Xie Lingqin's voice was calm, without the slightest fluctuation.

In the darkness, the cold air was palpable. Liu Yunzhou stared at her with his eyes, then tightened his embrace around Lanxiang and walked outside.

The night grew colder, causing Lingqin's clothes to flutter wildly. The girl felt a chill, whether in her heart or body, she couldn't tell.

“Tridacna, you have covered up the traces of orchid fragrance. Zihe, go and report to the Prefect of the Capital about the unprovoked massacre here.”

Xie Lingqin then gave instructions to Zihe and Tridacna. After speaking, she walked to Ning Xiucai's side, raised her hand, and gently closed his wide-open eyes.

A person who was alive and well during the day was talking to her...

"Ning Caichen, I will not let you die in vain."

Xie Lingqin's voice was cold and heavy, as if it carried a murderous aura and was making a solemn vow.

"Miss, I found a painting in Scholar Ning's room."

Suddenly, Tinghai handed over a scroll.

Xie Lingqin's eyes suddenly welled up with tears the moment she saw it.

She didn't take the painting, but a pair of slender, jade-like hands pulled it away.

Xie Lingqin looked at the man in front of her, her eyes welling up with tears, and her tone was somewhat complicated, "Yuwen Yao, you just came out of the palace, didn't you?"

Yuwen Yao glanced at him with his phoenix eyes, his face dark and his gaze heavy. He nodded, "Yes, I just left the palace."

"I hope you're safe."

Xie Lingqin asked very softly.

Yuwen Yao lowered his eyes and did not answer, but Tingfeng, whose expression was equally dark and complicated, had already given Xie Lingqin the answer.

This suggests that the Crown Prince was summoned to the palace by the Emperor, and his departure from the palace at this time must have been fraught with danger.

"Fortunately, he didn't kill you."

Xie Lingqin took the painting from Yuwen Yao and unfolded it little by little.

"Ning Xiucai also told me that he wanted to discuss something with me."

Xie Lingqin stared at the painting, her gaze gradually narrowing.

There are several private schools depicted on it.

Ning Xiucai probably wants to open a private school.

He knew that what happened back then was the Emperor's doing, which made him take Nie Zuier's innocence. He wanted to use his expertise to teach thousands of students well, step by step enter the court, and plan for a prosperous era with foresight.

only……

"It's my fault that they're in trouble."

Xie Lingqin looked at Yuwen Yao, and the tears in her eyes finally solidified, reddening her eyes. It was regret, it was resentment, it was utter defeat. "It was my fault that they were killed. The Emperor went to the General's Mansion on the surface, but secretly, without making a sound, he used the deaths of Ning Xiucai and these children to warn me."

Xie Lingqin gritted her teeth, her eyes sharp, "Yuwen Yao, I have never wanted to kill anyone as much as I do now, do you understand?"

Xie Lingqin's hatred at this moment could be felt even by the passing wind.

Yuwen Yao felt a pang of pain in his heart and pulled Xie Lingqin into his arms. "Qin'er, believe me."

“I believe in you. I know you are different from them. You are different.”

Xie Lingqin gripped Yuwen Yao's waist tightly, bit by bit, her nails seemingly digging into his flesh through his clothes.

Yuwen Yao endured it, seemingly not feeling any pain.

Anything is fine as long as she's not so heartbroken.

Xie Lingqin suddenly sneered, "But Yuwen Yao, today it was Scholar Ning who died, but what about these innocent children tomorrow, and the day after..."

Yuwen Yao felt a sudden chill emanating from Xie Lingqin, his pupils contracted, and a wave of panic washed over him. He tightened his embrace around Xie Lingqin, "Qing'er, what are you thinking? Are you trying to push me away? You..."

"No, I want to be alone."

Xie Lingqin pushed Yuwen Yao away.

---Aside---

Alas, Ning Xiucai is truly dead.

This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!