Chapter 50 Qingxi, thank goodness, you're back.
Jiang Geyun refused to answer Zhengyi's question directly, only saying:
"Perhaps it's because I haven't received a reply from Your Highness yet?"
Zheng Yi wasn't in a hurry and changed the subject: "Do you know what Xiao Xie encountered at Ci'en Temple?"
Jiang Geyun knew.
The system had told her that.
What a cliché! A beautiful woman meets a treasure temple, someone steps forward to help, a suspension bridge effect occurs, feelings blossom, and they pledge their hearts to each other... It's all so cliché.
She replied, "I hope Your Highness can enlighten me."
“I originally thought he was just hiding away from me, keeping a low profile, but I never expected this,” Zhengyi shook his head, “he’s not doing so well either, so many people are after his life.”
Zheng Yi looked regretful, but it was all deliberate, and he was also extremely gloating.
Jiang Geyun was taken aback, then suddenly realized.
Judging from Zheng Yi's words, this "foreign beauty" has far-reaching ambitions.
She must have been ordered by someone to infiltrate the Tu Lan delegation, intending to take the opportunity to eliminate Ul. However, Ul preemptively set a trap to imprison her in Ci'en Temple, and most likely did not intend for her to return alive.
Based on the original text provided by the system, Jiang Geyun has a basic understanding of the mission case and the Ci'en Temple incident.
The Tulan delegation came to the capital to pay tribute. There were people from other tribes mixed in with the delegation, who were plotting to take the opportunity to make Gutulu Ur die in a foreign land.
All of this was discovered in advance by either Wu'er or Ji Songci. The dangerous individuals were "sent" to Ci'en Temple, and Wu'er simply purged the rest of them as well.
Taking advantage of this sudden bloodshed, Ul and Ji Songci may want to characterize the case as the fault of the Zhou side. With such a scandal, they will surely be able to obtain compensation and even seize more benefits.
They took into account the existence of the Xuandu Supervisory Office. Even if most of the delegation members were loyal to Ur, there were always spies from other tribes who wouldn't mind if the truth were known to the Great Zhou.
Therefore, they deliberately used the secret method of applying orchids to destroy the soul of the deceased in order to prevent the soul-summoning ritual from ruining their plans.
Afterwards, possibly having learned about Jiang Geyun from Ji Songci, the two believed she was a more suitable breakthrough point, capable of guiding the investigation and also providing an opportunity to extract the method of making the Mirage Needle. Gu Dulu Wuer specially came to her side and put on a show.
Unexpectedly, Chao Wujiu's painting shattered their seemingly perfect plan.
There are still too many extraordinary people in the capital.
Ur made a decisive move, remotely controlling the surviving envoy to end his own life, and arranged a "suitable farewell" for Jiang Geyun.
Unfortunately, not many people could see through their scheme; Jiang Geyun was one of them.
...Xie Jiming's perspective on the truth is far too inaccurate.
Jiang Geyun's mind was churning with thoughts, but she kept her eyes closed and remained as calm as clear, cool water.
Zheng Yi suddenly pointed at Jiang Geyun and asked with genuine resentment, "Why?!"
Jiang Geyun looked down in the direction Zheng Yi was pointing.
The shop manager, who had just been thrown off by Jiang Geyun, slowly climbed back onto the bed, strutting around with his tail held high, and walked back to Jiang Geyun's side.
It was looking around, as if it was choosing a seat for itself.
Jiang Geyun knew in her heart that Zhengyi originally did not intend to save her.
Zhengyi had so many opportunities to give hints or instructions, but in the end she said nothing. Only after she had a guess did she give an ambiguous and vague answer.
Moreover, it's hard to say whether that statement was meant to help her or if Zhengyi was simply putting on an act...
Surprisingly, the only one in Yinguanglou who took the initiative to help Jiang Geyun was the shop manager's cat.
It set up a barrier to lure the people from Yinguanglou away, giving Jiang Geyun the opportunity to set up a trap to kill Wuer. After seeing that things were on the right track, it also promptly went to call the people from Yinguanglou to clean up the mess.
Things unfolded exactly as Jiang Geyun had predicted.
The person and the cat barely interacted at all!
That's strange. Is it because Jiang Geyun helped a cat reunite with its owner, thus accumulating good karma?
It's still a bit unbelievable. Is this what a fantasy worldview is supposed to be?
Zhengyi leaned forward, half-stood up from the chair, and tried to hug the store manager.
