PDLP Chapter 2096 Is it a boy or a girl?
Chapter 2096 Is it a boy or a girl?
Yu Liang paused for a moment when he heard the question.
"He was dressed in a close-fitting outfit, with his hair tied back, and it was definitely a man's attire."
He paused, then added, "But I think he's a woman. He's not particularly tall, shorter than the average man, and... he has a very thin waist."
Yan Ruyu glanced at Yu Fei, and this was consistent with what Yu Fei had said.
Huo Changhe, who had been listening the whole time, finally spoke up: "You've met Liu Jiulang, haven't you?"
Yu Liang nodded: "I've seen it before."
"So, do you think this masked man's mask is the same as the one Liu Jiulang usually wears?"
Yu Liang frowned and thought carefully: "I've seen Liu Jiulang's mask before. It's bronze-colored with some patterns on it, and it looks quite exquisite."
But this masked person wore a black mask, smooth and without any patterns, with only two holes for the eyes.
He paused, then said definitively, "They're different. The two masks are quite different; you can tell the difference at a glance."
After listening, Huo Changhe nodded and said nothing more.
Yan Ruyu then looked at Yu Liang and instructed him, "You've just woken up, don't think too much. Take good care of your injuries. If you remember anything, have someone tell me immediately."
Yu Liang nodded quickly: "Yes."
Yu Fei added, "Your Highness, Your Highness, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things here. I'll let you know as soon as I have any news."
Yan Ruyu took out a red fruit and handed it to Yu Fei.
"Cut this into thin slices and give it to him. He also needs to take his medicine on time."
Yu Fei quickly accepted it with both hands: "Yes."
Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe turned and left the courtyard.
Before the two had even returned to their residence, they encountered the Su family's steward.
"This old servant greets you both. My master is in his study and would like you to come over," the steward said cautiously. "It's not that my master doesn't want to come, it's just that someone has come."
Yan Ruyu followed Huo Changhe through the corridors of the Su residence. The copper bells hanging under the corridors tinkled softly in the wind.
The window paper of the study ahead was illuminated by a dim candlelight, through which two figures could be vaguely seen moving about; clearly, Su Zhenhai was having a deep conversation with someone.
Huo Changhe reached out and pushed open the door, and the eyes of the two people inside immediately turned to him.
Su Zhenhai sat in a chair by the window, opposite him stood a tall man in a dark blue outfit. He was broad-shouldered and thick-backed, with a weathered look on his face and stubble just beginning to appear on his chin. This was none other than Li Cheng, the deputy general Su Zhenhai often mentioned.
Yan Ruyu remembered that a few days ago, when Su Zhenhai discussed setting up an ambush outside the city with them, he specifically mentioned Li Cheng, saying that this man had followed him for many years, never had any disloyalty, and was reliable in his work. This ambush outside the city was entirely arranged by Li Cheng.
When Su Zhenhai saw them come in, he quickly stood up and gestured for them to sit down.
Huo Changhe's gaze first fell on Li Cheng, then swept over the desk—on the desk was a celadon medicine bottle, the mouth of which was plugged with a cork, and the body of the bottle was still covered with some mud, obviously it had just been brought in from outside.
"Any news about Liu Jiulang?"
Li Cheng cupped his hands in greeting to Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu, then nodded emphatically: "Yes, I'm here to deliver a message to Envoy Su."
Su Zhenhai said, "Li Cheng was just returning home from the camp when he passed through a small alley in Xichenggen and saw a man in a gray cloth shirt walking furtively with his shoulders hunched. Something seemed off about him."
He was naturally observant, so he stepped forward and stopped the man, asking him a few questions. The man, caught off guard, stammered and initially refused to answer. However, after Li Cheng pressed him further, he finally confessed that he was delivering medicine to someone.
Yan Ruyu looked at the medicine bottle and saw that the bottle was made of ordinary celadon, but it was very clean. However, there was some wet mud on the bottom of the bottle, which must have been accidentally rubbed on.
She got up and walked to the table, picked up the medicine bottle and smelled it. A faint medicinal smell wafted into her nose, with the rich aroma of angelica and the slight bitterness of dragon's blood. It was indeed a commonly used medicine for treating external injuries.
"This medicine is specifically for treating external injuries," Su Zhenhai said solemnly. "I just had the physicians in the manor examine it, and they said that it contains frankincense and myrrh, which are effective in stopping bleeding and relieving pain."
Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe exchanged a glance, both seeing the thoughtful look in each other's eyes—they had just learned from Yu Liang that a masked man had been injured by him, and now they were hearing this news.
"Later, my subordinates asked him a few more questions in detail," Li Cheng continued. "At first, the man tried to hide it, saying that he was just helping a friend deliver medicine, but when my subordinates asked him who his friend was and where he lived, he couldn't answer."
His subordinate noticed something was wrong with him and threatened to send him to the authorities if he didn't tell the truth. Only then did he relent and say that the injured person was a masked man.
At this point, Li Cheng paused, looked at Su Zhenhai, and then turned to Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu: "I think that the only masked person we've been looking for these past few days is Liu Jiulang."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyu asked softly, "Deputy General Li, have you found out where Liu Jiulang is now? Where is that person going to deliver the medicine?"
Li Cheng nodded quickly: "We got the information. The man confessed that Liu Jiulang was hiding in a dilapidated village west of the city. No one had lived there for several years, half of the courtyard walls had collapsed, and the weeds inside were taller than a person. Ordinary people wouldn't go that way."
My subordinate specifically inquired about the location; it's only about two li (approximately 1.5 kilometers) from where we set up an ambush in the pine forest. If we walk quickly, we can get there in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Huo Changhe asked, "Where is the person you captured now?"
Li Cheng's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his head, his voice full of regret: "This subordinate... this subordinate was careless and let him bite his tongue and commit suicide."
Huo Changhe asked in surprise: "Committed suicide?"
Li Cheng raised his head, his face full of guilt, and his tone was also tinged with self-reproach: "I thought he wouldn't have the guts to commit suicide, but who knew... It's all my fault for not keeping an eye on him."
Yan Ruyu felt a pang of regret seeing Li Cheng's frustrated expression. Since that person knew Liu Jiulang's hiding place, he might know even more inside information. Now that the person is gone, the clues have been cut short.
“Deputy General Li, don’t blame yourself too much. This matter cannot be entirely blamed on you. Since that person dared to deliver medicine for Liu Jiulang, he must have known that once he was caught, he would not have a good end. Biting his tongue and committing suicide was probably something he had planned in advance.”
Huo Changhe also withdrew his solemn expression, picked up the celadon medicine bottle, and carefully examined the bottle: "Well, if the person is gone, he's gone. Fortunately, we already know where Liu Jiulang is hiding, so this can be considered a gain."
"Envoy Su, Deputy General Li, what do you think we should do now? Should we send someone to check out the ruined manor tonight, or wait until dawn to make a decision?"
After a moment's thought, Su Zhenhai slowly said, "Going there tonight is too risky. Although that dilapidated manor is remote, Liu Jiulang is always cunning, and we are not familiar with the surrounding area. If he escapes, it will be difficult to find him again."