Chapter 120

  What Tianhua's illness means, Yuan You naturally knows. So before he deceived Zhao Zhuo, it was also to prevent him from leaving. Now that he has spoken out, he is prepared to be scolded. But his body is tense, and Zhao Zhuo still looks at the two letters with a calm expression, not knowing what he is thinking after finishing reading them, motionless for a long time, before suddenly looking up at his face, his voice cold and sinking.

  "Call him back!"

  "Who?" Leng Buding was shouted, Yuan You was so frightened that he almost "jumped" up from his chair.

  "Rebuke him."

  "Go on, wait for you."

  Seeing his dark face and the chilling gaze, Yuan Yuai understood that at this moment, he didn't dare to disobey him even a little bit. He turned around and rushed out of the commander's tent. Before long, the lieutenant who had just been called away by Zhao Zun returned, standing tensely in front of Zhao Zun.

  "Is there anything else Your Highness would like to instruct?"

  "You tell me again about that Firehead Soldier." Zhao Zun's face was cold and hard, his gaze flickering with a mysterious light in the candle flames. With just one glance, in the midst of the crackling sound of the lamp fire, Xi Hou Bing's heart felt a surge of fear.

  He didn't know what the King of Jin wanted to hear, and he didn't dare ask another question. In fact, he didn't understand much either, but after thinking carefully about his previous report, he could pick out some "strange" things to say.

  "Subordinate remembered, heard that the fire-headed soldier when catching those Northern Di people, made them all take off their clothes, tied themselves up and walked away...” At this point, the scout himself couldn't help but want to laugh, let out a snort, before continuing.

  "It's said that the situation was quite bizarre, a group of naked men with their hands tied behind their backs walked along the official road, attracting those refugees who had fled to avoid the war to come out and watch, but the Northern Di people indeed walked into the Qingzhou Prefecture government office just like that."

  "What does he look like?"

  "I don't know about that."

  Looking at the confused and puzzled sentinel, Zhao Zhen's eyebrows furrowed again, almost subconsciously thinking of someone. After hearing that "firehead soldier" scolding Xia Yan, and doing those things, he really couldn't think of anyone else who would do such a thing except for A Qi.

  His cold expression slightly eased, but he didn't know what he was thinking of. He fell silent for a moment, and a layer of chilliness floated up in his dark eyes again. His fists clenched tightly before suppressing his anger, asking calmly, "Where is he now?"

  He was caught in his gaze and the scout's shoulders trembled slightly.

  "Returning to Your Highness, the small flag had a total of ten people. One died on the spot and three escaped, leaving six people behind. They handed over the Northern Di captives to the Qingzhou Prefectural Governor and left. As for what happened next, I am still unaware, presumably they went to pursue the main army of the bandits."

  Zhao Zun sank into thought for a moment, then waved his hand and let him go. Yuan You sat beside him, raising an eyebrow to look at his deep, ink-like face, somewhat perplexed but also knowing that something he didn't know about must have happened, or else Tian Lu wouldn't be acting so strangely.

  "Tianluo, it's not going well... Do you want to reuse that Firehead Soldier?"

  He gave him a cold glance, Zhao Zun leaned back in his chair, rubbed his forehead and considered for a long time before sighing softly and saying, "I suspect she is Ah Qi."

  "Ah?!" Yuanyou Zhang's mouth was agape, he had even forgotten to close it. He stared at Zhao Zhu for a while before coming back to his senses, carefully thinking about it, and then burst out laughing in surprise and delight. What surprised him was that Aqi actually had such a big nerve, daring to do something so outrageous, and what delighted him was that she didn't get "acne", which meant she would live a carefree life.

  "My cousin is really something. Haven't you noticed, Tianlu? She's different from other women. It seems like she doesn't care about anyone, and things like imperial power and status are nothing to her. The only purpose of what she does is just one thing: whether or not it pleases her aunt..."

  As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao's dark face and chuckled again, "If you hadn't taken a fancy to him first, I would have gotten my hands on her. Dammit, for such a girl, it's worth giving up a whole forest..."

  "Get out!" Zhao Zhuang glared at him, "You gave up a forest, but there is still a grove of trees on the edge of your forest."

  "Haha, you really understand me. I'm not the kind of man who would give up an entire forest for a woman, that's something only a fool would do." Yuan You hummed and chuckled to himself, looking at Zhao Zhu with a thoughtful expression, then let out a puzzled sigh.

