Chapter 117: A Lot of Bad People

Chapter 117

Xiao Jingyan's words were utterly outrageous.

"You want me to be a thief?"

Song Zhao was quite surprised, as if she had heard an unbelievable joke. She smiled helplessly and said,

"With your status as a prince, why would you need to steal any rare treasures? You just have to utter a word, and countless treasures will be delivered to you on a silver platter. As a mere palace concubine, what can I do to help you?"

"You're right, but what I need this time can only be obtained with the help of someone influential like you."

Xiao Jingyan leaned in closer to Song Zhao, lowering his voice and murmuring, "Because what I want is the Empress Dowager's Tianji Secret Order."

His warm breath poured into Song Zhao's ears, sending shivers down her spine.

It wasn't because of his deep and captivating voice, but rather the mention of the "Tianji Secret Order" that made Song Zhao's scalp tingle with fear.

"Are you out of your mind?" Her expression turned serious, and her voice was even lower than Xiao Jingyan's. "The Tianji Secret Order is the only key that can control the Tianji Office. They obey the orders but not the person. The Empress Dowager keeps it close to her. How can I..."

"The influential can find a way," Xiao Jingyan interrupted Song Zhao, smiling calmly. "The Empress Dowager is unwilling to get close to anyone except for someone influential. Amongst the entire palace, only someone as clever as you can stealthily steal the Tianji Secret Order without anyone noticing. Don't worry, I will take just two days, and I guarantee that it won't cause any trouble for you, my lady."

Even if Xiao Jingyan talked until he was blue in the face, there was no way Song Zhao could help him in this matter.

Asking her to be a thief was already beyond belief, but to ask her to steal something from the Empress Dowager?

If anything went wrong, not only would she be in danger, but even Xiao Jingyan, the prince, wouldn't survive!

This person was simply a madman!

"I can't do this task, nor do I have the ability to do it. Your Highness, you should seek help elsewhere."

Song Zhao firmly refused Xiao Jingyan. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Xiao Jingyan mutter under his breath from behind her,

"Alright, since the influential lady is unwilling to help, then I can only go and tell the emperor. I'll let him know that the influential lady's stepmother was whipped to death by her own hands."

"You..." Song Zhao sharply turned around, her sharp gaze meeting Xiao Jingyan's playful eyes, leaving her momentarily speechless.

A mysterious chill crept into her collar, spreading through her body, chilling her to the core.

The young man in front of her was about the same age as her, with a carefree expression and a smooth tongue.

But how could such a rascal, as described by others, know so many of her secrets?

Song Zhao couldn't help but take in a cold breath:

Meanwhile, Song Zhao held the jade pendant high and threatened him, saying, "If the prince approaches again, I will smash this jade pendant. We'll just part ways immediately."

She smiled at Xiao Jingyan, raised an eyebrow calmly, and said, "Do you want the Tianji Secret Order or the jade pendant, Your Highness? Choose for yourself."

"Roar!"

Ah Huan arched its body and let out a low roar toward Song Zhao.

Before it could display its power, Xiao Jingyan forcefully patted its head,

causing Ah Huan to cry out in pain and shrink behind Xiao Jingyan with a pitiful look.

"Alright, let's go with your idea," Xiao Jingyan readily agreed and added, "Today is the 20th, and ten days from now is New Year's Eve. I'll give you ten days. On the night of New Year's Eve, there will be a palace banquet. When I enter the palace to attend the banquet, I hope you can deliver the Tianji Secret Order into my hands."

Song Zhao calmly responded, "Understood."

Having said that, she securely tucked away the jade pendant and quickly distanced herself from Xiao Jingyan.

Later that day, when Song Zhao returned to her residence, she didn't blame Xiao Fuzi for his incompetence, nor did she mention anything about what happened earlier at all.

How could she blame Xiao Fuzi for being careless?

After all, even she had exposed herself completely in front of Xiao Jingyan. If anyone is to blame, it can only be her own negligence and lack of caution.

Tonight was supposed to be the night Song Zhao would attend to Xiao Jingyan, but Xiao Yinzi came and said that Xiao Jingheng and the Prince of An had gotten drunk, so they retired early for the night.

As Song Zhao lay alone on the bed at night, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what she did.

Whenever she closed her eyes, she would see the handsome yet detestable face of Xiao Jingyan in her mind!

What does he want as a carefree and idle king with the Tianji Secret Order in his possession?

Fortunately, the Tianji Secret Order can only govern the imperial consorts and has no influence over the court's affairs.

If he wants it, then let him have it. It won't cause any major commotion.

However, Song Zhao has always disliked being threatened.

She thought to herself:

In the future, I must come up with a plan.

I have to make that scoundrel submit before me, only then can I finally relieve the pent-up frustration in my chest...