Shan Xiaoya felt a chill at her throat, not knowing when he had drawn his sword. She had no chance to dodge – if he were an enemy, she might die without understanding why. Looking at his dark face, she was unsure whether to drop or hold the token. Her extended hand froze midair. “King Jing, let’s talk! Don’t be rash!”
King Jing looked at Shan Xiaoya’s flickering eyes and said unexpectedly: “Two choices. One, accept the token and go wherever you want; two, come with me and I’ll return you to General Huyan.”
Shan Xiaoya frowned and thought, ultimately choosing the option more beneficial to her – ‘accepting’. She withdrew her extended hand and placed the token in her chest. “King Jing, I accept. Thank you for your kindness.”
King Jing saw her accept the token, and his violent energy softened considerably. “If you need anything, you can always find me. In An City, just ask anyone how to get to King Jing’s mansion, and they’ll tell you.” Without waiting for her response, he turned and left.
The guards curiously glanced at this dark, ugly person before following King Jing…
The drawing on the paper was none other than Shan Xiaoya in women’s clothing. The only difference was that the woman in this painting had a head of black, long hair, elegantly and naturally coiled into a bun at the top. A strand remained by her ear, looking charming and graceful, adding a soft femininity. The painting captured her spirit vividly, revealing her beauty, her liveliness, her playfulness without any concealment. Her eyes were clear and spirited, her eyebrows rippling, her delicate nose radiant, her vermilion lips expressing emotion. Others looking at the fairy in the painting had obvious desire and longing in their eyes.
A middle-aged man stepped forward, pointing at the painting in Zhao Yeqing’s hand and asked, “May I ask, would you sell this painting? I’m willing to pay fifty taels.” He took out fifty taels from his chest and placed them on the table.
The scholar looked at the silver on the table, a glint of greed in his eyes. Seeing that Zhao Yeqing held the painting without response, he gently nudged him. “Sir, he’s asking if you’ll sell the painting. He’s offering fifty taels.”
Zhao Yeqing suddenly awakened, looking at the painting in his hand. The deep affection in his eyes turned to disgust, his face turning an alarming shade of blue.
His heart was like a stampede of horses, surging and tumultuous… How could this be? How could a man become a woman??? Unexpectedly, he used both hands with force, tearing the painting of the stunning beauty into two, then four, then eight… instantly turning it into paper scraps flying into the sky… drawing sighs of regret and confusion from others…
Zhao Yeqing, with furrowed brows and feeling dejected, picked up his brush and began drawing again. This time, he only sketched an outline before stopping, because he no longer knew what to draw, having forgotten her appearance, only knowing she was a woman who had stolen his bracelet. She had a pair of lively, familiar-looking eyes…
The people standing nearby were reluctant to leave and wanted to feast their eyes. They stood quietly watching… The person who wanted to buy the painting felt heartache and regret but, seeing his unapproachable demeanor, didn’t dare say more. He put away the silver and continued watching…
As Zhao Yeqing was lost in thought, a man pushed his way in. Approaching Zhao Yeqing, he said, “Young master, may we speak privately.”
Zhao Yeqing, with a cold face, glanced at the crowd that had gathered unknowingly, and followed the man out of the circle…
The man leaned close to Zhao Yeqing’s ear and whispered, “Young master, the person General Hulanyou is looking for seems to be the same person you’re seeking. Look at this.” He opened a painting – it was Hu Lanan’s poster of Shan Xiaoya in men’s clothing. The man then opened another painting, clearly the portrait of the bracelet thief that Zhao Yeqing had previously asked his servants to find. Placing the two paintings side by side, Zhao Yeqing’s heart suddenly constricted… Eye to eye, brow to brow, these two paintings depicted the same person, with the only difference being one in men’s clothing, the other in women’s…
Zhao Yeqing’s already dark expression became even more profound. Inexplicable emotions surged within him, as if something was about to erupt… Xiao Shan?! Perhaps even your name is fake. I’ve been so thoroughly deceived by you. You first stole my bracelet, then stole my heart. What’s worse is making me believe you were a man, leaving me to suffer alone here. You, on the other hand, are free and easy… You’d better pray I don’t catch you, because if I do, you’ll have something coming… Zhao Yeqing suddenly became animated, like a hunting tiger spotting its prey, his eyes radiating excited light… filled with anticipation, determination, and an uncontrollable trembling…
Chapter 067
Shan Xiaoya weighed the token in her hand, feeling it heavy. Receiving an unwarranted favor, especially one with a threatening undertone, felt strange and hard to accept.
Usually, when she took others’ possessions, it was through her own skill, bringing excitement and a sense of achievement. But this time? Only unease. She felt she owed something to that Prince Jing… There must be a way forward; she didn’t believe this token would kill her.
Shan Xiaoya tightened her waistband. The rumbling in her stomach led her to step towards a nearby restaurant.
Zhao Yeqing instructed the servants of Ming Jian Mountain Villa to return, no longer needing to search. He walked alone through the streets, urgently searching for Shan Xiaoya.
Hu Lanan stood at the city gate, his sharp gaze scanning the people entering and leaving. His eyes seemed capable of burning the entire city, making people afraid to meet his angry look. Hu Lanan had maintained this posture for a long time.
A small, furtive woman walked out of the city, glancing back repeatedly, looking guilty.
Hu Lanan’s sharp eyes flashed with joy, simultaneously narrowing dangerously. He quickly leaped down from the city tower, blocking her path. The woman, focused on looking back, didn’t expect an obstacle ahead and crashed into Hu Lanan, letting out a painful “Umm.” She turned to look at the man blocking her way.
Hu Lanan was enveloped in a cold aura that made her shiver involuntarily, stepping back two steps, her fear clearly showing. Hu Lanan’s initial joy disappeared upon seeing her appearance, his mood plummeting. His urgency and anger at not finding Shan Xiaoya rose sharply. The woman, seeing Hu Lanan’s terrifying appearance, burst into tears. Her legs went weak, and she knelt before Hu Lanan. “Spare me! Spare me! I won’t run again.”
Hu Lanan, hearing her words, frowned, his expression darkening. He asked, puzzled, “Run?”
Those men had not yet finished speaking when a group of thugs rushed towards the woman. When they saw Hu Lanan standing in front of her, they all stopped in their tracks and looked towards the leader. The person who seemed to be in charge stepped forward and bowed deeply to Hu Lanan. “General Hu Lanan, this woman escaped from our Chun Xiang Yuan, and we were about to take her back. We apologize for disturbing you.”
Hu Lanan understood the situation from his words. He didn’t say much more and turned away. The man quickly said, “Thank you, General!” He waved to his subordinates, and two large men came forward, each grabbing one of her arms and dragging her back. Her sleeve slipped down, revealing her arm covered in wounds. The woman lowered her head in fear, not daring to look at Hu Lanan again.
She showed no intention of resistance. Like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, she was deathly silent…
