CHAPTER 503: CHAPTER 501 HEADING TO YANJING

Qing Lan looked around and saw that every extraordinary person had their own strategy, and her own exclusive strategy was named "All-Around Virtuoso".

In the description by Qin Le Yin, she was a spy with an irresistible eloquence. The conspiracy between Jing Zhengwei and White Night, the collusion between Jing Zhengwei and the Silver Blood Association, and the downfall of the Silver Blood Association all bore her shadow.

In short, the "Silver Blood’s Five Wonders Qing Lan" was a woman who maneuvered among various powers, undermined the foundation of the Silver Blood Association through her machinations, and afterward secured a substantial industry for herself.

"Sister Qing Lan, don’t you think he’s being too excessive!" Mu Qingmei said angrily, "How can he slander you like this?!"

"Actually, it’s not that bad." Qing Lan said nonchalantly, "He’s already being very polite; there are worse things said outside."

Qing Lan could sit firmly in the position of chief editor of Youth Daily; it would be impossible without some controversy. During Jing Zhengwei’s time, some said she relied on her looks and talent for her position—though they weren’t entirely wrong—but now that Jing Zhengwei has fallen, the common people have stood up, so why can someone like her still control the mouthpiece of Youth Daily?

Qing Lan had heard much worse, so naturally, she didn’t care. Mu Qingmei was the only one who would get so angry about it. Listening to Mu Qingmei’s complaints, Qing Lan suddenly realized that Qin Le Yin’s wording this time was actually very polite, even restrained.

When discussing Jing Qingfu, Ting Gu, Yin Minghong, or even himself, he was ruthless, adding conspiracy theories, deep-mindedness, and innate heroism to their descriptions. Although it was entertaining, on reflection, it was obvious that it was inaccurate—people are complex, and cannot be so simply labeled.

Yet, in her own Chapter, Qin Le Yin didn’t lean towards conspiracy theories but rather stated the difficulty of being a wanderer in turbulent times, the hardships faced by women, and the risks of "picking chestnuts out of the fire".

Qin Le Yin not only didn’t slander her but even portrayed her quite inspirationally, completely different from the previous style.

In fact, comparing her with Jing Qingfu, Ting Gu, and such people was already a huge compliment. Although those people were failures, Qing Lan knew she wasn’t qualified to stand alongside those Silver Blood villains.

For some reason, the strange feeling in Qing Lan’s heart grew stronger. Ever since she first saw the initial issue of "Qin Le Yin School", she had sensed a faint familiarity. However, since the newspaper was a summary of the lessons, not direct quotes from Qin Le Yin, Qing Lan didn’t know how he actually taught, only seeing his playfulness and humor in the summary.

But this time, as it was about herself, the familiarity Qing Lan felt was almost palpable, as if she could see a familiar person, a thousand miles away, compiling and teasing her. She flipped through the newspaper repeatedly and suddenly saw a line:

"Qing Lan maintains the habit of reading before bed every night. Though she reads only a little each night, she finishes a book in a month, which makes her read twelve more books a year than most people. So her success is no accident..."

This passage seems like the motivational story of a successful person, as if casually made up.

But Qing Lan had a strong intuition: This wasn’t made up; he really knew I read every night!

"...In my opinion, we should have asked Yanjing’s White Night to have Qin Le Yin killed. Letting him escape to Yanjing can be considered a major blunder on our part..."

Qing Lan suddenly asked, "Does the archive have any intelligence on Qin Le Yin?"

Mu Qingmei was startled, "I think so? Do you want it? I’ll find it for you right away."

Though Mu Qingmei was somewhat childish, she was actually the intelligence and propaganda minister of Xuanzhu County’s White Night. Xuanzhu County’s White Night had so few people that they had to make do. And since she lived in Qing Lan’s house, a copy of all the intelligence White Night received would also be kept there for easy access.

Not long after, Mu Qingmei brought several bound files over. Qing Lan lay on the bed, leafing through them, her eyes growing brighter.

Searching for the sword to dispute thrones... Ming Shuiyun... Li Ying, Qin Yueshi, Lin Xue, Qian Yuya... Qian Yuya!?

