Chapter Thirteen: Hidden Currents

“Are you joking with me?”

At night, beneath a crescent moon, a startled exclamation echoed through Long Xiaoyan’s study.

Hearing the mix of shock and schadenfreude in Wu Yuexuan’s voice, Long Xiaoyan cast him a cold glance, his tone icy as ever. “I never joke.”

“…So you’re saying that your utterly useless nominal princess consort is actually a hidden expert? Everything she showed before was a façade, and we were all deceived? Is that right?”

After receiving a disdainful look, Wu Yuexuan rubbed his nose and hastily changed the subject. Though Long Xiaoyan was a prince, he never put on airs before him. When Long Xiaoyan referred to himself as “this lord,” it was always a sign he was angered, so Wu Yuexuan quickly diverted the conversation.

“Hmph! She thinks she’s hidden well, but this lord has long been on guard against her. No matter what tricks she employs, she cannot escape my control—unless she forces me to advance my plans.” A trace of contempt flickered across Long Xiaoyan’s cold face, and a deadly glint flashed in his eyes, not escaping Wu Yuexuan’s notice.

Then, with a mixture of coldness and disdain, Long Xiaoyan revealed his discovery to Wu Yuexuan, who looked on in confusion.

After hearing him out, Wu Yuexuan fell silent for a moment.

“Is that so?”

Moments later, he looked up, brow furrowed, eyes filled with disbelief.

“So it seems Yan Ziyu is indeed extraordinary. The people you sent out all returned safely—quite astonishing. What puzzles me more is, if this is truly Yan Ziyu’s doing, why has she continued to feign weakness for so long? Even on that night five years ago… she never showed the slightest flaw. Such deeply hidden scheming is truly terrifying.”

While shocked, Wu Yuexuan could not help but recall that night five years ago. No matter what, he harbored deep disbelief. No matter how cunning a woman might be, he found it hard to believe she could maintain such a perfect disguise without revealing a single crack. That night, he had witnessed everything firsthand; thus, he was even more reluctant to accept this truth.

“I too found it hard to believe before, but facts are facts.” Long Xiaoyan inwardly resisted the idea that this woman, whom he had always looked down upon, could be so formidable, but the evidence was undeniable.

“What do you plan to do next?” Wu Yuexuan knew Long Xiaoyan well; if he had no plan, he wouldn’t have confided in him. Having spoken thus, it meant he had already made up his mind.

At those words, a cold light flashed in Long Xiaoyan’s eyes, the corner of his lips twitching slightly as he spoke slowly…

After a while, a red figure gracefully left Long Xiaoyan’s courtyard, like a flicker of flame in the night, vanishing in an instant.

Watching Wu Yuexuan’s departing figure, Long Xiaoyan’s expression hardened. He rose and approached the window, pausing as if in deep thought and hesitation. Finally, a strange gleam shone in his eyes. With a swift leap, he vaulted onto the rooftop and disappeared into the darkness…

* * *

Late at night, outside the window, the rustling of leaves stirred in the breeze. Inside, beneath pink gauze curtains, the quilt rose slightly, revealing a pale, tender arm. Occasional soft moans and breaths escaped…

Pink curtains, a lifted quilt, gentle sighs and gasps…

The air was thick with an intimate atmosphere, stirring vivid imaginations.

Yet, this seductive mood vanished instantly at the intrusion of a hand.

“Long Rui—you actually peed on my bed!”

An angry shout rang out as Yan Ziyu’s hand whipped back the quilt. Beneath it, Rui’er lay bare-bottomed, wearing only a small bellyband. Lost in a dream, drool glistened at the corner of his mouth, and the pillow beside him was damp.

Yan Ziyu glared furiously at the sleeping little bundle, her irritation burning fiercely. How dare this little rascal pee on her fragrant big bed—utterly unforgivable!

“Mommy… cold… Mommy hug…” murmured Rui’er in his dream, munching on an imaginary big chicken leg, still calling softly for his beloved mother.

Seeing Rui’er’s peaceful, adorable face, Yan Ziyu’s anger gradually melted into a helpless sigh. Silently, she lifted him onto the soft couch to sleep properly, fetched a thin summer quilt from the wardrobe, and gently covered him. Sitting quietly on the stool beside him, she gazed at his sleeping face, lost in thought.

