A Shocking Dream

"What a little girl who never shows her emotions. She is so calm and collected at such a young age. She is much better than your leader. Kankan, your name lives up to your character. We will meet again." Gu Liangze glanced at Du Yingmeng, then walked away.

"Is he just going to leave so willingly?" Seeing Gu Liangze leave so abruptly, Qin Ruoyu was filled with doubt, not believing he would give up so easily. He frowned slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.

"You can't beat him, so why not leave? Big brother, hurry up and leave, don't you still have to go see your uncle?" Yuanyuan just wanted to leave here quickly before her master found out. She eagerly pulled Qin Ruoyu's sleeve, her face showing anxiety.

"Isn't she in seclusion? How did she know I would come?" Qin Ruoyu asked as he quietly left the attic with Yuanyuan. His face was full of confusion and his heart was filled with questions.

"My great-granduncle knows everything. She sent us to wait at the foot of the mountain before you came." Yuanyuan answered seriously, her eyes revealing admiration for her great-granduncle.

"Why didn't your great-grandmaster stop Gu Liangze? He's been allowed to come in and disturb us so many times, and with so many people gathering at the foot of the mountain, your current situation isn't optimistic." Qin Ruoyu frowned slightly, his heart filled with worry. He stopped and looked at Yuanyuan, waiting for her answer.

"Because my great-grandmaster didn't want to get involved, she didn't think Gu Liangze would cause any major trouble. As for those people at the foot of the mountain, don't worry, big brother. They won't be able to find the entrance. This Qiuluo Mountain is not the same Qiuluo Mountain as before," Yuanyuan said confidently. She raised her chin, her eyes full of confidence. Qin Ruoyu's worries eased slightly at Yuanyuan's confidence. But he couldn't help but ponder Lin Bingshuang's attitude. He just wanted Lin Bingshuang to go with him to see the emperor's uncle and expose the Yun Kingdom Saint's scheme. But... Lin Bingshuang's words that day were so decisive. Would she go with me to see the emperor's uncle? She couldn't return empty-handed this time. Even if she didn't go, she could at least write a letter. Qin Ruoyu pondered this in his heart, a look of determination on his face. He decided to give it a try no matter what, for the emperor's uncle and for the greater good.

Gu Liangze stood in the woods, his gaze fixed on Yuanyuan as she and Qin Ruoyu slowly approached. He folded his folding fan with a snap, his lips curled slightly as he spoke with a hint of pride, "I knew there was a man out there, but I never imagined I'd run into him. It seems my intuition is incredibly accurate."

Yuanyuan was startled at the sound, then spotted Gu Liangze not far away. Annoyance welled up in her. What bad luck! She had to run into him at this very moment. But she wasn't afraid. She stopped, her brows raised, and said sullenly, "Hey, you defeated opponent, why aren't you leaving? What a coincidence! I think you've been waiting here on purpose. You're such a lingering, annoying person."

"You're such a rude little girl! They say the Su Nu sect treats people with courtesy, but how could they raise a little girl like you?" Gu Liangze frowned, dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Don't you Su Nu sect always pay attention to etiquette? You're so rude, little girl. It's really disappointing."

"My personal behavior doesn't represent us Su Nu. I just don't like you. You look like a decent person, but you do things that are inhumane." Yuanyuan retorted bluntly, her eyes full of contempt. "How great do you think you are? You are nothing but a shameless person."

Qin Ruoyu, hearing Yuanyuan's words from behind, found it oddly amusing. People like Gu Liangze should be dealt with the way he dealt with them.

"You little sharp-tongued girl, what's your name?" Gu Liangze didn't care what Yuanyuan said. He was squatting here just to delay time. Seeing that this girl was so interesting, he might as well play with her. "I want to know, what's your name, little hot pepper?"

"Huh, why should I tell you? Who do you think you are?" Yuanyuan snorted coldly and turned away. "I won't tell you my name, so don't waste your time."

"What are you calling me? Get out of the way. A good dog doesn't block the road." Yuanyuan's face was filled with impatience. She didn't want to pay any attention to Gu Liangze. The moment she thought of the way he had teased her sister, she felt a surge of rage. She glared at Gu Liangze fiercely, as if to drive him away with her eyes.

"How can you be so rude, little girl, and speak so harshly? Do you want me to teach you some etiquette?" Gu Liangze's expression turned grim. His patience was indeed limited, but he couldn't really use force on a little girl. After all, he was afraid that if he got too angry, he would accidentally kill her. That would be a big problem.

"Go back and learn your etiquette. Big brother, let's go." Yuanyuan, not wanting to argue with Gu Liangze any further, said this and walked straight ahead. Qin Ruoyu, seeing this, hurried to catch up with Yuanyuan. However, to his surprise, Gu Liangze actually let Yuanyuan go first, then reached out to stop Qin Ruoyu behind him. Gu Liangze looked Qin Ruoyu up and down, his eyes filled with confusion and inquiry. He asked, "Sir, what is your name? What is your status?" Gu Liangze then took a closer look at Qin Ruoyu. He saw that he exuded an aura of nobility, and his brows shone with a heroic spirit that made him a formidable figure. Qin Ruoyu looked at Gu Liangze with disdain, deeply dissatisfied with his behavior.