  "Tsk tsk, you say my cousin is quite a handful, isn't she? Ah!"

  Zhao Zun did not respond, as if he had suddenly realized something, and let out a low cry.

  "Chen Jing!"

  Chen Jing always followed him, whether on the battlefield or in the palace. As long as he was called out loud, he would appear before counting to five. Sure enough, as soon as his voice fell, a rustling sound came from outside, and the tent flap opened. Chen Jing's black satin boots stepped into the tent, and the armor and iron scales on his body made a crisp sound. He bowed his head, clasped his fists, and knelt down on one knee.

  "Your Highness!"

  He picked up the teacup on the table, Zhao Zun took a sip, and then put it back on the table with a gloomy and cold expression, as if he was angry and helpless. But when he mentioned that woman's name to Chen Jing, his originally sharp eyes brought out a hint of gentleness.

  "Find her and personally escort her back to the capital."

  Chen Jing looked up at the noble and cold Nineteenth Master, just about to respond, but clearly saw a sentiment called "longing" on his face. He hesitated for a moment before saying: "Your Highness, the princess won't listen to my words... why not let me bring her over instead?"

  "No way!"

  Zhao Zunjun's face sank, and his words left almost no room for negotiation.

  "This time we are going to open Ping, and the war with the Northern Di has just started. What can be said about leaving a woman in the army? Moreover, the further north you go, the more dangerous it is, how can she be allowed to take risks?"

  "Yes."

  He bowed his head again, and Chen Jing looked at him as he slowly turned away, but ultimately said nothing and retreated. In his heart, however, he couldn't help but sigh and feel a sense of wonder. For many years, everyone had said that the King of Jin was cold and unfeeling, including Chen Jing himself. But since when did he start considering so much for a woman?

  Not only did Chen Jing not understand, but Yuan Yu also didn't understand many things.

  Sitting in the chair, he stared at Zhao Zun, his long fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest.

  "Tianlu, you're really something. She's finally arrived with great difficulty, and you're sending her back again? My Divine Machinery Battalion needs her right now. By the way, that batch of new-style firearms we improved upon according to her method last time, didn't you see their power when we fought at Yongning this time? A talent like hers isn't inferior to men in any way; can't you consider the long-term development of our army and not waste a pillar of talent just because she's a woman?"

  Zhao Zun's dark eyes gazed at him, looking for a long time. The expression in his eyes was so cold that it gave Yuan You a delusional feeling of wanting to strangle himself. Of course, he wouldn't really strangle him, but instead said calmly:

  "In my eyes, she is just my woman."

  Yu Wei's eyebrows slightly raised, and she locked eyes with him, unable to understand his logic. In his view, anyone who could be used was usable, which had nothing to do with whether Xia Chuqi was a woman or not, nor could he see any conflict between the two.

  Of course, at that time, he still didn't know that when a man really wants to protect a woman, everything else is false, and he will only care about her safety, especially in a place like the battlefield where fortune and disaster are unpredictable. Men don't want their women to share the risks with them. But things are hard to predict, and one day when he finally realized it, the long journey of chasing his wife made him unable to see the end, and he was so resentful that he not only wanted to chop down the forest but also had the thought of cutting off his own neck.

  Yuanshuo saw his "obstinate" expression, cleared his throat, and didn't say the thoughts in his heart, but just spread out his hands to show disdain.

  "Anyway, I don't understand you anymore. Tianlu, haven't you noticed? Ever since we met my cousin in Qinggang County, your brain hasn't been working properly, getting worse by the day. Tsk tsk, sometimes I wonder if this is still the Tianlu I know?"

  Zhao You looked at him and snorted, "Do you want to know why?"

  Yu Wei's eyebrows rose in a slant, her smile curved into a crescent shape, and she leaned forward, "Why? Tell me, I'm really curious to death?"

  Zhao's lips slightly curled up at the corners, hesitated for a moment, then passed by.

  "I'll ask you a question first. If you answer correctly, then you will know the real answer."

  "What's wrong?"

  "When will one plus one possibly equal three?"

