Chapter 26: Mengyue, Meng Yanran (2)

After quite a while, Lian Yue finally managed to regain control over her emotions, though the embrace was so warm she truly couldn’t bear to leave it.

Meng Yanran, too, was filled with confusion. Why did seeing this girl cry make her heart ache? In the past, only when facing Chuchen herself did she feel this way. She couldn’t deny that this girl was truly adorable, but wasn’t Yao Yao also just as lovable? Could it merely be because this girl resembled her so closely? The thought lingered as Meng Yanran recalled the changes in expression from everyone present when she’d entered the courtyard, a thread of doubt creeping into her heart—especially in that man named Yue Zhanpeng. The way he looked at her was indescribably strange. As this crossed her mind, she glanced up at the man beside her, and, quite unexpectedly, their gazes met. Meng Yanran was deeply drawn into the emotions reflected in his eyes—there was love, pain, apology, and relief. What on earth had transpired between them?

Yue Zhanpeng gazed, utterly enthralled, at the one he loved most in this world. It was as if time itself had stopped. Her eyes were as clear as ever, like a spring pool, making it impossible to look away.

Watching their interaction, Meng Lan’s concern was written openly in her eyes; inwardly, she grew anxious. This couldn’t go on. If it did, her junior sister might recall something, and then... “Ahem, ahem.” Meng Lan coughed softly into her hand, successfully drawing the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

“Sect Leader, let me handle matters here. You’ve just come out of seclusion, you should rest.”

Reminded by her, Chuchen’s concern gradually overshadowed his feelings of being moved. He nearly forgot how much seeing these people might agitate his master. He quickly sent a message to Lian Yue.

Lian Yue, still basking in her mother’s warmth, was displeased at the sudden interruption. But when she understood the message’s content, her heart clenched with worry, as if concern were contagious, spreading through her chest.

She lingered in her mother’s embrace for another moment before reluctantly lifting her head from Meng Yanran’s chest. Sensing the movement, Meng Yanran broke off her gaze with Yue Zhanpeng, lowered her arms from around Lian Yue, and stood up. Instinctively, though, she didn’t want this little one too far from her, so she naturally took Lian Yue’s hand in her own before turning toward Meng Lan. She spoke softly, “Senior Sister, I’m fine. After all, the heads of the three great families have come in person—we must not be lacking in courtesy.”

Meng Yanran’s voice was gentle and serene. Anyone unfamiliar with her would surely believe her to be gentle to the core.

Yet, the three family heads—Meng Yue, now Meng Yanran’s sworn brothers—knew differently. Aside from Yue Zhanpeng, her husband, who had long been familiar with her gentle side, the other two were incredulous. Zhou Man even raised his left hand and pinched his right arm hard, grimacing from the pain, still struggling to believe that the mischievous fourth sister who’d once bested him so thoroughly could now appear so demure. He was about to say something when Yu Wenmo, standing beside him, quickly interjected.

“Sect Leader Meng, you are too kind. Your reputation is truly well-deserved,” Yu Wenmo said, shooting Zhou Man a warning glance, fearful he’d say something that might trigger Meng Yue’s memories.

Zhou Man wasn’t foolish; he understood the situation. Much as Meng Yue had tormented him in the past, he’d always doted on this little sister. Otherwise, why would the dignified head of the Zhou family risk his life to come to Phoenix Ridge? He chuckled at Meng Yue but said nothing more.

At this moment, Yue Zhanpeng’s eyes saw nothing but Meng Yue. Her every glance and smile tugged at his heart. Still, his mind was clear—if he spoke now, he might not be able to control himself, so he wisely kept silent.

Meng Lan, seeing the three men behaving themselves, finally exhaled in relief, muttering silently, At least you know your place. Her hostility faded, for at heart her animosity stemmed only from worry that they might reignite her junior sister’s memories and worsen old wounds. In truth, Meng Lan was gentle by nature. Now, seeing that her junior was only close to Lian Yue, which made sense given their relationship as mother and daughter, she relaxed and said nothing more, allowing Meng Yanran to remain.

Meng Yanran offered the three men a gentle smile. “If there’s anything lacking in my hospitality, I hope the three of you will forgive me.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

“You’re too kind, too kind,” Yu Wenmo and Zhou Man replied in unison, while Yue Zhanpeng seemed as if his soul had been stolen by her smile, standing dazed and speechless.

Meng Yanran frowned slightly, feeling a bit awkward. Even if she wasn’t entirely averse to his gaze, this was a little much.

Lian Yue, standing closest, easily noticed something was amiss. She felt a pang for her father but still reached out her small hand and tugged gently at his sleeve.

Only then did Yue Zhanpeng snap out of his daze. He withdrew his gaze, struggling to contain his excitement, and with a trembling voice said, “I apologize for my rudeness.”

