The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus

Chapter 54: Soul and Sandalwood (18)

After leaving the illusion, Princess Duanyang fell ill upon her return to the palace. But it was unknown whether it was due to being drained from the journey or the aftermath of excessive shock.

In the past few days of her high fever, Peiyun kept vigil by her bedside. Every two hours, she would wipe her body off with cold water to keep her temperature down.

The curtains of Fengyang Palace shook slightly. A black robed figure walked in silently, sending away the attending maids before standing by Duanyangs bedside.

When Peiyun noticed his shadow, her hands couldnt help but freeze.

Is she better now?

Peiyun lowered her eyes, Responding to Your Majesty, the princesss fever has broken.

Then thats good The emperor looked at her slender profile. On the fingers which should have been unblemished, there were unsightly scars due to torture. He hesitated before speaking, Peiyun, this king has been inconsiderate and has wronged you.

Peiyun lowered her face and quickly shook her head. A few dewdrop-like tears were shaken off with this one move. This servant is fine. She does not blame Your Majesty.

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Mu Yao sat at her bedside, holding a dagger and looking down to peel the apple. She carved the apple into the shape of a small rabbit, then handed it to Ling Miaomiao.

Miaomiaos eyes widened to the size of copper bells. She joyfully accepted it, looking it over, feeling reluctant to eat it. Wah, thank you Sister Mu!

Mu Yao smiled and nodded. She exchanged glances with Liu Fuyi, who had moved a stool over to their side, appearing to have endless patience.

Everytime, the peaceful days which followed the times when they were nearly separated forever, were always unendingly sweet.

Tao Yushi gave birth to two sons and one daughter. They were in poor health and none of them made it past twenty. All they left were a few children. She was nearing fifty but she still had to take care of her grandchildren.

Tao Ying was the eldest grandson. He had helped her with handling the incense shop. He also had several younger brothers. One of them had inherited their grandmothers keen sense of smell. He was Tao Yushis favorite. This boy was the sixth oldest and had just turned twelve when the accident occurred. He didnt have a name yet and everyone in the family just called him, Xiao Liu. ¹Liu == 6th

Miaomiao held the apple in her hands and asked in a hushed voice, Is Xiao Liu Mister Lu?

Mu Yao nodded and sighed silently. Tao Ying lost a loved one and at the same time was humiliated. At that time, he swore to take revenge on Dowager Consort Zhao and the royal family. But in the end, he was not able to harm Duanyang and instead lost his own life. He was not willing to accept this result and thus became a resentful spirit. He then sent a dream to his younger brother who had grown up in these ten years. After many years of separation, the two plotted to join hands once again and complete their revenge.

Lu is similar to Liu. Even though he was remaining inconspicuous, he did not forget he was a descendant of the Tao Family.

Then, Pei Yu

Pei Yu committed suicide the day after entering the dungeon. Lu Jiu was completely disheartened after learning this. Mu Yao said quietly, In this matter, Pei Yu was the most innocent.

Tao Yushi died unexpectedly and the Tao Familys incense shop was burned to the ground. As a result, the Tao Family dispersed. Some of her grandchildren were forced to make their own way. Tao Ying went north alone, and the rest of the boys went to their relatives, leaving behind a girl who hadnt even grown teeth. Since no one was willing to take her in, Xiao Liu took her with him to Jiangnan.

He went through a period of great hardship in the south, starting out as an errand boy for an incense shot before finally opening his own incense shop. In the time which led up to this, he single-handedly raised his sister, cultivating her to become a pawn of revenge.

Liu Fuyi sighed, Then, he brought his sister and their savings to Changan. The two moved separately. He opened an incense shop and his sister entered the palace looking for ways to become one of the maids of Fengyang Palace

Before entering the palace, she didnt even have a name. She was called ninth lass since she was the ninth oldest.

The ninth lassLu Jiu ah Lu Jiu, Xiao Liu will live in your stead.

Miaomiao leaned against the head of the bed. She looked at the floor with a complicated face. Although we were invited by Dowager Consort Zhao, I still feel that the royal family is somehow involved with how the Tao Family was able to come to this point today

Liu Fuyi reached out and stroked the top of her head, gently comforting her. When will there ever be an end when it comes to taking an eye for an eye? At least the Imperial Censor was somewhat understanding and asked for an acquittal for Lu Jiu Demon Hunters travel far and wide. They often encounter these kinds of injustices and can only do what is within their abilities and keep a clear conscience.

