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墨書 Inktalez
Qing Wu was tightly held and struggled for half a day but could not break free.
Upon hearing Huo Yun'ai's question, she could only nestle in the boy's arms and lean against his chest, saying, "Since you already know, why ask again?"
When it came to Wen Qingyue, Qing Wu suddenly remembered something. This was something she could not discuss with others, but she had no reservations about Huo Yun'ai, so she said, "The two times I encountered Wen Heir were quite strange."
"How so?"
Qing Wu thought for a moment and recounted how she had been stopped at the corner of Northwest Street before and this time had an "unexpected encounter" with the Wu Family.
"...When Brother Wu asked him about it, he said he specifically came to the Wu Family to find me. Thinking carefully, it is puzzling—how did he know I went to my neighbor's house? Moreover, he followed me shortly after I left. If he truly intended to return the silver, why didn't he come when he knew I would be home?"
Even if Huo Yun'ai knew more, she could not grasp every word spoken in private conversations. After listening to Qing Wu, she pondered for a moment before finally saying, "Let me investigate further." She added, "However, this person may not have a good relationship with Zheng An."
This statement completely surprised Qing Wu, and she immediately asked, "Why is that?"
"He just arrived in the capital yesterday and checked into an inn. Zheng An invited him to stay at his residence three or four times within half a day, but he politely declined. He only sent a grand gift to the Zheng residence."
"The New Year's gift?" Qing Wu considered for a moment and immediately rejected that idea. "No, perhaps it's a thank-you gift for helping to inquire about my whereabouts."
Huo Yun'ai gently nodded. "This morning, Zheng An sent someone again to invite him over. He once again declined and instead went to Wu Manor to look for you."
Qing Wu was astonished.
If he was unwilling to stay at the Zheng residence out of fear of disturbing others during the New Year celebrations, then refusing to visit as well showed that their relationship was indeed not very good.
However, as Zheng An was the Imperial Teacher, others usually took the initiative to get close to him. It was rare for him to be so eager to win someone over.
Huo Yun'ai smiled at Qing Wu's question and said, "His grandfather has great military achievements; many of the current generals in court were once his subordinates. Now that the old man is getting older, his prestige remains undiminished."
Qing Wu understood that the old man Huo Yun'ai referred to was Wen Qingyue's grandfather, Zhenyuan Marquis.
The Marquis and Madam Hou were deeply affectionate towards each other and had only one son. Many years ago, the father and son had a dispute, and out of spite, the son left home with his wife and daughter, cutting off all ties with the Marquisate.
With his son away for many years, the Marquis gradually lost hope. Last year, he reported this matter to the court, submitting a tearful and lengthy document filled with over a dozen pages, pleading with His Majesty to revoke his son's title of succession and pass the position of Heir Apparent to his only grandson, Wen Qingyue.
Now, this Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion was supported by the two of them, Grandfather and Grandson.
"Wen Qingyue's whip technique was personally taught by the old man; it must be quite remarkable."
Once Huo Yun'ai finished speaking, she fell silent for a moment before suddenly changing the subject. "If that Wen Qingyue comes looking for you again, don't pay him too much attention."
Qing Wu was still thinking about Wen Qingyue's peculiarities and instinctively nodded in agreement. She then asked, "Why?"
"He has approached you several times; clearly, he has ulterior motives. You..."
Huo Yun'ai looked at the girl's beautiful appearance and her occasionally clear yet sometimes hazy eyes. After a pause, she said, "You usually have no guard against others. I'm just reminding you not to fall for his tricks."
Qing Wu found it amusing and exasperating.
Did she really have "no guard against others"?
Huo Yun'ai was clearly worrying too much.
However, since Wen Qingyue's actions were too secretive, she didn't have a very good impression of him either. So she agreed without further argument with Huo Yun'ai.
After finishing their conversation, Qing Wu prepared to get up and leave. Just as she had this thought, she suddenly felt herself tightly embraced by someone.
"Y-You let go of me."
As she struggled while saying this, there was a hint of resentment in her voice. Upon hearing this, Huo Yun'ai couldn't help but laugh lightly again.
"What's wrong? Don't you like this?"
"I don't like it," Qing Wu pushed him and said, "It's too awkward."
Huo Yun'ai thought about it for a moment, and it was indeed true.
The carriage was not like being indoors. This sideways embrace was quite tiring for her.
Once he realized this, he stopped dwelling on it and immediately released his arms.
Qing Wu finally gained her freedom and was overjoyed, quickly moving out of his embrace. Just as she was about to sit beside him, she was suddenly lifted off the ground. Before she could move a few inches away, she was swept back into that familiar embrace.
Qing Wu helplessly said, "What's the difference?"
"Naturally, it's different," Huo Yun'ai reached out and pulled her to sit on his lap, smiling as he said, "You weren't comfortable like that; this should be better."
