Chapter 40 040 Pretending to be at odds
Although he couldn't swallow his anger, Xie Jue didn't dare to say a word.
Xie Qingyu clearly liked Shen Xiaochan quite a bit; at least she didn't intend to make Shen Xiaochan drop out of Tianyuan Academy.
Xie Jue's face turned bright red. Although she was reluctant, she didn't say a word.
Given Xie Qingyu's status, few could refute Yuan Yuantian's claim.
Just then, a sweet, melodious female voice rang out: "Let it go? How can we just let it go like that? When Tianyuan Prefecture admits young cultivators, talent is certainly important, but the most crucial thing is virtue. Virtue refers to moral character. If we indulge them privately, wouldn't that break the rules of Tianyuan Prefecture?"
Ming Xueyou spoke.
Young Master Mu paid little attention to worldly matters, and had Mingxue and Youlan by his side to manage affairs.
Tianyuan Palace was guarded by a wisp of the soul of the Great Evolution Immortal Venerable, hence Ming Xueyou also got involved in some affairs of Tianyuan Palace.
Ming Xueyou is not cold-hearted; she enjoys chatting and laughing with people.
In the past, Ming Xueyou would usually be kind and wouldn't hold a grudge in such a situation. But today, Ming Xueyou was a bit relentless.
Xie Qingyu initially thought that guess was a bit unreliable, but now she wondered if Fairy Ming really minded.
Shen Xiaochun, unaware of the situation, was a little angry and chimed in, "That's right, if you didn't do it, you didn't do it. I'll find out for myself."
Xie Qingyu felt a little agitated, but she suppressed this irritation and glanced at Xie Jue, who had his head down.
Xie Jue also had his own little schemes.
Jiang Yingxue came from the lower realm, and the Jiang family had instructed her not to cause trouble in the second heaven.
As for Ling Xiaoshuang, she is timid.
When Xie Jue first used a snake to scare Ling Xiaoshuang, he was a little apprehensive. However, Ling Xiaoshuang never complained, and Xie Jue gradually became bolder, often using his spirit pet to frighten her.
Ling Xiaoshuang was introverted; she was the kind of person who wouldn't dare to utter a sound even when bullied.
A short while later, Jiang Yingxue was brought up, along with Ling Xiaoshuang.
Shen Zhiwei wasn't the only parent summoned; Ling Bingchen was also among them.
Ling Bingchen knew that Xiaoshuang was naturally afraid of snakes, so his expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and he also took this matter quite seriously.
Xie Qingyu guessed that it was Ming Xueyou's underhanded tricks that had blown up such a small matter, and she was quite annoyed.
At this moment, Shen Zhiwei, the person in question, also arrived.
Rushing to Yuanyuan Heaven, Shen Zhiwei's cheeks flushed red, clearly indicating that she had arrived in a hurry.
Xie Qingyu thought that Shen Zhiwei was extremely busy managing the sect and taking care of the children. For some reason, when he looked at Shen Zhiwei, she didn't seem as sharp and proud as before, which made Xie Qingyu feel a little strange.
Shen Zhiwei seemed a little surprised, not expecting such a grand gathering, with even Ling Bingchen, the master of the execution platform, coming.
Xie Qingyu bypassed Jiang Yingxue and asked Ling Xiaoshuang directly, "Xiaoshuang, Xiao Chan said she only helped you drive away the snake and touched Xie Jue's spirit pet, but didn't do anything to it, is that right?"
Jiang Yingxue felt a little uncomfortable. Her family taught her to be polite, not to cause trouble, and to be humble in all things. Jiang Yingxue didn't like to stand out and was usually obedient.
But Xie Jue lied when he opened his mouth.
She thought Xiaoshuang seemed timid, and if she didn't dare to say anything, she could vouch for Xiaochan.
Unexpectedly, Ling Xiaoshuang exclaimed, "There was a small snake. It startled me, and then Xiao Chan caught it and released it instead of hiding it."
Shen Xiaochun blurted out, "And Xiaoshuang, you also told me that you always saw that green snake in Tianyuan Prefecture, right?"
