Chapter 32
As soon as Yin Qiu stepped off the field, Fu Xiang tiptoed up to her and whispered, "She's here, Senior Sister Ding is here!"
Yin Qiu immediately looked around: "Where?"
"Don't look around!" Fu Xiang said. "Don't let her notice me. I'll slip away in a bit. You just have to play it by ear."
When the moment came, even though she had prepared beforehand, Yin Qiu still couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Fu Xiang quietly ran away after she finished speaking. After the instructor announced the students' scores one by one and told everyone to take their leave, Yin Qiu had no time to react before someone patted her on the back of the shoulder.
"Junior Sister, where did Fu Xiang from your courtyard go?"
Yin Qiu turned around and saw a smiling senior sister standing in front of her. She was very beautiful, with a pair of smiling eyes that curved into a beautiful arc. Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze in March, making people feel comfortable and close.
Yin Qiu sized her up a few times, thinking that this person must be the Senior Sister Ding that Fu Xiang mentioned, and replied, "She was feeling unwell and left earlier. Are you Senior Sister Ding from Tianyin Peak?"
Upon seeing Yin Qiu's face, Ding Lianzhen's eyes lit up. She thought to herself, "Who is this little beauty?" She asked, both surprised and delighted, "You know me?"
Yin Qiu looked at her: "I know, Fu Xiang mentioned it to me."
Ding Lianzhen leaned slightly closer to Yin Qiu and said with a smile, "Then who are you? I've never seen you before."
Yin Qiu gave her name, and Ding Lianzhen paused for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "I know, you are Uncle Shen's daughter."
She was so close that she could see her own reflection in her eyes. Yin Qiu subconsciously took a step back and said softly, "Fu Xiang said you would come to see her, but she was too dizzy to go, so she asked me to go in her place. If there's anything you need, just tell me."
"Why is she suddenly feeling dizzy? What illness does she have?"
"It's probably just a cold, nothing serious."
"Is that so?"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ding Lianzhen looked Yin Qiu up and down and said with a smile in her eyes, "Junior Sister is indeed worthy of being the daughter of Uncle Shen. She is really beautiful, many times more beautiful than Fu Xiang."
Yin Qiu smiled sheepishly at her, but didn't respond.
“Since Fu Xiang can’t come, then you can come with me,” Ding Lianzhen said gently, taking Yin Qiu’s hand. “Tell me, how did you grow up to look like this? Not to mention new disciples, even in the entire Yunhua Palace, your face is among the most famous. How come we never noticed you before?”
She gently stroked Yin Qiu's hand, as if she had found something she loved dearly, making Yin Qiu feel uneasy.
"I wonder what Senior Sister wants me to do later?" Yin Qiu chuckled awkwardly and changed the subject somewhat stiffly. She looked back and saw that Fu Xiang was nowhere to be seen.
"Originally, I was going to ask Fu Xiang to help with chores," Ding Lianzhen dismissed the female disciples around her and led Yin Qiu toward Tianyin Peak, saying, "But I see that you are younger than her and rather thin, so I'm afraid you can't do any heavy work. Besides, you are Uncle Shen's daughter, so I can't just ask you to do it. You haven't set foot on Tianyin Peak before, have you? How about your senior sister shows you around?"
As Fu Xiang said, this Senior Sister Ding was really good at dealing with people. She clearly liked pretty young people very much. When she saw Yin Qiu, she didn't ask Fu Xiang any more questions. Her words were impeccable, kind and friendly, making it really hard for anyone to refuse her invitation.
Yin Qiu could only nod awkwardly, then carefully withdrew her hand. However, Ding Lianzhen seemed completely oblivious to her awkwardness, and quickly took Yin Qiu's hand again, showering her with concern and care.
Since entering the palace, Yin Qiu has visited very few places. Apart from the disciples' courtyard and Xie Yijun's Mingguang Hall, the place she has stayed the longest is Man Jiangxue's Jingyue Peak. She has never been to Tianyin Peak before. The two chatted all the way to their destination. Yin Qiu felt somewhat novel and kept looking around. Although she did not say anything to praise it, her expression revealed her amazement at Tianyin Peak.
