She Attracts Attention Just Like in Jiangnan

After a night of rain, when dawn arrived, Luo Wanqing discovered she had slept through the entire night—Li Guiyu hadn’t woken her at all.

She lay in place for a while, hearing movement behind her. Turning to look, she saw Li Guiyu walking in carrying some fruit.

“Awake?”

Li Guiyu approached her with the fruit, appearing gentler than before.

He set the fruit down and said quietly, “Eat something first. There’s a river nearby that we can use for water. Wang Yunzhi’s people should be pursuing us. We’ll let them pass ahead and rest here for two days.”

Li Guiyu was informing her of his decision.

Luo Wanqing thought about it—Xie Heng should be injured. If they went too far, Xie Heng might not be able to catch up.

She glanced outside the cave and nodded: “Alright.”

Last night’s rain had made Fengxun’s fragrance ineffective, but today was clear. Xie Heng should be able to find them. Once Xie Heng arrived, she would have better odds against Li Guiyu.

As she pondered this, she picked up a wild fruit and ate it. Li Guiyu sat with his back to her, lowering his head to apply medicine to his wounds.

After treating the front, Li Guiyu thought for a moment, then turned to look at her: “Come help me apply medicine.”

Luo Wanqing glanced at him, biting the wild fruit without paying attention.

Li Guiyu smiled slightly: “Be good.”

As soon as Luo Wanqing heard this, anger flared in her heart. She hurled the wild fruit violently to the ground and shouted furiously: “Come here!”

This shout startled Li Guiyu into stunned silence. Luo Wanqing looked up at him: “Isn’t it a medicine application? Get over here!”

Li Guiyu paused, looking at this person who had picked up a roguish air from the Supervision Department, finding himself in a difficult position.

After a long while, not knowing how to face this version of Luo Wanqing, he pretended nothing had happened and walked over to her.

“Sit down and take off your clothes.”

Luo Wanqing spoke coldly. Li Guiyu didn’t dare say more, hesitating as he sat with his back to her and removed his outer garment.

Luo Wanqing took out the handkerchief laced with Mijin powder from her sleeve, wiped the fruit juice from her hands, scooped up some medicinal paste with her fingers, and applied it to his wound, warning coldly: “I’m helping you apply medicine not because of your threats, but because your injury was sustained saving me—I don’t owe you any favor. Don’t cause trouble, and we’ll coexist peacefully. If you do cause trouble,” Luo Wanqing looked up warningly, “one of us must die.”

“If you don’t trouble me, I won’t trouble you.”

“I’m talking about Young Master.”

At these words, Li Guiyu’s movements stopped.

Luo Wanqing continued applying medicine, speaking clearly: “Since Young Master told me to follow you, he has his reasons. When Young Master arrives, everything will follow his arrangements.”

Li Guiyu lowered his eyes without speaking, feeling her gentle movements.

He was very familiar with these motions—every time he was injured in the past, she had helped him apply medicine.

But this time it was for Xie Heng’s sake.

He couldn’t help but smile mockingly, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, saying coldly: “What kind of enchantment did Xie Heng cast on you to make you so loyal?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t answer him, only suppressed her emotions and calmly finished treating the wound, bandaging it for him. After changing the medicine, she packed up her tools and instructed: “Change the medicine every six hours. Change it again tonight.”

Li Guiyu put on his clothes with an unpleasant expression. As Luo Wanqing was about to leave with her things, passing by his side, he still couldn’t resist pulling her back.

Luo Wanqing looked up coldly: “What are you doing?”

“Don’t say such things to me next time.” He raised his head, his eyes full of warning.

However, meeting the cold light in her eyes, he couldn’t help but soften his tone, as if trying to see into her heart, saying gently: “You could say it’s for Jiang Shaoyan’s sake. I could believe that.”

Hearing him mention Jiang Shaoyan, Luo Wanqing remained silent. She looked at Li Guiyu, hesitating for a moment. Just as she was about to speak, she heard an eagle’s cry rushing in.

Hearing this familiar eagle cry, Luo Wanqing immediately turned back in delight.

Li Guiyu’s hand gripping her wrist unconsciously tightened. Turning his head, he saw a white-robed youth following the eagle, sword in hand, landing gracefully before the cave.

