Placid Chang’an

Chapter 15: Rescue

Su Cen was half kneeling on the ground, preparing to throw a brick to deceive others while secretly grabbing another one to strike at someone's head. If everything went smoothly, he would give the person a good beating, but if things didn't go well... well, then it wouldn't be his problem.

However, before he could even throw the brick, he saw the black-clad person swiftly dodge to the side. A fierce blade sliced through the air, and in the blink of an eye, the person wielding the weapon performed a graceful spin, and a mist of blood rose in the rain as the black-clad person was instantly hit.

The two immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

Qi Lin!

Su Cen suddenly turned his head, and the words "Xingqing Palace" hung behind him. Coincidentally, it was the residence of Prince Ning.

A person walked over leisurely, holding an umbrella, and approached him. Despite the rain, this person's clothes were spotless. It seemed they had recently left court, as their official robe was yet to be changed. Their black clothes and crimson gown, coupled with long black hair, appeared vivid and clear.

"Your Highness..." Su Cen felt a tightness in his throat, and it took him a moment before he managed to say these two words.

"Lift yourself up," Li Shi said.

Su Cen: "..."

The moment he saw the person clearly, Qu Ling’er immediately lowered his head, pretending to be dead.

Su Cen had a hard time helping this feigning-dead person to their feet. In his heart, he thought that if Qu Ling’er was recognized, the two of them would end up staying in the Xingqing Palace with that black-clothed individual. He hurriedly found an excuse to bid farewell, "Thank you for saving us today, Your Highness. However, I have an injured person here, so I will come to your residence another day to express my gratitude."

Li Shi, however, showed no intention of giving way. He looked at Qu Ling’er and asked, "Did you bring this person here?"

Under the piercing gaze, Qu Ling’er knew he couldn't escape and timidly hid behind Su Cen, shaking his head like a tambourine. "It wasn't me. I don't know him."

"He probably came for me," Su Cen lowered his eyes and said, "I recently handled a case, and perhaps it has provoked someone."

"The case of the newly appointed official?" Li Shi asked.

Su Cen was taken aback, then nodded. He never expected that such a minor case would catch the attention of the reigning regent prince. While everyone else thought it was a murder case involving evil spirits, Prince Ning seemed to see through it.

"Is this person the culprit?" Li Shi looked at the two people fighting ahead. Under Qi Lin's relentless pursuit, the black-clad person was now at a disadvantage, showing signs of retreat, but unable to break free from Qi Lin's entanglement.

Su Cen looked back and shook his head, saying, "It's unlikely."

If the culprit had such skills, there would be no need to sneakily attack Lu Liang and Yuan Shaochun from behind. Moreover, the assailant wouldn't have botched the attempt, injuring themselves in the process.

This person was either the skilled individual who brought Lu Liang to Dongshi that day or the assassin sent by the influential figure, Wu Deshui, to silence him. Either way, they were undoubtedly connected to the case.

"Your Highness..." Su Cen was about to speak, but Li Shi had already given his command, "Qi Lin, leave him alive."

Qi Lin wielded a sword, employing an elusive sword technique that was completely different from the grandeur of the Central Plains swordsmanship. Instead, it carried the sinister and ruthless traits of the curved blades from the desert north.

The black-clad person saw the opportunity was lost and hurriedly retreated, taking out two small projectiles from their waist and throwing them at Qi Lin.

"Be careful!" Qu Ling’er exclaimed and swiftly grabbed two stones, hitting the projectiles mid-air, causing them to explode.

By the time Qi Lin dispersed the smoke and chased after the person, they had already disappeared without a trace.

Qi Lin returned and apologized, "Master, the person escaped."

Li Shi waved his hand, and Qi Lin stood up, standing coldly behind him, shooting a chilly glance at Qu Linger.

Qu Ling’er shuddered immediately.

Li Shi showed no intention of letting the two leave and asked as he walked back, "How is the investigation going with the case?"

Compelled by his authority, Su Cen had to keep up and replied in the rain, "We have some leads. Both victims of this case were newly appointed officials this year. I suspect that someone who failed the examination is using the guise of supernatural forces to seek revenge."

Li Shi slowed his pace and thought for a moment before shaking his head, "No."

"Hmm?" Su Cen frowned.

"Committing a crime requires motive and basis. Everything is a transaction. If it were done by someone who failed the examination, even killing all those who passed the exam this year wouldn't help them get on the list. Doing all this would be meaningless."

Su Cen trailed behind Li Shi, observing his straight posture, which still displayed the heroic spirit of his past military exploits. Moreover, Li Shi stood under the umbrella, his clothes gracefully clean, while Su Cen was drenched like a soaked chicken in the rain. Though he understood that Li Shi's reasoning had some merit, an inexplicable sense of resistance arose in his heart, causing him to raise his head and retort, "What if they did it just to vent their frustration?"

Li Shi didn't pay any attention to Su Cen's thoughts and continued, "Anger is easy to incite and can lead people to commit crimes, but it's a gradual process from large to small. If I were to kill someone out of frustration for failing the exam, I wouldn't start from the bottom and progress step by step."

