154. Planning a Rescue

Qingyang spoke up, "I have already sent people to investigate. Everything about the Maple-Painting Palace is completely clear. Is the young miss preparing to rescue her now?"

Le Qianxue had planned this out beforehand, but subsequent events had caused delays, which was why it took so long. She hadn't mentioned this to Zhan Lianjing yet, but for now, she trusted Qingyang's abilities.

Anyone cultivated by Le Yongcheng was bound to be competent. Besides, Zhan Lianjing was currently under close surveillance, making it difficult for him to make a move. The Yan family could not go a single day without a master, and Yan Chuan was worried sick. Rescuing Yan Luoyu right now was the absolute best timing.

Qingyang said, "Everything has been properly arranged, and the escape routes are mapped out. Now that the Emperor is ill and the Liangjin State is invading, the imperial palace is somewhat in chaos. This is truly the best opportunity."

Le Qianxue gritted her teeth and asked, "Did you notice any other strange palaces while you were in the imperial palace?"

Qingyang shook his head. "That Maple-Painting Palace is the one most heavily guarded. Nothing else seemed particularly suspicious."

Le Qianxue frowned. She wondered where on earth the Sacred Moon County Princess was being imprisoned. If they couldn't find the Sacred Moon County Princess, their efforts might be in vain. Would overthrowing the Tianlong Kingdom only bring suffering to the common people? The former imperial Wang family had cared for the world above all else, which was why they had conceded defeat. Was she about to destroy this era of peace and prosperity now?

Le Qianxue thought over and over again. She was no saint; she simply despised the old Emperor and held an aversion toward the entire Yu imperial clan.

Qingyang called out, "Young miss, what are you thinking about?"

Le Qianxue snapped back to her senses and gently shook her head. "It's nothing. We will act in a few days. When we do, we must have someone keep Yu Zhiyang occupied."

"The Third Prince?" Qingyang asked.

Le Qianxue's gaze turned cold. "He is no simple person. If we want to rescue Yan Luoyu, we must ensure he cannot show up."

Understanding dawned on Qingyang, and he nodded. "By the way, that silly girl Huatao is still asleep. Would the young miss like to go see her?"

Knowing that Huatao was safe, Le Qianxue let out a breath of relief. "It's good that she's fine. The day I sent her to the ancestral hall, my hope was that she could find refuge there."

Qingyang got up to lead the way, saying, "That silly girl really wanted to go rescue you. But remembering that your medicinal cauldron is your most treasured possession, she had no choice but to wait for your return. She firmly believed the young miss would come back, and even sleeps hugging that medicinal cauldron."

Le Qianxue murmured an assent. Fortunately, she still had a family member like Huatao. Huatao had grown up alongside the original owner of the body and had always been fiercely loyal.

Huatao was sleeping inside a small, dim chamber. Le Qianxue walked closer and saw that Huatao was indeed clutching the medicinal cauldron in her sleep, her posture carrying a hint of vigilance.

With a soft chuckle, warmth bloomed in Le Qianxue's heart, and she hadn't the heart to wake Huatao up. She whispered to Qingyang, "Tell her that I was here tonight. If she wants to see me, bring her to the Prince Zhan's Estate. But be careful."

Qingyang nodded. "Understood. Please rest assured, young miss."

With no further worries on her mind, Le Qianxue prepared to return with Zhan Lianjing.

Just then, however, Huatao woke up. Spotting Le Qianxue, she thought she was hallucinating.

"Young miss..."

Huatao stared in a daze for a moment before snapping out of it and hurriedly sitting up. She watched as Le Qianxue turned around to face her. "You're awake. I hope I didn't wake you."

Before Huatao could fully process it, hearing Le Qianxue's voice left her feeling somewhat muddled. Yes, there was no doubt about it—it was truly Le Qianxue.

Clutching the medicinal cauldron to her chest, Huatao burst into tears with a loud wail. "Young miss... Young miss... Your servant has missed you so much..."

Suddenly thrown into chaos, Le Qianxue had no idea what to do. She was brilliant at treating patients, but completely helpless when it came to comforting people.

She quickly said, "Stop crying. What are you crying for? You missed me, and now I'm right here in front of you. What is there left to cry about?"

Huatao had worried and grieved for a whole month. Although she had believed Le Qianxue wasn't dead, waiting for so long had filled her heart with terror. Every night she suffered from nightmares, afraid that if Le Qianxue were truly dead, she would have to follow her down to the netherworld. Seeing her alive and well now, Huatao was overjoyed, which triggered the tears.

Le Qianxue patted Huatao's back and consoled her, "Alright, alright, stop crying now."

Wiping away her tears, Huatao let out a soft sob, her eyes red and swollen.

She choked out, "Young miss, look... your medicinal cauldron... and your precious medicinal herbs, your servant has guarded them all well for you."

Le Qianxue nodded and smiled. "Alright, I see it all. Thank you, Huatao."

Huatao lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling a bit shy.

She murmured, "The young miss doesn't need to thank your servant. This is only what your servant ought to do."

"How could it be what you ought to do?" Le Qianxue said. "You wouldn't be at fault for not helping me. Since you did help me, it's a favor."

Yet Huatao did not think that way. She replied, "My life was saved by the mistress. My life belongs to the mistress, and therefore to the young miss as well. Even if your servant were to die for the young miss, it would only be right."

