The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 67

Yes, I hope young man¹ won’t hide anything

The content of the letter was brief; Lin Xizhao did not accept Qu Sheng’s feelings, and most of what she said consisted of apologies. She claimed she hadn’t set a good example for Qu Sheng, hadn’t taught Qu Sheng well, and finally, she told her not to come looking for her.

Perhaps after being apart for some time, Qu Sheng’s feelings for her would fade, and she would be able to truly see clearly what she wanted. She believed that what Qu Sheng wanted was definitely not a malformed relationship like this with her.

When Lin Xizhao was about to leave, she also greeted Lin Jianhai. Although he didn’t know what she was going to do, he didn’t stop her.

Lin Xirui was just obeying Lin Xizhao’s words today to leave the city with her. Once outside the city, Lin Xizhao pretended to need the toilet; he drove the carriage a bit further away, leaving the guards to follow where they were, and only took the maid over.

When Lin Xirui led the carriage back, these people mistakenly thought Lin Xizhao was inside the carriage, having followed it out for a loop before returning. But after returning, looking at the person who stepped down from the carriage, there was no sign of Lin Xizhao.

If Feng Qi were there, he inevitably would have called out to Lin Xizhao after the carriage returned. But after these people were scolded by Lin Xirui, they dared not ask again.

Right now, they were all like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow², awaiting Feng Qi’s punishment.

Lin Xirui looked at Qu Sheng, who was vastly different from before. He hadn’t figured out Lin Xizhao’s actions yet, and now he was frightened by Qu Sheng.

“Ah Jie, Ah Jie said she wanted to go out and travel for a while,” Lin Xirui said according to the words Lin Xizhao had taught him.

Qu Sheng naturally didn’t believe it. Lin Xizhao was a weak woman; the matter with that person in the Imperial Palace hadn’t been resolved yet, and here she rashly shook off all the guards. If something went wrong… Just thinking of the possibility, Qu Sheng felt a burst of heart-wrenching pain and suffocation in her chest.

“Did she take anyone with her when she went out?” Qu Sheng slowed her tone, wanting to guide Lin Xirui into telling the truth.

Seeing Qu Sheng’s nervous appearance, Lin Xirui changed his stuttering tone from a moment ago and replied, “She did; the residence arranged quite a few.”

Qu Sheng’s slightly angry gaze softened a bit as she added, “You must have heard about the assassination attempt on Zhao Jiayu and Bingying-jiejie before the New Year.”

Lin Xirui didn’t know what had happened between the two of them, but seeing her speaking speed and clear words made him keep sizing up Qu Sheng. Suddenly hearing about this matter, he let out an ‘ah’ and nodded: “I know.”

“Before that, Jiejie and I also encountered one.” They had also been targeted for assassination before Zhao Jiayu was attacked.

Qu Sheng was reminding Lin Xirui that Lin Xizhao’s current situation was very dangerous. Although she was scaring Lin Xirui, it was also exactly what she was most worried about.

Although Lin Xizhao brought guards, outside the city was not like inside the city. It was a mixed bag of fish and dragons³ outside; although the Prime Minister’s Residence guards were passable, they were far inferior to those trained by her Marquis Qu’s Residence, and it was too easy to make a move outside the city.

Lin Xirui was bluffed into a daze. Thinking of the possible occurrences, he immediately panicked and said, “But Ah Jie wouldn’t let me say.”

“She won’t let you say because she doesn’t want to see me. I won’t go look for her, but there must be someone by her side to protect her.”

Lin Xirui blinked his two big eyes, somewhat flustered, the expression on his face half-believing and half-doubting. He also knew the strength of the Marquis Qu’s Residence guards, thinking of when Qu Sheng brought guards to her courtyard before. “Ah Jie went to Yunci Temple⁴.”

Having obtained the information, Qu Sheng immediately looked at Feng Qi. “Go find her.”

Feng Qi lowered his head for an instant and was about to go out, but Qu Sheng called him to a halt again. “Wait a moment.”

Feng Qi paused his steps and turned back to await Qu Sheng’s instructions.

“I will go with you.” Qu Sheng wouldn’t be at ease without seeing Lin Xizhao; she needed to see her with her own eyes.

Lin Xirui suddenly felt as if he had been duped at this moment; he furrowed his brows tightly and said, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t go look for Ah Jie?”

