◎Serving the Director—this lowly official’s honor◎

Luo Wanqing paused, knowing that Xie Heng was truly angry at this moment.

She spoke somewhat helplessly: “Young Master needn’t mock me. Please enter the carriage first, and I’ll explain to you.”

“The Director’s actions naturally have their reasons—no need for explanation,” Xie Heng pulled his sleeve from Luo Wanqing’s grasp and adjusted his clothes, saying firmly yet politely, “Men and women should maintain proper distance. I shall find another carriage.”

“I have important business!” Luo Wanqing grabbed him, knowing that without finding a reason, Xie Heng probably wouldn’t board the carriage. She hurriedly said, “Please, Young Master, let us discuss matters.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned to look at her, examining her for a moment before emphasizing: “Only business matters.”

After speaking, he bent down and entered the carriage.

Seeing him enter, Luo Wanqing sat across from him at the table. Zhuque didn’t dare enter and sat with the coachman outside the carriage.

After both were seated, the carriage began moving. The two remained silent. Xie Heng thought for a moment, opened the chess box beside him, and spoke first: “Didn’t Director Luo say she had important business to discuss?”

Listening to him speak, Luo Wanqing secretly glanced at him, seeing his brows filled with coldness. Knowing that speaking of other matters now would likely hit a wall, she decided to ease into it first.

Seeing Xie Heng take chess pieces, she also took white stones, playing moves with him back and forth while carefully saying: “What did Young Master just discuss with His Majesty?”

“His Majesty asked me to assist the Director. Please consider giving me some position so I can conveniently serve the Director.”

Luo Wanqing knew he hadn’t told the whole story and analyzed the implications herself.

Li Zong having Xie Heng assist her actually meant having Xie Heng do the work. The Supervision Department was full of Xie Heng’s people, as was the army. She was merely a puppet holding the empty title of Director, with Xie Heng doing the work—wasn’t this equivalent to having Xie Heng secretly control everything?

When the time came, Xie Heng would do the work while she took the blame—truly perfect.

She nodded, placed a chess piece, and pressed further: “Then what position does Young Master think would be suitable?”

“Whatever the Director decides.” Xie Heng’s tone was indifferent, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.

Luo Wanqing glanced at him, pretending not to hear the distance in his words, continuing to place pieces: “Then you shall temporarily serve as Deputy Director. When handling affairs outside, just say everything comes from my orders.”

“Yes.”

“This time, His Majesty ordered three armies from the Northern Four Armies to campaign, with the sixteen guards of the Southern Office accompanying them. The sixteen guards mostly come from aristocratic families—following us would be inappropriate.” Having clarified Li Zong’s arrangements for Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing spoke of the Sizhou campaign. “I want to leave them in Dongdu and only take the Northern Three Armies out.”

“To facilitate their control of Dongdu?”

Xie Heng inquired. Luo Wanqing’s move came slightly late. After thinking, she changed positions and placed her piece: “Why do you say this?”

“After the Northern Four Armies absorbed the Six Rates Army, they expanded to eighty thousand men, twenty thousand per army, stationed in Dongdu. The sixteen guards are distributed nationwide for garrison duty, with only twenty thousand men transferred to Dongdu. Now His Majesty has given you sixty thousand men, leaving only twenty thousand garrison troops. If the sixteen guards rebel, what would His Majesty do?”

As Xie Heng spoke, Luo Wanqing knew Li Zong would never agree to this plan. She considered: “Then find somewhere along the route to… release them?”

The term “release” made Xie Heng want to laugh, but thinking of her actions, he suppressed his amusement and said flatly: “No need. Aristocratic family children are mostly officers, while soldiers are mostly common people. These twenty thousand were already transferred from the sixteen guards and aren’t familiar with each other. Better to reorganize the Northern Three Armies, integrate these twenty thousand into different units, and then control those officers from aristocratic families. Once we leave Dongdu, it won’t take long before they become your people.”

