Chapter 55

Chapter 55

◎I Fear Living Under Cui Heng's Wings◎

As Zhang Yiran spoke, Luo Wanqing was momentarily speechless. Ignoring him, she pushed the door open and entered to find a vast room filled with bookshelves, each one packed with various documents.

Upon seeing the sheer volume of paperwork, Luo Wanqing furrowed her brow. How could she possibly locate Zhang Yiran's identity papers among all this? Or any information on Jiang Fengwan?

"Let's split up."

Luo Wanqing glanced back at Zhang Yiran, unwilling to waste time. She gritted her teeth and said, "You search for any identity papers related to Zhang Jiuxian. I'll look for what I need."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran's eyes widened. Luo Wanqing ignored his reaction and began rifling through the documents on the shelves.

Though numerous, the documents were meticulously categorized. After flipping through a few, Luo Wanqing discerned a pattern. She stood before the section dedicated to the records of the deceased agents, noticing they were organized by time period. She estimated Jiang Fengwan's age—similar to her father's, around forty—and deduced that he would have been recruited into the system between forty and thirty years ago, when most agents began their training as children.

She rapidly flipped through the ledgers from that era until, finally, in a book from thirty-five years ago, she found Jiang Fengwan's name.

It detailed his life story and his identity within the martial world. He was the former Pavilion Master of the Fengyu Pavilion, known as the Sword Saint, whose fame had spread across the realm. Twenty-two years ago, he was summoned back to the East Capital...

Twenty-two years ago.

Luo Wanqing felt a vague familiarity with this timeline but couldn't immediately place it. As she turned the page, she encountered a face that was both familiar and foreign.

Luo Wanqing was taken aback.

This face had accompanied her for many years. When she was a child, he was still young; by the time she last saw him, he had become middle-aged. In the portrait, he held a bow, exuding confidence and vigor, clearly depicted in his youth. Yet, she knew him so well that she recognized his features at a glance.

Luo Wanqing read the name beside the portrait.

Luo Shuangye, also known as Luo Qushu. In the fourth year of the Qian Dong era, he was ordered to infiltrate the Cui family as a trusted retainer. He was close friends with Jiang Fengwan, akin to brothers.

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at these words, her mind buzzing, struggling to process the revelation.

Luo Qushu...

Her father, born into the Wang clan, was an agent tasked with spying on the Cui family?!

Did her mother know?

And Li Guiyu...

Was he aware?

What had truly transpired in the Northern Border? What role had her father played? Why had Li Guiyu framed her family?

Luo Wanqing's hands trembled as she held the ledger.

Suddenly, a long ribbon lunged at her, accompanied by a cold female voice: "How dare you!"

Luo Wanqing recognized the assailant—the veiled woman who had escorted them here. She spun mid-air and headed straight for the exit.

The woman pursued her, shouting, "Don't run!"

Luo Wanqing didn't intend to flee. Outside were their people, and escape would be futile.

Reaching the entrance, the woman's white ribbon raced toward her. Luo Wanqing somersaulted in mid-air, causing the ribbon to slam into the mechanism holding the stone door, which then crashed down. Without hesitation, she charged at the woman, delivering a fierce punch while yelling at Zhang Yiran, "Hurry and search!"

Terrified, Zhang Yiran's hands shook, but he dared not slack off and continued searching for his identity papers.

The woman, sensing another presence, quickly turned to Zhang Yiran.

Luo Wanqing didn't give her a chance to react. Her punches rained down like a storm upon the woman!

Their proximity allowed Luo Wanqing to strike with incredible speed.

The woman couldn't afford to be distracted and swiftly countered Luo Wanqing's attacks. After a moment, realizing the disadvantage, she leaped away on the tip of her toe, sending two white ribbons flying toward Luo Wanqing.

In her hands, the ribbons were as sharp as blades. Luo Wanqing rolled behind a nearby shelf as the ribbons sliced through a row of bookcases.

Seeing her fall to the ground, the woman relentlessly manipulated her ribbons in pursuit, demanding, "What are you doing here?"

"Do you really not know?"

Luo Wanqing observed the woman's fighting style, continuously evading her attacks by using the bookshelves as cover.

