Chapter 5

Where in the palace is it? How is Your Majesty and Xiao Yuanxia?

Xu Zhi's tomb was privately robbed, and this matter has remained undisclosed. It is said that most of her manuscripts and remains have disappeared, leaving only some burial jewelry and a small portion of manuscripts that could not be taken away in time. I managed to obtain them through various means, and they mention that before the Four Nations, it was highly likely that one surname dominated the world. Due to the turmoil at that time, the struggle for supremacy was not limited to the four surnames, but also involved other surnames. Among them, one noble family appeared ordinary, but after the first night of intimacy between men and women, their appearance would become beautiful, giving them a chance to become the head of that surname. Later, as the Four Nations emerged, the nobles of that surname chose to reside in the south to avoid disaster, deliberately mixing with the lower class to prevent the kings of the Four Nations from noticing, in order to eliminate the root of the problem. I want to take a gamble... Anu, this matter is a secret; no one has proposed this theory in the history of the Four Nations. You must not let it slip, not even to the third brother, as he is impulsive and prone to leaking information.

Indeed, it is Miss Liu. You must have missed the boat due to the time. If you do not mind, would you like to come aboard our ship

Xu Liefeng had excellent hearing and immediately recognized that it was the maid Jin'er who was by Chunlian's side. She nodded and said: "Thank you for your trouble"

That feeling made her think that they were merely fulfilling a duty... under orders... whose orders she did not know; she only knew that she wanted to be a member of the Xu family, to truly become one of them, to be their kin, and to step into their midst

By the time she became aware, she had already stepped out of the Xu family's gate

These are merely the words of the elderly. The younger generation points to the current era of prosperity; where is the ominousness? Where is the injustice of heaven? It is merely that when the palace was built, the corners of the roof were too high, and there were no lightning protection devices, making it naturally susceptible to lightning strikes. What is this lightning protection device? Have you seen or heard of it in your extensive experiences outside?

However, she did not even have a single opportunity

Xiao Yuanxia smiled and said

She let out a gasp. Is this second brother following her? He even knows clearly when she obtained a large Wei warm stone. She was baffled, yet still found a piece of cloth to wrap the warm stone.

Oh... the bat handkerchief in her sleeve, she absolutely refuses to take it out. The fine rain continues to fall on the two of them, and she pulls over a clean inner sleeve, using the rainwater to desperately conceal her nervousness, gently wiping the grease paint off his face

The silk scarf that Fifth Brother gave to Fourth Sister is actually in her hands; doesn't that break Fifth Brother's heart? His eyesight is not very good, so he may not have recognized that this is the silk scarf he bought in the Great Wei

The arrows shot in succession across the lake, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the turn of the eighth boat. There were not many people left on the opposite shore; she gathered her thoughts but still could not find the figure of her fifth brother. She had long lost interest in this Daughter's Festival.

I asked her to have the doctor check if Anu is experiencing any discomfort in her abdomen. She is using a warm stone to soothe her stomach, which must indicate that she is feeling unwell in her belly

Daughter's Festival? Xu Liefeng thought for a moment and recalled the words from his dream—Miss Chunlian is waiting for Fifth Brother to shoot down her Daughter's Festival jade pendant, so that she can become a guest of honor.

She was carefully searching through the crowd across from her, listening to Jin Er say

His Majesty cares for her and dotes on her, which she understands in her heart. However, through some subtle hints, she knows that His Majesty has no intention of forcing a match between her and Xiao Yuanxia. For instance, His Majesty would tease her, saying that in the future, she could consider Xiao Yuanxia's children as her nephews and should take good care of them. Alternatively, His Majesty might say, what is the point of loving freely? What if she were to choose a foreigner? Wouldn't that mean she would never see her again?

Xu Changmu pondered for half a day before finally asking

She secretly looked at herself in the mirror, her complexion slightly pale, but she thought her color was still acceptable. As for her appearance... Fifth Brother has poor eyesight and would not be able to tell that she is a mix of Nanlin and Xixuan.

Rong Sheng smiled and said: "I heard that today is the special Daughter's Festival in Nanlin. These scholars who have just arrived in Nanlin wanted to take a look, so I brought them along. However, we ended up at the wrong dock, just like you, and were kindly taken aboard by these good-hearted young ladies."

Xiao Yuansha thought that there should be no issues between His Majesty and herself

She paid a little more attention; every person's silhouette in front of the stall today was remarkably robust... ? ... She cursed herself inwardly, what on earth was she paying attention to?

The intensity of the rain took the citizens of the southern capital by surprise. Not only was the rain fierce like a beast, but the thunder and lightning were closer to the ground than ever before, with several instances of white light illuminating the entire capital, resembling daylight

She had just slept for a while when she heard someone calling "Anu".

Is this the frog you embroidered? It's really cute. She was startled and, upon regaining her composure, looked again... Jie Fei... No, Fifth Brother was examining the blood-stained handkerchief.

In this case, even Jin Er and the others are more familiar with Fifth Brother than she is

"What does Gan Xia Wang have to do with it?" Xu Liefeng glared at her. ... Just thinking about what Xiao Yuanxia said to her that day ... . ... At that moment, she was too shocked to know how to respond

The golden arrow shot straight towards her forehead, and she clenched her teeth tightly, forcefully suppressing the urge to flee, staring at the golden arrowhead that was piercing through the air.

Xu Liefeng was not only taken aback, but also felt dizzy! What is this person in front of him saying? Is this Xiao Yuanxia? How could just one heavy thunderstorm have struck him so absurdly!

He frowned. "Is my name something you can call? Xu Liefeng, just consider that I, the prince, have finally come to a realization. You, a member of the Xu family, have achieved nothing and spend your days currying favor with His Majesty. I advise you to be more self-aware, appear less before me and His Majesty, and learn from your father and brothers. I will be marrying Miss Qiuluo, so you should take care of yourself. From now on, let us part ways cleanly, and do not entangle yourself with me again."

