"Madam, Little Carp has snuck out." Zhu Yuchan rushed into the study.
Zhu Yin'e, who was reading, slowly put down the book in her hand.
"I know."
"Then I'll go find her." Zhu Yuchan turned to leave.
"Wait." Zhu Yin'e called out to her.
Zhu Yuchan turned around, somewhat confused.
"This girl is too bold; it's good for her to suffer a little." Zhu Yin'e picked up the book.
"But..."
Zhu Yuchan was puzzled. No matter what, Little Carp was still so young. If she got into trouble and encountered danger, it would be too late to regret it.
Seeing Zhu Yuchan's troubled expression, Zhu Yin'e sighed and explained.
"I am her mother; how could I bear to put her in danger? Besides, the Third Princess has already returned, so the little one will be safe."
Hearing Zhu Yin'e's words, Zhu Yuchan didn't press further.
"Then I'll take my leave." Zhu Yuchan said.
Zhu Yin'e nodded gently.
Zhu Yuchan left the study and went directly outside the Water Mansion. Finding a corner, she cupped her hands around her mouth and let out a low sound.
In the hundred-mile stretch of the Yangtze River, the fish that were once swimming freely paused. But soon, they wagged their tails, as if receiving an order, and all swam to look around.
As a water demon, Zhu Yuchan naturally possessed considerable skills. This technique of summoning fish was merely a minor one.
These fish would not only help search for Little Carp's whereabouts but also timely report her movements back to Zhu Yuchan.
If the fish in the Yangtze could hear Zhu Yuchan's voice, it was impossible for Zhu Yin'e in the study not to hear. However, she merely smiled and then looked down at a painting on the desk.
If Liu Nanfeng were present, he would have thought Zhu Yin'e had taken back the painting she had given away, as this painting was remarkably similar to the "Koi Playing in Waves" painting given to Liu Nanfeng.
The only difference was that the koi in this painting were slightly different. The Little Carp in this painting was smaller and more lively.
Moreover, it truly moved as if it were a living creature, swimming in the painting, looking left and right, vividly lifelike.
Zhu Yin'e reached out and gently brushed the river water in the painting. As the ripples moved like plucked strings, the Little Carp, happily swimming in the river water, suddenly flipped over for no reason.
She turned around, somewhat confused, but found nothing behind her.
She spun around in place, then swam forward. After swimming a short distance, she suddenly turned to look behind her. After looking left and right and confirming there were no issues, she continued swimming forward.
Seeing the Little Carp's amusing behavior, Zhu Yin'e's lips curved into a smile.
Liu Nanfeng stood on the riverbank, waiting for Little Carp, looking at the rolling river water and worrying if Little Carp might encounter any danger.
Just then, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw Ao Haiping, whom he had met before.
"Hello." Liu Nanfeng greeted him proactively.
"Hello, do you have time to chat?" Ao Haiping walked over and asked.
"Sure." Liu Nanfeng nodded immediately.
"I don't have anything else... uh..." Liu Nanfeng's straightforward agreement caught Ao Haiping a little off guard.
"But you'll have to wait a moment. I'm waiting for Little Carp; she'll be here soon." Liu Nanfeng said.
"It's fine; I don't have anything pressing." Ao Haiping quickly replied.
He seemed very accommodating.
"Do you like Little Carp very much? How did you meet?"
Ao Haiping pretended to be curious, inquiring while secretly observing Liu Nanfeng.
"Little Carp is so adorable, who wouldn't like her? As for how we met, it's quite dramatic. The other day, I was delivering food and passed by the river. I saw a child squatting by the bank, and worried she might be in danger, I called out to her, and who would have thought..."
Listening to Liu Nanfeng's account, Ao Haiping showed an expression of understanding. How much of it he believed, no one knew.
However, at that moment, Ao Haiping suddenly looked into the river, then immediately reacted, turning to look at Liu Nanfeng. Seeing that he was still looking around anxiously, waiting, he couldn't help but feel relieved.
Then he spoke up, "Little Carp is here."
He then gestured for Liu Nanfeng to look towards the distant waves.
Indeed, a hint of red could be seen rolling in the waves.
"Big Brother..."
Little Carp emerged from the river excitedly and, upon seeing Ao Haiping standing beside Liu Nanfeng, paused for a moment before calling out again, "Second Uncle."
"You should call me Uncle," Ao Haiping corrected her.
"Okay, Second Uncle."
Little Carp came to the riverbank, and Liu Nanfeng reached out to pull her out of the water.
Drenched, she shook herself from side to side like a puppy, splashing water everywhere.
Liu Nanfeng didn't mind. On such a hot day, the little bit of wetness would dry up quickly.
Ao Haiping, however, dodged to the side with a look of disgust and then said, "Don't you know how to use the Water Repelling Spell?"
"The Water Repelling Spell isn't fun," Little Carp said matter-of-factly.
Ao Haiping: ...
Liu Nanfeng remained silent. He gently patted Little Carp on the shoulder, and instantly, all the water on her body dried up.
"Huh? The Wrath Aspect of the Twelve Aspects of All Beings?" Ao Haiping was greatly astonished and quietly retreated a step.
Then he said discontentedly, "You still say you're not Feng Zhirun."
Liu Nanfeng did not answer his question but instead said, "We were attacked twice yesterday. At noon, I was taking Little Carp..."
Ao Haiping's brows furrowed upon hearing this.
"It seems they are targeting the Heavenly Palace."
Ao Haiping instantly understood the opponent's objective, as Little Carp's value lay precisely there.
Otherwise, even if captured as an ornamental fish, she would be considered too much of an eater, and her age was insufficient for alchemy.
"It's thanks to Little Carp saving my life, and also a blessing in disguise, as she gained a divine ability. By the way, you just mentioned the Wrath Aspect? Is that the name of this ability?" Liu Nanfeng asked curiously.
"You don't know?" Ao Haiping asked back.
"No," Liu Nanfeng shook his head, looking bewildered.
Seeing his sincere appearance, which didn't seem fake, Ao Haiping said helplessly, "This is the Wrath Aspect among the Twelve Aspects of All Beings."
"What are the Twelve Aspects of All Beings?" Liu Nanfeng continued to inquire.
"This is a cultivation method created by the Divine Monk Baolin back then. It has twelve aspects, corresponding to twelve divine abilities," Ao Haiping explained briefly.
After speaking, he looked at the melon-shaped hammer on Little Carp's waist and asked again, "Can I see your hammer?"
"No," Little Carp immediately covered her waist.
"I'm your uncle; can't I even take a look? How stingy." Ao Haiping said.
"Second Uncle."
"That's still Uncle."
"Uncle is also not allowed," Little Carp said vigilantly, looking at him as if worried he might rush forward and snatch it.
Ao Haiping was exasperated. He glanced at Liu Nanfeng and did not insist further, saying, "Let's go ashore and find a place to chat."
"Sure, and you can tell me about this Divine Monk Baolin," Liu Nanfeng said with a smile.
"Alright," Ao Haiping readily agreed.
So, Liu Nanfeng, holding Little Carp, and Ao Haiping prepared to go ashore together.
Just then, a woman emerged from the river. It was Ao Jiangyue.
Little Carp immediately hid behind Liu Nanfeng and peeked at Ao Jiangyue through the gaps in his sleeves.
Ao Jiangyue did not look at her but directly said, "May I join you?"
Liu Nanfeng looked down at Little Carp behind him, then nodded.