The sky was dim and yellow, and the crowds on the street had thinned out.
Most of the street vendors were packing up their goods and heading home, while the shops along the road hung lanterns at their entrances.
Ling Xiaodong and Mu Qinghe walked side by side along a small path in Pengcheng, chatting and laughing together.
“So, I believe that for a dynasty to let its people live in peace and prosper, with everyone fulfilling their duties, relying solely on moral governance and filial piety is not enough. What matters more is the rule of law—using virtue to guide, and law to restrain.”
“So in Miss Mu’s eyes, legal principles are that important. No wonder you reacted so strongly back at the guesthouse.”
“Daoist Ling, you flatter me. What you did at the inn was perfectly fine. It was I who was too extreme, foolishly expecting the whole world to meet my own standards.”
“No, I think Miss Mu’s philosophy is excellent. Laws can set clear roles and responsibilities, with public interest above private, private subordinated to public, abolishing selfishness for the common good. Punishment should not spare even officials, and rewards should not exclude commoners. Such a world truly inspires longing.”
“Exactly! That’s what I meant! Daoist Ling, you said everything I was thinking—and even better than I could express!”
Mu Qinghe’s heart swelled with joy.
She felt that she and Daoist Ling were kindred spirits, meeting too late in life.
She hadn’t expected there to be anyone in the world who could understand her so well.
Though all followers of the Luo Sect shared the goal of overthrowing the Great Zhou dynasty’s rule, their beliefs differed.
Usually, as the sect’s sacred maiden, the only person Mu Qinghe could confide in was her maid, Xiao Qing, who had no idea about such matters.
Whenever she shared her thoughts with her, Xiao Qing would just look up with sparkling eyes, admiringly saying,
“Your Highness is amazing to know so much!”
Mu Qinghe had never experienced such deep conversations being so warmly accepted.
Though they had only recently met, she felt Ling Xiaodong understood her better than anyone else in the world.
The more they talked, the happier she grew, and the closer she felt to Ling Xiaodong.
They were so close that their shoulders brushed together without either noticing, as Mu Qinghe poured out thoughts she had long kept to herself in an endless stream.
Ling Xiaodong watched her chatter with great interest.
He hadn’t expected this seemingly cold woman to have such a side—so endearing.
He could smell the faint, summer lotus fragrance coming from her and the handkerchief she carried, while the softness of her arm pressed against his right forearm.
Although he had realized their closeness, he made no move to pull away. After all, he wasn’t exactly a paragon of virtue, was he?
Suddenly, Mu Qinghe sensed something was off.
Why was Ling Xiaodong so quiet beside her?
Turning her head, she met his faintly amused eyes and suddenly realized just how tightly pressed they were.
“Ah!”
She quickly jumped away, the blush beneath her veil unmistakable.
Feigning composure, she said, “I was just too excited for a moment. Pardon me, Daoist Ling.”
“No problem. It’s late already. Miss Mu, which inn will you stay at? I’ll escort you.”
The sun had set, leaving only a streak of red glow in the western sky.
Mu Qinghe nodded gently.
“All right, thank you, Daoist Ling.”
Is this goodbye? Her heart fluttered nervously with an intense reluctance to part.
But after all, their meeting was a fleeting one.
Once the dragon vein beneath Pengcheng was unearthed, she would leave the city.
Upon returning, she would once again be the aloof and lonely Sacred Maiden of the Luo Sect.
She wondered if this parting meant they might never meet again.
The two fell silent as they headed to the inn, the lively mood replaced by quiet.
Ling Xiaodong thought Mu Qinghe was still shy and couldn’t understand the subtle furrow of worry on her brow.
Suddenly, a child’s crying caught their attention.
A little girl with sheep horn braids stood by a wine shop, sobbing loudly, with no adults nearby.
Mu Qinghe approached gently, squatting down and softly asking, “Little girl, what’s wrong? Where are your parents?”
The girl cried harder, sniffing, “Wah… I… I can’t find my mother… Mother, where are you? Cui’er is so scared.”
Mu Qinghe wiped the girl’s tears and snot with her pristine sleeve without hesitation, comforting her, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Sister will help you find your mother, okay?”
“No! Mother said anyone who hides their face is a bad person! I won’t go with bad people!”
The little girl was stubborn.
Mu Qinghe hesitated, then reached up and removed her veil.
“See? Sister isn’t hiding her face now. Sister is not a bad person.”
Though the dusk was dim, Ling Xiaodong’s eyes were sharp.
He had always known Mu Qinghe was beautiful, but he never imagined she could be so stunning.
Her complexion was like snow, her lips a delicate cherry blossom, and beneath the veil, her ethereal beauty was like a pure snow lotus atop a towering mountain—perfect and sacred.
The scene before him was like a painting. The girl by the tavern looked like the moon, her white wrist like frost and snow.
For a moment, Ling Xiaodong was completely entranced.
At the very moment Mu Qinghe lifted her veil, deep within the City Lord’s mansion, Wu Yaizi, who had been meditating and burning incense, suddenly opened his eyes wide, a sharp gleam flashing forth.
“Found you!”
Back at the wine shop, Mu Qinghe had already covered her face again.
“Little one, do you know your mother’s name?”
“Mother is just ‘Mother’.”
