◎I Won’t Let You Go◎

After bidding farewell to Zheng Jinxin, Luo Wanqing walked back toward the Supervision Department.

She strolled openly along the road, not noticing anything unusual, but halfway there, she saw Fang Yuan leading people in pursuit of an official in the distance.

Luo Wanqing glanced over and saw that the official and his men were already at a disadvantage. It was only a matter of time before Fang Yuan captured them. She wasn’t in a hurry to help, so she casually found a sweet soup stall and stood beside it, watching Fang Yuan corner the official.

The official and his guards were surrounded by Fang Yuan’s group, cursing angrily: “You Supervision Department people have no regard for law and trample on human life. I am the Eastern Palace’s Chief Clerk – how dare you assault me in broad daylight…”

“Beat your grandfather!” Fang Yuan leaped up and kicked the man off his horse with one foot, roaring: “This master is arresting a suspect!”

“Guest, would you like a bowl of sweet soup?”

Luo Wanqing was watching with interest when the vendor beside her suddenly spoke. She paid no attention and waved her hand: “Give me one bowl.”

The sweet soup was immediately placed beside her. She smiled as she watched Fang Yuan arrest the man, then lowered her head to take a sip of the sweet soup.

The moment the sweet soup entered her mouth, she immediately tasted the crane’s crest red poison within it and spat it out.

At that very moment, the vendor suddenly drew a knife and slashed at her!

Luo Wanqing blocked the vendor’s large knife with one hand, kicked away a woman charging at her with one foot, while simultaneously pulling an antidote pill from her sleeve and slapping it into her mouth. She heard the vendor shout: “Dog thief of the Supervision Department, give me your life!”

Luo Wanqing shattered the vendor’s large knife with one stroke. Sensing the blade wind attacking from behind, before she could turn around, she felt a swift wind flying from the side. After hearing a muffled sound, Luo Wanqing turned her head and saw a person’s head pierced through by a jade thumb ring, falling to the ground with a “bang.”

The green jade thumb ring bounced twice on the ground. Luo Wanqing looked up and saw a person standing beside a carriage in the distance.

He wore a blue brocade robe, a jeweled crown on his head, and his scholarly features carried a touch of gloom as his deep gaze looked in her direction.

Upon seeing him, the surrounding assassins exchanged glances and immediately retreated.

Luo Wanqing also straightened up, watching as the other party walked toward her.

When the person reached her, Luo Wanqing nodded and performed a simple bow: “Third Prince.”

“Let’s go.” Li Guiyu’s tone was indifferent: “I’ll escort you back.”

“No need.” Luo Wanqing immediately refused, saying respectfully: “This humble one has no relationship with the Third Prince, so there’s no need for an escort.”

“Is the Chief Inspector so afraid of me?” Li Guiyu smiled with a touch of coldness. He bent slightly and lowered his voice: “There are currently two ambushes set up on the street. If I escort you, you’ll return safely. If I don’t escort you, you’re on your own.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s expression became slightly stern.

She didn’t think today’s people could truly succeed, but seeing the civilians beside her trembling in fear at the assassins’ corpses, Luo Wanqing finally felt reluctant to cause trouble if it could be avoided. After thinking, she said: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Li Guiyu seemed to have known her answer in advance, raising his hand respectfully: “Please.”

Luo Wanqing turned around with a cold face. Only then did Fang Yuan notice the commotion here and quickly brought people over, saying urgently: “Chief Inspector Liu, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Luo Wanqing waved her hand, glanced at Li Guiyu, and hinted: “You handle your business first. I’ll return to the Department with the Third Prince.”

Seeing Luo Wanqing’s hint, Fang Yuan understood and didn’t mention details about the case, quickly bowing and leaving.

Li Guiyu watched Fang Yuan walk away, then withdrew his gaze and said calmly: “You’re doing well at the Supervision Department.”

“Yes.” Luo Wanqing smiled. “Much better than when I was in Yangzhou.”

This remark made Li Guiyu’s expression turn cold, and he only said: “Is that so? What was wrong with Yangzhou?”

“Yangzhou prison is no place to stay – Your Highness has never been there.” Luo Wanqing glanced at him. “As a death row prisoner, I naturally wouldn’t have any good impressions of Yangzhou.”

“There must have been some happy people and events?” Li Guiyu said meaningfully.

Luo Wanqing’s expression remained cold as she only said, “That’s all in the past.”

Li Guiyu didn’t respond. After thinking, he changed the subject: “I heard Wei Qianqiu saved Lu Lingchan?”

