Лучжоу Луна

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“Leng Shuangcheng, you really are…” Ziying gritted her teeth and said resentfully, “Since Young Master Qiuye truly loves you, it’s really bad luck that he’s stuck with someone like you.”

"Really? I think so too." Leng Shuangcheng smiled, continuing her conversation in a good-natured manner, and casually asked, "Then tell me, what kind of good person is Young Master Qiuye?"

Ziying became hesitant, gazing down at the ripples in the water, a hint of embarrassment rising on her face. Leng Shuangcheng glanced down, finding it amusing, but simply said, "Let me guess... because of Leng Qi?"

Ziying looked up in surprise: "You have a really sharp eye. It's definitely because of Leng Qi."

Leng Shuangcheng smiled slightly: "Just guessing."

Ziying glared at her, then lowered her head, her face shimmering with a dreamy light, as if she were savoring the past.

“When I was in Kaifeng, I secretly went to see Leng Qi and I know that the young master was very strict with him… I also know that the young master suppressed my news in Yangzhou because of his background and forced Chu Xuan not to spread this secret…”

Zi Ying didn't actually know that Qiu Ye Yi Jian did more than just that to save Leng Qi's face back then. He had also forced Chu Xuan not to leave Yangzhou unless something unexpected happened. In his opinion, since Leng Qi's matter had spread to a small part of Yangzhou, it was like a scar on a person's body. Even if you had to cover it up and smother it, you had to nip the abscess in the bud.

Leng Shuangcheng only then realized that Qiu Yeyijian had also done good deeds for Leng Qi. Hearing Ziying's hesitant words, she could tell that since Ziying had spoken, it couldn't be as simple as just expressing her feelings.

Sure enough, Ziying looked at her with a determined look in her eyes and said, "I've heard you mention your affair with the young master before. Tell me, what are you really thinking?"

The question was very direct, and to everyone's surprise, Leng Shuangcheng answered even more directly: "I have no idea."

Ziying almost jumped up, shouting, "How is this possible!"

Seeing Ziying so agitated, Leng Shuangcheng was somewhat worried about her health and quickly reassured her, "How could it be impossible? First, the difference in status between me and the young master is vast, like heaven and earth. Second, he is cunning and ruthless in public, but behind closed doors he has many tricks up his sleeve, which I cannot list for you. Third, he is quick to turn his back on anyone; he even wounded me with his sword, and I still remember that debt..."

Zi Ying was taken aback: "Leng Shuangcheng, is this what you really think?"

Ziying didn't really understand Leng Shuangcheng; she just blurted out those words based on her intuition.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced at Ziying's dejected face and answered honestly, "It seems that Madam is not at ease until she hears a satisfactory answer... To be honest, the most important thing is that I promised Steward Wu long ago that I would not see the young master in private before his marriage."

Taking advantage of confiding in Ziying, Leng Shuangcheng gradually sorted out the chaotic and confused emotions she had felt while staying by Qiuye Yijian's side. The heavy burden that had been weighing on her heart all this time was unexpectedly lifted today by Ziying's casual mention, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief, and felt a sense of sudden enlightenment in her heart.

After saying this, Leng Shuangcheng intended to end this troublesome meeting. He ignored Ziying's hesitant expression and continued to scan his surroundings with his bright eyes. Finally, he focused on the two tall, blue-haired, green-eyed foreign merchants on the second deck.

The two people were very far away from her, and because they were sheltered from the wind, their conversation was not carried to the shore. However, after Leng Shuangcheng unintentionally caught their lip movements, she became more and more alarmed as she listened, and firmly controlled her body from jumping up.

"That batch of firearms, numbering no less than ten thousand... landed in Japan and was transported to Jingxiang... the news is true... yesterday, the lord received a secret letter from the Japanese envoy, agreeing to transport these items." The slightly taller Hu man excitedly told the person beside him, "We can sell this information to others and make a small fortune..."

It turned out that the two of them were discussing top-secret information.

Afterwards, Jingxiang Kou used all of its national strength to purchase ten thousand sun and moon gold wheels, ostensibly to strengthen national defense. The two people speaking were the two interpreters of the Hu envoy. They had probably witnessed the secret letter from the Japanese envoy to their master and, unable to suppress their greed, began discussing their heinous deeds right at the bow of the ship.

