Her voice was hoarse, and her vocal cords were aching.
Zhuang Su felt as if she had returned to that day, the day when Shen Jian took the whipping for her to prevent her from standing up for herself. Today, she felt as if she was venting all the words she hadn't shouted that day, and she was a little angry, angry at why she always made others bear the brunt of her cruelty.
When she was seven years old, if she hadn't tried to intervene, Shen Jian wouldn't have ended up with so many whip marks.
Now, if it weren't for her fondness for playing the hero, Liusu wouldn't be in such a dangerous situation.
She felt the bones grinding against each other as the grip on her arms tightened. But her nerves seemed numb; she couldn't feel any pain. She just stared at the blood-stained tassels before her and instinctively yelled at Shen Sansi, a hint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes.
In the midst of her mental blankness, she seemed to see a fleeting glance from Liusu. A very calm glance, as fleeting as a night-blooming cereus, gone in an instant. She felt as if he had something to say to her, and she stopped struggling, staring blankly at him, suddenly falling silent.
"What, are you scared now?" Shen Sansi looked at her mockingly when she stopped scolding him. "If you were scared, you shouldn't have provoked me in the first place." He raised the whip in his hand with a roguish air and clicked his tongue at Liu Su. "Look at you, it's all your fault. Otherwise, why would such a delicate person have to suffer like this?"
His flowing hair cascaded down, subtly lifting his face, a half-smile playing on his lips. He noticed Zhuang Su's worried gaze, and shook his head laboriously to indicate that he was alright.
Shen Sansi scrutinized the tattered "woman" before him, a wicked glint gradually forming in his eyes. He walked to Liusu's side, examining her slender figure. Someone nearby took his whip. Shen Sansi raised his hand and suddenly ripped Liusu's clothes apart.
The already slightly dried blood, clinging tightly to her body, was torn open by the sudden tear. Liusu finally couldn't bear it any longer; the scene before her blurred, and she let out a deep groan. The wound, which had just begun to swell, started bleeding again.
When Zhuang Su saw that Liu Su's once fair chest was covered with hideous wounds, she couldn't bear it and slightly looked away, her tightly clenched lips feeling a bit bitter.
However, Shen Sansi was clearly taken aback after that tug. The flat chest indicated it was a man's. With a flick of his wrist, the person who had been holding Liu Su hurriedly released her grip. Liu Su was now numb with pain and nearly fell to the ground. But then he felt a sharp pain on his scalp as Shen Sansi forcefully pulled him up by the hair.
"Are you a man?" Shen Sansi asked coldly.
"I...I don't think I ever said...I'm...a woman...right..." Liu Su forced out the words, enduring the overwhelming shadows that were looming over her.
"You dare to mess with me!" Shen Sansi grabbed his chin with tremendous force, and the sound of bones breaking could be faintly heard.
He flung Liusu to Zhuangsu's feet. Zhuangsu struggled desperately, and the person holding her finally loosened his grip, allowing her to rush over and protect Liusu tightly. She carefully helped him up, her fingertips gently tracing his wound, trembling uncontrollably, afraid of hurting him.
Seeing her sorrowful expression, Liu Su frowned slightly, forced a smile, and said in a weak voice, "Don't... do this. I'm fine..."
Zhuang Su had calmed down and softly murmured "Mmm." Looking at Liu Su's current disheveled state, he felt extremely bitter.
Seeing the two of them, Shen Sansi laughed in anger: "Tsk tsk tsk, how deep your feelings are. But I'm afraid you won't have the chance to meet again in the future."
Liu Su forced herself to stay conscious and asked, "Is the 'master' you speak of Mo Liyuan?"
Shen Sansi's expression froze instantly. He felt his subordinates around him looking at him with surprise, and his face turned ugly: "How did you know? Who are you? You..." But he didn't finish his sentence. His eyes widened in horror. He turned around to look, but before he could see the person behind him, he collapsed to the ground.
Shen Sansi's body twitched slightly on the ground, then his breath weakened and he fell silent.
Most of the bystanders were still unaware of what had happened. The surrounding woods were silent when suddenly something flew out, followed by a flash of silver light. The area, which had been filled with people, was suddenly engulfed in dust, leaving only a mess of corpses.
"This is..." Zhuang Su looked at Shen Sansi's death and knew he had died of poisoning, and was surprised. At this moment, she saw Liu Su, who was leaning against him, struggling to stand up. She hurriedly helped him up and scolded, "Second Senior Brother, what do you want to do in your current state?"
