C30

Under Gu Qingcheng's "scheme" of releasing the fire during the rainy season, Lu Que had no choice but to retreat. He helplessly cupped his hands and admitted defeat.

Seeing the smile on Lu Que's face, as if he didn't care about the outcome of the battle, Gu Qingcheng lost all sense of accomplishment. She felt a little bored in her heart as she sat there sulking.

It was now winter, and the red plum blossoms in front of Lu Que's house were as beautiful as blazing flames. Yu Tian Xiang pushed open the window of the flowerroom next door. The plum branches swayed in the wind as a gentle breeze blew past the plum branches. The delicate fragrance entered the house with the wind, causing one to feel as if they were soaking in a sea of fragrance.

Yu Tian Xiang's interest was piqued as she suggested tasting tea and appreciating plums. Seeing that she was in high spirits, the few of them nodded their heads in agreement. As the host, Lu Que naturally brought out the best Peach of the Mountains and Yin (tea name). He opened the pot for everyone to take a look before starting to heat up the pot.

Lu Que loved tea. The preparation was a set of smooth, smooth, natural and smooth, pleasing to the eyes. Yu Tianxiang, who came from an extraordinary background, and Gu Qingcheng, both nodded their heads as they watched.

After adding some tea for the group, Lu Que saw that Gu Qingcheng had slightly tightened her fox fur coat. He knew that she probably wasn't used to the cold wind coming from outside the window so he quickly called for someone to add two brazier in the parlour.

"Little brother, big sister is also feeling a bit cold, why don't you let someone bring me a furnace?" Yu Tian Xiang teased.

Lu Que looked at Yu Tian Xiang and smiled as he spat out two words, "The cave in the middle of the lake."

When Yu Tian Xiang heard these words, her body shuddered. She thought of that cold winter and snowy night nearly a year ago. It was the youth in front of her in the Unreturned Mountain that had saved her. In the cave beneath the Green Wood Divine Tree, he had seen the deer porridge in a bamboo cup, and he had not felt the slightest bit of winter snow on that night.

Yu Tian Xiang understood the meaning behind Lu Que's words. With the Great Gan Clan as the symbol of a phoenix, they had learned the ultimate art of controlling the world, and they were even more tyrannical. When they cultivated to the extreme realm, they were like raging fire that burned the heavens, so how could they be afraid of the cold? Back then in the snowy night in the cave, she had slept for an entire night without a problem. Lu Que was the son of her aunt, so how could he not know what had happened?

Looking at Gu Qingcheng, who was staring at him with curiosity in her eyes, Yu Tian Xiang felt a little disappointed. After being hunted for three days and three nights and being able to sleep peacefully, the boy in front of her gave her a sense of security she had never felt before. Every time she recalled it, her heart would pound. Unfortunately, this was the imperial capital of the Great Gan City, and he was no longer a part of the mountain. Furthermore, this youth was his own cousin.

"What cave in the middle of the lake? What are you playing at? " Gu Qingcheng felt slightly displeased in her heart when she saw the strange expression on Yu Tian Xiang's face. She could sense that there was something going on between this pair of siblings, something she didn't know about. He felt an unexplainable pain in his heart, a feeling of being excluded.

Lu Que swept his gaze over the few of them. He discovered that other than Yu Tian Xiang, who had her head lowered, and Gu Qingcheng, who had her eyes slightly narrowed, Zhuge Yan didn't say anything. Duanmu Ye was sipping his tea on the side, but his constantly moving ears were clearly paying attention to what he was about to say.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Que could not help but shake his head and laugh. However, he wouldn't say anything about the matter of the Gui Yuan Sect. Although there were many speculations in the outside world, very few people knew where they had gone to in the past twelve years. No matter if it was Su Le Yi, Gu Jianyun, or Feng Se, Mu Que, or Shi Kuan, they were all subtle people. They naturally knew what they should or should not say. Therefore, during this year, even if someone had gone through a lot of trouble, there had not been any news about it.

Lu Que thought about it and said, "It's a picturesque place, filled with green mountains and green rivers. If Sister Qingcheng is interested, can I take you there in the future?"

"Really?" Gu Qingcheng's eyes lit up.

"Really." Lu Que nodded his head seriously.

"No." Yu Tian Xiang suddenly raised her head.

"Why not?" Gu Qingcheng was slightly unhappy, "Could it be that if you, as a sister, can go, I can't?"

