PMM - 40

Yi Qiancheng actually sent people to bring Lian Xiyue here!

Since the assassination attempt, the City Lord’s residence had been heavily guarded. Lord Lian was afraid for his life and never went out, ordering the residence to be completely surrounded. Lady Sang never left the house, and only the second son, Lian Xiyue, couldn’t control his legs and frequently ran to the brothel.

Yi Qiancheng gave the order: “Go notify Lord Lian and Young Master Lian, tell them to be smart. A few people will be enough; swords and blades have no eyes, if Second Young Master gets hurt, it won’t be good.” He noticed Lian Sheng’s surprised expression and frowned slightly.

“Are you angry?” Yi Qiancheng knew that besides Lian Qi, Lian Sheng didn’t have much of a relationship with the other Lian family members, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was like.

Lian Sheng shook her head. She had no sibling bond with Lian Xiyue. Yi Qiancheng needed a hostage, or it would be dangerous.

They didn’t have to wait long before Lian Qi, who was searching the city, arrived at the outskirts. Yi Qiancheng lazily looked over, revealing a mocking smile. “Young Master Lian doesn’t care about his brother? You brought so many people here just to see Second Young Master’s head fall, huh?”

Lian Qi didn’t answer but exchanged a look with him. Their eyes were heavy, and they both understood each other’s intentions. Lian Qi was the first to look away, his gaze landing on Lian Sheng’s hand. She was holding Yi Qiancheng’s hand, leaning against him, looking like a good wife.

Lian Qi was calm, and Yi Qiancheng wasn’t in a hurry. He gestured, “Wake up Second Young Master.”

A bucket of water was poured over Lian Xiyue’s head, causing him to shiver, his eyes opening in confusion. He didn’t even understand where he was. As his memories returned, Lian Xiyue’s face turned pale in shock. Seeing Lian Qi, he quickly shouted, “Big Brother! Big Brother, save me!”

Lian Qi glanced at him and then looked back at Lian Sheng. “Ah Sheng.”

“Brother...” Lian Sheng lowered her head, not knowing how to face Lian Qi. She felt that this brother seemed somewhat unfamiliar. Caught between her husband and brother, she felt torn. Lian Qi must have hidden many things from her. With his abilities, it was impossible that he didn’t know about her father’s collusion with Liang Zhen. He must know but didn’t tell her. She felt like a fool, waiting in the mansion for news.

Her grip tightened, and Yi Qiancheng gently squeezed her hand. Lian Sheng regained her composure and felt a sense of reassurance.

Lian Qi saw Lian Sheng looking down, knowing that she was already suspicious, but now wasn’t the time for explanations. Lian Xiyue was freezing badly, his teeth chattering. The situation was at a standstill, and he couldn’t last much longer, his body soaked in water. Lian Qi was his only hope.

“Big Brother, don’t ignore me!”

Lian Qi frowned and looked at Yi Qiancheng. “Tell me your conditions.”

“It’s simple. First, tell me where Fang Mu’s body is. Second, let us leave the city. Once those two conditions are met, I will naturally release Second Young Master.” As for Fang Mu’s account, it would be settled later. Once he returned to Yingdong, it would be time for these people to atone.

“I don’t know where Fang Mu’s body is.”

“Then please, Lord Lian, investigate thoroughly. For the sake of his son, even if he doesn’t know, he must find out. I’ll wait here for Young Master Lian’s news. The weather is cold, and Second Young Master is strong, so waiting for an hour should be no problem.”

Lian Xiyue’s vision blurred at these words. In just a short while, he was nearly frozen into unconsciousness. If he had to wait for a few hours, even if he didn’t die, he would be crippled. Lian Qi’s expression was calm, but his gaze toward Lian Xiyue was cold.

If Yi Qiancheng’s demands were really met today, and after Fang Mu’s body was delivered and they were allowed to leave the city, then Lian Sheng… would never be able to return to his side.

“Big Brother, please, go tell Father. Let him give them the… the body.”

Lian Xiyue cried, his voice hoarse.

Lian Qi’s expression didn’t change, but suddenly, he looked at Lian Sheng. Her clear eyes were staring at him, stunned, as if seeing him for the first time in this indifferent, heartless manner. His heart tightened, a faint sense of panic rising within him, and for a moment, his mind went blank.

No, he couldn’t let her look at him like that. Lian Qi quickly made a decision. “Go notify Father and tell him to come right away.”

Lian Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. She had almost thought that her gentle, jade-like brother had become a heartless, selfish person. Even though she wasn’t favored as a sister, she didn’t want Lian Xiyue to freeze to death.

Fang Mu’s remains had to be brought back. Yingdong owed him that.

Lord Lian quickly arrived with his men. Yi Qiancheng looked at his fearful, trembling expression, raising an eyebrow sarcastically. He loathed this man deeply. Six years ago, he had ruined Shaji, and six years later, he had ruined Fang Mu. He wouldn’t let him off.

Lian Xiyue was crying and trembling. “Father, save your child!”

“General Yi, Fang Mu’s body is forty miles east. Please, spare my son.” After Yu Deyue killed Fang Mu, Lord Lian had sent someone to retrieve the body and bury all the Shaji soldiers outside the city to the east.

