The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 11
11: Jealousy
According to Chang Qingshan, the special channel provided by Xuange for trading goods was merely a side branch of their operations. Their primary business involved dealing in information and engaging in illegal activities such as assassination and robbery.
In essence, it was a kind of black market.
Chang Qingshan’s words sparked deep thought in Ji Rongjin. If the source of the Hunshi Powder was likely Xuange, could the massacre of the over one hundred members of the Minister of Revenue’s household also be linked to Xuange?
If that were true, things would get complicated.
Xuange operated on a pay-for-service basis, and they might not even know who was behind the orders. If that was the case, would she have to pin this murder case on Xuange itself?
Ji Rongjin pondered tirelessly until late into the night.
Tomorrow was the final deadline.
The moonlight was radiant, the clouds thin and pale, casting a faint silver glow over the Princess’s Manor.
Under the gentle moonlight, a figure clad in black night attire stealthily appeared in the quiet Princess’s Manor. The figure struggled to climb over a wall, landing with a heavy thud and grimacing as they brushed the dust off their backside before heading toward the bustling streets.
After they left, a white-robed figure appeared silently, standing beneath the wall Ji Rongjin had just climbed over.
In the shadows of the trees, another person appeared beside the white-robed figure at some point. “Master, the Consort is heading toward Xuange.”
The moonlight fell on a cold, impassive face, illuminating a pair of calm, unrippled eyes. This was none other than Shen Zhuwan.
“Follow her and ensure her safety.”
“…Yes.”
The shadow guard vanished in an instant. Shen Zhuwan looked at the wall, recalling the clumsy way someone had struggled to climb it earlier, her voice tinged with a hint of mockery. “Quite bold, aren’t you?”
She could barely scale a wall, yet she dared to go to Xuange to confront someone.
Jinxi caught the faint trace of concern in her highness’s tone and spoke up, “The Consort will be fine. Shadow Two is following her at all times, and Shadow One has just gone as well. With both of them there, Your Highness need not worry.”
Shadow One and Shadow Two were elite shadow guards trained by the Princess since childhood. Either one was a formidable expert, let alone the top two working together.
Hearing Jinxi’s words, Shen Zhuwan’s fingers, hidden in her sleeves, twitched unconsciously. She lifted her gaze, her tone cool and indifferent. “When did I ever worry about her?”
Jinxi: “…”
Jinxi fell silent, but her eyes drifted to the numerous new lanterns that had recently appeared along the paths of the Princess’s Manor.
Those had appeared the day after the Consort was frightened. Unfortunately, the Consort, perhaps still shaken, had not returned so late since that day and thus hadn’t noticed the lanterns lit for her in the darkness.
It was already late at night, and most shops along the street had closed, their doors barred. Only one place stood out, lively and bustling amid the quiet.
High atop a tiled building, countless candles glowed, and women dressed in vibrant clothing laughed and teased, beckoning to the men passing by with coy smiles and alluring glances. Their voices were soft and fragrant, their eyes bewitching, drawing in a steady stream of guests.
Ji Rongjin looked up at the building with the three elegant characters “Flower-Filled Pavilion” written on it, sinking into thought.
She hadn’t expected Xuange to be located in a place like this.
Following Chang Qingshan’s instructions, she entered through the back door of Flower-Filled Pavilion and exchanged a code phrase with the young attendant guarding it. The attendant quickly led her past the noisy, bustling pavilion to a hidden door in the back courtyard.
The attendant operated a mechanism, and with a low rumble, the hidden door opened, revealing a dark passage leading downward.
Ji Rongjin handed the attendant some reward money and stepped into the passage.
The corridor was narrow and dim, lit only by faint candlelight on either side. As Ji Rongjin descended the steps, the only sound was the echo of her footsteps reverberating in the confined, shadowy space.
Gulp.
In such a space, even the sound of swallowing seemed deafening.
Ji Rongjin felt a twinge of unease, beginning to regret coming alone. At the very least, she should have brought Chang Qingshan along.
After about a quarter of an hour, the long, dark staircase finally ended, and as she turned a corner, the view opened up before her.
