Seeing that the person in front of him had a slight frown, Zhuang Su couldn't help but smile and say, "Shen Jian, your swordsmanship is not bad, you can control it with ease."
"I've told you so many times, don't come near me without a word. I don't want to hurt you." Seeing that she was completely unrepentant, Shen Jian couldn't help but glare at her. Seeing that her face was slightly red from the wind, he sheathed his sword, pulled her up and walked into the house. "Why did you come today? Let's talk in the inner room."
Zhuang Su felt a warmth in her palm and obediently followed her. Years later, she still loved Shen Jian's warm hands. Many people were afraid of him now, but she remained unafraid.
The simple room reflected his style: clean, uncluttered, and spotless. A bed, a table, a sword rack, a painting hanging on the wall, and several swords adorning the walls.
Zhuang Su placed the pastries she brought on the desk and muttered, "Look, Su Qiao has too many pastries. I heard you went back to the North Building, so I brought some for you. I'll go find Uncle Yan after he's done with his work."
Zhuang Su went to see Yan Bei, naturally because of another arrangement made by Qing Chen. There was a special assassin training program in the North Building, one of which was—poison. Because Zhuang Su didn't like playing around, after the second kidnapping incident, Qing Chen had asked Yan Bei to specially find the poison doctor Yu Yan to teach her how to use poison for self-defense.
Shen Jian placed the sword in his hand on the sword rack and replied, "I'm back to rest for a few days. I'll have a new mission soon."
"So hasty?" Zhuang Su asked in surprise. "Haven't we heard recently that there's been some internal strife within the court and instability on the borders? Why not wait until things calm down before taking action?"
Shen Jian said, "It is precisely because the court has failed in its duties that it has entrusted the matter to the Yiye Alliance."
Zhuang Su complained, "We don't need to ask you for everything. You've only been at Yintang for a few years. Don't you have anyone else there?"
"This was something I requested myself." There was a strange look in Shen Jian's expression.
Zhuang Su sensed that he had been unusually silent since his return and didn't know what to say for a moment. Feeling vaguely uneasy, she couldn't help but ask, "How long will this mission take? Is it dangerous?"
Shen Jian gave her a deep look, seemingly with a hint of helplessness: "I don't know how long this mission will take. It might take three to five years, or even longer. If I don't return in three to five years, then..."
Zhuang Su's face darkened: "What kind of mission is it that makes you so uncertain? If you think there's a chance you might not come back, why did you agree to it?" Actually, she wanted to add, "Have you lost your mind?" But since the person she was talking to was Shen Jian, she swallowed her words and remained polite.
Shen Jian fell silent for a moment, as if considering whether he should tell her, but seeing Zhuang Su's slightly angry expression, he softened his attitude: "I want to leave the State of Chu and go to Chaoyang, the capital of the State of Han."
Zhuang Su asked, "What are you going there for? Who are you going to kill this time? Is it a royal prince or a high-ranking official of the Han state?" Zhuang Su knew that the Chu state he was in had been in conflict with the neighboring Han state for many years, but he never expected that the Chu state would actually devise a plan to have the Yiye Alliance use the Silver Hall to interfere in the affairs of the two countries.
What she probably doesn't understand is why Shen Jian would interfere in such matters.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jian's lips twitched, a faint sneer appearing on his face: "That person... you don't need to ask. In any case, I have to go this time. I'll be at ease if you stay here." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, followed by an indifferent expression. Looking at Zhuang Su, his voice softened slightly: "If I don't come back, you don't need to be too sad..."
His lips were a little dry.
Upon hearing his words, Zhuang Su felt a sudden surge of unease. She gazed into Chen Jian's eyes, and a smile gradually appeared in them: "I'll ask my father for permission to go with you."
“No.” Shen Jian refused almost instinctively. But when he saw Zhuang Suwei smiling at him, though her dark eyes held no smile, instead revealing a stubbornness and obstinacy, Shen Jian’s expression darkened slightly: “I won’t take you.”
