Chapter 179

Chapter 179

"Your Highness, you have come to this day."

Luo Wanqing led Xie Heng and Qingya up to a high place. After they sat down, Xie Heng personally presented the Chief Order, announcing that the Supervision Division would be temporarily overseen by Luo Wanqing.

Afterward, Luo Wanqing quickly organized the personnel arrangements in East Capital for the next three days. Then, she went with Xie Heng to inventory weapons and supplies.

Once everything was ready, on the night before their departure, Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng went to pay respects to Li Zong.

Li Zong inquired about Xie Heng's military plans, and Luo Wanqing sat beside him, listening quietly.

Li Zong had great confidence in Xie Heng. As he listened to the report, a hint of sorrow appeared in his eyes.

Xie Heng looked up and saw Li Zong's gaze, feeling puzzled, "Your Majesty, what is it?"

"Seeing you, I can't help but think of Qingping."

Li Zong spoke, turning his head to look out the window. He seemed somewhat weary, murmuring softly, "You remind me of him when he was young... every time he went to war, he would tell me these things."

"It's a pity he betrayed Your Majesty."

Xie Heng lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions, "Such a traitor, Your Majesty need not miss him."

Li Zong remained silent, looking out the window. After a long while, he slowly said, "If only he hadn't done those things back then..."

Then, realizing he had lost composure, Li Zong smiled and turned to Luo Wanqing, "Enough, it's all in the past. I've been talking with Heng'er all this time, almost forgetting Chief Luo."

Li Zong's eyes held a hint of scrutiny, "Chief Luo, you won't hold it against me, will you?"

"As long as I can avenge my family, Your Majesty, I don't care about many things."

Luo Wanqing glanced at Li Zong, appearing indifferent, and asked, "Your Majesty promised to have my people detain Li Guiyu. Now you've sent him to guard the spirit, did you forget?"

Hearing this, Li Zong seemed to remember, laughing lightly, "How could I? It wasn't appropriate to directly say he was involved in treason at the time. Now, just take your people over there, say you're assisting with the investigation, and detain him. However..."

Li Zong was somewhat puzzled, "Why do you want to detain him?"

"To prevent him from alerting the Zheng family." Luo Wanqing looked up at Li Zong, "Also, does Your Majesty not intend to pursue the assassination attempt on the Supervision Division?"

Li Zong listened, caressing the rim of his cup, his expression turning cold. Thinking back to that day, his protective feelings toward Li Guiyu faded.

"There are too many matters now," Li Zong pondered, "After dealing with the Zheng family, we'll see his attitude. Detain him first."

Then, Li Zong looked up at Luo Wanqing, "Do you need Me to dispatch some people from Zhong Yufu?"

"The Supervision Division has enough people." Luo Wanqing glanced at Yang Chun behind Li Zong and directly stated, "Zhong Yufu manages palace affairs, which are quite complex. There's no need to trouble Zhong Yufu."

Upon hearing this, Li Zong understood that Luo Wanqing was implying that Zhong Yufu had too much contact with the palace.

The harem has been under Wang Lianyang's management for many years; Luo Wanqing doesn't trust Zhong Yufu.

Li Zong didn't insist, nodding his head and drafting the imperial decree before allowing Luo Wanqing to leave with it.

Li Guiyu is currently in the palace mourning Li Changrong. Luo Wanqing glanced around the palace and calmly said, "I'll wait at Guangan Mansion. Will you go fetch him?"

"Alright." Xie Heng nodded with a light smile. "I'll arrange for people to intercept along the way. If he makes any moves, perhaps you won't catch up with him."

"He will come."

Luo Wanqing spoke confidently. Xie Heng raised an eyebrow and said, "Alright, then I'll tell him you're looking for him."

Luo Wanqing gave him an exasperated look, turned, put on her cloak, and got into the carriage, instructing, "Just read out the imperial decree."

"As you command, Lord of the Supervision Division."

