84: Shame on Si Lili! (23, please subscribe)

Chapter 84: The Ashamed Si Lili! (23, Please Subscribe)

"Duoduo is my good sister; I know her very well."

Jing Ni, disguised as Haitang Duoduo, looked down at the firm chest pressing against Si Lili's back.

She herself hadn't expected that this perfect disguise would be undone here.

"It was originally meant for Fan Xian and the people of Southern Qing to see. Anyway, they've never met Haitang Duoduo, and I never intended to hide it from you."

Jing Ni had fought Haitang Duoduo by the North Sea earlier in the year. She hadn't used her full strength in that fight, but she had a fresh memory of Haitang Duoduo's appearance and attire.

As Jing Ni spoke, she tore off her disguise and tucked it into her bosom.

Si Lili turned her head and was immediately stunned. What a beautiful woman!

She had always been proud of her beauty, but now she wasn't confident she could surpass the woman before her.

"Did The Eldest Princess or the Crown Prince send you? Why haven't you made your move yet!"

"Disguising yourself as the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi, making everyone think I was abducted by Duoduo, then secretly silencing me—it's truly a flawless plan."

Li Chang'an's plan wasn't complicated. If Jing Ni had quietly taken Si Lili away midway, it wouldn't have been impossible.

But in that case, the Supervisory Council and Fan Xian's search would be endless.

Now, by having Jing Ni impersonate Haitang Duoduo, Si Lili is rescued first, then hidden in a secret Net stronghold.

After the deed, Northern Qi would think Si Lili was hidden by Southern Qing people, and Southern Qing would think Si Lili was rescued by Northern Qi. No one would be able to say for sure.

Seeing Si Lili's tightly furrowed brows, looking very scared and nervous, Jing Ni felt like teasing her.

Jing Ni wrapped her arms around Si Lili's lower abdomen from behind, her hands climbing upwards to the peaks.

Si Lili was both shocked and angry. Could this woman be like the little emperor of Northern Qi?

The little emperor of Northern Qi, Zhan Doudou, was a woman. She didn't know if she liked men, but she should have some interest in women.

Seeing Si Lili's fear, Jing Ni chuckled in her ear, "Don't you think this technique feels very familiar?"

Si Lili was terrified and couldn't even focus on what kind of technique it was.

"What technique... This is too outrageous..."

But as Jing Ni said that, Si Lili truly felt that this technique seemed familiar.

In this world, only one person had touched her, Si Lili, with such a technique!

Si Lili suddenly had a flash of inspiration and remembered the origin of this technique.

"Tianshan Plum Hand! But your hands are too small..."

Jing Ni didn't take offense, saying with satisfaction, "Climbing Tianshan, plucking red plums. You haven't forgotten after all. It wasn't in vain that Your Highness went to such lengths to save you."

Since the woman before her knew this technique, she must have been personally taught by Li Chang'an.

Si Lili understood. It was Li Chang'an who saved her!

This Ninth Rank Upper Level female expert was Li Chang'an's hidden card. Prince Yong truly was a master of concealment!

Hiding a Ninth Rank expert was also a huge matter, and Si Lili felt it was very dangerous to know such a secret.

Not long after, Jing Ni threw the horse she was riding directly into a river.

Then, she carried Si Lili, leaped over the river, and flew towards the Suburbs of the Capital.

Si Lili was greatly alarmed, "Girl, why are we still heading towards the capital? It's too dangerous!"

Jing Ni smiled and said, "Haitang Duoduo abducted you, so of course, she would flee to Northern Qi. Who would ever think you were in the capital?"

"Don't worry, with my Realm, unless a Great Grandmaster appears, no one can track me."

...Jing Ni was right; Zong Zhui had also told Fan Xian the same thing.

"Lord Ti Si, to capture Haitang Duoduo now, we can only rely on Lord Shadow, and it will be extremely difficult."

"Even if I, Old Zong, were more capable, if we two caught up to Haitang Duoduo, she could cleave us with one axe."

Fan Xian knew the trouble was significant and he needed to find a new Breakthrough.

"Even if Lord Shadow makes a move, it might not be possible to catch her quickly."

"Let me think, what other clues are there? Ruo Wei and the other two shouldn't know the true mastermind."

"Cheng Jushu and the other six assassins are all dead... the mastermind has immense power..."

Zong Zhui blinked, then said, "Your father mobilized the Emperor's elite Imperial Guards this morning, right?"

Fan Xian casually replied, "Yes, the Red Armor Army. What about it?"

Zong Zhui chuckled, "Count Sinan seems to be deeply trusted by His Majesty..."

Fan Xian looked at Zong Zhui suspiciously, feeling that the fellow had a hidden meaning in his words!

"My father and His Majesty are childhood friends. How could the Supervisory Council's noses be so sharp, and you pretend not to know?"

"If there's anything, just say it quickly. As long as it's not related to rebellion, my father can handle it."

Zong Zhui knew, of course. He was testing whether Fan Xian knew. If Fan Xian knew, it would indicate that Fan Xian held a significant position in the Fan Family.