With a nimble leap, the store manager widened the distance between himself and Zhengyi.
"Hey! I've raised you for a long time, haven't I? And..."
Zhengyi shook his head helplessly halfway through his sentence.
Just as Jiang Geyun was about to offer a few perfunctory words of comfort, she saw Zhengyi's helplessness turn into cunning. Taking advantage of her leaning posture, she asked Jiang Geyun:
Why are you wary of me?
Asking this question normally has a completely different effect than having someone suddenly whisper it in your ear. The hoarse voice so close to your ear sent shivers down Jiang Geyun's spine, making the half of her body closest to Zheng Yi's goosebumps.
Jiang Geyun leaned back and looked down at her clothes, asking, "Who bandaged my wounds and changed my clothes?"
The herbal aroma diffuses slightly outwards from the chest, but cannot be smelled while maintaining social distancing.
However, Jiang Geyun herself and Zheng Yi, who was so close to her, could still smell it.
In fact, Jiang Geyun really likes the smell of medicine.
As a child, she was largely unsupervised, meaning there was no one she could rely on. When she fell ill, no one cared. But things changed when she was admitted to the hospital. Most of the doctors and nurses she encountered were very kind.
Perhaps her definition of "good" was different from most people's at the time, making it not too difficult to achieve.
In short, smelling the medicine not only means that the pain is about to dissipate, but also that the kind doctors and nurses will care about her health and well-being, and will genuinely care about her discomfort, rather than impatiently asking, "Are you faking illness?"
After transmigrating into the book, she met Su Guang.
Su Guang took her to morning classes, mountain patrols, and clinics. Although busy, it was fulfilling and even joyful, which further deepened her love for the aroma of herbs.
From this perspective, there is an intricate connection between her liking and her sense of security.
While Jiang Geyun was pondering and waiting, Zhengyi sat back down.
Zheng Yi said firmly, "Me."
Jiang Geyun said, "I think it's normal to be wary of lies."
She was initially cautious about Pei Xueyi's "good intentions" for the same reason.
After hearing this, Zheng Yi wasn't angry; instead, he became quite interested and asked with great curiosity, "Really? Absolutely?"
Jiang Geyun: "..."
This is a really difficult question to answer...
She herself uses a bit of "montage" in her speech, and she used this trick when answering Zhengyi's question just now. Being lenient with herself but strict with others is not a good thing...
Although she does care a lot about lies, she cares more about the people she is closest to.
Seeing her hesitation, Zheng Yi became somewhat dissatisfied and said firmly, "You'd better think this way, and you'd better keep thinking this way!"
Zhengyi's statement was really strange. Just as Jiang Geyun was about to ask her something, she changed the subject and said:
"However, the following is not a lie—as you wish, you no longer need to call yourself a commoner."
Jiang Geyun wasn't too surprised.
Zhengyi asked, "You don't seem too surprised?"
Jiang Geyun immediately said, "This humble official was shocked by this news. I am truly grateful for Your Highness's kindness in granting me such a promotion!"
"Never mind," Zheng Yi waved his hand and said, "It's because of your abilities. That old stone from the Zhenyi Division, who always refuses to come out of seclusion, took a look at Gudu Lu's injuries and insisted that I recruit you. But I respect your wishes. You can choose any of the three divisions, how about that?"
Jiang Geyun did not answer immediately.
Zheng Yi knelt beside her bed, looking up at her, and said with a hint of persuasion, "The divination office has the most lucrative positions, the investigation office is most suitable for you, and the suppression office..."
Zhengyi smiled but didn't say anything.
Jiang Geyun looked down at her, her expression indifferent. "The Zhenyi Division has the most external transfers, is that right?"
Zheng Yi said listlessly, "It seems you've already made up your mind."
Jiang Geyun said, "Your Highness understands me best."
"I also have a task for you."
Jiang Geyun's heart tightened.
Hopefully, this will delay her return to Lianzhou...
*
Lianzhou Zhudu, moonlit night.
In midsummer, the bamboo forest is lush and green, and the new moon casts a thin light. It is not enough to illuminate the abundant algae and water plants on the ground for people to admire, let alone make it difficult for two people walking side by side to see each other.
I wonder why the young master who asked them to protect him would travel at such a time.
The chirping of insects was so intense that it made him anxious.
A dark and windy night is the perfect time for...
"Song the Swordsman?"
Someone in the team interrupted his train of thought, seemingly concerned that he might lose focus.
