Mu Xing followed his mother, asking anxiously, "Is Auntie alright?"
"She's fine, Mu Xing, don't worry," Liu Liu comforted him. Mu Xing nodded, his small face filled with concern.
Unexpectedly, the entrance to the Yun Mansion was surrounded by a dense crowd. Leading them was a middle-aged man with a square face, wide mouth, and a stout build. With a stern expression, he led a large group of people surrounding the Yun Mansion.
As soon as Liu Liu and the others emerged, a young maid beside the plump man jumped up and pointed at Liu Liu.
"Master, they're the ones who captured Miss? They're the ones who captured Miss!"
Upon hearing the maid's words, Liu Liu understood who the people before her were. They were the master of the Luo family, the foremost among the five great families. She sneered and gazed at him with a somber expression.
Master Luo was surprised to see that the person who had captured his daughter was a peerlessly beautiful woman. However, the fierce aura she exuded sent shivers down his spine, making him dare not be careless. He pointed at Liu Liu and asked,
"Who are you people, and why did you capture my daughter? Hand her over quickly."
"Kill him," Qing Jue's voice rang out. Master Luo's face turned a liver-like color, and he staggered a few steps. The people behind him quickly held him up, shouting anxiously, "Master, Master, be careful!"
Master Luo fiercely threw off the subordinate who was holding him, crooked his mouth, and pointed at Liu Liu with the large saber in his hand. Before he could speak,
Zhao Jiu, holding the princess behind Liu Liu, rushed forward and slapped him hard across the face, making his vision blur. He barely managed to regain his footing, staring blankly at the person before him.
This woman was too terrifying. Zhao Jiu turned back and stood beside Liu Liu, shouting, "How dare you disrespect our master! You're courting death."
Liu Liu nodded, and Zhao Jiu retreated behind her.
She slowly descended the steps, her simple, elegant robes emitting a golden radiance under the sun. The golden tassels swayed dazzlingly as she moved. Her eyes were clear and resolute, a subtle smile playing on her lips, sharp and biting.
"Let alone killing your daughter, even if I kill you now, or even annihilate your entire Luo family, no one will dare to say a word. Luo Xiangsi dared to drug the princess, which is a crime of deceiving the emperor and exterminating the clan! How dare you speak so presumptuously and brazenly here!"
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Master Luo's face turned deathly pale, and he recoiled backward. The Luo family's servants were also stunned into silence, not daring to utter a sound.
Just then, the surrounding crowd parted, and a contingent of soldiers emerged. These soldiers had likely been called by Master Luo, intending to apprehend Liu Liu and her companions. Who would have thought such a situation would arise?
The soldiers approached and, seeing Master Luo's ashen face, greeted him with surprise. Zhao Jiu, holding the princess in one arm, produced his token. The leading officer was immediately terrified and knelt down.
"Your subordinate deserves death. I did not know the commander was arriving."
Following him, everyone else knelt. Zhao Jiu spoke in a deep voice, "Rise, and imprison all the Luo family members, awaiting judgment."
"Yes, your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
The leader waved his hand, and immediately, people came forward to apprehend all the Luo family members. Master Luo was utterly despairing. He truly had a destructive daughter who had brought misery to the entire Luo family. Was there truly no way out but death?
Liu Liu did not look at them. She turned and boarded the carriage in front of the mansion. Zhao Jiu also placed Wuyang onto the carriage, and Mu Xing and Hong Xiu also got in. Zhao Jiu and Nangong Yue rode horses. Liu Liu lifted the carriage curtain and looked towards Nangong Yue and Wan Qing beside her.
"You two go back to the Lu Mansion first. Have Ri Ying bring that woman they captured over. Meet us at the Blazing Flame Tower," she said, lowering the curtain.
"Okay," Nangong Yue and Wan Qing nodded, turned, and headed for the Lu Mansion.
Liu Liu instructed the driver to head towards the Blazing Flame Tower, a restaurant under the banner of the Seven Star Tower, marked with the Seven Star emblem above its entrance.
Wuyang's poison had been cured, and she now needed rest. Liu Liu arranged for her to stay at the Seven Star Tower. After handling matters concerning Lou Sijing, they would return to the capital.
