Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

In the bustling marketplace of Dongshi, amidst the cacophony of birds and the gathering of doves, a tall man in black stood out from the throng. In his arms, he cradled a stunningly beautiful woman in a vibrant red. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a breathtaking beauty. Although her fair face was partially veiled, her eyes alone were enough to captivate all who behold her.

Even in disguise, Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye still exude an air of elegance that draws attention.

In the bustling street, she overheard people talking about them, speculating where they came from, what they were doing in the East Market, whether they were doing business or looking for someone.

Several long-time vendors in the East Market were whispering amongst themselves.

"Who are they? I've never seen them before."

"But they don't look like foreigners either; they're all wearing clothes from the Water Lily Workshop."

After they finished speculating, they looked at Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye. The man in black had his arms around the woman's waist and his arm around her body. Their intimate appearance made people suspicious of their relationship.

Under Feng Xingye's protection, Xiao Fengyi finally reached a relatively quiet area.

Feng Xingye released his hand and looked at the girl who was covering her face with a red veil. "You can take it off now."

Xiao Fengyi looked around with her beautiful eyes, removed the red veil from her face, and cautiously asked the person in front of her, "Your Highness Prince Zhao, where shall we go next?"

The bright sunlight shone into Feng Xingye's equally bright amber eyes. Although he was disguised, his eyes were still amber.

He pointed to the water flowing beneath his feet, "You and I will walk together along the waterway to the manor over there."

Xiao Fengyi looked eastward, following Feng Xingye's direction, and saw the residences of merchants from the East Market.

She had been to the East Market before, but had never entered that mansion, so she didn't know what it was like there, nor did she know who Feng Xingye was looking for.

After walking along the river for a while, the noise gradually faded into the distance.

After Xiao Fengyi followed Feng Xingye through the earthen walls, they headed deeper into the area.

The two arrived at a place that sold silverware and saw a girl wearing pink clothes.

Xiao Fengyi found it strange. Although this was the East Market, no one would come here unless they came specifically. This little girl was actually selling silverware here. She must be either bored or fishing like Jiang Taigong.

The girl was sitting behind the silverware stall playing with crickets. When she saw a man and a woman approaching, she put away the crickets and produced a knife from somewhere.

She raised her knife horizontally, pointing it at Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye, her cold eyes sweeping over them. "Who are you? What brings you here?"

This is a strange question. Isn't she running a business? Why can't people come?

Xiao Fengyi's suspicions about the silver shop deepened.

She deliberately stepped forward, picked up a silver lamp, and pretended to adore it. "Little girl, how much is this silver lamp?"

The little girl didn't return; instead, she continued to point the knife at Xiao Fengyi's cheek, saying, "Put down the silver lamp, or I'll slash your face."

The short knife beside his cheek was somewhat rusty, but it was still a deadly weapon for flesh and blood.

Xiao Fengyi could see the dagger out of the corner of her eye. She feigned confusion at the little girl's unfriendly attitude, saying, "Isn't this a silver shop? Why are you treating me like this when I'm asking about prices?"

"Request a quote?"

When the young girl saw that the person in front of her really wanted to buy silverware, she slowly put down the knife in her hand with some doubt.

Feng Xingye walked over to Xiao Fengyi and asked the little girl, "Where is your grandfather? He makes very good silverware. Are we here to see him?"

When she heard the man in front of her say "Grandpa," she put down all the knives in her hand, and the expression on her face softened instead of becoming as tough as before.

She shouted into the room behind her, "Grandpa, someone's here to buy your silverware!"

"Xiao Cong, bring them in." A not-so-old voice rang out, and the little girl named Xiao Cong led Xiao Fengyi and Gu Jingchen into the room.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fengyi felt that the little girl's attitude might have been instructed by her grandfather beforehand, and that anyone who came to buy silverware from her grandfather could enter.

As they walked up the creaking black staircase, Xiao Fengyi almost tripped over her long dress, but fortunately Feng Xingye helped her up.

When Xiao Cong saw Xiao Fengyi almost fall, he reminded her, "Be careful when you walk."

Although she still had that cold expression when she spoke, it was much better than her initial fierce attitude.

When they finally reached the third floor, Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye finally met Xiao Cong's grandfather.

Although he was addressed as "Grandpa," the man in front of him looked to be no more than thirty years old. He had jet-black hair, a tall and slender build, and did not appear old or hunched over like an elderly person.

Upon seeing Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye, this person smiled before even speaking.

"Xiao Cong told me you've come to buy silverware from me?"

Feng Xingye clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Mr. Qi, we are not actually here to buy silverware."

He spoke frankly, and Xiao Cong's grandfather didn't react much, but Xiao Cong felt angry, as if he had been deceived.

Xiao Cong looked at his grandfather and said, "These two tricked me."

"Don't be angry, listen to what they have to say," Grandpa comforted her, not angry at all.

Feng Xingye told them in a gentle tone, "We came here because we received a letter yesterday that said you had evidence of selling official positions. After I had someone investigate, I found that the letter was sent from this silver shop."

He made his purpose clear, causing Xiao Cong and his grandfather's expressions to change several times.

Grandpa Xiao Cong stepped forward, looking at Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye with curiosity.

"Are you people sent by Prince Zhao's residence?"

Upon hearing this question, Xiao Fengyi and Feng Xingye exchanged glances, neither of them seeming to intend to reveal their identities.

Feng Xingye calmly replied, "We are people close to the prince; he sent us to investigate."

After saying this, Grandpa Xiao Cong handed him a letter wrapped in a white envelope, which was placed inside the wooden box.

After receiving the letter, Feng Xingye and Xiao Fengyi read it over and over again. They found a name in it that was the earliest whistleblower in this case of selling official positions. He was also the top scorer in the imperial examination, but he was wrongly accused of cheating and his examination qualification was revoked.

Chen Zichen.

Feng Xingye pointed at the letter and asked incredulously, "Who exactly is this Chen Zichen to you...?"

Upon hearing Feng Xingye's question, Grandpa Xiao Cong burst into tears and choked out his identity to Feng Xingye.

“My name is Chen Ziming. Chen Zichen is my younger brother and also Xiao Cong’s father. I am not Xiao Cong’s grandfather, but her uncle.”