Chapter 2831 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 36

The gates of Zuixianlou were tightly shut, and four guards with knives stood at the entrance, each with a solemn expression and a wary look in their eyes.

As Jin Chen reached the door, a guard immediately stepped forward to stop him, "Halt! Zui Xian Lou is not welcoming guests today!"

Jin Chen didn't say anything, but took out the jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it over.

The guard took the jade pendant, examined it carefully, his expression changed slightly, and then looked up at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen wore a mask, only revealing his eyes, but those eyes were calm and indifferent, and his temperament was aloof, clearly indicating that he was not an ordinary person.

"You are..." the guard asked tentatively.

Jin Chen raised her hand and gently removed her undershirt.

Although the guards had never seen Ruan Shutong, everyone in the Third Prince's residence had heard of her. The Third Prince had a sweetheart surnamed Ruan, who was described as having a cold and aloof appearance.

"But...Young Master Ruan?" The guard's tone became much more respectful.

Jin Chen nodded, her voice cool and clear, "I have an appointment with the Third Prince."

"Please come in!" The guard quickly stepped aside. "His Highness has been waiting for a long time. Please come in! Manager, please take Young Master Ruan to room number one on the top floor!"

Jin Chen put her coat back on and stepped into the restaurant.

The restaurant was indeed empty, with only a few waiters busy at work.

The shopkeeper personally came up to greet Jinchen and led him upstairs.

Inside the room, the window facing the street was open, offering a view of the bustling street scene outside.

After the shopkeeper left, Gu Fanghe closed the door, turned to look at Jin Chen, and was about to say something when Jin Chen raised his hand and made a shushing gesture.

There were footsteps outside the door.

Then, the door was pushed open.

A young man dressed in a brocade robe walked in.

He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with handsome features and a noble air, but there was a hint of gloom and calculation in his eyes. Behind him were two guards, both with their hands on the hilts of their swords and sharp eyes.

This is the Third Prince, Wu Zhengchu.

He entered with an air of superiority, but upon seeing Jin Chen, a genuine smile appeared on his face. "Shu Tong! You've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you!"

Jin Chen stood up, nodded slightly to him, and said in a cool voice, "Your Highness."

Wu Zhengchu quickly stepped forward, wanting to take his hand, but Jin Chen gently raised his hand, stopping him.

Wu Zhengchu paused, but instead of getting angry, he smiled.

He looked at Jin Chen with eyes full of infatuation and admiration. Shu Tong was always like this, aloof and reserved, not letting him touch her easily.

But it was precisely this feeling of being both close and distant that made him yearn for it even more.

However, after not seeing her for a while, Shu Tong seems... even more alluring.

She used to be aloof, but there was always a deliberate sense of distance between her and him. But now, even her actions of rejecting him are so natural, so... alluring.

Wu Zhengchu felt a strong itch in his heart. He withdrew his hand and sat down opposite Jin Chen, but his gaze never left his face. "Shu Tong... is becoming more and more captivating. I miss you very much. Whenever I think of the days when we drank tea and discussed poetry and played chess under the moon in the villa in the suburbs of the capital, I feel that time is long and my longing is deep."

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and didn't reply.

It's disgusting.

[Some princes say they like someone, but they can't even recognize the person they love.] Ling Gungun sighed.

Wu Zhengchu didn't mind, cleared his throat, and got down to business, "Shutong, I heard you went to Black Mountain Stronghold again. How did it go? Did you tell Gu Fanghe about the situation in the court as I asked?"

Jin Chen put down her teacup, looked up at him, and said calmly:

"Naturally, it's progressing smoothly. Gu Fanghe hates the Crown Prince to the bone, and he was indeed furious upon hearing the news."

"Furthermore, the Crown Prince's faction's embezzlement of border troops' pay and their exclusion and suppression of former members of the Crane Wind Army are all enough to intensify his hatred for the court, especially the Eastern Palace..."

Wu Zhengchu suddenly exclaimed in surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Strange, didn't you say before... that you didn't want to get involved in these court struggles? How come you suddenly know so much about these things?"

Gu Fanghe, who was guarding Jin Chen, felt his heart leap into his throat and his back tense up. Liu Mianfeng couldn't help but secretly sweat as well.

Jin Chen remained expressionless, raising her eyes to meet his gaze, "Isn't this all for you?"

So I can kill you.

Jin Chen didn't finish her sentence, but that's precisely what made people's imaginations run wild.

Wu Zhengchu was so engrossed in these words that he broke into a smile and reached out to shake Jin Chen's hand again, but Jin Chen had already picked up her teacup and avoided his movement.

Wu Zhengchu felt as if he had been filled with honey, thinking to himself that Shu Tong really cared about him, and was even willing to participate in these dirty schemes for his sake.

What could be more fulfilling and captivating than having someone as aloof and unapproachable as the moon fall to earth for your sake?

"Keep Gu Fanghe calm. When the time is right, I will send someone into the mountains to capture him and his men..."

He made a motion of wiping his neck.

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, said nothing, and only nodded slightly.

Gu Fanghe: "..."

His hands, hanging by his sides, slowly tightened.

Liu Mianfeng, standing beside him, was so frightened that she quickly signaled him to calm down with her eyes.

Gu Fanghe stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Young Master, the tea has gone cold. Let me get you a fresh cup."

As he spoke, he picked up the teapot on the table and filled the empty cup in front of Wu Zhengchu to about seven-tenths full, though the tea was a little hot.

Wu Zhengchu was in a daze and didn't pay attention. He picked up his teacup, blew on it, and prepared to take a sip to calm his excited mood.

Jin Chen glanced at Gu Fanghe, his face completely unfamiliar through the human skin mask, yet his eyes swirled with jealousy and dissatisfaction.

Jin Chen's lips curved slightly, and he suddenly turned his head and gently kissed Gu Fanghe's lips.

Because Gu Fanghe was pouring him tea, his shoulder blocked the view, so Wu Zhengchu couldn't see him.

Gu Fanghe was stunned, and the tea almost spilled. He didn't expect Jin Chen to do this. The jealousy surging in his heart was soothed. He lowered his eyes, finished pouring the tea, and then retreated behind Jin Chen like a qualified follower.