This woman's martial skills were on par with Zhao Yuyan's. Last time, Luo Wanqing had defeated Zhao Yuyan by poisoning her, a stroke of luck. This time, she lacked confidence in directly confronting this opponent and could only dodge and observe for now.

The woman chased her relentlessly, her voice icy. "Who sent you? The Supervision Division or Li Guiyu?"

"What do you think?"

Luo Wanqing rolled with a scroll in hand. Seeing the scroll, the woman's expression turned cold. "Has the Supervision Division allied with Li Guiyu?"

Luo Wanqing remained silent. The white ribbons slithered toward her from two directions. Her expression hardened, and she pulled her Qianji, instantly entangling the ribbons and yanking the woman toward her!

For a brief moment, the woman faced her. Luo Wanqing flicked her Qianji, and a barrage of venomous pear blossom needles shot out from the blade.

Startled, the woman released her ribbons and retreated hastily. Seizing the opportunity, Luo Wanqing swung her blade horizontally! The woman hastily drew her own sword, and the two blades clashed fiercely. Luo Wanqing felt a jarring impact, her palm stinging, but—

She hadn't lost.

Her inner strength circulated through her body, much better than when she had first started.

The woman looked up in surprise. Luo Wanqing, holding the Qianji, sensed her own improvement and couldn't help but feel a slight joy.

Since she began practicing martial arts half a year ago, she hadn't taken a single day off. Every day, she meditated, trained, starting from the very basics, never pausing even when injured.

Now, as she swung her blade stroke by stroke, she felt the power in her hand tilting downward, completely under her control. She couldn't help but feel a surge of wild spirit, each strike like a mountain collapsing, domineering and surging.

She was strong, and so was the woman opposite her. The two blades collided fiercely, chopping the entire library into a mess of scattered books.

As their blades met, Zhang Yiran shouted, "I found it!"

In that instant, a loud boom suddenly echoed from outside.

Everyone present looked over instinctively. A moment later, a second thunderous sound came crashing down.

This boom was entirely different from the first.

The first seemed to be the sound of a door being forcibly smashed open; it should have been the people from the Supervision Division launching an assault.

But the second...

"It's explosives!"

Zhang Yiran roared.

Luo Wanqing instantly understood. This Dark Pavilion must have had some self-destruct mechanism that would activate the moment the Supervision Division launched their attack.

Just then, one boom after another rang out, the surroundings spinning. Without hesitation, the woman sprinted towards a certain location.

Luo Wanqing knew this must be the safe passage and immediately followed closely behind. Zhang Yiran also hurriedly rushed over.

They saw the woman press a brick, and a door immediately opened. Luo Wanqing just managed to grab the woman's collar and flung her out violently. Then, she kicked Zhang Yiran, who had just reached the door, inside!

The moment Zhang Yiran entered, the mechanical door slammed shut instantly, and he disappeared from sight.

The woman, thrown by Luo Wanqing, barely landed before she immediately looked up and gritted her teeth, cursing, "You're courting death!"

But right after she spoke, the ground exploded with a loud boom.

Both of them didn't have time to say more, rolling on the spot to avoid the collapsing roof.

Seeing the situation, the woman didn't have time to scold anymore and exclaimed urgently, "Split the door together!"

Luo Wanqing understood that this must be the way out. Regardless of their positions, she and the woman rushed towards the door together. Both of them held their swords, slashing at the gate with all their might!

Under the full force of their combined strikes, the stone door shattered violently, revealing the youth standing at the entrance.

Li Guiyu wore a blue robe, standing calmly outside the gate.

Amidst the falling rocks like rain, everyone was frantically fleeing, yet he alone seemed unaffected by everything. Only when the gate burst open did he calmly raise his eyes, and then—

He drew his sword.

That sword thrust towards the woman, unstoppable. Luo Wanqing took the opportunity to rush out hastily.

Li Guiyu turned his gaze, instantly turning his sword and flicking it towards Luo Wanqing!

But the sword wind still grazed the woman's neck, leaving a bloody mark. She gritted her teeth and looked up, seeing the flying sword chasing after Luo Wanqing. With a flick of her long saber, she smashed it down just as the sword was about to catch up with Luo Wanqing, and they both charged out together.

"It's a draw."

The woman, ahead of her, said coldly, "Next time we meet, I'll kill you!"

"What is your name?"

Luo Wanqing kicked away a falling rock and dodged Li Guiyu, who was attacking from behind.

