Repeatedly broken branches

"Little Spoon, when Young Master Ruan comes back later, tell him I went to get supplies."

"Okay, Miss, please take care on your journey."

Xiao Mu boarded the carriage. There were too many orders this time, and some of them required rubies and crystals, so she had to go to Luyang to purchase the goods, otherwise the supply would be insufficient.

It's currently the hottest time of the year, and there are very few pedestrians on the road, so the journey is very smooth.

Yu Yanjing changed his disguise technique, transforming himself into a different person. If he got tired of using this face, he could use another one.

In reality, the disguise techniques used by the royal family in Chaoyang Kingdom were more advanced. Some of these techniques were so sophisticated that even those who understood them couldn't detect them. The disguise techniques of ordinary people might not be as advanced as those of the royal family, but those who didn't understand them certainly wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

"Young master, young master, the sun is blazing outside, would you like to get in our carriage?" the coachman Xu called out to Yu Yanjing's back.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Mu lifted the curtain, her gaze falling on the person's back. Her heart skipped a beat; that back was...

But when the man turned around, Xiao Mu was extremely disappointed. It wasn't Yu Yanjing; he just looked like him.

"Thank you." The man got into the carriage and sat far away from Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu secretly observed him for a long time. He really didn't look like him at all. Even his voice was different. And those highly recognizable peach blossom eyes were not him either. He had phoenix eyes. Although his brow bone was also very well-formed, he was not him.

Yu Yanjing glanced at the woman sitting there secretly watching him. She was indeed stunningly beautiful, but why did he have a feeling of déjà vu? Her almond-shaped eyes were full of autumn water, just like the woman in his dream.

"Miss, where are you going?" Yu Yanjing asked tentatively.

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "I'm going to Luyang to buy goods. I run a jewelry business in Chaoyang. Do you have any female relatives in your family, young master?"

A native of Chaoyang, in the jewelry business—it's clearly not her. He's been in Chaoyang for so long, he's been to every place he could possibly be, there's no way he could be involved in the jewelry business. It's obviously not her, but why can't he help but want to look into her eyes and examine them closely?

"No." Yu Yanjing's tone was cold and devoid of any emotion.

Xiao Mu thought to herself, "Who doesn't have women in their family? If he doesn't want to buy it, he shouldn't buy it. What a strange person to say he doesn't have any female relatives."

How could he possibly be Yu Yanjing?

The carriage hit a pebble, causing the wheels to lurch. Xiao Mu nearly hit her head, and just as her head was about to hit the window, Yu Yanjing reached out and used the back of his hand to shield her forehead. Xiao Mu saw that his brows were furrowed, and when she looked down, she saw that his hand was covered in red marks.

Xiao Mu took out a bottle of wound medicine, looked at Yu Yanjing, and said gratefully, "Thank you, young master, please apply some medicine."

Yu Yanjing glanced coldly at the medicine bottle and said in a low voice, "No need."

Ha, good intentions are wasted; who would want to apply medicine to you?

Xiao Mu was certain once again that this person could not be Yu Yanjing. Yu Yanjing was thick-skinned and would not be so indifferent. If he met her, Yu Yanjing would not pretend not to know her. She was really blind. She actually mistook this man for Yu Yanjing. This was an insult to him!

"Miss, what is your name?" Yu Yanjing couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Mu's eyes darted around, and she said, "Xiao Mu." I don't want to tell you my name. "Then what's your name?"

A sense of despair flashed through Yu Yanjing's heart. He had never heard of this name before. This almond-eyed girl was indeed not the woman of his dreams. So, how was he supposed to find her in this vast sea of ​​people?

"Aya."

Xiao Mu frowned. "Ling? No surname?"

Yu Yanjing said without changing his expression, "I have no parents or elders, only myself. I also chose the name 'Ling' myself. What? Does the young lady not like it?" A hint of violence flashed in his eyes as he stared straight at Xiao Mu.

That look! Yu Yanjing had looked at him like that before, making him shudder... a look that could kill without blinking an eye.

"No, it sounds very nice. I was just a little curious. I'm sorry, I touched a nerve."

Yu Yanjing curled his lips. "Why is it a sore spot? Does not having elders make you inferior? I'm living a good life, and I don't think it's a sore spot." After saying that, he shifted his gaze to Xiao Mu's face without any hesitation.

Xiao Mu's eyes darted around, and she said indifferently, "You're right. I don't have parents either, and I don't feel inferior to anyone..." She felt Ling's gaze burning, and she couldn't help but lower her eyes.

Ling suddenly laughed and said in a low voice, "I was just joking. Why are you so nervous? Are you afraid I'll eat you?" Ling suddenly leaned closer, and her phoenix eyes met Xiao Mu's directly. Xiao Mu clearly saw the panicked self in her eyes.

