◎Am I the adulterer or the male consort?◎

Having received the order to go up the mountain to find a carriage, Luo Wanqing ran up the mountain.

At this time, she hadn’t yet reached halfway up the mountain and was not far from the plum garden. It took Luo Wanqing less than a quarter hour to go up and down the mountain and bring the carriage to Xie Heng.

She scanned the surroundings to confirm Li Guiyu had left, then turned to look at the carriage where Xie Heng was, saying respectfully, “Young Master, the carriage has arrived. You may transfer.”

The figure leaning against the window behind the gauze curtains heard this, straightened up, rolled up the curtains, nodded to Luo Wanqing in thanks, said “Thank you for your trouble, Xiniang,” then got down from the carriage and transferred with Luo Wanqing.

Since they had already been discovered, Luo Wanqing didn’t plan to hide anymore. The replacement was Xie Heng’s usual carriage—spacious and luxurious, with a small couch inside and everything he needed readily available.

Xie Heng boarded the carriage first, then Luo Wanqing followed, closing the carriage door and instructing the coachman to depart. After settling down, she saw Xie Heng rest his hand on the carriage window edge and turn to look outside.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but say, “Young Master, there’s still time now. Won’t you sleep a little?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Luo Wanqing, thought for a moment, then shook his head, “The couch is small and uncomfortable. I’m not sleepy. You sleep.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused and wanted to persuade him further, but saw Xie Heng directly get up and sit at the table, taking documents and saying, “I still have some documents to review that need to be handled at this morning’s court session.”

Saying this, Xie Heng glanced at her: “You sleep for me.”

Seeing Xie Heng’s determination not to sleep, Luo Wanqing said no more and simply lay down on the small couch, pulled up the blanket, closed her eyes and said, “Then I’ll sleep first.”

Xie Heng responded with his back to her, and the carriage interior quieted down, leaving only the sound of the carriage moving and Xie Heng turning pages of documents.

Xie Heng’s small couch was quite spacious for her, with soft cushions and pillows all carrying his scent. She closed her eyes and dozed for a while, but always felt it was somewhat difficult to sleep. Opening her eyes, she saw Xie Heng’s back as he sat at the desk.

No matter how large the carriage was, it was still a carriage. He was very close to her, his back appearing particularly broad and tall.

He sat right by the bed, blocking the light for her. For some reason, Luo Wanqing felt exceptionally at peace.

She watched quietly for a while, then couldn’t help but move forward a bit, gently pressing her forehead against his back, softly calling, “Young Master.”

Xie Heng’s pen-holding motion paused, then he responded with his back to her, “Mm?”

“You shouldn’t have spoken just now.”

Unable to sleep, she thought about what had happened earlier. Though she knew mentioning it might displease Xie Heng, she couldn’t help but remind him, “Li Guiyu knows I’m key to opening the Xuantian Box. Right now, he doesn’t know you’re Cui Heng and thinks you and I aren’t familiar, so he believes you haven’t opened the Xuantian Box.”

“So?” Xie Heng understood what she wanted to say, asking carelessly.

Luo Wanqing reminded him, “If he learns of our relationship and tells His Majesty about my identity, His Majesty will suspect you’ve already opened the Xuantian Box and become suspicious of you.”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

Xie Heng spoke with certainty, setting aside a document.

Luo Wanqing thought about it and understood Xie Heng was right.

Compared to Xie Heng, Li Guiyu was more concerned about Li Zong opening the Xuantian Box. Now that the box was in Li Zong’s hands, he couldn’t possibly actively expose her and her father’s identity information, giving Li Zong the possibility of opening the box.

“But this is still too risky.”

Luo Wanqing sighed, “Letting him know about our relationship, with his personality, he’ll act against you. You’ve always weighed pros and cons and should know what’s necessary and unnecessary. Why compete over momentary anger and act so impulsively?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. The carriage filled with the sound of his pen scratching on paper.

Seeing Xie Heng didn’t respond, Luo Wanqing tentatively said, “Young Master?”

“If today it were Cui Guanlan, would you act the same way?”

