On the other side, the first thing Xia Gongong did after becoming Commander of the Embroidered Guard was to summon Lai Chenglong, who had just left the capital, back immediately.
After all, the man’s backside was still bloody—no wonder he couldn’t walk fast.
As for how he managed to come back so quickly—well, that was easy to understand too. Clearly, his backside had mostly healed over these past few days!
When Lai Chenglong returned and saw the token of command from the Southern Suppression Division placed before him, his expression turned a little complicated. He picked it up, examined it, and gave a soft chuckle. “Well, I’ve actually been promoted.”
Back when that castrated dog Pu Wuyong was around, he had kept the Embroidered Guard tightly suppressed, and Lai Chenglong had been on the receiving end of his every suspicion and oppression.
Now that Xia Gongong had taken power and didn’t yet understand the inner workings of the Embroidered Guard, naturally he needed to support someone he could trust.
Lai Chenglong flipped the token face-down onto the table, massaging his temples while thinking about who he should choose for his team. Just then, he heard his close aide Chunlin call from the doorway, “Milord.”
He nodded, signaling him to enter.
Chunlin got straight to the point: “Milord, Lady Qi would like to see you.”
Lai Chenglong, who had just taken a sip of water, instantly choked.
Chunlin looked at his master’s reaction in utter confusion. What’s going on? Did Milord owe this Lady Qi money or something?
Otherwise, why did he look so scared just from hearing her name?
Lai Chenglong took a deep breath. Just thinking of Qi Yuan gave him a headache.
This woman had stirred up storms back at Baiyun Temple, nearly bringing down the entire Duke Chu’s household without making a sound. If she was coming to him now, it could only mean trouble.
But then again, considering Pu Wuyong’s current state—his bones practically ground into powder—he really couldn’t afford not to meet her.
He immediately asked, “Where’s the meeting?”
Chunlin handed him a slip of paper. “At Taibai Building. This was delivered by Babao.”
Now Lai Chenglong’s headache only worsened.
The Imperial Grandson’s personal attendant—a sixth-rank, blade-carrying imperial guard, no less—was practically running errands for Lady Qi now?
He tucked the command token into his robes. “Let’s go!”
At Taibai Building, Babao beamed as he looked at Qi Yuan. “My Lady, are you satisfied with how I handled things?”
Oh, he felt so honored that Lady Qi actually needed something from him. Even His Highness the Imperial Grandson might not get this kind of treatment!
If he could get on Lady Qi’s good side, he could even put in a good word for His Highness later. No way His Highness would treat him poorly after that!
Liujin rolled his eyes and looked away.
Idiot.
His Highness had assigned the two of them to follow Qi Yuan and look after her in secret.
But it was now obvious that Lady Qi had been aware of their surveillance from the beginning—and could find them whenever she wanted. That was how formidable she was.
Everything His Highness had done was within her grasp, and yet she hadn’t paid it any mind.
What did that say?
And here Babao was, still dreaming.
Qi Yuan, however, soon smiled and said, “Very satisfied. Which is why I have one more thing I’d like you to help with.”
Babao practically vibrated with excitement, already picturing himself strutting around looking all-important, and immediately nodded.
Qi Yuan’s smile faded. Her tone turned calm and cool: “Go back and tell His Highness: I have my own path to walk, and I can protect myself. From now on, you and Liujin can stay with him. You don’t need to follow me anymore.”
Babao froze for a moment before the meaning sank in—Lady Qi was telling him and Liujin to go back. She no longer needed them following her.
He couldn’t help but get a little angry. “Lady Qi, this is burning the bridge after crossing it!”
She had just asked him to help arrange a meeting with Lai Chenglong—how could she turn around and dismiss him so quickly?
Qi Yuan said nothing, just stared at him silently for a moment.
Babao immediately fell silent.
Fine—who told her to be Lady Qi? Who could possibly argue with her?
He stormed out behind Liujin, practically hopping mad. “Who would’ve thought Lady Qi would be that kind of person!”
Liujin rolled his eyes. “Then what kind of person did you think she was?”
Even toward His Highness, she acted like this—how much less would she care about the likes of them?
But of course, His Highness had fallen for her.
The first to fall in love always loses—and His Highness had lost thoroughly.
Qi Yuan lifted her teacup and took a slow sip. By the time she set it down, Lai Chenglong was already seated across from her.
At the sight of him, Qi Yuan chuckled lightly. “Looks like Lord Lai has fully recovered from his injuries.”
…
Lai Chenglong, who was greeted with a comment about his backside the moment he arrived, instinctively shifted in his seat—then shifted back, and looked at her with a wry smile. “Isn’t that all thanks to you, Lady Qi?”
If it hadn’t been for that castrated dog Pu Wuyong seeking revenge on Qi Yuan and taking it out on him, that beating could’ve been avoided entirely.
Qi Yuan made an indifferent “Oh,” showing not the slightest trace of guilt. “It was only the ‘Mandarin Duck Staff,’ not the ‘Yin-Yang Staff.’ You’ve got me to thank for that too, haven’t you? Doesn’t that make it a little easier to swallow, Lord Lai?”
Alright. Lai Chenglong saw it now.
No one could match Lady Qi when it came to ruthlessness. No one could match her in verbal combat, either.
He dropped all pretenses and asked bluntly, “Let’s not play games, Lady Qi—what do you want from me?”
Qi Yuan’s expression didn’t change. “I want you to work with me. To kill a few people.”
Lai Chenglong had to take a deep breath just to keep his smile from slipping. He asked cautiously, “Who do you want dead?”
Qi Yuan slowly raised an eyebrow, speaking just as unhurriedly: “Princess Baorong. And Huailiang Qin Wang from the Eastern Isles.”
Pffft!
Lai Chenglong didn’t even manage to swallow the tea in his mouth—it sprayed out.
He hurriedly grabbed the handkerchief Chunlin passed him, wiping at his hands and the table while gritting his teeth at Qi Yuan. “Lady Qi, do you have any idea what you’re saying?!”
You want to kill whoever you want? Then why not just become emperor?
Once you’re emperor, all it takes is a word and they’re dead!
Qi Yuan leaned slightly forward, her eyes boring into him. “Lord Lai, the Embroidered Guard has been under the control of eunuchs for years. First it was Pu Wuyong, now it’s Xia Gongong. Sure, Xia Gongong treats you well for now—but are you really satisfied with that?”
Lai Chenglong’s expression turned complicated.
Qi Yuan gave a cold laugh. “When your father served, the Embroidered Guard was the emperor’s most trusted blade. They were involved in every major case, had power in every investigation. But now? The Guard’s glory is gone. And as for you, Lord Lai—your role now is nothing compared to your father’s, when he held the rank of Commander. Isn’t that true?”
You had to admit, Qi Yuan wasn’t just ruthless and incisive—she also had a talent for seduction.
Lai Chenglong looked up at her. “Killing people isn’t the issue. The issue is: killing those two will cause huge problems after.”
A princess. And a foreign prince.
Those weren’t targets you could touch lightly.
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