Chapter 94: Old Acquaintances No Longer Know Each Other (5000)

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“You are quite clever. So, what did the assassin do to you afterward?” Mo Yan smiled and continued to inquire.

“Your Highness, that female assassin only knocked me unconscious. When I woke up this morning, I happened to overhear some guards whispering about a fight in the Crown Prince’s chamber last night. However, the Crown Prince seemed intent on suppressing the matter, claiming he was merely practicing swordsmanship, so no one dared ask further. From this, it seems the assassin must have gone to the Crown Prince’s chamber and might even have been captured by his men.”

“The assassin was a woman?” Mo Yan’s suspicion deepened.

Although he had known many “intimate confidantes” before, he never revealed his true identity, and none of his acquaintances possessed the ability to infiltrate the palace at night.

“She was indeed a woman, and she did not cover her face. Though it was dim at night, I could vaguely make out her features—she was very beautiful.” Those two words were spoken with added emphasis.

Hearing this, Mo Yan began to suspect that the assassin might have been caught by the Crown Prince.

It’s no easy feat to get close to the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Crown Prince was notoriously lustful, often sneaking out of the palace to indulge in pleasures. Nearly all the beautiful palace maids had been taken into his chambers.

If that female assassin was truly a great beauty, escaping wouldn’t be so simple.

Thinking this over, Mo Yan glanced at the young eunuch standing by and said, “Would you like to serve at the Bright Moon Palace?”

No matter what, this young eunuch was sharp. Since he seemed grateful to the mother consort, it would be best to keep him close.

Startled, Fu Sheng quickly knelt down and replied excitedly, “To serve Your Highness is a blessing earned by countless lifetimes! I will obey your orders fully!”

“From now on, stay by my side. Go back, prepare yourself, and come over. I will arrange for someone to take care of the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” After Fu Sheng left, he hurried toward the Imperial Medical Bureau, overwhelmed with excitement.

To be assigned to the Second Prince’s service was truly a blessing. Everyone knew the Second Prince was kind and even-tempered. Following him promised a good life. More importantly, he was the son of Consort Rong, who had once helped him. Now, he finally had a chance to repay that life-saving kindness.

It seemed, in a way, it was thanks to that assassin.

With a creak, the door opened.

Jin’er opened her eyes and, seeing the Crown Prince, struggled up from the bed.

“Beauty, did you sleep well last night?” Mo Fan smiled as he approached, two armed guards still following behind.

Jin’er rolled her eyes and said, “Try locking my hands and feet in iron chains and see if it’s comfortable.”

Mo Fan chuckled dryly, “Alright, alright, my fault. But I had no choice. If you agree to be my woman, I’ll have these removed immediately.”

“Fine, I agree right now!” Jin’er said seriously.

Mo Fan was caught off guard by her quick response and was momentarily stunned. After a while, he laughed heartily.

After laughing for some time, he finally stopped and said, “Beauty, you’re clever. But I’m no fool. You’re skilled in martial arts; if I let you go now, I’m afraid this little slippery fish would slip right through my hands.”

Jin’er suppressed her anger and smiled faintly, “As the saying goes, ‘A wise person knows when to adapt.’ I have thought it through clearly. Following the Crown Prince is definitely better than following the Second Prince. Why struggle needlessly?”

Mo Fan grinned, “I won’t claim to be a scholar, but when it comes to women, I’m confident. I know exactly what kind of girl you are, so your little act doesn’t impress me. Heal well; when the time comes to release you, I will.”

With that, he smiled and turned away.

Jin’er clenched her teeth, almost biting through them, and cursed him silently as he left.

Sigh—Mo Yan, where are you? Come save me... Jin’er sighed helplessly and lay back down.

At that moment, a palace maid entered with breakfast.

Jin’er had a sudden idea. She took a silver ingot from her bosom and slipped it into the maid’s hand just as she set down the tray.

“Miss, please have mercy. I truly am a friend of the Second Prince. Could you please pass a message to him?” Jin’er whispered, pleading.

The maid’s expression changed in alarm, and she hastily returned the silver to Jin’er, troubled. “I dare not. If the Crown Prince finds out, he will kill me.” With that, she lowered her head and quickly left.

Jin’er pouted, feeling frustrated. It seemed the Crown Prince was a ruthless character after all...

That afternoon, Mo Yan was painting in his study when Eunuch Liu brought Fu Sheng to await orders.

Without looking up, Mo Yan instructed him to wait quietly, focusing intently on his painting.

