Chapter 123 confirms that he really is the older brother!
She remembered Gu Ruxu saying that the owner of Luming Manor was surnamed Guo, and the current manor owner was a direct descendant of the Guo family. Moreover, she had clearly seen the manor owner Guo with her own eyes when she visited him that day.
So what's the deal with this land deed?
I looked at it again, and it was still correct; it really was Deer Cry Manor.
The reason she visited the manor that day was to find out why the four characters on the Wenchang Wall, which had been blank for ten years, were left blank. Now, she thinks that perhaps the appearance of the manor owner Guo and the old man was just in time, as if they were waiting for her to answer her questions and dispel her doubts.
Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence that when she arrived, the first line of the couplet already had a second line, and when she went to find the answer, someone had already given her the answer? The only person who could do both of these things is the owner behind the manor.
A moment later, a possibility occurred to her, and her heart surged with emotion once again.
She suppressed her surging emotions, showing little on her face. After reviewing all the land deeds and house deeds, she asked Yang Zhen, "Did the Prince say anything else when he asked you to give me these things?"
Yang Zhen replied, "The prince said that these things are to be handed over to the princess and she can do whatever she wants with them."
Is this entrusting one's family fortune?
She quietly put the items back into the box, handed it to Xia Chan next to her, and then invited Yang Zhen to sit down, saying, "I happen to have some questions for Steward Yang."
Yang Zhen respectfully obeyed and sat down upright. "Your Highness, please ask whatever you wish. I will answer without reservation."
It's good to speak freely about anything you know.
She lowered her eyes, concealing the dark clouds churning within them. "How long has Steward Yang been by the Prince's side?"
"I have been serving Your Highness for ten years."
ten years.
That was the year Mu Hanshi moved into the Yongyi Marquis's mansion as a descendant of the Mu family. After ten years of living together day and night, he must know a great deal about his master.
"I have just married the prince and do not know much about his likes and dislikes. I would like to learn more about him, such as the things he has done over the years. I wonder if Steward Yang could tell me a little about them?" She slowly raised her eyelids, and the shyness of a new bride was just right on her beautiful face.
"What matter does Your Highness wish to know?"
"Let's start with the story of that coffin shop."
Yang Zhen nodded upon hearing this.
He did know about this.
Because both the coffin shop and the Xunzhen Pavilion were opened when he followed Mu Han.
In his eyes, Mu Hanshi was too mature for his age and had an almost demonic intelligence, but he was also a person who kept his true intentions hidden and was extremely sentimental and nostalgic. The coffin shop was the best proof of that.
"The prince may look aloof, but he is actually very affectionate. Every year on certain days, he would personally make paper horses and fold paper ingots, and then burn them as offerings."
"He must have missed the late emperor and his birth mother too much to commemorate them in this way. Do you remember which dates they were? So that I can keep track."
Yang Zhen remembered Mu Hanshi's instructions, which was to tell Shen Qinglu the truth no matter what she asked. He thought this showed that Mu Hanshi valued Shen Qinglu, and thought to himself that his master was very insightful, as if he had known this would happen all along.
He knew those days by heart and could recall them without even having to think about them.
When he mentioned "the ninth day of the fifth month and the third day of the eleventh month", Shen Qinglu's hands, which were resting on her knees, instantly clenched into fists, and she gripped them tightly with all her might until her knuckles turned white.
Her birthday was on the ninth day of the fifth lunar month, and the day she died was on the third day of the eleventh lunar month!
This can't all be a coincidence!
If he really is her brother, why doesn't he acknowledge her as his brother?
She was filled with doubt and astonishment, and in her eyes, which grew increasingly dark due to suppressed emotions, a tall, slender figure, as graceful as a bamboo swaying in the wind, slowly appeared.
"Your Highness." Yang Zhen stood up and bowed.
"What are you talking about?" Mu Hanshi asked casually, sitting down next to her, his deep eyes looking at her. "Why do you look so pale? Didn't you sleep well?"
Her eyes were filled with the image of the person in front of her. Not only did they look completely different, but their personalities were also completely different. How could this person be her brother?
"You asked Steward Yang to give me these things. I thought that your entire fortune might be here, so I kept him here to ask him some questions."
Mu Hanshi glanced at Yang Zhen, who immediately and tactfully retreated outside.
He turned his head and looked directly into her eyes again. "If there's anything you want to know, feel free to ask me."
Can I really ask?
She asked herself, if she were to ask, what kind of answer would she want to get? Would she hope he was her brother, or would she hope he wasn't?