Chunlian ... ... Chunlian. ... ... is the object of Fifth Brother's coming-of-age ceremony. Has Fifth Brother fallen in love with the girl of the coming-of-age ceremony?

"Anu, you are putting too much pressure, let me do it myself." He smiled slightly

The two individuals on that side simultaneously drew their longbows, while Xu Liefeng on this side, though utterly perplexed, still readied himself to aim again

He wiped away her falling tears, forcing her to meet his gaze. He spoke clearly, word by word:

Fifth Brother has returned

A light rain began to fall again, and Xu Liefeng stared blankly at the disappearing knight for a long time. She realized that someone was watching her, and when she turned around, she met the gaze of a man whose face was covered in greasepaint.

Rong Sheng looked at her in astonishment

Someone lifted her from the bed, and she complied. The warm water slid down her throat, providing her with considerable comfort. She then lay back down on the bed, and someone carefully covered her with a quilt

Are you afraid to show your true self? How dare you like Xu Liu?

Her face was flushed, and she desperately wanted to take it back but did not dare to make a move. Any action would reveal to him how much she cared about this little frog

Xu Liefeng, upon hearing this, could not help but feel angry and said: "Fifth Brother has poor eyesight; calling him here to shoot the jade is nothing but putting him in an awkward position"

Xu Liefeng was completely stunned. She felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, as she knew nothing at all! ... No one had told her that Fifth Brother's eyes could see everything clearly, and no one had informed her of what Fifth Brother had done ... ... Over the years, not a single family member had been willing to tell her ... ...

As he lifted his eyelids, he happened to meet the gaze of the beautiful eyes that were somewhat unfocused.

She immediately drew an arrow from her quiver and pulled back the bowstring

He moved his index finger to his lips and whispered, "Second brother, let's go outside to talk"

After she brought the doctor in, Xu Er curiously asked:

Xu Changmu casually remarked: "In the Great Wei, there have long been palace buildings designed to prevent lightning. Other countries are simply too backward, which is why they attribute it to supernatural phenomena. If this thunderstorm were to occur in the Great Wei, it would certainly be attributed to the architecture."

It has been two days since they returned. The maid's face flushed slightly. Every day, I come to check on the condition of Miss Liu.

She came to her senses in a daze and realized that she had already been taken away from the shore by this man in blue. She found herself in a narrow alley whose location was unknown to her. He leaned against the wall, rolled up his sleeves, revealing a blood mark from a whip.

The boat fell into a momentary silence, only to be followed by cheers from both men and women. It was then that she realized there were both men and women on the entire vessel; the women were dressed in delicate attire, clearly identifiable as courtesans from the pleasure district, while the men... She let out a soft exclamation, noticing that beside Jin'er was the scholar Rong Sheng from the Academy. She instinctively glanced over the other men on the deck but did not see the scholar Xie Fei.

Anu, you may not be able to open your eyes, but just open your mouth and listen.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out, yet he read those two words.

Over the years, Fifth Brother has given Fourth Sister many rare treasures that she does not use, which she keeps in her treasure box. From time to time, she takes them out to play with. After some thought, feeling uneasy, she decided to hide her little treasure box under the bed

The warm stone protruded slightly from the blanket, making it very easy to burn the skin. He leaned in a bit closer, wrapped the warm stone for her, and then placed her hands into his sleeves. He let out a soft sigh upon noticing that her right hand was bandaged, clearly indicating an injury.

How is it that she has been so one-sided in her affections

The servant of the Xu family said: "... the young master has just returned, stating that the streets of the capital are flooded, and several houses have been struck by lightning, but there is no need to worry, as both the capital's army and the palace's imperial guards are taking action."

She still remembers how Jie Fei shamelessly snatched away her silk scarf ... She hurriedly reached for the scarf at her waist, only to find that she was left with only her undergarment. Panic surged in her heart, and she immediately jumped out of bed

She was stunned, staring blankly at the unhurried man in blue, her mouth moving repeatedly as she shouted

He gazed at her with bright eyes and said

I am Xu Liefeng. She could not hide the strange expression on her face. "You all... during broad daylight..."

She really wants to find something to say, but she truly does not know what to say

Anu, I want to become extremely ugly, would you despise me?

He half-closed his eyes, a faint smile of comfort and ease appearing on his face. He gently folded the silk handkerchief and carefully returned it to her waist

She curled up in bed and slowly fell asleep. After that, she never dared to casually toy with her own body again. How unfortunate it was, of all things to play with, to play with a girl's monthly cycle, which caused her excruciating pain every time her period came over the past few years

By the time it was the third watch of the night, the rain had gradually lessened, and even the sound of thunder had nearly disappeared. The orange glow in the direction of the royal palace gradually faded, and only then did she let out a sigh of relief, clutching the warm stone as she drowsily made her way to bed.

A genuine smile appeared in his eyes: "Jie Fei is the name of the scholar I use outside; my real name is Chang Mu, Anu."

What did you instruct Ding Ping to do? If it was sweet talk, then the skill is truly lacking, as Ding Ping showed no reaction at all... Fortunately, Lao Wu has been abroad for so many years and has had enough time during the coming-of-age ceremony... Sweet words and honeyed phrases may need to be strengthened; otherwise, how can the Xu family expand and flourish?

... ... just a little bit ... ... '' just a little bit.

Oh... does this count as using her as an excuse? At least give her a heads up... She... She could also help him over there, or even shoot down the jade pendant of Miss Chunlian on his behalf

Miss Chunlian is also on the eighth ship, what a pity that Young Master Wu has not returned this year; otherwise, he would have been able to receive the Daughter's Festival jade ornament from Miss Chunlian, which would have allowed her to enjoy a whole year of glory

"No," a female voice suddenly said. This voice was comparable to the cold tone of the second brother. Xu Liefeng recognized that it was his fourth sister, Dingping. It was indeed a rare occasion today, as everyone had gathered together. But who was that person?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanxia slightly frowned, then relaxed, and said in a soft voice

"Alright, I return it to you." This sentence was like a soothing balm, causing her eyelids to gradually close again as she fell into an uneasy sleep

"Where are the clothes on my body?" she called.

