The next few days passed very peacefully for the people of Fengcheng, and the nighttime curfew was lifted.
The day after the Eldest Prince's death, his body was discovered by a servant, instantly sending shockwaves through the imperial court. The commoners talked of nothing else, whispering among themselves. Some said that the Second Prince was a hidden dragon who had lain low for years only to rise in a single day, while others claimed that the mysterious expert by the Eldest Prince's side had betrayed him, slain him, and fled.
For a time, all kinds of rumors ran rampant among the people. Regardless, the Second Prince was now the only remaining legitimate lineage of the imperial family, making his succession to the throne the natural course of events.
Perhaps fearing further complications, the civil and military officials unanimously proposed that he ascend the throne as soon as possible. Thus, on the very next day, witnessed by the assembly of officials, the mandate of heaven was bestowed.
The Second Prince, Ji Ye, ascended the throne as Emperor, choosing “Ye” as his reign title. In the history books written many years later, this period would be described as the beginning of a chaotic era.
News of his ascension spread with extreme speed.
After reading the letter, Qiu Zhiya couldn't help but raise a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. The Emperor had actually died of illness.
“The Second Prince? I never expected him to inherit the throne.”
Although he had anticipated the outcome, Lin Mo still couldn't help but sigh with emotion. This Second Prince had very few achievements to his name; compared to the Eldest Prince and the Third Prince, he truly seemed utterly ordinary.
“Alright.” Qiu Zhiya lowered her hand and said solemnly, “Time to talk business, Lin Mo.”
“You got it, Boss.” Lin Mo grinned, pulling out a roll of paper from his robe and spreading it flat across the table. It depicted a highly arrogant-looking man.
“This is Lin Mo, the eldest young master of the Lin family, and also the son of the Zhao family's enemy.”
Xu Qing frowned slightly and looked at Qiu Zhiya. “Are we really taking this job?”
For ordinary commoners, a single tael of silver was already quite a sum, making a hundred taels an absolute astronomical figure. However, for them, offending the Lin family for a mere hundred taels of silver was simply not worth it.
Qiu Zhiya sighed, pulling out several small wooden tablets from her robes. The tasks written on them were either catching unfaithful spouses or beating someone up, and the rewards for these barely even exceeded ten taels of silver.
“The other missions are almost all troublesome chores with little pay, and we're about to run out of money.”
“It's all because of those two you brought back...” Mo Lin muttered under his breath. Over the past few days, the elderly man and the young girl had done almost nothing but go shopping.
Qiu Zhiya quickly glanced at the two who were busy admiring the scenery nearby. Seeing that they hadn't heard, she breathed a sigh of relief before turning around to glare at him.
“Shut up.”
Mo Lin curled his lip, lightly tapping a specific time written on the paper. “Tomorrow, he will attend a poetry gathering held at Qingfeng Tower. Aside from him, the young masters of the Chen and Wang families will also be there.”
“Qingyue Tower?” Xu Qing frowned slightly.
“It's just a brothel.”
“Oh.”
Qiu Zhiya looked at the schematic. It mapped out Qingfeng Tower's location and layout, noting that Lin Mo's seat would be on the third floor by the window. His line of sight would be excellent, meaning they couldn't sneak attack him with hidden weapons.
After a brief moment of thought, she tapped the entrance of Qingyue Tower on the schematic and instructed Mo Lin, “Tomorrow, pull some strings and make the arrangements to smuggle us inside.”
She then shifted her finger to a spot beneath a tree outside the building. “Xu Qing, wait outside Qingyue Tower and watch for my signal.”
Finally, her finger returned to the window seat on the third floor of Qingfeng Tower. “I'll find a way to get close to Lin Mo and strike when the opportunity arises.”
Suddenly, a hand reached in, pointing at a strange drawing on the paper.
“What is this?”
Mo Lin leaned in to take a look. “Uh... that... is a turtle I drew.”
Everyone: “...”
Qiu Zhiya pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a long sigh. “Alright, we'll go with this plan. Once we get the reward, the three of us will split it evenly.”
“What about me?”
The owner of the hand spoke up again. Only then did Qiu Zhiya realize someone else had joined them, prompting her to turn around.
Standing beside them was none other than Old Chen.
“Wait, no,” Mo Lin said, staring at him with wide eyes. “Old man, you're already at such an advanced age, why are you trying to get involved in this?”
Hearing Mo Lin's words, Old Chen instantly became displeased.
“You brat! Don't you know how to respect your elders? At my age, I could be your grandfather!”
