Chapter 103

Chapter 103

"Yes, he is my husband."

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile at Xie Heng’s words. She felt the same way but didn’t dare to respond arrogantly.

Seeing her happiness, Xie Heng didn’t say more. He looked rather tired and turned to nod at a servant from Liufeng Island, saying, "It’s fine now."

Luo Wanqing found his words strange until she saw that after Xie Heng spoke, a blindfold was handed to him. He tied it on and heard a maid beside him say, "Young Master, please turn around and walk forward."

Luo Wanqing watched as Xie Heng, blindfolded, followed the maid inside. She then realized that the people of Liufeng Island did not want them to discover the route, so everyone had to wear blindfolds. Xie Heng must have been waiting for her here all along.

Her heart warmed. A woman in green clothes handed her a blindfold and whispered, "Miss, please cover your eyes."

Luo Wanqing absentmindedly took the white cloth, covered her eyes, and followed the people into the cabin, where a maid led her to sit down.

Once inside the cabin, she could hear about ten people breathing. She wasn’t sure if they were from Liufeng Island or those entering it, so she sat quietly without speaking.

As soon as she sat down, she smelled a familiar pine scent and knew that Xie Heng was sitting next to her.

Luo Wanqing paused, then instinctively moved slightly away.

The aftermath of her battle with Li Guiyu still lingered within her, leaving her breath unstable. She quietly regulated her breathing, replaying the fight in her mind.

Four sword strikes.

Today, she had taken four sword strikes from Li Guiyu. Afterward, Li Guiyu was constrained by the drug and couldn’t exert his full strength.

She was curious: If Li Guiyu hadn’t dodged the fourth strike and had used the mother-and-child gu, who would have won?

But Li Guiyu didn’t use the mother-and-child gu, so she never got an answer.

Still, at least she survived.

However, the child gu in her body remained a hidden danger.

Luo Wanqing frowned, intending to circulate her inner energy to check, but then heard more people entering.

She dared not meditate here, so after confirming there were no immediate injuries, she waited quietly, planning to discuss further once they reached the island.

After an unknown amount of time, many footsteps approached, and then the woman in green said, "Everyone is here. Today, we have less than a full boat, a total of thirty-one people. When you feel someone tap your shoulder, please state your name."

With the blindfold on, everything became more sensitive. Luo Wanqing realized the voice sounded familiar.

Where had she heard it before?

Luo Wanqing frowned, listening as everyone in the cabin began stating their names.

First, two names she didn’t recognize were called out.

Then came the voice of Lingling: "Lingling."

"Yeye."

"Xie Lan."

When Xie Heng stated his name as "Xie Lan," Luo Wanqing felt someone tap her shoulder. After a moment of silence, realizing no one was using their real names, she lied: "Liu Xixi."

After everyone had stated their names, the boat slowly started moving. The woman in green said, "All names have been recorded. We are now sailing towards Liufeng Island. Once there, all grudges will be forgotten, and fighting is strictly prohibited. Anyone who violates this rule will be executed without mercy. Please understand."

Everyone agreed.

The woman’s tone softened as she continued, "The journey will take approximately one hour. Please remain calm until we reach Liufeng Island, where we will guide you off the boat."

With that, the woman left, and Luo Wanqing counted the remaining breaths in the cabin, knowing that Liufeng Island had left four people to watch over them.

Everyone in the cabin remained silent, afraid of revealing their identities. Luo Wanqing, however, pondered the woman’s voice.

It was too familiar.

Where had she heard it before?

Luo Wanqing recalled every woman she had met.

After a long while, she suddenly remembered someone.

Qinglu.

In an instant, the figure and voice of the woman in green merged with the confidante Zhang Jiuran had told her about.

Then she remembered that according to Wang Hu, the benefactor who saved him was thirty years old with a red mole on his forehead, which could very well be Xiangsi Zi.

If it was Xiangsi Zi, since he saved Wang Hu, he might also have secretly allowed Zhang Jiuran to go free. Thus, it made sense for Qinglu, who helped Zhang Jiuran, to be here.

Moreover, Qinglu might have been working for Xiangsi Zi all along.

If this woman really was Qinglu, she was the best lead right now. On the boat was their best chance to contact her; once they reached Liufeng Island, they wouldn’t know how things would be arranged.

Luo Wanqing realized she needed to inform Xie Heng quickly.

But with so many people around, she couldn’t speak openly. After a moment’s thought, she reached out and held his hand under his sleeve, as if in flirtation.

This gesture seemed like a normal couple’s interaction and wouldn’t draw attention.

