"Understood, take care of yourself. That person seems formidable, capable of instantly disappearing."
After Yang Jinping's instructions, he swiftly flew along the riverbank to search.
Ji Yu didn't stop either, commanding people to search in different directions, leaving no corner unchecked.
"Hoo!" Su Qi emerged from the water, taking a deep breath and removing the straw from his mouth. He smiled, grateful for his mother's ingenious method. Using a straw to breathe in the water made things much easier, and it saved him from a disaster.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the Duke Zhen's residence, Su Li, accompanied by a small fox, followed his younger brother's scent and arrived there. Su Li's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings like an eagle.
Observing the guards searching with torches, Su Li remained calm as he stood on the rooftop.
Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a small head emerging from the river, followed by a fast-approaching figure.
Su Li's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "Xiao Li, lead that person away."
"Leave it to me," Xiao Li swiftly ran towards the figure.
Yang Jinping noticed a fleeting shadow and felt a hint of doubt, but he still quickly chased after it.
Su Li gathered his strength and swiftly pulled the head, which was about to sink back into the water, out of the river.
"Cough...," Su Qi couldn't believe he had been pulled out of the water as if someone had plucked a radish.
"Who? Release me, young master."
"Shut up," Su Li replied coldly.
Upon hearing his brother's voice, Su Qi shivered in shock.
In the river, the shadows of the guards swiftly passed by, and then there was no more movement.
Ji Yu on the riverbank had already lost patience.
Speculating in his mind, he thought the person was likely no longer in the river.
"Everyone, come up. Let's search outside for this young master."
Ji Yu's words filled the guards with joy, and they all hurriedly went ashore.
Su Li, with Su Qi in tow, headed straight for the outskirts of Duke Zhen's residence. Before long, the two brothers found themselves in a deserted alley.
Feeling the surge of spiritual energy emanating from his brother, which was much stronger than before, Su Qi looked at Su Li with excitement.
"Brother, have you made another breakthrough?"
"First stage of the Divine Profound Realm. I just advanced. I didn't sense your aura, so I came looking for you. You're getting bolder, but if Ji Yu catches you, it'll be a dead end for you."
Su Li looked at his little brother with cold eyes. Qi'er's courage was indeed growing.
However, when he saw his brother's hands wrinkled from being soaked and his whole body exhausted, he felt a mix of heartache and anger. If their mother knew, she would be so worried.
"Brother, don't worry! Qi'er made sure to escape first. During the day, I overheard Ji Rui and Helan Min planning to cause trouble on the day our store opened. I couldn't bear it, so I wanted to teach them a lesson."
Su Qi shivered, feeling the chill of the early spring. He had spent nearly half an hour in the river, determined and ignoring the coldness of the water. It was only after coming ashore that he felt the cold.
Su Li tenderly held his little brother's hand and used his spiritual energy. Soon, Su Qi's wet clothes were completely dry.
"Eat a few pills to prevent catching a cold, so our mother won't worry."
Although they had safely left Duke Zhen's residence, Su Li could still sense the pursuit. The ghostly figure on the riverbank made him realize that the person's cultivation level surpassed his own. He wondered how long Xiao Li could hold on.
"Brother, don't worry, Qi'er won't catch a cold. Let's go back."
"Okay!" Su Li nodded. As long as they left Duke Zhen's residence, it would be as difficult for Ji Yu to find them in the vast capital as ascending to the heavens.
"Ji Yu, it seems we won't find the person tonight. They're cunning, or perhaps there's an insider helping them."
Yang Jinping chased after Xiao Li outside Duke Zhen's residence. His speed was already very fast, but he still lost track. He could only return in disappointment.
"Hmph! Damn it! I, Ji Yu, have been played with multiple times."
Ji Yu fiercely kicked a tree beside him, unable to suppress his anger. Thunderous fury burned in his eyes.
"Master, we found this black robe not far from the riverside."
At that moment, a guard quickly approached Ji Yu, holding a black robe.
Ji Yu coldly glanced at it, quickly recognizing the owner of the garment. He furrowed his brows and said, "Isn't this Lan Jie's robe?"
"Lan Jie's robe?" Yang Jinping was familiar with Lan Jie as well.
"Is it possible? Lan Jie's cultivation level isn't high, and he doesn't have the ability to elude my sight."
Yang Jinping felt puzzled. The mysterious figure tonight was strange. Judging by the height, it didn't seem like Lan Jie at all.
"Hmph! Nothing is impossible in this world. It's also possible that Lan Jie was pretending in front of us while secretly plotting to ruin Ji Yu's reputation. Don't forget, Lan Jie is very jealous."
