A person seemed to be standing directly on the water, poling with a bamboo pole. Upon seeing the two, they immediately said, "Prince Chengan and the Crown Princess are on a reef to the northwest. The wind is strong tonight, and that reef is about to be submerged. Hurry and save them; it will be too late if you delay!"
As they finished speaking, the person drew closer. The two then saw clearly that the newcomer was none other than Meng Fusu. Not the orphaned girl who had died in Qinghuang Palace a few hours ago, but the real Meng Fusu, the one whose portraits Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu had seen countless times, even though they didn't personally know her.
Lu Qingwan, using her 'Du Zhong Sheng' ability for the first time, was unsure if it had taken effect. She cautiously asked, "Is that you?"
The other nodded emphatically. "It is me. Rest assured, Prince Chengan and the Crown Princess are safe for now; you just need to get them as soon as possible. By the way, Nangong Che has colluded with my elder brother, the First Elder of Hanxiao Hall, to attack your court with the armies of Southern Qi and Tujue. Be careful yourselves. Since you are here, I shall take my leave!"
With that, she leaped lightly and departed gracefully, poling with her bamboo stick. Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu then noticed that what she was standing on was also just a bamboo pole. The pole allowed her to walk on water as if on solid ground, moving smoothly and with stability no less than their own Tengshe. Lu Qingwan immediately thought of the reclusive immortal who crossed the sea on a single reed.
Lu Qingwan quickly urged Tengshe to pursue. Meng Fusu stopped upon seeing this, turning back as she stood on the bamboo pole. "Is there something else?"
"Hanxiao Hall has been destroyed by us, and you cannot return to Sanshen Lou. You have offended Liu Hanyan, and your future is precarious. Come back with us. If you wish to enter the imperial court, Lu family's first noble lady will be you. If you wish to live in seclusion, Bu Ye Zhou can offer you a place."
The connections between people are truly wondrous. The people of Lunhui Hall tried every means to win her over for Liu Hanyan, hoping to instill some filial affection towards Liu Hanyan, but she remained unmoved. Yet, having only known Meng Fusu for a few hours and exchanging mere snippets of conversation, she was willing to revere Meng Fusu as her own mother and offer her a place to settle. It wasn't a condescending bestowal of a foothold out of pity for her homelessness. It was a desire to see her anytime in the future, to drink and chat freely.
Meng Fusu seemed slightly surprised but quickly shook her head. "No, I still have my own unfinished business. However, I appreciate your kindness. If I happen to pass through your territory in the future and have time, I will come to trouble you!"
After speaking, she twirled the bamboo pole in her hand. Amidst the rippling waves on the sea, Meng Fusu departed gracefully, without a hint of hesitation. Lu Qingwan watched her departing figure with deep emotion. "I wish she were my mother." Although she was not the original Lu Qingwan of this world, she would gladly have doted on Meng Fusu as her mother if she had such a free-spirited figure.
Si Fengwu rubbed her head. "We should go." The elegant Meng Fusu was destined not to linger for them, and they had to rescue Prince and Princess Chengan. Some people left this night, and some would return with them. Tengshe flexibly turned and headed in the direction Meng Fusu had indicated.
On Huanye Island, fires raged, illuminating the night as brightly as day. On the shore, officials from Southern Qi and Great Qin stood in confrontation, neither willing to yield. After a brief search, Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu finally found the reef Meng Fusu had mentioned. It was more of an island than a mere reef. A flickering bonfire guided them forward. Before Tengshe could get close, someone shouted sternly, "Who are you? Do not come any closer, or we will shoot!"
As they spoke, Tengshe moved closer. Three arrows were fired from the opposite side, followed by the sound of footsteps. Lu Qingwan shouted, "I am Lu Qingwan, Princess of Qin of Great Qin! Have Prince and Princess Chengan come out to speak!" As she said this, she and Si Fengwu leaped directly onto the island. With a single glance, Tengshe twisted its massive body and hissed. Tengshe, the guardian beast of Lunhui Hall, was known to Prince and Princess Chengan, the Hall Master and his wife of Hanxiao Hall. Indeed, after Tengshe's appearance, the tense atmosphere on the island instantly vanished. Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu stood calmly, awaiting the appearance of Prince and Princess Chengan.
The couple did not keep them waiting long. Upon hearing Lu Qingwan announce herself, they emerged. Though she had seen them in portraits countless times, seeing them in person still felt unfamiliar. Gu Shen, adorned in a silver-purple cross-collared robe with a wide hem trailing behind her, complemented by an elaborate and noble peony bun, radiated nobility. Beside her, Si Ruian wore a black robe with a golden hairpin, appearing somewhat casual compared to the richly dressed Gu Shen. Yet, together, they looked exceptionally harmonious. Gu Shen's face bore a striking resemblance to Si Fengming, the current Emperor of Great Qin. Si Ruian, on the other hand, looked more like the long-lost Xiao Yuan'er. Si Fengwu inherited the best features of his parents, surpassing them. Lu Qingwan felt a somewhat inappropriate surge of pride; their family had high颜值, and her man was the most handsome. She shared this thought with Si Fengwu, causing him to chuckle lightly. "You!" Si Fengwu affectionately tapped Lu Qingwan's forehead, and they both turned their gaze towards the approaching Prince and Princess Chengan.
However, the couple stopped after walking only a short distance. "Is that Fengwu and Ah Wan?" The voice was gentle yet familiar. It was Gu Shen calling out to them. The two exchanged a look, and Si Fengwu replied, "It is us." As he spoke, he began to walk forward, but Gu Shen suddenly changed her tone. "Don't come any closer!" They instinctively stopped. Gu Shen spoke again, "We are poisoned. Do not come closer, or you will be infected."
Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu were stunned. At that moment, Si Fengwu could no longer worry about past estrangements. He urgently asked, "How did you get poisoned? Was it Meng Fuyuan? Mother, do you know what poison it is? I will help you find the antidote!" The two had known each other for six years, and Lu Qingwan never expected that the first time Si Fengwu used the term "son of the emperor" would be in such circumstances.
"It's useless, Fengwu. Don't waste your energy. Meng Fuyuan knew he couldn't escape this fate. After refining all the poisons in his laboratory, he injected them into your father and me. To this day, the poisons in our bodies number over a hundred. On the island to the right of Sanshen Lou, where the phoenix flag is flown, there is a laboratory filled with skilled individuals captured by Liu Hanyan, Nangong Che, and Meng Fuyuan. Liu Hanyan and Nangong Che intend to transfer them to Southern Qi. Hurry and send people to stop them. These people must not fall into the hands of Liu Hanyan and Nangong Che, even if it means their death!"