032. The Whereabouts of the Sect Records

Yin Susu hurried to fetch some pills for Le Qianxue to take. Le Qianxue knew in her heart that her fever was caused by catching a chill that day, and she harbored an intense resentment toward Zhan Lianjing.

"Your gaze seems rather aggrieved," Yin Susu remarked. "Let me ask you something: did you go into a cave that day or not?"

Having seen footprints, Yin Susu had always been curious.

Le Qianxue closed her eyes and rolled over. "No. I want to sleep more."

Yin Susu thought to herself that Le Qianxue's reaction meant something must have happened.

She stroked her chin as Le Qianxue's breathing steadied; it seemed she had fallen asleep again. Not wishing to disturb her, Yin Susu gently tucked the blanket around her and left the room.

In the quiet depths of the night, the general's residence was completely still.

Unseen by anyone, a shadowy figure flashed past.

Swift as the wind, the figure landed silently in Qingyu Courtyard.

Yet, upon touching the ground, a soft groan escaped him. He rubbed his knee before slowly making his way to Le Qianxue's chamber.

On the bed, Le Qianxue slept soundly; her fever made her especially drowsy.

The man in the silver mask approached quietly. Upon seeing her peaceful sleeping face, his gaze softened.

He sat at the edge of the bed.

He touched Le Qianxue's forehead—she wasn't too hot.

He watched her for a while. Even in sleep, she was restless; in just this short time, she had already kicked off her blanket countless times.

How could she recover like this?

So, the man covered her with the blanket again and again, until at last he grew annoyed.

"Can't even take care of yourself," he muttered, tucking the blanket over her once more.

But then, in her dreams, Le Qianxue murmured, "Zhan Lianjing..."

He looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"You bastard..." Le Qianxue continued, "You damned turtle bastard..."

His eyes narrowed, and he reached out, intent on pinching her ear.

But her skin was burning with fever, and she was delirious with illness, so he let it go.

Near dawn, the man finally left. By then, Le Qianxue's fever had subsided.

He returned to the Prince Zhan's residence, where Hao Yue and Zhui Xing had worried the whole night, not knowing where he had gone.

"Your Highness, this month is precisely when your poison flares," said Hao Yue. "For you to venture out alone, it's far too dangerous."

Ordinarily, Zhan Lianjing would not have been able to stand during this time of the month, but because he had soaked in the icy pool two days prior, he could just barely manage.

Zhan Lianjing tossed his silver mask aside and said, "Do you also think I'm a cripple?"

"Your Highness, your subordinates would never think that!" Hao Yue and Zhui Xing immediately knelt, terrified he would be angered.

Zhan Lianjing was already in a foul mood, having just been cursed as a bastard repeatedly by Le Qianxue.

If not for her illness, he would have taught her a lesson right then.

"Every time this month comes, I can't help but think of her," Zhan Lianjing waved his hand, signaling them to rise. He showed no intention of anger.

Hao Yue knew whom he referred to and could only respond, "It's just a pity, Your Highness, that you cannot take your revenge on her."

Zhui Xing added, "Though Your Highness promised not to harm her, after what she did to you, it's unforgivable! This grudge must be avenged!"

So many years had passed, yet their hatred for that person remained deep as ever.

Zhan Lianjing's gaze grew distant. He turned away. "Enough, withdraw."

Clearly, he wished to discuss the matter no further.

After they left, Hao Yue exchanged a look with Zhui Xing and asked, "Do you think His Highness still loves her?"

Zhui Xing shook his head, then nodded. "Perhaps. His Highness was deeply attached to her. Even after she crippled his legs, he never killed her."

Hao Yue sighed. What a pity...

At the general's residence.

Le Qianxue awoke with a start, shouting, "Bastard! Don't kiss me!"

This frightened Hua Tao, who hurried to the bedside. "Miss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Le Qianxue was panting, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, before she realized it had only been a dream.

She waved her hand dismissively. All night, she'd dreamed of Zhan Lianjing, and it was driving her nearly mad.

Zhan Lianjing, tucking her in? Impossible—the cripple could never be that gentle.

She collected herself and said, "Hua Tao, help me get ready for a bath."

Now that her fever had broken, she was sticky with sweat and quite uncomfortable.

Once she had washed and tidied up, Le Qianxue remembered today was the day the emperor returned to the capital. The streets would be lively.

She said, "Hua Tao, let's go out for a stroll."

At that moment, Yin Susu entered. "You've just recovered. Where are you going?"

Le Qianxue replied, "It's precisely because I'm better that I need some air. I feel like I'm growing moldy."

Yin Susu was against it, but with Le Qianxue's insistence, the three of them set out together.

Yin Susu once owned two establishments, the Thousand Gold Hall and the Drunken Painting Pavilion, but both had been seized by Zhan Lianjing. With those options gone, Le Qianxue found the most convenient place available: the Courtesans' Hall.