Enraged, Ji Yu didn't have time to ponder. He suspected it was Lan Jie's doing.
"Whether it's him or not, we'll know tomorrow morning. Most of the people present tonight are our trusted men. If it's really Lan Jie, news about you and Ji Rui will spread throughout the capital of Haoyue Kingdom."
Yang Jinping's face revealed a trace of worry.
"People tend to believe rumors, but a thousand voices can't beat one's own judgment. They spread malicious slander, but you're a man. You can brush it off with a smile. However, it's different for Ji Rui. Her whole life could be ruined."
"I know that without you reminding me." Ji Yu was furious, but he had no outlet to vent his anger.
He glanced at the guards beside him and said, "Lin Hui, take some men and search the streets and alleys of the capital. Especially find out where the rumors originated in the early morning. Report back immediately once you have any information."
"Yes, young master," Lin Hui turned around and left with a group of guards.
"Jinpeng, as you know, Zhiyang and Zhihe are both dead, and I don't have any trustworthy confidants by my side for now. Stay in the capital and help me during this period."
"Since you've asked, I will naturally stay and assist you," Yang Jinping glanced at Ji Yu. Seeing Ji Yu's actions tonight, he suddenly felt that this friend was not as outwardly humble as he usually appeared.
After all, it was his own sister. Even if they had a bit too much to drink tonight, it wouldn't lead to them sharing a bed. Judging by their appearance, it wasn't the first time either.
"Thank you, Jinping," Ji Yu looked at Jinping with gratitude.
"Go rest now!" Yang Jinping said lightly and turned to leave.
Su Li and Su Qi safely returned to Mingyue Manor.
It was already late at night, and the two brothers quietly entered their rooms.
Su Qi pushed open his room door and leaned against it when he closed it, taking a deep breath. They had finally arrived home. Well, he had been in the water for a long time, and he was feeling uncomfortable.
"Young master, you're back." The sound of the door closing startled Li Xiaonuan.
Li Xiaonuan looked at Su Qi with delight.
"Ah! Scared me, young master."
Su Qi patted his chest and glared at Li Xiaonuan.
"Li Xiaonuan, why aren't you asleep at this late hour? What are you doing in my room?"
Su Qi walked over, wearing an unfriendly expression.
Li Xiaonuan bit her lip, feeling wronged.
"Young master, Li Xiaonuan was worried about you. Aunt Qinglian came over just now..."
"Ah! Aunt Qinglian came over? What did she say?" Su Qi wasn't afraid of anything except his mother finding out he had gone out in the middle of the night.
"After Aunt Qinglian came in, Li Xiaonuan pretended to be you and slept on your bed. Aunt Qinglian didn't say anything and left."
"Oh!" Su Qi instantly breathed a sigh of relief. "Li Xiaonuan, not bad, huh? Your reactions are getting faster. It seems you learn things quickly. In the future, when I go out to play, try to cover up between Aunt Qinglian and my mother. That way, I won't have to endure punishment in the dark room."
Su Qi's mood instantly improved! He looked at Li Xiaonuan with a smile in his eyes.
"Young master, isn't it dangerous to go out at night?"
Li Xiaonuan said with concern. Moreover, many times, her words were not necessarily believed by the Manor Lord.
"Li Xiaonuan, do you not trust your young master's abilities? Go, go, go back and rest. I'm tired!"
Su Qi waved his hand like shooing away a fly and gestured for Li Xiaonuan to leave.
Li Xiaonuan blinked her eyes, raised her head, her small face looking a little dim. She pursed her lips and quietly walked away.
After taking a pill, Su Qi quickly fell asleep.
Overnight, some were happy, some were worried, and some spent the night cultivating their profound energy to prove their abilities.
In the early morning, Su Zimo slowly woke up, feeling uncomfortable with the soreness all over her body.
Thinking of last night's madness, Su Zimo's face filled with anger. She quickly got up, not hesitating to kick the still sleeping handsome man off the bed, along with the bedding. Mu Yunxuan tumbled onto the floor.
Mu Yunxuan landed heavily on the ground, opening his drowsy eyes and looked at Su Zimo on the bed with a face full of grievances.
"Mo'er, you really have a heavy foot."
Mu Yunxuan got up from the ground and wrapped himself in the blanket.
Laughing with a cold smile, Mu Yunxuan looked at Su Zimo and shamelessly climbed back onto the bed, sharing some of the blanket with the disheveled Su Zimo.
