Chapter 20 Late Snow: Who Can Bring a Snowfall?
Jiang Geyun had inquired about the export matter with the system.
This guy said he would search for the original novel, and after searching for a long time, he finally found a bunch of scenes where the beautiful villa owner and Xie Jiming bid each other a reluctant farewell, which made people's teeth ache.
The question of the passage back to the present world is thus buried under a bunch of useless dialogue and environmental descriptions, and is completely invisible.
The original book is mainly told from Xie Jiming's subjective perspective. He has the help of the beautiful estate owner who is "infatuated" with him to open the passage, so he can get out no matter what. It is normal that he does not care about this.
But Jiang Geyun is a difficult case to handle!
If one had to pinpoint a connection, the system's description suggests that the exit is related to specific seasons and weather. The descriptions repeatedly mention fireflies on summer nights, the fragrance of lotus blossoms swirling in the water, light silk dresses, white jade wrists, and things appearing and disappearing...
These later elements should be the author's original intention in writing this scene.
Isn't the original book a bit vulgar?
Even dogs don't... she meant, even the system doesn't like to look at it.
However, based on this information... after pondering for a moment, Jiang Geyun asked, "Plum Garden?"
In the dim light that the lamps couldn't reach, Cheng Xi, who was looking at her, suddenly smiled.
Xie Jiming asked in surprise, "How did Miss Jiang know? Could it be that..."
He glanced tentatively at Hua Biezhi.
Hua Biezhi and others disliked everyone in front of them. When Xie Jiming looked over, they sneered without saying a word, showing their contempt.
Jiang Geyun explained, "It was just a casual guess, but it turned out to be right. Just like discovering Miss Biezhi's trick, I guess I've been having good luck lately."
Upon hearing the word "trick," Hua Biezhi glanced at her sideways.
The snowfall has continued since this morning.
Jiang Geyun did not see the lotus pond mentioned by the system in the manor, probably because it was not on the way.
The plum garden occupies a vital passageway and has an odd appearance. Yao Ji took the initiative to explain, hoping to dispel any doubts the guests might have and to instill in them the idea that this place is not open to the public.
As for the lotus pond, Yao Ji has absolutely no reason to introduce it.
If the original story could reverse the season to a summer night, and the two parted ways at the lotus pond, when it was actually the dead of winter, the corresponding answer would be obvious.
Thinking about it this way, it does have a certain romance; the changing seasons each correspond to an exit.
As long as there isn't only one correct exit and the other three are dead ends, it's fine.
Haha, really?
Seeing that everyone had confirmed the location of the exit, Hua Biezhi interrupted them, saying, "Since you already know the exit, I won't stop you."
The implication was that if she wanted to stop it, she would always find a way.
Xie Jiming asked, "What does Madam mean?"
Hua Biezhi clearly disliked the title "Madam".
Her gaze toward Xie Jiming grew even colder as she said, "The one who tried to stop you earlier was surnamed Bai. He wanted you as tribute. As for me, ha, I'm the one who brought this snow. I originally intended to send you away!"
Jiang Geyun didn't quite believe it.
If Hua Biezhi really wanted to let everyone go, why did she create this unnecessary trouble and lock her up in the manor's private prison? It's more like she discovered Luo Xue, knew that the group would leave, and was afraid that they would leave too quickly. Since she was already prepared to kill someone, she just found an excuse to lock her up.
But if it weren't for Hua Bizhi, Jiang Geyun really couldn't think of anyone else who could bring a snowfall.
Xie Jiming was somewhat displeased and said, "Now that we know the exit, what use is there for Madam?"
Hua Biezhi replied, "You know the exit? Miss Jiang, why don't you ask those two officials now if they really know the exact location of the exit?"
Jiang Geyun took out the Lingxi mirror at the right moment and wrote the three characters "Pei Xueyi" on the mirror as Pei Xueyi had instructed.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Xi did not show any surprise at the magical "bronze mirror." Instead, he praised Jiang Geyun, who was writing, saying, "Your calligraphy has the charm of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi."
Having inherited the original owner's muscle memory, Jiang Geyun's handwriting, done with a soft brush, shouldn't be too different from her penmanship in the original world. She felt it was passable, but "the style of Zhong Wang"...
Although she didn't know if it was the "King of Bells" she knew, Cheng Xi was really good at praising. Jiang Geyun felt embarrassed, and her finger trembled, accidentally poking Lingxi one more time.
Lingxi was not affected and another font appeared in time, light and casual, which read: What's the matter, Ayun?
After a moment's thought, Jiang Geyun wrote: "I need the Master of the Manor."
The new words she wrote, like the previous ones, spread and disappeared like ripples on water after three breaths.