Xie Heng stiffened slightly at her touch but quickly understood that Luo Wanqing had something to say.

He withdrew his hand, and Luo Wanqing was momentarily surprised, thinking Xie Heng didn’t understand. But then she felt his warm, dry hand grasp hers again.

This time, he enveloped her hand with his palm, hiding it completely under his sleeve.

Luo Wanqing finally reacted. He had gone to take off his gloves, and she couldn't help but admire Xie Heng's cleverness; he knew what she wanted to do as soon as she touched him.

She turned her hand over in his palm and wrote with her fingers, stroke by stroke: "Blue-clad woman, acquaintance."

Xie Heng's movements paused slightly, then he responded by writing with his fingertips: "Who?"

He had taken off his gloves, and she could clearly feel the warmth of his fingertips and the thin calluses.

The sensation of these calluses on her palm was somewhat ticklish. Luo Wanqing focused her mind, forcing herself not to think too much, and continued writing: "Zhang Jiuran's confidant, Fengyu Pavilion assassin, subordinate of Qingsi Zi."

This sentence was quite long, and Xie Heng waited patiently as she wrote each stroke, causing his muscles to tense. He deliberately relaxed his hand, afraid that Luo Wanqing might notice.

After finishing this sentence, Luo Wanqing added her name: "Qinglu."

Upon writing this name, Xie Heng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Luo Wanqing must be done.

Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, he felt her start writing again. He had no choice but to stay put, feeling her write word by word: "Her name."

Xie Heng: "..."

He was momentarily speechless.

Immediately after, he felt Luo Wanqing begin writing again: "Fangfei Court once helped me rescue my family, last seen at Qingyun Ferry, Cui Heng has also met..."

The journey by boat was long, giving Luo Wanqing ample time to report all the information about Qinglu.

Xie Heng realized for the first time how talkative Luo Wanqing could be, making the time seem exceptionally long. He forced himself to control his breathing, but Luo Wanqing noticed something amiss and asked, "Young Master?"

Afraid she would detect his unease, Xie Heng replied in her palm: "Person, confirmed?"

"Didn't see her face."

Luo Wanqing answered honestly: "Can't be sure."

"Create an opportunity when disembarking."

After writing this, Xie Heng tried to pull his hand away, but Luo Wanqing quickly grabbed him and wrote: "Injured?"

Xie Heng did not respond. Instead, he gave her hand a firm pat and withdrew it, leaving.

Luo Wanqing sensed that Xie Heng seemed displeased. She didn't know why he was upset, but since he didn't want her to worry about his injuries, she dared not say more.

The boat sailed quietly for an hour before Luo Wanqing felt it stop. A moment later, someone came in and removed the blindfolds from Luo Wanqing and the others.

As soon as Luo Wanqing's blindfold was removed, Cui Heng's voice suddenly rang out, teasingly: "Ah, beauty, let me have a look!"

Everyone turned to look, and Luo Wanqing saw Cui Heng raise his hand and yank off the veil of the blue-clad woman who was removing his blindfold. The woman immediately tightened her grip on Cui Heng's wrist, then realized something and turned to look at Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing silently observed the woman's face without saying a word.

Qinglu tightened her grip on Cui Heng's wrist, and he instantly cried out in pain: "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Cui Heng tried to pry her hand off, shouting loudly: "I won't do it again, beauty, I won't do it again! Xingling, help me!"

Xingling stood nearby, giving him a disdainful glance, seemingly embarrassed, and pretended not to know him, looking away.

Qinglu seemed to calm down, slapped Cui Heng aside, calmly put her veil back on, and turned to leave, saying, "No next time."

Everyone followed her lead and got up.

Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing, understanding the situation, and led the way out.

Luo Wanqing pondered Qinglu's gaze, sympathetically looked at Cui Heng, knowing he must have done this at Xie Heng's request, and nodded: "Thank you."

Xingling, unaware of the reason, followed Luo Wanqing out, even kicking Cui Heng: "Deserves it!"

Cui Heng got up from the ground, holding his face, and followed Xingling, saying sadly: "Xingling, you're so heartless!"

The group followed Qinglu out onto the deck, where they saw a blooming peach blossom island ahead.

People were bustling about on the island, creating a warm atmosphere.

Qinglu led everyone ashore, just as another group was disembarking from another boat.

Luo Wanqing glanced around and saw Wang Yunzhi leading the group, accompanied by many people. Li Guiyu was among them, covered in blood but looking better, likely due to the effects of the muscle-relaxing powder.

A few people surrounded him, and Luo Wanqing recognized Zhang Bo, indicating that Li Guiyu's men had caught up.

