◎Don’t forget our wager, see you again in the Eastern Capital.◎

Heavy rain poured down as Luo Wanqing hurried out of Yangzhou. She dared not think too much, dared not linger.

The moment she stopped to rest, she would recall her time at Jirui Palace.

Only then did she realize that she remembered many things with startling clarity.

Like the scent of blood from Xie Heng in the dungeon, like the sound of his fists pounding against the walls one after another.

And like how he had once told her that he was born with a temperament that couldn’t endure hardship or suffering.

Clearly this person possessed bones of steel and iron, could discuss life and death with such calm as if speaking of others’ affairs, his words filled with lies that made truth and falsehood indistinguishable. Yet somehow, when she thought of him, what came to mind was always that vivid aspect of him as Cui Heng.

That was Xie Heng, who belonged solely to Luo Wanqing. She knew it was an illusion, yet it remained forever in her heart.

After traveling for half an hour, the sky had completely darkened. Seeing that the rain was too heavy, and calculating that it was indeed time to find a place to rest, including eating, Luo Wanqing turned off the main road.

Soon after leaving the road, she saw a bamboo grove with a small courtyard showing lamplight within.

Luo Wanqing secured her horse and approached to knock on the door. An elderly man opened it and looked at Luo Wanqing somewhat questioningly: “Miss, what brings you here?”

“Uncle, I’m traveling and wish to shelter from the rain.” Luo Wanqing took out a piece of broken silver from her purse. “Would it be convenient?”

“Sheltering from rain is possible,” the old man turned to look at the small courtyard, “but this courtyard is for rent. I only came today to tend to it. If Miss needs a meal, you’d have to follow this old man to my home, not far away.”

“No need to trouble yourself.”

Luo Wanqing shook her head, saying only: “Then I’ll rent this courtyard for one night, just to rest briefly.”

The old man was somewhat surprised to hear this, looked down at the silver in her hand, hesitantly accepted the money, saying only: “Miss, this silver could rent the place for a month.”

“I’m traveling in haste; it doesn’t matter.”

Luo Wanqing shook her head. The old man stepped aside to let her in, handing Luo Wanqing a key: “In such a hurry? Miss, are you going to the Eastern Capital on urgent business?”

“To seek refuge with relatives and friends.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t tell the truth. The old man nodded, relieved, saying only: “As long as it’s not to file a complaint.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused and couldn’t help turning back: “Uncle, what do you mean? Why is it good as long as it’s not to file a complaint?”

“Miss looks delicate and weak. If it were to file a complaint, how could you endure such hardship?” The old man sighed, “Previously, I also encountered a woman in such haste as you, Miss. She went to the Eastern Capital to file a complaint, and even brought an attendant. Later, the attendant returned, and I heard that she went to strike the Dengwen Drum in the Eastern Capital, but before the drum trial could begin, one must receive thirty heavy beatings. That young lady was beaten to death.”

Luo Wanqing was stunned to hear this. The old man shook his head: “Seeking justice is important, but staying alive matters more. With Miss’s constitution, I fear you couldn’t withstand the beating.”

With that, the old man took an umbrella from beside the door and stepped aside: “Miss, please rest first. I’ll go prepare some food.”

“Wait!”

Luo Wanqing was shocked and uncertain.

Suddenly, she remembered what Xie Heng had said before she left at noon.

“Before the Supervision Department Inspector can impose punishment, it must be reported to the Supervision Department for permission.”

He knew!

Luo Wanqing realized in an instant that he knew her plan, knew she was going to the Eastern Capital to strike the Dengwen Drum and accuse Zheng Pingsheng.

So he deliberately reminded her that before the Supervision Department Inspector could impose punishment, the Supervision Department must be notified. This was telling her that if the Shuntian Prefecture wanted to beat her with rods, they must first get the Supervision Department’s consent.

He knew, so why did he still let her go?

Was she going to strike the Dengwen Drum within his calculations, or was it for other reasons?

If he deliberately let her go, why did he remind her?

She couldn’t fathom him.

But since she couldn’t fathom him, she should return to find him.

With this thought, Luo Wanqing immediately closed the gate, untied the horse’s rope again, mounted, and turned back.

