◎I’m Very Happy That I’m Going to Marry You◎

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing understood what had happened and realized that Li Zong probably hadn’t told Xie Heng about the plan to assassinate Zheng Pingsheng, just as she had suggested.

She lowered her eyes and let Xie Heng lead her while probing: “What matter does His Majesty want you to handle?”

“Guess?”

Xie Heng leaned closer to her.

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him and directly stated her guess: “Zheng Pingsheng?”

Xie Heng didn’t answer. The two reached the dungeon entrance, and Xie Heng released Luo Wanqing’s hand, his expression turning cold: “Open the door.”

The dungeon gate opened. Luo Wanqing followed behind Xie Heng as they walked out. A jailer respectfully presented Xiling, which Luo Wanqing sheathed at her waist, before following Xie Heng outside.

Walking one behind the other, everyone couldn’t help but steal glances at them. Xie Heng and Li Guiyu’s fight had been too conspicuous, and news had already spread throughout the palace. Many people wanted to see what the woman who had caused Xie Heng and Li Guiyu to fight looked like.

They secretly observed the pair – Xie Heng’s expression was as cold as always, while Luo Wanqing appeared extraordinarily calm. Between them, there was no visible intimacy, yet there seemed to be an inexplicable understanding surrounding them both.

The two walked from the dungeon through the palace to the plaza, where Zhuque and Qingya approached. Seeing Luo Wanqing, Zhuque said happily: “Liu…”

As soon as he started speaking, Zhuque realized his mistake and quickly corrected himself: “Inspector Luo.”

Luo Wanqing nodded in greeting: “Envoy Zhuque, Envoy Qinglong.”

“Now that Inspector Luo has safely emerged, it’s quite a triumphant return,” Qingya said as if he understood everything, bowing respectfully. “Congratulations.”

“Let’s go back.”

Xie Heng spoke, leading the three back to the Supervision Department.

When the three returned to headquarters, as soon as Luo Wanqing entered, she found all the people from her Baihu Division standing at the entrance waiting. But with Xie Heng in front, no one dared approach. Luo Wanqing glanced at them and smiled: “Everything’s fine. Wait for me to wash up, then I’ll come find you all at the Baihu Division.”

Everyone felt relieved hearing this.

Luo Wanqing followed Xie Heng up the mountain, first taking a bath, then going to the Baihu Division to see her subordinates.

The Fang brothers had long been waiting with everyone in the Baihu Division’s council hall. When Luo Wanqing pushed open the door, Fang Yuan immediately stood up, excitedly spreading his arms: “Director Liu!!”

“Stop, stop, stop,” Luo Wanqing raised her hand to block him with her scabbard, looking somewhat disgusted. “I just bathed.”

Fang Yuan didn’t understand: “What’s wrong with that?”

“You haven’t bathed in several days.” Fang Zhi immediately explained from the side. “You smell too strong – the Director finds you disgusting.”

Fang Yuan’s face stiffened, then he awkwardly withdrew his hands, hurriedly defending himself: “Wasn’t I carrying out missions for the Director? Not bathing shows my dedication – not like you, still bathing while protecting Master Zhang!”

“You don’t bathe because you don’t like bathing,” Fang Zhi immediately retorted. “You don’t bathe even when not on missions.”

“You…”

“Alright, alright,” Fang Shun quickly intervened. “If you want to argue, do it at home. The Director is here.”

Saying this, Fang Shun glanced at Luo Wanqing and asked carefully: “Director, should we call you Director Liu or Director Luo from now on?”

Luo Wanqing was stumped by this question. After hesitating for a moment, she smiled and said softly, “Director Liu is fine. Everyone’s used to it, and I’m used to hearing it too.”

Luo Wanqing sat down and glanced around. These people had all followed her since the case of the Eastern Palace Six Rates and had later transferred to the Supervision Department. Cui Ziran, Sun Shangquan… dozens of people packed the room, looking at her with complex expressions. She thought for a moment and chuckled: “Sorry for worrying everyone.”

This caused an immediate uproar in the hall.

