Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As she spoke, she took the bird meat and lowered her head to eat. But in an instant, memories of the person she had just killed flooded her mind, causing her stomach to churn.

She wasn't unfamiliar with blood from her past experiences as a healer, but killing was a different matter altogether.

Hunger gnawed at her belly, yet nausea rose simultaneously. After a moment of torment, Qin Jue, sitting beside her, suddenly spoke up, "You're probably not up for eating meat right after waking up, huh? Would you like a fruit instead?"

Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze to see Qin Jue's clean, fair hand offering a small fruit. He explained, "There isn't much to eat in winter, so you'll have to make do with this wild fruit."

Luo Wanqing didn't fuss and put down the roasted bird, taking the fruit and gently biting into it.

Qin Jue observed her and ventured cautiously, "Is this your first time killing someone?"

The fruit was tart but soothing to Luo Wanqing's uneasy stomach. She continued to munch on it, ignoring Qin Jue's question.

Understanding her silence, Qin Jue kept quiet and changed the subject, saying, "There's a town about five miles ahead. Tomorrow, we can get some clothes there and then head to the Eastern Capital together, alright?"

Listening to him, Luo Wanqing ate the fruit and looked around, asking, "Where am I? How long have I been unconscious? What about the others?"

"This is the wilderness, twenty miles away from the inn. You've been unconscious for a day and a night. As for the others, either they're dead or they've fled."

Qin Jue held the roasted bird in his hand, tearing off a leg and biting into it casually. "After you passed out, I brought you back to the inn. But it was set on fire, the officials vanished, and there were corpses everywhere. I was afraid that the assassins would catch up, so I fled with you."

Pausing, Qin Jue seemed to recall something and asked curiously, "Last night, you kept pushing me away and even told the killers to kill me instead. Why were you so sure they were after me?"

"Lots of questions, huh?" Luo Wanqing raised her eyes impatiently.

Qin Jue smiled. "I'm just curious. It seems like you know a lot."

"They've been tailing us all along. I don't have any enemies capable of such a thing."

Luo Wanqing explained, and Qin Jue nodded, accepting her explanation. He said seriously, "That's true."

Then, he frowned in confusion. "So they really came to kill me?"

Luo Wanqing didn't respond but gave him a cold glance.

She didn't believe that he was unaware of his situation. While in the water prison, she had almost memorized the genealogies of all the prominent families in the land and the court. She knew very well who this person before her was.

The Qin family of Jiangnan was the largest and most influential clan in the region. Back then, they had close ties with one of the four major noble houses, the Cui family. Five years ago, the Cui family betrayed their country, surrendering without a fight and handing over ten border cities to foreign foes. Following the Cui family's downfall, the Qin family was implicated as well. All clan members holding positions above the fourth rank in the Eastern Capital resigned and returned to Jiangnan, effectively vanishing from the political scene.

It wasn't until last year when an imperial censor submitted a memorial accusing the Qin family of secretly stockpiling troops and supplies, and forging weapons. The emperor was furious, labeling it as treason. Qin family members were arrested, and the head of the family, Qin Wenyan, was brought to the Eastern Capital for trial.

The case dragged on. By the time Luo Wanqing was imprisoned, the Qin family's verdict was finally handed down. The male members of the Qin Wenyan lineage were sentenced to death, while the women were consigned to the music bureau. Other clan members, not involved in the matter, were spared.

Unfortunately, most of the Qin family members couldn't withstand the harshness of prison and had already perished. Only Qin Wenyan's branch remained, with Qin Jue, his legitimate son, as the sole survivor.

She couldn't believe he was unaware that these assassins were targeting him. Still, she didn't press the issue, as it was ultimately none of her concern.

Intent on parting ways once she recovered, her thoughts seemed too transparent, catching Qin Jue's attention. He glanced back at her and asked cautiously, "Xiniang, after all we've been through, you're still planning to abandon me?"

"Lady Liu," Luo Wanqing said after finishing the last morsel of meat and dusting off her hands, reminding him, "We aren't acquainted."

