Chapter 58

Chapter 58

◎Can the Si Shi marry? Can Envoy Liu marry?◎

The bowstring released swiftly.

As Luo Wanqing let go, the arrow tore through the rain and shot straight at Li Shangwen.

But the distance was too great, and the sound of the arrow cutting through the air immediately raised an alarm. Someone slashed the arrow out of the air, slammed the carriage window shut, and shouted, "Alert! Protect the prince!"

Luo Wanqing didn't give them any chance to react. Arrows flew one after another like meteors. She couldn't hit Li Shangwen directly, so she aimed for the carriage, forcing him to come out!

She shot several arrows that severed the reins connecting the carriage to the horses, trapping Li Shangwen inside. He was afraid to emerge because of her arrows.

The men below charged towards her. Luo Wanqing spun around and kicked a large stone in the direction of the carriage. Then, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow, she fired rapidly at those who were attacking her.

The boulder rolled down the slope. The guards hastily opened the carriage door, dragged Li Shangwen out, and tried to run with him.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing shot her last few arrows at the horses. Then, she drew the dagger Li Shangwen had given her, swooped down, grabbed the hair of the man rushing at her, slit his throat, and seized his sword.

With a series of leaps, she cut her way through the crowd, chasing after Li Shangwen.

She killed anyone who approached her or stood in front of Li Shangwen!

Her eyes were fixed on Li Shangwen's face, but what she saw wasn't just him.

It was the blood in the grand hall.

It was the light that fell on Zhang Jiuran's face as she tilted her neck.

It was the slap and laugh they shared when they were in the water dungeon.

It was the sharp pain when she threw herself into the fire pit.

It was the lives that were trampled upon.

It was her dignity, which she was powerless to defend.

It was Li Guiyu, whom she saw looking down at her as she lay on the ground, moving forward...

She needed an outlet to crush all the mockery and arrogance.

The anger and pain that had been suppressed in her heart erupted during this battle. It was as if she couldn't feel any pain.

A blade struck her back, and she slashed across the neck of the person in front of her.

A spear grazed her arm, and she raised her hand to wrap around it, dragging the opponent back before snapping it and plunging it into their head as she leaped forward.

Her eyes were bloodshot, as if the blood that splattered onto her eyes from Zhang Jiuran in the grand hall hadn't dried yet.

Seeing her ferocity, others quickly surrounded her, allowing a small group to escort Li Guiyu to safety.

However, no one could stop her. She snatched a spear and swept it across, relentlessly pursuing Li Guiyu.

Again and again, they tried to encircle her, and again and again, she broke through. Li Shangwen stumbled and fled nearly a li away as she chased him, leaving everyone else dead. When he saw Luo Wanqing stab the last person to the ground, he panicked and ran away.

Luo Wanqing pulled the knife out of the body and looked up at the fleeing Li Shangwen. With a flick of her wrist, the knife landed steadily in front of him.

Li Shangwen screamed in terror, his legs going weak as he collapsed to the ground, too scared to move.

Luo Wanqing calmly walked towards him.

She was covered in wounds, but since she wore black, the blood was not visible. Holding Li Guiyu's dagger, she approached the terrified man in front of her.

Seeing her approach, Li Shangwen shivered and retreated, "No... don't kill me. Whatever you want, we can talk about it. I'm the crown prince, my mother is the empress. I can give you anything you want."

"Can a deposed crown prince still be called a crown prince?"

Luo Wanqing spoke, and Li Shangwen was taken aback.

He suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Supervision Division?! You're from the Supervision Division?! Xie Heng wants to kill me? Even though I'm no longer the crown prince, he won't let me go?!"

"It's not him who wants to kill you."

Luo Wanqing firmly denied it. She crouched down and looked calmly at Li Shangwen. "It's me."

"Me?" Li Shangwen was incredulous. "You want to kill me? Why?"

"The letter presented in the grand hall today, did you write it?"

Li Shangwen swallowed nervously, not daring to answer. Luo Wanqing pressed the blade against his neck. "Was it dictated by the empress and written by you?"