Ling Xiaoshuang speaks slowly by nature, her eyes slightly vacant: "I did mention it, and later I even talked to Xiao Chan about it."
Ling Bingchen also realized the seriousness of the problem. Her usually icy face flushed red as she couldn't hold back any longer: "Anything else?"
Ling Xiaoshuang: "I also ate something with them and chatted for a while."
She has a good memory, and counting on her fingers, she said, "We ate rose cake and osmanthus pastry—"
Shen Xiaochun reacted quickly: "You still say that it's always the same snake, and you suspect that someone is deliberately scaring you."
Ling Xiaoshuang nodded: "I did say that—"
Ling Xiaoshuang spoke slowly; for every sentence she said, Shen Xiaochuan would rattle off three. Shen Xiaochuan quickly replied, "You still doubt Xie Jue, thinking he's just trying to scare you?"
Ling Xiaoshuang thought to herself that Xie Jue had already admitted it, so she said, "I did have that suspicion before, but I told Xiao Chan and Xiao Xue not to tell anyone."
Ling Bingchen gritted her teeth and suddenly said sharply, "Ling Xiaoshuang, in your eyes, is the Ling family just someone who has to compromise and suffer humiliation like this? Why don't you say it?"
Ling Bingchen's questioning was clearly a mixture of heartache and anger.
Not only Ling Bingchen wanted to ask, but Xie Jue also wanted to ask.
Xie Jue never expected that Ling Xiaoshuang would be so candid.
If that's the case, why does Ling Xiaoshuang never complain?
She was the apple of the Ling family's eye; the Ling siblings treated her, their little sister, like their own heart and soul, and would not tolerate her suffering the slightest grievance.
Not to mention the Ling family, Xie Qingyu also cared for them very much, always asking Ling Xiaoshuang if she was missing anything or if she was unhappy in Tianyuan Prefecture.
Ling Xiaoshuang didn't mention a word of these things, which made Xie Jue think that she had some psychological problems and was a silent person who wouldn't fight back after being bullied.
Unexpectedly, Ling Xiaoshuang spoke her mind today. Although she spoke slowly, she still complained very fluently.
Ling Xiaoshuang, on the contrary, was curious as to why her brother was so excited, and glanced at Ling Bingchen with a bit of confusion.
"Because this is just speculation, there is no evidence."
"If we guess wrong, everyone will gossip about it, and Sect Leader Xie will question us. If we wrong Xie Jue like that, the child will be heartbroken."
Although Ling Xiaoshuang was just a child.
She was unwilling to inherit the execution platform because it was so troublesome, but she still had to abide by the rules.
She said, "Brother, didn't you say that there must be evidence to convict someone on the execution platform? You can't convict someone based on conjecture."
Ling Bingchen's eyes suddenly reddened, and he hugged his younger sister tightly.
He muttered, "That's true."
Xie Jue, however, sensed that something was terribly wrong. Ling Xiaoshuang wasn't a quiet person; she was a secretly passionate one.
Xie Jue didn't feel ashamed at all; instead, he felt that he had been set up.
Although Ling Xiaoshuang was slow to act, she gradually grew angry and turned to look at Xie Jue: "Xie Jue, why did you do this?"
Ling Xiaoshuang was also a little angry.
Shen Xiaochun blurted out, "They definitely want you to leave Tianyuan Prefecture."
This matter is quite complicated.
Xie Qingyu remained calm, but Ming Xueyou seemed somewhat annoyed, giving Xie Jue a fierce glare, probably thinking that Xie Jue was not very useful.
Xie Jue wanted to defend himself, but then heard Xie Jue calmly order, "Xiao Jue, kneel down."
Xie Jue dared not utter a sound and knelt on the ground.
Xie Qingyu calmly ordered, "Such behavior warrants ten days of confinement as a warning to others."
Xie Jue's face turned pale, and she looked somewhat unwilling, but she didn't dare to argue.
Shen Xiaochun added fuel to the fire: "Mother, if I did these things, would I still be able to stay in Tianyuan Mansion?"
Shen Zhiwei said with great distress: "That's definitely not going to work, but since we come from the lower realm, we have to take it seriously."
