Strategy To Capture That Scum Gong - Chapter 167 - Taking a Stroll Outside the Wangfu
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Chapter 167 - Taking a Stroll Outside the Wangfu

Chapter 167 - Taking a Stroll Outside the w.a.n.gfu

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

10. Taking a Stroll Outside the

w.a.n.gfu

Xie He looked at the person who had come. The light that had just sprung forth in his eyes extinguished right away.

Bai Qiuchi lifted the hem of her dress as she walked down the blood-stained, black stone tiles with disdain. Her pretty, exquisitely made-up face contrasted with her rancorous expression. She smiled at Xie He. Didnt expect me?

She had heard that Xiao Yan had been interrogating Xie He for the last few days non-stop. After thinking it over, she couldnt help but come to see if Xie He had died yet. She glanced at Xie Hes blood-soaked appearance and couldnt stop the corner of her lips from rising. It was truly a life worse than death.

Xie He lowered his eyes and didnt make a sound. He knew that Bai Qiuchi liked His Highness. That was why she found him unpleasant. It was no surprise that Bai Qiuchi would humiliate him. In the past, he had no way of going against her. He had even less of a chance to do so now.

Bai Qiuchi honed in on the sadness in Xie Hes eyes. When she thought of the intimacy and trust Xiao Yan had shown her the last few days and contrasted it to Xie He miserable state, the grievances she had suppressed in her heart were all freed. She proudly said, Were you waiting for

Gege

to come see you?

Xie Hes eyelashes fluttered.

Bai Qiuchi covered her mouth and laughed. Dont be stupid. How could

Gege

come here? Youre nothing but a lowly servant. Did you think he actually liked you?

Xie Hes face paled, expression turning ugly. Although he was in deep pain, he did not show it However, this made Bai Qiuchi feel dissatisfied. She hated Xie Hes look of silent endurance, as if he were unaffected. It was like he didnt care about what she was saying at all!

Bai Qiuchi pulled at Xie Hes hair, drawing a pained expression on his face. She laughed. Act pitiful all you want. Unfortunately, even if you die, he wont even give you so much as another glance! A depraved prost.i.tute who will sleep with anyone, who knows how many men have f*cked you before? And you still hold onto the delusional hope that

Gege

would be interested in you?

Xie Hes eyebrows knitted together in pain. Every day, he had been tortured to near death and then brought back. He had persisted through the cruel torture because he hoped that one day, Xiao Yan would realize thatXie He had never betrayed him.

As long as Xiao Yan knew the truth, he would not treat him like this anymore. This was the only thing that kept him going through his suffering and despair.

When Xie He heard Bai Qiuchis words, a deep, stubbornness appeared in Xie Hes eyes. He slowly spoke in a weak voice. Thatis becauseHis Highness has misunderstood

Nu

.

Bai Qiuchi stopped laughing when she saw Xie Hes eyes. After a long time, she raised her head and whispered in Xie Hes ears. No, he just doesnt care about you, thats all.

He has never liked you. He only treated you well to trick you, because you were sent by the Crown Prince. Bai Qiuchi said sweetly, If it wasnt for the sake of tricking the Crown Prince, he would have killed you a long time ago. Why would he have left you alone until now? You thought he pitied you. Actually, it was all fake.

If he liked you even a little bit, how could he bear to treat you like this? That day, although I was with you,

Gege

didnt suspect me at all.

Bai Qiuchi smiled, enjoying the despair in Xie Hes eyes. Even if it wasnt you, it doesnt matter. In any case, hell feel nothing even if you die.

Xie Hes lips trembled. He had finally been knocked down by these words. His voice was hoa.r.s.e, Youremaking it up.

Bai Qiuchi sneered. Youre about to die. Why would I need to deceive you? Back then, you should have died kneeling in my courtyard. If it wasnt because Qi Qing went to get

Gege

, I would have long since rid myself of you.

Xie He widened his eyes, seemingly agitated. Whatare you saying?

Bai Qiuchis expression changed, as if she suddenly realized something. Her tone raised. It couldnt be that you thought it was

Gege

who went to save you that day? Thatshilarious, hahaha! That day, Qi Qing risked offending

Gege

and asked him to come over.

Gege

only reluctantly saved you because of Qi Qing! If it wasnt for Qi Qinghe wouldnt even have known where you were!

Slivers of sorrow gradually emerged in Xie Hes eyes. He didnt believe it. Did His Highness really feel nothing for him?

