After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 70

When disembarking, Qun Qing gazed ahead.

The undulating mountain ridges faded into the mist, the roadside houses were low and sparse, and greenery filled the landscape. Women carrying baskets, dressed in silk, bustled about, their demeanor and appearance starkly different from the citizens of Chang’an.

This was certainly not Chang’an but Jiangnan.

The boy who sells fish was named Yang Li. Qun Qing couldn’t help but ask, 

“You didn’t tell him what happened on the cargo ship, did you?”

Yang Li replied, “He asked, and I answered. But this esteemed gentleman said he brought his wife here to Jiangnan for leisure because it’s my hometown, and I could act as a guide.”

He began introducing with genuine enthusiasm, “Look, madam, this is my hometown, Xuzhou!”

Noticing Lu Huating, who was walking ahead, slightly tilt his head, Qun Qing stopped speaking.

However, Lu Huating halted deliberately, waiting for her to catch up. Turning his head, he fixed his gaze on her face. 

“Can you still manage? Should we continue, or would you like to rest for a moment?”

With this remark, all eyes turned to Qun Qing. As a spy, she was not used to being the focus of so many gazes. Assuming his actions were intentional, she replied expressionlessly, 

“Advisor, you have official duties to attend to. Do what you must; don’t concern yourself with me.”

As soon as she spoke, the three covert guards exchanged glances, their expressions full of astonishment. Earlier, she had been on the brink of collapse aboard the ship, but now, just after stepping on land, she had already guessed their purpose.

Qun Qing was not as easy to deceive as Yang Li.

Lu Huating had dared to intercept her from the Crown Prince’s hands. How would he face Li Xuan upon returning? It was likely that he had an official mission, using Jiangnan as an excuse to withdraw and conveniently bring her along.

For her, this only delayed the danger, however this gave her a chance to breathe. But finding a way out of danger would still require careful planning over the next few days.

Lu Huating admired her sharpness, even in such a precarious situation. Wen Su moved aside, letting Lu Huating walk next to Qun Qing.

Seeing Qun Qing remain silent the entire way, Lu Huating remarked, “I’m not used to seeing you like this.”

Qun Qing lowered her gaze. “With my hands bound, I’m not used to it either.”

“Nothing I can do. It’s my habit to restrain prisoners.” As a carriage passed, he grabbed her shackles through his sleeve and gently pulled her closer. “You know martial arts. If you run off with some young physician again, leaving without notice, how am I to explain that?”

Their sleeves brushed against each other, and the scent of yellow vanilla from him enveloped her, evoking a sense of familiarity and danger. At the mention of the young physician, she yanked her hand away in irritation.

Lu Huating asked, “Upset?”

Qun Qing retorted, “Whether I’m upset or not won’t stop the advisor from mocking me.”

Lu Huating replied, “Mocking you wasn’t my intention. Forgive me for my offense.”

He took the paper windmill from Wen Su’s hand and remained silent for a while. From the corner of her eye, Qun Qing noticed the windmill spinning in his hand.

Looking at the windmill, he remarked casually, “Xuzhou was called Wuzhou in the previous dynasty because of Wushan within its borders. According to legend, the youngest daughter of the Queen Mother of the West, Yaoji, died unmarried and was buried on the southern side of Wushan. She became the goddess of Wushan, and when the clouds and mist envelop the mountains, it is said to be her weaving spells.”

“Have you ever seen Jiangnan’s scenery before?” he asked.

Qun Qing gazed at the misty mountains in the distance. “Never.”

Lu Huating smiled. “What did you do as a child, then?”

Qun Qing replied, “As a child, I was confined to the boudoir and trapped in political schemes. I never saw the world.”

Lu Huating turned to look at her, but her expression was unexpectedly calm, as serene as porcelain washed clean by water. 

“What about you, Advisor?”

Lu Huating smiled faintly. 

“As a child, I was constantly on the run, drifting from place to place.”

Qun Qing paused briefly. “Then the advisor had it quite rough.”

“Not as rough as you. Despite your careful scheming, you ended up in my hands.”

Qun Qing said no more.

She observed Wen Su carrying silver coins and buying a sugar figure and two windmills while bantering with Yang Li. He even tried to spar with Zhu Su, who looked utterly disdainful and raised an arm in defense.

Qun Qing had no mood to appreciate the scenery. Strangely, though, even just walking like this brought her a peace of mind far superior to being deceived by Fang Xie on the ship.

The wind ruffled their clothing, and Qun Qing noticed her collar was slightly askew. She raised her bound hands to straighten it and met Lu Huating’s gaze. 

“This isn’t over yet.”

The wind stirred ripples in Lu Huating’s dark eyes.

Wen Su remarked, “Advisor, Miss Qing doesn’t have silk clothing. The best silk shops in Xuzhou are on Jingtai Street. Shall we buy a couple of sets?”

