Adorning Flowers by Night - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

"Is... is the Sect Leader of Falling Blossoms Sect here?"

"Yes." Lu Ruzhuo's voice was filled with a long-absent nostalgia.

She stood up and, like a swift swallow skimming the ground, tapped her toes and flew out the window, drifting onto the roof like a flowing cloud.

Lu Ruzhuo let out a clear whistle.

Pei Yu felt her mind clear instantly.

The others in their seats also woke up one by one. Having been too deeply lost in thought, they had suffered internal injuries to varying degrees. Many clutched their chests and spat out blood.

A pair of snuggling white-feathered, red-beaked birds fell from a branch, only to flutter back into the air just before hitting the ground.

Inside the private room.

Zhu Weirui, supporting a pale-faced Zhuge Jue, exclaimed with delight, "My mother is here!"

Even though Zhu Weirui had warned her at the start that the zither music was hallucinogenic and she had circulated her internal energy to resist it, Zhuge Jue's skill was far inferior to Zhu Wuhua's. If Lu Ruzhuo hadn't interrupted in time, listening for even a moment longer would have likely damaged her meridians.

Zhu Weirui leaned over the railing, jumped up, and shouted, "Mother! I'm over here!"

"Rui'er."

A figure in red appeared on the horizon. She moved so quickly that before the second word of her name was spoken, she had already arrived before Zhu Weirui. Four zither-carrying maids landed gracefully after her, standing respectfully behind her.

She looked to be in her thirties, with a stunningly beautiful face. Dressed in red with silver bracelets, Zhu Weirui's features bore a strong resemblance to hers.

"Mother." After a bout of coquettishness, Zhu Weirui pulled Zhuge Jue over for an introduction. "Mother, this is Sister Zhuge. You've met her before."

"I know. Thank you for keeping Rui'er company."

"You're too kind, Sect Leader Zhu."

"Rui'er often mentions you to me. You and she are as close as sisters, so you may simply call me Aunt Zhu."

"Mother~" Zhu Weirui puffed out her cheeks and glared at her.

Sect Leader Zhu laughed. "Was I not supposed to say that? You didn't warn me before I came. I'll remember for next time."

Zhu Weirui's face turned red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

Zhuge Jue glanced at her with a smile and bowed to the Sect Leader. "Yes, Aunt Zhu."

Zhu Weirui tugged and swayed her mother's sleeve for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. "Mother, I want to take you to meet someone."

"Who is it?"

"You'll know when we get there."

The door to the private room was opened.

Zhu Weirui led Zhu Wuhua toward the window on the first floor. Everyone in the hall moved aside, falling completely silent.

"Mother, it's them." Zhu Weirui pointed to the pair of women seated by the window.

A look of confusion appeared in Zhu Wuhua's eyes.

Lu Ruzhuo stood up. Her clear gaze was fixed on the other woman's eyes, but she did not bow.

"Disciple Lu Wan greets the Sect Leader."

Zhu Wuhua murmured, "Lu Wan... Lu..."

Her eyes widened in shock. She took an irrepressible step forward, as if wanting to take Lu Ruzhuo's hand, but stopped the next moment, her hand hovering in mid-air before her fingertips drooped.

Zhu Wuhua's eyes reddened slightly.

"You..." Her throat choked up, and she couldn't speak.

Lu Ruzhuo took the initiative to grasp her hand and said softly, "This is not the place to talk. Let's go somewhere else."

"Alright, alright." Zhu Wuhua, having lost her composure for a moment, quickly recovered. Her gaze shifted to the young woman in white beside Lu Ruzhuo, a hint of teasing in her eyes. "Is it her?"

Pei Yu: "?"

Lu Ruzhuo gave an uncomfortable cough.

"Let's go. We'll talk later."

"Wait a moment." Zhu Wuhua took a dark gold dagger from her sleeve and offered it to Pei Yu. "Miss Pei, this is a meeting gift I prepared especially for you. I didn't expect to meet you so soon. Please, you must accept it."

Lu Ruzhuo reached out and slapped her hand away, pushing the dagger back. She warned in a low voice, "Don't you dare try to take advantage."

Zhu Wuhua burst out laughing.

The two left hand-in-hand. Pei Yu followed behind Lu Ruzhuo, completely bewildered. What kind of riddle were they acting out?

And how did she know her name?

The elders walked in front, the junior behind them, and the four zither-carrying maids brought up the rear, their expressions as cold as frost and snow.

Only long after they had left did the patrons of Wangxian Tower dare to breathe a sigh of relief, and for a long time after, no one spoke.

Zhu Wuhua had sent people to rent a residence in Chuzhou, which had already been cleaned in advance. The group of five entered the courtyard house.

Zhuge Jue felt like an outsider and made an excuse to leave, but Zhu Weirui grabbed her and called her out, "Don't you have nothing to do this afternoon?"

Zhuge Jue looked slightly embarrassed. "I..."

Zhu Wuhua spoke up, "It's fine. You two go and have fun."

