Qian Xingzhi was glib as always. "So in just a month, I've earned a place in your heart, big brother. I'm truly flattered."
Their relationship was merely bound by shared interests, but Qian Xingzhi phrased it as tenderly as if they were secretly colluding.
Lu Yu didn't know what Qian Xingzhi was up to. "What's wrong with you today? Tired of living and looking for death?"
"What if I said I just want to get closer to you, big brother? Would you believe me?"
Lu Yu's smile faded. "You don't need to go to such trouble."
"What's the difference? It's as easy for you to crush me as an ant. I'm just trying to prove my value. The more I can be used, the safer I feel."
That was the truth. Qian Xingzhi didn't mind gambling occasionally. To quickly integrate into a solidified group, one often needed a risky move. She hadn't realized it herself, but at this moment, she was very much like Yan Zhaoshuang, the one who lied by the Lili River.
"Fine," Lu Yu conceded. "Let's say I'm backing the Seventh Prince."
So, did you also arrange for the Northern Barbarians to invade just then? That question would be too much of a death wish, so Qian Xingzhi restrained herself from asking.
"I don't care which faction you support, big brother. Whatever you need me to do in the future, I'll do it, as I've said before: ten thousand deaths will not deter me. Besides that, I have only one request."
Lu Yu leaned forward, rested his chin on his hand, and looked extremely serious. "I'm listening."
Qian Xingzhi stared into his captivating eyes and said, word by word, with hidden venom, "The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince—I will kill them myself."
Meanwhile, on the roof, the two couldn't hear the conversation below clearly and were baffled.
Yuan Bai: "Why hasn't the master made a move yet?"
Yuan Mo: "Maybe he thinks it's hard to clean up if he does it here?"
Yuan Bai rolled his eyes. "Bullshit. This courtyard is big enough; it's easy to clean up."
Yuan Mo retorted, "So you'd kill him just to cover for him?"
Yuan Bai was silent for a long time before finally saying to Yuan Mo, "I've suspected something for a long time…"
"What?"
"I think the master and Qian Xingzhi have something going on."
Damn it, Yuan Mo wanted to slap Yuan Bai senseless. "Are you out of your mind? Do you want to die for spreading rumors like that?"
Yuan Bai clicked his tongue, unwilling to argue. "Forget it, you wouldn't understand anyway."
When they came to their senses, they realized Qian Xingzhi and Lu Yu were standing under the eaves, watching them whisper.
Qian Xingzhi glanced at Lu Yu's livid face and silently worried about Yuan Bai's fate. Trying to lighten the mood, she asked, "What are you two talking about? So engrossed."
Yuan Bai quickly scrambled down and asked Lu Yu carefully, "My lord, shall we return to the mansion?"
Lu Yu gave a fake smile. "Yes, let's return."
They vaulted out of the courtyard again.
Qian Xingzhi patted Yuan Mo's shoulder. "Big brother, when he punishes people, how does he usually do it?"
Yuan Mo hemmed and hawed, refusing to say. Qian Xingzhi grew even more curious and insisted on an answer.
Yuan Mo finally blurted out, "Punishment fits the crime," and fled.
A few days later, Yuan Mo took Qian Xingzhi to the prison where the Full Moon Tower people were held.
The night watch was entirely Lu Yu's men, so Qian Xingzhi had unimpeded access.
The dozen or so on the list were each held in the best cells, while the remaining male performers and servants were locked together below. After so many days in captivity, many of the previously pampered famous performers were in great distress, already near their breaking point.
Qian Xingzhi casually surveyed the crowd of male performers. "Which of you served the Third Prince before?"
This wasn't something that could be said openly. It was precisely because of their connection to the Third Prince that they had been imprisoned. None of them knew Qian Xingzhi. Admitting to having served the Third Prince now would only mean a quicker, more horrible death.
They exchanged glances, all silent. Qian Xingzhi noticed a man in blue robes in the corner, with a delicate face. Several male performers kept looking at him. Unlike the others who clustered together in shared misery, he sat alone, staring blankly.
"It seems you all don't know yet," Qian Xingzhi put on a kind smile. "His Majesty has already ordered that your lives be spared. The Third Prince specifically sent me to pick out those who used to serve him. Don't you all want to regain your freedom?"
The crowd stirred a bit. A few even stared directly at the man in blue. The one being stared at remained calm but straightened his back slightly.
Qian Xingzhi felt he was confident he would be chosen.
"Those who served him, step forward," Qian Xingzhi said, holding an empty notebook. "Give your names. This is a limited offer."
Scattered people stepped forward, and sure enough, the man in blue was among them.
"Bai Sen."
When he finally gave his stage name, Qian Xingzhi noticed a few performers who hadn't stepped forward rolling their eyes at him.
This must be someone special.
Qian Xingzhi made up her mind and smiled. "So you're Bai Sen. Come with me alone."
Beneath envious and jealous gazes, Bai Sen walked out gracefully, his expression indifferent and submissive, but his eyes and brows carried a trace of pride.
Qian Xingzhi led him to a separate cell, locked him in, and left without a word.
Several days passed. Everyone else had gradually left the damp, dark prison, but Bai Sen remained. He didn't know that the others had been sent to the palace as bonded laborers.
He went from the initial ecstasy of being freed to a growing sense of unease. Yet he still believed that His Highness would come to take him out.
Finally, he didn't wait for His Highness but for that official from the other night.