Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chunhua and Xialian carefully helped Yun Chu out of the car.

As soon as she landed, a fresh, moist air, mixed with the fragrance of grass and earth, filled her nostrils, instantly clearing her head, which had been feeling a bit drowsy from the long car ride.

She took a deep breath, and her pale cheeks were tinged with a very faint pink, almost like flower petals, by the vibrant breath.

"Chu'er, watch your step." Tang Wencheng gently supported her from the side, his eyes full of tenderness as he watched his little daughter tilt her head back to enjoy the spring sunshine.

Du Feiqin carefully tidied her wind-blown hair and then carefully put the exquisite silver fur hat on her head.

Tang Yunlian couldn't wait any longer and squatted down, picking a newly opened wild chrysanthemum from the grass. She presented it to Yun Chu like a treasure, her smile honest and bright: "Chu'er, look, isn't this little flower lovely?"

Although Tang Yunmo still had some lingering displeasure, it was greatly relieved by the open and comfortable scene before her. She put her hands on her hips and directed the maids to take out and arrange the snacks and fruits they had brought.

Yun Chu took the small yellow flower from her brother and carefully tucked it behind her ear, her eyes sparkling with tiny light.

She leaned against the soft cushions her mother had laid out, gazing at the harmonious scene before her:

Father was pointing out the undulating mountains in the distance with great interest; Mother was giving orders to the servants; Brother was curiously searching for novel flowers and plants nearby; Sister was arranging a fruit platter, her brows and eyes relaxed... The warm sunlight shone on them, dispelling the chill in their bones.

About fifteen minutes later, everyone had settled down. Yun Chu's gaze slowly swept over the faces of each of her closest relatives, filled with sincere gratitude. A sweet, weak smile appeared on her lips, and her voice, like a tender bud sprouting in the forest, was delicate yet clear: "Father, Mother, Brother, Sister... thank you for accompanying Chu'er out today. This spring scenery is truly beautiful..."

She paused, her long eyelashes trembled, and a faint trace of melancholy crept onto her brow. She whispered, "I wonder... I wonder how many more times Chu'er, with her frail body, will be fortunate enough to see such scenery..."

These words, though spoken softly, were like a small pebble thrown heavily into a calm pond.

In an instant, the laughter and commands that had been going on all stopped.

Du Feiqin suddenly grabbed her daughter's slightly cool hand, tightening her grip somewhat out of control, and her eyes quickly welled up with tears.

Tang Wencheng's smile froze, and his throat bobbed as if something was blocking it.

The pure smile in Tang Yunlian's eyes was instantly replaced by immense panic and heartache.

Tang Yunmo, who was already feeling restless and preoccupied with Qingfeng Tower, felt as if she had been pricked hard by a needle!

She abruptly turned her head, the last trace of impatience on her face vanishing completely, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and determination. She strode to Yun Chu, knelt down, and her usually arrogant voice now carried an indescribable weight:

"Nonsense!" Tang Yunmo stared at her younger sister's pale face, each word exceptionally clear. "My dear sister, you have a long life ahead of you! You'll see all this beautiful spring scenery for the next few decades! Where do you want to see it?" She gripped Yun Chu's other hand tightly. "If you want to see it, anytime! I'll come with you every day!"

Yun Chu seemed surprised to receive such a powerful response from her sister. Her already bright eyes widened suddenly, as if two dazzling stars had been cast into them, shining incredibly brightly.

She looked at Tang Yunmo with delight, a hint of tentative anticipation and a touch of excitement: "Sister, are you serious? Then...then I want to go to Cuiyun Mountain outside the city tomorrow. I heard that the peach blossoms there are as beautiful as rosy clouds..."

Almost the instant the words left her lips, Tang Yunmo replied without hesitation, "Okay!" Her answer was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Yun Chu's eyes shone even brighter, and she immediately looked hopefully at her brother Tang Yunlian, who was still in a daze beside her: "Brother, can you come with me and my sister tomorrow?"

Tang Yunlian seemed to find his voice again at this moment. Looking at the heart-stirring expectation in his sister's eyes, he felt his heart melt. The regret he had felt earlier about the classmate's invitation had long since vanished.

He nodded vigorously, his smile filled with a relieved warmth and the unique protectiveness of an older brother: "Of course! Wherever Chu'er and Sister want to go, I'll accompany you! I won't go anywhere tomorrow, I'll just stay with you!"

"Yes!" Receiving double affirmation, the last trace of gloom in Yun Chu's eyes vanished, leaving only pure, spring-like joy. Like a little bird finally at peace, she nestled in her mother's warm embrace, the smile on her face making the entire meadow seem brighter.

After this little incident, the atmosphere became even warmer and more harmonious.

Tang Wencheng personally prepared a refreshing lotus leaf tea;

Du Feiqin carefully fed Yun Chu the soft and sweet snacks and nourishing soup.

Tang Yunlian enthusiastically introduced the unusual wildflowers he had discovered to his sister;

Tang Yunmo was no longer absent-minded and tried different ways to make Yun Chu happy. Sometimes she would tell her about the interesting things that happened to the maids in the mansion, and sometimes she would make a small flower wreath out of silk flowers and put it on her sister's head.

The family sat around the carpet, picnicking and laughing in the warm spring sunshine.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of pastries, the refreshing taste of tea, the fresh scent of grass and trees, and the cheerful laughter of the family.

The servants waited at a distance, not daring to disturb this tender scene.

Yun Chu leaned quietly against her mother, nibbling on the fresh fruit her father handed her, watching her older brother and sister bicker, and listening to her father recount amusing anecdotes from his youth.

A faint smile lingered on her pale face, but an invisible string in her heart was quietly tightening—she knew that the first step of "protection" had already been taken.

This hard-won reunion and warmth is her most cherished fortress, and it will surely be her motivation to withstand the trials and tribulations of the next ten years.

As the afterglow of the setting sun painted the sky a magnificent orange-red, the flowing clouds were draped in golden light, the mountains became deep indigo silhouettes, and weary birds returned to their nests, the Prince's carriage, carrying this family with their differing thoughts but temporarily bound together by kinship, slowly drove back to the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, a symbol of status and tranquility, as dusk settled.

The silvery moonlight filtered through the mica window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the quiet, jade-brick floor.

The daytime laughter and chatter have faded, and the vast Chang Le Prince's Mansion is enveloped in a peaceful slumber. Only the monotonous sound of the watchman's clapper occasionally breaks the silence of the night.

Yun Chu wore a plain-colored soft satin nightgown, her hair unbound, her long, black hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall. She sat alone on the chaise longue in the outer room.

With a flick of his finger, a swarm of fire iron flying ants shot out in an instant!

"Go." Yun Chu's voice was extremely low, yet it carried an unquestionable command.

As soon as he finished speaking, two beams of light, one red and one gold, instantly entered the flying ant's consciousness—the red one being the clear thought of "Fan Shaojie" (including his appearance, aura, and memories of all items related to Tang Yunmo).

The gold one is an incredibly detailed map of Kangdu City, encompassing all the residences of nobles, important government offices, and hidden places in the city.