Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 205

Qing Jianyue blurted out, "I heard that Lü Xiu has an older sister named Lü Fanghua."

Long Fengming was taken aback. "Young Master even knows this. No matter how smart and outstanding Lü Xiu is, she still can't let go of her resentment and actually listened to Luo Buqun's instigation, taking her anger out on Young Master. Fortunately, Young Master was not injured, otherwise I would have been beyond redemption even if I died a hundred times."

The last sentence was spoken earnestly, and Qing Jianyue's heart skipped a beat again, a silent alarm rising within him. Oh no! Beautiful women can make men commit crimes, and similarly, this kind of man can make women commit crimes. Qing Jianyue dared not mock Lü Fanghua for dying from depression caused by love again. He warned himself not to cause trouble. Otherwise, a new beginning would turn into another nightmare.

Qingjian Yue asked seriously, "There's something I've always wanted to ask the young master."

Long Fengming smiled, looking at him with gentle peace.

Qing Jianyue turned his eyes away. This was the first time he had felt shy in front of someone other than Lu Qingcheng. "What I want to ask is, why did you ask the handsome brother to give me a dragon and phoenix pendant back then?"

Long Fengming was taken aback, but being clever, he quickly understood the meaning behind Qing Jianyue's words. He smiled and said, "When my sister and I were born, our parents carved a dragon and phoenix pendant for each of us. When we grow up, if we meet someone we like, we will give the pendant to that person." As he spoke, his beautiful, clear phoenix eyes gazed at Qing Jianyue with a smile.

Qing Jianyue's face flushed red, attracting the attention of not only Huang Chong and Zhang Lang, but also Ye Gang, the maidservants, and the guards at the doors and windows. Qing Jianyue, embarrassed and angry, said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint the young master; I'm not pretty at all."

“Young Master Jianyue is indeed a beauty unlike any other.” Long Fengming’s smile deepened.

In her panic, Kiyomi blurted out, "I'll return the Dragon and Phoenix Pendant to you."

Long Fengming laughed so hard his body trembled slightly. "If you're going to return it, young master, it shouldn't be to me, but to my younger sister."

Kiyomi Tsuki made a funny, silly face.

Long Fengming narrowed his phoenix eyes, seemingly admiring Qing Jianyue's ridiculous expression. "What, didn't Second Master Cai tell you, young master? The dragon and phoenix pendant I asked him to give you is actually my sister's. You didn't do this for your own selfish reasons, but for the peace between our two families. My sister is very touched. I gave you the dragon and phoenix pendant to imitate my mother, with the same intention as the hairpin."

Qing Jianyue almost wanted to crawl into a hole and cursed inwardly: Cai Zhonghe, you just wait.

"Want to play chess?" Long Fengming suddenly asked this strange question.

“Qingcheng taught me,” Qing Jianyue said sullenly. “I can’t learn it. He always calls me a pig who only knows how to eat.”

The dragon and phoenix laughed uncontrollably.

The maid quickly set up the chessboard, lit sandalwood incense, and invited Qing Jian Yue to take a seat. In the bright candlelight, Qing Jian Yue's expression changed slightly, and her bright, black eyes glared fiercely at the chessboard.

"Do I really have to download it?"

"It's okay, it's just for fun."

"Fine, I've already lost face in Lujiabao anyway."

Kiyomi Tsuki displayed the courage of a warrior cutting off his own arm. Ryuu Fūmyou burst into laughter, and the others couldn't help but chuckle as well.

Before the game of chess was even finished, the battle ended in a one-sided victory. Long Fengming accompanied Qing Jianyue, surrounded by a group of guards and servants, out of Jiyuan and headed straight for the main hall of Zhao Family Manor. Halfway there, a white fox cried out, its cry extremely melodious. Qing Jianyue squinted and looked into the distance. The firelight was approaching at an extremely fast speed. Qing Jianyue's heart pounded wildly. His guess was correct. In the firelight, Lu Qingcheng was dressed in a black robe. His handsome face had sharp, chiseled features, which made him appear even more resolute and masculine. His every glance was radiant and captivating.

Qing Jian Yue shook off Long Feng Ming's hand from his wrist and flew towards Lu Qing Cheng like a bird with wings. Lu Qing Cheng took a few quick steps, stretched out his arms, and caught him, pulling him into his embrace like a child. Tears streamed down Qing Jian Yue's face; he didn't even know why he was crying. The two embraced tightly for a while before letting go. Lu Qing Cheng gently and tenderly stroked his cheek, wiping away his tears.