"Okay, if there's anything I want to know in the future, I'll ask you."
Their eyes met, neither looking away nor flinching. To onlookers, it appeared to be a display of deep affection, but only she knew that she was concealing her doubts and anxieties.
Dusk fell, enveloping them in a soft, somber light.
The sound of cicadas could be heard outside, asking if they wanted to light the lamps.
Mu Hanshi reached out and took her hand. "Are you sleepy?"
Her heart skipped a beat, and all the absurdity of the daytime flooded back at her. Fortunately, the dim light obscured the blush on her rosy face.
"Sleepy... or not sleepy? I'm not sure for a moment."
Mu Hanshi chuckled and pulled her to her feet. "Would you like to see what Donglin City looks like when it's lit up?"
She nodded hurriedly, her eyes sparkling, and quickly called Xia Chan in to help her change.
As soon as the master and servant entered the inner room, Mu Hanshi slowly walked out.
"When you handed those things to the Princess just now, did she look at them? Did she ask any questions?"
Yang Zhen did not hide anything and told them everything they had said earlier, word for word.
Mu Hanshi listened without showing any emotion, his eyes as deep as an abyss.
*
Standing on the top floor of Qingfeng Tower, one can see the ultimate splendor and prosperity of the entire Daye Dynasty.
The lights, like stars, adorn the prosperity of this Kyoto.
The aroma of wine and the sounds of music and dance drifted on the wind, lingering around the nose and ears, leaving a lingering aftertaste and a sense of being lost in a dream.
Shen Qinglu stood on the edge, overlooking the unfamiliar bustling city. The breeze caressed her face, and her healthy body felt no discomfort. This feeling almost made her cry tears of joy.
She was experiencing and admiring the scenery, while Mu Han was watching her.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
She nodded without hesitation and murmured, "I like it."
How could I not like it?
She used to try so hard to survive, dreaming that one day she could eat whatever she wanted, play however she wanted, and go wherever she wanted.
Unfortunately, she didn't have a healthy body, so she couldn't do whatever she wanted or go wherever she wanted, and she couldn't even eat whatever she wanted.
Now, can all her wishes come true?
"Tell me what else you like or what you want to do, and I'll help you achieve it."
Mu Hanshi's voice was like a spell, breaking through the barrier in her heart and piercing straight to the deepest part.
"I want to eat, drink, and have fun to my heart's content!"
"Okay, I'll stay with you."
Is this a promise?
Why did you keep making promises to her?
She glanced at the person beside her, her mind racing with unfounded speculations: "Why are you so good to me?"
I love you.
If this person is indeed her brother, does that mean that her feelings for him are not those of a brother and sister, but rather romantic love?
Is this possible?
"Do you really love me? I thought you were just making excuses when you said you had someone you loved. You said you loved me just so I would marry you. And the reason you married me was because of the Shen family."
She blurted out her whole speech, which was tantamount to making things clear and also questioning her.
Mu Hanshi moved closer, his brows slightly lowered, his deep eyes encompassing her. "I married you not for the Shen family, but simply because of you. If you refuse me out of unwillingness, I will still treat you well."
"Really?" Her heart was pounding, as if an answer was about to be revealed.
"Then let me ask you, if you think I married you for the sake of the Shen family, then did you marry me solely for the sake of the Shen family?"
She was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.
Mu Hanshi slowly lowered his head, his breath close to his, "You know better than anyone what kind of person I am, so tell me, why are you still willing to marry me?"
yes.
Hasn't she already seen what kind of person he is?
How could a madman, a lewd man, possibly be her brother? Yet, when she married him, she didn't feel forced at all, and even felt that she wasn't being taken advantage of.
Why?
Her hesitation and uncertainty, in his eyes, were an exciting possibility.
His A'Zhu was very clever. Since she already had some doubts and learned from Yang Zhen about the days he held the memorial service, she must have been even more suspicious of his identity.
Does her not asking or avoiding him mean that although she guesses who he is, she has already accepted their current relationship?
His gaze instantly turned greedy, like a snake flicking its tongue, "No matter who I am, no matter what my status is, do you like me even a little bit?"
Shen Qinglu's mind was like a firework exploding because of his words.
Regardless of who he is or what his status is?
So is he really the older brother?
For a moment, she couldn't tell whether she was looking forward to it or afraid, but the only thing she was sure of was that she desperately wanted to confirm whether he was her brother or not.
The prerequisite is that you don't ask him directly.
