Bâtir une dynastie de chansons harmonieuse

Chapitre 35

Xiao Shu's version: You dug your own hole, so bury it yourself. Flowers are welcome as a memento!

Volume Two: Forgetting Each Other in the Jianghu - Cold Sword and Lonely Flute

Nangong Xue shook her head and sat down again.

Yang Nianqing looked at Li You and deliberately sighed, "I really don't understand. Some people have been in the martial arts world for so long, do they even know how to spell 'uncooperative'? Why does everyone get angry when they see you?"

“Wrong,” Li You looked at her seriously, “At least, women will never be angry when they see me.”

Yang Nianqing immediately pointed to the door: "Then why is she angry?"

"Because she is a woman of great strength."

"Then why do I get angry when I see you?"

"Because you're not a woman."

"..."

“I was just stating the truth,” Li You said with a wry smile, looking at Nangong Xue. “I never imagined that she, who always has a cold face, could have such a fiery temper.”

“Brother Li, you’d better tone it down. If you want to tell her the truth again, at least wait until we meet Master Chu,” Nangong Xue said, suppressing a laugh and glancing at Yang Nianqing. “When a woman gets angry, many things can happen.”

Yang Nianqing, however, did not grasp the meaning behind the words and nodded, saying, "It would be troublesome if she got angry and refused to take us to find someone. But she has a really bad temper; no wonder she and her husband don't get along."

Li You smiled and said, "As husband and wife, we should be more tolerant of each other. Most women understand this and do it very well. She is really an exception."

Yang Nianqing retorted, "Why should we have women? Shouldn't men also be able to tolerate it?"

“Most women can tolerate a man’s temper, but you are an exception,” Li You looked at her and sighed. “I’ve only said one sentence, why are you so anxious?”

Why should I put up with your attitude?

"Can you make me angry?"

"……cannot."

“That’s right,” Li You said seriously. “If you don’t know how to beat others, you’ll get beaten; if you don’t know how to anger others, you’ll naturally suffer more anger.”

Yang Nianqing choked.

What kind of logic is that!

Nangong Xue coughed and looked at her, her phoenix eyes full of smiles: "I have found that when arguing with Brother Li, you must not get angry, or you will have a better chance of winning."

Yang Nianqing sneered: "A good man should be able to put up with a woman's temper."

Li You rarely nodded in agreement: "In that case, I am truly the best man in the world."

She scoffed, "You? You're more like the number one playboy!"

"It is the Flower-Picking Gentleman."

"Anyway, they're all just flowers, perverts."

Li You smiled bitterly.

“Food and sex are human nature,” Nangong Xue suppressed a laugh and changed the subject, “Madam Leng is indeed different from ordinary women. For most women, their husbands and children are everything…”

Yang Nianqing interrupted, "It's a pity that women who lose themselves are the easiest to be dumped by their husbands. What a failure!"

“It’s a sad thing that women have always had to endure,” Li You sighed, then suddenly frowned. “But now that I’ve heard about that man’s ‘three obediences and four virtues,’ I realize that such a woman is really wonderful, incredibly wonderful.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nangong Xue and Yang Nianqing couldn't help but laugh.

"It's better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes... So this is the next line after 'sharing weal and woe'," Yang Nianqing recalled the sentence, shook her head, "I wonder which bastard said that."

Li You said, "It is indeed that bastard Zhuangzi."

She was speechless again.

If my old teacher, who teaches literature and history, knew that I had described Zhuangzi, the great advocate of Taoism, as a scoundrel, he would probably vomit blood and die on the spot.

After traveling for three or four days, Madam Leng had everyone abandon the carriage and continue on foot. Based on the direction, Yang Nianqing estimated that they were probably in Jiangxi province. After traveling for another four or five days, they finally arrived at the foot of a mountain. Madam Leng didn't say much, but led them up the mountain. Along the way, they saw lean rocks and ancient trees, weary birds flying low, and cold springs murmuring softly, creating a very tranquil scene.

Soon, the group entered a deep forest. Ancient trees towered in the forest, chirping and singing. The ground was very clean, with traces of brooms still visible.

Are there still people living in these deep mountains and ancient forests?

Just as Yang Nianqing had this thought, she turned a corner and a large vermilion gate suddenly appeared before her.

There's actually a mountain villa there.

Two men who looked like servants were sitting and talking in front of the gate, both dressed very neatly and elegantly. Occasionally, woodcutters would pass by singing and greeting them.

Madam Leng stopped and stood silently at the door for a long while before turning around: "He's right there."

We've arrived.

The group looked at each other and then stepped forward.

Nangong Xue straightened her robes, smiled, and bowed to the two servants.

The two servants quickly stood up and humbly returned the greeting.

Nangong Xue smiled and said, "I wonder if Senior Chu lives here? I am Nangong Xue, and I have come to visit on important business. Please inform him of my presence. Thank you."

The First Young Master's reputation is well-deserved. Before he could finish speaking, the younger servant's face lit up with surprise and delight: "So it's Young Master Nangong!"

Nangong Xue humbly replied, "I dare not, that's right."

The young servant was very excited and nodded, about to walk into the door, but was pulled back by the older one.

