Chapter 138 Aren’t You Going to Feel Sorry for Him?

Chapter 138: You Wouldn't Feel Sorry for Him, Would You?

Liu Qingci's carriage arrived at the gate of Prince Yu's mansion.

Through the carriage curtain, he could see several guards standing at the entrance, instantly recognizing them as men deployed by Xiao Jing.

"This... young master, should we still go in?" Yun Feng was daunted by the show of force.

Liu Qingci, seeing the scene, showed no sign of surprise.

He had anticipated this.

Liu Qingci calmly withdrew his gaze and lowered the curtain.

"Yes."

Yun Feng opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself mid-sentence.

He had to jump off the carriage, fetch the footstool, and help Liu Qingci down.

The guards at the gate immediately looked over warily when they saw someone approaching.

When they recognized Liu Qingci, their expressions shifted, clearly knowing this was the Young Master Liu who had once been "kept in the palace as company" by Prince Rui.

One of the guards stepped forward, cupping his hands, and said, "Young Master Liu, you've come to Prince Yu's mansion..."

"I wish to see Prince Yu." Liu Qingci gave him a casual glance. "Oh? Are you the ones guarding this place?"

"Yes."

Liu Qingci asked again, "Visitors are not allowed?"

"Well..." The guard hesitated.

Prince Rui had only told them to guard the place and prevent the impostor inside from causing trouble, and to report immediately if he made any moves.

But he hadn't instructed that outsiders couldn't enter.

While the guard was hesitating, Liu Qingci had already understood.

"In that case, please inform him."

When Fu'an came out from inside to receive the guests, he was also completely bewildered.

It wasn't until he had escorted the man into Lanyue Pavilion, and both he and the accompanying Yun Feng were ushered out the door, that he still didn't understand what was happening.

Fu'an thought for a moment and tried to probe Yun Feng. "May I ask what important business Young Master Liu has with His Highness?"

Yun Feng was staring nervously at the firmly shut door, as if he would charge in to rescue his young master at the slightest sound.

Hearing Fu'an's question, Yun Feng snorted coldly and gave him a disdainful look.

This old eunuch had bullied them and hit the young master before. But that was then; times have changed now. Who knew if the master here was real or fake? He wasn't scared of him at all!

"None of your damn business!" Yun Feng said.

Rebuffed, Fu'an gave an awkward smile but didn't take offense.

He shuffled over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Yun Feng, also staring at the door.

The two of them stood there in the corridor, staring at each other wide-eyed.

Meanwhile, inside the room.

The moment Liu Qingci entered, he was pulled into a tight embrace by Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan hugged him and breathed in deeply, then fiddled with Liu Qingci's slender fingers. "What are you doing here?"

Liu Qingci's neck felt ticklish from the nuzzling, and he shrank back with his neck tucked. "I heard about today's events in court and wanted to ask you..."

"Worried about me?" Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with amusement.

Liu Qingci brushed him off and simply asked, "When I came today, the guards outside saw me. Will that have any consequences?"

"Even if it does, you're already in, aren't you?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his tone had a hint of cheeky confidence. "Did you miss me?"

Liu Qingci was easily embarrassed and still hadn't gotten used to Xiao Yan's habit of flirting with him.

"I'm being serious with you." He caught Xiao Yan's roving hand and said firmly, "If they report to Xiao Jing..."

"Don't worry." Xiao Yan pulled Liu Qingci closer into his arms. "Xiao Jing is busy with his own problems now; he doesn't have time to worry about whether you're visiting Prince Yu's mansion."

Looking at Xiao Yan's composed face, the worry in Liu Qingci's heart slowly faded.

"How did things go at court? Smoothly?" he asked.

Xiao Yan nodded. "Smoothly."

"I heard they're going to open the coffin for an autopsy... is that true?"

"True."

"Then..." Liu Qingci asked curiously, "Is the coffin really empty?"

"Of course not," Xiao Yan said.

"Not empty?" Liu Qingci's brows furrowed, his amber eyes looked confused. "Then what's your plan?"

Xiao Yan gave him a kiss and deliberately hesitated for a moment.

When he didn't get an answer, Liu Qingci's brows furrowed even more. He shoved Xiao Yan's chest and pressed, "Spit it out!"

"Over the next half month, Xiao Jing will secretly go to verify it in person. Once he sees it himself, he'll be completely reassured."

Liu Qingci asked, "And then?"

"Then... on the day when all the officials are present, everyone will see, in full view, that the coffin is empty."

"Why?"

Xiao Yan smiled. "It's an illusion by Xiao K."

Liu Qingci's eyes went wide, and he was stunned for a moment.

He pictured Xiao Jing's reaction to this whole scheme and figured he'd probably go mad with rage.

"Isn't your method... a bit too much?"

Hearing Liu Qingci say this, Xiao Yan's eyebrow rose slightly.

"Are you speaking for him?" he asked.

His tone was sour, like he was jealous.

Liu Qingci froze for a second. He looked at Xiao Yan's face, which had suddenly gotten an odd look, and for a moment, he was at a loss.

"I'm not speaking for him," he explained. "I just think... wouldn't he think he saw a ghost?"

"Let him think he's seen a ghost. Hopefully it scares him to death!" Xiao Yan's tone was almost childish, and he pressed on directly, "You wouldn't be feeling bad for him, would you?"

Liu Qingci stifled a laugh, lifting his head from Xiao Yan's embrace. "You're not still jealous of him, are you?"

Xiao Yan didn't answer. He just pulled Liu Qingci closer and held him tighter.

The strength of his hold was like a claim.