Chapter 143

Chapter 143

◎Is there someone in the carriage?◎

"Was it you who shot that arrow at me just now?"

Seeing the newcomer, Luo Wanqing jumped down from the carriage, drew her sword, and spoke coldly.

As she spoke, she was worried about Xie Heng inside the carriage.

Xie Heng had tried to get up earlier but was forcibly held down by her. Now, he obediently concealed his presence. Given Xie Heng's abilities, if she couldn't sense anyone, Li Guiyu shouldn't be able to either, but there might be unexpected circumstances.

She planned to end this quickly, scanned the surroundings, and directly asked, "What do you want?"

"Did Miss have wine tonight?"

Li Guiyu did not answer her directly. He smelled alcohol in the night breeze and asked an unrelated question.

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing frowned and sternly demanded, "I asked you a question!"

"It wasn't me."

Li Guiyu sensed Luo Wanqing's anger and shook his head to explain, "It was Zheng Bikui."

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised by Li Guiyu's honesty; her expression softened slightly. Li Guiyu patiently explained, "Zheng Bikui heard about Zheng Biyue's death and came back early. They were siblings and very close. A few years ago, his master was killed by Xie Heng, so he trained hard for revenge. Although he hasn't reached the level of a grandmaster, he is very strong. If Miss fights him directly, you might not win."

"What do you mean by telling me this?"

Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Li Guiyu looked at her with a gentle expression, almost as if he hadn't changed since their time in Jiangnan.

His eyes showed concern as he said, "I'm worried about Miss. When I learned you were back, I rushed here. I overheard that he was lying in wait, so I came to stop him."

"You have quite a network."

Luo Wanqing understood the implications—both her movements and Zheng Bikui's were clear to Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu smiled, but his eyes held a hint of bitterness, "Spiders weave webs to hunt, but now I realize that protecting those I care about is also a great fortune."

Luo Wanqing didn't want to discuss this further and coldly said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for informing me. But if it weren't for you, Zheng Bikui would be dead. He should be grateful to you. If there's nothing else, please go back and rest. Court will convene in two hours, don't waste your time."

Having clarified the situation, Luo Wanqing directly dismissed him. Li Guiyu listened but remained silent.

Seeing Li Guiyu standing quietly, Luo Wanqing felt nervous. She listened carefully for Xie Heng's voice, watching Li Guiyu, hoping he would leave soon.

She needed to drive him away first to avoid him discovering Xie Heng when she opened the carriage door.

However, Li Guiyu didn't move. After a long pause, he softly asked, "Is Miss concerned about me?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing frowned, "Have you taken Wu Shi Powder again?"

Li Guiyu gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "Not today, just foolish thoughts." Then, he asked, "Do you still carry the signal flare I gave you?"

In Jiangnan, he had given her a signal flare and taught her how to use it, telling her to light it if she encountered any danger, and he would come immediately.

But during those five years, he was always with her, and she never faced any real danger. She carried the unused signal flare for five years until the day before her imprisonment, when Li Guiyu said he needed to travel and check some goods. He mentioned that the signal flare was damp and needed replacement.

He took the signal flare and never returned it.

Now, mentioning it, Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Li Guiyu smiled and said, "I forgot; I took it and didn't return it. Here it is."

With that, Li Guiyu handed the signal flare to Luo Wanqing and explained, "I won't harm you, but the Zheng family won't let you go. Miss, if you're willing," he hinted, "I'll always stand behind you."

"I don't need it; I have the Supervision Division," Luo Wanqing refused coldly.

"Xie Heng won't risk his life for a mere Si Shi member," Li Guiyu reminded seriously, "Only I will. You can't face the Zheng family alone and survive."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing smiled.

A flash of cold steel cut through the night, swift enough that Luo Wanqing's movement was almost invisible. The signal flare in Li Guiyu's hand was split in two.

Luo Wanqing smiled at him and reminded, "I have my sword. Please leave, Your Highness."

Li Guiyu's expression dimmed, understanding Luo Wanqing's meaning. He put away the remaining half of the signal flare and laughed lightly, then said, "Miss can think about it. Actually, if you want to kill me, you can."

