The ancient courtyard was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an air of timeless elegance. Pavilions and towers were arranged in an orderly fashion, interspersed with small bridges arching over babbling streams. The summer sun beat down intensely upon the entire estate.
In the backyard, a tranquil lake rippled with clear water. Beside the lake stood a pavilion shrouded in mist, where a figure leaned against the railing, fishing with a cold, indifferent demeanor, enveloped in a soft green glow.
Their raven hair, like exquisite brocade, blended seamlessly with the light gauze curtains by the pavilion, becoming one with the scene.
Misty heat rose from the center of the lake. Not far away, a patch of lush green water grass floated lightly. An unknown water bird stood on one leg atop the grass, occasionally preening its downy feathers, painting a picture of vibrant, untamed nature.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed. The tranquility of the figure in the pavilion was disturbed. Their long, narrow eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a cold glint flickered in their pupils. Without turning, they continued to gaze motionlessly at the fishing rod on the lake, seemingly uninterested in anything else.
A person rushed in like a whirlwind from behind, followed by a clear, pleasant voice.
"Brother Murong, I've come to see you."
It was Murong Yingxue, brought back by Ximen Yao. Upon seeing the masked figure fishing motionlessly in the pavilion, she called out excitedly, her dark pupils darting up and down, appraising her beloved Brother Murong.
He was as captivating as ever, his ink-black hair swaying gently in the wind. His white robes shifted slightly with the breeze, and his well-defined, handsome hands rested outside the railing. Bathed in sunlight, they shone as if sculpted, appearing like exquisite statues, causing Murong Yingxue's heart to race and her cheeks to flush.
However, she dared not presume. According to the established rules, no one was allowed to approach him.
But the thought that Brother Murong might be in love with a man, not a woman, brought a pang of sadness, and she couldn't help but rush to his side.
"Brother Murong, do you really like that young master named Leng Yue?"
The moment her words fell, the previously still figure abruptly raised a hand. The fishing rod swept through the air, arcing towards the center of the lake, striking the water with immense force and sending sprays of water everywhere.
Murong Yingxue's heart trembled, and she instinctively took a step back, her gaze fixed on Murong Chong.
In his deep, dark pupils, a bloodthirsty ferocity simmered, like a hidden tempest. His sensual lips were tightly pressed together, and after a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Yingxue, you actually left the estate without permission. If our adoptive father knew, what would he think?"
Seeing that he wasn't excessively angry, Murong Yingxue's courage grew slightly, and she took a step forward.
"Brother Murong, don't you want Yingxue anymore? Didn't you promise Father that you would take care of Yingxue for life?"
Mentioning her deceased father, tears welled up in Murong Yingxue's eyes, clouding her vision. Her long, thick eyelashes fluttered gently, and tears began to fall, painting a picture of pitiable fragility, a stark contrast to her demeanor at the medical hall.
Outside the pavilion, Ximen Yao looked away, feeling a bit speechless at Murong Yingxue's predictable tactics. Why did she always resort to this trick?
Ximen Yao was still Luori, one of the Four Great Protectors of the Divine Dragon Palace.
"I will find someone who cherishes and loves you, so you don't have to suffer injustice your whole life."
Murong Chong's expression was cold, and his voice was even colder, devoid of any emotion. He showed no pity for Murong Yingxue's feigned weakness.
If it weren't for the obligation to repay his adoptive father's life-saving kindness, he would have utterly ignored Murong Yingxue. Like any other greedy woman in the world, she was always scheming against him.
He detested such women, hypocritical and affected. He had once believed all women were the same.
But the first time he met Xiao'er, he was thoroughly scolded. In all their subsequent encounters, she showed him no favor, showing no inclination to scheme against him.
And then, he finally realized that there were indeed women who were different in this world.
"No."
Murong Yingxue cried out in immediate protest. Why couldn't Brother Murong understand? She only wanted him. Only he could give her the happiness she desired.
"Brother Murong, why would you rather like that man than like Yingxue?"
This time, Murong Yingxue was truly heartbroken, weeping as if her heart were breaking. As she cried miserably, her chest suddenly felt constricted, making it difficult to breathe. Cold sweat broke out on her face, her complexion turned pale, and panic seized her heart.
She reached out a hand to grasp the tall figure in front of her, but he sidestepped, and her body slid heavily to the ground.
Outside the pavilion, Ximen Yao flashed in. Seeing the curled-up figure on the ground, he was greatly alarmed.
"Master."
Murong Chong had already crouched down to take the person's pulse. A chilling aura enveloped his face.
Although Murong Yingxue was in pain, her consciousness remained clear. After considering everything, she immediately realized who had tampered with her. A cold smile touched her lips, and she struggled to speak, "Brother Murong, save me. It was that Leng Yue. He wants to kill me. Please save me."
Ximen Yao, standing beside her, looked grim and anxiously at his master, his voice deep.
"What's going on?"
"She's been poisoned," Murong Chong said, taking out a pill from his person and placing it into Murong Yingxue's mouth. This poison wasn't particularly potent. Leng Yue merely intended to teach her a lesson. This woman indeed deserved a lesson.
Ximen Yao and Murong Yingxue were both stunned for a moment, never expecting Leng Yue to dare to poison her. The former was enraged, while the latter felt triumphant, their expressions contrasting sharply.
"Master, I'll go arrest him now."
"Yes, Brother Murong, you must kill that Leng Yue. He even harmed me."
Ximen Yao had just returned from afar and was not fully aware of the situation between his master and Leng Yue. Murong Yingxue, however, wore a smug smile. That man was simply seeking death. Brother Murong would not let him go. What if he doted on him?
At this moment, Murong Chong had already stood up. His long robes swirled in an elegant arc, and his voice, cold and deep, resounded like a demonic whisper.
"She brought this upon herself."
His words struck like thunder. Ximen Yao and Murong Yingxue stared incredulously at the man standing by the pavilion railing, lightly dusting the creases on his clothes. He was elegant and arrogant, exuding a kingly aura of wild dominance, like a dormant lion on the plains. He made no move, but when he did, blood would be drawn.
"Master?"
"Brother Murong?"
Two voices sounded in unison. Murong Chong had already gracefully departed, sunlight filtering through the gently swaying gauze curtains.
His deep, dark eyes resembled an abyss, or perhaps a bottomless, icy valley. His white robes flowed like clouds in the sky, moving with the lightness of a breeze yet exuding a detached, noble elegance. In an instant, he vanished beyond the pavilion, leaving behind only a single sentence.
"Send the young lady back to Yunshui Mountain Villa."
His tone was unyielding. Although the words were soft and soothing, they were laced with chilling glints.
Ximen Yao paused in surprise, then respectfully obeyed. He found the situation somewhat inexplicable, recalling Murong Yingxue's earlier words. Could it be that his master truly harbored feelings for that fellow named Leng Yue?
Murong Yingxue's face had turned ashen. Her poison had only just been resolved, and she had not yet recovered. Yet, he had feigned ignorance of her plight and turned away resolutely.
He was still as cold as ever, oblivious to her deep affection, and even indifferent to her injury.
Yet, her heart remained captive, a truly fated entanglement.
"Young lady, please."