Li Guiyu's men and Wang Yunzhi's men dispersed, forming two separate groups. After both boats disembarked, they saw guards holding sharp weapons lining the path. Qinglu walked ahead, organizing the two groups and leading them onto the stone path into the island.

As she followed the group, she noticed two tables set up at the entrance of the island, where people registered their names and belongings.

A fat man stood in the middle, greeting them: "Once you enter Liufeng Island, your past is irrelevant. No grudges or fights are allowed here. Consider yourselves reborn, with all past grievances erased."

This was the longstanding principle of Liufeng Island: anyone entering was under the protection of Xie Minsheng.

Luo Wanqing listened to these words without much feeling, glancing around, finding everyone somewhat familiar yet unable to place them.

It wasn't until the woman in front of her signed her name "Yan Qiniang" that she suddenly remembered why they looked familiar.

The woman standing before her was a notorious murderer wanted by the authorities for years.

She was known for her beauty, often luring married men and inciting them to kill their wives, or else massacring entire families. Her crimes were numerous.

Recognizing Yan Qiniang, Luo Wanqing suddenly realized that these people were familiar because they were all listed on the Supervision Division's wanted list!

All of them had committed serious crimes, yet they were about to enter Liufeng Island and start anew?!

Thinking this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but frown.

But now was not the time to ponder these things. She followed the others forward, set down her bundle, and let them open it for inspection.

"Liu Xixi."

"Alone?"

"With companions."

"Companions or family?" The person seemed impatient.

Luo Wanqing was about to answer when she heard Xie Heng behind her say, "Family."

Everyone looked up at his words. Luo Wanqing was surprised but then heard Xie Heng continue, "We are a family of four. She is my wife, and these two are my cousins."

Hearing this, the three named individuals showed surprise. Luo Wanqing quickly understood that Liufeng Island might separate men and women, and if they were not a couple, they might be forced to live apart.

Understanding Xie Heng's intention, Luo Wanqing immediately nodded. "Yes, he is my husband."

These words spread through the queue and reached far away, causing Li Guiyu's hand to tremble.

Zhang Bo noticed and whispered, "Your Highness?"

Li Guiyu closed his eyes, suppressing his emotions. "Nothing."

The registrar saw that Luo Wanqing was part of a family and registered all four of them together. Then, he casually circled the most remote courtyard on a map, handed over two door tags, and called, "Next."

The group followed the directions, and a servant girl approached, handing out bundles to Xie Heng and Cui Heng. They took the door tags, glanced at the numbers, and led the four people forward.

As they walked, Luo Wanqing observed the entire island.

The outermost ring of the island was a peach blossom forest. Beyond the peach blossoms lay neatly arranged quadrangle courtyards for residence.

Each corner of the island had watchtowers with guards constantly watching. This structure resembled a massive prison, making even the beautiful peach blossoms feel oppressive.

Halfway through their walk, a woman's voice suddenly interrupted from the side, "Zhaozhao, I'll take them from here."

At these words, everyone stopped. Qinglu stepped out from the side and calmly said to the guide, "I just finished escorting some people. You go ahead and meet the others; I'll take them."

Zhaozhao hesitated but agreed, saying, "Yes, Sister Qinglu."

With that, Zhaozhao turned and left. Qinglu turned to look at Luo Wanqing. After a moment's hesitation, Luo Wanqing tentatively asked, "Qinglu?"

"It's been a long time."

Qinglu nodded and then turned, saying, "Follow me. There are people in the watchtowers always watching us. We need to move under the trees or in blind spots to avoid detection."

Luo Wanqing understood that Qinglu had not acknowledged her earlier because of others' presence.

This reassured Luo Wanqing somewhat, knowing that Qinglu did not reject her.

However, she remained cautious and exchanged glances with Xie Heng and Cui Heng before tentatively asking, "Qinglu, why are you here?"

"That question should be mine."

Qinglu looked at her coldly, clearly more guarded than before. "Why are you here, and with them?"

She glanced at Xie Heng and warned, "If the Chief Island Master sees him, he will kill him."

Luo Wanqing knew instantly that the Chief Island Master referred to Xie Minran.

Everyone knew this, and Cui Heng couldn't help but laugh. "But if the Second Island Master sees him, he'll treat him as an honored guest." He then inquired directly, "When will your Second Island Master receive guests?"

"Cui Doctor," Qinglu glanced at Cui Heng coolly, "the Island Master does not see guests."

"Oh." Cui Heng pondered, studying Qinglu. "You seem familiar."

"We've never met."