Leng Shuangcheng was drenched in cold sweat. Even Qiu Yeyi's sword couldn't dodge the Sun and Moon Golden Wheel, which was being sold privately among the various countries. If she hadn't boarded this ship today, the court would probably have kept this secret for a long time. And yet, she overheard all of this by chance because she was familiar with the Hu language, which made her feel that fate was playing tricks on her and that this was the will of heaven.

Ziying called out to Leng Shuangcheng twice, noticing that she looked somewhat dazed, and said, "Did what I just said make you uncomfortable?"

Leng Shuangcheng snapped out of her reverie and shook her head. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Madam, please rest here for a while and soak up some sun. I'll be right back."

Ziying nodded somewhat forlornly.

Leng Shuangcheng carefully inspected the ship's deck and, finding no gunpowder fragments, darted into the galley and down into the hold.

The hold was pitch black, with corn-shaped sacks piled up on the deck. Undeterred by the mess, she reached out and examined them one by one. After searching for a while, she noticed no trace of weapons and stood there, somewhat surprised, deep in thought.

After a moment, Leng Shuangcheng slipped to the stern of the boat, took a breath, and plunged into the water.

Ziying lowered her head, gazing faintly at her reflection. After a while, a slender figure approached. She then called out, "Shuangcheng, why are you back so soon?" Before she could finish speaking, her words caught in her throat and gurgled, "Fifth Brother."

The newcomer was none other than Tang Wu. Ever since he was captured by Qiu Yeyijian and Zhao Yingcheng, misfortune had struck him one after another. First, Qiu Yeyijian ripped the skin off both of his hands, causing him to wail in agony every night. With great difficulty, Tang Qi pleaded for his life, treating and bandaging his injuries. However, he felt an unventable surge of hatred and anger, and in his rage, he refused his sister's request to take him back to the Tang Clan, ultimately causing her to run away heartbroken and disappear without a trace. For nearly a month, he had been tracking the source of water every day and finally discovered Shui Yin's whereabouts. He had originally hoped to use Shui Yin to assassinate Zi Ying and the other woman, venting his resentment. However, he never expected that Leng Shuangcheng, whom he had defeated that day, would possess such high martial arts skills. Not only did she repel Shui Yin's attack, but she also intimidated him, who dared not attack rashly due to his injured hands.

This truly proves the saying "fortune turns like a wheel." However, Tang Wu, who had been following behind, saw Leng Shuangcheng leave and hurriedly seized the opportunity to come out: "You wretch, Chu Yi has already gone underwater. Let's see who can save you in the short term."

Zi Ying secretly groaned. Her body was unstable, and she dared not confront Tang Wu's powerful hand directly. Although she could see that Tang Wu's palms were dark red with newly grown flesh and blood, and could deduce that his power must have been somewhat diminished, she was alone and helpless at the moment, and she would not easily take the risk.

Ziying's mind raced as she giggled, stalling for time: "Fifth Brother, this is a ship used by foreign envoys. Aren't you afraid the court will issue a warrant for your arrest if you kill someone here?"

Tang Wu snorted coldly and said with a sinister smile, "I know you're pregnant. If you know what's good for you, you'd better surrender obediently, or you'll end up with both you and your unborn child dead!"

Ziying's face changed drastically. Knowing Tang Wu's vicious and narrow-minded nature, she didn't have time to react. She lunged at the ship's side, calling out "Shuangcheng," and prepared to jump into the water to escape. Tang Wu had anticipated her panic. He reached out with both hands to grab her shoulders. Ziying, protective of her child, dodged to the side, and Tang Wu's hand snapped off a piece of the ship's plank with a crack.

A few daring individuals were scattered across the deck, while the two foreign merchants watched the sudden turn of events with some suspicion. In a moment, Tang Wu grabbed Zi Ying, who dared not dodge, let out a sinister laugh, and dragged her to a small boat that had been secretly placed nearby.

Leng Shuangcheng groped around in the still somewhat chilly river water for a while in late spring, then made up her mind, swam to the stern of the boat, and suddenly leaped out of the water. Sunlight shone on her shimmering hair, but her body remained dry.