This indicates that this year's Daughter's Festival, Xu's sixth child will not have her daughter’s jade ornament under the influence... Well, recently her romantic luck has been overwhelming, so it is better not to add any more chaos.

Xiao Yuanxia, did you really want to kill me just now

I also discovered it two days before her daughter's festival last year when she fell seriously ill. Since she returned from your coming-of-age ceremony in town that year, she has fallen ill every year around this time.

Xu Changmu replied casually

I also thought that myths were just myths, but what made me resolutely decide to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony was a small portion of the manuscript by the renowned scholar Xu Zhi from the Western Xuan dynasty three hundred years ago

The maid was perplexed and interjected, "Miss Liu, last year you were ill and unable to attend the Daughter's Festival. Your jade pendant for the festival has been kept at home all this time. Yesterday, Fifth Young Master took your jade pendant to the government office, added your name to it, and today it will be convenient for you to board the boat and shoot the jade, seeking a smooth and prosperous future. Fifth Young Master has gone to check on Miss Liu's situation."

Anu, my arm hurts

Xu Eryi was taken aback, then recalled his temperament and nodded. "Indeed, you dislike being indebted to others, and you are even less fond of being overly sentimental. You must settle everything before you can leave without any burdens. If that person encounters difficulties in the future, you will not look back. You and Ding Ping are meant to branch out and flourish, but you cannot treat her the same way you did with Chunlian."

Xu Liefeng paid a little attention to the streets of the capital's shops. Just two or three days had passed, and the traces of that thunderstorm had almost been completely erased, with only one or two households suffering from severe leaks busily engaged in cleanup.

Alright, I will clarify things with him later

She nervously loosened her grip, allowing him to gently press her handkerchief against his arm... She felt a bit at a loss...

It is said that last night, the King of Xia knelt before His Majesty's palace. At that time, a heavy thunderstorm began, yet His Majesty showed no concern for this prince. The thunder and rain continued relentlessly, with a great surge, causing water to flood the three main halls, which only ceased after half an hour. Subsequently, the Princess of Dafeng personally went to the front of His Majesty's palace to whisper to the King of Xia for a stick of incense before he finally departed. Before leaving, the King of Xia addressed the palace, saying: "I, your son, acknowledge my crime; this matter shall not be mentioned again. From now on, she and I shall go our separate ways." He then turned to Xu Changmu and continued: "This morning, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau hurried into the palace, mentioning that this rare thunderstorm from the south, which struck the three main halls, is an ominous sign. It is highly likely that someone among the southern royal family is currently committing an act that defies heavenly principles, which has led to divine punishment. If this is not stopped, there will surely be great disaster in the south."

Her mind gradually became focused, her five senses unfurling like a vast expanse, and in an instant, the arrow on the string appeared incredibly clear in her eyes, with no other colors existing within her senses.

Tonight feels like a flood in the southern region, she thought. Since her birth, she had never witnessed such a terrifying thunderstorm at this time of year

Although the official intention was to wish the girl a lifetime of happiness and a smooth life, it later transformed into a boy shooting a jade pendant for the girl during the Daughter's Festival, symbolizing the beauty of mutual fulfillment. Scholar, this also makes a lot of sense; the future happiness of the girl depends on her partner. Therefore, it is best if this arrow can help the desired man hit the mark.

She stood once again by the window, gazing in the direction of the palace. She listened intently; amidst the heavy rain, it seemed as if thousands were running, their steps rhythmic, reaching out to all corners of the capital.

She replied to Rongsheng, saying: "My jade pendant is on the eighth ship in the seventh row." She glanced at the crowd of heads on the opposite bank, and not a single person resembled Fifth Brother... Moreover... There was not a single person with a black scarf tied around their wrist, and Jie Fei was not among them.

Even if that day he was blinded by greed and said he wanted her to be Wang Ji, and later wanted to regret it, that is fine! Just say it directly! She never intended to do so! What is going on now? Is it for the sake of marrying into the Luo family that he is willing to sacrifice their deep friendship that has lasted since childhood? ... Or ...? ... Is the so-called deep friendship just her one-sided wishful thinking?

Xu Changmu stood there with his arms crossed, silent, reflecting on his first encounter with Xiao Yuanxia in prison. That glance overturned his previous unclear observations of Xiao Yuanxia.

Anu is the nickname of Xu Liu, and her family members all call her that. The young man in blue spoke respectfully, yet his tone was cold

Xu Liefeng's heart skipped a beat. Is she dreaming? Has Fifth Brother really returned? But this voice doesn't sound like him!

In an instant, three arrows were shot simultaneously

He didn't tell you he is ... ... sigh. Rong Sheng smiled and said: "I spoke too much. I thought ... ... I thought he had a great fondness for you, perhaps at this very moment he is mingling on the opposite shore waiting to shoot down the jade pendant of the Sixth Young Lady."

After she understood the meaning of the term "Nanlin Nizi," she became puzzled as to why her family called her that. Only Fifth Brother provided her with an explanation, and although she did not fully believe it, he was the only one willing to come up with a reason. From then on, she clung to him relentlessly

It would be surprising if she could recognize anyone in the vast sea of people

She turned her head aside, and warmth surged in her eyes

"Come... come and see me..." Strangely, she felt her face flush, yet she did not know why she was blushing. She caught a whiff of a foul odor, looked down, and exclaimed: "Quick, quick, boil some water, I am filthy, I want to take a bath! I want to take a bath!"

In an instant, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, nearly collapsing to the ground. "Has he... has he gone out? Will he... will he not come back?"

Even though Yu Yanxian knew he could not catch up, he immediately drew his bow to pursue the golden arrow. However, someone was faster than him, and the green arrow swiftly vanished from his sight, leaving only a series of afterimages.