"How is this more comfortable?" Qing Wu felt unstable and was afraid of falling and hurting herself, so she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "Isn't it still very awkward?" After saying that, she shifted slightly and realized that it was indeed much more comfortable than before.
Huo Yun'ai, however, was very satisfied with this close embrace.
The last time he held her like this in the palace, he discovered the charm of this position.
She had a delicate figure; sitting on his lap nestled in his arms required little effort from him. He only needed to lower his head slightly to reach her ear or the side of her lips.
It was truly wonderful.
The young man was at an age full of vigor. With the two of them together, it inevitably led to another round of intimacy.
They whispered sweet nothings for a while longer before Huo Yun'ai reluctantly let go of Qing Wu, allowing her to leave.
Qing Wu felt a bit flushed and knew her face must be bright red now.
Afraid that returning like this would raise suspicions with her family, she greeted Dou Mama and immediately took a winding path back to the courtyard upon entering the estate.
First, it could help avoid being seen by others. She didn't want her current appearance to be noticed and raise suspicions. Second, taking this winding path would allow her to recover somewhat after being exposed to the cold wind. By the time she reached the courtyard, at least her complexion would look more normal and less flushed.
During the New Year period, the estate was bustling with busy servants. It was quite difficult to find a path without people around, so she had no choice but to take the most difficult route.
The two of them walked slowly inside, discussing how to decorate the West Courtyard. Suddenly, Dou Mama stopped responding to Qing Wu and pointed to a distant spot, whispering, "Miss, look over there. Is that the Third Young Master?"
Qing Wu chose this route precisely because it was extremely secluded, with even the grass and trees not properly maintained, making it unlikely for anyone to come by.
Now that Dou Mama had spotted Liu Anfeng, Qing Wu was surprised as well. Fearing that Dou Mama might be mistaken, she hurriedly looked in the direction indicated.
Sure enough, the Heroic Youth was crouching against the wall, moving cautiously. Even in this remote area, he was still glancing around vigilantly.
Fortunately, Qing Wu and Dou Mama were currently beside a row of Weeping Willows. The tree trunks and swaying Willow Branches provided cover, allowing them to remain unnoticed.
Dou Mama watched as Liu Anfeng headed toward the direction they had come from, realizing that it led out of the estate. She was immediately astonished but didn't want to be discovered by the young man at this moment. So she silently pointed back along their path and gave Qing Wu a knowing glance.
Qing Wu understood that Dou Mama meant Liu Anfeng seemed about to sneak out.
She initially sighed with a smile, thinking Liu Anfeng intended to sneak out for some fun and planned to ignore it. Just as she was about to step further inside, something suddenly caught her attention, preventing her from moving forward.
Liu Anfeng had shown her a paper-wrapped bundle containing several teeth yesterday. Specifically, they were teeth knocked out from Wenwu Brothers.
From this perspective, he must have developed a significant grudge against those brothers. If he sneaked out without informing his family and ran into trouble, what would happen then?
Those twins were not good people. If they targeted him, things would not end well. Moreover, in recent years, the Third Branch had established themselves in the capital while their First Branch had just returned; everything was still unstable.
After sorting through these thoughts, Qing Wu made up her mind to call Liu Anfeng back. However, when she turned around to look for him, she couldn't find the young man's figure anymore.
Worried in her heart, Qing Wu knew that discussing the matter of those teeth with her family wasn't advisable for now. Furthermore, her current concerns were merely assumptions without any solid evidence.
After contemplating this, she decided it was best not to alarm her family just yet and first find Liu Anfeng to call him back.
She searched along the road leading out of the residence, but by the time she reached the gate, she still hadn't found anyone. She asked the servants nearby, but none of them had seen the Third Young Master.
Dou Mama, unaware that Liu Anfeng and the Wenwu Brothers had fallen out again, advised, "Miss, why don't you just go back? The Third Young Master has been very prudent in his actions these past few years. With the New Year approaching, he should be fine."
Qing Wu, however, was still somewhat uneasy. After considering it for a moment, she made up her mind.
"No."
She looked around at the festive surroundings. "Call for a carriage. I think I should go look for him."
Though Dou Mama was reluctant to let her go out again like this, she ultimately did not oppose her wishes. After hesitating for a moment, she agreed and went to make arrangements.
Instead of using Qing Wu's usual elegant carriage, they took a common black lacquered carriage often seen on the streets. As they traveled along the road, unless one paid attention to the insignia, it would be hard to tell which family's carriage it was.
Qing Wu had no idea whether Liu Anfeng had ridden out on horseback or walked. She didn't even know which route he had taken. She could only instruct the driver to follow the road from their home to the Third Branch's snack shop in hopes of finding him.
After driving two or three streets without seeing any sign of him, she began to think that she might have chosen the wrong path. Just as she was contemplating whether to have the driver turn around and take another route, she heard faint sounds of an argument coming from the alleyway ahead.
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