"Lord Qu."
"Eunuch Wei." Qu Yang immediately saluted. "Is His Majesty busy?"
"Lord Qu, His Majesty is not in a good mood. If you go now, you might be walking into a storm." Wei Wuji cautioned Qu Yang. Qu Yang was the Emperor's companion, his status was unusual. Of the Emperor's companions, two had left, leaving only Qu Yang and Xiahou Ying. Xiahou Ying was a military general, often away, leaving only Qu Yang to accompany the Emperor.
"I have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty."
"Then Lord Qu, please wait a moment. Allow this humble servant to report."
A moment later, Wei Wuji emerged and let Qu Yang in.
As soon as Qu Yang entered, Murong Shengrui spoke, "Prepare yourself. Depart immediately for Yusheng Imperial Capital and investigate a person for me."
"Please instruct me, Your Majesty."
"This is her portrait." Murong Shengrui handed a painting to Qu Yang. "Be careful on your journey, especially remember to conceal your appearance. Otherwise, if she discovers your whereabouts, you will meet the same fate as Qian Yihan and the others."
Qu Yang frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, there is something that this subordinate has always found perplexing. Yihan’s trail was exposed, leading to his assassination by the Qin King of Yusheng. Letian was killed by the Imperial Preceptor of Yusheng while pursuing Xiao Man. These two have no common link, yet..."
"Yet what?"
Qu Yang lowered his gaze. He always felt that Xiahou Ying must know something, but Xiahou Ying was unwilling to speak. He also understood that emperors were often ruthless; if he were to voice his suspicions about Xiahou Ying, His Majesty might no longer tolerate him.
"This subordinate believes that perhaps, we should investigate this Imperial Preceptor of Yusheng!"
Murong Shengrui looked up at Qu Yang. "Why are you suddenly interested in the Imperial Preceptor of Yusheng?"
"I am quite familiar with Letian's martial arts. To be killed by the Imperial Preceptor of Yusheng shows that this Preceptor is unfathomable. Furthermore, I have also discovered some information: this Preceptor is highly trusted by the Emperor of Yusheng and has close ties with the General's mansion."
"He has close ties with the General's mansion?" Murong Shengrui immediately sensed danger. Whenever the Huguo General's Mansion of Yusheng was involved, he became wary.
"Yes, the eldest daughter of the Huguo General's Mansion is this Preceptor's beloved disciple."
"Xiao Man?"
"Yes, Xiao Man. Xiao Zhen has many daughters, but he dotes on this eldest daughter exceptionally."
"Xiao Man..." Murong Shengrui savored these words. For some reason, every time he heard this name, he felt a sense of unease, an inexplicable discomfort.
"Your journey to Yusheng Imperial Capital, investigate this Xiao Man incidentally. For some reason, every time I hear this name, I feel a vague discomfort."
"This subordinate obeys."
As soon as Qu Yang left the palace, he headed straight for the Xiahou residence. Because of the truce between the two countries, Xiahou Ying had also returned to the capital and was currently living at home.
"Lord Qu."
"Is your young general here?"
"He is."
"Then I will find him myself." Qu Yang, familiar with the way, entered Xiahou Ying's courtyard. Xiahou Ying was practicing martial arts, his Red Tassel Spear a whirlwind in his hands.
Qu Yang immediately clapped his hands. "Excellent!"
Xiahou Ying stopped upon hearing the sound. "You don't visit without a reason. What brings you here today?"
"To bid farewell." Qu Yang sat down at a stone table nearby. "I have received orders from His Majesty to undertake a journey. This journey is extremely risky, with a high possibility of no return. Therefore, I've come to say goodbye."
"You are going to Yusheng Imperial Capital?" Xiahou Ying instantly realized. If there was a place where life was in danger, then Yusheng Imperial Capital was a forbidden zone, a place not to be visited!
Qu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly. "I merely said I was going on a journey, why do you assume it's Yusheng Imperial Capital?"
Xiahou Ying instantly realized he had reacted too strongly. However, for Qu Yang's safety, even if he were suspected, he had to warn him. "If you are going to Yusheng Imperial Capital, I advise you, do not go."
"Why?"
"You will die!" His tone was certain. Xiahou Ying believed that as long as Qu Yang dared to show himself in Yusheng Imperial Capital, Xiao Man would ensure he died a quiet death, just like Qian Yihan and the others.
"Why are you so certain I will die?" Qu Yang asked softly.
"Don't try to trick me here. If you dare to appear in Yusheng Imperial Capital, you will have no way out!"
Qu Yang gave a bitter smile. "Do you think I am trying to trick you?"
"Aren't you?"
"His Majesty has ordered me to proceed to Yusheng Imperial Capital to investigate two individuals," Qu Yang said slowly. "Both of these individuals are from the Huguo General's Mansion of Yusheng."
Xiahou Ying gripped his Red Tassel Spear tightly, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Why investigate people from the Huguo General's Mansion?"
"I do not know. It is His Majesty's command." Qu Yang noticed Xiahou Ying's nervousness. Was it the Huguo General's Mansion that made him so tense, or was it someone within the General's Mansion who made him tense?
"Can you not go?"
"What do you think?" Qu Yang said slowly. "If the ruler commands a subject to die, the subject must die. I also know that my journey to Yusheng is fraught with peril, and who knows if I will return alive. Furthermore, the person His Majesty wants me to investigate is the third daughter of the Huguo General's Mansion, Xiao Ling."
Upon hearing it was Xiao Ling, Xiahou Ying immediately relaxed. Fortunately, it wasn't Xiao Man. As long as he didn't actively provoke Xiao Man, there shouldn't be great danger.
"And the eldest daughter, Xiao Man!"
Xiahou Ying's body stiffened, his pupils contracted, and even his breathing became rapid. Even though he tried his best to hide it, the hand holding the spear trembled slightly. If Qu Yang went to investigate Xiao Man, he would surely alarm Xiao Man, and the consequence of alarming Xiao Man would be death!
Qu Yang obtained the answer he wanted. Xiahou Ying was very afraid of Xiao Man, or rather, afraid of them investigating Xiao Man. Why? Did Xiao Man have some problem?
But Xiao Man was merely a daughter of a general's mansion. Even though she was doted upon by Xiao Zhen, she wouldn't have much power. She had probably never even left Yusheng Imperial Capital. How could such a person be connected to Xiahou Ying?
"Why do you get nervous when Xiao Man is mentioned?"
"I am not nervous." Xiahou Ying forced himself to calm down. He absolutely could not let Qu Yang know his suspicions. No, the Emperor had ordered him to investigate Xiao Man; was he suspecting her?
"Is there anything unusual about Xiao Man?"
"I do not know."
"Have you met Xiao Man, or rather, had any dealings with her? Otherwise, you would not be so nervous."
Xiahou Ying gritted his teeth. "When I was pursuing the Qin King of Yusheng, I encountered her. Because I underestimated her, I suffered a loss at her hands, and she even rescued the person."
"To be able to rescue someone from your hands, she must be quite capable!" Qu Yang said slowly. "At Yang Pass, the person who suddenly appeared with people to save Xiao Luo was her, wasn't it?"
"No," Xiahou Ying said without hesitation.
Qu Yang did not argue. "What kind of person is Xiao Man? You can tell me that, can't you? I'm going to Yusheng, and I might run into her. Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself is better than stumbling in the dark. You wouldn't want me to die without knowing why, would you?"