Upon arriving at the Blazing Flame Tower, Hong Xiu alighted from the carriage to make arrangements. The proprietor quickly came out behind Hong Xiu, his face filled with trepidation, respectfully inviting Liu Liu out of the carriage and into the back building.
The Blazing Flame Tower was a three-story building. The first floor was a hall for ordinary guests to drink and dine. The second floor contained private rooms, and the third floor was for lodging.
However, behind it was a separate, secluded courtyard, with only a winding path leading through it. A small gate separated it from the main building. This was where the masters usually resided. The proprietor personally escorted Liu Liu and her party to the rear courtyard.
Pavilions, exquisite buildings, and a myriad of colorful flowers and plants. Butterflies danced colorfully. What a beautiful place! Liu Liu nodded and waved for the proprietor to withdraw. The proprietor did not leave but respectfully reported,
"Reporting to the master, Ah Bao is waiting for you in a private room on the first floor. Does the master wish to see him?"
A spark flashed in Liu Liu's eyes. She had a premonition that Ah Bao would bring them good news. Qing Jue, she said, "Bring him here."
"Yes."
The proprietor withdrew. Liu Liu instructed Zhao Jiu, who had been holding the princess, to place the princess on the bed inside the room. She then turned and instructed Luo Yi.
"Take good care of your mistress. If you need anything, tell the proprietor in the front. If anything happens to your mistress, you will pay for it with your life."
"Yes, this servant will surely take good care of the mistress," Luo Yi said, both startled and pained for her mistress, nodding repeatedly. She followed behind Commander Zhao as they walked further inside. Liu Liu then led Hong Xiu and Mu Xing towards the flower hall, with several guards stationed in the courtyard.
Ah Bao soon arrived, looking noticeably thinner. Liu Liu inquired with concern,
"How is Old Master A Song?"
At Liu Liu's words, Ah Bao's eyes actually reddened. After standing silently for a moment, he finally spoke.
"That bastard Feng Luo sent people to kill my master, fearing that my master would know the whereabouts of the Blood Droplet. I will not let him go. For the past two to three months, I have been tracking them and discovered that they are in Yelan, recruiting soldiers and forming a dark kingdom. Originally, this subordinate also wanted to enter the dark kingdom like those people, but those people were too astute and sensed something was amiss, shaking off this subordinate. However, this subordinate knows that the dark kingdom is located on Ling Mountain, at the border of Yelan City and Feng Mian City. But the people disappeared all at once, and I don't know the exact location of that dark kingdom."
As soon as Ah Bao finished speaking, Liu Liu's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected to find Feng Luo's whereabouts. As long as she had news of him, she would find a way. A gentle smile touched her lips.
"Ah Bao, don't be too sad. The dead cannot be brought back to life. We will definitely eliminate that wicked villain and avenge your master."
"Yes, Master," Ah Bao nodded. This time, he had accomplished something.
"You may go. I am a little tired. After I rest for a while, I will think of a way to deal with Feng Luo." Liu Liu leaned wearily on the soft couch. The continuous travel had indeed been too exhausting.
Ah Bao retreated. Seeing that her mother looked very tired, Mu Xing cozily snuggled close, using his soft little hands to massage her. He said sweetly, "Mother, close your eyes. Mu Xing will rub them for you."
"Good, only our Mu Xing knows how to care for people," Liu Liu nodded, hugging her son's small body. She hadn't seen him for so many days and looked at him intently. This little fellow hadn't lost weight, indicating that he had been living quite well even when he was away. Liu Liu smiled.
"Son, you're doing quite well. You made Mother worry so much, but it turns out you've found your footing and even found your uncle. Mother thanks you."
Liu Liu spoke gently. If her elder brother were truly dead, it would have been a heavy stone on her heart forever, but now that he was not dead, it was truly wonderful. She let out a sigh of relief.
Heaven had been kind to her. She was filled with gratitude at this moment, even though she had never believed in fate.
"Mother."
Mu Xing snuggled in Liu Liu's arms, his heart filled with sweetness. His mother not only didn't blame him but also praised him. He was so happy. His large eyes narrowed into crescent moons, making him even more captivating. Hong Xiu, standing nearby, smiled as she watched the mother and son.