Chapter 18 Believe for the Eighth Time!
Chapter 18
Lu Qian had just returned from the imperial prison, his heart burning with anger. That brat was facing death, yet he still acted fearless and indifferent. He was truly hateful!
His feud with Yan Danqing dates back to his childhood. The Zhongyong Marquis's family took him in and raised him, but he also saw Yan Danqing, who was pampered and raised by his father and brother and was a favored son of heaven. How could he, a homeless child who had a father but no one to raise him, not be jealous?
At that moment, a subordinate rushed in and whispered in Lu Qian's ear under his displeased gaze, "Sir, Prince Lan Ce said he absolutely needs Yan Danqing's head today, and wants you to cooperate with the Northern Yan's operation..."
Lu Qian was displeased and frowned: "Yan Danqing is already imprisoned in the imperial prison, can't we just kill him?"
Chizhan Lanze should return to Northern Yan as soon as possible to take charge of the army. He can kill Yan Danqing and be done with it. At that time, Liang will not be able to defeat Northern Yan either. Why bother with so many troubles and have Chizhan Lanze personally risk his life in Nandu?
"His Highness of Northern Yan said that Yan Danqing must die on the orders of the Liang Dynasty for the Yan family army to fall into disarray," the subordinate replied with a bitter face.
Lu Qian waved his hand: "Okay, I understand."
The subordinate bowed and left.
He returned shortly afterward.
Lu Qian grew increasingly impatient and asked irritably, "What is it now?"
The subordinate's expression was somewhat strange. He looked up at Lu Qian cautiously and said, "Sir, a woman has come to the door and says she wants to see you..."
"Huh?" Lu Qian was taken aback.
"She said her surname was Ye," the subordinate replied.
Lu Qian thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, and a mocking smile appeared on his face. "Surname Ye? Daring to come to the Imperial City Guard, she must be that audacious Second Miss Ye. Let her in."
Soon, a slender figure draped in a black cloak approached little by little.
Behind her followed another tall and burly man with a bloodstained sickle hanging from his waist. His hemp clothing could not conceal his muscular physique, and his fierce expression made him look like someone not to be trifled with.
"Ma Shan, wait for me here," Ye Xiren whispered.
Ma Shan nodded, glanced at Lu Qian with an unfriendly look, then quickly lowered his eyes to hide the murderous intent within. He stood quietly in the courtyard in front of the hall, waiting.
Ye Xiren entered the house alone.
As she approached, Lu Qian chuckled and said, "What brings you here, Miss Ye? Weren't you quite bold yesterday, daring to play tricks on me?"
In Lu Qian's memory, yesterday was the second day of the third lunar month. He went to the Ye family to search for evidence, but unexpectedly the Buddha statue had been replaced with a shoe. He got nothing and even left the "witness" at the Ye family's house.
Logically, Lu Qian should be angry, but he was in a good mood at the moment. So what if he was bold yesterday? Today he still obediently took the initiative to come to his door and apologize.
Lu Qian sized Ye Xiren up and down, his eyes scanning her from head to toe as if assessing her price, which was displeasing.
However, Ye Xiren was not there to apologize; she went straight to the point: "I want to see General Yan."
Lu Qian: "?"
He initially doubted he had heard correctly, exclaiming in disbelief, "What did you say?"
Ye Xiren looked into his eyes and repeated, "I want to see General Yan, immediately."
Lu Qian laughed angrily, his face full of mockery: "You say you can see me whenever you want? What gives you the right? Miss Ye, you come here to cause trouble? Have you forgotten who I am?"
He approached step by step, his eyes dangerous.
"You really think I'm easygoing?"
Ye Xiren's fingers tightened, instinctively gripping her cloak, but she was no longer the timid young lady who feared even hiring an assassin. Knowing this was her last chance to survive and save the Ye family, she exhaled and calmly spoke:
“Lu Qian, I don’t think you want others to know that you have already secretly sided with Chi Zhanlan Ce and that you have the blood of the Northern Yan people flowing in your veins.”
Lu Qian's pupils contracted.
It's possible that Lu Qian has sided with Chi Zhanlan Ce, but the fact that he has the blood of the Northern Yan people is a secret that Lu Qian has never known and has kept well hidden from everyone!