She gritted her teeth and walked briskly with her head down, pretending not to know where she was headed. It was not until she reached the riverbank where the Daughter's Festival was being held that she could not help but look up and glance around.

"I actually look quite similar to the people from Nanlin"

Five? She must have misheard! Currently, in the capital are the second brother and the fourth sister, while the fifth brother is now a thousand miles away, how could he experience this storm?

"It's Daughter's Day... isn't this... going to let Fourth Sister down?" she murmured, feeling a deep sense of disappointment in her heart

She glared at him angrily. "What do you mean by that? Why must I associate with him?"

Anu believes she is a little frog, unable to leave the well and see the vast sky. Then I will stay in Nanlin, no longer flying, always accompanying you, this little frog. When will you transform into a soaring eagle and leave Nanlin? Then we can walk together, alright?

Xiao Yuanxia lowered his gaze, abandoning the longbow in his hand. His handsome face was slightly pale, and even beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Distracted, he caught sight of the man in green on his left, whose lips curled into a slight smile as he said

Is it not the cold wind?

She stared for a long time, then chuckled softly. This was after she returned from Fifth Brother's place, having suffered a serious illness that year, when she had given up on herself and wallowed in self-pity, finding a piece of cloth to embroider a small frog. Although her embroidery skills were not top-notch, it was still quite presentable. However, she did not dare to use it, fearing that others would discover that she was truly just a small frog.

Tomorrow, I plan to find a way to enter the palace and clarify things with him, she thought, as she heard Jin'er explaining the origins of the Daughter's Festival to Rongsheng, this outsider.

Her cheeks were incredibly rosy, as if two heavy patches of bright color had been applied to her snow-like complexion. Her beautiful black eyes were now wide open, glaring at him in anger

Spare me, Your Majesty!

Miss Liu is naturally stunning, and everything she wears is extraordinary; how can this be considered ordinary? Is Miss Liu going to meet Young Master Wu? He left early this morning

Xiao Yuanxia, what happened to him? She always thought he would be with Luo Qiuluo, so how did it suddenly change, and now he is with her?

Do not worry ... ... I think ... ... perhaps I ... ... misunderstood something again in the past ... ... '' That is truly embarrassing, to have misunderstood that the two of them have had such a close friendship for so many years

Yu Yanxian over there seemed to sense her anger, glanced this way with a smug cold smile on his thin lips, and focused intently on aiming at the jade pendant tied with a black gold knot

"You dare to fry fish!" she shouted angrily. This nemesis! Such a seemingly sympathetic yet truly sarcastic act made her extremely resentful

My

At the shore, the splendidly dressed King of Summer hurriedly leaped down from his horse, followed by his guards who presented a large bow and a quiver of arrows. The King quickly spotted the black and gold two-colored knot; his gaze lingered on the reflective golden thread, his expression complex, as he focused intently on the ring hanging from the jade ornament

This girl Chunlian is truly something; knowing that his eyesight is poor, she still asks him to shoot the bow

Rong Sheng was taken aback and replied in the same low voice: "Shouldn't he be with you these days?"

"Then will you help me wipe off the makeup on my face?" He slightly bent down to match her height

Rong Sheng asked, "I wonder on which small boat the Sixth Young Lady's jade ornament for the Daughter's Festival is located?" She was distracted by his question and began to look at the official small boats on the surface of the lake. These small boats were anchored in the center of the lake, and the boatmen had long since departed. Each small boat had a simple elevated rack that suspended the jade pendants of each girl above. She scanned them one by one and discovered her own jade pendant on the last boat. There was no way to miss it; the gold and black double-stranded knot beneath the ornament was very conspicuous in the sunlight. She scanned them one by one and discovered her own jade pendant on the last boat. There was no way to miss it; the gold and black double-stranded knot beneath the ornament was very conspicuous in the sunlight

Today the weather has just cleared up, and the young lady's dress is still drying. The silk handkerchief in the hidden pocket at her waist was picked up by the Fifth Young Master from the embroideress and is placed on the cabinet. Sixth Young Lady, it is cold on the ground, so you should still wear these shoes and socks. The doctor said that you need to pay more attention to keeping warm in the future; otherwise, you will experience pain for several days every month.

Xiao Yuanxia squinted, suddenly gripping the riding whip tightly in his hand, and struck at her

What does the Astronomical Bureau say about this

The maid responded and left.

"How did it miss? Isn't that one less arrow? Miss Sixth, you might as well not shoot! I said, it's so far away, how could you hit the ring!" Jin'er exclaimed in regret.

She glanced at them and said: "You are all men, stay outside. Doctor, please follow me inside"

Xu Liefeng could not hear the words that followed; her hearing ceased to function after the Fifth Young Master’s words. She stammered, "Is... is... is Fifth Brother back?"

At this moment, a small pleasure boat approached the shore, and the person on the boat, with the light behind them, smiled towards this side

Jin Er exclaimed in surprise and laughter: "Is there someone waiting to shoot down the jade pendant of the Sixth Young Lady? The royal family is unlikely to participate in civilian activities, and it seems that the King of Xia can only watch helplessly from the sidelines."

Miss Liu! The maid entered carrying hot porridge

Anu's appearance was quite beyond my expectations. He laughed and said, "It is no wonder that the Nanlin Xuren are truly related to the Xixuan Xu family from five hundred years ago; this is why you have emerged as a light beauty with features that embody the characteristics of both nations.

Under the sunlight, the hanging ring swayed slightly, sliding down, and the jade ornament with a black and gold knot hung on the green arrow feather, gently swaying in the wind

Of course, come back. Miss Liu, have you forgotten that today is Daughter's Day

I hope I wasn't recognized ... ? ... Should it be returned to Sister Si? ? She always feels reluctant in her heart

He blinked. "Do you want to know what I look like after my transformation?"

