The Dongman people?
Weren't they all dead long ago?
Pei Zhaolin bent down and lifted the veil of the black - clothed person beside him. There, clearly drawn behind the ear, was a hornless green ox!
Pei Zhaolin flipped through the bodies one by one.
"All twenty - four of these corpses are Dongman people."
The Dongman people were extremely ruthless. Several maidservants protecting Cui Jintang were either seriously injured or killed on the spot.
They were clearly aiming for Cui Jintang's life.
Meeting Pei Zhaolin's gaze, Cui Jintang immediately shook her head. "I've never had any dealings with the Dongman people."
"Come to think of it, I was busy enjoying time with you back then."
Cui Jintang waved her hand nonchalantly and continued to search for any possible clues that might have been left behind.
She didn't notice his suddenly delighted expression at all.
Pei Zhaolin quickened his steps, walked up to her, and pulled her up again. "Go back and rest first. Leave this to me."
Cui Jintang hesitated for a moment.
Since Pei Zhaolin already knew her identity as a member of the Qinghe Cui Clan.
It wasn't appropriate for her to keep some information from him any longer.
Seeing Pei Zhaolin about to turn around and leave, Cui Jintang grabbed his hand.
She quickly said, "The assassin who tried to kill you in the eastern suburbs last time was also a Dongman person."
If it was an attempt on his life, Pei Zhaolin wouldn't be surprised.
As the Left Censor - in - Chief, he had offended many people, and naturally, there were many who wanted to kill him.
But why did they try to assassinate Cui Jintang this time?
"Just as you said, you didn't participate in the war between the Yan State and the Dongman three years ago..."
Pei Zhaolin paused for a moment, as if suddenly remembering something, and quickly asked, "Tangtang, have you been to the Tiger Guards' Camp recently?"
Cui Jintang showed a look of disgust. "That place is full of spiders and snakes. I'm so scared that I just had someone draw pictures for me to look at."
Urgent footsteps came from the outer courtyard.
Seeing the mess on the ground, Doctor Wu immediately closed his eyes and murmured "Forgive me" several times.
The deputy general started to clean up the mess skillfully.
Pei Zhaolin took her to a side courtyard.
It was quite quiet and elegant.
"If you don't like this place, I have several manors outside the southern suburbs."
Seeing her bend down to fiddle with the lilies of the valley and then look back at him when she heard the sound, Pei Zhaolin's breath caught in his throat.
He pursed his lips and cared very much about her mood. "I sent Fa Cai to my grandmother's place to be raised a few days ago. If you're bored, shall I find Fa Cai to accompany you?"
Cui Jintang tilted her head, looking a bit confused.
She stood up and walked towards Pei Zhaolin.
"You just said you wanted me to accompany you for three days. Is there something special about the day after three days?"
She asked very sincerely, as if she really didn't know.
A flicker of loneliness flashed across Pei Zhaolin's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
He hooked his lips, gently tucked a strand of her loose hair behind her ear.
His tone was gentle but firm, vaguely showing an air of non - negotiability.
"Don't be impatient. You'll know in three days."
---
At the Jinsheng Mansion.
The Grand Elder led a group of people, looking anxious and about to go out.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, a red - tasseled spear appeared in front of everyone, almost grazing the Grand Elder's face and flashing by in an instant.
It just happened to get stuck in the door.
And it completely blocked the way of the Grand Elder and his group.
The Grand Elder was so angry that his beard under his chin was trembling.
Squinting his eyes, he saw in the dust not far away a woman galloping towards them on a green - dappled horse.
"Whoa -"
Qi Xutao pulled the reins. Before the horse could calm down, she anxiously flipped off the horse's back.
Separated by the red - tasseled spear, Qi Xutao looked grim. "The Grand Elder's coming to the capital without summons has already caused a lot of trouble for Tangtang. Now, don't you even know to repent and still want to cause more trouble?"
The Grand Elder wanted to scold but, due to Qi Xutao's status, he forced the words back to his mouth.
"The imperial examination is coming soon. Since the clan leader is not here, as the Grand Elder of the Cui Clan, how can I slack off?"
"Your Highness, please remove this spear quickly. Don't stop us!"
Qi Xutao frowned. "How ignorant. The previous emperor respected literati and their integrity. The Cui Clan was respected as the number - one aristocratic family because it recruited a large number of scholars and had students all over the world."
"But if you do this now, you'll only bring disaster to the Cui Clan!"
The Grand Elder didn't take it seriously and clearly had his own unique view. "That was when the emperor first ascended the throne. He didn't want to end up being bullied without the ability to fight back like the previous dynasty, so it was understandable for him to suppress the aristocratic families."
"But now it's different. The emperor has even taken the initiative to mention the imperial selection. Can't Your Highness understand the meaning? The emperor is willing to make peace with the aristocratic families!"
Qi Xutao shook her head and didn't want to persuade him anymore.
"How ignorant."
With a wave of her hand, dozens of Golden Guards stepped forward with shields.
"The city has been unstable recently. From today on, you should protect the Grand Elder closely."
Was this a disguised form of house arrest?!
The Grand Elder was burning with anger. Ignoring the obstruction of others, he roared, "Aren't you afraid of losing the hearts of the aristocratic families by doing this, Your Highness?!"
Qi Xutao exerted force on her wrist and pulled out the red - tasseled spear.
Hearing this, she didn't even lift her eyelids. She scoffed and said, "What do I need the hearts of the aristocratic families for? The Grand Elder doesn't even know how to threaten people. You'd better go back to Qinghe early to enjoy your old age!"
The Grand Elder trembled with anger, pointing at Qi Xutao and stammering "You, you, you" for a long time. Then he was blocked by the towering Golden Guards with shields.
Looking at the tall Golden Guards, the Grand Elder was extremely angry. He flung his sleeves and entered the Jinsheng Mansion.
Qi Xutao weighed the red - tasseled spear in her hand and was quite satisfied with the Grand Elder's reaction.
She left with a word. "Keep an eye on the Jinsheng Mansion. No one is allowed to leave."
Then she left in a hurry.
She didn't notice a carriage hidden in the alley.
Luo Xiang sneered and put down the curtain in her hand.
She closed her eyes and tightly pinched the token in her hand. She said coldly, "Go to the Pei Mansion."
The coachman received the order and quickly turned the horse's head. Then he drove the carriage away.
The carriage was steady all the way, but Luo Xiang's heart was pounding nervously.
Looking at the token in her hand, Luo Xiang finally felt a bit more at ease.
Those were the top - notch Dongman soldiers. Killing a helpless Cui Jintang must be extremely easy!
Luo Xiang pressed her chest hard.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
The coachman outside shouted, "My Lady, the Pei Mansion is here."
Luo Xiang suddenly opened her eyes, got up, lifted the curtain, and got off the carriage.
Waiting for her at the Pei Mansion's gate was Pei Ying, looking unenthusiastic.
Pei Ying drooped her eyelids and bowed to her. "Greetings to My Lady."
Luo Xiang immediately put on a smiling face, walked forward quickly, and affectionately helped Pei Ying up. "Yingying, get up quickly."
As soon as she helped her up, Pei Ying quietly withdrew her hands.
She said calmly, "Grandmother has gone to the Hanshan Temple outside the city to offer incense and pray in the past few days. If My Lady is looking for Grandmother, you'd better come another day."
"According to the etiquette, there should indeed be an elder present for a marriage matter."
Luo Xiang smiled slightly. "Since the old lady is not here, let's talk about my marriage with Zhaolin later."