Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 125

Lian Zhao had no answer and could only remain silent.

"You seem to have deep feelings for her, even releasing that gang of traitors for her sake." Lian Ying's tone was icy cold. "The Lian family doesn't hoard troops, doesn't claim credit, and doesn't rely on favor. The only reason we can stand firm in the court is because of our loyalty. Now you've released a wanted criminal, a criminal who has deceived the emperor. Are you asking the Lian family to pay for this ill-fated relationship?!"

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao said, "I will take full responsibility for all the crimes and would never dare to implicate my family."

"Fine, what a profound affection!" Lian Ying's emotions were bordering on grief and indignation. "You were willing to risk your life for her, weren't you? Have you forgotten everything the Ghost Master did 17 years ago?! Have you forgotten why your uncle had to spend his entire life in darkness?!"

“Aunt, the one who broke into the Lian family was the Ghost Master, not her! The Ghost Master is already dead!” Lian Zhao said, refuting with deep sorrow.

Lian Ying was slightly taken aback. "The Ghost Master is dead?"

Lian Zhao nodded. "He was killed on the third day of the third lunar month..." He began, then slowly continued, "He's already dead. Who else can we seek revenge against?"

Lian Ying looked at him, seemingly confused.

“Aunt, Xiaoxiao did nothing wrong… She wasn’t even born 17 years ago. How can you hold a grudge against her?” Lian Zhao stepped forward and said.

Lian Ying hesitated for a moment, took a few steps back, and said angrily, "I won't hold a personal grudge against you! Are those wanted criminals you released also excusable?!"

“Aunt, if I may be so bold as to ask… are you completely unaware of the matter concerning Jiyu Manor?” Lian Zhao said. “In your eyes, are the actions of the Shenxiao Sect, the Qiansi Embroidery Manor, and Shi Mi, the leader of the Shennong Sect, right?… The Lian family is allied with Shenxiao by imperial decree, but we cannot confuse right and wrong and turn black into white!”

"You..." Lian Ying's thoughts were still in turmoil, and she couldn't refute. But after a moment, she said angrily, "I don't deign to argue with you. I will send a letter to my elder brother, and leave everything to him to decide! From today onwards, the Lian family's troops will obey my orders, and you must not interfere again!"

After she finished speaking, she pushed open the door and walked out.

Lian Zhao was also conflicted. The pain from his wound intensified, and he slowly sat down, leaning on the table, his brows furrowed.

At this moment, a servant entered carrying a tray containing several ox horn tubes with small holes, as well as candlesticks, gauze, wound medicine, and a small bowl of water. The servant put down the tray, turned, and left.

Lian Ying, who was outside the door, turned around and said, "Your poison wound on your arm can't be delayed any longer. Suck out the poisonous blood as soon as possible."

Lian Zhao wanted to agree, but the door had already been coldly closed. He looked at the utensils on the plate and sighed deeply.

...

Lian Ying stepped out of the villa with an icy expression, and as soon as she left, she heard a commotion.

She was displeased and furious. Leading her retainers, she strode towards the source of the sound. There, in the main hall's flower pavilion outside the villa, stood a figure. A large group of Shenxiao disciples crowded around, but none readily stepped forward.

Lian Ying was astonished when she saw the man.

She was a girl of no more than sixteen years old, wearing a light pink dress that made her cheeks blush slightly. She stood in the flower hall, looking at the people surrounding her, her face clearly showing fear.

Lian Ying frowned, stepped forward, and shouted, "Zuo Xiaoxiao, how dare you! You actually dare to come to the Shennong Family all by yourself!"

Xiao Xiao was startled. When she saw Lian Ying, she took a few steps back, her fear intensifying.

“I…” she mustered her courage and said, “I…I have come to submit to the imperial court.”

Lian Ying was utterly bewildered. At that moment, Xi Yuan and Shi Mi arrived. Seeing the situation, Xi Yuan coldly said, "Do you think we'd still believe you?"

Xiao Xiao glanced at Xi Yuan and Shi Mi, then at Lian Ying, and said seriously, "This time it's for real!"

"Hmph! Do you think we're three-year-old children?!" Xi Yuan took out the Sealing Meridian Needle and assumed an attack stance.

However, the next moment, Lian Ying drew her sword and blocked her attack.

Although Xi Yuan was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to put away his weapon and remain silent due to the hierarchy between them.

