"Look at what you're saying, you're scaring people. I am a woman after all, and I'm a little embarrassed. Let's talk about these things upstairs." Qiu Hongxiu said this and disappeared through the window.
So Shangguan Tou and Zhong Tao, along with Xuezhi, shook their heads and sighed as they went upstairs.
The group sat down by the window on the second floor. Shangguan Tou said, "This Xianshan Yingzhou restaurant is owned by Hongxiu, and it has always been the most popular restaurant in Suzhou. However, she specially cleared the place to entertain us when we came back today."
Xuezhi said, "Thank you, Sister Qiu."
"No need to be so polite. I only cooked for you today because of Yipintou and you, sister. This is a blessing that others can't ask for." Hongxiu served tea and water while serving the dishes herself. "We've heard about what happened to you at Chonghuo Palace, sister, but we'll try our best to help. I have something to tell you later. Please wait a moment."
Qiu Hongxiu left with a charming laugh. While she was otherwise plain-looking, her long, captivating eyes and her undeniably alluring figure were enough to earn her a perfect score for womanhood.
Watching her departing figure, Xuezhi sighed once more, "So beautiful..."
Shangguan Tou placed some appetizer on Xuezhi's plate: "Zhi'er, do you think she's pretty?"
"Her walking posture is so beautiful, her movements and her little skirt are so graceful."
Zhong Tao said, "That damn woman loves to flaunt her charms. She walks down the street and shakes her hips so everyone's staring, but she doesn't care. I don't know if you've heard of her nickname?"
Xuezhi said, "I know, Shangguan Hongxiu!"
"Hey, this girl has heard quite a lot of things."
"Of course, she is the young master of Chonghuo Palace."
Xuezhi said dejectedly, "The abandoned young master."
"You'll always go back eventually. Don't worry."
Xuezhi had heard about Qiu Hongxiu from Zhusha. Zhusha didn't mention her exaggerated figure at all, but she said that Shangguan Tou had countless women in the Chang'an and Luoyang areas, while Qiu Hongxiu had countless men in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Therefore, people called her the female version of Shangguan Tou, nicknamed Shangguan Hongxiu. Qiu Hongxiu didn't sleep with just anyone, but she spent almost every hour of the day flirting with men, so her reputation wasn't very good. After she met Shangguan Tou, many people were looking forward to seeing a battle of wits between these two masters, but not long after, they didn't get together. Instead, they became best friends because they were kindred spirits.
Xuezhi looked at Shangguan Tou and couldn't understand it: How could someone as lecherous as him not like such a beauty?
At this point, several servants began to serve the main course.
“Zhi’er, people who are too similar can never attract each other.” Shangguan Tou said as he picked up a piece of silver fish and gave it to Xuezhi. “Try it. This fish will never taste as good as the one here, no matter where you eat it.”
Xuezhi suddenly turned around: "How did you know what I was thinking?"
"Eat your food and don't think about anything else."
A moment later, all the dishes were served. Qiu Hongxiu sat down and tapped the golden hook crab: "The crabs that can be obtained this season are not very good. I'll cook a crab feast for you all another day."
Zhong Tao ate a piece of chicken baked in yellow clay: "Woman, your cooking skills are improving very quickly."
"So you think, if I take the bait, I won't even need to find a cook. It would be much more convenient to take me with me when I'm traveling, wouldn't it?"
Zhong Tao gripped his chopsticks tightly, remained silent, and continued eating.
"By the way, I recently heard some rumors, but I don't know if they're true or not." Qiu Hongxiu completely ignored Zhong Tao and turned to Shangguan Tou, saying, "Some people say that Chong Lian wrote two secret manuals when he was alive, with power comparable to 'Lotus Wings', but their whereabouts are still unknown."
35
Xuezhi's ears immediately perked up: "Really? You have news about these two secret manuals? What are their names?"
Qiu Hongxiu said, "I don't know. I've only heard about it."
“I think it’s unlikely,” Shangguan Tou said. “If Chonglian really left behind a secret manual, why didn’t she give it to Xuezhi or Lin Yuhuang? Xuezhi just left Chonghuo Palace and this kind of news has already spread. It’s obvious that someone with ulterior motives wants to deal with her.”
