Chapter 67

Chapter 67

◎He wants to test if you are Luo Wanqing.◎

Hearing this, father and son exchanged a glance. Lu Lingchan's face was filled with panic, and Duke An was the first to react.

He turned around, picked up his sword, and immediately said, "You leave from the back now; Father will buy you time!"

With that, Duke An rushed out, leading the way with his sword in hand.

As soon as he stepped out of the gate, he saw a group of young men dressed in black robes with golden crowns, their waistbands adorned with swords, who were currently drawing their blades against the soldiers guarding his residence.

In between the two groups, there was only one woman who had not drawn her weapon.

She was incredibly beautiful, with delicate features and a small, exquisite face. Her skin was like lustrous jade, and she resembled fine porcelain.

She was tall and slender, appearing somewhat fragile, but her posture was upright. Every move she made exuded a silent sense of power. Coupled with her cool and aloof demeanor, she stood firmly between the two armies like an ice-carved blade. Even without drawing her sword, she suppressed the soldiers of the Duke's residence, preventing them from advancing.

This was the absolute dominance of a true master. Duke An, who had seen many battles, could tell at a glance that this woman was no ordinary person.

He approached Luo Wanqing with his large sword in hand and looked at her coldly. "Who are you?"

"Greetings, Duke An."

Luo Wanqing politely bowed, but there was no sign of respect on her cool and beautiful face.

Seeing her youth, Duke An held some contempt. "Are you from the Supervision Division?"

"Sixth Rank Si Shi of the Supervision Division, Liu Xiniang." Luo Wanqing took out her documents and handed them to Duke An, looking up earnestly. "I am ordered to apprehend the suspect, Lu Lingchan. I hope Duke An can cooperate and avoid a confrontation with weapons."

"You say my son is a criminal and you want me to avoid using weapons?!"

Duke An suddenly drew his sword, but Luo Wanqing pressed down on his hand, forcing the sword back into its scabbard.

Duke An raised his eyes in shock.

Having fought in countless battles, he never imagined that he would be unable to draw his sword against a young woman.

"Duke An," Luo Wanqing seemed to have run out of patience, "no weapons."

Just as she finished speaking, Fang Yuan's excited voice came from the backyard. "Si Shi, he ran away!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing's expression turned cold, and she turned to leave.

Duke An secretly thought it was bad and swung his sword towards Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing heard the sound of the sword and swiftly drew her own, slashing downward!

The force of the blow was overpowering and unstoppable. The moment the sword touched the edge of the blade, it broke in half.

Luo Wanqing twirled her sword in her hand, causing Duke An to retreat hastily. He felt a chill on his neck, as if the wind from the blade had brushed past it. For a moment, he wasn't sure if his head was still attached.

Seeing his frightened expression, Luo Wanqing's face turned cold.

"Duke An, if you obstruct again, it will be considered hindering official duties. I'm not sure if Duke An will have such good luck again."

"You..." Duke An reacted and shouted angrily, "You dare?!"

"Do you think I dare?!"

Luo Wanqing raised her voice sharply, her murderous aura intensifying. Duke An was momentarily stunned.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Luo Wanqing turned and called out, "Let's go!"

With that, Luo Wanqing led her men to the backyard, following the Si Shi who had already chased after Lu Lingchan.

Lu Lingchan, accompanied by a guard, ran quickly. As Luo Wanqing and her team caught up, he immediately burst into someone else's room and then ran out of another, causing chaos.

Fortunately, Luo Wanqing had gained experience in chasing people over the past few days. Glancing at the direction Lu Lingchan was running, she instructed Xing Ling, "There are only three intersections ahead. Wait for him at those three intersections."

"Okay."

Xing Ling leaped onto the wall and led her men to block the alleyways.

Luo Wanqing pursued Lu Lingchan from behind.

This young master had some martial arts skills and ran very fast. Luo Wanqing didn't want to disturb too many civilians, so she didn't push too hard, fearing that he might take hostages in desperation. She followed him at a distance, guiding him into an empty alley.

