Chapter 34 Slippery - Is it him again?
In the courtyard, a lone plum tree blooms, its subtle fragrance wafting through the air. Inside the side room, wisps of smoke curl from the brazier, yet they cannot dispel the heavy, dangerous atmosphere within.
The closer Xie Qingyu got, the more Xie Yunying couldn't help but back away, until her back finally bumped into the bookshelf in the corner of the wall, leaving her nowhere to retreat, and she finally stopped.
Xie Qingyu looked at her, her eyes dark: "What tasks have you done? Tell me?"
Xie Yunying fell silent, her slender legs beneath her skirt trembling uncontrollably.
"Ah, that explains why you suddenly stopped talking." Xie Qingyu laughed, but her next words were even more chilling: "Your system is back?"
Xie Yunying: "..."
system:"......."
Xie Yunying raised her finger, her face filled with terror: "You...you could...?"
"Don't worry, I couldn't hear your conversation," Xie Qingyu said gently. "I was just bluffing you."
"But judging from your reaction, I guess I was right?"
Xie Yunying: "......."
system:"........"
Xie Yunying: "System, stop sending ellipses! Take a look! Is there any way to save us?!"
System: "Master, the enemy's combat strength is far superior to ours. In the face of such an absolute disparity in strength, all strategies are futile."
Xie Yunying: "......."
System: "Host, please don't panic. I'll go find the main system and get some help!"
After that, no matter how many times Xie Yunying called out to the system, all that remained was a repetitive mechanical voice saying, "Please leave a message after the beep."
Xie Yunying was completely numb.
To save her life, she immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Brother, I was forced into it! I really didn't want to do those tasks at all, they were such a rip-off! It was all because of that Hook Stone System that I had to do them!"
Xie Qingyu smiled gently and elegantly, his demeanor as refined as a gentleman: "You flatter me, young lady. I have no intention of pursuing the matter. The past is past, and whatever happened before, I will forgive and forget."
Xie Yunying had just begun to feel a glimmer of hope when Xie Qingyu's next words shattered her dream completely: "However, please promise me that you will not do any more tasks assigned by the system."
Xie Yunying froze, dried up, and turned to stone. She found herself becoming delirious, hearing her own voice falter: "But my system says I can't go home if I don't do the missions..."
Xie Qingyu turned her back, the hem of her clothes sliding across the cold floor tiles, her voice gentle as shattered jade, "That's not right. You didn't choose not to do the task; you were forced by me to, so how can your system blame you?"
"You just need to clear yourself of any responsibility, then negotiate with the system to try to get a different task. Sometimes, whether the difficulty is subjective or objective, it all comes down to a little art of communication."
Xie Yunying was stunned. Could this really be happening?
Looking at Xie Qingyu's figure, Xie Yunying mustered her courage and said, "But if the system doesn't agree, I still have to do as it says. After all, I want to go home, and I have my own stance."
Xie Qingyu looked at her, and the warmth in her gaze sent a chill down Xie Yunying's spine.
He suddenly smiled and said, "You're right, everyone has their own perspective."
"So, if you choose to continue following the system's orders, I can understand." Xie Qingyu's voice softened. "However, I remember you just said that you want to play the role of Xie Yunying and can't be out of character, right?"
"If we follow the original plot, Xie Yunying will marry the eldest son of the Yuan family after the spring. So, the Yuan family will come to propose marriage within the next month."
Xie Qingyu changed the subject, "However, I heard that the eldest son of the Yuan family is a disabled person who is unable to walk properly, and also has a violent and vicious temper. He has a bad reputation in the capital and is definitely not a good match."
Xie Yunying: "......."
She had a bad feeling.
"As the elder brother who loves his younger sister dearly, how can I sit idly by and watch her marry such a husband?" Xie Qingyu smiled charmingly and spoke gently, "Don't worry, sister, when that Yuan family comes to propose marriage, I will definitely drive them away."
Xie Yunying: "......."
This is practically a blatant threat!!
Xie Yunying was about to point her finger at him and start cursing when she thought it over and calmed down a bit. She said warily, "You're just putting on an act again, aren't you? Everyone knows that a woman's marriage is arranged by her parents and a matchmaker. You're just my brother, how can you control my marriage?"
Xie Qingyu chuckled, offering no explanation, only saying, "You can try."
Xie Yunying: "......."
She really didn't dare to try. She had seen through this man's words before, and if he really went to Xie Zhi and Wang Shi to cause trouble for her, given her parents' trust in this capable and outstanding eldest son, it was very likely that he would ruin her marriage.
