Chapter 130 She Is Worth It

When Zhong Shi was about to interrupt everything, he suddenly realized that Qiao Qingyun had fallen sound asleep, propping her head up with one hand as she leaned against the chair.

She certainly had not slept well the night before. After all, drinking so much had left her with a terrible headache, and every time she woke, she refused to drink the hangover remedy. She must have suffered quite a bit along the way.

Outside—

“My lord, they are inside the Qin Tone Pavilion,” Liu Fu reported to Yuan Zaichun from beside the carriage.

The man seated inside wore a yellow robe. His expression was dark, and his eyes remained tightly shut; he could not even be bothered to open them when he spoke.

“Who is with her?”

“Zhong Shi, Hong Ying, and Qing Luo.”

Fortunately, they were all familiar names, and Liu Fu listed them one by one. Yet a chill began to radiate from Yuan Zaichun.

“Zhong Shi?”

Liu Fu: …

It was over. He had said the wrong thing.

Ever since Zhong Shi had once outmaneuvered their master, Yuan Zaichun had learned his lesson and resolved never to make the first move again. But today, Qiao Qingyun had hurt him.

Liu Fu still remembered the gloomy, lifeless look on Yuan Zaichun’s face when he returned to the residence. He had never seen the man so dispirited.

The Crown Prince symbolized supreme power and the ability to command the winds and summon the rain. Who would have thought that Yuan Zaichun could be so awkward?

He clearly did not like Bu Shenglian, yet insisted on letting her remain in the residence.

He clearly cared about Qiao Qingyun, yet would rather protect her in secret than let anyone know what he had done.

As his subordinate, even Liu Fu could not help worrying over him.

Most men would be eager for Qiao Qingyun to know everything they had done for her. Yuan Zaichun alone was different.

He had shielded her from assassination attempts more than once, only to seal away all news of it afterward.

“Go inside and take a look.”

While Liu Fu was grumbling inwardly, he heard Yuan Zaichun’s order. He immediately pulled the carriage to the side and led Yuan Zaichun into the Qin Tone Pavilion.

The moment they entered, the sound of a zither drifted down from a private room on the second floor.

It was Jianli’s playing. Liu Fu recognized it at once.

There was no better zither player in the capital than Jianli.

“My lord?”

Liu Fu noticed Yuan Zaichun standing motionless, lost in thought, and could not help stepping forward to ask.

The man quickened his pace and headed straight for the room beside Qiao Qingyun’s.

His mood was thoroughly conflicted. The moment he sat down, Liu Fu immediately asked in a low voice, “Shall I go and bring the commandery princess—”

“I did not come here to see her. The music can simply be heard more clearly from this room.”

Liu Fu: …

He had never seen anyone better at twisting words than their master.

Watching Qiao Qingyun’s sleeping face, Zhong Shi could not bear to disturb the beauty of the moment. He gently supported the woman’s small face, then had the table removed.

Before everyone’s eyes, he laid Qiao Qingyun flat on the couch, untied the cloak around his shoulders, and draped it over her.

The sight inexplicably pricked Jianli’s eyes. Yet when he looked at Qiao Qingyun’s sleeping face, it seemed that nothing else mattered.

After sleeping for two full hours, Qiao Qingyun finally woke. She saw everyone seated in a row, waiting for her, while Jianli was still playing the zither. Her face flushed, and she struggled to sit up.

“Miss.”

Qing Luo immediately went forward to support her. Qiao Qingyun looked around in confusion.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Two hours, miss. Are you too tired?”

Jianli’s music came to an abrupt halt. He approached and took a small box from a drawer, placing it before Qiao Qingyun.

“If Your Highness is feeling unwell, you may try this.”

As he spoke, he handed the box over. His voice carried a faintly seductive quality. Qiao Qingyun froze for a moment, staring at the box in puzzlement before reaching out to take it. The instant she opened it, a delicate medicinal fragrance wafted toward her.

“What is this?”

“It is a medicine unique to Jianli’s homeland. Snow lotus from the Celestial Mountains has been added to it. It is highly nourishing for a woman’s body. Jianli brought it with him but has never had occasion to give it to anyone. Since fate has brought it to Your Highness, I shall present it to you.”

Snow lotus from the Celestial Mountains!

Qiao Qingyun nearly bit off her tongue.

He had to be joking!

Snow lotus from the Celestial Mountains cost ten measures of gold for every measure of the herb, yet it grew in Jianli’s homeland?

Was his home hidden deep within the snowy mountains?

Why had he come here?

At that moment, none of those questions mattered as much as the joy of obtaining such a priceless treasure.

“How much does it cost? Name your price. I will pay whatever you ask.”

Qiao Qingyun’s eyes sparkled as though she could not wait to buy everything in her hands.

Jianli’s lips curved faintly as he shook his head.

“Jianli values affinity, not money.”

Only then did Qiao Qingyun come to her senses. Indeed, a man who owned a place like the Qin Tone Pavilion could hardly be short of money.

“Then… since that is the case, I shall accept it with gratitude.”

With that, Qiao Qingyun unceremoniously tucked the medicine away, taking the box along with it.

Qing Luo watched the scene and nearly burst out laughing. Qiao Qingyun had not even left them the box.

After giving the page another piece of gold, Qiao Qingyun was escorted by Jianli to the entrance of the private room. He followed her downstairs, every movement impossibly graceful.

“I never expected to see you here as well.”

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. Qiao Qingyun’s entire body stiffened. She turned around with a frown and saw Yuan Zaichun standing not far away, a white paper fan in his hand and Liu Fu at his side.

Jianli was well versed in etiquette. He immediately bowed in greeting.

“Your Highness.”

“Hmm.”

Yuan Zaichun acknowledged him and walked toward Qiao Qingyun. Once he reached her, he cast a measuring glance at Zhong Shi. The tension between the two men was nearly explosive.

“Heh… I never imagined my little sister would have such a large appetite. One man is no longer enough?”

“You!”

Qiao Qingyun’s expression darkened. Seeing that several guests were standing nearby, however, she held herself back to avoid causing Jianli unnecessary trouble.

“If Your Highness wishes to make sarcastic remarks about me, feel free. But Master Jianli still has a business to run. Making a commotion here would hardly be appropriate.”

Hearing Qiao Qingyun defend Jianli, Yuan Zaichun was nearly driven mad with jealousy. He gave her a mocking smile.

“Yes, but would it not be enough if Master Jianli did business only with you?”

“Yuan Zaichun!”

Qiao Qingyun was so furious that she nearly struck him. Zhong Shi stood beside her, unable to retaliate only because she had forbidden him to do so.

“Hmph.”

The woman snorted coldly, then waved toward Jianli.

“I will come listen to you play again when I have the time.”

“Certainly.”

Hearing that he would have another chance to see Qiao Qingyun, Jianli could not help letting the corners of his lips rise. He nodded.

Flirting and trading barbs with another man in front of Yuan Zaichun was the greatest blow she could deal him.

The woman swept away. As a zither player, Jianli knew that Yuan Zaichun could not possibly make things difficult for him, so he followed them out of the Qin Tone Pavilion.

“My lord, why did you give her such a treasure?”

The page beside Jianli could no longer bear to watch. He immediately stepped forward and asked.

Jianli gazed at Qiao Qingyun’s departing figure and curved his lips.

“She is worth it.”