After he finished speaking, Mu Yao followed with, After I take back the jade tablet, well be able to cut ties with Dowager Consort Zhao. Fuyi will send Lu Jiu back to Jiangnan and persuade him to live the rest of his life peacefully.

The two stood up together, and just before leaving, Liu Fuyi helped tuck her in. Make sure to rest well.

Ling Miaomiao smiled obediently, I got it.

*

As soon as the door closed, she sprang up from the bed and began stretching out her limbs. She had been ordered to stay in bed rest until she felt as if she was beginning to grow mold.

The sight that met Mu Sheng when he pushed the door open was of Ling Miaomiao bouncing and leaping around in the room in her zhongyi² [1] Zhongyi are the clothes worn on top of the undergarments (1) and below the outer garments (3). The word, zhong, means middle and yi, means clothes. In the picture shown below, the zhongyi is shown in (2). . Her long hair was unbound, legs moving swiftly, her whole body was lively, and not looking in the least bit like a patient. He closed the door roughly behind him, What are you doing?

Her face was flushed from running around. At seeing him witness this scene she froze, tongue-tied. I

He smirked, looking at her mockingly as he spoke. I understand, Miss Ling must have lost her mind for a moment from being unable to continue her morning runs these last few days.

Miaomiao awkwardly took two steps back and laid back down on the bed. She pulled down the blanket and then covered her legs. A distressed look appeared on her face. Aiyo, I wasnt careful and now my leg hurts.

Mu Sheng walked over step by step and sat down on the edge of her bed. There was fresh dew from the ambulatory on his clothes.

Without warning, he extended a hand and caught her thigh before rubbing it twice while applying a bit of force. She looked at him, shocked, while prying his hands off. You what are you touching my thigh for Her eyes dulled for a moment before she grabbed her leg and began howling, It hurts, it hurts so much

Coldly, with a derisive look in his eyes, he told her, Keep acting.

Miaomiaos face was still flushed. It was unknown whether it was from exercising or from having her lies seen through. She put down her leg and glared at him. Whyd you come here? ³T/N: Im getting whiplash from her acting. Mu Sheng, youre too smart. I couldnt tell at all.

He ignored her words and took out a bamboo dragonfly from the inside of his clothes and handed it to her.

Whats this? She froze for a moment, looking askance at the unfinished wing of the bamboo dragonfly in the palm of his hands. Only after confirming it was the one she had carved, did she ask, Isnt this mine, why is it here?, as if she did not already know it had ended up in his hands.

As she asked this, she reached out to grab it. Mu Shengs palm moved, leaving her to grab at the air. My name is written on this.

Is it yours just because your name is on it? Ling Miaomiao didnt know whether to laugh or cry. Fine, if youve taken it then take it. Why even bother returning it?

His long lashes fluttered down. He seemed to be looking very intently at the bamboo dragonfly. After a moment, he spoke, Help me finish carving this.

Silence settled in the room. Winter was coming up but the room was still as dry as it was before. She spun the bamboo dragonfly a few times between her fingertips, but for some reason, it seemed to feel a little hot.

She coughed once and slapped her thigh, replying frankly, Okay, no problem, leave the carving to me

Carve it now. He suddenly raised his eyes to look at her, a black lake in his eyes.

Make handicrafts in front of the black lotus?

I cant, damn it

They looked at each other. Ling Miaomiao stiffened momentarily and immediately refused. I I was just stabbed in the thigh by a dagger. Now, Im scared whenever I see a dagger.

Mu Sheng flicked a cool glance over the apple rabbit⁴ [2] apple rabbits/apple bunnies are just so cute! Entropy: Basically apples carved to look like bunnies, pictures down below. and the sharp dagger beside it.

The parts of the apple which had been shaved seemed to have been exposed to the air for too long. It had turned discolored from oxidation and looked quite sad.

He smiled sarcastically, Afraid? You were probably ecstatic when my sister used that dagger to carve the apple for you, werent you.

As he said this, he stood up and picked up the apple in one swipe and immediately brought it to his mouth, removing the rabbits head in one bite.

Shocked into silence, Ling Miaomiaos eyes were glued to the black lotuss rosy lips. After staring at him for a while, she let out a wail, You return my rabbit!

Ling Miaomiao was close to tears. It was such a cute apple. She had left it out all morning, reluctant to eat it. But now, in just two bites, it had, it had

The black lotuss cheeks bulged as he chewed. He looked at her smugly with an evil smile hanging off his lips.

