Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: Jade-Snow White Eagle

Soon afterward, Yue Lingjun also came rushing over upon hearing the news. Once he understood what had happened, he was naturally delighted for Lian Yue. After Lian Yue repeatedly assured them, they still followed the original route and continued by boat straight to Nanping.

Because Yue Lingjun was worried that having too many people around would disturb Lian Yue’s rest, and because there were matters near Nanping that he needed to discuss with Meng Chuchen, Qiao Zhi, and Yuwen Lingxi, he invited them to his cabin.

Yuwen Lingxi reminded Zi Zhu to take one medicinal ingredient from the apothecary, then followed him upstairs.

The restless Yao Yao watched Meng Chuchen disappear from view. Her eyes rolled around a few times, and whatever she had thought of made her hurry out of the room as well.

Very quickly, the cabin grew quiet. Lian Yue held the jade fan Qiao Zhi had tossed aside before leaving, while in her mind there flashed the meaningful look Yuwen Lingxi had given her. She could not shake the feeling that there was something different about those eyes compared with the ones in her memory from three years ago, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not tell what that difference was.

Her mood grew a little irritable, and with it, a wave of dizziness returned. Lian Yue hastily took one of the pills Yuwen Lingxi had left behind, and only then did she feel somewhat better. Nights on the river were always colder. After taking the medicine he had given her, her seasickness eased considerably.

She handed the jade fan to Lan Shui. “Sister Lan, can the hole in this fan be mended?”

Lan Shui took it and examined it carefully. “I’m not confident about that, and we don’t have any silkworm thread right now either.”

“I see.” Lian Yue felt a little disappointed. She did not need to think long to know what that peach-blossom-eyed man meant by leaving her this fan. If it could not be repaired and the handle remained in his grasp, then wouldn’t she end up stuck to him like stubborn plaster?

Lan Shui set the fan aside and comforted her, “Still, I’ve heard there is an Embroidered Brocade Pavilion in Nanping that is quite skilled at this sort of thing. We can take it there and give it a try.”

Lian Yue sighed, pressing her lips together. “I suppose that’s all we can do. We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

“Miss, it’s time for your medicine.” Zi Zhu came in carrying a bowl.

Lian Yue now had some strength back in her body, so she did not let Lan Shui feed her spoon by spoon. Such bitter medicine was dreadful enough in one gulp; to sip it spoon by spoon was sheer torment.

She accepted the bowl from Zi Zhu, tested the temperature, then shut her eyes and drank it all in one breath. After that, she took the cup of plain water Zi Zhu handed her and rinsed her mouth, then ate several preserved fruits. Only then was the bitterness finally subdued.

Among the ingredients in Yuwen Lingxi’s medicine was a calming herb, so before long drowsiness washed over her, and Lian Yue fell asleep again.

Worried that she might be hungry when she woke, Lan Shui had Zi Zhu keep watch in the room while she herself went to the ship’s kitchen to prepare some food for Lian Yue in advance.

Passing by Yue Lingjun’s room, she hesitated for a moment, then still chose to walk on.

Inside Yue Lingjun’s cabin, only Yuwen Lingxi, Qiao Zhi, Meng Chuchen, and Yue Lingjun were seated. All four wore solemn expressions. Even Qiao Zhi had set aside his usual carefree mask and looked far more serious and composed than usual.

Yue Lingjun spoke first. “What do you all make of the explanation given by Rakshasa Hall?”

“The explanation is not unreasonable. During these two years in Heluo Prefecture, I’ve also heard a bit about that Tian Huan’s conduct. He truly was wicked to the core. It would not be strange at all for someone to have placed an order with Rakshasa Hall for his life. As for those black-clad men we later encountered, who claimed to be from Rakshasa Hall, they said they were traitors and had already been slaughtered. Since there is no way to verify that, what I actually doubt is the black-clad man who abducted my younger sister. What exactly was his position within Rakshasa Hall?”

When Qiao Zhi said this, a flash of sharp intelligence lit his eyes; there was not the slightest trace left of his usual idle and lazy manner.

The other three were not surprised by his change at all. Compared with their own aristocratic clans and sects, the imperial household was an even murkier place. For that lofty throne, anything could happen.

The current Grand Emperor had in all nine sons and three daughters. Of those still alive now, apart from the reigning Emperor and his younger brother, Prince Nanping Qiao Bin, there remained only the Sixth Prince Qiao Zhi and three princesses.

Qiao Zhi did have the Grand Emperor’s protection, but if he were to appear too capable and too formidable, he would never have lived to this day.