Qu Sheng glanced at Lin Xirui, then said to Feng Qi, “Bring him along too.” She wasn’t sure if Lin Xirui was telling the truth. To prevent him from lying, she would take him along; if Lin Xizhao wasn’t there, she could interrogate him again.

“Ei—⁵“

Lin Xirui was unwillingly dragged out by Feng Qi.

Qu Sheng followed behind them, left the Prime Minister’s Residence, and boarded the carriage; a squad of guards followed.

Qu Sheng had been to Yunci Temple in the suburbs several times before and knew the way well. Lin Xizhao choosing to go there made her feel that Lin Xizhao wasn’t being that resolute.

Even if she didn’t intend to be found, searching the surroundings outside the city once would surely turn her up. While Qu Sheng pondered, they exited the city gate.

The weather outside was still cold right now; the surrounding mountain rocks were scraped by wind and snow, shining somewhat brightly under the sunlight. Lin Xizhao had just recovered from a wind chill; she didn’t know if the carriage was equipped with a stove. She recalled Lin Xizhao’s room; it seemed some clothes were missing.

She blamed herself for being too careless last night; how had she not thought that Lin Xizhao would use such a method to reject her? But the events of last night were not entirely without gain. Lin Xizhao accepted her kiss, which meant she also liked her; it was just that she couldn’t accept feelings that the world did not approve of.

Qu Sheng’s face was dark. Lin Xirui sat to the side sizing her up. Before, he thought Qu Sheng was well-behaved; although a bit foolish, she was docile. But right now, he felt Qu Sheng was like a jackal⁶.

That gaze was sharp, as if it had insight into everything, yet he couldn’t see clearly what she was thinking.

Qu Sheng sensed a gaze staring at her fixedly and raised her head to meet Lin Xirui’s eyes. When Qu Sheng had stared until Lin Xirui felt a bit creeped out, her eyes suddenly became docile, and her brows curved slightly as she said, “What is Xirui-gege thinking about?”

It was the first time Lin Xirui heard Qu Sheng call him Gege; he froze for an instant, then said with some embarrassment on his face, “Nothing.”

Qu Sheng had spoken a bit urgently today and hadn’t deliberately pretended to be a foolish girl. Seeing Lin Xirui staring at her just now, she started pondering this matter.

In the end, she couldn’t let him get suspicious and speak of it.

The carriage soon arrived at Yunci Temple. Qu Sheng took her people up the mountain and brought Lin Xirui up as well. Feng Qi went to ask the Abbot if a young, beautiful lady had checked in, but the answer he received was no.

Qu Sheng didn’t believe it; she had someone go look for the incense oil donation list, and she personally went to the courtyard where pilgrims stayed, checking them one by one.

When Qu Sheng came out, her face had darkened again; Lin Xizhao was indeed not inside.

Lin Xirui saw Qu Sheng with a cold face and guessed that Lin Xizhao wasn’t here. He blinked his innocent eyes and said, “Ah Jie told me she was coming here.”

Lin Xizhao had indeed told him she was coming here, but she had gone elsewhere after leaving Lin Xirui. As for where she went, only Lin Xizhao and the people currently by her side knew.

Qu Sheng looked at Feng Qi. Feng Qi raised his eyes, understanding her meaning, and walked to Lin Xirui’s side. “Third Young Master Lin, it is truly too dangerous for the Eldest Miss to be out right now. Please inform us truthfully.”

Being questioned about lying, Lin Xirui hurriedly said, “I really don’t know where Ah Jie went. She said she wanted to come here to stay for a few days. I brought her outside the city first thing in the morning. Even if you beat me to death right now, I don’t know. I’m even more worried about Ah Jie’s safety than you are.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have revealed the whereabouts Lin Xizhao had told him after her repeated exhortations.

Qu Sheng lowered her gaze, seeming to believe Lin Xirui’s words. Lin Xizhao had always been intelligent; she must have known Qu Sheng would find the answer from Lin Xirui, so she kept a backup plan and told no one.

Qu Sheng lowered her eyes to look at the ground, then raised her head after a moment and said, “Disperse and search. Report immediately upon finding her.”

Qu Sheng didn’t want to delay for a moment. If that person in the palace learned that Lin Xizhao had left the city, she would inevitably send people to look for her. She had to find Lin Xizhao before the Guifei’s⁷ people did.

