Watching the carriage depart, I felt uneasy. Recalling Qiao Ruofeng and Huo Lingyun’s discoveries in Chiyan, I exclaimed, “Ying, they’re going to Chiyan to deal with Ruofeng and Yun. What should we do?”
“Don’t panic!” Xie Ying replied, trying to comfort me. “They’ll be fine. It’s Lingyun’s territory.”
“No! I must go to Chiyan!” I insisted, unable to sit still.
“Xiao Ai, you’re pregnant. You can’t endure the journey’s hardships,” Nan Gong Mo objected.
“But…”
“I’ll go with Yuqing,” Mo Sehen interjected softly. “I want to see who she really is.”
“Indeed, that innocence seems too genuine. Without seeing her true nature firsthand, it’s hard to believe!” Bai Yuqing added, then relaxed. “Let’s leave right away!”
“Madam, farewell!”
“Will there be no problems?” I muttered, watching their departing figures.
The once-lively manor became quiet. I sighed, looking at the empty courtyard.
“Let’s start with Young Master Qiao.”
“Jinglei furrowed his brow and said, ‘After investigation by Young Master Qiao and his team, the person engaged to the second young lady of the Tang family is Ma Wei, a cloth merchant and genuine citizen of Chiyan country. The engagement surfaced three years ago, and Young Master Qiao’s team suspects Ma Wei may be affiliated with the Right Wing Hall.’
‘Looks like another formidable character has appeared.’
‘We also investigated the Tang family, which seems to have appeared out of thin air. To uncover the truth, we conducted a night investigation of the Tang residence.’ Jinglei’s expression changed slightly. ‘Initially, we found nothing unusual, but we accidentally triggered a mechanism on a rockery, revealing a secret passage where we encountered someone.’
‘Lin Cheng?’ Xie Ying confidently laughed, ‘So he’s not dead after all! Tianmei must be in Chiyan!’
‘Lin Cheng being alive is no different from being dead!’ Jinglei said, slight disdain in his tone. ‘Just as we were about to retreat, the servants of the Tang residence – more accurately, people from the Right Wing Hall – surrounded us. Their skills were ordinary, except for one exceptionally capable woman!'”
“Xie Ying slightly narrowed his eyes. ‘The women around Tianmei are not ordinary. What characteristics did this woman have?’
‘Extremely seductive, each move targeting vital points! Skilled with hidden weapons.’
‘I know who she is,’ Xie Ying said. ‘Her name is Deng Weier, someone Lin Cheng cultivated since childhood, now following Tianmei!’
‘So the Tang residence in Chiyan is the headquarters of the Right Wing Hall, and Ma Wei is directly under Tianmei, like Deng Weier. The Tang family members have all withdrawn, presumably hearing about your night investigation of the headquarters… they should be fine, right?’ Although Chiyan was Fire Ling Yun’s country, it was also the Right Wing Hall’s headquarters, so caution was necessary.
‘Everyone’s fine, only… the eldest young master of the Qiao family is extremely unstable.’
‘…How could he possibly be stable? His soon-to-be wife suddenly became an enemy. He’s lucky he hasn’t gone mad.’
‘Then, is Tang Yiyou Tianmei?’ Nan Gong Mo suddenly asked.
‘Tang Yiyou!’ Xie Ying’s expression revealed melancholy.
‘Are you saying we’ve been tricked by Tianmei?’ Jinglei’s face darkened. ‘This is a diversion tactic!’
‘Do you mean Tianmei hasn’t left Yinri?'”
Nangong Mo became anxious. “They are definitely trapped in Chiyan. Tianmei alone is difficult to deal with, let alone with two small demons by his side.”
“What should we do?” Xiao Yao asked, looking worried.
“…” Jinglei was also at a loss.
“Someone’s coming!” Kong Jue suddenly alerted us, pointing to a figure landing on the roof.
“Are you… Tianmei?” the figure asked. It was Tang Yiyou, also known as Tianmei.
