Chapter 5, The Difficulty of Choosing Amidst Hidden Affections

Yun contemplated but shook her head

It must be said that bloodlines are truly remarkable; clearly, such a damaged document could be forged, yet at this moment, she inexplicably believes that this manuscript is the work of her biological father

Yun contemplated for a moment, then took out paper and pen to transcribe for Zhao Ziran.

Who is Wei Guang? He is the Grand Tutor! The Emperor's teacher! To accuse him of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country without solid evidence would only serve to eliminate the Yun family's murderer, and if this were to spread, it would be disastrous! Moreover, the reason he and Yun Xiangxiang are still relatively safe now is likely because Wei Guang is uncertain whether they know the whole truth and does not wish to alert the snake in the grass

"Indeed, you are the daughter of Lord Yun," Zhao Ziran said, his smile tinged with both satisfaction and helplessness. He then took out a notebook that was clearly scorched by fire and handed it to Yun Xiangxiang. "After we parted last time, I immediately sent someone back to the residence to retrieve this notebook. It contains the essays written by Lord Yun in the past, but unfortunately, the content was mostly lost in that fire. It was after seeing this damaged manuscript, combined with your talent for brewing, that I began to suspect your true identity"

Yun contemplated for a while and asked: "Is your doubt a mere conjecture, or is it based on substantiated inference"

Hiding in the narrow cave, Yun Xiangxiang, fearing that Liu Qingshan would find her, did not dare to light a fire, and could only silently endure the fear within her heart

The man smiled and said: "My surname is Yun, and Your Highness may call me Lord Yun, but you can only do so when there are no others present, or when only your mother is around. Furthermore, I must inform you that my daughter is still in her mother's womb."

If one believes, there is; if one does not believe, there is not. Does her disappearance truly stem from his disbelief?

Think, think! It would be much easier if it weren't a female ghost. This time, Lu Rongfei pushed Zhao Ziran away, saying, "Don't be afraid, this snake is not poisonous. I will catch it right away, and we can take it back to brew wine."

He poured himself a glass of wine and said in a low voice, "Things have changed, people have changed, indeed."

Lu Rongfei ... . ... Yun Xiangxiang felt a jolt in her heart, but she quickly suppressed the strange feeling within her and nodded slightly

Zhao Ziran thought to himself upon seeing this: You are quite ruthless; you are the first one daring enough to use your finger against this prince

Lu Rongfei shook his head vigorously

Delicious! After tasting it, Xiao Zhao was filled with joy.

Lu Rongfei waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, we are just chatting casually. By the way, what are we having to eat today?"

"What happened? Am I interrupting you from discussing serious matters?" Sun Yuru asked tentatively

Indeed, Zhao Ziran candidly acknowledged, "After the villains left, they set a fire, making it impossible to ascertain the exact number of casualties."

"It's nothing, there is plenty of food. If it's not enough, I can have Fu come buy more. After all, the Lu family doesn't lack for this little bit of money for food." After saying this, Lu Rongfei quickly glanced at Zhao Ziran.

When it comes to food, Sun Yuru's smile becomes even more radiant. She instructed Xing'er to place the food box on the table and personally took out each dish, introducing them: "Today we have squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, braised lion's head meatballs, stuffed bitter melon..."

According to the original plan, she and her mother Ning should have arrived at Nongquan County by now and be chatting and sharing their hearts in a warm bed... However, due to Liu Qingshan's betrayal, not only has her mother Ning disappeared, but she also has to hide everywhere, needing to take a much larger detour to get out... No, perhaps she doesn't even have the possibility of leaving this forest.

I? '' Lu Rong pointed at herself in disbelief.

Hide and seek, hide and seek, Lu Rongfei roared inwardly, why did he bring Xiao Rou and Xiao Yao to the tavern to play when he was a child!

Sun Yuru smiled charmingly: "Brother Rongfei, don't you remember? We often played hide and seek in the tavern when we were young. Although I haven't been here much since I grew up, the layout of the tavern hasn't changed. Even without the servants to guide me, I know where you are."

She is not her daughter, she is a descendant of the Yun family, she truly is a descendant of the Yun family

Hmph, once he finds Xiangxiang, he must tell her that this "Zhao Buyan" is not only a bad person, but also that he, a grown man, is afraid of ghosts

The enemy is in the dark, she is in the light, and she fears that the Lu family will become the second Yun family

The road from the main entrance to "Chunyu Garden" was one that Lu Rongfei and Yunxiang had walked more than once, but this was the first time he felt that this stretch of road was so long

Upon seeing this, the man exchanged a smile with his mother.

Just as he had not finished speaking, another round of "woo woo" sounds clearly reached the ears of the two.

As soon as he opened his mouth, his childish voice immediately amused the two adults

Yun Xiangxiang was puzzled, and it was then that Zhao Ziran began to speak of the ancestral connections of their forebears

She cannot understand why everything has suddenly changed... Liu Qingshan... the Qingshan brother who once promised to marry her... how could he threaten her with the life of Ning Niang to hand over the secret formula

Along the way, Yun Xiang said not a word, and anyone could see that she was not in a good state. With a glance at each other, the two men wisely refrained from asking further questions, instead deciding to wait until things settled down before speaking.

