Chapter 46 Yao Qingling is dead?
Imperial Censor Cao glanced at Yao Qingling, unsure of what to say to comfort her. Then, a thought struck him, and he said, "The rest is a matter for the government. Let's go down the mountain."
He looked at Qingling: "Young Madam, please come down with us. It will be safer to have someone look after you on the way."
Yao Qingling nodded.
On the way down the mountain, she felt a mocking laugh in her heart.
Watching Imperial Censor Cao carefully supporting his wife, Qingling's eyes stung with tears.
She looked up at the big tree by the roadside.
The leaves on the leaves after the storm are so green.
Going up the mountain doesn't necessarily require someone to see you off; going down the mountain doesn't necessarily require someone to pick you up.
A raindrop fell from the treetop and landed right on Qingling's cheek, like a tear sliding down her cheek.
She raised her hand and gently wiped it away, her smile cold and broken.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the new government's carriage had long since disappeared.
Yao Qingling watched indifferently as the other carriages left one by one, while Tao Ye was so angry that she cried and wiped away her tears.
They returned to the city in the censor's carriage.
The city remained as prosperous as ever, just like yesterday; but everyone who went to Yongning Temple seemed to have had a nightmare all night, only to wake up from it by the sound of street vendors hawking their wares.
The aroma of scallion pancakes wafted into the carriage; it was the warmth and life of everyday life that truly made one feel alive.
"Your Excellency, Madam Cao, I'd like to get something to eat by the roadside. Let's get off here."
Yao Qingling bid farewell to the Imperial Censor Cao and his wife, and got off the carriage with Taoye.
They went to their usual wonton stall, ordered four bowls of wontons, and ate heartily; then they went to the scallion pancake stall, bought two pancakes, and ate them as they walked.
Tao Ye glanced at Qing Ling and thought her young lady was strange.
She was too quiet.
But she dared not say anything at that moment, for fear of upsetting her mistress.
Yao Qingling wasn't in a hurry to return to the manor, even though her dark circles were quite pronounced.
She walked aimlessly for a long time, and then she stopped.
Ahead is Yunlai Inn.
A carriage embroidered with the Zhan family crest stopped at the door. Zhou Zhining, supporting herself on Zhan Xingzhuo's arm and stepping onto the horse stool, steadily boarded the carriage.
Zhan Xingzhuo followed.
Finally, two maids went up as well.
Ha! Even his maids can ride in his carriage, while his wife almost lost her life and had to take someone else's carriage back.
How ironic.
Yao Qingling stood quietly for a long time, the sunlight shining in her eyes and making her cry.
The carriage swayed and rocked as it slowly left the inn.
He didn't even see the woman standing behind him.
It's as if he knows nothing, taking care of people who don't need care at all with a clear conscience.
“Miss—” Tao Ye looked at Qing Ling with red eyes, “The young master… he left last night to see Zhou Zhining, and they even left the inn together…”
Last night there was a violent storm, who knows what those two scoundrels did at the inn!
How could they do this!
Tao Ye trembled with anger and cried, "Why is Zhou Zhining, a remnant of the criminals, still able to enjoy peace and safety? Heaven is truly blind!"
How can there be such shameless people in the world? Last night's riot was caused by those displaced people venting their anger because of injustice!
With a sway, a corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhou Zhining immediately saw Qing Ling standing there blankly.
She lifted the curtain, quietly gazing at Qingling, and slowly curved her lips into a smile.
Zhan Xingzhuo noticed what she was looking at and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Zhou Zhining pretended not to see anything, smoothed out the curtain, and said with a smile, "Listening to those hawking cries, last night felt like a nightmare."
She gently held Zhan Xingzhuo's hand and rested her head lightly on his shoulder: "Brother Xingzhuo, thank goodness I have you. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have gotten through this night."
She continued, "You don't know, those people who broke in last night reminded me of the day the officials stormed into the Zhou residence and ransacked the house... You weren't there that day..."
Her voice was low, soft, and helpless, which made his heart ache and made him feel guilty.
Zhan Xingzhuo held her hand tightly, regretting once again that he hadn't made it in time for the day the Zhou family raided the premises.
That's why Zhou Zhining was so scared last night and insisted that he stay with her.
He was initially worried about Yao Qingling, but after hearing what Zhou Zhining said, he realized that he had at least saved one of them.
