Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Liang Hai and Peach Silk were extremely grateful for Qing Wu's willingness to help, and they immediately agreed to assist her. They decided that whoever found the person first would call out to notify the others, and everyone dispersed to search the area.
Dou Mama held Qing Wu carefully as they walked.
Although the forest was not very dense, the trees were scattered at varying heights, making it difficult to see all the details between the plants. If it were just her alone, it would be one thing, but with the young lady in her arms, she had to be cautious and attentive with every step.
Earlier, Qing Wu insisted on coming along to see for herself. After some thought, Dou Mama supported her decision. After all, Liu Anfeng had acted because of Qing Wu's situation. Moreover, if they truly found Third Young Master, Liang Hai might not be able to persuade him to return. Having the young lady there would help in convincing him.
Dou Mama thought this way because she felt that Liu Anfeng cared for Qing Wu deeply, like two brothers. However, Qing Wu understood that Liu Anfeng's feelings toward her were not quite the same.
She remembered Liu Anfeng's previous rejection of her. His change in attitude seemed to have begun after that day when Brothers took her out and handed her over to Qin Shuying but then lost her.
Then came Liu Anmeng.
Liu Anfeng would occasionally mention Qing Wu to annoy Liu Anmeng. For instance, he would praise Qing Wu's beauty whenever he saw Liu Anmeng. Whenever Liu Anmeng had something, Liu Anfeng would exaggerate that Qing Wu had even more and better things than Liu Anmeng, insisting on making that proud girl stomp her feet in frustration.
Most of these things were done behind Qing Wu's back. After such incidents, Liu Anfeng would be more attentive and kind toward Qing Wu.
Compared to sibling affection, his feelings for her seemed more like a way to make up for his guilt.
In this situation, Qing Wu couldn't gauge how effective her attempts to persuade him would be. However, just thinking about how the young man fought for her made her heart warm; she felt she had to come here for peace of mind.
Both Qing Wu and Dou Mama were visiting this forest for the first time and were unfamiliar with the path, so they could only walk slowly deeper into it. They frequently looked around, hoping to catch sight of Liu Anfeng.
Suddenly, a series of striking sounds echoed through the tranquil forest. The noise was not loud but was continuous and rustling.
Dou Mama furrowed her brow tightly; her grip on Qing Wu tightened as they continued deeper into the woods. Qing Wu also held onto Dou Mama tightly, staring intently in the direction of the sound without blinking.
The noise grew closer. Dou Mama lightened her steps and slowed down as they approached. Once they got close enough for clarity, they could discern that it was the sound of a knife or axe striking branches above.
The expressions of both women relaxed significantly at that moment. As they moved forward, their concerns lessened considerably.
Before long, a Azure Robed Youth appeared in their line of sight.
He was about ten years old, similar in age to Liu An Ting, with a slender build and an elegant demeanor. However, he was incongruously wielding an axe, slowly chopping at a tree that was about his height, his expression focused and serious.
As Dou Mama approached, he looked over warily. Upon seeing that it was a woman holding a girl, he relaxed his guard and smiled at them.
Dou Mama glanced at the tree he was chopping.
She noticed it was a dead tree that needed to be cut down, realizing that the boy was not acting recklessly. Dou Mama then said, “I wonder if you have seen a young man pass by here?” After considering for a moment, she added, “He is the Third Young Master of our Liu Residence. I wonder if you know him.”
The boy pressed his lips together tightly, shook his head, and lowered it again to continue focusing on his task.
His eyebrows were light, and the corners of his eyes slightly raised. Watching him concentrate so earnestly on what he was doing created a serene beauty reminiscent of a painting.
Qing Wu looked at him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze to observe her surroundings again.
Just when she thought Dou Mama would leave immediately, she heard Dou Mama say, “It is rare for the sons of officials to devote their thoughts to martial arts or the Imperial Examination. It is truly commendable that you spend your time and energy on plants.”
Qing Wu looked at Dou Mama in surprise.
She knew that Dou Mama had come from the palace and was always cautious with her words. She hadn’t expected her to initiate a conversation with a stranger.
After hearing Dou Mama's words, the boy gently set the axe aside and replied with a smile, “I have loved being around plants since I was young. My mother probably thinks it relates to my overly quiet nature.”
“I wonder how many types you can recognize now?”