New text emerges: Xie Zhi Temple is dedicated to this.
Xie Jiming came to this mountain god temple to find the current head of the manor.
That makes sense. None of them knew Jiang Geyun was in the temple. Xie Jiming was most likely here to find Hua Biezhi, not her. As for the Pei siblings, they're probably searching other suspicious places in the manor.
Why is Xie Jiming arguing with Hua Biezhi? Is it some kind of male pride? Ugh.
Jiang Geyun showed no expression, calmly looking at the people in front of her.
Xie Jiming was behind Hua Biezhi, blinking and shaking his head. Jiang Geyun didn't know him well and couldn't understand what he was trying to do.
Jiang Geyun turned to look at Cheng Xi, who had approached at some point. As always, Cheng Xi seemed to have no opinions and simply went along with her wishes. Jiang Geyun's previously depressed mood suddenly lifted a little.
Having made her decision in an instant, Jiang Geyun lowered her head and wrote a few strokes on the Lingxi, then looked up and said, "I would like to trouble Miss Mu to accompany me to invite Miss Biezhi to the Plum Garden."
Mu Jin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
*
Jiang Geyun had never seen plum blossoms in full bloom, and she didn't have much time to go out and enjoy the scenery. She only knew that literati used them to write about the end of bitter cold and the beginning of spring.
Thinking about it this way, transmigrating into a book is also beneficial for her, as such a fantastical scene is hard to see in reality.
In just one day, the once dark and rugged knots on the withered branches burst into bloom with plum blossoms, and even the snow could not suppress their imposing red.
The tightly closed gates were now wide open, and snow covered the walls and tiles. The garden, which had been dark and gloomy that night, was now illuminated by the lights and snow, making it appear almost overexposed in the night.
The Pei siblings were both draped in snow-white cloaks, their dark blue official robes pressed beneath them, revealing only a hint of azure. From a distance, the scene was more beautiful than the fake painting.
Pei Xuexiao was frowning as she spoke to Pei Xueyi, probably reprimanding her younger sister again.
Pei Xueyi shrank back, stuck out her tongue, and her wandering gaze quickly met Jiang Geyun's. Her eyes lit up, and the next moment she quickly rushed to the group.
Before she even reached the group, Pei Xueyi had already spoken, her voice gradually increasing in volume, but the joy in her words remained undiminished:
"...Great! Ah Yun, you're here!"
Before Jiang Geyun could respond, Yao Ji, who had been standing beside the Pei siblings, arrived following Pei Xueyi. Addressing the group, the usually emotionless butler's tone unusually angry: "Why are the guests treating the Master of the Manor this way!"
Is the "owner" referring to a different branch?
You're both manor owners, but even after Master Bai died, you weren't this anxious...
As the emotional Yao Ji walked past Jiang Geyun, Cheng Xi stepped forward, separating her from the others. He reached out and brushed the snow off Jiang Geyun's head, asking, "Is my wife cold?"
Jiang Geyun shook her head, about to say something else, when she saw the snow falling on Cheng Xi's shoulder, which he had no time to care about. She hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly patted it off for him.
Taking advantage of Yao Ji's distraction of everyone present, Jiang Geyun patted the snow off Cheng Xi's shoulder and whispered, "My lord, there's no need to worry. I will make sure you leave safely."
Cheng Xi was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently.
Although the gender distinctions in the Great Zhou Dynasty were not very strict, Jiang Geyun still had Mu Jin accompany her to carry the tightly bound flower branch here, without asking the other two people for help.
Upon arriving at the plum garden, the two released Hua Biezhi, allowing her to stand on her own. At this moment, Yao Ji was trying to untie the restraints on Hua Biezhi's body.
Pei Xueyi stepped past Cheng Xi, glanced at Jiang Geyun, then at Hua Biezhi and the other two, tilting her head in a questioning tone. Jiang Geyun looked back and nodded.
Pei Xueyi fell silent, as if deep in thought.
Unconsciously, her gaze swept over Xie Jiming and Mu Jin, as still as falling snow, and as light as a leaf blown away by a breeze, revealing no emotion.
Pei Xueyi approached Jiang Geyun, Yao Ji rushed towards Hua Biezhi, and Pei Xuexiao first exchanged glances with Xie Jiming.
Thanks to Pei Xuexiao's instructions, Xie Jiming did not do anything to Yao Ji who had arrived.
Xie Jiming was pleased to see such instructions. Others might not know, but he was well aware that the most difficult person to deal with in the entire Yunling Manor was probably this pink-haired girl, and he didn't want to provoke her.
The instructions were given by Pei Xuexiao, so even if something goes wrong, he won't have to bear any responsibility, which is for the best.