"Master, Aqi has sent word that Miss Yun's accommodation has been arranged. He inquires when we shall set out from here?" In the night, a figure in black knelt behind Zhao Ziran

It was still because she asked some inexplicable questions that night. After much contemplation, Lu Rongfei felt that he must have answered something incorrectly that evening

Subsequently, she carefully took out the brocade pouch that Ning Xiaolian had given her and said: "Before my mother passed away, she only gave me this one pouch, saying it was entrusted to her by my father before his death. My father also mentioned that this pouch concerns the well-being of all living beings in the world"

However, I still hope to recover her body and give her a proper burial

Hey! Zhao Ziran raised his hand and said, "I have never referred to myself as 'this prince', yet you keep calling me a commoner. If you continue to speak to me in this manner, I will truly bestow upon you a great disrespect."

So, does this mean that after the Yun family encountered trouble, the rumors that spread were very likely a case of them crying thief while being the thieves themselves

What should I wait for

Yun Xiangxiang was taken aback, and she pushed the letter paper in front of Zhao Ziran, asking, "Do you know what is written on this?"

Lu Rongfei was halfway through his words when Yun Xiangxiang sharply elbowed him in the chest

This young man is one hundred percent fond of his sister Xiangxiang. He has worked hard to get closer to Xiangxiang, and today was the first time she publicly called him "Brother Zhao." He certainly does not want to suddenly add another title of "brother-in-law."

Alright, let me tell you, actually that night ... ...

Lu Rongfei ... ... I may have to breach the contract

When the letterhead was unfolded, it contained only some characters that they could not understand, with the letters not forming coherent words

Seeing his father, the Emperor, in such a helpless state deeply moved Zhao Ziran. It was also the first time he realized that simply becoming an emperor does not mean one can have whatever one desires.

It turns out that before the current sovereign ascended to the throne, he was also fond of leisurely excursions in the mountains and waters, and had once become a disciple of Master "Wenshu," thus becoming his second disciple. Following him, there was a younger female disciple, who was a renowned talented woman of the time, Wei Qingqi, the sister of the Grand Minister Wei Guang of this dynasty. The elder brother of these two was the brewing genius "Yunxuan"

Zhao Ziran noticed this small detail and continued, "Do you know why the Yun family faced the disaster of extermination?"

When Yun was lost in melancholic reminiscence, Zhao Ziran remained silent and thoughtfully offered his own handkerchief

"Wait, wait, wait!" Before Lu Rongfei could finish speaking, Fu Lai hurriedly interrupted, saying, "Young Master! I am your right-hand man! As long as you give the word, I would go through fire and water for you, and I, Fu Lai, would not hesitate to die a thousand deaths!"

However, the truth that has been buried for sixteen years is destined not to be revealed so smoothly.

This is Yun Xiangxiang's first night alone in the forest

Damn it! Let go!" Liu Qingshan kicked Ning Xiaolian with one foot

"Who, who..." After a while, Lu Rongfei asked

Zhao Ziran's breath tightened as he faced the red candlelight, staring at the similarly red silk pouch, as if he could see the bloodshed that occurred at the Yun residence

It should be noted that there are indeed common people in this world with the surname "Zhao," but they cannot share the same name as the royal family, let alone have their names inscribed on a jade pendant. Furthermore, the tassel on this jade pendant is made of bright yellow satin twisted with gold thread, which is an item of the royal family

However, Yun Xiangxiang changed the subject and said, "How can I be sure that what you are saying is true?"

Did they set the fire? After killing the Yun family, do they still want to burn the bodies to destroy the evidence? Yun Xiangxiang's brows furrowed even deeper.

In those years, the Yun family suffered a tragic massacre, and rumors circulated among the people that Lord Yun had colluded with the Khitan... During that time, my father aged considerably, and I no longer heard my mother mention the amusing stories of my father from back in the day... Moreover, he could not bear to drink from the jar of 'One Drunken Laughter' hidden in the residence.

"Brother Rongfei, why are you hiding here with Fulai to whisper? Xiaorou has been calling you for so long and you haven't responded to me". The development of events is always full of twists and turns, and the doubts in Lu Rongfei's heart have yet to be resolved when Sun Yuruo arrives.

A few hours ago, Lu Rongfei, worried about Yun Xiangxiang, made up his mind to find her, but encountered Zhao Ziran on the way.

Zhao Ziran's true feelings were laid bare, and in just a few words, Yun Xiangxiang seemed to see her father as he was when he was alive. Suppressing her sorrow, she asked: "So, your visit this time is not specifically to find me, or rather, to seek out the descendants of the Yun family, is it?"

This possibility cannot be ruled out. If you don't mind, I would like to make a copy to take back for further study.

"I heard it, I heard it, I'm not deaf." Lu Rongfei, feeling increasingly irritated, thought for a moment and then asked, "What do you think?"

The saved cloud kept its head down, sobbing softly, saying nothing at all

Zhao Ziran, who understood the implicit meaning behind Lu Rongfei's words, had a change in his expression.

