I am Xu Fengyan
Lan Chi led Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang aside and casually called over someone. "The Empress Dowager ordered you to escort the two of you out of the imperial mausoleum." The person nodded and accepted the task. "Young Marquis, Grand Tutor Tang, this way please." Although Tang Feng was ill and feeling unwell, he did not forget to pay attention to this person. Since the Empress Dowager had them remove their masks, he had not put them back on. His hair was tied up high, his eyebrows and eyes were gentle, revealing a sense of humility, and a tuft of hair in front partially covered his eyes. Tang Feng tilted his head and couldn't remember where he had seen him before, so he asked, "What's your name?"
"Grand Tutor, we are not allowed to reveal our names," the man said, his voice gentle yet tinged with a coldness. Tang Feng felt increasingly familiar with the man's face, but couldn't quite place where he had seen him before. He said again, "It's alright if you don't tell me. After all, I will ask the Empress Dowager later. I, Tang Feng, love making friends. If we are truly destined to befriend the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan, it would be my blessing." The man sighed softly and finally said helplessly, "I am... Xu Fengyan." Xu Fengyan? Tang Feng had never heard of this name before, but he felt the man looked very familiar. However, his mind seemed to be rusty, and he couldn't remember him at all. "Perhaps it's fate. I've always felt that Brother Xu looks very familiar. If you don't mind, would you like to come back to the Tang residence for a cup of hot tea?" Although Tang Feng's lips curled up in a smile, his words carried a hint of wariness. Xu Fengyan bowed slightly, "No need, thank you for your kindness, Grand Tutor." Seeing Xu Fengyan's refusal, Tang Feng didn't give up, but continued to probe, "Brother Xu, I have no other intentions, I'm just curious. I've been assassinated by you for so many years, I should know something. If we can talk it out today, I'll feel much more at ease." Tang Feng slowly stopped, looking at Xu Fengyan, and gradually stopped himself before speaking, "Brother Xu, I've heard many people say that the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan don't accept women, is that true?" "Of course," Xu Fengyan replied succinctly, his back to Tang Feng. His voice was devoid of emotion. "Then why was I assassinated in Wanliang, while Ziliang saw a woman?" "Grand Tutor," Xu Fengyan turned around, stepped forward, and put the mask back on his face, saying coldly, "I was merely one of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan. If you have any complaints or questions about our assassination attempt, I think Lord Lan will patiently explain to you out of respect for the Empress Dowager. There's no need for you to hold this against me. Also... you just heard it yourself, some were involved and some weren't. What they did, I don't know."
"Well... don't be angry. I'm just a patient, I can't threaten you," Tang Feng smiled. "I didn't mean to target you, I just wanted to find out. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, I'll investigate myself. But I want to ask, in the twentieth year of Qingyun, on the eve of New Year's Eve, the twenty-ninth day of the lunar year, did you kill a young man on the road in front of Lingyue Manor?" Asking Qin Liuliu, Tang Feng became serious, staring intently at Xu Fengyan, motionless, seemingly waiting for his answer. "We only received a mission to assassinate you, we haven't heard of anyone else." Receiving an ambiguous answer, Tang Feng lowered his eyes and chuckled. "Good, if it wasn't you, that's for the best. You don't need to see me off on my way back. Thank you for today." Tang Feng cupped his hands in thanks to Xu Fengyan and left.
