Chapter 46
After that, the story of Ding Lianzhen quickly spread throughout Yunhua Palace, causing quite a stir.
All the things she did in the past were dug up in one go. The disciples who had been bullied by her in the past dared not speak out in anger, but now that she had fallen from power, they naturally clapped and cheered.
But apart from the few female disciples who were punished with caning, there were many others on Tianyin Peak who had followed Ding Lianzhen in committing numerous evil deeds. They were not so happy to hear about this. They were all terrified and kept a low profile, afraid of being implicated by Ding Lianzhen.
That day, Man Jiangxue returned to Mingguang Hall and personally reported the matter. Xie Yijun was furious upon hearing it and ordered a thorough investigation. Any disciple who had violated palace rules with Ding Lianzhen would not escape punishment. Other peaks should also take this as a warning and investigate whether their disciples had similar cases. A major purge should be carried out a few days before the New Year to reorganize the palace and ensure a good New Year.
The next day, Yin Qiu was summoned to Jingyue Peak by Man Jiangxue.
The snow stopped, and warm light returned to the world, illuminating the red maples and white snow covering the mountains. There was a small pavilion in the forest, with bamboo curtains and warm tents hanging outside, and a tea table and stove inside. Manjiangxue leaned on a bamboo chair and saw Yinqiu's figure appear in the forest. He put down his book and went to meet her.
As the snow melted, Yin Qiu was drenched in snow water, half of which was on her head. She smiled at Man Jiangxue while wiping her face and asked, "What did Uncle-Master call me here for?"
Man Jiangxue picked her up and said, "Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong?" She weighed Yin Qiu in her arms and smiled, "You're a bit heavy. In another two years, I won't be able to carry you anymore."
Yin Qiu smiled and said, "Then I'll eat less?"
Man Jiangxue flicked Yin Qiu's nose and said, "That won't do, you still need to grow."
Once inside the pavilion, Man Jiangxue pushed a variety of pastries in front of Yin Qiu, poured her a cup of hot tea, and asked, "Tomorrow is the monthly examination. How are your preparations going?"
Tomorrow is the written exam, the day after tomorrow is the martial arts exam, and the day after that is the New Year. Yin Qiu naturally wanted to get a good ranking, so he replied, "Don't worry, Uncle-Master, I know what I'm doing."
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement and then said, "During the New Year holidays, the palace will give out a few days of leave, and many of you disciples will go home. After you finish the monthly exam, come here to me, and go back home after you resume your studies."
Being able to spend the New Year with Man Jiangxue and not have to go to school made Yin Qiu very happy, but she couldn't help but ask, "Isn't Uncle-Master going home?"
Man Jiangxue's sleeves were slightly rolled up, and her two hands, which were brewing tea, were fair and elegant. She looked down at the tea and said, "I won't go back."
Yin Qiu suddenly realized that she had never heard Man Jiangxue mention her family before, so she asked curiously, "Where does Martial Uncle's home lie?"
The tea was boiling, the bubbles like fish eyes or pearls, reflected in Manjiangxue's eyes like twinkling starlight. She said softly, "In the far reaches of the pass."
Beyond the Great Wall? Yin Qiu was a little surprised: "Uncle-Master...isn't from the Central Plains?"
Man Jiangxue pondered for a moment and said, "I suppose so, but I grew up outside the Great Wall."
“The area outside the pass is quite far,” Yin Qiu thought for a moment. “I’ve often heard people say that the area outside the pass is not very stable and is constantly at war, unlike our Central Plains which is so peaceful. Did you see any war when you lived outside the pass as a child, Uncle?”
Man Jiangxue said, "I have seen it before."
Yin Qiu was secretly surprised. She had never asked about Man Jiangxue's background and experiences before. She didn't expect that she had grown up outside the Great Wall and had even witnessed the flames of war in the chaotic world. Yin Qiu's curiosity was piqued, and she asked again, "Then how did you come to the Central Plains, Martial Aunt?"
Man Jiangxue said, "My mother is from the Central Plains. I came here with her when I was a child."