"My surname is Qin." Qin Ruoyu answered briefly.

Gu Liangze was stunned upon hearing this, and his hand quietly dropped. Qin was the royal surname, and no one in the world dared to impersonate it. Since this person's surname was Qin, he must be someone extraordinary. Gu Liangze pondered this, a hint of vigilance in his eyes. He began to speculate about Qin Ruoyu's identity. Who in the royal family was he? Why was he here? Gu Liangze's heart was filled with questions, but he didn't dare to ask, for fear of causing unnecessary trouble.

"I brought him in. Gu Liangze, do you have any objection?" A clear spring-like voice suddenly resounded in the air. The voice seemed to carry an invisible power that made people's hearts tremble.

Gu Liangze's body trembled violently at the sound of the voice, his legs shaking so much that he nearly lost his balance. A look of terror instantly filled his face. He turned frantically, bowing respectfully to the person ahead, saying, "Uncle Master, I mean no offense. I will be leaving the mountain now." At this moment, Gu Liangze was filled with regret and fear. He had never imagined that he would encounter this legendary uncle-master here. He knew he was in serious trouble and only hoped to leave this place as soon as possible to avoid even more severe punishment.

"Get out!" A furious shout echoed through the air like thunder. Immediately afterwards, a gust of wind swept through, carrying leaves and carrying Gu Liangze several meters away until he disappeared. After the gust of wind passed, the forest returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

Qin Ruoyu's eyes widened, blinking repeatedly as he stared in disbelief at the direction Gu Liangze had left. He was filled with shock and awe. He hadn't expected Lin Bingshuang to possess such formidable internal energy. With such strength, even the Emperor's uncle might not be her match. Qin Ruoyu couldn't help but wonder, what kind of person is this Lin Bingshuang? How many secrets does she hold?

"Serves him right! He's been waiting here, probably thinking of ways to embarrass you, brother. Hurry up, big brother! You're still a long way from your uncle-master," Yuanyuan said angrily. She was extremely dissatisfied with Gu Liangze's behavior and felt that he was going too far.

"Okay," Qin Ruoyu replied, his mind still reeling from the shock. Yuanyuan's words reminded him of what the Imperial Grandmother had said the other day: Lin Bingshuang was a renowned general, surely formidable. Qin Ruoyu grew even more curious. Why had this general secluded herself here? What was the story between her and the Imperial Uncle?

As they approached the bamboo house, Qin Ruoyu grew increasingly uneasy. He didn't know how to bring up the matter of the Emperor's Uncle with Lin Bingshuang. What if she refused to pay attention to the Emperor's Uncle and truly severed all ties with him? Qin Ruoyu became increasingly nervous and filled with worry. What if she turned out to be truly ugly? How would he cope? Various thoughts mingled in his mind, leaving him feeling extremely entangled.

"We're here, big brother. Go ahead and walk over there. My uncle is inside." Yuanyuan paused, saying this before turning and leaving. Qin Ruoyu stood there, gazing at the bamboo house not far away, his heart filled with hesitation. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. But the tension and uneasiness in his heart could not be dispelled.

Qin Ruoyu slowly walked towards the bamboo house. With every step, he could feel his heartbeat quickening. He didn't know what awaited him. Would it be Lin Bingshuang's rejection? Or her anger? Qin Ruoyu couldn't imagine. Finally, he arrived at the bamboo house's door. He stopped and stood there quietly, pondering how to speak. At this moment, he felt like he was at a crossroads, unsure which path to choose. Should he face it bravely or turn away? Qin Ruoyu fell into deep thought.

Qin Ruoyu slowly approached the bamboo hut, his steps gentle, as if each step was weighed down by heavy thoughts. He stood in the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed door, but he dared not step inside. Just across the room, Qin Ruoyu's mind was swirling with thoughts. He thought that if he stepped inside, he would be able to see Lin Bingshuang clearly, to confirm whether she was the ugly person the Imperial Grandmother had described, or the woman in the painting in the Imperial Uncle's room. He had seen that painting by chance before. The woman in it was graceful and elegant, with a temperament like an orchid. Although it was just a painting, it seemed to possess a charm that could capture the soul. However, at this moment, he hesitated, his feet felt as if nailed to the ground, and for a moment, he didn't know how to start.

The yard was silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Qin Ruoyu stood there quietly, the tangle and confusion in his heart like a tangled thread, difficult to untie. He didn't know how to face Lin Bingshuang, nor did he know how she would react to his arrival.

After a moment of silence, the person in the room spoke first. His voice was as cold as a spring, yet it carried an indescribable majesty: "Qin Ruoyu, what do you want from me? If it's about him, you can leave."

Qin Ruoyu was slightly startled, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice calm: "Miss Lin, why did you know I would come?"

