Chapter 69: Handle Your Own Affairs Yourself

Si Nuo Sang certainly didn’t see things the same way. Though she knew little of these ancient martial arts techniques, she had every confidence in her own skills.

“I only hope you’ll investigate thoroughly.”

“I won’t investigate. What does it have to do with me? Deal with your own affairs.”

And with that, she refused to budge.

“Then don’t think you can leave.” Qin Li suddenly drew her sword, its surface etched with patterns like a zither—truly the height of pretension. Did all women in this era have such affectations? Even a sword had to be adorned with musical motifs. How impressive.

Deep down, Si Nuo Sang felt nothing but aversion for this woman.

No matter what she said, Si Nuo Sang simply disliked her, despised her. All because she enjoyed the protection of Xuan Yuan Jue Si.

“Trying to frighten me? Do you think I’m so easily cowed?”

Such arrogance—perhaps that’s what both of them thought of each other.

“If you dare lay a hand on Si Nuo Sang, I won’t let you go—even if you’re a woman.”

Ye Xuan stepped to Si Nuo Sang’s side, fixing Qin Li with his gaze. Without a word, Qin Li slashed with her sword.

Si Nuo Sang ducked low, spun in a full circle, and rose, thrusting her sword in return. In truth, she preferred to wield a military saber, but she had to adapt to using a sword—after all, in this unfamiliar time and place, she needed to acclimate or risk standing out as an oddity, which would only make things harder for her emotionally.

Ye Xuan watched the two of them fight but didn’t intervene. Helping now would be pointless. In fact, he would rather Si Nuo Sang stay.

As long as Qin Li didn’t go too far—didn’t actually harm Si Nuo Sang—he saw no reason to interfere. Besides, their skirmish quickly attracted a crowd, and before long, word had reached Xuan Yuan Jue Si. From the description, it was clear who the combatants were: Si Nuo Sang and Qin Li.

Why were they fighting? He hurried over to see for himself. By the time he arrived, both Qin Li and Si Nuo Sang bore the marks of their struggle—though neither was disfigured. Ye Xuan stood to the side, having done nothing. It was a tense, difficult moment.

“Separate them,” he ordered a squad of guards.

Immediately, they were pulled apart. When Si Nuo Sang saw Xuan Yuan Jue Si, she shot him a glare, while Qin Li lowered her head.

“What do you think you’re doing? Fighting in my Liang City—bring them both to the dungeon.”

With a single command, Xuan Yuan Jue Si had both Si Nuo Sang and Qin Li taken away.

“It was Qin Li who started it—Si Nuo Sang wanted to leave, but Qin Li stopped her,” Ye Xuan said, stepping to Xuan Yuan Jue Si’s side to clarify that Si Nuo Sang was not at fault.

“And you didn’t intervene? Would you stand by and watch them destroy each other?” he demanded.

“If no one’s dying, I see no need to step in. The rest is your concern. I hope you’ll release Si Nuo Sang quickly—and keep Qin Li from causing her trouble.”

“How odd. Aren’t you and Qin Li on the same side? Why aren’t you helping your Qin Li instead of siding with my Si Nuo Sang?”

“Si Nuo Sang isn’t yours.”

Ye Xuan glared at him, anger flashing in his eyes.

“And she isn’t yours, either. You’re not even worthy of liking her—a liar, nothing more.”

Xuan Yuan Jue Si’s words were merciless as he looked at Ye Xuan. If not for the many eyes upon them, he would have struck him down then and there. This Ye Xuan—arrogant, conceited, and bold enough to vie with him for a woman—had never shown him any respect. He would not let this slide so easily. Still, Ye Xuan was useful for now, so his life was spared.

Ye Xuan saw the murderous hatred in Xuan Yuan Jue Si’s eyes—he would love nothing more than to eliminate him, but no matter Xuan Yuan Jue Si’s status, he could not touch Ye Xuan.

But Ye Xuan cared not at all. The two stared at each other like angry lions, a conflict barely held in check.

However, Xuan Yuan Jue Si knew this was not the time to fight, so he restrained his anger, though his veins stood out on his forehead, and left with a swirl of his sleeve.

Ye Xuan remained where he was, watching them go.

Qin Li’s move was dangerous—keeping Si Nuo Sang here was their master’s order, but it had landed her in the dungeon as well. A lose-lose situation. Still, compared to his own inaction, the master might be pleased with Qin Li’s boldness.

At that moment, someone passed by and slipped a note into Ye Xuan’s hand. He moved to a secluded spot to read it.

“Midnight. Eastern woods.”

It seemed the master had arrived. What could prompt the master to act personally, and why had they not explained the purpose of their mission? All they had were orders, no reasons. Perhaps the answer would soon become clear.

Xuan Yuan Jue Si had both women locked in the dungeon. After more than an hour, he came in personally. Qin Li sat quietly, while Si Nuo Sang sat fuming.

“Why did you two fight?” Xuan Yuan Jue Si asked, looking at them both. Si Nuo Sang glared at him, refusing to answer. What business was it of his? He always protected her regardless.

That Qin Li—hmm! She hadn’t even asked if Si Nuo Sang was the murderer. It was as if it were just childish bickering. Then again, he didn’t care about her at all. The thought brought a dull ache to her heart.

She was a modern woman, bold in love and hate, but things were different for people here.

They were from two different worlds—there was no way they could ever truly be together.

Now, to make matters worse, when she tried to leave, Qin Li brought her back.

“Qin Li, you speak,” Xuan Yuan Jue Si said, knowing he’d get nothing from Si Nuo Sang. She was clearly not going to answer him.

“My lord, I know you suspect me. So I asked the princess to help me find out who’s really framing me. I truly didn’t kill those people.”

Qin Li was forthright, making her meaning plain.

“You hear that? She says she didn’t kill anyone. She wants me to investigate—why should I?” Si Nuo Sang cried out from the side.

Xuan Yuan Jue Si was sweating at her outburst. Her actions and words always left him at a loss.

“Princess, I didn’t kill Lian Bailiu. Nor am I responsible for those fifteen deaths.”

Qin Li attempted to explain to Si Nuo Sang.

“Sorry, this has nothing to do with me. And I am not a princess. Did you hear that?”

Once, Si Nuo Sang might have liked the title, but now, coming from this woman’s mouth, it disgusted her to the core.

“My lord, it truly wasn’t me. Though I have deceived you in the past, these deaths have nothing to do with me.”