  Yu Wei's smile froze on his face. He thought it was some profound question, but he didn't expect his usually serious and strict nineteenth uncle to ask such a childish question. After thinking for a moment, he seemed to have an epiphany and came up with some lewd thoughts, raising his slender hands, making circles with his thumbs, and saying with a fake smile, "I understand, haha. It's on the bed, only on the bed, that one plus one can equal three. No wonder... was it originally like this? Indeed, heroes have always had trouble passing the beauty pass..."

  He was still talking loudly, but Zhao Zhuo looked at him coldly, raised his hand to the button on his collar, and spoke in a calm tone.

  "Wrong. It's only when I meet idiots like you that 1 + 1 would think of 3."

  Did you deliberately provoke him? Yuan You's beautiful peony eyes stopped, staring at Zhao Zun's face, thinking for a moment before stroking his chin, and the rippling eyes were full of tangled light.

  "Tianlu, you've been learning bad things from my cousin."

  "This king has always been bad."

  "Hmm..." Yuan Yu pursed his lips, looking at his calm and peaceful face that was hard to associate with being "very bad", and curved the corners of his mouth, "Alright, you're very bad."

  ……

  ……

  Ji Zhou City.

  The smoke has dispersed, but the original prosperity has not been restored. A place that has been baptized by war will never be as prosperous as it was before, with bustling streets and shops lining up. This place has been ruled by the Northern Di people for nearly two months, and the common people still need some time to recover from their exhaustion.

  After several days of continuous rush, the six people left under the Dingzi flag walked on the desolate and cold street with their heads down. Their horses were shot dead by the Northern Di people at Yangtian Mountain, and they had been chasing after the main force's footsteps all the way, although they had done their best, but two legs could not keep up with four legs.

  After exhausting all their efforts, they finally arrived at the border of Jizhou and only then did they learn that Yongping had recovered its lost land. The heavy troops had set out two days ago for Kai Ping. Zhao Kui's troops would also go to Kai Ping to join forces with Chen Da Niu, preparing to cross the Luan River and attack Da Ning.

  Six people were hungry and thirsty and tired, after several days, they didn't look like soldiers coming to fight a war, their dusty and exhausted appearance was not much better than those refugees fleeing from the south.

  "Lao Meng, are we really going to have to go all the way to Kaiping?" Hei Pi wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, showing a mouthful of black teeth as he asked weakly.

  Lao Meng looked at him and said, "If you don't go to Kaiping, I'll carry you there?"

  Hei Pi gritted his teeth, sighed and took out a fan to cool himself down. "This horse face is dead, Xiao Bu and the other three have run away too. I think we'll probably be expelled from the camp as well. Lao Meng, do you think when we go back, we won't be treated as deserters by the commander?"

  "Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?"

  "Alright alright, I'm stupid I'm stupid." Hei Pi snorted, "But I think, only fools would chase after the main troops. You say we walk slowly, who knows?"

  "Isn't this slow enough? What's considered slow?"

  "Look at the sky, it's getting dark. Why don't we find an inn to rest for tonight?"

  "Take a break!" Old Meng glared at him fiercely, "If we rest for another night, the yellow flowers will wither. I reckon that if we hurry for two or three more days, we can catch up with the main troops. The baggage camp is moving slowly."

  Listening to the debate of several people, Xia Chuyi lowered her head, looked at the road, and was silent for a while. Suddenly, she turned around and interrupted them, "Old Meng, I also think we should rest for a night. The brothers are all tired, let's find an inn, have a good sleep, take a bath, and tomorrow we'll get a few horses, and ride to Kaiping."

  The relationship between men is different from that of women, the more ruthless a person is, the more respect they get. Since the battle at Yangtian Mountain, the people of Dingzi Flag have looked at Xia Chuyi in a different light, and everyone admires her as a "hero". As a result, her status within Dingzi Flag has become extraordinary, even Old Meng respects her.

  She could be heard saying she wanted to get a horse, but Lao Meng let out a sudden breath.

  "Little Qi, we don't have much silver on us, how can we afford a horse?"

  It's better to say that it was a bit easier in peacetime, but now it's wartime and we're in the war zone. Horses are scarce and have been requisitioned by the government, making them precious commodities. Although Jizhou is a large town, it's extremely difficult to get six horses at once, even with silver. Not to mention they don't have much silver to begin with.

  Xia Chuqi stretched her slightly sore arm and let out a sigh.

  "Don't worry, I have my own way."

  "We can't just go and grab it, can we?"

  Looking at Lao Meng's tense face, Xia Chuqi curled up his mouth.

