"Miss, what exactly did you commit to?" Ye Bia's question sliced through the air with precision, as though unseen blades were directed at the back of Lian Yan's head. The tension emanating from Ye Bia was almost tangible, her discontent clear in the rigid line of her shoulders. Having been inseparable for most of their lives, Ye Bia's comprehension of Lian Yan's thoughts and actions was profound, making this moment all the more intense.
Lian Yan took a deep, calming breath, readying herself for the reaction she anticipated. "I have agreed to play a role in the downfall of a royal," she revealed, her tone steady and composed, though internally she prepared for the inevitable response.
Ye Bia's reaction was swift and powerful. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open in sheer disbelief. Without a second thought, she reached forward and seized Lian Yan by the shoulders, her grip firm as she shook her with a force fueled by fear and exasperation. "Have you taken leave of your senses?" she exclaimed, her words a mix of anger and profound worry. The notion of such a hazardous plan was unfathomable to her, and the possible consequences were too dire to dismiss.
"How could you come to such a decision in my absence?" Ye Bia persisted, her hold tightening as she continued to shake Lian Yan, who was starting to feel lightheaded from the force. "Were you pressured into this? Do you understand that this could result in your execution?"
Lian Yan attempted to gather her thoughts, fully cognizant of the risks at hand, but Ye Bia's unrelenting shaking made it challenging to concentrate. Xu Tao, witnessing the scene unfold, swiftly moved to intercede. He gently but firmly separated Ye Bia from Lian Yan, halting any further physical strain.
"It might be best to cease before your mistress is rendered incapable of coherent speech," Xu Tao interjected, his timing crucial and his actions necessary. He had fortunately spared Lian Yan from additional distress, allowing her to collect herself once more.
"I was aware of what I was doing. There is a long overdue retribution that needs to be served to him. You are familiar with his actions as well," Lian Yan asserted, her gaze fixed intently on Ye Bia.
It took a moment for Ye Bia to fully grasp the implications of Lian Yan's words, but as understanding washed over her, she gasped. "You are talking about that royal. But he is deeply connected to the royal family. Is this truly a safe course of action? If you fail and are captured, the consequences could be far more severe than we can imagine." Ye Bia was acutely conscious of the potential outcomes. This was a perilous gamble, with stakes that were alarmingly high.
"It is a risk I am prepared to undertake," Lian Yan affirmed, her determination unwavering. "There are countless individuals he has wronged. I would rather take action to instigate change now rather than later. If we continue to allow him to act with impunity, there is no predicting the extent of the injustices he will inflict." Lian Yan was well-versed in Prince Hei An's transgressions, from causing harm to families to exploiting and appropriating land from numerous commoners. She felt a profound obligation to bring an end to his tyranny.
"So, are we to understand that this endeavor may span the next few months? What is the strategy? Are you planning to lure him into a trap?" Xu Tao inquired, his curiosity piqued. He had never once entertained the notion of a noblewoman taking a stand against a royal, particularly with the assistance of individuals like themselves—bandits and thieves. The concept was both exhilarating and unprecedented.
"Well, I advised Jian Wei to seek out his uncles first, as it seemed illogical to pursue this alone," Lian Yan clarified.
Xu Tao paused for an extended period before erupting into laughter. "So that explains his absence!" he exclaimed, his laughter resonating through the air as he attempted to regain his composure. "I had been urging him to do that very thing. Who would have thought he would heed your counsel instead of mine?"
The two women exchanged bewildered glances, perplexed by Xu Tao's sudden burst of laughter. They were oblivious to the significance behind his amusement, unaware that Jian Wei held Lian Yan in such high esteem that he had actually followed her advice for once. It was a rare occurrence, and Xu Tao found it both surprising and humorous.
"It appears you have truly made an impression on him. He has never been one to listen to others for any length of time, yet he has chosen to listen to you," Xu Tao remarked, genuinely intrigued by what Lian Yan had done to garner Jian Wei's attention.
Lian Yan scratched the back of her head, attempting to recall the specifics of her conversation with Jian Wei. "Umm... I simply pointed out that his actions were not reasonable," she said, her recollection of the details somewhat hazy. They had been engaged in conversation, sharing stories about their lives and the challenges they had faced. Through their discussions, they had reached a mutual understanding of each other's circumstances. However, Lian Yan was not inclined to disclose every particular with Xu Tao and Ye Bia. Some matters were best kept between her and Jian Wei.
"Very well, I will accept that explanation for now," Xu Tao said, a chuckle escaping his lips. "I am sure I will eventually hear the full account from Wei."
He laughed even more heartily, as if he had not experienced such genuine amusement in a long time. The mirth in his eyes was evident, and it was apparent that he found the situation both fascinating and entertaining.
The two women exchanged another glance, their eyes meeting briefly before turning their attention back to Xu Tao. Despite their curiosity, neither of them chose to delve deeper into the matter. However, Lian Yan, her gaze fixed on Xu Tao once more, decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Hey, what exactly happened with... the raid?" she inquired, her tone serious and inquisitive.
Xu Tao, having composed himself after his bout of laughter, regarded Lian Yan with a more solemn expression. "You wish to learn the details and stories of what transpired that day?" he asked, his tone indicating the gravity of the subject.
"Yes, I do," Lian Yan affirmed. "I am aware of which royal was responsible, as Jian Wei has shared some information with me. I understand my reasons for participating in this agreement. However, I am not fully aware of the reasons why Jian Wei or your family would be involved."
In referring to the people that was Jian Wei's people as family, Lian Yan acknowledged the bond that had formed among them, a bond that was becoming increasingly evident with each passing day. She was eager to understand the full extent of all their stories from the beginning to the end of it, if there was an end so far.
Ye Bia remained silent, struggling to find the words to express her thoughts. She was at a loss for where to even begin, her mind a whirl of emotions and questions.
Xu Tao, however, let out a heavy sigh before he began to speak. "It all started with the magistrate that Jian Bo knew," he explained. "They were long-time friends. Not really within the theft part of the job, but more like some sort of funding to help him be the magistrate to take care of the people. Yet, the magistrate was afraid and agreed to help the royal find a way to get Jian Bo into prison and kill all of us. There were two groups of bandits that hovered over this province, but… one is gone now."
Lian Yan listened intently, her curiosity piqued by the unfolding story. "Didn't he save Jian Bo, though?" she asked, her confusion evident. "What is the other group called?" She would soon add.