"It wasn't me." Li Shangwen's breathing quickened. "I know nothing. I was just helping my mother write something. I know nothing."

"You wrote the letter, and you know nothing?" Luo Wanqing found it amusing.

Li Shangwen closed his eyes, crying out of fear. "I know, but I didn't do it! It was my mother, it was my uncle, it was them!"

"Why? Why frame the Qin family?"

"My mother suspected they still had things left by the Cui family."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused, her cold gaze lifting. "What things?"

"I don't know. I only heard my mother mention it once. I was just a teenager then; I really didn't know! Spare me," Li Shangwen bargained, "I'll tell you everything I know. Spare me."

This made Luo Wanqing hesitate for a moment. After some thought, she asked, "Do you know Luo Qushu?"

Li Shangwen looked confused. "Who?"

"That's a pity," Luo Wanqing chuckled softly, "As you know, it seems to be of no value."

Li Shangwen froze, and Luo Wanqing lowered her gaze, asking the final question, "Why did you kill Yan Sanhong?"

"I didn't mean to," Li Shangwen said with some anger, "It was she... she was selling herself... and she wouldn't..."

Before he could finish, Luo Wanqing couldn't bear to listen any further. With a swift motion, she cleanly severed his throat.

Blood sprayed onto her face. Luo Wanqing raised her hand to his neck, feeling for his pulse until it stopped completely before standing up.

The heavy rain tonight would wash away her traces.

She hadn't brought anything from the Supervision Division, using only weapons seized from them. Her martial arts were haphazardly learned basic techniques, without any distinctive lineage.

She scanned her surroundings, ensuring she left nothing behind, then on the tip of her toes, she erased her tracks and hurriedly departed.

She was wounded, but the black clothes hid any bloodstains in the night.

Under the cover of darkness, she infiltrated the Supervision Division, finding it bustling as if preparing for a feast.

She dared not linger, silently dashing towards the rear mountain.

Only Xie Heng and the Four Envoys resided on the back mountain. Today, Xie Heng should have been busy handling aftermath matters with the Four Envoys. She knew they had a secret chamber where they usually held discussions, and at this moment, they were likely not in the courtyard.

She rushed up the mountain along the slate path. Just as she reached the entrance, she saw Xie Heng holding an umbrella at the end of the stone steps.

Dressed in white and black, with a crane-shaped hairpin half-secured, his eyes as still as stone looked down at her.

He seemed to be waiting for her, but Luo Wanqing didn't dare to think so.

Tense, she watched Xie Heng, gripping Li Guiyu's dagger hidden in her sleeve, feigning calmness as she said, "Young Master."

Xie Heng calmly looked at her, asking only, "Where did you go?"

"I bought something for Miss Zhang, and I encountered an ambush," Luo Wanqing said, lowering her eyes, blending truth with fiction.

Her injuries couldn't be concealed, so she might as well find a plausible reason.

Xie Heng remained silent, and Luo Wanqing bowed her head in salute, "If there's nothing else, this subordinate will retire to tend to my wounds."

Xie Heng didn't respond, and Luo Wanqing, unable to withstand the standoff, boldly stepped forward.

Her entire body was soaked by the rain, droplets trailing down her hair.

Her complexion was pale, and her injuries were clearly severe.

Yet, despite this, she didn't utter a single word seeking his help.

He felt somewhat powerless.

He didn't know why, but suddenly, he hoped she would ask him for assistance.

Whether it was Cui Guanlan,

or Xie Heng,

she could lay out her plans, what she wanted to do, just like when they first met, speaking openly and straightforwardly.

Back then, she could muster all her strength to come before him, begging for justice.

But now...

She didn't trust anyone to help her seek anything.

And the reason she didn't believe was because, back then, he so casually dismissed her desperate plea.

He didn't know who was at fault.

If he could turn back time, even a hundred times, in that same scenario, he might still send her to Ling Nan.

But watching her forge ahead alone, he still felt regret.

If he had helped her back then, if he had given her a hand, would she be like this now, acting as if he didn't exist, single-handedly risking everything?

He couldn't resist reaching out, firmly grasping her arm.

