Chapter 49: No Haste
Whether Long Xiaoyun is sincere or not is a difficult question to answer.
Sincerity is the most precious thing in the world.
People today are driven by profit, especially by the world of martial arts. Those who fawn over others, those who scheme and plot, are as easily hidden as dirt, yet as easily harmed as a human tragedy. Meanwhile, chivalrous heroes are few and far between, lacking even the strength to act, which is why the world of martial arts is so corrupt and unbearable for discerning people to avoid. This only emboldens the wicked; yesterday's friends and relatives are worth less than gold; tomorrow's wives and children are less valuable than wine and meat.
Although there may be honest people, in the end, people's hearts are hidden behind their skin; how can one know their black or white nature beneath their skin?
So Xie Huailing still needs to find out more about this friend's situation.
However, this investigation wasn't something Li Xunhuan had told them. Xie Huailing knew Wuqing was shrewd and perceptive; she knew that asking Long Xiaoyun directly at the Divine Marquis's Mansion was not an option. This kind of task should be handed over to Chief Steward Yang; they could simply wait and ask him. Everyone has their own expertise, and that was the best approach.
The maid led the way, taking her and Shaman to the courtyard from the previous night. Even from several feet away, Xie Huailing heard a loud "Young Master!"—an old man's voice, filled with sorrow for his misfortune, anger at his lack of ambition, and a hint of pity. The voice then lowered, becoming a low, rambling monologue. She walked slowly to the door, and the maid raised her hand to knock, at which point the voice disappeared.
"Who is it?" came a weak voice from inside the door.
The maidservant called out, "Young Master Li, it's Miss Xie who has arrived."
The door opened with a sound, and Xie Huailing stepped inside after the maid finished speaking, seeing the scene inside. There weren't many people in the room; including the sword boy who had opened the door, there were only four: from the left, first was Li Xunhuan sitting on the pear wood bed against the headboard, wearing only an undergarment. Except for his face, all his exposed skin was wrapped in white cloth. Although he looked disheveled, it did not diminish his chivalrous, gentle, and scholarly temperament.
Then came an old man, sitting by Li Xunhuan's bedside. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, dressed in short clothes, with hands as rough as tree bark. He seemed to be an old servant of Li Yuan, and the words he had just heard were obviously spoken by him. Next was Wuqing, who was indeed there, sitting at a small table drinking tea, with an aloof and cold demeanor, and his sword boy who had returned to the back of his wheelchair.
Xie Huailing casually found a stool next to Wuqing and sat down. Shaman stood behind her as Wuqing introduced her: "This is Miss Xie from Jinfeng Xiyu Tower, the savior of Young Master Li."
In the past, she might have had to be introduced as Su Mengzhen's cousin, but things are different now. Li Xunhuan smiled and said, "I've heard of her. Who in the martial arts world doesn't know Miss Xie, who can 'cut the sky with her bare hands'? Meeting her today, I can see that she truly lives up to her reputation. I can't thank her enough for such a great kindness. Even if we become sworn sisters, I'm still afraid I won't be able to repay her. If there's anything I can do in the future, or anything I can do to repay her, Miss Xie, just tell me."
In truth, his emotions ran wild. Having been saved from the brink of death, Li Xunhuan wouldn't mind kowtowing a few more times. However, his injuries were too severe, and the doctor had repeatedly warned him to control his emotions, let alone take any action.
Xie Huailing could tell that Li Xunhuan really meant it, which was a good thing, as it would give her a general idea of Li Xunhuan's character, making it easier for her to take action.
She responded to Li Xunhuan first, expressing her gratitude, and then said in a show of deference, "It was just a small favor, nothing to mention."
Li Xunhuan wanted to shake his head, but couldn't. He could only sit there blankly and said, "It's just a small favor for Miss Xie, but it's a life-long grace for me."
The old servant chimed in, his eyes still damp as if he had just wiped away tears: "Thank you so much, Miss. If it weren't for you, my impetuous young master might not even be alive. When Master returns from the palace, we will prepare a generous gift and come to express our gratitude."
