Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 33

“Look closely, there are inscriptions too,” Kiyomi Tsuki pointed out.

Lu Qingcheng examined it closely and indeed found a line of small inscriptions. He read it aloud in a low voice: "For my beloved wife, Long Zhenyu." Lu Qingcheng was overjoyed, "Jianyue, this hairpin is indeed very useful."

"I knew it," Kiyomi Tsuki said, dissatisfied. "You only gave me so little, why don't you add some more?"

"Alright, I'll reward you later," Lu Qingcheng said, trying to appease him.

Kiyomi pouted.

Qingfeng thought to himself: This kid often does things unexpectedly; it really makes one wonder where he came from. Thinking this, he called out, "Jianyue?"

"What?" Kiyomi Tsuki asked warily, "I'm not going to invite you to dinner."

The uproarious laughter robbed Qingfeng of a chance to question him. But it didn't matter; he had plenty of time to figure out who he really was.

Chapter Sixteen: Understanding

From outside came Zhang Zhichun's urgent report, "Lord of the Fortress, the Grand Lord and Manager Sun insist on seeing you."

Lu Qingcheng snorted angrily, "Damn it, let them in."

The conversation in the living room stopped, and the silence made the footsteps approaching from outside all the more distinct. Liu Jianhua and a man walked in. The man was in his thirties, short in stature, shrewd and capable, with a long face; he was Sun Yue, one of the three financial managers.

Liu Jianhua, without any formalities, stormed in and said aggressively, "Lord of the castle, I heard you summoned the Grand Enforcer, several lords, and supervisors for a meeting, but not me or Supervisor Sun. Have I ceased to be the Grand Lord of this castle, and Supervisor Sun no longer the Chief Supervisor? Have you forgotten what your mother instructed you before she passed away: 'For external matters, consult the Grand Lord; for internal matters, consult Supervisor Sun.' But now, you've favored these scoundrels, turning the castle into a chaotic mess. Let's see how you explain this when your mother returns."

Lu Qingcheng leaned back in her chair, adopting a lazy demeanor, and said casually, "Liu Jianhua, I haven't removed you from your position as Grand Lord. Do you really think I'm afraid and dare not remove you?"

Liu Jianhua was shocked and furious. "I am the Grand Lord personally appointed by your mother. You have no right to remove me."

Seeing that something was wrong, Sun Yue immediately shouted to support him, "What's wrong? We risked our lives for you, and now you've found a bunch of clowns to flatter you and think you can replace us? I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

Lu Qingcheng said coldly, "Liu Jianhua, I'm here to ask you, where did Tong Sen go?"

Liu Jianhua's expression changed repeatedly, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. "This subordinate does not know, please inform the fortress lord."

“Tong Sen is dead,” Lu Qingcheng said coldly.

Liu Jianhua and Sun Yue turned ashen-faced instantly.

Lu Qingcheng snorted and mocked, "I have no right? Liu Jianhua, you'll soon find out whether I have that right or not. Look who this is?"

He pointed at Qingfeng. Liu Jianhua and Sun Yue stormed in, their eyes fixed on Lu Qingcheng, completely ignoring the others in the room. This wasn't because they were fearless, but because the arrogance they had cultivated over the past three years made them look down on everyone else. Lu Qingcheng's reminder made them look in the direction he pointed, and when they saw Qingfeng sitting there, they immediately screamed.

Sun Yue only cried out once, because he was too surprised. But Liu Jianhua cried out three times, not just because he was too surprised, but because he was too terrified. He stared at Qingfeng as if he were staring at a ghost that had crawled out of hell. He was trembling and the muscles in his face were contorted, showing how terrified he was.

Qingfeng smiled gently and said, "Liu Jianhua, it's been a long time."

Liu Jianhua's eyes rolled back, and he looked as if he was about to faint.

Lu Qingcheng said, "I haven't removed you from your position as Grand Lord because I haven't found a suitable replacement. Now that Qingfeng is back, you can relinquish your position and hand it over to Qingfeng."

Cai Bo'an was the first to frown in dissatisfaction, and Bai Yiting also looked unconvinced. Lin Feng and Lei Yongxiang exchanged a glance and shook their heads slightly. Only Cai Zhonghe remained expressionless.

Liu Jianhua began to breathe heavily and suddenly cried out sharply, "I risked my life for you and your child, and now you want to kick me to the curb?"