This side is the bank where the young ladies board the boat, but all the small boats have already left the shore. The other side is the starting point for archery, and now that side is densely packed with young men from the capital.

This time, she was completely focused and hurriedly searched her body for a handkerchief. She first found the handkerchief in the hidden pocket of her sleeve, then skipped over it and carefully took out another one from her waist to gently press down on his wound

Isn't it just about searching for the presence of Brother Five

"Do you still have feelings for Chunlian?" asked Second Brother

She exclaimed in surprise, murmuring:

Xu Liefeng, with keen eyes and quick hands, grasped it tightly and shouted, "Be careful!" With a surge of strength, she leaped into the air, and just before the boatman was pulled away, her feet had not yet touched a drop of lake water as she landed on the deck

"Not at all, not at all. However, since we are in a hurry to enjoy the spectacle, we won't make a special stop. Miss Liu, please take the rope." After instructing the sturdy boatman, Jin'er skillfully threw a rope from the boat.

"Someone has a guilty conscience," Xu Er said. "Last night, several young eunuchs in His Majesty's sleeping quarters were executed. I can only ascertain that King Xia did not expect that there were ears on the other side of the wall, and someone relayed King Xia's intention to marry Anu back to him.

Has Fifth Brother really returned or not

It was too profound, and suddenly this thought emerged in Xu Er's mind. Could it be that when intelligent people speak, he Xu Er has a barrier that prevents him from understanding? Xu Er maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, not wanting his brothers to see the extent of his ignorance. He temporarily set aside this topic, pointed in the direction of the palace, and said

She muttered a curse under her breath, her anger boiling over, and upon seeing a scholar taking a bow and arrow onto the ship, she said: "Lend it to me!"

Xu Liefeng hesitated for a moment and slowly walked towards him. As she passed in front of Xiao Yuanxia, Xiao Yuanxia moved slightly, as if to grab her. The man in the green robe was sharp-eyed and immediately reached out, forcefully pulling her to his side.

Jin Er was taken aback and blurted out

If... she gritted her teeth. If Your Majesty would allow Xu Liu to leave the capital, Xu Liu is willing to remain at the border for a lifetime. It is not that she is unwilling to achieve something, nor is it that she desires to be unaccomplished! He clearly knows this! Although there may have been a female emperor in Nanlin, there has never been a female minister. As a member of the Xu family and a woman, the only path for her is to go to the border, dedicating her life and death to Nanlin.

What is that? The sky above the direction of the palace is filled with a white light, seemingly with an orange hue. Is there a fire?

Yu Yanxian sized up the man standing next to him and let out a sneer

Look, the first ship has set sail! The archery skills of these people... Haha, it's really amusing, just like playing house.

He softened his voice slightly. "I am well, and you?"

A young man dressed in blue stepped forward, with a black silk scarf tied around his left wrist. This in itself was unremarkable, but what drew attention was the oil paint applied to his face, obscuring his identity.

The urgent knocking on the door sounded amidst the thunderstorm, and she immediately went to open it. The Xu family's servant braved the wind and rain to come over, calling out:

Xu Er felt proud of him, yet still forced himself to maintain a stoic expression as a tough man. Those old men from the Astronomical Bureau were surprisingly no match for Xu's fifth brother, ha!

The maid hurriedly placed the hot porridge on the table and said

The eyes do not quite resemble those of the Nanlin people, nor does the physique exhibit the delicate frailty characteristic of them. The face, however, bears some resemblance... That voice seems familiar, as if she has heard it somewhere before...

At this moment, Xu Liefeng released his long arrow, which soared over the elevated platform. Amidst the astonished exclamations of the crowd on the painted boat, the sharp arrow dragged Yu Yanxian, who was approaching head-on, into the lake.

That night

Every young lady has her own color. Last year, she chose black, which complemented her usual attire. However, upon hearing that her daughter's festival was approaching, His Majesty bestowed upon her several strands of royal gold, preparing for her to make a grand impression at the festival. Unfortunately, she fell gravely ill and missed the occasion.

The term "slave" carries a derogatory connotation in Nanlin, yet the Xu family dares to refer to Xu Liu in such a manner. He turned to Xu Liefeng, met her gaze, and then quickly averted his eyes. "No wonder you are unwilling to tell me your nickname; I thought there was a barrier between us. The Xu family has a reputation in Nanlin, and they would never arbitrarily give their children such a demeaning name, Ah Nu, Ah Nu..." He chuckled. "So I have been associating with the sixth daughter, whom the Xu family considers to be of low status."

"From now on, it is not just Princess Dafen that we need to be wary of; it seems even King Xia must be on guard..." Xu Changmu suddenly remarked

A sedan chair was stationed on the opposite bank. She had not paid it much attention until that person emerged, leaving her astonished. He asked a few questions to those beside him, his face displaying a mocking smile. Before long, a servant brought a black silk scarf and a bow and arrow, which he tied around his wrist before stepping forward to the riverbank

He smiled as he tucked the corners of the blanket for her, ensuring she would not feel cold. Just as he turned around, he caught sight of Xu Er's peculiar gaze.

"... ... Is my relationship with Brother Wu really that important ... ..." she murmured. Then why had he not sent her any news for four years? She wanted to ask, but did not dare to, not wanting to offer her heartfelt feelings to him before confirming whether Brother Wu was speaking the truth. In fact, she truly missed him, missed him deeply ... ... She was afraid that it was just her own sentimental delusion, and in the end, Brother Wu would, like Xiao Yuanxia, strike her heart hard when she thought that a love meant to last a lifetime would never change.

The hot water was delivered, and she forced herself to calmly take a shower, calmly change into her usual clothes. After hesitating for a moment, she still carefully hid the red thread bat silk scarf in her sleeve.

Xiao Yuanxia looked at him deeply and asked

Xu Liefeng was slightly taken aback. Who is that?