"The Patrol Division lost a batch of military equipment last month. The siege crossbows and strong bows used by these assassins are very likely from that batch."

"This is just a clue, but it might involve collusion between the military and Northern Qi, which is no small matter..."

Fan Xian immediately stood up, not even asking how Zong Zhui knew. "Let's go, first to the Lieutenant General's Mansion (General's Mansion) to take a look!"

In the Black Knights' camp.

Chen Pingping was also shocked by the news. "How could it be Haitang Duoduo? Is Si Lili that important?"

After seeing the news, Shadow couldn't help but exclaim in regret, "If only I had escorted Fan Xian for a while, then I could have fought the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi! What a pity!"

Chen Pingping ignored Shadow's martial obsession and continued to talk to himself, "Last month's secret report said that Haitang Duoduo went to Western Qin to fight the Langya Pavilion Master."

Li Chang'an had beaten up the Langya Pavilion Master, re-ranked the expert list, placing Ku He at the bottom of the Four Grandmasters, and even kicked Haitang out of the top ten experts.

Haitang Duoduo was unconvinced, and coupled with the lingering anger from being drugged by Li Chang'an by the North Sea, she went to Western Qin to regain her honor after being conferred as a Celestial Vein Holder.

Shadow brought up the latest intelligence, "Director, Langya Pavilion's initial ranking was influenced by the Xi Qin imperial family. Later, after Prince Yong attacked, it was influenced by Great Qing."

"Since then, the Langya Pavilion Master spent a fortune hiring thirty experts, proclaiming that once the Langya List is out, it will not be changed by anyone who comes!"

"So, after Haitang Duoduo went, she didn't gain any advantage and has already left Western Qin. After that, her whereabouts are unknown."

Chen Pingping said with a solemn expression, "In that case, it's not impossible for Haitang Duoduo to infiltrate Great Qing!"

A Ninth Rank Upper Level expert, if truly engaged in stealth Assassination, is indeed impossible to guard against.

The Supervisory Council's intelligence network in enemy countries is not as developed as the Net's. Because the Net has no national affiliation, Southern Qing and Northern Qi have not yet discovered it, so they are not on guard.

Occasionally, a Net faction is discovered, claiming to be Langya Pavilion members, making a living by gathering Jianghu news. Then, the local Net deals with the officials, and they are usually released.

The Net in Western Hu has already ascertained that Haitang Duoduo causing trouble for Langya Pavilion was a ruse.

Her true purpose was not that. She had already taken Brocade-Clad Guards experts, traversing mountains and rivers to Western Hu to form alliances.

The goal was to instigate Western Hu to jointly resist Southern Qing. This itinerary, of course, had to be kept secret; Northern Qi absolutely could not let Southern Qing know.

Therefore, Jing Ni framed Haitang Duoduo, and Haitang Duoduo had no way to explain herself.

Chen Pingping said to Shadow, "You personally lead a team to search the nearby area, and also send people to Danzhou to temporarily close the port for three days!"

"If Haitang Duoduo can be captured, it would also alleviate a worry for His Majesty."

The matter of Haitang Duoduo being conferred as a Celestial Vein Holder made the Southern Qing monarch and his subjects very uncomfortable.

Everyone believes in the Divine Temple, so why should the Celestial Vein Holder appear in your country!

Imperial Study.

Fan Jian, who had just been here last night, was called over again.

Emperor Qing handed him the intelligence report, "Look! Look!"

"Fan Xian captured Si Lili and openly paraded her through the city; no faction dared to make a move!"

"Fan Jian, it seems Fan Xian is quite capable!"

Fan Jian knew that Emperor Qing was displeased with his lack of confidence in Fan Xian last night, and now he was gloating.

"Your Majesty, I naturally hope Fan Xian can bring Si Lili back, but we must also consider the cunning of the opponent."

Emperor Qing's expression remained stern, "The opponent is cunning, but Fan Xian is even more cunning!"

"Now everyone knows Si Lili is in Fan Xian's hands. Who would dare openly snatch her?"

Fan Jian was subjected to Emperor Qing's sarcasm but wasn't angry at all. "I am best at planning and gambling, and I remember the benefits I gain most clearly!"

"Your Majesty promised that if Si Lili is captured, Fan Xian would be appointed Assistant Director of the Imperial Music Bureau. I have not forgotten!"

Emperor Qing sneered, "The monarch's word is law. Since he can capture Si Lili, this Eighth Rank official position is Fan Xian's!"

"Are you afraid I would go back on my word! Do you take me for Lin Ruofu, who regrets his moves!"

Fan Jian's heart finally settled completely. He was most worried that the mastermind would cause trouble, preventing Fan Xian from capturing the person.

Now that Fan Xian's official position was secured, even if another accident occurred, Emperor Qing could not go back on his word.

Coincidentally, Eunuch Hou hurried in.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the latest news from Young Lord Fan!"

