Wedding ceremony tomorrow

Chapter 203 The Nightingale's Tears

The sun sets.

The entire city was soon shrouded in night, but the streets were already ablaze with brilliant lights.

Yunxian Tower in the south of the city was exceptionally lively.

When Luo Qingfeng and his group arrived, they found that there were already many guests there.

Fortunately, they had already made reservations.

The largest private room upstairs can easily seat more than a dozen people.

The waiter enthusiastically brought over the menu and handed it to Zhang Cuicui, who was treating everyone to dinner that night.

Then, the menu was passed to Luo Qingfeng.

Luo Qingfeng did not refuse. After ordering two dishes, he asked Dong Miaomiao and Aya next to him.

Dong Miaomiao came here just to join in the fun.

This little girl usually eats delicacies from land and sea, so she's not interested in the food here.

Aya also lowered her head, too embarrassed to order.

Luo Qingfeng handed the menu to Lin Yun, who then randomly ordered a few items and passed them on to Liang Feng and the others.

After ordering, the group started chatting animatedly.

They were simply talking about the new disciple competition, future cultivation life in the academy, and various tasks.

Although everyone was curious about why Luo Qingfeng's advancement speed was so fast, no one asked, after all, it was a secret belonging to every cultivator.

"I've heard that the top ten disciples in the annual new disciple competition have the opportunity to undertake special missions. The top five disciples are sometimes even invited by the main academy to train in certain alternate dimensions. I've heard that those dimensions are remnants from ancient times, and they're full of cultivation resources—treasures, pills, spirit beasts, you name it..."

"However, there are still dangers. Some disciples went in and never came out again."

Even so, most disciples still really want to go and see for themselves, after all, there are many opportunities there...

"We cultivators aren't even afraid of demons, so why would we be afraid of those dangers? I'm certainly not afraid. If I had the chance to go, I could be so excited I wouldn't sleep for three days and three nights..."

"Sigh, we definitely don't have a chance, but Senior Brother Luo and Senior Brother Lin can definitely go."

After chatting for a while, the waiter came up and asked if they wanted the food served now.

Liang Feng quickly said, "Wait a little longer, there are still people who haven't arrived."

Just as Luo Qingfeng was about to speak, Zhang Cuicui next to him laughed and said, "Anyway, we didn't come here to eat. Let's chat first, and then we'll serve the dishes when Senior Sister Ye arrives."

The group then talked about the grudges between the South and North campuses, and the North campus's triumphant victory.

A long time passed.

Luo Qingfeng glanced out the window and thought to himself: Has Sister Nightingale finished cooking for Grandma yet?

Making everyone wait like this doesn't seem quite right.

When the waiter came up again, he quickly said, "It's getting late, let's serve the food."

Zhang Cuicui asked, "Senior Sister Ye isn't not coming, is she?"

Luo Qingfeng said, "Let's eat first, don't worry about her. She'll probably finish eating at home before coming over."

It was indeed getting late, and no one said anything more.

The waiter quickly brought over the wine and dishes.

Just as the dishes were being served, Sun Er, the fourth steward of the Ningguo Mansion, suddenly rushed upstairs, tripped and fell at the top of the stairs, and hurriedly got up, stammering, "Young Master Luo... Young Master Luo! Go back quickly! Your house... your house is on fire..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingfeng's expression changed immediately. He got up and rushed downstairs, heading towards Pear Blossom Lane at top speed.

Aya and Dong Miaomiao followed closely behind.

Zhang Cuicui and the others were stunned for a moment, then quickly got up and ran downstairs.

When Luo Qingfeng rushed back to the alley, the entire house had already burned down and collapsed, leaving only a few beams.

Many people are carrying water from the well to help put out the fire.

The nightingale, her body charred black from the thick smoke, knelt and wept in a corner of a collapsed house not far away. In front of her lay an old man, already lifeless.

Luo Qingfeng stood frozen in place, motionless.

Only when Aya ran past him and threw herself on the old man, weeping silently, did he move his heavy steps and walk over.

Dong Miaomiao stopped at the entrance, not daring to go over.

When Zhang Cuicui and the others chased after them out of the restaurant, they could no longer find them, so they did not follow.

Neighbors and servants sent by the Ningguo Mansion were still helping to put out the fire.

Government officials and patrolmen also arrived and helped put out the fire.

However, after the fire was completely extinguished, the entire house was gone.

