Chapter 273 Cutting Through the Gordian Knife
In February, the lake breeze was damp and cold on the shores of Qinglian Lake, and the cold moon was like frost.
Qiu Heng's heart felt as if it had sunk to the bottom of a lake.
A life-or-death struggle with Consort Yu was a situation she did not want to see.
She also had her own selfish reasons; she didn't want to let her adoptive parents down.
They loved her like their own daughter—no, more than most parents.
In Yunfeng Village, a family often has four or five children. The boys who can work are raised roughly, while the girls often have an even harder time.
Even when she was over ten years old, she could still go to Brother Ling to read and write. She had silk flowers to wear and new clothes to wear. He even saved money to buy her a donkey so that she could have Fangzhou as a companion.
They showered her with love and companionship without reservation, allowing her to grow up like a precious jewel. How could she face them if she couldn't even protect their true treasure?
"Aheng, don't think about the worst possible outcome."
Qiu Heng leaned against Xue Han's chest and nodded gently.
Are you going out tomorrow?
"I need to go to the Kang Prince's residence to put Brother Ling and the others at ease."
Upon hearing Qiu Heng mention Ling Yun, Xue Han paused for a moment, his tone revealing no emotion: "I plan to take action against Tao Ran Lou tomorrow. You might witness some excitement if you go out."
"Make our move tomorrow?"
"Qingfeng has been missing for several days. Taoranlou is waiting for Qingdai's response but hasn't made any moves yet. If it goes on any longer, he might escape. We must close the net as soon as possible."
“If we take Taoran Tower, it will definitely alert spies elsewhere. However, Qingfeng is already dead, so we can’t get information about the contact points and personnel. Consort Yu won’t tell us anything unless we get the antidote. It’s better to take Taoran Tower first.” Although Qiu Heng felt it was a pity, she knew that this was the only option.
"Aheng, Consort Yu is anxious for the antidote and will summon you to the palace from time to time. Be careful."
“I know. Taoranlou is one of the top teahouses in the capital. Its thriving business and stable operation are probably due to the benefits it has given to certain powerful figures. If you mess with Taoranlou, you will also have a lot of trouble. You should be careful.”
Under the moonlight, the two gave each other words of advice, and finally fell silent.
On the quiet lakeside, new green shoots are hidden among the withered grass, along with the chirping of insects.
"Aheng," Xue Han called softly.
"Um."
“I think—” he began, but found that sometimes it’s easier said than done.
Then I won't say anything more.
Xue Han lowered his head and pressed his lips to Qiu Heng's.
The moon quietly hid behind the clouds, and the surroundings suddenly became darker. The chirping of insects seemed to stop, and only the increasingly rapid breathing of the young man and woman could be heard.
"Xue Han...keep kissing me—"
The girl's next words were swallowed up. Xue Han pulled her close, kissing her more urgently and deeply, until his self-control was on the verge of collapse before he pushed her away and whispered, "I checked, no matter how much we kiss, you won't get pregnant..."
Ah Heng's lies to her adoptive father also frightened him. He specially sought out erotic pictures that newlyweds needed to know about during their wedding and studied them carefully.
He knows everything now.
Qiu Heng was speechless at the confidence in Xue Han's tone, and pinched him on the waist: "Don't mention it again."
Xue Han grabbed her hand: "I'll take you back."
Qiu Heng let him hold her hand as they walked along the road shrouded in night.
In the middle of Lengxiang Residence, Fangzhou had already changed Qiuheng's bedding and prepared her clothes for going out tomorrow.
After washing up, Qiu Heng lay down on the soft bedding, enveloped in the scent of soapberry and sunshine from the sun-dried bedding.
"Fangzhou, let's sleep together."
"Okay." Fangzhou happily brought over a pillow and lay down next to Qiuheng.
"Fangzhou, I have a secret to tell you."
Fangzhou changed from lying down to crouching, tilting her head to the side and resting her chin on her hand, eagerly waiting for Qiuheng to continue.
“My parents had a lost daughter named Baozhu, and I have found her.”
"Really?" Fangzhou asked with delight. "Where is Baozhu? Is she married? Miss, are you now an aunt?"
"Sister Baozhu...is Consort Yu."
Fangzhou's face froze with excitement, and his joyful heart gradually cooled.
After a while, Fangzhou asked, "Does Consort Yu know about this?"
"She knows too."
"Is she willing to acknowledge the girl?"
Qiu Heng gazed at the delicate incense ball hanging on the bed curtains and said softly, "I don't know."
Despite their seemingly friendly handshake and cooperation, she didn't trust Consort Yu, but did Consort Yu trust her?
Her hope is for sisters to be of one mind, but she is not naive enough to think that a handshake is all it takes.
They couldn't build trust and cultivate feelings little by little like ordinary sisters who were separated and then reunited; they could only wait and see.
A pair of warm hands took her arm, and Fangzhou had regained her composure: "It's alright, girl. If we're destined to be sisters, then let's be; if not, then so be it."
"Hmm, thank goodness I have Fangzhou." Qiu Heng's heart softened, and she hugged Fangzhou's arm back.
Fangzhou's lips curled up into a smile as he suddenly moved closer to Qiuheng: "Miss, I was just about to ask you, why are your lips swollen?"
Qiu Heng stiffened, and stammered guiltily, "But, maybe it's because I'm in jail. I'm sleepy, go to sleep."
She quickly lay down and closed her eyes.
Fangzhou lay down and closed his eyes. After a while, he shook Qiuheng violently: "Miss, wake up!"
"What's wrong?" Qiu Heng, who had been pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes.
"I suddenly realized, did Young Master Xue kiss you?"
Qiu Heng: "..." She was going to kill Xue Han!
The night was calm and peaceful, and as dawn broke, the capital city began a new day of bustling activity. The Taoranlou restaurant, situated in a prime location in the city, opened its doors and began its day of business.
A group of people led by Xue Han walked down the street, attracting a lot of attention.
"Those are people from the Imperial City Guard, right?"
"See that? That handsome young man at the very front is Lord Xue Han, who has killed many Xijiang people!"
"I've never seen so many Imperial City Guards together before. Could something terrible have happened?"
...
Xue Han led his men to Taoranlou, showed his waist badge, and said succinctly: "The Imperial City Guard has discovered that a spy has infiltrated Taoranlou. Everyone in Taoranlou, please come to the main hall immediately."
Upon hearing this, the diners in the hall got up and walked out. The imperial guards at the door confirmed the identities of each diner before letting them out.
Taoranlou was thrown into chaos. The manager signaled to someone to go and report the news, but they were stopped before they could even leave the house.
"Shopkeeper, we are only searching for spies. If you do not cooperate, you will be treated as a spy."
Upon hearing Xue Han's words, the innkeeper assumed that he wanted to find and take away the spies in Taoran Tower. In order to avoid making a big fuss, he had no choice but to comply.
"Call everyone to the main hall."
Soon the lobby was packed with people from Taoranlou.
"Take a headcount."
"One, two...Reporting to the lord, including the manager, there are a total of fifty-eight people at Taoran Restaurant."
Xue Han coldly said, "Take them all back to the Imperial City Guard."
The shopkeeper was shocked: "Lord Xue, Taoran Restaurant has always conducted business in an honest and upright manner, and we have always been very accommodating to distinguished guests. How can you do this without any evidence—"
"We have the evidence. Take them away. If they resist, kill them without mercy!"
Since Xue Han took charge of the Imperial City Guard, he had rarely spoken so forcefully, which gave his subordinates full confidence, and they immediately responded loudly, "Yes!"
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