She rode swiftly back, passing through Yangzhou’s bustling streets and clamoring voices, returning to the Xie residence.

The Xie residence was quiet as death in the night. Luo Wanqing calculated the time, knowing that Xie Heng should have already gone to the secret chamber for seclusion.

She silently infiltrated through the back courtyard, swept around once, and confirmed that only Zhuque was still guarding the back courtyard. After thinking, she returned to the main street, bought some firecrackers and incense, brought them back to the Xie residence, hung the firecrackers on a tree outside the back courtyard, cut the incense stick shorter by a section, added some easily flammable rice paper, and tied it with the firecrackers in a cross shape.

This way, when the incense burned to the intersection point, it would ignite the rice paper, the rice paper would ignite the fuse, and the firecrackers would naturally explode.

Luo Wanqing set up the firecrackers and waited outside the window. After just a moment, the firecrackers exploded thunderously. The instant Zhuque rushed out to investigate, Luo Wanqing immediately opened the window and flipped into the room. Amidst the deafening firecracker sounds, she opened the secret chamber door and rushed in urgently.

The secret chamber door opened and closed again, plunging the entire room into darkness. Luo Wanqing lit a lamp and leaped down from above. Just as she landed, she heard Zhuque’s urgent voice from above: “Young Master, someone has infiltrated. Are you safe?”

Luo Wanqing held the lamp and turned back, looking toward Xie Heng, not far away.

The two faced each other in the darkness, with only one lamp illuminating the room. Xie Heng was at the far end of the lamplight, extending into the darkness, while Luo Wanqing stood in the brightest spot, quietly watching him.

His hands were locked with black iron shackles, his clothes disheveled and soaked with sweat, his jade crown askew, hair messy, skin pale as snow, yet his temples and cheeks were tinged with an unnatural flush.

He gazed at Luo Wanqing with light panting. Seeing sweat sliding down from his forehead, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but tighten her fingers. Then she heard Xie Heng speak hoarsely, loudly responding to Zhuque: “No lamp or person inside, search elsewhere.”

“No lamp inside” was the code between Xie Heng and Zhuque to confirm all was well. Hearing this, Zhuque relaxed, responded, and turned to leave.

Only after Zhuque’s footsteps faded did Xie Heng raise his eyes to look at Luo Wanqing.

After a long while, he smiled lightly, as if he had expected this all along, saying gently: “Disheveled and in a sorry state, meeting you in such embarrassment brings you laughter, Inspector.”

He spoke of being in sorry state, yet his expression remained composed, as if those traces of struggle on his body didn’t belong to him, showing not the slightest hint of awkwardness.

Luo Wanqing studied him and couldn’t help asking: “You… have started withdrawing from the drug?”

“Yes.”

Xie Heng answered frankly: “Qianqiu just gave me medicine to suppress the mandala. But this medicine is extremely domineering when it first enters the body. To reduce the pain, Qianqiu gave me one final dose of mandala. After the suppressing medicine completely dissolves, it will inhibit the dependence on mandala fragrance accumulated over these days.”

But given the mandala’s potency, the suppression afterward would also be extremely difficult to endure, so they locked him in this sunless chamber for solitary withdrawal away from human sight.

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat pained. She looked at Xie Heng’s complexion and couldn’t help stepping forward to gently touch his forehead.

The moment she touched him, Xie Heng’s entire body tensed. Though his face showed nothing, Luo Wanqing’s ice-cold palm pressed against his burning forehead became his only solace at this moment.

“You knew what I was going to do?”

Luo Wanqing confirmed his temperature, then withdrew her hand, standing before him, looking down at him, softly saying: “You told me that before the Supervision Department Inspector could impose punishment, the Supervision Department’s consent was needed, because you knew I was going to strike the Dengwen Drum. So you had Zhuque deliberately tell me that information.”

No matter how young Zhuque was, he was still one of the Four Chiefs of the Supervision Department. How could he so easily tell her about other cases casually? She had been momentarily panicked and lost her head.

Now thinking about it, Xie Heng had instructed him to tell her earlier.

“You knew I would return?”

“I didn’t know.”

Xie Heng leaned against her palm, his Adam’s apple moving up and down with difficulty as he swallowed excess saliva, speaking hoarsely: “I didn’t know whether you would go to the Eastern Capital or return. I was just waiting.”

