Chapter 118 Star-Gazing Tower

Chapter 118: The Star-Gazing Tower

The following day, Qiu Heng went to see Beauty Qiu and spotted Bi Yu standing guard outside.

"Sixth Miss Qiu." Seeing Qiu Heng again, Bi Yu was genuinely afraid and performed a respectful bow.

Qiu Heng gave a slight nod and walked inside.

A palace maid, unaware of what Bi Yu had done, joked with a smile, "Bi Yu, I feel like you're more respectful to Sixth Sister than to the Beauty herself."

Bi Yu's expression changed slightly. "Nonsense!"

The palace maid looked at Bi Yu in surprise. "It was just a joke. Why such a big reaction?"

"Let's not gossip about our betters," Bi Yu brushed it off.

"Sixth Sister is here." Seeing Qiu Heng enter, Beauty Qiu smiled.

Qiu Heng saw fresh fruits and pastries laid out on the table. Beauty Qiu said, "Sixth Sister, taste the palace pastries. Zheng Yu, you may go."

Qiu Heng did not decline and casually picked up a pastry to taste, then couldn't help but take a second look.

The chrysanthemum-shaped pastry was exquisitely crafted, but what caught Qiu Heng's attention was its flavor.

This chrysanthemum pastry tasted familiar to her, similar to what Fang Zhou had made long ago.

Well, the ones Fang Zhou made were more delicious.

"Sixth Sister, how do you like it?"

Qiu Heng smiled. "How could pastries made by imperial chefs not suit my taste? I'm only getting to enjoy them because of you, Sister."

"I am the one who owes you, Sixth Sister." Beauty Qiu suddenly bowed deeply to Qiu Heng.

Qiu Heng was taken aback and helped Beauty Qiu up. "Sister, there's no need for this."

Beauty Qiu grasped Qiu Heng's hands tightly, her eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night. "I weathered this crisis entirely thanks to you, Sixth Sister. Without you, my own life would be insignificant, but implicating the Qiu and Lin families—I could die ten thousand times and still not atone."

She bore resentment towards her grandfather and parents, but there was still her loving grandmother and innocent younger siblings.

And Chengfeng was the one dearest to her heart. She hoped he would find another good match, have children and grandchildren, not have his future and life ruined because of her.

"Sister, don't shoulder all the blame yourself. You didn't do anything improper."

If secretly glancing at one's beloved was a crime punishable by death, then surely it was this world that was wrong.

"It's just that Honored Consort Yu's power is immense, and her actions are unpredictable. Sister, try to stay out of her sight in the future."

"I know." Beauty Qiu mentioned Bi Yu of her own accord. "I didn't take action against Bi Yu for fear of arousing Honored Consort Yu's suspicion. Bi Yu understands the stakes and won't talk about what came to light."

After bidding farewell to Beauty Qiu, it was Zheng Yu who escorted Qiu Heng out.

"Eunuch Zheng, where does the Crown Prince live?" As they walked, Qiu Heng asked in a casual, conversational tone.

"His Highness the Crown Prince lives in the courtyard to the southeast." Zheng Yu pointed vaguely, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Qiu Heng smiled and explained, "I ran into His Highness the Crown Prince when leaving the palace yesterday and was just curious."

Mentioning the Crown Prince, Zheng Yu couldn't help but smile slightly. "His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and approachable, but he is, after all, the Crown Prince. If you encounter him again in the future, Sixth Miss, it's best to be cautious with your words and actions."

"Thank you for the advice, Eunuch Zheng. Please, don't trouble yourself further. I come every day and know the way well by now."

"Then please take care, Sixth Miss."

After parting with Zheng Yu, Qiu Heng quickly surveyed her surroundings, figured out a path, steered clear of people, and made her way to the Crown Prince's residence.

The Star-Gazing Tower—Qiu Heng looked up at the tower taller than the other buildings.

