"There's been no movement at the Princess's residence, and none of the surrounding residents have come out. Even the government office is even more so. Despite such a large event, no one has come. Chen Xin, go to the government office first. If anyone is still alive, take my token and tell them. If they still want to keep their official hat, send someone here immediately to handle the aftermath."
"yes."
After Chen Xin hurriedly left, Wang Yanzhou was left alone, squatting on the ground, searching for something with red eyes. He only had one thought in mind: hoping he wouldn't see that familiar face among the corpses. The blood and stench on his body were nothing compared to Tang Chen's safety.
Just when Wang Yanzhou was exhausted and leaning against the wall to rest, a hand suddenly appeared from the corner of the wall and grabbed his ankle tightly: "Got it, got it..."
Wang Yanzhou was startled and quickly squatted down. He found Tang Chen, who was covered in blood and had fainted, in the corner of the wall: "Achen, Achen!"
After Wang Yanzhou left with Tang Chen in his arms, Gan Zhao and Ah Si, who had been hiding in the shadows, finally appeared on the long street. Gan Zhao pulled out a bamboo whistle from his sleeve and blew a few times. A group of men in black, who had appeared from nowhere, knelt down in front of them.
By the time the government officials arrived, it was already daybreak. News of the tragedy at the General's Mansion spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys. Seeing more people gathered, Gan Zhao called Ah Si over and asked, "Did you find the thing?"
“No trace.”
"waste."
"Please forgive me, Lord."
"...Keep a close eye on Qingliang Valley and Qinghe. Also, investigate the identity of the woman in red from last night. Return to the capital in three days."
"As you wish."
...When Wang Yanzhou finished washing up and changing the medicine for his wounds and returned to his room, Tang Chen had almost been cleaned up. Wang Yanzhou saw that Tang Chen's breathing was steady, as if she was asleep. He was afraid of disturbing her, so he subconsciously lowered his voice and asked, "How is she?"
Chen Xin said: "Miss Tang was just frightened, nothing serious; there are only some scratches on her body, and as long as she applies medicine on her wrist, she will be fine."
After Wang Yanzhou gently sat down beside the bed, he waved to Chen Xin: "...Okay, you've worked hard all night, go and rest."
"My Lord's injuries have not yet healed, please take care of yourself."
"Well, I know my limits. Go and rest."
... In a daze, Tang Chen had a dream, a very real one. In it, she saw a group of masked bandits, men and women, young and old, killing countless people in the dog hole of the general's mansion. She also dreamed that Yue Sheng seemed to be among them. She was dressed in red, watching the tragedy unfold with cold eyes.
She listened to the wailing cries of those tragically killed outside the mansion; she saw those who hadn't left the mansion vanish in the flames in their sleep. Terrified, she lay there, breathless, watching all this unfold; she watched as she, who had once thought herself so noble, faced the fear, cowardice, humility, and luck within her heart...
When Tang Chen struggled to wake up from his nightmare, the first thing he saw was Wang Yanzhou's shoulders and his hair that had covered his face. His unique, light fragrance made Tang Chen greedy and at ease.
"……What’s wrong with you?"
Wang Yanzhou hugged Tang Chen tightly, like a child desperately trying to protect a treasure he cherished. "Nothing. How about you? Are you feeling better?"
Tang Chen reached out and gently embraced Wang Yanzhou. Honestly, he could be annoying at times, but he was also the person who made people feel most at ease. Besides, Wang Yanzhou should have asked himself this question: was the bloody smell coming from his wounds?
"It's nothing, but if you hold me any tighter I'm really going to call the police."
Hearing that Tang Chen could still tease him and was as energetic as before, Wang Yanzhou's tense nerves finally relaxed: "I'm sorry, but I don't want to let go for the time being."
Tang Chen smiled and said, "Oh, then I'll let you keep holding me if you pay me."
"...I'm glad you're okay."
Tang Chen patted Wang Yanzhou's back gently, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised slightly: "Really, did you not sleep well last night, so you are talking nonsense now?"
Wang Yanzhou closed his eyes and said with a self-deprecating smile, "I have never been so clear-headed in my life."
"Pfft, alright, alright. I'm fine now, I already said I forgive you."
"Achen."
"Um?"
"……nothing."
"oh."
Tang Chen actually hoped Wang Yanzhou would say something, but she was also afraid of what he would say. On the surface, she could pretend to be indifferent to some things; but in reality, she knew exactly what she was thinking.
Zhang Xiaohua's warning was right, Ouyang Ming's admonition was right, Yue Sheng's reminder was right; she, too, was right. It was precisely because of this that some things, when too clear, can actually confuse people, disorient them, and throw them off their composure. Tang Chen's feelings at this moment seemed to apply equally well to Yue Sheng and Yan Shaoqing.
After Yan Shaoqing woke up from the chaos, he opened his eyes and saw the figure that had appeared in his dreams countless times, standing before him. Yan Shaoqing placed his mother's spirit tablet on his chest, smiled bitterly, and closed his eyes again: "...I must be dreaming."
After Yue Sheng placed the wooden box beside him, he said, "It was a dream, but it was a complete nightmare."
Inside the wooden box were all the letters they had exchanged since they became friends, as well as the pearl Yan Shaoqing had given her. He had often asked himself why he loved pearls so much. Now, he knew the answer. It wasn't love that fueled her, it was hatred; because of a pearl, she had lost everything she once had.
Yue Sheng gently stroked the wooden box as a farewell, then slowly stood up and continued, "Everyone in your General's Mansion, except you and your father who is far away at the border, died at my hands."
Yan Shaoqing opened his eyes and sat up: "Your joke is not funny at all."
Yue Sheng squatted down and looked straight ahead and asked, "Do you know where this is?"
Yan Shaoqing looked at where he was now. It was just a dilapidated hut. But why did this hut make him feel an inexplicable sense of fear?
Yue Sheng stood up, walked to one end of the hut, and lit the candles on the table one by one: "That's right, you were still young at that time, so you may not remember it. Well, let me tell you."
This little room wasn't an ordinary room, but an ancestral hall. After all the candles were lit, Yan Shaoqing looked at the memorial tablet on the table, and his expression suddenly changed.
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