After finishing speaking, he stopped talking and quietly served his master.
After his master went to bed, he stood silently by the window, gazing at the bright moon outside. Did he really want to watch his master make mistake after mistake?
If only... Qingfeng's dark pupils flickered, filled with a chilling cold.
The next day, Qing Yao dispatched Mo You to search for people. This small town was not large, and there might not be many beggars, but she wanted to find as many as possible.
Mo Chou and Mo You were quite surprised. Mo Chou couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what do you need so many beggars for?"
Qing Yao raised her eyebrows and glanced at Mo Chou and Mo You, her mood heavy, her brows furrowed like autumn leaves, and a cold aura surrounding her.
"Mo Chou, haven't you thought about it? Shangguan Hao appearing in the Qing Luo Kingdom, what does that signify? They are likely to make a move to devour Changsun Zhu. Although Changsun Zhu might not be killed by them, it means the world is about to fall into chaos. In times of turmoil, do you think anyone can maintain their peace? Therefore, we must quickly cultivate our own small forces, so that we are not at the mercy of others when the time comes."
As soon as Qing Yao finished speaking, Mo Chou and Mo You's faces turned grim.
The mistress was right. The world would likely fall into chaos soon. Their group, though seeking only peace, had no idea what future situations might arise. If trouble were to find them then, without any ability, they would likely be as vulnerable as before, at the mercy of others.
"Mistress, I understand."
Mo You received the order and swiftly retreated.
Mo Chou, however, seemed a little troubled. "Mistress, if we bring people back to Wuging Valley, will Young Master agree?"
"I spoke with him last night, and he agreed," Qing Yao sat regally before the bronze mirror, her smile like a blooming flower, her eyes full of spirit. Thinking of what she had asked Wu Qing yesterday, she couldn't help but smile.
Mo Chou stood by her side, scanning her mistress from head to toe.
She mused inwardly, wondering if her mistress had noticed that whenever she mentioned Young Master, her mood seemed to lighten considerably, as if free from any burdens, her entire being relaxed.
"Miss, do you like Young Master?"
Mo Chou couldn't help but ask. Qing Yao's smile froze on her face for a long time before she slowly sighed, "I don't know."
Just then, a person stood at the door – Qing Feng, Wu Qing's attendant. He had come to call them for breakfast. Their mistress had been busy in the kitchen all morning, despite knowing nothing, insisting on making breakfast for him herself. He hadn't expected to overhear such words from the woman inside.
She didn't know how noble Young Master was, nor how much he had done for her. If it were any other woman, she would have been ecstatic. Yet, she claimed not to know. The more Qing Feng thought about it, the angrier he became, his entire face darkening with an unreadable gloom, looking extremely displeased.
Inside the room, Qing Yao and Mo Chou were unaware of the change happening outside.
As Qing Yao tidied her hair, she pondered silently. Perhaps due to past hurts, she couldn't fully trust men.
Even with Emperor Xian, she hadn't completely opened her heart. Now, encountering Wu Qing, some things were easier said than done, and the shadows in her heart still lingered clearly.
Although she appeared cold, it didn't mean she wasn't fearful. She was still afraid of the unknown, of things she couldn't grasp, and even resisted them. It was like her feelings towards men; she had always resisted them.
"Mo Chou, I'm so confused. I don't know what kind of feelings constitute love. In any case, Wu Qing is someone who makes my heart ache. Sometimes, seeing him so lonely and sorrowful, you know? I wish time could turn back, back to his childhood, so I could comfort his heart and let him live a happier, more joyful life."
"Mistress, you have fallen for Young Master."
Mo Chou stated with certainty. If this state of mind wasn't called liking, then what was?
Silence fell upon the room. Outside the door, a man in snow-white robes sat in a wheelchair.
His delicate face, like fresh flowers, was filled with emotion. His dark pupils were crystal clear, shining like stars.
Oh heavens, his heart was beating so fast. If time stopped at this moment, he would have no regrets. Nothing else mattered.
He felt he hadn't lived this life in vain, at least for now, someone genuinely cared for him.
Last night, when he heard her say these words to him, he was happy, but he thought she was just trying to comfort him. But now, hearing her say it to someone else, even to Mo Chou that she liked him, he felt as if he were flying to the heavens with joy. He wanted to shout out loud, how could he possibly maintain his usual composure?
However, he dared not make a sound, for if the people inside heard him, they would think he was eavesdropping.
Wu Qing tiptoed out into the courtyard and looked up at the ginkgo tree in the center of the yard, which was decades old. With a face full of sincere emotion, he spoke.
"Ginkgo tree, ginkgo tree, do you know how happy I am right now? She has feelings for me too. I don't ask her to love me deeply, just to have a place in her heart."
Just thinking about this made him happy enough to die, because even if he died, there would still be someone in this world who thought of him, who would remember him. He truly hadn't lived this life in vain.
In the glow of the morning sun, his face was slightly upturned, as delicate and refined as jade. His eyes were slightly closed, and a single, crystal tear gently and silently fell. This was a tear of joy. If anyone were to witness this scene, they would surely doubt if this was the fearsome Wu Qing.
But he could no longer care. Humans were bound to have moments of emotional turmoil.
When Qing Yao and Mo Chou came out, he had already regained good control of his emotions, though an irrepressible joy still lingered on his face, his eyes veiled with a misty haze.
"You're up so early?"
Qing Yao's gaze towards him was different from usual, seemingly filled with happiness. Had he overheard her words? But it didn't matter; she had said it last night too, and it was her most genuine thought. If possible, she truly wished she could go back to his childhood and make him happier, at least so he wouldn't have to suffer like this now.
"Yes, I also boiled some white rice porridge, but it's a bit burnt."
As soon as he spoke, Qing Yao's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this truly Wu Qing? The bloodthirsty and ruthless Wu Qing who killed without blinking? Now, he seemed very happy, not only smiling but also talking more. Most importantly, he was actually cooking today.
"Good, no matter how burnt, I must try it, since it's made by Wu Qing."
Qing Yao's words made Wu Qing's mood even better.
Mo Chou nodded vigorously on the side, "Yes, we will definitely eat it all."
However, the two soon regretted their words. Was this what one called food? It was practically life-threatening. How could it be described as just burnt? It was black, charred, and carried a bitter taste. After a few bites, both found it difficult to swallow. Wu Qing, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression and spoke with a hint of guilt.