Hearing his words gradually relaxed their guard. Luo Wanqing nodded and continued: “Understood. With only three days until departure, can the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works confirm they can arrange military supplies and provisions?”

“Half a month’s worth isn’t a problem.” Xie Heng responded, “Military supplies always maintain reserve stockpiles. More than that would require finding solutions.”

“That’s good.”

Luo Wanqing felt relieved. Having nothing more to ask and with Xie Heng remaining silent, Luo Wanqing looked at the gradually forming game on the board. After thinking for a long time, she finally said: “Does Young Master have anything else he wants to ask?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng glanced at her, then lowered his head, only saying: “Are your business matters finished?”

Luo Wanqing hesitantly nodded, looking down at the chessboard. She didn’t dare look at him, mustering courage to carefully say: “I know Young Master harbors resentment now, but my heart has always been with you. If you have any doubts, you can ask me. We two…”

“Have some water.”

Xie Heng poured tea with one hand, directly interrupting her, passing the cup over.

Luo Wanqing looked at the teacup offered before her, momentarily unable to fathom Xie Heng’s meaning. But she didn’t dare refuse the tea—after all, what if Xie Heng was showing goodwill?

She took the tea, drinking while absent-mindedly sipping the water. Just as she was about to continue explaining, she suddenly realized the water tasted wrong!

Luo Wanqing looked up in shock. Xie Heng wasn’t looking at her, holding his tea and taking a sip.

“You…”

Before Luo Wanqing could finish speaking, she felt the world spinning. Her whole body couldn’t control itself as she lunged forward. Xie Heng’s hands were quick and steady, reaching out to support her face that nearly crashed into the chessboard.

“Asking won’t get honest answers,” Xie Heng turned to look at that cold, stoic face cradled in his palm, placing his hand on her pulse. “What’s the point of wasting breath?”

The sedative Xie Heng gave Luo Wanqing wasn’t a large dose, but it was potent. When Luo Wanqing woke from her sleep, it was already past noon.

She bolted upright from the bed, breathing heavily as she looked around, instinctively saying: “Xie…”

As the words began, she realized this was no longer the carriage but her room. The room was empty, with doors and windows wide open, filled with documents that created quite a spectacular sight.

Her clothes had been changed, wounds had been bandaged and treated, and a simple circulation of internal energy revealed obvious guidance and regulation—she had probably even taken some medicine. Compared to before fainting, her whole condition was much better.

What was this about?

Why had Xie Heng drugged her unconscious?

Luo Wanqing was somewhat bewildered. Before she could react, she heard footsteps outside. Looking up, she saw Zhusi entering with food and medicine.

“Oh,” seeing Luo Wanqing awake, Zhusi smiled: “Director, you’re awake.”

“Where is Young Master?” Luo Wanqing immediately asked.

Zhusi brought the food and medicine to Luo Wanqing, explaining: “Young Master went to the Ministry of Works to inspect weapons. When he left, people from the palace came to deliver your Director’s official robes. Young Master placed them on the table along with the Director’s seal. He said once you wake, you can put on the official robes and go with Zhuque Envoy to the Northern Four Armies camp in the city outskirts to meet General Zhou Shan, familiarize yourself with the officers, and prepare for reorganization when troops are mustered three days hence. Tomorrow, the Supervision Department will arrange for all Inspectors to pay respects to the Director, announcing the succession.”

Listening, Luo Wanqing realized that though Xie Heng wasn’t present, he had arranged everything properly.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, unsure whether to be angry about the drugging or grateful for his clear distinction between public and private matters, having handled everything meticulously without making things difficult for her.

But with time pressing, she had no time to think further and immediately got up: “I’ll eat quickly, then go with Zhuque Envoy to see General Zhou.”

“Oh, and also.”

Zhusi suddenly remembered something and hurried to say, “Young Master also said some things in the Supervision Department are his private property. Now that you’re the Director, some accounts need settling. He wants you to remember to find him when you return tonight.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was stunned. When she realized what Zhusi meant, she laughed in exasperation and helplessness.