"Nonsense!" He drew his sword almost instinctively, pressing the long blade against Ye Xiren's neck, his killing intent palpable.
Outside, Ma Shan couldn't hear the conversation, but he could see the movements. He also gripped the sickle at his waist, watching the people inside warily, ready to strike at any moment.
The Imperial Guards stationed in the courtyard followed closely behind, drawing their swords and keeping a close eye on Ma Shan.
The atmosphere became tense, on the verge of exploding.
This knife had "killed" Ye Xiren, so she was naturally afraid. Her heart skipped a beat, but she pursed her lips, hiding her fear deep inside, and remained calm on the surface.
"Does Your Excellency intend to kill me to silence me? I only brought one person with me, but that doesn't mean I'm alone. If I can't leave the Imperial City Guard's gates, Your Excellency's secret will spread throughout the Southern Capital and into the palace in an instant. A commander of the Imperial City Guard with Northern Yan blood will probably no longer be able to serve. At that time, I wonder if your plans will still be able to proceed smoothly?"
Lu Qian stared intently at her, all traces of his former playfulness gone, replaced by an undisguised murderous intent in his eyes. He said, word by word, "Ye Xiren, you can't just say things like that. Do you have any evidence?"
The knife was pressed down slightly.
"I dare to come, of course I have the means. Does the master dare to gamble?" Ye Xiren retorted, a red line appearing on her neck, but she wouldn't budge an inch. Whoever gave in now would lose.
The two men locked eyes, locked in a silent standoff. Outside, Ma Shan was surrounded by the Imperial City Guards, their blades drawn.
In that instant, Lu Qian thought of many things.
He wanted to kill Ye Xiren, but he also wondered how this person knew, and even more so... who else was behind her? He hadn't yet uncovered the truth behind yesterday's leak, and today the other party had revealed his biggest secret.
Who's behind this person?
What else is there that we don't know?
Just thinking about these things sends chills down my spine.
The knife was suddenly withdrawn. Lu Qian's face was cold, and he gritted his teeth: "I hope Miss Ye will keep this a secret. I'll take you there." The peace talks were about to begin, and he had to stall for time!
After saying that, Lu Qian sheathed his sword, angrily turned and walked out, his voice filled with barely suppressed frustration: "Follow me!"
Ye Xiren turned her back to Lu Qian and let out a long breath. She had no evidence, but she had won her gamble.
Her forehead, beneath the hood, was already covered in sweat. After calming herself down for a few moments, she turned and followed, still appearing composed and fearless.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Qian's face turned ugly. No longer hoping for a lucky break, she strode forward. Her secret had been exposed, and her mind was in turmoil as she pondered a solution.
Ma Shan put away his sickle and followed Ye Xiren, the two walking side by side.
"What exactly are you doing?" Ma Shan asked in a low voice.
Ye Xiren didn't answer, but only said, "I'm doing something very dangerous, I could lose my life at any moment. If you come with me, you'll be in the same boat..."
Ma Shan shook his head: "You made it clear when you gave me the money. I take people's money and do their bidding."
He looked at Lu Qian, who was standing with his back to them, and tightened his grip on the sickle. In the end, he said nothing and quietly followed the others.
"Didn't I give you money before? Are you so short of money?" Ye Xiren was very puzzled. It had only been a few days, and the twenty taels she gave her had already been spent.
“The brothers have been hungry for a long time, and the price of grain is too high; they can’t afford to eat,” Ma Shan replied calmly.
Ye Xiren frowned: "The Northern Yan delegation entered the capital, and the news of the peace talks spread. Didn't the price of grain in the Southern Capital drop within a few days? I remember it was about twenty coins per liter?"
Although a lot had happened in the past two days, she still remembered that when she was settling accounts with Liao, her mother said that the price of grain had dropped from fifty coins to twenty coins, and that the money she gave her should be enough to last for a long time.
“How could that be? Grain prices have never dropped. We went to the grain store yesterday evening, and they had already risen to sixty coins!” Ma Shan shook his head, denying her words.
Ye Xiren was startled, and her curiosity grew even stronger.
At this moment, they had arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Prison. Lu Qian turned back to look at Ye Xiren and Ma Shan and said coldly, "Only you can go in alone."
