Chapter 29: So Unlucky (5)

Someone is here? Zhuo Qing's nerves, which had just relaxed, tightened again. *No way! * Looking at the wounded and disabled people all over the floor, and then looking at herself, disheveled and barely dressed, Zhuo Qing wailed—hadn't she been tossed around enough tonight? How unlucky could one person be?!

Wenquan Xiaoyuan, Main Hall

"Xiyan."

Lou Xiyan was looking out in a certain direction, his face slightly sinking, the tea in his hand tilting to the point of almost spilling. Qi Tianyu called out, but he didn't notice at all. Qi Tianyu frowned and called out again: "Xiyan?"

Lou Xiyan came to his senses, looked at Qi Tianyu, and asked: "Is there any news?"

When had he ever seen Xiyan so restless? Was he nervous about Qingfeng? Unable to guess Lou Xiyan's thoughts, Qi Tianyu didn't say anything, just shook his head and replied: "No, your tea is cold."

Lou Xiyan raised his hand slowly and put the tea in his hand back on the tea table, calm and without a trace of embarrassment, as if his distraction just now was just Qi Tianyu's eyes playing tricks on him.

"Master." Jing Sa entered the main hall and reported in a deep voice: "The envoys from the Beiqi Kingdom have arrived at the Shili Pavilion outside Huanyang City and are camping there tonight to rest. Tomorrow at noon, the Emperor will receive them in the Ganyang Hall, and in the evening, a banquet will be held to entertain the Beiqi envoys. Eunuch Gao from the palace came to ask if the master's health has improved and if you can attend?"

Lou Xiyan pondered for a while and asked: "Who is the envoy?"

"The Third Prince of the Beiqi Kingdom, Xu Xunsi; the Seventh Princess, Xu Yanyun; and the eldest son of the Great General Hu Zhangyu, Hu Xi'ang."

Third Prince, Seventh Princess, eldest son of the Great General? Lou Xiyan raised his eyebrows lightly. The envoys sent by Beiqi this time were truly full of sincerity. If he hadn't guessed wrong, the Seventh Princess should be the tribute this time, right? Rumor had it that the Seventh Princess of Beiqi was not only stunningly beautiful but her dancing skills, according to those who had seen them, had reached a level that was indescribable and miraculous. Beiqi sending her here, the purpose was already very clear. However, would Hongtian be such an easily deceived monarch? Lou Xiyan laughed low and replied: "You go back to Gao Jin and say that I will attend tomorrow night."

"Yes." Jing Sa bowed and left.

Qi Tianyu looked at the sky and said: "It's almost three in the morning; why don't you go and rest for a while. We have to return to the mansion at dawn, and you have to prepare for the palace banquet in the evening. I will continue to help you look for Qingfeng."

Shaking his head lightly, Lou Xiyan replied faintly: "Wait a little longer."

Lou Xiyan picked up the freshly brewed tea, holding the lid, and gently smoothed the tea leaves with a leisurely movement, his complexion as usual. Qi Tianyu secretly pondered—could the nervousness just now really have been him seeing things?

"Master." Mo Bai's footsteps were steady as he crossed into the main hall and walked to Lou Xiyan, presenting the object in his hand while saying: "I searched all of Hong Shan, but still didn't find Qingfeng. However, we discovered traces of a fight in the woods on the back mountain, and we are currently searching the back mountain."

Lou Xiyan put down the teacup and examined the object in Mo Bai's hand. It was a flying knife. Lou Xiyan's narrow eyes narrowed slightly: "This is Qian Jing's weapon." At that time, Qian Jing was playing with it in his hand. The blade was half-moon shaped, and the edge was sharp. Such thin flying knives were very rare, and there weren't many people who could use them, right! If the person on the back mountain was Qian Jing, who would he be fighting with? Qingfeng had been missing for only three or four hours; if she wasn't on Hong Shan, she was very likely on the back mountain.