Finally, she could only wave her hand: “I understand.”

Zhou Shan was Xie Heng’s man. Though Xie Heng hadn’t said much openly, when Luo Wanqing arrived, Zhou Shan had already arranged everything properly.

Luo Wanqing familiarized herself with the Northern Four Armies’ situation, meeting everyone once.

Zhou Shan secretly briefed her on each person’s background and character, giving Luo Wanqing a clear picture.

She was now famous in Dongdu. When touring the military camp, many soldiers secretly observed and whispered among themselves.

Luo Wanqing glanced at them without comment, only discussing with Zhou Shan the matter of integrating the sixteen guards. Zhou Shan nodded—this wasn’t a small matter, but wasn’t complicated either: “Tomorrow this general will organize the reorganization plan and unit lists, submitting them to the Supervisor the day after.”

Luo Wanqing was quite grateful, bowing: “Thank you, General Zhou.”

“No matter. Young Master judges cases fairly, and saved my life from the aristocratic family children. I respect Young Master, the Supervision Department, and the Director.”

“Respect me?”

Luo Wanqing found this strange. Zhou Shan smiled: “Most in the camp have heard about the Director’s affairs. We’re all from poor families—being able to follow a Director willing to seek justice for the Qin family, force trials of the Eastern Palace Six Rates for the people, and kill Zheng Pingsheng for family vengeance—we’re very pleased. If there were more people like Director Luo in this world willing to oppose powerful authorities, our lives would be much easier.”

“Young Master is also such a person.” Luo Wanqing immediately responded.

Zhou Shan smiled: “I naturally know this. But when speaking of the Director, you immediately mention Young Master—you truly care deeply for him.”

“It’s not really about caring or not,” Luo Wanqing’s expression carried some helplessness as she said gently, “I just believe everyone in this world should have their justice. I hope Young Master has his too.”

Zhou Shan didn’t quite understand. Luo Wanqing looked up at him: “He’s a very good person. I wish the whole world knew this.”

Hearing this, though Zhou Shan didn’t entirely understand, he still said: “May the Director’s wishes come true.”

With that, Zhou Shan escorted Luo Wanqing away. When Luo Wanqing returned to the mountain alone, night had fallen. Walking up the steps, she saw lights still on in Xie Heng’s small courtyard.

The courtyard and room doors were wide open, but Xie Heng was nowhere to be seen—only bright lights, as if waiting for someone’s return.

Luo Wanqing hesitated a moment. After thinking, she turned to head back to her small quarters.

But just as she took a step, she heard Xie Heng say: “Why not come in? Afraid I’ll demand payment?”

Luo Wanqing startled, realizing Xie Heng was inside. She hesitated briefly, then finally steeled herself to turn back and enter the courtyard.

Xie Heng was sitting, reading documents from the northwest. Looking up, he saw the woman in black robes with a golden crown approaching from outside.

These clothes weren’t particularly refined, obviously hastily made, but the workmanship was excellent and quite dignified.

Black silk base with scattered golden flowers embroidered on the fabric, wide sleeves, and narrow waist, making her appear noble with a woman’s unique beauty.

His gaze swept quickly from her waist, not daring to look longer. He lowered his head to the documents in hand, saying flatly: “Sit.”

Luo Wanqing nervously sat across from Xie Heng.

During these days away, Xie Heng’s room seemed to have changed considerably.

Curtains had been hung in the bedroom, hiding the bed behind them, and all surrounding documents had been moved out, leaving the entire room quite empty.

Then she heard the “clatter” of an abacus. Luo Wanqing refocused and turned back to see Xie Heng producing what seemed like a long-prepared golden abacus, pulling out an account book from beside him and handing it to Luo Wanqing. He also took paper and brush, beginning to calculate accounts: “The Supervision Department was established entirely by me. Though the process mainly relied on court funding, many assets still came from my private property. During the handover, I need to clarify these with Director Luo.”

