CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 409: THE TRUE FACE OF THE 1000 MACHINE PAVILION

Shang Wuyou walked up behind her and asked steadily, "Mother, was it really the First Senior Brother who conspired with the Loulan King back then?"

Xiao Rong’er turned around, handed the fruit in her hand to Shang Wuyou, and sighed regretfully: "Indeed. Unfortunately, she sought a tiger’s help in vain, harming others only to end up harming herself. She ultimately died at the hands of the Loulan King."

Shang Wuyou looked down at the fruit in his hand and said, "Is that so?"

Xiao Rong’er asked softly, "What did Chen Long tell you?"

Shang Wuyou frowned and said, "He said father was the real traitor, that father betrayed his master and ancestors."

Xiao Rong’er’s eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Utter nonsense! Your grandmaster was killed by your First Senior Brother. Back then, your uncles all witnessed it with their own eyes, and even the Elders saw it. This is not something your father and I need to lie to you about."

Shang Wuyou remained silent.

Xiao Rong’er, her face full of sorrow, asked, "You don’t believe what mother said?"

Shang Wuyou shook his head, "No."

Xiao Rong’er held his hand and sat him down on a stool: "Tell mother, what else did Chen Long say to you?"

Shang Wuyou lowered his head and sighed, "All things harmful to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. I don’t want to bring them up again."

Xiao Rong’er quickly said, "Alright, then let’s not speak of it. But remember, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has wronged no one and has never committed atrocities against heaven or reason. We walk a righteous path, and we are not afraid of slander. However, you are grown now and must understand right from wrong. Never be easily swayed by mere words."

Shang Wuyou said, "I understand, mother."

Xiao Rong’er paused, then asked, "Did you escape on your own, or—?"

Shang Wuyou said nothing.

Xiao Rong’er patted his hand, "Alright, alright, mother won’t press. Changle is still in Chen Long’s hands, and your heart must ache more than anyone else’s. Mother will let Hong Xiu take you to your courtyard to rest. Your belongings and Changle’s have all been brought from Lingshan. The courtyard has been arranged just like the one at Lingshan. Go and see if you like it."

"Okay."

Shang Wuyou’s spirits were low.

Xiao Rong’er’s eyes shifted slightly, and she looked toward Tan’er, who was playing with a lantern tassel under the corridor. "Who is that girl?" she asked.

Shang Wuyou replied, "She’s a maid I bought during my journey. Her name is Tan’er."

Xiao Rong’er sized Tan’er up and said, "She’s quite young."

Shang Wuyou added, "She saved my life."

Xiao Rong’er smiled, "If that’s the case, she can stay by your side to serve you. Hong Xiu."

Hong Xiu, who had just seen off the embroidery maid, stepped into the room: "Young Master, your courtyard is at Tingtai Pavilion. I will take you there."

The two of them left the room and headed toward Tingtai Pavilion.

Tan’er skipped along behind Shang Wuyou.

"Young Master, does the Ni Family have braised pork?"

Hong Xiu turned her head to glance at Tan’er, then looked at Shang Wuyou.

Shang Wuyou, seemingly already accustomed to this maid’s carefree nature, replied naturally, "Yes. I’ll have the kitchen make some for you later."

Tan’er’s eyes lit up excitedly, her fists propping up her cheeks: "Young Master, coming back with the Ni Family was such a right decision! Braised pork! Braised pork!"

Hong Xiu’s gaze shifted back to Shang Wuyou’s face.

Seeing that Shang Wuyou showed no trace of impatience, she said no more.

The layout of Tingtai Pavilion was just like the courtyard at Lingshan, down to the smallest details.

In the past, Shang Wuyou would certainly have appreciated it and felt touched.

But today, his mind was in turmoil, and he marched straight into his room without looking around.

Hong Xiu offered, "Young Master, should I have the small kitchen prepare something for you to eat?"

Shang Wuyou sat at the bedside, looking dispirited, and said, "No need."

Tan’er raised her fist, her small arms swinging behind her, and reminded him seriously, "Braised pork!"