Xuezhi said, "Sister Zhaojun is so clever."
Shangguan Tou seemed not to have heard at all.
Zhong Tao paused slightly, then said, word by word, "Sister Zhaojun."
Qiu Hongxiu also recited, "Sister Zhaojun."
Then, the two suddenly burst into laughter, especially Zhong Tao, who began to slam his fist on the table uncontrollably. Shangguan Tou remained unmoved, eating with utmost composure. Only after the two had finished laughing did he raise his head and smile, saying, "If you two become famous for this name, only heaven knows what will happen in the future."
Qiu Hongxiu suppressed a laugh and said, "Don't worry, your image is important. But I still don't understand, you don't object to Langya calling her bald, but what about Sister Zhaojun?"
Zhong Tao said, "The bald guy doesn't like women's images."
Shangguan Tou skipped over them: "Zhi'er, there's no time to lose, we'll go to Lingjian Manor tomorrow. But I have some issues with them, so I won't go in with you. Can you talk to them yourself?"
Xuezhi asked, "Aren't you going?"
Shangguan Tou thought for a moment: "How about having Langya and Hongxiu accompany you?"
"It's not good to trouble you two, I can go by myself."
Hongxiu said, "Yipintou, since they rely on you so much, you should go with them. Don't you call yourself their elder brother?"
"If it's Zhi'er's request, I have no problem venturing into ancient tombs and deep mountains, but I will resolutely not step into Lingjian Manor."
Hongxiu asked, "Why?"
Zhong Tao said, "Don't ask him about that. You think Baldy's strength is decent enough, so why didn't he set up a sect near the capital? Why did he go to the east to build Moon Valley instead?"
Hongxiu said, "I thought it was just nice-sounding."
Zhong Tao said, "You are the number one mountain villa in the world, and I am the number one valley in the world. We are irreconcilable enemies."
Shangguan Tou said, "But it was an impulsive act at the time, and now it's too late to regret it."
Xuezhi asked, "Why?"
Shangguan Tou said, "I'm used to being carefree; setting up a sect would be too much trouble."
Zhong Tao said, "Everyone else dreams of starting a major sect and becoming famous throughout the world, but you're something else. Because it's not fun, I don't want it, yet you call yourself the number one valley master in the world. That's why I say I despise monks the most."
Shangguan Tou said, "Actually, sometimes having a sect can be quite fun."
Hongxiu asked, "Why?"
Zhong Tao said, "Why do you women ask so many questions!"
The next day, Shangguan Tou took Xuezhi to Lingjian Manor. Lingjian Manor was located on the shore of Golden Rooster Lake. Along the long steps leading to the manor, many people were clearing snow. The steps seemed endless, stretching all the way to the towering red gate. Halfway up, Shangguan Tou said he would wait for Xuezhi where they were.
Xuezhi went in alone. As soon as her name was announced, she was quickly let in. After passing through the courtyard and leaving a few watermarks on the red carpet, Xuezhi could see that the main hall was packed with people just by standing at the entrance.
"Xuezhi, come in quickly!" A familiar yet annoying voice came from inside. Xuezhi forced herself to go in, where Lin Xuanfeng was looking at her with a smile.
Xuezhi awkwardly cupped her hands in greeting to him: "Uncle Xuanfeng."
"I wondered who it was. It's Xiao Xuezhi, what a rare guest!"
Upon hearing this voice, Xuezhi became even more annoyed. She hadn't even noticed that there were many women present, and that Yuan Shuangshuang was standing right behind her. She also cupped her hands in greeting to Yuan Shuangshuang, saying, "Sect Leader Yuan."
Standing beside Yuan Shuangshuang was Lin Fengzi, who held a long whip. A few beads of sweat clung to Fengzi's forehead as she smiled at her. Just as she was about to speak, Yuan Shuangshuang interrupted, "What brings our little Xuezhi here? I wonder what brings her all the way from Songshan?"
Xuezhi said, "Uncle Xuanfeng, I have something I'd like to talk to you about privately."
"Your Uncle Xuanfeng is very busy right now, didn't you see?"
Lin Xuanfeng said, "Xuezhi, there are no outsiders here, so please speak freely."
