Chapter 102 Sweet Moments [IF Route] (Part 7)
Mu Meng was determined not to give it to him.
How could I show this to my brother? If I show it to him, then he'll know everything... everything!
Mu Meng lowered her eyes, gripping the things in her hands tighter, and stammered as she tried to change the subject, "Brother, it's very late, and you're still injured, you should rest. That...that ancient physician told you not to overexert yourself before the second poison extraction...we'll talk about that later. You sleep here, I'll go out first..."
She tried to slip away after saying that, but Mu Qingheng grabbed her hand. "We haven't finished talking yet, why are you running away?"
Thinking of this, Mu Qingheng deliberately softened his expression. He didn't want to pressure Mu Meng. If he only wanted something, how could Mengmeng resist? If he really wanted to snatch it, the Moon Fairy Token would already be in his hands. However, considering the young girl's gentle heart, he didn't want to hurt her in the slightest, so he patiently proceeded slowly.
"Mengmeng, don't worry, how could your brother bear to hurt you? Don't you trust your brother?"
How could that be?
Mu Meng pursed her lips, lowered her head, and didn't know how to reply.
How could she not trust her brother? His side was the warmest and most reassuring place in the world.
But things weren't as simple as he thought: "Brother, don't ask anymore. I'll tell you later, okay? I promise I'll tell you later."
Mu Meng was in a real bind. It was her own fault for not putting the Moon Fairy Tale away properly. She couldn't bear to leave it at home, so she brought it with her and carried it with her everywhere, only to have it discovered so quickly. Although she was young, she was still quite clever. Moreover, having spent so many years with her brother, while she couldn't match his intelligence and perceptiveness, she still understood him to some extent.
Don't be fooled by his gentle demeanor now; that's only towards himself.
But it might be different for others. He doesn't know the name engraved on the Moon Fairy Card yet, but whoever it is, he must be secretly annoyed with them.
So, no matter how vivid his imagination was, he probably never imagined that the name on the sign would be his own.
Mu Meng found this matter difficult to handle. While thinking of how to phrase it, she tried to explain, "Brother, you know this now, right... It might not be good. You're so... um... angry right now, you'll definitely blame others, and that... that's not good. Because this really can't be blamed on anyone else, it's my own... myself..."
It would have been better if she hadn't said anything; her words only fueled his anger.
Mu Qingheng pursed his lips tightly, his full, crimson lips turning slightly white from the force. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Who is it? It's my fault for discovering it too late; you've already made up your mind. Don't blame him? Is this something that can be done by one person alone? He deceived my sister so much; I want to know who is so precious."
Perhaps even he himself didn't realize that beneath the deep heartache and pity in his tone lay a barely perceptible layer of jealousy.
Mu Meng thought to herself that she might have said something wrong. Her brother's eyes and brows seemed even colder than before, and his tone was not as gentle and careful as it had been.
She felt a little wronged. She really didn't want her brother to know so soon that he only saw her as a younger sister. Once he understood her feelings, would he still love her as much as before?
What if, in order to set things right, he distances himself from her in the future, or waits until she comes of age to find her a suitable husband and arrange a marriage for her in order to cut off her feelings for him?
Although Mu Meng wasn't sure exactly when the right time would be, it certainly wouldn't be now.
It was so sudden; neither of them was prepared.
Mu Meng clutched the Moon Fairy Token tightly, her head bowed, looking both aggrieved and embarrassed. Seeing her remain silent and looking so pitiful, Mu Qingheng couldn't help but soften his tone and repeat himself softly:
"Mengmeng, give me the Moon Fairy Token. Don't worry, your brother won't scold or blame you. But this is no small matter. You're still young and don't understand the seriousness of this."
Mu Meng gritted her teeth. She had originally thought of simply running away, but then she suddenly changed her mind and thought it wouldn't work: even if she ran away, her brother was already indulging her now. Once the war was over in two or three days and they returned to the Celestial Clan, could she run away forever?
Her brother probably wouldn't keep it a secret for her... He still couldn't get his Moon Fairy Token, and if he told her father and sister about it, things would only get worse.
She likes her brother, and if this matter really gets out of control, it will be impossible to resolve.
Mu Meng was startled by his own thought. Looking at it this way, it would be better to resolve the matter here than to go home and let everyone know, which would make the situation even more troublesome.
She swallowed hard, looking at Mu Qingheng with some uncertainty. Her fingers, which were tightly gripping the wooden plaque, loosened slightly, but she still protected it like a little animal guarding its food: "Brother, I actually... I can actually show it to you."
Mu Qingheng's expression softened somewhat.
