Volume 2 Chapter 24 - Stirred Emotions
Because of their injuries, the two had to stop and rest, but they couldn’t stay too long. No one could guarantee that Long Yi’s men wouldn’t catch up. It was too close here, and still dangerous!
Mo Zhai casually wrapped his clothes around himself, picked up the ring Leng Jiu had slipped into his hand, and gently slipped it onto her finger before bending down to pick her up without saying a word.
Leng Jiu knew he wouldn’t ask for it back, so she didn’t say anything more. She just watched him, unable to stop herself from asking, “You’re injured on your back—can you still carry me?”
Before she finished speaking, Mo Zhai had already lifted her up. He looked down at her, saying, “You’re light as a feather. It’s no problem!”
Leng Jiu didn’t argue. Her legs really couldn’t support her now, and protesting would seem overly fussy.
Mo Zhai used his qinggong to descend the mountain and stopped at the roadside, holding Leng Jiu in his arms. “Where should we go now?”
Leng Jiu thought for a moment. “To the southwest border. I need to find Leng Yue.”
“Alright.”
Without another word, Mo Zhai carried her and started walking southwest. This was a wild, uninhabited area, with rough paths that were hard to walk on. But Mo Zhai walked steadily, carefully supporting Leng Jiu’s legs to avoid pulling at her wound.
Leng Jiu had slept a long time, so she was quite alert now. She didn’t feel anxious or fearful, either. If something was meant to come, it would, and if not, then thinking about it wouldn’t make it happen. She never allowed herself to feel fear. She looked up at the sunlit landscape, squinting slightly before her gaze returned to Mo Zhai. This was her first time seeing him from this angle, and she realized he had a very attractive profile, exuding masculinity. His purple eyes held a subtle depth, reflecting the sunlight with an alluring glow.
Noticing Leng Jiu’s gaze, Mo Zhai looked down slightly, only to meet her bright, stunning eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and his expression became a bit uneasy. “What are you looking at?”
Leng Jiu answered honestly, “I just realized how charming you really are—definitely more masculine than any other man I’ve ever seen.”
Mo Zhai regretted asking and focused back on walking, though his heartbeat was racing.
Seeing he wasn’t looking at her, Leng Jiu teased, “What’s wrong? Has no one ever complimented you before? Are you getting shy?”
Mo Zhai ignored her and continued walking.
Feeling bored, Leng Jiu leaned against his arm, gazing absentmindedly at the scenery. Only when her eyes weren’t on him did Mo Zhai dare to sneak a glance at her in the sunlight, and his heart felt even less at ease. Even the warmth of the body in his arms seemed to grow.
The capital was a hundred miles away, and the southwestern border was five hundred miles distant. Even by horse, it would take two or three days without rest. Traveling on foot like this, it would take at least ten days to two weeks. They walked from morning until afternoon, resting only briefly, eating only wild gra.s.s and berries to stave off hunger.
As the sky darkened, Leng Jiu noticed the lights from a nearby village. “Let’s rest here. We can leave tomorrow; I doubt anyone would chase us this deep into the mountains so soon.”
Mo Zhai thought for a moment and nodded. Even if he didn’t need to rest, Leng Jiu’s leg needed treatment. He carried her towards the village. Just after dusk, mealtime smells filled the air, tempting for two people who hadn’t eaten all day.
Having once wandered from the gra.s.slands to the capital, Mo Zhai was no mere prince who only knew how to put on airs. He walked up to a house and knocked gently.
“Who is it?” a man called from inside, then opened the door to find Mo Zhai and Leng Jiu. Startled, he asked with a smile, “Could you both be distinguished guests from afar? How may I help you?”
Mo Zhai spoke humbly, “My sister and I lost our way in the mountains. Could we trouble you to stay for the night?”
“Of course!” The man nodded eagerly, leading them inside with a smile. “It’s my first time seeing such n.o.ble guests! My daughter got married two months ago, so it’s just my wife and me here. We’ve got plenty of s.p.a.ce.”
He closed the door and called out, “Honey, prepare some food! We have guests!”
A stout woman in her forties came out, and upon seeing them, her eyes lit up. “Oh, what beautiful people! Please, come in. I’ll make some food right away!”
