Save The Second Male Lead

2-12

[!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!]

Just a heads up, there's a bit of gore towards the end of this one; it's nothing too intense but I figured I should give you a warning just in case. For those of you who cannot stand anything gory, don't worry! It's only a couple of paragraphs and you'll probably be fine just skimming those few sentences.

[!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!] [!!WARNING!!]

In the capital, a carriage was speeding through the streets.

"We've finally returned..."

Staring out the window, Li Qiang observed the surroundings with lukewarm eyes. Sat opposite him was Yi Feng, who seemed similarly apathetic.

To avoid inciting panic in the citizens, the news about the Emperor was restricted. Loud shouts and chatter could be heard all around in the busy city. While watching the busy crowds outside, a certain cloaked figure made its way into Li Qiang's gaze. For what reason this particular silhouette entered his eyes, he didn't know, but he felt a sudden urge to confront that person. He stopped himself from jumping out of the carriage but he could not stop himself from staring. Noticing his peculiar behaviour, Yi Feng was similarly curious.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

The carriage passed by in an instant and that person had already disappeared from sight.

"Hmm."

Yi Feng looked at him with suspicious eyes but did not say any more on the topic. In an attempt to change the topic, Li Qiang spoke again.

"You're sure that's his plan?"

"I'm certain, I pried it out of that bastard's mouth myself."

"Still, it's surprising, I didn't think he'd be going all out from the start like this. If he had just waited a little longer he really would have succeeded, especially if I had left like he wanted me to."

"That's a given. He's been planning this for over a year now, I'm more surprised that he hadn't acted sooner."

"Well, I suppose he thought now was his chance since you finally agreed to help him."

"And didn't that come back to bite him in the ass."

"Watch your language, what happened to all those etiquette lessons we took?"

Though he said as such, Li Qiang didn't seem to actually mind as he laughed. It had been a long time since he'd seen Yi Feng act like this, it made him nostalgic.

Things were so much easier back then...

Amidst his brooding, the carriage arrived at the palace.

Grandly stepping out of the carriage, Li Qiang greeted the eunuch that had come to greet them. Following behind him, Yi Feng stepped out but was momentarily distracted when he noticed some movement in his peripheral vision. Li Qiang, who was following the eunuch inside turned and asked.

"What is it?"

"We were spotted."

"Already?"

"Yup."

Yi Feng caught up to Li Qiang, dutifully following behind him. Li Qiang chuckled as he walked.

"I wish I could see the look on his face when he hears the news."

Though it wasn't visible, Yi Feng was similarly smiling beneath his mask but for entirely different reasons. However, the light-hearted lasted for merely a moment before they quickly sobered up. They silently entered the innermost section of the imperial grounds and were led into the main building.