Chapter 124 (Revised)

Chapter 124 (Revised)

◎Nightly Investigation of the Master's Bedchamber, Do You Know What Crime That Is?◎

Luo Wanqing received the news that Xie Heng had awakened when she was coming out of an ironworks shop.

According to the testimony of the shopkeeper, the owner of this ironworks shop often bought salt from him.

However, when they arrived, there was no owner's wife at the shop.

The owner was a bachelor who had never married.

"This only proves that the shopkeeper's testimony is problematic; it doesn't prove anything else," Luo Wanqing pondered and slowly said. "To prove Luo Qushu's wrongful conviction, we should actually find the officials who handled the case back then."

"The presiding judge at the time was Minister Zheng," Zhang Yiran recalled. "The two officials handling the paperwork were Prefect Zhou Chun and Prison Officer Sun Cui. The other officials involved did not leave any names, making them hard to track down."

"I'll ask someone from the Supervision Division," Luo Wanqing thought aloud. "They were also in Yangzhou at the time; perhaps they have some recollection."

As Luo Wanqing spoke, Zhang Yiran suddenly stopped walking. Luo Wanqing looked up in confusion and saw Zhang Yiran gazing at the Yue Lao Temple nearby with a gentle expression.

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but look at Zhang Yiran: "Minister Zhang?"

"Every year on the first day of the third month, my father would come here."

Zhang Yiran smiled as he looked at the Yue Lao Temple. "For a while, my mother suspected my father of having someone outside and even brought my sister and me here to catch him."

"On the first day of the third month?"

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Zhang Yiran nodded: "Yes, and there were other places where my father would go regularly."

Saying this, Zhang Yiran felt something odd: "What's wrong?"

Luo Wanqing didn't say anything. She looked at the Yue Lao Temple before her and suddenly remembered that her father would also come to the Yue Lao Temple every first day of the third month after he came to Jiangnan. Her mother had almost believed the same thing.

In the past, she would have thought it was a joke, but now she sensed that it might not be a coincidence.

"When did your father start going to the Yue Lao Temple?"

Luo Wanqing asked curiously. Zhang Yiran replied without understanding: "He has always done so since I was young."

Since young...

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but ask again: "Why did he come?"

"It seems that every first day of the third month, the Yue Lao Temple gives out free peach blossom buns," Zhang Yiran recalled. "My father just wanted the peach blossom bun and came for the fun of it."

"Oh."

Luo Wanqing realized that perhaps her father also came for the festivities and nodded: "That day is indeed lively."

"Unfortunately, those times will never come again." Zhang Yiran gave a bitter smile, looking at the blue sky, and pondered, "I wonder when I can know the true cause of my father's death and find his killer."

Luo Wanqing remained silent for a moment, then said: "I'll help you ask."

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yiran didn't understand. As Luo Wanqing was about to explain, the sound of galloping hooves approached, accompanied by someone calling: "Si Shi Liu! Minister Zhang!"

Both turned around and saw a servant rushing towards them.

"Si Shi Liu!"

The servant dismounted and hurriedly said: "The master has awakened and wants you to return immediately!"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing's eyes lit up, and she quickly turned to Zhang Yiran: "Minister Zhang, I..."

"Si Shi Liu, please hurry back," Zhang Yiran said, bowing. "We can meet another day."

Luo Wanqing nodded. The servant dismounted and handed the horse to her. Luo Wanqing immediately left in haste.

Upon entering the residence, Luo Wanqing rushed to Xie Heng's room and saw Xuanshan leading Xiangsizi and Qinglu out.

Xiangsizi and Qinglu greeted her: "Si Shi Liu."

Luo Wanqing hurriedly bowed. Just as she was about to speak to Xiangsizi, she heard Xie Heng's voice from inside the room, saying indifferently: "Xiniang."

Luo Wanqing turned around and saw Xie Heng lying on a couch. His long hair was loosely tied with a red ribbon, mostly scattered around him. He wore a white inner robe and a black outer robe embroidered with golden branches. Due to the heat, his clothes were slightly open, revealing a pale skin with an unusual flush.

Luo Wanqing could tell that Xie Heng had just used mandala incense and was dispersing it. At this moment, most people would be excited, but Xie Heng maintained a calm demeanor, quietly watching her, like a deity bathed in rosy light, captivating at first sight.

Luo Wanqing dared not look more and quickly lowered her head, taking off her shoes and stepping onto the soft carpet into Xie Heng's room.

The moment she entered, Zhuque closed the door, plunging the room into dimness, and Xie Heng's presence filled the entire space.

Luo Wanqing's heart raced a bit faster. Suppressing her emotions, she stepped forward and respectfully bowed: "Greetings, Young Master."

Xie Heng sat on the couch, looking down at her. They were neither too close nor too far apart, and Luo Wanqing felt inexplicably flustered.

She had imagined countless times what Xie Heng would look like when he woke up, but when he really opened his eyes and sat before her, she felt more at a loss than she had anticipated.

Outside, the sounds of Xuanshan and others talking reminded her of her identity. She tried her best to suppress any inappropriate words, playing the role of a perfectly qualified subordinate, kneeling respectfully before Xie Heng.

She feared others might notice something amiss, so she felt particularly uneasy.

Xie Heng silently watched her for a long time, seemingly sensing her distance. Without saying much else, he got straight to the point: "I heard you've been awake for three days?"

"Yes."

"Are you well?"

