Chapter 3
“Ahh, Miss, wait, slow down…”
“Hurry up, Xiu’er, brother has finally returned, don’t slow me down.”
“Little miss, be careful.”
“Ah…”
“You, you little girl, after all these years, you’re still so impulsive, not a trace of a young lady’s demeanor. Be careful, you won’t find a husband acting like this.”
Amidst the frightened closing of the girl’s eyes, a voice rang out, clear, gentle, and filled with a smiling tone. It sounded like the whisper of wind through bamboo, lingering in the ears, soothing the heart with its clarity, like a gentle spring breeze brushing the soul, carrying with it the clear water of a brook, flowing gently.
The girl widened her eyes and looked up, seeing her savior who had just caught her in time, and she was immediately stunned. Even the maid behind her was dumbfounded.
The young man wore white robes as pure as snow, his face akin to jade, with a gentle smile in his eyes, his eyebrows like flying willows, giving his divine countenance a touch of masculinity. Despite being only eighteen years old, due to years of solitary apprenticeship, he lacked the usual immaturity and had gained some maturity.
“Hehe, little girl, what’s wrong? After all these years, you don’t recognize me anymore.”
It wasn’t until a gentle touch on her forehead that the girl snapped out of her daze, then she raised her head and saw her equally beautiful savior, her eyes widening in amazement. Even the maid behind her was dumbfounded.
The young man, dressed in white, with a face like jade, smiled gently, his eyes sparkling like stars, filled with tenderness as he gently touched her head. His presence exuded a serene and joyful aura. Five years had passed, and it felt like an eternity.
“You, you’re back, brother, dear brother, I’ve missed you so much,” the girl exclaimed, her excitement evident.
The young man’s lips curled into a gentle smile, his expression mild but his eyes filled with joy as he looked at the girl, his sister, with the same features as his own. He gently stroked her head, feeling the softness of her hair. Five years had passed since he left.
“You impulsive girl, just a shadow of a lady. Brother just returned, don’t bother him. Let him rest first,” scolded the beautiful woman beside them, but her eyes showed no real reproach, only a hint of tears mixed with a gentle smile.
The girl widened her eyes in surprise, then looked at her savior with excitement. “Brother, brother, dear brother, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you so much,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.
Murong Qiufeng gently curled his lips, his smile subtle, but his starry eyes were full of happiness as he looked at the girl, his sister, with boundless affection. Five years had passed, and he was finally home.
“You, you little girl…” Lady Murong couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. “You never change. But remember, these days, behave yourself. I heard Prince Ye is coming back soon, probably in the next few days. You better control your temper and not embarrass the family. Last time, I heard your aunt say that the Emperor intends to arrange a marriage for you, and Prince Ye is known for his integrity, wisdom, and righteousness… Oh, you two, this, this girl…”
Before Lady Murong could finish, Murong Qiuyun had already grabbed Murong Qiufeng’s arm and fled.
“Unruly child, it’s for your own good,” Murong Qiufeng said helplessly, looking at his beloved younger sister. He didn’t expect her to change so much in just a few years, but he found her lively nature quite endearing.
“Hmph, it’s not like that. Father and mother are always worried that I won’t find a husband. Those noble sons and princes, what’s so good about them? If I’m going to marry, I want to at least marry someone I like. I won’t marry someone like my two sisters, who married without even seeing their husband’s face.”
“Yes, yes, my little sister is so beautiful, how could she marry just anyone,” Murong Qiufeng said with a smile, ruffling her soft and smooth hair.
Murong Qiuyun raised her eyebrows and smiled like a mischievous cat. “Brother, let’s not talk about that. I wasn’t joking just now. From today on, you must accompany me at all times.”
“Silly girl, didn’t I promise you just now?”
“Hehe, you said it yourself, so we can’t delay. Let’s go now.” The little girl smiled mischievously, knowing that if they didn’t leave now, their father would take her brother away for various visits. There wouldn’t be any time for him to accompany her.
More importantly, their father would probably mention her marriage again. She didn’t want to hear that.
“You…” Murong Qiufeng looked at his mischievous sister, feeling helpless. He lightly flicked her forehead with his finger. “You.” Then, he hugged her and, with a leap, they disappeared from where they stood, leaving the onlookers stunned.
As they landed, Murong Qiuyun couldn’t help but laugh mischievously, covering her mouth. She knew she was being naughty and didn’t intend to warn him.
Murong Qiufeng looked at his oblivious sister and couldn’t help but frown slightly. He looked at the wall nearby, pondering. It had been years since he had been back, and he needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings.
“Little miss, young master…” came Xiu’er’s call from afar. Murong Qiuyun quickly pulled Murong Qiufeng’s arm. “Brother, hurry, or mother will see us and we won’t be able to leave.”
Murong Qiufeng couldn’t help but smile helplessly, flicking her forehead gently. “You.” With that, he held her in his arms, leapt into the air, and landed outside the wall in an instant.
“Haha, brother, you’re amazing,” Murong Qiuyun exclaimed, her face flushed with excitement. She was amazed at her brother’s abilities, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Her exclamation, combined with the sudden appearance of two figures, startled the people outside the wall, but luckily, this was the backyard, relatively secluded, so there weren’t many people around.
But he had underestimated his own conspicuousness.
Everyone who saw them land widened their eyes in astonishment, then stared dumbfoundedly, mouths agape, exclaiming in disbelief, “Heavens…” They had meant to say “heavenly beauty,” but they were too astonished and too nervous to speak.
Murong Qiufeng frowned slightly, turning to look at the stunned onlookers. He hadn’t realized how eye-catching his appearance was.
Murong Qiuyun, seeing her oblivious brother, couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle, but she had no intention of warning him.