Mo Zhai carried Leng Jiu inside and glanced around. The place was simple, with earthen walls, a dining area less than thirty square meters, a basic table and chairs, and a cupboard. Animal hides and a bow hung on the wall, marking them as hunters.
Mo Zhai thought for a moment, then asked, “Sir, do you have any medicine for injuries?”
The man finally noticed the blood on Leng Jiu and shook his head. “Though I hunt in the mountains often, I don’t keep medicine here. If I get hurt, I go to the village’s doctor—the one with a limp.”
“My sister needs some medicine for her injuries. Could you tell me where the doctor lives?”
The man hesitated. “That doctor has a strange temper and won’t treat outsiders. Even in the past, he refused to help injured outsiders. We all know his quirks and try not to cross him.” He thought for a moment, then added, “How about this: I’ll go get the medicine for you. I’ll have to drink a few cups with him, or he won’t let me off later!”
Mo Zhai looked at Leng Jiu, then nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble!” The man smiled, grabbed a small bamboo flask of wine, lit a lantern, and prepared to go out.
Uneasy, Leng Jiu reached out to grab Mo Zhai’s clothes, but he moved quickly, and she missed him. Before she could say anything, he had already left with the man.
Leng Jiu opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. Not long after Mo Zhai left, the woman returned from the kitchen—not with food, but a hemp rope.
“Big Brother! This woman is so beautiful!” At the top of the mountain in a large bandit camp, Leng Jiu was tied to a post beside a blazing bonfire, surrounded by more than a dozen bandits. Among them, two were exceptionally large and muscular, intimidating at first glance. One looked nearly forty, the other around thirty, both with rough appearances. The younger one, leering at Leng Jiu, wiped the drool about to drip from his mouth and took a big swig from a bowl of wine.
“Mmm! Sister Snake finally sent me something worthwhile this time. Look at that face, that skin—tsk, tsk, you can tell she’s from a n.o.ble family. Maybe she’s even a princess!” The leader looked Leng Jiu up and down with eyes that seemed to strip her bare.
“A princess? Does that mean our Big Brother is about to become a prince consort?”
“Hahaha! I’ll finally get a taste of what it feels like to be a prince consort!”
“Congratulations, Big Brother! Tonight you’ll be a prince consort!”
“Hahahaha!”
Their wild laughter and sycophantic cheers echoed throughout the mountain stronghold. From the moment Leng Jiu had been tied up, she hadn’t spoken a word, her hand resting on the sakura bracelet on her wrist, contemplating whether it was worth killing this bandit leader. However, she ultimately gave up. If her leg were in good condition, it would be another story, but with her thigh injured, even if she killed him, there were too many others around to escape. Acting rashly wouldn’t help, and she could only hope Mo Zhai would quickly realize something was wrong and come.
The second-in-command looked at Leng Jiu’s calm demeanor, tugging on the leader’s sleeve with some suspicion. “Big Brother! Isn’t this woman a bit too calm? Since she was brought here, she hasn’t cried or made a fuss. It doesn’t seem normal.”
“What’s not normal is you!” The leader slapped him angrily, his bloodshot eyes somewhat unfocused from drinking. “She’s a princess who’s never seen bandits, scared out of her mind and can’t speak. Don’t you think that’s normal?”
“Big Brother is so clever. I never thought of that. I just a.s.sumed women should be crying and trembling in fear, but she’s probably too scared to say a word!” The man quickly praised.
The leader enjoyed the flattery, smiling and throwing his bowl to the ground. “I’m going to the bridal chamber. The rest of you, scram!”
With that, he went to untie the rope around Leng Jiu’s waist and, leaving her hands bound, threw her over his shoulder, striding toward the innermost room amid lewd cheers from his followers.
Just as he was about to enter the room, a blood-covered underling rushed in. “Big Brother! Something’s wrong! A skilled fighter is killing his way up the mountain. We’ve lost more than a dozen men!”
“What?” Everyone, who had been laughing a moment ago, turned pale. Some of them grabbed weapons and headed out immediately.
The leader sobered up slightly and laughed, “What’s there to be afraid of? He’s alone, and there are so many of us. Besides, I alone can handle him. Once I kill him, I’ll get back to the little beauty in the bridal chamber!”
