Xue Tianlang's face changed as soon as he finished reading the letter. Xue Miao'er, standing beside him, stole a few glances at it too. Biting her lips, she was clearly frightened.
Yi Qing stood opposite the two of them, looking extremely calm.
Xue Tianlang looked up at her. "You've read this letter?"
Yi Qing replied, "Yes, but I didn't understand it. I don't know many characters. What does it say?"
Xue Tianlang didn't answer. Instead, he stared intently into her eyes and asked, "Tell me, what's your relationship with Deng Xiao exactly?"
Yi Qing glanced at Xue Miao'er, who looked a bit guilty.
—Apparently, Xue Miao'er had come to see Xue Tianlang while Yi Qing was changing clothes and told him what had happened.
But Yi Qing thought it was only natural—hadn't she gone back to meet Xiao Tian first? So she didn't really mind. She simply said, "I know medical skills and saved Mrs. He's life. That's why I stayed in his mansion for a few years."
Half true and half false, this story seemed flawless for now.
It was consistent with what she had said before and couldn't be considered a deception.
"He wants me to go and meet him."
"If the chief wants to go, then go. If not, it's okay," Yi Qing said. "It doesn't matter to me whether it's beneficial or not."
"Dad, don't go," Xue Miao'er said. "Deng Xiao is really scary. I'm afraid of him."
Yi Qing said nothing and remained calm.
Xue Tianlang couldn't read anything from her face. So he waved his hand and said, "You two can leave first."
He needed to think this over carefully.
He never expected that Deng Xiao might already know Xue Miao'er's true identity.
He had always thought this matter was so secret that only their father - daughter pair and Xue Miao'er's maternal family knew about it. How did Deng Xiao find out?
Since Deng Xiao already knew, would he wipe out their mountain stronghold in order to gain merit?
It would be easy for Deng Xiao to scheme against them.
There were only about a thousand people on the mountain, including the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled. How could they possibly deal with the commander of the Imperial Guard?
So Xue Tianlang realized that he had no choice but to go.
Whether he wanted to or not, he had to meet Deng Xiao.
However, before he could set off, Deng Xiao had already arrived.
Deng Xiao came in plain clothes. He reported Yi Qing's name at the foot of the mountain and was then led up.
Xue Tianlang treated him as an honored guest. The two had a private conversation in the study, and no one was allowed to approach.
No one knew what was said during this conversation except the two of them. But when Xue Tianlang came out of the study, he looked relieved, as if he had lifted a heavy burden off his shoulders. He seemed very relaxed.
Seeing the usually worried chief looking so at ease, the people in the stronghold also breathed a sigh of relief.
Xue Tianlang smiled and said, "Shall I accompany you for a stroll on the mountain? Although it can't compare to the well - designed scenery in the capital, it does have its own rustic charm. What do you think..."
"Take me to find Yi Qing," Deng Xiao said bluntly.
"Sure, sure, sure," Xue Tianlang replied quickly. But in his heart, he couldn't help but wonder what role Yi Qing played in Deng Xiao's heart. Why did he feel that Deng Xiao attached so much importance to Yi Qing?
Xue Tianlang even thought that Yi Qing had played a big part in Deng Xiao's easy - going attitude.
He had an urge to treat Yi Qing like a precious treasure.
Actually, Deng Xiao hadn't promised him anything. He just told Xue Tianlang that as long as he cooperated well, Deng Xiao would do his best to plead for Xue Miao'er in front of the emperor. But the premise was that Xue Tianlang had to follow his instructions exactly.
Although Xue Tianlang was like a king on this mountain, Deng Xiao, as a close official to the emperor, was the most powerful person he could ever meet.
He thought that with this, Xue Miao'er's life would be secure.
Xue Tianlang led the way in front, and Deng Xiao followed calmly. Soon, they arrived at Yi Qing's residence.
Xue Miao'er might still feel guilty about what had happened before, so she came in advance to inform Yi Qing.
So when the two of them arrived, Yi Qing was leaning against the door, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds.
"Why don't you come and pay your respects when you see your master?" Deng Xiao said with a fake smile when he saw her.
Yi Qing spat out the sunflower seed shell stuck on her lips and said lazily, "I'm a commoner after being redeemed. So, have you reached an agreement with Chief Xue? I promised Xue Miao'er that I would help her share her father's worries. You can't let me break my promise."
Xue Tianlang looked at Yi Qing in surprise.
Xue Miao'er had told him that Yi Qing was not afraid of Deng Xiao at all. He had been skeptical; but now that he saw it with his own eyes, he was really shocked.
Really, was she being so bold?
If he didn't know that Deng Xiao was a eunuch, Xue Tianlang would almost suspect that Yi Qing was Deng Xiao's woman.
"No, I can't. After all, I want you to know that the one who is truly devoted to you and has the ability to solve your problems is only me; not the one who always hides behind you and acts like a coward when something happens."
Hearing his veiled remarks, Yi Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Go down the mountain as soon as the matter is settled."
Was he so free that he came here to sow discord between her and Xiao Tian?
Given Deng Xiao's cunning, it was no surprise to Yi Qing that he could guess Xiao Tian was hiding in her room.
"You're really quick to kick someone away after using them," Deng Xiao snorted. "I've helped you so much. How are you going to thank me?"
"Marry you?"
"I don't mind."
"I do," Yi Qing said as she put away the remaining sunflower seeds. "Come in and sit down. Chief Xue is so busy. Don't let him accompany us. Come in. Let's catch up alone."
Wasn't he just curious about Xiao Tian? Fine, let him see.
Xue Tianlang said, "I'm not busy. I'm not busy at all."
Deng Xiao glanced at him. "You may leave!"
Such a heroic figure like Xue Tianlang didn't get angry when he heard Deng Xiao's arrogant words. He even exchanged a few polite words before leading Xue Miao'er away.
Yi Qing said, "Come in."
When they entered the room one after another, Xiao Tian was sitting steadily at the table. When he saw Yi Qing come in, he slightly raised the corners of his eyes with a smile, but ignored Deng Xiao.
"Is it very comfortable to hide behind a woman?" Deng Xiao taunted.
"Maybe you'll know in a few years, or maybe you'll have to wait until your next life," Xiao Tian said coldly.
Seeing the two men on the verge of a fight as soon as they met, Yi Qing said helplessly, "Can you both just shut up? Aren't you two here on the emperor's order? If you want to quarrel, save it for in front of the emperor. Then I'll really admire you!"
Wasn't the most important thing now to exchange information, re - determine the "battle plan," and then try to complete the task assigned by the emperor and return to the capital as soon as possible?
The two men glared at each other and then turned their heads away, looking rather pouty.
Yi Qing slapped the table. "Lord Deng, you came late. Please convey any new instructions from the emperor to us."