Xuezhi glanced around. Xia Qingmei was standing on the side of the Lingjian Manor disciples, also holding a long sword, but she hadn't even taken a breath. Upon seeing Xuezhi, she immediately waved gently at her.
Xuezhi said, "Then Xuezhi will wait outside the door and we'll talk when Uncle Xuanfeng has time."
Yuan Shuangshuang laughed and said, "Oh, Xuezhi, do you think I don't know your little girl thoughts? Actually, you wanted to ask your Uncle Xuanfeng to clarify the rumors, and also to see Young Master Xia. But you have to pick the right time. Qingmei and Fengzi are about to get married, and they are currently having a martial arts competition."
Lin Xuanfeng said sternly, "Former Sect Leader!"
Yuan Shuangshuang said, "Your Uncle Xuanfeng is also speaking up for you."
Feng Zi suddenly looked anxious, glancing left and right before finally walking towards Xue Zhi: "Sister, I won't compete with you for your sweetheart."
36
Xuezhi could hardly believe her ears. In her memory, Feng Zi was just someone who clung to her and whose annoying background made her particularly dislike him. But she never imagined that Feng Zi would say such embarrassing things in front of so many people.
"Xiao Zi, step back!" Lin Xuanfeng, who was usually gentle, was surprisingly indignant.
Xuezhi was too ashamed to turn her head to look at Xia Qingmei anymore, and only said to Lin Xuanfeng, "Uncle Xuanfeng, I came here today because of the rumors circulating in the martial arts world. Xuezhi and Young Master Xia are just ordinary friends, but others have been using this to spread rumors. If you come forward to clarify, the rumors will definitely stop."
“Publicly announcing it will only make things worse, but if anyone asks, I will make sure everyone in the manor answers truthfully,” Lin Xuanfeng said. “You must have suffered a lot since leaving Chonghuo Palace. Why don’t you stay here for now?”
"No, thank you for your kindness, Uncle Xuanfeng. My friend is still waiting for me outside."
"Someone just told me there were two people outside; it turns out they're your friends. Why didn't you bring them in?"
“I told him I would only be inside for a moment, and he waited outside.”
"How can it be just a short while? You've finally come all the way to Jiangnan, are you planning to leave so soon?"
At this moment, a female disciple tiptoed in and whispered a few words in Yuan Shuangshuang's ear. Yuan Shuangshuang nodded and continued to look at Lin Xuanfeng and Xuezhi.
"Well, I have important matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. Thank you, Uncle Xuanfeng." Xuezhi bowed to Lin Xuanfeng and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute." Yuan Shuangshuang's voice rang out coldly behind her, "Xuezhi, are you deliberately going against Lingjian Manor?"
Xuezhi said, "I don't understand what you mean. If there's nothing else, may I leave?"
“Master Lin, a girl here told me that the person waiting outside the door is wearing a white cloak with peacock feathers and has red markings on his face.”
"What?" Lin Xuanfeng couldn't help but step down from the stairs. "Xuezhi, the person who came with you... is Shangguan Tou?"
Feng Zi's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Xuezhi didn't try to evade the question: "Yes."
Yuan Shuangshuang approached Xuezhi and circled her twice: "You have something to ask of Master Lin, yet you bring along enemies from Lingjian Manor. Isn't that a bit too provocative?"
Xuezhi laughed and said, "Didn't the former leader always admire Shangguan Tou? How come he changed his tune so quickly now?"
"My relationship with Shangguan is purely personal, but it's common knowledge that he did something that wronged Lingjian Manor. I'm very clear about that."
"Stop talking," Lin Xuanfeng said, frowning. "Xuezhi, Shangguan Tou is not someone to be trifled with."
"He is very good to me."
“He’s nice to everyone.” Lin Xuanfeng paused. “Anyway, you’d better not associate with him. You’re still young, and you can’t distinguish right from wrong in many things. It’s easy for you to go astray.”
"Without reason and evidence, you cannot convince me to break off our friendship."
Lin Xuanfeng sighed: "Forget it, it's your own life, and no one else has the right to interfere."
At this moment, Feng Zi stepped forward again: "Sister, you absolutely cannot continue to be with him. He is not a good person."