Two days had passed since the day when Helian Qi raided the entire underground trading site of the Black Hawk Society in Dongguan City.
Dongfang Yi sincerely admired how perfectly he had handled this matter. He had even tidied up all the aftermath without leaving a single flaw, as if there had never been a secret underground trading meeting in Dongguan City, and the common people didn't notice the slightest anomaly.
However, Young Master Wu Jian, who knew the ins and outs of this incident, was deeply curious about Helian Qi. He had thought this man was just daydreaming, but unexpectedly, Helian Qi had really achieved it.
Finally, one afternoon, Wu Jian received a sandalwood box sent by Ru Yi. When he opened the box, inside was the golden jade he had been longing for!
Ru Yi said, "This is our young master's way of thanking you."
Wu Jian quickly took the box, tears welling up in his eyes. He had gone to the underground trading site that day just for this golden jade. Although the transaction had been interrupted halfway, he knew in his heart that even if he added up all the silver he had, it would be very difficult for him to bid for this golden jade in the end.
So his gratitude was beyond words.
Dongfang Yi had been staying with Helian Qi for the past two days. They had visited some ancient sites in Dongguan City and tasted some local specialties.
Xiaoxin also followed her closely. This time, she seemed to have been frightened. Dongfang Yi's capture had really scared her to the core. When she saw Dongfang Yi again, Xiaoxin almost cried all her tears out and didn't want to leave her for a single step, for fear that she would disappear again.
But Dongfang Yi still couldn't help but think of Situ Qing from time to time, and what he had said to her before he disappeared, that he would come back to find her. Just thinking about it made her frown involuntarily.
She had also seriously sorted out all the things that had happened to her since she had time - traveled.
From being wrongly accused of assassinating the emperor to now witnessing the collapse of such a huge Black Hawk Society right in front of her eyes. Although the real culprit behind the scenes had not been found yet, the truth was becoming clearer.
The next day, Helian Qi went to the cell where Bai Huan was imprisoned to conduct an interrogation.
The cell was prepared by Donghua for him. It was in a small town on the northernmost side of Dongguan. As soon as he entered the cell, he could immediately smell a damp odor and hear the scurrying sounds of mice.
At the end of the corridor was the cell where Bai Huan was held. Bai Huan was still wearing the white cheongsam with silver patterns that she had worn when they first met. However, the white furry vest was nowhere to be found, and the white cheongsam was dirty with many holes.
Her hair was in a mess, but her phoenix - shaped eyes were still as beautiful as ever.
"Who is your master?" Ru Yi asked.
"Didn't you see?" Bai Huan gently raised her head, slightly narrowing her phoenix - shaped eyes as she spoke to him.
Ru Yi felt a bit uncomfortable under her stare, but he still continued to ask, "Who ordered you to assassinate the emperor?"
But the only response he got was silence. Bai Huan lowered her head slightly and began to hum a Kunqu tune, seemingly not hearing his question at all.
Ru Yi wanted to ask more, but Helian Qi waved his hand to stop him.
"Bai Huan, you'd better think it through clearly. Do you want to keep covering for the person behind you, or... do you want your brother's life!"
Helian Qi said.
Hearing his words, Bai Huan immediately stopped humming, but only paused for a few seconds before continuing to sing.
Helian Qi couldn't help but let out a cold snort, and then said, "Tianshui Town."
"If you still refuse to say a single word now, your brother's head will be hung on the Dongguan City gate tomorrow."
As soon as she heard Tianshui Town, Bai Huan, who had been looking dull, could no longer remain calm. She shouted out of control, "Don't hurt my brother!"
"I'll talk..."
She lowered her head, her teeth tightly biting her lower lip until it turned white, but she still had to say, "Situ Qing's original surname is Dugu."
Ru Yi's eyes widened in surprise. Dugu? Didn't that mean...
Helian Qi beside him frowned tightly. His lowered eyes made it hard to see his expression.
So he was a remnant of the former dynasty!
After leaving the cell, an indescribable atmosphere surrounded the two of them. Ru Yi was even more uneasy. He asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, is Situ Qing really a remnant of the former dynasty..." Seeing that Helian Qi didn't say a word, he then changed the topic to another matter, "Why did Bai Huan react so strongly when Your Majesty mentioned Tianshui Town?"
Helian Qi finally sighed and said, "Tianshui Town is the place where the Bai siblings grew up. It was also their shelter."
Bai Yi and Bai Huan were not biological siblings. They were just two poor children. Both of their families had been exterminated, and only they had survived. Two children who were only seven years old were adopted by Master Bai, a poison master from the Poison Valley, and were named Bai Yi and Bai Huan. Everyone in the world thought they were biological siblings, but the real story was not like that.
Helian Qi also kept his promise and didn't pursue Bai Yi's whereabouts anymore.
But they heard the news of Bai Huan's death the next day.
Donghua came from the cell early in the morning. Helian Qi was having breakfast with Dongfang Yi. Dongfang Yi saw Donghua, who was a bit out of breath. Thinking of her previous speculation about Donghua, she felt a bit embarrassed and didn't want to look up, just continued to eat her rice.
"Sir, Bai Huan is dead," Donghua said.
"How did she die?" Helian Qi asked softly.
"She took poison and committed suicide," Donghua said word by word.
"Okay," Helian Qi replied rather coldly, then waved his hand to signal Donghua to leave.
But Dongfang Yi beside him became even more curious. She raised her head, blinking her eyes in confusion and asked, "Why did she take poison?"
She still remembered how beautiful and high - spirited Bai Huan had looked on the stage. It was hard to imagine that she would be the kind of person who would commit suicide.
"She betrayed her master," Helian Qi replied with his head down.
"Why did she betray her master?" Dongfang Yi asked again.
"Maybe to protect the person she loved deeply," Helian Qi's lowered eyes still made it hard to see his expression.
Dongfang Yi let out a few "oh"s, and then began to think in her heart. The person Bai Huan cared about? That could only be her so - called brother in the rumors. Then the person she betrayed?
Wasn't it Situ Qing!
Helian Qi noticed the thoughtful look on the little woman beside him, and the gloom in his eyes gradually dissipated.
Thank goodness, there was still Dongfang Yi.
"I'll protect you too," Helian Qi suddenly said, staring intently at the woman beside him.
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi felt a warm feeling rising in her heart. She subconsciously reached out and ruffled Helian Qi's hair. The touch under her hand was surprisingly soft.
"I'll protect you too," Dongfang Yi said with a smile.
It had been almost ten days since they left the palace, and the matter of the Black Hawk Society had come to an end. Although the real culprit behind the scenes had not been found yet, they had understood that the source of all the turmoil was the restless remnants of the former dynasty.
Thinking that there might still be some hidden remnants of the former dynasty in the former imperial palace, Helian Qi decided to return to the palace.