As he spoke, Luo Wanqing opened the accounts and looked at the staggering numbers inside, listening to Xie Heng analyze the accounts in her hands: “The Supervision Department nominally owns thirty-nine thousand commercial shops annually—thirteen thousand are my private property. Twenty thousand acres of farmland, with thirteen thousand acres of my private property, scattered throughout the nation. Account balance of one hundred twenty-seven thousand three hundred taels of silver—I won’t split that money.”

Luo Wanqing listened dumbfounded—she had never seen so much money in her life.

Xie Heng glanced at her and continued: “The main properties in Dongdu are these one hundred thirty-nine shops, but the Supervision Department’s location is on my private land. So Director Luo now has two choices: first, pay me one hundred thousand taels of silver annually in rent at market price, or second, relocate to a new site. What does Director Luo think?”

Luo Wanqing listened in silence.

Xie Heng reminded her, “I’m not making things difficult for you. This is already one-third of the market price. You can’t afford to buy it, so will you rent or relocate? Give me a straight answer, Director Luo.”

Luo Wanqing remained silent for a long time, mumbling something.

Xie Heng looked up at her, seeing Luo Wanqing quickly stand up and say quietly, “I’m going to bathe.”

Xie Heng was stunned. Before he could react, Luo Wanqing had already rushed toward the small pool behind the courtyard.

By the time Xie Heng realized what she intended, he could already hear Luo Wanqing undressing. For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to call her out.

Luo Wanqing’s heart was pounding. She had some money in the past, but had never seen such amounts. Now Xie Heng was casually asking for one hundred thousand taels annually—she didn’t dare speak up.

She adopted a delaying tactic, soaking in the pool repeatedly. When her mood finally calmed, she decided to get up, only to discover she had rushed in too hastily and brought no change of clothes.

After hesitating briefly, she tentatively called: “Young Master, could you bring me some clothes?”

As soon as these words left her mouth, Xie Heng said, “Men and women should not exchange intimate items. Director Luo should maintain propriety.”

Luo Wanqing was speechless. After much hesitation, that word “husband” still wouldn’t come out. She could only put on her outer official robes, tie the sash, and walk out.

Hearing her emerge, Xie Heng continued calculating: “Besides rent, the Supervision Department’s weapons development department has my investment…”

Speaking, Xie Heng instinctively looked up. The moment he saw Luo Wanqing, his voice stopped.

Luo Wanqing emerged, towel drying her hair. Seeing Xie Heng quietly watching her without speaking, she asked somewhat puzzled: “Young Master?”

Xie Heng came to his senses, averted his gaze, turned to look at the abacus, and momentarily forgot what he had been calculating. Finally, he spun the abacus in his hands, reset it, and started over from the beginning.

Luo Wanqing listened to the abacus clattering furiously in the room as she sat down, watching Xie Heng operate it as if it might explode at any moment.

After watching for a long time, she carefully said: “Young Master, stop calculating.”

“Must calculate clearly…”

“I won’t pay this money.”

Xie Heng’s movements paused. He raised his eyes to look at the woman across from him.

Luo Wanqing wore only her official robes, which were damp and clinging to her body. She looked at him seriously: “You know why I became the Director. Why must you be angry with me?”

“I don’t know.”

Xie Heng came to his senses, immediately averting his gaze from her, picking up his teacup for a sip: “Director Luo’s thoughts are as deep as the ocean—how could I know what you’re thinking? Perhaps from when you tricked me into betting against the Zheng clan, you were already scheming for my position.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t deny it. Xie Heng drank his tea but felt his inner fire wouldn’t subside.

The person before him sat quietly. After a long time, Xie Heng finally spoke: “I can’t understand.”

Luo Wanqing raised her eyes. Xie Heng looked at her: “If you wanted the Supervision Department, you could have told me. If you only wanted to change my fate and clear my name, you could have left after killing Zheng Pingsheng that day. Why come back to be this Director?”

