Accord de Mu Yucheng

Chapitre 95

The crowd erupted in uproar.

His pupils gradually grew cold, but his body sat even straighter.

Qiu Ming, who was beside him, coughed slightly. "Uncle Situ, please don't lose your composure in front of the Alliance Leader."

No one spoke. Finally, someone stood up. He finally looked at me. Nangong stood up and smiled charmingly at everyone. "The master of the manor did not go to see Lihua in the name of the manor, but in her personal capacity. To be honest, my master has long taken a liking to Lihua. Romantic feelings seem to have no connection to the collusion between Nalan and the Yuan Cult."

Nangong truly lives up to his name; with just a word about love and family, he completely absolved Nalan Manor of any responsibility. Yes, this is the only way to preserve Nalan Manor's dominance in the martial world. What could be more important than this position? The truth, or even chastity and reputation, are nothing compared to the position of martial arts alliance leader. Everything is so logical, so natural. Nangong always manages to defuse crises; this time, the price is my reputation as a puppet leader. As long as Nalan Manor isn't implicated, what does it matter if my reputation as leader is ruined? There will always be a new Nalan Manor leader to take over; I'm just a disgraceful page turned. There's plenty of time, isn't there? As long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn. Nalan Manor's days of dominating the martial world are still far off; no one cares about the honor or disgrace of just anyone at this moment…

"What kind of excuse is this? Aren't you ruining the reputation of the Alliance Leader?!" Situ said coldly. In his heart, he wished that I would not admit to Nangong's statement, so that he could openly replace Nalan Manor to set the record straight and guard the martial arts world.

Master Murong coughed repeatedly before finally standing up and walking behind me to leave. I heard him softly remind me, "Don't forget the foundation laid by the Nalan ancestors for hundreds of years."

Yes, how could I forget Uncle Murong's countless admonitions: never forget the peace your maternal grandfather bought with his blood for Nalan, never forget the vow you made when you were twelve. This is what you must bear. Whether it's temporary glory or lifelong grievances, I cannot back down, nor can I give up. You have no right to destroy the legacy of your ancestors, nor can you.

Now I finally understand the profound meaning behind his words.

I looked at Nangong, and he avoided my gaze. I finally understood that he wasn't avoiding me out of anger, but because his choice was to protect Nalan Manor, not me.

My gaze fell on Pear Blossom. I wondered what role he played in all this scheming. Was he truly heartless towards Situ? He named him Pear Blossom, he called him Pear Blossom Needle, and they had spent countless days and nights together… Today, would Pear Blossom use me for this person? Yes, this thought had crossed my mind a thousand times, but I refused to believe it. I preferred that Pear Blossom simply accept Situ's false accusations without knowing anything…

I closed my eyes slightly, my weak voice echoing in the silent hall, "It has nothing to do with Nalan Manor, it's because I... like pear blossoms..."

Through the haze, the faces before me revealed disdain and mockery. I smiled slightly, and the dazzling bright red token was held aloft in my palm.

Nalan Ling?!

The crowd gasped in surprise.

Back then, Nalan Manor held sway over the martial arts world, and heroes from all over swore to follow them, using the Nalan Decree as their token.

The one who holds the Nalan Token is the master of the martial arts world.

"I will naturally give everyone justice regarding the Yuan Sect. No matter who it is, if they have done something that defies all reason, Nalan Manor will never let them off the hook."

Yu Guangzhong and Situ Yuan clenched their fists slightly, and I tightened my grip on the token. "Nalan knows that he has failed everyone's high expectations and trust today. Once the Yuan Sect case is settled, I will hand over the reins to the next Nalan Manor Lord."

Nangong suddenly looked up and stared intently at me, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. I nodded to everyone one last time, stood up to leave, and then heard Situ Yuan's furious voice behind me, "Alliance Leader, you're leaving, did you take your little lover with you?!"

