◎ This Subordinate Knows the Young Master Will Protect Me ◎

Heavy rain poured down, and the county office was filled with the sound of rain.

Qin Huaiyu looked nervously at Luo Wanqing, who knew she absolutely could not retreat at this moment.

She stared at Zhou Chun and spoke coldly: “The Supervision Department serves directly under His Majesty. When encountering suspicious cases, we can directly imprison anyone regardless of their noble status. How dare a mere county magistrate resist orders?”

With that, Luo Wanqing shouted: “Arrest them!”

Hearing this, the Supervision Department people rushed forward while the soldiers beside them pounced on the Supervision Department. The soldiers outnumbered them, with several dragging each inspector. Sun Cui took the opportunity to kick away the inspector at the door and, with the soldiers’ assistance, rushed out of the county office.

Seeing this, Qin Huaiyu was shocked and instinctively gave chase. Just as she reached the courtyard, a figure suddenly emerged from the crowd and knocked her to the ground.

Luo Wanqing immediately saw that the person’s skills were beyond what Qin Huaiyu could handle. She rushed forward, kicked the opponent away, and pulled Qin Huaiyu directly up from the ground.

Just as Qin Huaiyu got up, an old man’s angry voice rang out: “Everyone stop!”

Luo Wanqing turned around to see yesterday’s Registrar Ji holding a dagger to Cui Heng’s throat, excitedly shouting: “Nobody move! Let Lady Sun go!”

Luo Wanqing remained silent, nervously watching Cui Heng. Zhang Yiran, beside her, was also somewhat uneasy, anxiously surveying their surroundings as if ready to rescue at any moment.

Conversely, Cui Heng, who had the blade at his throat, held Xing Ling’s sword in his arms with a nonchalant expression, even joking: “Registrar Ji, no need to be so nervous. I won’t resist.”

“Move aside.”

The old man ignored Cui Heng, only using the knife to hold him hostage while breathing rapidly and looking around, gradually backing toward the exit.

Luo Wanqing stared at the old man, looking for an opportunity, somewhat regretting that she had left Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran behind.

She pressed her lips together, suppressing these meaningless self-recriminations, watching Cui Heng being held at knifepoint as they moved step by step outside.

As the two crossed the threshold, Cui Heng finally seemed somewhat nervous and reminded, “Registrar Ji, you must stay calm! Your hand can’t shake.”

“Stop talking!”

Registrar Ji shouted, glaring fiercely at everyone and demanding they all move toward Luo Wanqing: “All of you stand over there! Prepare horses and let me go!”

“Do as he says.”

Luo Wanqing stared at the old man and ordered everyone to step back.

This Registrar Ji had some foundation but wasn’t a master. He would inevitably show openings while moving. Luo Wanqing could forcibly rescue the hostage, but she didn’t dare gamble.

Cui Heng was a Personnel Ministry Secretary and someone close to Cui Heng. She absolutely could not let Cui Heng suffer the slightest mishap in her hands.

Luo Wanqing calmly stared at the opponent, watching Registrar Ji nervously move toward the door. Just at the moment when they were closest in a straight line, a golden bead shot directly from outside the door, piercing through Registrar Ji’s skull!

Blood and brain matter exploded as Luo Wanqing simultaneously rushed forward, grabbing Registrar Ji’s knife hand and flinging him away. Her other hand seized Cui Heng’s neck and pulled him into her embrace.

“Holding hostage a Fifth Rank court official,” a cold voice came from the doorway. Everyone looked toward the sound to see a young man standing at the entrance, wearing a white robe with gold patterns, holding a black umbrella with silver ink-painted Eight Trigrams on purple bamboo. His cold, beautiful eyes lifted slightly through the rain curtain to look at the crowd as he spoke two icy words: “Deserves death.”

Everyone was stunned in place. After a moment, Qin Huaiyu was the first to react, immediately kneeling with the Supervision Department inspectors and urgently saying: “Subordinates greet the Director.”

When the Supervision Department knelt, the seated officials and soldiers immediately recognized who had arrived. Xie Heng had come to Yangzhou earlier this year, and most people present recognized him, hurriedly following suit in kneeling.

