To Hold One’s Joy

hapter 29-2: Returned Home

Luo Sheng walked forward silently, every step weighing heavily on her heart. Nanyang City is where the Zhennan Wang Palace is located. It was always lively, bustling, and full of vigor in her memory. But what she saw before her was different. Despite the evident presence of people, there was an indescribable sense of oppression in the air. The entire city seemed burdened with heaviness. This was not the Nanyang City she remembered.

Abruptly, Luo Sheng halted, fixating her gaze on a particular spot. Sheng Sanlang followed her line of sight, which led to a grand mansion. Its gates were locked, and two stone lions stood silently in front, their dusty appearance conveying the dilapidation of the estate. Luo Sheng stared blankly at the paved path in front of the mansion's gate, which was stained with a dark red hue.

As a passerby walked past her, she impulsively grabbed the person's sleeve. Startled by Luo Sheng's sudden action, the young man was about to scold her but was rendered speechless when he encountered her beautiful yet sorrowful eyes. He finally swallowed his words.

"What is this place?" the girl softly inquired.

Glancing at the dilapidated mansion, the young man's expression changed slightly: "This is the former Zhennan Wang Palace. Young lady, you should stay away from this ill-fated place."

"Ill-fated?"

"Isn't it? I've heard from older people that the former Zhennan Wang had committed treason by secretly colluding with the enemy nation. The entire Palace, comprising hundreds of people, was executed. Even after all these years, that paved path remained red—"

With a thud, Luo Sheng ripped the young man's sleeve. The young man stared at his torn sleeve in disbelief. "Young lady, you are quite impatient..." Although this young lady is very beautiful, it seems there's something wrong with her mind——

"My sister can be mischievous at times. Please don't mind her." Realizing something was wrong, Sheng Sanlang hurriedly stuffed a dime of silver into the young man's hand and ushered him away.

Luo Sheng continued to stand there, lost in her thoughts, as the young man's words echoed in her mind. Colluded with the enemy nation, plotting treason, hundreds of the palace members were executed... A nauseating sweetness surged up in her throat, blurring her vision. She could no longer see the mansion before her, let alone the dark red pathway.

"Biaomei, what's the matter?" Sheng Sanlang asked.

Luo Sheng didn't respond and walked straight into the carriage. Seeing Luo Sheng's figure vanish inside, Sheng Sanlang turned to Hongdou with a questioning look. "What's the matter with your Miss?" She seems to be in a terrible mood...

Hongdou thought for a while and said, "Perhaps Miss was disappointed by the city's shabbiness, the dilapidated mansion, and the unattractive people."

Sheng Sanlang fell silent. Besides the maid's explanation, there didn't seem to be a more plausible reason. Should they stay overnight in Nanyang City, then? Observing the darkening sky, Sheng Sanlang made a decision. Well, it's getting late, so let's reluctantly stay here.

After inquiring about the best inn in the city, they hurried there. The carriage stopped in front of the inn, but Luo Sheng remained inside without stepping out for quite some time.

Sheng Sanlang looked at Hongdou, who was sitting outside the carriage, seeking an answer with his eyes. Hongdou rolled her eyes in annoyance. What was the point of looking at her? Didn't he notice Miss had purposefully driven her out of the carriage to sit outside?

Clearing his throat, Sheng Sanlang spoke through the carriage curtain, "Biaomei, if you don't like this place, we can continue our journey." Why hadn't she come out all of a sudden? Were girls' thoughts truly so difficult to comprehend?

After an unknown amount of time, Luo Sheng lifted the light green curtain adorned with bamboo patterns and lowered her head as she stepped out of the carriage.

Approaching Sheng Sanlang, she regained her composure and spoke, "I like this city very much. Let's stay here."