PC Chapter 35

“Disguise technique?” Qu Ling’er furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. “I haven’t heard of that, but with so many different people in the Secret Door, there’s bound to be someone skilled in it.”

Su Cen frowned, already coming to a conclusion. If Li Shi wanted to strangle him, drown him, or even kill him outright like today, he’d believe it. But a sneak attack? That wasn’t something Li Shi would do, nor would he stoop to such a method.

Yet, the face was so clear, vivid in his memory, impossible to fake.

It must have been someone impersonating Li Shi to carry out the assassination.

“Brother Su, the Secret Door is unpredictable. I spent over ten years there and still couldn’t see the whole picture. You must be careful,” Qu Ling’er warned.

Su Cen nodded and asked, “So, they’re after you because you failed to assassinate Li Shi?”

“Not exactly,” Qu Ling’er set down the teacup and grabbed a chestnut pastry from the plate. “The number of people sent out by the Secret Door to assassinate Li Shi every year is at least 800, if not 1,000. If they were all killed because they failed to kill, there would be no one left in the Secret Door.”

“…”

No wonder Qi Lin stayed by Su Cen’s side so closely, and no wonder Qi Lin dealt so harshly with the black-clad assassin. They were old rivals from many battles—no need for pleasantries or drawn-out exchanges.

“So why are they after you then…” Su Cen trailed off, noticing Qu Ling’er’s resentful gaze drifting over. He realized he’d asked something inappropriate, so he waved his hand, signaling that Qu Ling’er could leave.

Qu Ling’er grabbed two more chestnut pastries before leisurely walking out.

Su Cen rested his head on his arm, leaning on the table. The sudden quiet allowed him to hear his own breathing. He felt drained, as if most of his energy had been sapped, leaving him unwilling to move.

He was almost certain now that Li Shi’s decision to keep him from investigating the case was connected to the Secret Door. The Secret Door had extended its reach across all of the Great Zhou, and Li Shi knew about it and had led raids on it. The Secret Door was elusive and hard to track down, making it a thankless task. In this respect, Li Shi’s efforts were indeed for the sake of the Great Zhou’s stability.

But why was the Secret Door, which usually operated in the shadows, getting involved in the Tian Pingzhi case? What was so special about a scholar who had died over a decade ago that attracted their attention? The trail seemed to lead to Liu Cheng—what role did he play in all this? And how could both of these high-ranking officials be dragged into the same mess? What were they trying to achieve?

Su Cen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, but his thoughts began drifting elsewhere. Could it be that part of the reason Li Shi didn’t want him involved was concern for his safety? Why didn’t he just tell him the truth directly instead of using such harsh methods?

Did he really think of Su Cen as some pampered pet? After all, Su Cen was an official of the Dali Temple—he could handle things.

Gathering his energy, Su Cen lifted his head. Tomorrow, he’d confront Li Shi and get a straight answer. If this was indeed tied to the Secret Door, then he could offer his help. Instead of treating the symptoms, it would be better to root out the disease altogether. It was just Tian Pingzhi. Once he got to the bottom of it, he didn’t believe that the Secret Door was not involved in this case.

A long dream through the night: in the dream, iron horses trod across ice, and that person wielded a brush, splashing ink, writing the stirring words “Clouds cross the Qinling Mountains, where is home?” before the army. His sword-like eyebrows extended to his temples, and emotions surged in his eyes like vast waves. The scene shifted. That person took his hand, placing a bamboo umbrella from Xiang in his palm, eyes filled with laughter, like a pot of intoxicating clear wine.

Galloping across thousands of miles of desert with millions of soldiers, it was him. Maneuvering through court politics, always in control, it was also him.

This was the first time he glimpsed a different side of that person. He had thought that, when first sculpted, the stone would be rough and ugly, but unexpectedly, he was drawn to the grandeur and majesty.

The next morning, the rain still hadn’t stopped, now a light drizzle. It was a day off, and normally, Su Cen would sleep in until late morning, but today he broke routine, getting up early, tying his hair, and standing in front of his wardrobe, hesitating for a long time. Remembering Li Shi’s usual black clothing, so heavy with hostility, he deliberately chose a plain white robe with subtle lotus patterns.

He also took out a celadon tea jar from a hidden compartment. The tea, a gift from his older brother before he came to the capital, was of the highest quality. If the tea Qu Ling’er had before was considered top-notch, then this jar was the best of the best. It was the first spring harvest from beside Dongting Lake, with only one jar produced each year, and its value was worth a fortune. A few years ago, his brother got married to the daughter of the wealthy Yue family of Jiangning, a union that seemed arranged, yet they fell in love at first sight. His brother was steady, and his sister-in-law gentle, a perfect match. The only issue was that his brother’s father-in-law loved tea, so every year, the first batch would be given to him. But considering Su Cen might need it during his trip to the capital, his brother gave him this jar. Su Cen hadn’t brought himself to drink it yet—what a waste to give it to that old fox Li Shi.