Suddenly, Li Shi stopped and turned to glance at Su Cen, saying, "I would come directly to kill you."

As Su Cen was absorbed in following Li Shi's train of thought, he didn't notice the person in front of him stopping. He accidentally bumped into the umbrella, and Li Shi used the umbrella handle to push him away. Su Cen, still in a daze, looked up and met Li Shi's eyes, which had a faint smile.

Li Shi raised his hand and lightly tapped Su Cen's forehead with his middle finger. "What are you rashly thinking about?"

It was only then that Su Cen realized they were standing so close to each other, with their breaths mingling under the umbrella. He could even catch a faint scent of sandalwood emanating from Li Shi.

If Li Shi hadn't used the umbrella handle to block him, Su Cen might have ended up directly in his embrace.

Stunned for a moment, Su Cen hurriedly took two steps back and bowed, saying, "I apologize for my impudence, Your Highness."

Blushing and heart racing, he also secretly thought that this person was quite stingy. He was just a prince, so what if he was accidentally bumped? It was just a matter of getting his clothes dirty. Did he really need to use the umbrella handle so harshly to block him?

Li Shi smiled and shook his head. "You should go back to study the case files."

Su Cen clenched his teeth, knowing that this old man was secretly trying to trip him up by making him review those musty case files. Nevertheless, he responded with composure, "I will certainly study the records of our predecessors diligently, so as not to disappoint Your Highness's guidance and nurturing."

Li Shi didn't take offense at the banter hidden in Su Cen's words and simply smiled.

Finally sensing an opportunity to end the conversation, Su Cen tentatively asked, "Then may I take my leave?"

Li Shi nodded, withdrawing his gaze from the rain curtain outside the umbrella.

As Su Cen turned around, he felt his wet hand being grasped, and the umbrella was then handed over to him.

Li Shi turned his head and instructed Qi Lin, "Escort him back."

Su Cen stood in place, holding the umbrella, and watched as Li Shi stepped steadily into the Xingqing Palace through the two vermilion doors, his steps graceful and his attire as elegant as ever.

It turned out that it wasn't because of the umbrella.

Qu Ling’er grumbled behind Su Cen, who snapped back to reality. He supported him and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Qu Ling’er looked at the wound on his waist and then compared it with Su Cen's physique. He gritted his teeth and said, "I can walk."

Su Cen sighed and tilted his head, noticing Qi Lin standing upright behind him. A thought struck him, and he said to Qi Lin, "Ling’er is injured, and I can't carry him. We'll walk slowly. I hope you understand, Guard Qi Lin."

Qi Lin remained unmoved.

Su Cen continued, "And if we end up walking until late at night, and His Highness asks..."

Finally, Qi Lin's expression changed slightly. He walked around to Qu Ling’er and squatted down, saying coldly, "Climb on."

"I won't let him carry me!" Qu Ling’er looked displeased, still resenting how this man had pressured him at the teahouse that day. He refused indignantly, "You smell like a barbarian, it's awful!"

A single glance from Qi Lin silenced him immediately.

"If you don't want to be carried, then walk by yourself," Su Cen took a step forward. "I should warn you, once I get home, I'll have Ah Fu lock the door. If you can't keep up, you'll have to find a place to rest on your own at night."

As Su Cen walked ahead, Qu Ling’er clenched his teeth and stomped his foot. He reluctantly climbed onto Qi Lin's shoulder, using him as support.

Su Cen walked ahead, and Qi Lin followed steadily behind. Qu Ling’er was indeed tired and soon rested his whole body on Qi Lin's back. He could hear the strong and steady heartbeat, which was rather comfortable.

After a while, while lying on Qi Lin's back, he suddenly felt something was off. "Hey, why are you so hot?"

As expected, he received no reply. Emboldened, Qu Ling’er continued to tease, "Have you never carried anyone before? Have you never experienced it with a little lady? Doesn't your master provide you some opportunities to experience pleasures at night?"

Qi Lin abruptly lifted Qu Ling’er upwards, and when he landed, his chin nearly hit Qi Lin's shoulder, almost biting his tongue. However, when this person became angry, he seemed more amusing than with a stern expression. Qu Ling’er continued to jest, "You've really never carried anyone? Let me tell you, a little lady's body is much softer than mine..."

"Our Turkic people naturally have a slightly higher body temperature than your Han people," Qi Lin interjected.

"Huh?" Qu Ling’er was taken aback by the response and then smiled, saying, "So, as a Turkic, why did you come to our Han territory? Seeking high official positions, wealth, and prosperity? I get it now; are all Turkic women as audacious as you? That's why you came here, hoping to find a beautiful lady?"

"I heard people say that the taste of a man is better than that of a woman," Qi Lin teased as he pinched Qu Ling’er's buttocks. "Do you want to try?"

Qu Ling’er's body stiffened suddenly, and his face turned pale in an instant.

"If you don't want to, then shut up," Qi Lin said coldly.

The rest of the way was finally quiet.