Chapter Sixty-Three: The Scheme

“What happened?” the Seventh Prince asked anxiously.

Yu Hualiang paused, then replied, “I hurt myself climbing a tree…”

The Seventh Prince found it hard to comprehend. “Climbing a tree? Why were you climbing a tree?”

“Uh…” Yu Hualiang hesitated, thinking, Was it to steal apricots? Wouldn’t that be too embarrassing to admit?

Seeing his troubled expression, the Seventh Prince frowned and said, “If you don’t wish to speak, then don’t. But, Hualiang, why didn’t you tell me?”

Yu Hualiang looked at him awkwardly. “I… didn’t want you to worry.”

The Seventh Prince sighed. “Seeing you like this makes me worry even more.”

It was the first time Yu Hualiang had shown such childishness before him, which only made the Seventh Prince feel more tender toward him.

The Seventh Prince applied medicine to his wound again, wrapped it up, then unexpectedly rose and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

Yu Hualiang was startled. He touched his forehead, staring speechless at the Seventh Prince’s mischievous smile.

Yu Hualiang exhaled softly. “Zicheng…”

“It’s late—Hualiang, you should rest early,” the Seventh Prince interrupted.

“No—what about the trip to Fanhe?”

“There’s nothing more to discuss. You cannot risk yourself,” the Seventh Prince said sternly.

Yu Hualiang blinked, sighing helplessly. He hadn’t thought the Seventh Prince would refuse so decisively.

“Well… I won’t disturb your rest then,” Yu Hualiang said, disappointment heavy in his tone as he rose to leave.

The Seventh Prince pressed him back down. “Since you’ve come, Hualiang… don’t go.”

Yu Hualiang’s face darkened; the Seventh Prince was up to his usual tricks again. As the Seventh Prince drew closer, Yu Hualiang protested, “Isn’t… Zicheng busy tomorrow? I should go back and sleep….”

He had barely uttered the word “sleep” before the Seventh Prince leaned in, his deep breaths at Yu Hualiang’s ear. “Sleep, Hualiang.”

It seemed the Seventh Prince truly was tired. He simply held him and drifted off. Yu Hualiang sighed, noting the late hour; the prince had duties at court every day, and worked overtime at night reviewing petitions.

All things considered, the Seventh Prince was indeed hardworking. Yu Hualiang turned to look at the prince’s peaceful, sleeping face and smiled gently. “Good night.”

Cao Zhiling lay atop the beam in Yu Hualiang’s room, occasionally watching the doorway. Time passed, the candle burned out, and only then did he slowly close his eyes. It seemed he would not return tonight.

Thinking thus, his heart grew restless. Every time he could not see him, he felt this way. Was it an illness?

He had barely closed his eyes to rest when he sensed someone entering the room—someone skilled in martial arts. To sneak in at midnight surely meant trouble.

The intruder lingered in the room, seemingly searching for something. Cao Zhiling dropped down quietly, and before the person realized it, he pressed a blade to her neck from behind.

“Who are you?” Cao Zhiling asked in a low voice.

“A true expert, I see.”

Cao Zhiling regarded her with suspicion. It was the maid who had delivered the message that day, but though she appeared to be a woman, her voice was that of a man.

After pondering, Cao Zhiling surmised the maid could not possess such martial skill. There was indeed a famed master of disguise in the underworld, known as Hua Muele, the Thousand Faces.

He guessed, “Are you Hua Muele?”

“What, is my master’s reputation so great?” Jinhe replied.

“I’ve never heard she had a disciple! Who are you really?” Cao Zhiling demanded angrily.

Jinhe switched back to a woman's voice, seductive and sweet. “Brother, you’d best take that thing away. It’s dangerous.”

“Speak quickly!” Cao Zhiling threatened.

In the dim light, Cao Zhiling saw something flash in her hand, and his blade was already broken by it.

Seeing the situation turn, Cao Zhiling tried to grab her, but she sliced his hand with her weapon.

Jinhe stepped back, and only then did Cao Zhiling see she held silk thread.

He’d heard of a silk, sharper than any blade and extremely rare, called Pluto Silk.

Fortunately, the wielder was not ruthless; if the silk were coated in deadly poison, it could kill without trace.

Cao Zhiling grew solemn. “I am Cao Zhiling. May I ask your name?”

Jinhe put away the thread, lifted her hand, and tore off the mask on her face, revealing the gentle features of a young man. “I am Liu Yu.”

“Why are you here, Mr. Liu?” Cao Zhiling pressed.

“My purpose is to help you, Brother Cao,” Liu Yu replied with a smile.

“I am slow-witted. Please speak plainly.”

“You wish to return to Fanhe through Yu Hualiang’s help. Let me tell you, the Seventh Prince will never let him accompany you.”

Cao Zhiling frowned, suspicious. Liu Yu noticed his disbelief and said, “Don’t believe me? Wait until Yu Hualiang returns and ask him yourself.”

Cao Zhiling thought, If what he says is true, it’s best to hear his plan for helping me.

“Then, Brother Liu, how do you plan to help?”

Liu Yu continued, “Of course, my help is not free. I have a condition; I wonder if you can agree?”

“What condition?”

“I want your face.”

Cao Zhiling was stunned, wary. Liu Yu explained, “I studied under my master to craft masks, not to cut your face.”