Qu Sheng walked down the mountain, everyone following. Qu Sheng no longer rode in the carriage; she rode a horse and led Feng Qi to search the Official Road.

Lin Xizhao was the smartest; she should also know that coming out on her own was a risky endeavor. Taking the Official Road was safer than those small paths.

However, when Qu Sheng arrived at the Official Road Relay Station, she didn’t see the travel documents from the Prime Minister’s Residence. Lin Xizhao hadn’t taken the Official Road.

“Did you ask carefully?” Qu Sheng sat on horseback, her face gloomy.

If Lin Xizhao hadn’t taken the Official Road, it was even more fraught with grim danger; she had to find her quickly.

“‘This slave used our Marquis Residence’s token; there can be no mistake.” No one would dare to deceive the Marquis Qu’s Residence, not to mention there was nothing to lie about regarding such a matter.

Qu Sheng kept a cold face, pulled the reins, and turned the horse’s head around.

Feng Qi followed behind Qu Sheng. She only cared about Lin Xizhao and hadn’t thought about herself. If someone wanted to harm her, given the skill of the two of them, perhaps they could resist for a while, but if there were too many people, it would likely bode ill rather than well.

While riding, Feng Qi released the signal to gather people, ordering all the guards in the vicinity to follow.

Qu Sheng whipped the horse’s back, galloping swiftly on a small path. Feng Qi asked against the fierce wind, “Miss, where are we going?”

Qu Sheng looked sideways, then raised her eyes to look at the uneven small path ahead, and shouted loudly, “Changzhou⁸.” In these years, Lin Xizhao had hardly gone anywhere else, and the Lin family had no close relatives. There was only the birthplace of the Liang clan⁹, her Uncle¹⁰ in Changzhou.

Feng Qi felt reassured upon hearing this and followed Qu Sheng all the way, galloping in the direction of Changzhou.

It was inconvenient to travel in winter, but there were also quite a few commoners on the small path to save the toll money for the Official Road, either walking with bundles on their backs or pushing small carts loaded with goods.

Every time Qu Sheng encountered someone, she would slow the horse’s speed to take a sideways glance. To avoid her, Lin Xizhao had actually disregarded her own life; she didn’t know if she would disguise herself.

When Qu Sheng and the others came out, it was already past noon. Lin Xirui had already been sent back into the city, and she had told him to go to the Marquis Qu’s Residence to find Qu Ming and ask him to send more manpower to search for Lin Xizhao outside the city.

The winter night fell truly too fast; it was just the You hour¹¹ when the sky became shadowed. Not only that, but today’s fierce wind also brought a heavy snow.

“Miss, we must find an inn. Otherwise, we’ll freeze in such a cold night.”

At this moment, Qu Sheng was still unwilling to stop, and the guards behind them hadn’t caught up yet. Feng Qi was somewhat worried.

Freezing was a minor issue; traveling in such a dark night was truly too risky.

Qu Sheng didn’t answer, still looking ahead, raising her hand to whip the horse’s rump ruthlessly again. The horse really suffered today; not to mention running for half a day, it had been whipped by Qu Sheng the whole way.

Seeing he couldn’t stop Qu Sheng, Feng Qi said again, “Miss, running the horse like this will kill it.”

If the horse died on the road, with no village ahead and no shop behind, Qu Sheng would still be delayed in finding Lin Xizhao. Qu Sheng glanced at Feng Qi, a hint of concern appearing on her face. She turned her face and asked, “Is there a place to change horses nearby?”

They had been to Changzhou, but they hadn’t taken the small path. If they were on the Official Road, changing horses only required silver, but right now, here, unless the inn in this suburb had some for sale.

“I’m afraid there aren’t any further ahead; we have to go back.” On the road they had just passed, there was an inn. He wasn’t sure if they sold horses, but looking at the scale of the operation—a two-story small wooden building with several houses built alongside it—they probably did.

Hearing they had to go back, Qu Sheng hesitated for an instant. She lowered her head to look at the horse that had run with her all afternoon and was exhaling urgent white breaths. After thinking for a moment, she reined in the horse.

“We’ll go back.”

Qu Sheng turned the horse’s head, and Feng Qi immediately pulled his reins sideways to follow behind Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng could see things at night, but the falling white snow blocked quite a bit of her line of sight.

