The portrait was drawn by Xia Yixin based on her current human skin mask. Anyway, she didn't need to find anything in real life. Originally, it was Xia Yixin's way of getting closer to the male supporting character, but she didn't expect him to be so businesslike.
Before she could figure out how to get closer, a second message arrived—a servant from Cao De's side came to say that Lord Cao had invited her.
Xia Yixin was stunned for a long time before she realized that "Lord Cao" referred to Cao De, who was retired at home. After he left the palace, Cao Anmin, in order to show him compassion, gave him the title of one of the Three Dukes in the name of the puppet emperor.
Xia Yixin was a little uneasy, wondering what this eunuch Cao was up to, and she was also really worried about what Xia Mingyu had done, but she still braced herself and visited Cao De with gifts.
Ten years had passed, and his hair had turned gray, but Xia Yixin could still see the shadow of the once poised and dignified eunuch.
He didn't say anything special, just asked her about her recent situation over the past few years, and his attitude was quite kind and friendly throughout. Xia Yixin didn't see Xia Mingyu's shadow, so she could only chat with him.
Somehow, the conversation turned to Cao Anmin.
“This child… has suffered.” Cao De glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as he said, “Madam Li may not know, but Anmin had a woman before.”
What is that? A woman?
Could it be Shen Ruyu? Xia Yixin's gossipy nature was immediately piqued.
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice, tinged with slight anger, rang out from behind her.
"Godfather".
Xia Yixin shuddered.
The newcomer exuded a chilling aura, seemingly obscuring half of the midday sun. A black and gold mask covered half his face; it was Cao Anmin.
When Cao De saw the person who came, a smile immediately appeared on his face. It was better for someone to come than not to come. Their arrival proved that some people's hearts were already unsettled. So, in a moment of impulsiveness, Cao De disregarded the fact that he had deviated from his plan with Xia Mingyu and showered Xia Yixin with compliments.
The gist of it is, "I've heard rumors about you and Li. I think she's a good person. Your godfather supports you two. If it's true, you should get together soon."
Xia Yixin's face darkened, while Cao Anmin felt increasingly cold.
She touched the goosebumps on her arm, a vague sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
When Cao Anmin came out of Cao De's place, Cao De called him back and said that he had something to discuss in the study.
Xia Yixin followed up by saying, "Then this humble woman will..."
"Ghost Zero, have Madam Li wait for me outside."
Cao Anmin's words rang out at the same time as hers.
Well, they're not going to let her off the hook.
Xia Yixin waited anxiously outside with Gui Ling. Not long after, Cao Anmin came out.
He gave her a chilling look.
Xia Yixin immediately said, "I know that I am ugly, have a hoarse voice, and come from a humble background. I am not worthy of the Chief Supervisor."
He chuckled lightly, "At least you have some self-awareness."
Xia Yixin's face was already stiff from smiling. She bowed and was about to slip away when Gui Ling blocked her way.
Cao Anmin's cold voice came from behind her: "Since Madam Li is traveling with me, she may return with me."
Does she still dare to say no?
Cao Anmin arrived on horseback, but since he was returning to the city with her, they couldn't make such a show of it.
The makeshift carriage wasn't very big, but it was clean, tidy, and fully equipped.
It was the first time Xia Yixin had sat next to such a dangerous person, and she shrank back, while he remained kneeling steadily.
The atmosphere froze for a moment, with only the rumbling of wheels. The people from the Eastern Depot drove carefully, and there was hardly any bump in the road.
Cao Anmin was not as calm as he appeared.
Last night he had just decided to handle things strictly by business, but today Cao De suddenly met her and showed admiration for her in their conversation, even hinting that he could marry her.
There must be something fishy going on if things are not normal. He wanted to see what tricks this woman was up to.
A delicate fragrance wafted over.
"What perfume are you wearing today?" he asked, frowning.
She was just dozing off when she was suddenly startled awake. She subconsciously sniffed her clothes. "No, sir, I never use incense. But I did have a sachet on me that I took out earlier."
She sniffed around for a while but couldn't detect any special smell, only the fragrance of grass coming from outside. This was the third person to say that. Could it really have a smell?
She took a closer sniff and discovered a faint, cool fragrance emanating from Cao Anmin.
Cao Anmin could tell she wasn't lying, but she hadn't been yesterday. Today, this fragrance was stirring up his heart. He hadn't paid attention to it when he was with Cao Gong, but now that they were in the same room, it was even more obvious.
Xia Yixin saw his hands clenched tightly, as if he was holding back something. Even with her thick skin, she couldn't help but blush. Just as she was about to speak, the man suddenly broke the silence again.
"I didn't actually want to kill you."
Her heart skipped a beat, only to hear the man's calm and composed voice.
The carriage was not heading towards the city, but rather towards a more remote wilderness.
"Your background is indeed very clean, but how could an ordinary woman know the skill of stitching wounds? I am very curious why Madam Li would hide her medical skills. Moreover, you approached me and spied on me. Do you really think I am completely unaware?"
Xia Yixin's face grew paler and paler as he spoke. Upon closer inspection, she realized there were flaws everywhere, but she couldn't back down now, or she would be finished.
Although he said he wanted to kill her, he didn't do it, so perhaps there's still room for maneuver.
She suppressed her guilt and mimicked his calm, cold laugh. "Did I hide the fact that I know medicine? You didn't ask, sir. Do you expect me to reveal my background, height, weight, and hobbies to you when I meet you, Master? I'm just a lowly woman with a child, barely surviving. Yes, I deliberately approached you, Master, but only to find my son as soon as possible and to gain your protection. If you suspect me, I have no choice. You can always find a reason to accuse someone."
"You've got some nerve. It seems Madam Li was truly wronged and had to humble herself the other day." His smile grew even colder, and he changed the subject again, "However, how do you know that all the people I've killed were guilty?"
Oh no, he won't listen to her explanation at all, he's going to kill her!
Alarm bells rang in her mind, and with a whoosh, she heard the sound of a knife being drawn from its sheath; she had already grabbed a handful of sleeping pills.
Sure enough, the other party suddenly made a move, but as if they had anticipated her resistance, they firmly grasped her hand holding the sleeping pill.
Xia Yixin's heart sank, but the other party pulled her along, and she rolled into his arms with a whoosh.
A poisoned arrow pierced through the carriage curtain and landed right where Xia Yixin had been sitting.
"Enemy attack! Protect the master!"
A sound of fighting erupted outside.
Inside the carriage, Xia Yixin took a moment to realize that he had actually saved her.
"I'll settle the score with you later."
Unfortunately, Cao Anmin's cold voice quickly brought her back to reality.
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