“Yes,” Luo Wanqing became immediately alert when he mentioned Lu Lingchan. “Your Highness’s information network is quite impressive – you can even know about such things?”

“There are always ways.” Li Guiyu’s expression finally softened somewhat. “Today, Mother summoned me to the palace precisely because of this and gave me quite a scolding.”

“Oh?” Luo Wanqing was rather pleased to hear this, though she didn’t show it too obviously, only saying: “Then doesn’t this create a rift between Your Highness and Her Majesty?”

“Are there a few rifts between her and me?” Li Guiyu detected Luo Wanqing’s schadenfreude, and somehow, his heart also lightened a bit.

Even if she wanted to harm him, he still felt somewhat happy.

It was as if his withered heart was finally being watered, swelling painfully as it awakened bit by bit.

Though it hurt, at least it was alive.

He couldn’t help but tell her more about palace matters. Since what he spoke of concerned the Empress and others, Luo Wanqing inevitably listened more carefully.

He swept his eyes over her focused expression, pretending not to know she was gathering intelligence while continuously telling her news she liked to hear.

“I know Lu Lingchan must die – you’re just releasing false information, but Mother won’t believe me. She’ll try every means possible.”

“Since you know, why don’t you stop her?” Luo Wanqing asked curiously.

Li Guiyu chuckled lightly: “Why should I stop her? Her wanting to kill you is her business; your being killed is your business. Why should I interfere? Unless,” Li Guiyu’s tone became serious, “you are the young miss.”

“If I were Luo Wanqing, would you stop her?” Luo Wanqing stared at Li Guiyu. Li Guiyu nodded: “Yes.”

Speaking thus, before Luo Wanqing could mock him, he continued: “Luo Wanqing can only be killed by me.”

This statement blocked all of Luo Wanqing’s mockery in her throat. She laughed: “You really won’t let her go even in death.”

“Exactly.” Li Guiyu smiled. “I’ve found her corpse.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing stopped walking.

Li Guiyu turned to look at her: “Why does the Chief Inspector stop? Are you surprised, or afraid?”

“To be honest,” Luo Wanqing suppressed her inner unease and looked up with a smile, “the Supervision Department also searched for Miss Luo, but she died…”

“Shh.” Li Guiyu raised his hand, making a gesture for silence.

Luo Wanqing’s voice stopped. Li Guiyu smiled: “In case you are her, don’t curse yourself.”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh: “Your Highness still won’t give up?”

“I think you’re right,” Li Guiyu said, looking at her, his tone gentle. “I also want to confirm whether you resemble her too much, or if I miss her too much. So I’ve decided to give you another chance.”

“What chance?” Luo Wanqing didn’t understand. Li Guiyu raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder, gripping her bone.

He gripped very hard. Luo Wanqing’s expression remained unchanged as she looked at him coldly.

“I’ve already sent people to Yangzhou to investigate your background,” Li Guiyu stared into her eyes, trying to find unease within them. “I’ve also had that corpse brought back. It will arrive in the Eastern Capital soon, and I will personally dissect her, feeling every inch of her bones to see exactly who she is.”

“Even if she’s not Luo Wanqing, that doesn’t mean I am Luo Wanqing.” Luo Wanqing raised her hand to knock away Li Guiyu’s hand.

“It doesn’t matter.” Li Guiyu withdrew his hand, tucking it into his sleeve and lightly rubbing his fingers, suppressing his boiling emotions with his blood, and chuckled softly. “I also have another idea. I’m having people search everywhere for methods to see if there’s any possibility for a person to completely transform within half a year, from a sheltered young lady to a second-rate martial artist.”

“Even if you find such methods, it doesn’t prove I’m Luo Wanqing.”

“Liu Xiniang,” hearing her words, Li Guiyu’s smile faded as he threatened in a low voice, “sometimes, whether you acknowledge it or not, isn’t up to you.”

“Oh? What if I just don’t acknowledge it?”

“If you truly are her and you don’t acknowledge it,” Li Guiyu said seriously, “I absolutely won’t let you go.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh.

“How do you plan to not let me go?” Luo Wanqing had never felt so exhilarated. She looked up at him and smiled: “I’m all alone, without relatives or friends, just a rotten life crawled out from death row. Third Prince, do tell me – how else can you not let me go?”

Li Guiyu was stunned.

Luo Wanqing smiled and turned around, stepping forward.

