Chapter 87: Disclosure

Chapter 87: Revelation

"It's me."

Panting mingled with the sound of footsteps as they entered the room step by step. With a "thud," it seemed someone had set something down.

The initial speaker exclaimed in surprise, "What's this?"

"Flour."

"Why so much?"

"The leaders have been craving noodles lately. Besides, with so many people in our city, if we don't stock up enough, what will we do if we run out? It's not easy to get out."

"That's true. How much more is there? Let me help you."

Someone laughed heartily, "There's plenty. I've sent everyone in the kitchen away except you. Hurry up and go."

"Alright, alright, I'm going. Don't pull me!"

The two voices gradually faded into the distance. Qiu Shuiyi, lying in the grass, cautiously peeked her head out and glanced through the window.

The kitchen was extremely spacious, as large as a typical small courtyard. The stove was wide, with four or five large pots placed on top. Vegetables on the shelves by the wall still glistened with water, as if freshly picked from the fields.

Various spices were neatly arranged on the cabinets. Next to them, several winnowing baskets covered something on the table, making it impossible to see what was inside.

In the corner sat a burlap sack, bulging and full. Judging by the white powder clinging to its opening, it must have been the flour just carried in.

As soon as she peeked through the window, footsteps sounded outside again. Qiu Shuiyi hurriedly ducked back down.

Several large sacks of flour were thrown to the ground, stirring up dust that triggered a round of coughing.

The men cursed and grumbled before leaving again.

Qiu Shuiyi straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the flour in the corner and the dying embers in the stove. A calculating glint flickered in her eyes.

Before the next group returned, she turned and melted into the night.

The remark "It's not easy to get out" had caught Qiu Shuiyi's attention.

No longer following the buildings, she turned and entered the mountain forest.

The peaks in the night resembled a slumbering giant beast, shrouded in swirling mist, danger lurking silently.

Glancing at the dungeon entrance not far away, Qiu Shuiyi took a deep breath and began to climb upward.

The mountain was steep; even in daylight, climbing would be difficult, let alone in complete darkness.

With the help of sparse moonlight, Qiu Shuiyi moved cautiously step by step, starting with extreme caution and eventually resorting to using both hands and feet.

Her back was soaked with sweat. She gasped for breath, roughly wiping the sweat from her face with her sleeve.

Her limbs gradually trembled and ached. Qiu Shuiyi leaned against a tree trunk and sat on the ground, closing her eyes to calm her wildly pounding heart.

In her daze, she seemed to hear a sound.

So familiar... what was it?

"Plop."

Qiu Shuiyi blinked, wiping her fingertip across her face where something had suddenly landed.

It felt wet. Water?

Water?

She abruptly stood up, her slender body suddenly unleashing immense potential as she climbed upward, passing through countless tall trees.

Imperceptibly, the dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and the bright silver moonlight spilled down, transforming into a dazzling light.

Qiu Shuiyi looked back.

The east was already brightening. An orange-red light leaped out, spreading across half the sky.

Wispy clouds drifted, and the glow of dawn scattered in all directions. The shimmering light danced like ripples on water, golden and radiant.

The morning breeze blew, rustling the leaves as if cheering for the fine day ahead.

The dawn's colors reflected a brilliant light in Qiu Shuiyi's eyes.

She stood on the cliff, looking down in silence for a long while.

...

"Time to eat."

Bage set down the bowls.

Today's breakfast was steamed buns and plain rice porridge.

The porridge appeared to have only a few grains of rice floating on the surface, but compared to the past two days, it was already much better.

As he stood up, his gaze, from the corner of his eye, inadvertently swept over "Qiu Shuiyi" lying on the pile of dry grass in the corner. Bage's brows furrowed, and he asked gruffly, "What's wrong with her?"

Qiu Lianying turned sideways, holding "Qiu Shuiyi" in her arms to block Bage's view, and said softly, "This place is damp and chilly. She caught a chill and has a slight fever."

"So delicate."

Bage rolled his eyes and left.

Qiu Lianying held the "Qiu Shuiyi" in her arms even tighter. Her heart still in her throat, she hadn't yet relaxed when—"Wait—"

Her back stiffened instantly.

