klisemfg Chapter 275 Bandits
Chapter 275 Bandits
As dawn broke, Liuli glanced at Xiaocui a couple more times while changing her bandages.
"Sister Liuli," Xiaocui forced a smile despite the pain, "but is the wound too frightening?"
“It’s not about the wound,” Liuli hesitated for a moment, “I just don’t understand why you took that blow for Her Majesty?”
Xiao Cui's eyes dimmed slightly: "Sister Liuli, do you think that Xiao Cui is unworthy to do this for Her Majesty?"
“You…” Liuli was speechless for a moment.
“You’re right,” Xiao Cui lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion, “I saw all the suspicions that Sister Liuli and Her Majesty had about me before. But Her Majesty still took me in and gave me food and clothing…”
Liuli paused in bandaging her hands: "But you don't need to risk your life to protect Her Majesty, you're just..."
“Because I want to prove my feelings,” Xiao Cui said, raising her tearful eyes, “even if I die, I want Your Majesty to know that Xiao Cui is sincere…”
“Silly girl,” Murong Xuewei’s voice suddenly came from the doorway, “using your life to prove loyalty is going too far. I am not the kind of master who doesn’t value human lives.”
"Your Majesty!" Xiao Cui tried to get up and bow, but Murong Xuewei stopped her with a raised hand.
“I was overly suspicious before,” Murong Xuewei said gently as she sat down by the bedside. “You should focus on recovering.”
"Your Majesty..." Xiao Cui cried with joy, "Xiao Cui, Xiao Cui doesn't know what to say..."
"If you want to say something, wait until you've recovered," Murong Xuewei gently patted her hand. "Liuli, go prepare some congee."
“Yes. But…” Liuli hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
Murong Xuewei noticed her worry: "Speak plainly."
"I was thinking about those thieves..." Liuli lowered her voice, "Could they have been sent by Jiang Lingyun?"
“It wasn’t him,” Murong Xuewei shook her head slightly, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Jiang Lingyun wouldn’t dare to be so blatant right now.”
"Who could that be...?"
“I’m quite curious,” Murong Xuewei turned to Xiao Cui, “why do they recognize Su Jin? Xiao Cui, did you hear what they were saying?”
Xiao Cui nodded: "I heard them say... that they were going to take us back to the mountain stronghold and extort ransom from us. They also said something about Xiaoyao Tower..."
"Xiaoyao Tower?" Murong Xuewei's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Liuli, go and investigate this Xiaoyao Tower."
"Yes. And Xiao Cui..."
“Let her stay by my side to recover,” Murong Xuewei said. “Since she was willing to take a knife for me, she is trustworthy.”
Liuli looked at Murong Xuewei in surprise: "Does Your Highness really intend to keep her?"
"Sister Liuli, do you think Her Majesty is being too hasty?" Xiao Cui asked timidly.
“No,” Murong Xuewei looked out the window, her tone meaningful, “Although people’s hearts are sometimes unpredictable, we must always learn to give them a chance. Besides…” She paused, “those who can shield their master from harm are no ordinary people.”
"Your Highness is joking," Xiao Cui blushed, "Xiao Cui just..."
“Alright,” Murong Xuewei interrupted her, “Recovering from your injuries is the priority. Liuli, go prepare some blood-replenishing medicine.”
"Yes." As Liuli was leaving, she glanced at Xiaocui, her eyes softening considerably.
After Liuli left, Xiaocui cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, you really don't blame Xiaocui for what happened before...?"
"Silly girl," Murong Xuewei chuckled, "if I were blaming you, I wouldn't have kept you by my side."
"Your Majesty..." Xiao Cui was so moved that she was about to cry again.
"Alright," Murong Xuewei stood up, "Rest well. Once you've recovered, I have important matters for you to handle."
Watching Murong Xuewei's departing figure, Xiao Cui gripped the corner of the blanket tightly, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the window, and Murong Xuewei gazed into the distance from her room, her eyes gradually sharpening. The situation in Jiangnan was more complex than she had imagined, and she already had a clear idea of who these people were after.
But now is not the time to say it out loud.
"Your Majesty," Liuli hurried into the room, "I've found out news about the Xiaoyao Tower."
Murong Xuewei was packing her things when she heard this and looked up: "Tell me about it."
“This Xiaoyao Tower suddenly appeared in Pingyao Prefecture half a year ago,” Liuli said, frowning. “It has kept a very low profile since its opening, but it is said to be extremely luxurious inside. The most special thing is…”
"Hmm?" Murong Xuewei gestured for her to continue.
"This establishment caters to both men and women," Liuli said in a low voice, "as long as you can afford it."
Murong Xuewei's eyes flashed: "In Pingyao Prefecture?"
“Yes,” Liuli nodded, “it’s only half a day’s journey from here.”
Murong Xuewei put down the bundle she was carrying: "Go prepare the carriage."
"Your Highness is going to Xiaoyao Tower?" Liuli was stunned. "But what about the eldest young master...?"
"It's precisely for the sake of the eldest young master," Murong Xuewei said calmly, "Don't you think the appearance of the Xiaoyao Tower is too coincidental?"
"Your Majesty means..." Liuli seemed to be deep in thought.
"Six months ago," Murong Xuewei stood up, a cold glint in her eyes, "it was when my elder brother left Jiangnan."
Liuli suddenly realized: "So Your Highness suspects..."
“Let’s not talk about this anymore,” Murong Xuewei interrupted her. “Let’s go take a look first. Oh, and,” she paused, “prepare some decent clothes.”
"Is it...?"
“Since we’re going to Xiaoyao Tower,” Murong Xuewei said with a cold smile, “we should naturally dress appropriately.”
Just then, Xiao Cui came in carrying the medicine: "Your Highness, your medicine..."
"Xiao Cui," Murong Xuewei looked at her, "how is your injury?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Xiao Cui bowed, "I'm much better now."
“That’s perfect,” Murong Xuewei said. “Come with us somewhere in a bit.”
Liuli asked in surprise, "Your Highness wants to take her with you?"
"Is there something wrong?"
“But…” Liuli hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
“Don’t worry,” Murong Xuewei glanced at Xiao Cui, “Since she has already proven her loyalty with her life, she should be given a chance.”
Xiao Cui's eyes welled up with tears: "Your Majesty..."
“Alright,” Murong Xuewei waved her hand, “go and get ready. Remember,” she gave the two of them a meaningful look, “dress like rich young ladies.”
After the two men left, Murong Xuewei walked to the window and gazed at the distant horizon. Ever since those thieves mentioned Xiaoyao Tower last night, she had felt that things weren't so simple. Now it seemed that the situation was indeed much more complex.
"Brother," she murmured to herself, "what exactly happened to you?"
The sound of a carriage preparing came from afar. Murong Xuewei snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes gleaming. Whatever secrets were hidden behind Xiaoyao Tower, she was determined to find out.
Murong Xuewei decided that she had to go to Xiaoyao Tower regardless of whether it was friend or foe.