But considering that the only person she could see at this moment was Tang Ye...
Forget it, I'll treat him like a human being!
Hua Wuduo thought this to herself, and felt much more at ease. But then she felt a panting, relentlessly stabbing enemy behind her, and remembering how she had stabbed Song Zixing with a needle the night before, she suddenly felt a pang of regret. Was this what they called retribution? She should have known better than to stab Song Zixing… Her mind was in turmoil, filled with melancholy, helplessness, frustration, regret, and the pain of being stabbed with needles… Just then, she heard someone call out loudly from inside the courtyard, “Brother Tang, are you inside?”
Just then, the door to the next room was suddenly pushed open rudely, and then the same person said, "Sister-in-law, you mustn't."
Just then, a woman said coldly, "I must see with my own eyes whether it is my sister Ruoxi."
Hua Wuduo was startled, then recognized who it was, and was shocked! Suddenly, she felt her chest heaving and her whole body aching. She coughed violently and almost fainted. Tang Ye noticed her from behind and immediately pressed several acupoints on her, saying coldly, "Watch your own life!"
Hua Wuduo immediately composed herself, controlled her emotions, and stopped thinking about anything else; her breathing gradually stabilized. Tang Ye continued to administer acupuncture to her unhurriedly. Somewhat hesitant, and somewhat pleading, Hua Wuduo softly said to Tang Ye behind her, "Could you lower the bed curtains?" After only a moment of silence, the person behind her waved his hand, and the bed curtains were lowered.
Just then, the door was pushed open rudely.
A woman entered first; she was tall and slender, wearing a white brocade robe embroidered with light red maple leaves and red leather boots. Her features were exquisite, and her beauty was breathtaking. Turning around, she saw two people vaguely sitting behind the curtains on the bed in the inner room and was taken aback.
Anyone who saw this scene would have their own thoughts running wild. Including Li She, who came in later.
Li She hesitated for a moment, but still followed him in. When he turned around and saw the scene inside, he was also taken aback.
At that moment, something was thrown out from under the bed curtains, landing right in front of Fang Ruowei (Fang Ruoxi's sister). Fang Ruowei caught it, unfolded it, and saw that it was a human skin mask. She was immediately stunned. Then she heard Tang Ye say, "You should leave. She is not the person you are looking for."
Li She understood Tang Ye's words when he saw the mask; this Fang Ruoxi was indeed a fake.
Fang Ruowei, however, held the mask in her hand, her expression slightly changed, and she remained silent. She glanced at the girl's profile behind the curtain with a complicated expression. If Tang Ye had not given her this mask, she might not have been able to determine whether Tang Ye's maid was her younger sister, Fang Ruoxi. But Tang Ye had given her this mask... In the whole world, apart from the late Master Miaozhi, the Buddha's Hand, only her sister could make such an exquisite mask.
They were in bed in broad daylight… Fang Ruowei’s feelings were extremely complicated at this moment. After only a moment, her gaze turned cold, and she said in a deep voice, “It really was fake.” Then she was about to turn and leave. But then she heard Tang Ye suddenly say, “Wuyin doesn’t remember you anymore. From now on, you can rest easy.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Ruowei paused, her gaze darkening for a fleeting moment unseen by anyone. She then gave a cold snort and left the inn without looking back.
Looking at the two figures inside the bed curtains, Li She's expression was complicated. Seeing that his future sister-in-law, Fang Ruowei, had already left, he gave a slight bow and said, "Brother Tang, I apologize for disturbing you earlier. I will definitely bring generous gifts to apologize another day." After saying this, he left without seeing Tang Ye's response.
Unexpectedly, her sister left like this. Watching her sister's departing figure, Hua Wuduo didn't know why her sister hadn't exposed her on the spot, but the moment Tang Ye threw the mask to her sister, she had forgotten to breathe.
At this moment, her heart, which had been about to leap out of her chest, finally returned to its place. Hua Wuduo suddenly lost all strength, her whole body went limp, and in the instant her mind relaxed, she unexpectedly blurted out a sentence that she herself could not believe: "Why did you break off the engagement in the first place?"
Suddenly realizing something was amiss… Hua Wuduo quickly added, “I’m asking why you broke off the engagement with the second young lady of the Fang family back then?”
There was silence behind him, no answer. Hua Wuduo also remained silent, not daring to urge him in the slightest, having already anticipated that the question would remain unanswered.
After a long while... just when Hua Wuduo thought there might be no one behind him, he turned around and met Tang Ye's deep gaze, which startled him!
Hua Wuduo couldn't fathom Tang Ye's expression at that moment.
Tang Ye withdrew the silver needles, ignoring Hua Wuduo's gaze, and stepped out from inside the curtain alone.
The curtain behind him slowly fell, blocking Hua Wuduo's probing gaze.