Perhaps Xiao Yuan is gentle by nature, but there is a resolute strength in his eyes; he is a person who understands endurance very well

"Second brother means that once the marriage is settled, I can do as I please and indulge in the pleasures of the brothel?" he said casually. The person on the bed moved slightly; he sat on the edge of the bed and turned to look back. A corner of Anu's quilt was lifted, revealing her hands, which were crossed over her abdomen, pressing against a warm stone.

She widened her eyes. "But... but..."

She breathed heavily, ran her fingers through her greasy long hair, wondering if it was all just a dream

Even Xu Liefeng, who was in a deep sleep, was awakened. Several times, she, with a sleepy face, draped in an outer garment and holding a warm stone in her arms, squinted at the white light outside the window

He laughed: "Did Anu forget? There is a myth among the inferior people of the South, isn't there?"

What? Xu Er's serious expression showed a hint of surprise. Just as he was about to inquire further, Xu Dingping led the doctor from the clinic into the courtyard

"What is going on? Isn't Anu in good health?" the person asked softly, thinking she hadn't heard. However, her hearing was quite good; she was just a bit tired and her eyelids could only be momentarily closed.

How could she only have a dark face? It would be better for her to jump into the river and end her life

Indeed, it does not look like it has been torn apart. Where did Fifth Brother find such a skilled embroiderer... Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Oh no!"

At first, it was not that I did not recognize you, but rather, it was the first time I clearly saw Xu Liefeng's appearance

Rong Sheng let out a sound and smiled, saying, "Then it is impossible for Jie Fei to shoot down the jade pendant of the Sixth Young Lady." Xu Liefeng and Jin Er both looked at him, their faces filled with confusion

"What is there to complain about? Five Ge is just Five Ge." She said candidly, and to be more candid, she hoped he would remain the same as before, or even better if he were uglier. "I have always thought... myths are just myths..."

With a thud, the golden arrow of the Summer King pierced the center of the hanging ring on the jade ornament. The originally simple design of the elevated platform was intended such that once someone hit the hanging ring on the jade ornament, the ring would slide down the arrow shaft and become lodged on the still feather, serving to confirm the identity of the jade holder. However, a green arrow swiftly followed, sharply slicing through the shaft of the golden arrow and directly striking into the hanging ring.

What did the small official by the shore say? It seems he was asking if there was anyone else present

Xu Changmu was quick-witted and swift in action, raising his arm to take a lash for her

"Anumo, do not move!" the man in the green attire shouted sternly

How have you been these past five years

Anu, come here

"Anu, my arm hurts," he repeated. However, there was little sense of pain in his tone

The sixth daughter of the Xu family? Rong Sheng exclaimed: "So it is you..."

Xu Liefeng broke free from the grip of the person behind him, took a few steps forward, and glared at him while loudly asking:

She was drawing the arrow when she suddenly heard two consecutive shouts from a man behind her

Which one should I change? The red one? The blue one? Or the black one? Although Fifth Brother cannot see clearly, it does not hinder his ability to distinguish colors... It has been such a long time since we last met, and she always hopes to wear the most beautiful clothes... Her gaze stopped on the red bat silk scarf on the shelf, which looked as good as new, and her expression brightened as she quickly grabbed it and examined it closely

A mocking smile spread across his lips. "You, Xu Liefeng, are a native of Nanlin in life, and in death, you can only be a ghost of Nanlin. Not to mention His Majesty, even the future sovereign will not allow you to leave the capital of Nanlin by even half a step!" After speaking, he turned and mounted his horse

Is Er Niang... a descendant of the aristocracy? Wu Ge is telling her a secret, a secret that not even San Ge can know. How could he easily tell her? She wiped off the last bit of greasepaint on his face and stared at his fairy-like beautiful face in a daze. "You...you...understand..."

She is unfocused, absent-minded, sometimes thinking about what to say to Wu Ge, and sometimes feeling that since he doesn't care much about her, why should she care about him everywhere?

Miss Liu! Everyone on the boat is stunned. ... How can one possibly hit a target from such a distance ...? ... Is this a joke?

"Chunlian? Why did you bring her up?"

"I... I think this outfit is still quite ordinary, not too special, right?" she asked the maid with a feigned nonchalance.

Her heart skipped a beat, silently exclaiming, "No way!" She hurriedly crossed over Jin Er and looked towards the men on the opposite bank.

"It doesn't matter... it doesn't matter..." she murmured repeatedly. In the future, it would be better to practice these four words less. One must always engage in self-reflection; otherwise, committing the same mistakes throughout one's life is truly a disgrace to oneself... It doesn't matter...

The bat silk scarf embroidered with the red line of the Great Wei

She responded with a nod, allowing the naturally enthusiastic Jin'er to lead her to the bow of the ship. She asked in a low voice:

Before leaving, Xu's family servant said again

The jade ornament indeed landed on the green arrow, and the green arrow accurately split the summer king's golden arrow in half. Both the precision and the force were exceptional. She had never tried such a technique before and was unsure if she could manage it herself

Do you want to know what I look like now

"Summer King, she is Xu Liu!" She turned around and saw Xiao Yuanxia's golden arrow aimed directly at her

A moment of silence enveloped the riverbank, and even the pleasure boat remained utterly still. Xu Liefeng came to his senses and gazed at the man in the blue attire, wondering who on earth he was

She responded carelessly, but her eyelids were too heavy to open.

Xu Wuchang is longing for you

Xu Changmu quickly grabbed her, whispering in her ear. Xu Dingping glanced at him with a neutral expression and nodded. "I understand."

The force of the double arrows was so fierce that it caused the high platform to shake violently—her heart nearly stopped.

He had no sense of shame, directly pulled out that half of the silk handkerchief, unfolded it, and was taken aback.

"Commoner, Xu Wuchang admires you." Xu Liefeng trembled slightly

Anu was frail and delicate in her childhood, and we feared that heaven might take her away at any moment. Thus, we gave her a humble and lowly name, hoping that she could survive under heaven's gaze, and this was not meant to belittle her.

