Willow's eyes misted over. A thousand armies seemed to surge within her chest, her blood boiling with passion. She tightly grasped Nangong Yue's hand. He was alive, he was really alive! It was wonderful, a blessing from heaven that he was still with them, Willow murmured in her heart.
"You are my sister," Nangong Yue ventured, his tone tentative. His cautious approach surprised Willow for a moment. Lu Wanqing, standing beside Nangong Yue, spoke softly, "He's lost his memory. Seeing Mu Xing made him realize he still had family."
Hearing Wanqing's words, Willow felt an unexpected wave of relief. This was actually for the better. He had suffered so much since childhood, only to be deceived by his master, who turned out to be his own father, whom he then killed.
Anyone in Willow's position would find this unbearable. As long as he was happy from now on, forgetting everything from the past and simply living his life.
"Yes, I am your twin sister."
Willow nodded vigorously. Nangong Yue suddenly smiled, pure and clear, untainted by any worldly concerns, like a child purely yearning for familial love.
She knew he had craved this affection since childhood but had never received it. From this moment on, they were family.
Willow released Nangong Yue's hand and turned to look at Lu Wanqing, a grateful smile gracing her lips. "Miss Lu, thank you for saving my brother, and for saving my son. Tell me, what do you desire? Whatever you say, I will help you achieve it."
Before Lu Wanqing could respond, the elder Mr. Lu, sitting beside her, became restless. His eyes were filled with curiosity, shock, and suspicion. Who was this person? To possess such confidence and capability, who was she?
Lu Wanqing turned and glanced at Nangong Yue beside her, offering a shy smile. She then spoke softly, "I want to marry him."
Everyone in the hall was stunned. Mr. Lu's face turned a shade of liver-red. His daughter's words had utterly disgraced the Lu family.
What kind of woman proposed to a man, and in front of so many people?
Willow was astonished and couldn't help but admire Lu Wanqing. Wasn't she afraid that if Nangong Yue regained his memory of the past, especially of the cold poison within him? Did she not know?
"He has the cold poison?"
As Willow spoke, the faces of the Lu elders turned ashen.
No matter how capable the woman before them was, they no longer cared. Their daughter's lifelong happiness was paramount. The cold poison was an incurable disease. They doubted she could even have children. What was the point of such a life?
"I know. I am a physician. I simply wish to be with him and help him recover from the cold poison," Lu Wanqing stated firmly, her eyes filled with deep affection. Willow was moved. This woman was worthy of Nangong Yue's cherish. Her love for him, her willingness to stay by his side, was so pure. Willow turned to look at Nangong Yue.
"Brother, are you willing to marry her?"
Nangong Yue had been frozen since Wanqing spoke. He stared blankly at Willow, his mind struggling to grasp something. His gaze softly swept over Willow's face, as if looking at her warmed his heart.
It seemed she truly was his sister. He shifted his gaze from Willow to Wanqing, his voice as light as a whisper.
"Wanqing, I don't want to burden you."
Wanqing quickly reached out and covered Nangong Yue's mouth, shaking her head. "Being able to accompany you is my heartfelt wish. As long as you are willing to keep me, I will never leave you."
Her gentle, delicate demeanor, as if afraid of hurting him, stirred a pang of pain in Nangong Yue's heart. Wanqing was so cautious, and she had saved him.
From the moment he first opened his eyes and saw her, he felt a sense of peace beside her. Could this be considered liking her? He thought about how painful it would be if she married someone else, and he nodded.
Wanqing immediately nestled into his embrace with joy. Everyone in the hall was shocked. Even Lu Wanyun and Lu Youchen, who had just walked in from outside the door, were dumbfounded. Lu Wanyun stepped forward and pulled Wanqing away, speaking aggressively.
"I disagree. I told you, he is mine," Lu Wanyun declared possessively, pulling Nangong Yue closer.
Lu Youchen, who had walked in last, coughed lightly, reminding his sisters of the presence of outsiders and the impropriety of their behavior.
Mr. Lu's face turned a dark, greenish hue. He could no longer concern himself with the woman's background. He slammed the table heavily, his anger erupting, "Silence! Lu Wanqing, have you forgotten your promise to marry into the Feng family?"
Wanqing flinched, then turned to look at Nangong Yue beside her. Her heart was filled with an unshakeable resolve. Since transmigrating to this ancient era, she had never truly desired anything for herself. Now, she would not let go.
"I will not let go. If you dare to stop me, I will leave the Lu family."
Lu Wanqing's words were like a colossal tidal wave. The Lu elders' faces turned grim. Mr. Lu stood up hastily and roared, "You unfilial daughter! How dare you be so rebellious? I'll have someone break your legs!"
He then called out towards the outside, "Come! Take the eldest daughter to the backyard!"
"Who dares?" Lu Wanqing, usually gentle, suddenly became fierce. Her expression turned cold, and an icy aura emanated from her. She swept a mocking glance at the servants who had entered from outside. With just these few, did they think they could restrain her? What a dream. "Father, it's best not to force me to act."
Mr. Lu's body heavily slumped back onto the chair, rendering him speechless. The once high and mighty patriarch had never been treated like this. His old face turned from green to white, then to red, as he panted for breath.
Madam Lu immediately brought him some tea to drink, then turned to scold Wanqing, "Wanqing, why are you acting like this? You're going to make your father die of anger."
Lu Wanqing snorted, unmoved. If she showed any weakness, her lifelong happiness would be buried by these detestable ancient people. She would not be weak.
Willow, who had been standing silently in the hall, suddenly clapped her hands. Her voice, cold and captivating, resonated deeply, "Well done. This is how one should be to be worthy of my brother. It seems I have no choice but to agree."
Hearing Willow's words, Wanqing lowered her guard and beamed with a smile. "Thank you. I will always be by his side."
As soon as Wanqing finished speaking, Lu Wanyun became furious and yelled at Willow, "Who is this woman? Why should what she says be considered valid?"
Willow's expression turned instantly cold. Her eyes were icy, and a frost seemed to envelop her. A mocking smile played on her lips. This was likely the second daughter of the Lu family, a spoiled and willful woman who needed proper discipline. Her clear voice rang out.
"Ri Ying, are her words problematic?"
Before anyone in the hall could comprehend Willow's question, Ri Ying's figure flashed forward. Two crisp sounds echoed through the hall, *pa, pa*. Lu Wanyun was slapped twice.
After an initial moment of stunned silence, she burst into loud sobs. Ri Ying's stern voice cut through the air.
"Silence! You are not qualified to question our mistress."
Lu Wanyun, terrified, immediately shut her mouth. Mr. Lu and Lu Youchen could not bear it. Someone had the audacity to strike their Lu family daughter in front of them. The Lu family was, after all, one of the five great families of Jiangnan.
They had no idea of this woman's background. Her actions suggested a certain bandit-like quality. Perhaps they were wealthy, but the Lu family was not short of money. Mr. Lu turned to his son, and Lu Youchen stepped forward, glaring at Ri Ying.
"How dare you injure someone in the Lu family? Lu Wanqing is a member of the Lu family. As long as we do not consent to her marriage, she cannot marry."