In an instant, waves of greetings echoed throughout the courtyard.

In the tide of greetings, Luo Wanqing stared blankly at him. He calmly observed her arm around Cui Heng. Cui Heng suddenly realized and immediately pushed her away, hastily distancing himself from her.

At this moment, sounds came from outside as Zhuque’s happy voice called: “Young Master.”

Zhuque lightly leaped back, carrying the bound Sun Cui, and threw her to the ground: “Caught her.”

Seeing Sun Cui, Luo Wanqing finally realized that Xie Heng had come.

Xie Heng had come!

She suppressed her panic and knelt on one knee, calmly speaking: “This subordinate greets Young Master.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond, silently watching her.

Heavy rain poured down, pattering on the woman’s body. Her clothes and hair were already soaked through. Her back arched like a bow, like a night crane in the rain, carrying a kind of cold, solitary beauty.

He gripped his umbrella tightly, his expression unchanged, and stepped across the threshold, walking calmly forward.

As his robes swept through the rainwater, Luo Wanqing suddenly felt the scent of pine and sandalwood approaching, and the rain above her head stopped.

She looked up questioningly to see the umbrella tilted over her head, with Xie Heng half-bent, holding the umbrella before her.

“Take it.”

He spoke. Luo Wanqing dared not disobey and uncertainly raised her hand to grip the umbrella. Xie Heng straightened up, stepped forward: “Rise.”

Hearing this, all the Supervision Department people rose with Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing held the umbrella and turned back to watch Xie Heng walk into the main hall, stopping before Zhou Chun at the innermost position.

Zhou Chun knelt on the ground with the Yangzhou officials, trembling with fear. Xie Heng looked down at him and said coldly: “It’s been a long time, Lord Zhou.”

“Director Xie.”

Zhou Chun hurriedly stood up, seeming to want to explain something, but Xie Heng directly interrupted: “I ask, you answer.”

Zhou Chun’s movements froze. Xie Heng said coldly: “Who was the person who just held Lord Cui hostage?”

“It was…” Zhou Chun suppressed his panic and said with difficulty, “Registrar Ji Yun.”

“Who recommended him?”

“It was… this official.”

“Did you try to stop him just now?”

“Things developed too quickly; this official hadn’t reacted yet…”

“You recommended him, he’s your registrar, you didn’t stop him.” Xie Heng didn’t listen to his words, only saying, “Poor management of subordinates, allowing your subordinate to hold hostage a Personnel Ministry Secretary – do you acknowledge this crime?”

“This official knows his guilt; this official was wrong. Please forgive me, Director Xie.”

Zhou Chun knelt on the ground, kowtowing frantically. Xie Heng raised his hand toward Qin Huaiyu beside him and said coldly, “Qin Huaiyu, detain Lord Zhou. For the sake of fairness, place him in Yangzhou prison with the Supervision Department conducting a personal interrogation. Investigate the full circumstances of this hostage incident involving Lord Cui. If guilty, punish according to law; if innocent, release him.”

“Yes.”

Qin Huaiyu immediately had people step forward and drag away the panicking and shouting Zhou Chun.

After dealing with Zhou Chun, Xie Heng turned to look at Sun Cui at the door: “Why did Lady Sun flee in panic?”

“Reporting to Young Master,” Luo Wanqing stepped forward and immediately responded, “Last night, the two inspection lords were attacked at the inn. The captured assassins confessed that Lady Sun was the one who ordered it.”

This was said very clearly. Xie Heng nodded: “Detain her as well.”

With that, Xie Heng looked at the Yangzhou officials kneeling on the ground: “The prefect position will be temporarily assumed by Sun Shoucheng, and the prison will be temporarily managed by Deputy Warden Lu Jiu. Do you lords have any objections?”

Though he wasn’t in Yangzhou, he seemed extremely familiar with Yangzhou’s officials.

The two people he named were both officials from local Yangzhou families, and both were people promoted by the Qin family in the past, extremely familiar with Yangzhou’s government hierarchy.

Not using the Supervision Department to directly take over the government office already made the Yangzhou officials breathe a sigh of relief. How could they dare haggle? They quickly bowed in thanks, not daring to say more.

