TSWPF -Chapter 393 Serious

The next day, before Liu Zhimou went to the government office, Ling Yi handed him the results of the investigation.

Even though Liu Zhimou had been mentally prepared, his heart still sank deeper and deeper.

This matter was tricky.

He instructed Ling Yi to organize thorough patrols at home—there could be no mistakes.

Ling Yi acknowledged and went to carry out the orders.

Liu Zhimou, wearing a serious expression, went to see Mr. Luo. When Mr. Luo saw him arrive, he gestured for him to follow and, hands behind his back, went into the study.

As soon as they entered the study, Liu Zhimou eagerly reported the investigation results to Mr. Luo.

After listening, Mr. Luo furrowed his brows and asked Liu Zhimou what he intended to do.

“This matter must be reported to the Emperor to see what he thinks.”

Mr. Luo nodded and instructed Liu Zhimou to quickly draft a memorial to the Emperor. Before that, he must show no hint of abnormality.

If those people sensed anything, it would be troublesome.

Liu Zhimou’s expression darkened. He nodded and said he wanted to send Li Qingling and the others back to Niutou Village.

He couldn’t rest easy while they were here; he worried something might happen to them.

“You plan to send them back in the next few days?”

“Tomorrow… I’ll send them back tomorrow.” He felt the sooner the better; it couldn’t be delayed any longer, lest complications arise. “You should return as well.”

Mr. Luo frowned slightly, glancing at Liu Zhimou. He wanted to say he didn’t want to leave, but the words died in his throat—he had promised Liu Zhimou before and couldn’t go back on his word.

Still, leaving Liu Zhimou alone here worried him.

“Shall we wait for the Emperor’s decree before leaving? Leaving now might alert them.”

Before receiving the Emperor’s orders, he was reluctant to depart.

Liu Zhimou shook his head, insisting they leave tomorrow.

He worried that if they delayed, it might soon be impossible to leave.

Mr. Luo sighed inwardly. “How do you plan to tell Xiao Ling?” Li Qingling was clever; it wouldn’t be easy to deceive her.

If he told her the truth, would she even agree to leave?

Liu Zhimou had considered this too. His brows furrowed even tighter—he wasn’t confident he could persuade Li Qingling.

Although the girl was usually agreeable, once stubborn, not even ten oxen could drag her back.

The thought troubled him.

Mr. Luo glanced at him and smiled faintly, leaving the worry to Liu Zhimou. He could already imagine Li Qingling’s reaction—surely it would be… lively.

“Right, shall we take Old Man Xue with us as well?”

Liu Zhimou nodded.

He had no intention of leaving his loved ones behind—they had to leave together.

“If the guards escort us out, there won’t be many people with you. If they notice and act prematurely… your situation…” Mr. Luo’s worry deepened; he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again, the depth of concern shining in his gaze. He dared not think further.

“Master, don’t overthink it. It won’t happen.” Liu Zhimou comforted him, trying to ease his worries.

If he continued to think like this, he would resist leaving even more.

Mr. Luo’s tiger-like eyes glared. “How can it not happen? Everything is possible.” His thoughts immediately went to the He, Zhao, Wang, and Lin families—what if they sent assassins along the way?

They were Liu Zhimou’s weak spot. Threaten them, and they threaten him…

He shared this concern with Liu Zhimou. Liu Zhimou’s expression darkened; his focus shifted entirely to those people, almost overlooking the four families. If they truly sent assassins after Li Qingling and the others, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Liu Zhimou clenched his fists. What should he do?

Leave them here? No, it’s far too dangerous.

“Master, do you have any good ideas?” His mind was in turmoil; he couldn’t think of a solution and looked to Mr. Luo for guidance.

Mr. Luo said, “My suggestion is to wait for the Emperor’s decree before deciding. For now, be patient. Once the Emperor knows, he will surely dispatch troops nearby to eliminate these people—he won’t ignore it.”

After a long silence, Liu Zhimou said he would think it over and reply once he had a plan.

Mr. Luo responded with a simple “Alright.”

Liu Zhimou rubbed his temples, sat at the desk, and, with a heavy heart, wrote a memorial, urging it to be delivered to the Emperor immediately.

He didn’t even go to the office, returning to the room instead. Li Qingling, unusually awake early, saw him back and curiously asked if he had forgotten something.

