Chapter 88: Peeking: Right Up Her Alley

The bedroom window was only loosely half-closed, allowing the night breeze to slip through the gap and gently stir the thin gauze curtains.

A cool medicinal scent lingered in the air.

All was silent; only a small oil lamp remained lit in the room.

As the injured one, Yan Yiqing rightfully occupied the large bed, while Zhao Huairen, who had promised to care for her, curled up with her long legs tucked on the somewhat cramped couch for her.

Yan Yiqing lay on her back on the bed.

Her dark hair spilled freely, accentuating her already radiant features.

Her long lashes trembled faintly. Her peach-blossom eyes were half-closed, the ink-jade pupils shimmering with fragmented glimmers. The hazy, dim light in the woman’s eyes mirrored the flickering lamp wick almost perfectly.

The couch near the window was just a few steps from the bed. Zhao Huairen lay on her side, her silhouette softened by the dim light and shadows.

The breathing by her ear came in uneven rhythms.

It wasn’t heavy, but it always sounded a bit tense.

“Can’t Young Master Yan sleep?” A soft question broke the silence. The clear, slightly husky voice carried a subtle probe, like a feather brushing a qin string.

The breathing paused for a moment before the little cat softly replied, “Mm.”

“Not used to it—”

“No.” Yan Yiqing cut her off before she could finish, tightening her fingers at her side as she murmured, “I’m not unaccustomed… I just slept a long time this evening.”

It was her first time sleeping together with Huairen.

She was a little nervous and didn’t want to waste it like this.

Her light-brown phoenix eyes slowly opened. In the dim light, the clear gaze resembled two pieces of cold jade submerged in a stream. Catching the gaze from the bed, Zhao Huairen’s eyes were clear—she had obviously been awake all along. “Does the wound hurt a lot…?”

Of course it hurt.

But she seemed long accustomed to pain.

“It’s fine.” Yan Yiqing shook her head, idly picking at the thin callus on her fingertip, steering the topic back. “And you, Heir Apparent? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Zhao Huairen’s gaze shifted lightly without directly answering. Instead, she said, “If Young Master Yan can’t sleep, will you chat with me?”

Yes! The response was right up her alley, and the little cat’s eyes lit up. Yan Yiqing feigned composure with a light cough, casually replying, “Well, that’s not impossible.”

Her thin lips curved into a subtle arc.

Zhao Huairen didn’t call her out on it, merely thanking her softly.

“You’ve already obtained the evidence, right, Heir Apparent?” Having scored another victory, Yan Yiqing clenched her fist at her side. She licked her lips and took the initiative. “I helped Zhuyu—did she tell you?”

“Evidence?”

Had Zhuyu not handed it over yet?

That seemed unlikely; so many hours had passed.

“The letter Qiu Mingsong wrote to Luo Xiutong—it’s a letter, right? Or maybe some token?” Yan Yiqing said as she turned her head to look at her.

A spark flashed in Zhao Huairen’s eyes. Gazing at the clever little cat on the bed, she asked warmly, “Zhuyu probably wouldn’t bring it up on her own. When did Young Master Yan figure out my scheme?”

If Qiu Mingsong hadn’t passed on the message,

Luo Xiutong wouldn’t have dared act against her with his position.

Convicting the two wasn’t hard—the key was evidence convincing enough for the Emperor.

Hiding her own worries and unease from the process, Yan Yiqing blinked and said smugly, “I figured out your plan ages ago and went along with it.”

If she’d figured it out that early,

Why did you leave me here alone?

“Mm, Young Master Yan understands me.” Her phoenix eyes softened with a smile as Zhao Huairen lowered her lashes slightly and laid out the full follow-up plan. “Qiu Mingsong’s handwritten letter is in my hands now. It holds proof of their conspiracy with Luo Xiutong. Their charge will be the attempted murder of an imperial envoy.”

“I’ve read the contents; it doesn’t mention the armor… I’ll let Young Master Yan review it tomorrow.”

It was dull, unpleasant business.

Yet hearing Huairen recount it so smoothly made it feel less bothersome.

“Young Master Yan?”

Lost in thought, the little cat snapped back, pretending poise. “Heir Apparent handles things flawlessly, as expected.”

“Mm. So what did I just say?”

…

Huairen, what did you say?

Caught spacing out, Yan Yiqing’s cheeks flushed pink. Her eyes darted as she stammered, “I… I was thinking about something…”

“Thinking? Weren’t you just looking at me, Young Master Yan?”