His mind was filled with fanciful thoughts, yet he failed to notice that the seemingly shy young woman was angered by his words

Of course I don't mind! Zhao Ziran said with a smile

Upon hearing this, Fu Lai's eyes darted around as he asked, "What is the young master troubled about?"

Indeed. Although the Emperor does not believe that Lord Yun is such a person, he is now the Emperor, not his junior disciple, and cannot act on emotions. First, there is no concrete evidence; second, the Yun family has no survivors, so there is nothing he can do. Furthermore, I suspect that the person who instructed Liu Qingshan this time is the same as the one from sixteen years ago, and the so-called secret recipe is merely an excuse. In that case, our objectives are aligned.

Goodness, he has already hidden here and even specifically instructed everyone not to tell Xiao Rou. How did Xiao Rou manage to find him so quickly

"Young Master, why have you returned at this hour?" asked the young servant, slightly surprised, as he stood by the door after dismounting from the carriage

Zhao Ziran did not speak, but instead expressed his support for Lu Rongfei through action—he pulled Lu Rongfei in front of him

How can I assist you? If I can truly be of help, I will not hesitate to do so

Let's talk about getting married later... Ah, it hurts, it hurts, why did you suddenly hit me?

Yun Xiangxiang was startled by his embrace, her face instantly flushed red, and she stammered, "Y-you... how are you going to take care of me... you, you fool!"

By the way, I sent someone to check on your adoptive mother's body, but it was not found. However, do not worry, I will have them continue the search

Yun Xiangxiang concealed her true thoughts and said with her head lowered, "Hmm, I will not leave"

"We have arrived," Yun Xiangxiang said softly while Lu Rongfei was still walking with his head down.

That year, he was only three years old. Yun Shibo brought the newly brewed wine into the palace to present to the Emperor. While waiting for the Emperor, it was he who accompanied his mother to receive Yun Shibo.

Breach of contract? What contract is being breached?

Yun Xiangxiang was taken aback and was about to kneel to pay his respects, but was stopped by Zhao Ziran.

Under the candlelight, Zhao Ziran clearly saw the lonely expression on Yun Xiangxiang's face. He began to regret the plan he had devised to use her as bait to attract Wei Guang's attention.

Later, when he grew older, he mentioned to his father, the emperor, his desire to travel the world. The emperor merely nodded in response, without uttering any words of contradiction. In retrospect, that nod from the emperor contained not only his permission but also perhaps the regrets he harbored within himself

He was startled, standing frozen in place, motionless

"This is quite embarrassing to say," Zhao Ziran put away his smile and lowered his head, "After all, I am a few years younger than Lord Yun's generation, and there are many things I am not clear about. Did I not tell you that I fell for their trick of drawing the tiger away from its mountain last time?"

Lu Rongfei ... ... I ... ... my mother has passed away

Yes. The man in black received the order

At this moment, Zhao Ziran could no longer endure and directly pushed Lu Rongfei aside, saying to the "female ghost": "Think about it, don't be afraid, I am here."

He quickly pounced into Zhao Ziran's arms, using both hands and feet to cling to him, shouting: "Zhao Buyan! A ghost! A female ghost!"

Lu Rongfei was still talking to himself when he suddenly heard someone calling his name

"Do you recognize what my mother looks like?" Yun Xiangxiang pondered, "Then that means he also recognizes my biological parents, and he might even be quite familiar with them?"

The clouds seem to think, with eyes turning red: "Mother—"

Upon hearing the words, Yun Xiangxiang hurriedly took over the remaining book

Three down, five divided by two, Lu Rongfei caught that snake and saved Yun Xiang.

At that time, the emperor did not exhibit the imposing presence he had when facing the court officials; instead, he resembled a child, murmuring: "Wanting, what use is it for me to be this emperor? I did not notice my senior brother's sudden departure. Now his family is ruined, and he has been unjustly accused of 'colluding with the enemy and treason.' I am unable to help him seek justice openly, and even Ran'er has begun to blame me..." I did not notice my senior brother's sudden departure. Now his family is ruined, and he has been unjustly accused of 'colluding with the enemy and treason.' I am unable to help him seek justice openly, and even Ran'er has begun to blame me...

Ha. Zhao Ziran scoffed lightly, "Coward..."

Yun Xiangxiang's face showed a hint of shyness: "Actually, I am not very accustomed to it either, but after all..."

"Gudong!" Lu Rongfei swallowed hard, mustering his courage to ask: "Who is it? I warn you, don't play tricks; there are no ghosts in this world! They do not exist!"

The items in the room were once again smashed to pieces by her, and the newly made clothes were also torn. This is the second time she has vented her emotions in such a manner

Zhao Ziran's joy on his face turned into confusion, then shifted to disappointment, as he shook his head

Ah? Fulei, who was caught off guard by being called out, looked bewildered, while Xing'er covered her mouth and chuckled at Lu Rongfei. Fulei reluctantly said, "Why, young master, I am also quite delicate..."

Is that so? Lu Rongfei lightly tapped the table with his finger, "I originally intended to invite you to dine with this young master, but since you are so delicate, I think it would be better for you to eat less, lest you suffer from bloating..."

What? Brother Zhao? They have become so close?

