The wind and snow were drifting.
The group entered in a staggered formation. Feng Cheng, who was sitting in the host's seat, stood up with a delighted expression and strode to greet them.
Leading the way were Lin Xuanfeng, dressed in simple elegance; Yuan Shuangshuang, adorned with gold and silver; and Shangguan Tou, dressed in plain white. Shangguan Tou was always impeccably dressed; even his snow-white cloak was trimmed with either mink or fur trim. However, the monochromatic color, coupled with his handsome features, made it difficult to convey a sense of extravagance. On the contrary, this time, as he walked through the snowstorm, his cloak billowing, he truly possessed the ethereal grace of a hermit from a paradise.
Such an elegant person is fine when he doesn't speak, but once he meets someone, his words and smiles are full of worldliness.
After Lin Xuanfeng, Yuan Shuangshuang, and Feng Cheng exchanged pleasantries, Feng Cheng smiled and said, "It seems that Master Lin and our Shangguan Xiaotou have reconciled. This is truly a cause for celebration."
"Not at all, that's just the Master's magnanimity." Shangguan Tou clasped his hands and said, "Greetings, Sect Leader Feng."
"Hahaha, cousin, you're too polite." Feng Cheng turned to Xue Zhi, "Palace Mistress Xue is also here. You two can have more discussions later..."
Shangguan Tou immediately turned around and smiled slightly at Xue Zhi: "Palace Mistress Xue."
From the moment he entered, Xuezhi's gaze hadn't left him. Even in crowded places, just looking at him made her heart flutter. Now that he suddenly spoke to her, she was caught off guard and almost lost her composure, stammering, "Ah, this, Young Master Shangguan..."
Feng Zi, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Lin Xuanfeng laughed loudly, "Xuezhi, do you know why I called you here today?"
Xuezhi blushed slightly in embarrassment, but tried to remain calm and said, "I don't know."
"I think it's better for my precious daughter to stay by my side for a few more years. As for her marriage to Young Master Shangguan, we should think about it more carefully."
Yuan Shuangshuang said, "Yes, yes, I could tell a few years ago that Xuezhi and Tou'er were childhood sweethearts. Master, please don't play matchmaker and break up a real couple."
Xuezhi was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear into the shadows, and for a long time she didn't know how to start to defend herself.
Shangguan Tou stared intently at Xuezhi, his eyes filled with deep affection. Xuezhi, however, didn't dare to look him in the eye, clearing her throat and whispering nonsense to Feng Zi.
However, Shangguan Tou said, "This marriage was not arranged by the Master of the Manor—it was arranged by me."
Xuezhi suddenly looked up, her mind blank.
Everyone was stunned. Especially Lin Xuanfeng and Yuan Shuangshuang. They had originally thought that Shangguan Tou had agreed to the marriage out of a sense of responsibility. Now that things had been explained, they had even specially planned to put on a show to give Shangguan Tou a way out. However, Shangguan Tou seemed to have no intention of cooperating at all and continued, "Please grant this marriage permission, Master."
Yuan Shuangshuang said, "Tou'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Everything has already been explained..."
Shangguan Tou cupped his hands and said, "Please also intercede on my behalf, former leader."
Xuezhi was stunned. This was both unexpected and yet perfectly logical. She didn't know what Shangguan Tou was up to, but she seemed to have reached her limit.
Yuan Shuangshuang said, "But, but, what will happen to Xuezhi if you do this—"
At this moment, Feng Zi quickly grasped Xue Zhi's hand and whispered, "Sister, listen to me, Young Master Shangguan is absolutely devoted to you..."
"The former leader has misunderstood." Xue Zhi shook her hand, gritted her teeth, and said, word by word, "My relationship with Valley Master Shangguan is merely one of righteousness. Let's discuss serious matters."
Shangguan Tou's amber pupils narrowed slightly as he kept giving Xuezhi meaningful glances, hoping she would look at him.
But Xuezhi never looked at him again.
Feng Cheng was the first to step in and smooth things over: "Palace Master Xue is right, it's time to discuss serious matters." He smiled broadly, but Bai Manman behind him gritted her teeth.
The group sat down and discussed for a long time, repeating the same points from the previous discussion. Xuezhi didn't hear a word. After a while, Yuan Shuangshuang suddenly stood up and said with a gentle smile, "I bought some things in Luoyang a few days ago, and I wanted to give them to Xuezhi." She paused and added, "They're all things for a young lady, I wonder if Xuezhi would do me the honor of coming with me?"
Xuezhi just wanted time to pass quickly so she could leave this place as soon as possible, so she followed her out without saying a word.
