Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 416: This Time I Won’t Lose Again
Chapter 416: Chapter 416: This Time I Won’t Lose Again
Since that day he left the Imperial Palace and realized he was being followed, Shi Zhou had not entered the palace for two days.
Mo Qingshan could not be sure if that person was actually Jiang Xuerong, but after all, it was someone else’s territory, and it was always good to be more cautious.
The three of them stayed in the hostel without leaving, but they were not idle either.
Shen Xiheng stood in front of the desk, staring at the four characters on the paper for a long time, murmured, "Moonset Star Fall, what does it actually mean?"
Seeing him still grappling with the question, Mo Qingshan took a sip of wine and suggested, "If you can’t figure it out, why not ask the Saintess directly?"
Shen Xiheng shook his head and couldn’t help but complain, "How could it be so easy to ask, Yingruo and Jiutu are alike, both speaking with an air of mystery, as if saying a lot while saying nothing at all."
Mo Qingshan agreed deeply.
He and Shen Xiheng had visited the Jiutu at the National Master Residence a few times, and no matter how they asked, Jiutu maintained a profound and unfathomable expression, speaking ambiguously.
Sometimes he would say, "You’ll know when the time comes," and other times he’d say, "This is a heavenly secret, how could it be revealed so carelessly."
Mo Qingshan had never seen such a stubborn person before; no method could get more information out of him.
"If only Qi Yu was here, she would definitely have a way to deal with Jiutu," Mo Qingshan sighed at the thought.
Shen Xiheng smiled and nodded, "Indeed, there’s no one in this world that Princess Qi can’t handle."
Shi Zhou leaned against the window, listening to their conversation while keeping an eye on every movement outside.
Although Jiang Xuerong had not appeared, she felt that this person could not have appeared for no reason; there must be some cause.
"That day when I visited the Holy Maiden Temple to inquire about Zhaixing Pavilion, Yingruo once mentioned that it was to dispel a calamity," Shi Zhou suddenly recalled this and turned to the other two.
"Calamity?" Shen Xiheng paused, "Just because of a dream to assert that Tulan will face a calamity, isn’t that a bit too arbitrary?"
Shi Zhou also frowned, "Yes, the matter must not be so simple."
Mo Qingshan didn’t join their discussion and continued to drink his wine leisurely.
Suddenly, his expression turned serious, and he gestured for the others to be silent.
Shi Zhou and Shen Xiheng looked at him, not understanding why.
Mo Qingshan put down his wine jug, looked up towards the roof, and silently mouthed to them, "There’s someone above."
Shi Zhou’s movement gripping the sword instantly tightened, and her eyes became more vigilant.
Shen Xiheng’s expression changed slightly, and he too looked up at the ceiling beams.
The three of them were quiet for a moment, but still heard nothing.
Just when Shen Xiheng began to doubt if Mo Qingshan was mistaken, suddenly a faint sound came from above.
Listening carefully, it seemed like someone was moving above them.
Shi Zhou had one hand on the windowsill and the other on the hilt of her sword, her eyes sharply scanning the outside.
The person hidden on the roof, however, had yet to reveal themselves.
Shi Zhou, growing impatient, was just about to go up and take a look.
Suddenly, a white figure flashed in front of her, sweeping by like the wind and then disappearing.
As she focused her gaze, she saw a figure clad in white heading towards the direction of the Imperial Palace.
After closing the window, Shi Zhou turned to Mo Qingshan and Shen Xiheng, saying, "I just saw them. The person was wearing white garments. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, but their qinggong was quite remarkable. They’ve already gone in the direction of the Imperial Palace."
Mo Qingshan’s expression grew solemn, "The only one capable of such qinggong should be Jiang Xuerong."
Shen Xiheng, however, said, "There are many in Jianghu with strong martial arts, why are you so certain this person is the demoness Jiang Xuerong?"
Gently stroking his beard, Mo Qingshan slowly began, "Initially, it was not certain, but just now, I suddenly remembered an old story. Last year, searching through Tulan for a cure for the poison in Mingjue’s body, I heard a rumor that there was a peerless expert in the Imperial Palace, one who could scale walls and travel unhindered."
"Is that person Jiang Xuerong?" Although Shen Xiheng felt it was rather rash to conclude the identity of the person in white based on a rumor, Mo Qingshan would not bring this up for no reason, so he immediately guessed it.
Indeed, Mo Qingshan nodded, confirming to them, "It is indeed Jiang Xuerong, whom the Empress went through a lot of trouble to find as a master for Princess Qiya."
"A master?" Shi Zhou knitted her brows, suddenly realizing something, she spoke lightly, "She has come for me."
Mo Qingshan glanced at her, and in a moment of enlightenment, asked, "Did you say something?"
Shi Zhou made a noncommittal noise, her expression indifferent as she said, "A few days ago in the palace, I said to Princess Qiya, ’It seems your master’s skills aren’t that great.’ It must have been heard by Jiang Xuerong."
Shen Xiheng was momentarily speechless, then said, "Just because of that remark, she’s set her sights on you?"
Shi Zhou touched her nose, "Possibly."
Now knowing that Qiya’s master was Jiang Xuerong, she didn’t feel scared but genuinely wondered why the demoness would teach Qiya, someone so unstable in her stance.
Mo Qingshan, on the other hand, shook his head, his voice tinged with emotion, "Jiang Xuerong has always been vengeful. Once, after being ridiculed by someone, she pursued and fought that person across numerous battles, a clash too even to call."
Shen Xiheng could not comprehend such obsession and asked with a complex expression, "Did she end up killing that person in the end?"
Mo Qingshan shook his head again, "No. She was not as skilled and instead got seriously injured by the opponent. I guess, it was during her recovery, fearing her enemy would come for her, that she hid in the Tulan Imperial Palace and became Qiya’s master."
Shi Zhou listened with keen interest and inquired, "To have injured the demoness so severely, that person must be extraordinary, right?"
Mo Qingshan smiled and teased, deliberately playing coy, "In a few days, perhaps you will have the chance to meet him."
Shi Zhou and Shen Xiheng exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.
But Mo Qingshan didn’t say anything more, just picked up the wine pot and continued drinking silently.
Inside the Imperial Palace, Princess Qiya, hearing that Shi Zhou did not enter the palace again today, clapped her hands joyfully.
That’s great, today she wouldn’t have to go to the Holy Maiden Temple to kneel and worship.
Nevertheless, the smile on her face had not lasted long when an ice-cold voice sounded from behind her, "You’re this happy over such a trivial matter!"
Turning around, Qiya saw the newcomer and expressed surprise, "Master!"
Jiang Xuerong stepped into the hall, looking displeased, "In just a few months of my absence, your martial arts have degenerated so drastically!"
Qiya’s face turned white as she found herself without a defense.
Indeed, she had not spent much effort on her martial arts over those months.
With a sneer, Jiang Xuerong said coldly, "In the next few days, I will teach you a swordsmanship. You must practice diligently. Once you’ve mastered it, go and battle that wild girl again. You must win, not lose."
Upon hearing this, a fighting spirit was instantly ignited in Qiya, her eyes filled with determination as she looked at her, "This time, I won’t lose again!"
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