you rest here for a moment? The residence has just received a batch of fragrant Er tea from the Southern Frontier."

"All right, then. I shall wait a while longer."

"Ah! Your Highness Princess, over there—"

Before the old steward could finish, the red-skirted girl, already thoroughly familiar with this courtyard, had briskly headed toward the reception room.

Click...

The door was pushed open. Inside and outside the room, the young man and young woman stared into each other, both frozen.

The young man inside had sword-like brows and starry eyes, a high straight nose, and sharply defined cheeks that looked as though they had been carved from jade.

The little princess outside had blossom-bright almond eyes, brows like crescent moons, lips like crimson cherries, and a delicate oval face, snowy white with a rosy flush. She was utterly lovely.

162, 68C, 40, 66... Mm, a beauty stunning enough to topple heaven and earth, and her figure wasn't bad either...

Drawing on the wealth of experience from his past life, Xiao Fan had cultivated eyes that could "spot beauty," and swiftly made his assessment.

"How dare you! You see Her Highness Lingxi and still refuse to bow?!" At that moment, two maids came jogging after her. Seeing the young man in the room brazenly staring straight at the princess, they immediately berated him.

Her Highness Lingxi? Could this girl be... Princess Lingxi, the third princess of Great Liang's imperial family?

Xiao Fan calmly rose, then put on a grief-stricken expression. Dropping to one knee, he clasped his hands toward the girl in red in salute.

"The instant I first beheld Your Highness, I was struck dumb by your world-shaking beauty. I thought I was wandering through a daydream, that I had seen a fairy descend to earth. For a moment, I could not tell dream from reality. I have committed a grave breach of etiquette; I beg Your Highness to forgive this crime of loving beauty!"

"A fairy descended to earth," "the crime of loving beauty"—that stream of flattery hit Princess Lingxi right in the heart, and she was secretly delighted beyond measure.

But in a feudal society, such words were still somewhat frivolous when spoken to a woman of that era.

"You silver-tongued wretch! You dare speak so lightly of Her Highness the Princess—are you tired of living?!" Her personal maid, eager to defend her mistress, would not let it go.

"To behold Your Highness's immortal grace in this life—were I to be smashed to pieces here and now, I would die without regret!" Not only did Xiao Fan fail to humbly beg for mercy, he instead launched into an impassioned declaration to engrave his resolve upon his heart!

"You still dare spout nonsense! Someone, slap his mouth!"

Princess Lingxi lightly waved her jade-like hand. "Enough. Since this is your first offense, I shall spare you this punishment. If you dare speak so carelessly again, I will not be lenient."

She spoke with solemn gravity, but inwardly she was already blooming with joy. The corners of her lips were nearly impossible to keep down. If not for the dignity of her station as a princess, which required her to maintain her bearing, she would likely have laughed aloud.

Only then did the old steward come panting after them. "Your... Your Highness... this old servant was just about to say... there is... someone in this room... perhaps you should proceed to the main hall instead."

"No need. I shall wait here." As she spoke, she walked into the room and took a seat.