The woman’s voice was as pure as moonlight, making her own seem lecherous and foolish by comparison. Her cheeks burned hotter as the little cat, trapped in the honey snare, flailed her paws—then suddenly realized something off.

“You’ve been peeking at me this whole time, Heir Apparent?”

Found out so quickly, Zhao Huairen pressed her lips together, amusement clear in her eyes. “Mm. Not allowed?”

Huairen couldn’t look at her?

Of course she could—and best if she only ever looked at her.

“Look all you want.” Yan Yiqing cleared her throat seriously, glancing at Zhao Huairen and declaring generously, “I looked at you too. We’re even.”

“Alright.” Zhao Huairen raised a hand to her lips, pausing before continuing. “As I said, Young Master Yan needs to write a letter to Prince Gong—send it by fast horse.”

“To have him send new men over?”

Zhao Huairen lowered her gaze. “Mm. We can’t stay here much longer.”

“Eager to return to the capital?” As Yan Yiqing spoke, she propped herself up on one elbow from the bed. Muttering to herself, “I’m not sleepy anyway. If we’re in a rush, why not write the letter now?”

“Lie back down. It’s not that urgent.”

The little cat full of defiance.

Had met the one master who could make her obey.

Zhao Huairen watched the bustling Yan Yiqing until she obediently lay back, then said warmly, “You’re injured. Don’t keep moving around.”

Her callused fingertips rubbed the bedcover, feeling her care. The little cat secretly rejoiced inside. But Zhao Huairen on the couch suddenly recalled something, her brows furrowing as her gaze darkened.

The truth of the past was within reach.

Tomorrow, she’d have the killer’s lead.

Working backward from the situation then, the one who struck at the Zhao Family should be the current Emperor. But Liu Zhengkang hadn’t been in Yanjing at the time. Given her father’s cautious nature, how could he set such a deadly trap from thousands of li away? And leave Father utterly unprepared…

The answer swam beneath the ice like a fish—blurry in motion, but she could already faintly trace it.

“Asleep, Heir Apparent?”

“No.” Zhao Huairen pulled her thoughts back, a complex shadow crossing her brow, her voice much lower. “Young Master Yan, why did you return to the capital back then?”

The marriage was by imperial decree from the Empress, but after getting to know Yan Yiqing, Zhao Huairen knew: if Qingqing truly didn’t want it, the journey from Yanjing to Youzhou gave ample time for a perfect counterplan.

If it was for power,

She should have stayed in Youzhou.

That left only one… absurd reason, yet one perfectly tailored for her.

Both wives were clever. Zhao Huairen’s question wasn’t probing deeply, but Yan Yiqing understood what she really wanted to know. If it were just her alone, she’d reveal anything to Huairen. But behind her—

“It was just by imperial decree to wed.” Yan Yiqing seemed to think it insufficient, her eyes flickering as she mumbled, “Heir Apparent, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten… I’m your wedded wife.”

Hearing Yan Yiqing mention it,

The slight furrow in her brow eased a bit.

The act born of guilt now felt like a blessing in retrospect. Good thing she hadn’t slighted Qingqing but prepared everything as best she could.

“The red wedding robes suited Young Master Yan perfectly. I haven’t forgotten that day’s scene.”

Her wound sprinkled with salt by her own wife, the little cat choked on saliva, her mouth twitching. Come to think of it, she hadn’t even properly looked at Huairen that day. The one glance she stole… she’d bawled her eyes out…

Taking in Yan Yiqing’s reaction,

Something occurred to Zhao Huairen, suspicion tinting her brow.

Qingqing liked her now, but that was only a few months. She shouldn’t have had a love interest then? That didn’t add up. If no love interest, there must be another motive for agreeing to the marriage.

So on the wedding day,

Why had she cried like that?

In an instant, the bedroom air grew still.

The little cat was acutely sensitive to danger.

She sensed something wrong immediately.

“Why did you cry that day?” Zhao Huairen’s thin lips pressed together, her tone unreadable.

Why hadn’t she just gone to sleep?!

It was so late—she should have obediently slept!!

Yan Yiqing wailed inwardly but kept her face composed. She swallowed carefully and explained awkwardly, “Crying a bit when leaving home… that’s normal, right?”

“You cried because of being with me.”

The woman’s voice remained pleasant.

But inexplicably, it sent chills down her spine.

“I… I didn’t, did I? Ah, that was so long ago.” Caught off-guard by her wife’s sudden question, Yan Yiqing’s drowsiness vanished, but she forced a yawn. “Mm~ Aren’t you sleepy yet, Heir Apparent?”