Chapter 9: Chapter 3: Watching the Show (Part 1)

“Then tell this Prince, where is the person?”

As the words fell, there was a sharp *swish*. A piece of the red gauze curtain had been torn away. Qin Yunhong’s large hand gripped the red silk, veins bulging from the tension.

“This...” Ling Qiu broke into a cold sweat from anxiety and instantly knelt on the ground. “My Lord, perhaps... an assassin entered the Prince's Mansion. Or perhaps someone is secretly helping this Xia family waste?”

The moment the words left his mouth, unknown to him, Qin Yunhong’s face turned even darker.

“To think this waste actually has an accomplice, hmph! Ling Qiu, investigate it for me. Do not let a single clue slip through your fingers.” At that moment, a clump of soft gauze was violently thrown to the ground by Qin Yunhong.

He knew well that once this matter leaked, it would be a major obstacle to his future. He did not currently enjoy his Imperial Father's favor; if such an incident were added to his record, he dared not imagine the consequences.

“Yes!”

Ling Qiu departed in a panic.

Beside them, seeing Qin Yunhong’s exposed state, Xia Zibing couldn't help but want to laugh. However, remembering that the best part of the show was yet to come, Xia Zibing forced the laughter back down. *Mm, it is time for my entrance.*

“What is all this noise about?” Xia Zibing rose lazily, displaying an attitude of complete indifference. Then, seeing Qin Yunhong’s grim and sinister face, Xia Zibing immediately put on an expression of extreme terror. “Fourth Prince, you...”

Qin Yunhong froze instantly, staring in disbelief at the calm-faced Xia Zibing. “Xia Zibing, didn't you drink my...”

“What?” Xia Zibing lifted her eyes with an innocent expression.

“It is nothing!”

Though his voice was as calm as usual, only he understood the turbulent waves within his heart. This woman had just been lost in a haze of desire; could someone really be helping her in secret? But looking at her, she seemed to be unaware of the situation. Therefore, there was no need for him to waste his efforts on her.

Qin Yunhong suddenly felt the room was stifling and turned to leave. At this moment, he needed to find someone to vent to.

“Prince, since you have already entered your concubine's Bingyu Pavilion, will you not stay the night?”

Xia Zibing tugged at his robes, maintaining that same sorrowful expression, looking like a distressed woman from a secluded boudoir.

“Let go!”

Qin Yunhong jerked his robes away violently, giving Xia Zibing a look of disgust.

“I won't!”

Xia Zibing shamelessly continued to grab onto Qin Yunhong’s robes.

Qin Yunhong sucked in a breath of cold air and forcefully wrenched his robes free.

“Xia Zibing, you shameless wench. Don't think you are noble; in this Prince's eyes, I have never treated you as a human being.” The impatient gaze in his eyes was completely unvarnished. Seeing Xia Zibing's aggrieved appearance, Qin Yunhong finally flicked his sleeves and departed.

What nearly drove Qin Yunhong to a breakdown was that when he stepped out of Bingyu Pavilion, he discovered that Xia Zibing had actually followed him. Damn it, just how low could this woman be?

“Xia Zibing, even when this Prince goes to Rouxuan Pavilion, you follow too?” Qin Yunhong turned to look at Xia Zibing, his face actually filled with anticipation. He wondered what kind of expression this woman would make.

Just as Qin Yunhong expected, Xia Zibing's face turned pale and then flushed. Then, she said with disappointment, “This concubine wishes Sister a life of harmony and happiness.”

Qin Yunhong actually felt a sudden surge of interest, the corners of his mouth curling upward. “Won't you go and wish prosperity upon your sister and this Prince?”

“This concubine...” Xia Zibing made a move to go back. But Qin Yunhong had already grabbed her and was dragging her toward Rouxuan Pavilion.

Xia Zibing flashed a wicked smile. Finally, the man had fallen for it. He didn't treat her like a human? Then could she not say that, in truth, she had always treated this man as nothing more than a passing cloud?