Zhu Weirui pulled Zhuge Jue away, leaving only the three of them.

Pei Yu thought for a moment and said, "Then this junior will also take her leave. Senior Sister, I'll wait for you outside."

"You stay," Zhu Wuhua said.

"You're not allowed to leave," Lu Ruzhuo said at the same time.

Pei Yu: "?"

Zhu Wuhua suppressed a laugh. "Miss Pei, you are different from Rui'er. Stay with us."

Pei Yu's mind filled with more and more questions. She felt that this Sect Leader Zhu had a hidden meaning in her words. What was the difference between her and Zhu Weirui? Was it because she was an official? Was the topic they were about to discuss related to the Imperial Court?

Pei Yu temporarily suppressed her doubts and nodded. "Alright."

They entered the main courtyard and closed the door.

Zhu Wuhua cupped Lu Ruzhuo's face in her hands and began to feel around the edges, rubbing and pinching. Lu Ruzhuo smiled, good-naturedly letting her do as she pleased.

Pei Yu watched from the side, her feet shifting slightly, but she managed to hold her tongue.

"Where's your human-skin mask?" Zhu Wuhua wondered, having only managed to rub some powder off her face after a good while. She raised her voice and ordered, "Bring a basin of clean water."

There was no one outside, and no reply was heard, but the sound of footsteps approached.

The clean water was brought in quickly.

Lu Ruzhuo washed off her disguise in front of her. Her clear, bright face was beaded with water, her skin fair and rosy, comparable to a summer lotus.

Zhu Wuhua saw her face clearly: "..."

"You're faking it, aren't you? There's another layer, right?" Zhu Wuhua cupped her face again and gave it another rub.

This time, Pei Yu couldn't bear to watch. She took Lu Ruzhuo's wrist, pulled her behind her, and said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Zhu, please be gentle."

Zhu Wuhua looked at the triumphant Lu Ruzhuo behind her, flicked her sleeve, and huffed, "Look at you! Besides maturing, how are you any different from twenty years ago? You're infuriating me! If I'd known, I shouldn't have come to see you!"

Zhu Wuhua flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.

Pei Yu stared blankly at Sect Leader Zhu's furiously retreating back, then turned to look at the silently smiling Lu Ruzhuo.

Zhu Wuhua reached the doorway and stopped.

"Sister Zhu is magnanimous; surely she won't haggle over minor details with me." For the first time since entering the house, Lu Ruzhuo finally spoke.

It was the first time in her life that Pei Yu had heard Lu Ruzhuo speak in such a tone: delicate, soft, and light.

She was not the first-rank Commander, not the master who imparted knowledge, and not the senior sister feigning weakness. She was like a young girl who had finally been reunited with her older sister.

Zhu Wuhua stood where she was, unmoving.

Lu Ruzhuo gradually sensed something was wrong. "You're not crying, are you?"

With her back to her, Zhu Wuhua said in a muffled voice, "Of course not."

She turned her face, and indeed, she wasn't crying, but the rims of her eyes were very red.

"Zhuo'er."

Lu Ruzhuo responded gently, "Sister Zhu."

Mindful of Pei Yu's presence, Zhu Wuhua restrained her emotions and asked, "When did you arrive?"

"Half a month before you."

"I can't believe Rui'er kept such a good secret."

"She just wanted to give you a surprise. You should be happy."

"If I had known you were here, I wouldn't have gone chasing that blasted Demon Sect. It made us meet a full half-month later than we could have."

"We've already waited twenty years. Why fuss over half a month?"

"You're the cruel one. With only one letter a year, how many times over these twenty years did I want to leave the valley to find you, only to force myself to endure it?"

"And was I any different?" Lu Ruzhuo sighed.

"We've finally reunited after so much difficulty. This time, after we kill Xie Xuanzhi, don't leave. Come back with me to Hundred Flowers Valley."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"My business isn't finished yet."

"You're already the world-famous Commander-in-Chief. Isn't that enough?"

"Not enough." Lu Ruzhuo's lips formed a straight line.

"It took you twenty years to reach your current position. How many more years will it take to achieve your goal? If you can never become a marquis, are we to remain separated forever? How many twenty-year periods do we have in our lives? By then, I won't even be able to wield my whip. Will you be coming to see me off on my final journey?"

"Yes." Lu Ruzhuo's expression was placid.

"Lu Ruzhuo!"

Zhu Wuhua's voice rose sharply.

"Do you believe I'll knock you out and kidnap you?!"

Pei Yu's heart went cold at her words, and her fingers rested on the hilt of her sword.

Fortunately, they didn't start fighting at the first sign of disagreement.

Lu Ruzhuo looked at the other's reddened eyes and sighed. "Sister Zhu, I knew this day would come when we met, which is why I was determined not to see you. Ten years ago, you would have surely tried to persuade me, asking if being a Jinyiwei Commander wasn't enough. Five years ago, you would have asked if being a Deputy Commander wasn't enough. If I had listened to you, how would I have gotten to where I am today?"

