The Supporting Female Character Enters the Game, the Crazy Crown Prince Slowly Falls Deeply in Love - Chapter 57

“By order, we are arresting the rebel! All non-essential personnel are to immediately clear the area!”

The guards’ shout exploded like thunder, accompanied by the hurried sound of horse hooves, instantly shattering the lively atmosphere of the riddle contest. The crowd surged like a tide. Panicked citizens scattered everywhere, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

No way?

Jiang Yao  was jostled by the crowd, staring blankly at the scene. This wasn’t in the book’s plot either?

By order? Hadn’t the Emperor already fainted at the banquet? Where did the decree come from?

Hearing the guards’ shouts, the commoners squeezed out, the back pushing the front, the left pushing the right. Jiang Yao was pushed forward unexpectedly. She stumbled and was directly knocked into an embrace.

Just as she tried to struggle to her feet, the person firmly wrapped an arm around her, holding her securely in their arms.

Where did this scoundrel come from!

Jiang Yao’s heart pounded. She abruptly looked up, meeting a pair of familiar eyes.

It was Xie Yunian.

His face was pale, his lips faintly colored, and his brows seemed subtly clouded with fatigue.

“Xie, Xie…” Jiang Yao gasped softly, her eyes full of disbelief.

Xie Yunian looked at the panicked person in his arms and slightly raised an eyebrow. “You’re welcome.”

His arm rested loosely on her shoulder. Though he didn’t use force, he securely shielded her in his embrace.

Who was thanking him? Jiang Yao muttered inwardly, yet couldn’t help but look at him again. But why was Xie Yunian here?

He seemed… to be injured. She caught a faint whiff of blood at her nose, and her gaze involuntarily fell on his arm.

“Young Master Xie, why are you here?” Jiang Yao stammered. “Are you also here to… watch the riddle contest?”

Xie Yunian didn’t answer immediately. He merely turned slightly, guiding her into a corner, away from the crowd. His gaze rested on the platform set up in front of the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering, and after a moment, he responded in a low voice.

Jiang Yao’s confusion deepened, but she didn’t dare to ask more.

Just then, she heard an unknown commoner nearby curse, “Who knows which rebel dares to run into the city.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao glanced at Xie Yunian in front of her. She suddenly felt that the rebel was far away in the sky but right in front of her. She secretly criticized this in her mind, but also knew that this was not the time to be thinking about such things. Seeing the guards getting closer, she resolved herself.

The Emperor was already unconscious. The only person who would dare to issue a decree and capture people at this time was probably the Regent Prince, Xiao Jing. As the saying goes, the enemy of her enemy is her friend.

“I, I’m hungry, Young Master Xie. Shall we go to the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering for dinner?” Jiang Yao proposed, her gaze fixed on the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering not far away. It was said that the background of the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering was not simple, and even the future male protagonist had to show it some deference.

Before Xie Yunian could react, she lightly grabbed his wrist and swiftly walked towards the adjacent alley. He subconsciously looked at their hands, his heart slightly jolted. To what extent had Jiang Yao’s mind wandered? She saw him in night clothes yet remained calm, and still had the mood to go to the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering for dinner?

Jiang Yao tugged Xie Yunian along in a run. Only when she confirmed no one was chasing them did she stop in a hidden corner of the alley. She released his hand and surveyed the low wall in front of her.

Xie Yunian leaned against the wall, slightly panting, his gaze complex as he looked at her. “Didn’t you say we were going to the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering for dinner?”

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Jiang Yao’s face. She immediately explained with feigned composure, “There are too many people at the entrance. We’ll climb over this wall and enter from the back courtyard.”

The truth was that her sister had already reserved a room at the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering earlier, originally planning to have dinner there after the riddle contest. Who knew such an incident would occur? She wondered how her sister was doing now.

Jiang Yao pointed to the low wall in front of them. “This is it. You first, or me first?”

Hearing this, a trace of helplessness flashed in Xie Yunian’s eyes, but he still nodded. “In that case, I shall follow A’yao’s wishes.”

Seeing him agree, Jiang Yao felt relieved in her heart, but his address of “A’yao” sent shivers down her spine. Recalling that she had forced him to call her that last time, she could only grit her teeth and accept it.

Xie Yunian braced his hand on the wall’s edge. His figure gracefully leaped up, then he turned and reached out his hand to her. “Come up.”

Jiang Yao froze for a moment, then took his hand, using his strength to climb up.

After the two landed, Jiang Yao dusted off her hands and whispered, “Let’s go.”

Xie Yunian said nothing, following behind Jiang Yao. His gaze inadvertently swept over a tall locust tree in the courtyard. A black shadow was faintly visible on the tree. He subtly raised his hand and made a concealed gesture. The black shadow immediately and silently melted into the branches and leaves, as if it had never been there.

The two made their way through the back courtyard, easily avoiding all the staff, and quickly arrived at the inner courtyard of the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering.

“This Pavilion of Immortal Gathering is nothing special,” Jiang Yao muttered softly. The security was too lax.

Hearing this, Xie Yunian’s lips curved slightly. “Indeed, nothing special.”

“Elegant Mountain Pavilion (Shanya Ge), this is the room.” Jiang Yao glanced at the name on the wall and pushed open the door.

After they entered, Jiang Yao looked around. The room was elegantly decorated. The table even had a few exquisite pastries and a pot of hot tea, clearly prepared in advance. It was such a pity. Originally, she and her sister could have enjoyed tea and the night view here at the Pavilion of Immortal Gathering.

Xie Yunian walked to the window, looking down at the street through the slightly open gap. The street was still in chaos, and the guards were searching house by house. He withdrew his gaze, turned, and asked Jiang Yao, “Have we been to this Pavilion of Immortal Gathering for dinner before?”

Jiang Yao suddenly remembered the excuse she had casually fabricated. Her face slightly flushed, and she whispered, “Mhm, you often bring me here to eat.”

Xie Yunian was about to ask another question when he heard light footsteps outside the door. Following that, the door was gently pushed open, and a man in brocade clothes walked in, a genial smile on his face. He respectfully greeted the two, “Welcome, distinguished guests, to our Pavilion of Immortal Gathering.”

Jiang Yao looked up and was instantly stunned—wasn’t this the same man who had been hosting on the stage earlier? She had heard people nearby call him Manager Xu (徐掌櫃).

As a manager, why was he doing the work of a servant? Had he discovered something? Jiang Yao was confused and couldn’t help but look at him twice.

Manager Xu seemed to notice her gaze, smiling as he explained, “Miss Jiang, please don’t be surprised. I came specifically to find you.”

Jiang Yao pointed at herself, her face blank. “Me?”

Manager Xu smiled and respectfully handed an exquisite token to Jiang Yao. He then signaled someone to bring in a jar of fine wine and ten taels of gold. “Miss Jiang the Eldest and the gentleman answered all thirty riddles. Unfortunately, a sudden disturbance occurred just now, and the prize could not be awarded in time. Since I have fortunately encountered Miss Jiang the Third now, I shall transfer it to you first.”

Xie Yunian’s hand movements paused. His gaze fell on the token, and he slightly raised his eyebrow, almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Yao took the token and looked down at it. She didn’t know what material the token was made of. It was completely white, and the character “仙” (Immortal) was engraved in the center of the jade pendant.

It was quite pretty.