Chapter 283

Chapter 283: The Whereabouts of Leng Cangqiong Remained Unknown

"Un…unmarried consort!"

Lou Tianming stammered, repeating the phrase. Instantly, his face lit up with ecstasy. Wringing his hands repeatedly, his Adam’s apple bobbed rapidly. Yet in that moment, he found himself utterly speechless!

Fortunately, Lou Qian intervened, her voice tinged with awkwardness as she revealed the truth. Lou Yun stood up, scratching his head. "Qian speaks true, Father. This is Miss Xia Zhilan. Under the arrangement of two elders, we…we acted without your permission…"

"Miss Xia, is it? Come, come! Qian, quickly escort Miss Xia inside!" Lou Tianming brusquely cut off his son’s words. To Lou Yun’s surprise, his father paid him no further attention, instead beaming and gesturing for Lou Qian to guide Xia Zhilan through the manor gates.

But Lou Yun understood—his father was genuinely elated!

Suddenly, Yulu Mountain Manor buzzed with a celebratory air, as if during New Year celebrations. Every resident—whether members of the Lou Family or the manor’s original occupants—came forward to pay respects to Lou Yun. As both master of Yulu Mountain Manor and clan head of the Lou Family, his status and position stood supreme.

Finally, once the crowd dispersed, Lou Yun urgently turned to Second Uncle Lou Tianzhi. "Second Uncle, where are Elder Brother and Second Elder Brother?"

He had assumed Leng Cangqiong remained at the manor, yet found no sign of him. Stranger still, Second Brother Beichen Ming was also absent, deepening his confusion.

Lou Tianzhi mirrored his puzzlement. "Elder Leng left to find you after receiving an invitation meant for you years ago. Did he not locate you?"

"What?"

Lou Yun froze. That invitation dated back to his time at the forging conference in Yao Lin Valley. Upon receiving it, he had departed for Biko Island—where he’d last reunited with his Elder Brother.

Even if Leng Cangqiong hadn’t returned here during that period, he had explicitly stated after their parting in Binhai City that he would return to Yulu Mountain Manor to see Leng Qianrou. Yet according to Second Uncle Lou Tianzhi’s account, he’d vanished ever since!

Unaware of intervening events, Lou Tianzhi continued, "Elder Bei departed about three months ago. He didn’t disclose his destination, so naturally, we didn’t pry."

Lou Yun calculated the timeline. Three months prior coincided exactly with his farewell to Leng Cangqiong in Binhai City. Could Beichen Ming and Leng Cangqiong have crossed paths and embarked on some mission together?

But even if so, three months had elapsed without a single word. What task could detain them both for so long?

Growing increasingly anxious, Lou Yun stood abruptly. "Let’s discuss other matters later. First, I must see Elder Sister Leng!"

Leng Qianrou possessed ethereal beauty and an innate, noble bearing that commanded universal reverence. She resided in the manor’s most secure location: the secluded rear mountains. Preferring solitude, she remained unaware of Lou Yun’s return and thus hadn’t emerged to greet him.

Lou Yun held deep respect for this elder sister. Though his elder brother might have hidden his movements from others, perhaps he’d confided in Leng Qianrou. Rushing to her quarters, he hoped so.

When he appeared before her, Leng Qianrou’s face softened with quiet joy. Yet her temperament was serene; she didn’t match others’ enthusiastic fervor. She simply smiled lightly. "Lou Younger Brother, you’ve returned."

Lou Yun returned the smile. "Indeed, I just arrived and wished to see you instantly. How fares your life here, Elder Sister? Is it…comfortable?"

"Comfortable. Though not my ancestral home, it grants me the feeling of one."

This statement, coming from Leng Qianrou, constituted high praise. Lou Yun felt genuinely pleased.

After exchanging pleasantries, Leng Qianrou smiled faintly. "Lou Younger Brother, hastening to me so promptly upon your homecoming—surely you seek news of Elder Brother’s whereabouts?"

Though she’d pierced his intent, Lou Yun showed no embarrassment, chuckling. "Nothing escapes Elder Sister. Precisely. I parted from Elder Brother three months ago. He vowed to return here to see you. Yet just now, Uncle and the others revealed he never returned after departing long ago. I came seeking if he contacted you."