Qinglu denied it outright and turned back to Luo Wanqing. "What are you really doing here?"

"She's here to investigate a case."

Xie Heng suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.

Qinglu's expression stiffened, but Xie Heng did not hide anything. He told her directly, "One of Lady Xie's phoenix feather hairpins was bought by your master."

He watched her closely and continued slowly, "Where is he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Qinglu's tone turned cold. Xie Heng then took out a token and showed it to her, calmly saying, "Do you understand now?"

Qinglu was stunned, looking at Xie Heng in disbelief. "You..."

"Cui Zigui gave it to me." Xie Heng's voice wavered slightly at the name, but no one close could detect any emotion. He stared at Qinglu and asked, "Can you speak now?"

Qinglu stared at the token with the character 'Cui' written on it, and after a long pause, she regained her composure. Her expression became serious and respectful as she said, "Please follow me."

She quickened her pace, leading them to their assigned courtyard.

The courtyard had already been cleaned. As she opened the door, Qinglu said, "Liufeng Island is guarded by watchtower personnel everywhere. Since you claimed to be a family, do not live separately. It would be hard to explain if the watchtower guards notice. Go inside first; I'll come back later."

With that, Qinglu bowed to everyone as if completing her task and turned to leave.

After Qinglu left, the four exchanged glances. Cui Heng thought for a moment and cheerfully put his arm around Xingling's shoulder. "Come, Mother..."

Before he could finish, Xingling's sword sheath struck Cui Heng's abdomen, causing him to clutch his stomach in pain and stop talking. Xingling glanced at him coolly and walked forward.

Xingling and Cui Heng entered the house, and Xie Heng led Luo Wanqing into another room with the door open.

This room was connected to a corridor with a large tree. As Xie Heng entered, he asked Luo Wanqing to open the window.

Luo Wanqing opened the window and then immediately said, "Young Master, why did you tell Qinglu so much?"

"Everything that the Red Bean has done has been to secretly protect the Cui family. I suspect they were placed by the Cui family as a spy within the Wang family back then."

Xie Heng explained, and Luo Wanqing understood. She frowned and hesitated, saying, "But... if they are a Cui family spy, Young Master..."

Luo Wanqing did not finish her sentence, but Xie Heng already understood her concern.

If someone is loyal to the Cui family, they would surely hate Xie Heng. How could they possibly cooperate?

Hearing this, Xie Heng's expression grew more somber. He simply said, "What I showed her was the Cui family’s Young Master Token. The highest level token in the Cui family is the Patriarch Token, divided into the Yin Lord and Yang Lord. Back then, the Yang Lord was Cui Qingping, and the Yin Lord was my mother. They died too suddenly, and the Patriarch Token went missing. Now, the highest-level token visible to the world is the one held by Cui Qingping’s eldest son, Cui Zigui—the Young Master Token."

Only the successors of each family know how to use their tokens. Even if someone obtained the token, it might not be useful.

Cui Qinglu recognized Xie Heng because Cui Zigui had taught him the correct usage.

At Qingyun Crossing, Xie Heng indeed came to save the Cui family.

Thinking about this, Luo Wanqing felt a pang of sadness.

Even Cui Zigui forgave him and left the Patriarch Token for him, yet the living Cui Heng and everyone else who still cared about the Cui family could not accept him.

She felt a sense of injustice for Xie Heng but quickly suppressed it.

No matter the reason, he killed members of the Cui family. It was natural for Cui Heng to resent him.

She could not deny Cui Heng’s decision for Xie Heng’s sake.

After all, Cui Heng was the most important person to her.

Luo Wanqing stood there, calming her thoughts. At that moment, a sound came from outside. Both she and Xie Heng looked up to see Qinglu climbing through the window.

She approached and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subordinate, Cui Qinglu, greets the Young Master."

"You are indeed a member of the Cui family."

Xie Heng found a seat and looked down at the kneeling Qinglu.

Qinglu calmly replied, "Yes, your subordinate was born into the Cui family and entered the Fengyu Pavilion at sixteen, becoming a spy for the Cui family within the Wang family for over seven years."

Luo Wanqing listened, somewhat surprised but also finding it reasonable.

"What about Red Bean?" Xie Heng pondered. "Was he also a spy?"

"Yes," Qinglu answered calmly. "The master’s original name was Cui Zisi. He entered the Fengyu Pavilion four years before me. When I joined, Cui Zisi was already the Left Envoy of the Fengyu Pavilion."

"Since you were spies, what were you doing when the incident happened?"

Xie Heng furrowed his brow, seemingly puzzled.