Shang Wuyou sighed, "Alright, a bowl of braised pork."

After a pause, as if recalling Tan’er’s appetite, he added, "Make that two bowls."

Tan’er furrowed her brows seriously, making discontented noises.

Shang Wuyou sighed again, "Five bowls."

Hong Xiu: "...Yes, Young Master."

After Hong Xiu left, Tan’er sat across from Shang Wuyou, propping her elbows on the table and resting her face in her hands as she stared at him: "Young Master, now that you’ve returned to the Ni Family, why do you look so unhappy?"

"Are you happy?"

"Yes!"

Tan’er nodded vigorously without hesitation, her expression extremely serious.

"Because of the braised pork?"

"Yes, yes!"

Tan’er nodded even more enthusiastically.

Shang Wuyou sighed and muttered self-deprecatingly, "Honestly, why do I bother telling you any of this?"

Tan’er replied cheerfully, "You talk, and I’ll listen."

Shang Wuyou gave Tan’er a deep look, "Is it true that your father was once a disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

Tan’er replied, "Yes."

Shang Wuyou said, "I know you were sent here by her to spy on me."

Tan’er replied, "Yes."

Shang Wuyou paused: "...Which of your words is actually true?"

Tan’er folded her arms and looked toward the sky, "Well, you can’t tell anyway, so it’s like I didn’t say anything at all!"

Shang Wuyou realized she was implying he couldn’t discern truth from lies and didn’t know friend from foe.

He didn’t want to argue with a little girl.

Tan’er shot him a sly glance and asked mysteriously, "Don’t you think something feels off?"

"What feels off?"

Shang Wuyou asked in confusion.

Tan’er glanced toward the doorway, "You and Changle were abducted by assassins, yet there’s no air of concern in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Everyone’s faces are smiling brighter than flowers!"

Shang Wuyou defended, "That’s because my eldest sister is getting married."

Tan’er raised an eyebrow, "Oh."

Shang Wuyou’s mind grew even more chaotic.

Although he said that, Tan’er had struck a nerve.

He had felt something odd as soon as he entered. It just hadn’t clicked until she pointed it out.

Her words were like a silver needle, piercing the fragile hesitation in his heart.

No, Tan’er had been sent by that woman to spy on him, so of course, she’d try to drive a wedge between him and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

He nearly fell into her trap.

Shang Wuyou took a deep breath and asked calmly, "Tan’er, does your mother treat you well?"

Tan’er replied proudly, "Yes, my mother loves me more than anyone in the world!"

Shang Wuyou asked, "And your father?"

Tan’er tilted her head and swayed slightly, "My father is at the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion!"

Shang Wuyou: ...He still couldn’t get anything out of this girl.

Tan’er made a playful face at him and stuck out her tongue, "Ha!"

The braised pork was freshly made, but by the time Hong Xiu brought it, Tan’er was already sprawled across a small bed, fast asleep.

"Young Master."

Hong Xiu awaited instructions.

Shang Wuyou said, "Just leave it. She can eat it when she wakes up."

"Understood."

Hong Xiu gently placed the food box on the table.

Shang Wuyou turned to Hong Xiu and asked, "Where are my elder sisters? I’d like to see them."

Hong Xiu answered with some difficulty, "The Eldest Miss is in the study, learning etiquette from a palace nanny. Even Madame is not allowed to disturb her. The Second Miss is out."

A wave of loneliness suddenly swept over Shang Wuyou’s heart.

He and Changle had gone missing, yet everyone at home seemed preoccupied with their own affairs, as if their disappearance hadn’t caused much of a stir.

"And my father—"

Hong Xiu replied, "The Pavilion Master is now overseeing duties at the Astronomical Bureau. He holds an important position and rarely returns to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. However, since you’ve returned today, the Pavilion Master will surely come back."

"I understand. You may go now."

"Yes."

Shang Wuyou gazed at the vibrant courtyard.

Servants were busy sweeping and trimming flowers, bustling about with great energy.

Yet he felt an overwhelming loneliness.