Chapter 45

Hu Feiguany was startled when she heard this. Seeing that the nine-section whip she had just thrown was about to strike the white-clad man, she furrowed her brows and changed the direction of the whip at the last moment. The nine-section whip was already powerful, and since she had been taught martial arts from a young age, her skills were no less impressive.

Now, the whip hit a nearby stall and shattered it completely.

Fortunately, there was nothing much on the stall, and it had already been vacated, so no one was hurt.

The white-clad man, seeing the stall shattered, remained calm and unperturbed. He stood there holding a jade flute, smiling faintly, as if nothing had happened. Upon seeing Hu Feiguany stop the fight, he simply lowered his brows and gently patted down the wrinkles on his clothes caused by the earlier scuffle.

Hu Feiguany looked at him, and her frown deepened.

She retrieved her nine-section whip and held it in her hand. Her cold eyes remained fixed on the man. Even without Shen Wei’s earlier shout, this man’s martial arts skills were such that he could have easily avoided the attack. They had exchanged dozens of moves earlier; she had aimed to strike him lethally with every blow, but he seemed to play with her, effortlessly dodging each one.

In Bianliang City—

Though her martial arts were not the best, they were far from weak.

She had been taught by several masters from a young age, and her skills could be considered the culmination of many great teachings. Yet, the martial arts this man used were entirely foreign to her.

Who exactly was this man? Initially, she had thought he was a petty thief, which was why he had been following the Rong Guo Gong mansion’s carriage. But now, seeing his demeanor and bearing, he didn’t seem like someone capable of such actions… So, why was he following Shen Wei’s carriage?

Shen Wei, still holding the carriage curtain, had been watching the two of them. When she saw that the fight had finally stopped, she let out a sigh of relief.

But when she thought about the man’s appearance—

Her grip on the curtain tightened again.

Even though the white-clad man was now lowering his gaze, Shen Wei was certain she hadn’t been mistaken. The man…

She was probably aware that someone was watching him. The white-clad man raised his head, and his gaze met Shen Wei’s—she was sitting in the carriage, staring directly at him, her expression filled with shock and confusion. He had encountered many different kinds of gazes before, but this was the first time he had received such a look, especially from a woman in a secluded household.

Could it be that she recognized him?

Liang Lingyue thought about it but quickly dismissed the idea. In the West Mountain Temple, they had only exchanged a brief glance. Even if this woman had an excellent memory, it was unlikely she would remember him clearly.

Moreover, her gaze didn’t seem like one of recognition. It felt more like she was looking past him, as if trying to see someone else.

He found this situation amusing, though his expression remained unchanged.

At this moment, Mo Qi had also regained her senses. She was looking through the diamond-shaped window at the white-clad man, who was staring at her mistress without blinking. Mo Qi’s displeasure grew. She grabbed the curtain and moved to shield most of Shen Wei’s body, then glared at the man with a cold expression.

Where did this scoundrel come from?

Not to mention the fact that he had been following them for no reason before, but now, he dared to stare at the mistress like that—he clearly had no manners.

Shen Wei was also jolted by Mo Qi’s actions and quickly reined in her emotions. After she had calmed down, she gently patted Mo Qi’s hand and spoke softly, “Help me down.” When Mo Qi was about to speak, Shen Wei smiled and added, “Princess Changping is still outside.”

Hearing this, Mo Qi stopped pressing the issue.

After all, Princess Changping was a noblewoman, personally appointed by the Emperor, and had even helped them before. It would be inappropriate for her to wait outside while they remained in the carriage. Thinking this, Mo Qi gave a quiet response, lowered the curtain, and extended her hand to help Shen Wei down.

After steadily getting off the carriage—

Shen Wei first half-curtsied toward Hu Feiguany, and now her expression had returned to normal, her voice calming as she spoke: “Thank you for your help earlier.”

Hu Feiguany, upon hearing this, turned his gaze toward her. Seeing her gentle expression and lack of any sign of panic, he felt a bit of admiration for Shen Wei. If it were any other woman from the household, she would probably have been in a state of disarray by now, but the woman before him maintained such a composed demeanor—it was quite rare. Thinking this, he softened his tone and replied, “It’s nothing, I just happened to be passing by.”

As soon as she finished speaking—

It seemed like Hu Feiguany remembered something, and she turned her eyes toward the man in white again, asking, “Do you know him?”

