BVAHEDLA[W Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Ancient Era 30 “I believe we will meet again…”

Chapter 56 Ancient Era 30 “I believe we will meet again…”

As the words fell, Chu Li-fei simultaneously stopped, standing still three steps away from Ji Yan-ning.

His expression was obscure, the cold and stern corners of his mouth did not curl up as usual, and he still held the long sword in his hand, making it impossible to know what he was thinking.

The high temperature caused by the burning flames constantly collided with the cold air at night, forming currents that roared wantonly behind Chu Li-fei, scattering his long hair as if it were moving without wind. The black embers after burning were swept up by the airflow and swirled in the air, finally returning to dust.

In the eyes of Ji Yan-ning and his subordinates, Chu Li-fei, who was standing in this scene, seemed like a Shura stepping from hell into the human world.

The tip of his sword was still dripping blood, and the viscous red marks meandered all the way behind him. This forced Ji Yan-ning’s subordinates to be on guard, each of them carefully gripping their weapons, afraid that he would suddenly lash out and hurt their Second Prince.

But Ji Yan-ning didn’t think so.

Since the breeze had dispersed the dark clouds that had obscured the moon for a long time, the clear moonlight like water softly shone on Chu Li-fei’s face, making him look even more noble and precious, adding an ethereal quality to his usual refined face. Coupled with the sound of burning flames, he was like a deity descending into the world, captivating and easily seizing the eyes of mortals, occupying them firmly, making people reluctant to look away, just to seek a glimpse of Him.

At this moment, the solemnity of Shura and the aloofness of the deity formed a strange balance, and the two colors on Chu Li-fei’s body did not seem abrupt at all.

What a contradictory person. Ji Yan-ning thought, he “swished” open his folding fan and shook it gently, hiding his cunning gaze and intriguing smile behind the fan.

But that’s exactly what piqued his interest, to the point of… gradually falling. Isn’t it?

As if there was a chuckle, Ji Yan-ning then put away his folding fan, glanced casually at Lu Mo-chen, and then returned his gaze to Chu Li-fei.

“Since the Prince has recognized me, he still uses me as a groom. Aren’t you afraid that I will retaliate in the future?”

Chu Li-fei seemed not to have heard the threat in Ji Yan-ning’s words, but instead sneered: “It seems to this Prince that you are quite happy being a groom.”

As soon as these words came out, Ji Yan-ning’s subordinates immediately showed dissatisfaction, but no one dared to act rashly.

But Ji Yan-ning laughed instead: “When did the Prince recognize me? I thought I hadn’t revealed any clues.”

“But you don’t seem to have thought about hiding your identity properly.”

The two smiled at each other knowingly, but at the same time, a faint sense of vigilance arose in their eyes.

Ji Yan-ning didn’t ask any further, and Chu Li-fei also smiled without answering.

In fact, Chu Li-fei had suspected Ji Yan-ning’s identity from the first time he saw him.

Among the group of people that Lu Yuan-jing sent, only he was the most outstanding. It wasn’t about demeanor or temperament, because Lu Yuan-jing didn’t know what he was thinking at the time, and sent a dozen people with all kinds of personalities and appearances. Cute, aloof, or even those whose eyes could seduce… Ji Yan-ning was not conspicuous among them.

What really made Chu Li-fei notice him was his eyes—

Unlike the others, there was something in Ji Yan-ning’s eyes that no one else had, and that was pride.

The identity of the Second Prince of Ji was his nourishment, and the power in his hands forged his bones and blood. It was impossible for him to bow his head to anyone in this life. Even if he lost his identity as the Second Prince, he had to hide his name and bide his time. Because his confidence came from himself, from the person behind the name Ji Yan-ning.

But others, they were like dodder flowers, able to live only by relying on Chu Li-fei. Their so-called confidence was all pretense, like castles in the air, which could disappear in an instant with a gentle push from external forces. No matter what the reason, servility had long been engraved in their bones, and that shining pride could no longer bloom in their eyes.

But at that time, Chu Li-fei was just a little puzzled. What really made him suspicious was the letter Lin Su had sent him—the Second Prince of Ji was missing. And Ji Yan-ning’s other actions later only made him more certain of his guess.

And the fact was indeed as he expected.

