BXG - 111

◎Sachet◎

“Why are you here?!”

The flames roared behind them, distorting Bai Ying’s face.

Zhou Yang wiped the oil splattered on his cheek and spat in disgust. “Do you think you’re so clever? If my brother and sister-in-law already guessed your identity, they could naturally deduce where you’d most want to go… Hmph, originally, we weren’t sure either—it was just a gamble. I crouched here for two days and unexpectedly caught someone pouring oil…”

Bai Ying hesitated briefly before Zhou Yang struck him with the hilt of his sword, leaving him seeing stars. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Yang grabbed Bai Ying by the collar and dragged him stumbling toward the exit.

Just as the four reached the end of the passageway, a muffled explosion sounded behind them.

The passageway, built of bricks and stone, stirred no dust—only triggering a flurry of hidden arrows embedded in the walls. Zhou Yang swung his blade wildly to deflect them.

The blow to his chin left Bai Ying with an instant bruise. In retaliation, he grabbed one of the flying arrows and snapped it in half with his bare hands.

“How is this possible? The amount of oil I left here should have been enough to destroy the entire Chang Mausoleum…” Bai Ying clenched his fists, glaring at Zhou Tan. “All those words you spoke earlier—were you stalling for time?”

Zhou Yang interjected first. “Two days ago, I discovered the oil here. How could I allow it to remain until today? My brother’s conversation with you was merely to give me an opening to act.”

But Zhou Tan shook his head. “You shouldn’t have entrusted everything to the Crown Princess. Did you think she wasn’t smart enough? When you arranged the oil here, didn’t she realize you were planning mutual destruction? Your oil came from the Western Sha people—it wasn’t abundant to begin with. After using some at Xiuqing Temple, she likely reduced the amount deliberately, leaving you some chance of escape… Otherwise, within two days, we wouldn’t have been able to clear it enough to prevent an explosion.”

Bai Ying lowered his head, laughing coldly without speaking. Qu You knew he had nothing left to say.

To admit defeat to Zhou Tan? He would never accept that.

At the end of the passageway lay another tomb chamber. Though its door remained sealed, Zhou Yang saw Bai Ying collapse onto the ground and sheathed his sword, turning to search for the mechanism. Even though much of the oil had been cleared, only Emperor De’s main tomb chamber had ignited. Still, the air here was thin—if they didn’t leave soon, danger remained.

He found the mechanism behind a lampstand, dislodging a cloud of dust. The stone tomb door slowly rose, and almost instantly, Qu You smelled a sharp, metallic stench.

Yan Fu stood drenched in blood, his sword pressed against Li Yuanjun’s equally battered throat. Seeing the door suddenly open, everyone was astonished. Li Yuanjun called out first, “Brother!”

Qu You shouted, “Xiao Yan!”

“Lord Zhou, Lady, are you unharmed?” Yan Fu tightened his grip on Li Yuanjun’s shoulder and took a few steps forward. “I led my men through a secluded path and followed your map to this place, encountering the Crown Princess and her people along the way. Fortunately… we accomplished our mission. His Majesty and Consort Ting are at the foot of the mountain, awaiting our news.”

“It’s fine,” Zhou Tan finally allowed himself a faint, relieved smile. “Thank you for your efforts.”

Only now did he truly feel at ease.

Qu You turned to look at Bai Ying, whose face was pale with rage. A myriad of emotions flickered across his face, settling into a mocking smile. Perhaps he was laughing at himself. “Years of meticulous planning, all for naught… Zhou Tan, meeting you—I must have sinned greatly in a past life…”

Earlier, Zhou Yang’s strike had been heavy, leaving Bai Ying sprawled on the ground, seemingly half-dead. But no one expected him to suddenly muster the strength to leap up, grabbing Qu You—the closest person to him—and pressing the broken arrow against her throat. “Release Yuanjun! Zhou Tan, after all your efforts to come here and rescue people, surely you don’t wish to lose your wife here?”

The arrow was an ancient weapon sealed in the underground palace for years. Though aged, it glinted with a chilling light, possibly coated with some unknown poison.

Zhou Tan coughed heavily, immediately agreeing. “Alright, I’ll do as you ask—put down the arrow!”

Bai Ying backed toward the empty tomb entrance where Yan Fu and the others had entered, dragging Qu You with him. After taking a few steps, he heard her whisper coldly in his ear, “If you take me hostage and demand their release, they’ll agree.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Ying immediately understood—when she looked over earlier, she had deliberately placed herself within reach, showing no resistance even when he grabbed her. She had let him capture her on purpose!

Bai Ying felt cold sweat bead on his palm holding the broken arrow. At this moment, he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

He gritted his teeth and asked hoarsely, “Why… Do you pity me?”