Looking down, Xie Jiming saw Mu Jin, still in shock, her eyes filled with unease, taking a few steps closer and glancing timidly at him. He took a few steps closer and whispered words of comfort.
Pei Xuexiao slowly walked up to the crowd. After Yao Ji released Hua Biezhi, she took out some bandages and medicine from somewhere, carefully removed the white cloth from Hua Biezhi's hand, and began to bandage it.
He addressed Hua Biezhi, "Sixth Madam, no, perhaps I should call her Master Hua?"
Hua Biezhi looked at Yao Ji, who was healing her wounds. Her gaze had been relatively gentle at first, but upon hearing Pei Xuexiao's question, it instantly turned into her usual cold laugh. She said, "Since you know, why bother testing me?"
The rest of the people in the garden fell silent, watching the exchange between the two.
Pei Xuexiao said, "According to the records of Xuandujian, Yunling Manor was originally the Hua family's villa. The previous person must have been a cuckoo occupying the nest. Fortunately, Heaven has eyes."
Jiang Geyun pondered to herself that Pei Xuexiao's words were probably also meant to appease Hua Biezhi. Now everyone knew who had killed Master Bai, and if Zhaoyeshi investigated the matter thoroughly, Hua Biezhi would certainly not let them off the hook. Therefore, even if it was a pretense, Master Bai had to be punished because "Heaven has eyes."
Jiang Geyun was unaware of the actual relationships among the people in the manor and had no right to comment on these matters, especially since she was a suspect. At this moment, she couldn't bring herself to meddle in other people's business and just wanted to leave the manor and give Xuan Dujian a headache.
Hua Biezhi raised an eyebrow, offering no opinion on Pei Xuexiao's conclusion, and continued to watch Yao Ji bandage her wounds.
Pei Xuexiao's voice also turned colder. He was not fond of smiling to begin with, and his expression was even more displeased at this moment. "I would like to trouble Master Hua to show us the way out."
These direct words surprised Jiang Geyun slightly. Was she so confident in someone else's home turf because she had figured out the strength of the people in the garden, or because she had contacted Xuandujian and gained confidence?
This is good news for her no matter what; has her luck finally turned around?
Yao Ji finished bandaging the wound, swept her loose hair back behind her, and slowly stood up.
Hua Biezhi raised her bandaged hand and examined it for a moment before saying lazily, "What's the rush, Lord Pei? I didn't say I wouldn't let you go."
Pei Xuexiao said, "The princess's order was urgent, so I have no choice but to obey. I thank Master Hua for your help."
"Princess?" Hua Biezhi recalled for a moment and said, "Oh, you mean that madman Zhengyi?"
Upon hearing Hua Biezhi's words, the expressions on everyone's faces immediately varied. Pei Xuexiao promptly shouted, "Master Hua, you mustn't be rude!"
Xie Jiming and Pei Xueyi were initially moved, but upon hearing Pei Xuexiao speak up, their expressions immediately changed, and they nodded repeatedly to show their support for Pei Xuexiao.
Mu Jin hid behind Xie Jiming, so her expression was not visible.
Cheng Xi was briefly stunned by Jiang Geyun's words, and her expression remained unchanged.
However, based on Jiang Geyun's understanding of him, he was probably thinking about something else. When he heard Hua Biezhi's discussion about the royal family, his reaction remained indifferent.
Hua Biezhi withdrew her hand, her tone deliberately exaggerated in her compromise, and said in a drawn-out voice, "Alright, alright—forgive my rudeness—"
As she spoke, she suddenly glanced at Jiang Geyun.
Jiang Geyun felt a little uneasy under that gaze.
Hua Biezhi said, "Everyone can leave. Even if Jiang Yu and Gu Xiang want to leave, I won't stop them, but..."
She smiled knowingly and pointed to two people with her injured hand, "Miss Mu and...Miss Jiang, the Mountain God has decreed that one of them must remain at my manor."
Hua Biezhi didn't say what she was staying for, but when they heard "the mountain god has given an order," everyone had a guess—this immortal they had never met had chosen the offerings He wanted.
Pei Xuexiao's eyes seemed to freeze, and he immediately said, "No, Miss Jiang's..." He stopped talking and changed what he wanted to say, "The princess has ordered that Miss Jiang must go to the capital."
A note from the author:
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Who is it? Who is it? [droopy-eared rabbit head]
Here's a little random musing: My favorite passage about plum blossoms is this: "However, in the park and at the site of the Forbidden City, I saw the early spring of the North. When the ice still covered the North Sea, I saw plum blossoms in full bloom."
Also: I heard that the new version of the app can now add paragraph comments to the writing, is that true?
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