In the courtyard full of fallen flowers, the water flowed gurgling.
Jiang Li was quietly looking out of the window when the door behind him was gently pushed open.
He turned around. Duanmu You walked in, wearing a long purple - flowered robe. She looked up at Jiang Li and said softly, "The South Star Lord has started to investigate the identities of those black - clothed men last time."
Jiang Li nodded. He concealed his dashing smile and took on an elegant and calm air. He said, "Since those people are not from the martial world, try to check those who have already retired from it. Maybe we can find out something."
Duanmu You nodded. Her charming eyes were quietly fixed on Jiang Li as she asked, "Has the Heavenly Lord found out about the Rebirth Fruit?"
Jiang Li's eyes darkened. He walked to the side and sat down. Picking up the teapot, he poured a cup of tea and said, "Maybe he already has. Everyone in the martial world wants the Rebirth Fruit. If the Heavenly Lord desires it..."
"Just give the Rebirth Fruit to him," Duanmu You said, pursing her lips.
Jiang Li looked up at her. His handsome face showed a hint of annoyance. He said, "Give everything to the Heavenly Lord. Whatever he wants, you just give it."
Duanmu You met his aggressive gaze. She smiled and said, "My life belongs to the Heavenly Lord."
Jiang Li stared at her quietly and suddenly asked, "Then what about me?"
Duanmu You stared blankly at him.
There was a moment of silence.
Jiang Li suddenly hooked up a dashing smile, though his eyes were filled with unmaskable sorrow. He said, "Since your life doesn't belong to me, I don't mean much either."
Duanmu You lowered her eyes and said softly, "Jiang Li, don't be like this..."
Jiang Li looked at her with a smile. A gentle breeze blew in from the window. It seemed like an eternity before she gave an answer...
"Since the moment the Heavenly Lord saved me, I've always belonged to him. I'm sorry, Jiang Li. I'll never have the chance to repay your devotion in this lifetime..."
In the main hall, everyone was looking at Gu Xianlao and Gu Ran standing in the middle.
Gu Rongxue stood up from his chair. Looking at Gu Xianlao, he asked, "Are you leaving for the capital tonight, Gu Xianlao?"
Mo Xin also stood up. She said with a hint of worry, "The capital is so far away. Is it really okay for just the two of you to go back?"
Gu Xianlao looked up at Gu Rongxue and Mo Xin and said, "I'm very grateful for Mr. Qiongxue's and Lady Xiao's concern. My junior in the capital said that the matter with the Peace - Pacifying Alliance Leader has been settled. This naughty boy and I can finally relax. Staying with you all will only cause trouble. So this old man and this naughty boy might as well bid farewell to you all. Maybe we'll meet again if we're fated!"
Zhong Fengyue nodded. Looking at Gu Xianlao, he said, "It's not a trouble. Since this matter has nothing to do with you, Gu Xianlao, that's good. But it's a few days' journey from here to the capital. You'd better be careful. We'll escort you down the mountain tonight."
Tang Yuyan and Wei Feng exchanged a look. They stood up together and said to Gu Xianlao, "What Young Master Zhong said is right. It's really inconvenient for an old man to travel. We'll arrange a few guards to accompany you tonight."
Gu Xianlao nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you all for your concern. This old man and my unworthy disciple are really grateful!"
When Su Xiaoliu heard that Gu Xianlao and Gu Ran were leaving, she felt a bit reluctant. But when she heard that Gu Xianlao was going back to the capital, she asked, "Do you also live in the capital, Gu Xianlao?" Her family was also in the capital.
"Yes. Do you also live in the capital, Miss Xiaoliu?" Gu Xianlao looked at Su Xiaoliu. He wondered in his heart, wasn't she living in an old temple outside the capital?
Su Xiaoliu nodded. Looking around at everyone in the room, she really wanted to go back with them but couldn't. She nodded and said, "What a coincidence. I'll visit you if I have the chance."
Gu Ran looked at Su Xiaoliu, looking as if he wanted to say something but held back. Unexpectedly, this was seen by Gu Xianlao. Gu Xianlao lifted his long spear, pulled Gu Ran over, and said to Su Xiaoliu, "My good - for - nothing disciple has been thinking about Miss Xiaoliu all day long. Before we leave, would Miss Xiaoliu give him something? Otherwise, he'll keep nagging!"
Gu Ran blushed and didn't even dare to raise his head.
Su Xiaoliu was stunned for a moment. Finding it amusing, she nodded without any hesitation and said, "Sure. I'll go back and prepare something to give him."
"Thank you so much, Miss Xiaoliu!" Gu Xianlao stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Everyone looked at each other and laughed too.
Zhong Fengyue looked at Su Xiaoliu. She was smiling and saying something to Gu Ran. Behind her white - veiled hat, her beautiful ink - like eyes dimmed slightly.
"By the way, where's the divine doctor? And the North Star Lord and the East Star Lord. Why haven't I seen them?" Mo Xin suddenly said.
Su Xiaoliu withdrew her gaze. Just as she was about to say that Chang He was also missing, her eyes suddenly caught sight of the figure in royal blue sitting silently in the corner, holding a teacup. She fell silent.
"The divine doctor has gone to gather herbs. He probably hasn't come back yet. But the North Star Lord and the East Star Lord have been nowhere to be seen. It's almost lunchtime. Should we send someone to call them?" Gu Rongxue looked at Mo Xin and replied.
Mo Xin nodded and said, "Okay. Then let's wait for the divine doctor a bit longer."
Gu Rongxue smiled slightly and lowered his head to instruct his subordinate beside him to call Jiang Li and Duanmu You. Su Xiaoliu looked around and her eyes suddenly fell on Cang Luoyao.
Cang Luoyao was wearing a snow - white silk dress. Her long black hair was gently tied with a long rope. Her clear eyes were shining, her teeth were white, and her lips were red. Her waist was as slender as silk, and she wore moon - shaped earrings. She looked very quiet.
Su Xiaoliu didn't have a deep impression of Cang Luoyao. Since she didn't like Cang Nanyan, she didn't have much affection for Cang Luoyao either. She always thought Cang Luoyao was a puppet at others' mercy. Looking at Tang Yuyan beside her, Tang Yuyan was looking up and smiling as she said something to her. Tang Yuyan had always taken great care of Cang Luoyao, just like a family member.
Thinking of family, Su Xiaoliu couldn't help but think of Lord Su, her second sister Su Yueru, and her eldest sister Su Lou'er who hadn't been back since she got married. In the past, her eldest sister had always treated her like this. She would always think of her when there was something good. Su Xiaoliu was several years younger than her. She had almost grown up following her eldest and second sisters and had been doted on since childhood. Until her eldest and second sisters got married and she had a bad encounter with someone. Now, the Su family was almost falling apart.
Su Xiaoliu looked out of the door. The peach blossoms had fallen all over the courtyard. Her thoughts drifted away...
After lunch, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
Su Xiaoliu watched Jiang Li's back as he left. Then she glanced at Duanmu You who had just walked out of the door. Since lunch, the two of them hadn't said a word. What on earth had happened between them? They were so abnormal.
"Let's go too," Zhong Fengyue picked up the Heaven - Bestowed Sword beside him and said to Su Xiaoliu.
Su Xiaoliu quickly withdrew her gaze, nodded, and tidied up her sleeves. She said, "Okay."
When Su Xiaoliu stood up, she found that Mo Xin hadn't left for a long time. She walked over and asked, "Lady Xiao, aren't you going back for a nap?"