Along the way, they encountered many disciples who greeted Ding Lianzhen with smiles, and then cast sizing glances at Yin Qiu. Yin Qiu felt rather uncomfortable, as she felt that the disciples' gazes were particularly mocking, but she didn't find it strange, as if it was commonplace for Ding Lianzhen to bring a junior sister back.
Ding Lianzhen was extremely kind throughout the journey. When they arrived at Tianyin Peak, she simply led Yin Qiu on a leisurely stroll without asking her to do anything. Remembering Fu Xiang's instructions, Yin Qiu seized an opportunity to say, "Senior Sister Ding, these days Fu Xiang has been constantly summoned to Tianyin Peak by you to do things. Every day after returning, she is so tired that she doesn't want to walk. I thought it would be some physically demanding work, but it turns out it wasn't. It's just a walk. What's so tiring about that?"
Seeing that she was so gentle and spoke in a soft voice, Ding Lianzhen felt a pang of affection for her and said with a smile, "Don't listen to her nonsense. I'm the best at taking care of the younger generation. Every time I invite her over, I treat her to the best tea and snacks. You are all strictly disciplined in the disciples' courtyard and don't have a chance to go out and about. I feel sorry for you, so I occasionally pick some well-behaved ones to come here to relax. So, how about it? Isn't I a good person?"
Yin Qiu said sincerely, "Senior sister is a very nice person, and Fu Xiang often praises you to me."
Ding Lianzhen asked curiously, "Really? How did she praise me?"
Yin Qiu said, "She said that you are not only beautiful, but also skilled in swordsmanship and kind. She also said that if she hadn't been engaged at Mingyue Tower, she probably would have fallen for her senior sister."
"A marriage agreement?" Ding Lianzhen paused, slightly surprised. "How old is she to be engaged? She never mentioned it to me."
"A marriage arranged since childhood," Yin Qiu remembered what Fu Xiang had taught her. "After all, Fu Xiang is the eldest daughter of Mingyue Tower. It's not surprising that she was betrothed to another sect right after she was born."
Then Ding Lianzhen sighed softly and said, "It's such a pity, such a lovely little sister."
Yin Qiu sensed the regret in her tone and thought to herself that she had done a good job for Fu Xiang this time. Even if Ding Lianzhen still had feelings for Fu Xiang, they were already engaged and were allied by their respective sects. Ding Lianzhen was just an ordinary disciple of Yunhua Palace. After learning about this, she probably wouldn't bother Fu Xiang anymore.
Yin Qiu was secretly pleased, but then she heard Ding Lianzhen chuckle and slowly say, "If there's a marriage arranged, then forget it. To be honest, I do have a bit of a crush on Fu Xiang. She's not young anymore, and she's at the age where she can talk about love. I originally planned that if we got along well, I would get along well with her. But since she's already promised to someone else, then I can't keep thinking about her."
Unexpectedly, Ding Lianzhen was so straightforward. She wasn't afraid that Yin Qiu would have a bad impression of her. Although Yin Qiu didn't quite approve of her using her identity to get close to Fu Xiang, she also felt that this Senior Sister Ding was quite straightforward and generous, and she didn't care about formalities when she spoke. Yin Qiu couldn't help but feel more favorably towards her.
Unexpectedly, Ding Lianzhen quickly added, "Without Fu Xiang, you've appeared. Now that I've seen my junior sister, I've forgotten about Fu Xiang. Come visit me often from now on. I like you, okay?"
Yin Qiu was stunned, and immediately became flustered: "Me?"
Ding Lianzhen said, "You don't want to?"
Yin Qiu was shocked and stammered for a long time before finally saying, "But...but I'm still young..."
“I know you’re still young,” Ding Lianzhen said. “If you count the days, it’s been almost eleven years since the Ruyi Gate Incident. You’ll be eleven this spring, right?”