There is someone who might be able to confirm this for her.
*
Since being locked in this room, Yu Liuzhu has not seen anyone except for the Shenwu Guards who bring her food.
No matter how she shouted or begged, using both harsh and gentle words, no one paid her any attention.
At first, she still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that someone would come to rescue her. But as the sky went from darkness to light and then back to night, repeating this cycle for three days, she grew increasingly panicked and on the verge of collapse.
She knew the fate of the Demon King's lineage.
His wives, concubines, and children were all imprisoned in the royal villa, and each died in their own way: some died of illness, some died of madness, and some committed suicide. Judging by the days, even the only surviving legitimate daughter should have died by then.
If everyone believes she is the offspring of the Demon King, then all that awaits her is imprisonment until death.
She didn't want this kind of ending!
"I want to see the Prince! I want to see the Prince! Can you hear me?" She had shouted so much the day before that her voice was still hoarse. "I'm telling you, as long as I see the Prince, he will definitely not abandon me... He will definitely help me, just like before."
She was talking to herself, as if trying to convince herself.
“That’s right, he’s different. He’s different from those people. He’s been blinded by that wicked man. If he hadn’t ignored me… he would have saved me when he remembered me.”
There was a noise outside the door; it was the sound of a lock being opened.
Her eyes lit up, and she went to greet him with great joy. But when she saw who it was, her expression changed immediately. "It's you?"
Shen Qinglu walked towards her step by step, her gaze as dark and cold as the freezing night. "Who do you think it is?"
"What are you doing here?" She straightened her messy hair and wrinkled clothes, straightened her back and raised her chin. "Even if I'm locked up here, it's none of your business to laugh at me."
"You know you're a joke." Shen Qinglu glanced around the room, a strange glint in her dark eyes curving her lips. "Are you comfortable living in this room?"
"Why do you ask that?" Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked around in surprise. The room resembled a prison cell. If there was nothing wrong with it, why would this wretched child ask such a question?
Shen Qinglu didn't keep her in suspense and directly answered her question, "It is said that the souls of those who die unjustly are unwilling to leave and will linger in the places they lived in for several days. You may have felt that Qin Mama is still here these days? You know better than anyone who killed her. If she has any resentment or anger, the first person she will look for is you. Aren't you afraid?"
The words "Mother Qin" made her expression change, but she reacted quickly, "Don't try to fool me! Shen Li, don't be too smug. Even if what Mother Qin said is true, she is still of imperial blood."
"So you're admitting you're the daughter of the Demon King?" Shen Qinglu shook her head. "The Demon King has been removed from the royal family and demoted to a commoner. His descendants are all commoners as well. You're an illegitimate child, not even as good as a concubine's daughter. How dare you claim to be of royal blood? The royal family doesn't want someone as filthy as you."
"Who are you calling a filthy person?"
She was deeply provoked, and a sense of malice arose within her involuntarily. Her gaze towards Shen Qinglu was both subtle and terrifying.
Shen Qinglu came to see her alone, so how could she be unprepared? She raised her wrist, revealing an exquisitely crafted hidden arrow.
"You dare to kill me?"
"If you dare to move, I'll kill you."
Even today, Shen Qinglu's words carry great confidence.
She was indeed wary, and slowly withdrew the step she had just taken, her jealousy and hatred rising like wildfire.
Ignoring the jealousy in her eyes, Shen Qinglu walked closer to her, her beautiful face full of mockery, as if deliberately provoking her, "I am now a princess, and the prince is fond of me. Even if I kill you, he will help me clean up the mess."
"You're talking nonsense!" Her expression twisted as if she had been hit where it hurt. "You think you've won? Let me tell you, the only reason the prince married you is because you're the Shen family's niece. He doesn't have you in his heart at all!"
"If the person in his heart isn't me, then is it you?" Shen Qinglu's expression became increasingly sarcastic as she continued to provoke her. "In your so-called dream, did he help you? You're really deluding yourself. You don't actually think that his help means he has feelings for you, do you? It's just because he knows you're the bastard child of the Demon King and feels pity for you."
"No, that's not how it is!"
"What is it like?"
She suddenly laughed, a smug look on her twisted face. "He cares about me as a person, not who I am. He painted my portrait and called me A'Zhu with such affection. Tell me, if he doesn't love me, what is he?"
Just as I thought!
In an instant, an overwhelming surge of joy rushed towards Shen Qinglu like a torrent. She couldn't bear it for a moment and subconsciously grabbed the pillar next to her.
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