The two pieces of news left Hua Chongyang somewhat bewildered.
Situ Qingliu...is getting married to Bo Jiang today?
The streets were crowded and noisy, and she wasn't sure if the news she heard was true or false. Turning off Anyang Street to the West Lake, she could see Lan Wuxie's painted boat in the distance; closer to the lake, there was a row of stalls. Hua Chongyang walked a few steps and stopped, seeing a row of meticulous portrait paintings hanging high on a painting stall.
She recognized him at a glance: the one in red was Bo Jiang, and the one in white was Situ Qingliu. Bo Jiang had a high bun, an oval face, arched eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes like pools, and a supple figure, all draped in a bright red robe. Situ Qingliu, in white, smiled warmly, like a jade tree.
They seemed like a perfect couple; but for some reason, Hua Chongyang just couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about them.
"What a beautiful young lady! You want to buy a painting?" The scholar selling paintings flattered her without any airs of superiority. Upon seeing Hua Chongyang, he approached her enthusiastically, "I have portraits of all the famous figures in the martial arts world, from Yan Zhao and Hua Chuxue twenty years ago to Bo Jiang, the heir apparent, Rong Chenfei, and Ji Feixiang today—as long as it's not Hua Chongyang, I have whoever you want!"
"..." Hua Chongyang was taken aback at first, then asked, "Hua Chongyang? Why isn't her name mentioned?"
By all accounts, she could be considered a well-known figure in the martial arts world, right? Is it because her background and identity are unknown that even people refuse to sell her portrait?
"Girl, you must be joking!" The painter scoffed, glaring and pointing a finger at the street. "Hua Chongyang's portrait was printed the day after the martial arts tournament, but every painting stall owner in Hangzhou knows that if they have a portrait of Hua Chongyang on their stall, they're in big trouble!"
"...What terrible luck?"
"The very first day the portrait was printed, the Hengtong Bookstore where it was printed caught fire. The owner of Hengtong Bookstore, carrying a list of those who had commissioned the painting that day, went from stall to stall buying back Hua Chongyang's painting at three times the price!" A stall owner, speaking in a secretive, low voice, was brimming with the excitement of gossip, "The owner said this painting was inauspicious, so he simply took it back!"
"……"
Hua Chongyang could only helplessly rub his forehead: her rumors and gossip in the martial arts world had actually spread to an "ominous" level? Heavens, they really haven't been kind to her!
"This beautiful young lady," the art stall owner said solicitously, pointing to Situ Qingliu's portrait, "you certainly wouldn't buy a portrait of Miss Bo Jiang, but why not buy a portrait of Prince Situ? Everyone says Prince Situ is as handsome as a fairy, not only pleasing to the eye but also able to ward off evil! Besides, he's getting married at Ping'an Gate today, so you can share in the joy!"
Hua Chongyang frowned, casually picked up a portrait of Situ Qingliu from the painting stall, and asked indifferently while looking at the portrait:
"How did you know that Prince Situ is getting married today?"
"Such shocking gossip, who wouldn't know about it on the streets!" The shopkeeper, beaming, leaned closer to Hua Chongyang. "Young lady, you're from out of town, aren't you? Don't tell anyone, this is the hottest gossip in Hangzhou! I heard that although this Prince Situ is going to marry Bo Jiang, the daughter of the former martial arts alliance leader Bo Feng—who's the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world!—he has personally admitted that he likes Yan Zhao's daughter, Hua—"
"Boss!" Hua Chongyang abruptly interrupted him, raising the painting in his hand, "This painting... ah, how much is it?"
"Listen to me, young lady!" The art stall owner, still savoring the moment, pushed aside the painting she held up and leaned closer. "Actually, he's in love with Yan Zhao's daughter, Hua Chongyang!"
Hua Chongyang could only turn his face away helplessly... This story had inevitably dragged her into it after all.
"Young lady, there's actually more to the story behind Prince Situ's wedding!" The noisy shopkeeper leaned close to Hua Chongyang's ear, raising an eyebrow as he whispered, "Rumor has it that Bo Jiang's daughter, Bo Feng, doesn't actually like Prince Situ!"
"...Oh, is that so...?"
"Yes! That's it!" the boss replied decisively. "I heard that Bo Feng likes Lan Wuxie, the head of Zhaoyang Pavilion in Lanying Palace!"
"…Boss, here's fifty coins," Hua Chongyang interrupted him, finally losing his patience. "Is that enough for this painting?"
Thus, a gossip story that began with the affair between Hua Chongyang and Situ Qingliu and ended with the affair between Lan Wuxie and Bo Jiang concluded with the smug smile of the painting stall owner. Hua Chongyang hesitated for a long time, but finally headed towards Lake Moon Villa with the flower scroll in hand.
