A Shocking Dream

"It's getting late. If you go now, it will only make everyone misunderstand you more because Yunshuang had distanced herself from you before her death. Since you are sure that Lin Bingshuang is not dead, why rush?" Su Yijing frowned slightly, looked at Qin Rongchen sincerely, and raised his hand to signal him to sit down.

Qin Rongchen froze in place, his feet feeling heavy as if they were filled with lead. He slowly raised his head, gazing at the distant sky. The night sky stretched endlessly like a vast expanse of black silk. His heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. The urge to uncover the truth, to find Lin Bingshuang, surged through his chest, but Su Yijing's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering him up. He bit his lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then dragged his heavy steps towards the chair and sat down with a slight thud. His hands unconsciously clenched into fists, resting on his knees, his brows knitted together, as if they could pinch a fly to death. "I'm just anxious to find the truth as soon as possible." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with unconcealed anxiety.

Su Yijing turned and walked to the table, picked up the teapot, slowly poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Qin Rongchen. Steam rose from the cup, clouding his vision. "I understand how you feel, but we must remain calm. The situation is complicated right now, and the slightest misstep could lead to even greater trouble." His voice was steady and calm, trying to soothe Qin Rongchen's impatience.

Qin Rongchen reached out and took the teacup. His hands trembled slightly, and the warm touch seemed unable to warm his cold heart. He took a sip of tea, and the bitter taste spread on the tip of his tongue, but he was completely unaware.

After a long moment, Su Yijing broke the silence. "I heard that the Crown Prince brought back a woman from Qiuluo Mountain?" Su Yijing frowned slightly, his expression serious. He paused, then looked up at Qin Rongchen. "Besides, aren't you afraid of those in the palace if you bring her back? The Queen Mother is already planning to have Kou Yurou and the Crown Prince marry as soon as possible."

"Kou Yurou?" Qin Rongchen thought of this person. If Su Yijing hadn't mentioned her, he would have almost forgotten about her. "The prince didn't want to bring that little girl back. He said she was asked by the Su Nu sect's uncle to stay with him for a while. It's not what we thought," Qin Rongchen explained.

"We don't think so, but others don't think so. If the Kou family was not still short of a daughter, you would have to marry a girl from the Kou family." Su Yijing shook his head slightly and sighed softly.

Qin Rongchen sat on a stone bench, his expression stern, a complex emotion flickering in his deep eyes. His heart was also filled with conflict. "The Crown Prince's marriage involves too many complications. The Kou family's influence in the court cannot be underestimated, and the Queen Mother's move is also to consolidate the royal position." His voice was low and calm, but with a hint of helplessness. He understood the Queen Mother's intentions and the responsibilities of the Crown Prince's position, but deep down, the Crown Prince was full of resistance to this arranged marriage. He frowned slightly, considering the various possible consequences behind it.

Su Yijing paused and turned to look at Qin Rongchen. "But the Crown Prince has brought back a woman, which has undoubtedly thrown a huge rock into this peaceful lake. The Kou family will not let this go, and the Queen Mother will definitely take action." He frowned, his eyes filled with worry. He imagined the Kou family's reaction upon learning of this, and the measures the Queen Mother might take, and he couldn't help but sweat for the Crown Prince. He knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it would trigger a huge storm.

Qin Rongchen raised his head slightly and looked at Su Yijing. "The Crown Prince must have his reasons for doing this, but we don't know the reasons yet." He pursed his lips, his jawline set in a resolute expression. He believed in the Crown Prince's wisdom and decisiveness, but he also understood that in this complex palace struggle, every decision could have unintended consequences. He pondered the Crown Prince's purpose and the role he should play in this turmoil.

Suspicion abounds

"Have you seen that woman? Are you familiar with her?" Su Yijing asked softly, tilting his head slightly with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Qin Rongchen frowned slightly and answered solemnly, "She's a disciple of the Su Nu sect of Qiuluo Mountain, a few years younger than the Crown Prince. She said she'd seen me many times in the capital, but I don't have much of an impression of her. She didn't want to follow the Crown Prince, but her great-uncle asked the Crown Prince to let her stay with him for a while. This great-uncle from the Su Nu sect saved the Crown Prince's life, so he agreed." At this point, a hint of doubt flashed in Qin Rongchen's eyes, and his tone was puzzled, "However, why would this great-uncle ask him to take care of the Crown Prince when he knew that his status was inconvenient?"

"For saving my life?" Su Yijing's eyes widened slightly in an instant, his face full of surprise, and his voice unconsciously rose a little.

"The prince didn't say when, and I don't know when he was rescued." Qin Rongchen shook his head helplessly, his expression growing increasingly heavy. He began to pace slowly across the courtyard, his steps heavy, each one weighed with thought. "There are many suspicious points here. A great-uncle of the Su Nu sect, with such a connection to the prince, would allow the prince to have a female disciple by his side at this time. Furthermore, the prince's trip to Qiuluo Mountain was so sudden. Could all of this be connected?" Qin Rongchen's tone was low and serious, his gaze fixed on the ground, as if trying to dig out more clues from the limited information.

Su Yijing also fell into deep thought. He folded his arms across his chest, leaned back slightly, and leaned against a tree. "Perhaps this great-grandmaster has her own agenda. Perhaps she knows something. Or perhaps there's a bigger conspiracy behind this." His voice was low and tinged with worry, his brows furrowed tightly together, forming a deep "chuan" character.

"I don't think so. That girl looks so inexperienced. It doesn't seem like she has any conspiracy as you say. If there was, they should have sent someone smarter." Qin Rongchen frowned slightly, and Yuanyuan's innocent eyes came to mind. There was no trace of sophistication or calculation in those clear eyes. It certainly didn't look like she was acting. Every expression and movement of hers seemed so natural and innocent.

"You can't predict the actions of people in the underworld." Su Yijing shook his head slightly, a hint of solemnity in his tone. He stared deep into the distance. "These people are often good at disguise. On the surface, they appear innocent and harmless, but in fact, they may be hiding ulterior motives. We can't be fooled by appearances."

Qin Rongchen was silent for a moment, thinking back to his encounter with Yuanyuan. Her innocence and curiosity about the world made it difficult for him to connect her with the conspiracy. "But if she was really just entrusted to the Crown Prince by my great-uncle, then what was his purpose?" Qin Rongchen's voice was filled with doubt.