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127
Yuan Shuangshuang said she was going to give Xuezhi something, but after leaving the hall and entering the backyard, she kept walking straight ahead without looking back. Xuezhi had mixed feelings, but she figured that even if Shuangshuang didn't have good intentions, she wouldn't dare to make any rash moves in Huashan, so she followed her without worry.
After turning through several corridors, they arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard. Beside a few withered trees, Yuan Shuangshuang suddenly turned around and breathed on her hands: "It's so cold. Let's talk in that small kitchen."
Xuezhi hesitated for a moment, then followed her into the abandoned kitchen of the villa.
"What instructions does the former leader have?" Seeing that Yuan Shuangshuang had closed the door, Xuezhi became more vigilant and asked with a smile, "What kind of precious gift is it that requires such a long journey to deliver?"
“It’s just a little trinket.” Yuan Shuangshuang pulled a handkerchief from her waist, grabbed Xuezhi’s hand, and placed it in her palm. “This white flower handkerchief with a blue background should be familiar to Palace Master Xue.”
Xuezhi flipped through the silk handkerchief and looked at it. In the lower right corner, the character "福" (fortune) was embroidered in gold thread.
"It belongs to the Fu family."
“That’s right, Fu Jingran, the number one cloth merchant in Luoyang, that’s a golden brand.” Yuan Shuangshuang smiled, gently stroking the character “Fu” (福, meaning good fortune). “Everyone in Luoyang knows how much Fu Jingran dotes on his daughter, to the point that he loves his grandson more than his own grandchildren. His children and grandchildren are either officials or married in other places, only his youngest grandson often comes back to visit him. So of all his grandsons, he loves the youngest the most. In recent years, Fu Jingran’s health has not been very good, and he is probably not far from passing away, so he keeps urging his youngest grandson to find a wife and have a chubby great-grandson, which would fulfill his dream of four generations under one roof. So the girls in the capital and Luoyang are all going crazy, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…”
"Wait a minute," Xuezhi interrupted, "Is the sect leader telling me this from the wrong person?"
“Of course not,” Yuan Shuangshuang laughed. “What I’m trying to say is that Young Master Shangguan is serious this time. Everyone who knows him knows he’s interested in you, but he suddenly said he wants to marry Feng Zi. If you have any conflicts with him, it’s better to make peace sooner rather than later… otherwise, a momentary lapse could lead to eternal regret.”
"I have no conflict with him. The cult leader has misunderstood."
"Xuezhi, I know you're upset, but think about it. If they get married, the whole world will know. Even if you two reconcile, where will you put your face?"
"Did the original cult leader summon me here just to say these things? I'm sorry, I won't keep you company."
Xuezhi was about to leave when Yuan Shuangshuang blocked her way: "Xuezhi, listen to me. Actually, seducing a man isn't that difficult. You know, men are the most foolish things in the world. With your beauty and youth, there's no man you can't get."
"I'm not interested."
Xuezhi was about to take a detour, but she was stopped again: "Chong Xuezhi, listen to me—you are just a woman. For a woman to make a name for herself in this world, being good on her own is far from enough! To become a first-rate woman, she must rely on a first-rate man!"
She was extremely agitated. Xuezhi couldn't help but narrow her eyes and say, "...Are you sick?"
"Whether considering his family background or sphere of influence, Shangguan Tou is definitely the best helper to assist you in dominating the martial arts world in the future. If you miss him, you will find it difficult to find a better choice in the future!"
Xuezhi was both amused and exasperated. She liked Shangguan Tou, it was a simple, pure liking, she had never thought so much about it.
"Dominate the martial arts world? I've never even considered it. Former leader, you're probably drunk and talking nonsense. You should go back and rest. I really have to go." With that, Xuezhi pushed her away, trying to force her way out.
Just then, he received a heavy slap across the face.
The slap came swiftly and brutally. Xuezhi didn't even see it before she was slapped hard to the ground, let alone dodge it. She covered her face, her cheek burning hot, as if branded with a hot iron.
"You shameless brat!" Yuan Shuangshuang's expression was fierce and ferocious. "You and Shangguan Tou have already done things you shouldn't have done, haven't you? What are you pretending to be innocent and high-minded for? Let me tell you, get back here right now and keep your man in check!"
Xuezhi looked at Yuan Shuangshuang in astonishment: "Why...why are you so concerned about this?"
"Because he cannot marry Feng Zi!"
Why not?
Yuan Shuangshuang paused for a moment, then raised her voice, pointing at Xuezhi: "For no reason! If he marries Feng Zi, you and he—will both die!!"
"I don't know what you're afraid of. But I will absolutely not interfere in their affairs." Xuezhi stood up and slapped her across the face.
In that instant, she noticed a tiny movement in Yuan Shuangshuang: when the slap landed, Yuan Shuangshuang flinched, but then stood up straight and took the slap head-on.
