"Brother, who is this?" a pleasant voice suddenly interrupted their contemplation.
The two turned to look, and saw Mu Xing running over, having spotted someone by their mother's side. He gazed at Nangong Yue with expectant, large eyes, sparkling with an unusual light, staring at Nangong Yue without blinking.
Liu Liu didn't know what to say for a moment. She reached out and pulled her son closer, pointing at Nangong Yue.
"Mu Xing, call him Uncle."
"Uncle," Mu Xing obediently called out. Nangong Yue's eyes dimmed, his heart feeling a pang of bitterness.
However, seeing Mu Xing's adorable appearance, he couldn't help but feel happy. He extended his large hand, pulling Mu Xing into his embrace, smiling affectionately, "Is this Mu Xing? So cute."
"Thank you, Uncle. Uncle is very handsome, the most handsome person Mu Xing has ever seen."
Nangong Yue's heart softened upon hearing Mu Xing's innocent words. This little fellow really knew how to speak.
The earlier bitterness faded significantly, and the lines of his entire face softened. Liu Liu, across from them, breathed a sigh of relief. She could tell Nangong Yue genuinely liked Mu Xing. She couldn't help but smile joyfully as she watched the man and child playing together.
It was a harmonious scene, as intimate as a family. Yet, someone who didn't know when to stop intruded, their words laced with an unspeakable chill.
"Nangong Yue, what are you doing here?"
The angry, accusatory voice, accompanied by an overbearing posture, made Liu Liu know who had arrived without even looking up.
Who else but Feng Xie would shout at Nangong Yue like that? Nangong Yue ignored the man hovering above him, his gaze about to spew fire, and continued to speak softly to Mu Xing.
Mu Xing giggled. He clearly liked Nangong Yue, which caused Feng Xie's heart to ache and twist uncomfortably.
This was his own son. He detested him, yet he liked someone else. Was this heaven's punishment for him? Because he had wanted to abort the child, was his son unconsciously resisting him?
"What are you doing here?" Liu Liu asked coldly, looking up and fixing Feng Xie with a chilling gaze. Feng Xie met her resentful eyes; a fleeting darkness flashed in his own before he smiled and spoke earnestly.
"I wanted to ask you about something."
At this moment, he was self-aware. Five years had passed, and he hadn't appeared. Mu Xing didn't even know he had such a father.
If he revealed everything abruptly, Liu'er would surely blame him, and Mu Xing would react even more negatively. Thus, the gains would not outweigh the losses.
Now, he would enter their lives as a friend, let them accept him slowly, and then take them back to the palace. Feng Xie calculated his strategy and spoke calmly.
Little Mu Xing was naturally more sensitive than ordinary people. He knew who genuinely liked him, which was why he warmed up to Nangong Yue so quickly. Upon hearing the man who had previously doubted and blamed him speak so disrespectfully to Nangong Yue, his little face darkened, and he quickly spoke.
"Who are you? Go away, you're not welcome here."
It was only then that Feng Xie understood the meaning of reaping what you sow. He had wanted to abort Mu Xing then, so was his son now rebelling against him?
Feng Xie stood under the shade of the tree, his face half-lit, half-dark, a mixture of heartache and emotion. Liu Liu felt a pang of pity. After all, Mu Xing was Feng Xie's son, and he had come to find her for a reason. She sat up and looked at Mu Xing.
"Mu Xing, don't be rude. Go play with Abu. Brother has something to attend to now."
Mu Xing, who was usually very obedient, seemed displeased. He enjoyed being by Nangong Yue's side. Seeing his expression, Nangong Yue quickly coaxed him, "Mu Xing, be good. Uncle will definitely come to play with you often in the future."
Feng Xie's face turned green upon hearing this. His eyes glared fiercely at Nangong Yue, a silent question: What did he mean by this? Was he clinging to Liu'er and their son?
He forbade it, the words almost escaping his lips before being caught at the last moment. After all, what was he to them now? Yet, he couldn't swallow his pride. His breathing grew heavier, but alas, no one paid him any mind.
