Set

Set

Suburban area of ​​Cang County

"Did you know that the whereabouts of the residents who left Wumizhong have been tracked down?"

In the shadows, two figures passed by quickly.

"I suspect they came prepared. Someone under Lord Yu He has been replaced."

"Otherwise, how could he be attacked while on guard duty?"

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavier, the pitch-black deserted suburbs became visible.

Taking a step deeper into the forest in the suburbs, the dim light around seemed to instantly transform into countless hands, pulling outsiders into the bottomless abyss.

The two slowed down their pace in front of the forest and observed their surroundings quietly.

The man who had just spoken rubbed his arms. He was in a cold forest with a mass grave not far away. It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel scared.

He took a few steps forward and was shivering with the coldness deeper in the forest.

Considering that the patrol area this time is only in the urban area near the suburbs, and there is no explicit instruction to walk through the woods, then it should be allowed to stop here.

The companion who came here with him had not said a word since they started the mission. Now, he just stopped at a distance from him after he stopped.

Intentionally not wanting the scene to become dull, lest his fear be magnified, the man remained silent for a while before speaking again:

"You're new here, right? Do you need me to explain the patrol route?"

"..." The soldier who came with him moved, turned to look at him, and finally spoke, "Yeah."

The flash of gold was particularly conspicuous in the pitch-black scene. The man blinked and looked over again. His companions were no different from ordinary people. It seemed that what he saw just now was just dazzled.

"--oh oh."

He nodded, suppressed the subtle sense of strangeness in his heart, turned around and walked back.

"Then let me tell you, apart from the mass grave, we only need to patrol here. If we go further in-"

"It's the Qixia Mountain where the gods cursed the people."

Still feeling timid, the man walked closer to the soldier, stepping over the dense, upright grass while continuing to speak.

"I heard that the immortal's name seems to be—'Lu'." At this point, he lowered his voice a little. "I see you were just assigned to our team today, so I'll give you a few gifts."

"Recently, the Lord seems to be very interested in this immortal. You can find some relevant information and ask someone to pass it on to him. If you can't find it, it doesn't matter. You can also go and collect some information about Zuihualou."

"If you find someone that pleases Master Chen, maybe he will reward you with a few extra days of rest."

The soldier who had been walking forward seemingly uninterested in anything finally turned around and made eye contact with him calmly when he heard the words of interest.

"A break?"

"Exactly. You must not tell anyone about this. I learned about it accidentally. If you act accordingly, you will definitely be right."

The soldier heard something funny, his brows relaxed slightly, and then he asked him again.

"Will anyone get lost while patrolling here?"

The man was stunned, recalled for a while and nodded.

"Of course there are. After all, if we are not close to the personal troops under the lord's command, not many people like us will care about us."

"Well," the soldier responded, and then continued, "Then we, no matter how many or how few, won't discover it as quickly as they do?"

The man looked questioning, a little confused by his question: "Yeah, what's wrong?"

Would a cautious person like Yu He allow non-staff personnel to interfere in patrolling, which is a task that runs through all the tasks in Cang County?

He wanted to make himself, the one who got in the way, a scapegoat.

Whether it is to test Yu He's background or to test which side he belongs to, as long as they find the two things he said and submit these "evidences" to Yu He, then they don't need to do anything, Yu He will kill him first to prepare for future troubles.

And the person who is talking to him now can see what Yu He’s ultimate goal is from his choice.

Even if Yu He didn't kill him, he wouldn't find anything if he tried to search along this line.

After all, he himself is a person who "appeared out of thin air".

Wouldn't it be better to let the enemy thoroughly investigate this hot potato?

The soldier laughed and nodded at him.

"Okay, senior, I'll do as you say."

The sect that Shou Zan stayed behind was involved in a lot of things. He was made to be both an internal priest and a soldier. It would be a bit unreasonable not to ask him for some compensation afterwards.

Although I don't need to interfere with what is happening in Huandu now, I still have to follow up in case something goes beyond cause and effect.