The others couldn’t laugh. The man approaching was clearly a killing G.o.d, his presence freezing them in fear. They couldn’t even hold their weapons steady.
“Courting death!” Mo Zhai’s mesmerizing purple eyes flashed, his sword slicing through the air. The laughing bandit leader’s head was severed, blood gushing from his neck.
“Ah! Big Brother is dead!”
Many gaped in disbelief, mouths agape, eyes wide. In their shock, they turned to look at Mo Zhai, weapons clattering to the ground. “Great hero! We were wrong! Spare us!”
Mo Zhai pointed his blood-stained sword at them. “Where is she?”
“In… inside!”
Mo Zhai swiftly killed two bandits who tried to run and said coldly, “If anyone runs, they die!”
No one dared move, quickly clearing a path for him to enter.
Leng Jiu was facing two bandits, both leering at her and inching closer, clearly intending to take advantage of her while the leader was absent. They exchanged a look, understanding each other’s intentions, and reached for Leng Jiu. But before they could touch her, both of their arms were severed, blood spurting out, and they were swiftly silenced as their throats were slashed.
Leng Jiu looked up and saw Mo Zhai, who looked like a G.o.d of death cloaked in black. Meeting his purple gaze, a calmness settled over her heart. “You finally came!”
Mo Zhai suddenly scooped her up, holding her tightly, disregarding everything. His whole body trembled. When he’d realized something was wrong and forced the man to tell him the truth, his heart had almost stopped. He’d actually left her alone in that unfamiliar place, where she had no means to protect herself due to her injured leg. He hadn’t noticed sooner, putting her in such danger. He’d sworn to protect her, yet he’d let her fall into harm’s way time and time again. It was all his fault.
“Mo Zhai!” Sensing his trembling, Leng Jiu was a bit surprised. Then, understanding his feelings, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I’m completely fine. It’s okay.”
Mo Zhai held her tightly, feeling that a mere apology couldn’t begin to convey his guilt and regret.
Leng Jiu gently pushed him away, looking up into his violet eyes, instantly understanding his feelings. She sighed slightly, hooked her arms around his neck, and closed her eyes to kiss him! She had kissed him before, but that was only because of Mo Yina, without a trace of emotion, merely to show him the so-called charm of a woman. But this moment was different; this time, she kissed him sincerely, seeing him as a man who moved her heart!
Mo Zhai’s body stiffened, but Leng Jiu didn’t allow him to refuse. She pried open his lips and entwined his tongue, pulling all his thoughts away. Her lips were soft beyond belief, and the taste of her mouth was sweet, a beauty he had never tasted. The heart-wrenching pain he had just felt melted away in her kiss, intoxicating him.
One of the bandits saw the two so lost in their kiss and stealthily took a large knife, sneaking toward Mo Zhai from behind, raising his hand to strike. But Mo Zhai’s sword was already piercing through his chest, instantly ending his life!
After pulling out the sword, Mo Zhai hugged Leng Jiu even tighter, deepening the kiss voluntarily, unwilling to let go, wanting more and more!
After a long time, until he had no choice but to let go, Mo Zhai reluctantly moved his lips away, holding Leng Jiu tenderly. The beauty of that moment blossomed like countless flowers in his heart. “How would you like to deal with these people?”
Leng Jiu looked coldly at the group of people kneeling on the ground, not daring to move, and lowered her gaze indifferently. “Kill them!”
She could be merciful, but not to just anyone. Although these people weren’t the worst of the worst, they did not deserve her mercy.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Zhai’s sword rose and fell without hesitation, ending all their lives in an instant, leaving only a field of corpses.
Leng Jiu went into the bandit leader’s room, found some clean clothes, and took some stolen valuables they had collected, bundling them up before leaving the place with Mo Zhai.
The road at night was difficult, especially through forests and rugged mountain paths, but Mo Zhai didn’t mind. Even though he was still carrying Leng Jiu, his mood was different from earlier that day. At this moment, he only wanted to keep holding her like this, never letting go.
Leng Jiu brushed aside his dangling hair, smiled softly, hooked her arm around his neck, and gave him a playful kiss. “What? Finally figured things out?”
Mo Zhai glanced down at her, his violet eyes shimmering with a soft glow, holding her closer. “I will become stronger, strong enough to protect you from any harm!”