  "I won't rob. I'll swindle instead—"

  She didn't care about their staring eyes and walked straight ahead, choosing a cheap and simple inn on the outskirts of the city to stay in. The few people had little silver on them, couldn't afford a good inn, and also didn't dare to ask for more rooms.

  Originally, Lao Meng thought that this time in Kaiping was still far away, and if they could save money, the six of them would squeeze into one room. But Xia Chuqi refused to live with them together, and insisted on spending her own money to get a separate room. Seeing that she was firm, Lao Meng had no choice, so the five of them squeezed into the common room downstairs, and gave the single room upstairs to her.

  Hurriedly finishing dinner and returning home, Xia Qi closed the door and let out a long sigh of relief.

  Ya ya pei ah! What's it like not taking a bath for over a month?

  She lifted her arm and sniffed, feeling that she herself had a "stinky" smell. Even she herself was disgusted with herself, if she looked like this when she saw Zhao Zhu, wouldn't he be suffocated to death? For more than a month now, others have been squeezing in the public bathhouse to wash, but she is a woman, where would she dare go? At most, she could only take advantage of the quiet night to fetch a bucket of water and wipe her body clean.

  She ordered the servant to bring up a bucket of hot water, locked the doors and windows, took off her clothes and soaked in it. She felt refreshed, like she had been electrocuted, and let out a long sigh of relief.

  Satisfied!

  Her eyes half-closed, she stared at the candle flame, counting the days. It had been over a month since she last saw Zhao Zhu, and she had no idea how he was doing. Did he know that she had contracted smallpox? Would he be heartbroken for her? Would he even think of her?

  Thinking of his face, thinking of this more than a month's separation, her heart suddenly "thumped" wildly, wishing to grow a pair of wings and fly over to reunite with him. These days made him worry in vain, which was also a heartbreaking thing, but hopefully after seeing each other, he wouldn't want to kill her.

  Zhao nineteen ah Zhao nineteen...

  Murmuring his name, silently thinking of his eyes, she was no different from other girls in the boudoir who were infatuated with their lovers. A pair of smiling eyes rippled in the water, drifting back and forth, lazily and comfortably stroking the water, caressing her own developing body, wanting to grow up quickly, become a real woman, so that when she stood beside Zhao Zhu again, he wouldn't "look down" on her "youth" anymore.

  Little one? Hasn't grown up a bit? She bit her lip and secretly pinched, involuntarily thinking of the feeling when Zhao's warm and dry hands covered hers, thinking of that ambiguous picture that made her blush and heartbeat, she was embarrassed, and fiercely closed her eyes again, her face full of girly coquetry.

  "Squeak!"

  A loud "Boom!"

  But in an instant, the originally locked door was suddenly kicked by gravity. Her eyebrows were raised, and before she could react, she saw the wooden door being chopped open from the outside, followed by a heavy thud, and the door panel fell to the ground. Standing at the door were more than ten black-clothed masked men.

  Just like the Northern Di people I saw on that day at Yangtian Mountain, their entire face only revealed a pair of eyes, and it was unclear what kind of face they had, yet they walked in without any courtesy, stepping on the threshold.

  "Little girl, this time see where you run."

  The Northern Di people come to take revenge?

  In the blink of an eye, Xia Qi's mind was filled with many thoughts. This inn on the outskirts of the city had been openly invaded by over a dozen black-clad men, their imposing presence unimpeded by the boss and his employees. The few "comrades" from the Dīngzì Banner hadn't even come running at the sound, leaving only one possible explanation - they must have been taken down, and the innkeeper didn't dare to intervene.

  Let me think again, this person's pronunciation is pure Mandarin, completely different from the Northern Di dialect I heard that day. The Northern Di people would rather go to the great prison to rescue their "stickers" than come to kill her. So whose people are they?

  As the man approached step by step, Xia Chuqi sank deeper into the water, her heart racing wildly, but she didn't scream or panic. Instead, she shrank further into the water, revealing only her head, and gave them a strange smile.

  "Halt!"

  Several men in black conditioned reflexively salivated.

  She smiled, her voice particularly gentle, "Several big brothers, I don't know if you are robbing money or robbing color?"

  Probably no one expected that at this time, she could still ask such a calm question. The black-clothed men looked at each other in dismay, and finally someone couldn't help but be curious, asking in a low voice.

