Chapter 35 You can’t really like me, right? Even if he knows she will…
After Lou Wanqiao burned down the prison, Li Lie became friendly to her.
Hiss, the logic doesn't seem right.
Lou Wanqiao couldn't put his finger on what was wrong, but he felt Li Lie was indeed eccentric, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact timeline. Perhaps only Li Lie himself knew what was going on. If he was truly curious, he could ask openly.
They had to cooperate anyway. Their relationship wasn't the same irreconcilable rift it once was, nor was there any deep, unbridgeable hatred. They simply each had their own interests and worked for their own factions. There wasn't a deadlock now, but I wondered what the relationship between Wen Xuechi and Li Lie was like.
Hearing him ask this...
"Why, do you two have some old grudge?"
"No, I'm just curious. He treats you very differently."
Wen Xuechi said this in a very affirmative tone.
Lou Wanqiao touched his nose. "Actually, our relationship wasn't like this before. He was even hunting me down. I was definitely cornered by him the night we met... To be honest, it was probably that time at the prefectural governor's residence. He looked like that the next time I saw him after I faked my death. I don't know what Li Lie was thinking..."
Thinking about it carefully, even after being arrested in the prefectural mansion, Li Lie seemed to have only ridiculed and mocked her on the surface, and did not actually do anything cruel to her.
Wen Xuechi didn't say anything else, just had a thoughtful expression.
Lou Wanqiao turned his head to the other side to look at the scenery along the way, thinking in his mind.
It didn't snow today, but there was still a layer of snow on the ground. If I lead the troops back to the capital, it would probably be spring.
There should be enough time.
Just as Wen Xuechi had said, the hut he'd found was very close to Youzhou, and it didn't take long to reach the city gate. The soldiers guarding the city opened the gates upon seeing the two of them, allowing them to pass through without incident.
Lou Wanqiao looked at the streets on both sides and felt a little emotional: "Although nothing has changed, the atmosphere seems completely different."
"After all, the remaining evildoers have been wiped out," Wen Xuechi said. "This is a beautiful place with picturesque scenery. It's the human heart that's corrupted."
"That makes sense!" Lou Wanqiao agreed deeply.
Her eyes caught sight of the red paper flowers in the windows along the street, and she calculated the time, only to realize that it was New Year's Day.
I didn't expect so much time had passed.
Yes, she traveled all the way north from the capital and now settled in Youzhou. She solved so many troubles, so it can be said that the trip was worthwhile.
"Hey, stop for a moment." Lou Wanqiao patted the person next to him, and the carriage stopped.
The government has arrived.
This was the first time she came before the Youzhou government office in an open and dignified manner. Now there were heavy guards outside, and it seemed that Prince Duan was inside.
Lou Wanqiao walked directly to the door and flashed his ID card, and the guards made way. One of them stepped forward and said, "Sir, I will take you in."
"No need, I know the way." Lou Wanqiao waved his hand and walked into the door, but saw that the man was still following him.
She paused.
What does it mean? Prince Duan is worried about her?
Are you prepared to be wary of her afterwards?
"Zizhao!"
There was a sound of footsteps approaching from afar. Li Lie pushed open the door and greeted him. "It's been a long time since we last met. I sent people to look for you but couldn't find you. Where have you been?"
Lou Wanqiao glanced at him calmly and said, "I'm recovering from my injuries. Now that I'm healed, I want to come and investigate Youzhou. Prince Duan, what do you think?"
Li Lie was stunned and whispered, "Of course I asked you to investigate, Zizhao. The Youzhou case was solved entirely thanks to you, but outside..."
He glanced outside, and Lou Wanqiao followed suit, looking thoughtful.
It seems that not all the people around here are Prince Duan's men.
"How's your investigation going these days?"
"There are indeed quite a few letters, but they are all rather obscure, probably in code." Li Lie led her into the room, and Wen Xuechi followed in. Li Lie glanced at him, his eyes flickering slightly, but he said nothing more.
"Okay, let me take a look." Lou Wanqiao didn't bother to be polite with him. He directly reached out and picked up the letter on the table and read it, and also read the scroll.
Since we have proposed cooperation, we must show some sincerity.
"By the way, Zizhao, Ben...I have something to tell you."
Lou Wanqiao didn't raise his eyes and replied calmly, "Hmm?"
There followed a long, strange silence.
She sensed something was wrong. She turned the page and looked up. Suddenly, she felt the atmosphere was a little awkward. She looked at Li Lie, then at Wen Xuechi: "How about...Brother Wen, could you step aside for a moment?"
Li Lie might have discovered something, but didn't want Pingyuan Hou to know. Lou Wanqiao was also curious.
The corners of Wen Xuechi's mouth visibly twitched downwards.
"Wen Xuechi..."
"I know." He turned around and walked out the door sullenly.
When the air quieted down again, Lou Wanqiao turned to look at Li Lie: "Is there anything you want to tell me? Is it about that proton?"
The little hostage who was sent abroad has now grown into a fully-fledged person. Things are different now. He is a member of the royal family, and his ambitions should not be underestimated.
