Jin Zijin received a letter from Gu Youyou, and upon hearing that a pervert disguised as a woman was blocking the entry to Youyou’s residence every day, determined to stir up trouble unless he succeeded in undermining his position, it really infuriated him.
Who the hell is so bold to try to undermine my position in Qi Mountain?
At that time, Yue Rujing was in Sanqing Temple, and Jin Zijin, clutching the letter in fury, went to find Yue Rujing and said, "I must make a quick trip to Qi Mountain. In the days I’m gone, you watch over everything that needs watching, and make sure there are no slip-ups."
Yue Rujing said in surprise, "Isn’t it another fortnight before we go? Brother, why the sudden rush?"
As Jin Zijin was putting on his coat, he replied, "There’s a damn fool who doesn’t want to live, trying to undermine my position."
Someone like Gu Youyou? Apart from you, her visually impaired brother, who else would want her?
Who could be so blind?
Seeing Jin Zijin walking away, Yue Rujing hurriedly chased after him, saying, "Hey, brother, you’ve got to be quick there and quick back. Jin Ziyuan, that kid, is courting chaos more and more, and recently he even ambushed the food supplies sent to Dongzhou."
"Someone will handle him. Why worry about it? Just keep an eye on Huo Li."
Yue Rujing: "..." This is all for your future plans. We can’t just inherit a world full of troubles, can we?
Over at Gu Youyou’s place, it wasn’t a matter of listening to stories, but watching them unfold.
Lun Tong gave her a book that contained the very story she had inquired about.
No wonder he was so interested in her story, for his narrative technique was strikingly similar to Gu Youyou’s—vivid and straightforward, unlike the convoluted writing style of most ancient people.
(The story will be told in a modern novelistic way, and within it, hide many truths you’ve all been curious about.)
The early summer in Beijing still held a touch of coolness. Xiao Qinqin, born into a warrior family, was livelier than most other young ladies from noble families and was less sensitive to the cold.
While everyone else was still wearing thick clothes, she had already donned her light summer attire.
"Miss, the lotus flowers in the pond have only just budded; I’m afraid we won’t be able to pick any lotus flowers now. Are you sure you want to go?"
Leading the horse, Xiao Qinqin smiled like the peach blossoms of March and said, "The city’s lotuses haven’t bloomed, but I know a place where they have. Just follow me."
Alas! With a sigh, Aling resigned herself to lead the horse and follow along.
Seeing the direction her young miss was heading in, she knew they were going to leave the city.
Her martial arts skills were only slightly better than her young miss’s—she truly hoped nothing unexpected would happen.
Not long after they left the city, a young man leading a horse followed suit.
His gaze was profound.
Just as he was about to follow, someone suddenly approached him and said something, causing his expression to darken. He glanced in the direction Xiao Qinqin had left, then turned towards another route.
Ten miles south of the city was a large lake, half-covered with lotus flowers, which always bloomed earlier and withered later than other places.
"So this is the place!" Aling exclaimed, "It’s strange how these lotuses are in full bloom while others have only just budded."
Closing her eyes, Xiao Qinqin breathed in the fresh scent of water and said with a light laugh, "My mother’s favorite is the summer lotus. I must get her the most beautiful one this year. Aling, go quickly and ask a local villager to lend us a boat."
"Yes, miss, wait here for me, and don’t wander off!"
Once she had given her instructions, Aling dared to leave her young miss.
"I know, I know, hurry back," Xiao Qinqin said impatiently.