Chapter 40
Wen Chaoyu crossed her legs and leaned back in a grand chair.
Beside her was a blazing charcoal fire, on which tea was being brewed and several oranges were being roasted. In front of her was a small table with several pots of warm wine and side dishes. At the other end of the table sat a young man dressed in a plain long robe with a black outer robe.
The two sat facing each other; Wen Chaoyu was relaxed, while the young master sat upright, each with their own distinct posture.
The only thing they had in common was that both of them were pale and looked sickly.
"Want some wine?" Wen Chaoyu poured a glass and pushed it towards her.
"Let's talk business; it's not appropriate to drink alcohol." The young master clenched his fist to his lips and coughed a few times.
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Wen Chaoyu said. “Moderate drinking is good for your health.”
"Drinking can lead to trouble. You drink yours, I'll pass." The young master still refused.
Outside the pavilion, the wind and snow were raging, and the lake was covered with a thick layer of ice. Several children were playing and laughing on the ice, their laughter echoing for a long time. On both sides of the pavilion, there were also many tourists enjoying the snow, making it a very lively scene.
Wen Chaoyu was enjoying the sight when a subordinate came and lowered the bamboo curtain, blocking her view. Wen Chaoyu was displeased: "Why are you blocking it?"
The subordinate hesitated, holding up the bamboo curtain, when the young master said, "Put it down. Be careful in everything you do."
“The truly wise live in seclusion in the city,” Wen Chaoyu gestured for his subordinate to leave. “I specifically chose this place; the scenery is beautiful, and it’s perfect for a conversation.”
The young master took a sip of tea, then coughed violently again.
Wen Chaoyu smiled and said, "I'm so sorry, Seventh Young Master is still sick and I made you come all this way. I'll punish myself by drinking three cups to apologize to you."
The young master waved his hand: "The next trip up the mountain is not easy. I came out at great risk. Stop talking nonsense. I need to get back as soon as possible to avoid being discovered."
Wen Chaoyu looked him over with curiosity in her eyes: "No rush. We've both been undercover agents, so it's fate that we meet today. Why don't you tell me, Seventh Young Master, how did you get into Yunhua Palace?"
The young master frowned slightly: "If you want to know, go ask the sect leader yourself, don't waste my time."
Wen Chaoyu laughed: "Am I curious? After all, I never saw you when I was still in Yunhua Palace and didn't have much of an impression of you. I only fought with you a few times after I returned to the sect. So I want to know, did you enter the palace with me, or after I left?"
The young master was a little impatient: "When I entered the palace, I had not yet joined the Ziwei Sect."
"So that's the one who was bribed by the cult leader later?" Wen Chaoyu said. "Not bad, you don't like Yunhua Palace, such a good place, why did you think of coming here to join us?"
“I have my own purpose in entering Yunhua Palace,” the young master said. “Having the Ziwei Sect’s assistance would benefit both me and Sect Leader Nangong, so why not?”
Although he answered reluctantly, clearly not wanting to bring up his own affairs, he still answered. Wen Chaoyu then said, "Then tell me, how do you plan to send that child out?"
The young master said, "I'll send him out?" He chuckled softly, "Then what will you do?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "Should I hand the person over to the cult leader again?"
"You wish," the young master scoffed. "Do you think it's so easy to kidnap someone right under Xie Yijun's and Man Jiangxue's noses?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "I can't possibly go to Yunhua Mountain myself, can I? Who can I fool with this face of mine?"
She had barely finished speaking when a "click" was heard, and a human skin mask as thin as a cicada's wing appeared on the table.
Wen Chaoyu glanced at it, reached out and pinched it, and said in surprise, "Oh, I thought you were just a small fry in Yunhua Palace, but I didn't expect you to be able to hire someone to make a mask for you?"
The young master said, "I made this myself. Although my skills are not as good as those of the master of disguise in the palace, it's fine for you to use."
Wen Chaoyu was quite interested and examined the mask from all angles for a while before asking, "Whose face is this?"
“A poor soul,” the young master said. “It’s also her own fault for behaving improperly. I heard she argued with Man Jiangxue for that child, so we can use her face.”
Wen Chaoyu put away the mask and pondered, "The end of the year is just around the corner. At that time, Shangyuan City will be heavily guarded inside and out. Based on my understanding of Yunhua Palace, the situation on the mountain is much more relaxed than usual."
“Not bad,” the young master put down his teacup, stood up and said, “If you miss the end of the year, there won’t be any other good opportunities. I can only help you this far. The rest is up to you.”
After saying this, he pulled off the black hood from his cloak, covering half of his face, and then walked towards the shore.