His snow-white robes were stained with blood, clearly having fought battles all the way, but his temperament remained clean and sharp without a trace of malice. In the morning light, he seemed gilded with a thin layer of radiance, like an immortal descended to earth.

Finding them, he was somewhat pleased, his brow and eyes softening as he looked up. But the moment he raised his head, his expression instantly turned cold.

What met his eyes was a clean, tidy cave that had been organized and maintained. Luo Wanqing had never had such habits—wherever she went, she never cared about her surroundings.

The clothes hanging on branches had been arranged, the fire pit wasn’t built with her method of stacking wood, the fruit on the ground was clearly more than she would gather—she always ate one and took one…

Everything bore traces of someone else, covering the places where he and she would have left their marks when together.

Xie Heng withdrew his gaze, finally settling on Li Guiyu’s hand gripping Luo Wanqing’s wrist. He stared at where their skin touched, speaking coldly:

“Let go.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing suddenly reacted, quickly breaking free from Li Guiyu’s grip and hurrying forward to bow: “Young Master.”

Xie Heng glanced at her, seeing she was unharmed, relaxed somewhat, saying indifferently: “Rise.”

Li Guiyu watched their interaction coldly, rising unhurriedly and walking behind Luo Wanqing.

Xie Heng felt him approach and only then looked up to notice him.

His clothes weren’t properly arranged, his chest exposed, standing at a distance from Luo Wanqing that was neither too far nor too close, invisibly creating an ambiguous sense that Luo Wanqing was enveloped in his presence.

He had done this countless times, skilled to the point of instinct.

Xie Heng detected this domineering declaration almost the instant he positioned himself, remaining unmoved as he looked coldly at Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu smiled slightly, nodding: “Director Xie.”

As he spoke, Li Guiyu’s gaze fell on the bloodstains on Xie Heng’s body, seemingly concerned: “The Director is injured?”

“Others’ blood.”

Xie Heng spoke coldly, his gaze falling on Li Guiyu’s wound: “His Highness the Third Prince is injured?”

“Minor injuries, nothing serious.”

Speaking thus, Li Guiyu turned sideways like a host extending an invitation, raising his hand: “Would the Director like to come in for a discussion?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing. Getting Xie Heng’s look, Luo Wanqing didn’t understand what Xie Heng wanted to do for a moment, only guessing and saying quietly: “Young Master, the cave is safe.”

Xie Heng’s gaze concentrated slightly, as if suppressing something, then turned and strode into the cave with a cold face.

Luo Wanqing hurriedly followed, Li Guiyu glanced at the two and also followed, greeting Xie Heng: “Please sit, Director.”

Hearing his host-like tone, Xie Heng’s expression remained unchanged, sitting down coldly as usual.

Luo Wanqing went to fetch water, tested it for poison, then handed it to Xie Heng, also placing fruit before him, saying respectfully: “Young Master, please drink.”

Seeing Luo Wanqing’s actions, Li Guiyu’s expression grew somewhat cold.

He suppressed his expression, lowered his head to drink some water, seemingly casual: “Let’s get to the point. How did Director Xie get in? What are your plans now?”

“I rushed in before the cave collapsed. Wang Yunzhi’s people entered through other entrances. I encountered and killed three waves but didn’t see her personally—I’m not sure how many people she brought.” Xie Heng didn’t beat around the bush, calmly describing the previous situation, then asked the key question: “Does she know the solution to Xie Minran’s formations?”

Xie Minran.

Hearing this name, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but wonder if she’d heard wrong. The island master of Liufeng Island was Xie Minsheng—who was Xie Minran?

But no one was explaining specifically for her benefit now. She could only listen quietly as Li Guiyu said: “She might not know, but the Wang family has a formation master named Yu She among their retainers. If she brought him, then it’s uncertain.”

“How long would Yu She need to break the formation?”

“At most fifteen days.”

“What about you?”

“Ten days.”

Li Guiyu spoke, seemingly understanding Xie Heng’s thoughts, and smiled: “Does the Director want to work with me?”

Xie Heng didn’t answer him, only stared at him, stating definitively: “You’re here to take Cui Qingping’s things.”

