Орден Красного Лотоса

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Volume Three: A Handsome Man Appears Again in the Question of Love

Tangjiabao, on the eastern hillside of the city.

Fortunately, Yang Nianqing had arrived in ancient times and landed in the famous Nangong Villa, so she had seen the world and was not too surprised by the wealth and grandeur of Tangjiabao. The furnishings in the hall were very exquisite, with sandalwood tables and chairs, ancient paintings and calligraphy on the walls, and a pair of antique vases in the cabinets, whose patterns and colors alone were extraordinary.

Finally, there was a huge standing screen, depicting a desolate landscape, exuding an elegant charm.

Just as Yang Nianqing saw this, someone emerged from behind the screen.

From the moment Yang Nianqing first saw this person, she couldn't take her eyes off him—it turns out that a woman's beauty can transcend appearance and age.

Dressed in simple clothes and with a plain face, she had just experienced the pain of losing her husband, and a trace of sorrow lingered on her face. She was no longer young, and there were deep lines at the corners of her eyes, making her look much older than Madam Leng.

She wasn't considered beautiful.

But she was also incredibly beautiful.

That beauty was subtle, like a delicate fragrance, slowly emanating from her body. Was it inner beauty? Or a refined air? It was hard to define, yet it stirred the heart and evoked tenderness.

Holy and gentle.

It's hard to imagine that such a woman could be the murderer.

Yang Nianqing snapped out of her daze, and while admiring the sight, a strange sense of familiarity welled up inside her—was she seeing a ghost? Why did she always feel this way when she came to ancient times? She was extremely surprised. Qiu Bailu was easy to recognize; she was too ordinary-looking to be mistaken for anyone else, so she was familiar with her. But this Madam Ye, if she had really seen her before, she would definitely remember her.

I feel like I've seen her somewhere before... but where...?

While she was lost in thought, the other four had already exchanged pleasantries with Madam Ye. Of the four "firsts," two "gods" were not fond of talking, and of the other two "people," one was an idle and lazy person. So, it was Nangong Xue who had to speak up and explain their purpose.

Bringing up painful memories again only intensified Madam Ye's anguish and bewilderment. She lowered her head and remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, her voice as gentle as she was: "Regarding my late husband, now..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

"You've never disciplined me before, and now you don't even respect me anymore? How dare you!"

“Young master, the lady is receiving guests in the hall.”

"..."

Before the words were finished, a figure barged in, accompanied by a lazy, dismissive voice: "It's good that there are guests. I was just about to see which distinguished guests they are."

A pair of pitch-black eyes, as deep as an abyss.

Yang Nianqing was stunned.

Their eyes met, and the young master Tang was clearly taken aback. After a moment, a frivolous smile gradually appeared on his handsome face, and it was unclear whether he had truly recognized her.

A cough rang out, and Yang Nianqing came back to her senses. It was Li You, who was looking at her with amusement!

"You'er!" Seeing her son's outburst, Madam Ye suddenly stood up, her gentle face flushing red with anger. "How can you be so unruly with guests present!"

Young Master Tang seemed not to hear, only staring at Yang Nianqing up and down with the typical lecherous gaze.

What a load of crap!

Under such gazes, Yang Nianqing also got angry. She wasn't one of those shy women from ancient times who would blush if a man looked at her twice. She was ready to fight back! So, with a vengeful spirit, she used the gaze of a modern woman with lust, looking him up and down without any shyness and with a hint of disdain—Tch, do you think I've never seen a handsome man before!

It would be somewhat unexpected for a lecherous man to encounter a woman like this.

As expected, Young Master Tang was stunned.

Madam Ye, however, could not bear it any longer and scolded, "You'er! Where did you go just now?"

“Mother already knows where her son is, why ask again?” He came to his senses, not looking at his angry mother, but glancing at everyone. “I didn’t expect so many distinguished guests today. I’m tired, please excuse me. Mother, you can take your time.”

After saying that, he went inside on his own.

Madam Ye's frail body seemed to tremble slightly. After a long while, she finally calmed down, sat down again, and a desolate and bitter smile appeared on her lips: "This is a worrying case of an unfilial son. Now that my late husband is gone, there is no one to discipline him, making him a laughing stock for everyone."

Everyone already knew who he was, but what they didn't expect was that this young master Tang would act so recklessly right under his mother's nose!

His name was Tang Keyou.

Yang Nianqing wondered to herself—how could someone have such eyes, yet act so differently? Beneath this carefree exterior, were there many secrets hidden?

No matter how far the topic goes, there is one person who will never forget the main point.

He Bi cut to the chase: "Does Madam know anything about the details of the Fortress Master's affairs?"

Madam Ye remained silent for a long time before shaking her head: "Since my late husband is gone, what do I, a mere woman, know? I entrust everything to you all. I only hope that the real culprit will be found as soon as possible so that he can rest in peace."

After saying that, she looked in the direction her son had gone, her eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness: "I'm just worried about the future... that after my late husband is gone, You'er will be like this."

It seems that the grief of losing her husband is far less than the worry for her son. Who can understand the feelings of a mother?

No one dared to say anything more.

Madam Ye, her sorrow vanishing slightly, smiled and invited everyone to stay. She then instructed the servants to prepare rooms, which suited everyone perfectly. Since it concerned her, it would be better for them to stay and investigate at their leisure. He Bi then ceased his refusal.

The servant received the order and was about to lead everyone to settle in when Madam Ye called them back just as they reached the door.

She slowly walked to the front of the crowd: "As for my late husband's matter, I am naturally at ease knowing that you have all investigated it. But what I am most worried about now is You'er, seeing him like this..."

After a pause, she suddenly bowed and said, "I only ask that you all teach him more lessons in your spare time. I would be extremely grateful."

