Chapter 213: Failure

Chapter 213: Failure

The moment Xin You locked eyes with King Qing, she understood that his intentions were not benevolent.

So what? From the moment she spoke to Dai Ze, she had been waiting for this day.

Whether it was seen as a last-ditch move or outright brutality, as long as she could take King Qing's life today, it would be a success for her.

With steady steps, Xin You walked forward and gracefully greeted King Qing. "This way, Your Highness."

King Qing lifted his chin. "I am traveling incognito, Miss Kou. No need for such formalities. I came today because there are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

"King Qing, please follow me." Xin You led King Qing towards the reception room.

As King Qing turned, he instructed the two bodyguards behind him, "You two stay here."

The fewer people who know about this, the better.

As for Miss Kou—a flash of murderous intent crossed King Qing's eyes.

If she had truly uncovered something through her divinations, he might consider sparing her life. But if there was any malicious intent behind it, he would not allow her to live!

In the reception room, the blue-and-white vase still held mountain cherry blossoms, though they had changed from pink to snow white.

Liu Zhou brought in the tea and then left, closing the door to the reception room.

Two cups of tea sat between them as King Qing observed the girl opposite him.

Her features were delicate, her bearing innately noble, which instinctively displeased him.

King Qing was unwilling to admit that facing this girl, who bore some resemblance to his aunt, stirred an inexplicable sense of apprehension in him.

This strange feeling only worsened his mood, and he spoke coldly from the start, "Miss Kou, I don’t like wasting time, so let’s get straight to the point."

Xin You held the teacup, her body slightly leaning forward in a gesture of attentive listening. "Please, King Qing."

King Qing toyed with the teacup but showed no intention of drinking. "Miss Kou, you told Dai Ze that my uncle's death is related to me. What do you mean by that?"

A look of tension appeared on the girl's face. "Did Dai Ze tell you that?"

"It doesn’t matter," King Qing said impatiently. "I just want to know what my uncle's death has to do with me!"

Xin You studied King Qing closely.

King Qing sneered. "Miss Kou, are you reading my fortune?"

Xin You pressed her lips together, her expression turning cold. "It seems King Qing does not believe in such things. Since you don't, please return."

The hand playing with the teacup released it, slamming it on the table. His face, though undeniably handsome, was now filled with cruelty. "I call you 'Miss Kou' out of respect, and you actually start thinking highly of yourself! Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty in front of me?"

With no third person present in the small reception room, King Qing unreservedly exuded his condescension and harshness.

The tension in the room skyrocketed, and the girl's face showed the indignation of being humiliated. "This commoner does not dare to waste King Qing's time."

Seeing her rise to leave, King Qing grabbed her. "Stop! Did I permit you to leave?"

In the tug and pull, they were inches apart.

King Qing was three inches taller than Xin You. Though not yet of age, his male frame was not something the girl could match.

The pressure of these past days, the urgency to uncover the truth, the sense of offense from the girl's lack of obedience, and the common knowledge of his physical superiority—all these factors combined allowed Xin You, despite not having King Qing's trust or familiarity, to get close to her target.

"King Qing, as a royal prince, isn't it damaging to your reputation to harass a mere commoner like me?"

This remark infuriated King Qing even more. "You dare to threaten me?"

He pinched the girl's chin with one hand, tightening it mercilessly. "I really don't understand, what gives you the confidence to be so calm and composed in front of me? Princess Zhaoyang? Or the 50,000 taels you donated?"

The sarcastic words fell on deaf ears; Xin You remained unfazed. While maintaining an expression of anger and humiliation on her face, her mind remained astonishingly calm. As King Qing continued to speak with increasing satisfaction, she quietly raised one hand.

Between her fingers was a razor-thin blade. A single swipe across his throat would suffice—

A sound came from the door, followed by the shouts of King Qing's bodyguards. "Stop right there! Bold!"

Xin You and King Qing looked over together.

The door to the reception room, kicked open, revealed He Qingxiao, still in his crimson robe, his eyes as cold as snow, his clear and piercing gaze falling on the two of them.

The distance between them was close, and even though they were startled by his sudden intrusion, the tension between them was evident.

King Qing, furious, strode over. "He Qingxiao, what do you mean by this?"

How could he barge in when his men were clearly guarding the door? Was He Qingxiao insane?

Having been offended repeatedly, King Qing's anger reached its peak.

Facing the furious King Qing, He Qingxiao calmly bowed. "I was unaware that it was His Highness inside. I humbly ask for your forgiveness."

"You didn't recognize them? My bodyguards were clearly visible outside."

He Qingxiao, following King Qing's gaze, looked at the two bodyguards and said indifferently, "I was in a hurry to handle a case. Seeing that they were dressed ordinarily, I didn't recognize them as your bodyguards. They also didn't declare their identities. I apologize for the disturbance."

"You—" King Qing wanted to explode, but seeing He Qingxiao in his official crimson robe and the Jinlin Guard behind him, he swallowed his anger.

Cases handled by the Jinlin Guard could range from minor to major, and involvement could easily backfire.

With the opening of the reception room door and the appearance of the Jinlin Guard, the atmosphere Xin You had carefully crafted dissipated, and King Qing's rationality returned.

"I can't think of why Lord Marquis would barge into Miss Kou's reception room for a case," King Qing said meaningfully, looking between He Qingxiao and Xin You.

Faced with this question, He Qingxiao remained calm. "We need to bring Miss Kou back to the office for questioning as the matter we are investigating may involve her."

King Qing's suspicions were largely dispelled as he thought of the Jinlin Guard he had seen on the streets these past few days.

He Qingxiao bowed. "If there is nothing else, I will take Miss Kou with me."

King Qing stepped aside. "There's nothing else. I just came to ask Miss Kou if Mr. Songling had any new stories."

He fixed his gaze on Xin You intently. "Miss Kou, don't you think so?"

Xin You lowered her eyes, trembling slightly, and after a long pause, whispered, "Yes."

This reaction pleased King Qing somewhat.

If she had shown proper respect from the start instead of maintaining that false composure, he might have been willing to listen to her patiently.

"Miss Kou, I haven't finished asking about the new book. I'll come again another day to seek your advice," King Qing said before striding out.

He Qingxiao broke the brief silence. "Miss Kou, let's go."

Xin You followed him silently out of the bookstore and was taken to the Northern Pacification Office.

This was her first time in such a place, and from the moment she stepped inside until she was led into a room, her face remained impassive.

He Qingxiao signaled his subordinates to leave, leaving only the two of them in the room.

He looked at her for a long time before asking softly, "Miss Kou, is there no one in this world who matters to you?"