Refining the Mountains and Rivers

When Qin Yu heard the news, he was still fiddling with the Third-class Marquis Chongwu Seal that had been delivered to him. The Marquis Seal was made up of black and gold. The two colors intertwined, seeming majestic like another universe.

Old friend? Two ladies?

Qin Yu frowned as he put the seal away and headed to the back courtyard.

On the way over, he asked and was able to guess who the two ladies were.

Entering the backyard, the master and servant figures of Yun Qing and Yun Die could be seen.

It was them.

Strictly speaking, it had not been long since they parted, but the difference in status between back then and now was startling. Seeing Qin Yu walking towards them in his marquis attire, they bowed deeply from a distance.

"Greetings Marquis!"

Sixth Prince Li Zhouyi and that lady must have thought they were General Jinwu's old friends. However, the two of them knew clearly that they did not hold an important position in General Jinwu's heart.

At most, he just had a use for them…but since Li Zhouyi ordered them to be sent to Marquis Chongwu's Mansion, they had no choice but to enter as the carriage driver watched them.

Qin Yu's eyes flickered, "Be at ease."

He looked past them to the maid who was looking down respectfully, "Was it the lady who asked them to come in?"

"Yes." The maid replied softly.

Subconsciously, her eyes wanted to glow but she seemed to recall something and bent even lower.

Qin Yu nodded as he looked at the face that was identical to his memories. He had a sudden realization and he said slowly, "Since you are here, you should stay. I have other things to handle and will leave first."

Yun Die breathed a sigh of relief but sadness filled her.

Leaving the residence of the master and servant, Qin Yu took a deep breath as he headed straight to the main courtyard of the back residence. This was where the officially known 'Lady', Rourou lived.

Now, the news of how the lady of the mansion had invited in the two beautiful women had spread all over. Seeing the marquis in a rush with a concentrated look on his face, all the maids quickly bowed.

As soon as Qin Yu saw Rourou, he waved his hand, "Leave. Without my permission, no one is to enter."

"Yes!"

Everyone rushed to leave.

Qin Yu stepped forward and stared at Rourou. He said in a low voice, "Answer me truthfully…" He paused, "Why did you allow the two of them in?"

Rourou blinked, "They said that they were your old friends and I saw that they were somewhat intertwined with you so I allowed them.

"After all, you are now General Jinwu and an eyesore to some people. Who knows if they are trying to find a way to kill you. I saw that there were no issues with them, so you can relax."

Qin Yu did not believe that this was all there was to it, "Don't lie. Tell me the truth. You are not a busybody. What is the reason for letting them in?"

Rourou rolled her eyes, "Believe what you will!"

She stood up and left.

Qin Yu did not stop her but merely said, "Since you don't want to say, I will have to ask Yun Qing over to verify."

"You dare!" Rourou looked angrily as she rushed to say, "Qin Yu, don't pretend not to know. I let those two women in for your benefit!"

Qin Yu nodded, "Thank you."

He turned and left.

'Deng deng deng' he took a few steps before Rourou grabbed his arm and glared at him.

If it were for other things, he would not have been bothered by her grabbing him.

But he could not let it go this time.

Qin Yu lowered his head and stared at Rourou. His eyes were calm but determined.

It was obvious that he was not going to rest until he got what he wanted.

"Hmph!" Rourou stopped glaring and released his arm. Qin Yu did not walk away. He knew Rourou had given in.

"You ingrate with no conscience!" She scolded angrily as she gritted her teeth, "That's right. The one called Yun Qing…that woman has something, but don't ask further. I won't say anything."

There was a glimmer in the depths of Qin Yu's eyes. He took a deep breath and pushed further, "Rourou, is she…"

"Stop!" Rourou shrieked and looked annoyed, "I already told you not to ask anymore. If you continue like this, I will leave!"

Qin Yu frowned. Instinct told him that Rourou was not lying.

She was not comfortable talking about Yun Qing. She was even slightly restless.

Were they…natural enemies?

It felt something like this.

Rourou was very apprehensive and extremely unwilling to meet Yun Qing.

At this moment, Qin Yu's heart was filled with excitement.

He smiled brightly.

He thought that she had really vanished and there was no more trace of her in this world.

But this was not the case. Feature had disappeared, but there was a trace of her left behind.

