Ich denke an dich, wenn der Wind weht

Kapitel 78

"So she's like a fairy in your eyes." Xie Quheng laughed angrily. "She's arrogant, ruthless, and has committed patricide and insubordination, yet you praise her as unparalleled in the world. I didn't know that you've been scheming to find her all these years, ostensibly to strengthen the Xie family's power, but actually for your own selfish purposes. You've been bewitched by a mere vixen. When will you finally wake up?"

Seeing her two elder brothers locked in a fierce battle of wits, Qinglan was unsure which side to side with. Glancing at the shadow by the window, she immediately mustered her courage and offered a suggestion.

"father!"

Qinglan's shout made both of them stop talking.

Xie Zhenchuan slowly stepped in, his dignified face appearing even more profound in the candlelight.

gossip

After dismissing Xie Quheng and Xie Qinglan, only one person remained in the room, facing his stern-faced father.

Xie Zhenchuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at a travel scroll hanging on the pink wall.

After a while, he took out the unfinished painting from the table. As the scroll slowly unfolded, it revealed a cool and aloof young girl, her bare feet caressing the pink lotus blossoms. The colors were even and light, which made her dark eyes, painted with lacquer, captivating and lifelike.

She opened another scroll and saw the girl lazily curled up on the tatami mat eating cherries. Her silky hair was draped over her shoulders like water, her bare face showed a hint of boredom, her slender white fingers and bright red cherries gave her an innocent charm.

As scroll after scroll unfolded, each one depicted the same person, dressed in different ways, with vivid expressions and postures, their smiles and frowns incredibly captivating. Xie Yunshu could no longer resist opening the last scroll.

"father!"

Glancing at his son's embarrassed expression, Xie Zhenchuan unfurled the scroll.

The girl in the painting lies languidly by the bed, her jade-like hands hanging limply, her long eyelashes lightly closed, and her rosy cheeks flushed with a captivating blush. Her collar is slightly raised, revealing her graceful collarbone, and her slender waist, draped under the silk quilt, seems too delicate to be grasped in one hand.

Xie Yunshu blushed, inwardly regretting his actions. He had personally framed these paintings and hadn't considered that others would unroll them; now, unable to stop them, he deeply regretted his actions.

"It's quite well painted..." Xie Zhenchuan looked at it for a moment, then put down the scroll, his resolute face bearing a half-smile. "If you don't want others to see it, you shouldn't have started painting."

He was somewhat embarrassed, knowing he was in the wrong, and could only bow his head and agree.

"Are you truly determined to marry no one but her?" The authoritative voice sounded neither pleased nor angry, but rather even more unfathomable.

"I hope Father will grant my request." Unable to fathom his father's emotions, he responded cautiously.

Xie Zhenchuan remained silent for a long time before suddenly bringing up old stories.

“When I got married, my parents strongly opposed it. Your grandfather thought your mother was in poor health, weak and sickly, and was afraid that she could not shoulder the responsibilities of the Xie family’s matriarch. He insisted that I marry someone else.”

Xie Yunshu was somewhat surprised, but listened silently.

"I already had someone in my heart, and I wouldn't listen to any advice. I insisted on marrying her despite all the obstacles. The Xie family has many members, so there was a lot of gossip. She fell ill several times after the marriage, and I did my best to take care of her. She also suffered a lot of grievances. It wasn't until she gave birth to you all that the rumors gradually subsided. It was really hard on her." Xie Zhenchuan was quite emotional when he recalled the past.

“Although your mother is frail, she is very perceptive and has an excellent eye for people. She said you like a good child, and she must be right. From what Qu Heng said, she certainly has exceptional qualities. No wonder you look down on others.” She nodded slowly, her tone calm. “Speaking of which, I have to thank her. She saved my two sons and protected the Bai family.”

His father's rare praise came too suddenly, and he suppressed his emotions and remained silent, not in a hurry to respond.

Xie Zhenchuan glanced at him with a hint of appreciation, then suddenly changed the subject.

"The Xie family's legacy has been built up over decades of hard work to reach its current status. When people in the martial arts world speak of me, Xie Zhenchuan, they all speak highly of me. Reputation is an intangible thing; it is extremely difficult to build but can be destroyed in an instant. Do you understand its importance?"

"I know," he replied reluctantly.

"Heaven has been kind to me, giving me five sons." Xie Zhenchuan smiled slightly, a hint of gentleness appearing on his hard face. "Qu Heng is the eldest, with the strongest principles and temperament like mine, but unfortunately, he lacks uprightness; Jingze is too weak to be a martial arts master, but he'd be better off as a renowned physician; your fourth brother stayed in Quanzhou, and may one day inherit your third uncle's business; as for Qinglan, he's impulsive and his mind is still unsettled... Only you possess both my perseverance and your mother's resilience. You are resourceful and meticulous in handling affairs, and especially after those seven years, you've gained a more reserved and composed demeanor, which is truly rare."

