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墨書 Inktalez
When Qing Wu returned home, everyone at Liu Residence became busy. Liu Fangyi and her three sons all took leave to prepare to send them out of the city.
After looking around, Qing Wu did not see Zheng Ning. After asking the brothers, she learned that he had not left the courtyard today and had already stated that he would be studying inside, so he would not join them for the farewell.
Qing Wu did not expect that Zheng Ning seemed to have no intention of seeing her off even for a final glance before leaving. Feeling puzzled, she hurried to his courtyard to find him.
Whether in the northwest or in the capital, Zheng Ning's courtyard was not guarded against Qing Wu. While others might need to report first, Qing Wu entered as if it were an uninhabited place, free to come and go as she pleased.
Qing Wu saw a figure moving by the window of the study and went straight over without thinking, pushing the door open and saying, "Sir, are you really not going to see me off?"
Zheng Ning had already seen her coming through the window and immediately replied, "Of course not."
"But it’s only been delayed for more than an hour; don’t you care?"
Hearing her displeasure, Zheng Ning had to explain, "What is there to see in parting? I would rather wait for you to return and pick you up. Even if I have to wait three nights, it’s better than watching your back for three hours now."
Qing Wu couldn’t help but laugh at this: "What you said is a bit hard to understand."
Yet her eyes kept glancing at his book, clearly suspecting that his previous words were just a cover and that this book was the real reason he was staying indoors.
Zheng Ning simply placed the book in front of her, allowing her to look at it freely.
When Qing Wu took a look, she found it was a book for examination preparation and felt immediately uninterested. Then she was surprised and asked, "Are you really going to participate in the Autumn Examination?"
"Of course."
Zheng Ning lightly tapped her forehead with the book and huffed, "Do I not look like someone who can study seriously?"
Qing Wu pursed her lips and smiled, "Not really."
Then she looked him up and down, noticing that he was now dressed neatly and no longer appeared as carefree as before. She couldn’t help but be curious and walked around him twice.
Before the second round was finished, Zheng Ning pulled her back.
Before she could react, Zheng Ning had already reached behind her neck to adjust her slightly ruffled clothing. When his fingertips retracted, he paused for a moment, seemingly unintentionally, and gently brushed against her cheek.
In the six years in the northwest, he and she had faced each other daily, and this act of adjusting her clothing had happened countless times. Qing Wu didn't think much of it and instead eagerly said, "Since you don't want to see the scene of parting, why not come with me to the Marquisate? The Southwest is still somewhat fun. Don't you enjoy traveling? It would be nice to go together and take a break."
Seeing the girl’s somewhat eager demeanor, Zheng Ning realized she was nervous. He understood that this was likely her main purpose for coming.
Indeed. Even though the Wen Family was her original home, so what? After all, it was the Liu Family that raised her.
Liu Anfeng originally thought that since he was the least accomplished among his brothers, it wouldn't matter if he delayed for a while, especially since he knew some martial arts. So he volunteered to take his sister there. However, the Liu Family feared that the Wen Family Ancestors and Descendants might mind, and after consideration, they ultimately did not agree to him going.
Now that Qing Wu suddenly found herself in a completely unfamiliar environment without any close relatives accompanying her for many years, how could she face it with the same playful calmness as usual?
Zheng Ning leaned lazily against the table with his arms crossed.
Seeing that he did not respond, Qing Wu earnestly said, "There are really delicious foods there; they are a bit spicy but unlike anything from other places. And there are beautiful women. The girls there have delicate and fair skin; they are very pretty." Glancing at him again and still receiving no response, Qing Wu felt somewhat deflated and murmured, "The scenery is really beautiful there; the mountains and waters are lovely. Don’t you really want to go see it again?"
Upon hearing her last sentence, Zheng Ning shook his head with a smile.
Did she still remember that he had been there? How could she so boldly deceive him!
However, the girl had always been straightforward; now she was willing to make up nonsense just to get him to go with her.
Truly…
He sighed while smiling, but the curve at the corner of his lips gradually faded until it turned into a straight line of suppressed sigh.
… If it were somewhere else, it would be fine.
He truly did not want to go there again.
"You need not worry. The Old Marquis and Wen Heir are both very easy to get along with." Zheng Ning gently rubbed her soft hair and said softly, "I won't go. The journey is long, and it will take a lot of time for a round trip. I need to study hard. If I don't do well in the Autumn Examination, it will take even longer."
If it were anywhere else, it would be fine.
But that place was where he had promised to be engaged years ago.
He...
Simply did not have the courage to step into that place again.
Qing Wu, upon hearing Zheng Ning mention the Autumn Examination, retracted her earlier comforting words. She lowered her head and sighed, then thought of something and brightened up, saying, "It's time for you to settle down and start a family."
Though they interacted as teacher and student, they were also friends. In private, there was much less reservation in their conversation.
Hearing her say this, Zheng Ning's brow furrowed slightly before he smiled, "Since I'm not getting married anyway, I still need to establish myself." Before she could voice her doubts, he continued, "In the future, when you're alone in the palace, wouldn't it be quite boring? Once I do well in my exams and hold a higher position in a few years, we can meet from time to time."
Qing Wu shot him a glance and retorted, "You're just trying to fool me. As if you're becoming an official just for my sake."
Zheng Ning raised an eyebrow, "You don't believe me?"