The guard protected Lu Lingchan as they darted through the alley, while Luo Wanqing and her men slowly followed behind. They seemed to realize that Luo Wanqing was trapping them like fish in a barrel. The guard gritted his teeth and said decisively, "Prince, you run first!"

With that, he pushed Lu Lingchan and charged towards Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing sidestepped, dodging under the guard's arm, and rushed straight at Lu Lingchan, instructing the Si Shi behind her, "Deal with him."

As she spoke, Luo Wanqing lunged for Lu Lingchan.

At that moment, a cold arrow shot towards her. Luo Wanqing flipped and spun, narrowly avoiding it. Lu Lingchan seized the opportunity to dash out.

A large group of assassins suddenly appeared, and arrows rained down chaotically.

Luo Wanqing's pupils constricted, and she shouted urgently, "Get back!"

She raised her hand to cut through the surrounding arrows, quickly looked up to confirm the position of the archers, and leaped onto the wall, rushing towards the nearest archer.

Her movements were too swift; the opponent hadn't even reacted when she was already upon them.

The archer turned around in terror, and Luo Wanqing snatched his bow, grabbing his neck and snapping it with a "crack."

At that moment, all the arrows rushed towards her. Luo Wanqing used the man as a shield to block a wave of arrows, not stopping her advance as she dashed towards the next archer.

In mere moments, she had cleared out the archers hiding in the alley, seizing the last one by the throat, dislocating his jaw and extracting the poison from his mouth before slamming him to the ground.

By this time, the other Si Shi had dealt with the other killers and rushed over.

"Go after Lu Lingchan!"

Luo Wanqing handed the archer over to the remaining Si Shi and sprinted off in the direction Lu Lingchan had fled. When she reached the alley's entrance, she found Fang Yuan, wounded.

"Where is he?"

Luo Wanqing asked urgently. Fang Yuan looked somewhat grim as he replied honestly, "A large group suddenly appeared, and Lu Lingchan escaped. Xingling is chasing him."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but punch the wall. Then she turned back to find the still-alive archer, only to see that he was now lying on the ground, struck by an arrow.

Luo Wanqing swept a cold gaze over everyone. "What happened?"

"A sudden bolt came out of nowhere," one of the Si Shi spoke up, emboldened. "We were unable to stop it."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing didn't say much. She stepped forward to examine the corpses. There were no marks on their bodies, and their faces were burned beyond recognition; they had clearly prepared themselves for certain death.

"We tried to intercept that last arrow."

The Si Shi who had attempted the interception hesitated as he addressed Luo Wanqing, who was crouched before the final archer. "But our blades shattered, and we couldn't stop it."

He showed Luo Wanqing his blade, which had a corner missing. She glanced at the chipped edge and calmly said, "This isn't your fault."

Even if she had been there, she might not have been able to block that arrow.

Who was the expert aiding Lu Lingchan?

Luo Wanqing looked sternly at the blade. Seeing no clues on the corpses, she stood up and said, "Clean these up."

As she rose, she heard footsteps nearby.

She turned her head and saw Xingling returning. With a furrowed brow, Xingling spoke before Luo Wanqing could ask: "He got away."

"Which direction?"

"The Zheng family."

Everyone present was stunned by this revelation.

Luo Wanqing also frowned. "Which Zheng family?"

"The Zheng of the Four Great Clans of Great Xia."

Luo Wanqing remained silent. Xingling said calmly, "I've already had someone keep watch on the Zheng residence. We'll apprehend him as soon as he emerges."

"What if he doesn't come out?"

Fang Yuan couldn't help but interject. No one present responded.

The Supervision Division could search most residences in East Capital, but the Zheng family was one they could not.

Forget an arrest warrant; even with one, given the Zheng family's capabilities, their home would be guarded by experts. Unless they brought out the Si Shi or Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing alone would never gain entry to the Zheng residence.

"Why would the Zheng family shelter him?"

Luo Wanqing wasn't considering a forced entry into the Zheng residence. She pondered her options. Fang Yuan looked at her and cautiously said, "You forgot—he's half a son-in-law to the Zheng family."

