The night was deep and heavy with dew.
From the highest point of the Tianyi Restaurant, the entire capital could be seen spread out below.
In the past, only Yun Lang came here alone, but this time, he had unprecedentedly brought her up. "Whatever you want to say, say it," he said.
Chu Ruoyan looked at his cold, lonely back, feeling that after not seeing him for several days, he seemed even more burdened with worries.
Pressing her lips together, she asked, "Who were the people trying to assassinate you earlier?"
Yun Lang was taken aback and turned his head. "You actually still care about me?"
Chu Ruoyan looked at him. "One thing is one thing. The matters between me and Roumin are our affair. What concerns you is another matter altogether."
Yun Lang smiled bitterly, supporting his forehead with his hand. "You really are... I understand now why Third Yan likes you. The ones who tried to assassinate me earlier were from the Prince of Jin's faction. Only they like to use dancers as assassins."
Chu Ruoyan understood. "Is it because they found Roumin, so they no longer need a dissolute prince like you?"
Yun Lang narrowed his eyes. "Little blind girl, your words truly wound... That's right. Compared to me, Roumin's desire to restore our kingdom is indeed more resolute. Their choice of her is understandable."
"If it's truly so understandable, why are you drowning your sorrows in drink?" Chu Ruoyan looked directly into his eyes, clearly seeing a flash of anger pass through them.
It subsided after a moment. "What exactly do you want to say? This Pavilion Master has no time to accompany you here in the cold wind."
Chu Ruoyan knew she had hit a sore spot. Raising her eyes, she said, "The reason for my coming, Pavilion Master, you should know well in your heart. We are both clear-minded people; there's no need for roundabout talk. The one who moved to exterminate the Xue family was Roumin, wasn't it?"
Yun Lang remained silent.
"A blind girl like her doesn't have that capability. The only people she could mobilize are from your Bai Xiao Pavilion, right?"
Yun Lang was still silent.
Chu Ruoyan's gaze darkened. "Then, after exterminating the Xue family, the one who also wanted to shift the blame onto us was her too, right?"
"Enough!" Yun Lang said sharply. "I have already warned her about this matter. She won't target you again..."
"Really? Shi Hong came searching at my doorstep today, and she even schemed to deliver Xue Baiqing to my residence. If that's not targeting, what is?" Chu Ruoyan stood her ground, looking directly at him. "Yun Lang, you saved me and you saved Yan Zheng. We are both grateful to you. Before, out of respect for you, I let many things go without pursuing them. But now, she repeatedly targets us. Do you truly think I will keep enduring it?"
Yun Lang's handsome face darkened. "What do you want to do?"
"What I want to do, Pavilion Master, you know well in your heart. Whether I can accomplish it, you know even better. Coming today was also out of consideration for our past friendship, to give a warning first. Later, if we break all ties, Pavilion Master, you need not show any mercy either."
Having said that, she turned to leave. Her resolute back made Yun Lang's heart flutter with panic. "Wait!"
The woman paused. After a long silence, he finally sighed lightly. "Yes, the Xue family case was her doing. I only discovered afterwards that she bypassed me and used the Pavilion's people."
Hearing this, Chu Ruoyan almost laughed in anger. "Pavilion Master Lang, you are supremely intelligent. How could you let a little girl play tricks right under your nose? Is she really that important, so important that you would even hand over the foundation you've built to her?"
A pained look flashed in Yun Lang's eyes. "You don't understand. I owe her... her eyes... if she hadn't gotten lost, she wouldn't be blind..."
Chu Ruoyan knew he doted on his younger sister, but she hadn't expected it to be to this extent.
"So, to compensate her, you let her do whatever she wants. But have you ever considered that her path to restoring the kingdom is a road of no return?"
Yun Lang understood her meaning.
Although the emperor of the Murong family was fatuous, capable ministers like Chu Huaishan and Cao Yang were numerous at court.
Moreover, after the campaign of the Princess An Sheng, the capital's defenses had been strengthened who knows how many times over. Under such circumstances, to plot to seize the state was sheer fantasy!
He closed his eyes, pondering for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh. "Tell me. As long as it can preserve her life, I will do it."
Chu Ruoyan's heart settled greatly.
The only person Roumin could rely on was this elder brother. Once he stopped intervening, she would be insignificant!
Late at night, returning to the Duke of Chu's residence, she found the whole family waiting for her.
Chu Huaishan's face was like still water. Lady Jiang the Younger was so anxious she was twisting her handkerchief. Seeing her return, she hurriedly said, "Eldest Miss, you must flee quickly!"
Chu Ruoyan: "?"
Chu Ruolan said with a tearful face, "Elder Sister, you don't know yet. That Xue Baiqing who was found outside our residence today, he said it was you who sent people to set the fire and burn the Xue family to death..."
This outcome was not at all surprising to Chu Ruoyan. She only asked in surprise, "Such confidential matters, would the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review dare to leak them?"
Chu Ruolan and Lady Jiang the Younger were both stunned.
What time is it to still care about such things!
Chu Huaishan finally spoke. "It was your uncle... an old subordinate from the Court of Judicial Review found out and secretly told him, and he then informed me. Yan'er, who exactly have you offended? To make the other party go to such great lengths to harm you?"
This time, it was Chu Ruoyan's turn to be stunned. "Father, you don't suspect me?"
"You are my daughter. Whether you are capable of such a thing, don't I know?" Chu Huaishan frowned. "Besides, if it really were you, would they let Xue Baiqing out to testify against you? But this matter has caused too great a stir. The Imperial Consort pesters His Majesty all day for an explanation. The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review have been working around the clock until they're about to burn out. Most likely, they will come tomorrow."
Having said that, he turned and pulled out a bundle. "Wan is right. You should leave the capital first to avoid the storm. I have arranged passage through the checkpoints on the road. Go to Yangzhou. It so happens your maternal grandfather is also returning."
Chu Ruoyan widened her eyes, not expecting her father to really want her to flee.
Lady Jiang the Younger also hurried forward. "Yes, yes, yes. It's perfect to go back with Father. You can look out for each other on the journey. Take this—"
Chu Ruoyan looked down and saw her pressing a stack of banknotes into her hand, along with a small, heavy pouch of something unknown.
"Here are five thousand taels in Da Feng Bao Hao banknotes, exchangeable everywhere. And a pouch of gold leaves. Don't stint yourself."
Chu Ruoyan's temple twitched. Looking at Chu Ruolan, who was still gazing at her with teary eyes, she asked, "And what does Third Sister plan to give me?"
Chu Ruolan sniffled. "I have nothing good to give... I, I'll just wait for you to return, Elder Sister, before I get married..."
Chu Ruoyan: "..."
She looked at her father, her aunt, and her sister, feeling both amused and deeply moved in her heart.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "Father, there's no need to leave. This matter has already been resolved."
Chu Huaishan stared in astonishment. "Really? But just now, news came from the palace. The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice had an urgent audience with the Emperor tonight. The Emperor is furious and has already ordered Prince Yu to arrest someone tomorrow!"
Prince Yu and the Yan family had always been at odds.
Sending him to make the arrest clearly indicated the target was Chu Ruoyan, the Chief Councillor's wife!
The corner of the woman's mouth lifted slightly. "Father, rest assured. In all these years, when has your daughter ever made a mistake? Let him come tomorrow if he wishes. But the murders of the Xue family—don't even think of pinning them on your daughter."