“Two reasons,” seeing him ask about serious matters, Luo Wanqing spoke earnestly. “First, I want to give you another way out. With me as Director, I’m your puppet. The Supervision Department is still yours, the army still under your command—only the orders come from my mouth. In the future, should anything unexpected happen, I can share your burdens.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned away somewhat angrily: “You never trust me.”

“I just want to be more careful.”

Luo Wanqing said calmly, “Young Master, I once tried very hard to change Jiuran’s fate. I thought I was close to succeeding, but in the end, she still walked the path she was meant to take. From the moment I learned you were Xie Heng, I kept having dreams—dreams of standing before announcements of your death, dreams of heavy snow falling in Lingnan in June.”

Xie Heng’s fingertips trembled as he insisted: “I told you, I decide my fate.”

“Is what you say necessarily true?” Luo Wanqing stared at him. “Have you never lied to me?”

Xie Heng froze. Luo Wanqing looked at the young man before her, leaning forward to touch his face with her hand, saying earnestly: “I cannot tolerate any possibility of harm coming to you. If you won’t be in danger, then I definitely won’t be in danger in this position. If you are in danger, then in this position, I can still give you the greatest opportunity. If you deceive me,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “you should know that you’re tied to more than one person now. All your decrees now come from my mouth. If you’re finished, I’m finished. I can’t escape.”

Xie Heng said nothing. He suddenly understood that the person before him had grown so quickly.

She had learned to hide everything in silence, buried in snow, quietly lying in ambush.

She had bitten his throat—he could no longer struggle.

Xie Heng was quiet for a long time, thinking about her word choice and pressing: “What about the second reason?”

“Second, I know you and I have many ideological differences. Young Master has a strong personality and never compromises. If I remained just Inspector Liu, I’d never have the possibility of changing your decisions.” Luo Wanqing calmly stated her reasoning. “But now, if I don’t want you to do something, it will be very difficult for you to accomplish.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng smiled: “What I want to do, no one can stop.”

Luo Wanqing listened, smiling in her eyes as she looked calmly at Xie Heng: “Shall we try?”

Her words were gentle, her pace slow, yet they carried a silent certainty and pressure, quietly and gently opposing Xie Heng.

Looking at the person before him, though she was opposing him, Xie Heng couldn’t help but feel his heartbeat quicken.

He looked at the jade-like person, drew up one leg, rested his hand on his knee, his loose clothing revealing most of his chest—quite charming indeed.

He studied Luo Wanqing, smiling: “Then what don’t you want to do?”

“Sizhou—I don’t want to fight.”

Luo Wanqing analyzed: “Once war begins, it’s the common people who suffer. Looking at all their records about Sizhou, the Zheng clan has been tyrannical locally. For tributes to Dongdu, they impose heavy taxes—the people are destitute. It’s like dry kindling that ignites at a spark. I don’t want to send troops directly.”

“You have a plan?”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing affirmed: “Young Master publicly took on the Luo family’s case and has gained a reputation among the people. Xuanshan’s novel has already spread nationwide—Sizhou is no exception. For the people of Sizhou, they now need that spark. With the Supervision Department and Young Master’s current reputation, once we reach Sizhou, we have many possibilities to take Sizhou—warfare isn’t the only option.”

Listening, Xie Heng’s mind gradually outlined all of Luo Wanqing’s plans.

Accusing Zheng Pingsheng won him reputation and gave her reason to assassinate Zheng Pingsheng.

After legitimately assassinating Zheng Pingsheng, she gained the positions of Director and Supervisor, leading troops to Sizhou, helping him obtain the Northern Four Armies, then using his reputation to incite the people of Sizhou, taking it without bloodshed.

Xie Heng chuckled softly, looking up at her: “How long have you been planning this?”

“The specific plan was conceived at Dao Sect. But if you’re asking about when I first thought of gaining power to protect you—”

Luo Wanqing smiled: “At Xueling Valley, when I turned back, I had already thought of it.”

Xie Heng’s eyelashes trembled, feeling his heart being gripped tightly.

