Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 135

Xu Lan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I heard that on the night the Sky Eagle Sect attacked our fortress, Young Master Yue disregarded the danger and was the first to rush out. What's surprising is that your target wasn't Li Ying, but Luo Buqun. During your duel with Luo Xiang, you clearly had the upper hand, and in such a dangerous situation, you didn't even care about your own life, yet you suddenly let Luo Xiang go because of a woman's cry. Why is that?"

"So that's how it is. I was the one who gave myself away."

Kiyomi Tsuki still smiled faintly, a faint smile that exuded a subtle sadness. Although it was faint, the sadness was so deep that it penetrated to the bone marrow and the soul, and could never be eradicated.

Lu Qingcheng felt the wound in his heart growing more and more painful, so painful that he frowned and had to grit his teeth to bear it.

"According to my investigation, the woman who called out was Miss Zhao Xing, the second daughter of Master Zhao Feihu. Miss Zhao Xing married her childhood sweetheart Luo Xiang three years ago without knowing that Luo Buqun was her father's killer," Xu Lan said. "I also found out that on the night of Miss Zhao Xing's wedding three years ago, Young Master Yue infiltrated the Sky Eagle Sect, attempting to take Miss Zhao Xing away. However, Miss Zhao Xing mistook him for an assassin and seriously injured you."

Tears welled in Cai Zhonghe's eyes, his hands trembling. He longed to hold Qingjian Yue tightly. Lei Yongxiang's resolute face showed sorrow, and even Li Anguo's usually expressionless face revealed pity. Su Haibo, Liu Xicheng, He Zhiqiang, Zhou Peng, Steward Du, Zhou Jie, and Du Ping—weren't they all looking serious and heavy-hearted?

"Afterwards, although you escaped by chance, you fell seriously ill and almost lost your life. Therefore, I dare to guess that you are Zhao Feihu's missing eldest daughter, Zhao Yue," Xu Lan said.

"That's enough," Lu Qingcheng interrupted resolutely.

Outside the painting hall.

Qingfeng's handsome face was as pale as snow.

Madam Lu said coldly, "Qingcheng, you've finally seen Qing Jianyue's true colors, haven't you? Now you should understand your mother's good intentions, right? Qing Jianyue is Zhao Feihu's daughter, Zhao Yue. He came to this fortress to seek revenge, and he's using you."

Lu Qingcheng remained silent, gazing at Qing Jianyue. Qing Jianyue was still smiling, but that sorrowful smile was more poignant and desolate than weeping. How could Lu Qingcheng not feel sadness, anger, and tenderness at such a sight?

"Qing Jianyue, can you let go of your hatred and anger towards your mother? Can you let go of your hatred and anger towards Li Tieying, Luo Buqun, and Zhao Wuyang?" Xu Yun glared fiercely at Qing Jianyue. "Can you? Do you dare to say that here in front of the Lord of the Fortress?"

Cai Bo'an, Cai Zhonghe, Lei Yongxiang, Li Anguo, Liu Xicheng, He Zhiqiang, Su Haibo, Zhou Peng, Chief Steward Du, Zhou Jie, and Du Ping all looked serious.

Xu Yun's question was extremely malicious, even deserving of the word "insidious".

Such a deep-seated family feud cannot be easily let go. If Kiyomi Tsuki says he can let go, he is implicitly proving he is lying; if he says he cannot let go, it proves that everything he did before was a deception. In short, Kiyomi Tsuki cannot escape the accusation of being a conspirator and a liar.

Cai Zhonghe was extremely anxious. He racked his brains but couldn't find a way to help Qing Jianyue, which made him extremely angry. He looked at Lu Qingcheng, who was surprisingly calm at this moment, as calm as a frozen stone.

All eyes were fixed on Kiyomi Tsuki, and everyone's feelings were complicated. However, Kiyomi Tsuki remained silent, offering no response or explanation.

"Qing Jianyue, why aren't you speaking?" Xu Yun pressed again, "Or are you afraid to answer in front of the Lord of the Fortress?"

Qingjian Yue remained silent. His faint smile vanished like smoke. But he showed no anger, no sorrow, no fear; only profound calm, his gaze clear as an autumn lake. He looked at Lu Qingcheng, and Lu Qingcheng gazed back at him. They remained silently gazing at each other, neither speaking nor making a move, simply locked in this silent staring contest.