Zhu Wuhua sniffled. "You've been more cunning and eloquent than me since we were children; I can't win an argument against you. Besides, even if I said something, would you listen? You make it sound so convincing, as if you've ever listened."

Lu Ruzhuo laughed, but her eyes began to sting.

She stepped forward and gently took Zhu Wuhua's hand. "I didn't see you because I was also afraid I would waver. You lead the Falling Blossoms Sect, and I hold a high position in the court; aren't we both doing this for the sake of that old grievance? If that resolve dissipates, it can never be gathered again."

Zhu Wuhua huffed, unable to stop the tears from falling.

"That time you were assassinated in Bingzhou, your life was hanging by a thread, and I only found out when you wrote to me. If you had died, what meaning would there be for me to live on alone?"

"Don't be ridiculous, you have a husband and a daughter," Lu Ruzhuo said, glancing at the aghast Pei Yu beside them and quickly clarifying.

Zhu Wuhua had a straightforward temperament and always spoke her mind. Now, with Lu Ruzhuo suddenly interrupting her emotional outpouring for the sake of her sweetheart, the mood was broken. She pouted.

"Fine, I'll rephrase. What would be the point of me becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader?"

"How is there no point? The Martial Arts Alliance Leader is a woman! How majestic! How many people lose sleep at night because of you? Think about it. Doesn't that feel satisfying?"

"It does." Zhu Wuhua laughed out loud.

Speaking of the Martial Arts Conference, there was one formidable opponent they couldn't avoid.

Lu Ruzhuo smiled for a moment, then her expression turned serious. "Before you arrived, I went to test Xie Xuanzhi."

"And? How is his skill?" Zhu Wuhua's smile also faded.

"If I use my full strength, the odds of victory are six to four in my favor. If we fight to the death, I should have a ninety percent chance of winning."

Zhu Wuhua sneered. "How is a rotten life like Villain Xie's worthy of you risking yours? If we join forces, we could kill him ten or even a hundred times over."

Lu Ruzhuo shook her head.

"What? You don't want to kill him anymore?" Zhu Wuhua was furious. "Have you forgotten..."

"I haven't forgotten! Can you not be so hot-tempered and let me finish!" Lu Ruzhuo rarely showed such an annoyed expression.

"Speak," Zhu Wuhua said. "I'm just... sigh."

Twenty years is such a long time. Zhu Wuhua had watched the seasons change twenty times in Hundred Flowers Valley; she knew she was still the same person she had been back then. But what about Lu Ruzhuo? It is said that wealth moves a person's heart, but power moves it even more. Immersed in her official career, wielding immense power over the realm, did she still remember the oath they had sworn together?

Could Lu Ruzhuo, for the sake of a brilliant official career, have forgotten her revenge, forgotten that small, fragrant grave in the forest?

Lu Ruzhuo said, "How are we to kill him? Villain Xie is cautious. With the Martial Arts Conference imminent, he has secluded himself to train hard. How could he be easily lured out by us? And even if we did lure him out, if he can't beat us, won't he just run? If he flees back to Tang Family Villa to hide, are you going to annihilate the entire Tang family? Even if you could destroy Tang Family Villa, how many other fellow martial artists could you destroy? Do you want to become the public enemy of the martial world and declare yourself the new Demon Sect?"

"..." Zhu Wuhua stammered, "I'm not that vicious. Then what do you suggest we do?"

"This matter requires careful planning. Also, I will pose as a disciple of the Falling Blossoms Sect to participate in the Martial Arts Conference and make further arrangements."

"Alright." Zhu Wuhua looked at her. "I'll listen to whatever you say."

Pei Yu listened from the side, understanding only bits and pieces. But they made no effort to exclude her, and she had no idea what they considered her to be. A wooden post?

The two seemed to have finished their conversation and turned their gazes to her at the same time.

Pei Yu: "Senior Sister." She thought for a moment, then, considering the seniority, called out, "Aunt Zhu."

That should be right, shouldn't it?

Zhu Wuhua's gaze was teasing as she smiled. "Don't call me Aunt Zhu, it makes me sound old. If you don't mind, you can call me Sister Zhu, just like Ah Zhuo."

Pei Yu thought to herself, Even Sister Zhuge didn't make you sound old by calling you that, so how could I?

Lu Ruzhuo said, "Don't listen to her. Just call her Aunt Zhu for now."

Pei Yu thought: For now? Does that mean it will change later?

Ever since the two of them met, their words had been shrouded in mist.

Before she knew it, Zhu Weirui, who had gone out to have fun, had returned. She knocked on the door. "Mother?"

As the only junior in the room, Pei Yu walked over and opened the door.

Zhu Weirui called out "Sister Pei" as she walked in, then "Mother," and finally looked at Lu Ruzhuo, who stood in the room with her disguise washed away, her jade-like face radiant.

Lu Ruzhuo stood with her hands behind her back, her gaze gentle as she nodded at her.

Zhu Weirui broke into a brilliant smile, stepped back, and curtsied, her tone affectionate.

"Aunt."

Pei Yu's face darkened.

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