Chapter 100
"It's you?" Bai Ling asked in surprise, looking at the person in front of her again and again.
An uproar immediately erupted in the courtyard.
"How could it be her?"
"Isn't she in charge of boiling water in the boiler room?"
"Yes, she used to be a person in the palace, but she was disfigured and has been in our Yaoding City for almost two years now, hasn't she?"
The disciples were greatly surprised, all showing expressions of shock. They whispered among themselves and looked at the female disciple. The female disciple, however, remained calm and composed, gently brushing away Bai Ling's hand and asking calmly, "What are you doing?"
“You…” Bai Ling first turned to look at Man Jiangxue, who hadn’t spoken for a long time, then looked at Lu Huaiwei, “Senior Sister, this…”
The disciples then turned their attention to Lu Huaiwei.
The reason this female disciple was able to come to Yaodingcheng to find a job in the boiler room was because Lu Huaiwei felt sorry for her after learning about her plight, so she arranged for her to come here. Little did she know that this person would actually be a spy of the Ziwei Sect!
Lu Huaiwei was naturally astonished as well. She examined the female disciple for a moment, then immediately turned around and asked, "Are you sure it's her?"
Just now, Liu Ba shouted with all his might and with great certainty, but when he saw the female disciple's full appearance, he changed his previous resolute attitude and hesitated, saying, "This... how come..."
"Stop stammering!" Bai Ling couldn't help but shout when she saw him like this. "Say it or not, just tell me!"
Liu Ba was struck dumb, his lips trembling as he said, "I... the person I saw that night had a clean face, no scars..."
Hearing his words, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"That was terrifying! Couldn't you have looked more closely before pointing it out?"
"Exactly! You can decide someone's life or death with just one sentence. Think it through before you speak!"
"Our senior sister never leaves her room, how could she possibly be colluding with the Ziwei Sect? She's talking nonsense!"
Liu Ba's face was pale. The last glimmer of hope he had grasped was shattered once again. He was greatly shocked at this moment and knew that he was going to die this time. He murmured, "I'm sorry... I was in a hurry earlier and when I glanced at her, I thought her figure was similar. I... I..." As he said this, his throat tightened and he burst into tears again.
The female disciple remained remarkably calm. Seeing the scene unfold, she didn't ask any questions, but simply hunched over expressionlessly, habitually shrinking herself away and intentionally or unintentionally obscuring her face.
"According to you," Lu Huaiwei said, "the real culprit is a woman?"
Liu Ba was already out of his mind, choking out, "No, no... it's a man, and he's quite handsome. If he's in front of me, I'm sure I'll recognize him."
Since he was handsome and had a good appearance, there was no reason why the young man wouldn't recognize him if he saw him. This could only mean that the real culprit was indeed not here.
Bai Ling said, "We don't have many male disciples at our post station, just a few. Why don't you take another look?"
As soon as she finished speaking, all the male disciples understood and stepped forward, forming a row.
Liu Ba glanced at the group of people, then lowered his head dejectedly without saying a word.
Seeing his behavior, the two officers stepped forward again and captured Liu Ba, saying, "Alright, since you don't have any murderers here, we won't bother you any longer. Let's go!"
Liu Ba, looking like a lump of mud, was dragged straight out the door and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight amidst a series of curses from the officials.
·
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and their clothes were almost soaked through. After this little incident, Lu Huaiwei instructed her disciples to return to their places. She lifted her skirt and went up the stone steps, when she heard Man Jiangxue say, "Call her over."
Lu Huaiwei was slightly taken aback, and after a moment she reacted. She turned her head and said to the female disciple who was picking up the wooden bucket, "Junior Sister Cheng, come here for a moment."
The female disciple placed the wooden bucket by the railing, lowered her head and walked obediently to Man Jiangxue. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Martial Aunt."
Man Jiangxue didn't reply, but looked her over for a while before finally asking, "What's your name?"
The female disciple replied, "Cheng Xiu."
Man Jiangxue then asked, "Which peak was it originally from?"
The female disciple still answered, "Liuli Peak."
Liuli Peak?
"Are you from Liuli Peak?" Before Man Jiangxue could reply, Bai Ling, who was standing to the side, said, "I am also a disciple of Liuli Peak, but I have never heard of you."
