The person who should have appeared didn’t appear, while the person who shouldn’t have appeared did.
Changling looked warily at this “uninvited guest.” She wasn’t foolish enough to think this was just a coincidence.
“You knew I would come here?” she said. “Where is Ye… He Yu?”
Fu Yangui stopped courteously three steps before her. “Marquis He suffered severe injuries and his life hangs in the balance. I’ve already ordered people to rush him back to Jinling on fast horses for treatment. Before he fell unconscious, what worried him most was you, which is why I came here to wait.”
“Impossible.” Changling said decisively. “He is injured, that’s true, but not to the point of mortal danger. If he was unable to meet me tonight, I’m afraid it has something to do with Minister Fu, doesn’t it?”
Fu Yangui paid no mind to her disrespectful words. He smiled faintly. “If Miss Changting doesn’t believe me, why not return to Jinling City with me? When you see Marquis He, you can ask him yourself, and then you’ll know the truth, won’t you?”
The more magnanimous and frank he appeared, the more Changling felt he harbored ulterior motives. However, if this man surnamed Fu hadn’t shown himself tonight, she would only have thought Ye Qi had run off on his own and wouldn’t have suspected him… If Ye Qi had truly fallen into his hands, why would he specifically make this trip to expose himself?
Could it be he had other plans?
Recalling Ye Qi’s speculation, Changling’s heart jumped wildly—if he really was Fu Liujing, had he already recognized her and wanted to repeat his old tricks, first pretending to treat her with courtesy, then catching her off guard with those underhanded methods to eliminate her swiftly?
Once this thought arose, killing intent could not be suppressed and seeped out—whether he was or wasn’t, he was certainly no good person. Since keeping him in this world would only be an obstacle, she might as well execute him on the spot, settling new and old grievances together to prevent endless future troubles.
Before Changling could reveal any intention to strike, Fu Yangui suddenly coughed lightly and said, “Miss should decide quickly. If I can’t return to Jinling soon, I’m afraid Marquis He’s life will be in danger.”
The power that had just gathered in her dantian eased slightly. Changling’s expression changed subtly. “What does Minister Fu mean by this?”
“The marquis was bleeding profusely just now. I could only temporarily use the Freezing Ice Finger to seal the major acupoints throughout his body to stop the bleeding and preserve his life. However, this Freezing Ice Finger cannot be undone by ordinary techniques.” Fu Yangui’s gaze was direct and unflinching. “Moreover, it’s the court’s people who are sending the marquis back to Jinling. His Majesty is extremely concerned about Marquis He. After Young Marquis enters the city, he will naturally go straight to the palace to be treated by the Imperial Physicians. Therefore, only if I rush back can Young Marquis be saved.”
Changling understood these words. The meaning was: if you dare touch me, I’ll make He Yu be buried with me.
No wonder he was so fearless, no wonder he spoke so bluntly.
“Minister Fu…” Changling forcibly suppressed her overwhelming anger. “Is this a threat or intimidation?”
Fu Yangui shook his head repeatedly. “Miss has misunderstood. Every word Fu speaks comes from the heart.”
“What fine words from the heart.” If gazes were tangible, at this moment Fu Yangui would probably have been stabbed full of holes by her. Changling was unwilling to continue playing along with his act and said coldly, “Minister Fu and I have only met by chance, strangers passing by. Previously you proposed joining forces with me to eliminate Jing Wuwei, so approaching me wasn’t surprising. Now that Jing Wuwei has been eliminated, I wonder what use I still have that’s worth you taking such pains, personally waiting here in the dead of night?”
“To be honest with you, Miss, I came here to wait because I do have another request.” Fu Yangui calmly smoothed his sleeves. “There are two matters I wish to ask Miss to help with. As long as you’re willing to assist, I promise you that after returning to Jinling, I will do everything in my power to save the marquis’s life.”
Changling raised her eyebrows noncommittally.
“The first matter: I hope Miss can continue to move about Jinling under the identity of Jing Wuwei’s daughter. Although Jing Wuwei has fallen, Jing Can remains at large, and his followers haven’t been completely eliminated. Beyond this, there are also many in the Eastern Xia martial world who only obey the Jing Family. At the slightest mishap, I fear many would go join Western Xia. But previously, Jing Wuwei publicly acknowledged Miss’s identity. As long as you’re willing to appear, you can naturally dispel everyone’s doubts.”
Changling’s expression didn’t change, but in her heart, she secretly marveled at Ye Qi’s earlier prescience.
Seeing she didn’t refuse outright, Fu Yangui took two steps forward, approaching her. “The second matter: when you enter Jinling, His Majesty will certainly bestow you to me. When the time comes, I ask that Miss Changting agree before the throne to marry me.”
Changling froze for a moment, confirming she hadn’t misheard. Instead of getting angry, she laughed. “I see Minister Fu has gone mad and no longer knows what he’s saying.”