After an unknown time, he finally exhaled deeply, put down the brush, and carefully examined the artwork with satisfaction.

Glancing inadvertently at Fu Sheng, who wore a curious expression, he smiled and said, “Come here.”

Fu Sheng’s eyes brightened, and he quickly stepped forward. When his gaze landed on the portrait, he was stunned.

After a long moment, he murmured, “Your Highness, you are truly talented to paint a woman so lifelike and beautiful. But...”

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow, “But what? Do you know how to appreciate art?”

“I think... the woman in the painting resembles the female assassin from that night,” Fu Sheng hesitated. Could the assassin not be there to kill Your Highness, but rather... a friend of His Highness?

Mo Yan was surprised. “Are you sure?”

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“Well... she does look somewhat similar, but it was night, so maybe I didn’t see clearly,” Fu Sheng replied hesitantly, feeling uneasy.

Hearing this, the faint hope in Mo Yan’s eyes faded again.

Yes, it must have been a trick of the night. How could it be her? She had clearly... The thought of Jin’er’s death pierced his heart like a dull blade, leaving him gasping for breath.

“Go now. I want to be alone.” Mo Yan turned away, clutching his chest as his breathing quickened.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Fu Sheng asked worriedly.

“Go!” The sudden shout startled Fu Sheng, who fell silent and hurriedly left.

Was it because of the woman in the painting? The rumors of the Second Prince’s heartbreak did not seem baseless.

——————————————

Darkness surrounded him, pitch black, not a hand’s breadth visible.

“Mo Yan! Mo Yan, save me... save me... ah!!!” A horrific scream shattered the silence, piercing and desperate.

Suddenly, Mo Yan jolted upright in bed, drenched in cold sweat, gasping as if his heart would leap out.

After a long time, he slowly recovered from the nightmare, hands pressed to his forehead, filled with unease.

Sleepless all night.

The next morning, Mo Yan still felt unsettled, his mind drawn repeatedly to the female assassin.

After much hesitation, he rose decisively and headed to the Crown Prince’s chamber.

“Oh? What brings the Imperial Brother here so early?” Mo Fan stood from his chair with a smile.

Mo Yan smiled back, “Brother, how have you been?”

“Very well, very well! Ha ha, come, sit.”

Mo Yan nodded and sat down nearby.

“You come so early; you must have something on your mind?” Mo Fan asked, puzzled.

Mo Yan smiled and got straight to the point. “Indeed, a minor matter. I heard there was an assassin at your residence the night before last, and she insisted on seeing me. So, I came to see if it might be an old friend of mine.”

Mo Fan’s face shifted slightly, surprise flashing before he quickly masked it with a laugh. “How did you know? You worry too much. That assassin was cunning, pretending to be your friend to distract us. She nearly escaped. But my guards killed her. I didn’t make a fuss since it wasn’t serious. Some foolish servant then gossiped and spread it to you, causing unnecessary worry.”

Mo Yan laughed in understanding. “So that’s how it was.”

After some brief small talk, Mo Yan took his leave. Before stepping out, he faintly heard Mo Fan’s furious voice erupting.

Outside the Crown Prince’s chamber, Mo Yan’s smile faded quickly, brows furrowed deeply.

“Your Highness, does the Crown Prince seem to be lying?” Eunuch Liu whispered hesitantly.

Mo Yan clenched his teeth, arching an eyebrow. “I have a task for you: find out if the assassin is still inside the Crown Prince’s chamber.”

“Yes, I will find out as soon as possible.”

Back at Bright Moon Palace, Mo Yan grew increasingly uneasy. After anxiously waiting for some time, Eunuch Liu finally brought news before dinner.

“Your Highness, there is indeed a woman held in the Crown Prince’s chamber. Apart from two palace maids appointed by the Crown Prince and several guards, no one else is allowed near the room. I have identified the two maids. The next step will require your decision,” Eunuch Liu reported.

Mo Yan nodded, already forming plans.

That night, in the Crown Prince’s rear courtyard, a palace maid finishing her shift yawned, eager to return to her quarters for rest.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew. Before she could react, a handkerchief was pressed over her mouth and nose.

When she woke, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by masked men dressed in black.

“W-who are you? Why have you captured me?” The maid clutched her arms in fear, her eyes wide with panic.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince is holding a woman prisoner. You are one of the maids assigned to guard her?” one masked man knelt before her and asked.

The maid’s face paled. She shook her head frantically. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Your sister is a newly assigned maid, correct? She looks quite like you.”