Lian Ying, knife in hand, walked up to Xiao Xiao, the tip of the knife pointing directly at Xiao Xiao's nose.

"Now you've walked right into our trap, and you still dare to talk about surrendering?" Lian Ying's tone was filled with chilling hatred. "It's time to settle our scores!"

A slight fear gripped her, but she couldn't retreat a single step. She stood there, staring at the sharp tip of the knife, and softly repeated, "I really came here to surrender..."

Her cautious demeanor made Lian Ying hesitate. 17 years ago… 17 years ago, she wasn’t even born yet…

The thought crossed her mind, and Lian Ying frowned and gritted her teeth. Then, she put down the knife. She grabbed the small girl's shoulder and pulled her away without saying a word.

The little girl felt a slight pain, but knowing she couldn't resist, she could only obediently follow along.

Lian Ying strode into the villa, and upon reaching the side room, she pushed open the door and ushered Xiao Xiao inside.

She stumbled a few steps, not quite reacting, when she heard Lian Ying coldly order her servants, "Lock the door and keep a close watch on them!"

Xiao Xiao was terrified and rushed to the door, but it was already closed. She had pushed too hard and couldn't stop herself; her face slammed into the door. Tears welled in her eyes as she rubbed her nose and pleaded, "Wait... I... I want to see you..."

Before she could utter the name, she realized someone was behind her. She whirled around, her back pressed against the door, but her fear vanished the moment she saw the person.

Lian Zhao sat at the table in the room, staring at Xiao Xiao in astonishment.

The small back slowly lifted off the door panel, and the child timidly opened its mouth, smiling as it called out, "...Lian Zhao..."

Lian Zhao jumped up, his surprise undiminished. "How could you..."

Xiao Xiao immediately answered loudly, "I've come to submit to the imperial court!"

Lian Zhao was even more surprised. After a long while, he calmed down and whispered, "This time... what do you want?"

When Xiaoxiao heard these words, she felt utterly ashamed. Each time, she had used "submission" as a bargaining chip, either to save others or to save herself. Unbeknownst to her, how deeply had she hurt him?

She lowered her head slightly and said, "I'm sorry..."

Lian Zhao sighed softly, "This time... I can't help you..." He looked down at the medical equipment on the table, his tone slightly gloomy, "I'm afraid you won't be able to leave..."

Xiao Xiao blinked her eyes. "Ah? I don't want to leave. I really came here to submit to the imperial court."

Lian Zhao was increasingly puzzled. He looked up at Xiao Xiao, a faint expectation slowly sprouting in his heart, but reason fiercely suppressed it. He tried to clear his mind, yet he desperately wanted to know something.

Xiao Xiao walked over slowly, her heartbeat gradually quickening, whether out of fear or eagerness, but the rhythm was incredibly steady.

"I..." she took a deep breath and said, "I want to stay with the person I like, is that okay?"

Lian Zhao was unsure of what he had heard and was stunned, unable to react.

Xiao Xiao felt all the blood rushing to her head, and her cheeks burning hot.

"...I know I've lied to you so many times...you..." Her small hands gripped her clothes tightly, her voice trembling slightly, "Please forgive me just one more time, okay?"

Lian Zhao stared blankly at her, his mind a complete blank. She was so real before him, and the two were separated by only a step. All his gloom and repression transformed into ecstasy, boiling over in an instant and overwhelming his reason.

She waited anxiously for his answer, but only silence surrounded her. She looked up uneasily, only to see him suddenly take a step forward, gently put his left arm around her neck, lean slightly, and kiss her lips.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye; Xiao Xiao froze, her thoughts completely frozen. Her eyes widened, unsure how to react.

Slowly, she heard his frantic heartbeat. His body temperature, breathing, pulse—all were so clear, sharpening all her senses. She then noticed how soft and warm his lips were, even trembling slightly.

However, before she could get any closer, he hurriedly stepped back. His voice hoarse, he said, "I'm sorry... I was abrupt..."

Xiao Xiao slowly raised his head and saw that his cheeks were slightly red and his eyes were filled with tears. As he spoke, tears fell and wet his cheeks.

It was the first time she had realized that a man could be so endearing.

She reached out and touched his cheek, then tiptoed to gently kiss the corner of his lips. Tears, slightly salty, slowly stained her tongue, a taste that caused a dull ache in her heart. She closed her eyes, abandoning all restraint, and kissed him deeply.

