046. Even Framing Others Requires Intelligence

Yang Ning’er let out a low growl: “My aunt is the Empress!”

Le Qianxue merely laughed. “Oh? Does that mean you deserve special privileges? Even His Highness the Crown Prince requires evidence. You say nothing, yet expect to search me based solely on your confidante’s words? Next time you try such a thing, at least be clever about it.”

With that, Le Qianxue gathered her belongings, picked up her basket, and strode out.

Seeing her about to leave, Yang Ning’er panicked. If Le Qianxue got away, she’d lose her hairpin, and would have no way to deal with her either!

“Hao Yue! Why aren’t you stopping her? She’s fleeing to avoid punishment!” Yang Ning’er cried.

Hao Yue replied coldly, “Only His Highness may command me. Who are you to order me?”

Yang Ning’er was left speechless and felt thoroughly humiliated.

Fuming, she lunged forward, trying to grab Le Qianxue. “Le Qianxue! Don’t go! Your Highness Zhan, shouldn’t you handle this?”

All eyes turned to Zhan Lianjing. He lifted his gaze and said, “Hao Yue, send someone to search for it.”

Hao Yue obeyed at once, quickly instructing the eunuchs and palace maids to search for the hairpin.

Yang Ning’er glared at the basket in Le Qianxue’s hand, her heart full of resentment. The hairpin was there—when the servants failed to find it, she would expose Le Qianxue, and everything would be seamless.

Le Qianxue stood there, calm and unhurried, as if nothing concerned her.

Soon, a eunuch returned, reporting that the hairpin could not be found.

Yang Ning’er sneered, “Le Qianxue, isn’t it time to search you?”

Le Qianxue replied, “By all means.”

Yang Ning’er snatched the basket, rummaged through its contents, but found no trace of her hairpin.

Her face turned pale in an instant. That was the hairpin bestowed by the Empress—a loss she could not afford. She had placed it with Le Qianxue, so how could it have vanished?

Le Qianxue’s lips curled. “What’s wrong? Can’t find it?”

Yang Ning’er shot her a venomous glare and moved to search Le Qianxue herself, but Le Qianxue stepped back. “What are you doing? If you put your hands on me, are you going to marry me?”

The crowd burst into laughter. No one had realized Le Qianxue could be so amusing; with a few simple words she’d driven Yang Ning’er to desperation.

Yang Ning’er pointed at her. “Perhaps you’ve hidden it on your person!”

Le Qianxue said, “Hao Yue, you do it. I can’t stand filthy hands on me.”

Angered, Yang Ning’er shot back, “What do you mean by that? Are you calling my hands filthy?”

Le Qianxue turned away. “I said nothing of the sort. Don’t flatter yourself.”

Hao Yue approached, patted down Le Qianxue’s sleeves, and found nothing, just as expected.

“There is no hairpin,” Hao Yue announced.

Le Qianxue cast a sidelong glance at Yang Ning’er. “That hairpin was a gift from the Empress, but do you remember the former Empress once gave me one as well? Mine is far more precious than your agate pin. Why would I covet yours?”

At that, the others recalled that as a child, Le Qianxue had been greatly favored by the former Empress, who had nearly raised her as a princess. It explained why she’d been close to Yu Guhan—they’d played together since their youth.

The hairpin in question was made from a luminous pearl, radiating a soft glow in darkness, its exquisite craftsmanship unrivaled, vivid and lifelike, truly priceless.

Indeed, Le Qianxue had plenty of treasures—why would she desire an agate hairpin?

Yang Ning’er glared at Le Qianxue and sniffed, “Haven’t you heard of greed?”

“Oh, but I have heard that if you wish to frame someone, you should at least be clever about it.” Le Qianxue smiled, then turned to leave.

After such an incident, she had no wish to remain in the Grand Tutor’s Institute. She needed to find a way to persuade the Emperor to rescind his order—otherwise, she would waste every day entangled in petty squabbles with people like Yang Ning’er.

Yang Ning’er’s palms were slick with sweat. With the hairpin missing, she would be scolded mercilessly by her father.

Zhan Lianjing waved his hand, instructing Hao Yue to wheel him away.

Once inside the carriage, Zhan Lianjing ordered Hao Yue to bring out the wooden box they’d taken earlier. It was meant for tea utensils, as Zhan Lianjing would use no other vessels for drinking or dining.

But when Hao Yue opened it, she was startled to see the agate hairpin inside.

She gasped softly. “How did this get here? This is far too strange!” Yang Ning’er had tried to frame Le Qianxue—how had the hairpin ended up with Zhan Lianjing? Yang Ning’er couldn’t be that foolish.

Zhan Lianjing glanced at the hairpin with disinterest. “Le Qianxue was right—if you’re not clever, don’t try to frame others.”

Hao Yue was a little exasperated. “Is His Highness calling me foolish?”

