55 Closing In, Step By Step I (2/2)

The Old Taoist Priest had only forced her to practice. During the 10 years of being his disciple, Meng Fuyao had never had a proper meal. The warm memories of her past life had dispersed far beyond the horizon and behind the clouds, ultimately blown cleanly away by the breeze that followed after.

There was an instant where she seemed to notice the lady's hands turning into a pair of slender, veiny hands. It was her mother. The illusion was quick to vanish, and Meng Fuyao was still sitting before a small table in a stranger's house, looking at someone else's family reunion.

She stared at her food-filled bowl, feeling a sudden urge to cry.

Despite lowering her head and focusing on her food, a drop of tear fell into her dish. With her chopsticks, she grabbed the affected piece of vegetable and prepared to taste her own tears.

Yet, another pair of chopsticks flew forward and picked it away.

Sir Zong had been standing by the window and eating his own dish, when he approached the table, not seeming to mind the fact that the piece of vegetable had been in contact with her chopsticks. He unhurriedly took it away, saying, ”There's a worm.”

Meng Fuyao remained quiet, looking on as he awkwardly picked another piece of vegetable and placed it into her bowl.

”You're too fat. This is good for slimming down.”

An odd expression formed on her face. ”Pfft–––”

”Can't you use kinder words? Making yourself look bad for no reason.”

Tears moistened her eyes, her pearl-black pupils appearing especially lustrous under the dim light and the thick frosty sky outside.

Zong Yue's hand stopped in mid-air as he turned his gaze toward the moon outside the window.

His eyes wavered, his side profile looking rather lonesome. He was like a firm and upright bamboo, rustling in the air upon being beaten by the autumn wind.

Looking at this young, mysterious holy doctor, Meng Fuyao fell into a daze once more. In spite of his glorious accomplishments and status, Zong Yue was probably feeling lonely inside.

Because of that, he understood her loneliness.

Meng Fuyao pursed her lips, picking some garlic chives and placing them into his bowl. She continued doing so as a prank and smirked. ”This is good for boosting sex drive.”

In face with a shameless woman, the sharp-tongued man could only step down gracefully and pretend not to have heard anything. He lowered his head and continued his meal, no longer caring about the hygiene of it.

Meng Fuyao only focused on her own food and hadn't taken notice of the subtle smile that started to form on Zong Yue's lips.

The duo stayed on for a few days, and Meng Fuyao had already gotten familiar with the family. She had also started appreciating the times she had brought Xiao Dao along to pick herbs with Zong Yue, before returning home to enjoy a simple meal and family time. These little activities were making her life amid the southern border revolt rather interesting.

However, Meng Fuyao's fate wasn't ideal, and she never had the fortune of enjoying prolonged peace. One day, on the streets, she heard a commotion and decided to take a look. A few households had started hanging colored ribbons on their doors. The occupants seemed to be packing up and locking the doors, as if ready to flee.

Shocked, Meng Fuyao questioned, ”What happened? All these colors are making this city look like a colony.” She pointed at the colored ribbons, adding, ”What are these? Flags of all nations?”

”Stop joking, Little Brother,” someone muttered softly. ”It's the symbol of revenge by the Rong people. The doors of those who have offended them will be hung with these ribbons. It serves as a warning for non-involved parties to refrain from visiting them, in order to avoid accidental injuries.”

”Seriously?” Meng Fuyao narrowed her eyes. ”Aren't the Rong and Han people getting along amiably? Why all this now?”

”The so-called 'amiably' depends on circumstances,” Yao Xun took over. ”The Rong ethnic group is a belligerent and haughty one, born to pursue freedom and power. They will acknowledge a tribe more powerful than them but will not stay loyal for long. When a chance arises, they will rebel and protest. Throughout Wuji Nation's history, this tribe has revolted a total of 13 times and had almost been destroyed 7 times. In spite of that, they never changed their ways. Their hostility is innate, and they are known as a roving war chariot, together with the Nanqiang tribe, which is already under Shangyuan Nation's control.”

He pointed at the ribbons, stating, ”The Rong and Han people have been co-living in this city for many years. While things appear positive on the surface, the Han group, a big tribe, possesses an inherent sense of superiority, which will inevitably offend the proud and almost psychopathic Rong people, who are more than willing to fight over trivial matters. Things appear fine on the outside, but the Rong people bear grudges and are aware that the imperial court has control. Now that the 18 ethnic groups have joined forces to start a revolt, it is their chance to take revenge.”