After Qingqing left, Han Fen emerged from the shadows. Watching her receding back, he couldn't help but mutter in surprise and suspicion, "That girl is actually a death - fighter of the Emperor, from the Vermilion Bird Camp?"
"Not necessarily," Song Yinghuai's expression was unpredictable. He was still sipping his tea, looking as unhurried as if he were chatting about the weather in Suzhou.
Han Fen grew even more suspicious. "Your Highness means that her identity might be fake?"
Song Yinghuai mused, "Since I discovered and sent back the female spy my father sent to Yan Region three years ago, he hasn't sent any new spies to get close to me."
Han Fen said, "The Emperor sent a female spy to Yan Region three years ago because at that time, the foundation of the Great Ye was unstable. There were uprisings of barbarians in the southwest and rampant Japanese pirates in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Coincidentally, the Tartar prince came to the capital, acting arrogantly and demanding that the Great Ye cede three border cities near Jin Region. The military in Jin Region was weak, and the court couldn't gain the upper hand in the negotiations. The Emperor was too proud to back down, so he sent a female spy to pretend to be a Tartar woman and infiltrate Yan Region to stir up conflicts between the Yan Army and the Tartars, so that the Yan Army could deter the Tartars at the border."
"However, since that mission was successful, the border area has been under our suppression, and the Tartars have never dared to cross the line. The Emperor has never sent any spies to Yan again."
Song Yinghuai thought for a while. "Now that I've agreed to enter the capital, there's no reason for my father to send a spy to lurk around me, unless he's worried that I might rebel and wants to keep an eye on my every move."
Han Fen was shocked. "Your Highness, this is a serious crime. We must be on guard!"
Song Yinghuai shook his head. "But if he's worried about my rebellion, why does this Qingqing always pester Caiyu or Sheng Jiangli?"
Caiyu knew nothing about the military and state affairs under his control. As for Sheng Jiangli, he was the Crown Prince's man and also the Emperor's man. Emperor Guangwu doted on the Crown Prince and had no defenses at all, let alone sending a spy to monitor the Crown Prince's confidant. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have delegated the power of regency to the Crown Prince last year while he focused on studying the doctrines of Huang - Lao. If he hadn't used some tricks to present the evidence of the Crown Prince's debauchery to Emperor Guangwu, the power of regency would still be in the Crown Prince's hands.
Han Fen scratched his head until it hurt. "It can't be this way or that way. This girl is so mysterious... But her token is indeed genuine."
His not - so - smart head was really overloaded at this moment. At this time, he missed the days when Zhu Xiao and the others were around. With those shrewd generals around, he wouldn't have to rack his brains.
Song Yinghuai glanced at him with disdain. "If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. Just watch and see what tricks she's up to. She'll surely show her true colors one day."
"At least she's really from the Vermilion Bird Camp, and she doesn't seem to have any intention of harming Caiyu."
A hint of slyness flashed across Song Yinghuai's eyebrows. Let this Qingqing pester Sheng Jiangli. Then he won't have the energy to entangle with Caiyu. Don't blame him for being unethical. There's not much room for morality in matters of the heart.
Just as Song Yinghuai had hoped, after leaving the mansion, Qingqing headed straight for Luoyanju.
The Emperor had appointed Sheng Jiangli as the Deputy Commander of the Capital Guard and granted him a temporary mansion. Most people would name their mansions after their surnames, but Sheng Jiangli was an exception. He chose a name that seemed both poetic and rather odd.
Qingqing stood outside the mansion wall for a while. She was a bit afraid of going in to visit Sheng Jiangli in case he caught and spanked her, but she was also worried if she didn't go. Suddenly, there came faint coughing sounds from inside the wall. It sounded like he was seriously injured!
Qingqing pouted and finally climbed onto the wall. She just wanted to take a peek, just a secret look. She had even stolen some excellent wound - healing medicine from the mansion!
However, when she climbed in, it was pitch - black inside and she couldn't see anything! Before her feet touched the ground, a gust of wind blew from behind her. Qingqing suddenly felt a chill on her back and instinctively tried to dodge. But the person behind her was extremely fast. He grabbed her by the back of her neck and lifted her up.
