Chapter 192

Chapter 192

◎Young Master Xie Heng, Remotely Honoring Your Birthday◎

Wait for him.

Luo Wanqing looked at these words and wanted to laugh.

He truly anticipated everything and thought through every detail, but he left no way out for her.

He said to wait for him, but he was alone in the East Capital, under Li Guiyu's control, with no one to save him. How could she wait for him?

Was she to wait to collect his remains or hear of his death as in her past life?

But what could she do?

Do not sacrifice my life, nor fulfill my wishes.

He had already made such a request, giving up his own life and telling her that his wish was more important than his life.

He spoke so clearly—

"Our great cause is built upon bones; my life is no more precious than others."

How could she destroy all their hard work over the years just to save him? That was his blood and sweat, the collective effort of everyone involved.

Even he was unwilling, leaving her alone to struggle.

She sat quietly at the table, wanting to cry and laugh, and amidst this conflicting emotion, an inexplicable hatred arose within her.

She hated him.

What reason was there to sacrifice his life to kill Li Zong?

When he killed Li Zong, did he ever think of her even a little?

Again and again, he promised her, yet always chose to abandon her for his great cause, for everything else.

Luo Wanqing cried and laughed, finally unable to hold back, and with a sudden movement, swept the documents off the table.

At that moment, Li Shengzhao's voice came from outside: "Xiniang, may I come in?"

Hearing his words, Luo Wanqing tried to control her emotions, turning her head away without responding.

Li Shengzhao thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain and entered the room.

He saw Luo Wanqing standing behind the table with clenched fists, his gaze falling on the scattered letters on the ground.

With one glance, he read the handwriting. Luo Wanqing remained silent, and after a long hesitation, Li Shengzhao said, "Why don't you come for a walk with me?"

"Sorry," Luo Wanqing spoke hoarsely, "I'm... right now..."

"You must make a decision, right?"

When Li Shengzhao spoke, Luo Wanqing understood his meaning.

She raised her eyes in surprise, looking at the young man standing by the door. Li Shengzhao thought for a moment, took an umbrella from a nearby porcelain vase, and gently said, "Xiniang, let's go for a walk. I'll accompany you."

After hesitating for a moment, Luo Wanqing finally followed him out the door.

Li Shengzhao tore off the paper seam of the umbrella at the door, opened it, and held it over Luo Wanqing's head as they walked out.

The rain was light, and Luo Wanqing listened to the sound of the drizzle hitting the umbrella. Li Shengzhao spoke gently, "In the past, Lingshu, Zigui, and Changxi often went out together, especially during rainy days. Changxi loved taking boat rides around the lake outside the East Capital. She said that when it rained, the world felt different, and being with us brought a sense of peace."

Luo Wanqing listened quietly without speaking. Li Shengzhao continued calmly, "The first time Changxi met Qingya was when their boats collided. He was with friends, and we were a group of siblings. After the collision, Qingya's friends argued with Zigui. Then Qingya stepped in to speak, and Zigui couldn't argue back. Changxi heard and went out to help. The moment she stepped out, Qingya stopped talking."

Luo Wanqing didn't know why, but hearing Li Shengzhao recount these distant memories, her anger slowly subsided.

She felt a deep sadness flowing through her heart, needing no further description to imagine how gentle and beautiful Changxi must have been. And the young Cui Zigui, who would argue with Qingya, was likely a clumsy, unassuming young noble.

They were all Xie Heng's family.

"Soon after, we met Qingya again at my aunt's place, Lingshu's mother. We learned that Qingya was the head strategist of the Cui clan's secret network, incredibly smart. You can guess what happened next—they began to secretly meet. At that time, Uncle and Father were pushing the Great Xia Law most vigorously. When the law was implemented locally, officials deliberately tarnished its reputation, making wrongful judgments or failing to understand it, causing public outrage. During those times, Qingya suggested that the Cui clan should abandon the law, as it was detrimental to them."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was stunned. Li Shengzhao laughed, "Surprised, right? The one who is most persistent now was the one who gave up first."

Luo Wanqing understood instantly: "Because too many people were sacrificed."

Li Shengzhao's voice grew hoarse. Luo Wanqing looked at him and saw tears welling in his eyes.

"Changxi was killed by Qingya himself. Before she died, she told Qingya not to let her die at Lingshu's hands, fearing that Lingshu would feel guilty. If Qingya felt guilty, he should protect Lingshu. She spent her last moments paving the way for Lingshu."

As Li Shengzhao spoke, Luo Wanqing's heart tightened. He continued, "Zigui volunteered to be turned into a medicine person by Changxi. It was painful, but they did it to prevent Lingshu from being controlled by Li Zong and to gain Li Zong's trust after Lingshu willingly took the Shen Gu Xiang. Zigui endured the pain, trading his blood for Lingshu's."

