Chapter 753: Chapter 754: The Oriole Behind

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

The courtyard fell deathly silent.

Xiao Lansi clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with terror as she took an almost uncontrollable step back.

’This... this—’

"Look at you, scaring her like that."

Basha peeked out from behind the door, not a hint of surprise on his face. His gaze then swept toward Xiao Lansi.

Xiao Lansi held her breath, not daring to even exhale.

Basha let out a dry chuckle and complained to the man in the silver mask, "You’re certainly clean and efficient, but have you ever considered what a hassle it is for me to clean up?"

"That’s your problem."

The man in the silver mask spoke in a low, indifferent tone.

Basha pouted. "Fine! I’ll clean this up in a bit."

He only dared to grumble a little; he wouldn’t risk showing any real disrespect to this man.

’But then again, for someone like him to get involved...’

Basha glanced at the lifeless body on the ground, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Beauty truly is a curse!"

Xiao Lansi trembled all over, unable to utter a single word. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.

The man in the silver mask looked toward her.

Even though she was behind a window that was open just a crack, Xiao Lansi could feel the chilling killing intent in his gaze.

"There won’t be a next time," he warned coldly.

As soon as he spoke, he turned and left without another moment’s delay.

Xiao Lansi didn’t even see how he left. There was just a flash of a shadow, and then he was gone.

Basha leaned against the doorframe. Once the man was gone, he clapped his hands and, still grumbling, walked over to skillfully drag the body away and hide it by the entrance.

A small pool of blood remained on the ground; the whole thing had happened too quickly for there to be more.

Basha grabbed a handful of sawdust and dirt from nearby and casually scattered it over the stain.

The blood was quickly absorbed, and the debris clumped together.

With a broom and shovel in hand, Basha quickly cleaned the spot until it was spotless.

If not for the sickeningly sweet scent of blood lingering in the air, no one would have believed what had just happened here.

"Pah!"

Basha spat to the side.

"Just one damn unlucky thing after another!"

Xiao Lansi knew he was cursing at her.

Ever since she was brought here, she had been confined to this small room. Aside from being fed normally, she was no different from a prisoner.

At first, she could bear it, thinking things would soon return to normal after the furor over her faked death died down.

But she hadn’t expected to wait and wait, only for nothing around her to change.

If not for the occasional Chang Sui who came to pass on messages, she would have thought she had been completely forgotten.

After much thought, she decided to take the initiative and try to change her situation.

Things had gone according to her plan; that Chang Sui was an easy man to handle.

But just when she thought hope was within her grasp, the day’s events dealt her a crushing blow!

She hadn’t been forgotten—she had been abandoned!

Realizing this, Xiao Lansi was filled with anger and despair, but more than anything, profound confusion.

’Why!?’

She didn’t understand.

They had clearly made an agreement... She never expected Xiao Chenglin to suddenly turn on her!

The courtyard soon became empty and fell utterly silent.

But Xiao Lansi knew that countless eyes were watching her from the shadows.

Trying to escape this place on her own was undoubtedly a fool’s dream.

Xiao Lansi’s chest suddenly tightened, and a violent, sharp pain shot through her body once more.

She stumbled back in a panic, grabbing the corner of a nearby table to keep herself from collapsing. She gasped for air, trying her best to calm down.

After a long moment, the pain gradually subsided.

But by then, Xiao Lansi was drenched in a cold sweat, and her lips were unusually pale.

The Life and Death Gu was extremely damaging to the body; it was no wonder she was so desperate.

But now, she was in a completely passive position.

Xiao Lansi bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with resentment and indignation.

’She had given her all, even gambled with her own life, only for them to burn the bridge after crossing it?’

If she missed this chance, who knew how long it would be before she could see Shui Xingqiu again!

It was uncertain if she could even survive that long!

Xiao Lansi was filled with regret.

’No!’

She took a deep breath, her expression growing resolute.

’No matter what, I can’t die here! I have to get out!’

Just as she stood up, her vision suddenly went black. She lost consciousness and collapsed heavily to the floor.

THUD—!

Basha heard the muffled sound from the backyard and frowned, growing even more impatient.

"Too many damn problems!"

Muttering, he stuffed the body into a burlap sack and tossed it into an empty water vat.

A short while later, he locked the apothecary’s door and pushed a flatbed cart outside.

When he got outside, he ran into an acquaintance.

"Hey, heading out to fetch water?"

Basha put on a simple, honest smile. "Yeah! The nearby wells are all bitter and astringent. I’m going to find a sweet water well!"

He rarely went out on normal days but was particularly stubborn about his drinking water. At first, his neighbors thought he was a pain, but they got used to it over time.

After greeting each other, they went their separate ways.

Basha pushed the cart, winding through several streets until he finally reached the southern outskirts of the city.

It was much more desolate here. There weren’t even any decent houses, just a few crumbling adobe huts and a well.

There was no one around.

Basha looked around, then pushed the cart into one of the adobe huts and dragged the body out.

An hour later, he returned, pushing the cart with a water vat now filled to the brim.

Only after his figure had gradually disappeared did someone jump down from the roof of the adobe hut.

Lian Zhou gazed at the barely visible figure in the distance, then looked down at the freshly disturbed soil at his feet, his feelings complicated.

"...I really should’ve checked the almanac before leaving home today."

...

「That evening, at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.」

Shen Yanchuan had just returned from the palace when he saw Yun Cheng approaching to greet him.

"Master, Lian Zhou is back."

Shen Yanchuan stopped in his tracks.

"At this hour?"

He had sent Lian Zhou out to keep a close watch on the situation over there. Logically, he shouldn’t have returned at this time.

’Did... something happen?’

"Where is he?"

"He..." Yun Cheng’s expression was a little strange. "It’s hard to explain in a few words. He’s waiting for you in the study. You should go see for yourself."

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow slightly. A guess began to form in his mind as he turned and walked toward the study.

Pushing open the study door, Shen Yanchuan immediately saw the dust-covered Lian Zhou.

"Master!" Lian Zhou immediately clasped his hands and bowed.

Shen Yanchuan looked him up and down and noticed several mud stains on his clothes.

"Where have you been busy...?"

Lian Zhou felt miserable.

"To answer Master, the southern outskirts of the city."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yun Cheng, who was also waiting quietly for him to continue. Steeling himself, he decided to just get it over with.

"I also dug up a grave!"

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