“My grandfather is already enshrined on our family altar.”
While the two were bickering, Ning Qingzhu walked over and tugged on Qiu Zhiya's sleeve, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.
“Sister Qiu, I want to go too. Bring me along!”
Qiu Zhiya looked at her helplessly. “This is a matter of great importance. I won't be able to guarantee your safety.”
“I don't need your protection anyway,” Ning Qingzhu said, curling her lip.
Qiu Zhiya fell silent for a moment. On second thought, Little Qing's combat strength didn't seem weak either; perhaps she really could be of help during this mission.
With that thought in mind, she nodded and finally agreed.
Seeing that she was going, Old Chen said anxiously, “This is far too dangerous. I have to go to keep an eye on you!”
Faced with Old Chen's request, Qiu Zhiya truly couldn't agree. Looking at the elderly man, who was well over fifty, she didn't know what to say. If they had to make a quick escape and Old Chen got left behind, it would be extremely troublesome...
She could already visualize the scene:
[“Damn it! Don't let them escape, boys!... Oh, wait, boss, there's one here who can't run!”]
Qiu Zhiya's eyelid twitched involuntarily. Having already prepared her refusal, she was just about to speak when—
“The Young Master told me to keep an eye on her,” Old Chen said calmly.
Qiu Zhiya: “...”
...
On the day of the poetry gathering, various talented scholars and students poured into Qingyue Tower. The madame had even specially invited the top courtesan to perform, making the atmosphere incredibly lively.
Scholars admired beautiful women while savoring poetry and lyrics, a perfect materialization of both refined and popular tastes.
Qiu Zhiya walked straight into the building. The attendant at the entrance stood there completely indifferent, as if he hadn't even seen her.
The aroma of wine drifted through every corner of the establishment. Famous paintings and calligraphies hung upon the pillars alongside couplets and poems, drawing occasional sighs of admiration from the passing scholars.
By a window on the second floor, Lin Mo was savoring fine wine and chatting merrily with the young masters of the Chen and Wang families.
Putting down his wine cup, he smiled and said, “Brother Wang, what an outstanding piece of writing. I am truly full of admiration.”
“Brother Lin flatters me. Brother Chen's quick-witted mind is what I could never hope to match.”
“In my view, Brother Lin...”
The few of them lavished so much praise on one another that they nearly intoxicated themselves with self-flattery. In an instant, the three playboys transformed into three towering giants of the literary world, leaving Qiu Zhiya, who stood behind a nearby pillar, listening with a face full of dark lines.
Just as Lin Mo was about to speak further, a sudden waft of fragrance brushed past his face, cutting his words short.
Clad in a vibrant red dress, Qiu Zhiya approached his side holding a teapot. Her facial features were perfectly proportioned, and her eyes held a natural, alluring charm, immediately leaving Lin Mo spellbound and captivated.
Her slight smile outshone the luster of countless gold and silver treasures in Lin Mo's eyes; at this very moment, it was as if the existence of precious gems finally had a purpose.
In her mind, Qiu Zhiya recalled his profile: Lin Mo, the young master of the Lin family, naturally lustful and profligate, with countless rumors to his name.
“When this girl caught a glimpse of you from afar, she couldn't help but think how remarkably handsome and dashing you are,” Qiu Zhiya said with a smile, her tone carrying just the right amount of bashfulness.
Gulp. Lin Mo swallowed hard, cursing inwardly at what an absolute vixen she was.
A top-tier beauty like this was someone he had truly never laid hands on before!
With this posture, this figure, and that inadvertently seductive gaze, even the top courtesan couldn't compare to her in the slightest.
The two sitting opposite him also stared wide-eyed at Qiu Zhiya. Seeing the look she gave Lin Mo, their hearts swelled with intense jealousy.
“Ahem, Brother Lin, aren't we here today to discuss the artistic conception of poetry?”
“Exactly! Look at you, this is truly a blow to our refined elegance!”
Elegant my ass, Lin Mo cursed in his heart. If such a beauty were beside these two, they would have probably taken her right then and there.
“Gentlemen, I believe I overheard someone discussing the artistic conception of poetry.” Just then, a voice rang out.
Qiu Zhiya looked up, the corner of her mouth already beginning to twitch.
“This old man happens to have a bit of understanding in that area. Would you young friends care to discuss it?” Old Chen said with a smile. He was dressed in a scholar's long robe, exuding a refined and easygoing temperament.
“Allow me to introduce myself. This old man is the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy.”
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