The Crown Prince's Fury, She Won't Forget Me.

Not long after, Master Zhang replied, "The doorman saw Lu Yao appear shortly after, and they disappeared together at an extremely high speed. It's highly likely they went to Niuyang Mountain together."

"Niuyang Mountain?" the Crown Prince mused. "A thousand miles away? Why would they go there? Is it possible they're at Lu Zhiyuan's Heavenly Realm residence?"

"Lu Zhiyuan doesn't live in his Heavenly Realm residence. Every day after his duties, no matter how late, he returns to Niuyang Mountain."

The Crown Prince was shocked and didn't understand.

"Is he truly of sound mind?"

"He loves his wife with his life," Master Zhang said, a hint of disdain in his tone.

Just a female immortal, and worth all that.

The Crown Prince felt even more disdain and incomprehension. "Then just bring his wife to the Heavenly Realm."

"His wife claims she prefers living on Niuyang Mountain."

The Crown Prince scoffed, "She's spoiled."

Master Zhang remained silent, implicitly agreeing with this sentiment.

What puzzled the Crown Prince even more was, "Meng Anli actually went to Niuyang Mountain and didn't come to find me?"

Master Zhang dared not speak.

The Crown Prince put away his communication mirror and looked at Liuyin beside him. "What do you think Meng Anli's intentions are?"

Liuyin guessed, "Perhaps Lu Yao dragged her along?"

The Crown Prince shook his head. "In the past, she would always refuse Lu Yao and come to find me."

Liuyin said nothing.

The Crown Prince looked up, his eyes already showing impatience. "Why the silence?"

Liuyin hesitated before cautiously saying, "I think perhaps Meng Anli hasn't seen the Crown Prince in a long time, and she's made new friends, perhaps a powerful teacher, so..."

"Insolent!" The Crown Prince slammed the communication mirror onto her head.

"Are you implying Meng Anli has forgotten me? Impossible. I've gone on missions for three years before, and as soon as I returned, she would quickly come to the Crown Prince's manor, clinging to me and pouring out her longing for me."

Liuyin knelt, allowing the blood from her forehead to flow down.

"Speak!" The Crown Prince grabbed her collar and pulled her up. "Would she forget me?"

"No, and that wasn't my intention."

The Crown Prince's expression softened. "Of course not."

He gently wiped the blood from her forehead and said softly.

"Why didn't you dodge? I would have been heartbroken."

Liuyin's long lashes drooped, concealing the sarcasm in her eyes. Her body went limp and she collapsed into the Crown Prince's embrace.

"Then what did you mean by what you just said?"

Liuyin drew circles on his chest, teasing him. "Perhaps it's playing hard to get."

The Crown Prince's eyes lit up. "That must be it. She's playing hard to get, but I won't fall for her tricks."

Meanwhile, at the Meng family.

Meng Xiuchen also received the news that Meng Anli had gone to Niuyang Mountain.

Meng Xiuchen saw it as an excellent opportunity. Without consulting his elder brothers, he led a large contingent of men to ambush the road from the Heavenly Realm to Niuyang Mountain.

The setting sun illuminated the sunflowers in the courtyard.

Lu Kang wielded a long spear with great vigor.

Lu Yao and Meng Anli lay on a rocking chair, eating snacks and enjoying the breeze.

Meng Anli bent her legs, rocking the chair rhythmically, and suddenly understood the meaning of "stealing a moment of leisure from a busy life."

Suddenly, a salty, fishy smell wafted over.

Meng Anli didn't move, only smiling helplessly. "Here we go again."

Lu Yao raised her plate to block, deflecting all the sweat Lu Kang flung at them.

Lu Kang took back his plate. "Why was I blocked again?"

"Lu Kang! You're asking for death!"

She chased him.

Having been taught a lesson for most of the day, Lu Kang knew he truly couldn't defeat Lu Yao anymore.

"We've only been apart for three months, how could this be!"

Lu Yao slammed his head down. "Wait another three months, and I'll be even stronger, beating you until you're spitting teeth!"

Meng Anli watched their interaction with a smile, peeling a grape to eat.

