Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 70

Xiao Xiao snapped out of her daze and replied, "Oh... I also have a senior martial uncle."

"Martial Uncle?" The lady nodded. "I wonder why your Martial Uncle didn't come along?"

Hearing this question, Xiao Xiao sighed again. Well, she had expected this. Her cold and aloof martial uncle was a thorn in the side of the imperial court, the chief disciple of the seventy-two islands of the East Sea. If she said it, the Lian family would definitely kick her out... no, if she was unlucky, they might even throw her into prison! Hmm! That's good, that way she can give up.

She took a deep breath and said, "My martial uncle is a disciple of the Seventy-Two Islands of the East Sea, so it is inconvenient for him to come."

Upon hearing this, the lady looked bewildered. Lian Yi's expression, however, changed slightly as he looked up at Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao also looked at Lian Yi, waiting to see how things would develop.

"Zhao'er, are you aware of this matter?" Lian Yi asked Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao nodded and said, "Her martial uncle is Wen Su of the Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea."

"Wen Su, wielding the Double Yin Blades?" Lian Yi asked. "Then, are you a disciple of the East Sea Sect, young lady?"

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, "Not now, but maybe in the future..."

Lian Yi nodded and said, "Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. The Lian family will not interfere in these matters. If the Lian family is ordered to wipe out the seventy-two islands in the East China Sea in the future, please do not get involved, young lady."

As soon as Lian Yi finished speaking, Lian Ying interrupted, "Brother, that's too unreasonable. If we become enemies with the East Sea, wouldn't that put Miss Zuo in a difficult position? Why don't we inform the Emperor and decline this assignment? Anyway, there are plenty of people who want to destroy the East Sea and gain merit!"

Upon hearing this, the lady in the hall laughed and said, "What my sister-in-law said makes sense. I also think this is the best way."

Lian Yi said with a hint of helplessness, "That's fine too."

Xiao Xiao was completely speechless. What...what...what kind of development is this??

The lady smiled and said, "You've been asking so many questions that I forgot Miss Zuo must be tired from your long journey. I've already ordered someone to prepare hot water for you to wash up."

As soon as she finished speaking, several maids approached Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao hurriedly stood up and said, "Thank you, Madam!"

Lian Yi also stood up and said, "Miss, there's no need to be so formal. Just do as you please." He then looked at Lian Zhao and said, "Zhao'er, come with me to the study first."

Lian Zhao nodded. He turned his head, glanced at Xiao Xiao, and smiled, "I'll come find you later."

Xiao Xiao nodded blankly, then followed the maid away. Once outside the main hall, she looked up at the sky with tears in her eyes. What was going on with this family?

...

Nine generations of enmity

The Lian family's study was located in the backyard, a quiet and elegant space.

Lian Zhao followed Lian Yi into the study.

Lian Yi walked to the center of the study, put his hands behind his back, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "What did you gain from sending you to Hero's Fortress to participate in the Rare Goods Fair?"

Lian Zhao pondered for a moment, then said respectfully, "The world is dangerous, but the human heart is even more dangerous."

Lian Yi examined Lian Zhao's injuries and said, "You have been exceptionally talented since childhood, and your martial arts skills are outstanding among your peers, but unfortunately, you lack experience... This time, I sent you to Hero's Fortress alone. Do you understand why?"

Lian Zhao nodded.

Lian Yi said, "...You've already heard about the Shenxiao Sect's return to the court, haven't you?"

Hearing this, Lian Zhao said indignantly, "Father, I don't understand. Daoist Chonghe has always refused the Emperor's summons, so why is he returning to court now? And why should we step in to help Shenxiao out of their predicament?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Yi calmly replied, "With the appearance of the Nine Emperors, the world will be unified."

"For the Nine Emperor Artifacts?"

“That’s right. In the world today, only the Shenxiao Sect knows the secret of the Nine Emperors’ Divine Artifacts. And His Majesty has been summoning the Shenxiao Sect back to court for this very reason,” Lian Yi said.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand. He is already the Son of Heaven, so why does he still need these Nine Imperial Artifacts?" Lian Zhao frowned and asked.

