Chapter 150: Changing Mountains and Seas
When we returned to the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion, it was already two hours past dusk, and the moon had already risen, even though it was summer.
Shaman stepped forward and draped an outer coat over Xie Huailing, not caring whether she was hot or not. As she did so, she said, "Nothing else happened while Miss was not in the building today. However, Vice Master Bai came by and asked you to sleep at her place tonight. Also, the Master sent someone to tell you to go see him as soon as you return."
They're all big stars. Xie Huailing sighed, as if complaining, and said to Shaman, "One by one, do they even remember I'm a patient? They come back and there's so much to do, all scheduled right before I go to sleep."
Despite her complaints, she was still going to find the two of them. Xie Huailing didn't take off her coat. After looking up at the moonlight, she went up to the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion to find Su Mengzhen.
Su Mengzhen's bedroom was not an unfamiliar place to Xie Huailing. She had been there many times, and had even occupied it during the day several times. She remembered exactly what was in every corner, and could easily walk in as if she were back in her own bedroom. After passing the furnishings by the door, she dragged out a chair that she had hidden in a corner last time and moved it to the table.
She hadn't expected it to actually still be there. She had hidden it before setting off for the Beggars' Sect, and thought Su Mengzhen had already had it moved out.
The night deepened, and the pavilion stirred, its bright lamps flickering. The lamplight cast dappled shadows, illuminating those who could not sleep, nor could they sleep. Su Meng lay on a light-colored robe, his face, which never flushed, and his skin, always pale. The pale color accentuated his frail, sickly frame, softening his imposing arrogance. In the flickering lamplight, even his features seemed blurred, revealing an overly gentle quality.
He must have just taken his medication and was due to rest, and then waited for her until now, hence his attire. As for his figure, Xie Huailing wasn't sure if he had lost weight; judging by his appearance, he couldn't possibly have lost any more weight, so he hadn't.
"Come here," Su Mengzhen called to her.
Xie Huailing refused, remaining seated and unwilling to move over, insisting on keeping a table or some other distance between herself and Su Mengzhen. She shrank back in her chair, yawning, and said, "Let's just say this, Boss, neither of us is deaf."
Su Mengzhen said, "I have important business to attend to."
"I have important things to do too. Why do we have to stand together to talk about important matters?" She made up her mind and refused to move, starting to pick out something to lean against her back to make herself more comfortable.
Whether it belonged to Su Mengzhen or not, once it was in her hands, it was hers. Xie Huailing always adhered to this principle, and Su Mengzhen's previous insistence was useless. Apart from his pillow and personal household items, there wasn't a single thing that Xie Huailing hadn't touched that could be used as a cushion. However, this time she was probably tired of it. After picking and choosing without finding anything to her liking, she took off the clothes that Shaman had just draped over her.
After being firmly rejected, Su Mengzhen didn't ask any further questions. Instead, she picked up some documents from the bookshelf and asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"
Of course not, but Xie Huailing would say, "I ate a little bit with Madam Guan."
Su Mengzhen wasn't sure if he had believed her or not, but most likely he hadn't. He flipped through the pages for a while longer and finally found what he wanted to show Xie Huailing: a few thin pages. "How much is 'slightly'? Or does taking just one bite count as 'slightly'?"
Xie Huailing remained calm and composed, of course, without taking a single bite. In fact, she hadn't even eaten dinner with Guan Zhaodi. She told him, "Anyway, I've already eaten. Boss, isn't this your main business?"
Su Mengzhen didn't answer, but showed his feelings through his actions. Since Xie Huailing didn't want to come over, he would go to her, bringing with him a slightly strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine, quickly reaching her nose, almost tangible. Only then would Xie Huailing remember that this person could also be called a "medicine addict" and a "sickly person," but she hadn't really noticed it because she rarely smelled medicine.
Thinking about it, she realized that she hadn't visited him much at this time. She usually came earlier or later, waking him up when he was asleep.
Xie Huailing nudged Su Mengzhen's sleeve and sincerely confided in him, "Master, I'm feeling a little dizzy."
Su Mengzhen was already used to the smell of medicine. She glanced at Xie Huailing but didn't move a few steps away. Then she took a cup of cold tea and placed it in front of Xie Huailing to help her wake up.
Unable to succeed, Xie Huailing didn't drink her tea. Instead, she raised her hands and rubbed her face, as if kneading two not-so-plump dough balls, and she wasn't gentle with her hands. She muttered something to herself, only opening her mouth without making a sound, knowing that no matter how softly she spoke, Su Mengzhen would hear her. However, Su Mengzhen could guess that it wasn't something pleasant.
She's always like this; she never looks for her own faults. He's used to it, and he knows with his eyes closed when she'll have a problem with him, or rather, when her problem will be even more serious.
