Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 47

"Why worry, young hero? With your martial arts skills, do you think you can be afraid of these old, weak, women and children in the manor?" Shen Chen said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Mo Yun lowered his head, remained silent for a long time, and then nodded.

Lian Zhao finally lowered his hand. At that moment, intense pain spread from his arm throughout his body. He staggered a few steps, struggling to regain his balance. He himself didn't realize that his fingers were clenched tightly, gripping the handkerchief...

...

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

Xiao Xiao finally understood what it meant to "leave the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair." Her restless and fearful heart had not yet calmed down when Wen Su's cold expression made her even more apprehensive.

She timidly followed Wen Su back to her room, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"In the dead of night, dressed in black..." Wen Su glanced at her, his anger clearly visible in his eyes, "How many more things are you hiding from me?!"

Xiao Xiao immediately pinched her ear and said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Xiao knows she was wrong."

Wen Su remained expressionless. "It's good that you know you were wrong... Now, shouldn't you tell me everything?"

She fell into a slightly awkward silence.

"..." Wen Su frowned, "Is this your way of admitting your mistake?"

Xiao Xiao lowered her head, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Uncle-Master, I told you, please don't be angry..."

Wen Su said with a hint of disdain, "You tell me."

Xiao Xiao took a deep breath and briefly recounted the entire story, from the kidnapping of Shi Le'er, encountering Yin Xiao, the conspiracy in Hero's Fortress, to the various strange occurrences in Jiyu Manor, and the plans of herself, Yin Xiao, and Mo Yun.

Anyone who heard this would be astonished. Wen Su was no exception. He looked at Xiao Xiao and said, "So, the whole story about Yin Xiao using acupuncture to harm you was complete nonsense..."

Xiao Xiao nodded honestly.

"As expected of my elder brother's disciple..." Wen Su's gaze was sharp, as if he wanted to drill a hole in Xiao Xiao's body.

Xiao Xiao wasn't pleased with the praise at all. How much of this was due to unforeseen circumstances, and how much was forced by the times, was impossible to say. If she were truly as capable as he thought, she wouldn't have ended up like this…

“I won’t pursue the matter from before,” Wen Su said. “According to you, the girl’s disappearance was the work of Jiyu Manor?”

Xiao Xiao nodded, "Mm."

Wen Su pondered for a moment and said, "You used the feather to lure out Silver Owl, and the next day, a walking corpse impersonated Silver Owl and kidnapped the young lady of Jiyu Manor. Their reaction speed is not slow. After tonight's commotion, they will probably take further action soon."

She sighed softly, a sense of helplessness washing over her. Heaven knows, she never intended to complicate things so much. Who knew that trouble would just keep piling up on her?

“The girl’s disappearance isn’t a recent event. If it’s truly related to Ling You, then his relationship with Jiyu Manor isn’t new. Since they’re cooperating, it must be mutually beneficial.” Wen Su frowned in thought, “What exactly does Jiyu Manor need from Ling You…”

Xiao Xiao also remembered. Could it be the master's illness? ...No, Jiyu Manor is incredibly wealthy; surely they wouldn't just choose Zhong Lingyou for treatment. Speaking of which, Lingyou's specialty is manipulating zombies, and...

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao thought of something and said, "The Longevity Gu?"

Wen Su raised her eyes. "You thought of that too... What I'm worried about now is that if Ling You really is colluding with Jiyu Manor, our identities would probably have been exposed long ago. They'll probably target us next."

She sighed softly and nodded.

"Hmph, at this point in time, how easy is it to both preserve one's reputation and eliminate dissidents? I'd like to see how Jiyu Manor will continue to play out this drama." Wen Su's tone was leisurely.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao immediately said, "Uncle-Master, you are indeed wise and insightful, with keen eyes and keen observation. Their petty tricks cannot escape your discerning eyes at all. I truly admire you..."

Wen Su glanced at her, "If only your fighting skills were half as good as your smooth talk..."

Xiao Xiao had no choice but to shut her mouth and give an awkward laugh.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. The shouts of the servants rose and fell.

Wen Su opened the window and heard people shouting nothing more than, "Fire in the main hall!" and "Put out the fire!" He closed the window. Looking at Xiao Xiao, he asked, "You said earlier that the secret passage was inside the main hall, right?"

She nodded slightly.

“Then this is the evidence of annihilation.” Wen Su’s expression became extremely serious.

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, stunned. Destroy the evidence… indeed, if it were burned, nothing would remain. Wait, what about Xiao Xi and Mo Yun? Were they trapped in the fire? Oh no! She was supposed to be keeping watch, how could she…

Wen Su got up and opened the door.

"Huh? Uncle-Master, where are you going?" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise.

"You've already made such a grand display. If I don't leave my room, won't people become suspicious?" Wen Su glanced at her and said, "You should also change your clothes and go find the other maids to join you."

Xiao Xiao nodded immediately. Then, another thought occurred to her. There was only one reason she had abandoned her lookout duty and fled in panic. If she didn't do something, perhaps…

She walked a few steps to Wen Su's side and said, "Uncle-Master, I have a small favor to ask of you."

Wen Su looked at her and said, "Go ahead."

"I..." Xiao Xiao looked at him earnestly, "I beg you to help me tell a lie..."

...

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

Once the situation in the main hall calmed down, Lian Zhao immediately rushed back to the courtyard. However, Yin Xiao, who had been fighting with the guards there, had already left.

