Scharlachroter Regen überflutet die Stadt

Kapitel 97

"What do you mean?" Nangong narrowed his eyes, suddenly startled, and stood up. "Summon all the disciples in the manor for questioning one by one."

"No need." I glanced at him. "I've already killed those who deserved to die."

A voice outside the door reported tremblingly, "Reporting to the Alliance Leader, Qiu Yue of the Western Xia Academy is dead..."

"It's her?!" Nangong seemed to be recalling the woman.

"She only stole my stone seal for someone else," I said calmly, my gaze drifting to Master Mu, who was holding a bowl and looking composed. "Master Mu, I remember Qiuyue used to be a well-behaved maid."

Master Mu nodded, "Yes, there was no overstepping of the bounds before."

I laughed, "Yes, honest and upright, just like Master Mu, loyal and devoted." I deliberately emphasized the last four words. Master Mu's hand trembled slightly. I slowly closed my eyes. The one who knew my every move, who could make Nangong lower his guard and get injured, and who killed the man in black in the chaos that day, was Mu Changqing. He had long been doing business behind the backs of Nalan Manor and the Situ family. I hadn't paid attention when Jin Wulei told me that Master Mu had been frequently away on business in recent years, until a few days ago when I saw Qiuyue and him being intimate in the backyard, and I suddenly understood a little.

Nangong looked coldly at Palace Master Mu. I chuckled and stood up, walking calmly to the door. I turned back to Palace Master Mu and said, "Palace Master Mu, I found you a girl named Qiushui in Yangzhou City. She's just as beautiful as Qiuyue."

Mianye walked over from behind and bowed slightly. "Alliance Leader, someone just saw Young Master Pear Blossom go to Master's room."

The group followed me into the house, but Pear Blossom was no longer there. I sat quietly by the window, watching the rain. Nangong, his face contorted with rage, ordered, "Check carefully, is anything else missing?!"

After a while, a young maidservant said cautiously, "Only the master's ox-horn comb is missing."

I paused slightly, my fingers involuntarily running through my hair. I smiled gently, and the scene of Lihua tying my hair up appeared once again in my mind.

"Oh well, it's just a comb. If it's gone, it's gone."

It's just a comb, but is it really that simple?

On the stone table in the courtyard, Lu Xiu was guiding Yin'er's calligraphy, and I gazed at it quietly for a long time.

Nangong walked closer and was taken aback when he saw the scene. He smiled and said, "You all look like a family to me."

Lu Xiu looked up at me, smiling faintly without saying a word. Seeing that Nangong hadn't been this happy in days, I asked, "What's wrong?"

"Your past infamy is nothing now."

"What do you mean?" I frowned slightly, but I didn't feel relieved at all.

"Su Lihua wrote letters to various sects, saying that he was originally a member of the Luo Feng Sect, and that this whole affair was part of the Luo Feng Sect's plan to sow discord among the four major manors. She also said that one of the plans was to frame you. She explained that if you hadn't confessed that day, you would have fallen into their trap. The letter also praised your virtue, saying that you had made him repent. Early this morning, all the major sects presented congratulatory gifts, praising you for bringing joy to the martial arts world."

"Where's Pear Blossom?" I looked at him, trying to see through his gaze.

"He's dead." Nangong avoided his gaze and sighed. "He committed suicide."

I nodded and stopped talking. Something seemed to drift through my mind, neither painful nor itchy.

Xiaoyu walked up with a smile from a distance, pointed at Lu Xiu and said to Xi'er in his arms, "See? Go over and let him hold you, call him Uncle Ba."

Xi'er simply stared intently at Lu Xiu with her big eyes.

Lu Xiu was clearly taken aback, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes. I was momentarily stunned, but finally made up my mind to walk over, then bent down and kissed Xi'er, saying, "Baby, call him Father."

Lu Li didn't speak, just gazed at me silently. He paused for a moment, then a smile spread across his lips, deepening until it reached his eyes. We looked at each other for a long time. He walked to my side, opened his arms, and said softly to Xi'er, "Good child, let Father hold you." Xi'er showed no wariness whatsoever, naturally opening his arms and being embraced by Lu Li. In that instant, I seemed to see Xi'er as that child, the one who had caused me pain for so many years. I wanted to give Xi'er a father, and wasn't the person before me the best choice? He was probably the most loving father in the world!

A hand gently squeezed my hand from behind. I turned around and smiled slightly at Xiaoyu who was coming to greet me.

Nangong looked at us in confusion, then walked up and circled around Lu Xiu again. Lu Xiu was scared by her circling around, so he turned aside and played with the little person in his arms by himself.

"You brat—" Nangong glared at me, "You've stolen the man I had my eye on again!"

Chapter Fifteen: The Past is Gone, Only the First Meeting Remains

Tushan Villa, the night is very quiet.

I looked at Situ Yuan and smiled slightly. "Uncle Situ, is there something you need from me?"

Situ Yuan held a horn comb and handed it over, saying, "This was taken from his hand."

I smiled faintly, "If he likes it, then let him be."

Situ Yuan looked exhausted. "You actually let him go! Letting him go means letting Situ Manor go. Don't you regret it?!"