Lu Rongfei pointed at Zhao Ziran and said, "You are quite ruthless." He then bent down, holding the fire stick, and slowly walked into the cave

Yun contemplated with a sense of loss, yet understood Zhao Ziran's meaning

Zhao Ziran received the information reflected in Lu Rongfei's eyes, feigning calmness as he turned his gaze away and replied: "My martial arts are only useful against people; it seems you understand this aspect much better than I do." Besides, what is his status! Having Lu Rongfei lead the way is also an honor for the Lu family

Contemplating these thoughts, Lu Rongfei found it impossible to sleep under any circumstances

The Empress Dowager returned his gesture with a cup, gently stroking the bewildered little Zhao Ziran's head, and said: "He is the child whose temperament resembles that of the Emperor in his youth the most among several children. I only wish for him to be free from the various troubles of the inner palace and to live the life he desires"

Is it because of the secret recipe? Yun Xiangxiang speculated to stabilize her emotions

Immediately afterwards, Lu Rongfei said: "No, do not be afraid. We are two strong men, full of vitality. Why don't we go take a look together? Just in case it is nothing, we need not scare ourselves."

Hmph—Zhao Buyan, that coward, looks quite imposing, but unexpectedly, he is nothing more than a pretty face with no substance. Yes, at that time, I will say this to myself...

"I asked... oh, wait, why am I telling you? This young master doesn't understand it, so what do you know about it!" Lu Rongfei was just about to respond in kind when he suddenly realized.

Brother Zhao is also here

Holding the fire stick, Lu Rongfei swept from left to right—wait a moment! What was that that just flashed by? Wasn't it a woman?

Yun Xiangxiang's expression changed sharply upon hearing this, and she stared wide-eyed at Zhao Ziran for a long while, confirming that he was not joking, before she blankly said: "No wonder..."

Having injured an artery, it would have been utterly impossible for Ning Xiaolian to hold onto Liu Qingshan without her astonishing willpower. Yun Xiangxiang could understand this much; she recalled what Ning Xiaolian had previously told her about how her biological father and mother had lured the enemy away to allow Ning's mother to escape with her. Amidst her deep sorrow, Yun Xiangxiang felt a powerful desire to survive rise within her

Zhao Ziran stared into her eyes: "A well-founded inference"

Lu Rongfei smiled upon hearing this, and he happily embraced Yun Xiangxiang, saying, "Xiangxiang, you can rest assured, I will definitely take good care of you"

Not troublesome, just...

Looking at the clouds and silently wiping away tears, Zhao Ziran continued, "When I parted ways with you in Xingyan Town, it was because I had learned of the traitor's news, but I did not expect to fall into that scheme of drawing the tiger away from its mountain. Later, I hurried back and encountered Lu Rongfei, who was on his way to find you, and that is how I appeared with him. To be honest, I really cannot imagine what would have happened if we had arrived just a moment later, would you have..." At this point, Zhao Ziran paused, then continued, "Regarding your adoptive mother, my spies reported it to me before you informed Lu Rongfei, and I have been contemplating whether to be honest with you about these matters now, considering all that you have been through recently. Of course, you are already aware of my final decision, so I hope you can forgive my presumptuousness."

It is not a rumor, Yun Xiangxiang thought to herself, but she did not intend to reveal her true identity to Lu Rongfei until she had considered it carefully. This was for his safety, as well as for the safety of the Lu family

"This is the son of His Majesty, naturally he resembles His Majesty." The Empress Dowager replied with a smile.

In the room, the faint candlelight flickers gently

"Zhao, Zhao does not speak ... ... save me ... ... " said the female voice

Rest assured, I will do it, after all, she has raised you for sixteen years

Think about it? Lu Rongfei has fallen silent.

Her eyes, red from having just cried, and her face, flushed with a rosy hue, glimmered under the moonlight, while her full lips were slightly pursed

I will identify the perpetrator who persecuted the Yun family, and you will identify the traitors who colluded with the enemy and betrayed the nation

Yun is at a loss for words, as there are many truths she is currently unable to express

I know that although Yun Xiangxiang appears sad, her gaze is resolute. "Mother would rather take her own life than burden me, so how could I do anything to make her sad after her death"

By the way, Brother Zhao... um, if you don't mind me calling you that...

At this thought, Zhao Ziran faintly frowned

Lu Rongfei's words moved Yun Xiangxiang deeply. It is often said that true feelings are revealed in times of adversity, and she has now experienced this firsthand. However, this fool still believes that her connection to the Yun family is merely a rumor. On the day the truth is revealed, will he still be willing to take such a great risk and continue to say that he wants to protect her?

As you command

Because just now, she witnessed the scene of Lu Rongfei embracing Yun Xiangxiang with her own eyes

"There is no 'after all.'" Zhao Ziran emphasized again, "If you truly are a descendant of Yunxuan, it would not be excessive to call me 'Brother Ziran.'"

The cloud contemplates and shakes its head

Lu Rongfei widened his eyes: Is there a mistake? "Zhao Buyan" knows martial arts, but he certainly does not! Moreover, didn't he just mock himself for being a coward?