Xie Heng bowed, and Luo Wanqing, sitting in the carriage, calmly instructed those outside, "Go to the Supervision Division and mobilize people. Set up an ambush outside the palace, ready to assist Young Master. Vermilion Bird Envoy and Qingya Envoy, accompany me to Guangan Mansion."

With that, everyone set off to do their tasks.

Luo Wanqing sat alone in the carriage, listening to the sound of the wheels turning. She untied Xi Ling and laid it across her lap, stroking it as she felt the journey was particularly long.

When the carriage arrived at Guangan Mansion, the people from the Supervision Division had already ridden their horses to the mansion's entrance. Zhang Bo led a group blocking the door, facing off against the Supervision Division.

As Luo Wanqing's carriage approached, the people from the Supervision Division made way. Qingya stepped down first, and Luo Wanqing lifted the curtain, taking his hand to get out of the carriage.

Seeing Luo Wanqing step out, Zhang Bo frowned in disbelief, saying, "Luo Wanqing?"

As soon as he spoke, Vermilion Bird suddenly attacked. Zhang Bo instinctively defended himself, but Qingya kicked him down.

Zhang Bo fell to his knees, and the guards from Guangan Mansion drew their swords. Zhang Bo shouted urgently, "Stop!"

Both sides tensely watched each other. Zhang Bo realized something was wrong as Vermilion Bird pressed him down, cursing, "Old man, open your eyes and see clearly. Do you dare call our Lord of the Supervision Division by name?!"

Hearing this, Zhang Bo looked at Luo Wanqing in surprise, "Lord of the Supervision Division?"

"Zhang Bo," Luo Wanqing glanced at the people behind him and calmly said, "Guangan Wang is suspected of treason. Today, I am here on orders to seal and search the mansion. I hope you cooperate and don't obstruct official business."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Zhang Bo immediately shouted, "How could His Majesty let you seal the mansion?!"

"Step aside."

Luo Wanqing glanced at him and took a step forward.

At her movement, Vermilion Bird and Qingya immediately led their men to clear the path.

The skilled fighters of Guangan Mansion were absent, leaving only ordinary guards. In an instant, the Supervision Division took control of Guangan Mansion, and Luo Wanqing walked straight in.

Zhang Bo was pressed down tightly. He glanced at the person behind the tree in the distance, who immediately understood his meaning and hurriedly ran away.

When the scout arrived at the palace to inform Li Guiyu about the encirclement of Guangan Mansion, Li Guiyu was burning paper offerings at the spirit tablet. The paper money fell into the charcoal fire, and just as the scout finished speaking, footsteps were heard from outside.

Li Guiyu, dressed in plain white clothes, did not turn around but gave a low command: "Wait for me to leave. Have Zi Tang and Qing Zhu set up traps outside the mansion with some men and deliver the message to Wang Shenfeng."

The scout acknowledged and quickly hid behind the hall.

Li Guiyu stood up and walked out of the hall, where he saw Xie Heng leading people standing at the courtyard gate, holding an imperial edict in his hand.

Seeing this, Li Guiyu led his people to kneel down and listened to Xie Heng read the edict: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Prince Guangan is suspected of treason. He is confined to the mansion and must cooperate with the Supervision Division's investigation. So be it."

"Your subject receives the decree."

Li Guiyu showed no expression on his face as he bowed in obeisance.

After receiving the edict, Li Guiyu stood up, and Xie Heng raised his hand, saying, "Prince Guangan, please."

"Did she call you here, or did you come on your own?"

Li Guiyu turned to look at Xie Heng, who remained calm. "It's my duty. I am following orders."

"Duty?" Li Guiyu was somewhat puzzled. "What duty?"

"I am currently the Deputy Head of the Supervision Division," Xie Heng said, meeting Li Guiyu's gaze and emphasizing, "Third Highness, please proceed."

Hearing his words, Li Guiyu realized something and was somewhat incredulous. "Deputy Head? Are you going to join her in battle?"

"Further discussion is pointless," Xie Heng said directly upon hearing him mention personal matters. "She is waiting for you. Ask her whatever you want."

With that, Xie Heng did not bother with pleasantries and turned to leave.