He sat by the bed, stroked her head, and said no.

Li Qingling stared at him for a long while. “Husband, you haven’t been seeing someone else, have you?”

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou choked slightly and flicked her forehead. “What are you saying, silly…?” His heart could only hold her; there was no one else.

Li Qingling cupped his face, eyes meeting his, and asked again, “What is troubling you?”

She could sense that he had worries but didn’t know what was weighing on him.

He wasn’t willing to share, so she couldn’t help.

Liu Zhimou met her gaze silently, forced a bitter smile—he could hide things from anyone, but not from her.

He opened his mouth but didn’t know where to start.

Seeing this, she raised an eyebrow and snorted. “So hard to say… You’re not seeing someone else, are you? Or… have you taken a fancy to another woman and want to bring her home as a concubine?” The more nonsense she said, the darker his expression became.

Finally, he covered her mouth with his hand and glared at her, forbidding her from talking nonsense.

Li Qingling removed his hand but continued questioning—what was making him so troubled?

Liu Zhimou sighed faintly and asked if she would stay in Niutou Village for a while.

“Why?” Without a good reason, she wouldn’t go.

He calmly told a white lie: “Ever since I was attacked in Wutong Village, I’ve been worried that the He, Zhao, Wang, and Lin families would hire assassins to target you again, so I want you to return to Niutou Village to stay safe.” He thought this reason would persuade her.

Unexpectedly, Li Qingling didn’t believe him at all.

She shook her head gently, seeing through the lie, and said he wasn’t sending them back for that reason.

What could have happened that made him lie to her?

Li Qingling looked at Liu Zhimou uneasily.

Feeling her unease, Liu Zhimou’s heart twinged. He pulled her into his arms, gently rocking her to calm her thoughts.

“You want me not to worry? Then tell me honestly—what’s troubling you?”

The more he hid it, the more anxious she became, her mind filled with bad thoughts.

Liu Zhimou rested his chin atop her head, lowered his eyes, and sighed again. Should he tell her the truth?

He hesitated for a long time, unable to decide.

“Husband?” Li Qingling stared at him. “You can’t tell me?”

Liu Zhimou thought for a moment, then decided not to reveal the truth. He instead revised the story about the He, Zhao, Wang, and Lin families.

“What? Is this really true?” Li Qingling exclaimed, covering her mouth and widening her eyes. She imagined all sorts of dangers but never expected the four families to be so bold, using civilians as bait. “Husband, are you sure?”

Liu Zhimou nodded. He had the investigation done yesterday; it was absolutely true.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent her back to Niutou Village to lay low.

“We’re leaving. And you? Do you plan to stay here?”

Liu Zhimou gently stroked her hair. “I am the magistrate of Ninghua County. I cannot abandon the people. I must share their fate. It is my duty.”

Li Qingling’s expression darkened. She looked at Liu Zhimou firmly and said she wouldn’t leave.

She couldn’t abandon him here and simply run away.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou gently pushed her back and, with a serious expression, insisted she must leave.

Li Qingling shook her head. “No.”

“Even if not for yourself, think of the child.” He placed his hand on her belly, softening his tone. “Would you bear to let the child not see this world?”

Seeing her sad expression, he felt sorrow as well. “If you weren’t pregnant, I would have let you stay and help me. But you are… that’s another matter.”

He couldn’t risk her safety; he couldn’t bear losing her.

Li Qingling bit her lip, torn—should she go or stay?

“Maybe… nothing will happen…” Her voice lacked confidence.

Liu Zhimou freed her lip from her teeth, pinched her chin gently to stop her from biting it again.

“Wife, I don’t want to let you leave either. This is truly a helpless measure…”

Li Qingling looked at him and countered: would she really be safe in Niutou Village? Maybe even more dangerous.

If the four families hired assassins again, they wouldn’t easily let them escape.

Perhaps they wouldn’t even make it to Niutou Village. They could be eliminated halfway.

She laid out all her concerns to dispel his doubts.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou felt his heart sink into an abyss, sighing helplessly.

She was right, and he agreed.

Alas… he wanted to persuade her, but instead, he was almost persuaded.

When did his self-control become so weak?

“I will have the guards escort you home.” His tone hardened, leaving no room for objection.

Li Qingling looked at him deeply and asked what he would do on his end.