Ping An Gate must be bustling with activity right now.
She was unaware of news known to everyone in the world; they must have deliberately concealed it. But since Situ Qingliu hadn't invited her, she probably didn't need to attend the ceremony, right?
only……
Hua Chongyang had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
Everyone knows that Situ Qingliu is getting married to Bo Jiang today, but Lan Wuxie says he's coming to Lake Moon Manor today. It's obvious he's going to cause trouble.
But as soon as Hua Chongyang entered the hall of Lake Moon Villa, he was taken aback.
The hall was packed with people, as expected. Rong Chenfei and Ji Chong sat in the main seats; however, Situ Qingliu and Bo Jiang were also among them, seated in the VIP section. Bo Jiang was still dressed in a red robe, while Situ Qingliu wore a light purple robe. When he saw Hua Chongyang enter, he was taken aback at first, then stood up and smiled.
"Miss Chongyang."
Bo Jiang, who was sitting next to him, immediately stood up, raised an eyebrow, and then nodded:
"Sect Leader Hua, it's been a long time."
Hua Chongyang smiled and responded, then looked up somewhat awkwardly:
"Um, I heard you two are getting married today... why are you still..."
"Why should we, the heroes of the martial world, be bound by such trivialities? Today, a momentous event has occurred in the martial world, so of course we must do our utmost." Bo Jiang immediately replied, glancing at Situ Qingliu with a smile as he spoke, "Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
"The auspicious time... the auspicious time for the wedding is set for after dusk today." Situ Qingliu looked at Hua Chongyang, paused, and smiled, "Since returning from the painted boat, has Miss Chongyang been well?"
"fine."
After a long pause, Situ Qingliu finally nodded: "...That's good."
Before he could finish speaking, Bo Jiang chuckled softly from the side, "By the way, His Highness hasn't invited Sect Leader Hua to the ceremony yet, has he?"
Situ Qingliu's expression visibly froze, but he still lowered his eyes to look at Hua Chongyang and asked softly:
"...If Miss Chongyang has the time, she might as well come and witness the ceremony."
"No... I'm just today--" In the pause between his words, Hua Chongyang finally looked up at him, and immediately couldn't help but gasp:
"Your Highness, your arm—"
He hadn't noticed from a distance, but upon closer inspection, he saw that Situ Qingliu's hand was wrapped in thick gauze. Before she could ask, Bo Jiang spoke up:
"Sect Leader Hua, don't you know? It's quite a coincidence. That night, while admiring the lanterns at Pingyuan, I ran into you and that young master. On the way back, the young master was attacked and injured in the arm. The assassin was exceptionally ruthless. Fortunately, Pinlan protected the young master with her life; otherwise, I'm afraid the young master wouldn't be standing here right now."
Hua Chongyang frowned.
Situ Qingliu's hands and wrists were wrapped in thick gauze. Upon closer inspection, his left sleeve was bulging, indicating that he must have been seriously injured.
The night they met...
Bo Jiang chuckled softly from the side:
"Otherwise, why does Sect Leader Hua think we're waiting here? Everyone here wants to settle scores with Pavilion Master Lan. That night, the assassin's sword was poisoned and his body was tainted with orchid fragrance. If we don't seek revenge on those connected to Lan Ying Palace, who else can we turn to?"
Bo Jiang emphasized the words "related to Lan Ying Palace," his gaze fixed on Hua Chongyang, the implication of which was self-evident.
"Does Miss Bo mean," Hua Chongyang said with a cold smile, turning to look at Bo Jiang, "that I was also involved in the assassination of the Crown Prince?"
"Who knows? The discord between Lan Ying Palace and the imperial court has been going on for many years," Bo Jiang smiled and slowly turned to face the crowd in the hall. "Everyone knows that Sect Leader Hua possesses the 'Azure Heaven Heart Sutra,' which, along with Lan Wuxie's 'Yellow Spring Martial Arts,' is considered the best in the world. But who can guarantee that someone won't harm the imperial court in order to curry favor with Lan Ying Palace and obtain even a single move from the 'Yellow Spring Martial Arts.'"
In just a few words, Bo Jiang categorized Hua Chongyang with Lan Yinggong, which made everyone in the hall look at her with suspicion.
Hua Chongyang raised an eyebrow, looking at Bo Jiang's unusually alluring eyes, and finally understood why she always disliked Bo Jiang. Before, she disliked Ji Feixiang at most because she thought she was too arrogant; but although Bo Jiang was not arrogant, she was many times more dangerous than Ji Feixiang.