Luo Wanqing raised her guard, looking up, and heard Xie Heng say, "You stayed here with me all afternoon."

Realizing what Xie Heng was referring to, Luo Wanqing widened her eyes. Xie Heng lowered his gaze, not looking at her, saying, "At the second hour of the Dog, there is a celebration banquet for you. Bai Li is waiting inside for you. Go treat your wounds; later, don't let anyone notice that you're injured."

"Master..."

Luo Wanqing's lips trembled slightly. Xie Heng released his hold, saying indifferently, "Go inside to heal your wounds. I've sent Suzaku and Xuanshan to clean up the aftermath."

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing didn't move. She stared blankly at Xie Heng.

Xie Heng lifted his gaze, "Can't walk anymore?"

"No."

Luo Wanqing finally came to her senses.

Xie Heng glanced at his room, "Go in."

Receiving the command, her mind couldn't function properly, and she walked back in a daze.

On the way, she found herself somewhat puzzled.

Did Xie Heng know?

He knew, so why was he still helping her?

The deposed crown prince was still a prince; if her murder of him were discovered, it would be a grave crime.

If Xie Heng took no action, it would be her sole fault.

If Xie Heng did intervene, in the future, it would become his leverage over her.

Why was he still concerning himself with her?

Luo Wanqing's mind was a jumbled mess. She walked into the room in a daze and saw that Bai Li was already waiting there. Upon seeing Luo Wanqing, she stood up and said gently, "Quickly, let me take a look."

When Luo Wanqing saw Bai Li, she belatedly felt guilty and murmured, "Master."

"Don't say anything, come inside first."

Bai Li gave her a glance before pulling Luo Wanqing to sit down.

She first checked Luo Wanqing's pulse, confirming that she had no internal injuries. Then, she swiftly cut open Luo Wanqing's clothes and gasped upon seeing her body covered in wounds.

"You poor girl, how much suffering have you endured!"

Bai Li frowned but didn't stop her hands.

She had prepared all the necessary medicines and bandages in advance. She quickly applied medicine to Luo Wanqing's wounds while saying, "Doing such a big thing without telling the young master, he has been very worried about you."

Luo Wanqing remained silent. She raised her head and, through the curtain of rain, looked at the youth standing at the door.

He stood amidst the wind and rain, yet he seemed perfectly steady. With him guarding the entrance, it seemed as though the storm had nothing to do with her.

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at Xie Heng, unable to resist asking, "Young Master... knew?"

"Of course he knew." Bai Li bound Luo Wanqing's wounds with bandages.

"Young Master, he isn't angry?"

"Why would he be angry?"

"He is still a prince, after all."

"So what?" Bai Li slowly tied the knot on her bandage and then chuckled. "The young master has wanted to kill him for a long time. He won't blame you."

Luo Wanqing stiffened.

In an instant, scenes from her dream of the previous life suddenly surfaced in her mind—the end of Xie Heng's story.

Actually, she heard about his fate from others.

At that time, she was in Ling Nan and had her own courtyard, where she planted many lychee trees.

It was the third year since the implementation of the Great Xia Law.

She heard that he died according to the law.

In the dream's previous life, they had no connection.

Their only link was probably that she heard of his execution in East Capital, where he was tortured to death, and when he finally expired, it was under a sky filled with snow.

That year, Ling Nan also experienced snowfall.

He had many crimes to his name, too numerous to list.

Among his most serious offenses, the first one was the assassination of Crown Prince Li Shangwen.

In the dream, Li Shangwen died even without her in the previous life.

Who killed him?

The answer was clear, but she couldn't believe it.

Why did he kill him?

Kill a deposed crown prince who held no significance?

She stared blankly at his back, her heart pounding faster.

In the previous life, why did he end up being tortured to death?

People like Li Shangwen weren't subjected to such torture, people like Li Guiyu weren't, nor were people like Zheng Pingsheng. Why, out of everyone, was it Xie Heng?

Given his character and his means, if he was merely a politician who played power games, how could he have ended up in that situation?

"It's done."