After a moment…

Yan Ziyu rose and slowly approached the window, looking out at the crescent moon and listening to the rustling leaves. She spoke softly:

“The night wind is chilly. If you don’t mind, come out for a cup of tea. Otherwise, please return from whence you came—and leave at once!”

Her final words cut sharply, a stark contrast to her earlier gentle tone.

After speaking, silence fell except for the wind outside.

“If that’s the case, so be it.” Yan Ziyu sneered and slammed the window shut.

Just before the window closed, a deep blue figure slipped into Yan Ziyu’s room like a gust of wind. Turning around, Yan Ziyu saw a figure seated by the table, his deep blue clothing casting a somber air. Even from behind, she sensed a faint sorrow and a coldness beyond words.

Narrowing her eyes, she studied the sudden visitor with a flicker of frost in her gaze, silently watching him warily.

“I have long heard of Princess Consort Xiao’s fame. To see you in person is truly impressive. Such rumors are indeed unreliable!” After a pause, the man in blue slowly turned to Yan Ziyu, speaking with meaning.

This woman… is truly intriguing!

The man’s eyes carried a scrutinizing look, as if appraising goods for sale. Such a gaze made Yan Ziyu deeply uncomfortable, stirring a rising dislike.

“If you don’t believe it, then don’t. Sir, you came here at this hour just to see me? Now that you have, perhaps it’s time for you to leave?” Yan Ziyu’s words were accompanied by a measuring glance. With sharp brows and bright eyes, a handsome face like polished jade, and an elegant aura, even Yan Ziyu inwardly admired him: “What a breathtakingly graceful gentleman!”

Unlike Long Xiaoyan’s chill, Wu Yuexuan’s charm, or Ali’s flawless beauty, this man exuded a poised and composed elegance that made him stand out among others.

“Guests are guests. Princess Consort Xiao, why rush to send me away? Sit, and let us talk.” The man smiled calmly, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and sipped gently before looking up at her with a smile. “My surname is Qian, given name Yue. People call me Master Yue. Forgive my bold visit, Princess Consort Xiao.”

Master Yue?

Yan Ziyu paused, then furrowed her brow suspiciously as she scrutinized him. Her gaze betrayed doubt about his identity.

She didn’t know if this man was the famed Master Yue, but such a figure did exist in the martial world. Rumored to be versed in astronomy and geography, skilled in medicine, and gifted in prophecy, he was a marvel of the age. Even the current emperor sought him far and wide. Yet, how could such a remarkable man appear here in her room?

“What business have you with me?” Yan Ziyu shot him a cold look, her expression indifferent as water, proud and aloof like a blooming snow lotus, radiating an air of solitary disdain.

More cold than proud, more lonely than aloof—who else but her?

She sensed no malice from him, so she boldly concluded he must have a purpose. She dared guess that his intention was connected to her.

If so, what was there to fear?

Master Yue’s arrival felt like having a pillow delivered just when one was about to fall asleep. As for his purpose… a cold gleam flickered swiftly in Yan Ziyu’s eyes, laced with a hint of wickedness.

“I’m curious—how did Princess Consort Xiao learn of my presence?” Master Yue asked, genuinely intrigued. He could tell this woman had no internal energy, and it was the first time someone without any had discovered his secret lurking.

Yan Ziyu stepped gracefully to the couch, covering Rui’er with the quilt. Turning her face away, she looked at him with a cold, mocking tone:

“Next time you use incense, don’t hide near the ventilation shaft. It’s foolish.”

Unfazed by her taunt, Master Yue maintained his elegant smile, showing no sign of emotion even when called foolish. “Thank you for the advice, Princess Consort Xiao. I am grateful.”

“Master Yue is indeed quite charming. By chance, I’ve met the little master a few times. His constitution is excellent. If he meets a renowned teacher, he will surely master great martial skills and have limitless potential. If the princess consort agrees, perhaps you could take the little master under your wing…” Master Yue’s words were cut short as he suddenly felt two sharp glances filled with murderous intent bearing down on him—