Luo Wanqing’s eyes grew sore as she said hoarsely, “From when I learned you were Xie Heng, I resented your deception, but I was more afraid. Whether Cui Heng or Xie Heng, you’ve always been an insurmountable mountain in my heart. I’m not as clever as you, I don’t have your power, I don’t have your talent, I don’t have your martial arts, yet I must protect someone like you. So then I thought—I must stand before you. I cannot be afraid. I must move forward, stand before you.”

As Luo Wanqing spoke, tears fell like drops on Xie Heng’s heart. She struggled to control herself, but it was like ice cracking—the fissure instantly spread across the entire frozen plain. Luo Wanqing couldn’t stop, clenching her fists, continuing hoarsely: “I must be calmer than you, I must calculate more than you, I must surpass you, I must climb beyond you. Only then—”

Luo Wanqing looked up at the person across from her: “Can I protect the person I want to protect?”

“I couldn’t protect my father.”

Luo Wanqing smiled: “I couldn’t protect my friend.”

Xie Heng looked at her expression, feeling like a knife carving his heart.

“So please give me a chance,” Luo Wanqing spoke earnestly. “Let me protect my beloved once. Let me seek justice for you, give you a way to live.”

“You could have discussed it with me.”

Xie Heng lowered his eyes, saying softly: “If you had told me, I would have helped you.”

“Don’t you know?”

Luo Wanqing smiled: “At the wedding banquet, you specifically arranged for Zhuque and the others to stay near Li Zong because you guessed something would happen. You chased after me and let me go, leaving me a letter—you arranged an escape route for me. Did you not understand what I was doing?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Luo Wanqing continued: “You knew. You just thought I would kill Zheng Pingsheng, frame Li Zong, then escape. You thought everything was under your control, so you indulged me. But you didn’t expect I would cooperate with Li Zong, hiding you completely in the shadows. If you had known, you would have stopped me, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.” Xie Heng answered definitively. “Xiniang, I will try my best to accompany you, but not without principles.”

“So, Xie Lingshu,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “this is our real wager.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond. Looking at the person before him—tears in her eyes yet carrying some pride—he didn’t know why, but his heartbeat accelerated, his entire being’s blood clamoring and boiling.

He suddenly wanted to possess her, wanted to claim her—this was pure instinctual desire.

His gaze was too naked. Luo Wanqing sensed it—she felt his desirous gaze like something tangible moving around her body. She returned his stare, gazing at the disheveled young man before her, sweeping over every inch of him.

He was too beautiful, handsome without being pretty, noble as pine and bamboo. Lean but not weak, every muscle carrying obvious strength.

Her gaze ignited on his body. They knew each other too well—familiar with every position, remembering what they had done before.

The two stared quietly at each other. Luo Wanqing slowly rose, walking barefoot to Xie Heng, slightly bowing: “Young Master, do you know? I used to always look up to you, but later I gradually discovered that in our bones, we’re the same kind of people.”

“What kind of people?”

Xie Heng looked up at her. Luo Wanqing smiled softly.

“People who dislike being subordinate to others.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng didn’t speak. He only looked at her in the candlelight, wearing robes representing the supreme power of the Supervision Department. His gaze moved from the patterns on her clothes, bit by bit, to her face, his voice hoarse with a playful smile carrying some gentleness: “Director Luo.”

He reached out to grasp her robe’s corner, pulling her down bit by bit.

Luo Wanqing followed his force, slowly bending down, hearing his heartfelt praise: “You look beautiful in these robes.”

The moment his words fell, Xie Heng suddenly pulled her into his embrace, turning to press her down. Luo Wanqing sensed this and pushed his shoulder, using the momentum to roll onto the ground and reverse their positions.

Once they touched each other, all restraint vanished.

Xie Heng skillfully kissed her while she explored inside his clothing. But neither would admit defeat, pushing and fighting all the way, crashing into the bedroom behind the curtains.

The moment they crashed through the bedroom curtains, the azure gauze drapery brushed across Luo Wanqing’s face. When Xie Heng pressed her onto the bed, she realized he had kept the hundred-child canopy until this moment.