"Thanks to Young Master," Luo Wanqing replied cautiously, word by word, "I am much better now."

Xie Heng should have already known about her condition. After asking, he didn't speak again for a moment before saying, "When I woke up earlier, I had already interrogated Xiangsi and Xingling, obtaining some information that requires your assistance."

Luo Wanqing immediately responded, "Please instruct me, Young Master."

"I need you to find three characters. These three characters come from the twenty-two characters of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, with no order or pattern. The clue should be something your father left you, perhaps a specific phrase, event, or object."

Xie Heng's request was abrupt, causing Luo Wanqing to wonder, "What specific information did Young Master obtain?"

At this, Xie Heng lifted his eyelashes slightly, his gaze fixed on Luo Wanqing as he asked, "In what capacity do you ask me?"

Luo Wanqing's heart trembled as she instantly understood Xie Heng's meaning.

If she were a subordinate, she would simply follow his orders; asking would be overstepping her bounds.

If she were asking based on their personal relationship, she would have the right to question him.

Luo Wanqing fell silent. In the distance, the sound of Zhuque greeting someone brought her back to reality, and she quickly said, "If it is not something I should know, please forgive my overreach."

Xie Heng remained silent. Under his gaze, Luo Wanqing felt uneasy. After a long while, he coldly said, "Is there anything else you wish to say to me?"

Anything else to say?

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, suppressing her chaotic thoughts and bringing up a matter she had been concerned about: "May I request something from Young Master?"

"What is it?"

"It's like this," Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, "I heard that the organization has found Xiangsi. Minister Zhang's investigation into his father's wrongful case has hit a dead end, and Xiangsi is a key figure. I would like to request a favor for Minister Zhang, allowing him to meet Xiangsi and find some clues."

"Is that all?"

Xie Heng's tone seemed to be restraining something, and his gaze made her feel increasingly uncomfortable. Luo Wanqing hurriedly said, "That is the only request. I dare to make such a request, and if Young Master agrees, it would be wonderful."

"And if I don't agree?"

"Well..." Luo Wanqing hadn't expected Xie Heng to refuse. While this wasn't a major issue, if he refused, there must be a reason. She could only say, "Then I will help Minister Zhang find another lead."

Xie Heng remained silent for a long time. Luo Wanqing dared not speak further, waiting until she heard him stand up and walk towards her.

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but feel nervous as he bent down close to her side, the scent of Datura lingering in his breath. She unconsciously tensed her muscles.

He leaned close to her, sniffing lightly, then seemed to notice something and looked at her.

Luo Wanqing avoided meeting his probing gaze, pretending to look straight ahead as if she knew nothing.

Xie Heng stared at her for a moment. Seeing no reaction, he finally straightened up and turned away, saying, "Go rest for now."

"Yes."

Luo Wanqing quickly got up and left, almost fleeing.

As she stepped out, she heard the sound of a book falling to the ground behind her.

She turned around to see Xie Heng standing amidst scattered books. Noticing her gaze, he gave her a cold glance and then silently walked away.

"Young Master has quite a temper."

Zhuque, standing at the door, spoke in surprise, then turned to Luo Wanqing, "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know either."

Luo Wanqing waved her hand and quickly returned to her room.

But just after closing the door, she heard intense coughing coming from the next room. She was about to check on him when she heard voices outside, indicating Wei Qianqiu's arrival.

She froze at the door, hesitating for a long time before finally letting go of the handle.

There were too many people; going in would only expose herself without much benefit.

Luo Wanqing leaned against the door, listening to the voices discussing Xie Heng's condition.

From their conversation, it seemed his injuries had worsened. Thinking about this, Luo Wanqing couldn't sit still, unable to think of anything else. As night fell, she lay in bed, unable to sleep, haunted by the sound of Xie Heng's final coughs.

His complexion seemed even paler, and the use of Datura continued, which might have severe effects on his health.

His condition should be very poor, but his pulse had been stable last night. Why was he coughing so suddenly today?

Luo Wanqing's mind raced with various thoughts. After much hesitation, she decided to act. She got up quietly and, as she had done in previous nights, crept into the room.

It seemed Xie Heng had fallen asleep. She moved stealthily to the bedside and saw his hand resting outside the curtain.

After a moment's hesitation, she reached out to take his pulse, relieved to find it steady. She sighed and stood up to leave.

However, just as she turned, a hand suddenly emerged from the bed curtain, pulling her in forcefully!

Xie Heng's presence overwhelmed her, and she instinctively tried to defend herself. But he disarmed her swiftly, flipping her over and pressing a sharp dagger to her neck, straddling her.

"Liu Si Shi," the smooth edge of the cold dagger caressed her skin, sending a shiver through her in the darkness. Her breathing quickened as Xie Heng's gaze followed the dagger, his voice devoid of emotion, as if truly questioning her, "Do you know the punishment for secretly entering the bed of the leader?"

Luo Wanqing: "…"

Xie Heng: "Is there anything else you want to say? I’m giving you one last chance to make things right with me."

Luo Wanqing: "That… Could you help Lord Zhang?"

Xie Heng: "What if I don’t help him? Choose—me or him?"

Luo Wanqing: "Then I’ll go find clues for Lord Zhang."

Xie Heng: "…You’re done for. You smell like his perfume; it’s the inferiority you’ve bestowed upon me. Leave."

Luo Wanqing: "Oh, I’m leaving."

Xie Heng: "Slamming the table! You actually left!! I’m furious!!!"