Xie Qingyu noticed her hesitation and decided to add fuel to the fire, so she gently opened her mouth and said, "You should already know the original plot of this book, right?"
Xie Yunying: "I know, I read it from beginning to end."
"...You've finished reading it?" Xie Qingyu's smile faded. "Then you should also know who the main character of this book is, right?"
Xie Yunying immediately said, "I know. It's Yue Yining, a female Taoist master."
"I still haven't seen her. The system told me to stay at the Xie family's house and wait for the main storyline to start, and I've been waiting for half a year already—"
“…I’ve seen him.” he said softly.
He spoke too softly, and Xie Yunying didn't hear him clearly: "What?"
At midday in the dead of winter, although the indoor heater melted away the bone-chilling cold, a slight coolness still lingered. On the shelves were a vast sea of books, and beneath them, shadowy figures were formed from snow.
Xie Qingyu lowered her eyes, her beautiful face filled with emotions she couldn't understand.
"Since you've read the book, you should know that she was an excellent person and didn't deserve this ending."
Xie Qingyu spoke very slowly, as if these words would cause excruciating pain: "Yue Yining was a loyal and righteous minister, but he suffered a lot of slander and defamation during his lifetime and died tragically in prison. Not only was no one able to claim his body, but he was also not allowed to have a tomb."
"Her hard work was destroyed, her efforts were worthless, and she still has to bear the infamy and die without a burial place. This was her original fate." Xie Qingyu looked at Xie Yunying. "If it were someone else, it would be one thing, but seeing her headed towards such an end, don't you feel any guilt?"
"Didn't you also say that the system forced you to do the tasks?" Xie Qingyu slowed her speech. "That means that after you finished reading the book, you also felt sorry for her, right?"
"Since you also feel uneasy about it, why do you still follow the system's orders to complete the tasks?"
Xie Yunying pursed her lips and lowered her eyes in a somewhat flustered manner.
Indeed, when she read "Yi Ning," she also hoped to change the female protagonist's ending. She simply felt that someone like Yue Yi Ning shouldn't have met such a fate.
Xie Yunying had read about many ordinary loyal ministers in history books. But what moved her about Yue Yining was more than just loyalty and righteousness.
She still remembered the ending of the book, where Yue Yining told Princess Wei Yihua that she had known her own fate all along.
She was a celestial master who knew the fate of mortals. She could have avoided disaster and chosen to live a peaceful life in a secluded corner, but she did not. Knowing that the road ahead was a hopeless abyss, a path to certain death, she still embarked on the path of certain death without hesitation for that sliver of hope to turn the tide.
Those who lift others up should not stand idly by and watch them fall to the ground.
Xie Yunying was truly tormented by her conscience this time. After much hesitation, she finally lowered her head and said, "...I promise you."
"I'll try negotiating with the system first to see if I can change the task."
Seeing Xie Yunying soften, Xie Qingyu immediately smiled and reassured her, "I don't want you to disobey the system's orders. I just hope you don't take those tasks too seriously. If it forces you, just pretend that you failed because of my obstruction, and then it won't blame you."
Xie Yunying looked at his smile and felt a little hesitant.
She really wanted to ask him, "Why did you come into this world? Why are you so obsessed with changing the plot and altering the female lead's fate?"
This question lingered in my mind for a long time, but I still couldn't bring myself to ask it.
Perhaps because the two had been talking behind closed doors for too long, Jin Xuan knocked on the door and called out, "Second Miss." Xie Yunying took the opportunity to ask Xie Qingyu for her leave, and Xie Qingyu smiled and nodded, letting her go.
As he left the courtyard with his attendants, the system's voice suddenly rang out: "Host, I've arrived!"
"How did things develop? Are you alright, host?"
Xie Yunying said with a blank expression, "It's not good at all, I'm about to die."
She experienced a day filled with extreme fright followed by a sudden surprise, which then turned back into a fright. Her emotions fluctuated wildly, leaving her feeling utterly exhausted.
Xie Yunying: "What kind of outside help did you find... never mind, it doesn't matter anymore. You weren't here just now, so I already sold myself to Xie Qingyu."
The system was shocked: "What?!"
Xie Yunying started spouting nonsense: "He said if I didn't agree to do things for him, he would tell Xie Zhi and Wang Shi that I was a fake Xie Yunying. Those two trust him so much and listen to him, then I'm finished!"
"He also said that if I went against him, he would do everything in his power to prevent me from completing the mission. Since he said that, what could I do but obey him?"
