Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Liu Lin selected one hundred brothers and insisted that Xu Lai accompany him. As the Jingwei sailed upstream along the Jingjiang River, Liu Lin's figure standing on the riverbank grew farther and farther away, becoming smaller and smaller until it became a tiny black dot.

Nianyao recalled the scene from her dream. Did Liu Lin only decide to kill her after seeing her stepmother push her into the water? Liu Lin was the one protecting her on the river, which is why her father trusted Liu Lin so much? Could she be Liu Lin's biological daughter?

Impossible. Liu Lin is older than her father; he's barely old enough to be her grandfather. Liu Lin only made her call him "uncle" to highlight her father's status.

What could she have forgotten that led her to wander onto the Pangu ship alone?

Nan Fei waved his hand in front of her: "Chief Xue, wake up, wake up! Your lover is still far away and you're already looking dazed. When he actually arrives, won't you immediately kneel down and call him your lover?"

Nianyao looked dejected, suffering from insomnia and a headache, and had no interest in arguing with Nanfei.

Nanfei said, "I just asked you, why did you drag us along when you went to meet your lover?"

Nianyao said listlessly, "Let's make things clear in front of Kongming and formally dissolve the marriage."

Nan Fei said, "Your father isn't here, but you still have Uncle Liu. What is Ji Kongming anyway? Do you need his permission to get a divorce?"

It was that line again. Nianyao couldn't refute Liu Lin, but she had no scruples in front of Nan Fei: "What does it matter who agrees? Aren't you afraid I'll cling to him? How about I send you back now?"

Nanfei quickly replied, "No need, no need, let's just treat it as a trip. Young master, we'll cross the Xiang River from Yuezhou to Dengzhou, then head north to Mount Song for a few days before returning to Bianjing..."

Nanfei, his face beaming with excitement, feigned nonchalance: "Oh dear, finally going back! I'm really going to miss it..."

Nianyao was so sleepy that she kept yawning and decided to go to her cabin to catch up on sleep.

Xu Lai suddenly said, "Nanfei, I'll go back with you."

Nianyao looked at Xu Lai in surprise: "Uncle Xu, aren't you coming with us on Chongming Island?"

Xu Lai shook his head: "With Brother Liu with you, I have nothing to worry about. I've been away from Bianjing for many years, and it's time for me to go back and visit."

"Okay." Nan Fei turned to Qin Jiu with a cheerful smile: "Brother Jiu, aren't you leaving?"

Qin Jiu said, "I'm going back to Jingzhao Manor."

Nianyao's drowsiness vanished instantly, and she stood on the deck speechless.

Nanfei gloated: "Chief Xue, if you want to meet your lover, at least change into women's clothing."

Nianyao replied blankly, "I've always dressed like this, and Kongming-ge has never said anything."

Nanfei said, “As the saying goes, a day apart feels like three autumns. You haven’t seen each other for more than a month, which is more than a hundred years. Everything has changed. As the saying goes, a Taoist should be looked at with new eyes after three days apart. After more than a hundred years apart, let alone looking at him with new eyes, it would be an exaggeration to say that he should be looked at with new eyes. There are so many beautiful women in the world. If you don’t dress up more seductively, Ji Kongming may not even be interested in you.”

Nianyao turned her head and snorted, "Superficial."

Nanfei turned his head and snorted, "Childish."

When they arrived at Yuezhou, the sun was blazing, and the sunlight shone white on the water. Hongsong greeted them at the Yuezhou pier.

Nianyao looked around: "Where's Kongming?"

Hongsong said, "The gang leader is waiting for you in the hall."

Xu Lai stepped aside as he walked, saying, "Young master, you are the son-in-law of the Great River Gang, please go first."

Nanfei was about to refuse when Luo An stepped forward. Nanfei had no choice but to hurry over to Luo An's side.

When they arrived at the main hall, Xu Lai, Nian Yao, Luo An, and Nan Fei stood in a row in front.

Through the graceful dancers in the middle, Nianyao spotted Ji Kongming sitting diagonally at the head of the table. He gently swirled his crystal glass, the clear wine inside swirling around.