However, Liusu did not listen to her. Due to excessive blood loss, he barely managed to stand up, but was somewhat unsteady on his feet.
Shen Sansi's forces had been completely wiped out. At this moment, there was only the sound of wind, but no sign of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole that had been stalking it.
Just then, a whistling wind seemed to rise from the grass to the east, and a person slowly emerged. It was a young man, with a unique air of silence and coldness, his expression indifferent. He glanced at Liusu, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Oh, I originally thought that handling such a small matter with Shen Sansi would be enough, but I didn't expect another complication to arise. If people find out that our Liuyun Manor has kidnapped someone from the Yiye Alliance, it might not be good."
When Liu Su saw this person, her face paled even more: "Mo—Li—Yuan..."
The man raised an eyebrow, slightly troubled. "I didn't expect anyone here to know me, but even if you do, you shouldn't say it. If you do, it will be your mistake." His words carried a hint of wind, and Liu Su even felt a subtle breeze near her ear. In his slightly clouded mind, he suddenly realized something.
"Susu, be careful!" He spoke instinctively, but it was too late. As he turned around, he felt a strong gust of wind and a figure approached Zhuang Su, reaching out to strike her neck. Although it seemed casual, it was an extremely heavy blow. As Zhuang Su was knocked unconscious, the person pulled her over and brought her to Mo Liyuan's side.
"Let her go..." Liu Su took a few steps forward to grab her, but her legs gave way and she fell to the ground. Dust clung to her body, piercing her wounds with excruciating pain. He looked up, his eyes glazed, gritting his teeth: "Liuyun Manor...the same Ye Alliance...we've always...keep our distance, even if...our relationship isn't as close as it used to be...we shouldn't...cause trouble for each other..."
Mo Liyuan was somewhat surprised that this seriously injured boy dressed as a girl knew so much, and couldn't help but look Liu Su up and down. Looking at his face, he suddenly remembered something, and a smile appeared on Mo Liyuan's face: "No wonder you know so much. I wondered who it was, aren't you that old man's young master?"
Liu Su was surprised to be recognized. Her chest heaved slightly as she breathed heavily, her expression strange.
Mo Liyuan looked at him and chuckled, a hint of meaning in his voice: "At least you should say that the old man and my Liuyun Manor have a cooperative relationship. From your perspective—is it okay for you to try to stop me?"
Liu Su struggled to lift his head. His eyes, usually so gentle, were unusually deep and cold, but there seemed to be a bottomless vortex within them, with shadowy figures fighting wildly. He felt dizzy; even with his nerves on edge, the scene before him continued to blur bit by bit.
"Your...affairs...have nothing to do with...her...let...her go..." His words trailed off as he drifted into unconsciousness. Vague and indistinct, yet a decision made after much deliberation.
Mo Liyuan coldly watched as Liu Su finally collapsed to the ground, then glanced indifferently at Shen Sansi, who was already dead beside him, and sneered, "I already told you not to hurt anyone, you piece of trash who only knows how to cause me trouble."
The man carrying the jade pendant glanced at Liu Su with slight worry and hesitated, "Master, what should we do with this young master?"
“If he dies, the old man will definitely come after me, and it will be very troublesome.” Mo Liyuan’s gaze fell on the dense forest path in the distance, but he smiled. “However, if no one informs that guy, I will also have a headache… Yun Qing, let’s go.”
Seeing that her master had already walked quite a distance away, Yun Qing glanced worriedly at the unconscious Liu Su, but ultimately said nothing more and hurriedly caught up with Zhuang Su.
A gust of wind blew across the dusty road, raising a few specks of dust. A profound silence fell over the surroundings.
The original noise and commotion subsided after the two left, leaving only a pile of corpses.
I don't know how much time has passed.
A figure in white gradually appeared on the road. Alone, leading a white horse, he strolled along.
His gaze, visible from behind his mask, swept indifferently over the pile of corpses, pausing only slightly when it landed on Liusu. With a swift movement, he was already beside her. His eyes remained indifferent as he placed Liusu on his horse and continued on his journey at a leisurely pace.
As the last rays of the setting sun fell, his shadow stretched long and narrow.
Chapter Thirteen: Clouds Obscuring the Sun (Part 1)
When Zhuang Su woke up, she found herself lying on an exquisitely decorated large bed. The bed was adorned with carved wooden railings and intricately carved sandalwood. Beside her, however, were rattan chairs and a wicker table, with a uniquely crafted incense burner beside it, from which wisps of smoke rose. She cautiously approached and sniffed the air; it wasn't a sleeping potion.
