It had been over three years since Huo Xian truly climbed into Zhao Yong’s inner circle.
To put it nicely, he was Zhao Yong’s adopted son. In a less flattering light, he was merely a lapdog. Among the officials in the court who were willing to serve the eunuch faction, Huo Xian was not in the minority. However, by virtue of his status as an adopted son, he stood above the others. Hence, those who depended on Zhao Yong inevitably sought to curry favor with him.
In the halls of power, there were many such parasites, and Huo Xian saw them clearly.
However, the Xiao family had always stayed out of politics, neither aligning with good nor evil. Huo Xian was previously unsure of Xiao Cheng’s intentions, speculating that he either had another path or was simply protecting himself. But with military power in his hands and a nephew serving in the Shenji Camp, Huo Xian kept a close eye on him.
Yet, he had not expected any entanglement between the Xiao family and Zhao Yong.
What kind of entanglement had to be concealed so deeply?
Nevertheless, Ji Yuluo’s words might not be entirely true. She was known for her deceit, and now that she was trapped here, she might be using Zhao Yong’s name to manipulate him for her escape. But Huo Xian was more inclined to believe that she was telling the truth.
She had tried to harm Zhao Yong several times. Today, she had clearly entered the palace but appeared inexplicably at the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence. It was hard to believe that this had nothing to do with Zhao Yong.
Amidst the cacophony of music and dance, Huo Xian looked down at her from above, then turned and followed the maid to the backyard.
Ji Yuluo understood his meaning and followed closely, despite Xiao Yuanting’s disapproving rebukes.
In the next moment, Xiao Yuanjing led a group of guards in, startling everyone.
Xiao Yuanting stood up abruptly, displeased, and said, “Cousin, what is the meaning of this?”
Xiao Yuanjing explained his purpose, sighing, “Yuanting, that female thief might be among us. Please ask all the ladies to step forward for an inspection.”
At this, everyone started talking at once:
“Ziqi, did your house get robbed?”
“What’s with this big commotion? What did your father lose?”
“Are we still going to play today, or should we just leave?”
Xiao Yuanjing said, “Everyone, please calm down. Tonight, no one will be allowed to leave until the thief is caught. At dawn, the Xiao family will send carriages to take everyone home.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the two fleeting shadows under the corridor.
The moment the words left his mouth, the garden erupted in noise. Keeping guests from leaving—what kind of hospitality was that?
Xiao Yuanting’s face darkened. This was ruining his party, tarnishing his reputation.
He stepped forward and coldly said, “Cousin, isn’t this unnecessary? All the guests here are my distinguished guests, and the dancers are from the palace, each one of them pure. What’s there to check?”
Xiao Yuanjing replied, “Apologies, Yuanting, but this matter is too serious to be handled carelessly.”
Seeing the brothers about to argue, someone with a sense of tact quickly intervened to smooth things over, saying, “Oh, it’s nothing. The Xiao residence is so magnificently decorated, we don’t often get the chance to stay. Isn’t that right?”
The others nodded in agreement.
Only then did Xiao Yuanting give in, irritably waving his hand. “Fine, fine, go ahead and check.”
Xiao Yuanjing apologized and gestured for the guards to inspect the dancers. Then he asked casually, “What’s the matter with Lord Huo?”
—
The Xiao residence’s backyard was elegant and refined. Xiao Yuanting’s grandmother, from a prestigious family, was known for her talent and taste in her youth. The landscaping in the inner courtyard was all her handiwork.
The deeper they walked, the quieter it became.
The fragrance of flowers and trees filled the air.
Behind them, the faint jingling of bells was particularly distracting.
Huo Xian glanced sideways, casting a look at the shadow trailing a step behind him under the lamp.
When they reached the guest room, the maid withdrew.
The guest room was fully equipped, with clothes prepared for guests from inside out, although they might not fit perfectly.
