Gradually, I grew closer to your mother as I would to my sister, and eventually, we became very close! It's a pity I was fighting in the war when your mother had her accident; otherwise, I would have dragged out those bastards who drove your mother to her death and executed them by a thousand cuts!
Because of this, your father and I fought more than once. Humph, I smashed almost everything in the palace that could be broken! Later, you were once frightened by the two of us, and your father got really angry. He gave me a severe beating, saying I was immature, that I wore my heart on my sleeve instead of keeping it to myself. He said if I really wanted revenge, I had to hold back. One day, he would make those people pay the price!
"Did the old man say who those people were?" Lan Linxue was particularly curious about this question.
Lan Qingtian said irritably, "Of course he didn't say! He didn't tell anyone! Otherwise, why would I have been asking around all these years! Humph. I think your father is particularly unfair on this issue! Moreover, I think he has this idea that he should avenge his wife himself, but I don't know why he hasn't made a move all these years!"
After saying that, Lan Qingtian turned to look at Lan Linxue and asked, "You said you have a clue now, what exactly is it?"
Lan Linxue scratched her head, "I can't say now!"
Lan Qingtian glared again, "Are you looking for a beating again?!"
Lan Linxue frowned and said irritably, "Seventh Uncle! I can't talk about these things right now. I'm in a lot of trouble myself! Don't worry, I'll definitely tell you when I have the chance! I'll tell you even if I don't tell anyone else! For the sake of all the trouble you've caused me over the years!"
As she spoke, Lan Linxue chuckled mischievously.
"If you hold a grudge, I'll beat you to death!" Lan Qingtian slammed his hand on the table again.
"Oh dear, Seventh Uncle, how can you be so easily amused? After all these years, do you think I don't know that you're my most loyal supporter?! Don't worry, I know your heart better than anyone else!"
As she spoke, Lan Linxue patted Lan Qingtian on the shoulder, showing great loyalty.
Lan Qingtian turned to look at him, knowing that if he didn't want to talk about something, he would never say it, even if it meant his death.
"Fine! If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine! But you need to pack your things and come with me right now. I need to get you out of Jiangnan before anyone notices, to avoid causing any unnecessary panic!"
Lan Linxue touched her nose. "I'm afraid your arrival in Yangzhou has already alerted Lan Xiuyuan!"
Lan Qingtian sneered: "Don't worry, your father has made all the arrangements! One group is heading this way, and another group has already gone to find Lan Xiuyuan."
"What do you want with Lan Xiuyuan?"
"Of course, we should find him something to do to keep you two apart! That way, he won't have the energy to keep pestering you, and you can safely return to the capital!"
Lan Linxue nodded, "Hmm, I reckon the Emperor will give him something like presenting plaques to a few old guys to show off. Anyway, Lan Xiuyuan himself loves this kind of thing! The old man's prescription is quite accurate."
"So, you can't waste any more time, you have to come with me right now!"
Lan Linxue nodded, then glanced at the incense table. "Are you sure we don't need to put on a show? If we just leave in such a panic, people will either suspect that I've done something treasonous, or that the Emperor is about to die!"
Lan Qingtian pointed at Lan Linxue's nose and said irritably, "Can't you ever say anything nice about your father?"
"Never mind whether what I'm saying sounds good or not, just tell me if what I'm saying is right or wrong?"
Lan Qingtian glanced at Lan Linxue and asked suspiciously, "Are you thinking of saying goodbye to your sweetheart Qin Kou'er?"
Lan Linxue immediately flew into a rage, standing up abruptly and glaring at Lan Qingtian: "Can't you speak properly?! What do you mean by 'lover'? Are all those brothels and brothels outside considered 'lover'? I'm being sincere! Let me tell you, Seventh Uncle, if you ever talk about Kou'er like that again, I'll turn on you!"
"Wow, Lan Linxue! You've really gotten to know your stuff. Not only did you dare to flatter Uncle Qi, but you also managed to get yourself a woman! You're something else!"
"It's alright! It'll do!"
Lan Qingtian glanced at Lan Linxue for a moment, then stood up with a smile. "Alright! Seventh Uncle will do a good deed today and let you see her one last time! It'll also set an example for others. Now set up the incense table and receive the imperial decree!"
Lan Linxue curled her lip, "You make it sound so nice! It's just that you want to see Kou'er yourself. Humph, you push everything onto me!"
Lan Qingtian glared at him, "Do you want to see me one last time or not? If not, we're leaving now!"
"I'd like to see you! If I hadn't, I would have left long ago!"
With that, Lan Linxue shouted to the outside world, "Set up the incense table! Receive the imperial edict!"
This time, Lan Linxue's mention of setting up an incense table was not just a formality, but a proper way to receive the imperial decree.
Then everyone would need to come out and kneel down to receive it.
As the landlady of Lanting Garden, Qin Kou'er naturally had to come out and kowtow.
The ceremony was very solemn, with Lan Linxue kneeling in front and Qin Kou'er kneeling respectfully behind.
The imperial edict was not read aloud by Lan Qingtian. He simply concealed himself under his cloak again and quietly observed the woman who remained calm and composed.
He didn't know why he was staring at Qin Kou'er, but he felt a sense of déjà vu about her.
But he had never seen that face before. Yet, he felt a strange familiarity with her aura, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
Lan Qingtian couldn't quite put his finger on it, but in short, he suddenly had a very deep impression of Qin Kou'er.
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