“From the very beginning, when Miss Changting entered Jinling with me, I told His Majesty in advance that you didn’t have the surname Jing but were a chess piece I brought back to use against Jing Wuwei. That day when Young Marquis sought marriage before the throne, I also explained to His Majesty that I had you bewitch Young Marquis. But your martial prowess is formidable and witnessed by all. To be honest, fearing word would leak out, His Majesty has long harbored intentions to eliminate you. Before I left Jinling this time, I already told His Majesty that you and I are lovers who feel mutual affection. Since we’re mutually affectionate, naturally we’re also people on the same path.” Fu Yangui looked up at the few scattered stars in the night sky. “I believe Miss can come and go as she pleases. As long as you wish, no one in the world can find you. But when Miss left the Five Poisons Sect with me that day, it wasn’t only to eliminate Jing Wuwei, was it?”
He turned back around and smiled faintly. “If you still want to enter Jinling City, or rather… if you still want Young Marquis to live, you might as well agree to act out this play with me. We each get what we need. I can guarantee this won’t become reality. After the martial arts gathering, whether Miss wishes to live together with Young Marquis or fly far away, I absolutely won’t obstruct you.”
Perhaps finding it too absurd, upon hearing this, Changling became unexpectedly calm instead. She released the hand holding the horse’s reins. “After listening to Minister Fu’s words over and over, I can’t hear what benefit this brings you.”
“Besides covering up my lie before His Majesty, this also serves my purpose. As I said, only if Miss agrees to cooperate with me can I tell you the truth.” Fu Yangui smiled meaningfully. “To Miss, I’m just a stranger and adversary. But Miss holds a certain weight in my heart. Both publicly and privately, I don’t wish to see Miss stop at Jinling City from now on, constrained and restricted everywhere, unable to act.”
“Thank you for Minister Fu’s ‘heartfelt sentiment.’ I’ll say it again—I never cooperate with anyone.” Changling led her horse and turned to leave. “Whether you try kind persuasion or coercion and inducement, it’s all futile.”
Fu Yangui hadn’t expected her to refuse so decisively. He couldn’t help but pursue her. “You never cooperate with anyone, yet why do you stay so close to Marquis He?”
“You’re mistaken. What I have with He Yu isn’t called cooperation—he’s willing to be used by me. When I tell him to go east, he won’t go west.” Changling paused in her steps. “Can Minister Fu do the same?”
The four words “I can too” almost slipped out. Reason stopped Fu Yangui from this impulse. His gaze flickered slightly. “Since Marquis He is so devoted, could Miss Changting bear to watch him die?”
If Changling had turned back to look at this moment, she might have seen something in his eyes. But she didn’t, only curling the corner of her mouth slightly. “If he knew I got engaged to you to save him, letting you lead me by the nose, he’d probably slit his own throat right now… What he’s unwilling to do, why should I presumptuously do such self-righteous things thinking they’re for his good?”
Fu Yangui trembled slightly.
“People have their own destinies. For a sickly young master like Ye Qi to have lived until now, he must have his own abilities and ways of survival. It’s not necessarily something Minister Fu alone can decide—whether to save him or destroy him.” Changling’s expression was bland. “Even if he ultimately dies because of this, it only means his time was up. Besides, he’s always regarded life and death lightly and won’t suffer pain or regret because of it… However…”
When she said “however,” she continued walking forward. “At that time, I’ll have to charge this debt to Minister Fu’s account.”
After delivering this bloodless threat, Changling mounted her horse and rode away without looking back.
In truth, she wasn’t as carefree as she appeared on the surface. The reason she hadn’t struck Fu Yangui with a palm to shatter his heart completely was because she was concerned about Ye Qi’s safety.
However, tonight’s sudden changes involved too many unknowns. All the causes and reasons were Fu Yangui’s one-sided statements. If he could predict she would appear at the bridge, then how could he be unaware of what happened at the Qian residence?
Going to such lengths with both soft and hard tactics to make her go to Jinling with him must be for something else. Having failed to achieve his goal, he shouldn’t give up easily—therefore, in the short term, he should preserve Ye Qi’s life.
Then… what exactly was it for?
Just looking at Fu Yangui’s inconceivable words and actions, it didn’t seem like he wanted to eliminate her. Thinking to this point, Changling couldn’t help but waver again about whether he was Fu Liujing—if it were someone surnamed Fu, seeing her return from the dead, he should hide far away and send people to kill her. Why would he proactively come forward to propose marriage? Wasn’t he afraid she would crush him?
If not to kill her, what was the real purpose?
After returning to the inn, Changling suddenly remembered the object tucked at her waist. She closed the room door, took out that half of the folding fan from the box, and her mind suddenly became clear—that’s right, he had also eavesdropped at the Jing residence and knew about the Wu Run folding fan… They had barely left Yanling Village when he followed to Anxi Town, most likely coming for this.
Nine times out of ten, he hadn’t found it on Ye Qi, which was why he had eagerly pursued.
