Chapter 88 Invitation (2)

  Qing Kuang walked with Xuan Xi in the imperial palace, seeing the busy palace staff rushing about, but under the leadership of the general manager, they were all preparing for the evening banquet in an orderly manner. However, wherever she went, there would always be someone bowing to her, and after a while, Qing Kuang felt annoyed, losing any interest in sightseeing.

  The young woman who had originally intended to visit the imperial palace found herself walking in the opposite direction, further and further away from the brightly lit palace. As she walked, it became increasingly quiet, with fewer people passing by. When she entered a garden, just after crossing the arched gate, her eyes fell upon a vast expanse of irises. A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance that refreshed her heart, and under the moonlight, the flowers seemed to be dancing like butterflies, countless blue sprites lingering among the green leaves, gently swaying in the wind, looking so serene, mysterious, instantly dispelling the din and purifying her soul.

  Just as Qing Kuang was about to walk in, he stopped in his tracks. In the midst of the flowers, a woman in white sat, her face originally filled with joy, but now frozen in a smile, having seemingly heard her voice. She looked at Qing Kuang for a long time, as if sizing him up, or curious, then smiled slightly and nodded to him.

  Looking at her eyebrows and eyes, she somewhat resembles Huangfu Mingjia, but those eyes seem to be speaking, hiding countless secrets, making people want to explore further. Her small nose bridge, tender cherry lips were lightly pursed. Seeing that she wasn't moving, he patted the spot next to him again, wanting to coax her over.

  As for her actions, Qingkong roughly guessed what was going on in her mind and also walked over with Huier, sitting down on the ground just like her. The two were silent for a moment, while the girl in front of them didn't mind at all, and instead looked back at that large patch of irises, feeling quite comfortable.

  It's rare to relax, and the light madness accompanies her to watch, feeling the gaze of others sizing her up, apparently this girl is very curious about her. Seeing her look over, it's another big smile, with two dimples on the corners of her mouth.

  When the footsteps approached, she clearly heard a sigh of helplessness from the girl beside her.

  "As soon as I saw you, I knew you were here." The man in front of her wore a yellow robe with golden dragons embroidered on it, and was none other than the Crown Prince of the Gaosheng Empire, Huangfu Mingyuan. His tone revealed his doting affection for the young girl.

  It wasn't until he saw Qingkuang that he was taken aback, but still took the initiative to greet him, "Qingkuang, what brings you here?"

  The girl next to her became even more curious, tilting her head to look at her, being held up by the man and still pouting.

  "Long live Your Royal Highness!"

  "Hehe, no need, no need." Huangfu Mingyuan waved his hand repeatedly. He couldn't accept the courtesy of a junior like Yao Zong. Earlier, he had only taken a quick glance and didn't expect this person to be so small. Upon thinking about it, it made sense - after all, Yao Zong was only 14 years old, not even as old as his own sister!

  "How could the elegant and refined gentleman possibly come to this humble Yuan Garden?" Many people in front were chatting and laughing, but this Yuan Garden was indeed a bit out of the way.

  "Tired of the noise." He looked up at them with a tired expression, and since it was about time anyway, he stood up lightly, adjusted his clothes.

  Don't you like to have fun? This reason surprised Huangfu Mingkui, shouldn't it be the age for playing around? But thinking about it, those superior people seem to all have a bit of an eccentric temperament, and it made sense.

  "Your Excellency, I think it's about time, why don't you and I go together?"

  "Whatever."

  Seeing him agree, Huangfu Mingyuan visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Previously, he thought this Medicine尊 was an arrogant person! However, after getting in touch with him, he's actually quite easy to talk to! Thinking of the annoying sister by his side, he still had to patiently persuade her, "Ming Ruo, you come along with us too."

  Huang Fu Ming shook her head vigorously, waving her hand to indicate that she wasn't going. After hesitating for a moment, she made some gestures and Huang Fu Ming rubbed her head, saying, "What's there to be afraid of? You don't like seeing people normally, now it's so lively, don't you want to take a look?"

  Upon hearing the commotion, a glimmer of light appeared in the girl's eyes, but it soon dimmed. Huangfu Mingruo shook her head, still firm in her stance.

  Seeing this scene, Qing Kuang's heart had a number of thoughts. The reason he never spoke to her was that the girl had a disability and was mute.

  Just as he wanted to persuade them again, Huangfu Mingyuan felt that putting the medicine pot aside was not good either, and he hadn't introduced the two yet!

  "Lightly insane pavilion, this little girl is my sister, Huangfu Mingruo. This is the legendary youngest medicine Zun you've always wanted to see, lightly insane pavilion, Mingruo, have you greeted him?"

  Upon hearing this, Huangfu Mingruo widened her beautiful eyes, then remembered that her expression was too surprised and laughed awkwardly, clutching the hem of her clothes, with a little girl's demeanor, which was quite the opposite of Huangfu Mingjia's elegant poise.

