Chapter 20: Scheme

Chapter 20: Planning

The whistle of arrows cutting through the air was unceasing outside.

The air was thick with tension and murderous intent.

Qiu Shuiyi had no idea of the situation; she could only faintly hear the 'clang' of weapons clashing as her body moved in tandem with Shen Yuchao's.

After an unknown length of time, the force around her waist loosened.

"Congratulations, host, for dodging the arrow attack. You have gained two months of lifespan."

Qiu Shuiyi blinked.

A calm voice sounded above her head, "All clear."

Qiu Shuiyi stepped out of Shen Yuchao's embrace, a grateful smile on her face. "Your Highness has saved me once again."

Shen Yuchao's greatcoat was extremely warm. Wrapped within it, not even a strand of Qiu Shuiyi's hair was touched by the cold wind, causing her cheeks to flush slightly pink from the warmth, as if lightly dusted with rouge.

Radiant as the morning clouds, beautiful as peach blossoms.

Shen Yuchao's gaze stilled.

Before Qiu Shuiyi could notice, the look in his eyes rippled like clear water, once again the gentle, courteous, and noble prince.

"If it weren't for the young lady's warning earlier, perhaps I would have already fallen victim. I should be the one thanking you."

Qiu Shuiyi pursed her lips into a faint smile.

Standing closer now, she noticed Shen Yuchao's complexion was slightly pale.

Likely, his injuries from last time hadn't fully healed yet.

Qiu Shuiyi didn't ask further. Considering the chaos here, Xin Tao must have heard the news and was probably anxious, so she wanted to take her leave of Shen Yuchao.

Just as she was about to speak, the sound of orderly footsteps thundered like a sudden storm.

She glanced sideways.

A contingent of Imperial Guards in armor was rapidly approaching.

Leading them was a man in his thirties, full of vigor and commanding an imposing presence even without anger.

He strode forward quickly, his armor clanking heavily with each step.

"Your Highness, are you injured?"

Shen Yuchao shook his head. "Commander Zhu, rest assured, I am unharmed."

Zhu Zexing was relieved. "Your Highness, please proceed to the palace quickly. It has been a while since your last visit; His Majesty must be worried."

"Very well."

Shen Yuchao said with a smile, "Second Miss Qiu, until we meet again."

He mounted his horse and headed towards the imperial palace with Shang Ze and Zuo Yi.

After he left, Zhu Zexing gave Qiu Shuiyi a slight nod, then ordered the Imperial Guards behind him to deal with the scene.

The street was littered with broken arrows, and a dozen or so corpses hung upside down from the eaves.

Blood dripped from the bodies, converging into a stream of blood.

Qiu Shuiyi didn't look further. She gave Zhu Zexing a slight curtsy and turned to search for Xin Tao.

Entering the street where the Hall of Universal Relief was located, she belatedly realized something.

That Imperial Guard commander's attitude towards Shen Yuchao's assassination attempt... why was it so ordinary?

As if it were already a common occurrence.

"Young lady!"

A sudden voice interrupted her thoughts.

Looking up, she saw Xin Tao's small face filled with anxiety and worry.

She hurried over, panting heavily. "I heard something happened ahead. Are you injured, young lady?"

Qiu Shuiyi shook her head. "No, I hid when the incident occurred."

Xin Tao patted her chest. "That's good then."

Seeing Qiu Shuiyi was unharmed, she quickly regained her usual liveliness, chattering away to her.

Qiu Shuiyi listened patiently.

After the incident, most of the commoners had fled, but the doctors at the Hall of Universal Relief were still continuing their free clinic. So, she and Xin Tao got in line.

Not many commoners remained. In front of Doctor Zhao's tent, there were even fewer—mostly people from poor families, their clothes patched.

After a short while, it was her turn.

As soon as she entered the tent, she heard—

"What seems to be troubling you, young lady?"

The voice was gentle and polite, yet subtly carrying a hint of delicate softness.

Qiu Shuiyi looked up.

Sitting before her was a handsome young lad, his hair neatly combed atop his head, a smile on his lips, his expression gentle, kind, and approachable.

