The years I was in the human world

Xiao Fengzhuo usually looks careless, but he combed Peacock's hair properly. He thought the girl's hair was too monotonous, so he simply took out the feather hairpin that Yu Zhao gave to Lu Zhouxue in the secret realm from his arms and inserted it into Peacock's bun. The bright red phoenix tail feathers did not look vulgar, but rather dignified and beautiful.

Xiao Fengzhuo gave the feather hairpin to Kong Que so casually without telling her that it was her mother's relic. Seeing Lu Zhouxue looking at him with confusion, he even smiled and teased her: "Mianmian, you look at me like this, but do you also want me to comb your hair like a girl?"

Lu Zhouxue silently looked away, but Xiao Fengzhuo refused to let him go. He turned the ivory comb in his hand and looked at Lu Zhouxue's face. Then he said, "Mianmian is so cool and charming. A little girl's hairstyle is not suitable. How about a double knife bun?"

"You're talking nonsense again!" Lu Zhouxue took something out of her sleeve without thinking and threw it at him. Xiao Fengzhuo took it and took a closer look, only to find that it was a silk handkerchief with no pattern and only a very small word embroidered on the corner.

Lu Zhouxue didn't pay attention to what she threw out, so when she saw Xiao Fengzhuo took it, she didn't ask for it, but continued, "Where's my osmanthus cake?"

"No, I forgot." Xiao Fengzhuo looked at him with a smile on his face, confident and righteous. However, his eyes were innocent and cute, as if they were some pitiful little animal. Lu Zhouxue lost all his temper when he saw them. "I can only ask Mianmian to eat the same thing as me."

"You're not bringing it to me, so why are you asking me?" Lu Zhouxue lost her temper and had no idea what to do with Xiao Fengzhuo. "You're just trying to tease me, huh?"

"Miss Lu, am I too pampering you?" Lu Zhouxue was sitting. Xiao Fengzhuo put his hands on the table behind him, trapping him between his arms. He lowered his head and looked at him with a smile, "Huh? You're getting too arrogant."

Lu Zhouxue looked expressionlessly at Xiao Fengzhuo's fierce and handsome expression, raised her hand and pinched his cheek, and whispered, "Are you spoiling me?"

Xiao Fengzhuo's deliberately tense expression instantly disappeared. He took away Lu Zhouxue's pinching hand, covered his red cheek, stared at Lu Zhouxue with misty eyes, and pretended to be wronged and complained: "Mianmian, you hit me so hard."

Xiao Fengzhuo's appearance was bright and charming, and the teardrop mole made him even more charming. Not to mention his eyes were so watery. Lu Zhouxue was a normal man. Even though he was used to not being worldly, he felt soft-hearted when Xiao Fengzhuo looked at him like this. He stretched out his hand and rubbed Xiao Fengzhuo's face, which was so painful from being pinched, but he still said: "Really? Lady Xiao is really good-looking like this."

Every time Lu Zhouxue was taken advantage of by Xiao Fengzhuo, he wanted to get back at him, but he always forgot that the latter was shameless and the lethality of his few words was not as strong as a mosquito bite on Xiao Fengzhuo's evil face.

As expected, after hearing Lu Zhouxue's teasing, Xiao Fengzhuo was not embarrassed at all. Instead, he smiled and moved closer, blew into his ear, and said, "After all, we can't ruin the reputation of Chunfeng Tower. If Fenghuang Jun is satisfied, he can redeem me with a thousand taels of gold."

When Xiao Fengzhuo mentioned Chunfeng Tower, Lu Zhouxue didn't react for a moment. It was Kongque, who had been listening to their nonsense, who suddenly pulled his sleeve and asked innocently, "Mother, what is Chunfeng Tower?"

Lu Zhouxue then remembered that in the secret realm, Xiao Fengzhuo had been talking nonsense in front of Yu Zhao, claiming to be the "top performer in Chunfeng Tower". Lu Zhouxue reacted and patted Xiao Fengzhuo's face without much deterrence, pushing him away: "Don't talk nonsense in front of the child."

Xiao Fengzhuo was usually unruly, but he would never let down his guard when he should be reliable. After Lu Zhouxue said so, he stood up obediently, turned around, pinched Little Peacock's face and said, "Little girl, you heard it wrong. It's Yufeng Tower. Mianmian is planning to take back your mother's sword."

Chunfeng Tower is a well-known red-light district, while Yufeng Tower is the world-famous Cangjian Pavilion. Zhu Huangyuzhao's Zhaoyang Sword was originally placed there by Yaoguang, and later Baili Changqing took it back when he came out of seclusion. He also threw it to Lu Zhouxue when he forced him to take the sword.

"My mother's sword?" Peacock slowly widened his eyes, then suddenly threw himself into Lu Zhouxue's arms, hugged his neck happily, and rubbed against him like a bird returning to its nest. Lu Zhouxue was stunned by her pounce: "What's wrong?"

