"What does it have to do with the Eight Characters? It's that arrogant kid who didn't know his place..."
"Lian'er!"
"...Didn't Father already send Second Brother to break off the engagement?"
"That is true, but when Qi'er came back, she was missing both hands. Not only was the engagement not dissolved, but it also accelerated his efforts to deal with the Rong family. When asked what happened, Qi'er refused to say a word."
"Why don't you just kill me..."
My mother glared at me and was about to say something when a carriage behind me interrupted me.
The driver was none other than Jing Tianxiang, the chief disciple of the Nangong family. It was rare; there were no more than five people who could command his respect.
He carried a girl of about fifteen or sixteen from the carriage. The child was fast asleep, and Jing Tianxiang's movements were so gentle that she wasn't woken at all. Her rosy cheeks were so delicate that one wanted to take a bite. What kind of eyes were beneath those thick eyelashes? Even sleeping like that, she looked so full of life; if she opened her eyes, they must be brimming with vitality and intelligence.
Such a wonderful child, no wonder Jing Tianxiang was so careful with him.
Her identity was obvious: the younger cousin of Nangong Ling, the young master of the Nangong family, a child who had been pampered and cherished all these years.
At that moment, I suddenly wanted to laugh. When I was a child, wasn't I also spoiled rotten? But after the Rong family's downfall, apart from my mother, no one cared about me anymore.
People are always driven by self-interest. Those who once relied on, flattered, and climbed the social ladder by the Rong family have now all fled to the Nangong family, scattered without a trace.
"Miss Rong? Why are you standing at the door and not going in?" Jing Tianxiang was taken aback when he saw me, and then asked.
"Little Qin went in to report," Mother replied with a smile.
"Yes, they're gone and never coming back," I replied with a smile.
"Is that so? I..." The person in his arms stirred, seemingly showing signs of waking up.
"Um... Brother Tianxiang?"
"woke up?"
Those eyes were indeed beautiful, bright and clear, full of vitality and passion. Although they had just woken up and were a little dazed, it did not diminish their burning amber color.
"We're home..." She looked up, saw my mother first and then me, and looked at me for a long time, probably because she felt we were strangers.
My mother said I was like a hedgehog, covered in thorns, with a bad temper, petty and vindictive, and ruthless in my actions—a typical shrew. Because I was too sharp, I suffered for it. Now I need to learn to be as tactful and worldly as my mother. In recent years, whenever something happens at home, I hide my true self even deeper.
How many people can still see the thorn deep in my eyes now? My little cousin, who is as white as paper, seems to have good eyesight, because she looks into my eyes with fear and disgust.
"Miss Rong, please have some self-respect." Jing Tianxiang hugged Yue Linghe even tighter.
It turns out it wasn't her who could see through it, but me who gave myself away. I shrugged and could only smile helplessly; coming here was never my choice.
Chapter 2
The Nangong family home was very large, with one garden within another, the courtyards were secluded and the scenery was hazy and elegant, but I had no heart to appreciate it.
It's been three years since I last saw him. My first impression of that kid was extremely bad. Every time we met, he'd either slam his fist on the table or rush out to fight. Strangely, I don't remember his appearance very clearly; it's actually quite vague. My general impression is that he was arrogant and haughty, and he had those very distinctive phoenix eyes. But he wasn't a good person, and he wasn't handsome enough to even catch my eye when he was little. Someone like him would probably have grown into a shifty-eyed, disheveled old man by now.
"What are you thinking about?" Mother nudged me.
"Huh?" I looked up and realized we had arrived.
"Control your temper, you'll see him soon..."
"You two..." Xiaoman, who ran out of the building, smiled somewhat awkwardly, "Young Master said he doesn't receive guests."
Mother was probably stunned because she didn't expect Nangong Ling to be so ruthless.
"Hmph, I knew it."
How could Nangong Ling not come up with something that would embarrass him? I took a few steps back and looked up at the building.
Although it had been three years since I last saw him, and his appearance was quite different from what I had imagined, I still recognized him at a glance.
Bah! It's a shame that God is blind. It's one thing for Nangong Ling to be so annoying, but he's also so good-looking that it's infuriating.
"Mother, let's go. I refuse to believe he can control everything."
"Lian'er!"
My mother's voice was almost a shout, which startled me but also brought me back to my senses. Nangong Ling hates it when I say things like that. How could that proud young master tolerate others not acknowledging or recognizing him? But I just can't stand him like that. We've only just met, and I've already forgotten who I am and who he is.
"I thought you'd calmed down your temper, but you're still as sharp as ever." A sarcastic voice drifted down from the upstairs window.
His eyes were incredibly beautiful, especially when they were slightly narrowed and half-smiling; they possessed an almost bewitching allure. When he smiled, the outer corners of his eyes were exceptionally charming, making them particularly captivating, almost eerily beautiful. He was rarely not smiling; I've only seen him smile twice, but those smiles were enough to leave a lasting impression, etched into my very bones. His unique phoenix eyes, when their expression turned cold, were truly as sharp as a blade, like an invisible dagger poised to take your life at any moment.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then loosened my clenched fist. At this moment, even if I didn't consider myself, I had to consider my mother's safety. The Rong family was already ruined, and I couldn't let him hurt my mother any further.
"Oh? You've improved a bit. If it were before, you would have swung your sword at me long ago." This freak actually had a smile in his voice.
"What exactly do you want?" I asked, trying to use the calmest possible tone.
