Wen Ruo Fishing
Three days later, the notices on the wall were torn down and replaced, but there were still two of them. One was a notice of trial for the princess case: Young Master Liu had killed his wife and disposed of her body. The evidence was conclusive, and he would be beheaded on a later date.
The area was covered with portraits, which said that a gang of thieves in the martial arts world colluded with the escaped Thousand Zhang, disguised as a woman named Xi You, to first deceive Prince Anping and then steal treasures from Prince Ye's mansion.
Fortunately, the disciples were alert and the treasure has been recovered. The guards fought hard and killed several bandits. However, another accomplice is still at large and has taken hostages. We are now issuing a warrant for their arrest. A reward of one hundred taels of silver will be given for any important clues, and a reward of one thousand taels of silver will be given for anyone who captures them.
After noon, Wen Ruo sat in the shop. The shop door was locked again, and the key was in Shi Liu Niang's hands. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing pale and clean forearms without even a mole. Only that one time, and after that, the Gu worms never moved again.
Tao Yan has disappeared without a trace.
A dilapidated courtyard, covered in cobwebs, creaked open. The overgrown weeds were half a person tall, and the tattered window paper rustled. A flash of sword light appeared, and the unsightly withered leaves fell to the ground. "It's Wen Ruo again. Why?"
"Stop, Jingjiang. Your mother was also headstrong back then, and you know what happened to her. Your master hopes you won't make the same mistake again." Chu Danling stopped him with her sword.
Fu Jingjiang's face was contorted with rage as he pointed at the crooked plaque, his voice hoarse, "Master, I'm not reconciled! Why?"
Why does she have the right to decide other people's fate so easily, just because she's a princess?
Why should Qi Guanlan enjoy all the glory and wealth? In the end, he was nothing but a clown.
Why should Wen Ruo help him?
"Master, you've lived in anonymity for so many years, don't you feel aggrieved for Feishuang Sword? Are you content with Sujian Sect being gone?" Fu Jingjiang's steps were unsteady, and his appearance was erratic. Another name appeared on the walls around the house, and the sword marks were all his hatred: Wen Ruo.
The Flying Frost Sword flashed with a cold light, and the sword and its sheath were thrown to the ground.
A sword is nothing but scrap metal; it can't hurt anyone.
Chu Danling remained silent for a long time. "I raised you to adulthood in place of my sister, but I never imagined that you would still go down the wrong path."
Fu Jingjiang laughed, then said hatefully, "I am a bandit."
Should she say that blood is thicker than water? Chu Danling closed her eyes, concealing the disappointment in them, and said in a slightly somber tone, "You and my sister chose the same path."
Fu Jingjiang hung his head, his voice choked, "Aunt Ling, don't you want me anymore either?"
Chu Danling sighed and gently stroked his hair a few times. Her gaze lingered on his ear, where she saw a small notch from when he was young practicing swordsmanship. His defiant look was just like Chu Danyin's. In a moment of distraction, she accidentally injured him.
He was still young then, and even with blood streaming from his ear, he still held his sword and comforted her, saying that he would definitely revive the Sujian Sect.
Looking at him like this, it was as if time had turned back to that year. Chu Danling looked around and saw that the wall plaster had long since fallen off and the bloodstains that had been splattered everywhere had been buried by the wind and sand. Even if she had taken her revenge, the Su Jian Sect would no longer exist.
She had come to terms with it, but Jing Jiang had gone astray, drinking had led to trouble. Chu Danling remembered her drunken words and her heart softened again. She said apologetically:
"Let matters of the martial world be settled within the martial world. Tao Qianzhang has also been poisoned. I will take care of the aftermath for you. You don't need to get involved. It's good that the Purple Cold Brush is lost. Anyway, your father wasn't a good person either."
Fu Jingjiang lowered his head and mumbled something. He thought his plan was flawless, but it still failed at the last minute.
Yu Niang is right, Wen Ruo cannot be kept.
The shop, which had been closed for a long time, finally started to move. A notice was posted on the door, and Wen Ruo took a brush and painted another layer on the wall, giving priority to those who were quick-witted, fast-footed, and articulate.
Let's see when Wen Taigong fishes and Tao Yan takes the bait.
Although she was unable to practice martial arts, Tao Yan's Gu poison had kept her alive and kicking until now, which was a great gift. It was her duty to collect his body.
