◎His Liu Xiniang, his Mandala Incense◎

Hearing this, Cui Heng said nothing.

He looked at the woman not far away. She was firm and bright, and it seemed that from the moment he met her, she had always been like this.

Whether she held a blade or not, she carried a kind of clear and solitary courage that was incompatible with this world.

She was like moonlight, quietly falling upon his heart, shrouded in gloom.

Seeing that Cui Heng had remained silent for a long time, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but feel puzzled: “Cui Heng?”

“Why didn’t you come back then?”

He suddenly spoke.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat confused: “What?”

“Back then…” Cui Heng smiled, as if joking, “I, too, have suffered much, but I was unlucky.” Speaking thus, Cui Heng raised his eyes, his gaze deepening slightly, “But at that time, there was no Liu Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing. She looked at him quietly.

After a moment, she suddenly stepped forward, treading through the moonlight toward him.

He watched her every step approaching him, his mind churning with memories of himself from years past – locked in iron shackles, covered in blood.

When she stood before him, Cui Heng lowered his eyes. He gripped the palace lamp tightly, his body tense: “Xiniang?”

“I don’t know what you experienced in the past.”

Luo Wanqing carefully chose her words. She feared being too intimate would seem presumptuous, yet too cold would seem heartless.

She measured the distance, raised her head, and looked seriously at the young man before her: “But now I’m here. Cui Heng,” she solemnly promised, “as long as I’m here for one day, I’ll protect you for one day. I will never let you fall into such circumstances again.”

Cui Heng said nothing. He knew this person was always earnest.

Having just met, she could risk her life driving horses for him. Now that she said these things, she would certainly do as she promised.

The scent of Mandala Incense, more addictive than Five Stone Powder, emerged from memory and filled his heart.

He looked at the person before him, watching moonlight fall upon her lustrous cherry lips, like rippling clear mountain streams.

Her lips weren’t completely closed – the valley was deep, with her tongue tip appearing and disappearing in the moonlight, enchanting and captivating.

A fire ignited in his heart, burning his throat dry.

He wanted her.

Substantial desire suddenly arose in his heart. All emotions transformed into longing, crying out as they surged toward the woman before him.

Yet the person before him was completely unaware of what evil spirit she was provoking. Her eyes were clear as an autumn lake, clean and bright.

This was like a fatal temptation, pulling at him, forcing him forward.

He struggled to restrain himself, yet still couldn’t help bending slightly, drawing close to Luo Wanqing: “Does Xiniang truly mean this?”

“Truly.”

Luo Wanqing responded earnestly. Cui Heng smiled.

That smile was gorgeous like manjusaka flowers from the other shore. He gazed at her tenderly, then straightened up.

“Inspector,” his voice was hoarse, “you have injuries. Shall I escort you back?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing remembered her wounds. She was about to refuse when Cui Heng directly placed the lamp in her hands, then lifted her horizontally in his arms.

Knowing his temperament, Luo Wanqing didn’t argue with him. Holding the lamp, she let him carry her up the mountain.

The night breeze blew gently. Neither spoke again.

He carried her back to her room, placed her on the bed, then braced his hands on the bedside, bending down: “Rest well, don’t overwork yourself anymore.”

After speaking, he smiled and rose to leave.

Seeing him about to depart, Luo Wanqing remembered something important.

“Ah, wait!”

Luo Wanqing grabbed him. Cui Heng turned to look at her, as if inquiring.

Luo Wanqing got up from the bed, searched for a moment, then took out the pill she had just finished and handed it to Cui Heng.

Cui Heng’s gaze fell on the pill at her fingertips: “What is this?”

“The antidote for Seven Insects Seven Flowers Pill.” Luo Wanqing said without allowing refusal, “Take it.”

Cui Heng’s gaze paused. He stared at the pill for a long time, then chuckled: “Does Xiniang know why I’ve repeatedly refused this antidote?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised by his question, but also became curious: “Why?”

Cui Heng paced to stand before her, took the medicine from her fingertips, examined it in his hand for a moment, then turned to look at Luo Wanqing, smiling: “Because I wanted more entanglements and connections with Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat. Cui Heng raised his hand and tossed the pill into his mouth, then turned around, saying clearly: “But now there’s no need.”

“Why is there no need now?” Luo Wanqing asked instinctively.