Yin Qiu then remembered that Man Jiangxue's mother had passed away long ago, and she had never mentioned her biological father or other relatives. Could it be that they were all gone as well?
Yin Qiu pondered silently, observing Man Jiangxue's expression, and carefully asked, "Then what about my martial uncle's father..."
The tea boiled, splashing up a few specks of foam. Man Jiangxue wiped her hands and poured tea for Yin Qiu, saying, "He was from beyond the Great Wall. He passed away before my mother did."
When her suspicions were confirmed, Yin Qiu was taken aback and quickly said, "I'm sorry, Uncle-Master, I... I shouldn't have asked these questions."
Man Jiangxue smiled slightly and said calmly, "It's alright. If something can be mentioned casually, it means it has already been let go."
In this sense, Man Jiangxue and Yin Qiu are both orphans with nowhere to go. For them, Yunhua Palace is now their home.
A cold wind howled outside the pavilion, but it was kept out of the warm tent. Yin Qiu took the tea, blew on it to warm it, and held the cup to warm it. He asked, "What about Yunhua Palace? How did you get here, Uncle-Master?"
Man Jiangxue leaned back in her chair, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes, and said, "Fifteen years ago, on a snowy night, I met my master, and she brought me back."
Yin Qiu counted on her fingers: "My martial uncle was ten years old back then?"
Man Jiangxue nodded.
“I should call my master ‘Grandmaster’ her,” Yin Qiu said. “She was also my mother’s master, wasn’t she? How did you two meet?”
How did you meet your master? Upon hearing this, Man Jiangxue's hand holding the cup unconsciously paused slightly.
She raised her head without changing her expression, her gaze peering out through the gap in the bamboo curtain and warm tent. She saw patches of white snow covering the thin red maple leaves, which were dense and crowded, like a thick cloud of crimson smoke, or like the blood river she had seen many years ago, dazzling and blinding.
She gazed back in her memory and saw that the snow that night was heavier than any snowfall this year, falling in clumps like cotton wool, and it hurt when it hit people. She held a sword, trembling as she knelt in the snow. Large patches of bright red blood flowed from in front of her, staining the snow and overflowing her skirt. She reached out and touched the river of blood; it was still warm.
Alone and cold, she looked around blankly when a woman carrying an oil-paper umbrella made of bamboo walked step by step through the snow and reached out her hand to her, saying, "Child, stand up."
Perhaps she was too young then, or perhaps it was because so many years had passed, she could hardly remember what her master looked like back then. She only remembered that her master's hands holding the umbrella were clean and white, without a speck of dust or blood.
She still remembered the girl standing behind her master, dressed in a blue dress, with flowing black hair, whose smile was brighter than the sun in the sky. She also reached out her hand to her and said with a smile, "My name is Shen Mandong, what's your name?"
·
A gentle breeze slipped through the crack, disturbing the steam rising from the tea and subtly blurring Manjiangxue's troubled face.
"Uncle-Master?" Yin Qiu waved his hand in front of Man Jiangxue's eyes. "Every time we talk about the past, you always space out. Are you remembering something?"
Her thoughts were interrupted for a moment, and Man Jiangxue was unusually stunned. Looking at Yin Qiu's face so close to hers, for a moment she almost mistook Yin Qiu for Shen Mandong.
Man Jiangxue looked at Yin Qiu, frowned slightly, and after a long while said, "No," then paused and added, "I don't remember."
Seeing the slight confusion in her eyes, along with a hint of barely perceptible emotion, Yin Qiu wondered if she had asked something she shouldn't have.
Just as Yin Qiu was thinking of a different topic to talk about, Man Jiangxue asked, "You have no classes today. Are you planning to stay here a little longer, or go back to study?"
Yin Qiu immediately took out the books she had brought and smiled, "Let's review here."
Man Jiangxue waved to her, and Yin Qiu understood and moved to her side, leaning against Man Jiangxue's chest. The two snuggled together and softly read the text from the book.
