Chapter 76: Hongmen

When it comes to “deception,” no one can surpass Ning Yin, who initially pretended to be obedient and clever just to stay in the Yu Mansion at all costs.

Yu Lingxi knew it all too well.

But upon hearing the words, “It’s okay if you’re a bit bad to me,” her heart couldn’t help but tremble.

“The first person who deceived me is already dead, died in a miserable way,” Ning Yin seemed to recall a distant past, and his voice became faint, “But if Lingxi deceives me, I can’t bear to… I can only lock her up, slowly shred that deceitful tongue until Lingxi can’t speak, only sobbing and begging for mercy.”

He lifted his finger and pressed it against Yu Lingxi’s lips, with a depth of bottomless pit in his eyes, beautiful and entwined. Ning Yin must be in a good mood now; even the breath he exhaled carried a relaxed smile.

Yu Lingxi knew that if she wanted Ning Yin’s heart, this little madman would undoubtedly dig it out without hesitation, clean it, and then happily give it to her. But this arrogant and unrestrained person, when faced with her advances, always prioritized stubbornness over reason.

It’s as if in his subconscious, there will never be someone who truly loves him.

Who was the first person to deceive Ning Yin?

She couldn’t help but speculate: is Ning Yin so cautious and paranoid because of that person?

“I won’t deceive you,” Yu Lingxi sighed softly, leaning against his chest.

For someone with an open mind, speaking a few sincere words is not difficult. So, her tender palm gently clasped Ning Yin’s fingers, guiding his hand to rest on her chest, letting him feel the surging heartbeat.

“Do you believe me, touch it.”

Yu Lingxi tilted her head slightly, softly saying, “My heartbeat doesn’t lie.”

Ning Yin fell silent, burying his jaw in her shoulder, feeling the soft contours beneath his palm.

After a while, he spoke meaningfully, “Can’t feel it.”

“Huh?” Yu Lingxi was puzzled.

Ning Yin lowered his gaze and whispered in her ear, “The clothes are too thick, it’s in the way.”

“…”

Yu Lingxi reacted quickly, widening her eyes and forcefully shaking off his hand.

However, Ning Yin effortlessly held onto her wrist, advancing towards her. His fingers traced up her wrist, lifted along the side of her neck, and gently pinched her jaw to hold it in place.

He forced her to look at him until a blush appeared on her cheeks. Then, with a smile, he leaned down, his sharp teeth biting into her lower lip. With a slight force from the hand at the back of her neck, Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but let out a surprised cry.

Little did she know that the door was wide open, and someone who had long planned this took advantage of the opportunity to enter.

By the time the carriage stopped in front of the Wang residence, Yu Lingxi was flushed, her eyes unfocused, and her mind filled with one thought: never deceive the madman, or her tongue might really be bitten off.

Meanwhile, in the palace.

The queen rolled the beads in her hand and asked, “Did Prince Ning openly take away Yu Lingxi who was supposed to annul the engagement?”

“In front of everyone, it is absolutely true.”

Cui An, dragging his tone slowly, said, “Several previous assassination attempts all ended in failure, causing significant casualties among our people. If Prince Ning marries the daughter of the Yu family and gains control over the military, it will undoubtedly be detrimental to Your Majesty and the young prince.”

The queen, with vacant eyes, countered, “Cui An, you have been giving advice for the sake of the palace and the deposed Crown Prince. What exactly are you plotting?”

Cui An hid the dark color in his eyes, kneeling and saying, “Naturally, it is to repay the great kindness of Your Majesty and offer my humble service.”

“Enough, you may deceive others with such words, but not me.”

The queen pulled out a golden hairpin and tapped the candle in front of the Buddha’s altar. After a while, she said, “I remember, Xue Song has been demoted to the Guanlu Temple?”

Cui An thought for a moment and hastily replied, “I will arrange it immediately.”

“Prince Ning is cunning. The bait he offers must be substantial enough to lure him in.”

The queen inserted the hairpin back into her hair, speaking calmly as if it were not a life-and-death struggle, “Go. If you fail again, you don’t need to come find me.”

This time, she wanted to personally put an end to this little beast.

Just like she did with his mother back then.

…

Because it was the New Year’s Eve, these days, Yu Lingxi stayed obediently in the Yu Mansion, accompanying her parents and siblings. Her sister-in-law Su Guan was two months pregnant, bringing joy to the family. The atmosphere on New Year’s Eve in the residence was livelier than usual.

Bright lamps illuminated the courtyard,

On the horizon, fireworks sparkled, and Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but recall the scene from last year at this time. Ning Yin, sipping heavily spiced Tusu wine, with flushed lips, said, “Miss, you are the person who treats me the best in this world.”

