Chapter 189
With his uncle’s protection, Lin Qingyang successfully led the three people towards home. There was originally one assassin left alive, but due to their inexperience, the assassin committed suicide as soon as he regained consciousness. It seemed they were not ordinary thugs, but more like zealots.
In the carriage, Yue Chen had already taken the medicine, but it was unclear when he would wake up. Lin Qingyang briefly examined him and realized that his injuries were indeed severe this time.
Along the way, with explanations from the girl, Lin Qingyang learned about their identities and the situation here.
This girl was named Mo Jiahui. She was the sister of a general in the Huzhou’s city defense army. The Mo family used to fight on the battlefield alongside the Huo family. Their father died in battle with the Huo family, leaving only the siblings at home. However, her brother was killed by someone in the recent disaster. When Huo Luo and the others left, the girl had already started fleeing because she held something very important.
That was a blood-written memorial from several lords who were unwilling to compromise and were subsequently harmed. It proved that there were indeed problems with the water conservancy project here. Someone was deceiving others, causing all messages to be unable to be transmitted, and it was precisely because of this that the disaster was so severe.
This was a serious crime, which is why those with ulterior motives kept chasing Mo Jiahui relentlessly. As a girl, Mo Jiahui couldn’t leave Huzhou at all and could only hide everywhere.
After Yue Chen and Huo Luo went over, they naturally immediately began to investigate. Among the officials of the Ministry of Works and the local officials, there were perpetrators, bystanders, and even those who pretended to be loyal while being treacherous. Everyone was testing each other, and the situation was so chaotic that no one knew who was truly good or bad. Even the officials from the Imperial Court of Justice Review were at a loss, feeling extremely troubled.
After all, it’s hard for a powerful dragon to suppress a local snake.
However, Yue Chen and Huo Luo quickly broke through the situation. Once they joined forces, it was basically difficult for anything to stop them. Soon, they gathered enough evidence to prove that certain local officials and ministers of the Ministry of Works in the capital were colluding in embezzlement and bribery in the water conservancy project. However, this evidence was not sufficient to convict all those involved, as most of the crucial evidence had been destroyed before they arrived in the south.
From top to bottom, layers of officials protected each other. While the enemies were in the dark, they were in the light. Dealing with them was indeed troublesome.
Moreover, they found that not only were there issues with the previously preventive water conservancy project, but also in the subsequent disaster relief efforts, the colluding officials had profited immensely. This compounded the crimes, but unfortunately, there was insufficient evidence for this part, making it difficult to address.
Just then, they encountered Mo Jiahui, who was being pursued, and found Lin Tangping, a minor official from the Ministry of Works who had been detained. Lin Tangping was previously responsible for disaster relief efforts. With both witness testimony and physical evidence in hand, they seemed to have everything they needed.
However, when they attempted to return to the capital, they discovered that even the Inspection Court had been compromised. Despite Yue Chen and Huo Luo’s vigilance, they couldn’t avoid exposure.
Yue Chen and Huo Luo discussed strategies with the highest-ranking official from the Inspection Court who had accompanied them and began their escape plan.
They planned to create false suspicions and divert the enemy’s attention, then return to the capital directly with the evidence and witnesses.
Although initially they managed to escape the Inspection Court’s surveillance with the cooperation of the remaining personnel, they found that others along the way were now monitoring and pursuing them.
It was evident that the opposition had resolved to stop them at all costs, and they couldn’t even send word back to the capital for help.
As they neared the capital, a fierce pursuit ensued. Huo Luo stayed behind alone to intercept, aiming to protect them.
They were just given the opportunity to return to the capital, but upon entering the city, they found ambushes set along the way to the palace. They came under attack, with Yue Chen falling into unconsciousness immediately, while Lin Tangping sustained severe injuries and could hardly move. Only Mo Jiahui remained, but as she had never been to the capital before, she was completely unfamiliar with the place and didn’t know which officials she could trust. Thus, she could only helplessly seek medicine and figure out a way to wake up Yue Chen.
Meanwhile, Huo Luo still hadn’t caught up with them, and his fate remained uncertain.