  "We've greeted each other." With the same questioning eyes looking up, she only then discovered that these two were surprisingly alike. "She smiled at me when I just arrived."

  Huangfu Mingyu rubbed her head, while the girl blushed and carefully sized her up.

  "Look, you really don't want to attend the dinner party? The Light and Crazy Pavilion is going together soon, it would be a pity if you miss it!" This was his sister, who had a physical defect and was somewhat self-abased, so she didn't like to see people. Her favorite place was this Swan Garden, and these days he was busy enough, but still had to pay attention to her at all times. After all, this younger sister was very sensitive, and only he could coax her. Therefore, he actually wanted her to have more contact with people, so she would be happier.

  As expected, Huangfu Ming hesitated, seeing that the three of them were waiting for her response, she felt a bit anxious, wanting to go but afraid of being ridiculed, not going would leave her with some regret.

  "Let's go together!" She didn't have any particular thoughts, even if it was for the sake of her family and the face of Huangfu Mingbo and Huangfu Mingjia siblings. As long as they didn't have any malicious intentions towards her, she didn't care.

  "It's settled then, you're coming with us." He pulled the hesitant person to his side, and smiled gratefully at her. "Look at you, so big now, but still getting into messes like a little kitten." As he spoke, he casually plucked off the grass clippings from her clothes, and Huang Fu Mingyuan couldn't resist lecturing, immediately earning him an unhappy glare from the girl.

  "Sorry to have made a fool of you, let's go!" He rearranged her disheveled hair for her again, and Huangfu Mingjian was indeed a good older brother.

  "Nothing." The sound of music and laughter grew louder in the distance, the dinner party was about to begin.

  As they walked out of the garden, many palace staff were waiting outside. When they saw them coming out, they all bowed respectfully and followed behind. Huangfu Mingyuan kept glancing at Qingkuang, thinking about how to bring up a certain topic.

  She was already more vigilant than others, how could she have ignored such a gaze? However, after careful consideration, it became clear what he meant. "You can speak directly."

  "Heh heh, since you've already figured it out, I'll just say it straight out. Actually, it's a very simple matter. Just now, after making contact with her, I think you should know that she suffers from a speech disorder. I was wondering if I could ask for your help to see if there's still a way to cure her. If it's possible, no matter what you want, I'll do my best to get it for you." As soon as he said this, everyone stopped and looked at him. Huangfu Mingyuan gazed at her intensely, while Huangfu Mingruo also looked at her with expectation, then lowered his head in sadness.

  He paused for a moment, then continued walking forward, asking aloud, "Is she born with it or is it acquired later?"

  Following her footsteps, Huangfu Mingyuan detailed the situation, "Mingruo is my younger sister by eight years. She was so small when she was born that I didn't even dare to touch her. Originally, she would cry, but one day there was a big fire in my mother's palace, and after the fire was extinguished, Mingruo was on the verge of death. Later, as she grew up, she couldn't speak. We found countless alchemists, but they were all ineffective, and we gradually lost hope. Light Wind Pavilion, can you cure her? I really hope you can cure her. I always think that if Mingruo could smile and pout like a normal girl, it would be great; if she could express her thoughts, it would be great; if she could sweetly call me 'brother', it would be great. But my countless hopes have been met with countless disappointments. Can you understand that feeling? Can you help me? Can you help Mingruo? Please!" The man's sincere request was almost choked with emotion, and beside him, Huangfu Mingruo secretly wiped away her tears, keeping her head down.

  As long as it's not congenital, then there's still a glimmer of hope, after all she's not God, able to alter all the injustices in the world.

  "The Crown Prince has arrived, the Ninth Princess has arrived, and the Light Cruel Pavilion has arrived!" Unbeknownst to him, he had already walked to the front hall, where a shout from a palace maid startled him awake. Huangfu Mingyuan instantly wiped away the weakness on his face, striding forward with his head held high and chest out. However, he did not receive an answer as to whether he could cure her or not, and in his heart, there was still a thread of anxiety.

  Everyone's eyes were on them, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, admiration, and calculation... Every single person was looking their way.

  Outside the palace, a neat imperial guard, of course, inside is also divided into inner and outer halls. More than 100 people are sitting in the outer hall, while the inner hall is naturally prepared for those aristocratic families and various forces.

  In the admiring gaze of the crowd, Qingkuang walked into the inner palace accompanied by Crown Prince Huangfu Mingyuan. As soon as she entered, the Emperor hastily greeted her, "Qingkuang, why have you come so late? I sent someone to look for you a long time ago and learned that you were in Yuan Garden, waiting for your arrival with bated breath, haha! Please sit down quickly!" Seeing that she had arrived with the Crown Prince, Huangfu Xiang was overjoyed, his mind racing with excitement.

  "Thank you!" The table next to the emperor was already set, and as soon as she sat down, Qingkuang began to scan the people around her. At the top were the Emperor and Empress, with a separate table obviously prepared for the Crown Prince. Next to her was Dean Shen Jun, along with some other instructors from the Academy, while across from them were the heads of the four major families, with Ximen Linfeng and others following closely behind, and then there were some other powers present as well.