After handling everything, Xie Heng looked up at Luo Wanqing: “Where is Xing Ling?”

“Reporting to Young Master, Xing Ling was detained yesterday on suspicion of killing a servant,” Luo Wanqing truthfully said. “He’s currently in Yangzhou prison.”

“Inspector Xing Ling’s case is entirely entrusted to Lord Sun,” hearing this, Xie Heng made no demands, only turning to look at Sun Shoucheng, “As long as you handle the case fairly, the Supervision Department accepts all results.”

“Yes,” Sun Shoucheng immediately responded upon hearing this, “This official will investigate the truth as quickly as possible.”

Having resolved everything, Xie Heng swept his gaze around: “Are there any other matters?”

No one spoke. With Xie Heng here, there would be no more issues.

He understood this too and looked at Qin Huaiyu, only saying: “Clean up the county office. Tomorrow, these lords still need to come here to handle official business – don’t disturb them.”

With these words, the Yangzhou officials completely relaxed. Qin Huaiyu knew this was Xie Heng easing relations between both sides and immediately responded: “Yes.”

After arranging everything, the rain outside had lessened considerably. Xie Heng thought for a moment, then turned and said: “Let’s go.”

With that, he headed outside. Seeing him come out, Luo Wanqing hurried forward to hold the umbrella for him.

All officials knelt to respectfully see them off. Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing holding the umbrella behind him, but didn’t speak.

Luo Wanqing followed Xie Heng out. Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng didn’t dare stay behind either, quickly following the two with Zhuque.

The group left the county office and boarded carriages together, with Zhuque leading them to a residence.

When the carriage arrived, everyone got out. Cui Heng saw the words “Xie Residence” on the plaque and couldn’t help turning back: “Lord Xie, you have a residence in Jiangnan too?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Zhuque stepped forward to call at the gate.

The main gate opened, revealing an elderly man with several servants. The old man smiled at Zhuque, then looked at Xie Heng and bowed with the servants holding lanterns: “Young Master, you’ve returned.”

“Elder Ming.” Xie Heng nodded.

Zhuque also smiled: “Grandfather Ming, we’re here.”

The steward called ‘Elder Ming’ smiled but didn’t say much, only making way: “Young Master and all honored guests, please follow me.”

With that, as if he had prepared in advance, he led the group inside.

After walking just a few steps, Elder Ming had people lead Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng in another direction, then took Xie Heng, Zhuque, and Luo Wanqing to the inner courtyard, saying as they walked: “It’s raining tonight, so the residence prepared ginger soup and hot water. Young Master must be tired from traveling.”

Xie Heng didn’t say much, only responding faintly.

Listening to this, Luo Wanqing understood that the people here had probably known about Xie Heng’s itinerary for tonight, and perhaps his visit to the county office was unexpected.

What was Xie Heng here to do?

Luo Wanqing speculated but didn’t dare ask, only following Elder Ming into the main courtyard.

“Young Master Zhuque, come with me.”

A servant led Zhuque to a side room, leaving only Luo Wanqing and Xie Heng in the corridor, led by Elder Ming to the main house.

Elder Ming bowed to push open the door for Xie Heng. Xie Heng said flatly: “Come report after you’ve cleaned up in a quarter-hour.”

Luo Wanqing immediately knew Xie Heng was speaking to her and quickly responded: “Yes.”

With that, Xie Heng entered the room, and Elder Ming closed the door for him.

After closing the door, Elder Ming led Luo Wanqing to the adjacent room. After opening the door for her, Elder Ming said softly, “Young Master’s message arrived hastily today, and we didn’t expect a female inspector to enter the residence. The residence has no women’s items, so the inspector can only temporarily use men’s items from the residence. We’ve sent people to purchase them now and will deliver them to the inspector as soon as they arrive. We hope the inspector will understand.”

“It’s not a big deal. Thank you, Elder Ming.”

Luo Wanqing thanked him upon hearing this. Elder Ming smiled and nodded before leaving.

After seeing Elder Ming off, she closed the door and entered the room.