“Why do you want my face?” Cao Zhiling asked guardedly.

“You know my master loves to collect beautiful faces. I am the same. What, you don’t trust me?”

Cao Zhiling hesitated. Who knew what mischief he’d make with his face?

Liu Yu reapplied the Jinhe mask, speaking in a feminine voice. “I’ll give you time to consider, but the prince’s campaign is only days away.”

With that, he departed. Cao Zhiling frowned; if what Liu Yu said was true and the Seventh Prince forbade Yu Hualiang from joining, then he would have to watch Fanhe fall.

Cao Zhiling spent a sleepless night, while Yu Hualiang slept soundly, unaware when the Seventh Prince left.

He woke, rubbing his messy hair, then washed up sleepily. Jinhe’s smile was full of malice as Yu Hualiang glanced over.

But he didn’t bother explaining; let the demon think what it liked.

As he washed, he suddenly remembered Cao Zhiling was waiting for news! “Oh no,” he muttered.

He hurried back to the courtyard, finding Cao Zhiling waiting, looking weary. Yu Hualiang closed the door, poured himself tea, and caught his breath. “I’m telling you, the Seventh Prince won’t take me.”

His rushed return was met with just an “oh” from Cao Zhiling, as if he’d already known.

That left Yu Hualiang feeling awkward. He worried, “Then how will you go back?”

Cao Zhiling sighed. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

Yu Hualiang was baffled; this man seemed like a different person, so silent and withdrawn.

Was this the calm before the storm? He looked at him, a bold idea forming. Yu Hualiang suggested, “Why not kidnap me and threaten the prince to let you return?”

Cao Zhiling glanced at him, unimpressed. “Kidnap you? I doubt I could even get out of the prince’s residence.”

Yu Hualiang sighed, “Then I can’t help you.”

Cao Zhiling hadn’t expected his help anyway. That night, Cao Zhiling found Liu Yu and agreed to his terms.

But Liu Yu instructed him to meet Princess Xuan. Under cover of darkness, Cao Zhiling slipped into her chambers, calling softly, “Princess Xuan, Princess Xuan?”

She had not slept deeply, and upon seeing him, thought she was dreaming. She smiled, “Qingzhang? Is it you?”

Cao Zhiling hesitated, then nodded. “It’s me.”

Princess Xuan looked at him, unable to hold back her tears. “Weren’t you dead? Have you returned as a spirit to see me?”

Cao Zhiling couldn’t bear her crying. He went over, handed her a handkerchief to dry her tears.

Following Liu Yu’s instructions, he spoke, “Yes, I died terribly. It was… Yu Hualiang who caused my death.”

“What!” Princess Xuan stared at him in shock.

Her expression turned hateful. “I knew it must be him!”

Cao Zhiling continued, “Princess Xuan… you must avenge me.”

When she heard this, her brow furrowed. “But the Seventh Prince is too partial to him. I can hardly get close.”

Liu Yu had told Cao Zhiling to beseech her, to make her promise to avenge him; that would be half the task done.

Cao Zhiling swallowed. “Can you really watch me die unjustly?”

Princess Xuan softened, saying nothing. Cao Zhiling pressed, “Please, Princess Xuan, avenge me.”

Seeing her troubled, Cao Zhiling didn’t wish to make things harder. But unexpectedly, Princess Xuan hugged him tightly. “Even ghosts have warmth… how wonderful.”

“Let go,” Cao Zhiling said coldly.

Princess Xuan, tears in her eyes, said, “Do you know, when I see you, my heart feels warm. It’s the second time I’ve felt this way; the first was with the Seventh Prince.”

Cao Zhiling had no interest in her complaints. He pushed her away. “So what? I am a ghost.”

“A ghost… is better than him. At least you know to return to see me, but his eyes only see that painter.”

Cao Zhiling backed away. When Princess Xuan tried to follow, he left the room and climbed onto the roof.

When she chased outside, not even his shadow remained. Beneath the moon, thinly dressed, her crying chilled the night.

Cao Zhiling quietly withdrew from the courtyard. Back at Yu Hualiang’s, he watched him sleep, feeling a pang of guilt. Behind him, Jinhe asked, “Is it done?”

Cao Zhiling nodded. When Yu Hualiang awoke, he found Cao Zhiling at his bedside, looking miserable, which made him uneasy.

He said, “Should I try asking the prince again today?”

Cao Zhiling waved him off. Yu Hualiang asked helplessly, “Is there something you want to say?”

“No,” Cao Zhiling replied coldly.

“Master Yu, Yu Hualiang?”

A maid knocked at the door. Cao Zhiling hid, and Yu Hualiang opened the door. She looked familiar—wasn’t she Princess Xuan’s maid?

Yu Hualiang spoke gently, “What is it?”

The maid, proud and disdainful, acted as though looking at Yu Hualiang dirtied her eyes. “Tonight at midnight, Northern Hall of Anxu, Princess Xuan has instructions.”

“Hm? Wait—couldn’t she tell me directly?” Yu Hualiang wondered.

The maid repeated impatiently, “Tonight at midnight, Northern Hall of Anxu, Princess Xuan has instructions!”

Yu Hualiang found it vexing. He changed his question, “Anxu Hall? Where is that?”

The maid rolled her eyes. “Don’t know Anxu Hall? Find out yourself!”