Prince An Arrives

After a round of chess, Master Bai suddenly placed his piece down.

– Your Highness is indeed formidable. You have won again.

– Winning or losing is not important. Winning this time doesn't guarantee a win in the next. Who the final victor will be is still unknown.

Prince An replied calmly. His words were filled with hidden meaning and caution. It seemed the mastermind behind the scenes was truly not simple.

After a moment, Bai Haoran suddenly remembered something:

– That's right, Your Highness, I almost forgot to tell you. Wei Linling has arrived in the Capital.

– Sister Linling? Why has she come here?

Master Bai shook his head:

– The reason is currently unclear. I heard she has an important matter and wants to find you.

Prince An asked further:

– Where is she now?

– In the western part of the Capital.

– Very well, I will arrange a time to go and meet her.

***

The next morning...

From early morning, the Eighth Prince had left his manor, heading straight for the inn where Shi Yi was staying. Entering the inn, he went directly to the owner's counter.

– This young master... do you wish to book a room?

– No, I am here to find someone.

– Find someone? May I ask who the young master is looking for?

The Eighth Prince leaned in and asked:

– May I ask if there is a lady named Shi Yi staying here?

– Shi Yi? Please wait a moment, young master.

The owner hurriedly took a ledger from a drawer and flipped through the pages to find Shi Yi's name. After a long while, he replied:

– This lady has not returned to the inn for four days. But her belongings are still here; perhaps she will return to collect them.

– She isn't here?

Zi Lin showed a look of great disappointment. After thinking for a while, he instructed the owner:

– I am her friend. How about this: I will go up and take her belongings. When she returns, just tell her to come find me.

Zi Lin wrote his address on a small piece of paper and gave it to the owner, then slipped him a silver ingot. Seeing this, the owner became very enthusiastic:

– Thank you, young master. Rest assured, I will definitely deliver the message.

Zi Lin smiled and then flicked his sleeves as he departed.

***

In the western part of the Capital, Shi Yi was currently playing with Bao Bao:

– Little Bao Bao, here is a tanghulu for you.

Shi Yi took a very eye-catching skewer of candied hawthorns from her robe. Little Bao Bao reached for the skewer and ate it happily.

A moment later, a cute and very lively young girl appeared from outside. The young girl entered the room and was very happy to see Shi Yi, coming over to introduce herself.

– Oh. Is this the sister that Sister Linling rescued?

Shi Yi replied with a smile:

– Indeed, it is I. Hello, I am Shi Yi.

The girl stared blankly. "She really is beautiful." Seeing her staring, Shi Yi asked curiously:

– Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?

Only then did the girl snap out of it and hurriedly explained:

– No, no. It's just that you are too beautiful. Sister Shi Yi is truly breathtakingly lovely.

The girl looked at her with admiration. Shi Yi replied shyly:

– Not at all, you are exaggerating.

– No, don't be modest. Ah, I almost forgot. I am Wei Xiaojing, Wei Linling's younger sister.

– So that's how it is. No wonder I see a resemblance between the two of you. However, I think you are much more beautiful than her.

– Really? – Xiaojing asked with an eager face. This was the first time someone had said such a thing.

Shi Yi said confidently:

– Of course it's true. It's just that you don't know how to take care of yourself. Just a bit of blush and some rouge, and you will become a great beauty that ten thousand people would admire.

Hearing those words, Xiaojing was very happy, but a moment later she replied sadly:

– But I don't know how to apply makeup. I've never liked rouge or powder since I was a child.

Shi Yi pulled her hand and comforted her:

– It's alright, I am here. I will help you.

Shi Yi showed a face full of confidence. As an international-class assassin, her makeup skills had long reached a superlative level.

The two of them pulled each other to the dressing table, before a small bronze mirror. Shi Yi gently brushed Xiaojing's hair, then applied a light layer of pink powder to her cheeks, adding a few highlights to her pretty face. Thanks to those skillful hands, Xiaojing, who was already pretty, now looked even more beautiful.

A moment later, a beauty with an exquisite countenance appeared. Xiaojing opened her eyes and looked into the mirror in utter surprise. She reached out to gently touch her face, gazing at herself in the mirror with great satisfaction.

– Is this... me?

– How do you like it?

Xiaojing cried out with joy and happiness:

– It's wonderful! Sister Shi Yi, you are truly amazing!

Shi Yi winked and replied:

– I told you. There are no ugly women, only women who don't know how to make themselves beautiful.

Xiaojing excitedly hugged her:

– Sister Shi Yi, from now on, you will be my good sister!

In the blink of an eye, it was late afternoon. The four of them gathered in the small courtyard, talking happily. Lin Ling brought out a table full of fragrant food. The scents of green onions, garlic, and grilled meat drifted everywhere. Shi Yi saw it and gulped:

– Sister Lin Ling, are you a chef? How can you cook such delicious dishes?

– No, in the past, the cooking in the house was always my responsibility. So I've been proficient in these dishes for a long time. Alright, you're hungry, right? Come, try some.

Xiaojing also chimed in with praise:

– Sister Shi Yi, my sister's cooking is the best in the world. I guarantee you won't be able to stop once you start.

Shi Yi picked up a piece of braised pork into her bowl. Taking a bite... it was truly an irresistible flavor. The meat was soft, blending with the thick sauce. This was truly a delicacy of the mortal world.

The four of them were enjoying their meal very happily when someone knocked on the door. Lin Ling hurriedly stood up to open it. A handsome man entered and greeted her gently:

– Sister-in-law, it has been a long time.

Lin Ling was overjoyed to see him:

– Dinglun, is it you?

Hearing the name Dinglun, Shi Yi suddenly jumped in shock: "Dinglun? Could it be that demon?"