Chapter 39 – She Has the Same Brand as the Horse

As the carriage stopped at the inn, a server ran out and warmly welcomed them, “The two young masters, please come in. The two misses, please. Our inn is the only one around here.”

Everyone entered the building. Lian Kun stepped out to choose a table and diligently dusted a chair with his own sleeves, “Miss Murong, please have a seat.”

Tuoba Zhi shook his head with a smile. “That’s very attentive of you, Brother Lian. Please dust my seat while you’re at it.”

Lian Kun’s expression changed to that of impatience. “Go go go, don’t you have hands yourself?”

Tuoba Lan burst into laughter. “I’m sure Big Brother Lian will help dust my seat as well.”

Very reluctantly, Lian Kun raised his hand and perfunctorily swept Tuoba Lan’s seat.

Tuoba Zhi called the server over and gave him a silver ingot. “We’ll have any good wine and dishes your shop has to offer. A pot of chicken soup for the two young ladies. Also, two top-grade rooms, and please arrange a place to stay for our attendants and feed our horses with your best feed.”

The server left in delight to make arrangements as told.

After a big table of food was delivered, the party ate while chatting in pleasure. However, Murong Zhining was feeling down and didn’t have any appetite. She hurried through the meal and said, “I’ve finished. You guys take your time, I want to bring Flash out for some fresh air.”

Tuoba Lan hastily put down her bowl. “Big sister, I’ll go with you.”

Lian Kun quickly wiped his mouth. “Wait, what if you two pretty young ladies run into bad people? I’ll protect you.”

Shaking his head, Tuoba Lan smiled wryly. “I’m done eating. Let’s all go together.”

Flash slowly paced on the grass and looked up at the road from time to time with sad eyes. Murong Zhining walked over and stroke it. “Flash, are you thinking of General Chiyun? Right, General Chiyun branded a mark on you, do you resent him for it?”

Flash huffed and bobbed its head a little, but then its head shook left and right and rubbed against her. Murong Zhining’s eyes inexplicably moistened.

A little far away, the Tuoba siblings sat on the grass as they engaged in a conversation. Tuoba Zhi looked at Murong Zhining and asked Tuoba Lan, “Have you seen the mark on Miss Murong?”

Tuoba Lan’s eyes also fell on Murong Zhining who was hugging Flash. “Mhm, big sister has the exact same mark as Flash. She told me that she was careless and fell on a burning seal. I feel bad for her whenever I think about it.”

Tuoba Zhi said thoughtfully, “Only a fool like you would believe that. How can there be such a perfect coincidence? Use your brains a little, won’t you? If someone accidentally fell, can the burning seal really leave a mark like that? Did you notice Ning’er’s eyes when she looked at General Chiyun? As far as I can see, it’s a bone-deep hatred.”

Her mouth agape in shock, Tuoba Lan cried out, “Ahh? You mean… General Chiyun deliberately marked Big Sister Murong? How can that be? Why would he want to do that? Who could bear to do such a cruel thing to a weak girl?! I won’t believe it.”

Tuoba Zhi looked at Murong Zhining with complex feelings, his eyes concealed a trace of tenderness and pity. Without looking away from her, he told Tuoba Lan, “I also want to know what kind of hatred it is to make a man do such a cruel thing to a fragile girl like her. Are you not curious? Don’t you want to know as well?”

Tuoba Lan teared up. “Big sister is so pitiful, but… General Chiyun looks so righteous, I can’t associate him with the word ‘cruelty.’ Maybe I should find a chance to ask big sister about it?”

Tuoba Zhi slightly nudged Tuoba Lan. “How can I have such a fool for a sister? By all means, don’t ask. Look at Ning’er and see how unhappy she is. Don’t mention things that will make her even more upset.”

Tuoba Lan pouted. “How do you know that it’s not General Chiyun’s absence that she’s unhappy about? Don’t you feel that she is missing the general?”

Tuoba Zhi shook his head, then nodded. “Maybe, but I can’t imagine such a painful love.”

Lian Kun picked a bouquet of wildflowers and walked to Murong Zhining. “The flowers around here look quite beautiful. I thought all girls love flowers, so I picked them for you, Miss Murong.”

Flash craned its head over and nipped the flowers. Then, the steed tossed the flowers on the ground and stepped on them.

Lian Kun huffed in anger as he said, “Ahh! You animal, I worked hard to pick them to please your master!”

The Tuoba siblings also flocked over while applauding and laughing out loud. Lian Kun looked angry, while Flash happily dug its hooves on the ground.

Murong Zhining apologetically picked up the flowers. “Thank you, Mister Lian. Flash doesn’t know any better, please don’t bother with it.”

Lian Kun stroke the back of his head. “I won’t, otherwise, wouldn’t I be equal to an animal?”

Tuoba Zhi burst out laughing. “Aren’t you though, Brother Lian?”

Amused by this joke, Murong Zhining covered her mouth to hide her chuckles.

Seeing Murong Zhining smile, everyone’s mood also went up. Tuoba Lan was getting restless about riding Flash again. But, no matter how hard Murong Zhining coaxed the steed, it refused to let Tuoba Lan come near.

Tuoba Zhi didn’t want to spoil Tuoba Lan’s mood, so he came up with an idea. He first helped Murong Zhining onto the horse, then let Tuoba Lan get on as well. This time, Flash didn’t refuse. It carried the two girls and walked around at a languid pace.

On horseback, Tuoba Lan exclaimed in joy, “I’ve finally ridden General Chiyun’s horse. It feels like flying!”