Looking up into the distance, Leng Shuangcheng was surprised to find Ziying nowhere to be seen. She quickly stepped forward and checked the area where Ziying was. Judging from the wind emanating from the ship's side, she immediately knew what had happened.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced back and saw a refined young man in blue robes standing with his back to the edge of the ship's deck. His robes fluttered, making him appear like an immortal floating in the air. In particular, his long legs swayed slightly, as if he were about to be blown away by the wind. She looked around and saw that only the two foreign merchants were still standing on the second floor. Fearing that she might alert them, she had no choice but to walk up to the young man in blue and say, "Excuse me, young master."

The young man in blue turned around, his face as handsome as a slender moon. Seeing Leng Shuangcheng's respectful demeanor with lowered eyes, he smiled slightly and said, "Do you wish to inquire about the whereabouts of that lady from earlier?"

Leng Shuangcheng raised her head and replied, "Yes, thank you for your guidance, young master."

The young man in blue smiled and said, "How do you know I will definitely tell you about your wife's situation?"

"It is said in the martial arts world that Young Master Qingluan is a man of great righteousness and noble character. Since you have stopped in the wind, you must be staying to guide those who come after you," Leng Shuangcheng said respectfully and humbly.

Young Master Qingluan smiled gently, his eyes filled with interest as he looked at Leng Shuangcheng's deep gaze: "Miss has put such a big accusation on me, I have no choice but to speak even if I don't want to... How about this, if you just tell me how you figured out my background, I will tell you everything you want to know."

Worried about Ziying's safety, Leng Shuangcheng didn't want to get entangled with him any longer, so he readily told her everything: "My name is Leng Shuangcheng. I boarded this merchant ship to escort my wife back to her ancestral home. Just now, I saw that you, young master, were seemingly unsteady on your feet, yet still firmly anchored to the deck. I knew that this skill could only be possessed by the Qingluan Prince, who could ride the wind."

Lin Qingluan smiled slightly at Leng Shuangcheng's words. He found it amusing that Leng Shuangcheng kept flattering him. Although it was the first time he had met Leng Shuangcheng, some people are like strangers who become old friends at first sight. His feelings for Leng Shuangcheng were exactly the latter.

Leng Shuangcheng had no idea of Lin Qingluan's subtle thoughts. She suppressed her anxiety and respectfully lowered her head, waiting for his reply. Naturally, she also ignored the interest in the eyes of the person in front of her. Lin Qingluan looked at her trembling eyelids, smiled, and did not make things difficult for her anymore. He answered all her questions: "I heard a man called Fifth Brother, after capturing your lady, say to her with a smile, 'Shuiyun Inn is just short of a leading lady. Wouldn't it be perfect for you to go there?' Then he carried her off the small boat."

Leng Shuangcheng didn't know what Shuiyun Inn was, but judging from the name, it must be a place of prostitution. She was annoyed that Lin Qingluan had used his reputation to refuse to help her in her time of need. She coldly cupped her hands and said "thank you" before leaving. Unexpectedly, he spoke up again with a smile: "Miss Leng is blaming me for not helping you in your time of need? I just forgot to tell you two things: first, the destination of this ship happens to be the inn; second, I happen to be the younger brother of the inn's owner."

Leng Shuangcheng looked up and saw Lin Qingluan smiling like the wind, with a handsome and dashing air. He felt a chill in his heart and had no choice but to suppress his bitterness and worries and wait for things to change.

2. Within arm's reach

Spring waters are bluer than the sky, colorful sails slumber in the wind. Green mountains rise opposite each other, the water's flow gradually slows, gently supporting the majestic ship. The elegant and refined Lin Qingluan stands beneath the vast sky, a faint smile playing on her lips, like a peach blossom fairy descending from the heavens to bestow blessings upon all flowers. Leng Shuangcheng glanced at her only once, and couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart, "Another scourge."

Lin Qingluan smiled as she looked at Leng Shuangcheng. Seeing her face as serene as the green water behind her and her figure as steadfast as distant mountains, she couldn't help but feel even more excited. She said, "Miss is truly invulnerable."

