When the Xie family initiated this uprising, Xie Shaojun, though filled with remorse, followed his father and uncle’s arrangements. While he didn’t approve of their methods, seeing them take such risks, he still participated in the palace planning.
A few days later, the Xie family outside Daqi City launched their rebellion, and Xie Shaojun also began making moves within the palace. However, their actions were swiftly intercepted and thwarted by the people Feng Moli had long prepared. The entire Xie family was imprisoned.
Upon hearing about her uncle and the Xie family’s series of actions, Wanqing finally understood the situation.
“Uncle, you’re truly unfair. If the Xie family harbored rebellious intentions against the Daqi Dynasty, you could have asked my father, brother, and Leng Mingye to help you. But instead, you used us like this. How is he now?”
When she received the news, Wanqing, feeling betrayed by her uncle and grandfather, was furious that Leng Mingye had known their plan but hadn’t told her in advance. Though Bai Yu and Qing Feng returned to reassure her that he was fine, she couldn’t shake her lingering fear and complained to her visiting uncle. Seeing his apologetic smile, she couldn’t help but ask about the man he had taken away.
“He’s fine. Now that the Daqi court is finally stable, and those potentially disloyal families are deterred, Leng Mingye has also reconciled with his father, Nan Gong Haotian. Prince Ji has acknowledged his identity. I think it’s time to treat your mother.”
Wanqing’s complaints made Feng Moli realize he hadn’t informed her beforehand. Apologetically, he reassured her and, recalling his earlier arrangements, looked at his niece with relief.
“Did you use him as bait to quell this internal strife? Do you really intend to use his heart’s blood to save my mother, your sister?”
Though she didn’t know how her uncle had healed Leng Mingye, his words lifted the weight off her heart. Hearing that he now wanted to save her mother, she was curious about her mother’s past and experiences but couldn’t help voicing her concerns about the method he had mentioned earlier.
“I’ve already taken his blood—just a drop from your finger, along with your presence and calls, should be enough to awaken your sister. We must act quickly, or it might be too late.”
Feng Moli’s expression dimmed slightly at her question. Without directly answering, he stood and motioned for her to follow.
“Uncle, wait—Leng Mingye, is he really alright? You took his heart’s blood, he—”
Though her uncle had assured her earlier, hearing that he had taken his heart’s blood made her panic. Thinking of the man who had been taken away half a month ago, his fate unknown, she hurried after Feng Moli. When he turned and gave her a faint smile, she stared at him in shock and pain.
“You silly girl, I was just testing you. Don’t worry—I took his blood, but not his heart’s blood, just a drop from his finger. Do you really think your uncle is so heartless and untrustworthy? If you want to see him, come with me.”
With a faint smile, Feng Moli led the way.
“A natural hot spring?”
Following her uncle out of the Daqi imperial city to a secluded villa in the suburbs, Wanqing was allowed past the guards who had initially tried to stop her. Inside, she discovered a natural cave-like hot spring. Despite the harsh winter, warm, humid air greeted her as she entered, the misty heat surprising her.
“This is a lava cave. Only your grandfather and I can enter—no outsiders are permitted. The spring’s water can unblock stagnant meridians, heal illnesses, and restore one’s strength. He’s inside. If I’m not mistaken, his internal energy has likely recovered by now. Stay close—there are many branching paths here. One wrong step could lead to a dead end.”
Feng Moli paused to explain, then led her through a large cavern with multiple exits, carefully guiding her down one tunnel.
Now understanding why he hadn’t allowed Bai Yu and the others to accompany her, Wanqing followed silently, watching as her uncle occasionally triggered hidden mechanisms to clear their path. The cave’s complexity became evident, and she treaded carefully behind him.
After nearly two hours of walking, guided by her uncle’s torch, they finally arrived at an open-air pool, its surface steaming with heat and the sound of bubbling water faintly audible.
“There. Your mother is there too.”
Following Feng Moli’s gesture, Wanqing peered through the mist and spotted a figure seated on a rock by the pool, as well as a faint silhouette in the water.
“This…” She instinctively stepped forward but froze when she saw the churning, red-hot lava separating them from the pool where the figures were.
“Let me take you. You really need to improve your skills—otherwise, you’ll need help just to come here for a hot spring bath.”
Amused by her hesitation, Feng Moli wrapped an arm around her and leaped across, landing them before the figure on the rock.
Regaining her balance, Wanqing realized the rock was massive—like a platform twice her height. Atop it sat Leng Mingye, dressed in black robes, eyes closed, legs crossed, meditating with his hands resting before him.
“Mingye, look who’s here.”
At Feng Moli’s words, the man’s eyes snapped open—no longer weary or resigned, but clear and vibrant. In one fluid motion, he struck the cave wall with a palm, then leaped down, flames erupting from his hands as he blasted a nearby rock. The impact sent debris flying, dust swirling in the air.
As he landed beside her, Wanqing felt the heat radiating from him.
“You—”
Staring at the confident, strikingly handsome man before her, amazed by his power, she gasped.
“I’ve reconciled with my father, Qing’er. No one can keep us apart now.”
Seeing her step back from the heat, Leng Mingye smiled, withdrawing the flames and the scorching aura. His handsome face lit with long-awaited joy as he took her hand, his eyes filled with affection.
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