Lian Yue stood in the hot springs, her clothes soaked and clinging to her body.
Her expression stiffened as she couldn’t help but let out a soft “Ah.”
Was the sweet and delicious “soft rice” going to slip away from her so soon?
Yet this could also be considered an unexpected blessing. After all, before this, she hadn’t even known such martial prowess existed in this world.
Yuan Jing said, “Since I was the one who introduced you to this path, I cannot stand by and watch you take the wrong or narrow road.”
He glanced at Gu Quan, his expression unchanged as he calmly explained, “This isn’t just my opinion—it’s A Quan’s as well, right?”
Gu Quan: “…Yes.”
She had forgotten.
A Jing might appear to be a man of few words, but to become the world’s top young master, he couldn’t possibly be someone who just followed others’ lead.
Lian Yue: “…”
She bit her lip.
Why was she being lectured again when these two were the ones having a disagreement?
The young woman lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling slightly, appearing very obedient. “I understand.”
Anyway, she had already enjoyed the “soft rice.” As the beneficiary, of course she would accept whatever they said.
She would obediently follow their instructions.
In truth, the young woman knew herself that she had been somewhat impatient for quick results recently. Their reprimands were for her own good.
It really was her fault.
Lian Yue climbed out of the pool, her hem dragging water marks across the bank. Her expression was soft, seemingly no different from when they first met—still that timid, beautiful serving concubine who needed to be taken care of, appearing easily bullied.
She had grown accustomed to this act.
Yuan Jing said, “Inner force is just the foundation. To build a solid base, you still need to learn how to utilize it. After we finish matters here, I will teach you other things.”
He actually didn’t oppose Gu Quan transferring power to Lian Yue, and he understood that Gu Quan had done so to give her the ability to protect herself.
His own purpose in teaching her inner force was also for her self-protection—their fundamental intentions were aligned.
However, power transfer required dual cultivation. Not everyone was like Gu Quan, who would forcefully impart his power without a word, so domineering.
But since Gu Quan had already transferred power to her and she now possessed inner force, he could indeed teach her other skills.
Upon hearing this, Lian Yue looked up, her eyes shining brightly. “Really?”
Yuan Jing: “Mmm.”
Lian Yue grew even more curious. “The storybooks say that martial arts masters can fly over eaves and walk on walls. Is that true?”
Yuan Jing looked puzzled. “You want to learn light body skill first?”
Lian Yue nodded vigorously. “I want to learn.”
She said, “That way, if I can’t win a fight, I can still run away.”
Gu Quan, who was standing nearby, let out a light scoff. “No ambition.”
Lian Yue asked curiously, “Then what counts as having ambition?”
The striking young man nodded slightly and smiled faintly, countering, “What do you think?”
Lian Yue: “I don’t know.”
Gu Quan snorted softly.
He didn’t believe she truly didn’t know—otherwise, how did those bandits in Peng City die? How did Wu Yuru die?
And now she still wanted to kill Cheng Yi.
This young woman might appear fragile, but deep in her bones, she possessed a ruthless streak.
Noticing that the young woman was still dripping wet, Yuan Jing said, “You should go back first and change your clothes.”
Gu Quan: “Right.”
Lian Yue’s crimson clothes had darkened to a deep red, dripping with water and clinging uncomfortably to her body.
Hearing this, she nodded.
On the way back, the young woman didn’t mention the clues she had uncovered to either of them.
Mainly because the serial murder case didn’t seem related to whatever matters Gu Quan and Yuan Jing were concerned with. They weren’t here to investigate crimes anyway.
The only relevant point was that Cheng Yi was responsible for investigating this case.
Better to wait until there are results before discussing further.
On the way back, Lian Yue continued questioning Yuan Jing about her doubts: “Young Master Yuan, if one accidentally gets poisoned, can inner force be used to expel it?”
Yuan Jing: “Yes.”
Lian Yue marveled: “That’s incredible.”
He frowned: “Why do you ask?”
Lian Yue explained: “Back in Wan City, Magistrate Lu of Wan City once poisoned me. I still have some lingering fear about it, so I’m curious about this matter.”
What he had given her back then was likely strong acid.
Fortunately, it wasn’t the kind of poison that’s colorless and odorless, so she detected it in time. Had she actually drunk the poison, probably even divine intervention couldn’t have saved her.
But why did that second-in-command from the bandit lair also die from poisoning? Could it be that the toxicity was too potent?
Yuan Jing continued: “However, for poisons that seal the throat upon ingestion, there wouldn’t be time to use inner force to expel them – you’d still die.”
Understood.
Lian Yue felt somewhat reassured.
She was most skilled at making those “see blood seal throat” poisons.
Ahem.
After returning to their residence, Lian Yue went to change into dry clothes first, while Gu Quan and Yuan Jing went about their business.
As for the strange looks from the servants during their walk back…
Lian Yue decided to further solidify her pitiful image beside Gu Quan in front of Cheng Yi.
After all, in this bitter cold, her clothes had been soaking wet during the return journey.
Without inner force to protect her body, she would have looked utterly miserable.
Lian Yue wanted to use herself as bait.
The serial murders in the city reminded her of how Cheng Yi had come to the bandit lair to buy people, only to end up killing the women.
After changing clothes and preparing herself, noticing that neither Gu Quan nor Yuan Jing were around, Lian Yue walked to the entrance of Cheng Yi’s courtyard.
She hung her head, shrinking timidly, appearing as if she had just been mistreated.