  "Alright, let's begin!" Huangfu Xiang sat up straight, and the eunuch beside him immediately stepped forward, shouting loudly, "The evening feast... has begun!"

  Under joyful accompaniment, more than a dozen dancing girls appeared in the field, stepping out lively dance steps, and people watched with relish.

  She wasn't in the mood to appreciate the scenery, and she'd rather spend her time feeding Xī ěr some snacks. She knew many people were secretly checking her out, but as long as they didn't make her feel uncomfortable, it was fine by her.

  The applause came, and the dance just now was also a good start. Huangfu Xiang stood up, raised his wine glass, "Today, everyone is gathered together, I am very happy. First, it's my Imperial Academy that took first place in this College Festival, making me proud; secondly, it's seeing all of you young people becoming stronger, because of you, I feel honored to be a part of the Imperial Academy; lastly, it's the Light Wind Pavilion below, which has achieved extraordinary accomplishments at such a young age, not only is he one of the rare dual-system geniuses in hundreds of years but also a talented young pharmacist. Let us drink to this!"

  The emperor takes the lead, who can't give a face? The Imperial Academy is always first, they are used to it. What makes them curious is that little medicine cauldron with a calm expression sitting on one side. After a cup of wine, someone couldn't bear their nature anymore.

  "Unaware of your esteemed name, where did you learn from?" The person opposite him asked first.

  "Nothing to report!"

  "Uh..."

  "How old was he when he started learning about medicinal herbs in the Light Crazy Pavilion?"

  "What's it got to do with you?" Why bother her when you can just drink, eat and enjoy the show?

  Upon hearing her response, Ximen Qingxue burst out laughing and was immediately glared at. The others looked on with amusement, even the Emperor Huangfu Xiang couldn't help but chuckle, indeed a child! Look at this stubborn little temper.

  "Hey! Don't go too far, we are from the Pharmaceutical Association!" A red-clothed woman shouted out from behind the two men who had been inquiring earlier.

  "So what?"

  "You! Don't think you're impressive just because you're a Medicine Honored One, you're not even that old, don't burst your own bubble!" She didn't believe this young girl had any real skills, she herself had only barely made it to the Medicine Sect from elementary school to now, what made this girl so special?

  She slammed the cup onto the table, and everyone's heart skipped a beat. What was wrong with her that she got angry so suddenly? Thinking about the rumors, this little Medicine Lord's temper wasn't very good! Meanwhile, Qing Cang looked at her with an unpleasant expression. She was already in a bad mood, and someone still had to add fuel to the fire!

  "Do you dare to fight with me?" The red-clothed woman provoked her.

  "What are you?" He stood up, gave the emperor a slight bow, "Your Majesty, I'm not feeling well, I'll take my leave first!" With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and walked away, ignoring the stunned expressions of the crowd. She never liked such scenes anyway, she only came to give the emperor face, if someone was going to cause her trouble, then couldn't she just leave?

  Everyone was stunned, but the one to blame was that red-clothed girl. What's wrong with the Pharmacist Association? Unbelievable! Each and every one of them has eyes on top of their heads. Normally, they would have a hard time asking for even a single pill. Now they can't stand seeing others do well. What kind of thing is this?! They themselves are incompetent, yet they question others. Back then, so many people saw it with their own eyes. When did it become your turn to speak, you little brat? No manners!

  Everyone's expression was different, the person they were most looking forward to had left, and the rest of the dinner party was just watching the show, it didn't make sense anymore. Only Nangong Yu looked at the back of Qingkuang leaving in shock, lost in thought.

  Since the night of the banquet, Qing Kuang had been staying in the imperial palace all along, and naturally, she saw the most of the Crown Prince and Huang Fu Ming Ruo. Fortunately, the Emperor didn't seem to mind her leaving in a huff, and even when they met in the palace, he was still smiling and courteous.

  That day, several siblings came together, Prince Huangfu Mingyuan, Huangfu Mingbo, Huangfu Mingjia, and even the timid Huangfu Mingruo all arrived, surrounding her and staring at her.

  She let out a sigh, if she doesn't agree, tomorrow we'll come again with the whole family.

  "Light Wind, you, can you cure Ming Ruo?" Huang Pu Ming Bo broke the silence first. As for this younger sister, although she didn't have a close relationship with Ming Jia, but they shared the same blood in their bodies! From young to old, this younger sister was raised like a medicine jar, and countless alchemists had tried to cure her without success. Now that there's such an opportunity, he also hoped to cure her, after all, wasn't Light Wind able to cure even the infamous Poison Master with just three days of treatment?

  "I can't promise success, but I'll do my best."

  "We believe in you!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Whoa! A tall hat directly fell off, feeling extremely helpless. Huangfu Mingruo also looked at her with anticipation, as she had been coming to find Qingkuang for the past two days. Both of them were introverted by nature, but they got along quite well."

