"Xiao Mei'er, come out."
Not long after, the night grew colder and there was no one sitting opposite Emperor Zhou. He then stood up, paced, and looked into the distance at the full moon, uttering these words slowly.
As these words fell, a figure in palace dress slowly emerged from a corner. The beauty's eyes were slightly red, her eyes were wet, and her shoulders were twitching slightly. Just looking at her made people feel pity...
"Father..."
The person who came was Lu Meir. She quickly rushed into Emperor Zhou's broad embrace, and then she could no longer hold back and burst into tears...
"Father... Mei'er doesn't want to be a younger sister! No! Mei'er only has one brother, the emperor! Why... why!"
Emperor Zhou also lost a trace of his royal majesty at this moment. He was like a loving father comforting his injured little daughter. He gently patted her shoulder and said, "Xiao Mei'er, some things are born not to be forced... You are still young, you will understand in a few years that some things seem very serious, but after they are over, they are not a big deal... If you are not angry, I will tie him up and let you beat him up, okay?"
“Father, please don’t! No, it’s not Brother Tianxiao’s fault, it’s Mei’er… Mei’er is not good enough… She can’t make his heart beat…” Lu Mei’er said as she threw herself into Emperor Zhou’s arms and cried loudly, her tears falling like pearls from a broken string, as if she would never stop crying…
Emperor Zhou saw this and said nothing more. He just looked into the distance and sighed, but no one knew what he was sighing about...
After an unknown amount of time, Lu Meir raised her head. Although her eyes were still red and her voice was a little tearful, her eyes were filled with calmness and determination...
"Father, Mei'er has decided... I want to enter the Gate of Life and Death!"
…
…
At the same time, Chu Tianxiao had just returned to the Chu Mansion and had not yet calmed down when he saw Fan rushing up to him: "Xiao Xiaoxiao, something bad has happened. Your daughter-in-law Liu Ling is sick! It's very serious!"
"Liuling is sick?"
After automatically filtering out the teasing words in Huo Bao Niang's words, Chu Tianxiao quickly grasped the main point and frowned slightly: "How could you get sick for no reason?"
It should be noted that practitioners absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, and their bodies are different from those of ordinary people, so they will not get sick easily. But on the other hand, once they get sick, it is usually not a trivial matter!
Could it be that something went wrong during the decisive battle a few days ago
Hmm... Thinking about it carefully, there was something wrong with Mu Liuling's expression at that time...
As soon as Chu Tianxiao thought of this, he was immediately filled with worry, and hurriedly asked: "Mom, where is Liu Ling?"
"In the third inner room... Mother has already asked a doctor to come and see..." Before Fan finished her words, Chu Tianxiao's figure flashed and disappeared from there.
…
When Chu Tianxiao rushed to the scene, he saw Mu Liuling lying on the pink bed, her beautiful eyes closed, as if she was in a coma, looking sick and timid. There was a red string tied around her jade hand, and the other end was held in the hand of a doctor in a long gown...
Upon seeing Chu Tianxiao, the doctor immediately saluted: "Hello, Master Chu..."
Chu Tianxiao was extremely anxious and waved his hand quickly, saying, "Doctor, Liu Ling..."
"Master Chu, don't worry. Miss Mu is just a little weak because of overwork. I will prescribe a few prescriptions to calm her mind. She will be fine after a night's rest..."
Hearing this, Chu Tianxiao became more and more confused... Overwork? Weak consciousness? What was going on
But even though he was puzzled, he still clasped his fists respectfully and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Doctor..."
The doctor said he didn't dare, so he stood up, leaned over the table and wrote a few prescriptions, handed them to Chu Tianxiao, collected the consultation fee and was about to leave... However, at this moment, Fan came in, looked at the doctor, and said leisurely: "Doctor, you seem to have forgotten the prescription for abortion..."
After hearing this, the doctor was shocked: "Chu... Madam Chu, what do you mean? Judging from the pulse, Miss Liu Ling is obviously not pregnant, and she is even..."
"Is that so..." Mrs. Fan looked at the two of them with a puzzled look, "Xiao Xiaoxiao, what's wrong with you? Didn't we say that we would give birth to a grandson many nights ago? How come Liu Ling's daughter-in-law hasn't gotten pregnant yet..."
Without waiting for Chu Tianxiao to reply, she quickly turned to the doctor and said, "Doctor, is there any prescription for this situation..."
"Mom!" Chu Tianxiao couldn't bear to hear this anymore. He said a few words to the doctor and sent him away. Then he glanced at Huo Bao's mother and said, "Mom... Liu Ling is sick now, please stop making trouble..."