“Correct,” Li Guiyu said meaningfully, “at Father Emperor’s request.”

Li Guiyu’s words were both a provocation and a reminder. Xie Heng understood clearly—he was warning him that the Emperor knew what he was here to retrieve, and the Emperor didn’t want him to get it either. If he killed Li Guiyu here, even without evidence, the Emperor would harbor suspicions.

A minister who assassinated a prince couldn’t live long under that emperor.

He ignored the threat, only continuing to press: “How much do you know about that thing?”

“If you want information, what will the Director exchange for it?”

“No need to exchange.” Hearing this, Xie Heng rose: “If Your Highness is unwilling to speak, I’ll take Xiniang and leave. Your Highness may do as you please.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu was somewhat surprised, and couldn’t help but speak: “Director Xie won’t work with me?”

Xie Heng glanced at him indifferently, stepping outside, speaking meaningfully: “I never intended to work with you.”

This was beyond Luo Wanqing’s expectations, and Li Guiyu hadn’t thought of this either.

Xie Heng stepped outside. After walking a few steps, he realized Luo Wanqing hadn’t followed, so he turned back, looking at Luo Wanqing with questioning eyes.

“Young Master,” Luo Wanqing understood Xie Heng’s meaning, searching for reasons: “Yesterday, when we came down from the cliff, His Highness the Third Prince protected me with his life. This subordinate promised His Highness to escort him out of the dense forest. I hope Young Master will allow this.”

She didn’t dare tell Xie Heng directly about the mother-child poison here.

If she told Xie Heng directly, Xie Heng would immediately force Li Guiyu to hand over the mother-child poison and take her away.

Or Xie Heng wouldn’t want to conflict with Li Guiyu for her sake, but also wouldn’t trust someone whose life was in Li Guiyu’s hands, possibly leaving her behind directly.

Given Xie Heng’s personality, he would probably force Li Guiyu for her sake, but the premise was that Xie Heng could defeat Li Guiyu.

But Xie Heng had immediately wanted to distance himself from Li Guiyu upon arrival, plus those bloodstains on his body…

She didn’t dare gamble.

If Xie Heng couldn’t control Li Guiyu, and she spoke up, letting Li Guiyu see the flaw, once Li Guiyu discovered any possibility that Xie Heng was injured and couldn’t handle him, she wasn’t sure what Li Guiyu would do.

Hearing Luo Wanqing’s reason, Xie Heng couldn’t help but grip his sword tightly, coldly reminding: “He’s very troublesome.”

“This subordinate knows.”

Xie Heng said no more, his eyes seeming to understand everything, staring until Luo Wanqing’s scalp tingled.

Li Guiyu looked at the two, chuckled softly, then said: “Director Xie, seeing that you’ve traveled dustily and should have been on the road all night, why not rest here for a moment before deciding? Though I am troublesome, I’m also useful. Perhaps Director Xie could reconsider?”

Xie Heng paid no attention to Li Guiyu. He seemed to hear nothing, only looking at Luo Wanqing, who stood motionless: “Do you want to come with me, or do you want me to stay?”

At these words, Li Guiyu’s smile remained, but his eyes grew somewhat cold.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised—she hadn’t expected that after Li Guiyu had said so much, Xie Heng would ultimately ask her.

And whether she went with him or asked him to stay, he had never considered separating from her.

She considered for a moment, then said respectfully: “This subordinate feels His Highness the Third Prince’s words are not without reason.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng remained silent for a long time. Just when Luo Wanqing thought Xie Heng was about to refuse, he suddenly spoke: “Very well.”

After speaking, he turned and walked outside, finding a spot at the entrance where he sat cross-legged and began meditating to recover.

Seeing Xie Heng settle down to rest, she brought him water and fruit, placing them before him, saying gently: “Young Master, is there anything else you need?”

“No.”

Xie Heng kept his eyes closed, his tone flat and particularly distant.

Seeing he wouldn’t touch what she’d given him, Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then asked about Xing Ling and Cui Heng: “What about Xing Ling and Master Cui? Has Young Master seen them?”

“We separated.”

Xie Heng spoke, then added, “They should have come in too. Cui Junye is skilled with formations, so they should be fine.”

