"It is said that the deaths at the scene were horrific. Some were killed by swords, while others were killed by a palm through the chest. There were no marks on the bodies. However, they were definitely not from the Southern Qi."
Inside the carriage, Nan Fenghuang frowned as she analyzed the situation.
Xie Lingqin glanced at her and said, "It didn't happen in Southern Qi, and none of our people were injured or killed, so there's no need to worry."
“What you said… is true. It would be best if all those bastards in Beirong died, except for Yu Qingyi, of course.”
"Don't worry, I will definitely get Yu Qingyi into your princess's mansion and make her your live-in concubine."
"He won't."
Nan Fenghuang waved her hand, her expression suddenly turning dejected. "He is the heir of Bei Rong, and not only him, but also the entire Qing Prince's Mansion behind him."
Xie Lingqin had intended to close her eyes for a short nap, but upon hearing this, her gaze cleared again. Looking at Nan Fenghuang, a smile appeared on her lips, as gentle as a spring flower in bloom. "There's always a way," she said.
Nan Fenghuang pursed her lips, remaining noncommittal. After a moment, she looked at Xie Lingqin and said, "We still have two days to go. Why don't you get some sleep?"
Xie Lingqin seemed to be deep in thought, then suddenly lifted the window curtain and looked outside.
The sky was a sliver of white, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Xu Yiran, dressed in a white robe, stood tall on her horse, her expression serene, her eyes surveying all directions. Though there was a hint of weariness between her brows, she remained dignified and composed.
"Feeling sorry for them?"
Nan Fenghuang suddenly leaned closer, "This Xu Yiran, she's really good to you—"
"Should I mention Shen Yuan again?"
"never mind."
Nan Fenghuang paused, "You should go to sleep."
...
The next day.
Beirong, the capital city.
A small group of people, traveling light and simply, left the city gate.
"Fifth Prince, the journey must be arduous. Would you like me to arrange a carriage?"
Qin Xun, dressed in blue, spoke humbly, yet his demeanor was neither arrogant nor servile.
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Shi loosened his grip on the reins slightly and smiled at Qin Xun.
He had features somewhat similar to Yuwen Yao's, but his eyebrows were darker, his lips were slightly lighter, and he was extremely thin. He didn't have the air of a prince at all, but instead gave people a feeling of ethereal beauty.
That's precisely why it's so hard for people to understand what he's thinking.
"Lord Qin is really joking. You picked me up from Fengnuan City and brought me here. Whether I was riding a horse or in a carriage, I never complained of being tired. Now I am on official business outside the capital on imperial orders, so I should not complain of being tired. Why would I need to take a carriage?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xun lowered his eyes, remaining neither humble nor arrogant, "I'm just worried that the Fifth Prince's body can't withstand it."
"Yeah?"
The Fifth Prince smiled slightly, straightened his heavy cloak, and looked up at the sliver of sunlight peeking out on the horizon. "Look, the weather is quite nice today."
Qin Xun remained noncommittal; his only thought now was to reach Western Xia as quickly as possible. Of course, before that, he still had to…
"When you picked me up to return to the capital, everything was fine along the way. But then, when I received the news that Xie Lingqin had been imprisoned by the Emperor and burned to death by the Crown Prince..."
During their journey, the Fifth Prince suddenly started talking as if it were casual conversation.
Qin Xun glanced at the dozens of guards behind the two of them but did not respond. The Fifth Prince continued, "At that time, although you held back very well, you were ultimately flustered."
The Fifth Prince's tone was neither too light nor too heavy, yet it caused Qin Xun's expression to change.
He admitted that he was panicked and anxious at the time, but it was precisely because he was anxious that he knew he couldn't make any mistakes, because only in this way could he help Xie Lingqin. So he hardly showed any unusual behavior.
But this fifth prince was so meticulous that he had completely figured out his emotions and feelings.
"Fifth Prince, you are overthinking it. Let's get going."
Qin Xun said little.
Yuwen Shi looked at him, then suddenly pointed ahead, “Go straight along this road for a day, and there’s a valley there. It’s a good place to ambush, and it’s also convenient to dispose of the bodies after killing someone.”
Qin Xun's eyelashes trembled, but he did not answer.
"Of course, besides there, there is also an excellent ambush point on the border between Beirong and Xixia. You tell me, if I die there and then frame Xixia, or if we hurt someone from Xixia, then our attempt to win over or contain Xixia will definitely fail?"
As Yuwen Shi finished speaking, he stared intently at Qin Xun. His eyes were ethereal and unfocused, yet a sharp intent emanated from them, making him appear inexplicably threatening.
At the same time, the dozens of guards who were originally following the two also spread out in a circle, tightly surrounding Qin Xun.
"Whoosh—"
Qin Xun's face darkened, and he drew his sword to protect himself. "It seems that the Fifth Prince was prepared all along, and he actually made all these people obey your orders."
The Fifth Prince looked up at the sky and laughed, "You know what? I actually have another identity?"
Qin Xun's expression tightened.
“I am the commander of the Thunder Guard, so of course they obey my orders.”
Commander-in-Chief of the Thunder Guard?
It turns out that the Fifth Prince is actually the commander of the Thunder Guard.
"However, what exactly are you doing all this for, as a son of a concubine in the Vice Minister's household, to help Xie Lingqin?"
"Hmph." Qin Xun didn't answer, sheathed his sword, and even in defeat, he maintained his dignity. "Now that I've been defeated by you and your plan has been exposed, I can only accept my bad luck. Do as you please, kill me or not."
"Aren't you afraid that the entire Vice Minister's residence will be implicated?"
"Heh, I have no feelings for the entire Vice Minister's Mansion. In this world, if there is anyone I still cherish or am grateful to, it is only Xie Lingqin."
"Now that you mention it, I'm even more curious about Xie Lingqin. After all, I've never really interacted with her before. Even that time when I broke into her room and stabbed her... Thinking back, that didn't seem like her at all."
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