Chapter 245: Chapter 246: Ask Her Intentions.

“Qi Yue is saved!”

It turned out that the letter was sent by Zhao Xiyan, instructing them to go to the black market to discuss the details of the rescue plan.

“The black market?” Qu Wei’s pupils shrank, “Does that mean his stronghold is in the black market? He hasn’t run away?”

Chu Yunfei shook his head.

Although he had been at the Longnan County Government for over a decade, he knew nothing about the black market.

The main reason was that the people behind it, although involved in smuggling, never caused any trouble and often funded charitable deeds.

Of course, he had turned a blind eye to such activities, but if Zhao Xiyan really was the man behind the black market, that would be serious!

“I heard there are countless remarkable people in the black market. If the Marquis is indeed the man behind it, our chances of rescuing Qi Yue would be much greater.”

Upon learning that he was to meet Zhao Xiyan, Song Gensheng could hardly contain himself and urged them repeatedly.

“Let’s go quickly, the sooner we finalize the rescue plan, the sooner we can save Sister Yueyue!”

Qu Wei also relaxed quite a bit, but thinking of the insults he had hurled at Zhao Xiyan, he felt somewhat intimidated.

“Why don’t you two go, no matter what he plans, I will just follow orders.”

Upon hearing this, Song Gensheng grabbed Qu Wei’s neck from behind.

“How can you not go? You even spread rumors before that the Marquis would not help! Hmph!”

Chu Yuntian did not know about this earlier situation, but considering Qu Wei was the last person who saw Qi Yue, he also advised, “Brother Qu, among us, only you know the specifics about Donggao. The Marquis asked for you, probably to inquire more thoroughly.”

Qu Wei had no choice but to reluctantly agree to go.

The three of them immediately left the house separately to avoid the surveillance of Hu Keqing and headed to the black market.

At that time, the black market was silent, with only scattered lights here and there, and no excess noise.

In the most concealed room, Zhao Xiyan sat behind a desk, listening to several men in black reporting matters.

Normally, the place was pitch-dark except for the Luminous Pearl that Zhao Xiyan always fumbled with in his hand, without any other lighting.@@novelbin@@

However, today was completely different.

Thick candles were lit on the desk and in the corners, brightening the entire room.

“Master, our forces are all in position, just waiting to make contact with the Donggao division, and then we can set off.”

“Good. Tell Zhao Yuan to be cautious.”

“Rest assured, Master, Zhao Yuan is the best scout; he will not make a mistake.”

“How is the investigation on Song Gensheng going?”

“Master, it is all investigated, and it’s here.”

One of the men in black said, handing over the documents he held.

Zhao Xiyan carefully read through them, nodding continuously.

Standing beside, Zhao Chong could not help but ask, “Master, we are all prepared, and rescuing Miss Qi Yue is foolproof. Why did you still call Qu Wei and Chu Yuntian?”

Zhao Xiyan stopped reading the documents, paused for a moment before saying, “These two are very important to Qi Yue. They will certainly try to save her, but neither of them is adept at this sort of thing. If we let them act recklessly, they will definitely disrupt our plans.”

He paused again and shook the documents in his hand.

“… and now there’s another one.”

“Song Gensheng?” Zhao Chong looked puzzled, not understanding Zhao Xiyan’s intention.

Zhao Xiyan set the documents aside and said indifferently, “This man is exceptionally talented, his body as tough as steel, impervious to blades and guns, but unfortunately quite reckless. If we don’t control him, our men might not even have reached Yanjing before he causes trouble.”

Zhao Chong nodded repeatedly at these words.

“Master, you truly spare no effort for Miss Qi. Hopefully, this time she will understand your intentions.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Seeing Zhao Tai’s glare, Zhao Chong realized his mistake.

Indeed, Zhao Xiyan’s expression visibly soured.

Zhao Tai hurried forward with an apologetic smile, “My lord, I guess they should be arriving soon. I will go out to welcome them.”

Saying this, he quickly pulled Zhao Chong and left.

Once outside, Zhao Chong finally raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Last time, his mouth twitched as he told Zhao Xiyan that Qi Yue might not have seen the letter in his box because she didn’t want it at that moment.

He was merely answering truthfully, but that had angered Zhao Xiyan so much that he was punished to clean the stables for a month.

He didn’t expect to have said the wrong thing again today!

“Zhao Tai, thanks to you this time, as long as the master doesn’t punish me to sweep the stables, I won’t ask you for those ten silvers you won from the bet last time.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tai snorted.

“Then you might as well go sweep the stables, don’t ever think about asking me to speak well for you again.”

“Come on, are we not brothers anymore….”

Their back-and-forth had already reached Zhao Xiyan’s ears. He sighed softly, leaned back a bit to make himself more comfortable, and drew a White Jade Hairpin from his bosom to examine it closely.

Due to prolonged rubbing, the finely carved tip of the hairpin had lost its original sharp edges and become somewhat rounded.

Zhao Xiyan stared blankly for a while, extended a finger to wipe over the tip of the hairpin, then shifted his gaze to the shaft of the pin.

There, a line of characters was later engraved—”My heart dies like a silkworm in its cocoon.”

These were the last words on the divorce paper, engraved after Qi Yue had left.

“Yueyue, you know, without you, I feel as if I were dead,” he murmured softly, pressing the White Jade Hairpin against his forehead and sighing deeply.

He’d thought so much these days, and still hadn’t figured out where exactly the problem between him and Qi Yue lay.

He had indeed misunderstood her before, thinking she saw him as a brother.

But after knowing that Qi Yue liked him too, he had declared his love more than once.

Knowing that Qi Yue liked gold and silver, he had wanted to give her everything he owned.

Knowing she disliked restraints, he had let her be free.

Yet why had it still turned out this way today?

Qi Yue didn’t even read the letters he sent, which showed how much she loathed him!

Now, he felt like riding alone to Donggao and confronting Qi Yue, asking about her true feelings.

If she said so, no matter what she asked him to do, he would be willing.

But then he rethought this impulse!

Qi Yue always liked clever men, wouldn’t doing so make him look like a complete fool?

Zhao Xiyan pondered gloomily for a moment, then suddenly felt that it had been a long time—why hadn’t they come yet? He carefully put away the hairpin and stood up to walk towards the door.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Qu Wei, Chu Yuntian, and a few others standing outside, all holding their breath as if waiting for something.

Looking up to see him, everyone showed a smile.

Before he could ask, Zhao Chong came forward with a phrase.

“My lord, worried that you were in a bad mood, I asked them to wait a little longer…”

Zhao Xiyan’s lips twitched, “You won’t be participating in this operation, go clean the stables!”

Zhao Chong was instantly alarmed.

“My lord, if I don’t follow you, who will ensure your safety?”

Zhao Xiyan ignored him and ushered Chu Yuntian and the others into the room.

He was so anxious inside, he couldn’t wait a moment longer.

They must immediately unify the action plan, to enter Donggao sooner and find Qi Yue!

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