“The Nine Emperors’ Divine Artifacts are extremely ominous objects. Rather than falling into the hands of thieves, it would be better for the imperial court to keep them.” Lian Yi walked to Lian Zhao’s side and said, “…His Majesty has issued a secret edict, ordering the Lian family to assist the Shenxiao Sect in finding the Nine Emperors’ Divine Artifacts. I want you to take over this matter.”

"Me?" Lian Zhao was somewhat surprised.

Lian Yi sighed and said, "In recent years, there have been frequent disturbances on the border of Western Xia. I have already volunteered to guard it. You are not young anymore. If you cannot take charge on your own, how will you inherit the family business?"

Lian Zhao lowered his head and said, "Your son will do his utmost."

"Yes," Lian Yi said, "You've suffered quite a bit on this trip through the martial world, and I know you're resentful..."

Lian Zhao remained silent and did not answer.

"In terms of skill alone, you are second to none among martial artists. But when it comes to internal strength... the Shaoyang School emphasizes gradual progress, and with only a dozen years of cultivation, you are naturally no match. Enduring some hardship is a form of training." Lian Yi smiled and said, "However, you don't need to underestimate yourself. After your coming-of-age ceremony on the tenth of next month, I will pass on the final secrets of the 'Pingyan Zhengzong' to you. With diligent practice, you will make rapid progress."

"Thank you, Father," Lian Zhao said with a smile.

Lian Yi nodded and said, "Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's talk about that Miss Zuo..."

Upon hearing this topic, Lian Zhao's expression changed slightly.

"According to your letter, you insisted on marrying her to protect her reputation..." Lian Yi sighed. "You're certainly not wrong in doing so, but... marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. That girl has a complicated background and has been involved in the martial arts world since childhood. How much do you really know about her?"

Lian Zhao was silent for a while, then said seriously, "She does indeed hide many things from me... However, I am certain that it would be my good fortune to have her as my wife."

"oh?"

Lian Zhao smiled and said, "As I wrote in my letter, at the Hero's Fortress Fair, I was ambushed and forced to have physical intimacy with her. At the time, she cleverly defused the farce. Afterwards, I thought about it carefully. She is a woman, and regardless of whether it was a misunderstanding or not, her reputation could not be preserved. Later, when I proposed to her, she refused outright and told me that she was not a virgin..."

Lian Yi listened to these words with a complex and unreadable expression.

Lian Zhao still smiled and said, "I knew it back then. She didn't care at all about being plotted against. In fact, all she was protecting at that time was my reputation. ...After that, many things happened...and each time, I was saved by her."

"Is that repaying a debt of gratitude?" Lian Yi asked with a smile.

Lian Zhao smiled somewhat awkwardly, "I just want to protect her, even if it's just once. Whether it's out of duty or to repay a debt of gratitude, I want to marry her..."

Lian Yi looked at him and gently patted his shoulder. "Since you've made up your mind, I naturally won't object. Men of the Lian family are destined to spend their lives on the battlefield, so it's a good thing for them to get married early. Once you've completed your coming-of-age ceremony, we'll arrange the marriage, and that will put my mind at ease."

Lian Zhao smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your kindness, Father."

Lian Yi smiled and said, "By the way, tell the kitchen to make some of her favorite dishes later..."

Lian Zhao was stunned before he could finish listening.

Lian Yi frowned and said, "What, you don't know what that girl likes to eat?"

Lian Zhao looked slightly embarrassed and couldn't answer.

Lian Yi sighed and shook his head, "Why don't you go ask?"

Lian Zhao nodded immediately, "I understand!" After saying that, he turned and ran out of the study.

Lian Yi could only watch him leave with a helpless smile.

...

...This is a scene divider = =+...

Inside a guest room in the Lian residence, Xiao Xiao clutched her clothes tightly, looking terrified, and said to the two maids, "I...I can wash myself..."

The two maids exchanged a glance, bowed, and said, "Please call us if you need anything, Miss."

After they finished speaking, the two left the room and gently closed the door behind them.