That tender affection, that soft voice and sweet wordseverything was fake. It was all for the sake of deceiving the Crown Prince. The only time Xiao Yan had saved himhad also been because of someone else. Xiao Yan had never cared about him at all.

But that was only right. Xie He was nothing but a lowly prost.i.tute. This was normal. He was never worthy of His Highness pity, after all.

But why did it hurt so much?

Bai Qiuchi was ecstatic when she saw the hopelessness in Xie Hes eyes.

Just like thisyou should have died long ago. Why did you have to come back?

If it werent for youI wouldnt have been forced to betray Gege. This was all your fault!

You destroyed everything. Therefore, you deserve to be tortured like this!

Bai Qiuchis lips drew into a disdainful smirk. She stared at Xie He, seeming to really want to say something. But in the end, she didnt. That secret was hidden inside of her and absolutely could not be uttered so easily. In any case, Xie He would soon die. After that, no one would ever know about it.

Her fingers drifted down from Xie Hes face towards the wound on his shoulder. She dug her nails into his flesh, causing Xie Hes face to warp in pain. He couldnt help himself from moaning in a raspy, pained voice.

Bai Qiuchi slowly added pressure when she saw Xie He like this. Her eyes were sinister. She might as well just kill him now! Suddenly, a cold voice sounded behind her.

What are you doing?

Bai Qiuchi shuddered and turned around, meeting with Xiao Yans dark expression. There was an unreadable expression in his shadowed eyes. His thin lips were pulled into a straight line.

Bai Qiuchis face paled. Her fingers were still stained with Xie Hes blood, droplets of red liquid dripping down onto the ground. She had accidentally let Xiao Yan see her vicious side. She hadnt been able to control herself because of her jealousy. She shouldnt have acted personally! Bai Qiuchis lips parted, voice sounding guilty.

Gege

what are you doing here?

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes at her. I should be asking you this. Why are you here?

Bai Qiuchis eyes darted left and right. Very soon, she thought of an excuse. She timidly hid her hand behind her. IsorryI shouldnt have come. I shouldnt have bullied him.

She lowered her head, looking embarra.s.sed, as if she was ashamed for letting him see her fierce, jealous side.

Deeply hidden within Xiao Yans eyes was derision. He was silent for a while before he spoke up in an indifferent tone. This kind of place is filthy. A girl like you should not come here from now on.

Bai Qiuchi immediately nodded and said in a lovable tone, I wont come here from now on.

At that, Xiao Yan gave her a small smile. He reached a hand out to Bai Qiuchi and said, Lets go back.

Bai Qiuchi stared at the smile on Xiao Yans handsome, flawless face and her heart started racing. She placed her clean hand in Xiao Yans and obediently followed him out.

Xie He hung there. From the moment Xiao Yan had appeared, Xie Hes eyes had been glued to him.

He had stared at the tall, handsome man, hoping to get his pity. But there had been none. Xiao Yan hadnt even glanced at him. He had only come for Bai Qiuchi.

Xie He watched as Xiao Yan gently led Bai Qiuchi out. Finally, he had no choice but to admit that Bai Qiuchi had been right.

Xiao Yan didnt care about him at all.

If he cared even the slightest bit for Xie He, then why wasnt he willing to believe him? Why wouldnt he listen to Xie Hes explanation? The way he was treating himit was like he would rather mistanely kill him than to let him go.

To Prince Su, Xiao Yan, what did it matter if a servant at the lowest rung of society were to die?

Xie He shut his eyes. He thought that he was probably about to die. But it didnt matter. Since he had fallen to the lowest level of society three years ago, he had endured non-stop torture all sorts of torment, training, humiliation.

Everyone told him that he deserved to suffer because his father had committed a crime. Therefore, he was also a criminal. He had to live to atone for his sins.

And nowwould the torture finally end?

He had suffered so much, atone for so longhe wouldnt have to live like this in his next life, right?

It hurt so much. He was so tired.

Xie Hes mind was fuzzy, like he was dreaming. He once again heard footsteps in the otherwise still prison. He forced himself to open his eyes. Xiao Yan had come back at some unknown point in time, standing before him and staring at him with some kind of emotion in his eyes.

The past few days, Xiao Yan had never come. However, he had paid attention to everything that had happened. Someone would report to him even the tiniest of details. Therefore, he knew about Bai Qiuchis arrival as soon as she had stepped foot in the dungeon.

