I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Lin Qingyang was somewhat familiar with Wang Tong’en, but had minimal interaction with the Eldest Prince. Being suddenly detained and scrutinized by the Eldest Prince made him a bit uneasy.

After calling Lin Qingyang, the Eldest Prince remained silent for a while, just scrutinizing him.

Feeling awkward under the scrutiny, Lin Qingyang spoke, “Is there something you need, Your Highness?”

“I heard that Physician Mu was brought here by you,” the Eldest Prince suddenly spoke.

“Yes,” Lin Qingyang replied, feeling more puzzled.

“You both discovered me and saved me,” the Eldest Prince said.

Lin Qingyang nodded.

“You and your cousin are talented individuals, it’s just a pity you’ve chosen the wrong side. If you ever consider choosing a new master, you’re welcome here anytime. Consider it my way of repaying the favor for saving me this time. Think about it carefully,” the Eldest Prince said in a somewhat arrogant tone.

Given the history between Lin Qingyang and them, especially after their previous conflict, the Eldest Prince harbored a hostile mindset. However, Lin Qingyang brought a physician who saved him this time, and Lin Qingyang did not take advantage of the situation to harm him. The Eldest Prince took note of this, leading to his proposition.

Furthermore, after this incident, the Eldest Prince believed that his reputation had become unparalleled. Smart individuals should consider finding a new master, especially those like Lin Qingyang who initially chose a young and inexperienced one.

The Eldest Prince offered them an opportunity and then left.

Lin Qingyang’s mouth twitched, sighing involuntarily. The Eldest Prince, valuing martial prowess over intellect, gained the most significant advantage from Chu Lishu’s strategic arrangements during this victorious campaign.

Wang Tong’en patted Lin Qingyang on the shoulder, saying, “The Fourth Prince is still too young. Following the Eldest Prince is the most promising path for the future.”

Lin Qingyang wanted to retort. Ha, you ignorant mortals! Those who follow me have the most promising future.

Without responding, Lin Qingyang recalled a topic Chu Lishu had mentioned earlier, “By the way, why did you attack so quickly this time? Weren’t there many traps and mechanisms on the mountain?”

Perhaps feeling there was nothing to hide, Wang Tongen directly stated, “Chief Steward Ning brought a Daoist with him. That person is highly skilled and quickly dealt with all the traps and mechanisms.”

“Such skill! What’s his name?”

“I don’t know. After handling things in the mountains, he disappeared. Otherwise, our Highness would have kept him.” Wang Tong’en finished speaking and advised, “I just came down the mountain with Chief Steward Ning. He seemed to be in a bad mood. Haven’t you clashed with him before? It’s better to keep your distance.”

After saying this, Wang Tong’en walked away.

Ning Ziheng’s mood was certainly not good. In the original plot, he had not made an appearance until the Emperor ordered the bandits to be executed on the spot. It was only then that he discovered something amiss and, upon arriving, realized the identity of the fleeing soldiers. However, by that time, everyone was already dead, and there was no chance for interrogation.

Although the circumstances were different this time, the result was the same. Zhao Cheng must have secretly received instructions from the Emperor to eliminate all the deserters and cover up the truth. Despite being sent to help rescue the princes, Ning Ziheng, acting on orders, fell one step short of the mark.

Lin Qingyang couldn’t quite understand Ning Ziheng’s mindset. Even though he learned the truth in the original plot, he continued to blame Yuan Ran. Why, then, did he become so agitated upon encountering people and events related to the past incident?

Grumbling to himself, Lin Qingyang turned around, only to be startled when Chief Steward Ning appeared not far away, almost giving him a heart attack.

“C-Chief Steward Ning…”

Chief Steward Ning didn’t even bother to look at him and walked straight towards the direction behind him.

Seeing that it was the direction of Mu Huichun’s tent, Lin Qingyang quickly blocked his way. “Chief Steward Ning, you’ve worked hard. If it weren’t for your cooperation with the Eldes Prince, our lives might have been lost on that mountain…”

“Step aside.” Chief Steward Ning’s mood was extremely bad, and there was no trace of his usual obsequious and deceitful demeanor.