Su Zimo glared at him. "Mu Yunxuan, do you plan to stay at Mingyue Manor forever?"
"Mo'er, look at what you're saying. Everyone in the world knows that we're husband and wife. Whether it's in Cloud City or at Mingyue Manor, it's my home."
Mu Yunxuan had a mischievous smile on his face. He knew Su Zimo's true anger, but she was too tempting, and he couldn't control himself. Each time he made her tired because of his past, but in the near future, they might have a daughter and son together.
"Hmph!" With a single word, Su Zimo's inner anger subsided a little. A home was what she longed for. From the beginning when she was alone in this world, to having children, and now having Mu Yunxuan, she also yearned for a complete family.
"I can let it slide this time, but if there's a next time, you better roll back to Cloud City."
Su Zimo knew that he understood her meaning. Although she enjoyed the process as well, she always felt exhausted every time she woke up.
Quickly getting off the bed, Su Zimo headed to the secret chamber to take a bath. This time, she had made changes to the mechanism, ensuring that Mu Yunxuan wouldn't be able to enter.
Mu Yunxuan looked at her disappearing figure with a distant smile, shaking his head and laughing. He returned to the bed and looked at the ceiling, his face filled with happiness. The recent days felt like a dream, so beautiful that it seemed unreal.
In his heart, there was always one thought—finding his soulmate and living a peaceful life. And now, it seemed like he had found it.
This passionate love was enchanting, like the brilliant stars in the night sky, sparkling throughout one's life.
After finishing her bath, Su Zimo dressed herself and removed her mask. She often applied a light touch of makeup as well.
Returning to the bedroom, she saw Mu Yunxuan still on the bed, but she didn't pay him any attention.
Su Zimo walked to the dressing table and looked at her enchanting reflection in the bronze mirror. After six years, she still wasn't fully accustomed to her face. She wore a mask because she wasn't used to it.
Su Zimo applied some homemade toner, then applied foundation. She picked up an eyebrow pencil and gently filled in her eyebrows. This was her own creation since coming here—a brow pencil made with ingredients like beeswax and charcoal, which didn't fade easily and was healthy to use, mainly consisting of natural plant-based formulas.
Just as she finished, Mu Yunxuan was already dressed and appeared in front of the bronze mirror. He picked up a wooden comb from the dressing table and gently brushed Su Zimo's hair.
Su Zimo's expression froze as she watched Mu Yunxuan comb her hair in the mirror. It was a beautiful scene, one that made her want to freeze time in that moment.
"Mo'er, your hair is so soft."
"Can you tie it up?" Su Zimo looked at him in the mirror and asked softly.
"I can't, but I want to give it a try."
Mu Yunxuan looked at her affectionately and smiled. He imitated her usual hairstyle and managed to create a similar one.
Su Zimo stared at him intently as he adorned her with a tassel. In an instant, her reflection in the bronze mirror became even more beautiful.
Elegant and graceful, she stood before the bronze mirror, ink-like hair as her garment, holding hands with the comb as they crossed the passionate journey, but leaving some strands of hair in the front.
Mo'er, I hope my lifelong affection as Mu Yunxuan can exchange for your eternal companionship.
Mu Yunxuan looked at the beautiful face in the bronze mirror and silently spoke in his heart...
With the shop's opening approaching, Su Zimo became busy. However, amidst the busyness, she still found time to visit Murong Shaofeng in the Siyu Pavilion where he resided. She genuinely considered Murong Shaofeng as a friend, the first one who extended a helping hand to her in this foreign world.
As Su Zimo entered the courtyard of Siyu Pavilion, her eyes were greeted by a sea of pink camellias. She widened her eyes in surprise, realizing that amidst her busyness, the camellias in Siyu Pavilion had bloomed so luxuriantly.
Looking up, she saw Murong Shaofeng, dressed in white, sitting beneath the octagonal pavilion. His face was as exquisite as jade, with a pair of eyes as clear as crystal submerged in water. A faint smile curved his lips, blending with the purity of his eyes to create an extremely beautiful scene. His serene figure was gentle and divine, exuding nobility and elegance. Su Zimo suddenly felt a desire not to disturb such tranquil beauty, but to quietly observe it.
Although Murong Shaofeng was born into the royal family, he was different from other royal descendants. His heart was always clear, his temperament always calm, and his eyes were always gentle when looking at her.
"Mo Mo," Murong Shaofeng exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Su Zimo.
Su Zimo snapped back to reality and smiled, "Shaofeng, you really captivated me just now. Amidst this sea of flowers, coupled with your angelic presence, I really don't want to disrupt this beauty."