Seeing this, Xu Yun felt a surge of jealousy, like a venomous snake gnawing at her heart. She couldn't believe that Qing Jianyue could remain so calm under these circumstances, still able to keep Lu Qingcheng's eyes fixed solely on him. A torrent of anger surged within her, and she blurted out, "Qing Jianyue, your inability to answer is enough to prove your ambition and your schemes."

Outside the painting hall.

Qingfeng snorted coldly.

“You used every trick in the book to get close to the Lord of the Fortress and to curry favor with him, all just to use him and the Lu Family Fortress to take revenge. You showed no respect or fear to the Madam, and were even full of hostility. All of this comes from your mother. Because…” Xu Yun said heavily, “because you hate your unfaithful mother.”

These words finally elicited a reaction from Qing Jianyue, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his eyes. That glint was like a sword piercing an enemy, instantly penetrating Xu Yun's heart. Xu Yun trembled uncontrollably, filled with shock, anger, and fear, her shrill voice completely out of control.

"Your advice to the Lord of the Fortress to let go of his hatred is all a lie. Your purpose is to frame the Lady, remove her as an obstacle, and then marry the Lord of the Fortress. You can then use the Lord's favor and the power of this fortress to destroy the Sky Eagle Cult and achieve your goal of revenge."

Xu Lan closed his eyes, and a rare color appeared on his expressionless face—a color of pain.

Lu Qingcheng remained silent. His expression was somber, and his eyes held an unfathomable depth.

"What are you still hesitating for?" Madam Lu ordered, "Cai Bo'an, I command you to expel Qing Jianyue immediately."

Cai Bo'an didn't answer; he looked at Lu Qingcheng, awaiting her command. Cai Zhonghe, Lei Yongxiang, and the others all watched Lu Qingcheng intently; at this moment, her decision was of utmost importance.

"Qingcheng, are you still so stubborn at this point? I will not allow Qing Jianyue to stay in this fortress any longer. Keeping him here will only bring endless trouble to this fortress."

Madam Lu was starting to lose her composure. She had already used her last trump card, but it still hadn't made her son waver in the slightest. How could she not be anxious?

Lu Qingcheng got up from the ground, and pulled Qing Jianyue up with her, saying, "That's enough."

"What did you say?" Madam Lu could hardly believe her ears and said angrily, "Qingcheng, say it again."

Lu Qingcheng said firmly, "Let's stop here, Mother."

"Are you... are you truly bewitched by him?" Madam Lu pointed a trembling finger at her son, her voice trembling as she said, "Do you really want me to die in front of you?"

Anger flashed in Lu Qingcheng's eyes, but the thought that the person in front of him was his mother forced him to suppress it. Deep down, he was in great pain and filled with hatred.

Mother, I so want to ask you, why did you have to be so cruel and heartless to put Jian Yue to death? Why? What made you hate Jian Yue so much? What was it?

“I can’t allow it…” Mrs. Lu screamed.

"Madam, I have a few more questions I'd like to ask Young Master Jianyue," Xu Lan suddenly spoke.

Madam Lu's face lit up with hope, and she said with delight, "Okay, ask away, ask away quickly."

Lu Qingcheng reached out and wrapped his arm around Qing Jianyue's waist with a protective instinct. Qing Jianyue trembled slightly, looking at him with a mixture of excitement and relief.

Xu Yun's beautiful face was shrouded in the dark cloud of jealousy. Her hands clenched tightly in pain, then relaxed again, over and over once more.

Xu Lan said, "According to my investigation, you rescued Lord Long and Madam Long of Tianlong Fortress three years ago. May I ask, Young Master Jianyue, is this true?"

Kiyomi Tsuki was taken aback; he hadn't expected him to ask that question.

Liu Xicheng protested loudly, "Everyone knows this, why do you need to ask?"

Xu Lan said, "I have also found out that Young Master Jian Yue not only rescued Lord Long and his wife, but also helped Lord Kang and his wife of Fengyue Manor. Is this true, Young Master Jian Yue?"

Everyone present looked at Kiyomi Tsuki upon hearing this.

Kiyomi Tsuki said, "That is true, but it was just a small favor, nothing to do with helping."

"Young Master Jianyue is too modest." Xu Lan continued, "Because of your small favor, Madam Long has taken a great liking to you. Madam Long invited you to Tianlong Fortress as a guest, but you declined. Is that true?"