Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Why don’t you like Fu Huaiqing? …

When Biezhi returned to the capital, it was already approaching the hour of Hai.

The troops that Xu Wenche brought into the capital were much more than she had expected. There were nearly twenty more people riding horses into the capital tonight than in the previous nights. There were nearly a hundred Xu family members who entered the capital in total. Those who didn’t know would think that they were here to attack other families.

Madam Qin waited for most of the day and finally saw Biezhi’s dusty figure.

She looked at the girl climbing the stairs. Perhaps because she had been traveling all year round, the girl’s skin was not fair. Her seemingly slender body contained great energy, which was in sharp contrast to her cute and lively face.

If her little girl was safe and sound, she would be about the same age as her, just the right age for her to be a child…

Madam Qin looked at Biezhi hesitantly, wanting to say something, but in the end she said nothing.

It was not too early, so the two did not stay for long and hurried back to the Qin Mansion.

Back at the Qin residence, Biezhi said goodbye to Madam Qin and returned to the courtyard, relying on his memory.

Before he even reached the archway of the courtyard, he saw a man standing under an octagonal lantern. The dim candlelight poured down, shimmering on him, making him look even more dignified.

Qin Xiao, who had been waiting for a long time, caught a glimpse of the girl walking slowly. He raised his eyelids slightly and looked at her. The girl's expression was slightly confused, and when she met the panicked eyes of the deer in his memory, they were exactly the same.

The girl in front of him was the one he was looking for, and now she was his younger sister.

The spies sent to Huishui Town also confirmed that such a person existed there. The information his people brought back was no different from what his parents had told him, which was enough to prove that her identity was not unusual.

The girl he had been looking for for many days suddenly became his younger sister. Qin Xiao's expression was slightly serious, and his clenched fists tightened.

Biezhi deliberately slowed her pace, her eyes fixed on him. A hint of struggle flashed across the man's stern expression, and suddenly, an idea struck her.

Could it be that Qin Xiao recognized her as the secret guard who had escorted him out of the capital?

This shouldn't be the case... She didn't seem to have given Qin Xiao a chance to see her face during their mission.

Thinking of this, Biezhi frowned slightly, her mind quickly skimming over the months she had spent escorting him to Hezhou. Suddenly, she was startled, remembering that she had indeed appeared once.

That was back at Liuyunzhai.

Biezhi's eyelashes twitched. She had certainly heard of the deeds of Qin Xiao, the Junior Justice of the Dali Temple. In his first year as Junior Justice, he had become famous throughout the Li Dynasty for his photographic memory. He had solved long-standing cases within the Dali Temple, earning him the reputation of a master detective. He was also a favorite among the children of aristocratic families, and one of the most promising sons-in-law in the eyes of the ladies of high-ranking families.

Judging from the Qin family's intentions today, aside from the Qin couple, no one else in the Qin family knew of his identity.

Biezhi stepped forward with mixed feelings, imitating Qin Wan's tone and calling out, "Brother."

The girl's sweet voice slowly reached his ears, and Qin Xiao's eyes changed slightly. For the first time, he felt that the girl in front of him was his younger sister. He stared at her for a moment before speaking, "Why are you alone?"

"I'm not used to having people around," Biezhi said softly. When she left the house today, she had deliberately not brought Hua Chao and the others with her.

Qin Xiao's lips pursed slightly, and then tightened into a straight line.

It's natural to feel uncomfortable with a sudden change of identity.

The girl's clear, bright eyes were watery, and she seemed both curious and confused about her current environment, like a small animal that had suddenly fallen into a trap, completely different from how she looked when they first met.

After a brief silence, he explained, "Because of my status, many people are eyeing the Qin family with eager eyes. I have to bring some people with me when I go out. If anything goes wrong, I'll have someone to protect me."

Bie Zhi's lips curled, and she nodded obediently.

The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. And in front of this expert detective, it's always better to act obedient.

Qin Xiao paused, then said, "Hua Chao is new to the mansion too. If you're not used to it, I can send some maids who are familiar with the family to you—"

"No need to be so troublesome," Bie Zhi refused without waiting for him to finish.

However, she hadn't expected Hua Chao to be new here either, which made things easier. Seeing the man's eyebrows raise slightly, she explained, "I don't like too many people following me. Hua Chao is perfect."

Qin Xiao fell silent for a moment, and said nothing more.

For a moment, everything fell silent.

The man before him didn't seem to have any intention of leaving.

