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墨書 Inktalez
As the night deepened, the lights in Tianshi Market Camp Howl flickered dimly.
"What did you say?" Liu Ying looked at Xu Yuan in shock. "A letter from the capital says the Xu family has already started to speak before the Empress Dowager?"
"Not just that," Xu Yuan replied with a bitter smile. "The letter says the Xu family is secretly colluding with the Southern Forces. They want to use this marriage proposal to obstruct our plans at the Northern Frontier."
The wind rustled the tent flaps, and moonlight streamed in, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Liu Ying tightened her grip on the Bronze Mirror. "So, you plan to avoid them for now?"
"I have no choice but to leave," Xu Yuan sighed. "If they find out we're investigating the truth about twenty years ago, both of us could be in danger. I need to head to the Border Garrison to prepare, in case they try to take advantage of this situation."
"But the secrets of Tianshi Market Camp Howl..."
"Precisely because we need to uncover the truth, we must be even more cautious." Xu Yuan said as he took out a silk pouch from his bosom. "Take this for now. Once I have everything arranged, I will return immediately to meet with you."
Liu Ying accepted the pouch, feeling its coldness against her palm. She opened it under the moonlight and found a broken jade pendant inside, inscribed with the words "Tian Shi."
"What is this...?"
"I found it on one of the thieves," Xu Yuan whispered. "The quality of this jade is identical to that life-saving pendant belonging to Su Jinzhi. And look at the back..."
Liu Ying turned over the pendant and saw a strange symbol etched on its back—exactly like those marks on the Dark Arrows!
"So, Su Jinzhi..."
"He knows something," Xu Yuan nodded. "But I believe he is secretly protecting you. As for why he has such a pendant, it may be related to your origins."
In the distance, a drum sounded, signaling that it was already past midnight.
"Don't worry," Liu Ying said as she untied a handkerchief from her waist. "This is a relic left by my grandfather, embroidered with the positions of Tian Shiyuan and Twenty-Eight Mansions. It might be useful for your investigation."
Xu Yuan took the handkerchief, his fingertips trembling slightly. "Liu Ying, wait for me to come back..."
"No need to say more," Liu Ying interrupted him. "I will wait for you at Tianshi Market Camp Howl. Remember what is said in the mirror: Three-quarters into the Hour of the Rat."
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside. A Fu's voice came from beyond the curtain: "Miss, it's bad! The scouts report that people from the Xu family have secretly infiltrated the border!"
Xu Yuan's expression changed instantly. "Just as I feared."
"You should leave quickly," Liu Ying urged him, pushing him away gently. "I will continue investigating the secrets of Tianshi Market Camp Howl."
Xu Yuan held her hand tightly. "Promise me you won't act recklessly. Since the Xu family dares to do this, they must have some backing."
"Miss!" A Fu called again, "Someone is coming this way!"
Without time for further words, Xu Yuan pulled Liu Ying into his embrace and whispered in her ear, "Remember, once I finish my duties at the border, I will return immediately."
Under the moonlight, Liu Ying watched Xu Yuan's figure disappear into the night. She took out the broken jade pendant and recalled Su Jinzhi's life-saving token. One of the pendants was engraved with "Tian Shi," while the other bore the inscription "Yuan Shou." If they were to be united...
"Miss," A Fu said, holding a letter in his hands, "this is a secret message sent from the capital by swift horse just now."
Liu Ying unfolded the letter, her expression gradually growing serious. The letter revealed that the Xu family was not only colluding with the Southern Forces but also spreading rumors in court, claiming that she and Xu Yuan had long been involved, intending to undermine the emperor's arranged marriage.
"So that's it..." Liu Ying bit her lip. "They want to force Xu Yuan to submit."
"Miss, what do you think this is?" A Fu asked as he picked something up from the ground.
It was a shard of a Bronze Mirror that had fallen unnoticed. On its surface, a few words were faintly visible: "The jade wall has cracked, Tian Shi must..." The rest of the inscription was too blurred to read.
Liu Ying's heart stirred: could this be hinting that there was an even greater secret hidden within the Tianshi Market Camp Howl?
The sound of hooves began to rise outside the camp, and the sky started to lighten with dawn. She knew that a greater storm was about to unfold. And this night's farewell was merely a prelude for a better reunion in the future.
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