Chapter 127: Another Person

Another Person

Nie Jinxuan never expected that this unintentional action would actually give her such a big surprise!

After all, the young man named Zhang Yuan before us, if what he says is true, is originally from Zhang Family Village and left here five years ago, then he must know Bi Yao! And this is surely a turn for the better!

However, at this moment, Nie Jinxuan does not want Zhang Yuan to help confirm whether the Bi Yao who committed suicide at Zuixiashanzhuang is real or fake, because doing so would easily expose Zhang Yuan, letting the real culprit notice and thus put him in danger.

Secondly, given that it's almost certain the Bi Yao who died at Zuixiashanzhuang is fake, rather than confirming again, it would be better to ask about other important matters—such as, what does the real Bi Yao look like? What are her facial features? Any distinguishing marks? Who did she often come into contact with in the village before?

So, at that moment, Nie Jinxuan thought this and then acted accordingly. But as soon as she mentioned inquiring about Bi Yao, Zhang Yuan first answered her question, then began to suspect her.

Zhang Yuan left home five years ago to study martial arts on Mount Hua; although still young, he is generally more alert than ordinary villagers. Moreover, seeing Nie Jinxuan's beautiful appearance, noble attire, elegant demeanor, and the guards following her, Zhang Yuan naturally wanted to ask a question.

Then, upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan suddenly realized she had been a bit rash; she slightly pursed her lips and then spoke on her own.

"Young master, don't misunderstand; I… uh, this isn't the place to talk. If it's convenient for you, could we step aside to speak? I'll then explain everything clearly to you."

"All right, miss, please!"

Saying this, Zhang Yuan politely made a 'please' gesture toward Nie Jinxuan, then led her to a nearby farmhouse, while saying

"A fire suddenly broke out at my home; this time I returned with nowhere to stay, but fortunately the Li Dage who recently moved into this household let me stay temporarily; otherwise I would truly… Miss, please, I'll pour you a cup of water."

Zhang Yuan was very courteous. Saying this, he really stood up, poured Nie Jinxuan a cup of water; after another round of polite gestures, he then spoke on his own.

"All right, miss, feel free to speak plainly; may I ask why you are inquiring about Bi Yao? Could you explain a bit?"

"Hehe~, young master, don't overthink it; I actually don't know Bi Yao—I only heard about her from a friend. My friend has an item that must be given to Bi Yao, but due to various reasons he cannot leave the city, so he asked me to deliver it to Bi Yao! That's why I've come all the way to Zhang Family Village…"

"I never expected that upon arriving here I would hear that Bi Yao had left after her parents passed away. I had wanted to ask villagers who knew Bi Yao, but then a fire broke out… So, when I just heard you say you left Zhang Family Village five years ago, I assumed you must know Bi Yao, and thus wanted to ask you about her."

……

Nie Jinxuan was not intentionally hiding the truth; it's just that the real culprit is lurking in the dark, so she had to be on guard. Upon hearing Nie Jinxuan's explanation, Zhang Yuan suddenly realized.

"Oh, I see…… All right, miss, go ahead and ask; what do you want to know?"

"Actually, there's not much; I just want to know what Bi Yao looks like…… After all, this is a matter of fulfilling a trust entrusted by a friend; since my friend has placed this task in my hands, I will naturally do my best to see it through! But Bi Yao's whereabouts are unknown now, and I have never met her, so I beg you for help."

"Hmm, miss, your words are quite reasonable!"

Zhang Yuan gave a slight nod, then furrowed his brows in thought; after a while, he slowly spoke.

"Bi Yao is not tall, her face is a bit thin, not very fair, but she looks quite delicate…… Oh, right, I remember now: Bi Yao has a scar in her left eyebrow from a childhood fall when she was playing; I was there at the time, so I remember it clearly!"

Zhang Yuan said this, then, upon reaching this point, he raised his head and smiled at Nie Jinxuan.

"Hehe…… However, what I just said are all things from five years ago; I don't know if they'll be of any help to you, miss……"

"Not at all, young master, you're being polite—of course it's useful! ~"

Nie Jinxuan returned a smile, then chatted a bit more with Zhang Yuan before leaving on her own. But just as she turned around, she stopped again and instructed the Zhang Yuan behind her.

"Young Master Zhang, today I came to ask you about Bi Yao; please keep this confidential."

"Uh…… why is that?"

"Hehe~, young master, how could you forget?! If I came looking for Bi Yao and others found out, they would surely press for details, and back and forth we might end up mishearing or miscommunicating. By then, wouldn't that be bad for Bi Yao? After all, Bi Yao is ultimately a girl… So, to be safe, it's better not to say anything. You'd agree, young master, right? ~"

"Oh, indeed. Miss, you've thought this through thoroughly; I, on the other hand, was ignorant! Miss, rest assured, I will certainly not talk nonsense."

