Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 49

Yin Xiao flicked her forehead and said, "Tell me, who benefits most from the burning of the secret passage in the main hall?"

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, then said, "Jiyu Mountain Villa."

“Hmm.” Silver Owl nodded. “So, who is the most suspicious person right now?”

Xiao Xiao thought again, "Zhao Yan!"

"wrong."

“I know, Master Shen!” Yue Huaixi said.

“Clever. One tael and three mace.” Silver Owl replied with a smile, “Then, what are the pretexts they used to frame me?”

Xiao Xiao and Yue Huaixi exchanged a glance and said helplessly, "Pick flowers."

Yin Xiao nodded. "Hmm. Very good, so I'm going to pick some flowers!" He put down his teacup and said, "Master Shen is over forty, but he only has one daughter. He must dote on her. I wonder what will happen if I pick some?"

Xiao Xiao and Yue Huaixi looked at each other again, their hearts resonating: bad guys.

Yin Xiao laughed, looking pleased. "Girl, you should thank me. I'm helping you get rid of your love rival."

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, yes, that Miss Shen is both beautiful and talented, Xiao Xiao, you definitely can’t compete with her!” Yue Huaixi said frankly.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, speechless.

"Hehe." Yin Xiao chuckled, but noticed the melancholy in Xiao Xiao's eyes. He stopped laughing and asked, "What's wrong? Have you really fallen for that young master from an official family?"

She raised her eyes slightly, and said helplessly, "How could I dare? If he knew who I was, he wouldn't even have time to kill me..."

Yin Xiao scoffed, "What are you afraid of? Although your master has made countless enemies, there is no evidence to prove that you are his disciple. If you don't admit it, who in the martial world can do anything to you? If you're referring to my matter, then it's even easier. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, how will he know? If you're still worried, I'll investigate you too tomorrow, making sure the performance is convincing!"

"Master Yin Xiao is truly wise!" Yue Huaixi agreed.

Xiao Xiao looked a little confused. "Isn't this a bad idea?"

Yin Xiao looked at her. "I'll ask you three questions, and you can answer them. First, do you care what he thinks of you?"

She nodded slightly.

"Secondly, do you want to hurt his feelings?"

A small head shake.

Third, do you want him to know the truth?

She shook her head slightly.

Yin Xiao nodded. "Very good. Then let's lie to him for the rest of our lives!"

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao was shocked.

"Isn't this ridiculously simple?" Silver Owl laughed easily.

"It's really simple!" Yue Huaixi smiled as well.

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled. Yes, it's simple. She's going to be the bad guy, lying—that's what bad guys do! She'll lie to him for a lifetime. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it!

...

I am so fortunate

I'll lie to him for the rest of my life.

After making up her mind, Xiao Xiao suddenly felt enlightened. Lying was actually a very minor matter. Hadn't her most respected master told many lies? It was just lying, after all; if you really thought about it, it wasn't such a bad thing. Compared to murder and arson, it was nothing.

So, the next morning, when she brought the water for washing Zhao Yan's face to serve her, she felt incredibly relaxed.

She had just reached the door when she saw Mo Yun standing outside.

"Young Master Mo Yun," Xiao Xiao greeted him.

Mo Yun saw her and nodded slightly in response.

"Are you looking for Miss Zhao?" Xiao Xiao walked over and asked.

Mo Yun shook his head and said, "I'm a little worried, so I'll just stay here."

"Oh..." Xiao Xiao couldn't help but smile. She remembered that back in Hero's Fortress, Lian Zhao had also stood guard outside her room. It was strange; things she couldn't understand then now warmed her heart. Mo Yun must care deeply about Zhao Yan. Was it to protect his mentor's only daughter, or...?

Just then, the door opened. Zhao Yan had already gotten up; her eyes were bright and her cheeks were slightly flushed, a stark contrast to her pale and terrified appearance the night before.

She smiled, bowed slightly, and said, "Young Master Mo Yun, this humble servant is unworthy of your kindness."

Mo Yun said, "I'm leaving."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Xiao Xiao was stunned. Mo Yun's style of doing things was still indifferent, which made people feel uncomfortable.

Zhao Yan's smile had long since faded, and the coldness in her eyes was chilling. She reached out and took the wash water from her small hand, saying, "This is something I can do myself. Miss Zuo is of noble birth, I dare not trouble you."

Xiao Xiao felt even more uncomfortable listening to those words. Zhao Yan always referred to herself as "this humble servant," but there was a hidden resentment in her tone. Her father was the renowned blacksmith of the Qi family, famous throughout the martial arts world. Her mother was the most beautiful woman in the land. "This humble servant"—that self-designation was too jarring.

Seeing that she was lost in thought, Zhao Yan said, "Miss Zuo, if I remember correctly, you are the betrothed young mistress of the Lian family, the Divine Arrow Clan. Is it appropriate for you to work here?"

Xiao Xiao was startled. Of course she remembered that the person who had devised the plan to put her and Lian Zhao in the same bed was this seemingly frail girl. "I...he..." Xiao Xiao stammered.

