The night was deep, a crescent moon hung in the sky, and thin mists swirled. Pale moonlight spilled across the entire mansion, dewdrops sliding silently from the tender leaves of flowers and grass.
Beneath the long corridor, a gentle breeze stirred the lanterns, making them sway back and forth. A dark figure darted swiftly, familiar with the route, heading towards an independent small courtyard. In the blink of an eye, it arrived within the courtyard, leaping quickly inside. A silver gleam sliced through the air, emitting a chilling cold.
The courtyard was silent; everyone had retired. The dark figure stealthily crept into the easternmost room, flashing inside. Moonlight, like water, poured into the room. On a wide, carved bed, white gauze curtains were drawn.
Within the canopy slept two people, one large and one small. Even through the gauze, their peace and handsomeness were evident, captivating anyone who glanced at them. She paused, too.
Although she knew the eldest daughter of the Lu family had brought back a handsome man, she hadn't realized this man was Nangong Yue.
This man's martial arts were extremely powerful. Why, after she had been here for so long, had he not sensed her presence? Lou Sijing thought fiercely. She was determined to avenge Yulou.
The blade flashed, stabbing towards Muxing outside. But suddenly, a green light flickered before her eyes. The man on the bed leaped up. The gauze curtain billowed high into the air without wind. He stood on the bed, gazing at her coldly, and spoke in a low voice.
"Who are you, and why have you come to kill in the middle of the night?"
Lou Sijing saw that he was awake. With such swift movements, it seemed impossible for her to kill this child. Her figure suddenly flashed sideways, speeding away.
Unfortunately, the man made no concessions, blocking her path with a swift step. However, he did not attack her but questioned her again.
"Who exactly are you? Why are you trying to kill someone?"
The commotion in the room had clearly alerted the people in the courtyard. Voices could be heard from outside. Lou Sijing dared not linger to entangle with him further.
With a raise of her hand, she flung a handful of poison powder. However, his movements were agile. He swiftly dodged, and the poison powder all scattered onto the ground. Then, before her eyes, his shadow was gone. The person who had intended to kill had disappeared.
However, from her figure, it could be discerned that she was a woman. She truly wondered why she wanted to kill and even intended to kill Muxing.
Muxing, who had been sleeping soundly, woke up at this moment. He opened his eyes and looked at Nangong Yue standing in the moonlight. "Uncle, why aren't you sleeping yet?"
"It's nothing. Uncle is enjoying the moonlight," Nangong Yue pointed at the moon outside the window. Muxing leaped from the bed, pulling his hand. "I'll accompany Uncle to enjoy the moonlight."
Nangong Yue amusingly reached out, took Muxing's hand, and lifted his small body, tossing him onto the bed. "Alright, Uncle has enjoyed the moon. Let's sleep together."
"Okay," Muxing nodded and rolled to the inner side of the bed, leaving a large portion of the space for Nangong Yue. The two lay on the bed, their eyes wide open, looking at each other as it was difficult to fall back asleep after waking up in the middle of the night. At this moment, a servant called from outside the door, "Young Master, is everything alright inside?"
"It's fine. You can all go rest," Nangong Yue said in a deep voice. After the people outside left, he turned to Muxing beside him and asked softly, "You said I am Nangong Yue."
"Yes, Uncle. Have you forgotten your own name? Did you forget Mother told me to call you Uncle?"
Muxing asked curiously. Nangong Yue smiled. Thinking that he still had relatives in the world, his heart felt warm. So, he had Muxing, and Muxing's mother. They were all his relatives. And Wanqing.
Thinking of Wanqing, Nangong Yue's heart ached. Would Wanqing marry someone else?
"Go to sleep. Tomorrow, Uncle will take you to find your mother," he sighed faintly. It seemed he should leave. Wanqing had saved him; she should have her own life and not have her lifelong happiness delayed because of him.
"Okay, Uncle, you're so good."
The next day, before the two had even woken up, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the Lu Mansion. A beautiful and alluring woman alighted from the carriage, her every movement exuding a cold charm, a hint of coldness lingering at the corner of her lips. Behind her followed several tall and handsome men. She casually glanced at the plaque hanging high above and reported softly.
"Master, this is indeed the Lu Mansion."