It had been three days since Song Zixing had seen Hua Wuduo. That day, Song Zixing returned from his trip and was sitting in the inn's lobby drinking tea when he saw the servant who delivered meals to Tang Ye every day passing by. He smiled and stopped him, asking him to pour him some tea. The servant quickly filled his bowl and was about to leave when Song Zixing tossed a silver ingot into his lap. The servant, seemingly receiving such a large reward for the first time, thanked him profusely. He should have said, "Thank you, young master," but instead blurted out, "Thank you, young master." He was so happy he was almost incoherent. Song Zixing didn't mind, and simply asked with a faint smile, "Have you seen that girl in the west courtyard these past few days?" Upon hearing this, the servant quickly replied, "Is the one you're talking about, the one who fetches water for her master to wash his face every morning and his feet every evening, and does nothing else?"
What?! To prepare foot bath water at night? Song Zixing could hardly believe her ears. Could she really prepare foot bath water for someone else? Although Song Zixing was shocked, she didn't show it on her face. She just smiled and nodded. Then she heard the servant continue, "I haven't seen that girl for two or three days. But she still orders two meals a day in the west courtyard. It's just that the other meal is just some congee and side dishes."
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing became even more suspicious.
I want to eat salted duck eggs
Although her internal injuries were quite severe, Hua Wuduo was always in good health and had a foundation in martial arts. In addition, she didn't know what kind of medicine Tang Ye had given her, but it was very effective. In just three days, Hua Wuduo felt much better.
Hua Wuduo has always been a restless person, but now that he cannot move freely and is seriously injured in bed, he is truly filled with indescribable bitterness. After waking up once again, he climbed onto the soft couch by the window, covered himself with a thin blanket, and looked out at the sky through the slightly open window, mocking himself for being like a frog in a well.
At that moment, Tang Ye was busy with something in his room, and Hua Wuduo had no intention of knowing.
It was late autumn, and the garden was filled with fallen leaves. Tang Ye had a peculiar quirk: he loved watching the leaves fall and listening to the sound of them being trampled. So, since he had taken over the garden, no one had ever swept it. Over time, the garden had become completely covered in fallen leaves, even the small pond in the courtyard was filled with them. Occasionally, a swallow would fly overhead, chirping a few times before flying away again. Hua Wuduo felt lost and listless, and her eyelids drooped again.
She woke up again to find herself in bed, the blankets covering her tightly. It was a cool late autumn day, and the candlelight in the room indicated that it was already dark. She had no idea what time it was. Just then, a hand lifted the curtain, and a pair of eyes, colder than any other, met hers. They were all too familiar. Hua Wuduo blinked, as if her eyes were also chilled by the coldness. Then she heard Tang Ye say coldly, "Get up and drink your medicine."
Hua Wuduo struggled to his feet, disdaining to use his help. He picked up the bowl of medicine, glanced at the thick liquid with immense pain, then turned his head to the side, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and gulped down the medicine. As he handed the bowl to Tang Ye, his eyes, nose, and mouth contorted in agony before finally relaxing. He cursed inwardly, wondering why the medicine was so bitter.
Tang Ye watched her finish her medicine, took the bowl, and then turned around to fetch a food box, placing it on her lap. Inside the box was only a steamed bun, a bowl of congee, and a dish of scrambled eggs with cucumber. Hua Wuduo frowned slightly but didn't say anything, picking up her chopsticks and slowly beginning to eat.
Tang Ye was about to leave with the medicine bowl when he heard someone behind him mutter, "When can we add salt to the dishes?"
Tang Ye said: "Tomorrow."
Hua Wuduo then asked, "What's the name of the tune you play every night?" Tang Ye would play the same tune every night.
Tang Ye said, "Nameless."
Hua Wuduo asked, "Why do you always play the same tune?"
Tang Ye said, "Because I like it."
Hua Wuduo said, "That piece of music is a bit sad."
Tang Ye said, "It is a farewell song."
"You composed this music yourself?" Hua Wuduo asked.
“No,” Tang Ye replied.
"Who did that?" Hua Wuduo asked.
“A woman,” Tang Ye said.
"Is it important to you?" Hua Wuduo said calmly.
"Yes," Tang Ye said softly.
"Where is she now?" Hua Wuduo asked.
"He's dead," Tang Ye said calmly, as if it were something perfectly ordinary.
"I have a request," Hua Wuduo said.
"Speak," Tang Ye said.
"Let's play a different tune tonight," Hua Wuduo said, swallowing a steamed bun.
Tang Ye snorted coldly, offering no reply, yet his answer was already given.
Hua Wuduo then said, "Actually, that's not what I wanted to say."
"What do you want to say?" Tang Ye asked.
