Chapter 61

Chapter 61

◎I Miss Him◎

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing did not dare to ask more and bid farewell to Cui Heng with a bow before boarding Xie Heng's carriage.

Once inside, she did not dare to sit too close to Xie Heng, instead choosing the farthest spot near the door of the carriage.

Xie Heng glanced at her and spoke coldly, "Why did you come down the mountain when your injuries haven't fully healed?"

"Right now, they're still investigating the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince. If I stayed on the mountain to recuperate, it might arouse suspicion," Luo Wanqing explained, lowering her eyes.

Xie Heng lifted his teacup, his tone unkind. "So what if there's suspicion? Do they dare to investigate you at the Supervision Division?"

Luo Wanqing did not understand why Xie Heng was suddenly displeased for no reason. She could only continue explaining with her head bowed. "This subordinate also wishes to advance as quickly as possible. These are just superficial wounds; doing some minor tasks won't be a problem."

"And then you came to wait outside the Ministry of Personnel's office?"

Her surprise showed at this question. Xie Heng seemed to have asked casually. "Was it intentional or coincidental?"

"This subordinate didn't notice that this was the Ministry of Personnel's office."

Luo Wanqing considered Xie Heng's words. He would never speak without purpose.

Hearing this, Xie Heng realized he had acted out of character.

He fell silent for a moment before changing the subject. "You don't need to worry about the Crown Prince. The case has been handed over to the Central Palace, and they've already visited the Supervision Division today. Qingya sent them away. Given their nature, they'll likely arrest someone randomly in a few days to close the case."

Relieved, Luo Wanqing whispered, "Thank you, Young Master, for your protection."

Xie Heng remained silent, thinking for a moment before speaking gently. "Did you meet Zhang Jiuran today?"

"Yes."

Luo Wanqing answered calmly. "It was our final meeting, and I saw her off."

In the future, it wouldn't be good for her to have any further ties with Jiuran.

Xie Heng seemed to want to say something but, after thinking about it, merely responded, "Mm."

"In addition, Third Highness also came to see me today." Thinking about the events of the day, Luo Wanqing felt that she should be the one to tell Xie Heng about this.

Xie Heng paused, then asked, "And then?"

"I told him that I wouldn't go to the palace. He tested me again, and I think he's dismissed the idea that I'm Luo Wanqing."

Luo Wanqing spoke in an official manner. But Xie Heng, upon reflection, said, "He believes that he is the most important person in your heart."

Luo Wanqing did not respond. Xie Heng looked at her. "Is that true?"

Luo Wanqing hesitated, and Xie Heng knew the answer.

His expression darkened slightly. "Liu Xiniang, you still have a bright future ahead of you."

"This subordinate understands."

Luo Wanqing replied respectfully.

She understood, but whether she accepted it was another matter entirely.

Xie Heng picked up on the meaning behind her words. Without saying much, he thought for a moment and, in a fit of pique, grabbed a dossier from the side, avoiding looking at her.

After a long while, he said, "Bai Li mentioned that you're searching for Cui Heng."

This piqued Luo Wanqing's interest. She probed, "Does Young Master know of his whereabouts?"

"Do you want to know about him?" Xie Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing.

After a moment's hesitation, Luo Wanqing nodded honestly. "Yes."

Then, fearing that Xie Heng might suspect that she and Cui Heng were too close, she hastily added, "He is my shadow envoy after all. With him gone, it's indeed inconvenient to do things."

Xie Heng curled his lips into a cool smile. "Then why not replace him?"

Luo Wanqing did not expect Xie Heng to say so much, and especially not in such a cutting manner. She could only muster the courage to reply, "I've grown accustomed to being alone."

"But you find it inconvenient without him?"

Xie Heng's question was sharp. Luo Wanqing was at a loss for words and could only vaguely ask, "Does Young Master know where he is?"

"Why don't you blow your flute to find him?" Xie Heng's gaze fell on the short flute hanging at her waist. "You always carry it around but I've never heard you use it to call for him."

When the short flute was blown, anyone with internal energy could hear it if they focused. However, the sound varied, and each pair of Si Shi and shadow envoys had their own agreed-upon tune, ensuring that they wouldn't summon the wrong person.

Since she spent her days on the mountain, Xie Heng had never heard her play the flute. Now, hearing that she wanted to know about Cui Heng, it was natural for him to feel curious.

