Chapter 152: A Few Questions

Qiao Yu watched the smile bloom on Qiao Zhi’s face solely because of a single word from Lian Yue, and her heart was filled with intense resentment. Even though she knew that speaking now would surely earn her the Sixth Uncle’s disdain, she could not suppress the urge to do so. Nanny Li, sensing her intent, quickly stopped her with a sharp look and ordered the palace maids nearby to help carry the Eleventh Princess away down the mountain.

With Qiao Yu gone, the atmosphere in the Yujing Pavilion grew refreshing. Only by overlooking the entire imperial palace from this vantage point could one truly comprehend the depth of its opulence.

However, Lian Yue did not like this place. The surrounding city walls were like a cage, sealing all that luxury within. Having just seen so many concubines at the Cining Palace, dressed in vibrant silks and living in vanity, she realized they spent their days mired in intrigue. In truth, it would be better to find a commoner outside the palace walls to marry, spending one's life raising children and supporting a husband.

At this thought, Lian Yue’s gaze drifted toward An Ming. He must care for her, surely.

An Ming felt her gaze and met it without hesitation, his eyes filled with absolute sincerity.

This look caused the questions in Lian Yue’s heart to break through the surface; she could not wait a moment longer. Yet, was this occasion appropriate? She hesitated.

At such close proximity, Meng Chuchen could naturally sense the turmoil in Lian Yue’s heart. In truth, Meng Chuchen knew that Lian Yue should not have any further entanglements with An Ming. Lian Yue’s engagement to Yuwen Lingxi was only recognized due to the influence of the Three Great Clans, but if the object of her affection were the Master of the Rakshasa Hall—also one of the Seven Great Powers—the implications would be entirely different.

No one understood the changes in Lian Yue’s heart during those days after he found her in the woods better than Meng Chuchen. He respected her thoughts, and after asking once and finding she did not wish to speak, he had not pressed her again.

Perhaps clearing up these questions now would be better for her. Meng Chuchen spoke to the distracted Lian Yue in his mind: "If you want to ask, then ask."

Lian Yue started, hearing the voice in her mind. She realized she had inadvertently exposed her thoughts to her second brother again. She was annoyed, but knowing this was the unique connection between them, she could only glare at him while still considering his advice.

After much hesitation, she finally couldn't help but ask An Ming, "Could we step aside for a moment?"

For a moment, all eyes in the pavilion focused on Lian Yue. Meng Chuchen smiled; he knew she would follow his advice.

Qiao Ke, sitting beside her, looked at Lian Yue and then at An Ming, a flash of secret-seeking brilliance crossing his eyes before being replaced by childhood innocence.

Yue Lingjun only frowned, casting a dangerous glance at the composed An Ming and the expectant Lian Yue, but ultimately did not speak to stop them.

Yao Yao, who usually loved to be in the middle of the excitement, sat uncharacteristically quiet beside Meng Chuchen, focusing entirely on the peach in her hands.

The Prince of Nanping and Zhou Man would not interfere in the affairs of the young. They merely glanced at them before continuing their conversation.

As for Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), his heart skipped a beat, but he continued sipping his tea as if this had nothing to do with him.

Everyone averted their eyes with a tacit understanding, except for Qiao Zhi. From Lian Yue’s words, he had just realized that this An Ming was the same man in black who had abducted her, and An Ming’s reaction when Qiao Yu had lunged forward earlier made it clear that his feelings for Lian Yue were unusual.

Especially considering they had spent so much time alone, and Lian Yue’s behavior today was so uncharacteristic, these events strung together forced Qiao Zhi to harbor hostility toward An Ming.

He chose to watch over her silently, out of respect for his bond of life and death with Yuwen Lingxi, but if it were anyone else, he would not have let it go so easily. Had he known that this An Ming was actually Yuwen Lingxi, he perhaps would not have felt such strong hostility.

An Ming thought to himself, *The moment has come.* His heart felt a slight bitterness, but he nodded firmly.

Joy flickered in Lian Yue’s eyes. "Let's go for a walk," she suggested.

"Yes," An Ming replied. He stood up, and Lian Yue followed him naturally, just as she had in the forest.

"I’ll go with you." Qiao Zhi could not stop himself from stepping forward. Sensing his own abruptness, he added, "The palace layout is complex; I don't want you to get lost."

Qiao Bin looked at his younger brother with a thoughtful expression.

Lian Yue had finally found a chance to be alone with An Ming to discuss secrets between them; naturally, she would not let Qiao Zhi tag along.

"No need. We are just going nearby to talk; we won't go far." Her eyes were full of warning.

Qiao Zhi wanted to say more, but her look silenced him, and he sat back down sheepishly.

No sooner had the two left the pavilion than Yao Yao clutched her stomach. "Um, my stomach hurts. I'll be right back." But before she could stand, a pair of firm hands pressed her back into her chair.

"Stay here and don't go bothering them."

Yao Yao blinked at Meng Chuchen, the owner of those hands, with pleading eyes. But times had changed; Meng Chuchen ignored her, his resolve unshaken.

Qiao Ke, covering his mouth with both hands, watched Meng Chuchen with starry eyes, thinking, *How overbearing, how impressive!*

After several failed attempts to plead her case, Yao Yao could only watch wistfully as Lian Yue’s figure disappeared.

Lian Yue looked at that familiar back, each step reminding her of something they had shared—falling off the cliff together, that warm and solid embrace, the tender arms that held her when she woke, the way he taught her swordsmanship in the woods, the way he roasted food for her, the feeling of their hands clasped together, and finally, that gentle, lingering farewell. It felt as if these things had happened only yesterday, as if they were still together, still walking like this.

Lian Yue looked at his back, infatuated. After hesitating, she was the first to speak: "Don't you have anything to explain to me?"

An Ming paused slightly. Seeing no one around, he turned to face her upturned face and spoke slowly: "I lied to you."

A flash of hurt crossed Lian Yue’s eyes; her heart stung. He admitted it. He really had lied to her. But she was not satisfied with just this answer. With hope, she continued, "You had your reasons, right?"

An Ming—that is, Yuwen Lingxi—felt a sharp pang in his heart seeing her hurt. The excuses he had prepared condensed into a single word: "Yes."

That one word brought Lian Yue immense relief. *He had his reasons; he didn't truly mean to deceive me.* Her face brightened, becoming incomparably beautiful. An Ming’s gaze deepened, and his guilt grew heavier. He made a decision, looked at her earnestly, and said, "If you want to ask, I can tell you everything." Even the things that happened at the end, he would not hold back.

But Lian Yue shook her head, understanding. "I know you must have had your reasons; otherwise, you wouldn't have kept things from me. I only have a few simple questions. Just answer them. If they involve secrets of the Rakshasa Hall, you don't have to answer." She added, "Just tell me yes or no."

An Ming nodded, waiting for her questions.

Lian Yue deliberated, starting from the beginning: "The man in black in the forest was from the Rakshasa Hall, wasn't he?"

"Yes." An Ming watched her eyes, but saw nothing unusual. It seemed she had guessed long ago.

"You never intended to kill me to silence me, did you?" Although phrased as a question, her tone made it clear she didn't need an answer.

"Yes."

"Those extra markings on the trees were made by them, weren't they?"

An Ming knew he couldn't hide this from her, nor had he intended to—otherwise, he would have had them erased before she returned to the woods. "Yes."

"The five days I was unconscious were because they were catching up, and you did it on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yes." An Ming prepared himself to tell her everything that happened during those five days if she asked, but Lian Yue’s next question caught him off guard.