Xiao Yan knew that it would be for the best if he didnt meddle. He should continue to indulge Bai Qiuchi and not come down here. Buthe knew how much Bai Qiuchi hated Xie. If he hadnt come, Bai Qiuchi might have killed Xie He.

The ethereal beauty was now covered in blood, looking absolutely miserable.

Xiao Yan didnt know what the dull ache in his chest was. He might very well have liked Xie He. But this affection was not enough to sway him. He had decided to abandon Xie He. It was just that seeing Xie He like this still made his heart ache.

He knew what torture Xie He had endured these last several days. The other was obviously a weak courtesan, but he had still been able to endure the interrogation. He had never changed his tune.

Actually, in the beginning, Xiao Yan had thought that Xie He would admit to it.

You. Why dont you confess? Xiao Yan gazed at Xie He, slowly speaking. His voice was low and filled with repressed emotion.

Xie Hes eyelashes fluttered. A long, long time later, a quiet, nearly inaudible voice sounded.

Nu

did not do itso

Nu

cannot confess.

Xiao Yans hands slowly clenched. He peered into Xie Hes beautiful eyes. Although his face was covered in blood, those eyes were as heavenly and clear as they always had been. There was also an unprecedented stubbornness within them.

Xiao Yan had never realized that the humble courtesan that he looked down upon could actually be so obstinate. He was so dazzling, Xiao Yan could not tear his gaze away.

He was pure and clean inside and out. What had been wrong had been Xiao Yans own eyes. They had been blinded by the vulgar world, compromising his ability to see the others beauty.

Ding, the target Xiao Yans Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 75.

Xiao Yan pressed his lips tightly into a straight line, his gaze dark. If it werent for this, he would have been willing to love the other for the rest of his life.

It was trulya pity.

Xiao Yan sighed softly. In the end, he didnt say a thing and left.

Xie He watched as Xiao Yans figure grew smaller. He recalled the gentle interactions they had shared. All of a sudden, he said in a quiet voice, Your Highness

Have you everliked

Nu

even just a little bit?

Xiao Yans steps faltered for a second. But then he continued forward. He did not stop again.

Xie He watched Xiao Yan leave. There was no more hope in his eyes, only deathly stillness. The question he asked was the only time he had ever stepped out of line. Xiao Yans answer made him finally understand that all the gentleness he had given Xie He had been nothing but an illusion. He ought to wake up now.

This was good. From now on, he would never hold any delusional thoughts ever again.

Xiao Yan left the dungeon and returned to his room. He shut his eyes and Xie Hes face appeared in his mind and his words echoed in his ears.

Actually, he really wanted to reply, to tell Xie He that he did like him. But he knew that he could not do anything rash. He shouldnt say anything unnecessary.

In the endhe had betrayed Xie Hes feelings.

That was what Xiao Yan had suddenly thought. It caused a self-deprecating smile to appear on his lips. This was just a courtesan, his servant. His life and death hung on his words. They werent a loving couple. Whats this talk about betraying him?

Xiao Yan sat there like this for a long time. In the end, he stood up and had someone call for Qi Qing.

Qi Qing arrived at Xiao Yans. Recently, hed been busy, working nonstop. He said to Xiao Yan in a deferential tone, Your Highness, you have a command?

Xiao Yan opened his eyes, a complicated emotion flitting through. He slowly said, Take Yuan Jin out of here. Then tell Bai Qiuchi that he died.

Qi Qing looked up at Xiao Yan in pleasant surprise. Was His Highness finally willing to let Yuan Jin off?!

Xiao Yan said, Our goal has been accomplished. Theres no reason for him to remain. Theres also a one-hundred-year-old ginseng in the storehouse. Take it with you. Whether he surviveswell leave it up to fate.

After saying this, Xiao Yan shut his eyes again. He seemed weary to the bone.

He had said leave it up to fate once before. But although they were the same wordshe felt completely different.

Upon getting Xiao Yans permission, Qi Qing was itching to go get Xie He right away. He rushed to grab the ginseng. He would not feel a.s.sured letting anyone else do this so he personally went to take Xie He from the dungeons.

That night, Qi Qing took Xie He away from the

w.a.n.gfu

and settled him down in an unremarkable wooden house. He also invited a doctor to come examine him.