"It is! It was my mistake," the man said with a smile, yet there was a hint of melancholy in his expression

Sun Yuru couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Brother Rongfei, your aversion to bitter melon has remained unchanged since childhood. However, Aunt said that with the recent dry weather, it's easy to get heaty, and eating bitter melon is good for the body"

I do not agree! Lu Rongfei decisively refused

Yun Xiangxiang hesitated after sitting down and said: "But the commoner's background..."

Zhao Ziran's expression darkened as he leaned closer to Yun Xiangxiang and whispered, "I need the 'secret formula' left by Yun Shibo; of course, it may not necessarily be a 'secret formula,' as it could also be evidence of collusion with the mastermind behind the scenes"

Yun Xiangxiang felt a bit embarrassed by his reaction and continued, "When did you confirm my identity? If it was merely inferred from my talent for brewing and the name 'Xiangxiang', that would be somewhat hasty, as there are many brewing prodigies under heaven, and it is also possible for names to overlap."

Lu Rongfei, holding a match and searching for Yun Xiangxiang, faintly heard the sound of a woman sobbing

How I long to return to the time at Qingyun Mountain. Back then, whenever someone spoke ill of any one of us three siblings, the rest would immediately roll up their sleeves and fight. Even Wei Taishi's sister, known as the 'First Talented Woman,' Wei Qingqi, would cause a ruckus like a man. But now... I have this empire, I have ministers who strategize, I have generals who lead troops into battle, yet I cannot even prove the innocence of Brother Yunxuan. Wan Ting, tell me, what use is it for me to be this emperor!

Even if the day comes when I must leave, Lu Rongfei, I will not tell you

Lu Rongfei nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood, but reason told him that he absolutely could not lose his composure at this moment

He swallowed hard, tugged at the sleeve of Zhao Ziran beside him, and asked, "Hey, did you hear any sound?"

Looking at Lu Rongfei's serious face, Yun Xiangxiang suddenly felt afraid of the day when Lu Rongfei would no longer care about her. At this moment, she suddenly understood that Lu Rongfei was different for her.

Zhao Ziran let out a sigh of relief: "It is good that you can understand this point"

Yun Xiangxiang nodded slightly, and Zhao Ziran continued: "Although I fell into a trap that allowed Liu Qingshan to succeed, I did not return empty-handed. The mastermind suspected me and sent someone to monitor us all the way. We took advantage of their unpreparedness to capture the person monitoring us, and under interrogation, we learned that the mastermind recognized the appearance of your adoptive mother, thus confirming your identity"

Is this really ... ... " Zhao Ziran couldn't help but feel excited

Zhao Ziran glanced at Yun Xiangxiang with concern and uttered a soft "hm"

When is that little sister going to be born? Will she call me brother then? Am I going to be the big brother?

She cannot die here, the Yun residence is gone, and Mother Ning is also gone. If no one survives to avenge them, then what meaning is there in their deaths

Why has she come back again? That little wretch! Is she really going to take away her Rongfei brother?

She trembled as she turned the tattered pages, and on the last page, she saw these words—if in the future a daughter is born, then call her "Xiangxiang," as in "the thoughts of clouds and the beauty of flowers." No matter how she turns out in the future, I hope she will always remember that she is the most beautiful little girl in our hearts, and we will always be her strongest support.

I am not very clear about this either, but nine times out of ten, they might use this to blackmail you, and I am just afraid that you...

"Xiao Rou, how did you know I was here?" Lu Rongfei smiled, though it looked more like a grimace than a smile.

The man said: "This is fruit wine, specially prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival, for family reunions. Therefore, it is not very intoxicating, suitable for both children and women to drink. However, it is the first sip that is truly delightful, and you are the first to experience it. Lady Li, I see that your son is remarkable, just like His Majesty in his youth"

The air fell silent, and after three breaths, Lu Rongfei let out a scream and was about to rush outside, but as he turned around, he saw Zhao Ziran following closely behind him

Lu Rongfei panicked: "You... what happened to you? Were you scared by the snake? Don't be afraid, I handed the snake over to Fu Lai, and it should have been disemboweled by now"

The current emperor's surname is Zhao. He has six sons and one daughter, among whom the third prince, Zhao Ziran, is the most favored by the emperor. However, the third prince is indifferent to the power struggles within the court and is solely devoted to alleviating his father's worries

The sound seems to be coming from inside Zhao Ziran said as he nudged Lu Rongfei You go take a look

Lu Rongfei was at a loss for words: "I don't know either, I only know that if you want to stay in the Lu family for a lifetime, I would be more than happy to."

I also, if I have a daughter

"Think about it, did you really listen to all that I said?" Lu Rongfei asked in a low voice.

As memories gradually fade, Zhao Ziran silently recites in his heart, "You can be a big brother now," feeling a pang in his chest

So, are you angry because I just mistook you for a female ghost? Think about it, I... I swear! I truly did not mean to! How about you give me a beating instead?

Ah? Oh. Lu Rongfei came back to his senses, but he did not leave; instead, he hesitated and stood at the door.