Luo Wanqing was surprised. Li Guiyu studied her expression and couldn't help but laugh, his eyes filled with hope as he said, "If you give me five years, love me, and marry me, I'll do what I must, and we'll go to Yangzhou."

Luo Wanqing looked at him in disbelief, but Li Guiyu seemed delighted, fantasizing, "I bought the Luo Residence; we can go back. You've always wanted a cat, but Mother wouldn't allow it. This time, we can have one. I'll transplant a grapevine from the Western Regions for it to climb. Then every night, we can lie together..."

Before he could finish, a light cough came from inside the carriage.

Li Guiyu's expression instantly changed, and he sharply asked, "Who?!"

Luo Wanqing's heart raced, and she gripped her sword hilt. Li Guiyu noticed her reaction and turned to her, incredulous, "There's someone in the carriage?"

"This isn't something you should ask," Luo Wanqing's voice turned cold as she continued to dismiss him, "Please leave, Your Highness."

Li Guiyu's face turned grim. He glanced at the carriage and realized something. Luo Wanqing leaving East Capital late at night, smelling of wine, meant she wasn't alone...

Who was it?

Who was with her?

Cui Heng had just died; could she have found someone new? Impossible, that wasn't her character.

But she had been with Cui Heng... it hadn't been long since they parted.

Li Guiyu's mind was in turmoil. He tried to calm himself but failed. He stepped forward, and Luo Wanqing drew her sword, the scabbard clashing against Li Guiyu's chest. Both shouted, "Move!"

"Retreat!"

Luo Wanqing's eyes showed no sign of backing down. Li Guiyu looked at the scabbard pressed against his chest and stared intently at the carriage, breathing heavily.

There was someone inside, the same person who had been drinking with Luo Wanqing tonight.

From the sound earlier, it should be a man.

Who could it be?

Li Guiyu clenched his fists. Luo Wanqing watched him warily. As they faced each other, Li Guiyu forced himself to calm down slowly.

With Luo Wanqing here, she wouldn't let him take another step forward. She was now part of the Supervision Division, often on missions, and even drinking late into the night wasn't a big deal. He couldn't lose his composure and become a laughingstock.

Li Guiyu forced himself to back off and managed a difficult smile. "I see that Si Shi is accompanied by someone."

"Get lost."

Luo Wanqing spoke coldly. Li Guiyu smiled and nodded, changing his tone as if they were familiar. He said, "Since Xiniang is with a friend, you should go ahead. Guiyu won't disturb you. Oh, and," Li Guiyu looked up at Luo Wanqing's hair and said gently, "Xiniang is still unmarried; wearing a married woman's hairstyle invites unnecessary gossip. Wait until after your marriage to change it. Also, today's perfume is too sweet. I'll bring a more suitable scent next time."

After saying this, Li Guiyu bowed and turned to leave.

Seeing him finally depart, Luo Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief and didn't bother to argue about his nonsense.

However, just as she relaxed, Li Guiyu suddenly turned around, and a concealed weapon flew towards the carriage. Luo Wanqing quickly drew her sword, but it was too late!

The flying knife crashed through the carriage door, shattering it completely.

Behind the broken door, a silver curtain fluttered in the wind. As the door burst open, a young man in black sat with his hand on his forehead, holding a dart he had just caught, examining it. Then, sensing someone watching, he lifted his gaze with a mix of coldness and defiance, looking at the stunned Li Guiyu nearby.

The wind died down as suddenly as it had risen. With one glance, the curtain fell again, concealing Xie Heng within, leaving only a vague silhouette visible.

Li Guiyu stared at the face, frozen in shock.

Luo Wanqing reacted swiftly, hurriedly kneeling and urgently said, "This subordinate failed to stop him. Please, Young Master, forgive me!"

Hearing this, Xie Heng paused, immediately understanding that Luo Wanqing was distancing herself from him.

He looked through the curtain at the kneeling Luo Wanqing. Though he understood her reasons, he still felt a surge of anger.

Without a word, Luo Wanqing remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to speak. Li Guiyu also realized that this was normal for Xie Heng.

