Ma femme escalade le mur

Chapitre 53

This time, not only Zhao Ting, but even Zhan Yun frowned. He still wanted to go inside?! They had already walked all the way and he still wanted to go inside! Zhan Yun took a deep breath inwardly, while Zhao Ting directly unleashed his power. He was about to grab Xiao Changqing by the collar when his other hand grabbed him first and pulled him away.

Before Xiao Changqing could finish speaking, Zuo Xin half-dragged, half-pulled him aside, covered his mouth, and used his lightness skill to head in another direction. Zhao Ting, having successfully taken over, finally felt a bit better after several days of gloomy moods. He smiled slightly, gazing at Duan Chen's profile, and asked in a deep voice, "Does your wound still hurt?"

Duan Chen's expression remained calm, though he had felt uneasy ever since Xiao Changqing left. Hearing Zhao Ting ask that question, he simply shook his head slightly and remained silent. Zhan Yun, on the other side, also spoke up, saying softly, "I heard from your master that the wound is quite deep. And it's on your side, a place that doesn't heal easily. You need to be careful when getting up and doing things. Otherwise, the injury will keep recurring, and it won't be good if it leaves a scar."

Compared to Zhao Ting, Duan Chen is now more afraid of Zhan Yun. Recalling his own thoughts when he was forced to choose one of these three to pretend to be his cousin in order to enter the manor, Duan Chen felt a pang of regret. This man was clearly the most difficult to deal with; how could he have been so foolish as to think he was alright? If Zhao Ting was like a sharp sword pressed against the throat, leaving no room for retreat, then Zhan Yun was like a dense net that was impossible to escape, gently binding one. He didn't harm, yet he was more effective than a sword; by the time you realized the net was tightening, there was already nowhere to escape.

The two asked several questions in succession, but Duan Chen either nodded or shook his head, or simply remained silent. Finally, just as they were about to enter the courtyard, the two exchanged a glance. Zhao Ting stepped forward to block Duan Chen's path, while Zhan Yun asked in a soft voice, "Chen'er, are you going back to the mountain with your master?"

Upon seeing the two men's posture, Duan Chen frowned. These two had no regard for face and were resorting to shamelessness. He was currently unable to use force due to his physical condition, and his master and Xiao Changqing were not present. If he did not answer their questions honestly, they might really not let him into the house tonight.

Zhou Yufei had been following Zhao Ting closely, and seeing the situation, he knew the two were truly desperate. Young Master Zhou didn't want to get involved. Having already lost two of his three brothers, he didn't want to jump into this vortex of conflict and cause further trouble. No matter how special Duan Chen was, she was still just a woman. In Zhou Yufei's mind, women could be found again, but brothers were a rare find—one might never meet someone compatible and kindred spirit. Therefore, from the very beginning, he chose to observe this chaotic battle from the sidelines.

Zhou Yufei, determined not to get involved, leaned against a wall, waiting to watch the show. Duan Chen remained silent for a while, only giving a soft "hmm" in response before heading towards the courtyard. But the two before him clearly had no intention of giving up so easily. Zhao Ting looked down at the beauty's long eyelashes trembling slightly, his voice softening: "The end of the year is approaching, and things aren't peaceful in many places. You're injured, so let's take you back."

Duan Chen didn't even look up, and muttered, "No need." Then he walked around Zhao Ting, intending to go from the other side. Of course, Zhao Ting wouldn't give up so easily. He flashed forward and blocked the beauty's path again, calling softly, "Chen'er."

Duan Chen was also getting anxious, raising his eyes to glare at Zhao Ting, only to unexpectedly see a hint of a smile in the man's deep eyes. Annoyed, he turned his face away, while Zhan Yun moved even closer, his clear voice like a cool summer night breeze, gently stirring the heart: "Chen'er..."

Duan Chen took two steps back in anger, his clear, cold phoenix eyes also showing a hint of anger. The slightly upturned corners of his eyes turned even higher because of his anger, and his clear eyes also shimmered with a light watery light: "I told you, you are not allowed to call me that!"

Duan Chen was really angry, but he didn't realize that his expression at that moment was like that of a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. He thought he was meowing fiercely, but in the eyes of the two people, he only felt pity and love, and their hearts softened completely.

Just as the two were about to step forward to comfort her, they heard a slightly teasing, delicate shout from not far away: "You two brats, you may not have any other skills, but you've got a whole repertoire of ways to bully girls!" Before Duan Chen could turn around, the figure in water-red had already reached his side, gently taking his arm, and then looked at the two in front of him with a smile: "What, you've taken a fancy to my disciple? Want to follow her all the way home?"

When Xiao Yiyi arrived, Zhou Yufei was so startled that he lowered his crossed arms and stood obediently. Zhao Ting and Zhan Yun were also somewhat embarrassed by the teasing. After all, their earlier shameless behavior had been quite impolite. But the two of them really had no choice. It seemed the matter was almost resolved, and Duan Chen's words at noon clearly indicated he was planning to leave as soon as he finished. They didn't want to wait another year or two, hoping for a lucky encounter to reunite with their beloved. After all, while fate is a gift from heaven, opportunities are something one must strive for and create. Since Duan Chen wouldn't answer or acknowledge them, they could only shamelessly act shamelessly. They couldn't escort him all the way back, but at least they could get his address so they could easily find him later.

