The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

After everyone was seated, Gongsun Ruotang gracefully walked to Tang Qiu's side and gently took a delicate inkstone from her with her slender hand. Then, she turned and walked towards the young man sitting to one side, carefully presenting the inkstone to him and saying sweetly, "Senior Brother, this inkstone was a gift from my aunt, the Empress. The moment I saw it, I immediately thought of you. I knew you would love such a fine item, so I brought it to give to you."

Yuwen Mo quickly stood up and solemnly accepted the inkstone with both hands. When his eyes fell on it, he instantly revealed a look of great surprise. He excitedly said to Gongsun Ruotang, "Thank you very much, Junior Sister. I will cherish this precious item as a treasure."

Just then, Gongsun Lin, who had been watching from the side, suddenly stepped forward and interjected with a grin, "Oh dear, little sister, you only prepared a gift for your senior brother, didn't you give me one?" As he spoke, he looked at Gongsun Ruotang with a pitiful expression.

Upon seeing this, Gongsun Ruotang couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. She then turned to her elder brother and softly replied, "Brother, don't be in such a hurry. Of course, you have your gift too. It's just that I left in a hurry this time and didn't bring it with me. How about I bring it to you when I return to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in a few days?"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Lin deliberately feigned helplessness, shaking his head and sighing, "Oh well, what can I do when I have such a biased little sister!" With that, he gently tapped Gongsun Ruotang's forehead with his finger.

However, Gongsun Ruotang ignored her brother's teasing and turned her gaze back to Yuwen Mo, asking with a worried expression, "Senior Brother, do you have any news about Master and Grandmaster? A few days ago, I wrote a letter sincerely inviting Master and Grandmaster to come to the capital and stay in the palace for a few days. But who knew that I haven't received a reply since I sent the letter?" Her words revealed her anxiety and worry.

After exchanging a glance with Nangong Sheng, Yuwen Mo slowly said, "I have indeed not received any news of Master's arrival in the capital. In my opinion, they may be enjoying themselves among some famous mountains and rivers, so much so that they have not been able to reply to your letter in time."

“In that case, it’s not impossible.” Nangong Sheng nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Yuwen Mo’s guess.

"Could you please help me find out where Master is now? That way, I can send them another letter and put my mind at ease." Gongsun Ruotang looked at Yuwen Mo with her bright, star-like eyes full of expectation.

Upon seeing this, Yuwen Mo readily agreed, "Of course, there is no problem. Once I obtain accurate information about Master's whereabouts, I will immediately arrange for someone to enter the palace and inform you."

The group sat together, leisurely savoring fragrant tea and chatting animatedly. Meanwhile, their gazes were frequently drawn to the enchanting scenery of the garden. A riot of colors bloomed in vibrant competition, the trees provided ample shade, and a gentle breeze carried their sweet fragrance, creating a truly delightful atmosphere.

The warm afternoon sun, like a golden veil, gently draped everyone, casting a soft halo around them and making them feel incredibly comfortable and at ease. In this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, time quietly slipped away, and before they knew it, the sun had gradually set, and the sky was growing dark.

Meanwhile, the servants of the Su family had already busily and skillfully prepared a sumptuous dinner in the garden. The table was laden with all sorts of delicacies, their aromas enticing and mouthwatering. After enjoying the sumptuous dinner with everyone, Gongsun Ruotang rose and strolled through the garden to aid digestion and continue admiring the beauty of the Su family mansion under the cover of night.

The Su residence was exceptionally peaceful and serene at night. Moonlight, like mercury spilling across the courtyard, bathed everything in a dreamlike glow. The flowers, plants, and trees, illuminated by the moonlight, gained an even more mysterious charm. Occasionally, the chirping of insects and birds could be heard, like a gentle nocturne played by nature, adding a unique vitality to the mansion.