Mo Jiahui’s eyes reddened as she mentioned Huo Luo.
“Uncle!” Lin Qingyang immediately pulled aside the carriage curtain to seek help from Liu Xiaowei. Liu Xiaowei was outside driving the carriage and overheard the conversation inside. He frowned and said, “You’re not safe right now, I…”
Just as he spoke, another speeding carriage appeared on the road ahead, nearly colliding with them. Looking up, they saw that the person driving the other carriage was someone they knew.
That person also recognized Liu Xiaowei and Lin Qingyang at a glance and immediately turned around to shout, “Master!”
Lin Qingyang also recognized the disguised Lu Shi, and sure enough, the next moment, Chu Lishu poked her head out from inside.
Lin Qingyang felt as if he had seen a savior and quickly said, “Big Brother Yue, he…”
Before he could finish his sentence, a figure dashed out from Chu Lishu’s carriage. Without waiting for Lin Qingyang’s reaction, the figure dodged past Liu Xiaowei in front of him. Lin Qingyang caught a glimpse of the figure as it passed by him, carrying a gust of bloody wind.
Turning around, Lin Qingyang indeed saw the blood-stained face of Huo Luo, his eyes still sharp and alert, indicating that Huo Luo was at least not seriously injured.
“Big Brother Huo!” Mo Jiahui’s face lit up with joy at the sudden appearance of Huo Luo.
But Huo Luo didn’t pay attention to her. Instead, he immediately crouched beside Yue Chen, reaching out to touch his face. His fingers trembled slightly, his expression full of panic and confusion. “How could this happen? I was only away for a day… Yue… Yue Chen!”
Just as Lin Qingyang was about to say something, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning around, he saw Chu Lishu standing on the carriage, motioning for him to come down. Behind him stood Mu Huichun, carrying a medicine box on his back.
Lin Qingyang jumped off the carriage and made way for the divine physician. Soon, Mu Huichun’s voice came from inside, “It’s alright!”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Then, Lu Shi replaced Liu Xiaowei’s position and sat on the carriage shaft.
“Bring Mu Huichun back when we reach the palace gates,” Chu Lishu ordered.
“Yes,” Lu Shi immediately responded.
“What does this mean? Are we leaving just like that?” Lin Qingyang asked in surprise.
Chu Lishu’s expression turned serious. “If they alert the Wang family, the level of pursuit will escalate. It’s safest to enter the palace secretly immediately. Plus, we can’t let the injuries of Huo Luo and Yue Chen be in vain. It’s crucial for the Emperor to see them for their value, as Yue Chen initially planned.”
As the carriage was about to turn, Huo Luo indeed popped his head out from inside. His face was filled with suppressed anger, as if he wasn’t going to report to the authorities but seek revenge instead. He nodded to Chu Lishu, indicating their silent agreement.
The carriage soon departed, leaving Chu Lishu, Lin Qingyang, and his uncle behind.
“Thank goodness! I was worried that Huo Luo was really in trouble. How did he end up with you?” Lin Qingyang exclaimed in surprise.
“I was also going to ask how you found Yue Chen,” Chu Lishu added.
So the two briefly compared notes, and Lin Qingyang learned that Huo Luo had actually rushed over shortly after Yue Chen’s arrival in the capital. According to their agreement, regardless of the situation, he was supposed to bring evidence to the palace as soon as possible. However, he couldn’t find Yue Chen along the way and was being pursued. Faced with such adversity, Huo Luo instinctively sought help from Chu Lishu.
But the thugs captured by Lu Yi were only responsible for surveillance, not for the actual assassination attempt. So their knowledge was limited. They were tasked with checking for news of Yue Chen, Huo Luo, and a man and a woman. If they encountered them, they were to capture them if possible, and if not, they were to inform the assassins to eliminate them.
Chu Lishu speculated that they must have returned, so he was about to go out when he encountered Huo Luo. So the two of them came out together to search for them. According to Chu Lishu’s analysis, as long as Yue Chen could still move, he would definitely go straight to the palace. After all, going anywhere else at this time would only waste time and make the situation worse. Worried that something might go wrong, they brought Mu Huichun along. If necessary, Mu Huichun could help with interrogation using his truth-telling incense on the assassins.