Hearing this, Cui Heng smiled and looked back.

“Because now, Xiniang and I,” Cui Heng spoke meaningfully, “are already entangled and connected.”

Luo Wanqing was stunned.

Cui Heng nodded with a light smile: “Inspector, sleep well.”

After speaking, he turned and left.

His figure was like bamboo, his manner elegant and romantic.

After Cui Heng disappeared, Luo Wanqing finally reacted. She hurriedly fetched clean water and gulped down a large mouthful.

Then she forced herself back to bed and quickly lay down to sleep, lest she think wild thoughts.

Meanwhile, Xie Heng restrained himself as he returned to his room, removed his mask, and repeatedly doused himself with cold water until he finally calmed down and lay back on the bed.

The loss of control brought by Five Stone Powder was minor – much easier to manage than the Mandala Incense he had used years ago. But that night, he still had a long-distant dream.

In the dream was that rainy night from five years ago.

On the outskirts of the Eastern Capital, eighteen-year-old he had stopped countless assassins along the way, finally meeting in the bamboo forest the person who had traveled a thousand miles to come.

He held a blood-stained, broken sword, desperately grasping that middle-aged man in tattered clothes, his voice hoarse: “Uncle, don’t go. You’ll die.”

Yet the middle-aged man sighed, walking forward with composure and determination.

His robe slipped inch by inch from Xie Heng’s hands, his voice calm: “My path, I practice with my life.”

“It’s just a pity,” the middle-aged man said with his back to Xie Heng, his steps pausing slightly, “A’Heng, I couldn’t wait for your coming-of-age ceremony. I had already thought of your courtesy name, but I’m afraid it won’t be used now.”

That night, fine rain fell all night. He stood bewildered in the bamboo forest, finally understanding that even the sharpest sword cannot stop a human heart.

He suddenly didn’t know where he came from or where to go. Finally, he sat quietly in the bamboo house, listening to the night rain.

Until that little girl came running in panic, calling him out from that near-desperate confusion.

The little girl was young, kidnapped by bandits. He sat behind a screen and casually killed that villain.

When the villain fell, the little girl was also frightened and trembling.

He didn’t let her turn around. They sat back to back.

He sensed she seemed about to cry and inquired coldly: “Afraid?”

The little girl paused, then with chattering teeth, said softly: “Not… not afraid.”

“I killed someone, and you’re not afraid?”

He wasn’t talkative, but he was too afraid of thinking too much in silence.

Though the little girl was clearly frightened with tears in her voice, she still said: “You did nothing wrong.”

Xie Heng paused. The little girl gritted her teeth: “My… my father said, people cannot stand without roots, the world cannot be good without killing. He was a bad person. If you didn’t kill him, I would be the one to die.”

Xie Heng was stunned.

People cannot stand without roots; the world cannot be good without killing.

He silently repeated these words, as if light had broken through the long night.

He leaned against the screen and closed his eyes.

After a long time, seeing the girl outside still seemed afraid, he thought for a moment, put down the broken sword in his hand, picked up a bamboo leaf that had fallen in the house, and folded a grasshopper for her.

This grasshopper was something his uncle had taught him as a child, calling it a unique skill, always successful in coaxing children. He had loved it as a child.

He quietly finished folding the grasshopper in his hands, feeling his heart gradually calm.

He had made his decision and knew his path.

If no one in this world would hold a blade, then let him, Xie Heng, do so.

His path, he would practice with his life.

“This grasshopper is for you,” he handed the grasshopper out, looking up at the night rain, deciding to guard her through the night, saying indifferently, “Sleep. Nothing will happen.”

The little girl was stunned. After a moment, she timidly accepted the grasshopper. This time, she finally seemed unafraid.

Holding the grasshopper, she hesitated for a long time before softly saying: “Thank you.”

He didn’t respond. The girl pressed her lips together, hesitating: “Brother, I smell blood behind your screen. Are you injured?”

“None of your concern. Sleep.”

“I… my mother is a doctor. I’ve also learned medicine. If you don’t mind, let me take a look?”

“No need.”

“You saved me, and I have no way to repay you.”

“You’ve already repaid me.”

This made the girl pause. She sensed the other party didn’t want to reveal his identity and didn’t dare ask more.

But the long night was frightening. After hesitating for a long time, she said softly, “Brother, why don’t I chat with you?”

