Mu Fengting suddenly stopped smiling and said softly, "You seem to have something on your mind." He paused, then added, "I thought we were sworn brothers, couldn't you tell me?"
Mo Xi, having cultivated herself over the years to the point of not showing her emotions, couldn't help but think: This fellow is incredibly perceptive. But then she realized that her earlier rejection of his invitation, in an attempt to leave this troublesome place as soon as possible, had inadvertently revealed her true feelings. However, she absolutely couldn't involve him in her affairs, so she feigned sorrow and said, "What worries could a girl like me possibly have? It's just a bit of melancholy."
Mu Fengting wasn't amused by her bitter face. Instead, his expression was unusually serious as he softly asked, "Do you like him?"
The question was quite abrupt, but Mo Xi only paused for a moment before smiling faintly and saying, "You figured it out."
Mu Fengting hadn't expected her to admit it so readily. He said in a low voice, "The day we left the Tang Clan, he came to see us off. You could tell his eyes were different from when we first arrived. My heart skipped a beat then." He suddenly fell silent, staring intently into Mo Xi's eyes. After a long while, he continued, "I was wrong. I always thought I only had friendship for you. I wonder if it's too late now?"
Mo Xi said softly, "You also said that we are friends who have risked our lives for each other."
Mu Fengting remained silent for a long time, until the tea in the blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand had gone cold, before he said softly, "I thought you at least liked the dishes I made."
Seeing the desolation he had never seen before, Mo Xi remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I should take my leave."
"Sit a little longer. I'll go get you some more tea."
Mo Xi couldn't go against his wishes, so she nodded.
Soon Mu Fengting returned with a teapot, his face no longer showing any signs of dejection. He was as eloquent as ever, chatting about local customs and interesting stories.
Mo Xi liked his carefree attitude, so she joined in the laughter and banter.
The two acted as if nothing had happened during their previous conversation.
Author's Note: The conspiracy unfolds layer by layer. A clue was added to yesterday's chapter.
Fire loss of silver
( ) Mo Xi bid farewell to Mufeng Pavilion for a meal and returned to Jinling City under the spring sunshine.
Upon entering the city, I saw that the apricot blossoms were in full bloom, the whole city a riot of color, taking full advantage of the spring breeze. Especially the few trees planted along the riverbank mixed with weeping willows, their pink and white blossoms contrasting with the new green leaves, creating a scene of countless rosy reflections in the water under the warm breeze and sunshine.
But Mo Xi inexplicably recalled Li Shangyin's poem: "Every day the spring light vie with the sunlight, the apricot blossoms are fragrant on the sloping road of the mountain city. When will my heart be free of all worries, and be able to reach the length of a gossamer thread?" Then he thought: There are so many troubles in the world, only the dead can be free from worries.
With that thought, she cheered up again, and her steps became lighter.
The streets were several times busier than usual, filled with young women enthusiastically choosing cosmetics on this sunny day.
Mo Xi mingled with the crowd, walking slowly.
Suddenly, a small figure came running towards her, calling out affectionately, "Sister Mu." Because she was running so fast, the call sounded a little rushed, and her little face was red, but her voice was soft and sweet, unique to a child of that age.
It turns out it was Xi'er.
Six- or seven-year-old children grow quickly and are full of energy. In addition, Xi'er is now being taken care of and is dressed in clean and bright clothes, which is a complete transformation compared to before. Mo Xi was also very happy to see her and immediately smiled and said, "It's been half a year since I last saw you, and you have grown quite a bit taller."
Xi'er smiled and said, "Sister Mu, Xi'er missed you so much. Sister Lvyun said you went to her hometown to play. Now it's great that you're all back together."
"Did Xi'er go out to play with Sister Lvyun?"
"And Brother Tang Ren."
Mo Xi turned her head following Xi'er's gaze and was suddenly struck by the sight of Tangren Tongxue's healthy, wheat-colored face. She couldn't help but think to herself: "Bad luck."
Green Cloud stepped forward and said with a smile, "Miss, Xi'er was so happy to hear you were back." After a pause, she introduced to Mo Xi, "This is Young Master Tang Ren."
Before Mo Xi could react, Tang Ren interjected, "I know this Miss Mu. What 'young master'? I'm not one of your fourth young masters. Just call me by my name."
Mo Xi could only offer a forced, polite smile. She thought to herself: Don't tell me that Sugar Man and that guy are related.
Unexpectedly, Green Cloud continued, "Fourth Young Master and Young Master Tang Ren are distant cousins." After a pause, she asked in confusion, "That's strange. How did you and Young Master Tang Ren meet?"
Mo Xi thought to herself: Tang Huan really does have such a deadly relative. Girl, I don't care if you're close or distant, you two both have the surname Tang, okay? Even broken bones are still connected by tendons. It's just like what I feared most has come to pass. The Tang Clan deals in weapons and researches poisons; in modern times, that would be a veritable family-run mafia organization, hardly a clean place. How did Tang Ren, this upright and untainted white lotus flower, emerge from such a filthy place? I'm speechless...
Tang Ren scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "I ran into Miss Mu by chance while investigating a case before."
Upon hearing this, Lüyun's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, "Oh no, how could I forget this? Young Master Tang Ren absolutely cannot have anything to do with a young lady. If Fourth Young Master finds out what happened today, he'll skin me alive."
Thinking of this, Green Cloud immediately forced a smile and said, "Miss must have other matters to attend to, so we won't keep you any longer."
Unexpectedly, Tang Ren put on airs and lectured Lü Yun: "Why did you send her away as soon as we met? It's been half a year since we parted in Hangzhou, and I've met Miss Mu here again. It's fate. Today, I'll treat everyone to a gathering at Jushui Pavilion."
Before Mo Xi could answer, Xi'er tugged at Mo Xi's sleeve and pleaded, "Sister Mu, go, go. Xi'er hasn't seen you in so long."
Helpless, Mo Xi gave Lü Yun a reassuring look and nodded.
Xi'er cheered and pulled Mo Xi away.
As Mo Xi walked, he listened attentively to the whispers between Lvyun and Tang Ren behind him.
"I'm warning you, don't even think about making a move on Miss Mu."
"How could I dare? It's just that I made Miss Mu cry when we met last time, and I wanted to take this opportunity to make it up to her since we finally met again today." Tang Ren still felt lingering fear when he remembered how Mo Xi had cried so easily last time.
"What! You even made Miss Mu cry! If Fourth Young Master finds out, you'll be in deep trouble. Don't blame me for not saving you then." Green Cloud wailed inwardly: Good heavens, this time it's not just about being skinned alive by Fourth Young Master.
Tang Ren's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he gossiped, "Good Luyun, you said that Tang Huan likes Miss Mu? Tsk tsk, no wonder he transferred you to Jinling."
"That's right. Third Young Master, I'm begging you, please take it easy and don't provoke Miss Mu."
"If that's really the case, then I'd be even less likely to do it. You know I've always been intimidated by that kid Tang Huan since I was little."
"What did Fourth Young Master do to you?"
"Isn't it just that I've never won a bet with him..." Tang Ren's voice grew weaker and weaker as he spoke, his tone as aggrieved as a wronged wife.
"Don't be ungrateful. These past few years, while you've been working for the government, Fourth Young Master has been doing a lot of favors for you."
"How could that be? I've seen a lot in the past few years traveling the world. People are only being lenient with me because of the Tang Clan."