I stroked the sword manual, wanting to force a bitter smile, but the bitterness prevented me from managing even a trace of it. He went to so much trouble, wasted so many years, just for this? If he had said so earlier, I would have given it to him; why go through all this trouble? Why let me be moved, only to stab me in the heart again?
I wasn't even aware that I was crying until a tear suddenly fell onto the cover, the watermark gradually spreading and wrinkling the paper. I then realized what was happening. I wiped my face with my hand, put the sword manual in my sleeve, and went outside.
The little girl waited timidly under the eaves outside the door. I smiled at her and said, "Come on, I won't make things difficult for your sister. I just want to ask her one thing. Maybe I'll even give her a gift."
Xiao Hebao looked at me with a puzzled expression, her face filled with disbelief. Although we had lived and eaten together for several years, she still didn't really understand me. I dislike competing with others more than anything in my life. If I find out that Jiang Chen and Yu Muxi are indeed in love, I will let them be together. What's wrong with giving them this Mandarin Duck Sword Manual? I'm usually carefree, but I also have pride in my bones. If that relationship isn't what I want, I won't suffer in silence while holding onto something useless.
Unexpectedly, Jingyue Inn is so close to Guiyun Manor. It seems Yu Muxi came prepared. She once said she came to the capital to prepare a wedding gift for a friend. It seems the gift she mentioned...
This is the Drunken Immortal Spring wine that was given to me.
Once inside the inn, Xiao Hebao tugged at my sleeve. I turned back and smiled at her, "Look at me, I'm unarmed, but your sister is a master of martial arts. What are you afraid of?"
Little Hebao pointed to a guest room on the second floor and said to me, "My sister lives there. I don't dare go up there, I'm afraid she'll scold me."
"Then you go back first. I'll talk to Jiang Chen for a bit and then come down."
I quietly climbed the stairs and approached the guest room. The door was tightly shut. I took a deep breath and knocked. At that moment, I felt a sense of desperation, knowing only that I had to verify a fact and find an answer.
"Who is it?" came Yu Muxi's voice from inside the door.
I suddenly felt an impulse and, unable to wait for her to open the door, I pushed it open with all my might.
Seeing the scene inside the door, I wish I had never been here, and I wish I had never seen this scene.
However, I actually witnessed the scene I least wanted to see.
Jiang Chen leaned against the desk, while Yu Muxi nestled in his arms. He looked up, Yu Muxi turned around, and both of them were suddenly stunned!
I clearly saw a hint of panic flash in Jiang Chen's eyes, as well as something else I couldn't understand. However, I've never been able to understand him before, but seeing it with my own eyes now, I guess I can say I understand him now.
I was instantly disheartened; any remaining trust and doubt vanished completely.
Jiang Chen hurriedly tried to push Yu Muxi away, but Yu Muxi smiled and walked past him.
How did you know we were here?
I ignored her and looked straight at Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen took two steps forward, seemingly trying to pull me away. Instinctively, I reached out and shoved him hard, as if trying to release all my resentment and shame with that one slap.
Unexpectedly, I gently pushed him to the desk, and he gripped the desk and said urgently, "Xiao Mo, listen to me."
My mind was in turmoil. I stared at him, uttering each word clearly: "She told me a lot last night, is it true?"
"Xiao Mo, I don't know what she said to you."
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and muttered to myself, "Forget it, why should I humiliate myself by asking you again? I only hate last night!"
Jiang Chen grabbed my arm, seemingly with great force, and said, "Xiao Mo, you were drugged last night. I... I had no choice. Otherwise, you would have died."
I turned around and shoved him away. "I know I've been poisoned, but it's all because of you!"
My voice choked as I spoke. Jiang Chen gripped my arms tightly, his fingers tightening, his breathing quickening, "Xiao Mo..."
"Jiang Chen, you actually..." Yu Muxi suddenly shouted, staring at me blankly, her eyes filled with a terrifyingly sinister hatred.
Her distraught expression and the seething hatred in her eyes sent a chill down my spine. Her relationship with Jiang Chen was so intimate, to the point that she called him by his full name. It wasn't a master-servant relationship at all; it was more like lovers.
Yu Muxi's eyes were bloodshot, and she bit her lip tightly, remaining silent. Suddenly, she moved and drew her sword from her waist, thrusting it forward.
I didn't expect her to do this, and I was completely on guard. I watched helplessly as the sword came stabbing towards me, and could only try my best to retreat.
Jiang Chen shouted urgently, "Mei Duo, stop!"
Yu Muxi's swordplay remained undiminished, a chilling smile playing on her lips. "Jiang Chen, I am no longer Mei Duo of Guiyun Manor, I am Yu Muxi, the head of the Yuanshan Sect. In what way am I inferior to her, unworthy of you? I clearly planned this perfectly."
Okay, so why did you go to Yaoyue Tower? And why you and her?!
