◎ Luo Wanqing and Her Two Vulnerabilities ◎

As she spoke, Luo Wanqing led Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng through the crowd toward the exit.

Zhang Yiran still held the wooden board, remaining vigilant of their surroundings at all times, looking extremely tense. Cui Heng, however, walked down the road holding the sword with complete nonchalance, appearing exceptionally at ease.

The two followed Luo Wanqing out of the county office. Once they boarded the carriage, Zhang Yiran could no longer contain himself and immediately said: “The person isn’t…”

“I know.”

Luo Wanqing interrupted Zhang Yiran’s words. Zhang Yiran paused and frowned: “Are we just leaving Xing Ling behind like this?”

“One thing at a time.”

Luo Wanqing poured tea for Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng, passing it to them while consoling: “Xing Ling won’t be in danger for now. Let’s first figure out what they’re trying to do. Did you get the account books today?”

“Got some useless ones.”

Cui Heng smiled and tossed two ledgers onto the table, tapping the surface: “With my years of experience examining accounts, I can tell at a glance – these are fake.”

“What about the registries?”

Luo Wanqing looked toward Zhang Yiran, who shook his head: “They didn’t take me to where the case files were kept at all. They first took us to see the tax silver accounts. When I asked to see the case files, they said they’d take Xing Ling to find them.”

Speaking of this, Zhang Yiran felt somewhat regretful: “I thought Inspector Xing Ling was highly skilled in martial arts, but didn’t expect…”

“Lord Zhang need not blame yourself. This isn’t a big deal.”

Luo Wanqing consoled him thoughtfully: “For Inspector Xing Ling to clear his name is simple. Xing Ling uses different sword techniques – as long as they examine the blade marks, he can clear his name.”

“Then why didn’t you explain immediately?”

Zhang Yiran couldn’t understand. Luo Wanqing smiled and said thoughtfully, “Because I want to know what they’re trying to do. Among us few people, the one most harmless to them would probably be Xing Ling. Now they’re using this method to lure Xing Ling away…”

Luo Wanqing didn’t continue, but Zhang Yiran understood: “They want to kill us?”

“It’s possible.”

Luo Wanqing nodded, then said: “Tonight I’ll sleep with you two lords. Please rest well.”

Hearing this, both men became somewhat nervous. Cui Heng even said: “I… I’m not comfortable sharing a room with you.”

Luo Wanqing frowned and looked over: “Why?”

Cui Heng forced out a smile: “I… I’m afraid of water.”

“Hm?” Luo Wanqing didn’t understand. “What does this have to do with water?”

“It’s nothing.”

Cui Heng spoke mysteriously. He turned his head away, holding Xing Ling’s sword as if making a great sacrifice: “Forget it, I’ll sleep by the window.”

Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances but didn’t say more. Throughout this journey, everyone had grown accustomed to not understanding Cui Heng’s words and simply moving past them.

The three fell quiet and returned to the inn. Cui Heng went to wash first, while Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran stood guard at the door.

After standing at the door for a while, Zhang Yiran suddenly laughed. Luo Wanqing looked up curiously and asked: “What is Lord Zhang laughing about?”

“I was thinking,” Zhang Yiran mused, “you’ve learned to speak officialese too.”

This remark struck Luo Wanqing as odd: “How could I not know how to speak officialese?”

“I remember when I first met you, you were still a bandit.” As Zhang Yiran spoke, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but pause.

Belatedly remembering their first meeting, when she knew nothing, she couldn’t help but lower her head and laugh.

“How did you learn to speak like this today?” Zhang Yiran wondered. “I remember when I first entered the Censorate, I studied for half a year and still couldn’t learn it.”

“Maybe I was naturally suited for this kind of talk,” Luo Wanqing thought and said. “You have an upright nature, so, normally, you couldn’t learn it. I have no principles – as long as I can achieve my goal, I’ll do anything. To get revenge, I desperately tried to enter the Supervision Department, fought for the position of Fifth Rank Inspector, and came to Jiangnan. I’ve said these kinds of words too many times while handling the Eastern Palace case.”

“What revenge do you have?”

Her handling of those Eastern Palace affairs had spread throughout the Eastern Capital, but Zhang Yiran was curious about the “revenge” she suddenly mentioned.