During this period, Yin Qiu had barely had a good night's sleep. She attended classes during the day, practiced swordsmanship with Gongzi Fan at night, and had many other miscellaneous things to do. She was really sleepy. At this moment, she nestled in Man Jiangxue's arms. The two of them were alone in this small pavilion. The sound of the wind outside was incessant, like a gentle lullaby. Yin Qiu gradually became sleepy and soon fell asleep leaning against Man Jiangxue.
When Yin Qiu woke up again, it was already dark outside the pavilion. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly sat up. When she looked at Man Jiangxue, she found that she was also sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed.
Yin Qiu didn't dare to wake her, so she tiptoed to place the book on the table and then gently leaned into her arms.
A faint fragrance brushed past the tip of her nose. Yin Qiu smelled that familiar scent and thought: "Uncle-Master smells so good."
She looked up at Man Jiangxue. By then, it was getting dark. There were no candles in the pavilion, only a charcoal brazier emitting a faint glow. In the hazy vision, Man Jiangxue's face was slightly indistinct. Yin Qiu could not see her eyebrows and eyes clearly, but could see Man Jiangxue's naturally red lips and a clearly defined chin.
Those lips were full and glossy, red but not gaudy, exuding a cool and aloof air when they were silent, but as soon as the corners of their lips turned up slightly, curving into a beautiful arc, they could make people feel a different kind of gentleness and friendliness.
Yin Qiu stared intently, her heart suddenly racing for some reason.
For no reason, she recalled many scenes. First, she thought of bathing with Man Jiangxue, who stood in front of her, unabashedly removing layers of clothing to reveal her snow-white skin and graceful figure. Then she thought of the way to Yunhua Palace, when Man Jiangxue personally fed her water, just like now, so close, so close that she could feel her warm breath, so close that it seemed that if Yin Qiu moved a little closer, she could touch those beautiful red lips.
My uncle's lips must be very soft.
Yin Qiu stared blankly into thought.
My thoughts soared to the heavens, and everything around me was obscured, leaving only the person sleeping before me.
As if possessed, Yin Qiu suddenly raised her hand and touched those lips lightly.
It was icy and cool, not as warm as she had imagined, but the touch from her fingertips was much softer than she had expected.
Yin Qiu subconsciously rubbed her fingertips together. As she lowered her eyes, she suddenly came to her senses and then left Man Jiangxue's embrace with a look of panic.
What is she doing?
Yin Qiu stared blankly at her hands, a feeling of indescribable shock and shame welling up inside her.
How could she do such a thing to her martial uncle while he was asleep? And how could she have such strange thoughts about him?
That was really wrong.
A gentle breeze swept by, and Yin Qiu's face flushed red.
The soft, cool touch lingered on her fingertips, refusing to leave. Yin Qiu quickly clenched her hands, glancing at Man Jiangxue in a panic. But as soon as she looked at him, she met a pair of deep, quiet eyes, reflecting flickering sparks, like the silent starry sky in an autumn night, profound and unfathomable.
Yin Qiu's breath hitched, and her chest began to pound wildly.
Her limbs stiffened, her heart pounded like a drum, and she stood there stunned.
"Master, Uncle-Master..." Yin Qiu tried her best to hide her panic, sitting up straight. "You're awake?"
Man Jiangxue remained motionless, simply watching her without uttering a word.
Seeing that she didn't react at all, Yin Qiu felt extremely guilty. She hurriedly got up and frantically tidied up the tea set on the table, which didn't need to be tidied up, saying, "It's getting dark, I have to go back to the courtyard."
Man Jiangxue seemed a little sleepy. She rubbed her temples before humming in agreement and saying, "Okay."
Hearing her voice, Yin Qiu felt a little uneasy. She hoped that Man Jiangxue might have just woken up by chance and hadn't seen what she did. Otherwise, she should have asked her.
However, just as this thought crossed his mind, he heard Man Jiangxue ask, "What were you doing just now?"
Yin Qiu paused, her emotions, which had just calmed down, began to surge again. She turned her head as naturally as possible and asked, "What?"
Man Jiangxue thoughtfully raised her hand and touched the corner of her lips.
Seeing her action, Yin Qiu's heart clenched, and she darted away, asking, "W-what's wrong?"