Bai Li finished applying the medicine and handed her black clothes to change into, smiling. "Alright, I've wrapped several layers around you and brought along sachets. Be careful tonight, don't let any blood seep through."

With that, Bai Li stood up and walked out.

Luo Wanqing knelt on the ground, quietly watching Bai Li approach Xie Heng.

Whatever she said to Xie Heng, he nodded, and then Bai Li turned to leave.

Xie Heng didn't turn around and remained standing by the door.

After a while, the rain gradually subsided, and Zhuque and Xuanshan hurried back.

They spoke about something in the rain, and Xie Heng seemed satisfied. He waved them off, and the two left. After they departed, Xie Heng finally turned around.

Upon lifting his gaze, he saw Luo Wanqing kneeling in the long corridor.

The lamplight fell upon her skin as pure as snow and ice, shimmering with radiance. She stared at him intently, as if there was no one else in her eyes but him.

When Xie Heng met her gaze, his heart warmed. He supported himself with the umbrella and walked back to the long corridor, saying gently, "They say you did a clean job; there's nothing left for you to take care of."

"Sir," Luo Wanqing's voice trembled, "hand me over."

"It's all taken care of, it's too late now." Xie Heng shook off the rain from his umbrella, placed it under the eaves, and entered the room. He approached the table where the hairpins were laid out. "The celebration banquet is about to start. Choose a hairpin, shall we go?"

Luo Wanqing was speechless. He had made his decision, and she could not change it.

She gazed steadily at the young man before her, like a towering mountain or a deep sea, majestic and serene.

Her fingertips curled lightly.

"Sir..." Hearing this, Luo Wanqing clenched her fists and finally asked, "Back in Yangzhou, behind the folding screen, was it you?"

At these words, Xie Heng's grip on the hairpin tightened unconsciously. Luo Wanqing watched his expression. After a long while, she finally heard him say, "I'm sorry."

This was the second time he apologized to her, and only now did she understand what he was apologizing for.

For not taking up her case back then.

For sending her to Lingnan.

He lacked her courage.

She could fight for justice against the Crown Prince with her life, but he couldn't accept her plea for help regarding her wrongful case in Yangzhou.

Thus, he had led her down this path of bone-crushing pain and bloodshed.

If only he had been more impulsive back then, less calculating, there wouldn't be a Liu Xiniang today.

Though he didn't explicitly say it, Luo Wanqing understood in that instant why he was apologizing. Her tears fell instantly.

Luo Wanqing was speechless, looking at the person before her, suddenly understanding the cause of his death.

She was wrong.

He wasn't someone who would stop at nothing for power.

If he were, he wouldn't have noticed a commoner like her, nor would he apologize to her at this moment.

If he were, he wouldn't have protected a sixth-rank official who killed the deposed Crown Prince.

The Supervision Division's adoption of Cui Qingping's Law wasn't for convenience in governance, and the way they cultivated Si Shi wasn't accidental—it was because of him—

From now, or even earlier, from when he supervised the execution of the Cui family, from when he established the Supervision Division, everything he did was for the final outcome of his previous life.

The outcome where The Great Xia Law was smoothly implemented, where the lives of the people were no longer simply decided by the whims of a county magistrate, where everything was governed by law, and where he died according to the law.

But that outcome could have changed.

His fate had already been altered.

The Crown Prince hadn't been assassinated; he was legally and reasonably deposed. Xie Heng's crime began with something that was supposed to be changed.

Perhaps starting from this event, he wouldn't die.

But she—

By assassinating the Crown Prince, her current act of being shielded by him would become irrefutable evidence of his future command to assassinate the Crown Prince.

She had pushed him back onto the path to death.

She had burdened this life's him with the crime of assassinating the Crown Prince once again.

She seemed to be a pawn of fate, all her struggles changing nothing. After taking a long detour, she ended up at the same destination.

She couldn't change fate; she could only submit to it.

But he didn't know.

Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze to look at the tranquil youth before her, like a deity, seeing his predetermined fate. Her voice quivered as she spoke, "If I harmed Sir, would Sir still say this apology?"