Leng Jiu looked at the stars in the sky and smiled, narrowing her eyes. “I’ll be waiting!”
Hearing those three words again, he knew they meant something different this time—not just encouragement but a promise he must fulfill.
The night was deep, and the journey was long, but he wished it would never end. If they could walk like this forever, it might not be so bad.
When dawn broke, they arrived at a modest-sized town. Mo Zhai paid for an inn, asked for new clothes, brought in a doctor to prescribe medicine and bandages, and finally took a sigh of relief from the intense tension and battles of the past day and night.
Mo Zhai’s wounds were treated by the doctor, but Leng Jiu’s injury was on her thigh, which was inconvenient, so she had to apply the medicine herself. It wasn’t difficult, though. After applying the medicine and drinking the tonic, she leaned back on the bed, unable to sleep, her mind racing with various thoughts, not knowing what to hold onto.
Mo Zhai entered and saw she was still awake, walked over, and sat by the bed. “One mile west of here is Pingzhou, a large southwestern city. A month ago, I sent four people over. They reported back saying the shop was ready. We can go see them later.”
Leng Jiu’s expression shifted slightly. After a moment’s thought, she lowered her gaze. “Alright. Let’s rest first and then go.”
She moved slightly, lay down fully, and closed her eyes to sleep.
Mo Zhai was slightly surprised at how quickly she fell asleep, but seeing her tired face, he thought she must be exhausted from the past day and night. He didn’t say anything, taking a chair to sit on and leaning back to rest. After last night’s events, he would never leave her alone again.
They weren’t in a hurry. Leng Jiu slept until the next morning, then after breakfast, they set out again. Now in fresh, simple clothes, they didn’t look as disheveled as before. Mo Zhai naturally held her in his arms. Though it had only been two days on the run, their mindset had changed significantly. The woman in his arms was no longer merely a cold-hearted savior or someone unimportant.
A mile wasn’t far, and after rounding a mountain bend, they saw the large city before them, stretching across a vast plain, rows of white-walled, blue-tiled houses, busy streets filled with people, and the crowded city gates. Indeed, it was a prosperous city.
Mo Zhai carried Leng Jiu through the gates, noticing some people casting odd glances, but upon seeing his intimidating eyes, they quickly looked away.
“Wait!” Leng Jiu stopped Mo Zhai, her gaze landing on the city wall, where two large portraits were posted. Instinct told her they depicted the two of them.
Just then, two people walked by, chatting as they went: “This is strange; even a cripple can be a wanted criminal these days, and it’s a woman at that!”
“I heard she’s from outside the borderlands. You know, those women are more fierce than men, so it’s no surprise she’d do something like this!”
Leng Jiu grabbed Mo Zhai’s shoulder. “Put me down!”
Mo Zhai stood still without moving. Leng Jiu’s voice grew firmer. “Put me down!”
Mo Zhai acted as if he didn’t hear and took two more steps. How could he possibly put her down? Her leg was still injured! But Leng Jiu ignored him, using a clever maneuver to leap out of his arms. She landed gracefully, only slightly stumbling before standing firmly. Under Mo Zhai’s stunned gaze, she walked toward the city gate with a steady stride, as if she wasn’t injured at all.
To Leng Jiu, this injury was nothing, and the pain was negligible. As she walked toward the gate, she finally saw those two portraits clearly. The man was drawn rather vaguely, without Mo Zhai’s distinctive violet eyes. It was clear that Mo Zhai had kept his back to them that day, so no one noticed his eyes, making the portrait quite inaccurate. Leng Jiu’s portrait was even more unrecognizable. Although few had seen her, many in the court had. If such a wanted notice were issued, Hua Jinzhi and Long Yueli would be the first to suspect something. Long Yi didn’t dare take that risk, so he drew it to be unrecognizable.
Leng Jiu glanced at the gate. There was no inspection of travel doc.u.ments; they only seemed to pay extra attention to the legs of women, especially those who looked a bit rugged. This rea.s.sured her.
She walked toward the gate, coughed a couple of times, and frowned slightly, looking very uncomfortable. As her gaze swept over the people pa.s.sing by, she fell in step beside a st.u.r.dy-looking woman.