Given the situation last night, even if he rushed to Yongning Temple, it would have been too late; with a large number of soldiers going to rescue them, losing one of them wouldn't have mattered much.
Besides, he had seen Yao Qingling holding a whip before. She didn't know martial arts, but she could pretend to be skilled.
She was born on the battlefield and grew up on the frontier; she had seen it all. She was naturally bold and better at hiding than others. In the battle ten years ago, so many people died, but she survived.
She'll be alright.
Zhan Xingzhuo came up with many reasons, and soon all the worries in his heart disappeared.
He held Zhou Zhining's hand and comforted her, saying, "No matter what happens in the future, I will always be by your side."
Zhou Zhining smiled gently and took his hand in hers: "I know."
"But when you came last night, it felt like the shadow in my heart was erased. Thank you, Xingzhuo-gege."
This phrase, "erasure the shadows," made Zhan Xingzhuo feel that he had redeemed himself, and that staying last night was entirely worthwhile.
Since staying at the inn was inconvenient, Zhan Xingzhuo had already persuaded Zhou Zhining to return to the new mansion and move there after the renovations in Mao'er Lane were completed.
In Hulu Lane, the Censor's wife and Censor Cao got off their carriage next door.
—The Imperial Censor's wife had lost a lot of blood. When they passed by the clinic, Imperial Censor Cao insisted that she be treated by a doctor. She took a whole bunch of medicines, including medicine for knife wounds, tonics, and calming medicines, before returning home.
As soon as they got off the carriage, they heard the sound of another carriage next door and looked over.
The carriage stopped, and Zhan Xingzhu got off first, carefully helping Zhou Zhining out of the carriage.
Her cautious demeanor made one wonder if Zhou Zhining had some serious illness.
The couple watched coldly.
Zhan Xingzhuo turned around and saw that the Imperial Censor's wife's eyes were full of sarcasm and anger. He was stunned for a moment, then remembered that the Imperial Censor's wife had also gone to Yongning Temple yesterday.
He glanced back at Zhou Zhining, looking as if he'd been caught doing something wrong; he panicked for a moment, then calmly bowed and asked, "Madam Cao—"
He noticed the strip of cloth tied to the censor's wife's arm, with blood seeping through it, and was momentarily speechless, his heart suddenly filled with panic.
The Imperial Censor's wife is injured, but what about Yao Qingling?
Has she returned home yet?
Before he could ask, the Censor's wife coldly said, "Yao Qingling is dead."
She glanced at Zhou Zhining, then turned her gaze back to Zhan Xingzhuo, and said fiercely, "Lord Zhan, you killed your wife!"
"It's not too late to go up the mountain and collect her body now."
"Furthermore, let me tell you, the corpses on the mountain have all been roasted. Wild beasts eat human flesh. If you arrive late, Lord Zhan, you might not even be able to find the corpses."
She glanced at Zhou Zhining again and said mockingly, "However, it's common knowledge that Lord Zhan favors other people's wives. So what if his own wife is dead? If we can't find the body, it saves you the trouble of preparing the body for burial and doesn't interfere with your love affairs, right?"
Zhan Xingzhuo's face turned red, then white, then green, then black.
He wouldn't allow anyone to speak of Zhou Zhining like that, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Madam Cao, please be careful with your words. Zhining is my sworn sister, not what you imagine her to be."
"Ha, ugh!" The Censor's wife spat and turned to Censor Cao, saying, "Who's shamelessly farting in the street again? Old Cao, I'm dizzy, help me up. We're husband and wife, no one will say a word if you hold me."
The couple entered the house.
Zhan Xingzhuo's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he clenched his fingers tightly.
He didn't know whether his anger stemmed from the censor's wife's mockery or from hearing that Yao Qingling was dead.
She's dead?
Before he could think it through, a cry of pain pulled him back to reality.
"Brother Xingzhuo, you're hurting me." Zhou Zhining looked at him with red eyes, looking delicate and helpless.
Zhan Xingzhuo glanced at his hand, quickly loosened his grip, but said nothing.
He stood there blankly, lost in his own thoughts.
This time, he clearly felt the fear in his heart.
Is Yao Qingling dead?
How is that possible?
What flashed through his mind was Yao Qingling's angry eyes when she was upset; her bright smile, her eyes blooming like flowers; her coldly addressing him as "My Lord"; and her resolute back as she turned away—
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