Chapter 174: A Photo Taken at the Opera House
In the end, they still ate their meal, finishing it on the Bian River. After all the dishes were served, Xie Huailing didn't touch a single bite. She just sat opposite Wuqing, staring at the poetry collection. When she saw something that surprised her, she would nod, looking as if she had suddenly realized, "You can write like this too" (in a derogatory sense). The noise outside the boat constantly reminded Wuqing where they were, making the meal taste like cardboard. Whenever Xie Huailing's gaze occasionally fell on Wuqing, she became increasingly uncomfortable.
When they finished eating and the boat was about to dock back at the shore, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief. It turned out that Xie Huailing had estimated the time and said, "It seems we should go back. There are still things waiting for me at the building. Let's say goodbye for today."
This was probably the most pleasant thing Xie Huailing had ever said. Wuqing couldn't possibly disagree, saying, "It's getting late, this is just right."
After the boat docked, the two disembarked together. There were far fewer people on the shore. Those who remained were walking into the streets and alleys. The girls were all carrying flowers, and their laughter and chatter were a little quieter. Only the river breeze was still blowing in groups, calling to each other, and sweeping past gracefully, making Xie Huailing's clothes flutter like flying silk, almost like a white crane.
Only at times like these, when the light and shadows of the sky are faint, can the cinnabar on her sleeves and skirts truly come alive in the world. The crimson on her robe seems to pulsate with life, and when paired with the crimson hue in her sleeves, the scene of the setting sun freely illuminates the universe, revealing her true form: "Chief Constable, since you have difficulty walking, there's no need to see me off. You can all go back to your own homes. As for the theater, I will send someone to invite you tomorrow."
At first glance, she really did seem to be the only girl on this riverbank without flowers, as if a stronger river wind would blow her to the ends of the earth. A slight stirring stirred within Wuqing, but he didn't know what to say.
There's really no need to send flowers. We're not that close, and sending them would only make things awkward. That's the logic.
The maid had been waiting. When Xie Huailing disembarked, she quickly walked to her side and whispered in her ear about things in the building. Xie Huailing gave a few instructions and then continued walking forward.
She wasn't heading towards the carriage; perhaps she needed to buy something. Before he could say goodbye, she and her maid exchanged a few words and walked away. He didn't choose to disturb her. The surging, floating sunset clouds drifted into the depths of the flowers, their fragrance emanating from them, though they were not flowers themselves.
In that instant, in the wind, Wuqing suddenly felt the wind pass through his body and continue to blow outwards. In that brief moment, he felt a void, as if he really owed something, or had done something less.
.
After Xie Huailing returned, the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion launched a fierce attack on her for being assassinated by the Seven Saints Alliance of the Bewitching Heaven. At first, some people thought that since Su Mengzhen was seriously ill, someone else should take over, and the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion's methods should be different from before, or at least there would be some changes. However, they did not expect that this change was not a softening.
There's no other reason than that Xie Huailing entrusts most of the crucial matters to Bai Feifei, and Bai Feifei is simply too terrifying.
The words "ruthless and vicious" seem to have been made for her. Within the bounds of what is acceptable in the martial arts world, she can achieve an effect that makes people unable to bear to listen or watch, making them wonder why Lei Gun is only half-crippled, instead of being missing something or unable to survive. To be able to achieve such an effect in the righteous path can only be attributed to talent.
Wuqing had a longer-term vision, discerning more from Xie Huailing's methods. The blade of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion was about to be wielded against the Seven Saints Alliance of Misty Heaven. This was one of her advantages. Unlike the Six and a Half Hall, which was still recuperating, the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion could obviously do more. It was almost unaffected by Su Mengzhen's serious illness, and it had no disadvantage in attacking the Seven Saints Alliance of Misty Heaven. All it needed to do was observe the intentions of the Six and a Half Hall.
If Liufenbantang is also willing to leave the Bianjing stage to only the two of them, then things will be much simpler. It just so happens that Jinfeng Xiyulou and Liufenbantang both need to replenish themselves.
The best thing for sustaining war is war itself.
Although it was clear that the Divine Marquis's Mansion didn't intend to do anything, it was somewhat disheartening for the Seven Holy Alliances of Mitian. Apart from Guan Qi, the Seven Holy Alliances of Mitian didn't have much influence these days. Moreover, their game with Xie Huailing had already begun, and it wasn't convenient for them to interfere further. If she turned against them, that would be the real trouble. So, Wuqing focused on preparing to go listen to the opera.
The person Xie Huailing sent to invite him to the opera was none other than Shaman. She and Wuqing were quite familiar with each other, and she politely escorted Wuqing to his destination, saying that Xie Huailing had already paid for the opera that day, and he could simply listen to it, whether in a private box or in the main hall.
After speaking, Shaman went back, leaving Wuqing in the theater. This was not a particularly grand theater; its elegant and rustic style was out of place amidst the opulent wealth of Bianjing. Therefore, even though the performances on stage were quite skillful and commendable, there were still few guests and even fewer who could appreciate them. Seeing the interior decoration and furnishings of the theater, he was no longer surprised that the main hall was still far from full.
