Chapter 56: Plucking a Blossom

Fu Ankang was practically in full swing, not only opening a vintage wine that he had treasured for many years, but also having his assistant, Xiao Li, order and pack a wide variety of meals to be delivered right to his office.

Occupying an entire floor of the skyscraper, the office naturally came equipped with a professional private dining room.

"So! So all these years!"

"Xueyue's feelings for me..."

"Pay no mind to me... Cough! Damn this teleportation." Laura Stuart was consumed by extreme rage. Having confirmed Bai He's identity, she immediately contacted the Knights of the British Royal Family, requisitioning the Sword in the Stone, the Spear of Lancelot, and the Saint George's Cross flag that had been lost in Britain since the fourteenth century. She doubled her forces, determined to fight the heretic to the death.

Li Yihang was caught in the middle and placed in a difficult position. Lin Ju, blessed with a flash of inspiration, exchanged rapid winks with Chuchen. Catching the hint, Chuchen cupped his fists and said, "Ah, so we are all family after all. It's just a case of the dragon king flooding his own temple—what a sin, what a sin! This old Daoist has matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave." Without waiting for anyone to reply, he spun around and bolted.

Mengqi said anxiously, "Mr. Zhang, you will help me, won't you?" She still harbored some doubts about him.

Mengqi thought that she would still prepare some food in the evening to bring along and check on Grandma, and later on, she would make a call to her cousin to ask how her health was doing.

Song Mingting turned his head back, a surge of excitement stirring within him. This was his paternal uncle, the sole blood-related younger brother of his master, Master Keji, known by the Daoist title "Lihe Sword," also addressed as Daoist Lihe. Uncle Lihe was likewise one of the foremost experts among the elder generation of their Zhongshu Peak, inferior to none compared to Daoist Ttieshan.

With the protection of a red glow, a millennium of cultivation, and an almost omniscient presence, what mattered most was that black orb—it had genuinely subdued him.

The moment that guard mentioned the Empress Dowager, Yi took in the expressions of everyone present at a single glance, and a plan had already formed in his mind.

A single word from her could plunge Mutian into a despair as deep as the abyss, yet it could equally ignite hope and formidable self-confidence within him.

The two rough men walked right up to Bai He. Hearing the inadvertent snapping sound of MacFeng's pliers, they paused briefly before a look of terror washed over their faces, and they began exchanging fearful glances.

At noon, Jiang Nan arrived at the school cafeteria, intending to follow her usual habit and find the most secluded corner to get through her lunch. However, the moment she stepped inside, she noticed something unusual about the place.

He had checked the laws of the Great Qi dynasty, and for a commoner to defraud a noble title, the most severe penalty could lead to exile of a thousand miles. Once uncovered, the mere fines alone would be enough to bankrupt the opposing party completely.

Stepping out from the parking lot, she was instantly hit by a wave of scorching heat as oppressive as being trapped inside a steamer. Because of the bustling crowds all around, the temperature seemed to rise even further.

Seeing Mingji slip something over, Jiang Zhouzi showed no surprise. With a very natural sweep of his sleeve, he concealed the token.

Goodnight, girls! I've finally finished writing early today! Go to sleep a bit earlier after reading this. Smooches, love you all.

Sitting inside the airplane, Du Xun still wore a gentle, curving smile as he watched her sitting quietly right beside him. Everything felt so surreal, which was why, from beginning to end, he kept holding her hand tightly, as if that was the only way he could feel a greater sense of reality.

This reminded him that he had previously promised Mingji he would return early to keep her company. Brushing aside the thought of a midnight snack, he hurriedly made his way toward Yinghui Hall.

He lifted a flask of wine, sipping it alone. If he could spend the rest of his life coaxing a smile from her, he would gladly give everything he had. Yet her smiles nowadays no longer blossomed solely for him; how much certainty did he have left to win her back?

Halfway through playing the zither, Li Luxi began to croon softly. Liu Yang's initially shy expression paused for a fraction of a second, a flash of astonishment crossing her eyes.

Money was a rare commodity. All the currency in the entire Great Qi dynasty was only sufficient for a third of the population to use for exchange and trade, while nearly two-thirds of the lower-class commoners were accustomed to bartering. Some people might not even have laid eyes on what a copper coin looked like in their entire lives, let alone silver.