181: Chapter 61 Returning to Guiyun Manor

Wanyan Honglie has been assassinated.

The current Emperor of the Jin Kingdom was furious. He held all the guards of the Zhao Kings Manor accountable and issued an imperial decree for officials to swiftly capture the assassin and execute him publicly by beheading.

Once the news spread, Yanjing City and even the entire Jin Kingdom were shaken.

The entire Jin Kingdom was like a lake into which a giant boulder had been thrown; waves surged suddenly, and water splashed everywhere!

For a time, Yanjing, as the eye of the storm, saw waves rising and undercurrents surging. Almost every day, Jin soldiers conducted searches and interrogations in the city. A wanted poster featuring a somber-faced portrait combined with the name "Jiang Bieli of the Custody Soul Pavilion" spread rapidly from Yanjing throughout the Jin territories.

Meng Li did not pay much attention to these waves and splashes.

Because after successfully making Wanyan Honglie "go offline," he immediately met up with Mu Nianci, who was waiting outside the city, and slipped away before the waves could rise.

To be safe, the two of them adopted new faces and set off toward the Song Dynasty.

During the journey, they encountered Jin officials carrying wanted posters, but they were only asked a few routine questions and did not arouse any suspicion.

Only then did Mu Nianci realize why Meng Li liked to use aliases and "wear personas" while traveling.

"Wearing a persona" was a term Meng Li used.

At first, she thought such "hiding one's head and showing one's tail" behavior was unbecoming of an upright gentleman.

But now...

After the deed is done, one brushes off their sleeves and departs, hiding both their contribution and their name!

It truly was great!

"Is there something on my face?"

Noticing Mu Nianci glancing at him from time to time, Meng Li asked in confusion.

Mu Nianci shook her head and replied, "I just feel like you know so many things, yet I know so little about you."

Meng Li looked at her sideways and said softly, "I told you before, I have many secrets. I hope you can spend a lifetime slowly uncovering them."

Mu Nianci was startled, then said, "What if I can't uncover them all in this lifetime?"

Without hesitation, Meng Li said, "Then continue in the next life, and the one after that."

"Alright," Mu Nianci agreed happily.

...

A few days later, the two of them successfully entered the territory of the Song Dynasty and found an opportunity to restore their original appearances.

Since they had only decided on a destination and hadn't set a return date, they weren't in a hurry. Following Meng Li's travel pace, they journeyed while enjoying the sights.

Traveling and playing along the way, they arrived near Taihu Lake.

Meng Li suddenly remembered he had promised Silly Aunt he would visit her when he had time. Since they were passing by, he said to Mu Nianci, "Nianci, let's take a trip to the nearby Guiyun Village. I promised Silly Aunt I'd visit her when I had the chance."

Mu Nianci paused, thought for a moment before remembering who Silly Aunt was, and then nodded. "I'll follow your lead."

Meng Li smiled and rode with her toward Guiyun Village.

Upon arriving at Guiyun Village, Meng Li spoke to the guards at the gate, and one of them immediately went inside to report.

Soon, someone came out in a hurry to greet them; it was Lu Chengfeng's son, Lu Guanying.

As soon as they met, he said, "Mr. Meng, you could have just entered the manor directly. There was no need to send word."

Saying this, he made a gesture of invitation. "Come, let's go inside to talk."

On the way there, Mu Nianci had heard Meng Li talk about his interactions with Lu Chengfeng and his son, so she wasn't surprised by Lu Guanying's behavior.

The three of them entered the hall and took their seats. After serving the tea, the servants left.

Only then did Lu Guanying ask about Mu Nianci, "And this young lady is?"

"My betrothed, surname Mu, given name Nianci," Meng Li introduced briefly.

"Miss Mu," Lu Guanying quickly cupped his hands and greeted her respectfully.

Mu Nianci politely replied, "Young Village Head."

Then, Meng Li asked in confusion, "Where is Village Head Lu?"

