Bâtir une dynastie de chansons harmonieuse

Chapitre 82

Volume Four: A Man Visits a Fox in the Martial World

Seeing that familiar red figure, Yang Nianqing quickly pulled her hand back. It seemed that she was destined to be just a guest. Every time she was about to make a decision, something unexpected would happen.

She smiled and said, "Sisi, what brings you here?"

Tang Kesi hugged her arm, overjoyed: "Sister Yang, Brother Nangong, you looked so similar from afar, it really is you!"

Nangong Xue was also taken aback when she looked at Tang Kesi, and then stared at her intently.

Yang Nianqing pretended not to see, took Tang Kesi's hand, looked around, and asked worriedly, "You ran out all by yourself?"

"No..." Tang Kesi glanced at Nangong Xue, blushed slightly, and stammered, "I was just... bored by myself, so I came out for a walk and happened to run into you."

Isn't that the same thing?

Yang Nianqing found it both amusing and worrying. It wasn't a "coincidental" encounter; she had clearly sneaked out of the house on purpose. Madam Ye was determined to keep her children away from such matters, which was why she had made the two siblings swear an oath before her death not to have any connection with anyone. Little did she expect that Tang Kesi would disobey her mother's dying wish and actually run away to find Nangong Xue on her own.

Nangong Xue noticed it too: "How could you run out alone?"

Tang Kesi remained silent.

Madam Ye is right. Everyone involved in this case is in danger now. The rumors circulating in the underworld... can't be ignored; they're a warning and a show of force from the murderer. Tang Kesi really shouldn't get involved any further. But since she's already here, she might not be willing to go back easily. Besides, it would seem a bit heartless to send her away now.

Yang Nianqing smoothed things over, saying, "Brother Nangong, let's talk about it when we get back..."

"No!" Nangong Xue interrupted her, looking at Tang Kesi with an unprecedentedly stern tone, "I'll have someone send you back immediately!"

Tang Kesi panicked: "I'm not going back!"

Nangong Xue frowned deeply: "Why don't you even listen to Madam Ye?"

"I'm not going back!" Tang Kesi's eyes finally reddened, and she said aggrievedly, "I just wanted to... I don't want to..."

She came to see you! Yang Nianqing was somewhat touched. Seeing the tension between the two of them, she had no choice but to plead for her: "Brother Nangong, since she's already here, let her stay for a few days before leaving, okay?"

Tang Kesi hung her head in a huff, secretly glancing at him.

Nangong Xue shook her head: "It's too dangerous for us. If something happens, how can we face Madam Ye..."

Sensing the concern in her words, Tang Kesi immediately beamed and looked up with a smile: "It's alright, I know your cases are dangerous, I'll be very careful and won't cause any trouble."

Seeing that Nangong Xue was still hesitant, she quickly hugged Yang Nianqing and said, "Sister Yang, you are not afraid even if you don't have martial arts skills. I do have martial arts skills, so I will definitely not implicate you."

Yang Nianqing nodded as well.

Finally, Nangong Xue sighed softly and fell silent.

night.

After hearing about Jianghu Yao's story, Tang Kesi was heartbroken and insisted on going to keep her company, leaving Yang Nianqing alone in the room, lost in thought.

Like a forgotten child.

Now, the only thing I can do is solve the case. I bear some responsibility for Jianghu Yao's death. I will do my best to help them find the murderer. Even if it's not for him, at least I won't feel so guilty.

Are he and Qiu Bailu still preparing for the funeral procession tomorrow? She had wanted to help just now, but he stopped her with a single sentence, and her heart sank to the bottom.

"Let's go, you shouldn't stay here."

His voice was still magnetic, gentle and charming, without a trace of blame. However, these words had lost all warmth in her ears.

It seems there's no need to deliver it tomorrow morning; neither he nor that woman would want to see her.

What do these things matter? People always have to grow up, right?

Yang Nianqing said to herself silently.

"Have you taken your medicine?" a gentle voice asked.

Looking up, his handsome face appeared even more serene in the candlelight.

His magnificent attire could not conceal his natural, unassuming demeanor, like a noble prince standing high atop a city wall, looking down upon the earth, feeling melancholy and sorrow for the many sufferings of humankind.

Yang Nianqing stared at him, momentarily lost in thought, before realizing he was asking her a question and quickly nodding.

Nangong Xue stood quietly to the side, watching her without saying a word.

Strangely, the atmosphere was ambiguous, yet not awkward. It felt like a scene from my memory, perfectly harmonious, and no one had the heart to break it.

Finally, he sighed softly, "You don't need to worry, I'll have someone send her back in a few days..."

Yang Nianqing turned her face away and interrupted him, "Brother Nangong, Sisi is here to see you."

silence.

"Do you trust me?" The voice was gentle yet clear.

Yang Nianqing looked up at him.

Those bright phoenix eyes stared at her without blinking: "Do you trust Brother Nangong?"

How could someone like that not believe it?

She nodded: "But I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Nangong Xue interrupted, "That's enough."

He smiled slightly.

Yang Nianqing always thought Li You's smile was charming, but she didn't realize that he was also very handsome when he smiled.

It lacks the mysterious joy of Li You and is not as passionate, but it is much more moderate, carrying a touch of melancholy, like starlight slowly emerging on the sea at night, or like the winter sun, warming people's hearts.

The next day, Yang Nianqing deliberately got up late, drank the medicine brought by the maid, and then inquired about it. Sure enough, Li You and Qiu Bailu had already sent Jianghu Yao away.

I feel empty inside.

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, then went out to find He Bi and the others, wanting to hear them discuss the case.