The woman threw a rock at Li Guiyu and left with a light tap of her toe.

"Wang Yunzhi."

Before the woman's voice faded, she had already vanished.

Her last rock delayed Li Guiyu for a moment. In that brief pause, Luo Wanqing rushed out straight. Li Guiyu's expression turned icy as he chased after Luo Wanqing, speeding outwards.

Explosions sounded everywhere around them. Luo Wanqing dodged the falling rocks, listening to Li Guiyu's voice from behind: "Liu Xiniang!"

In that instant, the sword intent surged like a tidal wave, rushing towards her. Luo Wanqing was struck by the sword intent and flew out with a "boom," crashing heavily to the ground.

She didn't dare to linger, enduring the bloodiness in her mouth. She flipped over and continued charging forward.

Li Guiyu pursued her urgently. She rushed out of the gate, the sound of gushing water echoing in her ears. Looking up, she realized that the Fengyu Pavilion's Dark Pavilion was built halfway up a mountain above a river. Ahead was a unique long bridge, connecting all the way to the other side.

It was just the beginning of dawn, with drizzling rain and mist lingering in the forest. Birds were silent.

The roar of the river below shook the sky, intertwining with the explosions behind her, as if mountains were collapsing and the earth was shaking.

Luo Wanqing ran wildly across the long bridge, fleeing between life and death.

At that moment, a young man approached with an umbrella, dressed in black cloak and white shirt, his hair like a waterfall. On his fair hand hung the Qianji beads, walking steadily between heaven and earth.

Seeing the young man, Luo Wanqing's eyes instantly lit up.

The second wave of sword intent surged towards her. Luo Wanqing rushed towards the young man and cried out in alarm, "Sir!"

In that instant, the young man wrapped one arm around her waist, following her momentum and turning to the side. His umbrella spun towards Li Guiyu.

Raindrops whirled on the umbrella, each carrying tenfold killing intent, clattering against Li Guiyu's sword.

Luo Wanqing heard the sound of raindrops colliding with swords, and she lifted her gaze accordingly.

The raindrops fell on the youth's brow, like a tear from Guanyin, sliding down his clear and cold eyes, and falling into the collarbones of his clothes.

He was exceedingly handsome, every feature as exquisite as a painting, with intense black and pure white, as if he were blended into the landscape. When he raised his eyes, the colors of heaven and earth seemed to fade.

Luo Wanqing stared at Xie Heng as he lifted his eyes, as if seeing the mountains and rivers unfold before her.

It wasn't until the umbrella fell heavily to the ground that Luo Wanqing suddenly came to her senses. She instinctively turned around but was abruptly forced back by Xie Heng, who pressed her head back.

Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise, meeting Xie Heng's eyes as he struggled to control his emotions. He asked coldly, "Still looking? Don't you want to live?"

Xie Heng was very close to her, the same cold fragrance that Cui Heng had lingered around her nose. When Luo Wanqing realized this, she was startled and hastily retreated, then hurriedly knelt down, saying urgently, "Greetings, sir."

Seeing her panic-stricken appearance, Xie Heng paused in helping her up.

He pursed his lips and couldn't help but ask, "What are you afraid of?"

Luo Wanqing didn't dare to raise her head; she didn't know herself.

She lowered her eyes to the ground and only bowed her head to confess, "I took Lord Zhang into danger without informing you, sir. I am guilty."

Hearing this, Xie Heng became angry, but he also knew that now was not the time to be upset with Luo Wanqing.

He glanced at Li Guiyu, who was already running towards the forest, and then looked forward to the Si Shi envoys continuously escaping from the Dark Pavilion.

These envoys were the ones Luo Wanqing had called upon, arriving before him.

They followed far behind Li Guiyu, who killed the guards and entered first, and they only followed in a forced attack.

Unexpectedly, after forcefully attacking the second level and using explosives to blow open the stone gate, the Dark Pavilion activated self-destruction. Fortunately, Fang Zhi and others knew the purpose of coming to the Dark Pavilion and quickly found the location of the library, starting to frantically move the documents of the Dark Pavilion.

These envoys all came out with the documents, and chaos reigned around them. Luo Wanqing secretly glanced behind her, then heard Xie Heng say, "Get up, let's go to the shelter."

