Fortune Across the World

Chapter 152: Learning to Ride, Sparks Fly (Part 1)

When Ding Qiyu brought Yi Girl back last night, she hadn't bothered to close the door, assuming no one would visit the bamboo courtyard so early. Little did she know that Little Chun would come looking for her so soon! Like Le Zhuyi, Ding Qiyu was startled, hastily pulling her clothes together to cover her exposed chest.

Fortunately, Le Mengchun, with her innocent, child-like nature, didn't read too much into the situation despite finding them disheveled and sitting intimately on the rumpled bed. Her surprise stemmed from not understanding why her sister was at the bamboo house and how she and Xiao Yu had grown so close.

Le Mengchun picked up the small contraption from the floor and explained, "Sister, I came to take Xiao Yu to the front mountain. She can't ride a horse, so I'll take her." She stepped closer, glancing at the weapons, the Thousand Feathers Fire Whip and the Wuchang Sword, strewn on the ground, and asked innocently, "Sister, Xiao Yu, what were you doing just now?" Before she entered, it seemed they were playing some game, and when she walked in, they quickly separated, leaving their weapons discarded. Le Mengchun assumed they must be hiding something fun.

"Um, we were… uh…" Le Zhuyi stammered, unsure how to respond, casting a pleading look at Ding Qiyu, who sat dumbfounded and unhelpful.

Receiving Yi Girl's glance, Ding Qiyu's mind raced to concoct an excuse to "fool" Little Chun. "Uh, your sister and I were discussing the front mountain mechanisms. It was cold on the floor, so we sat on the bed to talk... hehe..." As she spoke, she realized how implausible it sounded, but spotting the contraption in Little Chun's hand, she quickly changed the subject, "Little Chun, is that a roulade you're holding?"

Though her explanation was weak and contrived, Le Zhuyi shot her a frustrated look. Where was her glibness when she needed it?

However, Le Mengchun, in her innocence, was indeed distracted by the change of topic and didn't question the explanation. She happily held up the contraption, saying, "Yes! My sister brought it back for me. It's fun! Xiao Yu, how did you come up with such fun things?"

Relieved that Little Chun didn't question further, Ding Qiyu replied, "It's my specialty as a mechanism artisan. Creating these is my job, just like your martial arts and whip skills, which I find incredible." She climbed off the bed, holding her clothes together since it was awkward to tie her sash with Little Chun present. She continued, "Mengchun, your sister and I… need to discuss a bit longer. I'll come to the Crimson Frost Hall to find you later, okay? Sorry you had to come all this way!" She felt slightly guilty about sending Little Chun away but knew it was necessary.

Understanding they had important matters to attend to, Le Mengchun agreed readily, "Okay, it's no trouble. I'll wait for you at the hall." She bid farewell to her sister, "Sister, I'll be off then."

"Alright, take care on your way back," Le Zhuyi sighed in relief. She recalled Mengchun's reason for visiting and felt annoyed for forgetting that detail. The little carpenter couldn't ride a horse—did Mengchun take her to the front mountain yesterday? Remembering how she had taken Ding Qiyu herself, a hint of displeasure bubbled up.

After Le Mengchun left, Le Zhuyi's strength had mostly returned. They quickly tidied themselves, and Le Zhuyi prepared to leave the bamboo courtyard, needing to investigate the intruder who had attempted to steal the front mountain mechanism diagrams from the Autumn Hall.

Ding Qiyu stopped Le Zhuyi, asking, "Yi Girl, is your leg okay?"

Le Zhuyi shook her head, "It's fine. Just a small injury, I'm used to it."