"My dear Huan'er, do you miss Daddy?" General Mo, an old veteran, put the little girl in his arms down. She took small steps and closely followed her father.
General Mo took her into his study. While he was dealing with official business, she circled around in front of him, and from time to time called out in a soft baby voice, "Daddy."
At such times, General Mo would put down the official documents in his hand, pick her up, coax her for a while, then put her down and resume his work.
She saw her father sitting in front of the desk. He gently tapped the desk three times. A box popped out from the upper right corner of the desk. He took out a key from his waist, opened the box, and then took out the key inside. He walked towards the calligraphy and painting, and then gently knocked on the wall where the scroll was hanging. The scroll automatically rolled up, triggering a mechanism on the ceiling.
The scene flashed, and all she saw was a spiral staircase leading downwards.
And the back of her father walking down the stairs. His figure gradually disappeared, leaving only a vast expanse of whiteness.
The memories flashed by faster and faster. It was so fast that she couldn't see the scenes clearly, but she could deeply feel the beauty and sweetness in them.
Finally, the scene froze on the sword piercing through her father's chest. He was covered in blood, but there was still a loving smile on his face. He reached out his hand as if he wanted to pick up the little girl.
Mu Yanming noticed that Mo Qinghuan was in a strange mood. He stepped forward to support her and let her lean against him.
"Huan'er, what's wrong with you?"
She raised her hand to touch her face and only then realized that her face was already wet with tears.
"It's nothing. I just miss my father," she said as she wiped away her tears.
Bai Ke searched the room but didn't find any signs of a mechanism, let alone a secret chamber.
Mu Yanming looked at Mo Qinghuan and asked gently, "Huan'er, did your father ever tell you where the entrance to the secret chamber is?"
Looking at her red, tear - filled eyes, his heart ached.
"My father never specifically told me where the entrance to the secret chamber is," she replied.
Mu Yanming frowned upon hearing this. If that was the case, they might have to destroy the study to find the entrance.
But seeing Mo Qinghuan's strong reaction after she entered the study, he guessed that this must be the place where the father - daughter pair had spent the most time together.
If it was destroyed, it might even destroy the only remaining beautiful memories in her heart.
He didn't want to make her sad, so he was reluctant to do so.
Seeing his worried face, Mo Qinghuan walked to the desk. "But my father never hid anything from me. So I know how to open the secret chamber."
She held her breath and gently tapped the desk three times.
Since this place hadn't been cleaned for years, there was a thick layer of dust on the desk. Two finger marks were left on the place where she had tapped.
After she tapped the desk, a drawer popped out from under the desk. At the same time, the landscape painting hanging on the wall rolled up, revealing a box behind it. She looked down at the drawer. There was no dust in it. A key was lying quietly inside, and there was also a letter beside it.
She stood there for a moment, not knowing whether she should read the letter first or take the key.
Mu Yanming had been thinking that the layout and mechanisms of this study seemed familiar. Seeing her suddenly standing still and staring blankly at the drawer, he walked forward and came to the desk. He saw the letter on which was written "For Huan'er's Eyes Only".
He supported her trembling body and comforted her in a soft voice.
"Open it and have a look. Maybe it's your father's last instructions for you."
She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, picked up the letter, and tremblingly tore open the wax seal on the envelope.
She unfolded the letter. The bold and powerful handwriting was just like her father's character.
My dear daughter Qinghuan, reading this letter is like seeing me in person.
By the time you read this letter, I must have already left you. But don't be sad. I've just transformed into another form to exist in this world. And the fact that you've opened the mechanism here means that you want to find out a truth. But, listen to your father's advice. You're a girl, and there are many inconveniences in your actions. If you want to find out this truth, you must find a reliable person. I won't be by your side, but Mu Yanming, the orphan of the crown prince, is a trustworthy person. Remember this, remember it well.
Her tears dropped onto the letter paper.
After reading the whole letter, she felt so sad that she could hardly breathe. If it weren't for Mu Yanming supporting her, she felt that she would definitely collapse to the ground.
Mu Yanming pulled her into his arms. "It seems that your father already knew that he would encounter misfortune and also knew that you would open this mechanism one day in the future."
She nodded, picked up the key beside it, and handed it to Mu Yanming.
But he gently shook his head and supported her towards the landscape painting. "You should do it."
She adjusted her emotions, took out the box inside, and opened it. There was another letter inside.
The two of them looked at each other in confusion. Mo Qinghuan took out the letter and opened it. She only saw four words written on it, "Water and Sky Merge into One."
Looking at the empty box, Bai Ke sighed. "After building up so much suspense, General Mo still didn't tell us where the entrance to the secret chamber is."
She looked at Bai Ke, and Bai Ke immediately lowered his head guiltily.
She closed her eyes and pieced together her memories in her mind. She was sure that she must have missed a step.
After a long time, she raised her finger and pointed at the painting. "I remember!"
She looked up at the rolled - up scroll. Mu Yanming told Bai Ke to take the painting down and spread it flat on the table.
But after looking at it for a long time, they still couldn't figure it out.
"This is the place. Daddy took me there when I was a child."
She pointed at the bamboo hut in the painting.
"So the secret chamber isn't here," Mu Yanming suddenly realized.
She looked at Mu Yanming. "But I can't remember where 'Water and Sky Merge into One' is at all. There's not a single memory about it in my mind."
He rolled up the scroll and handed it to Mo Qinghuan. "Let's go back to the prince's mansion first. As for 'Water and Sky Merge into One', I'll send people to inquire about it."
She took the scroll and walked out of the study. Only when she stepped out of the study did the suffocating feeling gradually subside.
She looked back at the study. The feeling of reluctance in her heart had not completely dissipated.
Mu Yanming waved to Bai Ke, and Bai Ke immediately stepped forward.
He whispered, "Send people to clean this place, but remember, don't move any of the things or the furnishings inside. After putting on a new lock, give the key to the princess."
Bai Ke nodded and stepped back to make arrangements.
He walked up to Mo Qinghuan. "Huan'er, don't be sad. I promise you that I'll protect you for the rest of your life just like General Mo did."
She gave him a sweet smile. "Let's go."
Even after leaving the general's mansion, her mood still hadn't calmed down.
She closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage. Memories flashed through her mind continuously.
She wanted to search for the memories about "Water and Sky Merge into One", but the only memory she had about this place was a vast expanse of thick fog.
She shook her head, but still couldn't remember.
Mu Yanming pulled her into his arms. "Alright, stop thinking about it. As long as such a place exists, we'll definitely find it."
She leaned against his chest, but still felt a faint sense of unease.