Although Yun Qing had yet to recognize him and her cultivation was very weak, she was her. If not, how could she cause the mysterious being to feel apprehensive?

Rourou did not look good. She looked as if she had crushed her own foot with a stone. She regretted interfering and allowing the master and servant pair to enter. But if she could turn back time, she would probably have done the same, even knowing the results.

This realization caused Rourou to feel extremely unhappy. She gritted her teeth and growled, "I did not say anything. If you dare to bring her here, I will leave immediately!"

Qin Yu smiled brightly, "Don't worry, I promise that Yun Qing will never appear in front of you."

As for the reason why, he was in no mood to think about it.

He had to see Yun Qing. He was going to visit that woman, who helped him do everything silently, and disappeared.

Qin Yu turned and left eagerly.

Rourou's expression turned even darker. Her face was as gloomy as thick dark clouds.

Marquis Chongwu left and then returned. Both the master servant pair as well as the maids in the residence were confused.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu walked in front of Yun Qing. As he saw her restrained and anxious face, he suddenly realized that although he had many things he wanted to say, he was not able to say anything.

Because even if Yun Qing was Feature, she did not recognize him.

Letting out a breath, Qin Yu tried his best to speak gently, "Yun Qing…did anyone treat you poorly in the capital?"

Yun Qing's eyes widened. She looked at him in astonishment. She could not understand how he had such an extreme change of attitude after disappearing for a short while.

From the calm and silent state, he had turned…protective!

That's right. This was the feeling Qin Yu was giving Yun Qing.

It was as if she just had to randomly say anyone's name and that person would be extremely unlucky no matter what.

But she had always been cautious and Yun Qing did not dare to believe her own feelings. She felt even more uneasy as she paled slightly and shook her head, "No."

Qin Yu took a step back and smiled, "Did I scare you? Yes I must have. Don't be scared or angry. I had a misunderstanding earlier and did not recognize you. Actually you…hmm, maybe it is not appropriate to tell you now. Basically, I owe you a huge favor from a long time ago.

"You may not understand what I am saying now, and you don't have to. Just remember that I will protect and help you. I will not let anyone hurt you."

He was smiling and his smile grew bigger as he spoke. However, he spoke every word sincerely.

Feature. I once thought that I would never be able to see you again. Now, I've finally found you. I will repay you ten times, no, a hundred times more than what I owe you.

Yun Qing was stunned as she looked at Qin Yu, who was becoming more and more foreign. Yet, she suddenly felt a closeness to him deep in her heart and she trusted him. However, she felt that it was absurd. She could not understand the huge change in Marquis Chongwu; he was a high ranking person in the West Desolate.

But this did not affect the sincerity that Yun Qing felt from him…as well as the excitement and increasing heart rate she felt.

She thought about it as she lowered her head, "Mmhm."

Yun Die looked at Marquis Chongwu, who was fixated on her master. She gritted her teeth and suddenly kneeled, "Marquis, if you really want to protect my lady, you have to help her. Back then, on the way to the border camp, she almost died!"

"Yun Die!" Yun Qing scolded loudly, looking panicked, "You…Marquis, don't listen to her. It is all in the past and I am fine."

Qin Yu frowned slightly before his eyebrows stretched out and he nodded, "It is good that you are fine." He knew that being hasty was not the way. He looked at the servants around them, "Serve Lady Yun Qing well. If there are any mistakes, I will not forgive you."

He spoke coldly, but when he looked at Yun Qing, warmth filled his eyes.

He waved and turned to leave.

Leaving the small yard, Qin Yu's face was calm but there was turmoil in his eyes.

Yun Qing had almost died!

At that time, he did not know that she was Feature.

Although she was fine now, the moment he thought about how he almost would never have seen her again, Qin Yu started to panic. Anger grew within him.

"Men!"

Big Head Wang silently appeared behind him, "General, please give me your orders!"

Qin Yu spoke slowly, "Go to Li Zhouyi's palace and tell him that I want to know why Yun Qing almost died…give me the exact story. Don't miss anything out."

"Exact story. I will tell him this."

Big Head Wang bowed, "Yes."

Turning to leave, he was full of emotions - our general is really powerful now. He even speaks to a West Desolate prince with this kind of attitude.

