It was annoying to look at before, but I don't know if it was because he automatically sat in to rescue Xu Qingcheng last night, the minimum distance from the car in front on the same lane shall not be less than 50 meters. Today, looking at it does not seem so disgusting, could it be that I got used to it by watching? Naturally, I couldn't help but think of his sword dance just now, my heart skipped a beat, I casually bent my legs and handed over the tea water, drank it to calm down, and said: "I didn't think of anything." Song Zixing also saw the weapon exhibition across the street, smiled lightly, and said: "The wedding of the youngest son of the Luoyang Li family and the eldest daughter of the Fang family will be held in three days. At that time, Luoyang will surely be very festive." Hua Wuduo shook her head and listened as Song Zixing continued: "The Li family has indeed put a lot of effort into marrying the eldest daughter of the Fang family. Look at the white lanterns hanging everywhere on every household in Luoyang, like celebrating the New Year, which is one of the grand gestures of the Li family. Not only that, there are quite a few people coming to congratulate, and almost all the main inns in Luoyang are full now."
"Hmm," Hua Wuduo responded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her sister's wedding would definitely be very grand, and she would come to see when her sister got married. Although she couldn't stay by her side, she would certainly send her blessings.
"One side is the Li family, who controls the economic lifeline of a country and can manipulate the clouds with a flip of their hand, and the other side is the Fang family, who holds a special position. They are the only family outside of the royal family that can operate, forge weapons, and trade horses. Do you know what their union means?" Song Zixing asked.
"I don't know," Hua Wuduo frankly replied. In her mind, she always thought that her sister and brother-in-law truly loved each other, and tying the knot was natural.
"Do you know, if your identity is revealed overnight, what kind of danger it would bring to yourself?" Song Zixing's voice carried a hint of coldness.
Hua Wuduo was startled, her bright eyes dimming slightly as she realized the underlying meaning of Song Zixing's words. Although she had already guessed that Song Zixing knew her true identity, this was the first time he directly pointed it out to her face. She felt flustered but maintained a serious expression, remaining silent. Song Zixing continued earnestly, "Have you ever thought about why Tang Ye keeps you by his side?"
Hua Wuduo remained silent, not because she hadn't thought about it, but because she hadn't figured it out...
Startled by the question, Hua Wuduo lowered her gaze, her mask hiding all expressions. Although she couldn't fully understand Song Zixing's words, they still left her feeling restless and uneasy, a sense of hesitation turning into fear. Being manipulated by others... This was exactly her situation now.
She suddenly stood up and left.
Song Zixing called out, "The dishes haven't been served yet."
"I'm not eating anymore," Hua Wuduo turned and walked away, leaving Song Zixing staring after her retreating figure, his gaze becoming more profound, losing all appetite for food. He recalled Tang Ye's cold words from last night: "In turbulent times, protecting ourselves and those we care about is already a great fortune."
Tang Ye, who do you want to protect?
The Li family of Luoyang excels in manipulating situations, finding themselves in a difficult position akin to being trapped in a jar, while the Fang family of Jinling has always maintained a neutral stance, treating everyone fairly without bias. Yet, at such an intriguing moment, the Li and Fang families are about to unite through marriage, merging into one entity. The implications of this alliance are well known to all. Now, Tang Ye's sudden annulment of the engagement has placed the second miss of the Fang family, Miss Fang Ruoxi, who has yet to marry, right in the eye of the storm. Despite the numerous rumors circulating in the martial world, they cannot conceal the unique status and value of the second miss of the Fang family. Unfortunately, at this time, Master Fang Zhengyang expelled this already obscure second daughter from the family, disowning her.
