The architectural style of Qilin Pavilion was somewhat similar to a palace, with pink walls and blue bricks, clearly indicating that its owner was quite wealthy. The group turned several corners in the corridor before arriving at a side hall of the East Qilin Pavilion. Although it was a side hall, it was exquisitely furnished. Four or five maids stood serving inside, and a pale-faced woman lay on the bed. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had bright, sparkling eyes. Xue Qing felt the woman looked familiar, and then, noticing the black jade eagle carving not fully covered by the woman's collar, she remembered. "Oh, Nangong Luoluo, what a coincidence, you're here too."
"Luo Luo, this is Xue Qing from the Lingyu Sect. Thanks to her for bringing you the remedy to strengthen your body and replenish your vital energy. After taking the medicine, your illness will be cured soon." Xiao Guiying happily introduced Xue Qing to Nangong Luo Luo.
"Cough cough cough," Nangong Luoluo coughed twice, her slender body bowing slightly as she said, "Nangong Luoluo thanks Miss Xue."
Xiao Guiying quickly sat down by the bed to support her, gently patting her back: "How are you? Are you still feeling very uncomfortable?"
Xue Qing was speechless. The world of martial arts was vast, yet also small. If Nangong Luoluo were a man, Xue Qing would surely believe it was a predestined fate, that nothing could stop their meeting from the desolate wilderness to the Central Plains. But this wasn't the case in the original story, so Xue Qing felt a little flustered.
"I'm fine, much better now," Nangong Luoluo replied weakly, gently pushing Xiao Guiying away.
“Master Xiao, if it’s a cold, you can have your friend drink a small cup of Shaoxing wine. My martial aunt often catches a cold from practicing swordsmanship in the back mountain, and she has verified this method,” Liu Ying said.
Xiao Guiying hurriedly instructed the maid beside him, "Quickly, bring a pot of Shaoxing wine."
It was clear that Xiao Guiying was so concerned about Nangong Luoluo that he was losing his mind. Xue Qing suddenly felt that it would have been better if Nangong Luoluo had met Xiao Guiying first. At least he wouldn't have raped her or locked her up. Perhaps this was fate. The same two people, whoever met first, would have different results.
“Miss Xue…” Nangong Luoluo called out weakly.
Hearing the female lead call her name, Xue Qing jumped: "Huh?"
“You’ve been staying in the Central Plains all this time. I want to ask you, have you ever seen this pattern before?” Nangong Luoluo said, pulling the jade pendant out of her clothes. The high-quality black jade still had its luster no matter how many years had passed, and the uniquely carved falcon pattern showed no signs of wear.
Xue Qing shook her head and asked Liu Ying beside her, "Nephew, have you seen it?" Liu Ying also shook her head.
"Miss Nangong, may I take a look at this jade?" Liuying asked.
Nangong Luoluo nodded. She was too weak to move. The maid beside her took the jade off her neck and placed it on a tray for Liuying. Liuying picked up the jade and examined it carefully: "This piece of jade is very valuable. The black color has been accumulating for at least fifty years. Usually, the patterns on jade are decorated with flowers and plants. This falcon is likely some kind of mark. It should be a token of a noble family."
Xiao Guiying agreed, saying, "Young Master Liuying has the same idea as me. Luoluo has no childhood memories, so perhaps she really is related to the Nangong family that disappeared more than ten years ago. I plan to take Luoluo to Wudang or Emei to ask them after she recovers. Both sect leaders have been in the martial arts world for decades, so they might recognize each other."
"Good idea." Xue Qing nodded silently, indeed both the leaders of Wudang and Emei knew about it.
At this moment, a guard came in and reported to Xiao Guiying: "Sect Master, Xilin Pavilion and we have clashed again on the main peak. Two of us were injured, and at least ten people from Xilin Pavilion were injured."
"Didn't I already say that if it's just a verbal dispute, it's fine to let them have their way? We're all from the same root, why fight each other?" Xiao Guiying rebuked.
“We have already been lenient, but they have gone too far. Please forgive us, Your Highness,” the guard said, bowing his head.