A faint smile lifted the corners of her mouth, wondering how Ning Yin would celebrate the New Year in Prince Ning’s Mansion this year. Most likely, there wouldn’t even be a pair of couplets or a lively red lantern. In the vast mansion, he always lived as if in a lonely grave.

As she thought about it, the faint smile at the corner of Yu Lingxi’s mouth faded. She raised her hand and touched the Ruyun white jade hairpin with blood streaks, sighing softly. After the New Year’s Eve, Yu Lingxi bathed and changed clothes, yawning as she walked towards her bedroom.

The inner curtain had already been lowered, and the maids had prepared the beddings in advance. Without much thought, Yu Lingxi lifted the curtain and sat down.

Unexpectedly, she suddenly sat in a hot and firm embrace, and before she could react, her mouth was covered from behind.

Ning Yin firmly held her in his arms, his voice carrying a smile as he whispered into her ear, “Be quiet, if someone comes, I won’t take responsibility.”

Startled, Yu Lingxi, after a while, relaxed her body and turned around, asking, “What are you doing here?”

“Checking the household. Passing by this familiar place, I thought of Lingxi.”

Ning Yin gently turned Yu Lingxi’s face, and the frosty color in his ink-like eyes had not completely dissipated. He smiled leisurely and said, “So I came to see.”

Checking the household on New Year’s Day?

Clearly, he is the highly sought-after Prince Ning, but how does he live more quietly and desolately than before?

Yu Lingxi opened her mouth, wanting to say a thousand words, but in the end, it turned into one sentence, “Do you have any New Year’s money?”

Ning Yin’s eyes slightly lifted, as if asking, “What is that?”

Yu Lingxi lowered her head and took out two copper coins from the money pouch she had just received. She wrapped them in red paper and handed them to Ning Yin.

“Don’t dislike the amount; it’s just for good luck. You’re not short of money anyway.”

Yu Lingxi explained, “This is New Year’s money. Place it under your pillow when you sleep, and it will ensure a smooth and safe year, suppressing everything else.”

In the dim light of the curtain, Ning Yin rarely showed a hint of curiosity, playing with the two copper coins wrapped in the palm of his hand. He asked, “Suppress what?”

Yu Lingxi leaned back comfortably, leaning against him, and whispered, “Naturally, it suppresses evil spirits and ominous influences.”

Ning Yin chuckled, “Aren’t I the biggest evil spirit and ominous influence in this world?”

Yu Lingxi blinked.

This statement… seems to make sense?

“In my opinion, it’s better to call it ‘New Year’s Suppression.’”

Ning Yin pretended to grip with five fingers, holding the two copper coins in his palm, and leaned forward, lowering his voice, “Yu Lingxi, suppress the year.”

Having said that, he embraced Yu Lingxi’s waist and turned her around, imprisoning her from top to bottom.

A true “New Year’s Suppression.”

As he turned, his robe stirred up a swift wind, lifting the curtain like undulating waves. The contours of Ning Yin’s features became particularly blurry and profound, with only a pair of enchanting ink eyes that seemed to captivate and bewitch.

Strangely, Yu Lingxi found Ning Yin’s gaze bewitching, even though he was someone with impaired senses and strong self-control, bordering on self-infliction.

“Miss, the hot soup is ready. Please warm your bedding before going to sleep,” Hutao, holding a copper soup pot wrapped in silk, said crisply.

Yu Lingxi was startled, instinctively lifting the bedding to cover and hide Ning Yin on the bed, saying, “Place it on the table!”

Her voice sounded anxious, and Hutao was taken aback, saying, “Miss?”

Ning Yin squinted his eyes and reached out to pinch her waist.

Yu Lingxi made a muffled sound, and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat. She hastily bit her lip, glaring at the culprit, and hastily fabricated, “I’m changing clothes. Don’t come over.”

Fortunately, Hutao didn’t suspect anything, placing the warm soup on the table and then leaving, closing the door behind her.

Yu Lingxi listened intently until Hutao’s footsteps were distant before heaving a sigh of relief.

“If you’re changing clothes, then change.”

Ning Yin turned on his side, propped his head on his elbow, and with one hand under the bedding, he licked his teeth and smiled, “Thinking of sealing the deal?”

…

The lively atmosphere of fireworks persisted until almost dawn.

Yu Lingxi didn’t know when Ning Yin left. When she woke up, there was no warmth from that person by her side. If not for a deep red “seal” left in a place unseen by others, she would have almost thought that the brief encounter last night was just a dream.

Awakening to emptiness, yet it felt like savoring a lingering taste after having a piece of candy.

Fortunately, the Lantern Festival was approaching, with lantern displays and festivities for both officials and the common people.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the Emperor would lead princes and nobles to ascend the Xuan De Gate, overlooking the grand lantern market from the high platform and receiving the worship of the people.

