Chapter 266: Chapter 266

Nangong Mo’s expression grew more severe the more he thought about it.

Who is she planning to meet?

Yun Ran saw his expression through the bronze mirror and wanted to laugh, but held it in.

"Ying Yue, you really have skilled hands! This hairstyle is done so well!"

"That’s because the princess was born beautiful. Light makeup or heavy, it all suits her, any ordinary hairstyle becomes special when placed on your head."

Yun Ran couldn’t help but laugh softly at this, "Ying Yue, I didn’t realize you had such a sweet tongue."

"Ying Yue only speaks the truth! Master, doesn’t the princess look beautiful to you?"

Having been neglected in the corner for a long time, Nangong Mo gave Yun Ran a gloomy look and snorted lightly, "The painting is ugly as hell."

It seemed that Yun Ran had already predicted he would say that and didn’t care at all. She rolled her eyes at him in the mirror, "With your taste, you deserve to be lonely for life."

Is this hinting something to me?

Does it have to do with the person she’s meeting today?

It’s very likely a man!

While Nangong Mo was still immersed in his little world of thoughts, Yun Ran had already stood up and walked towards the door.

She even deliberately snorted coldly as she passed by him.

By the time Nangong Mo came back to his senses, Yun Ran was already in the yard. He almost teleported to her side and grabbed her wrist, "Lin Wanyue, who are you going to meet?"

Yun Ran beamed a bright smile at him, "I’m not telling you."

Nangong Mo thought for a moment and took a step back, "Then where are you going to meet that person? When will you be back?"

"Why are you asking so much? Are you planning to follow me?"

She actually guessed it...

The man snorted coldly, brazenly lying without a blush, "How can a crippled man like me follow you? I’m just asking casually, showing a bit of concern."

Yun Ran couldn’t help but want to kick him when she heard him so shamelessly claim to be crippled.

"Your concern is received, just stay at home with peace!"

Saying this, Yun Ran slapped away his paw and waved to Ying Yue to say goodbye, "You worked hard today! I’ll bring back something delicious for you!"

"Alright! Thank you, princess!"

Ying Yue was smiling happily when she suddenly felt a chilly, captivating gaze land on her.

She shivered all over and immediately stood up straight, "Master, I just remembered the task you assigned last time hasn’t been completed. I’ll handle it now!"

With that, she fled in panic.

Nangong Mo narrowed his eyes at the empty courtyard gate, his handsome face as if painted, his expression deep and distant.

Jing Lake, the renowned lake of the Imperial City. Its scenery is picturesque year-round. Walking along the long dike by the lake feels like traversing a painting of landscapes.

Gentle ripples dance across the lake’s surface. Occasionally, painted boats appear, accompanied by silk and bamboo instruments, with songs echoing on the air. Some people paddle small boats, letting the current carry them downstream.

This place is the favorite spot for young men and women of the Capital City, especially during the Lantern Festival when thousands of lanterns float downstream on the lake, creating a dreamlike spectacle.

Lake Heart Island, in a pavilion.

The wind lifted the light veils hanging from the corners of the pavilion, the scene inside appearing faintly visible.

You could vaguely see a girl in red leaning against the railing, a glass cup in one hand, throwing fish food into the lake with the other.

In white clothes, covered with a fiery red cloak, with his ink-black hair tied high and secured with a red hairband, Shen Mubai appeared outside the pavilion.

He glanced inside and called tentatively, "Wanyue?"

But there was no response from inside.

Shen Mubai hesitated, then took out the letter from his arms, repeatedly confirming the address mentioned in the letter.

No mistake, this is the place.

He looked at the faint red figure in the pavilion, "Wanyue, can I... can I come in?"

Just as he stepped inside, Yun Ran turned around lazily looking at him.

Shen Mubai paused in his steps, gazing blankly at the girl before him, a look of amazement crossing his eyes, along with a trace of pain buried deep within, not easily noticeable.

Yun Ran frowned slightly and turned back to look at the lake.

Realizing his faux pas, Shen Mubai awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "Wanyue, I... I’m sorry for being late."

"No, I just arrived early myself."

His awkward demeanor left Yun Ran unsure of what to say.

