Chapter 643: Not the First Encounter
Huixinju is the former residence of Emperor Yue. According to the law, no one else is allowed to live there.
Besides, Huixin lived in different places, leaving his memories behind, and Mu Rong was reluctant to give up her beloved son's residence to outsiders.
Therefore, Gu Mengzhen arranged for an informant to change his nationality and name to Ning Cangmo, calling himself the eldest son of Duke Ning, and move into Mo Miaoju in Ning Mansion.
Ning Cangmo is twenty-seven years old this year. Due to a change in his identity, his age has been changed to thirty, following Ning Fengzhe's.
All the members of the Ning Mansion went to Prince Dijin's Mansion to pay their respects to Emperor Yue. It was not decent for Ning Cangmo to go alone.
He pretended to ask for a meeting and express condolences.
After the condolence ceremony, he asked where Qingning Yunxi was and took the initiative to find her and meet her.
Ning Yunxi didn't recognize the person, so he slowly stood up and asked politely.
"Excuse me, sir, what is your name?"
Ning Cangmo looked radiant and well-mannered.
"The eldest son of Lord Ning of the Ning clan, Ning Cangmo."
Ning Yunxi was slightly startled and stood up respectfully subconsciously.
"So it is, big brother."
"Please forgive me, I am short-sighted."
Ning Cangmo was not shy and took his seat first.
"We are not strangers to each other, Third Sister, you are welcome to sit down."
Ning Yunxi sat respectfully beside him, staring at him with a blank look in his eyes.
"Not an acquaintance?"
"My little sister is so foolish and forgetful that I don't know when I have seen my brother."
When their eyes met, Ning Cangmo's expression was as tender as water.
"Third sister is very resourceful and wise, how can you be foolish? When we first met, you were still young, so it's normal for you not to remember or to have forgotten."
His words were clear, and Ning Yunxi had some guesses.
"When did you first meet?"
Judging from his expression, it was obvious that he had expected this. Ning Cangmo asked a question in return, pointing out the answer.
"Do you still remember Chongyixuan, in the western suburbs of Shengjing?"
Ning Yunxi was stunned and speechless.
"you you……"
Ning Cangmo raised a faint smile on his lips, with a beautiful and graceful look.
"Now, I really have become your big brother, but I haven't asked you yet, whether your third sister is willing to acknowledge me."
Ning Yunxi felt as if something was wrong.
"Big brother, of course I am willing to admit it."
"But……"
Hearing her words, Ning Cangmo understood.
"You do not trust me?"
Ning Yunxi did not lie and answered directly.
"I do have doubts, please forgive me, brother."
Ning Cangmo expressed regret with a sigh, and told old stories without leaving any trace to prove his identity.
"Oh, if I had known to leave your Penglai apricot jade behind, I wouldn't have met you today without a token of gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Ning Yunxi believed it a little.
"We have a token of love. How could big brother forget it? The golden and jade love lock?"
Ning Cangmo followed the conversation naturally and told about their previous agreement.
"I'll give you the jade lock and I'll keep the gold lock, meaning that we are brothers and sisters with the same heart."
"How could I forget something so important?"
He lowered his eyes in frustration.
"Unfortunately, I met a criminal on the road and the gold lock was stolen."
Ning Yunxi remained skeptical and pondered carefully.
"Judging from his age, he should be older than you. Your brother's appearance doesn't seem to match his age."
Ning Cangmo answered confidently, without a trace of timidity.
"Looks, ages, many people don't quite match up."
"My actual age is thirty-three."
Ning Yunxi couldn't tell the truth from the falsehood, and her thoughts were wavering.
"is it?"
Ning Cang's eyes were filled with determination.
"Yes, that's right."
He played it right, acting lost.
"Third sister, you really don't want to recognize me?"
Ning Yunxi never let down her guard.
"Whether you like it or not, the law is set, you are my big brother."
"Excuse me, big brother, what can I do for you at Jinlanju?"
Ning Cangmo spoke frankly, and seemed extremely sincere.