However, since the Emperor was still recuperating in Changyang Palace, this time the task of ascending the tower was delegated to the Seventh Prince, Ning Yin.

In theory, Ning Yin had no interest in such occasions and should not appear. However, everyone speculated that anyone qualified to represent the Emperor in this ritual would likely become the heir to the throne. If the Seventh Prince had any ambitions, he would not refuse such an honor.

So, was Ning Yin aiming to become the Crown Prince?

Yu Lingxi was not clear about it.

At the time of almost midnight, Yu Lingxi, dressed in festive red attire and holding a glass lantern, ascended the west-side tower of Xuan De Gate with Yu Xinyi. This area was designated for the concubines and female attendants in the harem to view the lanterns. Meanwhile, Ning Yin and other princes, including Prince Ning Zizhuo, stood in place of the emperor on the east-side tower.

Looking into the night sky, deep and dark, the voices of the palace servants below were buzzing, and the countless lanterns turned into a winding river of light.

Yu Lingxi leaned her hand on the palace tower’s railing, gazing from afar at Ning Yin, who was slowly ascending the east-side tower, wearing a purple robe with a jade belt, exuding unmatched elegance.

Her lips couldn’t help but lift into a smile, but she saw Yu Xinyi approaching from the side, interrupting her gaze, “Do you want me to borrow your token so you can go and find him?”

Yu Lingxi withdrew her gaze, smiling apologetically, “No need.”

She had made plans with Ning Yin to go to the market after the lantern festival to enjoy the lanterns and guess riddles. On this Festival night, unconstrained by formalities, they could stay up all night to play and admire the lanterns.

As the wind blew, the street was full of swaying lanterns, resembling stars scattered on earth.

Xue Cen stood in the crowded crowd and spotted Yu Lingxi on the palace tower above. Among many gorgeously dressed noblewomen and ladies, only Yu Lingxi shone like a lotus out of water. A bright red flower ornament on her forehead bloomed splendidly, overshadowing the lights of the entire tower.

Her eyes were still beautiful and gentle, but she would never look at him again.

Xue Cen came here with his elder brother.

With the demise of the deposed Crown Prince and the retirement of their grandfather, the marriage between the Xue family and the Yu family, once the talk of the town, had fallen into unprecedented decline. The Xue residence was now in an unprecedented state of decline.

Sometimes, Xue Cen would stay awake all night and hear his elder brother hastily leaving the house at the third watch. In the entire Xue residence, the only one seemingly unaffected was Xue Song.

Gradually, Xue Cen became suspicious.

The deposed Crown Prince, fostered by the Xue family, was now dead, and he didn’t know for whom his elder brother was toiling. Or perhaps, the one he secretly served was not the deposed Crown Prince at all?

With many doubts in his heart, Xue Cen followed his elder brother’s carriage to the palace gate. Having lost sight of the person he was following, he saw the smiling Yu Lingxi on the palace tower.

Like a moth to the flame, his heart burned with pain, yet he couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel led a group of entertainers and vendors up the tower. The crowd became crowded, and Xue Cen stumbled when a child behind him bumped into him. When he looked up again, there was no trace of Yu Lingxi on the tower.

His slightly reddened eyes dimmed, and against the crowd, he walked back alone.

Flames spouted three feet high, eliciting cheers and applause from the women on the west tower.

It was a troupe selected by the Ministry of Rites performing for Ning Yin, symbolizing “joy with the people.”

Due to the strong wind on the palace walls, Yu Lingxi had no interest in the acrobatics, so she moved to a sheltered place, just wanting the lantern festival to end soon so she could go night touring in the market with Ning Yin.

“Wow! The flames are shooting so high!”

A fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, arm in arm with a woman, excitedly exclaimed, “Sister, look! The flames are almost reaching Prince Ning’s face!”

“Hush! Prince Ning’s title is not something you can shout so loudly,” the woman cautioned, lowering her voice. She explained, “This troupe of performers comes from the Northern Desert, skilled in singing and dancing, proficient in various arts—certainly not comparable to the Han people.”

Upon hearing the words “Northern Desert,” Yu Lingxi, who was warming herself with a drink, paused. She got up, followed the voice, and found the woman. With a polite gesture, she asked, “Madam just mentioned that the performing troupe is from where?”

The woman, likely a lady from a prominent family, immediately returned the courtesy and replied, “They are people from the Northern Desert. I have heard my husband say they were slaves captured after the late Emperor conquered the Northern Desert, and they have become quite famous in the markets of the capital.”

Yu Lingxi leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance. The man performing the fire-breathing act toward Prince Ning Yin looked increasingly familiar.

People from the Northern Desert, Lantern Festival, Hongmen Banquet… Thinking of the events in her previous life, Yu Lingxi’s heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand. The glass lantern in her hand dropped to the ground and shattered into pieces.