Upon hearing this, Fan grumbled, "I am so anxious," but she let it go. She took a step forward with Chu Tianxiao and saw that Mu Liuling's face was pale at the moment. The situation did not look optimistic...
"What on earth is going on?"
Just as Chu Tianxiao was wondering, Mu Liuling's beautiful eyes trembled and she slowly woke up. When she opened her eyes, she saw Chu Tianxiao's anxious face and her heart tightened immediately...
"Young Master?"
There was a hint of panic in this voice, which made Chu Tianxiao certain that something was wrong. After a moment of silence, Mu Liuling cast a pleading look at Fan who had followed her. However, the other party gave her a puzzled look in return, then turned and left.
Only Chu Mu and his partner were left on the field.
“Young Master… This is the intelligence that needs to be integrated over the past few days and in the days to come… Liu Ling guessed that His Majesty’s next move would definitely be in the Barbarian Land, so…” As he spoke, Mu Liu Ling weakly presented a jade slip.
Chu Tianxiao did not take it, but said with a somewhat unhappy look: "Is this what you have been doing these days?"
Mu Liuling remained silent...
Chu Tianxiao then remembered that after the decisive battle in Purple Forbidden City, he was busy summarizing the experience of the battle, and Mu Liuling... seemed to be avoiding him intentionally... Now that he thought about it, he was doing this
But... why is it necessary? As long as she is by my side, I can always... Wait!
Thinking of this, Chu Tianxiao's pupils shrank, and he blurted out: "Liu Ling, are you leaving?"
Mu Liuling lowered her head, pinching the corner of the quilt with her hands, avoiding Chu Tianxiao's gaze, not daring to look directly at him. She said apprehensively, "Young Master, I... Liuling..."
Chu Tianxiao's mind raced, and he quickly thought of the most likely scenario: "Is the sword close by?"
After saying this, Mu Liuling's face changed several times. He finally realized that he couldn't hide it any longer, so he had to say, "Young Master... do you still remember the third sentence that Senior Gu Sheng said when he wanted to teach me how to use the sword closer... That sentence was 'the sword closer'. If you want to learn it, you have to learn at least three moves before you can stop. Otherwise, your consciousness will become weaker and weaker until it completely collapses... But, by then it was too late to learn three moves, so..."
Chu Tianxiao heard the voice and slowly closed his eyes: "So, what should we do now?"
"… Senior Gu Sheng said that I must return to the iron shop within seven days after the decisive battle. He will take me to a place called 'Xiao Wuji Palace'… He will help me cure the hidden dangers caused by forcibly practicing 'Sword Weapon Closeness', and at the same time teach me the complete 'Sword Weapon Closeness', so that I will never have any trouble again…"
"Besides that, Senior Gu Sheng clearly stated that he was not accepting a disciple, and that he and Liu Ling were only half-teacher and half-friend..."
"He also said that in order to avoid suspicion, he would let his 'Junior Sister Ye' pick me up, and after that, I would temporarily stay at the residence of that 'Junior Sister Ye'..."
"But… "
Mu Liuling unconsciously approached Chu Tianxiao's chest slowly, clenched his teeth, and his eyes turned slightly red...
"According to Senior Gu Sheng, 'Sword Weapon Closeness' is almost the most difficult sword technique to learn in the world. I don't know how many years it will take for me to leave you. How can Liu Ling bear to leave you? And how can he rest assured that you will be alone..."
"So... Liu Ling wanted to finish everything within these few days, but I didn't expect... I couldn't hold on for more than seven days..."
After saying this, Chu Tianxiao was silent for a long time before he said slowly, "Liuling, go ahead."
"Let alone healing your wounds, this Tao itself is what you are most passionate about, isn't it?"
Chu Tianxiao held her jade hand and whispered, "Don't worry, your young master is not that weak. Do I have to rely on you for everything on weekdays? Mu Liuling, you underestimate your young master too much!"
After saying this, Mu Liuling quickly shook his head: "No, Young Master... Liuling, that's not what I meant..."
Chu Tianxiao waved his hand and interrupted, "Okay, listen to me."
"This is not a life-and-death separation. Just think of it as the young master sending you out to relax and learn skills before coming back. It's not like you'll never see me again after you leave... So, it's that simple. Don't think too much and don't burden yourself."
As he spoke, Chu Tianxiao met Mu Liuling's eyes: "Liuling, think about it carefully, this is actually... an opportunity."
After hearing this, Mu Liuling was very smart and immediately understood the meaning...
Yes, although I don't know what the "Little Wuji Palace" is, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity for Mu Liuling! Originally, Mu Liuling knew his own business and was very clear that his martial arts talent was far inferior to Chu Tianxiao. As Chu Tianxiao became more and more advanced, maybe it won't be long before he can no longer use him, and even later... he can't even look up to him...