“Not only that, you’re also unobservant,” Zhan Lianjing replied.

Hao Yue was puzzled. “Does Your Highness mean I missed something?”

Zhan Lianjing said, “Think carefully. When Le Qianxue walked over to us, did she do anything unusual?”

Hao Yue pondered but remained at a loss. At the time, Yang Ning’er was making a scene, and Le Qianxue had seemed utterly serene—nothing out of the ordinary.

Zhan Lianjing sighed. “The hairpin was indeed with Le Qianxue, but she seized the moment to transfer it here. I couldn’t see, but I heard a faint sound—she timed it perfectly, using my body as a shield so no one else would notice. The sound of the hairpin dropping into the box was masked by the commotion.”

Hao Yue frowned. “So, Miss Le even calculated my inattention. Had I been watching, I would have caught her.”

Zhan Lianjing nodded slightly. “Exactly. Her maneuver today was rather ingenious.”

“But she still didn’t fool Your Highness’s ears,” Hao Yue remarked.

Zhan Lianjing’s face darkened. He was more surprised by Le Qianxue’s abilities—if she was this deft, her skill with hidden weapons must be impressive.

He asked, “Hao Yue, do you think Le Qianxue is more capable than you?”

Hao Yue bowed her head in shame. “Indeed, I failed to catch the Phantom Doctor girl before, and now I was blind to Miss Le’s little trick… I am not her equal.”

“Then how about recruiting her?” Zhan Lianjing mused.

Hao Yue was surprised. Zhan Lianjing was never one to seek others’ opinions before acting.

She lowered her eyes and spoke honestly. “Your Highness, I actually believe you regard Miss Le differently. I thought you wished to recruit her—after all, she’s truly gifted and could be of great help to you.”

“So you think highly of her as well?”

Strangely, Zhan Lianjing asked the same question twice that day.

Hao Yue replied earnestly, “Naturally. Miss Le is not only skilled in medicine, but also clever and resourceful. And deep down, Your Highness already knows the answer. Otherwise, you’d never have revealed your legs’ condition in front of her—anyone else and you’d have silenced them long ago.”

Zhan Lianjing fell silent, knowing Hao Yue spoke the truth.

He wondered if he was asking because something else was stirring in his heart. Why did he feel a tinge of fear?

Suddenly, he recalled that he had intended to recruit Le Qianxue, but she had refused him at once.

Now, he wondered if she might have changed her mind.

“Your Highness, why not observe her a little longer to see if she’s trustworthy?” Hao Yue suggested.

“She?” Zhan Lianjing muttered, then said, “So be it. I have no wish for women to serve by my side.”

He then closed his eyes and said no more.

Hao Yue was stunned. What did he mean by that? Was she not a woman? Had Zhan Lianjing always regarded her as a man? Suddenly, Hao Yue felt deeply hurt.

Meanwhile, Le Qianxue waited for Yu Guhan, and finally saw him after he left court.

Yu Guhan greeted her with a gentle smile. “Qianxue, I’m glad you waited for me. Otherwise, I’d have had to make a trip to the General’s estate to find you.”

Alongside Yu Guhan was Yu Zhiyang, who also smiled at Le Qianxue with particular warmth.

Le Qianxue said, “Actually, I wanted to make something clear to Your Highness—the Crown Prince should stop sending me gifts. I truly lack for nothing. I already have a fine horse.”

Yu Zhiyang interjected, “Don’t refuse my elder brother’s goodwill. Why don’t the three of us go for a horse race?”

Le Qianxue had been feeling stifled; a horse race would be a good way to clear her mind.

Yu Guhan encouraged her. “Come, Qianxue, it’s been ages since we’ve had a ride together.”

Le Qianxue hesitated, then nodded. “Very well. I’ll use the horse you picked for me, but I’m not accepting it as a gift.”

“You’ve changed. You used to accept everything I gave you gladly.”

“That was different. People grow up; their natures change,” Le Qianxue replied.

The three made their way to the Crown Prince’s palace to select their horses.

Word of the upcoming race quickly reached Yu Nanfeng. As the trio prepared to depart, Yu Nanfeng arrived on horseback.

He fixed his gaze on Le Qianxue. “Qianxue! I’m joining as well!”

Le Qianxue could only roll her eyes. She’d made things perfectly clear to Yu Nanfeng days ago—why was he still pestering her?

Yu Guhan didn’t mind. “Fourth Brother is here too—more people, more merriment. Our destination is Ten Mile Slope; first to arrive wins.”

Le Qianxue raised her riding crop. “Shall we begin?”

The streets of the capital were narrow, so the three men graciously let Le Qianxue take the lead.

She didn’t care and set off first—no harm in a head start.

As soon as she was gone, Yu Guhan’s expression turned cold. “I have no wish for idle interlopers to join us.”