Li Jin's expression was truly grim.
So much so that Lu Qing Wan didn't rush to read the letter, but instinctively asked, "Where is Princess Ru Ge, and is she well?"
Li Jin shook his head, his face full of pity, "You might not believe it, Your Highness, if I told you. Princess Ru Ge is currently the courtesan of a pleasure house under the Han Xiao Hall's banner..."
Even though she knew that the real Wen Ru Ge would not have an easy time of it from the moment she confirmed Wen Ru Ge was impersonated, Lu Qing Wan had never imagined that a dignified daughter of a prominent family would end up in a brothel.
Moreover, "What do you mean she doesn't want to come back?"
Logically, a pampered and noble young lady like Wen Ru Ge, even if unexpectedly imprisoned, should be eager to escape such a sordid place once found. Why would she be unwilling to leave?
Li Jin said with a pained expression, "The person who found Princess Ru Ge was a female guard from the Wu Feng Hall. She said that to prevent the impostor's identity from being discovered, the princess's appearance was altered through a peculiar method. Furthermore, the humiliation Princess Ru Ge suffered is beyond our imagination. She believes her current broken state is unworthy of returning to the Wen family, and wishes to avenge herself with her own strength..."
As Li Jin finished speaking, Si Feng Wu handed the letter Li Jin had presented to Lu Qing Wan.
"Ru Ge has gained the trust of a manager in Han Xiao Hall. She intends to destroy Han Xiao Hall herself." This was Si Feng Wu's summary of the intelligence. However, Lu Qing Wan focused on what she wanted to see.
"Who could Han Xiao Hall be looking for with such great effort, even bringing out personnel who have been in seclusion for years to appear before the world?" Wen Ru Ge's intelligence did mention her desire to destroy Han Xiao Hall herself for revenge, but the most emphasis was placed on describing Han Xiao Hall's recent movements. According to Wen Ru Ge's letter, Han Xiao Hall had deployed almost all its grassroots personnel recently to search for a few individuals. Moreover, their search was confined within the borders of the new dynasty, and they seemed to have narrowed down the scope. Han Xiao Hall's large-scale operation immediately captured Lu Qing Wan's attention. She showed great curiosity about the targets of Han Xiao Hall's search.
Si Feng Wu mused, "It is certain that Han Xiao Hall is behind all the incidents we have encountered recently. Currently, Han Xiao Hall is extensively searching for people within the new dynasty, while simultaneously using the forces of the Turks and Great Qin to force this King to return to the Central Plains. Therefore, can we boldly hypothesize that Han Xiao Hall is forcing me to leave precisely because they do not want me to contact the people they are looking for?"
Lu Qing Wan snapped her fingers loudly, "You've got it. There are two possibilities. First, the opponent is more powerful than us, and the people of Han Xiao Hall do not want them to help us. Second, the opponent is currently in distress and requires our assistance, but they hold leverage over people like Yan Li Heng, so those individuals do not wish for the opponent to meet us and receive our help?"
Neither of them named the identities of the other party, but they both knew clearly that the people involved with them, and who were being relentlessly pursued by Han Xiao Hall, could only be their nominal parents. Although both of them had made it clear they no longer wished to dwell on the reasons their respective parents had left, nor harbored any filial affection, it seemed that enemies, allies, and even parents they had never met were all pushing them, albeit invisibly, to meet those parents who were less considerate than strangers.
Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan both felt quite helpless. However, neither of them was the type to shy away from problems. Since the matter had arrived, they could only face it head-on. Thus, Si Feng Wu asked naturally, "Then, in Your Highness's opinion, which possibility do you lean towards?"
Lu Qing Wan leisurely shook her head, her expression optimistic, "Although I'm not sure yet, I believe that regardless of the possibility, the enemy's fundamental goal is to prevent you and me from contacting the other party. The specific reason is unimportant. However, we will soon succeed in verifying whether the enemy is forcing you to leave the new dynasty to prevent us from contacting the people they are looking for, right?"
Lu Qing Wan's statement made Si Feng Wu's expression less optimistic. "If that is the case, even if I leave, as long as you remain here, the enemy will still find ways to set traps for you and force you to leave the new dynasty as well."
Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan were as one, and Lu Qing Wan's capabilities were well-known. Even if Si Feng Wu were no longer present, if the parents of both sides were to appear, Lu Qing Wan's abilities would still enable her to help them. To completely cut off the retreat for both sets of parents, the best course of action would be for both Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu to leave the new dynasty. Of course, it would be even better if they could be killed during the period the couple was away from the new dynasty.
After a long, deep gaze at each other, Lu Qing Wan said, "Then, will we still act out this play tomorrow?" Han Xiao Hall's strength was not to be underestimated. Since the other party was already searching for people within the new dynasty, it meant they had narrowed down the scope. Si Feng Wu's departure might remove their scruples. If they were truly found, both sets of parents could be in danger.
Si Feng Wu replied resolutely, "We will act, why wouldn't we? After being away for so many years, if they lack the ability to protect themselves, what are they coming back for?" For the past twenty years, Lu Qing Wan had accepted her role as an orphan, and Si Feng Wu had accepted his fate of being orphaned. Now, after finally receiving news that their parents might still be alive, instead of receiving any help, it was only bringing them endless trouble. Si Feng Wu currently harbored no filial affection for his birth parents, only an indescribable disgust and repulsion. Lu Qing Wan had no further thoughts and agreed cooperatively, "If that's the case, then let's proceed according to the original plan. However, I need to report one thing to you in advance: I have to go see Princess Ru Ge." If Wen Ru Ge were as detestable as before, Lu Qing Wan wouldn't have given her a second glance even if she died before her eyes. But the current Wen Ru Ge, who was resilient and self-reliant despite her predicament, had completely changed Lu Qing Wan's perception of her. Whether out of respect for Wen Ru Ge herself, or out of gratitude to the Wen family, Lu Qing Wan felt she had to do her utmost to save her this time.
Hearing Lu Qing Wan report her planned actions, Si Feng Wu neither immediately rejected nor agreed. It was only when they were almost asleep that he said to Lu Qing Wan, "If it's truly impossible, then let Wen Ru Ge die a glorious death outside."
Meeting Lu Qing Wan's startled expression, he added, "I mean the identity of Wen Ru Ge. The Wen family's reputation cannot be insulted. Even if Elder Wen and the old madam do not mind, being constantly pointed at, Wen Ru Ge herself would not be able to live. Giving her a new identity, allowing her to be reborn like Lu Qian Huang, would be good for everyone."