The soldier casually nodded to his folded saber and put it away.

For now, just go with the flow.

—

Library

Not long after I learned about this mission from Ai, the group of people who wanted to explore the library and storage room last time came over.

The reason they could set off immediately tonight, instead of lying in ambush for a long time like before, was simply because their master was in a hurry.

Meng Yao wanted to find out how they could deal with future epidemics from the manuscript of Xiao Yingzhu's mother so that his mission could go more smoothly.

The morning's Flower Festival did not go according to his plan, and he was already a little annoyed. In the afternoon, he met someone he didn't expect to see. All his subsequent plans were under Shuanghua's eyes, so it would not be so easy to take action again.

Therefore, he planned to take advantage of the situation and attack the library in the State Guesthouse before Chen Shuanghua knew about this place.

Unfortunately, because the plan was disrupted, the next step was not well thought out, and the skills of the people sent temporarily were obviously not as good as the last time.

Not long after, those people were tied into balls of wool by the people guarding outside, and thrown in front of Xiao Yingzhu one by one and lined up in a row.

At first glance, it looks a bit like a cicada pupa.

Ai was not very interested in these things. After all, no matter what, they involved Xiao Yingzhu's family affairs.

For things like this, the less you know, the safer you are.

Knowing too many secrets makes it difficult to leave.

Therefore, Ai pulled Jiang Nian out of the library early.

The remaining Yan and Yan were used as free labor to interrogate Xiao Yingzhu inside.

Back in the corridor, Jiang Nian's expression clearly showed that he had not recovered from the sudden change that had just occurred, and he was still thinking about the people inside.

Ai Shen waved his hand in front of Jiang Nian.

"Miss?"

"Hmm? Hmm." Jiang Nian broke free from his thoughts and turned to look at the tightly closed door. "The library..."

"What happened to the library?"

Jiang Nian looked away and shook his head slightly.

"We'll be leaving for Young Master Qin's residence later. Come with me to the room upstairs."

Ai naturally had no objection. The Pavilion Master had instructed her that whatever Miss Jiang said was the final word, so she was smoothly pulled upstairs by Jiang Nian.

—

The rest room was no different from before they set out. Jiang Nian patrolled the room and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no signs of anyone entering or leaving. He then opened the door and let Ai in.

"It's cold outside, sit here with me for a while."

Perhaps Xiao Yingzhu had given some instructions to the servants lurking here, and after a while, the servant who had taken her to the restaurant knocked on the door and brought her some warm drinking water.

After thanking him, Jiang Nian carried the cup into the room and sat down next to the lit candle.

"I don't have anything to offer you here. If Ai doesn't mind, you should drink some water first."

Ai, who had been observing the room since entering, turned his head and took the cup from Jiang Nian.

"Thank you." She lowered her eyes and took a sip, then raised her eyes and looked directly at Jiang Nian, "Miss asked me to come here, is there something you want to ask me?"

Jiang Nian was startled, then smiled calmly.

"Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from Ai."

"I do have something to ask you."

Considering the relationship between Ai and Qin Lan, and the relationship between Qin Lan and Xiao Yingzhu, Jiang Nian could not get much of the information he wanted from Ai, but knowing one or two was enough.

The warm water in my hands warmed my cold palms, and the candlelight shadow flickered.

After Jiang Nian finished speaking, she fell into deep thought. Ai did not say anything to interrupt her thoughts, but just sat quietly beside her.

The window of the room was only slightly open, and the night wind blew in through the gap, sweeping up the floor-length curtains hanging by the window sill.

The light made the candle produce white foam, which made the half-faced Jiang Nian's eyebrows and eyes look dim and soft.

She seemed to have made up her mind, looked away for a moment, then straightened up and met Ai's clear eyes.

"Excuse me, but judging by Xiao Ai's past behavior towards Xiao Yingzhu... do you think he would change his mindset due to a change in circumstances?"

"Hmm."

Ai is a little ignorant about matters of the heart, not as decisive as someone who can kill an enemy with a single move.