The three of them all agreed with his analysis. According to Rakshasa Hall’s statement, those black-clothed men were traitors, but if the black-clad man who had taken Lian Yue away were only an ordinary assassin, then why had they pursued him so relentlessly?

Qiao Zhi continued, “As for the identity of that black-clad man, perhaps you could try asking my younger sister. She should know a little, at least.”

Meng Chuchen’s brow knit briefly, then relaxed. “I did ask. Yue’er seems unwilling to speak much about it, so it is better not to force her.”

A thought stirred in Yuwen Lingxi. It seemed the girl had some feelings for his eldest brother as well.

Qiao Zhi shrugged. “Then there’s nothing for it. We can only investigate slowly. Rakshasa Hall gave such an explanation because they are wary of the five great powers, and as for the rest, there is no need to overthink it.”

“For now, that is all we can do.” Yue Lingjun turned his gaze to Yuwen Lingxi, who had not spoken the whole time. “What is Brother Yuwen’s opinion?”

“Brother Qiao’s analysis is very reasonable. The Yuwen family will continue investigating as well. Also, news came today from Menger that the Zhou family is already waiting at the ferry ahead.” His voice was still deep and hoarse, carrying no warmth.

“Menger?” Qiao Zhi, who had been calm enough a moment ago, suddenly brightened. “You mean your white eagle? Where is it? Let me see it later.”

Yuwen Lingxi did not deny it. Menger had landed on the ship that very day, so anyone with an eye would certainly have noticed.

He then explained to Yue Lingjun and Meng Chuchen, “This white eagle of mine is the offspring of a Snow Jade Eagle and a Black Gold Eagle. The boy was lucky. Back then, when I traveled with him to Mount Tian, he happened to find it.”

Qiao Zhi’s eyes had even gone a little red.

It was said that there were only one or two Snow Jade Eagles in the entire Nishang Empire, and they had only ever been seen atop Mount Tian. That was the sovereign among eagles. As for the Black Gold Eagle, it was famous for its ferocity and ruthlessness. Such an offspring naturally made not only Qiao Zhi, but even Yue Lingjun and Meng Chuchen, a little envious. Compared with it, the Cloudpiercing Eagle of the Hidden Sect was far inferior.

Under Qiao Zhi’s urging, the discussion came to a hasty end there. The group went out onto the deck, where Yuwen Lingxi raised two fingers to his lips and gave a sharp whistle into the air.

A streak of white cut across the dim yellow sky and landed on Yuwen Lingxi’s shoulder.

Its feathers were pure white, without the slightest impurity. Its gaze was fierce and piercing, and the amber sheen of its eyes made it impossible for one to meet them directly. Its claws, flashing with a cold gleam, only further revealed their sharpness.

Yue Lingjun and the other two made no attempt to hide the heat and admiration in their eyes. After they had finished looking, Yuwen Lingxi gave his shoulder a slight shake, and the white eagle spread its powerful wings, vanishing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that his clothes had been scratched, Yuwen Lingxi took his leave and returned to change.

Qiao Zhi had just taken a step toward Lian Yue’s cabin when Yue Lingjun stopped him. “Yue’er is probably resting now. If Brother Qiao’s business is not urgent, it can wait until tomorrow.”

Qiao Zhi immediately changed direction and headed for his own cabin instead. “I only wanted to take back the fan. It is nothing important. I’ll do as Brother Yue says.”

After Qiao Zhi had gone off in the distance, Yue Lingjun and Meng Chuchen withdrew their gazes. Yue Lingjun glanced once more in Lian Yue’s direction, then said, “Second Brother, don’t you think the prince is unusually attentive to Yue’er?”

Meng Chuchen replied, “A little. But then again, he is simply another man who has fallen in love without realizing it. I understand your concerns, Big Brother, but you and I both know that if he truly wins Yue’er’s heart, then no amount of stopping him from our side will matter. Better to watch and wait. It is not certain that Yue’er will fall for him.”

Hearing Meng Chuchen say that, Yue Lingjun was reminded of his own experience. Indeed, it had been much the same. His tone then shifted to someone else. “Then what do you think of Yuwen Lingxi? Although Mother left a dying wish that Yue’er should choose for herself, and although Father would not go against her final request, he also does not want to dissolve the engagement so easily. For him to arrive in Heluo so quickly, I fear Father’s hand is also involved.”

Yue Lingjun even suspected that Father’s order to remain in Heluo was certainly connected with visiting Aunt, but the true purpose was probably to wait for Yuwen Lingxi.

Meng Chuchen thought the same. If Father had not informed him in advance, how could Yuwen Lingxi have arrived so perfectly on time? What he was now more curious about was his eldest brother’s own thoughts. “Then what does Big Brother intend to do?”