The Tragic Love of the First Sect Leader
The secluded retreat was in the Orchid Valley behind the mountain, where purple orchids bloomed everywhere. Han Sheng said, "The orchid symbolizes nobility, tranquility, and serenity, and is known as a peerless beauty."
Looking at the flowers before him, Li Xingyi said, "A secluded orchid emerges from a secluded valley, and its flowers bloom profusely in autumn; it is indeed a beautiful flower."
Han Sheng said, "Most orchids grow in valleys, living in seclusion and solitude."
Then she looked at Li Xingyi and said with a smile, "Xingyi, do you know that the orchid also has a flower language?"
Li Xingyi thought for a moment and said, "Is it love that comes too late?"
Han Sheng smiled and said, "That's right, but it also includes a story about the first sect leader."
Li Xingyi looked at her and said, "This disciple would like to hear the details."
After hearing this, Han Sheng looked at the orchid in front of him and walked towards an empty section of the road in the middle. Li Xingyi followed him.
Han Sheng slowly said from the front: "The first sect leader was named Qin Shuang, a young lady from a wealthy family. She had a personal bodyguard named Wei Zhe."
Qin Shuang first met Wei Zhe when she was fifteen years old. Wei Zhe was three years older than her, and at that time Wei Zhe was still called Wei De.
Qin Shuang looked at eighteen-year-old Wade and said, "De, meaning virtuous, is a good name, but... this name is not suitable for you."
This was clearly an insult to Wade. Upon hearing this, Wade clenched his fists. Qin Shuang looked at his hand and said, "Wooden Stone Zhe, fallen leaves suit you better. From now on, you will be called Wei Zhe."
Wei Zhe paused for a moment, then looked sharply at Qin Shuang.
I will definitely trample you under my feet and let you experience what it's like to be a slave.
Wei Zhe came from the slave market and had a very bad temper. He was bought by Qin Shuang's father and sent to Qin Shuang's side.
Qin Shuang turned around and said, "Wei Zhe, don't even think about killing me. You won't get anything out of it."
She glanced back and saw Wei Zhe standing behind her, his right hand holding a small knife suspended in the air.
Upon seeing this, the servants immediately rushed over and restrained Wei Zhe. Wei Zhe asked, "How...how did you know?"
Qin Shuang said, "Shadow, being impulsive and reckless is not a good thing. Only with both wisdom and courage can you succeed. You still have a lot to learn."
Wei Tuo scoffed, "Heh, if you have the guts, then kill me. I will never serve you."
Qin Shuang said, "You finally got out of there, and it's such a pity that you'd die like this..."
Wei Zhe's family were just ordinary commoners. Some people would secretly kidnap these commoners to use as playthings in the slave market. The struggle between humans and animals was the most attractive thing, and the bets became their tool for making money. On the surface, those high-ranking families and nobles would sneer at it, but in secret they would still go to the slave market for entertainment.
After unexpectedly learning about this, Wei Zhe developed a strong dislike for these wealthy people. Looking at Qin Shuang, Wei Zhe exclaimed, "You! You investigated me?!"
Qin Shuang sighed and said, "How did you get out of there? You're so stupid! It would be easy for me to find out your background, given my status. Besides, you can guess it from your appearance, so there's no need to investigate."
Wei Zhe fell silent after hearing this. Qin Shuang looked him over and saw that Wei Zhe was wearing tattered clothes and shoes, his hair was messy, and he looked dirty all over, just like a beggar.
Seeing this, Qin Shuang said, "Take him down to bathe. I want to see him standing in front of me clean."
The servant who held Wei Zhe down said, "Yes."
He then prepared to leave with his men, but after a moment's thought, Wei Zhe hesitated.
Shower? What if I scrub off all that dirt when I'm so dirty?! That would be so embarrassing!
As he was being dragged, he shouted, "You might as well just kill me! Why waste water?!"
Qin Shuang and her maids were puzzled.
Huh? What kind of thought process is that?
The maid asked, "Miss, what happened to him?"
Wei Zhe acted unusually like a child. Although he was a child in some ways, his experience in the slave market would have prevented him from being like this.
Qin Shuang glanced at the maid, who immediately fell silent.
Qin Shuang thought for a moment.
Someone... seems to be experimenting on him.
A moment later, Wei Zhe was brought up. He was dressed in black and his long hair was tied up.
Qin Shuang rested her chin on her hand and said, "She's alright looking, not ugly."
After hearing this, Wei Zhe snorted coldly and turned his head away from her.
Seeing this, Qin Shuang thought for a moment and said, "Come here and give me a leg massage."
Wei Zhe stared sharply at her, and Qin Shuang deliberately lifted her leg and said, "Xiao Zhe, you don't actually have any strength, do you?"
Wei Zhe reluctantly walked over, saying, "I know."
He then began massaging her legs, and Qin Shuang hissed in pain. Wei Zhe smiled.
Serves you right for ordering me around! I'll make you ache!
Qin Shuang immediately stood up angrily and said, "You! Go and collect manure!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe angrily retorted, "How dare you!"
Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh? I dare, so what?"
Seeing that the servants were about to take him away, Wei Zhe angrily shouted, "Qin Shuang! Do you believe I'll kill you?!"
Qin Shuang slowly approached him, and Wei Zhe took a slight step back, saying, "What, what are you doing? Scared?"