She had changed her clothes, now light and elegant. Zhuang Su frowned slightly, and was about to get out of bed when the door creaked open. The maidservant, seeing that she was awake, was startled. She quickly put a basin of water on the table, helped her up, and murmured, "Miss is finally awake."
Zhuang Su looked her over and asked, "Where is this?"
The maid helped her back to bed, and upon hearing this, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Isn't the young lady a guest of the master? This is Liuyun Manor."
Zhuang Su recalled the events before she lost consciousness, her lips slightly dry, and asked urgently, "Was I alone? Where was the other person? There was a young master with me, did you see him?"
"I don't know, the young lady was brought here alone." The maidservant deftly tucked the blanket in and said, "But the master instructed that the young lady be treated as an honored guest, so it would be better to ask the master directly if anything comes up. Now that the young lady is awake, I will go and inform the master."
Zhuang Su watched her leave the room, then leaned against the edge of the bed, her expression gradually fading. At this moment, she was still more worried about Liu Su. Now that she was in Liuyun Manor, she didn't need to worry too much. Of all the well-known powers in the world, she only knew a few, and Liuyun Manor was one of them.
The Flowing Cloud Manor is incredibly wealthy, comparable to a nation's. Even the One Leaf Alliance's wealth is but a drop in the ocean compared to it.
Shen Sansi, however, seemed to be a man of Mo Liyuan, the master of Liuyun Manor.
Zhuang Su closed her eyes slightly, looking somewhat tired.
The maid arrived just before dinner. After a few words, Zhuang Su learned that her name was Juan'er.
The night was filled with stars, scattered like chess pieces.
Zhuang Su changed into the long, dark blue silk robe that Juan'er had given her, and went with her to see Mo Liyuan.
The outer wall is covered with tiles, dotted with blue and red with a touch of white. Distant lamplight streams into the courtyard, casting a cool glow on the bluestone bricks. Occasionally, a few totems or small, delicate carvings adorn the walls, their grandeur not quite imposing. A hint of melancholy lingers among the indistinct shadows of the trees, their reflections on the ground subtly outlining unusual patterns. Looking further afield, a crimson glow floating in the distance hints at the bustling activity there.
Juan'er led Zhuang Su to the outside of a secluded courtyard, indicating that she needed to enter alone. Zhuang Su looked up and saw the two characters "Yi Qing" (遗青) on the plaque above the archway, written in cursive script with a touch of elegance. Inside the courtyard were quite a few people, exuding an air of decadence. As she stood before the gate, those inside cast surprised glances at her. Noticing the unusual behavior, others couldn't help but look at her as well, and the surroundings gradually quieted down.
There was silence for a while, then someone shouted, "Hey, I've never seen this dancer before, where did she come from?"
Being a dancer is a very lowly profession.
Zhuang Su was not angry upon hearing this, but simply looked up at the high chair in the center of the garden. There sat a person there. She still vaguely remembered the face of the person she had seen before she lost consciousness.
Mo Liyuan's jawline was clearly defined and elegant, with extremely beautiful lips that, though gently curved, lacked any tenderness. He wore a dark blue silk robe, lightly cinched at the waist, and his hair was casually tied back, though not completely pulled up, leaving some strands fluttering slightly in the breeze.
He watched from afar, unmoved by the rudeness of those around him.
"Hey, dancer. What are you standing there for? Come and dance a song!" someone shouted again.
Zhuang Su looked at Mo Liyuan's ambiguous smile, seeing that he showed no intention of stopping her, but she caught a hint of amusement in his eyes. She lowered her eyes slightly, remained silent for a moment, and then looked up with a light laugh: "Alright. Then I'll trouble the musician to play 'The Moon Rises Over the Clouds'."
The surrounding gazes were varied, but Zhuang Su didn't seem to mind. She began to laugh. She casually stretched out her body, her arms gracefully raised.
With a flick of her sleeves, light dust drifted like brocade; her hem floated twice, swaying in the wind like water; her robes billowed three times, the melody seemed to transcend time; her hair flowed freely, her thoughts turning to enchantment. Her gaze often fell on the person on the high chair, instantly revealing a captivating beauty, subtly revealing a hint of provocation and stubbornness, yet when she looked back, her skin was still fair, her eyes intoxicated, and her smile was gentle.
With a graceful flick of her sleeve, Zhuang Su stopped moving as the music faded to its last note. She looked up at Mo Liyuan and asked softly, "The Master specially prepared this dance costume, presumably to see my mediocre dancing skills. Now that I have finished, I wonder if the Master is satisfied with this performance."