Seeing that she had regained consciousness, Su Mengzhen handed her the letter and said, "The contact with Lei Mei in the building today has yielded results. This is a letter written by Lei Mei."
Xie Huailing didn't take the letter. Judging from Su Mengzhen's posture, she glanced at it briefly, picking up a page and looking at it again, noticing something, but still not intending to take it: "She took the initiative to propose a meeting, which means she's already softened her stance. If we can persuade her to join the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, whatever we do will have a better chance of success. Therefore, we need to carefully select the person to meet with her. What are your thoughts, Pavilion Master?"
Su Mengzhen pondered for a moment and replied, "I plan to go in person."
"That's not appropriate." Xie Huailing didn't even hesitate. "While it's true that the Lord's personal visit shows sincerity, such sincerity might cause Lei Mei to reconsider and misjudge her own worth. What about Bai Feifei?"
Having spent some time with Bai Feifei, Su Mengzhen had a fairly good understanding of her intelligence and, after a moment's thought, said, "Okay."
Xie Huailing loosened the letter, tilted her body, and rubbed her face against the table: "Then let Bai Feifei go. This will free up the time for you to do some other things." She then changed the subject, "So, is this the end of the matter, Master? Now, tell me what I have to say."
Sharing the same candlelight, witnessing the same dawn and dusk, they blew out the lamplight on both of them. She stared intently, her eyes becoming like jade beads reflecting only the candlelight, obscuring everything else from Su Mengzhen's gaze. She stared at the lamp, and he stared at her. Lush green leaves lined the window, and in the stillness of the summer night, no one knew the heat.
Xie Huailing began, his voice low and soft, as if it were a private conversation between children: "I've met with Madam Guan. She's willing to accept any arrangement, as long as it doesn't involve Chief Ren and Madam Ren. So I'm thinking I should talk to the Master about the arrangements, how to deal with the Six and a Half Hall."
On the day he officially recruited Xie Huailing, Su Mengzhen was already thinking about this matter, and this day has now arrived. His gaze suddenly turned sharp, much like an invisible blade. The master of the Red Sleeve Blade possessed a brilliance even greater than that of the Red Sleeve Blade itself, sharp and incisive, capable of cleaving even metal and stone. The light colors and warm tones could no longer be suppressed, and the cold, hard edges instantly swept away the light and color that resembled flowers and snow.
Xie Huailing asked, "What does the host think is the right thing to do?"
She kept staring at the lamp, as if her soul had left her body, drifting aimlessly: "Now is the perfect time. Everyone in the court is too busy to help themselves. Even if they were to spare some attention, they would first have to consider whether the fire would spread to themselves, and they wouldn't be able to stir up too much trouble. Moreover, with Grand Tutor Li around, we can still make some moves. The most suitable opportunity for the Lord's great cause is right now. If the Lord doesn't act now, it will only arouse suspicion from others."
"But that's precisely why I urge you to think this over carefully. With the power of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion today, it would be no problem for you to make Lei Sun's body disappear and for the Six and a Half Hall to cease to exist. From then on, you could lead the martial world alone. At that time, you would be able to reach the pinnacle of the martial world and no one could compete with you. If that is all you are aiming for."
Su Mengzhen categorically denied it, her eyes burning with a chilling intensity that seemed to extinguish the darkness of the night: "No, it's not just that."
He used to think that way, but that was then. After the Mid-Autumn Festival moon sank in the west and the pacts of the world were settled, something even more magnificent began to unfold within this frail body.
"Not bad." Xie Huailing moved his eyes, shifted his chin, and said slowly, "The Lord has grander ambitions in mind, so this action is not advisable. Putting aside the reactions of various forces, after the destruction of the Six and a Half Halls and the restoration of stability in the court, there will inevitably be a strong reaction to this matter. I believe the Lord can resolve these issues one by one, but at that time, you will become the target of everyone's criticism, which will surely make others wary, and it will be difficult to accumulate strength and pursue great achievements."
"Therefore, Liufenbantang can be destroyed, but it cannot be destroyed either. We still need a situation where Jinfeng Xiyulou and Liufenbantang share the world equally, and we need to use Liufenbantang as an umbrella to cover up many actions and move many things that 'should not' be moved."
She propped her face up, her eyes, deep and dark like the bottom of a lake, slowly emerging under the brilliant light and shadow, piercing into Su Mengzhen's vision and instantly enveloping him.
"Therefore, Lei Sun's Six and a Half Hall can die, but there must be another Six and a Half Hall of Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou in the world."
Su Mengzhen's mind raced, and in an instant, everything became clear. She understood all of her meaning: "If others don't believe that Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou won't make a move, and Lei Sun doesn't believe it either, then let's just put on a half-hearted show, and with Guan Zhaodi involved, put Lei Sun to death, so that a new head of Liu Fen Ban Tang can be chosen. Then, pretend that things have taken many twists and turns, and that Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou failed to annex Liu Fen Ban Tang, but only gained something. Then, naturally, there will be more people who don't want the balance of power to be broken to support the weakened Liu Fen Ban Tang."