"Thank you!" The peacock rubbed against Lu Zhouxue's shoulder for a while and then lay motionless. Then he heard a low, suppressed cry and his shoulder felt wet. Lu Zhouxue looked at Xiao Fengzhuo, who made a helpless expression at him. He sighed and patted the little peacock on the back.

Kong Que knew Yu Zhao's affairs very well. She didn't cry when her mother died, nor did she cry when she learned that her mother's injustice could be vindicated. But she cried when Lu Zhouxue said she would give her the Zhaoyang Sword. Kong Que knew very well that taking over her mother's sword meant that she could only protect herself from now on.

"Good boy, don't cry." Lu Zhouxue didn't know how to coax a child who lost his mother and was heartbroken, so he could only say it dryly. But Xiao Fengzhuo, who was always considerate, didn't help him at this time, and pretended not to see his look for help when he looked over!

Lu Zhouxue had no choice but to rack her brains to try to find something to say from her memory: "Those who left will eventually meet again on a long night when the moon rises from the east mountain. Kong Qing, she will always be with you."

Kong Que had just practiced sword for a while, and after crying for so long, she was soon so tired that she fell asleep on Lu Zhouxue's chest. The sound of the little girl's steady breathing could be heard. Lu Zhouxue raised his hand and made a gesture to Xiao Fengzhuo to silence him, and then sent Kong Que back to the bed in the main hall to sleep.

When Lu Zhouxue came back, he saw Xiao Fengzhuo sitting down in the corridor at some point, looking up at the vast sky above the wall not far away.

"Why are you here?" Lu Zhouxue asked. Xiao Fengzhuo patted the seat next to him and motioned for him to sit down. Lu Zhouxue sat down and heard Xiao Fengzhuo ask him, "People who leave will eventually meet again... Is that right, Mianmian?"

Lu Zhouxue saw that he was serious and it seemed that he was not joking. She couldn't say anything that came to her mind in front of Kong Que. Will the departed meet again? How is that possible? That was just a lie to children. What is lost is lost and can never be found again.

"Why do you ask?" Lu Zhouxue asked softly. The two of them sat side by side, both looking troubled.

"Just asking casually, mainly because I really didn't expect Mianmian to say such a thing." Xiao Fengzhuo smiled, as if no different from usual. He paused and explained the reason, "Mianmian is very pessimistic. Even though Mianmian is very gentle and tolerant, it seems that there is no Mianmian herself in this range."

"Things have changed but people are still here, but I can't see you back then. Ah Zhuo, not every separation will lead to a reunion." Lu Zhouxue's tone was bitter. If not, how could Xiao Yueheng of the past and he of today be unable to get what he wants and have such a strong obsession? "What's more, the old friends are gone, and the strangers are no longer the same."

"The mountains and rivers are all in sight, but they are far away; the falling flowers in the wind and rain make spring even more sad." Xiao Fengzhuo's eyes were still on the glazed tiles of the Phoenix Terrace wall. After saying the first half of the sentence, he suddenly turned his head to look at Lu Zhouxue. There were some complicated things in his calm eyes, as if he saw through him, and seemed to see through him and see something else. In the end, he just said meaningfully, "It's better to pity the person in front of you."

"Miss Xiao, are you asking me to pity you?" Lu Zhouxue looked at the lazy person in front of him, but he did not, or was unwilling to, think deeply about Xiao Fengzhuo's words. If he could let it go, why would he have been complacent for so many years.

"Mianmian, you've changed." Xiao Fengzhuo said dimly, and took out a bag of snacks from somewhere and handed it to Lu Zhouxue, "Eat it, and don't look so bitter in front of me after you eat it. If you know it, it's your obsession that's causing it, and if you don't know it, you'll think I've abused you."

Lu Zhouxue: “…”

"You're talking nonsense again." Lu Zhouxue felt like he was getting used to saying this. He took the paper package Xiao Fengzhuo handed over. It was still warm and exuded a light sweet fragrance. He opened it and saw that it was osmanthus cake. "Didn't Ah Zhuo say that he didn't bring it?"

"You believe me when I tell you?" Xiao Fengzhuo asked confidently. He stood up and stretched, then bent over to pinch Lu Zhou's white cheeks. "When you're angry, you call me Xiao Meiren, and when you're happy, you call me Ah Zhuo. Mianmian is a very flexible person."

"Isn't it the same for Ah Zhuo? Sometimes he calls her Lu the Beautiful Lady, and sometimes she calls me Mianmian. I clearly have a name." Lu Zhouxue said unwillingly.

Xiao Fengzhuo laughed out loud, and then he said, "How is this the same? Mianmian is a nickname, and Lu Da Meiren is a compliment. What do you think, Mianmian?"

"A sharp-tongued stupid cat." Lu Zhouxue only replied with this sentence and ignored him. He lowered his head and picked up the osmanthus cake with his fingers and put it into his mouth.

"Yes, yes, Miss Lu is smart and clever." Xiao Fengzhuo smiled and put his taken-off robe over his shoulders and walked away. He still couldn't tease people too much, otherwise he would really turn the gentle little white rabbit into a violent person like Baili Changqing. Wouldn't he be shooting himself in the foot?

