C7 I Want to Search His Body

After a moment, Hua Xiangxue was still haggling with the little thief.

"Just this little bit of money, and you expect me to tell you? You're being way too stingy! The Hua family is loaded, and if you steal from them, you could at least get a decent haul. But right now, you're only offering me a hundred bucks, and then you're just gonna run off. How is that fair to me?"

Hua Xiangxue held onto the little thief, refusing to let go, looking even more stubborn than the thief himself. The thief was at a loss, caught between laughter and tears.

To make a move here—

First, he didn't want to hit a girl, especially not one this pretty. Second, if he did, he'd never find Miss Hua's courtyard, and his Seventh Royal Uncle's future would be ruined by his own hands.

That's right, the little thief sneaking over the wall was none other than the Emperor's second son, the current Second Prince, Jing Xiuyuan. He was also the Empress Dowager's spy and overseer by Jing Yeli's side. He had volunteered to come to the Hua family first to check out Miss Hua, to help his Seventh Royal Uncle figure out if his future bride was a gem or a disaster.

Even though his Seventh Royal Uncle had been frail and sickly since Xiuyuan could remember, he was still quite the handsome figure, and Xiuyuan was very fond of him. Naturally, he didn't want his Seventh Royal Uncle to end up with a bizarre bride. This visit was partly to help out and partly to satisfy his own curiosity.

"Two birds with one stone!"

"Young lady, I'm down to my last bit of money," Jing Xiuyuan said, holding onto the mischievous Hua Xiangxue.

Realizing his slip of the tongue, he quickly watched for her reaction.

Hua Xiangxue rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "I don't believe you. I'm going to search you!"

Jing Xiuyuan was taken aback. He had never met such a cheeky girl before!

Thinking about her words, he couldn't help but frown and said seriously, "Do you know how serious it is to claim a title like that without reason?"

Hua Xiangxue rolled her eyes again, showing no fear or remorse. "If you can call yourself a king, why can't I call myself a queen?"

Jing Xiuyuan was speechless. Well, she had a point.

"But are you really out of money?" Hua Xiangxue eyed him up and down, suddenly noticing the jade pendant at his waist.

Wow, such a beautiful pendant must be worth a lot!

Without hesitation, she snatched it and held it in her hand, examining it closely. "This pendant is nice. I'll keep it as collateral."

"You...!!!" Jing Xiuyuan's expression changed, and he reached out to grab it back, but Hua Xiangxue quickly tucked the pendant into her own pocket.

Jing Xiuyuan was left speechless.

Hua Xiangxue confidently raised her head. "This pendant looks valuable. How about this: once you sell whatever you steal, bring me half the money to redeem it. Deal?"

Hua Xiangxue blinked at Jing Xiuyuan with a pitiful expression.

Jing Xiuyuan's face was hard to describe.

Seeing him silent, Hua Xiangxue grabbed his hand. "Come with me. I'll draw you a map. Just follow what I say, and it'll be easy."

Feeling her small, soft hand holding his, Jing Xiuyuan felt a jolt in his heart as she led him to a more secluded area nearby.

Hua Xiangxue let go of his hand and picked up a stick. "This is my Snow Reflection Pavilion. Once you leave from here, there's a courtyard on the left. In front of that courtyard, there's a rock garden and a flower garden. You keep going..."

As she spoke, she explained the map she was drawing. When she finished, she looked at Jing Xiuyuan. "Got it, little thief? That courtyard is called the Cloud Brocade Pavilion!"

Seeing him focused on the map, Hua Xiangxue frowned. This little thief seemed smart, but staring at it for so long—could he really not remember?

"Little thief?"

"Huh?" Jing Xiuyuan snapped back to attention, quickly averting his gaze. "I-I got it!"

Noticing his distraction, Hua Xiangxue stepped closer and pointed to her face. "Little thief, take a good look at my face. Next time we meet, you'll recognize me. I won't swallow your jade pendant, don't worry! If you want it back, come to this courtyard next time. I live in the house up front. Got it?"

A woman who loves money should earn it rightfully; she only takes what she deserves!

Jing Xiuyuan nodded and couldn't help but ask, "What's your name?"

Hua Xiangxue paused, thought for a moment, then chuckled, "You can call me Little Immortal!"

Jing Xiuyuan understood and quickly replied, "Alright, I'll come find you later. I have to go now!"

With that, Jing Xiuyuan swiftly climbed over the wall and left.

Hua Xiangxue tilted her head, looking at the map on the ground, and curiously muttered to herself, "I wonder if that little thief remembered everything."

Nonetheless, Hua Xiangxue cleverly erased all traces of evidence from the ground.