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Lu Qingcheng hugged his mother tightly and coaxed, "I know, I know. Mother, calm down. No one can take me away from you." He raised his head and looked at Qing Jianyue, his voice becoming hoarse and trembling, "Jianyue, what exactly happened? I want your explanation."

Qingjian Yue knew that things had come to this point and could no longer be hidden. He raised his head, looking peacefully into Lu Qingcheng's moist eyes, and said in a clear and strong voice, "Madam is not wrong. This ring was indeed a gift from your father."

Although people already knew the truth, they still stared wide-eyed and gaped in disbelief upon hearing the facts. Lu Qingcheng, holding her mother, stood there frozen like a stone.

Everything is now clear.

Lu Ji resides in the White-Clad Holy Sect in Yunnan. The Holy Father of the White-Clad Holy Sect is Long Zhenhao, the younger brother of Long Zhenyu of Tianlong Fortress, and the Holy Mother of the White-Clad Holy Sect is the younger sister of Madam Long. Given this, it is not surprising that the Lord of Tianlong Fortress and Madam Long know Qing Jianyue, and that Qing Jianyue possesses Madam Long's phoenix hairpin.

Madam Lu burst into a shrill laugh. "I knew it! I knew you were sent by Lu Ji! Lu Ji, you abandoned us, mother and son, and never came back. Do you think sending Qing Jianyue will atone for your sins? I won't let you take my son away. Qing Jianyue, tell me, where is he? Where is he?"

A look of pity flashed in Qingjian Yue's eyes as she said softly, "Madam, Master Lu is no longer alive."

Madam Lu's smile vanished instantly. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound came out.

“A year ago, Master Lu contracted a strange illness. The Great Witch, the Holy Father, and the Holy Mother tried everything, but they couldn’t cure him. Before I left, they held a funeral for Master Lu.” Qing Jianyue’s face showed no sadness, only calmness, and even her voice was as indifferent as still water. “They didn’t spread the news of Master Lu’s passing; even Tianlong Fort didn’t know. This was Master Lu’s last request.”

Cai Zhonghe suddenly realized and said, "No wonder Madam Long said that your husband didn't come this year. He always came in previous years. So that's why."

Qing Jianyue explained, "Master Lu already knew about the Eagle Sect's invasion of our fortress, but he was powerless to do anything about it. He sent his subordinates here not for any other reason than to lend a helping hand to the fortress lord. He concealed the news of Master Lu's passing for two reasons: first, to make the Eagle Sect think twice, and second, to hope that Lord Long and Madam Long would remember their past relationship. However, I think that Tianlong Fortress probably already knows about Master Lu's passing."

Madam Lu's lips trembled, but she finally asked, "What about the woman he had in Yunnan?"

Kiyoshi sighed inwardly and said, "Is Madam asking about the Great Witch? The Great Witch committed suicide on the day Master Lu passed away. The Holy Father and the Holy Mother sent their souls to heaven with a cremation ceremony. They will still be together happily forever, just like they were in life, and there will be no more sickness or death to separate them."

Madam Lu's face was filled with despair. After a long while, she covered her face and burst into tears.

At this moment, the banquet could no longer continue. Lu Qingcheng half-supported, half-carried her mother and silently retreated. Qing Jianyue stared blankly at Lu Qingcheng's departing figure, her heart filled with both sadness and melancholy.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Challenge

Mrs. Su snatched her younger sister from He Zhiqiang's arms and said fiercely, "He Zhiqiang, you can't skip any of the proper betrothal and marriage arrangements. If you miss any one of them, you can forget about marrying my precious sister."

Zhao Yu was both amused and exasperated, and said softly, "Sister."

"Shut up." After scolding her sister, Mrs. Su angrily turned to He Zhiqiang and said, "My precious sister is as beautiful as a flower, steadfast and unyielding, unmoved by wealth and status. She waited for you for three years and made you go through the whole process of betrothal and marriage. You've already gotten off easy."

Liu Xicheng laughed and said, "Mrs. Su, don't worry, Zhiqiang will not dare to omit any of the proper betrothal gifts and formalities."

Mrs. Su snorted, "Don't forget the oath you swore today. If you dare to treat my sister badly, I will never forgive you."

He Zhiqiang said sincerely, "I will cherish Yu'er, and that will never change in my lifetime."