"How could you harm me?" There was no ripple in Xie Heng's expression.

"The crime of today's assassination of the Crown Prince will be Sir's capital offense in the future." Luo Wanqing solemnly declared his future. "If Sir is subjected to a thousand cuts in the future due to this, would Sir still say this apology today?"

"I'm sorry."

Xie Heng said it without hesitation.

Luo Wanqing was speechless. She looked at him quietly for a long time before finally asking, "What kind of path is Sir walking on?"

Hearing this, Xie Heng raised his gaze to look at her.

Separated by a door, he was inside, and she was outside.

Behind her, the rain pattered softly, yet she was unusually quiet. Her eyes were like they had been washed by clear water, gentle and bright.

"What kind of path I walk on," Xie Heng dared not meet her gaze directly. He turned his head and picked through the hairpins on the table, speaking softly, "What does it have to do with you?"

"Because this path of a thousand cuts," Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng and said earnestly, "this subordinate wishes to walk it with Sir."

Hearing this, Xie Heng slowly raised his head.

He feared he had misheard, his heartbeat heavy and slow.

He looked at the woman kneeling quietly on the ground. After a long while, he couldn't help but laugh. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Yes, I do."

Luo Wanqing spoke calmly, without any hesitation.

A path of a thousand cuts and tortures.

Listening to her words, Xie Heng lowered his eyebrows, somewhat wanting to laugh.

He never expected to hear these words from her mouth.

He wanted to refuse, but then he remembered that this was the third time.

Once in the bamboo forest, once in Yangzhou, and now for the third time, she was requesting to enter his life.

She was like a grand flood, rolling in, not giving him any chance to refuse as she came into his path unexpectedly and forcefully.

He felt something filling up behind him, as if wanting to break out of its cocoon.

In truth, he had tried to restrain himself, restraining his desires and impulses towards her.

Not allowing his dark thoughts to disturb her path.

But she had to provoke him, she had to come.

Perhaps this was heaven's blessing.

Xie Heng's heart gradually calmed. He made up his mind, lowered his head with a soft laugh, looking at the table for a long time before reaching out to her and declaring loudly, "Come!"

Luo Wanqing was surprised by his sudden invitation, but she still followed his instructions, rising to her feet and coming before him, respectfully saying, "Young Master."

Xie Heng turned his head, one hand pulling up his sleeve while the other picked up the jade hairpin he had chosen, gently inserting it into her hair bun.

Then he took her hand, rewrapping the Thousand Mechanism Bead string around her wrist.

"Since you've come, then come."

Xie Heng raised his eyes to look at her, his gaze landing on her cherry lips before forcing himself to look up, meeting her eyes as he said softly yet solemnly, "Don't leave."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, saying earnestly, "Through fire and brimstone, I will follow Young Master."

"Let's go."

Xie Heng smiled and turned his eyes away, not saying more as he led Luo Wanqing out. "Your celebration banquet is about to start."

As he said this, he led her down the mountain.

The two were dressed similarly.

Luo Wanqing, like him, wore a black cloak and single shirt, her hair held up by a jade hairpin, and the Thousand Mechanism Bead string lightly swinging on both their wrists, hovering close yet distant every time their sleeves brushed past each other.

Together they arrived at the entrance of the Supervision Division's meeting hall, where the Four Messengers were already waiting. Seeing them approach, the Four Messengers followed Xie Heng inside.

The meeting hall had been transformed. Below, several long tables lined the main hall, while above, five small tables stood alone on a raised platform.

As soon as Luo Wanqing entered, Fang Yuan stood up, happily saying, "Si Shi Liu, come, come over here!"

Hearing the call, Luo Wanqing turned to look at Xie Heng. He waved his hand, and Luo Wanqing turned to walk toward Fang Zhi, Fang Yuan, and the others.

Xie Heng led Qingya Zhuque to the high place. Xuanshan Bai Li had already taken her seat early. Upon seeing Xie Heng arrive, the two stood up to pay their respects. Xie Heng nodded, signaling everyone to sit down.

People trickled in until they were all present. Xuanshan counted the number of people, then had someone shut the main doors.