Hua Wuduo asked, "I wanted to ask, why did you come to Luoyang?" Her chopsticks, which were holding an egg, paused. Tang Ye snorted again. Hua Wuduo felt she had gotten herself into an awkward situation, but with her thick skin, she wasn't discouraged by two snorts. This was the only person nearby who looked human and wanted to talk to her for a while; she couldn't let him go so easily. So she changed the subject, saying, "You came to Luoyang, and I came to Luoyang too. We both came from Jiangling. When did you start following me?"
Tang Ye replied calmly, "Jiangling."
What?! Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo was stunned. She had never imagined that Tang Ye had been following her since Jiangling, and she had not noticed at all.
Hua Wuduo frowned, suddenly recalling how he had fallen asleep on his horse and tumbled into a stinking ditch by the roadside… He remembered how, dressed as a man, he had rescued a woman from bandits, only to have her offer herself to him under the moonlight, causing him to flee in terror… He remembered how, one night, unable to sleep due to excitement, he had robbed the rich to help the poor, only to be chased half a mile by the family's three dogs and lose a shoe in the process… He remembered hearing about a notorious flower thief in the old county and having kept watch for several nights until he finally saw a suspicious man trying to enter a woman's house, knocking him unconscious. Just as he was about to claim credit, he heard the woman pointing at him, convulsing, and screaming at the top of her lungs: "You…you knocked out my husband! You…who are you?! I'll fight you to the death!…"
Thinking of this, Hua Wuduo closed his eyes, his heart filled with turmoil, and asked, "You know about what happened on the road?"
The expected "Yes" made Hua Wuduo lose her appetite. At that moment, the soft steamed buns tasted like sand in her mouth and like stones when swallowed. Then, with difficulty, she asked, "Why have you been following me?"
Tang Ye said, "I want you to make a mask."
"I made the mask, why won't you let me go!" For the first time, Hua Wuduo loudly uttered the words that had been pent up in his heart, feeling a deep sense of relief.
Unexpectedly, Tang Ye said, "When I saw you dressed as a man and barging into the nearby women's outhouse in the market, then emerge with your head covered in vegetable scraps and eggshells, yet calmly clutching your hair and complaining about how hard it was to wash, I made a decision." Hearing this, Hua Wuduo put down his chopsticks, covered his face, and sighed inwardly: Right, there was also the matter of going into the wrong outhouse. How could I forget? That happened before I finished making my mask and headed to the Qinglin Inn in Luoyang. Suddenly realizing that what Tang Ye was about to say was important, he quickly looked up and asked, "What decision?"
Tang Ye said, "I won't kill you."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo suddenly shuddered. In fact, he had also thought that after handing the mask over to Tang Ye, he might be killed to silence him. Thinking of his two poisonings, he suddenly felt a sense of fear. Hua Wuduo asked, "Why did you suddenly decide not to kill me?"
Tang Ye walked up to her, took away the food box she had left uneaten, and calmly said, "If I wanted to, I could take your life anytime." Hua Wuduo wasn't stupid; she understood what Tang Ye meant, and this frankness was undoubtedly a warning to her.
Watching Tang Ye's departing figure, Hua Wuduo suddenly exclaimed, "I want to eat salted duck eggs tomorrow!"
A voice, neither too loud nor too soft, came from behind the closed door: "Okay."
********
Two more days passed, and it was the eleventh day that Hua Wuduo had been Tang Ye's maid. Hua Wuduo looked at herself in the mirror in her room and found that her face was pale and her cheeks were thin. She secretly decided that she must eat well and sleep well in the future to make up for all the losses caused by her injury.
Feeling that her injuries had improved considerably, and having been cooped up in the house for so many days, Hua Wuduo couldn't stand it anymore and decided to go out for some fresh air. Since Tang Ye had given her original mask to her sister, she had to choose another one for herself. So she took out a small leather package from a very hidden corner of the house and picked out a female mask for herself.
As autumn faded and the stars and moon rose, the moon shone brightly, and there was no wind. Hua Wuduo, wrapped in a blanket, lay on a recliner in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky. It was just before midnight when Tang Ye came out, lightly leaped onto the roof, and, as usual, sat in the same spot, playing his long flute. Although Hua Wuduo was much better, his internal injuries still lingered, making it unsuitable for him to use his inner energy, so he couldn't leap onto the roof. Feeling utterly bored, he sat in the courtyard, listening to the music. Just as he was about to doze off, he suddenly saw someone appear on the opposite roof. The person's lightness skill was superb, and their movements were graceful. He couldn't help but secretly admire them, but when he saw who it was, he immediately dismissed his thoughts, concluding: "Turtle Star is just showing off!"
Song Zixing's figure stopped precisely to the left of the rooftop where Tang Ye was. He lifted his robe and sat down on it. The night breeze blew, and his bright eyes and brows made him look like a celestial being. But unfortunately, Hua Wuduo saw it differently.