The gatekeepers, seeing the display, knew this woman's status was extraordinary. They immediately stepped forward respectfully and asked, "May I ask who you are looking for?"
"The eldest daughter of the Lu family, Lu Wanqing." Ri Ying spoke coldly, his usual demeanor. The gatekeepers were somewhat startled, secretly guessing if the eldest daughter had offended someone and they had come to find her. They turned back and quietly instructed someone to find the eldest daughter, and also ordered another person to report to the master.
Liu Liu, with her subordinates, stood at the entrance of the Lu Mansion, observing the luxurious mansion of Jiangnan, carrying the subtle charm of the Jiangnan water towns. The carvings were extremely intricate, and every brick and tile, fired by the imperial kiln, was unique. Liu Liu was engrossed in her observation when a woman in white walked out from the main gate of the Lu Mansion. Her face bore the classical beauty of a Jiangnan woman, with delicate eyebrows, phoenix eyes, an arrogant nose, and thin lips. She stood quietly at the entrance, facing her, neither subservient nor arrogant, poised and generous. Liu Liu liked her at first sight. This woman was worthy of deep friendship.
The gatekeeper, upon seeing his eldest young lady, rushed over excitedly. "Eldest Young Lady, someone is looking for you."
Lu Wanqing walked out to meet Liu Liu and asked calmly, "May I know who you are?"
Ri Ying behind her was about to step forward to speak, but Liu Liu raised a hand, stopping Ri Ying's movement, and said lightly, "I am Muxing's mother. You brought him back, didn't you?"
Lu Wanqing also liked the woman before her from the bottom of her heart. Her demeanor was noble and extraordinary, her every move radiating brilliance. Who was she? However, this was not important. What was important was that she was Nangong Yue's sister. She originally called Nangong Yue "Wanfeng," but who knew he had such a handsome name, Nangong Yue.
"Thank you for bringing Muxing back." Liu Liu and Ri Ying, upon hearing Lu Wanqing's words, all let out a sigh of relief. Thank heavens, the Crown Prince was truly in the Lu Mansion. As long as he was in the Lu Mansion, it was fine.
"It's nothing. Come, I'll take you to see them." Lu Wanqing pulled Liu Liu into the Lu family mansion. Ri Ying looked at their intimate demeanor, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. This woman was truly annoying, casually holding their Empress's hand. However, this was outside, and it wasn't convenient to say anything, so he lowered his face and followed without a word.
As Lu Wanqing and Liu Liu had just entered the gates of the Lu family, the patriarch of the Lu family, having heard the news, rushed over and immediately reprimanded Lu Wanqing, "What trouble have you caused outside again? Making people come looking for you."
"Father, what are you saying?" Lu Wanqing's face darkened displeasantly. With outsiders present, shouldn't he at least give some face? Liu Liu, hearing Old Master Lu's words, quickly smiled and looked over. "Old Master Lu, you misunderstand. I have come to thank Miss Lu. She saved my son's life. How could Miss Lu cause trouble? She is kind-hearted." xxs壹贰
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Old Master Lu's expression improved slightly. He turned to invite Liu Liu and her entourage into the main hall to be entertained. Having traveled extensively, he could tell that the woman before him was definitely not a minor figure. Lu Wanqing nodded, turned, and walked towards the backyard, while Old Master Lu ushered Liu Liu and the others into the main hall.
In the main hall, they sat according to their positions, exchanging pleasantries first. Then, Old Master Lu tentatively inquired about Liu Liu's origins. Liu Liu simply replied, "The capital." Old Master Lu knew they were unwilling to elaborate and did not press further. Servants brought tea, and they waited, sipping tea, for little Muxing.
Lu Wanqing soon brought Muxing over. Liu Liu excitedly pulled her son's hand and hugged him. After all this time, she hadn't seen her son for a long time, so she missed him dearly. If it weren't for the outsiders, she really wanted to kiss him. However, before Liu Liu could hug him enough, her son happily pointed to the person beside him.
"Mother, Uncle is also here."
"Uncle?" Liu Liu looked up and saw a tall, upright man standing there, dressed in ice lake blue, with dark hair cascading down. He gazed at her expectantly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. She looked at him and said, "Brother?"