Chapter 125 - Yours Truly Does Not and Will Not Owe Favors (1/2)
“Sit down and relax!”
Many delicacies had already been laid on a worn and old table, courtesy of Chu Qingcheng’s cooking. She was still hiding her face behind the veil, but her every gesture and elegant demeanor made her seem like the perfect wife. Her tone was neither haughty nor overbearing. She acted just like any ordinary young wife receiving faraway guests.
The trio stiffly took seats. They had Chu Qingcheng’s invitation, but this does not mean that their heart was at ease.
On the contrary, Zhuo Fan was feeling right at home after having spent time with Chu Qingcheng the past few days. His movements were casual and frank. He spoke normally – like a simple family.
Dong Tianba began to envy him. [Lil’ bro must have had quite the heavenly fortune for Chu Qingcheng to look at him.]
Xiao Dandan and Dong Xiaowan were staring at him all this time, but Chu Qingcheng’s presence left them sour inside.
They felt inadequate in front of such a world-class beauty that they lowered their heads.
They passed the day in a peaceful and cheerful manner. Once dusk was setting in, Chu Qingcheng sighed, “It’s getting late and we should part ways!”
“What parting do you speak of when tomorrow’s the Hundred Pill Meeting?” Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.
Shaking her head in sorrow, Chu Qingcheng pulled his hand and said to the rest, “Come with me.”
She walked ahead, with others rushing to catch up. They soon turned to a lonely road where a worn-out carriage stood.
That carriage belonged to none other than the Song clan Zhuo Fan reappropriated.
There were also six people standing close to it. Dong Tianba’s four elders and the Peony and Iris Overseers standing at the front of the group.
This caught them by surprise, not understanding what was going on.
“Go.”
Chu Qingcheng pointed at the carriage, “Leave by night and make haste in hiding your clans. You may still have a chance to survive!”
“W-what’s going on? Edifice Lord Chuchu, why are you driving us away? Did we offend you?” Dong Tianba cried, so scared his legs were quaking.
Chu Qingcheng shook her head, “Forgive me. It is not your fault, but mine. I didn’t want to drag you into this, but Huangpu Qingyun is petty. I fear he will strike you out of spite.”
“Huangpu… The Regent Estate?” Dong Tianba was alarmed, on the verge of tears, “Why would Regent Estate be involved with us? We did nothing to them!”
“Your Dong clan has not been destroyed so why are you crying?”
Zhuo Fan snorted and turned to Chu Qingcheng, “What are you planning? Don’t do anything stupid, there’s still room to turn this around!”
Chu Qingcheng shook her head and caressed his cheek, “I know what I’m doing. Just that I need your help with something.”
Zhuo Fan eyed her suspiciously.
She pulled Xiao Dandan, who was still in shock, and rested her hand in Zhuo Fan’s, “Please watch over Dandan. She may very well be the last member of our Drifting Flowers Edifice house!”
“Edifice Lord!”
Xiao Dandan was panicking and Zhuo Fan paled. But before he could speak, Chu Qingcheng stopped them, “This is my last wish. You have to do this for me.”
Chu Qingcheng took her storage ring and gave it to Xiao Dandan, “Dandan, take this with you on your journey with Song Yu to his clan. But you can only look inside once you arrive! Take care of your husband and don’t be so willful, alright?”
Xiao Dandan nodded in tears.
Peony Overseer found it unbearable as she shouted, “It’s late, leave quickly! If they find you, you won’t get another chance!”
Dong Tianba didn’t understand, but was clear to the danger, rushing inside the carriage with his sister.
Zhuo Fan knew Chu Qingcheng wanted to give Drifting Flowers Edifice a chance at revival. He had a plan in mind but wasn’t sure it was foolproof. So he followed Chu Qingcheng’s wishes and pulled Xiao Dandan into the carriage.
At worst, he’d come back once they were far enough.
His firm actions made Peony Overseer filled with anger, “Song Yu, look after my disciple, or I will never let you off!”
“Humph, your disciple is big now. She can take care of herself.” Zhuo Fan shirked all responsibility and whipped the horses.
Peony Overseer stomped her foot in anger, watching the carriage drifting further away, “Humph, I told you men aren’t reliable. Once he gets wind of trouble, he flees! He jumped in with no hesitation!”
“Chuchu, was it worth entrusting everything to that man?” Iris Overseer frowned.
Shaking her head, Chu Qingcheng said, “Aren’t all our hopes resting on them leaving safely? What more is there to say?”
Yet, she couldn’t fight back the tears, feeling disappointed by Zhuo Fan’s last act.
[We will never see each other again. Can’t you at least show some reluctance for the sake of all the precious little time we spent together?]
But they were unaware what Zhuo Fan was thinking. Their thoughts were completely worlds apart from each other. They took this as a final parting while Zhuo Fan took it as making a delivery. He’d be dropping off Xiao Dandan to a safe place before running straight back.
[I’m only a delivery boy, and soon will come back running. What final? What parting?]
“Let us return, tomorrow we have a bitter fight on our hands!”
Chu Qingcheng took a deep breath to reign in her emotions then flew back. The overseers were right behind her.
Night came, and soon darkness gave way to the sun’s rays. Chu Qingcheng stood alone in her room, watching the grandiose building outside. It was the place where the Hundred Pill Meeting was held, and their final battle.
“Chuchu!