The result wasn’t expected to be so lucky, everyone ended up meeting each other.
Lin Qingyang recounted their experiences to everyone, and Chu Lishu furrowed his brow slightly, feeling like something was amiss. “So, you followed Miss Mo to the ruined temple like that? And encountered assassins?”
Lin Qingyang immediately tried to obfuscate the situation nervously, “Well, I had my uncle with me, you know.”
Chu Lishu thought to himself that with Liu Xiaowei around, it probably wasn’t a big deal. Remembering the upcoming events, Chu Lishu turned directly to Liu Xiaowei and politely said, “I need your help, Uncle.”
Liu Xiaowei, not accustomed to Chu Lishu’s tone, hurriedly responded, “Go ahead.”
“I hope Uncle can eliminate all the foreign assassins and death warriors lurking around the Yue and Huo residences, as well as outside the palace, especially those attempting to approach the Eldest Prince’s Wang’s residence, without leaving a single one alive. I’ve already sent one of my men to handle it, but manpower is insufficient. Although there are others available, only you, Uncle, can do it without attracting attention. This matter must be carried out quietly and discreetly.”
If those people were to become desperate and ultimately choose to inform the Eldest Prince, there was a high possibility that he would resort to killing them and covering up the matter, given his current power and the support of the Wang family. This would undermine everything Yue Chen and Huo Luo had done, and Miss Mo and Lin Tangping would have no way out.
So, it was imperative to prevent those individuals from getting close to the Eldest Prince. The Eldest Prince must remain completely unaware of the situation for things to proceed smoothly.
Having heard everything, Liu Xiaowei essentially understood the situation. Although he didn’t know Chu Lishu’s exact intentions, he knew that the people to be killed were not good people. He strapped on his sword and asked, “Do you want to keep one of them alive?”
Chu Lishu shook his head.
As Liu Xiaowei turned to leave, he suddenly seemed to remember something and said to Chu Lishu, “By the way, he acted alone to save the people just now and almost got killed by those people you mentioned.”
Lin Qingyang: !!!!
What a true uncle! He actually exposed him!
As a result, just before leaving, Uncle cast a look of educating a junior to Lin Qingyang, then flew away directly, not even sparing Lin Qingyang a moment for a rude gesture, only managing to extend his arm. However, he was immediately grabbed by Chu Lishu at his side.
It felt as if he were suddenly seized by a large wild beast and unable to break free.
Turning back, he saw Chu Lishu’s face gradually flushing with anger as he stared at him.
“Wasn’t Uncle with you from the beginning? He arrived later! You acted on your own!”
He’s trying to deceive him?
Whenever Chu Lishu’s expression turned serious, Lin Qingyang’s heart trembled. It used to be fear, and it still was, but it felt different now.
He knew Chu Lishu was worried about him, so he forced a smile and said, “It was an accident, and… it’s all Uncle’s fault. He passed out drunk, otherwise I would have definitely acted with him from the start.”
But Chu Lishu didn’t even listen to Lin Qingyang’s response. His sharp eyes quickly scanned Lin Qingyang’s body and soon noticed something unusual. He reached out and pulled open Lin Qingyang’s sleeve, revealing a red and swollen area, then pulled open his collar to reveal bruising.
He gasped sharply.
Lin Qingyang hurriedly pulled his clothes back, fearing that Chu Lishu might strip him in anger. He quickly said, “It’s just a little bruising, not even a scratch. Although there were four people on the other side, I used the concealed weapon you gave me to deal with one of them from the beginning. They weren’t skilled, and Uncle arrived just in time…”
Suddenly, Chu Lishu angrily lifted his head, his eyes darker than the night staring fixedly at Lin Qingyang. “Do you know what danger is? Do you not understand how to protect yourself? Nonchalantly walking with strangers, do you think you’re a top expert?! Have you ever considered what if the strangers were a trap, or what if Lishu couldn’t make it in time?! What’s your plan, to die in a place where I wouldn’t even know?!”
