Ein Lächeln kann eine Stadt zum Einsturz bringen

Kapitel 12

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Miao Ruotan stroked the bluish stubble on his chin, his smile wicked. "Afraid to say it? Or can't you say it... Don't worry, although you're a bit ugly, you're still passable. If you have some family fortune, I, Young Master Miao, can probably take you as a concubine. I will definitely not mistreat you."

"You...you scoundrel, how dare you flirt with me!"

"I'm innocent! You were the one who flirted with me first."

"You...you're talking nonsense!"

“Young lady, don’t be the one to falsely accuse others. All the villagers have seen it.” Miao Ruotan raised his long eyebrows, his half-smile surprisingly charming. Situ Wuyu’s snow-white face flushed crimson, and she said resentfully, “I…I didn’t! I just asked you to judge who…who…” She couldn’t finish her sentence, her face burning red. After all, she was a young lady from a wealthy family; some things were truly best left unsaid in public.

Miao Ruotan, with a nonchalant expression, slowly replied, "You just wanted me to judge who is more beautiful, you or her, and you even flirted with me for it. But when I truthfully said she was more beautiful than you, you flew into a rage and called me a scoundrel."

A low chuckle rippled through the crowd.

Su Xianhua then noticed that between the two was a woman in brocade robes, her hair disheveled, sitting on the ground. The woman's face was still wet with tears, and there was a bright red handprint on her right cheek, clearly the handprint of Situ Wuyu.

The woman was indeed beautiful, but upon closer inspection, she appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a strong air of worldliness. She was not as youthful and delicate as Situ Wuyu, and her features were not as refined. No wonder the Second Miss dared to ask people to judge who was more beautiful. It's just unclear why Young Master Miao's judgment was somewhat unfair.

Su Xianhua had never seen Miao Ruotan so lazy, nor had she ever seen someone as arrogant as Situ Wuyu being mocked in the street. Just as she was watching with interest, she suddenly felt someone tugging at her clothes. Looking down, she saw a fluffy, white thing squatting at her feet. Its little red, heart-shaped face and big eyes were staring at her with great surprise and joy.

She slightly twitched her leg, trying to break free from its claws. She couldn't understand how this monkey could still recognize her when she had changed so much that even she herself was unrecognizable. Did animals truly possess sentience?

Ignoring her resistance, Silverfire stretched out its paw and tightly hugged her calf, howling loudly. Su Xianhua panicked and kicked hard, but the monkey was agile, its long tail coiling around her arm, causing her kick to miss and land squarely on a man watching the commotion. The man winced in pain, turned around with his large, bell-like eyes, and was about to unleash a torrent of curses, but froze upon seeing Su Xianhua for the first time.

At midnight, the sound of a flute playing under the stars and moon can be heard (14)

Then a suspicious blush appeared on his face, and his eyes became somewhat vacant.

Her voice began to stammer: "Miss...may I call you for something?"

Su Xianhua was taken aback, and the words of apology were on the tip of her tongue but she didn't have time to say them. Her shoulder slumped slightly as Zhong Zhan's hand embraced her. He smiled gently and harmlessly, his voice soft and low: "She didn't mean it, please don't be angry, brother."

The man glanced at her, then looked at Su Xianhua, shaking his head and saying, "It's alright," but his eyes remained fixed. Su Xianhua felt uncomfortable under his gaze and was about to walk away when she felt a tightness on her shoulder. Zhong Zhan had already put his arm around her and led her past the man into the crowd.

She was already a bit taller than the average woman, and now, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, she realized that the tip of her nose was just up to his chin, so close that she could even smell the sweet scent of osmanthus in his breath. Her heart pounded, and she quickly looked down at her toes while continuing to concentrate on catching the monkey. But this beast was just as troublesome as its master, darting and dodging all over her, taking the opportunity to grope her.

The crowd was dense and noisy, and Su Xianhua dared not look up, so she naturally did not know where Zhong Zhan had taken her.

Then a clear, gentle voice rang out from above: "Miaomiao, so you've been here all this time. We've been looking for you for so long."

Su Xianhua was holding Silverfire's tail when she heard this. Her hand trembled, and Silverfire, in pain, squeaked and fled behind her.

Miao Ruotan's loud voice boomed into my ears: "Xiao Zhong, why are you only just getting back? Sure enough, that wild girl caused trouble, didn't she? Hey! Wait, where did you find this beauty..."

"Heavens, could it be...you are Ninth Prince..." A shrill voice interrupted him, the voice both surprised and delighted, completely devoid of its previous sharpness, and quickly softened, taking on a hint of shyness, "You are Ninth Prince..."