Knowing that such thoughts were common among people of this era, Le Qianxue found Huatao's fierce loyalty entirely natural.

She smiled and said, "I have no need for you to die for me. Well then, I am currently staying temporarily at the Prince Zhan's Estate. Do you want to stay here, or come with me to the Prince Zhan's Estate?"

Huatao answered immediately, "Naturally, your servant wishes to follow the young miss to the Prince Zhan's Estate. Your servant still needs to take care of you."

Le Qianxue consented to Huatao's wish. Bringing Huatao along was no big deal; a simple word to Zhan Lianjing would suffice.

Zhan Lianjing returned from visiting Qingqing with a dark expression on his face, as if he were displeased with whatever had passed between them.

He said, "Let's go back first and talk about it."

Taking Huatao with them, Le Qianxue returned to the estate.

It was already the dead of night, and after all her walking, Le Qianxue felt rather drowsy.

It was a long while before Zhan Lianjing climbed into bed. Feeling him move in her semi-conscious state, Le Qianxue let out a soft murmur.

Noticing her stirring, Zhan Lianjing instinctively reached out to stroke her cheek. Seemingly ticklish, she burrowed deeper into his embrace and wrapped her arms around him, finding comfort and a sense of security in his scent that made her want to press even closer.

Lowering his gaze, Zhan Lianjing used a wave of his palm to extinguish the candle before holding her as they drifted off to sleep.

Once he had settled, Le Qianxue asked in a sleepy, muddled voice, "What... what did Qingqing say to you to make you so unhappy?"

"You could tell?" Zhan Lianjing asked.

"Even though you're expressionless when you're unhappy, I can still sense it," Le Qianxue muttered, keeping her eyes firmly closed, too lazy to even open them.

Zhan Lianjing let out a soft chuckle. "It seems you understand me better than Haoyue and Zhuixing. Qingqing did indeed mention something."

Remaining silent, Le Qianxue waited quietly for Zhan Lianjing to continue.

After a brief hesitation, Zhan Lianjing slowly spoke, "Actually, she didn't say much. Just one sentence: 'A beauty is a disaster.'"

Le Qianxue burst out laughing. "Then she flatters me too much! How could I possibly be a disaster? She is far prettier than I am."

Qingqing's appearance was peerless indeed; very few could compare to her.

Pondering for a moment, Zhan Lianjing replied, "In my eyes, you are the most beautiful. I understand what Qingqing meant. She has always suspected you are a spy and warned me to be on my guard."

Le Qianxue snuggled closer against Zhan Lianjing's body and said, "That makes sense. Haven't you ever heard the saying 'There is nothing deadlier than a beauty's heart'? You really should be on your guard."

"If the person is you, I am quite willing to die beneath the peony blossom," Zhan Lianjing teased. "At least it would be a romantic way to become a ghost."

Unable to hold back her laughter, Le Qianxue planted a proactive kiss on Zhan Lianjing's cheek.

"Living in this world, aren't people sometimes just seeking a moment of romance and abandon?" she murmured.

Having lived two lifetimes, she now preferred to live according to her own heart's desires.

Holding her close, Zhan Lianjing felt a quiet warmth spread through him. Truly, if Le Qianxue really were a spy, perhaps he would no longer be able to hate her. But Zhan Lianjing believed she would never do such a thing—she would never betray him in this lifetime, simply because she was Le Qianxue.

The next morning, Le Qianxue did not sleep in.

Having run out of medicinal pills, she naturally needed to brew more. After staying in seclusion for an entire day, she finally refined a good batch of pills, though it had drained a significant amount of her mental energy.

Moreover, she discovered that the toxic powder she had previously used was ineffective against Yu Yao. Upon inquiring, she learned that Yu Yao was also an expert in poisons.

Delighted by this, Le Qianxue felt she had finally met her match. Since ordinary poison powder was useless against Yu Yao, she would just have to concoct something far more potent and see if Yu Yao could block it next time. The poisons she crafted using her medicinal cauldron were far superior to ordinary toxins.

Le Qianxue stayed shut away for the entire day, only having Huatao deliver meals.

By evening, just as Le Qianxue was thinking of continuing her work, Huatao came to report, "Young miss, Sister Susu has arrived."

"Susu is here?" Le Qianxue put down the herbs in her hand, delighted. It seemed Yin Susu had already finished handling her affairs.

Tidying up her things, Le Qianxue went out to greet Yin Susu.

Arriving at the flower parlor, she saw Zhan Lianjing and Yin Susu drinking tea together.

Catching sight of the cat in Yin Susu's arms, Le Qianxue immediately beamed. The cat, fond of her as well, leaped down and trotted right over.

Zhan Lianjing glanced at the cat with a cool, expressionless gaze.

Yin Susu said, "You've finally come out. I heard you were busy all day and worried I wouldn't get to see you today."

"Since you came, I naturally had to welcome you," Le Qianxue said. "Have you finished taking care of your matters?"

Yin Susu nodded. "They are all settled. I can stay in the capital for the time being."

"That's perfect. I have a favor to ask of you," Le Qianxue said. "Your Five Elements Arts will come in handy."

"What do you need me to do?" Yin Susu asked.