"Little brother, you can't take her, you can't do it yourself." Yu Tian Xiang looked at Lu Que with a complicated expression. Having entered the Unrecoverable Mountain before, how could she not know what kind of place that was? It was already a stroke of luck to be able to leave the mountain at the beginning. If this cousin of his were to enter the mountain again, he might not be in danger due to his relationship with Little White.

Furthermore, the potential that Lu Que was displaying right now was much stronger than his uncle's in the past. Therefore, whether it was for the future of the imperial court, to do great things for the world, or her thoughts that could not be spoken of, she would not allow Lu Que to return.

"Elder sister Tian Xiang." Lu Que walked over to the window and plucked a plum blossom. He put it on his nose and sniffed it. His voice sounded a little erratic, "You and I are different after all."

"Isn't it good now?" Yu Tian Xiang's body shuddered as she excitedly said, "There's an uncle, an aunt, and also … Qingcheng." In the future, when you reach adulthood, your wealth and glory will be inexhaustible, and your money and wealth will be inexhaustible. With your talent, young brother, being famous for your history and leaving books behind isn't a difficult matter. Isn't that better than being there? "

Lu Que didn't look back as he carefully examined the red plum in his hand, muttering to himself, "The red plum has broken the wax, and everything has returned to spring. "No regrets for winter, summer, and spring."

"What did you say?" Yu Tian Xiang suddenly stood up.

The rest of the people in the room also felt the strange atmosphere and looked at each other without saying a word.

"Sister Tian Xiang, people are different." Lu Que turned around. His eyes were calm and clear as he let out an inexplicable smile.

"Some people learn from a young age and have high aspirations in life. "For example, Brother Zhuge." Lu Que pointed at Zhuge Yan, who grinned and cupped her hands.

"Some people will never have a son, and men should strengthen themselves. "For example, Brother Duanmu." Lu Que then pointed at Duanmu Ye, who scratched his head and chuckled.

"For some people, a smile that can topple cities and a smile that can topple countries, such as Sister Gu."

Gu Qingcheng had a charming smile on her face as she stated, "What about you?" She purposely stopped Lu Que from commenting. It wasn't a big deal for Lu Que to judge them in such a manner since they were all of similar statuses. However, Yu Tian Xiang was different. Even though she was Lu Que's cousin, she was still the royal daughter. Even if Lu Que was praising her, it was hard for her to not have a solid population.

Lu Que gave a deep look at Gu Qingcheng, a knowing smile appearing on his face, "A man should respect his own safety, how can he allow himself to be wronged for the rest of his life."

With these words, both Zhuge Yan and Duanmu Ye were unable to contain the shock in their hearts; their eyes were somewhat stiff.

Only now did they understand why Lu Que didn't care about anything else. Even though he was the champion of the test, he only smiled faintly. So it was because he didn't care about these things at all.

Yu Tian Xiang let out a long sigh as she sat back down, her head lowered in silence. As for Gu Qingcheng, her eyes shone brilliantly. Her fiery gaze was something even Lu Que couldn't stand. She quickly changed the topic.

"Sister Qingcheng, why have you come here today?"

"What is it? Can't I just come to find you because I'm fine? " Gu Qingcheng stood up and walked to Lu Que's side. Her originally smiling face suddenly changed as she reached out and pinched Lu Que's cheek, "The threshold of your Duke of Wei's Mansion is getting higher and higher. Are you saying that when I come here in the future, I have to post in advance and then wait in the side chamber?"

"I dare not. I can come and go as I wish. Even if I want to stay here, it's not a problem. There are a lot of empty courtyards here anyway." "Elder sister has always liked the red peony tree, and it just so happens that it was planted in the flower beds of the East District." Elder sister has always liked the red peony, and it just so happens that it was planted in the flower beds of the East District.

Just as Lu Que finished his sentence, Zhuge Yan spat out the rest of the tea that she had drunk. Duanmu Ye hurriedly helped her to calm down.

"What nonsense." Gu Qingcheng's face reddened as she shyly walked back to the table.

Who doesn't know what kind of place the East District is? That was where the crown prince lived.

Logically speaking, the East District should have been Lu Que's residence, but Lu Que was a quiet and peaceful place. Now that this side yard was so lush and flourishing, he liked it a lot, which was why he chose to live here. The Grand Princess and the Duke of Wei knew his temperament, so they didn't say anything and just let him go.