Wen Chaoyu watched his retreating figure with a smug look on her face, and then blurted out, "Don't wear men's clothes next time. You look prettier in women's clothes."
The young master seemed not to hear these words, showing no reaction whatsoever, and hurriedly disappeared into the crowd.
·
With a "whoosh," Yin Qiu drew his longsword and thrust it fiercely at the person in front of him.
Fu Xiang raised her sword to block, but was jolted back two steps. Before she could regain her footing, the gleaming sword tip came hurtling towards her again. She had no time to prepare, and her ankle twisted, causing her to fall.
"Again!" Yin Qiu caught up in an instant.
"Did you take some heart-strengthening pills today?" Fu Xiang jumped up with a swift movement, parrying each attack while yelling, "That hurt so much!"
Yin Qiu's expression was calm, her face reddened by the wind and snow, but she seemed oblivious to the cold. Instead, her momentum grew even stronger. Normally, Fu Xiang would always have the upper hand when they clashed, but today he had no advantage at all.
The training ground was filled with disciples fighting in pairs, all engaged in fierce and evenly matched battles. This was the first time that their instructor had asked them to fight in groups. At first, the disciples were quite excited, but after a while, they became exhausted. In addition, Yin Qiu and Fu Xiang were the strongest fighters. After a while, the disciples were forced to give way, almost as if they had to give up the entire training ground to them.
"What are you all standing around watching for!" The instructor came again, whip in hand. "Practice seriously, all of you! Like Yin Qiu and Fu Xiang!"
Their fight was so spectacular that the disciples, naturally wanting to watch the spectacle, had no choice but to find an open space to fight again after hearing their instructor's words. However, they were quickly overtaken by Yin Qiu and Fu Xiang. For a time, the disciples on the field fought and dodged, while Yin Qiu and Fu Xiang fought as if no one else was around, their battle fierce and evenly matched.
Once again, Yin Qiu knocked Fu Xiang to the ground, and she couldn't get up. Lying on her back in the snow, she laughed and said, "Let's rest for a bit!"
Yin Qiu refused: "What rest? Get up now!"
Fu Xiang didn't want to move and shouted, "You've improved so much these past two days, you're almost crippling me, the top scholar! I'm not coming anymore!"
Yin Qiu ignored her and thrust her long sword straight at Fu Xiang. Fu Xiang was so bothered by her that she had no choice but to stand up and continue practicing with her.
After the martial arts class ended, the instructor praised Yin Qiu and Fu Xiang, and instructed the disciples to follow their lead. Yin Qiu, who hadn't had enough, said to Fu Xiang, "Let's practice here again after we eat."
Fu Xiang complained incessantly, "Please spare me, I really have no strength left."
“You’re lying,” Yin Qiu said. “Your legs didn’t even buckle, I don’t believe you.”
Fu Xiang immediately collapsed to the ground: "It's limp...it's so limp!"
"Get up!" Yin Qiu persisted, "You're clearly not tired, don't lie to me."
“I’m not lying to you,” Fu Xiang said playfully. “Learning kung fu isn’t something that can be done in a day or two. It’s a gradual process. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Yin Qiu said, "Time flies. You and I will definitely have a competition at next year's new disciple conference. If you continue to be so lazy, I will steal your spot sooner or later."
Fu Xiang didn't care and said with a smile, "Go ahead and take it, I don't care about any new disciple conference."
Yin Qiu said, "If you come in first in the competition, you can become a disciple of the sect leader. If you want to return to Mingyue Tower, how can you do it without some achievements?"
She's right. Fu Xiang is, after all, a descendant of Mingyue Tower. Fu Cen sent her here to see if she had the ability to learn martial arts. If she wasn't cut out for it, she would never have a chance with Mingyue Tower in this lifetime. But as long as she stands out and is accepted as Xie Yijun's last disciple, Fu Cen will take her back to inherit the position of the young master of Mingyue Tower.
Yin Qiu wanted to use this to motivate Fu Xiang. She could see that Fu Xiang had talent, but she played around all day and was irresponsible. She would put on a show in front of her instructor, but when her instructor wasn't around, she would hide and slack off. How could she continue like this?
Yin Qiu meant well, but Fu Xiang pouted and said, "You're wrong. I don't want to go back." After a pause, she added, "And I can't go back anyway."
Yin Qiu asked in confusion, "Why can't you go back? I heard my uncle and senior sister Ye say that as long as you study well, your father will take you back."
Fu Xiang got up from the ground, patted the snow off her skirt, and said with her head down, "My father is getting married soon, he won't care about me anymore."
