Xie Yun arrived at the Wen family's residence to find that Wen Zhanxin had already been saved by the physician saint, his life spared.
Had Wen Zhanxin's wound been just three fen closer, directly to his heart, he would have been dead long ago. The constables pursued the black-clothed man's tracks but found nothing; that person possessed exceptional lightness skills, and they were no match for him.
This left them in a complete mess, constantly on the defensive and unable to fathom the killer's motives.
Upon hearing of the incident, the City Lord summoned Xie Yun for a private discussion.
"Nephew, we cannot wait any longer. Tomorrow is the last day. If I cannot provide an explanation to all the citizens of the city, I will not be able to sit on this City Lord's seat with peace of mind! Do you have any more brilliant schemes?"
Xie Yun pondered for a long time and said to Liu Yu, "Uncle, perhaps we can only take a risk and make this final move!"
On the last day of the ten-day period, news spread from the City Lord's mansion that the County Princess was to be betrothed to Xie Yun, the eldest son of the demon-catching aristocratic family. The City Lord's mansion held a grand banquet and even specially invited the town's opera troupe, Jifutang, to perform within the residence.
The City Lord's mansion was instantly extraordinarily lively, and naturally, the influx of people increased.
Qin Jiujiu sat in Liu Jin's room for a long time, watching the maids and matrons bustle about, bathing and changing Liu Jin, applying powder and makeup, preparing her as a bride.
The only County Princess in the City Lord's mansion, her mere engagement was far more grand and solemn than a wedding in another household.
What's more, this was only a pretense of an engagement!
Before entering, Qin Jiujiu had seen the servants busy, and the City Lord's mansion truly resembled a wedding celebration, so joyous!
Looking at Liu Jin, who looked dispirited amidst the bustling maids and servants, Qin Jiujiu couldn't help but laugh.
"Sister A'jin, you look so beautiful today, you might just stun the groom!"
Unable to reveal the truth in front of others, Qin Jiujiu could only tease Liu Jin like this. Liu Jin naturally understood her implied meaning and quickly replied, "Jiujiu, why don't you be the bride today!"
Others took their words as mere banter between close friends and didn't think much of it. After completing their tasks, they retreated, leaving only the two of them in the room, waiting to be called.
After everyone left, Liu Jin smiled mischievously at Qin Jiujiu, "Jiujiu, don't be jealous. This is just a temporary measure, it doesn't count!"
Qin Jiujiu was first bewildered, then remembered that Liu Jin had misunderstood her liking for Xie Yun. For a moment, she didn't know how to explain and only replied, "This is not for me to hear, you should tell Sister Bai!"
Liu Jin was puzzled. She only knew that Qin Jiujiu liked Xie Yun, but she hadn't expected that the chivalrous woman Bai also had some connection with Xie Yun. In her opinion, Jiujiu had feelings for Xie Yun, the second young master of the Xie family had feelings for Jiujiu, and now there was the chivalrous woman Bai. The influx of information was immense. Liu Jin sorted out the connections and instantly felt that Xie Yun was a scumbag!
He was exceptionally good to both Jiujiu and the chivalrous woman Bai. Clearly, both of them favored him, yet he didn't know how to restrain himself. If he wasn't a scumbag, who was!
Qin Jiujiu was unaware of Liu Jin's thoughts. She only heard Liu Jin's emotions suddenly surge, and she said indignantly, "Xie Yun looks like a decent person, but who would have thought he's a rake. Jiujiu, you should stay far away from him in the future. There are plenty of good men in this world. If you are taken by his appearance, look at Young Master Xie Jing, he is also extremely good-looking, though a bit delicate. But he has never been fickle, which is far better than Xie Yun!"
Liu Jin poured out all her words in one breath. Now it was Qin Jiujiu's turn to be silent. She didn't understand why Liu Jin's attitude had changed so drastically; she had been trying to set her up with Xie Yun earlier, and now she was scolding him, even mentioning Xie Jing.
However, her tongue was indeed swift, saying so much in one go. The saying "words flow like art" was truly applicable here.
Qin Jiujiu had also been bothered by Liu Jin trying to set her up with Xie Yun. Now, although she didn't know what had happened to make Liu Jin so hostile towards Xie Yun, she was happy to see it.
Now, not only would she not fall for Xie Yun, but Liu Jin would also no longer try to set her up with him!
Qin Jiujiu said, "Hearing Sister A'jin's words, Jiujiu suddenly understands. Brother Xie likes Sister Bai. There are thousands of men in the world, and I will definitely find one who truly loves me. Naturally, I don't need to hang myself on this one tree! As for the second young master Xie, forget it!"
These words successfully ignited Liu Jin's gossip soul. She immediately asked, "Why forget about the second young master Xie? Could it be that he's not capable? Indeed, I am quite accurate in judging people! He looks weak and frail, so there must be problems in that area!"
After speaking, Liu Jin calmly tidied Qin Jiujiu's stray hairs.
Qin Jiujiu was now utterly bewildered. Had she unlocked another attribute of Liu Jin?
Although it was true that Xie Jing was indeed not close to women, and perhaps the author had intended a deeper meaning, Liu Jin's directness made it difficult for her to face Xie Jing.
Unexpectedly, an even more disastrous event occurred.
Just as Qin Jiujiu was agreeing with Liu Jin, saying, "Exactly! He must be afraid of women! So I should look for other talented young men!"
The two chatted enthusiastically, lost in their conversation.
"Second Young Master Xie, why are you here?"
A maid's voice came from outside the door. Qin Jiujiu immediately jumped into Liu Jin's bed guiltily and hid herself under the quilt.
Liu Jin's mouth gaped open as she watched Qin Jiujiu's seamless actions. For a moment, she didn't know what to say and could only get up to open the door for Xie Jing.
Xie Jing stood at the entrance, his face dark. Liu Jin was very guilty and dared not look at him. He didn't look at the woman in front of him, only scanning the room. Upon seeing a bulge under the bed, a strange smile appeared on his previously dark face.
He wasn't capable?
He cleared his throat and said, "My elder brother asked me to inform the County Princess that tonight's operation will proceed as planned. Please come to the front hall to toast with my elder brother."
Liu Jin quickly agreed, but then heard him add another sentence.
"The soundproofing of this door is not very good. I suggest the County Princess change to a different door!"
His voice was light, yet it reached Qin Jiujiu's ears.
Qin Jiujiu felt her face burn. She shrank further, feeling as though Xie Jing's words were directed at her: "I heard what you just said!"
Liu Jin was startled and looked up, only to see his gaze clearly fixed on the room.
She could only pray in her heart for Qin Jiujiu, hoping that this difficult person would go easy on Jiujiu!
Everything proceeded as planned. As night fell, the City Lord's mansion truly became lively.
Xie Yun, as the groom, was the busiest at this moment. He had to act the part of the fiancé while also paying attention to any suspicious movements within the mansion. In doing so, he overlooked Bai Qianluo's whereabouts.
Wei Ting's men, still disguised as servants, were ambushed in the courtyards of the City Lord's mansion, observing the movements of all suspicious individuals. Even the slightest disturbance would cause them to be on high alert.