Sweetheart, My Shadow Guard - Chapter 5

“The humble Ning Yao greets our esteemed guests. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?”

Luo Yixuan noticed a figure outside the door and replied with a roguish tone, “We’ve heard of Lady Ning’s enchanting grace and came specifically to admire it.”

Ning Yao blushed coyly and said softly, “You flatter me, noble guest.”

Luo Yixuan stepped forward, pretending to embrace her, and laughed. “I mean every word. Lady Ning is like a lotus emerging from water—your skin so fair it seems to glisten, and your beauty truly peerless.”

“That silver tongue of yours must have charmed many young ladies.”

“How could that be? I’ve only ever praised you.”

Well, it’s not a lie if I’ve only praised her today…

Shangguan Yunhan had no patience for their flirtation and said to Xuan Yi, “Stand guard outside.”

“As you command.”

Once Xuan Yi had left, Luo Yixuan immediately distanced himself from Ning Yao and took a seat beside Shangguan Yunhan.

Shangguan Yunhan’s slender, pale fingers tapped rhythmically on the table before he suddenly asked, “Where were you last night, Lady Ning?”

Ning Yao’s eyes flickered. “Why, entertaining guests at Lingyue Pavilion, of course.”

“Is that so?”

“Ning Yao wouldn’t dare deceive you, noble guest.”

“Tch, troublesome. Speak the truth, and you’ll be rewarded.”

As he spoke, Luo Yixuan pulled out a pouch of silver from his sleeve and tossed it to her.

Ning Yao glanced down at the pouch, weighed it in her hand, and then smiled ingratiatingly. “Ah, my apologies, noble guest. My memory must be failing me—last night, I was knocked unconscious and left in the pavilion’s woodshed.”

“Anything else?”

Ning Yao glanced at the door and countered, “Might I ask if the two noble guests are Prince Han and Young Marquis Luo?”

Luo Yixuan raised an eyebrow. “Did the madam not tell you our identities?”

“That old hag wouldn’t do me such a kindness.”

“You have a grudge against her?”

No sooner had Luo Yixuan asked than he recalled Xuan Yi’s earlier words, realizing he’d posed a rather foolish question.

Shangguan Yunhan also gave him a look as if he were an idiot before turning back to Ning Yao. “How did you recognize us?”

“This humble one noticed the character ‘Luo’ embroidered on the pouch. And you, noble guest, possess an extraordinary, almost celestial bearing—such refinement could only belong to His Highness Prince Han. As for the surname Luo, the only prominent family in Lin’an City bearing it is the Marquis of Luoyang’s household. Thus, the generous guest who gave me the pouch must be Young Marquis Luo.”

Must you praise Shangguan Yunhan so extravagantly? I’m not bad-looking either, you know. How about some compliments for me?

“And what kind of deal do you wish to strike with this prince?”

“To demonstrate my sincerity, I can tell Your Highness that the person you seek is investigating Chen Wei.”

Shangguan Yunhan took a sip of tea and replied indifferently, “Go on.”

“Chen Wei is my father.”

“What?! Chen Wei is your father? He’s a third-rank official—how could he possibly allow his own daughter to end up in a brothel?!”

Luo Yixuan was utterly stunned, unable to stop himself from exclaiming in disbelief.

Ning Yao knew some wouldn’t believe her, so she continued explaining: “My mother was also a prostitute. Back then, that beast Chen Wei secretly bought her and kept her in a separate residence behind everyone’s backs. Later, when my mother became pregnant with me, she thought she could make that beast take her as a concubine. Who would have imagined that beast would demand she abort me? My mother refused and ran away. She raised me alone until I was seven, then sold me to Lingyue Tower to get revenge on that beast. A few days ago, I finally met that beast again. Even after learning I was his daughter, he still…”

Luo Yixuan cursed angrily: “What a despicable creature worse than pigs or dogs!”

“So you want this prince to help you take revenge?”

“Yes, and Your Highness won’t lose out either. I can obtain the list of corrupt officials under that beast’s command, and I’m willing to serve as Your Highness’s pawn by the Third Prince’s side to gather information. I swear I’ll never betray Your Highness, and the Third Prince won’t discover me.”

“Oh? But as someone he despises, who’s been touched by others—knowing my third brother as I do—he’d never touch you again.”

“Today I met with both of you alone. He’ll definitely question me about it, and I have my own way to stay by his side when that happens.”

“Very well. Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation.”