Zhuang Su raised an eyebrow at him: "Fine, if you won't take me, I'll go by myself." Seeing that Shen Jian's expression was extremely gloomy, she packed up the empty basket, turned around and slipped out of the room. At the door, she didn't forget to turn back, roll her eyes and stick out her tongue: "You said I was a nuisance back then, and I still remember that grudge to this day." After saying that, she disappeared in a flash.
The door was wide open, and the cold wind whistled in.
Chen Jian's robes fluttered slightly. He stood there for a long time, then suddenly sighed, a helpless smile playing on his lips: "Even if you wanted to go with me, that person wouldn't allow it." He stood at the doorway, staring blankly outside, his expression momentarily lost in thought.
"Han Kingdom, I'm coming back..."
This sound was so cold that even the surrounding chill seemed to change color.
Zhuang Su ran for a while, then looked back and saw a figure vaguely emerging from the doorway. Seeing that the figure wasn't chasing after her, she slowed her pace and strolled along. For a moment, she didn't seem to feel much of the cold.
She lost interest in finding Yan Bei and walked slowly back to Shengxiao Valley.
The first thing to do is to find Qingchen.
At this time, Qingchen should have been holed up in his room, not daring to come out. Zhuang Su knocked lightly on his door, about to call out, but the door wasn't closed properly and opened abruptly with a slight push. She chuckled inwardly at Qingchen's carelessness and went inside.
Qingchen's constitution was prone to coldness, making it especially difficult for her to stay outdoors in winter. Li Jiu asked Jin Ruoyu to find some kind of fragrant coal from somewhere, which, when lit in the room, made the temperature inside feel like early spring. Therefore, Qingchen had no worries about food or clothing in her room, living a life akin to that of an immortal.
Upon entering, Zhuang Su felt a comfortable warmth and closed the door behind her.
There was still a faint smell of alcohol inside, which she was used to. After looking around for a while, she finally saw a person seemingly asleep by the bedside. She didn't know how he had fallen asleep; his thin clothes were slightly exposed, revealing a hint of his alluring chest, and he slept peacefully.
"If other women see this, it will probably cause trouble again." Seeing his appearance, Zhuang Su was neither angry nor amused. She stepped forward to tuck him in, but then he suddenly opened his eyes.
When she first woke up, she was still a little dazed. She vaguely saw someone and her expression cleared up. When she saw that it was Su Su, she couldn't help but smile and say, "Su Su, what brings you here today?"
He's just never serious, which is what gives her a headache... Zhuang Su thought to herself, how come the same words sound so different when spoken by different people? On the surface, however, she glared at him angrily: "Father, you should sometimes control yourself. You sleep during the day and are full of energy at night. What kind of behavior is this, turning day into night upside down?"
Qingchen rubbed her eyes slightly, stretched lazily, and yawned exaggeratedly: "So that's why you're here. It's still daytime, huh? Is it morning or afternoon?"
Zhuang Su was speechless with anger at his question. Just then, she saw Qing Chen stretch and sit on the bed, smiling sweetly at her. He patted the bed beside him and called out, "Su Su, come here."
His expression was like that of a cunning and sly fox, but unfortunately, rabbit ears were faintly visible on his head, making him seem harmless.
Zhuang Su sighed inwardly and walked over to sit beside him. As she approached, she sensed a comforting scent emanating from Qing Chen.
However, as expected, Qingchen's hand pinched her cheek, and she chuckled softly, "Susu is still the most fun."
Zhuang Su's lips twitched slightly. Fun? She resisted the urge to slap him, calmly brushing away the restless hand: "Father, I've come to discuss something with you."
Qingchen gave her a resentful look, then leaned against the edge of the bed and asked, "What is it?"
"Shen Jian..." When Zhuang Su said these two words, she felt the atmosphere around her change slightly. She sighed inwardly and could only patiently continue, "Shen Jian has a new mission, and I want to go with him. It will also be a kind of training experience."
"Are you going to the Han Kingdom?" Qingchen's voice came from behind, calm and unreadable.
Zhuang Su was surprised that Qing Chen knew about Shen Jian's mission this time, and couldn't help but ask, "Father, you know? Tell me, what exactly is he doing there?"
Qingchen smiled slightly, her tone flat and without any inflection: "You don't need to worry about that."
Zhuang Su said angrily, "Shen Jian is my friend."
