"...Your Highness, what are you doing here?"
Those same long, slender eyes, initially indifferent, immediately curved into a subtle smile upon seeing Hua Chongyang:
"Ah, Miss Chongyang, Pinlan and I—"
Hua Chongyang suddenly realized and laughed:
"Ah, is that so? So, Your Highness and Guard Lan are touring Hangzhou and have just happened to pass by? Please, if you don't mind the simplicity, please come into the Flower Garden and have a seat!"
She strode forward, pushed open the door, and grinned at Situ Qingliu and Pin Lan as she turned back:
Please come in!
Situ Qingliu hesitated for only a moment before raising his snow-white boots and returning Hua Chongyang's smile:
"Then we won't stand on ceremony."
The three stepped through the gate and walked forward on the bluestone path.
In the depths of winter, the grass and trees along the path had all withered, making the old flower garden appear even more dilapidated. Hua Chongyang walked along one side, laughing as she went:
"The location of Huajian Garden is rather secluded, hidden in a narrow alley. However, it's not uncommon for people who enjoy exploring hidden gems and historical sites to find their way here."
"This courtyard is truly serene." Situ Qingliu spoke of the courtyard, but his eyes were fixed on Hua Chongyang, secretly observing her. Finally, he stopped in front of the main hall and turned to Hua Chongyang:
"Didn't Miss Chongyang sleep well last night?"
"Ah--yes," Hua Chongyang smiled, "it was already past midnight when we left Lake Moon Manor."
"Then," Situ Qingliu nodded, his smile fading, "Miss Chongyang—you must have already heard about what happened at Lake Moon Manor last night."
"Yes—when I left, the manor was still peaceful. I wonder who it was—"
Situ Qingliu looked down at her, interrupting her:
"I've heard that the young lady's ambition is to revive the Flower Sword Sect."
"……yes."
"Young lady, your courage is commendable. Furthermore, you performed exceptionally well at the martial arts tournament."
"...You flatter me."
Situ Qingliu put his hands behind his back and frowned slightly:
"I've heard that Young Hero Rong Chenfei has already spread the word throughout the land, gathering talented individuals to help him find his father's killer."
Ye Qinghua's analysis was indeed accurate. Situ Qingliu looked at her and asked directly:
"Then, young lady, would you be interested in joining Young Hero Rong in seeking revenge?"
Hua Chongyang hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.
Should she trust this Situ Qingliu?
"Young lady, you've probably already considered that this matter at Lake Moon Manor could be a good opportunity for someone in the martial world to rise to prominence. Firstly, Young Hero Rong Chenfei, having inherited the position of manor lord, will undoubtedly seek revenge for his family. If you help him achieve his wish, you'll certainly gain his assistance in the future. Moreover, Lake Moon Manor's strength is considerable. This is a tangible benefit. Secondly, Alliance Leader Rong Zaisheng is highly respected. If you avenge him, you'll certainly gain fame. This is a matter of reputation." Situ Qingliu narrowed her eyes slightly. "If you participate in this matter, you'll reap both fame and fortune."
"……"
He was absolutely right.
At first glance, he seemed like a pampered young master from a wealthy family who only knew how to live a life of luxury, drink tea, and chase women. However, Situ Qingliu saw the whole story clearly and spoke about it logically.
Hua Chongyang dared not underestimate Situ Qingliu any longer.
Her gaze shifted from Pin Lan's expressionless face to the hem of Situ Qingliu's cloak, which trailed on the ground, where faint traces of dampness and dirty moss remained.
How long had he been standing there? He had waited for so long at the entrance of the flower garden, and what did he mean by saying those words to her?
"So," Rong Chenfei changed the subject, looking at Hua Chongyang with a serious tone, "I would like to ask you for a favor."
"Please speak, Your Highness."
"Situ would like to ask you, young lady," Situ Qingliu said, looking at Hua Chongyang, "that you absolutely must not interfere in Alliance Leader Rong's matter."
Hua Chongyang was stunned.
Is the matter at Lake Moon Villa related to Situ Qingliu?
In other words, is it related to the imperial court?