Under the moonlight, Song Zixing gazed at Hua Wuduo in the courtyard. He noticed that Hua Wuduo had changed her mask again. He recalled the innkeeper telling him earlier that noon that the maid in the west courtyard had been replaced, and he had been puzzled. Now, it seemed that it made sense. Song Zixing's lips curled into a slight smile. No matter what mask she wore, the look in her eyes was always the same. In his entire life, Song Zixing had never seen another woman look at him with such disdain and disgust, but it was precisely this look that he found exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
Song Zixing looked at Hua Wuduo and smiled. No matter what she looked like, he never seemed to tire of her. How could Hua Wuduo know what he was thinking at this moment? But in Hua Wuduo's eyes, the smile on Song Zixing's face was one that deserved a beating, especially from her. She couldn't help but glare at him fiercely.
Song Zixing said loudly, "Brother Tang, what a refined taste you have! Playing the flute under the moon, with a beautiful woman by your side." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Tang Ye.
Tang Ye ignored the newcomer and continued playing the flute.
At this moment, Song Zixing said, "I heard that in the latter half of last night, the Luoyang Sanhu residence in the northwest of Luoyang was robbed by bandits at the same time. More than 50 people, including the three families and children, were all killed in the fire overnight. The houses were burned to the ground, and the bodies were reduced to ashes. Not a blade of grass was left."
A sudden night breeze swept by, and upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo felt a chill run down her spine. Her gaze involuntarily turned to Tang Ye, who sat high on the rooftop. Tang Ye's dark eyes sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze shifted to Song Zixing sitting on the other side, and for some reason, at this moment, Song Zixing somehow seemed somewhat human! But then, Song Zixing suddenly smiled at her. Hua Wuduo pursed her lips, thinking to herself: "I'm mistaken!"
Just as I was feeling depressed, I heard Tang Ye finally put down the long flute he had been playing for a long time and say, "Born in a chaotic world, it is already a great fortune that you and I can protect ourselves and those we want to protect."
After a moment of silence, Song Zixing smiled slightly and said, "Brother Tang's words are truly insightful."
For some reason, Hua Wuduo felt that Song Zixing and Tang Ye had both glanced at her, but when she looked over, she found that neither of them had actually looked at her.
Tang Ye remained silent, leaping down from the roof and pushing open the door to enter the house. Seeing this, Hua Wuduo quickly got up to leave, but Song Zixing asked, "Where are you going?"
Hua Wuduo glanced at him and replied impatiently, "Fetch water for washing feet."
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing's face froze.
Hua Wuduo, wrapped in a blanket, swaggered away. Little did she know, Song Zixing was thinking that she was going to fetch water for Tang Ye to wash his feet...
But actually, she was fetching water for herself tonight, not for Tang Ye. Since her injury, she hadn't had to fetch water for herself to wash her feet or face. Tang Ye would do it himself, so naturally she wouldn't rush to do it.
She remembered when she first came to be Tang Ye's maid, she asked out of the blue, "What do you have to do as a maid?" At the time, she was determined that she could do things like serving tea and water, but she couldn't do anything else.
Unexpectedly, Tang Ye replied, "Fetch water for washing your face and feet."
She had hesitated, but then she thought, it's just fetching a basin of water, what does it matter where I wash it? So from then on, she focused on these two things, and everything else was irrelevant to her. Unless she was bored, like rushing to open the door and talk to strangers before Tang Ye, or standing in front of him to fight. Of course, taking the blow from the man in black for him was purely accidental. She was afraid that if Tang Ye died, no one could cure her poison, and she would suffer or even die with him. Besides, the situation was urgent at the time, and she didn't think too much. Now, looking back, she really shouldn't have taken that blow head-on. The fact that the man could seriously injure Tang Ye and make him vomit blood shows his skill. He must have planned this all along, hiding among this rabble, waiting for an opportunity to attack Tang Ye. His intentions were truly vicious. Of course, no matter how vicious, it couldn't be as vicious as Tang Ye's poison.
Just as Song Zixing was at a loss for words, and Hua Wuduo was about to fetch water, the west courtyard gate was suddenly kicked open. A woman stumbled in, screaming, "Young Master Tang, please save my young lady! Young Master Tang..." The woman, disheveled and dressed in tattered clothes, ran a few steps toward Tang Ye's bedroom before collapsing heavily to the ground, seemingly badly injured. She couldn't get up for a long time, yet she continued to call out for Tang Ye with all her might. However, Tang Ye's door remained tightly shut, and there was no response.
Outside the courtyard, several innkeepers who had followed behind peeked in from the doorway.
Hua Wuduo put down the copper basin in his hand and went over to help the woman up. Only after getting closer did he recognize that the woman was Chunliu, Xu Qingcheng's personal maid. Seeing her in such a disheveled state, he was also shocked and hurriedly asked, "What happened to your young lady? Sit up and tell me in detail."