"Does regret mean more people will die?!" I said, my smile fading.

A flicker of light flashed in Situ Yuan's eyes, which I caught. I stood up and said quietly, "Is the martial arts world really that alluring? Generation after generation of Situ people have schemed and plotted for it, only to end in regret. Actually, I'm afraid too. Ever since I ascended to that position at the age of twelve, I've been filled with fear. I'm so worried that I won't be able to suppress you ambitious and poised uncles, worried that the Nalan family's ancestral legacy will be destroyed in my hands. It's this fear that has forced me to grow up, and it's your ambition that has made me strong!"

Situ Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at him with a smile, "So even the dignified leader of the martial arts alliance, the head of the Nalan family, can feel fear."

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Uncle."

"Pear Blossom repaid your kindness with her death," Situ Yuan sighed.

"Does Uncle Situ really think so?" I laughed. "I think he has repaid the Yuan Sect and Situ Manor. He no longer owes Uncle Situ anything. It's just a pity that, for the sake of the peace of these three families, he has also labeled the Luo Feng Sect. Oh well, the Luo Feng Sect should have been eliminated long ago. If it hadn't been eliminated, who knows which sects in the martial arts world would have used the Luo Feng Sect's name to do shady things. Sacrificing one Pear Blossom is enough."

Situ Yuan's face turned pale. "Lihua...he respects you."

"oh?!"

"Because in this world, only you treat him like a man."

I slowly stepped out of the inner room. Situ Di's voice came from behind me.

"I instructed him to stay close to you and wait for an opportunity to strike. But he did nothing..."

I spent three days tending to everything at Nalan Manor. My diligent and attentive demeanor truly baffled Nangong. In reality, I was gradually completing my grand plan for "retirement"! Three days later, Nangong, who had been promoted to Alliance Leader, saw us off from Yangzhou, looking unwell. He was resentful that I insisted on taking the future Alliance Leader with me. However, it was Lu Xiu who insisted on taking Xi'er with him. It must be said that Lu Xiu was thoroughly enjoying the happiness of being a father at this time.

Outside Yangzhou, we parted ways. Xiaoyu was taken back to the capital by Fifth Master's men, Nangong returned to his manor to be the leader of the Jianghu Alliance, and Lu Xiu, carrying the child, and I embarked on this unpredictable and carefree journey through the Jianghu.

We left Yangzhou by water. Lu Xiu said that this journey would likely take us even further from the capital. Leaning against him, I gradually became sleepy… That man was indeed suited to be a peerless emperor. Without me, everything about him would return to normal. So, it turns out, I was the one who ruined his future!

“Nangong… looks a lot like her!” Lu Xiu said softly. I had already guessed that the “her” he was referring to was Consort Yuan.

"He's her son." I took a deep breath. "Just like you, he's her son!"

Turning around, she looked at Lu Xiu, whose eyes were red and swollen, and her heart ached!

"You and I... are both all alone now!" I reached out and covered his eyes, trying my best to comfort him.

"I'm afraid the real 'I am the one' is him!" Lu Xiu forced a smile, his lips revealing a multitude of emotions.

In the autumn of the twenty-sixth year of Tianyou, Emperor Dezong ascended the throne, and the reign title was Deyou.

Our carriage stopped on the outskirts of Xining. Standing beneath the city gate, we were stunned by the imperial edict prominently displayed. It was a copy of the new emperor's handwritten edict to the world. Yin'er, standing beside me, suddenly raised his hand and exclaimed, "That's Father's calligraphy!" His single sentence drew the attention of everyone around us. I quickly covered his mouth and glared at Lu Xiu behind us, who promptly lifted him down. Xi'er sat on his shoulders the whole way, while I led Yin'er by the hand. We felt it would be a shame not to say something, given the bright sunshine.

I took Lu Xiu's hand. "Once we're out of the city, how do we get there?"

"Eastward," Lu Xiu replied calmly.

I stopped and stared at him blankly. He couldn't possibly not know that the small palace was just to the east.

"Lu Xiu." The voice calling out was barely audible.

Lu Xiu let go of my hand in surprise, but I stubbornly clung to his sleeve. The voice in my heart grew clearer and clearer: Don't leave me!

"Xiwen gave birth to a son for me." His voice was indifferent, revealing nothing.

The hand that was gripping his sleeve slid down inch by inch until it fell limply to the ground.

He stared intently at me, his eyes brimming with tears, and his hand unconsciously rose as if to stroke my temples. I felt the surroundings were so quiet, the sunlight not so harsh, the light falling on the strands of hair at my temples. Startled, I realized, why was he still bothering me?! My expression froze.

He understood, and his hand stopped an inch from my temple, frozen in a stiff pose.

I quickly turned away from him, only asking softly, "So? You're saying you can't travel with me?! You're going to send me back? Can I also interpret this as you coming to the manor to find me just to trick me into going with you?!"

I reached out to grab the child from his shoulder, but the child cried out in pain. With a heavy heart, I pulled the child down and held him in my arms, looking at Lu Xiu. "Go! Wealth and glory await you, don't they? Your Prince Duan's mansion, your beauties, your wife, your child—they're all waiting for you! Why waste your time with me!"