Qingchen glanced at her indifferently: "He has nothing to do with you."
For the first time, Zhuang Su felt that the person in front of her was truly unreasonable. She suddenly stood up and ignored him, saying, "Anyway, I'm going with him this time."
Qingchen found it amusing: "You told him? Is he willing to take you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Su was speechless. Indeed, Shen Jian had always been unwilling to take her along. But—she had grown up, she had learned a lot, and she was no longer the little girl who only knew how to be protected by him. She believed she could help him, and she didn't want him to risk his life alone.
Zhuang Su gently bit her lip, her tone resolute: "I must go, even if it's just by myself."
"Oh?" Qingchen's tone rose slightly, and she turned over and lay down again. "You can't go without my permission."
"Father!" Zhuang Su didn't understand why Qing Chen, who had always smiled and agreed with everything she said, was being so stubborn this time. When she turned around, she saw that he had his back to her and had fallen asleep peacefully on the bed again. His chest rose and fell slightly, a sense of tranquility emanating from him.
Zhuang Su silently watched his retreating figure, stood there for a while, then turned and left.
As the door closed, the person who seemed to be asleep suddenly opened their eyes. The smile in their eyes just moments before faded, replaced by a hazy, ambiguous look.
"Susu, stay away from that person." The words drifted softly into the empty room, as if spoken to Susu, yet also as if spoken to himself.
Qingchen's eyes slowly closed, and she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Nine: How the Cicada Sheds Its Shell (Part 1)
The Valley of Shengxiao was completely silent. The servants mostly stayed indoors and didn't go out. It was cold and deserted outside. The branches hung drooping dejectedly from their tips, as if a single breath would send them fluttering down.
As Zhuang Su walked along the corridor, a single word was clearly written on her face—sorrow.
How could she not be worried? She wouldn't accept the simple words, nor would she let the light dust escape her grasp. If she had the chance, she would want to tear them to pieces. She let out a long howl to the sky. As she passed by, she saw a figure vaguely appearing in Liusu's bamboo house. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and she walked over. Liusu rarely interacted with outsiders, and she was very curious about who could be visiting at this time.
Hearing whispers nearby, Zhuang Su approached and could vaguely hear words like "sheng and xiao" and "court." Surprised, she softened her steps. Standing on tiptoe by the door, she pressed herself against the edge, holding her breath to listen.
However, a period of silence ensued.
Zhuang Su was startled and hurriedly dodged to the side. Just then, several silver needles shot out from the crack in the bamboo door, and she missed them. Zhuang Su was speechless. Suddenly, the door opened, and a figure flashed out from inside. She felt a dark shadow coming towards her, and her feet moved involuntarily, barely dodging it, but she lost her footing and fell to the ground.
This was the first time Zhuang Su had expressed gratitude to Murong Shi for teaching her the dance steps. At that time, Murong Shi jokingly said that he might save her life someday, but she hadn't paid attention. This time, however, she truly believed it. Judging from the looks of it, it must be some kind of light-body skill.
Zhuang Su rubbed her sore buttocks and looked up reproachfully, only to see an old man with a long beard standing inside the door, looking at her with a serious expression, as if he was about to attack.
Liu Su stepped out from behind him and, seeing the situation, quickly helped Zhuang Su up, saying helplessly, "Su Su, why didn't you say anything when you came? Luckily, you're alright." He patted the dust off Zhuang Su and explained to the old man, "Old Sun, it's a misunderstanding. This is Su Su, my master's daughter."
The old man glanced at Zhuang Su, his expression sharp: "Oh? That Qingchen's daughter?"
Zhuang Su felt uncomfortable being scrutinized and looked at Liu Su for help. Liu Su noticed her expression and smiled gently at her: "Old Sun is my servant. He heard that I was going on a long trip and came to pack my luggage."
"Huh, is Second Senior Brother going out?" Zhuang Su looked surprised when he heard this.
"Let's talk inside." Liu Su patted Zhuang Su's head affectionately, pulled her into the house, and found a chair for her to sit down. "I feel like I've been studying with Master for quite some time now, and I want to go out and travel more to gain more experience. Besides, the musical styles of different countries are not the same, so it's good to travel around more."