Before Su Xianhua could figure out who Situ Wuyu was talking to, Zhong Zhan laughed and said, "So it's Miss Situ. I'm sorry, it's been so many years, I didn't recognize you at first."

Situ Wuyu's expression was clearly disappointed. She glanced at him with a mournful look, bit her lip, and said softly, "That's...that's because I've grown up, and I'm a little different from when I was little. But I've always...always remembered Ninth Prince..."

Zhong Zhan smiled gently, his expression unchanged: "Thank you."

"You know Xiao Zhong?"

"Excuse me, Ninth Young Master, do you know this rascal?"

Two voices asked the same question at the same time, both directed at Zhong Zhan. Su Xianhua, standing to the side, was utterly bewildered, but one thing was certain—if this was a scene of old friends recognizing each other, then she was the passerby who had no connection with anyone. Even if she did have a connection, it would be a very subtle and awkward one, utterly inappropriate for this moment.

Her eyes began to dart left and right, searching for a favorable position, trying to find an opportunity to slip away. But this time, the grip on her shoulder was anything but gentle; the fingers tightened, holding her firmly to her side.

She secretly reached out to pry Zhong Zhan's finger, and Silver Fire, who was peeking out from behind her, suddenly became interested. It jumped onto her shoulder, grabbed one of Zhong Zhan's fingers with its slender claws, and pulled hard like Su Xianhua. When it couldn't pull it, it bared its white teeth and bit down.

Situ Wuyu was startled when she saw her pet committing violence. She rushed over, grabbed Silverfire, and, completely unlike her previous arrogant and unruly self, whispered, "Ninth Young Master, and this sister, I...I'm sorry, Silverfire is ignorant. Please don't blame it. I apologize on its behalf...Ah! Ugly monster, it's you!"

The last sentence suddenly rose in pitch, sounding abrupt and jarring, making Su Xianhua almost instinctively cover her ears. Seeing that a safe escape was impossible, she simply stopped struggling. Looking at the slender fingertips almost touching her face, she even smiled: "Who are you calling an ugly monster?" (This is borrowed from Jin Yong's *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, Amitabha, please forgive me.)

“Ugly monster, of course I’m calling you that…” She only got halfway through her sentence before Miao Ruotan finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter without any restraint: “I was just saying you’re not as pretty as Mei Xian, I didn’t expect you to be so modest. You’re being far too modest… far too modest…”

At midnight, the sound of a flute playing under the stars and moon can be heard (15)

Situ Wuyu looked back and realized she had been tricked by Su Xianhua. Her fair face flushed red, and even the finger pointing at her trembled. She angrily said, "You...you ugly hag, don't think I won't recognize you just because you're dressed up! You're nothing but a female bandit, and you dare to try to steal my sister's man? My sister is one of the three beauties on the Dragon Fang Ranking. You're simply overestimating yourself..."

Before she could finish speaking, a crisp sound rang out, and a bright red handprint immediately appeared on Situ Wuyu's face. She stared dumbfounded at Su Xianhua's cold and stern eyes, unable to recover for a moment.

"I've tolerated you repeatedly in the Tortoiseshell Valley, don't think I'm someone you can bully! Now remember this: First, I didn't steal your sister's man, your sister stole mine. Second, that man is awful, I don't want him anymore, whether your sister wants him or not is none of my business. Third, what I look like is none of your business." After Su Xianhua finished speaking, she took a deep breath and raised her head. "Second Miss Situ, did you hear me clearly? Do I need to repeat myself?"

A cold, sharp look shone on Su Xianhua's face, giving her an unapproachable radiance. Her delicate features, framed by light makeup, were striking and captivating.

Situ Wuyu's lips trembled. Although she was willful, she was still young and inexperienced. Her eyes filled with tears, and she was ashamed, angry, and aggrieved: "You...you dare to hit me?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Su Xianhua sneered, "I'm never reasonable. If you've got the guts, slap me!"

Situ Wuyu's gaze sharpened, and she raised her slender hand to retaliate, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught Zhong Zhan's ambiguous smile. Just now, because of Su Xianhua's slap, his hand had already released her shoulder, and he was now gently smoothing the folds in her robes, his noble, elegant, and unhurried demeanor perfectly matching the image of him she remembered. So many years had passed; she had grown from a little girl into a graceful young woman, but he seemed to have never changed…

Situ Wuyu gritted her teeth, raised her hand and gently tugged at Zhong Zhan's sleeve. A string of crystal tears rolled down her phoenix eyes, making her look weak and helpless, a sight to behold.

"Ninth Young Master, she...she bullied me..."

Zhong Zhan raised an eyebrow; the battle was finally going to ensnare him. He smiled slightly and said slowly, "Hua Hua, what you said this time was indeed a bit excessive..."

