"Little Seven?" Chu Jinnan, Chu Qianli's elder brother, the eldest son of Grand Tutor Chu.
Because his mother came from a humble background and his straightforward personality, he had always been at odds with the scheming Grand Tutor Chu.
Grand Tutor Chu had always disliked him and, years ago, found an excuse to transfer him to the frontier.
He had been away for many years. If Chu Qianli had not pleaded with the Emperor to have him transferred back, she didn't know when he would have returned home.
"Big Brother..." Although he wasn't her biological elder brother, she had grown accustomed to calling him that and continued to do so.
At least, tonight, he was still her big brother.
"Are you also going to see Grandpa?"
Chu Jinnan nodded, "Grandpa's health hasn't fully recovered, and his medicine needs to be changed twice every night."
"You personally go to change Grandpa's medicine?" Chu Qianli was a little surprised.
These tasks could be left to the servants; there was no need for him to do them himself.
Chu Jinnan had just been transferred back and might not have adapted to his new position, surely having many things to be busy with.
"Didn't I mention before that someone in the manor was poisoning Grandpa? I think it's safer if I handle the medicine myself."
"That's good. That way, I can rest assured."
Chu Qianli nodded and walked into Duke Guo's room with him.
Upon seeing Chu Qianli, Chu Buqu became somewhat excited, "Why didn't Little Seven inform us in advance when she came back? It's so late, did someone from Prince Xuan's manor send you?"
Not wanting to worry him, Chu Qianli could only nod, "Yes, I'll be leaving soon. I have to rush back."
"Little Seven is always so busy," Chu Buqu beckoned and said, "Little Seven, come here, let Grandpa have a good look at you. You've gotten thinner, my Little Seven, since I last saw you."
Chu Qianli's nose suddenly felt sore, and she almost couldn't hold back her tears.
He was no longer her biological grandfather.
But this affection was still present.
"Grandpa, Little Seven hasn't given you a massage in a long time. May Little Seven give you a massage?"
She didn't know how long she would be gone to the Longteng Kingdom, nor did she know if she would have the chance to return.
Before leaving, she just wanted to fulfill her filial duty as a granddaughter one last time.
Even if she wasn't his real granddaughter, in her heart, he would always be Grandpa.
After taking his medicine, Duke Guo quickly fell asleep under Chu Qianli's massage.
When he was sound asleep, Chu Qianli covered him with the blanket and then quietly withdrew from his chambers.
Chu Jinnan was still waiting outside the courtyard.
Seeing Chu Qianli emerge, Chu Jinnan stepped forward and suddenly knelt on one knee.
"Big Brother..."
"Thank you for your righteous assistance! Little Seven, Big Brother owes you, and I will surely repay you in the future!"
"No need. I asked you to return because I believe only you can help the Duke's manor stand tall again."
Grand Tutor Chu was truly incapable; he didn't have that kind of ability.
"Big Brother, this is all I can do to help you. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself. Grandpa also depends on you."
"Little Seven..." Chu Jinnan looked at her, his feelings somewhat complicated.
Why did he always have a feeling that Little Seven, after leaving this time, would never return?
"Big Brother, there are still people in this manor who wish to harm Grandpa. The matter of Chu Huaiyu might not truly be over just because it's resolved."
That's why tonight, seeing Chu Jinnan personally taking care of Grandpa, she could finally feel at ease.
Chu Qianli helped him up.
She looked up at Chu Jinnan, who was a head taller than her, and said earnestly, "If you don't want to be bullied, you can only become strong yourself. Big Brother, you must continue to walk your path with your own efforts."
"Big Brother understands."
Chu Qianli smiled at him, having no more words to say.
Big Brother was older than her and had experienced no less than she had.
He would know what to do.
"I really must leave now." She had to depart tomorrow, and she couldn't waste too much time tonight.
She still had to go back and prepare her things.
"Big Brother will escort you."
Chu Jinnan saw her off at the back gate. He knew she had returned on her own, but he could also see that the current Little Seven was not weak in martial arts, even surpassing him.
"Little Seven," at the time of parting, Chu Jinnan couldn't help but ask, "Will you... come back?"
That feeling that she would never return grew stronger and stronger.
Their sibling bond hadn't been particularly strong before, and she didn't know why, but tonight, it was particularly difficult to let go.
Chu Qianli nodded, then shook her head, "I don't know either."
Chu Jinnan's heart tightened.
Finally, he could only sigh softly and look at her again, saying earnestly, "No matter what, if Little Seven ever needs anything in the future, as long as I can do it, I will do my utmost!"
"Alright! Big Brother, I'll keep these words in my heart."
Chu Qianli cupped her hands in a salute to him, "Big Brother, farewell for now!"
"Take care!"
Leaving the Duke's manor, Chu Qianli did not walk in a hurry.
Her mood, like her footsteps, was somewhat heavy.
This time, she was truly leaving the Duke's manor for good.
This home no longer belonged to her.
After leaving the Duke's manor and walking for a while, Chu Qianli gradually noticed that the atmosphere around her was a bit off.
It wasn't too late yet, and she was walking on the street, which was still somewhat lively.
That person had been following her, clearly intending for her to know their whereabouts.
Otherwise, with her profound internal energy, Chu Qianli was confident she wouldn't have been able to detect their presence.
Stopping in front of a teahouse, Chu Qianli suddenly halted.
Turning around, she looked at the dark night sky and said, "Would you like to come in for a drink?"
The people around looked at the young girl in surprise.
Why was the little girl talking to the air?
There was no one behind her at all.
But the voice from behind her could only be heard by Chu Qianli, "If you are not afraid of death, then go to Huaishan Temple."
Chu Qianli looked up. Huaishan Temple was not far away.
She wasn't unafraid of death, but she had too many questions in her heart!
Finally, she took a step and walked towards Huaishan Temple across the lake.
Consort Yu was sitting by the railing on the highest floor of Huaishan Temple.
Seen from afar, her slender figure cast a shadow on the railing, as if she could fall at any moment.
But such a master, how could she be in any danger?
Chu Qianli ascended the steps and stopped not far behind her, "What do you want with me?"
"You truly are not afraid of death," Murong Yu sneered, not looking back at her.
"You won't kill me," Chu Qianli said calmly.
"What makes you say that?" Murong Yu raised an eyebrow.
"If you wanted to kill me, why would you go to such great lengths to cast the soul-capturing spell on me?"
Consort Yu wanted her to stay by Feng Wuya's side and protect him.
Actually, even if she hadn't cast the soul-capturing spell on her, Chu Qianli would have protected Feng Wuya with all her might.
Why the unnecessary step?
Unexpectedly, Murong Yu turned around, looked at her, and smiled, "You think I only used the soul-capturing spell on you?"