Lu Guanying explained, "My father felt a sudden whim today and went to Taihu Lake to enjoy the scenery. If you wish to see him, I'll send someone to notify him right away."

"He will surely be very happy to know you've arrived."

Meng Li raised his hand and said, "No need. Village Head Lu is enjoying the scenery; it's best if he returns when he's fully satisfied. It would be a pity to disturb his mood because of my arrival. I didn't come for any specific business with Village Head Lu, but rather because I was passing by Taihu Lake and wanted to pay a visit and see Silly Aunt."

"How has Silly Aunt been lately?"

Lu Guanying realized and replied, "Junior Sister Qu is doing well. She should be in the garden catching butterflies with the maidservants right now."

After saying that, he called a servant from outside. "Go and call Junior Sister Qu. Tell her Mr. Meng is here."

The servant took the order and left.

Just then, there was a sudden commotion outside.

Lu Guanying went out to check, then turned back and smiled. "It's my father. He's back."

"Please wait a moment, I'll go and let him know."

Before long, Lu Chengfeng walked in hurriedly.

Upon seeing Meng Li, he feigned dissatisfaction and said, "Mr. Meng, why didn't you let me know in advance of your arrival? I could have gone to welcome you."

Meng Li laughed and said, "It was a spontaneous decision. I've only just arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice called out, "Elder Brother Meng, Sister Nianci!"

Meng Li and Mu Nianci looked toward the source of the voice. It was none other than Guo Jing, with Huang Rong standing beside him.

Both of them looked pleasantly surprised.

"You know each other?" Lu Chengfeng was greatly surprised.

A moment later, they were all seated in the hall, sharing their identities and relationships with one another.

Lu Chengfeng was once again shocked by Huang Rong's identity. He stroked his beard and sighed with emotion, "Today is truly a double blessing, well worth celebrating."

"Guanying, go and have rooms arranged for your Junior Martial Uncle, Mr. Meng, and the others. Then have the kitchen prepare the finest banquet and bring it over."

"Alright," Lu Guanying agreed and turned to make the arrangements.

Just as he left, a figure came rushing in like a whirlwind.

The newcomer was none other than Silly Aunt.

She would have arrived earlier, but when the servant went to notify her, she was playing hide-and-seek, which caused a slight delay.

"Junior Martial Uncle Lu."

Running into the hall, Silly Aunt first called out to Lu Chengfeng as a greeting, then looked at Meng Li and said happily, "Meng Li, you've come to see me."

Meng Li replied with a smile, "That's right, I promised you."

Seeing this, Huang Rong stood up, circled Silly Aunt while observing her closely, and then asked Lu Chengfeng, "Is this Senior Brother Qu's daughter?"

Lu Chengfeng nodded. "Indeed."

"In fact, I must thank Mr. Meng. If he hadn't brought Silly Aunt here, I really wouldn't have known that Senior Brother Qu had such a daughter."

Silly Aunt also realized that Huang Rong and Junior Martial Uncle Lu were talking about her, so she couldn't help but ask Huang Rong, "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" Huang Rong repeated softly, then said with a smile, "By seniority, you should call me 'Auntie'."

Actually, strictly speaking, Silly Aunt should call Huang Rong 'Junior Martial Uncle' along with Lu Guanying, but Huang Rong felt that 'Auntie' was also appropriate, sounded better, and felt more intimate.

Lu Chengfeng, Meng Li, and the others understood this and simply smiled without saying anything.

"Auntie?"

Silly Aunt didn't understand the meaning of the title and instinctively looked at Lu Chengfeng and Meng Li. Seeing them both nod, she finally addressed her.

"Yes!"

Huang Rong responded with a smile, patted Silly Aunt's head, and then said, "Go on and play."

The others: "..."

Just then, a servant entered to report, "Village Head, the Sect Leader of the Iron Palm Sect, Qiu Qianren, is here to visit."