Chapter 46 Do you regret it?
Bai Hua blocked Ning Jue's sword, her fingertips trembling slightly. Seeing Chen Fu block it, she reached out and grabbed Ning Jue's arm with lingering fear to prevent him from launching another attack.
Ning Jue frowned, lifted Bai Hua's wrist, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that her palm was unharmed.
His expression was grim, and he snapped, "Trying to block the Azure Shadow Sword with your bare hands? Don't you want your hands anymore?"
Bai Hua explained softly, "I know you won't hurt me, young master."
Ning Jue was at a loss with her, unsure whether to be angry at her impulsiveness or gratified by her trust in him.
Bai Hua glanced sideways and noticed Jiu Qiu hiding behind Chen Fu, trembling with fear, her face pale with fright. She quickly told Ning Jue about Jiu Qiu's kindness in delaying her at Fang Lun Villa that day.
Upon hearing this, Ning Jue did not immediately respond, his expression remaining indifferent.
This woman suddenly appeared out of nowhere, like a storyteller. She first approached Chen Fuyan to repay a debt of gratitude, and then sought out Bai Hua. Her identity changed, and she became the one who had done the favor. She inexplicably became connected with all of them.
At this critical juncture of heading south, her deliberate approach inevitably aroused suspicion.
Ning Jue pushed Chen Fu away, stood in front of Jiu Qiu, and forced her to face him directly. Any small movements or expressions that revealed her fear were hard to hide.
Their eyes met, and he stared intently into her eyes as he asked, "Miss Jiu's brilliant statement was flawed; who can testify against it?"
Jiuqiu took a breath, looked back, and said calmly, "He can testify to the truth of how I met Young Master Chen. As for my relationship with Miss Apeng, no one can prove it. When I was desperately clinging to Fang Lun, it might seem to outsiders as jealousy, but apart from myself, no one could see that I had any intention of helping him. If you are still suspicious and worried, I will not insist on traveling with you. I will disembark at the next ferry crossing in Suizhou."
Bai Hua, having accepted his request, couldn't remain silent. She carefully tugged at Ning Jue's arm from behind and advised, "Young master, please don't make things difficult for Miss Jiuqiu. Although I was not fully conscious at the time, I did vaguely hear a woman's mournful cries. However, I was too confused then and thought it was just my imagination in my sleep, without connecting it to anything else. Now, after hearing Miss Jiuqiu's earnest account of what happened, I understand the whole story. Young master, please put away your sword and don't frighten her."
Ning Jue: "How can we believe her based solely on her word?"
Bai Hua: "Young Master..."
She was about to say something more when Ning Jue interrupted her, turning to Chen Fu and asking, "What do you think?"
Chen Fu avoided looking at Jiu Qiu again, and stated calmly, "I believe that sending Miss Jiu Qiu to the next ferry crossing to disembark would be the most prudent course of action."
Jiuqiu hesitated, but seeing Chen Fu's resolute expression, she felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Clearly, her act of repaying his kindness had become a burden that put him in a dilemma.
Out of the corner of his eye, Chen Fu noticed that Jiu Qiu's gaze was listless and pleading, but she hardened her heart and turned her head away, coldly offering no response.
In any case, getting off the ship would save her life.
Away from the hustle and bustle, find your own place, and you will know how vast the world is.
Bai Hua and Jiu Qiu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with apology. Jiu Qiu smiled and shook her head at her, comforting her in a relaxed manner that it was alright, and that this outcome was not too unexpected.
Ning Jue sheathed his sword and left with Bai Hua.
Bai Hua kept turning back to look, and just then she saw Chen Fu walking behind her, and she couldn't help but look out as well.
She was puzzled. Did Chen Fu want people to stay, or did he not?
...
The ferry docked at Suizhou, and we arrived there after noon.
Bai Hua didn't even have time to have a meal with Jiu Qiu or offer her a toast to express her gratitude before watching her lonely figure as she disembarked and left with a thin bag on her back.
As her gaze drifted into the distance, she felt a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease.
With no parents and no home to rely on, where could Jiuqiu go?
Bai Hua felt annoyed with herself, thinking that she couldn't even handle such a small matter as pleading for Ning Jue. She had overestimated her influence in Ning Jue's eyes. It turned out that her suggestions were insignificant and could not sway the young master in the slightest. She blamed herself for being presumptuous and taking herself too seriously.
On the other side, Ning Jue and Chen Fu were also watching Jiu Qiu's figure disembarking from the shadows. After confirming that she hadn't played any tricks, they exchanged a glance but remained silent.
The boat would dock at the shore for several hours before setting off just before dusk. During this time, the boatmen would replenish their supplies of food and water, while the passengers were free to move around, disembark, and stroll to pass the time.
However, it's best not to go too far. If you can't get back within the allotted time, the ship won't wait for you, and your ticket won't be refunded.