She took a step back and turned away.

It is happening a year earlier!

If she guessed correctly, because the Yu family did not perish in this life, the remnants of the queen’s faction, fearing Ning Yin’s influence, and conspiring with eunuchs, had meticulously prepared the bloody Hongmen Banquet a whole year earlier than her memories from the previous life!

Even though Ning Yin was not yet the Regent in this life!

“Sister!”

Yu Lingxi grabbed Yu Xinyi, who was arranging the patrol of the Hundred Riders Division, and urgently said, “Lend me your token!”

“What’s wrong, Sui Sui?” Yu Xinyi, confused, asked, “Why is your face so…?”

“The performing troupe is made up of Northern Desert assassins. The queen organized the lantern festival, and together with the eunuchs, they plan to assassinate Prince Ning. Sister, quickly inform our brother to save him!”

Without explaining further, Yu Lingxi took off the token from Yu Xinyi’s waist, pushed through the crowd, and rushed towards the Eastern Hall of the palace.

Only when her sister’s figure disappeared into the bustling crowd did Yu Xinyi react. She summoned her subordinates and ordered, “There’s an issue with the performing troupe. Report to the Forbidden Army immediately!”

Boom—

The lantern tower, over three stories tall, shot up from the ground, illuminating the city gates as bright as daylight, and the people cheered like the roaring sea.

The clamor of the crowd overwhelmed Yu Lingxi’s shouts. “The eastern side of the palace wall is where the princes and royal descendants are; unauthorized entry by female family members is forbidden!”

Guards of the Forbidden Army blocked the breathless Yu Lingxi as she rushed forward. “I am acting on the orders of the Chief of the Yu Clan and have urgent matters to report to Prince Ning!”

Yu Lingxi presented her sister’s waist token. The Forbidden Army still stood in her way, so she decisively tore off the dragon-patterned jade pendant from her waist. “Anyone who sees this jade shall treat it as if Prince Ning is personally present. Who among you dares to obstruct!”

The dragon-patterned jade pendant was exclusive to the princes, and the Forbidden Army was indeed intimidated. Without further delay, Yu Lingxi, taking advantage of their hesitation, headed towards the banquet where people were enjoying the lanterns.

The doors to the hall above were wide open. Seeing a breathless beauty in red attire barging in, everyone at the feast was somewhat surprised.

“Isn’t this Miss Yu’er?”

“What is she doing here?”

Ning Yin put down the cup in his hand, making a slight sound, and the subtle discussions around immediately ceased.

Yu Lingxi’s gaze met Ning Yin’s. After steadying herself, she walked past the troupe of performers towards Ning Yin.

“The prince’s jade pendant has fallen. This servant girl presents it to the prince.”

Yu Lingxi stabilized her breathing and knelt in front of Ning Yin, offering the jade pendant with both hands. She cast a glance in the direction of the troupe of performers and certain ministers, conveying her urgency without speaking.

Sensing that something was amiss, Ning Yin narrowed his eyes slowly.

His expression remained calm, even carrying a graceful smile, as he whispered, “You shouldn’t have come, Sui Sui.”

Then, he grabbed Yu Lingxi’s wrist, pulling her into his embrace, and with his other hand, he lifted an empty cup to shield them!

Almost simultaneously, a slender dagger pierced through the bottom of the cup, and the chilling light illuminated Ning Yin’s dim eyes.

With a deafening roar, the gears on the lantern tower started to turn.

Sparks flew, resembling gilded

Silver fragments adorned the night sky, a scene of fireworks resembling a silver tree in full bloom. The cheers of the people roared like waves, drowning out any commotion on the palace tower.

In the urgency of the situation, Yu Huanchen had limited forces at his disposal and was quickly intercepted by Cui An’s men under the city tower.

The two armies faced each other, none daring to make a reckless move.

“General Cui has really brought out all his resources this time.”

Yu Huanchen, with a blade at his waist, clad in silver armor and a fluttering white robe, spoke, “I had suspicions when you repeatedly targeted the Yu family. Are you colluding with the Mo people?”

At these words, Cui An replied leisurely, “It’s a pity it’s not General Yu who came. However, it doesn’t matter; the debts of the father can be repaid by the son.”

“What do you mean?”

Yu Huanchen frowned, and the fingers on the hilt of his sword subtly gestured.

Yu Xinyi, hidden in the shadows, immediately understood and blended into the crowd.

“General Yu has met me many times, but each time, he never remembered who I am.”

Cui An chuckled ominously, “It seems he forgot about those foreign people he killed, forgot about that shivering young boy, shackled and barefoot, among the Mo captives he sent stumbling into the capital, connected by a string of grass ropes.”

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