"Miss, is this place really appropriate?" Hua Tao was close to tears. Why did her mistress always act so outrageously? If others saw, where would their reputation be?

Le Qianxue waved her hand. "Fine, then. You go to the market and buy some things. I'll stay here with Su Bing."

With Hua Tao sent off, Yin Susu glanced at her. "Since you insisted on coming here, you must have a reason."

Le Qianxue smiled. "You see right through me. I came to find out what Young Lord Mu is doing in the next room."

Yin Susu frowned. No wonder Le Qianxue was so adamant about this room.

Le Qianxue continued, "Turns out Young Lord Mu is also searching for that scroll. I don't know if it's the same one, but he has information pointing to its being in the Prince Zhan's residence."

Yin Susu was surprised, her feelings suddenly complicated. She hadn't expected that.

"The Prince Zhan's residence? That's even harder to infiltrate than the imperial palace!" Yin Susu exclaimed.

Le Qianxue nodded. Now that the subject was serious, her expression turned grave.

She said, "I was going to have Yuan Tianci get close to Zhan Lianjing and bring me along, but now Yuan Tianci has disappeared. I have no idea how to get into the Prince's residence."

Yin Susu glanced at her chest and grinned. "There's a way—use your beauty as bait."

Le Qianxue snorted. "I would never try to seduce that bastard!"

"Qianxue, it all depends how much you value our friendship," Yin Susu replied, standing up. "I've thought of a perfect plan. Only the lady of the Prince Zhan's residence would be able to move freely there—Zhan Lianjing would never be too suspicious then."

Le Qianxue immediately understood what Yin Susu was suggesting.

She turned away. "Don't you dare use me for your schemes! I'd rather die than marry that cripple!"

Yin Susu pouted. "But aside from this, there’s no other way."

"And do you really think Young Lord Mu's information is true? What if I marry in, only to find out it's false? That would be the real tragedy. That's why I'm here today—to see what Young Lord Mu and Young Lord Zhuang are discussing."

At that, Le Qianxue edged to the wall and signaled Yin Susu to be quiet.

In the next room.

Even in broad daylight, the Courtesans' Hall was bustling with guests. After all, it was a secret property of the second prince, so both the girls and the wine were of the finest quality.

Young Lord Mu's injuries had not fully healed, so he arrived late; Young Lord Zhuang had already been waiting for some time.

"Brother Mu, you've finally come," said Young Lord Zhuang.

"My hand is not yet well, so I was delayed," Young Lord Mu replied, his face rather pale.

Knowing he could not drink wine, Young Lord Zhuang poured him a cup of hot tea.

"So, how did it go?" he asked.

"The man hasn't returned, and the Prince Zhan's residence is difficult to infiltrate," Young Lord Mu said. "Now that Zhan Lianjing is back, there's even less chance."

Zhan Lianjing was not someone to be trifled with.

"What exactly is this scroll? Why does your father want it so badly?" Young Lord Zhuang was curious.

"I don't really know. My father is always inscrutable. If not for that, Zhan Lianjing would have ruined us long ago." A trace of venom flashed in Young Lord Mu's eyes. That Zhan Lianjing was a constant thorn in his side—truly detestable.

Le Qianxue frowned slightly as she listened.

She put away her eavesdropping device and said to Yin Susu, "It seems the Mu family has already sent people to the Prince Zhan's residence but failed. They don't know what the scroll is, either."

Yin Susu replied, "How mysterious. My father never mentioned it to me either."

Otherwise, she would have remembered something.

At that moment, the carved wooden door was suddenly pushed open, and someone exclaimed, "Qianxue, there you are! I thought someone was trying to fool me with a false message!"

It was none other than the portly Young Lord Li.

Unfortunately, though he was dressed in silk, there wasn't a trace of nobility about him.

Yin Susu glanced at Le Qianxue—so this was the infamous swarm of admirers Le Qianxue had attracted! He was so hideous that even someone as good-tempered as Yin Susu could barely keep from retching.

Seeing that Le Qianxue ignored him, Young Lord Li chuckled. "Qianxue, we haven't seen each other in so long. Why not share a drink today?"

When trouble struck the general's residence, Young Lord Li had been the first to disappear.

Now, seeing Le Yongcheng escorting the emperor back to the capital, he had rushed over to cozy up to Le Qianxue.

Le Qianxue frowned, her patience wearing thin. "No!"

Yet Young Lord Li sat down anyway. "No need to be shy, Qianxue. I know your feelings. You there, maid—fetch me your finest wine!"

Yin Susu's mouth twitched. Even this fat man dared order her around?

But then she smiled—he would learn his lesson soon enough.

Yin Susu went out to fetch the wine, leaving only Le Qianxue and Young Lord Li in the private room.