When Lin Qingluan smiled, he originally intended to use the invincible "Qingluan Smile" to bewitch Leng Shuangcheng. Unfortunately, Leng Shuangcheng had seen this kind of trick many times before, and looked at him as if he were a stone. He only asked the question that was on his mind: "Young master, what is your purpose in revealing so many secrets?"

Lin Qingluan was somewhat disappointed, but still smiled and said, "If I said that I became very interested in you after meeting you, would you believe me?"

“I believe it,” Leng Shuangcheng replied without hesitation. “Many people, just because they are interested, make a mistake and end up looking like neither human nor ghost.”

Leng Shuangcheng's tone carried a hint of annoyance and helplessness, and she clenched her fists after speaking. Lin Qingluan was surprised. Although he didn't understand the implication of her words, he understood the warning in her voice: "Miss seems to have spoken from a feeling. May I ask who you are referring to?"

Leng Shuangcheng glanced at him indifferently, her mind preoccupied with Ziying's safety. Instead of answering, she asked, "I don't believe that your appearance here is purely coincidental. Let me guess a few things... Your appearance here must have a reason, right?"

“Smart.” Lin Qingluan said without changing her expression, “I am the guide for the Hu people invited by Prince Zhao Yingcheng of Pingzhou, so I naturally have the responsibility to accompany the Hu envoys on their entertainment.”

"Zhao Yingcheng is here too?" Leng Shuangcheng was startled and blurted out, "Does he know..." Suddenly remembering that Lin Qingluan seemed not to understand the Hu language, he cautiously stopped speaking.

"Yes, Prince Zhao will also go to the guesthouse to entertain guests in the evening. This Guiyun Lake is my elder sister Lin Qingya's territory. I am responsible for picking up the Hu envoy to the manor."

Seeing Lin Qingluan's smile deepen, as if she still had something to say, Leng Shuangcheng shook his head and said, "Young Master didn't tell the whole truth."

“I couldn’t hide it from you after all.” Lin Qingluan smiled frankly. “My elder sister once posted a notice to recruit a courtesan. I saw that the lady on the shore had a graceful figure and wanted to help my sister find one, so I ordered the boat to dock and wait for you…”

Upon hearing this, Leng Shuangcheng was furious and sneered, "No wonder you refused to help Tang Wu when he attacked. Do you know that my wife is pregnant..."

Before Leng Shuangcheng could finish speaking, Lin Qingluan interrupted in surprise, "So it's Tang Wu. No wonder he could still punch so fiercely even with his palms injured."

When Leng Shuangcheng heard that Tang Wu's hand was injured, she was first shocked, then realized who was responsible. Seeing that Lin Qingluan's focus was not on Ziying's innocence and safety, she became even more annoyed and pounced on him without warning.

Lin Qingluan retreated swiftly, her steps flitting left and right like a wisp of smoke. Leng Shuangcheng tried several times to catch her but failed, and couldn't help but admire the legendary Qingluan's ability to control the wind. Lin Qingluan, her movements as graceful as willow catkins, remained unmoved by Leng Shuangcheng's relentless pursuit, pleading, "Please don't be angry, Miss... Lin Qingluan will apologize to you right away... If you keep grabbing me, you'll delay our return to the manor..."

Leng Shuangcheng paused, withdrew his palm strikes, and said nonchalantly, "Then let's go quickly."

Lin Qingluan glanced at Leng Shuangcheng's expression and suddenly said, "Aren't you curious, Miss?"

"What are you curious about?"

Curious why I'd help you?

Leng Shuangcheng remained silent, then made a gesture of invitation with her right hand.

"But I'm a little curious."

Leng Shuangcheng sighed: "What are you curious about?"

How did you figure out I hadn't told the whole truth?

Leng Shuangcheng turned to look at Lin Qingluan, revealing a simple and honest smile: "All's fair in war, so why not just use some deception?"

The vast and expansive Guiyun Lake, nestled amidst mountains and water, lies serenely in the embrace of green hills and clear waters, much like a natural jade piece that needs no carving. Shuiyun Inn, situated on the right side of the lake, is like a delicate mole on a beautiful eye, silently telling a story of graceful charm.

