Before long, Master Zhang replied, "The gatekeeper saw Lu Yao appear afterward. The two of them vanished together at incredible speed. It is highly likely they went to Niuyang Mountain together."
"Niuyang Mountain?" The Crown Prince thought for a moment. "A thousand miles away? Why would they go there? Could they be at Lu Zhiyuan's residence in the Heavenly Realm?"
"Lu Zhiyuan does not live at his Heavenly Realm residence. After finishing his daily duties, no matter how late it is, he always returns to Niuyang Mountain."
The Crown Prince was shocked and unable to understand.
"Is he really in his right mind?"
"He loves his wife as dearly as his life." There was some disdain in Master Zhang's tone as well.
She was merely a female immortal. Was she worth this much?
The Crown Prince was even more disdainful and baffled. "Then bring his wife to the Heavenly Realm."
"His wife says she prefers living on Niuyang Mountain."
The Crown Prince gave a cold snort. "He has spoiled her rotten."
Master Zhang said nothing, tacitly agreeing with that view.
What the Crown Prince found even harder to understand was, "Meng Anli actually went to Niuyang Mountain instead of coming to find me?"
Master Zhang did not dare speak.
The Crown Prince put away the Communication Mirror and looked at Liuyin beside him. "Tell me, what does Meng Anli mean by this?"
Liuyin guessed, "Perhaps Lu Yao pulled her along?"
The Crown Prince shook his head. "In the past, she would always refuse Lu Yao and come find me."
Liuyin said nothing.
The Crown Prince raised his eyes, impatience already in his gaze. "Why are you silent?"
Liuyin hesitated before carefully saying, "I think perhaps Meng Anli has not seen the Crown Prince for too long, and she has made new friends, found a formidable master, so..."
"Insolence!" The Crown Prince viciously smashed the Communication Mirror into her head.
"You mean Meng Anli has forgotten me? Impossible. In the past, when I went out on missions, I was sometimes gone for three years. Yet as soon as I returned, she would swiftly come to the Crown Prince's residence, cling to me, and tell me how much she missed me."
Liuyin knelt halfway to the ground, allowing blood from her battered forehead to stream down.
"Speak!" The Crown Prince grabbed her collar and hauled her up. "Would she forget me?"
"No. That was not what I meant."
The Crown Prince's expression softened. "Of course she would not."
He gently wiped away the blood at her forehead and spoke softly.
"Why did you not dodge? I would feel heartache."
Liuyin lowered her long lashes, concealing the mockery in her eyes, while her body had already gone soft against the Crown Prince's chest.
"Then what did you mean just now?"
Liuyin traced circles over his chest, teasing him. "Perhaps she is playing hard to get."
The Crown Prince's eyes brightened slightly. "That must be it. She is playing hard to get. I will not fall for her trick."
Meanwhile, at the Meng family residence.
Meng Xiuchen also received the news that Meng Anli had gone to Niuyang Mountain.
Meng Xiuchen thought it was a perfect opportunity. Without discussing it with his eldest or second brother, he led a large force and lay in ambush on the road from the Heavenly Realm to Niuyang Mountain.
The setting sun shone upon the sunflowers in the courtyard.
Lu Kang wielded his long spear with the force of a tiger and the wind of a dragon.
Lu Yao and Meng Anli lay in rocking chairs, eating pastries and enjoying the breeze.
Meng Anli bent one knee and rhythmically rocked her chair. All at once, she understood the meaning of "stealing half a day of leisure from this fleeting life."
Suddenly, a salty, fishy smell swept over her.
Meng Anli did not move, merely smiling helplessly. "Again."
Lu Yao raised her plate to block it, deflecting every drop of sweat Lu Kang had flung their way.
Lu Kang took the plate. "How did you block it again?"
"Lu Kang! You are courting death!"
She chased after him and began hitting him.
Lu Kang fled about the courtyard.
After the lessons of the past half day, Lu Kang understood that he truly could not beat Lu Yao anymore.
"We have only been apart for three months. How did you become this strong?"
Lu Yao slammed a hand down on his head. "Wait another three months, and I will be even stronger! I will beat you until you are crawling around looking for your teeth!"
Meng Anli smiled as she watched them interact, peeling a grape and eating it.
Lu Kang hid behind her again.
