He turned around and took out a flute from the dark grid, handed it to me: "This is what the prince holds in his hand every day after receiving the secret report, the person who sends the message also has one that is exactly the same, there must be some mystery in this, not just a simple password, but I cant guess, if its sent to San Dianxias hands maybe it will be useful.

  I slowly shifted my gaze to the flute in my hand, and both its material and workmanship were ordinary. I turned it over carefully, but didnt find any secrets.

  I looked up at Huaner: "You gave it to me, how will you explain it to the prince?"

  She smiled faintly: "Since I dared to bring it to you, I must have thought of a way to deal with it. Although I love him, the person I love most is still myself. I wont sacrifice myself to save him."

  There was a gentle knock on the door, rhythmic and repetitive, but no one spoke. After three knocks, a faint sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

  I raised my eyes to look at Huaner, and she was calm and composed, without a hint of worry on her face. She spoke softly: "It doesnt matter, its just a mute servant girl who doesnt know what crime she committed. I rescued her from the stewardesss hands, although her voice is ruined, but as long as she has a loyal heart, thats enough. It seems the prince has returned to the mansion, Second Sister, let me escort you out."

  I stood up with her, both of us silent. I really didnt know what to say to her at that moment, not even a simple "thank you" could be spoken out.

  "Second sister, wasnt His Highness injured recently?" She suddenly turned around and asked me as we reached the door.

  I was slightly startled in my heart, but I didnt dare show any unusual emotions on my face. After all, this matter was known to only a few people even within the Sanwang Fu.

  I calmly opened my mouth and said, "How did you suddenly ask this, Huaner?"

  She gazed at me for a long time, then smiled faintly: "Youre right to be on your guard against me. In families like ours, the one thing we never lack is suspicion and plotting. However, Second Sister, this is the last piece of advice Ill give you: if Third Brother really gets hurt, even if he barely recovers before going off to war, then you should think carefully about who in the Third Princes household is truly trustworthy and worthy of being entrusted with important missions."

  After saying that, she ignored the shock in my heart and walked straight into the fragrant room.

  The faint shadows and fragrance still linger together, even from a distance, I can hear the sound of their laughter in unison. As I watch them being intimate with each other, I suddenly think, many, many years ago, when Xiaoyu and I were still young, were we also like them?

  Thinking so, I involuntarily turned my eyes to look at Huaner, her long eyelashes drooping low, not speaking or making a sound, dont know if shes thinking the same thing.

  Shu Ying was reluctant to part with her, but after seeing that An Xiang was fine, she finally agreed to leave with me after repeated reminders and warnings.

  Not yet out of Rui Huang Lou, Nan Cheng Meng had already come over with big strides, his expression seemed to be in a hurry.

  I unconsciously clenched the flute hidden in my sleeve, but on my face was an impeccable smile, and I curtsied elegantly towards him: "Its an honor to meet Your Highness."

  Nan Cheng hastily stretched out his hand and motioned for me to get up: "Since were family, theres no need for these formalities."

  It was actually the first time I saw him after that night, but now Nan Chengs eyebrows and eyes were calm and peaceful, without any awkwardness or strangeness, as if nothing had happened that night.

  So I also pretended to be gentle and humble, following his lead.

  Yuer smiled tenderly and opened her lips to say softly: "Your Highness, why are you up so early today?"

  Nan Chengwen smiled warmly at her: "Todays volume is less, and it will be finished in no time. As soon as I returned, I heard that Gu Zongguan said the Third Princess Wang had arrived, so I hurried over."

  "Fortunately youve arrived just in time," said Yuer with a smile. "If youd been one step later, sister would have left already."

  Nan Chengmo heard this and spoke to me: "The three princesses rarely come over, why not have dinner here before leaving?"

