Having Been Cui Heng, How Can One Be Content with Being Only Xie Heng?

This made Li Guiyu’s breathing stop. He stared at her, his mind becoming somewhat chaotic.

She was right – learning the pipa took a long time, but didn’t martial arts take time too?

Not a single bone in her body was the same as Luo Wanqing’s. Apart from the pipa, he actually hadn’t found any solid evidence that she was Luo Wanqing.

But he just felt she was.

“You don’t want to admit it.” Li Guiyu stared at her and spoke, but his voice was trembling.

Seeing him waver, Luo Wanqing smiled slightly and said, “Your Highness may think whatever you wish, but I currently have no assignment, so I cannot deceive Your Highness.”

With that, Luo Wanqing nodded with feigned composure: “Farewell.”

After speaking, Luo Wanqing turned to leave. At that instant, fierce sword energy attacked from behind. Luo Wanqing spun in midair as the sword energy instantly severed the hairpin on her head. As her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall, Luo Wanqing also hurled the signal flare upward.

The signal flare exploded above them both. Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu exchanged a palm strike, and she immediately felt tremendous force shaking her away.

She controlled her body as it was thrown back. The moment she landed, she saw Li Guiyu charging toward her. Luo Wanqing’s sleeve blade slid out like a crescent moon, directly meeting Li Guiyu’s throat. Li Guiyu lifted his lantern like a sword, its edge striking directly at her collar.

Luo Wanqing’s expression changed slightly. She used her blade to fiercely twist off his lantern pole and shouted sternly, “What are you doing?!”

“Since you won’t admit it, let’s verify it.”

Li Guiyu said coldly, “Luo Wanqing has a red mole on her shoulder. Since you’re not her, why not let me see it to put my mind at rest?”

These words made Luo Wanqing’s heart panic. Li Guiyu spun the lantern in his hand, instantly forcing Luo Wanqing back.

With the signal flare already launched, Luo Wanqing had no more concerns. She simply leaped onto the wall, heading straight for the main courtyard, fighting with Li Guiyu.

The two had barely exchanged a few moves when guards rushed over. Seeing Li Guiyu and Luo Wanqing fighting, the Zheng residence guards immediately drew their blades and surrounded them.

Seeing this, Li Guiyu’s sword wind instantly became much more urgent. Luo Wanqing remained exceptionally calm, fighting while retreating. Just as they reached the bridge, Li Guiyu’s sword momentum surged violently. Using the lantern head as a sword, he slashed toward Luo Wanqing’s shoulder garment. Luo Wanqing’s escape route was completely blocked – she could only see the lantern pole striking toward her with no way to avoid it.

The pole came too fast. Just as it was about to tear her clothing, another lantern suddenly attacked from the side, violently striking Li Guiyu’s lantern!

The two lanterns collided and extinguished, then became entangled together, dragging Li Guiyu’s lantern into the water.

A cool, elegant voice sounded behind her: “Xiniang, come here.”

Without any thought, Luo Wanqing used the moment when the lanterns collided to retreat to the speaker’s side.

Li Guiyu coldly raised his eyes and saw that many people had already arrived. Xie Heng stood tall in his long robes like jade, still holding a lantern in his hand, standing at the bridge head, looking at him coldly.

Luo Wanqing stood beside Xie Heng, lowering her head and breathing lightly. Xie Heng glanced at her torn outer garment and handed the lantern to her: “Hold this.”

Luo Wanqing accepted the lantern in confusion. Li Guiyu’s gaze turned icy cold.

But no one present dared step forward.

That was Xie Heng.

The Xie Heng who wielded the ultimate power of life and death in Great Xia, who was most favored by His Majesty.

Li Guiyu clenched his fists without speaking.

He watched as Xie Heng freed his hands, took off his outer garment, and draped it over Luo Wanqing.

He performed this action with strict adherence to propriety, not touching Luo Wanqing at all in the process. However, when Xie Heng’s presence enveloped her completely, Luo Wanqing still stiffened.

Xie Heng sensed her resistance and paused slightly, then seemed annoyed. His aura pressed down as he looked up at her and commanded, “Wear it.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare move anymore.

Despite commanding the Supervision Department for years, Xie Heng was still fundamentally a young master from a noble family, with certain etiquette ingrained in his bones.

For example, when Xiang Sizi had previously assassinated him and led him to the back mountain, he would naturally extend his arm to support her on the bumpy mountain path. Now that her hair was completely disheveled and her clothing in disarray, he naturally wouldn’t ignore it.

