Xiangzhou Arc: Soul Transmigrated to Another World — Chapter 32: Becoming a Beast of Burden for His Highness the Crown Prince...

Hearing Ye Qiaoqiao’s words, Shen Jianzhou seemed to recall something. He realized that her suspicions were not unfounded—in fact, they made perfect sense.

For a moment, Shen Jianzhou’s expression grew grave as he said, “Based on your line of thinking, I will order discreet surveillance on the officials who perform the most kneeling ceremonies. We must uncover whoever has swapped my original fate behind my back.”

After speaking, he raised his head, gazing at the blooming tassel tree, silently vowing to resolve the dark aura lurking behind him with Ye Qiaoqiao’s help. Not a single clue would be overlooked.

When he turned back to look at Ye Qiaoqiao, his eyes held a newfound respect and trust. “Thank you, Miss Ye.”

Ye Qiaoqiao smiled lightly and waved her hand. “Your Highness, there’s no need for thanks. Since I serve as your aide, it is my duty to ease your burdens.”

Yet her expression soon turned serious as she added, “In the future, I hope Your Highness will think twice before being entangled by these cumbersome formalities and prolonged kneeling ceremonies that might hinder your actions.”

Shen Jianzhou nodded in agreement. “I will heed your advice. But as long as I can reclaim my original fate, all will be well.”

“Certainly!” Ye Qiaoqiao promised.

The atmosphere between them quietly shifted—no longer tense or confrontational, but marked by mutual understanding and a shared resolve.

“Soon, I will return to the capital. You should come with me,” Shen Jianzhou revealed his plans to her.

He was confident Ye Qiaoqiao would accompany him, as she had already agreed to be his aide, standing by his side to strategize and assist with affairs in the capital.

However, Ye Qiaoqiao shook her head slightly, her eyes firm as she replied slowly, “As an aide to the Crown Prince, I should work behind the scenes and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. If trouble arises, it could jeopardize Your Highness’s important matters.”

“So you mean?” Shen Jianzhou furrowed his brow, gazing at her with curiosity, awaiting her explanation.

Ye Qiaoqiao chuckled softly, as if everything had been planned out in advance, and said, “Your Highness can go ahead first. I will follow shortly. This way, we can ensure that the matter in Xiangzhou does not spread and still manage to uncover who swapped your fate.”

After a brief moment’s thought, Shen Jianzhou nodded in agreement. “Very well.”

Since Ye Qiaoqiao insisted, he would not press further.

From the moment they met, the most striking impression she left was her firm resolve. Following her reasoning would likely be the wiser choice.

Having reached an understanding with the Crown Prince, Ye Qiaoqiao recalled the divination she performed yesterday, predicting that a thief might attempt to steal treasures from her home today. She then bid farewell to the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, I have other matters to attend to. I shall take my leave.”

“Very well,” Shen Jianzhou responded.

But just as Ye Qiaoqiao turned to leave, Shen Jianzhou suddenly called out, “Wait.”

She turned back, puzzled.

Shen Jianzhou took off a pair of items he wore and handed one to her.

Ye Qiaoqiao extended her hand to accept it, eyes full of curiosity, and asked, “What is this?”

She examined the object carefully. It was oval-shaped, with a small notch on its surface, exquisitely crafted and delicate. It made no sound when lightly touched. Yet the other piece in Shen Jianzhou’s hand produced an echo.

Shen Jianzhou gazed intently at Ye Qiaoqiao, dressed in a flowing water-blue gown, her face reflecting confusion under the bright sunlight. Compared to her usual boldness when confronting him, now she appeared unusually serene, with a gentle and playful charm.

He then explained, “This is a jade token. If you ever need to, you can use it to transmit your voice to me, and I will know immediately. No matter when, I will come to your side at once.”

“Really? That’s amazing!” Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes widened with astonishment.

She had thought that in this alternate era, lightness skills were already miraculous, but the ability to transmit voice remotely through a jade token surpassed her imagination. It truly was a treasure.

“Yes, it’s a gift. If you encounter danger, use it to call me, and I will appear anytime,” Shen Jianzhou said with a faint smile.

Suddenly, Ye Qiaoqiao felt he was quite kind and regretted having been rude to him earlier.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she said.

“Don’t thank me just yet. There is one more thing you must remember about this jade token,” Shen Jianzhou said casually, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Despite the clear sky, Ye Qiaoqiao felt a chill run down her back.

She braced herself and asked, “What is it?”

“If I summon you with the token, you must appear before me,” Shen Jianzhou stated the rule.

Hearing this, Ye Qiaoqiao’s fleeting guilt from a few seconds ago vanished, replaced by silent disbelief. She thought to herself:

The good news is: the Crown Prince guards my life.

The bad news is: I’m going to be his servant forever…

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I won’t make it in time. Unlike you, I don’t have lightness skills!” Ye Qiaoqiao lamented helplessly.

Shen Jianzhou smiled faintly, amused by her expression of wanting to cry but holding back.

“It’s no problem. As long as you respond when I speak to you, that will suffice,” he reassured her.

Wait, what? Respond anytime, anywhere?

How is this different from a modern cellphone?

Ye Qiaoqiao frowned, pondering deeply. If the jade token could transmit voice at any time, wouldn’t Shen Jianzhou hear every word she said?

“I can respond to Your Highness,” she said, furrowing her brow, then, suppressing her surprise, asked again, “May I ask, Your Highness, does this token let you hear everything I say?”

Shen Jianzhou smiled lightly. “Of course not.”

“What do you mean?” Ye Qiaoqiao asked in confusion.

Shen Jianzhou held the jade token between his slender, fair fingers and brought it to his lips. “If you speak within ten centimeters of it, I will hear almost everything you say.”

As he explained, Ye Qiaoqiao’s token transmitted his deep, husky voice.

She was amazed. Though the sound quality was a bit worse than a phone, it was still quite good.

At least she truly heard Shen Jianzhou’s words twice!

But hearing this, she realized that beyond ten centimeters, the token wouldn’t pick up anything.

She began to understand.

From now on, she would have to be careful what she said.

She must never let him overhear anything unfavorable.