Just before heading out, he glanced at the bamboo umbrella from his dream last night, hesitated for a moment, then carefully put it away and took a different umbrella instead.

By the time Su Cen arrived at Xingqing Palace, it was just past the early morning hour. Prince Ning was a busy man, so Su Cen had purposely come early to avoid interrupting him later. He arrived just as the night guards were changing shifts. They were old comrades from past battles of wit and bravery. When they saw him, they greeted him, “Young Master Su has arrived,” and let him in directly.

Recalling what happened last night in Prince Ning’s bedchamber, Su Cen still felt a lingering fear. After some thought, he decided to wait by Dragon Pond. This was the only way to the front court and the back hall, so he wouldn’t miss him.

When he reached the pavilion in the lake, just as he closed his umbrella, he was surprised to see someone had already gotten there first.

Hearing footsteps behind him, the person turned around. After a brief look of surprise, their gaze cooled. With raised almond-shaped eyes, they glanced at Su Cen with undisguised contempt.

“And who are you?” the person asked. “What’s wrong with the guards? Letting just any random thing in here.”

Thing?

Su Cen’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes catching an obvious red mark on the person’s neck. Instead of answering, he carefully studied the person. They wore an ostentatious robe of crimson silk, embroidered with peonies in gold thread, clearly a design from the palace.

Anyone who could use gold thread must be of royal blood, yet despite the lavish attire, it wasn’t of particularly high quality, not even matching the cheap garments of Zheng Yang, that spoiled heir. Judging by his age and experience, this person didn’t seem capable of any great achievements. If that was the case, he must have inherited a title as an in-law of some non-royal prince.

Su Cen closed his umbrella and respectfully bowed. “Your humble servant greets the heir.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “You recognize me?”

“The heir is handsome and outstanding; naturally, the prince often mentions him.”

“Oh?” The person seemed intrigued. “What else did the prince say about me?”

“The prince also said…” Su Cen smiled coldly, “that the heir’s skills are too poor and that he can’t get into bed based on looks alone.”

The person’s expression suddenly darkened.

Su Cen had noticed the intense emotion in his eyes when they first met; he was clearly waiting for someone and had accidentally run into him. But if the two of them really spent a night of love last night, with Li Shi’s physical strength, it would be strange if the man could get up today, and how could he have the leisure to look at the scenery in this pavilion in the middle of the lake. Su Cen immediately concluded that the man came here to climb into the bed, but for some reason, hadn’t succeeded.

Su Cen’s words struck a nerve. The person shot up, pointing at Su Cen: “Who do you think you are!”

What indeed did he think he was?

Su Cen couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This man hadn’t made it to the dragon bed, and he himself had been humiliated and thrown out the night before.

What’s the point of Xingqing Palace never keeping anyone? Didn’t they just drive him away last night and immediately call someone else. At least they replaced him with a royal relative instead of just calling a male escort to humiliate him.

Suddenly, Su Cen lost interest in continuing the conversation. Both he and this person were just pawns, summoned and dismissed at will. What was the point of bickering here? He picked up his umbrella and grabbed the tea jar from the table, preparing to leave.

Before he could open the umbrella, his arm was yanked back. Su Cen frowned, struggling but unable to break free, so he turned back helplessly.

“It’s you, isn’t it?” The man smiled coldly at Su Cen. “I thought it was some breathtaking beauty who made the prince so angry last night, but it turns out you’re nothing special.”

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” Su Cen said, trying to disengage his arm.

“It’s definitely you! You’re the so-called Young Master Su in the mouths of those servants,” the man was increasingly sure, squinting as he scrutinized Su Cen from head to toe. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your name is Su Daji, a fox spirit who beguiles rulers—old and ugly,, I can’t see what the prince sees in you.”

“Certainly not as charming as the heir in his prime,” Su Cen replied impatiently, glancing at the hand gripping his arm. “If you don’t let go soon, when the prince wakes up, you won’t be afraid that I, a fox spirit, will seduce him away again.”

After a long hesitation, the man reluctantly released his grip. As Su Cen steadied his umbrella and took a step, he suddenly tripped, losing his balance and stumbling forward! Before him lay two steep stone steps.

In a moment of panic, Su Cen reached out to brace himself, and the tea jar fell, shattering on the ground. A shard embedded itself in his palm, pain shooting to his head, and everything went black.

When he finally managed to catch his breath and opened his eyes, a pair of black boots appeared before him. Following them up, he saw a pair of starry eyes like a deep, unfathomable pool.

 

---