  She lifted her chin and carefully examined it, trying to find the cause of the illness. "Open your mouth and try to make a sound."

  "Ah..."

  Throat is fine, vocal cords are vibrating too, if it's not congenital, what's the reason? Fingers slowly moved down, when passing a piece of bone, expression changed slightly, hand went back up, and touched that point again, eyes gradually deepened.

  As she moved, several others followed suit with a change in their expressions.

  "What's wrong, Qing Kuang?" Is the situation not good? Huangfu Mingbo was also uneasy at this time, and the prince Huangfu Mingkui beside him couldn't help but smile bitterly.

  "What's with the long faces?" He withdrew his hand and glanced up to see his brothers' gloomy expressions.

  "Look at your face, it doesn't look too good, is it...?" Has there been no hope? But in front of Ming Ruo's face, how could he say this out loud?

  "Very tricky."

  "Do you have a way?" As soon as they heard this, the eyes of the four lit up.

  "She's been poisoned, and it's been a long time. If this continues to develop, her life will be in danger." Looking at their serious faces, Qing felt that he should tell the truth, "I'm not exaggerating, this poison has been in her body for a very long time, specifically on the third vertebra of her neck, called 'Yan Xiao'. This kind of poison grows on the bones and will slowly increase. At first, it will only press against her throat, making her unable to speak. But I clearly felt that her bones have grown significantly larger, even protruding out. If this continues to develop, it will obstruct her breathing, and by then, she'll truly be gone."

  Huangfu Mingru covered her throat in shock, and Crown Prince Huangfu Mingyuan also anxiously stroked it, and indeed there was! How did he not discover it before? Secretly regretful, if only he had discovered it earlier, Mingru wouldn't have had to suffer, and now there's even a risk to her life.

  "Then since you know, is there a way?" Huang Fu Mingbo looked at her urgently.

  "The tricky part is detoxifying here. This toxin is in the bones, and if we use ordinary detoxification methods, it won't work at all. Even if she takes medicine, it's useless, as the medicinal liquid only goes through the esophagus and just treats the symptoms but not the root cause, and the toxins will still grow. So I can only operate on her, which means cutting open her skin to remove the toxins. However, during this process, she may lose too much blood, and I'm not absolutely sure."

  After listening to her analysis, several people fell silent. Could it be that no matter how they chose, it would all end in death? But they couldn't just leave her alone like this! She still had a bright future ahead of her, how could she...

  "So I hope you will consider carefully!"

  Watching them leave dejectedly, Qing Kuang also let out a sigh.

  The palace has been under low pressure lately, as the Ninth Princess's life is hanging by a thread. The palace staff have been extremely cautious every day, fearing that any mistake would anger their master. In contrast to the tense atmosphere in the palace, there is another person who is also anxious, and that is Nan Gong Yu. After hesitating for several days, he finally decided to tell his elder brother about the matter. He knocked on the door of the study, having rehearsed what he wanted to say many times in his heart.

  Looking at the approaching person, Nangong You was very surprised. This younger brother of his had not been close to him for over a decade and had always been running around outside, only recently returning. Now, why would he take the initiative to come find him?

  "Is Eldest Sister-in-law also here?"

  "Second Uncle is well."

  It's better if they both are there, he can tell everything at once, after all, he has been hiding this for over ten years.

  "What brings you here?" asked Nan Gong Xiao, sitting at his desk. Madame Nan Gong poured a cup of tea beside him and waited for him to speak.

  Looking at the two people in front of him, Nangong Yu thought for a long time and finally spoke out the secret. "Big brother, big sister, do you still remember 14 years ago? That child..."

  Upon hearing this, both of them changed their expressions, and Nan Gong Xiao said irritably, "What's the point of bringing this up?"

  "Actually, back then, that child... was saved by me, I sent her away..."

  "Are you saying that child didn't die?" Upon hearing this, Nan Gong Yao's expression suddenly turned disgusted.

  "She didn't die, I had someone send her away, but there has been no news of her in recent years."

  "Don't mention what she did, I don't want to hear it!" It was a shame for his family, and even more so for Nan Gong Jue himself!

  "Big brother, no matter what, that's still your child! What I want to say is that I saw a very familiar person the other day. Based on the old servant's description from those years ago, it really does resemble that child."

  "What's it to you? Don't think I'll acknowledge her as my daughter, in the Nangong family there is only one legitimate child and that's Ao'er!"

  "But it's not fair to her, after all these years that child has been drifting outside, she must have suffered a lot, and now that she's seen her again, why can't she just let her come home? He really couldn't understand, this big Southern Palace family actually can't even raise one person? Even if they can't cultivate spiritual power, what's the point of having face? And besides, that child's current achievements have already far surpassed those of the Southern Palace family."

  "Second Uncle, don't get angry first, tell me about the child's current situation!" With a flash of so many years passing by, she had almost forgotten the existence of that child.

  "I'm not quite sure either, it's just a feeling. After all, I haven't heard from her for many years, so I can't be certain. That child is the one called Qingkuang, the Medicine Lord who attended the palace banquet a few days ago."

