Chapter 36 Hostages
It's all their fault.
This understanding was something Qiuheng learned during those ten years.
Save those you can save, and abandon those you can't. If she were constantly blaming herself for not saving the pitiful people who appeared before her, she would have collapsed long ago.
The fault lay with that world, with those foreign races who treated the Xia people like pigs and dogs, not with her.
That was pain, but it was also growth. Now it has become nourishment that supports her as she walks alone in this world, without fear or retreat.
Qiu Heng received another invitation from the Princess of Jiayi County and took Fangzhou to the Prince Kang's Mansion.
The county magistrate of Jiayi waited in the pavilion in the garden, where a stone table was covered with fresh fruit and refreshments.
"Sixth Miss Qiu." Upon seeing Qiu Heng, the Princess of Jiayi County proudly showed her the newly made incense pendant, "Isn't it much better?"
Qiu Heng examined it carefully: "The thickness is just right, and the color is good, but the aroma is not quite harmonious enough. This is related to the ratio of spices and the pounding of the fragrant mud..."
The county magistrate of Jiayi listened attentively, and her appreciation for the girl before her grew even stronger.
She liked girls like Qiu Liu, who didn't just say nice things because of her status, and whose words were always useful.
"Sixth Miss Qiu, may I call you Aheng?"
Princess Jiayi's question came as a surprise, and Qiu Heng paused for a moment before smiling and nodding, "Okay."
“Aheng, do you know that your sachet has become popular in the capital? Many people are researching how to make it.”
"Really? I'm happy that everyone likes Xiangpei."
Qiu Heng was aware of the rumors surrounding Xiang Pei. This was both part of her plan and had been confirmed by Qiu Yang.
On the day the Imperial Academy was closed for the holidays, Qiu Yang specifically sought her out to ask about the incense pendant, saying that several classmates had inquired with him about whether he had a younger sister who could make incense pendants. When he asked, he learned that it was all those classmates' sisters who had asked him to inquire.
Qiu Heng simply gave Qiu Yang a fragrant pendant. When Qiu Yang left, he walked with a gust of wind, completely lacking the self-restraint of an older brother.
"Ah Heng, if only everyone were as magnanimous as you." Princess Jiayi took Qiu Heng's hand and revealed another reason for inviting her: "My elder brother said he needs to speak with you."
Fearing that Qiuheng would be embarrassed, the Princess of Jiayi quickly explained, "My elder brother told me that you two have known each other for a long time. It was thanks to your help that my elder brother didn't get lost in the mountains back then..."
Qiu Heng wasn't embarrassed.
If she feels awkward meeting young men, then she shouldn't be doing any work.
"Then I'll send someone to call my elder brother over."
Before long, Ling Yun walked over.
He wore a moon-white, wide-sleeved robe and a jade crown. Because he was rather thin, he always gave people a sense of freedom and elegance as he walked, making the maids waiting outside the pavilion unable to take their eyes off him.
If this had happened to any other man, the maids would have been scolded for not knowing the rules, but since it was done to Ling Yun, it only made people understand.
At least Princess Jiayi understood these maids very well.
Even when my older brother was young and hadn't fully grown up, his appearance wasn't this exaggerated. It's true that boys change a lot as they grow up.
Fortunately, Princess Jiayi was devoted to the art of incense and had no obsession with beauty. Otherwise, facing her brother, who was born with the same father and mother and possessed unparalleled beauty, every day would have caused her mental breakdown.
"Big brother."
Lingyun smiled and nodded at his sister, then looked at Qiuheng: "Aheng is here."
"Young Master Ling," Qiu Heng bowed, "I heard from the County Princess that you were looking for me."
“Didn’t you ask me to inquire about Taoist priests of the right age in the capital and surrounding areas? I’ve visited all the Taoist temples in the capital and also sent people to check the surrounding temples. I’ve recorded information on about thirty Taoist priests in total…” Ling Yun said, handing over a small booklet.
It is rare for someone to live to seventy. In the capital and surrounding areas, there are dozens of Taoist temples of all sizes, and these are the few Taoist priests who are over seventy years old.
The county magistrate of Jiayi was astonished.
It turns out that her older brother went to the Taoist temple every day for Aheng's sake; she thought he wanted to cultivate immortality.
"Thank you, Prince Ling." Qiu Heng took the booklet and flipped through it.
"Aheng, are you looking for someone?" Princess Jiayi asked curiously.
"Yes, I'm looking for the Taoist priest who taught me how to use incense. He traveled to the south and is probably in the capital now."
Princess Jiayi's eyes suddenly lit up: "It's actually the Taoist priest who taught you how to make incense pendants? Ah Heng, can I go with you to find him?"
Remembering Master Changqing's words about letting things take their course, Qiu Heng smiled and said, "I don't have any specific intention of finding the person. I just want to try my luck and visit the Taoist temple when I have some free time. Maybe I'll just happen to run into them, but if I don't, it's no big deal..."
"Free time? We're free right now!" Princess Jiayi said excitedly, pointing to a record in the booklet. "Qingfeng Temple isn't far away, let's go there, it's still early anyway."
If she were to meet the Taoist priest who taught Aheng, she would kneel down and beg him to accept her as his disciple.
Wait, so Ah Heng is her senior sister now!
Princess Jiayi felt no discomfort at all that Qiuheng was a year younger than her and had to call her "senior sister"; she was only excited.
Seeing the pleading look on the Princess of Jiayi's face, Qiuheng was also moved.
Instead of chatting idly in the Prince's mansion, it would be better to go to a nearby Taoist temple.
"Big brother, then Ah Heng and I are heading out."
Ling Yun hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll go with you. I'm already quite familiar with the Taoist priests at Qingfeng Temple."
The county magistrate of Jiayi was naturally pleased and looked at Qiuheng.
