Chapter 38 Qin Jiao Awakens

Chapter 38: Qin Jiao Awakens

He Zhao and Xiao Nianzhang did not know about the marriage contract between Qin Jiao and Lin Wen, so they were simply puzzled why Lin Wen would want to kill Qin Jiao. Could it be a misunderstanding?

Those present who knew of the marriage contract were deeply shocked. Cong Shuang in particular, whose complexion had just slightly recovered, instantly turned pale again.

He Zhao tried to comfort her: "Sister Cong Shuang, don't worry. Maybe that black-clad man was just talking nonsense. Lin Wen has no connection with Qin Jiao, why would he kill him? It's not like looking for grass seeds in a crevice of rock, having nothing better to do."

Cong Shuang bit her lips and remained silent.

No, they were not without connection. The reason they were returning to the capital was that Lin Wen wanted to see the young master.

But she could not speak these words; she could only worry in vain with a pale face.

"You claim the employer is Lin Wen, but do you have evidence?" Xie Nai would not easily believe the words of a wanted criminal.

"Yes! Fifty steps north of the pavilion at the top of Firethorn Mountain, we buried the token there. You can send someone to find it."

The tall, thin black-clad man had also regained consciousness. Fearing that if he said too little he would be tortured again, he quickly revealed where the token was hidden.

Xie Nai glanced at Luo Yue beside him, who immediately rushed out.

It would take about three or four days from the camp to Firethorn Mountain. Clearly, these two could not die yet; Xie Nai waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately dragged them away.

There was still no word from Xiao Baiyu and Doctor Hou. Seeing his master's fatigued expression, Luo Bei suggested, "Prince, please go to the side camp and rest for a while."

Xie Nai pinched the bridge of his nose with his slender hand. His eyes swept to Xiao Nianzhang still standing there, and he suddenly said:

"Tomorrow, have the magistrate of Wuyuan county come see me. Also bring Xun Xi and Zhao Yunzhi from the Embroidery Tower. Leave the rest for the prefectural governor to interrogate."

Since Xie Nai had given orders, Xiao Nianzhang dared not delay: "Your humble servant obeys and will handle it immediately. And Li Chengwei?"

Xie Nai: "Leave Li Chengwei alone for now."

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Which is the most famous temple in Nanzhou?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it is Nantai Temple."

"Good. Go there personally..."

As Xie Nai spoke, Xiao Nianzhang recorded everything with trepidation.

The night was deep, and the matter here was almost concluded. Soldiers came to clean up the blood on the ground. One soldier hurried in to report: "Prince, Doctor Hou is done. He said everything went well!"

At the soldier's words, Cong Shuang's eyes lit up. She quickly lifted her skirt and ran out. He Zhao also hurried after her.

Xie Nai set down his teacup; tea steam rose. He closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to let out a sigh of relief so soft it was barely heard.

—

Qin Jiao was unconscious for two days.

During those two days, a few things happened, some big, some small. For example, the magistrate of Wuyuan county reported that the bodies of the eighty-seven missing women still hadn't been found, and that the search was being intensified.

For another, Xie Nai questioned Zhao Yunzhi and Xun Xi. Zhao Yunzhi admitted to helping Li Chengwei kill Xue Lin and Zhu Qi, and that his room full of women's clothes, makeup, and powders was to help Li Chengwei conceal his identity.

As for Xun Xi, during questioning, she suddenly coughed up blood and passed out. After waking up, she resisted all questioning; even torture couldn't make her talk, repeating just one sentence over and over: "I want to return to the Embroidery Tower."

Xun Xi was a key suspect in the Nanzhou murder case and couldn't be executed outright. But Xie Nai also had no intention of wasting more time on her, so he eventually handed the matter to Xiao Nianzhang.

Xiao Nianzhang went back and forth with Xun Xi but ultimately got nowhere, so he decided to take her back to the Embroidery Tower another day.

—

After the snow, the mountain forests stretched in undulating waves; the quiet greens and interwoven autumn hues were covered by white snow. The wilderness echoed with the wind like surging waves. The leftover snow, baked by the winter sun all day, steamed and rose like mist, spreading slowly.

The tent’s door curtain was rolled up. A branch of firethorn, from somewhere unknown, lay on the ground. The white snow set off the fiery red berries; the winter sun poured its remaining glow. In that instant, an indescribable stillness was frozen in time.

When Qin Jiao woke up, he happened to see such a quiet moment.

He had been unconscious for two days. In an abrupt instant, he opened his eyes, and then kept staring at the tent entrance.

His dark lashes fluttered, his beautiful eyes vacant. His breathing was so light that Cong Shuang, busying nearby, did not notice he had woken up.

A little gray sparrow suddenly landed in front of the tent. It shook its head, then hopped toward the firethorn branch, jumping and chirping.

The little sparrow was about to peck at the firethorn berries, but was startled into flight by a sudden approaching figure—

Wearing a green brocade robe with gold bird patterns and a silver fox fur cape, Xie Nai's face was solemn, his brow dark. He strode into the tent.

Qin Jiao kept staring blankly as Xie Nai entered the tent. At the same time, Xie Nai noticed that Qin Jiao was awake. He stopped three steps away from the bed, his jet-black eyes locked unblinkingly onto Qin Jiao.

As if only a moment had passed, or as if a long time had elapsed, Qin Jiao suddenly curled his lips into a smile, a spark of life in his eyes—"Xie Nai."

Qin Jiao called Xie Nai, his voice a little hoarse and dry.

Coming to his senses, Qin Jiao struggled to sit up, and Xie Nai went to support him.

After being unconscious for two days, Qin Jiao was weak all over. Xie Nai's hand went under his armpit and around to his back, lifting him up as easily as lifting a child.

At that moment, Cong Shuang also noticed Qin Jiao was awake. She hurriedly brought a soft pillow and placed it behind his lower back.

"Young master, you're finally awake. The porridge has been kept warm; I'll fetch it!" Cong Shuang signed to Qin Jiao.

"Alright, thank you, Sister Cong Shuang."

Qin Jiao smiled at Cong Shuang. It was clear Cong Shuang hadn't rested well these past few days; her usually plump cheeks had grown thinner.

Qin Jiao followed Cong Shuang's retreating figure with his eyes, but Cong Shuang, afraid that Qin Jiao might be hungry, moved quickly and soon disappeared from sight.

Now only Qin Jiao and Xie Nai remained in the tent. Qin Jiao felt uncomfortable leaning back. Just as he was about to push himself up with his hands on the edge of the bed, he suddenly noticed both wrists wrapped in white gauze, and on his left wrist was an extra bracelet.

It was a bracelet of unknown material, plain and elegant. The bracelet was a rare dark blue, without any decorative patterns. Even on a man, it did not look strange.

Qin Jiao stared at the gauze on his wrists, then looked at the bracelet on his hand. After a long moment, he asked:

"Prince, have my tendons been cut? Is this bracelet compensation for the rest of my life?"

Xie Nai: "..."

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