Chapter 125
Su Zhelan was still running around exhausted amidst the noisy disturbances of Sheng Xuan and the calm gaze of Xiao Qiyun.
That afternoon, Sheng Xuan enthusiastically pulled Su Zhelan to play chess again. Su Zhelan absentmindedly placed her pieces, her mind preoccupied with a crucial clue in the case file.
Seeing his perfunctory attitude, Sheng Xuan became even more dissatisfied. She placed her pieces with a bit of stubborn force, banging them loudly on the chessboard, while muttering comments under her breath.
Su Zhelan felt his temples throbbing, and his last bit of patience finally ran out. He abruptly threw the chess piece back into the chess basket with a crisp "clatter," then stood up coldly, picked up the crucial volumes on the table without a word, and turned to leave.
"Hey! Su Zhelan! Where are you going?!" Sheng Xuan immediately stood up, his voice filled with dissatisfaction at being left behind.
"Let's find a quiet place," Su Zhelan said without turning her head, her voice icy, her steps unwavering.
"Going to his place again?!" Sheng Xuan's voice rose, filled with anger and jealousy at being rejected. "What's so great about his place?!"
Su Zhelan ignored her and quickly disappeared outside the door.
Sheng Xuan stood there, staring at the empty doorway and the scattered chessboard, a surge of suppressed anger with nowhere to go. He paced irritably around the room twice, then kicked over a nearby stool!
"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, really not wanting to stay in this room filled with Su Zhelan's presence, but with Su Zhelan herself nowhere to be seen. He grabbed the money bag on the table and strode out of the courtyard.
The sun was shining brightly outside, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians. Sheng Xuan wandered aimlessly, but his irritability did not lessen at all. He found fault with everything; he would glare at pedestrians blocking his way and frown at vendors shouting too loudly.
He just wanted to find a place to vent his nameless anger.
Unbeknownst to him, he turned into a relatively quiet alley. There were few pedestrians here, and most of the shops on both sides were inconspicuous. Sheng Xuan was about to walk through the alley to a more lively place when he caught a glimpse of a figure wearing a dark gray cloak with the brim of his hat pulled down very low, sneaking out of an inconspicuous little pharmacy deep in the alley.
The man was carrying a bundle wrapped tightly in black cloth. He walked hurriedly, glanced around warily, and then quickly turned into a narrower side road.
Sheng Xuan abruptly stopped in his tracks! That outfit... that furtive manner... he recognized it all too well! It was exactly the same as the attire of those Burning Heart Cult members during the last temple fair attack! A chill instantly ran down Sheng Xuan's spine!
He immediately suppressed all his agitation, his eyes becoming sharp as an eagle's! He didn't chase after him right away, but quickly slipped into a corner piled with junk, held his breath, and stared intently at the fork in the road where the man had disappeared.
After a while, and after confirming that the person had not returned and that no other accomplices had appeared, Sheng Xuan cautiously walked out.
He didn't chase after the cultist. Instead, he took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and pretended to be nonchalant as he walked into the small pharmacy.
The pharmacy was dimly lit and filled with a strong smell of herbs. Behind the counter sat an old shopkeeper with white hair and beard who looked somewhat drowsy.
Sheng Xuan walked to the counter, tapped the table, and forced a fairly friendly smile: "Shopkeeper, business is good! That customer just bought quite a lot, didn't he?"
The old shopkeeper raised his cloudy eyes, glanced at Sheng Xuan, and said slowly, "Sir, you flatter me. It's just a small business, there's no such thing as good or bad. And that person just now? Oh, he bought some medicinal herbs."
"Oh? What kind of medicinal herbs? I've been thinking of getting some tonics lately." Sheng Xuan asked, feigning curiosity, leaning forward slightly and tapping his fingers unconsciously on the counter.
The old shopkeeper seemed unsuspecting, flipping through the ledger while casually reciting a few names: "...three qian of dragon's blood, two liang of datura root, and... um... five qian of aconite powder..."
Sheng Xuan's pupils constricted sharply! Although he was unfamiliar with pharmacology, blood-staining dragon's blood? Datura root? Aconite powder?! These were all highly poisonous substances! And in considerable quantities! What ordinary person would buy so many poisons?! This was definitely not a tonic!
He suppressed his shock and anger, maintaining a smile on his face: "Oh, buying so much? This customer seems to be quite unwell?"
"Who knows?" The old shopkeeper shook his head. "They're so secretive. They pay, take the goods, and leave without saying a word."
Sheng Xuan sneered inwardly. He quickly glanced at the ledger that the old shopkeeper had spread out, and with his extraordinary memory, he firmly engraved in his mind the names and quantities of the medicinal herbs that the old shopkeeper had just reported, as well as the dates and vague buyer codes that were faintly visible on the ledger.
