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Qing Wu was tightly embraced and struggled for half a day without being able to break free.
Upon hearing Huo Yun'ai's question, she could only nestle in the young man's arms, resting her head on his chest, and said, "Since you already know, why ask again?"
When it came to Wen Qingyue, Qing Wu suddenly remembered something. This was something she couldn't discuss with others, but she had no reservations with 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, as well as this time's "unexpected encounter" with the Wu Family.
"...At that time, when Brother Wu asked him, he said he specifically came to the Wu Family to find me. Thinking back on it, it raises questions—how did he know I had gone to my neighbor's house? Moreover, he followed me shortly after I left. If he truly intended to bring silver, why didn't he come when he knew I would definitely be home?"
Even if Huo Yun'ai knew more than most, she couldn't discern every word spoken in private conversations. After hearing Qing Wu's account, she pondered for a moment and finally said, "Let me investigate further." She added, "However, this person may not have a good relationship with Zheng An."
This statement completely surprised Qing Wu, who 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 each time. Instead, he sent a grand gift to the Zheng residence."
"The New Year gift?" Qing Wu considered for a moment before shaking her head. "No. Perhaps it's a thank-you gift for helping to inquire about my whereabouts."
Huo Yun'ai nodded gently. "This morning, Zheng An sent someone again to invite him over for a chat. He declined once more 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 his refusal to visit also showed that their relationship was indeed not very good.
However, as Zheng An was the Imperial Teacher, people 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 and is now a general in court; many of his former subordinates are still around. Although the old man is getting on in years, his prestige remains undiminished."
Qing Wu understood that the old man Huo Yun'ai mentioned was Wen Qingyue's grandfather, Zhenyuan Marquis.
The Marquis and Madam Hou shared a deep bond and had only one son. Many years ago, the father and son had a dispute, and out of anger, the son left home with his wife and daughter, cutting off all ties with the Marquisate.
With his son not returning home 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 ten pages, pleading with His Majesty to revoke his son's right to inherit the title and pass the position of Heir Apparent to his only grandson, Wen Qingyue.
Now, the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion was supported by the grandfather and grandson duo.
"Wen Qingyue's whip technique was personally taught by the old man; it must be quite impressive."
After 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, you mustn't pay him too much attention."
Qing Wu was still pondering Wen Qingyue's peculiarities and instinctively nodded in agreement. She then asked, "Why?"
"He has approached you several times, clearly with ulterior motives. You..."
Huo Yun'ai looked at the girl's beautiful appearance and her occasionally clear yet sometimes hazy eyes. After pausing for a moment, she said, "You usually have no guard against others; I'm just reminding you not to fall into his trap."
Qing Wu found it amusing.
Did she really have "no guard against others"?
Huo Yun'ai was clearly worrying too much.
However, Wen Qingyue's actions were too secretive, and she didn't have a very good impression of him either. So she agreed without further argument with Huo Yun'ai.
Once the matter was settled, Qing Wu prepared to get up and leave. Just as she had this thought, a sudden whirlwind spun around her, and she found herself tightly embraced.
"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 chuckle 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 indeed a bit tiring for her.
Once he realized this, he didn't dwell on it any longer and immediately released his arms.
Qing Wu finally gained her freedom and was overjoyed. She quickly tried to move out of his embrace. Just as she was about to sit beside him, a strong force came from behind. Before she could move a few inches, she was lifted into the air and then fell 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 just now; this should be better."
"How is this more comfortable?" Qing Wu felt unsteady and was afraid of falling and hurting herself, so she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "Isn't this 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 quite satisfied with this close embrace.
Last time in the palace when he held her like this, 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 lean down slightly to reach her ear or the side of her lips.
It was truly wonderful.
The youth 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 until Huo Yun'ai reluctantly let go of Qing Wu, allowing her to leave.
Qing Wu felt a bit flushed, knowing that her face must be completely red now.
She feared that if she returned like this, her family would notice something unusual. So she greeted Dou Mama and, upon entering the estate, took a winding path back to her courtyard.
First, it could help avoid being seen by others. She didn't want her current appearance to be noticed and raise suspicions. Second, by taking this roundabout way, the cold wind would help her recover somewhat. 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 an unoccupied path. She had no choice but to choose 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 path precisely because it was extremely secluded, with even the grass and trees not being well maintained, so it was unlikely anyone would come by.
Now that Dou Mama had spotted Liu Anfeng, Qing Wu was surprised as well. Fearing that Dou Mama might have made a mistake, she hurriedly looked in the direction indicated.
Sure enough, the Heroic Youth was crouching down against the wall, moving cautiously. Even in this remote place, he was still looking 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, so he did not notice them.
Dou Mama watched as Liu Anfeng headed towards the direction they had come from, realizing that it led out of the estate. She was immediately astonished but did not want to be discovered by the young man at that moment. So she silently pointed back towards their path and gave Qing Wu a knowing glance.
Qing Wu understood that Dou Mama meant for Liu Anfeng to avoid being seen while trying to sneak out.
She initially sighed with a smile, thinking that Liu Anfeng wanted to sneak out to play and planned to ignore it. Just as she was about to step 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 belonging to the Wenwu Brothers that he had knocked out.
From this perspective, he had developed a significant grudge against those brothers. If he sneaked out without informing anyone at home and encountered some trouble, what would happen then?
Those twins were not good people. If they set their sights on him, it wouldn't end well. Moreover, in recent years, the Third Branch had established itself 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 also knew that discussing the matter of those teeth with her family wasn't advisable for now. Furthermore, her current concerns were merely her own thoughts without any solid evidence.
After contemplating this, she decided it would be best not to alarm her family just yet and first find Liu Anfeng to bring him back.
She searched along the road leading out of the mansion, 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 quite prudent in his actions these past few years. With the New Year approaching, he should be fine."
However, Qing Wu still felt uneasy. After some consideration, she made up her mind.
"No."
She looked around at the festive surroundings. "Call for a carriage. I think I should go find 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, 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 dim sum shop in hopes of finding him.
After driving two or three streets without seeing any sign of him, she began to think that perhaps she had chosen the wrong route. Just as she was considering whether to have the driver turn around and take another path, she heard faint sounds of an argument coming from the alleyway ahead.
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