"Thank you for your trouble, Ziyu." She stepped back slightly, her slightly embarrassed expression pleasing someone.
Shangguan Yi rested her chin on her hand, admiring the rare display of girlishness in her eyes, her eyes brimming with boundless spring-like joy.
This intense, focused gaze sent chills down her spine, making her feel as if she were standing on the edge of an abyss or walking on thin ice. Forgetting that the tea was hot, she picked up the teapot that was still warm on the stove and poured him a cup of tea.
Knowing she couldn't push him too far, Shangguan Yi went along with it, taking a sip of tea while her gaze inadvertently drifted over the books on the table.
"The Eight-Section Brocade?" A strange light flashed in his dark eyes as he stared at her intently, leaning closer. "What's wrong, Zigui? Is your heart fluttering with romantic feelings?"
She deftly avoided his movements; her remarkable adaptability had vanished without a trace of embarrassment. She sat down opposite him with composure and laughed, “‘Books are not obscene, people are obscene by themselves.’ I actually find the epilogue more interesting than the main text.”
He flipped directly to the last page, skimming through it quickly. His gaze darkened, and he looked up. "Boss Man is dead." He hadn't spoken of anything serious since entering the room, but now he suddenly spoke, "Zigui doesn't seem surprised."
She put down her teacup and looked back steadily. "Presumably, Ziyu already knows that Boss Man visited Madam Man last night, and from this, he should be able to deduce why Boss Man was killed."
"Suggesting to return to the West at this time would be tantamount to courting death," he chuckled.
The people of the martial arts world had been craning their necks and waiting for ten years. Finally, news of the Yu family arrived, and they were not about to let this "fat piece of meat" slip away.
"The news that Boss Man wanted to leave with his wife was leaked not because I was the one who overheard it, but because of the two female disciples who lived to the east of Madam Man. However..." She looked at him meaningfully, "The couple, who always spoke in Mandarin when traveling together, were very 'considerate' in speaking Mandarin last night."
Yes, not only did they not lower their voices at all, but they also spoke in Mandarin, clearly intending for others to hear. And that impulsive Miss Feng unwittingly became a gossipmonger, thus contributing to Boss Man's murder.
“Regardless of who did it, Madam Man has achieved her goal.” Yu Zigui lowered his eyelashes as he looked at the fire in the stove. “Master Wei has always used Madam Man’s remarriage as an excuse not to keep her at Jade Sword Manor, and even less to have Liu Wushuang have too much contact with her. Now that Boss Man is dead, it is only natural for a widow to stay at her daughter’s house. Master Wei’s excuse for kicking her out is gone.”
She glanced at the book "Eight Pieces of Brocade" and was truly shocked by what she saw.
"However, even the best plan can have unforeseen circumstances."
She looked up at the person opposite her, Shangguan Yi, who had a half-smile on her face, her eyes filled with mockery. "Madam Man never expected that Jiangdu Prefecture would interfere in this matter."
Jiangdu Prefecture?
"In the past, when martial arts practitioners fought and killed each other, the government would always turn a blind eye as long as it didn't involve important figures. It's just a pity that Boss Man was a barbarian, and his death was related to a legendary martial arts treasure that was said to be worth more than a country. If the court doesn't seize this opportunity to get involved in the treasure, then those in power would be extremely foolish."
Seeing her slightly surprised expression, Shangguan Yi chuckled.
"All rivers flow eastward to the sea, and the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) is not just the Jianghu; it will eventually flow into a dirtier place. The late emperor was a pleasure-seeking and lustful man who did not care about making progress. During his reign, he had no interest in the Jianghu, and therefore the Jianghu at that time was still relatively pure."
She understood that he was implying that the battle at Tiger Leap Cliff ten years ago had nothing to do with the imperial court.
"Three years ago, the late emperor fell seriously ill, and his sons vied for the throne. Although the current emperor has finally ascended the throne, his numerous campaigns have depleted the national treasury. And yet, this man is incredibly ambitious; if it weren't for the constraints of military expenditures, he would probably have already attacked the Northern Barbarians." A hint of sarcasm deepened in Shangguan Yi's eyes, and she gave a light snort. "And just then, the martial world presented a great gift—the legendary wealth that could topple a nation. Is that man a fool who wouldn't accept such a gift?"
Seeing that she tilted her head slightly as if deep in thought, he continued.
"Jiangdu Prefecture's intervention is a signal that the storms to come will be unbearable for the martial arts world. Not only Jade Sword Manor, but even the prestigious Nanshan Academy will find it difficult to remain unscathed."
He was implying that she must not reveal her secret to anyone, not even Old Man Nanshan.
But why did he do that?
If his previous conspiracy with her was due to his penchant for stirring up trouble, then what is his purpose in coming here now, braving the rain to explain the intricacies of the situation?
She looked at him, puzzled, trying to figure out why. But after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't come up with a reasonable answer.
"Zigui," Shangguan Yi lowered her voice, "if you look at me like that, I might start to overthink things."
She became increasingly confused.
He glanced at the water clock in the corner of the corridor, then reached out his hand to her. Seeing that she hadn't moved for a while, he was in high spirits and teased her, seemingly genuinely, "Zigui, why aren't you helping me out? Do you want me to stay and spend the night with you?"
The rain grew heavier. As Shangguan Yi walked along the long corridor with the rain curtain hanging down, she heard someone say behind her.
"The imperial court's exploitation of merchants is the most rampant. People interpret your generosity as compassion, but they don't know that you are trying to avoid disaster."
"Ziyu, Ziyu, what a fine word."
His dark eyes widened, and he suddenly turned around.
Spring is waning, a lone figure stands, her shadow faded, with no intention of turning towards the southern mountains.
He has finally found the person he can keep in his heart.
Volume One, Chapter Ten
The night was filled with a light rain and a sudden gust of wind, casting an eerie and unsettling atmosphere over the north courtyard. At this moment, anyone with a modicum of tact would choose to remain silent, but some people just stubbornly stick to their guns.
"Junior brother, over here!"
From afar, Yu Zigui could see Eleven waving, and he quickened his pace slightly as he approached.
"Senior brother." Even the veranda was crowded with people. She feigned a surprised look and asked, "Is only the North Courtyard serving meals today?"
"Twelve, I'm not trying to be mean, but at this critical juncture, why are you still thinking about food? There's still Eleven."
The person who spoke had a resolute appearance, with sharp features, and was clearly a stern and upright man. His fierce eyes glared slightly, startling Eleven, who shrank behind Yu Zigui.
“Being away from home is different from being at home. Even though you two are young, you can’t be so unruly.”
"What you say is true, senior brother." The two obediently lowered their heads.
"What did I say before we left the mountain? Those who enter the martial world should uphold justice and act appropriately. Look at you two, one shouting and yelling, the other asking for food, not knowing the time or the place. Such a big thing has happened, and we, the Heavenly Dragon Sect..."
Here we go again. Although Tenth Senior Brother Luo Chuan is undeniably masculine, his mere words are enough to make even the most gossipy old women pale in comparison. Under his constant torment, she and Eleven have mastered the unparalleled skill of "unable to bear his insults and able to fall asleep even while being cursed." It's just a pity for these martial arts heroes, who, despite their growing impatience, can only grit their teeth and endure it.
Half an incense stick has passed.