“My lady, I told you we would meet again soon.” Tianmei’s smile sent shivers down my spine. I instinctively took a step back, closer to Jinglei.
“What do you want?” Nangong Mo asked coldly.
“It’s simple. I want the ‘Immortal Ice Flower’!” Tianmei said with a sinister smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not interested in those people in Chiyan. Even if I were… it would be about my lady.”
“You! Don’t go too far!” Jinglei shouted, his anger palpable as his fists clenched tightly.
“Heh…” Tianmei’s cold gaze swept over us. “I forgot that my lady has many protectors around. It seems it’s not my turn.”
Jinglei, provoked, flew onto the roof and attacked without a word. Nangong Mo and Xiao Yao joined him.
Watching them, I worried. How could they defeat Tianmei?
Just as the fight was intense, Tianmei suddenly withdrew, and the other three didn’t pursue. They realized that even working together, they couldn’t gain the upper hand and would only lose if they continued. But why would Tianmei, clearly at an advantage, suddenly back down?
“Yao, are you okay?” Seeing Xiao Yao’s poor complexion, I quickly pulled him inside to rest.
“I’m fine, but Jinglei…”
“Just a small injury, it’s nothing!” Jinglei spoke softly, but blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
“You…” I wiped the blood from his mouth and took out a healing pill. “Take this; it’s good for recovery.”
Jinglei silently took the medicine, looked up at me, and swallowed.
“Little love, why did Tianmei suddenly leave?” the little rascal asked, sensing something was off.
“He didn’t suddenly leave; he successfully left!” I glanced at Jinglei’s injury and understood what happened. “No matter what, don’t engage with him next time.”
“Little love?” Nangong Mo looked confused. Jinglei also appeared puzzled.
“Didn’t you see?” I pointed at Jinglei and Xiao Yao. “He left after injuring two people—this was probably his purpose. Their injuries are not simple; their lips are dark, suggesting poisoning.”
“Not poisoned, but internal injury,” Jinglei said with difficulty. “Tianmei’s skills exceed what ordinary people can withstand. His palm’s internal energy is profound. I’m afraid I won’t recover even after a month.”
“This…” Nangong Mo’s eyes filled with anxiety. “If this continues, what can we do? If they don’t return from Chiyan, then…”
“Wait two more days. If they don’t return, we’ll think of another way.” My heart felt heavy. No one knew what would happen next. Tianmei was beyond my imagination.
“Don’t move!” Tian Mei’s face turned cold, and he held me tightly, flying out and landing on Wan Xi Lou. “Everyone in the ‘Phantom Love Mansion’ is asleep, just the two of us. Would my lady play a song for me?”
“…”
“Of course, once the song ends, I will leave and guarantee not to harm anyone in the mansion. Otherwise…” The unfinished latter half of Tian Mei’s words made me obediently sit by the guqin. He added, “I’ve heard that my lady’s singing is like heavenly sound, with exquisite lyrics and music. Please demonstrate.”
Suppressing my anger, I took a deep breath and played a song:
Eyebrows reveal charm, appearance transforms legend, makeup adds delicate power, a kind heart makes beauty.
Gorgeous beyond the mirror, suspense hidden within, a transcendent love, heart dwelling in the mirror.
In a long life story, losing the true heart’s direction. No matter how beautiful the rouge, the hidden willow sways within.
Perhaps the mirror reflects numerous styles, ultimately unable to conceal the truth, only letting love illuminate us both, like starlight in the clouds.
Flirtatious glances aside, the elegant one has already departed. Makeup can enhance beauty, but a kind heart is what truly matters.
In dreams, human affairs take precedence, with truth and genuine feelings above all.
After the song ended, Tian Mei sat silently for a long time. Just as I grew anxious, he suddenly flew away. Looking at the vanishing figure, it all seemed like a dream. [Main Text: Chapter Fifteen – Hatred of Deception]
