"What, can't stand it anymore, want to kill me?" Xiao Wu was already standing in front of me, shielding me from Xuan Qin's murderous aura, but I still looked at her with a leisurely smile.
"Miss Zi is truly ungrateful." Xuanqin clenched her hands, a cold smile playing on her lips. Those eyes were the real eyes she used to have when she killed someone. Compared to the way she used to glare at me, they were worlds apart.
"Miss" Xiaowu glared at me with displeasure, afraid that I would provoke Xuanqin again. After all, they lived in the same building, and there was a rule in the building that they were not allowed to kill their own people.
Xuanqin didn't make a move. She loosened her clenched hands, smiled even more brightly at me, turned back and continued walking. Then, with a veiled expression, she looked at me and said, "I hope that next time I come, you will still be smiling so brightly."
"I hope so," I replied softly, resting my chin on my hand on the table. It seemed I wouldn't be able to stay here for long. However, perhaps I could use the Xuanqin to achieve some goal; I was sure I could.
"Miss," Xiao Wu said helplessly, truly helplessly. How could Miss dare to disrespect the Elder like this? The Elder held a high position in the building, and no one dared to despise him. Now that their master was lying in bed, Miss was courting death.
"It's alright. I still have some use to them. After all, they won't touch me until Jue speaks up. They can't kill me, but they can leave me half-dead. You know, the people in your building aren't exactly simple either."
"Then why did Miss still do that?" Xiao Wu was even angrier after hearing this. She was angry that she couldn't save her mistress, and angry that her mistress acted impulsively, knowing the consequences of her actions.
"Xiao Wu, you've been getting irritable lately. If I leave you, will you go back to being that expressionless person you used to be?" I said jokingly, trying to calm Xiao Wu down.
"What do you mean? Where are you going?" Xiao Wu was startled, her brows furrowed, and she looked at me intently.
"No, I was just saying. You're becoming more and more like an old woman, so long-winded," I waved my hand casually and yawned.
Perhaps seeing my lazy appearance, she didn't hold my words against me. Knowing that in my condition, it would be difficult for me to even leave the Blood Tower, let alone leave. She didn't ask any more questions, but pulled me to the bed, made the quilt for me, and said, "Miss, you should go to sleep now. You should rest even more if you are not feeling well. Okay, go to sleep." After patting my quilt, she left.
Xiao Wu, I'm sorry, please forgive me for not being able to tell you everything. I have to bear this myself.
My eyes dimmed as I watched her receding figure, and another scar was etched into my heart. When Xuanqin came just now, I felt as if my vision went black for a moment.
I touched my eyes. Was the price I was paying with my eye? One eye for a life, was it worth it?
Chapter 90
People say that those without worries can sleep soundly until dawn. I feel very heavy-hearted right now, but I can still fall asleep. Maybe it's because I've lost too much blood, or maybe I'm just exhausted!
When she woke up, the sky was already shrouded in darkness, and the flickering candlelight added a touch of warmth to the chilly night.
"Miss, you're awake." Xiao Wu came in with some food and called out to me when she saw me sitting blankly on the edge of the bed.
"Hmm, I'm awake." I touched my forehead, my head was a little dizzy, probably because I slept too much. I propped myself up on the edge of the bed and stood up unsteadily. Suddenly, everything went black. I quickly grabbed the bedpost to steady myself.
Xiao Wu was setting out the food for me, so she didn't see my state just now, which made me feel relieved.
I touched my eyes and said, "Please wait a little longer, just a little longer, please hang in there."
When I could see the surrounding scenery, I walked to the table, ate my meal, and then went for a walk in the garden outside.
The night is still the night, but it has a different charm. The flowers still show their most beautiful side. The wind blows gently, and it is hard to tell whether it is blowing the flowers or the hearts of people. A few stars hang in the night sky, and the dark sky does not show any trace of the moon.
Just then, I heard footsteps. Since I started practicing the Moonlight Scroll, my eyesight and hearing have improved a lot, and now I can hear them from afar.
I didn't move. I knew who it was. I was waiting.
"Purple Maiden is still so carefree," an aged voice broke the silence, and the flowers shook even more violently, as if startled and protesting their discontent.
"Life is short, and we should cherish every moment of peace and quiet," I said, turning back to smile at the elder. I knew he had come to confront me. My attitude this morning must have angered him. He was used to being flattered, and anyone would be upset if I slapped him like that, let alone an elder of such a high position. Behind him were two handsome men, whose identities I didn't recognize. They must have held high positions in the building to be able to follow him. There was also a woman, Xuanqin.