The first wave of passengers had already disembarked in droves. Many people bought some seasonal fruits at stalls near the dock, while others went a little further, probably because they were craving something nice and wanted to have a good meal at a restaurant in the city.
Ning Jue walked to Bai Hua's side and asked her, "Come off the boat with me. There's a place I'd like to visit, in Suizhou City, not far away. Also, if there's anything you'd like to eat, we can buy it together."
Because of Jiuqiu's matter, Baihua harbored resentment and was dissatisfied with Ningjue's coldness and inflexibility.
She shook her head, pouting slightly, and said, "I didn't sleep well last night, and I feel tired. I don't want to go anywhere. The boat has finally stopped rocking, so I need to catch up on some sleep."
Chen Fu had already gone elsewhere, and now only the two of them were standing face to face near the mast.
Ning Jue took a half step forward, glanced down, and when he spoke, the corners of his lips curled up almost imperceptibly: "We slept together last night, and I didn't see you sleep badly when I was beside you. On the contrary, you were sleeping soundly with your eyes closed. Why do you want to catch up on sleep before evening?"
Bai Hua was already annoyed, and now he was deliberately teasing and joking her. She pursed her lips, raised her hand unhappily, and punched him.
Ning Jue took two blows, but felt no pain or itch.
He cupped Bai Hua's fist in his palm and spoke in a gentler tone: "The ship has finally docked after so long, come walk with me. We're about to enter the southern Fujian border, and it won't be convenient to disembark at the next ferry crossing."
Seeing him show weakness, Bai Hua hesitated for a moment, but ultimately softened and reluctantly agreed.
Ning Jue greeted Chen Fu briefly, then, without further delay, headed straight for Suizhou City with Bai Hua.
On the way, Bai Hua asked curiously, "Where are you taking me, young master? Do you have relatives or friends in Suizhou?"
“I have no relatives or friends.” After denying it, Ning Jue told her the truth, “Suizhou is my teacher’s wife’s hometown. I lived here for a while when I was a child. Since I’m passing by, I thought I’d take you to visit it again.”
I see.
Thinking of something, Bai Hua blurted out, "I heard you mention earlier that Master and Mistress passed away in Jingqi. Where are they buried now?"
Ning Jue probably knew what Bai Hua wanted to ask, and answered her: "He was buried in the suburbs of the capital, but there is a memorial hall for the Ning family descendants in Suizhou, and the memorial tablets of Master and Mistress are also erected in the Ning family ancestral hall."
It seems quite rare for a daughter who has married out of the family and her husband who has a different surname to keep memorial tablets in their own ancestral hall, unless... the man has married into the family.
That's the famous Sword Saint, Situ Kong...
Marrying into another family?
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Bai Hua immediately dismissed it, deeming it utterly impossible.
Ning Jue glanced sideways, noticing the change in Bai Hua's expression, and asked, "What are you thinking about, so focused?"
Bai Hua awkwardly came to her senses, not daring to tell Ning Jue the truth—that she was wondering whether his master had married into the family.
That's so disrespectful.
She replied casually, "No...it's nothing. I just don't understand why, since my master's wife has already married out of the family, the double memorial tablets are still in the Ning family."
Ning Jue led her forward, speaking naturally without any affectation: "It's very simple. When Master was young, he married into the woman's family. After his death, his memorial tablet naturally remained in the woman's family. How can you not understand this?"
"..."
It's not that she can't understand it, it's that she simply doesn't dare to think that way.
The Sword Saint, one of the four great masters of the martial arts world, was renowned and his fame was so great that even a sheltered young lady like her had heard of him, which shows how influential and far-reaching his reputation was.
Such a person, how could he be a mere son-in-law?
It's not that she has worldly prejudices, but rather that the two are simply not easy to associate.
Ning Jue found it amusing to see her eyes widen slightly and asked, "You seem quite surprised?"
Bai Hua was careful to choose her words precisely, afraid that her unintentional expression might be considered disrespectful.
She said cautiously, "There were some unexpected events. The Sword Saint is really... unconventional."
The phrase "not bothered by trifles" is usually a compliment, and Bai Hua's statement clearly indicates she didn't want to cause herself any trouble.
Ning Jue noticed her unease. After she finished speaking, he couldn't help but steal a glance at her. He asked helplessly, "What are you worried about? You're so tense even when we're just chatting."
Bai Hua was taken aback and had to admire the young master's insight.
Bai Hua was embarrassed when he saw through her so easily, and replied truthfully: "Young Master has always avoided mentioning his deceased master and mistress. I just mentioned it unintentionally, and that's how we started chatting. But I'm still worried that if I accidentally offended Young Master, he might take his anger out on me."
Ning Jue clicked his tongue, stopped in his tracks, and asked her, supporting himself with his hands, "Tell me, when have I ever taken my anger out on you? As for you, just don't take your anger out on me because of outsiders."