Lu Kang hid behind her again.

Meng Anli couldn't help but laugh, "Why haven't you changed it yet?"

As she spoke, she pulled him out and threw him to Lu Yao.

"This is outrageous! Two older sisters bullying me together!"

"Yao Yao, An Li, time to eat~"

Fang Xianrou smiled gently, calling out to them softly.

The two stopped.

Meng Anli got up and went over, unable to suppress her confusion.

How could such a gentle aunt raise such a lively child?

Did she take after her uncle?

This question troubled her until Uncle Lu entered the manor, his loud voice booming.

"Madam! I'm back!"

Fang Xianrou's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She put down her chopsticks and gave Meng Anli an apologetic smile.

"Your Uncle Lu is too loud, did he scare you?"

Meng Anli shook her head and chuckled, "No."

"Hahahaha..." Lu Zhiyuan entered, laughing heartily, "Madam, I missed you so much..."

Fang Xianrou let out a light "Tsk~"

Lu Zhiyuan instantly fell silent, bent his knees, and pinched his ear.

Fang Xianrou's eyes widened in alarm, "The children are here."

Lu Zhiyuan cleared his throat lightly, immediately standing ramrod straight, regaining the imposing aura of a Great General.

"Everyone's back?"

Meng Anli: "?"

Something felt off.

Lu Zhiyuan's gaze first swept over Lu Kang, and he frowned with disdain, "Why are you back again? I told you to train properly at the barracks. You run home every few days, how can you possibly improve!"

Lu Kang shoveled food into his mouth, eating happily, "My sister is back, so I came back to see her."

"Ah!" Lu Zhiyuan's face immediately lit up with a smile, followed by a string of concerned questions.

"My precious daughter is back~"

"Did you not eat well?"

"Why have you lost so much weight?"

He sat down beside Lu Yao, his heart aching. He also saw Meng Anli, who was partially hidden by Lu Yao.

He smiled even more broadly, his voice softening considerably, "An Li is back too? You've gotten too thin as well. Aren't you eating enough at the academy?"

Back?

The word "back" felt incredibly comforting.

Meng Anli's heart warmed, "Actually, I ate quite a bit, and I haven't lost weight, I've just gotten stronger."

"Is this the voice my dad makes?" Lu Kang mimicked him in a nasally, sour tone, "An~ Li~ is~ back~ too~"

Lu Zhiyuan looked up, his thick eyebrows conveying pressure, his aura honed by years of battle, commanding respect without anger.

Lu Kang immediately cowered.

He buried his head in his bowl and ate with lightning speed.

Lu Zhiyuan turned to look at the two of them and smiled happily again, "Is your teacher Yuan Tuo finally letting you go?"

"He had something to attend to."

Lu Yao spoke about matters at the academy.

Lu Zhiyuan listened intently, occasionally asking Meng Anli questions.

Meng Anli hadn't had such a heartwarming meal in a very long time.

After the meal, Lu Kang was sent back to the barracks.

Fang Xianrou took out two sets of newly made clothes.

One was red, and the other was blue.

She said to Lu Yao, "You and An Li each get one."

Meng Anli was surprised, "There's one for me too?"

"Yes, I prepared them long ago, just waiting for you both to come back."

Meng Anli's eyes welled up again, "Thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome. I was so happy to see you today. You're like my second daughter, so of course I have to treat you well."

"Auntie..." Meng Anli couldn't help but want to throw herself into her arms.

But she felt it was too abrupt and managed to restrain herself.

"Take good care of yourself out there."

"Alright, my dear," Lu Zhiyuan put his arm around her shoulder. "They're not leaving until tomorrow morning, you can arrange things then."

"Leaving tomorrow?" Fang Xianrou asked, a little surprised.

Lu Zhiyuan winked at her.

Fang Xianrou nodded. "Oh, leaving tomorrow morning is still fine."

"It's not fine, we should leave today," Lu Yao said as she packed her bag.

"No," Lu Zhiyuan pressed down on her bag. "You can't leave!"

Lu Yao looked up, confused. "Wouldn't you be happier if we left? After all, you'd have more time alone with Mother."