“Waiting for what?”

“Waiting for the result.”

“What result?”

“The result you would give me.”

“I don’t understand.”

Luo Wanqing looked down at him and couldn’t help saying, “Since you knew I was going to the Eastern Capital to accuse Zheng Pingsheng, why didn’t you stop me?”

“Why should I stop you?” Xie Heng slowly opened his eyes, looking up at her, “You were right. Every step I take now follows the predetermined fate in your dreams. The only difference is you. The choices you make are my turning point.”

“Then why don’t you choose?” Luo Wanqing frowned, showing some anger, “I’ve already told you that your final crime is assassinating Zheng Pingsheng, bringing military disaster to the state. Why must you assassinate him? You could avoid it yourself. Why must you make me choose?”

“What I choose is always the best path I can see.”

Xie Heng looked at Luo Wanqing, his tone without the slightest fluctuation, calm as death: “The path I can see is that your accusation against Zheng Pingsheng will yield no results.”

Luo Wanqing tensed her muscles, pressing her lips together in silence.

Xie Heng smiled: “The evidence you submit will be completely destroyed by them, your witnesses won’t survive to the end, you’ll be counter-accused by them. Everything will be futile. Gradual planning cannot kill them, any move you make will only alert them, even His Majesty is the same. In the end, we must still rely on extraordinary measures.”

Hearing Xie Heng’s description, Luo Wanqing understood he was right.

These aristocratic families had many eyes and ears. Without absolute secrecy and surprise attacks, trying to kill Zheng Pingsheng, Wang Shenfeng, or even Li Zong through open, layer-by-layer public trials would be impossible even for His Majesty.

“So you must kill them…”

Luo Wanqing’s voice was very soft. As she asked, she already knew the answer.

Hearing her words, Xie Heng only asked back: “Don’t they deserve to die?”

“But…”

Luo Wanqing’s thoughts were somewhat chaotic, and she couldn’t help saying: “If you assassinate them, whether the Wang family or Zheng family, they will certainly rebel, and then there will be internal chaos…”

Luo Wanqing thought of the refugees displaced in Sizhou from the previous life’s rumors, and couldn’t help saying: “What fault do the common people have?”

“What fault do the common people have?” Hearing this, Xie Heng laughed lightly, looking at Luo Wanqing, “You don’t want Zheng Pingsheng to die?”

Luo Wanqing involuntarily tightened her grip on the knife handle. Xie Heng’s eyes held certainty: “He framed your entire family, so naturally, you want him dead. You can ask this question now because you know I will kill him. But what if I don’t kill him? What if no one seeks justice for your family? Would you want to kill?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t speak. Xie Heng didn’t continue to pressure her, only asked again: “Moreover—why are you asking me this question?”

Xie Heng softened his voice, leaning forward, seeming puzzled: “Why don’t you ask Wang Shenfeng, ask Zheng Pingsheng, ask Sun Zhengli, ask Yang Chun—ask those who collaborated with enemies and betrayed the country, who rebelled for personal gain? They deserve to die. I kill those who deserve death, yet their families want to rebel. You don’t question them, but come to question me about what fault the common people have? What kind of logic is this?”

Speaking thus, without waiting for Luo Wanqing to respond, he answered: “Because you know we care.”

He said “you” and “we,” so Luo Wanqing knew he wasn’t referring to just one person.

She looked at Xie Heng and saw him staring at her as if staring at many, many people. In his black-gold eyes was an understanding of human hearts, and he spoke with unwillingness: “You know, they also know, so they act recklessly with the common people as shields. Back then, Uncle feared chaos among the Great Xia’s people, so he dared not counter-attack back to the Eastern Capital. He let a hundred thousand people cross Tianshan, using my mother, using my Cui clan, using the lives of countless people on the border to achieve their comfortable beds and glorious honors. Now they force me the same way. It’s just unfortunate—”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng couldn’t help but smile: “I am not my uncle.”

Luo Wanqing’s eyes moved slightly, understanding his meaning: “You won’t be coerced by them.”

“I won’t.”

