Une aura glaçante

Chapitre 6

"What's that maid's name?"

"I don't know, the name was erased."

"Phew..." Xiao Dao breathed a sigh of relief, he was almost scared to death, he thought he had left behind some "ironclad evidence", luckily Xue Fu was quick-witted and careful enough.

Xue Beifan raised an eyebrow at Xiao Dao, as if asking—should we make things clear?

Xiao Dao kept shaking his head – No, no!

Xue Beifan frowned again—you're trying to hide it, but you'll be exposed sooner or later.

Xiao Dao sneered – Mind your own business, we'll talk about it later when you're exposed!

Xue Beifan sighed – "Whatever."

After exchanging glances, the two picked up their bowls to drink the soup, and simultaneously reached for the same spoon. Xiao Dao glanced at Xue Beifan, who reluctantly withdrew his hand, indicating—you go first!

Xiao Dao thought this was more like it, and scooped up some soup to drink.

Then Hao Jinfeng couldn't help but say, "Wasn't what you two were doing just now called flirting?"

"Cough cough..."

Chonghua was amused by him and nodded, "Yes, yes, it's like exchanging glances."

Xiao Dao awkwardly held the bowl, blowing on the hot soup. Across from him, Xue Beifan seemed quite composed; after all, the skin of a lecherous thief was unbreakable. Holding the spoon, he politely said to Hao Jinfeng, "With Constable Hao's help, things will definitely be much easier. However, I'm not going back to the Beihai Sect yet; I'm going somewhere else."

Where to?

"We're looking for the Five Dragon Bone Maps, why don't Constable Hao come with us?"

Hao Jinfeng frowned slightly. "Why do we need to look for the map? Aren't we investigating Xue Beihai's death?"

"My elder brother probably lost his life because of the Five Dragon Bone Diagrams." Xue Beifan shook his head and sighed deeply. "My elder brother was a kind and benevolent man throughout his life, and he never schemed against others..."

"Pooh!"

Everyone turned around and saw Xiao Dao spitting out fish bones, while agreeing with a forced smile, "Yeah! Xue Beihai is a good person! Bah. He would never be ungrateful, turn the tables, or scheme. Ugh! This fish has so many bones."

"Ahem." Xue Beifan coughed, suppressing a laugh. He was too embarrassed to make up any more stories. He waved his hand and said, "In short, my elder brother is innocent but guilty of possessing a treasure. To find the real culprit, we must first find the Dragon Bone Five Diagrams."

After hearing this, Hao Jinfeng nodded, since Xue Beifan already had a clue, "In that case, I will accompany you all on this trip."

Xue Beihai smiled triumphantly at Xiao Dao—"Now you can't escape!"

Xiao Dao was furious. One problem after another arose. No matter what, she was determined not to go to the Nine Pearl Dragon Pool!

After eating for a while, we heard applause coming from upstairs.

Xiao Dao looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's probably Feng Wuyou who came out to play the zither."

"Shall we go upstairs and take a look?" Xiao Dao was very curious about what Feng Wuyou looked like; she was the legendary number one beauty in the martial arts world.

"It costs one hundred taels of silver to go up to the private room on the second floor," Chonghua reminded Xiaodao. "The cost of the meal is separate."

"So expensive?" Xiao Dao frowned, looking at Xue Beifan. "Are you treating or not?"

Xue Beifan raised the corners of his mouth, rested his chin on one hand, and slowly replied, "In this world, I am only interested in priceless treasures. Things with a price tag are meaningless."

Out of sight, out of mind.

Feng Wuyou made quite a show of herself when she walked out, and the wealthy patrons in the upstairs private room all stood up to greet her.

Unable to see the beauty, Xiao Dao grew anxious and could only whisper to Xiao Yue, "Have you seen Feng Wuyou? Is she pretty?"

Xiaoyue nodded, "It looks pretty good."

As they were talking, the sound of wooden clogs stepping on the floorboards came from upstairs, causing a stir among the diners in the lobby.

It turned out that Feng Wuyou, who had set a rule to only meet people in the private rooms and not in the main hall, actually walked down gracefully, which gave the individual diners that day a great deal.

Feng Wuyou walked straight to Xiaodao and the others' table, gently grasped the white jade pot, and poured wine for Xue Beihai. "Young Master Xue, you are too polite. You didn't even say you were coming."

Xiao Dao heard intermittent sucking sounds around her, wondering if the diners were drooling with envy or swallowing their saliva with jealousy. She then carefully observed the renowned beauty who was famous throughout the martial arts world—Feng Wuyou.

What defines a beauty?