  "How about robbing wealth? And how about ravishing beauty?"

  On the seventh day of summer, a face that had been steamed by hot water was flushed with a shy glow, her eyelashes fluttering several times. Her tone was even more soft and agile, "Robbing me of my wealth? I don't have any, I'm alone in the outside world, where would I have extra silver? If it's robbing me of my chastity, you brothers are all so heroic and extraordinary, although I like you in my heart, can't do it with so many people at once? Why not discuss among yourselves first, who comes first?"

  The men in black were stunned one by one.

  Under the vast sky, it's probably impossible to find another woman like her.

  They paused in surprise for a moment, and those people exchanged a glance, but they didn't seem as fierce as when they came in earlier. After all, men are creatures that are used to thinking with their lower brain, and the nemesis of men is women. They were fooled by Xia Chuqi's few words and ended up laughing.

  "The young lady is very eloquent, but if brother says he doesn't want wealth or beauty, only wants life?"

  "Oh no?" Xia Chuyi's shoulders shrunk, as if she had been startled, and looked around before softening her voice. "Gentlemen, look at me, I'm still in my undergarments, how can I run? Why don't you let me put on a piece of clothing first, so I can die with some dignity? It will also make you look more chivalrous, not bullying a weak woman, okay?"

  "Little girl..."

  "Big brother, stop wasting words with her!" Seeing that the man had been talking to her non-stop, another short and slender black-clad man became impatient. He pulled the man back and said in a low voice, "Let's just kill her quickly and be done with it. This woman is too cunning, we don't want to fall into her trap."

  His voice wasn't loud, but Xia Zhi had heard every word clearly.

  This sentence reveals a lot of information. It seems that someone wants her life, and the person who wants her life not only knows she's a woman but also knows her identity. Who exactly wants to kill her? And yet they've come all this way to chase after her. Zhao Mianze? Xia Wenqiu? Xia Tingde? Dongfang Qingxuan? Amur? As names flashed through her mind, the two black-clad men at the front were about to pounce on her, she narrowed her eyes and suddenly widened them, staring at their backs and shouting loudly.

  "Marshal, you've come, quickly save me—"

  As soon as he heard this, the two men in black who had walked to the front almost subconsciously turned their heads back. Xia Chuqi took advantage of this momentary distraction to quickly pour out the hot water from the bucket, "hiss" and extinguished the candle on the nearby case. In the darkness, she quickly put on her clothes and let out a cold laugh.

  "The person who can kill me hasn't been born yet, what can you guys do?"

  The lights in the house went out, and several men in black were shocked and pale. "Whoosh" drew their knives, but then someone lit a flint, and Xia Chuqi stood there with his body wrapped up, barefoot, and a hint of a smile on the corner of his lips.

  "Either one-on-one or group fight, you choose."

  "Brothers, just say that this woman is cunning, speed up——” The short black-clothed man narrowed his eyes, no longer hesitated, let out a loud shout, and rushed towards her. Xia Chuyi sneered, raised her palm, and scattered the medicinal powder like mist.

  "Are you kidding me? Who fights and still uses close combat?"

  She moved with extreme speed, the two black-clad men in front of her didn't even think she would suddenly sprinkle powder, the exposed eyes were just hit, only feeling an unbearable stinging pain, instantly dropping the steel knife in their hands, covering their eyes and squatting down to moan.

  Several black-clad men saw this, hesitated for a moment, and quickly pulled up their masks to cover their eyes. But with their eyes covered, how could they fight?

  "Up!"

  The man in black at the front of the door saw that things were not going well and shouted loudly at several other people. It was clear that they would not give up until they achieved their goal. Xia Chuqi knew that it would be difficult for one person to deal with these people, and his heart was tense with anxiety, but on the surface he appeared completely nonchalant.

  "Come on, come on, try my 'Fire Thunderbolt'! Today, I'll turn all of you into exploding pigs. Later, I'll invite everyone in the inn to have a roasted pork feast."

  She didn't actually have the "Firebolt" in her hand, but it was expected that these people would know her and therefore know about her past deeds on Danwei Street. It was enough to scare them a bit. Sure enough, those people stopped dead in their tracks upon hearing this. She smiled slyly, just about to take advantage of the situation to make a run for it, when suddenly the black-clad man at the door spat out a mouthful of blood that splattered more than three feet away. Then his tall body lunged forward and "thudded" as he fell to the ground.

