◎Bring this chess piece to find me tonight◎

Speaking thus, Xie Heng lightly tapped the chess piece on the board, and Luo Wanqing finally belatedly realized that Xie Heng had done it on purpose.

Last time Zhang Yiran was in the carriage, he had knocked him unconscious. This time, he simply knocked out two people.

His carriage, it seemed, couldn’t tolerate anyone awake except her.

Luo Wanqing felt somewhat like laughing but didn’t show it. She just glanced at the bottle and asked curiously: “The sleeping drug was in the water?”

“Mm, just added it.” Xie Heng spoke while glancing at her. “What, Xiniang still doesn’t feel at ease?”

“Not quite at ease.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Xie Heng was about to speak when he saw Luo Wanqing pick up the bottle and sprinkle it all over Ji Qing’s face.

Xie Heng’s words stopped abruptly, his expression clearing slightly as he lowered his eyes to tap the chess pieces against the board, waiting for Luo Wanqing to sit down.

Luo Wanqing sat down, picked up a white piece from nearby, and explained: “Now I’m at ease.”

With that, Luo Wanqing placed her chess piece.

Xie Heng looked at the board and methodically placed his piece: “It seems the Inspector also wanted to say a few words with me.”

“Didn’t Young Master say there were important matters?” Hearing him call her ‘Inspector,’ Luo Wanqing knew his mood had improved.

She had roughly observed that when he called her Xiniang, he was either using “Xie Heng’s” identity and was somewhat unhappy, or he was emotionally moved.

When he called her “Inspector,” he was using Cui Guanlan’s identity, mostly meaning he was lowering his stance.

She lowered her eyes to hide the pleasure in them, saying softly: “Since it’s important business, naturally outsiders shouldn’t overhear. Lord Zhang and Qinglu are both drugged, so Ji Qing naturally couldn’t be left out.”

“I see,” Xie Heng smiled, looking up at Luo Wanqing with a testing tone: “I thought since Lord Zhang was drugged, others couldn’t be spared either.”

“That’s also reasonable.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Xie Heng didn’t respond, only placed a piece on the board with a “click,” trapping Luo Wanqing’s pieces, nodding as he captured them: “I concede.”

Luo Wanqing smiled at Xie Heng and asked directly: “Young Master is unhappy?”

“Taking one chess piece means being unhappy?”

Xie Heng looked up at Luo Wanqing, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes: “Xiniang thinks me too petty.”

Seeing him speaking in circles, Luo Wanqing simply nodded, took a chess piece from nearby, and said with relief: “Then I’m relieved.”

Xie Heng’s movements paused slightly, as if wanting to say something, but saw Luo Wanqing continue explaining as if she hadn’t noticed anything: “I was worried that bringing Lord Zhang would displease Young Master. It seems Young Master is magnanimous—today must have been specially to wait for us.”

Hearing Luo Wanqing’s words, Xie Heng knew she had caught on. He tapped the chessboard without speaking.

Seeing Xie Heng not responding, Luo Wanqing inquired about business: “Lord Zhang brought Ji Qing away rashly, and Yangzhou issued a warrant for Ji Qing. They must have noticed. Has Young Master made arrangements for Ji Qing’s family?”

“Such trivial matters, how would I pay attention?” Xie Heng answered casually, obviously not wanting to tell the truth.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then suddenly changed the topic: “Young Master’s attire today is different from usual.”

Xie Heng continued playing chess, his tone unchanged: “To avoid being discovered when coming to meet you, naturally, I had to disguise myself.”

“It looks very good.”

Luo Wanqing praised sincerely.

Xie Heng showed no reaction on his face, calmly placing a chess piece. When he looked up, he saw the person across from him smiling broadly, meeting his gaze and continuing to praise: “Young Master is naturally handsome with noble bearing. Today’s robes, though elegantly colored, are embroidered with white plum blossoms in silver thread—gorgeous yet not vulgar, quite refined, complementing Young Master perfectly and showing exceptional grace.”

Xie Heng said nothing, only smiling at her, the black chess piece nimbly played between his fingertips, making his skin appear even whiter, his hands like carved jade.

Being examined by him, Luo Wanqing somehow began to feel restless.

Seeing her expression finally show some discomfort, Xie Heng chuckled lightly, turned to look at the chessboard, seeming to be in better spirits, and finally began speaking about what Luo Wanqing wanted to hear: “The Supervision Department isn’t monolithic. Just as he found Ji Qing, news leaked from our side. I had Qin Huaiyu conduct a thorough investigation. Ji Qing’s family would be more dangerous on the road to the Eastern Capital, and it’s unnecessary. I had Qin Huaiyu personally guard Ji Qing’s family—you can rest assured. Fengyu Pavilion excels at assassination and concealment. After Qinglu took him away, the Supervision Department couldn’t find them. I guessed he would notify you to prepare backup plans, so I’ve been waiting for news from your side.”

