Chapter 1

The quiet garden is lush with grass, should he send it?

It is truly troublesome to meet; it is better not to meet at all.

Just now, everyone certainly did not hold back in expressing their feelings towards her

"I cannot explain, this is troublesome. Hu Tu intends to target you, what does it have to do with me?" Although Liu Ying appeared frail and wore a pleasant smile, the casual glance he cast was indeed sharp

Only Liu Ying knows that the hostility emanating from Hu Tu is not due to a naturally cold disposition

Liu Ying was rendered speechless.

They whispered and boldly expressed their disdain

The more tumultuous it is outside, the more tranquil it is within the Quiet Garden

As soon as the words were spoken, the little lion's face immediately darkened

The door was kicked open from the outside with a loud "bang".

Ten years later, Qizhou

For the past ten years, the Master has been with his students day and night, yet now he can hardly distinguish their appearances, which truly saddens the students

His laughter slipped from his throat, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, clear and melodious. "... others may say it, but can I not say it?" This remark was made in a very low voice, very low.

The old man, dressed in black, was so hunched over that he could not see his own eyebrows and eyes clearly when he looked down. However, upon seeing him, the household servants immediately reacted as if they had seen a ghost, calling out "Manager Qiu" while hurriedly retreating like a tide.

In recent years, Hu Tu has returned from studying abroad, bringing back a total of eight young ladies. These young ladies have distinct personalities, yet they share two common characteristics: first, they are all named Ye Zi; second, they are all very beautiful

The morning sun rises brightly, and the light of the sky spills down from the rosy clouds

With the intrusion of the newcomers, the sound of footsteps gradually became chaotic in the quiet courtyard. The torches flickered in the strong wind, accompanied by the disordered footsteps, while the noisy voices of the servants outside continued to echo.

In this world, there is only one person who can call out the words "Master" with such sharpness and without mercy. Liu Ying frowned, and without using his internal energy to suppress the alcohol, the intoxication that had clouded his mind had already cleared up considerably.

There are no flowers here, only grass

The little lion has basically not committed any wrongdoings in this short life, but at the age of sixteen, he did one thing that was earth-shattering and shocking to hear

The servants hurriedly picked up their belongings, looking at Liu Ying with expressions of shock and disdain

What nonsense is being said here

Liu Ying looked at him with a strange expression for a long time, and finally, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips, "Hu Tu, when it comes to the word 'rules', others may speak of it, but you alone must not."

Look! Miss Ye was certainly driven away by Miss Ying. Everyone, be careful; we are sure to find some clues here!

Together day and night, side by side at all times

This statement carries a strong implication of threat

The old man, with a hoarse and deep voice, gloomily said: "Who allowed you to be so reckless here?"

The little lion has been provoked

He seemed to recall something comforting, the corners of his mouth lifting, and his ink-black eyes suddenly shining with astonishing brightness

Uncertain of how many moon gate passages they had traversed, they arrived at the Tranquil Garden, where wild grass grew thickly, and the wind suddenly picked up. The little lion, concerned that she might be cold, changed its position and enveloped her entirely in its embrace.

Liu Ying reached out and pushed against his chest, unable to break free, and could only softly persuade him: "Hu Tu, put me down, this is not in accordance with propriety"

Liu Ying had drunk too much, and she staggered in while holding onto the door. The household servants did not recognize who it was at first and were about to curse loudly, but suddenly caught sight of such a pale face, and the foul words they had prepared were instantly swallowed back. It was early in the morning, and encountering a ghost was frightening enough; let alone this ghost was none other than the one from Jingyuan.

The words of Hu Tu were ambiguous yet explicit, with gasps of surprise rising and falling.

Whether the little lion truly likes Liu Ying remains a mystery, even to his closest attendant.

That afternoon, rumors spread wildly

"Hutu, what are you doing?"

