Side Story 1: Wang Lianyi's Heartfelt Thoughts (Part 3)

I never expected those bandits to be so skilled.

Ma Da's eyes were sharp as he stared intently at the enemy before him. At the same time, he turned to Cheng Hexuan beside him and said firmly, "Young Master, the situation is critical. Please take your master and leave immediately. We will cover your retreat!"

He knew that these bandits had come specifically to take advantage of his master. If he could get his master to leave first, he could concentrate on dealing with these bandits and probably eliminate them more quickly.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hexuan nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Ma Da's proposal.

Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed Wang Lianyi, quickly walked to one of the horses, and then lightly leaped onto it.

After settling in, he reached out and pulled Wang Lianyi onto the horse as well.

Then, Cheng Hexuan gripped his longsword tightly in his right hand and swung it sharply. With a crisp "crack," the reins binding the horse were instantly severed.

With the reins snapping, the horse neighed and galloped off into the distance.

Wang Lianyi knew Ma Da's abilities, so she wasn't worried that Ma Da wouldn't be able to handle those people.

The steed galloped off like lightning, its speed astonishing, as swift as an arrow released from a bow.

It carried Cheng Hexuan and Wang Lianyi as it sped along the rugged, winding, and uneven mountain road, raising clouds of dust.

At this moment, Wang Lianyi hugged Cheng Hexuan tightly around the waist, and she could clearly feel the warmth emanating from his strong back.

This warmth gradually dispelled her unease, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.

“Lian…yi…you…don’t…be afraid…I…am…here…” Although Cheng Hexuan’s shouts were torn apart by the strong wind, she still recognized them.

In reality, Wang Lianyi was not as afraid as he had imagined.

After all, as a businesswoman who has been in the business world for many years and has experienced all kinds of storms, she has long been familiar with all kinds of challenges and has a strong enough heart and the ability to deal with danger.

I was just too careless today. I didn't bring more attendants or guards with me when I went out, which led to this dangerous situation.

They rode their horses to Liucheng in one go, and only after entering the city did they finally breathe a sigh of relief. Immediately afterwards, they went to the government office to report the matter.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Li Xi.

"Xiao Xi, what are you doing here?" Wang Lianyi exclaimed in surprise. "Weren't you supposed to be traveling the world?"

Li Xi was quite surprised to see her. "Oh, it's just a small matter."

Seeing their disheveled appearance, she frowned. "What happened to you two? Did you run into some trouble?"

Wang Lianyi sighed and briefly recounted the incident of being attacked by bandits on the road.

Upon hearing this, Li Xi couldn't help but find it strange, as he hadn't heard of any bandits along the way. Furthermore, with the imperial court currently cracking down on bandits, these bandits should be even more restrained; how could they be so bold?

"Wait here for me, I'll go take a look." She beckoned a constable to take the two of them to rest.

They then went ahead of the officers and soldiers to the area where the bandits were active.

After taking a sip of hot tea, Cheng Hexuan finally recovered and fell into deep thought. He recalled the handsome man from earlier and the intimacy between Lianyi and him, and felt a pang of jealousy.

"Young Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Wang Lianyi asked, puzzled.

These scions of noble families have been pampered since childhood; how could they have encountered such danger? They must be feeling quite frightened afterward.

So she comforted him in a soothing tone: "We were careless this time. We should bring more guards when we go out in the future."

Cheng Hexuan shook his head gently, his gaze still somewhat unfocused, as if he was still immersed in that inexplicable emotion and unable to extricate himself. "I'm fine, it's just... you and that man seem to be quite familiar with each other."

His voice was deep and slightly hoarse, clearly tinged with jealousy.

Wang Lianyi was somewhat taken aback, not expecting that the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan would not recognize Xiao Xi. "You haven't met General Li Xi, the Assistant General of the State? She is also an important shareholder of the Qiyang Chamber of Commerce."

Yes, that's what the shareholders, Xiaoxi and the others, said.

"Is he General Li?"

Cheng Hexuan was stunned for a moment. He did not expect that the handsome man was actually General Li Xi, and a complicated emotion welled up in his heart.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Wang Lianyi asked, noticing his frustrated expression.

Cheng Hexuan shook his head, his gaze gradually focusing from his daze.

He took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision. "I have loved you, for many years now..."

"What?" Wang Lianyi exclaimed, as if she had heard something unbelievable.

Her eyes widened, her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't utter a word for a moment.

But before he could finish speaking, she interrupted him, "Don't say anymore, it's impossible for us."

"Why?!" Cheng Hexuan blurted out. He didn't want to use this slow, insidious method of making her accept him anymore.

Lianyi was not only exceptionally capable, but also incredibly beautiful. Many men in the capital were enamored with her, and he never expected that Li Xi, whom she had been constantly talking about, would be so outstanding, which made him feel a sense of impending crisis.

“To me, you are like my younger brother. Besides, I am four or five years older than you, and I am a divorced woman. In any case, you are not a good match for me,” she said bluntly.

Before she could finish speaking, Cheng Hexuan gripped her hand tightly like an iron clamp. "I don't care, and I don't believe you see me as your younger brother."

"You, you let go of me!" With that, Wang Lianyi forcefully shook off his hand and shouted angrily, "Enough!"

After being pushed away, Cheng Hexuan was not angry. Instead, his eyes became even more determined. "Lianyi, age is just a number. So what if we're divorced? It can't stop my heart from being with you."

Wang Lianyi turned her head away, refusing to look into his burning gaze. "Don't say such childish things anymore. Matters of the heart are not as simple as you think."

Even if they were in love, Marquis Dingyuan would never agree to him having any connection with him.

Not long after, Li Xi returned with Ma Da.

When she arrived there, almost all the bandits had been killed by Ma Da. Only one was left alive, and after interrogation, it was discovered that someone had ordered them to commit the crime.

Cheng Hexuan's men also arrived at the government office.

"Time will tell," he said, before leaving.

"Prove what?" Li Xi looked at Wang Lianyi with a puzzled expression.

Wang Lianyi sighed softly, "It's nothing, just childish nonsense." She didn't want to tell Li Xi about it, fearing it would cause unnecessary trouble.

At this moment, Qin Xiaolin also arrived. He had prepared a new carriage and led the group back to the capital.

He and Xiaoxi had been away for more than half a year, and with the end of the year approaching, they planned to go back to see their families.