Chapter 123: A Déjà Vu of an Affair?

His mother even poisoned him just to threaten Tan Qingjiu.

Shen Zijiao turned over once more, his gaze fixed steadily on the pitch-black canopy of his bed. Tan Qingjiu had been so afraid he would refuse the antidote that she had to sneak in in the middle of the night, after he had fallen asleep, just to check his pulse.

She had gone to great lengths to find a way to detoxify him.

She had even carefully considered his feelings, racking her brain to find a way to persuade him to accept the treatment.

Comparing the two, it seemed that Tan Qingjiu was actually quite a decent person.

Shen Zijiao recalled the words Xingqi and Xingyou had spoken during the day. They said that a real mother would care about her own children...

Yet that mother of his at the Heir’s Mansion seemed not to pay him any mind at all, nor did she ever inquire about his affairs.

But Tan Qingjiu...

Shen Zijiao frowned and pulled the quilt over his head. It was so annoying.

Why did such things have to happen to him?

How was he supposed to choose?

Shen Zijiao tossed and turned in bed, his heart in a state of agitation.

Forget it. Since he was staying at the Prince Duan’s Mansion now, he would just stay put and continue to observe. He would take it one step at a time and see how things developed.

With this thought, the stone that had been weighing on his heart finally settled.

Right, that was the plan!

Shen Zijiao rolled over and closed his eyes. This time, he fell asleep very quickly.

After leaving the courtyard where Shen Zijiao resided, Tan Qingjiu turned back to glance at the building, a faint smile on her lips.

Qingdai, seeing that familiar expression on Tan Qingjiu, couldn’t help but blink. "Mistress, about Young Master Zijiao’s poison?"

"The antidote is real, but the part about needing to run and sweat after taking the medicine is a lie," Tan Qingjiu admitted without reservation.

"Ah?"

Qingdai’s eyes widened. "Why would you do that, Mistress?"

A deeper smile appeared on Tan Qingjiu’s face. "I said it while Zijiao was awake."

"Compared to other children his age, Zijiao is quite overweight. Sometimes, being fat isn't a good thing. Once the weight becomes excessive, all sorts of illnesses follow."

"I said it on purpose to provoke him, to get him to move around a little. He is young; the fat on his body is merely the result of overeating and a lack of exercise. As long as he starts moving, he will slim down quickly."

Qingdai blinked, then blinked again, finally realizing the truth. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Mistress, you really are quite wicked."

Tan Qingjiu curled her lips and turned back toward the main courtyard.

As soon as she entered, she saw a figure standing in the yard.

It was Shen Yingjue.

Tan Qingjiu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "It is already midnight. Why is Prince Duan not asleep yet? Standing here..."

Tan Qingjiu followed Shen Yingjue’s gaze upward. "Admiring the moon?"

"But the weather isn't very good tonight; there is no moon to admire, is there?"

Shen Yingjue turned his head to look at her. "Isn't A-Jiu also still awake?"

Before Tan Qingjiu could speak, Shen Yingjue continued directly, "I am here specifically waiting for A-Jiu."

"Waiting for me?"

"I have a deal I wish to discuss with you."

"Hmm?"

Shen Yingjue blinked slowly. "I have a piece of news that I believe you would find quite interesting."

"The Prince Duan’s Mansion is heavily guarded. While you have your own intelligence network, I can guarantee that at this hour, not a single message from your network could possibly penetrate these walls."

"But mine can."

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. "Your terms?"

"There is a palace banquet the day after tomorrow. I want you to accompany me and help me put on a show in front of others."

Tan Qingjiu let out a soft laugh. "A piece of news in exchange for me accompanying Prince Duan to a palace banquet and playing a part in your drama?"

"Why does this deal feel so disadvantageous to me?"

Shen Yingjue curled his lips. "So, A-Jiu, will you do it or not?"

Tan Qingjiu clicked her tongue inwardly. Do it or not?

If this were the modern era, asking a question like that would be considered flirting.

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes and feigned a sigh. "When one is under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head. Even if I feel the deal is unfair, I am currently living in the Prince Duan’s Mansion and must rely on you for many things. I suppose I shall have to take the loss."

Shen Yingjue chuckled softly. "Then... it is a deal."

Without pause, he immediately continued, "My people reported that the Heir of the Prince Ding’s Mansion brought a courtesan home tonight. Tan Yunge was furious, stormed into the main courtyard to make a scene, and was severely reprimanded by Shen Xiao."

"Later, just after Tan Yunge left the main courtyard, she seemed to suffer a sudden toxic flare-up. She claimed her whole body felt as if it were being pierced by needles, and she couldn't bear to be touched; even the slightest contact caused her excruciating pain."

"However, because Tan Yunge had just been causing a scene, Shen Xiao did not believe her, thinking she was merely acting to gain his attention."

"Consequently, Shen Xiao had her dragged back to her own quarters and placed under house arrest, ordering her to stay behind closed doors and reflect on her behavior."

Tan Qingjiu remained silent for a moment. "So this is the news you wanted to trade with me."

"Indeed."

Shen Yingjue laughed lightly. "Aren't you very concerned about news regarding Tan Yunge?"

"Now that she is in such a miserable state, shouldn't you be very happy?"

"Happy." Tan Qingjiu offered a hollow smile. Logically, she should be pleased by Tan Yunge’s misfortune, but the thought that this had been exactly within her expectations—that it was, in fact, part of her own design—and yet it was being used by Shen Yingjue as a bargaining chip, left her unable to feel any joy.

Tan Qingjiu looked at Shen Yingjue. "Was Prince Duan a fox in a past life?"

Shen Yingjue chuckled. "Why does A-Jiu say that? Is it because you find my appearance so extraordinary that, like a fox spirit, I can bewitch people with my looks?"

"You think too highly of yourself. I just find you as insidious, cunning, and manipulative as a fox."

Tan Qingjiu curled her lip. "It was quite an effort for you to wait here just to tell me such... momentous news. It’s getting late, shouldn't you go get some rest?"

With that, she turned to head back to her room.

"Do remember what you promised me, A-Jiu. The day after tomorrow."

Shen Yingjue winked at her. "It is truly too late tonight, but I think tomorrow night we could find a more secluded place to plot exactly how you shall accompany me in this performance."

"Why must it be at night?"

"It is safer at night. No one will eavesdrop."

"And when the time comes, will you come to my room, or shall I go to yours?"

"..."

It was clearly a serious matter, so why did Tan Qingjiu suddenly have the distinct impression that they were planning an illicit affair?