Having received a promise, Xie Huailing said, "Then let's wait until Young Master Li has recovered from his injuries before discussing it further. By the way, how are Young Master Li's injuries?"
Wuqing knew the extent of the injuries best. After all, he was her savior. Li Xunhuan himself had no objections, and Wuqing couldn't hide it from him either. After taking a sip of tea, he told Xie Huailing about it.
Li Xunhuan's injuries were mainly concentrated on his abdomen and back, with two knife wounds and one sword wound on each side, all aimed at vital points. One of the knife wounds was so deep that the bone was visible, indicating that those who ambushed him were top-notch fighters who came prepared and determined to kill him. The poison he was afflicted with was also extremely subtle; if he hadn't realized its nature after taking a bite, he probably would have died even without the black-clad men's intervention.
After hearing this, the old servant sighed deeply again, his face wrinkled like a crumpled piece of paper, and said, "Young master, you should go back to Li Garden. This world is dangerous; who knows who would do such a thing?"
"It's people who are treacherous, not the martial world itself. Does leaving the martial world mean I won't encounter these things?" Li Xunhuan said.
He still had that faint smile on his face, and despite his serious injuries, he was exceptionally dashing: "There are open and hidden attacks everywhere, but it doesn't matter, it's just the way things are."
The old servant added, "At least you can stay in your residence in Bianjing and have peace of mind."
He didn't understand why Li Xunhuan would abandon fame and fortune to become a wandering swordsman, nor did he understand what his young master was thinking, let alone the dangers of the imperial court or the peril behind Li Xunhuan's assassination attempt. All he had was a heart full of love for Li Xunhuan, and seeing his condition, he only wanted him to live a good life and stay as far away from the martial world as possible.
Li Xunhuan sighed, "Uncle Chen, you're starting to sound more and more like Shiyin."
The old servant then said, "That's because both Miss and I were thinking of what's best for the young master. Miss will be arriving soon, so how are you going to talk to her about this?"
They spoke a few more words, mostly the old servant giving instructions to Li Xunhuan. Xie Huailing listened for a while, then glanced sideways. Wuqing was still beside her; though physically disabled, his mind was as clear as a mirror. Noticing her gaze, he also cast a glance at her.
The two stared at each other, and the room fell silent. Xie Huailing quickly calculated in his mind, stood up briskly, flicked his sleeves, and said goodbye, "Now that Young Master Li is out of danger, I am at ease and will take my leave. My cousin is waiting for me in the building, so please excuse me for not staying any longer."
Li Xunhuan thanked her again, and Wuqing nodded without trying to stop her, saying, "Miss Xie, please take care."
Xie Huailing and Shaman left the room, and the door slowly closed. The sound became as indistinct as when they came in, only occasionally rising in pitch to be clearly heard.
As soon as the wind blew, Xie Huailing sneezed, hugged her arms tightly, and realized that she had slept all day as dusk approached and the sun began to set. She rubbed her arms through her clothes and muttered, "I need to sleep again when I get back to make up for all the rest I haven't had."
Shaman, preoccupied with something else, asked from behind her, "Are you just leaving like this? Aren't you going to ask any more questions?"
"What can I ask?" Xie Huailing walked away without turning his head. "Isn't it best to have Li Xunhuan's thanks? It's still a long way off before Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou and Shen Hou Fu can sit at the same table."
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said, "There's plenty of time, no need to rush. Let's wait and see, this isn't over yet."
They were still led by the servants of the Divine Marquis's Mansion, and they went back along the corridor they had come from, but this time they went back through the side gate instead of the back gate.
It was indeed getting late; the setting sun cast a dim golden edge on the dark stone walls. The lamps under the eaves had been lit early and swayed gently in the rising evening breeze. Stepping out of the side gate, the alleyway outside was wide and bustling, far more impressive than what I had seen from the back gate.