Qing Wu nodded in agreement but her expression clearly said otherwise.
Zheng Ning didn't mind; he smiled and ruffled her hair again. When he withdrew his hand, his fingertips lingered for a moment. With a seemingly indifferent smile on his face, he quietly turned his hand away.
Time waits for no one. Qing Wu didn't stay long before she hurriedly left.
After sending the girl out of the courtyard, Zheng Ning slowly raised his hand.
A long strand of hair was unexpectedly caught on his slender finger.
The black silk flowed like a waterfall, with only this one strand remaining at his fingertips.
Zheng Ning sighed heavily, clenching his hand tightly, and slowly walked back into the house.
Many people came to send off Qing Wu this time. Shen Shuihua and Zou Kefen, whom he hadn't seen for days, were both present. Although Lu Pingting could not attend in person due to family matters, she sent someone to convey her regards to Qing Wu and wrote a short note wishing her smooth sailing.
To Qing Wu's surprise, Wu Linxi also came.
Upon seeing each other again, the originally shy boy seemed even more diminished. The clothes he wore hung loosely on his tall, thin frame, swaying as he moved.
When he saw Qing Wu, he stammered for a long time but couldn't utter a single word. Instead, tears began to well up in his eyes.
Liu An Ting noticed him stumbling toward Qing Wu and quickly stepped forward to block him, smiling as he said, "I heard you're getting engaged? Congratulations!"
The words "getting engaged" instantly drained the color from Wu Linxi's face.
He looked at the girl nearby with delicate features, watching her as she held hands tightly with someone else. Ultimately, he turned away without saying a word.
Liu Anfeng jumped over and asked, "What’s going on?"
Wu Linxi lowered his head and muttered, "I don’t know."
Because he didn't care, he hadn't paid attention to a single word.
Liu Anfeng was puzzled and wanted to ask more questions, but Liu Anzhi dragged him away. From a distance, they could still hear his loud voice: "Big Brother, slow down! I just wanted to ask what kind of bride he's marrying. Just an engagement? Isn’t that just a step away from marriage? This is something Dad and I discussed. Dad, you’re getting married; let me... Oh no, I know I was wrong. Please have mercy!"
The tall and handsome young man was scolded by his cultured and refined older brother, leaving him covered in dust and not daring to breathe.
Everyone found it amusing and laughed.
In this cheerful atmosphere, Shen Shuihua suddenly clapped her hands and laughed, "But we can't talk behind someone's back. Look, the main person has arrived!"
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw Xia Rusi, dressed in a light yellow outfit, gracefully walking towards them.
The Xia Family and Liu Family had already arranged a marriage. Xia Rusi was to be the sister-in-law of Qing Wu, who had not yet entered the family. Shen Shuihua's mention of "the main person" referred to Liu Anzhi, whom Liu Anfeng had just mentioned regarding his upcoming marriage.
Liu Anzhi had been sternly scolding Liu Anfeng, but upon hearing Xia Rusi sweetly call out "Qing Wu," his angry expression instantly faded.
Liu Anfeng let out a loud cry and burst into laughter as he quickly ran away.
The Wen Family Ancestors and Descendants did not live close to the Liu Family, especially since Yi Zhenglian was also going with them.
The night before, the three families had already discussed their plans. Since they each had many things to carry, there was no need for detours; they would wait at Ten Li Pavilion outside the city. After meeting up, they would set off together.
However, after leaving the city and not traveling far, the Liu Family was taken aback by the sight before them.
Two rows of Imperial Guards stood on either side of the road, standing tall with stern expressions.
At the end of the formation was a semicircle of nearly a hundred Imperial Guards. In the center, one could vaguely see a person in brocade riding a white horse, exuding an extraordinary demeanor, being protected by the Imperial Guards.
The group had no choice but to stop.
Before long, Mu Hai stepped out from among them and approached Qing Wu, bowing as he said, "Your Majesty is currently speaking with the Marquis and the Heir Apparent. Would you like to go over first?"
The implication of this statement was that Qing Wu could go over at any time. However, others should wait a little longer.
Qing Wu rejected Mu Hai's proposal without a second thought.
She did not know how Huo Yun'ai suddenly left the palace. However, since he had something to discuss with Grandpa Brother, she decided to wait until they finished their discussion.
Seeing that Qing Wu was unwilling to go over, Mu Hai hurried back inside to report to Huo Yun'ai.
Numerous Imperial Guards stood on both sides of the road, and whenever there was a rustle in the surroundings, they would cast their eyes over to scrutinize for any suspicious activity.
The group of martial generals, all stained with blood on their hands, had eyes that were not comparable to ordinary people. The current atmosphere was not something an average person could withstand.
Before long, the He Family and Liu An Ting found it difficult to stand their ground and involuntarily took a few steps back.
Liu Anfeng, however, was restless.
He had heard that His Majesty was quite skilled and had always wanted to see what this versatile master looked like. He jumped around, trying to catch a glimpse of the figure inside.
However, after bouncing around a few times, he became increasingly uncertain. So he tugged at his relatively calm older brother and whispered with half-covered mouth, "Brother, who is the one talking with Wen Heir inside?"
"Your Majesty," Liu Anzhi replied with a furrowed brow.
"That's not right!" Liu Anfeng exclaimed softly. "Why do I feel like it looks like Young Master Yun?"
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