Honor, there was definitely honor!

He then realized that he did not know the capital at all. He had no idea where the Sixth Prince's palace was.

"Cough!"

Big Head Wang coughed lightly and waved his hand.

Woosh -

Woosh -

Several fit figures from the border army appeared.

Although they were resting in the side residences as ordered by the general, there were not just lying around.

Without any trace, they had already taken over the security matters around the mansion.

Big Head Wang nodded in satisfaction. They were definitely his people, they were good. When he saw his nephew, Wang San, he was in a better mood. He pointed.

"Wang San. Go to Sixth Prince Li Zhouyi's palace and help to pass on a message."

He straightened his back and put his hands together as he repeated what Qin Yu had said.

Wang San shrunk back as he looked hesitant, "Uncle…cough. This is not the border army and everyone knows our relationship. Uncle, I am the last one from our Wang Family and will be the one sending you on your way in the future. Don't get me in trouble."

He looked as if he was about to cry.

Big Head Wang kicked him and scolded him, "Our general is now among the top in this capital."

He lifted his thumb and shouted, "I told you to go so just go. Don't talk nonsense. Hurry! If you cause any delay in the general's matters, you will get it from me!"

Nephews were used to carry the blame. Humming to himself, Big Head Wang left in a good mood.

The rest of the border army looked at Wang San sympathetically before disappearing.

……

Yun Qing asked everyone to leave before frowning at Yun Die. She had wanted to scold her a few times before but as she thought of how they only had each other, she could not bring herself to say anything.

Yun Die fell to a kneel, "My Lady, I know I was wrong. I should not have spoken."

Yun Qing chuckled bitterly, "If you already knew, then why did you do it? You know what our current state is like now. Living is already difficult. Why did you initiate trouble?"

As she started to speak, her smile turned even more sour, "Moreover, those people did not think much of Li Zhouyi. Although Marquis Chongwu is famous in the capital, if we bring in a huge enemy, we will suffer the brunt of it. How will we survive?"

Yun Die gritted her teeth, "Just now, the way Marquis Chongwu spoke seemed genuine…"

Yun Qing looked at her silently.

Yun Die remained kneeling, "My Lady, I did think about it and confirmed that he was genuine. If Marquis Chongwu meant what he said, he will definitely take revenge for you. Anyway, if he gets angry with us, it means that he is lying, and it would be better to know of that early. "

Yun Qing sighed softly. Yun Die grew up with her. Although officially they were master and servant, she had always looked at Yun Die like a sister.

After counting on each other for so many years, she could easily guess what she was thinking…although she was right, it was too rash. Did she think that after so many things happened, she was still that hopeful lady back in Seascape City?

But since things had already happened, there was no point. Yun Qing reached out to help her up, "Now, we can only see what the heavens have in store."

Seeing her master's eyes, Yun Die suddenly felt regretful. She had indeed behaved wilfully…but it was all Marquis Chongwu's fault for seeming so genuine and she could not help but believe him.

……

Someone from the border army arrived outside the palace and asked to see Li Zhouyi. The guards were stunned for a while before they reacted. This bastard was using His Highness' taboo name.

Thankfully, Wang San thought quickly and rushed to say who he was before it turned into a bloodbath. He mentioned that he was from Marquis Chongwu's residence.

Despite this, he was faced with dagger-like glares and cold expressions as he waited for a response from in the palace.

If His Highness did not respond, or if he sneered, the guards would have ensured that this border army soldier was torn into eight pieces.

It was a pity that they were unable to unleash this cruelness.

"His Highness asks for you to enter!"

Border Cliff Saint looked at the soldier. Both his cultivation and appearance were mediocre. Although he looked slightly pale from fright, there was a straightforward feel about him.

Border Cliff Saint wondered why Marquis Chongwu had sent someone like him, who just followed orders and did not think about much?

Walking through the beautiful palace, Wang San swallowed his saliva as he regained his alertness.

Just now, he had actually used the prince's name directly in front of everyone.

Fear grew within him before he started having cold sweat. He then slowly reacted…he was actually still alive now and had actually been invited in.

Our general is too powerful…what an honor…

Cough. This uncle and nephew pair from the Wang Family were indeed from the same bloodline.

Birds of the same feather flocked together!