I smiled faintly and continued walking forward. I felt light on my feet, a cool breeze blowing in, and I clenched my fists tighter and tighter.

"Little girl—" Xiaoyu chased after me. At a time like this, only she would come after me, because no matter what, she is still my Xiaoyu.

“It’s still early, let’s go somewhere you’ll definitely like.” Without waiting for a reply, she took my hand and led me out.

Chapter Thirteen: A Surprising Encounter with Lu Xiu

The crabapple blossoms in Yangzhou are in full bloom. Amidst the green hills and clear waters, a gentle breeze blows, and the petals fall like rain from the branches. People walking side-by-side under the trees stop, exchange smiles, and create a serene and beautiful scene. Standing beneath the crabapple trees stretching along the riverbank at the foot of the mountain, fallen petals dance in the wind, eventually settling on the bluestone slabs and forming a flowing stream. Xiaoyu takes my hand and smiles, "How long has it been since you last came here?"

I squinted. "I don't know. The last time was after Xuan was gone."

I rested my head on Xiaoyu's shoulder, looked up at the crabapple tree blooming overhead, smiled lazily, and said, "Xiaoyu, we should come to this place together every time."

"Okay, even when we're too old to move, we'll still come together."

"Until our hair turns white."

This time I laughed.

Under the flickering lanterns, the shadows of the trees swayed, and Xiaoyu and I laughed in the quiet night. Holding hands, we lay under the crabapple tree, breathing in the fragrance of earth and grass, feeling a sense of peace and tranquility.

Everything finally returned to calm, just like ten years ago, on the night before I succeeded as the head of the Nalan Manor. Nangong held my hand just like this, lying under the crabapple tree, breathing in the faint fragrance. Ten years have passed, a full ten years. Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—these ten years have felt like an eternity of hardship and suffering to me.

"You brat, do you regret it?"

Do you regret it? Do you regret it?

I composed myself, turned my head and smiled at her. "What do I regret? Do I regret saying those words today, regret seeing Pear Blossom, regret stubbornly leaving the Prince's mansion, or regret giving birth to that short-lived child who will haunt me for eternity? Do I regret the coup that forced the Emperor, regret surviving by sheer luck yet still choosing to return to that abyss without hesitation? What else do I regret? Do I regret agreeing to marry Lu Li as my aunt, regret drawing my sword against Xuan, regret becoming the leader of the alliance at the age of twelve? Perhaps I should regret why I have Rong family blood yet an unbreakable bond with Nalan Manor. But... none of this can be changed. If I were to go through it all again, I would still make the same choices."

Xiaoyu quietly closed her eyes. "Don't give up. You can't let go."

"What are you still holding onto?" I chuckled softly.

"Don't give up on Seventh Master. Don't give up on Nalan Manor. You will eventually realize that it was they who gave you everything."

"I lost everything because of them." I slowly exhaled.

"The resort needs you. The gap is still small, isn't it?"

I remained silent. Xiaoyu gently took my hand. "And there's Seventh Master. You have many lingering feelings for him, don't you? After all, you've been married for so long. You've gradually come to accept Xuan Di's situation. So, forget about that child too."

I shuddered, and Xiaoyu tightened her grip on my hand. "Zhao'er, this isn't his fault, don't pressure him! I was afraid you'd be saddened by what happened back then, so I never told you the details. But if I didn't tell you, you might never understand his pain. The day he heard the Emperor take your child away, he abandoned Qin Lanruo, whose life hung in the balance, and chased after him. Unfortunately, he was too late. When he arrived at the Emperor's place, all that was left was the child's stiff corpse. Seventh Master has never been so grief-stricken, you know? He was utterly devastated, holding the cold swaddling clothes tightly the whole way."

My tears flowed slowly down and seeped into the grass.