Meng Anli could not help laughing. "Why have you still not changed?"
As she spoke, she grabbed him, pulled him out, and tossed him to Lu Yao.
"There is no justice! My two sisters are bullying me together!"
"Yao Yao, Anli, dinner is ready~"
Fang Xianrou smiled gently and called to them in a soft voice.
The two stopped.
Meng Anli rose and walked over, unable to stop herself from wondering again.
How had such a gentle aunt raised such a lively, unruly child?
Could it be that he took after his uncle?
That question troubled her until Uncle Lu stepped through the residence gates, his booming voice shaking the heavens.
"Wife! I am back!"
Fang Xianrou's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. She set down her chopsticks and gave Meng Anli an apologetic smile.
"Your Uncle Lu is too loud. He did not scare you, did he?"
Meng Anli shook her head with a soft laugh. "Not at all."
"Hahaha..." Lu Zhiyuan strode in, laughing. "My wife, I missed you so..."
Fang Xianrou softly clicked her tongue. "Tsk~"
Lu Zhiyuan instantly fell silent, pinched his ears, and bent his knees.
Fang Xianrou turned pale with alarm. "The children are here."
Lu Zhiyuan gave a light cough and immediately stood ramrod straight, restoring the imposing aura of the Great General.
"You are all back?"
Meng Anli: "?"
Something was not quite right.
Lu Zhiyuan's gaze first swept over Lu Kang. He frowned in disgust. "Why are you back again? I told you to train properly in the barracks. You run home every few days. How the hell are you supposed to achieve anything?"
Lu Kang shoveled down his food with great delight. "My sister came back, so I came home to see my sister."
"Oh!" Lu Zhiyuan immediately broke into a smile and unleashed a string of concerned questions.
"My precious daughter is back~"
"Have you not been eating well?"
"How did you get so much thinner?"
He sat beside Lu Yao with a pained expression, then noticed Meng Anli, whom Lu Yao had been blocking from view.
His smile grew even brighter, and his voice softened considerably. "Anli is back too? You are far too thin as well. Do they not feed you enough at the academy?"
Back?
Those two words fit too perfectly.
Warmth rose in Meng Anli's heart. "Actually, we eat plenty, and I have not lost weight. I have simply grown sturdier."
"Is that really a sound my old man can make?" Lu Kang mimicked him in a pinched, sour voice. "An~li~ is~ back~ too~"
Lu Zhiyuan raised his eyes, his thick brows radiating pressure. The aura he had forged through years of battle was enough to inspire awe without anger.
Lu Kang instantly wilted.
He buried his head in his bowl and shoveled down food at lightning speed.
When Lu Zhiyuan turned back to the two girls, he was smiling happily again. "Master Yuantuo finally let you go?"
"He has something to do."
Lu Yao told him about what had happened at the academy.
Lu Zhiyuan listened attentively, asking Meng Anli questions from time to time.
Meng Anli had not eaten such a warm, happy meal in a very long time.
After dinner, Lu Kang was driven back to the barracks.
Fang Xianrou brought out two newly made sets of clothes.
One was red, and the other was teal blue.
She told Lu Yao, "One set for you and one for Anli."
Meng Anli was surprised. "There is one for me too?"
"Yes. They were prepared long ago. I have been waiting for you two to return."
Meng Anli's eyes could not help turning hot and sore again. "Thank you, Auntie."
"Do not be so polite. I liked you the moment I saw you today. You are my second daughter, so naturally I must treat you well."
"Auntie..." Meng Anli could not help wanting to throw herself into her arms.
But she felt that would be too abrupt and did her utmost to hold herself back.
"Take good care of yourself when you are away from home."
"Enough, wife." Lu Zhiyuan wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "They are not leaving until tomorrow morning. You can make arrangements tomorrow."
"Leaving tomorrow?" Fang Xianrou found it somewhat strange.
Lu Zhiyuan winked at her.
Fang Xianrou nodded. "Oh, leaving tomorrow morning will still be in time."
"There is no time. We should leave today instead." Lu Yao began packing her belongings.
"No." Lu Zhiyuan pressed down on her bundle. "You cannot leave!"
Lu Yao looked up at him in confusion. "Would you not be happier once we leave? After all, you could be alone with Mother."
Before you continue