"The matter of Lake Moon Manor is none of my concern," Situ Qingliu said, as if seeing through Hua Chongyang's thoughts. "And it has nothing to do with the imperial court either. But this matter is likely to have far-reaching implications, and it might even alarm the imperial court in the future—after all, Alliance Leader Rong once served in the imperial court. I am merely—merely reminding you, young lady. Please believe me, if you get involved in this matter, it will ultimately only bring harm and no benefit."
Situ Qingliu was not the kind of person who could be easily seen through. From the first moment Hua Chongyang saw him, his impression of him was that he was calm and composed, and words spoken by such a person always seemed exceptionally credible.
Before he could answer, Uncle Fu suddenly rushed in through the main gate and hurried toward Hua Chongyang:
"Double Ninth Festival!"
"What's wrong, Uncle Fu?"
"People on the street are saying," Uncle Fu replied, pressing his chest, "that you colluded with the people from Lanying Palace to kill Rong Zaisheng's entire family!"
Hua Chongyang was taken aback at first, then nodded: "Is that so? Sure enough, they're coming for me."
She had expected this day to come, but she hadn't anticipated it would arrive so soon. She looked up at Situ Qingliu, her smile tinged with helplessness.
"Your Highness, you saw it, didn't you? It's not that I wanted to interfere."
The entire Lake Moon Villa was draped in white mourning.
The manor's main hall was bustling with activity last night, as masters from all over the world gathered for a feast and entertainment. But today, Rong Zaisheng's coffin is laid to rest. Rong Chenfei, dressed in pure white mourning clothes, sits in the lower chair, opposite Ji Chong, who is dressed in black.
Hua Chongyang stopped in front of the hall door, glanced inside, and then strode in.
As soon as he entered, Ji Chong immediately stood up:
"Chongyang, you've come."
"Uncle Ji." Hua Chongyang bowed to Ji Chong, then turned to Rong Chenfei, hesitated for a moment, and finally called out, "...Senior Brother Rong, please accept my condolences."
Rong Chenfei also stood up, merely nodding slightly. The usually dashing young master Rong looked exhausted, his eyes darkening. Before Hua Chongyang could get a closer look, he had already turned around and said in a hoarse voice to the people on one side of the hall:
"Hua Chongyang is already here. Please ask whatever you wish."
Ji Chong stepped forward to block her path, lowering his voice:
"Your senior brother had no choice but to do it; don't take it to heart. It's better for you to clear your name and distance yourself from the situation as soon as possible."
"I know, Uncle Ji." Hua Chongyang nodded, only then noticing the group of people behind Rong Chenfei. They were the leaders and disciples of various sects who had gathered below the arena on the day of the martial arts tournament.
I'm afraid we're in for some trouble.
Looking at the expressions on those people's faces, she had a premonition.
As expected, the first to step forward was Yue Feilong, the leader of the Qingfeng Sect. He crossed his arms, cleared his throat, and said:
"Sect Leader Hua, now that you're here, it's best to get to the bottom of this. Elder Rong's martial arts are extraordinary, and his guards are all highly skilled. How could he be so easily killed? He must have been poisoned—and at the martial arts tournament the other day, people from Lan Ying Palace appeared again, clearly with ill intentions! We suspect that the one who killed Alliance Leader Rong is a traitor among our own, colluding with villains. Unfortunately, Sect Leader Hua, you also have an unclear and ambiguous relationship with Lan Ying Palace. So, where were you last night?"
Below Ji Chong was a row of chairs. Hua Chongyang glanced back at them, then leisurely found a chair and sat down. He then looked at Yue Feilong again and casually offered a remark:
"Sect Leader Yue, I did not approach Lake Moon Manor at all last night."
"Where was Sect Leader Hua after midnight? Who can testify?" Yue Feilong sneered. "Empty words are no proof; how can we believe them? Sect Leader Hua, don't tell us you were just sleeping at home after midnight last night."
"I was still in a tavern on Anyang Street well past midnight last night."
Yue Feilong pressed on, then asked with a cold laugh:
"Who was Sect Leader Hua with last night? Let's have him testify!"
