Chapter 89

Hearing the Old Madam’s words, Zhou Xuan paused for a moment.

She stared at Tang Mian, wanting to ask something, but hesitated to speak. In the end, she still ended up voicing it after all.

Seeing this, Chu Lingyue smiled faintly. “Grandmother, it’s nothing serious. Tang Mian was just joking with Xuan’er.”

The Old Madam eyed Tang Mian and Zhou Xuan suspiciously before waving her hand and dropping the matter.

She had no interest in the affairs of young girls.

They returned to Tower Beyond Towers.

Chu Lingyue glanced at the sky. “Let’s head to the study.”

Tang Jin and Tang Mian followed without a second thought. Zhou Xuan stood on the steps, holding back with feigned poise. Seeing that no one had invited her, she pouted and hurried after them.

The four of them took their seats. Chu Lingyue glanced at Tang Jin. “A-Jin, you question Xuan’er.”

Tang Jin had a knack for detecting lies, making her better suited for this.

Meeting Chu Lingyue’s meaningful gaze, Tang Jin understood instantly.

This woman was truly sharp beyond measure—she had nearly guessed all of Tang Jin’s secrets.

Tang Jin composed herself and turned to Zhou Xuan. “Xuan’er, the three of us already know about your background.”

Zhou Xuan lowered her head slightly. “Oh? You’re not calling me ‘little sister’ anymore?”

Her voice was soft and drawn out, laced with a hint of grievance.

Tang Jin frowned. “Xuan’er, that’s not what we meant. Tell me, do you want to silence us to keep your secret?”

“So what if I do? Are you going to report me to my father?”

The girl before them lifted her head, her eyes cold and resolute, as if ready to throw caution to the wind.

Tang Jin’s frown deepened. “You… your life is still so long. Don’t treat human lives so lightly.”

Zhou Xuan let out a scoff. “If I value other people’s lives, who will value mine?”

If she didn’t silence them, how could she protect that secret?

If her father learned she wasn’t his biological daughter, she’d have nothing left. Why should she care about lives at that point?

Tang Jin said helplessly, “Now that all three of us know, are you planning to kill us all?”

The room fell quiet. Chu Lingyue and Tang Mian both turned to look at Zhou Xuan.

After a moment, Zhou Xuan glanced at them dismissively, her face full of indifference. “I’ve already got who knows how many lives on my hands. Three more won’t make a difference.”

【Ding! Reward: one plate of wasabi shrimp balls.】

Tang Mian stared in shock. “Just how many people have you killed?”

This young lady wasn’t some murderous fiend, was she?

Zhou Xuan snorted coldly and ignored the question.

Chu Lingyue glanced at Tang Jin. Was that the truth?

Tang Jin shook her head slightly. No, it was a lie.

Because the System had just rewarded a plate of wasabi shrimp balls.

Tang Jin rubbed her brow and asked again, “Xuan’er, have you really ever killed anyone?”

Zhou Xuan shot her a sideways glance. “I have. Are you going to report me to my father?”

【Ding! Reward: one Fragrant Grilled Qingjiang Fish.】

Tang Jin felt her temples throb. She got it now—this girl was a bluffer, but ruthless enough. The moment her secret was exposed, she’d harbored murderous intent and even acted on it.

Noticing how Zhou Xuan kept mentioning the Xiaoyao Prince, Tang Jin understood.

“Rest assured, as long as you don’t act recklessly, we won’t breathe a word of this to your father.”

Zhou Xuan crossed her arms and sneered, clearly not believing a word.

She might not have killed before, but she knew only the dead could keep secrets.

Still, did she really have to kill these three?

Zhou Xuan wavered inwardly. For one, she had no confidence she could succeed. For another, she was afraid.

Afraid that if she ever did kill them someday, she wouldn’t be human anymore.

Tang Jin sighed softly. “Believe it or not, we mean you no harm. But if you harbor ill intentions toward us, Xuan’er—don’t blame me for not warning you. You won’t hurt any of us, and you’ll only end up destroying yourself.”