“I have been away from the palace for six years,” Cheng Xiu said. “You are a junior, so naturally you don’t recognize me.”
Seeing this, Lu Huaiwei took the initiative to explain: "Reporting to Martial Uncle, this is what happened. Junior Sister Cheng is indeed a disciple of Liuli Peak. Six years ago, she and her group went down the mountain to carry out a mission. When they rested in a dilapidated temple in the mountains, they encountered the Ziwei Sect. The Ziwei Sect set fire to the temple and trapped them inside. Many people were lost at that time. Junior Sister Cheng was one of the few who survived by chance, but her appearance was also burned. She originally planned to retire and leave the sect. However, she had no relatives left. I pitied her for being helpless, so I arranged for her to stay at the state city post station. She was in Qingluo City for a few years and only came to Yaoding City in the last two years."
As she recounted the story, Bai Ling looked on with a look of recollection and said slowly, "...I remember now, it seems there was such a thing."
Man Jiangxue rose from the wooden chair. She was tall and slender, and her lowered gaze seemed to be scrutinizing the female disciple's face. Man Jiangxue said, "Raise your head."
Cheng Xiu hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her head.
Man Jiangxue then said, "Your hair is done."
Cheng Xiu looked displeased, with a hint of resistance, but she understood Man Jiangxue's intentions, so she obediently tidied her messy hair and barely revealed her damaged face.
His face was covered in scars, like a piece of paper that had been soaked in water and crumpled. There was hardly a patch of intact skin, not even around his neck. It looked truly terrifying, yet it was hard not to feel pity for him.
How could Bai Ling and the others have ever seen what she actually looked like? When they saw her now, their hearts skipped a beat, and they quickly glanced at her before looking away.
Only Man Jiangxue did not pretend to avoid it. Her scrutinizing gaze was straightforward and frank, without the slightest hint of subtlety or euphemism. Cheng Xiu gradually felt uneasy, wanting to lower her head, but dared not make a move due to Man Jiangxue's imposing presence.
After a long while, Man Jiangxue finally spoke, "Meng Jing."
Upon being called out, Meng Jing paused for a moment and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Uncle-Master."
“You are a disciple of medicine,” Man Jiangxue said, “take a look at her injury and see if there is any chance of healing.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Jing's eyes flickered slightly, and he was briefly puzzled.
Let alone Meng Jing, who is not a miracle doctor, even if Elder Xu himself had taken action, even six years ago, he might not have been able to cure this face, let alone six years later.
Meng Jing was lost in thought, but she quickly realized what was happening. She respectfully responded and approached Cheng Xiu with a normal expression, raising her hand to touch her cheek.
Although this action was offensive, the disciples present all understood the situation perfectly and remained silent in tacit agreement.
Seeing Meng Jing reach out his hand to her, Cheng Xiu struggled, her eyes slightly red, but she gritted her teeth and restrained the urge to back away, closing her eyes and letting Meng Jing examine her injuries.
Not long after, Meng Jing withdrew her hand. She didn't say anything, but simply shook her head at Man Jiangxue.
Man Jiangxue understood and immediately said, "Go down."
Cheng Xiu, who had been tense all over, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. She bowed as casually as possible, picked up the wooden bucket, and retreated.
As soon as she left, Meng Jing said, "It's an old wound, and medicine is ineffective." He paused and then added, "It doesn't seem fake."
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement, offering no further comment.
"Does Martial Uncle suspect Junior Sister Cheng?" Although Cheng Xiu had already left, Lu Huaiwei still lowered her voice and said, "I saw her injured in the past with my own eyes."
“This matter involves spies from the Ziwei Sect, so we cannot be careless,” Man Jiangxue glanced at Bai Ling. “You are the eldest disciple of Liuli Peak, so find out the truth of this matter as soon as possible and report back to me.”
Bai Ling nodded: "Don't worry, Uncle-Master, I know what to do. I'll keep an eye on her from now on."
Man Jiangxue nodded slightly, then paused as she entered the hall, turning back to say, "Tell her that disciples are forbidden from drinking alcohol in the palace, and this is a one-time exception."
After she finished speaking, she left the place on her own, leaving the remaining three people with different expressions.
"Drinking alcohol?" Bai Ling raised an eyebrow. "That Senior Sister Cheng was drinking alcohol just now?"