No wonder, since Silver Owl was originally a bait to lure the tiger away from the mountain. Once the fire broke out in the main hall, it was only natural for him to withdraw.

Lian Zhao immediately turned around and ran towards the courtyard where the maid lived. He was about to raise his hand to knock on the door when he heard someone speak.

"No need to look anymore, she's not here."

Lian Zhao was slightly startled, and turned his head to see Wen Su. "It's you..."

Wen Su walked over slowly, looked at Lian Zhao's bandaged wrist, and said, "Are you forcing yourself like this for the sake of my good-for-nothing nephew?"

Lian Zhao remained silent, then took a step to leave.

"You came here because of the man in black in the lobby, right?" Wen Su asked.

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao stopped in his tracks.

“You should know who she is, right?” Wen Su took a few steps forward and said.

Lian Zhao turned his head and looked at him.

Wen Su stopped beating around the bush and said in a calm tone, "I'm just here to remind you. Tonight, I sent her to investigate the secret passage of Jiyu Manor, but you stumbled upon it. I have no interest in stopping you from pursuing your own sense of justice. However, if you leak even a fraction of what happened tonight, don't blame me for being ruthless."

After saying that, Wen Su turned and left.

"Wait a minute," Lian Zhao called out to him.

Wen Su paused. "Is there anything else?"

Lian Zhao's voice held a hint of joy, "You're saying you sent her to investigate the secret passage?"

“Of course,” Wen Su said. “Who else could it be besides me?”

Wen Su said no more and walked out of the courtyard.

Lian Zhao stood there, and for a moment he breathed a sigh of relief, and unconsciously smiled.

...

Wen Su walked outside the courtyard and saw the small sticker pasted on the courtyard wall.

Upon seeing Wen Su, Xiao Xiao immediately stood up straight.

Wen Su frowned. "How long do you intend to keep lying to him?"

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, "I..."

Wen Su's eyes were cold. "One day, he will know the truth. What will you do then?"

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, then smiled helplessly, "I didn't think that far ahead."

Looking at her smile, Wen Su couldn't help but feel helpless. "Xiao Xiao..." he began, "If he truly loves you, he won't care whether you lied to him or whether you're a disciple of the Ghost Master. Your master told you to leave him for your own good. You know that in your heart, don't you? You can't afford to gamble."

She was momentarily stunned. She remained silent for a long time, then raised her face and answered with a smile, "Yes. I can't afford to gamble..."

Wen Su suddenly had nothing to say. He frowned and walked away in silence.

Xiao Xiao was still smiling, a sudden clarity washing over her. All her worries had been resolved. Wasn't the answer simple? She simply couldn't afford to gamble...

...

Three men can make a tiger [Part 2]

Xiao Xiao had barely settled down when something even more unsettling happened.

She had barely stepped out of the courtyard when the head steward called her back and dragged her to a side room. As she walked, she asked around and learned that a young woman had been injured when the main hall caught fire, and she had been sent to take care of her.

When Xiao Xiao arrived at the side room and saw the girl who needed care, she was utterly speechless. Of all people, it had to be Zhao Yan. But now that things had come to this, she had no choice but to steel herself, lower her head, and silently go inside.

Inside the room, a large group of people had gathered. There was the old lady, constables from the yamen, several guests including Wen Su, and a frail man whom Xiao Xiao had never seen before. Judging from his clothes and demeanor, Xiao Xiao guessed he was Shen Chen, the owner of Jiyu Manor.

Zhao Yan lay half-reclined on the bed, her face pale and haggard, coughing slightly. Mo Yun stood by Zhao Yan's bedside, looking at her with worry.

"Young lady, who exactly are you?" Shen Chen asked softly.

Zhao Yan looked up, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, looking pitiful. "Reporting to the Master, this humble servant is a maidservant of Lady Xiyi of Hero's Fortress. I was sent by Lady Xiyi to deliver a birthday gift to the Old Madam. Unexpectedly... on the way..." Her eyes filled with tears, and she began to weep.

"So you're from Hero's Fortress." Shen Chen nodded. "Girl, don't be agitated. Everything's alright now... Do you remember who kidnapped you?"

Zhao Yan choked back tears and shook her head, saying, "All I remember is that the person was wearing a silver robe and a mask..."

"It really is Silver Owl!" someone shouted immediately from inside the room.

Xiao Xiao was somewhat surprised. She looked up at Wen Su, whose expression remained calm as always. She then looked at Mo Yun, who was clearly just as surprised as she was. Xiao Xiao lowered her head. This Zhao Yan was indeed strange.

"Girl, do you remember clearly?" Shen Chen asked again.

Zhao Yan nodded with tears in her eyes, "Mmm..."

"Then why are you at my Jiyu Manor?" the old lady couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Yan raised her eyes and said, "This servant doesn't know either. This servant only remembers being knocked unconscious, and when I woke up I was placed in a room full of candles..."

After she finished speaking, she burst into tears, her delicate body trembling slightly, looking utterly pitiful.

The old lady felt a pang of pity and couldn't help but take a few steps forward, gently patting her back. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's alright..."

Zhao Yan, her face streaked with tears, nodded tremblingly. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and choked out, "...This servant remembers, when I was half-asleep, I heard someone say: 'Although this attempt failed, we can escape unscathed simply by framing someone...'"

"Framed?" Shen Chen frowned. He pondered for a moment and said, "Miss, you said you were unconscious the whole time, and woke up here?"

"Yes." Zhao Yan nodded.