He was referring to the matter of driving away Jiuqiu.
Bai Hua refused to back down, saying, "...Young Master was indeed too domineering in what happened with Jiu Qiu."
Ning Jue responded: "I was wrong to protect you?"
Bai Hua: "She's just a weak woman with no strength to even kill a chicken. What trouble could she possibly cause under your and Chen Fu's noses? Besides, she's not a bad person. She did help me before. Isn't your caution a bit excessive, young master?"
She rarely spoke to him in such a harsh tone, yet now, for the sake of a woman she had only met once, she went so far as to speak to him sharply and sternly several times.
Ning Jue felt helpless, but couldn't really lash out at her, so he felt really frustrated.
He sighed, "Now I truly understand the frustration Zang Fan felt when he advised me back then."
Bai Hua asked him, "What did Young Master Zang say to you, sir?"
Ning Jue brushed it off lightly: "They advised me to send you away, saying you were a bad person, a source of trouble, but I wouldn't listen and insisted on keeping you."
After saying that, he looked at Bai Hua curiously, wanting to see what kind of interesting reaction she would have.
Bai Hua has improved and will no longer be completely led by the nose by him.
She countered Ning Jue's question: "Young Master was the one who insisted on keeping people back then, and I am now too. Do you think you made a mistake? Do you regret it? And where have I gone wrong?"
"Quick-witted and eloquent."
Ning Jue hadn't expected this girl to be so quick-witted; she actually stumped him with three questions in a row.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Pedestrians kept passing by, and someone drove a donkey cart over from a distance, calling out to make way. Bai Hua noticed this, and was the first to look away, pulling Ning Jue aside.
Bai Hua snorted, deciding not to argue with him, and said magnanimously, "Since you can't answer, then forget it..."
She was interrupted before she could finish speaking.
Ning Jue looked at her and replied firmly, "I did nothing wrong, and I don't regret it."
Bai Hua blinked, then pressed her advantage, asking, "And what about me?"
Ning Jue reached out and poked Bai Hua's forehead, not tolerating her audacity, and urged in a deep voice, "Let's go quickly, the ship's docking time is limited, we need to hurry and return."
Bai Hua nodded and tried her best to keep up with Ning Jue's pace; both of them noticeably quickened their pace.
Ning Jue then asked her, "Are you still curious about what I just told you?"
Bai Hua thought the topic had been moved on, but she didn't expect the young master to bring it up again.
Things that Ning Jue used to keep secret from her, he can now share and talk about with a normal heart. Bai Hua doesn't know if it's because Ning Jue has opened up, or if in his eyes, their relationship has taken a step further and they can share their innermost thoughts.
If it's the former, Bai Hua is happy for Ning Jue.
But if it's the latter... she's afraid she can't live up to the young master's trust, and hearing it will only deepen her guilt.
Bai Hua replied, "Of course I am curious, but if it involves privacy, you can keep it to yourself, and I will respect that."
Ning Jue said, "It's not a private matter at all. Many people know about it, so what if one more person knows? Besides, my master is not ashamed of marrying into the Ning family; on the contrary, he is quite pleased with it."
Bai Hua: "Smug and self-satisfied?"
Ning Jue explained, “My master was originally an orphan, and his wife’s father was Ning Yang, a great swordsman of the time. By chance, my master became his disciple and studied swordsmanship diligently. Because of his extraordinary talent, he was valued by the great swordsman Ning, inherited his mantle, and married the great swordsman Ning’s only daughter. Over the years, my master has long regarded the great swordsman Ning as his father. After marrying his wife, he voluntarily entered the Ning family genealogy. He didn’t care about worldly opinions at all. He only knew that from then on, he was a man who truly had a family, and of course he was happy.”
"I see..." Bai Hua listened attentively, her mind racing. She immediately asked, "Then, young master's surname is Ning, is it the same as your master's wife's?"
Ning Jue smiled, her tone relaxed and filled with happiness: "Yes, it's the name my master gave me, what do you think?"
Bai Hua sincerely said, "It's simple and pleasant to hear. The name was given by my master, and the surname is my master's wife's surname. To them, the young master must be an exceptionally precious person."
Ning Jue was smiling at first, but slowly, for some reason, the smile faded, and he didn't respond for a long time.
His mood soured, and his neck subtly tilted upwards, his head slightly raised.
Bai Hua noticed that when she looked closely at the young master's eyes, they were indeed a little red.
She tightened her grip on his hand, gently comforting him, "If you miss them, young master, when you go to the ancestral hall to offer incense, you can talk to them about your feelings. If they are watching from heaven, they will surely hear you."
Ning Jue grasped her hand in return, his voice husky with barely concealed raspiness, and nodded in agreement, "Okay."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