After entering the room, Huo Xian glanced out the window and then closed the curtains. He took off his long robe and threw it on the floor, making a mess. Ji Yuluo watched from behind as he suddenly pulled her over.
Huo Xian extended his hand, then paused, pulling her into the bathroom. Ji Yuluo stumbled, unable to react before Huo Xian half-pushed, half-pulled her into the bathtub, causing water to splash out with a loud crash.
The water was cold, bone-chillingly cold!
Ji Yuluo shuddered violently, almost reflexively raising her hand, but Huo Xian covered her mouth.
She immediately calmed down, sensing something, and listened carefully, hearing light footsteps passing the corridor and stopping outside the door.
Someone was there.
Then there were two knocks at the door.
Ji Yuluo’s gaze passed over Huo Xian’s shoulder, fixed on the bathroom curtain. She lowered her voice, “Is it the person from earlier?”
Huo Xian’s hand was still over her mouth. As she spoke, her lips brushed against his rough palm. Focused on the knocking, she didn’t notice. Huo Xian paused slightly before finally responding with a quiet “Mm,” removing his hand. “Xiao Yuanjing,” he said.
Ji Yuluo realized he was referring to the person outside.
Xiao Yuanjing and Xiao Yuanting—brothers of the same generation, she assumed.
Lost in thought, she heard the knocking stop. Then, with a creak, Xiao Yuanjing pushed the door open.
The footsteps grew closer.
Ji Yuluo had been kneeling. As the sounds approached the door, she straightened her back, held her breath, and her eyes sharpened.
Like a wolf ready to strike.
But just as the footsteps paused outside the curtain, Ji Yuluo suddenly understood why Huo Xian had been taking off his clothes and making a mess of the room.
Huo Xian saw the light in her eyes, his brows lifting slightly, as if he was amused by her rare moment of clarity.
At the instant the curtain was pulled open, the two of them moved in perfect synchronization. Ji Yuluo leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Huo Xian’s neck. Huo Xian supported her waist, and she trembled as if they had been caught in an intimate moment. “S-someone’s here…” she stammered.
Huo Xian hesitated for a moment, then turned his head, feigning surprise. “Lord Xiao? What brings you here?”
Xiao Yuanjing paused, a look of disgust crossing his face. He narrowed his eyes at the woman in Huo Xian’s arms.
Seeing Xiao Yuanjing about to approach, Huo Xian chuckled. “Lord Xiao, care to join us? I must say, the figures from the palace are something else. Come, stand up—let Lord Xiao have a look.”
Xiao Yuanjing’s revulsion reached its peak. He stopped in his tracks, his voice calm. “No need. The residence has been robbed. I am searching for the thief. Please, continue.”
Huo Xian turned Ji Yuluo around so her back was to Xiao Yuanjing, then leaned leisurely against the edge of the bathtub, as if he had all the time in the world to chat. “What was stolen? Is it serious? Do you need the Jinyiwei’s help?”
As he spoke, his hand brushed against the bell on Ji Yuluo’s waist. He idly pinched it, causing her to frown slightly and push his hand away.
Huo Xian glanced down at her, his throat humming with a soft laugh. Xiao Yuanjing didn’t hear it, but Ji Yuluo did, and she understood the mocking tone—like he was saying, “Falling into my hands, what else do you expect?”
Then he deliberately tugged at the silver bell again.
Their hands tangled underwater, causing ripples on the surface. Xiao Yuanjing’s eyebrows twitched at the sight. He had heard rumors about Huo Xian’s wild behavior and didn’t wish to stay longer. “Thank you, but it’s just a small thief. I can handle it. Farewell.”
Huo Xian politely bid him goodbye.
Ji Yuluo was about to lift her head when Huo Xian pushed it back down.
Xiao Yuanjing, having taken a few steps, turned back. “One more thing. To prevent the thief from escaping, I must ask Lord Huo and the other gentlemen to stay overnight. You may leave in the morning.”
Huo Xian nodded. “Very well.”