And who could know that an enemy is no longer an enemy?
The more he thought about it, the more feasible the method seemed. Su Mengzhen's heart burned even more fiercely. His lungs felt itchy due to the turmoil of his emotions, but he forcibly suppressed the smell of blood and only coughed a few times with his mouth covered.
This is an audacious plan to steal the Six and a Half Hall from everyone in Bianjing, but is Su Mengzhen someone who doesn't have the guts to do that?
Having already considered the candidate, Su Mengzhen straightened up after swallowing a mouthful of blood and asked, "This plan requires a successor to Lei Sun, someone who won't arouse suspicion. Otherwise, in the eyes of others, Liufenbantang will never be a match for Jinfeng Xiyulou. Do you think Lei Mei is suitable?"
Xie Huailing shook his head: "If we had started planning this six months ago, I would be confident that I could have sculpted her reputation to a level that would be enough to convince the public. But as things stand now, she is too mysterious."
The fact that it is mysterious, yet lacks the awe-inspiring reputation of a "bowing dragon," is itself a deficiency.
In this way, it seems that there is no one more suitable in the Six and a Half Hall. Xie Huailing said again, "Of course, I also have a way to make up for this deficiency, but it will take more effort, which is a small matter. But I would like to ask the host to think about it again. Actually, there is someone more suitable."
Su Mengzhen then realized what it meant and remained silent for a moment.
That would indeed save a lot of effort, and the very existence of that person could dispel many doubts. However, after a moment of silence, he said, "I disagree."
With a solemn expression, Su Mengzhen brought up the old matter again, her heart even colder than before. Not wanting to give her any room for maneuver, she said, "I told you once before that I would never agree to let you do such a thing. It would be a true disgrace to me, Su Mengzhen."
No means no. There's more than one path in the world. He's not incompetent; he could never betray his confidants, his subordinates, his allies whom he'd made a pact with over plum wine—who were also his friends, his confidants, his…
The air conditioning was too cold, and Su Mengzhen started coughing again. Even so, he still said, "...Don't mention this matter again."
"You're so fierce." Xie Huailing poked his sleeve again, taking in his reaction without missing a single detail. "Why are you so fierce to me? I only said a few words, and you replied with so much, saying everything all at once."
She sighed: "At least let me finish what I'm saying. I was mentioning Di Feijing, but that's not what I meant. What, am I not a smart person? Do I have to use his feelings for me? Besides, even if I don't choose Di Feijing and choose Lei Mei instead, I'll still have to deal with him before the end. Contacting him is inevitable."
Ultimately, this person was too clever; he made Xie Huailing despise him in attitude but take him seriously in actual combat.
Moreover, Xie Huailing, seeing Su Mengzhen's attitude, revealed what happened yesterday: "Furthermore, does the Tower Master know that the person who truly pushed for the ascent was Di Feijing, and he did even more than that?"
He just wanted her to see him, to snatch away every last moment before everything irreversibly veered off the cliff, at the very end.
Su Mengzhen understood perfectly well that even if he didn't want Xie Huailing and Di Feijing to meet, Xie Huailing and Di Feijing would inevitably have to settle things once and for all.
“So let’s give it a try.” Xie Huailing shrugged. “He told me that he would wait for me and that I could ask him out again anytime. He said that he wouldn’t do anything except see me that day. Anyway, why not give it a try? I can assure you, I won’t trade myself for him.”
Su Mengzhen remained silent, gazing at her serene face under the lamplight.
He believed Xie Huailing could guarantee it, but he didn't believe Di Feijing could put it aside. Di Feijing couldn't possibly set aside his personal feelings to see her; if he could, he wouldn't have set up so many traps. Layer upon layer, even making Su Mengzhen feel a sense of covetousness, realizing that Di Feijing hadn't given up.
He couldn't help but feel repulsed by this, but it was an unavoidable aspect. He would rather put in more effort to handle it himself than make the decision for Xie Huailing.
Di Fei exclaimed that public and private matters could no longer be separated, and in the end, her wishes came first.
Su Mengzhen was about to acquiesce, but he had one more question, one he absolutely had to ask. To get his consent, he needed an answer: "Were you moved by him?"
Xie Huailing stared into his eyes for a moment, as if she had expected this, her eyebrows suddenly lowered, and she chuckled.
She didn't smile much; her indifference was chillingly cold, telling everyone who looked at her that whoever had expectations of her was destined to fail. She said, "Master, you know I'm not a very conscientious person. I don't care about those who have poured their hearts into me. The only person I truly value is myself. I don't even know what they would have to do to move me."
"From this perspective, falling in love with me and being unable to forget me is truly a tragic thing, isn't it?"
He looked at her, and she looked at him.
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