Yin Qiu's eyes darted away: "Hmm..."
Ding Lianzhen said, "Let me tell you, when I was little, my master brought me to the palace and I grew up in Yunhua Palace. I was very bored staying in the palace all day. I had no feelings for my senior brother and only liked my obedient and sensible junior sister. So when I had nothing to do, I liked to talk to you girls. Do you understand what I mean?"
How could Yin Qiu not understand? This senior sister was bored in the palace all year round and had no interest in men, so she only befriended junior sisters she found pleasing to the eye. Before she met Fu Xiang, she must have had many junior sisters she liked. Now that she learned that Fu Xiang was engaged, she knew better than to back down, but she took a liking to Yin Qiu instead.
Yin Qiu never expected that helping Fu Xiang out of a predicament would also get her into trouble. She secretly lamented her misfortune and felt extremely regretful.
·
Perhaps noticing that Yin Qiu's expression was not as bright as when she arrived, Ding Lianzhen, afraid of frightening her, reassured her, "Don't be nervous. When I said I liked you, I wasn't lying. You're so adorable; not just me, anyone would have some feelings for you. Don't worry, because you're still young, I won't do anything to you. At most, I'll hold your hand and play around with you. If you were a little older..." At this point, Ding Lianzhen smiled, "In short, I'm a person who knows my limits."
She didn't finish her sentence, but Yin Qiu noticed and couldn't help but ask, "What would you do if I were older?"
Ding Lianzhen covered her mouth and laughed, then raised her hand and tapped Yin Qiu's lips, teasingly saying, "What do you think?"
Yin Qiu was startled by her action and her limbs stiffened.
When she worked in a brothel, Yin Qiu had witnessed girls making love with customers. It would be a lie to say she didn't know these things. Besides girls who entertained male customers, the brothel also had girls who entertained female customers, as well as male prostitutes who served male customers. They did all kinds of business. Yin Qiu not only saw it with her own eyes, but also heard the boys and girls who worked as general laborers discussing it with great interest.
Hearing about it is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is quite another. Yin Qiu was shocked by Senior Sister Ding's unconventional style and blushed, standing up and saying, "No, no, that won't do..."
Seeing that Yin Qiu's face was slightly red and she looked shy, Ding Lianzhen laughed loudly, "Senior sister was just teasing you, why are you taking it seriously?" She gestured for Yin Qiu to sit down and said, "No matter how much I like you, I won't lose my mind. You're just a child. I've said before, I know my limits."
Yin Qiu was unsure whether to stand or sit.
"Alright, I was just teasing you," Ding Lianzhen said. "Just think of it as making a new friend. Your senior sister will bring you to Tianyin Peak to play often from now on, okay?"
The thought of being summoned to Tianyin Peak every few days, just like Fu Xiang, made Yin Qiu feel awkward and resistant. She vaguely recalled Man Jiangxue's words to her that day, so she composed herself and said seriously, "I'm sorry, Senior Sister Ding. It's okay to make friends, but I can't come to Tianyin Peak to accompany you often."
Upon hearing this, Ding Lianzhen looked slightly surprised.
In the past, which of those newly arrived junior sisters didn't rush to curry favor with her after hearing her words? After all, the rules of the Disciple's Courtyard were numerous and not very comfortable. In the first year after arriving at Yunhua Palace, she rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with the various peaks of the palace. She spent her days either in class or eating and sleeping, and her days were extremely boring.
Anyone who catches Ding Lianzhen's eye is eager to win her favor so they can take a break from the disciples' quarters. Why is Yin Qiu so unwilling?
"Why can't you do it?" Ding Lianzhen asked, her eyes filled with doubt. "Is your senior sister treating you badly? Or do you not like Tianyin Peak?"
Yin Qiu shook her head: "No, it's just that I haven't been in the palace for long. I should focus on my studies instead of just thinking about sneaking out to play. I appreciate your kindness, senior sister, but my most important thing right now is to study hard and practice martial arts diligently. I'm still young and I won't consider other things for the time being."