The music ended, and the singing and dancing ceased. The dancers stepped aside, leaving only one woman in the middle who gracefully bowed and sat on Ji Kongming's lap.

Ji Kongming brought the wine cup to the dancer's lips. The dancer drank it all in one gulp from his hand. Ji Kongming slightly raised his hand, and the young woman standing behind him refilled the cup.

The dancer turned and glanced at them, her demeanor charming and graceful, her eyes filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

Nianyao opened her mouth but couldn't call out. This wasn't her Kongming brother, nor was it the Ji Kongming she knew.

Ji Kongming looked down at him and asked, "Chief Xue, what do you think of this hall compared to the hall on Chongming Island?"

The hall was not as large as the main hall on Chongming Island, but it was decorated more luxuriously, resplendent in gold and like a palace.

Ji Kongming said, "I sincerely invite Yao Mei to come and admire the bright moon together, and to share our innermost feelings." She accepted the invitation, thinking that Ji Kongming would be happy, enthusiastic, and excited to see her…

Ji Kongming pulled Qingyun to Nianyao's side and bowed slightly: "Chief Xue, guess why I invited you here? To admire the moon and reminisce about the past? How childish as ever. I've brought you here to broaden your horizons and show you what a woman is like."

Ji Kongming pushed Qingyun forward a step, then pointed to the dancers standing around: "Look at her, look at them, don't you feel ashamed? If you had even a little bit of a woman's appearance, I would still think of you. Your lawfully wedded husband wouldn't be sleeping on the ground."

Nianyao stared at him blankly.

Ji Kongming smiled, straightened up, and moved to stand in front of Luo An. Luo An stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze seemingly piercing through Ji Kongming as he looked ahead, as always, his eyes fixed on nothing else.

Ji Kongming didn't care; he was just a boatman's doctor, not worth wasting his emotions on.

Ji Kongming laughed and said, "Dr. Luo, Brother Luo, with your reputation and abilities as the Jade-Faced Divine Physician, what kind of woman can't you find? Just take the second young lady of the Zhang family, for example. She is stunningly beautiful, gentle, generous, and deeply in love with you. Why can't you understand why you would marry a tomboy?"

You're usually cold to everyone, but you treat Nanfei differently, even peeling sunflower seeds for him. Could it be that your marriage to Chief Xue was a deal? Did the old chief use you to keep Nianyao's position as chief, and you use her to hide a secret?

Ji Kongming then walked up to Nanfei and said, "Nanfei, if you dressed as a woman, you'd probably even outshine the second young lady of the Zhang family. No wonder Doctor Luo treats you so differently. It's a pity that true lovers can't be together..."

Luo An could tolerate it, but Nan Fei could not. Nan Fei threw a punch at Ji Kongming's face. Ji Kongming was prepared, and took three steps back to return to his seat.

Ji Kongming said smugly, "Chief Xue, you must have something to say to me since you came to Yuezhou. Now you can say it."

Nianyao's mind was in a state of chaos, and a voice came from the chaos: "The Great River Gang has such great wealth and power, it needs a person with a righteous heart and great love to balance it, otherwise it will bring disaster to the Great River Gang. Kongming is ambitious but lacks self-control, and is easily lost in the pursuit of wealth and power."

Seeing Nian Yao's dazed expression, Xu Lai sighed inwardly and said, "Chief Ji, both the young master and Nan Fei are upright and honest people. Nan Fei is married, so please don't slander the reputation of such a person. We have indeed come here today for some business..."

In the midst of chaos, someone asked again: "If you had to choose between Kongming and your father to trust, who would you choose?"

The Great River Gang was regarded as river bandits by various countries, but they were legitimate businessmen. The Great River Gang's rules clearly stated: no private dealings with the government, no collusion with bandits. Ji Kongming violated both.

Nianyao interrupted Xu Lai, her voice clear and melodious: "Xue Nianyao, leader of the Dahe Gang, and her husband Luo An have come to congratulate the establishment of the Jinhe Gang. We humbly present this small gift, and hope that Leader Ji will accept it."

Everyone in the hall was stunned by her; even Luo An glanced at her sideways.