He was stuck for a while by Jiang Nian's question before speaking.

"Duke Xiao is very strong-minded. He truly is. I'm not exaggerating—the Pavilion Master has acknowledged this numerous times. Aside from specific circumstances, Duke Xiao has almost never changed his mindset due to external circumstances."

Jiang Nian unconsciously moved his fingers hanging on his knees and asked further, "Under what circumstances would he change his mindset?"

“…” Although Ai was slow to react to matters of the heart, if she didn’t see the obvious answer from Jiang Nian’s question, she would be a fool.

"Miss, are you wondering about the impact of the State Guest House's library on Duke Xiao?"

"yes."

Meeting Ai Qingche's gaze, Jiang Nian made up his mind and nodded at her.

"I've been here with him before because of something, and I feel like he's different here than he is in other places."

"It's like..." Jiang Nian said slowly, "It's like a different person, and it makes me feel unfamiliar."

Ai tilted her head. She didn't answer immediately, but stared at Jiang Nian for a while.

Then he suddenly asked.

"Young lady likes Duke Xiao?"

“!”

Unexpectedly becoming the protagonist of the problem, Jiang Nian subconsciously leaned back, then came to his senses and immediately turned away from Ai's gaze.

"Why do you ask?"

Ai didn't seem to have much to say about this question. He simply asked the right question at the right time and explained calmly:

"Because only by observing someone with special care can you feel that person is different from usual."

"After all, Duke Xiao is not someone who easily reveals his emotions."

"The fact that the young lady can observe this shows that she is very observant."

"On the contrary, Duke Xiao also trusts you, young lady. So he will show you a side of him that is different from how he treats others."

...even though that side makes her so uncomfortable?

On the surface, he does extremely ambiguous things, but in fact, he is really harder to approach than anyone else.

He should be very clear about how he treats others, but he wants her to understand him.

I get angry because she asked hurtful questions.

“…”

Jiang Nian lowered his eyes to hide the confusion in them.

It seems like everything is connected.

Did Xiao Yingzhu not want to admit the vulnerability he unintentionally revealed when he was found in a place related to his parents?

But that doesn't seem like it.

Even if she asked Ai now, it would only be Ai's opinion, a one-sided statement.

These speculations were her own thoughts and could not serve as any evidence to support Xiao Yingzhu's emotional changes.

On weekdays, Xiao Yingzhu might appear moody when dealing with others.

But Jiang Nian also knew that this was just an appearance.

She didn't know what kind of state Xiao Yingzhu was in.

Was her mood swings due to moodiness? She just wanted to deny it.

Under the candlelight, her expression did not change noticeably.

Ai Jingjing stared at Jiang Nian for a while, then said, "Miss, if you have any questions, why not ask Duke Xiao directly?"

"Although it's just my personal opinion, Ai feels that Duke Xiao will respond to the young lady."

"Well...after all, before this, Ai had never seen anyone who was so well cared for by Duke Xiao as the young lady."

Jiang Nian was stunned for a moment.

"take care of?"

"Um."

Ai shifted his gaze, then looked directly up at her again.

"In fact, that bottle of fragrance is not a gift from the Pavilion Master. It is processed based on the fragrance that Duke Xiao originally wanted to give."

"After all, it was you, Miss, who first knew that the Huachao Club was hosted by Meng Yao."

"It's really too difficult to make a perfume with protective properties within three days. My followers don't usually dabble in this kind of thing, and the Pavilion Master and my sister don't use it either."

"So, Duke Xiao directly gave the bottle to the Pavilion Master."

Jiang Nian reached out and touched the small bottle of perfume in his sleeve, feeling mixed emotions.

When the palms warmed by warm water touched the cold cube object, the lingering warmth was instantly dissipated.

The cool feeling that could penetrate her skin and chill her blood vessels lingered on her hand for a long time even after she let go of it.

Feeling Ai's gaze, Jiang Nian's thoughts stagnated for a while before he came back to his senses. He looked up at her and smiled helplessly.

"Maybe he doesn't want the plan to be delayed."

