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Feng Xiao held Xiao Wu in his arms, slowly walking through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City.
The morning light spilled onto the bluestone pavement, and the wisps of cooking smoke rising from the street-side breakfast stalls added a touch of everyday life to the awakening city.
Xiao Wu quietly curled up in his arms, her red eyes vigilantly surveying her surroundings.
After passing through several quiet alleys, an elegant mansion came into view.
On the vermilion gate, the characters "Ye Fu" shimmered in the morning sun.
Feng Xiao paused at the gate, his fingertips gently stroking Xiao Wu's ear: "We're here."
Feng Xiao raised his hand and gently knocked on the door knocker, the crisp sound particularly clear on the quiet morning street.
The vermilion lacquer gate quickly opened, and the attendant, upon seeing the visitor, immediately bowed respectfully: "Marquis!"
He stepped aside to let them pass.
Although Feng Xiao did not hold an official position in the Heaven Dou Empire and usually appeared as a tutor at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, after the Spirit Master Tournament, he had been enfeoffed as a Marquis by the Empire.
Though without real power, this title not only represented the imperial family's high regard for him but also an acknowledgment of his strength.
Feng Xiao nodded slightly, carrying Xiao Wu as he stepped over the threshold.
A maid bowed respectfully: "Marquis, young miss is in the backyard."
Feng Xiao walked slowly, every gesture exuding an aristocratic demeanor.
He expertly navigated the winding corridors, his robes fluttering with a hint of relaxed ease.
The attendants he encountered along the way all stopped to bow, and Feng Xiao returned their greetings with a gentle, shallow smile.
Xiao Wu stirred uneasily in his arms, her ruby-like eyes curiously surveying the magnificent mansion.
Deep in the courtyard, several Nine-Hearted Begonia were in full bloom, their pink and white petals falling with the wind, forming a soft carpet of flowers on the ground.
Feng Xiao walked slowly along the pebble-strewn path and soon found the familiar figure in the backyard flowerbed.
Ye Lingling was bending over, tending to a rare flower, her snow-white skirt stained with a bit of mud, yet it did not diminish her cool and elegant demeanor in the slightest.
As if by telepathy, before Feng Xiao even approached, Ye Lingling suddenly straightened up and turned to look.
The morning light cast a soft outline on her delicate profile, and her clear eyes rippled the moment they saw Feng Xiao.
"Little Feng."
Ye Lingling's cool face instantly bloomed with joy, and her steps unconsciously quickened as she walked towards Feng Xiao.
Her white skirt fluttered among the flowers, like a white butterfly taking flight.
When she came closer, her gaze was immediately drawn to the little rabbit in Feng Xiao's arms.
Ye Lingling's eyes widened slightly, and her slender fingers unconsciously covered her slightly parted red lips.
With just one look, the surrounding maids understood and bowed, then withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the garden in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Wu stirred restlessly in Feng Xiao's arms, her ruby-like eyes vigilantly staring at Ye Lingling.
A Nine-Hearted Begonia petal fell on her snow-white fur, making her rabbit eyes appear even more blood-red.
Ye Lingling looked thoughtfully at Xiao Wu, then raised her eyes to Feng Xiao, with a questioning look in them.
"Little Feng, this couldn't be..."
Ye Lingling's voice was as soft as wind caressing willow catkins, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the silk handkerchief in her hand.
Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, and he gently stroked Xiao Wu's snow-white fur: "Indeed, it's just as you think."
His voice was gentle and certain, "But now, she's just an ordinary Soft Bones Rabbit."
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's autumn-like eyes trembled slightly.
She recalled Feng Xiao's instructions before he left, and then carefully examined the snow-white little rabbit—those ruby-like eyes indeed bore some resemblance to the girl in her memory.
Xiao Wu seemed to sense her gaze, her ears perked up alertly, but gradually relaxed under Feng Xiao's gentle caress.
Xiao Wu's red eyes watched Ye Lingling unblinkingly, her three-lobed nose twitching slightly, as if carefully discerning the girl's scent.
Ye Lingling smiled at the sight, her slender hand gently brushing aside the stray hairs at her temple: "It seems... you want to entrust her to me?"
Her voice was like a clear spring hitting a stone, carrying a knowing smile.
Feng Xiao couldn't help but nod: "I can't let Yan Yan take care of her; it would be a miracle if she didn't get poisoned to death.
I trust you the most with her."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's ruby-like eyes immediately widened, and her ears perked up vigilantly, clearly quite uneasy with Feng Xiao's assessment.
Ye Lingling covered her lips and chuckled softly, gently taking the little rabbit from Feng Xiao's arms: "Xiao Wu, you'll have to bear with it from now on."
Her fingertips radiated the aura of Nine-Hearted Begonia as she gently smoothed Xiao Wu's fur.
Xiao Wu suddenly turned her head, her ruby-like eyes staring directly at Feng Xiao, her ears perked up alertly, as if waiting for an explanation.
