Inside the massive Crown Prince's bedchamber, Caleb Miles paced back and forth in a white shirt, clutching the 'lock-on drug' Charlie Qiao had given him, looking visibly anxious.
"Your Highness, you really should get some rest." Seeing it was already late, Charlie Qiao watched him pacing back and forth and couldn't help asking.
"I can't sleep." Caleb kept pacing, eyes flicking toward the window every so often.
Seeing this, Charlie Qiao smiled and said, "Are you worried about tomorrow? Relax, with me here, nothing will go wrong." As he spoke, he thought to himself: Lily Ruan has liked the Crown Prince for so long, with or without the drug, she’d probably be more than willing. What’s His Highness so anxious about?
"No way!" Caleb suddenly turned to Charlie Qiao and shouted.
"Huh?" Charlie Qiao, lost in his own fantasies, was startled by the sudden shout and hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean 'no way'?"
"No, I can't wait for tomorrow. I want to cook the rice tonight—make it a done deal!" Caleb said anxiously.
"What? Tonight?" Charlie Qiao was shocked by his words. Isn't His Highness a bit too eager? But it's already so late—Lily Ruan must be asleep by now!
"Charlie Qiao, what are you doing here? I want to cook rice tonight, cook rice!" Caleb stomped his foot impatiently.
"Isn't this... a bit too fast?"
"Too fast? I can't wait! I don't want him stolen by someone else. Tonight I have to cook the rice and make it a done deal, then I can finally relax and get a good night's sleep!" Caleb blurted out. Just thinking about what Charlie Qiao said—if he doesn't make it a done deal, 'he' could fly away, be with someone else, cook for someone else, bake cakes for someone else—made Caleb so upset. No way, he couldn't let that happen.
Holding back a laugh, Charlie Qiao said, "Your Highness, are you really ready for this?"
"Ready, ready. I'll make tea first—this goes in the tea, right?" Caleb shook the packet of drug, double-checking.
"That's right, clever!" Charlie Qiao gave him a thumbs up, then said, "Your Highness, get everything ready. I'll go prep the bath and bring you over in a bit."
"Okay, okay, go get busy! And remember to call him over, okay?" Caleb urged.
"Don't worry, I'll send someone to fetch her." Grinning, Charlie Qiao stepped outside and told a guard at the door, "Go to the Ruan estate and invite Lily Ruan here. Tell her the Crown Prince really, really wants to see her!"
"Yes, sir." The guard hurried off to make arrangements.
Seeing this, Charlie Qiao rolled up his sleeves and hid a laugh behind his hand. If the queen finds out he managed to get the Crown Prince and Lily Ruan together, she'll be absolutely thrilled. Humming a tune, he bustled off to get things ready.
******* Scene Break ******
The moonlight deepened. In the seemingly quiet Fated Inn, a side window silently slid open. A shadow shot out—Wind. Perched in a tree outside, Butterfly Rogue had been waiting for ages; he grinned wickedly. Gotcha, Wind!
Butterfly Rogue tossed out a handful of flowers from his arms and quickly chased after him.
As soon as he flew out, Ethan Chu also leapt from his own window. He'd been sitting inside, watching everything unfold, and sure enough, that Wind guy was definitely hiding something from them.
Meanwhile, in another room, General Nee was still sound asleep, completely unaware. After days of riding, he could finally get a good night's rest.
Wind moved fast, like a leopard in the night—quick and agile. His shadow flickered across the round rooftops, so light he made no sound at all.
After asking around all day, he finally got a lead. He never expected that, just resting in a corner after getting tired, he'd overhear a scolding: "No more going to Grand City Tower to learn cooking!" A man in his fifties was scolding a young man, probably his son—they looked alike.
Just as he thought.
Why, Dad? I love learning to cook! Someday I want to cook in the palace, for the queen and the Crown Prince.
Learn what? Do you know what I heard today while hauling leftovers?
What?
The young man glanced around, made sure no one was listening, then whispered, "Today the whole imperial kitchen almost got executed—even the sweepers were about to be killed!"
What? Why? Why would they kill everyone?' The boy was clearly shocked by the news.