Li Lie didn't answer immediately. He clasped his hands together, fingers slightly bent, stroking the jade ring on his thumb, and inexplicably showed a bit of impatience: "Do you know that Wen Xuechi is a flat..."
"I know." Lou Wanqiao shrugged, feeling rather sorry for not getting the information he wanted. He didn't care about Li Lie's words. "What's the problem?"
Surprise flashed across his eyes: "So you... no, when did you find out?"
"Probably on your way back to Beijing, or maybe even earlier, who knows." Lou Wanqiao said nonchalantly, "You sent him away just to tell me this? You're quite thoughtful."
There was a subtle hint of mockery in her tone, a tone she always used when talking to Li Lie. Even now that they were temporarily allied, it was a habit she couldn't break. But Li Lie didn't seem to notice, and instead hesitated, "It's not just..."
"What is that?"
He suddenly came closer and asked in a low voice, "When will you come back with me?"
Lou Wanqiao looked at him strangely: "What do you mean, why should I go back?"
"and you……"
"I have some personal matters to attend to." Lou Wanqiao looked at Li Lie, silent and thoughtful for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Prince Duan, you can't really like me, right?"
Li Lie was speechless. He was obviously stunned for a moment, and then he stammered and blushed: "I..."
She took two steps forward, looking carefully at Li Lie's face. His eyes were evasive and he didn't look at her. He even subconsciously took a step back, his lower back lightly bumping against the corner of the table.
"Prince Duan, you're so fickle." Lou Wanqiao sighed softly and patted his shoulder. "Go back, go back to the capital. When the time comes... I might need you."
"Ah..." Li Lie's expression seemed somewhat unbelievable. He turned his head in surprise to meet her gaze, only to see a pair of unfathomable eyes.
Li Lie couldn't describe the feeling. It was a perfectly normal expression, the way she usually treated others, yet it lacked any emotion. It was cold, almost indifferent.
He stared into those eyes for a long time, even forgetting the brief pain in his waist, and suddenly sighed: "I understand."
If this is Lou Wanqiao's request.
Even though he knew she would do anything to get what she wanted.
…
Firecrackers blared outside as Lou Wanqiao finished reading the last scroll and walked out of the room. There was no one outside, and Li Lie had even withdrawn the guards to demonstrate his utmost sincerity.
No, wait.
Where is Wen Xuechi?
Didn’t Wen Xuechi say he was waiting for her at the door? How come he’s still gone after waiting for so long?
Lou Wanqiao scratched his head, a bit confused. After talking to Li Lie, he left, and Lou Wanqiao got back to work, flipping through the scrolls in the study and exploring the layout of the room. Time had flown by so quickly.
The end of the year was approaching. When Lou Wanqiao walked out of the gate, he saw the ashes of firecrackers scattered on the ground. Not far away, a woman was walking forward happily with a basket of vegetables. She had a very bright flower in her hair, which looked very beautiful.
Sensing someone approaching, she turned around and the first thing that caught her eye was Yunxuezhai's pastry box, and then Wen Xuechi's smiling face.
Lou Wanqiao raised his eyebrows: "Where have you been?"
"I'm going to buy something delicious for someone who ignored me." Wen Xuechi waved the box of pastries in his hand. "You little heartless guy, you forgot me out in the cold. I was thinking of you."
Lou Wanqiao took the box with a smile: "Oh, Yan Gui, I ignored you so much and you are still so kind to me. I am so touched!"
Wen Xuechi paused for a moment, then put his hand behind his ear and touched it. "Well, it's nothing, just a little help... If you like it, I'll bring it back to you tomorrow."
"It's enough to eat desserts occasionally. It's the end of the year. Come on, I'll treat you to something delicious." Lou Wanqiao patted his shoulder and led Wen Xuechi forward.
Night fell, and the wind howled. Winter in the north is cold. Wen Xuechi put on a fox fur coat for her, but the wind still blew in through the collar.
Fortunately, the journey wasn't long, and they quickly entered the restaurant. Lou Wanqiao spotted a familiar figure sitting there: Cen Luye, dressed in a black robe.
There was a pot of wine simmering in front of him. Lou Wanqiao walked over and asked, "Are you all healed?"
"Ah, you're back." Cen Luye looked up at her with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He subconsciously stood up and then looked down at the wine jug on the table. His voice dropped inexplicably, "Just a drink, it's no problem..."
"Just keep it in mind. Brother Wen and I are going to have dinner."
"Wait!" Cen Luye stopped her, "...Thank you very much, really."
Lou Wanqiao nodded: "No need to thank me, just remember that you will have to pay it back in the future."
"Okay, I'll remember this favor." Cen Luye agreed readily, "Would you like to have a drink together?"
"No need. I'm still recovering from my injuries and need to avoid certain foods." Lou Wanqiao reminded him, "You'd better be careful too."
"Okay, I understand." Cen Luye smiled lightly, "The prince is hosting a banquet for you here, let's go upstairs and chat."
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