Xie Heng’s tone was cold enough to chill: “You told me once, Xiniang… people cannot stand without roots, the world cannot be good without killing. Whether killing Wang Shenfeng or Zheng Pingsheng, no matter how we kill them, the Wang and Zheng clans will never let it rest. Either allow them to continue acting recklessly, or someone must be the executioner. Back then in the Eastern Capital bamboo grove, it wasn’t just my uncle who could leave—I could too.”

He could have left, too, could have returned to Xie family territory to be a peaceful young master of the Xie family.

But she had told him: people cannot stand without roots, the world cannot be good without killing.

“But I returned to the Eastern Capital.”

As Xie Heng spoke, Luo Wanqing understood, with his intelligence, how could he not know about today?

He had anticipated it long ago.

From that night in the bamboo grove when he returned to the Eastern Capital to become an executioner, from intercepting the Cui clan at Liren Ferry, from personally overseeing the execution of Cui family members at the execution ground, he had prepared for today.

Just as Li Guiyu couldn’t turn back after opening the city gates, when he returned to the imperial city from the bamboo grove, his path was already set.

Once determined to kill Zheng Pingsheng and Wang Shenfeng, he had to be prepared for their rebellion and internal chaos.

A politician’s cards are never heaven-sent. Once at the table, one must be prepared to gamble with one’s life.

“Then…” Understanding his words, Luo Wanqing said clearly, “Young Master must have been preparing for a long time.”

“Yes.”

Xie Heng didn’t hide it. He panted lightly and reminded Luo Wanqing, “Zhou Shan, leader of the Northern Four Armies, was recommended by me four years ago. Qin Jue now has complete control of the Qin clan.”

Luo Wanqing stared at him blankly. She suddenly realized that Xie Heng was much deeper than she had imagined.

From when she first knew him, his every step had been within his calculations.

Saving Qin Jue was to help him become head of the Qin clan, because the Qin family was wealthy in Jiangnan, with money and grain.

Destroying Li Shangwen and scheming to bring the Eastern Palace Six Rate Army under the Northern Four Armies was because the Northern Four Armies were already under his people’s control—he was expanding his faction.

And he himself was the eldest son of the Xie family, holding all remaining Cui clan members, with Supervision Department stations throughout the country, possessing the most legitimate and fastest sources of information…

If he wished, he could completely sit in the position of power behind the throne.

All he needed was a reason—a reason for the Emperor to hand over the Northern Four Armies to him, to let him lead troops out of the imperial city.

Once he led troops out of the imperial city, the Northern Four Armies would be under his complete control.

So, after killing Zheng Pingsheng, the Zheng clan would rebel, giving him the pretext to lead the Northern Four Armies out of the imperial city to pacify Sizhou. Sizhou connected to the ten border cities, and he could contact Cui Zigui, attacking the Northern Rong from both sides and bringing back Cui Zigui’s army.

If everything went smoothly, this would be the best possible method.

“Then…” After hesitating for a long time, Luo Wanqing finally asked the core question, “What if the Zheng family doesn’t rebel?”

Xie Heng paused, raising his eyes, realizing what Luo Wanqing was asking.

Luo Wanqing stared at Xie Heng: “If the Zheng family doesn’t rebel, would you force them to rebel or even falsely accuse them of rebellion, just as they once forced the Cui clan to rebel?”

If the Zheng family rebelled on their own, that could still be called just desserts.

But if the Zheng family didn’t rebel, would Xie Heng force them to rebel for military power?

Hearing this question, Xie Heng knew what she was asking, and he couldn’t speak.

Luo Wanqing smiled and said only, “Young Master wouldn’t.”

With that, Luo Wanqing half-knelt down, at eye level, looking into Xie Heng’s eyes: “Young Master, whether it was you or Lord Cui back then, all of you proposed the Great Xia Code to make life better for the common people. That was your original intention.”

“So what?”

“Zheng Pingsheng deserves to die,” Luo Wanqing emphasized, “but he should die on your path of seeking justice, not on your path of seeking power.”

“Naive.”

Xie Heng laughed lightly.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then smiled: “Then let me make a wager with you.”

Xie Heng’s gaze trembled slightly, as if anticipating what she would say.