Lu Qingcheng sneered, "Liu Jianhua, your so-called 'risking your life' has resulted in the disappearance of 100,000 taels of silver from Guangyue Money Shop. You don't need to go back. Go to the Hall of Punishments and assist the Chief Justice in investigating this case before you come back to plead your innocence."

With a thud, Liu Jianhua collapsed to the ground. Sun Yue trembled like a withered leaf, revealing the panic in his heart.

Lu Qingcheng said calmly, "Sun Yue, Sun Guang took over Tianyi Ranch by using your name, which makes me very angry. Tell me, how should this be dealt with?"

Sun Yue, panting heavily with sweat, said, "This subordinate dares not show favoritism. Please, Lord, deal with Sun Guang according to the rules of the fortress."

“Very good, I admire Manager Sun for putting family members aside for the greater good.” Lu Qingcheng said, “Go back and do your job well. I will find a way to use you.”

Sun Yue's face immediately showed a fawning expression of willingness to serve like a dog or horse. "Yes, please give your orders, Lord. I am willing to go through fire and water for you, even unto death."

Lu Qingcheng smiled and said, "Okay, go ahead."

Sun Yue retreated like a dog with its tail between its legs, not even glancing at Liu Jianhua, who was lying on the ground with her.

Lu Qingcheng smiled and said, "Brother Bo'an, I'm keeping Sun Yue here. You should know how to use him to help you solve this case, right?"

Cai Bo'an stood up, cupped his hands and said, "The Lord of the Fortress is wise and insightful, and I admire him wholeheartedly."

In the distance, golden mountains rose and fell, and the clear river meandered around them like a ribbon. The azure sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds; everything was peaceful, serene, and tranquil. Facing the gentle breeze, Cai Zhonghe and Qing Jianyue stood on the artificial hill in the back garden of the Cai residence, a white fox crouching at their feet.

“When I’m feeling agitated, I often like to come here to look around. I look at the mountains, the water, and the sky, and my heart instantly opens up and becomes clear. All the troubles of the world seem to be blown away by this wind.” Cai Zhonghe withdrew his gaze from the distance, as if spring had returned to the earth and the wind was blowing over the flowers. He looked at Qing Jianyue’s face and asked with a smile, “Jianyue, what are you looking at? You look so engrossed.”

Indeed, Kiyomi Tsuki tilted his head back and looked up at the sky with great interest. He pointed to the blue sky and said, "Handsome brother, these clouds are so white. They float in the wind like cotton candy, so tempting."

Cai Zhonghe nearly stumbled. Behind him, two pretty maids, around sixteen or seventeen years old, chuckled softly, covering their mouths. Cai Zhonghe sighed and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Kiyoshi grinned foolishly and nodded vigorously. Cai Zhonghe took his hand and led him up the steps to the red pavilion. The white fox flicked its fluffy tail and disappeared into the woods to play happily.

Two pretty maids opened the food box they brought, and the rich, delicate fragrance of chrysanthemums wafted out. There were five dishes and a pot of wine, all made with chrysanthemums: chrysanthemum meat rolls, chrysanthemum fish, chrysanthemum crab roe shark fin, chrysanthemum stir-fried shrimp, chrysanthemum chicken slices, and wolfberry chrysanthemum wine.

Kiyomi Tsuki smiled and admired the scene, praising it repeatedly while drool dripped from her mouth.

Cai Zhonghe waved his hand, and the two pretty maids bowed and withdrew from the red pavilion, standing at a distance. Cai Zhonghe picked up the wine pot and filled the small, snow-white porcelain cups. "Come, Jianyue, don't drool yet, have a drink with your brother."

Qing Jianyue raised her wine glass to clink with Cai Zhonghe's, then blinked at him. Cai Zhonghe calmly and elegantly finished his glass and turned the empty glass towards her. Qing Jianyue shook her head, "I don't like this. It makes me dizzy."

"Then let's eat." Cai Zhonghe was very considerate. "These dishes were all made by Yanhua. My sister-in-law has to take care of the two little ones and really doesn't have time to cook. She asked you not to mind."

Qingjian Yue smiled brightly, "How could that be? It's a blessing to be able to eat Miss Zhou's cooking." She put down her wine cup, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece of fragrant chrysanthemum-flavored fish. After tasting it, Qingjian Yue praised it repeatedly, "Red, yellow, white, and green; the fragrance of chrysanthemums; the taste is exquisite—truly a delicacy. Whoever marries Miss Zhou is truly blessed. Handsome brother, why don't you marry Miss Zhou?"

Cai Zhonghe laughed and said, "Yanhua should have a better man to marry. I am not worthy of her."