"Yes, I won't talk to you about anything funny. Miss Zi, is there anything you need to tell me?" His eyes were still filled with death, devoid of any warmth, only a deep chill, like being trapped in a dark swamp, where once you fall in, you will die without a burial place.
"What do you need to explain? The elders already know what they should know, and they also know what they shouldn't know. Now the elders are asking Zixue to explain, which is really putting Zixue in a difficult position." I tilted my head, looking helpless, as if the person standing in front of me was an unreasonable old man.
"I'm not going to play word games with you anymore. I'll just ask you one question: Are you the Lord of the Moon Spirit?" The elder's expression changed, his eyes became sharper, his lips were pursed, and his face was fierce. Those old wrinkles were like an invisible sword across my neck, putting pressure on me.
"No," I said firmly. I've lied before, even in modern times, and I can look people in the eye without fear or blinking. I don't look guilty at all, and I don't look like I'm lying. I've played pranks on my friends many times. I could tell small lies back then, so why can't I tell big lies now? As long as I'm firm enough, who can do anything to me?
"Very well, it seems I made a mistake. Now, let me ask you one more question: do you know the Lord of the Moon Spirit?" The elder's attitude was even firmer than mine. He had left some room for doubt when he asked the previous question, but now he asked with absolute certainty.
"So what if it is, so what if it isn't?" I didn't answer him directly, but asked tactfully instead.
"Yes, then I'll trouble Miss Zi to convey my gratitude to her. I will remember this kindness. No, I have nothing to say. Miss Zi has been in the building for quite a while now. This building isn't a restaurant where just anyone can stay. I believe you understand what I mean." He was very sincere at first, but as he spoke, his tone became commanding. It seemed that if I didn't leave, he would resort to drastic measures.
I looked around, moved my lips, and said, "Okay." I held up two fingers and added, "However, I have two conditions."
When I said okay, his expression relaxed, and even Xuanqin behind him became happy. The expression was too obvious. If you hate me so much, you don't have to be so obvious!
However, when I mentioned conditions, they all looked at me sharply, except for the elder who said, "Tell me, what are the two conditions?"
"First, when I leave, you knock Xiao Wu unconscious. I don't want her to know I'm leaving. Second, I want to see Jue one last time before I leave." My eyes were firm, and my aura remained calm and composed, but with a newfound sense of determination.
“Alright, but even if you don’t tell me, Xuanwu will find out in the end.” The elder stroked his beard and looked at me meaningfully.
"As for what happens later, that's your business. You just need to make sure Xiao Wu is dizzy," I waved my hand.
"You..." Xuanqin, her face filled with murderous intent, wanted to step forward and kill me, but the elder stopped her with his hand.
“I agree to everything Miss Zi says. Now, please go see your master, and I will see you off.” After saying this, I winked at a man behind me. The man nodded and walked toward my room. I knew he was going to carry out my request. Then, the elder led the way for me. I looked around with longing and then resolutely left.
Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye, Xiao Wu, my dearest friend. From now on, just forget about me!
Only the elder and I stood at the door of the Absolute Room. Midway through, Xuanqin and the man left after the elder gave them some instructions. I remember how smug Xuanqin looked at me when she left.
"Go in, Miss Zi. I'll leave you here. The rest is up to you. I hope you'll keep your promise." With that, he turned and left.
I put my hand on the door, about to push it open, when I heard voices inside.
"Master, you're awake." I recognized Leng Feng's voice.
I was overjoyed and about to go in when Jue stopped me in my tracks: "Where's Xue'er?"
"Miss is in her room," Leng Feng's voice still came through.
I didn't move; I remained standing there listening.
"No, I was asking about Xue'er, not her."
"Master, Miss Xue'er has been staying in the secluded paradise and hasn't come out, nor has anyone gone in."
"Master, please forgive my bluntness, but Miss Zi is very worried about you."
"Um"
There was no follow-up, but it chilled me to the bone. Before the truth was revealed, I still held onto a sliver of hope, but now it was all shattered, including my entire heart. My heart ached terribly, tears welled up in my eyes, and my uneven breathing betrayed my presence outside.
"Who?" A cold wind suddenly opened the door.
I quickly wiped away my tears and pretended to have just arrived.
"Ah, Little Fengfeng, are you trying to scare me to death? Don't you know that if you frighten a beautiful girl like me, do you think you can compensate me for it?" I glared and shouted loudly to hide my inner turmoil.
"Uh," Leng Feng was a little dumbfounded by my scolding.