Ding Lianzhen looked at her and remained silent for a moment before saying, "You've misunderstood. Senior sister didn't ask you to neglect your studies. Senior sister likes you, so she wants you to come to Tianyin Peak often to relax. This isn't about being playful. Besides, even if it were, it's perfectly normal for someone your age, isn't it? Moreover, Fu Xiang has come quite a few times. Have you seen anyone say anything bad about her?"
She was adept at coaxing the younger generation, and her words were so smooth that no one could find fault with them, making it hard to refuse. After much hesitation, Yin Qiu replied, "If Senior Sister really wants to care about me, she can come to the disciples' courtyard to see me occasionally. But the palace has its rules, and I cannot knowingly break them and take advantage of loopholes... Besides, I was brought back by Martial Uncle. If she finds out that I am not studying hard and only thinking about playing, she will definitely punish me."
Ding Lianzhen smiled knowingly: "So that's what you're worried about? It's alright, I'll explain to my martial uncle."
Upon hearing her words, Yin Qiu felt utterly powerless.
Ding Lianzhen is really too stubborn. She's like a general facing a soldier when he comes, and no matter how Yin Qiu tries to refuse, she remains unmoved and always looks as steady as Mount Tai.
Yin Qiu didn't want to continue arguing with her. Ding Lianzhen was as stubborn as cotton, and nothing she said would work. Yin Qiu made up her mind to leave, so she bowed and said, "It's getting late, and there's a curfew at the disciples' quarters, so I'll head back now... Please make yourself at home, Senior Sister."
"What's the rush?" Ding Lianzhen quickly grabbed Yin Qiu's hand. "It's past lunchtime now. You won't have anything to eat if you go back. Stay here, and your senior sister will take you to eat."
Yin Qiu was extremely annoyed, but not wanting to show it, she quickly withdrew her hand and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister, no, no need..."
Ding Lianzhen insisted on keeping him: "Don't refuse anymore, come over quickly."
Yin Qiu was extremely reluctant and repeatedly refused, but she couldn't stop Ding Lianzhen from being too strong and was dragged straight out of the bamboo forest.
Yin Qiu was extremely anxious, yet helpless.
·
"She said she didn't want to, did you really not hear her, or were you pretending not to hear her?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out behind them.
Hearing that familiar voice, Yin Qiu was overjoyed. Before she even turned around, she knew who it was. She quickly shook off Ding Lianzhen and ran away.
Man Jiangxue stood in the bamboo forest, her expression indifferent, and raised her arm to pull Yin Qiu into her embrace.
"Martial Uncle?" Upon seeing the newcomer, Ding Lianzhen was slightly surprised and quickly bowed, saying, "Disciple greets Martial Uncle!"
Man Jiangxue frowned, glanced down at Yin Qiu in her arms, and then looked at Ding Lianzhen, but said nothing.
A breeze rustled through the bamboo leaves, creating a soft, dense sound. Man Jiangxue stood quietly, scrutinizing Ding Lianzhen for a moment before asking, "Why did you bring her here?"
Sensing the invisible pressure emanating from Man Jiangxue, Ding Lianzhen knew something was wrong, but she put on a smile and replied, "It's like this, I originally wanted to ask Fu Xiang to come to Tianyin Peak to help out, but she was unwell and couldn't come. Junior Sister wanted to take her place, so I brought Junior Sister along."
Man Jiangxue maintained her embrace of Yin Qiu, her eyes as deep as a bottomless pool. She said calmly, "But I followed you all the way here and only saw you touching her inappropriately, but I didn't see you asking her to do anything."
Upon hearing this, Ding Lianzhen knew that Man Jiangxue must have overheard her conversation with Yin Qiu from the shadows and had deliberately revealed herself to protect Yin Qiu.