Luo Wanqing knew he did this because her clothing had been torn by Li Guiyu’s sword energy, with no romantic intentions between man and woman. But whether due to the drug’s influence or not, wearing his garment with Xie Heng’s scent filling her nostrils made her previously suppressed unusual sensations suddenly become acute.

Wearing Xie Heng’s clothes, she didn’t dare speak, burying her face completely in the shadows and saying quietly, “Yes.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng restrained his aura and looked up at Li Guiyu, who had been staring at them.

More and more people gathered around. Zheng Biyue hurried over with people. Upon seeing Luo Wanqing, her expression turned cold, then she quickly ran to Li Guiyu, asking anxiously, “Your Highness, are you alright?”

Li Guiyu didn’t speak, only staring at the lantern in Luo Wanqing’s hands and the garment draped over her head, covering her entire body.

Zheng Biyue sensed something was wrong and said, “How did Your Highness end up fighting with Inspector Liu? And Inspector Liu,” Zheng Biyue turned to look at Luo Wanqing, frowning, “how did you end up in my Zheng residence’s back courtyard?”

“This should be asked of Miss Zheng,” Luo Wanqing immediately responded upon hearing this, producing the explanation she had prepared earlier. “As soon as I left the banquet, I felt unwell and went to rest in the back courtyard. I was about to leave when I encountered Third Prince pestering me, which led to our fight.”

“Inspector Liu’s words are full of holes. If you entered openly and legitimately, why did you need to sneak out?” Li Guiyu stared at her, clearly not intending to let her go. “Today, thieves entered the Zheng residence and stole valuable items. We searched for over an hour this afternoon. If Inspector Liu cannot make a trip to the Ministry of Justice, I’m afraid this matter cannot be explained clearly.”

“I’m certainly willing to go,” Luo Wanqing chuckled lightly upon hearing this, then raised her head, fixing her gaze meaningfully on Zheng Biyue. “But as someone from the Supervision Department, I absolutely cannot allow everyone to slander me so casually. If we’re going to investigate, let’s investigate thoroughly. Please have the Supervision Department, Ministry of Justice, and Imperial Censorate investigate together to see exactly how I entered the back courtyard today, and why I encountered a man there, and after the encounter, why he tore my clothing – what were his intentions?”

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue immediately understood – Luo Wanqing was reminding her.

There was no doubt that Luo Wanqing had been drugged and sent to the back courtyard by her. Not investigating would be fine, but if the Supervision Department, Ministry of Justice, and Imperial Censorate all got involved, who knew what they might uncover?

If Luo Wanqing then accused her of drugging her so Li Guiyu could attempt to assault her, even without sufficient evidence, it would be difficult to explain clearly.

After all, she resembled Li Guiyu’s deceased fiancée so closely, and Li Guiyu had indeed torn her clothing. Saying Li Guiyu had intentions toward Luo Wanqing wouldn’t be completely groundless.

And she had drugged Luo Wanqing and sent her to the back courtyard…

Li Guiyu currently had an excellent reputation at court. With the Crown Prince recently deceased, this was a critical period when all the princes were stirring restlessly. Once such a scandal emerged, regardless of its truth, it would likely be seized upon by interested parties.

If Li Guiyu hadn’t been involved today, it would just be drugging a sixth-rank inspector. Even if discovered, she could simply push someone out to take the blame.

But now that Li Guiyu was implicated, she couldn’t cause him such trouble.

After thinking, Zheng Biyue immediately made her decision and quickly said, “A misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding!”

As soon as Zheng Biyue spoke, Li Guiyu immediately looked over. Zheng Biyue knew Li Guiyu was warning her. She steeled herself and explained with a smile, “Inspector Liu was indeed unwell today, so I had someone take her to the back courtyard.” She then looked at Li Guiyu and smiled, “Your Highness probably made a mistake and mistook her for a thief, hence the commotion.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu knew there was more to the story. Without Zheng Biyue’s help, he couldn’t detain Luo Wanqing.

But letting her go…

Li Guiyu looked up, staring intently at the person behind Xie Heng wearing Xie Heng’s clothes.

No one around spoke. After a long while, he stepped forward, walking toward Xie Heng. Just as he was about to continue forward, Xie Heng spoke, as if having reached the limit of his patience: “Stop.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu knew he couldn’t proceed further.

