He froze for a moment, complex emotions churning in his deep eyes. Finally, he slowly raised his hand, his movements hesitant and awkward, and gently patted Xin Jiuwei's heaving back. His movements were light and clumsy, yet they carried a strange, comforting power.
“It’s alright… I’m here…” His deep voice sounded above her head, carrying an unprecedented, almost promise-like gentleness, “Your father… will be alright. Yuncheng… will be alright too.”
Xin Jiuwei's sobs gradually turned into suppressed sobs. With his awkward yet firm pats and that heavy promise, her heart, torn apart by fear and despair, finally settled back into place. She still clung tightly to his clothes, as if they were her only support, burying her tear-streaked face in his strong chest, drawing comforting warmth and strength from him.
Inside the warm room, only her suppressed sobs and his steady heartbeat remained. Xin Kui had already tactfully retreated outside the door, quietly wiping away her tears.
After an unknown amount of time, Xin Jiuwei's sobs gradually subsided, leaving only the occasional slight trembling of her body. She remained leaning against Xiao Xun's chest, as if she had exhausted all her strength.
Xiao Xun felt the trembling in his arms gradually subside, and gently released his patting hands. But he didn't push her away immediately; he simply remained in that position, letting her lean on him. He could clearly smell the faint fragrance of her hair, and feel the softness of her body and her complete dependence. A strange, warm feeling quietly rippled in the cold lake of his heart.
"Feeling better?" he asked in a low voice, his voice slightly hoarse.
Xin Jiuwei then realized she was still leaning against him, and her cheeks instantly burned. She hurriedly let go of his clothes and tried to back away, but her legs gave way and she swayed.
Xiao Xun quickly steadied her by the shoulder, helping her sit up straight again. His hands were warm and strong, their comforting warmth emanating through her clothes.
Xin Jiuwei lowered her head, not daring to look at him, her face burning, her heart pounding. "Thank... thank you, Your Highness..." Her voice was barely audible, with a heavy nasal tone.
Looking at her red-rimmed eyes and her drooping eyelashes, like those of a frightened fawn, Xiao Xun felt a strange flutter in his heart become clearer. He withdrew his hand, stood up, and resumed his usual calm demeanor, though his voice was gentler than usual: "Stay in the manor and rest assured. I will inform you immediately of any news from Yuncheng. With You Ye and the imperial physician there, your father will receive the best possible treatment. You... take care of yourself."
“Yes, Wei’er understands,” Xin Jiuwei said softly.
Xiao Xun gave her a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave the warm pavilion. His dark figure remained upright, but seemed to have something more about him than before.
Xin Jiuwei sat alone in the warm pavilion, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the back where he had patted her, where the warmth of his palm still seemed to linger. Her cheeks were still burning, but her heart was like the sea that had finally calmed down after a storm. Although she still had deep worries, that suffocating despair had been replaced by a heavy anchor called "reliance".
She slowly picked up the tear-stained letter from the ground, staring at her brother-in-law Qi Huaihe's terrified and desperate handwriting. Father seriously injured and unconscious… “Black Hawk”… Xiao Xun…
This time, she was no longer the weak woman who could only passively endure and was powerless to resist. Behind her stood the cold yet powerful man who promised to shield her from all storms. This realization quietly transformed the anxiety born of worry in her heart into a steadfast waiting and...trust.
The bloodshed in Yuncheng and the undercurrents in the capital were only just beginning. But this time, she was no longer alone.
Xiao Xun returned to his study, his gentle expression vanishing instantly, replaced by an icy killing intent. You Ye's secret report had just arrived.
"...Your subordinate has arrived in Yuncheng. Lord Xin Wenhai is severely injured, with two deep stab wounds to his chest and abdomen that expose the bone. He has lost a lot of blood, but fortunately, the imperial physician treated him in time, barely keeping him alive. However, he is still in critical condition and remains unconscious. The entire Xin family is shrouded in fear. The blood-stained iron token with the character '鹞' has been examined and is undoubtedly a token of the 'Black Hawk.' This is an extremely secretive assassin organization in the martial arts world. They are ruthless, difficult to track, and charge extremely high prices, specializing in shady deals."
"I have taken over the case. Prefect Zhao Dezhang of Yuncheng is terrified, claiming he knew nothing about 'Black Hawk' before, and blaming it on local powerful figures or enemies hiring someone. I am doing my utmost to track down 'Black Hawk' and find out who his employer is. In addition, the garrison has sealed off the four gates of Yuncheng and the main waterways, and is conducting strict checks. However, 'Black Hawk' seems to have gone into hiding, and there are no new leads yet. I will do my utmost to find the real culprit! You Ye kowtows."
“Black Hawks…” Xiao Xun gripped the secret report tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. It really wasn't Qi Huaiyu's remnants! It was an assassin organization that took money to do dirty work! To be able to afford “Black Hawks,” and to have an employer that even the prefect of Yuncheng kept secret… their power and intentions were crystal clear!
Xiao Jue! The cold glint in Xiao Xun's eyes almost burst out of his pupils! Besides him, who else in the capital had the financial resources, the audacity, and the motive to use such despicable means to deal with the Xin family and strike at Xiao Xun so soon after Qi Huaiyu's death?!
"Good...very good!" Xiao Xun's voice, as cold as ice from the deepest hell, echoed in the silent study. He slammed his fist on the hard rosewood desk! A dull thud resounded! The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk all jumped up.
"Trying to play dirty? I'll play along to the end!" His eyes burned with a cold flame capable of incinerating everything.
"Guards!" Xiao Xun shouted sternly.
A shadow guard appeared like a ghost in the corner of the study: "Your Highness."
"Order 'Mysterious Shadow': Use all available resources to investigate! Investigate all of 'Black Hawk's' strongholds and contacts in and around the capital! Investigate all large-scale financial transactions with 'Black Hawk' in the past three months, especially any unusual transactions originating from the capital! Investigate all the stewards, retainers, and even the suspicious activities of Xiao Jue's maternal and paternal families! Dig! Dig inch by inch! I want conclusive evidence!" Xiao Xun's voice was filled with a ruthless and merciless aura.
"Yes!" The shadow guard accepted the order and vanished instantly.
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