It was rare to see such a large and noisy gathering inside the temple. Wisps of smoke rose from the air, and outside the window, a few red plum blossoms were just beginning to bloom, their shadows overlapping, making the snow scene appear even more desolate.
As soon as Shangguan Tou entered, he couldn't help but look at Xuezhi again.
Xuezhi leaned back in her chair, dressed in red with black hair, wrapped in a magnificent white fox fur coat. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and she looked so beautiful that she seemed to belong to another world.
He pursed his lips, eager to go over and tell her his guess.
But no.
He couldn't bear to disappoint her again before anything was certain.
Xuezhi looked exhausted, as if she was too tired to lift her head or look at him.
Just as Shangguan Tou sat down, Xia Qingmei returned. However, about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Feng She stepped through the palace gates. Few people paid attention to Feng She, and even those who did wouldn't give him much thought.
Except for Fengcheng.
He glanced at Feng She a few times, a hint of hesitation and fear in his eyes. But soon, he continued talking to the others, no longer distracted.
Time passed very slowly.
Two hours later.
Huashan, Emei, and Wudang finally reached an agreement to investigate each other without interfering in their internal affairs. They also planned to form a gang, gathering experts from various sects, specifically to track down the whereabouts of "Lotus Wings." Other sects followed suit.
Now we're just waiting for martial arts master Shi Yan to speak.
Shi Yan walked to the center of the main hall and said, "Amitabha, this old monk and the sect leaders have finalized the matter..." He suddenly looked towards the door and said, "Since the Snow Swallow Sect has also come, we should see what the former sect leader has to say."
All eyes turned to the doorway.
Yuan Shuangshuang was leading several disciples of the Xueyan Sect, standing at the entrance of the main hall.
However, she clenched her fists and glared at Xia Qingmei through gritted teeth.
Xia Qingmei's expression changed drastically the moment she met her gaze.
Several branches broke apart due to the freezing cold, making a crisp sound.
After that, all was quiet.
The red plum blossoms are still in full bloom.
"I am not here today to discuss the matter of Lianyi, but to capture Master Lin's unfilial disciple."
Shi Yan hesitated slightly and said, "What the former sect leader meant was...?"
"Xia Qingmei!" Yuan Shuangshuang let out a long breath, trying to remain calm. "Now, in front of all the heroes of the world, you must explain yourself clearly—who exactly was the person who did that kind of thing back then?"
Lin Fengzi suddenly looked up.
Xia Qingmei's face turned pale: "How could I possibly know?"
Liu Hua remained calm at first, then looked at Xia Qingmei and Yuan Shuangshuang in surprise: "What are you talking about?"
Everyone present looked puzzled.
Yuan Shuangshuang strode into the main hall, throwing out a bellyband and a sword tassel, both hitting Xia Qingmei in the face: "You did such a shameful thing, and now you want to frame Young Master Shangguan? I found these things in your room!"
Lin Fengzi looked at the undergarment, and soon her face flushed red.
Xia Qingmei examined the two items repeatedly, then exclaimed in astonishment, "I don't know! This must be a frame-up! Huahua and I are getting married soon, how could I possibly..."
Xuezhi opened her eyes wide and looked at them, afraid of missing a single word.
"Impossible?" Yuan Shuangshuang threw out a colorful mask. "Then what is this?!"
That was the white Peking Opera mask of the Overlord, mainly in black, red, and white, with six small red circles and one large circle on the forehead. The mask's expression was stiff and somewhat ferocious.
However, the person who reacted the most upon seeing the mask was not Xia Qingmei, but Lin Fengzi.
She covered her mouth, but still couldn't stop herself from screaming.
Xia Qingmei's face turned ashen, and she looked at Yuan Shuangshuang but couldn't utter a single word.
Everyone was in a state of astonishment and confusion, except for Shangguan Tou, who simply watched the exchange of glances between Xia Qingmei and Yuan Shuangshuang.
There must be some secret between them.
If this were to come to light, Xia Qingmei would be utterly disgraced. Therefore, if he had any leverage over Yuan Shuangshuang, he would certainly eliminate her without hesitation.
But he didn't.
There are only two possibilities: First, Yuan Shuangshuang has no leverage over Xia Qingmei. Second, Yuan Shuangshuang has not revealed her final trump card.
If it's the second scenario, then for someone like Xia Qingmei, once her reputation is gone, all that's left is her life.
How can we force the truth out?
They must have a weakness.
Where is its weakness?
The land was covered in ice and snow, and the north wind was biting cold.
Although Yuan Shuangshuang looked worried, she walked towards Feng Zi with a face full of pity: "My child, we have all wronged Young Master Shangguan. Let everyone condemn this villain's crimes, and your father will also seek justice for you..."
Feng Zi covered her ears and closed her eyes tightly, as if she couldn't hear a single word.