“Young Master, don’t act against Zheng Pingsheng. Let me do it.” Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng, saying calmly, “He owes my Luo family, and I want to seek this justice.”

“You won’t succeed.” Xie Heng reminded her.

Luo Wanqing smiled: “If I don’t succeed, then we’ll kill him together. Young Master, killing is the same act, but retaliation and taking initiative are different.”

Xie Heng remained silent. Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then understood: “Actually, Young Master letting me go to the Eastern Capital was to let me try, wasn’t it? Then let me try.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing planned thoughtfully: “You first send someone to the Northern Rong to contact Second Young Master Cui. Once we confirm the news, I’ll take my father’s case and the Cui family’s case,” Luo Wanqing’s tone carried solemnity, “and openly demand justice from him.”

“If you lose,” Xie Heng smiled, “I’ll still have to rescue you in the end.”

“Then Young Master can rescue me,” Luo Wanqing also smiled, “and I’ll help Young Master kill Zheng Pingsheng.”

“I don’t need your help to kill him,” Xie Heng stared at her meaningfully, “You’d better think of some other compensation.”

Luo Wanqing was momentarily speechless. After thinking for a moment, she looked around.

The entire room was pitch black, with Xie Heng bound in chains—a trapped beast imprisoned here.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then turned to look at Xie Heng: “Young Master, do you like it here?”

Xie Heng was startled, not expecting Luo Wanqing to ask this.

His gaze moved slightly, realizing what she was going to say. His heartbeat involuntarily quickened, though his face remained composed: “Why do you ask?”

“Young Master likes places with sunlight,” Luo Wanqing pondered the habits from her past interactions with Cui Heng, looking around, saying slowly, “Guanlan has always been elegant. Though he travels in darkness, he loves the morning light most. Young Master,” Luo Wanqing turned to look at him, “I want to take you to a place with light.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing extended her hand toward him: “Will you come with me?”

He couldn’t.

Xie Heng’s mind knew clearly that he shouldn’t go with her.

He would soon lose control and become embarrassing. He didn’t want her to see him at his most wretched, wanting only to stay alone in this endless darkness, enduring through this most shameful time.

But he couldn’t speak the words.

Looking at her hand extended before him, for the first time, he so clearly realized—

He hated this place.

He hated the dark, damp environment here, hated the ceaseless sound of water, hated the darkness that even candlelight couldn’t illuminate, hated being alone.

He was afraid. He feared the pain that withdrawing from the mandala would bring. That pain was always carved into his bones and flesh, and every time he thought of it, he would be afraid.

He stared at Luo Wanqing’s slender, pale palm, breathing rapidly. Seeing his reaction, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile.

She stood up and walked to the table. On the surface lay the mask that Cui Heng used to wear daily. Luo Wanqing picked up the silver mask and put it on her face. Xie Heng watched the woman in the candlelight who had put on the mask, seeing her walk before him.

Luo Wanqing’s blade slashed toward the chains. The moment the chains broke, Xie Heng felt as if countless shackles had shattered simultaneously.

Luo Wanqing grabbed him up and led him running outside: “Let’s go!”

Xie Heng’s sleeve swept hastily across the table surface. He grabbed a small box from the table, then followed Luo Wanqing in leaping upward, opening the secret chamber door.

The sound of the secret chamber door opening immediately alerted Zhuque outside. Zhuque burst in with a blade, and the moment he lunged toward Luo Wanqing, Xie Heng raised his hand and threw his jade crown!

Zhuque didn’t dare catch Xie Heng’s jade crown and jumped aside in alarm. Luo Wanqing seized the opportunity to pull Xie Heng out the window. Zhuque cried out in panic: “Young Master!”

The moment his voice fell, countless hidden guards leaped up from the surroundings. Luo Wanqing didn’t dare draw her blade. She grabbed copper coins from her purse and scattered them around. As the coins struck everyone, Luo Wanqing pulled Xie Heng to quickly escape into an alley, then leaped into a civilian’s house. After several bounds, they reached the main street.

The Supervision Department’s tracking abilities far exceeded ordinary people. Even after being delayed twice by Luo Wanqing, they still pursued relentlessly.

Luo Wanqing simply led Xie Heng into the crowd. The Supervision Department people didn’t dare disturb the citizens too much, so they could only leap onto rooftops and follow closely from left and right.

