Chapter 26: He turned back and killed her.
Yu Man clung to the prison door, shouting again, unwilling to give up: "I want to see your master!"
The only response she received was the dripping sound of water at the end of the corridor and the system's leisurely grumbling: [Host, this is the third time you've called. If they were capable of responding, they would have done so already.]
Yu Man let go of her hand in frustration, looking at her boning knife with considerable reluctance—it was on the wall five zhang away from her, separated by an iron gate.
Compared to other bloody swords, it seemed as pure as a lotus emerging from clear water.
However, she still couldn't get it.
Yu Man plopped down on the uncomfortable haystack and looked around the cell. The stone walls were sturdy and thick, the iron bars were robust, and the only light came from a small window high up that even a kitten couldn't squeeze through. She objectively assessed, "Hmm, quite sturdy, suitable as a burial place."
...
She suddenly fell silent, which the system found a little unusual: [Host, what are your plans next?] After all, the tools used in the crime had been confiscated.
“Lie down.” Yu Man actually lay down, staring at the dark ceiling, her tone calm. “Mainly, given these conditions, I have no way to escape.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than another piercing scream came from the next cell. Clearly, the thug who had kidnapped her was receiving a "love education." Yu Man silently covered her ears, turned over to face the wall, and said softly, "Who knows, maybe Pei Ji will suddenly have a change of heart, or just decide to come and inspect the dungeon? Then I'll be saved."
The system ruthlessly shattered her illusions: "Based on current data analysis, the probability is less than 0.0001%. In short, honey, it's highly unlikely."
What it doesn't say is, how can you be sure that Pei Ji won't kill you after you've discovered his true colors?
Sometimes, the system also admires the host's confidence.
Yu Man changed her approach: "Could you send him a message? Like, 'Your precious darling is currently experiencing life in the dungeon for free, come quickly!'"
The system was stunned by those four words, its electronic voice tinged with exhaustion: "No, host, I'm just an auxiliary system. Look, I can't even bother assigning you a mandatory task."
Yu Man was silent for a moment, then exclaimed sincerely, "...How do you make 'useless' sound so elegant and refined?"
The system tried to salvage the situation: "You can't say that! Haven't I provided maximum companionship? Otherwise, wouldn't it be terrifying for you to be all alone in this dark, damp, and terrifying movie set!"
Yu Man shrank further into the hay, too lazy to pay it any attention. She wasn't exactly afraid, but her desire to make a fuss about Pei Ji was definitely stronger.
...
Inside the separate courtyard.
The hall did not deliberately pursue luxury, but exuded a restrained power. The ebony furniture had simple lines, and the display cabinet did not contain antiques or jade artifacts, but rather maps of mountains and rivers from various places. The air was filled with a faint, crisp scent of pine resin mixed with cold iron.
Pei Ji sat at the head of the table, dressed in a turquoise robe with dark patterns. The hood of his large cloak was not pulled down, and the shadow covered most of his face, revealing only his well-defined jawline and thin lips.
Mr. Chen led a man into the hall. The man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a handsome face and a somewhat nonchalant and aloof air about him. Although his clothes were a little disheveled and covered with dust and grass, he did not seem to be in shock. Instead, he looked like a guest visiting a friend, taking in the furnishings of the hall with great interest, especially when he saw the huge map.
"Your Highness, things happened suddenly, so we have no choice but to ask you to rest here for the time being. It is absolutely safe here." Old Mr. Chen bowed, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
This man was none other than Li Heng, the only prince of a different surname in the Qian Sheng Dynasty. The late emperor bestowed the title of prince upon him in recognition of his father's outstanding military achievements. Unfortunately, the princely family was small, and by the time it reached Li Heng's generation, he was all alone. He had no other hobbies than to love delicacies, and was a well-known "gluttonous prince".
Li Heng nodded casually, acknowledging the agreement. His gaze then fell upon Pei Ji at the head of the table, his expression filled with undisguised curiosity. The cloak concealed his features, but he sensed that Pei Ji's calm, mountain-like demeanor was far from that of an ordinary guard or subordinate. He turned to Elder Chen, his voice tinged with amusement, and asked, "Elder, is this... your lord?"