Upon hearing this, Situ Wuyu was overjoyed, her teary eyes sparkling with anticipation and delight. Miao Ruotan, who had been watching the spectacle with her hands in her sleeves, chuckled almost imperceptibly.

Su Xianhua turned around and glared at him fiercely.

"How can you say that Miss Situ stole your man?" Zhong Zhan shook his head, looking helpless and troubled, his handsome face suddenly showing a hint of melancholy. "Isn't I your man? When did I leave you to find someone else?"

Su Xianhua almost tripped and fell again, but Situ Wuyu's face turned green.

five

"Little Zhong, you're so cruel! If I were that second young lady, I would definitely want to devour you whole. Poor girl..."

Miao Ruotan said this, but his expression didn't look like he was sympathizing with anyone. Instead, he was laughing so hard that his eyes disappeared, finding the matter quite amusing.

Su Xianhua hid in a corner, pouring herself a drink, feeling particularly annoyed: "I know you're trying to help me, but please don't say such shocking things next time."

Zhong Zhan simply smiled and remained silent.

Miao Ruotan explained for him, "That's how Xiao Zhong always talks; he either drives one or two crazy or makes one or two swoon." She then winked at her rather suggestively, "Hua Hua should prepare herself mentally, lest she accidentally 'die'..."

Su Xianhua glanced at him sideways: "Then may I ask, Young Master Miao, were you angered to death or bewitched to death?"

Miao Ruotan was taken aback, then chuckled, "You're not only quick-witted and ruthless, but you're also quite sharp-tongued. Interesting."

Seeing his malicious smile, Su Xianhua quickly coughed and changed the subject: "Why would Young Master Miao and Miss Situ have a fight in the street?"

At midnight, the sound of a flute playing under the stars and moon can be heard. (16)

"There's quite a twist to this story," Miao Ruotan cleared his throat, gesturing for Su Xianhua to pour him some wine. He downed it in one gulp before continuing, "Just now, I was passing through the market when I saw Miss Situ grabbing a woman and kicking and hitting her fiercely. I asked around and learned that the woman was Mei Xian, the top courtesan at the Cangxiang Pavilion here..."

It seems that Mei Xian is the woman in brocade who just collapsed to the ground. Su Xianhua tilted her head and thought for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Why would the dignified Second Miss Situ make things difficult for a courtesan? Could it be that her sweetheart wants that courtesan and not her?"

After saying that, she couldn't help but glance at Zhong Zhan, but he remained seated as before, with a peaceful smile.

Miao Ruotan said, "To be honest, it wasn't entirely Situ Wuyu's fault. The innkeepers they stayed at were a couple. The man was infatuated with Mei Xian and wouldn't even come home, leaving the landlady constantly weeping. The second young lady, feeling chivalrous, decided to rid the people of this scourge. So she went to Mei Xian's place in a big way, demanding that she let the man go back. When he refused, she beat Mei Xian. But between a customer and a prostitute, it's a matter of mutual consent. How can you blame only Mei Xian? She was just running a business..."

Su Xianhua glanced at him, while Zhong Zhan gently explained from the side, "Miao Miao's mother also came from a brothel, so she cherishes women especially."

He spoke frankly, and Miao Ruotan listened frankly as well. She nodded without taking it to heart and continued, "I saw that the second young lady went too far. She grabbed Mei Xian and beat her, saying that an ugly woman like her dared to seduce other people's husbands—" He glanced at Su Xianhua and chuckled, "This young lady's way of cursing is really not very clever. She just keeps repeating the same thing."

"Stop talking nonsense and continue."

"She kept saying that others were ugly, so I couldn't help but chime in, saying that it's up to others to judge who is beautiful and who is ugly."

"So you're saying she's not as pretty as Mei Xian?"

“She was never as pretty as Mei Xian.” Miao Ruotan slowly drank another cup of wine, his expression nonchalant. “Does she think she can charm everyone with just a smile from her? I never say anything against my conscience.” After saying that, his eyes swept over Su Xianhua with interest. “But I think you’re prettier than both of them. How come I never noticed before?”

"That's because you have no taste," Su Xianhua snorted.

Miao Ruotan laughed and touched his nose: "Let's not talk about that rude little girl. But Xiao Zhong, how come I didn't know you two knew each other? She called you 'Ninth Young Master,' so it's been at least three years since she last saw you, right?"

Zhong Zhan said gently, "It was five years. That year, she happened to go to the north with Master Situ, and that's how she met me."

“No wonder, otherwise how could a little girl like her get into such a perverted place? Five years ago, she was just a child…” Miao Ruotan said with disdain, “The descendants of the Jiangdong Situ family are truly getting worse with each generation.”

