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Глава 51

Kiyoshi frowned.

"My young master would like to invite Young Master Jianyue to dine at the Peony Garden tomorrow evening." Lü Liang took out an invitation and respectfully handed it over.

The little sparrow quickly caught it, turned around, and presented it to Qingjian Yue with both hands. Qingjian Yue placed the white fox on her shoulder, reached out to take it, and opened it. Several lines of elegant and upright characters jumped into her eyes. Qingjian Yue only glanced at it before quickly closing the invitation, feeling an indescribable strange feeling in her heart.

The head steward put the clothes back and flattered with an envious look on his face: "Everyone says that the Lord of the Fortress dotes on Young Master Jianyue, but I never imagined that even Young Master Qingfeng would dote on Young Master Jianyue so much."

Kiyoshi's expression changed drastically, and he shouted angrily, "Grand Steward, are you trying to flatter me? There's an art to flattery. If you don't do it right, you'll end up getting kicked in the back."

The head steward never dreamed that Kiyomizuki, who was always smiling like a child, could be so imposing and ruthless when he scolded someone. He was immediately filled with shame and lowered his head, not daring to say a word.

Upon seeing this, Lü Liang respectfully said, "If there is anything else you need, young master, I will go back and report to my master."

Qingjian Yue snorted and said, "Please go back and tell your young master that I am very happy that he invited me to dinner, but I cannot accept these clothes no matter what."

Lü Liang smiled and said, "I will report your words to the young master. I dare not disturb your rest any longer, young master. I will take my leave."

With a wave of his hand, Lü Liang and his subordinates disappeared out the door in the blink of an eye, as if making a swift retreat. The chief steward dared not linger any longer and followed them off in a dejected manner.

The two maids, Little Sparrow and Little Sparrow, looked at Qing Jian Yue, seemingly awaiting his instructions. Qing Jian Yue stared blankly at the three large boxes, lost in thought. After a long while, Little Sparrow couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, what should we do with these?" Qing Jian Yue seemed not to hear her, still lost in thought.

The white fox on his shoulder meowed, its fluffy tail swayed, and it slid down. Kiyomi Tsuki instinctively reached out and caught it. The fox whimpered again, licking its master's face and lips with its tongue. Kiyomi Tsuki sighed and ruffled the fox's beautiful head. This was the second time he had sighed tonight.

"Let's leave it here for now, we'll find someone to send it back tomorrow." Qing Jianyue seemed a little listless. "You guys go and rest, I'm tired."

"Yes, young master."

The two maids dared not say another word and withdrew. After closing the door, the two maids walked down the winding corridor.

The crow asked curiously, "Sister, why is the young master sighing? Those clothes are so beautiful. If it were me, I would be overjoyed. It's strange that the young master doesn't seem happy at all."

The little sparrow said nonchalantly, "What do you know?"

Kiyomi Tsuki spent a sleepless night, barely managing to close his eyes in the early morning, only to be awakened again by the sound of pouring rain. He lay on the bed, his mind a jumbled mess of thoughts, like a pot of burnt porridge. The white fox, this intelligent little creature, could perfectly sense the melancholy emanating from its master. Although it couldn't understand why its master was unhappy, it knew that its master needed its company. So, it quietly curled into a fluffy snowball, allowing its master to stroke it lovingly.

The rain stopped quickly after a while, and sunlight streamed in through the window, filling the room with light. Kiyomizuki's gaze fell on the five pots of chrysanthemums placed by the window. Some were in full bloom, some were shyly half-open, and others were tiny buds stretching their heads out. Their colors were vibrant and varied: golden yellow, crimson, dark black, green, and white. In the sunlight, they shone brilliantly, displaying a myriad of charms and exuding a refreshing freshness.

Kiyomi Tsuki suddenly laughed silently. Really, what am I even worrying about? The myriad wonders of nature outside are waiting for me to appreciate. I should be soaring freely like an eagle, not cooped up indoors like a dull fool.

Thinking of this, he suddenly sat up. The white fox immediately jumped up and gracefully stretched its body.

"Fox, go get your master some clothes. It's time for morning exercise; being lazy is no good."

The white fox cried out and leaped onto the floor.

The sky was a vibrant blue, like a piece of bright silk, and the brilliant sunshine bathed the earth. Glistening dewdrops dripped from the branches and leaves. In the garden, the two maids, Little Sparrow and Crow, were pruning the flowers and trees. Suddenly, they heard singing coming from inside the room. The two girls exchanged a smile. "Great! Young master is up, though a little later than usual."