Lou Xiyan suddenly stood up. Qi Tianyu said anxiously: "Xiyan, where are you going?"

Putting on his outer robe, Lou Xiyan replied while walking out: "Go to the back mountain and have a look."

Qi Tianyu was shocked and said anxiously: "But it's already very late, and your body..." He could now be certain that Xiyan cared about that woman, and cared very much. What kind of magic did this Qingfeng have to make Xiyan so concerned about her?!

"I'm fine. If I don't find her on the back mountain later, I will return directly to the mansion." Lou Xiyan's footsteps were as usual, without the slightest pause.

Things decided by Xiyan would never change. Qi Tianyu could only reply helplessly: "Fine, let's go together."

The group left the Wenquan Xiaoyuan and walked toward the back mountain.

The sound of footsteps was getting closer, and even Zhuo Qing heard the slight abnormality. Her nerves tightened again. Zhuo Qing quickly observed the surroundings, but she almost didn't find a place to hide. Even if there was, it couldn't hold three people! Going out now would only be walking into a trap. Zhuo Qing sighed secretly—now she could only pray that the people coming weren't villains!

Zhuo Qing stared nervously at the cave entrance. Her wrist suddenly tightened. Looking down, Qian Jing, who was lying on the ground, supported his body halfway, pulled her hand, and said: "Help me sit up."

Zhuo Qing retreated behind Qian Jing and pushed his shoulders with both hands, letting him sit up. Qian Jing picked up the two flying knives on the ground and held them between his fingers, saying in a low voice to Zhuo Qing behind him: "Later... if there is a chance, you run, do you know?!"

Zhuo Qing was stunned. After pondering for a moment, she nodded and replied: "Mm." As long as someone could run out, there was hope!

Hearing her answer, Qian Jing was slightly relieved. Ru Er bit her lower lip, her hands trembling, but she still gripped the wooden stick in her hand firmly. The three of them held their breath, their eyes staring dead at the cave entrance.

They almost didn't hear footsteps, but a shallow dark shadow appeared at the cave entrance. Qian Jing's face turned cold; the person coming had strong martial arts. If they really had bad intentions, none of them would be able to escape. Tightening the thin blades in his hand, when he saw the cold light reflected by the long sword in the person's hand, Qian Jing used all his strength and shot toward the dark shadow at the cave entrance.

The thin blade flew out, and the person swung the soft sword sideways. Short weapons clashed, and only a "Clang!" sound was heard. The flying knife was knocked away, sinking straight into the stone wall beside it, the part exposed outside shaking and making a buzzing low sound. Being able to hit such a thin flying knife into the stone wall showed the strength of the blow!

Zhuo Qing and Qian Jing were both shocked, and at the same time, the person also entered the cave.

Seeing that tall and straight figure, Zhuo Qing shouted with joy: "Blue eyes!"

*Sob sob sob*, the heavens were truly open-eyed! Zhuo Qing almost wanted to cry.

After scanning the situation in the cave, Mo Bai turned slightly to the side, and Lou Xiyan's thin figure appeared at the cave entrance.

Under the firelight, meeting those eyes that were always gentle but now appeared deep and unfathomable, Zhuo Qing's heart skipped a beat. How could he come?

Lou Xiyan walked straight toward her. Zhuo Qing stood up and asked: "How could you come?" His body wasn't suitable for strenuous exercise, and the weather was so bad now.

Lou Xiyan didn't answer her. Looking at her long legs exposed like that, Lou Xiyan's eyes darkened. Zhuo Qing only felt a warmth on her body; Lou Xiyan's large cloak had already wrapped her tightly. Her chin was also gently lifted by him, and feeling his slightly cool fingertips gently stroking the scars on her neck, Zhuo Qing shrank her neck in embarrassment and replied awkwardly: "I'm fine; they are the ones injured more heavily." She still couldn't get used to Lou Xiyan not smiling; her heart would always beat wildly with unease.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 30 =====