Therefore, although Zhan Yun's cheeks flushed slightly from Xiao Yiyi's words, he still mustered up the courage to bow and said gently, "Senior, we were also worried about Chen'er. She was so badly injured, and it's because we didn't take good care of her before. Being able to escort you and Chen'er home is our small way of showing our appreciation. However, if you are unwilling, please at least tell us where Chen'er lives so that we can visit her when we have time."

Xiao Yiyi glanced sideways at her disciple's profile, clicking her tongue twice, "You two have already angered people like this, and you still want to pay a visit?" Zhan Yun blushed again at her words, and Zhao Ting, feeling somewhat embarrassed, cupped his hands towards Xiao Yiyi, "Senior, we..."

Xiao Yiyi waved her hand and pulled Duan Chen into the house, saying, "Alright, we can talk about it tomorrow. Let's leave it at that for today!" As she passed the two of them, she sighed softly and said in a low voice, "They really don't know how to cherish a lady! It's so cold, and my disciple is still injured. They're just standing outside freezing without even letting her come inside to rest..."

Xiao Yiyi took Duan Chen's arm and went straight into the house, leaving the two behind with slightly changed expressions, filled with regret. They were so focused on keeping him there that they forgot Chen'er had been exhausted all day…

53

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rumors and Gossip...

The next day.

Early in the morning, Liu Yichen brought Yue Yiyi to the Jiangning Prefectural Government Office, accompanied by Liu Manyie and Yue Linran. With witnesses and evidence in hand, the Jiangning Prefect immediately accepted the case, ordering Yue Yiyi to be imprisoned and to be tried in court three days later. Since the Lou and Yue families had not yet arrived, Yue Linran stayed in the city to wait, while Liu Yichen left two of his men behind and took Liu Manyie back to the manor first.

As for Master Liu, Li Lingke originally entrusted him with the Caiwei Axe so that he could use it to commit suicide after the deed was done. It was because of this that he wrote to Xiao Yiyi a few days ago, telling her to come quickly, as there was a good show to watch at Wanliu Manor. At the end, he also mentioned Duan Chen, seemingly unintentionally, but actually deliberately. He probably worried about not being able to persuade his old friend, so he included her beloved disciple, forcing Xiao Yiyi to make this trip.

Before Duan Chen fell into the lake that day, the group saw a figure flash by. Zhao Tingzhan flew after it, and it was Li Lingke, who had calculated the exact moment and swaggered to the front gate to pick up Xiao Yiyi. This was something Xiao Yiyi had told Duan Chen in private. Duan Chen also remembered that night in the plum grove, when Li Lingke pushed him forward, he whispered in his ear: "You'll see him (her) soon." Duan Chen hadn't understood the meaning of those words at the time. Now, hearing Xiao Yiyi's words, it all made sense.

After returning from the city, Liu Yichen, along with Zhao Ting and Zhou Yufei, went to the backyard to visit Old Master Liu. Upon seeing Liu Yichen, the old man smiled and called him "Ah Xuan," mistaking Zhao Ting for Liu Yichen, and grabbed their hands, talking incoherently. The three stayed for only a short while before leaving the house.

On the way back, the three remained silent. Just as they approached the courtyard, Zhao Ting suddenly stopped, gazing ahead and saying in a low voice, "He won't live more than a few months. Is he truly insane, or just faking it…?" He paused slightly, glancing at Liu Yichen, before continuing slowly, "I can spare the young master's life for his sake. However, the young master must remember that from now on, your Wanliu Manor owes a debt of gratitude to the Great Song Dynasty. It was the Li family of Xixia who killed Master Liu, Miss Lou, the old master, and the rest of them. Who is close and who is distant, friend and foe—I believe the young master can weigh the pros and cons clearly."

Liu Yichen quickly bowed and agreed, his heart finally settling down. Zhao Ting and the others had shown mercy, sparing dozens of people from Wanliu Manor and sparing them from imprisonment, while also allowing Old Master Liu to die peacefully in his old age—this was already the best possible outcome.

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When Duan Chen got up, it was already broad daylight. After washing up and changing back into his men's clothing, Duan Chen took off the white jade bracelet on his right hand, arranged the jewelry pieces one by one, picked up the jewelry box, and went to the next room.

She knocked twice, but as expected, no one answered. She pushed open the door, walked slowly into the room, placed the jewelry box on the table, and as soon as she stepped out, she saw Zhan Yun standing in the middle of the courtyard, smiling slightly at her.

Duan Chen paused, his brow furrowing slightly, his heart filled with even more unease, yet he had no choice but to step forward. Zhan Yun maintained a faint smile, but inwardly she cursed. He'd even changed back into men's clothing; it seemed he planned to leave today! Looking at the man's slightly stiff gait, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Why was he so stubborn? Given her condition, she should have rested for at least three to five days before setting off. Those two wounds were quite deep; the bumpy carriage ride would likely aggravate them easily.

