The figure moved. Just by looking at the back, one could feel that the person was on high alert, with their whole body tense.
On the screen that the person's back had leaned against, there was a large dark - red stain left behind.
"Brother, it seems that he/she is injured," Song Wanchu's heart skipped a beat.
"Madam, it's me."
Hearing this voice, both Song Wanchu and Shi Luohan were stunned for a moment.
Song Wanchu quickly walked to the other side of the screen. "Yaoguang, why are you here? You..."
Yaoguang was curled up in the corner of the screen. Her face was as pale as paper, and there was a knife wound on her back that was about an elbow long.
Her dress was covered in blood. Biting her pale lips, her body trembled slightly, obviously in great pain.
Only her eyes were still as bright as dots of lacquer.
Song Wanchu squatted down and took out a silk handkerchief to cover Yaoguang's bleeding wound. Surprise, shock, and confusion were all jumbled up in her mind.
She didn't even know what to ask.
Shi Luohan was also shocked.
Seeing Yaoguang again, he was reminded of the accident caused by his rough - handedness when snatching the purse.
The two glanced at each other and then quickly averted their eyes. An awkward atmosphere spread silently.
Song Wanchu was so focused on Yaoguang's wound that she didn't notice the subtle change between them.
"Did Liang Yuzhou assign you a very dangerous mission?"
"It wasn't my master who sent me. I did it on my own initiative."
Yaoguang quickly explained. She wanted to say that her master had a high fever and coughed up blood several times. Zhou Sheng and Zhou Yan were busy taking care of the master, and as a woman, the master didn't allow her to get close.
She had sneaked out.
But then she remembered her master's strict warning not to reveal his illness to anyone, especially the madam.
"But how did you get hurt like this? Did you get into a conflict with someone?"
Song Wanchu was extremely confused. Yaoguang was about the same age as her, but she was more reserved and steady.
Without Liang Yuzhou's order or being forced into a corner, she would never take action easily.
Yaoguang didn't intend to hide anything from Song Wanchu and told her everything directly. "I failed to assassinate Yue Chengkong. He cut me with a knife, and I fled here and hid."
Who would have thought that by chance, she had hidden in the private room arranged for the madam.
Shi Luohan frowned, puzzled. "Do you have a grudge against Yue Chengkong?"
Hatred flashed in Yaoguang's eyes. "A deep - seated hatred."
When she entered the city today, she had planned to ask Shi Minglang how much evidence of Yue Chengkong's crimes Gao Daqiang had provided and when his memorial would be sent to the capital to reach the emperor's ears.
She had waited for too long. The closer she got to success, the more restless she became.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the city, she encountered Yue Chengkong on his way out.
He had a grand entourage. Two rows of officers and soldiers cleared the way for him. Those commoners who were slow to get out of the way would be scolded, pushed, or even beaten.
Yue Chengkong was riding a tall horse, looking extremely arrogant.
A pregnant woman was leading a five - or six - year - old child. She was a bit slow to dodge, and one of Yue Chengkong's minions whipped her on the back.
The commoners dared not say a word.
At that moment, Yaoguang's new and old hatred for Yue Chengkong reached its peak.
She covered her face and drew her sword, stabbing at him...
"Brother, Yaoguang's wound is too deep. It won't stop bleeding. We need to call a doctor."
Song Wanchu was more concerned about Yaoguang's injury.
Yaoguang had eaten the poisonous pea cake for her and had protected her several times when she was in danger. She wouldn't take her anger towards Liang Yuzhou out on Yaoguang.
"Okay, I'll go find a doctor."
Shi Luohan's gaze shifted away from Yaoguang's face imperceptibly.
Just as he was about to step out, there was a knock on the door.
It was the owner of Zhaiyuelou, out of breath, with a look of panic and apology on his face.
It was Suyue who had accompanied Song Wanchu out today. The little girl was very smart. She quickly blocked in front of the screen, hiding Yaoguang's back.
"Master Shi, Miss Song, I'm really sorry. The government has just issued a notice that Lord Yue was assassinated in the street. The murderer may be hiding in Zhaiyuelou. Lord Yue has ordered the building to be sealed off, and every room will be searched."
Song Wanchu couldn't help but feel nervous.
Shi Luohan's face was cold and calm. He nodded. "Understood."
As soon as the owner left, he closed the door tightly.
Downstairs, there came the chaotic footsteps of the officers and soldiers and the screams of the frightened guests.
The situation was extremely critical.
"Brother, you're good at light - kung fu. Take Yaoguang and leave through the window."
Song Wanchu couldn't just sit back and watch Yaoguang be captured.
Shi Luohan glanced at Yaoguang and was worried about Song Wanchu. "If I leave, what about you?"
How could he leave Wanchu to face a group of ferocious officers and soldiers?
"I'll be fine. The officers and soldiers are just here to search. If there's no one in the room, they can't do anything to me."
Song Wanchu urged Shi Luohan. "Brother, a life is at stake. Hurry up and take Yaoguang away."
Shi Luohan took off his outer robe and wrapped it around Yaoguang. Then he picked her up horizontally.
Yaoguang's hand rested on Shi Luohan's shoulder, but she involuntarily clenched it into a fist.
Shi Luohan was a bit speechless about this.
Was it really necessary to be so defensive?
He was just covering her with a robe, not taking off her clothes!
"Suyue, take good care of your mistress. I'll be back soon!"
Just as Shi Luohan's robe disappeared from the window, the officers and soldiers kicked open the door.
The smart Suyue had already wiped the bloodstains off the screen.
"Have you seen any suspicious people?" the officer and soldier asked ferociously.
Song Wanchu remained calm. "We've just arrived. We haven't seen anyone."
The officers and soldiers searched the room but found nothing.
Just as they were about to leave in a file, a deep voice sounded at the door. "Wait!"
As the footsteps approached, the floor vibrated.
A man in his forties walked in. He was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. His eyes shot out a fierce light.
Looking at him, Song Wanchu suddenly thought of the grey bear that Liang Yuzhou had shot.
If the grey bear could transform into a human form, it might look like this man.
A group of ferocious officers and soldiers seemed like docile rabbits in comparison to him.
The officers and soldiers saluted one after another. "My Lord, the Prefectural Governor!"
Song Wanchu's heart skipped a beat.
So this was Yue Chengkong.
When Yue Chengkong saw Song Wanchu, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
But soon, his fierce look returned.
"Why does this room smell of blood?"
Suyue had never seen such a tough and ferocious man before. And there were several blood - stained handkerchiefs hidden in her sleeve. She was so scared that her face turned pale.
Song Wanchu's eyes were as calm as water. She raised her right hand.
There was a wound about a finger long on her palm.
"Brother just got a good sword. I was curious and took it to have a look. But I was so clumsy that I cut my palm."
"Where's your brother then?"
"Naturally, he's gone to invite a doctor for me," Song Wanchu lied calmly.
Suyue beside her didn't even dare to take a deep breath.
She was afraid that a panicked breath would expose the lie.
Yue Chengkong scanned the private room again but found nothing abnormal. He stared at Song Wanchu suspiciously and then led his men away.