After the Supervision Division took complete control of Guangan Mansion, Luo Wanqing walked alone to the backyard based on her memory.

This backyard was almost identical to the one in Luo Residence. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she felt as if she had entered an endless sea of memories.

The last time she came here, it was when she negotiated with Li Guiyu to dismantle the Dark Pavilion, and back then, this place made her feel particularly nauseous. However, looking at the scenery now, she felt unusually calm.

She pushed open the door and entered the room, which still carried the scent of Wu Shi San. Luo Wanqing walked to the incense burner, cleaned it, opened the window to let in fresh air, and then sat down at the tea table.

She took out a flask of wine from her waist, placed it on the table, poured herself a drink, and waited quietly.

After a long while, footsteps were heard outside. Luo Wanqing looked up and saw Xie Heng already at the door. With an unfriendly expression, he pushed the door open and said, "He's here."

From Xie Heng's tone, Luo Wanqing knew there weren't many people in the courtyard. She smiled gently and said, "Let me talk to him."

"As the Head wishes."

With that, Xie Heng turned and left without hesitation.

Luo Wanqing looked at Li Guiyu standing by the door. After a moment, she raised her hand and said, "Your Highness, please sit."

Li Guiyu did not move upon hearing this. He gazed at the room that was so familiar to him. There was no scent of Wu Shi San here; only the gentle spring breeze carried the fragrance of peach blossoms to the window.

In an instant, he felt as if he had returned to old times in Jiangnan. However, the woman in black with a golden crown and a sword by her side clearly reminded him that this was not the past.

A sudden pang of sadness and satisfaction welled up within him. He stepped into the room and knelt opposite Luo Wanqing, softly calling out, "Miss."

Luo Wanqing held the wine cup and softly said, "I thought you wouldn't come."

Li Guiyu chuckled lightly upon hearing this. His gaze remained fixed on Luo Wanqing's face, greedily and indulgently asking, "How could Miss make me not come?"

The entire way here was guarded by people from the Supervision Division. Any slightest movement from him would prompt Xie Heng to act immediately.

He might not even get to see her one last time.

Luo Wanqing was not surprised. She pondered and said, "Then why did you return? Do you think it's easier to escape from your Guangan Mansion because it has many traps?"

Li Guiyu did not respond. He just stared at Luo Wanqing: "Did you agree to let me help you kill Zheng Pingsheng just to frame me from the start?"

"You agreed to help me kill Zheng Pingsheng," Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes to look at him and smiled knowingly, "wasn't it to use me from the beginning?"

Li Guiyu remained silent. Luo Wanqing lifted the wine cup and took a sip: "I opened the Xuantian Box; I know what's inside."

A flicker of panic crossed Li Guiyu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. Luo Wanqing continued, "This kind of thing, whoever knows it, you want them dead. If I'm not mistaken, even Wang Shenfeng and Zheng Pingsheng don't know what you did on the battlefield, right?"

If they knew, they would definitely use it to blackmail Li Guiyu.

A prince who betrayed his country by opening the city gates on the battlefield—such news, if leaked, would ensure Li Guiyu's exclusion from the throne and eternal public scorn.

"So to ensure this information doesn't get out, you must find a way to make the emperor die. My move against Zheng Pingsheng—wasn't this your best opportunity? So I deliberately let you plant the gunpowder. I left witnesses and evidence. What do you think the emperor would do to someone who killed their father?"

"What would he do?" Li Guiyu knew the answer but still asked.

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes to the wine cup: "This is poison. It works quickly. After you drink it, we'll announce that you died suddenly from illness. Your deeds will be buried with you."

"You killed Zheng Pingsheng, killed me, and now you're leading the army to Si Prefecture to suppress the Zheng rebellion," Li Guiyu scrutinized her, "do you think you can survive?"

"That's not something you should worry about."

Luo Wanqing calmly said, "The other wine cup beside you is not poisoned. This is probably our last meeting."

Li Guiyu's heart trembled slightly. Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes to look at him: "We've known each other for a while. Have a drink."