Li Guiyu called after her: “Liu Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing turned back to look at him. Li Guiyu tucked both hands into his sleeves and sincerely reminded her: “Don’t involve yourself too deeply in the case. If you act too ruthlessly, even His Majesty will find it unseemly. When the ministers demand accountability,” Li Guiyu raised his eyes, “Xie Heng will be the first to kill you.”

After speaking, he turned around, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked away.

When he left the palace, he felt today’s clouds obscured the sun.

However, at this moment, walking on the long street, he felt there was no storm, no scorching sun – quite good weather indeed.

“How many more days?” Li Guiyu didn’t turn around, but Zi Tang beside him already understood his meaning and quickly said: “Your Highness, in six more days and the person will arrive.”

“Go tell Uncle again,” Li Guiyu rubbed the finger that originally wore the jade thumb ring, saying coldly, “Lu Lingchan is dead. Tell them not to touch Liu Xiniang. If they act, the consequences are theirs to bear.”

After finishing her conversation with Li Guiyu, Luo Wanqing put away her smile and walked into the Supervision Department with a cold face.

Thinking that she had walked all that way with Li Guiyu made her feel ridiculous, but then thinking that since she couldn’t kill him, she might as well make good use of him, she calmed down.

After collecting herself for a moment, she went directly to the underground palace. Just as she reached the door, she saw Xie Heng coming out with Qingya.

He wore a black robe with silver sun and moon patterns, blood spatters on the hem, and a heavy scent of blood still lingered on him – clearly, he had just conducted an interrogation.

He wore black and silver gloves, which Luo Wanqing was seeing for the second time.

Luo Wanqing only glanced before immediately stepping aside. Xie Heng glanced at her but didn’t say much, walking past her.

However, as he passed by her side, Xie Heng’s expression changed slightly.

He glanced at her coldly but didn’t stop, walking away with a cold expression.

Qingya noticed Xie Heng’s change and couldn’t help saying: “Young Master, what’s wrong?”

“Five Stone Powder mixed with Dragon’s Saliva incense.”

Qingya was stunned, then understood what Xie Heng was displeased about. But before he could speak, Xie Heng quickly gave instructions.

“You should interact more with the deputy generals within the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands, especially those who aren’t very obedient. Make it obvious.”

“Yes.” Qingya smiled as he responded: “Young Master, rest assured. I’ll make them feel that the Six Commands are entirely under Young Master’s control.”

Xie Heng said nothing, seeming to be thinking about something.

Qingya was puzzled: “Young Master?”

“Ah.” Xie Heng came back to his senses and said indifferently: “Nothing. Return to the mountain.”

Luo Wanqing spent most of the night in the dungeon interrogating those officials.

Most of these officials had grown up in luxury and couldn’t withstand even a few tortures before confessing to many things.

Without Lu Lingchan, the case couldn’t be connected as a whole, so they could only sort through and interrogate case by case.

This was very time-consuming, but there was no alternative.

Luo Wanqing accompanied them at work until late at night. Seeing that it was enough for today, she let everyone rest and went to the pharmacy to prepare medicine.

Thinking of Cui Heng’s symptoms, she gathered some calming herbs, used the pharmacy’s tools to make medicine packets, and carried them with her.

After finishing these tasks, she heard a servant respectfully say, “Chief Inspector Liu, someone is looking for you.”

Speaking thus, the person handed her a note. Luo Wanqing took the note, opened it, and saw elegant handwriting: “Wish to invite elder sister for an outing, but need a token of trust.”

Luo Wanqing immediately knew that Zheng Jinxin had made up her mind and figured out how to proceed, but she needed proof that Luo Wanqing was alive to convince Zheng Biyue.

She thought for a moment, then said: “Tell that person to come find me tomorrow morning, and I’ll give her the token.”

The servant acknowledged and went to relay the message.

Luo Wanqing pondered what token to use as she headed up the mountain.

The small house was empty, and she felt somewhat disappointed, but didn’t think much of it. She turned to enter the house for a simple wash. After finishing her ablutions, she heard some commotion outside. Luo Wanqing cautiously walked to the door and immediately saw Cui Heng reclining on the corridor steps, looking up at the locust flowers.

He wore a blue shirt, held a wine bottle in his hand, his black hair half-bound with a hair ribbon, looking quite leisurely.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised, not expecting Cui Heng to be sitting at her door so quietly, and couldn’t help calling out: “Guanlan?”

“Finished washing?” Cui Heng turned to look at her with a casual smile.

Luo Wanqing walked to his side, sat on the steps, and asked puzzledly: “Why did you come?”