“Uncle Xue, Young Master Liuying, things have been rather unsettled in the pavilion lately. Please forgive my lack of courtesy. This is your first time visiting Dongqi Pavilion. If you don’t mind, please let Fang’er show you around.” Xiao Guiying then said to the guard, “Where are the injured people being cared for? I’ll go check on them.”
A maidservant approached Xue Qing and bowed, saying, "This servant is Fang'er. Miss Xue, Young Master Liuying, would you like to visit another place?"
Is there anything else to do?
"Very well, Miss Nangong, please rest well. We won't disturb you any longer." Xue Qing and Liu Ying bid farewell to Nangong Luoluo together. Nangong Luoluo was too weak to move, so she nodded back to the two of them.
Fang'er led Xue Qing and Liu Ying to visit Dongqi Pavilion, but there was nothing particularly interesting about it; it was just an ordinary palace-style building.
"This is the Pavilion Master's study. He likes to read here in his spare time and occasionally handles official business here."
"This is the Pavilion Master's study. He likes to read here in his spare time and occasionally handles official business here."
"This is the Pavilion Master's study. He likes to read here in his spare time and occasionally handles official business here."
"This is the Pavilion Master's study. He likes to read here in his spare time and occasionally handles official business here."
No doubt about it, the above is not a network error, but Fang'er really said the same thing four times in a row. Four rooms in a row are Xiao Guiying's study. Xiao Guiying, how much do you love reading!
"Miss Fang'er, I'd like some tea. Could you make me a cup?" Liu Ying suddenly said as they walked.
Xue Qing was surprised. Liu Ying disliked troubling people the most, so why would she send a maid back to make tea for him? Did she have another purpose?
Fang'er didn't think anything of it; it was her duty. She bowed and said, "Alright, please wait a moment, young master. Fang'er will go right away."
After Fang'er walked away, Liu Ying said to Xue Qing, "Uncle-Master, do you know Miss Nangong?"
Xue Qing naturally denied it: "How could I possibly know him?"
“Uncle-Master, I remember that Miss Nangong was with Yan Ming at the inn in Wuzhen,” Liu Ying said, enunciating each word clearly.
Xue Qing opened her mouth but couldn't speak. Liu Ying sighed, "Uncle-Master, you never lied to me before." With that, she turned and walked back.
Xue Qing felt a lump in her throat, an indescribable discomfort. She remembered the Pekingese dog she had when she was a child. Every day, she would take the little Pekingese for a walk, and the dog would happily follow behind her. So when it was time to give the dog away, she was the one who took it out. It trusted her so much, and he trusted her so much, but she couldn't fully open herself up to him. He touched her with his soft tentacles like an inkfish, while she was like a conch shell with her own hard shell.
"Firefly!" Xue Qing chased after her: "I did lie to you, but I didn't want you to get into trouble like me. That would only make things more complicated."
"Ha, when have you ever considered my feelings?" Liu Ying didn't believe Xue Qing's words: "You just don't want me... to cause trouble for Yan Ming?"
"Firefly, do you believe that people can change?"
"I believe you've changed a lot. If I didn't know you so well, I would think someone had impersonated you. I... I really like your changes. I'm so happy that you finally noticed me. Now I know I was too happy too soon." Liu Ying's voice grew softer and softer, until it was drowned out by the footsteps and Xue Qing couldn't hear it.
"Are you angry?" Xue Qing asked.
"How could I possibly be angry with you? And why would you ask me if I'm angry?" Liu Ying said with a smile, as if this were a strange dream.
Regardless of whether Liu Yingsheng was angry or not, Xue Qing was a little annoyed. Damn it, seeing his awkward look made her want to kiss him forcefully!
Fang'er, the maid who went to make tea, came back with a small tray in both hands, on which were two cups of freshly brewed hot tea.
"Miss Xue, Young Master Liuying, my master has returned and is in Miss Nangong's room," Fang'er said.
"Please go and tell Master Xiao that we have important matters to discuss. Tell him which study he usually receives guests in, and we will wait there," Liu Ying said to Fang'er.
Fang'er pointed to the first study: "That one, you two wait there, I'll go and inform the Pavilion Master right away."
Watching Fang'er carry the plate back, Xue Qing felt deeply sorry for her, thinking how kind-hearted the maids in ancient times were.