Xie Yunying subtly began using Xie Qingyu's rhetoric to sow discord within the system: "System, if I fail a mission in the future, don't blame me. Isn't the enemy just too powerful? How can an ordinary college student like me possibly defeat such a cunning person? If you ask me, you might as well give me a different mission. The difficulty of this mission has already far exceeded the normal range. Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for me?"
The system sympathized with her tragic situation, emitting a series of hissing sounds indicating distress: "I understand. Of course, I won't blame the host; it's just that the situation is indeed too complicated..."
"Okay, host, let me report the situation again and see if we can reduce your task ratio."
Xie Yunying perked up her ears: Is there really a chance?
She quickly asked, "What do you mean by 'reducing the task ratio'? Does it mean reducing the number of tasks?"
The system said, "Yes, if the task could be downgraded from 'ensuring the normal development of the main storyline of the entire book' to 'only completing the storylines related to Xie Yunying,' then the host shouldn't find it too difficult, right?"
Xie Yunying was almost moved to tears: "This is so easy! System, thank you so much! I've never felt you were so kind before!"
System: "Host, you're too kind. The intruders have indeed objectively increased the difficulty of your mission. The Transmigration Bureau should approve this application."
The girl in the red fox fur coat suddenly became much lighter in her steps. Behind her followed a group of servants with bowed heads, and the group gradually disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Inside the room, Xie Qingyu stood alone before the brazier, slowly burning the paper in her hand until it was completely consumed. The flames devoured the paper, almost touching her two long, jade-like fingers.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Xie Qingyu didn't even look up, and let go of the door, saying, "Come in."
A guard in silver robes opened the door, entered, and then closed it quietly. His face was as calm as still water, so ordinary that he was easily forgotten.
He approached Xie Qingyu, bowed, and said, "The people you sent to follow have given us good news. Would you like to hear the report now?"
"Um."
Yin Yi didn't even raise his head, speaking in a steady, even voice. Everything went smoothly until Yin Yi mentioned "Miss Yue and Her Highness the Princess were talking in the carriage," at which point Xie Qingyu suddenly chuckled softly.
Yin Yi paused, realizing something, and shut his mouth.
He began to carefully recall where he had offended Xie Qingyu in his report.
Unable to find an answer after some thought, Yin Yi simply asked directly, "Young Master, did I misspoke just now?"
Xie Qingyu said calmly, "How dare you call me 'Miss'?"
Yin Yi: "......."
Yin Yi had no idea what his master was going crazy about again, but he quickly admitted his mistake: "It was Yin Yi's fault, please punish me, young master."
Xie Qingyu hummed in agreement: "I won't punish you. But learn your lesson: when you report on her to me in the future, you must use respectful terms."
Yin Yi: "......Yes."
Yin Yi had only arrived at this post about half a month ago. He was a secret guard kept by the Xie family and had been carrying out some shady missions around Xie Zhi. About half a month ago, Xie Zhi assigned a group of secret guards to Xie Qingyu, and Yin Yi was transferred to Xie Qingyu's side and assigned to be his close attendant and bodyguard.
In name, he was required to serve Xie Qingyu closely, but in reality, that was not the case. After Xie Qingyu took over this group of secret guards, he assigned them heavy and meticulous reconnaissance missions, and they were basically on the move all day long.
Before becoming Xie Qingyu's subordinate, Yin Yi knew very little about Xie Qingyu. He only heard that this eldest son of the Xie family was a gentle and refined gentleman, kind and easygoing, and deeply trusted by his father.
Limited by his limited imagination, Yin Yi once thought that Xie Qingyu should be a good-tempered, honest person who would obey his father's orders.
He was sorely mistaken. The real Xie Qingyu was eccentric, a wolf in sheep's clothing, and a thousand times more gloomy and cunning than he appeared.
In Yin Yi's view, Xie Qingyu's character might be somewhat detached from conventional moral standards, but he was undoubtedly a very good lord. After Yin Yi started working under Xie Qingyu, his monthly salary tripled. Not only Yin Yi, but all the other guards who were assigned to Xie Qingyu's command at the same time received the same treatment.
Yin Yi had spoken with some others, and most of them preferred to stay and work under Xie Qingyu rather than return to Xie Zhi's side. Yin Yi, however, had a different perspective; he clearly sensed Xie Qingyu's ability to win people over.
