Chapter 150
Chapter 150: A Meeting in the Night
The moon shone softly over Deer Slaying Manor, casting a hazy glow upon a quiet courtyard. A graceful woman in palace attire lounged lazily beside a window. Her beauty was pleasing, and in her delicate hand, she held an elegant book, her gaze fixed intently on the candle flame flickering gently atop the table.
Moonlight drifted through the sandalwood lattice windows, blending seamlessly with the warm glow of the candle. The mingled lights formed a soothing halo around her, creating an atmosphere of profound peace and tranquility.
“Madam, it is late. You should rest,” an elderly woman gently reminded as she slowly approached.
The beautiful woman furrowed her brows slightly, raising her head to reply. But before she could speak, the elderly woman’s eyes suddenly rolled back, and she collapsed stiffly to the ground.
Startled, the lady quickly rose to her feet. Her eyes sharpened instantly, sweeping across her surroundings with cold suspicion. She demanded in an icy tone, “Who’s there?”
“Cousin, don’t be afraid. It’s me.”
A deep and mellow voice echoed gently within the room, accompanied by a breeze flowing softly from the courtyard. In the aromatic warmth of the incense, a middle-aged man had silently appeared, dressed richly in pale moon-white robes, his hair adorned by an elegant scholar’s cap.
Despite the finery of his attire, the man appeared distinctly awkward. His round body was far too heavy, stretching the fine silk to its limits, creating an unflattering appearance. This man was none other than Hu Rui An. If Li Mu Sheng had seen him dressed like this, he would surely have been shocked. After all, Hu Rui An had slipped away earlier clad in black night gear; who knew from where he had stolen these ridiculously flashy garments?
Upon seeing Hu Rui An, the beautiful woman, Ruan Zhen Hui, nearly gasped aloud. The chilling aura surrounding her melted instantly like receding tides, replaced by stunned disbelief.
“Cousin, why are you here?” she asked, eyes wide with astonishment.
Hu Rui An regarded her gently, his gaze full of tenderness. After a moment’s silence, he softly replied, “I happened to pass through Deer Slaying Manor on urgent business. I thought I would seize this chance to visit you.”
He paused again, seemingly struggling to find words, and then awkwardly asked, “Have you…been well these years?”
Ruan Zhen Hui bit her red lips softly, eyes meeting his with equal tenderness. However, she quickly turned away, her eyes misting slightly as her voice became cold and distant.
“My thanks for Lord Hu’s concern. I suppose your fortunes in Great Li have risen so greatly these years, you must now look down upon a mere woman of the Martial World like myself.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An opened his mouth, then sighed, gazing helplessly at her turned face.
“Indeed, Cousin. You still blame me for what happened then.”
He fell silent briefly, then continued with sudden sincerity, “Back then, I broke our promise and left you, but only because I had no other choice.”
Looking at her profile, he spoke with deep emotion. “Truthfully, this night might be the last chance I have to see you. After this, we may never meet again. So, I must speak the words hidden in my heart all these years.”
“If I do this, even if death comes to me, I will have no regrets…”
Ruan Zhen Hui stubbornly kept her head turned away, refusing to face him, yet absorbing every word he spoke. Just as she waited to hear his explanation clearly, Hu Rui An’s voice suddenly fell silent mid-sentence.
She immediately frowned and turned to look. Hu Rui An stood there swaying unsteadily, his expression dazed and confused.
“Cousin!” she cried in alarm, swiftly reaching his side to support him.
Despite being deeply poisoned, Hu Rui An was still a Heavenly Union Expert, his condition only slightly less severe than Li Mu Sheng’s. Even now, he clung to a thin thread of consciousness.
“Not good… Poison…” His voice trailed off as his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
Grief and panic flooded Ruan Zhen Hui’s heart. His words of farewell had come far too abruptly—he had not even finished speaking.
But soon, she realized he was still alive, merely unconscious from the poison. Calming herself, she quickly channeled Qi to investigate his condition. Then she sniffed lightly and caught a distinct scent of strong alcohol on him.
“Spirit Deer Wine? Drunken Immortal Poison!”
She immediately recognized the poison. Her brows knitted tightly—only Shen Lian Cheng possessed the antidote, and she had no immediate way to help him. After brief consideration, she carried Hu Rui An to the bed and laid him down. Then, glancing at the old woman still unconscious on the ground, she decided to ignore her for now, rushing toward Shen Lian Cheng’s room to find the antidote.
Yet just as she moved to leave, a youthful female voice echoed softly from outside the courtyard:
“Mother, have you rested yet? I couldn’t sleep and thought to talk with you.”
Ruan Zhen Hui stopped abruptly, her expression changing quickly. Without hesitation, she swiftly hid the unconscious old woman under her bed, then lowered the curtains around it, concealing Hu Rui An completely.
After arranging everything, she steadied herself and deliberately spoke with lazy calmness toward the door.
“An Ran, Mother is quite tired tonight. Let’s talk tomorrow. You’ve been busy lately preparing for the martial tournament. You should rest more yourself.”
Outside, beneath the shadow of swaying bamboo and moonlit stone walls, stood a slender young woman. Her delicate figure was graceful, her skin pale as jade. An ebony hairpin loosely held up her dark hair, a few soft strands brushing gently against her ears.
Her clear eyes, like autumn waters, gazed thoughtfully toward her mother’s room. Shen An Ran could hardly believe what she’d heard. Her mother had always doted on her, never before turning her away. Tonight was unusual indeed.
After a brief pause, Shen An Ran finally nodded slightly.
“Then rest well, Mother. I won’t disturb you any further.”
Turning gracefully, she left the courtyard gate quietly.
Inside, Ruan Zhen Hui breathed out slowly, opening the door slightly and peeking outside. Confirming Shen An Ran’s departure, she extinguished the candle with a flick of her finger. Then, slipping quietly out the door, she hurriedly closed it behind her and swiftly disappeared into the night.
Moments later, Shen An Ran’s slender figure silently emerged from behind a tree by the path, stepping softly into the moonlit courtyard.