"Don't be like that," Qin Jue expressed regret. "At the very least, we've shared a hardship together."

"I was pulled into this by you, not because I chose to share your troubles."

Luo Wanqing began to put on her shoes, speaking as she did, "Since you're aware that you're a burden, don't hinder my journey. There's only two months left until the Inspectorate's assessment. You take your broad path, and I'll cross my narrow bridge. If fate allows it, we'll meet again."

With that, Luo Wanqing stood up. She had nothing to pack, so she looked up at the stars in the sky, vaguely recognizing the Big Dipper. Following its guidance, she started walking north.

Behind her, Qin Jue watched her direction and couldn't help but interject, "Xiniang."

"Lost already?"

"That's south."

Luo Wanqing froze upon hearing this.

Standing still, she suddenly remembered that after being imprisoned for so long, she'd forgotten that she had never ventured out alone, let alone navigate her way around.

Though she had lived for ten years in Lingnan in her dreams, she had always stayed within a small area where knowing directions wasn't necessary. She knew the theory of orienteering by stars, but had never put it into practice.

After a moment, Qin Jue hesitantly offered from behind, "I have a great sense of direction, you know."

Luo Wanqing didn't respond.

Qin Jue continued, "I'm also good at cooking, and I'm well-versed in various martial arts techniques. Your sword skills are so terrible; don't you want to improve them? Remember when I taught you how to fight the black bear? Our teamwork was impeccable, wasn't it?"

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes, taking a moment to compose herself. If Qin Jue hadn't been pursued by the Wind and Rain Pavilion, she might have considered his proposal. However...

"Oh, right," Qin Jue seemed to read her thoughts as he suggested, "Why don't you sit down and run your chi through your meridians to feel how I've restored them?"

Luo Wanqing was taken aback but then recalled the excruciating pain in her meridians before she passed out. Realizing what Qin Jue meant, she promptly crossed her legs and started circulating her chi. After one cycle, she opened her eyes in surprise.

"How does it feel?" Qin Jue asked, holding the roasted bird as he circled around to face her, seemingly already aware of the outcome.

Luo Wanqing looked up at him with a mixture of emotions and spoke honestly, "There's a section of my meridian where the flow of my chi no longer causes pain."

This was entirely different from her previous experience. Before, circulating her chi would result in searing pain along its path. But now, a particular section of her meridian felt like a riverbed that had been meticulously cleared, allowing her chi to flow smoothly. It even carried a gentle warmth that brought comfort.

"Exactly," Qin Jue nodded, explaining further, "Your vital energy is abundant, but your meridians are entirely mismatched. It's as if they've been forcefully expanded, and they're now almost ruined. If you continue to use your inner strength like you did last night, your body will be rendered useless."

Luo Wanqing remained silent; she was well aware of Qin Jue's observations.

But she had no choice. Everything comes at a cost, and her very survival relied on the Nine Fragrant Concentrating Pills provided by the Inspectorate. Now that her meridians were damaged, it was only natural.

"What do you want?" Luo Wanqing understood Qin Jue's intentions. If he could mend one section of her meridian, he could mend them all. His lengthy explanation hinted at a condition.

Seeing her straightforward question, Qin Jue appeared a bit melancholic. "Why do you sound so distant? I'm the one who helped repair your meridians. However, each repair consumes a great deal of energy. You know the state of my body," Qin Jue said, placing his hand on his chest and sighing, "It's not up to par. To fully restore your meridians will take time."

"You want me to accompany you?" Luo Wanqing grasped his meaning and gazed at him steadily.

Qin Jue nodded. "Of course."

"To the Eastern Capital, to take the Inspectorate exam?"

"Precisely."

Luo Wanqing fell silent, contemplating quietly.

Being with Qin Jue was undoubtedly risky, but she had already crossed paths with the people from the Wind and Rain Pavilion. If they sought retribution, they would come swiftly. If they didn't, it meant they regarded her actions as part of her mission and wouldn't trouble her again.