This room wasn’t large, but everything was complete. Luo Wanqing thought of Xie Heng’s earlier request and knew he hadn’t given her much time, so she went to the wardrobe to get two clean garments to change into after washing.

But when she opened the wardrobe, she was stunned – it was full of men’s clothing.

Remembering Elder Ming’s words, she understood and casually took what looked like the two smallest pieces, went to the washroom, cleaned herself briefly, then changed clothes and headed to Xie Heng’s room.

Luo Wanqing stood at the door waiting for a while. After hearing the sound of water inside stop, she turned to face the door and knocked softly: “Young Mas—”

Before she finished speaking, the door suddenly opened. Water vapor and warmth hit her face, and Luo Wanqing’s finger nearly knocked on Xie Heng’s chest.

Luo Wanqing instantly froze, staring blankly at what was before her.

Her eyes fell on a white robe with silver patterns, worn somewhat loosely, revealing Xie Heng’s collarbone and some of his fair chest.

He seemed to have just washed his hair, with water droplets falling from his hair strands and landing on his clothes. The water-soaked garment clung to his chest skin, showing hints of color beneath.

Luo Wanqing’s hand was still in the knocking position, just inches from Xie Heng’s chest. She could even feel his burning warmth radiating through his clothes.

Neither spoke, both seeming surprised by how close the other was to the door.

After a moment, Xie Heng’s gaze reluctantly moved away from the woman before him wearing his clothes. He turned and stepped back, saying quietly: “Come in.”

Feeling Xie Heng move away from her, Luo Wanqing finally felt her breathing ease somewhat.

Taking the opportunity to look up, she noticed the entire room was covered in soft carpets.

Xie Heng walked barefoot on the soft carpet, stepping to sit behind the high desk. Luo Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then also removed her shoes and stepped inside.

She didn’t have suitable socks to change into and hadn’t anticipated needing to remove her shoes. Now she walked barefoot on the soft carpet, her toes round and jade-like, her skin like jade and snow, appearing and disappearing beneath her robes, particularly alluring.

He lowered his head to sip tea while Luo Wanqing walked to the center of the room and knelt. She didn’t dare look up, only speaking respectfully: “Young Master.”

“What exactly is the situation?”

The cold voice came from above. Luo Wanqing didn’t dare hide anything and told Xie Heng the complete story from beginning to end.

Xie Heng listened quietly. When Luo Wanqing finished, he looked at his tea cup and said icily: “They won’t give you account books and frame you with assassination – this is your reason for directly fighting with the government? You have thousands of ways to handle this, but you had to draw blades in front of everyone?”

Listening to this, Luo Wanqing’s heart tightened, knowing this was the real reason Xie Heng had called her here to question her.

The Supervision Department’s position in court was sensitive. Xie Heng didn’t want the conflict between the Supervision Department and government officials to be too sharp. Arresting a local prefect was a small matter, but directly fighting in the county office in front of all Yangzhou officials was indeed crossing the line.

If she couldn’t give a suitable reason today, Xie Heng probably wouldn’t spare her.

She carefully chose her words. Seeing her not respond, Xie Heng couldn’t help but stand up, walk around the desk to her front, kneeling on one knee, half-crouching, staring at her face and coldly questioning: “Have you thought of how to make excuses? If I hadn’t come tonight and you had killed someone, what would you have done?”

“This subordinate…” Luo Wanqing immediately knew Xie Heng was truly angry. She knew she couldn’t contradict him and could only quickly bow and admit fault: “This subordinate was impulsive. Please punish me, Young Master.”

“Punishment?”

Xie Heng chuckled softly. He pushed up his sleeve, raised his hand to cup clear water, grasped her delicate, small chin, forced her to look up at him, and said in a low voice: “How many lives do you have to be punished? Do you think the matter of killing the Eastern Palace Six Rates is truly completely over? If you had shed blood in Yangzhou’s official circles today, I fear the Ministry of Justice would come for your life tomorrow! Liu Xiniang—”

With that, Xie Heng gripped her chin and pulled her forward. Luo Wanqing was forced to lose balance and fall forward, hastily supporting herself with her hands on the ground, only to see Xie Heng already close to her face, staring at her coldly: “Who gave you such audacity?”