However, Lu Que's request for Gu Qingcheng to enter the East District made the meaning clear, not to mention that the peony was a queen of flowers, symbolizing the love between a man and a woman. Lu Que didn't understand, but everyone in the hall knew of this fact. No wonder Gu Qingcheng was shy. Although her temperament was gentle, she was still a young lady.

"Did I say anything wrong?" Lu Que was confused.

Seeing Lu Que's dazed look, Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but roll her eyes. She took a sip of tea to ease her mood before replying, "I've come to find you because I want you to participate in the Ranking Event. It's already halfway through and you should be going over."

Lu Que shook his head hesitantly, "Sister Qingcheng, I don't want to go."

"Why?" Gu Qingcheng was a little surprised, "Did you know that the entire capital is waiting for your final product?" Everyone wants to see if you, as the Eldest Princess and the son of the Duke of Weiguo, have truly lived up to your name. If you don't go, there will be more and more guesses coming from the outside. This will inevitably affect you. "

"That's why I don't want to go. I remember that the students in Dingju can choose not to join in the selection." Lu Que didn't pay any attention to the meaning behind Gu Qingcheng's words. He was well aware of his grade. He was well aware of what would happen once he participated in the Ranking Event, so he didn't go. Lu Que didn't care much about what the outside people would say about him. He wasn't afraid that someone would try to get at him after his grade was announced. He was just afraid of trouble.

"Little brother, is this what you mean by 'uncle and aunt'?" Yu Tianxiang, who hadn't made a sound for a long time, asked.

"No." Lu Que shook his head, "This is my own decision."

"Then what does the Grand Princess and the Duke of Wei mean?" Gu Qingcheng asked.

"Mother wants me to go!" Lu Que thought back to the conversation he had with his mother a few days ago and sighed inwardly. He naturally knew his mother's intentions, but he still resisted in his heart.

"In that case, let's go." Gu Qingcheng pulled Lu Que along and left without saying a word. As they walked, she said, "My brother has already been waiting for half a day at the academy. Let's hurry over."

Lu Que didn't struggle free, allowing Gu Qingcheng to pull on his arm. He knew that his mother, Gu Qingcheng, Yu Tian Xiang, Zhuge Yan, and Duanmu Ye, these close friends of his, all hoped that he would be able to participate in the Ranking Event. Even the two emperors in the palace had the same thought. Since they wanted to know, it was fine to let them know.

The five of them exited the residence and got on their respective carriages, heading towards the Phoenix's Cry Palace. However, there was a group of guards closely following beside the horse carriage, afraid that any mishap would befall Lu Que.

"Brother Gu, Brother Yun, it looks like Lu Que won't be coming today. I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." He had already stayed in the pavilion for half a day, so he was already rather impatient. If it wasn't for the fact that he was afraid of Gu Qingxue, who only talked about fists and not reason, he would have left long ago. Now that the time had come, his stomach was like a drum that was reflecting the light. He was even more distracted, wondering when the young master of the Bai Clan had ever been hungry since he was born. But he didn't want to wait here foolishly.

"Wait." Gu Qingxue cast a glance at Bai Guang and then looked at him. She felt that it was difficult for her to think of how to leave, so she simply said two words.

"Brother Gu, there's something on at little brother's house." Bai Guanguan withdrew his foot and said helplessly.

"That's right, that's right. Brother Gu, your little brother didn't take the horse carriage this time. I just happen to be going back with you, Brother Bai. I'll take my leave now." His hunger had long ago caused him to panic.

"I said, wait." Gu Qingxue's eyes revealed a trace of anger.

Bai Qing Guang and Zhi Xing couldn't even look at each other. The corner of their mouths were twitching as they helplessly stood to the side. They knew that this young master of the Gu family wouldn't care about their background. If they really angered him, the Royal family would beat them up first, not to mention them.

"Is there anything wrong with your family? Do you need to go home first?" Gu Qingxue nudged Yun Xian with her shoulder to think. The corners of her lips curled up as she smiled in an extremely weird manner.

"Brother Gu has always been a loyal person. Everyone in the academy knows this. "Since Brother Gu has said that Lu Que will be coming today, I truly want to meet this Lu family's elite. Even if it's the time to close up the pavilion, as long as Brother Gu believes that Lu Que will come, I will accompany Brother Gu and wait." Yun Xian didn't even look at Gu Shanxue as he replied in a lukewarm tone.