Now, since everyone cannot find Miss Ye, they naturally have to come to Liu Ying to seek trouble

The traffic outside Yunhu Mansion flows incessantly, as the second young master Hu Tu's carriage comes to a stop in front of the gate. The household servants joyfully unload the silk and tea brought back from the journey, along with various rare curiosities that cannot be found in Qizhou City.

Out of sight, out of mind

Liu Ying shrugged and said, "Just ask your Miss Ye, and you'll know."

At this moment, the lanterns of Yunhu Mansion are hung high, and the sounds of people are bustling, creating a scene of chaos and disorder, with horses rearing and dogs barking.

Wild grasses grow in large patches, with their pointed tips resembling sharp spears rising from the earth, defending against all intruders

This is the first time that everything has been thrown into chaos.

Yunhu Mansion is located in the northern part of the city, surrounded by towering walls and adorned with green tiles and red eaves. The corners of the eaves on both sides of the street are as glossy as lacquer. Occasionally, a wild cat darts through the vast night, emitting a few cries reminiscent of a baby's wail

Miss Ye is also a woman brought back by the Second Young Master Hu Tu, but she is young and beautiful, with unparalleled charm. Whenever the Second Young Master returns home from his studies abroad, he always spends the night in Miss Ye's room. The household servants, ever perceptive, have always treated Miss Ye as the future mistress and serve her accordingly

No ! ''

The leading servant was enraged by her provocation and said sternly: "I want to know where she is. Do I still need to look for you? Tomorrow, the second young master will be back. If he cannot see Miss Ye, how are you going to explain this to everyone?"

In the moment of pondering with her head tilted, someone whispered urgently in her ear: "Miss, be careful, do not vomit again"

Liu Ying was taken aback, instinctively tightening her grip around his neck, and softly reprimanded him

No one would have expected Hu Tu to be so audacious, silently shattering all the moral codes of the world in a single night

Question: Why does the second young master never smile

If the Master truly enjoys drinking, would there be a shortage at home? What kind of rules are there for not returning at night?

At the Yunhu Mansion, she is, after all, not a legitimate mistress. Second Young Master Hu Tu brought her to the mansion and has not come to the Jingyuan since. The household servants, seeing her smile like Maitreya, regarded her as weak and easy to bully, completely dismissing her. They immediately spoke sternly: "You did a good deed, and yet you dare to ask me? Speak quickly, where exactly is Miss Ye?"

The strong wind swept through, producing a sound of "whoosh—whoosh—" as it flattened the wild grass, creating a wave-like pale white appearance. The old man stood there, his hunched figure resembling the blade freshly drawn from its sheath, with colors so rich they were almost suffocating

At that moment, outside the grass hut, a hunchbacked old man appeared mysteriously.

... ...

The quiet garden is so still that one can only hear the howling of the strong wind outside, and the sound of the grass blades undulating like waves.

"Second... Second Young Master..." The servant still wanted to say something, but Hu Tu's expression was chilling and terrifying. The servant was startled into silence, swallowing hard like a raw egg, his face flushed with embarrassment, and he retreated weakly.

This sentence possesses a marvelous soothing quality, causing a barely perceptible flush to appear on the little lion's face

Rumors are increasingly approaching the truth

After all this commotion, she no longer had the inclination to organize her writing materials

She lowered her head and indicated the position of her shoulder, helplessly explaining: "The second young master was only this tall back then, and now that he has grown so much, it is not surprising that I did not recognize him at first."

A person who is drunk tends to be impatient

Liu Ying moved into Yunhu Mansion, always leading a solitary life.

Hu Tu

Hu Tu kept watching her as she entered the thatched cottage, the dimness of his eyes reflecting a sharp, cold light

Liu Ying's smile became even more radiant upon hearing this

The expressions of the crowd changed dramatically, trembling as they dropped items one after another onto the ground. They could be heard continuously shouting, "Be careful, the glass inside was purchased at a high price by the second young master." "Oh no, that's celadon porcelain, it's very expensive; it would take you a lifetime of wages to compensate for it."