"Ah!" Qingqing cried out in pain and struggled violently. The silver needles in her hands flew out in all directions like a rainstorm. But Sheng Jiangli had been on guard. He easily dodged while still holding her.
"Damn girl! You still want to plot against me? No way!" Sheng Jiangli's voice was deep and fierce. He had never taken this girl seriously because of her poor skills, which had led to him being careless twice. He didn't expect her to still not give up and actually chase after him. Did she want to continue to frame him? Since she wanted to jump into the trap herself, don't blame him for being ruthless.
Qingqing was petite, while Sheng Jiangli was tall. Being grabbed by the back of her neck, clothes and all, by the man, she cried out in pain. Her legs couldn't touch the ground, and she kicked in the air.
"Ouch... Ahh!"
At this time, Suobude had lit the lamps in the mansion. Luoyanju was instantly brightly lit. Suobude immediately saw the silver needles all over the yard. On the tree trunks, in the grass, on the pavilion pillars... There were silver glints everywhere.
Suobude gasped. "Goodness, is she a female hedgehog in disguise?"
Sheng Jiangli carried Qingqing towards the pavilion. He sat down in a domineering manner and turned her over, pressing her on his thigh. Qingqing lay with her head down, her stomach pressed against Sheng Jiangli's knee. She felt nauseous and was about to vomit. She couldn't say a word, just let out cries and twisted her body.
Sheng Jiangli held her down firmly. His usually amorous eyes were now filled with ice. He raised his hand high. "What tricks are you up to this time?"
Qingqing: "Ahh!" No! She didn't intend to play tricks on him this time! But before she could swallow her discomfort and speak, "Snap!" A crisp sound echoed in the air above Luoyanju.
Qingqing's whole body stiffened. She stared at him in disbelief. He! He! He! He actually spanked her bottom! She was in her teens and this was the first time a man had spanked her while holding her on his lap!
Qingqing instantly flew into a rage and let out ear - splitting cries like a pig about to be slaughtered. Sheng Jiangli's ears were ringing from her cries. He grew even angrier and shouted coldly, "Don't think that just because I'm easy - going usually, you can keep provoking me! I'm only good - tempered in front of Caiyu. You don't deserve it!" As he spoke, he continued to spank her mercilessly.
For a moment, the sound of spanking never stopped. Qingqing's voice became hoarse from crying, but he still didn't stop. Sheng Jiangli was full of pent - up anger with nowhere to vent. He had fought with Song Yinghuai, hurting his hand and his internal organs. Being inferior in skills and worried about Caiyu, he was completely out of sorts. And this troublemaker actually came to his doorstep today. Wasn't this running headlong into trouble?
Sheng Jiangli was so into spanking that he didn't notice that the girl's cries had gradually turned into low moans. It wasn't until Suobude stopped him. "General... If you keep spanking, something bad will happen."
Sheng Jiangli was stunned for a moment and then realized something was wrong. He turned Qingqing over. A face full of tears, with her features all blurred by crying, appeared in front of him. The girl's eyes were as red as a rabbit's. No matter how many tears were on her face, new ones were still welling up in her eyes. When the tears couldn't be contained anymore, big drops rolled down. But she didn't shout and scream like at first. She bit her lips tightly, her chest heaving violently, and suppressed sobs came from her throat. It was as if the cries were being pulled out painfully from the depths of her soul.
Sheng Jiangli was stunned. If Qingqing had continued to fight back fiercely like a little beast, he wouldn't have felt any pity. But the girl's current state made him feel a bit awkward. Had he really spanked too hard?
Sheng Jiangli coughed lightly and carried her to a stone bench beside him. As soon as Qingqing's sore bottom touched the bench, a sharp pain shot through her. She shivered and jumped up. She tried hard not to cry, but the tears just kept flowing.
Sheng Jiangli: ...He had forgotten. Sheng Jiangli said, "Maybe you should lie on the bench?"