BLHO Chapter 15
by VolareHe Yuncheng had agreed to help Princess Meng Ning kill someone, but he never expected that the person she wanted to kill would be such a scholar, utterly defenseless.
Concealing their tracks, they arrived at Nanshan Academy, located in a remote area south of Fengdu City. The surrounding area was mostly inhabited by poor families, so the tuition here was much lower than the schools in the city, just a few taels of silver a year was enough.
The tutor was a poor, unsuccessful scholar who had failed the imperial exams. He Yuncheng stood on the eaves, observing him from a distance.
The man had a gentle temperament and ordinary looks. Judging by his eyebrows and eyes, he seemed like an honest and simple person. He couldn’t imagine what reason a dignified princess would have to kill such a man, even going to the trouble of asking him, a general, to do it.
“Who is this person?” He Yuncheng asked Princess Meng Ning curiously.
Her eyes fixed on the scholar, she replied in a low voice, “You don’t need to know. Just kill him.”
He Yuncheng was helpless. “That’s not right. I don’t kill unarmed people.”
No need to test him, it was obvious at a glance that this scholar had no martial skills whatsoever. If He Yuncheng wanted to take his life, he wouldn’t even need to show himself; a single hidden dart would be enough.
Princess Meng Ning scoffed, “Although he is unarmed, it’s not like he can be killed so easily. There are so many experts in the palace; if they could have done it, why would I have needed to ask General He for help?”
“Is that so?” Hearing this, He Yuncheng became curious. “Tell me, then, what makes this person so difficult to kill?”
Princess Meng Ning clicked her tongue. “I’m asking you to kill someone, why are you talking so much nonsense?”
He Yuncheng said, “I am a general who leads troops, I only kill enemies, not civilians. If he has committed a serious crime, the Ministry of Justice will punish him severely according to the law. It’s not my place to interfere. If the princess doesn’t explain the reason clearly today, I cannot act.”
“So long-winded.” Princess Meng Ning rolled her eyes, too lazy to say more to him. She reached back and grabbed the bow hanging at her lower back, pulled out a sharp feathered arrow, blinked one eye, aimed it at the scholar’s head, pulled the bowstring taut, and reissued her order to He Yuncheng: “Protect me.”
Her movements were decisive and efficient. After aiming, she shot without hesitation.
The sharp arrow flew swiftly towards the scholar, aiming straight for his brow. He Yuncheng couldn’t help but sigh, praising her good marksmanship.
Just as the arrow was about to take the scholar’s life, a sharp object flew from an unknown direction, creating a whistling sound as it spun through the air, colliding with the arrow a foot away from the scholar’s face.
The impact of the metal created sparks, Princess Meng Ning’s arrow was shattered and fell to the ground, and the flying weapon slammed into the pillar under the corridor with a thud.
Wait, that weapon is… a Embroidered Spring Blade?
Immediately afterward, a person dressed in black flying-fish robes appeared, blocking the scholar.
The newcomer had a lithe and agile figure. Although upright, they were a bit thinner than the average martial artist. A high ponytail was tied behind their head, strands of hair swaying in the cold wind, with no extra ornamentation. Their face was fair, with sharp eyebrows and eyes. At first glance, they looked like a handsome man with delicate features, but on closer inspection, one could tell that this person was not a man, but a woman with considerable martial skills.
He Yuncheng recognized her. She was the head of the Northern Garrison, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shen Tan.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards guarded the imperial city, each one a master capable of taking on a hundred opponents. This person was able to sit in the commander’s seat, commanding the Northern Garrison. Although He Yuncheng had never fought her, he knew how skilled she must be.
After Shen Tan appeared, Princess Meng Ning’s cunning eyes suddenly lit up. She no longer concealed her presence, grabbing He Yuncheng and leaping down from the eaves, landing to face her.
The scholar was already terrified, his face pale as he hid behind Shen Tan. “Wh-what’s going on…”
Shen Tan’s face was as cold as ice, not responding to the person behind her, only staring at Princess Meng Ning.
Princess Meng Ning’s smile did not fade, her expression becoming even more willful. “General He, kill this adulterous couple for me!”
–
Night fell, and Fengdu City was snowing again.
Lin Shuangxu sat on a lounge chair under the corridor, his entire being blending into the moonlight.
The steward brought him a cloak and draped it over his shoulders. “Young Master, the snowy night is cold, you should go back to your room and rest. It’s already this late, the General probably won’t be back tonight.”
Indeed, he wouldn’t be back, Lin Shuangxu knew. He had gone to meet the princess today, and who knew if he had even returned to the military camp at this hour, or how well he had taught her his archery skills.
Lin Shuangxu looked at the sky and got up from the lounge chair.
“Young Master, be careful of your footing.” The steward followed closely behind him, holding an umbrella to shield him from the snow.
“How is the preparation of the betrothal gifts going?” he asked.
“Reporting to Young Master, everything that needs to be prepared has already been prepared. We are just waiting for an auspicious day, and the General can welcome the princess back to the manor.”
“Mm, the courtyard of the new room must be well decorated. The General’s wedding requires everything to be brand new. All old things must be sealed away.”
“Young Master, rest assured, everything has been arranged according to your instructions.”
After thinking it over, it seemed there was nothing more to instruct.
Lin Shuangxu took the umbrella from the steward’s hand. “It’s getting late, you should go back and rest. You don’t need to keep me company.”
“Yes.” The steward bowed and withdrew.
The snow had formed a layer on the ground, and the moonlight reflected a series of footprints. After the steward left, those footprints changed direction, not heading towards Lin Shuangxu’s own bedroom, but towards another person’s room.
With a creak, he pushed open the door. A lone lamp was lit on the table, a habit of the General’s Manor. Regardless of whether He Yuncheng came back to spend the night or not, his room would always have a light left on.
Lin Shuangxu surveyed the familiar room, slowly pacing.
Sneaking into someone’s room while they’re not there was truly a rude and impolite act.
He didn’t do this often. It was a habit he had unintentionally developed when He Yuncheng went on an expedition outside the pass.
At that time, the situation at the border was at a stalemate, and he was worried about He Yuncheng’s safety, making it difficult for him to fall asleep at night. Only by entering his room and smelling his scent could he find a trace of comfort.
Tonight, however, he didn’t know why, even though he knew He Yuncheng was safe, he had subconsciously walked into his room again.
On the desk was a military book that He Yuncheng had been halfway through reading. Lin Shuangxu sat in front of the desk, lightly stroking the corner of the book with his fingertips, touching the places that He Yuncheng would touch when reading.
“Lin Shuangxu, don’t be sad. When I grow up, I’ll kill all the enemies and avenge your father…”
A childish voice echoed in his ears. It was He Yuncheng, no more than seven or eight years old.
Back then, Lin Shuangxu was an orphan left behind by a fallen soldier. The late General He had kindly taken him in and brought him back to the General’s Manor.
He Yuncheng pitied him and vowed to him that when he grew up, he would definitely avenge him.
Childish words comforted the lonely heart of the young man. Although he was so many years younger, he acted like an adult, taking care of him and protecting him carefully during his first few years at the General’s Manor.
It was his fault, leading an innocent person astray.
Memories of the past flashed quickly through his mind. Lin Shuangxu held He Yuncheng’s military book, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
He lay down on the desk, feeling incredibly lazy and not wanting to move. It wouldn’t matter, right? After all, he wouldn’t be coming back tonight anyway.