Liu Ying, in a fit of anger, remained silent, while the little lion tried to coax her into speaking

Someone was pressing on her shoulder, seemingly saying something. She did not understand for a moment and secretly used her internal energy to expel a bit of the alcohol's influence. After resting for a while, she finally noticed the sundial gradually shifting and the daylight becoming bright.

This accusation is unfounded and lacks coherence

Having been freed from the clamor, Liu Ying shook her head and departed. Unfortunately, her legs were not very agile, and she nearly stumbled to the ground several times. Hu Tu glanced at her, and the next moment, he suddenly stepped forward and picked her up in his arms.

When Hu Ershao was only nine years old, he indeed only reached Liu Ying's shoulder, but that was many years ago.

The commotion at Yunhu Mansion resembled ink dropped into water. Initially, it was just a front courtyard, but soon the ink spread in the clear water, and the noise of the commotion radiated outward from the front courtyard in all directions.

The leading servant hesitated and explained, "The maids said they couldn't find Miss Ye, so the brothers came here to take a look..." Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of a cane striking the ground sharply echoed, "Thud, thud," as the old man's low, hoarse voice tore through the air like a broken gong.

He knows that she is afraid of the cold, and he is puzzled as to why, since she is afraid of the cold, she does not stay in the quiet garden but instead runs around everywhere

Her concern indicates that she is not entirely indifferent to herself

The breath of the young man approached, carrying a pleasant scent of herbs. The little lion's lips curled into a smile of cunning triumph, "The master is intoxicated, the quiet garden is dense with grass, the student shall naturally escort the master back."

The servants were cursing inwardly, yet not a trace of it showed on their faces, as they stepped aside to let her pass

From a distance, Liu Ying could hear someone in the wind saying: "It is not a matter of trouble, I only ask the young lady to show some mercy and not to torment the second young master any longer, so that I may find peace of mind."

Summary 2: That person in the Quiet Garden is truly ruthless, even the outstanding character of the Second Young Master has fallen into her hands!

But the little lion was not worn down to weakness and melancholy; instead, it became fierce and sullen

All the way to Jingyuan

Liu Ying realized that he had mistakenly consumed the herbal medicine, which transformed into spring medicine due to the interplay of mutual generation and mutual restraint. It was no wonder that the little lion took advantage of the opportunity and devoured him completely. However, when he saw him again, he could not help but feel an extreme sense of strangeness in his heart

It is unclear where Liu Ying has touched him, the little lion's lower abdomen tightened, his eyes suddenly flashed, bright enough to seem as if they could bite, "Master, please do not move around."

Liu Ying pondered somewhat dully. This Hu Tu, every time he returns, makes such a grand show; doesn't he find it exhausting? I wonder what kind of beauty he has brought back this time

The glossy black pupils of Hu Tu shrank sharply.

Liu Ying let out a low sigh in her heart and looked up with a smile, saying: "Chief Steward Qiu, I trouble you once again"

His breath brushed against Liu Ying's earlobe, ambiguous and moist

With such a delicate and feminine face, Hu Tu exudes a faint scent of blood all over his body. Speaking in such a manner, he hardly resembles a good man. It is perplexing why so many women fail to see this, eagerly vying to climb into his bed.

Liu Ying was no exception; a surge of frustration welled up within her, and a wave of sourness suddenly rose in her chest. She opened her mouth and, without further ado, began to vomit. After finally relieving the heaviness in her chest, she wiped the corners of her mouth, stood up, and suddenly felt an astonishing silence surrounding her

It is truly pitiful for the young master to have fallen in love with his own teacher

Liu Ying could hardly have imagined that he would dare to be so reckless and indulgent. His expression immediately darkened as he tightly grasped Hu Tu's collar, resembling a ruffled little beast. Out of anger, a low growl rolled from his throat, "Hu Tu, do not be presumptuous!"

Liu Ying put away the ink and brush on the table, silently observing what they intended to do.