Yin Qiu was taken aback: "Your father is getting married? Who said that?"
Fu Xiang took out a letter from his pocket and said, "He told me himself that the wedding day is set for the Lantern Festival after next year."
Yin Qiu frowned as she looked at the letter: "Even if your father gets married, he won't abandon you."
“You don’t need to comfort me, I know exactly what’s going on,” Fu Xiang said. “My mother died in childbirth. My father glanced at me and then sent me away. He originally wanted to raise my brother well, but my brother died too. He couldn’t find a suitable successor, so he thought of me. Look, he has a new wife now and a big, healthy son. What chance do I have?”
She spoke very calmly and her expression was very composed, but her eyes still revealed a hint of sadness that she couldn't hide.
Just as Yin Qiu was about to say something to persuade her, Fu Xiang spoke first: "Really not going to practice anymore? I'll spar with you again tomorrow. I want to go back to sleep."
Since they met, Yin Qiu had never seen Fu Xiang so listless, so she said to her, "Alright then, let's go to the canteen for lunch first?"
Fu Xiang said listlessly, "I'm not eating anymore, you eat."
After saying that, she picked up her sword and slowly walked away.
·
Yin Qiu initially wanted to catch up with her, but then she thought that if Fu Xiang needed her company, things wouldn't have come to this, so she gave up the idea of chasing after Fu Xiang.
Since having a good talk with Gongzi Fan, Yin Qiu has been working very hard these past two days. She practices swordsmanship with all her might at night and is extra serious about martial arts classes during the day. Although she has less time to sleep, she doesn't feel too tired because she has a goal.
There was no one else in the training ground at this time. Yin Qiu walked towards the disciples' courtyard by herself. After walking a while, she turned around as if she sensed something and saw Meng Jing carrying a small stool, following her at a distance.
Although Meng Jing couldn't practice martial arts, he still insisted on coming here every day to watch the disciples practice swordsmanship. After that day in the library, Meng Jing stopped making trouble for Yin Qiu. The atmosphere between the two when they studied in the classroom had become much more harmonious. However, Meng Jing still didn't take the initiative to speak to Yin Qiu, and Yin Qiu also consciously didn't talk to him. The two had resolved some of their differences and were no longer so difficult to get along with.
Yin Qiu glanced at Meng Jing, wondering if she should slow down and wait for him. Meng Jing met her gaze, but seemed very uncomfortable, picked up his small stool, and ran off along another path.
Recalling Meng Jing's words that day, Yin Qiu's heart stirred. She also thought that she hadn't seen Man Jiangxue since returning from Liucang Mountain and missed her. So, Yin Qiu asked the patrolling disciples where Ye Zhilan was. After meeting her, Yin Qiu asked, "Senior Sister Ye, I would like to see my Martial Aunt. Could you please pass on a message to her for me?"
Ye Zhilan had heard about Yin Qiu's performance in the disciples' courtyard and liked this junior sister a little. In fact, according to the rules, new disciples could not easily go to other places in the palace, but Ye Zhilan still agreed: "Master will go to the medical pavilion to see Junior Sister Lu later. Why don't you come with me? You can also greet your Senior Sister Lu."
Yin Qiu replied with an "okay," then hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior Sister, could I bring one more person with me?"
Ye Zhilan glanced at her and said, "You want to bring Meng Jing along?"
Yin Qiu nodded, observing Ye Zhilan's expression, and said, "I can see my martial uncle whenever I want, but Meng Jing can't see Senior Sister Lu..."
Ye Zhilan was slightly surprised: "He has attacked you several times, and you're still thinking about him?"
Yin Qiu scratched his head: "We...have made up, haven't we..."
Ye Zhilan smiled: "Actually, no one is preventing him from seeing us. It's just that he always goes at the wrong time. Now that Huaiwei is awake, he doesn't go anymore." She patted Yin Qiu's head. "You come with me first. I'll ask another disciple to call him."
Yin Qiu obediently agreed.
When the two arrived at the medical pavilion, Man Jiangxue had not yet arrived. Yin Qiu followed Ye Zhilan into the room, only to find the bed empty, with no sign of Lu Huaiwei.
"Isn't Senior Sister Lu here?" Yin Qiu looked around.
Ye Zhilan was also completely bewildered. She called in a disciple to ask him questions. The disciple was stunned for a moment, then slapped his forehead and said, "Oh no! Senior Sister Lu went out this afternoon, saying she hadn't bathed for days and was going to the hot springs to wash up. She hasn't returned yet. Something must have happened to her!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhilan's face darkened: "What have you been doing?!"