The officials questioned the people for a while, then surveyed the area, made a record of what they had learned, and left.

The neighbors also left one by one, sighing and groaning.

It's late at night, and everyone has things to do tomorrow, so it's impossible to stay here forever.

Dong Miaomiao whispered a few instructions to Steward Sun, and then dismissed all the servants of the Ningguo Mansion.

She stayed here alone with them.

The night returned to silence, and a chilly night breeze swept through.

The girl's cries sounded especially desolate in the cold, dark night.

Luo Qingfeng stood to the side, silent.

Dong Miaomiao stood quietly not far away, not disturbing them.

The night passed quietly.

As dawn broke, Steward Sun arrived with his men, bringing a brand-new coffin and a funeral service team.

Clothes, paper money, and other offerings have all been prepared.

Dong Miaomiao gestured for them to stop outside and not to go over or make any noise.

After a long while, Nightingale stood up from the ground, wiped away her tears, and said softly, "Crow, let Grandma rest in peace."

Her body was still trembling, and she could barely stand.

Luo Qingfeng helped her up.

Aya continued to lie silently on her grandmother's body, weeping.

Nightingale silently shed tears for a while before pulling her up and holding her in her arms.

The two sisters hugged each other and cried.

Dong Miaomiao then gestured for those people to go over, collect the old man's body, and put it in the coffin.

Those people were very experienced. They first wrapped the old man's body in a black cloth, and then began to change his clothes and comb his hair.

After doing all this, it was carefully placed into the coffin.

The night had completely faded away.

But today there was no sun, the sky was overcast, and it looked like it was going to rain.

No funeral was held.

The old man was taken directly out of the city and buried on a hillside in the suburbs, where a simple stone tablet was erected.

Flames were lit in front of the monument.

Nightingale, A-Ya, and Luo Qingfeng knelt silently burning paper money in front of the grave.

After Dong Miaomiao had Sun Er lead the people who were burying the dead away, she walked to a large tree not far away and stared blankly at the distant mountains.

Until dusk.

As the sun was about to set, the group left the cemetery and returned to the city.

Dong Miaomiao said, "I asked Steward Sun to find another house, not far from Pear Blossom Lane, and very close to Ningguo Mansion. The price is a bit higher than the previous house. You and your master can go and take a look first. If you are not satisfied, I will ask Steward Sun to find another one."

The three remained silent and did not speak.

After a long while, Luo Qingfeng finally spoke, "Let's stay in the courtyard."

Everyone looked at him.

Luo Qingfeng said, "I won first place in this new disciple competition. The academy promised me three requests. My first request is to ask them to help me recruit Sister Nightingale into the North Academy. The vice dean has already agreed. Then Sister Nightingale and I can live in the academy, and Aya can also live there."

The nightingale lowered its head and remained silent, not uttering a word.

Aya made no comment.

Dong Miaomiao sighed and said, "Actually, I wanted Mr. and Mrs., as well as Sister Aya, to live with us. We have so many rooms in our house, it's such a waste that no one lives there."

Seeing that the others remained silent, she continued, "You all need a house of your own. I'll have Steward Sun reserve that house for you. You can come out and stay whenever you don't want to live in the courtyard anymore. By the way, you can stay at our mansion tonight."

Before Luo Qingfeng could speak, Nightingale suddenly looked at him and said, "Then let's buy that house. Miaomiao is right, we need to have our own house, only then can we truly have a home."

She lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion: "Grandma may be gone, but our home is still here."

Luo Qingfeng nodded silently.

Dong Miaomiao immediately led them back to the mansion.

The people in the manor had already received the news, and no one came to disturb them. Only the head steward and the third and fourth wives sent people over to offer their condolences.

Xiao Tao and Xiao Mei didn't dare to say much and quickly boiled water for the group to bathe.

After taking a shower and eating something simple, Luo Qingfeng said, "I want to go to the North Courtyard."

To everyone's surprise, the nightingale chimed in, "I want to go too."

Luo Qingfeng looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Nightingale said softly, "I want to know how it went, and I also want to say a few words to Senior Bai."

Luo Qingfeng didn't ask any further questions and nodded.

The two told A-Ya and went out together.

Walking through the dark streets, the two remained silent until they entered the North Courtyard, at which point Luo Qingfeng finally spoke: "Sister Nightingale, I will definitely avenge Grandma. I will not let a single member of the Yuan family go."

