The Empress is Dead

Gu Kei swifly ran towards the oposite direction where Yu Yanyan came from, choosing random direction to confuse her pursuer. Although she is certain thaty the other party can't catch up to her, it won't hurt to be extra careful. Unfortunately she wasn't careful enough. She planned to find a conspicious part of the palace wall to jump over but just as she was about to turn into a corner towards a secluded path, someone jumped down from who knows where and blocked her path. Base on the other person's ability to appear at such speed she concluded that he is from the Liu clan.

She inwardly cursed her luck and berated herself internally for her carelessness. She admits that she was thrown off guard by Yu Yanyan and the people she brought's arrival also because all her attention was on the dying man on her ŀȧp. So she forgot to supress her aura for a short while. For a moment she even regretted helping him a little. But at this moment she totally regretted it. If this one person noticed her, surely there was more who did. It's only a matter of time before she would get surrounded. By that time she is uncertain if she could shake them off. For now she decided to fight the one in front of her first.

To her opponent's horror, Gu Kei used less than a minute to subdue him. And with one final punch, she knocked the man unconscious. Or should we say half dead. Almost immediately she heard a subtle sound of footsteps behind her. Instinctively she brace her weight on her left foot then lift the right one to kick the person who appeard behind her. But the man effortlessly caught her foot all while holding two unconscoius men on both shoulders.

Seeing the man's appearance, Gu Kei unconscously beathe out in relief then her face showed an awkward and guilty look. "Mo Jin, how are you here?"

"I have always been here." Mo Jin stoically asnwered. "Bring than one yourself." He added referring to the man Gu Ke just beat up.

"Ah? Why?" Gu Kei dumbly asked. Well she is not really dumb. Even Lin Xulian wouldn't think of using that word to describe Gu Kei. She is just inexperienced unlike Mo Jin. Or to be precise the entire Mo clan who specialized in not leaving any trace behind.

"These three more or less saw the commotion between you and those people in the garden. Obviously your appearance as well. We can't leave them to tattle." Mo Jin reasoned.

"Then why not just kill them?" Gu Kei said. It may be too cold blooded of her to suggest that. But truthfully that's the most direct and reliable solution.

Mo Jin also considered that. But he doesn't want to kill left and right indescrimanately just to cover their tracks. Plus he also thought that their Princess might be able to make use of these people. If they worth nothing, then it won't be a problem to dispose of them after. "The Princess would decide about them." He answered perfunctorily. They have no time for lengthy discussion. "For now, you better think how you would report what happened to the princess. I won't cover for you." He added then use his qigong to leap beyond the wall and return to their head quarters.

Hearing the last sentence Gu Kei felt dread. What she did would have been a great act of kindness if not for the fact that she almost compromise her identity which is the most compromising link to Lin Xulian real identity. After all everyone who knew the existence of Gu Lian knew about her servant Kei. Once she get suspected, Lin Xulian would be roped along. But she didn't plan on washing her hands clean of the incident. She just hope that her mistress will not send her back. Even a beating would be better.

Resigning to her fate, she lifted the man she had beaten up under her arm, carrying him like a bag of potatoes. Then she followed Mo Jin's example by leaping over the wall, going back without informing Lin Xulian.

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Exiting the palace, Lin Xulian looked for a short bit searching for Gu Kei to no avail. Not seeing her, Lin Xulian dindn't get worried. She knows Gu Kei can protect herself. She only felt confused as to why she didn't wait for her. 'Did she get bullied?' She thought. Knowing Gu Kei, she might not be defeated in a fight but she can't win against verbal battle.

'She'll tell me anyway. Better go back.' With that, she went back to the courtyard she bought where she lived with Gu Kei. It is not a huge one. It only has three bedrooms, one for each of them. The other one as Lin Xulian's working space. A living room, a small dining room with a table and two stools, and a kitchen they rarely use since they mostly spend their time outside or at the head quarters.

Arriving at the courtyard, Lin Xulian didn't see a trace of Gu Kei's existence. It doesn't look like she had returned either. So she decide to go to the head quarters. And there she saw Gu Kei at the entrance, obviously waiting for her, fidgeting. Lin Xulian remain silent as she finally arrived in front of Gu Kei and only greeted her with raised eyebrows filled with inquiry. Then she noticed Mo Jin inside leaning on the wall in the hallway obviously in the know but they tacitly agreed silently to let Gu Kei say it.

Seeing Lin Xulian's raised eyebrows, Gu Kei stammered. "T-that..uuh...ahm... Ah! You should eat first mistress. I'm sure you forgot to eat again. You do that often when you are occupied. You entered in the morning. It's almost dark now. You must be starving right? I have prepared your dinner. Come inside." She continued in an unnatural enthusiasm.

Lin Xulian didn't pressure her anymore and followed Gu Kei inside for dinner. She could only looked at Gu Kei amusingly as the latter busied herself in putting food on Lin Xulian's bowl and pouring her drinks. For some reason, seeing Gu Kei's flattering act, Lin Xulian felt the urge to bully her. So she remained silent throughout the ordeal. If it was any ordinary day, she would have stopped Gu Kei and even ask her to eat with her.

Finishing her dinner, she finally uttered her first words of the night while enjoying her tea. "So what did you do wrong?"

Lin Xulian couldn't deny that it was indeed a close call. But she is more concerned about the man's identity. So she turned to Mo Jin. "Do you know who was it?"

"It's Imperial Adviser Xu Yichen, princess." Mo Jin answered affirmatively.

Lin Xulian is startled, but after some thought she find it reasonable that Xing Baihe would decide to control him too. "If it was him then it's fine since you said he's dying. Although he is straight laced and we didn't got along at first, he is an important talented official. The country needs someone like him. You did well, Kei. Just be careful next time." Lin Xulian held Gu Kei's hand and helped her up. And with all the tension finally released, Gu Kei suddenly shed tears to both Lin Xulian and Mo Jin's surprise.. Even Gu Kei herself didn't expect she would get emotional.