After her mind was read, the spoiled brat became the darling of the whole group.

Jun Lanjin slowly put down the teacup in his hand, his eyes behind the mask curving slightly, and said, "Those who have seen my true face are all dead."

"However, since the prince wishes to see my face, I do not mind letting the prince take a look."

Chao Le's expression remained unchanged. He raised his teacup, gestured towards Jun Lanjin, and said with a smile, "Then please, Ghost King, show your true form."

Xie Yuze looked at Jun Lanjin.

The Prince of Jin's reputation is widespread, and others may not know it, but as the fifth prince of the Southern Kingdom, he will definitely recognize Jun Lanjin's face.

Xie Yuze felt somewhat worried.

But Jun Lanjin removed the ghost mask from his face without the slightest hesitation.

There wasn't even a trace of mystery about it.

When Chao Le saw Jun Lanjin take off his mask, his eyes lit up at first, but after seeing the face under the mask, Chao Le instantly lost interest.

"Ghost King, this is no fun. You're just trying to fob me off with a human skin mask."

Xie Xing glanced at Jun Lanjin.

This time, the face beneath the mask was still that of a man surrounded by crowds.

Xie Xing couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings).

[This person is unusually good-looking, yet they hide it behind two masks. Is it because they resemble Jun Lanjin and are embarrassed to show their true face?]

The more Xie Xing thought about it, the more sense it made.

Jun Lanjin: "..."

Xie Yuze looked at Xie Xing with a puzzled expression.

What do you mean by looking like Jun Lanjin? Isn't he Jun Lanjin?

Jun Lanjin raised an eyebrow. "How does the Fifth Prince define the fact that I used a human skin mask?"

Chao Le leaned back in his chair, lazily looking at Jun Lanjin, and said, "This prince can see through a person's bone structure. Whether someone is handsome or beautiful, I can tell at a glance."

"The Ghost King's bone structure clearly indicates that he is a handsome young man, but beneath the mask lies such an ordinary face, which looks fake at first glance."

Xie Xing's eyes widened slightly.

Is there really such a reason?

No wonder Chao Le removed her human skin mask at a glance last time.

Jun Lanjin stroked the teacup with his fingers and said calmly, "Fifth Prince, there is no need to be in a hurry to see my face. When the Tianshan Snow Lotus arrives, I will naturally let the Fifth Prince know my true appearance."

Chao Le shrugged, looking rather bored.

Just then, a servant came to deliver a message and whispered a few words in Chao Le's ear.

Upon hearing this, Chao Le's expression changed.

He then stood up and said to Jun Lanjin and the others, "You eat first, I'll be right back."

After saying that, Chao Le was about to leave.

Before leaving, he paused, and as he passed Xie Xing, he said to Xie Xing in a low voice, "You come along too."

Xie Xing: ?

She slowly stood up from her seat and looked at Chao Le with a puzzled expression.

Why did you call me for no reason? Did you discover a secret about me?

Xie Xing followed behind Chao Le with some trepidation.

Xie Yuze glanced at Jun Lanjin.

Jun Lanjin narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the two people.

Outside.

Song Ci'an stood outside the city lord's mansion, holding the token he had stolen from the traitor, waiting quietly.

A moment later, Chao Le rushed over.

When she arrived and looked at Song Ci'an, Chao Le paused slightly and asked, "You're not one of my men, are you?"

Chao Le could tell at a glance whether someone was someone he had placed in the military camp or not.

Song Ci'an handed the token he had snatched from the traitor to Chao Le and said, "I am indeed not someone Your Highness planted in the military camp, but I wish to surrender to Your Highness."

"Oh?" Chao Le put her hands behind her back and raised an eyebrow at Song Ci'an.

As they were talking, Song Ci'an was surrounded by people.

Song Ci'an glanced at the people surrounding him, his face showing no fear. "One of the two people His Highness sent to burn the grain yesterday was me."

Chao Le remained silent.

The military camp was harsh, and it took him a lot of effort to plant a spy. On the day the grain was burned, his men did say that, besides him, there was another person who helped him burn the grain.

However, he had never seen that person before and did not know if the person in front of him was him.

Song Ci'an continued, "I know Your Highness has doubts, so I brought you this message today."

What news is it?

"There is a traitor in Your Highness's residence, and Xie Tongchen has already discovered the spies Your Highness planted in the military camp."

"After Xie Tongchen discovered it, he immediately handed the informant over to military law."

"What?" Chao Le's expression changed slightly.

"Traitor? How could there be a traitor in my residence?"

Song Ci'an said, "Tonight, my subordinates saw someone enter Xie Tongchen's tent, and afterwards the camp had provisions."

"Then, in front of the entire army, he was court-martialed."

As Song Ci'an spoke, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of Xie Xing standing behind Chao Le out of the corner of his eye.

At that moment, Xie Xing was staring wide-eyed at Song Ci'an with astonishment.

[No, why is he here?]

Was Song Ci'an a traitor?

He burned the grain supplies? That's impossible!

The vein on Song Ci'an's forehead throbbed.

His fist hardened.

He never expected that when he asked Xie Xing to go back, not only would she outwardly comply but she would also become someone's concubine!

audacious in the extreme!

Song Ci'an gave Xie Xing a subtle glare.

Just wait for me!

He waited until he had fooled the fifth prince of the Southern Kingdom.

Chao Le was now half-believing and half-doubting.

He frowned and said, "How can I trust you?"

Song Ci'an said, "Your Highness, the Chu army will take action at 9:00 PM tomorrow."

"Right at the south gate."

"If Your Highness trusts me, send someone to stake out the south gate; you will naturally see people there."

Upon hearing this, Chao Le nodded: "Alright then."

Song Ci'an said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. If I make great contributions, I may be able to stay by Your Highness's side."

Chao Le was naturally generous. He raised his head, waved his hand, and smiled, saying, "Of course."

"This palace is short of talented people. If you can make great contributions, this palace will reward you handsomely!"

"but--"

As Chao Le spoke, the smile on her face faded.

He looked at Song Ci'an with icy eyes: "You cannot leave this place tonight."

"If what you say is false, I will make you wish you were dead."

This was exactly what Song Ci'an wanted.

He knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Xie Xing: "..."

Xie Xing kept his mouth slightly open the whole time, looking at Song Ci'an with a surprised expression.

"Jiao'er, what's with that expression?" Chao Le's soft voice rang in her ears.

Xie Xing withdrew his expression and turned to look at Chao Le.

She met Chao Le's eyes and saw Chao Le looking at her with a half-smile.

Xie Xing slowly closed his agape, then cautiously uttered, "Your Highness..."

"I have a small question I'd like to ask Your Highness, but I'm not sure if I should."

Chao Le curled her lips into a smile. "What, does Jiao'er know this person?"

Xie Xing shook his head: "No, Your Highness, no."

I want to ask—

"Your Highness, is such a confidential matter something I, a mere thirteen concubines, should be allowed to hear?"

May I listen?