As the door opened, accompanied by the white fox, Kiyomi Tsukishiro, like a cheerful little deer, leaped out. Laughter and calls instantly filled the small courtyard. Separated by a wall, Lu Qingcheng stood with his hands behind his back in front of the main bedroom of the Study Courtyard, facing the refreshing autumn breeze. The wind, the dutiful messenger, brought him the laughter he had been waiting for all morning. Soft ginkgo leaves, like delicate lips, drifted down, brushing against his cheek. Lu Qingcheng caught them, a gentle smile blooming on his face.

Zhang Zhichun hurried over. He saw Lu Qingcheng's smile from afar and stopped in his tracks, instinctively hiding the letter he was holding behind his back. Lu Qingcheng looked up and saw his timid appearance, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"What's up?"

Zhang Zhichun quickened his pace, presenting the letter with both hands. "Lord, it just arrived."

Lu Qingcheng took the letter, opened it, glanced at it, her expression changed slightly, and she murmured, "You've really come back at the right time. Send word to prepare for your arrival."

"Yes." Zhang Zhichun withdrew.

Lu Qingcheng looked at the wall separating him and Qing Jianyue, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Jianyue, your new challenge has begun. Let's see how you put on a spectacular performance."

Around noon, Qing Jianyue, accompanied by the white fox, barged into the main bedroom of the Shuxiang Courtyard without any hindrance. Lu Qingcheng was changing clothes, attended by Wang Jie and two close attendants.

"Lord of the castle."

The voice arrived before the person.

A glint flashed in Lu Qingcheng's eyes. She pushed Wang Jie away and said, "That's enough. You can both leave now. You're not women, why are you wearing so many random things?"

Wang Jie said nervously, "But, your thumb ring."

The white fox, like a snowball rolling downhill, suddenly appeared at Lu Qingcheng's feet, letting out a cheerful cry. Immediately following, Qing Jianyue rushed in. "Yay!" he mischievously circled Lu Qingcheng. "Why is the Lord dressed so formally today? Is something important happening? Let me guess." Suddenly, he exclaimed happily, "Are we going to a wedding? I love weddings! Not only is there delicious food, but there's also a grand performance. Lord, can you take me with you?" He pointed to his own nose, like a child expecting candy from his parents, drool dripping from his mouth. The white fox cried out, meaning it wanted some too.

Lu Qingcheng took the ring from Wang Jie, put it on, waved for them to leave, and said unhurriedly, "Didn't anyone tell you?"

Kiyomi Tsuki blinked her bright black eyes. "What?"

"The most esteemed Madam Lu of Lu Family Fortress has returned." Lu Qingcheng smiled sarcastically.

Qing Jianyue was slightly taken aback. The most esteemed Madam Lu? Who was that? In the blink of an eye, Qing Jianyue understood; he was referring to his mother. Qing Jianyue thought: Really, making people guess by going around in circles. Calling his own mother like he's addressing someone else. Qing Jianyue smiled and said, "The Lord's mother has returned. When did she arrive?"

“Now, I will lead all the lords, managers, and stewards of Lu Family Fortress out of the city to await her return.” Lu Qingcheng’s gaze was fixed on his arm. “What’s that?”

"Oh." Qing Jianyue held the black vest she had been carrying on her arm in her hands, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I should have returned this precious garment to the Lord of the Fortress long ago. But, but, the Lord of the Fortress has been very busy."

Lu Qingcheng nodded, seemingly casually saying, "Put it in the cabinet."

Qing Jian Yue froze for a moment, then lowered his head, walked over quietly, opened the cabinet, and put the vest inside. Turning back, he looked at Lu Qing Cheng, who was also looking at him. Qing Jian Yue's face flushed instantly. Lu Qing Cheng's eyes changed drastically, instantly becoming like two burning flames, scorching and burning. Qing Jian Yue was so frightened that his heart pounded wildly, his whole body felt hot, and he hurriedly took a few steps back.

The white fox keenly sensed something strange emanating from its two masters. As for why it was strange, being an animal, it couldn't possibly understand. It murmured inexplicably.

Qing Jianyue felt as if something had violently struck her heart. She thought to herself, "Damn it, how did things suddenly become so strange? Calm down, I must calm down. No, if this continues, it will lead to an uncontrollable disaster. I must think of a way." So, Qing Jianyue quickly put on a stern face, "Lord, there is something I have never understood, and I would like to ask you to explain it to me."

As if someone had doused him with a bucket of ice water, the light in Lu Qingcheng's eyes quickly turned cold. He turned around, looking at a pot of brightly blooming chrysanthemums on the table, his tone stiff and cold.

"explain."

"This subordinate does not understand why the Lord of the Fortress bestowed that precious garment upon me. Your old wounds have not yet healed, which is why you need the garment to protect you even more. Isn't that right?"