Few dared to be so bold in front of Mo Liyuan, but instead of being angry, he smiled and said, "Miss Susu is my honored guest. How could I let you be reduced to a dancer? I heard that you have something to ask me. Why don't we go to the backyard to talk?" He got up and walked towards the path to the west, and said in a low voice, "Yunqing."
The man who had been by his side responded and walked up to Su Su, speaking in a gentle tone: "Miss Su Su, my name is Yun Qing, and I'm here to show you the way."
Zhuang Su was filled with worry for Liu Su, and hurriedly responded.
Yun Qing led her along the way. Although it was late at night, people were still hurrying by with lanterns in their hands. When they saw Yun Qing, they would stand aside with their heads bowed until he passed by before continuing with their own business.
Zhuang Su then realized that Liuyun Manor was indeed a place with a clear hierarchy.
"We've arrived." Yun Qing led her to the entrance of a garden and smiled slightly. "The sacrificial ceremony is inside. Miss Su Su, please go in by yourself. I won't see you off. Just walk straight ahead and you'll reach Liuyue Pavilion. The Master of the Manor is there."
"Thank you for your trouble." Zhuang Su thanked him politely and walked alone along the small stone path, occasionally glancing at the surroundings. Gradually, he saw a person lying on a reclining chair not far away.
"The young lady has arrived?" Mo Liyuan asked casually, without opening his eyes. "I heard from Juan'er that Miss Susu has something to ask me. Now you can ask her whatever you want."
"Where is Liusu?" This is the only thing Zhuangsu wants to know now.
"I don't know. He was badly injured that day and passed out. But the only person I'm looking for is you; he has nothing to do with me," Mo Liyuan replied casually.
Zhuang Su felt as if her heart had suddenly stopped, and her face turned slightly pale.
Mo Liyuan, having not heard her speak for a long time, slowly opened his eyes, caught a glimpse of her expression, and said calmly, "Don't worry, he's alright, someone saved him."
Zhuang Su was slightly relieved, but still uncertain, so she asked again, "Really?"
"The master of Liuyun Manor is not one to speak carelessly." Mo Liyuan smiled, and beneath his cool demeanor, there was an inexplicable sense of peace. Seeing Zhuang Su staring at him in slight surprise, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards. "You came here, perhaps without any questions to ask?"
"No need to ask."
"Oh?" Zhuang Su's indifferent reply piqued Mo Liyuan's curiosity. "Does the young lady already have something in mind?"
Zhuang Su smiled dismissively, with a hint of self-mockery: "How much value could Su Su alone be that it would take so much trouble to move Liuyun Manor? I suppose it was because I used the token that day that I attracted the attention of the manor lord, and he captured me. The real target should be Yiye Alliance."
"It's almost certainly accurate. However, there are a few points that seem to have been overlooked," Mo Liyuan said, concealing the approval in his eyes.
Zhuang Su smiled slightly: "Indeed, there are still a few things that don't make sense. First, if it's just about the One Leaf Alliance, it seems that knowing about Second Senior Brother's existence shouldn't have made him go. Second, I didn't introduce myself, but Juan'er already knew to call me 'Miss Su' when he first met me, which clearly shows that the Master had already conducted a secret investigation, rather than only finding out about our origins when we arrived in Yangzhou. Third, even with the One Leaf Token, I might not be someone who can shake the foundation of the One Leaf Alliance, so it doesn't seem reasonable for the Master to go to such lengths to arrest me. I need to ask the Master about these three points."
She was dressed in a blue robe, which accentuated her clean-cut face, and her expression was indifferent and serene.
Mo Liyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression as if he were facing an old friend, and replied with a smile: "First, I need someone to inform that person. Second, I know about you much earlier than you think. Third—you are not an insignificant person. As long as you are here as 'bait,' the person I am looking for will definitely come."
"The person you're looking for?" Zhuang Su asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Who is it?"
Mo Liyuan smiled sarcastically: "You'll find out when the time comes. Originally, I invited you here so that I could meet that old friend. Now that he has saved Liusu, he should be coming soon. It's just that I'll have to trouble you to stay for a few more days." He clapped his hands lightly a few times, but his voice inexplicably sounded like a booming bell that seemed to travel for miles.
Soon a few people arrived. Zhuang Su already knew that Mo Liyuan had given them the order to leave. She glanced at his expression and didn't ask any more questions.
Mo Liyuan watched as the figure in green gradually disappeared from sight, seemingly lost in thought.
"Calm in the face of chaos, and very perceptive. Su Su..."