"Why are you telling me this?"

As soon as Luo Wanqing spoke, tears fell. She understood his meaning and laughed bitterly, saying, "Are you telling me that Xie Heng owes you so much that he deserves to die?"

"I am telling you that every choice he made was not because he didn't care about you."

Li Shengzhao spoke solemnly, and Luo Wanqing was taken aback.

She hadn't expected Li Shengzhao to say this. She stared at him, listening as he continued, "He cared. From the beginning, he knew he shouldn't have approached you, shouldn't have been with you, but he couldn't control himself. He repeatedly broke the rules he set for himself. Before I left the East Capital, he was still in Qianqiu, drinking the medicine Qianqiu gave him every day. He slept well, ate well, and told me he wanted to live longer, to be with you longer. I don't know why he chose to kill the emperor, using such an extreme method to solve the problem. But I know he loves you, cares about you. Loving you is the only exception in his life, and he cares more about you than you think."

"What exactly..." Luo Wanqing's voice trembled, "are you trying to say?"

"Xiniang, there is no difference between him and me. Some decisions we cannot make," Li Shengzhao handed the umbrella to Luo Wanqing and said solemnly, "but you can."

Luo Wanqing looked at the umbrella held out to her and listened as Li Shengzhao whispered softly, "In East Capital, there is a secret passage that connects to Purple Clouds Mountain just outside the city. It is almost complete, and our army can enter the city through this passage. Within the capital, there are only five thousand elite soldiers; the rest are stationed in the outskirts. Ten thousand men are enough for me to besiege the palace and control all the aristocratic generals within the city. You should take advantage of the chaos to escape with him."

Luo Wanqing listened, lifting her eyes in disbelief.

She knew the weight of Li Shengzhao's words. Even if it appeared she had no connection to him, this would always be a stain on his legitimacy.

Seeing the surprise in her eyes, Li Shengzhao couldn't help but smile. "But you saving him and distracting Li Guiyu, giving me the opportunity to bring my troops into East Capital, has nothing to do with me. I am merely attacking at the right time, while you are simply rescuing him. Afterward, I will issue a wanted order, and you will no longer be the head of the Supervision Division."

For someone of her caliber, a wanted order meant nothing.

To her, choosing between Xie Heng's life and her position was almost effortless.

Hearing Li Shengzhao's words, she confirmed, "So what I need to do is attract attention within the city and distance myself from you?"

"Yes."

Li Shengzhao spoke decisively. He stared at Luo Wanqing, serious. "I cannot provide any assistance. At present, two princes' armies and those of the aristocrats are stationed in East Capital, waiting for an outcome. They are watching to see who is the traitor between Li Guiyu and me. Therefore, I cannot help you or launch an attack, or they will think I am trying to save Xie Heng and attack me immediately. Entering East Capital through the tunnel, controlling the city, killing Li Guiyu, and ascending to the throne—this is the only way to save him and protect myself."

"But this means that the connection between Xie Heng and you can never be erased," Luo Wanqing said hoarsely. "In the future, when you implement the Great Xia Law or do anything else, this will be used against you."

"I know."

Li Shengzhao looked at her, smiling wryly. "But what does it have to do with you? The decision is yours, Xiniang."

Li Shengzhao sighed. "I am too weak; I don't want to bear the burden of making such a choice. Should I choose Lingshu or a stable future—"

With that, Li Shengzhao placed the umbrella in her hand, earnestly saying, "You decide."

Luo Wanqing remained silent. Li Guiyu handed her the umbrella, nodded, and turned to leave.

Luo Wanqing held the paper umbrella, watching him walk away toward the tent, alone in the rain, exposing his back to her without any guard.

This was a grave taboo for a martial artist.

Looking at his back, Luo Wanqing understood his meaning.

Should she choose to save Xie Heng, risking his unstable reign and future rebellions;

Or stay behind.

If Xie Heng were here, he would choose the latter.

Xie Heng always said he was cold and cruel, selfish and self-serving, but Luo Wanqing knew he never valued his own life highly.

If he were to make the choice, he would opt for the one that caused the least harm to everyone.

But what about her?

Choosing between Xie Heng and the future.

In that moment, she suddenly understood Xie Heng's predicament. Holding her umbrella, she stood quietly in the rain, listening to the sound of the raindrops hitting the canopy, and couldn't help but look up.

In the moment she looked up at the umbrella's surface, she was surprised to find that after being washed by the rain, the originally pure white interior of the umbrella had gradually revealed large patches of peach blossoms.

Beside it was the familiar handwriting of Xie Heng, with the inscription:

Alone in the night's heavy rain, a gift of blossoms crowns my head.

Dear Sir Xie Heng, I extend my greetings from afar to celebrate your auspicious day.