"Known each other for a while..." Li Guiyu said, unable to stop himself from laughing, "Is my relationship with Miss just that?"

Luo Wanqing did not respond, seeming to contemplate.

Li Guiyu looked at her face, seemingly restraining something, and asked with a smile, "Miss, why did you become the head of the Supervision Division?"

Luo Wanqing paused at the words. She sensed something and lifted her eyes to see Li Guiyu leaning in close. "Why did you make Xie Heng the deputy head? Now that you're the head, keeping him around, how can you control the Supervision Division?"

Luo Wanqing rubbed her fingertips, listening as Li Guiyu spoke in a seemingly seductive tone. "Miss, to wield power, one must be ruthless. If you can't be ruthless... you'll only become a target for him."

Luo Wanqing's expression remained unchanged. Li Guiyu clenched his fist, staring into Luo Wanqing's eyes as if he already knew the answer. He trembled and asked, "Or is it that everything you've done is just to be his target?"

Surprised by Li Guiyu's accuracy and speed, a hint of admiration flashed in Luo Wanqing's eyes.

Li Guiyu's pupils constricted, and his breathing quickened.

Seeing his reaction, Luo Wanqing no longer concealed her intentions and said straightforwardly, "Yes, I want to take the blows for him."

"To take the blows for him..."

Li Guiyu laughed, unable to resist lifting his hand to gently touch her eyes, which Old Zhong had altered. Suppressing his emotions and breath, he struggled to say, "Miss, do you know? When I came in and saw you sitting in this room, I knew you were here to kill me, but I felt so happy. I've imagined you sitting here, us starting anew, you loving me as before, and me... I am Jiang Shaoyan."

Li Guiyu pleaded, "I am Jiang Shaoyan. I would hold you in my hands, follow you everywhere, give you anything you want. I wouldn't even let you get a scratch, wouldn't dare touch you, but him?!"

Li Guiyu breathed lightly, his gaze falling on the back of her neck.

The pattern on her nape had faded, revealing a plum blossom slowly extending into her spine.

He stared intently at the vibrant plum blossom, leaned close to her ear, and smiled with tears in his eyes. "Did he touch you?"

"I heard the mechanism at the door being dismantled."

Luo Wanqing calmly reminded him, "Your time is running out."

"Where did he touch you?"

Li Guiyu persisted, causing Luo Wanqing to frown and warn, "Li Guiyu!"

"Do you like it that much?" Li Guiyu continued, looking at the vibrant plum blossom and recalling her words, anger rising. "If you liked it so much, why didn't you say it earlier?"

Luo Wanqing raised her cold gaze. "How could you utter such despicable words?"

"Despicable?"

Hearing this, Li Guiyu slowly laughed. "You know what despicable means? When you did all these things, did you ever think about what you were doing?!"

"What have I done? On what grounds do you accuse me?"

Meeting his incredulous gaze, Luo Wanqing calmly replied, "Xie Heng and I are a couple joined by love and formal marriage. Our intimate moments..."

"Shut up!"

Li Guiyu finally couldn't bear it anymore; his sanity snapped. He suddenly drew his sword, and Luo Wanqing simultaneously pulled out her knife upward.

Their blades clashed, and at that moment, Xie Heng's voice rang out from the window. Leaning against the sill, he lazily said, "Madam, can I kill him now?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Guiyu leaped out the nearby window without hesitation. Xie Heng, swift as a ghost, chased after him, his soft sword emerging from his sleeve like a snake, slicing toward Li Guiyu's back. However, Li Guiyu didn't dodge at all, instead stepping off the wall and disappearing!

He couldn't afford any delay; even turning to block would allow Xie Heng to stop him, robbing him of any chance to escape.

He abandoned all defenses, not dodging or blocking, and fled as fast as possible.

Xie Heng's blade sliced across Li Guiyu's entire back. Just as he was about to pursue, Zhang Bo, who had been lying in wait, suddenly rushed out from a nearby corridor and crashed into a tree near Li Guiyu's feet.

Guangan Mansion shook violently, and the Vermilion Bird cried out, "How could there be more!"

