fourteen
As night fell, the already quiet inn became even more silent, an eeriness permeating the stillness. A crack was quietly opened in a previously tightly closed room. A dark figure darted out, a flash of menace visible in the moonlight. After cautiously surveying the surroundings, the figure swiftly moved towards the room filled with poppies. Listening carefully to confirm the person inside was asleep, the figure cautiously pushed open the door and slipped inside. Groping his way to the bedside, he carefully examined the face of the person on the bed, then turned and walked towards the table to his right. Reaching the table, the figure hesitated, then turned a vase, revealing a doorway in the wall large enough for one person to pass through. Just as the figure was about to step out, the room lit up. The figure froze; a person had appeared before him: "Vice Commander Li, where are you going so late?"
The mocking voice startled the figure in the shadows: "How did you know it was me?"
"I didn't know at first, I was just asking casually." After saying that, before Li Jie could react, Leng Moyan reached out and touched Li Jie's acupoint.
The door behind them swung open, and Bao Zheng led the group inside. Xuan Yuantian gestured to Bai Yutang: "Go in and take a look."
Bai Yutang nodded, turned, and walked into the secret passage. Just as everyone's attention was focused on Bai Yutang, Leng Moyan, who had been intently watching Li Jie, grabbed Li Jie's chin, pulled a small package from Li Jie's mouth, and then forcefully dislocated Li Jie's jaw. The series of movements was swift and decisive; by the time everyone noticed, Leng Moyan had already brought Li Jie before Bao Zheng.
Looking at Duan Qingyuan sitting up in bed, Li Jie was surprised, but then his face was filled with resentment. As if on purpose, Duan Qingyuan smiled slightly at Li Jie, reached out and tore off the human skin mask from his face, revealing a handsome face. After seeing Li Jie's somewhat regretful expression, Qingcao knelt on one knee and bowed to Xuan Yuantian and his party: "Qingcao greets the family head."
"Get up." Xuan Yuan Tianyi waved his hand, and Qingcao quietly stood behind him. A moment later, Bai Yutang emerged from the secret passage carrying the unconscious Duan Qingyuan. Qingning and Saqi quickly stepped forward to take Duan Qingyuan and placed him on the bed. After a tense examination, Qingning turned to Xuan Yuan Tianyi and Bao Zheng and respectfully said, "The princess is fine; she was merely drugged."
Bao Zheng nodded and instructed, "Wang Chao and Ma Han, imprison Li Jie and guard him well. He will be interrogated after we return to the capital."
After Wang Chao and Ma Han escorted Li Jie out, Xuan Yuan Tianyi instructed Qingcao, "You stay here." Then he followed the others out of the room.
Back in his room, Gongsun Ce looked at Bao Zheng with a puzzled expression: "Sir, why didn't you interrogate Li Jie?"
Bao Zheng sighed softly, "This case is of great importance. Even if Li Jie confesses, we can't do anything about the person behind him. We can only wait until we return to the capital and report to the Emperor before making a decision." Gongsun Ce, knowing the Chai family was involved, understood Bao Zheng's words and nodded helplessly, hoping no further complications would arise. After a moment's thought, Bao Zheng called out, "Zhang Long."
Upon hearing Bao Zheng's summons, Zhang Long quickly entered the room, bowed, and said, "My lord."
"Go and invite Tianyi here." Although Xuanyuan Tianyi was Bao Zheng's nominal adopted daughter, Bao Zheng could not possibly treat her as a daughter, so his words were naturally tinged with politeness.
A moment later, Xuan Yuan Tianyi brought Leng Moyan to Bao Zheng's room: "Father, why did you summon me here?"
“Li Jie is imprisoned, and Guard Zhan is injured, leaving the Imperial Guard leaderless.” At this point, Bao Zheng glanced at Xuan Yuan Tianyi’s face. “I know that the Royal Guards are your creation, and the Imperial Guards also consider you their second master.” Bao Zheng paused, then smiled at Xuan Yuan Tianyi.
With a slight smile, Xuan Yuan Tianyi took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Bao Zheng: "Godfather, it is inconvenient for Tianyi to show up, but this token may be of some use to you."
Bao Zheng accepted the token and said gently, "This token is enough. I thank you."
"Is there any need for such formality between godfather and daughter?" With that, Xuan Yuan Tianyi rose to take her leave. Bao Zheng smiled helplessly. Daughter? Who in this world would dare to truly treat this woman as their daughter? Years ago, the late emperor, to consolidate his rule, had intended to adopt Xuan Yuan Tianyi as his goddaughter, promising her the title of princess, but Xuan Yuan Tianyi refused outright. Even the Eighth Prince knew of this, and now Bao Zheng, as her godfather, was acting with trepidation.
