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When Madam Lu glanced at Xu Yun, who was leaving dejectedly, she seemed to see herself in her younger self, and her feelings became complicated and complex in an instant.

The sky was a vast expanse of blue, and the moon, like a piece of thin ice, emitted a chilling, bone-deep light. Xu Yun stood alone beneath the plum tree, weeping. Laughter and melodious music drifted from the banquet hall, as singers sang joyful songs. Suddenly, firecrackers boomed and drums resounded, approaching the banquet hall. A dragon and lion dance troupe must be performing, celebrating the arrival of the New Year, which only served to highlight the desolation and loneliness of the scene.

Xu Yun cried more and more sadly.

A dark shadow, like a wisp of smoke in the air, silently moved from the depths of the plum blossom grove. Just as it drew closer, patrolling soldiers from Lujiabao passed by, and it vanished again as quickly and silently as a ghost.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the season for magnolias to bloom. Lu Qingcheng moved from the Shuxiang Academy to the Bingyuan Academy with Qing Jianyue. At noon that day, Qingfeng walked into the Lanyuan Academy and into the warm and inviting Xiangtang Hall.

"You've arrived."

Lu Qingcheng was standing by the window looking into the garden when Qingfeng walked up to him, but he didn't even turn his head.

"What are you looking at?"

Qingfeng also moved to the window and looked into the garden. At a glance, the blooming magnolias resembled snowflakes dancing in the air. Qingjian Yue, her face covered with a cloth, darted in and out of the snow-like magnolia grove, playing and frolicking with Xiaoqian, the little sparrow, Xiaowuya, and the white fox. "What are you looking at? Even hide-and-seek can be so interesting to you."

In the magnolia grove, Qingjian Yue tore off a cloth, sweat glistening in the sunlight, his face as radiant as peach blossoms in spring. He mischievously caught a white fox and smothered its head with the cloth. The white fox chased after a little crow, the crow screeching as it ran. Just as they were about to crash into a tree, he suddenly swerved. The white fox, unable to see, crashed headfirst into a tree and collapsed unconscious.

Kiyoshiki clutched her stomach and laughed heartily, while Lu Qingcheng also wore a happy smile.

Qingfeng smiled and said, "It seems that Jianyue has recovered. Moving to this Ice Garden was indeed a very good idea. Cousin, how will you thank me?"

"Don't be so quick to take credit," Lu Qingcheng said with a wry smile. "These past two days, since I moved to Bingyuan, he's been giving me the cold shoulder. A few days ago, when he saw me, it was like he was seeing his most hated roasted sweet potato. He pinched his nose and ran away with a look of disgust on his face."

Qingfeng burst into laughter, but suddenly, as if choking on his own saliva, his hearty laughter was replaced by a series of awkward coughs.

"What did you see that made you so excited? If Lu Qingfeng choked to death on her own saliva, people would laugh their heads off." Lu Qingcheng turned around.

Ignoring her cousin's sarcasm, Qingfeng's eyes were fixed on a beautiful woman on the autumn dance in the depths of the magnolia grove.

With her jet-black hair, deep and bright eyes, and rouge-painted red lips, her face appeared even whiter than snow and as transparent as jade. Who else could it be but He Yunya?

That tearful face that haunted his dreams, he could never forget since that day. Yet, he had never seen He Yunya again since. How could he not be overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing her again today?

How did she get here?

No matter how hard Qingfeng tried to remain calm, her voice still trembled slightly.

"Didn't you make a bet with Jian Yue that if he could bring Miss He to you, you'd give him a hundred lollipops?" Lu Qingcheng laughed. "Well? Have you prepared your hundred lollipops?"

Qingfeng asked in surprise, "How did he do it? His brother and sister-in-law couldn't persuade him, so how did Jianyue manage to do it?"

“You’ll have to ask him that,” Lu Qingcheng said proudly, looking at Qing Jianyue in the distance. Coincidentally, Qing Jianyue was also looking in their direction, a mischievous smile spreading across his face in the sunlight, as he ran quickly towards them. Lu Qingcheng laughed, “The debt collector is here.”

By the time Qingfeng noticed, Qingjian Yue was already peering through the carved window, smiling at him with narrowed eyes, as if he were a lollipop. "Qingfeng, a hundred lollipops."