This question was easier to answer. Luo Wanqing spoke truthfully. "This subordinate knows that Shadow Envoy Cui has a special identity and must have other missions. For non-urgent matters, I dare not disturb him rashly. As long as he's safe, when he returns, he will surely find an appropriate time to meet me."

At this, Xie Heng paused, then scoffed softly. "You do realize how well he treats you."

Luo Wanqing did not dare to respond, sensing that Xie Heng was perhaps speaking up for Cui Heng, though she couldn't figure out why.

They sat quietly for a while until Xie Heng finally said, "He's not in the East Capital recently, but he's alive."

Relieved to hear that Cui Heng was safe, Luo Wanqing respectfully said, "Thank you, Young Master, for informing me."

Xie Heng did not respond. Looking at the calm woman under the lamplight, he suddenly asked, "Do you miss him?"

As soon as he asked, he realized he had spoken out of turn.

He supposed she wouldn't answer. Xie Heng picked up the dossier, pretending nothing had been asked, nothing had happened. Yet moments later, he heard the woman's rarely gentle voice: "Yes." That single word fell like a drop of water into his heart, rippling through him. "I want to talk to him." She said. Xie Heng didn’t respond. Luo Wanqing knew that Xie Heng likely wasn’t interested in such matters. But when he asked, she realized that without him, there was no one left for her to talk to. So much had happened recently, and she longed to share it all with him. Alas, he wasn’t here. Turning to look down the long street, her gaze softened. Xie Heng looked down at the dossier, not daring to raise his head. When they returned to the Supervision Division, they went their separate ways back to their own quarters. Luo Wanqing sighed in relief once away from Xie Heng. Xie Heng’s presence was overpowering, and she always felt tense around him. Dragging her weary body back to her room, she sat down at her desk and couldn’t help but take out Li Guiyu’s dagger, gazing down at it. After a short while, a sudden sound of wings flapping came from the window. Looking up, Luo Wanqing saw an eagle suddenly land outside. She froze in shock. There were no eagles in the East Capital; this was her first time seeing one. But based on descriptions she’d heard, she recognized it immediately. This eagle was several times larger than an ordinary bird, with sharp talons and a curved beak, its gaze proud and defiant. It looked down at Luo Wanqing, who was holding the dagger and staring at it, then proudly lifted one of its claws. Only then did Luo Wanqing notice a piece of paper tied to its leg. Someone had clearly used this eagle to send her a message. Though frightened, she mustered the courage to reach out. She kept an eye on the haughty eagle, warning it, "Don’t do anything rash—I have a knife." As she quickly untied the paper, the eagle seemed to see through her bluff, a hint of disdain flashing in its eyes. Scanning the note, Luo Wanqing recognized Cui Heng’s handwriting.

> "Xiniang, I’ve been busy with affairs and am not in the East Capital. You might not hear the flute. If you have something to tell me, this eagle is named Chasing Thoughts and can deliver your message.

>

> Cui Heng."

Luo Wanqing paused upon reading the letter, then realized. If Cui Heng wasn’t in the East Capital, then the “Attendant Cui” she had seen at the Ministry of Works today couldn’t have been him. But... Was Cui Heng really not in the East Capital? Or did he simply not want her to know his true identity? She had just met Cui Heng today, and now Xie Heng was telling her that Cui Heng wasn’t in the East Capital and sending her this eagle… Who was he? Where was he? There seemed to be countless possibilities. Suddenly, the world felt vast. Cui Heng was like a star, a drop of water, adorning the endless expanse of the universe, scattered across the boundless sea. The world was immense, and finding him would be difficult. She shouldn’t seek him out either. She gripped the short flute at her waist, then looked up at the eagle before her. Though hidden in this world, he had still left her a thread. That was enough. Thinking about it, Luo Wanqing leaned forward and tentatively called out to the eagle, "Your name is Chasing Thoughts?" The eagle, full of spirit, tilted its head, acknowledging her words. Luo Wanqing smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I’ll write him a letter." With less fear, she approached the eagle, took out pen and paper, and began writing to Cui Heng after some thought. Writing letters made it easier to express herself than speaking face-to-face. She had only intended to write a few lines about recent events, but as she wrote, more flowed onto the page. "Cui Heng, many things have happened recently…" Luo Wanqing didn’t dare reveal the secrets in the letter, only mentioning things like Xie Heng promoting her to the fifth rank of Si Shi, the lack of time, and some of her inner thoughts. "With Jiuran’s departure, my heart has found peace. I wonder when Li Guiyu will become as uneventful in my heart as Jiuran. Cui Heng," Her pen paused. After a long while, she finally, with restraint, slowly wrote: "It’s been a long time since we last met. I hope you return safely." She wrote the word "hope" with unusual slowness and caution, fearing it might be too presumptuous. Yet if she omitted it, her feelings would remain unexpressed. Any substitution would only be more inappropriate, so she carefully wrote the word. She tied the letter to the eagle’s leg, and it soared away. Watching the eagle disappear into the night sky, her tumultuous emotions settled.