He was silent. After a moment, he said: “You speak.”

The little girl talked a lot, completely without wariness.

Her soft tone said many things.

She said her name was Luo Wanqing, spoke of her parents, her brother, said she was learning medicine, and said she was stupid.

Said she wanted to be like her mother, save many people, and become a renowned doctor.

Said she raised a rabbit that had been sick for two years. She fed it medicine every day, wanting to cure it.

Said she was bullied at the academy, her brother stood up for her, dragged the bully over for her to hit, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it…

He quietly listened to her words, sketching in his mind behind the screen the general temperament and appearance of this girl.

When dawn came, the night rain stopped.

He said softly, “You should go.”

The girl stood up, hesitating for a long time before finally asking: “Brother, what’s your name?”

“No need to ask. We won’t meet again.”

He said calmly: “Go.”

The girl was stunned, seeming somewhat disappointed, but after thinking, still opened her mouth with concern: “Then where is brother planning to go? You’re injured. Why not come with me? I’ll find my parents and have them take you where you need to go.”

“I’ll walk my path. No need for an escort.”

“But…” the girl hesitated, still wanting to persuade, “the road isn’t easy. Let me accompany you.”

Hearing this, he looked down at the blood-stained, broken sword in his hand and chuckled softly.

“The vast path, I walk alone.”

He said with his back to her, his voice gentle: “Miss, your family is waiting for you. Go back.”

Go be a good doctor.

Go live your stable life.

Different paths, but each may pursue their own.

The world cannot be good without killing – then let him, Xie Heng, be the blade to guard this world.

May that young lady, and all the goodness in this world, have a corner for shelter.

In the dream, he quietly watched the young girl walk away, his heart trembling. He forced himself to close his eyes, not to look again.

Afterward, the bloody stench surged around him, mixed with the scent of Mandala Incense, countless scenes flashing by.

“Heng’er, I dare not raise wolves; I only dare raise dogs. I saved you – do you understand?”

“Your mother is dead. She died in the palace. Your maternal clan is imprisoned. What are you doing? You won the first place at the music competition. Remarkable, Xie Heng.”

“Xie Heng, you criminal, the Cui family died because of you. You deserve to die, deserve to die!”

…

“Even within one person, good and evil are distinct.”

Amid the chaotic curses, a woman’s clear voice suddenly rang out: “A person’s goodness shouldn’t be punished or used for revenge.”

Iron chains clinked. She opened the door and entered.

Mandala Incense filled every inch of his breath. He struggled to open his eyes and, among the filthy blood, saw a woman wearing the same black clothes and white shirt as him, stepping gracefully through the waves, landing before him.

Candlelight swayed gently, blood-colored like crabapples.

She seemed like a demon, bending down to slowly approach.

“Young Master.” She looked up at him, her eyes full of tender affection.

Her boneless hand slipped into his garments, exploringly sliding downward. Xie Heng stared at her face, his expression dark and unclear.

She rose to cling to his shoulders, sitting on him like a sacrifice, lightly biting his earlobe, her voice like a spell.

“I’ve come.”

The moment the words fell, he didn’t hesitate, grabbing her neck and pulling her down forcefully, pressing against her to kiss and invade.

His Liu Xiniang.

Xie Heng turned to press down the person in his dream, his nose sliding down from her chin, filled with her sweet scent.

He held the pearl and murmured—

His Mandala Incense.

Luo Wanqing rested through the night. The next day, before she had fully awakened, she heard knocking at the door.

Zhuque’s urgent voice rang out: “Liu Xiniang? Still alive? Li Guiyu is about to escape!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing jolted awake. She quickly got up, grabbed her outer garment and rushed out, asking urgently: “What about the Crown Prince? Is the Crown Prince alive?”

If Li Guiyu was leaving, it must be with the Empress’s permission.

The Empress would release Li Guiyu for only one reason – the Crown Prince was in trouble.

Zhuque saw her dressing in front of him and suddenly widened his eyes, stammering: “You you you…”

“I’m asking you a question!” Luo Wanqing fastened her belt and snapped: “How is the Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince…” Zhuque was somewhat uncertain. “Seems fine?”

This surprised Luo Wanqing. Zhuque scratched his head: “Yesterday, the Director sent a thousand-year ginseng in. I heard today he can even get out of bed.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s mind buzzed.