Feng Xiao smiled knowingly and explained softly: "You'll be very safe here with Lingling.
More importantly..." He paused deliberately, "Lingling has a deep friendship with Tang Yuehua of Moon Pavilion, and by staying with her, you'll have many opportunities to see Little San."
These words seemed to possess a magical power, as Xiao Wu instantly quieted down.
Her previously puffed-up fur smoothed down, and even her ears obediently drooped, as she meekly curled up in Ye Lingling's arms, looking exactly like a truly docile domestic rabbit.
Seeing this, Feng Xiao turned to Ye Lingling and said softly: "If there's a chance to see Little San... take her with you."
His voice was very soft, but carried an undeniable seriousness.
Ye Lingling nodded understandingly, her fingertips gently stroking Xiao Wu's ear.
"Little Feng, will Tang San..." Ye Lingling hesitated, her fingertips unconsciously stroking Xiao Wu's fur.
Feng Xiao smiled confidently: "Don't worry, that's precisely why I'm having you take care of her."
He looked gently at the little white rabbit in Ye Lingling's arms, "Given your friendship with Tang San, he won't be suspicious.
Besides..."
He paused, looking towards the distant Moon Pavilion: "There are quite a few nobles in Heaven Dou City who raise rabbits.
However..." His tone suddenly became serious, "However, try to avoid direct contact between her and Little San as much as possible."
Xiao Wu's ears suddenly perked up, her red eyes glaring discontentedly at Feng Xiao, but Ye Lingling gently pressed down her small head.
The aura of Nine-Hearted Begonia circulated, gradually calming the restless little rabbit.
Feng Xiao's gaze fell on Xiao Wu in Ye Lingling's arms, his voice gentle but with undeniable seriousness: "This is also for you, Xiao Wu."
His long fingers gently tapped the rabbit's nose, "Although I'm willing to fulfill your wishes within a reasonable scope, but..."
He paused, his tone slightly sinking: "If you try to do anything out of line with this..." His gaze shifted to Ye Lingling, "Although Lingling is an auxiliary Spirit Master, it would be easy for her to crush a little rabbit that doesn't even have ten years of cultivation."
Xiao Wu's red eyes quietly watched Feng Xiao, her three-lobed mouth trembling slightly.
After a moment, she suddenly turned her head, facing her rabbit face the other way, her ears twitching unnaturally.
It was unclear whether she agreed or not.
Just as Ye Lingling was about to speak, Feng Xiao spoke first: "Xiao Wu, since you've chosen to be a pet, you should act like one."
He raised an eyebrow at the rabbit who had turned her face away, "Are you sure you want to refuse to communicate like this?"
Saying that, he turned to Ye Lingling, his tone light: "Lingling, why don't we have someone buy a male rabbit..."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Wu in Ye Lingling's arms suddenly jolted, darting into Feng Xiao's embrace like lightning.
Her snow-white rabbit paws anxiously clutched at his clothes, her red eyes wide, her three-lobed mouth trembling incessantly, and her hind legs thrashed wildly in his arm, like a little girl whose tail had been stepped on.
Ye Lingling's lips curved slightly at the side, a shallow smile appearing on her cool face, then she calmly called out: "Someone!"
Before she finished speaking, Xiao Wu instantly shot out of Feng Xiao's arms, but at the moment she leaped, she was confined in mid-air by an invisible spirit power field.
Her snow-white hind legs kicked futilely, but she couldn't escape Feng Xiao's control.
The maid came to the garden entrance upon hearing the call, bowing respectfully: "Young miss, what are your orders?"
Ye Lingling elegantly brushed her sleeve: "Go fetch some fresh pastries."
Her gaze swept over the little rabbit suspended in mid-air, frantically struggling, and a hint of mischief flashed in her eyes.
Xiao Wu's red eyes immediately widened even further, her three-lobed mouth trembling with anger, but she could only struggle futilely under Feng Xiao's spirit power restraint.
Sunlight filtered through the tree shadows, illuminating this amusing scene vividly.
Just then, Xiao Wu, suspended in mid-air, was suddenly scooped back into Feng Xiao's arms.
Her ruby-like rabbit eyes instantly became watery, so clear they could reflect a person's image.
The little rabbit's resentful gaze darted back and forth between Ye Lingling and Feng Xiao, her three-lobed mouth trembling incessantly, as if accusing these two "colluding" bad guys.
Feng Xiao couldn't help but laugh at the sight, his long fingers gently pinching the scruff of Xiao Wu's neck, lifting her to eye level with himself.
Sunlight skipped through the gaps in the trees, dancing in his smiling eyes: "Xiao Wu," he deliberately drew out the syllables, "I still prefer your defiant look from just now."
Xiao Wu kicked her hind legs in anger, her snow-white fur bristling, but she couldn't move because she was being held by the scruff of her neck.
Ye Lingling chuckled softly from the side.
A moment later, the maid brought several plates of exquisite pastries.
