Qian Le'er's expression grew tense, her composure starting to crumble.
Even with her current differences from the past, she couldn't withstand Yun Shu's sharp, probing gaze. She felt as if Yun Shu could see through her very thoughts.
"Who could be behind me? No one! I only have the Heir Apparent," Qian Le'er said stubbornly.
With a fierce resolve, tears welled up and streamed down her face. "Second Miss Yun, why must you force me? You've already caused my family's demise, do you wish for me to die as well? You already have the King of Night, why do you still covet the Heir Apparent?"
Yun Shu watched Qian Le'er's rapidly shifting expressions. Just as she was about to speak again, someone appeared.
The newcomer grabbed Qian Le'er. "Le'er! Do you know what you're saying? You're threatening Second Miss Yun? And of all things, you chose to become Heir Apparent Yi's concubine? You even angered Marquis Zhongyong to the point of illness! Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"Qiu Lu?" Yun Shu was surprised to see Qiu Lu.
Qian Le'er turned and her face changed instantly upon seeing Qiu Lu. She dared not meet his gaze, gritting her teeth, "Cousin, it was clearly her who caused my parents to be murdered, and the villagers killed! It's all because of her! And you can tell the King of Night, she was supposed to marry him, so why is she seducing the Heir Apparent?"
Her words were spoken without restraint.
*Slap!*
A crisp sound.
Qian Le'er immediately clutched her face, disbelief etched on her features. "Cousin, you hit me?!"
Qiu Lu trembled with anger. "Look at what you're saying! Apologize to Second Miss Yun now!"
Qian Le'er's eyes widened. She never expected Qiu Lu to demand an apology. She believed she was in the right.
"If the person behind you is the one who massacred the village villagers back then, you have one foot in the grave. If you reveal their identity now, you might have a sliver of hope," Yun Shu said, her gaze cold as she looked at Qian Le'er.
Nearly a hundred villagers had been slaughtered. For Qian Le'er to have survived such a brutal massacre, there must be a reason.
An invisible hand was attempting to weave a net over the capital, intending to ensnare everyone within it.
Qian Le'er's delicate face paled for a moment. Despite her efforts to conceal it, her panic was evident. "I don't know what you're talking about. Forget it, let's just say I misunderstood you!"
She then forcefully tried to push Qiu Lu away. However, Qiu Lu held her tightly, and she couldn't break free.
Anxiously, she cried out, "Cousin, let me go!"
Qiu Lu was sharp and quick-witted at crucial moments. He had already guessed some things on the way here but had tried not to dwell on them. However, upon learning she had become Heir Apparent Yi's concubine, he knew things were not simple.
He pulled Qian Le'er aside and said to Yun Shu, "Please rest assured, Second Miss Yun. This subordinate will thoroughly investigate this matter. I apologize on behalf of my cousin for now. I will ensure my cousin personally comes to apologize to Second Miss Yun later!"
Seeing Qiu Lu's utter deference to Yun Shu, a flame ignited in Qian Le'er's heart. Yun Shu didn't deserve it! Why Yun Shu? She struggled, but her strength was insufficient, and she couldn't break free. She was dragged by Qiu Lu into the carriage.
As the carriage sped away, Qian Le'er said angrily, "Cousin, why are you afraid of her? She's just relying on her general father and having three sons with the King of Night. She was pregnant before marriage! You say it's shameful for me to be the Heir Apparent's concubine, but isn't she even more shameful? Am I being scolded just because I'm not as fortunate as her?"
*Slap!*
Qiu Lu delivered another slap.
Qian Le'er clutched her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. Forgetting all decorum, she sobbed piteously, "Cousin, you're hitting me for the sake of someone who caused my parents' deaths?! Do you have any conscience left? If you hadn't brought her and the King of Night to our village, would my parents have died so horribly?"
Hearing this, Qiu Lu's face showed a look of pain. "This matter does have some connection to me, but the people you should hate are the masterminds behind the killers who massacred the village! They were too inhumane!"
"Were you captured by them? And then threatened into coming to the capital? Le'er, the capital is too complex. You are merely a pawn in someone else's game right now. Do you know how tragic the fate of many pawns is? Shouldn't you hate them for killing your parents? Le'er, tell your cousin, who is that person? Take me to see him!" Qiu Lu interrogated her relentlessly.
Qian Le'er shook her head. "No, you're wrong. The people I should hate are Yun Shu and the King of Night. They led the assassins to our village."
"Le'er!" Qiu Lu was surprised by Qian Le'er's complete lack of judgment.
"Why are you shouting at me? Cousin, why don't you come to my side and protect me? Leave the King of Night! You risk your life for the King of Night but don't get much money. Why not come to my side? Now, we are the only family in the world. Help me establish myself in the capital. From now on, no one will dare look down on us siblings in the capital! Perhaps with your martial skills, you could become a great general one day!" Qian Le'er's eyes sparkled with strong hope for the future, as if it were within reach.
Qiu Lu's face turned ashen. "Le'er, calm down! None of what you're saying can happen. I will be loyal to the King of Night my entire life! You think too simply of becoming a great general. Do you believe that high martial arts skills alone make one a great general? Do you think becoming Heir Apparent Yi's concubine will make the people in the capital look up to you? Do you think Heir Apparent Yi will always be deceived by you? Or do you think Marquis Zhongyong would die just from being angered?"
"Cousin! You don't know anything! I can do it! They all say I can do it, and they will help me!" Qian Le'er blurted out.
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Qiu Lu grabbed Qian Le'er. "Who are they? Tell me!"
"I'm just saying things casually, and I think the Heir Apparent will help us in the future." Qian Le'er's heart pounded, and she offered a hasty, random explanation in her panic.
Qiu Lu stared at Qian Le'er. "You are lying, Le'er. You are playing with fire and will burn yourself! Do you think those who act cruelly and ruthlessly will help you? It's only a matter of time before we find out who is behind you. Continuing to hide this will bring you no benefit! Once you are no longer useful to them, you will die a terrible death, do you understand?"
"No... no... Cousin, you know nothing. Even you have been deceived by Yun Shu," Qian Le'er shook her head vigorously, as if her denial could negate Qiu Lu's words.
Qiu Lu sighed deeply, saying weakly, "Do not be disrespectful to Second Miss Yun again!"