Cang Lan Dao - Chapter 43.3

Chapter 43.3 
Young Master Can Use Me or Kill Me
  

“Young Master ……” Luo Wanqing deliberated. “Why don’t you say that the one who invited Young Master is the Third Prince?”
 
“Do you have proof?” Xie Heng directly pursued the question. There were many mixed people in Fang Fei Pavilion; everyone wore a mask and didn’t leave their identities so that no one could identify Li Guiyu in Fangfei last night. 
  
Luo Wanqing paused and hesitated, “You can inform His Majesty ……” 

Xie Heng laughed when he heard this. Luo Wanqing looked up blankly. 
  
“Remember well,” Xie Heng lightly said, “You can suspect everyone else before you investigate them, but Li Guiyu, unless you have solid evidence to let him die in a single blow, never mention to His Majesty there’s a stain in his name. ” 

“Why?” Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise and then realized that she was rude. She hurriedly said, “I’m sorry.”
  
“Back then, Li Guiyu volunteered to become a hostage to make peace with the Beirong,” Xie Heng didn’t blame her and was quite patient in explaining, “The matter made his reputation soar; not only lift his face but also the royal family’s. He is now the glory of the Li Clan, the proof that the Li family didn’t abandon the world. His Majesty would rather give him a cup of poisoned wine to say that he died of illness rather than he has sinned. Unless it completely shakes His Majesty’s interests, otherwise ……” Xie Heng’s expression pressed sarcasm: “His Majesty must cover him to the end.” 
  
Luo Wanqing suddenly understood why Xie Heng refused to take her case in Yangzhou. It was merely a Luo family. Even if the Emperor knew, he wouldn’t deal with this ‘royal honor.’ Even so, to cover up, they had no chance of exile and were directly bestowed death. The air in her chest and blood surged when she understood this, but she did not dare let Xie Heng see. She only held the ink stick and respectfully said, “I understand.” 
  
“Is there anything else to say?” Xie Heng lowered his eyes and looked at the dossier. 
  
Luo Wanqing moved slightly and instantly realized that Xie Heng was testing her. He did keep her, but no one like a disloyal person. She must stay in the Inspection Department, become powerful like Qin Jue in the dream, and fight Li Guiyu. Now, the most important thing was to obtain Xie Heng’s trust. She was here now because ? Xie Heng needed her to explain to the Emperor, but she was a person who lied; in fact, she did not have Xie Heng’s trust. With Xie Heng’s nature, how could he tolerate someone who does not know the bottom line? 

He was not Cui Heng; he wasn’t always treating others as good people. During her contact with Xie Heng in the Inspection Department, Xie Heng’s means were ruthless and heavily suspicious. Now, he asked this question, which was probably to test her. If she answered wrong and he saw the disloyalty — when they were out of the palace, he would kick her out of the Inspection Department, or worse, he might kill her.
  
Luo Wanqing’s mood was messy, and Xie Heng did not urge. After a long silence, Luo Wanqing decided. She calmly asked, “After coming out of the palace, how does Young Master decide to dispose of me?” 

“It depends on what you can do.” Xie Heng answered carelessly. 
  
An expected answer. Luo Wanqing raised her eyes, “I have a suggestion.” 

“Speak.” 

“Young Master should keep me.” Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes.

Xie Heng’s expression didn’t move, only asking, “Why?” 

“I can help Young Master deal with the Empress.” 
  
When this sentence came out, Xie Heng paused. 
  
Luo Wanqing looked at the clear water in the ink stone that gradually turned black and calmly said, “Xiang Sizi told me that Young Master has been investigating the Cui Clan’s case.” 

Hearing these words, Xie Heng raised his head and looked at Luo Wanqing. His gaze was cold and bland, but it carried a sense of oppression that made it impossible to catch a breath. 
 
Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but tighten her hand as she squeezed the ink stick and continued, “But if I remember correctly, it was Young Master who investigated Cui Clan’s case, and Young Master personally beheaded Cui Clan’s entire clan. Young Master has no feelings for Cui Clan, but why do you want to investigate the case of a treasonous criminal minister?” Luo Wanqing raised her head and met Xie Heng’s gaze, “In Fang Fei Pavilion, the Young Master wants to borrow the hand of the Third Prince to kill the Crown Prince and then use the murder of the Crown Prince to catch Li Guiyu, right? Young Master didn’t intend to keep both of the Empress sons. Who Young Master is targeting is the Empress, right?”  
  
Xie Heng said nothing, and Luo Wanqing’s heart was beating fast under his scrutinized gaze. She knew she was gambling. Saying these words in front of Xie Heng and letting him know she understands so much, he might not let her go peacefully. With Xie Heng’s cleverness, perhaps he already knew she knew this. She knew but remained silent; this, for Xie Heng, was unfaithful. She was betting that Xie Heng was waiting for her to say this and show her loyalty. 
  
