"West Continent".

Ruan Wenxiao was stunned for a moment, somewhat taken aback.

Song He'er thought he would continue to ask questions, but he didn't say anything more and just nodded.

"When will I get the news?"

"Three days."

"Okay, I'll come find you here in three days."

"Um."

After saying that, Song He'er got up and left.

A-Lu stayed outside until she saw people come out, then she relaxed a little and left the restaurant with Song He'er.

"Young lady, is this matter most likely settled?"

"Maybe so, Ah Lu. Keep a close eye on the news from Xizhou during this time. If there are any changes, be sure to tell me immediately."

"Yes, I understand."

Song He'er did not linger in Jiangning, but got into the car and headed straight for Xiaoyangzhuang.

Ah Lu was also a very efficient person. For three consecutive days, he ran back and forth between Jiangning and Xizhou border, inquiring about news. As soon as there was any disturbance, he would rush back to report.

......

Three days later, in the early morning, after Song He'er finished washing up, she prepared to go to Jiangning to meet Ruan Wenxiao.

"Miss, there's no need to go to Jiangning for now."

Just as Song He'er was about to get into the car, she suddenly heard these words, and her heart sank. "What's wrong?"

"Our young master is trapped in the palace by the Queen. She has threatened that you must go there in person before she can release him."

"Was it a message delivered by Ruan Wenxiao?"

"No, it was a message from a guard in the palace."

Song He'er guessed it couldn't be Ruan Wenxiao. Even if he found someone's trail, he wouldn't receive such a message. After all, the Nanzhao government had no authority over matters in Xizhou. Asking for information on a regular basis was already within their maximum authority. How could they possibly sneak into the palace to deliver messages to others?

"Well, I think I should go see Ruan Wenxiao, partly out of politeness, and partly to ask about something else."

Ah Lu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Then I'll take the girl there."

"Um."

The coachman traveled back and forth between Nanzhao and Xiaoye City several times a day, and naturally became familiar with the route. He could take a shortcut into the city and it only took him less than an hour.

Ruan Wenxiao was a punctual person. When Song He'er arrived at the restaurant, he was already waiting in the private room.

The waiter already recognized the two of them. Even though Song He'er was wearing a hood, he recognized her at a glance. "Miss, our proprietress is upstairs. Be careful when you see the young master. Don't let her see you. She's a woman who doesn't tolerate any nonsense. If she finds out that our young master is secretly seeing you, she might be furious."

Upon hearing this, Song He'er seemed to feel her pride wounded. "I'm not that kind of woman of the night, nor am I someone of unknown origin. What's there to hide? By saying this, you're looking down on me."

The waiter chuckled, "The words may be rough, but the meaning is sound. Didn't you tell me the other day that you wouldn't let anyone else know about your meeting with the young master?"

Song He'er sneered, ignored him, and went straight into the room.

The room was just as it always was, with fragrant fruits and tea, and sandalwood incense burning on the altar. At a glance, one could tell that this was the best room available.

Ruan Wenxiao deliberately chose this location so that the waiters serving food outside would keep their voices down and not disturb the guests, and also to give Song He'er a sufficiently private space.

"What did they say from Xizhou?" Before Ruan Wenxiao could speak, Song He'er asked impatiently.

"Don't rush, let me explain slowly."

"My apologies for my rudeness..."

"Your 'friend' committed murder in Xizhou. Although the Nanzhao government was willing to give me some face, they couldn't actually enter Xizhou to abduct the person. They just spent some money to buy some information from the people there, saying that the person was in the royal palace. They also told us to mind our own business to avoid getting into trouble. So... that's all I can do. I'm sorry."

"Killed someone?"

"Yes, they say they killed a merchant, a very powerful one."

Huh? A businessman? Song He'er felt utterly disgusted.

Song Xiaoqi, a notorious criminal who committed countless heinous acts, has now managed to escape justice and even after death, he can be exonerated as a 'merchant,' which is truly ironic.

"Then... is there really no other news? Is there any information on whether the dead person was taken back by the guards of Xizhou, or handed over to the local government for disposal, and where the person was killed?"

Ruan Wenxiao was somewhat surprised. He had thought that Song He'er would be more concerned about Jiang Huaifu being trapped, but now she was asking about the identity of the deceased, which was really puzzling.

"Lu Zhao is a wealthy city not far from the snow-capped mountains, located on the border between Xizhou and Xinzhou in the Central Plains."

"Lu Zhao?"

"Um."

Song He'er never expected that after Song Xiaoqi escaped from Xinzhou, he would actually hide in Xizhou!

She had thought he would come to Nanzhao, where he could at least do business or live in anonymity, which would be much easier than in Xizhou.

The territory of Xizhou is relatively small and the country is strictly governed. Each city is guarded by special officials. Where did Song Xiaoqi get such extraordinary abilities to dare to hide in Xizhou?

"What's wrong? Do you know the deceased?"

Song He'er broke out in a cold sweat, "I...I don't know him..."

"But you don't look well. If you have something on your mind, just say it. Don't keep it to yourself."

"It's alright, thank you. I... I will definitely do what I promised you. I'll have someone bring the things to you in a few days."

Ruan Wenxiao smiled, looking relieved. "Actually, it doesn't matter whether you give it to them or not."

"No, when dealing with people, you must keep your promises. That's the rule of the martial arts world."

After saying that, Song He'er quickly got up, thinking of leaving Jiangning for Xizhou as soon as possible.

Seeing Song He'er's hurried appearance, Ruan Wenxiao already understood the situation. Before Song He'er could even leave the room, he called out to her from behind: "You absolutely must not go to Xizhou! You're a girl, and you've finally escaped the tiger's den. Don't get yourself into trouble again! You know, there's no going back to that kind of place. Besides, maybe the people there are deliberately luring you in?"

"How can I abandon him? I escaped from Xinzhou to here thanks to his protection and the help I received during my exile. Without his secret assistance, I would have died somewhere long ago. Now that he is in trouble, I will risk everything to save him!"

Song He'er had already decided that even if she had to use the 'weapons' in her space, she would bring everyone out of Xizhou intact!