The following morning, the delegation, which had been staying at the southern border post station for several days, finally set off back to the capital. Bai Yutang, finding the journey too slow, left alone. Zhan Zhao, injured and unable to ride, was offered a carriage by Bao Zheng, but Xuan Yuan Tianyi, citing the need for his treatment, insisted that Zhan Zhao ride with him. Initially somewhat uncomfortable because of Bai Yutang's situation, Zhan Zhao gradually calmed down upon seeing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi didn't seem to mind. The delegation traveled out of the southern border region, and one day, seeing the men and horses exhausted, Bao Zheng ordered them to stop by the roadside for a short rest.
Xuanyuan Tianyi glanced at Zhan Zhao and asked softly, "Would you like to get out of the carriage and rest for a bit?"
Having endured days of bumpy travel, Zhan Zhao felt quite uncomfortable, so he nodded in agreement. Leng Moyan had already lifted the carriage curtain, and Xuan Yuan Tianyi got out first, turning to help Zhan Zhao down. Just as they stood still, Xuan Yuan Tianyi turned back and saw Duan Qingyuan looking towards them from afar. Xuan Yuan Tianyi's hand, which had been supporting Zhan Zhao's arm, gently slid into Zhan Zhao's. Sensing the discomfort of the person beside him, Xuan Yuan Tianyi ignored it and simply intertwined his fingers with Zhan Zhao's. Zhan Zhao slightly turned his head and saw Xuan Yuan Tianyi's eyes gazing into the distance. Following her gaze, he saw a woman dressed in Dali palace attire and guessed that this person must be Duan Qingyuan. Knowing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi's actions must have a purpose, he didn't struggle and allowed Xuan Yuan Tianyi to lead him towards Duan Qingyuan.
"Sister Tianyi..." Duan Qingyuan's voice was filled with undisguised joy.
"Qingyuan, it's been a long time." Xuanyuan Tianyi saw Duan Qingyuan looking at Zhan Zhao with some curiosity and their hands clasped together, and couldn't help but smile and say, "Zhan Zhao, the Imperial Cat personally appointed by Emperor Zhen."
"Zhan Zhao, the Southern Hero?" Duan Qingyuan seemed somewhat surprised.
"Zhan Zhao greets Princess Qingyuan." Zhan Zhao gently withdrew his hand from Xuan Yuan Tianyi's and bowed respectfully.
"Guard Zhan, there's no need for such formalities. I've heard of the Southern Hero's name since I was young, but I never imagined I'd meet him today at such a young age." The Duan family of Dali were seasoned travelers in the martial world, so their words revealed a hint of admiration for the young and accomplished Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao smiled slightly but didn't reply.
Xuanyuan Tianyi called over Qingning, who was standing to the side: "Help Lord Zhan go for a walk over there. I have something to say to your princess."
As Zhan Zhao turned around, Duan Qingyuan couldn't help but praise, "He is as sturdy as a pine tree and as bright as the moon. Although he has entered officialdom, he is neither servile nor arrogant. He is calm, reserved, and polite. Such a man is truly rare in this world."
After hearing Duan Qingyuan's words, Xuanyuan Tian smiled and said, "You have a high opinion of him?"
"It's not just that I think highly of him. Although you are naturally unconventional, you never get close to any man except Mo Yan and Zhao Zhen. Moreover, you have an innate sensitivity to danger that is beyond ordinary people. There are very few people in this world who can make you let your guard down. Now, not only are you close to this Zhan Zhao, but you are even willing to ride in the same carriage with him. What's most unexpected is that your Mo Yan doesn't stop you. It can be seen that Zhan Zhao is someone that even he can completely trust to entrust you to." Duan Qingyuan said, smiling ambiguously at Xuan Yuan Tianyi.
"It seems you really know me well." Xuan Yuan Tianyi ignored the ambiguous smile in Duan Qingyuan's eyes.
"Don't you think he looks a lot like Zhao Zhen? To be honest, I'm really curious about him." Duan Qingyuan gazed thoughtfully at Zhan Zhao's retreating figure.
"I advise you not to be too curious about him." After saying that, Xuan Yuantian glanced at Duan Qingyuan's somewhat puzzled expression. "Be careful Zhen gets jealous."
"He'll be jealous? He's only ever cared about you. Siyi has never even caught his eye, let alone me." Duan Qingyuan's expression was somewhat somber.
"You are his concubine." Xuan Yuan Tianyi's voice had a hint of remoteness.
"Sister Tianyi, I didn't expect you to come to pick me up with the wedding delegation." Duan Qingyuan gently changed the subject.