Bage turned around, suspicion in his eyes. "But why do I feel like she's gotten quite a bit fatter?"

Her heart pounded like a drum, each beat striking her taut nerves.

Qiu Lianying suddenly turned her head, a fierce glare fixed on Bage as she rebuked angrily, "What business is it of yours to comment on my sister's figure? Who do you think you are, daring to judge her appearance?"

Rage flared in Bage's eyes.

He was already burly, and this glare made him appear even more ferocious, like a demon from the night.

Qiu Lianying glared back defiantly.

The two engaged in a silent standoff. After a while, Bage seemed to think of something and was the first to look away. He snorted with a laugh. "The young ladies of the Qiu family are naturally precious. Indeed, it's not for someone of my lowly status to look upon. I beg your pardon, Miss. I'll take my leave now."

Only after Bage's figure had completely disappeared did Qiu Lianying truly let out a sigh of relief. The clothes on her back were thoroughly soaked with cold sweat.

She brushed the back of her hand over her neck, wiping away a thin layer of sweat, relieved that Eighth Brother hadn’t noticed some of the weeds on the ground were missing.

Lowering her head to gaze at the human-shaped figure made of dry grass in her arms, Qiu Lianying silently wondered if Yi’er had managed to find her way out.

She hoped she could survive this ordeal and live a peaceful, smooth life from now on.

After rearranging the straw figure once more, Qiu Lianying was just putting Qiu Shuiyi’s outer garment on it when a series of light, hurried footsteps suddenly approached from not far away.

Her heart tightened, fearing it was Eighth Brother returning. She pressed her lips together tightly, trying to think of a plan.

The footsteps drew closer.

Qiu Lianying took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.

“Sis, I’m back.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Qiu Lianying turned her head in disbelief. If she weren’t worried about her voice carrying, she would have nearly shouted.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave? Why did you come back?”

Qiu Shuiyi replied calmly, “I couldn’t leave.”

Qiu Lianying froze, her brows furrowed with confusion and worry. “Why?”

…

“Your Highness, I have failed. We have searched the entire Yue City but still found no trace of Second Miss and First Miss Qiu.” Zuo Yi lowered his head slightly, speaking softly. “Even they… have lost their trail.”

A man stood by the window.

He faced the wind, his dark hair dancing in the breeze. The moon-white brocade robe accentuated his tall, straight figure, standing proudly like a pine or bamboo.

His face was bathed in light, as if an immortal had descended to the mortal world.

His fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles. In his calloused palm, he held a prayer bead.

The bead seemed bathed in Buddha’s light.

Hearing Zuo Yi’s words, he turned around, revealing a flawless, jade-like face.

In that instant, it was as if the sky had cleared after rain, or a night-blooming flower had just opened, with countless rays of light converging upon him.

Shen Yuchao showed no anger; instead, a faint, elusive smile touched the corners of his eyes, though the look in them was as cold as eternal ice.

He said slowly, “After searching for Mu Yurou all these years, we still haven’t found her lair.”

“Your Highness, please don’t be angry.”

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness.

“This is my failure.”

Shen Yuchao ignored them as if they were invisible, walking slowly to the table and sitting down. “But the place she appears most frequently is still Yue City.”

“Yue City.” The other person at the table lifted his head.

The man’s face was chiseled like a blade, exuding a heroic and resolute aura. His phoenix eyes were as cold as stars, and his thin lips were slightly pressed together, revealing a hint of aloofness.

“If she’s not in the city, what about outside?”

Shang Ze shook his head upon hearing this. “We’ve searched outside the city as well. Nothing.”

Mu Yuanxi fell silent for a moment.

His hand resting on the table unconsciously clenched.

A’ying…

“Wrong.”

In the silence, Shen Yuchao suddenly spoke.

Everyone turned to look at him.

“What does Yue City have the most of?”

Shang Ze frowned in confusion, while Zuo Yi seemed lost in thought, a fleeting idea crossing his mind too quickly to grasp.

It was Mu Yuanxi who, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly looked up. “Water.”

