Meiwa 16th year, May

  The sky is overcast with dark clouds, and a strong gust of wind is blowing.

  In the deafening thunder, raindrops fell with a "patter", yet despite the loud noise outside, Li Rui remained fast asleep indoors.

  By his side, a woman was leaning on the bed in front of him, with a candle, holding a book in her hand, completely absorbed in reading.

  Inside this small room, several square meters in size, to the south of the bed, there is a bookshelf with many books on it. On top of the shelf hangs a jade flute. It's also within reach from the bed. At the west end of the bed, there is a small table with writing instruments and an inkstone, as well as a wooden bottle inserted with several stalks of flowers. The clusters of flowers are as big as the mouth of a bowl, and whether they have bloomed or not, they naturally emit a delicate fragrance that is very pleasant to people.

  However, the woman's hair was high and curly, her top was only covering her, but not buttoned up, revealing a pair of tall and pointed **, which looked even more perfect under the candlelight. Her lower skirt waistband was also untied, exposing her snow-white thighs.

  It was Li Rui's wife, Lan Ji. At this time, she was reading a book and suddenly felt a movement in the corner of her eye. The wind chime on the door rang out, and when she turned to look, she saw a girl outside, peeking in curiously.

  She couldn't help but laugh and scold: "Little bamboo, you little girl, your nerve is too big, just barging into our house like this."

  This girl was none other than Xiaozhu, one of her personal maids. As soon as she finished speaking, Lanji bowed and made a gesture to retire, but just then, a pair of hands grasped her waist, warm jade and fragrant scent in hand.

  "Ah, husband, you're awake?" Lan Ji turned her head and asked.

  "Yes, I'm up." Fang Xin said with a sigh, he sniffed and smelled the fragrance on her body, asking: "Xiao Zhu, what's wrong?"

  "Miss Lu Shulan is still waiting outside!"

  "Let her wait." Fang Xin said with a smile: "I haven't woken up yet!"

  After finishing speaking, he lowered his voice and hugged Lanji, a strange flame gradually burning fiercely in his eyes.

  Lan Qi stretched out her hand and hugged him, with a smile that was not quite a smile, saying: "Really? Let her wait? She is the third miss of Lu Hou!"

  Fang Xin lay on her high chest. His right hand stroked the inside of her skirt, Lan Ji suddenly felt a thrill, which spread to every nerve and cell in her body, struggling slightly, she responded again.

  In the outer hall, a young girl was humming coldly. She wore a Luo robe, had three buns of hair, her eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, her eyes were deep as a pool, she turned around several times, gritted her teeth and said in a low voice: "This guy, actually at this time..."

  Behind her, two guards each wore a sword at their side. They were unremarkable in appearance, but their eyes gleamed with a cold, piercing light. Their entire being radiated an aura of ferocity, ruthlessness and vigilance, clearly marking them as warriors from the manor.

  The young girl had been nursing her thoughts and finished two cups of tea, but she could no longer hold back. Just as she was about to lose her temper, a "clang" sound of sword humming came from outside, slowly fading away, causing the two guards' eyebrows to jump involuntarily.

  "Ah, it's Third Miss. What brings you here? Are you taking shelter from the rain? I'm afraid I didn't come out to greet you properly, how rude of me!" Before he had even finished speaking, a figure appeared at the window, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. Just then, a young man entered from outside.

  The rain has passed. The sunset on the mountain, reflected directly into the room. Fang Xin had just washed up and changed into new clothes, walked in slowly, then slightly bowed his head to greet the girl.

  The girl, at this time, instead sank her heart and returned the courtesy with elegant demeanor. However, after paying respects, she said: "You are highly valued by my father, when it comes to matters, you will not hesitate or be without principles, right?"

  "Let's go out and talk," said Fang Xin with a smile.

  Just now, he had digested the memories of more than two years. This incarnation was completely in line with his idea. Although there were a first wife and a second wife, only Orchid had given birth to a son last year, named Li Ningwen. The others, although they had rain and dew, did not have a boy or a girl, so Orchid's status rose day by day, and she received the attention of the old mother.

  Out of the house, it turned out that this place was on a small hill. Fang Xin asked calmly: "What's troubling Mr. Yan?"

  Although he acted in accordance with his memory, he didn't truly possess great wisdom. However, over the past two and a half years, he had relied on being close to Lord Lu, especially after solving some problems for him using modern methods. His position rose day by day, and he became the first advisor under Yan Min, deeply favored by Lord Lu, and even his martial arts skills were exposed.

  This incarnation, for two and a half years, has been rigorously training himself - practicing swordplay, reading books, and praying. Although he doesn't have that kind of self-awareness or produce great wisdom or swordsmanship, he has honed his basic skills to be pure and unadulterated. This kind of daily practice and learning, regardless of wind or rain, regardless of major events or fine wine and delicacies, has also made Lu Hou deeply admire him, already saying "This child's character is firm and resolute, his talent is profound and immeasurable".