“Go on! You, come over here!” The guard, seeing her weak appearance, gave her a push with a look of disdain and gestured at the st.u.r.dy woman beside her with suspicion.
Leng Jiu coughed a few more times before walking through the gate. Her steps were neither too fast nor too slow, giving no sign of anything amiss. Once outside the gate, she moved to a quieter area.
Mo Zhai also entered without incident. His distinctive eyes set him apart from the person in the portrait, so no one suspected him.
As he approached Leng Jiu, Mo Zhai’s face looked displeased. Without a word, he bent down, picked her up, and used his light-footed skill to fly to a deserted alley, where he set her down and looked silently at the blood seeping from her leg.
Leng Jiu knew she had scared him with her earlier actions, and possibly hurt him too. She sighed helplessly but didn’t explain. She didn’t like explaining her actions, nor did she need to.
In the end, Mo Zhai couldn’t stay silent. He bent down, picked her up again, and after a while of flying over rooftops, they landed in a courtyard.
Upon seeing them, someone jumped out, alert, but upon recognizing Mo Zhai, the person relaxed and looked surprised. “Young Master, why have you come?”
Mo Zhai, still holding Leng Jiu, instructed, “Bring some medicine, bandages, and clean clothes!”
Seeing Leng Jiu in Mo Zhai’s arms, the person looked puzzled, but quickly went to get the items. Soon, they returned with them, and after Mo Zhai set Leng Jiu down, he finally saw her face clearly, exclaiming, “Miss Leng!”
Leng Jiu looked up and nodded slightly without saying much.
The person glanced at them, then turned and left. Mo Zhai took the bandages and medicine, looked silently at Leng Jiu’s leg, then bent down to tear open her trouser leg. Her thigh was already stained with blood, but fortunately, the thick pants and bandages had hidden it at the city gate, preventing exposure.
Carefully peeling away the bandage and cloth, he revealed her fair thigh and the bloodstained wound. Though it was in a somewhat intimate location, Mo Zhai felt no hint of desire, focusing only on her injury as he quietly treated it, then covered her with a blanket and carried her to the bed in the room.
After covering her with the quilt, he was about to leave when Leng Jiu reached out and held his hand. “Have someone send a message back to Gong Yuwei and Long Yueli. Don’t tell them where I am, just say that I’m safe.”
Mo Zhai paused, withdrew his hand, and replied coldly, “Alright.”
This place was relatively safe. Although Long Yi was conducting a widespread search, he couldn’t realistically search everywhere. Leng Jiu wasn’t in a hurry to leave, intending to heal her leg first.
The arrow had hit her thigh, but fortunately, it missed the tendons and bones. After five or six days, it started to scab over. Though it was still a bit stiff, she could walk freely again. She didn’t remain idle during those days, gathering a few people and personally training them, writing a detailed plan, an inn reception guide, as well as plans for hidden posts and power development. Although it was only just beginning, she was laying the foundation from the start.
During those days, Mo Zhai barely appeared in front of Leng Jiu, leaving a young girl to take care of her, while he disappeared.
Leng Jiu put on her clothes and walked alone along the courtyard’s corridors. Except for a slight discomfort when flexing her muscles, she was almost entirely recovered. The courtyard was quite large, though a bit secluded, and inexpensive, with many flowers and plants growing inside, though Leng Jiu didn’t recognize any of them.
As she pa.s.sed by a rockery, she saw another house, where Mo Zhai was sitting alone by a table at the doorway, wiping his sword with a cloth.
Leng Jiu paused, then walked over and sat down across from him. Mo Zhai acted as if he didn’t see her, continuing to wipe his sword.
Leng Jiu sighed helplessly. “You’ve been sulking for so many days. Isn’t it time to let it go?”
Mo Zhai stopped, sheathed his sword, and replied in his usual cold voice, “I’m not angry.”
“Are you sure?” Leng Jiu looked up and met his gaze directly.
Mo Zhai said nothing, standing up to head inside. Leng Jiu made to follow, but as soon as she took a step, she stumbled and fell—only to be caught in a strong, steady embrace. Leng Jiu wrapped her arms around Mo Zhai’s neck, grinning mischievously. “Now you’re not angry anymore, are you?”