He clenched his fists, his gaze passing over Xie Heng to look only at Luo Wanqing behind him, as if no one else existed around them. In a volume only the three people on the bridge could hear, he asked coldly, “Since you’re not her, why don’t you dare let me verify?”

“Your Highness wouldn’t be able to tell,” Luo Wanqing replied calmly. “The mark you mentioned is easy enough to fake. I’m afraid Your Highness is being obstinate.”

“You won’t admit it.” Li Guiyu stated with certainty.

Luo Wanqing looked up at Li Guiyu and said calmly, “Since I’m not her, how can I admit it?”

Li Guiyu smiled, his smile full of coldness: “So all this time you’ve been trying to pretend to be her, hinting that you were her – were you deceiving me?”

“Mission requirements,” Luo Wanqing answered in a business-like manner. “I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”

“Then deceive me once more,” Li Guiyu said, looking at her. “Tell me, since you’ve returned, why won’t you come to my side?”

“Third Prince,” Xie Heng finally spoke, looking up, “that’s enough.”

Hearing Xie Heng speak, Li Guiyu finally shifted his gaze away.

He stared at Xie Heng for a long time, finally saying, “Thank you for the reminder, Director.”

Then he looked at Luo Wanqing again. He restrained himself repeatedly, finally saying, “One last time.”

If that corpse wasn’t her.

If she was deceiving him.

If she simply refused to admit it…

Thinking this, Li Guiyu smiled gently, bowed respectfully: “Farewell.”

With that, Li Guiyu did not explain and turned to leave.

Luo Wanqing frowned, watching his retreating figure, instinctively feeling uneasy.

As he left, Zheng Biyue immediately reacted and hurried after him.

Xie Heng also turned his gaze, glancing at Luo Wanqing, who was watching Li Guiyu and Zheng Biyue’s departing figures, and said quietly, “Let’s go.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing quickly followed, stepping behind Xie Heng.

Xie Heng walked very fast, his aura even colder than during the day, making his entire person seem increasingly solitary and distant.

Luo Wanqing noticed this and knew Xie Heng must be quite displeased.

Having subordinates involve romantic affairs in official business and making him handle it, any superior would be unhappy.

She didn’t dare speak, keeping her head down as she followed Xie Heng to the flower hall where the guests were.

Upon entering the flower hall, everyone looked over.

She wore Xie Heng’s outer garment on her head, carried a lantern in her hand, kept her face hidden in the shadows, and followed Xie Heng’s rapid steps.

Though her face couldn’t be seen clearly, observant people recognized her identity from her exposed clothing. After all, she had been too prominent today, too eye-catching – even the patterns on her garments would be remembered by interested parties.

If she were an unmarried young lady from a noble family, her reputation would be ruined today. But she was an inspector from the Supervision Department. Inspectors conducting official business sometimes encountered unexpected situations, so people only dared to look in surprise without asking questions.

Xie Heng had no mood to linger here and walked quickly, which suited Luo Wanqing’s wishes.

Today had dragged on too long. The Jile Pill effects she had been suppressing were beginning to break through her control. Reaching the Supervision Department sooner would ensure her safety.

But after walking only a short distance, a shout came from behind: “Lingshu!”

Xie Heng stopped, and Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled.

They turned back to see Xie Yushu running over with a lantern. Catching sight of Luo Wanqing, Xie Yushu was about to speak when he noticed the lantern in Luo Wanqing’s hands.

He stared blankly at the lantern. Xie Heng imperceptibly moved to block Luo Wanqing and asked impatiently, “What is it?”

“Oh,” Xie Yushu came to his senses and hurried to say, “I came to say that Uncle… hasn’t seen you in a long time either.” His voice lowered, “Since you could come to the musical gathering, then…”

“I came on official business.”

Xie Heng interrupted him.

Xie Yushu’s expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled somewhat awkwardly: “Oh, I see.”

He then looked at the lantern in Luo Wanqing’s hands again, hesitating as he asked, “This lantern, how…”

Before he could finish, he sensed Xie Heng’s icy gaze. No matter how slow Xie Yushu was, he knew he couldn’t continue.

His voice froze. Xie Heng’s aura softened slightly as he glanced at him coldly, turned around, and said, “Let’s go.”

With that, he led Luo Wanqing away.

Luo Wanqing followed behind Xie Heng, walking forward until they left the residence. Outside, she saw Zhuque sitting on the carriage, a piece of grass in his mouth, humming a tune out of boredom.

