Апрель

Глава 11

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, then carefully presented the sword with both hands, saying, "City...City Lord...I'm returning the sword to you..."

Shi Le'er stood with her hands behind her back, smiling innocently. She took a few steps and said, "Little sister... I think I underestimated you."

She gave a small, stiff smile, unable to utter a single word.

...

A sneak attack

Shi Le'er reached out and took back her short sword. She said, "Don't worry, little sister, I won't pry into your background. In the martial world, everyone has secrets they can't tell."

Xiao Xiao looked at her and gave a dry laugh.

“Little sister, you know, there are very few people in the martial world who can identify the weapons of the Qi family. What you did in the hall today is enough to make everyone in the world covet them. And the only one who can protect you is my Taiping City.” As Shi Le’er spoke, she took out an abacus from her bosom, with gold rods and jade beads. She turned the abacus and said, “Of course, if you want to leave, I won’t stop you. But before you leave, you should settle your bill. Dinner and supper on the way, the inn’s room, the carriage fare, the rental of clothes and jewelry, and the depreciation cost of the sword you used earlier, all add up to eight qian and thirty-one wen. Considering that we have met, I’ll just give you eight qian and thirty wen.”

Shi Le'er handed over the abacus and said with a smile, "Give me back the money. Wherever you want to go, Sister, Le'er will not stop you. What do you say?"

Xiao Xiao was stunned. She stared at the gleaming abacus and swallowed hard. Behind Shi Le'er, Yue Huaijiang and Xia Yun looked on with pity.

"Hmm? Not yet?" Shi Le'er raised an eyebrow. "Alright, no rush, take your time~"

After saying that, she smiled innocently and looked up at Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiao was completely speechless. Just as she was pondering how to bargain, Shi Le'er suddenly put down her abacus and excitedly called out, "Brother Lian!"

Xiao Xiao was startled and turned around to see Lian Zhao. His expression changed when he saw Shi Le'er and her group. However, he did not leave immediately but stopped and said, "Le'er."

Shi Le'er ran over and took his arm. "Brother Lian, are you going to Yuexiang Pavilion for dinner?"

Lian Zhao gently withdrew his arm and nodded.

Shi Le'er stubbornly grabbed his arm again and said, "I'm going too, let's go together!"

Lian Zhao's eyes looked utterly innocent, yet he seemed unsure of what to do.

Seeing that he didn't resist, Shi Le'er was overjoyed. She pulled him up and jogged away, "Come on, come on, Le'er is hungry too!"

Yue Huaijiang and Xia Yun followed as usual. Xiao Xiao thought for a moment and was about to take a step forward when she heard someone call her name.

"Miss Zuo."

Xiao Xiao turned her head and saw Zhao Yan carrying dinner, walking gracefully towards her. Only then did Xiao Xiao remember that she had mentioned bringing the meal earlier, so she quickly stepped forward and took it.

"Thank you. I'll go back to my room for dinner now." She carried her dinner, quickly went into her room, and closed the door. She sighed and patted her chest. Then, she looked down at the dishes.

A bowl of white rice, three dishes of seasonal vegetables, the main dishes were braised Wuling soft-shelled turtle and braised eel slices, a small cup of deer antler and chicken soup, and a pot of bamboo leaf green tea.

After all that fuss for most of the day, she was starving. But thinking about Zhao Yan's gaze, she just didn't have the courage to eat.

She placed dinner on the table and paced around it for a long time. Finally, something occurred to her. A silver needle for testing poison? Hmm, a good idea. But where would she get such a valuable item? Just as Xiao Xiao was fretting, it suddenly dawned on her: Shi Le'er had her hair adorned with gold and silver jewels; a silver hairpin, of course, was necessary!

She immediately laughed, pulled out a few hairpins from her hair, picked out a silver one, and wiped it with a handkerchief. Although using a hairpin to test for poison was disgusting, she had no choice. She took a deep breath, picked up the silver hairpin, and probed each dish, then the rice and wine; the hairpin remained silver. She breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that although Zhao Yan's eyes were terrifying, this was, after all, Hero's Fortress; she wouldn't dare poison her. Besides, she, Zuo Xiaoxiao, didn't have any deep-seated hatred for her; she must be overthinking it.

Xiao Xiao smiled as she sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

She was biting into a leafy green when she suddenly felt dizzy.

Her face changed drastically, and she cried out in distress. Right, what had her master said again? Something like: "Silly girl, you actually believe the storytellers on the street?" It's true that silver needles can test for poison. However, not all poisons. What about sleeping potions and laxatives...?

Ignoring Master's words will lead to trouble... Xiao Xiao shed tears, and then gradually lost consciousness.

...

When Xiaoxiao woke up, she had a terrible headache, and her mind was buzzing. She struggled to open her eyes; it was already bright outside, and the morning light streaming through the window made her dizzy. She reached out, rubbed her eyes, and rolled over. Then, she quickly covered her mouth, forcing a scream down her throat.

Good heavens! What girl could remain calm and collected after discovering a man beside her in the early morning?!

Xiao Xiao's eyes widened, her left hand tightly covering her mouth. She glanced at the person beside her, feeling utterly dejected. Of all people, why did it have to be the Lian family's young master? Fine, whatever, they'd share a bed. If Shi Le'er saw this, he'd chop her into pieces and feed her to the fish!

She tried hard to recall; there must have been something spiked in yesterday's dinner. She looked around; this was clearly not her room. So, this was an ambush?! How...how despicable of an ambush...