Luo Wanqing smiled but didn’t elaborate.

Inside, Cui Heng finished his bath and opened the door, drying his hair: “Call for water – I’m done washing.”

The three took turns bathing, then sat in the inn, packing their luggage. They only brought necessary documents, tokens, silver, and medicine. After putting on soft armor, they placed all important items on their persons.

This equipment was extremely uncomfortable. Cui Heng couldn’t help saying: “Do we need to be this cautious?”

“In everyone’s eyes, Xing Ling has the highest martial arts among our four. If they don’t come kill us now, when will they?”

Luo Wanqing equipped the Qianji device and handed it to Zhang Yiran, teaching him hand-to-hand: “Press here and it will shoot Torrential Pear Blossom Needles, but this can only be used once – save it for emergencies.”

Watching Luo Wanqing teach Zhang Yiran, Cui Heng couldn’t help asking: “That, Inspector Liu, do you have a Shadow Envoy?”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing held Zhang Yiran’s hand and turned back, puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

“Where is he?” Cui Heng stared at Luo Wanqing holding Zhang Yiran’s hand and couldn’t help saying: “Teaching Lord Zhang the Qianji so hands-on like this – does your Shadow Envoy agree?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked up alertly and only asked: “How do you know this is called Qianji?”

“I know,” Cui Heng nodded without concealment. “Everyone in your Supervision Department has one. Zhuque often brags to me about it.”

Listening to this, Luo Wanqing released Zhang Yiran’s hand, but still felt somewhat suspicious and couldn’t help saying: “Why wouldn’t my Shadow Envoy agree to me teaching Lord Zhang?”

This question stumped Cui Heng. After holding it in for a long time, he only nodded: “Alright, as long as you’re both happy.”

Listening to Cui Heng’s words, Luo Wanqing sensed something but didn’t speak, only saying: “Let’s sleep.”

The three were in one room, each finding a place to sleep.

Zhang Yiran slept on the bed, Luo Wanqing sat on the table with her eyes closed, resting, and Cui Heng chose the study by the window, arms crossed, half his legs hanging over the eaves, as if proving something.

After sleeping for a while, Luo Wanqing heard the sound of bird wings flapping. She quickly opened her eyes and went to the window, seeing Zhuisi perched on the windowsill.

Zhuisi had a string of light pink jade bead bracelets tied to its foot, carrying a note.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile. She took the bracelet and fondled it for a moment. This time she didn’t refuse but put it on, saying to Zhuisi: “Wait for me a moment.”

She took the note and walked toward the study.

These days, they had been communicating through Zhuisi, but it wasn’t easy for Zhuisi to make each trip. Luo Wanqing looked at the writing on it, thinking it would be another casual chat from Cui Heng, but when she opened it, she saw: “Already near Yangzhou, will arrive soon.”

Luo Wanqing was startled. When she realized what this meant, she couldn’t help but feel great joy.

She hadn’t expected Cui Heng to come so quickly. They had only been in Yangzhou for less than a day, and Cui Heng had already caught up.

She gripped the paper, couldn’t help but smile, her emotions stirring. She wanted to say something to him, but didn’t know how to begin. After hesitating for a long time, she simply wrote about everything that had happened since entering Yangzhou.

She wrote in great detail, many words filling the page. Zhuisi waited impatiently.

After finishing, Luo Wanqing gave it to Zhuisi. Zhuisi glared at her, making Luo Wanqing laugh.

After sending Zhuisi away, Cui Heng beside her suddenly spoke: “Sent to Cui Guanlan?”

Luo Wanqing was startled and looked back: “You know him?”

“I know him.”

Cui Heng didn’t elaborate. Luo Wanqing didn’t know what else to ask for a moment and just nodded: “Oh.”

She was about to return to the chair for a nap when she heard Cui Heng say: “Aren’t you going to ask me something about him?”

“No need,” Luo Wanqing felt inexplicably nervous. “What he’s willing to tell me, I’ll naturally know. What he doesn’t tell me, I don’t need to investigate.”

“I see,” Cui Heng smiled. “Seems Inspector Liu doesn’t plan to have a future with him.”

Luo Wanqing was momentarily speechless, her heart instantly thrown into some chaos. Feigning calm, she said: “Lord Cui, please watch your words.”