That's only right! At this time, returning to Mirror Lake from this place, only they would dare to take on this job. How could the servants that Young Master Cheng brought with them possibly have the guts to do it?
He waved his hand and said to the man in black, "Don't worry, we've got the area under our protection!"
Before he could finish speaking, the chirping of insects stopped.
It wasn't a natural cessation that came and went; it was sudden—as if they had been slaughtered in an instant, or as if they had been silenced by immense fear, no longer daring to utter a sound.
The hired knights in the queue exchanged glances, but the night was too dark to see each other's expressions clearly, nor could they tell if they were the same group from the beginning.
It's just a coincidence...
He squinted and observed carefully.
The wind stopped, the insects stopped chirping, and the moonlight grew dimmer...
Everything is normal!
He encouraged himself in his heart.
This unexpected order was exceptionally lucrative. As long as he could protect the young master Cheng in the sedan chair and get him out of the bamboo ferry, he could live off his earnings for three years without any problem.
A cold wind suddenly rose, sweeping over everyone in the forest.
He pulled the knife out a few inches from his side, his heart pounding.
He could no longer convince himself that everything was normal.
Where did this cold wind come from in the middle of summer?
Moreover, several figures were approaching the convoy from afar.
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but those figures—none of them have feet.
He steeled himself, drew his knife, and shouted, "Who dares to act so presumptuously!"
If it were an ordinary person, no matter how well-trained, upon hearing his booming roar, it would be natural for them to freeze for a moment, even if they weren't startled into stopping.
But those figures were different; their speed increased instead of decreasing, and they suddenly surrounded us with a sinister aura!
He pulled on the reins, spurred his horse, and charged towards a figure!
The other party was unharmed.
The knife passed right through him, piercing through his body and chilling him to the point of stiffness, making it almost impossible for him to hold the knife.
Oh no... we're really doomed this time!
He thought of his only daughter waiting for him at home.
It's hard to say whether I felt more regret or more fear.
He was too arrogant, conceited that his martial arts skills surpassed those of many people, but he didn't bother to find out if there were any demons or ghosts causing trouble in Zhudu recently.
Or rather, even if there were demons or ghosts causing trouble, he would grit his teeth and take on the job, not believing that he would actually encounter such a rare and bizarre being.
The hired knights looked at each other, the faint light from the eerie humanoid shadows allowing them to see the immense despair on each other's faces.
But... why aren't Young Master Cheng's subordinates in a hurry?
The moment this untimely question popped into his mind, the humanoid shadow approaching the carriage suddenly let out a sharp howl!
That sound was truly awful!
It sounded like a groan, like a scream, so pitiful, it was as if he was about to die!
He was rushing towards the carriage where Young Master Cheng was, wanting to return to his aid, and for a moment he didn't have a free hand to cover his ears. The sound pierced his face, making him look ferocious.
But after the scream, the humanoid shadow actually disappeared!
He pulled on the reins and looked at the carriage in astonishment.
The footsteps were not very clear, but everyone present had a strong foundation in martial arts and recognized the unfamiliar footsteps almost instantly.
Everyone turned to look, and he was no exception.
A young girl dressed in a moon-white robe and carrying a lantern emerged from the bamboo forest.
The moonlight is soft and gentle, and the glass is clear and transparent.
She walked step by step, and the shadows surrounding the convoy gradually disappeared. The shadows further away simply turned and ran away quickly, even faster than they were approaching.
Their escape was futile.
The eerie shadow, which could not be harmed in the slightest, was effortlessly erased by the lantern-carrying girl using some unknown magic.
Song Xiaoke was startled, realizing that this was someone he couldn't afford to offend. He dismounted and was about to take the initiative to greet him.
The sedan chair beside him, which had remained silent until now, suddenly had its curtain lifted.
A gentle, warm voice said to the lantern-bearing girl, "My lady, thank goodness you're back."
Jiang Geyun walked to the sedan chair door, looked up at the somewhat weak Cheng Xi, and traced his eyebrows and eyes by the lamplight, feeling relieved.
The task she received from Zhengyi happened to be here.
Fortunately, she chose the Department of Differences, and fortunately, she practiced quite quickly.
But why is Mr. Cheng walking this road so late at night?
That was incredibly careless.
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Author's Note: Yes, I love the whole "stepping forward to help," "drawing a sword to save someone," "suspension bridge effect," "budding romance," and "mutual affection" trope! But the one being rescued seems to have done it a little intentionally [pity].
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