However, just as Yun Xiangxiang was stepping back, a chilling "hiss" sound echoed in her ear. Following that, a cool sensation glided onto Yun Xiangxiang's shoulder

After finishing the copying, Zhao Ziran instructed Yun Xiangxiang to put away the brocade pouch. Looking at the copy in his hand, he said: "Although I had a slight expectation before, I actually knew very well in my heart. If things were really this easy, how could we have waited until today without unraveling it"

The half-open door was pushed open from the outside, and everyone turned to look, seeing a man and a woman standing at the entrance

Indeed

"How could mother’s body be missing? Did Liu Qingshan take her away?" Yun Xiangxiang said anxiously

"Brother Rongfei, Brother Rongfei." The voice of the girl, like that of a yellow oriole, began to resonate from the entrance of the wine shop

Night falls once again

In that case, do not investigate any further, lest we alert the snake in the grass. I believe Wei Guang is also about to take action; however, I am unsure of what strategy he has devised. You must pay close attention to the situation on the Lu family's side.

You can rest assured, this is what I ought to do

As for Lu Rongfei, although he was afraid, as long as he thought that "Zhao Buyan" was hiding behind him, he felt relieved inexplicably.

Lu Rongfei sensed the mockery in Zhao Ziran's words and retorted, "It's better to believe that something exists than to believe that it doesn't."

Touching his chest that was pounding, Lu Rongfei thought: What's wrong with him? He's so happy even after being beaten? Also, what kind of rouge and powder is he using, why does it smell so good?

"Do you have a daughter, Uncle?" Xiao Zhaozi suddenly interjected.

"I dare not even think about it." Yun Xiangxiang quickly replied.

Yes! Lu Rongfei's expression was like a puppy gnawing on a meat bone.

Master Hui, Miss Yun is in the wine cellar.

Lu Rongfei felt somewhat tired, yet concerned about Yun Xiangxiang. Not wishing to elaborate further, he simply said: "Hmm, you go and inform the master and mistress first. I will explain the specific reasons to them tomorrow."

"Father ... ... Father ... ... " Looking at these words, Yun Xiangxiang's heart, which had been blurred for more than ten years, suddenly became clear. For the first time in her life, she called out this title.

Meanwhile, the sound of porcelain shattering came from Sun Yuru's room

Well, then I will trouble you

Foolai expresses grievance: "Although the young master has read more books than Foolai and understands more than Foolai, doesn't the young master often say that no one is perfect? What if Foolai knows something that the young master does not? Does the young master not wish to reconcile with Miss Yun?"

Lu Rongfei leaned closer to Zhao Ziran without any tension and whispered, "It's just like... the wailing of a female ghost..."

Yun Xiangxiang succinctly got to the point, and Zhao Ziran secretly admired her intelligence while also feeling a sense of worry: "Yes, and I do have a suspect, but it is not convenient for me to tell you right now"

Stepping out of the room of Yun Xiangxiang, Zhao Ziran gazed at the increasingly full moon, recalling the only time he had met Master Yun.

This choice comes from "Zhao Buyan"

Conspiracy, the murderer... Everything is swirling in Yun Xiangxiang's mind, but she is unable to analyze or think rationally at this moment because she is afraid

Mother Ning died for her

The atmosphere fell into an instant silence. After a while, Lu Rongfei spoke up: "You... you heard that, right?"

Has the young master ever considered why Miss Yun is ignoring you

However, it seems that there is already a stir over there

Zhao Ziran nodded, his expression resolute. Lu Rongfei was about to refuse, but Zhao Ziran added: "I know lightness skills; I can run faster with you."

Lu Rongfei clearly heard this time, it is a woman, and there is also a sense of...! ... sorrowful resentment!

Moreover, his sister Xiangxiang is both intelligent and sensible, and the wine she brews is so delicious—thanks to Xiangxiang, he no longer has to guard the less than one-third of the "Yizui Xiao" at home without daring to drink it. Therefore, unless a few of the most outstanding talents from among the hundreds of young men in the world are selected and pass through ten or twenty trials here, no one can hope to become Xiangxiang's husband

Zhao Ziran widened his eyes, looking at Lu Rongfei with a gaze as if he were looking at a fool: "You, the esteemed young master of the Ti Hu Liquor Distillery, actually believe that there are ghosts in this world?"

Consider this: with so many people around and ears everywhere, it is already a significant risk for me to share this with you. Of course, I am doing this in hopes of receiving your assistance.

He turned around and carefully looked in the direction of the light from the match, and indeed it was Yun Xiangxiang! However, there was a snake on her shoulder, which made her too frightened to move or speak loudly

That sound has disappeared

The clouds seem to be filled with anticipation, as they all hope that this letter can unravel all the mysteries.

As for Lu Zhihang, let him investigate; since he has already confirmed Xiangxiang's identity, he would never allow her to take any risks again

To be the husband of Xiangxiang, one must not only be exceptionally talented but at the very least, well-educated. Of course, it is best if he possesses both talent and beauty, and can also ensure that Xiangxiang does not have to worry about her livelihood. Moreover, the most important point is that he must not be fickle. However, if Xiangxiang gets married in the future, will he still be able to frequently ask her for drinks?