"Alright, thank you, shopkeeper." Sheng Xuan didn't ask any more questions, tossed down a few copper coins, and said, "I'll come back another day." With that, he turned and strode away from the pharmacy.
The moment Sheng Xuan stepped out of the pharmacy, the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a look of gravity and urgency! Cult! Highly poisonous herbs! A greater conspiracy! These words screamed wildly in his mind! He had to tell Sheng Chi immediately!
He took off running towards the mansion! He had only one thought in his mind: to find Sheng Chi!
He sped back to the mansion, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his brow, and rushed straight to Sheng Chi's study. He flung open the door, only to find it empty!
"Where is he?!" Sheng Xuan looked around anxiously, his heart sinking. He immediately turned around, grabbed a passing servant, and demanded sharply, "Where is my brother?! Where is Sheng Chi?!"
The servant was startled by his anxious appearance and stammered, "Reporting to...Young Master...The General...The General returned to the camp this afternoon...He said he had urgent military business to attend to..."
Military camp!
Sheng Xuan's heart pounded even faster! He released the servant and turned to rush towards the stable!
"Prepare the horses! Quick! Bring my horses out!" Sheng Xuan rushed to the stable and shouted at the groom.
The groom dared not delay and immediately led out Sheng Xuan's magnificent, jet-black warhorse, "Black Cloud." Sheng Xuan didn't even wait for the groom to lower the stirrups; he darted forward, grabbed the reins, and leaped onto the horse's back!
"Giddy up!" Sheng Xuan spurred his horse, and Wu Yun let out a long neigh, shooting out of the mansion gate like an arrow released from a bow!
The horse's hooves clattered crisply and rapidly on the cobblestones, a striking sound against the evening street. Sheng Xuan crouched low, pressed close to the horse's back, letting the strong wind whip his face, his mind focused on only one goal—the military camp!
He sped along, the wind whistling past his ears, the street scenes rushing past. His discovery at the pharmacy—the name and quantity of the highly poisonous herbs the furtive cultist and the shopkeeper had announced—was etched into his mind like a brand.
The Burning Heart Cult is up to its old tricks again! And this time, the poison they bought… what are they planning to do?! Poisoning? Creating chaos? Or… targeting Su Zelan?!
The thought that Su Zhelan was still in the manor, possibly unaware of the impending danger, made Sheng Xuan's heart clench! He had to tell Sheng Chi immediately!
Only Sheng Chi can mobilize resources, and only Sheng Chi can stop that madwoman Su Zhelan from continuing her investigation alone! It's too dangerous!
The dark clouds moved swiftly, and soon the heavily guarded military camp gates came into view. The guards recognized Sheng Xuan and his horse and didn't offer much resistance. Sheng Xuan spurred his horse straight in, charging all the way to Sheng Chi's tent before abruptly pulling on the reins!
"Whoa—!" Dark Cloud reared up its front hooves and let out a long neigh.
Before the horse had come to a complete stop, Sheng Xuan dismounted, tossed the reins to the approaching guards, and rushed inside, lifting the tent flap!
"Brother!" Sheng Xuan gasped as he lifted the tent flap, his voice urgent.
Sheng Chi was sitting at his desk dealing with military affairs when he heard the noise. He looked up and saw Sheng Xuan's flustered appearance. He frowned slightly and asked, "What's the panic? What happened?"
Sheng Xuan rushed to the table, placed his hands on the table, and hurriedly recounted everything he had discovered at the pharmacy, including the suspicious cultist's attire, the names and quantities of the highly poisonous herbs he had purchased, and the dates and symbols on the pharmacy's ledger.
“…Brother! It’s definitely a cult! They’re up to something again! Buying so much poison, they must have ill intentions! We must…” Sheng Xuan said urgently.
However, Sheng Chi's expression grew increasingly grim as he spoke. When Sheng Xuan mentioned "cult," Sheng Chi slammed his fist on the table!
"Bang!" The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table all jumped!
"Enough!" Sheng Chi's voice was deep and stern, filled with undeniable anger. "Sheng Xuan! Didn't I tell you?! Don't get involved in these matters!"
Sheng Xuan was stunned by his sudden outburst of anger: "Brother! I..."
"What do you mean, 'you'?!" Sheng Chi stood up, his tall figure exuding a strong sense of oppression, his sharp eyes fixed on Sheng Xuan. "You think you're something special just because you've seen a little bit?! Don't you know how dangerous cults are?! You almost lost your life last time! Have you forgotten?!"