Let alone Qu Sheng, even the horses couldn’t see clearly ahead. But an old horse knows the way; the horses had memories of the places they had walked, and they were still urgent on the way back.

The two arrived outside the inn, watching the two red lanterns hanging upstairs swaying unsteadily in the wind. The falling snowflakes were blown down by the fierce wind, and the remaining snowflakes were melted by the heat from the lampshades.

At this time, the light and heat the ground had received during the day were almost gone; snowflakes were blown away by the gusty wind before they even had time to melt upon landing.

Qu Sheng stood in front of the inn, blocking some of the drifting white snow under her feet. She looked down for a moment, then lifted her steps and entered the inn.

As soon as Feng Qi entered the inn, he sought out the Shopkeeper at the counter and asked, “Shopkeeper, do you have horses for sale?”

Hearing this, the Shopkeeper smiled. “Are the guests traveling by night?”

Feng Qi nodded and gave an ‘En¹²‘.

The Shopkeeper also took this moment to glance sideways at Qu Sheng, not far behind Feng Qi. Qu Sheng wore a pale yellow dress; although the cuffs were temporarily tied up, her entire outfit didn’t look like that of someone rushing on a journey.

No one here knew Qu Sheng, so Qu Sheng naturally didn’t need to pretend to be foolish. Standing there right now, she just waited for Feng Qi to swap the horses.

Feng Qi negotiated with the Shopkeeper; they would leave their horses behind and add some silver to exchange them.

The Shopkeeper went out the door and looked at the horses tied outside. They were all good horses, unknown amounts better than the ones in his yard; they looked like war horses.

The Shopkeeper stroked his black beard. After all, doing business away from home, if it wasn’t a merchant caravan, it was a one-hammer deal¹³. Cheat them once, and there wouldn’t be a second time.

The Shopkeeper asked them to take out another twenty taels¹⁴ of silver before he would agree to the exchange.

“Fine, let me see your horses.” Feng Qi didn’t haggle or circle around with him; he agreed straightforwardly.

But this also made the Shopkeeper feel he had asked for too little. When the Shopkeeper took Feng Qi to the backyard to look at the horses, he kept picking faults with the horses outside.

Legs were short, coat wasn’t shiny enough, ran too much today, might get sick, and so on.

Feng Qi followed behind without speaking. Once inside the stable in the backyard, Feng Qi looked around for a few moments, then said, “I’ll add another ten taels for you.”

Feng Qi didn’t care about money; he was only afraid this Shopkeeper would create more trouble and delay their journey.

Hearing he would give ten taels more, the Shopkeeper immediately smiled until his mouth couldn’t close, praising Feng Qi as a straightforward person.

Feng Qi led two horses and walked out. At this time, Qu Sheng also came out, carrying the food Feng Qi had asked the waiter to prepare just a moment ago.

Feng Qi was changing the saddles on the side; Qu Sheng stood by eating and watching. After Feng Qi finished changing the saddles, Qu Sheng took the reins and also gave the food to Feng Qi.

Feng Qi took it and stuffed it into his chest. Qu Sheng took a look, then mounted the horse.

This time Qu Sheng didn’t rush to travel. After Feng Qi followed for a while, he figured out Qu Sheng’s intention; this was to let him eat.

Feng Qi glanced back at Qu Sheng, then took the food out of his chest.

The horses were walking slowly, but the wind and snow were still quite heavy. After the two walked for another period, Qu Sheng simply got off the horse.

“Finish eating before leaving.” Filling a stomach with cold wind certainly wouldn’t feel good.

Hearing this, Feng Qi immediately followed suit and dismounted. Using the horse’s body to block the cold wind, he turned his back to the wind and snow and swallowed the food in big mouthfuls.

“Ready, Miss.”

Qu Sheng saw that Feng Qi’s mouth was stuffed full of food, making it difficult even to chew, so she didn’t choose to mount the horse directly. She looked sideways into the distance, then looked up at the sky.

This snow would likely fall all night; she wondered if Lin Xizhao had found an inn to rest.

She had asked the waiter at that inn just now, and no young lady had checked in. It was also true that Lin Xizhao had left much earlier than them; even if she stayed somewhere, it would be at the next inn.

Qu Sheng pondered for a while. When she turned back, Feng Qi had already swallowed the food in his mouth and was currently standing behind her waiting for her orders.

