Chapter 269 Just Kidding

Chapter 269: Lying to You

Qiu Heng had never felt the truth of "the best-laid plans go awry" more than now.

She believed in Xue Han.

She believed that even if they had no chance to communicate, when Xue Han learned that she was trapped in the inner prison, he would definitely try to rescue her. She believed that Xue Han would find out the shady dealings between Honored Consort Yu and Taoran Tower.

But when she discovered that Honored Consort Yu was the lost daughter of her adoptive parents, she couldn't wait any longer.

She needed to know right now whether Honored Consort Yu was a spy or not, and only Xue Han, who had intercepted the roast duck, could give her the answer.

"Eunuch Xue."

Xue Quan, who had been rooted to the spot, finally snapped back to reality and glanced around furtively.

Fortunately, fortunately, he was meeting Qiu Heng alone, and no one else had heard.

"You... you're really—?" Xue Quan rarely stammered, unable to say the rest.

Qiu Heng nodded solemnly: "I am."

Xue Quan stepped back, still not daring to believe: "You're not making this up just to see Xue Han, are you?"

"Eunuch Xue, do you think any unmarried girl would make up a lie about something like this?"

Xue Quan felt thunderstruck, his mind reeling, and finally managed to choke out "Wait here" and walked away quickly.

"Tell Xue Han to come see me."

Xue Quan waited in the duty room outside the inner prison, pacing a few steps, then sitting down again, never feeling that waiting was so unbearable.

Finally, sounds came from the door, and Xue Han rushed over.

"Father—"

"All of you, withdraw."

As the door shut, leaving them alone, Xue Quan rushed over and slapped Xue Han.

"You bastard, how could you do such a thing!"

Xue Han knew that being called over at this time must be for something important, but he didn't expect to be slapped as soon as he arrived.

"What do you mean by that, Father?"

"You have the nerve to ask, but I'm too ashamed to say it!" Xue Quan gritted his teeth. Thinking of Qiu Heng in the prison who threatened to spread the news of her pregnancy out of wedlock, he felt like spitting blood. "Come with me."

Xue Han was full of doubts but had to silently follow Xue Quan. When he saw they were heading to the inner prison, his heart leaped with joy: "Father, are you taking me to see A Heng?"

Previously, his adoptive father had been harsh and stern, forcing him to promise not to see A Heng. Why had he changed his mind?

Xue Quan stopped dead. If looks could kill, Xue Han would have been cut in two: "Shut up and follow!"

After walking for a while in the dim and gloomy corridor, they arrived at the place where Qiu Heng was imprisoned.

"Go in." Forcing out these words with suppressed anger, Xue Quan sent the guarding jailer far away.

Xue Han quickly walked in and saw Qiu Heng sitting on the ground with her head lowered.

In the dim prison cell, her expression was obscure and inexplicable, giving a sense of distance as if they were close yet worlds apart.

This feeling made Xue Han's heart tighten. He stepped forward: "A Heng."

Qiu Heng rose to her feet. Her gaze fell on one side of Xue Han's face, and she couldn't help feeling guilty: "Did you get hit?"

"No, how could that be?" Xue Han denied without thinking. Catching the girl's knowing look, he coughed lightly: "A Heng, do you know why my adoptive father suddenly brought me to see you?"

"I forced his hand."

Xue Han looked shocked.

His adoptive father was gruff with everyone except the Emperor.

"Ahem, I said I'm carrying your child."

Xue Han felt as if struck by lightning: "Carrying my... child?"

How could that happen?!

Xue Han immediately panicked, frantically recalling the situation when he was injured and unconscious in Western Jiang.

In that state, he shouldn't be capable of—his gaze dropped to Qiu Heng's belly.

Qiu Heng was puzzled.

She was lying to Xue Quan, so why did even Xue Han look half convinced?

"I was lying to him." Qiu Heng looked at Xue Han suspiciously. "Why are you staring at my stomach?"

Xue Han was silent for a moment, then said with a complicated expression: "A Heng, it's better not to tell such lies. It's not good for you..."

He had that slap coming.

"As long as it achieves the goal, it's fine. I saw that your adoptive father was especially afraid of others knowing. Xue Han, I hurried to see you because I just stumbled upon the fact that Honored Consort Yu is the daughter my adoptive parents lost many years ago..."

Having already tricked Xue Quan into believing he'd be a grandfather, Xue Han found the revelation about Honored Consort Yu far less shocking in light of Qiu Heng's earlier lie.

"Did you find anything from yesterday's roast duck?" Qiu Heng asked in a low voice.

Xue Han quickly realized what Qiu Heng urgently wanted to know was whether Honored Consort Yu had any problems.

He paused for a moment and didn't hide the truth: "We recovered a pill from the roast duck. I had Uncle Xu examine it, and it's an antidote..."

Qiu Heng had only held onto a sliver of hope, and upon hearing this result, it was completely expected.

"So, Honored Consort Yu is being controlled by medicine to act for someone?"

Xue Han nodded: "Early this morning, a maid named Qing Dai from Yuchen Palace went to Taoran Tower. By tailing her, we caught a big fish... A Heng, stay put peacefully for a few days. Once we reel in that big fish, you can get out."

Since the antidote is needed monthly, the person who holds the antidote is the most critical. Only by getting that person can we have leverage to negotiate with Honored Consort Yu.

Qiu Heng nodded slightly and fell silent.

"A Heng, are you troubled by Honored Consort Yu's background?"

Qiu Heng admitted frankly: "Yes. My adoptive parents showed me immeasurable kindness, and Honored Consort Yu is their biological daughter. Before she died, my adoptive mother longed for us to meet and acknowledge each other as family. Xue Han—"

Xue Han silently watched the pale girl, urging her to go on.

"I'm a little scared." In front of Xue Han, Qiu Heng did not hide her vulnerability at this moment. "I'm afraid that Sister Bao Zhu, whom my foster mother and I have been longing for, and I will end up fighting to the death."

It seemed that heaven thought the burden she carried was not enough, making her face such a dilemma.

"A Heng." Xue Han raised his hand and gently stroked the girl's cheek.

Her cheek was cold, so cold that it ached his heart.

"Don't be afraid." Xue Han pulled Qiu Heng into a gentle embrace. "Didn't you say that Honored Consort Yu should have some memories from before she went missing? And as a spy, she has always been under someone's control — there might be a chance to win her over."

Qiu Heng wrapped her arms around Xue Han's waist and leaned against his chest.

His heartbeat was so strong, giving her great peace of mind.

"I hope so."

A heavy cough sounded.

Xue Han released Qiu Heng and turned around to see a face dark with anger.

"Han'er, you should go now." Xue Quan said with a stern face, urging him to leave.

"A Heng, put your own safety first." Xue Han instructed before walking out.

Xue Quan did not leave with Xue Han. He looked at Qiu Heng with a complicated expression.

They hugged! Just hugged each other as if no one else was there!

It was clear that such intimacy was routine.

The pregnancy Qiu Heng mentioned probably wasn't a lie.

What to do? Although he longed for descendants, these two rascals weren't even married yet, and he didn't want such a shameless daughter-in-law!

But the child was innocent, and maybe it would be a grandson...

Xue Quan was conflicted when he heard Qiu Heng apologize.

"What are you apologizing for?" Xue Quan asked irritably. Qiu Heng said calmly, "I lied to you earlier, Eunuch Xue, about you becoming a grandfather."