Canción nocturna

Capítulo 20

Mu Yanxue continued to gaze at me, without uttering a word. After a moment, she turned, sword in hand, and left the guest hall, leaving everyone bewildered.

I heard Shen Yunshuang's voice behind me, "Seventh Brother, what happened just now? Isn't Doctor Xia your master?"

Lou Xiyue did not answer.

I gasped, turned to Lou Xiyue and smiled, “Xiyue, my master is here today too. Come, follow me and greet my grandmaster.”

Lou Xiyue remained expressionless.

I moved closer to my master and grinned at him. "Master, he is Lou Xiyue, the seventh young master of the Lou family. I've taken him into the valley as my disciple."

The master looked at Lou Xiyue, a faint smile spreading across his lips, and nodded slightly to him.

When I tricked Lou Xiyue into entering the valley, I was prepared for the day when the truth would be revealed. I'm always meticulous in my actions, and to prevent Lou Xiyue from turning against me after learning the truth, I made him perform the three kneelings and nine prostrations ceremony upon entering the valley. Furthermore, I left a written record in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

That day, I wrote a "Letter of Apprenticeship" and had Lou Xiyue read it aloud. The gist of it was: Lou Xiyue wishes to enter Medicine King Valley and become a disciple of Master. From this day forward, we swear an oath by blood. Afterward, we both bit our fingers and signed our names on it.

A teacher for a day is a teacher for life.

Therefore, even if I am not Xia Jingnan, I am still Lou Xiyue's legitimate master.

This "Apprenticeship Certificate" is currently in my possession.

Lou Xiyue met his master's gaze. His fingers were gripping the ribs of the peach blossom fan, his expression unchanged. I couldn't fathom the turmoil churning within him. But I thought that after so many trials, if Lou Xiyue were to suddenly explode in anger, then roar at the heavens and sever our master-disciple bond, that would be far too unsettling. All that time I had spent teaching him, setting a good example for him, would have been for nothing.

"Snap—" The fan handle struck his palm. Lou Xiyue raised an eyebrow at me, a nonchalant smirk playing on his lips. He bowed to his master, "Xiyue greets Valley Master Xia."

My master smiled slightly and then asked me, "Little Xiang, why did you leave the valley?"

I said sincerely, “west Yue’s father, Master Lou has caught a cold, and since you, Master, are away and not returning, I went with him to Yangzhou to treat Master Lou.”

Lou Xiyue shuddered.

The master asked warmly, "Then how did you come to Muxue Manor?"

I said sincerely, "Since Xiyue intends to marry Master Mu, I came with him to support him."

Lou Xiyue trembled again.

Finally, I steered the conversation to the point, and seized the opportunity to ask my master, "Master, are you also interested in Master Mu?"

The master smiled slightly. "I know her from before. I'm just bringing some herbs along the way to protect her heart."

I looked at Lou Xiyue and patted his shoulder with relief. "Xiyue, you can rest assured. Your master has no other intentions towards Master Mu. You don't need to worry about the master-disciple relationship. Feel free to bring the beauty back."

The white jade ruyi fan on Lou Xiyue's peach blossom fan suddenly broke in two.

“Dr. Xia, we’ve met again. I haven’t yet repaid your kindness in saving my life last time.” A handsome young man in blue robes walked up to Shen Yunshuang.

The master smiled faintly, "Young Master Shen, how is your injury healing?"

Shen Ran still had a scab on his right cheek. He thanked the doctor, saying, "Thanks to the miraculous doctor's prescription, I'm almost healed."

During the conversation, Mu Yanxue's maidservant relayed a message: "Heroes, it is currently the peak blooming season for the Bone Red Weeping Plum blossoms in the manor. My master cordially invites you all to enjoy the plum blossoms and stroll in the snow. Mu Xue Manor has prepared some fine wine and dishes. You may stay at the manor tonight. Tomorrow, we will hold a banquet to invite you to a marriage proposal."

As night approached, Shen Ran invited his master to drink with him. Shen Yunshuang invited Lou Xiyue to admire the plum blossoms in the back courtyard.

I was in a great mood when I saw my master, and I paced back and forth in the courtyard with my hands behind my back.

Red plum blossoms in the snow, their branches slanting against the ice, blooming in the cold. The bone-red weeping plum blossoms at Muxue Mountain Villa are also known as "double plum blossoms" because they have six petals and bloom twice in late winter and early spring, which is truly rare.

I imagine that when Master and Shen Ran have finished their wine, I will stand with them amidst the shimmering snow, gazing up at the red plum blossoms on the branches. The mountain breeze will fill our sleeves, the slanting sunlight will reflect the frost—how poetic and picturesque this will be!

My romantic daydreams of love under the moon were shattered by the Crimson Snow Sword pressed against my throat by Mu Yanxue.

She sneered, "Lin Yi, I don't know how you ended up like this, but the grudge you committed by stealing my sword manual cannot be covered up by simply changing your clothes!"

Her face was fair and beautiful, and against the backdrop of the snow, she looked like the moon veiled by light clouds.

I explained, "Master Mu, you've really mistaken me for someone else. I am definitely not the Lin Yi you're talking about. I don't know him at all."

Mu Yanxue shouted, "Shut up! I've been your disciple for three years, seeing you day and night. Even if you turn to ashes, I'll still recognize you!"

I suddenly realized that the Lin Yi she was talking about must be the owner of the skin on my face.

Thinking of this, I said to her, "Master Mu, this face is not actually mine."

She asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?!"

Just as I was about to peel off the dough, I heard someone calling me.

"Xiao Xiang," the master's voice was like warm sunshine, instantly putting people at ease.

My master walked to my side and said to Mu Yanxue, "Master Mu, she is my disciple Qi Xiang. You have mistaken her for someone else."

Mu Yanxue did not move her sword, but said meaningfully, "Dr. Xia, your disciple looks exactly like one of my old friends."

I wanted to explain, "That's because of this..."

His words were interrupted by his master, who said calmly, "There are many people in the world who look alike. Master Mu, take a closer look. Is Qi Xiang really the same as your old friend?"

Mu Yanxue paused, her eyes fixed intently on me. After a moment, her hand fell to her sides, and she murmured, "No..."

She lost her composure, utterly dejected, and gave a self-deprecating laugh, "As expected, he won't come. What am I doing... He's been gone for four years. If he wanted to come back, he would have come back long ago..."

She lowered her eyes, her dark brows furrowed slightly, remained silent for a while, and then turned and left.

The master stood under the plum branch, his eyes like clear pools, his face like the moon, his smile slightly spreading as it melted into the wind.