She shook her head. “I just think there’s no need for us to reach this point.”

While they were still speaking, Li Yuanjun called out from nearby, “Brother!”

Bai Ying raised his head, seeing her tear-filled eyes in the dim light—just like the little girl who had tripped in front of him during his first visit to the Li family estate. “Brother, I’ve wronged you! My impatience ruined all your plans. Now that you hold the advantage, don’t hesitate because of me. What’s the point of releasing me? You must live! Only by living is there hope!”

Before she finished speaking, Yan Fu’s expression changed drastically. Before he could withdraw his blade, Li Yuanjun closed her eyes and threw herself heavily onto the sword.

“Yuanjun!”

“Crown Princess!”

Bai Ying took a step forward. Qu You clearly felt his hand tremble on her shoulder.

Li Yuanjun clutched her bleeding neck, collapsing to the ground. Blood bubbled from her wound as she gasped, “You… must go outside… must…”

After a few words, she could no longer speak, writhing in pain before pulling out a slightly worn detoxifying sachet from her bosom.

Bai Ying vaguely recalled the first time he visited the Li household—he had helped the little girl who tripped in front of him, patiently applying medicine and bandaging her wound. She had babbled all afternoon about her weak constitution and absent father. It wasn’t until Li Wei returned home that he realized she was his cousin.

That time, Li Wei hadn’t believed his story, demanding more evidence. He hadn’t expected to convince him in one go. As he left, for convenience later, he casually untied a rough detoxifying sachet from his waist and gave it to the girl who had seen him off.

She had carried it with her for twenty years, and only today did he notice it for the first time.

Bai Ying’s trembling hand nearly dropped the broken arrow, grazing Qu You’s neck. Zhou Tan reluctantly tore his gaze away from Li Yuanjun’s body and earnestly said to him, “…Put down the arrow, and I’ll let you go.”

Bai Ying’s back pressed against the cold bronze tomb door. He stared at the sachet in Li Yuanjun’s hand, his lips quivering but unable to form words.

Ignoring the arrow at her throat, Qu You turned her head with difficulty and looked at him.

“Do you know the biggest difference between you and Song Shiyan?” Qu You whispered softly. “Perhaps you don’t remember, but in my dream of a past life, you once told me… You said, if only you could be purely good or purely evil.”

“Song Shiyan committed patricide—you? You couldn’t even bring yourself to kill him. When the Crown Princess abducted me, you feared she’d hurt me and risked following. Just now, when you captured me, your condition was for them to release the Crown Princess. You wanted Zhou Tan to stay in Lin’an and not return to court, persuading Scholar Shisan to leave Bianjing before you acted… You couldn’t bear for him to see what you’ve become, could you?”

“Enough!” Bai Ying growled lowly, then lowered his voice, rasping, “Why are you telling me this? Do you want me to know… that you understand me?”

“Yes, I understand you. So does Zhou Tan.” Qu You reached out and grasped the hand holding the arrow, her voice hoarse. “Can’t you see he wasn’t in such a rush? Do you think he didn’t notice I deliberately let myself be captured? He was just hesitating, needing an excuse to let you go. After all these years, none of us wanted to see you meet the same fate as Song Shiyan. Do you understand?”

“If I let you go, Song Shixuan will remain a threat. Are you really willing to take that risk?”

“I told you, you’re not Song Shiyan. You’re not purely evil. Everyone you cared about is gone. If you return, what would you fight for?”

“Hah, haha…”

Bai Ying laughed bitterly, saying nothing more. Without turning her head, Qu You felt warm liquid fall onto her neck.

In this life or the last, it was probably the first time she’d seen tears from this mastermind.

Before anyone could react, Bai Ying abruptly turned back toward the door they had just entered—the one leading to the passageway filled with flying arrows and the blazing main tomb chamber. Even from several steps away, they could feel the heat.

Zhou Tan momentarily lost composure and shouted urgently, “Bai Ying!”

Bai Ying glanced at him with lowered eyes, then retreated another step, forcing everyone to keep their distance.

The arrow remained pressed against Qu You’s pulse, leaving the group no choice but to comply.

Qu You, slightly panicked, quickly calmed herself. “You still had a chance to escape.”

“But I no longer wish to run,” Bai Ying replied heavily. “I’ve run for too long, too tired… Honestly, Zhou Tan’s actions—including his feigned dealings with Song Shixuan—I wasn’t completely unaware. I just lacked the energy to think further. The day I left the imperial city with you, I already felt I’d never return.”

Qu You detected the resignation in his tone and exclaimed in alarm, “You—”

“Shh—” Bai Ying stepped back again, his foot brushing against the scattered arrows. “Let me tell you a secret. Do you know why, years ago, I arranged to meet you before your wedding?”