The morning wind howled past Liu Ying's ears, and she had been afraid of the cold since childhood. Even the cool summer breeze could leave her hands and feet icy and her complexion pale

Unfortunately, since Liu Ying moved from the outskirts to Yunhu Mansion, he has continued to act according to his own whims, considering himself a sage. As for the little lion, he behaves as if he is an uninvolved party, as if he has not tarnished anyone's reputation at all. Master Hu and Madam Hu were so angered by their youngest son that they lost their family fortune and decided to wander the world.

The second young master of the family has returned, and he has been given ample face.

In this world, the most terrifying thing is not the blade or poison, but women

Time flies like an arrow, and a white horse passes through a gap.

Liu Ying took a deep breath, the pleasant fragrance of herbs filling his nostrils

Liu Ying did not know what was on Hu Tu's beautiful mind

As soon as the words were spoken, they were met with the merciless ridicule of another person: "Fool, working at the Yunhu Mansion, when have you ever seen the second young master smile?"

Everyone spoke only good things in consideration of Master Hu's reputation

It is a pity that Hu Tu's temperament is too peculiar. Upon hearing her speak, a cold and sharp glance was cast over, and immediately a phrase was thrown out: "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?" You are not a man, how can you understand that for men, the more women, the better? Being a groom every day and changing brides every night, what is wrong with that?

The midnight has passed, and the night is as dark as ink

The Master has spoken too heavily; the student never acts presumptuously, nor does he wish to demand anything from the Master here.

For the past three years, he has been traveling and studying everywhere, returning once every three to five months. Each time he comes back, he brings a girl with him, and these girls share the same name but have different features. The new servants do not understand the reason behind this, unaware of the deep connection between their ethereal young master and the lady from the tranquil garden.

Liu Ying was contemplating when a shadow loomed ahead, backlit by the light. She stepped aside, but it seemed the other party was also yielding, thus still blocking her path.

The old man lowered his head and did not respond, walking extremely slowly step by step, his cane striking the ground with a dull sound, as if it were knocking on his heart. In the blink of an eye, there were no longer any shadows of people in the quiet garden.

In the flickering light of the flames, a sinister face was reflected, and a sharp, piercing voice suddenly rang out, angrily scolding the green-clad woman in the thatched cottage: "Miss, look at the good deed you have done!"

Liu Ying exited through the back door and indulged in a night of drinking, returning in the morning reeking of alcohol

That beautiful face of Zhang Wenxiu, illuminated by her smile, dispelled the gloomy and sinister atmosphere, like sunlight shining on the peach blossoms that bloom in early March. In that moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful, leaving several passing servants in a daze.

A servant harshly exclaimed: "Miss, what do you mean by 'is it wrong'? When has the Second Young Master ever been wrong? It is indeed your fault!"

As a teacher, she feels truly ashamed to have raised such a hedonistic student due to her improper guidance

Having taken too much medicine, he constantly exudes a refreshing scent of medicine throughout the year

Her gaze darkened, yet a joyful smile appeared at the corners of her lips, "Has Miss Ye gone missing again?"

He truly believed that Liu Ying did not care at all about that incident from ten years ago, but he did not expect that she still cared.

One person exclaimed: "The second young master has a truly beautiful smile!"

Mr. and Mrs. Hu originally believed that the raw rice would eventually be cooked, and that the little lion would inevitably marry their daughter

Since then, the little lion seemed to have lost interest in Liu Ying

A person who occasionally visits the King of Hell's hall for tea and reminiscing, over time, would not develop a weak and melancholic disposition; otherwise, it would be truly strange

A clear male voice came from above her head, carrying an indescribable tone of sarcasm, "Master, long time no see. This meeting truly brings a great gift that has left the student quite flattered."

Liu Ying rubbed his forehead, a sharp pain shooting through his temples

Liu Ying, fearing that he might cause a scene, quickly tried to soothe him, saying, "Alright, alright, I misspoke. Young Master Hu Er is indeed wise and formidable; why bother to hold it against me? Besides, who hasn't said something wrong or made a mistake before?"