Thinking back to the past, Fang Zhengyang was no ordinary person, spending years wandering and wielding his sword gallantly. Even in his later years, he retained his youthful charm and many admirers. However, upon meeting Liu Nian, he became infatuated with her, and his unwavering devotion caused much pain to countless women. Few had seen Liu Nian, and even fewer knew of her existence. But Fang Zhengyang cherished her as if she were his life. When Liu Nian passed away giving birth to their third child, unable to save either her or the child, Fang Zhengyang was devastated, nearly losing his mind. That year, Magistrate Song (father of Song Zixing), who was a close friend of Fang Zhengyang, personally rushed to the Fang residence to console him. However, no matter how much Song consoled, Fang Zhengyang refused to give up the idea of dying.
Until one night, three-year-old Miss Fang Ruoxi hugged her father tightly with her tiny arms, refusing to let go despite anyone trying to pry them apart. Her determination, persistence, and calm demeanor finally helped Fang Zhengyang pull through, leaving a deep impression on everyone present, especially Magistrate Song.
Years later, stories about the eldest son of the Fang family, Fang Ruowei, were often heard in the martial world, but rarely had anyone mentioned Fang Ruoxi.
People only knew that the Fang family had two daughters, the eldest, Fang Ruowei, was beautiful and elegant, but few had ever seen the second daughter. Some said that Master Fang preferred to keep his younger daughter hidden in a golden house, and since the Fang matriarch allowed it, the second daughter must have been a pearl in Master Fang's hands, too precious to show to outsiders. Curious individuals sneaked into the Fang residence to peek, only to be severely beaten by the Fang family servants and thrown out, accused of illegally intruding into an official residence with malicious intent, resulting in imprisonment. Just as people were about to give up, someone leaked the news that during the upcoming Cold Food Festival in three nights, sisters Fang Ruowei and Fang Ruoxi would go to the outskirts of the city to pay respects to their ancestors. This immediately became the hottest topic in Jinling, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating this year's Cold Food Festival more than any other. However, the result... was a big disappointment for everyone.
Although it wasn't easy to approach Fang Ruoxi, some managed to catch a glimpse of her, albeit from afar. It was rumored that although her face was delicate and charming, it paled in comparison to her sister Fang Ruowei's radiant smile, which surpassed all others. People quickly lost interest thereafter.
From then on, the second daughter of the Fang family maintained such a low profile that she no longer drew attention. Day by day, year by year, her brilliance was completely overshadowed by her elder sister, Fang Ruowei. Years later, Tang Ye, the young master of the Jiaomen Clan from Sichuan, suddenly got married. After it was confirmed that this marriage was arranged for him, and the bride was the second daughter of the Fang family, Fang Ruoxi, this news swept through the entire martial world like a hurricane. Fang Ruoxi was overwhelmed by rumors, once again becoming the subject of gossip at dinner tables. At this time, Master Fang's swift decision to expel her from the family seemed to confirm suspicions—she was indeed unwanted.
Initially, it was believed that the Fang family did not care much for Fang Ruoxi. Over time, as the gossip about her arranged marriage lost its flavor after being chewed over hundreds of times, unexpectedly, the Li and Fang families simultaneously announced that their heir and eldest daughter would soon be getting married. Before people could fully digest the implications, it was also heard that Fang Ruoxi was currently in Luoyang, working as Tang Ye's maid. From that moment on, Fang Ruoxi's name once again became the focal point due to the impending union between the Li and Fang families. Some believed that Tang Ye's maid was indeed Fang Ruoxi, while others doubted it. Various speculations clouded people's judgment. But the key issue was that although Fang Ruoxi was expelled from her home, there was no mention of her being removed from the family registry. As long as she was not removed from the registry, she remained a member of the Fang family, indicating that Master Fang's words were merely in anger. Now that the Li and Fang families were uniting, the unmarried second daughter of the Fang family had reached marrying age. With the eldest daughter already married, naturally, many wondered where the second daughter would end up. Some boldly speculated that Fang Ruoxi, with her mysterious current status, represented the unity and favor of the Li and Fang families. Her marriage might very well symbolize the intentions of both families.