This news surprised Luo Wanqing somewhat, but thinking that Supervision Department people were all unusual, Cui Junye being skilled with mechanisms and formations wasn’t strange.

She looked at Xie Heng, feeling that he seemed extremely tired. Thinking he must have traveled all night and was also injured, with Li Guiyu present, he had no opportunity to treat his wounds. So she rose and said, “Young Master, I’ll go catch some game. Please rest for a while.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond. Luo Wanqing got up to leave, and Li Guiyu directly followed her.

They didn’t even need to converse—Li Guiyu knew her intention, and she knew Li Guiyu would follow.

Xie Heng heard the footsteps and looked up to see the two walking away, one after the other.

Watching Li Guiyu’s position, he suddenly remembered when she first joined the Supervision Department, he had suspected her identity and observed her constantly, discovering she was naturally accustomed to having someone follow behind her like a shadow.

He had asked her who it was then.

She had said, an old friend.

Old friend.

Xie Heng smiled self-mockingly, lowered his head to pull open his clothes, bit down on the fabric, and applied medicine to himself.

Luo Wanqing led Li Guiyu to hunt some game and gather firewood. When they returned, they saw Xie Heng resting with his eyes closed.

He seemed not to have slept all night. Hearing them enter, his eyeballs moved slightly beneath his eyelids, but he didn’t open his eyes.

The two considerately lowered their voices. Xie Heng made no sound either. When the meat was roasted, Luo Wanqing brought it to Xie Heng. Xie Heng ate quietly, then, without a word, closed his eyes again to meditate, ignoring everyone.

With Xie Heng’s arrival, Li Guiyu also became much more well-behaved. With nothing to do, Luo Wanqing simply sat down to meditate, practicing the cultivation method the senior in prison had taught her.

Meditating all day, except for meals, the three had almost no interaction.

When night fell, Luo Wanqing noticed it might rain and went out of the cave to find Xie Heng.

He was still as during the day, holding his sword with knees drawn up, leaning against the cave entrance with his eyes closed, resting.

Luo Wanqing walked before him, crouched down to his eye level, and said gently: “Young Master, come sleep in the cave?”

Xie Heng heard her speak and opened his eyes, looking at her quietly.

Seeing that he didn’t move, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but persuade him: “It might rain tonight. If Young Master sleeps outside, you might catch a cold.”

Xie Heng still didn’t speak.

Luo Wanqing waited in place. After a long while, she spoke in confusion: “Young Master?”

Hearing her speak, Xie Heng seemed to finally lose his patience, suddenly reaching out to pull her entire person toward him.

This pull was too sudden. Luo Wanqing instinctively steadied herself, but still nearly fell into his embrace.

Luo Wanqing was startled and quickly tried to retreat, but he pressed his hand against the back of her head, forcing her ear to his lips, using a voice only the two of them could hear, asking quietly: “Do you truly want to travel with him?”

This was an embrace-like posture. She probably understood Xie Heng was forcing her close to prevent Li Guiyu from hearing their conversation, but such proximity still made Luo Wanqing tense up entirely, disturbing her ability to think clearly.

However, for Xie Heng, this posture finally soothed his day’s agitation somewhat.

He didn’t know why, but feeling her beside him, his heart unexpectedly welled up with sourness.

For the first time in his life, he felt the desire to show weakness to someone, persuading: “I’m injured.”

Xiniang, think of me.

Some words couldn’t be spoken, and even those he did speak, he didn’t dare change his tone.

Clear and cold intonation, as if merely explaining the situation to a subordinate.

Luo Wanqing suppressed the strange feeling brought by his breath on her ear, pondering Xie Heng’s words.

Xie Heng didn’t dare let Li Guiyu hear he was injured, which meant he indeed currently had no confidence in controlling Li Guiyu.

Even if she told Xie Heng about the mother-child poison’s existence now, he couldn’t do anything about it, and would instead increase his suspicions.

After all, a subordinate whose life was in someone else’s hands wasn’t worth trusting at all.

She had long experienced Xie Heng’s suspiciousness and didn’t want to cause more trouble.

Luo Wanqing pondered quietly while Xie Heng’s heart gradually grew cold in her silence.

