Chapter 90 He pulled her into a tight embrace, his gaze hazy and dreamlike. ...
*
Shen Linlang rushed over and saw them from afar.
Seeing her son with his arm around someone's shoulder, looking like two buddies, and then seeing her daughter smiling at them, it was clear that they had a very harmonious relationship.
As she relaxed, a thought suddenly occurred to her, and she slowed her pace, carefully observing Cheng Ying from a short distance.
A promising young man, already a commander of the Divine Martial Guard at such a young age, demonstrating his exceptional abilities. With the support of the Marquis of Yongyi's family, his future is undoubtedly bright.
If someone with no parents were to be taken as a son-in-law, he would likely be willing to live in his wife's family home.
“Mother, look how close Lord Cheng and Second Brother are, they seem like a family.”
"Yes, it's just like a family." Shen Linlang subconsciously replied, then immediately realized what she meant, turned around, and paused for a moment, "Why are you here?"
Yu Liuzhu frowned, her face looking even more sickly than the previous two days. She was slightly out of breath from walking so fast. "I heard that Inspector Guan has come again. I'm afraid something might happen..."
Shen Linlang's expression softened. "It's kind of you to have this thought in your heart."
“No matter what happens, even if I’m not Mother’s biological daughter, you will always be my family in my heart.” Yu Liuzhu said, her eyes reddening. “I know that Sister Ali doesn’t like me, so I won’t go over there to annoy her. I think she would rather talk to Lord Cheng than see me.”
Her words were loaded with meaning, leaving one no choice but to overthink them.
If it were an ordinary person, they would surely follow her words and try to guess Shen Qinglu's feelings for Cheng Ying, and thus come up with some ideas, which would be exactly what she planned.
But upon hearing this, Shen Linlang felt a pang of anxiety, not wondering about Shen Qinglu's thoughts, but rather about her own.
"Tang'er, can you help your mother tell me what kind of person Lord Cheng is?"
"Lord Cheng is only a few months older than me, yet he is already a commander of the Divine Martial Guard. His future is immeasurable. He is a rare fine man throughout the capital."
She was telling the truth.
In his previous life, Cheng Ying had been promoted to the position of Pacification Commissioner, and many people approached the Marquis's mansion, hoping to arrange a marriage between them.
What a pity.
This seemingly decent young man harbored a hidden abnormality. Everyone assumed he was indifferent to women, unaware that he was androgynous and had homosexual tendencies.
The thought of how close the other person was to Mu Lin in private, and their rejection and dislike of her, fills her with hatred.
How wonderful it would be if the people she hates could all gather together and be despised and ridiculed by the world!
“You’re right, I think this child is quite good.” Shen Linlang seemed to agree with her. “You should go back now, lest Ali be unhappy when she sees you later.”
She left looking very obedient and extremely sensible.
Shen Linlang watched her retreating figure, her eyes gradually turning cold, filled with complex and heartbroken emotions.
This is the season when all flowers are in full bloom. If it were in the past, her clothes would have been different each day, following the colors of the flowers, instead of being extremely simple and plain every day.
The more they were pampered and loved in the past, the more disappointed they are now.
Shen Linlang sighed softly and turned to walk towards Shen Qinglu and the others.
When she heard Shen Qinglu say that she wanted to invite Cheng Ying to dinner, she immediately said that she would have someone arrange it. "You and Erlang are good friends. You were kind enough to help me today. If you have nothing to do in the future, feel free to come to our house for dinner."
"Mother, I already promised Lord Cheng and my second brother that we'd eat out this time, is that alright?"
Her first reaction was that it was inappropriate, but when she met Shen Qinglu's expectant gaze, she swallowed her objections and nodded with a smile in agreement.
After Yu Jingliang and Cheng Ying left, the mother and daughter also went to the inner courtyard.
Passing through the moon gate and winding corridors, the scenery suddenly opens up.
The garden is bursting with new greenery—green leaves, green grass—coexisting with the old green that survived the harsh winter. Pink and white peach blossoms bloom in profusion, showcasing the vibrant life force of spring.
This is the spring Shen Qinglu was looking forward to before her death. Although in a different time and space, the green before her eyes is still green, and the flowers before her eyes are still flowers, making one sigh that it is good to be alive.
Living is her goal, and she will persevere even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance. Anyone or anything that goes against her goal is an obstacle to her.
"I saw her from afar just now, and it seemed like she was coming too."
This "she" refers to Yu Liuzhu, of course.
Shen Linlang hummed in agreement, followed by a sigh. She had so much to say, yet for a moment she didn't know what to say. After a long while, she forced a smile and asked, "What do you think of Lord Cheng?"
"Lord Cheng's temperament is not pleasing, and his words are not always pleasant to hear, but he is not a bad person. He is the kind of person who can win people's hearts with sincerity."
"Didn't you notice anything wrong with him?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglu had a sudden realization, "Mother, did she say something?"
Shen Linlang's eyes showed a look of relief. This child was so intelligent that there should be nothing that could be hidden from him. She then repeated what Yu Liuzhu had said.
"I don't dare to believe what she said; I always feel that something is wrong."
Shen Qinglu looked into the distance and saw a flash of green.
Her eyes were cold and dark. "There are indeed some things wrong, but they don't concern us."
*
As dusk fell, the shops, restaurants, and brothels in Xiang City gradually lit up, soon illuminating the entire area. It was as if the scene had changed abruptly in an instant, from bustling and lively to dazzlingly lit.
In the most dazzling and bustling place stands the first building in Donglin City: Qingfeng Tower.
