Ye Jingyu's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't reply, only saying, "If you don't want to write, then don't."
Su Yunmo's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? You're so kind!"
Ye Jingyu lifted her onto a soft couch nearby and turned to go into the inner chamber.
The little dumpling rolled around on the soft couch, hugging a fluffy blanket.
Before long, Ye Jingyu emerged from the inner chamber, holding a zither.
The zither was placed on the table in front of Su Yunmo. "Learn this instead."
The little dumpling threw the blanket at his face.
He had to take back what he just said! He wasn't kind at all!
Ye Jingyu calmly folded the blanket and set it aside. He placed one hand on the strings. "Today we learn finger techniques, like this."
The little dumpling looked at him blankly, then extended her small hand and grasped a string.
A flash of red light crossed her eyes as she flicked her hand upwards.
With a snap, the string broke.
Ye Jingyu rubbed his temples with a headache.
This little one was truly not easy to teach.
"Young Master Han? Why are you here? Are you looking for my master?" Zi Yuan's voice came from outside.
"I'm not looking for her, I'm looking for Ye Jingyu. Is he at the General's mansion now? Where is he?" Han Jitong's voice was somewhat anxious.
Ye Jingyu frowned, displeased.
Zi Yuan: "His Highness Prince Yu is in the study, he's busy... Young Master Han!"
Han Jitong pushed the door open forcefully. The door frame shook violently, but it didn't open. "Why is the door barred in broad daylight! Open it quickly! I have something urgent!"
Su Yunmo nimbly jumped off the soft couch and ran towards the door as if she had seen a living Bodhisattva, trying her best to reach the bolt with her small feet.
It was too low, she couldn't reach it.
Ye Jingyu sighed inwardly and stepped forward to open the door. "What is it?"
Han Jitong had no time to explain. "Quickly summon your mansion guards, Qing'er is missing! She left last night, and I haven't found her after searching all this time!"
Su Yunmo's heart sank. "Feng Qing'er?"
The feared event had happened.
Han Jitong was sweating profusely, filled with remorse and regret. "It's all my fault for forcing her! I should have spoken to her more patiently. It's all my fault!"
"Now is not the time to discuss this," Ye Jingyu said, lifting the little dumpling and calling out, "Qian Xue."
Qian Xue stepped forward.
Ye Jingyu: "Gather the mansion guards to search for her. Report immediately if there is any news."
Qian Xue acknowledged the order and returned to gather the men, searching around the capital.
Su Yunmo gave Zi Yuan a look. Zi Yuan nodded and retreated to the organization to call for help.
It took both groups over an hour to find her.
After leaving the mansion, Feng Qing'er hired neither a carriage nor a sedan, but walked to the outskirts of the city.
Su Yunmo: "Are there any houses on the outskirts of the city?"
Qian Xue: "There's nothing there, only a river."
The three exchanged glances, all startled.
This was bad!
They prepared horses and hurried to the outskirts of the city, following the swift river upstream.
Han Jitong was on edge the entire way, constantly cursing himself.
Upon reaching the upstream area, they saw a person standing under a tree from afar.
Feng Qing'er, dressed in a thin white gown, held a dagger in her hand. A cut had been made on her wrist, and blood dripped onto the ground from her fingers.
She looked up at the distant horizon, her face unusually calm, as if she had already become one with heaven and earth.
"Qing'er!" Han Jitong dismounted in a hurry, misjudging his step and falling directly from his horse. He rolled several times on the ground before stopping.
Feng Qing'er turned her head and saw him. A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, which were as calm as still water, but this panic quickly subsided.
"Qing'er, Qing'er, don't do this. You can still be saved, we still have a future!" Han Jitong got up from the ground, ignoring the dirt on his clothes, and scrambled towards Feng Qing'er.
Feng Qing'er instinctively stepped back. "Don't come closer."
The river was behind her. One more step and she would fall in.
Her body swayed precariously; even a slight gust of wind could knock her over. If she fell into the water, the swift current would surely carry her away quickly.
Han Jitong, sweating profusely, immediately stopped. "Qing'er, listen to me. Those things were not your fault. They harmed you, and they deserve to die. You must live, you have to live!"
Feng Qing'er looked at the dagger in her hand, then up at Han Jitong, her eyes filled with apology. "I'm sorry, I've dirtied it."
This was the dagger he had given her when they first met. She had carried it with her all these years, never imagining she would use it one day.
"No, you're not dirty. In my heart, you are always the purest!" Han Jitong's eyes reddened, his voice filled with sorrow. "I beg you. It took me so long to find you, and I can't lose you again!"
Four years. For these four years, he had thought of her constantly. He had believed she was dead, but now he had the fortune to find her again.
How could he stand by and watch her disappear once more!
A flicker of hesitation crossed Feng Qing'er's eyes.
Han Jitong, catching this hesitation, moved gently closer to her, trying to calm his voice. "We will avenge your father's grievances. Only you can clear his name now."
"Prince Yu is already investigating this matter, and King Cheng has also been temporarily confined to his mansion. This case will be re-examined sooner or later, you cannot give up now."
Su Yunmo blinked and looked up at the man behind her.
Ye Jingyu's expression remained unchanged, and he made a gesture to the hidden Qian Xue.
Qian Xue slowly approached.
"You're right, my father's injustice must be redressed," Feng Qing'er lowered her gaze.
Han Jitong felt a wave of relief, but his heart was still in his throat. He quickly took two steps forward.
Feng Qing'er looked up and smiled gently at him. "I know you will help clear my father's name. I'll have to trouble you with things from now on."
She turned around and leaped.
"No! Qing'er!" Han Jitong's pupils contracted, and he jumped after her.
Qian Xue, startled, quickly stepped forward.
The swift river current swept Feng Qing'er into the riverbed.
Han Jitong grabbed her wrist, desperately trying to pull her ashore.
The wound on Feng Qing'er's wrist split open further, blood staining the river red. She calmly pried Han Jitong's hand away, allowing herself to be swept away by the current.
The current was too strong, and Han Jitong couldn't stand steady. He was in danger of being pulled in, but he still held on tightly.
Qian Xue entered the water, but both of them were struggling, and she couldn't save them both alone.
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes and raised her voice, shouting, "If others drink this water mixed with blood, they will contract the same illness as you."
Ye Jingyu looked down at the little dumpling, his eyes flickering.
These words reached the ears of the three people over there.
Feng Qing'er froze almost instinctively. The calmness in her eyes was instantly broken, and she subconsciously covered her bleeding wrist, afraid to move.
Han Jitong pulled her into his arms.
Qian Xue seized the opportunity to grab Han Jitong's arm and pull them both out.
Once they were on the shore.
Feng Qing'er pushed Han Jitong away with all her might, retreating in panic and fear. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."
Han Jitong reached out to embrace her. "I'm not afraid of you, Qing'er! Look at me, I'm not afraid of you, and I'm not afraid of death! How long are you going to hide from me!"