“Young Master,” Luo Wanqing seemed to inquire, “These shouldn’t be known to others, right?” 

“So,” Xie Heng’s ice-like eyes moved slightly, bringing a few smiles, “You said all this because you want to die?”
  
“No,” Luo Wanqing shook her head and said thoughtfully, “I’m telling Young Master, for Young Master and me, there were only two paths. Young Master can use me or,” Luo Wanqing raised her hand to hold Xie Heng’s hand, guiding him to put himself on the hilt of the knife on her waist, and calmly said, “Kill me.” 
 
Xie Heng said nothing and only moved his eyes to the hand she pulled. She could not tell if he was looking at the knife or her, and she had no time to worry about it. Her heart was beating fast, and her back was in a cold sweat, but on her face, she was calm: “If Young Master doesn’t kill me today, please rest assured that you can use me. Me and Li Guiyu have old matters. If Young Master is targeting the Empress, you have to deal with Li Guiyu sooner or later. I–” Luo Wanqing emphasized, “am a good knife.” 
  
Xie Heng lowered his eyes to look at the hilt of her knife without emotion. She couldn’t fathom what Xie Heng meant, but the words were here, and she could only continue, “How does Young Master think about it?” 
 
“You are so eager to stay in the Inspection Department?” Xie Heng raised his eyes, seeing her intentions. 

Luo Wanqing did not hide and answered straight: “Yes.” 

“Why?” 

“I want to live and also kill the Third Prince; either way, it is only possible by staying in the Inspection Department.” 
  
This answer was inappropriate, but in front of Xie Heng, it was useless for her to lie. 
  
“Then how well do you know him?” Xie Heng stared at her, slightly bending down and leaning before her. He seemed to observe her every reaction and calmly said, “What do you think I should do now?” 
  
This was the test. Test her ability. Luo Wanqing held Xie Heng’s hand; she was utterly oblivious to her movement, and her mind was spinning fast. Xie Heng also did not mind, letting her pull his hand. Her bones were tiny, and her hands were very soft; even if she practiced martial arts, she was still soft when relaxed, unlike men. Xie Heng knew he was impolite, but he couldn’t stop his brain, and almost all of his perceptions were stuck where she touched him. 
  
Luo Wanqing did not feel the youth differences. She seriously thought for a moment, raised her eyes, and said, “Now that the Crown Prince is hurt, it is the best opportunity for the Young Master to take advantage of the victory. If you borrow Li Guiyu’s hand to kill the Crown Prince, the Empress will only have Li Guiyu. A prince is easier to handle rather than the Crown Prince.” 

“But the Crown Prince has returned to the palace. The world does not have any news of him,” Xie Heng smiled and only asked, “How can Li Guiyu’s hand be borrowed again to kill the Crown Prince?” 

“Li Guiyu is a cautious person. He wanted to kill the Crown Prince at Fang Fei Pavilion without leaving any handle. But he may have a way if forced into a desperate situation.” Luo Wanqing thought about Jiang Shaoyan’s behavior and proposed, “Young Master can force him.” 

“How to force?” 

“Although he went to Zheng Pingsheng’s house last night, he is involved in the Crown Prince’s assassination case,” Luo Wanqing pondered, raised her head, and said thoughtfully, “As long as he enters the Inspection Department, I can try.” 
  
When Xie Heng heard this, he gently curled his hand, which she had held for a moment, and stopped. A few moments of sarcasm appeared in his eyes: “Are you scheming for me or yourself?” 
  
“Naturally, it’s for Young Master,” Luo Wanqing immediately said. “Young Master, even if I have millions of personal grudges, I dared not override your great cause. ” 
  
Xie Heng said nothing and seemed to be thinking. Luo Wanqing nervously waited for Xie Heng to respond. After a long time, he softly said, “Okay.” 
  
Xie Heng straightened up and pulled his hand out of hers. Luo Wanqing then realized what she had done. She removed her hand and calmly sat on her knees next to Xie Heng. 
  
Xie Heng lowered his eyes and faintly said, “We’ll do as you wish. Withdrew and wait for the news of entering the palace.” 
 
Luo Wanqing didn’t dare to stay longer, respectfully saluted, then got up and left. Only after she hurriedly left did Xie Heng speak, “Qing Ya.” 

Qing Ya, who had retreated into the backyard, walked out from the corner.

Xie Heng lowered his eyes and faintly said, “Send the thousand-year ginseng in the storehouse to the palace.” 

“This time?” Qing Ya frowned, “I’m afraid it’s not proper, right?” 