After waiting for a moment, Biezhi raised her eyelids slightly: "If not--"

"Have you ever been to Suiyang City?"

The man's clear and unpredictable voice interrupted the girl's words slowly.

Biezhi's eyes trembled slightly.

She knew that the question was raised in Liuyunzhai.

Biezhi pretended to be surprised and asked instead: "Brother, how do you know I have been to Suiyang City?"

The candlelight in the courtyard fell on the depths of the man's eyes, making it impossible to tell what emotion he had.

Qin Xiao lowered his eyes and stared at her for a long time, then opened his thin lips and said: "I have seen you."

Biezhi pursed her lips, a bit of confusion in her expression: "How can I not have seen you? Have we ever talked?"

The girl's clear voice hit Qin Xiao's heart word by word, and his larynx slid slightly. He expected that she had no impression of him, but when he really heard it, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Qin Xiao looked at her steadily for a moment and said, "No."

A crack appeared on the man's handsome and cold face. Bie Zhi saw it all, but she couldn't understand why.

She nodded and said, "No wonder I don't remember it."

Qin Xiao was speechless.

After a long time, he smiled silently.

Bie Zhi was even more confused. Things seemed to be developing in an uncontrollable direction.

The more this happened, the more she didn't want to stay any longer. She found an excuse casually: "It's getting late. If you don't have anything else, I'll go back and rest."

"I came here tonight because I have something to tell you." Qin Xiao took a slightly sideways step and stood in the middle of the archway, blocking her figure.

Bie Zhi didn't expect him to be so difficult to deal with. She patiently asked, "What else?"

Qin Xiao was waiting here for something important.

He suppressed his emotions and said, "I've discussed it with my father. We've wronged you for many years, and we can't wrong you anymore. In seven days, the Qin family will invite the noble families in Beijing to announce that you are the second daughter of the Qin family."

Bie Zhi was stunned: "..."

No one has told her about this! If

her identity is really announced to the public, how will she get away in three months?

Will she still be able to move around in Beijing in the future?

Bie Zhi's surprise was not fake. She was really shocked and asked subconsciously: "Does it have to be like this?"

"You don't want to?" A trace of doubt appeared in Qin Xiao's eyes.

"No." Bie Zhi came back to her senses and said stiffly: "I'm just afraid of extravagance and waste. It's not good."

The girl's clear, almond-shaped eyes darted around, a thought etched in her mind as worry slowly crept into them. Qin Xiao raised his lips slightly, rubbed her head, and said nonchalantly, "The Qin family may not be able to give you anything else, but we do have money."

Bie Zhi: "..."

What a boast!

Since they weren't short of money, could you give her ten thousand taels?

She also wanted to live a life where money wasn't always available, but where there was

always something to worry about! Bie Zhi understood that the Qin family was determined to host this banquet, and she couldn't help but feel it. Furthermore, Qin Peibai hadn't informed her ahead of time, but Qin Xiao had. There

must be something else going on. Her eyes shifted several times as she pondered, but she said, "I'll follow my parents' orders."

Lying on her couch that night, Bie Zhi pondered for a long time, unable to understand why the Qin family had been so insistent on hosting this banquet.

Given the attention the people of Beijing were paying to the Qin family, if it was announced that she was the second daughter of the Qin family, how would she find a reason to relinquish her title three months later, and how would she navigate life in the capital?

"Forget it." Biezhi pulled the quilt up to cover her face. "I'm leaving in three months anyway."

She had truly made up her mind to leave Xianyunlou.

Honestly, Xianyunlou had treated her well.

Although the old man's moods were unpredictable and he sometimes liked to torment her by dragging her feet when assigning her missions, the rewards he offered were generous, unmatched by anyone else.

It was just that—

she didn't want to live a life of fighting and killing, and she didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of her.

Biezhi sighed and slowly pulled down the quilt, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming in the darkness.

She wondered what Jiran was like.

Perhaps because she'd been overthinking things, Biezhi hadn't slept well, a shallow sleep.

When she opened her eyes, it was already early morning.

Aside from Madam Qin, the rest of the Qin family had gone to court. Qin Wan, bound for the Imperial College, had also boarded her carriage and departed early in the morning. The vast Qin family mansion was hushed and silent.

Biezhi did not bother Madam Qin, thinking about how to get in touch with Xu Wenche.

Before she could figure it out, the time she had agreed with Qin Wan came.