Seeing that Qin Shuang was about to touch his nose, he closed his eyes shyly. After a while, Wei Zhe heard a voice in his ear, "You really don't learn your lesson. Here, your life is of no importance, so you have to learn to please me."
Wei Zhe was startled and pushed Qin Shuang away, shouting, "You're dreaming! I will never try to please you!"
Qin Shuang said indifferently, "Then we'll wait and see. Someone, take him down to learn the rules."
Wei Zhe was stunned for a moment.
Aren't you... going to collect manure?
The servants pulled him away to take him downstairs, but Wei Zhe hurriedly said, "You! What exactly do you want to do?!"
Qin Shuang asked in confusion, "What? Didn't Father say that he wanted you to protect me closely?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe angrily replied, "You're dreaming!"
He was then taken away.
Qin Shuang counted on her fingers and said speechlessly, "Hmm... This is the second time you've said I'm daydreaming. Honestly, I clearly didn't even think about it."
The maids kept their heads down.
Is that really the case?
A moment later, a servant came over and bowed, saying, "Miss, Wei Zhe is not cooperating."
Qin Shuang thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Then tell him that he either has to learn the rules or he has to go pick up manure."
The servant bowed and replied, "Yes."
Qin Shuang lived a few peaceful days like this, but when Wei Zhe reappeared, he still looked unwilling.
Qin Shuang said, "Hmm?"
Wei Zhe then gave a perfunctory bow and said, "Greetings, Miss."
Qin Shuang stood up and said, "Not bad. Next, we'll test your martial arts skills. But since you managed to get out of there, you must be pretty strong."
Wei Zhe paused for a moment upon hearing that, and Qin Shuang said, "Let's go."
Wei Zhe asked, "Where to?"
Qin Shuang glanced at him and said, "Don't ask too many questions about your master's affairs."
Wei Zhe retorted with dissatisfaction, "You are not my master."
Despite this, she still followed Qin Shuang out. It was nighttime, and Wei Zhe said, "A young lady like you going out at night, aren't you courting death?"
He glanced at the male attendants behind him and said, "You're just coming out, why bring so many people? Aren't you just making a scene?"
Qin Shuang, dressed in black, said, "Shut up."
Wei Zhe muttered under his breath, "I'm just trying to be helpful, and you still act like this. What will you do when something happens to you?"
As they walked down a passageway, Wei Zhe immediately recognized it as the entrance to the slave market.
Wei Zhe clenched his fists and glared at Qin Shuang, angrily saying, "You! You really are this kind of person! I shouldn't have kindly reminded you!"
Qin Shuang glanced at him and then at the person behind her. The person behind her immediately stepped forward, pulled Wei Zhe aside, and pressed his acupoints to make him unable to speak for the time being.
Wei Zhe glared at her angrily.
That vile woman! She's definitely up to no good! I should kill her!
However, the person holding his shoulder was very strong and he couldn't break free, so Wei Zhe had to give up. Seeing that he was no longer moving, Qin Shuang continued forward. The corridor was very long, and it took a long time to reach the end. At the end, there was a large house, and outside the house were two masked men. They didn't say anything but handed Qin Shuang a mask.
To prevent people of high status from being discovered when they come here, the owner requires every guest to wear a mask to enter.
Qin Shuang took the mask, put it on, and went inside. Pushing open the door revealed a long staircase; the actual interior was underground. After walking for a long time, they finally arrived. Qin Shuang then pushed open another door.
The place was enormous and bustling with activity. The sounds of betting filled the air. There was a fence in the middle, and below the fence was the battlefield between animals and humans.
Wei Zhe's body trembled slightly. Qin Shuang stood by the fence and looked down. Below her was a girl about her age, and in front of her was a lion.
Everyone bet on the lion to win, and even shouted urging it to start quickly. The girl fell to the ground in fear as the lion slowly approached her.
Wei Zhe was shocked and anxious.
Sprout!
Ya'er was from his village, and he struggled excitedly.
Qin Shuang said calmly, "One thousand taels! I'll buy this person!"
Everyone was stunned. They all turned to look at Qin Shuang. The gate between the girl and the lion immediately slammed down, blocking their way. Someone said, "Girl, this isn't worth it! That girl is completely useless. You're just wasting your money!"
Qin Shuang ignored him and said, "Master, will you release them or not?"
When she ignored him, the man cursed, "You really don't know what's good for you!"
Across from the area with the gauze curtain, a man in black chuckled, "Young lady, although you can buy people here, it's only after the competition, so these customers don't place their bets for nothing."
The voice was like a gentle breeze, making people's hearts flutter. All the women present blushed with embarrassment. Qin Shuang listened carefully and found the voice somewhat familiar, but then thought she must have misheard and didn't think much of it.
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe tried to speak but suddenly realized he couldn't utter a word, and he struggled to speak.
Qin Shuang said, "I happen to be short of a maid. I thought she was pretty and wanted to buy her. But if I wait until after the competition, she'll probably be dead."
The man in black smiled and said, "Since you insist, it would seem ungrateful of me to refuse, but... the guests have already placed their bets, so we can't let them bet for nothing. Besides, I can't very well refuse this money, can I?"
Qin Shuang knew this meant they wanted more money, so she asked, "How much?"
The man in black laughed, "Young lady, you're quite clever. These guests have placed such large bets; I'm afraid you can't afford it. How about I lower the price to ten thousand taels?"
The crowd immediately erupted in excitement.
"Spending ten thousand taels on a useless maid is such a waste! Is this girl stupid?!"
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