The next day, Wen Ruo came out again. The table next to the sesame soup stall was already occupied. The stall owner scooped up a spoonful and poured it straight into the bowl, no more, no less, while calling out to the next customer.
Wen Ruo had just chosen a spot and sat down when another person approached the stall. The stall owner glanced at him and said loudly, "The other table is full, young lady. Would the scholar mind sharing a table?"
She naturally didn't mind. Of the two tables, only the one next to her was empty. The scholar clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, pulled out a bench, and sat down.
Wen Ruo picked out a spoon without a nick and placed it in front of him, curiously examining the other person. Had the scholar made some money? In the past, he had only seen it described in books as "quenching thirst by looking at plums," but this time it hadn't stopped.
"My surname is Chu, and my given name is Jingjiang. May I ask your honorable name, young lady? I have not yet thanked you for saving my life."
Wen Ruo frowned at first, then realized that he might be referring to the money for the calligraphy, and then laughed, "Wen Ruo, I dare not accept your life-saving grace."
Five coins to talk about saving a life? How poor must this scholar be, or does he need her help? Wen Ruo felt a little wary; being soft-hearted towards men was never a good thing.
"At that time, I happened to need a piece of calligraphy. The scholar didn't need to think too much about it; it was just a transaction."
The sesame soup was placed in front of me in an instant, steaming hot.
He swallowed, then stopped talking and just drank quietly, occasionally revealing a hint of surprise, as if this bowl of spicy soup was the most delicious thing in the world to him.
The scholar ate quickly and hurriedly. After finishing his breakfast and exchanging a few pleasantries, he returned to his stall and continued sitting. Perhaps out of boredom, he took out a book from his sleeve and began to read intently, completely absorbed in it.
Wen Ruo chewed the peanuts slowly and deliberately. The stall owner used generous ingredients, and after half a bowl of soup, her body was already warmed up. A genuine smile appeared on her face, indicating that she had been overthinking things.
"Miss, would you like to share a table?"
When Wen Ruo looked up, she saw Qi Guanlan sitting in the spot where the scholar had just been. She turned to look behind her and saw that a different group of people had taken over. It seemed that she had been the one interfering with the stall owner's business.
Qi Guanlan looked tired, raised his hand to ask for a bowl, yawned, looked around, then moved to her left and whispered, "Do you know Xi You?"
Wen Ruo paused, shook her head, and said, "Why do you ask that?"
The soup was served quickly. Perhaps seeing his wealthy attire, the stall owner picked out the cleanest bowl. Qi Guanlan took a sip and then put it aside. "I remembered something. When you were unconscious, you said that Xi You was dead. Could it be that you are really related by blood, and that she appeared to you in a dream? Did you dream about anything else? Recently, that group of people has been quiet, and there are no clues at all."
Wen Ruo put down her spoon, speechless. "Wait!"
Qi Guanlan immediately sat up straight.
Ten fingers flashed before her eyes. Wen Ruo closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again. Her expression was indifferent, and there was no emotion in her eyes. Her dark pupils were unfathomable. Qi Guanlan was mesmerized and so nervous that he forgot to breathe.
Only after the steam in the bowl had dissipated and his face was flushed did Qi Guanlan give up, but he couldn't help asking, "Why isn't there any?"
"That's right. I'm not a sorceress, and I don't know any witchcraft. Why are you talking nonsense?" Wen Ruo withdrew her cold gaze, lowered her head, and took another sip. It was still warm.
"You're playing me."
Qi Guanlan's face remained flushed for a long time, and her expression was filled with resentment. "It's all your fault. If you hadn't startled me, I wouldn't have let Zhao Heng look for her. Someone would have taken advantage of the situation. Looking at it this way, it's all your fault. Help me think of something. Old Master He is very skilled and his whereabouts are unknown. I have to save him."
Wen Ruo put down two copper coins and laughed, "I've thought about it for a long time, and I guess I have to blame you."
"On the surface, you're the one who brought this on, but judging from the outcome, it seems like it was all aimed at the princess. It's better for you to behave yourself than anything else."
Qi Guanlan thought for a long time, then pouted and said, "I've been behaving myself lately, haven't I?"
"Keep it up."
Wen Ruo stood up and was about to leave when Qi Guanlan hurriedly put down a piece of silver and followed behind her, constantly asking, "Where are we going? What should we do?" He buzzed around her like a bee.
