Just as Pei Qianhao was going to barge his way in, Qin Ling arrived. He had heard from his subordinates that Pei Qianhao had arrived and hurried over as quickly as he could. After paying his respects, he started to speak in earnest. âSince Prince Hao is determined to enter, us guards are naturally unable to stop you.â Having said that, Qin Ling turned to the imperial guard beside him. âLet him in.â
âImperial Guard Qin, thisâŚâ
âPrince Yun has cordoned off the streets to find out who killed Commander Wei. Do you think Prince Hao would be the murderer? Let him in immediately.â Qin Ling then carefully studied Pei Qianhaoâs expression and found that the latterâs eyes were bright, his expression calm.
Pei Qianhao shot a glance at Qin Ling and entered the area, heading towards the Literary Association.
Afterwards, Qin Ling immediately commanded his subordinate by the side, âHead to the Prince Yun Residence immediately and tell Prince Yun that Prince Hao is heading towards the Literary Association.â
âYes, this subordinate shall head over right now.â The imperial guard then mounted his horse and cracked his whip before speeding off.
Just as he watched the horse disappear into the distance, another subordinate approached Qin Ling and said softly, âThis subordinate is deserving of death. The womanâs husband has been killed, but due to this subordinateâs negligence, the child has been carried away amidst the chaos.â
Even without him explicitly stating who he was talking about, Qin Ling knew who his subordinate was referring to - the woman whom Commander Wei had loved.
âWhat about that woman? Is she willing to guard Commander Weiâs tomb?â
âShe was finally willing after being threatened with the lives of her maiden family. However⌠Commander Weiâs corpse was brought back to his hometown yesterday. The woman agreed to guard his tomb this morning, just to run headfirst into the wall and kill herself in front of Commander Weiâs body.â
Hearing the guardâs words, Qin Ling felt pain in his heart. Commander Weiâs soul would definitely not be at peace if he hears about this in the underworld. However, we cannot defy the orders of Prince Yun.
âShould we inform Prince Yun about this?â
Faced with his subordinateâs question, Qin Ling came to his own decision. âDonât inform him about it. Just say that the child has been killed. Donât inform him about the womanâs death either. This matter shall be kept a secret between me and you.â
âThis subordinate will definitely keep my lips sealed.â
Qin Ling dismissed him with a wave of his hand. âContinue guarding the streets.â
His subordinate replied with an affirmative and stood guard at the edge of the street.
Meanwhile, Pei Qianhao had already arrived before the Literary Association and knocked on the front door. The old man who answered the door didnât recognise Pei Qianhao and told him outright, " The Literary Association is not open today. Come again another day.â
Pei Qianhaoâs patience had already been running short before arriving at the Literary Association. He had to see Su Xi-er as soon as possible. As such, he raised a hand and pushed on the door with enough force to have the old man retreat.
Not knowing who the person before him was, the old man felt very anxious as he quickly locked the associationâs doors and followed behind Pei Qianhao.
Entering the inner hall, the old man shouted, âCome quickly, a man has barged in!â
Instantly, many scholars appeared in the inner hall, staring at Pei Qianhao with varying degrees of caution.
Not long after, Guan Xiang appeared as well. After seeing Pei Qianhao, Guan Xiang was briefly shocked before bowing to greet him. âThis peasant pays his respects to Prince Hao of Beimin.â
The shock value of the four words, âPrince Hao of Beiminâ, was extremely high. The caution in the eyes of the scholars quickly became stunned surprise.
âWhere is this Princeâs maidservant?â
Hearing the words âthis Princeâs maidservantâ, Guan Xiangâs eyes were filled with doubts. âMiss is Prince Haoâs maidservant?â
âWhere is she?â Pei Qianhaoâs patience was on its last legs as he directed his oppressive demeanour towards Guan Xiang.
âIn the secret chamber. Prince Hao, please follow this peasant.â Guan Xiang could see the nervousness in the depths of Pei Qianhaoâs eyes. Since he came here, he must have a way to save Miss!
Guan Xiang dismissed the rest of the scholars and brought Pei Qianhao into the secret chamber.
Many lit candles burned in the secret chamber, their light brightly illuminating the entire tunnel.
Pei Qianhao entered the chamber to see a petite figure lying on a wooden bed, covered by a grey blanket.
He swiftly walked towards the bed and saw that familiar face before him. Her original rosy face was now extremely pallid, without the slightest hint of pink on her lips.
Pei Qianhao wanted to lift his hand to caress her face, but he had more important things to do now. He immediately broke off a small piece of the ginseng to place in her mouth.