"When we got back to the manor, Qin Lanruo was already dead. How much did Seventh Master bear? Have you ever thought about it?! Two lives were lost in an instant. Yet he still had to force a smile, hold that child, and comfort you, saying it was your child. Perhaps when he said those words, his heart ached even more than yours. Over the years, you have always been immersed in your own pain, unable to find relief. Do you know that there were people who felt the same pain as you? But seeing you in pain only intensified his pain, until he could no longer bear it. Even now, Seventh Master has never forgotten it."

"How could I have truly forgotten? It's just self-deception." My voice was hollow, filled with the indifferent atmosphere of darkness.

Wisps of cloud, appearing and disappearing like mist, dotted the tranquil sky as night deepened.

The lights at Nalan Villa stayed on all night.

From the deputy head of the manor, led by Nangong, to the heads of the four halls under the manor, the disciples of the twenty-eight sects and the disciples of the four halls waited solemnly in the main hall.

When Xiaoyu and I entered, we could already feel the heavy atmosphere.

"You're back."

Nangong's voice returned to its clear, masculine tone, devoid of any seductive allure, his deep pupils fixed on me. Perhaps this was the real Nangong! I remained silent, meeting his gaze. His eyes flickered, and time seemed to stand still once more. We still didn't speak, simply standing there quietly, listening to each other's soft breathing. Until my legs went numb; until my neck ached; until the slowly rising sun gradually illuminated the sky; until the faint sunlight softened the dim light in the room. He reached out to touch my temple, but I turned my head slightly, avoiding his hand. Finally, I heard a soft sigh, "Go to sleep..."

Just then, the doorman entered and said in a low voice, "The Situ Manor has sent Su Lihua."

A chilling glint of murderous intent flashed in Nangong's eyes. That femme fatale who had almost ruined the manor's foundation—could the manor really tolerate her? I smiled coldly to myself and, before Nangong could react, ordered, "Send him directly to my room."

I no longer looked back at Nangong's complicated and complicated face at this moment, and only felt that everything in the world was very, very far away from me.

Back inside, Pear Blossom was already waiting there. The moment I opened the door, she looked up at me, the white veil before her fluttering wildly in the wind.

I stepped inside and said calmly, "There are no rules in front of me. Take off your white veil."

He was stunned for a moment, then slowly removed the white veil from his head, revealing long hair cascading over his shoulders, and a handsome face that was so dazzling it was hard to open one's eyes.

I squinted and gently sat down on the soft chair next to me. "I haven't slept all night, let's get settled in early."

He calmly raised his head, "Why, why did you save me?"

I laughed, "I've already said... I like you."

Pear Blossom pursed her lips gently and gave a bitter smile, "You... are not."

I turned around and walked step by step towards the bed curtains. "I'm going to sleep. Are you going to serve me?"

Pear Blossom slowly approached from behind. I was already half-leaning against the bedside. Pear Blossom knelt on the footstool and awkwardly took off my shoes and socks. His long hair occasionally fell to my feet. I was still in a daze when he got up and respectfully unbuttoned the front of my shirt. I took his hand, smiled faintly, and shook my head. "Let's sleep like this."

Pear Blossom looked at me quietly. I had already turned and lay down on the inside, my voice cold and clear, "It seems safer for you to lie next to me."

After a while, a figure in white landed beside him. He also lay down fully clothed, silently exchanging no more words, with only their soft breathing alternating.

When I woke up, it was already evening. I sat up and examined Pear Blossom sleeping beside me. I thought he looked as innocent as a child in his sleep. His curled eyelashes trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a captivating smile, "Alliance Leader."

"Call me Nalan." A smile played on my lips. "Pear Blossom, you are truly beautiful."

His face flushed instantly. He sat up gently and looked at me. "Nalan, you too."

Pear Blossom loves children, and his affection for Xi'er surpasses even that for Nangong and me. I know that since I brought Pear Blossom to my side, the number of servants around me has suddenly increased significantly and they are always by my side. I know Nangong is worried about me, and he is concerned about Pear Blossom. I have no objection to this, and Pear Blossom doesn't seem to mind at all.