Though he wore only a single robe, his hands still had white silk gloves. The somewhat rough texture rubbed against the thin skin of her chin, immediately showing a layer of light red.

Luo Wanqing didn’t know why, but she always felt the places he touched were somewhat itchy and burning. But she had no time to think about this now. She knew Xie Heng was truly angry tonight. She controlled her instinctive trembling under Xie Heng’s pressure, adjusted her thoughts, and responded calmly: “Young Master.”

Xie Heng looked at her without speaking, waiting for her explanation.

Luo Wanqing suppressed her nervous or otherwise instinctively rapid breathing, adjusted her pace, and spoke as calmly and steadily as possible: “This subordinate knows that Young Master will protect me.”

“That’s not necessarily true.” Xie Heng chuckled softly, his hand gripping her chin unconsciously applying more pressure. “I only protect useful people.”

“This subordinate knows the difficulties.” Luo Wanqing gradually calmed down, unconsciously resting her chin in Xie Heng’s palm to relieve the pressure, slowly explaining: “But this fight was indeed unavoidable. First, I want to quickly find Cui Qingping’s token. Once news of my leaving the Eastern Capital reaches Li Guiyu and others, they will rush here immediately. I must be faster than them, so I need absolute cooperation from local government officials. Zhou Chun and others are probably being instructed by someone and deliberately delaying my time. I can’t wait. Second,” Luo Wanqing looked up, her black and white eyes carrying the clear brightness of a blade’s edge, “the Eastern Capital needs prestige.”

If Supervision Department inspectors from the Eastern Capital all needed to yield, then local Supervision Department members would certainly be more hesitant when dealing with government officials.

Xie Heng understood what she said. As soon as she spoke, he knew her meaning.

It’s just that the person before him was too beautiful, especially those eyes, like a peerless, famous sword, holding a fatal attraction for swordsmen.

His thoughts were slightly disturbed. Forcibly suppressing all inappropriate thoughts, he decided to end tonight’s conversation quickly and directly warned her coldly: “I know what you mean. But this shouldn’t be your first choice. Remember this:” Xie Heng stared into her eyes and finally couldn’t help moving closer, pressing against her ear. His breath sprayed on her face, seeming both instructive and threatening: “Don’t be too aggressive in your actions, or there will inevitably be consequences.”

“This subordinate will remember.” Luo Wanqing knew this was Xie Heng deciding to turn the page. She immediately said, “In the future, this subordinate will think more carefully.”

“Good that you remember,” Xie Heng released his hand gripping her chin and stepped back from her side to stand. “It’s not easy for me to protect you – value your life more.”

“Yes.”

“Go back and sleep.” Xie Heng waved his hand with his back to her. “Retrieve Xing Ling tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing bowed and stood to leave.

But after walking a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and stopped.

Hearing footsteps stop behind him, Xie Heng didn’t turn around, only asking: “Is there something else?”

“Young Master…” Luo Wanqing hesitated but still asked: “Why did you personally come south this time?”

Luo Wanqing was probing, wanting to explore what connection he had with Xueling Mountain.

But Xie Heng didn’t answer, only saying dismissively: “Classified.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare ask more and carefully asked what she most wanted to know: “Did Cui Heng come with Young Master?”

“He has a temporary assignment,” Xie Heng knew what she wanted to ask and said indifferently, “He’ll come in a few days.”

“This subordinate understands,” Luo Wanqing got a satisfactory answer and unconsciously smiled, “This subordinate takes her leave.”

With that, she turned and left.

Xie Heng faced away from her, listening to her footsteps, and couldn’t help remembering the moment she entered the door.

The room’s lamplight was somewhat dim, but it still cast a thin light on the woman.

She wore a silver-gray robe he had worn before. The garment was too large for her, naturally revealing her slender neck and large areas of snow-white skin on her shoulders.

Her pale wrists wore the pink jade bead bracelet he had sent yesterday. She used it to lift her robe hem, and beneath the silver gauze hem, her smooth and lovely bare feet appeared and disappeared.

Quite adorable.

Luo Wanqing closed the door before leaving his room. Just as she reached her own room’s door, she heard water sounds again from Xie Heng’s room.