"Si Lili has been abducted by Haitang Duoduo!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing's face stiffened instantly. "What? The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi dares to come to Great Qing!"

Fan Jian's heart pounded. This was too uncanny; what he feared had come to pass.

Emperor Qing snatched the report and read it carefully, while Fan Jian quickly knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty! That Fan Xian captured Si Lili before the Supervisory Council shows his capability!"

"That she was abducted after being captured means the enemy is cunning!"

"Fan Xian's capability is still there, Assistant Director of the Imperial Music Bureau..."

In Great Qing, only Fan Jian dared to challenge Emperor Qing's authority like this.

Emperor Qing said impatiently, "Shut up! The Assistant Director of the Imperial Music Bureau I promised, he won't lose it."

In Emperor Qing's plan, Fan Xian had to be promoted quickly, so Emperor Qing was even more anxious than Fan Jian!

Night fell.

In a wealthy merchant's mansion in the Suburbs of the Capital, the mansion's basement served as a Net intelligence center, staffed by the Net's most loyal core members.

The Net currently only receives intelligence, which Jing Ni reports to Li Chang'an after processing, so the operation is not difficult, and all data is destroyed within three days.

Jing Ni brought Si Lili to the underground secret chamber here and had four maids attend to her bathing and changing clothes.

The secret chamber was very spacious, with bookshelves and desks all available, and a huge bed was particularly striking.

Si Lili couldn't help but sigh, royal children certainly knew how to enjoy themselves; how many people could sleep on this bed.

Not far from the head of the bed, there was also a mirror as tall as a person.

Among the mirrors produced by the Southern Qing Imperial Treasury, one this large could only be custom-made for the imperial family; ordinary families would never see one.

Si Lili sat in front of the mirror, looking at her beautiful reflection, and couldn't help but feel self-pity.

This face, though beautiful, could not be seen by others, at least not openly in Southern Qing.

In a trance, a figure suddenly appeared in the mirror.

Si Lili turned around in surprise, and there he was, Prince Yong, whom she thought of every day.

Name: Si Lili

Age: 20

Realm: Seventh Rank Upper Level

Talent: Music and Poetry (Eighth Rank), Espionage (Third Rank)

Abilities: Singing (Ninth Rank), Espionage (Seventh Rank), Poetry (Sixth Rank)

Affection: 100

She slowly approached Li Chang'an and said softly, "Your Highness has come. Li Li thanks Your Highness for saving her life."

Li Chang'an gazed at this woman, who could have been a courtesan queen, her beauty like a rose under the candlelight.

"It's been several years. How will you thank me for this great life-saving grace?"

Their relationship was already just one step away. Si Lili felt a tingle throughout her body upon hearing Li Chang'an's voice.

She lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, "Your Highness, your humble servant will help you change and serve Your Highness well."

Although she had lived in a Brothel for many years, Si Lili was still innocent in matters of the heart, and her heart was already pounding wildly.

Li Chang'an was used to having people help him change, so he didn't refuse. "Mm."

With slender, fair hands, she untied his sash. Si Lili suddenly remembered something. "Your Highness, will you compose poetry today?"

Li Chang'an laughed, "When I was young and foolish, I would run to the Brothel to compose poetry with girls. Thinking about it now, I was truly sick."

Si Lili smiled enchantingly, "It seems Your Highness has grown up and knows things more interesting than composing poetry."

Li Chang'an looked at Si Lili's hands and said, "Hurry and do what you're supposed to do; don't beat around the bush."

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Si Lili continued to remove Li Chang'an's brocade robe and inner garments.

Before long, Si Lili's cheeks were burning like fire, and her eyes were filled with extreme shyness.

When those jade hands removed his inner garment, and her gaze just touched Li Chang'an's core, Si Lili's bright eyes seemed to be scorched, and she quickly turned her face away.

Her heart pounded incessantly, and her captivating peach blossom eyes darted about, not knowing where to look.

"Good... good... good..."

Si Lili stammered several "good"s, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say the last word.

Li Chang'an couldn't help but mock, "A dignified Brothel woman! To be so shy!"

Si Lili lightly raised her fair hands and untied her own skirt. Li Chang'an's finger gently flicked, and the pink long skirt smoothly fell to the floor.

Subsequently, Si Lili's jade hands gently untied the last strap on her body.

Li Chang'an wrapped one arm around her full, soft waist, and with the other hand, gently caressed her smooth, exquisite face.

Si Lili's willow brows were like a painting, her flushed cheeks lifted as she looked at the man she had yearned for day and night.

Being scrutinized by Li Chang'an's passionate gaze, her eyes were misty, and her cherry lips trembled as if speaking.

"Your Highness, let your humble servant serve you... Mmm~"

Li Chang'an's fingertips glided richly, climbing peaks and plucking plums, feeling the woman's growth over four years.

A moment later, Si Lili's intoxicating gaze turned to the bed not far away.

"Your Highness... your humble servant will serve you to rest."

Li Chang'an remained unmoved, his voice gentle yet commanding without question.

"Li Li, turn around and look in the mirror."