Just this moment of distraction, and her skirts were pushed to her waist. He let her keep her robes complete, breathing heavily as he kissed her, asking hoarsely: “Does it hurt?”

Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together silently, gripping the bed curtains. After a moment, Xie Heng smiled.

He leaned down to kiss her, laughing softly: “Xiniang, you missed me so much.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing grew slightly annoyed and pushed him down, switching positions.

Xie Heng casually raised his hands behind his head, looking at the woman sitting on him pressing against his chest, smiling: “Is the Director angry?”

“Xie Lingshu,” Luo Wanqing pursed her lips, “don’t celebrate too early.”

“Serving the Director—this lowly official’s honor.”

Xie Heng chuckled softly. Luo Wanqing glared at him but said nothing.

However, Xie Heng soon couldn’t laugh anymore. Her robes remained complete, her posture dignified, her skirts blooming like lotus flowers piled on his body, concealing everything visible.

Her eyes were bright with stubbornness, pursing her lips as she stared at him. Yet beneath the concealing robes lay endless passion.

This contrast amplified all sensations. Luo Wanqing stared into his eyes, leaning forward slightly: “Tell me the truth—”

Luo Wanqing said softly, “When you changed my medicine today, was it only medicine you changed?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng looked up, seeing some triumphant amusement in Luo Wanqing’s eyes. He finally couldn’t restrain himself, turning to press her down: “Indeed, only medicine.”

“What a gentleman, Young Master.”

“Took a half-hour cold bath, thought and thought, still coaxed you over tonight.”

“So you made excuses about settling accounts?”

Luo Wanqing laughed.

Xie Heng bit her ear: “And you? You saw me on the mountain, knew you’d have to come settle accounts tonight, yet still ran?”

Luo Wanqing hadn’t expected Xie Heng to be so perceptive and couldn’t help but blush. Xie Heng laughed quietly, not sparing her dignity: “Wanted to wash up before coming over?”

“Just got a bit sweaty…”

Luo Wanqing hurriedly tried to cover up. Xie Heng buried his face in her neck, laughing softly.

The two exposed each other’s embarrassments, playing for most of the night.

At the final moment, Xie Heng covered her soft crying, breathing heavily: “There’s something I don’t know if you know.”

Luo Wanqing’s mind was in complete chaos, unable to hear clearly.

Xie Heng moved closer to her, smiling: “Didn’t you want to sever ties with me? Didn’t you want to bear both our sins alone? I’m telling you—impossible.”

Luo Wanqing looked up with misty eyes as Xie Heng smiled triumphantly: “I used the death-exemption token to exchange for your life before the court officials.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was so shocked she suddenly became alert, instinctively trying to turn back, but Xie Heng pressed her down.

At the most intense moment, Xie Heng looked down at her: “Don’t even think about separating from me, Xiniang. We go together.”

He leaned down to kiss her: “My Director,” he breathed intensely, “yellow springs and white bones—you and I travel the same path.”

When it ended, Luo Wanqing heard the night watch being called.

Supporting herself on the ground with her hands, calming her breathing, she closed her eyes, saying somewhat wearily: “Young Master, you lost.”

“Xiniang,” Xie Heng smiled bitterly, gathering her into his arms, chest against her smooth back, lowering his head to bite her spine. “Actually, with you, I’ve never won.”

“But I’m willing.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Luo Wanqing: “Xie Lingshu, we’re the same kind of people.”

Xie Heng: “What kind of people?”

Luo Wanqing: “People who refuse to be subordinate to others.”

Xie Heng: “Mm, then you might not understand me very well.”

Luo Wanqing: “???”

Xie Heng: “Serving the Director—this lowly official’s honor. Of course, being on top would be even better.”

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “I’m angry!! But I still have to treat your wounds, arrange everything for you, and make excuses to get you to come find me! I’m super angry!!”

Luo Wanqing: “Kiss Young Master, I love you so much.”

Xie Heng: “…Oh, me too.”