Chapter 473: Pulling the Strings

Chapter 473: Chapter 473: Pulling the Strings

Shen Hao was a bit surprised—he hadn’t expected Ning Ziye to cut straight to the heart of the assassination just from some superficial clues.

Indeed, based on all current indications, the real aim of the street ambush on Shen Hao was to muddy the waters, not to actually kill him.

But the enemy didn’t succeed. Not because the Xuanqing Guard was so formidable in catching them, but because the Emperor covered up the whole affair right away. If you want to stir up trouble, they won’t even give you the chance.

The only thing certain is that assassin most likely served under a Royal Family member.

But none of this could be said. Shen Hao sensed Ning Ziye was deliberately trying to pry something out of him. So he changed the topic and asked, "I’ve looked into Hong’en Hall, but found nothing—the deeper I tried, the tighter the walls. That rarely happens, which tells me the power behind you is impressive.

So? Interested in doing business with me?"

"With you? Heh, do you have the silver to pay?"

"I probably can afford it. Want to give it a shot?"

In the intelligence trade, the first transaction is always the hardest. Building trust from nothing always comes with risks—for both sides, it depends on how well you can judge people, and how much gamble you’re willing to take.

Lian Xiang finally sat upright from Shen Hao’s embrace, giving him a careful look, and asked seriously, "Are you sure you’re not joking?"

"Of course. Having more paths open is always good." Under the table, Shen Hao’s hand was still kneading Lian Xiang’s back, while indeed trying to probe the depth of influence backing these two.

"Whether more paths are good, that I don’t know. But I do know you’re up to no good." Before Shen Hao could say more, Ning Ziye cut him off flatly.

Doing business with others—at least the risks are controllable. With the Xuanqing Guard? That’s another story—let alone that he’s with the Black Banner Battalion, the most notorious lot of the Guard, and he’s Evil Star, the worst of the lot. This deal? Ning Ziye clearly wasn’t optimistic.

Yet Lian Xiang just smiled, looped an arm around Shen Hao’s neck, pressed her cheek to his, and chuckled, "I think it’s worth a try. Lord Shen wouldn’t break our rules, after all."

"Rules? What are your rules?"

"Equivalent exchange. Either silver coins, or other resources. And outside the transactions, you absolutely cannot reveal our identity—if it’s leaked, it’s to the death."

To the death? Shen Hao squinted his eyes slightly, smiling. "Then what about clever men like me, who figure things out on their own?"

Before Lian Xiang could answer, Ning Ziye jumped in: "If Lian Xiang hadn’t been shielding you, and if you weren’t so tight-lipped, do you really think you’d still be living as comfortably as now? Hmph, still don’t know what’s good for you."

"Oh? Seriously?" Shen Hao turned to Lian Xiang, who nodded faintly.

Of course, it wasn’t just Lian Xiang hiding things from him—her two maids and even Ning Ziye were keeping secrets. Otherwise, Shen Hao would have one more fatal problem hanging over his head right now.

No wonder smart people die young—they’re always poking their noses into things best left alone.

"So you’re saying, to stay safe, I have to pretend I know nothing at all? Doesn’t that mean I can’t do business with you anymore?" Shen Hao didn’t pay much mind to Ning Ziye’s so-called "threat." Real or not, he wasn’t someone to mess with lightly. Taking his life wouldn’t be so easy.

"It’s not impossible," Lian Xiang offered a compromise. "You just keep pretending you don’t know us, and we’ll report your intention to contact us. Then, someone will reach out to you, and you can ask all you like."

"No way! That’s too risky! What if someone finds out about the things going on between you and him? He’s got the Xuanqing Guard at his back—he’ll be fine, but you’ll be finished. Not just you—even Xiaoqin and the other girl won’t escape, and I won’t, either! I’m against it!"

Ning Ziye’s expression turned grim, warning Lian Xiang not to play with fire.

"Oh, c’mon, sister! Why so nervous? Nothing’s going to happen. And if he becomes a client, it’ll actually be far easier for us to meet and talk. Doesn’t that make sense?"

"You... are insane!" Ning Ziye pressed her hand to her forehead and fell silent.

"I’m not insane. Everything goes step by step. But... do you have the guts?" The first half was said to Ning Ziye—the latter, Lian Xiang aimed straight at Shen Hao.

"Heh, you’re not scared, so why should I be?" Shen Hao smiled, pulled Lian Xiang into his arms again, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Tch!" Ning Ziye turned away, still dissatisfied, but said nothing more.

Lian Xiang rested her head on Shen Hao’s shoulder and continued, "I’ll spread the word, saying I overheard you discussing some related topics with Liu Hengyi at the banquet today. Someone will come find you—you’ll know what to do then."

"Topics? I don’t even know your backgrounds—how could I have steered the conversation to you?"

"You’ve heard of the Moon Shadow Tower, haven’t you?"

Shen Hao hissed, paused, then said, "You’re with the Moon Shadow Tower?"

"Mmm. Surprised?"

"Very, but it makes sense, too. No wonder I couldn’t trace the power behind you—Moon Shadow Tower, huh." Shen Hao was genuinely amazed, not expecting to fish up a catch this big. At first he’d thought Lian Xiang’s backers were some powerful Gated Clan or similar, never would he have guessed—Moon Shadow Tower!

Ning Ziye wanted to stop them, but it was too late—she could only pick up her cup and gulp her wine, trying to drown her frustration.

The two soon treated Ning Ziye as air, murmuring and plotting in each other’s arms.

"Enough—you’re not seriously about to start something right here, are you?"

It was already midnight; Shen Hao had no plans to spend the night with Lian Xiang here, nor linger at Hong’en Hall. He straightened his clothes and took his leave.

After seeing Shen Hao off, Lian Xiang and Ning Ziye returned to their own little courtyard.

The two maids helped them wash up for bed.

"Lian Xiang, are you seriously letting Shen get close to the Moon Shadow Tower?"

"Of course. The Sect Leader told me to stay close to him, didn’t he? If I help him connect with something as mysterious as the Moon Shadow Tower, he’ll trust me even more. The mission set by the Sect will get done, too. Two birds with one stone, what’s not to like?"

"Two birds with one stone? I think there’s more to it than that! If you really follow through, you and Shen will end up truly together. Are you sure this is what you want? I don’t think he’s a good man."

"A good man? Do you really think someone like me should find a good man?"

"..."

Seeing Ning Ziye silent, Lian Xiang pressed on: "Sister, don’t you think Shen Hao’s potential is scary? In just two years since I met him, he’s climbed this high. Give him ten more—what then? By then, if I lean on him, I won’t have to care about those bullshit rules in the Sect, will I?"