Chapter 113 She's definitely not someone whose mind is filled with...
Chapter 113
On an early spring night, two hot and young bodies embraced tightly, their breaths mingling and their heartbeats in unison.
Later, when Shen Suining recalled that night, she found it hard to connect it to the thing He Hansheng wanted to tell her in that atmosphere, because his eyes were burning, as if he was about to kiss her at any moment.
Shen Suining swore that she was definitely not someone whose mind was filled with romantic feelings.
But He Hansheng neither spoke of business nor kissed her, because Jiang Yuchu's knocking on the door, as if she couldn't wait a moment longer, quickly broke the brief moment of romance in the room.
Jiang Yuchu was not an impatient person, and both of them knew this. The fact that she would bother them at this time meant that something urgent had happened.
So He Hansheng put on his coat, got out of bed, and went to open the door.
Shen Suining sat on the bed in the bedroom. Even though there was another room between them, she could hear everything clearly—
The rebel army that was causing trouble in the Xiaoxiang area has already reached Jingzhou.
...
Since that day, Shen Suining rarely saw He Hansheng. He was either in the palace or in the military camp, so busy that he barely had time to rest. Occasionally, they would meet briefly at home, but He would only go home briefly to change clothes, nod from afar, and then rush out again.
Besides the Yong'an Marquis's residence, the Pinghuai Marquis's residence has also been deserted lately. Shen Suining doesn't need to ask around to guess that there's probably going to be a war.
Once the war broke out, the seemingly calm capital of Huadu was actually in complete chaos. Shen Suining thought it was time to make the pot boil even more, so she began to work on her plan to assassinate Ouyang Lan.
This is not an easy task, at least that's what Shen Suining thought after learning about information from various sources.
Ouyang Lan himself was not very capable, but he had a father with immense power. Although Ouyang Qi abdicated after his granddaughter married into the Eastern Palace, the foundation of the Ouyang family remained. The Ouyang family's power was deeply entrenched, and Ouyang Lan was involved in it. In addition, he seemed to have many connections with the Empress Dowager, so it could be said that a single move could affect the whole situation.
Of course, how to deal with what happened after Ouyang Lan was not Shen Suining's concern. She was only responsible for dealing with this person, and other matters would be handled by others.
Ouyang Lan is very afraid of death, and he always makes a big fuss when he goes out. In addition to the guards on the surface, Ouyang Lan has also secretly trained a lot of highly skilled secret guards, and even some Jianghu forces. It would take some effort to get rid of him without making a sound. Moreover, it is impossible to get involved with the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion or use the people from Shuyu Manor.
Since Shen Suining couldn't find a suitable candidate at the moment, he disguised himself and went to the Nine Heavens to explain his purpose to Luo Jiuxun.
Luo Jiuxun pondered for a moment and reminded Shen Suining: "If the young master wants to take drastic measures because of the Xu family, please forgive my bluntness, but killing Ouyang Lan will not have much effect."
Shen Suining was also aware of this. He Hansheng and Xu Lanji had both said that the person who really wanted to get rid of the Xu family was the Empress Dowager. Perhaps the loss of Ouyang Lan would not have had as great an impact on the Empress Dowager as imagined, nor would it be enough to make the Empress Dowager let the Xu family go. Moreover, the Empress Dowager's collusion with the previous dynasty was not something that happened overnight. Her power should not be underestimated, otherwise the Emperor would not have been so wary of her.
However, this would restrain the Empress Dowager and allow Prince Zhao to have a chance to retaliate in the court, making it more than enough to deal with Ouyang Lan.
So Shen Suining firmly said, "I've discussed this with He Hansheng. Putting everything else aside, Ouyang Lan must die this month."
This day was the 28th day of the first lunar month, leaving only three days.
Seeing that Shen Suining had made up her mind, Luo Jiuxun said nothing more. She dipped her fingertip in the tea and wrote three words on it.
"Shimeng Hall? What kind of place is that?" Shen Suining frowned. Based on her years of experience traveling the martial world, she knew that this place was definitely not legitimate.
Luo Jiuxun then explained to her that, as the name suggests, the Dream Interpretation Hall is a place that interprets dreams and performs divination. The dream interpreters there can predict a person's future trajectory by connecting the combinations of their dreams over the past month.
"That sounds pretty mystical." Shen Suining doesn't believe in gods or Buddhas, so naturally she doesn't believe in dream interpreters who just spout nonsense. They can talk a lot of nonsense too, and besides, she has always believed that fate is only in her own hands.
But the existence of the Dream Interpretation Hall proves that there are indeed people in the capital who believe in dream interpretation and fate-changing, and that Ouyang Lan believed in it, which is the most important thing.
“Looking around the capital, the more noble the sons of officials, the more they fear death and crave immortality, and the more they believe in ghosts and gods. The Dream Interpretation Hall can not only predict a person’s future fate from their recent dreams, but also change their fate through dream creation.” At this point, Luo Jiuxun paused and smiled, “Of course, just as the young master thinks, it’s just a way to seek peace of mind.”
Everyone has things they fear and wants to seek peace of mind by relying on external forces, which is understandable. It is also their skill that Shimengtang can make money by taking advantage of this weakness of human nature, and Shen Suining does not want to comment too much.
