Who understands? He traveled through time with a high-spec spatial ability.

Dongping tilted her head and thought for a moment, "It seems...it seems I've heard my uncle mention this word before." Suddenly, her eyes widened, "That's right! The Crown Prince's chief guard came back the day before yesterday to report that everything was arranged, right there at 'Qingyun Pavilion'!"

Qiao Jingjing's fingertips turned cold. Qingyun Pavilion was Tantai Zhou's secret stronghold on the outskirts of the city, known only to a very few trusted confidants. If Xiao Jingrui even knew this, there must be a traitor among Tantai Zhou's men.

"Sister Qiao?" Dongping called out anxiously, "Your face is so pale..."

Qiao Jingjing forced herself to remain calm: "It's nothing, I just suddenly feel a little dizzy." She forced a smile, "Princess, you helped me a lot today."

Dongping was confused, but seeing Qiao Jingjing's smile, he smiled too, as innocent and naive as a little flower facing the sun. Qiao Jingjing felt a pang of pain in her heart—she was taking advantage of this child's innocence.

Faced with family feuds and national hatred, she had no other choice.

“Princess, it’s time for you to go back,” Qiao Jingjing said softly. “Your royal uncle will worry if it gets too late.”

Dongping reluctantly stood up: "Can I come again tomorrow?"

“Of course.” Qiao Jingjing straightened her slightly disheveled clothes. “You’re welcome anytime.”

After seeing Dongping off, Qiao Jingjing quickly locked the shop door and took out a jade token from a hidden compartment.

This is an emergency communication token for the Prince Chen's residence; holding this token grants direct access to the secret chambers of the residence.

She had just turned around when she heard soft footsteps coming from the backyard. Qiao Jingjing tensed up and silently pulled out her hairpin, holding it in her hand.

"it's me."

The familiar voice brought a sigh of relief to Qiao Jingjing. Tantai Zhou emerged from the shadows, his expression grave: "Jingjing, something's happened."

"Xiao Rui knows about Qingyun Pavilion," Qiao Jingjing cut to the chase. "There's a traitor among you."

Tantai Zhou's expression changed drastically: "How did you know?"

“Princess Dongping,” Qiao Jingjing replied briefly, “Xiao Rui has been away from the team for several days, plotting something, and his target is very likely you.”

Tantai Zhou paced back and forth. "No wonder the spies reported today that the Northern Qi's secret guards were active near Qingyun Pavilion." He suddenly stopped. "Jingjing, do you know why Xiao Rui is so obsessed with you?"

Qiao Jingjing shook her head.

“Because he knows who you are.” Tantai Zhou’s voice was low.

"The various decrees recently issued by the imperial court are more or less related to you, especially the Ministry of Revenue's business, the opening of border trade, and the recent major defeat of the Yan Kingdom—you were involved in every single one of them. I suspect they must have discovered something to resort to such a desperate measure."

Qiao Jingjing was struck dumb: "This...how is this possible?"

Seeing Qiao Jingjing's shocked expression, Tantai Zhou reached out and grasped her shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "Don't be hasty, it's just speculation for now. But since Xiao Rui has made this move, he must have come prepared."

Li Yan emerged from the shadows. "It seems the traitor holds a high position. Your Highness, the most urgent task is to first find the traitor within the palace, and then thwart Xiao Rui's conspiracy."

A cold glint flashed in Tantai Zhou's eyes. "The meeting at Qingyun Pavilion tonight must be canceled, but we must turn the tables..."

The three discussed their strategy in hushed tones as the sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward. Qiao Jingjing glanced at the doorway from time to time, Dongping's innocent smiling face appearing before her eyes, making her chest feel tight.

Qiao Jingjing took a deep breath and quickly calmed down. "I have been in contact with Princess Dongping. She is simple-minded. Perhaps I can try to get some more information from her."

Tantai Zhou frowned. "This is too risky. Xiao Rui won't easily let Dongping leak important information."

Just then, a guard rushed in and knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, we have discovered the whereabouts of Crown Prince Xiao Rui of Northern Qi. He is heading towards Qingyun Pavilion, and he is accompanied by many experts."

Tantai Zhou's eyes sharpened. "It seems they're about to make their move. Li Yan, you stay here to protect Jingjing. I'm going to meet Xiao Rui."

Qiao Jingjing grabbed him, "I'll go with you, I can help too." Tantai Zhou hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Okay."

“By the way, Tantai Zhou,” she suddenly stopped, “Princess Dongping…she truly believes her mother was murdered by the Liang Kingdom.”

Li Yan was silent for a moment: "Xiao Jingrui is exploiting a little girl's hatred."

"Could we...could we become like them?" Qiao Jingjing's voice trembled.

Tantai Zhou grasped her cold hand: "We are doing this for justice."

Qiao Jingjing gazed at the darkening sky outside the window, her heart filled with confusion. What exactly is justice? Is it exploiting a child's innocence? Or is it being willing to pay any price for revenge?

“I’ll go to Qingyun Pavilion tomorrow night,” she finally said. “Xiao Rui wants to see me, so I’ll give him this surprise.”

Just as Li Yan was about to object, Qiao Jingjing raised her hand to stop her: "Bring Princess Dongping along."

"What?"

“If Xiao Rui really is going to give me a ‘surprise’ as Dong Ping says,” Qiao Jingjing’s eyes flashed with determination, “then let his most beloved sister see for herself what kind of person her revered Crown Prince brother really is.”

As dusk settled, the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon. Qiao Jingjing stood by the window, watching the lights that illuminated the direction of the inn.

She didn't know if the little girl who called her "Sister Qiao" would still look at her with such pure eyes after tomorrow night.

But some paths, once chosen, cannot be reversed.