Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 3 Undercurrent

The night in the capital was quiet and deep. The Prince's mansion was utterly silent, save for the flickering candlelight in Xia Lijuan's courtyard. Zhang Peng dismissed the guards and, alone, hid in the shadows of the flowers, silently observing Xia Lijuan's every move.

Xia Lijuan carefully took out a small, carved box from her bosom, opened it, and took out a yellowed letter. In the dim candlelight, her eyes turned cold and sharp, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips—a smile completely different from the gentle demeanor she usually displayed in front of Zhang Peng. Zhang Peng's heart sank; his intuition told him that this seemingly fragile woman was hiding a dark secret.

Suddenly, a night breeze blew in, making the window creak. Xia Lijuan looked up alertly, her eyes quickly scanning her surroundings, then swiftly stuffed the letter back into the box and hid it in a secret compartment under the bed. Zhang Peng hurriedly hid behind the artificial hill, barely daring to breathe. After waiting for a long time, making sure Xia Lijuan hadn't noticed him, he slowly straightened up, his heart filled with doubt and unease.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room, but Zhang Peng had no heart to appreciate the beautiful view. He sat in his study, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, his mind filled with the scenes he had witnessed the previous night. Just then, there was a soft knock at the door, and Xia Lijuan's voice came through: "Your Highness, are you inside? Lijuan has brought you some refreshments." Zhang Peng quickly pulled himself together and said, "Come in."

Xia Lijuan pushed open the door and entered. She was dressed in a light blue dress, with a small white flower tucked into her hair, and still had that gentle and charming appearance. She placed the pastries on the table and said with a smile, "Your Highness, these are osmanthus cakes that Lijuan made herself. Please try some." Zhang Peng looked at her, his heart filled with mixed feelings, but he still forced a smile, picked up a piece of cake, put it in his mouth, and praised, "Hmm, it tastes good. You still understand my taste best."

Xia Lijuan sat down beside Zhang Peng and poured him a cup of tea. Inadvertently, her sleeve slipped down, revealing a red birthmark on her wrist. Zhang Peng's heart skipped a beat. He remembered reading in an ancient book that members of a mysterious organization all wore such red birthmarks as a mark. Could Xia Lijuan be connected to that organization? Zhang Peng's eyes deepened, and he asked casually, "Lijuan, how did you get that birthmark on your wrist?"

Xia Lijuan's expression changed slightly, but she quickly returned to normal. She gently covered her wrist and said with a smile, "I've had this since I was a child. There's nothing special about it. Why did you suddenly ask about this, Your Highness?" Zhang Peng smiled and said, "I was just a little curious."

The two chatted for a while longer before Xia Lijuan got up to leave. Watching her departing figure, Zhang Peng's eyes turned cold. He decided that he must find an opportunity tonight to see what Xia Lijuan had written on the letter hidden in the secret compartment.

Night fell again, shrouding the Prince's mansion in darkness. Zhang Peng quietly arrived at Xia Lijuan's courtyard. After confirming that no one was around, he gently pushed open the door. A faint fragrance filled the room. Zhang Peng carefully walked to the bedside, squatted down, and groped his way to the hidden compartment.

His heart pounded as he opened the hidden compartment and took out the carved box. He took a deep breath, opened the box, and took out the letter. By the moonlight, he could see the contents of the letter, which was filled with confidential information about the Prince's mansion and some plans targeting him. Zhang Peng's face turned ashen. He never imagined that the woman he loved so deeply was actually an enemy lurking beside him.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhang Peng quickly put the letter and box back in their places and hid behind the bed. The door was pushed open, and Xia Lijuan walked in. She went straight to the bedside, opened the hidden compartment, and breathed a sigh of relief when she found that the contents had not been touched.

Zhang Peng emerged from behind the bed and said coldly, "Xia Lijuan, what else do you have to say?" Xia Lijuan was startled. She looked at Zhang Peng, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Your Highness, you've misunderstood. This isn't what you see."

Zhang Peng sneered, "Misunderstanding? It's all clearly written on these letters. Who are you? Why are you approaching me?" Xia Lijuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly knelt on the ground, crying, "My lord, I had no choice. I was an orphan adopted by that organization. They threatened to kill me if I didn't do what they demanded. I approached you only to complete my mission and escape their control. But, during the time I spent with you, I truly fell in love with you, and I don't want to do anything to hurt you anymore."

Zhang Peng looked at her, his heart filled with conflict. He didn't know whether he should believe Xia Lijuan's words, but seeing her tear-streaked face, he couldn't bear it. He sighed and said, "Get up. I'll believe you this time for now. But you must tell me everything you know, otherwise, I won't let you off easily."

Xia Lijuan nodded quickly and told Zhang Peng about the mysterious organization and their plans in detail. After listening, Zhang Peng's expression became very serious. He knew that a huge crisis was approaching him and the Prince's Mansion.