"All right, then, thank you for the trouble, young master!"

After saying that, Nie Jinxuan smiled at Zhang Yuan again and stepped out…… but upon reaching the doorway, she stopped once more.

"By the way, may I add a word? I wonder what your plans are afterward, young master?"

"Uh…… I plan to go straight back to Mount Hua…… What?! Do you have something for me, miss?"

"Hehe~, nothing, just asking casually. Take care, young master, farewell! ~"

After saying that, she today raised her hand to push the door, then walked straight out.

Leaving that farmhouse, Nie Jinxuan left Zhang Family Village without hesitation. At that moment, Zhongli, who had been following behind, couldn't help but ask.

"Princess Consort, why didn't you just now explain the truth to that Zhang Yuan?"

Zhongli was somewhat puzzled. But upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan lifted her eyes and glanced at him.

"The truth?! You mean I should tell him his family didn't die in an accident, but were deliberately burned to death by arson?"

"Uh……"

With just that sentence, Nie Jinxuan left Zhongli speechless. Seeing his embarrassed look, she then pursed her lips and spoke softly.

"Furthermore, Zhang Yuan is essentially a martial artist; once he learns the truth, he will surely not let it rest. Moreover, he is currently the only witness who can prove whether Bi Yao is real or fake. If the real culprit finds out, he will surely not escape death—after all, even if he is a martial artist, a visible spear is easy to dodge but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against, and the culprit is a cunning and deceitful person, so we must be on guard."

Nie Jinxuan briefly explained her reason for lying; upon hearing this, Zhongli finally understood, but still couldn't help asking.

"But what if the other party insists on pressing for answers? How would the Princess Consort talk her way out of it?"

"That's fine too…… Isn't there still the palace steward, Eunuch Zhang Xi? He's the one who can't get out, right?"

She directly threw an answer at Zhongli, then continued walking forward, but after just two steps she stopped again.

"Zhongli, after returning to the city, send people to follow that Zhang Yuan, and on the other hand have someone rush straight to Mount Hua to see whether such a person actually exists there!"

"Yes!"

……

To avoid being seen, Nie Jinxuan did not park her carriage at Zhang Family Village but instead stopped it in a secluded spot one li outside the village. Afterwards, while walking and talking with Zhongli, she went straight to where the carriage was hidden, then got on and rode back to the city.

At this moment it was dusk, so the carriage interior was a little dark; Nie Jinxuan therefore lifted the carriage curtains herself and, unable to help it, gazed out at the evening glow beyond the city.

Thus the carriage crept forward, quite smooth…… but then, when the carriage was only three or four li from the city gate, Nie Jinxuan, who had been leaning against the window gazing far away, suddenly stiffened and cried out repeatedly.

"Stop!"

Nie Jinxuan's shout was sudden. Hearing it, the coachman Zhongli instinctively jerked the reins, then turned his head and asked.

"Princess Consort, what's wrong?"

Zhongli was quite puzzled. But Nie Jinxuan didn't answer him; instead, after being dazed for a while, she lifted the curtain, got down from the carriage, and slightly furrowed her brows…… because just moments ago she had actually seen a person's silhouette in a pavilion not far away!

That silhouette was backlit, facing away from her, so Nie Jinxuan couldn't make out his face. But the familiar build and aloof aura let her instantly recognize who it was!

"But how could that be possible?!"

Yin Fengzhan, that bastard, deliberately left the mansion just to go outside the city to enjoy the scenery?!

Or perhaps he has something else…

Nie Jinxuan's mind was filled with doubts, and she immediately quickened her steps, wanting to step forward and ask what was going on… but just then, before Nie Jinxuan could even reach the pavilion, she saw Yin Fengzhan's eyes flash sharply in the distance, and he instantly turned his body.

Yin Fengzhan's alertness startled Nie Jinxuan, and precisely because of that, she instinctively flung herself to the side the instant Yin Fengzhan turned.

All around was silent; Nie Jinxuan hid herself behind a few big trees, but she couldn't help but frown slightly, then she felt inexplicably odd, and was about to walk out… when suddenly a voice reached her ears.

"You go first!"

The speaker was Yin Fengzhan; his voice was faint and slight, so slight it almost seemed like an illusion. But at this moment, Nie Jinxuan could be certain she had really heard it, and her heart jumped again in surprise.

What?! Besides Yin Fengzhan, there's someone else?!

Nie Jinxuan was puzzled and curious, but she still decided to step out… yet just as she stepped out, she saw a black shadow flash before her eyes, and at the same moment a huge, nearly terrifying aura lunged at her, and then her neck was instantly gripped by a large hand.

But in that very instant, Nie Jinxuan also saw the other person who had previously been blocked by Yin Fengzhan's figure…