“Inspector Liu, the hardest thing for people to control is the human heart.” Cui Heng turned to look at the gloomy sky outside the window. “From childhood, he told us he was heartless and unfeeling, but, among our group, he’s always been the most demanding, the hardest to let go.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t understand. Cui Heng was silent for a moment, then laughed softly: “Yes, why indeed.”

“Sleep,” Cui Heng closed his eyes. “It will rain tonight. Inspector, sleep lightly.”

Luo Wanqing nodded and was about to leave, but after just a few steps, she heard footsteps from the distance.

The sound was very light and fast, like cats – not just one, but a group of people rapidly approaching their direction.

Luo Wanqing’s heart tensed. Without hesitation, before Cui Heng could react, she grabbed him from the window, hoisted him up, and rushed straight to the inner room, throwing him onto the bed before leaping up herself.

Zhang Yiran was still fast asleep when he felt the bed shake, then a callused hand covered his mouth and nose.

Zhang Yiran’s eyes flew open instantly. Luo Wanqing immediately applied pressure, suppressing his startled cry.

“Someone’s here.”

Luo Wanqing spoke quietly. Zhang Yiran understood, breathing rapidly but not daring to make a sound.

Luo Wanqing used her knife to cut the rope and lower the bed curtains. Three people squeezed onto one bed, with Cui Heng terrified, holding Xing Ling’s sword and shrinking into a corner.

Luo Wanqing took antidotes from her sleeve. After the three quickly took them, they held their breath and waited quietly on the bed.

Soon they heard several people land in the room. Luo Wanqing listened to the sounds, counting the number of intruders while staring at the area beyond the bed curtains, silently drawing her blade with one hand.

Cui Heng held Xing Ling’s sword and huddled with Zhang Yiran, seeking some sense of security.

The three tensely listened to footsteps approaching the inner room. Luo Wanqing determined their numbers and formulated an escape plan for later.

She wouldn’t be nervous if she were alone, but she was here with two civil officials.

The last time when protecting Zhang Yiran was protected, his kick that sent her into the encirclement had left a deep impression. She couldn’t trust any of these civil officials.

She gripped her knife handle tightly. The moment the opponents lifted the curtain, Luo Wanqing suddenly kicked out forcefully, using the rushing attackers as sandbags to knock down a group. She leaped out, grabbed and slashed the throat of the only obstacle – an assassin blocking the main door – and shouted: “Run!”

Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran leaped from the bed and rushed outside following Luo Wanqing’s command.

But as soon as they charged out the door, arrows rained down like rainfall. Luo Wanqing reacted quickly, kicking down the door and spinning it in her hands like a shield. While blocking the arrow rain, she kicked down a pursuing assassin, then released the door board for the two men to hold, ordering: “Carry the door board downstairs!”

She then began fighting with the pursuing assassins.

Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran hid behind a door board, using their hands to lift it as a shield, working together with perfect coordination as they jogged toward the stairs.

Arrow waves came one after another. Luo Wanqing looked ahead and behind, sometimes charging forward to clear the path, sometimes cutting off pursuers from behind, protecting this door board full of arrows as they moved quickly.

When they reached downstairs, an arrow suddenly pierced through the door board. The board instantly shattered, and Cui Heng instinctively gasped, looking with shock but without injury as the arrow passed through his stomach area, and couldn’t help shouting: “Inspector, the door’s broken!”

As soon as he finished speaking, another arrow wave came. Luo Wanqing grabbed a corpse and spun it around. Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran immediately understood and hid behind her. When the arrow rain passed, Luo Wanqing said, “Run!”

Luo Wanqing slashed open a path with her blade. The two immediately grabbed shields from the ground and pressed together to protect their left and right sides, following Luo Wanqing as they charged forward.

Luo Wanqing’s blade work was bold and sweeping, the two held shields like clam shells – the three cooperated perfectly as they rushed toward the main gate.

But just as they saw the main gate, they spotted a group of soldiers with repeating crossbows aimed at the entrance.

Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran gasped, instinctively wanting to retreat.

Repeating crossbows could fire several shots in rapid succession – their broken shields couldn’t possibly withstand several waves of crossbow attacks.

However, before they could speak, they saw Luo Wanqing already charging forward with her blade.

