Mountain High

Liang Xiao watched Chu Xianliu disappear, his heart unsettled. He then said to the crowd, "One victory, two draws. Is there anything else to say?" At this point, Lei Xingkong and He Songyang were both injured. The group was left leaderless, looking at each other in dismay, at a total loss. Although Lei Zhen felt resentful, he knew that even if they all attacked together, they would have little chance of winning. For the time being, he could only seethe in anger. Liang Xiao intimidated the crowd, then turned to Liu Jingying and said, "Let's go!" Liu Jingying coldly snorted, "I'm not going!" Liang Xiao knew her mind often changed, giving him a headache. He could only coax her gently, "Don't make a scene. Over these years, I've constantly thought of you." Upon hearing this, Liu Jingying's heart immediately softened. She turned her head away, saying nothing more. Seeing Liang Xiao leaving with Liu Jingying, Hua Sheng hurriedly said, "Xiaohuan, let's go too!" Hua Xiaohuan felt lost and helpless, so she could only nod and follow behind Liang and Liu at a distance. After traveling for a while, they heard the sound of hoofbeats. Looking back, they saw Chu Wan riding up on an extremely spirited white horse. Liu Jingying's eyes lit up with joy as she called out, "Fenghzi!" Chu Wan arrived, dismounted, and coldly said, "This horse is too difficult to handle. My third uncle asks me to return it to you." Liu Jingying embraced the horse's neck in delight, and Fenghzi seemed equally excited to see its owner. Chu Wan then said, "Liang Xiao, you asked me about those two children earlier, didn't you?" Liang Xiao nodded. Chu Wan sighed, "They were taken away by Gongzi Yun." Liang Xiao was astonished, "How did he encounter them?" Chu Wan explained, "That day, I took those women and children to Tianji Palace. Unexpectedly, Gongzi Yun was there too, recovering from his injuries after being rescued by the palace lord's brother and sister following his breakout from Changzhou. Since he knew the identities of the two princes, he took them away, reportedly to Wenzhou. But I don't know their current situation." Liang Xiao thought, "The children are indeed unable to escape this fate." Pained by this, he said after a long while, "Miss Chu, you didn't go with Yun Shu?" Chu Wan said dejectedly, "His heart is now solely set on waging war to restore the Song dynasty. Nothing else matters to him anymore. Furthermore, the wealthy and powerful Tianji Palace is willing to help him revive the Great Song, so he has become engaged to Miss Hua Murong." Hua Xiaohuan exclaimed in shock, "You said my aunt is engaged?" Chu Wan glanced at her, puzzled, "Hua Murong is your aunt?" Then, frowning slightly, she sighed and said, "Liang Xiao, there's something that has been weighing on my mind, and I wanted to ask you." After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Why isn't Sister Axue with you?" Liang Xiao felt a sharp pang in his chest. Gazing skyward, he let out a long sigh and briefly recounted what had happened. Chu Wan's face turned deathly pale, and she stared blankly for a while before saying in a low voice, "I'm sorry... I... I was only focused on taking care of Qiansui and failed to stop her." Liang Xiao waved his hand, "It was the retribution of this life. Don't blame yourself. Miss Chu, what are your plans for the future?" Chu Wan said, "I only wish to accompany my third uncle in practicing swordsmanship, spending the rest of my days that way." Liang Xiao remarked, "Yun Shu is a remarkable hero, but he may not be the ideal match for you in the future..." Before he could finish, Chu Wan's eyes reddened, and she gently waved her jade hand, turning to leave. Her graceful figure exuded an indescribable melancholy. After Chu Wan left, Liang Xiao felt gloomy. After a few steps, he suddenly heard Liu Jingying coldly laugh, "Liang Xiao, you've certainly met many people over the past two years." Liang Xiao said, "Yes, a few." Liu Jingying retorted, "I'm afraid it's more than just a few. What with Miss Flower, Miss Grass, Sister Xue, Sister Huang, and who knows what else—it seems you've enjoyed quite a blissful romance!" Liang Xiao paused, frowning, "Why are you getting jealous again?" Liu Jingying's eyes reddened as she bit her lip, choking back tears, "That's right. While I thought of you day and night, you were behind my back gallivanting with others. Hmph, I'm not just jealous—I want to eat someone!" She stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears as she glared at Liang Xiao. Hua Xiaohuan wanted to leave, but Liu Jingying petulantly ordered, "You're not allowed to go either!" Hua Xiaohuan's heart sank as she stood still. Liang Xiao was already troubled after learning about the two princes, and Liu Jingying's unreasonable tantrum further angered him. He shouted, "You know nothing about the whole story! You're just throwing a fit after hearing a few words?" Seeing his fury, Liu Jingying's tone softened slightly, "Alright, say it yourself: I'm the only one in your heart." Liang Xiao was taken aback. Seeing his hesitation, Liu Jingying became enraged and demanded, "Say it or not?" Liang Xiao said, "Originally... you were the only one in my heart..." Before he could finish, Liu Jingying spat out, "How many are there now?" Liang Xiao fell silent. But the more he hesitated, the more heartbroken Liu Jingying became. Thinking of all the suffering she had endured for him, only to end up like this, she trembled as she said, "Han Rongzi was right—all men are scoundrels. Fine, if your heart belongs to someone else, I don't need to stay. I... I'll go back to Tian Mountain..." Covering her face with one hand, she leapt onto Fenghzi. Liang Xiao quickly grabbed the horse's reins, but Liu Jingying struck out at him. Liang Xiao caught her hand and pulled her down, causing her to fall into his embrace. Overwhelmed with grievance, she pummeled and kicked him as she broke down in anguished sobs. Hua Xiaohuan felt utterly bitter watching this, stunned for a moment before sighing, "Sister Liu, don't make things difficult for Brother Xiao. I... I'll just leave..." She mounted Kuaixue and prepared to ride away, but Liang Xiao hurriedly pushed Liu Jingying aside, rushed over, and blurted out, "How can you leave? I promised to take you on a medical journey." Seeing his desperation, Hua Xiaohuan's tender heart skipped a beat, and all her pent-up sorrow and grievance suddenly erupted as tears streamed down her face onto Kuaixue's back. Liu Jingying had originally felt relieved to see Hua Xiaohuan leaving, but when Liang Xiao stopped her and saw Hua Xiaohuan's unceasing tears, her face gradually turned pale, and her eyes flickered uncertainly several times. Finally, she sighed, "Fine, you little rascal. For now, I won't give you a hard time. Sister Hua, you can stay too!" Hua Xiaohuan couldn't help but turn from sorrow to joy as she wiped away her tears.