Zhou Xuan tilted her head defiantly. “Spare me the threats. At worst, we’ll all go down together in mutual destruction.”

If she couldn’t remain her father’s daughter, she had nothing left to lose.

Seeing her stubborn attitude, Tang Jin’s expression hardened. “You’d better think clearly about your situation. This is Tower Beyond Towers, not the Prince’s Mansion. We won’t indulge you here.”

Zhou Xuan bit her lip and fell silent.

Of course she knew her precarious position—like walking on thin ice, always one slip away from exposure. But what had she done wrong? She just wanted to live quietly as her father’s daughter. She just wanted a simple, ordinary life.

She didn’t want to be driven from the Prince’s Mansion. She didn’t want to be homeless. And she certainly wanted nothing to do with that man.

Was even that a crime?

Seeing her quiet at last, Tang Jin recalled how the old compatriot had mentioned yesterday that he’d consult Your Majesty today and come by in the evening. Not wanting to waste more words, she said, “Go rest with Tang Mian for now. As long as you harbor no harmful thoughts, I guarantee the three of us will keep your secret buried deep.”

Zhou Xuan let out a hollow laugh but said nothing.

She might have stayed silent, but Tang Mian grew anxious. “Wait, why do I have to share a room with her?”

This was a murderous fiend with who knows how many lives on her hands.

At this point, Chu Lingyue spoke up. “There are no extra rooms here. Let her stay with you for now. I trust you can handle it.”

Tang Mian: “…”

Normally, being trusted by Chu Lingyue would thrill her.

But right now? It just made her heart sink.

Still, considering that neither Tang Jin nor Chu Lingyue knew martial arts, she seemed to be the only one who could deal with this female demoness. She stood up with a crestfallen sigh.

“Come on, young lady.”

From now on, she’d have to sleep with one ear open. What kind of luck was this? No matter how she tried to dodge it, she couldn’t escape.

Zhou Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony and followed her out. Time was on her side; she’d find a solution eventually.

Back in the room, Tang Mian gestured for her to stow her things in the wardrobe, then bustled about preparing for bed.

Zhou Xuan said nothing throughout, silently observing everything as she went through the motions absently.

Once the candle was snuffed out and she had just lain down, someone suddenly gripped her wrist with force.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Xuan cried in alarm.

Tang Mian chuckled lowly. “What else? Making sure I can sleep soundly.”

As she spoke, she looped a rope around Zhou Xuan’s wrists, tying layer upon layer of tight knots.

Zhou Xuan struggled but couldn’t break free. She spat angrily, “Let me go! I’ll tell my father you—”

“Shut it. I know exactly what you’re thinking. Now go to sleep.” Tang Mian cut her off irritably, turned her back, and settled in to rest.

Zhou Xuan took several deep breaths, then forced a laugh through gritted teeth. Her voice softened. “Sister Tang Mian, I just want to sleep well too. I’ve thought it through—like Sister Tang Jin said, I can’t possibly kill all three of you without anyone noticing, right?”

“You’d like to, but can you even pull it off?” Tang Mian replied without turning, eyes closed.

Zhou Xuan ground her teeth, forcing herself to calm down. “Exactly. I’ve realized it’s impossible to kill you three undetected. So I’m planning to be real sisters with you, win you over with sincerity, and eventually, you won’t have the heart to turn me in.”

“That sounds even better than a ballad. Then why are you still wearing your hair pin to bed?” As if Tang Mian would fall for it. She wouldn’t go soft. Better to tie her up now than stay vigilant all night.

She just wanted to sleep in peace.

Zhou Xuan’s mouth twitched. She smiled again. “I forgot, didn’t I? Sister Tang Mian, you’re really misunderstanding me.”

“Quiet. One more word, and I’ll gag you too.” Tang Mian didn’t budge. No matter what flowery words came out of this female demoness’s mouth, she wouldn’t believe them.