She was slightly taken aback. His pupils, like hers, were unfathomably black, deep and devoid of any emotion, making them impossible to see through.

"where are you going?"

"Lu Yang," Ling said lazily, raising her lips.

Damn it, we're going to the same destination! I should have known better than to let him get on the carriage. He gives off the feeling that he might eat you up at any moment.

If Xu doesn't know martial arts and Xiao Mu doesn't either, wouldn't they be lambs to the slaughter in front of Ling?

Fortunately, Ling got off the carriage after it arrived at Luyang.

Before leaving, Ling said, "Thank you for giving me a ride. When I return to Chaoyang, I'll treat you to a meal."

Xiao Mu said with a forced smile, "Alright, see you later."

The two parted ways at the city gate. Xiao Mu went to the ruby ​​supplier's shop and selected several high-quality rubies, as well as jade, crystals, and other materials that might be used in the future. However, some of the raw stones were still being mined and might not be delivered to Luyang for seven or eight days.

Xu looked at Xiao Mu and said, "Miss, why don't I wait here for the materials to arrive, and you rent another carriage to go back first?"

Having heard that the Flower Festival in Luyang was just a few days away, Xiao Mu was quite keen to stay and see it. So she declined, saying, "It's alright, I'll find an inn to stay in first, and then we can go back together later."

Xu could only say, "Okay, I'll go pick up Miss once all the materials arrive."

After parting ways with Xu, Xiao Mu wandered around Luyang City, looking for a suitable inn.

She chose a guesthouse by the river, where she could see the surging river from the upstairs window. At night, the breeze blowing from the river was incredibly refreshing.

Xiao Mu took the key from the innkeeper and went upstairs with her bag. After packing her things, she prepared to go downstairs, but she saw the figure she had just parted ways with at the bottom of the stairs.

Ling leaned quietly against the window. It was almost evening, and a breeze occasionally blew by, making Ling's hair look messy, like a handsome young man in a painting.

Ling didn't notice Xiao Mu's gaze. He was looking out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Xiao Mu stepped forward and gently patted Ling's shoulder. Belatedly realizing what was happening, Ling turned around, and those unfathomable eyes, as deep as spring water, quietly looked at her.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he always felt like they had known each other for a very long time, and he had no urge to keep his distance.

"What a coincidence, Ling." Xiao Mu parted her red lips slightly, looking at him with her eyes crinkling.

Ling also smiled. His brow bone was exceptionally well-formed, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. His voice was deep and deep. "This inn is very famous. During the Flower Festival, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the river and watch the fireworks from here. It's absolutely beautiful."

Xiao Mu's eyes widened, and she said expectantly, "Really? I've never seen fireworks before!" She meant it; she had never seen fireworks here before and wondered if they were as colorful as they were now.

"The Flower Festival is in three days. The fireworks bureau here will be in charge of setting off fireworks, and there will be a lot of people coming to watch."

Xiao Mu blinked. "Does Chaoyang Kingdom also have a Flower Festival? Have you ever participated?"

Aya looked out the window and said, "The Flower Festival in Chaoyang Kingdom is only held on snowy days because it doesn't snow in Chaoyang. If it snows, the Flower Festival will be held, and setting off fireworks in the snow is even more beautiful."

Yes, setting off fireworks in the snow sounds so romantic. Making a wish with your loved one while watching the fireworks, kissing and hugging under the fireworks—it's so romantic.

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "Then I want to make a wish during the Flower Festival in Luyang. I hope it will snow in Chaoyang Kingdom this year, so I can watch the fireworks and build a snowman at the same time." Her eyes were bright as stars, sparkling with a mysterious light.

Aya was stunned for a long time. Had they met somewhere before?

But asking such a question might be too presumptuous. However, there were too many mysterious aspects about her that Yu Yanjing found mysterious. For example, her eyes seemed to be able to communicate with people, and they were so similar to the eyes of the woman in his dream that they almost overlapped.

"It will definitely snow in Chaoyang Kingdom this year," Ling murmured softly.

“There’s a restaurant in Luyang that serves really good food. It’s run by a famous local chef. Let me take you there!” Ling said with a smile.

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "Okay, I'll follow you."

The restaurant that Ling brought Xiao Mu to was also located by the river. Sitting by the river, enjoying the view while dining was quite a unique experience.

Most of the people who come here to eat are tourists from other places, because the scenery is beautiful and the food is delicious. People passing through Luyang sometimes stop by for a meal.

Aya ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes, including river fish soup. She had heard that it was the season for eating river fish, and that the fish were plump and fresh, making the soup even more delicious. She also ordered salted duck, roasted goose, mixed lettuce, tofu soup, stir-fried snails, and a plate of chestnut cake.