"Xiao Feng suspects him?" Zhou Ziliang had already noticed the tension between the two and guessed that Tang Feng probably had some suspicions. Tang Feng shook his head. "It's hard to say, I cough cough cough... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before, but... cough cough cough..." Zhou Ziliang patted Tang Feng's back to help him catch his breath, took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to him, comforting him, "Alright, alright, you've been out for so long, your body can't take it. Your cough is getting worse. Let's go home and rest, then we can talk about this." Tang Feng had probably caught a chill; on the way back home, he developed a low-grade fever. Nestled in Zhou Ziliang's arms, his whole body was burning hot, and the wound on his chest began to ache. But this didn't stop Tang Feng from thinking. He knew he was getting close to the truth, but he suddenly felt a little scared. What if the murderer was found? How should he punish him? Kill him? Denounce him? Should he be punished? Tang Feng suddenly felt lost. He had been holding on until now because the person who killed Qin Liuliu had not been found. If they were found, what should he do? Resign? Still staying with Li Yunyu, Zhou Ziliang said, "Ziliang, my wound hurts." Hearing Tang Feng's serious tone, Zhou Ziliang immediately became worried. "How does it hurt? Did you aggravate your wound today? I'll ask Old Wu to take another look when we get back." Tang Feng chuckled. "Don't worry, it's nothing, it's just a sudden stinging pain. Actually, I'm a little curious, why does that person seem so familiar?" Zhou Ziliang didn't urge Tang Feng to rest, but instead tried to recall the scene with him. After all, Tang Feng was with him most of the time, so if he really looked familiar, he should have seen him before. "Hmm... Xiao Feng thinks he looks familiar, so you must have seen him somewhere before. But I feel he looks unfamiliar, so I guess I met him when I wasn't around." Tang Feng lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. "I just don't understand why he doesn't look strange, nor is there any reason or reason for it. So many people pass by me in Xiling City every day, why... does he feel so... familiar?" Tang Feng touched his hand. With a slight chuckle, his forehead flushed, Zhou Ziliang chuckled softly, "Perhaps it's because I'm trying to find the murderer that I've lost my mind, finding everyone suspicious." At this moment, Zhou Ziliang embraced Tang Feng, covering him with a blanket. Then, seemingly after much deliberation, he asked, "Xiao Feng, I want to ask you a few questions. If the questions are sharp and make you uncomfortable, you don't have to answer." Tang Feng, though puzzled, nodded. "Xiao Feng, have you ever seen Han Jiuhua?" Tang Feng shook his head. "I first saw him when I was sixteen, at most only catching a glimpse of his figure from afar. Later... in Wanliang, I saw him, but I'm not certain he's Han Jiuhua. There are many dancers, and given my current position, it's normal for someone to want to kill me." "Okay, then the second question: before your wedding, besides telling her you were going to get your wedding dress, what else did you say to her?" Tang Feng lowered his head, thinking for a long time, then slowly said, "I... I sent her an invitation. I hoped she could attend." Zhou Ziliang narrowed his eyes. Her eyes seemed to be deep in thought, and finally she smiled at Tang Feng. "Nothing, I was just a little curious. Xiao Feng, go to sleep. Don't think about your headache anymore. I'll tell you when we get home." Tang Feng didn't reply. He was dizzy from the fever, and the throbbing pain from his wounds made him fall into a deep sleep in Zhou Ziliang's arms. Actually, they arrived shortly after Tang Feng fell asleep. Zhou Ziliang couldn't bear to wake Tang Feng, so he put one hand under Tang Feng's legs and the other around his neck, and got off the carriage. The old steward saw... Tang Feng was asleep and didn't speak, but followed Zhou Ziliang to the side courtyard. When they reached the door, Zhou Ziliang quickly opened it, tidied the bedding, and gently placed Tang Feng on the bed. After covering him with the blankets, Zhou Ziliang came out of the house, saying to the old butler, "Uncle Jia, bring me the guest list from my wedding banquet with Xiao Feng three years ago, as well as the list of guests who attended. Also, have the kitchen prepare the medicine, and invite Old Wu over." After giving these instructions, Zhou... Zhou Ziliang went into the study. He knew Tang Feng wouldn't wake up anytime soon and planned to wait until things were settled before calling him. Although Zhou Ziliang didn't find the man familiar, he had observed him both openly and secretly. He was slender with soft lines. The day he fought with that woman, he felt from every angle that she wasn't a woman. Although she looked delicate, the strength she exerted was many times greater than that of a woman. Assuming that woman was Han Jiuhua, whom Tang Feng had mentioned, Zhou Ziliang took paper and pen from