Qingfeng said irritably, "Jianyue, if you eat a hundred lollipops, you'll get cavities."

Qing Jianyue made a face. "You don't need to worry about that. I'll definitely chew tea leaves after I finish my lollipop." She reached out and tugged at Lu Qingcheng's sleeve, exclaiming, "Thirsty, thirsty."

Lu Qingcheng immediately poured tea for him.

Kiyoshi blinked, looking mischievous, "Miss He is going to the Green Corridor in a little while."

Qingfeng gazed into the distance, then quickly looked away and smiled, "Young Master Jianyue, don't worry, your hundred lollipops will be delivered tonight."

Kiyomi Tsuki, drooling like a greedy cat, shouted, "I want a hundred flavors!"

"Oh dear, the future mistress of Lu Family Fortress is drooling and shouting that she wants to eat a hundred lollipops. I wonder if people will laugh their heads off if word gets out." Before leaving, Qingfeng couldn't help but tease her a few times.

Qing Jian Yue's face turned bright red. He really wanted to turn into a cat and pounce on him, swallowing him whole. Just then, Lu Qing Cheng brought over some tea. Seeing his adorable, exasperated expression, a burning flame flashed in his eyes. Qing Jian Yue was so frightened that he turned tail and ran away.

Lu Qingcheng said urgently, "Jianyue, your tea."

"I'm not thirsty anymore."

Kiyoshi didn't turn around. Lu Qingcheng silently watched his graceful and agile figure and couldn't help but sigh.

Suddenly, a report came from outside: "Manager Bai is here."

Bai Yiting entered with an elegant air and said with a smile, "Lord of the Fortress, you've got some trouble. Lord Hong Wantong has sent a messenger to say that he will be visiting you tomorrow with his wife and two daughters, and will also be attending Anguo's wedding in two days."

Two days later was the wedding day for Li Anguo and Miss Zhou Yanhua. The day after that night, Li Anguo brought a matchmaker and betrothal gifts to propose marriage. Grandma Cai agreed very readily. If it weren't for Cai Bo'an's intervention, Grandma Cai would likely have asked him to come and carry her sister away in a sedan chair that very day. She seemed so eager and impatient, as if she was afraid that the cooked duck would fly away.

Lu Qingcheng's face looked as if it had been smeared with dog excrement. She said with disgust, "Wasn't my refusal clear enough?"

“You made your refusal very clear, so Lord Hong Wantong is very unhappy. This time, one of our business deals has fallen through because of your refusal.” Bai Yiting said with a smile, “Lord Hong Wantong hopes that you can seriously consider the marriage between our two families. His daughter, Miss Hong Qiaoying, has taken a liking to you and is determined to marry you.”

"Fuck it!" Lu Qingcheng cursed angrily.

Bai Yiting chuckled, "You used foul language. Who's been teaching Young Master Jianyue not to use such language lately? Lord, you should set a good example."

Lu Qingcheng couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother Yiting, are you all ready?"

"Don't worry, Lord. Leave this important matter to Zhonghe and this old man. We guarantee we'll handle it perfectly. You can relax and enjoy your time with Young Master Jianyue." Bai Yiting patted his chest to assure him, not forgetting to make a few teasing remarks.

Lu Qingcheng smiled happily, "I've been waiting for you to say that. Sit down, sit down."

The next day, the Hong Wantong family arrived at Lu Family Fort. Perhaps due to the change in their status, Lu Qingcheng did not allow Qing Jianyue to accompany them to greet the guests. Unable to resist her curiosity, Qing Jianyue quietly went to the main hall and peeked inside from the side door.

The prefect of Fengcheng, Hong Wantong, was in his forties. His eyes were red, as if veiled by a red gauze, and his bulging pupils gave him a sharp and sinister look. Hong Wantong's wife, on the other hand, was fair-skinned, quite plump, and dressed very elegantly.

After exchanging pleasantries and some insincere formalities, Madam Lu smiled and said, "Qingcheng, let me introduce you. This is Lord Hong's eldest daughter, Qiaoying."

Madam Hong immediately nudged her daughter beside her, her face beaming with joy, "Go over and greet Young Master Lu quickly."

A beautiful and elegant young woman rose gracefully and walked up to him with a lithe and graceful manner. She curtsied and said, "Greetings, Young Master Lu."