A magnificent carriage sat quietly, blocking almost half the road. Its body was painted a warm, deep purple, and behind the windows hung a brocade veil with delicate tassels. Two snow-white horses stood silently with their heads bowed, only occasionally snorting. Judging from the carriage's specifications, it was no ordinary family's carriage; it must belong to the Li family, and they were there to visit the seriously injured young scholar, Li Tanhua.
Xie Huailing didn't stop walking. Just as they reached the carriage and were about to walk around the front of it to their own carriage parked a little further away, the tightly closed carriage door was gently pushed open from the inside, and a beautiful face peeked out.
It was a delicate, fragile beauty, the kind that could only grow in the depths of an ancient courtyard. The girl's skin was very fair, the quiet and frail white of a young lady from a noble family. Her eyebrows were thin as smoke, shrouded in an unyielding melancholy, as if she were born to bear unspeakable sorrow. She took the hand of her maid and slowly got out of the carriage, but her steps were still a little hurried, and she was absent-minded, almost stumbling.
Xie Huailing was standing close to her and was forced to support the girl. She herself was also unsteady on her feet, and the two of them were lucky not to fall together.
The girl finally steadied herself, her expression still bitter, her mind preoccupied with another person, and she spoke in a daze: "Thank you, miss. Are you alright?"
"It's hard to say, but he's alright. Now that you've walked this far, could you please watch your step a little more?" Xie Huailing recognized her and said, "Young Master Li is doing well and can already sit up and talk. There's no need for you, Miss Lin, to rush over to see him."
Startled that her thoughts had been read aloud, the young woman asked softly, "My name is Lin Shiyin, and I am a relative of the Li family. And you are?"
My surname is Xie.
The perceptive Lin Shiyin suddenly realized what was happening, her voice rising with emotion as she grasped Xie Huailing's hand. Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my cousin. I was so unaware of your identity and offended you; please don't take it to heart."
Xie Huailing was already skilled at coaxing the girl. He gently patted her palm and said, "It's alright as long as nothing serious happened, but Miss Lin should still be careful when walking."
Lin Shiyin smiled, then lowered her eyes again. She seemed very troubled, a conflicted look spreading from her brows to the corners of her eyes, and she gripped Xie Huailing's hand even tighter.
Xie Huailing remained still, sensing something, and waited for her.
Lin Shiyin gently bit her lip, made her decision, and then asked, "Miss Xie, could you tell me how my cousin was injured? I..."
It's strange. She's clearly Li Xunhuan's cousin, having grown up with him since childhood, yet she's asking Xie Huailing, an outsider, instead of her cousin. Xie Huailing remembered the old servant's words and said, "There's nothing that can't be said. Last night, Young Master Li listened to a friend surnamed Long and went to a noodle stall. Unfortunately, the news leaked, and he was ambushed, suffering serious injuries and ending up like this."
Lin Shiyin's brows furrowed with even deeper sorrow, though she suppressed it, not wanting anyone to see. She was somewhat flustered, her gaze lowered, and she murmured, "Surname Long? It's Long Xiaoyun..."
Xie Huailing followed up by asking, "Miss Lin, do you recognize this person? I've never heard of this name before, and I don't know what kind of person they are?"
"I recognize him, of course I recognize him." Lin Shiyin forced a smile. "I've met him a few times. My cousin calls him Brother Long, saying that it's rare to find such a close friend in life. As for his character, I don't know much about the ways of the martial arts world, but my cousin says he's incredibly righteous."
After she finished speaking, she muttered to herself very softly, "These people in the martial arts world..."
There was a sense of rejection in her words, and it was unclear who or what she was referring to.
Xie Huailing took it all in and fell silent as he looked at Lin Shiyin.
After Lin Shiyin left, Xie Huailing looked at Shaman again and shrugged: "What I just said doesn't need to be rushed at this moment."
She slowly yawned. In the distance, the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion stood behind the clouds, its eaves soaring high.
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