  I smiled and replied, "Your Highnesss kindness is too much for me to decline, but the thing is that Third Prince brought back two painted eyebrows from somewhere a while ago and has been raising them in the mansion. He treats them like his treasured possessions, so precious that they wont eat unless its him or I who feeds them personally. If its past their fixed feeding time, they would rather starve than drink another drop of water. Before he left, Third Prince repeatedly instructed me to take good care of his painted eyebrows, and if he finds out that I let his beloved pets go hungry, I wouldnt be able to bear the blame."

  Before Nan Chengmo could speak, Huaner burst out laughing: "This man is indeed capable of driving two birds to death! Such a thing can probably only be done by the Third Prince and his sister! Since thats the case, I dont dare keep you here any longer. Be careful not to starve your precious Painted Brow Bird to death, or when the Third Prince returns to the Eastern Palace, hell come to the Crown Princes residence seeking revenge!"

  Since she spoke in such a soft and endearing tone, Nan Chengmo naturally didnt dare to say anything more. He just smiled at me and said: "Indeed, what kind of person raises what kind of bird. This proud and difficult-to-serve temperament is actually half learned from Third Brother, and its fortunate that Queen Wang is virtuous and capable. Since its like this, I wont keep you here either. Lets go with Xiaoyu to personally escort Queen Wang out of the mansion."

  I hurriedly declined, but he insisted on doing so, and accompanied me all the way to the gate of the Crown Princes mansion.

  When parting, I paid my respects as usual. He glanced at Xuaner beside him and said softly: "The Third Princess and the Third Prince are deeply in love. Now that the Third Prince has gone to war, the princess must be uncomfortable in the mansion. Why not come to my mansion more often to keep her company? Im busy with government affairs in the palace every day and cant accompany her. Shes actually lonely when she stays alone in the mansion."

  Yaner heard this and quickly raised her eyes to look at Nan Chengyan. After a while, she smiled slightly: "With Your Highness saying so, Yaner is already satisfied."

  As I watched them exchange words as a couple, for some reason, I suddenly thought of a sentence that Fangzi had just told me.

  Perhaps its true what she said, the prince treated her well, in this regard, perhaps she was indeed luckier than me.

  On the way back in the carriage, Shu Ying kept talking about her recent interactions with An Xiang, and I responded sporadically, not paying much attention.

  At last she could not help but ask: "Miss, whats wrong with you? Youve been in a daze ever since you left the princes mansion."

  I collected my thoughts, smiled slightly: "No matter how absent-minded I am, I still remember that from the moment you got on the horse carriage until now, youve mentioned An Xiangs name a total of one hundred and eighty times."

  Her face turned red as she smiled and playfully pestered me.

  I chatted and laughed with her while secretly gripping the flute in my sleeve.

  If even a faint shadow can reveal my restless heart, how can I deceive the many people in the Third Princes residence?

  I recalled the last words of Linger to me, and a chill spread in my heart.

  The fact that Nan Chengyao was injured, in the entire Sanwang Fu, I dont know how many people knew about it, but I can be sure that its absolutely not a majority.

  Even Nan Chengyao couldnt detect the subtleties of their intentions, how could I, who had only been with them for a few months, distinguish between right and wrong?

  The horse carriage arrived at the Sanwang Fu, Qin An personally lifted the curtain for me. I looked into his calm and serene eyes, and what first surged up in my heart was a kind of instinctive resistance.

  I didnt reveal a hint of emotion inside my heart, still smiling politely in response to all this.

  Its just in my heart, but very clear, suspicion has grown like thorns in my blood, I can no longer fully trust everyone in the palace, including Xun Yun Yu, and also, Qin An in front of me.

  I have been tightly holding onto the flute hidden in my sleeve, without letting anyone know.

  After dinner, his mind was preoccupied and he casually flipped through a book, but couldnt focus on reading at all.

  The dim light saw my appearance and thought I was too tired from the days work, urging me to go to bed.

  The night is cool as water, I lie in bed, listening to the rain hitting the banana leaves outside the window, with no intention of sleeping.

