The Plan Succeeded

The old steward looked troubled, but he did not dare defy the princess, so he could only agree. "Oh, right—this is Young Master Xiao. He was the one who escorted His Highness safely back to the capital yesterday."

"Huh? You're that... Xiao... Xiao what was it again?" Princess Lingxi asked in surprise. She had heard her imperial mother mention this in the inner palace yesterday and had some impression of it.

"I am Xiao Fan," Xiao Fan introduced himself.

"Oh, right! Xiao Fan. I heard you were the one who escorted Fifth Brother back to the capital all the way?" Lingxi continued.

Xiao Fan gave a slight nod. "Ensuring the Fifth Prince's safety was my duty. Though it was a brush with death after brush with death, I was fortunate not to disgrace my mission. I am ashamed, ashamed."

His words instantly stirred Lingxi's surging curiosity. "I heard your journey was fraught with danger at every turn. Hurry and tell me—what did you go through along the way?"

Xiao Fan took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. This is already the third time... no, damn it, the fifth time!

"It's a long story..."

No one knew how much time passed before the sky gradually dimmed.

Princess Lingxi found Xiao Fan's tales interesting and kept firing off questions—now asking about the sights beyond the capital, now asking about Night Erosion's strangeness—without end...

Princess Lingxi's questions were driving Xiao Fan up the wall... but he did not dare refuse, and by the end his mouth was dry and his tongue parched.

"Your Highness, have you never left the capital?" Xiao Fan felt that this princess's curiosity was far too intense, as if she had never seen a world beyond the capital.

At those words, Princess Lingxi lowered her brows and nodded softly. "Imperial Father says it's dangerous outside and won't let me leave the capital."

I get it. A golden canary in a cage... Most princesses in feudal times were like this, much less in a world as dangerous and strange as this one.

Just then, sounds came from outside. Ji Xuanyuan had likely returned.

Princess Lingxi was overjoyed. Gathering up her skirts, she darted outside. "Fifth Brother!"

Only when she saw that Ji Xuanyuan's arms and legs were all intact did she finally breathe a sigh of relief. That Xiao Fan really is a capable guard. I'll reward him with some gold and silver another day—and have him serve as my guard too.

"Huh? When did Shushu get here?" Ji Xuanyuan asked in confusion when he saw Princess Lingxi emerge from the inner courtyard.

At that, Princess Lingxi immediately puffed out her cheeks and gave a coquettish huff. "Oh, you're so annoying! I told you not to call me Shushu! I'm not a child anymore!"

Princess Lingxi's real name was Ji Yunshu. As a child, she had been lively and adorable, beloved by all. Though she was already sixteen, her elder brothers were still used to calling her by her childhood name, "Shushu."

"Shushu sounds so nice—it feels intimate. Why can't I call you that... I insist on calling you that. Shushu, Shushu!" Ji Xuanyuan was no proper sort himself, like some young master who had never grown up.

Princess Lingxi kicked Ji Xuanyuan in the shin, then lifted her little face indignantly, wearing an expression that said, "I'm never speaking to you again."

"You're angry? Ah... I was originally going to give you this to pass the time." As he spoke, Ji Xuanyuan took a storybook from his robes.

He had specially bought it on the road back to the capital. It had no literary merit to speak of, merely simple and pure entertainment—the sort of thing rarely seen in the capital.

The moment she saw the storybook, Princess Lingxi's face turned from overcast to clear skies. Beaming, she snatched it away. "I'll forgive you for the storybook's sake."

Lingxi was easy enough to placate. A single storybook was enough to immerse her completely; she began reading it in the courtyard, deaf to all else.

"Master, Young Master Xiao is already waiting in the study," the old steward said.

Hearing that Xiao Fan had arrived, Ji Xuanyuan was delighted. "Just in time!"

"Brother Xiao!" Ji Xuanyuan called out with clasped hands upon entering the study and seeing Xiao Fan.

At those words, Xiao Fan nearly blurted out "worthy brother," but ultimately held it back...

Xiao Fan rose and returned the salute with clasped hands. "Your Highness!"

The old steward broke into a cold sweat at those words and hurriedly leaned close to whisper into Ji Xuanyuan's ear. "Oh, my lord! Your status is exalted—you mustn't muddle the distinction between high and low!"

Ji Xuanyuan laughed heartily and patted the old steward on the shoulder. "What's there to fear? There are no outsiders here. Brother Xiao and I share a friendship forged in life and death; we need not speak of rank!"

The old steward knew his master's temperament well and was long accustomed to it. He simply shut the door and stood guard outside, lest idle people overhear and wag their tongues.

In feudal times, rank and status were strictly ordered. Even making a friend was not something one could do on a whim, much less becoming sworn brothers with someone of low status—such a thing would damage the imperial family's dignity.

