Chapter 78: There are two sides to every story
Because of the assassination attempt at Liufenbantang, Shaman's letter of complaint lost its original function and became nothing more than a report. The section accusing Xie Huailing of his actions was also crossed out by Shaman herself, thanks to the efforts of Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou. As a result, the letter that was sent out only contained a few things that had happened recently and the assassination attempt, without saying a single bad word about Xie Huailing.
Xie Huailing deeply regrets this, because it means that even if Shaman changes the paragraphs that she carefully marked for Shaman, it will be in vain. It also means that her marking was pointless, a waste of her valuable suggestions and literary talent, which is a great regret in her life.
Shaman responded, "When are you going to have any shame?"
The failed assassination attempt on the Six and a Half Hall caused more than just this one disturbance. The following morning, Ren Ci came to see Xie Huailing, but since Xie Huailing was still asleep, he had to leave. When Xie Huailing woke up, Ren Ci had already left for gang affairs, so it was Ren Ci's wife who came to speak with Xie Huailing in detail. There should have been an elder surnamed Huang also present, but Shaman, considering Xie Huailing's dislike of excessive pleasantries, asked Madam Ren to come alone.
Madam Ren's surname was Ye, and she had an extremely virtuous name: Ye Shuzhen.
If Xie Huailing hadn't investigated the past in Bianjing, his impression of her would have been limited to her graceful demeanor and poised manners. Though she wore a black veil, she possessed a captivating charm. As a wife, she was undoubtedly a virtuous and capable helper. When Ren Ci was present, she meticulously managed things for him; when Ren Ci was absent, she could step in on his behalf. Their mutual respect and harmonious relationship were well-known throughout the martial arts world, truly living up to her name.
Unfortunately, Xie Huailing had already investigated. She not only knew what Ye Shuzhen looked like now, but also what she looked like in the past and her former name.
Now, this woman, who had lived two lives, walked in. Her first action was to take Xie Huailing's hand, examine her carefully, and then sigh softly.
Ye Shuzhen's way of doing things is very similar to Ren Ci's. Perhaps over the years, she has learned something from her husband: "It was the Beggars' Sect's poor hospitality that caused our distinguished guest to suffer a calamity. It should have been the Beggars' Sect that protected Miss Xie. Fortunately, Miss Xie is not seriously injured. Otherwise, what crime should the Beggars' Sect be punished for?"
Ye Shuzhen did not shirk responsibility, nor did she even mention Nangong Ling; she admitted her mistake first.
With such a sincere attitude, no one could say anything harsh, especially knowing that this was her true intention, and also Ren Ci's. Xie Huailing wouldn't be so harsh, so she spoke to her in a gentle tone, saying things like, "The fault lies with Liufenbantang; what can be done if the thief insists on causing trouble?"
Ye Shuzhen then told Xie Huailing about the arrangements for the next few days. The Beggars' Sect would provide Xie Huailing with additional guards. Xie Huailing thought that Gong Jiu's skills wouldn't prevent him from getting in even with a few more people, so he nodded in agreement.
Today, she seemed unusually easy to talk to in Ye Shuzhen's eyes, which made Ye Shuzhen gradually relax and not notice Xie Huailing's occasional scrutinizing gaze, as if trying to see through her veil to her true face.
After finishing their business, Shaman entered with tea and snacks. She relayed a few words from Lu Xiaofeng, seamlessly weaving into Ye Shuzhen and Xie Huailing's conversation. Shaman was Xie Huailing's direct subordinate, and Ye Shuzhen, being on good terms with her, didn't find Shaman's appearance strange. The two chatted skillfully, and Xie Huailing, having timed Shaman's arrival perfectly, took a sip of tea, occasionally adding a word or two.
This was the timing she chose herself, which was the progress she wanted.
Once they had started chatting about ordinary things, Xie Huailing began to lay the groundwork for the first thing she wanted to find out that day, using the pretext of talking about everyday matters.