The old servant carefully sized up the group, then hesitated and said, "My master rarely receives guests, so we dare not make decisions on our own..."

Before he could finish speaking, Madam Leng suddenly interrupted, "Just say that an old friend, Leng Qing, has come to visit, and he will certainly not blame you."

The old servant hesitated for a moment, then agreed and went inside.

Everyone waited quietly outside the door.

Sure enough, after a short while, the old servant came out again with a big smile and welcomed everyone inside.

The courtyard was quiet and secluded, with winding corridors. No one would have imagined that such a family could live in this remote mountain village. Although the carved railings and decorations were not particularly ornate, they were by no means shabby, suggesting that the owner must be a person of refined taste and someone who knew how to enjoy life.

The old servant had been leading the way, occasionally turning back to smile and chat, but mostly he was secretly observing Madam Leng, probably wondering why his master would make an exception to see her.

He had no idea that the beautiful woman before him was his mistress.

In the hall.

The old servant smiled apologetically: "Please have some tea, everyone. My master will come out to see you in a moment."

Li You smiled and agreed.

The old servant was about to leave.

Madam Leng suddenly said, "Does your household not have a young master? Why don't you come out to greet your guests?"

The old servant was taken aback, then smiled and said, "The three young masters were sent away to live with us when they were young. They would not dare to enter the manor without the master's permission. Now that only the two ladies are here, it is inconvenient to receive guests."

Madam Leng nodded, sat down, and remained silent.

It seemed her husband had already had a child with another woman. Yang Nianqing wondered if she was heartbroken. She glanced at her, sighing inwardly, feeling a pang of sympathy. But then, her gaze drifted to Li You, who was smiling at her, as if he understood her thoughts.

This guy is infuriatingly clever! Yang Nianqing glared at him immediately.

What are you looking at!

Faced with her angry gaze, almost anyone would feel embarrassed, except for those with thick skin. Unfortunately, Li You's skin was thick enough, so he simply picked up his tea and slowly enjoyed watching her glare.

Yang Nianqing was speechless.

Fortunately, at that moment, a series of unhurried and moderate footsteps sounded, and the next moment, a man came out.

He should be in his forties, but he looks no more than thirty. He has a good physique and shows no signs of being overweight. He is very handsome, and although there are fine lines around his eyebrows and eyes, and his temples are faintly gray, he still has a mature and captivating air about him.

His brows were slightly furrowed, his gaze was calm, and an aura of cold indifference and ruthlessness arose spontaneously. However, upon closer inspection, he seemed quite elegant and even had the air of a scholar.

Refined and aloof, two completely different qualities, are simultaneously concentrated in one person.

Who he is needs no introduction. Such a natural and unique temperament can only be found in Chu Shenghan, the "Cold Sword Prince" of yesteryear.

As Yang Nianqing watched, she exclaimed in admiration: "For a man to still be so charming in his forties, this Uncle Chu must have been incredibly handsome and cool when he was young. He truly deserves Madam Leng."

Chu Shenghan slowed his pace and walked slowly to the front of the main seat, where he stood.

Everyone stood up.

Yang Nianqing immediately glanced at Madam Leng secretly—it had been more than ten years since they had last met. They must both be very excited.

However, she was soon disappointed.

Madam Leng's beautiful face was still shrouded in a thin layer of frost, and she showed no surprise whatsoever, as if the person standing in front of her had nothing to do with her at all.

Chu Shenghan only glanced at her briefly before bowing to everyone and smiling, "Young Master Nangong's name is renowned far and wide. I presume these two are Hero He and Young Master Li. I had some trivial matters to attend to earlier, so I apologize for keeping you all waiting!"

Although he wore a smile and spoke humbly, he still inadvertently revealed a clear arrogance. It was unexpected that in such a short time, he had already discerned the origins of Li You and He Bi.

Li You and He Bi also offered a few humble compliments.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone sat down.

Chu Shenghan turned around and sat in the main seat, picked up the tea and offered it to everyone, but did not drink it. He just looked at everyone and asked, "I have been retired from the martial world for a long time. I wonder what brings you all to my humble abode?"

Li You looked at He Bi and said, "We have come here to disturb you, senior, out of sheer helplessness. We hope you will forgive us. But apart from you, I'm afraid no one else knows about this matter."

Upon hearing this, Chu Shenghan looked puzzled.

Nangong Xue smiled and said, "This matter is of great importance. Countless people in the martial world will lose their lives. I have heard that although you are not fond of worldly affairs, you are upright and kind. You would not be able to bear such a thing. That is why we dare to come and bother you."

Yang Nianqing was extremely impressed. No one would dare to refuse such a remark.

Chu Shenghan smiled slightly: "Is what Young Master Nangong is referring to the bloodshed at Nangong Villa?"

"To be honest, that's right, senior."

"I am unaware of this matter, so how can I possibly be of any help?"

Nangong Xue looked at He Bi and explained her purpose: "Therefore, I would like to ask you, senior, to tell me about Madam Ye's background."

Chu Shenghan was slightly surprised, then shook his head: "She won't kill anyone."

“Senior’s judgment is surely not wrong. We are not certain that it is her,” Li You said with a smile. “We just feel that things are a bit coincidental, and perhaps we can find some clues.”

Half a day.