The matter of Yu Zhao has not been settled yet, and Lu Zhouxue and Xiao Fengzhuo have nothing else to do. The days pass by while they watch over Kong Que and practice sword. Finally, news comes from the Beidu Court that the old Dongshan case will be re-examined. Ye Yunzhou and Yaoguang, as heroes back then, become the target of public criticism.

The wedding date was naturally postponed.

On this day, Lu Zhouxue sat in the corridor as usual, watching Xiao Fengzhuo instructing Kong Que in sword practice. Xiao Fengzhuo was wearing a dark blue robe today, with tall pine and cypress embroidered on the corners of his clothes and skirt, and his sleeves were neatly held up by a pair of black wrist guards. At this moment, the wooden sword in his hand allowed him to dance with great flexibility and changes, and he was no worse than the cultivator in Zhongting who "frozen fourteen states with one sword".

"Azhuo's sword dance is very good. It seems that he is better at using the knife than you." Lu Zhouxue said, pouring a cup of cold tea for Xiao Fengzhuo who had just finished the demonstration, and handed him a handkerchief.

Xiao Fengzhuo took the tea from Lu Zhouxue, but did not take the handkerchief. Seeing Lu Zhouxue looking at him in confusion, he raised his eyebrows and said, "It's just a set of swordsmanship, not even a warm-up. Why would Mianmian hand me a handkerchief to wipe my sweat?"

"Do you want it?" Lu Zhouxue didn't care about that. He just looked at Xiao Fengzhuo. The latter's attitude changed and he smiled and said, "Yes, of course I don't want it."

As he spoke, he took Lu Zhouxue's handkerchief and hid it in his arms. As the two were talking, a visitor suddenly came to the door. Xiao Fengzhuo put down his wooden sword and went to open the door. He saw Ye Jin standing outside. When he saw it was him, he respectfully called out "Senior Xiao", and then asked, "Is Senior Lu here?"

Xiao Fengzhuo nodded and turned sideways to let Ye Jin in. After Ye Jin came in, he bowed to Lu Zhouxue and said, "Senior Lu."

"The Beidu Court will be re-examining the old case in a few days. You come to see me at this critical moment. It can't be that Ye Yunzhou asked you to come, right?" Lu Zhouxue also poured a cup of tea for Ye Jin, but his whole person became cold, not at all as lively as he was in front of Xiao Fengzhuo.

Ye Jin picked up the teacup and said nothing. Lu Zhouxue knew that he had guessed right. He turned around and signaled Xiao Fengzhuo to take Kong Que somewhere else. Then he looked at Ye Jin calmly and said, "If I tell you that he was one of the masterminds of your mother's incident, will you also come to tell me on his behalf?"

When Lu Zhouxue finished speaking, Ye Jin showed a flat reaction. Although the Beidu Court had not yet re-investigated the old case, he must have learned the truth of the year through other channels, otherwise he would not be surprised at all: "I won't plead for him."

Lu Zhouxue was a little surprised that Ye Jin would say that. Then he heard the latter say, "He did something like that, how can he be a father? Even if it's for my mother, I definitely shouldn't beg for him."

Lu Zhouxue: "So why are you here today...?"

"He wanted to see you," Ye Jin said. "He is under house arrest now. I went to see him yesterday and he asked me to invite you over."

Lu Zhouxue felt that he and Ye Yunzhou didn't seem to have much to say. After all, the debt of love and the debt of humanity Ye Yunzhou owed were all to Yu Zhao, and had nothing to do with him. But before he could say no, Ye Jin interrupted him and said, "I know this matter has nothing to do with you, senior, but it is related to my mother after all. Whether he apologizes or cries bitterly, could you please listen to it on behalf of my mother, so that she can rest in peace."

Lu Zhouxue was silent. He met Ye Jin's earnest and painful eyes and thought, why bother? When a person dies, the light goes out. What's the point of doing all this now? He didn't want to meddle in other people's business, but suddenly he remembered the peacock crying in his arms a few days ago. Forget it, just go there for the sake of that girl. Lu Zhouxue sighed and replied, "I know, I will go there. Is there anything else?"

After Ye Jin left, Xiao Fengzhuo, who was kneading dough in a wooden basin, walked up to Lu Zhouxue and asked, "Why did that kid look for you?"

Lu Zhouxue told Xiao Fengzhuo what they had just talked about. Xiao Fengzhuo chuckled and said mockingly, "When his mother was alive, he was not much more merciful than Ye Yunzhou. Now he regrets it."

"Ignorance is not to blame. I was also deceived by Ye Yunzhou and Yaoguang." Lu Zhouxue did not treat Ye Jin as disgusted as he did Ye Yunzhou. After all, Ye Jin had helped him when he was investigating the old case of Dongshan a month ago. Now this ending can only be said to be fate.

As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the deeper the hatred. If Ye Jin didn't love his mother, why would he be so disappointed and angry after learning that Yu Zhao was guilty? Why did he contradict himself and refuse to believe it, trying to overturn his mother's verdict? Once upon a time, Ye Jin also admired and loved his mother.