Lanting

Capítulo 92

I turned to look at her sitting to the side, holding the child. When I looked at him, he opened his big eyes and looked back at me. I just found it amusing. Although I had been taking him with me for the past few days, I hadn't really put him on my mind. I was just determined to raise him well. But he always managed to attract my attention with a special look in his eyes. I shook my head helplessly and walked over.

"Give me the child." Saying this, he picked up the child and examined him carefully. He was indeed a beautiful child. Of all the children he had seen over the years, this one was the most handsome, exuding a kind of spiritual charm. The child was extremely beautiful, so his parents must be a noble and talented couple.

“The more I look at this child, the more beautiful she seems.” Xiaoyu, who had entered at some point, shook her head. “I feel like this child resembles someone, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

I nodded, "It does look somewhat familiar."

There was a knock on the door three times. Looking up, I was immediately struck by the stunningly beautiful woman before me. I quickly smiled and said, "Oh, you're back?!"

The beautiful woman swayed up and landed a fan on my head. "You brat, you only know to come back now."

"Nangong, I'm back too," Xiaoyu replied with a smile.

The beautiful woman shook her head and swayed, "Hehe, is today some kind of joyous occasion?"

Only Nangong and I were left in the room. I turned around from the window, looked at Nangong who was smugly admiring himself, and smiled slightly. "I ran away from home."

"Oh." Her foxy eyes blinked a few times.

"I don't want to go back."

"Um."

"Write me a letter."

After Nangong Zi finished writing, he blew the paper dry, stood up, and quietly put his arm around me from behind.

"You brat?"

"Um?"

"That's wonderful, you belong to me again..."

I smiled, feeling calm and serene.

"I will tell Murong."

Indeed, he was the handsome and alluring Nangong, a beauty unique to me and Murong. His captivating charm seemed innate, every inch of his eyes and brows exuding a seductive allure. Yet, he managed to maintain this allure without appearing overly effeminate; it was simply a face bestowed upon him by heaven to bewitch all. Even as a child, Nangong Jin was renowned throughout the Western Regions for his unparalleled beauty. He was the crown prince of the Western Regions, known as Prince Jinlan. The local people were willing to wait for three days along the official road he passed, causing massive crowds wherever he went, just to catch a glimpse of his peerless face. This astonishing background and appearance led to his rescue by the Golden Palace Master when his kingdom was destroyed. At the age of eight, he became his maternal grandfather's only disciple. His grandfather disguised him in women's clothing to subtly conceal his naturally striking beauty, a rarity among men, allowing him to appear only as a beautiful and charming woman. I was five years old that year. In my memory, he was the only person besides me who could make my grandfather smile. I once heard the servants gossiping that if it weren't for me, everything would have been his. And I, too, wished he could have accepted all of this for me.

His fingers lightly traced my lips, and he gave me a seductive laugh: "You little brat, how much affection do you have for that man?!"

I was taken aback. "I don't know."

"They've all borne him children, don't you know that? Compared to Xuan, how do they even compare?"

I lowered my eyes. "Can this... even be compared?"

"If he died right now... what would you do?"

I looked up at him steadily and said, "I will live well."

Nangong's finger lightly touched the top of my forehead. "Silly girl, you loved him..."

"Why?"

"You have chosen to live on for him and to live on his responsibilities. True love is not only about dying for each other."

I buried my head in Nangong's chest, "Back then, right..."

"Hey, you've gotten my clothes dirty."

"You stingy bastard!!" I cursed inwardly. "It's just that dress Murong sewed for you. All those years of being 'sisters' with you have been for nothing."

Chapter Eleven: Trivial Matters of the Martial World

"Where can one cross the desolate frontier? What more can one find in this vast and desolate land? The murderous aura forms battle clouds at all times, and the chilling sound of the watchman's drum echoes through the night."

"Blades flashed, blood flowed freely; those who die for their principles never cared for personal glory. Do you not see the bitterness of battle on the battlefield? Even now, we still remember General Li!"

Yin'er stood in the pavilion, swaying her little head as she recited in a melodious voice. Xiaoyu and I watched with smiles, while Nalan Xi stared wide-eyed, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. The weather was gradually getting hotter, and we, a group of lazybones, became increasingly reluctant to go to the front yard, spending our days holed up in the backyard drinking and indulging in pleasure. Initially, several palace masters would pretend to be busy, frequently visiting my backyard with the latest challenge letters and invitations. However, ever since Xiaoyu put up a sign in front of the house in the backyard that read "If you need anything, find Nangong," few people came. Now, Nangong has also put up a sign in front of his house that reads, "If you need anything, go to Shuibo."

Now the three of us are sitting together, drinking and listening to Yin'er recite loudly.

"You can't bully Uncle Shui like this. He's old and still has to do things for you," Xiaoyu said, unable to bear it any longer.

Nangong raised a delicate pinky finger and pointed at me, "It's all because this girl is lazy."

I kicked him and said, "Stop shirking responsibility. I saw the cash register yesterday."

