TSWRLM -Chapter 378 Injured

“Xiao Yecheng, I just had a nightmare. Don’t overthink it, and don’t start blaming yourself.”

Xiao Qinghe was a little annoyed.

Although she did feel uneasy about possible intimate moments in the future, that unease was caused by Wei Lingze’s past harm—it had nothing to do with Xiao Yecheng.

Over the years, everything Xiao Yecheng had given her was protection. He expressed his feelings carefully, constantly considerate of her, and always prioritized her comfort. That was not an easy thing to do.

Xiao Yecheng looked into her eyes and said earnestly, “I just want He’er to feel no pressure and to be happy every day.”

“I’m not under pressure. And even if I were, it wouldn’t be because of you,” Xiao Qinghe said firmly, then added before he could speak, “Don’t casually say things like that in the future. I don’t like it.”

Xiao Qinghe’s expression was serious. Xiao Yecheng could only nod: “Okay, I won’t say it again.”

The Lantern Festival wouldn’t start until the evening. After dinner, Xiao Qinghe went out with Xiao Yecheng.

Knowing the two needed time together, Madam Xiao didn’t send many people along, only reminding Xiao Yecheng to take good care of Xiao Qinghe.

As they neared the bustling streets, the carriage could no longer move. Xiao Qinghe stepped down, walking side by side with Xiao Yecheng.

The night market was crowded. Xiao Qinghe wore a veil. Though it hid most of her face, her graceful and cool demeanor, along with her refined poise, still drew frequent glances from passersby.

Xiao Yecheng stayed close to her, unobtrusively shielding her from being jostled.

Soon, they arrived at the most popular spot: the “Star-Picking Pavilion.”

Xiao Yecheng had reserved a private room in advance. The attendants respectfully guided them up to the third floor.

The charcoal fire burned warmly inside, the room cozy and inviting. The table was filled with delicately arranged snacks, and the air carried the pleasant aroma of incense.

Xiao Qinghe removed her cloak and asked softly, “Brother, weren’t we going to stroll outside? Why are we here?”

“Too many people outside—it’s not safe. This private room has a great view. You can see all the fun and interesting things happening.”

As he spoke, he handed her a bamboo-like tube. Xiao Qinghe took it and noticed its lens could magnify objects; from upstairs, she could see the events below clearly.

“What is this?”

Xiao Qinghe had never seen anything like it. Curious, Xiao Yecheng explained gently: “I read about something called a ‘thousand-mile mirror’ in an old book recently. I tried making one, but my skill wasn’t enough. This version can only show scenes about ten meters away.”

“Just from reading a book, you managed to make a real object? That’s amazing.”

Xiao Qinghe immediately praised him, excitedly using the device to observe the scene downstairs.

Her attention was fully absorbed by the miniature world in the lens. Xiao Yecheng’s gaze, in turn, became slightly unabashed.

On New Year’s Eve, he had wished the Miss happiness. Tonight, the Lantern Festival, the Miss stood only a step away from him, and he was thrilled with what he had created.

If only she could always be this happy.

Lost in thought, Xiao Qinghe suddenly turned her head and said: “Xiao Yecheng, look…”

Her voice cut off abruptly.

The reason was simple: the adoration in Xiao Yecheng’s eyes was so intense it almost seemed tangible.

He hadn’t expected her to look at him suddenly. His expression froze for a moment in surprise, but with only the two of them in the room, there was nowhere to hide. He braced himself and asked, “He’er, what do you want me to look at?”

Xiao Qinghe recovered and said softly, “I think I just saw Madam Yu. Can you see if it’s her?”

“Where is she?”

“Over there.”

She pointed to the far-right stall where a monkey show was being performed. Xiao Yecheng took the thousand-mile mirror to inspect carefully, when suddenly chaos erupted below.

Following the sound, Xiao Yecheng didn’t see Madam Yu. Instead, a group of people were attacking Xie Fu.

With many people watching the monkey show, the fight caused panic and disorder among the crowd.

“He’er, stay here. I’ll go check and be back quickly.”

He handed the mirror back to her and leapt out of the window.

Xiao Qinghe’s heart skipped a beat, only calming when she saw him spring off the second-floor roof. She remembered—he was trained in martial arts.

Xiao Yecheng headed straight for Xie Fu.

Upon seeing him, Xie Fu grabbed at him like a lifeline: “General Xiao, save me!”

The attackers didn’t stop at his name; instead, they brandished knives and attacked even more fiercely.

These people clearly meant to kill Xie Fu.

Xiao Yecheng quickly judged that fighting them head-on would be risky. He grabbed Xie Fu by the collar and retreated swiftly.

“Don’t let that bastard get away!”

Two men charged with knives. Xie Fu clutched Xiao Yecheng’s arm for safety, slowing him down. Xiao Yecheng’s right arm was slashed, blood instantly gushing out.

He frowned, kicked the attacker away, and, holding Xie Fu, leapt onto the rooftops, returning to the Star-Picking Pavilion’s private room in a few bounds.

Once inside, Xiao Yecheng dropped Xie Fu to the floor. Xiao Qinghe, noticing his injury, rushed forward to press on the wound: “I’ve already sent someone for a doctor. Hold on.”

She knew Xiao Yecheng had been on battlefields before; such a minor wound was nothing to him. But seeing so much blood made her heart race, and her voice trembled.

“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt. Don’t worry.”

Xiao Yecheng reassured her softly. Xiao Qinghe didn’t respond to that, and she didn’t dare look at his wound again. Instead, she turned to Xie Fu: “Who were those people just now? Why were they chasing you?”

Still shaken, Xie Fu gasped: “I was just strolling, and suddenly they attacked me. I don’t know who they were.”

“Then why were you with Madam Yu?”

Xiao Qinghe had only heard of Xie Fu’s name; she had never met him. If she hadn’t seen Madam Yu through the thousand-mile mirror, she wouldn’t have noticed him.

Xie Fu stiffened, then protested: “What Madam Yu? Miss, you must be mistaken. I came to the festival alone tonight. No one was with me.”

Xiao Qinghe frowned. Through the mirror, she had seen Madam Yu and this man standing together, acting quite intimately, even sharing a sugar-coated hawthorn stick.

Xiao Yecheng observed Xie Fu’s reaction carefully. He spoke gravely: “Those people were trying to kill Xie Gongzi. They didn’t succeed today, but they will surely try again. Xie Gongzi should think carefully if he has offended anyone recently.”

Recalling the previous danger, Xie Fu’s face went pale. He shouted: “It must be Yu Zhao! He found out I was secretly passing messages for Madam Yu and sent people to kill me. Madam Yu must also be in danger! General Xiao, please go to the Yu family and save her!”

Xie Fu’s tone was frantic. Xiao Qinghe’s expression turned even colder: “But didn’t you just say you don’t know Madam Yu?”