Ming Xueyou was enraged, her face turning unfriendly: "What are you saying, Sect Leader Shen? The rules of Tianyuan Prefecture have always been extremely strict. This ten-day confinement is merely a family rule of the Xie family. According to the rules of Tianyuan Prefecture, such frightening of fellow cultivators and framing others should be punished with ten lashes and temporary expulsion from school for recuperation."
As she said this, Ming Xueyou also gave Xie Qingyu a look, probably thinking that Xie Jue was just a disciple of Xie Qingyu's clan, and although Xie Qingyu had promoted him, it wouldn't matter if he was punished.
As expected, Xie Qingyu remained somber and did not refute, which made Xie Jue's expression even more unpleasant.
After giving her daughter some more instructions, Shen Zhiwei's meeting with the parents came to an end.
As Shen Zhiwei was about to leave Tianyuan Mansion, she coincidentally bumped into Ming Xueyou again.
Now that there was no one else around, the atmosphere between the two was somewhat unspoken and subtle.
Ming Xueyou thought of what had just happened and wanted to laugh, but she held it back. Then she put on a serious face.
"For such a trivial matter, you call me to take the lead. Aren't you afraid that Xie Qingyu will notice something?"
Shen Zhiwei didn't take it seriously: "Sect Leader Xie probably thinks we're having a fight, why would he think so much?"
When Xie Qingyu was mentioned, Shen Zhiwei's expression showed a subtle disdain.
She and Ming Xueyou were closer than others imagined, and they got along very well in private.
Now, Shen Zhiwei is in the second heaven, with someone above him, and an inside accomplice in the Yuan Yuan Heaven.
Ming Xueyou is Shen Zhiwei's inside accomplice.
In fact, without Ming Xueyou as an inside agent, Shen Zhiwei's script wouldn't have worked.
Shen Zhiwei had her blood drawn twice. The first time was a group blood draw, and the blood was delivered by a new disciple named Achuan.
On his way to deliver blood, A-Chuan encountered Ming Xueyou. Ming Xueyou took the initiative to greet him and chatted for a few minutes, which flattered A-Chuan.
The second blood draw was conducted by Ming Xueyou, who took blood one-on-one.
Then it could only be that Ming Xueyou did something to tamper with it for her.
Shen Zhiwei was already used to cooperating with Ming Xueyou.
Back when she was still Tian Shu, she had a habit of feigning discord with Ming Xue You Ren.
At that time, others thought that Ming Xueyou was in love with Tanlang and was resentful that Tanlang favored his junior sister, so she had a fight with Tian Shu.
Shen Zhiwei shook her head and said briefly, "Look at this hairpin on my head. Mu Wuxian is keeping a close eye on me. You have to help me find a solution."
Ming Xueyou was quite adept at manipulating her boss, and offered a suggestion: "The only way forward now is to retreat. I will go and flatter her, saying that although Fairy Tian Shu is no longer here, Your Majesty need not suffer. Why not have Shen Shi by your side as a substitute for Tian Shu, which would be somewhat comforting?"
Mu Wuxian would have played "Hate the Sea and Sunny Day" long ago if he wanted to; he doesn't seem like a script enthusiast.
Shen Zhiwei nodded: "Even if he has this idea, after you said it like that, he will definitely consider himself noble and won't agree."
Ming Xueyou sighed, "It seems you really don't like him."
Shen Zhiwei was puzzled: "Of course I like him. He's good-looking, and in other aspects, well, he's also very good. It's just a pity that he probably won't like me back."
If Young Master Mu's body is the same as Yin Wujiu's, that would be excellent.
While Xie Jue was alone with Xie Qingyu, a hint of unease and fear crept into his expression.
Although Xie Qingyu didn't say anything harsh, Xie Jue vaguely sensed that his uncle wasn't very happy.
Xie Qingyu values her reputation highly, but she lost face today, especially in front of Shen Zhiwei, which clearly made her quite unhappy.
Xie Jue knelt down instinctively, his voice trembling, "Uncle, I was wrong."