If the Cui family already had spies in high positions within the Wang family’s assassin organization, why did the Cui family know nothing about what the Wang family did back then?

Moreover, after the incident, no one related to the Cui family received any communication.

Hearing the blame in Xie Heng’s words, Qinglu hurriedly explained, "There were more than just the master and me as spies within the Wang family. When the incident occurred, something happened, and other spies were discovered and eliminated while trying to warn the Yin Lord. Only the master and I survived. To preserve our strength, we went into hiding and did not contact anyone from the Cui family."

Yin Lord.

Luo Wanqing heard this title and glanced at Xie Heng. Earlier, Xie Heng mentioned that the Yin Lord was his mother.

In other words, Lady Xie, Cui Muhua, had received the message, yet she still died in the palace.

"What message did you receive back then?"

Xie Heng asked the question that Luo Wanqing most wanted to ask.

Qinglu shook her head and said, "Your subordinate’s position was low, and I did not know. Only the master knew some details."

"Where is he now?" Xie Heng asked coldly. "Is he still alive?"

"Your subordinate..." Qinglu’s face showed difficulty. "Your subordinate does not know."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng exchanged glances. Xie Heng frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Last year, when Luo Qushu encountered trouble, the master sensed danger. In March this year, the master protected Zhang Jiuran, which was noticed by Zhao Yuyan and reported to the Dark Pavilion. The Pavilion Master of the Fengyu Pavilion, Wang Qinshu, was displeased. Additionally, the master secretly took the Yin Lord Token, knowing it would eventually be discovered. Thus, he arranged for your subordinate to work with Envoy Liu, both inside and outside, to fake his death and escape."

As Qinglu spoke, Luo Wanqing realized what had happened.

She thought it was too easy at the time—how could a Pavilion Master like Red Bean be killed so easily in front of the Crown Prince, Fengyu Pavilion assassins, and even Wang Yunzhi?

It turned out everything was arranged by Red Bean.

"The one who died was a substitute?"

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but ask. Qinglu nodded. "Yes, it was a pre-arranged substitute. Many died in the battle at Fangfei Court. The Wang family, fearing involvement, did not openly collect the bodies. All corpses were taken by the government and handled by Zhong Yufu. They burned all the bodies, and the Wang family did not notice."

"What happened afterward? What became of him?"

Xie Heng sat in his chair, resting his forehead on his hand, asking indifferently.

Qinglu seemed agitated, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth. "After the master obtained the Yin Lord Token and faked his death, he sought refuge with Xie Minsheng on Liufeng Island. Unexpectedly, upon entering the island, he disappeared and has not returned. Your subordinate tried every means to infiltrate Liufeng Island to rescue the master. I hope the Young Master can assist."

Xie Heng listened quietly, showing no emotion. He asked, "Did he only have the Yin Lord Token?"

Qinglu frowned and shook her head. "Your subordinate does not know. All I know is that the master disappeared after entering Liufeng Island."

"Why did he seek refuge with Xie Minsheng?"

"My lord has always been on good terms with Xie Minsheng, and there have been frequent exchanges over the years. Plus, Liufeng Island is not involved in worldly affairs, making it an excellent place to seek refuge. I suspect that this might be the reason..."

"Does Xie Minran know?"

Xie Heng interrupted her.

Qinglv was taken aback and then shook her head. "I do not know. I have never had any contact with Xie Minran."

"Is there any pattern to when Xie Minran and Xie Minsheng appear?"

Xie Heng tapped his forehead lightly as he continued to ask.

Qinglv shook her head. "So far, there is no pattern. It seems random."

"How long have you been here?"

Xie Heng looked up at Qinglv, who replied honestly, "After Lord disappeared four months ago, I managed to enter Liufeng Island and have been working here ever since."

"I want to see Xie Minsheng," Xie Heng asked calmly, "is it possible?"

---

"Lou Wanqing (drawing words in Xie Heng's palm): 'Young Master'"

"Xie Heng (drawing words in Lou Wanqing's palm): 'Write.'"

"Lou Wanqing: 'I have something to report.'"

"Xie Heng: 'Write.'"

"Lou Wanqing: 'It's like this.'"

"Xie Heng: 'Don't write unnecessary details, keep it simple.'"

"Lou Wanqing: 'Okay, I won't write unnecessary details. Just now, I saw a woman in green who seemed familiar, but I'm not sure who she is. I think this needs to be reported to you... (writes hundreds of characters)'"

"Xie Heng: 'I understand.'"

"Lou Wanqing: 'Young Master is wise. But what do you know?'"

"Xie Heng: 'You're flirting with me.'"