Her heart beat erratically with the strength of her anger. She threw the bamboo dragonfly on the bed and lay straight back on the bed, pulling out the pillow and covering her face with it. Youre too much, I refuse to carve it, I will absolutely not carve it.

Seeing her chest rising and falling violently, he wordlessly picked up one of the apples in the basket and the dagger on the table. A nearly identical rabbit took shape very quickly in his hands.. He held the apple in his left hand and slapped the dagger back on the table with his right hand. Here.

Ling Miaomiao peeked out from under the pillow revealing a pair of eyes. She looked at him with lifeless eyes but was stunned when she saw the rabbit. You also know how to do this?

With a face full of contempt, he explained, This was a little trick I used to cheer up my elder sister. Who knew that she learned it for herself and gifted one to you.

Ling Miaomiao threw her pillow, only to see him skillfully dodge it. With this, she had reached her limit. Whats wrong with her gifting one to me? Im a patient!

Mu Sheng held the apple between his fingers and smirked. Only I can eat the apples that my elder sister peels.

F*ck, this childish guy, hes even jealous over an apple.

Ling Miaomiao had just accepted the apple with a complicated look on her face. Then she heard him calmly speak while looking down, In the future, youre only allowed to eat the apple rabbits I carve.

This nutcasehes crazy!

With great resentment toward the black lotus, Ling Miaomiao ruthlessly chomped down on the apple handed to her. She was acting as if she was facing an opponent of a similar calibre. She finished it off and wiped her hand clean with a handkerchief. Then she picked up the bamboo dragonfly.

Remembering how she had carved a heart on here but had not finished removing it before the black lotus had seen it, she felt vexed. She felt as if he was peering into her own heart.

She sighed silently and placed the pole of the bamboo dragonfly against the web of her hand between her thumb and index finger. She held the wing against the palm of her hand and with the dagger in her right hand, she began carving with practiced moves. The wood shavings rained down on the floor.

As she had been the president of the model plane club, it was nothing for her to make a wooden flying device. However, there was a pair of eyes observing her from the side. The palm of her hands had become damp and she unconsciously began using fancier techniques. It was as if there was some force which was unsettling yet was exciting her at the same time, pushing her to show off.

Mu Sheng watched her small pair of delicate hands holding the dagger. The sight of her carving the pole was dazzling. The girls cheeks were puffed out and a pair of apricot eyes stared at her left palm without blinking, and not a single movement came from her lashes.

Shes so serious.

Hey, watch carefully. She suddenly spoke, making him realize he had gotten lost in his thoughts. He stiffly turned his gaze back to her hands.

There were wood shavings strewn all over her hands; She held the bamboo dragonfly to teach him right then and there. The wings cant be flat, they need to twist here A ridge appeared after her knife carved into the wood and after a little polishing, the wing on the opposite side took shape. Only when the wings are angled, will it be able to fly into the air. She shaved a bit of the interface before telling him, The wings must also be thin like a sharp blade so it can cut through the air.

She continued and took the liberty to lightly swipe the wing across his arm, drawing out a red mark: Yep, this is the right sharpness.

Mu Shen looked blankly at his palm.

This small swipe was neither light nor heavy. There was a slight pain but it was more of an itch. It had caught him off guard, like something was scratching at his heart but stopped abruptly.

And after it stopped, there was only a sense of loss.

Footnotes: 

[1] Zhongyi are the clothes worn on top of the undergarments (1) and below the outergarments (3). The word, zhong, means middle and yi, means clothes. In the picture shown below, the zhongyi is shown in (2). You can also check out this site for more info.

[2] apple rabbits/apple bunnies are just so cute!

Warning to rabbit pet owners from Z:

Its okay to feed rabbits apples but in MODERATION! Apples are a sugary food and its never good to feed your rabbits lots of sugar okay? Also, if you do happen to feed them apples, its perfectly fine to feed them the skin since thats where most of the nutrients are.

Make sure you wash the skins of pesticides and chemicals before giving them to your bunnies. This applies to anything you feed your bun buns.

NEVER feed them the seeds or stem as those do have toxic compounds in them. On the other hand, you can feed them the leaves, twigs and branches from apple trees. Those are good for wearing down their teeth.

Im a bunny owner myself so I kinda went a little overboard but please, please, please keep this warning in mind if you are a current or future bunnytato owner!

{__/}

( . )

/ > Ok, bai bai now!

Z asked me to add this~ It says In the future, youre only allowed to eat the rabbits I carve