CMWKSD -Chapter 225 Northern Barbarian Spy

“What does it look like?”

Shen Zongsheng was thinking about how to make Jiu Yue give up the idea.

If that didn’t work, he’d have to take the man back himself. There was no way Jiu Yue could take him back—otherwise, he’d be letting Brother Ji down.

“It looks like Ji Yiqing.”

The moment Shen Zongsheng heard Ji Yiqing’s name, he finally came back to his senses, no longer lost in thought. He began to scrutinize the man in front of him again.

Because Jiu Yue never acted without reason.

Just as he was about to look closer, the man tilted his chin slightly, avoiding the tip of Jiu Yue’s sword, then knelt down, begging for his life.

But Shen Zongsheng had already heard Jiu Yue’s words.

Neither of them paid attention to the kneeling man anymore—they started discussing things among themselves.

“What does Your Highness mean?”

“From that angle just now, he looked most like Ji Yiqing. You see…”

Shen Zongsheng tilted his head, his gaze darkening as he fixed his eyes on the man on the ground.

“What?”

Bang!

The man’s hand, pressed against the floor as he kowtowed, was pierced directly by the tip of Jiu Yue’s sword, pinned firmly to the floor.

“Ahhhhhhh!!”

The surrounding screams drowned out the man’s painful shrieks entirely.

“Who sent you?”

The chaotic noise around made Jiu Yue feel irritated—she couldn’t even hear herself asking clearly.

She clicked her tongue and rose in an instant.

She kicked the men behind the kneeling man—those who were trying to flee—straight from the upper floor onto a table below. Their fate was unknown.

“Shut up!”

All the guests in the building immediately clamped their mouths shut.

Lady Xuyu was ferocious. One simple, brutal move, and now no one dared make a sound.

Shen Zongsheng quickly ordered several men to surround the men behind the kneeling man.

The man knelt on the floor, trying to pull at the sword with one hand. His cries now sounded sincere.

Jiu Yue sat back down: “Who sent you?”

The man, in pain, gasped: “H-Highness… Your Highness… I… I’m from Dujia Village, Anhe County, Qingzhou…”

Jiu Yue didn’t listen and kicked him again.

The man lost strength, falling backward. His hand was sliced clean through by the sword with a swish, and he fell onto the ground with a wail, the hand dangling in a pool of blood.

Jiu Yue stepped forward and stomped on the man’s injured hand: “Who sent you?”

Blood spread under her shoe like a blooming flower, staining the floor red.

The man was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked—he looked both exquisite and miserable. Even the small mole on his collarbone appeared brighter and redder.

“Someone from the Northern Barbarians?”

The man’s pupils shrank.

Shen Zongsheng, however, heard: “Your Highness, he…”

“He’s a spy.”

Jiu Yue said no more, but Shen Zongsheng trusted her: “I’ll have someone—”

“To the Jingzhao Prefecture to handle the case! All others step back.”

Shen Zongsheng turned sharply to see Shao Qing, who often accompanied Jiu Yue, arriving with officials from Jingzhao Prefecture.

The prefect of Jingzhao was running, drenched in sweat. Shao Qing had brought Jiu Yue’s token—he had no choice but to come personally.

Jiu Yue removed her foot from the man’s hand.

“This Northern Barbarian spy, take him back for questioning. Don’t injure or kill him.”

The prefect: “Huh?”

Jiu Yue turned to Shen Zongsheng: “The day after tomorrow is the first day of the Special Training Camp. This is our teaching tool.”

Shen Zongsheng: ???

The prefect: “Teaching tool?”

Jiu Yue pointed to the man on the ground: “Yes, a teaching tool!”

Everyone drew a deep breath.

Shen Zongsheng finally realized—Jiu Yue had just glanced at the man and immediately confirmed he was a spy, then arranged for Shao Qing to bring officials from Jingzhao Prefecture.

No wonder he hadn’t seen Shao Qing before.

And he had foolishly thought Jiu Yue was captivated by the man’s looks—his mistake.

During his illness, he had been self-reproachful and careless, even entertaining such dirty thoughts about Jiu Yue.