With nowhere to retreat, my legs touched the edge of the bed, and I plopped down on it. A long sword was immediately pressed against my neck, and I actually let out a long sigh of relief. Was I being unreasonable at that moment? I hadn't even tried to dodge with all my might; I had actually wanted to fall into her hands and see Jiang Chen's reaction.
There is no greater sorrow than a broken heart. At this moment, I am indeed a little crazy.
She pressed the sword in her hand tightly against my skin, glared at me hatefully, and said to Jiang Chen, word by word, "You want her, isn't it just because you want the 'Chongshan Sword Technique'? Now I'll help you get it."
Jiang Chen stared intently at me. I glanced at him and looked away. I was about to hear the truth from him with my own ears, and suddenly I lost the courage to look at him.
Yu Muxi said sternly, "Hand over the sword manual, or I'll kill you! Last night, I had the chance to kill you, but because your mother had been kind to me, I wanted to let you and Yunzhou be together. But I never expected you to actually be with him... I can't stand anyone touching what belongs to me. Now I only want to kill you, do you understand?"
With a flick of her finger, the sword pierced my skin. I felt no pain, perhaps because my heart was aching so badly that my skin was numb.
"Medo, don't hurt her."
Yu Muxi turned around abruptly and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Jiang Chen, do you love her or me?"
I slightly raised my eyes to look at Jiang Chen. His gaze was fixed on the sword in her hand, his thick brows furrowed, and his expression solemn. He avoided answering, saying, "Mei Duo, don't hurt her. If you hurt her, you will become enemies with the Xiaoyao Sect and the Liujin Palace. They will not let you go."
Yu Muxi gave a bleak smile. "Are you concerned about me, or about her?"
He straightened his brows and reached out his hand, as if to comfort her. "Of course I do, I care about you. My engagement to her was entirely because of the Chongshan Sword Technique. Last night, if I hadn't been with her, she would have died. If she had died, I would never have gotten the Chongshan Sword Technique back. As you know, her mother insisted that I marry her before she would give me the sword manual."
Yu Muxi let out a long sigh of relief. "Alright, I won't kill her. Go and get the 'Chongshan Sword Technique,' and we'll leave this place and find a place where no one knows us to practice it. We'll be unparalleled in the world and live a carefree life from now on. How about that?"
He answered with a resounding "Okay".
A chill ran through me, my eyes stung and ached, yet not a single tear fell. Jiang Chen, I finally saw him for who he truly was.
I looked up at Yu Muxi and said, "What you want is in my sleeve. I brought it here specially for you and him."
Yu Muxi was taken aback, seemingly incredulous.
I pulled the Mandarin Duck Sword Manual from my sleeve. "This is it."
Yu Muxi sheathed her sword, snatched the sword manual, and began to carefully examine it.
I stood up and walked out, not wanting to stay a moment longer.
Jiang Chen tried to grab my hand, "Xiao Mo."
I flicked my sleeve and brushed past him. Utterly disheartened, I felt that all notions of forever and perfect happiness had vanished like fleeting clouds; it was all so utterly meaningless. I've always wondered why Jiang Chen, so utterly uninteresting, would like me. How could someone as charming and arrogant as him possibly be interested in a blockhead like me?
I see.
"Don't go! This isn't a sword manual!" Yu Muxi seemed to realize something again, and suddenly shouted, pointing her sword at him.
I didn't stop. I heard a scream and couldn't help but turn around. I saw that Jiang Chen's shoulder was covered in blood, and Yu Muxi was looking at his shoulder in a panic, sobbing softly, "Jiang Chen, I didn't, I didn't mean to hurt you."
Her gloomy and fearful expression, her heartbroken eyes, made me truly feel her love for Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen looked over her shoulder at me, his face full of urgency, and I even saw a hint of fear in his eyes.
A sudden, sharp pain shot through my heart, surging as if it would burst. With a heavy heart, I gritted my teeth, turned, and left.
I hurried across the street, my mind in turmoil, wanting nothing more than to leave as quickly as possible and never see him and her again.
I wandered the streets for a long time and found that I had nowhere to go. Finally, I arrived at "A Clothes I Can't Part With".
When my mother saw me, she frowned. "Momo, what's wrong? Why do you look so lost?"
My mouth tasted sour, bitter, and dry, and after a long while I said, "Mother, I want to go out for a walk."
The mother readily agreed, "Okay, where are you going?"
I want to go to Jiangnan.
The mother was taken aback and put down the account book in her hand. "I thought you said you were going to take a trip around the capital. Why are you suddenly going to Jiangnan? Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. How will you make it back in time? Why don't you wait until you're married and have Jiang Chen go with you?"
I nodded. "Alright, Mother, I'll head back now." I knew my mother wouldn't approve of me leaving right now, but I had to tell her first. Otherwise, she and Dad would worry if I left without saying goodbye.
