Chapter Twenty-Four: The Wind is Cool and Gentle

  "Boom"

  He silently looked at the side, shaking his head wordlessly. On the ground were scattered fragments of tea cups, those were all good quality glassware. How many times has this happened today? Since they came back, it's already the third time. Looking at the elm wood again, he was still drinking tea as if nothing had happened. Why didn't he take care of it? Those were the young master's favorite tea sets after all.

  Could it be that Ah Xue did something that made the young master treat her so well?

  Qilin merely picked up the pieces with a wry smile, thinking to herself, "Good grief, I've gone and thought of last night's events again." Although looking back on it, that guy had also helped her out, allowing her to successfully take the Maiden's Red. Perhaps even if she hadn't met him, in the end she would have either burned herself to death or just found some random man to solve her problem. In any case, it was better to just pretend she'd been possessed by a ghost.

  But what the hell?! That bastard! He didn't leave anything behind, not even a single clue, making her think she did something wrong. Damn it, at least leave something, like his name or whatever.

  Wait a minute, it seems like I'm not making sense, why do I feel like I'm more than happy to accept him? No no no, that's not right. Qilin slapped her face hard and shook her head vigorously, she wished she could tear the guy into pieces.

  "What's wrong with Ah Xue?" Mai Dong asked, leaning in close to Lan Dong, who looked puzzled. For a moment, he seemed to be recalling something, and the next, he looked as if he had done something wrong, his face flushing red. Had he caught a chill?

  The silent head-shaking of Schisandra chinensis, and the big fool of Ophiopogon japonicus.

  Just as he was about to scold Maidong, he heard a faint footsteps outside, about a hundred steps away, but it was clear and distinct. Naidong slapped Maidong's head severely and sensibly pulled Maidong to prepare for the guest.

  "A Xue, your guest has arrived." He said softly, putting down his teacup.

  Yes? Customer?

  Qilin blinked her eyes, unsure of what was happening. Subconsciously, she looked out the door and when she saw the person coming, the crystal shard in Qilin's hand fell to the ground again, shattering into even smaller pieces.

  "What's with that stupid expression?!" Seeing Qilin's stunned look, Mu Qingfeng couldn't help but tease her a bit, taking big strides forward and completely ignoring Yu Mu's presence. He carelessly swept his large hand through Qilin's soft hair a few times before pulling her into his own embrace. Only then did he notice Yu Mu standing beside him, and he casually opened his mouth to say, "Oh, Young Master Yu is here too! What a great time for drinking tea!"

  Yes? Elm wood hummed softly and stopped answering, put down the teacup, and continued with his own affairs.

  The big palm on her head was still messing with her hair, Qilin finally couldn't take it anymore. She put both hands on Mu Qingfeng's chest and was surprised to find that this Mu Qingfeng, who seemed only capable of idle chatter, had a surprisingly sturdy chest. With increased force, she suddenly broke free from Mu Qingfeng's grasp, jumped to the side of the elm tree, and casually tidied up her hair.

  "By the way, what did you want to find me for?" Keeping a safe distance from Mu Qingfeng, Qi Lin raised the cup of tea made from yew wood and drank it all in one gulp.

  "Slap"

  Suddenly put down the teacup, looked at Mu Qingfeng in surprise, and then ran to Mu Qingfeng's front with the fastest speed, grabbed Mu Qingfeng's hand. If Zilin saw this scene, she would definitely think that this was a copy of Xiaobai.

  Head thrown back, tail wagging, starry eyes.

  Mu Qingfeng didn't disappoint everyone's expectations as he gently patted Qilin's head and nodded with a smile.

  "Really?" Zilin stared at Mu Qingfeng excitedly, seeking an accurate answer.

  That night, I actually asked Mu Qingfeng for a favor, thinking that with his status and connections, it should be easy as pie.

  Then it was approved.

  "Is that okay?" Instantly ran to Yu Mu's side, crouched down, pulled at Yu Mu's hem and softened his voice saying "Yu Mu, it's like this, I..."

  "Go." He quietly pulled back his sleeves and continued, "Leave early and return early, be careful."

  Huh? Did you agree?

  I thought it would be rejected, but he knows what he's doing?

  It's really great to be allowed out, got up and walked towards Mu Qingfeng. Just took two steps, Qilin stopped and turned back with a sunny face "Thank you."

  After Qilin and the others left, Rendong and Maidong came out to arrange the tea, and Rendong couldn't help but ask for the first time: "Young Master, I'm stupid, why did you let Ah Xue and Mu Gongzi go out today? Don't you worry???"

  "It doesn't matter." There were still things she had to do here.

  Moreover, he guaranteed that after Qilin left, his determination would be even firmer. At that time, Qilin's eyes must have looked very good, if only he could see them.

  "Wow! He looks really happy. Such a rare sight for this young master, I suppose it's time to prepare a good wine."

  Outside the Drunken Flower Building, people come and go, I thought the inside of the Drunken Flower Building was already crowded with people, but when I got outside, I realized that vendors filled the entire street, and the crowd was like a fair.

  Wasn't it said that there were very few people on the streets in ancient times? It seems that TV dramas are all deceiving. Looking around, she couldn't find the person she wanted to see, so Qilin hurriedly went to ask Mu Qingfeng for clarification. However, when she turned her head back, she only saw emptiness beside her, with nothing there at all.

  Where is he?

  "Hey girl, over here."

  Turning back in response to the sound, Qilin was startled by the horse-drawn carriage that suddenly appeared before her eyes. It wasn't there just a moment ago. What's with this hotel, it feels like something is following me.