"Yes."

Luo Wanqing got up and walked around Xie Heng, wanting to retreat to the opposite mountain.

But after taking just a few steps, she saw Zhang Yiran staggering out of a cave at the foot of the mountain with her peripheral vision.

At this moment, boulders were rolling everywhere. Zhang Yiran, a scholar with no strength to bind a chicken, although he had learned some martial arts and was in good health, was still extremely hard-pressed in such an environment.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing immediately leaped over and caught Zhang Yiran just as he was about to fall. Hearing Xie Heng's angry shout, she turned around in surprise.

She had never seen Xie Heng show such obvious emotional fluctuations. It seemed he was furious, but she couldn't react immediately. What had she done to make Xie Heng so angry?

She didn't have time to think much about it. She supported Zhang Yiran, her toes touching the ground, and climbed up the mountain path, dragging him along as she rushed towards the safe mountain peak opposite.

Seeing Luo Wanqing safe, Xie Heng closed his eyes and calmed his emotions.

Fang Yuan came up beside him and respectfully said, "Master of the Si Shi, the Dark Pavilion is probably going to collapse completely. What should we do now?"

"Evacuate everyone inside; there's no need for people to die for a few pieces of paper. Seal off the mountain," Xie Heng looked at the fleeing people of the Dark Pavilion around him and said coldly, "Search for survivors."

"Yes."

Fang Yuan responded.

Xie Heng flicked his sleeves and turned around, walking back towards the area where the wounded were being treated.

Luo Wanqing carried Zhang Yiran and rushed all the way. Zhang Yiran, poked in the stomach by the hairpin on her head, couldn't help but call out to her, "Miss... Miss Qing Qing... slower..."

"We're here."

Luo Wanqing's toes touched the ground, leaping onto the platform where the wounded were being treated, and threw Zhang Yiran to the ground, immediately directing the surrounding doctors, "Take care of him first."

Saying this, Luo Wanqing sat cross-legged on the ground, closed her eyes, and began to meditate to heal her injuries.

Earlier, Li Guiyu's sword had been too powerful, and its force had left her internal organs aching even now.

A doctor came over to check on Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing, confirming that they didn't have any serious injuries, and then went to see other wounded.

Zhang Yiran was simply bandaged. Seeing Luo Wanqing meditating, he didn't dare to disturb her, so he sat under a tree nearby with the box he had taken from the Dark Pavilion.

Amidst the hustle and bustle around him, he was the only one who was quiet. He lowered his head and opened the box, looking at the contents inside.

These were things from when he and his mother Zhao Sufen went to the East Capital.

Inside were their past identity documents, gold and silver locks from his childhood, and the documents for changing his name at the government office.

It was many years ago that a person named Xiangsizi helped them with these.

Back then, he was still called Zhang Jiuxian. His father had recently passed away, his sister was seriously ill, and he and his mother begged on the streets every day.

One day, when he and his mother went begging for food, they turned around to find his sister gone.

Then came the person named Xiangsizi, telling them that Zhang Jiuran had extraordinary bones and innate intelligence, and had been accepted into a prestigious sect, with a promising future ahead.

But entering such a major sect required abandoning worldly attachments. They asked if they were willing to let Zhang Jiuran go up the mountain, change her name, and not affect Zhang Jiuran's future.

How could they refuse?

They could give nothing to Zhang Jiuran, not even money to save her life or buy medicine. They could only let Zhang Jiuran leave.

When she left, his mother comforted him, saying that from now on, his sister could live a good life.

At that time, he didn't understand. In a daze, he followed Xiangsizi to the East Capital and found a poor scholar whose mother was seriously ill. For money, the scholar adopted him as his son, and both he and his mother changed their names. The scholar publicly claimed to have a wife and child.

Following his mother's swift demise after falling ill, the scholar also passed away from depression a few years later.

He was left with his mother and himself, known as Zhang Yiran.

During those years, the scholar did teach him to read and write diligently. Gifted as he was, he entered the academy and became a disciple of the great scholar Wen Huairu. He then entered the civil service through the imperial examination system, recommended by Wen Huairu, and became a student under the Grand Censor.

Straightforward yet not naive, he gradually realized the flaws in what Xiangsi Zi had said back then.

What was this about a prestigious sect wanting them to change their names?