According to the records, when the fire spread, the Crown Prince was trapped in the Star-Gazing Tower, not his bedchamber, which delayed the rescue. By the time Xue Han carried him out, he was already dead, and Xue Han was disfigured saving him.

This fire was not just a simple fire; it was a fork in the road of Great Xia's fate.

And the time of the fire was tomorrow night.

"Sixth Miss Qiu?" A voice tinged with doubt came from behind.

Qiu Heng turned around, showing no trace of embarrassment at being caught, and calmly bowed to the Crown Prince. "Your subject, Qiu Heng, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Sixth Miss Qiu, there's no need for such formality. How did you come to be here?"

Qiu Heng replied without blushing or panting, "Your subject lost her way and somehow ended up here."

"I see." The Crown Prince instructed the attendant beside him, "Escort Sixth Miss Qiu out."

"Thank you, Your Highness. Your subject takes her leave."

After Qiu Heng walked away with the attendant, the eunuch couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, do you think Sixth Miss Qiu intentionally came to your residence to have a chance encounter with you?"

"Do not speculate wildly."

"But it's too much of a coincidence—she met you yesterday and today she comes to your residence. In this servant's opinion, she harbors ill intentions, attempting—"

"Attempting what?"

Noticing the Crown Prince's cold tone, the eunuch awkwardly fell silent.

The Crown Prince looked at the eunuch with displeasure. "Never mind what Sixth Miss Qiu did. Liu Qi, in your heart, am I the kind of person who cannot move his feet upon seeing a young woman?"

The eunuch hurriedly lowered his head. "This servant spoke out of turn. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness."

"In the future, do not casually gossip about young ladies."

"Yes."

Though the Crown Prince warned the eunuch, a doubt lingered in his mind.

While he dismissed the eunuch's words, Sixth Miss Qiu did give him a strange feeling.

The way she looked at him wasn't the usual gaze a noble young lady would give the Crown Prince. Yet, if he pondered it deeply, he couldn't quite articulate it.

Qiu Heng waited until the afternoon to find Xue Han.

The matter concerning Honored Consort Yu could be looked into slowly, but the Crown Prince's situation couldn't wait. And the Crown Prince's matter couldn't be revealed too early; today was the most suitable time.

"Sixth Miss Qiu, has something happened?" Seeing Qiu Heng running over, holding up her skirts, Hu Si asked in surprise.

In his impression, 'Red Bean Cake' had always been calm and collected; he had never seen her so flustered.

"I must see Official Xue. Please, please, Commander Hu, call him for me!"

"Alright, alright, don't worry, don't panic. I'll go fetch our lord right away."

Hu Si dashed off to find Xue Han, shouting as soon as he saw him, "My lord, trouble!"

"What's wrong?" Xue Han asked coolly.

"Sixth Miss Qiu might be in trouble—"

Before Hu Si could finish, the young man, who had just been composed a moment ago, bolted past him.

"Our lord is too hasty," Hu Si muttered to himself before quickly following.

Qiu Heng stood under a tree by the roadside, watching the young man sprinting toward her.

"Official Xue," she called out.

Xue Han collected himself and quickly approached Qiu Heng, scanning her up and down. "What happened?"

A hand reached out, grabbing the young man's sleeve. "Official Xue—"

Xue Han's heart sank.

That hand seemed to clutch not just his sleeve but his heart. He heard his own voice, fighting to keep the panic from his voice, "Sixth Miss Qiu, there's no need to be afraid. Just tell me what happened."

"Let's talk by the lake," Qiu Heng's voice trembled with fear.

Xue Han's heart sank even further, but his tone grew calmer. "Alright, take your time."

Hu Si ran out, watching the two walk away together, torn: should he follow them?

The small lake in the forest shimmered like a mirror, its surface sparkling with ripples. A few animals drinking leisurely scattered at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Qiu Heng stopped by the lakeside, her face pale.

"Is it an old illness acting up?"

The clear water before them reminded Xue Han that Sixth Miss Qiu had once been struck by lightning, leaving her with a strange ailment.