  Without saying another word, Qilin sat in an ancient carriage for the first time. The interior of the carriage was not as empty as she had imagined. She knew that carriages were spacious and could accommodate seven or eight people without feeling cramped. The cushions were also very comfortable, and there was a small table in the middle with a warm stove in front, emitting a faint fragrance. She didn't expect to be able to ride such a luxurious carriage.

  It seems that Zilin has a fresh feeling, the horse-drawn carriage is neither fast nor slow, and it arrives on time to satisfy Zilin's curiosity. She also roughly understands that the lively places are only along the main street passing by Zuihuajie, while the other small alleys are sparse with people, but the shops look very luxurious, whereas the main street is almost all vegetable farmers, small vendors, and inns.

  It turns out that the more valuable something is, the less it's shown off? It really goes against the norm.

  Through the crowded streets, Qilin couldn't find the representative commodity of ancient times, the omnipotent sugar gourd. Really, doesn't this era have sugar gourds? With a slightly disappointed gaze, she inadvertently caught sight of a slow-moving black figure among the crowd.

  Rather than saying she was moving slowly, it would be better to say that she was using the strength of her chest and abdomen as power, with her chin pressed against the cold ground, struggling to move forward, with a broken bowl in her mouth. Her hands and feet were extremely weak and soft on the ground. Although it was daytime and there was no snow on the ground, you could still feel the biting wind. The only thing covering that person's body was a dirty black cloth. In the crowd, she was constantly being kicked around, with only a small yellow dog sitting next to her, occasionally barking at the fierce passersby, but then being scolded or spat on, and shrinking its head, running to the back of the person to lick their dirty fingers.

  Do you know that Su Feng was blinded and had her tendons cut in order to save you?

  That night, Chao Er's words kept echoing in her ears. She knew it was a terrible situation, but she never thought it would come to this.

  Eyes, right. Qilin looked closely and saw that the eyes were covered with a relatively clean rag. If she lifted it, could she see clearly? How can this be? Is it just to save herself? But why did it end up like this? Who is it? If Cui'er was because of Peony, then what about Sufen?

  "Why?" She wanted to ask clearly, thinking of this, Qilin turned around and wanted to jump off the horse carriage directly, but was pulled back "Bastard, let me go."

  Without thinking, a dirty word came out of her mouth, this was the first time she said such words in front of Mu Qingfeng. Staring at Mu Qingfeng's calm face, Qi Lin raised her hand without hesitation and slapped him hard.

  "Slap"

  Her jade-like hand slammed heavily onto the desk, causing the teacups on it to tremble and emit a crisp crashing sound.

  "Even if you go now, there's nothing you can do, and things might even get worse." A large hand stroked Qi Lin's jade-like hands, holding them in his palm, looking at the slightly reddened area, gently caressing it. He raised his eyes just in time to see Qi Lin's lifeless gaze, and with a stretch of his long arm, the curtain was lifted. "You know what I mean."

  It's understandable for Xiao Er to hate herself like that, let alone Su Feng who is so miserable.

  A gentle breeze blew through the open curtains, entering and piercing into Qilin's collar, also making her calm down a lot. She slightly tilted her head, looking at Su Feng who was still begging in the crowd, and also noticed the person beside Su Feng.

  I am dusk, cool and refreshing, sunset's dusk.

  At that time, she was wearing a coarse linen green dress with high sleeves rolled up, and the creek reflected the golden sunlight, giving her a perfect warm background, which perfectly set off her pure and beautiful face, even Qi Lin couldn't help but take two more glances.

  But now, although she was wearing a pale blue dress, her body had become much thinner, as if it would be blown away by the wind at any moment. Her long hair was tied up high, but there were only a few decorations on her hairpin, and even from a distance, one could see that she looked worried.

  Xī Yù was the only one who didn't scold Sù Fēng. She took out a white silk handkerchief from her bosom, carefully unfolded it, and pulled out a small amount of silver, which she carefully placed inside Sù Fēng's black clothes. Then, she couldn't help but wipe away tears. However, in the next instant, Róng Yǔ was seized by an old man with white hair and a stout build, who seemed to be scolding her severely. He grabbed her hair and pulled it violently several times, then slapped her with his palm, causing Xī Yù to fall to the ground. Sù Fēng, who was standing beside her, tried to stop him but was trampled on by the old man's foot.

  Qilin's pleas seemed ineffective as the onlookers continued to gather, blocking her view completely.

  "You seem much calmer now." Your hands aren't clenched tightly anymore, and the expression on your face... no, it's not that there's an expression, but rather a lack of one. However, your eyes are no longer lifeless either.

  Huh? Qilin turned her head to look at Mu Qingfeng and raised an eyebrow, saying "When have you ever seen me calm?"

  "Huh? Mu Qingfeng looked at Qi Lin with an unreadable expression, without a hint of anger, his eyes were calm and peaceful, and even his breathing was steady. Isn't this what it means to be calm?"

  Wait a minute, he's only seen this kind of situation on top-notch assassins before. Could it be...? No way, this girl can't know martial arts.

  "Go back." This was the first time Zilin sat up straight by herself.

  From now on, we'll be good sisters.

  She never fully regarded them as good sisters, but just temporarily got along with them, and then unknowingly felt that these were a matter of course, without knowing when they would consider everything for them.

  This is probably what they call good sisters.

  So! Let her settle this account then.

  "Great eyesight you have." Not revenge, but believing in something, Mu Qingfeng smiled slightly and patted Qi Lin's head, "Then I'll tell you what happened as a reward for hugging me."

  Huh?

  Zi Lin hadn't reacted yet, but was pulled into a warm embrace, with the large hand on her back still stroking back and forth, just like comforting a small dog.

  Is this guy ever going to finish?!

  Gathering all his strength, he aimed at Mu Qingfeng's chest and pushed with all his might.

  Hmph.

  The carriage couldn't withstand such force and shook violently.