"The leader will take you away now. No matter what happens in the future, the leader will never let you suffer the slightest injustice." She said softly as she tried to pull Feng Zi's hand away. "Let's go back now..."
"Please wait."
A young and gentle voice rang out from the crowd.
In the courtyard, the cold wind howled, and thousands of snowflakes fell from the branches.
Shangguan Tou stepped forward and slowly said:
"I ask the leader to grant my request for marriage to Feng Zi."
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124
Night has fallen.
With numerous internal affairs to attend to at Chonghuo Palace, coupled with the chaos of the world and the need to cooperate with various sects in investigating the whereabouts of "Lotus Wings," Xuezhi had no time to linger at Shaolin. After packing her things, she, along with her protectors and subordinates, stood outside the Shaolin gate, waiting for the servant who had informed the abbot to return before preparing to leave.
The daytime matters have been settled, whether they concern "Lotus Wing" or Feng Zi.
Shangguan Tou's words were surprising; his reason for marrying Feng Zi was this: a woman like her couldn't be given to Xia Qingmei. Besides, she was his close friend's sister, so there was nothing wrong with it, both morally and logically.
Xuezhi remembered that after he said that, he looked at her.
She was sitting in her seat with a stiff smile, looking very embarrassed.
Fortunately, not many people paid attention to her.
At that moment, Yuan Shuangshuang immediately told Shangguan Tou that sympathy would not solve the problem.
Shangguan Tou revealed an incredibly charming smile again and said: "A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections."
Therefore, Yuan Shuangshuang's reaction was also very unnatural.
However, no one noticed these details.
The matter between Shangguan Tou and Feng Zi has been settled. Moreover, based on Feng Zi's behavior and Yuan Shuangshuang's evidence, everyone knows that Xia Qingmei was the one who committed the crime back then. However, Feng Zi's reaction was too intense, and the matter cannot be mentioned much, so it can only be suppressed for the time being.
A snowy night. Lanterns reflected the firelight.
Xuezhi was still wrapped in a white fox fur coat, the firelight shimmering on her fair face.
An hour ago, Feng She had secretly given her a bad idea: she was not pregnant for long, so if she seduced Mu Yuan, they could get married and the child would be taken care of.
She refused, as a matter of course.
But I'm even more exhausted.
After waiting for a long time, a group of people carrying lanterns approached. Xuezhi knew that those who came were not the ones who had come to announce her arrival.
The young man at the head of the procession, dressed in white and wearing a jade crown, was tall and refined. Even among a gathering of heroes, he would stand out. If he were walking down the street, he would be the quintessential gentleman secretly longed for by many young ladies.
This kind of young master often frequented brothels, possessed an unparalleled understanding of women, and spoke with an excessive air of arrogance. However, even he seemed somewhat awkward in front of the woman standing at the forefront of the Chonghuo Palace disciples:
"Is Palace Mistress Xue about to leave?"
Xuezhi said calmly:
"yes."
"My name is Cai Cheng of Wudang."
Xuezhi pulled her fox fur coat tighter, her smile somewhat weak:
"So it's Young Master Cai."
Cai Cheng glanced at Xue Zhi for a moment, then said softly, "...May I escort the Palace Master on her way?"
"Thank you, Young Master Cai, but it is already late, and I have attendants with me. Let's do it another day."
"In that case, please accept this, Palace Master." Cai Cheng handed Xue Zhi a letter.
After Xuezhi accepted the gift, he bowed and took his leave.
This was the sixth letter she had received that day. She opened it, glanced at it quickly, and tossed it to the person next to her.
The content was indeed largely the same, except that Cai Cheng was more sincere and his words were more moving than the others. Xue Zhi hugged her arms, constantly telling herself that no matter what the situation, she would marry the person she loved in the future, so as not to regret it for the rest of her life.
As I thought about it, the scene of Shangguan Tou and Feng Zi leaving the Great Buddha Hall came to mind again.
If it were Shangguan Tou who came at this moment... perhaps she would be so happy that she would cry.
Xuezhi recalled the absurd things she had said to him.
Even such a small wish could not be fulfilled.
The weather was extremely cold. As I walked through the snow, I could hear the sound of snowflakes cracking under my feet, crisp yet hoarse.
Xuezhi lowered her head and paced slowly.
Then came the sound of steady, light footsteps approaching.
This time, it was a master. She knew who it was just from the sound of his footsteps. Only when she encountered him would she pretend not to know anything. This had happened many times before; she sensed the ambiguity in his words, but out of fear, she chose to play dumb. Moreover, she always hoped he would speak his mind directly. Now, she regretted it deeply. If she had been braver, bolder, perhaps they would be together by now.
Her feigned ignorance this time was also due to cowardice. But what she was afraid of was completely different.