Luo Wanqing pulled Xie Heng running rapidly through the crowd. Xie Heng looked at her back, feeling relaxed for the first time.

He felt like a bird whose chains had been severed, soaring high in this world. He didn’t know where he was going or what he was doing.

He only looked up at Yangzhou’s sky, feeling hallucinations before his eyes, as if the brilliant aurora of the northern desert was blooming in the sky, and Luo Wanqing became the only figure he could see clearly in this strange and wonderful scene.

He watched her, followed her, his whole being floating as if immortal. He knew this was the drug’s effect, but that warm palm he grasped was the most certain reality he had ever held.

No one in the Supervision Department knew Yangzhou better than Luo Wanqing. After leading them in two circles, she shook off the pursuing soldiers, then circled back to the Xie residence to retrieve her horse tied at the gate, leading Xie Heng galloping toward the outskirts.

Xie Heng held her waist, leaning against her back. He smelled the moisture in the wind, felt Luo Wanqing’s warmth. The cold wind of late October intertwined with her warmth, becoming an existence he found utterly enchanting.

Luo Wanqing led Xie Heng back to the small house she had rented in the bamboo grove. The moment she pushed open the door, Xie Heng cupped her face and kissed her, pressing her against the wall.

The scent of mandala came from his lips and teeth as he kissed her urgently, seeking from her.

Luo Wanqing pushed him toward the bed, but he clung to her like a snake coiled around her body, unwilling to leave even slightly. When they fell onto the bed together and Xie Heng leaned over her, Luo Wanqing suddenly reacted, flipping him over and pressing down urgently: “Wait.”

Xie Heng looked up, panting. Luo Wanqing pressed his wrists and sat up seriously: “Let me.”

Xie Heng paused, then suppressed all impulses, forcing himself to lie back.

His hair was scattered, his clothes disheveled, the severed iron shackles still on his wrists, making his skin appear even paler.

His gaze fixed on Luo Wanqing, desire rolling in his dark eyes. His usually noble and handsome features were tinged with seductive color, like a poisonous flower that no longer concealed itself, blooming wantonly to entice passersby to bow their heads and offer their lives to him.

Luo Wanqing panted as she stared at the person before her, quietly meeting his gaze. He was somewhat restless, yet suppressed by his usual composure.

After a long while, Xie Heng finally couldn’t help but speak: “Xiniang?”

“I have a question,” Luo Wanqing stared at him, suddenly remembering, “Since Prince Shengzhao is still alive, in the dream of the previous life, why did you choose Li Guiyu?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng was startled, then couldn’t help but laugh: “At such a time, you ask me this?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t move or speak. Xie Heng, helpless, could only answer truthfully: “Because elder brother’s life won’t be long.”

Luo Wanqing wasn’t surprised. She remembered what Cui Heng had told her on Liufeng Island initially. She wasn’t shocked, only asking: “Why?”

“When escaping from the palace, his heart meridians were shattered by Wang Qingfeng. Though he saved his life afterward, it was only a last gasp—he won’t last long.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing. Looking at Xie Heng, she suddenly remembered his pulse, remembered what he had said during the day when speculating about the previous life: “Without you, I harbored a death wish. If I were still taking mandala fragrance, I wouldn’t live long.”

Fear suddenly arose in her heart.

“Xie Lingshu,” Luo Wanqing called his name for the first time. Xie Heng’s eyes moved slightly, restraining the great joy this address brought him, staring into Luo Wanqing’s eyes as she leaned down, “You must remember me.”

“You must remember the pleasure I give you, remember everything I give you. You must be infatuated with me, attached to me, obsessed with me, thinking of me every moment, forever and ever—”

She learned what Cui Heng had done before, sinking.

Xie Heng’s body tensed instantly. She looked into his eyes, remembering his repeated farewells, remembering everything Cui Heng had done, panting as she spoke: “Don’t think of leaving me.”

Hearing her words, Xie Heng panted lightly and laughed.

He looked at the foolish girl trembling and so close before him, supporting himself to sit up.

