ASTRP -Chapter 29 Prince Yu Makes His Appearance

Xiao Jinghan parted ways with Feng Jinge and headed back toward Qinxin Residence. As he passed a corner, someone suddenly darted out.

Caught off guard, Xiao Jinghan collided with the person.

At the moment of impact, he felt something being slipped into his hand.

Lowering his gaze, he saw a slip of paper in his palm. He unfolded it.

Written on it were the words: Tonight at You hour, the usual place. See you there.

“The usual place?”

Xiao Jinghan stared at those three words as a chill gathered in his eyes, freezing over.

“Your Highness.”

Ning An, who had been hidden in the shadows, appeared.

Xiao Jinghan crumpled the note in his palm. With a light squeeze, it instantly turned into scraps.

With a gentle blow, the fragments scattered into the air.

Reflected in his eyes, he parted his lips slightly and coldly asked, “Did you follow them?”

Ning An felt the temperature around him plummet.

He froze—the Prince is angry?!

Was it the contents of the note that angered him?

Suppressing his doubts, Ning An replied, “We’re already on their trail.”

“Find out who they are.”

Xiao Jinghan spoke coldly, and the image of the man in white from earlier that morning surfaced in his mind again.

His instincts told him that man had a close relationship with Feng Jinge.

He added, “Also, investigate the identity of the man in white who was on the third floor across from Xinghua Tower this morning.”

“Yes.”

“Report back the moment you find anything.”

“Yes.”

Ning An bowed his head and left.

Thinking of the words “the usual place,” Xiao Jinghan felt an inexplicable fire raging in his chest, crashing wildly with nowhere to vent.

Damn it!

Carrying that anger, Xiao Jinghan returned to Qinxin Residence.

In less than half a quarter hour, Ning An returned with news.

All bad.

First, they had lost track of the person.

Second, the teahouse owner said there hadn’t been any guests on the third floor at all.

After hearing this, Xiao Jinghan neither raged nor showed anger. His expression was calm like still water—so calm it felt unnatural.

But Ning An, who knew his temperament well, understood that the Prince—who never showed emotions openly—was truly enraged.

Carefully, he asked, “Your Highness, shall we mobilize—”

Xiao Jinghan interrupted, “Making a big move would only alert the enemy.”

Ning An frowned. “Then…”

“Wait.”

Xiao Jinghan uttered a single word. “Wait for the second letter.”

Ning An fell silent.

Xiao Jinghan then asked about Feng Qiancheng, “Has Feng Qiancheng been sent back?”

“He’s already returned to the Feng residence.”

“But shortly after Minister Feng returned, Madam Feng led a group of servants out in great fanfare. It’s said they’re heading toward Xinghua Tower.”

“Heh…” Xiao Jinghan let out a cold chuckle. “Pass a message to Xinghua Tower. Tell them that, out of consideration for Madam Feng’s deep love for her daughter, I permit her to share the burden on behalf of her daughter Feng Yunxiao.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ning An turned to leave.

After taking a couple of steps, he seemed to recall something and turned back. “By the way, Your Highness, Young Master Su secretly took Miss Feng out of the residence.”

—

As the lanterns lit up, the long street bustled with people, and vendors’ calls rose and fell in waves.

Feng Jinge and Su Xiu, having eaten and drunk their fill, walked side by side along the street.

Feng Jinge glanced at Su Xiu and asked, “Should we head back now?”

Su Xiu rolled his eyes. “Could you use your brain a little?”

“We snuck out. If you go back now, won’t you get caught red-handed?”

“If we’re going back, it’ll have to be at midnight—climb the wall quietly.”

Feng Jinge halted mid-step. “…”

They just came out for a meal, and now she had to climb a wall to get back?!

If she’d known, she might as well have waited for Xiao Jinghan to feed her!

“Then how about I—”

Su Xiu, fanning himself, glanced to the side.

But when he looked again, “Xiao Jinghan” was nowhere beside him.

His heart leapt to his throat. He quickly turned back and saw “Xiao Jinghan” standing not far behind.

Hurrying over, he lowered his voice and began scolding Feng Jinge.

“Why didn’t you follow? What are you doing standing here? You’re not familiar with this place—if you get lost, we’re in trouble!”

Feng Jinge said calmly, “I’m sleepy. I want to sleep.”

“…I’ll take you somewhere. I guarantee you won’t feel sleepy anymore.”

“What place—”

Before she could finish, Su Xiu grabbed her arm and dragged her forward.

They pushed through the bustling crowd and turned into another street.

Before long, the laughter and calls of women grew clearer.

“Sir, come have some fun!”

“Sir, does this fragrance on me smell nice?”

“Sir, come sit for a while~”

“Sir—”

As the saying goes, even if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve at least seen pigs run.

The moment Feng Jinge heard those flirtatious voices, her 21st-century mind instantly understood—Su Xiu was not taking her somewhere decent.

Her expression darkened, and she snapped coldly, “Stop!”

Su Xiu halted and turned back. “What’s wrong? We’re almost there.”

“The place you’re talking about is a brothel?”

Feng Jinge gritted her teeth, wishing she could tear Su Xiu apart.

If Xiao Jinghan ever found out she’d gone to a brothel while using his body, he’d probably skin her alive!

Su Xiu clicked his tongue, his gaze changing instantly. “Oh? Didn’t expect that!”

Feng Jinge frowned. “Didn’t expect what?”

Covering his face with his fan, Su Xiu leaned closer.

“Didn’t expect a sheltered young lady like you—who never steps beyond her gates—to even know the word ‘brothel.’”

“You’re in a man’s body now. Don’t you want to experience a man’s pleasures?”

Feng Jinge’s face darkened. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

Su Xiu, having taken the slap head-on, grew furious. “Why did you hit me?!”

Feng Jinge’s eyes turned icy. “You said—”

A voice suddenly cut in, “Royal Uncle.”

Feng Jinge and Su Xiu instinctively turned toward the sound.

The newcomer wore a dark robe, holding a jade fan, with two attendants behind him.

The moment Su Xiu saw his face, his head throbbed—why is it this guy?!

From their brief encounter last night, he had already felt something off about the way this man looked at him.

Being stared at like that sent chills down his spine.

Even… made his scalp tingle.

Feng Jinge frowned slightly.

She had seen this man before.

Outside the young emperor’s chambers.

She remembered clearly—Grand Tutor Yuan and Imperial Uncle Pei had both saluted her, but this man had not.

She had been in a hurry to see the emperor and hadn’t paid attention then.

The man smiled as he met her gaze and stepped forward. Stopping before her, he bowed.

“Greetings, Royal Uncle.”

The two attendants followed suit. “Greetings, Regent Prince.”

Since Su Xiu had been disguised as a guard when Prince Yu met him the previous night, he had no choice but to continue the act to avoid suspicion.

Lowering his head, he saluted. “Greetings, Prince Yu.”

Prince Yu’s gaze fell on Su Xiu. His brow lifted, and his smile deepened.

“So it’s you?”

“Today, Ning An and Qing Shan are not here. Royal Uncle only has you by his side—are you capable?”

Su Xiu stiffened but replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate is capable.”

“As long as you are.”