Xiao Yuanjing cupped his hands and finally left.
As the beaded curtain fell, Ji Yuluo quickly pulled away, but the bell was snatched off by Huo Xian. She splashed water at him, and he grabbed her wrist, about to say something when he noticed the jade ring on her finger. He paused, then commented, “Tsk, burning bridges already?”
Ji Yuluo ignored him and listened intently until she was sure Xiao Yuanjing had walked away, then breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought Xiao Yuanting was an only child?”
Huo Xian responded slowly, “Xiao Yuanjing is his cousin. After his father passed away, Xiao Cheng raised him. He’s older than Xiao Yuanting and more steady. He now serves in the Shenji Camp, leading a low-key, disciplined life, avoiding wine, women, and gambling. Xiao Cheng values him highly. For instance, when something happened tonight, Xiao Yuanjing was the first to arrive.”
Ji Yuluo nodded, then fell silent. She had wanted to ask about Xiao Yuanjing, but Huo Xian’s sudden forthcoming nature was unusual. He wasn’t being altruistic.
In this world, relationships are a matter of give and take.
After contemplating, she spoke, “I did follow Zhao Yong to the Xiao residence. I saw Xiao Cheng and Zhao Yong meeting at the waterside pavilion. Their relationship seemed complex, familiar yet not harmonious. Zhao Yong must visit the Xiao residence often, but they don’t appear to be on good terms.”
She described the scene in the room at that time.
The water in the tub was icy cold, but she had grown accustomed to it, seemingly forgetting she was still in the water, face-to-face with Huo Xian. Their legs were still touching underwater, but she was focused on discussing serious matters.
At this critical moment, Huo Xian pondered the depth of the situation while his gaze inadvertently shifted to the water droplets dripping from her chin. When she finished speaking, he snapped back to attention. Despite his distraction, he caught the key points: “The imperial guards have intensified their watch tonight. No one has left through the palace gates. How did Zhao Yong get here, and how did you follow him?”
Ji Yuluo, unaware of the increased security in the palace, glanced at Huo Xian, immediately recognizing his handiwork. Yet, he met her gaze without a hint of evasion, brazenly admitting his actions.
These were actually two questions. Ji Yuluo could choose not to answer, but she realized Huo Xian seemed genuinely ignorant of Zhao Yong’s movements, his relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence, and the secret passage in Zhao Yong’s office. The relationship between this “father and son” was not as close as rumored; the rift was deeper than she had imagined.
Why not drive a wedge between them, letting them tear each other apart, and she could reap the benefits?
With this in mind, Ji Yuluo told him about the secret passage.
Huo Xian was silent.
His expression remained calm, but inside, a storm was raging.
A secret passage…
Zhao Yong dared to construct a secret passage leading out of the palace.
This meant he could enter and leave the palace freely without using the gates, a passage that had likely existed for many years!
Even after more than three years, Zhao Yong did not fully trust him. Huo Xian had always known that while Zhao Yong used him, he was also constantly testing and guarding against him. Therefore, Huo Xian never expected Zhao Yong to confide everything in him, and he had planted many spies in the palace to keep an eye on Zhao Yong. Yet, he never imagined that the one oversight was in Zhao Yong’s own office.
This matter needed further investigation.
Huo Xian’s gaze returned to Ji Yuluo’s face. “One last question.”
Ji Yuluo looked back at him, lifting her chin slightly. “What?”
His gaze was intense and probing, making it hard to avoid. He asked, “What is your name?”
The moment he asked, Ji Yuluo’s expression changed.
Their eyes met, and countless thoughts raced through her mind before she finally smiled slightly. “Lord Huo, you ask too many questions. You answer one of mine, and I’ve answered yours. Let’s call it even.”
With that, she started to get up, but Huo Xian extended his leg, trapping her in the confined space. His long limbs easily enclosed her. He leaned in closer, saying, “You’re at my mercy. On my turf, what fairness do you think you can demand?”
