"Little girl, what you said makes a lot of sense."
Before leaving, Xiao Yichen couldn't help but pat her smooth cheek.
"You're just too smart! Hahaha!"
Ye Qingli glared fiercely at him.
This guy was clearly taking advantage of her on purpose.
Hmph, she would never play such childish games with him again.
Ye Qingli muttered in her heart.
Just then, a carriage approached from a distance.
And then it stopped outside the inn.
"Master!"
Several fine horses galloped down from the carriage.
From that carriage, a woman leaped down.
Then, she walked towards the inn.
Ye Qingli narrowed her eyes.
That woman was very familiar, it seemed like someone she knew before!
"Waiter, bring tea!"
The woman entered the inn and casually ordered.
"Miss, please wait a moment."
The waiter bowed and retreated to prepare.
This woman was the personal maid who followed Murong Qingyan.
She was also Murong Qingyan's senior disciple brother.
His name was Murong Qingyun, and he practiced the sword techniques that Murong Qingyan excelled at.
Two years ago, he followed Murong Qingyan from the capital to Jiangnan.
Here, he met Xiao Yichen.
And then, the two of them became sworn brothers.
"Xiao Yun, I've returned to the capital."
Xiao Yichen said excitedly.
"Congratulations, junior brother."
Murong Qingyun said with a smile.
"You've finally returned to the capital. Then, you should stay and be with Master!"
"Um, what about me?"
"You?"
Murong Qingyun raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, you'll return to the sect with me."
"No!"
Xiao Yichen shook his head.
"Master asked me to accompany Xiao Yun for training outside. Moreover, I have a mission and cannot stay in the capital all the time. After I finish my business, I will return."
"No, I don't want Master to be alone there!"
"Oh, never mind, I'm going with you anyway!"
Xiao Yichen said stubbornly.
"Do you really want to leave with me? Do you know that once you leave, it will be very difficult to return to my side?"
Murong Qingyun said with some worry.
Xiao Yichen's strength was the strongest among his junior disciples.
Therefore, he was very worried that Xiao Yichen would encounter danger if he left.
"Don't worry, this time, I will definitely return safely. I promise!"
Seeing his determined expression, Murong Qingyun finally agreed.
"Alright then, I'll go with you."
"Xiao Yun, you're so kind!"
"Alright, stop being silly!"
Murong Qingyun said angrily.
"I can see that your eyes are red. You must have been crying all night. You should take a hot bath and get some rest. I'll leave now."
After speaking, he waved his hand, mounted a fine horse, and galloped away.
"Xiao Yun, goodbye."
Xiao Yichen stood by the window, watching Murong Qingyun gradually disappear.
"Miss, this young man surnamed Xiao is really unreliable."
Xiao He said worriedly.
"Miss, you must not be deceived by him. He's a philanderer. You must not be bullied by him."
"Don't worry."
Ye Qingli smiled slightly.
"I'm not as naive as you are."
"Then why didn't you expose that fellow surnamed Xiao just now?"
"Because, I don't think he's a bad person. Besides, he's Murong Qingyan's personal guard, he must have his own difficulties."
"Miss, although you have a kind heart, it doesn't mean you have to be blinded by him."
Xiao He said disapprovingly.
"If you continue to stay here, that fellow surnamed Xiao will eventually hurt you."
Ye Qingli said with a smile, "Don't worry, I already have a plan."
"I'll send someone to investigate the identity of that young man surnamed Xiao and see if he has any hidden reasons."
"Yes, as expected of our mistress, you're amazing!"
Xiao He clapped her hands and exclaimed.
"However, Miss, don't forget, that fellow surnamed Xiao is Murong Qingyan's man. It's best not to provoke him."
"Don't worry, I have my own judgment."
Ye Qingli smiled and turned to go back to her room to sleep.
After lying down on the bed in her room, she immediately opened her eyes.
"Xiao He, help me investigate if this Young Master Xiao has any special hobbies?"
"Miss, what are you planning to do?"
"Hehe, don't worry about it. Just investigate as much as you can."
Ye Qingli smiled slightly.
She felt that she already knew that Xiao Yichen was an unpolished gem, and she was like a robot that could utilize his value.
Therefore, she decided to use him as a pawn for now.
As for the future, she would make further plans.
In a mansion in the capital, a man in black was kneeling on the ground, reporting to the man sitting on the chair.
"Your subordinate is incompetent, please punish me, Master."
He lowered his head, not daring to look at the person.
"Hmph, your martial arts are indeed not very good."
The man snorted coldly.
"If it weren't for this, why would I spend so many resources cultivating you?"
"Master, spare me."
The man in black trembled with fear.
"However, I believe that as long as you continue to work hard, you will surpass me one day."
"Then, please tell me, Master, what do you need me to do?"
He asked tremblingly.
"My plan requires you to help me from the shadows and get rid of that bitch for me!"
The man said through gritted teeth.
"As long as that lowly maid is eliminated, the entire capital will be ruled by our people. At that time, I will greatly increase your martial arts!"
"Thank you for your patronage, Master!"
"Remember, your mission is not to kill that bitch, but to destroy her!"
"Yes, your subordinate obeys your teachings."
"You may go!"
The man in black respectfully withdrew.
"Hmph, I will absolutely not allow anyone to threaten my interests!"
"Your day of reckoning is today!"
The next day, the sun was bright and the weather was pleasant.
Ye Qingli, with Xiao He, quietly went out.
After leaving the capital, she did not rush to the palace.
Instead, she first came to a small village near the capital.
This place was more than a hundred li away from the palace.
It had a sparse population, a hard life, and a peaceful environment.
This was the reason Ye Qingli chose to hide here.
She disguised herself as an old farmer and worked in the fields every day.
Only when night fell would she return to the inn, bathe, and change.
And after she returned to the inn, she would immediately change into a new outfit, reapply her makeup, put on a mask, and wear a wig.
This way, even if someone recognized her as Ye Qingli, it would be difficult to identify her.
After all, she was already stained with too much blood.
She did not want to expose herself to everyone's sight.