Chapter 14: The Plan Failed?

As the bait in the Spring Fragrance Garden started to catch interest, Ren Ye was in the Princess Consort’s chambers.  

Once again, he staggered out, supporting himself against the wall, drenched in sweat.  

Dressed only in a pair of pink undergarments, though exhausted, Ren Ye still maintained his professionalism as he asked, “My dear, how was my performance today? Better than yesterday?”  

From behind the veil, the Princess Consort’s silhouette was faintly visible. Her cool voice responded, “…mediocre.”  

What? A full hour wasn’t enough? Woman, you’re impossible to please.

Internally, Ren Ye grumbled but shamelessly said, “Yesterday, after returning to my quarters, I felt dizzy and weak. My dear, do you happen to have some miraculous elixir to help me recover? That way, I can perform even better for you.”  

“No.” The Princess Consort rejected him outright.  

Seriously? You just want free labor? One hour a day, no supplements, no payment, and then you call it mediocre? You’re stingier than the border tax collectors!

After a brief silence, the Princess Consort added, “The Dao of Yin and Yang gives rise to all things. Our union, with the support of the formation, is mutually beneficial. If you can truly comprehend the subtleties of Yin and Yang energy, you will also benefit greatly.”  

Spare me the motivational speech.

Ren Ye, ever pragmatic, felt he was on the losing end. He resolved to find a way to squeeze more benefits out of her.  

“Bang! Bang!”  

At that moment, Lian’er’s voice came from outside, “Your Highness, this servant has urgent news to report!”  

Ren Ye paused, then quickly bid farewell to the Princess Consort and left in a hurry.  

After he departed, the Princess Consort summoned her maid Xue’er, wrote out a detailed alchemical recipe, and instructed, “Follow this recipe and refine it personally in the palace. Once it’s complete, deliver it to Prince Huai.”  

Xue’er looked puzzled. “Is His Highness unwell?”  

“The Heavenly Pardon bear heavy karmic burdens. I simply wish to avoid being entangled with him further,” the Princess Consort replied indifferently as she walked barefoot toward the side hall.  

…

A quarter of an hour later, inside a room at the Hall of Tranquility, Second Fool sat with blood flowing from his left arm. Seeing Ren Ye enter, he said apologetically, “This subordinate has failed. Please punish me, Your Highness.”  

On the way over, Ren Ye had already been briefed by Lian’er and understood that tonight’s “fishing plan” had not been entirely successful.  

“What happened? Explain in detail,” Ren Ye said, not with reproach but with evident urgency.  

Tonight’s fishing plan wasn’t overly complex but was meticulously designed. Only three people were privy to the full scheme: Ren Ye, Lian’er, and Second Fool.  

In the morning, after distributing gold and silver among the palace staff, Second Fool and Lian’er began laying traps to draw out the traitor.  

Following last night’s failed Gu attempt, the mastermind behind it would surely be on high alert. It was unlikely they would act rashly again in the short term.  

Thus, the plan focused on identifying the mole within the Prince’s quarters.  

Lian’er was tasked with monitoring all maids and eunuchs to ensure none of them left during the day. Meanwhile, the two of them released different pieces of information to different individuals. These hints were subtle, designed to make the recipients feel as though they had stumbled upon something important.  

The leaked information varied: some saw Lian’er preparing a room in the Hall of Tranquility; others noticed Second Fool sneaking into the old Princess Consort’s chambers and delivering a special dinner from the kitchen.  

In short, everyone saw something different, depending on their perspective.  

This led to the eunuch’s reckless decision to meet Liu Ling’er in the Spring Fragrance Garden.  

In truth, the plan had worked. The eunuch believed he had uncovered critical intelligence, successfully luring Liu Ling’er into the open.  

But unfortunately, Second Fool failed to capture this person!

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.

Second Fool detailed his recent encounter: “I followed that little eunuch to the Spring Fragrance Garden. Not long after, the traitor appeared, a woman. She wore a black robe and a black veil, so I couldn’t see her face clearly. However, this traitor was very clever. She only exchanged a few words with the eunuch before killing him…!”

“She immediately realized she was exposed?” Ren Ye asked, frowning.

“Yes,” Second Fool nodded. “I fought with the traitor, but what I didn’t expect was that her lightness kung fu was superb, and her use of hidden weapons was incredibly advanced. If we had fought ten rounds or more, she definitely wouldn’t have been my match, but she was determined to escape, and I couldn’t stop her…!”

“So you fought with her, but not only did you fail to catch her, you were injured by her hidden weapons?” Ren Ye stretched his neck, asking.

“Roughly…!”

“Damn!” Ren Ye collapsed in frustration. “Didn’t you say you’re invincible under an immortal, and can trade blows with one?! Where’s your ability? Where’s your sharp blade? Chop her!”

“Your Highness, you don’t understand. That female traitors’s lightness kung fu is unparalleled. Across Great Qian, there are less than ten people who could surpass her…!”

“Enough, enough, stop raising her up,” Ren Ye waved his hand irritably. “Just say you’re useless, this is worse than me going myself.”

Upon hearing this, Second Fool’s expression became apologetic, and he meekly echoed, “I am incompetent, please punish me, Your Highness.”

“Forget it, I’m thinking of other ways.” Ren Ye rubbed his chin and paced in the room, his mind racing.

In fact, he wasn’t truly angry with Second Fool because there were supernatural factors involved in the Star Gate, and his own calligraphy could even replicate any skill. That meant… many events were beyond human control.