What she cared more about was, "Since we earned our living by relying on the trust of the nobles in the capital, why would they be willing to do this for us? And what makes them dare to offend the Ouyang family?"
“Young Master, you only need to remember one thing,” Luo Jiuxun said softly, “Young Master wants to kill Ouyang Lan, not for anything else, but to avenge Sheng Qingge. Remember this, and Shimengtang will naturally be willing to be the killing knife for Young Master.”
...
"The Dream Interpretation Hall? This place doesn't sound like it's capable of getting things done. Young Master, do you really expect them to handle Ouyang Lan for you?"
Shen Fengyu lay half-reclined on the couch, took a bite of the orange that Shen Suining handed her, and almost choked on the sourness. "Was this orange picked and sold before it was fully grown? It's so sour!"
“Xiao Jiu’s information is never wrong, and I’ve personally verified it,” Shen Suining handed over another slice of orange. “If it wasn’t sour, would I have left it for you?”
"..." Shen Fengyu's lips twitched, but he didn't dare to open his mouth to reply. He only managed to squeeze out a sentence through his teeth: "Thank you so much for your concern, Young Master."
Seeing that Shen Fengyu wasn't eating anymore, Shen Suining put the peeled orange aside, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and said, "If you don't want me to worry, then get well soon. I'm short-handed right now, and that's exactly when I need you."
Ling Rui and Yan Zhen went to protect Xu Lan. Besides the few remaining guards from Bifeng Hall, Shen Suining only had Bai Yu, whom He Hansheng had assigned to her, who was reliable. However, Shen Suining did not want He Hansheng's people to get involved in dealing with Ouyang Lan.
As he said, this was a power struggle within the court. If it wasn't crushed in one blow, the other side could retaliate at any time. Shen Suining couldn't allow the Yong'an Marquis's mansion to be involved in the slightest possibility. If the truth really came out, she would bear the responsibility.
Shen Fengyu composed herself and became serious. "Today is the 30th, and it's already so dark. If there's still no news from Shimengtang, does the young master have any backup plans?"
“Yes,” Shen Suining pulled out a lynx mask that she hadn’t used in a long time and waved it. “Liu Jianmeng, the owner of Shimengtang, said that even if they can’t kill Ouyang Lan, they will force him into that dead-end alley next door. It’s next to the water, and no one will pass by at night. We can just pretend that Ouyang Lan accidentally fell into the water after drinking.”
Shen Fengyu: "However... given the Ouyang family's status in Huadu, why would Shimengtang risk helping us with this? Ouyang Lan is no small figure. Putting aside his other identities, he is the Crown Prince's father-in-law. If the Crown Prince successfully ascends the throne in the future, he will be the Grand Secretary. Besides, that shop owner doesn't even know who we are."
Shen Suining paused for a moment. She had asked Luo Jiuxun the same question before, so she countered, "What if Liu Jianmeng wants to avenge Sheng Qingge?"
Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, Shen Fengyu was stunned for a full three seconds before she reacted, "Huh?"
Just then, someone outside played the flute, three long notes, two short notes, and two long notes. This was the secret signal that Shen Suining and the people from Shimengtang had agreed upon. When she heard the sound, she knew that Shimengtang had made a mistake. She immediately picked up her mask and went outside.
Liu Jianmeng of Shimeng Hall had not mentioned his plans beforehand, and Shen Suining did not feel comfortable asking. Although she went in disguise, Liu Jianmeng had delicate features and was thin, so he did not seem easy to get along with. She explained her purpose to Luo Jiuxun without mentioning her identity, only that she wanted to avenge Sheng Qingge. Liu Jianmeng immediately agreed.
Then they made an appointment for the final date and the secret code, so Shen Suining never expected that when she met Ouyang Lan, he would be in a disheveled and insane state.
He ran wildly through the deserted streets, muttering incoherent words, and a strange fragrance wafted from him as he passed by, as if he had been given some kind of special drug.
Shen Suining followed him the whole way, but couldn't hear what he was saying clearly. She could only vaguely make out a few words like "damn it," "have mercy," and "don't kill me."
Later, Ouyang Lan must have been tired from running. He stood by the water and stared at himself for a while. Suddenly, he covered his face in terror and screamed. Then, he frantically tried to splash his reflection in the water.
Once his figure had completely disappeared underwater, Shen Suining turned around effortlessly. Liu Jianmeng was standing lightly behind her, dressed in white, like a ghost that had drifted in, which startled Shen Suining.
"A person who has committed numerous evils actually dares to dream of changing his fate through dreams. Humph, let him keep dreaming."
Liu Jianmeng coldly uttered those words and then vanished with a flick of his sleeve, as mysteriously as when he appeared. A faint fragrance seemed to linger where he stood, drifting over on the wind.
The incense didn't seem to be used by ordinary men. Shen Suining subconsciously held his breath and frowned slightly.
The water gradually returned to calm, and the spot where Ouyang Lan had fallen into the water was pitch black and deathly silent, as if nothing had ever happened.
Just then, with a "whoosh," a short arrow, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, grazed Shen Suining's ear and pierced straight into the water, making a sound in the silent night.
Shen Suining's pupils trembled slightly. Before she could fully react, a cold sweat broke out on her back. When she turned around, she saw the ghost-faced, demon-like black figure standing on the roof, drawing a bow and looking down at her.
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