Returning to my master's school, on the way to find my mother.
The day after General Qi set off for Fujian, Jiang Chen and I also set off for Xiaoyao Gate.
After a day and a night's journey by water back to the ferry crossing in Kang Le City, I felt as if I had suddenly grown up a lot. Jiang Chen, too, seemed more composed than ever before, behaving like a true gentleman throughout the journey.
Unexpectedly, as we were climbing the mountain, he suddenly became ungentlemanly and reached out to take my hand. I felt ashamed that it was broad daylight, and he was also trying to take my hand.
Previously, this action was inappropriate, so he struggled with it several times, but each time he failed to achieve his goal.
Little Pussy, panting, walked ahead and turned around when she heard the noise. She said, "Young master, I think you should just carry Miss up the mountain. You two are flirting all the way up, when are we ever going to get there?"
Jiang Chen smiled and nodded: "Little purse, your idea is brilliant!" As he spoke, he pretended to open his arms wide...
I ran forward as fast as I could. Little purse, I'll never expect you to side with me again, hmph!
When I returned to the Xiaoyao Sect, my fellow disciples greeted me with smiles and said, "Oh, Little Mo has come back to her parents' home!"
The senior students went even further: "Oh, the new bride is back home!"
Jiang Chen grinned and answered questions for me from all sides, looking as smug as a groom. I was speechless.
My master was overjoyed to see me, and I was overjoyed to see him. I had never been away from him for so long in my entire life. When I was little, I followed him everywhere, even to the outhouse, where I would wait outside, afraid he would disappear and no one would want me. This time, I experienced many ups and downs in Beijing, and seeing him again was incredibly heartwarming. My eyes welled up with tears.
My master looked at me with delight and concern: "Xiao Mo, how have you been in the capital these days?"
These days have been really tough, far too stimulating. My master's question immediately stirred up all the pain in my heart. I didn't care that Jiang Chen was there; I just wanted to bury my face in my master's arms and cry my heart out.
I threw myself into my master's arms and cried twice, but my master swiftly moved me to another place and put me in Jiang Chen's arms.
The master stammered, "Xiao Jiang, you, you come here, I, I'm not good at this at all."
Jiang Chen quickly and obediently patted my back, coaxing me softly, "It's okay, don't cry."
My face flushed, and I couldn't cry anymore.
Master scratched his head and asked anxiously, "What's wrong? Did Jiang Chen's mother wrong you?"
I quickly replied, "No."
"Did Jiang Chen make you suffer?"
No, not exactly.
"Then why are you crying?"
Why are you crying? It's a long story. I don't know how to tell my master for a moment.
Jiang Chen said happily, "My mother has set the wedding for the Mid-Autumn Festival. We'll invite Master and all the senior uncles to attend."
My master quickly poured me some tea and handed it to me, saying, "Little Mo, I've saved up some money on the side. I'll use it all as your dowry later."
I held the teacup, my hands were warm, and so was my heart. The Iron Tree of the Free and Unfettered Sect has grown stronger with each generation. My master, as the sect leader, has always been meticulous in his calculations to support the ever-increasing expenses of the Free and Unfettered Sect. It is truly not easy for him to save up some private money. What is even more touching is that he actually wants to take out all his private money as my dowry.
I looked at my master with emotion and said sincerely, "Master, the Jiang family is very rich. You don't need to prepare a dowry for me. You should keep that private money for me to marry a master's wife."
Jiang Chen nodded vigorously from the side, adding fuel to the fire, "Master, you are in the prime of your life, mature and refined, with endless charm. In my opinion, Xiao Mo may not be your last disciple. Who knows, you may have a whole bunch of sons to teach in the future."
My master blushed and hurriedly lowered his head to drink his tea. I felt that if the teacup were bigger, my master would have wanted to submerge his face in it.
Looking at my master's handsome, fair face, I sighed inwardly. It was a great pity that so many female warriors in the martial world hadn't pursued him. They truly had no taste! I put down my teacup, pondering whether to subtly inquire about Jinbo Palace from my master, or to ask directly. Yunzhi said my master recognized Murong Qiao's handwriting, so their meeting must have been more than just a brief encounter. Perhaps I should ask my master directly; maybe he knew more about the inside story.
So I put down my teacup and asked directly, "Master, do you know how to get to Jinbo Palace?"
My master was startled and stared at me, spilling the tea from his hand!
I had never seen my master so shocked and disoriented, his face as white as snow.
Why are you asking this?
My nose stung with tears, and I whispered, "Master, you... you should know about my background, so why have you never mentioned it for over a decade?"
My master stared intently into my eyes, his expression tense: "Xiao Mo, what have you heard?"
I took a deep breath: "Master, on this trip to the capital, I met Yunzhou's father, and he told me everything."
My master was startled again, his face turning ashen and pale. I had never seen him like this before. He would sometimes feign confusion, and sometimes he would genuinely be confused, but he was always calm and composed, staying away from trouble, like a cultivator, carefree and leisurely. But now, he looked dejected and pained, the veins on his fingers gripping the teacup bulging.
Suddenly, with a loud "bang," the cup in his hand shattered, leaving behind a trail of crimson plum blossoms on the white porcelain shards. A stream of bright red blood dripped from between his fingers, landing on his jade-white long robe—a shocking sight.
I was stunned and didn't understand why my master reacted so strongly. Did my words stir up memories and hatred in him, making him resent that my mother killed his good brother?
I quickly took out a handkerchief and covered my master's palm. Jiang Chen had already swiftly brought over some wound powder.
Looking at the wound on my master's hand, I felt deeply conflicted and distressed. As for my mother, I truly didn't know how to describe her. Other people's parents are loving and affectionate when they have children, but my parents are mortal enemies. How could I possibly say who is right and who is wrong?
Master seemed to freeze in place, letting Jiang Chen and I bandage his hands without moving or saying a word.
I said hesitantly, "Master, do you hate my mother, which is why you never mention her in front of me?"
After a long while, the master finally came to his senses: "Xiao Mo, I never hated her. I didn't tell you about her background because I knew her feelings. Because she is Murong Chou's daughter, she was called a witch and a demoness from birth. In fact, she is innocent and has no intention of harming anyone."
The master paused here, as if his throat was a little sore, and then said, "She must not want her daughter to repeat the same mistakes, so she sent you to the Xiaoyao Sect. The Xiaoyao Sect has always been a prestigious and righteous sect, and it is far away from the troubles and grudges of the martial world. No one knows that you are a descendant of Murong Chou of Jinbo Palace, and you don't have to bear the infamy of your maternal grandfather and be disliked by others. I know you have always resented her for abandoning you, but she must have had her reasons. You, don't blame her."
I was stunned. I never imagined that Master not only didn't hate her, but also told me not to hold a grudge against her. Could it be that Master was trying to comfort her because he remembered the kindness she had shown him by letting him leave Jinbo Palace back then?