Inside a spacious, brightly lit hall, priceless night pearls were casually embedded in the walls as lighting. Exquisite blue-and-white porcelain and tripod cauldrons, worth a fortune, were used as mere decorations. Most striking was the pure gold door at the far end of the hall, its gleam almost blinding Ji Rongjin.
Her jaw dropped. Looking at the ostentatious decor, she thought to herself how fortunate it was that she’d worn a mask—otherwise, her “pauper” identity would have been exposed.
After taking a moment to compose herself, Ji Rongjin stepped forward.
The hall was bustling with people, far more than she had expected.
Fortunately, the attire here was varied and eclectic, with many concealing their faces or identities. Her own appearance didn’t stand out.
After discreetly observing for a while, Ji Rongjin gained a basic understanding of Xuange’s structure.
The place she was in was the first underground level, primarily for trading goods. One could barter with stall vendors or deal directly with Xuange through the level’s overseer. This level was the most crowded.
The second underground level was accessible through the golden door and was used for transactions involving assassination, robbery, and information trading, all conducted directly with Xuange. Clients would submit their requests, pay half the deposit, and leave once the overseer confirmed everything was in order. Few lingered on the second level.
As for the third level, it was said to be where Xuange’s master occasionally appeared. That level was primarily for recruiting and selecting talent. Xuange welcomed all comers, and anyone who passed their tests could become an assassin, taking on missions for payment.
Ji Rongjin’s goal this time was to meet the master of Xuange.
Thus, she bypassed the first and second levels and headed straight for the entrance to the third underground level.
Third Underground Level
A man knelt on the ground, looking toward a figure behind a screen. “Master, there’s a court official outside who wishes to see you.”
His voice trembled slightly as he glanced ahead. The vast third level was divided by a wide screen that split the room in two.
Behind the screen were two figures: one seated in a chair, the other standing beside.
After a long pause, a scornful laugh came from behind the screen. “Countless officials come and go in Xuange every day. An official? That’s the least valuable thing here. Tell her to get lost.”
The kneeling man broke out in a cold sweat, regretting that he’d accepted the bribe and, in doing so, provoked the ire of the master’s subordinate.
“Wait.”
Just as he was about to apologize and leave, another voice stopped him. The voice was like a clear stream in a secluded valley, carrying a chilling edge. “Bring her in.”
The man froze, puzzled, but obeyed the master’s command instinctively.
After he left, the young woman behind the screen pouted and said coquettishly, “Sister, it’s just an official. Is it really worth you meeting her personally?”
The woman seated in the chair cast a faint glance her way. “Song Nan, it’s time for you to leave.”
The young woman, Song Nan, with her proud and delicate features, wilted at the words. She reached out to tug at the woman’s arm, but the woman deftly avoided her.
Ye Lu frowned, her eyes devoid of warmth as she spoke, each word cold and sharp. “Song Nan, I said get out.”
Song Nan’s breath hitched, her eyes reddening instantly, but she clenched her teeth and forced a fragile smile. “Alright, I’ll leave soon. Please don’t be angry with me, Sister.”
It was at this moment that Ji Rongjin entered. Unaware of the tense atmosphere, she politely bowed toward the figures behind the screen and said, “I’ve heard that as long as the price is right, Xuange will sell any information. Is this true?”
“Obviously.”
The young woman behind the screen, already irritated by being scolded because of this official, snapped coldly, sniffing. “If you’re here for information, go to the second level. What’s so important that you need to see the master? If you can’t give a good reason today, I’ll kill you.”
Ji Rongjin: “…” So fierce.
She subtly took a step back, steeling herself before continuing, “I wish to buy information on the mastermind behind the massacre of the Minister of Revenue’s household.”
The air fell silent for a few seconds. The same petulant voice sneered again. “That case? I’m afraid you can’t afford it.”
Ji Rongjin had anticipated this and responded, “Please name your price.”
Before the petulant voice could reply, another voice, markedly different, cut in. “Who are you?”
Ji Rongjin paused, her mind racing through possibilities before she gave a light laugh and answered honestly, “I am Ji Rongjin, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”
Behind the screen, Song Nan thought for a moment and recalled who Ji Rongjin was.