If the elder sister was getting married in Luoyang, it was natural for her to appear there as the elder sister. Thus, the maid by Tang Ye's side might indeed be Fang Ruoxi. Some said that since Tang Ye only treated her as a maid, he wouldn't value her too much, presenting an opportunity; others argued that regardless of whether the maid identity was real or fake, if Fang Ruoxi was indeed with Tang Ye, it indicated a connection between the two, likely involving emotions; still others suggested that if Tang Ye made Fang Ruoxi his maid, it could be a way to seek revenge for her elopement, thereby disgracing the Fang family. Nevertheless, keeping Fang Ruoxi close, whether as a maid or otherwise, given Tang Ye's character, made the situation not so simple. Despite the various speculations, no conclusion was reached. To find out the truth, one would need to personally visit Luoyang. Regardless of how murky the waters surrounding Fang Ruoxi were, the number of visitors would not be small. The marriage of the Li and Fang families was originally one of the major events of the year, coinciding with the imperial examinations held every three years. The period after the exams was neither long nor short, but for the scholars, it provided some relaxation. Unexpectedly, recently, many young scholars from all over gathered in Luoyang to congratulate the Li and Fang families on their union, making Luoyang resemble the capital city preparing for the imperial examinations.
The young ladies of Luoyang noticed a significant increase in handsome scholars visiting the city, even boosting the business of local brothels.
Especially the Qinglin Inn, which had been fully booked for several days. Tang Ye rarely left the inn, and outsiders dared not approach easily, even the innkeeper who had received substantial payment was puzzled, unable to comprehend why the maid in the inner courtyard seemed different every time she went out.
No wonder the sisters didn't recognize her... Walking down the alley after leaving the Zhibo Winehouse, Hua Wuduo was lost in thought.
And now, being manipulated by others, if she endangered her family, what would she do? Although she didn't know what Tang Ye truly wanted or if he really knew her identity, the confusion compounded, leaving Hua Wuduo unable to think clearly. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and declared: "I won't think about it. If I'm tied with poison, I'll find a way to escape."
Lifting her head, she intended to see where she had wandered to, noticing a bustling alley nearby. Not far from her stood a finely dressed gentleman, wearing a golden crown, his hair neatly bound, shining brilliantly under the sunlight, exuding an aura of nobility that caught everyone's attention. Hua Wuduo naturally noticed him too. Upon seeing him clearly, she rubbed her eyes, incredulously staring at him without letting go. Sensing her gaze, the man looked over the crowd toward her. Amidst the bustling alley, their eyes met, cutting through the busy crowd effortlessly.
Doubt, curiosity, and concern filled the air. The finely dressed gentleman eventually smiled knowingly, his smile resembling blooming crabapple flowers, cold and dazzling. The originally indifferent and distant eyes softened upon seeing her, revealing ripples of emotion—anticipation, longing, and a mix of indescribable feelings.
Flower Wu lacked confidence and murmured a single word: "Jian..."
The weather was bright and sunny, without a cloud in sight, and two young people stood amidst the flowing stream.
On the left, the youth was dressed splendidly, standing tall with a golden crown adorning his neatly bound hair. His firm jawline carried a hint of arrogance, but his eyes softened instantly whenever they fell on the maiden beside him. The girl, with her flowing hairstyle, laughed joyfully, pointing excitedly at the mountains and rivers. Each time she laughed, the corners of the youth's eyes curved further. When she lost herself in excitement, the youth gently leaned over and sat next to her. The mountains, the waters, the people—if only these moments could last forever, perhaps eternity wouldn't be necessary.
In the distance, several attendants and a book boy named Liu Jian accompanied Mother and Son Liu.
Liu Jian, though curious about the identity of the woman, seeing the happiness of mother and son, decided to bury his questions in his heart, thinking that this woman must be a new acquaintance of the young master. But looking at her silhouette, something seemed familiar, though he couldn't quite place who she was. Regardless, the woman's face was plain, leaving no particular impression on him. The young master hadn't been this happy for a long time, especially after his recent visit to the palace, which left him melancholic. Returning home drunk one night, his struggles were unlike anything Liu Jian had seen before. The next morning, the young master suddenly declared his intention to visit Luoyang, prompting their hurried departure. Traveling slowly, they finally arrived in Luoyang two nights before the wedding of Young Master Li of Luoyang and Miss Fang of the Fang family. Their gifts had been sent to the Li residence days ago, and they entered Luoyang tonight. Unbeknownst to them, the young master encountered a new person.