The Crown Prince was lively and well, but Li Guiyu was leaving?

“Is he escaping?” Luo Wanqing asked in confusion, leading Zhuque downward.

Zhuque immediately denied: “No, people from the palace came, saying they want to take him to the palace.”

Luo Wanqing frowned: “The palace?”

Zhuque knew what she wanted to ask and answered in more detail: “The Empress’s people, saying the Crown Prince misses his brother and wants to have a reunion.”

This sounded even stranger. Luo Wanqing suppressed her doubts and went down the mountain.

She was Li Guiyu’s chief interrogator. According to Supervision Department rules, to transfer a prisoner, even if the Emperor or Empress came, they first needed the chief inspector’s consent.

When Luo Wanqing reached the dungeon, Li Guiyu was already sitting in the visiting room with an elderly man guarding him.

The visiting room was full of people. Luo Wanqing glanced around and recognized that most were from the palace, with a few being Li Guiyu’s subordinates.

As soon as Luo Wanqing entered, the Supervision Department guards approached, saying coldly, “Inspector Liu, people from the palace have come to take the Third Prince. Here are the documents.”

“What documents to look at!”

Hearing this, the elderly man standing beside Li Guiyu shouted: “Our Prince has suffered endless torture in the Supervision Department. Now the Empress has issued an edict, yet you keep delaying. Liu Xiniang, is it?”

The old man looked up, glaring viciously at Luo Wanqing: “Wait to lose your position!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked up and saw the old man’s face, her gaze stopping.

This was Elder Zhang.

The person who had followed Li Guiyu in Jiangnan and brought her the dagger.

Seeing him so imposing and stern for the first time, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile.

Elder Zhang’s expression grew stern: “What are you smiling at?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Wanqing raised her hand and struck out with the Qianji bracelet. Dozens of cold needles shot rapidly from the Qianji bead string toward Elder Zhang’s face. Elder Zhang’s expression changed slightly. He raised his hand and turned, using his sleeve to hastily block the needles, then looked up angrily: “What are you doing?!”

“Is it a slave’s turn to shout and yell in the Supervision Department?”

Luo Wanqing glanced at him coldly: “Keep making noise, and while the Third Prince can leave today, you might not be able to.”

“You…”

“Lord Liu.”

A shrill voice interrupted Elder Zhang’s retort. Luo Wanqing looked up to see a middle-aged man in crimson eunuch robes smiling at her.

“This servant is Zhao Dewang, who serves by Her Majesty’s side,” the middle-aged man smiled at Luo Wanqing with squinted eyes, bowing. “Greetings to Lord Liu.”

Hearing the name Zhao Dewang, Luo Wanqing’s expression became more serious.

He called himself a servant, but everyone knew this person had served the Empress for nearly twenty years and was second only to Chief Eunuch Yang Chun in the palace.

The Empress had sent this person to fetch Li Guiyu, showing how much she valued him.

Her doubts grew stronger. If the Crown Prince hadn’t met with trouble, why such attention to Li Guiyu?

But if something had happened, why was there no news at all?

Luo Wanqing hesitantly bowed to Zhao Dewang: “Greetings, Eunuch Zhao.”

“The Third Prince has been away for many years. His household lacks rules. Please forgive us, Lord Liu.” Zhao Dewang glanced at Elder Zhang, then looked up at Luo Wanqing pleadingly: “The Crown Prince has now awakened and misses his brother. Her Majesty learned that the Third Prince is unrelated to the assassination and feels very guilty toward him. She urgently wants to bring the Prince back, also fearing that if the Prince stays too long in the Supervision Department and becomes unaccustomed, something might happen that would trouble the Supervision Department.”

Zhao Dewang, half-persuaded, half-threatened, bowing: “The Prince has been frail since childhood. Please be accommodating, Lord Liu.”

Luo Wanqing listened to Zhao Dewang’s words and nodded: “The Supervision Department follows all procedures. As long as there are documents of His Majesty’s permission, we naturally won’t obstruct.”

“Here they are,” Zhao Dewang waved his hand, and a young eunuch handed over the documents. “Both His Majesty’s and Her Majesty’s are here. Please examine them, Inspector.”

Luo Wanqing took the documents, carefully verified them, and then said: “No problem. Then, please have Eunuch check the Third Prince’s physical condition now. If there are issues, the Supervision Department will provide explanations.”

