Chapter 121: Disappointment, so that’s how it is (2/2)

Long Feiye’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Sufficient evidence has already been found, and the results will come out very soon.”

“What?” Han Yunxi was shocked. Did Long Feiye find something at the Han estate?

After Long Feiye explained to her how Bilü had stolen some tea leaves, she was even more surprised. Who knew things would turn out like this?! They’d found actual tea leaves when the clues from before were already pointing towards Madame Li and Han Ruoxue. Now there was real possibility that these leaves contained Ten-Thousand Snake Poison, which would crack the case.

It was simple to check for poisons within the leaves, enough that even an ordinary poisons master could detect it. They should know the results as soon as they returned. At this realization, Han Yunxi bit her lip anxiously. Her heart felt torn before the joy of solving the mystery and the heavy knowledge of its criminal. If the responsibility for the crime fell on the Han Family, how many innocent lives would be implicated beneath its weight?

Meanwhile, Mu Qingwu and the rest made their way over. As soon as they arrived, Mu Qingwu kneeled before Han Yunxi.

“Your official deserves death for not protecting esteemed wangfei and having her suffer!”

Seeing this, Guard Shangguan hastened to kneel as well. “It was this commoner’s oversight. This commoner is guilty, please have esteemed wangfei mete punishment.”

“Young General, Guard Shangguan, please rise. It happened too suddenly, neither of you should take the blame,” Han Yunxi said mildly. She lacked the overbearing arrogance of the imperial house and their natural disposition to punish others. If there was any fault in the kidnapping, it was her own for being too weak.

Guard Shangguan was thrilled at her words and prepared to thank her, but Mu Qingwu still hadn’t gotten up. Instead he said, “It was this official who brought esteemed wangfei along and had the duty to ensure her safety. Please have esteemed wangfei mete punishment.”

Seeing this, Guard Shangguan had no choice but to remain kneeling with his head bowed. Han Yunxi understood Mu Qingwu’s personality and bent down to help him up personally. “Young General, if I was really injured then the blame would fall on you. Since I’m all right now, you can gain merit from rescuing me to offset the blame.”

Of course Mu Qingwu didn’t dare to have Han Yunxi help him up and rose by himself. He paused before yielding to Han Yunxi’s intentions. “Many thanks to esteemed wangfei!”

“Guard Shangguan, you get up too,” Han Yunxi said.

Guard Shangguan had given his all just to make up for the calamity with his efforts. He quickly rose and smiled. “Heaven really helps the worthy like esteemed wangfei to get through without mishap. The two of us followed His Highness to chase down the mosquito swarm. We were originally planning to ferret out those den of thieves, a pity we just fell short!”

Han Yunxi’s expression turned stiff at these words as she unconsciously shot Long Feiye a look. She had been puzzled why it took so many days for anyone to catch up, but now she knew the reason! Long Feiye discovered the mosquito swarm long ago, but chased after it without making a move. He was casting out a net to catch a bigger fish!

In other words, he treated her as bait? He tossed her out like a child to catch the wolves? What a fool she was to want to jump for joy at his arrival, when these were the facts! This bastard, did he know that if it wasn’t for Gu Qishao, the masked man would’ve taken her away long ago? Her hairs stood on end when she recalled his words: ‘You’re the one I want!’ She gave Long Feiye a resentful look.

Guard Shangguan was only telling the truth, but Long Feiye gave him a cold glare that left him at a loss. He only felt killing intent suddenly arise in his surroundings and quickly lowered his head, afraid to say a word. He didn’t know where he had gone wrong.

“If that’s the case, then it seems I’ve disappointed your lordship,” Han Yunxi said mildly.

“Truly.” Long Feiye really was disappointed that they hadn’t penetrated the enemy defenses this time. He magnanimously accepted Han Yunxi’s gaze as an inexplicable scent of gunpowder rose in the air. At this moment, someone’s light laughter carried over.

“Your Highness Duke of Qin, though you didn’t find their den, you still glimpsed their leader. Congratulations, this is all esteemed wangfei’s contribution.”

Gu Qishao strode over in his red robes, wearing a lavish smile and looking every inch a villain! Long Feiye had long noticed his presence and knew he’d rescued Han Yunxi. Coldly he asked, “And just who are you?”

Before Gu Qishao could speak, Guard Shangguan rushed forward to respectfully report. “Your Highness Duke of Qin, this would be the owner of our Celestial Fragrance Teashop, Gu Qishao.”

The owner of the Celestial Fragrance Teashop?

Han Yunxi looked at Gu Qishao, startled as all of her questions were answered. So he was the owner. No wonder he’d save her even though they never met. This fellow had probably chased after her right as she was kidnapped.

“Gu Qishao greets Your Highness Duke of Qin,” he bowed slightly, hands folded in front of his chest. Compared to Guard Shangguan’s respectful deference, he was neither haughty nor humble.

Unexpectedly, Long Feiye’s reply was frigid. “Celestial Fragrance Teashop concealed spies that resulted in esteemed wangfei’s kidnapping. How should this be punished?!”

At these words, Guard Shangguan’s face turned pale. He’d always been the one in charge of the Celestial Fragrance Teashop and what he feared the most was His Highness Duke of Qin meting punishment. Though the Celestial Fragrance Teashop may not have sheltered spies directly, Huo Yang was one of the teashop’s people. He was a traitor!

-o-

[1] Li Mingmei (李明媚) – the name that Third Madame Li goes by in the Han estate. Differs slightly from her actual name, Li Mingyue (李明月).