The two exchanged glances. With no time to think, they could only hold their shields in front and simply close their eyes, following Luo Wanqing in a blind charge forward!

After just a few steps, they felt powerful crossbow bolts striking their shields with tremendous force. Their hands went numb from the impact, but not daring to hesitate, they shouted to encourage themselves and charged through like breaking bamboo, bursting out the main gate, rushing through the courtyard, and crashing straight into the wall.

Both men felt intense pain and quickly backed away.

Although Zhang Yiran was in pain, he maintained some consciousness. Enduring the pain and turning around, he saw the courtyard full of Supervision Department personnel.

Luo Wanqing stood with her foot on the shoulder of a kneeling archer, looking with Qin Huaiyu and others at the two men by the wall holding shields.

His movements froze, completely awakened, and he couldn’t help but straighten up.

Cui Heng’s head had hit the wall, and he was still gasping from pain. Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but hold his shield with one hand while pulling Cui Heng’s sleeve with the other, looking at the Supervision Department inspectors staring at them and quietly reminding: “Lord Cui.”

Cui Heng cursed from the pain, covering his head and muttering: “Scared me to death, I thought I was done for. What kind of wall is this, so painful…”

“Lord Cui.”

“Next time, I’m never coming to Jiangnan again. Even if Inspector Xing Ling is beautiful, I won’t. That bastard Xie Heng…”

“Lord Cui.”

“A man as graceful, handsome, and elegant as me…”

“Lord Cui!”

Zhang Yiran finally couldn’t stand it anymore and pulled Cui Heng to his side to stand straight, seriously looking at the Supervision Department people across from them, reminding in an extremely low voice: “Don’t embarrass the Eastern Capital!”

Cui Heng was startled and dumbly looked up at the men and women before him. After holding it in for a long time, he feigned composure, stood up straight, quietly discarded his shield, and forced out a strained but confident smile.

Seeing this, Qin Huaiyu suppressed her laughter and turned her head, coughing lightly before looking at Luo Wanqing and saying seriously: “Inspector Liu, we’ve captured all the people in the inn. Interrogate them tonight?”

“Let’s go to the Supervision Department to sleep first, and interrogate tomorrow.”

Luo Wanqing nodded, then glanced at the two men by the wall and waved: “You two lords follow me – it’s safe.”

In this territory of Yangzhou, she didn’t trust anyone except herself and Xing Ling to look after these two civil officials, not even the Supervision Department.

Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng thought the same way. Upon hearing the invitation, they immediately followed.

After the battle just now, they had extremely high trust in Luo Wanqing’s combat abilities.

Luo Wanqing smiled at them but didn’t say more. She turned to have Qin Huaiyu tie up the prisoners and headed straight back to the Supervision Department.

These were all ordinary assassins, far inferior to those raised by Eastern Capital aristocratic families. Luo Wanqing had Qin Huaiyu bind them and went to rest first. The next day, after a full day of interrogation, they extracted the identity of their employer.

At dinner, Luo Wanqing sat at the dining table with the extracted confession, looking at Sun Cui’s name in silence.

Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng had spent the day examining false accounts. When they came to the dining hall for dinner and saw Luo Wanqing staring at a paper without speaking, they curiously approached. Zhang Yiran asked strangely: “What is Xiniang looking at?”

“The confession extracted from last night.”

Luo Wanqing handed the paper to Zhang Yiran, thinking, “They only confessed Sun Cui.”

“What do you mean by ‘only confessed Sun Cui’?”

Cui Heng sat down strangely and poured himself tea.

Luo Wanqing explained: “Actually, when I mentioned the Luo family case to them yesterday, I was prepared for the possibility they might assassinate us. Of course, this was my worst-case scenario – I didn’t think they’d be this aggressive. I only thought they might do something to us, and if I could catch them red-handed, I could get them to back down temporarily and take over Yangzhou. This way, whatever we wanted to investigate would be convenient.”

At least they could get the real account books and records of where the Luo residence’s confiscated property went.

“It’s a quick-cutting approach.”

Cui Heng nodded and looked at Luo Wanqing: “Then what?”