Qin Jue wouldn't die – he didn't in her previous life, and he wouldn't in this one. Her task was to protect herself, despite the risks. If Qin Jue could help mend her meridians, she would have no more worries.

Moreover, judging by Qin Jue's persistence, it seemed he wouldn't give up easily even if she refused. It might be difficult for her to shake him off.

After much deliberation, Luo Wanqing finally decided to take the chance.

Nothing else could offer such an appealing boost to her strength. However, out of caution, she asked once more, "Why do you want to follow me?"

"You're impressive," Qin Jue replied, half-serious, half-teasing. "As you can see, I'm not exactly skilled in combat. Who else can I rely on besides you?"

Luo Wanqing remained silent, reflecting on his words. She realized that the man before her, due to his injuries and being pursued, would face great danger on his journey to the Eastern Capital without assistance. For him to seek help, it had to be mutually beneficial – he couldn't aid someone too powerful, nor could someone too weak aid him. Luo Wanqing, with her need for him to heal her meridians and her own martial skills, suited him well. Besides, he likely saw value in Liu Xiniang's inner strength. Their complementary needs made for a comfortable alliance.

With a silver tongue and a cunning mind, he concealed such a calamity at home without revealing any signs – truly a remarkable individual.

Considering her own family's circumstances and his, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but ask, "If I bring you to the Inspectorate, what do you plan on doing?"

"I'll take the examination to join the Inspectorate and become one of its members."

"And then?" Luo Wanqing pressed for more.

Qin Jue was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected Luo Wanqing to inquire further. After a moment of thought, he chuckled softly, gazing eastward with a calm demeanor. "To clear the unjust stigma for my Qin lineage."

Luo Wanqing's heartstrings trembled upon hearing this.

She looked intently at the young man before her and asked, "Your family was falsely accused?"

"It was just a power struggle among noble families," Qin Jue said nonchalantly. "An accusation conjured out of thin air."

Qin Jue turned to look at her, his smile reappearing. "Xiniang is asking so many questions, does that mean you're planning to accompany me?"

Luo Wanqing fell silent for a while. After a moment, she replied, "Call me Miss Liu."

"Hmm?"

"Please mend my meridians before we reach the Eastern Capital."

Luo Wanqing didn't look at him, rising to return to the fire. She picked up the roasted bird that was set aside and placed it back on the flames to warm it further.

After eating a sour fruit to suppress her nausea, she felt much better. She refused to indulge in such physical discomfort caused by her emotions. Meat had to be eaten; it provided strength, resilience, and increased her chances of completing the journey ahead.

As she roasted the meat, she said, "I'll accompany you."

"Ai?" Qin Jue was taken aback. "Xiao..."

"Miss Liu," Luo Wanqing interrupted, emphasizing her title.

Qin Jue sighed in resignation and followed Luo Wanqing's lead. "So Miss Liu has agreed?"

"Mm-hmm."

"That puts my mind at ease," Qin Jue said with genuine pleasure. However, after a moment's thought, he added, "Why did you suddenly agree? You seemed quite distant from me just now."

Luo Wanqing didn't reply right away. Once the roasted bird was sufficiently heated, she took it off the fire and said casually, "Do you know what the most annoying thing about being around you is?"

"What?" Qin Jue was puzzled.

Luo Wanqing inhaled the scent of the roasted bird, acclimating herself to the meaty aroma. She suppressed her disgust and took a small bite, whispering softly, "You're far too perceptive and suspicious, it's bothersome."

Qin Jue choked on his words, realizing that he had been asking too many questions, which annoyed Luo Wanqing.

After a moment of hesitation, he awkwardly chuckled and continued, "Alright then, I won't ask so many questions from now on. But—"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing shot him a cold glance.

Qin Jue spoke hastily, rushing his words before Luo Wanqing could interrupt him, "Just one last question!"

Luo Wanqing paused for a moment before finally speaking, "Go ahead."

"What's the deal with your inner strength?"

Lifting her gaze, Qin Jue said earnestly, "I have a feeling that this inner strength doesn't belong to you."