She had also noticed the pain in his eyes, seeming not to be feigned, yet she still found it a bit ridiculous.

The one who resolutely let go was him. Now, Lin Wanyue is no longer here. Who is he making this painful face for?

Shen Mubai stood there, like a pillar, looking at Yun Ran, a bit awkwardly asking her, "Wanyue, are your wounds all healed?"

"There’s no need for Young General Shen to worry, I’m fine."

Hearing this, a trace of melancholy flashed in Shen Mubai’s eyes. He was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "Wanyue, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken her there last time, otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt."

"She... she didn’t do it on purpose. She’s always been concerned about this and wants to apologize to you in person, seeking your forgiveness."

"Wanyue, if you’re willing, I..."

"Young General Shen."

Before he could finish, Yun Ran interrupted coldly, and Shen Mubai immediately fell silent, looking at her, "Wanyue, what do you want to say?"

Yun Ran slightly curled her lips, "You’re talking too much, you’re scaring away my fish."

Shen Mubai was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head somewhat sadly, "Wanyue, do you... still hate me?"

Until the moment of Lin Wanyue’s death, she had never truly hated him.

Her feelings were too pure and too transparent.

When fate brings people together, they gather; when it ends, they part. The depth of fate is never dictated by people.

Why be persistent in hating someone you once deeply loved?

Hate won’t make him look back; it will only make oneself more painful.

Yun Ran’s voice was very light, somewhat ethereal with the wind on the lake, and Shen Mubai did not hear it clearly.

"Wanyue, what did you say?"

"You’re standing there blocking my view."

Shen Mubai was slightly stunned, then moved to the side, but his gaze always followed Yun Ran’s figure.

"Wanyue, do you know? I was so happy to receive your letter today."

"I thought you hated me so much that you would never want to see me again in this life, but I didn’t expect... I’m really happy."

Yun Ran silently rolled her eyes and pointed to the tea on the table, "Say less and have some tea."

Shen Mubai wasn’t thirsty, but he still walked over, poured a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp.

Yun Ran silently looked away, gazing at the lake outside the pavilion.

Green water and long skies, pleasure boats and small vessels, the world’s red dust, scholars and writers.

What a splendid picture of mist and rain.

From Shen Mubai’s perspective, he saw the girl’s side profile, skin like jade, graceful beauty, hair like a waterfall, and eyes bright like fire.

She was somewhat different from how she was in memory.

She really has changed.

Becoming more radiant and dazzling, so bright that one cannot look away.

For no reason, he thought of a phoenix reborn from the ashes.

Burning away the unbearable past in flames, turning all the pain into the fire of rebirth, and then, a new life.

Is it those hurts that have turned her into what she is now?

For a moment, he couldn’t tell if it was good or bad? Thıs content belongs to 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍

Unknowingly, Shen Mubai sighed deeply, the emotions in his eyes complex and inexplicable.

Heartache, frustration, despair, pain, and a trace of resentment, resentment for how fate toys with people.

If only back then he hadn’t gone to Yunzhou, hadn’t gotten injured and fallen unconscious, hadn’t been saved by Yu Qingyan...

But, there is no "if."

Shen Mubai seemed to be immersed in a dark abyss, the aura around him desolate and lonely.

Even Yun Ran was somewhat surprised.

For a moment, she even felt that Shen Mubai truly loved Lin Wanyue deeply. And his resolute departure back then, was indeed against his true will.

But soon, Yun Ran scoffed at such a thought.

If truly in love, one should overcome all difficulties and hold firmly together; there should be no parting unless death separates.

Of course, except for certain situations, such as enemies with deep-seated hatred, or brothers lost for many years...

Suddenly, a glint flashed in Yun Ran’s eyes. Without any change in expression, she glanced at a pleasure boat outside the pavilion and walked towards Shen Mubai.

Suddenly being called, Shen Mubai looked up blankly at the girl standing in front of him, his thoughts still a bit scattered.

Yun Ran stood in front of him, looking down at him with scrutiny.

One had to admit, his young general’s image was indeed pleasing to the eye.

Yun Ran lightly lifted his hair ribbon with her fingertips, "Shen Mubai, I have some words to say to you."