Upon hearing this, her heart sank as she recalled pleading with him in prison not to reveal her mixed heritage, stammering as she spoke

"Bring the boat closer, I want to take a look," she commanded

What did Princess Dafeng say to King Xia last night while he was kneeling in front of the palace?

She searched for the visage of Xiao Yuanxia. His emotions were not overt, subtly tinged with hostility and a sense of rupture

Two years ago, Anu went to the clothing store in the city and encountered Chunlian's maid, Jin'er. It is possible that Huajie'er boasted to Anu, prompting the people at the clothing store to eavesdrop. Later, it spread that your coming-of-age ceremony took three days to complete, and everyone in the capital is aware of this matter. Changmu, I never knew you were infatuated with that Huajie'er to such an extent

If a man from Nanlin lacks determination, he may become infatuated with the object of his coming-of-age ceremony, after all, she is the first girl to teach him about love, which is understandable. However, one should know when to stop. Changmu, before you went abroad, you moved her household registration to the capital, allowing her to relocate to the flower street in the capital for a better life, which is already a great kindness to her, so why maintain further connections?" After a pause, Xu Er, unconvinced, continued: "In recent days, her maid has been sending invitations through the doorman every day, stating that if Xu Wu Shao returns to the capital before the Daughter's Festival, he can celebrate the festival with her. The women of Nanlin, regardless of their status, can all celebrate this Daughter's Festival. However, for girls from respectable families, once they turn sixteen and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime Daughter's Festival, they will grow up smoothly, marry a good husband, and live a safe and happy life until old age. The flower girls on the flower street can celebrate the Daughter's Festival every year, and if they hit their jade pendant, this year they will surely be the heartfelt guests of honor. You... The women of Nanlin, regardless of their status, can all celebrate this Daughter's Festival. However, for girls from respectable families, once they turn sixteen and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime Daughter's Festival, they will grow up smoothly, marry a good husband, and live a safe and happy life until old age. The flower girls on the flower street can celebrate the Daughter's Festival every year, and if they hit their jade pendant, this year they will surely be the heartfelt guests of honor. You... You must take care of yourself, Ding Ping is a good girl, at least, do not let her know, her temper is strong, and she may not be able to tolerate it.

Over the years, relying so much on Xiao Yuanxia, believing him to be a close friend, firmly convinced that he is the one who understands her feelings best in this life, hoping that one day she could protect Nanlin, so as to safeguard him, who is idly living as a prince in the capital. He enjoys being a scholar and does not love warfare; that is fine, if there is a war, she will take the lead, for she is a natural member of the Xu family. In the end, after all this time, she has written the phrase "one-sided affection" exceptionally well, perhaps surpassing any calligrapher throughout history.

Marriage is a natural expectation for men and women, and she understands this saying. However, understanding it does not change the fact that she feels that path is still quite distant from her. She has never seriously contemplated her own future, let alone the idea of growing old together with Xiao Yuanxia. As for being lifelong companions who would never part, she is willing to protect his royal status as a member of the Xu family for a lifetime, she is willing, but... The thought of being a couple has never crossed her mind, not even once. As for being lifelong companions who would never part, she is willing to protect his royal status as a member of the Xu family for a lifetime, she is willing, but... The thought of being a couple has never crossed her mind, not even once.

"It is your most respected Fifth Brother, he has returned." He looked at her indifferently and said, "From now on, let us go our separate ways, Xu Liefeng. Over the years, you have relied on the name of the Summer King to act tyrannically in the capital, and I have been foolish enough to pamper and care for you.

Who is Anu

"Ding Ping, you and Chang Mu go for a walk in the street, and on the way, please invite a doctor from the medical clinic. If the doctor is busy attending to the injured citizens from last night, you can wait there."

The young master said that tonight the wind and rain are too strong. If the young lady feels cold, she may use a warming stone, but the warming stone should not be in direct contact for too long, as it may burn the skin. Please wrap it in cloth and hold it close to keep warm.

Of course. Xu Dingping walked away without looking back

Xu Changmu glanced at him with a hint of meaning. "Second Brother, are you really sure that I am the one who is following Ding Ping?"

He folded it neatly and put it away, gazing at her calmly and said

She lowered her eyes and pulled the corners of her mouth, forming a smile. "I am fine." End. ... It seems ... . ... There was really nothing more to say, indeed it had become awkward, but that was not necessarily a bad thing; after all, she had been too reliant on the sibling bond in the past.

"Xiao Yuanxia, what madness have you unleashed?" She was dumbfounded

She sat up straight

Before the boat had even docked, Xu Liefeng jumped off and waded ashore. Upon hearing the words of the man in the green robe, she was taken aback. ... Who is this person ...? ... Who is he? Which elder brother is this?

She also feels pain ... ... However, when she cries out in pain, no one among her family members pays attention ... ...

Fifth Young Master said, no one is allowed to leave the residence tonight

"How could I not dare to like Xu Liu?" replied the man, adorned with seven colors of paint, with an air of confidence and defiance

Xiao Yuanxia smiled and said

Oh... she opened her mouth, staring at him, unable to utter a single word

As the two men walked outside, Xu Er noticed Lao Wu gently closing the door, and said:

With a sound like a sharp whistle, it came swiftly like a lightning arrow. Xu Liewfeng immediately froze, her delicate eyes widening slightly.

Moreover, it is clearly Fourth Sister who does not want it... ? ... She flipped through the embroidered handkerchiefs she had bought over the years in the capital, which came in various styles, wondering if she could return one to Fourth Sister. ? She noticed one of the white embroidered handkerchiefs had a small frog embroidered in the corner.