“Then what’s your name, Cui’er?”
“Cui’er is just Cui’er!”
The little girl blinked her big round eyes and answered naturally, thinking this lady was pretty but kept asking silly questions—she wasn’t even as smart as Cui’er!
Ling Xiaodong groaned and slapped his forehead in despair.
This was just like talking to a wall!
“Wait! Recently, Mother and Cui’er lived near a lot of flowers. They’re so pretty!”
Flowers? If talking about flowers, Pengcheng really did have an inn next to which golden and silver cup flowers bloomed—the Yuelai Inn.
They had passed it before.
At the time, he found it curious and had glanced twice.
“Little one, are the flowers gold and silver colored?”
“Yes! Just like that!”
Ling Xiaodong turned to Mu Qinghe and said, “Miss Mu, I know now. This little girl is talking about that Yuelai Inn.”
But they were on the west side of the city, while Yuelai Inn was closer to the east.
They had already passed it.
Seeing the time, Ling Xiaodong kindly said, “Miss Mu, your inn is just ahead. I’ll take this little girl to find her mother. You should go back first.”
He squatted and spoke in what he thought was a gentle voice, “Cui’er, will you come with me? I’ll take you to find your mother.”
The little girl clung to Mu Qinghe’s sleeve, hiding behind her and peeking out shyly.
“No! Mother said handsome men are all big liars! I won’t go with a liar!”
Ling Xiaodong forced a stiff smile, veins bulging on his forehead.
What kind of education did her mother give her?
Seeing Ling Xiaodong so at a loss, Mu Qinghe’s eyes curved into a smile as she covered her mouth lightly.
“Who told Daoist Ling he’s so handsome? It’s no problem. We’ll go together.”
She secretly hoped to spend more time with Ling Xiaodong—how could she bear to part?
Ling Xiaodong and Mu Qinghe each took one of the girl’s hands.
Under the moonlight, they headed toward Yuelai Inn.
To onlookers, they looked like a family of three.
“Sister.”
“Yes?”
“Are you Brother’s wife?”
“Ah? Ah! No… no. Cui’er, why do you ask that?”
Mu Qinghe felt her face flush slightly.
“Because you’re pretty, and Brother is pretty, you look so good together!”
“Is… is that so?”
Mu Qinghe glanced at Ling Xiaodong out of the corner of her eye.
Good together? Really?
Somehow, the little girl’s innocent words made her heart skip a beat.
Ling Xiaodong said grouchily, “Kids shouldn’t say nonsense! Who taught you that?”
“Hmph! Brother’s annoying. I won’t talk to you anymore!”
The little girl threw a tantrum and pulled her hand from Ling Xiaodong’s grasp.
As they neared Yuelai Inn, a woman’s anxious voice rang out.
“Cui’er! Cui’er! Where are you? Cui’er!”
“Ah! Mother! Mother, I’m here!”
Seeing the mother and daughter embrace in tears, Ling Xiaodong felt a warm emotion stirring but also a hint of melancholy.
The woman’s eyes were red-rimmed as she bowed deeply to the two.
“Thank you both for helping me find Cui’er. I thought something terrible had happened to her, and I just…”
Her voice broke as she hugged Cui’er tightly, overcome with relief and fear all at once.
Ling Xiaodong comforted her, “It’s all right now. A mother and daughter reunited is what matters most. Cui’er, don’t make your mother worry like this again. We’ll be going.”
Cui’er nodded, wiping her mother’s tears with an apologetic smile.
“Mother, Cui’er won’t run off anymore.”
Then she turned back and waved to Ling Xiaodong and Mu Qinghe’s retreating backs.
“Goodbye, Brother! Goodbye, Sister!”
“Goodbye, little one!”
After bidding farewell to the pair, the moon had risen high overhead, and the street was empty.
Ling Xiaodong lowered his head, a trace of sadness in his expression.
Mu Qinghe noticed something was wrong and asked with concern, “Daoist Ling, what’s wrong? A mother and daughter reunited is a good thing. Why do you look so unhappy?”
Ling Xiaodong sighed and said, “I haven’t seen my own mother since I can remember. Seeing Cui’er and her mother reunited makes me wonder—who is my mother? Is she still alive? Is she out there somewhere, searching for me just like Cui’er’s mother?”
Seeing Ling Xiaodong’s sorrowful face, Mu Qinghe felt her heart tighten.
On impulse, she reached for his hand and said earnestly,
“Your mother must still be alive! She’s waiting for you somewhere in this world!”
Her gentle gaze locked with his as she slowly began to share her own story.
“When I was very young, my parents died. They were falsely accused and killed. The official who tried my case conspired with the villains. I was almost sent to the Brothel Office as a slave, but luckily, my foster mother saved me.”
She paused, then continued,
“You’re different, Daoist Ling. As long as there’s no certain news, don’t give up hope! So please, don’t wear such a sad expression.”
Mu Qinghe held Ling Xiaodong’s hand tightly, as if wanting to pass her strength to him.
“It’s just a moment of emotion. Thank you for your kindness, Miss Mu.”
Ling Xiaodong smiled again and took Mu Qinghe’s warm, soft hand in his own.
At this tender moment, an unexpected visitor arrived.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure engulfed in intense murderous aura surged forward, heading straight for Mu Qinghe.
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