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墨書 Inktalez
Liu Residence At the entrance, on the street.
Qin Shuying stood with his arms crossed. Opposite him were the Liu Family Three Brothers, their eyes sharp and focused as they argued over a single issue.
This time, General Qin finally understood what it meant to "lift a stone only to drop it on one's own foot."
Faced with the three brothers who were questioning him, he felt somewhat guilty and muttered, "Don't rush. The person will be back soon."
He sighed inwardly, realizing that today was just not his lucky day.
Earlier, he had noticed Huo Yun'ai taking Liu Qingwu somewhere unknown and hurried out to look for them. Little did he know that just as he stepped out the door, he would run into the hurried Liu Family brothers. They were worried about their sister's condition and could no longer wait idly at the tavern. After discussing it, they decided to come to the General's residence to keep her company.
Thus, General Qin found himself stuck at his own doorstep, unable to escape their pressing questions.
Previously, he had forcibly taken Girl away and had promised to return her shortly. Now, with the Brothers searching for her, he couldn't even answer where she currently was.
In desperation, Qin Shuying could only use a delaying tactic, explaining that the physician had already left when he arrived. To fulfill his promise, he had instructed his subordinate to take Liu Qingwu to see the physician. Once the consultation was over, she would naturally be returned as she was.
He wasn't worried that Huo Yun'ai wouldn't bring Liu Qingwu back.
Qin Shuying was a few years older than Huo Yun'ai. He had watched her grow up and knew that with Huo Yun'ai's character, she would definitely return Girl before sunset tonight, whether to Liu Residence or to the General's Residence. Given the current situation, it was possible that His Majesty had taken her somewhere fun.
Though he had an idea of what was happening, how could he convince the three brothers searching for their sister to believe him without any proof? They immediately began to argue with him.
Qin Shuying knew that this matter was indeed handled poorly on his part. So he secretly instructed several subordinates to help find her quickly while he led the three brothers toward Liu Residence. He claimed it was possible that she had already been sent home, trying to get them away from the General's residence as quickly as possible.
All along the way, General Qin did his best to stall for time. But after all, the road was only so long; eventually, they arrived at the entrance of the Liu Family.
The doorman casually asked a few questions, and the brothers understood that their sister had not yet returned home, so they all turned to look at General Qin.
Qin Shuying felt guilty and could only force a smile, saying, "There's no need to worry. She'll be back soon."
How could the three brothers believe him again?
Liu Anfeng, deeply worried, was extremely angry. He couldn't care less about who was in front of him and blurted out, "It's unreasonable for the General. We entrusted our sister to you, and yet you handed her over to who knows whom. How can we feel at ease?"
Qin Shuying also began to feel a bit irritated. With a light scoff, he said, "Don't worry. That person is very reliable. I doubt there are many down here who are more trustworthy than him."
Even though Qin Shuying's last few sentences were heartfelt truths, he had failed to keep his promise earlier. Now, even if he made assurances again, it was all in vain.
Liu Anfeng was impatient and didn't care what Qin Shuying was about; he started arguing right there on the street.
Liu Anzhi and Liu An Ting were also very worried about their sister, but Qin Shuying's words didn't seem like lies. The two decided to wait a little longer to see what would happen. When they saw Liu Anfeng starting to argue, they hurried to pull their younger brother back.
Liu Qingwu and Huo Yun'ai heard the commotion just then.
Seeing Liu Qingwu heading that way, Huo Yun'ai wasted no time and urged her horse forward. However, since there were people on the street, she deliberately slowed down her pace and walked over instead. As she focused her gaze, she soon spotted Qin Shuying.
The sound of hooves hitting the ground created a rhythmic clatter. Even though the voices of the few people were not loud, they still heard this distinctive sound and turned to look. There they saw a fine steed and the young man on it.
Qin Shuying was already filled with pent-up frustration. Although most of it was directed at himself, he was nearly driven mad by holding it in. Now that he saw Huo Yun'ai, he felt relieved but also angry at the same time, almost saying something inappropriate to her.
—This girl was brought here by him. She took someone away without even telling him in advance; how could that be?!
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but General Qin remembered that it was the current ruler, so he had to swallow them back down.
At that moment, Huo Yun'ai dismounted and reached out to catch Liu Qingwu, holding her as she came down. After taking a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped. With one hand supporting Qing Wu and the other pulling up the hood of his cloak, he continued forward.