The atmosphere in Qizhou City has become more open, yet it does not permit disorder among masters and apprentices, especially considering that Liu Ying is five years older than the second young master. Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense, as if invisible blades and shadows were clashing, accompanied by a sense of impending bloodshed and turmoil

In the tranquil garden of dawn, soft light scatters, illuminating the tips of the grass that stand upright, refracting delicate streams of light. When Liu Ying wriggled free from the embrace of the little lion, the little lion still pursed its lips, its bright eyes dark and inexplicably deep.

The person trembled as they extended their hand, pointing towards the Hu Tu

The servants were terrified, scrambling and crawling as they fled through the moon gate.

A person who does not adhere to etiquette has no right to speak of rules

It is precisely because one does not know that one acts without restraint

It is not unusual for the young masters of wealthy families to seek a well-mannered and attractive maid to come of age at the age of thirteen or fourteen. However, the young lion, who had not come of age at thirteen or fourteen, found himself entangled with the most inappropriate person at the age of sixteen

This statement employs both kindness and severity; however, the person making the statement is not suitable, and the target of the statement is even less appropriate

There are no snow-white houses, only dilapidated thatched cottages

Liu Ying helplessly raised her eyes from his embrace, only to see the young man's chin sprouting a faint stubble, while the little lion's brows and eyes remained as elegant as ever, still remarkably refined.

Hu Tu despised her treating him like a child, his expression darkening as he tightly gripped her wrist with one hand, his voice laced with a hint of restrained anger, "Liu Ying! You..."

A fleeting glance reveals a somewhat blurred figure before me

Answer: Perhaps you are somewhat uninformed. Every time the Second Young Master sees Jingyuan, he is always smiling. Even if he does not smile with his mouth, his eyes are smiling. If his eyes do not smile, his heart is still joyful. This morning, I heard from Old Wang's family that the Second Young Master came out of Jingyuan, laughing heartily!

Hu Tu has suffered from a chronic illness since childhood, relying on herbal medicine to sustain his life. Many people say that Hu Tu's brows are heavily laden with a fierce aura, and his entire being exudes a gloomy and lifeless energy. Without proper regulation, he would either become a great talent or a great evil.

These individuals uprooted the wild grass in Jingyuan, overturned the water tank, and scattered the firewood. The originally clean and tidy courtyard was suddenly thrown into chaos, with chickens flying and dogs jumping, leaving it in a state of utter disarray

Miss Ye does not like Liu Ying and has often tried to undermine her both openly and covertly

When the momentum of the crowd weakened, they nearly tucked their tails and fled

She walked towards her grass hut without looking back

The more Hu Tu thought about it, the happier he became, and he simply burst into loud laughter

Before the words had left his mouth, Hu Tu's gaze suddenly sharpened, "Step back!"

Is Miss Ye here

The two individuals, in a state of great confusion, turned back with every step they took, until they collided with a tree once more, tumbling into the lotus pond. Only then did they come to their senses, their faces filled with disarray. They exchanged a glance, resembling ghosts, and scrambled to their feet, fleeing in a flash without a trace.

They possess a rich imagination, capable of disseminating truths and falsehoods. Regardless of whether something is black, white, right, or wrong, once it passes through their imagination and processing, it transforms into terrifying rumors.

In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed; he has grown up, while she has aged.

Liu Ying held a pen, seemingly lost in thought.

The night is cool as water, silent and still

He took two steps back in succession and said weakly: "If you can't find Miss Ye, it's your fault. You... you quickly hand over Miss Ye to me, otherwise when the Second Young Master returns tomorrow, my brothers will file a complaint against you, and you will be immediately packed up and sent away, without even a place to settle down!"

Nonsense! Get back!

The person who does not believe in evil suddenly felt weak in the legs and fell to the ground with a loud "bang," landing in a position reminiscent of a dog eating excrement. "Did I see it wrong... or are we both blinded by lard today?"

When Hu Tu first brought the beauty back, Liu Ying would still say a few words