Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 81 "Burning the Seventh Night", Meeting Beauty Hu
The next day, the sky over Xinzheng was shrouded in fog.

A gentle breeze blew by, and fine rain fell like silk threads, pattering on people's faces and bringing a touch of coolness.

A carriage departed from the palace and, under the escort of the imperial guards, arrived at the original site of the Liu residence. The curtain was lifted, and a beautiful woman in plain clothes stepped out. After getting off the carriage, she stood in front of the Liu residence for a while, and then, with the help of servants, entered the somewhat dilapidated mansion.

"Put it here!"

The beauty directed her servants to place the sacrificial offerings in an open space. Then she stood there, looking at the empty courtyard, her expression somewhat dazed.

The Fire Rain Manor of yesteryear also ended in flames, but back then, fate was kind to them, and two people escaped. But now, fate seems to be playing a cruel joke on her.

"Lady Hu, everything is ready."

After a while, a servant came over and whispered.

"You guys go outside and keep watch, I want to be alone."

The person who came was none other than Hu Meiren. Time flies, and seven days have passed since the great fire at Liu Mansion. She came to Liu Mansion for her sister's "seven-day memorial service".

These past few days, Hu Meiren had been in a bad mood, and everyone accompanying her knew this. Now, upon hearing Hu Meiren's instructions, they hesitated for a moment before consciously withdrawing.

Soldiers had already surrounded the Liu residence.

On the fourth floor of Zilan Pavilion, Zi Nu stood by the window, looking into the distance with an unsettling gaze. By now, that young man should have already made contact with Hu Meiren, right?

At the Liu residence, Consort Hu was weeping.

Suddenly I heard a sound coming from beside my ear.

"She's not dead."

Hu Meiren was taken aback. She wasn't dead? Who was this "she" the other person was referring to? Was it her sister? Or someone else?

She subconsciously looked up and, without realizing it, a boy appeared beside her—a very strange boy.

She glanced behind her; none of the people outside seemed to have seen the little guy.

"Who are you??"

Hu Meiren's eyes flickered twice, suppressing the other thoughts rising in her mind, and then asked softly.

The young man did not answer Hu Meiren's question, but instead took something out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Seeing the other party's actions, Hu Meiren's eyes became more wary. Han Wang An had only agreed to come to Liu's residence to "burn the seventh day" for her sister with great difficulty, and she also knew that the city had been unstable these past few days, with the Baiyue people causing trouble.

Although the young man in front of her didn't look very old, it didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. Having lived in the inner palace for a long time, she was always careful in everything she did.

"I wonder if Lady Hu recognizes this item?"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Hu Meiren then looked at the object in the young man's hand.

The moment Hu Meiren saw this object, her expression changed slightly. It was a hairpin, a hairpin that she was very familiar with.

Hu Meiren's small hands, which had been hanging by her sides, were now clenched tightly. This hairpin was a gift she had given to her older sister, who always kept it close to her body. Why was it in this young man's hands?
After a moment of silence, Hu Meiren picked up the hairpin, examined it for a while, and then asked in a deep voice, "Where did you get this?"

The young man stood still without making any other moves. After seeing Hu Meiren take the hairpin, he withdrew his hand.

"It was given to me by Madam Hu."

Upon hearing this, Hu Meiren turned around and carefully examined the little guy in front of her.

Although his features were not yet fully developed, one could vaguely tell that he was a handsome young man. He wore a light green robe, which was simple yet appropriate. His gaze was calm, and he exuded an air of indifference.

Then Hu Meiren asked, "Did she say anything to you at the time?"

Upon hearing this, the young man sighed inwardly. When he had previously interacted with Madam Hu, he had noticed that she acted with great method and order. Now, upon seeing the beautiful Madam Hu, this feeling was even stronger.

If the hairpin was not a gift from Madam Hu herself, then its origins are probably unknown.

At that time, if one were to bring this hairpin to Lady Hu, whether seeking help or for any other reason, it would likely backfire.

"Madam Hu said that this hairpin was given to her by Consort Hu after her first visit to the palace, and she has always kept it close to her body."

Hearing this, Hu Meiren's expression relaxed. Only she and her sister knew about this matter, and now that this young man was able to tell her about it, she had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

"Is my sister alright?" The boy nodded.

"Does Lady Hu still remember Li Kai?"

Hu Meiren's eyes flashed. Li Kai, she hadn't heard anyone mention this name for many years, but she knew that her sister had never forgotten this man.

"He should be dead by now."

The boy shook his head.

"He is not dead. Lady Hu should have seen him before. During the banquet, Madam Hu lost her composure because of a servant. Lady Hu should still remember this, right?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of reminiscence flashed across Hu Meiren's eyes. Of course she remembered this matter, but when she inquired about it at the time, Madam Hu had not said anything.

"It's him??"

"Back then, he was a dashing young general. I never imagined that after more than ten years, he would have turned out like that."

The boy gently shook his head.

"He was also a victim of the Fire Rain Manor incident back then. Liu Yi, together with the Three Wolves of Broken Hair, stole the Fire Rain Duke's treasure and then burned down the manor. Later, Li Kai insisted on not attacking Baiyue and committed many killings. He was framed by Ji Wuye's faction and was accused of disobeying the king's orders and attempting to rebel."

Hearing this story, Hu Meiren's eyes darkened; the events at Huoyu Manor were something she didn't want to recall.

After a moment of silence, Hu Meiren said with a hint of self-deprecation, "Young master, do you think I shouldn't have come to Korea to serve an enemy?"

The boy gently shook his head.

"In a chaotic world, a woman, especially a beautiful one, doesn't have many choices. If Consort Hu hadn't come to Korea and entered the palace, she probably would have died long ago."

Upon hearing this, Hu Meiren gently wiped her eyes, and before she knew it, her eyes had already become moist.

For a woman who is powerless to even kill a chicken, a chaotic world is a nightmare and a tragedy.

"Madam Hu and Li Kai left South Korea together. If fate allows, you may meet again someday."

Upon hearing this, Lady Hu bowed gracefully, guessing that Madam Hu and Li Kai's current success was due to the help of the young man standing before them.

"Thank you for your help, young master."

"May I ask your name, sir?"

The young man sighed softly.

“Cultivating affinity.”

Hu Meiren murmured something, her eyes suddenly becoming somewhat complicated.

"Xiuyuan, that's a good name. Sister, you've finally achieved your goal."

"Young Master Xiuyuan has come to see me today, surely there is something else on your mind? Since you are my sister's benefactor, I will certainly not stand idly by."

Chen Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this.

"The Korean Secretariat".

Hu Meiren was taken aback. She had heard of the storage room, a place filled with books. What was the other person doing there?
"What is Young Master Xiuyuan doing in a place like that? You can hardly see a soul there on weekdays, it's just letters and scrolls."

"Read a book."

"."

"Young master's hobby is quite unique!"

"There's one more person, perhaps Hu Meiren could also meet."

"who is it?"

"The daughter of Madam Hu and Li Sima, her name is Nongyu."

(End of this chapter)