Xie Heng suddenly spoke. Luo Wanqing didn’t quite understand. She puzzledly leaned over to observe Xie Heng’s expression, curiously asking, “Why do you ask this?”

“People aren’t grass or trees—emotions naturally disturb them. If one can always maintain proper measure, it’s simply because they’re not important enough.”

Xie Heng’s tone was calm. Luo Wanqing was stunned.

Xie Heng gripped his pen tightly, knowing he had said too much, then softened his tone, “Besides, even if it weren’t you today, if it were any female inspector in the department, I would have spoken up. I’m not dead,” Xie Heng threw the reviewed document aside and cursed softly, “letting him pester endlessly like that? You’re not in a hurry, but I still have to attend morning court.”

Hearing Xie Heng’s words, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but want to laugh. Her laughter was suppressed in her chest, extending to her forehead, gently vibrating against Xie Heng’s arm. Xie Heng, reviewing documents, glanced back at her, “Is it that funny?”

“Hearing you say these things, I find it amusing.”

Luo Wanqing looked up at him, then became serious again, “Then, if he truly discovers my relationship with you, how will you handle this matter?”

“Relationship?”

Xie Heng finally stopped his pen tip, turning to look at Luo Wanqing, “I’d also like to ask—what kind of relationship do the Inspector and I have?”

This question left Luo Wanqing bewildered. She heard Xie Heng seemingly thinking seriously, “Am I the shameful adulterer, or the male consort who comes at the Inspector’s call and leaves at her dismissal? Or perhaps none of these apply—just the Inspector’s fleeting romance, a spring night’s passion that vanishes with dawn, with no real relationship at all?”

“It’s not that extreme,” Luo Wanqing, wrapped in the blanket, looked at him with a smile, teasing, “There is a relationship. When dawn comes, you’re still my superior.”

“Just a superior?” Xie Heng bent down closer to her, his tone carrying some threat.

Luo Wanqing blinked, pretending to be naive, “What else does Young Master think it is?”

This response made Xie Heng laugh in anger. He raised his pen and lightly tapped Luo Wanqing’s forehead, “Playing dumb and acting innocent—I’ll move into your room tonight.”

“No, no, no.” Hearing this, Luo Wanqing panicked, knowing Xie Heng would do it, and hurriedly said, “I was joking. Let’s talk seriously.”

Saying this, Luo Wanqing frowned, “Li Guiyu is naturally suspicious. He’ll be suspicious today.”

“Let him be suspicious. Do you need to explain to him?”

Xie Heng’s tone was unfriendly. Luo Wanqing was about to say more when she heard Xie Heng continue, “Don’t worry, he can’t investigate Cui Heng’s identity.”

Seeing she was truly worried, Xie Heng stopped teasing her, lowered his head to write documents, and seriously explained, “Tomorrow you’ll officially return to the Supervision Department. I’ll hand over the White Tiger Division to you. The Four Chiefs were originally my guards anyway—just consider it me taking a night tour with you accompanying me. As for the wine scent on you—” Xie Heng thought, then said, “I’ll have the steward distribute wine to everyone up and down the plum garden later, treating everyone to a feast.”

Hearing the arrangement, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised, “The White Tiger Division…”

“It’s not because of today,” Xie Heng, afraid she might misunderstand, immediately clarified, “You were originally being trained as the White Tiger Division’s successor. Aunt Baili has high expectations for you. When you killed the six rates of the Eastern Palace in the Eastern Capital, your reputation was already sufficient. Your great contributions in Jiangnan and defeating Jirui Fang have made you unmatched in the department. Aunt Baili was already prepared—she would transfer the White Tiger Division to you upon your return.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing nodded seriously, “I understand.”

“Alright, stop worrying.” Xie Heng patted her, “Sleep well.”

“Oh.”

Luo Wanqing responded but didn’t move away, only resting her face against his hand, closing her eyes, and staying close to him.

Resting against his hand, Luo Wanqing felt exceptionally peaceful and began to feel sleepy.

Xie Heng felt her breathing gradually becoming steady. Writing on the document, he finally couldn’t help but say, “Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing responded absently.