When Mo Zhai saw her fall, he panicked without thinking of anything else. Holding her and seeing her smile, he instantly realized he had been tricked. But even if she was playing him, he couldn’t just watch her fall to the ground. He carefully placed her back in her seat. “Don’t do that again; if I didn’t catch you, you’d really get hurt.”
Leng Jiu didn’t release him, instead tightening her hold around his neck, pulling him down as she lifted her head to press her lips to his. She captured his lower lip, her tongue teasingly prying open his lips.
Mo Zhai’s breathing grew heavier. One hand supported her shoulder, holding her body up, while the other braced against the table. He lowered his head slightly, actively kissing her back.
Leng Jiu’s fingers threaded through his hair, brushing against the slightly bristly strands, as she pulled him even closer.
“Mm!” By the time the kiss ended, Leng Jiu was almost stirred by desire. But opening her eyes, she met Mo Zhai’s violet gaze, which was now no longer calm, with hints of desire swirling within. She placed her hand on his face, a trace of fascination in her voice. “What beautiful eyes.”
Mo Zhai felt her touch, and a rare expression of discomfort crossed his face. He lowered his gaze to conceal his emotions and turned to sit beside her, though he didn’t withdraw the hand that held her.
Leng Jiu chuckled softly, toying with his other hand. Perhaps due to growing up on the plains, his hands were large and wide, with calluses from his sword practice, rough to the touch but warm and comforting.
Mo Zhai allowed her to hold his hand, watching as her delicate fingers traced along his palm, his gaze growing gentler.
After that little moment, Mo Zhai no longer harbored any resentment. Even if he was angry, it was directed at himself, at his lack of strength, at his inability to become her pillar. Yes, he wanted to be her support, though he knew that there might never be anything between them. Still, he wanted to protect her and give her someone to lean on.
After finishing lunch, as Leng Jiu rested in the courtyard, she turned to Mo Zhai. “Tomorrow, you should head back to the capital.”
Mo Zhai looked up sharply at her. “You’re not going back?” Then, realizing something, he added, “You’d best stay away. I’ll escort you to the General’s camp and then return.”
Leng Jiu shook her head. “I don’t need an escort; tomorrow, you should leave.”
Hearing this, Mo Zhai felt a sudden chill in his heart, lowering his head slightly. “Have I made things difficult for you?”
Seeing his momentary sadness, Leng Jiu smiled helplessly. “I just have my own plans. My leg has healed enough, and it’s not difficult to reach the military camp. But you’re needed in the capital.”
“Will you… be coming back?”
Leng Jiu looked up at the sky, squinting slightly against the dazzling light, a sly smile playing at her lips. “Didn’t he say the Empress Dowager is gravely ill? Don’t you think that once General Leng hears about this, he would be so concerned that he’d rush to see her, even if it meant deserting his post? Though it’s a serious crime for a general to leave their post, one might forgive such familial devotion, right?”
Mo Zhai immediately grasped her intention. “You’re planning to go to the palace?”
Leng Jiu’s expression turned steely. “Since he wants to put on a show, I’ll play along. Let’s see who holds out longer. If he wants to erase the Empress Dowager’s ident.i.ty and take me as his woman, then I’ll return with that ident.i.ty, and I’ll do so openly.”
Mo Zhai’s gaze darkened. “Isn’t this life good enough? Why go back to that palace, where you’ll lose your freedom and face an emperor who covets you? Is it really worth it for a t.i.tle and luxury?”
Leng Jiu scoffed. “Do you think I’m someone who cares for power and wealth?”
Mo Zhai remained silent, but his expression clearly showed his disapproval of her return.
Leng Jiu picked up a cup beside her, tilting it slightly as water dripped out. She spoke with a hint of mockery, “The Empress Dowager’s t.i.tle may seem prestigious to the world, but to me, it’s merely borrowed honor, as insignificant as the faint light of a firefly. There’s no dignity in it for me.”
“However… I do have a flaw. If something is mine, even if I no longer want it, only I get to decide its fate. I won’t tolerate interference from anyone else. If I no longer want to be Empress Dowager, I’ll find my own way out. But if someone tries to pull me down from that position, I won’t be happy, and I won’t let them off lightly. My life isn’t for anyone else to control—not even an emperor.”