“Wasn’t it just!” Sun Shangquan said mockingly. “If the Director hadn’t said anything, we wouldn’t have known the Director was a hero who dared to switch with death row prisoners. This capital crime had our entire Baihu Division sleepless all night. Inspector Cui was calculating daily how likely a prison break would succeed. If I hadn’t held him back, who knows where Inspector Cui’s head would be now?”

“How are you any better?” Cui Ziran glared at him. “Thinking of digging tunnels – how much calmer were you?”

“Forget it, let’s not argue. When it comes to being calm, cool-headed, and clever, it has to be our boss up there, actually thinking to use a marriage proposal to fish Director Liu out. Kneel in the palace for a bit, hey,” Fang Yuan said, unable to suppress his laughter as he patted Luo Wanqing’s shoulder, “and out she comes!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing raised an eyebrow, fingering her teacup as she probed: “You all think Young Master requested marriage just to save me?”

“What else?”

Fang Shun looked puzzled. Everyone turned to look, and Fang Yuan became excited: “Isn’t that it?!”

“Ahem,” Luo Wanqing cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment: “I suppose I’d prefer it not to be. But I just find it strange… why don’t you all consider this possibility?”

Luo Wanqing looked at everyone puzzledly: “I… think I’m quite attractive…”

“Women aren’t just about looks.” Sun Shangquan was filing his nails and couldn’t help saying: “You also have to consider temperament. You chop off heads left and right – people are scared stiff. Seeing you, they can only think of severed heads.”

“Mainly… Young Master does come from a great noble family.”

Cui Ziran pondered: “Director Liu is certainly wonderful, but… I always felt Young Master would prefer a lady from an established family.”

Luo Wanqing understood – they wanted a match of equal social standing.

For a moment, she felt something indescribable – a bit sour, a bit disappointed.

But thinking about it, she decided this was fine too, just smiling and nodding: “Indeed, this time Young Master made a big sacrifice to save me.”

“But it doesn’t matter.” Sun Shangquan looked up at Luo Wanqing. Though his words seemed disparaging, they carried a hint of protection: “Anyway, with his monk-like appearance, he probably won’t marry in this lifetime. Having a chance to be united with Director Liu could be considered fate.”

“Yes, yes,” Fang Yuan immediately said, “Our boss is beautiful and can fight – Young Master’s not losing out.”

“Even if he loses out, our Baihu Division gains,” Fang Zhi said matter-of-factly. “Don’t let good fortune flow to outsiders.”

“Boss,” Fang Shun smiled, raising his tea cup to toast Luo Wanqing, “remember to use pillow talk to our advantage.”

Everyone laughed at this, and Luo Wanqing joined in: “I’ll try my best, if…”

She said meaningfully: “If I get the chance.”

This made everyone laugh even louder.

After joking around for a while, they had Luo Wanqing tell them how she had switched identities and made it to today. Everyone listened with amazement, chatting until nightfall. Everyone reported on the Baihu Division’s activities during this time. After everyone left, Sun Shangquan stayed behind with a pile of documents: “We’ve investigated Sizhou thoroughly. To build His Majesty’s garden, Sizhou’s tax rate has reached eighty percent.”

“Eighty percent…” Luo Wanqing frowned. “Can the common people still survive?”

“So what if they die?” Sun Shangquan said mockingly. “At least they’re not dying in Eastern Capital, where anyone can see. But why are you investigating this?”

Luo Wanqing looked down at the documents and said calmly: “Feel like something should be done about it.”

Sun Shangquan paused, then muttered: “How many lives do you have to spare for management? Fine, I’ll continue investigating.”

With that, Sun Shangquan left.

Luo Wanqing looked at the documents for a while, then returned to the mountain.

Light rain fell at night, pattering softly. Luo Wanqing held an umbrella as she climbed the mountain. Returning to her room, she saw candlelight glowing inside – a solitary light in the rainy mountain forest that unconsciously softened her heart.

She closed her umbrella on the covered walkway, set it aside, and entered the room to find Xie Heng sitting at his desk reviewing documents. Seeing her enter, he glanced at her and said coolly: “You’re back?”

Luo Wanqing immediately noticed the bruises and cuts on his face, which seemed deeper than when she’d seen him in the afternoon, untreated.

Luo Wanqing frowned slightly: “Why didn’t you apply medicine to your wounds?”