"After all...my abilities are quite crucial."

"So, he doesn't want me to die."

No wonder the taste is so familiar.

So it’s the transformed aromatherapy bottle.

She thought Xiao Yingzhu had long forgotten what she said at the Qishan Mansion in Pingzhou.

"Miss, don't underestimate yourself."

Ai put the cup back on the table. She looked at Jiang Nian for a while and interrupted his thoughts with a sound.

"Although I haven't known Duke Xiao for long, Pavilion Master has known Duke Xiao for a long time."

"The Pavilion Master said that you are special to Duke Xiao, so you are special."

Feeling Jiang Nian's surprised gaze, Ai Qianqian curled the corners of her mouth.

"My sister told me that when we were in the sect."

Noticing the hidden worry in Jiang Nian's eyes, Ai added another sentence.

"Miss, although I don't know much about Duke Xiao, and I don't know what happened between you, but—"

"Miss, please trust Duke Xiao."

"Because Duke Xiao would never backstab any of his teammates."

"Even if the young lady was added halfway through the plan, she is still a very important member."

"If Duke Xiao did something different from before..."

Ai thought about what Qin Lan had told her and continued, "He must be facing a problem that he can't directly resolve."

“…”

Jiang Nian opened his mouth, but fell silent again when he thought of his recent lukewarm relationship with Xiao Yingzhu.

She didn't know what to say in response to Ai's words.

If she were asked to agree to "trust Xiao Yingzhu" now, she actually couldn't do it.

Complete trust is definitely impossible.

Because Xiao Yingzhu had concealed and deceived her many things before.

Although the overall situation is the most important thing, it will not have any impact on her future pharmacy business.

But emotionally, it was difficult for her to let go of all her guard and accept Xiao Yingzhu's actions calmly.

What's more, not long ago, Xiao Yingzhu even wanted to kill her because of her caring words.

Thinking of this, Jiang Nian raised his hand and touched his neck.

It was still warm there.

Alive and beating.

If you get too close to Xiao Yingzhu, you will end up dead.

Xiao Yingzhu had warned her before.

It is really impossible to expect her to treat Xiao Yingzhu with the same attitude as she treats other companions.

What's more, Xiao Yingzhu herself doesn't trust her.

Otherwise, why would he have set up a tight net and created an illusion of a "bird in a cage" for her since the day he met her?

It's nothing more than being afraid that the chess pieces in your hands will not obey you.

The other chess pieces could be thrown away at will, but because her chess piece was too special, he treated it specially.

When the day comes when you are no longer useful, your fate will be the same.

Qin Lan’s observation was correct, and what he said was correct.

It's just that he didn't finish his words.

The warm water in her hand reflected her face in the dim light.

In the reflection, her face was calm and gentle.

He doesn't look like an idiot who has fallen in love at all.

Maybe not now, but it’s not far from that dividing line.

I can only hope that the day comes when we completely sever our ties and she can leave without any regrets.

Jiang Nian laughed to himself, then raised his hand and put the cup back on the table.

Mentioning Xiao Yingzhu always makes the conversation dull. Before Ai could say the next words of comfort, she spoke first and gently interrupted what Ai was about to say.

"I already know and I will remember it. I will never cause him any trouble."

When Ai was stunned and wanted to say something again, Jiang Nian changed the subject.

"If Meng Yao fails to steal the manuscript tonight, when will he drug the State Guesthouse?"

"As for the Flower Festival, it was interrupted today, but there's no news that it won't be held tomorrow."

"I think losing those patrolmen from the Huachao Society will definitely mean losing some of his power."

"Can we subdue him directly tomorrow?"

When mentioning the mission, Ai's expression turned obviously serious.

She stood up, glanced at the sky outside the window, and said bluntly, "This is exactly what we're going to talk about next."

"Miss, the matter of the Flower Dynasty Association is over. The next action will be led by you."

"Now that all the questions have been answered, please take a moment to rest, Miss."

"The conversation tonight...I'm afraid it won't be very peaceful."

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