“Why the rush, Chief Steward Ning? Are you injured? Need to see a physician?” Lin Qingyang grinned, trying to make light of the situation.

Chief Steward Ning finally turned to look at Lin Qingyang, his gaze turning hostile. Lin Qingyang, feeling a bit intimidated, couldn’t help but tremble.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from afar. “Oh, isn’t this Chief Steward Ning? We haven’t greeted each other properly.”

Chief Steward Ning looked up and saw Yue Chen and Huo Luo approaching.

“I was just looking for you. Why did you come here? Why did you go to that mountain? Do you know something? Did they tell you anything?” Chief Steward Ning’s voice was cold, but he couldn’t suppress the rising tone, indicating that his emotions were getting out of control.

“Know what? We were just there to rescue people.” Yue Chen innocently looked at Chief Steward Ning and continued, “We were in a dangerous situation at that time! If it weren’t for my cooperation with Huo Luo, we would have died long ago.”

Yue Chen couldn’t help but boast, while Huo Luo remained expressionless.

“Haven’t you recognized their patriarch?”

Yue Chen looked puzzled, and Huo Luo still showed no emotion.

“The patriarch of the bandits, what’s wrong? Isn’t he just a mountain bandit? It’s impossible for us to know him. How could it be? I have an excellent memory.” Yue Chen laughed, “But as for the identity of that Master, I can be sure that he must be from Tianheng Country. Hey, Chief Steward Ning, do you think he might be a spy from outside the city…”

“Why are you telling me these nonsense?” Finally, Chief Steward Ning lost his patience.

Yue Chen looked completely innocent, staring at Chief Steward Ning. “So, what exactly do you want to ask us?”

Yue Chen’s excellent acting skills made it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. In the end, Chief Steward Ning held back his anger and turned away.

Only after Chief Steward Ning’s figure disappeared did Yue Chen sigh. “He’s really hard to deal with.”

“How did you come out?” Lin Qingyang asked.

“After finishing the matter, we came out.” Yue Chen smiled and said, “He’s not feeling well, take good care of him.”

Lin Qingyang nodded, that was only natural.

“By the way, he has multiple contusions on his body, probably from being hit by stones when rushing into the secret passage. Those injuries are not easy to heal, and the journey back to the city will be long and bumpy. He might suffer a bit. I think it’s best for you to hold him to fix his posture, so he can lean comfortably and suffer less.”

Lin Qingyang was somewhat surprised; he had also been hit hard, but he felt fine. Was it because the male lead’s body was too weak?

Huo Luo looked at Yue Chen with some speechlessness as he continued to fabricate serious-sounding nonsense.

Yue Chen went on, “But he’s afraid you’ll feel guilty, so he probably won’t mention it voluntarily, hence…”

Lin Qingyang was immediately overwhelmed by a sense of guilt. So, Chu Lishu had been enduring so much pain without him knowing. He was indeed exceptionally resilient. Moreover, back then, it was all because of entering to save him that he suffered like this.

“Rest assured, I understand,” Lin Qingyang immediately assured.

Yue Chen smiled and patted Lin Qingyang on the shoulder, then left with Huo Luo.

“What are you up to?” Huo Luo couldn’t help turning back to look at the guy who was earnestly preparing a comfortable and soft carriage. He had no idea he was being deceived. Since he was often tricked by Yue Chen like this, he couldn’t help but sympathize with Lin Qingyang.

“As a subordinate, pleasing the master is a required skill. I can’t lose to you,” Yue Chen said with a mischievous smile.

“Ah?” Huo Luo looked utterly confused.

“Well, what do you think will happen between them in the future?” Yue Chen asked with a smile.

“I don’t know. Anyway, His Highness has not fully revealed the truth to him yet. I don’t know what he means by that. I thought His Highness trusted him a lot.”

“He just wants to protect him. This path is tough, and His Highness cares less about other things now. He just wants to protect the people he cares about as much as possible,” Yue Chen explained.

“If that’s the case, then I understand.”