Her lightness kung fu was exceptional; did she have some important item?

Ren Ye judged in his mind that this woman was very likely another player. Because in his memory, Second Fool had one of the highest combat powers in the palace, characterized by his quick blade. But this female traitor was able to retreat unscathed from him. She had also kept a low profile, which fit the “player setup.” With ten hidden spies, having a few special methods were understandable.

“By the way, Your Highness!” At that moment, Second Fool suddenly spoke. “I found an important clue.”

“What is it?” Ren Ye turned around and asked.

“I grew up in the southern border, where plants are abundant, and many rare herbs are produced.” Second Fool slowly stood up and said, “Before I came to the palace, I always followed my second uncle to the mountains to gather herbs, and I have a keen sense for scents. That woman has a very distinct scent, one I’ve smelled before when we went to Pleasure Garden, but I didn’t know the source…!”

“Pleasure Garden?”

“Yes.” Second Fool nodded seriously. “I remember that scent. Even if she were hidden among a hundred people, I could easily recognize it!”

Ren Ye’s eyes were full of suspicion. “Are you boasting again?!”

“What is boasting? Why would I boast about it?!”

“What I mean is, can you really recognize that woman’s scent?” Ren Ye frowned and asked.

“I would never deceive Your Highness!” Second Fool bent down respectfully.

“Then you’re certain this scent appeared in Pleasure Garden?”

“Certain!”

“…!” Ren Ye’s eyes lit up with excitement. He walked around the room, muttering to himself, “So, that means, she doesn’t know you’re so sensitive to scents, and therefore doesn’t know you can track her?”

“Your Highness truly is wise…!” Second Fool, after thinking for a while, was deeply impressed and bowed in admiration.

“Stop licking, stop licking.” Ren Ye waved his hand, his eyes bright. He turned to Second Fool and asked, “When you encounter her, can you defeat her?”

“I will definitely defeat her.”

“Good, I’ll trust you once more.” Ren Ye said, clasping his hands behind his back. “In a little while, go to Pleasure Garden and tell the eunuchs there that I’ve been feeling troubled lately and wish to entertain myself with a group of courtesans. Under the pretense of selecting people for me, gather all the women in Pleasure Garden. If you spot that woman, don’t make a scene. Just casually choose some women and bring her along.”

“What if she resists on the spot?” Second Fool asked cautiously.

“Then you’ll deal with her, but try to keep her alive.”

Second Fool immediately nodded. “Understood, Your Highness. I will go at once.”

After speaking, he turned to leave.

Ren Ye thought for a moment, then suddenly called out, “No, no, let’s forget about tonight. You can go after midnight tomorrow.”

“Why?” Second Fool asked, confused. “If we go now, she shouldn’t be prepared.”

Ren Ye naturally wouldn’t tell Second Fool that he was trying to manipulate the timing. Since he had been in this Star Gate for over half the allotted 72 hours, the time limit would end by the morning after tomorrow. This was a rule he could make use of…

“Go tomorrow,” Ren Ye whispered, instructing him. “Let Lian’er help you with your wound. I need to think about tomorrow’s plans.”

With that, Ren Ye left.

Lian’er looked at Second Fool with some disappointment, pouting and complaining, “Always claiming to be an expert, but can’t even handle something so small for the prince…!”

She then grabbed the medicine box, reluctantly calling out, “Let me see the wound on your arm.”

The flickering light made Second Fool’s eyes flash with a hint of annoyance, and he calmly replied, “It’s no trouble. I can treat it myself.”

Hmm?

What’s going on with this thick-headed guy? He used to try every means to be alone with me, perhaps hoping for something unspoken to happen…

Hmph, probably because the prince scolded him and now he can’t hold his head up…

Lian’er slammed the medicine box onto the table and left without saying another word.

…

After the fishing trip failed tonight, Ren Ye felt quite anxious and had no desire to sleep.

After staying in the Hall of Tranquility for a while, he couldn’t help but go to the Spring Fragrance Garden to check the situation.

This was undoubtedly a bit risky, because if that woman, who might be a player, returned, it would be a life-or-death situation.

However, for an experienced detective, not seeing the crime scene with his own eyes felt incomplete.

Ren Ye only called for Lian’er, and they walked along the dark path, his heart tense and ready to activate the replication skill of his brush at any moment.

Dried leaves fell, branches swayed in the wind, and the Spring Fragrance Garden was eerily quiet…

Soon, the two arrived at the “crime scene.” Ren Ye stood in the shadows, observing the broken branches around and the cracked green stone ground, showing clear signs of impact. It seemed the fight between the two had been quite intense.

As they moved forward, Ren Ye suddenly noticed two large pools of blood on the ground.

One of the bloodstains was widespread, covering the ground within several meters in a messy, chaotic pattern. This was likely from the little eunuch, whose throat had been slashed.

The carotid artery had been pierced by a sharp blade, and blood had spurted out. The instinctive reaction of a person would be to cover the wound, so the scattered blood on the ground was normal. The signs that Second Fool had taken the body away were also quite obvious. He had seen such scenes in real life many times.

Ren Ye took a few more steps and crouched down to examine the second bloodstain.

This second bloodstain was strangely neat, with no spreading, and the area was much smaller…

Hmm?

Something’s off…

Ren Ye furrowed his brows, raised his head, and looked further into the distance.