Chapter 281 Speculation

Luo Qingge bowed to Madam Cai and said, "This first bow is my thanks to Heir Xie for saving my life that night. To protect me, he was shot in the shoulder by an assassin’s arrow and was seriously injured."

"Even though I bandaged him up at the inn afterward, I still feel I owe him a debt of gratitude. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay him."

Having said this, she bowed again and continued, "This second bow is because I previously held prejudices against Heir Xie."

"I had heard of Heir Xie’s reputation before and always thought he was an unlearned, idle, and dissolute playboy—someone with no real skills who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, relying on his parents’ authority to bully others and be supported by their money."

"But when I was surrounded by assassins and at a critical moment between life and death, it was Heir Xie who stepped forward and single-handedly fought against a hundred assassins."

"At that moment, I realized that he is not as useless as I had imagined. At least in some aspects, he is a man with a sense of responsibility and duty. He didn't run off and leave me to die."

A faint smile lingered on Luo Qingge’s lips. Even now, she could clearly recall the heroic and extraordinary aura Xie Liuzheng displayed when he acted.

He moved through the night like a ghost, and wherever his long sword passed, assassins' blood sprayed through the air.

At that moment, Xie Liuzheng looked so magnificent she was speechless.

She felt that no word she could think of was sufficient to express the shock and awe she felt inside.

The only other person who had ever given her such a feeling was Luo Junhe, clad in silver armor and fighting on the battlefield.

Madam Cai’s expression shifted from initial confusion to surprise, then to astonishment, and finally to shock.

For a moment, a whirlwind of emotions crossed her face.

She could hardly believe Luo Qingge was actually talking about her son.

This was because Xie Liuzheng was never the type to stick his nose in other people's business.

He seemed carefree and indifferent, but in reality, he was extremely cold, let alone ever reveal his martial arts skills.

Yet Luo Qingge’s words pulled Madam Cai back to reality.

She then recalled that one noon last month, she and Xie Jinrong had just been saying how that little rascal Xie Liuzheng had run off to god knows where the previous night and hadn’t come home.

Just as they were talking, a servant announced the young master was back!

At that time, Xie Liuzheng’s face was pale, and he came back all beaten up, covered in wounds.

The most serious wound was on his shoulder, where a sharp weapon had punched a large hole, flesh curling outward, bone showing through.

However, what surprised the doctor was that although the wound looked frightening, it had been treated promptly—the bleeding had stopped, and there was no further infection.

But whoever bandaged him clearly had no medical training.

A huge, ugly bow had been tied onto his shoulder with gauze.

Madam Cai hadn’t thought much of it at the time. She had always assumed that Meng Fan had bandaged Xie Liuzheng, and when she tried to take it off and re-dress the wound, he wouldn't let her.

Every time the doctor touched that bow on his shoulder, Xie Liuzheng bellowed in pain.

Madam Cai was at a loss for words.

In the end, it was only after Ji Yuntang sent over some wound medicine that Xie Liuzheng agreed to let the doctor cut off that bow.

When the servants cleaned the room, a servant accidentally tossed out the bloodstained gauze.

Because of this, Xie Liuzheng refused to eat or drink for three whole days.

This incident also led to a big blowout between father and son, Xie Jinrong and Xie Liuzheng.

After the quarrel, Xie Jinrong became even more sure his son had lost his marbles.

Not only was his sexual orientation off, but so was his mind—what normal guy likes a bow like that?

Especially one that ugly-looking.

The bow, once untied, was just an ordinary piece of gauze, stained with blood and caked with medicine residue.

And yet, Xie Liuzheng cherished it like some precious treasure and wouldn’t let anyone throw it away.

Wasn't that a sign he was losing it?

Madam Cai sat on a chair, chin resting on her hand, lost in thought.

If Luo Qingge had tied that ugly bow on Xie Liuzheng, then perhaps everything could be explained.

There were only two reasons Xie Liuzheng couldn't stand to toss it:

First, he liked Luo Qingge—really fallen for her—so he treasured anything she'd touched.

Second, it was evidence of his injury, and he wanted to keep it as proof to demand compensation from Luo Qingge.

But the second possibility clearly didn't add up.

Because Madam Cai remembered that when she asked Xie Liuzheng where he'd gotten those injuries, he said:

"I ran into a pack of wild dogs on the road that didn't speak human. I fought 'em outside and got a little scratched up while taking them down."

Anyone with half a brain could tell he was joking.

Later, after being grilled by Xie Jinrong, Xie Liuzheng finally admitted he'd run into assassins and barely made it out alive.

But he didn't breathe a word about Luo Qingge.

Even when the Ministry of Justice announced the next day that the Ninth Princess and Heir Xie had been attacked together—and that he'd saved her—

he didn't go around bragging that his injury was from taking an arrow for her.

He just said his kung fu was lacking and he accidentally got hit.

If Luo Qingge hadn't mentioned it, Madam Cai would never have known that's how he got hurt.

Which just goes to show how dangerous that night was.

Seeing that Madam Cai seemed lost in thought, Luo Qingge bowed for a third time.

"Madam, this third bow is an apology to Heir Xie."

"Heir Xie saved my life. I should have gone to the Duke Rong estate ages ago to thank him face to face, but I was worried it would be too sudden and disturb you and the Duke's peace, so I never went."

"I sincerely thank you, Madam Cai, and offer my apologies for the delay. I hope you can forgive me."

What Luo Qingge didn’t say was that she'd already prepared gifts to bring to the Duke Rong mansion.

But at the critical moment, she didn't know how to face Xie Liuzheng.

Luo Qingge was torn inside, and she couldn't figure out what her feelings for Xie Liuzheng really were.

In short, it was complicated and unsolvable.

Madam Cai snapped back to reality and grabbed Luo Qingge's hand.

Her gloom vanished, and her expression became even more excited than before.

She opened her mouth and said, "Princess Jiu, I have a question to ask, but I'm not sure if I should."

Luo Qingge said softly, "Madam, feel free to speak. As long as I know the answer, I'll certainly tell you."

"Princess Jiu said you bandaged Zheng'er, so did you touch his body? Did he seem uncomfortable with you?"

Luo Qingge nodded and then shook her head, and Madam Cai's heart clenched with tension.

She had a bold guess in her mind, but she needed Luo Qingge's answer to confirm it.

"I did touch him, and more than once."

"When I was at the Night Prince's Mansion, I often hit him. I think he's quite lively, and he didn't show any sign of discomfort."

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