"But……"
"No buts!" Sheng Chi interrupted him, his tone resolute. "I will handle this! This is not your concern!"
He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and softened his tone, which carried a deeper weariness and an undeniable air of defiance.
"Listen to me! Stay quietly in the manor! Stay away from all this nonsense! Behave yourself until next year! As soon as my term ends, we'll leave immediately and go back! Do you understand?!"
Looking at the unwavering resolve and deep-seated worry in Sheng Chi's eyes, Sheng Xuan opened her mouth, but all her resentment and eagerness ultimately turned into a muffled sound: "...I heard you."
He lowered his head, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew Sheng Chi was doing it for his own good, worried about his safety. But… but what about Su Zhelan? Su Zhelan was still in danger! How could he stand idly by?!
Looking at Sheng Xuan's stubborn yet aggrieved expression, Sheng Chi sighed silently. He sat down again, rubbed his temples, and said in a low voice, "Alright, it's getting late. You must be tired from riding back and forth. Rest at the military camp tonight and go back tomorrow."
Sheng Xuan stood silently for a while, and finally said nothing, only responding with a muffled "...Yes."
The setting sun cast a warm golden glow through the window, bathing the study in its light. Su Zhelan finally put down the files in his hands and rubbed his sore eyes. He glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and realized with a start that it was already late.
Xiao Qiyun also closed the book in his hand at the right time and said gently, "It's getting late, we should go back."
Su Zhelan nodded and silently packed up the files. The two left the study together, crossed the courtyard, and returned to the courtyard where Su Zhelan lived.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, the courtyard was quiet.
At this time of day, Sheng Xuan would either be practicing martial arts in the courtyard, making noise, or waiting noisily for Su Zhelan to return inside the house. But today, the courtyard was empty, and the house was pitch black, unusually quiet.
Su Zhelan paused, a hint of surprise flashing through his mind. He subconsciously glanced at the side room where Sheng Xuan often stayed; the door was tightly closed, and there was no sound from inside.
"Huh?" Su Zhelan couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, "Sheng Xuan... isn't here?"
This is highly unusual. Sheng Xuan, that energetic guy, who usually sticks to him like a leech, was coldly dumped by him this afternoon and ran off. Normally, he should be back by now, maybe even waiting at the door to question him about why he went to Xiao Qiyun's place again... But where is he now?
A subtle emotion rose in Su Zhelan's heart. Was he... angry? Because he had been too forceful and harsh in his tone that afternoon? He recalled the crisp sound of him throwing the chess piece and the cold words, "Find a quiet place."
...Although Sheng Xuan is usually carefree, he is actually quite thoughtful. Could it be... that he was really hurt?
This thought made Su Zhelan's heart inexplicably feel heavy. He didn't really want to hurt Sheng Xuan, but... he was just too annoyed to bear it anymore. He pursed his lips, a barely perceptible... worry flashing in his eyes?
Xiao Qiyun stood beside him, taking in the subtle changes in Su Zhelan's expression. He glanced around the quiet courtyard without making a sound, and said gently, "Perhaps she went out on something. Let's go inside."
Su Zhelan nodded, suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, and walked into the main house with Xiao Qiyun.
Candles were lit inside, dispelling the darkness. After a quick wash, Su Zhelan didn't go to bed immediately. He sat at the table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and sipped it slowly, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the door.
Time passed slowly. Night deepened, and the courtyard remained quiet, with no sign of anyone returning.
Su Zhelan's heart sank little by little. Her initial worry gradually grew into a restless anxiety. Although Sheng Xuan was impulsive, he rarely stayed out all night, especially without prior notice.
Will he... get into some kind of trouble? He ran out in such a huff this afternoon... could he have gotten himself into some trouble again?
Xiao Qiyun sat on a soft couch not far away, holding a book in his hand, but his gaze did not fall on the pages.
He watched quietly as Su Zhelan sat at the table, the cup of cold tea long gone, yet he remained in the same position, staring blankly at the doorway, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup. That restless, clearly waiting demeanor was clearly observed by Xiao Qiyun.
Xiao Qiyun sighed silently. He put down his book, stood up and walked to Su Zhelan's side, his voice soft and gentle: "It's late, you should rest."
As if startled awake, Su Zhelan suddenly came to her senses, looked at Xiao Qiyun, and replied somewhat flusteredly, "...Okay."
He verbally agreed, but his body remained still, and his gaze couldn't help but drift towards the door.
A knowing glint flashed in Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes. He reached out and gently placed his hand on Su Zhelan's shoulder, his voice reassuring: "Don't wait anymore. Sheng Xuan is a grown man, he'll be fine."
He paused, his voice becoming even gentler, "You must be tired today, get some rest."