“Let’s go.” Qu Sheng mounted the horse.

The two rode horses through the wind and snow again. The snow on the ground had started to accumulate by now, and the pure white snow also made the ground start to brighten.

Feng Qi no longer needed to borrow Qu Sheng’s eyes to travel. He rode side by side with Qu Sheng, occasionally glancing sideways to observe her.

He was truly worried Qu Sheng would fall ill because of this.

Traveling until the latter half of the night, Qu Sheng saw an inn, but that inn had already closed its doors.

Qu Sheng wanted to try her luck. She had Feng Qi knock on the inn’s door and entered.

“Waiter, did a beautiful young lady check in today? About this tall.” Feng Qi gestured a height, which happened to be about the same as Qu Sheng, who had taken a step forward.

The waiter was originally yawning. After glancing at Qu Sheng, he smiled and said, “Isn’t the one you’re talking about this young lady?”

Feng Qi’s hand was still beside the top of Qu Sheng’s head. He hurriedly withdrew his hand, gave a tsk, and said, “She also brought quite a few guards with her.”

Hearing this, the waiter became serious and shook his head. “No, there were no female guests today.” With the weather freezing, few people came out to move around. If someone really came out with guards, they naturally wouldn’t lack money.

If they didn’t lack money, they naturally wouldn’t take this road; the relay stations on the Official Road were much cleaner and more comfortable than their place.

The two didn’t get any information about Lin Xizhao. Feng Qi glanced sideways at Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng looked at him, and Feng Qi said to the waiter, “We want two superior rooms, and prepare some food.”

“Alright.”

The waiter took the two upstairs. Feng Qi pushed open a room door, glanced left and right, then pushed open the window to look down. “It’s reasonably safe.”

The window opened to the backyard, not the outside.

Qu Sheng nodded. Feng Qi went out and went to his own room.

Qu Sheng didn’t undress; she lay on the couch after Feng Qi went out and closed the door. Qu Sheng listened to the sounds of movement outside; it was the waiter’s footsteps from just now. A moment later, there was the sound of a door opening in the next room. Feng Qi spoke a few words with the waiter outside, and the waiter left.

There was no more movement outside, so Qu Sheng finally closed her eyes.

Qu Sheng slept for about one shichen¹⁵ before waking up. She went to knock on Feng Qi’s door, preparing to continue the journey.

Feng Qi had also woken up by this time; hearing the knock, he opened the door directly holding his bundle.

The two went downstairs. The money for the inn and food had already been paid. As soon as the two went downstairs, the waiter sleeping in the lobby opened his eyes, yawning as he said, “Are the two guests leaving now?”

Feng Qi nodded and said, “Trouble you to open the door.”

The waiter rubbed his eyes, walked to the door, moved away the long wooden plank bracing the door, and opened it for the two.

The waiter led the two around to the horse stable on the side. Just as they took the reins, a group of people dismounted from their horses and stood in front of the inn.

Feng Qi and Qu Sheng looked up to size them up. As soon as the waiter went over, those people spoke.

“Waiter, is there a young girl staying here? She brought quite a few guards with her.”

Hearing this person’s words, the waiter blinked and looked sideways at Qu Sheng and her companion.

At this time, Qu Sheng also noticed the horse held in this person’s hand. It was the black-brown horse she and Feng Qi had exchanged at the previous inn.

Qu Sheng and Feng Qi looked at each other. Those people also followed the waiter’s gaze to look at the two of them at this moment.

That person narrowed his eyes, tilting his head in the light of the not-very-bright lantern in the waiter’s hand. Because he couldn’t see clearly, he took another half-step forward, but just as he took a step, Feng Qi gripped the sword at his waist.

That person looked at Feng Qi. Seeing it wasn’t the person he was looking for, he looked at the waiter again and said, “Is there wine and food?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” The waiter hurriedly greeted them.

Those people no longer looked at Qu Sheng and her companion, following the waiter into the house. While walking, they asked the previous question again; they were inquiring about Lin Xizhao.

Feng Qi and Qu Sheng watched the group enter the house. After exchanging a glance with Feng Qi, they directly mounted their horses and galloped away.

There were too many of these people, making it inconvenient for them to make a move. Their guards behind them hadn’t caught up yet; acting rashly, they feared they would suffer a loss.