Ding Lianzhen reacted quickly and decided to skip the pretense, straightening up and saying frankly, "I saw that Junior Sister is still young and is Uncle Shen's daughter, so it's not appropriate for me to order her around. Besides, Junior Sister is gentle, quiet, and likable, so I wanted to invite her to have a meal at Tianyin Peak. However, Junior Sister was afraid of missing the curfew in my courtyard and didn't agree. So I persuaded her several times, and some physical contact was inevitable. I meant well, so how could I have done anything like what Uncle Shen said about touching her? I'm truly wronged."
Her words were reasonable and respectful. Even though it was obvious to everyone that she was deliberately trying to pester Yin Qiu, no one could find fault with them. Yin Qiu was deeply impressed by Ding Lianzhen's eloquence. Moreover, she was not flustered or intimidated when she saw Man Jiangxue, which showed that she had an extraordinary mental fortitude.
If it were anyone else, just one glance at Man Jiangxue would probably make them tremble with fear and become so guilty that they would stammer incoherently.
Ding Lianzhen's words were not offensive, and there was no reason to accuse her on the spot. Yin Qiu was wondering how Man Jiangxue would respond when she saw Man Jiangxue pull her closer to her and say in a calm tone, "From now on, you are not allowed to have any contact with her without my permission."
These words carried a clear warning. Ding Lianzhen frowned slightly, but her smile remained unchanged as she calmly replied, "I haven't done anything wrong, so why can't I have contact with Junior Sister?"
Man Jiangxue said expressionlessly, "Because I won't allow it."
Ding Lianzhen was speechless for a moment, then laughed and said, "Don't blame me for speaking harshly, but Uncle-Master is being a bit too domineering. The palace has always advocated that fellow disciples get along in a friendly manner. Uncle-Master's actions are contrary to the palace rules. I'm sorry, I can't understand."
“You don’t need to understand,” Man Jiangxue said. “Just obey and do as instructed.”
After saying that, she turned around with Yin Qiu, not caring about Ding Lianzhen's reaction, and was about to leave.
Ding Lianzhen had not expected Man Jiangxue's attitude to be so resolute and domineering, and she couldn't help but shout, "Uncle-Master, please wait! This disciple is not convinced!"
Man Jiangxue ignored him completely and didn't even turn his head.
"Master Uncle, please wait!" Ding Lianzhen followed and said seriously, "Master Uncle forbids me from associating with Junior Sister. I am really not convinced. Everything must be based on reason. Even someone as virtuous and respected as Master Uncle is no exception. If Master Uncle does not give me a reason that I can accept, I will find it hard to accept!"
Man Jiangxue finally stopped, turned around to look at Ding Lianzhen, and said in a deep voice, "I not only forbid you from associating with Yin Qiu, but I also forbid you from going to the disciples' courtyard to find other people."
Before Ding Lian could retort, Man Jiangxue interrupted, saying, "You used your position to seek personal gain and corrupt the atmosphere of the palace. I haven't punished you yet, I've only given you a warning. You should be grateful. If everyone were like you, trying to win people's hearts, and new disciples would fawn over their senior brothers and sisters upon entering the palace, using connections to evade palace constraints, not focusing on the right path, but only thinking about interpersonal relationships, then what rules would there be in this vast Yunhua Palace?"
Ding Lianzhen didn't take it to heart and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "How could I have won people's hearts? I'm not afraid of being blamed by my senior uncle. I do have some feelings for my junior sister, so I want to get to know her. This is only natural and my private matter. No matter how high your position and power, senior uncle, you can't interfere with who I like, can you?"
She tested Man Jiangxue's patience again and again, and Man Jiangxue's face turned cold. She said sternly, "Then I'll tell you, you can like whoever you want, but not Yin Qiu."
Ding Lian was truly unwilling to accept this and stubbornly asked, "Why can't it be done?"
Man Jiangxue's patience had run out, and her tone was unfriendly: "If Yin Qiu's parents were still alive, this matter would indeed not be my concern, but now that Yin Qiu has no parents, all her affairs are up to me. If I say no, then no. You can only endure it if you disagree."
After she finished speaking, she said nothing more and led Yin Qiu down Tianyin Peak, leaving Ding Lianzhen standing there dumbfounded, angry but unable to speak.
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