  I hold the flute in my hand and ponder deeply, thinking it over and over again, but still cant fathom its profound mystery.

  The more I think about the content on the paper in broad daylight, the heavier my heart feels. I recall that day when I was on the city wall of Changan, watching the back of Nan Chengyaos white armor disappearing into the distance, elegant and refined, stunningly beautiful, could it be that this is the last time?

  I should believe him. After these days of getting along, I know what kind of person he is. Hes deep and cold, ruthless and heartless. His city is unfathomable.

  Such a person would not have fallen so easily, but...

  I closed my eyes, but the contents on the paper were still vivid before my eyes.

  The march, deployment, and progress of the troops, including even Nan Chongyaos daily life and diet, were all meticulously recorded. Anyone who could achieve this level of detail would not hold a low position in the military. Correspondingly, it was easy for him to plot against others.

  Since ancient times, heroes have always been this way: easy to dodge open attacks, but hard to guard against hidden arrows.

  Although I havent seen the order issued by Nan Chong, I can infer from these secret letters that its nothing more than eight words - internal and external cooperation, borrowing a knife to kill!

  I feel tired but still clear-headed, and I gently rub my temples with my hand, only to suddenly realize that Ive been drenched in cold sweat without even knowing it.

  The sky was a deep, foreboding black, and it was impossible to fall asleep tonight. I closed my eyes for a moment, gradually making up my mind, without calling out to Shuying, I got up by myself, walked to the desk, and silently copied the contents of the paper under the lamp.

  What I can think of, Nan Chengyao must also be able to think of, and his thoughts will only be more meticulous.

  So what I need to do is to recite the contents of this paper silently, along with that flute, and deliver it to him as soon as possible.

  Su Xiu once praised me for my extensive knowledge and strong memory. Whatever I read, although not necessarily memorized at a glance, I could generally recall about 90% of it, so he often asked me to help him copy medical classics.

  At that time, although I silently remembered countless things, it was also largely a natural part of me. Neither he nor I took it too seriously, and even more so, we didnt exhaust our hearts with every little thought like we do now.

  Although there is not much content on the paper, it has left a deep impression on me. After all, its not been long since then, so its still possible to recall now.

  Grind ink, spread paper, lift pen.

  The pen is a purple frost tip made of Xiangfei bamboo tube, the paper is a clear and pure like jade of Chengxintang, one word at a time, writing from the heart.

  After a while, Shu Ying pushed the door and came in. Seeing me hunched over my desk, she couldnt help but be surprised: "Miss, youre up so early writing something?"

  I put down my pen for the last time, looked out of the window at the hazy dawn, and only then did I realize that I had unknowingly written through the night.

  Shu Ying helped me put on my usual cloak, and when her hands touched my icy body, she almost exclaimed: "Miss, what time did you get up? How long have you been writing? Why are your hands as cold as ice?"

  I rubbed my numb and chilly right hand, and in a low voice, I instructed: "Shuying, help me get the clothes over here. Im going out immediately."

  At night when I quietly wrote, my thoughts never stopped, becoming clearer and clearer.

  Its not that I havent suspected this might be the East Palaces deliberate attempt to sow discord, but Huaners sorrowful expression was absolutely genuine. Ive followed Su Xiuzhen on travels through mountains and rivers, and seen all sorts of people; in this regard, I think I can be certain.

  Even if this news is false, for Nan Chongyao, it will only increase his vigilance and precautions, without any harm.

  So now, what I need to do is hand over these letters and the flute intact to Nan Xiangyao.

  Shu Ying walked in with the hot water and saw me tidying up the letters on my desk, couldnt help but mutter and complain: "I dont know whats so important about it, Miss doesnt even care about her own body, writing for such a long time, now treating them like treasures."

  I looked at the letter in my hand, lowered my eyelids and smiled slowly: "Its very important, so I must let him see it."

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