From the outside, the soaring eaves and upturned corners of the magnificent buildings resemble a celestial palace fallen to earth. Inside, the flying bridges, railings, and embroidered terraces, along with the exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, create a scene of unparalleled beauty, truly a paradise on earth.
The location was chosen by Cheng Ying, and the room she booked was a private room on the second floor of the southwest building. Pushing open the large inward-facing window, one could see the opulence of the building and watch geisha performances.
The antique and magnificent architecture impressed Shen Qinglu greatly.
Yu Jingliang and Cheng Ying both changed into casual clothes, looking like fine young men in their prime. One was handsome and bright, while the other was delicate and beautiful.
The three sat around the table, and none of them seemed uncomfortable.
Qingfenglou's food and wine are naturally excellent, offering a wide variety of delicacies from land and sea, whether grilled, roasted, stir-fried, pan-fried, or stewed, each with a flavor that lingers in the memory. Their sake and spirits are renowned, whether brewed with snow water or infused with flowers and fruits, each with an elegant name.
When Cheng Ying asked her if she could drink alcohol, she honestly shook her head.
Because of her physical condition in her past life, Shen Qinglu couldn't do whatever she wanted, whether it was food or drink. She had many dietary restrictions and had never drunk alcohol.
Cheng Ying had another type of wine sent over and said to her, "This Ice Jade Dew is brewed from the first snow that falls on bamboo leaves. It has a clear and elegant taste and is not strong. You can try it."
She was quite tempted and let the other person pour her wine, even taking the initiative to raise her glass.
In the end, this was a thank-you banquet, and as the person expressing gratitude, her actions were perfectly justifiable.
Just as Cheng Ying said, the taste of Bingbi Xuelu was indeed elegant, with a scent reminiscent of cool bamboo, and a lingering sweet aftertaste that lingered on the lips and teeth. It was a taste she had never experienced in her previous life.
She was experiencing this new flavor for the first time, and it was understandable that she felt a bit curious.
The three of them sat down at the table, and the atmosphere quickly warmed up as they toasted and exchanged drinks.
Whether watching the singing and dancing downstairs, eating the dishes she had forbidden in her past life, or drinking, she never hid her true reactions, her black jade eyes seeming to sparkle with starlight.
Seeing this, Yu Jingliang felt pity for her and said, "Ali, if you want to go out and play in the future, your second brother will accompany you."
She became happy, her beautiful eyebrows curving like the bright moon in the night sky.
Cheng Ying leisurely played with the glass cup in his hand. As his eyes flickered, a different kind of charm seemed to flash by. He looked at Shen Qinglu and said casually, "If you are willing, I can accompany you."
"Then I'll raise another glass here to thank you, Lord Cheng."
"The title 'Lord Cheng' sounds too formal, and calling you 'Miss Ali' also sounds too formal. I'm a few months older than you, so I'm practically your older brother. How about I call you Ali from now on?"
As the wine took effect, Shen Qinglu's pretty face flushed red, making her even more alluring. Hearing this, she nodded obediently, "Then I'll call you Brother Cheng."
“No.” Yu Jingliang waved his hand, his brows furrowed. “That’s not appropriate. If you call him Brother Cheng and me Second Brother, wouldn’t it make it sound like I’m younger than him to outsiders?”
He was two years older than Cheng Yingnian. It was one thing if he couldn't suppress her in terms of official rank and ability, but he couldn't even be addressed as inferior to her by his own sister.
Shen Qinglu guessed his thoughts and couldn't help but smile, "Or I can call him Brother Cheng, or Brother Aying."
“Brother Cheng sounds awkward, and Brother Ying sounds too intimate; neither is appropriate.” Yu Jingliang suddenly slammed his hand on the table and took Cheng Ying’s hand. “Lord Cheng, how about we become sworn brothers?”
"..."
Cheng Ying's face instantly turned red, whether from the smell of alcohol or something else, she didn't know. She pulled her hand away and said with a hint of disgust, "Once you join the Divine Martial Guard, everyone is a brother. Why do we need to swear brotherhood?"
Yu Jingliang refused and tried to pull him back, saying, "How can this be the same? Do you look down on me?"
Their relationship used to be somewhat strained, with each secretly trying to outdo the other. Recently, things have improved considerably, and they appear to be friends on the surface.
He smirked, a hint of disdain in his expression, and said with a sarcastic tone, "You're so stupid, why would I drink with you if I didn't like you?"
“That’s true.” Yu Jingliang chuckled, then his face darkened immediately, and he grabbed the other hand, refusing to let go. “Then why won’t you become sworn brothers with me?”
"If we are true friends, why do we need to become sworn brothers?"
"It's fine if we don't become sworn brothers. From now on, I won't call you Lord Cheng; I'll call you Aying."
"what ever."
Both of his hands were being held by Yu Jingliang, as if they were being pulled to their limit.
Shen Qinglu rested her chin on her hand and watched them finish their tug-of-war before they started drinking together, one cup after another.
After a while, she felt herself getting more and more tipsy, her whole body felt soft and relaxed, and her mind was also a little lightheaded, as if she were floating on clouds, feeling indescribably comfortable, as if she had returned to her old home, feeling indescribably at ease.
This sense of security made her not want to think about anything, so she simply lay lazily on the table, her gaze fixed on the door of the private room.
Her gaze was unfocused, like water or mist.
The mist blurred her vision, giving her hallucinations and illusions, as if someone would push open the door and gently call her, "A-Zhu."
When the door was pushed open, she saw a somewhat familiar face, young and handsome, looking at her.
elder brother……
For a moment, she couldn't distinguish between dream and reality, nor did she know where she was.
In a daze, she walked towards the man.
In a moment, someone shifted into another's place and was embraced by her.
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