~ Liu Liang is the Beijiang Royal Family ~
Ni Yun Fang had opened its doors early that morning. Even on New Year’s Day, customers kept coming without pause.
Mu Yunyao entered through the back door and headed straight upstairs, without drawing anyone’s attention.
Liu Liang had been waiting in the room since early morning. When he saw her arrive, he hurried forward and bowed. “This subordinate greets Master.”
“No need for ceremony. How are things with Qi Ming?” Though Wei Jiu had been relaying messages to her in the palace, hearing the news firsthand made her feel more at ease.
“Reporting to Master, Qi Ming is safe for the time being. He has also sent word that Jin Wang has already begun contacting the Beijiang people. The letter Master arranged has already had its effect.”
When Liu Liang first read the letter, he felt uneasy. It seemed too careless and childish. Jin Wang was so cunning that surely he would not fall for it. Yet, to his surprise, Jin Wang slowly accepted it and even started secretly reaching out to Beijiang.
Mu Yunyao nodded. “Remind Qi Ming to be extremely cautious. If he notices anything even slightly amiss, he must withdraw from Jin Wang’s side immediately. Jin Wang is very calculating and always thinks things through. There’s no telling what he might do.”
She had spent years by that man’s side, studying his thoughts every day. Over time, she came to understand him. He trusted his own skills too much. If a plan seemed perfect, he would suspect a trap. So she did the opposite: the letter she sent was full of flaws. Because it looked suspicious, he became uncertain. Once doubt took hold, he would keep thinking about it until it slowly settled in his mind.
As she spoke, Mu Yunyao noticed that Liu Liang seemed distracted.
“Liu Liang, what’s wrong?”
Liu Liang clenched his fists and looked up at her. A trace of struggle flashed through his usually empty eyes. After a long moment, he suddenly dropped to his knees.
“Master…”
Before he could continue, a knock sounded at the door.
Mu Yunyao looked up. Jin Lan hurried in, clearly flustered.
“Miss, the Beijiang princess has arrived. She seems to know that you’re upstairs and asked this servant to come report. She says she wishes to ask you why you are detaining her royal brother.”
Mu Yunyao froze. “Her royal brother? Did you hear correctly?”
Jin Lan shook her head quickly. “This servant also found it unbelievable when I heard it and asked the Princess to confirm it again. She definitely said, “Royal brother.”
Liu Liang’s face turned pale, and his eyelashes trembled uncontrollably.
“Master… the royal brother Helian Luoli mentioned… is me.”
Mu Yunyao shot to her feet, astonishment filling her heart. “Liu Liang… you… You are of the Beijiang royal family?”
“Master may punish me.”
Jin Lan gasped in shock and hurried to Mu Yunyao’s side to steady her arm. “Miss…”
Mu Yunyao frowned deeply. Ever since she had discovered Liu Liang’s extraordinary abilities, she had secretly wondered about his background. Yet no matter how boldly she speculated, she had never imagined he might be a member of Beijiang’s royal family.
“If you are royalty, how did you end up a slave?”
“My birth mother was a woman of the Dali Dynasty captured by Beijiang raiders. Because of her beauty, she was presented to the king of Beijiang. Later, she became pregnant and gave birth to me, after which she was bestowed upon a meritorious Beijiang general as a reward. Unable to endure the humiliation, she died. I grew up in the Beijiang royal palace as a slave. Later, I attempted to assassinate the general who had dishonored my mother and was imprisoned in Tiger Prison. By chance, I escaped and eventually fled to the Dali Dynasty. I was badly wounded and sold to a slave broker. That was when I met Master.”
Liu Liang kept his head lowered, his face growing paler.
He knew well the common saying of the Dali Dynasty: Those not of our kind will never share our hearts. Moreover, his origins were a disgrace he rarely spoke of.
He had imagined countless times how his identity might be exposed. But he had never expected it to happen in such a sudden and humiliating way.
The room fell deathly silent.
Seeing Mu Yunyao’s serious expression, Jin Lan pressed her lips together and did not dare speak.
Suddenly, Liu Liang drew a dagger from his sleeve and pointed it at his chest.
“Master need not worry. I will never implicate you.”
Mu Yunyao’s brows drew together, and anger flashed across her face, something rarely seen.
“Liu Liang, do you still recognize me as your master?”
He shuddered. Meeting the fury in her eyes, he felt a chill spread through him, freezing his entire body.
“Master…”
Mu Yunyao took a deep breath, strode forward, and snatched the dagger from his hand. Only after restraining herself several times did she suppress the anger in her heart.
“Stand up. Go stand to the side and say nothing. Jin Lan, go tell the Beijiang princess that the noise downstairs is too loud and invite her upstairs to speak.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Soon, the Beijiang princess followed Jin Lan upstairs.
The moment she saw Liu Liang, a brilliant light flashed through her eyes.
“Sixth Brother. It has been a long time. Are you well?”
Liu Liang glanced coldly at Helian Luoli, his gaze utterly devoid of emotion.
This Princess had the face of spring blossoms but the heart of a venomous snake. Over the years, more than a few of her brothers and sisters had died at her hands.
Mu Yunyao turned to Jin Lan. “Jin Lan, our guest has arrived. Why aren’t you serving tea?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Helian Luoli turned her gaze toward Mu Yunyao, her eyes shimmering with intrigue.
“Greetings, Princess Wenxian. My Sixth Brother is quiet by nature and rarely speaks to anyone. For you to keep him by your side, PrPrincessust have put in considerable effort.”
More than two years ago, she had already begun searching for Liu Liang. She had combed through the entirety of Beijiang without success. Only later had she discovered a clue within a merchant caravan, eventually deducing that he had fled to the Dali Dynasty.
Mu Yunyao smiled faintly.
“For the Princess to find her way to me so quickly must have required considerable effort as well. Let us not waste time with polite evasions. If the Princess has something to say, speak plainly.”
Helian Luoli removed her veil, revealing a face of mesmerizing beauty.
“Princess speaks strangely. I merely came to express my gratitude for taking care of my Sixth Brother for so long. There is no other meaning. Princess is overthinking things.”
Mu Yunyao looked at her with a half-smile.
When Jin Lan brought the tea, Mu Yunyao lifted the cup and took a delicate sip.
“If the Princesses have nothing else to say, then please try some tea from the Dali Dynasty—Lu’an Guapian. It is excellent for calming the mind. Tell me whether the Princess enjoys it.”
“Thank you, Princess Wenxian. But as the saying goes, people cherish their homeland, and the moon shines brightest over home. No matter how fine the tea of the Dali Dynasty may be, it cannot compare with one’s homeland.”
“I personally prefer the phrase, when in a place, follow its customs. After all, people must always move forward.”
Jin Lan stood silently at the side, barely daring to breathe.
Though her mistress and the Beijiang princess had only exchanged a few sentences, the air in the room felt tense enough to cut with a blade.
Helian Luoli took a sip of tea. As her sleeve moved, it shimmered like flowing water. Her movements were elegant and fluid, revealing that she was extremely familiar with the etiquette and customs of the Dali Dynasty.
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