The young girl came to her senses and quickly picked up the lantern and walked to the horse to light the way. She raised her bright eyes to look at the man, her face full of joy. In her delicate voice, she said, "This maid's name is Yu Lingyao. I used to serve the old madam. My... master can just call me Lingyao."
Fang Xie led the white horse and walked quietly. His dark red robe trailed on the ground. He said, "From today on, you'll serve me."
Yu Lingyao was stunned for a moment, then nodded happily and smiled, "This maid understands."
She looked up secretly at Fang Xie. She only felt that he had an air of aloofness that was out of reach. So this was what the eldest young master looked like. She thought... the eldest young master would be as gentle and approachable as Mr. Qiongxue.
Even so, she was still very excited. There was finally hope for the Gu family again, and the souls of all the wronged could rest in peace.
"Guess why I came back," Fang Xie suddenly said.
The moonlight shone on the road, creating a desolate and cold beauty. The sparse shadows swayed, and the clouds drifted.
Yu Lingyao looked up at Fang Xie. Was the eldest young master asking her?
Yu Lingyao was secretly delighted. She thought for a while and whispered, "Is it to revitalize the Gu family?" So many things had happened to the Gu family, and now it was in such a state. The eldest young master's return was like the last hope for the Gu family.
Fang Xie didn't say a word. The only sound in his ears was the sound of the horse's hooves stepping on the bluestone slabs. After a long time, he said, "Not only do I want to revitalize the Gu family, but I also want to kill all those who have hurt the Gu family."
The casually uttered word "kill", although whispered, made Yu Lingyao shiver involuntarily. She forced a smile.
The eldest young master was really a ruthless person...
Bypassing the rockery, Fang Xie led the horse and walked quietly. The gold, silver and jade ornaments on the white horse's head collided and made a crisp sound.
"And the current leader of the alliance, I'll pull him off his comfortable throne," he said unhurriedly.
Yu Lingyao widened her bright eyes, swallowed hard, and lowered her head to look at the lantern in her hand. She followed Fang Xie's steps and didn't dare to say a word. This eldest young master was really a big shot, someone not to be easily provoked.
Fang Xie led the horse and asked as he walked, "Where are the master and the madam?"
Yu Lingyao was startled. As soon as she thought of the scene of a group of black - clothed men breaking into the Gu mansion and burning, killing and looting, her chest felt stuffy and she felt nauseous. She still had lingering fears, as if it had just happened yesterday.
The once - prosperous Gu mansion was now in a state of complete desolation. The walls were burned, the tiles were cracked, black smoke billowed, and it was in a complete mess.
Mr. Qiongxue was no longer there. The coffins of the master and the madam were all arranged by Lord Wentong. The servants either fled or scattered. The Gu mansion was in a sorry state. Some of the rooms even leaked when it rained. Lord Wentong used his own salary to repair the roof of Mr. Qiongxue's room to prevent the things inside from being soaked by the rain, and he would still insist on cleaning it every day.
Yu Lingyao paused, closed her eyes, and then whispered, "They... they're all dead."
Hearing what she said, Fang Xie seemed to be stunned for a moment. Without showing too much emotion, he said indifferently, "Since they're all dead, clean up those rooms and throw away all the worthless things."
Yu Lingyao bit her lower lip. The last trace of joy was extinguished. She looked up at Fang Xie timidly and said, "Yes..."
How could the eldest young master be such a heartless person? Was his return really a good thing...
"You sing nice little tunes. Sing again next time," his dark red robe trailing on the ground. Under the heavy black cloak, his face couldn't be seen clearly.
Yu Lingyao blushed. She didn't expect that the little tune she had hummed casually before would be heard by the eldest young master...
She nodded gently and whispered, "Okay."
The moonlight was just right.
At dawn, the sky was getting dimly bright.
Su Xiaoliu slowly woke up. She opened her eyes. At first, everything in front of her was blurry. She sat up, stretched, and rubbed her eyes.
After a while, Su Xiaoliu suddenly widened her almond eyes. She looked down at the sandalwood bed and the brocade quilt under her. These weren't hers...
She turned her head and accidentally met a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly frowned and said, "Why are you here?"
The man in front of her was wearing a crimson robe. He was reclining against the bedside railing, looking at her with a smile on his face. There was a hint of laziness on his coquettish face. The phoenix ornament on his forehead swayed gently. Seeing that she was awake, his red lips parted slightly and he said softly, "Don't you welcome me? But I saved you."
Saved her?
Su Xiaoliu frowned and lowered her head, trying to recall what had happened the previous night. She only felt a splitting headache.
She propped her head with her hand and gritted her teeth. Suddenly, she remembered her elder sister and the Rebirth Fruit. She suddenly turned to look at him and questioned, "Did you take me away? I haven't even had the chance to find out the relationship between the Rebirth Fruit and the Hundred Families. How did I end up here!"
She didn't remember at all how she had fallen asleep. She woke up and found herself here. What kind of place was this Wangu Valley?
Feng Yufei laughed softly. His slender and fair fingers gently ran through his black hair. He tilted his head and looked at Su Xiaoliu and said, "Your elder sister doesn't want you anymore. As long as you follow me obediently, I'll protect you."
Hearing this, Su Xiaoliu looked up at him. For some reason, she felt a sense of annoyance and a feeling of being deceived. She stared at him angrily and gritted her teeth, "My elder sister won't abandon me! None of you are good people..." She wanted to ask where the Rebirth Fruit was, but suddenly remembered what Situ Qianyue had said. He said that if the Hundred Families wanted to take the fruit, they could take it. She shook her head, supported the edge of the bed and put on her shoes to get out of bed. "I'm going to find Situ Qianyue."
Suddenly, her hand was grabbed. Su Xiaoliu was startled. She turned her head. Feng Yufei was reclining against the bedside railing obliquely. His crimson robe dragged on the ground. His long black hair was half - pulled up and half - loose. He was smiling wickedly. His hand was holding her wrist. He said, "Go find him?"
Su Xiaoliu struggled a few times but couldn't break free. She rolled her eyes and thought that he was really annoying.
She turned to look at him and smiled, "He and I are husband and wife. When something happens, of course I should go find him."
Feng Yufei laughed softly a few times. His charming phoenix eyes sparkled. Suddenly, he grabbed her and rolled over, pinning her under him. His smile gradually turned cold. Looking into her suddenly - widened almond eyes, he said softly, "Husband and wife?" His slender fingers slid across her cheek, and he hooked his lips, lazily scolding, "You're really good at getting involved in love debts..."
Su Xiaoliu was being pressed so hard that she could hardly breathe. She slapped his body hard and glared at him angrily, "Let me go!" After pushing for a long time to no avail, she simply let him press on her, turned her head and no longer looked at him, and said angrily, "Just crush me to death!"
Feng Yufei retreated a little, leaving a little space for her. His long black hair fell on her body. His phoenix eyes looked at her quietly, and he slowly smiled, "How could I be willing to crush you to death..."