“When am I not free to come? Is the Chief Inspector annoyed with me today?” Cui Heng shook his wine bottle, asking in a sarcastic tone.

Luo Wanqing was amused by his words and only said, “Just asking casually.”

Speaking thus, she turned to take the wine bottle from his hand, shaking it: “Why are you drinking today?”

“I heard that today the Chief Inspector was assassinated on the street, causing quite a commotion.” Cui Heng raised his wine bottle, casually finding a reason: “Came specially to pay respects.”

“You came to watch the show?” Luo Wanqing found it funny when he mentioned today’s events.

Cui Heng supported himself on the steps with his elbow, saying lazily: “The Chief Inspector jokes. Surviving multiple waves of assassination attempts unharmed is something worth boasting about in the Supervision Department.”

“That’s because these people were all intimidated by Li Guiyu. He blocked me alone and bothered me for a long time.”

“Oh?” Cui Heng smiled coolly: “The Chief Inspector finds it bothersome? Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“Happy about what?” Luo Wanqing glanced at him. “Who wouldn’t be annoyed traveling with their father’s killer?”

“Then next time the Chief Inspector should call me over.” Cui Heng’s expression finally softened somewhat as he smiled and gestured, his tone especially serious: “This humble one will rush over immediately, rescue the beauty, bring Chief Inspector Liu back safely, then find a dry well to kick Li Guiyu into, seal the well cover, and request forty-nine protective talismans to suppress it, ensuring he can never cause trouble in life or death.”

Hearing him speak, Luo Wanqing chuckled: “Quite the temper you have.”

“What else?” Cui Heng smiled coldly, finally getting to the main point: “Chief Inspector Liu was intimate with this humble one just last night, then today flirting with an old flame.” Speaking thus, Cui Heng sat up and flicked his sleeve, revealing his still-bandaged wrist, his tone carrying anger: “This humble one doesn’t have such magnanimity.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing laughed out loud. She deliberately pretended not to hear his mention of being “intimate,” only saying: “What nonsense are you talking about? I wasn’t flirting with any old flame.”

Cui Heng snorted lightly at her words but said nothing.

After a moment, he finally brought up serious matters: “You went to find Zheng Jinxin?”

“You had me watched?” Luo Wanqing raised her eyebrows. Cui Heng sneered: “Swaggering around the Eastern Capital looking for people like that – who wouldn’t know?”

“True enough.” Luo Wanqing didn’t hide it, nodding: “I deliberately let everyone see.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I publicly claimed Lu Lingchan is alive, and in a moment, I’ll write a memorial for the Young Master to submit to the court, requesting a public trial to be announced at morning court in a few days, with the results of the Eastern Palace case. When this news gets out, others will think I’ve found evidence against the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands, and they’ll also guess that the Young Master is rushing the public trial to vacate the positions of the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands and fill them with his people. This way, the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands will try to kill me to break the deadlock.”

“What does this have to do with Zheng Jinxin?”

“I need to find a reasonable excuse to make them think they created the opportunity to kill me, rather than me setting a trap. Zheng Jinxin is that excuse.”

Luo Wanqing spoke while taking wine from his hand, and after drinking a sip, he slowly continued: “I was clearly at odds with Zheng Biyue at the music competition. Zheng Jinxin harbored Lu Lingchan and has a weakness in my hands. Now I’m having Zheng Jinxin help me lure Zheng Biyue out alone using Luo Wanqing’s name. In everyone’s eyes, this is me privately seeking revenge against Zheng Biyue for personal grudges. So they’ll seize this opportunity to cooperate with Zheng Biyue, having her pretend to be lured while they set up an ambush, waiting for me.”

“Then you can kill the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands in the name of self-defense.”

Cui Heng understood her words but frowned: “Why go through such a big circle? Just walk down a dark alley and let them kill you.”

“Forcing a deal never works – give them a chance to be clever.”

“You’re targeting Zheng Biyue, aren’t you?” Cui Heng didn’t follow her reasoning and directly stated her true intention.

Luo Wanqing paused in gripping the wine and said nothing. She thought for a long time before slowly saying: “This time, His Majesty might use my life to appease the ministers’ anger. If the Young Master doesn’t protect me, my days are numbered. Not killing Zheng Biyue would be a waste.”

“What if the Young Master protects you?”

“If the Young Master protects me,” Luo Wanqing smiled as she brushed her sleeve, “this is probably my only chance to kill her without punishment. I should naturally seize it well.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Cui Heng (on the phone): “It’s over, Old Xie, your wife is about to run off with someone else, come quickly!! Hurry!”