Chapter 87 - 86: Hua Shao’s Discovery! Emperor Chengtian’s Secret Identity
Chapter 87: Chapter 86: Hua Shao’s Discovery! Emperor Chengtian’s Secret Identity
Shi Changying lay on her stomach on the grass, working on her exercises. Although the problems she was currently doing were only at a middle school level, she wrote fluently without the slightest pause. It was evident that once she grasped a concept, she could fully master and apply it.
"Your boss, oh right, a member of the Mingjing Gu family. Even though this family has nothing to do with Lord Gu, they are still a major wealthy family in Mingjing now," Hua Shao said to herself on the other end of the line. "The person he found to erase the surveillance footage is indeed highly skilled. Restoring this video won’t be easy."
Qingyuan curled her lips into a faint smile. "So you’re saying I couldn’t possibly know a technician more skilled than the one Gu Lingyuan hired?"
"It’s not your field, so it’s hard for you to come into contact with them," Hua Shao said candidly. "Just like how I can’t reach the top figures in the entertainment industry like you can. Every profession has its specialty, and everyone has their own circle. Plus, you’ve never been fond of socializing."
Qingyuan thought that Hua Shao truly lived up to her STEM background. Her logical thinking was exceptionally strong, allowing her to deduce so many details from just a few subtle hints.
"The fact that you don’t need my help means someone else is going to help you," Hua Shao drew out her words, analyzing methodically. "But logically speaking, you shouldn’t know anyone whose computer skills rival mine. Even if you do, someone close to you must have made the connection. Who could it be? Moreover, this person isn’t afraid of the Mingjing Gu family’s power."
"Then please, Miss Hua, put your brilliant mind to work and take a guess," Qingyuan said unhurriedly. "I heard your students can’t even tell the slightest lie in front of you without being seen through immediately. I want to know if you’re still as smart as before."
Hua Shao narrowed her eyes and scoffed. "I know you’re just jealous that Your Majesty once praised my intelligence, but math and physics really do require talent."
Qingyuan smiled slightly. "I have more hair than you."
"It’s a real pity you don’t have this kind of talent," Hua Shao retorted.
"I have more hair than you."
"Is that the only sentence you know?!" Hua Shao snapped.
"I have more hair than you."
"..." Hua Shao fell silent in exasperation. Furious, she abruptly ended the call.
Qingyuan looked thoughtfully at her phone. She was genuinely curious to see how long it would take Hua Shao, with her abilities, to find Shi Changying and what methods she would use. When that day came, she was going to show off properly in front of Hua Shao—proving that she not only had more hair but was also smarter.
Very satisfied, Qingyuan put her phone away and went back to find Shi Changying. "Sister Ying, want to grab lunch together?"
Shi Changying stretched and decisively stuffed her pens and books into her backpack. "Let’s go."
Following the address of a private restaurant given to her by Sister Xu, Qingyuan sneaked Shi Changying over through the back alleys. After entering their private room, Qingyuan drew all the curtains shut.
Shi Changying glanced around and commented, "We look like thieves."
"Don’t we?" Qingyuan sighed. "I really admire the eyesight of those paparazzi and obsessive fans. How exactly do they manage to recognize me? Do I have to wear a disguise? But I don’t know how to do that."
Shi Changying rested her chin on her hand, waiting for her lunch. Plate after plate of deliciously aromatic and beautifully presented dishes were brought in, and plate after plate disappeared into Shi Changying’s stomach.
Qingyuan stared in disbelief. "Have... have you been starving for four hundred years?"
Shi Changying raised an eyebrow. "Ming Yue must have told you that I grew up in the Xuan Sect and didn’t return to Mingjing until I was twelve."
"Lord Zhuge did mention that." Qingyuan recalled for a moment, her brow furrowing. "He said that when you were born, a monk called you a person of... ill omen. He claimed you needed to cultivate in the Xuan Sect to strip away your wild, murderous nature before you could become a true human. That monk was simply talking nonsense."