Immediately afterward, Mu Meng added, "But before you watch, you have to promise me that even if... you get angry with me, you can't keep ignoring me, distancing yourself from me, or disowning me."
As the story unfolds, she feels a little wronged.
Mu Qingheng was both amused and exasperated, finding Mengmeng's words utterly absurd. "Mengmeng, how could I possibly ignore you? What are you thinking? Don't worry, no matter what happens, your brother will never abandon you."
He emphasized, "No matter what you don't know, don't be afraid. You seem like a smart little girl, why are you so silly?"
This proves that he, as her older brother, still holds a significant place in Mengmeng's heart, perhaps on par with the person on her Moon Fairy tablet.
Mu Meng hesitated for a moment, her slender, white fingers twitching slightly as she slowly took out the Moon Fairy Token. She held it in her hands for a while, then slowly handed it over.
This was practically a veiled confession of her feelings. Mu Meng's cheeks burned, a vibrant blush like the sunset tinged her clean, fair face, adding an extra layer of exquisite beauty to the already lively and pretty girl. She was like a flower bud just beginning to bloom, captivating and tender to behold.
Mu Qingheng saw all of Mu Meng's changes, but her shyness and embarrassment seemed to him in a different light, and his heart sank even further.
Mengmeng's feelings seem to be deeper than she imagined. If this person is not worthy of her entrusting her life to, this matter will become very difficult.
“Brother, then, then I’ll show it to you. Actually…” Mu Meng’s soft voice came through, trembling slightly with nervousness and shyness, “Actually, I was going to show it to you sooner or later.”
Mu Qingheng didn't think about it deeply.
He was Mengmeng's brother, and he would naturally find out who she was in love with sooner or later, so he simply reached out and took the Moon Fairy Token.
After a while, three elegant and gentle characters were engraved on the wooden sign.
In that instant, time seemed to freeze.
Those three words seemed to carry an inescapable spiritual power, firmly binding him to the spot.
Just as Mu Meng hesitated whether or not to ask, Mu Qingheng seemed to have finally found his voice: "Mengmeng..."
His voice was hoarse as he struggled to finish each word: "This is my name."
Mu Meng nodded: "Yes."
"I know."
Mu Meng immediately replied, "Of course I know."
Could it be that brother thinks he's confused and mixed things up? How could that be? "Brother, I know what the Moon Fairy Talisman is for. It's a spiritual artifact used to pray for the safety and well-being of one's beloved. I didn't do anything wrong, because of you… because of you…"
She said "because of you" twice, but never said the rest of the sentence.
Even if Mengmeng didn't say it, Mu Qingheng understood.
Because he is not her biological brother.
Mengmeng understands.
This matter was not a closely guarded secret; many high-ranking officials of the Celestial Clan knew about it, but everyone kept it a secret and pretended not to know.
When my younger sister was little, no one must have told her, but as she grew up, she became more observant and somehow learned the secret of her past.
The secret of her origins doesn't matter; she'll find out someday anyway, it's just a matter of time.
There was something more important right now, and Mu Qingheng suddenly closed his eyes.
The person Mengmeng secretly admired actually...
It is myself.
"Mengmeng," Mu Qingheng finally remembered to speak after a long while, gently calling her name as before, "Mengmeng, you are too young, you are not an adult yet, and you can't distinguish between this kind of affection and your liking for your brother."
As he spoke, he gently shook the Moon Fairy talisman in his hand, indicating the "beloved" he was referring to.
“Mengmeng, your brother knows you… Although you haven’t grown up yet, you can’t be considered a child anymore,” Mu Qingheng said, unconsciously stroking the Moon Fairy Tale. When he realized his action, he lowered his hand somewhat guiltily, only smiling at Mu Meng. “It’s normal for someone your age to have some first stirrings of love. It’s just that we spend so much time together, which might give you some illusions.”
In fact, Mu Qingheng felt his face burning slightly as he spoke these words. Logically speaking, these were things that his mother should have taught him, but since his mother had passed away early, he needed others to take good care of him in these subtle ways.
Over the years, he has had a father above him and two younger sisters below him. His father has many affairs to attend to, and his sisters are still young. He has to share the burdens of his father and take care of his younger sisters. He has long been half brother and half mother.
But being a man, he still felt awkward talking about these things with his sister.
Mu Meng shook her head and whispered in protest, "No..."
Mu Qingheng chuckled and said softly, "Silly girl."
But there are still other possibilities. Mengmeng might still be naive, and since he had been by her side as she grew up, she already had very deep feelings for him. So at this moment, she might have mistaken those feelings for love.
