Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 22

What's wrong with letting me play with it?

With a shout, the white rabbit pounced on the white fox. The white fox, who had been leisurely licking its paws while squatting on the ground, suddenly dodged with lightning speed, and the white rabbit missed its target. Unwilling to give up, the white rabbit used all its strength to pounce, but the white fox skillfully evaded it every time.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh as they watched her chasing the white fox.

The white rabbit, however, thought everyone was laughing at her for not even being able to catch a little fox, and in a fit of anger, she lashed out with her whip. This enraged the white fox, who bared its teeth and roared. Qing Jian Yue was shocked and shouted, "Fox, don't hurt people!" The white fox hesitated for a moment, but before it could react, the white rabbit lashed out with her whip, and the white fox screamed and rolled on the ground.

Enraged, Qing Jianyue grabbed the whip from the white rabbit's hand. Du Fangwei shouted, "Qing Jianyue, don't touch her!" He rushed over, but Qing Jianyue swung her hand back, sending the white rabbit crashing into Du Fangwei's arms. Qing Jianyue then grabbed the whip and gave it another shake, breaking it in two. The white rabbit, both ashamed and angry, burst into tears.

The cheerful atmosphere in the hall was instantly shattered.

Kiyoshi didn't care whether she cried or not. She turned around, hugged the white fox to comfort her, and checked her injuries. Upon seeing them, she became even angrier. To make matters worse, Du Fangwei started picking a fight again.

"Kiyomi Tsuki, what kind of man are you, hitting even women?"

"Did I hit her? Are your eyes just for venting your anger? Your woman hurt my beloved fox, and you don't even know how to apologize?"

"That's nothing but a beast."

“It’s a beast, and you’re a human. You’re more like a barking ape. You’re far inferior to my fox cub. My fox cub is the Fox King, incredibly noble.”

"How dare you insult me. Kiyomizuki, draw your sword."

"How about it? Want to fight? No need for a knife, fists will do, feet will do, teeth will do, just stop talking nonsense and come here, you stinky gorilla."

"This is outrageous!"

Just as sparks flew between the two, and they were about to fight, Bai Yiting and Lin Feng rushed over. Bai Yiting shouted several times, forcefully suppressing Du Fangwei. Lin Feng stopped Qing Jianyue and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Jianyue, no matter who you are, fighting in the council hall is absolutely forbidden. Otherwise, don't blame me for punishing you according to the fortress rules; even the fortress lord cannot plead for you."

Kiyomi Tsuki put her hands on her hips. "Fine, no fighting then. But what about his woman who hurt my fox? How will you punish her?"

Bai Yiting hurriedly said, "Young Master Jianyue, my daughter was reckless and injured your beloved fox. I'm truly sorry. How about this, I'll pay for the fox's medicine. What do you think?"

"Fifty taels!" Kiyoshi Tsuki shouted, demanding payment.

Du Fangwei angrily said, "Is a whip worth that much money? Besides, it was an animal."

"My fox is the Fox King, more noble than that stinky gorilla."

"Kiyomizuki, this is the second time you have insulted me."

"So, you admit you're a stinky gorilla now?"

Du Fangwei was furious, wishing he could snap Qingjianyue's neck.

Lin Feng roared like thunder, "What do you think this place is? Can't you see the Lord of the Fortress sitting here?"

In a single sentence, the two men, who had been arguing heatedly, fell silent. They looked at Lu Qingcheng, whose handsome face was composed and whose imposing aura was as terrifying as a king's. Du Fangwei felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his head, appearing uneasy. Qing Jianyue, however, picked up the white fox from the ground and gently coaxed it.

Bai Yiting said, "Master, it's all my daughter's fault. I'll pay for her medical expenses."

The white rabbit, having caused trouble, hid behind its father, looking ashamed to be seen.

“Mr. Bai, please sit down before we talk. Fangwei, you sit down too.” Lu Qingcheng looked at Qing Jianyue, “Is Fox’er seriously injured?”

After Bai Yiting, Du Fangwei, and their apprentice took their seats, Lin Feng also sat down.

Kiyomi Tsuki said in a muffled voice, "It will probably be inconvenient for quite a few days."

“I will pay for Foxie’s medicine.” Lu Qingcheng raised her hand to stop Bai Yiting from speaking.

"One hundred taels." Since Lu Qingcheng was the one who had to pay compensation, Qing Jianyue naturally wouldn't let go of the opportunity to ask for an exorbitant amount.

Du Fangwei said angrily, "Qing Jianyue, are you trying to rip me off?"

“If I’m extorting money, it’s the fortress lord’s money, what’s it to you?” Qing Jianyue said calmly, “I only extorted fifty taels from your master, and I didn’t ask for gold, I asked for silver.”

Listen to him, he even has a point! My God! How can there be such a shameless person in the world? Bai Yiting and Lin Feng stared at him, feeling incredulous. At the same time, they were extremely puzzled by Lu Qingcheng's indulgence of Qing Jianyue.

Lu Qingcheng smiled slightly, "Alright, one hundred taels it is. No more nagging, or don't blame me for punishing you severely. You must be exhausted from your journey. Go back and rest. Fox's injury also needs to be taken care of."

Kiyoshi bowed respectfully, then took three steps back while holding the white fox. Suddenly, he made a face at Du Fangwei, whose eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets, and then vanished without a trace.

Chapter Eleven: The Hidden Conspiracy

Night had fallen, but the main bedroom in the academy was still brightly lit. Lu Qingcheng, dressed in a black robe, her long hair flowing down her back, and adorned with an expensive gemstone, stood by the window, her hands clasped behind her back, gazing intently at the bright, silvery moon in the sky. The Mid-Autumn Festival was fast approaching!

"My brother kept praising you, saying that when you do speak, you are astonishing. Since you became the lord of the fortress at the age of nineteen, you have been careless and lazy in everything you do. Even Mother was very worried about you. But that day, you were calm and fearless in the face of danger, and acted decisively, which made your subordinates look at you with new eyes. When I heard this, I was so happy for you."

The warbling voice came entirely from the fragrant lips of a stunningly beautiful woman.

Lu Qingcheng turned around and glanced at his perfect wife, who looked as if she had stepped out of a painting. Yes, this woman was indeed his wife, Liu Mei.

Finally attracting her husband's attention, Liu Mei walked gracefully to him, a charming smile on her face. "Although I am both surprised and delighted, I don't know why, but I am also worried and afraid for my husband."

This time, Lu Qingcheng finally showed some interest, tilting her head to glance at her, signaling her to continue.

Encouraged, Liu Mei was overjoyed and said sweetly, "I heard that my husband has taken in a guard named Qing Jianyue. I understand your desire to recruit talent. However, your favoritism and the treatment you give him have caused a lot of gossip throughout the fortress. All sorts of nasty things are being said, directly damaging your prestige. A few days ago, he killed three lords of the fortress with three slashes. His cruelty and brutality have made everyone indignant. And how will you explain this to Mother when she returns?"

Lu Qingcheng said with a half-smile, "Your brother sent you to persuade me, didn't he?"

Liu Mei reached out her slender white hand and stroked his wrist, saying coquettishly, "Husband, what are you saying? I was really worried about you, which is why I dared to come here."

"Then tell me, what should we do?" Lu Qingcheng asked, seemingly idly stroking her hand.

"Please, my husband, punish Qing Jianyue according to the rules of the fortress, and give everyone an explanation. When Mother returns, she will naturally not blame you. Of course, this is just my humble opinion, and you may choose not to listen. Ah, my husband..."