Zhao Yu blushed and looked at him tenderly. He Zhiqiang also gazed at her gently, his face full of a happy smile.

"And also, keep an eye on your sister. Don't use your status as her sister-in-law to bully her." Mrs. Su glared at He Yunya again. He Yunya made a face.

Su Haibo laughed and said, "Alright, alright, it's good that things are resolved perfectly. Zhiqiang, shouldn't you thank Jianyue?"

A single sentence reminded He Zhiqiang, and he helped Zhao Yu walk towards Qing Jianyue. He Zhiqiang said, "Young Master Jianyue."

Qing Jianyue turned to look at them with a dazed expression. The two men said with gratitude and admiration, "Young Master Jianyue, thank you." Qing Jianyue was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Silly boy, what's there to thank me for? You two are a couple."

With tears in her eyes, Zhao Yu said, "But if it weren't for Jian Yue's help, Zhiqiang and I wouldn't have been able to be together so smoothly."

He Zhiqiang said, "Young Master Jianyue, we are truly grateful to you."

Qing Jianyue shuddered and said uncomfortably, "Alright, alright, can you two stop being so mushy? It's disgusting. If you really want to thank someone, thank the Lord of the Fortress. If it weren't for his magnanimity, you two wouldn't have such a good day today."

Everyone looked at them with smiles.

He Zhiqiang smiled gratefully and said, "The fortress master is grateful, and Young Master Jianyue is also grateful."

Zhao Yu smiled gently and said, "Jian Yue, you must come to see me often in the future. I will cook lots of delicious food for you."

Kiyomi Tsuki's mouth immediately watered. "Wife, that's the sentence I love to hear the most."

People couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Su Haibo laughed and said, "Zhiqiang, come on, let's go to my residence and have a chat. Young Master Jianyue, come and sit down too. You can't escape being the matchmaker."

He Zhiqiang said excitedly, "Young Master Jianyue, you absolutely cannot refuse this important matchmaking opportunity."

"Wait a moment."

Tong Lei's voice pierced the cheerful atmosphere like a double-edged sword. He Zhiqiang turned to look at him, and as he approached step by step, a strong killing intent shot out like an arrow. The groups of people who had been chatting amongst themselves were startled and looked over in astonishment. The women, seeing this scene, gasped in fright.

The white fox let out a shriek, and Qing Jian Yue instinctively reached for the precious sword at her waist. Unexpectedly, her arms were suddenly tightened, and she was dragged away by Cai Zhong He and Qing Feng as if being pulled by something. Qing Jian Yue struggled and cried out, "Why are you two dragging me like this?"

Qingfeng put her arm around his shoulder, preventing him from going over. Cai Zhonghe advised, "This is He Zhiqiang's matter; let him handle it himself. He's a man; he should protect his own woman."

"Tong Lei, what do you want?"

He Zhiqiang stared coldly at the approaching Tong Lei, and a chilling aura began to emanate from him.

Tong Lei glanced at Zhao Yu, who shivered violently, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, and she clutched her sister's clothes in fear. Mrs. Su immediately shielded her younger sister behind her, like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

“She is my woman.” Tong Lei held up a jade pendant and said with a sinister smile, “This jade pendant is the token of our betrothal that Miss Yu’er gave me back then.”

Zhao Yu was furious; anger surged within her like a raging tide. Anger can make one forget fear and can suddenly fill one with power. She rushed forward, bravely facing Tong Lei's hypocritical and cruel smile.

"You're lying. You stole the jade pendant."

"Yu, go back to your brother-in-law and sister." He Zhiqiang's deep baritone voice rang out, and Zhao Yu's delicate body trembled as she turned to look at him. Under the bright lights, He Zhiqiang wore a well-fitting plain-colored warrior's outfit, with a purple cloak casually draped over his shoulder, and a sword at his waist, making him appear dashing, tall, and imposing. "I said I would never allow anyone to hurt you," He Zhiqiang repeated, but he didn't look at her; instead, he stared coldly at Tong Lei.

Tong Lei laughed wildly, "He Zhiqiang, you think you can fight me with your meager skills? If you want to die, then come on."

Zhao Yu obediently retreated to her brother-in-law and sister's side. Deep down, she was shaken. Three years, neither long nor short, had changed He Zhiqiang. Although he was still the same honest and simple man, and his smile was still as shy and endearing as it had been three years ago, she couldn't help but feel that he had become different.