Xuezhi's martial arts skills were no longer what they used to be; her movements were so fast that few had time to dodge and then take the hit. She was puzzled, but then she was frightened by Yuan Shuangshuang's actions.
Yuan Shuangshuang knelt down with a thud, her eyes red as she pleaded, "Xuezhi, my dear Xuezhi, I beg you, go back and reconcile with Young Master Shangguan. He really, really can't marry Feng Zi. If they get married, I'm finished, I'm really finished."
"……Why?"
"I can't say, I really can't say." Yuan Shuangshuang wiped away her tears while shaking her legs. "Promise me, Xuezhi, promise me, my dear Xuezhi..."
"You, you shouldn't do this, let's talk this out."
"They can't get married, Xuezhi. You must quickly go and reconcile with Young Master Shangguan. Promise me, okay? Okay?"
"No, I can't do it..." Xuezhi suddenly felt unwell, pressed her forehead and whispered, "You... don't force me."
At this moment, Yuan Shuangshuang lowered her head and remained motionless.
A wave of nausea washed over her, and Xuezhi covered her mouth, trying to suppress the urge to leave. Yuan Shuangshuang, however, whispered, "Then you..."
Xuezhi frowned and asked, "What?"
"Just die!!" Yuan Shuangshuang screamed. Before Xue Zhi could even stand up, she had already jumped up and punched Xue Zhi. Xue Zhi instinctively protected her stomach, turned to the side, and was hit in the back. She was slightly off-center, but her whole body bounced towards the wall.
It happened almost instantly. She lost consciousness.
128
The main hall of Mount Hua.
Emei sent someone to deliver the message. Fengcheng was at the front to receive them. Shangguan Tou, holding a cup of tea freshly brewed by a maid, stirred the tea leaves with the lid and casually said to the two junior protectors of Chonghuo Palace beside him, "Tieguanyin. Your palace master doesn't like it, does he?"
Yanhe spoke first: "Of course I don't like it. The Palace Master said that Tieguanyin looks too ugly and the taste is too strong. It tastes like drinking medicine."
Shangguan Tou smiled faintly, "She likes steamed green tea, right?"
"Yes. The Palace Master said that green tea has three greens: emerald green color, fresh green leaves, and bright green liquor. She said that the quality of tea is like the quality of a person, and someone she greatly admires likes light tea. She also said that people who like light tea have a personality as light as tea, as clear as water, as bright as the autumn moon, and as noble as a person."
Shangguan Tou continued fiddling with the ceramic lid, but didn't drink a sip of tea for a long time.
Three years ago, when she was just a little girl, fond of wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket and calling him "Brother Tou," she knew absolutely nothing about tea. Once, he sat by the window drinking tea, and she, resting her chin on her hand, looked at him with a smile, saying, "Brother Tou, you're such a grown-up!" He asked why. She said that, in her opinion, only those who have experienced much can truly appreciate the tranquility of tea. He laughed and said that was just her feeling; some children as young as five or six already love tea. She said, "But tea is too bitter." He brewed a very weak cup for her, saying that he didn't particularly like strong tea; only the subtle, almost imperceptible aroma could truly capture the essence of tea.
“But the Palace Master hasn’t been drinking tea lately,” Yanhe added.
Shangguan Tou then came to his senses and asked, "What do you mean?"
"The Palace Master is unwell and spends far more time in bed than walking around. He doesn't eat much, let alone drink tea."
The teacup in his hand trembled slightly. Shangguan Tou looked up and asked, "Is she sick?"
"Yes, it has been a while."
What kind of illness is it?
"This... Yanhe doesn't know."
"You don't even know what illness she has?" Shangguan Tou's face was full of anger. "How can you be a protector?"
"We've asked her, many people have asked her, but she just won't say, and she won't let us ask... We're all getting anxious." Yanhe glanced at Shangguan Tou, "Valley Master Shangguan, don't blame me for being nosy—at a time like this you're busy getting married to someone else and completely ignoring her, you, you have no right to say that!"
Yunhui nudged Yanhe with his elbow and whispered, "Yanhe!"
“I didn’t ignore her. There’s a reason for doing so.” Shangguan Tou put down his teacup. “I’ll ask her when she comes back later.”
After a long while, Fengcheng took his seat again.
Shangguan Tou glanced at the empty seat beside him, then composed himself slightly and asked, "Why hasn't Zhi'er returned yet?"
Meanwhile, in the abandoned kitchen.
With difficulty, Xuezhi raised her hand and rubbed her eyes, only then realizing that she had just fainted. Her head, which had hit the wall after being knocked away by Yuan Shuangshuang, was still slightly ringing.