This surprised Luo Wanqing, who then quickly recalled Lu Lingchan's file.

"Second Miss Zheng Jinxin of the Zheng family is his fiancée?" Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and then asked, puzzled, "Would the Zheng family really protect Lu Lingchan for Zheng Jinxin's sake?"

"Perhaps Lu Lingchan is forcing Zheng Jinxin to protect him."

Xingling spoke up, drawing everyone's attention.

Xingling surveyed the surroundings, approached Luo Wanqing, and whispered in her ear, "Lu Lingchan's engagement to Zheng Jinxin was obtained through rather underhanded means. I saw him jump over the wall into the backyard of the Zheng residence, indicating he's familiar with the area."

With this information, Luo Wanqing understood.

Lu Lingchan could jump into the backyard without alerting anyone in the Zheng household, suggesting he had visited multiple times and had a secret relationship with Zheng Jinxin.

Now that Lu Lingchan had entered directly, Zheng Jinxin would likely keep him for the sake of her reputation.

If they went straight to Zheng Pingsheng to demand his surrender, the Zheng family would also refuse to hand him over due to concerns about their reputation.

After some thought, Luo Wanqing said, "Keep an eye on the Zheng residence for now. Let's go back and think of a plan."

Everyone exchanged glances, knowing there was no other option. They respectfully replied, "Yes."

Luo Wanqing led her team in silence as they cleaned up the scene and headed back to the Supervision Division.

Just as they reached the entrance, they noticed a carriage parked nearby, attended by two young guards—Zi Tang and Qinzhu, close attendants of Li Guiyu.

Luo Wanqing immediately stopped. As she halted, all the Si Shi behind her did the same, joining her in casting a cold gaze towards the carriage.

"Inspector Liu."

Li Guiyu's voice emerged from within the carriage, laced with a hint of amusement. "Would you care to step forward for a chat?"

Luo Wanqing observed the vigilant Si Shi around her, realizing Li Guiyu had something to say.

He wouldn't visit without a purpose, especially considering the sudden appearance of the archers today. Luo Wanqing's expression turned cold.

She waved her hand at the Si Shi behind her and said calmly, "Go inside first."

Then, she stepped forward, approaching Li Guiyu. Bowing slightly, she greeted him, "Third Highness."

-"I heard that Supervisor Liu went to apprehend Prince Lu today. Did she have any success?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing's expression turned cold, and she sneered, "Doesn't Your Highness know best whether I had any success or not?"

Hearing this, Li Guiyu laughed from within the carriage. "Supervisor Liu seems quite angry."

"Is Your Highness so confident in the people the Wang family left behind?"

Luo Wanqing saw that Li Guiyu was unreserved and began to sow discord: "Are you really so sure they will serve you as their master in the future?"

"My relationship with my mother's clan is none of Supervisor Liu's concern. I came here today to give you a gift, Supervisor."

With that, Li Guiyu lifted the carriage curtain.

He wore a water-blue brocade robe with wide sleeves today, which made him appear rather gentle. He handed over a box and smiled at Luo Wanqing. "I'm skilled in woodworking and carved this wooden hairpin myself. I'd like to present it to you, Supervisor."

"Your Highness and Miss Zheng are about to become engaged, right?" Luo Wanqing looked coldly at Li Guiyu. "Why are you giving me this?"

"The Qin Music Festival is being held at the Zheng residence this year, and there's an invitation inside."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was taken aback. She thought for a moment and suddenly realized something, but then frowned in confusion. "You want me to attend the Qin Music Festival?"

Li Guiyu smiled without moving and simply offered the box, bowing his head. "Awaiting Supervisor Liu's presence."

After hesitating for a moment, Luo Wanqing finally reached out to take the wooden box.

Seeing her accept the box, Li Guiyu's smile grew even wider.

He gazed at Luo Wanqing as she opened the wooden box and said softly, "If you could use this hairpin when we meet again, it would be perfect."

"What exactly do you want?"

Luo Wanqing looked up at Li Guiyu, unsure of his intentions.