"We gaze at each other, blades flashing, blood gushing forth; to die for one's principles, how could one care about honor—" A childish voice rang out, and I was startled. I rushed to look at Yin'er, only to find him staring blankly to the side. I staggered to my feet, turned to Xi'er who was playing in the sand, and looked at him in alarm, "Xi'er, you just recited a poem?!"

Nalan Xi pursed his lips and stared at me with wide eyes.

“Son, say it again—” My voice was already trembling.

"Have you not seen the hardships of battle on the battlefield? We still remember General Li to this day!" He actually recited the second half of the sentence.

Clang—Nangongdi's cup fell to the ground. He pounced on me in two strides, snatching the cup from my arms. He used his charm to his advantage. "Little genius, be my son!"

I glanced at the equally astonished Mianye. A sigh escaped my lips. I'd raised a genius. He's only a little over two years old… What was I doing when I was two? According to Nangong, I was throwing tantrums, being a brat, and having a runny nose. It really is a breed difference. They're just different.

Nangong picked up Xi'er and walked away, muttering to himself, "It seems she truly inherited my intelligence."

I cursed inwardly, thinking how good he was at trying to claim kinship with others!

"The Heroes' Gathering is imminent. All the major alliances have already sent their invitations. These are turbulent times. Everyone hopes that the two alliance leaders can make an appearance. However, the two alliance leaders have been claiming illness for many years and have not made an appearance. This time..." The Water Palace Master said with a serious expression.

I quickly covered my head with my hand. "Why do you seem to be getting more and more listless lately?"

Nangong glared at me, then patted his chest. "How can I not feel chest tightness in the summer?"

Xiao Yu sneered, "Uncle Shui, leave these two to me. I'll take them to prison tomorrow."

The Water Palace Master smiled with satisfaction, turned and left. The temperature in the room dropped sharply. Nangong had already given me a wink, "Will you do it or should I?"

"You go first," I nodded. "Be steady, accurate, and fast."

Xiaoyu stepped back in a defensive stance, then quickly laughed, "Whether you go or not is up to you."

As she spoke, she turned around with a smile, "Yin'er, Xi'er, let me tell you, your mother wet the bed until she was five, and Aunt Nangong was still sucking her thumb at ten. And—"

"Stop them now!" I slammed my hand on the table and roared.

Inside the carriage, Nangong and I sat listlessly, while Xiaoyu held Xi'er with an excited expression, saying she wanted to let Xi'er see the world. She had originally planned to bring Yin'er as well, but I stopped her by saying I wanted to raise Yin'er to be a refined scholar like his father.

My last appearance in the martial arts world was at the martial arts alliance meeting the year I got married. I was already tired of empty talk and putting on airs.

Therefore, although Nalan Qingqian's name is prestigious, it is truly mysterious.

Uncle Shui watched with satisfaction as Nangong and I got out of the car, and led us with one hand, "Please, both of you leaders, everyone is already waiting in the courtyard."

From afar, I could see the tall arena. I glanced at Nangong and asked, "What's going on? Has the Heroes' Gathering turned into a fighting tournament?"

"Three years ago, we started to discuss important matters more than just eating and drinking. Naturally, we also invited martial arts masters to exchange skills with each other."

I frowned. "You're not going to invite us, are you?"

"It's hard to say."

"What should I do? I haven't touched a weapon in over six years."

Nangong glared at me and said, "Don't try to fool me. You dare leave me here alone and see what happens."

Entering directly from the small north hall into the high pavilion to the north, one finds four palace masters of Nalan Manor already seated. The eastern pavilion houses the head of Murong Manor, the southern pavilion is reserved for Qiuming Manor, and the western pavilion is for the Situ Manor's forces. Looking down from the pavilion, one can see various sects and factions clustered together, each occupying their own space, along with some casual martial artists sitting below the arena. Zhui Feng is currently seated in one of those casual spots. Now, the four major martial arts sects that control the world are gathered in the First Pavilion Under Heaven. Looking around, the other three pavilions are all shorter than ours, highlighting Nalan Manor's prestige in unifying the martial world through the mandate of the four major sects. Nalan Manor has been superior to the other three major sects for a century, so the position of leader has always been held by the Nalan family. The leader's token directly commands all martial arts sects, a fact that has long been accepted by the people. Murong and Qiuming Manor are longtime friends of Nalan, and for generations they have sincerely obeyed Nalan, the leader of the alliance. However, the Situ family has grown powerful in recent years, harboring ambitions to overthrow Nalan and seize control of the world. It seems the Situ family has been stirring since my great-great-grandfather's generation. But the Nalan family will never give them any chance, relying solely on the century-old prestige of being the number one manor in the world. Every time I sit in this position, I feel a profound pressure, but what direction will my will alone take the martial arts world?

