Chapter 200 Reunion He saw blood, and he's just like you now…

“It’s me.” Xiao Ma took Mei Xiaoqing’s hand and covered his face with it. “I’m back.”

Mei Xiaoqing was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears. She cried harder and harder, until she was half asleep, which made Ji Fang open his eyes. "Miss Mei... why are you crying... what are you crying about?" Ji Fang's hand drooped and reached into his pocket. He remembered that he always carried a handkerchief with him, but now he couldn't find it.

Mei Xiaojing couldn't hear anything else. After a while, she stopped crying and, disregarding the people watching in the car, buried her face in Xiao Ma's arms, making him sway a few times. Xiao Ma smiled awkwardly, and without thinking, hugged Mei Xiaojing tightly, kissing her hair and softly coaxing his beloved girl.

"Little Ma, Little Ma!" Mei Xiaoqing cried out, "Why did you come back again? We agreed that you would go first and I would come find you. Rongdu is dangerous, why did you come back? You almost died, you almost died!"

Xiao Ma patted her back gently, "Aren't you alive and well? You're nimble and unharmed. Your body is covered in other people's blood, not mine."

Mei Xiaojing pulled away, half-believing and half-doubting, fiddling with Xiao Ma's hands and feet, carefully feeling his chest and back, only truly relieved after confirming that what Xiao Ma said was true. Feng Shisan glanced sideways, coughed, and said, "Miss Mei, there are more than just the two of you in the car... Are you going to strip Xiao Ma naked in front of us before you feel at ease?"

Mei Xiaojing paid no attention to him; her heart, eyes, and the car were all focused on Xiao Ma. Mei Xiaojing picked up her sleeve and lovingly wiped Xiao Ma's face, then suddenly hugged him tightly. "If anything happens to you, I will never forgive you."

Xiao Ma tapped her round, onion-like nose and nodded emphatically, saying, "I promise you, I will never let anything happen to myself."

Mei Xiaojing was finally satisfied. Only then did she remember that there were still many people watching in the car. Her pretty face flushed red, but she still stared wide-eyed and stubbornly pretended not to see. She lifted the curtain and climbed out again. "Nanxiang Blue House, right? You guys rest. I'm going now."

Mei Shiyu watched as the carriage curtain fell, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the people inside and said, "My sister is spoiled rotten, everyone..."

"What does Young Master Guan Mei have to do with this?" Feng Shisan interrupted. "It's all Xiao Ma's fault."

“Hey…” Ji Fang was weak and about to say a few words on behalf of Xiao Ma when Xiao Ma interrupted, “Thirteenth Young Master is right, it is my fault.” He then clasped his hands and nodded to Mei Shiyu, “It is because Young Master Mei has taken good care of her all these years that Miss Mei is like this. From today onwards, taking care of her will be my responsibility, Ma Lin. I will treat her like a treasure and will never let her suffer the slightest grievance.”

"You idiot!" Mei Xiaojing's angry voice came from outside the carriage curtain. "What did you call me?"

"Hahahaha." Ajiu laughed. "Ma Lin, people think you're being too formal."

Xiao Ma's face flushed, and he looked at the drawn carriage curtain, saying, "Xiao Jing, I understand, I won't do it again."

"That's more like it, giddy up, giddy up..."

Feng Shisan propped himself up, his large, copper-bell-shaped eyes scrutinizing Xiao Ma. "Ma Lin, you really do have that name. It's not too bad."

Xiao Ma smiled and said, "Feng Xiang is not a bad name either. Xiang means to help. It is a matter of life and death. Thirteenth Young Master will risk his life to help everyone."

"I don't know what smells good or bad." Feng Shisan clearly had no concept of his name. "It's still not as domineering as Thirteen Young Master. You guys still have to call me Thirteen Young Master, got it?"

"Annoying." Ji Fang said with dissatisfaction, curled up, closed his eyes, and went back to sleep.

Ajiu asked, "The 17 households facing north in the South Lane Blue House you mentioned, is that...your family's old house?"

Feng Shisan nodded, "On New Year's Eve, I fought my way out of the encirclement, but I was seriously injured and thought I was going to die. I thought I couldn't leave my body lying in the street and bring bad luck to others on New Year's Day. Before I breathed my last, I thought... I should go back to my own house to take a look. If I can die at home, it will be like returning to my roots. It won't be in vain that I've wandered around and come back to Rongdu..."

Xiao Ma pondered for a moment, "We've been back in Rongdu for half a year, and you haven't gone back to visit even once?"