"Of course, I'll buy tofu pudding."
"I want some too."
The shop's main entrance was wide open. Inside, three tables were pushed together, and three chairs were placed on each side. The wooden shelves had already been arranged and placed in the backyard. Upon entering, the space was bright and spacious.
One or two people occasionally came to the door, but after hearing the request, they all shook their heads angrily and left. The reason was nothing more than that one of her requirements was that the elderly should go first.
"You're not fully recovered yet, and you're already rushing to open for business?" Qi Guanlan glanced at the contents as he passed by and frowned. "Did your mother agree?"
She wants to hire older people who are quick and agile. What is she thinking? She'll never be able to find anyone in her life, so she'll have to run errands herself.
Wen Ruo quickly called the people out. Shi Liu Niang and Mr. Yi entered the hall one after the other, their expressions as usual. "How's the taste? What do you think we should hang on both sides of the shop to attract customers?"
Qi Guanlan felt a sudden surge of anger, turned to look at Mr. Yi, his face darkening as if about to erupt, "You are a divine physician, how can you let her play with this! Her poison is not yet cured."
Mr. Yi had a mouthful of tofu pudding in his mouth. He looked at Wen Ruo and his mouth moved slowly. Wen Ruo raised the corners of her mouth, a half-smile on her face, and suddenly said, "I'm just hiring someone. I didn't say I was going to open for business. But I'll use my brain and make some plans first."
Qi Guanlan said irritably, "Take a break. Whenever you use your brain, nothing good ever comes of it."
"How did Her Highness get out?"
"Alright, but the medicine can't be wasted."
Wen Ruo moved her fingers and said slowly, "I've got it. How about writing 'Young Hero' on the left?"
Qi Guanlan's eyelids twitched, and he secretly glanced at the person opposite him. The old man was actually chuckling to himself. Could it be that the two of them knew about this calligraphy? Zhao Heng was such a loose tongue.
Shiliu's mother said she was full and left with her bowl and chopsticks. She was even more domineering than her uncle. Seeing that her mother was powerful, no one stopped her.
Qi Guanlan awkwardly scooped up a mouthful of tofu pudding to calm his nerves, his tone softening slightly as he said submissively, "Manager Wen, please make the decision."
"On the left, I write 'Young hero emerges from my own hand,' and on the right, I write 'Talented scholar and beautiful lady enter your door.' I've thought about this for a long time, young master, what do you think?"
"That's fine, as long as you like it." Qi Guanlan gritted his teeth secretly, enduring it. Once she recovered, no, once he found Elder He, he would never speak to her again. She was already taking advantage of his kindness, and now she called herself his sworn sister? He didn't want that; she'd be jumping on air in the future.
"You want to be a matchmaker?"
Only two people remained in the shop. Wen Ruo held a cup of hot tea and looked towards the door. Without exception, no one who came in even crossed the threshold. Qi Guanlan leaned back lazily in his chair. The shop was empty from top to bottom, and apart from people, there was really nothing to pass the time.
"This will have to rely on Young Master Qi. Young Master, why don't you take the lead first? That way, I'm sure I'll have a lot of customers."
Qi Guanlan paused for a moment, pointed to himself, and said in astonishment, "Me?"
He sneered, his knuckles cracking as he gritted his teeth and said, "You've got guts, huh?"
Wen Ruo picked up a chair, took a few steps back, and laughed, "Just kidding. Everyone outside is saying I'm your mistress. How could I possibly be doing business? People's hearts are unpredictable, and besides, you keep coming over. I have no way to explain myself."
Qi Guanlan sat down with his legs together, somewhat embarrassed. "It was my oversight."
"Although I'm stuck here, I know you mean well. But you can't judge a book by its cover, so young master, you should think more about this in the future."
"You mean if I ask you to arrange a marriage, the rumors will fall apart on their own?" Qi Guanlan considered it for a moment, then shook his head with a look of resistance. "No, I'll find you another shop."
Wen Ruo felt a warmth in her heart, and said with deep emotion, "Well, they say there's no place like home, and it's true. I'm starting to miss the crabapple tree at home. I wonder if it will bloom next year, as it always has."
Qi Guanlan was silent for a moment, then said, "You wait."
He ran off like a gust of wind, leaving Wen Ruo completely bewildered.
What are we waiting for?
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