His face was pale as he looked at the lotus blossoms embroidered on the hem of Xie Qingyu's dark robe, and listened to his own heart pounding.
Xie Qingyu did not help him up.
He stood in front of Xie Jue, but his voice seemed to come from a great distance: "I didn't tell you to do these things, did I?"
Xie Jue looked up pitifully, his voice trembling slightly, as if in urgency: "I thought, I thought Uncle didn't want that Ling Xiaoshuang to stay in Tianyuan Prefecture."
The room was quiet for a while.
Looking at Xie Jue's pitiful face, Xie Qingyu bent down and said in a deep voice, "That's what I naturally thought, but not in this way. Her parents have been kind to me, and I often say that I should repay them. Others have heard these words, and you have naturally heard them too. I'm also sincere; I think that Xiao Shuang is just a girl, why should she be caught up in the bloodshed and violence?"
"She has a gentle nature, so what's wrong with doing what she likes? When she gets older and her heart begins to stir with love, she can marry a handsome and upright young master from a prestigious immortal family, have children, and live a happy and carefree life. And I, her Uncle Xie, will always take good care of her, and no one will be allowed to bully her. Her marriage and her life will never be troubled in the slightest. Whoever she sets her sights on, that person will be loyal to her for life."
"And that's how she repays her parents for saving her life. Don't you think that's wonderful?"
This is the conduct of a true gentleman, worthy of Xie Qingyu's gentle and refined demeanor.
Now, as he spoke eloquently, his words caused Xie Jue to break out in a cold sweat, as if he were about to faint.
Xie Qingyu's eyes, however, were sharp as knives, revealing her extreme displeasure.
He pinched Xie Jue's chin with his fingers and leaned closer: "Besides, if you want Ling Xiaoshuang to drop out of school, all you have to do is praise her. Why do you have to be so despicable?"
Xie Jue ruined everything.
Ling Bingchen doesn't know how to respect his younger sister, venting all the family's anxieties on a child. However, Ling Xiaoshuang is a smart child and naturally knows what's best for her.
Such meticulous work reveals no trace of conspiracy or trickery; everything is upright and aboveboard, leaving no trace.
Isn't this a thousand times, ten thousand times more sophisticated than Xie Jue's underhanded methods?
Xie Jue felt as if he had been struck by lightning, a surge of electricity shooting from his toes to the top of his head.
Xie Qingyu scolded him: "What will the Ling family think now? Will they think that my Xie family is targeting the Ling family and trying to destroy the future of the Ling family? Ling Xiaoshuang didn't really want to stay in Tianyuan Prefecture in the first place, but now she feels like she's been tricked. Didn't you see how the young lady's eyes have changed?"
“It’s one thing that she didn’t want to come to Tianyuan Prefecture, but it’s another thing that she was tricked by Ren. What you’ve done has only made her more determined to fight for a victory.”
As she said this, Xie Qingyu loosened her fingers and straightened up.
At this point, Xie Jue was completely flustered and at a loss.
Xie Qingyu sighed and said, "The people in the clan say that I treat you very well, like my own son, and that I am very kind to you. Because I am kind to you, you are the one who will marry into the Rong family in this generation, and you are the one who will marry Rong Tang."
"But you're not my biological son, are you?"
He gave a slight smile: "I have many nephews and nieces in my clan. If you don't really do as I please, I can find another sensible child to teach."
Xie Jue said in a trembling voice, "Uncle, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong."
Xie Qingyu sighed, a hint of reluctance appearing on her face: "This time, let it go. Although you need to go home to recuperate, others might not be able to return to Tianyuan Prefecture, but I will make arrangements for you. You can rest for half a month and then you will be able to return to Tianyuan Prefecture."
"But you must not disappoint me again."
Xie Jue quickly agreed.
Xie Qingyu thought of something else and said to Xie Jue, "And your spirit pet, I guess you didn't really believe it was missing, did you? Although this lie is tacitly understood, there's no need for anyone to actually believe it's false. Turn around and deal with that snake."
Although it was a small matter, Xie Qingyu was meticulous and still gave a few instructions.
Xie Jue's face also turned pale.
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