Zhou Xuan choked with fury. She tugged at her bonds and even tried to bite the knots.

Tang Mian remained unmoved, drifting off into sleep as she savored the onset of drowsiness.

She’d learned this knot from an old bailiff back when she was a constable. No ordinary person could untie it, especially not with so many layers. Even biting it would take all night, by which time she’d be awake.

Undeterred, Zhou Xuan gnawed steadily at the knot while Tang Mian fell asleep shortly after.

Meanwhile, in the study.

Tang Jin steadied her emotions and took Chu Lingyue’s hand. “Don’t worry, wife. That Zhou Xuan has never killed anyone. She’s on our turf now—she can’t cause any real trouble.”

Chu Lingyue nodded to herself, thinking she hadn’t been afraid to begin with. It wasn’t her sharing a room with Zhou Xuan, after all.

Glancing at their clasped hands, she lowered her eyes and stayed silent.

Tang Jin’s heart stirred. Unable to resist, she pulled her into an embrace. “Wife, once this is sorted, let’s head to the Imperial Capital together. You can study at the Imperial Academy, and I’ll open a little restaurant right outside…”

They’d leave together each morning, return home together each evening.

The life Tang Jin described was so idyllic that vivid images filled Chu Lingyue’s mind.

She could almost see it: far in the future, their hair turned white, still walking hand in hand.

Chu Lingyue’s lips curved silently. If such a day truly came, she thought she’d be delighted.

“Well now, looks like I showed up at a bad time.”

Qiu Liang arrived outside the study. Seeing the half-open door, she knocked lightly and entered.

The pair inside were too absorbed to notice.

Upon spotting Qiu Liang, Chu Lingyue quickly pulled away from Tang Jin’s embrace and bowed in greeting. “Greetings, Lady Qiu.”

Qiu Liang smiled. “No need for such formality, Lingyue. Sit.” She’d said this more than once.

Yet no matter how often, Chu Lingyue never dropped her ingrained etiquette.

Qiu Liang knew Chu Lingyue had been raised as a proper lady from a capital family, but one still had to show the right attitude.

She had to give her little old compatriot some face, after all.

Unfortunately, Tang Jin felt none of that goodwill at the moment. Her eyes brimmed with disdain. “The candle’s still lit. How did you just barge in?”

Qiu Liang blinked. “What do you mean?”

The candle was lit—why couldn’t she enter?

Tang Jin rolled her eyes helplessly. “You’re too bright.”

A fellow modern soul, yet her old compatriot’s brain worked so slowly.

Too bright? Qiu Liang caught on—this meant she was a third wheel, a bulb.

She burst out laughing. “That’s a good one. I’ll tell our Imperial Academy Director about this joke when I get back.”

Tang Jin arched a brow, seized Chu Lingyue’s hand, and pulled her down to sit. “Wife, let me tell you a joke right now.”

As if anyone else could flaunt their affection.

Qiu Liang chuckled. “Alright, to business. Your Majesty is aware of the situation here.”

Hearing this, Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue both grew serious.

Qiu Liang continued, “Your Majesty wants to resolve the Prince An threat swiftly, so a proactive strike is planned. In a dozen days, it’s the New Year. Your Majesty will leave the palace with the Empress to tour the Imperial Capital for five days.”

All told, that made twenty days—ample time for the Prince An to make his move.

Chu Lingyue met Qiu Liang’s eyes deeply. “Lady Qiu means that I will go to the Imperial Capital then.”

Qiu Liang nodded approvingly. “Exactly. But rest assured, your safety comes first. Are you willing?”

Though safety came first and foremost, nothing was ever entirely risk-free. All it took was one tiny mishap, one careless moment, and everything would end in utter ruin, beyond any hope of recovery.

That’s why she needed to confirm if Chu Lingyue was willing to take the risk. If not, she’d come up with another plan.