"...Today, Lord Yue went to the Wang family's residence, seemingly to visit Vice Prime Minister Wang. The two are probably preparing to discuss the succession struggle, and Lord Yue intends to win the Wang family's support for the Third Prince." Yin Yi said, then changed the subject, "However, I discovered that Lord Ye from the Fourth Prince's residence also set off at the same time. Judging from the carriage's tracks, he also seems to be heading to the Wang family."
Xie Qingyu slowed down the pace of burning paper money.
He finally deigned to give Yin Yi a look, his handsome, thin lips parted slightly, and he repeated, "Lord Ye?"
Yin Yi: "Yes, it is Lord Ye who met with Lord Yue at Mansheng Tower a few days ago to discuss matters."
Xie Qingyu chuckled softly again.
While Yin Yi was still pondering what this meant, Xie Qingyu spoke up again: "Why is it him again?"
Yin Yi: "...?"
Is this a question for him? How would he know?
Yin Yi cautiously spoke, "Young Master, the report is complete. If you have no further questions regarding Lord Yue, I will take my leave."
Xie Qingyu didn't even raise his head, his voice indifferent: "As for that Lord Ye you mentioned, arrange for someone to follow him. If he has any further dealings with Lord Yue, report to me immediately."
Although Yin Yi was somewhat confused, he still respectfully replied, "Yes."
........
The carriage rumbled along the long street, where the ground was still covered in snow, and came to a stop in front of the Wang family's mansion.
The brocade pillow supporting her neck slipped half an inch. Yue Yining opened her eyes as if sensing something: "Have we arrived?"
Fu Yao took the pillow from her: "Miss, get up slowly, don't hurt your back."
As Yue Yining lifted the curtain and stepped out, she caught a glimpse of the Prince's mansion's vermilion gates, bronze rings, and soaring eaves. Above the five-paneled, bright gate, a gilded plaque with inscriptions hung in the style of a dragon-head ornament, while white marble lions guarded the entrance. The setting sun cast a blood-red glow on the eaves, and the painted red birds were lifelike.
This is the family of high-ranking officials.
Yue Yining withdrew her gaze and helped Fu Yao out of the car.
She had just landed and stood still when she heard the sound of carriages behind her. Turning her head, she saw a luxury car slowly pulling up in front of the Wang family's gate.
Yue Yining hesitated for a moment while lifting the hem of her skirt, and the person inside the carriage had already lifted the curtain, and a blue figure leaped down.
Yue Yining raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat surprised.
She called out, "Lord Ye."
Ye Miheng, startled by the call, froze and turned to look at her with a slightly flustered expression. He saw Yue Yining, dressed in a dark blue crane-feather cloak, and was equally surprised: "Yue Yining, what are you doing here?"
Yue Yining slowly approached, her fair face flushed with a faint pink hue, and her eyes, like black jade, looked exceptionally clear and bright when she gazed at people.
She smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Lord Ye. Are you also here to visit Vice Minister Wang?"
Ye Miheng was taken aback by her form of address and nodded somewhat awkwardly: "I made an appointment with Vice Minister Wang to discuss political matters, and I arranged it with him seven days in advance."
Yue Yining, with a clear mind, had already guessed about 80% of the situation.
She replied, "I see. However, I also made an appointment with Vice Minister Wang in advance. In fact, I set the deadline eight days in advance, one day earlier than Lord Ye."
"You!" Ye Miheng thought Yue Yining was there to cause trouble, and he couldn't very well lash out in the street, so he moved closer to her and, from the shadows, gritted his teeth and gestured at her. "You just had to bump into me? Do you know what I'm going to talk to Vice Minister Wang about? You say I like to argue, but I don't think you're very magnanimous!"
The smile on Yue Yining's face faded.
She glanced at Ye Miheng, seemingly finding it unbearable to look at, then quickly looked away and said indifferently, "It's no exaggeration to say you're stupid."
"Don't you understand? Vice Minister Wang deliberately scheduled our meeting on the same day."
Ye Miheng stood there stunned after hearing this.
While the two were whispering to each other, the gates of the Prince's mansion slowly opened, and two groups of maids filed out and stood still. The maid in the lead, wearing a pink skirt and jacket, came to the two men and respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Lord Yue, greetings, Lord Ye. Good afternoon, gentlemen. Our master has been waiting for you in the mansion for quite some time."
"Please follow me, gentlemen."
Yue Yining responded and, ignoring Ye Miheng, followed after them with Fu Yao, her expression already somewhat nonchalant.
Honestly, it's a shame she came with such sincerity.
Before she even stepped inside, the other party couldn't wait to give her a hard time.
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