  Now, Lan Qi was even directly adopted as a foster daughter to deepen their connection. Every time Fang Xin thought of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

  "Mr. Yan, you've already recalled all the personnel, not a single one is left, in order to prevent Ge Yuancheng's surprise attack. What can you do now?" Lu Shulan asked: "In these two years, Ge Yuancheng has been using despicable means to continuously kill our people, and it has become a laughing stock for the imperial court. Your father's prestige has also fallen because of this. You have blocked him twice, and that has also made you a thorn in his eye!"

  "Don't say anything!" Fang Xin suddenly said.

  "What?" Lu Shulan was taken aback!

  Fang Xin walked to a stone and said: "Wait."

  The brook produced by the rain flowed under his feet, passing through the rocks and making a faint sound.

  "Ah, it's so beautiful... Wearing this dress, floating in the midst of heaven and earth, I wonder if I'm a dream created by my own heart or a fantasy created by heaven and earth, and where do I fit in? The mountain wind blows, the green dress fluttering, almost as if it wants to ride the wind away. Fang Xi looks up at the sky, watching the sunset descend."

  "What are you thinking?" After a while, Lu Shulan finally spoke up and asked. She admitted that at this moment, Fang Xin was like a sword drawn out of its scabbard, making it impossible for her to look away. However, things still had to be done.

  Fang Xin then turned around and said: "Oh, I just faced the heavens and divined, asking for an omen!"

  "Qiu Guà?"

  "The Qian Gua is based on the principle of resonance between heaven and man, this is Heart Yi, also Spiritual Yi."

  "What did you see?" She understood this principle, but she didn't believe that this guy would reach this level.

  Fang Xin burst out laughing, as if no one was around.

  Lu Shulan took a few steps back, she usually got along with this guy, thought he was wooden, being teased by her didn't make him angry at all, and he didn't take his father's and brother's importance seriously. However, at this moment, just for an instant, she felt that her previous impression seemed to be all smoke.

  It's hard for young people to know his true face at this time.

  "A great marquis who founded the country, enjoying 11,000 mu of land, and whose family has participated in imperial politics for generations, why bother to mobilize so many troops just for this humble commoner?"

  "You're either really ignorant or pretending to be. Whatever the reason was back then, it's not relevant now. The Lu Manor must maintain its dignity and discipline, so we have no choice but to do this. This is a case of killing one to warn a hundred - no matter how high his martial arts skills are, he must be punished according to the law. If not, not only will the Lu Manor's reputation be ruined, but the imperial court's laws will also be shaken. If it doesn't work out this time, Father Hou might as well report to the imperial court and mobilize its power!"

  "Yes, regardless of who was wrong back then, Ge Yuan Cheng has killed too many soldiers and guards over the years. Although it can be said that he didn't kill without reason to protect himself, this situation will only have one outcome."

  "Of course it is... Hmm, what are you doing?" Lu Shulan took another step back.

  Fang Xing cupped his hands in greeting, his voice clear and bright, and also transmitted to all directions: "Mr. Ge, since you've come, then come and have a chat with me. This time, I guarantee that there's no ambush. If there is an ambush, don't bother using your hands, I'll kill myself first."

  At the mention of killing, Bing Yu's words fell like ice hitting the ground.

  A moment of silence, Lu Shulan first changed color, then saw that no one was there, just about to mock, but heard a flute sound.

  This flute sound, at first, was like a gentle stream flowing through the rocks in the creek, leisurely wandering in the mountain valley. Then, it was like counting water, counting stones, and counting birds, playing in the forest, full of warmth. Later, the heavenly music faded away, and the sound of killing rose up, with several ups and downs, following one after another.

  Until the end, in the flute sound, it was like autumn wind blowing down, after several turns, humming about the impermanence of worldly affairs.

  Lu Shulan felt a pang of sympathy and suddenly tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks.

  Fang Xin closed his eyes, the long wind blew his clothes, and he listened intently. The music had reached its end, sometimes loud and clear, sometimes gentle and flowing, sometimes sobbing, as if recalling, as if yearning, and also as if resolute.

  As the tune came to an end, a figure emerged from thirty feet away. He relaxed his hand and the jade flute fell down, shattering into several pieces on the rock. Immediately after, he grasped his sword.

  "Wait a minute, Ge Yuancheng, do you really want to be so ruthless? Killing women and children, what kind of heroism is that?" Fang Xin said, his voice not loud but full of power, making the man opposite him raise his head, his eyes gleaming with intensity, staring straight ahead, his killing intent concentrated, unyielding.

  "Ge Yuancheng, at first, Marquis of Lu just wanted to recruit you, why has it come to this today?"

  "Haha, my parents are dead, my wife and children beheaded. What's the point of saying these words now? If you don't want to stop me, retreat! Don't fall into Yan Mian's treacherous plan. If you do stop me, we'll fight to the death!"

  Between the sparks of electricity and light, countless thoughts flashed by, and finally another point of clear light condensed.