Yue Chen turned to look at Huo Luo and heard Huo Luo say with great certainty, “His Highness will definitely accompany him until old age.”

Yue Chen chuckled, “You really don’t care that both of them are men, but you don’t mind. However, it might be hard to explain to the world.”

Huo Luo’s expression changed slightly, and he said seriously, “This is a private matter. What does it have to do with the world? His Highness has suffered so much, and how many people in the world truly deserve His Highness? As long as they like each other, as long as His Highness is happy, they can be together.”

Yue Chen was slightly stunned, couldn’t help but pat Huo Luo on the shoulder, and said, “I suddenly realized that you look exceptionally handsome today.”

Huo Luo immediately changed his expression, rejecting Yue Chen’s teasing. He pushed away Yue Chen’s hand and said, “Enough nonsense.”

“Ah, then tell me, who is the dominant one between the two of them?” Yue Chen continued to tease Huo Luo.

Huo Luo covered his ears and walked away, refusing to imagine the question.

The two played around as they walked out, preparing to leave by carriage. However, they saw Chief Steward Ning

 leaving angrily on horseback at the place where the carriage was tied.

Huo Luo couldn’t help but say, “Why don’t we just tell him everything.”

Huo Luo’s temperament couldn’t stand seeing others being wronged, especially when his master had suffered so much injustice. He wished to expose everything immediately, letting everyone know, especially those who hated his master.

However, Yue Chen shook his head and said, “Chief Steward Ningis so stubborn that even if he knows from beginning to end that our master was framed, he won’t forgive. In his eyes, Qi Ci had already completed the mission and was assigned to another task to leave the battlefield. It was our master who suddenly called him back to continue the pursuit. He doesn’t care about the reasons for the recall or how many people conspired against our master. He only knows that Qi Ci shouldn’t have died. Our master also said he wanted to bring him back alive. So, most of his hatred is directed at our master.”

Huo Luo snorted, “He’s just mentally abnormal. If he has the ability, he should blame those who caused that battle. They are the real culprits. Besides, given the situation at that time, even if our master didn’t arrange for Big Brother Qi to go back, he would have volunteered. In that kind of situation, who could resist not going back to fight?!”

“That’s because Chief Steward Ning also admires the former Crown Prince from back then.”

“You must be crazy.”

Yue Chen smiled and said, “Is it hard to understand? Good or bad, everyone admires the strong. At that time, the Crown Prince was the idol of the people. He trusted in the Crown Prince’s abilities and willingly handed over his most cherished family to him. Doesn’t that show his trust that the Crown Prince would give the best to Qi Ci? Due to an inherent, blind admiration, after Qi Ci’s incident, he started to hate the Crown Prince even more than others did. In his eyes, even if those people joined forces to oppose the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince, being so powerful, should have created a miracle to counterattack and ensure Qi Ci’s safety. However, the Crown Prince didn’t achieve that, so he harbored resentment.”

Huo Luo was dumbfounded, completely unable to comprehend such a person’s mindset. Yet, he felt that what Yue Chen said made sense.

“But since he harbors hatred towards the Crown Prince regardless of the reasons, why does he persist in investigating the events and people of the past?”

“Because… he still holds onto a fantasy. Living without seeing people, dying without seeing a corpse. If he can find the survivors from back then, he can ask more questions. Did they see Qi Ci back then? What was his last appearance like? Where is the body? That’s the reason for his persistence.”

Huo Luo fell into silence.

……

“In the future, if you happen to encounter him alone, don’t approach him. If his mood is bad, he might not hesitate to take action.”

On the carriage, Chu Lishu listened to Lin Qingyang recounting the encounters with the Eldest Prince and Chief Steward Ning. He didn’t care much about the Eldest Prince, but the Taoist mentioned by Wang Tong’en, Chu Lishu could confirm, was from the Blood Abyss Pavilion. As for the relationship between the Blood Abyss Pavilion and Chief Steward Ning, it was hard to judge for now. It could be an employment arrangement, or Chief Steward Ning might be controlling the Blood Abyss Pavilion’s master directly. After all, the information at the time indicated that the person in control of the Blood Abyss Pavilion was among the influential figures in the capital.