Yesterday, I contacted the local Supervision Department in advance and had them leave people to secretly follow us. When they separated Xing Ling alone last night, I guessed they would act at night. When they made their move, the Supervision Department came with people and captured all these assassins last night. I originally thought they would confess both Zhou Chun and Sun Cui together, but now they’ve only confessed Sun Cui alone, leaving Zhou Chun out.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Cui Heng smiled and said leisurely, “We don’t need to bite off more than we can chew. We arrest Sun Cui and have her confess Zhou Chun – wouldn’t that work?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing realized she had been too hasty.

She calmed herself and nodded: “You’re right. Let’s do that.”

Having found a solution, Luo Wanqing immediately picked up her chopsticks, quickly ate a few bites, then got up to call Qin Huaiyu to gather people. At the same time, she sent people to the county office to have Zhou Chun call Sun Cui and other local officials to wait at the county office.

Qin Huaiyu quickly brought several inspectors. Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran also came out together to go with Luo Wanqing to the county office.

Night rain was falling. The county office normally wouldn’t have many people at this time, but because of Luo Wanqing’s advance notice, it was now brightly lit.

Luo Wanqing led her people through the rain into the county office’s main hall. Upon entering, attendants folded umbrellas, and Zhou Chun immediately approached with an apologetic smile: “Lord Cui, Lord Zhang, Inspector Liu.”

“Lord Zhou.”

The three shook off rainwater from their bodies and bowed to Zhou Chun.

Zhou Chun led the three to their seats and asked puzzledly: “So late at night, what did Inspector Liu summon us here for?”

“It’s like this.”

Luo Wanqing looked around at the people in the hall, her gaze falling on Sun Cui’s face, saying gently, “Last night we were attacked at the inn. We captured a group of assassins. According to their confessions, the one who ordered last night’s assassination was—”

Luo Wanqing’s gaze fell on Zhou Chun’s face. Zhou Chun’s expression changed slightly: “Inspector Liu, why are you looking at me?”

“Just looking. Lord Zhou, don’t be nervous.”

Luo Wanqing then turned her gaze to Sun Cui, who sat rigid beside them, and pulled out a ring: “Lord Sun, do you recognize this?”

Sun Cui looked at the ring she had used to verify her identity with the assassins and forced out a smile: “What is this?”

“Lord Sun,” Luo Wanqing walked to Sun Cui’s side, placing the ring on the table and saying gently, “The assassins said this was used to verify identity each time you communicated. Do you not recognize it?”

“He’s lying!”

Sun Cui suddenly stood up. All the officials around looked over, and Sun Cui said somewhat panicked, “Inspector Liu, you can’t believe one side’s story. Bring him to me for interrogation – I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Lord Sun doesn’t trust the Supervision Department’s interrogation methods.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing smiled, took the ring, and returned to her position.

Everyone present understood after hearing this.

When it came to torture and interrogation, who in the world could surpass the Supervision Department?

The officials present had heard various things and didn’t dare speak. Luo Wanqing turned to look at Zhou Chun and smiled: “Lord Zhou, what you said yesterday about suspects needing to be detained – I also believe Lord Sun is certainly innocent, but since there’s been an accusation, Lord Sun is now the most likely suspect for ordering the assassination of imperial inspection officials. So the Supervision Department detaining Lord Sun shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

With these words, Zhou Chun didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

Yesterday he had used this very reason to arrest Xing Ling. Today Luo Wanqing was making the same demand to detain Sun Cui – he had no grounds to refuse.

However, he knew very well that Sun Cui couldn’t withstand torture in the Supervision Department and would quickly confess everything about him.

He secretly resented Sun Cui’s incompetence but couldn’t abandon her.

After holding it in for a long time, he forced a smile and said with difficulty, “The reasoning is sound, but Lord Sun is, after all, the Prison Warden. Prison affairs are complex and extremely important. If she’s imprisoned, the prison might fall into chaos.”

“No problem,” Luo Wanqing smiled and said, “If the prison can’t find someone to replace Lord Sun in managing it, our Supervision Department personnel are extremely skilled at managing prisoners. Having the Supervision Department find an inspector to replace Lord Sun wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Liu Xiniang.”

Hearing this, Sun Cui immediately changed expression: “Who do you think you are? You’re a Supervision Department inspector, not Yangzhou’s emperor. Is the Prison Warden position yours to replace at will?!”