Ye Xiren was just a weak woman, so it wouldn't matter if she went in to meet Yan Danqing, but Ma Shan seemed to have martial arts skills, so Lu Qian would never let him in.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiren put aside her other thoughts and observed Lu Qian's expression. She saw that his brows and eyes were full of irritation, and he was obviously on the verge of losing his temper, leaving no room for argument.
"Okay." So she nodded.
The prison gates opened, and Ye Xiren went in carrying a lantern.
Lu Qian naturally followed, but Ye Xiren turned around, blocking Lu Qian's path with her lantern, and shook her head, "I'll go in alone."
Lu Qian: "?"
Seeing that he was about to object, Ye Xiren was equally unyielding, "Since he is going in alone, then it should be just me. That is my only request. Otherwise... there is no need to keep Lord Lu's secret. It's better not to see him."
A flash of murderous intent crossed Lu Qian's eyes, his gaze icy.
Ye Xiren raised an eyebrow and smiled, "What is Lord Lu afraid of? Are you afraid I'll kidnap him?"
Lu Qian laughed in anger again.
Kidnapping?
“Miss Ye really thinks highly of herself.” Lu Qian took a step back and stood at the door, his smile turning cold. “Then Miss Ye, you can go in by yourself. Those locked inside are traitors, so there’s no need to give you the key.”
If he doesn't go in, it means he won't know what the people inside are saying. But as long as he doesn't get the key, Ye Xiren can only stand outside the iron bars and say a few words. Once Yan Danqing is dead by noon, he won't be afraid of anything anymore.
Ye Xiren did not object to this. She carried the lantern and walked inside. After turning the corner, she let out a long sigh.
We finally got in smoothly.
The prison was pitch black, holding the traitor Yan Danqing. There were no other prisoners left, only this one person, which showed how important he was. It was Ye Xiren's first time in such a place. The eerie and cold atmosphere was frightening, as if she were being entangled by a poisonous snake, and her body temperature dropped instantly.
She swallowed hard, raised her lantern, walked through the candlelit alley, and entered the blood-stained dungeon.
The lantern was slowly raised, the candlelight flickered, and the figure of the person locked up could be vaguely seen.
Ye Xiren didn't speak immediately.
She carried the lantern to the alcove near the cell, lit the candle. She had read many books and knew why there were no candles in there; being locked in a dark, unlit room for a long time was a form of punishment.
The light gradually brightened, illuminating the man sitting inside. He sat on straw, covered in blood, his hair disheveled and frizzy, but his back was straight, and his eyes were looking at her with a puzzled, silent curiosity.
Their eyes met.
Ye Xiren approached, carrying a lantern, her voice tentative: "Young General Yan?"
Yan Danqing spoke, his voice hoarse and husky:
"Who are you?"
Ye Xiren breathed a sigh of relief; she had finally seen the person.
She squatted down in front of the iron fence, holding a lantern, her bright black eyes looking at the people inside.
Despite his terrible appearance, the man did not look disheveled at all. Instead, he still maintained his composure. In the candlelight, one could only see the smooth, angular features of his face and a pair of clear eyes that seemed to see through everything.
“My name is Ye Xiren, and I am the daughter of Ye Pei, the Minister of Revenue. You have never been back to the capital, so you may not know who Ye Pei is. However, the court is now divided into two factions: the pro-war faction and the pro-peace faction. The pro-peace faction wants to kill you, while the pro-war faction wants to protect you.”
Ye Xiren tried to keep it brief and continued:
“My father is one of the pro-war faction. Today, March 3rd, is the day for peace talks. The first demand from Northern Yan is to kill you. If nothing unexpected happens, you will be beheaded and displayed to the public at noon. But my father wants to protect you, so today he will take the blame for you and admit that he embezzled military rations. The Emperor is furious and has sentenced him and his entire family to be executed…”
At this point, Ye Xiren suddenly realized that these were all things that had not yet happened, and the person in front of her was a complete stranger and might not believe her.
Yan Danqing was listening intently, but upon hearing this, he suddenly laughed and interrupted her:
"I trust you."
Ye Xiren: "?"
A note from the author:
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What a meeting of the century!
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