Fortune Across the World

Chapter 155: Toasting Under the Moonlight on the Cliff

From her position in the pit, Ding Qiyu glanced up, noticing Le Mengxiao staring absentmindedly at the mechanism path. Not understanding her purpose there, Ding Qiyu returned to her task. As an experienced mechanism artisan, she knew the importance of safety procedures. Before entering the mechanism path, she had already disconnected the controls from the traps to prevent any accidental activations. She wouldn't risk her life on someone else's negligence.

Le Mengxiao, frustrated, bit her lip. Clearly, this person had disabled the mechanisms before entering! With disciples now guarding the path, and the mechanisms potentially altered by the person in the pit, her plan was foiled. Casting a resentful look at the mechanism path, she left, her eyes filled with reluctance.

That night, Le Zhuyi left the Autumn Hall after reminding the guards to stay vigilant, returning to her room in the Crimson Frost Hall. Sitting at her desk with her chin in her hand, she was weighed down by worries. The new year was approaching, yet her mother had not returned, and Qianli Palace was beset with internal and external troubles.

Wanting to escape her worries, she found her thoughts drifting to a gentle and honest face, a face that made her smile involuntarily. But the smile quickly vanished, replaced by a frown. Why was she thinking of this person so often today? Why did her mind keep returning to that unexpected moment? Le Zhuyi rubbed her forehead, trying to shake off the persistent images.

Frustrated and confused, Le Zhuyi wondered what was happening to her. Was she developing feelings for the little carpenter?

Having grown up in Qianli Palace, Le Zhuyi was no stranger to love between women and didn't find it strange to feel this way herself. However, experiencing such emotions for the first time left her uncertain, struggling to identify whether her feelings for the sometimes honest, sometimes considerate, sometimes clever carpenter were truly those of affection.

The more she tried to sort out her thoughts, the more elusive they became. Feeling discouraged, she suddenly wanted to see the person occupying her mind. Maybe seeing her would bring clarity? Resolving not to dwell on it alone, Le Zhuyi decided to confront the "culprit" of her confusion. Taking two small jars of Danying Mountain's special wine, she headed to the bamboo courtyard. If uncertainty plagued her, she would seek answers from the source.

In the bamboo courtyard, Ding Qiyu was making the most of the nighttime hours to craft Xuanyuan Fire Whips, as work on the mechanism path was not possible at night. Yi Girl's Thousand Feathers Fire Whip had been her first priority. Upon examining it, Ding Qiyu realized it differed significantly from ordinary fire whips, being longer and demanding greater control. The distribution of barbs was cleverly designed, and the materials used were unlike anything she had seen—far from ordinary. After thorough analysis, she devised an optimal improvement plan and returned the upgraded whip to Yi Girl the previous night. Now, she was working on standard Xuanyuan Fire Whips.

Finishing the fifth whip, Ding Qiyu set down her tools and materials, stretching her back and gazing blankly at the bamboo ceiling. With the new year approaching, she had hoped to spend it with Qing'er in Yinzhou, but that seemed impossible now. Her thoughts drifted to Xingcheng and its people, and she sighed quietly, closing her eyes to stop her wandering mind. Yet, a certain morning scene kept replaying in her head...

When Le Zhuyi arrived, she noticed the window facing the courtyard was open, revealing Ding Qiyu leaning back in her chair, head tilted. On the table before her lay a neatly arranged stack of Xuanyuan Fire Whips. Was she working late into the night again? The little carpenter truly took Qianli Palace's crisis to heart, treating it as her own responsibility. Seeing Ding Qiyu's dedication touched Le Zhuyi, stirring a soft spot within her. Wouldn't she exhaust herself with such relentless effort?