“No need.”

Li Guiyu at the side looked up at Luo Wanqing, saying calmly: “This Prince bears no grudges.”

Luo Wanqing turned to look at Li Guiyu, then raised her hand to call attendants: “Take the documents to the Young Master. Bring the items the Third Prince had when entering the Supervision Department for the Prince to verify, then he may leave.”

“Thank you, Lord Liu.”

Zhao Dewang at the side bowed.

Luo Wanqing said no more. Li Guiyu sat to the side, looking at the table surface, saying softly: “Elder Zhang, go with Eunuch Zhao to verify my belongings. Everyone else, step out. I want to chat with Inspector Liu.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing glanced at Li Guiyu and waved her hand, having the Supervision Department people withdraw.

Soon, only Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu remained in the room. Luo Wanqing looked up, saying directly: “What do you want to say?”

“Did Lord Liu come last night?”

Li Guiyu stared at her, seeming uncertain about what had happened the previous night.

“What do you want to do?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t answer him, asking coldly instead.

Li Guiyu looked at her face, showing no intention to investigate, only saying: “Ruin your face, and I’ll give you a way to live.”

“My face,” Luo Wanqing smiled upon hearing this, “why should I ruin it?”

“Whether this face is yours, you know in your heart,” Li Guiyu picked up a nearby teacup, saying gently, “I have no interest in using a fake to reminisce. It’s useless.”

“No interest in fakes, or no interest in Luo Wanqing?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat curious. Li Guiyu didn’t answer, only saying: “If you keep it, I’ll kill you.”

Luo Wanqing laughed upon hearing this.

She hadn’t provoked Li Guiyu either. After thinking, she simply said: “So last night you didn’t take me for Luo Wanqing?”

“You’re completely different from her.”

Li Guiyu spoke, standing up.

He walked before Luo Wanqing, circling her, examining her body: “Not to mention temperament – your internal energy would take decades for an ordinary person to cultivate. Even if you’re somewhat talented, it would take at least three to five years. And your bone structure…”

Speaking thus, he placed his hand on Luo Wanqing’s shoulder. Luo Wanqing’s expression grew stern as she twisted his hand with her other hand.

Li Guiyu turned his wrist to slip from her palm, pulling from his shoulder to his elbow. Luo Wanqing dragged her shoulder to throw him forcefully. Li Guiyu followed the momentum to flip down, gripping her wrist and looking up at her: “Supremely excellent grade, completely different from her. You say you’re her?”

Li Guiyu leaned forward: “I’m nostalgic, not insane.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Wanqing wrenched her hand from his grasp and slapped him. Li Guiyu caught her wrist and said coldly: “For last night’s sake, I’ll spare your hand today.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing, staring dead at Li Guiyu.

Zhao Dewang’s voice came from outside: “Third Prince, everything is ready. We can leave.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu said no more, throwing her hand away and turning: “In a few days, I’ll send someone to fetch you. Change your face and leave the Supervision Department. Xie Heng is no good person, just like me.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled.

She suddenly realized something: “Third Prince!”

Luo Wanqing called out to him, a terrible thought forming: “You don’t believe I’m Luo Wanqing – does the Director know this?”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu chuckled softly, seeming to understand.

“I told you,” he stepped out, “he’s the same kind of person as me.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s eyes widened. She suddenly understood something.

Xie Heng wouldn’t think an ordinary inspector had enough ability to force Li Guiyu to attempt assassinating the Crown Prince. From the beginning, her trump card was this face.

Using Luo Wanqing’s identity to make Li Guiyu think she would kill him, thus creating sufficient crisis awareness.

If Xie Heng were like Li Guiyu, then he wouldn’t think Li Guiyu would believe she was Luo Wanqing.

Then why did he still agree to her plan to bring Li Guiyu into the Supervision Department and make her the chief interrogator?

Luo Wanqing’s mind was somewhat confused. She sorted through what had happened these past two days.

The Crown Prince was critically ill. Xie Heng sent a thousand-year ginseng in.

This item was used to sustain life. If the Crown Prince could get out of bed today, he would have been out of danger yesterday. With the Crown Prince safe, this was why the Empress urgently wanted Li Guiyu imprisoned.