“I see…” Zhuang Su replied hesitantly, letting out a long sigh.
Seeing her listless expression, Liu Su asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to leave your senior brother? Actually, even if I leave, your senior brother will still be here."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Su couldn't help but smile bitterly: "You have the nerve to say that? Every time that senior brother comes to Shengxiao Valley, he always goes to see my father. By the time I come back, he's already gone. We haven't even met once in all these years."
Liu Su smiled and said, "You really still can't forget me."
Zhuang Su rolled her eyes at him: "We're all from Shengxiao Valley, after all. You haven't even seen him in so long. Aren't you a failure?" Seeing Liu Su's smiling face, she suddenly remembered something, and her eyes lit up: "By the way, Second Senior Brother, when you go out, will you pass through the Han Kingdom?"
For some reason, Liu Su's expression stiffened, then she asked gently, "They should be passing by, what's wrong?"
Seizing the opportunity, Zhuang Su hurriedly said, "Can you take me with you?"
Liu Su was very puzzled: "You have no worries about food and clothing in Shengxiao Valley, why would you suddenly have such an idea? Besides, Master wouldn't agree to let you go out, would he?" He smiled as he thought of Qingchen's personality.
Zhuang Su knew what he was laughing about, so she could only put on a bitter face: "If he agreed, would I still need to ask you, Second Senior Brother... It's because Father doesn't agree to me going that I hope you can take me away."
Liu Su looked at her suspiciously and asked, "Why are you so insistent? Is it related to that person?" The "that person" he was referring to was Shen Jian.
Zhuang Su was surprised that her thoughts had been seen through so clearly. Her face flushed inexplicably, and she simply nodded silently, waiting anxiously for Liu Su's response. There was a hint of anticipation in her eyes, and a few strands of hair fell beside her dark eyes. Over the years, she had gradually developed a refined and serene beauty.
Liu Su's expression shifted slightly, her heart softened, and she couldn't help but sigh softly, "I will set off in three days. At the midday market, I will wait for you at the pavilion at the foot of the mountain."
Zhuang Su was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately beamed with joy: "Thank you, Second Senior Brother, I will definitely be there!"
"You're not thanking me, you're just saying that daughters grow up and leave home," Liu Su couldn't help but tease.
"No way!" Zhuang Su was somewhat embarrassed and angry. He immediately stood up, pursed his lips, and said, "Second Senior Brother, if you still want to talk, I won't disturb you. You must remember to wait for me in three days."
"Alright, I got it." Liu Su smiled, amused by her.
After watching Zhuang Su leave the bamboo residence, Elder Sun, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up: "Young Master, are you sure it's alright for you to bring her along?"
Liu Su walked to the bookshelf and flipped through the books she was going to take with her when she left. She replied casually, "Su Su grew up in Shengxiao Valley. It's good for her to go out for a walk. Master dotes on her. I'm afraid he'll be worried if she leaves with me like this."
Old Sun vaguely sensed the amusement in his words and couldn't help but smile as well: "Oh? If that's really the case, aren't you afraid that your master will come after you later?"
Upon hearing this, Liusu paused slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, but she didn't answer. Seeing his expression, Old Sun also smiled faintly, brewing a cup of tea and sipping it calmly. At this moment, Liusu took a booklet from the cabinet, his expression softening slightly, and turned to put it into his bag. Old Sun, surprised, couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"
“The Collection of Pure Hearts,” Liu Su smiled slightly and explained, “is filled with lyrics and music written by Su Su.”
A few thoughts flashed in Old Sun's eyes. He wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he kept quiet.
The wind outside suddenly picked up, blowing open the window of the bamboo house. A few strands of hair curled up as they passed over the tassels on the window. He looked out and vaguely saw a figure gradually receding into the distance, looking rather thin in the cold wind. He narrowed his eyes slightly, turned around, and went to close the window again.
The Valley of Shengxiao remained quiet.
The next day, Zhuang Su continued to wander between the South Courtyard and Shengxiao Valley, just as before. Shen Jian and Qing Chen seemed to have agreed not to mention Zhuang Su's desire to go to the Han Kingdom again, and things proceeded peacefully.