Xuanyuan Tianyi smiled slightly: "I didn't expect you to propose a marriage alliance with the Song Dynasty when the situation in the Southern Frontier is so tense."
Duan Qingyuan sighed almost imperceptibly: "Because only at this time will he not refuse." He then smiled helplessly, "Sister Tianyi, did you ever imagine that one day I would scheme like this?"
"I just didn't expect you to be calculating your own lifelong happiness," Xuan Yuantian said bluntly.
“If it weren’t for this, I would never have been able to stand by his side, because no one could replace you in his heart,” Duan Qingyuan said with a sad smile. “That’s why Siyi was willing to defy the world.”
Before Xuanyuan Tian could speak, an Imperial Guard soldier approached: "Princess, Patriarch Xuanyuan, Lord Bao has instructed me to inform you that we are about to depart."
They nodded slightly, smiled at each other, and walked towards their respective carriages.
After Xuanyuan Tianyi got into the car, he saw that Zhan Zhao was already sitting inside. He couldn't help but think of Duan Qingyuan's words. He leaned his head slightly against Zhan Zhao's chest and felt that Zhan Zhao's body stiffened a little. Xuanyuan Tianyi's lips unconsciously turned up: "Qingyuan said that you and Zhen are very similar."
"The Emperor is the sovereign, and Zhan Zhao is the subject. How dare Zhan Zhao compare himself to the Emperor?" Zhan Zhao's voice was calm with a hint of gentleness.
“Qingyuan’s entire focus is on Zhen. If she says it’s similar, then it must be true.” Xuanyuan Tianyi buried his face in Zhan Zhao’s arms, his voice carrying a hint of allure.
"Then do you think I look like it?" Without thinking, Zhan Zhao blurted out the words, only realizing his abruptness after speaking. He was secretly annoyed with himself. What was wrong with him? How could he, who was usually so cautious, be so rude? "I... I'm sorry," Zhan Zhao said, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
"It's so similar, it really is."
Realizing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi was answering his previous question, Zhan Zhao lowered his head and looked into his arms, meeting Xuan Yuan Tianyi's pure gaze. A look of sadness flashed across Zhan Zhao's face.
Xuanyuan Tianyi wrapped his arm around Zhan Zhao's waist: "Zhen has a kingly aura, while you have a reserved and unassuming nature." Xuanyuan Tianyi looked into Zhan Zhao's eyes, "So, you are not a substitute."
Zhan Zhao hadn't expected that Xuan Yuan Tianyi would see through his thoughts so easily. His handsome face flushed red, and he turned his face away awkwardly. A strange joy welled up in his heart. "It was Zhan Zhao who overstepped his bounds."
"Are you tired? Can I lend you this as a pillow?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi patted his leg and asked softly. When he saw Zhan Zhao's face turn even redder because of his words, he smiled slyly, "It's not like you haven't used a pillow before."
Seeing Zhan Zhao's puzzled expression, Xuan Yuantian smiled even more: "When I found you last time, your whole body was frozen stiff. Do you think I managed to revive you under those circumstances?"
Zhan Zhao recalled the time he was saved by Xuan Yuan Tianyi. It was freezing cold, and he had been unconscious when Xuan Yuan Tianyi rescued him. Xuan Yuan Tianyi was always thinly dressed, and there was little warmth in the carriage. Even traveling non-stop, the distance from where he found himself to Xiaoyao Tower would take three days and three nights. Zhan Zhao knew Xuan Yuan Tianyi was being evasive, but he knew without a doubt how she had kept him warm and saved his life. Thinking of this, Zhan Zhao looked apologetically at Xuan Yuan Tianyi in his arms. Unexpectedly, he saw a smug smile on Xuan Yuan Tianyi's face, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly, his deep, magnetic laughter reaching Xuan Yuan Tianyi's ears, causing Xuan Yuan Tianyi to unconsciously tighten his arms around Zhan Zhao's waist. The next moment, Zhan Zhao reached out and gently embraced Xuan Yuan Tianyi, softly saying, "Sleep."
As Xuan Yuan Tianyi closed his eyes in relief, he heard Leng Moyan's somewhat teasing voice in his ear: "Knowing that this cat is honest to the point of being dull and values etiquette above all else, why bother teasing him? If he really finds out what you did to save him, wouldn't he feel guilty for the rest of his life? What will you do if he really wants to repay your kindness by offering himself to you?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi's lips moved slightly, and his voice, though barely audible, was no less forceful: "Since you value him so much, of course I'll do you a favor. But I suddenly find it quite amusing to tease this cat sometimes."
After a while, only Leng Moyan's somewhat suppressed laughter could be heard from outside the car.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