“No one remembered, so naturally I didn’t.”

Xie Heng’s words carried implication. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help laughing as she walked to him and bent slightly: “What are you sulking about?”

Xie Heng glanced at her sideways, initially intending to continue his official coldness, but thinking it over, he realized he’d be the one losing out. So he simply pulled her into his arms.

Luo Wanqing let herself fall into his embrace, smiling at him: “What are you doing?”

“Haven’t seen you for days, and you’re so busy when you return?”

Xie Heng asked as if interrogating, quite seriously. Luo Wanqing lay back in his arms: “You’re upset about this? I have many things to handle too.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. After thinking, he sighed and hugged her closer, burying his face in her embrace. After a long while, he said sullenly: “You don’t even miss me.”

Luo Wanqing laughed quietly without speaking. After thinking, she touched his wound, examined it briefly, then said: “Let me apply medicine for you. Otherwise, you’ll look terrible at court tomorrow.”

“Let them see.”

Xie Heng said muffledly: “Let them see how deeply in love I am with you.”

“They won’t think you’re deeply in love – they’ll just think Li Guiyu beat you up.”

Luo Wanqing pushed him away and went to find medicine. Xie Heng glanced at her and reminded, “His face doesn’t look good either.”

“You’re both grown men.”

Luo Wanqing returned with a medicine box and sat in front of Xie Heng. She had him rest against her legs, first applying bruise-healing medicine to the discolored areas and gently massaging them.

Xie Heng idly played with the tassels hanging from her chest, listening as Luo Wanqing asked: “What did His Majesty tell you? Why did he just release me like that?”

“I told him I was deeply in love with you and would marry no one but you. I’ve done so much dirty work for him – asking for a wife isn’t too much, is it?”

Xie Heng answered carelessly. Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, her massaging motions becoming heavier: “Tell the truth.”

“Fine,” Xie Heng knew he couldn’t hide it and sighed: “His Majesty wants me to assist you in killing Zheng Pingsheng, but he’s afraid Li Guiyu will keep pestering you, so he’s having me use marriage as an excuse to bring you back from the heavenly prison.”

What Xie Heng said was no different from what she had discussed with Li Zong, but she still felt uneasy and probed: “And then? Didn’t Young Master say I couldn’t act personally?”

“You can’t act personally, so I never planned to have you do it.” Xie Heng played with the swaying tassels, feeling Luo Wanqing apply cool ointment to his face as he said carelessly, “I’ll help you kill him. In the chaos, if you didn’t have time to act and someone else did, what of it?”

Listening, Luo Wanqing’s voice dropped: “Who is this ‘someone else’?”

Xie Heng looked up at her. Luo Wanqing smiled without smiling: “Surely not, Young Master?”

“What if it is me?”

Xie Heng was curious. Luo Wanqing looked at him quietly, thought for a moment, then said: “Young Master, in my dream of the previous life…”

“I don’t believe in such things.”

Xie Heng interrupted her, smiling: “I only believe in human effort. You’ve been more than fair and reasonable, yet they still bully you like this…” Xie Heng’s tone became more serious. “What’s wrong with killing him?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t find words. She knew Xie Heng had never feared public opinion, and she understood that in the current situation, Xie Heng truly didn’t understand why she was walking toward a dead end.

The Northern Four Armies were his people, the Qin and Xie families were his pillars, the Supervision Department had nearly eighty thousand elite troops, and Li Shengzhao was alive. If he wanted to rebel, he could imprison Li Zong in Li Shengzhao’s name, justified, with soldiers and provisions. As long as he didn’t want to die, who could force him to death?

Luo Wanqing remained silent. Xie Heng half-raised himself and reminded her seriously: “Xiniang, you lost. You must accept it. We didn’t fail to give other options for this path.”

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing took a deep breath, then asked: “So… how does Young Master plan to arrange things?”

This time, it was Xie Heng who didn’t speak. He hesitated for a moment, then said slowly: “I’ve also had people watching Zheng Pingsheng lately, but he stays secluded, and Zheng Bikui never leaves his side. Finding an opportunity to act won’t be easy.”

“So what does Young Master think?”