"Ruo'er, it's getting late, so I'll head back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion first. You should also get some rest. Tomorrow, your senior brothers and I will take you out for a stroll. You can return to the palace in the evening." Gongsun Lin gazed at his adorable little sister with doting eyes and gently instructed her.

"Okay, then you should go back quickly, big brother. I want to chat with my senior brothers a little longer." Gongsun Ruotang nodded obediently, gave Gongsun Lin a sweet smile, and watched him walk away.

After Gongsun Lin's figure completely disappeared, his two senior brothers, Yuwen Mo and Nangong Sheng, accompanied Gongsun Ruotang on a stroll along the garden path. The bright moonlight poured down, making their three figures appear even taller and more graceful.

"Junior Sister, after returning to the palace, there will surely be many complicated matters to attend to. You must be careful in everything you do." Yuwen Mo said to Gongsun Ruotang with a solemn expression, his deep eyes filled with concern.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang nodded slightly to indicate that she understood. The corners of her pink lips lifted gently, forming a faint yet charming smile: "Senior Brother, please rest assured. I naturally understand the principle of being cautious in my words and actions. Moreover, with my aunt, the Empress, taking such good care of and protecting me all along, I think nothing unexpected should happen."

Standing to the side, Nangong Sheng chimed in softly, echoing Yuwen Mo's words, "That's true, but people in the palace are unpredictable, and many things are hard to foresee. So if you ever encounter any difficult problems or predicaments, please remember to send someone over to let us know in time."

A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Gongsun Ruotang's heart, like the gentle sunshine of spring. Her beautiful eyes darted around, her gaze sincere and resolute as she looked at her two senior brothers. She parted her lips slightly and said softly, "I know how much you two care for me, and I will always remember your deep affection. Rest assured, with your protection, I will certainly take good care of myself. However…" She paused, her brows furrowing slightly, revealing a hint of worry, and continued, "Recently, I've heard that there has been much turmoil in the martial world, and the situation is quite unstable. Senior brothers, you must be careful and cautious when you venture out; do not let your guard down!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Mo's brows furrowed slightly, and his previously gentle expression instantly turned serious. He nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Junior Sister is absolutely right. Recently, the Shadow Sect has indeed become active in the martial world again. Their whereabouts are elusive, and their actions are even more unpredictable. Currently, all the major righteous sects in the martial world are paying close attention to this matter, fearing that they might stir up a bloody storm and plunge the entire martial world into chaos."

Gongsun Ruotang looked curious and asked in a sweet voice, "Then do you senior brothers have any clues about the Shadow Cult?" Nangong Sheng shook his head slightly and sighed, "At present, there are no conclusive clues to follow. We only know that the Shadow Cult seems to be searching for all kinds of rare and precious martial arts manuals and priceless treasures. As for their true intentions, it is really hard to fathom."

After listening, Gongsun Ruotang nodded thoughtfully and murmured softly, "Judging from this situation, there must be a huge, earth-shattering conspiracy hidden here. If any of you senior brothers need my help in investigating this matter, please don't hesitate to tell me. Although I have lived in the deep palace for a long time and my movements are often inconvenient, I may be able to help in some way with the connections I have accumulated over the years."

Yuwen Mo gazed at Gongsun Ruotang's delicate and lovely face with a smile, and said softly, "Junior Sister, your kindness is enough. If we ever encounter any troublesome matters in the future and need your help, we will definitely come to you without hesitation. However, for now, your most important thing is to take good care of yourself."

"It's getting late, Junior Sister, you should go back to your room and rest. Tomorrow we'll go shopping with you and have a good look around." Yuwen Mo looked at Gongsun Ruotang gently, his eyes full of concern.

Gongsun Ruotang nodded obediently, then stood up and waved goodbye to her two senior brothers. She moved gracefully towards the Su family mansion where she had previously lived. Along the way, the moonlight shone like water on both sides of the path, as if spreading a layer of silver frost on the ground.