Leng Qianrou shook her head. "He did not. I too find it perplexing. He’d always inform me of his whereabouts. This silence defies his character. I’d assumed he accompanied you. Now it seems…he encountered unforeseen matters binding him elsewhere."

Learning she knew nothing shattered Lou Yun internally. Concealing his dismay, he forced a smile to spare her greater worry. "Set your heart at ease, Elder Sister. Considering Elder Brother’s prowess, few throughout the Spirit Weapon Star would dare challenge him. I also heard Second Brother Beichen Ming vanished three months ago. Perhaps they joined forces? I’ll ask Dai Rong shortly—he likely knows Second Brother’s movements."

Isolated within the manor, Leng Qianrou seldom mingled beyond occasional visits from Lou Qian and a few young women. Naturally, no one updated her on Beichen Ming’s disappearance. Unfamiliar with the manor’s recent events, she found Lou Yun’s reasoning sound. "Very well. Should you uncover any news, pray inform me."

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Lou Yun hastily excused himself. Bypassing the main hall, he sought Dai Rong directly, yet found him nowhere. Others revealed Dai Rong had left for supplies two days prior and wouldn’t return for another two days.

Remaining manor servants knew nothing of Beichen Ming’s destination. Helpless, Lou Yun retreated to the great hall.

By then, female members of the Lou Family had encircled Xia Zhilan, bombarding her with questions about her relationship with Lou Yun and his travels abroad.

Poor Xia Zhilan, inherently bashful and facing her inaugural visit to Lou Yun’s home, felt utterly overwhelmed by this sudden siege. Words choked within her, embarrassment painting her face crimson.

This domestic warmth touched Lou Yun profoundly—only family would exhibit such fervent concern. Yet he saw Xia Zhilan nearing the brink of collapse and knew his intervention was vital.

He cleared his throat softly and announced with resonant cheer, "Such lively warmth! What occupies your conversation?"

Approaching Xia Zhilan, he clasped her hand with natural ease and began softly introducing the surrounding women’s identities.

His touch instantly steadied Xia Zhilan. As a genuine lady of distinguished pedigree, she regained her composure. Following Lou Yun’s introductions, she performed formal courtesies to each surrounding woman.

After finally dismissing the throng, Lou Yun released Xia Zhilan’s hand and took the single vacant seat at the hall’s head—the designated chair for the clan head.

Settled, he briefly gathered his thoughts. Without awaiting inquiries, he began recounting his journeys over recent years.

Every listener—Lou Tianming, Lou Tianzhi, Lou Qian included—remained rapt. None interrupted his narration.

Only after he concluded did the assembly exhale collectively. Exchanging awestruck looks, they found words inadequate. Lou Yun’s exploits surpassed their wildest imaginings and even eclipsed any recorded saga in the Lou Family’s history—a breathtaking revelation.

After a long silence, Lou Tianming spoke. "Yun’er, your father acknowledges your adulthood and self-determined ways. Your strength eclipses all of ours combined. Practical guidance may now elude us. But remember: everyone here shares your blood. Whatever path you choose, we’ll support you unconditionally."

These words watered Lou Yun’s heart like a gentle brook, igniting profound warmth. He stood urgently. "Father, rest assured. I shall bring shame neither upon you nor the Lou Family!"

Lou Tianming smiled with deep satisfaction. "You are my son. Naturally, I harbor no doubts."

Following a prolonged chat, Lou Tianzhi rose. "Yun’er endured harsh travels. Night deepens—let us reconvene tomorrow."

Though conversation flowed freely, all acknowledged Lou Tianzhi’s wisdom and reluctantly took their leave. Lou Yun, craving private discourse with his father and uncles, readily saw them out.

Once the crowd thinned, only Lou Tianming, Lou Tianzhi, and Lou Yun remained in the great hall. Xia Zhilan and Lou Qian had been discreetly dismissed.

Finally, before father and uncle, Lou Yun shed his clan head mantle. He sighed deeply, slumping onto the bench beside them.

The brothers exchanged a weighty glance. Lou Tianming broke the silence. "Yun’er, your Second Uncle and I…have a matter to discuss."