Now that Luo Wanqing had reached the position of a Grandmaster, Bai Li had already stepped down. Promoting Luo Wanqing to one of the Four Envoys was reasonable.

And the Four Envoys always accompanied Xie Heng, taking turns ensuring his safety. If Xie Heng needed to go up the mountain tonight, Luo Wanqing accompanying him made sense.

Drinking together among subordinates was also normal, perhaps even with more than one person.

Li Guiyu analyzed all the possibilities but still felt uneasy. Something seemed wrong.

He stared at the curtain, watching the shadow inside playing with the weapon he had thrown in. Luo Wanqing's heart raced in the eerie silence. She needed Xie Heng's response to complete the act.

Li Guiyu realized that Cui Heng's identity was detrimental. She couldn't let such things happen.

She gritted her teeth, about to speak, when Xie Heng said, "Return to the mountain and fetch another carriage."

It was a purely businesslike tone, typical of Xie Heng's usual cold demeanor.

Hearing Xie Heng respond, Luo Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief. Without looking at Li Guiyu, she immediately got up and leaped up the mountain.

With Luo Wanqing gone, only Li Guiyu and Xie Heng remained, one sitting in the carriage and the other standing outside, separated by the light curtain, seemingly unable to see each other clearly yet able to perceive each other's true selves.

Li Guiyu stared at Xie Heng and carefully said, "I did not expect to meet the Head of the Division here. Is the Head traveling alone with Liu Si Shi tonight?"

"How so?" Xie Heng chuckled, his tone mocking. "Do I need to report my whereabouts to Your Highness now?"

The only person Xie Heng needed to report to was the emperor above. Hearing this, Li Guiyu immediately replied, "Head of the Division jests; I am merely curious."

"I was not here today, so I did not know how Your Highness usually harasses our female Si Shi. I will remember this incident and report it truthfully to the emperor. Your Highness, being the crown prince," Xie Heng's tone carried a hint of disdain, "should refrain from such low acts."

"Head of the Division exaggerates," Li Guiyu lowered his eyes. "I merely have some past connection with Liu Si Shi and wanted to catch up."

Xie Heng did not respond further. He could not say more.

Seeing Xie Heng displeased, Li Guiyu finally said, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Xie Heng ignored him, and Li Guiyu bowed and retreated.

As soon as he turned away, his expression turned cold. Carrying his bow, he descended the mountain. Once he was sure Xie Heng could not hear him, Li Guiyu immediately told Zi Tang behind him, "Recheck Cui Heng's information and send it to me."

Zi Tang acknowledged, and as they walked, they encountered another group in the forest.

Li Guiyu saw a young man sitting in a chair, polishing his bow. His face turned cold.

"The eldest son still acts impulsively."

Li Guiyu stepped over dead leaves and approached, mocking, "Without knowing who the target was, you dared to attempt an assassination? If I hadn't arrived in time, it would have been hard to say goodbye to the eldest son."

"What do you mean by not knowing who the target was?"

Zheng Bikui frowned. "Wasn't it Liu Xiniang in the carriage?"

Li Guiyu sneered without elaborating. He walked up to Zheng Bikui, bent slightly, and said seriously, "Eldest son, if you ever try to harm Liu Xiniang again, I won't be as lenient."

"Oh?"

Zheng Bikui looked up, mocking, "What does Your Highness plan to do? You should know that killing her now isn't just about my personal grudge. She brought something back from Jiangnan, which you understand better than we do."

Li Guiyu remained silent, thinking for a long while before saying, "What if she becomes one of us?"

"How did it come to this?"

Zheng Bikui was wiping his bow when Li Guiyu smiled and said, "I have already discussed with your father. If Liu Xiniang is willing to marry me and work for us, he can let bygones be bygones."

"Marry?" Zheng Bikui heard this and found it extremely amusing. He thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Fine, I want to see how you manage to crack the hard nut that is the Supervision Division."

Author's note:

"Side scene"

Xie Heng: "I can't listen anymore. What kind of nonsense is this? Ahem, ahem, ahem!"