“There are two choices,” Xie Heng looked up at her seriously: “Act on our wedding day, or wait for movement from the northwest and then seek an opportunity.”

“Young Master wants me to choose?”

Luo Wanqing understood. Xie Heng nodded: “You choose.”

“Then,” Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng, “let’s wait for another opportunity.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng was somewhat surprised: “I thought you’d feel the sooner the better.”

“I did think that,” Luo Wanqing smiled, then said somewhat embarrassedly: “But… last time, when we didn’t make it to Tingfeng Tower, I imagine you were quite disappointed.”

Xie Heng gazed at her quietly, his eyes like a lake with stones thrown in, ripples spreading in circles.

After a long time, his voice softened, and he said tenderly, “Alright.”

“We have half a month to prepare for this wedding,” Luo Wanqing mused, as if planning their future. “We still have time to arrange things properly. If you’re too busy, I’d like to personally arrange the wedding banquet. What do you think?”

“Wonderful,” Xie Heng smiled, reaching around her waist and saying softly, “I’ll follow all your arrangements.”

“Then…”

Luo Wanqing looked up seriously: “You’re not allowed to sleep here before the wedding.”

Xie Heng raised an eyebrow, then thought that in formal wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom indeed shouldn’t meet.

They couldn’t avoid meeting completely, but separating at night seemed like the only consolation.

Though Xie Heng felt regret, he still nodded helplessly: “Fine, then I can’t stay overnight…”

Xie Heng looked up. Though he didn’t say it, Luo Wanqing already understood his meaning. She turned away and said softly: “Occasionally staying for half an hour… wouldn’t be improper.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng chuckled and finally said: “Then please use this half hour to help me apply medicine, Inspector.”

Luo Wanqing was startled and turned back to see Xie Heng saying seriously: “I crashed into a stone pillar today. Inspector should check whether my bones are broken.”

Xie Heng made it sound serious. Luo Wanqing quickly came forward to examine his injuries.

Today’s fight had indeed left wounds all over his body. Luo Wanqing applied ointment to each one. Initially, he could still joke around, but later he stopped talking.

Only after Luo Wanqing had finished applying all the medicine did he put on his clothes and say hoarsely: “Alright, I’m going back.”

Seeing he had no intention of staying, Luo Wanqing found herself somewhat concerned. She suddenly wanted him to stay, but couldn’t bring herself to ask.

She just nodded quietly and said softly: “See you tomorrow then.”

Xie Heng didn’t dare linger. He responded and stood up, pulling his clothes together before walking out.

Luo Wanqing watched him leave the room and remained kneeling in place, feeling as if his presence still filled the room. After a long while, she finally stood up, raised her hand to extinguish the lamp, and then went out to close the door.

But just as the door was about to close, a hand suddenly blocked it. In Luo Wanqing’s moment of bewilderment, the door was suddenly pushed open. Xie Heng grasped her chin and pressed down in a kiss, pushing her into the darkness of the room.

Instantly, the entire room was filled with his presence. He pressed her against the window, and Luo Wanqing listened to the pattering rain outside while Xie Heng gasped and repeatedly invaded her mouth.

But that was all – he went no further.

He struggled anxiously to calm himself, but only made his breathing more chaotic. Finally realizing it was useless, he left, gasping heavily.

Only their continuous breathing filled the room. Xie Heng pressed against her and said hoarsely: “I intended to leave, but couldn’t help coming back.”

“Want to stay?”

Luo Wanqing gripped his chest clothing tightly, asking about his intentions.

But Xie Heng just chuckled and said, “I won’t stay.”

Xie Heng lowered his head, his forehead gently touching hers, and said tenderly: “Qingqing, I can’t give you a complete wedding ceremony, but… I want to give you as much as possible.”

Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled. Xie Heng held her hand.

“Qingqing.”

He spoke with particular seriousness: “I’m very happy that I’m going to marry you.”

“I am,” Xie Heng said, feeling for the first time in his life that his words were so inadequate, only able to emphasize simply: “especially, especially happy.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng was lying in Luo Wanqing’s arms, staring at the tassel decoration on her chest, flick, flick, flick, flicking the tassel.

Luo Wanqing: “My husband is so childlike.”

Xie Heng: “This neckline is high.”