Chief Steward Ningstill made Chu Lishu cautious, but with so many experts around him, directly taking action against him would risk exposure. Otherwise, he would have already targeted Chief Steward Ning’s life.

“I naturally wanted to keep my distance, but Chief Steward Ning looked like he was heading towards your tent at that time. I had to intercept him, and besides, it was broad daylight in the military camp. No matter how daring he is, he wouldn’t dare to do anything, right?” Lin Qingyang said.

“It’s hard to say,” Chu Lishu deliberately emphasized the danger. “He’s fearless and has no scruples. Anyway, we should stay far away from him in the future.”

After thinking for a moment, Lin Qingyang nodded. “You’re right. Wasn’t there a rumor about a civilian officer who insulted him before, and then his children suffered cruel retaliation? Someone like him probably has no moral boundaries.”

“Are you talking about that eunuch who looks quite delicate? I feel like he’s not in good health. Is he really ruthless?” Mu Huichun, who was riding in the same carriage with them, heard their conversation and recalled the encounter with Chief Steward Ning on the mountain.

“He’s extremely ruthless,” Lin Qingyang repeated the information he had learned from the original plot, and according to the memories of the previous owner, there should be no problem.

Mu Huichun was stunned after hearing this. “This… this…”

“In fact, it’s not like that,” Chu Lishu suddenly spoke up.

Both Lin Qingyang and Mu Huichun couldn’t help but look at Chu Lishu. Chu Lishu explained, “He has done many ruthless things and deserves to die, but regarding the incident you mentioned, there is indeed more to it. His cruelty is primarily directed at his enemies and those who support the former Crown Prince.”

“How so?” Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but ask.

“The civilian official you mentioned was actually a hypocritical corrupt official. His two children were even worse. His son once imprisoned a girl, violating her purity. When the girl was rescued, she had been tortured to the brink of death. The reason the son targeted her was because the civilian official’s daughter had set her eyes on the girl’s fiancé and wanted to steal him away. So, she intentionally had her brother help with the kidnapping. In the end, the girl’s family accepted money and treated it as selling their daughter, choosing not to pursue the matter or reveal the truth.”

Lin Qingyang and Mu Huichun were dumbfounded.

Unable to restrain himself, Lin Qingyang asked, “So, you mean to say that Chief Steward Ning is a champion of justice? It doesn’t seem like it at all.”

“Hmph, he’s definitely not a champion of justice; he’s just protecting his own. The fiancé of the girl was once under his adopted son’s command. When Qi Ci left for the battlefield again, he entrusted his original mission to that subordinate. The subordinate returned alive but faced various unjust demotions for different reasons. Unable to protect even his own fiancée, he eventually pleaded with Chief Steward Ning for help. However, it was too late. Chief Steward Ning couldn’t tolerate the mistreatment of Qi Ci’s subordinate, who was once his adopted son’s subordinate. Hence, he took revenge. The civilian official didn’t want the truth to be known, so he claimed to have offended Chief Steward Ning with a single remark, and the story spread like that.”

Lin Qingyang blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected that there could be hidden truths behind many events in the original plot. It seems that sometimes it’s impossible to judge things based solely on appearances, and conclusions should not be hastily drawn.

“Senior brother, how do you know this so clearly?” Mu Huichun also expressed his surprise.

“I was investigating Chief Steward Ning because I wanted to deal with him, so I happened to come across this information,” Chu Lishu explained. In fact, after returning to the capital, he naturally sought out people related to those events who were still alive. The subordinate of Qi Ci was one of his targets. However, during the investigation, he unexpectedly discovered this additional piece of information. The man, who had failed in his career and lost his beloved, eventually sacrificed himself for love.

Indeed, Chief Steward Ning’s actions in this matter were satisfactory to Chu Lishu. Both of them were protective of their own, and since that person had once been under Chu Lishu’s command, if he had discovered this incident, he would certainly have sought revenge as well.

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