Everyone was stunned, not expecting her to make such a request. In the end, these were all other people's family matters. No matter how outrageous Tang Keyou was, how could they, as outsiders, interfere?

Nangong Xue hesitated: "This is a matter for the lady's family, we..."

“I know this must be a very difficult matter,” Madam Ye said, wiping away her tears. “I only beg you, for the sake of my late husband in the afterlife, if You’er continues like this, I…”

She had already turned her face away and couldn't continue speaking.

In He Bi's room, everyone was sitting and drinking tea, but Qiu Bailu, who had never been interested in such things, went back to her room.

Li You looked at the tea in his cup and smiled wryly: "Are we here to investigate a case or to take care of someone else's son? I really don't want to offend that Young Master Tang."

Nangong Xue also shook her head.

He Bi coldly replied, "I only investigate cases."

“The case must be investigated, and the young master should also take charge,” said the servant who brought them. He had a round face and a clever look. He smiled at everyone and said, “My surname is Wang, and my name is Wang Wu. My wife has instructed me to ask that you all not be polite and to just give orders to my servants if you need anything.”

Nangong Xue smiled and said, "Is this how your young master always is?"

Wang Wu immediately shook his head when Tang Keyou was mentioned.

"Although the young master was unruly before, he was always well-mannered in public. It is probably because of the lord's matter that he has become like this. The madam has really been heartbroken..."

Excessive grief? Yang Nianqing didn't believe it. Although grief can drive a person to extremes, for someone like Tang Keyou... the reason definitely shouldn't be just grief.

Wang Wu was clearly the kind of person who could talk a good game, and once he started talking, he went on and on: "Now that the lord of the fortress is gone, and the young master is causing a real mess, the madam just sits in a daze all day."

Li You nodded: "It's a pity that the 'Three Heroes in Arms' were so famous back then... Lord Tang was also a hero of his time. Now that he's gone, your wife must be heartbroken... I heard that he and his wife always had a very good relationship."

Wang Wu shook his head: "Madam is more worried about the young master."

Yang Nianqing immediately asked curiously, "Isn't your wife saddened by the death of Lord Tang?"

Wang Wu glanced outside the door, shook his head, and said softly, "Of course she is heartbroken. After the Lord of the Fortress had his accident, the Lady sat there for two days without eating or drinking. But for some reason, she has been arguing with the Lord of the Fortress all year round."

Li You laughed: "I don't believe that. I'm afraid you're just joking. I've heard that Madam Ye and Lord Tang have a very good relationship and have never had a fight."

Seeing that he didn't believe him, Wang Wu got anxious and argued, "I have not uttered a single falsehood. Although we servants do not know what they are arguing about, we are not the only ones who heard it!"

Then, with a mysterious smile, he added, "You all don't know, but you never imagined that someone as gentle as Madam could be so fierce when she gets angry..."

It seems the rumors of discord between the couple are true, and that Mrs. Ye was the one who instigated it.

Li You blinked.

"How could Madam Ye, so virtuous, get angry? Could it be..." He paused deliberately, a hint of ambiguity in his handsome face, "...could it be because of something that happened outside with a man..."

Yang Nianqing chuckled to herself; his expression was truly gossipy.

Wang Wu laughed: "To be honest, young master, I'm afraid others would think the same way if they heard this, but as for our lord, that's a huge injustice. The lord's love for his wife is unparalleled in the world..."

Yang Nianqing deliberately interrupted him: "How do you know what he's secretly doing outside?"

Wang Wu said smugly, "You all don't know this, but the Lord of the Fortress is usually accompanied by a few of his servants when he goes out. In the past year or two, the Lord of the Fortress has only gone to Young Master Lin's place and hasn't been to those other places."

"Young Master Lin?"

"It's the sworn brother of the fortress lord, Young Master Lin Xing from Little Stone Street in the city."

Lin Xing has been dragged into this again?

The group looked at each other.

“I see,” Li You said with a smile. “It seems you know quite a bit about their affairs.”

Wang Wu was taken aback, realizing he had misspoke, and quickly smiled apologetically: "The servants all know about these things, how could I dare to speak of them? I only heard them mention them by chance, and I'm afraid it's not very true."

Everyone found it somewhat amusing.

Wang Wu, however, was filled with trepidation. After exchanging a few more casual words, he took his leave.

After a while.

He Bi looked out the door and said coldly, "She knows martial arts."

"who?"

"Mrs. Ye."

Even at dusk, the streets were still bustling.

Yang Nianqing was very unhappy.

She originally wanted to name him Nangong Xue, who was kind, rich, and generous, making him the perfect shopping companion. However, he didn't know martial arts, and since being poisoned, her biggest worry was whether he would die. He Bi and Qiu Bailu were both "gods" and "bosses." Would you be willing to take a "boss" shopping with you?

Therefore, only one option remains.

This idle man, the Flower-Picking Gentleman, the Playboy, is quite handsome and has plenty of money, but he's incredibly stingy with himself!

Furthermore, he was too "star-like"—his white clothes were flamboyant, and he was dashing and debonair, a veritable heartthrob. Wherever he went, he was the center of attention! In less than fifteen minutes, countless "affectionate" gazes were focused on him, which made Yang Nianqing feel very unbalanced.

Seeing the infatuated looks in their eyes, Yang Nianqing felt increasingly uncomfortable as she walked away. Finally, she couldn't help but push him, saying, "Hey, playboy, it's time for you to be vain."

Li You stopped in his tracks: "What's wrong now?"

To be honest, Yang Nianqing was also quite surprised. He was unusually well-behaved today, not glancing at any woman with his eyes, and simply walking slowly with her.

She pointed upstairs: "Didn't you see they're all looking at you?"

"So what?"

"Don't you love beauty?"