After Li Guiyu was imprisoned, Xie Heng made her the chief interrogator, then personally questioned Li Guiyu himself.

So his focus was never about forcing Li Guiyu to assassinate the Crown Prince. He never thought this way from the beginning. From the start, he was targeting Li Guiyu.

To get Li Guiyu imprisoned, he sent ginseng to sustain the Crown Prince’s life.

Last night’s interrogation of Li Guiyu was his real purpose.

And making her the chief interrogator…

Thinking of how Cui Heng had urgently grabbed her blade to stop her from killing Li Guiyu last night, her heart suddenly stopped.

It was a test.

Xie Heng was using Li Guiyu to test her, to see if she would put revenge above the Supervision Department.

If she killed Li Guiyu out of hatred, she would fail the test. Xie Heng must have arranged people – she couldn’t possibly kill Li Guiyu.

And if she failed the test, knowing too much and unable to leave, her only outcome would be death.

Who was her examiner?

Luo Wanqing’s heart raced. Was it someone hidden, or Cui Heng?

Were there others hidden yesterday?

If not for Cui Heng’s restraint last night, she might have killed Li Guiyu. Did this count as passing the test?

Moreover, besides testing her and interrogating Li Guiyu, Xie Heng’s most important goal was intelligence gathering.

The Crown Prince’s news – even Zhuque wasn’t clear. His real information must be highly classified. Xie Heng probably had no definite news.

Now with Li Guiyu in the Supervision Department, just slightly revealing to the Empress that they might kill Li Guiyu, any reaction from the Empress would reflect the Crown Prince’s situation.

With the Crown Prince safe and sound, the Empress rushing over so urgently today was impossible.

The Crown Prince was in trouble.

Luo Wanqing was certain Xie Heng had achieved his goal.

He interrogated Li Guiyu, tested her, and confirmed the Crown Prince’s real situation.

In this round, she lost; Li Guiyu didn’t win either. The real winner was only Xie Heng!

This thought emerged, making Luo Wanqing’s breathing difficult.

Xie Heng’s figure became a towering mountain before her, looking down at her. She was like a small beast turning in his palm, everything within his control.

Her mind was a tangled mess. As she was lost in wild thoughts, she suddenly heard footsteps outside.

Luo Wanqing alertly looked up to see Zhuque standing at the door, beckoning: “What are you daydreaming about? Aren’t you coming?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat confused: “Hm?”

“The person has been sent away. The Young Master is waiting for you,” Zhuque said, seeing her confusion, “Such a big matter – aren’t you going to report to the Young Master?”

“Oh.” Hearing this, Luo Wanqing finally reacted. She needed to go up the mountain to report to Xie Heng.

She forced a smile and nodded: “Yes, I’ll go see the Young Master right away.”

Speaking thus, she greeted the surrounding people and went up the back mountain with Zhuque.

Along the way, she forced herself to calm down, thinking about the most urgent matter now.

If Xie Heng’s purpose was to test her loyalty, then did she pass or not?

She had indeed almost killed Li Guiyu, but she finally poured out Li Guiyu’s Five Stone Powder. She could argue she never really wanted to kill Li Guiyu – it was all an act.

But she wasn’t sure if this could change Xie Heng’s decision.

She suddenly felt a kind of fear toward Xie Heng. This person seemed to have eyes that could see through souls. Before him, any schemes were useless.

One thing needed to be done: submission and honesty.

Even if he told you to die.

But she couldn’t die.

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes to calm herself, forcing herself to settle down. By the time she reached the back mountain courtyard, she had prepared her explanation.

Zhuque accompanied her to the door and stopped, touching his nose: “The Young Master said only you should enter.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew Xie Heng wanted to discuss the test results from these past two days with her. She nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Xie Heng was still reading documents in the corridor. April’s beauty was perfect – the young man in white silk robes was composed and graceful, like a white egret on spring waves, elegant and leisurely.

Luo Wanqing dared not relax at all. She knelt and greeted: “Young Master.”

The other looked up, his gaze falling on her. After pausing a moment, as if suppressing something, he turned away, his tone indifferent: “The person has left?”

“Yes.”

“Do you understand now?”

