#973 - Clouds cover the sun and swallows return to their nests (I) - I am the villain in the book

When Wei Changtian bid farewell to He Jing and walked back to his small courtyard bathed in the setting sun, Duan Fangping and the other three had not yet returned.

He made himself a pot of tea and sat in the front hall, his mind replaying the conversation he had just had with Cui'er.

Without a doubt, from any perspective, Cui'er and You Jia had absolutely no connection, not even as 'long-lost sisters'.

But coincidentally, the two had so many similarities.

Playing with the teacup, Wei Changtian turned his head to look at the scenery outside the house, his eyes somewhat complicated.

Regarding the question of whether You Jia was alive or dead, he still didn't know the answer.

It wasn't that he couldn't know, but that he hadn't wanted to know.

After all, since Ning Yongnian's death, the Da Ning Dragon Guards had either died or fled, no longer existing, and the secret room where the life tablets of the Dragon Guards were stored had also been found by Ning Wenjun.

In fact, the latter immediately sent a letter to report this matter at the time.

However, Wei Changtian did not read the secret letter, but asked Chu Xianping to read it and then burn it.

Of course, burning the letter did not mean that this became a secret.

At the very least, if Wei Changtian wanted to know whether You Jia was dead or alive, he only needed to send a letter to ask, and he could get an accurate reply in less than half an hour.

But he never did.

Wei Changtian himself didn't know the reason.

Perhaps he felt a little guilty in his heart...

"Alas."

He sighed, picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

Outside the house, a few floating clouds were painted with a layer of golden glaze by the setting sun.

People walked through the streets and alleys in the dusk. The huge capital was both quiet and noisy, and gradually lit up with lights in the darkening sky.

The evening wind had arrived, and the clouds were blown away, no longer layered.

As if in the blink of an eye, the world went from twilight to night.

Stars filled the night sky, echoing the lights of thousands of homes on the ground, connecting together in the sky.

And not long after Duan Fangping and the other three returned, candlelight finally lit up in the small courtyard.

In the swaying light and shadow, exaggerated and presumptuous laughter echoed in the night sky once again, like dark clouds covering the stars in the sky.

Under the night, although the huge city was still brightly lit, it seemed to be shrouded in this shadow, struggling and powerless to fall into the bottomless abyss.

The next morning.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), there were still two hours before Qing Yu of Jing Kingdom would personally read the proclamation above the Meridian Gate.

After the last night of "preparation", Duan Fangping and the other three had "couldn't wait" to go out the door first, heading straight for the four directions of southeast, northwest.

Wei Changtian calmly sent a few messages to Yang Liushi, confirming that his whereabouts had not been exposed, and that everyone still thought he was still in the rebel army, before walking out of the small courtyard.

He turned around and locked the courtyard door, walking unhurriedly towards the alley, and soon arrived at the entrance of the independent courtyard where He Jing lived.

It may have been a little late today, and He Jing had already finished his "morning reading".

It may also be that yesterday's visit made him a little restless, so he forgot about it.

In short, Wei Changtian did not meet He Jing today, but instead ran into Cui'er, who was cleaning the courtyard gate.

"Young Master Wei."

Smiling and nodding to Wei Changtian, her voice was still as clear as a lark.

It seemed that He Jing hadn't told her about the "rebellious poem".

"Girl Cui'er."

Stopping and saying hello, Wei Changtian also asked with a smile: "Why didn't Brother He come out to recite books today?"

"Ah, he said he didn't sleep well yesterday, and he's catching up on sleep in the house now."

Cui'er very simply replied truthfully: "After the young master left yesterday, he had been restless. I think he was still thinking about the poetry you told him."

"I don't know how late he thought about it last night, but he couldn't get up this morning."

"Oh, then he should have a good rest."

Wei Changtian smiled and didn't say much: "Girl Cui'er, I have to go out to do something, so I won't chat with you anymore."

"Young master, walk slowly... Ah, that's right!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Cui'er asked a little shyly in a low voice: "Young Master Wei, I wonder where you bought those pastries you brought yesterday?"

"Huh? Does Brother He like to eat them?"

"N-no, not my young master, it's me..."

Cui'er's face was slightly red, and her voice was even lower: "I think the mung bean cake is quite delicious, so I was thinking about buying some more when I have time..."

"Hahaha, so that's how it is."

Wei Changtian said with a smile: "It's just that the shop is a bit far from here. If you can wait, I'll bring you a few more boxes when I come back."

"Ah, how, how can I trouble you!"

Cui'er quickly waved her hands: "I'll go myself!"

"It doesn't matter, anyway, I'm going that way."

Wei Changtian winked at the courtyard: "Besides, don't you have to take care of Brother He? What will happen if he gets up later and there's no one to serve him?"

"This..."

Perhaps feeling that what Wei Changtian said made sense, Cui'er hesitated for a moment and then didn't refuse.

She took off the small money bag around her waist, carefully shook out a qian of silver from it, and handed it to Wei Changtian, blushing and shyly saying:

"Then, then please trouble the young master..."

"Okay, I will definitely deliver the mung bean cake before nightfall."

Wei Changtian smiled and took the silver, promising, and then wanted to turn around and leave.

However, just before taking a step, he turned his head and glanced at a tightly closed door in the courtyard, and suddenly said to Cui'er:

"Remember to tell Brother He when he wakes up."

"No matter what happens outside today, don't go out, just stay at home and study."

"..."

Blinking blankly, Cui'er obviously didn't understand why Wei Changtian suddenly said such a sentence.

It took her a long time to recover and want to ask, but the latter had already walked away.

"Strange..."

Muttering in a low voice, Cui'er picked up the broom leaning against the wall again and wanted to continue sweeping the floor, but when she turned around, she saw that the door of the side room had been opened at some point, and He Jing was standing at the door looking this way.

"Young master, you're awake. I'll go and boil water for you to wash your face..."

Running to He Jing's side, Cui'er said as she prepared to enter the room.

But He Jing suddenly asked:

"What did Brother Wei just say to you?"

"Ah, Young Master Wei just said..."

Cui'er was slightly stunned, and soon repeated the conversation between the two just now truthfully.

Perhaps thinking that she had asked Wei Changtian to buy pastries for her, which was a bit "improper", she kept her head down when she spoke, and did not notice He Jing's gradually complicated expression.

Until the latter's slightly difficult voice sounded in her ears.

"Brother Wei said not to go out today?"

"Yes."

Raising her head, Cui'er finally noticed that something was wrong with He Jing, and couldn't help but ask in confusion:

"Young master, what's wrong?"

"...It's nothing."

He Jing took a deep breath, didn't explain anything, just ordered in a deep voice:

"Go lock the door."

"Huh? Young master, are we really..."

"Hurry up!"

"Ah! Yes, yes!"

Rarely hearing He Jing speak so loudly, Cui'er was startled and quickly ran to lock the door.