Seeing Xie Heng emerge, Zhuque immediately jumped down from the driver’s seat, his face full of respect: “Young Master.”

Xie Heng acknowledged and stepped onto the carriage using the footstool.

After Xie Heng entered the carriage, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but hesitate.

Her current condition wasn’t good. Being alone with Xie Heng in a carriage, she feared she might show some abnormality.

She didn’t dare board the carriage. Xie Heng noticed her stillness, looked up, and commanded, “Get in.”

“Young Master,” Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together and said quietly, “This subordinate would like to return on her own.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng asked coldly, “Why?”

“Thank you for your help today, Young Master.” Luo Wanqing didn’t notice Xie Heng’s unusual reaction and handed over his garment and lantern. Zhuque accepted them in confusion as Luo Wanqing continued, “This subordinate has other matters to handle. I hope Young Master will allow it.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond.

Normally, Xie Heng should have released her upon hearing this, but he still didn’t. After a long while, he continued asking, “What matters?”

This made Luo Wanqing startled. She hadn’t expected Xie Heng to continue questioning and momentarily didn’t know what lie to tell.

Seeing her expression, Xie Heng knew she was just being evasive.

He turned away with some self-loathing and said quietly, “Go then.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned to leave.

Listening to her departing footsteps, a bitter feeling rose from his heart, making him somewhat unbearable.

Zhuque looked at Luo Wanqing’s condition and couldn’t help saying, “What’s wrong with her?”

He then turned to look at Xie Heng, puzzled: “Young Master, did you two fight?”

“It has nothing to do with me.”

Xie Heng lowered the carriage curtain and said quietly, “Let’s go.”

Nothing to do with him.

Her love, her hatred, her future – none of it had anything to do with Xie Heng.

She was merely a subordinate Xie Heng had trained, no different from Zhuque, Xing Ling, or anyone else in the Supervision Department.

So when she dealt with private affairs and confronted Li Guiyu, he couldn’t say one extra word.

When she turned and left, he couldn’t make any attempt to detain her.

Xie Heng could only ever stand aside watching and seeing her off, training her to become the Supervision Department’s most excellent inspector, watching her rise high, riding the azure clouds.

He was originally just a lonely ghost left in this world, coming alone, and should leave without any attachments.

But he was also Cui Heng.

Xie Heng closed his eyes, couldn’t help curling his fingers, feeling his heart being sharply pierced by that white jade flying crane hairpin, suddenly remembering the woman under the fireworks whom he couldn’t help but reach out to touch.

Having been Cui Heng, who had seen the most beautiful scenery in the human world.

How could he be content with being only Xie Heng?

“Young Master,” Zhuque’s voice came from outside, somewhat puzzled, “are we just letting Inspector Liu go back alone like this? She looked a bit off to me.”

These words made Xie Heng pause.

Those chaotic thoughts flooding his mind instantly stopped. He suddenly remembered Luo Wanqing’s earlier words hinting at Zheng Biyue: “If we’re going to investigate, let’s investigate thoroughly. Please have the Supervision Department, Ministry of Justice, and Imperial Censorate investigate together to see exactly how I entered the back courtyard today, and why I encountered a man there, and after the encounter, why he tore my clothing…”

He suddenly realized something and shouted urgently, “Stop!”

He lifted the carriage curtain and looked coldly toward the long road: “Which direction did she go?”

Just as Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng left, Zheng Biyue chased Li Guiyu into the back courtyard.

As soon as they entered the deserted alley, Li Guiyu turned and grabbed Zheng Biyue’s neck, slamming her against the wall, saying coldly, “Give me a reason.”

Zheng Biyue knew Li Guiyu was asking about letting Liu Xiniang go earlier. She struggled to look at Li Guiyu and spoke with difficulty: “I should be the one asking Your Highness – why did you invite her to the Zheng residence, and why were you so determined to arrest her?”

“Don’t you know she’s involved in the Eastern Palace case?” Li Guiyu leaned closer. Zheng Biyue laughed coldly.

“So why did she come today?” She yielded nothing, confronting him head-on.

Li Guiyu’s expression turned slightly cold.

The Wang family didn’t want the Zheng clan to know about their mess. If Zheng Pingsheng found out, who knew what he might do?

And if Zheng Pingsheng learned he was working for the Wang family, it would inevitably cause problems.

