Chapter Thirteen: Murder in the Dark of Night

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Seeing the situation, Song Xirui found it inconvenient to persist further and boarded the carriage together with Xiao Yunci.

The carriage set off.

Song Xirui pursed her lips and said to the man beside her, whose gaze was filled with intrigue, “General Xiao, could you assign someone to keep an eye on Lord Li? I fear he might make a move.”

If Li Cunyi were not foolish, he would not have exposed the news of their meeting.

Still, one must prepare for the worst despite the odds.

“Lady Su,” Xiao Yunci shed his feeble act, his voice carrying a slight hoarseness, “I have already done much for you, yet it seems your grand gift has not yet reached my hands.”

There was a subtle threat hidden in his words.

Song Xirui’s eyes dimmed slightly as she nodded gently. “Indeed, I did not expect Lord Li to be so deeply reliant on the Crown Prince, to still be weighing his options even now.”

“So, you lied to me,” Xiao Yunci’s voice was low but deliberate, each word measured.

The implication was clear—he intended to hold her accountable.

“General, please don’t be impatient,” Song Xirui smiled faintly. “After all, tonight has not yet ended. Our agreed time is still several hours away.”

She naturally had her means to force Li Cunyi to submit under Xiao Yunci’s banner.

Xiao Yunci revealed a somewhat stern smile. “Lady Su, you’d better make good on that.”

“Rest assured, sir,” Song Xirui was unyielding.

To someone like Xiao Yunci, showing weakness only invited contempt.

“Very well, I shall wait and see.”

His curiosity was once again piqued by her.

What abilities could a delicate woman possibly possess?

Song Xirui then found a secluded spot to alight from the carriage.

She went to the market to buy some supplies and returned to the Su residence.

—

Su Residence.

Hongdou was sleeping soundly; Luo Yun’er had sent people twice, but both times were driven back by the sound of her snoring.

The maid turned and reported this to Luo Yun’er, earning a sneer in return.

“No wonder the gentleman dislikes her—she’s truly unruly.”

No one dared to disturb her again.

When Song Xirui returned from outside, she saw Hongdou groggily climbing out of bed, rubbing her eyes.

“Stop sleeping, we need to change quickly,” Song Xirui tapped the little maid’s head.

Only then did Hongdou awaken from her dreamlike state, delighted. “Mistress, you’re back! I slept so well!”

Song Xirui smiled. “Yes, yes, I saw it all. Now, change your clothes quickly.”

“Alright!”

—

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That night.

Since Song Xirui’s departure, Li Cunyi felt restless. He paced his room for a long time before suddenly receiving a message from a servant of the Crown Prince, summoning him to meet at their usual place.

After much deliberation, he resolved to go.

After all, the Ministry of Revenue still held some assets!

He still had value, and the Crown Prince would not kill him just yet.

A nondescript two-person sedan chair moved quietly through the dark night toward the familiar destination.

Li Cunyi was a mess inside the sedan, only hoping no disaster would occur.

Suddenly, the sedan jolted violently as sounds of a fight erupted outside.

Trouble!

His heart leapt as he quietly lifted the curtain, only to see his personal guards locked in combat with a group of men dressed in black.

Blades flashed wildly under the moonlight!

He immediately dropped the curtain, clutching the concealed weapon he always carried, curling up tightly.

“Shh!” A sword narrowly missed his arm by mere inches.

Terrified, Li Cunyi nearly screamed but forced himself to cover his mouth.

At that moment, the fighting gradually subsided.

He heard his loyal guards’ frantic voices inside: “My lord, no harm done—they’ve fled.”

Li Cunyi watched as the dagger embedded in the curtain was slowly withdrawn.

Only then did he relax, breathing heavily within the sedan.

His eyes were filled with disbelief.

The Crown Prince truly intended to kill him!

That woman had not lied to him!

“My lord, do you still wish to proceed to the usual place?” the guard asked again.

“No, tell them I’m unwell today. I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Then shall we return to the residence?”

“To the General’s mansion,” Li Cunyi opened his eyes, his expression dark.

The guards outside were stunned.

The General’s mansion?

Since when did my lord have dealings with General Xiao?

—

General’s Mansion.

Xiao Yunci was about to sleep when a knock came at the door.

Upon opening it, Deputy General Qu’s broad, square face was alight with excitement as he whispered mysteriously, “General! Someone has come to pay a visit!”

Xiao Yunci’s brow twitched slightly as he proceeded to the reception hall.

—

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“General, it is my blindness. Please favor me by allowing me, Li Cunyi, to serve under your command!” Li Cunyi knelt with a thud.

Xiao Yunci’s mouth twitched; he had guessed some of this but still asked, “Oh? What has happened?”

Li Cunyi recounted the assassination attempt that night in full detail.

“If not for my fortunate fate, I would have died tonight!”

Xiao Yunci scanned his terrified face, a hint of surprise flashing through him.

She had actually sent someone to kill Li Cunyi?

That was unexpected.

Her methods were simple, crude, yet effective.

Not like a refined lady—rather rough and domineering.

Just like him.

He replied calmly, “If that is so, as long as you serve me well, wealth and honor shall be yours.”

—

The next day, Song Xirui had already received word. She did not go in person but sent someone to deliver the location where the grain and medicine were stored to the General’s mansion, for Xiao Yunci to pass on to Li Cunyi.

Being in the midst of the game, the less attention she drew, the better.

However, General Xiao still intended to meet personally.

After all, having put in so much effort, he deserved some reward.

Tea House.

Song Xirui and Xiao Yunci sat opposite each other.

“General, I have already presented the grand gift. Where is the promised commitment?” Song Xirui was in high spirits as she picked up a piece of mung bean cake, a trace of pride in her expression.

Xiao Yunci’s gaze was cold and sharp. “I still have questions.”

At this, Song Xirui set down the cake, prepared for battle. “Ask whatever you wish, General.”

“Song Xirui, are you truly willing to deal with Su Yun?” Xiao Yunci’s eyes chilled. “I have investigated—you once cared deeply for him. Some might say it was one-sided passion. Even when he neglected you, you clung to him. If this is a mere whim, I wouldn’t have bothered with so much effort.”

There was a faint hint of disdain in his voice.

Was Su Yun, such a hypocrite, truly worth this woman’s deep affection?

Song Xirui laughed, eyes blazing with hatred—hatred rooted in her previous life’s regrets.

“Hmph, I wish I could tear Su Yun to pieces. If killing were not against the law, I would send him and that mistress straight to hell! He betrayed me so utterly; if I still obsessed over him, it would be self-disgrace, worse than beasts!”

“I will make sure Su Yun never knows peace, never rests!”

Her rage erupted uncontrollably in the side room.

Though a warrior, Xiao Yunci could sense it clearly.

His heart stirred. “It seems, Lady, your resolve is as hard as iron. I am willing to lend you my strength.”