Qiu Shuiyi's brow twitched slightly.

Although the youth had altered his appearance, the faint white powder dusted on his earlobes clearly revealed he was a young girl.

Pretending not to notice, she sat down in front of the girl and smiled. "My mother has been having trouble sleeping at night recently. I heard Doctor Zhao's calming incense is excellent, so I came specifically to request some."

Zhao Sizhen looked surprised. "I've only just arrived at the Hall of Universal Relief. How did you learn about my calming incense?"

Qiu Shuiyi replied, "My maid recommended it to me. Her mother, I'm told, started sleeping well after using Doctor Zhao's incense."

Zhao Sizhen asked for the name of Xin Liu's mother. The corners of her mouth lifted, and she swayed her head slightly, looking extremely pleased.

After saying she'd be a moment, she went into the Hall of Universal Relief. Soon, she came running back and handed Qiu Shuiyi the items she was holding.

"Just light it each night before bed."

Qiu Shuiyi took the narrow wooden box and opened it, a faint scent wafting out.

Zhao Sizhen scratched her ear, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I haven't been able to make much incense recently. If it's not enough, you can come see me again."

Qiu Shuiyi closed the lid and thanked her, smiling.

As she was leaving, the tent flap was pushed aside, and a man in simple, homespun clothing walked in.

The man had a handsome appearance, like a pine or bamboo, giving off a refreshing vibe.

Zhao Sizhen exclaimed excitedly, "Senior Brother, you're back?"

Tang Yi's voice carried a hint of laughter. "After finishing the consultation, the host family gave me a ride."

His gaze shifted and fell directly on Qiu Shuiyi's face.

He said in surprise, "Miss Qiu, what are you doing here?"

His tone then turned urgent with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"

So this is Tang Yi?

Qiu Shuiyi gazed at Tang Yi for a moment, wearing an appropriately puzzled expression. "Do you know me, sir?"

Tang Yi's gaze faltered.

Recalling the rumors about the Marquis of Yun'an's residence in the capital, he almost instantly realized the identity of the young lady before him. He said gently yet with a hint of distance, "My apologies, miss. I mistook you for First Miss Qiu."

Qiu Shuiyi asked, "You know my sister?"

Tang Yi replied, "We've met a few times."

He then inquired again, "Are you feeling unwell, miss?"

Qiu Shuiyi shook her head. "It's for my mother. I've already gotten medicine from Doctor Zhao. Thank you for your concern, sir."

Tang Yi smiled. "I am Tang Yi, a physician at *Jishi Hall*. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come find me. If I'm not here, you can also look for my junior sister..."

A sudden pain in his forearm made Tang Yi struggle to maintain his smile. "My... my junior sister's... husband. Her medical skills are no less than mine."

Behind Tang Yi, Zhao Sizhen wore a shy smile, looking at her expectantly.

Qiu Shuiyi chuckled. "Alright."

After bidding farewell and leaving the tent, she sighed to herself.

Xin Tao picked up on it immediately. "What's wrong, miss?"

Qiu Shuiyi shook her head. "Nothing, let's go."

She was merely regretful.

Tang Yi was clearly different from playboys like Deng Shixuan and Ji Rui.

He was upright, modest, and had his own judgment, not easily swayed by rumors or biased opinions.

It seemed impossible to gain lifespan from him.

Was she really left with only those playboys to rely on?

Qiu Shuiyi was a little depressed.

When would her lifespan ever reach a hundred years?

...

Ji Rui pushed the door open.

The noisy clamor inside the room paused for a moment, followed by a flurry of flattering remarks.

"How has the Prince been lately?"

"It's been days since we last saw you, Prince. You look even more handsome."

"Would the Prince like a drink?"

Ji Rui walked to the head of the table, and the person there automatically moved aside.

After sitting down, he propped his feet on the table, an arrogant glint in his eye.

"Drink what? Can't you see I'm annoyed? All of you, get lost!"

"Who dares to provoke our Prince?" one voice said indignantly. "Tell us, Prince, we'll teach him a lesson for you."