My mother saw me to the door, then suddenly looked at me and asked in a low voice, "Momo, is something on your mind?"
I quickly shook my head and hurried down the steps.
Let Jiang Chen explain to them about the wedding during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Perhaps the bride will be someone else.
Wandering the world, doing good deeds
My master always warned me that the martial world is treacherous and people's hearts are unpredictable. From as far back as I can remember, he protected me like a mother hen, never letting me go down the mountain alone, let alone roam the martial world and right wrongs. He set a goal for me when I was ten years old: to be a good wife and mother, and live a peaceful and prosperous life. Therefore, I have a vague feeling of both longing and fear towards the martial world, but when I suffer setbacks in my relationships, I usually need to find a way to cope.
Some people enjoy a life of debauchery, some enjoy womanizing, and some enjoy gardening. I thought about it and realized none of these suited me. So, taking advantage of my dejected state after the setback, I decided to travel alone. As the saying goes, mountains broaden one's mind, and water inspires a sense of distance. Perhaps after seeing mountains and rivers, I can let go of the affairs of Jiang Chen and Yu Muxi.
With this in mind, I left a letter for my parents and then left far away.
Sure enough, the beautiful mountains, rivers, and scenery along the way could indeed make one forget their worries. I walked and stopped, sightseeing and admiring the scenery, and my mind gradually opened up. However, the legendary martial arts world was not peaceful at all; I traveled smoothly all the way without encountering even a petty thief.
That day, I arrived in Suzhou. Everyone says that Suzhou and Hangzhou have been famous for their beautiful women since ancient times. I carefully observed the streets, and indeed, the women here were all beautiful and charming, speaking soft and sweet Wu dialect, a sight to behold and a delight to behold. However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. I'd heard that many flower thieves had come here drawn by the city's reputation. Recently, a flower thief named something like "Marquis of Ten Thousand Households" had been committing crimes...
Having succeeded repeatedly, families in the city with daughters were filled with anxiety.
As I sat in the teahouse drinking tea, I overheard people talking about how many wealthy families were hiring maids who knew martial arts. Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind.
Soon, I opened a women's martial arts school in the southwest corner of Suzhou City, called Rouge Martial Arts School.
On the very first day the signboard was hung up, Rouge Martial Arts Academy was overwhelmed with visitors from all walks of life, young women and wives alike, coming to learn martial arts. Some were maids from wealthy families sent by their masters to learn martial arts so they could protect their mistresses and families; some were young ladies from modest families who wanted to learn martial arts for self-defense; and some were wealthy young mistresses who had nothing better to do than learn a few moves to manage their husbands and, in addition, to keep their concubines in check.
I happily counted the silver coins, experiencing the taste of earning money for the first time in my life. It seems I've inherited some of my mother's skills. My mother made "Unsparing Clothes" the best in the capital, and I can't let her down. I must make this Rouge Martial Arts School the only one of its kind in Suzhou.
Most of these female disciples were older than me. To convince them, I dressed myself up to appear much older, even putting my hair up in a bun to resemble a married woman. Alas, in truth, I was already a married woman.
The martial arts school was thriving. I hired an older woman to cook, two young girls to boil water and clean, and bought two large wolfhounds to guard the house. Life was very carefree.
During the day, the courtyard is filled with the sounds of women, their voices fluttering, their petals dancing in the breeze, creating a lively and humorous atmosphere during practice. Women are naturally fond of gossip and idle chatter, and after practice, they become friends again, sharing endless private conversations and intimate secrets. Some of the married women are surprisingly open about their topics. Since I'm dressed as a married woman, they naturally don't shy away from me, discussing their intimate pleasures right in front of me, which truly makes my heart race.
So, the martial arts school practically became a playground for young women. Gradually, my mood improved. I secretly rejoiced that I had run away from the wedding; otherwise, with such a heavy burden on my heart, stuck in Guiyun Manor with Jiang Chen, I'm afraid I would never have been happy again.
The Mid-Autumn Festival had long passed, and Jiang Chen might have already married Yu Muxi. I deliberately tried not to think about him, and gradually calmed down. So I picked up my pen and wrote a letter to my parents to let them know that I was safe and sound.
Winter arrived in the blink of an eye, the weather grew colder, and the afternoons became much shorter. At dusk, I closed the courtyard gate, tied the two large wolfhounds to the yard, then lit a fire in the stove inside the house, and half-reclined on the soft couch, holding a storybook. As I read, I sighed. Why didn't all this romance, this unwavering devotion, happen to me? The one I met was truly a handful. Oh well, I shouldn't think about him.
Suddenly, Big Black barked a few times, and Little Black joined in the fun, barking back and forth, creating quite a lively scene.
Xiao Lan was sweeping the yard, muttering, "Do these beggars really come at the exact time?"
The door creaked open, and Xiao Lan asked, "May I ask who you are?"
"I've come to seek refuge with Master Shi."
"Oh, please come in."