Just as Mr. Chen was about to speak, the person at the head of the table suddenly raised his hand and waved it gently. The former fell silent, and like silent shadows, he and several gray-clad men standing in the corner of the hall quickly and orderly withdrew, gently closing the door behind them.
Only two people remained in the hall.
Pei Ji then slowly raised his hand, his well-defined fingers resting on the edge of his hood, his movements unhurried. As the hood fell, a young, handsome face, even with a touch of scholarly refinement, was revealed in the candlelight. However, his eyes lacked the clean purity of his youth; they were like a still lake seen from afar, yet upon closer inspection, they revealed an unfathomable abyss.
Li Heng was initially taken aback by his appearance; it was rare to find such a young man in the entire capital. But upon closer inspection...
His previously nonchalant expression froze instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and his face was filled with disbelief and astonishment. He stared at Pei Ji's face, seemingly searching his memory rapidly, his lips moving, a name stuck in his throat: "You...you are..."
Pei Ji.
A calm voice interrupted his hesitation, like jade striking jade, clearly stating his name.
Li Heng didn't continue speaking, the surprise in his eyes slowly transforming into a deeper, complex emotion, tinged with scrutiny and realization. "Pei Ji... a good name." He looked Pei Ji up and down again, his tone subtle.
Pei Ji remained expressionless and spoke calmly, steer the conversation back to the main topic, "Regarding the attack, does Your Highness have any leads?"
Having weathered many storms, he didn't know why Pei Ji had suddenly appeared and saved him, but as long as he was alive, there was still hope for him.
Li Heng regained some of his princely composure, but then feigned self-deprecation: "I'm just a leisurely prince. Apart from my somewhat flamboyant mouth, I've never gotten in anyone's way. This trip was supposed to be secretive, yet I was still found... If your men hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid I would already be a wandering ghost." He looked sharply at Pei Ji, "But you, Pei... no, Your Majesty, the timing of your men's appearance is far too coincidental."
These words were blatant suspicion. Pei Ji did not avoid his gaze, and his expression remained unchanged as he said, "My men did not just happen to be passing by; they have been secretly monitoring Your Highness's whereabouts. They received word that someone does not want Your Highness to arrive safely in the prefecture, and even more so, they do not want Your Highness to... get involved in matters that you should not."
His words were quite blunt, and Li Heng's eyes instantly turned deep; this man was far too perceptive.
His departure from the capital on this mission, especially at this crucial juncture of discussing the selection of imperial merchants, involves a complex web of vested interests, and no one wants any more surprises.
"It seems this trip to the prefecture has been far more interesting than I imagined." Li Heng smiled meaningfully and stopped pressing Pei Ji about the source of his information.
...
Outside the door.
Old Master Chen stood with his hands at his sides outside the tightly closed hall door, as if in deep meditation. A subordinate in gray robes approached silently and reported in a low voice: "Old Master Chen, the woman who was recently imprisoned in the dungeon is making a ruckus and insists on seeing the Master. She even claims... she has something the Master wants."
Mr. Chen didn't even lift his eyelids, only uttering a muffled syllable from his throat: "Oh? Who is she?"
The subordinate replied in a low voice, "Reporting to Elder Chen, she claims her surname is Yu."
Surname Yu? Old Mr. Chen's half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open, a glint of light flashing in them. Almost instantly, the image of that Lady Yu appeared in his mind.
"What else did she say?" Mr. Chen asked in detail.
The subordinate honestly replied, "She said the one-month period is almost up, and if we don't want it, she'll throw it away."
He didn't understand what was being said, as it was so incoherent.
Mr. Chen didn't understand either, but that didn't stop him from being certain that she was Yu Man.
But how did she end up here? And at this crucial moment, exactly, was she imprisoned in the dungeon as an accomplice of the assassin? Is there really such a coincidence in the world?