Xiao Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She turned around, looked at the basin of steaming bathwater, pondered for a moment, and then began to put down her luggage and take off her clothes.

Just then, Xiao Xiao heard the maids whispering outside the door. Although their voices were low, she still heard them clearly. The next moment, she began to complain about her own good hearing. Some things are better left unheard.

One of the maids laughed and said, "Have you heard? This girl had intimate relations with the young master, and he insisted on taking responsibility, which is why he wants to marry her."

"Really?... I was wondering how this girl, who is of average appearance and has no distinguished family background, could become a young mistress."

"That's right. Compared to that, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites isn't bad at all."

"Hehe, what can we do? Our young master is so stubborn. If you had the ability to get him into bed, you could be the young mistress too!"

"Pah! Pah! Pah! Serves you right for talking nonsense! I'll beat you to death!"

...

Xiao Xiao was utterly speechless… Well, it seems the Lian family has a rather unrestrained tradition; even a maid dares to joke about the young master like that. Tsk tsk, impressive… Alas, yes, she, Zuo Xiao Xiao, is indeed talentless, unattractive, and penniless. This marriage is truly a mistake by fate. However, hearing others say this still makes her feel somewhat uncomfortable…

She sighed and was about to step into the bathtub when she suddenly slipped and fell into the tub in embarrassment.

Hearing the noise, the maid outside immediately pushed the door open and came in. "Miss Zuo, what happened?"

Then, the two maids witnessed an astonishing scene. Most of the water in the bathtub had splashed out, and Xiao Xiao was upside down in the tub, with only her two calves dangling on the surface.

The maid couldn't help but laugh.

Xiao Xiao finally managed to get up and lay by the bathtub, coughing incessantly.

The maidservant approached with a smile, "Miss Zuo, are you alright?"

"No..." Xiao Xiao replied helplessly.

The maids exchanged smiles and then began to tidy up.

Seeing that the two men were about to touch her clothes, Xiao Xiao said, "No need... cough... I can do it myself..."

Before she could finish speaking, the maid had already picked up the stack of clothes. At that moment, a large pile of things spilled out from the clothes.

The two maids stared blankly at the items that had fallen out: a specially made bone certificate of the Lian family, the Tianying Token of Hero's Fortress, the Shenwu Token of Taiping City, the Chiyan Token of the Shennong Family, the Qi family's short sword "Fei", and several pieces of quenched silver light...

After a moment of silence, the two maids looked at Xiao Xiao in shock.

Xiao Xiao smiled awkwardly and asked timidly, "Could you two sisters please add some hot water for me?"

The two maids nodded vigorously, then rushed out like lightning. Little Xiao only heard a distant exclamation:

"Ah!!! She's actually the 'Three-String Heroine'!!!"

A small twitch appeared at the corner of her mouth. A... a female knight-errant with a three-stringed instrument? What is that?

After a cup of tea, Xiaoxiao experienced the so-called "Three-String Heroine's" incredible power. The two maids who had been there before returned with a group of sisters, offering not only hot water but also fragrant flowers, massages, fine wine, and fruit. Xiaoxiao was overwhelmed and flustered, shrinking into the bathtub, completely at a loss. The maids, however, wore expressions of longing, their previous coldness and mockery vanished. Occasionally, a maid would speak softly and gently, asking Xiaoxiao about the details of her bravery in fighting the villains at Hero's Fortress and rescuing everyone from danger.

After a hurried bath, she had just changed her clothes when the maids rushed to help her comb her hair. In an instant, the small guest room was filled with commotion.

Xiao Xiao was speechless and helpless. She finally understood... if a misunderstanding isn't explained from the beginning, then there's no point in trying to explain it later...

As she was sighing, she heard a knock on the door.

The maid opened the door with a slight displeasure, then said with a smile, "Young master, we are combing the young mistress's hair. Please wait outside for a moment."

“Okay.” Lian Zhao’s voice was gentle and humble.

Xiao Xiao was even more certain that the Lian family had indeed become quite unrestrained. The way a maid spoke to a young master was unheard of… But wasn't she previously addressed as "Miss Zuo"? Now she's suddenly "Young Madam"?!