“Young Master Lian is an outstanding man, a true gentleman. Miss Zuo, you are so lucky.” Zhao Yan smiled with a thoughtful gaze.

Xiao Xiao felt a chill run down her spine. She hurriedly said goodbye and left quickly.

Zhao Yan held the water and silently watched her back.

"You're so lucky..." she said softly, with a hint of resentment.

...

She ran quite a distance before stopping, letting out a sigh of relief and patting her chest. From now on, it's best to stay away from Zhao Yan. Hmm…

Once she calmed down, she remembered something else. Shouldn't she, this "young mistress of the Lian family who stumbled upon the magic arrow," go and see the "young master"? It's always best to cover up a lie.

She took a deep breath, roused herself, and went to the servants' courtyard.

As soon as she entered, she saw several servants gathered together, whispering amongst themselves. The servants, seeing her, walked up to her with cold expressions.

"Hey, what exactly does that kid Li Zhao mean?" someone asked, speaking unfriendly to Xiao Xiao.

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao looked bewildered.

"Aren't you her wife?!" The servant was a little angry. "I really couldn't tell he was that kind of person. He already has a family, yet he's still so eager to please the old lady."

"Huh?" Xiaoxiao was even more confused.

"It was last night, wasn't it? Everyone was busy arresting Yin Xiao, but he went to the main hall. He was clearly trying to curry favor with the old lady." Someone interjected, "How could the young lady, of such noble birth, possibly be interested in him? He shouldn't be so delusional!"

"Huh???" Xiaoxiao was completely bewildered.

"You too, keep a close eye on your husband, sigh!"

After the servants finished speaking one after another, they left in a huff.

He scratched his head, speechless.

She sighed and walked into the courtyard. Then, she saw a scene that left her speechless.

In the courtyard, there was a pile of firewood enough for half a year. Lian Zhao sat in the courtyard, quietly chopping wood by himself.

He ran over in a few steps, his face filled with shock, and said, "Lian Zhao, you... so much firewood? You chopped it all by yourself?"

Lian Zhao looked up and smiled, "They have other things to do, and I'm free."

"You're injured."

"It's just chopping wood, it's no big deal," Lian Zhao said with a nonchalant smile.

This...this...this is clearly malicious bullying! Heavens above!!! He was completely oblivious! No wonder the servants were angry!

Xiao Xiao was in a state of confusion when she noticed Lian Zhao pause in his hand as he picked up the firewood.

"What's wrong?" Xiaoxiao immediately squatted down and asked.

Lian Zhao shook his head. "It's nothing, just a prick."

Xiao Xiao immediately took his hand and examined it closely. A tiny splinter was embedded in his finger; the pain must be excruciating. Oh no! He was the eldest young master of the Lian family, the family of divine archers!

"Don't move, I'll pick it out for you," Xiao Xiao said, taking a silver needle out of her bosom.

Lian Zhao looked at the needle with some surprise, "Refined Silver Light".

Xiao Xiao was taken aback, looked at the needle in her hand, and said, "Ah, I got this from Hero's Fortress last time. Even if it's an enemy's thing, I can still use it myself!" After making up the story, she began to pick at the thorns for him.

Lian Zhao didn't press her for details, and quietly watched her nitpick.

Xiao Xiao felt his gaze and couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She lowered her head, looked at his hands, and said, "Actually, I can read palms! Can I take a look at yours while I'm at it?"

"Um."

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "You were born into an official family, with a wealthy background and no worries about food or clothing. You have a strict father and a kind mother, and your brothers are amicable. You are destined for great fortune and will achieve early success." She looked up and smiled, "You will enjoy strong authority and a life of prosperity and wealth."

Lian Zhao looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "That's all?"

Xiao Xiao looked intently at his palm. "Hmm... let me see. Hmm... a happy marriage, a harmonious union." She tilted her head. "Judging from your palm, you will have a daughter first, then a son. Your children will be intelligent, filial, and harmonious..."

"Really?" Lian Zhao asked with a smile.

"Really!" Xiao Xiao looked up and said, "My master is known as 'Left Half-Immortal'!"

Lian Zhao smiled at her, then spoke earnestly, "...Xiao Xiao, you asked me yesterday if you could willingly marry a girl you don't like..."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao froze for a moment, "I..."

Lian Zhao lowered his eyes, "I've thought about it..."

Xiao Xiao felt her heart pounding faster and faster. She couldn't help but curse herself inwardly. What had gotten into her? How could she have said something like that? Was she supposed to wait for his "yes" answer? This wasn't even a question of "yes" or "no"!

Lian Zhao was silent for a moment, then looked up with a slight blush on his cheeks. "Lian Zhao... Lian Zhao will fall in love with you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao slowly opened her eyes wide, and her breathing involuntarily stopped.

Lian Zhao's eyes were incredibly serious, his tone firm, and every word was spoken without hesitation, "A matter of love is not to be taken lightly. At this moment, Lian Zhao dares not presume to speak of true feelings. However, Lian Zhao will fall in love with you… wholeheartedly, and willingly…"

Xiao Xiao was stunned for a while, then she clutched her stomach and laughed until tears streamed down her face.