Qu Sheng reined the horse, gazing ahead; the wind scraping her face didn’t feel painful. But at this moment, she was also certain of one thing: there was a traitor by Lin Xizhao’s side.

Were it not so, how could these people have found their way here so quickly? But it also confirmed Qu Sheng’s guess that Lin Xizhao was indeed going to Changzhou.

The two traveled for about two ke¹⁶ when the sound of a group of horse hooves came from behind.

Qu Sheng and Feng Qi looked back, only to see an arrow suddenly shooting over.

And Feng Qi drew his sword in time, blocking the arrow shot at Qu Sheng, but what followed was even more arrows.

“Miss, go first.” Feng Qi finished speaking and reined in his horse.

If both of them stayed right now, they would certainly suffer a loss, but if Feng Qi stayed behind alone, perhaps he could win some chance for Qu Sheng to escape.

It was the group of men and horses from just now; who knew when they had caught up?

Feng Qi stopped the horse, thinking Qu Sheng would listen to him and leave here, but just as he stopped, Qu Sheng also stopped.

Qu Sheng didn’t speak. She glanced sideways at the trees nearby and flew up into one. “Come up.”

Hearing this, Feng Qi didn’t have time to think much; he immediately tapped his foot on the reins and followed Qu Sheng to another tree.

The horses were left in place; the people naturally couldn’t have run far.

“Boss, I just saw them fly up into the trees.”

“Nonsense!”

Although it was still snowing, the sky wasn’t that dark anymore; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to shoot arrows at them so accurately just now.

However, there were many trees on both sides. Although they were just bare trunks, under the cover of night and being a dense forest, they could still conceal their figures.

Below the trees, more than twenty people stared at the dense forest for a moment. The leader pointed at one person and said, “You, go in and take a look.”

The appointed person got off his horse and walked toward the dense forest.

Feng Qi and Qu Sheng hadn’t gone far right now; they were just at the edge of the road. Feng Qi could only faintly see a black shadow walking in, but Qu Sheng saw clearly.

Qu Sheng used a breathy voice, speaking softly: “Sword.” Qu Sheng raised her hand.

When the two came out, only Feng Qi brought a sword; Qu Sheng didn’t even have a weapon for self-defense on her body.

Feng Qi handed the sword into Qu Sheng’s hand. After Qu Sheng lowered her head to observe for a few glances, the moment that person approached, she landed and directly sealed that person’s throat.

Qu Sheng watched with cold eyes as that person covered his throat with one hand, unable to make a sound anymore and bleeding incessantly, while waving the sword toward her with the other hand. Qu Sheng turned sideways to dodge easily. Fearing he would make noise again, she raised her sword the next moment and pierced his heart.

The person fell to the ground silently. Seeing he had breathed his last, Qu Sheng walked over and took the sword from his hand.

Feng Qi stood in the tree. The image below wasn’t very clear to him, but a moment later, Qu Sheng went back up the tree and returned the sword to him.

Seeing Qu Sheng had an extra sword in her hand, Feng Qi knew Qu Sheng had already killed the person below.

The two stood in the trees. The people on the road below didn’t see the person who went in come out for a long time, so they didn’t dare to go in.

But waiting dryly like this, perhaps they would miss the task assigned by their master. When they saw Qu Sheng just now, they were suspicious, but seeing there were only two of them, they dispelled their doubts.

But after they went in, the waiter said those two just now were also inquiring about the person they were looking for, so they immediately chased after them.

Solving one is good, but if they could solve two, wouldn’t there be more rewards?

Qu Sheng was also somewhat anxious at this moment. She didn’t know if, besides these people, there were extra people also chasing to kill Lin Xizhao; she couldn’t afford to waste time.

“Go down.” Qu Sheng used a breathy voice to signal Feng Qi beside her to go down with her and kill these people.

Feng Qi hesitated for an instant, then nodded.

The two came down from the trees. Led by Qu Sheng, the two circled behind these people. The moment they exited the dense forest, they flew up directly and pierced the hearts of the two people at the back of the group through their shoulders and backs.

Qu Sheng and Feng Qi pulled out their swords simultaneously, and the two people fell in response.

When the people in front heard the ‘thud’ sound, they turned back to look. Qu Sheng and Feng Qi had already stabbed their swords toward two other people.

Four down in one go, plus the one who died in the dense forest, they had already lost five.

