Chapter 112: The Clouds Envision the Garments, the Flowers Dream of Beauty

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Under the moonlight and amidst the glow of the lanterns, Wei Linglan, in her resplendent attire, appeared truly like a fairy among the flowers.

Zhao Hengyi, who had been instructed to sit motionless on a small, low stool, wondered if he were dreaming.

Her supple, graceful form danced amidst the blossoms, her womanly curves at once exaggerated and perfectly natural. With a fusion of ethereal lightness and magnificent splendor, the woman before him—who possessed such a striking, modern aura—seemed to glow with an inner light.

"Clouds recall her robes, and flowers her face..."

Zhao Hengyi did not know who was speaking; it felt like his own voice, yet also that of another. But the tremulous, poetic recitation matched the scene perfectly, as if the verse had been written for this radiant woman alone.

"The spring breeze brushes the railing, the dew shines thick..."

Zhao Hengyi longed for wine—or perhaps, he was already intoxicated.

"If not seen at the peak of Qunyu Mountain... then surely met under the moon at the Jade Terrace."

As the final syllable faded, Zhao Hengyi felt as though all his strength had been drained away. A sense of listless surrender washed over him; he tumbled from the stool and remained seated on the ground, watching the light, nimble figure as she spun and leaped, dancing with mysterious grace... like a dream, like an illusion!

...

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When Zhao Hengyi finally emerged from the flower pavilion, two hours had passed.

After passing through several gates, Wang Erhu, who had been waiting anxiously outside, rushed to meet him.

"Master, the roads outside have been sealed by the Ningwu Army. The sounds of fighting near the south of the city have not ceased, coming in intermittent bursts, and it seems someone is setting fires in the city now!"

His lethargic nerves tightened instantly, and Zhao Hengyi’s eyes grew sharp.

"Take me to see! Can you reach the brothers at the inn? Has Miss Lu returned safely?"

Given Lu Jiuniang’s skills and the rules they had previously agreed upon, she would have retreated immediately regardless of whether she had succeeded. Yet, from Wang Erhu’s description, the situation seemed to be escalating out of control.

"Miss Lu returned to the inn long ago, and as agreed, she has already made her way to the County Magistrate’s mansion."

Wang Erhu’s eyes were filled with admiration. "She said, it is done!"

Zhao Hengyi’s tension eased slightly, but a new doubt arose. If Lu Jiuniang had returned safely to the inn and even made it to the County Magistrate’s mansion, what was happening outside?

If Lu Jiuniang had succeeded, it was understandable that the Ningwu Army, bailiffs, and constables would search the city and arrest those in the vicinity of the crime. But the persistent sounds of battle and the reports of arson... could it be that a band of major outlaws was truly hiding in Jiangling City?

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The County Magistrate’s mansion had allocated a small courtyard near the perimeter wall to the guards, as previously arranged. Lu Jiuniang, now dressed in a guard’s uniform, was waiting there.

Being a keen-eyed woman, she wrinkled her pretty nose almost imperceptibly the moment she saw Zhao Hengyi.

"After you left, I disguised myself as a maid and slipped into the poetry gathering. I intended to finish off Su Shenchang and slip away in the chaos, but then... then I saw Sister Ruolan."

The 'Sister Ruolan' she referred to was one of the two companions who had come to Jiangling with her to assassinate Su Shenchang!

During Lu Jiuniang’s first attempt on Su Shenchang’s life, one of her female companions had been killed on the spot, while the man who had fought desperately to help them on Changrong Street had escaped, wounded.

And Sister Ruolan was the very companion who had been killed on the spot.

"So, you mean to say that Miss Ruolan did not die?"

Zhao Hengyi’s expression turned grave. If the woman named Ruolan was alive and had appeared at tonight’s Furong Garden poetry gathering... she must have defected to the enemy!