Her dislike for Bo Jiang wasn't simply out of disgust, but rather a natural instinct to avoid harm.
Seeing the tense atmosphere turning towards Hua Chongyang, Situ Qingliu didn't even glance at Bo Jiang's expression and calmly retorted:
"Miss Chongyang is not that kind of person. What happens at Lanying Palace is none of her business. If anyone uses this matter to make an issue of me again, they are going against me."
Before the words were finished, someone outside the hall spoke up in rebuttal:
"How could the affairs of Lanying Palace be unrelated to her?"
Everyone in the hall turned around at the same time.
Hearing a soft gasp, Hua Chongyang slowly turned around and looked up, just in time to see Lan Wuxie, dressed in a black satin robe embroidered with vibrant red rhombuses, stepping through the door. The solemn black and blood-red rhombuses, paired with a gold bracelet and a jade phoenix feather ring, exuded an eerie, bewitching solemnity. There was a sandalwood chair by the door; he strolled over as if no one else was there, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat down. In just a few steps, a faint fragrance of orchids filled the entire flower hall.
Everyone in the hall sat opposite him. Lan Wuxie looked up and stared intently at Hua Chongyang, slowly saying each word:
"According to the rules of Lan Ying Palace, whoever cultivates the 'Azure Heaven Heart Sutra' becomes the Palace Master. It's only a matter of time before Hua Chongyang becomes the Palace Master of Lan Ying Palace—"
"Lan Wuxie."
Hua Chongyang interrupted him coldly.
The hall fell silent. Hua Chongyang stepped forward, looked at him, and slowly sneered:
"Everyone thinks the 'Azure Sky Heart Sutra,' the greatest in the world, is in my possession, but it's not. You should look for someone else."
Some people in the crowd changed their expressions, but the most surprised was Rong Chenfei. However, Lan Wuxie, who should have been furious, remained completely unperturbed, gently turning to hold onto the armrest of the sandalwood chair.
"I know."
What do you know?
"Given Grandmaster Lan Ji's temperament, how could she allow the things of Lan Ying Palace to fall into the wrong hands?"
A thought flashed through Hua Chongyang's mind, and he suddenly realized:
You mean--
"The 'Azure Heaven Heart Sutra' and the 'Yellow Spring Martial Arts Technique' are naturally in my hands."
"impossible!"
Someone cried out in surprise.
Hua Chongyang turned around, only to find it was Bo Jiang. Everyone stared at her, and unable to hide her embarrassment, she could only continue explaining:
"I've heard that one cannot simultaneously cultivate both the Yellow Springs Martial Arts and the Azure Heaven Heart Sutra; the martial arts are techniques, while the heart sutra cultivates internal energy. Only when the martial arts and heart sutra are combined can one reach an invincible state. If the heart sutra were also in Lan Wuxie's possession, he wouldn't be able to cultivate it, and how could his internal energy possibly be as high as it is now!"
27. Lan Wuxie
Bo Jiang's words were so decisive that Hua Chongyang raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips, and retorted:
"Miss Bo, how can you be so sure about the 'Yellow Springs Martial Arts Technique' and the 'Azure Sky Heart Sutra'?"
But Bo Jiang was clearly not one to be trifled with, maintaining his unwavering smile in the face of all changes:
"Being able to cultivate the most secret martial arts manual in the world is something everyone in the martial arts world desires. The Southern Chu Manor is no exception; what's wrong with knowing a little more than others?"
His words were impeccable.
"Enough said," Rong Chenfei, who had been sitting silently, finally stepped forward. "Since Pavilion Master Lan has graced us with her presence, let's get to the bottom of things first."
Lan Wuxie remained seated, not even lifting her eyelids. Rong Chenfei had no choice but to clear his throat and step forward:
"Sect Master Lan, in short, what is the connection between Lake Moon Manor and Sect Leader Yue of the Green Peak Sect and Lan Ying Palace?"
Even Hua Chongyang found it amusing after the question was asked: Lan Wuxie wasn't stupid. Did Rong Chenfei think that just because he asked, Lan Wuxie would answer truthfully? Anyone with a brain would probably deny it.
"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?"
Hua Chongyang looked at Lan Wuxie in surprise.
He didn't deny it at all, and even provoked me so casually.
Rong Chenfei's voice suddenly turned cold:
"If it's not true, then so be it; if it is, those present will have their own judgment."
"snort."
Lan Wuxie chuckled softly, stood up, his black robes billowing in the wind, ignoring the wary gazes in the hall, and looked only at Hua Chongyang:
"Will you keep your promise?"