Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 385 We’ve Been Tricked

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Shen Xiheng paid a visit to the Second Prince’s mansion outside the palace walls.

Shi Zhou, after disguising himself, quietly infiltrated the Second Prince’s study.

As it happened, Jiutu was also there at the Second Prince’s place.

Hearing the servant report that Lord Shen requested an audience, Jiutu’s expression subtly changed, but he quickly suppressed it.

The Second Prince frowned, "What does he want?" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Jiutu said indifferently, "What else could it be? With the King and the Princess’s whereabouts unknown, he must be finding it difficult to explain himself."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince snorted coldly, "Ridiculous, seeking a person and coming to me for it. Well, since he has already come, there is no reason to turn him away. Let him in."

The servant complied and soon invited the guest inside.

Shen Xiheng first gave his respects to the Second Prince, then turned towards Jiutu, who was sitting aside, and raised an eyebrow in surprise, "The State Preceptor is also here?"

Jiutu gave him a slight nod without answering his question, simply greeting politely, "Lord Shen."

Shen Xiheng returned the courtesy.

After sitting down, the Second Prince gave him a meaningful look, his voice dripping with a thick displeasure, "I wonder what brings Lord Shen here?"

Shen Xiheng took the tea offered by a servant, took a sip, and uttered a sound of admiration, "Truly superb tea."

The tea from Tulan differed from that of Dazhao, not brewed with just leaves but concocted with a mix of tea leaves and spices, producing a rich aroma.

The taste was strange to someone accustomed to bitter tea like him, but not difficult to drink; on the contrary, it had a unique flavor.

Seeing him dodge his question, the Second Prince scoffed sarcastically, "Surely Lord Shen didn’t come here just to ask for tea, did he?"

Shen Xiheng smiled, "Your Highness is indeed clairvoyant, I have always been a tea enthusiast, and hearing that Your Highness has all kinds of exotic treasures, surely this tea must be of the finest quality. I just happened to be passing by and thought it would be nice to ask for a cup of tea."

The Second Prince let out a cold laugh, his eyes coldly fixed on Shen, "Lord Shen must not take me for a fool."

Shen Xiheng’s eyebrows lifted, "What does Your Highness mean by that? Even with ten ranges of courage, I would not dare to show such disrespect to Your Highness."

The Second Prince pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

This man was very troublesome, never speaking a word of truth, but always appearing incredibly sincere. For the moment, he really had no way to handle him.

Jiutu watched from the side, the exchange between the two men like a battle of words, showing no interest in taking part, as detached as if he were an outsider.

But Shen Xiheng turned his gaze towards him and asked, "I remember the State Preceptor once visited Dazhao. How does Dazhao’s tea compare with Tulan’s?"

Jiutu replied in his calm voice, "Though Dazhao’s tea is fine, in my perspective, Tulan’s has just a slight edge."

Shen Xiheng smiled, his voice mild, "I am eager to hear the State Preceptor’s esteemed opinion."

Jiutu set down the teacup in his hand, his gaze calmly met Shen’s, his tone gentle yet laden with a profound pressure, "Dazhao has the advantage of natural climate and location, with tea leaves from the Jiangnan region being unrivaled. The taste has a clear fragrance at first, but as you sample it, it starts to feel as plain as water. The tea-making techniques in Tulan, however, not only preserve the rich fragrance of the leaves themselves but also create different flavors. Isn’t that slightly superior?"

Shen Xiheng’s smile faded slightly around his lips, he looked at Jiutu, shaking his head with a chuckle, his words gentle yet firm, "The State Preceptor’s words are amiss. The highest quality tea is all about that unique, natural fragrance; the original flavor of the tea leaves is already the pinnacle of enjoyment. Adding anything else might be superfluous."

Having said that, he smiled faintly, clearly having gained the upper hand.

Jiutu chuckled lightly and said, "What Mr. Shen speaks of, I’m afraid, isn’t merely a cup of tea, is it?"

Shen Xiheng responded, "Whatever the State Preceptor implies, that’s exactly what I’m referring to."

The Second Prince had grown impatient while they engaged in lengthy discussions about tea leaves. Now, seeing the outward calm but underlying tension between them, a glint of interest finally flashed across his eyes.

He first glanced at Jiutu, then turned to Shen Xiheng and said, "I’ve long heard of Mr. Shen’s nimble wit. Seeing you today, it seems your reputation is well-deserved."

Shen Xiheng replied unflappably, "Your Highness flatters me."

After sitting for another quarter of an hour, Shen Xiheng leisurely finished a pot of tea before rising to take his leave.

After his departure, the Second Prince, still puzzled, said to Jiutu, "This man is quite peculiar. Could it be that he really came here just for a cup of tea?"

Jiutu also felt that there was something off about Shen Xiheng’s behavior, but he couldn’t put his finger on what exactly was amiss.

He replayed Shen Xiheng’s behavior in his mind; indeed, the man seemed gracefully composed, without any obvious faults to pick at.

Yet it was precisely this that made the whole affair all the more eerie.

"Logically speaking, with the disappearance of the Prince and Princess, he should be the most anxious one. But judging by his performance just now, he seems quite unconcerned about the matter, not even mentioning it once," Jiutu’s eyes darkened, and the uneasy premonition in his heart grew stronger.

The Second Prince didn’t think too deeply on it and scoffed, "Perhaps he’s already given up."

Jiutu shook his head slightly, "Shen Xiheng and the Prince have been friends for over a decade; it’s impossible for him to give up."

The Second Prince, growing impatient, interrupted, "Let’s not worry about him for now. What are your thoughts on the matter of the Saintess?"

Upon mentioning this topic, Jiutu’s expression suddenly grew solemn.

The Second Prince didn’t notice his change in demeanor and continued to muse to himself, "I would have never thought there could be such a strikingly similar face."

Jiutu looked at him, about to speak but then hesitated.

The Second Prince was still absorbed in his speculations, "Do you think it could have been done on purpose?"

Jiutu remained silent.

The Saintess was chosen by him with great care, and now that such a grave issue had arisen, he too could not shirk responsibility.

The Second Prince stroked his chin and clicked his tongue in wonder, "Looking at the Holy Maiden Statue before, how did I never notice that our Saintess is actually quite attractive?"

Suddenly, Jiutu’s expression grew very dark, and he interrupted sternly, "Your Highness, watch your words!"

The Second Prince waved a hand in impatience, "I know, I know, I was just speaking off the cuff, I don’t plan to do anything."

Jiutu took a deep breath, feeling that he no longer had the capacity to continue the conversation with this man.

He stood up, intending to leave, but as he reached the outside of the palace, he suddenly remembered something, turned back to the Second Prince, and said, "I heard that Princess Qinghe is skilled in martial arts, and her Qinggong is quite exceptional."

The Second Prince, still pondering the Saintess’s face in his mind, paused, "So what?"

Jiutu closed his eyes and said coldly, "If I’m not mistaken, we’ve already fallen into a trap."

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