She couldn’t help but pause, but this had nothing to do with her. She only opened the door and returned to her own room. When she lay down, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat happy.

With Xie Heng here, even though he had scolded her, everything would become much simpler.

Thinking of the materials on Luo Qushu, Sun Cui’s signature on the confession, the wounds on Luo Qushu’s autopsy results, and Zhou Chun’s expression when he rushed into the Luo residence that day during their argument.

Then, thinking of Zhou Chun and Sun Cui’s panicked expressions when they were imprisoned today, she knew something was wrong, but she still smiled.

One must not be too aggressive in all things.

Xie Heng’s advice to her also made some sense, but in this world—

Luo Wanqing thought of the rumors she had heard, whether it was betraying the Empress and Crown Prince to seek release from prison, or intercepting and killing Cui family members at Qingyun Ferry during execution, or the human skin she had seen at the Supervision Department, the oppressive feeling when he tortured her thinking she was Zhang Jiuran, and tonight’s courtyard full of kneeling Yangzhou officials.

Luo Wanqing chuckled softly and turned to her side.

Speaking of being aggressive, who was more aggressive than Xie Heng himself?

If he could pay the price, so could she.

At that moment, she never thought that sometimes with consequences, it’s not that one can’t afford to pay them, but that some people don’t want her to pay.

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes and slept until dawn. Still in her dreams, she heard eagle cooing sounds. Luo Wanqing instinctively opened her eyes and immediately saw Zhuisi standing at the window.

“Zhuisi?!”

She instantly woke up, quickly got out of bed, and trotted over, seeing Zhuisi grasping a box with its feet.

“What is this?”

Luo Wanqing curiously took the wooden box and opened it to find a silver anklet with jade pendants. The anklet had a crescent moon pendant surrounded by many small bells. When she picked it up, the bells chimed softly.

Zhuisi also had a letter tied to its foot. Luo Wanqing took it off and found it was Cui Heng’s handwriting, which read:

“Temporary assignment requiring detour, will meet again in a few days. Thinking of you in my heart, regretting we cannot meet.”

Luo Wanqing looked at Cui Heng’s writing and couldn’t help smiling. Then she saw clean Supervision Department inspector clothes laid out on the table, thinking the steward had sent someone. Xie Heng should already be up. After quickly washing and dressing, she stepped out to see Xie Heng’s door open.

Xie Heng wore a silver-gray bamboo leaf patterned soft gauze outer robe over a white single robe, with a jade crown on his head, sitting at his desk reading.

Seeing Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing quickly stood at the door and bowed: “Young Master.”

“Sun Shoucheng has arranged everything for today,” Xie Heng spoke coldly, “I’ve already sent Zhang Yiran and Cui Heng to fetch Xing Ling. You come with me to the county office to retrieve case files.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater – 1] Xie Heng: “I traveled thousands of miles to get here, and the first thing I see is my wife holding another man. Cui Heng, want to die?” Cui Heng: “I already tried my best! She insisted on hugging me!” Xie Heng: “Oh, my wife won’t hug me but insists on hugging you. Cui Heng, want to die?” Cui Heng: “…Xie Lingshu, don’t go crazy, have some humanity!!”

[Mini Theater – 2] Xie Heng: “Tonight I must play a fierce superior to make her learn to be more tactful and leave some room for maneuvering. I don’t want her to risk her life following my example – doesn’t she want to live? This issue is very serious, I must be fierce so she understands the severity!” (After waiting fiercely for a while, hearing his wife at the door, immediately goes to open it. Sees his wife wearing his clothes at the door, almost knocking on his chest) Xie Heng: “…” Luo Wanqing: “What does Young Master summon this subordinate for tonight?” Xie Heng: “This carpet is quite soft, shall we sleep together?” Luo Wanqing: “What?!” Xie Heng: “…Sorry, I was wrong. I can’t be fierce tonight. Tomorrow then.”

[Mini Theater – 3] What Luo Wanqing saw in the letter: “Thinking of you in my heart, regretting we cannot meet.” What Cui Heng wrote: “Thinking of you in my heart, regretting we cannot meet in person!”