Lu Mo-chen was originally standing a few meters behind Chu Li-fei, but when he saw the scene of the two smiling tacitly, he couldn’t help but feel jealous and came to Chu Li-fei’s side in a few steps.

Putting aside the large group of people standing behind Ji Yan-ning, the picture unexpectedly turned into a two-on-one situation.

“In that case, this groom will send the Prince one last time. We’ll say goodbye from now on.” Ji Yan-ning didn’t know what interesting thing he had thought of, and covered the corner of his mouth with his folding fan, with an ambiguous smile in his words, “But I believe that the Prince and I will have a day to meet again, after all… the Prince still owes me a favor.”

“You won’t deny it, will you?”

The next day.

After resting casually for one night, Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen, who had obtained the account book and list, arrived at the entrance of the Qi residence.

They had originally agreed with Qian Ming to meet here to exchange information, but for some reason, Qian Ming had not appeared until now. The two of them had been standing here for almost half an hour, and they hadn’t received any news.

However, Chu Li-fei was not angry about this. He knew Qian Ming’s character and behavior. He was not a person who was not punctual.

Could something have happened on the way?

Lu Mo-chen stood aside, also feeling extremely anxious, after all, today was the last day. If enough evidence could not be found before tomorrow, Chu Li-fei’s account book and list alone would not be enough to exonerate Qi Lu.

“Royal Uncle…” He looked hesitant and anxious, and also a little puzzled, turning his gaze to Chu Li-fei beside him.

“In that case…” Chu Li-fei made a decision in his heart, “Let’s go in first.”

At the same time, he took off the token on his body and handed it to the servant next to him, instructing him to rush to the yamen to see what had happened.

After that, the two of them stepped into the Qi residence.

This time, the two had a clear purpose and went straight to the courtyards of Qi Fu and Lu Ying.

Since it had already been found out that Qi Fu was colluding with Hong Guang Pavilion, then as long as physical evidence could be found, Qi Fu’s crime could be completely confirmed, so that he could not deny it.

At the same time, there was another matter, and that was Xiao Chun—the clue that Lu Ying had secretly hinted to them in the form of a “acrostic poem” last time.

Chu Li-fei also had more curiosity about Lu Ying. She must know some unknown secrets, but she couldn’t say it for some reasons.

And this was the meaning of their coming to the Qi residence again today.

In a few minutes, the two had already come to the front of the courtyard of Qi Fu and Lu Ying with ease. Chu Li-fei stopped thinking and looked into the courtyard.

This place was no different from when they came last time. All the scenery had not changed, and even the position of the fallen leaves was exactly the same.

But how was that possible?

Hearing the sound outside the door, a maid-like figure poked her head out.

Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen looked over, but saw that the maid also happened to raise her head and bow to them. Their eyes met in the air, and both sides were a little surprised.

Well, isn’t this a coincidence?

There was no other reason, the maid in front of them was an old acquaintance of Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen—Xiao Chun.

But wasn’t she from Old Madam Qi? Why would she appear here?

Two new doubts reappeared in Chu Li-fei’s mind.

And at the same moment when Xiao Chun saw Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen, a look of horror flashed in her eyes, but in the next second, she regained her composure and lowered her head again.

Even though she felt Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen’s gazes scanning her back and forth, she didn’t show any panic.

Chu Li-fei went around Xiao Chun and knocked on the door.

Not long after, a familiar voice with a bit of hoarseness came from inside, it was Lu Ying: “Come in.”

Only then did the two enter.

Lu Ying’s attire was also no different from what they had seen last time. The whole person was still in a dull appearance, covering her face with a veil, and her eyes were a little dark, it seemed that she had not been resting well recently.

Chu Li-fei did not directly state his purpose. He and Lu Mo-chen sat down on the short stools by the coffee table. After all, it would be too rude to search the house as soon as they came to visit someone else’s home.

Of course, he actually wanted to see Lu Ying and Xiao Chun’s reaction.

Seeing this, Xiao Chun quickly reboiled water and brewed tea for everyone.

There were four people in the room, and only Xiao Chun’s busy voice could be heard.

Her movements were swift, and even when carrying hot water, her movements were very steady, and there was not a trace of trembling in her hands and steps.