Hearing Xie Heng’s arrangements, Luo Wanqing nodded and finally felt at ease, couldn’t help but say: “I knew Young Master would arrange everything. Then… about what we just discussed,” Luo Wanqing looked up at Xie Heng inquiringly, “it’s settled then? I’ll go back and file the case?”

Xie Heng smiled but didn’t answer, only asking: “Xiniang rushed down the mountain just for this matter?”

“Correct.” Luo Wanqing wasn’t lying. “I received Lord Zhang’s letter and hurried down.”

“Were you worried I’d use him, or worried he’d be killed halfway?” Xie Heng asked directly.

Luo Wanqing was startled by the question. Xie Heng placed a chess piece and added, “Accusing Zheng Daochu isn’t a small matter. Zhang Yiran found results so quickly and rushed to file accusations—Xiniang wouldn’t think I was pushing things behind the scenes, would you?”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng looked up and smiled: “If I let Lord Zhang file the accusation, first, it would clear suspicion of my involvement from His Majesty, and second, Zhang Yiran could take the blame for Xiniang. So Xiniang rushed down the mountain, fearing I’d harm Lord Zhang—is this so?”

“So…”

Luo Wanqing slowly realized and asked curiously: “Does Young Master have such intentions?”

“Of course I’d want that,” Xie Heng lowered his head to place a piece, his tone amiable, “but since Xiniang cares about Lord Zhang, how would I dare act without permission? Everything depends on Xiniang’s wishes.”

Luo Wanqing heard him speak so indifferently, but understood that since he’d spoken it aloud, this was indeed what he was thinking—he was just testing her opinion.

After thinking for a moment, Luo Wanqing nodded: “Then I’ll go back and write the memorial.”

Xie Heng said no more and only captured another group of pieces.

Seeing a large space suddenly appear on the board, Luo Wanqing’s fingertips trembled, then she steadied herself and continued inquiring: “Is there news from the north?”

She had already learned from letters that Xing Ling had gone to the Northern Rong. Xie Heng hadn’t sent her news these past days, so finally meeting in person, she naturally wanted to ask.

Xie Heng didn’t hide such important matters, carefully explaining everything he knew, then patiently asked: “Does Xiniang have anything else to ask?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing thought about it—there was only one person left unasked about.

But remembering that last time she asked, Xie Heng had stopped sending letters, she didn’t dare speak rashly and tested: “What does Young Master think I should still ask about?”

“How would I know what other people Xiniang cares about?” Xie Heng looked up and smiled. “Two months, asking about Lord Zhang, then Xing Ling, asking about Xing Ling, then elder brother, asking this and that until now—I don’t know who else Xiniang should ask about?”

Hearing Xie Heng’s tone, Luo Wanqing realized who he wanted her to ask about.

She rubbed the chess piece, saying slowly: “I do indeed have one more person I want to ask about, but I think Young Master probably wouldn’t tell me.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s expression cooled: “Since you think I won’t say, there’s no need to ask.”

“Oh.” Luo Wanqing nodded. “Then I won’t ask.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond, only lowered his head to focus on attacking on the chess board, his playing style fierce, obviously holding back anger.

Seeing Xie Heng playing with red eyes, Luo Wanqing smiled silently and lowered her head to look at the game, becoming absorbed.

After the carriage traveled for a while, it arrived at the Supervision Department entrance. The coachman’s voice came from outside: “Young Master, we’ve reached the Supervision Department.”

Only then did Luo Wanqing return to her senses from the chess game. She glanced outside and discovered it was the Supervision Department’s back entrance, then said: “Young Master, shall you return to the office first?”

“Me first?”

Xie Heng looked up at her. Luo Wanqing began clearing the chess pieces, thinking: “Since Lord Zhang is being watched, he’s probably not safe now. I’ll follow Lord Zhang back first. When you send someone over, I’ll switch shifts and return. If the Supervision Department doesn’t have suitable personnel, I’ll temporarily stay at the Zhang residence.”

“You just returned and plan to stay at the Zhang residence?”

Xie Heng inquired, his smile barely hanging on. Luo Wanqing paused, thought for a moment, then slowly looked up: “Young Master doesn’t want me to stay at the Zhang residence?”

“Does what I want or don’t want matter to Xiniang?”

Xie Heng’s expression was unpleasant: “It seems it doesn’t matter either.”

“Young Master doesn’t try,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “how do you know it doesn’t matter?”

“Then how should I try?”

Xie Heng looked at the smile in her eyes, his gaze unmoving, like the most earnest student humbly seeking instruction.