  "What did you say? Is it her? You're not kidding me, are you?" Nan Gong Xiao's face was filled with incredulity, and he even knocked over the tea in front of him.

  "It should be, her name is also Qing Kuang, and her age is about the same, although I don't know how she can repair spiritual power, but at a young age, she is already a Spiritual Emperor, and still dual-system, this talent is frightening." After inquiring about the news, Nan Gongyu also found it unbelievable.

  "Let me think, let me think..." He had already forgotten the name of that child back then. Now that he mentioned it, it really was a coincidence! And thinking about her talent, age, and even being a Medicine Lord, there's only one in the entire continent! The more people think in the direction they hope for, the more reasons they can find to convince themselves. Nan Gong Xiao thought back to the child's face, and indeed, she looked similar to Ao Er! So, was his daughter a Medicine Lord? No, it was this talented young girl, who as a young Medicine Lord, was his daughter?

  "Second Uncle, is what you're saying true?" Madame Nangong also had a sharp glint in her eyes as she carefully observed Nangong Yan's expression.

  "It must be, it must be!" As soon as he thought of having a daughter like Yaoguang, what would the future of the Nangong family be like? Wouldn't they be able to control the winds and rains? Just thinking about this made his blood boil.

  "Big brother, you..."

  "Never mind, my 50th birthday banquet is coming soon, I'll invite her then."

  "But I look at her temper, and I'm afraid she's not so easy to get along with."

  Looking back on what happened at the palace banquet, Nan Gongxiao felt that this matter was a bit tricky. "Isn't there still Ao'er? They are from the same academy and must have some relationship, let Ao'er deliver the invitation to her."

  Nan Gong's one move determined the outcome, it seemed that the Nan Gong family was about to become the number one family right before their eyes. No, not just the number one family, but they were going to make a name for themselves throughout the entire continent!

  When Qing Kuang received the invitation, she sneered and thought of the Nan Gong family. She still owed Nan Gong Qing Kuang a favor, so how could she not attend to return it?

  The head of the Nangong family was celebrating his 50th birthday, and everyone came to join in the excitement and make a scene. On that day, the sound of people filled the air, and members from various families all brought gifts and rushed over.

  "Master Nangong, it's been a while!"

  "Alright, alright." Nangong You was also flushed with excitement. With so many people coming, who wasn't here for his sake?

  "Congratulations, congratulations......"

  The number of people who came to celebrate his birthday was countless, and the entrance of the Nan Gong family was like a market.

  "Master Dongfang, Master Ximen, Master Beitang, you've all arrived! Haha, come on in, please hurry!"

  "Wishing you happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountain..."

  "Haha, okay, okay..."

  Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, Ximen Qingxue's sharp eyes caught sight of Qīng Kuáng, who was waving his arms wildly and shouting, "Qīng Kuáng, Qīng Kuáng, I'm over here..."

  Nangong Yan saw her and his smile deepened. "Come quickly, come quickly..."

  Hearing this title, lightly arrogant but smiling without words, this banquet will not be the intention of the drunkard is not in the wine!

  "Wild, I really didn't think you'd come too."

  "You have no idea how many more there are!"

  "Uh..."

  As the guests had almost all arrived, Nangong Yan spoke up first. He was now somewhat impatient and really wanted to see how these people would be envious and respectful later! After inviting everyone to serve the dishes, he worried that after the announcement, if there were too many people toasting him, wouldn't they get him drunk?! It's better to announce good news early.

  Waving his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, Nangong Yan finally spoke up: "Thank you all for gracing me with your presence at my 50th birthday celebration. However, on this joyous day, I still have an even bigger announcement to make..." Seeing that everyone's attention was focused on him, his head buzzing from being overwhelmed by benefits, the normally cautious Nangong family master also lost his usual composure and loudly declared, "This great news is that my daughter, the legitimate miss of the Nangong family who had been separated from us for so long, is actually... my own flesh and blood!"

  As soon as the words came out, the whole room was in an uproar. Everyone looked at them in disbelief, wondering when the Nan Gong family had produced a talented young lady. Wasn't there only one legitimate son? Even Ximen Linfeng and his wife were looking at her in surprise, hadn't they said she was an orphan?

  "Oh? Isn't the master of the Nan Gong family joking?"

  "How is that possible? You've been away for so many years, we're all strangers to you now. We're parents, how can we not even recognize our own wives?" Nan Gong Yan looked at her with a seemingly accusatory gaze.

  "The master of the Nangong family must be too old and mistaken. I, Xiao Feng, have nothing to do with your Nangong family! This relative can't be recognized at random! Who doesn't know that I'm an orphan with no father or mother? The Nangong family is really out of my league!" What are they plotting, doesn't she know yet?