Qiu Heng naturally wouldn't object: "Then I'll have to trouble Young Master Ling."
Her politeness made Ling Yun sigh inwardly.
He still remembered that not long ago, the girl in front of him called him "Brother Bai" repeatedly, showing him no less affection than his younger sister Lingbo.
The three went out. Since Qingfeng Temple was located in the inner city and often entertained wealthy people, they were not too worried about security and did not bring many servants.
Inside Qingfeng Temple, the person who came forward to greet us was a Taoist priest in his thirties, whose Taoist name was Xuanyang.
He is the last disciple of Master Jingxin, who is eighty years old and is currently on the list compiled by Lingyun.
"Master, Prince Ling has come to visit."
Master Jingxin did look very old, and his eyes revealed a peacefulness that came with the passage of time.
"Benefactor Ling is here again."
Ling Yun politely said, "I brought my sister to offer incense."
Master Jingxin turned his gaze to Qiuheng and Princess Jiayi.
Princess Jiayi remained composed in front of outsiders, suppressing her excitement as she glanced at the girl beside her out of the corner of her eye.
No, sir.
Qiu Heng was not disappointed.
It would be too much of a coincidence to find the person right away.
Since they were already there, it wasn't appropriate to leave immediately. Accompanied by the Taoist priest Xuan Yang, the three of them offered incense, strolled around the temple, and then prepared to depart.
As we were heading towards the entrance of the temple, a group of people suddenly rushed in.
"Who are you? How dare you barge into the Taoist temple?" a young Taoist priest asked angrily.
"The Imperial City Guard is handling a case." The leading young man in scarlet robes flashed his waist token, his gaze immediately falling on Qiu Heng and the others.
When he saw the Taoist Xuan Yang walking beside Ling Yun, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
It was this subtle change that made Qiu Heng immediately realize that Xuan Yang had moved.
His target is Brother Bai!
Without a second thought, Qiu Heng shoved Ling Yun, and the next instant, she was the one with a dagger pressed against her neck by the Taoist Xuan Yang.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye, followed by a chorus of exclamations.
"girl!"
"Uncle-Master Xuanyang, what are you doing?"
Ling Yun was pushed and stumbled away from Xuan Yang. When he turned around and saw Qiu Heng being kidnapped, his expression changed drastically: "Aheng!"
He tried to step forward, but was blocked behind him by the surging guards.
The Taoist priest Xuanyang held Qiuheng in front of him and took a step forward.
He originally intended to kidnap Prince Ling, but things didn't go as planned. He wondered how much weight this young girl carried, and whether she was enough for him to escape.
The abbot, who rushed over upon hearing the news, was shocked: "Xuanyang, what are you doing?"
Xue Han then spoke up: "We just found out that the Taoist Xuan Yang is a spy from Northern Qi!"
These words caused an uproar among the crowd.
Xuan Yang sneered.
It was indeed the right thing to strike first; if he had been taking chances, he wouldn't have even had the opportunity to take hostages.
This little girl reacted quickly.
If Qiu Heng knew what Xuan Yang was thinking at this moment, she would probably roll her eyes.
If she were to reveal her martial arts skills, it would be uncertain who would be kidnapped. Right now, all we can do is prevent Prince Ling from falling into danger.
It's better for her to be the hostage than someone who is truly helpless.
"Are you Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy?" Xuan Yang asked.
“Not bad.” Xue Han replied expressionlessly, showing no sign of nervousness about Qiu Heng being taken hostage.
He knew that showing concern for the hostages would only embolden the other side.
"I want to leave the city!" Xuan Yang pushed Qiu Heng forward.
Seeing Xue Han's indifferent expression, Ling Yun feared that he was only concerned with the credit for capturing the spy, so he said urgently, "Lord Xue, please be sure to prioritize the safety of the hostages. Aheng fell into the hands of the spy while trying to save me!"
Ah Heng—
Xue Han glanced at Ling Yun, then at Qiu Heng.
The girl, with a dagger pressed against her neck by Xuan Yang, stared at him silently.
Xue Han felt as if he had been stung by a bee, a sharp, persistent pain in his heart.
That nightmarish scene seemed to replay itself, tormenting his heart.
Why is this happening again?
Xuan Yang stepped forward, while Xue Han stepped back. Once they were outside the Taoist temple gate, the guards who had come with him eagerly moved forward, but Xue Han raised his hand to stop them.
Inside and outside the Taoist temple, everyone who witnessed this scene was too nervous to utter a sound.
"You, lead the horse and come out of the city with me. No one else is allowed to follow!" Xuan Yang shouted to Xue Han.
Xue Han ordered his men, "Bring the horses here."
Heading north, they left the city under the watchful eyes of everyone, and Xuan Yang's tense spirits relaxed considerably.
"Release the reins and let the horse come over here." Xuan Yang said sternly after confirming that no one was following Xue Han.
Xue Han loosened his grip, and the horse strode forward.
Xuan Yang held Qiu Heng in one hand, his eyes fixed on Xue Han. When the horse approached, he leaped onto its back, landing with Qiu Heng.
"Neigh—" the horse neighed.
The Taoist priest Xuan Yang, or rather, the spy, sitting on his horse, looked down at the cold-faced young man with a smile: "Farewell, Lord Xue."
As soon as he finished speaking, the girl in front of him was suddenly thrown up and fell in one direction like a shooting star.
He then seized the opportunity to spur his horse and gallop away.
Chasing after the spy or rescuing the hostage—this was the dilemma Xuan Yang created for Xue Han, and also his chance to escape.
Xue Han had no other choice.
Spies can never be completely eradicated, but there is only one Ah Heng.
Without hesitation, the boy lunged forward and caught the falling girl just before he hit the ground.
The two of them fell into the roadside bushes together.
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