Though the young master appeared gloomy, carrying heavy thoughts and never relaxing his brows, his current expression, despite the distance, was perceptible to Liu Jian who had been by his side for years. Who was this woman? Liu Jian gazed curiously.
Speaking enthusiastically and eloquently about her own thoughts, as if she hadn't spoken to anyone for a long time, she learned that besides Liu Xiu, Wu Yi and Wu Qi had also arrived in Luoyang. Her excitement grew, but she regretted that other classmates from the academy couldn't join due to preparations for the triennial imperial examinations led by Madam Ji. Suddenly appearing in Luoyang, Liu Xiu had questions in his mouth but chose not to answer at this moment. Meeting her again, his heart overflowed with emotions he couldn't describe, wanting only to observe her closely, listening to whatever she had to say. People in the capital said that young master Liu Jian disliked women, implying he preferred male companionship. This was purely rumor spread by people like Master Yi. In reality, he simply disliked associating with women, finding their perfumed airs nauseating. He detested their pretentious flirtations and manipulative charms, especially those who hid venomous hearts behind beautiful faces. But the woman before him was an exception. As a woman, she shared classmate camaraderie with him, possessing a broad-minded and chivalrous spirit he admired. As a man, her every smile and frown seemed genuine and delightful to him, bringing him immense joy just by watching her. She carried no artificial scents, only a natural fragrance. She wasn't pretentious or vain, occasionally showing some innocence and naivety. Behind her smiles lay a brilliance that captivated him endlessly. He enjoyed watching her, no matter what she did, he liked it all. But this sentiment could only remain hidden in his heart. His identity dictated certain constraints. Thinking about this, he couldn't help but feel somewhat desolate. It had been over half a year since he left the academy, traveling alone through the martial world. Though a woman, she had endured many hardships in this turbulent era, yet her innate optimism had kept her spirits high. Now, seeing Liu Xiu, memories of many sorrows resurfaced unconsciously. Considering her current predicament, being controlled by Tang Ri with poison and trapped in dire straits, she felt unspeakable bitterness. Unable to express herself freely, looking at the familiar, intimate, understanding, and worried eyes before her, she couldn't help but choke up with tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling.
Seeing this, Liu Xiu, who had never genuinely interacted with women before, didn't know how to comfort her, only managing to mutter two words: "Don't cry." Unexpectedly, these words caused Hua Wuduo to burst into tears. Liu Xiu was momentarily at a loss, instinctively hugging her in an attempt to soothe her. Surprisingly, this action effectively stopped her crying. The abrupt cessation of her sobs made Liu Xiu suspicious, prompting him to look up. Their eyes met, hers wide with astonishment. Liu Xiu felt embarrassed, unsure whether to release her or not. But in that gentle moment, he seemed to realize something. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the woman in his arms had changed her expression. Not only had she closed her previously wide-open mouth and narrowed her glaring eyes, but she was now looking at him with evident malice. Feeling curious, he heard her say with a touch of mockery, satisfaction, a hint of questioning, and mostly certainty: "You like me." Startled by her straightforwardness, Liu Xiu hesitated, unsure how to respond. He released Hua Wuduo, feeling somewhat awkward as he turned his gaze to the distance. Reflecting on something, his furrowed brows relaxed after pondering for a while. Just as he was about to speak decisively, at this most embarrassing moment, he suddenly heard her laugh and ask: "If you wanted to die, and there was a river and a well in front of you, and someone told you to jump into the well instead of the river, would you jump into the river or the well?"
Hmm? What kind of question is this? Looking at Hua Wuduo's expectant eyes, Liu Xiu couldn't help but feel confused. Should he jump into the river? Or the well?