Lu Huaiwei spread her hands: "Although I didn't smell anything, since my martial uncle has given such a hint, there must be something there."
Bai Ling thought for a moment: "I didn't smell anything either, what about you?"
Meng Jing said, "I have none."
"Uncle-Master is truly amazing," Bai Ling laughed. "Not only is her swordsmanship extraordinary, but her nose is also so sharp. Otherwise, she would be the Uncle-Master, and we would be just lowly minions."
Lu Huaiwei covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Alright, we mustn't talk about our Martial Uncle behind his back. Bai Ling, remember what our Martial Uncle told you. I'll go down and remind Junior Sister Cheng."
Bai Ling replied "Okay" and watched Lu Huaiwei leave. She pondered for a moment what to do next, and just as she was about to go back to her room, she noticed Meng Jing leaning against the wall without saying a word, looking slightly dazed. She nudged her and said, "Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Let's go."
Meng Jing twitched his fingers, feeling the sticky, warm sugar water in his sleeve, and sighed softly.
·
Night fell silently, and Yin Qiu opened her eyes on the bed, her mind blank for a moment.
Outside the post station, the wind and snow were heavy, with fluffy snow falling endlessly, covering the entire city of Yaoding in a silvery white, as if it were wearing a large snow coat.
A hazy glow shone through the curtains, casting a dim yellow light on the bed. Yin Qiu rubbed her temples and stared at the curtains above her head for a while. After her drowsiness subsided a bit, she turned her head to look outside the curtains and saw Man Jiangxue sitting on a rattan chair covered with soft satin, holding a book in her hand. A small stove was placed beside her legs, and something was simmering on it, which smelled quite delicious.
Upon seeing that familiar figure, Yin Qiu paused in rubbing her temples.
How did she end up sleeping in her uncle's room?
A hint of doubt flickered in her eyes. Yin Qiu propped herself up on her arms, glanced out the window, and was startled again.
Why is it already dark?
Didn't she just take a bath in the hot spring? How long has it been, and it's already dark?
Yin Qiu sat on the couch for a long time, stunned and dumbfounded, unable to understand what had happened that day.
As she was secretly recalling, she suddenly heard Man Jiangxue speak from outside: "Come and have some soup if you're awake. What are you standing there for?"
Completely bewildered, Yin Qiu quickly put on her shoes and got off the bed. Her steps were unsteady, and she swayed after only a few steps, unable to stand steadily. Yin Qiu could only hold onto the screen beside her, pressing her throbbing temples and saying, "I think I've caught a cold..."
Man Jiangxue glanced at her and said expressionlessly, "How did you catch a cold?"
"I don't know..." Yin Qiu looked bewildered, leaning against the screen and panting, "My head hurts so much, and I can't muster any strength."
Man Jiangxue gazed at her silently without saying a word. After a moment, she beckoned and said, "You're not cold, come here."
Yin Qiu took a deep breath, walked unsteadily to Man Jiangxue's side, pulled up a chair and sat down. She was still a little slow to react, in a daze as if she had just woken up, looking like she had lost her soul.
"Drink this." Man Jiangxue poured a bowl of hot soup and handed it to Yin Qiu.
Yin Qiu lowered her head and sniffed, her expression finally brightening. "What is this?" she asked curiously. She took the hot soup and drank a couple of sips. As soon as she swallowed, her face changed, and she exclaimed, "Cough...it tastes awful!"
Man Jiangxue put down her book, her eyes reflecting the oil lamp on the table. She leaned back in her chair and said calmly, "The hangover soup is naturally hard to drink."
Hangover cure?
Yin Qiu held the bowl, looking at Man Jiangxue with confusion: "...What hangover soup?"
“As the name suggests,” Man Jiangxue looked back at her, “it’s a soup for sobering up, do you even need to ask?”
Yin Qiu didn't quite understand what she meant and asked in confusion, "I know, but I'm not drunk. Why would my martial aunt give me this to drink?"
Man Jiangxue seemed speechless for a moment before slowly saying, "That's a good question. If you're not drunk, I really don't need to give you this to drink."
Meeting Man Jiangxue's indifferent gaze, Yin Qiu was stunned for a moment, and finally recalled many scenes at this moment.