Luo Wanqing fingered the chess piece, pondering: “A strategist should use their strengths, ride the wind, and borrow momentum—that’s proper. Though Young Master’s attire today was to avoid detection, it truly shows exceptional beauty.”

“Just outward appearance—what’s so rare about it?” Xie Heng looked at her and said: “Surely Xiniang isn’t like common folk, coveting worldly beauty?”

“Everyone is common folk—how am I different? Young Master, give me the antidote,” Luo Wanqing teased Xie Heng, smiling as she stood: “I’ll take them first…”

Before finishing her words, Xie Heng suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her over forcefully.

Luo Wanqing lost her balance and fell forward, toppling over the chess table. Just as she was about to crash into Xie Heng’s embrace, she quickly braced against the table, steadying herself. Her other hand was caught by Xie Heng, losing strength, her fingertips trembling as the chess piece naturally fell into Xie Heng’s robes.

Luo Wanqing looked up in panic, about to speak, when she saw Xie Heng looking up at her, asking softly: “Isn’t this trying?”

Luo Wanqing was stunned. Xie Heng looked at her quietly, taking her hand in the floating light and slowly guiding it to touch his neck.

Luo Wanqing’s heartbeat quickened. She looked at Xie Heng’s unguarded eyes gazing up at her, feeling the temperature beneath her fingers.

This was a person’s most vulnerable spot. Luo Wanqing could see the vein that would cause death with just slight pressure right under her fingertip. With her skills, she could take his life in an instant.

Yet he showed no fear, only staring into her eyes, guiding her hand slowly down his body.

“The clothes were specially worn, but Zhang Yiran isn’t worth my reception.”

He spoke while guiding her hand into his robes, touching the chess piece that had fallen to his chest.

Luo Wanqing’s sense of touch became exceptionally acute in that instant. She felt the chess piece’s sandpaper-like texture, separated by his undergarment, yet still warmed by his body temperature.

She didn’t know why, but instantly thought of those days and nights in the bamboo grove cottage.

Luo Wanqing tried to remain composed, but her face burned fiercely.

Xie Heng leaned forward, close to her ear, lowering his voice: “Bring this chess piece to find me tonight. If you come, I’ll tell you about that person.”

Luo Wanqing’s heart pounded like drums. She didn’t dare respond, only her fingers involuntarily curled slightly, scooping the chess piece into her palm.

Feeling the chess piece taken by her, Xie Heng’s eyes showed amusement: “Then I’ll wait for the Inspector.”

Speaking thus, he moved closer to her, his lips seeming to kiss her earlobe, opening and closing with his words, repeatedly brushing against her skin, whispering: “I hope the Inspector won’t be like Lord Ye—fond of dragons in theory only.”

Luo Wanqing felt her ears burning terribly and didn’t dare move. Xie Heng chuckled lightly, released her, took a small bottle from his sleeve, and placed it on the table, then stood to go outside.

“The white plum on the table is for you. I’ll have someone replace you guarding Zhang Yiran shortly.”

Xie Heng’s robes, mixing pine and white plum fragrances, gracefully brushed past her cheek with his words: “I’ll have a carriage pick you up at the hour of the Dog. Qingqing,” Xie Heng reached the carriage door and suddenly spoke. Luo Wanqing turned to look and saw him smile gently.

“Welcome home.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater] Xie Heng: “Just outward appearance—what’s so rare about it?” Luo Wanqing: “Then why did you dress up specially?” Xie Heng: “Because I knew you’d find it rare!!” This is a story of a beauty-lover meeting a beauty-tyrant.

[Mini Theater 2] Xie Heng: “Are you afraid I’ll scheme against Zhang Yiran?” Luo Wanqing: “So, do you plan to scheme against him?” Xie Heng: “Since you care about him, how would I dare? Anyway, whether to scheme against me or him, you choose.” Luo Wanqing: “Then I choose to scheme against you.” Xie Heng: “Ha, I knew he’s more important in your heart!” Luo Wanqing: “Because I only take advantage of my husband.” Xie Heng: “Scheme against me. Immediately, don’t hesitate.”

[Mini Theater 3] Xie Heng: “Two months, asking about Lord Zhang, then Xing Ling, asking about Xing Ling, then elder brother, asking this and that—don’t you know to ask about me?!” Luo Wanqing: “I do want to ask about someone I care about very much.” Xie Heng: “Shut up, I won’t tell you a single word about Li Guiyu. He doesn’t deserve to be mentioned by me!” Luo Wanqing: “How is Cui Guanlan?” Xie Heng: “…” Luo Wanqing: “Young Master?” Xie Heng: “Oh, darling, Cui Guanlan loves you.”