Yun Xiangxiang shook her head, looking at the tattered book in her hand with a complex expression: "Although the life we had before was certainly good, if I had to choose, I would still choose to face all the truths." After speaking, she raised her head to look at Zhao Ziran, "Third Prince! I beg you! I implore you to help me find the true culprit who persecuted the Yun family and caused the death of Mother Ning! Of course, those who acted as accomplices must not be spared either!"

What? Lu Rongfei was taken aback, "Aunt, when did this happen?"

Seeing that the Empress Mother did not stop him, three-year-old Zhao Ziran curiously licked the liquid in the cup

The subordinate is incompetent and has not found any information related to the Yun family

Of course, it is annoying that she ignores me

"Puchi—" Sun Yuru was amused by the two, and the maid who came with her couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Fulai shyly let out two "hehe" sounds, while Lu Rongfei appeared utterly embarrassed, covering his forehead and closing his eyes.

Lu Rongfei sighed, holding Yun Xiangxiang's shoulder, and said: "Xiangxiang, first of all, after Auntie leaves, you will be all alone. If I do not take care of you, who will? Secondly, if in the future someone believes the rumors and comes to you for the 'secret recipe', how can you, a frail woman, deal with them? At least my Lu family has guards who can protect you thoroughly"

In a daze, I returned to the bedroom, washed up, and lay down again, yet Lu Rongfei's mind was still filled with the beautiful scene of "people more beautiful than flowers"

Yun Xiangxiang slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears: "I might have to leave the Lu family..."

Zhao Ziran came to his senses, rubbed his slightly sore eyes, and said: "Let's wait a little longer; this matter should be decided after some careful consideration."

"Go..." Ning Xiaolian disregarded everything and struggled to utter a single word

Well, what this kid implies is that if he doesn't go to see for himself, when something really happens, he will be the first to run away, right

"What? Bitter melon? Why is there bitter melon? It's too bitter, I won't eat it." Upon seeing the bitter melon, Lu Rongfei's face immediately scrunched up, and those peach blossom eyes were almost unrecognizable in shape.

The two said no more, and Yun Xiangxiang gently pulled apart the ribbon of the brocade pouch, opening it to reveal what seemed to be a letter inside

What did Miss Yun ask the young master? Fu Lai's smile grew even broader

What will you do about getting married in the future

Zhao Ziran smiled and said, "This is not a story from a tale; something like a secret formula is hardly worth holding such a deep grudge over. I suspect that Lord Yun was involved in a conspiracy of treason back in the day, and it was precisely because he held crucial intelligence that the Yun family became a target."

Yes, I am here

Indeed, once the little sister is born next year, you will be able to be the big brother

Lu Rongfei

I... the tears began to flow from my eyes.

Suddenly, a faint male voice reached Yun Xiangxiang's ears, as if it were coming from a distant place, yet also as if it were right in front of her

As soon as the prestigious name "Yun Xiangxiang" was mentioned, Lu Rongfei immediately capitulated, his smile obsequious as he winked at Fu Lai, saying, "You must help me, okay"

Closing her eyes, it seemed as if there were some kind of soft-bodied creature gliding through the grass around her. Opening her eyes, she appeared to see pairs of glistening green eyes in the darkness

The man smiled without speaking and directly poured him a small cup, saying: "Give it a try"

Has anything been found on the Lu residence? Zhao Ziran asked again

Seeing the clouds, tears streamed down uncontrollably. For some reason, Lu Rongfei felt extremely distressed; he wished he could bear her pain and cry in her stead

"I apologize, I did not know there were people here." The atmosphere in the room was pleasant, and Yun Xiangxiang felt somewhat awkward, thinking that she had interrupted them

"What sound?" Zhao Ziran retorted, while holding the fire starter and looking around.

"There is no need for that. At the moment, I have something to ask of you. Besides, I do not like this kind of thing either," Zhao Ziran said, gesturing for Yun Xiangxiang to take a seat.

"Yes, young master." The servant nodded and disappeared in a flash.

What has gotten into Liu Qingshan! Has he gone mad? He claims you are a descendant of Yunxuan, but that is merely a rumor! Moreover, is a mere secret recipe worth him doing this?

Yun Xiangxiang was so frightened that she covered her mouth to avoid making even the slightest sound, then she moved back slightly, trying to curl herself into a ball, while inwardly praying that this "uninvited guest" would not discover her

Zhao Ziran swallowed hard and let out a soft "mm".

However, there are too many dishes. Lu Rongfei glanced into the food box, took out three dishes, and there are still three more inside the box

The young boy curiously asked the man who seemed to be glowing all over, "What is in that jar?"

Her intuition told her that she was very dependent on Lu Rongfei, yet she was unwilling for him to be harmed

"Why is she in the wine cellar again?" Lu Rongfei expressed her dissatisfaction, "Ever since she returned, she has been in the wine cellar every day. When I go to find her, she ignores me. It's truly infuriating."

Yun Xiangxiang stared at the suddenly appearing "Zhao Buyan," no, at this moment he should be called Zhao Ziran, and after being stunned for a long time, he finally asked: "You say you are the Third Prince, what evidence do you have to prove it?"

Ah! Zhao Buyan, she is calling you!" Lu Rongfei was even more frightened, desperately burrowing into Zhao Ziran's embrace.

