Chapter 1962

The black rose had already attained sentience; it merely startled slightly, then calmed, lifting one hoof slightly as it stared curiously at the aquatic grass beneath the emerald waves, its eyes filled with longing.

Zhong Ling, however, was extremely curious, bouncing and jumping on top, and upon seeing a thin membrane form beneath her feet, she cried out in awe at the mystery of true qi.

"Who are you?" Seeing Mu Wanzhen land on the small boat, Abi was startled and immediately on guard.

Seeing the horse and the little girl resting on the water's surface, Abi was utterly stunned.

Is this some kind of trick?

As a maid raised in a martial family, Abi's martial arts skill might not be high, but her knowledge and experience were considerable.

She did not believe anyone could place a horse and a person upon the surface of Taihu.

At least, her Young Master could not.

This is definitely a trick.

Mu Wanzhen said calmly: "You must be Abi?"

Abi was astonished: "You know me?"

She felt deeply puzzled—even if they had come seeking her Young Master, they shouldn't know her name…

After all, she was merely a lowly maid; only those within Yanziwu knew her, and she had no reputation in the Wu Lin.

"Of course," Mu Wanzhen nodded. "We've come to find Zhu Zhu."

"To find Zhu Zhu?"

Abi was astonished.

Zhong Ling asked curiously: "Sister Mu, is Zhu Zhu my sister?"

Mu Wanzhen smiled: "You're the youngest—do you really want to be the elder sister?"

"Ah?" Zhong Ling's secret wish was exposed; she felt embarrassed, for she had indeed wanted to be the elder sister.

Being the elder sister was definitely more dignified than being the younger one!

Abi caught the implication in their words and asked: "Are you relatives of Sister Zhu Zhu? Do you have proof?"

"Hmm," Mu Wanzhen nodded. "You'll know soon enough. Come on—do I have to say it again?"

Abi nodded, rowing the boat while cautiously watching Zhong Ling on the water, worried the trick might fail and she'd fall in.

"Miss, wouldn't you rather leave the horse on shore?"

If a person fell in, I could still pull them out.

But if the horse fell in, I have no way to haul it back up.

Mu Wanzhen smiled: "No need to worry—just row the boat."

Seeing that the master herself didn't care, Abi said no more and rowed steadily toward Tingxiang Shu Xie.

The small boat drifted upon the emerald waves, passing through a narrow path formed by dense lotus blossoms, until an ancient, elegant structure appeared atop Taihu.

Zhong Ling marveled: "Incredible—how could they build such a vast complex right on Taihu?"

Mu Wanzhen smiled: "As a great family of the Wu Lin, the Murong clan naturally has the wealth and manpower for such feats."

Abi grinned proudly: "It's all thanks to our Lord's diligent management."

Mentioning the Murong clan's opulence made even Abi, a servant, feel a sense of pride; her face glowed slightly, and her gaze toward Mu Wanzhen and Zhong Ling softened.

Zhong Ling cried out in awe.

This was built on an island in Taihu—every aspect, from construction difficulty to material sourcing, was far harder than on flat land.

The entire complex radiated the scent of gold.

"Hey, Abi, why did you bring people back?"

As the boat neared shore, a girl in red robes strolled toward them, her makeup bright and elegant—she looked more like a well-bred Young Lady than a maid.