After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 29

The original purpose of attending the martial arts tournament was to obtain evidence of Prince Jin’s collusion with Loulan. The letters, written in black ink on white paper, clearly detailed both the prince’s crimes and the reasons for the Song Family’s downfall.

Song Dezhong had discovered these letters and, through covert means, managed to smuggle out several copies. However, his methods weren’t flawless, and Prince Jin eventually traced the clues back to him.

Though Song Heng found his father’s marriage to the Third Concubine distasteful, Song Dezhong remained a staunch advocate for just governance and the welfare of the people. He found Prince Jin’s clandestine activities utterly unacceptable.

In this era of peace and prosperity, why would anyone seek to destabilize the court? If Prince Jin’s ambition to rebel was genuine, what fate awaited the people of Great Sheng? Would they face crushing taxes and widespread poverty, or endless war and starvation?

Thus, Song Dezhong firmly aligned himself with the Emperor’s faction. Yet while holding Prince Jin’s life in his hands, he still hoped to sway the prince through appeals to the people’s welfare.

How could it be so easy? Both his past and present experiences had shown him that Prince Jin was a cruel and ruthless man. Would someone who dared to use an entire city to satisfy his personal desires ever willingly submit to another?

In other words, Song Dezhong’s refusal to hand over the copied letters had led to the annihilation of his entire family.

But these were matters for later. For now, Song Heng lacked the leverage to negotiate with Zhao Ta or the Prime Minister. Yet he wouldn’t allow Prince Jin to get his way either. Therefore, Zhao Ta had to die.

Having made up his mind, he moved swiftly. He knew the location of the dungeon, and to ensure there were no loose ends, he planned to eliminate Zhao Ta—this unpredictable variable—tonight. But…

Song Heng glanced at her briefly before lowering his gaze, his eyelashes trembling slightly as he stared absently at the pale brown chestnut cake on the table.

Such an action would inevitably draw her directly into Prince Jin’s line of sight.

Zhu Zhenzhen’s recent clashes with Zhao Ta had become common knowledge. Even if he left evidence to clear her name, Prince Jin would still vent his fury on her.

A sudden wave of irritation washed over him. Given his nature, he should have made a decisive choice without hesitation. What was there to hesitate about? Hadn’t he been reborn precisely to avenge his past grievances? The opportunity was right before him, yet why did he feel so…

Song Heng steeled himself, determined not to soften toward her simply because of her resemblance to Jade Face.

He had already sent men to search for Jade Face, who had once told him she was from Loulan.

Once he found her, even if she didn’t recognize him, he would keep her by his side.

Song Heng knew full well that his feelings for Jade Face were not the brotherly affection he felt for Lu Yin, but something else entirely.

Zhao Ta was a man he had sworn to kill.

As for this sister with no bl00d ties, he would ensure her safety.

All these thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. By the time he snapped back to attention, Zhu Zhenzhen was still speaking

…After the martial arts tournament concludes, we’ll lie low near Prince Jin. I refuse to believe we won’t find evidence.

Song Heng murmured in agreement.

As soon as Zhu Zhenzhen left, Song Heng retrieved a letter he had been concealing in his sleeve. Unfolding the paper, he frowned at the words written there

Zhao Lin has seen through our scheme and has already ridden back to the capital.

With Zhao Lin’s return imminent, Song Heng had to be even more cautious, allowing no room for error.

Tomorrow was the final round of the martial arts tournament—he needed to seize this opportunity.

Zhu Zhenzhen planned to venture out again to investigate. When they had first arrived in the capital, Song Heng had mentioned that Cheng Jiuxiao had instructed them to keep an eye on Prince Jin. Moreover, Song Heng’s demeanor whenever he spoke of Prince Jin was far from normal.

Perhaps he wasn’t even aware of it himself, but whenever Prince Jin’s name was mentioned, he would unconsciously stroke the side of his neck. Yet his neck was fair and flawless, without even a mosquito bite, making it impossible to dismiss as mere coincidence.

Moreover, when he agreed to help the Yan siblings, their family’s annihilation was only days away. He could have simply completed the task, collected his payment, and left. Yet this fifteen-year-old boy showed no fervor for revenge, instead readily agreeing to matters unrelated to it.

It seemed Prince Jin was the true enemy, and finding evidence against him in the capital was his primary objective. But these were merely her speculations.

The moon climbed to its zenith, the stars tilted westward, and the rear courtyard fell silent. Every door remained tightly shut, no candles lit within. The front, however, was a different story—bustling with activity.

Faster, faster! Why is the cook so slow with the dishes? the steward urged from the sidelines. Add more fuel! His Highness specifically requested this dish today!

Surrounded by swirling smoke, the cook sweated profusely, wiping his brow with his apron, unable to voice his grievances.

Normally, if Prince Jin didn’t return by dawn, he wouldn’t be back all night and wouldn’t need food. But today, not only had he returned, but the dish he’d ordered hadn’t been prepared in ages and required a lengthy cooking time. Even with the utmost haste, it would still take another forty-five minutes.

The steward noticed the cook’s distracted state. What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up! We have distinguished guests to entertain! Can you afford to delay them?

Pearl curtains and jade screens shimmered in the glow of tall-burning candles, illuminating the hall with brilliant light. A servant stood attentively beside the noble guests, carefully arranging dishes for them.

The man seated at the head of the table, his hand adorned with a jade thumb ring, lifted silver chopsticks and personally placed a morsel of food into the bowl of the person across from him. Though his face wore a smile, his words carried an unmistakable aura of authority

Xin Yao, try this quickly. Has the flavor changed? Does it still taste as it always has?

