Chapter 525: They Ran Away

Chapter 525: They Ran Away

Liu Shuqin, trapped in prison, saw the young man and felt as if a ray of hope had dawned; all her gloom vanished, giving way to clear skies and fluffy clouds.

With him around, everything would be effortlessly resolved.

Initially, Liu Shuqin had a mediocre opinion of the water provided by the prison, as it paled in comparison to what she was used to at the Liu residence.

Even though she had the desire to be down-to-earth, there was still a bit of discomfort she couldn’t shake off, leading to a slight resistance within her.

But now, with the bowl that Lin Nuo had used, she felt no such resistance at all.

Rather, she felt a yearning.

“I don’t have doubts; I’ll drink it.”

Liu Shuqin gently lifted her hands, waiting for Lin Nuo to return the bowl filled with water.

Seeing this, Lin Nuo handed the bowl back to her.

Liu Shuqin wouldn’t refuse to drink just because he had touched it; she wasn’t that picky or delicate, so she likely avoided the spot where his lips had been.

But the outcome was beyond his expectations.

Liu Shuqin didn’t avoid his lips’ spot at all; she deliberately turned the bowl to drink from the very place he had touched.

This left Lin Nuo utterly stunned.

No way, a noble lady! Even if you want to be down-to-earth and don’t mind drinking from the bowl I used, there’s no need to consciously drink from the spot where my lips were!

He had intended to warn her, but she had already taken a sip.

It was truly the case of “as long as I’m not awkward, it’s others who are awkward.”

Liu Shuqin wasn’t awkward at all, but that left Lin Nuo in a state of embarrassment.

Outstanding.

The water in the bowl wasn’t much; logically, one should be able to down it in one go, just like that rebel leader next door did.

Yet the results again defied his expectations.

Liu Shuqin treated this like a fine tea, taking her sweet time to sip the water leisurely, displaying the elegant dignity of a noble lady.

Even in a prison outfit and with shackles on her legs, she couldn’t hide her graceful aura.

She had once again showcased her elegance, making Lin Nuo think she truly deserved that title of heavenly grace.

He waited patiently, pondering if she was now the person who took the longest to drink water; a bowl should only take a minute at most, yet she took almost three!

Is it really that delicious? Not even Spring Water tastes this exaggerated.

It made him want a sip too.

After quite a while, Liu Shuqin finally finished the bowl.

However, she seemed unsatisfied, wanting another bowl still.

She politely said, “How long must I wait for your hospitality?”

“Just one bowl of water; it’s not that serious.”

True to form, the well-educated young lady even thanks the prison guard for a bowl of water.

“Then next…”

“Do you have more water, my lord? I’m still thirsty,” Liu Shuqin said with a light smile.

“…”

With you taking three minutes to drink a bowl, are you really still thirsty?

If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were sampling fine tea.

Lin Nuo had indeed prepared more water, but it was meant for other cells; after all, the higher-ups had poisoned the supply—just giving them a sip is sufficient.

Oh well, if you’re thirsty, drink up; let the others suffer thirst—it’s none of my business.

So, Lin Nuo filled Liu Shuqin’s bowl again and handed it back.

However, Liu Shuqin didn’t take it; instead, she spoke gently:

“My lord, please, try it again, just like before.”

“How about it? Is the water poisoned?”

“Such a hassle.”

Liu Shuqin smiled sweetly, not showing any signs of distress from being in prison.

On the contrary, she seemed quite cheerful.

This woman was truly odd; she was hard to fathom.

She simply knew it was Lin Nuo requesting this, after all, they had a close relationship, so making a small request was reasonable.

Even though Lin Nuo was pretending to be a guard, he didn’t threaten her—not saying things like “Stop babbling and drink, or get lost”—he would still accommodate her wishes.

So he did as before, took a sip from the bowl for Liu Shuqin.

The water wasn’t poisoned, and there was no trace of any detoxifying powder; it tasted perfectly normal.

“No poison; can you drink it now?”

“Mm, okay.”

Liu Shuqin took the bowl filled with water, rotated it again, aiming for Lin Nuo’s previously touched spot.

Then she began to sip again, just as leisurely as before, much like tasting fine tea.

Lin Nuo was left dumbfounded; really? You’re drinking from the spot I just touched again? The first time could have been a coincidence, but the second time too?

Or do you have a preference for this?

The thought was quite unsettling—imagine this poised and elegant young lady having such a peculiar habit.

But on second thought, this could be her cautiousness.

She was likely being precise about where she drank from, worried that the poison might be lingering elsewhere in the bowl, so she only drank from where he had touched.

This Master Sister was gentle yet excessively cautious.

Wait, why did she have to drink another time?

Could it be she’s genuinely thirsty?

Not long after, Liu Shuqin finished the water again, yet she still didn’t seem satisfied.

“There’s no more. Don’t ask for more; let’s get out of here.”

“Mm, okay.”

Liu Shuqin returned the bowl to Lin Nuo and began to rise.

But her hands and feet were chained, making her look unsteady as she swayed slightly, at risk of falling.

She gently implored, “My lord, I am a frail woman, draped in chains and hindered in movement. I kindly ask for your support.”

“Really that troublesome?”

Lin Nuo looked at Liu Shuqin with a doubtful gaze. You’re still acting frail? Come on, one swift strike from you could crumble mountains; no demon or monster would stand a chance.

Maybe she plans to take him down when he helps her, then run off? Isn’t that a classic escape scene from dramas?

“I’m sorry, my lord; please have mercy. Otherwise, I won’t make it to the interrogation room,” Liu Shuqin continued softly.

“Alright, alright.”

Lin Nuo didn’t bother arguing with her; he would help her walk.

Thinking that even if Liu Shuqin weren’t shackled, she wouldn’t be able to take him down. Let alone being in chains.

With his skills, that was impossible.

Thus, Lin Nuo took Liu Shuqin out of the cell and led her to the interrogation room alongside the rebel leader.

Since conversations were prohibited when prisoners were being led out, to prevent them from conspiring, Liu Shuqin exchanged glances and subtle gestures with the rebel leader to convey that she was fine.

What they would interrogate for in the room, they didn’t know; perhaps they would use cruel torture to force them into confession.

But Liu Shuqin wasn’t afraid, as Lin Nuo was there—he would surely have a plan.

All they had to do was wait.

Meanwhile, Zhou Cheng, the city lord, was calculating time, thinking the Liu father and daughter should have been poisoned by now.

Good, off to the interrogation room, and then he’ll just frame that guard for poisoning—he’d take the fall.

Yet when he reached the interrogation room, he found it empty.

Could they have died on the way? Was the poison that potent?

But he soon received news from his subordinates.

“My lord, that guard has taken people and run away!”