He slowly released his grip, finally withdrew, leaned against the wall to recover for a moment, then rose wearily and said: “Do as you wish.”

“What does Young Master mean?”

Luo Wanqing followed him up, not understanding his meaning.

Xie Heng supported himself with his sword and entered the cave, saying indifferently: “Do as you wish. Go wherever you want.”

With that, he entered the cave, ignoring everyone, found a spot to sit, embraced his sword with knees drawn up and eyes closed, as if about to sleep again.

Hearing Xie Heng’s words, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat bewildered.

She sensed Xie Heng was unhappy, but she couldn’t understand why—if Xie Heng was unwilling, he could just refuse her. Why be ambiguous and say “as you wish”?

As she pondered Xie Heng’s meaning, Li Guiyu glanced at the two of them, waited a moment, then rose to remind Luo Wanqing: “Miss, it’s time to change the medicine.”

“Oh.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing snapped back to attention.

Li Guiyu’s medicine needed changing every six hours, and it was about time now.

She took out the handkerchief already laced with medicine from her sleeve, wiped her fingertips with it, then followed Li Guiyu behind the hanging clothes.

The clothes could only half-conceal the two people. When Xie Heng looked up, he saw their partially hidden movements.

The two rustled behind the clothing for quite a while before Luo Wanqing finished changing Li Guiyu’s medicine. When they emerged, they immediately saw Xie Heng staring at them. But when Luo Wanqing looked over, he immediately averted his gaze.

Luo Wanqing pretended not to notice, returned to the fire, and divided the night watch duties with Li Guiyu. After agreeing that Li Guiyu would take the first half of the night and she the second half, she lay down on the dry grass beside them, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

Once she was sound asleep, Xie Heng suddenly spoke: “I’ll take the second half of the night. Don’t wake her.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu looked up to see Xie Heng close his eyes, seemingly unwilling to say more.

Li Guiyu stirred the fire, thinking of the bracelet Luo Wanqing unconsciously touched frequently.

Cui Heng.

Xie Heng.

He couldn’t help but smile.

His young miss truly was the same as in Jiangnan—attracting bees and butterflies.

Luo Wanqing slept until dawn. When she opened her eyes, she saw that both Xie Heng and Li Guiyu looked much better.

The first three went to the river to wash up, then set out together.

Li Guiyu led the way, walking roughly parallel to Xie Heng, so Xie Heng naturally positioned himself at the back of the group.

Xie Heng wasn’t talkative, so Li Guiyu spoke more along the way. He didn’t waste words either—most of his questions related to journey preparations, and Luo Wanqing patiently answered.

Having nothing to say, Xie Heng walked with his head down.

Luo Wanqing never paid attention to her surroundings when walking. In the past, he would always push aside the grass on both sides to prevent her from getting scratched.

However, today, just as he was about to push down a burr grass for Luo Wanqing, Li Guiyu simultaneously extended his sword sheath.

When their sheaths collided, Xie Heng looked up coldly to see Li Guiyu glance at him imperceptibly, then look away.

Luo Wanqing was completely oblivious to everything and stepped forward.

Xie Heng stood behind them, watching the two proceed coldly, raising his hand to adjust his sword hilt.

With Li Guiyu there, he didn’t need to do anything.

Li Guiyu had taken care of Luo Wanqing countless times, so attentively and meticulously that Luo Wanqing didn’t even notice what he did—she was already silently enveloped by his care.

Xie Heng followed quietly behind, gripping his sword without speaking.

After traveling for most of the day, seeing Li Guiyu constantly calculating, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but find it strange: “Is Xie Minsheng a grandmaster who specializes in formations and mechanisms?”

It was quite rare to reach the position of one of the Eight Grandmasters based solely on formations and mechanisms.

Hearing Luo Wanqing’s question, Li Guiyu led them in a left turn, saying casually, “Yes and no. Xie Minsheng has a dual soul in one body—one soul excels at swordsmanship, the other at mechanisms and formations.”

“Dual soul in one body?” Luo Wanqing listened, vaguely remembering she had indeed heard before that some people had several personalities and were thought to have multiple souls in their bodies.