This was precisely the question Liang Lingyue had been wondering about.

So, when Hu Feiguany asked, Liang Lingyue smiled and took a few steps toward Shen Wei. When he reached her, he first cupped his hands in greeting and then spoke in a warm voice, “Madam, do you recognize me?”

Upon hearing his voice, Shen Wei’s hand under her sleeve instinctively tightened.

Did she recognize him? She had once known a man who looked exactly like him, and even after that brief, fleeting glance earlier, she had thought it was him… coming before her.

But how could that be?

She had come here because of a car accident. How could that man, who was alive and well, possibly be in this era? Moreover, even though they looked so similar, their ages were different. That man was already over thirty, stable in personality and demeanor, while this man, apart from his age, had a different disposition altogether.

Shen Wei thought about this and was unsure of what to feel. It was a rare feeling of sadness, but it was fleeting. In the next moment, she wiped away all the emotions from her face.

When Shen Wei lifted her head again, her face wore the same composed expression as before. Her eyes were neutral as she gazed at the man in white. She spoke softly, “How could I know you, Young Master? But I do have one question to ask you.”

She paused for a moment, then looked at the man in white and asked faintly, “Why have you been following my carriage?”

Upon hearing this, Liang Lingyue’s gaze remained probing. He still felt that this woman wasn’t being truthful. The shock and confusion on her face earlier weren’t fake. She definitely recognized him—or at least recognized his face.

Could it be that there was someone else in this world who looked exactly like him? Otherwise, why would this woman have reacted the way she did?

Perhaps it was his persistent gaze that made Shen Wei uncomfortable—

But before Shen Wei could make a move, Mo Qi, who had been supporting her, immediately let go of her arm and stepped forward to block her. Mo Qi’s expression was still cold as she looked sharply at the man in front of them and spoke in a frosty tone, “Who is this rogue to dare stare at my lady?”

Liang Lingyue, hearing this, withdrew his scrutinizing gaze. However, his smile did not fade, and his voice remained gentle. “My apologies, it was an oversight. But Madam…” He paused briefly, then glanced at Shen Wei behind Mo Qi, still with a warm smile. “Madam truly does not recognize me?”

As soon as he finished speaking—

Mo Qi’s face changed dramatically. She quickly scanned the surroundings, relieved that it was dark and there was no one else on the street… This rogue was truly out of line! If others had heard what he said, who knew what they might think about her lady? Just as she was about to scold him, Liang Lingyue spoke again, “It was at Xishan Temple, Madam once saved me.”

Xishan Temple?

Mo Qi froze at the mention of it. She swallowed the words she had been about to say and looked at the man in white… Could this man be the one from that day, the one who had been unconscious?

She hesitantly asked, “You?”

When Shen Wei heard “Xishan Temple,” she too glanced back at the man in white. Looking into his clear, water-like eyes, she was struck again by a feeling of familiarity. No wonder she had felt that those eyes were so familiar; it was because of this connection… Shen Wei couldn’t help but feel that life was truly full of strange coincidences.

Liang Lingyue noticed the change in her expression and knew she had remembered something.

His smile remained as he cupped his hands again and said, “At that time, my injuries were severe. If Madam had not intervened, I would not have survived… This is my token.” He then took out a jade pendant from his chest and continued, “If Madam ever needs anything, you can take this token to Zui Xiang Lou in the eastern part of the city, where my subordinates will help you.”

“Whatever Madam requires, I will do my best to fulfill it.”

Shen Wei had initially wanted to refuse, thinking that she only helped because of the familiarity of his eyes, and that she had not really done much. However, for some unknown reason, she found herself taking the jade pendant from him.

Liang Lingyue, seeing her take the pendant, sighed in relief.

He had always disliked owing anyone. After his injury had healed, he had sent people to inquire about the person who saved him at Xishan Temple. But the monks at the temple were tight-lipped, and since it involved the city’s nobles, they were unwilling to speak.

He had searched for quite some time before discovering that it was a lady from the Duke of Rong’s family who had gone to Xishan Temple that day. But who exactly it was, he still couldn’t determine.

Moreover, women from the Duke of Rong’s family rarely ventured out, so he had to wait a long time for an opportunity. Originally, he just wanted to approach the Duke of Rong to express his gratitude, but strangely, although she had come out without attendants, it seemed like someone had been following her in secret.