“I can’t replace you,” Luo Wanqing looked up coldly and said calmly, “but you assassinated Eastern Capital inspection officials. Calling you a suspect is already giving you face – don’t refuse the toast and drink the penalty wine.”

“Face?” Sun Cui laughed mockingly. “You find some random person to frame me and want to arrest me, and you dare mention face? Have you given Yangzhou any face? Today, I’ll say this – I have absolutely nothing to do with any assassins. I won’t go to the Supervision Department, and don’t think you can frame me!”

Having said this, Sun Cui turned and walked away, but just as she reached the main door, two Supervision Department inspectors blocked her path.

When the Supervision Department people made their move, the soldiers immediately placed their hands on their sword hilts. Luo Wanqing sat in the high position, Zhou Chun sat across from her, and everyone present became tense. Sun Cui turned back and looked coldly at Luo Wanqing: “What do you mean?”

“Lord Zhou,” Luo Wanqing looked calmly at Zhou Chun across from her and asked quietly amid the pattering rain, “Can you actually control Yangzhou or not?”

“Inspector Liu,” Zhou Chun smiled bitterly, “why do you say such things?”

“Lord Zhou,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “harboring criminals is also a crime. I think Lord Zhou doesn’t want to get involved in a case of assassinating imperial inspection officials, right?”

“No one wants to get involved in this kind of case,” Zhou Chun picked up his teacup and said slowly, “but this official just feels that relying solely on a few people’s confessions isn’t sufficient evidence.”

“If confessions aren’t enough, what about this ring? I’ve already verified that this ring indeed belongs to Lord Sun.”

“One ring isn’t sufficient evidence either.”

“Is Lord Zhou harboring her to the end?”

“Inspector Liu speaks too harshly,” Zhou Chun raised his voice, “what kind of person do you take this official for? Is this how the Supervision Department makes slanderous accusations at will?!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing chuckled softly.

She swept her gaze over the watching officials around them and understood – today, everyone was watching her attitude.

After tonight in Yangzhou, whether Zhou Chun or the Supervision Department would be in charge depended on this night.

Luo Wanqing hesitated no more and raised her hand to coldly order, “Arrest them!”

Zhou Chun slammed the table: “Who dares!”

In an instant, the Supervision Department and government soldiers drew swords against each other, and the entire county office filled with tension.

At this very moment, in the night rain, a carriage slowly made its way down the alley.

Inside the carriage, a young master reclined sideways on a couch. He wore a wide-sleeved blue robe, a red cord with jade at his waist, and a gold-inlaid mask on his face, casually flipping through case files.

“Young Master, when we arrive, I’ll withdraw. Being together with someone of your status makes me uncomfortable.”

Zhuque’s voice came from outside. Cui Heng said carelessly: “Uncomfortable about what?”

“Your status commands too much of my respect. If I expose you, you’ll blame me.” Zhuque muttered, “If I’m not respectful enough, you’ll be unhappy and still blame me. My monthly salary isn’t that high to begin with – if you keep deducting from it, it won’t be enough to spend.”

Hearing this, Cui Heng turned a page of the case file and said indifferently: “Buy fewer pretty shoes and you’ll have enough to spend.”

“I don’t buy that many…”

Before Zhuque could finish, a black-clothed figure swiftly approached from ahead. With several light leaps, he landed beside the carriage and said quietly, “Young Master, Inspector Liu conflicts with government forces at the county office. Zhou Chun has soldiers confronting Inspector Liu.”

Cui Heng’s movements paused as he remembered the content of the letter he’d received yesterday.

After thinking for a moment, he sighed softly.

He raised his hand to remove the mask, took off the sachet, and went to change into Xie Heng’s clothes.

“Zhuque,” his voice became somewhat colder, “stay close to me these days.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater – 1] Luo Wanqing: “To protect you both, the three of us will sleep in one bed.” Zhang Yiran: “Although I feel it’s not quite proper, the important matter comes first.” Cui Heng: “No, I don’t want to.” Luo Wanqing: “Why?” Cui Heng: “Sleeping in the same bed with you, you-you want Xie Heng to stomp me into the lake and drown me!!”

[Mini Theater – 2] Today’s Summary: Luo Wanqing leads her two vulnerabilities into battle, Cui Heng & Zhang Yiran: “We two are also very strong, you know?!”