She let out a sound of surprise and locked eyes with him

If such considerate words had been spoken to her four years ago, she would have clung to Brother Wu's leg and refused to leave... Her brothers treated her well, providing her with material comforts and fulfilling any requests she made, even indulging her. If she had no siblings, she would certainly feel deeply cherished. However, because she has siblings, witnessing their interactions and comparing them to her own, she realized that her brothers had been caring for a shell named Xu Liefeng, rather than genuinely concerning themselves with her as a person. They provided her with material comforts and fulfilled any requests she made, even indulging her. If she had no siblings, she would certainly feel deeply cherished. However, because she has siblings, witnessing their interactions and comparing them to her own, she realized that her brothers had been caring for a shell named Xu Liefeng, rather than genuinely concerning themselves with her as a person.

There is no need for two people to invite this doctor, Ding Ping, you can go by yourself, is that alright? the person asked

Miss Liu, do you not know? Young Master Wu's eyesight has improved! Not only has his vision gotten better, but..." Jin Er blushed and softly said, "He stayed in the city for a few more months before leaving, and he was very friendly with the local riffraff. It was during that time that we realized the name of Nanlin Changmu was not just for show. Young Master Wu learns quickly and excels at everything; it turns out that a prodigy can also emerge from the lower classes... Of course, this is still thanks to the Xu family's lineage of Young Master Wu..." There was a tone of pride in her voice, as if she took joy in Xu Changmu as if he were her own.

She opened her mouth to speak, wanting to ask him what had happened. However, at this moment, his cold eyes were filled with disdain. He... he had discovered that she was the true scoundrel after all

During those two years, I indeed did not open a single letter from you, because at that time, whether or not Anu was present was of no importance to me. It was only on the night of my coming-of-age ceremony that I realized your significance... Once a person has made their choices, there is no turning back, is there? Then, all that is left is to look forward.

Does Anu recognize herself as a frog at the bottom of a well? She clenched her fists

I understand. Xu Liefeng nodded. Indeed, anyone can take action, but the Xu family should refrain from doing so. Such matters are the responsibility of each party, and the Imperial Guard in the capital does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Xu family; they must not usurp others' achievements.

The cultured bachelor was momentarily taken aback, overwhelmed by her terrifying aura, and quickly presented the longbow and quiver of arrows

How would I know? I see how they interact daily, and Anu does not regard him as a partner at all. I would never have thought that King Xia would develop feelings for Anu. I only hope that Your Majesty does not think we are secretly stirring the pot and disrupting their royal lineage. Xu Er paused. "Taking advantage of the words from the Astronomical Bureau, Princess Dafeng casually mentioned the marriage between King Xia and Miss Luo, which could bring some joy to Nanlin. The Nangong royal family has very few offspring, and even after Princess Dafeng's marriage, there has been no joyful news. The marriage between King Xia and Miss Luo is something everyone is happy to see, and it is also Your Majesty's intention, so King Xia agreed this morning."

Given Your Majesty's long-standing insinuations, how could she possibly have romantic feelings for Xiao Yuanxia

If she walks over... she will definitely be kept outside... only men are allowed to enter and draw their bows there...

Xu has a nimble hand and a heart that cherishes the young lady. It is no wonder that this king, this king is merely teaching a lesson to the unworthy Xu Liu of the Xu family. He glanced at her, unable to hide his astonishment, chuckled lightly, and pulled the reins to ride away.

The painted boat approached the eighth small boat. She leaped onto the small boat, her beautiful eyes sweeping across the opposite shore, and only then did she notice that Xiao Yuanxia was also present, as he absentmindedly stared at his own longbow

Her beautiful eyes kept glancing at him, stealing a look at his taller and more robust figure compared to four years ago; then stealing another glance at his face obscured by paint. His pair of bright eyes remained fixed on her face, leaving her in great doubt. Is this really Fifth Brother?

You ... ... '' She was a bit annoyed. Was Xiao Yuanxia's joke a bit too much?

She heard the person respond. ... Say a little more, say a little more, let her dream a bit more about Fifth Brother ... ... Second Brother's voice unceremoniously rang out:

Xu Liefeng hurriedly gulped down the porridge, and once he regained his strength, he immediately turned to the cabinet and pulled out the folded clothes

Her manuscript? She gently wiped away the grease paint under his eyes, and when the tear mole was revealed, she suddenly remembered the scholar named Xie Fei

Three days? Xu Changmu raised an eyebrow, remaining quite calm. Who is it that thinks so highly of him? He said lightly: "Before I left Nanlin, aside from the unrepayable debts of gratitude to my parents, I have made it a point to settle all other debts to the people of Nanlin clearly. I regard Chunlian as a benefactor, and by transferring her household registration to the capital, I consider this a repayment of that kindness, and from now on, we shall be like strangers."

In an instant, the green arrow closely followed, its powerful force colliding diagonally with the golden arrow, altering its trajectory. Thus, the two arrows swept past her cheek and pierced directly into the high rack

Clearly, she remembers that Fifth Brother was speaking in front of her bed, but what she saw was Jie Fei... ? ... Was it a dream! ? But it felt so real!

Xu Liefeng's lips twitched slightly. Even she could sense the awkwardness in her second brother's tone, no wonder there was a moment of silence at this moment

Xu Eryi was taken aback, not expecting him to raise such a trivial issue. "Most likely it is... Anu is unworthy, or... Princess Dafeng knew that Anu is... and informed King Xia, which naturally led to King Xia's despair"

Today, the wind is strong, and the sound of jade pendants clinking against each other on the lake surface is incessant.

Is that... has Bachelor Jie Fei not come? He must have been released from prison, right?

He unfolded the handkerchief, turned over her palm, and noticed a slightly noticeable scratch, though it was not serious. This handkerchief was not the one she had snatched back from someone in front of the bachelor’s hall yesterday; it was clearly a man’s handkerchief, which had also become slightly damp from her stolen sweat. Another corner of a silk handkerchief was peeking out from the inner pocket at her waist.

It may be due to the cold wind. This is the voice of my second brother, always cold and serious. It doesn't seem too serious; let's wait until later to call the doctor. The doctors in the city are very busy right now, and we shouldn't let others say that we are taking advantage of our position

Xu Changmu glanced at him in surprise. "... Did Anu agree?"