But talk of ghosts and spirits was ultimately nonsense. Luo Wanqing felt this was more like a medical condition.

Li Guiyu glanced at Xie Heng and only said: “Director Xie knows more about this than I do.”

“Xie Minsheng is from a branch of the Xie family.” When asked about this, Xie Heng naturally took over, and Luo Wanqing turned to look at him.

Seeing her turn back, Li Guiyu used his sword sheath to push down the burr grass by her feet. Xie Heng saw this, but his expression didn’t change as he continued: “He’s had two personalities since childhood that would appear alternately. To distinguish them, they gave the two personalities different names.”

“The Xie Minsheng personality is gentle and a righteous gentleman, on good terms with the Xie family.” Li Guiyu raised his hand to hold back vines for Luo Wanqing, continuing: “But the Xie Minran personality is sinister and violent, extremely hostile to the Xie family. Each personality has their skills—Xie Minsheng excels at swordsmanship, while Xie Minran specializes in mechanisms and formations.”

Luo Wanqing had heard of such conditions and couldn’t help asking curiously: “What happened later?”

“He was fine as a child, but when he turned seventeen, Xie Minran fell in love with Ji Ruifang, one of the Eight Grandmasters, but the clan didn’t approve.”

Xie Heng watched Li Guiyu’s completely thoughtless actions, withdrew his gaze, and focused on answering Luo Wanqing’s questions.

“After Xie Minran killed two clan members who called Ji Ruifang lowborn, he left the Xie family with Ji Ruifang and fled to wander the martial world. He was in exile for many years and eventually became one of the Eight Grandmasters, together with Ji Ruifang. After becoming a grandmaster, Xie Minsheng established Liufeng Island and wrote a letter of repentance to the Xie family, willing to use Liufeng Island as a prison to confine Xie Minran and spend his life atoning. Meanwhile, Xie Minran declared publicly that he would kill any Xie family member on sight.”

This was why Xie Heng insisted on coming to Liufeng Island.

Luo Wanqing immediately understood—compared to Cui Heng, Xie Heng had a greater advantage in handling this matter. As long as he could meet Xie Minsheng, he could gain Xie Minsheng’s help.

But the key was meeting Xie Minsheng.

“This Liufeng Island is a prison, confining the world’s criminals.” Li Guiyu’s eyes held some cold mockery. “Xie Minsheng’s goodness means once they come, they don’t leave, while Xie Minran’s evil means they don’t need to be hunted by the outside world and can spend their remaining years in peace.”

As he spoke, Li Guiyu brushed past a tree, saying calmly: “Xie Minran’s formations are ever-changing—you can’t casually touch anything in between. So in this dense forest, getting out isn’t easy, but killing people—”

Xie Heng stopped abruptly, and Luo Wanqing simultaneously sensed rumbling sounds from the ground.

Li Guiyu turned toward a direction, smiling coldly: “It’s very easy!”

In an instant, trees rotated and vines shifted around them, arrows appeared from all directions, shooting straight toward Li Guiyu!

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing’s pupils contracted sharply. Without hesitation, she drew her knife and stepped forward, slashing several arrows behind Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu took the opportunity to rush into the forest, with Luo Wanqing following closely.

Arrows came in waves, and vines seemed to come alive, entangling them.

Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu slashed arrows left and right. Li Guiyu checked their position and instructed: “Ten zhang to the left, stand ready at the third position of Qian.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing reached Li Guiyu’s designated position in several leaps.

The moment she landed, black-clad assassins attacked from all directions. Luo Wanqing instantly spun her horizontal knife, and amid splashing blood, another assassin’s head fell simultaneously on her unguarded side, blood erupting instantly.

Through the sea of blood emerged a white-robed young master’s handsome face. His face was stained with blood, his expression cold and clear, his brow and eyes untainted by worldly impurities, only the blood drops on his face reflecting some demonic allure.

His eyes were extremely cold, as if he were struggling to control his emotions. Seeing Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but freeze. Only when she saw the trail of corpses did she realize that Xie Heng had been following behind her all along, clearing the way.

“Young Master?”

Luo Wanqing looked at him uncertainly, not expecting Xie Heng to protect her so silently.