  "Nonsense, you're being reckless! How could you be an orphan? Come here and let me take a good look at you, my daughter! I was worried to death about you. You were taken away when you were still young, and I was heartbroken for a long time, hoping that you would be safe and sound. Fortunately, heaven has mercy on us, and now my daughter is back by my side. Let me take a look at you...". A beautiful lady took two steps forward, about to hug her, but how could she let her have her way? She dodged with a swift movement, smiling ambiguously as she looked at the couple.

  Some were amazed, some were astonished, some were incredulous, and others were skeptical.

  Looking at the affectionate "couple", he changed seats and sat down again, leaning lazily against the back of the chair, holding his son's soft little hand, and asked with deep meaning, "I've never heard that the Nangong family has a young lady, I suppose everyone else thinks the same way too!"

  "Cough, everyone listen to me, the thing is like this. When my daughter was young, she was kidnapped by a bad person and has been missing ever since. My wife has been crying every day, we've looked for her for a long time but couldn't find any news about her whereabouts. It's unbearable for my wife to be heartbroken, so from then on, the Southern Palace forbade anyone from mentioning the child who was kidnapped again. So it's understandable that everyone doesn't know about this." Along with his words, Madame Southern Palace also shed tears, her beauty amidst tears made people feel sympathetic.

  "Huh? Been kidnapped? Then I'd like to ask the other family heads, has anyone heard any rumors about the Nan Gong family looking for a child?"

  When they heard her words, everyone's eyes turned to other homeowners again.

  "This... after all, is someone else's family matter, and so many years have passed, whether they get involved or not isn't quite right! Dongfang Lin and the other two exchanged a glance, unsure of how to respond."

  "You child, why do you like to dig deep and ask questions? Father has already said that you are the legitimate daughter of the Nan Gong family. In the future, just follow your parents around, it's good for your parents to make up for the lost feelings over the years." Nan Gong Yan looked at her with a loving gaze, with a benevolent fatherly expression.

  "I don't dare to be the legitimate daughter of the Nangong family! And as far as I know, it seems that the child was not abducted at first, but abandoned. Am I right, Master Nangong?"

  "Abandoned?"

  "Abandoned... what's going on here..."

  "I'm all confused now, who is actually right......"

  "I don't know..."

  Seeing Nan Gong Xiao's changed expression, she smiled lightly with a hint of mockery. She had not planned to settle accounts with them originally, but since they were delivering themselves to her doorstep, she would make sure to collect all that Nan Gong Xiao owed her!

  It's impossible, it's impossible. How could a child as small as you back then remember the truth about things? The Nan Gong couple were both shocked at the same time, exchanging an incredulous glance before quickly looking away. Nan Gong Yan calmed down and smiled at her, "Qing Kuang, I know you must be angry with your father. Father will make it up to you properly later, so don't say things like that again."

  "I'm telling you for the last time, I am not your daughter! Your daughter has long been dead!" Still died in that miserable way.

  "How could this be? You're clearly in front of us, but you can't curse yourself!" Madame Nangong said, trying to approach again, but was stopped by a fierce glare. "Look at your names, Older Sister is 'Kuang' (Crazy), Younger Brother is 'Ao' (Arrogant). This is the great expectation that I and your father have for you!"

  Hehe, expectations? Yeah, it's because the initial expectations were too high. When disappointment came, all the blame was placed on a child. Now talking about expectations with her is just disgusting!

  "Since no one believes me, I might as well tell you what I have to say. Fourteen years ago, the Nangong family indeed had a daughter, but this child was born without any spiritual power and was abandoned because she was useless. The Nangong family is renowned for producing exceptional talents, so how could they tolerate such a shameful existence? And with such a useless daughter, where is the dignity of the Nangong family head? However, perhaps the Nangong family head still has some humanity or maybe someone kind-hearted saved this child, and since then, there has been no more legitimate Miss Nangong. Am I right, Nangong family head?"

  "Hu...... how could that be?" Nan Gong Xiao was somewhat evasive, but what he thought in his heart was: Could it be that she really remembered the events of that year? No way, impossible!

  "Is it me who's talking nonsense or you, Nangong family master? Don't treat me like a fool! I don't believe that if I didn't have today's achievements, you would come looking for me. Haha, laughable! Now you're putting on this benevolent father act, but who are you trying to deceive? You abandoned your own child and now you're shamelessly acknowledging them, how can someone be so shameless?"

  "You're crazy, you're crazy, don't say anything else, it's all mother's fault, it's all mother's fault..."

  "What are you crying about? Shut up! He's a man, he can understand. And what about you? Isn't she your own flesh and blood, born of your womb after ten months of pregnancy? Just because she couldn't cultivate spiritual power, you abandoned her. You're her mother, how could you be so heartless? For the sake of your reputation, for the sake of your glory, a child not even three years old was discarded by you! I'm telling you, Nan Gong Qing Cang is dead!"

  Startled by her shout, the crying of Nangong's wife also stopped. With a handkerchief covering half of her face, she said sorrowfully, "Don't say anything more, Mother knows you're upset, you..."

  Obstinate and unrepentant! Refusing to admit it, huh? She has a way out of this!