It was all his fault. His guard had completely dropped. He shouldn’t have—it was completely wrong!

Thinking this, Shen Zongsheng immediately cupped his hands and apologized: “It’s my fault. I assumed the worst of you, misjudging your heart…”

Jiu Yue glanced at him.

Shen Zongsheng lowered his head and apologized sincerely. In this matter, he truly was at fault.

No wonder Jiu Yue treated the Ji brothers differently from others—they always stood behind her, always trusted her.

Jiu Yue pursed her lips. She really was a little selfish. She was afraid of illness and didn’t like chaotic relationships. Ji Yiqing alone was enough for her to handle.

Since she liked Ji Yiqing, she wouldn’t care for anyone else.

“Don’t fill your head with nonsense all the time. The heavens won’t drop free pies. Don’t be fooled by someone crying pitifully—you might end up eaten to the bones.”

“Your Highness’ lesson is received,” Shen Zongsheng replied sincerely.

The onlooking diners blushed at her words. Although she didn’t point at them, just like Shen Zongsheng, they had thought the young Lord Ji’s position was unstable.

But the lady was completely unconcerned about that. She had seen at a glance that the man was a foreign spy using the beauty trap.

No wonder she was the lady of such grace.

Shen Zongsheng agreed, though he felt a little embarrassed being lectured publicly. Jiu Yue had spoken the truth—he had been too shallow and ignorant.

This meal would likely not proceed. Jiu Yue would certainly not cooperate with the Jingzhao investigation—he alone would have to.

But he still didn’t know exactly how Jiu Yue had identified him. One small detail—like his resemblance to Ji Yiqing—was enough to explain it.

“Remind the Jingzhao Prefecture to strip him and check for charms.”

Shen Zongsheng nodded in puzzlement.

“The charm he used on you, he also has on himself.”

Shen Zongsheng finally understood.

Just as he turned to leave, he realized he had forgotten something.

Jiu Yue had already trotted downstairs. Shen Zongsheng walked toward the window and saw her by a carriage—the Ji family’s carriage.

Ah, he remembered—he forgot to tell Ji Yiqing there had been a misunderstanding. They shouldn’t quarrel.

Shen Zongsheng looked down. The carriage curtain was lifted slightly.

Jiu Yue, holding her skirts, paused before jumping in, then slowly raised her hand.

From inside, a man’s fair, slender, and well-defined hand extended. His wrist bones were elegant, nails smooth and pink-tinted.

Jiu Yue placed her soft hand in his. His hand pressed gently, veins standing out, thumb stroking her hand lightly, then clasping it firmly.

She was pulled respectfully yet urgently into the carriage.

Just seeing their hands, Shen Zongsheng’s mind conjured an entire romance story. How could they possibly quarrel? No, just their hands made him imagine so many things… he suddenly wanted them to marry.

Jiu Yue leapt into Ji Yiqing’s arms: “Ji Yiqing!”

Ji Yiqing smiled, opening his arms to wrap the weary Jiu Yue like a bird returning to its nest.

He lifted the curtain slightly and spoke to Shen Zongsheng’s servant outside: “Go back and tell your young general: the lady has been safely returned.”

The servant bowed and left.

Jiu Yue held Ji Yiqing’s waist; he lifted her onto his lap, adjusting her into a comfortable position.

Jiu Yue scratched his chin playfully: “Why did you come?”

Ji Yiqing adjusted her skirts: “The Fifth Young General sent his servant to find me. When I heard you were here, I came.”

Jiu Yue’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

The servant had been flustered when he arrived, only saying that Jiu Yue needed to save a handsome youth—like she was about to have an affair.

But Ji Yiqing calmly finished things first before coming—because he knew Jiu Yue wouldn’t.

He had given her his full trust and love, and she returned it equally, love growing steadily.

No random handsome youth could make her abandon him. If so, she wouldn’t be Jiu Yue.

Even before reaching Huijin Tower, the townspeople already said Lady Xuyu had captured a Northern Barbarian spy.

Jiu Yue was always that excellent.