How could they claim it wouldn't affect Zhang Jiuran's future? It was clear that...

They didn't want to be a burden to Zhang Jiuran.

He had thought about becoming a high-ranking official, about finding Zhang Jiuran, but he couldn't find her.

Later, his mother told him that his sister would occasionally visit them, coming to the shop to buy things, and she seemed to be doing well.

Zhang Jiuran never revealed her identity explicitly, but Zhao Sufen always recognized her and would secretly give her extra gifts, fearful that she might find out.

Hearing that Zhang Jiuran was doing well, he felt relieved.

But who would have thought that later, that condemned prisoner would come looking for him, using Zhang Jiuran to coerce him into helping.

Thinking of the condemned prisoner, Zhang Yiran lowered his head, looking at the documents in his hand. He curled his fingers, forcing himself to calm down, knowing that something must have happened to Zhang Jiuran.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his head and saw Xie Heng standing beside Luo Wanqing.

This head of the Supervision Division, Zhang Yiran knew. He tried to rise, but Xie Heng, seemingly aware of his movement, raised his hand toward him, signaling for him to stop.

Zhang Yiran paused, understanding that Xie Heng wanted him not to disturb them, so he sat back down.

After a while, when Luo Wanqing had finished regulating her breathing, she opened her eyes and sensed someone standing beside her. Turning her head, she immediately rolled over to bow. "Young Master."

"Rise."

Xie Heng's expression was cold. Seeing that she was unharmed, he ignored her and turned to walk away, leading Luo Wanqing to Zhang Yiran.

Seeing the two approaching, Zhang Yiran stood up to bow respectfully. "Master Xie."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Yiran pursed his lips and addressed Luo Wanqing. "Director Qing Qing."

"I..." Luo Wanqing hesitated, whispering softly, "My real name is actually Liu Xiniang."

Zhang Yiran was taken aback, then widened his eyes in surprise. "You're that condemned prisoner?!"

"Not anymore."

Xie Heng explained coldly, turning around. "Let's go. We'll discuss it on the way to court."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran paid no further attention to Luo Wanqing and hurried to catch up with Xie Heng. After taking a few steps, Xie Heng noticed that Luo Wanqing hadn't moved and stopped, looking at her. "Director Liu?"

Luo Wanqing looked up, and Xie Heng glanced at Zhang Yiran. "Your mission is to see it through to the end."

Each director of the Supervision Division independently followed a case from beginning to end.

Since she was responsible for Zhang Yiran's safety, she naturally had to see it through to the end.

Luo Wanqing understood that Xie Heng was indicating for her to follow, so she immediately replied, "Yes."

With that, Luo Wanqing caught up with Zhang Yiran and walked with Xie Heng to the main road, then boarded Xie Heng's carriage.

The three squeezed into the carriage. Seeing that Zhang Yiran was holding back, Xie Heng poured himself a cup of tea and said indifferently, "Minister Zhang, if you have any questions, ask them now."

"Who was the one who kidnapped me today?" Zhang Yiran asked immediately, looking at Xie Heng. "Why did the Supervision Division send someone to follow me? And how did you discover my identity?"

"Xiniang."

At Xie Heng's call, Luo Wanqing knew he was asking her to explain. She immediately said, "I will explain this to Minister Zhang."

Zhang Yiran looked at her upon hearing this.

Luo Wanqing said calmly, "I am Liu Xiniang, a director of the Supervision Division. When I first joined the Supervision Division, I had the pleasure of meeting Minister Zhang."

"I know."

"Your sister, Zhang Jiuran, is an assassin from the Fengyu Pavilion. She was ordered by the Fengyu Pavilion to frame the Qin clan for treason. Now, the Supervision Division has evidence, and your sister has agreed to testify. Today, there will be a public trial in the morning court session."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yiran's eyes widened sharply.

The case of the Qin clan's treason had been discussed many times in the court recently. Although he was in the Ministry of Works, a place far removed from the center of power, he had heard colleagues talk about it, saying that this matter might involve the Crown Prince.

But he had never imagined that Zhang Jiuran was a key witness in the middle of it all.

His sister had not gone to a prestigious sect but had become an assassin, engaging in the vile act of framing others and losing her conscience.

Zhang Yiran clenched his fists and spoke hoarsely. "And then what?"