Seeing Qing Wu again, the Liu Family Three Brothers could no longer hold back and rushed over together.
"Where have you been? Why did it take so long?" Liu An Ting asked, reaching out to take his sister.
Qin Shuying quickly signaled to Huo Yun'ai. But Huo Yun'ai was oblivious to it.
He spoke honestly, "I took A Wu to see the Imperial Physician."
This explanation coincided with the excuse Qin Shuying had given earlier. The Liu brothers had no reason to doubt him.
Huo Yun'ai's cold gaze swept over the three brothers before finally handing Liu Qingwu over to the most composed elder brother, Liu Anzhi.
Liu Anzhi stepped forward to take his sister into his arms, looking at the White-Clad Youth in front of him with confusion.
According to Qin Shuying's explanation, he had sent a subordinate to take Liu Qingwu for a consultation.
However, the youth before him, though young, exuded an inexplicable authority that made one feel intimidated; it was truly difficult to associate him with the "subordinate" mentioned by Qin Shuying.
Just as Liu Anzhi was about to say a few words, he heard a surprised call from behind: "Daughter, you're back? I just heard you were missing; it nearly drove me crazy. Let me see if you were hurt anywhere!"
Accompanied by anxious yet joyful words, the He Family hurried forward. Without paying any attention to anyone else, they embraced Liu Qingwu tightly. Then instinctively, they turned their gaze towards the White-Clad Youth.
The young man stood tall and proud, though he was not very old, he already displayed an air of nobility. He wore a cloak, and the hood obscured most of his face, allowing only a faint glimpse of his features in the shadow cast by the hood.
He Family looked at him intently for a moment and murmured, "This person—"
Hearing her somewhat puzzled words, Liu Qingwu felt a surge of alarm.
Qing Wu knew that Qin Shuying and Liu Fangyi were relatively familiar with each other. If nothing unexpected had happened, Liu Fangyi might have even met Huo Yun'ai. Therefore, it was quite possible that He Family recognized him as well.
As He Family involuntarily stepped forward to take a closer look, Liu Qingwu grew anxious, beads of sweat forming on her nose. She grabbed He Family's arm and, without thinking, called out "Mother."
Just that one word froze He Family in place, unable to move any further.
...
In the evening, the atmosphere in the Liu Residence was filled with joy, dispelling the gloom that had settled after Matriarch and the others arrived. The servants happily exchanged delightful news among themselves.
—Our girl has finally spoken!
Ever since she had been brought in from the door and heard Liu Qingwu's soft call, He Family had held her tightly in her arms, unwilling to let anyone else have her. Occasionally, when maids brought fruits and snacks, He Family would patiently teach Qing Wu how to pronounce the names of these items.
When Qing Wu was beside Huo Yun'ai, it was much easier for her to speak. In front of so many people, she felt somewhat shy. Sometimes she could manage a word or two; other times she couldn't say anything at all.
But those occasional words were enough to bring joy to her family.
He Family instructed the kitchen to prepare more dishes and better food for everyone. Even today’s newcomers, Matriarch, Sister-in-law, and Third Sister-in-law, were not overlooked.
More than half an hour later, the He Family finally grew tired. Seeing their sons eagerly staring at their sister, they smiled and left Qing Wu in the room while they went to check on the preparation of the dishes.
Liu An Ting took the opportunity when both his older brother and younger brother were not around to quietly approach Liu Qing Wu.
"What’s this medicine about?" Liu An Ting asked gently, pulling out a paper packet from his pocket. He whispered to Qing Wu, "The person who sent it to you gave it to me, saying 'remember to apply the medicine,' and then left. There were no further details."
Liu Qing Wu glanced at it and realized it was the medicine that Yue Ying had prepared for her external treatment of her bruise.
Seeing that she remained silent, Liu An Ting pressed on, "Qing Wu, be good and tell me what this is for, and then, um, call me 'brother,' and I will..."
He looked around to confirm there was no one else nearby, pursed his thin lips, cleared his throat softly, and whispered, "...take you to buy some candy? Come on, just call me 'brother,' okay?"
Qing Wu glanced at the paper packet again and then at his slightly nervous expression. She carefully recalled his words and couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
Why did she feel that this Second Brother of hers was a bit confused about priorities?
Calling him 'brother'?
Shouldn't the focus be on explaining the use of the medicine instead...?
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