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

Outside the carriage, the moonlight was like water.

Through her tear-filled eyes, Dongping saw Qiao Jingjing's profile as she looked out the window, a profile filled with a resolute sadness that Dongping couldn't decipher.

Golden vines entwine the vermilion pillars of the nine-tiered palace, and a hundred black vermilion lanterns illuminate the hall as if it were daytime.

After staying at the banquet in the palace for a while, Emperor Xuanjing said he was tired and returned to his palace with Empress Zhao Yunyao to rest, leaving the main part of the banquet to his son, Tantai Zhou.

Qiao Jingjing knelt behind the jade table, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the raised and recessed intertwined branches pattern on the silver-gilt wine vessel—this was the highest-standard nine-branched intertwined cup used by the Liang Kingdom to receive foreign guests, and each line of the pattern subtly matched the royal emblem.

"Miss Qiao seems quite interested in this wine vessel?" Xiao Rui's voice suddenly came from the right.

As he poured wine for her, the scent of ambergris mixed with a bitter almond aroma from his sleeves wafted into her nostrils.

Qiao Jingjing caught a glimpse of the jade thumb ring on his thumb—it was engraved with the wolf head totem of the Northern Qi royal family using micro-carving techniques, and it shimmered with a faint blue light.

"Your Highness is too kind," she said, raising her wine cup in a polite gesture. The amber liquid rippled in the cup. "It's just that I recall the 'Records of Strange Things' which states that this gilding technique changes color when exposed to poison." The instant the wine touched her lips, she keenly noticed the almost imperceptible tremor in Xiao Jingrui's eyelashes.

In the center of the main hall, a dancer was performing "The Song of Breaking the Enemy's Formation with Rainbow Skirts." As the twelve gold-embroidered gauze skirts spun open, they revealed gleaming silver blades on the tips of her embroidered shoes.

Suddenly, Tantai Zhou pressed down on Qiao Jingjing's wrist under the table. There was a fresh bloodstain on his palm—the silver tamper that the servant had handed him had torn the silk pad when he was testing for poison.

When the nineteenth drop of the water clock fell at the corner of the palace, the master of ceremonies suddenly announced: "Bring in—shad sashimi—" Eight maids entered in single file, carrying a gilded lacquer box.

Qiao Jingjing noticed a crescent-shaped scar on the inside of the third maid's wrist—a mark left by the Northern Qi assassins who used branding irons to remove tattoos.

As the lacquer box passed in front of Xiao Jingrui, the light reflected from the gold knob on the lid pierced Tantai Zhou's eyes.

"I've heard that His Highness Prince Chen has recently taken a liking to shad?" He picked up a piece of snow-white shad, dipped it lightly in the ginger and vinegar dish, and...

"It's a pity that the fattest July shad are hidden beneath the whirlpools of Yunmeng Marsh." As the fish sashimi entered his mouth, he chuckled lightly, his tongue pressed against his teeth: "Just like... the Salt and Iron Decree newly issued by your Ministry of Revenue."

Tantai Zhou put down his chopsticks, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Crown Prince Xiao seems to care a lot about the Salt and Iron Regulations of my Liang Kingdom. However, this shad sashimi, though fresh, can harbor many hidden dangers if not handled properly."

His gaze swept over the maids, seemingly with a specific intention.

Xiao Rui's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Your Highness Prince Chen is overthinking it. This fish sashimi must have been carefully prepared by a master chef from Liang Kingdom."

At this moment, Qiao Jingjing suddenly coughed lightly, clutched her stomach, and looked pained. "This...this fish sashimi..." she said weakly.

A hint of smugness flashed in Xiao Rui's eyes, but he pretended to be concerned and said, "Miss Qiao, have you eaten something bad? Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Tantai Zhou remained calm and unhurried, pretending to take a small bottle from his sleeve, pour out a pill, and feed it to Qiao Jingjing. "After eating it, it seems someone can't hold back any longer." He looked coldly at Xiao Rui.

