Chapter 51: The Ancient Painting Damaged

She hated Shi Yun, and she hated the cruel twists of fate even more.
Yet, she quickly realized she could not afford to lose her composure.
Her face resumed its feigned calmness, and she replied with a dry, mirthless smile, "Perhaps so, but talking about it now serves no purpose anyway."
With that, her gaze inadvertently swept toward the temporary prop room set up by the production crew for filming.
Through the half-open door, she saw an ancient painting, heavily protected, being carefully placed by the staff, next to which sat the cultural relic restored by Shi Yun.
In less than half a day, the news of the Bai family's bankruptcy seemed to have reached every corner of the world.
Jing Lanzhen's lips curled upward slowly. Others might not understand her, but during this time, he had come to know her a little. Given her powers of observation, he refused to believe she would fall for it so easily.
Seven years later, scene after scene resurfaced. That day was Elder Gu's birthday, and the whole family had rushed to the old estate to celebrate it for him.
Brother Zheng rarely displayed such boyish enthusiasm, which showed that he truly and deeply acknowledged Zhang Liang as an equal companion.
The malice of destiny toward her had always been like this, as if it were deliberately setting up obstacles to hinder her from completing her mission.
"Based on my judgment, if your murder of Lian Yushu was merely a spur-of-the-moment decision, then you undoubtedly left behind flaws that very night."
Yet these she possessed as well; she even owned a manor in Kyoto, which had far more prestige and grandeur than any ordinary villa.
Chen Rui watched their intertwined fingers from behind, feeling a twinge of envy. Brother-in-law was truly wonderful to elder sister. As the dignified Crown Prince, not only did he keep himself chaste and disciplined, but he was also attentive to her in every possible way—it was truly rare.
Zhao Yun recalled Lin Chao's performance all along the march, and ultimately arrived at this conclusion.
"What's so remarkable about that? I am a doctor. Not to boast, but I can tell at a glance that your entire body is completely normal," Hua Pingyang said with a smile.
The groom sat upright on his horse. He was too far away to make out his features clearly, but judging from the shrieks of the crowd, it was certain that his appearance must be strikingly eye-catching.
Gu Quanyu's expression softened somewhat. He had seen through it long ago: the wounds on Li Qiu's body were inflicted by Deng Xiu, and the wounds on Deng Xiu's body were inflicted by Li Qiu. These two disciples had been trained entirely by his own hands, so their combat characteristics and traits were clear at a glance.
Behind him followed Cheng Ming, whose hair was stark white and whose expression was utterly desolate, looking as though he had suffered a devastating blow.
Qiu Ru straightened up, and only after Li Fei had taken his seat did she sit down as well. She raised her eyes to appraise Li Fei, noting that he was barely twenty and his face bore a sickly pallor.
The name "Lin Peng" almost slipped out of Lian Ziyi's tongue, but right at the tip, she forcibly swallowed it back.
The Peony Concubine tilted her head slightly, looking at him from the corner of her eyes with a faint smile, her red lips slightly parted. Li Ling finally could not resist, and mustered the courage to glance at her.
"Do not think too much. We have suffered immensely over these past few years; we simply must fight for our own chance," Kuo Bie turned around to comfort her.
"You are too polite, Madam Tang!" Lady Yan returned the bow, let out a cold snort, and called out to her people, turning on her heel to storm away furiously with her entourage.
Everyone dismounted and walked toward the grand gate. The door opened, and the special envoy strode in, his eagle-like gaze scanning everything in the room. The men behind him also moved in silence, searching the surroundings in all directions.
Momo glanced at him, her eyes tinged with a faint sorrow, and with a soft sigh, she withdrew.
Early the next morning, the Yu family members packed their luggage and left the capital. atop the city tower, a figure in dark robes stood with his hands behind his back, watching the swaying carriage and imagining the face hidden within. Finally, the morning sun rose high, and the fair lady receded into the distance until she vanished from sight. He unclasped the long flute from his waist, playing a melody of the Hundred Flower Offering that felt as though her dance from that fateful night still lingered.
Prince Yingning wore a stern and solemn expression; the frivolous, reckless, and devil-may-care demeanor he usually feigned had entirely vanished. With a wave of his left hand, a squad of imperial guards stepped out from behind him, weapons in hand, and strode toward Huangfu Xian. Though awed by Huangfu Xian's supreme status, they held an imperial decree before them, leaving them with no further hesitation.