  "Be as selfish as you are, dare to say one more word to me, I don't mind making the Nan Gong family disappear from now on, I mean what I say!" She glared at them fiercely, her body trembling slightly with a faint "sadness".

  "How can you be like this? This is also your home!" Nangong You sighed and seemed to treat her as a disobedient child.

  "This is not my home, because Nan Gong Qing Kuang is dead! Dead! Do you know how she died? Do you know how she grew up?" Zhan Qing Kuang looked at the changing faces around her and said word by word, "Now, I'll tell you one by one! What do you think an orphan with no spiritual power in his body should grow up like? Oh, no, I shouldn't say that, Nan Gong Qing Kuang wasn't an orphan, she had parents, but they didn't want her..."

  "She was taken away, crying hoarsely, who cares about her? No one would care even if she died! With no one to love or pamper her, at such a young age, who can she rely on? The servant who took her away? But is there anyone who can accompany her all the time? Master and Mistress of the Nan Gong family, I'd like to ask you, humph, how should such a small child survive? Every day, not eating enough, not dressing warmly, and still being bullied and looked down upon, she's only three years old! At an age where she should be innocent and playful in her parents' arms, she has already learned to read people's faces, where were you all at that time? Where?"

  Seeing her so excited, Ximen Qingchu and others absolutely believed that what she said was true.

  Every day, for half a bun, she was beaten until her head was bleeding and her small body was as thin as a stick. She cried out in pain and wanted to resist! But there was no spiritual energy left in her body, how could she fight back? Every time she was severely injured by someone just for a meal, where were her parents? Sleeping in a broken thatched cottage that even the lowest person would despise, leaking rain in summer and wind in winter. She didn't even have a coat to keep warm, when she hugged herself shivering with fear, too afraid to sleep, where were you all at that time?

  Looking at everyone's stunned expressions, she burst out laughing coldly, "And then, she grew up stumbling and staggering, accompanied not by luxury and delicacy, but by countless scoldings and beatings. When she cried out for her parents to save her, where were you all?" After shouting this, she took a deep breath and controlled her emotions, "When she grew up, the only old servant who had been by her side passed away, leaving her alone in this world. Every midnight, she dared not sleep deeply, fearing that someone would trick her, fearing that someone would beat her. People always take pleasure in bullying the weak, they tormented her, didn't let her eat, didn't let her sleep. Which of you knows what that small body has been through? None of you know!"

  "I'd like to ask everyone, what are your thoughts after hearing this?" She swept her gaze around the room, some people didn't dare meet her eyes, while a few soft-hearted women almost burst into tears.

  "Everyone, do you think it's over just because I've said this? Do you know how she died?! A lonely and helpless girl, growing up in such a humble way, could those bad people have let her off so easily?! No! They deceived her, humiliated her in every way, tore her clothes apart, many men surrounded her, she cried out for help, but that only stimulated the beastly nature of those evil people even more. They left countless scars on her body... Nan Gong Qing Cang was crying desperately... She shouted 'Dad save me! Mom save me!' But no one appeared! She cried for her life, cried for her fate, cried for everything she had suffered... Nan Gong Family Master! When your own daughter was being humiliated by many men, where the hell were you?!"

  "Shut up, shut up!" Looking at Nan Gong Ao who loudly stopped her, she coldly sneered back, "Why shouldn't I say it? Isn't the master of the Nan Gong family looking for his own biological daughter? I'm telling him right now! Let him know how wretched and lowly the abandoned person is living!"

  "Now that you know, now that you've seen it all, why didn't you help her? Why didn't you save her?" He had never known he had a sister, but hearing this, he would rather not have known anything at all. This would make him feel guilty, as if he had taken everything away from his sister! It was all because of him!

  "Stop yelling at me! Why should I save her? Her own parents don't care about her, and I'm a stranger, why should I be the one to save her?"

  "You!" Nangong Aoyi pointed at her indignantly, but couldn't say a word.

  "I'm telling you, Nangong Ao! You're the one who has no right to speak!"

  Just as the two were about to come to blows, Ximen Linxue hastily pulled them apart. How did this wonderful birthday banquet turn into a farce? Looking at the livid face of the master of the Nan Gong family and the stupid expression of Mrs. Nan Gong, it's really "knowing people by their faces but not knowing their hearts"!

  "No one is allowed to pull me, I haven't finished yet!" Dodging Ximen's arm, the cold eyes were full of frost, "What kind of ending did Nan Gong have, don't you want to know as her father? Let me tell you! Those men thought she was not honest and forced her to take medicine, surely the master of the Nan Gong family at such an old age wouldn't know what it is?"

  "Shut up!" Nan Gong Xiao shouted loudly. Today, the face of his family, the Nan Gong's, had been completely lost. Wasn't that enough for this person?

