Chapter 28 A safe retreat
Inside the carriage, Fangzhou, Wang Mama, and even Qingluo all had a lot to say, but when they actually faced Qiuheng, they couldn't bring themselves to speak.
Why wasn't the young lady at Lengxiang Residence last night? Why was she in the suburbs? How did she leave the Earl's Mansion?
Even now, Wang's mother and Qingluo still feel like they're in a dream.
Qiu Heng removed her veil and said calmly, "Qing Luo, help me comb my hair."
The tense atmosphere in the carriage only came alive when she spoke.
Qingluo hurriedly responded and took out a wooden comb from a box placed against the carriage wall to comb Qiuheng's hair.
The girl's hair was thick, black, and glossy, reaching her waist. As she combed it smooth, Qingluo's anxious heart calmed down.
She was just a lowly maidservant, casually assigned to Lengxiang Residence by the First Madam. In the eyes of the servants in the Earl's Mansion, this was no different from being exiled, and it was a normal place for a lowly maidservant like her with no powerful backing.
Little did she know that her short time at Lengxiangju would become the happiest time of her life, and now more and more people envy her for being able to eat Fangzhou's pastries every day.
She didn't know what the girl had gone to do, but she knew that her good or bad was now inseparable from the girl's.
Qingluo, with her skillful hands, quickly styled Qiuheng's hair and adorned it with pearl hairpins.
Wang's mother took a damp cloth to wipe Qiuheng's face and hands. She glanced at the fine marks on Qiuheng's arm where her sleeve had slipped down, and her hand paused, her movements becoming even gentler.
"We won't stay at Dafu Temple for long today. We'll go back after offering incense."
Qiu Heng's casual tone gave Wang Mama and Qing Luo the illusion that they had all set off from the Earl's mansion together.
Mrs. Wang raised her hand and slapped herself, then gave the three people looking at her an awkward smile: "There's a mosquito."
Pain is not hysteria.
Fangzhou took out chestnut cake: "Miss, have a snack to fill your stomach."
Qiu Heng took the chestnut cake and ate it slowly.
As Wang's mother and Qingluo tasted the sweet chestnut cake, their tense hearts gradually relaxed.
We've arrived at Daifukuji Temple.
Qiu Heng put on her veil and got off the carriage, where she was greeted by the monk who was in charge of receiving guests.
Having visited Dafu Temple several times, the guest monk had a strong impression of this Miss Qiu Liu and advised, "This morning, soldiers came to the temple looking for someone. You might as well come another day to avoid being disturbed."
"Is that so?" The girl, who had lifted the veil covering her face, looked embarrassed. "But since I'm already here... I'll offer incense and then leave."
As the guest monk arrived at the main hall, Qiu Heng took three sticks of incense and silently prayed: "Buddha, have mercy and help me achieve my wishes."
She doesn't believe in Buddhism.
She thanked the perfectly situated Daifukuji Temple for helping her achieve her wish and leave unscathed.
On the way back to the city, one could see squads of soldiers riding by, the wind howling and the air thick with tension.
As they approached the city gate, the carriage could barely move forward. A long queue had formed ahead, waiting for entry inspection.
People were speculating about what had happened, and a sense of tension pervaded the atmosphere.
Suddenly, a shout came from behind: "Make way, make way, Young Master Han wants to enter the city!"
Hearing the sound, Qiu Heng lifted the blue curtain and looked out, only to see a group of imperial guards escorting a person toward the city gate.
The man looked disheveled and as if he hadn't quite recovered from his shock; it was Han Ziheng.
The city gatekeeper hurriedly let them pass, and the pedestrians who witnessed it all started to discuss it amongst themselves.
"Who is Young Master Han? How come he just went in?"
"The restrictions on entering the city are so strict today, could it be related to him?"
...
Qiu Heng had heard enough. She gently released her jade-white fingers that were holding the blue cloth curtain, and the light in the carriage dimmed instantly.
