Courtyard House: My Time Travel is a Bit Too Strong

"Zhuqing, put on the mask." Lin Quan spoke, his tone flat and leaving no room for discussion.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded without speaking, and with a flick of her finger, the black iron mask with silver patterns firmly covered half of her face.

"Let's go into town."

Having confirmed that everything was correct, Lin Quan flicked his sleeves and stepped through the massive bronze gate first.

Zhu Zhuqing led the way, and the three of them walked through the streets and alleys, heading straight for the Zhu family's residence.

"It's just ahead," she pointed.

As far as the eye can see, a vast mansion stands quietly—its eaves soaring upwards, its glazed tiles gleaming, its pillars adorned with dragons, and even the wind seems to swirl around it.

"Tsk, no wonder it's the number one duke's mansion under the royal family..."

Lin Quan glanced at Zhu Zhuqing sideways, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Quite the grand entrance."

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't hide the slight ripple in her eyes: "Husband, shall we come now, or...?"

Lin Quan pondered for a moment and said, "Let's find a restaurant to stay in first, the closer to the Zhu family, the better. We can figure out what's going on before we make a move."

—Don't even mention that the one currently in charge is a level 96 Title Douluo, an old poison master whose poison is unparalleled on the continent;

Even when he was still at level 91 and his martial soul had not yet been transformed, he ran wild in the Star Luo Imperial City, and the royal family did not dare to send troops to surround him.

If you really anger him, even a thousand troops might not be able to trap him, but a city full of dry wells, officials dying suddenly, palace walls covered in frost... who can withstand that?

Moreover, Lin Quan and Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation levels had already reached the top tier, and their combined strength was no less than that of a titled master.

"You know the Zhu family's territory best; I'll leave the rest to you."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, turned around and left without saying a word, walking swiftly towards the nearest restaurant.

"Zhu Qing..."

Just as Zhu Zhuqing led Lin Quan and the other person into the "Listening Wind Pavilion," which was only a hundred steps away from the Zhu residence, intending to settle down first, Lin Quan suddenly stopped, his eyes like hooks, and he glanced sharply at the street corner.

He swallowed slightly and called out softly, "Zhu Qing."

Zhu Zhuqing turned her head upon hearing the sound and followed his gaze—two figures were approaching slowly from afar, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The person leading the group had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and an imposing presence. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, and she appeared to be around twenty years old. This was none other than her decisive and efficient eldest sister: Zhu Zhuyun!

He is also one of the people Lin Quan will definitely meet upon his return to Xingluo.

The figure following closely behind had dazzling blond hair, a slightly raised chin, and an arrogant look in his eyes that kept people at a distance.

Indeed, this person was none other than Zhu Zhuyun's fiancé—Prince Davis of Xingluo Kingdom, the elder brother of that lecherous tiger. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him, her heart suddenly sank, her fingertips unconsciously clenching her sleeves, her voice barely audible: "...It's my elder sister, and Davis too."

Seeing that her fingertips were white and her breathing was slightly labored, Lin Quan immediately reached out and pulled her into his arms, placing his palm firmly on her back. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Shall we go say hello now?"

"No need."

Before she could finish speaking, she gently shook her head. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, like a blade scraping across ice—that chill was directed at the glaring tuft of blond hair on Davis's head.

She had always kept her distance from the Starfall royal family, and had never trusted them whatsoever.

Despite Davis's impeccable attire and refined manners, she knew all too well how many shady and unsavory things lay hidden beneath that glittering exterior.

Seeing that her breathing had calmed down, Lin Quan said no more, only nodding and saying, "Alright. Let's settle down first, then decide on the next step."

The three turned and stepped into the wooden door of the restaurant. Just as the corner of their blue robes disappeared inside, Zhu Zhuyun, who was across the street, suddenly stopped.

Her gaze was fixed on the disappearing figure, her body stiffened slightly, and she even missed a beat of breathing.

"That...that's Zhu Qing?"

Davis frowned: "What?"

Zhu Zhuyun instantly regained her composure, the color draining from her face completely, and a weak smile appeared on her lips: "It's nothing, I just suddenly felt a tightness in my chest... Weiss, let's stop here for today."

Davis hesitated for a moment, glanced at the vermilion gate of the Zhu residence that was so close at hand, and finally nodded: "I'll see you to the door."

She didn't refuse again, but simply lowered her eyes and agreed.

Only after she stepped over the threshold and her figure was completely swallowed up by the high wall did Davis slowly put away the gentle smile on her face.

A glint of malice flashed in his eyes, and he scoffed coldly, "You don't know what's good for you."

"Once the Martial Soul Tournament concludes and the Crown Prince's Seal falls into my hands—your face will be nothing more than a decoration."

He dusted off non-existent dust from his sleeves, turned and left with a composed gait, a smile returning to his lips.

On the surface, the eldest prince appears dignified, courteous, and magnanimous, but deep down, he is no different from his younger brother—a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Does it even need to be asked what kind of upbringing someone who can openly refer to women as "available resources" has?

The roots of the two brothers are cut from the same mold; no matter how much gold or color is applied, the rust spots underneath cannot be covered up.

As dusk deepened, the light of day gradually sank into a gray-blue hue.

Deep within the Zhu mansion, the shadow of the courtyard wall suddenly flickered—

A dark shadow, like a kite with a broken string, silently swept across the eaves, bypassing all the sentries in a few leaps and bounds, and slipped quietly over the high wall like an ink droplet into water.

Upon closer inspection, her figure was striking, with sharp shoulder lines and a jawline identical to Zhu Zhuqing's.

If it's not Zhu Zhuyun, then who is it?

Ever since that fleeting glimpse on the street, and the moment she recognized her sister's familiar back, she hadn't truly found peace.

Back at the Zhu residence, Zhu Zhuyun felt like she had a burning charcoal in her heart, unable to suppress her anxiety unless she got to the bottom of the matter.

As soon as the sky was tinged with a layer of bluish-gray, she couldn't contain herself and quietly slipped out of the mansion, determined to uncover the truth.

Firstly, she needed to confirm with her own eyes whether the figure she had glimpsed during the day was indeed Zhu Zhuqing!

Secondly, if it really is her, Zhu Zhuyun wants to understand even more: what exactly is Zhu Zhuqing's purpose in returning to Xingluo at this time?

In no time at all, Zhu Zhuyun was already standing in front of the restaurant. Without stopping, she went straight to the front desk and asked directly.

If it were someone else, the shopkeeper might have made some excuses.

However, the restaurant was only a hundred steps away from the Zhu family mansion. In addition, given Zhu Zhuyun's identity—the eldest daughter of a duke and the betrothed wife of the eldest prince—the moment she appeared, the manager jogged over to greet her, bowing lower than the freshly brewed tea.

Without a word of pleasantries, Zhu Zhuyun went straight to the point and asked, "Are there three people checking in today? They seem to be around the same age, but their appearances are unusual, and one of them is a woman."

The innkeeper didn't even blink, and answered crisply, "There are indeed three people, all of whom match your description... They are currently staying on the third floor."

"No need to lead the way, I'll go up myself." Zhu Zhuyun raised her hand to block the way, then turned and headed towards the stairwell.

Just as her toes touched the first wooden step—

In the guest room on the third floor, Lin Quan suddenly looked up.

He had already sensed the familiar presence downstairs. Now, his gaze shifted and landed directly on Zhu Zhuqing's face. His tone was calm yet undisguised: "Zhu Zhuyun is here."

Swah——

Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly, her fingertips unconsciously clenching. She had expected this to happen sooner or later, but even when she reached the door, her heart still felt like it was being tightened by a thin thread, both sore and swollen.