I pushed him aside and went inside, but I didn't approach Jue; I just stood there and said, "Jue, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm all better." His doting gaze filled me with sorrow.
"That's good, I was so worried." I went up and touched his cheek. This was the last time.
"I'm fine, don't worry." Jue reached out and, feeling the coldness in my hand, frowned and said, "Why is it so cold?"
"It's okay," I said, pulling my hand away, afraid that I was being too attached.
"Alright, I'm leaving now that you're all better. You don't know, when you were in trouble, they all treated me like a spy, keeping me on guard. Now that you're all better, I can finally have some fun. I've been so bored these past few days." Jue looked at me with that same doting gaze, then playfully flicked my nose, saying, "You, all you ever think about is having fun."
"Okay, I'm leaving now." I touched my nose, feeling a little dazed, and then smiled brightly, my most radiant smile. I wonder if he saw the despair and collapse beneath that smile.
Before he could answer, I turned and walked out. When I reached the door, I took a deep breath and said, "Jue, do you know, I love you, even though you used me." After saying that, I left without looking back, because I knew the elders were waiting for me outside. I finally understood why Jue hadn't worried about leaving me there at the door.
Chapter Ninety-One
I know he definitely heard it, but I don't know what his expression was like. All I know is that when he said those words, my heart ached, and the tears I had been holding back finally burst forth. I so wanted to cry out loud like a child and tell him how wronged I was. I so wanted to go back to my mother's arms and tell her how much I had missed her all this time.
Some feelings are like that; they are hidden deep in the heart, and only when you think back on them do you realize how much you miss them.
I walked up to the elder standing at the door. My tears had been blown away by the night wind, leaving only tear stains on my cheeks. I didn't wipe them away, nor did I intend to maintain my image in front of the elder. I wanted to tell him that he had succeeded. Regardless of whether this was his goal or not, to be precise, he had severed my only attachment to this place, cutting off even the way back.
"Let's go," he said, giving me a deep look and drawing out his words, telling me that it was time to leave.
"Let's go," I murmured, glancing at him sideways with a blank look in my eyes.
"Wait a minute," Leng Feng walked over at this moment, looking at the elder beside him warily, then looked at me with suspicion and asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"
Clearly, Leng Feng saw my tear stains and thought the elders had done something to me. His concerned look made my heart ache. Was I being too pessimistic? After all, Xiao Wu and Leng Feng still care about me, at least for now!
The elder suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my arm, but his eyes were fixed on Leng Feng.
I wiped my tears with my sleeve and said, "It's nothing. It was windy tonight, and some sand got in my eyes. I just wanted to say a few words to the elder."
Even after I told him what I was saying, Leng Feng still didn't believe me and kept looking at me quietly. His gaze made me feel guilty.
"What, you don't believe me? I know I'm beautiful and charming, loved by everyone and admired by all. Don't worry, I won't fall for this ugly, trashy elder." I instantly flashed a final, brilliant smile and said what I had been thinking about that elder all along.
"Miss," perhaps because of my expression, Leng Feng believed my words and looked at me helplessly.
"Oh, right, I forgot, Leng Feng, quick, call Xiao Wu over for me. I need to tell her something, hurry!" I yelled, giving Leng Feng the middle finger, and pushed him. "Hurry up!"
"Alright, I got it," Leng Feng shrugged and flew out of Jue's courtyard.
"Let's go. I will do what I promised you, and I hope you can do what you promised me too." I waved my sleeve and walked out first.
"Let's go." Waiting for me was Xuanqin, who looked impatient. When she saw me, she gestured to the carriages behind us and told me to get on quickly.
"What is this?" I looked at the elder in confusion.
"Xuanqin will take you away from here. Go up there." After saying that, she turned around and flew away and disappeared.
"Hurry up!" Xuanqin came over and unceremoniously threw me into the car.
"Can't you be a little more polite?" I said bluntly, frowning as I looked at my hand, which was red from the bump.
"Enough with the nonsense." Then she blindfolded me with a black cloth, and after a while, I heard the sound of a carriage rumbling across the ground.
"What, why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you usually so quick-witted?" Xuanqin's disdainful voice came from the quiet carriage.
I remained silent and lay down on the car, lying on the ground. When Xuanqin tied a black cloth around my neck, my vision went black, and I knew I had gone blind.
"What, still not saying anything? Are you sad? Haha," Xuanqin laughed, pulling me up from the ground and whispering in my ear, "Sad? Did you really think your master liked you?"
"Let go!" I said sharply. I hate it when people hold me like this, it makes me feel weak.