Leng Shuangcheng stood anxiously in the wind, nearly crushing the entire plank of the boat. Lin Qingluan chuckled inwardly at this expressionless gesture, and as soon as the boat docked at dusk, she took Leng Shuangcheng into the manor.

A carriage stood under the shade of trees by the water. Leng Shuangcheng glanced at it and was shocked. He tried his best to suppress his panic and asked, "Besides Prince Zhao, is there anyone else?"

Lin Qingluan followed her gaze and saw two pure white steeds. She exclaimed, "Fine horses!" After a pause, she added, "Such a magnificent carriage must belong to Qiu Ye, the young master of Bixie Manor. As the hosts of the outer court delegation, it's not surprising that the two young masters, Zhao and Qiu, are here..."

Leng Shuangcheng was worried about this, but then she thought that since she was dressed like a servant commonly seen on the streets, and according to the properties of daylilies, Qiu Yeyijian shouldn't recognize her at this moment, which put her at ease. She moved behind a tree and urged Lin Qingluan to go find Ziying.

The two had talked on the merchant ship. Lin Qingluan knew that Ziying was extremely important to Leng Shuangcheng, and relying on his righteous and chivalrous character, she wanted to atone for her sins. So she did not hesitate and strode towards the inner manor.

A moment later, Lin Qingluan brought back the news: "My sister is entertaining guests. I've been trying to signal her to come out, but she won't. When I asked the servants, they all said that apart from the girls accompanying the guests, all the other courtesans have rushed outside and are looking at something..."

Leng Shuangcheng lowered her eyelids and couldn't help but say, "A menace." Lin Qingluan seemed to understand and smiled slightly, "Now that you mention it, I understand... But the word 'Miss Leng' is quite novel."

"Has no one seen Tang Wu?" Leng Shuangcheng interrupted Lin Qingluan's thoughts and asked.

“Everyone who came and went in the manor today was screened. Tang Wu’s blood-red palms are very easy to identify. I questioned them carefully, and indeed no one saw Tang Wu enter the manor.” After saying that, Lin Qingluan muttered to herself, “Could he not have come? Or is he hiding?”

Upon hearing this, Leng Shuangcheng's heart stirred, and a possibility came to mind.

Tang Wu's intentions couldn't be as simple as just tormenting Zi Ying. He had many ways to humiliate her; there was no need for him to rush to Shuiyun Inn. Now that he knows Qiu Ye Yijian is also here, and that he even injured Tang Wu's hand, given Tang Wu's cunning and narrow-minded nature, it's highly likely that he knew Qiu Ye was here beforehand and adopted a "kill two birds with one stone" plan, using poison to control Zi Ying and make her assassinate the people in the hall!

A chill ran through Leng Shuangcheng's heart. He realized that the secrets on the merchant ship still needed to be relayed to anyone in Zhao Qiu's group. He also thought that his current disguise didn't disobey the Divine Calculator's request. He made up his mind and looked up, saying, "Young Master, why don't you go all the way? You wander around outside and help look for the two of them. I'll sneak into the living room and see if I can find any clues."

Leng Shuangcheng clearly didn't want to involve more innocent people, especially when it came to Lin Qingluan, who prided herself on being charming, eccentric, and chivalrous. For some reason, she always couldn't help but joke around, and now that there was danger, she was even less willing to let him get involved. Seeing that she seemed to be trying to get rid of him, Lin Qingluan asked curiously, "Why don't you go look for him? I'll go to the living room?"

Leng Shuangcheng, wanting to provoke him to leave, grinned and said, "First, this is your territory; you know the outside world better than I do. Second, there are bound to be servants pouring wine and serving drinks in the living room. Would you, young master, be willing to lower yourself to serve tea and water to others, and also admire the handsome appearance of Prince Qiuye?"

Lin Qingluan smiled slightly and said, "So you also value appearances," before turning away with a cold expression.

The lake shrouded in mist, the beautiful night view, and the picturesque Shuiyun Inn—all of this is like a lightly made-up young woman, smiling tenderly to welcome guests from all directions. With eyes full of gentle grace, the night view of Guiyun Lake is captivating.