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墨書 Inktalez
Qin Shuying came to find Huo Yun'ai, and as soon as he reached the palace gate, he was stopped by Uncle Yu.
General Qin looked up, squinting at the bright sun hanging in the sky. He crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar, half-smiling as he said, "Eunuch Yu, isn't it a bit late for this? Even if His Majesty is resting at noon, he must have already gotten up by now. Since that's the case, you've delayed important matters; are you responsible for that?"
"His Majesty is busy," Uncle Yu replied with a smile. "Young Lady Liu has returned. His Majesty is teaching her how to write."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shuying raised an eyebrow and said happily, "The girl hasn't left yet?"
He knew that Huo Yun'ai had encountered some trouble when she went out of the palace to meet Qing Wu and that Qing Wu had been taken away by Huo Yun'ai. Previously, Dou Mama had sent those people to Jingzhao Prefecture and then sought his help.
He just didn't expect to run into that girl here.
The general smiled broadly and patted Uncle Yu on the shoulder. "I came here today specifically because of the matter concerning the girl. It's just the right time to go in now."
With this statement, Uncle Yu was unsure whether to stop him or let him pass. After considering that General Qin was a close friend of His Majesty, he hesitated but ultimately stepped aside.
He had intended to inform them in advance, but Qin Shuying was quicker. As soon as he agreed, he pushed open the palace door and walked inside.
Upon entering and glancing around, General Qin was momentarily stunned.
By the window at a desk stood two people.
A girl in a lotus-colored dress with a delicate figure was earnestly writing with a brush.
A tall young man stood behind her, slightly leaning forward. He held the girl's hand with his right hand, guiding her writing while softly murmuring in her ear as if giving her pointers.
The girl nodded gently and soon revealed a radiant smile of realization.
The young man quietly gazed at her, a gentle and warm smile spreading across his face.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the two of them.
Both were exceptionally good-looking. The sight of them smiling at each other was undeniably beautiful.
However, after a moment of daze, Qin Shuying's expression darkened instantly.
He raised his hand and forcefully knocked on the palace door, startling both of them.
Qing Wu did not expect someone to suddenly enter. After a brief pause, she quickly reacted, withdrawing her hand from Huo Yun'ai's and blushing as she turned away from her, bowing slightly to Qin Shuying before heading into the inner chamber.
Qin Shuying looked at her retreating figure and then turned to Huo Yun'ai. "What are you two doing?"
"Practicing calligraphy. There were some details she didn't handle properly, so I made a few corrections," Huo Yun'ai replied calmly. "What brings you here?"
"You mentioned sending someone to Jingzhao Prefecture and then only focused on the girl without caring about that side. Dou Mama had no choice but to come find me at the Ministry of Justice," Qin Shuying said, raising his chin toward the inner chamber. "The girl is getting older; if you keep this up, it won't be good."
"What’s wrong with that?" Huo Yun'ai replied nonchalantly before asking seriously, "How is it going over in Jingzhao Prefecture?"
"Look at you; you can already marry. In another couple of years, the girl will also need to get married. Is this appropriate? The Jingzhao Yin has temporarily detained those people; there hasn't been a conclusion yet. Dou Mama filled me in on the situation, and I wanted to ask your opinion."
As soon as Huo Yun'ai heard the words "marry," she frowned and directly changed the subject. "How is the investigation into that previous matter going?"
Hearing Huo Yun'ai mention the case he had been investigating for a long time, Qin Shuying's expression shifted immediately as he said in a low voice, "There hasn't been a conclusion yet, but there are some leads."
After a moment of silence, Huo Yun'ai suddenly said, "Keep a close watch on Liu Fangshi."
“Liu Fangshi? Girl's Uncle San?” Qin Shuying wondered, “He’s just a snack vendor…”
“If a snack vendor can make the Du Family, who runs the Golden Tower, treat him with such respect, and even the Du Family daughter doesn’t openly oppose him, what do you think?”
Qin Shuying stroked her chin, “Is that so? That’s quite interesting. I’ll have someone look into it more closely.”
With that, General Qin focused entirely on this matter and turned to leave after bidding farewell to Huo Yun'ai.
His diversion caused a delay. If Qing Wu didn’t head home soon, she might miss dinner.
Huo Yun'ai had no choice but to let her leave the realm of the Spirit Masters.
Originally, Qing Wu planned to return home alone, and Huo Yun'ai had already agreed.
But as she watched the girl get into the carriage and pull down the curtain, disappearing from her sight, Huo Yun'ai suddenly felt a surge of unclear emotions.
There was a sense of loss, a touch of sadness, and more than anything, concern.
Even before they had truly parted ways, she was already missing her every smile and frown.
This feeling of concern was somewhat different from the past few years. Yet she couldn’t pinpoint exactly how it was different.
The Young Emperor didn’t have time to think deeply and instantly changed his mind.
As soon as the whip fell and the carriage started moving, he lifted the curtain and jumped onto the carriage.
Qing Wu was organizing the calligraphy practice he had just written for her. Suddenly, a white figure flashed beside her, and she realized he had already sat down in front of her, startling her. “What are you doing—”
"I'll see you off."
Seeing her appear right in front of him again, Huo Yun'ai's previously restless heart gradually calmed down.