With each word, Chu Lishu’s imposing figure advanced menacingly, causing Lin Qingyang to instinctively step back until he was pressed against the carriage frame, unable to retreat any further.
Lin Qingyang involuntarily leaned back, hastily explaining, “I was cautious in following, not reckless. I intended to discreetly observe the situation, but there was no other choice later on. And fortunately, I was there, wasn’t I? Otherwise, Yue Chen would have been dead.”
Chu Lishu knew Lin Qingyang was deliberately using the outcome to argue against him. “This ‘fortunately’ doesn’t help me. The problem isn’t whether you can save Yue Chen’s life, it’s that you made a mistake from the beginning. What if Yue Chen wasn’t there? What if it was a trap? Whenever there’s a possibility of danger, you shouldn’t have gone!”
He should have kept Lin Qingyang by his side at all times. Even if he had to let him act alone, someone should have been watching him, protecting him.
Lin Qingyang’s expression shifted slightly. Being reprimanded like this, he was actually a bit unhappy. Chu Lishu had treated him like this before, as if he was really trying to control him. He used to fear Chu Lishu, so he let it slide, but later on, he gradually stopped fearing him. However, knowing Chu Lishu’s temperament, he cooperated. But gradually…
“Cousin, I know you’re worried about me, but as an adult man, I know what I should and shouldn’t do, don’t I? I value my life very much and have never thought of trading it for another. But wouldn’t anyone make the same choice in such a situation as me? Don’t you think so? Am I, a man, supposed to stand by and watch Miss Mo protect the other two men? Especially when one of them is our friend.”
Not to mention that everything originally related to his mission, and the mission related to his life, he couldn’t just refrain from doing it because Chu Lishu was worried and said a few words.
Lin Qingyang seemed to be getting into a tight spot, wanting to assert his own authority, showing a hint of discontent on his face. Suddenly, the next moment, the oppressive feeling in front of him disappeared.
As Lin Qingyang raised his eyes, he saw the anger on Chu Lishu’s face gradually dissipate, leaving only a trace of surprise and hurt expression, but even that expression quickly disappeared.
“Cousin…” Lin Qingyang was taken aback.
“Ha, yes, I’m your cousin. I have no right to restrain you. Is that what you want to say?” Chu Lishu’s expression gradually turned cold.
Lin Qingyang instantly realized what was happening and quickly backed down from his stubborn stance. “No, that’s not it. I just… I just wanted a little understanding. You see me as too fragile. I’m here to help you, not…”
However, before Lin Qingyang could finish his words, they heard the sound of a carriage in the distance, followed by familiar voices — it was Liu Jingchen and Qi Yan.
“Qingyang, Lishu, what are you doing here? By the way, Qingyang, why did you run off just now? Uncle also left, which had us worried for a while.”
“Lin Qingyang, you really are something, running off on your own and leaving us behind. We had to search for you for quite some time, luckily we found you now.”
Lin Qingyang responded in a fluster, wanting to continue the conversation with Chu Lishu, but Chu Lishu had already turned away, dismounted the horses from the carriage, and swiftly mounted his own.
“Lishu!” Lin Qingyang hurriedly called out, stepping forward to grab the reins.
But Chu Lishu didn’t even glance at him, yanking the reins back and turning to Liu Jingchen who was approaching, “Cousin just encountered danger, got injured, need to go see a physician. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first.”
Lin Qingyang’s breath caught, wanting to stop him, but Chu Lishu skillfully maneuvered his horse, evading Lin Qingyang, and galloped off into the distance.
Lin Qingyang felt a sense of panic in his heart and wanted to chase after, but he was stopped by Liu Jingchen.
Having heard that Lin Qingyang was injured, Liu Jingchen naturally wouldn’t let him go. He forcefully took Lin Qingyang onto the carriage and brought him back to the residence.
If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of coffee for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!
Yes. Qinyang is a man. An adult after all. I really like people who doing their best to do good deeds toward others.
Thank you ciacia.