Lu Huating took out a coin pouch from his sleeve and tossed it to Wen Su.

Xuzhou was famed for its silk, and the silk shops on this street were bustling. Qun Qing hadn’t forgotten they were here for a purpose, so she didn’t refuse and followed Wen Su into one of the shops.

Though business was said to be thriving, the shop was empty.

Wen Su immediately began selecting fabrics. Qun Qing glanced at the silk displayed on the counters and racks, finding the colors garish. Unable to hold back, she commented as Wen Su was about to pay, “You’re overpaying.”

With that, she walked straight out of the shop. Wen Su hurried after her, whispering, “I thought the dyes on those silks looked gaudy. Turns out they weren’t worth the price. Good thing you know your fabrics, madam. Otherwise, I’d have been cheated.”

The two entered the next shop, which was similarly empty. The owner, lounging on a rattan chair, didn’t even greet them. Qun Qing ran her fingers over the silk and found it of inferior quality before leaving.

Three shops in a row were like this. It wasn’t until the fourth shop that she reluctantly chose a set of clothes. After Wen Su paid, Qun Qing stopped her and said, “Fetch my silver from the bundle and buy a garment from the first shop.”

After returning, Wen Su reported, “They say Jingtai Street is known for its fine silk, but the quality here doesn’t even compare to the scraps from Chang’an’s ready-to-wear shops. This doesn’t align with the reports.”

Lu Huating responded, “Why not leave evidence?”

Wen Su placed the gaudy round-collar robe in her hands and ran off, saying, 

“Miss Qing bought this for you.”

Lu Huating glanced at it, his expression shifting.

The evidence happened to be men’s clothing—a bright red round-collar robe.

He looked up, his gaze nearly piercing as he stared at her.

Yet Qun Qing’s expression remained calm. 

“I’ve already bought my dress. This one’s for the advisor’s official duties. Consider it a thank-you gift.”

After a day and night of rushing, Wang Xiang returned to the Eastern Palace on horseback, intending to report to Li Xuan, but was stopped by Shouxi. 

“Your timing is unfortunate. His Highness is in the Purple Radiance Hall, meeting the Emperor with Prince Yan and Prince Zhao.”

The Crown Prince’s daily affairs were numerous, and an audience with the Emperor was a grave matter. Wang Xiang had no choice but to lower his head and wait outside the hall, overhearing a dispute between the Crown Prince and Prince Yan.

Li Xuan had already received the report: “I’ve heard that the military advisor of Sanlang’s estate intercepted a spy from the Eastern Palace and directly escaped to Jiangnan. Is this true?”

Li Huan replied to Emperor Chenming, “I am unsure whether or not there was a spy, but the military advisor went to Jiangnan under my orders. I sent him an urgent command, and he likely did not have time to return to the capital, so…”

The Emperor of Chenming propped his head on one hand, his face weary from years of headaches. 

“What business does he have in Jiangnan Road?”

Li Huan replied, “Recently, while reviewing the autumn trade taxes, I noticed… something unusual in Jiangnan Road.”

He explained, “Suzhou and Hangzhou, especially Xuzhou, are prosperous areas and the home of silk production. Yet, the autumn trade taxes have only decreased instead of increasing compared to previous years. Upon investigation, I discovered that many old silk shops on Jingtai Street had closed down, replaced by new ones within a year or two.”

Prince Zhao, Li Pan, remarked, “Sanlang has been fighting wars for so many years and is only now managing state affairs. I suppose his princess had to guide him through the accounts step by step. Isn’t it normal for businesses to rise and fall? What’s strange about new shops replacing old ones on a street?”

Li Huan replied, “These new shops were all opened by someone named Song Wen. And Song Wen is no ordinary commoner—his father-in-law is Shen Fu, the current Deputy Minister of War. Is this also normal?”

Li Pan was rendered speechless and couldn’t help but glance at Li Xuan. Li Xuan’s grip on his jade tablet tightened slightly, for Shen Fu happened to be an ally of Chancellor Meng.

Li Xuan maintained his composed and gentle expression. “It’s not unprecedented for officials’ families to engage in business. Drawing conclusions based solely on this doesn’t prove anything. If Sanlang has suspicions, investigating thoroughly will benefit loyal subjects as well.”

The Emperor of Chenming looked at the crown prince, then at Li Huan, and expressed satisfaction. “I didn’t expect Sanlang to take such an interest in state affairs. It seems he has a keen eye despite his bluntness. Go ahead and investigate.”

After leaving the Zichen Hall, the three men indeed went their separate ways. Li Huan walked away briskly. Li Xuan asked Li Pan, “Do you know anything about this Song Wen in Jiangnan Road?”

“How could I know if even you, Crown Prince, are unaware?”