When she thought of this, Mu Liuling felt as if her heart was being torn apart by a knife. She was afraid! She was afraid that one day, she would become so weak that she would become a burden to the young master, bearing the title of the leader of the lackeys, but being useless... She was afraid that one day, she would not be able to keep up with Chu Tianxiao's pace, and would drift away from him...
This kind of fear was an emotion she had never experienced before. She was brave enough to face death for Chu Tianxiao, but she could not suppress this fear... She was extremely afraid that day would really come!
Therefore, Mu Liuling actually cherishes this opportunity very much...
But…but!
How could she bear to leave the young master at this time! And leave him for several years
You know... after the final battle on the top of the Forbidden City, Mu Liuling's feelings for Chu Tianxiao reached a certain peak. At this time of deep love, how could he easily say the word "farewell"...
So even though Mu Liuling knew clearly what choice she should make rationally, she could not convince herself emotionally...
Therefore, she herself did not realize that... At this moment, her delicate hands were tightly grasping Chu Tianxiao's clothes, as if he would leave if she let go...
At this time, the medicine soup was ready and brought in by the servant. Chu Tianxiao nodded and took it. He looked at Mu Liuling and said softly: "Okay Liuling, don't think too much. After drinking the medicine, you will be fine after a good sleep..."
Hearing this, Mu Liuling hummed softly, then took the bowl from Chu Tianxiao, moved her little mouth slowly, and slowly drank all the medicine soup... Then, her face flushed slightly, and she said anxiously: "Young Master, Liuling can ask you a question..."
Chu Tianxiao's pupils shrank slightly, and he vaguely guessed something, so he forced a smile: "... Ask it yourself."
Mu Liuling's eyes lit up when he heard this, and then he continued, "Then... could you please not answer this question, Young Master?"
Chu Tianxiao was slightly stunned after hearing this. He was supposed to ask a question but didn't want to answer it? What did this mean
However, despite his doubts, Chu Tianxiao couldn't bear to reject Mu Liuling at this moment as they were about to part, so he nodded and said, "Okay."
Hearing this, Mu Liuling's face turned even redder, but her eyes were full of joy. She lowered her head and pressed it against Chu Tianxiao's chest. Her voice was filled with extremely complicated emotions...
"Young Master... Can Liu Ling please overstep your bounds just once and beg you... Please leave a place for Liu Ling in your heart? Any corner, any dead end, any small corner will do! Liu Ling, Liu Ling knows that I am of low status, but... but Liu Ling really wants such a place, so that even if I have to study there for a long time, Liu Ling will not be lonely... Because, because... As long as Young Master does not forget Liu Ling, I will be fine..."
Chu Tianxiao was stunned by these intermittent and awkward words. Just as he was about to speak, Mu Liuling had already put her jade finger on her lips, making a "hush" gesture, and moved her little head closer to Chu Tianxiao's chest, as if she could hear the real voice in Chu Tianxiao's heart...
After a moment, Mu Liuling had a smile on her face, but tears were streaming down her face. No one knew what conclusion she had come to, but she whispered, "Young Master... can you stay here and accompany Liuling for one night? Liuling has no other intentions, she just hopes... that the Young Master can stay by her side tonight..."
After saying this, she revealed a heart-breaking smile, but with a hint of playfulness: "Young Master, this question... can be answered..."
Hearing this, and looking at Mu Liuling's face full of expectation and tears, Chu Tianxiao's heart softened and he nodded: "Okay."
…
…
A night passed.
As the early morning sun shone, Mu Liuling gently stood up and pushed away Chu Tianxiao's hand that had been tightly holding his right hand. His movement could not be any lighter and more careful.
She looked deeply at Chu Tianxiao who was sleeping soundly on the bed and said softly, "Young Master... Thank you."
Then, she stepped out of the door, her eyes gradually becoming extremely determined...
…
After a while, Fan walked into the room and looked at Chu Tianxiao who had sat up and was in a daze. She said repeatedly: "Xiao Xiaoxiao, it's bad. Liu Ling's daughter-in-law seems to have run away from home! What did you do... Hey? Xiao Xiaoxiao, why do you look like that?"
Chu Tianxiao did not answer this question, but stood up and looked out the window...
The bright sunshine in the early morning shines on everything...
It’s a new day…
Chu Tianxiao unconsciously looked away and was silent for a long time. Finally, he murmured: "Liu Ling... I'm sorry, you, please be well..."
Then, he turned and looked at Fan, his eyes full of determination: "Mother... get ready, my child..."
"It's time to go..."
(The last chapter of this volume, 4000+ words, only this one for today.)
——End of this volume.