Hua Chongyang lowered his eyes and sneered:
"Naturally, the half-drunk boss can attest to that."
"Alright," Yue Feilong turned his head and waved to a disciple behind him, "Go to Banlian Zui and call for help."
The Qingfeng Sect disciple responded and left.
The hall was silent. Hua Chongyang was almost certain that the Qingfeng Sect disciple would not be able to summon Zu Xian.
Sure enough, after a short while, a disciple of the Qingfeng Sect rushed into the hall and said:
"Half-Drunk has closed the door; there's no one here."
Yue Feilong looked coldly at Hua Chongyang.
Hua Chongyang didn't notice Yue Feilong's expression. She only saw Rong Chenfei sitting in the chair, raising his head with a murderous look, his narrow, long eyes staring at Hua Chongyang with icy eyes.
"Lake Moon Manor is heavily guarded; outsiders cannot possibly enter or leave," Yue Feilong said before Rong Chenfei could interject, glancing sideways at Hua Chongyang. "On the night Alliance Leader Rong had his accident, all of us who attended the banquet at Lake Moon Manor have been cleared of suspicion, except for you, Sect Leader Hua."
Hua Chongyang raised his eyes and glanced sideways at Yue Feilong, chuckling softly:
"Has Sect Leader Yue's injury from the martial arts tournament healed so quickly?"
Yue Feilong's expression changed: "Hua Chongyang, you—"
"I am indeed Hua Chongyang," Hua Chongyang interrupted him, abruptly standing up. "It's also true that my mother eloped with someone. You all suspect I am Yan Zhao's daughter and want to drag me down with Lan Ying Palace, so be it."
The hall was silent; no one dared to speak. After a long while, Rong Chenfei, standing behind Hua Chongyang, suddenly spoke:
"Junior sister, you're overthinking it. It's just an opportunity to clear your name."
Hua Chongyang looked back indifferently, his voice equally indifferent:
"Senior Brother Rong, we've been fellow disciples, you should know what kind of person I am. I have no grudge against you or Uncle Rong, and I have no reason to want to kill him."
Her cold gaze swept across the sea of people outside:
"What murderer nonsense? Sect Leader Yue doesn't need to pretend to be upholding justice. It's just a 'Azure Heaven Heart Sutra,' is it really worth all this fuss and slander?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she finally let out a soft sigh of relief.
Although the Flower Sect had declined, it didn't mean she was unaware of the affairs of the martial world. Ye Qinghua's brothel was renowned in the martial world for its excellent information network, and having worked for Ye Qinghua for a long time, she was certainly not an ignorant fool. Several months ago, she had heard that many people at this martial arts tournament were there for the "Azure Heaven Heart Sutra."
"The Yellow Springs Martial Arts Manual" and "The Azure Sky Heart Sutra" are both unique martial arts techniques of the Lan Ying Palace. Yan Zhao joined the Lan Ying Palace twenty years ago. It is said that one of them was lost to the martial arts world through Yan Zhao's hands. No one knows Yan Zhao's background, but Hua Chongyang suddenly appears out of nowhere, rumored to be the illegitimate daughter of Hua Chuxue and Yan Zhao. Who wouldn't have designs on that?
The Azure Sky Heart Sutra must be in the hands of Hua Chongyang.
Hua Chongyang only learned later that long before the martial arts tournament, many people in the martial arts world already knew that Yan Zhao had a daughter; and Lan Wuxie's appearance at the martial arts tournament only further proved this claim.
"The Azure Heaven Heart Sutra is one thing, and the matter of Lake Moon Manor is another," Rong Chenfei said calmly, enunciating each word clearly. "Chongyang, you'd better explain where you went last night so I can give an explanation to my master and the other seniors."
Ultimately, Rong Chenfei still suspected her. Just as Hua Chongyang was about to speak in rebuttal, a voice suddenly rang out from the doorway:
"Young Master Rong, Miss Chongyang was with me all night. I can vouch for her innocence."
Everyone in the hall looked at the person who had spoken.