Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 69

"This is all thanks to Zhonghe's mission to Tianlong Fortress, which cleared up all the misunderstandings." Qingfeng stared sharply at Cai Zhonghe and smiled, "Am I right, Brother Zhonghe?"

Cai Zhonghe laughed heartily, "Of course! With my silver tongue, success is assured. Haha, hahaha..."

No, things aren't that simple. Qingfeng thought suspiciously: This guy must be hiding something.

"What conditions did Tianlong Fortress offer?" Lu Qingcheng was unusually calm and composed. "Just tell me. No matter how harsh they are, I'm ready to accept them."

Cai Zhonghe quickly regained his composure and said, "Their conditions are not unreasonable. They hope that we can give them a fair explanation."

"What?" Lu Qingcheng was very surprised.

How is that possible? It doesn't make any sense.

Everyone was surprised and puzzled.

Facing everyone's suspicious gazes, Cai Zhonghe seemed oblivious and calmly said, "The most important thing now is how to deal with Baishi Manor. If we can't handle Baishi Manor properly, we won't be able to explain to Tianlong Fortress and Fengyue Manor. At that time, we'll be in real trouble."

“But given our current economic situation, we really don’t have the strength to start another large-scale war,” Bai Yiting said with a melancholy tone. “Moreover, even if we have evidence, Baishi Manor may not admit it.”

"I don't need them to acknowledge it," Lu Qingcheng said coldly. "Whether Baishi Manor acknowledges it or not, it no longer has any reason to exist."

His resolute and cruel tone instantly made the council chamber feel as cold and gloomy as hell.

"Tomorrow, the Tong brothers from Baishi Manor will arrive at our fortress to offer their congratulations."

Just then, a flurry of reports came from outside, "Madam has arrived!" Before the announcement had even faded, the carved door was pushed open, and Madam Lu swaggered in, escorted by Xu Lan and his sister, followed by her third sister, Tong Fengrui, and her nephew, Li Zhen. Everyone except Lu Qingcheng and Qingfeng hurriedly rose to greet her.

"It's quite a lively scene, everyone's here." Madam Lu glanced at the people present and said calmly, "Cai Zhonghe, you've indeed returned."

Cai Zhonghe walked over gracefully, a dashing smile on his handsome face. He cupped his hands and said, "Madam, I was just about to go and pay my respects to you, but I didn't expect you to come in person."

Xu Yunfang's heart stirred, and she thought to herself: He is Cai Zhonghe. His demeanor and bearing are indeed extraordinary.

“Cai Zhonghe, you’re still as elegant as ever, you haven’t changed at all.” Madam Lu sneered, “You must have had a hard time on this mission to Tianlong Fort.”

Cai Zhonghe said with a smile, "Don't mention it, it's my duty. If there's anything you need, Madam, please feel free to ask, as long as it's within my ability."

“Very well, that’s what you said.” Madam Lu lowered her head slightly. “Come with me, I have some questions for you.”

Cai Zhonghe was taken aback and didn't know what to do for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Madam Lu said angrily, "Didn't you say you would do whatever I say?"

“Mother.” Lu Qingcheng slowly stood up. “I am currently in a meeting with the lords and supervisors, and we are not finished yet.”

As Madam Lu watched her son approach step by step, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Xu Lan, standing beside her, suddenly opened his eyes, and with a clang, half of his sword leaped from its sheath, a flash of deathly light. Xu Yun immediately sensed something was wrong, and a look of horror appeared on her beautiful face.

"A child of unparalleled beauty?"

Madam Lu's red lips trembled slightly.

“When I’m holding a meeting, anyone who dares to trespass into the council chamber without my permission will be treated as an assassin or a traitor.” A hateful glint flashed in Lu Qingcheng’s eyes. “Even if that person is my mother, it won’t be an exception.”

In an instant, Madam Lu felt as if a merciless sword had pierced deep into her heart.

Tong Fengrui shouted angrily, "Qingcheng, how can you talk to your mother like that? You are so unfilial!"

Lu Qingcheng felt an uncontrollable disgust from the bottom of her heart. His sharp gaze suddenly shot onto her face, making her scream in fright.

Li Zhen walked over from behind and stood in front of her mother to protect her. She said calmly, "Cousin, please calm down. You've misunderstood. Aunt heard that Lord Cai had returned, so she came to see him. Aunt didn't know you were discussing matters."

Madam Lu's chest heaved violently, her cold phoenix eyes filled with anger, sorrow, and pain. What drove her almost mad was that her son not only showed no remorse but also stared at her coldly and indifferently.

The atmosphere in the council chamber instantly became like a fully drawn bow, ready to explode at any moment.

"Huh? What's going on? Why do you all look like you've seen a ghost?"

Kiyomi Tsuki entered at some point, a white fox following at his feet. He blinked his bright, dark eyes, looking around with a bewildered expression. The white fox at his feet also raised its beautiful head, blinking its golden eyes, looking back and forth just like its master.

"Cai Zhonghe, tell me, have you seen him? Is he still alive? Is he dead?"

Madam Lu finally lost control. Her loss of control startled Qing Jianyue.

Cai Zhonghe suddenly understood why Madam Lu had suddenly barged in, and immediately said, "This subordinate did not see the master. According to the people of Tianlong Fort, the master would send a gift every year on Madam Long's birthday, but not this year."

"I didn't see him." Madam Lu covered her face in anguish, trembling as if she were seriously ill.

Xu Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Cai Zhonghe glanced at her and was slightly surprised: What an elegant girl, how come I've never seen her before?

“He didn’t go to Tianlong Fortress. He didn’t go to Tianlong Fortress. He didn’t go to Tianlong Fortress.” Madam Lu murmured to herself, and suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, she burst into laughter.

Everyone in the room stared at her, and no one spoke.

The laughter was like a sudden downpour on a hot summer day, coming and going quickly. Madam Lu, panting, asked, "Qing Jianyue, I heard you went to the Su residence today. How are things going with your relationship with Miss Zhao?"

"Huh?" Qingjian Yue's heart felt like it had been swept by a gust of wind. She thought to herself, "My God, she was just so excited and wild a moment ago, and she's back to normal in the blink of an eye. As soon as she's back to normal, she starts scheming against others. Sigh, I really wonder if she gets tired of living like this?"

"Yes, Madam, I've been at the Su residence all afternoon. Tomorrow and the day after, I'm going on a date with Miss Zhao. Haha, Miss Zhao even promised to make me a huge basket of delicious food. I really wish tomorrow were here already. La la la, a huge basket of delicious food, I hope I don't burst my stomach." Qing Jianyue was so happy that her mouth was watering.

The people in the room stared at him as if he were a monster.

Kiyomi Tsuki immediately sensed something was wrong. "Did I say something wrong?"

A crisp laugh came from the doorway. Only then did everyone notice He Yunya leaning against the carved door. She laughed innocently yet mischievously, saying, "Qing Jianyue, you're so easy to fool. A whole basket of delicious food is enough to make you spin like a top."

Kiyoshi said with a vengeance, "None of your business, you vixen."