Luo Wanqing paused, knowing Xie Heng had guessed she already understood his meaning. She gritted her teeth and spoke: “Yes.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, saying sincerely: “Young Master’s strategic planning is beyond this subordinate’s ability. Please, Young Master…”

“In the future, stay well in the Supervision Department,” Xie Heng interrupted her plea. Luo Wanqing was stunned. She looked up in surprise to see Xie Heng with lowered eyes, saying calmly, “and be a good inspector.”

Hearing this decision, Luo Wanqing was completely dazed.

All her prepared explanations were useless. She looked at Xie Heng in bewilderment. Seeing she didn’t respond, Xie Heng looked up at her: “Or would you prefer to die?”

“Thank you, Young Master!”

Luo Wanqing suddenly reacted, hastily kowtowing: “This subordinate follows the Young Master’s commands. Through fire and water, unto death!”

Xie Heng said nothing, glancing at her injuries, saying indifferently: “You may go.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t move. Xie Heng knew she had questions: “Ask.”

“Young Master… knows my identity?”

Luo Wanqing hesitantly spoke. Xie Heng arranged documents without concealment: “I know.”

“Did Cui Heng tell you?” Luo Wanqing nervously clenched her fists.

“Before him.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing relaxed somewhat: “Cui Heng isn’t the Young Master’s spy?”

“No need.”

Luo Wanqing wasn’t sure if it meant her status was too low to need surveillance, or if Cui Heng’s status was too high to be a spy.

But Cui Heng wasn’t one, which made Luo Wanqing somewhat happy. She relaxed momentarily: “How did the Young Master confirm Li Guiyu wouldn’t believe I was Luo Wanqing?”

“Those who reach this position aren’t so emotional. You two have too many differences.”

This made Luo Wanqing’s heart slightly bitter, but she found it normal.

She nodded and continued asking: “Did the Young Master know from the beginning that the Crown Prince would have an incident and Li Guiyu would be taken by the Empress?”

“I didn’t know, which is why I needed to test.” Xie Heng spoke honestly. “After the Crown Prince’s incident, news was tightly sealed. I only knew he wasn’t seriously injured, but the Empress kept summoning imperial physicians. I wanted to confirm what exactly happened to him.”

“Are you certain now?” Luo Wanqing asked curiously.

Xie Heng looked up, his eyes carrying some mockery: “Certain.”

Seeing Xie Heng’s expression, Luo Wanqing knew that even if the Crown Prince lived, he was ruined.

She pondered, then carefully said: “So now that the Empress has summoned Li Guiyu back, it’s actually because the Crown Prince is finished, and she’s preparing to let Li Guiyu take over the Crown Prince’s position.”

“Correct.”

“Then what does the Young Master plan to do?”

Luo Wanqing immediately realized that if Xie Heng’s target was the Empress, he couldn’t possibly stop here.

Speaking thus, she looked up: “Does the Young Master need me to get close to Li Guiyu? He wants to kill me now – it’s an opportunity.”

“No need.”

Xie Heng immediately spoke.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat puzzled. This wasn’t needed either?

“Then,” Luo Wanqing hesitated, “what did the Young Master have me change this face for?”

Xie Heng paused.

He remained silent. After a moment, he said slowly, “Back then, I thought you were Zhang Jiuran. I only wanted to use you as a blade. But now,” Xie Heng raised his eyes, his expression serious, “I consider you a person.”

Luo Wanqing stood frozen, staring blankly at Xie Heng.

Xie Heng turned his gaze to the black characters on the documents: “Go rest. From now on, you are the Supervision Department’s Liu Xiniang.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt her heart stir. She bowed and kowtowed, then rose and left.

After she walked out of the courtyard, looking at the wind chimes under the eaves, she thought about Xie Heng’s words.

She exhaled a breath of stale air.

From today on, she finally truly belonged to the Supervision Department.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Li Guiyu: “Xiniang, the treatment here is better. Come with me.”

Xie Heng: “Poaching right in front of me – have you no shame? Good sword!”

Li Guiyu: “Who’s poaching whom?”

Xie Heng: “You’ve been broken up for so long, and you still dare come online?”

Li Guiyu: “When did I break up?”

Xie Heng & Luo Wanqing: “????”

Li Guiyu: “Although I’ve done many bad things, I never broke up.”

Xie Heng: “…Xiniang, step aside so you don’t get blood…”

Luo Wanqing: “Step aside!!!!! Forty-meter blade accelerating charge – all of you get out of my way, I want him dead!!”