I asked him, "Master, you don't want her to know about the face matter because you're afraid she'll find out that Lin Yi is dead?"
Master said calmly, "Xiao Xiang, it's best not to let her know about this."
I turned my head to look at my master. A few strands of hair brushed loosely against his cheek, but it felt like a gentle breeze blowing into my heart.
"Master," I called out to him.
He looked at me with a smile and asked gently, "What's wrong?"
I gazed at his jade-like face, speechless. A few plum petals fell, disappearing into the snow along with my master's white robes; his elegance was comparable to willow smoke.
Having been separated from him for many days, I always felt that I had a thousand words in my heart, but at this moment, they turned into a heart palpitation, mingling with the slight trembling of the red plum blossoms.
“Master, judging from the way Master Mu acted just now, it seems like she has a blood feud with Lin Yi. Why not tell her that Lin Yi is dead? That way she will be more at ease.”
Master brushed the snowflakes off my hair. "Xiao Xiang, love or hate is just a matter of a single thought."
I looked up at his dust-free face and asked, "So, does Master Mu actually both love and hate Lin Yi? I've always thought Lin Yi is very handsome, and if he were alive, he and Master Mu would be quite a good match."
The master neither agreed nor disagreed.
A cool breeze swept over me, and I couldn't help but shiver.
"Xiao Xiang, I'll prepare some medicine for you to dispel the cold later." The master left these words and walked away.
I stared blankly as his figure receded into the distance.
As I turned around, I saw Lou Xiyue standing under the eaves. I immediately felt that disaster was about to befall me, so I turned away and ignored him, and walked quickly forward.
Suddenly a figure flashed by. I felt a gust of wind beside me and saw Lou Xiyue standing in front of me, holding a fan and tilting her head.
I lowered my head and smiled, “west Yue, the scenery here is exceptionally beautiful, perfect for enjoying the plum blossoms and chatting with my junior sister.”
Suddenly, he lifted my chin, and Lou Xiyue moved closer to me, her phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and slowly said, "Xiao Xiang? Actually, your name is Xiao Xiang?"
I took two steps back and said with a forced smile, "west Yue, I didn't mean to tease you that day. It's just that Master happened to be leaving the valley. If someone as talented as you were to miss out on this opportunity, it would truly be a great regret for Medicine King Valley. I was thinking of taking you under my wing first, so that the good stuff wouldn't go to outsiders, hahaha."
Lou Xiyue raised an eyebrow, took a step closer to me, and said playfully, "Oh? Xiao Xiang... sounds like a woman's name."
I said awkwardly, "I was pretty when I was little, so my dad gave me a girl's name."
He held his fan, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You lied to me. How are you going to pay me back?"
I discussed it with him, saying, "I have inherited my master's true teachings, and my medical skills are second to none in the world. In fact, following your master and following me are really about the same. Moreover, haven't you felt that you have made great progress in your time with me? The most important thing is not fame; those are all external things. The most important thing is how much you have learned and how much you have understood."
I solemnly instructed him, "If you approach learning medicine with a restless mind, no matter who your master is, you will not grasp the essence."
Lou Xiyue listened to me with interest, then shrugged and said, "I, Lou Xiyue, have never been a detached and aloof person. I came to learn from a master in a worldly manner. Since I can't grasp the essence, then I'll find another one."
After saying this, he patted his robe, shook off the snowflakes, and turned to leave.
I quickly reached out and grabbed him. "west Yue, you've misunderstood me. I meant that you've gained a lot these days and have a deep understanding of the Way of Medicine King Valley. We once signed a blood oath, and you even made a solemn vow under the moon, saying that you would be mine for life and never go back on your word. Have you forgotten all that?"
Lou Xiyue trembled upon hearing this, her face darkening, and she said in a muffled voice, "When did I ever swear to say such a thing..."
I took the "Apprenticeship Certificate" from my pocket, unfolded it, and placed it in front of him, saying with a heavy heart, "I have heard that the seventh young master of the Lou family is a man of his word, a man of great loyalty and righteousness. It's written in black and white, are you going to go back on your word?"
Lou Xiyue did not answer.
I walked to a winter plum tree in the courtyard and said in a gentle tone, "Xiyue, Muxue Manor is truly a fairyland. These plum blossoms are in full bloom. I know you are good at composing poems, so why don't you compose a poem about the plum blossoms?"
Lou Xiyue raised her long eyebrows, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, and agreed, "Alright, there's a saying, 'A beautiful woman hides behind the red plum blossoms.' Master, please stand under this branch, and I will compose a poem based on this scene."
I leaned gracefully against the plum branch and smiled at the western moon over the tower.
Lou Xiyue lowered her eyes, as if pondering the verses.
Then he looked up, unfolded his fan, and pushed it out with his right hand. The fan shot out like an arrow, striking the plum tree branch behind me. With a dull thud, the fan seemed to be under a spell, returning to Lou Xiyue's hand.
"Whoosh—", a rustling sound, and all the heavy snow on the branches fell, hitting me squarely in the face.
I forced my head aside the snow in front of me and said, trembling, "Lou Xiyue, you—"
Lou Xiyue's smile deepened, and she recited with concentration, "In the empty mountains, no one is seen, but the sound of voices can be heard."
As I shook the snowflakes off my clothes, I gritted my teeth and said hatefully, "Lou Xiyue, you, you betrayed your master and ancestors!"
He rested his chin on his hand and slowly said, "The peach blossoms and the face are both red. Master, they are truly a perfect match for the red plum blossoms." After speaking, he turned and walked away.
After taking two steps, Lou Xiyue turned around and called to me, "Xiao Xiang."
He suddenly called me Xiao Xiang, and I was taken aback. I looked up and replied, "Hmm?"
Lou Xiyue's hair fluttered lightly, her robes billowed, and her smile was radiant.
He raised his fan, and the peach blossom fan once again "whoosh—" hit the branch.
I roared to the heavens, "Lou Xiyue, you unfilial wretch!"
In Meishan, the echoes reverberate countless times.
Main text [Part 12] Mei Qinxue (Part 3)
At dusk, a crescent moon hangs in the vast sky.
The pure white snow shimmered, making the mountain villa appear as if it were daytime.
A flute melody echoes, the evening breeze carries snow, and the setting sun shines beyond the mountains.