Li Xuan said, “For a long time now, Chancellor Meng hasn’t been informing me of his actions.”

“Rest assured, Crown Prince. Whatever the Grand Tutor does is for the sake of securing your position,” Li Pan reassured him. “Now that the ministers are loyal and the people reverent, don’t you think Father’s attitude seems to have softened? Seeing him today, his hair has turned completely white—it startled me. Concubine Han also said Father has become increasingly irritable. Some matters must be planned early. Did you notice today how Father looked at Sanlang? It was almost like when you disappeared back then…”

“How many lives do you think you have to keep spouting nonsense like this?” Li Xuan said coldly.

Li Pan replied, “You’re overly cautious, Crown Prince. Don’t you trust the Grand Tutor’s plans? Lu Huating alone isn’t capable of stirring up any major trouble.”

At the mention of Lu Huating, Li Xuan thought of Qun Qing, who was in his hands, and felt an indescribable frustration. He dismissed Li Pan and returned to his sleeping quarters with Wang Xiang.

As soon as Wang Xiang entered, he knelt to plead for forgiveness.

“Did you examine it carefully? The order Lu Huating held from Prince Yan—did it authorize him to arrest people or to assist with investigating the silk shop issues in Jiangnan Road?” Li Xuan asked.

Wang Xiang finally understood, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Li Xuan helped him up. “You’re a military officer and new to your post. Pretending to be intimidating won’t work against someone like Lu Qilang.”

Wang Xiang refused to rise. “Even if he’s bluffing, he’ll suffer for it in the end. But the problem is, why would he take such a risk to escort a spy? I heard this woman was once favored by Your Highness. If she falls into Lu Huating’s hands and is tortured for a confession, I fear she might expose Your Highness’s secrets…”

Li Xuan gripped his arm tightly, causing Wang Xiang pain. “There’s nothing in my memorials to keep secret. Even if Sanlang finds out, it won’t matter. If she betrays me too, then she’s no more than a discarded piece.”

“She’s just a maid. Why waste so much effort? Your Highness might as well issue a kill order now…”

“Do you not understand my words?” Li Xuan snapped, growing irritated. “Over the years, I’ve never misjudged anyone. I want her alive to find out if she’s truly a spy. If she is, she’ll suffer.”

“If all he wants is an order, I’ll give it to you now,” Li Xuan said, drafting a decree. “Lu Huating cannot remain in Xuzhou. Take this order and deliver it. If he doesn’t return with Qun Qing within seven days, I’ll charge him with defiance.”

Seizing the chance to redeem himself, Wang Xiang hurried off with the decree.

Li Xuan sat in his chair, finally exhaling. The rosemary incense in the burner alleviated his headache, but the emptiness of the sleeping quarters worsened his mood.

Shouxi observed carefully and asked, “How does Your Highness intend to confirm Qun Qing’s identity?”

“She has a father, Qun Cang, who’s still in prison. Bring him out. A father won’t fail to recognize his own daughter,” Li Xuan replied. “Why was he imprisoned in the first place?”

“Qun Cang was an official who boldly reported to the late Emperor Huang that the noble Lu family colluded with the Beirong tribe. His accusations were dismissed, and he offended the Lu family, leading to his imprisonment alongside several others.”

Li Xuan sneered at this. “A brave official willing to die for his words—he shouldn’t fabricate evidence, should he?”

At night, the group stayed at an inn.

Qun Qing naturally shared a room with Wen Su, who personally attended to her even when changing clothes. Before Qun Qing could react, Wen Su blushed first and extinguished the candlelight.

Qun Qing lay on the bed and fell silent.

Outside the window came a faint tinkling of a bell. Wen Su remarked, 

“It’s likely a traveling doctor.”

Indeed, it was the sound of a doctor’s bell. In the past, Physician Li and Fang Xie had used such bells when traveling for medical visits.

Wen Su touched the bedding and tucked the blanket around her. 

“Miss, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Qun Qing, needing to conserve her energy, replied, “I’m fine. I can sleep anywhere.”

“How can that be fine? The advisor instructed…” She stopped herself, realizing her slip of the tongue. “He told me to take good care of you.”

Qun Qing’s eyelashes fluttered.

In the moonlight, Wen Su gazed intently at her face. “Miss, your face seems very red.”

Qun Qing closed her eyes. “It’s nothing. Go to sleep.”

As they lay on the bed, Qun Qing silently endured the pain on her face. When the bell rang again, she couldn’t help but sit up and peek out the window.

An elderly man carrying a medicine chest walked past. His figure seemed familiar, making Qun Qing’s heart leap. But upon closer inspection, the man moved into the shadows and disappeared from view.

Qun Qing woke Wen Su. “I want to take a bath. Can you arrange it?”

Wen Su hesitated briefly. “All right. I’ll ask the innkeeper for water.”