I sat in front of the mirror, watching Pear Blossom's reflection behind me. He dipped a horn comb in hot water and styled my hair. In no time, a delicate and elegant updo appeared in the bronze mirror. Pear Blossom straightened my shoulders, looked me over seriously, and then nodded with a smile: "Beautiful."

I leaned back in my chair, my eyes half-closed, letting him style my hair. I smiled at the right moment and said, "A simple bun will do. Why bother with such an elaborate hairstyle?"

"What's wrong? I'll make you even more handsome, so handsome that even the officials will be infatuated with you, isn't that good?"

I smiled faintly and said, "Okay."

A servant just reported that the imperial inspector, personally dispatched by the emperor, is already waiting in the front courtyard.

I got up to leave, but when I saw Pear Blossom sitting there in a daze, I realized that I had seen her sitting there in a daze for the past few days. Finally, I said, still worried, "Pear Blossom, come with me."

The Golden Palace Master behind her looked troubled. Yes, everyone in the manor was saying I was obsessed with this man, refusing to leave his side even for a moment. But they didn't know that I only wanted to save his life. Such a stunning face—wouldn't it be a pity if he were gone?!

I led Pear Blossom toward the Jade Moon Pavilion, where I saw Nangong sitting inside, casually plucking the strings of his zither, a melodious tune emanating from his hands. The figure with its back to us was so familiar that I couldn't take my steps.

"Master..." Qiu Yue, standing behind Nangong, gave me a slight bow.

Nangong stopped playing the zither, did not look up, and lightly tapped the zither wood with one hand.

"This is the Inspector General."

I glanced at the wine glasses on the stone table and smiled faintly, "It seems you two are old acquaintances."

Lu Xiu bowed to me, "Many years ago, I was handling an old case, and fortunately, I had the assistance of Miss Nangong."

I smiled and sat down, glancing back at Pear Blossom behind me. "Pear Blossom, you sit down too."

After everyone was seated, I glanced at Lu Xiu and asked, "What advice does Your Highness have for the position of Inspector General this time?"

Zhui Feng was taken aback. "This time, the imperial court has annihilated the Luo Feng Sect in Dali, but this matter involves too many things. The emperor hopes that we can find out the connection between the Luo Feng Sect and the forces in the court. Therefore, we need your esteemed estate to cooperate fully this time."

I gently pushed aside the cloud-like hair behind my ear. "Since it's a big matter, Your Highness should discuss it with our Alliance Leader, Nangong."

Without waiting for a reply, I gently stood up. "Nalan has other personal matters to attend to, so please excuse me."

"Alliance Leader..." Nangong lowered his voice and looked at me with a furrowed brow.

I smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Sister Nangong."

As Yin'er finished copying the last character of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, Lihua stepped forward and said calmly, "The Yuan Cult members have been imprisoned for ten days."

I reached out and took Yin'er's calligraphy copybook to admire it. "I'm just an insignificant alliance leader now, what can I do?"

Pear Blossom looked at me and smiled, "Yes, why should I tell you all this?"

Qiuyue came from outside the door to report, "Alliance Leader, Alliance Leader Nangong wants to keep Lord Guan, and ordered me to come and ask the Alliance Leader's opinion."

"Let's do as Nangong says."

"If that person stayed here, wouldn't you be constantly anxious?" Pear Blossom teased me with a smile, but I was startled by his sensitivity. I turned my head and looked directly at him, reaching out to play with his long, flowing hair. "Why would I be anxious about him? I like you."

Pear Blossom looked at me with a shy smile, her lips pursed.

I led Lihua into the corridor, and saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance. Lu Xiu stopped in front of me, a long-lost smile on his face. I gestured for Lihua to step back, and stared intently at Lu Xiu. "How did you end up in Yangzhou?"

"Naturally, it's because of the Luo Feng Sect."

"The Luo Feng Cult is just a front."

"That's right."