"Since you know she's just a child, why are you arguing with her? Miaomiao, you're getting more and more innocent and lively."

"What's wrong with being innocent and lively? Pretending to be profound every day is exhausting, and I'm not like you."

Zhong Zhan shook his head without speaking, but when he turned around, he saw Su Xianhua's clear black and white eyes staring at them thoughtfully. He couldn't help but smile and asked, "What is Hua Hua thinking about?"

"I'm wondering which Ninth Prince you are."

How many of the Ninth Prince do you know?

Su Xianhua shook her head and sighed, "I don't know a single one. There are countless people in the martial arts world with a bit of fame and money, and it's common for them to have several concubines and seventeen or eighteen sons. But I can't think of any important person whose family has a ninth son like you." After sighing, she shook her head again, "You must be no ordinary person to be so unforgettable to Miss Situ! Why don't you secretly tell me who you are?"

“I’ve already told Huahua my name. If even one character of ‘Zhong Zhan’ is false, may I be struck by lightning.” He winked and smiled. ()

At midnight, the sound of a flute playing under the stars and moon gradually fills the air (17)

Is this the legendary skill of using minimal force to achieve maximum effect? Su Xianhua pursed her lips, knowing he wouldn't tell her. If he wouldn't tell her, wouldn't she investigate herself? How many "Ninth Young Masters" are there in the martial world? And how many of them possess his skill and bearing? With hundreds of men in Black Wind Stronghold, how could they possibly fail to find a mere Zhong Zhan?

Therefore, she didn't dwell on it, raised her cup and drank it all. Just as she was about to tell the two of them her intentions, a small head peeked in from outside the tavern. A little boy, about one year old, with snot running down his face, glanced at the three of them and asked, "Which one of you is Miss Su Xianhua?"

Su Xianhua said, "That's me."

The little boy handed her a letter, glanced at her intently a couple more times, then turned and ran off in a flash.

Unfold the letter, and you'll find a line of elegant handwriting: "Something came up and I couldn't make it. Let's meet again next time." The signature is a simple yet vibrant drawing of a fish.

How could an old fisherman and gambler who couldn't even afford to eat write? Su Xianhua chuckled to herself. It seemed that Old Master Lü wasn't going to play the mystery anymore. They would see the truth next time they met.

Now that the appointment was temporarily put on hold, Su Xianhua was truly free of worries in Qinghe Town. Gathering her anger after a day of relaxation was not what she wanted; it was more sensible to return to the mountain as soon as possible and arrange Qi Xiaowu's marriage. Thinking this, she picked up the wine pot and filled Zhong Zhan and Miao Ruotan's cups, then took the lead in raising her glass, saying, "Gentlemen, after this cup, Su Xianhua will take her leave."

Zhong Zhan paused slightly as he was about to pick up his wine glass, and Miao Ruotan asked, "Are you leaving?"

"I'm going back to Black Wind Stronghold. I've been away for so many days, my home must be a mess." She smiled and raised her wine cup. "It's fate that we met again on this trip down the mountain. If you have time in the future, come back to the mountain for a few days. I, the chieftain, will certainly treat you with the utmost respect. However... from now on, you must enter through the main gate with dignity."

Hearing her speak so readily, Miao Ruotan agreed just as readily, saying "Okay," and then picked up her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Zhong Zhan gently stroked the rim of his glass, pondered for a moment, and then smiled and said, "In that case, farewell."

Su Xianhua bid farewell to the two and walked a few steps out the door when she suddenly saw the crowd in front of the market scatter and hide. Listening carefully, she heard a galloping horse rushing from the front of the street, as fast as lightning. When it got closer, she saw that the horse was completely black, but there was a white spot like a star between its eyebrows. It looked very familiar. It was Qin Shao's beloved horse "Black Charm" that he left on the mountain before he went to the Western Regions.

Su Xianhua pondered for a moment, then stepped forward, reached for the reins, and demanded, "Who is on the Black Enchantress?"

The reins were instantly tightened, and a long neighing sound rang out. The rider on horseback poked his head out from his flowing mane; he had a round, doughy face, small eyes, and an extremely endearing appearance. He looked to be a boy of no more than fourteen or fifteen years old.

Upon seeing that it was indeed one of their own, Su Xianhua exclaimed happily, "Little Six!"

"Big Sister!" Upon seeing Su Xianhua, the Sixth Chieftain Mei Xiasheng's slightly haggard round face lit up as if he had seen a relative. He practically tumbled off his saddle, unable to hide the unease and worry in his eyes, and said urgently, "Big Sister, I was just about to come looking for you!"