After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 60

Gu Wanlan whipped her horse forward at full speed. Just as she reached the gates of the Princess’s estate, she saw Princess Xihe stepping out. Their gazes met silently in the air.

Princess Xihe gave Gu Wanlan an expressionless look, signaled for her to follow, and then lowered her head to board the carriage waiting at the entrance.

Gu Wanlan tightened her grip on the reins, an ominous suspicion rising in her heart.

If it were simply a matter of Yong’an attempting something untoward with Cui Jue, why would Xihe personally come out to handle it? And why would she invite Gu Wanlan along without any hesitation?

What exactly had Xihe discovered within the estate…

The carriage traveled toward the outskirts of the city. Gu Wanlan followed closely on horseback, but as they went, she realized the route was becoming increasingly familiar—it was heading toward Akishiyama.

Xihe’s carriage stopped in a patch of wild woods near Akishiyama.

A tightly bound maidservant was pushed out of the carriage. The clothes on her back were torn to shreds, revealing skin that was a bloody mess from being whipped; clearly, she had undergone a brutal interrogation.

“Where?” Xihe kicked the maid lying in the mud.

Cold sweat poured down the maid’s face as she hissed in pain, “In… in the woods. There’s a hut that few people go to.”

Xihe began to walk forward. The attendants beside her drew their blades and stepped forward to clear a path.

Seeing this, Gu Wanlan’s pupils contracted. She immediately drew her sword and flipped off her horse.

This stance didn’t look like her daughter was a kidnapper; it looked like her daughter had been kidnapped!

Then what about Cui Jue?!

At this thought, Gu Wanlan gripped her sword and surged into the woods. Suddenly, Xihe’s voice reached her ears: “Eldest Young Miss Gu is skilled in martial arts?”

Gu Wanlan looked back and gave a cold laugh. “I am the daughter of a military family; is it not normal to know a bit of combat? Your Highness should spend your energy thinking about how to settle today’s matter! My Protector State Duke’s Estate is not so easily bullied!”

Gu Wanlan wasted no more breath and took the lead into the forest.

As the outline of a small hut appeared vaguely in her sight, Gu Wanlan slowed her pace. She flexed her fingers and tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword.

Something was wrong.

Stepping forward, she held her breath.

Quiet.

The hut before her was far too quiet.

Something bright flashed before her eyes. Gu Wanlan narrowed her eyes and peered ahead, only to realize that beneath the ajar door, a pool of blood was seeping out. The light that had accidentally hit her eyes was the reflection of the moonlight on that pool of blood!

So much blood…

Gu Wanlan’s brain buzzed. She gritted her teeth, raised her sword, and rushed forward.

She kicked the door open, and a heavy scent of blood instantly hit her. Several corpses lay scattered across the small woodshed, everyone’s throat slashed cleanly with a single blade…

Gu Wanlan’s face turned deathly pale, and the hand holding the sword began to tremble.

So many people…

Would Cui Jue be here?!

Gu Wanlan grew desperate. She bit the sword between her teeth and used both hands to flip over the bodies. Her heart felt as if it were being seared in a frying pan; she was terrified of finding that familiar face among the pile of corpses.

The Cui Jue who once said “Gu Wanlan only belongs to herself.”

The Cui Jue who once said “I will care.”

If he was gone…

Only at this moment did Gu Wanlan realize that she might like Cui Jue a bit more than she had imagined.

Gu Wanlan stared wide-eyed, refusing to let her tears fall. It was only after she had turned over every single corpse that she collapsed to the ground as if exhausted, panting heavily. Then, she couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.

Thank heavens, he’s okay!

Thank heavens!

When Xihe arrived, she was also startled by the scene in the room. She leaned against the doorframe, her face looking ghastly.

Gu Wanlan looked up and glanced at her. “No need to look. They aren’t here. This is a good thing; at least they’re still alive. Now that things have come to this, can Your Highness offer an explanation?”

Xihe composed herself before speaking. “In this matter, Yong’an was dragged down by Cui Jue. The one who needs to give an account is perhaps you, Gu Wanlan.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Wanlan surged to her feet with a whoosh, saying angrily, “What does Your Highness mean?! The one who ordered the kidnapping of Cui Jue was clearly Yong’an!! Does Your Highness intend to call black white?!”

Xihe gave a cold smile. “Then I should ask—what exactly is the identity of this live-in husband of yours? He actually provoked someone to stretch their hand into my Princess’s estate, attempting to use our name to eliminate him!”

Gu Wanlan’s whole body shook. Just as she was about to speak, an attendant ran up from behind, panting, and interrupted them. “Your Highness! Your Highness! News has come from the estate—the County Princess has been sent back safe and sound!”

Gu Wanlan stepped forward urgently. “What about Cui Jue?! Is there any news of him?!”

The attendant shook his head hesitantly. “I have heard nothing.”

Seeing Gu Wanlan’s despondent look, Xihe walked past her with a cold sneer. “It seems that in the eyes of those people, your live-in husband is much more important than my daughter.”

“I expect an account from you. Return to the estate.”

Knowing that Yong’an was safe and seeing no survivors at the scene, there was no reason to stay. Xihe led her guards back.

Left alone, Gu Wanlan felt her mind turn into a tangled mess. She pressed her fingers to her brow, trying to digest the news Xihe had given her.

Someone who enticed the County Princess into trying to kill him… a scene with no survivors…

Could Cui Jue really be just a strategist working for Cui Qiong? Now that Yong’an had returned home, where had he gone?

Wait!

Gu Wanlan’s heart skipped a beat.

Why did she instinctively assume Cui Jue had gone somewhere of his own volition, rather than still being held captive?