  She slightly stunned, looked towards the door side.

  Then Hua Liuli was stunned.

  A bright red flying fish robe, like a flame, with his unrestrained yet elegant demeanor, slowly floated in from the doorway. The shallow smile on his face was none other than Dongfang Qingyun. Behind him followed several brocade-clad imperial guards, each one handsome and dashing.

  "When I heard your cry for help, I rushed here from the capital."

  He seemed to be smiling but not quite, and Xia Qiuli suddenly felt as if she had seen a ghost, unable to utter a single word.

  Those assassins in black robes were indeed not ordinary people. As soon as they saw Dongfang Qingxuan appear, a hint of desperate fear flashed in their eyes. Almost instantly, they wanted to flee. But Dongfang Qingxuan just smiled and blocked the door, where could they escape to? They exchanged glances, speechless, and stood off against the Brocade Guards.

  He lightly adjusted his sleeve with a raised hand. Dongfang Qingxuan didn't draw his sword, but instead spoke in a gentle tone with a hint of a smile, saying two words.

  "Kill him."

  "Yes, Grand Commander." Several Imperial Guards swiftly took action, their movements extremely swift. However, the black-clad man naturally did not want to die either, and fighting for one's life was only human nature.

  For a time, the flash of knives and swords, the sound of killing and shouting, filled this small room. The black-clad men were all skilled in martial arts, not like ordinary bandits, but the Brocade Guards beside Dongfang Qingyun were not only handsome, but also highly skilled in martial arts. Soon, the black-clad men were clearly no match, and in a flurry of clashing swords, two or three people fell to the ground in a pool of blood.

  "Wait—"

  On the seventh day of summer, he suddenly became anxious, let out a loud cry, and quickly ran over, looking at the greenish-blue sky in the east.

  "Grand Commander, are you trying to silence me?"

  The Eastern Blue Mystic's lips curled up with a hint of a smile, watching her slowly approach, without directly answering her words, but instead asked with a seemingly concerned tone, smiling faintly.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Leave one alive, I want to know who they are."

  Dongfang Qingyun smiled again, "There's nothing in this world that Jin Yiwei doesn't know about. You can ask me."

  At the beginning of summer, he saw one black-clad man after another fall down, and was so angry that he stared straight at him.

  "Go on, I'm asking you, what did you say?"

  Eastern Blue Mystic smiled and sat on the chair, "What if I said it was me?"

  Xia Chuqi was taken aback for a moment, then thought about it and rolled her eyes at him.

  "Unless you've got your head stuck in a door."

  She had always been different from others in her words, and this sentence was no exception. Dongfang Qingxuan was slightly stunned, a complex smile flashed across his lips, but his tone was still gentle and smiling as usual, "You're right, I did intervene. Otherwise, why would I have appeared at the right time?"

  Yes, the Eastern Qingyuan Society, which was originally supposed to be in the capital, appeared in Jizhou, and it was already unexpected for Xia Chuyi. These black-clad strangers wanting to kill her were also unexpected. What's even more unexpected is that when these black-clad men wanted to kill her, Eastern Qingyuan actually saved her. At least this point can prove that he didn't want her to die.

  She raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh.

  "Grand Commander, you've had your eyes on me for a long time, yet you deliberately delayed until now to come. What's your intention?"

  Dongfang Qingxuan still smiled, "Seventh Miss is worrying too much, I don't have the leisure to keep an eye on you. I came from the capital under the emperor's orders, as the supervisor of the Northern Expeditionary Army."

  Inspector? As far as Xia Chuqi knew, inspectors were usually the emperor's favorite ministers, temporarily appointed to represent the court in handling military affairs, and also supervise generals, specializing in auditing merits and demerits, with great power.

  What does it mean for Hong Tai Emperor to send Dongfang Qingxuan at this critical moment?

  It was almost subconscious, and her heart cooled down a bit.

  "Looks like there's going to be a change in the imperial court?"

  Dongfang Qingxuan was slightly startled, pursing his lips but didn't respond. Xia Chuqi didn't wait for him to answer either, and instead coldly laughed again, pointing at the dead black-clad man on the ground, saying in a certain tone, "They have the accent of the capital city, they are assassins from the capital. Tell me, who exactly wants to kill me?"