"You! Since when did you start making jokes?" Murong Shaofeng stood up, his eyes becoming downcast, and a hint of bitterness appeared on his lips. She could only see his good side, but not his feelings.
"Sit," Murong Shaofeng pointed to the stone bench opposite him.
"Sure!" Su Zimo sat down, and the maidservant brought tea before quickly retreating.
"Do you still feel comfortable living here? My Bright Moon Villa is nothing compared to your Prince's Residence."
Murong Shaofeng looked at her, knowing that wherever she was, he could adapt.
He just wouldn't say it.
"If I weren't comfortable, I wouldn't have stayed for so long."
"That's good!" Su Zimo smiled, feeling a twinge of guilt. "Shaofeng, I'm sorry!"
Murong Shaofeng stared at her intently. She had never apologized to him before. Could it be that she had discovered something?
"Mo Mo..."
"Shaofeng, you are my best friend, but I've been hiding something from you."
In an instant, Murong Shaofeng's anxious heart calmed down. He thought she had discovered his feelings, but he preferred her never knowing. He could bear the pain alone; there was no need to burden Mo Mo.
"Mo Mo, are you referring to Li'er's father?" He knew everything about her, including that Mu Yunxuan was Li'er's father, which caught him off guard.
"Yes, that's the hardest thing for me to talk about. Filled with hatred, I had planned to come back for revenge. At that time, all I wanted was to make the Mu family, the ruling family, and the Su family owe me everything. But when I returned, I discovered that many things were different from what I had expected."
Murong Shaofeng quietly watched her, understanding the torment and pain she had endured at that time. However, she had rejected his help, and he knew her reasons for doing so.
"Mo Mo, regardless of the outcome, I have only one wish: for you to find happiness!"
Murong Shaofeng deliberated in his heart, finally expressing his words.
Seeing the anguish in his clear eyes, Su Zimo furrowed her brows. "Shaofeng, you..."
Su Zimo suddenly didn't know how to ask, but she could clearly feel the pain emanating from Shaofeng's body. Her thoughts were in turmoil...
"Mo Mo, we're opening all the shops the day after tomorrow. Do you still have the energy to chat with me here?"
Murong Shaofeng suddenly changed the topic, his beautiful and clear eyes fixed on Su Zimo, filled with deep doting.
The breeze brushed past, lifting a few strands of her playful hair, creating a beautiful and captivating scene amidst the sea of flowers.
"Shaofeng, everything is arranged. Yun Ting and Shi Yu are busy with the preparations, and Mother Mo and the others have already familiarized themselves with the goods and business model in the shops. They will adapt quickly, and there shouldn't be any major issues on the opening day."
Su Zimo sensed Murong Shaofeng's sudden change and didn't dwell on it. As she talked about the business, a confident light gleamed in her eyes.
"Your capabilities are recognized by everyone. I'm certain that you'll do even better here in Haoyue Country than on the border!" Murong Shaofeng had great confidence in her, and in a few years, it was highly likely that she would surpass Yun City.
"Naturally, whether it's here or on the border, I devote myself wholeheartedly. To make the business grow and prosper, we need integrity as the foundation and prioritize quality. In the eyes of customers, every product should first attract their interest, then evoke associations, leading to a desire to buy. Then comes comparison and consideration, followed by the decision to take action and satisfaction, which ultimately builds trust. This process cannot be achieved in an instant; it requires customers to experience the benefits and trust brought by the product. That's where our true value lies."
Su Zimo understood one thing very clearly: the people here valued authenticity.
"While your advantage lies in your products, what's even more important is your ability to capture customers' hearts. Under your leadership, I have already become very wealthy. But no one ever complains about having too much money. When your business here takes off, I will also gradually open stores in Xingyue Country. We have already agreed that all the goods will come from you, and we will split the profits fifty-fifty."
Murong Shaofeng looked at her with a beaming smile, and her confident appearance made him feel extremely happy as well.
"Well! Shaofeng, you know, I'm at a bit of a loss with a fifty-fifty split. After all, I'm responsible for production. But since we're best friends, I won't mind."
Although Su Zimo said so, her face was filled with joy.
Sometimes, success is not about walking when others walk, but about continuing to walk when others stop. When she was just starting out, Shaofeng was the one who lent her a helping hand, even with a fifty-fourty split. She wouldn't mind.
"Hehe! Then I'm getting a great deal." Murong Shaofeng laughed heartily. This kind of companionship made him feel incredibly happy.
As Mu Yunxuan entered Siyu Pavilion, he witnessed a scene that made his eyes ache.