Not only was she the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, but she was also the current Imperial Consort. Thinking of the mastermind behind the case, Song Nan’s expression turned peculiar.
But before she could speak, the woman beside her said, “The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, yet I suspect you’re not here just to buy information with money, are you?”
Song Nan understood her meaning.
Since its founding, Xuange had seen many who came offering to “collaborate” or become their backers, some with ranks higher than Ji Rongjin’s. Yet Xuange had never agreed to such proposals.
Even so, they had grown to their current scale.
This woman’s intentions were clearly similar to those before her, though perhaps not to control Xuange but to trade official protection for the identity of the mastermind behind the case.
At this point, Song Nan didn’t need to guess—she knew Ye Lu would never agree. After all, a mere Minister of the Court of Judicial Review wasn’t worth offending the Princess, even if that Princess was this person’s wife.
Song Nan remained silent, smirking at the figure beyond the screen. Then, the woman beside her spoke.
“How do you propose to cooperate?”
That single sentence sent the two women’s moods in opposite directions.
Song Nan’s heart froze as she noticed that the usually unflappable woman had sat up straight, staring intently at the figure beyond the screen, her eyes gleaming with a light Song Nan had never seen before.
Her heart sank further. She heard the figure beyond the screen say, “I can provide Xuange with certain conveniences, or even more if needed, but I must know who is behind this case.”
The air fell silent again. Ji Rongjin’s heart pounded with anxiety, while Song Nan felt as if she’d been plunged into an icy abyss.
Because, after Ji Rongjin’s words, she saw Ye Lu smile.
The woman’s lips curved, the frost in her eyes melting, a stark contrast to how she’d spoken to Song Nan earlier. “The Minister’s offer doesn’t meet my standards. Why don’t you go back, think it over, and we’ll talk another day.”
Song Nan’s fingers clenched tightly. She didn’t hear what was said next, her mind flooded with countless thoughts—jealousy and hatred twisting into a sharp blade, urging her to kill the woman.
It wasn’t until much later—
“Song Nan.” The woman’s faint voice snapped her out of her daze. Only then did Song Nan realize Ji Rongjin was no longer in the room.
“Henceforth, Xuange will not accept any contracts related to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”
With a snap in her mind, Song Nan’s last thread of restraint broke.
When Ji Rongjin returned to the manor, dawn was breaking. She collapsed onto her bed, exhausted, and let out a long sigh.
The cooperation naturally hadn’t succeeded. However, she was now certain that the massacre of the Minister of Revenue’s household was indeed Xuange’s doing. Yet the master refused to reveal the mastermind behind it.
Moreover, the conditions the master proposed were beyond her ability to meet.
After lying down for a short while, Ji Rongjin woke up. She went to find Shen Zhuwan. If she remembered correctly, today was a rest day, and Shen Zhuwan wouldn’t need to attend court.
Jinxi quickly announced her arrival. Stepping into the room, Ji Rongjin saw the woman sitting behind a desk, writing something with a brush.
“What brings the Consort here?” Shen Zhuwan set down her brush and glanced up, gesturing for her to sit in a nearby chair.
After just one night, the woman before her looked haggard, her face pale, dark circles under her eyes, appearing utterly drained.
Ji Rongjin sat down obediently, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly recounted the events of the previous night to Shen Zhuwan.
Shen Zhuwan had already heard the report from Shadow One and Shadow Two—not only that, but she was also aware of what had happened after Ji Rongjin left.
Yet she didn’t interrupt the young woman.
After a while, Ji Rongjin looked up solemnly at the woman behind the desk. “What does Your Highness think? Should we feign cooperation with them to extract the information we need?”
Ji Rongjin’s expression was grave. After all, collaborating with a force like Xuange, if exposed, would damage both Shen Zhuwan’s reputation and the credibility of officials in the eyes of the public. But if they didn’t cooperate, the case of the Minister of Revenue’s household would remain unsolved, which would also reflect poorly.
Ji Rongjin looked earnestly at the cool, composed woman before her. The woman met her gaze, then after a moment, looked away and picked up her brush again. Her voice was light. “What is your relationship with the master of Xuange?”