These people immediately panicked, but they also immediately drew their swords to fight with them. Although these people could see figures clearly in the dark night, compared to Qu Sheng who possessed a pair of eyes like in daylight, their movements and attacks were a bit slower.

Qu Sheng attacked accurately and ruthlessly; every sword strike hit a vital point. One ke later, all these people fell to the ground, unable to get up. Feng Qi and Qu Sheng were also covered in the filthy blood that had splattered out.

The two stood side by side for a moment before Qu Sheng half-knelt on the ground, somewhat physically exhausted. Having rushed about for a long time today, although she practiced martial arts often, she had been a bit slack recently.

In this fight today, she had given her all; otherwise, only death would have awaited them.

“How is the wound on your body?” Qu Sheng looked sideways to ask Feng Qi.

Hearing this, Feng Qi looked down at his own arm and said, “It’s no matter.” Feng Qi had blocked a sword for Qu Sheng just now.

Qu Sheng gave an ‘En,’ then used the sword to support her body and walked to the side of that leader. She used the sword to slice open the clothes on that person’s chest, and several bottles of medicine fell out.

Qu Sheng walked over, picked them up to look for a few moments, then handed them to Feng Qi. “Apply the medicine.”

These people traveling outside naturally carried trauma medicine on their bodies. Feng Qi thanked her and took it, sprinkling it on the wound.

After Feng Qi finished treating the wound, the two mounted their horses again.

The worry in Qu Sheng’s heart decreased a little. These people should be the first wave; as long as they were still behind Lin Xizhao, that proved Lin Xizhao was currently still safe.

A three-day journey; the two entered the city gate when darkness fell on the second day.

The bloodstains on their bodies hadn’t been cleaned up either. Because they took small paths all the way, the inns they passed didn’t have clothes to change into, so they could only enter the city bearing bloodstains like this.

When entering the city, they were also stopped by the officials guarding the gate. It was only when Feng Qi took out the Marquis Qu’s Residence token that these people let them enter the city.

After Qu Sheng and Feng Qi entered the city, they very quickly arrived at the Liang family residence in Changzhou.

Because Lin Xizhao had often brought Qu Sheng over in the past, the servants guarding the door hadn’t changed and recognized Qu Sheng. Seeing them dismount, they hurriedly invited them in.

“Two noble guests, please come in quickly. This small one will go report to the Eldest Master.” One servant spoke, waving his hand to let another person go report quickly.

Qu Sheng took a look, then looked at Feng Qi.

Feng Qi understood, performed a cupped-fist salute, and inquired, “I wonder if my family’s Eldest Miss has arrived at the residence?”

That servant was stunned for a moment upon hearing this and replied, “Miss Cousin¹⁷ has never come.” The servant looked at the dazed expressions of the two, blinked, and asked, “Is Miss Qu here to look for Miss Cousin?”

Qu Sheng looked at that servant, and Feng Qi replied, “Yes, I hope young man won’t hide anything.”

Hearing Feng Qi’s words, the servant laughed. “What is there to hide about this? Miss Cousin truly hasn’t come to the residence.”

Qu Sheng frowned, and Feng Qi became suspicious in his heart.

However, the two still entered the residence, asked for clothes, washed up, and changed. The several Uncles of the Liang family also all came to see Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng sat in the living room, bowing her head without speaking; Feng Qi answered on her behalf.

Qu Sheng only wanted to leave quickly at this moment, only she didn’t know where to go to find Lin Xizhao.

“Since the Eldest Miss is not in the residence, it is inconvenient for us to disturb you further.” Feng Qi meant to leave.

Hearing this, the Liang family’s Eldest Uncle¹⁸ said, “Guard Feng said just now that you were following one after another; could it be that you took the wrong road, and you arrived here before Zhao’er?”

Qu Sheng suddenly raised her head to look at the Liang family’s Eldest Uncle at this moment, her brain spinning rapidly. If Lin Xizhao had changed to the Official Road midway, it was indeed possible for them to have taken different paths.

“Several Masters, Miss Cousin has arrived.” The Liang residence’s servant hurriedly entered the room to report.

Lin Xizhao had arrived.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Run again, and I’ll tie your legs up.”

Lin Xizhao: “Your legs are longer than mine; the one who should be tied up is you, right?”

Qu Sheng: “Does Wifey want to play new tricks? Tie whatever you want; tying hands is fine too.”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

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