Biezhi took Hua Chao out, and when they arrived at Yongle Avenue, Qin Wan was already waiting in front of the meeting.

Before she got off the sedan chair, Biezhi saw the man standing beside Qin Wan, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

Why is Prince Su here?

Didn't he say yesterday that he couldn't come?

The moment their eyes met through the worried figures, Biezhi silently looked away, pretending not to see it.

"Why is His Royal Highness Prince Su here?" A passerby asked his companion in surprise.

The companion raised his eyebrows slightly and said meaningfully, "Look who's standing next to him."

Hearing this, the woman stood on tiptoe and glanced in the direction of the calligraphy gathering. Her eyes suddenly lit up. "I thought so, Miss Qin is here too."

"Indeed." The woman's companion smiled, occasionally glancing sideways at the two figures standing side by side. "It's just as the rumors say. Wherever Miss Qin is, His Royal Highness Prince Su is sure to be seen."

Biezhi frowned slightly when she heard this.

She knew they had a close relationship as childhood sweethearts, but she didn't expect it to be so close!

Doesn't that mean that whenever Qin Wan is around, Prince Su will be there too?

Yesterday, she was thinking about staying away from the King of Hell.

Bie Zhi felt that the important thing was not that she was afraid of him and was timid, but that his glances from time to time carried some inexplicable deep meaning, which made her feel uneasy, just like a cheetah hiding in the dark and observing its prey. If the prey made the slightest movement, it would jump out, bite the prey's carotid artery fiercely, and kill it with one blow.

And she was the prey being targeted.

The summer was hot, the cicadas were chirping loudly, and Bie Zhi couldn't help but shiver.

Qin Wan also saw Bie Zhi's figure and waved: "Here, come quickly."

Bie Zhi came back to her senses, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She walked forward without looking away, wanting to pretend that she didn't see Prince Su, but the actual situation did not allow her to do so.

She imitated Hua Chao's movements and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."

From the moment the Qin family carriage appeared on Yongle Avenue, Fu Huaiqing's eyes were fixed on Biezhi. He could tell that she was deliberately avoiding his gaze. He nodded indifferently, his eyes gradually falling on the three or two figures not far away.

Biezhi breathed a sigh of relief and followed Qin Wan inside.

The calligraphy gathering was crowded with people. The long street was hung with calligraphy and paintings by various calligraphers. Biezhi, who had no interest in this, followed Qin Wan's side, listening to her whispered introductions from time to time, her mind couldn't help but fall on the nearby city gate.

There were many gates to enter the capital, and she didn't know if Xu Wenche would enter through this one.

After walking the entire street, it was almost noon, and Biezhi still didn't see Xu Wenche. Her heart sank a little.

Biezhi glanced at Qin Wan, who was still reluctant to leave, and asked, "Are we going back home now?"

"After lunch." Qin Wan raised her eyes slightly, looked at the restaurant on the side, and said, "I heard from my mother that you like to eat soft and sticky cakes. It's just right that their cakes are excellent."

Biezhi was speechless, and silently looked at the woman who had already walked forward, and had to follow.

When the group was about to step into the restaurant, the shopkeeper came up to them and took them to the second floor with a smile.

The wing room on the second floor was close to the street, and the street view could be seen by opening the window.

Biezhi sat near the window, and his eyes looked down from time to time.

"Don't you like it here?" Qin Wan seemed to notice her absent-mindedness and asked.

Biezhi, who had been staring at the city gate, suddenly retracted her gaze upon hearing this. Meeting Fu Huaiqing's pensive eyes, she realized she had been mesmerized and shook her head. "No, it was my first time attending a calligraphy gathering and I found it novel and couldn't help but take a few more glances."

Instantly, a trace of heartache passed through Qin Wan's heart. She thought that if she had always been in the capital, this wouldn't have happened. Her tone softened. "There are often various gatherings in the capital. I'll take you to see others tomorrow."

Biezhi sipped her tea and hummed, "Thank you, sister."

As she was about to finish her words, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure approaching. She froze for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyes and looked. The tall figure walking among the crowd was none other than Xu Wenche!

Xu Wenche was accompanied by two servants. The group wasn't coming from the city gate; it was obvious they had come here after visiting other gates.

Seeing her looking down the street again, Qin Wan couldn't help but look up. "What are you looking at?"

"That person." Bie Zhi turned her gaze, pointing at the figure standing in front of the calligraphy collection. Her almond-shaped eyes shone brightly as she asked, "Sister, do you know that person?"