Shen Yuchao stared at the prayer bead between his fingertips. “Yue City is surrounded by water on three sides. You only searched inhabited areas but forgot the most crucial part—the waters.”

Zuo Yi immediately said, “This subordinate will go at once.”

Shen Yuchao looked at him calmly.

Though it was an utterly placid gaze, it felt like thunder hidden within the clouds, making Zuo Yi’s heart tighten.

“If you fail to find them this time, bring me your head.”

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze bowed their heads in unison, acknowledging the order.

Second Miss had been missing for so many days; it was already surprising that His Highness had tolerated it until now.

This time, they must not return empty-handed.

After the two left, Mu Yuanxi spoke in a low voice, “Why would the Qiyun Sect capture A’ying and her sister? What grudge do they have with the Qiu family, and why…”

At this point, Mu Yuanxi paused, waves of dull pain assaulting his heart.

He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly at the end. “Why did they slaughter my entire family?”

Shen Yuchao hung the prayer bead back around his neck, resting his chin on one hand. “That is a question I would also like to know.”

Given his life-and-death relationship with Mu Yurou, even if she knew of Qiu Shuiyi’s existence and wanted to use her to threaten him, she wouldn’t have gone this long without sending any message.

What was the reason, after all?

Shen Yuchao couldn’t figure it out no matter how much he pondered.

But… if Mu Yurou dared to harm her in the slightest…

Darkness swirled in Shen Yuchao’s eyes.

“Knock, knock—”

From behind the door came Xin Tao’s respectful voice. “Your Highness, your meal is ready.”

Shen Yuchao responded with a soft “Hmm.”

Shen Yuchao walked out the door with Mu Yuanxi following behind, before they had even started down the stairs, Shen Yuchao came to an abrupt stop.

Mu Yuanxi was confused. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Yuchao didn’t reply.

He looked down at the figure on the floor below.

The figure below seemed to sense his gaze and looked up.

The moment their gazes met, a cold glint flashed in both their eyes, and they instantly clashed.

Diners screamed and fled outside.

The waiter wailed, “Sirs, please, don’t fight—that’s all money down the drain…”

Shen Yuchao turned a deaf ear, wholly focused on exchanging blows with his opponent.

Every move was lethal.

Mu Yuanxi watched the two combatants, his brow furrowed.

In the hall, apart from the waiter’s cries, only the meaty thuds of their blows could be heard.

After a long moment, they both disengaged at the same time.

Shen Yuchao took his time smoothing the wrinkles from his clothes, his tone gentle as if he hadn’t just been fighting to kill.

“Uncle Liu truly lives up to being Mu Yurou’s dog. Did you catch wind of her news and come panting after her?”

Liu Songqing drew himself up to his full height. Upon hearing this, he chuckled lightly, but after Shen Yuchao’s latter words, his entire body trembled violently, and a light unlike any before blazed in his eyes. “What did you say?”

Shen Yuchao's lip curled in a cold sneer. “Stop pretending. Don’t tell me you didn’t know Mu Yurou is still alive?”

He paused briefly, then suddenly smiled. “So in her eyes, you’re nothing special either.”

Liu Songqing’s gaze dimmed slightly. When he lifted his lashes, bitterness mingled with madness slowly seeped from the depths of his eyes.

He smiled gently at Shen Yuchao. “As A Chao said, she is my master. Whatever she does to me, I accept.”

Shen Yuchao sneered coldly. “Madman.”

“The moment I learned of her death, I was already mad.” Liu Songqing chuckled lightly.

He turned with a graceful sweep, his voice filled with genuine sincerity. “A Chao, thank you.”

Shen Yuchao watched him leave with a cold gaze, then abruptly spoke. “Follow him. Don’t be discovered.”

A shadowy figure melted away silently.

For so many years, he had never revealed Mu Yurou’s existence to Liu Songqing, simply because he thought it would be more troublesome if the two sides joined forces.

But now, he couldn’t afford to care about that anymore.

Shen Yuchao withdrew his gaze.

He hoped Liu Songqing wouldn’t disappoint his expectations.