Luo Wanqing, accompanied by Fang Yuan, sat on a long bench, identifying people.

Everyone chatted and laughed for a while. When Zhuque saw that the time was right, she stood up, holding a bowl of wine and walking out, happily saying, "Everyone, we've called you here today because we've accomplished a major feat. We've finally taken down the Fengyu Pavilion, which we've been chasing for years!"

At these words, the crowd cheered and hollered, very happy.

"We must thank all the Si Shi, but today, we especially want to thank Si Shi Liu Xiniang, who sold herself to find us a way!"

With that, Zhuque beckoned her. "Si Shi Liu, stand up."

Luo Wanqing felt slightly awkward as she stood up under everyone's gaze. Zhuque wasn't satisfied and waved her hand. "Throw her onto the table!"

As soon as she said this, Luo Wanqing felt Fang Zhi sweep her hand across her neck. She instinctively stepped back, and Fang Yuan immediately came forward. Everyone around her instantly sealed off her escape route, forcing her to jump onto the table.

As she leaped up, the crowd roared. Luo Wanqing, unfamiliar with such scenes, could only feign composure, clasping her hands and saying, "Greetings to everyone."

"This is Si Shi Liu, who just joined us this year. Everyone, please take care of her in the future. Come," Zhuque raised her hand, "raise your cups, to our hero!"

With that, everyone raised their cups together. A wine bowl was thrust into Luo Wanqing's hands. Standing high up, she saw hundreds of people smiling and raising their cups to her. When she turned around, she saw Xie Heng also raise his wine bowl from behind the curtain, as if toasting to her.

This atmosphere infected her. She thought of the people she had killed earlier and raised her cup, drinking it down with everyone else.

After finishing this cup, the atmosphere opened up. Luo Wanqing was pulled by someone, and Fang Yuan dragged her along, happily saying, "Come, Si Shi Liu, tonight we won't stop until we're drunk!"

With that, Fang Yuan and Fang Shun dragged her around to toast everyone.

Luo Wanqing had learned how to play dice and drinking games from Zhang Jiuran during her time in prison, and tonight, all those skills came in handy.

Every time she played dice, she thought of Zhang Jiuran.

Every time she drank, she thought of Zhang Jiuran.

But she dared not let anyone notice her odd behavior. She happily played and joked with everyone, being forced to toast round after round. When she couldn't handle it anymore and tried to run, she was pulled back.

If she didn't toast, they started playing games—rolling dice, guessing riddles, archery, or even arm wrestling.

Luo Wanqing had indeed never encountered such a scene before; she felt dizzy yet faintly elated.

Xie Heng sat high above, while everyone else had descended to play and frolic. Only Bai Li remained by his side, accompanying him in his elevated position.

Having enjoyed a few drinks with Suzaku and the others earlier, Xie Heng was in high spirits. From afar, he observed Luo Wanqing amidst the crowd, surprised at her uninhibited demeanor, something he had never witnessed before.

Bai Li glanced at him, then cast her eyes on Luo Wanqing. After some contemplation, she whispered softly, "Xiniang is a good girl, beautiful in appearance and pleasant in temperament."

Hearing Bai Li speak, Xie Heng turned his gaze towards her, responding calmly, "She's skilled in martial arts, intelligent, and resilient in character. Given time, she could shoulder significant responsibilities."

"That's not what I meant," Bai Li remarked, somewhat helpless that Xie Heng had deliberately steered the conversation away from her intended topic.

Xie Heng understood Bai Li's implication but maintained an even tone, "I'm only referring to this."

"You child," Bai Li chuckled, "Can't you think of anything else? It's a shame to overlook such a beauty!"

Xie Heng remained silent, lifting his eyes.

In the midst of the crowd, Luo Wanqing shone brightly.

She was sparring with a young man, seemingly betting a row of alcohol bottles on the outcome.

Her features were exquisite and gentle, imbued with an innate fragility, as if she were made of porcelain, delicate and easily shattered.

Yet her eyes, clear and cold, suppressed this fragility, imbuing her with a sharpness that enticed one to challenge her.