Mu Xing, hearing Nangong Yue's words, actually nodded obediently.
"Alright, Mu Xing is going then." Cui'er walked over and took Mu Xing away. Hong Xiu came over and arranged another seat for Feng Xie, poured him tea, and then retreated to the side.
Liu Liu glanced at the two men beside her, who were acting like rivals. She couldn't help but snort in annoyance, "Alright, speak. What exactly do you need me for? If you're not going to say it, please leave. Don't just glare at each other here. I need to rest."
Feng Xie immediately retracted his cold demeanor, adopting a serious expression. He had come to ask Liu Liu about Hua Wu You's affairs.
He heard that Hua Wu You had kidnapped Liu Liu back then. Although they had a good relationship, what were Hua Wu You's next plans? Liu Liu should have some inkling. He had been waiting for Hua Wu You to make a move for days, but unfortunately, that fellow named Hua had been completely inactive.
"I want to know what Hua Wu You's most likely next move will be."
Liu Liu pondered. When Hua Wu You spent time with her, he always acted as a friend, so her understanding of his character was somewhat vague.
He was known in the martial world as ruthless and cruel, so he certainly had a venomous side. Based on her understanding of him,
he would definitely target the common people of Feng Yue City. If he were to strike, it would likely involve poisoning, as the Demonic Palace belonged to a sect of dubious origins, and poisoning was the most direct method.
"I think he will definitely poison the common people of Feng Yue City. If he wants to poison them, what would be the most direct and effective way?"
A smile played on Liu Liu's lips as she looked at the two intelligent men with a hint of sarcasm. With their minds, they should be able to guess.
"That spring," the two said in unison. Liu Liu nodded and smiled. As expected, they were quick-witted.
"Indeed. Therefore, Your Majesty should immediately dispatch people from the Feng Yue City County Administration to guard all the wells in Feng Yue City – large wells, small wells, every single one. As long as the well water is secured, if Hua Wu You wants to deal with the common people of Feng Yue City, he can only resort to small-scale actions, which would result in fewer casualties and quicker treatment."
Liu Liu spoke calmly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. The three of them were now engaged in a battle, a battle to save lives. No matter what, the common people of Feng Yue City could not suffer any casualties.
"That's a good idea," Feng Xie immediately agreed. His dominating aura, like swirling mist and smoke, called out into the distance, "Ri Ying, go to the County Administration immediately and have the prefect dispatch soldiers to guard all the wellheads. Not a moment's delay is permissible." xxs壹贰
Ri Ying nodded respectfully, "Yes, your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
He leaped away from the courtyard. Seeing that things were already in motion, Liu Liu waved to the two men beside her to leave.
"I need to rest."
She always felt someone was watching her from the shadows, so she was waiting for him to reveal himself. Based on her understanding of him, he would definitely come to inform her before taking action.
It was because he was an extremely arrogant person. Originally, she could have had Feng Xie set up an inescapable net around her.
Waiting for his appearance, but their five years of acquaintance warranted a resolution. She wanted to persuade him to lay down his butcher's knife and turn from darkness to light, though it was unlikely. However, she had to do what she could.
"Then you rest," the two tall figures rose simultaneously, gently urging her to rest. They walked out.
Night fell, and the moonlight poured into the bedroom like water. Liu Liu was sleeping soundly when she suddenly sensed a trace of violent energy in the room and abruptly opened her eyes.
She turned her head towards the window, where a figure in silver and red robes sat on the soft couch by the window, gazing at her with eyes full of pain. Liu Liu slowly sat up, looking directly at him.
"You've come?"
"Yes," Hua Wu You's sinister voice echoed softly. The depths of his profound blue eyes were like a vast ocean. A chilling smile flickered at the corners of his lips, carrying a bone-chilling eeriness. He stared fixedly at Liu Liu before speaking after a long moment, "I want to ask you, do you know the stronghold of the Demonic Palace?"