Did you miss me?

"Have they captured Luo Buqun?"

"You little rascal, is that all you care about? Don't worry, you'll see him in a minute."

Qing Jianyue, feeling utterly heartless after being scolded, hurriedly shoved the white fox into his hands and then hugged his waist to comfort him. Footsteps approached, and Huang Chong and the other three quickly came forward to report Long Fengming's arrival, before stepping aside to stand on either side. Long Fengming and his entourage slowly approached. Lu Qingcheng patted Qing Jianyue's shoulder, and Qing Jianyue hurriedly straightened up, his face flushed crimson.

"Lord Lu."

"Young Master Long."

“These days, Jianyue has caused trouble for the young master of the fortress.”

"Not at all, young master is lively and adorable, truly delightful."

Qing Jianyue's heart skipped a beat. What was he saying? He glared at Long Fengming, but to his surprise, Long Fengming was smiling at him. Qing Jianyue blushed and looked guiltily at Lu Qingcheng, only to find that Lu Qingcheng was also glaring at him, a fierce glint flashing in her dark eyes. Qing Jianyue shrank back in fright.

After exchanging a few more polite words with Long Fengming, the group quickly moved to the main hall. Upon entering, they found it already packed with people from Tianlong Fort, Fengyue Manor, and Lu Family Fort. Qing Jianyue entered, flanked by Lu Qingcheng and Long Fengming, and was immediately greeted by everyone.

Upon entering the hall, Qing Jianyue's gaze immediately fell upon several pots of verdant bamboo in the corner. Lu Qingcheng and Long Fengming followed suit. A woman sat there alone, surrounded by standing people. The woman was exceptionally beautiful, her true age impossible to discern; her beauty surpassed that of Luo Lan, Lu Xuemei, and Zhao Mei. She sat there alone, an indescribable sorrow shrouding her refined and elegant face, as if nothing in this world could bring her joy anymore.

Long Fengming couldn't help but recall a line of poetry: "A peerless beauty dwells in a secluded valley."

Kiyomi Tsuki stared blankly at her, her expression a mixture of tears and laughter, a sight that was extremely distressing to behold.

The woman seemed to sense Kiyomi's gaze and slowly raised her head. When their eyes met, she seemed startled and suddenly stood up. Her beautiful eyes instantly filled with tears. Her delicate and pitiful appearance would surely make any man want to embrace her and cherish her.

"moon……"

With a sigh, the woman began to cry, her delicate body trembling like a lotus flower battered by rain, making her appear even more pitiful.

Long Fengming realized that she must be Qing Jianyue's mother, Zhao Shuixin.

"How dare you cry, you shameless vixen!" Luo Lan cursed. "If you hadn't seduced my father, my mother wouldn't have died of anger, and my father wouldn't be in this state today. You and your shameless daughter are just like each other, born with a seductive look that attracts men."

Zhao Shuixin forced back the tears in her eyes, her delicate hand clutching her chest in fright. Even though she was trembling, her inherently charming and alluring nature emanated from her like mercury spilling onto the ground.

The men present finally understood what it meant for a beautiful woman to be a source of trouble.

Luo Lan continued her tirade, while the Lu family fortress shouted back. However, the shouts only fueled the fire; Luo Lan's curses grew even fiercer, unleashing every vulgar insult imaginable, utterly lacking the decorum expected of a well-bred lady. The men from Lu family fortress, Tianlong fortress, and Fengyue manor present were all astonished and disgusted. The Lu family fortress was even more enraged; some rushed forward to attack. Lu Zhi and Luo Xiang roared in resistance, while Lu Xuemei protected Luo Lan, also joining in the shouting and cursing. Zhao Mei collapsed into her wet nurse's arms, and the room erupted into chaos.

Kiyomi Tsuki said, "It's never a good look for a man to hit a woman."

Lei Yongxiang immediately stopped the angry soldiers of Lujiabao, and gradually brought the situation under control.

Kiyoshi asked, "Why are Zhao Wuyang and Lu Baoquan nowhere to be seen?"

"Dead."

Long Fengxiang took over the conversation. He waved his hand, and four warriors from Tianlong Fort carried in two stretchers. They uncovered the cloth covering the dead, and Qing Jianyue went over to look. It was indeed the bodies of Lu Baoquan and Zhao Wuyang. Qing Jianyue turned around, and this time, he was met not just with one pair of resentful eyes, but with four. Qing Jianyue couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. It seemed that to eliminate the threat, one had to nip it in the bud, but he simply couldn't bring himself to do something so ruthless.