A few days later, Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe met again.

Liang Zhe said that fortunately he had asked Qin Shuying to look at the note that day, and he had rushed over in time. The opposing side had five people in total, while his side including himself had four people altogether. Liang Zhe had gone prepared and used underhanded tactics. The opponents gained no advantage – two were eliminated and three were captured.

Over the past two days, Liang Zhe had interrogated the three captured men and learned extremely important information.

“Fatty and the other two, I arranged for them to specifically watch the waterway route at the docks.”

Qin Shuying understood Liang Zhe’s meaning. Ever since she had deciphered the meaning of that foreign phrase Liang Zhe had written last time, Liang Zhe had begun deploying personnel to investigate matters on the waterways.

“They had already discovered some things but hadn’t had time to report to me when they nearly fell victim to these people’s vicious plot. Two of those five people the day before yesterday were from Blue Eagle, and the other three were martial artists they had hired – each capable of taking on ten opponents. If I hadn’t gone personally, no one could have helped Fatty and the others. I interrogated them under severe torture. They were following orders and only knew they were to kill Fatty and his two companions – they knew little else.”

“Ziyou, last time you discovered one of Blue Eagle’s strongholds and destroyed it in one strike, which has already caused them unease and fear. During this period they’ve been lying low, but once they discovered Fatty and his companions’ activities, they immediately wanted to retaliate. They just didn’t expect to fall into your hands again. However, Ziyou, you’ve been exposed now – you’re in danger.”

“Don’t worry, on the territory of the capital, there’s still no one who can kill me!”

Qin Shuying remembered Princess Fuping’s words and calculated the time – autumn was approaching.

She couldn’t help but say: “Ziyou, you should add more people around you. Also, if you discover anything while investigating cases, you must not be soft-hearted. Many people – they may not necessarily be as delicate and harmless as they appear on the surface…”

Liang Zhe’s originally stern expression gradually broke into a smile, so brilliant it dazzled Qin Shuying’s eyes.

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

He had already informed Emperor Delong of the matter. Emperor Delong attached great importance to this affair and provided him with another force operating in the shadows. Now Liang Zhe could walk sideways through the capital without any problems.

When Shuying mentioned “delicate and harmless,” did she already know about Luo Meixiang arranging two courtesans for him?

He needed to explain, but how should he bring up this topic? He didn’t want her to misunderstand.

“Shuying, you should have heard that I once beheaded concubines at the frontier and could still drink wine and eat meat with an unchanged expression. Those weren’t actually concubines – I have no concubines! They were enemy spies, extremely vicious and inhuman, with the blood of many innocent elderly, children, and women on their hands.”

“At that time, I discovered them at an open-air tavern, fought with them, and beheaded them one by one. The legend got one thing right – their heads did indeed roll around at my feet. Then I stood by the table, wiped my hands, drank wine, and ate meat. Because I knew enemies were watching from the shadows. I showed no fear – I wanted them to flee in terror upon hearing my name!”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly, “So the people of the capital spread rumors that you’re utterly wicked, cruel and cold-blooded.”

Liang Zhe sneered coldly, his heroic spirit soaring like clouds, “So what! If it weren’t for the Marquis of Pingxi, I could have killed even more of those bandits…”

Qin Shuying saw him pause and knew the principle of not speaking ill of one’s father. Liang Zhe had distinguished military achievements – such a brave general who had spent so many years at the frontier had only managed to achieve the rank of a fifth-grade assistant before returning to the capital. There must be a reason behind this.

So it was indeed the Marquis of Pingxi who had been interfering.

Regarding his father, Qin Shuying had nothing to say.

“Shuying, don’t worry. No matter who the opponent is, as long as they harbor ill intentions, I won’t let them off.”

Liang Zhe still didn’t dare speak too clearly about the courtesan matter, only speaking vaguely.

Qin Shuying nodded, “Ziyou, I’m not afraid of what others say about you – I know you have a passionate heart. But I’m afraid something will happen to you, afraid that your passionate blood will be tainted by those with ulterior motives. It’s still what I said at Guangbin House – it’s not worth it for a hero to be unable to fight gloriously on the battlefield, only to be trapped in the scheming of inner quarters.”

The young woman before him had a calm face and delicate features, with eyes like dots of lacquer, charming as flowers yet strong as steel.

Liang Zhe felt all his passionate blood surge to his heart. Then he saw Qin Shuying staring in shock, pointing at his nose, “Ziyou, why are you having a nosebleed?”

As she spoke, she used her handkerchief to wipe it for him.

The young woman’s subtle fragrance surrounded him, and Liang Zhe’s nosebleed flowed even more freely. Yet he treasured her gentleness and remained motionless, watching her concerned face draw near as her slightly cool hand touched his nose.

Qin Shuying stuffed Liang Zhe’s nose to stop the bleeding, but unexpectedly found herself pulled into his embrace.

“Shuying, I’ve already spoken with my aunt. She’ll come to the Qin residence to propose marriage in the next few days. In three more months, we’ll be married – is that alright with you?”

Qin Shuying hadn’t expected to be pulled into his embrace. The man’s masculine aura immediately surrounded her, leaving her at a loss.

His embrace was strong, warm, and safe.

Having fought alone for so long, Qin Shuying was very, very tired. Suddenly having such an embrace to rely on, she actually felt a sense of ease and didn’t want to struggle.

Qin Shuying didn’t struggle.

These past days, worrying about Liang Zhe every day had been more mentally exhausting than all her careful planning over this past year.

Being able to personally feel that he was safe and sound, to touch the lively and energetic Liang Zhe, Qin Shuying’s heart was peaceful at this moment.

An unprecedented peace.

She thought that regardless of whether he was in her heart or not, she would accompany him on this journey.

So marrying a bit earlier really didn’t matter.

“Alright.”

Liang Zhe was overjoyed and spun around three times while holding Qin Shuying.

Finally, he set her down, lowered his head, and gently kissed her forehead.

“I know Luo Meixiang will deliberately procrastinate and won’t take any action, so I’ve long since asked my aunt for help and made many preparations. My aunt treats me extremely well – it’s just that her status is somewhat low. Shuying, you won’t mind, will you?”

Having been kissed, Qin Shuying’s heart pounded like drumbeats, but she tried her best to appear composed: “Of course not. I know you would take action. Luo Meixiang’s reaction is exactly as I expected, and Old Madam Liang is the same – one really can’t help but think more about it.”

Liang Zhe’s expression changed from joy to calm, “Shuying, I will definitely get to the bottom of this matter.”

After hesitating for a moment, Qin Shuying still voiced the doubt she had pondered many times: “Ziyou, have you ever considered that she might not be your real grandmother at all?”

Qin Shuying had once suspected whether this Old Madam Liang was like herself – had her core actually been replaced?

In this world, since there was her own rebirth, Princess Fuping’s rebirth, and Princess Yongxing who had her core replaced, who could guarantee that Old Madam Liang hadn’t had her core replaced?

Otherwise, there was no way to explain Old Madam Liang’s behavior.

Being very disgusted with one’s daughter-in-law – such mothers-in-law weren’t uncommon. But being so cold-blooded and heartless toward one’s own grandson – this was the behavior of an enemy.

Twenty years of consistently humiliating Liang Zhe – what kind of deep hatred would that require!