"Haha, haha, good, then we'll wait." Gu Danxue patted Clouded String's shoulder and smirked.

After interacting with each other a few times, he had a better understanding of Lu Que's character. He was a person who was even more quiet than a lady in a pavilion. Ever since the assassination attempt outside the palace, he had never heard of Lu Que leaving his house. "To be honest, even if Lu Que hadn't come today, he wouldn't have been surprised. He would have lost a lot of face.

Just as Gu Qingxue was conflicted, a gust of cold wind blew past. The door was pushed open from the outside. The few of them looked at the door and saw that it was opened by Lu Que.

"Brat, you're finally here." Seeing the elation in Lu Que's heart, Gu Qiuxue hurriedly rushed forward to welcome him. Under Gu Qingcheng's supercilious gaze, she grabbed onto Lu Que's shoulder.

"Err ~ Brother Gu." Lu Que was not used to this Lu Family's heir's way of greeting. However, this person's strength was too great, so he could only allow him to do as he pleased.

"Why did you come so late? Do you know how long I've been waiting here?" Gu Danxue patted Lu Que's shoulder in displeasure. Those popping sounds made the surrounding people's brows tremble.

"Big brother!" Gu Qingcheng exclaimed in a low voice as she used her hand to tug on Gu Qingxue's sleeve.

"Sigh ~ He hasn't even passed and is already supporting him. People say that women are born into the outside world. Before this, I didn't believe it, but now I believe it."

"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?" Gu Qingcheng's face turned red as she patted Gu Danxue before she turned and hid behind Yu Tian Xiang.

"We were drinking tea and admiring plums in the Lu Manor when we arrived a little late, what's the matter? You have an objection. " Seeing Lu Que rubbing his shoulder, Yu Tian Xiang was displeased. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Gu Qing Xue as she spoke.

"No objections, no objections." "I don't have any objections. Appreciating plums is pretty good, pretty good." Seeing Yu Yuqing's expression, Gu Qiuxue also shrunk her head and quickly waved her hands.

Cloudstrings who had been watching the conversation from the side all this while stared intently at Gu Qingcheng with a dejected look in his eyes.

He seemed to be thinking about something.

On the other hand, Bai Qing Guang glared at Zhuge Yan, his eyes spitting fire.

"Why are you staring at me like that for?" Upon entering, Zhuge Yan was also staring at Bai Qing Guang. Seeing his flushed face, the corners of her lips slightly curled upwards, "Isn't this Brother Qu Guang?" "I say, your eyes are too scary. This young master is not a manly man."

"Die." Veins popped out on Bai Qing's forehead. When he saw Zhuge Yan's playful and disrespectful attitude, the nameless fire in his heart raged. He clenched his fists and was about to throw a punch at Zhuge Yan.

"Cough, cough."

Luo Cang Lan, who had always been seated at the head of the table, stood up and coughed twice. It was only then that Bai Shuguo realized where he was, and his figure paused as he stopped in his tracks.

Luo Canglan did not care about the grudges between the juniors at all. She walked over to the jade plate, stretched her muscles, and said, "The three of you are all students of Cauldron Forging. This old man will personally decide on your goods, who will go first."

"Me, first." Without waiting for Lu Que and Zhuge Yan's reply, Duanmu Ye strode towards the jade plate.

"Why didn't you go first? Are you afraid?" Bai Shuguang walked over to Zhuge Yan's side and spoke in a low voice with a disdainful expression.

"Pfft ~" Zhuge Yan sneered, "Do you think I would be afraid?" "You think too much."

"I think you must be feeling guilty. That's true. The reputation accumulated by the Zhuge family's seventh generation will be destroyed today. If it was me, I too would feel guilty."

"Since you know that my Zhuge family's reputation is extraordinary, you should know that I am third in this year's test, right?"

"You ~" This time around, he had been completely suppressed by Zhuge Yan, causing Bai Shou Guang to feel extremely stifled. When he heard Zhuge Yan mention the results of the ranking and saw his expression of contempt, he became even more furious.

"What is it? You want to fight? Okay? If you dare to make a move, I'll accept it. " Zhuge Yan cast a disdainful glance at Bai Qing Guang, whose face was completely red.

"All of you shut up." Yu Tian Xiang, who was standing at the side, couldn't stand to listen any longer and growled.

Zhuge Yan and Bai Guiguang looked at each other with expressions of disdain. Then, they turned their heads to look at the jade plate.