His mind raced, and he made a decision almost instantly. Regardless of why she appeared in the prefecture, regardless of her innocence, she could not be allowed to see the Lord at this moment! The Lord's grand undertaking was about to begin, and every step was fraught with peril. Anyone with even the slightest uncertainty, especially those who might stir the Lord's emotions, had to disappear.
His aged face was expressionless, and his voice, though extremely low, carried an undeniable chill: "Kill her."
His subordinate was clearly surprised and subconsciously asked, "Old Chen, this..."
A sharp glint flashed in Mr. Chen's cloudy eyes as he added, "Go yourself, do it discreetly, clean it up thoroughly, and leave no trace. Pretend she never existed."
"...Yes." The subordinate dared not say anything more, accepted the order, and hurriedly left.
Mr. Chen lowered his eyelids again, his gaze falling on the tightly closed door, as if he could see through it and into the person he regarded as a wise ruler. He recalled what Pei Ji had once said to him in private—"If she doesn't agree, then abandon her." The undeniable obstinacy in Pei Ji's eyes at that time had startled him.
That is precisely why this woman must not be allowed to live! His lord is resolute and exceptionally intelligent, yet he always falters slightly when it comes to Yu Man. Now, the situation is turbulent and unpredictable, with powerful enemies all around; one wrong step could lead to utter destruction. He absolutely cannot allow a country girl to become his lord's weakness, even if it is only a potential threat. Even if his lord blames him in the future, or even despises him because of this, he will cut off this source of trouble for his lord!
"Squeak—"
The door was pushed open from the inside, and Pei Ji stepped out. He had put his hood back on, concealing his face.
Mr. Chen immediately suppressed all outward emotions, reverting to his usual calm and reliable old servant demeanor. He opened his umbrella, bowed, and followed Pei Ji's steps. The two, master and servant, walked one after the other along the bluestone path down the mountain.
"My lord," Old Master Chen reported in a low voice, detailing the situation he hadn't been able to elaborate on earlier, "when I arrived with my men, all the guards surrounding Prince Ding were already dead. The assailant was extremely ruthless and skilled; almost no clues were left at the scene to identify him, and we couldn't discern his modus operandi. Fortunately, there was one survivor. I've ordered him to be taken to the secret cell for emergency treatment and rigorous interrogation. I expect to hear from him soon."
Pei Ji listened quietly, watching the stone steps that stretched downwards one by one.
As they passed the pavilion halfway up the mountain, the bloodstains inside and outside the pavilion had been washed away by the rain, leaving only a faint, fishy smell in the air. Old Mr. Chen seemed to suddenly remember something, paused slightly, and said, “My lord, the mosquito repellent sachets you instructed me to try concocting have been prepared in batches after several changes to the ingredients. However, the smell… is still not very pleasant. May I ask if you would like to visit the medicine hut and see if it is suitable?”
That mosquito repellent sachet was specially made by Pei Ji after he noticed that Yu Manyan was always bothered by mosquitoes in the summer. He secretly ordered Mr. Chen to find some mild and effective remedies.
Pei Ji paused slightly, imagining the vivid expressions of surprise or disdain that Yu Man might show when she received this small gift. His cold, hard lips softened almost imperceptibly for a moment. He nodded, preparing to follow Old Master Chen toward the path leading to the medicine hut.
Suddenly, a monk's slightly stern voice came from not far away: "...The precepts say that taking something without asking is stealing! How could you take what a pilgrim left behind as your own?"
A slightly childish voice retorted, "Master, but no one has come looking for this umbrella. It's also a dark color I've never seen before. If we leave it in the temple, it can shelter worshippers from the wind and rain if it rains again. Wouldn't that be doing good deeds?"
Pei Ji's steps slowed to a halt, as if his mind had wandered, and he suddenly turned around, his gaze falling on the oil-paper umbrella held high in the young novice monk's hand—
With ink as the base, silver powder outlines the sparse and upright bamboo branches, which stand out in the gray rain curtain.
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