Su Zhelan looked at Xiao Qiyun's gentle yet unquestionable gaze, opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.
He gave a soft "hmm," obediently stood up, and walked to the bed. But even after lying down, he kept his eyes open, wide awake, his ears perked up, listening for any possible sound outside the window.
Xiao Qiyun's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at Su Zhelan, who was trying to remain calm but was clearly unable to sleep.
He was silent for a moment, then turned and walked to the table. He picked up the teapot, weighed it in his hand, and said gently, "The tea is cold. I'll go add some hot water."
Su Zhelan did not respond, but continued to stare at the top of the tent.
Xiao Qiyun took the teapot, quietly left the room, and gently closed the door behind him.
He didn't go to the kitchen, but instead walked to a quiet, shady corner of the courtyard. He stopped and whispered to the empty corner, "Go and find out where Sheng Xuan is now after leaving the manor today."
There seemed to be a very slight ripple in the air, as if a breeze had passed by, before everything returned to calm.
Xiao Qiyun stood there for a moment before turning and walking toward the kitchen. He slowly washed the teapot, added hot water, and stood by the stove for a while, as if he really was just adding water.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, as Xiao Qiyun walked back carrying the warm teapot, the invisible shadow seemed to have returned to the corner. A very low voice, like a whisper, entered Xiao Qiyun's ears: "Reporting to Your Majesty, after Young Master Shengxuan left the manor this afternoon, he lingered at the 'Jishetang' pharmacy in the back alley of the West Market, and then rode straight to the military camp in the west of the city. He has now stayed overnight at the camp and has not left."
Xiao Qiyun didn't pause in his steps, nor did his face show any emotion. He carried the teapot and pushed open the door to return to his room.
Su Zhelan remained lying on the bed in the same position as before. Upon hearing the door open, she immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Xiao Qiyun gently placed the teapot on the table and walked to the bedside. He looked at Su Zhelan's tightly closed eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and understood.
He didn't point it out, but simply bent down, put his arms behind Su Zhelan's neck and knees, and with a little effort, lifted Su Zhelan up!
"!" Su Zhelan exclaimed in surprise, her eyes snapping open as she instinctively struggled. "Xiao Qiyun! What are you doing?!"
"I'll rest with you." Xiao Qiyun's voice was calm and even, yet it carried an irresistible force. He carried Su Zhelan and placed him on the inside of the bed, close to the wall.
Su Zhelan was both surprised and embarrassed by his sudden action. Just as she was about to sit up, Xiao Qiyun had already lay down next to her, leaving almost no gap between them!
An arm wrapped around Su Zhelan's waist very naturally, pulling him closer to its embrace, and warm breath brushed against Su Zhelan's ear.
"Don't move." Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and carried a hint of command. "Sheng Xuan is safe in the military camp. You don't need to worry, and you don't need to wait any longer." He tightened his arms slightly, holding Su Zhelan tightly in his embrace. "Now, close your eyes and go to sleep."
Su Zhelan was held tightly in his arms, unable to move. When he heard the words, "Sheng Xuan is in the military camp, he's safe," his tense body stiffened slightly, then slowly relaxed. So... he went to the military camp.
The worry and anxiety in his heart deflated instantly, like a punctured balloon, replaced by an awkward feeling of having his thoughts read and... a strange sense of relief.
Lying stiffly in Xiao Qiyun's arms, feeling the other's steady heartbeat and warm body temperature, his cheeks burned uncontrollably. He tried to break free, but Xiao Qiyun's arms were like iron hoops, impossible to shake off. He wanted to retort that he wasn't worried, but the words wouldn't come out.
Finally, under Xiao Qiyun's unquestionable embrace and the command "Close your eyes and go to sleep," Su Zhelan gave up struggling, resignedly closed her eyes, buried her face in the pillow, and tried to ignore the strong presence of the embrace behind her and the elegant ink fragrance belonging to Xiao Qiyun that lingered around her nose.
Xiao Qiyun felt the body in his arms relax, and a faint, satisfied smile curved his lips. He tightened his arms, pulling Su Zhelan closer into his embrace, his chin gently resting on the top of Su Zhelan's soft hair, and slowly closed his eyes.
Only their intertwined breathing remained in the room. Xiao Qiyun extinguished the candle with a wave of his hand, plunging the room into darkness. Su Zhelan, nestled in Xiao Qiyun's arms, was still somewhat stiff, but the fatigue of the past few days and the relief of knowing Sheng Xuan was safe washed over her like a tide.
Her tense nerves gradually relaxed, her consciousness slowly blurred, and finally she fell into a deep sleep in Xiao Qiyun's warm embrace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