But it was too late.

Arrows rained down on the courtyard, and Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng pursued Li Guiyu. Zhang Bo suddenly lunged forward, shouting, "Your Highness, run!"

Xie Heng's sword cut through Zhang Bo's neck, blood splattering. Xie Heng dodged to the side, and in that brief moment, Luo Wanqing chased after Li Guiyu.

Once outside the mansion, prepared crossbows shot arrows from the alleyways, and Luo Wanqing blocked them with her sword, momentarily delaying her pursuit. Li Guiyu vanished without a trace.

Luo Wanqing stopped, knowing further pursuit was futile, and ordered, "Capture him!"

But the others, seeing Li Guiyu escape, scattered in all directions.

The Vermilion Bird sent people out, and Luo Wanqing stood on the rooftop, watching the fleeing forces of Guangan Mansion.

After a while, she confirmed they couldn't catch anyone and leapt back into the courtyard, where Xie Heng was examining Li Guiyu's mechanisms.

"Young Master seems quite calm."

Noticing Xie Heng's relaxed demeanor, Luo Wanqing frowned.

Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing and smiled. "He won't survive."

Luo Wanqing looked at him in confusion, and Xie Heng flicked his soft sword. "That strike should have taken half his life. I also coated the sword with poison. If he lives..."

Xie Heng chuckled. "Then someone must have saved him."

******

After escaping from Luo Wanqing, Li Guiyu barely managed to leap out of her sight before collapsing, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

But he knew he couldn't stop.

He leaned against the wall, taking one step after another.

He couldn't stop.

He had to kill them, those people.

Wang Shenfeng, Zheng Pingsheng, Li Zong, Xie Heng...

He counted their names one by one, but today's events overshadowed all past hatred.

His mind was filled with the plum blossom on Luo Wanqing's neck, her holding a round fan as she walked into the flower hall with Xie Heng gripping the red silk, her wedding gown that had been prepared long ago, and Xie Heng's provocative and cold gaze behind the light veils of the carriage on the back mountain.

What tattoo.

What identifying a corpse.

Liar!

Liar!!

Anger burned in his mind, filling it with memories of the intimate times he had shared with Luo Wanqing in the past.

He stole kisses from her on a small boat, only daring to sit by her bed and carefully hold her hand after she fell asleep, he experienced her initiating an embrace, the slight tremble of her eyelashes and the fragrant breath when she was kissed...

Damn it!

Xie Heng deserves to die!

He must live, he must kill him, he must live.

Darkness slowly engulfed him, making everything blurry, but he knew he had to survive.

Just like every time before, he had to survive, even if he didn't know why, perhaps for revenge.

But he had to survive.

"Shaoyan..."

Luo Wanqing's voice echoed in his ears, carrying a faint smile.

He could vividly feel the warmth of her hand intertwined with his, as she gently said, "I will be with you forever."

Miss...

Li Guiyu couldn't support himself anymore and fell to his knees, but he forced himself to crawl forward, just one more step, even if it was just one.

Miss.

For this long journey of life, I'll crawl over, wait for me.

He breathed lightly, repeatedly hearing Luo Wanqing's voice.

"Shaoyan, Shaoyan."

Wait for me.

"Tsk."

A disdainful female voice sounded from above, looking down at Li Guiyu who was barely visible on the ground, coldly sneering, "Third Highness, even you have come to this day."

Hearing this voice, Li Guiyu chuckled softly.

"You're mistaken, Miss," Li Guiyu's heart slowly calmed down as he lay on the ground, his voice hoarse, "I've merely returned to yesterday."

Returned to, a day without Luo Wanqing.

Author's note:

"Side Scene"

Li Guiyu: "Liar! You two are liars!"

Zhang Bo: "Your Highness, I told you they were a pair of shameless lovers, don't hesitate, take action!!"

Xie Heng: "Oh, Xiniang, he called us shameless lovers!"

Luo Wanqing: "..."

Li Guiyu: "Zhang Bo, how dare you praise him like that. Your death would not be unjust."