Feng Shisan shook his head sadly and sighed, "I said I was coming back, but I'm just living under someone else's roof and can't do anything. What face do I have to go back home? Besides... everything is in ruins, and there's nothing I can do. It's better... not to go."

“You’re lucky and have a strong life, you won’t die so easily,” Ajiu said. “Look, it’s all so desolate, we still need to go to your house for temporary refuge.”

Feng Shisan revealed a happy and satisfied smile, and once he started talking, he became more energetic and continued, "Who knew that I, Young Master Shisan, was not destined to die? There was actually a life-saving treasure hidden in the wall of the house. Before the execution, I prepared food and medicine for the wounds in the house, enough for us to stay for ten days or half a month. After everyone has recovered from their injuries and decided where to go, my treasure can still come in handy."

"What treasure?" Ji Fang, who was asleep, couldn't help but open his mouth again.

"Stop talking nonsense." Feng Shisan raised his fist as if to punch him.

Ajiu looked at Mu Chenbi, who had been silent for a long time, and said, "Your Highness, why don't you come with us? According to what Thirteen Young Master said, it should be a safe place."

"Do I still have a choice?" Mu Chenbi closed his eyes, his phoenix eyelashes not even twitching. "Whatever."

The group exchanged glances, not daring to speak again. A-Jiu gestured for Mei Shiyu to move aside, then moved to sit next to Mu Chenbi and whispered, "Thank you for your help today, Your Highness. The Crown Prince is both kind and righteous; we will remember this forever and will certainly..."

"The future?" Mu Chenbi sneered. "The future will just be another time for us to flee to the ends of the earth, scattered across the world. It's hard to say whether we'll ever meet again. There's no need for you to swear an oath. It was all my impulsive act, and all the consequences are my own fault. It has nothing to do with you. I don't ask for anything in return. I only ask that we can truly forget each other in the martial world and never meet again."

Ajiu showed no embarrassment. "I know Your Highness is worried about Guan Ye. Guan Ye will definitely go to Nanxiang to meet up with us. Your Highness can rest assured."

Mu Chenbi raised her phoenix-feather eyelashes, looked at Ajiu intently, and turned her head without answering. Ajiu whispered again, "Guan Ye is not a noble lady raised in seclusion. Since birth, she has followed her parents to various places, and she is proficient in the art of escaping and hiding. Even without us, Guan Ye can protect herself."

Mu Chenbi was speechless for a moment, then glanced at the twin-dimpled sword in Ajiu's hand and said sternly, "Give me back my sword."

Ajiu picked up the sword Mu Chenbi was talking about, held it horizontally in her palm and said, "This sword wasn't something I asked Your Highness for. It was Your Highness who traded this sword for mine, and..." Ajiu looked at Mu Chenbi, who was wearing her clothes, and said with a meaningful smile, "You're even wearing my clothes. Is Your Highness going to take my place?"

Compared to Ajiu's shrewdness, Mu Chenbi, who grew up in the palace, was still much more naive. He was speechless after being rebuked by Ajiu a few times. He could only angrily tear off the double-dimpled sword that Ajiu was holding, pull out the blade and wipe it inch by inch to make sure that the blade was not damaged before closing the scabbard and turning his head away from Ajiu.

"Guan Ye forged the sword herself and even made a mark on it." Ajiu's words carried an air of unwavering confidence. "The twin swords are like twin daggers. I thought she only knew forging techniques, but it turns out she has quite a few ideas."

"Guan Ye is but a fragment of a gem; how much have you even grasped?" Mu Chenbi said indignantly.

Ajiu sheathed her sword, confronting Mu Chenbi without showing any weakness. "The glimpse of brilliance that Your Highness speaks of is nothing more than a double-dimpled sword in your hand. Is the preciousness of Guan Ye merely a sword that Your Highness cherishes and plays with? She can illuminate the entire imperial city, and is not just a glimpse of brilliance hidden deep in Your Highness's box."

Seeing Mu Chenbi's face gradually darken, Mei Shiyu secretly thought that things were not good. Did Ajiu really think that Mu Chenbi was a phoenix who had fallen on hard times and was not even as good as a chicken?

Mei Shiyu was about to try and smooth things over with a few words when Ajiu's mouth was already bursting with uncontrollable words, "His Highness also said that he would pave the way for Guan Ye and help her achieve her wish..."

Mu Chenbi suddenly felt a sharp pain in her wound and gasped to stop herself from crying out. Mei Shiyu almost covered Ajiu's mouth and hurriedly called out to the car, "Xiao Jing, how much further?"

"Almost there!" Mei Xiaoqing exclaimed happily. "It's just ahead."