These whelks are delicious, chewy, and very flavorful. Xiao Mu ate about ten of them and felt so fresh that she felt like she was floating on air.

Ling ladled her a bowl of tofu soup. The tofu was as tender as an egg, and the soup base was made from river bream. No wonder it tasted so delicious. Xiao Mu took a sip, and it melted in her mouth, sliding straight down her stomach. No joke.

Ling barely touched her chopsticks. She drank a small bowl of fish soup, ate a piece of chestnut cake, and then said she was full.

He wasn't lying. In the palace, he ate dozens of dishes every day, but he only ate a small bite of each dish, and sometimes he didn't eat any at all. He had tasted almost everything that was delicious and good to drink. Now, no matter how delicious something was, he wouldn't eat much of it. When he was little, Consort Jing told him that members of the royal family couldn't eat until they were full, or they would be laughed at. He never asked why, and gradually he got used to it.

"Phew, I'm finally full."

Xiao Mu rubbed her stomach, which was clearly already bulging and could no longer hold anything.

"Me too, let's go then!" Aya stood up to leave.

"But you're full after just one bowl of fish soup and one piece of chestnut cake?" Xiao Mu looked at him in astonishment.

Aya smiled and said in a low voice, "Yes, I was starving when I was little, so I can't eat much now. I get full after eating just a little bit."

This is not an exaggeration. When he was young, he often went hungry because he was always hungry. Consort Jing would always gently tell him that he couldn't eat his fill and that he had to memorize poems and essays on an empty stomach. This was very efficient. In addition, he often secretly practiced archery, which depleted his energy quickly, so he got hungry quickly. However, he could only eat a small amount of rice in a bowl the size of a teacup at each meal, two slices of vegetables, a chopstickful of fish, half a chicken wing, a small piece of lamb chop, and a teacup of soup. He was never full. Fortunately, he got used to it quickly.

It's all because he listens to Consort Jing. He always treats whatever Consort Jing says as his mother's instruction and tries his best to do what Consort Jing likes.

Looking back now, I realize how he tried so hard to be obedient and ingratiating in order to keep Consort Jing as his mother.

That's hilarious.

Xiao Mu felt a jolt of realization. So, Ling was from a poor family. She had never had enough to eat and had grown up hungry. Now that she had money to eat, she had gotten used to eating only a little bit of food.

so poor.

So, Xiao Mu walked up to the shopkeeper, took out a silver ingot, and said generously to Ling, "I'll treat you to this meal, and I'll treat you to another meal when we get back to Chaoyang."

Ling was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Mu to pay for him. He felt deeply ashamed that a man would let a woman pay for his meal when he went out.

As they left the restaurant, Xiao Mu looked at him with concern and asked, "So, do you have any work to do now?"

Making a living? Being an emperor?

Ling shook her head blankly.

Xiao Mu was puzzled. She hadn't expected Ling to still be unemployed. It was so pitiful. No wonder he walked all the way from Chaoyang to Luyang in such hot weather. Could he have come to Luyang as a homeless person or a refugee? He was really so pitiful.

She didn't want Aya to feel sorry for her, nor did she want Aya to feel inferior.

“It’s alright. If you want to find something to do, come back to Chaoyang with me, and I’ll find you a job.”

"You?" Aya's tone was questioning.

“Yes!” Xiao Mu’s eyes crinkled as she said softly, “Don’t be so polite. Since we’ve eaten together, we’re friends now. Isn’t it only right to take care of a friend?”

Friend? Ling curled her lips. She was the first person who dared to call herself a friend. If it were anyone else, he would have dragged them out and whipped their corpses long ago!

However, considering that she had given him a ride and treated him to a meal, he would spare her life for now. If she ever made him unhappy, he would definitely kill her to vent his anger.

"What are you laughing at? Does your laughter mean you agree?"

"Hmm...I guess so," Aya said in a low voice.

On the way back, Xiao Mu, oblivious to the danger, asked Ling many more questions.

For example, was Aya's family very poor before? Did her parents skimp on food for themselves? Did she have to herd a lot of cattle before?

How could he answer these questions?

He could only reply with "um," "um," "yes," "yes," and "yes."

Now, in Xiao Mu's eyes, his image became even more pitiful, weak, and tragic.

Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. One lie requires several more to cover it up. Xiao Mu was convinced that he was a poor, unemployed vagrant who couldn't do martial arts.

He hates noisy people, like Rou Rou. Sometimes he gets so impulsive that he wants to snap her neck, if it weren't for the fact that she saved his life.

But he didn't dislike Xiao Mu's chatter; on the contrary, he found it amusing.