Man Jiangxue didn't actually see what she did. She was only half asleep when she felt a slight itch on her lips, as if something had brushed against them. It was as if a butterfly had briefly lingered on the corner of her lips, gently and softly.
The visibility was poor, and Man Jiangxue couldn't see Yin Qiu's face clearly, but she didn't pay much attention. She looked at Yin Qiu, stood up, and said, "It's nothing, let's go."
Upon hearing this, Yin Qiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
·
Although there were no classes today, and Gongzi Fan had already said that he would not come again the day before the monthly exam, Yin Qiu still did not choose to stay overnight at Jingyue Peak. After dinner, Man Jiangxue sent her back to the disciples' courtyard as usual.
Several days had passed since Man Jiangxue last visited Yin Qiu's room. She took a look at the items in the room and saw that Yin Qiu didn't seem to lack anything. After sitting for a while, she said to Yin Qiu, "It's getting late, so I'll head back now. Take good care of yourself."
After what happened before, Yin Qiu was still a little afraid to look Man Jiangxue in the eye. Hearing this, he got up and opened the door for Man Jiangxue, saying, "Then, Uncle, walk carefully on the road. It's dark, so watch your step."
In the past, whenever Man Jiangxue was about to leave, Yin Qiu would always seem very reluctant to part with her. This time, however, she was quite decisive. She neither pleaded with her nor said anything to try and persuade her to stay.
Man Jiangxue was slightly surprised and looked at Yin Qiu, saying, "Aren't you going to ask me to stay?"
Yin Qiu glanced at her quickly, then lowered her eyes and said, "Of course I'd be happy if my martial aunt wanted to stay a little longer."
Man Jiangxue looked her over for a moment and said, "I didn't realize that." She reached out and touched Yin Qiu's face, making Yin Qiu look up at her. "I did realize that you seem to want me to leave quickly."
The moment Yin Qiu met Man Jiangxue's eyes, her heart began to race, and she couldn't help but turn her face away, saying, "No way... Uncle-Master, don't talk nonsense."
"Why is this child acting so strangely today?" Man Jiangxue wondered, but didn't ask any further questions. She simply stopped and said, "Just kidding. I'm leaving now."
Yin Qiu paused for a moment, then stopped Man Jiangxue just as she was about to leave, and whispered, "Why don't you sit a little longer, Auntie?"
Feeling the unusual heat and dampness of Yin Qiu's hand holding hers, Man Jiangxue stopped in her tracks, opened Yin Qiu's palm, and said, "Why are you sweating so much?"
Yin Qiu glanced at her hand and said, "...Do I?"
Man Jiangxue took out a handkerchief and wiped her face, then looked at Yin Qiu and said, "Why is your face so red?" She leaned closer and examined Yin Qiu carefully, "Are you sick?"
As that beautiful face suddenly drew closer, Yin Qiu's heart skipped a beat.
She couldn't help but take a step back and blurted out, "Maybe it's because I walked too fast on the way back and it got a bit hot."
As soon as she finished speaking, an invisible gust of cold wind blew in from outside the door, engulfing the two of them. Yin Qiu was already feeling inexplicably hot, and this cold wind made her shiver violently.
The courtyard was still covered with thick snow, and the cold wind made it look like the world was freezing. A few disciples passed by outside, and they all looked huddled up, rubbing their hands and breathing on them to keep warm.
Man Jiangxue straightened up and slightly raised an eyebrow at Yin Qiu.
Yin Qiu was extremely embarrassed and could only manage an awkward laugh: "Well, it seems a bit cold again..."
Man Jiangxue silently curved the corners of her lips, gently patted Yin Qiu's head, and without saying anything more, walked out the door.
Yin Qiu patted her flushed face in frustration. Seeing Man Jiangxue disappear at the end of the corridor, she hurriedly closed the door and leaned against the door frame to exhale deeply.
As soon as Man Jiangxue left, the room became quiet. Yin Qiu could hear her heartbeat becoming more and more pronounced, even drowning out the sound of the wind outside, fast and heavy.
She pressed her hand to her chest, standing there blankly, her mind filled with Man Jiangxue's every word and smile, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.
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