Chapter 16: A Three-Day Appointment

However, catching the pleading gaze of Princess Jiayi, Xiao Zhen spoke up to bail them out.

"Second Miss Zhao, might I invite you to step next door for a chat?"

Both Zhao Yunnuan and Zhao Shiqing were stunned. They had not expected Xiao Zhen to bypass the eldest sister, Zhao Yunnuan, and instead ask to speak with Zhao Shiqing alone.

By all logic and etiquette, it should not have been this way.

Although Xiao Zhen held no title, he was the son of the Grand Princess and the eldest grandson of the Xiao family's primary branch. Did he not understand propriety?

Or was this Eldest Young Master Xiao simply unconcerned with trivialities?

Zhao Yunnuan and Zhao Shiqing would never have dreamed of the true reason.

In his past life, Xiao Zhen believed until his dying breath that Zhao Yunnuan was the enemy of the entire Xiao family. In this life, although he knew his parents and cousin had not actually died at her hands, he felt an instinctive aversion upon seeing her again. He wanted to keep his distance and avoid any dealings with her.

Zhao Shiqing agreed readily. "Very well, Eldest Young Master Xiao, please lead the way."

Zhao Yunnuan also felt that Xiao Zhen was a strange person. Seeing her sister agree so easily, she felt uneasy. Zhao Shiqing patted her hand and whispered comfortingly, "It's fine, Sister. Wait for me here; I'll be back in a moment."

The ninth floor of the Star-Gazing Tower was built primarily for astronomy. There were several windows around the perimeter, but only two rooms; the rest was an open corridor.

The room Zhao Shiqing and Xiao Zhen went to was the other one.

Inside the room, a single table and a few chairs were placed by the window, and there was even a telescope on the table.

A telescope was a prohibited item among the common folk, but here, it was merely a toy for young lords and ladies to observe the stars.

Zhao Shiqing picked up the telescope and looked out through the open window. She saw the tiny figures of the squads outside the villa, as well as the five lonely figures standing in the distance.

"Your people are there. They are fiercely loyal to you," Zhao Shiqing said.

Xiao Zhen limped over and sat in a chair. "Second Miss Zhao, first, I must thank you for saving my father, my mother, and little Su."

As he spoke, he struggled to his feet, lifted his robes, and knelt, striking his head heavily against the blue brick floor three times.

When he raised his head, his face, which had been as pale as paper, finally regained some color—specifically, blood seeping from his forehead.

Zhao Shiqing sat upright, receiving his formal salute with dignity.

She was worthy of Xiao Zhen's three kowtows.

However, that was not enough.

"I saved three lives from your family. Is three kowtows all that is required to settle the matter?"

Xiao Zhen: "..."

"I have heard that the Second Miss has a fondness for Crane-Releasing Mountain. Therefore, I shall offer a flower to the Buddha; I grant Crane-Releasing Mountain to you. Once my parents return to the capital, I will have them send the land deed to you."

Zhao Shiqing: *Hmm, this Xiao Zhen is much more sensible than Xiao Xiaosu.*

But, it was still not enough!

"Eldest Young Master Xiao, as for that mountain, I shall accept it. However, I wish to discuss a business deal with you. I wonder if you might be interested?"

Not knowing what Zhao Shiqing was up to, Xiao Zhen said in a deep voice, "I am all ears."

Zhao Shiqing gasped. *My goodness, his voice is far too pleasant.* Half her body went numb. *What a pity, this Xiao Zhen isn't handsome.*

Zhao Shiqing cleared her throat. She also had a fine voice—or so a little oriole had told her.

"Eldest Young Master Xiao won't blame me for doubting your father and mother, will you? It is only human nature. After all, the time and place of their appearance were far too coincidental. Anyone would be suspicious, wouldn't they?"

Xiao Zhen gave a low hum of acknowledgment but said nothing. Zhao Shiqing continued: "I would like to ask you for three days. During these three days, I ask that the Grand Princess and the Consort stay at the Star-Gazing Tower. At the same time, I am giving you three days. In this time, please find reasonable evidence to clear your parents of suspicion.

Rest assured, Eldest Young Master, as long as the evidence is conclusive, I will personally escort your family out of the Liang lands.

A gentleman's word is his bond. I hereby swear that I shall not go back on my word."

Xiao Zhen's gaze deepened as he looked at the vivid young girl before him. At this moment, there was no eagle on her shoulder, but a section of a cat's tail was poking out from a cloth bag at her chest.

*What a strange little girl.*

Xiao Zhen drifted off for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. "Is this the 'business' you wish to discuss? This doesn't seem to count as a business deal."

Zhao Shiqing smiled. "I haven't even mentioned the real business yet. After all, there are many unresolved issues between us. For example, my father's death. Until that is resolved, you and I cannot conduct business as equals."

Xiao Zhen exhaled and stood up. "Very well. In three days, right here, I shall await the Second Miss."

Zhao Shiqing smiled. "Good, it's a deal. Don't be late."

Seeing her about to leave, Xiao Zhen called out to her, "Wait, I have one more request."

Zhao Shiqing tilted her chin slightly. "Speak."

Xiao Zhen: "To be honest with you, before arriving in the Liang lands, I was plotted against and narrowly escaped death. Now, the world believes I am dead, so..."

Zhao Shiqing understood instantly. "So you don't want people to know you are alive. You want us sisters to help you keep this secret?"

Xiao Zhen nodded. "Is the Second Miss willing to help?"

Zhao Shiqing smiled. "Since I want to do business with you, of course I will help with such a small favor. However, many people saw the Eldest Young Master today. I wonder what reason you intend to use to silence them?"

Xiao Zhen had clearly thought of it already. "I am a guard of the Xiao family. Upon learning that the Grand Princess and the Consort were trapped here, I acted on impulse and offended the Grand Princess and the Second Miss. I deserve death."

Zhao Shiqing smiled again. *No wonder they say ugly people are eccentric.* Looking at this fellow who was three parts human and seven parts ghost, his eccentricity was actually quite amusing.

"Then you must have a name. Something like Li Damao, Liu Erzhu, or Wang Sanpang?"

Xiao Zhen: "..."

"My surname is Zhen, and my given name is Gui."

Zhao Shiqing: *Zhen Gui... Precious? You really are narcissistic!*

"Very well, Master Zhen. We shall see each other in three days."

Having said her piece, Zhao Shiqing walked out of the Star-Gazing Tower with Zhao Yunnuan, who was waiting outside.

Once outside, Zhao Yunnuan asked, "Did he make things difficult for you?"

Zhao Shiqing replied, "No. He kowtowed three times to thank me for saving their lives and promised to give me Crane-Releasing Mountain. Additionally, I gave him three days to help his parents prove their innocence. After three days, as long as he can prove the Grand Princess and her husband are not murderers, we will let them return to the capital."

Zhao Yunnuan did not blame her sister for taking initiative. After all, if the Grand Princess and her husband remained locked up here, something would inevitably happen sooner or later.

"Good. I have already arranged the Imperial Guards; not even a fly will be able to enter the Star-Gazing Tower."

Zhao Shiqing added, "Sister, that Jinbao beside Xiao Xiaosu is a traitor who sells out his master. If the Xiao family has such traitors, our Prince's manor might have them too. Let's go back right now and catch the traitor in the act."

Zhao Yunnuan asked, "Do you suspect this traitor is the one who actually killed Father?"

(End of Chapter)