She was startled, and a look of panic immediately appeared on her face. She subconsciously gripped the soup bowl in her hand and lowered her head like a quail.
The small window was half-closed, and the night wind kept pouring in through it, causing the oil lamp on the table to flicker on and off.
A silence fell over the room.
After a long silence, Man Jiangxue spoke again: "You've grown up. As a disciple of Jingyue Peak and half a disciple of the sect leader, you disregarded the palace rules and drank wine with your fellow disciples in private. What should your punishment be?"
Yin Qiu bit her lip, not daring to look at Man Jiangxue, and kept her head down without saying a word.
“I’m asking you a question,” Man Jiangxue straightened up, hooking Yin Qiu’s chin with her fingertips to make her face her, “What is your punishment?”
Yin Qiu's breath hitched, and her eyes darted away as she said, "I..."
Man Jiangxue said, "You?"
Yin Qiu felt extremely guilty, feeling that Man Jiangxue's gaze was particularly unbearable to look at. She was forced to tilt her head back, her body stiffening instantly, and she weakly said, "Uncle-Master..."
“Being coquettish won’t work,” Man Jiangxue said, not letting go of her hand, looking down at her. “Tell the truth.”
Yin Qiu had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I... I earlier... oh no, I took a bath in the hot spring this morning, but I wasn't warm enough, so I asked the senior sister in the boiler room for a couple of drinks to warm myself up and avoid catching a cold..."
Man Jiangxue scrutinized her expression and asked again, "Did you ask for it willingly, or did she give it to you?" After saying that, she quickly added, "Tell the truth."
Yin Qiu initially wanted to cover for the female disciple, thinking that she meant well and it wouldn't be good to expose her. However, Man Jiangxue knew her too well, making it impossible for her to lie. Yin Qiu could only whisper, "It was...it was given to me by my senior sister..."
Seeing that she was still behaving herself, Man Jiangxue stopped and said calmly, "Then tell me, how should I deal with you?"
Yin Qiu frowned, her voice gentle: "Is Martial Uncle going to punish me?"
Man Jiangxue raised an eyebrow slightly: "Otherwise?"
Yin Qiu hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head again: "I know I was wrong... Uncle-Master, could you please forgive me this time since it's my first offense?"
Man Jiangxue said, "No."
Seeing that Man Jiangxue seemed a little serious tonight, Yin Qiu guessed that she wouldn't give in easily. She sighed, glanced at Man Jiangxue, and asked, "Then how will you punish me, Martial Aunt?"
After pondering for a moment, Man Jiangxue replied, "According to the palace rules, if any disciple knowingly violates the rule by drinking alcohol in private, he shall be punished with three lashes as a sign of discipline."
Upon hearing this, Yin Qiu felt a chill in her heart: "Is Uncle-Master serious? I've been in the palace for so long and I've never been whipped before."
“There’s nothing I can do about it,” Man Jiangxue said, glancing at her. “Who told you to make a mistake?”
Observing Man Jiangxue's expression, Yin Qiu tentatively asked, "But it's already late at night, where are we going to find a whip to beat me? Perhaps we can talk about it tomorrow..."
Before she could finish speaking, Man Jiangxue reached to her side and took out the Taoist whip.
This was prepared in advance.
"Finish your soup," Man Jiangxue said, stretching out her long whip with a serious expression. "After you finish, stand up and turn around."
When Yin Qiu saw that she was really going to attack her, the last bit of hope she had was instantly gone. She stared at the whip and sat silently for a while, thinking to herself, "Let her fight if she wants. At worst, I'll just have to stay in bed for a couple of days. I'll still need my uncle to take care of me!"
Thinking this, Yin Qiu made up her mind and drank the rest of the hangover soup in one gulp. Then she suddenly threw herself into Man Jiangxue's arms, burying her face in her chest and saying, "If you really want to hit me, I'll take it. Violating the palace rules deserves punishment. It would be best if you were impartial and didn't show any mercy. We can't let others know that you are unfair and deliberately favoring me. But I can endure three lashes."
Hearing her impassioned plea, Man Jiangxue found it difficult to retract his whip.
“I didn’t originally intend to hit you,” Man Jiangxue said after a moment of silence, “but since you’ve put me in a position where I can’t be unfair, then you have no choice but to take this beating.”
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