Therefore, it was only today that he was finally able to present this gratitude before the person.

Thinking about this, Liang Lingyue couldn’t help but glance at Shen Wei. What exactly was the relationship between the owner of Jinjiang Tower and her? Why did they personally intervene to warn him? But now that the necessary actions had been taken, and although the owner of Jinjiang Tower was mysterious, judging by their demeanor, it didn’t seem like they held any animosity toward the wife of the Duke of Rong…

If that’s the case, then it had nothing to do with him.

With this thought in mind, Liang Lingyue didn’t say more. After bowing respectfully to the others, he turned and walked down another small path.

Shen Wei watched his departing figure, and a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. But as soon as the man turned the corner, she also withdrew her gaze. After a deep breath to calm her thoughts, she turned to look at Princess Hu Feiguany and said, “Thank you for today, Your Highness. It’s getting late. In a few days, I’ll invite you to my house as a host.”

Huo Feiguang did not refuse. She replied flatly, “Alright, go back now.”

Watching Shen Wei being supported by Mo Qi as she got into the carriage, Hu Feiguany didn’t move immediately. Her gaze followed the slowly disappearing carriage, and her thoughts seemed to drift. She had been watching Shen Wei closely, and she had noticed the subtle changes in her expression. Although Shen Wei claimed not to know that man, could her reactions really be so indifferent?

But who was that man? Even she didn’t know. How could a woman who rarely leaves the inner courtyard know such a person?

Hu Feiguany furrowed her brows at this thought but didn’t say anything more. She mounted her horse, and as Shen Wei’s carriage became out of sight, she turned her horse in the opposite direction.

—-

Later that night.

Shen Wei was leaning against the soft couch.

The room was brightly lit by candles, and the half-open window revealed a beautiful moonlit night outside.

It was nearly time for bed, but Shen Wei hadn’t called for anyone. She leaned against her pillow, staring at the moon outside… As she looked at the crescent moon, her grip on the jade pendant tightened. Even though some time had passed, just thinking of that man’s face still stirred her heart.

How could there be someone who looked so similar? She thought about it and couldn’t help but close her eyes.

Under the moonlight—

For the first time, Shen Wei’s expression shifted. Her fingers traced the pattern on the jade pendant, something she had done countless times before, and gradually, her thoughts calmed.

Meanwhile, outside the brocade curtain, Yi Qin and Mo Qi stood together, their gazes fixed on the curtain. They didn’t dare enter without instructions.

“What’s wrong with the Madam? Since she returned today, she seems off…” Yi Qin asked in a low voice, glancing at Mo Qi.

Mo Qi, sensing her concern, frowned slightly. She had also noticed something was off with Shen Wei. But when Shen Wei returned earlier, she had specifically told her not to speak of today’s events to anyone. After all, this matter involved an outsider, and even though Shen Wei’s intentions had been good, if people knew that she had spent time with a man, there might be gossip.

So, Mo Qi replied, “There’s nothing. We just talked with Princess Changping for a few words.”

After a brief pause, she added softly, “Maybe the Madam is just thinking about the Duke of Rong. We’ll just wait here.”

Yi Qin didn’t press further but still felt something was amiss. Before she could dwell on it, Shen Wei’s voice came from inside, “Come in.”

The two exchanged a look before lifting the curtain and entering. Seeing Shen Wei sitting on the couch, looking as usual, their concerns dissipated.

—-

At the Wen Yuan Pavilion.

Lu Qi Huai stood with his hands clasped behind his back by the window. Hearing the report from the hidden guard, his hand holding the jade pendant paused for a moment. After a short while, he spoke lightly, “Since he has no ill intentions, let him go…” After this, he smiled and added, “She is quite fortunate; not everyone can receive the token of the young master of Qiyun Mountain.”

The hidden guard responded with a brief acknowledgment.

There was something else he wanted to say, however, when the servants had reported earlier, they mentioned that the wife of the Duke of Rong seemed to recognize the young master of Qiyun Mountain when they met, although she claimed otherwise. But… the hidden guard looked at his master’s figure. Lately, the master had been paying too much attention to the wife of the Duke of Rong.

This wasn’t a good sign.

Thinking about it, the hidden guard decided not to mention it.