The other playboys chimed in.

"Yeah, tell us, Prince. We'll help you vent your anger."

Ji Rui irritably picked up his wine cup, and the person beside him immediately refilled it.

He downed it in one gulp and slammed the cup heavily on the table.

Before he could speak, someone limped in, grumbling angrily, "Who else could it be but that one the Qiu family just brought back?"

The person wailed to Ji Rui, "Prince, you're finally back."

"If you had been two days later, would Miss Lianying even have a place left in the capital?"

Ji Rui snorted coldly. "A poor wretch raised in the countryside thinks she can replace Lian Ying?"

"I need to show her that some people, no matter how much they struggle, can never turn a pheasant into a phoenix."

Deng Shixuan was delighted.

With the Prince taking action, he could finally vent his grievances.

It wasn't in vain that he had sent seven carrier pigeons to the Prince, exaggerating the stories about Qiu Shuiyi.

Now, let's see if that woman could still act so arrogantly.

The playboys echoed in agreement.

"Exactly, how could she possibly replace Miss Lianying?"

"That woman caused trouble for Heir Deng and Brother Cheng to this extent. She must be taught a lesson."

"I heard Brother Cheng still can't get out of bed."

The matter of the Qiu family's second daughter was the talk of the town, and the young masters had naturally heard about it. To curry favor with Ji Rui, they took every opportunity to slander Qiu Shuiyi.

One fop asked curiously, "How does the Prince plan to teach that woman who doesn't know her place a lesson?"

Ji Rui leaned back, narrowing his eyes. "Why do you think she copies Lian Ying in every way?"

The playboys exchanged glances.

"Women, always fighting and competing—isn't it all for an ideal husband?" Deng Shixuan reached for his wine cup.

The movement tugged at the wound on his buttocks. Gritting his teeth through the pain, he grimaced and said, "Miss Lianying has countless admirers, including many from noble families. Since she already resembles Miss Lianying, if she were to master a bit of her charm, some fools would be falling over themselves for her."

"Then, with just a little picking and choosing, wouldn't she be able to marry into a prominent family?"

"Thinking about it this way, she's quite the schemer."

"Exactly. With Miss Lianying's reputation to ride on, would she ever worry about finding a husband?"

"But with Miss Lianying as the flawless gem right before them, would anyone really settle for a counterfeit?"

"Why not?" Deng Shixuan smacked his lips, savoring the taste of the wine. "Setting aside everything else, Qiu Shuiyi's face is truly indistinguishable from Miss Lianying's. Once the lights are out, just staring at her face would be enough to drive a man wild."

Deng Shixuan leered, his eyes narrowing into slits that gleamed with lecherous light.

The playboys burst into laughter, their crude banter filling the entire room.

"Indeed, Second Miss Qiu's figure doesn't seem any worse than the top courtesan at Cuiyun Tower."

"I caught a glimpse of her by chance the other day," one playboy said, narrowing his eyes and making appreciative noises. "That waist—truly as slender as a willow branch, alluring and shapely."

"Hmph." Ji Rui snorted coldly, a sinister glint in the corner of his eye. "I, the Prince, would like to see just what kind of perfect match she can marry."

"Hey, speak of the devil—isn't that Second Miss Qiu right there?"

Ji Rui followed the voice to the window and looked down.

In the middle of the street, Qiu Shuiyi wore a simple, unadorned dress, her hair without any pins, yet it did nothing to hide her beauty.

The gazes of the men around her were all fixed on her.

Among them, one gaze was particularly intense.

Ji Rui glanced over.

It was a man dressed in coarse, short clothing. His features were passable when considered separately, but when put together, they seemed utterly ordinary—the kind you wouldn't even notice if you passed him on the street.

If not for the sheer intensity of his gaze, Ji Rui wouldn't have paid him any attention.

Suddenly, Ji Rui let out a low chuckle, his eyes and brows brimming with malicious intent.

In a drawn-out, mocking tone, he said, "An ideal husband—isn't he right here?"