cold clothes

Leng Yi went to her room to pack her things. The first thing she had to do was take money. She wanted to take some copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins. She was someone who was always ready to escape.

Secondly, there is his own soft sword, which can be wrapped around his waist as decoration, and can also be used to defend himself when necessary—or perhaps to commit suicide.

Finally, Leng Yi found the jade pendant that Zhao Qun had given her, as well as the one that Zhao Yin had given her, which Leng Yi had hidden in an even more secret place.

Heaven knows she made a mechanism on the bedpost to hide the jade pendant, carving it little by little with the tools that Lingcao secretly brought. She has to thank Granny Fengxianglou for teaching her this skill.

Leng Yi took out the jade pendant Zhao Yin had given her, her eyes filled with conflict.

Does she really need to carry this jade pendant in the shape of a token even when she goes to the Third Prince's territory? Although this jade pendant doesn't have the Fifth Prince's exclusive pattern, it might arouse suspicion if someone discovers that she, a mere woman, is hiding it...

Her heart felt as heavy as a stone sinking into water. After a moment of contemplation, Leng Yi made up her mind to give the jade pendant to Qing You so that he could pass it on to Zhao Yin.

After packing her things, Lengyi received a message from Lingcao saying that Xiahua had come to see her. Even if Xiahua hadn't come, Lengyi had planned to meet her anyway, saving herself the trouble of making the trip.

A moment later, Leng Yi and Xia Hua sat facing each other in the tea room, and Ling Cao brewed tea for them. The rising steam from the hot water blurred their vision. Leng Yi's blue eyes were calm, while Xia Hua had dark circles under her eyes, adding a touch of melancholy.

After Lingcao served the tea and left, the atmosphere in the room lingered for a moment before Lengyi broke the silence by speaking first.

"Mother Hu is imprisoned, what do you plan to do?"

Xia Hua's almond-shaped eyes darkened slightly as she said, "Although Fengxiang Tower is gone, my cousin and I will continue our plans. Zuiyuxuan is my cousin's business." Xia Hua's voice was much hoarse, as if she had experienced many things.

It turned out that Zuiyuxuan was owned by Zhao Yin, which didn't surprise Leng Yi at all.

"I'm entrusting you with the task of being an undercover agent for the Third Prince from now on. I think my cousin has his own plans for you." Xia Hua paused slightly when she said "entrusting," and her expression became a little complicated.

Speaking of Zhao Yin, Leng Yi felt a lump in her throat and could only say, "I will."

"Then how should I contact you?"

"You might have to ask my cousin about this... Although I am nominally the heir to Fengxianglou, all the power is in my cousin's hands. As for you, probably only my cousin can give you orders."

Leng Yi was taken aback and blurted out, "Are you being controlled by Yin Jiu?"

"Yin Jiu?"

"Uh, it's Zhao Yin." Leng Yi bit her lip, surprised that she would say that name in front of others.

Xia Hua smiled faintly, "You and your cousin have a really deep connection."

Leng Yi pursed her lips and remained silent.

Xia Hua's gaze drifted elsewhere before returning, and she said, "Control? I wouldn't call it that. He's a prince, and also my older brother. His status and power are greater than mine. It's only natural that I obey him."

"It's no longer the time when everyone revolves around me."

Xia Hua's eyes betrayed her bitterness as she spoke, but she quickly rallied.

Summer flowers really impressed Leng Yi.

"Why do you look at me with such newfound respect?" Xia Hua seemed to be able to read minds.

"Really?" Leng Yi asked, puzzled.

“Yes, your expression never hides your thoughts. When I first met you, I really disliked your expression. I felt that you were inferior to me in every way, so why did you look down on me like that?” Xia Hua chuckled. “I was actually worried about whether you could be an undercover agent. I might be better at it than you… but now it seems that you are very suitable.”

"why?"

"Because you don't look clumsy like an undercover agent, even if you look preoccupied, people will only think that you have some kind of hardship and are silently enduring it, and they won't think that you are scheming."

"I'll take that as a compliment on my kind appearance," Leng Yi said, slightly embarrassed.

"hehe."

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn to pass while talking with Xia Hua is over. The Third Prince is probably still waiting for her in the carriage, so Leng Yi won't linger any longer. After parting ways with Xia Hua, she went to Langya Pavilion to look for Qing You, but she didn't find him.

Lengyi had no choice but to place the jade pendant on the desk, hoping that Qingyou would understand her meaning.

What she didn't know was that after she left, Zhao Yin first saw the jade pendant on the desk. It was a jade pendant he had specially made for Leng Yi, so he could recognize it at a glance.

Upon seeing the jade pendant, Zhao Yin's expression turned menacing, but a moment later he revealed a wicked smile. Of course, that's a story for another time.