After returning to her room, Gongsun Ruotang tidied herself up briefly, washed up quickly, and then eagerly lay down on the soft, comfortable bed. However, despite her exhaustion, her thoughts were like a wild horse, difficult to calm. The words her senior brothers had spoken kept echoing in her mind, especially the matter of the Shadow Sect's reappearance in the martial world, which stirred an indescribable unease deep within her.

Gongsun Ruotang knew very well that the Shadow Cult was no ordinary organization. Thinking back to their recent rampages and wanton actions in the martial world, the bloody massacres and heinous crimes they committed were still deeply etched in the memories of countless people, becoming an indelible nightmare. With this in mind, Gongsun Ruotang frowned deeply, silently pondering how to deal with the potential impending crisis.

Outside the window, the bright moon hung high in the night sky, its gentle light cascading down like flowing water, softly scattering across the windowpanes, as if draping the entire room in a gossamer veil of silver. Gongsun Ruotang tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Finally, she got up, put on an outer robe, and slowly walked to the window.

She stood silently, her eyes fixed on the moonlit night outside the window, her thoughts racing like wild horses, drifting into the distance. Scenes of her past life in the palace unfolded before her like a scroll. Although she enjoyed a life of luxury and ease, free from worries about making a living, the power struggles, intrigues, and omnipresent schemes within the palace had left her exhausted.

In contrast, the time she spent with her fellow disciples seemed so beautiful and pure. They practiced diligently together, sweating profusely; in their spare time, they played and frolicked to their hearts' content, their laughter echoing through the mountains and forests; occasionally, they would sit together, enthusiastically discussing the strange and wonderful stories of the martial world. Those carefree days became the most precious memories she cherished in her heart.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before she knew it, a faint pale light was beginning to appear on the horizon, heralding the approach of dawn. Gongsun Ruotang felt a slight wave of drowsiness wash over her. She yawned softly, turned back to the bedside, lay down again, closed her eyes, and tried to drift back into sleep to welcome the new day that was about to begin.

Just then, the first rays of golden sunlight streamed through the window, gently caressing Gongsun Ruotang's cheek like a tender hand. She slowly awoke, opening her eyes to greet the dawn of a new day. She knew that whether in the depths of the imperial palace or amidst the treacherous world of martial arts, many matters awaited her. However, she was now prepared to bravely face the unknown challenges and opportunities.

After a simple dressing and grooming process, Gongsun Ruotang gently pushed open the door and stepped out as gracefully as a butterfly in flight. She walked slowly down the corridor and soon arrived at the flower hall.

At this moment, Yuwen Mo and Nangong Sheng were already waiting here. Yuwen Mo smiled and spoke first, "Junior Sister, I wonder if you slept well last night?"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I slept quite well last night. Good morning, Senior Brothers!"

At this moment, Nangong Sheng stepped forward, holding an exquisite paper package in his hand. He handed it to Gongsun Ruotang and said softly, "Junior sister, this is your favorite osmanthus cake. I had the steward specially go and buy it for you early this morning. It's still steaming hot. Try it and see if it tastes familiar."

Gongsun Ruotang happily accepted the paper package, carefully opened it, and a rich fragrance of osmanthus immediately wafted out. She took a deep breath, savoring the familiar and intoxicating sweet scent, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Moved, she said, "Thank you so much, Senior Brother. You really understand me best and care for me the most!"

After saying this, the three of them moved together into the garden. They sat around a stone table, enjoying delicious osmanthus cakes while enthusiastically discussing their shopping itinerary for the day. After a lively discussion, they finally decided to first visit the bustling market to see if they could discover any new and interesting things.

Just then, Yuwen Mo seemed to suddenly remember something, turned to look at Gongsun Ruotang, and asked, "By the way, Junior Sister, your brother has not yet arrived. In your opinion, should we go to Qingfeng Pavilion to wait for him first, or should we wait patiently at the mansion until he arrives before going out together?"