444Host

dada

. QAQ

Xie HeBaby, did you have fun? Smile.JPG

444QAQ

Xie HeI told you I wouldnt die. ?

444

Xie HeSpeaking of which, I had been a bit worried that Young Miss Bai would accidentally let it slip in her moment of excitement. If she did, I wouldnt be able to leave the

w.a.n.gfu

. Young Miss Bais words were just right. She accomplished her goal and didnt go overboard. She did not fail to live up to my expectations. Gratified.JPG

444But if she doesnt spill ithow will Xiao Yan find out the truth? _(:)_

Xie HeThere are three possible scenarios. The worst case scenario is that Young Miss Bai lets it slip herself. This is the last resort. Its a perfect tactic. After all, its not hard to entice her to say it out. I will make her say it if and when I need her to. Smile.JPG

444Then whats the best and second best scenario?

Xie He: We have to wait for a good opportunity. Monitor Xiao Yan for me. ?

444(v) Mn!Yi? Host

dada

didnt explain it to him. Did he forget? _(:)_

Xie He slowly opened his eyes and met with a face very close to his own. Qi Qing was nervously feeding Xie He medicine right now. The medicine was really bitter, but Xie He couldnt feel anything. He only quietly drank it. After he finished drinking, Qi Qing laid him back on the bed.

Xie He could see that he was no longer in the dungeons. He was now lying on a bed in a change of clean clothes. Confusion flashed through his eyes. This is.

Qi Qing looked at him with tender eyes. He said, Were outside.

Xie He mulled over this before hesitatingly casting his eyes onto Qi Qing. He said, Was it

Daren

who saved

Nu

?

Qi Qing paused and thought about it before slowly nodding. Although Xiao Yan had ordered him to save Xie He, Xiao Yan had not allowed him to tell Xie He it was him. Qi Qing would never speak without orders. Actually, they were already taking a risk by letting Xie He out. His Highness was already being lenient.

Xie Hes eyes grew watery. It wasnt like he couldnt see the feelings Qi Qing had for him. He just didnt think that Qi Qing would go to such lengths for him. He slowly said,

Nu

doesnt deserve

daren

doing such a thing.

Qi Qings heart ached for Xie He. The other was such a good person but had been tormented into such a state. Even so, he was worried about implicating Qi Qing and he did not hold a grudge against Qi Qing for being unable to protect him.

Qi Qing paused, gently grabbing hold of Xie Hes hand. He said, You do deserve it.

This would be the last time he ever followed Xiao Yans orders to abandon Xie He. From now on, even if it meant disobeying Xiao Yans orders, he would never let Xie He fall into harms way again.

Ding, Qi Qings Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 90.

Qi Qing had many things to do and could not stay long. He looked at Xie He, reluctant to part and said, You can rest here at ease. Get better soon.

After saying this, he left. Qi Qing employed a reliable, elderly female servant to take care of Xie He. There was no one on this mountain, so Xie He would be safe.

Xie Hes body was very frail. Although the ginseng would help him stay alive and he had been fed only the most precious of medicinal ingredients, he still spent most of his time asleep. The elderly female servant always felt like he would not be able to make it, but Xie He still managed to overcome this ordeal.

His body was covered in scars. Except for his face, there was no patch of untouched skin. Furthermore, because he had suffered so much torture in the dark dungeons, his original, unhealed knee injury had become a chronic issue that could not longer be fixed. It was difficult for him to walk without a walking stick.

The elderly female servant who took care of Xie He was called Mrs. Zhao. She was a hunters wife. In the beginning, her eyes would involuntarily turn red when she helped Xie He wipe down. Later on, when Xie He recovered a bit and could do it on his own, he did not bother Mrs. Zhao with this task again. After Mrs. Zhao and Xie He spent some time together, although she didnt know who he was, she thought that he was a very pitiful, kindhearted, gentle and sensible child.

Xie He stayed in the little wooden house by himself. Mrs. Zhao would return to her own home at night, leaving him alone.

Because Xie He was unwell, he didnt bother moving around. He stayed at home all the time and recuperated. He would eat, drink, play games and tease 444.

Xie HeBaby, hows it going on Xiao Yans side? Have you been watching him properly for me?

444Yes!

Xie HeLet me see. Smile.JPG

444(v) Mn!

After Xie He watched the recordings, he smiled and continued to chat with 444.