Changling sat at the square table and unfolded the fan toward the moon. She couldn’t help thinking: In the future, more people will likely covet this thing. If I carry it with me, it’s hard to guarantee it won’t fall into others’ hands. If I could memorize it and then burn it, that would be foolproof.
However, while the idea was easy, after looking several times at the intricate patterns sketched on the fan surface, she still couldn’t completely memorize them. She couldn’t help but shake her head, thinking to herself: This method won’t work. Even if I manage to memorize it now, if I forget some details after a few days, I’m afraid it will ruin everything.
She tilted her head slightly, looking around for a moment, and saw two beams crossing horizontally and vertically overhead. Her mind stirred. She immediately spun up and perched on the beam, choosing a blind spot difficult to see clearly. She took out a dagger and carved a narrow hole in the side, just large enough to fit half a folding fan.
After hiding the folding fan inside, she pressed the wooden piece she had dug out earlier seamlessly over it—these beams were all unpainted natural wood. Unless one was right up close, it was impossible to detect any irregularity here.
After properly handling the excess wood shavings, she finally calmed her mind to contemplate the road ahead.
First, she had to find a way to notify the He Family people about Ye Qi’s situation, such as Tao Feng. Previously, it was to avoid attracting attention that they hadn’t kept them nearby. At this moment, they should be not far from Anxi Town. As long as she made contact and discussed countermeasures with them, at worst she could enter Jinling City with a different identity and disguise—not a difficult matter.
However, as for Aunt… how should she be consoled?
Thinking of Yue Qingyi, Changling felt this matter was truly one headache after another. She got up and walked toward the adjacent room.
She slowly pushed the door open. Seeing Yue Qingyi’s breathing was even and she remained sound asleep on the bed, her heart eased somewhat. She tiptoed to the bedside and sat down, quietly gazing at her aunt’s sleeping face. She couldn’t help but sigh softly.
She couldn’t possibly abandon her aunt halfway. But if she kept her aunt by her side, how could she contact Tao Feng and the others?
Changling’s mind was in turmoil, unable to think of a better solution for the moment. Just as she was slightly lost in thought, she heard from far outside the window the faint distant sound of a bamboo flute. The sound wasn’t loud but was desolate and deep, like someone sobbing.
She found it strange in her heart, wondering where in this small town someone would disturb people’s dreams in the dead of night with such pretentious elegance.
Just as she was about to push open the window, Yue Qingyi suddenly sat bolt upright from the bed. Changling saw the shocked expression on her face and quickly stepped forward to ask, “Aunt, what…”
Before the word “is it” could leave her mouth, she felt something ice-cold swoosh toward her. Having encountered countless assassination attempts in her life, dodging faster than others had long become instinct. As she floated backward in evasion, only then did she clearly see that Yue Qingyi had somehow already drawn her blade, carrying cold glinting light as her figure lunged forward.
Changling froze for an instant, dodging this strike with extreme agility. Then she brought both hands together, gripping Yue Qingyi’s blade-wielding wrist. “Aunt, calm down, it’s me!”
At this moment, Yue Qingyi’s pupils were completely dim, clearly having lost her senses. How could she calm down? She shrieked and exerted force again to twist the blade, angrily shouting, “I’m going to kill you! Kill you!”
Though Yue Qingyi seemed to have gone mad, she possessed tremendous strength, and her blade technique was flowing like clouds and water. This was Changling’s first time truly experiencing her aunt’s martial arts. Every move carried an intense sense of oppression, like a long-caged beast suddenly leaping from its prison, impossible to contain the overwhelming killing intent.
Facing this kind of wild slashing and cutting, Changling couldn’t hold back, yet didn’t dare strike heavily. She could only focus on evasion.
In an instant, “Iron Brush Silver Hook” destroyed all the tables, chairs, cabinets, and bed in the room. Changling tried several times to use the Nanhua Needle but couldn’t strike accurately due to the dim lighting making the acupoints hard to see.
Just as she kicked open the door, intending to lure her aunt to where the light was better outside, she saw Yue Qingyi suddenly stop in her tracks. Her whole person froze for an instant, then placed the long blade horizontally against her own neck!
Changling’s heart jumped in alarm. Her form suddenly flashed as she darted back into the room. Two fingers swiftly and forcefully clamped the blade’s edge, while her other palm struck toward her aunt’s shoulder without thinking—
Yue Qingyi groaned dully, her whole body knocked back onto the bed by this force.
A small cut opened on her fingertip from the sharp blade. Just as Changling was about to step forward to check her aunt’s injuries, her form suddenly stiffened and one knee uncontrollably fell to the ground—
Her gaze dropped slightly as she barely managed to straighten her body, watching as moonlight shone in from outside the door, revealing a faint blue glow on the blade lying on the ground.
This blade was poisoned?!
Feeling a chill from the wound spreading like wildly growing vines throughout her whole body, Changling immediately circulated her power to resist. However, this cold chill was completely uncontrollable, relentlessly climbing to her four limbs and bones. As if in just an instant, it had frozen her solid.