The two sat down at the table. Ji Xuanyuan went straight to the point. "So, have you decided whether you want to serve at my residence?"

"To serve at Your Highness's residence would naturally be the greatest honor, but there is an urgent matter I must discuss with Your Highness first," Xiao Fan said.

"Oh? What matter?" Ji Xuanyuan asked doubtfully.

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Fan's expression grew grave. "Although Your Highness has returned to the capital, I believe whoever orchestrated your kidnapping behind the scenes will not let the matter rest so easily. We must remain on guard."

"Ah, there's no need to worry about that. Imperial Father has already ordered the Shadow Pivot Court to investigate this matter thoroughly, and Crown Prince Brother will help as well. I'm sure the mastermind will be caught soon enough!"

Ji Xuanyuan spoke lightly, as though he was not worried in the least. Truly a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse, unaware of the cruel wind and frost, the pitilessness of heaven and earth.

Young master, young master, you truly do live without a care in the world... Xiao Fan grumbled inwardly, worried for this naïve young master.

"As the saying goes, one should not harbor the intent to harm others, but one must guard against the intent of others to harm oneself. There is no issue with leaving the investigation to the Shadow Pivot Court, but we cannot simply lie flat and wait for the result."

"Anyone who dared set their sights on Your Highness must have an extraordinary background. It would naturally be best if they can be uncovered—but what if they cannot? Or what if they find someone to take the blame?"

"If we cannot involve ourselves, we will have no way to grasp such crucial information, much less determine whether the results are genuine. When that time comes, we will be far too passive!"

Ji Xuanyuan gazed at the darkening sky beyond the window and found Xiao Fan's words reasonable. "Then tell me—what should we do next?"

"If Your Highness trusts me, find a way to recommend me into the Shadow Pivot Court and have me participate in the investigation of this case. Leave everything afterward to me."

"I, Xiao Fan, shall be the pair of eyes Your Highness plants within the Shadow Pivot Court! So long as I, Xiao Fan, draw breath, I will never allow Your Highness to suffer any misfortune!"

Xiao Fan dropped to one knee and clasped his fists, his eyes bright and his words ringing like struck metal. What steadfast loyalty, what awe-inspiring righteousness! It was impossible to refuse.

This damned sense of security!

Ji Xuanyuan was deeply moved. In all his years, no one else had ever pledged such loyalty to him...

Though he was a prince, he knew nothing of cultivating connections. He loafed about all day without any power or influence, and no one bothered currying favor with him. He was like a cold stove that nobody cared to light.

This valiant young man named Xiao Fan had not only saved his life, but was also willing to pledge loyalty to a minor, invisible member of the imperial family who had nothing to offer. Who could possibly withstand that?

As the saying went, no one remembered flowers added to brocade, but a gift of charcoal in the snow was remembered for a lifetime!

Ji Xuanyuan helped Xiao Fan to his feet with both hands and said excitedly, "Brother Xiao! Even if I cannot trust myself, I will absolutely trust you!"

"Wait for my news. Tomorrow, I'll ask my Crown Prince brother for help and have him recommend you to the Shadow Pivot Court!"

Xiao Fan gave a slight shake of his head. "This sort of matter requires the right opportunity. As I understand it, next month is the annual Nine Provinces Martial Tournament. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"You want to participate in the Nine Provinces Martial Tournament and use it to make a name for yourself?" Ji Xuanyuan was stunned.

The corners of Xiao Fan's lips lifted slightly as he nodded. "As Your Highness knows, the Nine Provinces Martial Tournament exists to give the younger generation of martial artists a chance to display their brilliance. Therefore, the tournament has extremely strict requirements regarding martial rank."

"Martial artists participating in the Nine Provinces Martial Tournament may not be above the eighth rank. Otherwise, it is considered cheating," Xiao Fan added.

Concern appeared on Ji Xuanyuan's face. "But aren't you a ninth-rank martial artist? That doesn't give you any advantage."

"To be honest with Your Highness, I have already reached the peak of the ninth rank. I am only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the eighth rank." Xiao Fan added confidently, "Give me one month. Reaching the eighth rank won't be a problem."

"As expected of my Brother Xiao! You do me proud!" Ji Xuanyuan beamed with gratification.

Xiao Fan continued, "At that time, I will enter the tournament as a guard of Your Highness's residence. Then Your Highness can use the opportunity to recommend me to His Majesty and help me enter the Shadow Pivot Court."

The moment those words left his mouth, Ji Xuanyuan was stunned again. "Recommend you to Father Emperor? This..."

Seeing the troubled look on Ji Xuanyuan's face, Xiao Fan asked, "Does Your Highness have some difficulty?"