roccoschili Chapter 195: Ghost at the North Gate
Chapter 195: Ghost at the North Gate
Yu Lan's words echoed through the hall, but Cen Jiexiao didn't respond immediately. She simply closed the book in her hands, her movements gentle and slow, as if handling a cherished treasure. The pages slid across her fingertips, making a soft rustling sound that was particularly clear in the silent room. Cen Jiexiao set the book aside, then slowly raised her head, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. In that smile, there was wisdom that saw through everything, and the confidence that came from strategizing.
"Yu Lan," Cen Jiexiao's voice was calm and steady, like clear spring water, soothing the anxiety in Yu Lan's heart. "Don't panic, everything is as planned."
"But Dean," Yu Lan's brows were still furrowed, her tone filled with worry, "Those assassins are all desperate criminals. If they find your whereabouts, I'm afraid... they will be desperate! Should we..."
"Yu Lan," Cen Jiexiao interrupted her. She stood up and walked to the window, gazing deeply at the fiery sunset outside. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her fair face, casting a faint golden glow on her. "You should trust me. Since I dared to set up this trap, I must be sure to get out of it unscathed."
Although Cen Jiexiao's voice was gentle, it carried an undeniable firmness that reassured Yu Lan. Yu Lan looked at Cen Jiexiao's back, feeling a mixture of emotions. These past few days, she had been by Cen Jiexiao's side, witnessing firsthand how this young woman orchestrated strategies and won battles from afar. She was a completely different person from the Cen Jiexiao before her horse-riding accident.
Although Cen Jiexiao was exceptionally intelligent before, she lacked a certain calmness and sophistication. Now, Cen Jiexiao exudes a convincing aura in every gesture, as if any difficulty pales in comparison. Furthermore, after recovering from her accident, she treats her and Xiaozhi like real sisters. However, the more this happens, the more worried she becomes.
In this world, how many people in their hearts deserve to be truly panicked and terrified!
Cen Jiexiao turned around with a confident smile on her face and a sly glint in her eyes, as if everything was under her control. "Don't worry, Yu Lan, I know what's going on."
"But..." Yu Lan wanted to say something else, but Cen Jiexiao raised her hand to stop her.
"No, it's nothing," Cen Jiexiao said in a firm and decisive tone, leaving no room for doubt. "You have to trust my judgment. Now, go and get ready. We should get ready too."
"Yes, Dean." Although Yu Lan still had doubts in her heart, she always obeyed Sister Cen Xiao's orders, so she said no more and turned to leave the room.
The north gate of Linkang City was usually deserted, with only a few soldiers strolling back and forth bored. The occasional civilians entering and leaving were also in a hurry, as if lingering for a moment would be a sin. But today, it was unusual. The place was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder, like a pot of hot oil being scalded by a drop of cold water.
Shops lined the streets, offering a dazzling array of goods. Vendors hawked their wares at the top of their lungs, desperately trying to sell them, fearing they would be overlooked. The sturdy men of the escort agencies escorted the goods, shouting loudly along the way, urging passersby to get out of the way, fearing they might bump into someone important.
Children played and frolicked among the crowd, their clear laughter as melodious as silver bells, adding a touch of energy to the bustling streets. Monkey performers, beating gongs and drums, performed with all their might, attracting a large crowd. Periodic bursts of cheers and applause brought the atmosphere at the North Gate to a climax. The myriad sounds blended together, each one piercing the eardrums with a deafening intensity that threatened to rupture.
Cen Jiexiao had dressed meticulously today, wearing a gorgeous princess dress crafted from the finest silk and embroidered with delicate phoenix designs. It shone brilliantly in the sunlight, embodying a royal elegance. She wore a gold-threaded, eight-treasure pearl hairpin on her head, adorned with a few glittering pearls. It swayed gently with her steps, accentuating her skin's radiance, whiter than snow.
In her hand, she held an exquisitely crafted oil-paper umbrella, painted with vivid floral and bird patterns, adding a touch of mystery to her. Although her face was obscured by a veil, her elegant demeanor and luxurious attire gave her a royal air, revealing her to be of distinguished family.
Cen Jiexiao, disguised as Princess Jue Ling, was currently standing in the observation tower atop the North Gate Tower. From this expansive viewpoint, she could take in everything going on inside and outside the city gate. She sipped her fragrant tea elegantly, seemingly relaxed and at ease. But in reality, her eyes, like those of a hawk, scanned the crowds below, intent on spotting any suspicious individuals.
"Dean, why is the North City Gate so bustling today? Could something have happened?" Yu Lan, disguised as a stunning royal maid, wore a pale pink dress that accentuated her slender figure, while her delicate makeup accentuated her allure. She stood behind Cen Jiexiao, surveying the bustling crowd below, and asked in confusion.
Sister Cen smiled slightly, put down the teacup in her hand, and said slowly, "The bustle at the North Gate may be because of my arrival. I'm afraid the situation is about to change."
"The situation has changed? Yes, Dean, after all, that group of people are coming for you, the fake Jue Ling." Yu Lan was shocked, thinking of the series of arrangements made by Cen Jiexiao in the past few days, and said slowly.
"Hush!" Cen Jiexiao raised a finger, signaling Yu Lan to be quiet. She raised her Wucheng telescope and fixed her gaze on an unassuming fortune teller on the street corner. The fortune teller looked ordinary, but the cunning in his eyes couldn't be concealed. The jade pendant around his waist, in particular, betrayed his extraordinary status.
"Yu Lan, did you see clearly? That man is the leader of the assassin group - 'Ghost Shadow'. The Qiming Group has been keeping an eye on him for several days. He is completely calm. Two days ago, he pretended to be a highly respected old gentleman to preside over a wedding ceremony for a newlywed family in the west of the city." Cen Jiexiao lowered her voice, with a tone of knowing everything.
Yu Lan followed Cen Jiexiao's gaze and saw the fortune teller, emaciated and with wrinkles crisscrossing his face. His cloudy eyes occasionally flashed with a wicked glint, as if they could see through people's hearts. She was secretly horrified. This "ghost" was indeed as good as its reputation, able to hide so deeply. If Cen Jiexiao hadn't warned her in advance, she would have never noticed his presence.
"Dean, what should we do now?" Yu Lan asked in a low voice.
"No rush, play with them first." Cen Jiexiao raised a sly smile at the corner of her mouth, with a calculating gleam in her eyes.