Eastern Palace.
Whoosh-
Qi Yunheng leaped through the window as he always did.
The moment he landed, a red-tasseled spear pressed against his neck. "What scoundrel dares sneak into the Eastern Palace?"
At the unfamiliar voice, Qi Yunheng froze briefly.
His hand instinctively tightened around his saber's hilt.
He turned his head slightly.
A woman in military attire stood in the room.
When he saw her face clearly, he abruptly went still.
He stared for a long moment.
When he recovered, his eyes filled with wariness. "Who exactly are you?" he demanded.
"Why are you pretending to be Qi'an?"
His Qi'an... wasn't this short.
And he was far more refined and distinguished, with such effortless grace.
The man wore a mask and hadn't even used the front door. To Xiao Zhiyu, he clearly looked like trouble.
Yet he had addressed Qi'an by his courtesy name, so she supposed he must be someone Qi'an knew well.
She glanced up at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And what are you to Qi'an?"
Qi Yunheng went still.
What was he to him...?
"Hah."
Qi Yunheng lifted his eyes slightly.
His voice brimmed with pride as he declared haughtily, "His most intimate companion, of course!"
Xiao Zhiyu paused and frowned.
His most intimate companion...
How intimate?
Surely he couldn't be closer to Qi'an than his own elder sister?
Suddenly, inspiration struck her, as though something had occurred to her.
She looked at him and asked, "Could it be... you're his little pet?"
Qi Yunheng's foot slipped, and his composure cracked.
...Little pet?
He raised his eyes, his gaze instantly filling with displeasure.
What little pet!
He was the one Qi'an held closest to his heart.
This woman really had no sense.
"Why aren't you answering?"
Xiao Zhiyu withdrew her red-tasseled spear. When he