A servant stopped her: “Miss Xiao Yue, this is Young Master Cheng Yi’s residence. It’s late now, perhaps you should discuss whatever matter tomorrow.”
Lian Yue’s voice choked with sobs: “Today at the market, I heard that Young Master Cheng Yi is very kind and righteous. I’m begging him to save me.”
After speaking, she lifted her gaze.
Her beautiful eyes were already filled with tears, the corners reddened, appearing truly pitiable and delicate – enough to move anyone’s heart and make them want to understand what misfortune she had suffered.
The servant felt some compassion.
He had just heard people discussing how Miss Xiao Yue, after returning from the market, had been summoned to the hot springs by her master.
The young Yuan gentleman had accompanied them.
And they didn’t allow any attendants.
Who would have thought these two handsome men were actually wolves in sheep’s clothing, making a young woman serve both of them at the hot springs.
When she returned, Miss Xiao Yue’s clothes were completely wet, and she had to walk back wearing damp clothes in the cold wind – truly suffering.
The hardships of servants are something only fellow servants can truly understand.
The servant hesitated for a moment, sighed and said: “Wait here, I’ll go announce you. But whether the young master will see you or not, I cannot say.”
Lian Yue said gratefully: “Thank you for your trouble.”
She had no idea that people had already misinterpreted her relationship with Gu Quan and Yuan Jing.
But she didn’t particularly care.
After all.
She was using an alias.
The servant soon returned, saying: “The young master invites you inside.”
Lian Yue: “Alright.”
Cheng Yi was currently in his study, so the servant led her there.
Seeing her weeping so pitifully, and recalling her interactions with Young Master Yuan, he could roughly guess the reason: “Miss Lian Yue, what brings you to seek me at such a late hour?”
Lian Yue wiped her tears and knelt on the ground, her voice hoarse: “I beg you, young master, save me. I will die—I truly will die.”
Cheng Yi frowned: “What exactly happened?”
Lian Yue spoke in a low voice: “Young Master Yuan has a terrible temper. He often beats and scolds me, and he does it viciously. Today, I returned late from the market, and he flew into a rage. He dragged me to the hot springs and tormented me. I truly cannot bear it anymore. I’ve heard people outside say that you are kind and righteous, that you even stand up for beggars on the street when they are bullied. Can you save me? I beg you, please save me.”
As the young lady finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes and fell, making her look utterly pitiful.
To make her story more convincing, she lifted her sleeve to show him the bruises—blue and purple—on her arm, proving her words were true.
Since it was nighttime, the study remained dim even with candles lit. Cheng Yi glanced a few times but, meeting the young lady’s innocent gaze, instinctively averted his eyes and thus failed to notice that the wounds on her arm were painted on.
Cheng Yi said, “Young Master Yuan comes from a noble family. How could he behave so outrageously in private?”
Just as expected.
He thought to himself:
These young masters from prestigious families are nothing more than outwardly glamorous; in private, they all have their peculiar vices.
In reality, they are no different from him.
Lian Yue lowered her sleeve and said pitifully, “Young master, I have no other recourse. I could only turn to you.”
Cheng Yi helped her up: “Rise first.”
He said, “Before my adoptive father took me in, I too came from a poor background. These nobles have never treated us as human beings—it’s truly infuriating. I understand your situation. I will find a way to help you escape.”
Lian Yue’s eyes lit up, and she timidly asked, “Really? Will you truly help me escape this misery?”
Cheng Yi smiled: “Of course.”
After speaking, he paused thoughtfully, as if considering: “Tomorrow, my adoptive father will be buried outside the city. Young Master Yuan and Young Master Gu will likely attend. I will seize the opportunity to help you leave then.”
Lian Yue: “Thank you, young master, thank you. You are truly a good person. If I can escape this suffering, I will surely find a way to repay you.”
Cheng Yi smiled gently: “For now, return. Tomorrow, I will send someone to find you.”
Lian Yue: “Alright.”
After she left, a chill entered Cheng Yi’s eyes.
Since she came to him willingly, she could blame no one but herself.
The next day.
Due to Magistrate Cheng’s burial, the government office was already bustling by Mao Shi.
Gu Quan and Yuan Jing also rose early.
When they arrived at the Spirit Hall, they noticed the servants looking at them strangely.
Some were whispering gossip.
“These noble young masters are truly unrefined. They came to pay respects to our magistrate, yet last night they took a maid to the hot springs for pleasure. How disrespectful!”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“Speaking of which, Miss Lian Yue had it rough—serving two men alone, treated so wretchedly. When she returned, her clothes were still wet. On such a cold day, she suffered terribly.”
What nonsense?
What are they talking about?
Reputational damage.
Gu Quan and Yuan Jing exchanged glances, then both fixed their gazes on Lian Yue.
Lian Yue hadn’t yet learned to use inner force to eavesdrop on others’ conversations. Seeing both their gazes fall upon her, her face showed pure confusion, completely unaware of anything.
She timidly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Yuan Jing: “Nothing.”
Such filthy words were better left unheard.
Gu Quan, having learned that she went to find Cheng Yi last night, took two steps toward her, wanting to ask what she discussed with him alone.
He had barely taken one step when she retreated a step, her body trembling slightly, her face wearing a frightened expression.
Huh?
From Yuan Jing’s perspective, Lian Yue only began this performance after Cheng Yi entered from outside.
Seeing this, he detachedly stood by with his hands behind his back, watching the spectacle.
As for Gu Quan, he was speechless.
No way.
What is she up to now?