Zheng Biyue didn’t dare let him know what she had done, but she was also certain he didn’t dare tell her directly what he had done tonight.

As they stared at each other, they already understood everything tacitly.

After a moment, Li Guiyu released his grip, stepped forward, and spoke softly in submission: “Biyue, you know my difficulties. Don’t make things hard for me. We’re about to marry – we are one body.”

“I naturally understand Your Highness’s meaning,” hearing Li Guiyu’s softened tone, Zheng Biyue’s voice also became gentler. “It’s just that Inspector Liu indeed entered the back courtyard due to physical discomfort today. If investigated, I fear it would be bad for Your Highness’s reputation. If a woman insists on slandering Your Highness, even if Your Highness is innocent, it would be difficult to explain.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu paused. He looked up at Zheng Biyue and instantly understood what she had done.

He suppressed his panic and anxiety, hid the coldness in his eyes, and smiled: “I was thoughtless and misunderstood you.”

“As long as Your Highness is fine, Biyue suffering some grievances doesn’t matter.”

Zheng Biyue lowered her head shyly but yielded nothing.

“The banquet isn’t over,” Li Guiyu turned away. “I’ll accompany you to meet the guests.”

This request surprised Zheng Biyue somewhat, but his willingness to meet guests with her was another form of recognition of her future status. Zheng Biyue didn’t refuse, simply saying, “Yes.”

With that, they left together. Li Guiyu glanced at Zitang, who had been guarding nearby, pointed toward the back courtyard, then walked out.

Li Guiyu followed Zheng Biyue to meet people in the flower hall for a while, then saw Zitang reappear in his view. Without delay, he turned to Zheng Biyue and smiled gently: “Biyue, I’m a bit tired. Let’s end it here today. I’ll take my leave first.”

Seeing it was already late, Zheng Biyue didn’t try to keep him and saw Li Guiyu off.

After Li Guiyu left with Zitang and Qingzhu, Zitang immediately approached: “I questioned the maid – they used Jile Pill on Inspector Liu.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu’s eyes turned cold as he raised his hand: “Where’s the antidote?”

“Here,” Zitang said, presenting the medicine bottle. “I stole it following the maid’s directions.”

Li Guiyu opened the bottle and smelled it, confirming the medicine was fine, then looked up: “How did you handle the maid?”

“Killed her.”

Zitang lowered his eyes: “Threw her in an alley.”

“What a pity,” Li Guiyu put away the medicine and said coldly, “You should have put her on Zheng Biyue’s bed. She’s too presumptuous.”

“Also,” Zitang pursed his lips and said somewhat nervously, “Your Highness, Lu Lingchan was taken away by them.”

“No matter.” Li Guiyu turned and leaped toward the Supervision Department, saying quietly, “He won’t survive. First, let’s find Liu Xiniang.”

Author’s Notes

Mini Theater 1

Luo Wanqing: “Wow, the Supervision Department’s technical division is amazing – they made the token in just one day!”

Zhuque: “…It was prepared long ago, okay?”

Mini Theater 2

Luo Wanqing: “Amazing, Lord Zhang, how did you get back?”

Zhang Yiran: “I’m in good physical condition, originally planned to run back.”

Luo Wanqing: “Amazing…”

Zhang Yiran: “Then I happened to meet Zhuque.”

Luo Wanqing: “???”

Zhang Yiran: “He carried me back.”

Luo Wanqing: “Zhuque is a good person, especially carrying Lord Zhang to work.”

Zhuque: “Young Master said if he doesn’t come to work, there’s no one to help him curse people, so he had to come to work today.”

Mini Theater 3

Xie Heng: “I’m from the Dao Sect, learned many miscellaneous things.”

Luo Wanqing: “What about Cui Heng?”

Xie Heng: “How do you know?”

Luo Wanqing: “Uh… he told me he also learned some things in the sect.”

Xie Heng: “Oh? What?”

Luo Wanqing: “…”

Xie Heng: “Tell me, let me see what he learned?”

Luo Wanqing: “…Bedroom arts.”

Xie Heng: “Oh~~ Indeed, I also learned that.”

Luo Wanqing: “…”

Xie Heng: “Using two identities to tease my wife is fun.”

Qingya: “Making yourself a cuckold is indeed very fun.”

Xie Heng: “…”

Qingya: “Ah, sorry, Young Master, this subordinate accidentally told the truth! I was wrong!”

Xie Heng: “…Get lost…”