"I want to tell you that the emperor has chosen me and I am hiding in Ning Mansion as his informant."
She did find out that he was sent by the Emperor, but she didn't expect him to say it out loud. Ning Yunxi's face showed surprise.
"This should be confidential."
"What did my brother tell me?"
Ning Cangmo gained her trust, knew when to act, and acted neither hastily nor slowly.
"You are very important to me."
"I don't want to hide it from you."
Ning Yunxi was half-serious and half-false, showing a little bit of emotion.
"Thank you for your kindness, big brother."
Ning Cangmo didn't care whether she was real or not, he was patient and gained people's trust.
"I agree to lie dormant, not for the Emperor, to find out about the situation in Ning Mansion; I only want to gain the trust of the Emperor and his people, and help you find out their news."
Afraid that she could not repay the favor, Ning Yunxi advised and declined.
"This is a dangerous matter, please be careful, big brother."
Ning Cangmo chatted with her as if they were daily chores, bringing them closer.
"Thank you for your concern."
"For many years, I have not been able to reveal my true identity to you."
Ning Yunxi lowered his eyebrows in respect.
"Big brother, please tell me what you want to tell me. I have no intention of finding out."
Ning Cangmo spoke eloquently and every word he said came from the heart.
"My original name is Zou Xi."
"My grandfather and my father were old officials of Xingliang. In his early years, he conspired with Gu Mengzhen to stir up chaos in the world and help him ascend the throne. I thought he would treat my clan well, but I never expected that he would target us and wipe out our roots."
"My father and mother took my brothers and sisters with them and escaped from the dead. We have been wandering around for several years."
"Now, I am the only one left in the family."
"Over the years, I have endured humiliation and tried my best to please the emperor, making him think that I am loyal and don't bear grudges."
"Finally, I waited for the opportunity to enter the court and meet you again."
Hearing him speak frankly and almost without reservation, Ning Yunxi began to dispel her doubts.
"No wonder you kept silent about your identity back then."
Ning Cangmo showed a guilty expression at the right time.
"The Zou clan has abandoned Xingliang and is not tolerated by Yuesheng. The situation is embarrassing. I really can't say anything."
"sorry."
Ning Yunxi was immediately comforted.
"Don't apologize, I understand."
At this point, Ning Cangmo explained the past events in a logical and frank manner.
"At that time, my father and mother were seriously ill, so I had no choice but to leave in a hurry."
"I thought you were an abandoned girl from your family, so I planned to take you with me; but I unexpectedly learned that you were Miss Ning San."
"I know the road ahead will be difficult, so I have no choice but to leave you behind."
"I thought that you, at least, would have no worries about food and clothing in Ning Mansion. If you follow me, I'm afraid you would not have enough food and clothing and would suffer all day long."
"Third sister, I'm really sorry for you."
The feeling of trust in her heart gradually deepened, Ning Yunxi frowned, her face full of regret and shame.
"Big brother, your words are important."
"My brother suffered and I was unable to accompany him. This is all my fault."
Ning Cangmo's words are like gems, his sentences are rigorous, and his writing is beautiful and melodious, without a single flaw.
"You are still as sensible as ever, just like last year."
"Emperor Yue, I have already paid my respects."
"I know very well that you two have a close relationship as siblings. You must be heartbroken when he passes away."
"It's all my fault. I was by the emperor's side, but I couldn't save him."
"Third sister, please accept my condolences. From now on, I will take his place and take good care of you."
Ning Yunxi declined the offer.
"Life in the Ning Mansion is not easy, big brother, just take care of yourself."
"How can I trouble you, brother, since I am a humble little sister?"
Ning Cangmo is neither popular nor unpopular, and he is calm and composed.
"We have been together for a short time, and you are still shy and timid. I put myself in your shoes and understand you."
"Don't worry, third sister. Time passes slowly and experiences a lot, which will prove that I am sincere."
He stood up and bowed politely.
"It's getting late. I'll take my leave and go home. We'll meet again another day."
Ning Yunxi saluted in return.
"Take care, big brother."