Rest assured, young master! Your happiness is the happiness that has come to bless us!

Zhao Ziran's face was as dark as a pot bottom: "You come down first."

Mother... finally, Yun Xiangxiang could no longer hold back and quietly cried out, as if this could alleviate her anxiety and fear

Wiping away her tears, Yun Xiangxiang decisively fled into the forest. By the time Liu Qingshan finally shook off Ning Xiaolian, her frail figure had long since vanished without a trace

Holding a fire stick, Lu Rongfei and Zhao Ziran followed the sound of weeping, eventually stopping in front of a cave that was half a person's height, where the weeping had long since ceased.

After examining the lunchbox, he frowned and said to Xing'er, who was carrying it, "With your skinny arms and legs, how can you even lift it? Never mind, never mind, let's go back. You don't need to carry it; Fu Lai, you carry it."

"What is there to be afraid of? Think about it, you do not know that Uncle Yun is like family to me," said Zhao Ziran

He was stunned by her angry expression, and Lu Rongfei began to feel dry in his mouth and tongue, his mind went blank, and in the end, he didn't even notice when Yun left.

Ning Xiaolian would rather take her own life than make things difficult for Yun Xiangxiang, which indeed took Liu Qingshan by surprise. However, this also convinced him that Yun Xiangxiang truly possessed a "secret method," and he immediately intended to seize her. Unexpectedly, Ning Xiaolian clung tightly to his foot with her last ounce of strength.

I understand, so when I return to the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival, you must ensure the safety of Xiangxiang. Wei Guang is not an ordinary person, so as long as it does not endanger Xiangxiang's life, you should not act rashly.

That is Wei Guang, the teacher of two emperors; how could he be so easily defeated?

Yun Xiangxiang pursed her lips: "Lu Rongfei ... ... "

It was only after the sound disappeared that Lu Rongfei became even more afraid

Of course, the hatred in Sun Yuru's heart is unknown to Yun Xiangxiang, and moreover, after Lu Rongfei's departure, she has a greater choice to make

"Wait for me?" Yun Xiangxiang expressed some confusion.

"Young Master, Miss Yu Rou has arrived." Although the Young Master wore a displeased expression, Fu Lai still reminded him

In recent days, Lu Rongfei has noticed that Yun Xiangxiang has been getting very close to "Zhao Buyan," which makes him quite uncomfortable. What bothers him the most is that Xiaorou comes to find him every day, under the pretext of bringing him meals. Now, mealtime has arrived again.

That was the promise made to him by Yun Shibo, but unfortunately, he waited for sixteen years for this promise. Back then, he did not understand the meaning of "the world remains the same, but people have changed," and he had once complained that his father did not help Yun Shibo clear his name. It was not until one time when he was playing and hid under his mother's bed, intending to surprise her, that he accidentally fell asleep. When he woke up, he happened to see his father leaning over his mother, weeping.

Yun Xiangxiang speculates: "Could this be some form of writing?"

Brother Zhao, please speak your mind directly

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ziran quickly took out a jade pendant from his bosom, which was engraved with the character "ran".

"Lu Rongfei." That voice called out again

Beside her, Xing'er was still speaking words of "comfort". Sun Yuru carefully listened, while secretly vowing that she would not let anyone who tried to take her things have an easy time of it

Lu Rongfei and Zhao Ziran brought Yun Xiangxiang out of the cave, while Fulai and the groom waited at the foot of the mountain. After the group reunited, they hurried overnight to Nongquan County, preparing to head directly back to the Lu family

In that case, I will not beat around the bush. You must carefully consider the matter regarding Lu Rongfei and the Lu family. You cannot keep your affairs hidden from them forever. If you continue to reside in the Lu residence, it will eventually be exposed. I will arrange for someone to find you a new place to stay. If you have made up your mind, just let me know.

Upon seeing Lu Rongfei from Yunxiangxiang, at this moment, he no longer remembered the matter of "face" and immediately stood up to explain: "It's fine, it's fine! I was originally here waiting for you!"

"... is Liu Qingshan. Liu Qingshan pressed me for the 'Yun family's brewing secret.' In order to prevent me from being constrained, my mother held him off with her life..." Yun Xiangxiang lowered her head, her shoulders trembling violently

Where the firelight illuminated, there were only tangled vines and damp stone walls. Lu Rongfei pushed aside the weeds blocking the cave entrance and bent down to take two steps inside, seeing nothing.

Yun Xiangxiang glanced at the dishes on the table, there were six of them. If it were just Lu Rongfei eating alone, it would indeed be a bit too much, so she believed his words, but only...

Lu Rongfei turned to look at Yun Xiangxiang and said, "I will take you back to your room. You should rest well today." Yun Xiangxiang nodded. He then said to Zhao Ziran, "I will have Fu Lai take you to the guest room where you stayed last time to rest."

"Lu Rongfei." As the flames illuminated the right corner once more, the woman with long, flowing hair called out this name for the third time

Uh... Lu Rongfei shifted his gaze and then saw the dishes on the table. He pointed at them and said, "I’ve been waiting for you to come and eat! This was specially brought by Xiao Rou from the residence, and it’s countless times better than what’s served at the tavern!"