"The identities of you and your mother were arranged by the Fengyu Pavilion. We feared that the Fengyu Pavilion would take you hostage to coerce Zhang Jiuran, so we provided close protection."

"Why did you ask me to find my identity documents?"

Zhang Yiran asked astutely. Luo Wanqing paused before answering honestly, "To destroy the connection between you and Zhang Jiuran, so that she would no longer be constrained."

"I am her brother," Zhang Yiran stared at Luo Wanqing. "Why would I be a constraint to her?"

Luo Wanqing sensed Zhang Yiran's anger and remained silent.

But Zhang Yiran understood the implication. His eyes reddened. "Because she was afraid it would affect my career? She believed that being an assassin would tarnish my reputation and hinder my path as an official, so being her brother is a constraint to her?"

"She..." Luo Wanqing hesitated, recalling the letter Liu Xiniang had given her beneath the Huguo Temple.

In the last line of the letter, she spoke of this younger brother, hoping that Luo Wanqing would take care of him in the future.

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, speaking the truth as she consoled Zhang Yiran: "She hopes you'll be well."

"Would she trade it for a lie?!"

Zhang Yiran roared: "She deceived us into joining the prestigious sects back then, and now she deceives the world by pretending I have nothing to do with her. Why should I need such a thing?! Let me tell you," Zhang Yiran picked up the document in his hand, speaking earnestly, "she's my sister, and she will always be my sister. I don't see her as a stain, nor do I need to hide her. I'll acknowledge what she's done alongside her, and I'll bear the sins she must carry with her. If it comes down to it, I won't be an official! If I see her today, I will recognize her."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused slightly, her voice strained as she said: "What's wrong with recognizing her privately?"

"Has the young lady lived such a life?" Zhang Yiran asked coldly, his face filled with anger.

Without waiting for Luo Wanqing to speak, Zhang Yiran continued: "Living under a false name, barely surviving like a thief, has the young lady experienced such days? I can recognize her privately, but for my sister, that would mean denying her existence. For me, if I need to live in such secrecy, I'd rather die openly. In the past, I was afraid of involving her, but if it's just about involving me now, why can't I do it?"

Everyone present fell silent, and Luo Wanqing found herself at a loss for words for a moment.

She felt a sour heaviness in her heart, yet there was also a hint of envy.

Suddenly, she envied Zhang Jiuran, having someone who could openly acknowledge her identity and accept her past without hesitation.

Listening to these words, Xie Heng looked at her, seeing Luo Wanqing lower her eyes. He couldn't really discern her emotions, but for some reason, he sensed a suppressed sadness spreading out in that moment.

He hesitated for a moment before responding: "Alright."

Neither of them knew what he was saying, looking up to see Xie Heng lower his eyes, unrolling the dossier, and saying indifferently: "If you want to recognize her, then do so. We won't hold you back."

"So you two..." Zhang Yiran wasn't foolish; naturally, he knew that one of the reasons the Supervision Division had sent so many people here today was to take away documents that could prove his identity. He couldn't help but say, "This isn't a wasted trip..."

"Don't flatter yourself." Xie Heng pulled the dossier aside, saying indifferently: "The old grudges of the Fengyu Pavilion have nothing to do with you."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran's expression relaxed somewhat, and he respectfully said: "I haven't caused any trouble for the two of you..."

"Trouble."

Xie Heng interrupted him, and Zhang Yiran's expression stiffened slightly. Xie Heng raised his head and said seriously: "You're very troublesome."

"Sir..." Luo Wanqing couldn't bear to listen anymore. This time, it was all her idea, and she braced herself to explain, "Actually, this time..."

"Hush."

Xie Heng spoke directly, glancing at her: "We'll discuss your matter after the morning court session when we return."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing froze.

Xie Heng thought for a moment and finally said: "Why didn't you discuss this with Cui Heng beforehand?"

Luo Wanqing hadn't expected Xie Heng to ask this. She hesitated before finally speaking: "I was afraid, sir, that you wouldn't see my abilities."

Xie Heng paused, lifting his eyes to look at the somewhat anxious woman before him.

She said earnestly: "I'm afraid of living under Cui Heng's shadow."

Xie Heng remained silent, seemingly somewhat sullen.

After a long while, he turned his head away and said coldly: "Understood."