  "Shut up! With parents like you, I feel sorry for her. At such a young age, she's already given up on life. She has no attachment to you, she's disappointed in this world, and she's abandoned herself. After barely escaping those men, she was left with scars all over, but she couldn't hold on anymore. She's tired, so tired that she doesn't have the courage to live on. Who caused all of this? You! Since you brought her into this world, why are you stingy with even a thread of compassion? Can't you give her just a tiny space to survive? Now, tell me, as the master of the second generation of the Nan Gong family, how do you feel after hearing this?"

  "I don't believe a single word!" Nangong Jiao said, gritting his teeth as he looked at her. Beside him, Nangong You's heart felt even more bitter - had they still been unable to save that child in the end?

  "You're just cheating me, how could the Nan Gong family do such a shameful thing? Everything you said is false! False! You say you're not my daughter, fine! Then let's have a blood test to verify our relationship!"

  Not until the Yellow River dries up will she give up! How could she be so obedient?

  "Blood recognition? What a joke! Your Nangong family isn't even worth mentioning! You think you can just ask for my blood with one sentence, how ridiculous!"

  "You don't dare?" Nangong Yan's eyes were wide with anger, staring at her. If he couldn't prove his words, if he couldn't prove that Yaoyao was his daughter, the Nangong family would truly become an object of ridicule for everyone.

  "What am I afraid of? What can the Nan Gong family give me? You're shamelessly trying to get close to me, isn't it just because of my status as Medicine Master? I'm truly ashamed for you!"

  "Someone, bring water!" When the attendant brought over a bowl, Nangong Yan cut open his finger and dripped two drops of blood into it.

  Looking at the bowl in front of him, Leng Kuang also cut his index finger, and the water-based spiritual power directly wrapped around the blood droplets falling into the bowl.

  Everyone held their breath and stared at the bowl, waiting for a result.

  Before long, Nan Gong Yu's cries of surprise came over, "How can this be? How can this be? It's impossible... it's impossible..."

  "Now everyone has seen it, I am indeed not a member of the Nangong family. As for what I said, whether or not you believe me, I'm sure everyone has their own judgment."

  In the blink of an eye, everyone, even if they didn't make a sound, was communicating with each other through their eyes.

  Who is telling the truth about this Nan Gong family affair!

  Who knows! Whoever is telling the truth, the Nan Gong family has lost face today!

  I think what Qing Kuang said is true, I really didn't expect the master of Nan Gong's family to be such a person...

  Nangong's wife is no better either, a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs! These two people... tsk tsk...

  Watching their "communication", Liang Kuang was relaxed, but not feeling well in his heart. However, she seemed to think the blow wasn't enough and directly sent the Nan Gong family to the bottom of the valley. She got up and walked towards Bei Tang Qi Mo, with everyone following her gaze, what's next?

  "Master of North Hall, I don't know who has the Yuanyan Mirror now, can I borrow it for a while?"

  "At my father's place. You..."

  "Thank you."

  Wait until the host of Beidong takes out the Yuanshen Mirror, then turns around to look at them lightly and says, "Let everyone see a scene, I believe everyone will know whether what I said is true or false! Host of Beidong, please help me take a look, in the forest outside Xiangcheng City south of Shengguang City, is there a tomb?"

  When he heard the words "Xiang City", Nan Gong Yu's whole body shook, and he stared at her with wide eyes. In the face of everyone's curious gaze, the master of the North Tang family still poured spiritual power into the Yuan mirror, and saw that in the shadow image, a tomb stood alone in the distance, surrounded by a relatively beautiful environment, but the tomb was already overgrown with weeds, and on the tombstone were engraved the words "Tomb of Nan Gong Qing Kuang". Now who is right and who is wrong, they have a plan in their hearts. The tombstone isn't deceiving them, is it? The days of the weeds aren't deceiving them, are they?

  Satisfied with seeing everyone suddenly enlightened, Qingkuang hastily picked up Xuanyi and walked out the door. She didn't want to stay here for another moment. "Master Nangong, Madam Nangong, do you believe me now? I'll tell you where Nangong Qingkuang is. Don't bother thanking me! I just hope that during the New Year's festival, on Qingming Festival, you can go offer incense to avoid feeling guilty in your hearts and not having peace for this lifetime! Are you even worthy of being called parents? You're unworthy of being human parents, humph!"

  Step by step, she walked out, the sourness in her heart overflowing into her eyes. Nangong Qingcang, are you crying? I fought for justice for you, but they didn't even give you an explanation, forget it! Forget it! Your soul has already passed on, why linger?

  The girl in white clothes gradually disappeared from everyone's sight, and things had reached this point, so they didn't want to stay any longer and bid farewell one after another. It can be imagined that starting tomorrow, the reputation of the Nan Gong Shi family will surely stink for ten thousand years. Abandoning their own daughter, such an inhumane family, even if they have high innate talent, what's the use?

  She stepped away from the moon and walked lightly on the flat road, with the sound of horse hooves coming from behind her and stopping steadily by her side.

  "Get on the bus, Crazy Young Master!"

  The horse carriage is luxurious, and people are respectful; who wants to invite her again?