Seeking Truth with a Sword

Chapter 392 - 343 Assassination

In the study, Chai Chai, who had been staring blankly at the sachet, once again heard the sound of a carriage stopping outside the courtyard, accompanied by brisk footsteps and the clash of jade pendant decorations.

"Risheng, are you there?" It was Li Leqing’s voice.

Chai Chai quickly put the sachet into the desk drawer and cleared her throat. "I’m in the study. Uh, I’m not dressed..."

"I know." Li Leqing arrived outside the study door and said softly, "On my way here, I happened to meet Qiu Feng, and she told me."

"Ah..." Chai Chai opened her mouth, almost asking, What else did she say? Fortunately, she didn’t.

Smelling the lingering scent of the sachet on the doorframe, Li Leqing looked pained and said softly, "I’m sorry, but I have to cancel our appointment today. There was a problem with the wedding, and it has been delayed."

"Uh, it’s alright." Chai Chai hurriedly said, "Did something happen with the wedding?"

"Sister Yan is getting married, and she’s a bit scared." Li Leqing paused, her emotions complex. She understood Yan Xuan’s feelings; after all, there were too many unhappy marriages within the Royal Family. Some were marriages of convenience, with mutual indifference. Others involved respect but no affection. Even worse, some couples grew to loathe the sight of each other.

Thinking of this, Li Leqing took a deep breath, her hand resting on the doorframe, and asked, "Risheng, how do you see me?"

While sitting, of course. Chai Chai certainly knew Li Leqing wasn’t asking *that*. But how should I answer?

Silence filled the study. Outside, Li Leqing waited for a response that didn’t come, her expression shifting from initial nervousness to disappointment, and then to loneliness.

"Sorry, was my question too inappropriate?" She looked down, a self-mocking smile on her face. "I grew up in the palace. Only recently have I had the freedom to come and go from the Imperial Palace. So I don’t quite understand how to interact with others, and I end up asking questions that put you in a difficult position."

She exhaled, trying to suppress the tremor in her voice. Looking up to prevent tears from falling, she forced a smile. "Then I’ll be off. I won’t come to bother you again..."

"Wait!"

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor came from the study. Chai Chai approached the door and said seriously, "When I first came to Chang’an, I was all alone. I was truly happy that you were willing to be my friend."

Li Leqing’s face flushed as she asked softly, "Just a friend?"

"No," Chai Chai shook her head. "I like the way your face sometimes turns red when you talk to me. I like it when you’re by my side. I like the side of your face when you’re asleep. I like the scent of your hair..."

"Eh?" Li Leqing’s neck reddened, the blush spreading to her face. She asked in confusion, "Asleep?"

"COUGH, COUGH!" Chai Chai suddenly realized that she, as Li Leqing’s close friend and confidante, often slept together, but Li Ang did not!

"I mean, in dreams," Chai Chai quickly corrected. "I often dream of you at night, dreaming we’re napping together at our desks in the Academic Palace."

"Eh?!" Li Leqing blushed deeply, her gaze flickering uncertainly. "Is... is that so?"

"Yes, it’s true." Chai Chai nodded vigorously. "Anyway, you’ve always been very special to me in my heart. Life changes, and I can’t promise what the future holds. But I promise I will protect you with my life."

Fireworks burst in the night sky, illuminating Li Leqing’s profile.

Is this...a promise?

"Li Ang?"

"Mm?"

"I’ll take your word for it." Li Leqing smiled lightly. "The wedding is about to start, so I’ll head over there first. You and Cui Qiao should come too. You’re the Little Medicine King God; you absolutely must be at the wedding."

"Mm."

Chai Chai nodded, listening to the fading footsteps and carriage sounds. Finally, she felt a sense of relief.

Leaning her back against the doorframe, she rested her head on the door and heaved a long sigh. Though only a few hours had passed, it felt like an entire year.

The fatigue subsided, but a torrent of complex emotions surged anew.

Young Master, where on earth have you gone...

Chai Chai shook her head, quickly walked to the desk, and after a moment of contemplation, picked up a pen and paper to write a note for Li Ang.

She used the inkstone to weigh down the note and placed Qiu Feng’s sachet on top of it. After making sure Li Ang would see it immediately upon his return, she went to the backyard to fetch the Red Horse and prepare the carriage.

She couldn’t just stay at home waiting for Li Ang. If Li Ang failed to appear in time, Li Leqing, her fellow students, teachers, and even the Emperor and Empress might start asking questions.

