"Why are you... staring at ?"
Just as Xiang Yin sat down, he felt a chill on his back. Turning his head, he saw the couple staring at him, causing him to panic. It felt as though he was being eyed by two wild beasts, making his scalp tingle, as if about to fall ill.
Li Qingmu shook his head and pointed to the package in Xiang Yin’s arms: "How did the package I lost end up with you?"
"Oh, you an this?"
Xiang Yin sighed in relief. It turned out to be just about this. He wiped the fine sweat off his forehead and quickly tossed the package to Li Qingmu.
"After my exam, I stayed temporarily in Ling’an City, hoping to attend the poetry gathering on the Lingjiang boat. During that ti, a few friends and I went hunting outside the city, and then we saw your package. It contained your identification papers, which are very important, so I thought it best to deliver it to you personally."
Li Qingmu nodded: "You just returned?"
"Yes, I got back just yesterday, rested at ho for a night, and ca rushing over..."
At this point, Xiang Yin was exceedingly depressed, wondering how he’d so coincidentally run into this situation without checking the calendar beforehand.
Long Yue noticed the depression in his eyes, shared a glance with Li Qingmu, and they both chuckled softly; this indeed was just a coincidence beyond their control.
According to the plan, Li Qingmu intended to visit the Xiang family mansion to find Xiang Yin, but who would’ve thought that he’d co knocking himself?
However, no matter how it happened, Xiang Yin couldn’t escape this ti. But being sought out versus delivering oneself up seed to feel sowhat different, didn’t it?
"Thank you!"
He took the package, looked inside, and saw that the vital docunts from the governnt were intact. As for money and other valuables, those were no longer important.
"How long do you plan to stay?"
After Xiang Yin asked, he regretted it imdiately. Sure enough, Li Qingmu laughed and said, "Is Brother Xiang not welcoming us?"
"Ahem, how could that be..." You demon, rciless killer, it would be a miracle if I welcod you!
Xiang Yin grumbled internally, while Li Qingmu gave him a haunting look and softly said, "Is Brother Xiang afraid of ?"
A shiver ran through Xiang Yin; the words seed to pierce his heart. If he answered poorly, what if the other party had murderous intentions?
While he was tangled in his thoughts, pondering how to respond, Li Qingmu sighed slowly, "It seems Brother Xiang only knows part of the truth, not the whole."
Xiang Yin stood dumbstruck, looking at him blankly, not understanding the aning of his words.
"If I hadn’t killed him that day, would we still be alive today?"
"If we hadn’t killed him and saved him instead, wouldn’t we have received his gratitude? With his support then, we could have smoothly risen in rank, with no need to take the imperial exams, traversing that single-log bridge trod by thousands..."
In these tis, taking the imperial exam was like crossing a single-log bridge; countless people sharpened their heads trying to get in, but how many succeeded?
In their school, of many, only he and Li Qingmu passed, and Li Qingmu uniquely achieved first place in the case... This man really is...
"Foolish!" Just as Xiang Yin’s thoughts ran wild, Li Qingmu gave a cold scoff and said angrily, "Utterly foolish! That man was the Capital Prefect’s nephew. If soone dared to target him, how could the person behind this be ordinary? If he didn’t die, they would vent their anger on us, for after all, you and I saved him. What would happen next doesn’t need to say; you should understand it!"
Li Qingmu’s words were a wake-up call, leaving Xiang Yin stunned and his palms cold with sweat.
Yes, how had he forgotten that? At the ti, he only thought about befriending that young master to gain the gratitude and support of the Capital Prefect, forgetting that the political struggles in the Capital City were not sothing small figures like them could ddle in.
Not to ntion getting caught in the crossfire; even a slight touch could an annihilation!
Xiang Yin touched his forehead as cold sweat poured down.
"Brother Li, it was my oversight!"
Li Qingmu gave him a faint glance and continued, "As for what happened after, I was seriously injured, and you sprained your foot. We were in deep mountains; if we left then and encountered wild beasts, do you think you could handle it?"
"..."
His tone carried so disdain and scorn, but Xiang Yin didn’t feel ashad; instead, he felt grateful, "I understand now, thank you, Brother Li! Without your assistance, I might have died without a burial place!"
His tone relaxed significantly while speaking, and Li Qingmu knew that the shadow that had lood over him for three years was finally beginning to dissipate.
"To enemies, there should be no compassion, or else it’s weakness, harming others and oneself!"
"Yes, you are right, Brother Li!"
Long Yue watched from the side, amused. Xiang Yin was big and burly, yet in front of Li Qingmu, he was as obedient as a quail.
Li Qingmu’s gaze shifted slightly; if it weren’t for the upcoming events requiring Xiang Yin’s help, he wouldn’t have bothered explaining. Whether Xiang Yin understood the stakes or not, what did it matter to him?
A group of them later reached Xiang Mansion, where Xiang Yin warmly arranged accommodations and even sent maids and servants, but the couple refused.
They were adept at handling matters themselves and didn’t need anyone to serve them. More importantly, they didn’t like having maids or servants eavesdropping around them!
Late at night, all was silent.
Li Qingmu took off his outer robe, climbed onto the bed, and gathered Long Yue, who was leafing through materials, into his arms. He smiled and asked, "Wife, have you found anything?"
"Almost," Long Yue gently pushed away his wandering hand, glaring with almond-shaped eyes, "Focus on the matter, no fooling around! Master clearly stated you can’t touch !"
A shadow of sadness passed through Li Qingmu’s eyes: "I know, only when I heal can I be with you. But can I hold you for now?"
"Go away!" Long Yue pushed him aside angrily, "Once this is all done, you’ll train in martial arts with , so the next ti you face bandits, you won’t lose your life! Don’t refuse. I’ll have a small harmless whip ready, and if you dare not listen or get lazy, I’ll whip you!"
Li Qingmu, "..."
His face twitched slightly; his little wife was still so fierce!
"Look, these people were involved in the Rebellion of the Seven Princes. Later, when things failed, their entire family was executed. Since you’ve distanced yourself from the Li family, my cousin will undoubtedly exploit your origins and background. I reckon these are the people she’ll use!"
Li Qingmu gazed at the data, his expression growing colder. To make himself appear like one of their descendants and attack him under the guise of a traitor’s son? Dream on!
Others might panic or be at a loss when faced with this, but not Li Qingmu!
Defense is the last resort; he needed to be strategic with every step!
"There are so resources at Xiang Yin’s house. Have him send so people to investigate. Know your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle!"
"Alright!"
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