Their seats were some distance from the window. Although the distinguished guest’s back was turned, preventing Zhu Zhenzhen from seeing his face, she could still eavesdrop on their conversation through the window.

Zhu Zhenzhen had originally planned to investigate the study, but Prince Jin was no Li Jiadong. Even when no one was present, numerous guards surrounded the study, forming an impenetrable circle that left her no chance to slip through. Unwilling to leave empty-handed, she had followed the hurried footsteps of the servants to this hall.

Hmm… It tastes the same as always. The dishes prepared by the chefs in Your Highness’s residence remain endlessly memorable.

You’ve been gone so long. Did you find what you were looking for in Bian City? Prince Jin asked in a deep voice. This was the question he most wanted answered.

Feng Xinyao paused, set down his chopsticks, and replied, I found it.

A smile flickered across Prince Jin’s face.

But some pieces are missing. I never imagined someone would have snatched them before us, Xin Yao said calmly, his voice strangely familiar, as if she had dealt with him long ago.

Prince Jin’s tone turned icy, and the crown on his head began to tremble. Didn’t I already wipe out the Song Family? Three years and you still haven’t recovered all the letters! If they fall into the wrong hands…

Hearing the key phrase, Zhu Zhenzhen pricked up her ears. So Prince Jin really had been behind the Song Family’s downfall.

That old fox Song Dezhong! Hiding the letters in his manor would have been one thing, but handing them to someone else? Prince Jin slammed his fist on the table, making his crown shake violently.

Perhaps he did give them to someone else, Your Highness. Please calm down, Feng Xinyao said, picking up a nearby fan to cool the prince, his obsequiousness dripping. With my current position, wouldn’t it be trivial to uncover Song Dezhong’s former allies?

Prince Jin’s anger subsided slightly as he sat back down. …Indeed, Prefect Feng. Their eyes met. Or should I say, Prefect Feng now?

Prefect Feng… Zhu Zhenzhen immediately recalled that Song Dezhong had once held the same position. Song Dezhong had hidden a letter, and it seemed to contain something Prince Jin feared. Could this have been the reason for his demotion to Bian City, ultimately leading to the annihilation of the entire Song Family?

Feng Xinyao proactively picked up the wine jug and approached Prince Jin to refill his cup. The swaying beaded curtain obstructed her view, but the jug happened to be empty. When Feng Xinyao stepped out to retrieve a fresh one, Zhu Zhenzhen finally caught a clear glimpse of his face.

The moment she saw his face, she recognized him instantly. The familiar voice she had heard earlier wasn’t a figment of her imagination she had indeed met him before.

Though his beard had grown longer and his face showed the weariness of travel, she still recognized him as the skinny monkey who had once stood beside Li Jiadong.

Zhu Zhenzhen couldn’t help but wonder if Feng Xinyao had been placed beside Li Jiadong from the start, and not to oversee the transportation of people to Changding, then his true mission must have been to investigate the Song Manor’s hidden treasures.

Positioning him beside Li Jiadong would raise the least suspicion, allowing him to brazenly follow Li Jiadong while secretly observing the Song Manor. No one would suspect him, dismissing him as merely a petty bully, a fox masquerading in a tiger’s skin.

The terrible luck she had experienced on the day she transmigrated was because the Song Manor had been under surveillance long before her arrival.

Feng Xinyao lowered his voice and whispered a few words into Song Heng’s ear before handing him several letters.

Zhu Zhenzhen had learned enough for one night. She averted her gaze, turned, and left.

Whether Song Heng knew Prince Jin was the culprit or not, she needed to tell him immediately.

Your Highness, Feng Xinyao said slowly, there seems to be a slight discrepancy regarding the Song Manor incident three years ago… The Song Family’s eldest son and Song Zhen did not die.

Had Zhu Zhenzhen heard this, she would have immediately grown wary. But she didn’t. She simply returned the way she came and lightly knocked on Song Heng’s door.

After several knocks went unanswered, she wondered why Song Heng would be asleep so early—it was only Hai Hour. Still, she decided not to disturb him and returned to her own room to wash up and rest.

A few hours wouldn’t make a difference. She could tell him after tomorrow’s competition.

Ever since Zhao Ta was publicly exposed naked yesterday, Zhu Zhenzhen had become an overnight sensation. The villains often discussed why a woman would disregard her reputation and dare to defy Yun Jianhe’s warnings with such bold tactics.

When Zhu Zhenzhen emerged from her room, she immediately drew most of the crowd’s attention. With the competition yet to begin, the bored crowd had nothing better to do than gossip about her.

This woman’s strength is truly extraordinary. How much effort did the Prime Minister expend to capture Zhao Ta years ago? Yet she has Zhao Ta so wary. She might actually secure a top-three spot…

Are you mad? How could a mere girl possibly reach the top three? Zhao Ta simply lacked the skill to win against her once.

Does anyone recognize this woman? I’ve been navigating the martial world for years, and there are very few women on wanted posters. How could someone like her have remained unknown to me?

Zhu Zhenzhen paid no heed to their speculations, nor did she bother to respond. Under their burning gazes, she slowly walked to the arena and stood before it.

Yun Jianhe had arrived in the courtyard unnoticed and now stood in the shade of a tree, watching her.

She stood tall and graceful, and apart from Song Heng, no one dared stand beside her, fearing Yun Jianhe’s wrath and collective punishment.

At the hour of Chen 7-9 AM, the second round of the grand competition was about to begin.