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

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By now, Han Yunxi and Long Feiye had already returned to the Duke of Qin’s estate. After finishing a massacre and rushing about for days, it wasn’t clear whether Long Feiye was tired. But Han Yunxi…didn’t feel tired at all!

All because of the prospect of learning how to use assassination weapons.

She’d been trying to think of an explanation the whole way, but still didn’t know how to explain herself by the time they got home. Again, they reached the part of the gardens where the paths forked left and right to their respective houses. Han Yunxi walked quietly behind until she saw Long Feiye turning for the left and finally spoke up. Instead of explaining anything, she got straight to the point.

“Your Highness, you say you’d teach me how to use those weapons if I could come back. Does…that still count?”

Long Feiye turned around, his eyebrows knitted as if in thought. But as soon as he saw Han Yunxi’s earnest expression, he felt inexplicably helpless. He had no idea what to do with this woman. Since she’d asked like that, could he really say it “didn’t count?”

“Since when has your lordship’s words never counted?” Long Feiye retorted coldly.

Han Yunxi suddenly realized that her hasty question had given Long Feiye no way to refuse. How could a dignified and impressive Duke of Qin go back on his words? Seeing his cold and solemn expression, Han Yunxi couldn’t hold back and snorted with laughter. Long Feiye’s icy face turned three parts chillier as the two of them met gazes in tacit understanding.

Han Yunxi really couldn’t resist a chuckle. “One word from Your Highness Duke of Qin is worth nine tripod cauldrons2. Starting from tomorrow, chenqie shall learn how to use these weapons from Your Highness. I ask that Your Highness condescend to grant me generous instruction.”

Long Feiye had never liked women with glib tongues, but he didn’t feel repelled by Han Yunxi. Instead, there was even a sense of helplessness against her. Of course, he didn’t like this feeling, either.

“There’s no time tomorrow. A few days later,” he left her with these words.

“You’ve just returned and you’re busy again?” Han Yunxi murmured to herself. She turned to the right and carried the heavy bag of assassination weapons to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion.

Long Feiye truly was busy. The lights in his sleeping quarters weren’t even lit that night. Grand Concubine Yi wanted to find him to discuss getting a post for Zhangsun Che, but couldn’t find him. In the days since they’d left, Murong Wanru’s wedding had completely passed, along with her visit back to the parental home. Grand Concubine Yi had done her utmost for this foster daughter. Though Long Feiye was absent, she didn’t remain idle, but busied herself looking for posts for Zhangsun Che. Han Yunxi saw all this and felt puzzled in her heart. She really didn’t understand why the lofty Grand Concubine Yi seemed to be acting like she owed Murong Wanru something. Of course, she didn’t put much thought into it either. She was busy studying these assassination needles!

First she had to figure out how to use them before she chose to coat them in specific poisons. Some poisons could be smeared onto a weapon and stay active for a while, while others required repeating soaking in toxic liquids. Han Yunxi privately mused that she’d be very busy during this time.

Today, she was currently in her courtyard testing out poisons on the needles when a sudden gust of wind sent a red figure flashing past her face, his sleeves lightly whisking her cheek like a gentle caress.

“Who’s there?!” Han Yunxi rose up in alarm before she collected herself. She saw a beautiful man who could’ve been the reincarnation of a fox demon, dressed completely in red as he stood on one side. His long and narrow eyes were curved in a harmless smile at her.

Who else could this be but Gu Qishao?

Han Yunxi squinted her eyes as well, a dangerous expression on her face. “You again!”

“Poison lass, it’s not as if big brother killed off your husband. Why don’t you like seeing me?” Gu Qishao asked very sincerely.

“Turning up uninvited, are you here for a motive?” Han Yunxi didn’t show him any mercy. She had no enmity or grudge with this guy, but last time’s lesson had taught her that he had no good news trespassing in the Duke of Qin’s estate.

“Can’t I come see you for no reason at all?” Gu Qishao grinned as he walked over, digging into his spacious sleeves before pulling out a pile of items. Top-tier tonics like ginseng, edible bird’s nests, hasma, fish maws and etc. were placed in bags atop the table. There was quite the pile.

Han Yunxi was floored by the sight. “What are you doing?”

“They’re to help nourish your body. It hasn’t been long since we last met. What were you doing? You’ve gotten skinnier all over!” Gu Qishao said seriously.

Han Yunxi pursed her lips as she replied, “Doing as you please for no reason is suspicious! There’s no such thing as a free meal in this world!”

Gu Qishao pretended not to hear, his gaze sweeping past the needles on the table before a complicated look settled in his eyes. “Tang Clan assassination weapons?”

Han Yunxi just remembered the things on the table. She about to clear them away when Gu Qishao pressed down on her hands to stop her. He asked, “Poison lass, what’s your connection to the Tang Clan?”

Han Yunxi had never seen Gu Qishao look so serious. She was even a little stunned in place. However, it was just at this moment that a pebble suddenly flew over to strike the back of Gu Qishao’s hand, leaving a splash of blood in its wake!

Who was it?

1. gege (哥哥) – literally ‘older brother,’ also used as an affectionate address to refer to slightly older males that the speaker knows well, even if there is no familial relation.

2. one word…is worth nine tripod cauldrons (一言九鼎) – yiyan jiuding, an idiom meaning words of enormous weight, used to compliment a trustworthy person who would never go back on their promises. The nine tripod cauldrons refers to ancient Chinese ritual cauldrons that were used to symbolize the power and authority of the ruling dynasty. Their use was strictly regulated amongst various different classes; only the emperor (Son of Heaven) had the right to use all nine.