"Young Master Han, is the only son of Han Wu, the Commander of the Palace Guards. Han Ziheng, the young lady of the Han family," the girl sitting in the carriage thought to herself.
The procession slowly moved forward, and the city gate, like the insatiable maw of a beast, swallowed the world inside.
Finally, it was the Yongqing Earl's carriage's turn. The driver announced his identity: "Our young lady is going to Dafu Temple to offer incense and is returning to the city."
"Everyone in the car, get out."
From the moment the city gates opened early in the morning, it was a case of easy exit but strict entry. The gatekeepers encountered countless carriages of wealthy families, yet showed no intention of making any exceptions.
The assassination attempt on Commander Han is something the Emperor himself is overseeing; he fears no one. Discovering the assassin would be a tremendous achievement.
"Officer, our girl is still young—"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
As the city gatekeeper shouted, the curtain of the plain-blue carriage was lifted, and the round-faced maid said crisply, "I'm coming down now."
After she finished speaking, she got off the carriage first, followed by a maidservant. The two of them reached out to help the girl wearing a veiled hat off the carriage, and finally, Wang Mama followed her out.
"Wow, quite a few people are sitting here." The city gatekeeper peeked into the carriage.
The carriage was empty; the tables, chests, and other items were all small and exquisite, making it impossible for anyone to hide inside.
The city gatekeeper hadn't expected to find the villain in a noblewoman's carriage. After looking at the carriage, his gaze shifted to the Qiu family and finally landed on the girl wearing a veil.
The girl wore a light blue dress; the simple, deep color inexplicably gave her a calm and composed air.
She was tall for a woman, but compared to shorter men.
The city gatekeeper raised his hand: "Please take off your veil, young lady."
He was so strict with himself that he was incredibly proud of his sense of responsibility.
"Officer, isn't this going a bit too far?"
It was a soft and pleasant female voice.
"It is my duty, young lady. Please cooperate and do not delay those who are entering the city later." The city gate official said sternly.
These are noble ladies who usually hide themselves when they go out, but today we can finally see them openly and to our hearts' content.
The girl expressed her slight dissatisfaction with silence, but finally raised her hand and lifted the draped veil to reveal a clean and beautiful face.
A fifteen-year-old girl is beautiful even without makeup.
The city gatekeeper's eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, footsteps approached, accompanied by greetings: "Lord Xue."
A young man dressed in scarlet robes walked towards them with a sword at his waist, followed by several subordinates.
The city gatekeeper quickly greeted him, saying, "Lord Xue."
"How did the examination go?" Xue Han asked.
Normally, the Imperial City Guard would be the main force in investigating the assassination of a high-ranking official. However, Xue Quan and Han Wu had been at odds for many years, which made the role of the Imperial City Guard somewhat delicate, thus turning it into a matter requiring cooperation from multiple parties.
"No abnormalities have been found yet."
The boy's tone turned cold and stern: "Then why don't you continue?"
"Yes, yes." The city gatekeeper waved for them to pass.
Qiu Heng couldn't pretend not to recognize him, so she went over and greeted him: "Lord Xue."
"Did Miss Qiu leave the city today?"
"Yes, let's go to Dafu Temple to offer incense." Qiu Heng passed through the city gate and was greeted by a lively atmosphere of fireworks.
Although Han Wu, the powerful and favored commander of the palace guards for over twenty years, had died, and although soldiers and officials constantly came and went on the streets, the people still went about their business as usual in order to make a living.
Xue Han walked beside the girl and accompanied her into the city, then suddenly asked, "Is Miss Qiu Liu injured?"
Even though the smell of blood was faint, he could still smell it.
Qiu Heng quietly looked at the boy who had asked the question.
Yes, Xue Quan had arranged for Xue Han to gain experience on the battlefield for two years. With this experience, he was able to secure his position as the Imperial City Envoy.
He must be familiar with the smell of blood.
How could he smell such a faint scent of blood?
The girl unconsciously wrinkled her nose, secretly thinking: Dog noses are so annoying.
(End of this chapter)
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