"It wasn’t complete nonsense. I was indeed different from ordinary people because I was born with divine power," Shi Changying said calmly. "I cultivated in the Xuan Sect for thirteen years. After returning, because I possessed the strength to lift a bronze cauldron and defeated two military generals, I was granted the title of Prince Jing and began leading troops into battle."
Qingyuan was puzzled. "What does that have to do with eating?"
"Of course it does," Shi Changying said lazily. "Nourishing the body with food is the best method. I’ve only just woken up, and all my previous martial arts are gone. My inner strength helps me digest this food rapidly. If I can’t restore my former strength, I won’t even be able to sleep peacefully."
Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief. "Then please, keep eating. I was just worried you might make yourself sick."
Shi Changying ordered another dozen plates of food.
"In ancient times, a one-character princely title was considered supreme, usually named after former vassal states," Qingyuan suddenly said with enthusiasm. "The ’Jing’ in your title of Prince Jing comes from the Jing Dynasty founded by Emperor Chengtian. Before the Jing Dynasty was established, his fiefdom was in Jing..."
Shi Changying looked at her, flashing a deadpan smile.
Qingyuan immediately changed the subject. "Sister Ying, you are wise and mighty, unmatched by anyone!"
She had almost forgotten that Her Majesty was determined to surpass Emperor Chengtian in everything, including the matter of rebellion. But she hadn’t lied; the ’Jing’ of Prince Jing truly did originate from Emperor Chengtian. Still... it was best left unsaid.
Qingyuan waited until Shi Changying finished eating before asking again, "Sister Ying, are you coming to the set with me?"
"No," Shi Changying said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I’m going to find my desk mate for some extra tutoring."
"Desk mate?" Qingyuan recalled the young man who had left a deep impression on her. She probed, "What do you think of him?"
Shi Changying thought for a moment and said, "He has a nice waist."
Qingyuan was speechless. "???"
After parting ways with Qingyuan, Shi Changying headed to Jianghuai High School. Today was a day off, but there were still students at the school for self-study. She didn’t go to the classroom; instead, she went up to the rooftop.
Shaoyuan was leaning against the left wall. From this vantage point, one could overlook the entire school—an angle suited for controlling the grand scheme of things. He stood with his arms crossed, his gaze calm, staring off at some unknown cloud. This was his habitual posture of absolute control.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head slightly, his expression shifting as he beckoned her over.
Shi Changying handed him her workbook. "I’m done."
Shaoyuan flipped through the pages and found no errors. "What are your plans for tomorrow?"
Shi Changying enjoyed the gentle breeze brushing against her cheeks. "The Meng family is hosting a birthday banquet tomorrow. I’m going there to eat some good food."
Shaoyuan tapped his fingers lightly against his leg. "The Meng family..."
As if something had come to mind, he opened a chat window on his phone.
[Shaoyuan]: An invitation to the Meng family’s birthday banquet.
[Little Jiang]: I... I swear I’ve never even heard of this family. It’s not that I can’t get an invitation.
[Shaoyuan]: Jianghuai, the Meng family.
[Little Jiang]: I’ll look into it.
Shaoyuan waited patiently.
Suddenly, Shi Changying asked, "Why aren’t you praising me?"
She had improved so quickly; shouldn’t she be commended?
"Hmm?" Shaoyuan looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Alright, I’ll praise you. Our eldest miss is truly amazing."
Right then, his phone vibrated.
[Little Jiang]: My god, did you dig up this minor family from some obscure corner? I had to ask around forever just to find someone with an invitation. If you had asked for the Mingjing Gu family, it wouldn’t have been this hard.
[Shaoyuan]: Tomorrow.
[Little Jiang]: Yes, yes, yes. I swear on the name of my ancestor, Emperor Chengtian, Jiang Zhi, that it will be delivered tomorrow! I will rush it over posthaste, not a single second late!
Shi Changying had excellent eyesight, though she didn’t like prying into other people’s privacy. However, she was inherently far too sensitive to the name "Emperor Chengtian." With just a casual glance, she caught the words "my ancestor, Emperor Chengtian, Jiang Zhi."
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Shaoyuan. "Ancestor, Emperor Chengtian, Jiang Zhi?"