Hearing this, the maid suddenly lifted her head, alarmed.

“If you cooperate, we don’t want to cause trouble,” the man said, producing a small heavy pouch from his sleeve and pressing it into her hand.

The maid looked down at the pouch, hesitated, bit her lip, then reluctantly nodded.

The man made a gesture, and someone brought over a portrait.

“Look closely. Is this the person?” he asked, unfolding the painting before her.

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The maid raised her eyes, examined it carefully, then said, “She looks about sixty or seventy percent similar, but the woman in the portrait seems older and more beautiful.”

The man nodded in satisfaction. “We’ll return you now. You know what to say and what not to say, right?”

“Yes, I know,” the maid replied nervously.

The men stood, waved their hands, and several covered the maid’s head with a black cloth bag before escorting her out.

After the door closed, a fiery figure stepped out from behind a screen. His eyes burned with an unexplainable fire; his hands were tightly clenched beneath his sleeves.

Could it be her? No, no, it must only be someone who looks very much like her—a mere likeness... Mo Yan kept telling himself this, for he feared the pain of falling from the heights of hope.

“How is the injury?” Mo Fan entered and asked the palace maid who had just changed Jin’er’s dressings and was about to leave.

“Your Highness, the wound has scabbed over and is healing well. It should be fully recovered in about ten days,” she answered respectfully.

“Good. That’s all. You may leave.” Mo Fan gestured, and the maid bowed and left.

Jin’er sat on the bed, glanced sideways at him, then looked away.

“Beauty, be patient a little longer. When you’ve healed, I will cherish you and no longer let you suffer,” Mo Fan said, studying Jin’er’s proud and cold profile, sighing inwardly. Ten days — it was truly tormenting.

“You really do know how to cherish a woman. I misjudged you before,” Jin’er said, turning back with a faint, ambiguous smile—uncertain if it was praise or sarcasm.

Mo Fan chuckled, “Of course. Soon, you’ll see that I am a man worth falling for.”

Jin’er forced down her nausea and smiled faintly, giving no reply.

Silence fell. Finding the mood dull, Mo Fan said a few words urging her to rest well, then left.

“Your Highness, will you go out tonight?” As usual, the Crown Prince would visit Liu Yan’s residence tonight, but now that he had this new favorite, who knew...

“Of course,” Mo Fan replied indifferently, walking away. He could only look at the girl for now, but the more he looked, the more impatient he grew. He had to vent somehow.

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Night had grown late, yet Jin’er lay awake, unable to find comfort. Trying to turn over, her foot struck the heavy iron chain around her ankle, causing her to wince.

When would this nightmare end? Judging by the Crown Prince’s mood today, it seemed once she healed, he would act on her.

Thinking of his lecherous gaze, Jin’er feared what awaited her and felt uneasy.

Should she delay her healing?

Frowning in thought, she slid to the bed’s edge and pressed hard against the wound on her shoulder.

A sharp sting shot through her, but she paused only briefly before biting her lip and continuing.

Only when the wound felt wet did she stop, lying back down with sweat beading her forehead.

Sigh—breaking into the palace was no easy task. Being undiscovered might have been fine, but once exposed, escape was nearly impossible.

But regret was useless now. She needed to consider escape plans.

As Jin’er sighed to herself, a noise came from outside, followed by sounds of sword fighting and faintly the word “assassin.”

Huh? Another assassin caught? The Crown Prince’s residence seemed far from peaceful.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a shadow wielding a sword dashed in, heading straight for her.

Startled, Jin’er struggled to sit up.

“Who are you?!” Though the external light made the room faintly visible, she could only see vague shadows.

The attacker raised his sword to strike. Jin’er tried to dodge, but he was too fast; before she could cry out, his sword struck the iron chain before her.

Clang! Clatter! The chain snapped.

Before Jin’er could react, the man stepped forward, grabbed her, and slung her over his shoulder.

“My bag and sword! They’re in the corner by the door!” Jin’er shouted, suddenly remembering her valuables.

The masked man cursed in frustration, dashed back, grabbed the items, and dashed away again.

At that moment, the two guards secretly watching Jin’er were locked in fierce combat with several black-clad men. Seeing Jin’er kidnapped, they desperately wanted to intervene but were tied up.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince’s palace guards had also arrived, answering the commotion.

Jin’er was frantic, wanting to ask the kidnapper to free her chains so she could help.

But ignoring the approaching guards, the man used lightness skills to leap toward the courtyard wall and escape.