Shaman was joking with Ye Shuzhen, saying that with Ye Shuzhen around, Ren Ci could rest easy even if he was away for several days. Ye Shuzhen had said that it was forbidden to make fun of elders, so how come she'd become like this after returning to Bianjing? Shaman glanced at Xie Huailing, who, without any guilt, chimed in, "How can this be considered making fun? It's just telling the truth. Madam Ren and Chief Ren are a perfect couple; who in the martial arts world hasn't heard of that?"
Seeing that she said the same thing, Ye Shuzhen smiled slightly, turned half of her face to the side demurely, and said softly, "Miss Xie is also teasing me. It must be because Shaman said something to me on a daily basis."
Being spoken to like this by Ye Shuzhen, who didn't understand Xie Huailing's true nature, was tantamount to Xie Huailing turning the tables on her. Shaman's eyes widened, and how could her aloof beauty maintain her composure? "Absolutely impossible! What have I ever said to her? She's already being a handful if she doesn't cause me any trouble—"
Xie Huailing kicked Shaman under the table. Shaman swallowed her anger and watched Xie Huailing continue his act.
Xie Huailing cleared his throat and continued, "It's Shaman. Shaman has mentioned Chief Ren and Madam Ren to me quite a few times. I wonder how you two, with such a good relationship, met back then?"
Upon being asked this question, Ye Shuzhen immediately fell into her memories. Even through the black veil, one could sense her distant gaze drifting to some unknown place, perhaps back to the past.
"How did you meet?" Ye Shuzhen's voice was gentle and warm. She had clearly remembered many things, but she only spoke briefly, her face concealing much. "Back then, when I was traveling the world, I met him in this area after leaving Bianjing. It wasn't a particularly dramatic story. At that time, I... had a chronic illness, and I only had my sister by my side. She was also in poor health, seriously injured. He helped me a lot. I often thought that there was no better person in the world than him."
In terms of character, Ren Ci was indeed almost a perfect person. Ye Shuzhen's voice softened considerably when she mentioned him.
Xie Huailing chimed in, "I've also heard my cousin talk about Chief Ren's character; he's loyal, righteous, and benevolent." She only brought up Su Mengzhen when she was down or when she was lying, which made Sha Man turn her head away to control her expression.
Ignoring him, Xie Huailing continued, "He is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and he treats you with exceptional care. He also treats the young leader of the gang like his own son. He is truly a rare hero in the world. You are the same. After meeting you, I understand what it means to be true to one's name."
Ye Shuzhen laughed again and said, "It's not as good as Miss Xie makes it out to be. It's just about mutual understanding and care between husband and wife. Besides, we are not destined to have children. Since we have raised Ling'er, we naturally have to take good care of him. He is no different from our own son."
"Young Master is young and promising, and will surely live up to the expectations of Madam and Master Ren." Xie Huailing concluded with this polite remark, and then asked, "By the way, how is your sister, who was seriously injured, now? If she needs anything from Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, please just let us know."
Ye Shuzhen's hands, which were resting on her knees, tightened slightly before slowly relaxing. She replied softly, "It's just an old ailment of my second aunt's. Thank you for your concern, Miss."
Xie Huailing pressed on, saying, "Madam Ren, you might as well tell me about your injuries. If there's any way to cure your illness, you absolutely must get it treated."
"No need. I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss Xie. My second aunt was too badly injured back then and didn't receive timely treatment. Now she's not in good health and doesn't really want to see anyone." Ye Shuzhen shook her head firmly.
Her stance was unwavering, like a rock in a valley; though physically frail, she possessed a unique and resolute determination. In her simple words, Ye Shuzhen's resistance was crystal clear.
Not wanting her to overthink, Xie Huailing's next words were to give up. She had already gotten what she wanted, and ending things at the right time was the proper course of action.