Mo Zhai fell silent. Everyone has their principles and limits, and n.o.body wants their life controlled by others. Especially someone as strong-willed as her. Although he could understand, he still didn’t want her to return to the palace. He’d become this selfish.
Leng Jiu set the cup down. “I need you to go to Yishui City, to the Xia family, and find that Xia Ke. Then, send her into the palace. If he wants Lady Xia, I’ll give him a Lady Xia—one that’s guaranteed to ‘satisfy’ him.”
Mo Zhai nodded in agreement. “But let me at least escort you to General Leng’s camp.”
Leng Jiu shook her head. “Timing is crucial. If you escort me, it’ll be too late by the time you return.” Her eyes narrowed, taking on a cold gleam. “Since Long Yi has given me such a ‘surprise,’ how can I disappoint him?”
Mo Zhai could say nothing more, though his expression remained somber.
Leng Jiu didn’t press further; her decision was firm. How could she let Long Yi off easily this time? Although she appreciated straightforward vengeance, she preferred a slower, more torturous approach.
Though reluctant to part this way, Mo Zhai understood Leng Jiu had left no room for negotiation. He prepared to leave. Yishui City was less than a hundred miles away—a half-day’s ride on a fast horse. He needed to find Xia Ke as quickly as possible.
After Mo Zhai’s departure, Leng Jiu leaned against her bed, her hand brushing against the sakura bracelet on her wrist as her eyes narrowed. “The Xia family of Yishui City, a branch of the Leng family serving as Long Yi’s lackeys… How interesting.”
The woman who had been caring for Leng Jiu entered, respectfully presenting her with a stack of doc.u.ments. “These were sent from the capital.”
Leng Jiu took them, reading through the recent events in the capital. The main subjects were Long Yue Li and Gong Yu Wei. After hearing of the Empress Dowager’s grave illness, Long Yue Li had turned back halfway, only to find she was gone. He had turned around to pursue her but was stopped by Long Yi. The two had an altercation in the imperial garden, ending with Long Yi injured. Long Yue Li hadn’t pursued the Empress Dowager’s entourage any further but instead had headed north. Yet his actions hadn’t gone unnoticed, and the impeachment pet.i.tions in the imperial study piled up. Although regicide is an unpardonable crime, Long Yi suppressed the matter.
It seemed Long Yue Li was furious and probably knew the Empress Dowager wasn’t her. Long Yi must have used threats to send him north, but given his nature, he was unlikely to comply easily.
Gong Yu Wei, although less fiery than Long Yue Li, also acted on her behalf, “coincidentally” intervening when Long Yi sought to punish the people of Weiyang Palace, thus sparing them. Although not a grand gesture, it was significant for someone as devoted to etiquette as him to take such a risk, knowing it could connect him to Weiyang Palace and attract Long Yi’s scrutiny.
The court believed Long Yi’s story. Though some felt the Empress Dowager’s sudden illness was strange, they didn’t see reason for alarm, as illness is unpredictable. Thus, no great waves were stirred. Meanwhile, Long Yi truly brought some new ladies into the palace, though Miss Xia of the Xia family had fallen ill and was rejected.
Folding the letter, Leng Jiu leaned back on her bed, pondering the best way to make Long Yi suffer. The best method to torment someone is to find what they value and crush it.
What did Long Yi care about? Women didn’t seem to matter, and while he seemed interested in her, she had no intention of using herself to hurt him. So what about his image, his power? Perhaps both, but neither would be easy to break.
The key to victory lies in knowing oneself and the enemy. She still didn’t know enough about Long Yi; it was time to study him more closely.
Raising an eyebrow, she moved to her desk, quickly writing a letter, sealing it in an envelope. “Send this to the General’s residence.”
“Yes!”
After the messenger left, Leng Jiu returned to her bed, relaxing as she thought about her journey to find Leng Yue tomorrow. She couldn’t help but antic.i.p.ate the expression on that cold, handsome face when he saw her.
After a good night’s sleep, Leng Jiu got up early the next day, had someone prepare a horse and rations, took the dagger she had picked out from the weapon shop the day before, dressed in simple plain clothes, and made her appearance more ordinary. She mounted her horse, flicked the whip, and rode southwest.