I don't know the details. Someone made a mistake, and it dragged everyone else down. If not for a new arrival—Young Master Zhen—saving them, the whole imperial kitchen would've died!
Huh? Then who is this Young Master Zhen who saved them?' The boy was suddenly curious—who could save so many people?
Who knows? They say he's not from the Endless Indulgence Kingdom, but he can cook, and his dishes are different from anyone else's. Anyway, forget about him. You're not allowed to learn to be a chef anymore, got it?
But Dad, I just love cooking! If you don't let me learn, I don't know what the point of living is.
If you really love cooking, fine—but no applying to the palace, understand? Learn well. All these years hauling palace leftovers, I've saved some money. When you're ready, we'll open a little shop and you'll be the boss, okay?
Wow, really? Dad, really?' The boy laughed and threw himself into his father's arms, grinning from ear to ear.
Hidden in the shadows, Wind's eyes flashed. For some reason, he felt that this Young Master Zhen sounded a lot like his Pavilion Master. But why would the Pavilion Master be in the palace? Never mind, he'd find a chance to check it out tonight!
He hadn't expected to run into Butterfly Rogue—and some guy called Old Six.* Thanks to them, he couldn't leave until late at night. Luckily, his qinggong was good, otherwise he'd never have shaken off his tail.
*Footnote: 'Old Six' is Ethan Chu, a nickname used by the group for casual ranking, not actual age.
But careless as he was, he hadn't realized he wasn't just being followed—he had two tails. It was his own fault for not knowing Butterfly Rogue's skills; that guy had mastered an unrivaled qinggong. If Butterfly Rogue claimed second place, no one would dare say they were first. His qinggong was so good, he could even tail Silver Consort undetected, let alone him.
After a while.
Wind landed under a big tree, frowning at the heavily guarded castle gate. Why were the palace walls so ridiculously high? Even with qinggong, it wouldn't be easy to get over—especially with so many guards lined up on top!
Wind had barely stopped when, a hundred meters away, Butterfly Rogue also paused. What was that guy doing here?
'Old Five!' At that moment, Ethan Chu caught up.
*Footnote: 'Old Five' is Butterfly Rogue, a nickname used by the group for casual ranking, not actual age.
'Old Six, you're fast!' Butterfly Rogue turned to Ethan Chu with a smile and complimented him.
You're too kind. Huh, what's that guy doing here?' Ethan Chu glanced at the towering castle wall. 'Isn't this gate way too high?
Yeah, even with qinggong, it's tough to get over. And look at all those guards up there—no way it's easy.' Butterfly Rogue eyed the line of sentries and wondered what brought Wind here.
Old Five, do you think there's some secret inside? Or maybe Ivy gave him a special mission?' At this moment, he had no idea the person he missed day and night was right inside.
No clue. If you want to know, we'll just have to follow him and see.' Butterfly Rogue kept his eyes on Wind.
Just then, the sound of hooves—da da da—echoed from afar.
At the sound, the two turned to look. In the distance, a huge, luxurious carriage approached, surrounded by a dozen guards. Whoever was inside had to be important—otherwise, why such a grand carriage?
Look, aren't those guards wearing the same uniforms as the sentries?' Butterfly Rogue pointed out quickly.
Looks like this carriage is heading for the palace,' Ethan Chu said quickly.
Just then, Wind gathered his strength and sent a blast of dust swirling toward the carriage. Instantly, dust filled the air, and Wind seized the chance to dart over.
Quick, he's moving!' Butterfly Rogue shouted, then raced after him. Ethan Chu wasn't about to be left behind and followed too.
A few seconds later.
What's wrong?' came a sweet voice from inside the carriage.
Miss, the wind just picked up outside,' the maid at the front hurriedly replied.
Oh,' came the reply, and then silence.
The guards, still on alert, marched ahead—unaware that three stowaways now clung beneath the carriage.
You guys?' Wind stared in disbelief at the two who'd suddenly appeared beside him, utterly shocked.
Shh!' The two hushed him at once, their eyes full of challenge and disdain. Wind ground his teeth—how could he be so careless, getting tailed without even realizing it?!