Chapter 529: Dong Wei’s New Plan

Chapter 529: Dong Wei’s New Plan

A note, just a short line, and Ruo’er felt the affection from the young master.

It seems the young master hasn’t given up on her after all.

But why not reveal his identity?

Who knows?

She pouted her lips, not understanding why the young master was reluctant to show his name.

What does “handsome guy” even mean?

It seems the young master mentioned it before, meaning a cute guy.

Of course, the young master is the cutest!

This string of Meat Floss Cakes, skewered on fine arrows, is filled with the young master’s love. She couldn’t bear to eat them.

And the note? Let’s treat it as a love letter and keep it safe.

“Ruo’er, are you in the courtyard?”

Liu Shuqin called out, then slowly walked into the yard, discovering Ruo’er sitting on the stone steps, looking gloomy.

Seeing Ruo’er downcast and still crying, Liu Shuqin felt pity and couldn’t help but worry she might do something silly, always wanting to comfort her.

This little girl had come down the mountain rarely, only wanting to reunite with the young master Lin Nuo, but Lin Nuo had his reasons and couldn’t dare to acknowledge her.

A cruel reality for her; the little heart suffered heavy blows.

Should she clarify the situation?

But wouldn’t that make her the bad person? After all, she continually stressed that the prison guard wasn’t Lin Nuo.

Tricking a little girl like that might leave her upset and resentful.

Better to comfort her first.

At that moment, Ruo’er turned her head, a bright, adorable smile spreading across her face—her previous gloom vanished.

“Sister Shuqin, I’m here~”

Seeing Liu Shuqin approach, Ruo’er quickly tucked the note away, fearing it would expose the young master’s secrets.

Though Ruo’er’s attempts at concealment were rather clumsy, Liu Shuqin, being observant, noticed the oddities right away.

And her emotional transition was too sudden to miss—from tears to bright smiles, the change was quite remarkable.

The little girl’s emotions were easy to read. If it had been her junior martial sister Qin Shili, that would have been another story.

Also, what was up with those Meat Floss Cakes in her hands?

Did she go out to buy them?

Now, the townsfolk viewed her as an accomplice; they couldn’t buy daily supplies and food normally, having to rely on others.

Logically speaking, everything in this house would be recorded in a list, which Liu Shuqin was aware of.

When did they buy so many Meat Floss Cakes? No way.

Liu Shuqin softly said:

“Ruo’er, how are you doing now? I’m quite worried about you.”

“I’m fine~ I’m really fine~ I figured it out, I might have just mistaken someone~ That wasn’t the young master. Ah, maybe I’m just tired. My senses must be off~”

“Hmm? Really?” Liu Shuqin was skeptical.

“Really~ I’m fine, don’t worry, Sister Shuqin~”

Ruo’er playfully shook her ears, giggling.

Liu Shuqin grew even more suspicious, wondering what Ruo’er had gone through.

There must be something more.

“Ruo’er, where did you get those Meat Floss Cakes?”

“Ah? These…”

Ruo’er startled a bit; she hadn’t had time to hide the Meat Floss Cakes.

But after spending time with Lin Nuo, she had become more clever, and in the past, she would have been too nervous to speak.

Got it.

“I kept them in my spirit pouch. When I got hungry, I just took one out. Do you want some, Sister Shuqin?”

Ruo’er cheerfully handed a piece of Meat Floss Cake to Liu Shuqin. A good child knows to share.

“Oh, I see. I’m not hungry; you just eat it if you’re hungry, Ruo’er.”

As she spoke, Liu Shuqin instinctively scanned the surroundings and noticed a dent on a tree.

The Meat Floss Cakes Ruo’er held were strung together by a fine arrow, and it appeared the arrow had struck the tree.

She made a rough deduction:

That arrow was shot by Lin Nuo, and the Meat Floss Cakes accompanied it.

But did Ruo’er smile bright purely because Lin Nuo sent her Meat Floss Cakes?

Clearly not; there must be other reasons. Perhaps Ruo’er had already grasped the truth of the situation, Lin Nuo’s reasons and disguise.

If that were the case, then she didn’t need to clarify things with Ruo’er. Pretending to be unaware would be just fine.

Anyway, she always played this role and seemed oblivious while in truth, she was well aware, cooperating with her junior martial brother.

Outside, soldiers were patrolling, and surely they couldn’t hide out for long.

Should they break out of the city?

No, the Liu family’s army was still trapped; they couldn’t abandon them.

And Lin Nuo was in the city; everything would be alright.

She didn’t want to sit idle either; now that they had escaped, worrying about reputation was unnecessary. No need to hold onto so-called reputation.

The victor is king; whoever wins has the say.

……

City Lord’s Mansion.

“Lord Sun, the Liu family father and daughter have been rescued from prison, and there are rebel forces pressing outside. What should we do?”

City Lord Zhou Cheng was feeling a bit panicked; this was just like adding fuel to the fire. Their arranged false princess was killed, and now the Liu family father and daughter were captured. Everything seemed to be going against them.

“The Liu family father and daughter must still be in the city; we haven’t seen them leave yet. As for the rebels, we will send the princess to surrender.”

“Surrender? But the princess is gone; how can she surrender? Besides, if the rebels come, will we not resist?”

“I have found another candidate to take her place, though she lacks the presence of the previous one, her words and tone are quite different. But it’s fine—she just needs to represent the princess. First, we send her to surrender, betray the commoners. Then how will the royal family’s reputation hold up?”

“Oh! I understand. This is to tarnish the royal family.”

Zhou Cheng suddenly grasped the situation and couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Yes, tarnishing the royal family, the royal family selling out the city for survival. Once this spreads, the people’s impression of the royal family will significantly deteriorate.”

The leader of Dong Wei, Sun Xu, sneered:

“And then we will push this princess off the stage, and we will oppose the rebels in the name of Dong Wei. As for the troops, the Liu family’s army in the city can be utilized. They can fight the enemy while we take the credit. By then, defeating the rebels will elevate Dong Wei’s reputation, preparing for a change in power.”

“Lord Sun is brilliant!”

“You’ll not be short of glory and wealth. Now, the rebels are outside; take her to negotiate, and offer the city to the rebels.”

Dong Wei had crafted a new plan—slandering the royal family and promoting Dong Wei’s reputation to gain the hearts of the people for the future.

……

News of Liu Shuqin and the others being rescued spread throughout the city. The Liu family held a high moral standing in the hearts of the people, who praised the hero who saved them.

Lin Nuo went out to buy some food, still expecting everyone to label him a villain collaborating with the rebels to raid prisons. But instead, here he was, hailed as a hero.

He couldn’t take it anymore; walking out, he was met with a barrage of insults—who could withstand this?

Meanwhile, Lin Nuo made an unexpected discovery: a veiled princess appeared within the City Lord’s Mansion.

But he believed she was a fake.

After all, her demeanor and speech were far too different from that of the real princess. She was clearly someone the City Lord had hired to deceive.