So he can't be too selfish. Just because he wants and desires something, he can't just despicably trap Mengmeng while she's still naive. What if this is just a childhood illusion for Mengmeng? What will she do when she grows up and has someone she truly loves? What can he do then?
He wasn't naive; he was absolutely certain of his feelings, even though he had only recently realized it. But such matters only require a fleeting thought.
Mu Meng didn't know what Mu Qingheng was thinking, but when she looked into his eyes, which were as clear and bright as water, they seemed more beautiful than ever before, gentle and serene like clear obsidian.
She blinked, looked at him, and asked in a low voice, "Brother, after all this talk, do you not believe me? Do you think I acted on impulse and didn't know the significance of engraving your name on the Moon Fairy Tablet?"
"No, it's not like that." Mu Qingheng felt even more pity for Mu Mengquan and couldn't help but gently pull her into his arms. His movements were gentle and restrained, merely an older brother's embrace of his younger sister.
His mind raced, but his thoughts remained straightforward. He couldn't possibly tell her all his tender feelings, knowing he would only receive her childish rebuttals and passionate, direct declarations of love.
His self-control might become incredibly weak in front of her.
Mu Meng nestled in Mu Qingheng's arms as usual, thought for a moment, straightened her back, and said with certainty, "Brother, I can tell the difference."
"And..." Mu Meng wasn't sure if this counted as evidence, but she blurted everything out, "Do you know what alias I used to come here?"
Mu Qingheng smiled: "Is it called waterweed?"
"Yes, then brother, do you know why I'm called Waterweed?"
Mu Qingheng remained silent for a moment.
I didn't know that at first, and I thought the name was childish and cute, like it was just picked up on a whim. Now that I think about it, I realize that it actually has a deeper meaning.
But his lips trembled slightly, and he didn't continue.
Mu Meng wasn't as quick-witted as Mu Qingheng, and having been spoiled by him for years, she revealed the answer herself when he remained silent: "When the ancient physician asked me what my name was, I didn't expect him to ask so suddenly, so I didn't prepare a name beforehand. In my haste, I just blurted it out: 'Waterweed,' which is half of each of our names."
Her explanation was so detailed and straightforward that it left no room for evasion.
It was as if he had been placed in a boundless wilderness, so that he could see clearly, depriving him of all the right to deceive himself and cutting off any chance of escape.
Mu Qingheng sighed silently, then finally smiled and said, "Brother understands."
"What does 'I understand' mean?" Mu Meng quickly asked.
Mu Qingheng smiled but remained silent.
He will remember it deeply, cherishing it as a treasure for the rest of his life.
From this moment on, he belonged to her.
Mu Meng waited for a while, and seeing that Mu Qingheng did not answer, she simply ignored it and asked the question she wanted to ask most directly: "Brother, so do you agree or disagree?"
Although the question was somewhat veiled, she was confident that her brother would understand.
Mu Qingheng's features were gentle, and his bright eyes held a faint smile. He gently stroked the tip of her delicate nose with his long fingers. "Whatever Mengmeng says, brother will take it seriously. But whether I agree or not, it's not the right time yet. Until your coming-of-age ceremony, neither I nor any other man are allowed to cross the line."
He had too many thoughts to express directly, so this was the only way he could say it.
Mengmeng, although I have already decided on you, I do not want to bind you. I will give you the right to change your mind, and I will quietly wait for you to grow up while upholding my bottom line. Although I cannot make this promise to you in person at this moment, I have already given you my heart. It is yours, and I will never take it back.
Mu Qingheng stroked her smooth, satin-like black hair. Once he had confirmed his feelings, he dared not act as intimately as before. He only gently touched the ends of her hair with his fingertips. "Be good, don't rush."
Mu Meng nodded reassuringly, "Mm." Her brother's words always carried a powerful, convincing authority.
Mu Qingheng smiled slightly, lowering his eyelashes to conceal the deep affection he felt.
He will wait for Mengmeng, forever.
When the time is right, if Mengmeng still wants him, he will overcome all difficulties to propose to his father; if Mengmeng clearly understands her own feelings and ultimately doesn't want him anymore, he will remain unmarried for life.
Mu Meng leaned on Mu Qingheng's shoulder, completely unaware of the immense and profound love he had shown her, which had been silently fading away. She simply looked up and gazed into his warm, smiling eyes, seeing the deep tenderness and affection in them that had remained unchanged from beginning to end.
A thought flashed through her mind, and she made a tender promise, word by word: "Brother, I will always treat you well, and I will never let you be sad or upset in the slightest."
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