“Let them check.” Xie Heng glanced at Qing Ya. His words carried a few points of provocation, “Feel free to check.” 
  
Qing Ya hesitated for a moment and finally answered: “Yes.” 
  
*** *** 
  
When Luo Wanqing returned, her entire body was close to being deflated. Conversing with Xie Heng was highly stressful, but the good news was that Xie Heng accepted her. If nothing unexpected happens, Xie Heng will figure out how to send Li Guiyu to the Inspection Department and have her preside over the trial. 
  
That time —
Luo Wanqing’s mind suddenly realized that Li Guiyu would be at her mercy at that time. She could kill him. This thought rushed into her mind, and she couldn’t help but be in a trance, feeling unreal. She then stopped, forcing herself to stop thinking about it. 
  
Right now, she could not kill him. Her family left only not long ago; if she had lied to Xie Heng and killed Li Guiyu, Xie Heng would have been in a rage. As long as he pursues Cui Heng, it would be easy to find her family’s whereabouts. It was hard to say that Xie Heng wouldn’t kill her family. Although Xie Heng seemed to be a good person, she did not dare to believe. The only ones she could trust today besides her family were Cui Heng and Zhang Jiuran. 
  
Luo Wanqing calculated for a moment and the news of entering the palace came. She changed her clothes, and people carrying a soft sedan chair came over to help her down the mountain and out of the Inspection Department, alighting the carriage. Maybe because they would visit the palace; the carriage today was extremely luxurious. Luo Wanqing was helped onto the carriage, and when the curtain rolled up, she froze in place. 

Xie Heng sat above while looking down at something. Luo Wanqing immediately reacted and wanted to salute: “Young Master ……” 
  
“Sit down.” Xie Heng raised his hand, gesturing to exempt her from the motion of saluting.
  
Luo Wanqing got up and sat on one side. Xie Heng hung his head and looked at the paperwork, seemingly thinking. The carriage departed, shaking on the road. Xie Heng looked down at the papers before him but did not turn a page. The two sat in silence, and after traveling a while, the carriage entered the palace. Xie Heng had the right to ride a horse in the palace, so the carriage traveled from the palace gate to the imperial study.

Xie Heng alighted first from the carriage and then called two maids over to assist Luo Wanqing in descending. 
   
Luo Wanqing’s body was still injured. Cui Heng protected her when she sent her family, so she did not notice. She then used a soft sedan carriage, but now, only within a few steps of walking, the wound hurt a lot. Each step hurt, and blood was already seeping out by the time she reached the door of the imperial study. Her face was pale, and she saw four people standing in front of the door of the imperial study. The one she recognized at once was Li Guiyu. He wore the imperial prince’s clothes, and a jade crown topped his head. When he saw Luo Wanqing, his face showed surprise, as if it was the first time he had seen her. Next to him stood a woman in a blue palace dress and a high bun with an emerald hairpin. She looked extremely young, probably 20 years old, which was the most beautiful time. She was gazing at the main hall, and when she noticed Li Guiyu’s gaze, she looked over smoothly. In her initially cold demeanor, her eyes widened when she saw Luo Wanqing. She recognized her. 
   
Luo Wanqing was sure, but her face did not move. The woman glanced hastily at Li Guiyu, who silently patted her hand, seemingly to appease her. Looking at this interaction, Luo Wanqing understood once she thought about it. Last night, Li Guiyu said he was playing chess in Zheng Mansion. This woman knew him, and Li Guiyu was intimate with her; this person must be Zheng’s family’s Miss, Zheng Biyue, who was Li Guiyu’s childhood friend, the one who missed Li Guiyu for five years, searched him for five years before accompanying his father to search for Li Guiyu in Yangzhou and then brought Li Guiyu back to the capital. She was also Li Guiyu’s partner, who let her father, the Minister of Justice, falsely sentence her father to death. Seeing them standing peacefully in front of the palace gate with beautiful clothes, killing intent rose in Luo Wanqing’s heart. However, she didn’t show it, only smiling just like they were on the promenade in Yangzhou, as if she didn’t know her.

However, unsure why, seeing her smile, Zheng Biyue’s facial color instantly changed. She stared at Luo Wanqing intently, and after a moment, she walked in front of Luo Wanqing. “Your face is very unfamiliar,” Zheng Biyue looked at her and said vigilantly, “Whose official’s daughter are you?” 

“I’m from the Inspection Department, Liu Xiniang.” Luo Wanqing raised her eyes to the other party, “I think it must be Ms. Zheng?” 

Zheng Biyue’s complexion relaxed a few points. With arrogance in her eyes, she nodded, “Zheng’s family, Zheng Biyue.” 
  
Luo Wanqing smiled faintly with coldness in her eyes, “Nice to meet you.”