Xie Heng gripped his sword tightly, seeming to want to say something, trying hard to endure.

Just then, Li Guiyu stopped the mechanisms, leaped down from a tree, clapped his hands, looked up at Xie Heng, and smiled: “Director Xie still followed after all.”

“Tomorrow,” hearing this, Xie Heng turned to look at Li Guiyu, saying coldly, “I’m taking Xiniang away.”

After speaking, Xie Heng turned and left.

Li Guiyu smiled without speaking. Luo Wanqing hurriedly followed Xie Heng, calling urgently: “Young Master!”

Xie Heng ignored her, striding forward quickly. Luo Wanqing hurried to catch up, following his rapid pace, arguing: “Young Master, I promised His Highness the Third Prince…”

“Is it that important?!”

Xie Heng suddenly stopped and shouted coldly.

Luo Wanqing paused. Xie Heng stared at her, lowering his voice: “If I had been a step later, you would have died here today. Is what you seek that important?!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng with some surprise.

Xie Heng immediately realized he had misspoken. He turned away, calmed down somewhat, and only said: “I’m not discussing this with you. Tomorrow you come with me. Liu Xiniang,” he looked up at her, struggling to control himself, “there’s a thin line between setting up a situation and weaving your own cocoon. Think it through carefully.”

After speaking, he turned and strode away. Luo Wanqing stood in place, frowning as she considered Xie Heng’s reaction.

He knew what she was trying to do, which didn’t surprise her. What surprised her was that Xie Heng would get so angry.

She had seen Xie Heng angry before—when he thought she was Zhang Jiuran and interrogated her, he had also been furious. But she hadn’t seen it for a long time. Most importantly, he was angry because she was in danger.

Luo Wanqing instinctively felt something was wrong, but couldn’t figure out what it was.

Li Guiyu strolled from behind her. Hearing the sound, Luo Wanqing stopped overthinking, looked at him coldly, and asked: “What happened?”

Li Guiyu took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, methodically wiping his fingers with some dissatisfaction: “Yu She is here.”

Luo Wanqing immediately understood. Since Yu She was a formation master, he had probably modified the formation just now, trying to use the formations here to kill Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu was indeed troublesome, just as Xie Heng had said.

But since the trouble was already stirred up, Luo Wanqing had no choice. She could only say coldly: “Let’s go.”

Wang Yunzhi’s people had come once and wouldn’t come again temporarily—at least they would wait until Xie Heng wasn’t there before possibly making a move.

Luo Wanqing felt more at ease for the rest of the journey, following Xie Heng and Li Guiyu out of the forest to reach a riverside.

By the time they reached the river, it was already dark. Luo Wanqing looked up and discovered this was an open plain with a clear view all around, only a half-withered old tree in the distance, where Zhusi circled once before perching.

As soon as Xie Heng left the forest, he parted ways with them, walking toward the withered tree.

The Mid-Autumn moon was full, making that figure particularly distinct. Luo Wanqing quietly watched the distant figure—one person, one sword, as if heaven and earth contained only him.

This was how Luo Wanqing often saw him, whether in the Eastern Capital, Jiangnan, or now, whether facing the Supervision Department, Cui Heng and Zhang Yiran, or Li Guiyu. He seemed never to have any intention of joining crowds.

Like a lofty deity, untainted by any worldly dust.

Luo Wanqing watched for quite a while until Li Guiyu called her: “Miss.”

Luo Wanqing came back to her senses. Li Guiyu smiled gently: “Let’s go get some food first.”

Luo Wanqing nodded without saying much. After the two quickly made a fire and prepared some food, Li Guiyu went to wash in the river. Luo Wanqing sat alone by the fire, thinking for a long time, finally deciding to go find Xie Heng.

Xie Heng was determined to take her away tomorrow. She couldn’t disobey Xie Heng’s words, so the only option now was to persuade Xie Heng to change his mind.

She considered her words and got up. Before leaving, she suddenly remembered the mooncakes in her pack.

On the day she purchased supplies, thinking today would be Mid-Autumn Festival, she had specifically brought two mooncakes. Since Xie Heng hadn’t eaten either, she took the mooncakes and walked in Xie Heng’s direction.