“If the girl you like comes from a humble background and is frail, it doesn’t really matter. Even if she is poisoned and will never grow up, your mother and I can accept that. But her background in the Demonic Sect…” Xie Zhenchuan shook his head.

"With her cunning and scheming, she's more than capable of being the matriarch of the Xie family, but her identity will become a weapon for others to attack her, making her unacceptable in the Central Plains martial arts world. If it gets out, she'll become a target of public criticism. What will you do then...?" Xie Zhenchuan sighed softly, his expression full of pity. "The difference between the underworld and the legitimate world is merely a matter of names; actions are entirely up to the individual. But once you establish yourself in the martial arts world, you must abide by the rules. She can be Jingze's wife, or she can be Qinglan's wife, but she can never be yours. You are the one who will inherit my mantle, the head of the Xie family's stewards. You cannot ruin your future because of personal feelings."

When his father first expressed his hopes for the family business, his heart felt heavy and cold.

"Your son wouldn't dare. Everything in the Xie family should be decided by your elder brother. Your son wouldn't dare overstep his bounds."

"Qu Heng's talent is only good enough to stay in Yangzhou, but you are indispensable to carry on the legacy and pave the way for the future." Xie Zhenchuan frowned and sighed softly. How could he not understand the true meaning behind his son's refusal? "I have seen the temperaments of all of you. You are the most suitable. There is no need to refuse. Being the head of the Xie family is both an honor and a heavy burden. Not just anyone can shoulder it."

"I am willing to assist my elder brother."

Xie Zhenchuan waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to discuss it further.

“I have made my decision, and I have also discussed it with Qu Heng, and he has no objection. I am telling you this not so that you can refuse, but so that you can understand that the descendants of the Xie family have obligations that they cannot bear and responsibilities that they cannot shirk. Therefore... some things must be given up.”

“That girl sees things more clearly than you, so letting you go is a way of fulfilling her wish. Even if she finds you and is still unwilling to give up, so what? Don’t make your mother sad, and I will not agree to you leaving home.”

"I know this is hard to bear, you... take care of yourself." His father, unusually tender, patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

Xie Yunshu stared blankly at the spot where his father had stood. The silver candle was dying down, its light growing dimmer. The scroll on the table drooped, and a pair of bright black eyes curved slightly. The figure in the painting was happily protecting a butterfly kite, his innocent smile radiant, as if he knew nothing of sorrow.

There was some commotion coming from the Fang family in Shu.

The once-great family was gradually devoured and torn apart, collapsing under the pressure of external forces. Outer disciples fled one after another, fearing that they would perish with it, like ants scattering before a tree broken by a gale falls to the ground.

He had assumed she would resort to assassination.

The final news, however, was not something that could be accomplished by one person alone.

When the Northern King's Mansion invaded the south, the Fang family was the first to be affected, and was uprooted as a warning to others. Like peeling a cabbage, they peeled away the outer layers of their businesses, layer by layer, until they reached the core head of the family.

If this was divine retribution, it was indeed a cruel one, like a dull knife cutting flesh, leaving all the sects, large and small, in Sichuan trembling with fear. The King's Mansion's demonstration of its strength was undoubtedly a resounding success.

Unfortunately, they didn't get to see Kaga make a move.

He even considered secretly supporting the Fang family to delay things for a while longer, since Jia Ye's personality wouldn't allow the opportunity for revenge to slip away. He didn't want this only possible place for her to appear to disappear.

After much deliberation, I decided against it. It was not advisable to confront the King's Palace directly for the time being, and besides, helping that scumbag who tried to kill his wife and children was not a pleasant thing to do.

Why didn't Jia Ye make a move? Was it because they were too far apart? Was the time not right? Or...?

He was very worried. His second brother's every word had been on his mind. He had asked countless times, but a single, brief pulse check was not enough to make a diagnosis. Just how badly was her body damaged? Would the periodic flare-ups endanger her? Had she been alright after all these years?

He dared not think about it; every time he touched upon it, his heart would be in turmoil.

How can a person disappear so completely?

Unwilling to dwell on it any longer, he summoned the four wings waiting outside to come inside.

"How's the investigation going?"

Silver Swan was the first to report.

"Reporting to the boss, the rumor originated in Luoyang, and after investigation, it was found that it was spread by the princess of Shanshan Kingdom who was taken to Luoyang by Shen Huaiyang."

“This matter has nothing to do with the Shen family. It must have been Princess Shalin’s doing on her own. Shen Huaiyang has already set off for Yangzhou, probably to come here specifically to explain,” Mo Yao analyzed.

"It's all over the martial arts world right now, and all the major gangs have questions about it. Many people are privately inquiring about the Xie family disciples," Blue Owl added.

Bi Jun was filled with remorse. "If only I had just killed that princess, it would have been so much easier. It's all because my lord is too soft-hearted."

