Chapter 65: Why Is It You?

Chapter 65: Why Is It You?

Xiao Yan heard this out of the blue and asked, somewhat puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Since the main system hadn't said to keep it a secret, Xiao K told him honestly, "It's just that the plot has gone off the rails too badly lately. The main system has decided to initiate some kind of mandatory plot correction protocol."

Xiao Yan asked, "What's that?"

Xiao K didn't know either, so it mimicked the main system: "Oh, you wouldn't understand even if I explained. You'll know when it takes effect!"

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the inn's corridor was still shrouded in a silent gray haze.

Liu Qingci had always been a light sleeper, and with his thoughts in turmoil last night, he had barely slept at all—just rested with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door.

So early?

The inn's staff knew their manners; they wouldn't disturb a guest this early.

That left only Xiao Yan.

He threw off the covers and got up, moving a little faster than usual.

Without even realizing it, Liu Qingci's weary brows, etched with exhaustion from a sleepless night, relaxed slightly. The corners of his lips even unconsciously lifted into a faint smile.

As he approached the door, he even raised a hand to smooth his hair, which wasn't really disheveled, and adjusted the collar of his nightclothes before reaching for the latch.

He pulled the door open.

The person standing outside came into view.

Liu Qingci's smile froze as he recognized who it was. "Why is it you?"

Moon-white brocade robes, a dark-gray crane-feather cloak, a face warm with smiles...

It wasn't Xiao Yan.

It was Xiao Jing.

"No, how are you here?" Liu Qingci's smile vanished without a trace, replaced by a tense wariness and resistance.

Xiao Jing took in every subtle change in his expression. His heart sank a little, but his smile remained unchanged, "Qingci, aren't you even a little happy to see me?"

Liu Qingci said coldly, "If there's nothing, Your Highness Prince Rui, please leave."

He raised his hand to close the door, but Xiao Jing blocked it.

"I have something to tell you." Xiao Jing held the door, looking at Liu Qingci, "It's about Uncle Liu."

Xiao Jing slipped into the room.

He looked at Liu Qingci, who was deliberately keeping his distance, and a shadow of gloom passed through his eyes, but it quickly returned to normal.

"You want to investigate Li Cong?"

Liu Qingci frowned, a wary expression on his face. "How do you know?"

Seeing his suddenly changed expression, Xiao Jing's smile deepened.

He paced leisurely, taking in the elegant guest room, his tone carrying an air of composed control, "Qingci, do you know who owns this Qingyun Tower?"

Liu Qingci's pupils contracted. He stared at Xiao Jing in shock.

Xiao Jing turned his head, his gaze landing on his face, "That's right, I'm the master behind Qingyun Tower. I knew the moment you and Xiao Yan stepped in here. Even... that letter you wrote last night, and where it was going—I know it all clearly."

Liu Qingci felt a chill run through him, but strangely, he wasn't surprised at all.

It was as if no matter how deep Xiao Jing's schemes or means, it was only natural.

Seeing his pale face and tight lips, the gloom in Xiao Jing's eyes dissipated, replaced by a warm mask. His tone softened, "Qingci, don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to spy on you. I just want to help you."

Liu Qingci said coldly, "How do you want to help?"

"I can tell you that back then, Li Cong faked his death using the corpse of a plague-stricken refugee as a substitute, swapping them out. Now he's in a private residence of Zhao Chongwu's in the west of the city, managing some shady businesses and dealings."

Liu Qingci's eyes flickered. "You certainly have your ways..."

Xiao Jing continued, "I also found out that Li Cong and your former account keeper from the Liu Mansion, Zhou Fu, are from the same hometown and distantly related."

Liu Qingci looked up in shock.

Zhou Fu! The account keeper who had served the Liu Mansion diligently for over a decade, trusted heavily by his father, but had resigned half a year before the Liu family's downfall, citing his "mother's illness"!

Xiao Jing observed his reaction closely and continued slowly, "After Zhou Fu left the capital, he disappeared. My men found his hometown empty—the neighbors said the family had moved away, but no one knew where."

The trail went cold there. That was all the information Xiao Jing had at the moment.

Liu Qingci pondered for a moment. "Thank you for telling me this."

A smile appeared on Xiao Jing's face.

"Qingci, I said I want to help you." He lowered his voice, carrying a persuasive tone, "Isn't what I've done the best proof? Don't you trust me yet?"

"Help me?" Liu Qingci's tone was distinctly sarcastic, "You're not helping me; you're just helping yourself, and hoping I'll be grateful to the point of tears."

Xiao Jing's smile vanished completely. "Why must you be like this?"

Liu Qingci paused, his voice even colder, "Then let me ask you: if Zhao Chongwu turns his coat and offers you his military power and private troops, would you still be willing to help me bring down this ally?"

A long silence filled the room.

Of course, Liu Qingci knew Xiao Jing wouldn't.

He cut straight to the point, "Zhao Chongwu supporting you or opposing you—you have your own calculations. Your help is just going with the flow. Everything is nothing but your selfish motives. Don't dress it up so nobly."

Xiao Jing stared fixedly at Liu Qingci. In those always warm eyes, there was now a flicker of anger at being seen through, along with wariness at Liu Qingci's sharp and calm demeanor—and an even deeper covetousness.

Finally, Xiao Jing let out a slow breath. He neither denied nor admitted it, but let out an ambiguous, light laugh, "Qingci, you're truly different from before. More clear-headed, and... harder to win over."

"Your Highness Prince Rui, please leave."

"Choosing me is definitely better than staying in Prince Yu's mansion, accompanying your seventh brother who's in constant danger and dealing with fake pleasantries every day, don't you think?" Xiao Jing paused at the door, turned back, and said, "Qingci, a wise person knows how to assess the situation. I'll give you time to consider."

Xiao Jing walked out of the room.

And behind him, in the shadow near the railing at the end of the corridor, Xiao Yan was already standing there, having been there unnoticed.

He leaned against the cold wall, arms crossed over his chest.

The morning light sparingly illuminated only half of his profile—a smooth jawline and slightly pursed lips.

His eyes also looked somewhat irritable.

"Why did he show up in Liu Qingci's room so early in the morning?!"

Little K told him, "He made a point of coming early. This Qingyun Tower is all his anyway."

Xiao Yan gave a frustrated laugh: "What else would you expect from the main character."

And just then, Xiao Jing's gaze turned toward him.

Xiao Jing showed no surprise at seeing Xiao Yan. He walked over and greeted him casually:

"Seventh brother, what a coincidence."

Xiao Yan leaned against the railing in a relaxed posture, "Oh, sixth brother? Early morning, you're in quite the refined mood."