The clear tea water poured out from the spout, and the white heat instantly scattered upwards, steaming hotly on people’s faces, fumigating a faint red color. At the same time, a faint bitter taste spread in the air.

Seeing this, Lu Ying just lowered her eyes: “I don’t have anything good here to entertain Prince Qin and Fourth Prince, please forgive me.”

Chu Li-fei shook his head: “It’s okay.” His gaze seemed to be casually looking around the room, but in the end, it would fall back on Lu Ying. Therefore, Lu Ying’s every move, even the slightest change in expression, was particularly clear in his eyes.

Lu Ying put her hand on the teacup, her ten fingers were red, but the fingertips were slightly white, and there were even signs of turning purple, it seemed that she was extremely cold. The material of the teacup was not good, and it could not isolate the scalding temperature of the boiling water very well, but Lu Ying still held it tightly, as if she had lost her judgment of temperature, trying to draw some warmth from it.

Her eyes were slightly lowered, her gaze was scattered, and she didn’t know what she was looking at.

The clear tea water was slightly yellow, and a tea stem floated on the surface of the water, causing faint ripples. Lu Ying lowered her head, and she could easily see her face reflected in the tea water, thin, sallow, and with drooping corners of her eyes, without a trace of light.

Was this really her?

Was this still the Lu Ying she knew?

The tea stem gently stirred the tea water, causing layers of ripples. In an instant, she seemed to see herself in the past.

Once upon a time, she was wearing a bright red wedding dress, full of joy, and the joy of a girl flew to her eyebrows, and she couldn’t suppress it. Her fair and rosy skin was praised by her mother who stood behind her to see her off.

But now all of this had faded and turned yellow, and it seemed to be very far away from her.

Lu Ying blinked her eyes, and it was like a lifetime away.

The hand holding the cup couldn’t help but use more force, the water surface swayed slightly, and the mother in her memory disappeared, replaced by Xiao Chun with an obscure expression.

Probably because the light was not good, Lu Ying saw a fleeting sneer on Xiao Chun’s face on the surface of the tea water for a moment.

She drank a mouthful of water regardless of the temperature of the tea, and finally calmed down the excitement and unease in her heart. Perhaps there was still a faint hope.

Because of nervousness, a feeling of numbness came from her heart, but the faster and faster heartbeat made her unable to ignore the voice in her heart.

She was hesitating.

The two people in front of her were the pinnacle of power that she could currently reach. If she told everything, would things take a turn for the better?

But… could she really bear the price of “telling”?

Were these two people worthy of her trust?

Moreover, the person who was most deeply hurt by the “truth” could no longer hear its voice being made public.

Did all of this still have meaning?

Seeing that Lu Ying was in a trance, Chu Li-fei gave Xiao Chun a look, and the other party quickly lowered her head and left the house.

The door was closed, and there were only three people left in the room.

Chu Li-fei pondered his tone: “Do you know where Qi Fu’s large expenditures went?”

At the same time, he used his finger as a pen, using the tea water, and wrote his real question stroke by stroke on the table – Hong Guang Pavilion.

He also secretly revealed to Lu Ying that he already knew that there was something wrong with Xiao Chun.

Lu Ying’s eyes kept flickering when she saw these things. Every time she wanted to muster up the courage, her throat seemed to be filled with lead, and she couldn’t say a word.

She was constantly sweating, and her heartbeat was getting faster and faster. The sound was getting clearer and clearer, like drums, passing through her bones and blood, as if exploding in her ears. The hand hanging under the table also clenched tightly, and couldn’t help but tremble.

“I…” She trembled her voice, and finally uttered a word.

“I…” Lu Ying kept doing psychological construction for herself, but every time she only said one word, there was no follow-up.

She knew that this might be the last chance, but she seemed to have lost the courage to speak long ago.

“I… don’t know.”

At the same time as saying this, her right hand tightly grasped the teacup, as if she had a great feud. But the faint light that originally flashed in her eyes gradually disappeared like a butterfly flapping its wings, and at the same time, it seemed to drain all her strength.

Chu Li-fei shook his head in his heart. Lu Ying was unwilling to tell the truth, and he couldn’t do anything about it.

But just as he was preparing to change his method, Xiao Chun’s shout suddenly came from outside the door: “Wait a minute, who are you? You can’t catch me!”