The disciple was filled with trepidation and said apologetically, "There were too many things to do at the Medical Pavilion, I forgot to go... This disciple will go to the Bath Room to check right away!"
Lu Huaiwei was so badly injured, yet no one followed her. It was already dark, and no one noticed she hadn't returned. Ye Zhilan, who was always composed, couldn't help but scold her disciple. The group rushed to the bathhouse to check on her and found Lu Huaiwei lying unconscious on the ground with her eyes closed, without even a piece of clothing on her body.
"Quickly carry Huaiwei back," Ye Zhilan said in an unfriendly tone. "If anything happens to her, I won't even need to come; the sect leader will punish you severely!"
The disciples dared not utter a sound, and quickly helped Lu Huaiwei put on her clothes, then carried her back together.
In an instant, the entire medical pavilion was bustling with activity. Ye Zhilan frowned deeply and looked unwell. Seeing the constant flow of people inside, Yin Qiu feared she might get in the way, so she retreated to the hall to wait quietly. After a while, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. Yin Qiu looked over and saw Meng Jing rushing in in a panic. Upon seeing Yin Qiu, he froze on the spot.
"Senior Sister Lu is inside." Yin Qiu stood up and pointed inside.
Meng Jing glanced at her with a complicated expression, moved his lips as if he wanted to speak, but couldn't utter a sound for a long time. Yin Qiu knew that he must be having difficulty thanking her, so she said again, "Don't just stand there, go in quickly."
Meng Jing looked at her again before getting up. When he reached the inner door, he paused, lowered his head, and whispered "Thank you" in a barely audible voice. Then he parted the beaded curtain and went inside.
Hearing those two words, Yin Qiu felt greatly relieved and smiled.
Soon, Ye Zhilan came out, and Meng Jing's cries came from inside.
“He really always comes at the worst time,” Ye Zhilan sighed. “Never mind, let’s all go out and let them take care of Huaiwei.”
Hearing Meng Jing's voice, Yin Qiu also sighed. Ye Zhilan nodded at her, and the two of them went out together and closed the door.
“My martial uncle should be here soon,” Ye Zhilan said. “You wait here by yourself. I need to go and tell the sect leader.”
After seeing Ye Zhilan off, Yin Qiu played in the snow alone in the courtyard. Thinking about seeing her martial uncle soon, she couldn't help but smile to herself. She didn't know how much time had passed when a warm brocade robe was suddenly draped over her shoulders, and two hands hugged her from behind. A familiar voice rang in her ears, saying, "Why don't you go inside? What if you catch a cold?"
Yin Qiu turned around in surprise and saw Man Jiangxue dressed in white, her dress fluttering in the wind, smiling as she looked down at her.
"Uncle-Master!" Yin Qiu was overjoyed and couldn't wait to hug Man Jiangxue. "I missed you so much!"
Man Jiangxue hugged Yin Qiu and said, "How did you end up here? I was planning to visit Huaiwei before I went to see you."
Yin Qiu looked up at her, her eyes filled with joy: "I missed you so much, so I begged Senior Sister Ye to take me to you. She said you would come here."
Man Jiangxue touched Yin Qiu's face, wrapped her robe around her, and said, "Then why didn't you wait inside?"
Yin Qiu said, "Meng Jing is with Senior Sister Lu, so I don't want to disturb her."
Man Jiangxue listened for a while and heard Meng Jing still sobbing as she spoke, so she pulled Yin Qiu aside and said, "Then I won't go in either. Have you eaten yet?"
"No," Yin Qiu pressed her stomach, "Uncle-Master, why don't you eat with me?"
“Okay,” Man Jiangxue said, “Shall we go to Jingyue Peak?”
Yin Qiu was pleasantly surprised: "Is that okay?"
Man Jiangxue said, "Of course."
Yin Qiu cheered and opened her arms, saying, "Then, Uncle-Master, can you carry me? I'm so tired today."
Man Jiangxue responded with another "Okay," and then picked up Yin Qiu with a smile.
Smelling the familiar fragrance emanating from her, Yin Qiu felt a surge of longing and wrapped her arms around Man Jiangxue's neck, saying, "It's been quite a few days since we last met after returning to the palace. Did you miss me, Uncle-Master?"
Man Jiangxue looked at her, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly: "Guess."
Yin Qiu said, "I'm still thinking about it a little bit, aren't I?"
Man Jiangxue said with a hint of mockery, "Lack of confidence again?"
Yin Qiu quickly replied, "I definitely want to!"
Man Jiangxue smiled gently, lowered her head and touched Yin Qiu's forehead, and said, "I did."
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