Fu Huaiqing, sitting silently, chuckled inwardly, instantly understanding her intention.

If she wanted to build a closer relationship with Xu Wenche, it would be much faster for the Qin family to come forward than for her to go there herself.

"Who?" Qin Wan followed her finger, unable to figure out who she was talking about. "Who?"

"The man in the blue and white robe," Bie Zhi added.

Qin Wan looked again, her eyes meeting his. The blue-robed man stood tall and slender, his features clear and sharp, and he exuded a high-spirited air, reminiscent of a young man from an aristocratic family. However, she had never seen him before in the capital. " I don't know him," Bie Zhi said, curling her lips. Qin Wan stared at her, puzzled. "Do you know him?" "No," Bie Zhi bit her lip and whispered , "I'd like to." Qin Wan instinctively asked, "Why? 

" Bie Zhi feigned shyness, lowering her eyes and saying, "Handsome." 

Qin Wan: "Huh?" 

She stared at her sister in surprise, thinking she had misheard. "What do you mean?" 

Bie Zhi blinked, then asked crisply, "Sister, don't you think he's very handsome?" 

The girl's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, echoed through the room. She pursed her lips slightly, her eyes sweeping innocently over the people present, as if puzzled by their silence. 

Jiang Yue, who was accompanying him in the wing room, had not had time to be surprised by Biezhi's outrageous words. He caught a glimpse of his master's suddenly dark expression from the corner of his eye, and his eyes froze for a moment. 

He suddenly remembered that whenever Biezhi mentioned that she liked handsome men, the prince didn't seem to be in a very good mood. Even when Master Qin mentioned that he would send someone to look for Biezhi last time, the prince had an expression of impending trouble. 

Suddenly, Jiang Yue understood and looked at the shy girl. 

Fu Huaiqing's brows and heart beat several times, and she looked at Biezhi with indescribable feelings. 

The man's deep eyes were so hot that Biezhi couldn't ignore them. She hesitated for a moment, and for a long time she couldn't understand the deep meaning contained in his pupils. 

Bie Zhi didn't have time to guess his thoughts. Her bright almond-shaped eyes blinked as she pressed, "Don't you think so, sister?" 

Qin Wan, stunned and speechless, glanced at the girl, whose expression hinted at a sense of aggrieved disapproval, and nodded quickly, "She is indeed quite pretty." 

Bie Zhi's lips curled up at that, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. Without a trace of shyness, she said, "Don't laugh at me, sister. I usually like handsome men." 

"How could that be?" Qin Wan couldn't help but glance at the man in the main seat. Fu Huaiqing was undoubtedly the most handsome, so why didn't Bie Zhi seem to like him? She pondered for a moment, then said to her personal maid, "Send someone to find out whose son he is." 

The maid obeyed and withdrew. 

Bie Zhi watched the girl retreat, a delighted smile playing on her lips, a faint dimple barely visible, a glimpse of her joy. 

Fu Huaiqing tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. 

Qin Wan rarely encountered a woman so blunt, and her interest was piqued. She glanced thoughtfully at Fu Huaiqing and whispered, "Isn't he handsome?" 

Biezhi's eyelashes fluttered at the whisper, and she glanced over, bewildered. 

Her fiancé, would it matter if he thought he was handsome? 

Could it be that she couldn't bear to see her praise others but not her fiancé? 

Qin Wan's confusion intensified when she saw she didn't respond for a moment. "He's really not good-looking?" 

"He's good-looking," Biezhi said hurriedly, seeing Qin Wan's expression as if she'd argue with her if she'd said Prince Su was unattractive. 

She spoke without a shred of disloyalty: "If the prince isn't handsome, then no one else is either." 

Qin Wan nodded in agreement. 

After a moment, she felt puzzled again: "Then why don't you like him?" 

Biezhi: "...?" 

Why would she like someone else's fiancé? 

Looking at Qin Wan with blazing eyes, who was looking at her with an expression that would not give up until she got the answer, Bie Zhi was speechless, and for a moment she could not understand what her intention was. 

Bie Zhi glanced sideways at the handsome and tall man in the main seat. He was leaning against the back of the chair, lazy and casual, but his deep and dark eyes were filled with a dangerous look, and his every move was full of calm and calm pressure. 

The moment Fu Huaiqing's eyes met her, she looked away nonchalantly. 

After a moment of silence, she leaned slightly to Qin Wan's ear and said seriously, "He is a bit fierce."