Steam Commerce Union... Unrivaled List... New Battle Card Unmatched Kill... New Battle Card?

Speaking of which, the first issue of the Unrivaled List was promoting Blue Flame’s ’Unrivaled Under Heaven’...

And like a prank, filled with malicious ridicule, the Silver Blood’s Eight Wonders...

Qing Lan gently set down these documents, turning to look at Mu Qingmei, who was yawning and curled up in the blankets.

"Qing Mei, you’ve worked hard these days."

"Huh?" Mu Qingmei was slightly startled, instinctively responding, "No, I’m not tired."

"Not tired?"

With an ominous feeling stirring inside, Mu Qingmei repeatedly shook her head, "Of course not, with Sister Qing Lan helping me, how could I be tired? I enjoy working every day so much; I’d feel uneasy if I were to take a vacation!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"That’s good." Qing Lan gently patted Mu Qingmei’s head and smiled, "Then I’ll give you more work, okay?"

"Okay!" Mu Qingmei hugged Qing Lan’s slender waist, "Whatever Sister Qing Lan asks of me!"

"Alright, you’ll be the chief editor of Youth Daily from now on."

"No problem!... Huh?"

Mu Qingmei looked up, dazedly staring at Qing Lan. Qing Lan placed the documents on the bedside table, lay down, and snuggled under the blankets, facing Mu Qingmei, "Now that the second-in-command has recaptured Dongyang, the road to Yanjing is clear. You’ve been by my side learning for so long; you’re basically familiar with the newspaper’s affairs."

"It’s been delayed for so long; I should head to Yanjing."

Mu Qingmei’s eyes blinked, her mouth slightly ajar, and after a long while, she asked, "You’ve worked so hard to establish the Youth Daily, can you really leave it behind?"

"I can, I can. You have to give up something to gain something." Qing Lan softly said, "You already know, I’ve wanted to go to Yanjing for a long time."

Yes, as early as two months ago, Qing Lan had already applied to White Night to go to Yanjing. Naturally, White Night did not delay and had long arranged a route for Qing Lan to Yanjing’s flourishing beauty, but at that time we hadn’t yet recaptured the Dongyang border, so the road was dangerous, and advised Qing Lan to wait a bit before going.

Now that all obstacles were gone, and Qing Lan had handed over the Youth Daily’s affairs, she could set off at any time.

"...When will you leave?"

"The sooner the better." Qing Lan asked with a smile, "Aren’t you going to hold me back?"

"I’ll miss Sister Qing Lan." Mu Qingmei hugged Qing Lan like a child, "But I have no reason to stop you from pursuing a better life."

Although the White Night prided itself on a righteous cause, Mu Qingmei knew they were engaged in a life-threatening trade. If they were defeated, there would be no good end.

In comparison, going to Yanjing, hiding one’s identity, and living as an ordinary person was much safer. The never-falling Yanjing was the furthest place from war in this world.

Moreover, Yanjing’s White Night would look after her, which was better than being pointed at in Xuanzhu County—Mu Qingmei sometimes caught the editorial staff gossiping about Qing Lan behind her back, even though she got angry on the spot and even the White Night clarified things, but people’s mouths couldn’t be stopped.

For a moment, Mu Qingmei considered bringing up Jing Zhengwei but quickly dismissed this idea. She didn’t want to use the dead to interfere with the happiness of the living.

"I’ll arrange it tomorrow," Mu Qingmei said, "You can start your journey in ten days at the latest."

"Are you that eager to send me away?" Qing Lan teased, but when she saw Mu Qingmei lowering her head with tears welling up, she smiled and comforted, "It’s not like it’s a parting of life and death. Once I’m settled in Yanjing, you can visit me whenever you have time, and I’ll also write to you when I have the time."

"Mm!" Mu Qingmei lifted the blanket to cover her face, "Do you know what a glass bottle says when it falls?—I’ve broken!"

Qing Lan turned off the light, took a bit of the blanket from Mu Qingmei’s side, and slowly closed her eyes.

Yanjing, here I come.