Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 71

"And what about you?" Lu Qingcheng glared at Cai Zhonghe menacingly.

A dark cloud rose from the depths of his heart to the top of his head. Cai Zhonghe broke out in a cold sweat and forced a smile, saying, "This subordinate has something important to report to the Lord of the Fortress."

"Is something important?" Lu Qingcheng asked displeasedly, "Why wasn't this reported in the council hall during the day?"

“Because the fewer people who know about this, the better,” Cai Zhonghe said seriously. “This matter is related to Jian Yue.”

An ominous premonition welled up in Lu Qingcheng's heart.

Cai Zhonghe said in a low voice, "Jian Yue has deceived us."

This statement was even more shocking than what I heard during the day.

As if he had been pricked in the butt, Qingfeng jumped up on the spot and roared, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could Jianyue deceive us? Even if it's a joke, this is going too far."

“I know you don’t believe me,” Cai Zhonghe said sadly. “Actually, I’m even less willing to believe it than you are.”

Lu Qingcheng, unable to contain her anger, demanded, "What exactly happened?"

"On my first day at Tianlong Fortress, I was received by the fortress's Grand Steward. However, the gift-giver sent by the Tianying Sect was personally received by Gu Xinfan, the fortress's Grand Lord. Seeing this, I thought to myself, if the gift is presented like this, it will probably never reach Madam Long. Later, I learned that Madam Long had a favored guard named Yun Hui. He had been by Madam Long's side since she was three years old, and even after she married the fortress lord, he remained, showing the deep bond between master and servant. After learning this, I tried to get close to him and presented him with a hairpin."

Cai Zhonghe began to describe in detail.

"When Yunhui saw the hairpin I presented, he was initially surprised. After hearing my purpose, he said happily, 'Is it Jianyue? That naughty boy. No wonder we haven't heard from him for so long. It turns out he's hiding in Lu Family Fortress. Alright, since you're Jianyue's friend, you wait here while I go and inform my Holy Son.' The Holy Son he mentioned was Madam Long. Before her marriage, Madam Long was the Ice-Clad Holy Son, the leader of the White-Clad Holy Sect."

Qingfeng urged, "You don't need to explain, we understand perfectly. Please continue."

"Judging from Yunhui's tone, he was clearly very familiar with Jianyue, which immediately aroused my suspicions." A faint layer of worry appeared on Cai Zhonghe's handsome face. "After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, someone came out and led me into the inner fortress. After entering the inner fortress gate, another person led me into a simple yet magnificent courtyard with winding paths. Finally, a maid came out and led me into a fragrant flower hall in the main courtyard. Later, I learned that the garden I entered was the residence of Madam Long, the Mirror Garden. I heard that since Madam Long married the Lord of Long Fortress and had children, she has never concerned herself with any worldly affairs and rarely receives outsiders. But now, because of this hairpin, she has received me. It is conceivable how much she values Jianyue. This is completely inconsistent with what Jianyue told us."

Lu Qingcheng felt as if a knife was twisting inside her heart.

"Through a curtain, I could vaguely see Madam Long reclining on the couch in the flower hall."

"Are you Cai Zhonghe from Lujiabao?"

Madam Long's voice came from behind the curtain, like celestial music drifting from beyond the heavens, so distant and giving people a sense of unattainability.

“Yes, Madam. I am Cai Zhonghe, the fourth lord under Lord Lu.” Cai Zhonghe said this neither humbly nor arrogantly, then suddenly had a bright idea. “Jianyue asked me to send her regards to Madam. She said she really wanted to come and kowtow to Madam in person. However, due to being tied up with worldly affairs, she is unable to celebrate Madam’s birthday. Please forgive her.”

A pleasant laugh drifted from behind the curtain. "You made these up, didn't you?"

Cai Zhonghe was greatly alarmed. Had he guessed wrong? He had originally intended to extract information about Jian Yue's background from her, but his plan had backfired spectacularly. He hurriedly asked, "Why do you say that, Madam?"

"What you just said probably wasn't something Mizuki herself said, right?"

Cai Zhonghe subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Madam is brilliant. Those words I just said were indeed something I made up to please you. I didn't expect you to see through them so easily. I'm truly ashamed."

"What is Jianyue doing in your fortress?"