Inside the house, Lin Bingshuang didn't respond immediately. She slowly stood up, walked to the window, and quietly looked out at the woods. The leaves outside the window swayed gently in the breeze, as if telling the story of the years. Lin Bingshuang's eyes revealed a hint of sadness. She was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "You'll know the answer to this question later. The reason you came to see me was about Qin Rongchen, right? Didn't I give him my jade pendant? Why did he ask you to come?"

Qin Ruoyu's heart was in a state of panic. He hadn't expected Lin Bingshuang to be so perceptive and guess his intentions immediately. He hesitated for a moment, then mustered up the courage to say, "Miss Lin, it wasn't the Emperor's uncle who asked me to come here. I came here on my own. I'd like to ask Miss Lin to come out of seclusion and do me a favor."

Lin Bingshuang frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "Help? What help?"

Qin Ruoyu took a deep breath and said slowly, "My uncle has been bewitched by a Saintess named Yun Shuang from the Yun Kingdom and has forgotten his feelings for you. I know this wasn't his doing; he was simply bewitched. He's waited for you for so many years, it's impossible for him to fall in love with someone else so quickly."

Lin Bingshuang showed a hint of sneer on her face, and she asked back: "How do you know that he is deceived, and not that he likes others willingly?"

Qin Ruoyu hurriedly explained, "Miss Lin, I know this because I trust the Emperor's uncle. The Emperor's uncle loves you deeply and has been searching for you for five years. He gave up his powerful status as a prince and was willing to live as a commoner in Hanmei Villa. When I returned the jade pendant to him, he quietly shed tears. I have never seen the Emperor's uncle so sad. When he heard the news about you, he rode his horse day and night to Qiuluo Mountain to find you. The feelings between you two are so deep, it is impossible for him to fall in love with someone else easily."

Qin Ruoyu's words were full of sincerity and earnestness. He hoped that Lin Bingshuang could believe him and understand the emperor's uncle's deep affection. However, Lin Bingshuang remained unmoved, and her eyes were still full of indifference.

"What does he have to do with me? Why should I see it? Deep feelings? If he is as you said, how could he be deceived by others? Qin Ruoyu, you were deceived by him. Your uncle is an out-and-out hypocrite. The moment I returned the jade pendant, I broke off relations with him. His life and death have nothing to do with me. Go away, and don't come to me again." Lin Bingshuang's tone was firm, as if there was no room for negotiation.

Qin Ruoyu felt a pang of pain in his heart. He didn't understand why Lin Bingshuang was so heartless. Unwillingly, he said, "Lin Bingshuang, I don't know what story you have with each other. The Emperor's Uncle I've seen and interacted with over the years is definitely not what you say. If you were so heartless and ungrateful to the Emperor's Uncle, why did you go to the capital so many times? The "Immortal Brother" Yuanyuan mentioned must be the Emperor's Uncle, right?"

A complex emotion flashed across Lin Bingshuang's eyes, but it was quickly covered by indifference. She said coldly, "That's all in the past. I have nothing to do with him now. Don't mention him anymore. Let's go."

Qin Ruoyu stood there, motionless. His heart was filled with helplessness and loss. He didn't know how to convince Lin Bingshuang. He looked at the closed door and seemed to see the lonely and sad figure of the emperor's uncle.

"Ms. Lin, I know you have hatred and resentment in your heart. But the royal uncle is really innocent. He was bewitched by the Holy Maiden of the Yun Kingdom, and it was not his intention. He has been waiting for you and has never forgotten you. Can't you give him a chance?" There was a hint of pleading in Qin Ruoyu's voice.

Lin Bingshuang was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Chance? I've given him many chances. However, he's let me down time and time again. There's no possibility for him and me anymore. Go away and don't waste any more time."

Qin Ruoyu's heart was filled with despair. He knew that he could not convince Lin Bingshuang. He sighed helplessly and turned to leave. However, at the moment he turned around, he suddenly thought of something.

"Miss Lin, if you don't want to see the emperor's uncle, can you write a letter to him? Let him know your thoughts and tell him not to be stubborn anymore." Qin Ruoyu turned around and looked at Lin Bingshuang expectantly.

Lin Bingshuang was slightly startled, a hint of hesitation flashed across her eyes. But soon, she returned to her indifferent expression.

"Impossible. I have nothing to do with him anymore, and I won't give him any response. Go away, and don't bother me again." After Lin Bingshuang said this, she turned around and went back into the house, no longer paying attention to Qin Ruoyu.

Qin Ruoyu stood in the yard, unwilling to leave for a long time. His heart was filled with regret and helplessness. He didn't know how to explain to his uncle. He looked at the closed door, his heart filled with emotion. Perhaps some things really cannot be undone, and some people really can't be together again. However, he still hoped that his uncle and Lin Bingshuang could untie the knot in their hearts and regain their former feelings.

Finally, Qin Ruoyu sighed deeply and turned to leave the bamboo house. He knew that he had done his best, and the rest would depend on the fate of the emperor's uncle and Lin Bingshuang.