“Not too many types. However, for every one I know, I must study it thoroughly. For example, this forest is something I envisioned and had arranged into its current form.”
As he spoke about his hobby, a faint blush appeared on the boy's face. Yet in his eyes shone unwavering determination and confidence.
Dou Mama was genuinely surprised and sincerely sighed, "Young Master has a good temperament."
She glanced at the pile of Withered Leaf beside her and said, "What a coincidence. Our lady is just thinking of tidying up the West Courtyard for the young lady to live in. We should be inviting the Carpenter to come and fix it up in the next couple of days. Now that we have encountered the Young Master, it's just right to ask what is needed for the courtyard..."
"What? The West Courtyard is going to be for her? Is that true!" A loud shout interrupted Dou Mama's unfinished words.
A young boy suddenly jumped up, throwing aside the pile of Withered Leaf. He pulled at his wound and gasped in pain. After gritting his teeth and managing to recover, he limped over to Dou Mama, glaring at Qing Wu and asked, "Is Mother really giving the West Courtyard to you?"
It was none other than the runaway Third Young Master Liu Anfeng.
Upon seeing him, Qing Wu was too surprised to feel joy, as she was taken aback by his colorful appearance.
—At this moment, his eyes were swollen, his cheekbones bruised, and even his cheeks bore red marks from punches. There were two streaks of dried blood under his nose that hadn't been wiped clean. He looked utterly disheveled.
Qing Wu felt both grateful and guilty, unable to help but call out "Brother San."
Her soft voice drew the attention of the nearby Azure Robed Youth.
However, Liu Anfeng ignored him and repeated his earlier question: "Is Mother really giving the West Courtyard to you? Is that true!"
Qing Wu had not heard about this before. But since Dou Mama spoke cautiously, and if she could mention it to outsiders, it must be quite certain. So she hesitated for a moment before nodding gently and softly saying "mm."
"Haha! I knew it! Mother treats you so well; she must have thought of a way to suppress that dead Girl. Indeed! Indeed! Let her be arrogant again? Hmph!"
Liu Anfeng laughed heartily but suddenly winced as he pulled at his facial injury, causing his expression to change instantly. Forgetting everything else, he raised his hand to cover the painful spot on his face, groaning in discomfort.
The Azure Robed Youth quickly stepped forward, wanting to check on Liu Anfeng's injury, but he was forcefully pushed away: "I'm fine! It's nothing serious. Wu Linxi, you should just go about your business!"
In just a couple of sentences, it was clear that they knew each other. Moreover, before hiding under the Withered Leaf, Liu Anfeng had shown him his injury.
Wu Linxi also noticed this, feeling embarrassed and turning red, slightly lowering his head to look at the ground in front of him, not daring to glance over at Qing Wu.
Qing Wu noticed and quietly recited the words she was about to say in her heart before slowly saying, "Thank you, Wu Young Master."
Her voice was as soft as before, with unclear enunciation, yet it carried a different kind of cuteness.
Wu Linxi felt guilty for her "thank you," and the flush on his face deepened as he lowered his head even more. Then he recalled that her words were somewhat different from those of ordinary people, and he realized that the girl in front of him was probably the Fifth Young Lady from Liu Residence that everyone had mentioned.
Feeling pity for her background, Wu Linxi quickly looked over and said, "It's nothing. You don't need to take it to heart." He then caught sight of Liu Anfeng and remembered how he had lied earlier; he sighed softly and turned his face away.
Liu Anfeng, however, did not think too much about it.
In his happiness, he had already forgotten about exposing their whereabouts. He was gasping for breath while smiling at Qing Wu, saying, "Let's go! Let's head back! Let's see what else those envious ones have up their sleeves! They won't be able to stand it!"
After just a couple of steps, Liu Anfeng stumbled and nearly fell. Fortunately, Dou Mama was quick-witted; she held onto Qing Wu with one hand and reached out to grab him with the other, preventing him from falling.
Even so, the sudden movement caused pain in his injuries, and Liu Anfeng's face turned pale as he grimaced in pain.
Wu Linxi quickly dropped everything he was holding and helped him walk slowly for a couple of steps. Seeing that he couldn't walk on his own, he worriedly said, "How about I take you back? It would also give me a chance to plead with Aunt Liu for you."
Comment 0 Comment Count