"Alas, to be honest with you, it was Mu Ziming of the Mu family who asked me to rescue you. So if you truly wish to express gratitude, give this jade pendant to him." Ye Lanshan saw the spring-like longing in her eyes and knew he couldn't accept the pendant.
Liu Qiushui felt a pang of disappointment. She had finally found someone who stirred her heart, but he didn't feel the same. Still, it didn't matter—she wouldn't give up. As long as she remained in the Yue Kingdom, she would find a way to win him over.
"So it was Brother Mu. Where is Brother Mu now?" Liu Qiushui began retying the jade pendant to herself. Just mentioning Brother Mu lifted her spirits.
"Him? He should be back at the Mu residence by now. If you want to see him, I can take you there." A fan had appeared in Ye Lanshan's hand from who knows where, and he waved it leisurely, the picture of a refined young master.
"Then I'll trouble my benefactor." Liu Qiushui was more than happy to spend more time with Ye Lanshan. She naturally wouldn't refuse his offer.
"Oh, this is so beautiful!" Once on the street, Liu Qiushui couldn't contain herself. Shedding her ladylike facade, she hopped around like a little rabbit, admiring the stalls.
"Benefactor, does this hairpin look good?" She picked up an orchid-shaped hairpin and placed it in her hair.
Ye Lanshan smiled and nodded. "It looks good."
"And this one?" She picked up a plum blossom hairpin.
"Both are lovely. One highlights your elegance, the other your nobility." Ye Lanshan truly had a way of charming people without realizing it—his gentle features, melodious voice, captivating smile, and the tone of his words. Which woman wouldn't be moved?
Unfortunately, Ye Lanshan seemed unaware of this. He naively thought that once he delivered this girl to the Mu residence, she would stop pestering him.
"Shopkeeper, I'll take both. Wrap them up. Here, keep the change." Liu Qiushui tossed a gold piece onto his stall with grand generosity. After Ye Lanshan's compliments, her heart felt as sweet as if she'd eaten candy—why would she care about money?
"Has Brother Mu missed me?" Spotting Mu Ziming, Liu Qiushui ran over to him joyfully.
"Of course I have. Let me see—ah, our little Qiu'er has grown up into a young lady." Mu Ziming's eyes were full of adoring affection.
"Brother Mu, I don't want to go back to the Liu family." After a brief moment of happiness, Liu Qiushui's mood darkened.
"What's wrong? Who bullied my little treasure?" Mu Ziming didn't have a good impression of the Sun family either—his aunt had died just five years after marrying into it. If there wasn't something shady going on, he wouldn't believe it.
"Big sister went to the Xuanling Academy, and no one at home likes me. I hate that place." Just mentioning her family made Liu Qiushui feel dejected.
"Alright, if you don't want to go back, then don't. It's not like the Mu family can't support you. Just stay here peacefully." Mu Ziming patted her head affectionately.
"I've delivered Liu Qiushui to you. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Ye Lanshan had no interest in their affairs. Since he had nothing better to do, he might as well use the time to study the current situation in the capital.
"Master Dou, why are you blocking my path?" As soon as Ye Lanshan stepped out of the Mu residence, Dou Jingtong blocked his way.
"Why? Hmph, you know why." Dou Jingtong let out a sinister laugh, his eyes brimming with hatred.
"I don't recall ever offending you." Ye Lanshan shrugged, looking innocent.
"If you can't remember, then go think about it at Yi Shui's grave."
"Ten Thousand Blades, Severing Swords!"
A barrage of sharp blades shot toward Ye Lanshan. She dodged just in time, or she would have been riddled with holes.
"Flying Fire, Meteor!"
Countless flames rained down from the sky, crashing straight toward Dou Jingtong. But he wasn't weak either—he conjured a shield of rings that instantly blocked the raging fire.
"Heaven-Sent Giant Axe!"
A massive axe descended from the sky with a gust of wind, and with a thunderous boom, the ground shook.
"Wings of Carnage!" Ye Lanshan finally used her ultimate move. Within a quarter of an hour, Dou Jingtong was completely powerless against her attacks.
Soon, he was charred black like charcoal. If not for his fingers twitching slightly, one might think he was dead.
"Now, can you tell me why you blocked my path?" Ye Lanshan stepped forward slowly, her tone gentle yet chilling to the ears.
"You not only killed Yi Shui but forgot him entirely. Even if I die today, I won't let you off easy." Dou Jingtong knew that even if he begged for mercy now, he wouldn't be spared, so he might as well trade his life for hers.
Seeing his body suddenly swell, Ye Lanshan realized what he meant and quickly retreated. But before she could reach a safe distance, a deafening bang echoed—Dou Jingtong had self-detonated. The shockwave from the blast hit her like a tidal wave, throwing her to the ground.
"So this is the power of self-detonation?" Ye Lanshan was covered in blood. Even with her true qi protecting her, the blast had still injured her.
Suddenly, a ripple in the air came toward her. She tilted her head and caught a flying dart between her fingers.
"You dared to kill Dou Jingtong! The Sun family won't let this go." The newcomer was Dou Jingtong's friend, Lin Boxu, a scion of a notable family in the capital.
"Oh? Then go tell Sun Chenbo that I'm waiting for him to come seek revenge." Ye Lanshan's eyes narrowed, murderous intent flashing, but she forced herself to hold back. In her current state, killing Lin Boxu was impossible. She was barely holding herself together, trying to face him with a calm demeanor.
Fortunately, seeing her composed and unruffled, Lin Boxu hesitated to engage her. After a few threats, he quickly left to report to Sun Chenbo.
Once Lin Boxu was completely out of sight, Ye Lanshan collapsed. She slumped against the rubble, intending to retrieve some pills from her spatial ring, but froze the moment she entered.
The spot where she usually kept her pills was empty. Even the few scattered jade bottles lying around held not a single pill.
Ye Lanshan let out a bitter laugh. When luck was against you, even drinking water could get stuck in your teeth.
After resting for a while, she barely managed to stand and staggered toward Dream Red Pavilion.