"We're almost there, almost there!" Mei Shiyu shouted to the swordsman in the car, "Wake up, wake up!"

“Who’s really asleep?” Ji Fang rubbed his eyes. “They haven’t stopped talking, and they’re all talking louder than the last. How could they possibly be asleep? Unless they’re dizzy.”

Feng Shisan swung his fist again, "I should have knocked you out. You always have to grumble about whatever others say."

With a "whoosh," the carriage stopped. Qian Rong looked around. The south alley was dilapidated, with weeds and withered branches lying along the roadside, and ancient trees with bare leaves blocking out the sky. It was only past noon, and the bright sunlight did not shine on this place. Everywhere he looked was desolate. He walked for several miles into the alley without seeing a soul. Qian Rong felt relieved. This place was excellent and would not be easily discovered.

Qian Rong carefully lifted the carriage curtain. "Young Master, we've arrived."

One by one, the people got out of the car. Mu Chenbi stared at the dilapidated old house in front of him with a furrowed brow. Just as he was about to speak, Ajiu clicked her tongue and said, "What a rare and beautiful ancient alley. It looks quite nice."

Xiao Ma chimed in, "I think it's great too. The most important thing is safety. Nobody else can find this place. We can conserve our energy and wait for another day."

"Right!" Feng Shisan's rough face was full of smugness. "Let's go in and take a look."

"Cousin." Seeing Mei Shiyu standing still, Mei Xiaojing gently tugged at his sleeve. "I want to... stay here and watch over Xiao Ma."

Mei Shiyu said affectionately, "Silly girl, Ma Lin said that you will be taken care of by him from now on. I brought you here today not because I want to take you back. Following Xiao Ma, the future is uncertain, but your cousin knows that you will not regret it."

Mei Xiaojing and Xiao Ma held hands tightly, tears welling up in their eyes, and said, "Whether I live or die, I will never regret it."

Mei Shiyu nodded slightly to Xiao Ma, then turned back to the carriage. He lifted the curtain and looked at the crowd. "With the prisoner rescued from the execution ground, Rongdu will surely be in chaos these next few days. I need to go back to the money exchange to observe the situation. I'm afraid Cui Jin will also come to ask some questions. If you need anything here, or if you need me to do anything, you can always go to Gongcheng Money Exchange to find me. I, Mei Shiyu, and my Mei family will do anything for you. Qian Rong, did you hear me?"

"I understand. The young master rarely leaves his home. If any of you wish to visit him at Gongcheng Money Exchange, just come find me first." Qian Rong clasped his hands and bowed to each of them.

"Thank you, Young Master Mei. I appreciate your help, Manager Qian."

The carriage sped away, and Mei Xiaoqing chased after it for a few steps before slowly stopping. The little horse stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. Mei Xiaoqing leaned on the little horse's shoulder and tears streamed down her face.

"Have you had enough of this emotional appeal?"

A sinister rustling sound came from behind them. Ajiu and Mu Chenbi turned around at the same time and saw Wan Qixi leaning against the dilapidated door frame of the Feng family, holding a horizontal sword. His narrow eyes swept over the disheveled and broken faces, and there seemed to be a disdainful smile on his lips.

"Aren't you coming in? Making such a commotion, are you trying to get the Eagle Guards to come and wipe you all out?" Wan Qixi picked at the burrs on his nails, his eyelids furrowing in a dark expression. "If you want to cry or shout, come in first, or..." Wan Qixi suddenly realized something. "Haha, are you worried there might be an ambush inside?"

Ignoring Feng Shisan's attempts to stop her, Ajiu strode towards Wanqixi with her sword in hand. "An ambush? We were able to escape thanks to you, Boss Wanqi. We haven't thanked you yet."

Mu Chenbi suddenly understood what Ajiu meant and rushed straight into the inner room, calling out, "Guan Ye, Guan Ye! Are you in there, Guan Ye…"

Wan Qixi turned with interest to look at the man who brushed past her, then turned back to examine Ajiu. She bit off a burr that she had been trying to pull out, spitting it on the ground, and said, "You walk the Jianghu path, you are Ajiu, he... he is him." Wan Qixi laughed loudly, pointing the hilt of her knife at Ajiu, and said, "One has courage, the other has loyalty. He beat you to it, and you didn't even blink?"

Ah Jiu pointed to her chest, "With Guan Ye here, why would I bother arguing with him?"

Wanqi Xi shook his head and clicked his tongue, leaning close to Ajiu's ear and poking Ajiu's brow bone with a finger. "No, no, women have soft hearts. If he sees blood, he will be just like you."