"Well..." He smiled and leaned against the window, his red clothes as fiery as fire, so magnificent and opulent that it was impossible to look away.
"Brother Ling, who are you talking to?" A clear female voice came from behind him, sounding somewhat familiar.
Yue Linghe ran to the window, smiling sweetly, but her expression froze when she saw me.
Hey, I'm not a womanizer, is it necessary to act like this whenever you see me?
"What, Ling'er knows this sister?" That dead man Nangong Ling actually gently ruffled Yue Linghe's hair. I've never seen him show any tenderness towards women when we used to fight.
"Yes, the sister at the door just now..." Yue Linghe laughed again, probably feeling safe with Nangong Ling by her side. "Besides Brother Ling, this is the first time Ling'er has seen such a beautiful sister."
"Really? How about letting Ling'er see her sister every day?"
At that moment, I suddenly had a bad feeling; Nangong Ling's smile was a little too eerie.
"May I?"
Nangong Ling nodded, his slender phoenix eyes fixed on me, almost too brightly.
"Ronglian, how about you be a filial daughter for your mother's sake?"
"Ling'er, let Lian'er go." My mother came over and took my hand. I knew she didn't want me to take action.
“Madam Rong, you’d better not interfere in Rong Lian’s affairs in the Nangong family anymore, or I can’t guarantee what the consequences will be.”
Chapter 3
Ten years ago, the Rong family was the most powerful of the three major martial arts sects, followed by the Feng family, and then the Nangong family. Now, the saying "fortune turns like a wheel" has finally come true. The Rong family declined overnight, and the Nangong family's power rose to its peak, almost dominating the martial arts world. However, the Feng family still held its ground and remained in power.
The Nangong family's reputation was already well-known throughout the martial arts world. However, Nangong Ling's annihilation of the Rong family, who had held the top position in the martial arts world for a century, not only solidified the Nangong family's fame to a level that inspired fear and respect, but also made Nangong Ling a household name. Furthermore, Nangong Ling was the master of the rapidly rising Wuyue Palace, and the Wuyue Palace's reputation quickly spread throughout the martial arts world.
I am currently on my way to the Moonless Palace, and have been traveling for half a day with the sedan chair.
My mother stayed at the Nangong family home, where Madam Nangong could take care of her and prevent her from being mistreated. Besides, I didn't want her to come with me and cause her unnecessary trouble.
"Sister Lian, aren't you hot?" Yue Linghe lifted a corner of the curtain, her little head already covered with a layer of fine beads of sweat.
How could I not feel hot after walking under the sun for half a day? Especially today, the sun was particularly strong. It's just that I naturally have a low body temperature and don't sweat easily.
"Ling'er, come and have some water," another person inside the sedan chair said.
"Oh." Yue Linghe turned around, took the water, and continued to ask me, "Sister, would you like some water?"
He looked up at her for a moment and continued walking forward. "Little ancestor, if you really mean it, don't talk to me and distract me. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on. I don't have the strength to talk anymore, but I absolutely have to hold on until I reach Wuyue Palace. I don't want Nangong Ling to laugh at me."
Yue Linghe pouted and lowered the curtain. A moment later, the curtain was lifted again.
"Shouldn't you at least answer when someone talks to you? Or are you throwing another tantrum?"
I don't want to argue with you right now, and I don't have the energy to talk to you. You're not a spoiled brat, so what right do you have to talk to me?
"Stop the sedan chair!" he suddenly commanded, narrowing his eyes.
What are you planning to do now? I felt dizzy looking at him, and Nangong Ling was becoming a double image.
The sedan chair bearers stopped, but my legs wouldn't obey me; I was focused on walking forward and crashed straight into them.
...The result, of course, was that he fell down upon impact, and dizziness overwhelmed him, leaving only a swirling darkness before his eyes.
"She really is a golden branch and jade leaf..." someone seemed to complain before losing consciousness.
...
When I opened my eyes, all I saw was a magnified image of a beautiful woman's face. I was so startled that my heart almost gave way. This kind of shock was anything but surprising.
"His physical condition is pretty good; he woke up quite quickly."
This face, this voice, why do they seem so familiar?
"You..." I opened my mouth, my throat feeling parched.
"How can someone be poisoned with mercury, arsenic, and delphinium? What's going on?"
"Ah, give me a glass of water first."
The beautiful face before me is Qionghua, isn't it? Her upright posture and graceful figure exude an otherworldly air, making her a figure that is instantly memorable.
He got up and poured me a glass of water. After I finished drinking it, he kept staring at me. It seemed he wouldn't give up until I told him.
"Hmm... well, someone probably poisoned it..." What an unbelievable reason.
"Really? Then the person who poisoned you is quite interesting. Not only did they only use a small amount each time, but they also used different poisons. If they really wanted to kill you, would they have gone to such lengths?" He chuckled slowly. "You were essentially poisoning yourself. You secretly ate a little bit every day. Later, the Rong family had many troubles, and mercury was an expensive substance. Since you couldn't buy it, you switched to arsenic. In the end, you had to collect larkspur from the roadside to take. Your pulse was so weak. If you hadn't practiced martial arts for so many years, you would have died several times over."
Qionghua, the leader of the four guardians of Wuyue Palace, is not only unfathomably skilled in martial arts but also a miraculous healer. There is truly nothing that can be hidden from him.
"It's all thanks to Nangong Ling's quick action that I'm now beyond dying, but my martial arts skills are probably pretty much ruined."