He smiled lightly as he sat down in front of her, taking the paper with words from her hand and slowly helping her organize it.
Once everything was in order, Huo Yun'ai placed the items down and turned to see the girl sitting upright beside him.
He couldn't help but laugh, gently pulling her into his embrace. "The carriage is already bumpy. Since I'm here, why must you sit like that?"
"But this isn't right." Qing Wu struggled a bit but couldn't break free, feeling somewhat defeated as she said, "You saw General Qin's expression earlier. We have grown up. This way, it's not appropriate."
"So you don't want to be seen by others." Huo Yun'ai began to understand, realizing that she had always been shy. He couldn't help but smile. "I promise I won't act like this in front of others in the future. You can rest assured now, right?"
Qing Wu remained silent.
She was thinking about how to explain it to him.
Seeing the girl's hesitant demeanor, Huo Yun'ai paused for a moment, a hint of melancholy appearing in his eyes. "Or perhaps you've grown distant from me and no longer wish to be as close as before?"
His words carried some weight.
Qing Wu quickly replied, "No," but she didn't know how to explain it to him clearly without making him sad.
After pondering for a while, Qing Wu could only sigh inwardly and think that for now, it would be best to leave it as it is. She would find a way to clarify things later.
Huo Yun'ai couldn't reveal himself in front of everyone at Liu Residence. Therefore, the black carriage stopped at the corner of the street next to Liu Residence, and Qing Wu got out of the carriage.
As soon as the girl disappeared from sight, Huo Yun'ai suddenly felt that overwhelming sense of longing arise inexplicably again. The feeling was so intense that he couldn't leave immediately.
So he ordered the car to stop for a moment. He quietly lifted a corner of the car curtain and gazed silently at the girl's retreating figure.
Qing Wu had only taken a few steps when she heard someone calling her from the side. Immediately after, there were hurried footsteps approaching.
She turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw a young boy standing about three feet in front of her, panting and wearing a joyful expression.
"Qing Wu, you are Mistress Wu, right?"
The boy had fair skin with a hint of pink, showing a bit of shyness and nervousness. "I thought it looked like you, so I... I came after you."
Over the years, his handsome features had not changed much.
Qing Wu recognized him at a glance and exclaimed in surprise, "Wu Linxi? Is that you?"
In her excitement, she forgot to call him "Brother Wu" as she had in previous years and directly used his name.
Wu Linxi was not at all annoyed; instead, he was very happy that she still recognized him after all these years. He nodded eagerly, "It's me. I heard just yesterday that you moved back, but I didn't expect to run into you today. What a coincidence."
He felt somewhat moved and sighed, "I remember when you were just so little and didn't stay here long. I never thought you would still remember me."
Qing Wu smiled and said, "Brother Wu gave me two Green Plums back then; I've always remembered that. It's just a pity that the Northwest is too far away for me to take them with me."
"Is it because of this that you remember me?" As he recalled the past, the handsome boy's brows relaxed into a smile, losing some of his earlier nervousness. "Then those two Green Plums were worth it. After you left, I moved them back again. If you have time, I'll take you to see them. Before long, when December comes around, I'll move them back to you."
Qing Wu hurriedly replied, "Just looking is fine. I don't have the ability to take care of them."
"It’s nothing. Just a few flowers and plants. Now I have a whole garden of Green Plums, with more than twenty trees. I’ll send you a few more."
Qing Wu knew that Wu Linxi was always sincere with people, so she figured he would take this to heart and do it seriously. After repeatedly declining, it would be inappropriate to refuse any further.
Thus, she smiled and replied, "Thank you, Brother Wu."
Seeing her agree, Wu Linxi nodded happily.
At the street corner, inside a black carriage, the Young Emperor had been watching the scene unfolding in front of Liu Residence without blinking. It wasn't until the girl and the young man said their goodbyes that he slowly lowered the window curtain.
Then he furrowed his brows tightly and murmured, "...Why is it taking so long?"
The driver was Huo Yun'ai's trusted aide, Mu Hai.
Hearing the words from inside the carriage, Mu Hai thought it was Huo Yun'ai worrying about Qing Wu being unable to withstand the cold outside, so he smiled and reassured him, "There’s no need for concern, my lord. The young lady and that young man have only been together for a short while, just a cup of tea's time; it’s not long at all, and she won’t catch a chill."
Just a cup of tea's time?
Huo Yun'ai found it hard to believe.
He felt that Qing Wu and that young man had spent too long together. He had waited for what felt like three nights just to see them part.
While he was pondering this, he heard Mu Hai continue, "By the way, that young man is someone you know; he is the legitimate son of Lord Wu from next door. Years ago, when he gifted two beloved Green Plum trees to the young lady, you praised him for being thoughtful."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yun'ai's expression became difficult to read.
It turned out that the other party had known Qing Wu for six years already. Moreover, their connection ran quite deep.
A moment later.
"Investigate this person thoroughly!" Young Emperor commanded coldly.
"Investigate... him?" Mu Hai was surprised. What was there to investigate about a studious young man? Nevertheless, he took the order seriously and replied, "I will obey."
Huo Yun'ai then secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She lightly tapped on the car window, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in every battle.
As for what kind of "victory" he was trying to achieve by doing this—
Young Emperor pondered all the way but could not reach a final conclusion.
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