Birds returning to their nests
The carriage sped along the silent street, the stench of the earlier street battle still lingering in the air. Yi Xing leaned against the carriage wall, the ginseng pill in his mouth dissolving into a faint bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste, barely suppressing the metallic tingle in his throat and the palpitations in his chest. He closed his eyes, but his mind uncontrollably replayed everything that had happened that night: the undercurrents at the palace banquet, the suspicious circumstances surrounding Dr. Wang's death, that deadly fabric fiber, the sudden assassination attempt, and Hua Mulan's dazzling yet brief act of assistance, like a blazing flame.
All these fragments are like a game of chess that has been scrambled, seemingly without any order, yet subtly pointing to a hidden mastermind.
"Kid, we're here!"
Cheng Yaojin's booming voice interrupted his thoughts. The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the inconspicuous gate of Yaotian's camp. Almost simultaneously, the gate creaked open from the inside, and warm yellow light poured out, illuminating three faces filled with anxiety and worry.
"Yixing!"
Gongsun Li was the first to rush out, her rabbit ears standing up high in her anxiety. She breathed a long sigh of relief when she saw Yi Xing being carried out of the carriage unharmed by Cheng Yaojin, but then she noticed that his face was even paler than when he left, and her heart clenched again.
Pei Qinhu lunged forward, practically snatching Yi Xing from Cheng Yaojin's grasp. His usually vibrant eyes were now filled with lingering fear and rage: "Xing'er! Are you alright? I heard something happened in the palace? And on the way here just now..."
Yang Yuhuan followed closely behind. Although she did not speak, her gentle eyes quickly swept over Yi Xing. After confirming that he had no obvious external injuries, she bowed to Cheng Yaojin and said, "Thank you, General Cheng, for escorting Yi Xing back."
Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, his expression grave: "We encountered a few unruly rats on the road, but we've dealt with them. Lord Di is still investigating the matter in the palace, and Lord Ming will stay there to assist for the time being. Take good care of this boy; I have to go back and report." He paused, then added, "Things haven't been peaceful lately, so you all need to be careful as well."
After seeing Cheng Yaojin off, Pei Qinhu carefully carried Yixing back to his familiar warm pavilion and settled him on the couch covered with thick cushions. Gongsun Li immediately brought over a cup of longan tea that had been kept warm, while Yang Yuhuan took his pulse again, the slight tremor in her fingertips causing her to frown slightly.
"I'm fine, just a little tired," Yi Xing gently comforted his companions who were gathered around the bed like guardians of a fragile treasure. He briefly recounted what had happened in the palace, the attack on his return journey, and how he was rescued by Hua Mulan. He omitted the thrilling parts and focused on the suspicious points of the case and the thread of evidence.
"Outrageous! How dare they frame us!" Pei Qinhu slammed his fist on a pillar beside him in anger, causing the beam to tremble slightly. "If I find out which bastard did this, I'll tear him to pieces!"
"Ah Hu, calm down." Although Gongsun Li was also angry, she was more worried about Yi Xing's condition. "Yi Xing just said that the fiber was torn off forcefully? Was there a third person present at the time?"
Yang Yuhuan pondered, "Dr. Wang is an expert in calligraphy and painting appraisal, especially ancient books. If he was murdered because of the *Tian Yuan Ce*, then the murderer's real target might be that chess manual, or... something hidden within the chess manual." She looked at Yi Xing, "Your master..."
“Master’s decision to stay in the palace must have its own plans.” Yi Xing took the hot tea that Gongsun Li handed him again, the warmth spreading through his palm. “Lord Di is a man who values evidence. As long as he can’t find conclusive evidence, he can’t do anything to Master. However…” He frowned slightly, “The person behind the scenes is ruthless and meticulous. They failed this time, and I’m afraid they won’t let it go.”
"Screw them!" Pei Qinhu retorted, "If one comes, I'll beat one; if two come, I'll beat them both!"
“Ah Hu,” Yi Xing raised his eyes, his gaze calm, “the way of playing chess is to plan carefully before acting. Only by understanding the opponent’s intentions can you counter their moves. Recklessness will only lead you into their trap.”
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange soothing and persuasive quality. Pei Qinhu opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed his words, muttering, "I understand... Xing'er, whatever you say goes."
Seeing Pei Qinhu's aggrieved yet submissive appearance, Gongsun Li couldn't help but chuckle, which eased the tense atmosphere in the warm pavilion.
Just then, a soft, rhythmic knocking came from outside, unlike the rhythm that Yao Tian members were used to.
The four of them instantly became alert. Pei Qinhu immediately stood in front of Yi Xing's bed, and Gongsun Li and Yang Yuhuan exchanged a glance.
"Who is it?" Yang Yuhuan asked loudly.
A hoarse, flat voice, devoid of any emotion, came from outside the door:
"Canyon Major Crimes Unit, Bian Que. By order of Lord Di, I have come to examine Young Master Yi Xing's clothing."
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