The terms "beautiful enough to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky" and "beautiful enough to make the moon hide and flowers blush" are too general. What kind of eyes, nose, and mouth define a woman as a standard beauty? And as for the most beautiful woman in the world, naturally she must be more beautiful than all the other women! But who decides that?

To be fair, Xiao Dao was a little disappointed when he first looked at Feng Wuyue. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty, but saying she was the best in the world seemed a bit of an exaggeration.

This is the strangest thing about people's hearts. For example, when they first enter a brothel, the owner comes to pour wine, and Xiao Dao is sure to be amazed—what a beautiful proprietress! But now, if you first say that she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and then come down to pour wine, Xiao Dao will take one look and feel that she is beautiful but not amazing. She is just a pretty proprietress.

After pouring the wine, Feng Wuyou's gaze swept over everyone.

To receive a smile from a beautiful woman is an unparalleled honor, especially in a brothel with so many people paying to see her, while you get to see her for free!

Chonghua was clearly quite familiar with Feng Wuyou, nodding to her. Hao Jinfeng, being a simpleton, ate his meal without paying attention. Xiaoyue, wearing a mask, remained silent. Finally… Feng Wuyou's gaze fell on Xiaodao.

Xiao Dao looked up at her and examined her face—this Feng Wuyou was exceptionally beautiful with delicate features, a strikingly beautiful type, not very old, and exuded elegance and nobility. Her figure and appearance were worthy of the title of great beauty, enough to make any man swoon for a while.

It was rather strange, though. Feng Wuyou was quite attentive to Xue Beifan, but Xue Beifan always wore a half-smile, not at all like a "lecherous thief." Xiao Dao was very curious; even cats sometimes don't steal fish?

Feng Wuyou stared at the small knife for a while, smiled faintly, and whispered to Xue Beifan, "I have received an invitation from Master Shen. Let's meet again tonight." After speaking, she turned around and went upstairs with a graceful air. A faint fragrance lingered as she swept her sleeves, causing the guests in the restaurant to become infatuated for a while.

Xiao Dao suddenly wanted to see what expression the heartless man Chai Ziyao would have, so he looked up and saw him staring at Xue Beifan with a sullen face. Hao Jinfeng had been sitting with his back to him the whole time and hadn't looked up either. He probably hadn't recognized him, but he was quite dissatisfied with Xue Beifan's coldness and disdain for his dream girl.

Xiao Dao glanced at Xue Beifan across from him and asked, "What are you planning?"

Xue Beifan smiled casually, "Of course it's a good idea."

Seeing him acting all innocent, Xiao Dao muttered, "What's with the swagger!"

After dinner, everyone returned to Xinghai Garden, and Xiaodao decided to stay there. She was originally arranged to stay in a guest room, but she ran to Xiaoyue's room with her pillow and asked if she could stay with her.

Xiaoyue readily agreed and became very close to Xiaodao.

Shen Xinghai was slightly puzzled to see that the two had become like sisters so soon after meeting. Lou Xiaoyue had been with him since childhood, was aloof and disliked socializing, and had never had any friends. How could she so easily let down her guard and get close to Xiaodao today?

Xiao Dao noticed Shen Xinghai looking at her with some suspicion, but she didn't mind and just sat there chatting with Xiao Yue. The two girls whispered amongst themselves, and Shen Xinghai, standing at the door as if about to leave, couldn't bear to look away…

Xiao Dao asked Xiao Yue earnestly, "Xiao Yue, you're in your twenties, aren't you going to get married? Are you going to wear a mask and be a servant for the rest of your life?"

After hearing this, Xiaoyue hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, "I won't get married."

"Girls always have to get married." Seeing Shen Xinghai walk behind the window, Xiao Dao deliberately whispered to Xiaoyue, "Do you have feelings for your master?"

Sure enough, Shen Xinghai paused, seemingly listening intently.

Xiaoyue remained silent for a while before answering, "The master of the manor is engaged to a princess from the Prince of Jin's family. She will be marrying into the family in the second half of the year. It's a perfect match."

Shen Xinghai frowned slightly, then turned and left.

Xiao Dao sighed softly as he watched him leave.

Xiaoyue looked at her, puzzled. "Why are you sighing?"

Xiao Dao reached out and patted her head, "You silly girl."

Xiaoyue reached out and touched her back, saying, "You're the little girl."

The two continued to enjoy their tea and chat idly.

From Xiaoyue, Xiaodao learned that Shen Xinghai, Xue Beifan, and Chonghua were childhood friends. Xue Beifan disliked staying at the Beihai Sect, spending half the year at Xinghai Garden and the other half at Chonghua Tower. The three of them were all eccentric figures in the martial arts world, not involved in Jianghu affairs, and living freely.

