Chapter 438 Mysterious Man

However, given the unstable situation outside the court, the emperor did not order a palace banquet. He only instructed everyone to arrest the cult leader as soon as possible before he could feel at ease.

Old Sun led the people from Tingfeng Courtyard back to their residence.

They were afraid that the Red Lotus Cult would come to arrest the people from Tingfeng Academy, so he led them to hide at the Hidden Sect's stronghold early in the morning.

However, Hongying had not returned, and Wan Yue was naturally very anxious. His granddaughter was fighting the enemy outside, and his wife was also searching for clues.

“Grandfather, don’t be afraid, my sister will be alright,” Li Yi comforted him.

At Li Xi's instruction, Old Sun also told Li Yi their true identities.

He was surprised to learn that he was actually the son of the housekeeper in his sister's household. He couldn't quite accept it for a moment.

Some time ago, Li Xi was afraid that the sect leader would capture him and use him to blackmail her, so he had someone bring Li Yi back early in the morning.

"I hope so," Wan Yue sighed.

Just as everyone was immersed in worry, Li Xi and the others returned, bringing back rewards that filled the courtyard.

"Grandfather, Xiao Yi, we're back."

Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately came out of the house. Seeing Li Xi and the others standing safely in front of them, a huge weight was lifted from their hearts.

His eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Li Xi smiled and walked to Wan Yue's side. "Grandfather, don't worry, we're all fine. These are all gifts from the Emperor, and there are some other things too. I'll tell you more about them later."

As he spoke, Li Xi had the servants bring the rewards into the house, then pulled Wan Yue to sit down and recounted in detail his experience in suppressing the rebellion.

Wan Yue listened with great interest, a pleased smile appearing on his face.

Seeing that everyone had returned safely, Ling'er took Tian Tian to the kitchen to prepare a big meal to reward everyone.

Seeing that she was a little flustered, Li Yi hesitated for a moment before changing his words, realizing that it was improper to address the young lady as "sister" or "brother," and said, "Miss, it's so good that you're back safe and sound."

He bowed slightly, a gesture so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

Upon hearing this, Li Xi frowned and said unhappily, "Xiao Yi, why are you calling me 'Miss'? I'm your sister."

She recalled what her master had told her not long ago, and her mood became heavy.

She took a deep breath and continued, "I had Master tell you our true identities not so that you would call me 'Miss,' but because you are now grown up and should understand what happened to the Xuanming Sect back then."

Although my parents aren't my biological parents, they risked their lives to rescue me and raise me. To me, they are my parents. Therefore, Xiao Yi, you and I are still siblings.

Li Yi's heart stirred slightly, and he was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Several years ago, his parents were murdered while they were out doing business. His sister took care of him and worked tirelessly. She was his only family.

With tears in his eyes, he choked out, "I understand, sister."

Seeing this, Li Xi gently patted Li Yi's shoulder, "Xiao Yi, just focus on doing your own thing. I'll take care of you if anything happens. Now I'm a second-rank general. In a while, everyone will move to the general's mansion."

The only way to appease the spirits of the original owners in heaven is to tear that cult leader to pieces.

Qin Xiaolin finally found an opportunity to be alone with Li Xi.

When they reached a secluded spot, he pulled her into his arms and buried his head between her shoulders and neck.

"Brother Qin, you..." Li Xi's voice trembled slightly.

She gently placed her hands on Qin Xiaolin's chest, wanting to create some distance, but she couldn't bear to.

"Xixi." Qin Xiaolin's voice was deep as he called her name again and again. "For countless days and nights, I've thought about how wonderful it would be if I could hold you like this quietly."

Upon hearing this, the panic in Li Xi's eyes gradually gave way to gentleness.

She sighed softly, and slowly lowered her hands, wrapping them around Qin Xiaolin's waist.

At this moment, all worries seemed to vanish, leaving only the warmth of two hearts clinging tightly together.

“Brother Qin, me too…me too.” Li Xi’s voice was barely audible, yet it reached Qin Xiaolin’s ears clearly.

She closed her eyes, as if the whole world had shrunk down to just the two of them.

Qin Xiaolin felt Li Xi's response, and joy welled up in his heart like a tidal wave.

He was afraid of touching her wound, so he didn't dare to hold her tightly. "Would you like to stay with me for the rest of your life?"

Li Xi's eyes were slightly red. She nodded gently, her voice trembling slightly: "I do, Brother Qin. No matter what lies ahead, I am willing to walk alongside you, through thick and thin."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaolin finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He carefully raised his hand and gently stroked Li Xi's hair, his movements full of tenderness and affection.

"Xixi, from now on, I, Qin Xiaolin, will never let you down and will protect you. After things are over, wherever you want to go, I will go with you."

"good."

The two embraced quietly in a secluded place, as if time had frozen at that moment.

Everything around us became unimportant; only the sound of each other's heartbeats and breaths remained.

"Xiaoxi, dinner is ready, come quickly." Meng Zhelan's voice came from afar.

A harmonious atmosphere filled the courtyard. Everyone was immersed in joy, raising their glasses to toast each other and sharing this rare moment of happiness, with laughter echoing throughout.

But in a secluded little house, the atmosphere is completely different.

The leader of the Red Lotus Sect lay quietly on the bed, unconscious and pale.

Beside her, an old woman knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, dripping onto the cold stone slab.

Her sobs pierced the silence of the night, filled with helplessness and despair.

Her face was streaked with tears, and her body trembled like a withered leaf in the wind. She clutched the hem of the person beside her tightly with both hands and pleaded in a tearful voice, "Your Highness, I beg you, please save him! Although he is my son, he is also your younger brother!"

The person she grabbed just stared at her coldly, without a trace of pity in his eyes.

The man was in his fifties, dressed in a long black robe, with a serious expression that gave him an air of authority.

His eyes were deep and cold, as if they could see into people's hearts.

He stood there quietly, staring at the unconscious cult leader, and sneered, "I advised him long ago to settle down and live a peaceful life, but he wouldn't listen and insisted on rebelling."

The man's voice was deep and cold, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

He had already come to terms with it; no matter how noble one's status, it ceased to exist the moment the Jiang Dynasty fell.

The old woman understood this principle, but she felt sorry for her child. Now that Xuan'er was dead, she only had this one son left. How could she bear to see him frustrated and unsuccessful?