Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
With these questions lingering in her mind, Nangong Shuang finally drifted into a hazy sleep. In her dreams, she found herself in a plum grove, where blossoms fell like snow and the fragrance was intoxicating. In the midst of the grove stood a woman whose silhouette seemed familiar.
"Mother?" Nangong Shuang whispered in her dream.
The woman slowly turned around, and it truly was her long-lost mother! Her mother’s face was gentle, tears glistening in her eyes, and she held an ancient book in her hands—it was the "Heavenly Fragrance Life-Extending Technique"!
"Nangong Shuang, if you find this book, you will understand everything..." her mother's voice seemed to echo from a distant place, "But be careful; sometimes the truth is more brutal than lies..."
"Mother!" Nangong Shuang suddenly awoke, finding her face wet with tears.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and she could hear sounds of movement outside the tent. Nangong Shuang quickly tidied herself up and packed her belongings, preparing to set off.
Stepping out of the tent, she saw the camp bustling with activity. The caravan guards were busy organizing their gear for departure. Lu Tong spotted Nangong Shuang and hurried over.
"Nangong Shuang, good morning!" he greeted cheerfully. "The weather is nice today—perfect for traveling. After breakfast, we’ll set off."
"Thank you for the arrangements, Brother Lu," Nangong Shuang replied with a slight smile as she looked around. "I wonder where Xiao Gongzi is?"
"Xiao Xian has already gone out early; he said he was going to scout ahead," Lu Tong answered, his eyes revealing deeper meaning. "He asked me to take good care of you and said he would return soon."
Nangong Shuang's heart stirred as she speculated that Xiao Zhongyan might be checking if anyone from the Shadow Pavilion was still nearby.
"By the way, my younger brother would like you to try the tea he brewed himself," Lu Tong said, pointing to Lu Ming not far away. "Xiao Quan has quite a knowledge of tea; this is one of his prized collections."
Nangong Shuang looked at Lu Ming and saw him focused on brewing tea with delicate and meticulous movements. She nodded and walked toward the tea table.
"Lu Gongzi has a refined taste to enjoy tea so early in the morning," Nangong Shuang remarked as she took a seat and examined the tea set before her.
Lu Ming smiled slightly. "Morning tea refreshes the mind and calms the spirit. Please try this 'Clear Heart Dew'; it’s a specialty from Jiangnan and rare to find."
He handed a cup of clear tea to Nangong Shuang. The aroma wafted through the air, fresh and inviting—it was indeed high-quality tea.
Nangong Shuang took a gentle sip and felt a refreshing sensation spread through her senses. "This is excellent tea!"
"I'm glad you like it," Lu Ming said as he set down his cup and lowered his voice. "There have been changes at Mei Ying Villa; people from the Shadow Pavilion have laid an ambush. Although the old members of Feng Yu Pavilion are in place, the situation is critical."
Nangong Shuang's expression remained unchanged as she continued to sip her tea leisurely. "How do you know this?"
"I am an informant for Feng Yu Pavilion within the court, specializing in gathering intelligence," Lu Ming explained. "Last night I received word that people from the Shadow Pavilion have blocked all roads leading to Mei Ying Villa, intending to prevent your arrival."
Nangong Shuang's heart tightened. "Why are they so concerned about Mei Ying Villa?"
"Because there are important secrets hidden within the villa that pertain to royal legitimacy," Lu Ming said gravely. "The 'Heavenly Fragrance Life-Extending Technique' is just one part of it. What truly matters is a will hidden in a secret chamber beneath the villa."
"A will?" Nangong Shuang exclaimed in surprise.
"Indeed. It is said to be left behind by the late emperor, containing important information regarding the succession to the throne," Lu Ming whispered. "Ten years ago, the Nangong Family was exterminated because they discovered this secret. The people from the Shadow Pavilion have been searching for the whereabouts of the imperial edict, and now that they realize you are heading to Mei Ying Villa, they will not let you go easily."
Nangong Shuang felt a storm brewing in her heart. Was the "secret chamber" her father mentioned before his death the place where the edict was hidden?
"What should we do to get there?" she asked.
"I have a secret passage that can bypass the Shadow Pavilion's blockade," Lu Ming replied. "But you will need to act separately; you cannot travel with the merchant convoy."
Comment 0 Comment Count