Ye Lingling gently took Xiao Wu from Feng Xiao's arms, picked up an exquisite pastry, and offered it to her mouth.
Xiao Wu immediately clutched the pastry and began to devour it, her eagerness making Ye Lingling unable to suppress a laugh.
"You're not really raising Xiao Wu as a pet, are you?"
Ye Lingling looked up at Feng Xiao with a chiding look, "What have you been feeding her these past few days?"
Feng Xiao rubbed his nose, looking a little embarrassed: "We were rushing these past few days, I was only eating dry rations myself, so she naturally also..."
Before he finished speaking, Ye Lingling gave him an elegant eye roll.
Her slender fingers gently smoothed Xiao Wu's messy fur.
Xiao Wu, while gnawing on the pastry, secretly peeked at Feng Xiao with her red eyes, her gaze seeming to say, "Look how well she treats me."
Feng Xiao approached with a fawning smile: "It's just that I'm not as careful and thoughtful as Sister Lingling, you see~"
As he spoke, he suddenly leaned in and lightly kissed Ye Lingling's fair cheek.
"Crunch—"
Xiao Wu, who was chewing on a pastry, suddenly froze, and the carrot cake fell from her three-lobed mouth.
Her ruby-like rabbit eyes widened, filled with incredible disdain, as if she were witnessing something scandalous.
The tips of Ye Lingling's ears instantly flushed crimson, but she merely pursed her lips and did not pull away.
Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened their grip on Xiao Wu's fur, causing Xiao Wu to twist her body in dissatisfaction.
"Alright, Lingling."
Feng Xiao stood up, the wrinkles on his robe smoothing out naturally with his movements, "I still need to go to Yan Yan's place.
Take good care of her, and remember to add more carrots to the pastries."
He paused, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes, "If you're going to take her to see Little San, remember to call me along."
Ye Lingling nodded lightly, her fingertips gently stroking Xiao Wu's fur.
Seeing this, Feng Xiao lowered his head to look at the little rabbit engrossed in eating: "Xiao Wu, just stay here and be at ease."
Xiao Wu ignored him, her three-lobed mouth rapidly chewing the pastry, not even bothering to spare him a glance.
Feng Xiao and Ye Lingling exchanged a smile, shaking their heads helplessly.
Sunlight filtered through the flower trellis, casting dappled shadows on his departing figure.
It wasn't until the sound of his footsteps completely disappeared that Xiao Wu quietly perked up her ears, her red eyes thoughtfully gazing in the direction Feng Xiao had left.
A few days later, as Tang San, with heavy steps, entered the gates of Heaven Dou City, dusk had already enveloped the entire city.
He was dressed in rags, his eyes bloodshot, and he wandered the streets like a walking corpse.
Passersby avoided him, not only because of the terrifying killing intent emanating from him, but also because of his hollow, heart-pounding eyes.
"This Spirit Master..." A little flower girl timidly offered a white chrysanthemum, but upon seeing his face clearly, she was so frightened she fell to the ground.
Tang San was completely oblivious, merely walking forward mechanically.
He tightly clutched a blood-stained piece of wood in his arms—the last remnant of Xiao Wu's wooden house.
His fingertips were already bloody and mangled from splinters, yet he seemed to feel no pain.
As he turned the corner, the lights of Moon Pavilion suddenly came into view.
"Xiao Wu... Xiao Wu..." His hoarse calls dissipated in the night wind.
A tear of blood traced a path down his haggard face, splashing a desolate flower onto the bluestone pavement.
Just as Tang San knelt on the cold bluestone, an urgent voice sounded in front of him.
Tang San stiffly turned his head and saw Tang Yuehua in a plain dress standing on the steps, the moonlight casting a soft silver glow upon her.
"Little San!"
Tang Yuehua's gentle voice carried a rare urgency.
She quickly walked down the steps of Moon Pavilion, her plain skirt rippling like water in the night wind.
"Aunt..." Tang San's voice was hoarse, as if it had been abraded by sandpaper, and his once clear eyes were now bloodshot and horrifyingly hollow.
As Tang Yuehua leaned down to examine him, her embroidered shoes made no sound on the bluestone.
When she saw the blood-stained wooden piece clutched tightly in Tang San's arms, a hint of pain flashed across her gentle brows.
Without asking anything further, she simply took out a handkerchief embroidered with silver thread patterns and gently wrapped Tang San's bloody fingers.
"Come back with me first."
Her voice was very soft, yet it carried an irresistible firmness, just as it had when she taught him court etiquette years ago.
The night wind blew, and Tang Yuehua's elegant skirt swayed gently, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood.
Tang San wanted to refuse, but found that days of rushing and despair had already exhausted his last bit of strength.
"Someone!"
Tang Yuehua suddenly raised her voice, a rare display of her anxiety, "Prepare the carriage, and go to Ye Fu immediately!"
Her slender fingers tightly supported Tang San's tottering body, her gaze directed towards the brightly lit Ye Fu in the distance, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.