I retreated step by step, smiling as the soldiers who had caught up behind me surrounded us completely, smiling as the crowd knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" Were they calling for Lu Xiu, or for me?!

"You...you actually lied to me?" I looked at him defiantly, refusing to show weakness. "Lu Xiu, how could you do this to me?!"

Suddenly, Xi'er broke free from my hand and staggered towards Lu Xiu, calling out "Dad—" in her childish voice. Lu Xiu walked closer, bent down, and reached out to greet her. Xi'er fell straight into his arms.

He leaned against the crevice and looked at me, his eyes filled with shock and pain. "I truly wanted to roam the world with you, but... Yu Ning is dead. Won't you go back to see her off?"

The eunuch, holding the imperial edict, was followed by his attendants carrying embroidered robes. The eunuch read the decree, and everyone knelt again, except for me… I forgot to kneel…

At the end of October in the 26th year of Tianyou.

A single autumn rain brings a chill. I pulled the shawl around my shoulders and got out of the car, finding it hard to adjust to the damp cold of Beijing, especially here at the entrance draped with white silk. The huge character "奠" (meaning "offering sacrifice") instantly made the surroundings feel even colder. I stared blankly at the yellowed paper bearing the words "Forgive my negligence" for a long time, then touched the faded edge of the door, feeling a stinging coldness.

"Her Majesty has arrived..." A servant dressed in plain clothes came forward to greet her.

The fragrance stung my eyes, and the rigid memorial tablet in front of me gradually blurred. I simply closed my eyes and muttered softly, "Yu Ning, you left in such a hurry, without even saying you'd wait for me to come back and chat with us."

A servant approached slowly from behind, "Your Highness, the Prince Consort is coming from the border..."

They've arrived.

I stood up and made way for him, and saw Xiao Yi standing stiffly outside the mourning hall. His eyes were fixed on the coffin, and he took light steps, as if he was worried about disturbing the person inside. I watched him walk over clumsily, put one hand on the nanmu coffin, and turn his face away to press against it.

I sighed and walked past him, wanting to offer some quiet words of comfort. His hand trembled as he gripped my sleeve, the chill of the rain in his hand. I felt a pang of loss, remembering how he had stubbornly tugged at my sleeve when he was young many years ago.

The servants keeping vigil were dismissed, and all was quiet except for the hissing of the candlelight. Two years had passed, and he was no longer the arrogant, childlike stubborn boy he once was. His handsome face had somehow acquired a resolute air, and I realized that in my eyes, he was no longer a child. Just like now, he had learned to suppress his emotions and to restrain himself.

I stood there愣愣地 for a long time, finally deciding to let go of his hand. Sensing my intention, he stiffly pulled my hand to his face. Touching a wet patch, my heart trembled, and my voice trembled as I said, "Yi'er..."

He suddenly turned around and hugged me, burying his face in my chest. His low, suppressed sobs resonated through me, shaking out all the bitterness in my heart.

"Sister, are those who follow me destined to be unhappy?" His voice seemed to be talking to himself. "Brother is, and so is Ning'er..."

That night, I did what I did many years ago, half-holding him in my arms, gently patting him, again and again, to soothe the melancholy in his heart...

Yu Ning's coffin lay in state for five days. Because of my relationship with Xiao Yi, the Empress Dowager Dingfei specifically instructed me to handle the funeral arrangements at the驸马府 (the residence of the驸马). Consort Lin also sent my fifth sister-in-law to assist, but she cried more than anyone else. She grew up with Yu Ning and was her aunt and sister-in-law, so it was understandable that she couldn't accept it. I only asked her to look after little Nuannuan, who had just lost her mother, in the backyard.

"Thank you for your trouble these past few days, Your Majesty." A soft female voice came from behind.

I turned around and looked the maid up and down. "Are you Yu Ning's closest maid?"

"Yes, my name is Le Mei."

I nodded. "You must take good care of the prince consort."

A small figure wobbled in and fell straight into my arms. I was surprised for a moment before I noticed the maid following behind. I couldn't help but scold her, "Why did you bring the little prince to this place?"

The little girl said, "I had no choice. The little prince has been fussing for his mother since he woke up this morning. The Eighth Prince couldn't stand the noise and kept asking for her to be brought over."

Helpless, I could only send Le Mei and the little maid to sit in the warm pavilion. Xi'er looked up at me pitifully. I pinched his little cheek, smiled, and picked him up, but he tugged at me, pointing outside the mansion, "Godmother—"

I had someone slip me away and headed outside the mansion. I saw Xiaoyu staring blankly at the large "Funeral" sign inside for a long time without moving. I went up to her and took her hand. "Why are you standing here in the rain like an idiot instead of going inside?!"

She gave a stiff smile. "I was planning to come and see Yu Ning, but with the Prince Consort here, it's not appropriate for me to go in."

"Are you sure you don't want to see him?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I really just came to see Yu Ning."

I didn't press her further, and simply asked, "Is Fifth Master alright?"

"I feel much better than in the first few days, after all, we're very close as siblings."