Gu Wanlan felt her heart beat faster and faster; she could even hear the pulse thrumming in her temples.

Suddenly, a crisp snap sounded beneath her feet. Gu Wanlan snapped back to her senses.

She only now realized that, as if guided by a supernatural force, she had walked near the small courtyard where Cui Jue had lived before their marriage.

They were so close…

If she were Cui Jue, after leaving that blood-soaked hut in the woods…

Gu Wanlan’s breathing grew ragged. She reached out and pulled aside the branches blocking her view.

A brightly lit small courtyard instantly appeared before her eyes.

Although Eleven’s blade technique was precise, the hut had been too cramped, and Cui Jue had inevitably been splattered with blood.

His hair had been carefully washed, but it still carried a trace of the metallic scent. Cui Jue frowned in distaste. Wrapped in a brand-new cloak and holding a hand warmer, he walked out of the house.

Seeing Cui Jue emerge, Cui Qiong hurriedly wiped the thin sweat from his forehead and said shamefully, “Apologies, Brother. This man’s mouth is too tight. To get a confession out of him, it will likely take some effort.”

Cui Jue looked up at the bearded man tied to the tree in the courtyard.

After dozens of whip lashes, there wasn’t a patch of good skin left on him. Yet he remained conscious, his eyes staring at Cui Jue in terror, as if he were looking at some sort of demon.

He was indeed a demon.

Even now, the man could not forget that scene. His men had surrounded the two of them; victory was clearly in his grasp.

But Cui Jue, who had been hidden in the shadows of the woodshed, had taken the initiative to approach. Facing their sudden betrayal, he seemed to finally find some amusement. He had slowly and methodically wiped the blood from his fingers with a handkerchief, then chuckled softly. “Very well, since you have finished speaking—”

“Now, it is my turn.”

What followed was nothing less than a one-sided slaughter.

Cui Jue had pressed a bolt against his throat, forcing him to keep his eyes open and watch his subordinates perish one by one under the blades of others.

How could a mere son of the Cui family possess such powerful secret guards?!

Now, seeing Cui Qiong treat him with such reverence, the bearded man understood instantly—this man was the true Master of the Cui family!

Cui Jue held the hand warmer and cast a faint glance over. “No rush. I just came out to let the scent dissipate.”

Cui Qiong signaled his men to continue, then trotted up to Cui Jue and tested the waters. “It is late. Why doesn’t Brother go back first? Once I have news here, I will inform you. Otherwise, I fear Sister-in-law will worry when she sees you haven’t returned.”

Cui Jue was dazed for a moment.

If he returned a moment late, would she worry? He had never dared to harbor such a thought.

He said hesitantly, “She has been busy with other matters lately; she likely has no time to spare for me. As long as I return tonight, it will be fine.”

Besides…

Cui Jue lowered his gaze, his thumb slowly stroking the hand warmer.

He knew that her concern and affection for him were far from the level Cui Qiong described.

Cui Qiong scratched his head, feeling that his brother’s words held a hidden issue, yet for a moment, he couldn’t pinpoint it. Unable to find an answer, he simply tossed it to the back of his mind. “Fine. Today’s incident was sudden. Since Brother wishes to stay, I’ll send someone to make an excuse for you at the Duke’s estate—”

“No need.” Cui Jue stopped him.

He placed the hand warmer into Cui Qiong’s hands and coughed several times while pressing his hand to his chest. The force of the hidden weapon he used today had been too strong, leaving his body still somewhat numb.

Once he had steadied himself, Cui Jue snatched a sword from the belt of a nearby attendant. “Prepare a carriage for me. I am returning to the estate immediately.”

Cui Qiong froze, feeling somewhat speechless.

Such vacillation was truly unlike his brother’s character.

“Alright—” Cui Qiong turned to leave, but his eye caught Cui Jue walking up to the bearded man. With one stroke, Cui Jue cleanly took the man’s head.

Cui Qiong cried out in shock, “Master, why?!”

Startled by Cui Jue’s aura, he had actually changed the form of address.

Cui Jue untied his blood-stained white cloak, discarded the sword, and said weakly, “Since he already knew my identity, he would be even less likely to reveal the mastermind. Thus, it is better to kill him directly.”

Cough, cough.

Cui Jue coughed again and approached the wide-eyed head of the bearded man rolling on the ground.

Cui Jue’s eyes were full of cold irony.

Heh. Committing suicide for love?

Using a head to test the suspect—that is the ending I have designated for your story.

“Who’s there?!”

Eleven had been waiting by the door with his blade. But just now, he sensed a distinct fluctuation of presence nearby. Eleven kicked off the ground and swung his large blade toward that spot.

Screeech— The clash of blade and sword sparked a piercing sound.

Cui Qiong roared, “What are you doing! How did you let someone in?!”

Instantly, the attendants in the courtyard and the guards hidden in the shadows of this small courtyard moved in unison. They raised their crossbows and aimed them at the fight. As soon as Eleven shifted his position, they would loose ten thousand arrows and kill the audacious intruder on the spot.

In the moment they clashed, Eleven marveled inwardly—Such skill! No wonder this person had been lying in ambush nearby for so long without being noticed!

But as he shifted his blade to switch moves, the features of the person behind him—previously blocked by the blade—were revealed!

Eleven’s entire body shook. Before he could retract his blade, a panicked and piercing cry came from behind him: “Stop! Don’t touch her—!”

Eleven gave a muffled groan and forcibly retracted his strike. The men perched on the roof also withdrew their crossbows and returned to their positions.

Complete silence fell, as if even time had stopped.

Eleven clutched his chest and stepped aside, slowly revealing the person behind him.