Li Guiyu slowly reined in his smile as he stared at the face before him, which was too similar to the past.

He quietly studied Luo Wanqing and suddenly asked, "At first, you changed your appearance to attract my attention. Why are you now avoiding me?"

"That's something you should ask Your Highness," Luo Wanqing stared at Li Guiyu. "At first, you wanted to kill me, but now why are you so persistent?"

"You're mistaken on that point, Supervisor Liu." Li Guiyu smiled, his scholarly face softening slightly. "My desire to kill you has never changed."

"Then why are you wasting my time?"

Luo Wanqing closed the wooden box and turned to leave.

Li Guiyu watched Luo Wanqing calmly. After she entered the Supervision Division, he let down the carriage curtain and said indifferently, "Let's go."

Luo Wanqing held Li Guiyu's wooden box, pondering his intentions today.

Zheng Jinxin was Lu Lingchan's fiancée, and the two had been secretly involved for a long time. He had guessed that she would definitely arrest Lu Lingchan, so he had someone watch over Lu Lingchan, waiting for her to make her move.

But instead of letting Lu Lingchan escape directly, he waited for her, with the purpose of making her watch Lu Lingchan enter the Zheng residence. Then, he sent this invitation to the Qin Music Festival, all to make her attend.

But why did he insist on forcing her to go?

What was so special about the Qin Music Festival?

Luo Wanqing hugged the wooden box and returned to the back mountain with a cold face. Just before entering her small courtyard, she suddenly heard a light laugh from behind her. "That ugly look on your face—did Lu Lingchan escape?"

Hearing this voice, Luo Wanqing turned around in surprise and saw Young Master wearing a gilded mask, dressed in a white robe with red patterns. He held a handful of melon seeds and leaned against a nearby peach tree, looking at her with a smile.

"Cui Heng?"

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. She hadn't seen Cui Heng wait for her at night for a long time, so she couldn't help asking, "Did you have nothing to do today?"

"Now that we're back in the East Capital, I naturally have some free days."

Cui Heng leaped down from the tree, clapped his hands, and walked up to Luo Wanqing. His gaze fell on the wooden box in her hand, and he observed, "Sinking-fragrance wood from the Eastern Sea, very valuable. Only the palace received some this year in the East Capital. A few days ago, His Majesty heard that Third Highness likes wood carving and bestowed several pieces upon him..."

As he spoke, Cui Heng raised his eyes and smiled. "Was this from Third Highness?"

Surprised by how perceptive Cui Heng was, Luo Wanqing smiled. "He gave me an invitation to the Qin Music Festival."

Cui Heng smiled without saying anything. Luo Wanqing felt somewhat guilty for no reason and, after hesitating for a moment, could only tell the truth. "There's also a wooden hairpin."

"Oh," Cui Heng nodded, seemingly admiring. "Third Highness is quite skilled; it's a pity he didn't become a coffin maker."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but laugh. She turned and walked inside, holding the wooden box and discussing official business. "Lu Lingchan was rescued by him today. He helped Lu Lingchan enter the Zheng residence and did all this just to force me to attend the Qin Music Festival, but I don't know what he's trying to do."

Cui Heng followed her into the house and thought without speaking.

Luo Wanqing placed the wooden box in the room and, after thinking for a moment, turned to look at Cui Heng. "What's so special about this Qin Music Festival? Why does he insist that I go? Could it be that he wants to harm me in the Zheng residence?"

"Let me see the invitation."

Cui Heng asked Luo Wanqing for the invitation. She opened the wooden box and handed it over.

Cui Heng glanced at the invitation and then said, "This is a VIP ticket for the Qin Music Festival. Those who receive this ticket must prepare a piece of music to perform at any time after taking their seats."

"A performance?"

Luo Wanqing was curious. Cui Heng smiled. "The Qin Music Festival is the most lively event among the nobility of the East Capital every year, focusing on making friends through music. With a VIP ticket, one can take a seat, and there will be some games where guests can play music on stage."

"I see," Luo Wanqing nodded, thinking. "I heard that the Qin Music Festival only invites young scions from noble families. Every year, a champion is selected. I heard that Young Master once won the championship several times in a row?"