The eagle flew for a while in the sky before silently descending into the courtyard, landing on the outstretched hand of the youth in loose robes who was waiting for it.

Chuisi nuzzled Xie Heng's hand, and he untied the string, lowering his gaze to read the message.

His eyes lingered on the character "Pan" as he looked down at it for a long time before calmly folding the page.

The stroke of that "Pan" character was too heavy, imprinted in his mind.

Mulling over the "Pan," he entered the secret chamber and placed the slip of paper within the Dark Pavilion.

It was just written with a heavier hand, that's all.

He thought.

Luo Wanqing rested well for the night. The next morning, after receiving three tasks from the Assignment Hall, she couldn't help but ask, "Pavilion Master Liu, there's still no suitable task for me today?"

"A new one came in yesterday, but your rank isn't high enough."

Liu Jianye registered her tasks and continued, "The Emperor demands a thorough investigation of the Eastern Palace. This case is extremely complex, and completing it would be a great achievement. However, it was taken by a higher-ranking Si Shi than you yesterday. Unless one of them backs out, it won't be your turn."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat disheartened but nodded, "I understand."

Afterwards, she spent her days completing tasks and wrote letters to Cui Heng every night. Cui Heng wasn't far away, and he always replied promptly.

Except for the first day, he never wrote back to her, only sending gifts each time: jade bead strings, white jade hairpins, pearl necklaces...

He had Chuisi deliver them. Luo Wanqing didn't know how to return them, so she kept them, planning to give them back to him when he returned.

Days passed, and her injuries healed significantly. Considering the number of tasks she had completed, reaching the fifth rank still seemed distant.

This made her somewhat anxious, prompting her to consider other options. After much deliberation, on a certain morning, she brought a small bag of silver coins and arrived early at the Assignment Hall.

By then, many Si Shi were already present, selecting their tasks. Seeing that Liu Jianye was alone, she approached him with the silver coins, clearing her throat awkwardly and saying, "Pavilion Master Liu."

Liu Jianye was dusting with a feather duster and asked indifferently, "What do you want?"

"Liu Jianye, I..." Luo Wanqing turned her back to others, concealing the object in her hand, and passed the money bag to him from behind, whispering, "A token of my appreciation."

Liu Jianye paused in his dusting and turned around meaningfully, "What are you doing?"

"Is there a suitable task for me?" Luo Wanqing forced a smile, "Pavilion Master, I really want to get promoted."

At this, Liu Jianye sneered, "There is indeed a task perfectly suited for you."

"What is it?" Luo Wanqing exclaimed in pleasant surprise, feeling that giving money had indeed been effective!

Without a word, Liu Jianye swung the feather duster at Luo Wanqing's face and shouted, "Get out!!"

Seeing the duster coming down, Luo Wanqing hastily jumped aside. Liu Jianye pursued her, striking and scolding, "So young and already learning bad habits! I'll teach you a lesson in place of your master!"

"No, no, no!" Luo Wanqing was chased by Liu Jianye around the room, jumping from one spot to another. Seeing Liu Jianye stumbling, she hastily persuaded, "Director Liu, your health is paramount, please don't chase me anymore!"

"Nonsense, I'm as strong as an ox, and I will beat you to death today!"

"Don't..."

"Master Liu!" Amidst their playful scuffling, a sudden urgent cry came from outside, "Si Shi Cui is cornered in the seventh alley of East Street, quickly mobilize people to rescue him!"

The author has something to say:

"Small Theatre"

Before going to sleep, Luo Wanqing said, "I've gone mad tonight, can't think anymore, close my eyes, sleep."

Xie Heng: "I've gone mad tonight, and yet, I think of closing my eyes, sleeping, and meeting in dreams."

"Small Theatre"

Luo Wanqing: "Wow, my taste aligns with that of the Young Master!"

Xie Heng: "Actually, I am a typical northerner and do not favor the southern taste."

Luo Wanqing: "Then why are you still eating?"

Xie Heng: "But I like you."