“I remember.” He kissed the bewildered person tenderly, his hoarse voice full of seduction, “Day and night, every moment, I remember.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s breathing became chaotic. Xie Heng skillfully and deliberately kissed her, supporting her waist as she became lost in passion.

Rain fell at night, with the sound of rain hitting bamboo leaves outside the window, just like their first meeting that night—drizzling rain, rustling bamboo.

Only on this rainy night were there some additional sounds.

The broken iron shackles on Xie Heng’s hands struck the bed like musical instruments, sometimes urgent, sometimes slow.

At dawn, as morning light broke through the window, Luo Wanqing calculated the time and looked at Xie Heng, who should have entered calmly as the drug effects wore off, hoarsely advising: “Young Master, you should rest first. In three more hours, your withdrawal reactions should begin.”

Xie Heng didn’t move, only looking at the person on the bed who seemed like white porcelain jade sculpture in the morning light.

Luo Wanqing looked up, puzzled: “Young Master?”

Xie Heng gazed at her quietly, only smiling: “The clothes are knotted.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing turned to look at the tangled clothes beneath them, strangely asking: “Knotted?”

“Twisted too tightly,” Xie Heng lowered his head, gently touching her lips, softly saying, “Can’t pull them apart.”

The first rhythm was disrupted, so afterward Luo Wanqing stopped calculating time. It was simply that when withdrawal reactions appeared, she would think of ways to help him control them together. When he calmed down, she would let him rest.

Xie Heng couldn’t eat anything. The withdrawal reactions were too strong—he would vomit whatever he ate. Fortunately, on the first day, she had asked the landlord to buy some medicinal herbs for nourishing the body, which were delivered daily with meals as decoctions.

Xie Heng still had consciousness on the first day, but afterward he was lucid much less often. Fortunately, he could recognize her.

She was his only solace in all his pain. Each time, he would cling to her desperately.

Indeed, as he had said, those appearances were extremely wretched. However, having seen the most unbearable state, Luo Wanqing felt that this seemed to be a living person.

For Xie Heng, this was like a long dream—very painful, yet extraordinarily joyful.

Extreme pleasure and happiness intertwined with pain, every sensation engraved in bone and heart.

On the last day, after Xie Heng fell asleep, Luo Wanqing cleaned herself and sat by the bed watching him.

During those days, she had become very familiar with him.

Familiar with his voice, body, everything.

Now quietly watching him, seeing moonlight fall on this noble and gentle young master, she felt a tenderness welling in her heart.

She watched quietly for a while, then turned to look outside the window, beginning to think about her path forward.

During these days, she would occasionally think about it, but now, considering carefully, she more or less understood.

Xie Heng was right—she was the only turning point in his fate. Because of her, Xie Heng paid attention to Luo Qushu and realized the iron box’s existence.

Although she had pushed him to kill the crown prince, frame the Eastern Palace Six Rate, and kill five hundred people in Snow Spirit Valley, everything was not yet set in stone. There was still hope for change.

As long as she began to change from now on, no one knew what the outcome would be.

Xie Heng should now have people go to the Northern Rong first. Since she had already agreed with him, before she acted, Xie Heng should remain inactive.

As long as he didn’t assassinate Zheng Pingsheng, the crime couldn’t be attributed to him.

Getting news from the Northern Rong would take some time, and her foundation was currently unstable. She indeed needed time to digest Xie Minsheng’s internal energy. Going to the Dao Sect was indeed a good choice.

But before going to the Dao Sect…

Luo Wanqing looked toward the Xie residence and made her decision.

She needed to find someone.

Luo Wanqing calculated the time, wrote the address on paper, got up, and walked to the window, seeing Zhuisi with Lianqing still standing under the tree.

Luo Wanqing raised her hand to call Zhuisi, tied the note to Zhuisi’s foot, and gestured: “Go, tell Zhuque and the others to come.”

Zhuisi cried once and flew away.

Luo Wanqing waited in the bamboo house for half an hour, then heard horse hooves outside. She grabbed her coat, took Xiling and her bundle, and jumped out the window.

She hid in the forest, confirming that Zhuque and the others had arrived, then turned to call Lianqing, mounted her horse, and galloped toward the Xie residence.

Taking advantage of Zhuque and the others rushing to find Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing directly infiltrated the dungeon and searched room by room until she found where Xing Ling was held.