In the distance, Tang Kesi was walking towards Nangong Xue, chatting and laughing.

One was handsome and elegant, the other charming and lovely.

They're the most suitable, aren't they? What am I in the middle? Yang Nianqing started overthinking again. Neither Jiang Huyao's gentle devotion nor Tang Kesi's innocent charm could compare to her. But Nangong Xue, like Li You, seemed to lack foresight. Would this lead to more trouble?

While she was lost in thought, Tang Kesi saw her and hurriedly ran over.

"Sister Yang?" A slightly reproachful voice asked, "Young Master Li and the others have already seen Sister Jiang off, why are you only getting up now..."

Faced with this long string of accusations, Yang Nianqing didn't know how to respond.

Nangong Xue interrupted softly, "Have you taken your medicine?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Kesi looked ashamed and remorseful: "I forgot that my sister is ill..."

Yang Nianqing then came to her senses, looked at Nangong Xue, shook her head and smiled: "I've already drunk, I'm fine, you guys chat, I'll go check the garden first..."

With that, he turned to leave.

Suddenly, my arm was grabbed.

Yang Nianqing was shocked that he would do such a thing in front of Tang Kesi. She immediately glared at him anxiously and said, "Big brother, are you trying to kill me?"

Nangong Xue looked at her, her smile reassuring: "It's still early, it's too cold in the garden. I was just about to go and discuss the case with Brother He, why don't we go together?"

Having said that, he released her at just the right moment.

Room.

“She didn’t commit suicide,” He Bi frowned and looked at Yang Nianqing. “She’s not that kind of person. Besides, she once said that if she ever gave up and left, she would definitely take the lotus painting that Old Li gave her with her.”

It turned out that the lotus flower painting hanging in her room was a gift from Li You. No wonder the handwriting was so familiar, and no wonder Li You was so quick to conclude that she hadn't committed suicide, since the painting was still hanging on the wall.

Yang Nianqing remained silent.

Nangong Xue looked at her and said, "It must be someone she knows."

He Bi nodded: "She has martial arts skills. There were quite a few people outside at the time, and she didn't hear any noise. That person must have taken advantage of her when she wasn't on guard."

Yang Nianqing said, "So, like Madam Leng, the murderer knows martial arts, which gives him enough speed. No matter how fast they react, it's too late."

"good."

There aren't many people who can catch Jianghu Yao and Madam Leng off guard, but there are also quite a few. What seems like a clue is actually harder to find than a needle in a haystack.

After a while.

Yang Nianqing looked up: "Since the murderer is avenging the Tao family, he must be related to the Tao family. It's just that Madam Ye is unwilling to expose him."

Nangong Xue's eyes flickered slightly, and she pondered, "Madam Ye is so intelligent, she naturally won't be easily controlled by others. Besides, with Brother He and Brother Li's reputations, there shouldn't be any problem that can't be solved..."

“She’s just protecting the murderer,” Yang Nianqing interrupted. “Besides her children, Madam Ye has no relatives at all. Who else could she protect to the death besides the Tao family?”

He Bi said, "If she really is from the Tao family, then she would indeed be willing to risk her life to protect her."

When the conclusion was reached, a hint of hesitation flashed across his usually indifferent face.

Everyone knows that the Tao family was framed by Tang Jingfeng and Liu Ru and was brutally murdered. More than a hundred people were killed, and none of them survived. In order to wipe them out completely, the court specially asked someone to identify each corpse.

Yang Nianqing also thought of this question: "Could it be... that someone just happened to escape? Wasn't Madam Ye sent out by Sect Leader Tao first? Maybe..."

“Madam Ye is different,” Nangong Xue interrupted her. “She was not originally a member of the Tao family, which is why the court did not pursue the matter. Besides, Lord Tang will definitely find a way to protect her.”

"The one who led the troops to annihilate Tao Men back then was Magistrate Cao. He was obsessed with fame and fortune and was ruthless. The higher-ups secretly ordered the extermination of the entire family. Even if he had the greatest courage, he would not dare to disobey the order."

After saying that, he looked at He Bi and sighed softly: "Brother He is a government official, so he should know the dangers involved."

He Bi remained silent for a while, then nodded: "This person is ruthless in his methods and would never leave anyone with any leverage. Besides, if he had let the person go, he would have been an accomplice to the traitor and would have lost his own family. How could he be so careless?"

Yang Nianqing was stunned for a moment, then remained silent.

for a long time.

He Bi suddenly said, "That old fox has now retired and is living in Lin'an City."

Nangong Xue smiled: "Brother He, are you going to pay a visit?"

He Bi frowned: "He personally led the troops to wipe out the Tao family. If the murderer is indeed a member of the Tao family, I'm afraid he'll be the next target. Old Li and the others won't be back for a few days. It wouldn't hurt for us to go and sound them out first."

Walking down the street, Yang Nianqing found it quite amusing. She discovered that these so-called important figures actually preferred to live in quiet and secluded places, like Chu Shenghan, Nangong Xue's Nangong Villa, and this Prefect Cao.

Perhaps those who have truly weathered great storms yearn for tranquility even more.

Tang Kesi had little interest in investigating cases; she was willing to go anywhere as long as Nangong Xue was around. Surprisingly, although Nangong Xue usually gave her perfunctory replies, she always took Tang Kesi with her when they went out, as if she was extremely worried about her.

Yang Nianqing sighed inwardly. Perhaps Nangong Xue himself didn't realize that he wasn't actually as indifferent to Tang Kesi as he claimed.

She gave a wry smile, stopped thinking about it, and began to imagine what the soon-to-be-met Magistrate Cao would look like.