Xiao Rui's face turned ashen. Just as he was about to speak in his defense, a group of guards rushed into the hall. Leading them was none other than Zhai Yizhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. "His Majesty has decreed a thorough investigation of all suspicious persons in the hall!"

Half an hour later, Zhai Yizhi clasped his hands and said to Xiao Rui, "Thank you for cooperating with my mission, Crown Prince of Northern Qi. I was very rude just now. I was just doing my duty and had no choice. I hope Your Highness will forgive me. It has now been found that the county princess's poisoning has nothing to do with Your Highness. Please move to the post station for accommodation."

Xiao Rui snorted coldly and left in a huff.

Qiao Jingjing had already recovered and looked at Tantai Zhou with admiration in her eyes. "You were prepared?" Qiao Jingjing asked.

Tantai Zhou smiled slightly: "Although I haven't eaten the fish sashimi, I've already noticed something. Besides, I'm sure Xiao Rui will make a move."

At this moment, Zhai Yizhi stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, those Northern Qi assassins have been apprehended, and poison was found on their bodies. However, the mastermind behind this is likely someone else."

Tantai Zhou pondered for a moment: "First, put them in jail and interrogate them severely."

After Zhai Yizhi withdrew, the two exchanged a glance and nodded in unison. Qiao Jingjing pulled Tantai Zhou into the space, instantly teleporting to Qingyun Pavilion.

Just now, in order to act convincingly, she ate a small chili pepper, and her face turned red and she was sweating. I must say, she really did look quite convincing.

Taking an ice cream to cool herself down, Tantai Zhou, who had never seen anything like it before, took a bite of the one Qiao Jingjing had eaten and was immediately amazed by its milky and sweet taste.

This is Qiao Jingjing's favorite cantaloupe flavor.

The night was as dark as ink, and outside Qingyun Pavilion, the wind howled like cranes.

Qiao Jingjing and Tantai Zhou hid in the dark space of the pavilion. Through the gaps in the window, they could clearly see Xiao Jingrui leading a team of Northern Qi guards as they quietly approached.

They were dressed in black, with daggers gleaming at their waists, clearly indicating they had come prepared.

"They've come as expected," Tantai Zhou said in a low voice, his eyes growing even colder.

Qiao Jingjing pulled him out of the space: "It seems the mole has revealed our whereabouts for tonight."

She clutched the jade token in her sleeve, her heart pounding like a drum. Her gaze swept across the pavilion, and she suddenly noticed an oil lamp in the corner—its wick was faintly bluish, clearly tampered with.

"Oh no!" She grabbed Tantai Zhou's sleeve abruptly. "There's poisonous smoke in the lamp!"

Before the words were finished, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out outside the pavilion, followed by several rockets that pierced the sky and shot straight at Qingyun Pavilion!

"Boom—" The kerosene ignited upon contact with fire, and the entire attic was instantly engulfed in flames!

"Let's go!" Tantai Zhou grabbed Qiao Jingjing's waist and leaped out of the window. As soon as they landed, a loud crash of collapsing wooden beams came from behind them, and the heat wave burned their skin.

Xiao Rui stood outside the firelight, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Your Highness Prince Chen, how have you been?"

Tantai Zhou pointed his sword directly at Xiao Jingrui and said in a cold voice, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's visit late at night, bringing with him kerosene and poisonous smoke, what a grand display."

Xiao Rui's smile remained unchanged: "I only came to investigate because I heard that Qingyun Pavilion had evidence of Prince Chen's treason. I never expected... that someone would try to kill me to silence me."

Qiao Jingjing's heart skipped a beat—Xiao Rui was about to turn the tables! If he were to confirm Tantai Zhou's crime of "destroying evidence," the Liang court would surely be thrown into chaos!

Just then, a petite figure rushed out from the shadows and pounced on Xiao Jingrui!

"Crown Prince!" Princess Dongping clutched Xiao Jingrui's sleeve tightly, her voice trembling. "You lied to me! You said you were just here to see Sister Qiao, so why did you set the fire?!"