Lord Chu Nan had always been all talk and no action. Given such an opportunity this time, he naturally wouldn't let it slip by.
Ping Xinian lowered her eyes and let out a charming laugh. "My lord, you seem a bit too eager. That Xiao Jinghan is no easy opponent, and there's also the emperor behind him."
"Once he's on my turf, it'll be up to me." Lord Chu Nan said confidently.
Early in the morning, just as Yi Qing had finished breakfast, Chen Feiyan came to pay a visit. Xiao Jinghan had been called away by Lord Chu Nan, so Yi Qing was the only one there.
Xue Miao'er sized up Chen Feiyan with a critical eye. She just didn't seem like a good person.
"The rainy season in Pingrang is quite long this time of year. You should keep some charcoal in the room, or the dampness will be too heavy." Chen Feiyan had someone carry charcoal into the room.
Yi Qing looked at Chen Feiyan's virtuous demeanor. "Your foot was sprained yesterday. Are you feeling better?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Xiao. It's inevitable to get sprained while practicing dancing. I'm used to it." Chen Feiyan said with a resigned look. "Our Chen Family's Misty Pavilion is extremely beautiful when it rains. Would Lady Xiao like to go and take a look?"
"No, thank you." Yi Qing refused straightforwardly. "The assassination last night hasn't been sorted out yet. The general told me to stay in the room and not go anywhere."
Chen Feiyan looked a bit awkward. "I was being presumptuous. It must have been really hard for Lady Xiao to travel with General Xiao."
Yi Qing thought she was just making small talk. "My general would never let me suffer." She threw out a handful of dog food without caring whether Chen Feiyan could take it.
Chen Feiyan's expression was stiff. "I really envy the relationship between General Xiao and Lady Xiao."
"How do you know what our relationship is like? Why envy it?"
Chen Feiyan was at a loss for words. "Judging from what Lady Xiao said, the relationship between Lady Xiao and General Xiao must be very good."
"That's something others can't envy."
Chen Feiyan could hardly keep a straight face. "Since Lady Xiao doesn't want to go out, just tell the servants if you need anything. Don't be polite. I'll take my leave first."
"Okay." Yi Qing nodded.
After Chen Feiyan left Yi Qing's courtyard, she took a few deep breaths. She almost wrung her handkerchief to pieces. She had never met such an unyielding person before. She really didn't know how she had survived.
Lord Chu Nan had sounded so domineering in front of Ping Xinian, but all he wanted was to send Xiao Jinghan away as soon as possible. If Xiao Jinghan left, it would mean everything was fine.
"These Japanese pirates should have come from the direction of Minnan. That's out of our jurisdiction, so it'll be hard to investigate." Lord Chu Nan looked very troubled.
Xiao Jinghan nodded. "I'm going to Minnan anyway. I'll ask the garrison there to help with the investigation."
Lord Chu Nan was a bit surprised. "So General Xiao is leaving?"
"Yes. I was just passing by for a rest. Those Japanese pirates probably didn't know I was here when I first arrived in Pingrang. They might have been targeting you, my lord. I just happened to be in the way. My lord should be more careful." Xiao Jinghan reminded him.
"Thank you for your reminder, General Xiao." Lord Chu Nan bowed. "But it's rainy and not a good time to travel. Why don't you wait until the rain stops?"
"No need. We'll take the waterway. There won't be any problems at this time of year. I need to get to Minnan as soon as possible." Xiao Jinghan was very determined.
"That won't do. General Xiao just arrived. I haven't had the chance to play the host yet. How about this? General Xiao, rest for one more day and leave tomorrow." Lord Chu Nan tried to persuade him to stay.
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord. But the assassination by the Japanese pirates is too urgent. And I almost got into trouble in your mansion. If I stay any longer, it might invite criticism."
Lord Chu Nan thought this was different from what Ping Xinian had said. Could it be that Xiao Jinghan was really just passing by and the assassination had nothing to do with him?
Then there really was someone who wanted to harm Xiao Jinghan. And it happened in his mansion. It was very likely that the target was actually him. Even worse, the person might be trying to kill two birds with one stone.
Lord Chu Nan wasn't a fool to have reached his position. He quickly figured out the stakes. If that was the case, it would be better for everyone if Xiao Jinghan left as soon as possible.
"Then I'll have someone prepare immediately." Lord Chu Nan said directly.
"Thank you, my lord." Xiao Jinghan bowed and stepped back.
As soon as Xiao Jinghan left, Lord Chu Nan wondered who was trying to harm him. Could it be that someone was eyeing the prosperity of Pingrang and wanted to target him?
Thinking of this, Lord Chu Nan became even more vigilant.
"They're leaving?" Ping Xinian was very surprised when she heard the news.
"Yes. They're already packing their things."
"Go and cause some trouble for their boats." Ping Xinian ordered.
Liu'er was worried. "What if they suspect us if we act too often?"
Ping Xinian didn't care. "Don't worry. They definitely won't suspect us."
The key was that Xiao Jinghan and the others didn't know that Ping Xinian was in Pingrang. Lord Chu Nan knew what he had done and would never tell anyone about Ping Xinian's presence.
"Are we really leaving like this?" Yi Qing was a bit unsure.
They had been assassinated, but they were just going to leave because of a few words from Lord Chu Nan?
"Otherwise?" Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing. "I tested Lord Chu Nan today. It shouldn't be him. So there might be a third party involved. Now we're in the open and the enemy is in the dark. It's unwise for us to stay here."
"A third party?" Yi Qing thought for a while. "Who could it be?"
"Too many people want me dead. I don't know either." Xiao Jinghan was used to being assassinated. There were many people in both the Great Jin and enemy countries who wanted him dead.
Yi Qing stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Xiao Jinghan's neck, and felt it carefully.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Jinghan held Yi Qing's waist with one hand, pulled her closer to him, and leaned down slightly to look at her with burning eyes.
"I'm just checking if your neck is strong enough. I don't want to be a widow." Yi Qing said playfully.
Xiao Jinghan gently lifted Yi Qing, and she easily jumped onto his body and hugged him.
"Don't worry. You won't have the chance to be a widow." Xiao Jinghan remembered that Yi Qing had married him just to be a widow.
"Madam..." Xue Miao'er ran in. Seeing the situation in the room, she turned around and walked out. She tripped over the threshold. "Ouch—"
Yi Qing jumped off Xiao Jinghan. "What's wrong?"
"It hurts!" Xue Miao'er complained.
Yi Qing rolled her eyes at Xue Miao'er. "Why are you rushing in like this?"
"Everything's packed. We can leave." Xue Miao'er felt even more aggrieved and wanted to cry.
"Let's go." Yi Qing didn't have much to pack.
"Listen to me. If there really is a third party, we might not be able to leave Pingrang for the time being." Xiao Jinghan leaned close to Yi Qing and whispered.
Yi Qing thought he was right.
Lord Chu Nan had welcomed Xiao Jinghan grandly yesterday, but the farewell today was a bit hasty. However, he had prepared a lot of gifts. Chen Feiyan on the side looked aggrieved.
"Please put in a good word for me in front of the emperor, General Xiao. I've been doing my best to defend the south for the Great Jin." Lord Chu Nan patted his chest to show his loyalty.
"Don't worry, my lord. The emperor knows your contributions and will surely treat you well." Xiao Jinghan said with a smile.