Madam Long's voice was like a gentle breeze, no longer feeling unapproachable, but rather warm and kind.

Cai Zhonghe laughed and said, "Jian Yue is deeply favored by the lord of this fortress. She accompanies the lord every day, never leaving his side."

"Is that so?" Madam Long's tone revealed a hint of regret.

From Madam Long's tone, Cai Zhonghe became even more convinced that the relationship between Jian Yue and Madam Long of Tianlong Fortress was extraordinary.

"Speak freely of any wish you may have. Now that Jianyue has given you the hairpin, I will naturally help you fulfill whatever you desire."

Cai Zhonghe was overjoyed. "Our fortress hopes to form a friendly alliance with your fortress and Fengyue Manor, and we hope that the three of us can cooperate in trade and achieve mutual benefit." For some reason, there was a sudden silence from behind the curtain. Cai Zhonghe felt uneasy. After waiting for a moment, there was still no sound from behind the curtain, so he mustered his courage and said again, "Our fortress also hopes that your fortress and Fengyue Manor will not listen to the slander of the Sky Eagle Sect and become tools used by the Sky Eagle Sect."

"How is Madam Lu of your esteemed residence?"

Suddenly, Madam Long's greeting came from behind the curtain, interrupting Cai Zhonghe's impassioned speech. Cai Zhonghe looked bewildered, unsure how to respond.

"Your husband didn't come this year. He always did in previous years." This time, Madam Long turned the topic to Lu Qingcheng's father, Lu Ji.

Upon hearing the word "Master," Cai Zhonghe paused and couldn't help but look at Lu Qingcheng.

Lu Qingcheng's expression was very unpleasant. "He really didn't go to Tianlong Fortress?"

“No,” Cai Zhonghe said. “I thought I would see the master, but I didn’t expect that he didn’t attend Madam Long’s birthday celebration this year.”

Lu Qingcheng snorted, "It doesn't matter whether he goes or not. Continue your story."

Cai Zhonghe was quite impatient with Madam Long's evasive questions, so he decided to get straight to the point. He cupped his hands and said, "Madam Long, the Sky Eagle Sect is full of wolfish ambitions. They have invaded our fortress and even claimed that this is entirely due to the support of your fortress and Fengyue Manor."

Unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Madam Long quickly ended the meeting. "Lord Cai has come from afar, you must be tired. Yunhui, please invite Lord Cai to rest in the guesthouse."

Lu Qingcheng and Qingfeng stared intently at Cai Zhonghe.

"I've been wondering if I said something wrong that offended Madam Long, but I can't figure it out no matter how hard I try. I couldn't sleep all night, and just when I didn't know what to do, the next day, Kang Boying met with me, along with Long Fengming, the young master of Tianlong Fortress, and his second young master, Long Fengxiang. Kang Boying went straight to the point and told me the whole story about the black-clad assassin. They admitted that they had indeed secretly supported the Tianying Sect because they had reached their limit. Only then did I understand why Madam Long had suddenly greeted the Madam and Master. They said they were willing to give us another chance for the sake of Jian Yue. They hoped that we could deal with Baishi Manor and give them a fair explanation. Otherwise, they wouldn't let it go."

Lu Qingcheng and Qingfeng were drenched in cold sweat after hearing this.

After a long while, Qingfeng let out a long sigh of relief, "If it weren't for Jianyue, this fortress would be in grave danger."

"What exactly is the relationship between Jianyue and Tianlong Fortress?" Lu Qingcheng asked.

"I don't know," Cai Zhonghe replied.

"I don't know." Lu Qingcheng slammed her fist on the table, causing the teacup to jump and tea to splash. "What kind of answer is that?"

As if he knew Cai Zhonghe would get angry, he straightened the overturned teacup and replied calmly, "I have asked them several times, but they always keep it a secret and refuse to tell me. I have also tried to get information out of the servants, but they have no idea who Qing Jianyue is. It is clear that Jianyue has never been to Tianlong Fort."

Qingfeng said, "That's strange."

Lu Qingcheng's brows furrowed, his gaze shifting rapidly. A fire seemed to burn within him, anxiety and suspicion gnawing at his heart like thousands of ants. Why was Jian Yue hiding the truth? Did she have some ulterior motive? No. This can't be true. I don't believe it.