Chapter 263 Who sent those assassins?
Lu Zhaoruo watched him leave, and the room returned to silence.
Her thoughts, however, began to race.
The scene of the attack last night is still vivid in my mind.
Those assassins were highly trained, worked in perfect coordination, and were ruthless and decisive in their attacks; they were by no means ordinary bandits or domesticated thugs.
They were more like... professional suicide squad members.
She mentally filtered through her potential enemies: Li Nian'er, Wan Ningniang? They hated her to the bone, but one was imprisoned and the other was dependent on the Qi family; neither had the ability to command an assassin of this caliber.
Rival businesses? Commercial competition is nothing more than price wars, spreading rumors, and hiring thugs to kill, and this kind of operation is too risky and doesn't seem like something a businessman would do.
Lady Yunxiu? She harbors resentment towards me because of my victory in the autumn hunt, making her the prime suspect.
But upon closer reflection, would she really resort to using elite assassin-level forces to ambush someone in the street just because of a loss on the field? That doesn't seem like her personality.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhaoruo felt a chill run down her spine.
So who exactly is it?
She felt a bit of a headache, so she decided to put it aside for the time being.
After a quick wash and dressing by Qiu Lü, she leaned back on the soft pillows to catch her breath when Dong Rou tiptoed in and said with a strange expression, "Madam, Young Master Meng has arrived... He's waiting in the front hall."
Dong Rou paused, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of helplessness, "He also brought a lot of things, saying they were precious medicinal herbs to nourish my wife's body, and some... strange things, supposedly 'all-purpose' items that can be used for self-defense and emergency rescue, but I don't understand them at all."
Although Lu Zhaoruo felt tired and her arm wound was throbbing, she couldn't be rude to Meng Xi because he had helped her yesterday.
She straightened her clothes slightly and, with Qiu Lu's careful support, slowly walked towards the front hall.
Upon entering the hall, she saw Meng Xi standing with his back to her, hands behind his back, seemingly admiring a landscape painting hanging on the wall.
The clothes he is wearing today are one of the results of his daily "custom-made" items at Yunshang Pavilion in recent days.
A dark blue silk robe with lotus scroll pattern, covered with a black crepe gauze half-sleeve.
The clothes, personally tailored and sewn by Lu Zhaoruo, fit him perfectly, highlighting his tall and straight figure. They made him less lazy and aloof, and instead gave him a rare, almost dignified, noble air.
It was as if even he himself, because of this outfit, had restrained some of his frivolousness and revealed a bit of the calm nature of a scion of a noble family.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around.
His gaze immediately fell on her thickly bandaged left arm. He frowned slightly, and a complex and unreadable emotion flashed in his eyes.
There was the lingering fear of yesterday, the clear pain, and even a hint of regret.
He paused for a moment before resuming his ambiguous smile, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. He lazily cupped his hands in a salute and asked, "Madam Lu, are your injuries any better?"
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Meng. I am now out of danger."
Lu Zhaoruo nodded slightly in return, her voice calm, "Thank you for your help yesterday, sir."
Upon hearing this, Meng Xi's smile faded, and he looked at her calmly. His tone was no longer casual, but rather carried an unprecedented seriousness: "Help?"
He gently shook his head, his gaze falling on her injured left arm, his voice lowering slightly, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had to suffer this wound. I'm the one who should be thanking you."
He changed the subject, pointing to the brocade boxes and packages piled on the table beside him. His tone became somewhat lazy, but it couldn't hide his seriousness: "My wife has lost blood and needs to replenish it. I brought some medicinal herbs with me. They are all common things that can replenish qi and blood and promote muscle and bone growth. I hope my wife will not refuse them."
He paused, then pointed to a long, heavy-looking wooden box: "As for this... inside are some trinkets. There's a hidden dart mechanism, cleverly concealed; some antidote powder, bewitching incense... oh, and a soft sword, as light and thin as silk, which can be wrapped around the waist. Considering my wife's current status, she's become a target of gossip, so I'm keeping these for self-defense, in case of unforeseen circumstances."
Qiu Lu and Dong Rou, who were standing nearby, stared wide-eyed.
Lu Zhaoruo was also slightly taken aback.
These "strange" things were indeed beyond her expectations, but upon closer inspection, they seemed... quite practical.
She sighed inwardly, thinking that this person's actions were indeed unconventional.
"You've gone to so much trouble, Young Master Meng."
She thanked her again, her tone becoming more sincere, "but these items are too valuable, and I fear I am unworthy to accept them."
"Things are inanimate, people are alive. If something can be used, it is not valuable."
Meng Xi waved his hand, completely unconcerned.
He took two steps closer, his gaze falling on her face, his tone suddenly softening slightly, "My lady... you were frightened yesterday. Have you considered who sent those assassins?"
Lu Zhaoruo met his gaze, her heart filled with trepidation.
She had been pondering this question ever since she woke up.
"We have no clue yet."
She frankly told him, then asked in return, "But why was it such a coincidence that Young Master Meng happened to be nearby yesterday?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Xi's expression showed a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment, but he did not reply immediately.
Upon seeing this, Chang Hong, who was standing at the door, couldn't help but step forward, bow, and interject, "Madam Lu, please allow me to explain, this matter... is not a coincidence."
He continued, "To tell you the truth, the old eunuch that you visited yesterday was framed and embroiled in palace intrigues in his early years. In despair, he vowed never to touch weaving again. It was my husband who intervened and helped him escape his predicament, allowing him to retire peacefully."
"Knowing that his wife desired the techniques, the young master personally went to the old master's place beforehand to explain his wife's sincere aspirations for Yunshang Pavilion and to repeatedly request that the old master, out of gratitude for the young master's past kindness, make an exception and agree to teach her everything he knows..."
Before Chang Hong could finish speaking, Meng Xi coughed lightly, interrupting him: "Stop talking nonsense."
Upon hearing Chang Hong's words, a complex look of understanding flashed across Lu Zhaoruo's eyes.
Immediately, she straightened her posture, faced Meng Xi, and curtsied. Although her movements were slightly slow due to her arm injury, they were exceptionally solemn: "So that's how it is. I've always wondered why that old master was willing to make an exception and meet me, and teach me everything he knew."
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and sincere as she looked at Meng Xi: "This opportunity is all thanks to Lord Meng's secret help. I am deeply grateful for such kindness."
"Your help this time is both a personal matter, quenching my thirst for art, and a public matter, helping Yunshang Pavilion to establish itself as a court official. Regardless of whether it is for personal or public reasons, I, Zhaoruo, will always remember this kindness and friendship."
Hearing Lu Zhaoruo's earnest thanks, Meng Xi's eyes flashed with pleasure, and even the corners of his lips softened.
But he quickly lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions. When he looked up again, he had returned to his world-weary tone, which showed no interest in anything. He waved his hand lazily and said, "Since I appreciate your 'thank you,' then please accept those little trinkets on the table."
He spoke casually, as if he were dealing with a trivial matter, saying, "It's just taking up space anyway."
After saying that, his gaze swept over her injured left arm...
He really wanted to stay a little longer, even if it was just to watch her drink some tea and chat for a bit.
But seeing that her face was still pale and her brows were furrowed with weariness, I finally suppressed my thoughts. "You are injured and need to rest properly."
He turned to the side and said in a slightly lower voice than usual, "I won't bother you any longer."
After saying that, he nodded slightly and then turned and left with Chang Hong.
His back was straight, and his usual languid gait revealed a rare lightness, even the corners of his slightly pursed lips couldn't help but curve into a smile.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
