Chapter 067: Unmoved by Honor or Humiliation

After Song Ye left the room, Qin Xuanxi remained inside and did not immediately follow him. Song Ye thought to himself that Qin Xuanxi, currently posing as the princess of the royal mansion, would certainly not do anything too outrageous before the servants.

As he stepped into the main hall of the mansion, Song Ye saw two female Purple Yu Guards standing there. One was Qi Shuyi, who had just led him into the mansion, and the other was Qi Shuyu, whom Song Ye had also interacted with before—she was the one who had given Song Yan a packet of candied fruit.

Both women were tall and, standing side by side, bore a striking resemblance to each other. Song Ye had previously investigated Qi Shuyu’s cultivation; she was at the eighth tier of the Profound Realm. But he had not yet examined Qi Shuyi’s strength.

He quickly used his detection tool to inspect Qi Shuyi.

[Qi Shuyi: Second tier of the Void Spirit Realm]

Seeing the name "Qi Shuyi" displayed, Song Ye easily deduced that the two female Purple Yu Guards before him were sisters, which explained their similar appearance.

What surprised him, though, was Qi Shuyi’s cultivation. She had reached the second tier of the Void Spirit Realm—a rare level on this continent, usually reserved for masters of the clans and sects. That the Great Yu Temple of Li Kingdom was indeed a place of hidden talents; even a two-star Purple Yu Guard possessed such strength.

Fortunately, Song Ye’s own cultivation had already reached the fourth tier of the Void Spirit Realm, so even if both Qi sisters joined forces, they would not be his match. Still, they were not his enemies, and he needn’t worry about conflict.

At that moment, Qi Shuyu saw Song Ye emerging from the princess’s room and addressed him with a mocking tone:

“So, I underestimated you before. Who could have imagined that a lowly street patrol officer would have such means—managing to attach himself to the princess!”

Song Ye replied coolly, “I didn’t expect it myself.”

In truth, if Song Ye were to tell her that the person in the room was not the princess, but the actual Lord of the Abyss, she would be a hundred times more shocked. Of course, Song Ye knew that if he revealed the truth now, no one in the royal mansion would leave alive.

His response caught Qi Shuyu off guard. From his tone, it seemed less that he had schemed to attach himself to the princess, and more as if the princess herself had become entangled with him.

After Song Ye left, Qi Shuyu turned to her sister, Qi Shuyi:

“Sister, I’ve always wanted to ask—why didn’t you first take Song Ye to see the Prince, but instead brought him directly to the princess’s room?”

After all, the princess had yet to be married, and without the prince’s permission, allowing a stranger into her room was most improper and could damage her reputation.

Qi Shuyi answered with an indifferent expression, “It was the princess’s wish.”

“And was it the prince’s as well?” Qi Shuyu pressed.

Qi Shuyi was silent for a moment, then nodded, “Yes.”

Qi Shuyu frowned slightly, sensing her sister was hiding something. Her sister had escorted the prince from Luocheng to Yan City, but upon arrival, no one in the city had been informed beforehand. The prince’s party had even chosen to enter the city at night—highly unusual.

She had questioned her sister about this yesterday, but was told to wait, that the explanation would come in time. Thus, Qi Shuyu was certain something had happened during her sister’s escort of the prince.

When Song Ye exited the mansion, many of the city’s elite youth still lingered outside. As he stepped through the gates, Prefect Wang Demao asked, “Well, what did the prince say to you?”

“Nothing at all,” Song Ye answered truthfully. He hadn’t even met the prince.

Zhao Zhigao, standing nearby, was more curious about the mysterious princess he’d never seen. “Did you meet the princess?”

“I did,” Song Ye replied.

“What did she say to you?” Zhao pressed.

The others all listened intently, eager to know what transpired inside the prince’s mansion. But Song Ye replied mysteriously, “It’s not convenient to say.”

“Well, what does the princess look like? Surely you can tell us that!” Zhao asked again.

The surrounding nobles immediately perked up, as curious as Zhao about the elusive princess who had never shown herself.

Song Ye, still enigmatic, answered, “Actually, you’ve seen her before.”

“I have?” Zhao was stunned. “When? Where?”

Song Ye continued to speak in riddles, “Guess.”

The crowd of eavesdropping nobles was nearly beside themselves with frustration. They had waited outside the mansion for so long, only to be met with Song Ye’s evasive replies: “It’s not convenient to say,” and “Guess!” They wished they could teach him a lesson right then and there.

But Song Ye had been summoned by the prince himself, earning the mansion’s protection. No one dared lay a hand on him outside the gates.

“Prefect, Brother Zhao, I must return to my patrol. If I don’t, the vendors will turn East Market into chaos and block the streets!”

With that, Song Ye picked up Song Yan from the ground and left.

Wang Demao stroked his goatee, watching Song Ye’s departing figure with admiration.

“Zhao Zhigao, your recommendation was excellent. He just came from seeing the prince, but shows not a hint of arrogance, and has not forgotten his duty. He truly remains calm in both honor and disgrace, as serene as the clouds.”

…

The next day,

Clang! Clang! The morning gong sounded through the small courtyard as usual.

From inside came Song Ye’s shout, “Hei, I’m up already, stop banging!”

Song Ye quickly got out of bed and hurried to the neighboring room, scooped up the sleepy-eyed Song Yan, and took her to wash, all in one smooth motion.

Once finished, the siblings headed off to the magistrate’s office together.

But as they arrived outside the prefecture, they saw two Purple Yu Guards inexplicably standing watch.

Song Ye felt a vague sense of unease.

Just then, he suddenly triggered a chance encounter mission.

Beep! Chance encounter mission triggered!

Beep! Chance encounter mission: [Social Engagement]

[Social Engagement]: Accompany the fake princess for a sumptuous breakfast!

Mission reward: Dharma Draw Ticket!

Upon seeing the mission, Song Ye immediately understood why there were two Purple Yu Guards at the entrance. The “fake princess” mentioned in the mission was of course Qin Xuanxi. Clearly, Qin Xuanxi was already inside waiting for him, and had likely prepared a lavish breakfast for him in the office.