The nightingale paused for a moment, then simply hummed in agreement, appearing distracted.

The two soon arrived at the library.

The door was not closed, and an oil lamp was lit inside. Granny Ning was even sitting in the corner reading a book. When she saw the two of them come in, she did not say anything.

Luo Qingfeng said, "Grandma, Nightingale and I would like to go up and see Senior Bai."

Grandma Ning turned another page of her book before speaking, "She can go upstairs, you stay here."

Just as Luo Qingfeng was about to speak, Nightingale said, "You wait here, I'll go up by myself."

After saying that, she went straight upstairs.

Luo Qingfeng stopped at the bottom of the stairs, secretly wondering what Sister Nightingale wanted to say to Senior Bai.

At this moment, Granny Ning spoke up: "Liang Lizhi came by this afternoon. The Nightingale matter has been resolved. She can go to the South Courtyard to pick up the documents tomorrow and report directly to the North Courtyard."

Luo Qingfeng was overjoyed and asked, "What else did Deacon Liang say?"

Grandma Ning put down her book, looked up at him, and said, "The courtyard already knows about the fire at your house. Liang Lizhi said that the courtyard will send someone to help investigate. He also said that your family can come and stay in the courtyard; the courtyard has prepared a courtyard for you. If you want to live outside, the courtyard can also spend money to help you buy a house. There may be other things; you can go and ask him yourself tomorrow."

Luo Qingfeng nodded silently.

Granny Ning looked at him and said, "I heard you won first place in the new disciple competition. Not bad, it was worth it for Miss to help you cultivate. But don't get too carried away. With this honor, many people will try to win you over, but many will also try to harm you. You must always stay clear-headed and vigilant. I've seen many young geniuses, but most of them die young for various reasons. I hope you can go further."

Luo Qingfeng cupped his hands and said, "This junior will remember Grandmother's teachings."

Granny Ning glanced at him a few more times, as if she had something to say. After hesitating for a moment, she sighed almost imperceptibly and said, "Also, you must remember the kindness Miss has shown you. In the future... no matter what happens in the future, just remember that Miss will not harm you."

Luo Qingfeng said, "I know. I will never forget Senior Bai's great kindness to me."

Grandma Ning seemed to show a hint of reluctance in her eyes. She paused, then said nothing more and continued to read her book.

Luo Qingfeng waited for a long time, but seeing that Sister Nightingale still hadn't come down, just as she was about to go up, Granny Ning spoke up, "Women are talking amongst themselves, what are you going up for?"

Luo Qingfeng had no choice but to endure it.

After a while, Nightingale finally came downstairs, her face calm and showing no other emotions.

Luo Qingfeng originally wanted to go up and see Senior Bai, but there was probably no need to go up now. He decided to come back tomorrow.

"Let's go."

The nightingale took his hand, her gaze exceptionally tender.

Luo Qingfeng bid farewell to Granny Ning and left with her in his arms.

After the two figures disappeared into the distant night, Granny Ning put down her book, sighed, and muttered to herself, "That boy... sigh, I hope he won't hate Miss later..."

From the window on the sixth floor.

A noble woman dressed in a flowing robe stood there, watching through the night as two figures, hand in hand, gradually walked away.

She stood by the window for a long time.

On the way back to Ningguo Mansion, Luo Qingfeng asked the two about their conversation several times, but Nightingale changed the subject each time.

The two quickly returned to their residence.

Dong Miaomiao was talking to Aya inside the house, trying to make her happy.

However, Aya seemed to have lost her soul, sitting there blankly, motionless, with no change in expression on her face.

After seeing the two return, Dong Miaomiao sighed and left.

Aya returned to the house alone.

Xiao Tao and Xiao Mei also silently went into another room.

Luo Qingfeng and Nightingale stayed in the hall for a while before entering the room next door.

Luo Qingfeng asked with some confusion, "Isn't Sister Nightingale going to keep Aya company?"

Nightingale closed the window, blew out the candles and oil lamp on the table, and said softly, "Let her be alone for a while. Tonight, I want to stay with you."

"Um."

Luo Qingfeng knew she was upset and wanted comfort.

The two undressed and went to bed.

Luo Qingfeng gently embraced her and softly stroked her hair.

The nightingale clung tightly to his chest, and in the darkness, two crystal-clear tears slid down her cheeks.

Outside the window, the night was as black as ink.

(End of this chapter)