Once the surroundings quieted down, everyone, both on and off the stage, stared solemnly at our pavilion. A curtain hung above, and those outside could only make out vague silhouettes. The master of Nalan Manor was not one to casually show his face; this was something Uncle Shui had instilled in me since childhood. Thus, I benefited from this. Aside from a brief appearance at my inauguration ceremony when I was twelve, I retreated behind the curtain, using my power to have Nangong shield me. Therefore, apart from my own manor, only the heads of three other manors could recognize me. Today, Nalan Manor was almost entirely present, everyone tense, and no one dared to risk disrespect by peeking at the person behind the curtain. Nangong smiled at me, "Aren't you going out to say a few words?"

I replied with a joking tone, "Please."

Nangong shook his head, with an expression that said, "I knew it."

She gracefully stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and walked to the railing. Grasping the jade handle with one hand, she gave the audience a captivating smile, eliciting gasps of admiration. Every time Nangong appeared, she was met with a scene of utter adoration. A deafening roar erupted from the audience: "Greetings, Vice Alliance Leader!"

Nangong Jiaorou nodded and waved her hand, "Today, our alliance leader has come to the number one pavilion in the world. The alliance leader said that he has not seen his brothers for six years and asked me to convey his greetings."

Once again, they prostrated themselves on their knees, this time their shouts thunderous, "Thank you, Alliance Leader—"

The leaders of the three pavilions in the east, west, and south all stood up and bowed to me. I smiled faintly and looked at them one by one before finally sitting down in my pavilion.

After the silence was restored, she gently raised her eyelashes, lightly tapped her index and middle fingers on the jade table, and announced with a faint smile, "Today's gathering is mainly for fellow disciples from different sects to learn from each other. Since we are brothers, let's not lose our harmony. We will first discuss the Huizhou alliance with the three manor families. All brothers are free to do as they please offstage."

Everyone responded, and then they performed a grand ceremony. I had to watch the group of people kneel and bow without moving, feeling utterly bored.

After the greetings were exchanged, the contestants began to compete in twos and threes on the arena.

I fiddled with the celadon cup in my hand, thinking that the three sect leaders should arrive soon.

Sure enough, the three sect leaders came out of their pavilions and walked towards us. I instructed my men to move the chairs, and the rest of the people stepped back.

"Uncle Murong, Uncle Situ—" Before they could perform the proper greetings, I stood up and went to greet them with a smile. After settling the heads of the Murong and Situ families, I turned to Qiu Minghao, who was also looking solemn as he came up behind me, and smiled, "Brother Qiu Minghao, please have a seat."

As soon as we sat down, the Murong family brought up the topic, summarizing and listing everything from the Huizhou Alliance to the suppression of the rebel sect, and then to the merchants and shops within the spheres of influence of various forces in the Central Plains. After discussing and listing everything, more than half a day had passed. I looked up at you and saw that the people on the arena were still fighting with great enthusiasm.

When discussing the suppression of the traitorous Luo Feng faction, the Situ family fully supported the effort and even offered to contribute most of their manpower.

After a few more brief words, we dispersed, and I leaned against the side watching the pointless argument below the stage.

Before long, a commotion broke out in the audience. Someone came to report, "Master Murong has been assassinated, and Master Situ has also been injured."

I blew away the pollen beside me and asked, "Where?"

"In the west chamber of the Situ family."

He frowned slightly, turned around and said calmly to Palace Master Mu, "Take a few people to control the situation, and keep them alive."

Coming to my senses, I felt there were too many coincidences. The image of Situ kindly helping Murong up as she left flashed through my mind, and I gripped the jade thumb ring tightly. It was possible that Situ had gone to the East Pavilion with Murong; Murong and Situ had always been at odds, so she certainly wouldn't have gone to the West Pavilion. But the events had to happen in the West Pavilion. There were simply too many inexplicable coincidences. I smiled, turning to find Nangong looking at me with a smile as well.

I glared at him. "Your father-in-law has been assassinated, and you're just sitting here like this?!"

Nangong frowned slightly, "But for now we need to wait and see how things develop."

"So you figured it out too?"

Nangong slightly raised the corners of his mouth, "Do you have a sense of how this will turn out?"

Xiaoyu walked up with a sigh and shook her head, placing a full cup of tea in front of us. "If the cup is full, it will overflow. It will be too hot to handle later."

"If you burn your hand, the cup will naturally fall to the ground." I nodded. "Yes, some people don't like me being in control and want to make me uncomfortable."

I stood up, wanting to make up for lost time, and waved to Mianye behind me, leading her into the back room.

When we came out, I had already changed into her clothes and straightened her brocade robe. I led her back to the pavilion. Looking around, I saw that the crowd was gathered under the west pavilion, and everyone was talking. The Murong family members were already impatient and were all ready to go. I pressed Mianye back to the seat I had been sitting in and turned to Nangong and said, "You all better keep me in check."

Xiaoyu smiled, walked over, and asked with a hint of smugness, "Let's all guess what will be uploaded in a little while."

"First, the assassin has been caught." Nangong blinked.

“The assassin will say it was our order,” Xiaoyu nodded and said.