Qin Jiujiu had no idea what the great villain in front of her had been through. Although her initial impression of Xie Jing was that of a villain, she actually knew nothing of his past.
Thinking back now, she didn't even know his background.
"System, what happened to the great villain? What is his background? Why can't I remember anything?"
System: How could you possibly remember? The author never wrote any of that...
It was difficult for the system too, especially in how to explain to Qin Jiujiu that all of this was the reason the author had abandoned the story.
Even she herself was not a transmigator from the 21st century. Xie Jing was a character setup, but wasn't she one too?
Qin Yunwan was indeed a cannon fodder, and there was no such person as Qin Jiujiu in "The Monster Hunter." However, the current Qin Jiujiu was just an NPC, an NPC whose persona was that of a transmigator.
Qin Yunwan was Qin Jiujiu, with the same appearance but a completely different personality.
The system could not bring itself to say any of this.
In order for "The Monster Hunter" to conclude smoothly, there was no choice but to introduce Qin Jiujiu, someone who was born for Xie Jing.
Perhaps the author, as he wrote towards the end, also felt that Xie Jing's darkening was somewhat illogical, and thus introduced such a character at the beginning.
The system's task was naturally to guide Qin Jiujiu and ensure the novel's smooth progression.
"Host, there's no need to dwell on why you've forgotten the plot. Perhaps you'll remember why once you complete your mission."
Qin Jiujiu, hearing the system's words, had no choice but to temporarily set aside her doubts.
"Xie Jing, where is Brother Xie?"
She needed to find Xie Yun to confirm some things.
Xie Jing did not reply. Instead, he held her tighter. Qin Jiujiu's lips moved, and before she could speak, she heard the door creak open. Standing at the doorway were Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo.
And now, she and Xie Jing were in an embrace.
Qin Jiujiu pushed Xie Jing away. It was obvious that Bai Qianluo and Xie Yun were wearing knowing smiles.
"Brother Xie, Sister Bai!"
Xie Jing reluctantly let go, but remained seated on the edge of the bed, showing no signs of getting up.
"Jiujiu, how is your body?"
Although she had entered a dreamscape, her body had been continuously draining her energy. Qin Jiujiu was a weak woman who had not cultivated, and thus was no match for Xie Yun and Xie Jing. Naturally, after emerging from the dreamscape, she had been unconscious.
She then looked around and found herself in an unfamiliar room.
"My body is fine."
Seeing her movement, Xie Yun said, "Her Majesty the Empress has awakened. Our identities have been revealed to the Empress and the Crown Prince, and the Empress has graciously permitted us to stay temporarily in Xunfang Pavilion."
Qin Jiujiu nodded, then remembered the thoughts she had in the dreamscape. She then said, "Brother Xie, there is something I wish to ask you."
Xie Yun did not know what Qin Jiujiu wanted to ask, but seeing her serious expression, he quickly replied, "Speak."
"Brother Xie, what is your paternal uncle's name?"
Xie Yun replied without thinking, "Xie Qing!"
He had been deeply impressed by this name since childhood and had never forgotten it.
His own father's name was Xie Che. Although he had rarely heard his paternal uncle's name as a child, he had a vivid memory of him.
Ten years ago, before Xiao Jing was brought back to the Xie family, his paternal uncle had returned once.
That elegant young man in white, though his face was full of melancholy, was a man of impeccable character. Let alone in his childhood, even now, he had never seen a man as striking as Xie Qing.
Xiao Jing's appearance was also extremely outstanding, but compared to him, he carried a more somber aura. Xie Qing, on the other hand, was a man who lived in the sunlight, unstained by even a speck of dust.
Even if it was just a glimpse, it was enough to be remembered for a lifetime.
Qin Jiujiu was startled and instinctively looked at Xie Jing.
He had clearly also thought of something. In that dreamscape, there was a person who was never seen, but was often mentioned by Yun Yaoyao.
That person was Xie Qing.
After Yun Yaoyao's country was destroyed, she disappeared for two years.
She was later found by Sheng Huai's, who had ascended the throne. However, she had changed considerably compared to before.
Yun Yaoyao should have had two children...
One was born when she first returned to the palace, and the other was conceived when she was on the verge of death.
Qin Jiujiu could not help but have a thought – could Xie Jing and Sheng Huaian be those two children?
After all, the two of them bore a resemblance, with their similarities aligning with Yun Yaoyao.
Xie Yun had also seen the dreamscape and, at this moment, had likely thought of something as well.
However, he had never seen the Fifth Prince, so his guess was probably not as bold as Qin Jiujiu's.
"Brother Xie, why was the Xie family annihilated?" Although she was reluctant to reopen this wound, perhaps it was all related to the secrets of the previous dynasty.
The deaths of the Xie family members were definitely intentional.
And the only possibility was the secrets of the previous generation.
This secret was related to Xie Jing's background.
Bai Qianluo held Xie Yun's hand. Although she knew nothing and did not understand the meaning of their words, she also had a vague premonition. Hearing about the Xie family, she worried that Xie Yun would not be able to bear it.
"I have come to the Imperial Palace this time precisely to investigate the truth behind their murders!"
Xie Jing stood up and was about to walk out.
"Xie Jing," Qin Jiujiu called out to his retreating back.
Xie Jing only paused but did not turn around.
Qin Jiujiu was worried. In the past, she only worried about Xie Jing's sudden darkening, but now she was more concerned that the past would be too cruel for Xie Jing.