After a few leaps, she reached where Xie Heng had disappeared. She looked around but saw no one. Just as she wondered where he had gone, she heard a cold inquiry from above: “Looking for me?”

Luo Wanqing looked up toward the sound and saw the youth in white single robes on the half-withered old tree behind her, barefoot with loose hair, leaning against the tree.

His features were naturally cold and striking. Now with the bright moon hanging high and him leaning against the tree, his phoenix eyes looking down at her, he seemed even more like a spirit.

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at the person in the tree. Seeing her silence, Xie Heng reminded her: “What are you doing?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing came to her senses somewhat, coughed lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed as she took out the mooncakes, put on a smile, and tentatively tried to ingratiate herself: “Young Master, today is Mid-Autumn Festival. I brought mooncakes. Would you like to eat one?”

Seeing her clumsy attempt at pleasing him, Xie Heng’s demeanor softened slightly, but he still didn’t take the mooncake, only saying: “Speak your mind.”

“Young Master,” Luo Wanqing knew there was no point in talking sentiment with Xie Heng. After thinking, she was direct: “I want to travel with His Highness the Third Prince.”

“Not even in dreams.”

Xie Heng’s refusal was decisive.

Luo Wanqing didn’t hide anything either, saying directly: “I’ve been poisoned with mother-child poison.”

Hearing her tell the truth, Xie Heng finally didn’t argue. He only looked up at her: “What if I help you remove the poison?”

Luo Wanqing paused, not expecting Xie Heng to ask this.

He asked, “What if,” not “then I’ll help you remove the poison.”

This meant he knew that even if the poison were removed, she might not go with him.

Seeing her expression, Xie Heng understood her meaning. He lowered his eyes somewhat wearily and tried to persuade her: “Luo Wanqing, you’ve already come this far. Think of Cui Heng—don’t get entangled anymore.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. She told herself she didn’t need to say more, but she still couldn’t help opening her mouth.

“He deceived me.”

Xie Heng’s movements paused. He kept his eyes lowered, listening as Luo Wanqing spoke with restraint yet calmly: “When I rescued him, he wanted to kill me, but I thought he was waiting for me. He deceived me from the very beginning, for a full five years. Then he used my family as a threat to force my father to his death. He sent people to watch me, knowing all my suffering, yet turning a deaf ear. And finally, he had to tell me that I couldn’t kill him.”

As she spoke, Luo Wanqing smiled mockingly, looking up at Xie Heng: “Because I’m a good person.”

Author’s Note:

The identity reveal still has some plot development. Right now, it’s the stage where Xie Heng is gradually becoming dissatisfied with Cui Heng’s identity, gradually increasing his love, bit by bit covering over Li Guiyu’s influence.

Those eager to see the identity reveal can come back when the Jiangnan arc ends~

[Mini Theater]

Li Guiyu: “Miss, Director Xie is handsome, but do you think I’m handsome too?”

Xie Heng: “Li Guiyu, you’re so shameless.”

Li Guiyu: “You flatter me.”

Middle of the night, Luo Wanqing leaves the bedside, Li Guiyu’s eyes snap open.

Xie Heng: “Inspector Liu, do you want me to help you?”

Li Guiyu: “Xie Heng, you’re so shameless.”

Xie Heng: “Right back at you.”

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng makes his move.

Luo Wanqing: “Young Master is doing this to intimidate Li Guiyu, showing his strength to beat him!”

Li Guiyu: “Xie Heng is telling me he’s not injured, so I should behave.”

Xie Heng: “I wanted to hit him the moment I saw him today. I originally thought it would be unsportsmanlike to hit him while he was injured since he saved someone, but he kept babbling and I really couldn’t stand it anymore!!”

[Mini Theater – Xie Heng’s Day]

Luo Wanqing: “Young Master, why don’t you ever speak?”

Xie Heng: “Busy counting.”

Luo Wanqing: “Counting what?”

Xie Heng: “Hah, the number of times you’ve betrayed me!”

Luo Wanqing: “…”

[Mini Theater]

Li Guiyu: “He made my young miss serve him. I’m going to kill him.”

Cui Heng: “He’s stealing my job, I’m going to kill him.”

Xie Heng: “…I’m counting.”