The waiter, who had been serving nearby, came up after Shaman left and said with a smile, "This guest, you must be the one Miss Xie invited. Would you like to go to the main hall to listen to the excitement, or to a private room? It's not that I'm trying to make more money off you, but the play Miss Xie ordered today, 'The Tale of the Drifting Souls,' is meant to be listened to carefully. It's not pleasant if people are noisy. But that's just my suggestion; you should decide for yourself."
Ruthless was definitely going to a private room; he needed to do his deductions, and it would be easy for him to get distracted in the lobby: "Arrange a quieter private room."
"Alright!" the waiter replied cheerfully. "Then I'll arrange for you to go to the room that Miss Xie usually goes to."
"Miss Xie used to come here often?" Upon hearing this, Wuqing immediately asked before the waiter left.
The waiter had no idea about the intricacies of the martial arts world and the imperial court. He thought that since Miss Xie had helped the young master choose a play and had even said that he would take good care of him because of his bad legs, their relationship must be good. There was nothing he couldn't say: "I can't say that I come often. I came quite often last autumn, several times. But I haven't come much this year. I only came when a young master invited me last time."
Wuqing took out the prepared silver. If Xie Huailing didn't want him to know, she had plenty of ways to get rid of this waiter. But since he was still alive and had been assigned to receive him, it meant that this was part of the case, something he wanted to investigate further. He handed the silver to the waiter and asked, "Could you tell me more about Miss Xie's matter?"
After some internal struggle, the waiter finally gave in to the lure of silver. He ignored everything else, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and led Wuqing to a corner.
His smile broadened, and remembering Di Feijing, he assumed it was some kind of affair or romantic entanglement. But strangely, his thoughts aligned with the little maid's: "I don't know much about Miss Xie's affairs. I only know that she sometimes comes alone, and she usually listens to the 'Piaoling Ji' opera. At other times, she listens to whatever is being sung in the brothel, without being picky. On other occasions, she comes with the young master who later invited her. The two seem to have a special connection, and they sometimes run into each other when she comes alone."
"What is that young master's surname? Have you heard of his name? What does he look like?"
Xiao Er didn't need to recall; Di Feijing was just too handsome, so he could remember him immediately. He said, "I'm not the bookkeeper, so I don't know what his name is, but I've heard Miss Xie call him that. I think his surname is Di. He's as handsome as a girl, but his neck isn't very good, so he can never lift his head."
How could Wuqing not recognize him? He was stunned for a moment, staring at Xiao Er's face, but his gaze gradually became unfocused.
Xie Huailing and Di Feijing would inevitably cross paths; they're constantly locked in a life-or-death struggle, so it's impossible for them not to. However, the fact that they bumped into each other at the opera house, arranged to go to the opera together, and even invited each other to the opera seems rather odd.
They were stabbing each other in the face in public, but behind the scenes they became such harmonious friends. No one could guess whether Su Mengzhen knew, or how much Lei Sun knew about it... Lei Sun?!
Thinking of Lei Sun's death and Di Feijing's seven-day disappearance, Wuqing's heart skipped a beat.
He felt that one question was far too few; he would ask Xie Huailing many more questions when they met next time.
Seeing his pensive expression, the waiter was even more convinced that his suspicions had come true. Looking at Wuqing's face and thinking of Di Feijing's face, he really couldn't tell who the real wife was, or if they were all pursuing each other but none of them succeeded. He recalled Xie Huailing's face; although he had never seen her in person, he could tell she was a rare beauty. He could only sigh and think, "The world of the rich is truly chaotic."
After expressing his feelings, he still had to make money, so he said to Wuqing, thinking he was being considerate, "Miss Xie and Young Master Di seem to have a good relationship, but I don't know the specifics. Oh, by the way, let me tell you something else. Miss Xie only came once this year when Young Master Di invited her, right? That time, Young Master Di had already chosen the play, 'The Long-lasting Regret,' and he only chose that one scene."
Wuqing, who wasn't much of a fan of opera, asked, "What is the song about 'Longing for Love'?"
The waiter chuckled and said, "It's nothing much. It's just about a wandering swordsman who falls in love with a young lady from a wealthy family. The young lady also likes him, but the swordsman still owes her a debt of gratitude and will never be free, so he and the young lady can't be together."
Slightly speechless, Wuqing suddenly realized what he had touched.
Xie Huailing's face came to mind. He blinked, realizing he'd forgotten, but that didn't mean anything. The real possibility was too small, even more like a fantasy than Di Feijing's simple-minded love of hearing it. It was better to think of something with deeper meaning; that was Xie Huailing's style. Besides, if he remembered correctly, there were rumors that Xie Huailing was engaged, and there was no sign of him breaking off the engagement.
...Yes, she is engaged.
Even Wuqing only remembered this now. The news came out of nowhere and quickly faded away after Su Mengzhen confirmed it. He subconsciously knew about it, but only now did he clearly recall it.
The waiter noticed that the young master before him was increasingly lost in thought, and called out to him twice, "Guest, guest? Are you going to the room that Miss Xie frequents?"
"Yes." Wuqing snapped out of her daze and replied.
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