Silver Swan coughed and gestured to its companion to shut up.

Recently, rumors have suddenly spread in the martial arts world that Xie Yunshu, the third son of the Xie family, has been missing for seven years because he was trapped in the Western Regions Demonic Sect and became a tool for killing. Even after leaving Tianshan, he remained unrepentant, frequently associating with witches and acting absurdly. He is not worthy of being called a righteous person at all.

The Central Plains have always viewed the Demonic Sect as an irreconcilable enemy. This statement immediately caused a huge uproar. The Xie family had ruled the Jiangnan martial arts world for many years without any dissent, and now this scandal, especially involving Xie Yunshu, whose reputation had been rising in recent years, was simply unbelievable, and many dismissed it as absurd. But the more they questioned it, the more speculation arose. Rumors spread rapidly, and private discussions grew daily. The Xie family's continued silence only fueled the doubts. The unfounded suspicions grew louder and louder, and some were almost ready to jump out and denounce the Xie family as unfit to lead the Jiangnan martial arts world.

"What should we do now?" Unlike Bi Jun, who wasted words, Mo Yao asked for a solution directly.

Xie Yunshu had clearly considered the matter for a long time. "Further words are useless; let's remain still."

"Ignore it? But if this continues..." Not to mention the Xie family, Xie Yunshu's reputation is already ruined, and he might become a public enemy of the martial arts world. Lan Xiao couldn't understand how he could remain so indifferent.

"It's still early, let's wait and see." Xie Yunshu smiled slightly, without explaining.

"Still early?" Bi Jun asked, incredulous. "When would be a suitable time?"

“When…I think it’s the right time.” A flicker of something passed through his deep eyes, a thought hidden in his heart.

Staring blankly at the composed and handsome face for a long time, Yin Hu only vaguely grasped a clue and almost couldn't help but sigh.

"What is the boss waiting for? Is he going to drag him away and wait for everyone to come and attack?" After the four of them retreated and were alone, Mo Yao was completely puzzled.

"It's all that damned princess's fault. She spared my life and she still doesn't know when to stop," Blue Owl couldn't help but complain. "And she won't let me kill her. It's so frustrating."

"Could he be trying to use this opportunity to leave the Xie family legitimately? But we haven't found out the master's whereabouts yet." Bi Jun was quite puzzled, trying hard to figure out Xie Yunshu's purpose.

"It will be here soon," Silver Swan said lazily, and everyone immediately perked up.

"What do you mean? You mean there's news?" Mo Yao asked, voicing the thoughts of the three of them.

"Not yet," Yin Hu shook his head.

"Tch~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

"As long as our lord is still in the Central Plains, it's impossible that he hasn't heard rumors of this magnitude." Seeing that the others still didn't understand, Yin Hu felt quite superior and blatantly pointed out the key point.

“So what? Does she really want to…” He paused halfway through his sentence, then realized something. “He’s trying to force the master to take action.”

"Hmm." Finally, someone belatedly realized, and Silver Swan was half smug. "Once the master shows his skill, he can easily find the clues and no longer has to search like this, looking for a needle in a haystack."

"That's too risky. It could easily endanger yourself. What if..." Blue Owl was stunned for a long time.

“Nothing less than this would force her to do something,” Mo Yao realized. “She’s been hiding too well these past few years.”

“I think the boss is playing with fire,” Blue Owl still disagreed.

“I agree,” Yin Hu nodded. “He’s gambling with his reputation.”

"Why don't you try to persuade him?" Bi Jun glared at Yin Hu.

"Can I persuade him? When it comes to matters concerning the Lord... you go and try." Yin Hu was too lazy to argue with him.

Everyone fell silent.

"Hopefully this tactic will work."

Xijing

He also hoped... as long as she was alive, still in the Central Plains, and still had him in her heart...

As time went by, the rampant rumors weighed heavily on the Xie family disciples, making them unable to lift their heads.

Even his father couldn't hold back and summoned him for questioning.

He tried his best to gloss over the situation, but the secret expectation in his heart continued.

The pressure was mounting, and just when I was about to despair, things began to change.

The rumors have taken on new content.

Legend has it that Xie Yunshu was kidnapped by members of the Demonic Sect and taken to Tianshan Mountain. After seven years of enduring hardship and humiliation, he painstakingly planned and finally succeeded in killing the sect leader, returning to the Central Plains in triumph. His arduous journey was deeply moving, not only avenging countless people in the Central Plains who had fallen victim to the Demonic Sect, but also upholding the spirit of chivalry by remaining low-key and discreet, keeping his achievements a secret and silently enduring much suspicion and questioning.

Merchants from the Western Regions who traveled between the two places mentioned that four years ago they heard of an internal mutiny in Tianshan, the sudden death of the former leader of the sect, and the unprecedented turmoil. The arrogance of the Demonic Sect was once low, and internal changes were frequent, which implicitly confirmed the truth.