Seeing that Xiaoyue had just casually tied her hair up, Xiaodao reached out and pulled her beautiful hair out from her collar. Seeing that her hair was thick and dark, he casually tied it up and took a hairpin from his bundle to style her hair.

Xiaoyue reached out to touch it, but Xiaodao stopped her, saying, "Girls need to dress up."

"No, we won't allow it."

"Who's stopping me?"

"Young Master won't allow it..."

"Of course he'd agree," Xiao Dao cursed inwardly. Shen Xinghai's jealousy had clearly reached a boiling point; he wouldn't know how to cherish her if he wasn't provoked. Xiao Yue was so likable and honest, so loyal and devoted to him—she'd definitely suffer for it in the future!

Following her mother's teachings that "meeting is fate, and women should help each other," Xiaodao decided to test Shen Xinghai for Xiaoyue. If he wasn't sincere, they should break up as soon as possible. A good woman doesn't have to worry about finding a husband; the real fear is marrying the wrong one!

After finishing Xiaoyue's hair, Xiaodao asked her, "Is that Princess of Jin pretty?"

"Yes, she's well-educated and reasonable." Xiaoyue nodded. "The young master also invited her tonight, so we'll be able to keep an eye on her."

"Oh." Xiao Dao stood behind Xiao Yue with his arms crossed. "Are you having attendants with you tonight?"

"No need, Young Master said I should rest for a few days." Xiaoyue said this with great joy.

Xiao Dao shook his head. "How can they be so easily satisfied? I'm not interested in them capturing Chai Ziyao. How about we stroll through the garden tonight with lanterns?"

"Okay." Xiaoyue nodded without suspicion, as she didn't want to go to the front yard to see the young master taking such good care of the princess.

Seeing the worry in her eyes, Xiao Dao couldn't help but feel concerned. Shen Xinghai was from a wealthy and powerful family. If he was filial and dared not disobey his mother, that would be fine. But if he was ambitious and wanted to climb the social ladder by getting involved with the princess, then Xiao Yue should give up her thoughts as soon as possible, otherwise she would definitely suffer in the future.

Xiao Dao recalled a saying her mother often said: "When a man only has one woman in his heart, he sees everything about you as good. When he sees nothing good about you, it means another woman has entered his heart. His constant criticism of you is just an excuse for his infidelity and greed."

Afterwards, Xiaodao applied some makeup to Xiaoyue. It was the first time Xiaoyue had ever worn makeup in her life; she didn't even know how to use rouge. After putting on the dress, she didn't know which leg to step with. Xiaodao felt a pang of pity, and her indignant nature resurfaced. She thought to herself, "Shen Xinghai, weren't you trying to hide it away for yourself? Today I'll expose your secrets and see how smug you are! You heartless man!"

Seeing Xiaodao suddenly become indignant, Xiaoyue asked in confusion, "Xiaodao, what's wrong?"

"Huh?" Xiao Dao snapped out of her daze and chuckled dryly. She just couldn't shake this habit; the sight of a heartless man reminded her of her mother weeping alone late at night, and her anger flared up!

Before nightfall, Xue Beifan visited Yan Xiaodao to confirm she hadn't run away, then invited her to help him deal with Chai Ziyao that evening. Xue Beifan found this girl clever and quick-witted, always coming up with ideas, which was quite amusing, although she could be a bit reckless at times.

Upon entering, one sees a stunningly beautiful woman sitting at a table, staring blankly at a bronze mirror.

"Xiaoyue?" Xue Beifan recognized her after looking at her for a while, and was pleasantly surprised.

Xiaoyue lowered her head, looking unusually embarrassed.

Xiao Dao darted out from behind the screen, asking smugly, "How is it? Pretty, isn't it?"

"Hmm!" Xue Beifan praised, "This is a good outfit, Miss Xiaoyue has a good foundation!"

After exchanging a few casual words, Xiao Dao agreed to go for a walk in a bit. Before leaving, Xue Beifan glanced at Xiao Yue, reached out and pulled Xiao Dao along, then went outside.

Once outside, Xue Beifan lowered his voice and asked Xiao Dao, "You nosy girl, are you trying to provoke Shen Xinghai?"

Xiao Dao rolled her eyes at him. "If I'm not blind, Shen Xinghai does indeed like Xiaoyue, and Xiaoyue likes Shen Xinghai too, right?"

Xue Beifan smiled, "They've been together every day for over ten years, it's normal for them to have feelings for each other, but..."

"But what? If it was consensual, why treat Xiaoyue like this?"