After saying a few more words, she had Shaman see Ye Shuzhen off. As soon as the door closed, Xie Huailing's expression changed. The demure, womanly demeanor that had made Shaman feel nauseous vanished, replaced by her usual expressionless face, a look that conveyed no emotion. She simply stood there for a while, then opened her drawer.
Shaman, who had turned back halfway, knocked on the door at that moment. Xie Huailing told her to come in, without pushing the drawer back.
The drawer contained several sheets of paper. Yang Wuxie had worked with Xie Huailing for a long time and had investigated many things, which Shaman knew.
She knew not only this, but also other things. For example, in her initial arrangement, Xie Huailing was to settle in the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion branch in the neighboring city, rather than staying at the Beggars' Sect. But she only had a vague understanding of it, because Xie Huailing wasn't the type to discuss plans with Shaman. She preferred to give direct orders, and Shaman only needed to do as she was told without having to think too much.
Watching Xie Huailing intently examine the contents of the letter, the tightly written words suggesting some long-standing secret, Shaman patiently waited until Xie Huailing finished reading before speaking: "Are you trying to find out about Ye Erniang?"
Ye Shuzhen's sworn sister was called Ye Erniang, and her real name was probably unknown to anyone except herself and Ye Shuzhen.
"No need to probe." Xie Huailing pinched the letter between her slender fingers, and the few pages of paper stopped at her fingertips, hanging precariously. She brought the letter closer to the newly lit lamp. Having confirmed the message, there was no need to linger any longer to avoid any accidents. So the still faint flame, sensing the scent of the paper, immediately leaped up, following the paper upwards. When Xie Huailing touched it, it greedily devoured the edge of the paper, and the flame became uncontrollable.
Finally, the letter, filled with words, turned into a clump of ashes on the ground, containing countless secrets that could never be spoken again.
Xie Huailing finished speaking: "There's no need to investigate. We already know everything we can know, and we won't find out anything we don't know now."
"Does she have a secret, or is she dangerous?" Shaman, having been cared for by Ren Ci and his wife for a long time, was still worried about them. "I don't know the extent of Ye Erniang's abilities. I've only heard that she's been bedridden for many years, and she was like this when she came to the Beggars' Clan. It wasn't until two years ago that she could walk a few more steps when the weather was nice. The doctor said that she was too badly injured in the past, and her serious injuries hadn't healed before she suffered another major blow. Coupled with her mental illness, there was no cure. I've also seen her once, and based on what I've seen, what the doctor said is absolutely true."
“I know that.”
Xie Huailing collapsed onto the couch, rubbing his shoulders: "As for your question... let me put it this way, the Beggars' Sect now has both secrets and dangers, but the secrets are with Ye Erniang, and the dangers are not."
She mentioned someone who only briefly appeared in the conversation: "The danger lies with Nangong Ling."
Shaman was caught off guard by hearing his name and quickly stepped forward to stand opposite Xie Huailing. She didn't doubt Xie Huailing; although she wasn't entirely used to this superior, she had no reason to question his abilities. So she asked urgently, "What is he doing? Is he connected to Ye Erniang?!"
"He's not involved in this matter, he's involved in something else," Xie Huailing said casually. "Like I said, it involves both secrets and danger."
Shaman was taken aback. After hearing her words, she couldn't make sense of what Nangong Ling was up to. She wanted to search her memories, but then she heard Xie Huailing say something else.
Xie Huailing raised another finger and flicked it: "In terms of priorities, if you're worried about the cooperation between Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion and the Beggars' Sect, and about the safety of your two close friends, then Shaman, the most important thing you should do right now is..."
"What is it?" Shaman asked her, eager to find out.
Xie Huailing replied, "Go and book another table for me. I want to continue drinking with Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou."
Shaman: "..."
Shaman took a deep breath: "...A drunkard!"
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I would like to reiterate that this article will contain character interactions within a multi-genre martial arts setting and some personal interpretations. My apologies!
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