Lian Kun praised, “What a fine steed, it’s really a humanlike horse. The ‘General Chiyun’ you guys mentioned must be an extraordinary person.”

Tuoba Zhi nodded. “Too bad he’s not so much of a delightful guy.”

The sky gradually darkened and the bright moon rose high. Tuoba Zhi suggested, “The night is cold. Ning’er is still weak, let’s return to the inn. How about we go to Ning’er’s room and play some chess?”

Tuoba Lan seemed very excited. “I want to play throwing sticks into the pot, the loser will get a beard glued on their face.”

Lian Kun smiled evilly, “How about telling ghost stories? Without the lamp on.”

Tuoba Zhi laughed. “Brother Lian must have used this trick to trick a lot of girls?”

Lian Kun smiled nonchalantly as he replied, “This humble me only wants to make Miss Murong laugh. What do you mean by ‘trick’?”

However, Murong Zhining’s mood was still very low. “Everyone must be tired. Since we need to head out on the morrow, let’s rest early.”

After Tuoba Zhi and Lian Kun returned to their room, Lian Kun who was feeling like he hadn’t had enough fun yet grumbled, “Everybody was having fun out there and you came up with such a stupid idea. Returning to the inn? Don’t you know how boring it is for two big men to stay idly together in one room?”

Tuoba Zhi tossed him a book. “Read books and you won’t feel so bored. Miss Murong is still weak. If the cold gets to her, she’ll be sick.”

Lian Kun said ruefully, “I’m not reading it. What status is Miss Murong? Do you want to marry her, Brother Tuoba?”

Tuoba Zhi swept him an oblique glance. “It doesn’t matter what I want. Miss Murong doesn’t like me.”

Lian Kun shook his head incredulously. “Your Tuoba clan is insanely rich and you are handsome. As far as I know, there’s no one in Shangxia able to compete with your family in wealth.”

Tuoba Lan sighed, “And that’s as far as your little insight goes. There are things in this world that money can’t handle.”

Lian Kun snorted scornfully. “Up until now, I’ve never seen anything that money can’t handle. If you don’t make your move, I will. I fell in love with Miss Murong at first sight.”

Tuoba Zhi knocked Lian Kun’s head with the book in his hand. “You fall in love at first sight with every beautiful girl you see.”

Lian Kun retorted, “I’m serious this time. If Miss Murong doesn’t like you, then I’m definitely her type.”

Tuoba Zhi gave a helpless smile and ignored him.

In the girls’ room, Tuoba Lan was nursing a stomach full of questions for Murong Zhining. However, upon seeing the other’s depressed manner, she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Tuoba Lan softly patted Murong Zhining on her back and consoled her, “Big sis, don’t think about unhappy things. Look at this carefree me, I’m living so happily. You should learn from me.”

Murong Zhining’s shoulders trembled so slightly. She seemed to be crying.

Next day on the road, Murong Zhining gazed at the scenery outside the carriage window, still looking listless as if she had lost her soul. Tuoba Lan touched her forehead. “Big sis, you have been down these past few days. Did you fall sick?”

Murong Zhining stroked Tuoba Lan’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you. But, I don’t want to treat you too well. Ever since I was little, anyone who was close to me had been met with misfortune.”

Tuoba Lan playfully swayed Murong Zhining’s arm. “Nuh-uh, Lan’er doesn’t believe it. Don’t ignore Lan’er.”

Murong Zhining was abashed. “You two siblings have treated me so well, but I’ve been pulling your mood down during this trip.”

Tuoba Lan shook her head and sensibly said, “No you haven’t. It has been us who couldn’t cheer you up, and my brother also feels bad about it.”

Tuoba Zhi knocked at the carriage window and lifted the curtain. “Ning’er should be tired. We will stop here for a bit. Come out and stretch your muscles, it’ll make you feel better.”

Murong Zhining nodded. Tuoba Zhi supported her off the carriage.

Lian Kun’s eyes fixed on Murong Zhining without blinking. “Miss Murong looks as beautiful as a goddess in pink.”

Murong Zhining returned the comment with a polite smile, which nearly stole Lian Kun’s soul. Tuoba Lan rolled her eyes at him. “Even if she’s a goddess, she’s still someone else’s goddess.” Then, she grabbed Murong Zhining’s hand. “Big sis, try to be a little more cheery? Hmm?”

Murong Zhining said apologetically, “I’m ashamed, I’ve been spoiling the mood.”

At his moment, Flash suddenly let out a long neigh. The steed disregarded Murong Zhining and galloped up along the cavalcade.

Murong Zhining anxiously chased after it and shouted, “Flash, come back! Don’t leave me!”

Flash turned its head to glance at her before it continued to run forth. Soon after, it disappeared at the corner of the main road.

Tears overflowed from Murong Zhining’s eyes. “Flash… Even Flash has left me as well.” She felt weak in her legs and nearly fell. Tuoba Lan hurriedly ran over to help her up.

Tuoba Zhi also came over. He hugged Murong Zhining and asked anxiously, “Ning’er, are you alright? Flash is very intelligent, it will return. Ning’er needn’t worry, I promise it’ll come back.”

Murong Zhining silently wept.

After a long time, the sound of horse galloping echoed from upfront. Tuoba Zhi shouted, “Get your weapons ready! Protect Miss Murong!”

The manservants armed themselves with various weapons as they stood at the front. Lian Kun and Tuoba Zhi stood at the left and right side of the two girls protectively.