Xie HeThat Gong Min is a crafty one. He didnt join Xiao Yans camp at once. However, Xiao Yan is even more sly. He purposely leaked news to the Crown Prince that he had met with Gong Min several times. This will force Gong Min to have no choice but to side with Xiao Yan.

444(o) I see!Although he doesnt really get it, Host

dada

is always right!

Xie HeTheres no rush with XiaoXiao. Ill deal with him after hes sorted Gong Min out. Hows

Xiao

Song?

444Since you were bought, Song Heng has never given up looking for you. But he has no idea where you are.

Xie HeVery good. Time to take advantage of XiaoXiao and

Xiao

Qing being too busy to pay me any attention. Its about time to meet my old paramour again. After all, I cant let 8000 experience points go to waste. ?

444O(_)O~

Xie He rested for some time and his condition improved greatly. Although many of his injuries had not fully healed yet, they were not wounds that could heal in a short time anyway.

At the start, he never left the house. But later on, he would occasionally go outside with his walking stick for a stroll when the weather was nice. When Mrs. Zhao saw that Xie He had gotten much better, except for preparing his meals every day, she didnt stick around most of the time. After all, she had her own man and children to take care of.

Xie He knew that Qi Qing was taking a risk, saving him from the

w.a.n.gfu.

Therefore, he never descended the mountain, let alone go anywhere populated. He stayed in the mountain, content with his own lot.

Spring had come and the flowers were in full bloom. It was the perfect time for a hike. Song Heng had been invited out by his schoolmate, but his mind was elsewhere.

He could still remember the last conversation he and Yuan Jin had exchanged. Song Heng had told the other to wait for him.

But Yuan Jin hadnt been able to wait. When Song Heng had gone to visit him, Yuan Jin had already disappeared. Song Heng had angrily gone to question the mama-san, but he only got a roundabout, derisive answer. Moreover, no matter how he pressed her, the mama-san would not tell him who had bought Yuan Jin.

Song Heng did everything he could to find Yuan Jin, getting all the information he could. But it was like Yuan Jin had disappeared from the surface of the planet. He didnt hear of any rich families buying him.

Every night, he would wake up from his dreams and wonder who Yuan Jin had been bought by, and whether they treated him kindly.

Song Hengs friends had noticed that he looked like he had gotten his heart broken. That was why they had tried to think of ways to take the other to brothels to seek pleasure. But Song Heng never stepped foot in one again. He had never been fond of brothels. He had always avoided immorality. If it werent for Yuan Jin, why would he ever go to such a place?

His friends had stopped insisting soon after. They teased Song Heng for being so infatuated and h.e.l.l bent on one person and for actually falling in love with a courtesan.

Today, the sky was clear and bright. The resplendid sunlight shone down on the world. Song Heng had agreed to go on a hike with his cla.s.smate. Their party headed to a mountain on the outskirts of the Capital. This mountain was not famous. Usually, few people came. There were only a few peasant hunter families living here. But the wild flowers were in full, beautiful bloom and it was quiet here. The scholars and poets had thus decided to make the trek here.

Song Hengs mood was dark. He looked at the full fields of gra.s.s and the flowers swaying in the wind and couldnt help but think of Yuan Jin.

A delicate youth like him might have been bought by some uncouth profiteer. Yuan Jin may be fading away from the torment as he was thinking Meanwhile, Song Heng had no idea where the other even was.

Song Hengs friend knew that he must have been thinking of some heartbreaking matter when he saw Song Hengs expression. He felt extremely helpless. Stop thinking about it. The person you love is so good-looking. No matter who bought him, they would definitely cherish him and treat him like he was a precious treasure.

Song Heng sighed and said, I can only hope that thats the case.

They continued forwards and arrived deep into the forest grounds. They discovered that, although this place was not renowned, the scenery was not bad. Song Heng leisurely fell to the back of the pack, gazing all around him. Suddenly, a familiar, slender silhouette appeared before him. That person was dressed in a garment made of coa.r.s.e cloth. His long hair was bound behind him. He was leaning down, picking wild herbs and placing it into the basket on his back. The other turned his head slightly, revealing a soft, beautiful profile.

Song Hengs breath caught in his throat.

The author has something to say:

Were going to abuse the gong next chapter. The author has really done her best to ensure that we can abuse the gong as soon as possible. _(:)_

Eve: Song Heng gives me big Ning Qi vibes (the father-son arc). More sweetness from him to come (which only makes the fact that they cant be together far more painful).

sere: saddddd