Chai Chai needed to arrive at the wedding ceremony at an appropriate time so that when asked, she could fabricate a reason to keep them from searching for him, thus buying Li Ang some time.

Changle Square, at a certain tavern.

Lu Yunan, dressed in men’s clothing, leaned against the railing of the tall building, gazing expressionlessly down at the glittering lights of the bustling city below.

In her hand, she held a Brocade Bag, which seemed to contain some living thing that was pulling the bag into various shapes.

About half an hour left.

She silently estimated the time until midnight. She had already instructed the merchant caravan to depart early, taking their goods out of Chang’an City that afternoon.

Even if Zhao Ming’s conspiracy succeeded, it wouldn’t endanger her clan.

But...what kind of conspiracy could possibly harm Chang’an City?

Countless Prohibitions and Arrays had long fortified Chang’an into an impregnable fortress. Even if a dozen Candle Cloud experts arrived at the city’s outskirts, they couldn’t possibly breach its walls.

Not to mention the presence of the Academic Palace Director, the Garrison Commander, Imperial Palace Triburors, the Taihao Mountain Cardinal, and other powerhouses, including the Academic Palace Master, Lian Xuanxiao.

Lu Yunan narrowed her eyes. If I were the leader of Zhao Ming and wanted to crush Yu Country, the best way wouldn’t be to assassinate the Emperor, but to kill the Academic Palace Master.

She paused, then suddenly chuckled at her absurd notion.

The strength secretly amassed by Zhao Ming was enough to destroy a small country, yet they still could only lurk in the shadows, acting covertly. A significant reason for this was their fear of Lian Xuanxiao himself.

Furong Garden, green hut.

Traffic in Chang’an City was severely congested. Li Leqing, having hurried back from Golden City Square, met the bride-to-be, Yan Xuan, in the green hut.

Thanks to the consolation of her many close girlfriends, Yan Xuan’s condition had somewhat improved, but she still appeared a bit nervous.

The hour had come.

The female officials and Yan Xuan’s sisters and friends took out screens and round fans. Shielding her, they escorted her out of the green hut. She stepped onto the felt rugs and made her way toward the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

All the while, maids held up a round mirror on a tripod, directly in front of Yan Xuan. This was a Yu Country custom: during the wedding procession, a mirror faced the bride to ward off three evils. This mirror was commonly known as the Demon Suppression Mirror.

The Demon Suppression Mirror used for Prince Yue’s wedding was naturally a treasured item from the Imperial Palace.

The mirror’s surface was bright and clean, clearly reflecting Yan Xuan’s figure without any abnormality.

Li Leqing was in poor health and couldn’t join the others in holding up the round fans, so she stood to one side.

She noticed Chai Chai hurrying over from a distance, quickly walked over, and asked in a low voice, "Cui Qiao, did you come alone? Where’s Risheng?"

Chai Chai, who had no idea where Li Ang had gone, braced herself and said, "The city traffic is terrible. He encountered a patient on the road whose foot was injured, so he’s giving emergency treatment. He should still be able to make it."

"...Alright." Li Leqing hesitated, then nodded. "There’s still time before the wedding ceremony. I’ll speak to the painters in a bit and ask them not to draw Risheng’s part yet."

By this time, Yan Xuan had crossed the felt rugs and arrived before Li Hui, who stood at the entrance of the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

The maids and her friends removed the screens and fans, revealing Yan Xuan’s delicate features.

Li Hui’s smile was still warm and infectious. He gently patted Yan Xuan’s hand, signaling her not to be nervous, and led her slowly up to the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

The Emperor and Empress, along with Yan Xuan’s parents, sat at the front with contented expressions.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort wore broad smiles, while the surrounding guests offered their blessings.

Acting as the master of ceremonies, Faith Cultivation Cardinal rarely showed a hint of a smile. Emperor Yu had requested him to be the witness for Prince Yue’s marriage. Even if this wasn’t to curry favor with Taihao Mountain, it would inspire greater reverence for Haotian among the populace.

Compared to this, reciting a few lines at the wedding is hardly a strenuous task.

With this thought, Faith Cultivation Cardinal stood before Li Hui and Yan Xuan. Reciting poetry, he began the wedding ceremony according to the ancient Rituals of Zhou. "In unity they will live, and together they shall serve as high officials."