the table and began to write. If Han Jiuhua was a man disguised as a woman, then he might have two identities. He was not only the most beautiful courtesan in Qinghuifang, but also one of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan. Furthermore, if that man wasn't lying, only a small group of people participated in the assassination of Tang Feng. However, Tang Feng had no grudge against them. Even if the first attempt was aimed at the Fire Talisman, the Fire Talisman had never been lost after the assassination failed. According to the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan, there was no need to attempt another assassination. Could it be that among those assassinated were traitors? Zhou Ziliang put down his pen and made a bold guess. Judging from Tang Feng's words, Tang Feng had never seen Han Jiuhua before, nor could he recall ever seeing Xu Fengyan. A person who has met countless people in their life wouldn't easily remember an ordinary-looking stranger. He must have left some impression on Tang Feng. At this moment, the old butler entered with the invitation and list from that year. "Young Master, I've come. Please take a look." Zhou Ziliang took the list and slowly began to read it. He then asked, "Is Xiao Feng awake?" "There's still no movement in the young master's room. He must still be sleeping. I didn't go to call Doctor Wu." "Why did you suddenly decide to look at this?" Zhou Ziliang flipped to the last page and saw Xu Fengyan's name prominently displayed on the list. He then smiled and said, "Nothing, just wanted to give Xiaofeng an answer." Tang Feng had only felt that Xu Fengyan looked familiar, but he didn't recognize him. Although their wedding had attracted many onlookers, Madam Zhou was very cautious about the wedding because of Qin Liuliu's affair. Only those with invitations and registration could enter. Xu Fengyan's presence on the list meant he must have come with an invitation. Besides finding Han Jiuhua's invitation, he hadn't seen Xu Fengyan's. So… everything made sense. Zhou Ziliang stood up, picked up the invitation and registration list, and headed towards Tang Feng's room.
Tang Feng wasn't a deep sleeper, and was eventually woken up by coughing. After coughing a few times, he felt a churning in his chest, abruptly rolled over, and vomited blood. Before he could catch his breath, a warm hand was placed on his back. "Ziliang," Zhou Ziliang said, "Are you feeling better?" Because of Tang Feng's injury, Zhou Ziliang didn't dare pat his back, but could only rub it to help him breathe. Tang Feng shook his head, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and was helped up by Zhou Ziliang. "It's alright. You just went out?" Tang Feng's arm touched Zhou Ziliang's clothes, and he noticed the chill emanating from Zhou Ziliang. Zhou Ziliang handed Tang Feng something from his arms and then said, "Go check..." "I found something, something incredible." Tang Feng looked at Zhou Ziliang with suspicion as he slowly flipped through the guest list. When he reached the last page, the name Xu Fengyan caught his eye. "This..." Tang Feng glanced at Zhou Ziliang and then looked down at the list again. "I remember! I saw him in the crowd at the wedding. Although we only brushed past each other, I was quite surprised. I might not know my parents' friends, but how could I not know yours? I was thinking of asking you, but I wasn't feeling well at the time, so I put it off." Tang Feng gently stroked Xu Fengyan's name with his fingertips, then said... "Ziliang, are you trying to say that Xu Fengyan is Han Jiuhua, and that he disguised himself as a woman to become a courtesan in order to get close to me and kill me?" "Yes." Hearing the affirmative answer, Tang Feng slumped against the bedside, giving a bitter laugh. "I thought... I would be very happy. Liu Liu has been dead for so long, and I haven't been able to sleep day or night. I always feel like I've let him down. If I could catch the murderer, maybe I would feel more at ease, but now..." Tang Feng raised his hand to cover his eyes, the movement causing the list on his knee to fall to the ground. "Suddenly, I don't know what I should do anymore. Ziliang, he's the one who told me to seize the day, for time waits for no one." "Zhi, he asked me to take you to a concert sometime. He said he would definitely attend since I sent him an invitation. I considered him a friend, a benefactor, but he killed Liu Liu. Ziliang, if it were you, what would you do?" Zhou Ziliang sighed, picked up the list, and handed it to Tang Feng. "If it were me, I would find an opportunity to confirm this matter, and then hand him over to the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan. He has his place to go, and you have yours. Xiao Feng, it's been three years. Let yourself go. Heaven's will is unpredictable, and people's hearts are unfathomable. If you insist on tormenting yourself over this matter, even if you personally kill Han Jiuhua, your inner knot will still remain untied."
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