Her beauty was captivating, and when she let out soft cries, it stirred feelings of tenderness within.

To think of other things?

Xie Heng raised his cup of wine, gazing at the radiant figure illuminated by the lanterns, taking a light sip.

He did think.

Day and night, he thought too much.

He recalled how she clung to him, sobbing softly in pain during her bone-molding process.

He remembered the rush of adrenaline during their confrontational healing session.

And there was also the time with the peach blossom brew.

Every time he thought of her, knowing that she was shaped by him, that everything about her was intertwined with him, remembering her words, "Through fire and water, I will follow you, sir," a secret desire welled up within him.

But how could he ever express these thoughts aloud?

This was someone he had personally nurtured, a talent who might very well succeed Bai Li in the future.

How could he possibly confess to anyone that he harbored dark desires to have her beneath him, to tease her day and night?

Feeling a change in his body, he lowered his gaze, concealing the murky depths of his eyes, and took another sip of wine.

Just then, the crowd below began to cheer, urging Luo Wanqing to approach with a cup of wine in hand.

"Sir," Luo Wanqing appeared slightly awkward, "I... I lost an arm-wrestling match and am here to feed you wine."

Xie Heng paused, glancing around, simply asking, "How do you intend to feed me?"

"I'll hold the cup for you to drink."

Luo Wanqing spoke honestly, her face betraying her urge to flee as quickly as possible.

Xie Heng said nothing. He looked at the person standing right before him and nodded.

Amidst the crowd's raucous encouragement, he extended his hand, clasping Luo Wanqing's in return.

The moment his icy fingers touched hers, Luo Wanqing instinctively tried to pull away. He immediately tightened his grip, guiding the cup steadily to his lips.

His fingers were like jade, cool yet lustrous, while his palm was warm. His hand bones seemed to intertwine with hers, their identical Qianji beads gently colliding and rubbing against each other.

Luo Wanqing's heart skipped a beat, and she involuntarily held her breath.

Xie Heng sensed her reaction, lowering his lashes, not daring to meet her eyes. He restrained himself from acting on further impulses, forcing himself to merely finish the wine in one gulp before releasing her.

"It's done."

Xie Heng lowered his gaze.

"Thank you, sir!"

Luo Wanqing, feeling as if she had been granted a reprieve, hurried back into the crowd.

Bai Li had been watching Xie Heng all along, her eyes filled with amusement.

Xie Heng knew what Bai Li was implying and responded slowly, "She will always remain in the Supervision Division."

Bai Li was puzzled, observing Xie Heng raise his eyes and assert confidently, "She is ultimately mine."

Upon hearing this, Bai Li pondered for a moment before raising her cup and shaking her head, "It's different."

Xie Heng didn't quite understand.

Bai Li took a sip of her wine, whispering, "A Si Shi can marry, but can Liu Si Shi?"

Xie Heng froze in his movements.

Bai Li pretended not to notice, turning her attention back to Luo Wanqing.

"I've been observing Xiniang's habits recently; she should have had an extremely close person by her side in the past, not a woman, right?"

As she spoke, Bai Li turned to look at Xie Heng, rather curious: "Childhood sweethearts?"

"No."

Xie Heng lowered his eyes and downed the wine in one go: "A sea of blood, deep grudge."

Author's note:

"Side Scene"

Luo Wanqing: "I truly regret not seeing you kick Li Guiyu, Sir."

Xie Heng: "I still can't figure out how I let him off back then?"

"Side Scene 2"

Luo Wanqing: "I'm going to snatch the soup buns before Zhuque gets them!"

Zhuque: "Si Shi Liu, for 23 years, Sir has been eating alone. You're the first one to snatch food from his plate. Impressive!"

Luo Wanqing: "...Did I take the soup buns that Sir likes? T T"

Bai Li: "Miss Liu, rest assured, there were no such Yangzhou soup buns on our table before you came."

"Side Scene"

Guiyu: "I wanted to see if my beloved was sleeping well. Damn it, I saw a man walking out! What could I do? Like a stray dog, I fled! I want to kill him! Kill him!"