He was surprised, and his lips parted slightly. She didn't know what to do, but following her heart, she licked his tongue. In that instant, longing burned like a raging fire, uncontrollable.

At that moment, the overwhelming feeling of happiness made Xiaoxiao almost dizzy. However, suddenly, she was pushed away forcefully. She was startled, fear gripped her heart, and she looked up at Lian Zhao in bewilderment.

Lian Zhao pushed her away with one hand and covered his mouth with the other. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes were slightly annoyed. He said, "...You...this...this is something that can only be done after marriage..." His voice was serious and earnest, but his breath was weak, clearly indicating that he was still in shock.

Xiao Xiao was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, and said, "I'll take responsibility..."

Lian Zhao laughed, hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her and gently embraced her.

“Lian Zhao…” she began, “Actually, the vast sky and boundless sea, the freedom and unrestrained life, are not my ambitions…” She laughed, saying cheerfully, “I clearly want to snag a decent young man and freeload off him. So… I will never leave you again… Whether you forgive me or not, I will never leave again…”

Lian Zhao tightened his grip on his arm and responded softly, "Mm."

The two held each other like that, neither saying another word. Time passed slowly, and the summer sun shone brightly through the window, bathing them in its warmth.

After a moment, Xiao Xiao timidly spoke, "Lian Zhao... don't you feel... uh... a little hot?"

“Hmm,” Lian Zhao replied, then paused and added, “Xiao Xiao, actually… you’re pressing on my wound…”

"Ah?!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise, letting go of his hand. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, are you alright?"

Lian Zhao smiled and gently rubbed his right arm. He shook his head and said, "It's alright. I forgive you."

When Xiaoxiao heard these words, she was slightly taken aback, and then a surge of happiness welled up inside her, making her smile radiant.

...

All-knowing

The Lian family were experts in archery, and it was common practice for them to poison the tips of their arrows. Their retainers always carried antidotes, just in case.

Cupping therapy is an emergency treatment; to completely detoxify, medication is still necessary. However, the poison on the Xi Yuan needles has not yet been identified, and it is not advisable to rashly seek an antidote from the Shennong family. This is all the measures that can be taken.

Xiao Xiao felt a little disappointed as she watched him finish quickly, but couldn't help him much.

Seeing her staring at him, Lian Zhao smiled and said, "When I was little, I was playful and was once cut by a poisoned arrow, which almost ruined my arm..."

This was the first time Xiaoxiao had heard him talk about his childhood, and she immediately listened attentively.

“At that time, I was terrified and cried uncontrollably. But my father said: ‘If you lose your right hand, you still have your left.’ What man of the Lian family would shed tears for an arm?” Lian Zhao smiled helplessly. “My father also lectured me, saying: ‘Even if you were to lose an arm, it should be on the battlefield. Now you are reaping what you sowed, and you have no right to cry.’”

Xiao Xiao was stunned. "Huh? You really say that?"

Lian Zhao nodded and said, "Really."

Xiao Xiao looked on incredulously.

Lian Zhao laughed and said, "This time it's my own fault, you don't need to take it to heart."

Xiao Xiao looked at him and laughed. She sat closer and said, "Let me seal the acupoints on your arm."

Lian Zhao shook his head, "Once the acupoints are sealed, the arm will be unable to exert any force."

“If the acupoints aren’t sealed, the poison will spread,” Xiao Xiao said seriously. “At a time like this, we shouldn’t exert ourselves.”

Lian Zhao said, "My identity has been exposed. Xi Yuan is only unable to expose me due to the circumstances. I think she will take action soon..." He looked at Xiao Xiao, "We absolutely cannot let our guard down now."

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment and said, "So, she's going to report this to the imperial court?"

“No,” Lian Zhao replied calmly. “Although she knows the truth, she has no evidence. It won’t be easy for her to accuse me of deceiving the emperor.”

Lian Zhao laughed, "Moreover, now that you've submitted, her chances of winning have decreased again." A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, "If I were her, I would definitely act first and ask for permission later."

She swallowed hard. Sure enough, the scheming in the imperial court was far more intense than the conflicts in the martial world.

"I..." Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment, but finally said honestly, "Although I came to submit, I know nothing about the Nine Emperors..." After she finished speaking, she blinked and looked at Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao was not surprised, nor did he say anything. He simply lowered his head slightly and pondered quietly.