Approaching the man, Duan Chen's brows were still slightly furrowed. He felt genuinely awkward, yet he truly felt he should say something. He had thought about it carefully after returning to his room last night, and his master's words weren't without merit. The three of them knew nothing; he only needed to remember the grudges of the previous generation clearly, and shouldn't hold grudges against them anymore. This man had risked his life to save him; both morally and logically, he shouldn't treat him the same way he had before.

After pursing his lips for a moment, Duan Chen looked up at the handsome man who had been smiling at him and said softly, "Thank you for what happened the other day."

Zhan Yun had been watching the beauty's every move, from frowning to pursing her lips, and knew that she was undoubtedly going through a lot of thought and struggle. He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy himself. When he first heard Duan Chen's soft words, Zhan Yun blinked for a moment, then smiled and his crescent-shaped eyes lit up with laughter: "You're welcome."

Duan Chen frowned again and said, "After lunch, my master and I will leave." Duan Chen paused slightly, his voice rising slightly, "We'll meet again someday." After saying that, he turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Zhan Yun was speechless, both amused and exasperated by Duan Chen's seemingly lighthearted but polite remark. In her heart, she knew that for Duan Chen to say such a thing at the moment of parting was truly remarkable.

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Xiao Yiyi standing by the wall, her expression a half-smile, making no attempt to hide her eavesdropping. Duan Chen glanced at her helplessly, then noticed the scroll she was carrying in one hand. A slight smile played on his lips, and his phoenix eyes looked at Xiao Yiyi with a questioning gaze, his voice tinged with delight: "Master, it is…"

Xiao Yiyi nodded, not caring that Zhan Yun was standing next to her. She untied the string, pulled out the scroll, and showed the painting to Duan Chen like a treasure. Her smile was brighter than ever before: "Look! Isn't it beautiful? Didn't you paint your master me especially beautifully?"

The edges of the scroll are slightly yellowed, yet the scenery depicted remains as clear and exquisite as ever. Amidst a patch of verdant plum blossoms, a handsome man in a royal blue robe plays the zither with a gentle smile, his eyes gazing intently at a radiant woman in a red dress gracefully wielding a sword. The sky is clear and cloudless, with verdant and white plum blossoms fluttering down. The woman's bright smile and the man's affectionate gaze seem etched into the painting, causing the viewer to momentarily lose themselves in its beauty, unsure whether they have entered the painting or whether the figures in the painting have stepped out of the canvas and appeared before their eyes.

Zhan Yun didn't approach the painting to examine it; he simply stood quietly to the side. Xiao Yiyi's radiant smile and Duan Chen's eyes, brimming with tears, had already made it all too clear to him what that painting meant to Duan Chen's master and the deceased eldest son of Wanliu Manor.

With everyone's worries resolved, the atmosphere was unusually relaxed and pleasant. Adding to the mix were Xiao Changqing and Zhou Yufei, two people who were always quick to chatter. The group ate, drank, and laughed heartily, their voices ringing out. Even Liu Yichen temporarily set aside his troubles and laughed heartily, a rare occurrence for him.

After lunch, the group sat around the table, drinking hot tea and exchanging a few words. Duan Chen took a moment to speak, looking at Liu Yichen, Zuo Xin, and Xiao Changqing: "Second Master Liu, seniors, this matter can be considered cleared up. However, there is one thing I still don't understand. I suppose you three seniors are knowledgeable and experienced, and perhaps you can answer my question."

Liu Yichen and Zuo Xin exchanged a glance. The former was about to speak when Xiao Changqing interrupted him. Mr. Xiao looked displeased, pouting and complaining, "Xiao Duan, I have no problem with you calling them 'senior,' but you can't call me that too! I'm not that much older than you..."

Fourteen years old and you call that not much older? Zuo Xin glanced helplessly at Mr. Xiao, who was fiddling with his fingers with a mournful expression, and then looked at Duan Chen: "Ask away. As long as we know it, we will definitely explain it to you."

The other three were quick-witted as well. Hearing Duan Chen's question and considering the context, they guessed what he wanted to ask. Duan Chen nodded and glanced at Xiao Yiyi beside him: "The day Deng Dingbo died, we noticed that the Seven Victory Blade, which had slain seven people, had seven small rings on its back, each wrapped with a stray lock of hair from the deceased. I wonder if you seniors know what this means?"

Before Deng Dingbo died that day, Liu Yichen was fighting with the "Seven Victories" sword that Zhao Ting had handed him. Afterwards, the sword was put away and Liu Yichen never looked at it again. Therefore, when Duan Chen asked this question, while everyone at the table fell into deep thought, Liu Yichen asked the steward to fetch the Seven Victories sword for a look.

“There’s definitely something fishy about this.” Zuo Xin pondered for a long time before speaking. “Logically, Deng Dingbo and his companion were working for the Western Xia. After killing someone with a single blow, they would simply arrange the scene and frame the victim. But going to such lengths to wrap the victim’s hair around the iron ring on the back of the knife doesn’t seem like the way people of their character would act…”