Yi Qiancheng nodded coldly, and his personal guards received the order and went east. Lian Sheng silently watched Lord Lian. Perhaps because of his guilt, he didn’t even glance at her.

“Father,” Lian Sheng said softly, “This is the last time I’ll call you Father.”

Lord Lian’s expression flashed with awkwardness and guilt, but his gaze quickly dodged and then landed on Lian Sheng. She had bright eyes, her lips red like a plum blossom blooming in the snow, and for a moment, he seemed to see another woman, his first wife, Fei Yuer, from sixteen years ago.

Lian Sheng knelt down and kowtowed to Lord Lian, saying, “Thank you, Father, for your provision of food and clothing.” She only mentioned food and clothing, not the upbringing, for it was her brother who had raised her.

Lian Qi watched, unsure whether to feel happy or sad. He had often wondered what it would be like if one day Lian Sheng was no longer his sister. But now that it had become a reality, it was she who wanted to distance herself from him.

“Brother, you will always be Ah Sheng’s brother.”

Lian Qi’s hand suddenly clenched the reins tightly, and a trace of sorrow crossed his gaze. Always her brother? But the last thing he wanted to be right now was her brother! He even wondered, if he simply took Lian Sheng and left, without returning to the City Lord’s residence, what would happen? Or later, in the mansion, if he told her everything and confessed his feelings, would she still see him as her brother?

~

Three days after Yi Qiancheng left, Fu Yi successfully captured Feng Mu. Feng Mu, which had flourished for over a century, was too fragile to withstand the internal turmoil and collapsed easily.

However, when Fu Yi saw the person who had contributed greatly to the success, he couldn’t help but be surprised. The woman removed her cloak’s hood, revealing a smile, and greeted him, saying, “Military Advisor Fu, I am Yan Yue.”

“Are you... the one who sent us the message earlier?”

“Yes, I am. I won’t hide it from you, Military Advisor. A year ago, I made an agreement with your young master to help Shaji capture Feng Mu one day. And now, we’ve finally reached that day.” Yan Yue smiled, her face beautiful, delicate, and charming, with a captivating gentleness.

Fu Yi was puzzled. Yan Yue was the daughter of Yan Rong, the old City Lord of Feng Mu, a woman who looked fragile but had stirred the waters and determined the fate of a city. He now had to suspect that the rivalry between the two young masters of Feng Mu and the heavy military presence of the old City Lord might also have been orchestrated by this woman. If that were true, this woman was far too formidable.

After a moment of thought, Fu Yi spoke first, “I wonder what brings you here, Miss?”

Yan Yue wiped away the tears on her face. “I am grateful to the military advisor for sparing the innocent citizens of Feng Mu. Now that Feng Mu is gone, the people will fare better under General’s leniency. However, with the fall of the City Lord’s residence, I have no home. As a woman, I do not seek anything else, but simply a place where I can live. My father has passed away, and my two brothers are in the military advisor’s hands. For Shaji, I have done my part, but for Feng Mu, I am a sinner.”

She lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with tears. “I ask the military advisor and general to take me in.”

Whether the words were heartfelt or not, Fu Yi seriously considered Yan Yue’s situation. If she were merely seeking a place to stay, she would not have come to ask for it. This woman was not simple; with her abilities, securing a place to live was not difficult for her.

What she likely wanted was status, or perhaps a suitable identity.

To legitimately take control of a city, the best method was marriage. The reason Fu Yi had previously urged Yi Qiancheng to marry Lian Sheng was because of this. Now, Yan Yue...

“Why did you choose to help Shaji, Miss? Could you tell me?” Fu Yi asked.

Yan Yue dried her tears. “This matter involves an old story from Feng Mu, and I am not at liberty to share it with the general. But... you only need to know that, without a reason, I would not have taken such a desperate course.”

“Since you can’t tell me, I won’t ask further. However, there is one thing I don’t understand. The ruler of Yuanhuai, Xiang Han, is well known for his ambition, and he has long coveted Feng Mu. Why did you not cooperate with him, but instead choose Shaji?” Fu Yi asked.

Yan Yue had anticipated this question, and she answered calmly, “Xiang Han’s temperament is erratic. He is unstable and insatiably greedy. When I was at the residence, I had already heard of his capricious nature. I was worried that if I cooperated with him, he would not spare the people of Feng Mu and would not respect me as I deserve.”

She paused and then continued, “But General Yi is different. He is a young hero who killed the invading Western Qiang to protect Shaji, and later he was willing to send troops to help Yingdong. I respect him, and naturally, I am willing to help him.”

Her voice lowered slightly, tinged with a hint of shyness. Fu Yi immediately understood. It seemed that the young lady from Feng Mu, Yan Yue, not only had a grudge against her father and brothers, but was also considering a marriage partner for herself.

And she had set her sights on none other than their general...

Fu Yi, thinking about the marriage alliance, realized that no one knew Feng Mu better than this woman. He smiled and said, “This matter is beyond my authority. I will take you to see the general, and you can tell him yourself.”