Xie Heng wrote on the memorial word by word, saying softly, “It’s not only he who would risk his life for you.”

Xie Heng could too.

However, Luo Wanqing could no longer understand clearly.

Xie Heng knew this too. He finished the last stroke on the document, lifted his pen, and turned to look at the person leaning against his hand.

The sleeping Luo Wanqing looked completely unguarded, lying on the small couch like a quiet cat.

He watched for a long time before chuckling softly and pulling up the blanket for her.

Why worry about all this mess? Wasn’t it enough that she stayed well by his side?

He was always too greedy—having one part, he wanted ten parts.

Originally, he only wanted to be with her, but now he wanted to be with her openly and honorably.

He wanted everyone to know, everyone to approve, to receive everyone’s blessings, to shut out others’ prying eyes.

Even more, if possible, if following his nature, he even wanted to lock her up, keep her by his side, let her see only him, hear only his voice, belong only to him.

But thinking of how painful that would be for her, even this thought became detestable.

He didn’t care at all what Li Guiyu might do to him.

He had never feared competing with others, much less gambling with his life. If he could secure a place by her side, what was there to fear from Li Guiyu?

He was only worried about her situation, which had become his weakness.

Originally, he didn’t think it was anything, but realizing so clearly that she had never had the impulse to let anyone know about their relationship, he felt somewhat bitter.

He seemed to somewhat understand Luo Wanqing’s state of mind when she learned she’d been deceived. Everything had its reasons, but when emotions lost their impulsiveness, one couldn’t help but doubt their sincerity.

In the past, Luo Wanqing wouldn’t have treated Cui Guanlan this way.

She was never so rational with Cui Guanlan, never constantly analyzing pros and cons, never thinking Cui Guanlan should be calm and restrained.

She loved Cui Guanlan’s complete devotion. When Cui Guanlan showed his calculating side, she would be sad and upset. But now, facing Xie Heng, she seemed indifferent to these things.

Why was she indifferent?

Was it because she had grown up and become sensible, or because…

Her feelings for Xie Heng were just a continuation of her feelings for Cui Guanlan?

In her heart, were Cui Heng and Xie Heng truly the same person with no difference?

The more Xie Heng thought, the more he dwelt on it. When he realized it, he felt his thoughts were absurd.

Liu Xiniang’s existence was something he had forced into being. Meeting her was lucky, and everything else was a gift—why should he demand so much more?

He reached out to touch Luo Wanqing’s hair, feeling this person’s warm and real presence, and pushed down those thoughts.

Thinking about it, he found it boring. Seeing the lamplight falling on her face making her sleep unsteadily, he moved the lamp to his side where he used the pen, blocked the light with his shadow, used one hand to review documents while the other hand rested on her shoulder, covering the areas not covered by the blanket with his sleeve, embracing her as he continued reviewing documents, not wanting to let go even a bit.

Luo Wanqing slept for a long time. When she woke, the sky was already bright, and she was lying on the bed in the Supervision Department, startling her into sitting up with a jolt.

She looked around and found herself in her bedroom. After thinking for a while, she heard footsteps at the door.

Zhusi entered carrying food, and seeing Luo Wanqing, couldn’t help but smile, “Inspector, you’re awake?”

Luo Wanqing came to her senses, looked around, and couldn’t help asking, “How did I get back?”

“Young Master brought you back.”

Zhusi explained, “Today, after Young Master finished morning court, I don’t know when he returned. When I saw him, he told me to prepare breakfast for the Inspector. I just finished preparing it.” Zhusi set the food on the table with a smile. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen the Inspector. How have you been?”

“It has been a long time.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing smiled.

She sat up cross-legged, smelling the calming incense on herself, realizing she must have been given calming incense after falling asleep, which was why she slept so soundly.

As she was about to ask Zhusi about Jiqing’s situation, she heard Zhusi say, “Oh, Inspector, the person you brought back yesterday has been making a fuss wanting to see you. He said if you don’t come within half an hour, he’ll commit suicide.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “Sour and bitter yet sweet—at my age, I’m finally experiencing the taste of first love.”