"Mm." Cui Heng's smile faded slightly, carrying a hint of nostalgia. "He started participating in the Qin Music Festival when he was fifteen after returning from the mountain and won three consecutive championships."

"What happened later?" Luo Wanqing was distracted. "Didn't Young Master participate after that?"

"As one grows up," Cui Heng chuckled lightly, "they no longer participate in such playful affairs."

He then steered the conversation back on track: "So, Li Guiyu is forcing you to attend the Music Festival, probably because he wants to hear you play a tune."

"Why would he want to hear me play?"

Luo Wanqing was surprised.

Leaning against the table, Cui Heng pondered and said, "You have a habit when playing the lute, raising the pitch at the end of each note."

This surprised Luo Wanqing, and she asked in return, "I raise the pitch at the end of each note?"

"Perhaps there are other habits that you haven't noticed but he knows about," Cui Heng looked at her and affirmed, "He wants to test if you're Luo Wanqing."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was taken aback. Holding the wooden hairpin, she was momentarily lost: "What... what does he want by going through all this trouble?"

If she were Luo Wanqing, according to Li Guiyu's words, once she arrived in East Capital, he would kill her.

Then why not just kill her outright? Why go through these repeated tests?

What difference did it make whether she was Luo Wanqing or not?

She didn't dare think too deeply about it. Cui Heng watched her quietly and simply asked, "Do you want him to find out?"

"Of course not."

Luo Wanqing immediately replied, "If he finds evidence and accuses me of impersonating a condemned prisoner, saying that Young Master harbored me, wouldn't that cause trouble for Young Master? There's no need for him to know."

"In that case, you don't plan to attend the Music Festival?"

Cui Heng joked. Luo Wanqing shook her head: "No, I must go. Lu Lingchan is in the Zheng residence, and with the crowd at the Music Festival, it's the best opportunity to capture him."

"What then?" Cui Heng smiled as he looked at her, "Li Guiyu is waiting for you."

"He's familiar with my lute playing," Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and raised an eyebrow, "So why don't I play something he hasn't heard before?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know how to play the zither."

"The zither?" Cui Heng didn't understand, somewhat incredulous, "You can play the lute, but not the zither?"

In East Capital, most people's musical instruments were based on the zither. If someone couldn't play the zither, they likely couldn't play other instruments either.

However, Luo Wanqing was clearly an exception.

"That's right," Luo Wanqing spoke honestly, "I only know how to play the lute. The Music Festival is only two days away, so I need to learn how to play the zither in two days..." Luo Wanqing turned to look in the direction of Xie Heng's cottage and mustered her courage, "I'll go find Young Master!"

---

**Theater 1**

Luo Wanqing: "Why are you talking so much today? For every sentence I say, you reply with ten."

Cui Heng: "I'm angry!! Can't I speak more?! Do you know how long I've been holding back on Xie Heng's account?!"

Luo Wanqing: "You really are very different from Young Master."

Cui Heng: "That's right! I'm not Young Master!"

Luo Wanqing: "You really..."

Cui Heng: "If this were a cultivation novel, I'd be his inner demon."

Luo Wanqing: "… You have quite the imagination."

**Theater**

Xie Heng: "Why are you still awake so late?"

Luo Wanqing: "Maybe I was waiting for you."

Xie Heng: "Wow, she's flirting with me."

Luo Wanqing: "I was just telling the truth."

Xie Heng: "Wow, she's being direct with her flirting."

Luo Wanqing: "…"

Xie Heng: "I really like it."

**Theater 2**

Xie Heng: "You're only giving me one pack of medicine?"

Luo Wanqing: "Did you want me to give you two packs for the night?"

Xie Heng: "Wow, she's flirting with me."

Luo Wanqing: "???"

Xie Heng: "Otherwise, why not give me all of them at once instead of making me come every day?"

Luo Wanqing: "You do have a point..."

Xie Heng: "You don't have to give them to me. I'll leave. Keep flirting with me; I like it."

Luo Wanqing: "…"