Seeing Luo Wanqing, Xing Ling looked up, puzzled: “Xiniang?”

“Want to get out?”

Luo Wanqing smiled as she spoke. Xing Ling frowned: “What do you mean?”

“When Li Shengzhao initially escaped from Weiyang Palace, his heart meridians were shattered by Wang Qingfeng. You know this, right?”

Luo Wanqing spoke directly. Xing Ling was somewhat confused: “Didn’t he recover?”

“No.”

Luo Wanqing raised her blade to cut the iron shackles, saying calmly: “You betrayed your master, and Young Master can’t handle this well. Waiting here has no end. Now escape, whether to the ends of the earth or hiding by his side anonymously, in any case—”

Luo Wanqing looked up at Xing Ling: “You must find a way to save him.”

Understanding Luo Wanqing’s meaning, Xing Ling realized that waiting for Xie Heng to deal with her was difficult for him, too. Better for her to escape herself and decide where to go afterward.

“I understand. Where are you going?”

Seeing Luo Wanqing carrying a bundle, Xing Ling looked her up and down: “Are you going with Young Master…”

“I’m going to the Dao Sect.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t elaborate: “I’m leaving first. You should run quickly too. See you again in the Eastern Capital someday!”

Xing Ling stared blankly at Luo Wanqing’s departing figure, then reacted and called out loudly: “See you in the Eastern Capital!”

Luo Wanqing waved her hand without responding, only quickly leaving the dungeon, mounting her horse, having Lianqing grip her shoulder clothing, and galloping toward the Dao Sect.

Dawn broke, gradually spreading golden light across the Jiangnan landscape.

The mountains and rivers gleamed gold as Xie Heng awakened hazily from a great dream.

The bed was empty, with only morning light falling on his cheek, accompanied by the cool morning breeze gently brushing his face.

He stared blankly at the bed curtains, then heard a loud shout nearby: “Young Master is awake!”

The moment the voice fell, dozens of people from inside to outside all knelt together, shouting: “Greetings to Young Master, may Young Master be well!”

Xie Heng lay on the bed. After a long time, he managed to sit up. Everything around was strange yet familiar. He remembered every corner here had that person’s shadow, yet now the goddess was gone, leaving only the clear wind brushing the room, turning over a page of paper by his hand.

Xie Heng grasped the paper and saw familiar handwriting:

“Going to the Dao Sect first to recuperate. Young Master, please remain calm. Don’t forget our wager—see you in the Eastern Capital.”

Reading this, Xie Heng couldn’t help but smile.

Luo Wanqing galloped through mountains and waters, watching the world gradually expand.

She had never known her direction so clearly. She would go to the Dao Sect to accumulate strength, to settle herself, and when she returned, she would carry her blade to reclaim justice for her family and reverse predetermined fate.

She would welcome back those old people who looked south for the royal army, and seek justice for all those dead and living, one by one.

Initially, she hadn’t thought she would do so much. She came only for her vengeance, but having come this far, she felt it was good.

Zhuisi caught up from behind, circling overhead. Hearing the eagle’s cry, Luo Wanqing looked up and extended a hand.

Zhuisi descended from above and landed on her hand. Luo Wanqing tightened the reins to stop and took the letter from Zhuisi’s foot.

She saw Xie Heng’s neat handwriting above:

“Why not ride the wind for ten thousand li, traveling the vast path together with you?

Xiniang, see you in the Eastern Capital.”

At the same time, in the Eastern Capital’s Weiyang Palace, Li Guiyu placed poison before Wang Lianyang.

“Since Wang Yunzhi has killing intent toward me, then Uncle has killing intent toward me. Mother still has several other sons for Mother to choose from.”

Hearing this, Wang Lianyang raised her eyes.

Li Guiyu smiled: “I am one with Mother. The Wang family abandoning me equals abandoning Mother. Whether to kill or not, I hope Mother will decide for herself.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “Woke up from sleep, got slept with, and the person ran away. Got slept with for nothing. T_T”

The Jiangnan arc is finally complete. As a transitional arc, there was so much I wanted to write that I often couldn’t tie up the threads, and forcing conclusions created redundancy.