Meng Yanran nodded slightly, her eyes sweeping over the disciples of the Hidden Sect, their faces smeared with dust, then to the three impeccably dressed family heads. She turned to Yao Yao with a tone of mild reproach, “Was it really as dangerous as you claimed? When will you learn to be more steady?”

Yao Yao, who had long since slipped behind Chuchen when Meng Yanran approached Lian Yue, looked utterly aggrieved. Internally, she wailed, Master, didn’t you see the fighting had already started? Chuchen said everyone here was close to you, and I saw that portrait the other day, so of course I believed him and rushed over! How unfair—you could’ve just ignored me, but you had to call me out. Now, if the Elder punishes me, you won’t even plead on my behalf. Oh, how tragic! Still, no matter her grievances, she knew she had to defend herself or risk being blamed.

With a pitiful face, Yao Yao protested for herself, “It was Senior Brother who asked me to follow Aunt Lan. When I saw she hadn’t gone far before turning back, I got worried.”

Chuchen wasn’t at all surprised to be sold out so easily; he was clearly used to it. Still, it was a bit embarrassing to have Yao Yao admit he’d sent her to follow Meng Lan, and he forced a wry smile.

Meng Lan, for her part, seemed unsurprised by Yao Yao’s tailing; what she hadn’t expected was her junior sister’s emergence from seclusion. Otherwise, even if Yao Yao had found the place, the protective array would have barred her entry.

Though she was annoyed with Chuchen’s betrayal, she still cared for him. “Sect Leader, it’s nothing serious. I just had a misunderstanding with the three family heads, so things got heated. But now the misunderstanding is resolved.”

“Yes, it was us who were at fault to begin with. Just a misunderstanding,” Yu Wenmo chimed in.

Even if Meng Yanran didn’t quite believe this explanation, she didn’t want to escalate matters. Since both sides had agreed, she let the issue drop.

At that moment, the voice of the Second Elder rang out from outside the courtyard, “Young Master, the visitors outside Phoenix Ridge have been brought in as you instructed.” He had arrived earlier but, hearing the Sect Leader questioning, hadn’t dared interrupt until now.

Chuchen’s earlier embarrassment returned full force as he met Meng Lan’s surprised gaze, feeling a surge of regret at his own rashness. “I told them to come for Lian Yue in three days, but in my haste, I made a mistake.”

“You—”

Meng Yanran glanced at Chuchen and stopped Meng Lan, who was about to speak further. “Since they’ve already been brought in, it’s too late to say anything now.” She thought, So this little girl’s name is Lian Yue—what a lovely name. “I suppose these people are connected to the three family heads as well. Let’s go together. Second Elder, lead the way.”

“Yes, Sect Leader. This way, please,” the Second Elder replied respectfully. “Sect Leader, everyone, please follow me.”

As Meng Yanran passed by Chuchen, she naturally took his hand, holding Lian Yue’s in her other hand, and led the way forward.

Yue Zhanpeng’s gaze lingered on her, his eyes growing moist at the sight. If only things could always be like this, he thought.

Yu Wenmo nudged Yue Zhanpeng, snapping him from his reverie, and he hurried to catch up.

At the end of the group, Yao Yao peered through the crowd at her master’s hand, which used to hold hers. She thought, Never mind, maybe that little girl is her daughter. She’s waited so long to see Master—let her have this moment. With that, she caught up and grabbed Lian Yue’s free hand. Seeing Lian Yue’s slight surprise, Yao Yao grinned widely, declaring, “You took my place, so let me borrow your hand for a bit, okay?”

Lian Yue, embarrassed, glanced at Yao Yao, who was not much younger than herself. She thought, Usually Mother holds her hand, and now she’s left out because of me. Of course she isn’t happy, but she still wants to hold my hand too, so she nodded quickly.

Seeing her nod, Yao Yao grinned even wider, dimples blooming at the corners of her mouth—an adorable sight, but only as long as she kept quiet.

“So your name is Lian Yue? I’m Yao Yao, as in the phrase from the old poem, ‘peach blossoms flourish, shining bright’! Which ‘Yue’ are you?”

Feeling guilty for having taken her place, Lian Yue answered earnestly, “It’s the ‘moon’ character.”

Had she known just how talkative Yao Yao was, Lian Yue would never have replied.

“Moon, what a beautiful name! Much nicer than mine. You know, ‘Yao Yao’ sounds like a monster! It doesn’t suit my cute nature at all. Tell me, do you think I’m cute?”

Lian Yue nodded, inwardly sweating as if a small river were running through her heart. Compared to her, my so-called narcissism is nothing.

“Pfft...” Chuchen couldn’t hold back a laugh after hearing her inner monologue. After all, it’s rare for anyone to admit to being self-obsessed, and even Yao Yao would never admit it under normal circumstances.