Chapter 195: Do you have connections with the Tang Clan? (1/2)

Chapter 195: Do you have connections with the Tang Clan?

Han Yunxi was absorbed in her own worries and didn’t notice anything peculiar around them, while Long Feiye sat loftily astride the horse like a sovereign that considered everything beneath his notice. It wasn’t clear whether he’d sensed the commentary and stares from the surrounding crowds.

One horse and two people created a sensation in the city.

In a roadside inn, Gu Qishao and Mu Linger were currently sitting by the window. Because Gu Qishao had stolen the Xie family’s treasured Herbal Tea Tree, he’d been put on a blacklist by the Xie in Medicine City. Only the Mu family’s secret assistance had helped him escape. He’d just sat down when he noticed the commotion in the city streets. Even if Mu Linger only had Gu Qishao in her eyes, her sights still lingered a bit upon seeing Long Feiye.

“Qi gege1, who’s that man? He seems very scary.”

“That’s the thief who was going to rob your family…” Gu Qishao replied on the fly. Though his hatred for Long Feiye was unparalleled, he wouldn’t let it dominate his life. He kept the grudge against Long Feiye in his memory without getting angry. All of his focus was on Han Yunxi. It seemed like Poison lass had gotten much skinnier since he saw her last! She looked very tired, so had she and Long Feiye just returned to the city as well? What did they go off to do together?

Did Long Feiye bring her publicly back into the city to show everyone he’d acknowledged her status, or was it unintentional?

Thinking up to here, Gu Qishao’s lips rose disdainfully. Did Long Feiye ever do anything without a motive? He wouldn’t believe the opposite even if he was beaten to death. But still, he couldn’t figure out the reasoning behind Long Feiye’s actions. Perhaps Long Feiye had taken interest in Han Yunxi as well?

“Qi gege, just who is he? He doesn’t seem so simple,” Mu Linger asked as her line of vision followed the people below. She wanted to look for a bit longer, even if it was only a second. That man looked scary at first glance and even scarier on the second, but still he invited onlookers to look for a third time more.

“Tianning’s Duke of Qin,” Gu Qishao replied carelessly. Unlike Mu Linger, his sights were set completely on Han Yunxi.

At these words, Mu Linger was greatly alarmed. She spat out her mouthful of tea and exclaimed, “What did you say?”

Gu Qishao gave a loathing look to the table covered in tea before continuing to observe the scene beneath the inn.

“He’s Tianning’s Duke of Qin? You…you…if my father knew, he’d beat you to death for sure!” Mu Linger’s shock had turned her face white. She wasn’t alarmed because of the forbidden forest matters, because she had no idea about the top secret alliance between the Mu family and Nothern Li’s Duke of Kang. Nor was she aware of the true disaster than had befallen the restricted area of the forest. Despite being the Mu family’s foremost talented pharmacist and its most eligible heir, she had never been concerned about so many different things.

She only knew that one day, Qi gege suddenly ran to find her to help set down a trap while he lured someone to the Mu family. She agreed without a second thought and even got her father’s consent to assign people and troops to make nets above and snares below. Never did she think that Qi gege had set the trap for Tianning’s Duke of Qin!

The Mu family could technically afford to offend the world’s number one ice duke, but they couldn’t do so casually. If father knew the truth, wouldn’t he lock her up for ten days or eight months? Mu Linger tactfully cleaned up the table in response to Gu Qishao’s look, before asking, “Qi gege, you have enmity with the Duke of Qin?”

Perhaps Gu Qishao heard and ignored her, perhaps he didn’t hear at all; in any case, he remained looking outside without any reaction. Mu Linger followed his gaze and finally realized that Gu Qishao was looking at none other than Han Yunxi. Seeing him lost in a trance, the intelligent and quick-witted Mu Linger instantly knew what was up. Her clear and melodious voice turned low and somber. “Qi gege, that woman is the Qin Wangfei Han Yunxi, right?”

But still, Gu Qishao didn’t reply. Once he saw Long Feiye and Han Yunxi pass by the inn, he rose to leave as well. Mu Linger hastened to follow. “Qi gege, where are you going?”

Gu Qishao dotingly rubbed a few strands of her hair as he revealing an enchanting smile. “Little Ling’er, you should go back to the city. Be good…”

Mu Linger anxiously grabbed his hand, asking frankly, “She’s the person in your heart?”

This girl might be clever, but she couldn’t hide her thoughts, especially when it came to Gu Qishao. Even if it was only half a thought or half a secret, she wouldn’t be able to hide it. When she was ten years old, she snuck into Medicine City’s Medicine Forest to play and stumbled on Gu Qishao stealing medicine at the same time. At that time, Gu Qishao was only 13. The two children fought a bout and ended up being friends that way.

Despite that, the 13-year old Gu Qishao had long stopped being a child. He possessed a maturity at least 10 years older than those of his peers! Moreover, that meeting wasn’t any coincidence, but intentionally arranged by Gu Qishao himself. Of course, Mu Linger didn’t know any of this. Ever since that day, Mu Linger always called this older brother who was prettier than herself, “Qi gege.” She only knew he was an orphan that relied on eating alms to grow up, but she’d never investigated into his origins.

Qi gege had always been natural and unrestrained, cynically thumbing his nose at the world. He kept up an uninhibited, fanciful air so she’d never seen him act seriously. But just then, his eyes had been entranced by Han Yunxi! When Qi gege said he had someone in his heart that night on the roof, he must have meant that woman! Mu Linger stared stubbornly at Gu Qishao with her large bright eyes, but he only smiled even more brilliantly. He was very happy.

“Ling’er, you’re getting smarter and smarter! You guessed right!”

Immediately, Mu Linger’s bright eyes grew dim and lifeless. She subconsciously released him, but quickly grabbed Gu Qishao’s hand again, her voice low and sober. “You’re shameless, liking a married woman! I’ll go tell the Duke of Qin right now!”

A flicker of disdain passed through Gu Qishao’s eyes before he suddenly turned serious. “Really?”

Mu Linger nodded solemnly. “Right now!”

Amused, Gu Qishao gave a hearty laugh before pinching Mu Linger’s flushed cheeks with a grin. “Stupid lass, you’re getting easier and easier to trick! What an idiot!”

Mu Linger gave a start before her gloomy eyes sparkled anew with joy. “Qi gege, you’re so bad! You tricked me again!”

“Stupid lass, why are you so easy to trick? Heheh…” Gu Qishao laughed before sighing with emotion, but before his sigh finished, he was gone. Mu Linger was still digesting what she’d heard. She hadn’t figured out which part of Qi gege’s words were lies. Was it having a person in his heart? Or that Han Yunxi was the person he liked?

“Qi gege!” Mu Linger ran out of the inn, but her target had long disappeared.