Xiao Xiao glanced at Lian Zhao. He was sleeping soundly and showed no signs of waking up.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best! Xiao Xiao made up her mind, lowered her hand from her mouth, and carefully moved. But unfortunately, she was still on the inside of the bed; to leave, she would have to "turn over" Lian Zhao. As she moved, Xiao Xiao prayed to the gods for protection. If he woke up, she was doomed.

However, just as she propped herself up, Lian Zhao's eyelashes twitched slightly. She was startled and froze. The next moment, she met Lian Zhao's gaze.

Lian Zhao was startled, his cheeks flushed, and he was about to speak when Xiao Xiao, quick-witted and agile, covered his mouth in an instant.

Xiao Xiao lowered her voice and said, "Great hero, calm down! I know you didn't do anything to me."

Lian Zhao nodded stiffly.

Just then, a cacophony of voices came from outside the door, growing louder as it approached.

Xiao Xiao asked nervously, "Master, do you know acupressure?"

Lian Zhao frowned and shook his head.

"Tsk..." Xiaoxiao listened to the approaching voices, "Okay, I will..."

She reached out and pressed Lian Zhao's acupoints. Then, she lay down in the blankets and pressed her own.

She had just closed her eyes when the door was pushed open.

A group of women from Hero's Fortress rushed straight to the bedside. Leading them was Lady Xi. Her face was furious, clearly indicating they came with ill intentions. Shi Le'er followed behind, her brows furrowed tightly.

"Hmph, just as I expected! I never thought that the heir of the Divine Arrow Lian family would be so shameless!" Madam tide looked at the two people on the bed, her whole body trembling with anger.

"Someone, wake them up!" Lady Xi shouted angrily. The maids behind her immediately stepped forward, but no matter how the maids called out, the two men remained unresponsive.

Shi Le'er's brows relaxed slightly, and she said, "Xia, go and wake them up."

Upon receiving the order, Xia Yun immediately stepped forward and nudged the two men. A moment later, she turned back and said, "City Lord, they've been acupunctured."

A sly glint flashed in Shi Le'er's eyes. "Hmph! I knew it! Brother Lian isn't that kind of despicable person! Someone must have plotted against him! Madam, you must find out the truth for Brother Lian and not wrong him!"

Lady tide was startled and couldn't respond.

"Xia, quickly release their pressure points!" Shi Le'er shouted.

Xia Yun immediately stepped forward and released the pressure points on the two of them.

The moment Xiaoxiao opened her eyes, she screamed, her voice piercing the sky. She wrapped herself in the blanket, shrank to the foot of the bed, and cried miserably. "You...you...despicable! Shameless! Vulgar! Beast!" Xiaoxiao cried as she pointed at Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao stood frozen in place, speechless.

Xiao Xiao continued to cry and scream, and the people around her were at a loss, not knowing how to comfort her. Suddenly, Xiao Xiao shouted, "I don't want to live anymore!"

After shouting, she rammed her head against the bedpost.

Shi Le'er pounced on Xiao Xiao, jumped onto the bed, and grabbed her.

"You're not allowed to die!" Shi Le'er shouted. "It must have been you who plotted against Brother Lian and tarnished his reputation! Explain yourself!"

With tears in her eyes, she pleaded, "Lord, please let me die!"

"No, no! Not only did you seduce Brother Wenxi, but now you've even seduced Brother Lian... And you want to end your life? I won't allow it, I won't allow it!" Shi Le'er also started crying.

A chill ran down Xiao Xiao's spine. This… no matter what, wasn't she the victim? Why did it seem like Lian Zhao was the one who suffered? Fine, the act had to end. She composed herself and continued crying, "I don't want to live anymore…"

Shi Le'er continued to cry and shout, "You're not allowed to die! Give me back Lian Zhao's innocence!!!"

Everyone around froze, even more at a loss.

At this moment, Shi Le'er gave Xia Yun a look. Xia Yun understood and immediately rushed over, separating the two, and said, "City Lord, please calm down. Miss Zuo has also been acupunctured, so this matter must have nothing to do with her. Aren't you letting the real culprit go free by doing this?"

Shi Le'er stopped and looked at Xia Yun. "You're right..." She then looked up at Madam tide. "Madam, you must uphold justice..."

Lady tide nodded stiffly.

"I don't want to live anymore..." Xiao Xiao continued to pretend to bang her head against the bedpost.

Xia Yun stepped forward and stopped her, "Miss Zuo, even ants cherish life, why are you doing this? If you want to clear your name, you should live well."

Xiao Xiao burst into tears and hugged Xia Yun tightly, crying, "Sister Xia..."

"Alright, alright...it's nothing now. Hurry up and get dressed, come back to your room with me." Xia Yun patted her back.

She nodded, her voice choked with emotion.

This farce has finally come to an end.

Shi Le'er, Xia Yun, and Xiao Xiao returned to their guest room, and the three of them fell silent. Then, Shi Le'er laughed, "Little Miss, great acting!"

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "Not at all."

Shi Le'er turned around, sat down, and asked, "Who struck the pressure points?"

She scratched her head slightly, "Uh... I..."

Shi Le'er laughed even more happily, "Little Miss, you are indeed quick-witted. Madam tide's move was a double-edged sword, and now she's made a fool of herself. I want to see how she's going to thoroughly investigate the criminals next."

"Lady tide?" Xiao Xiao repeated.

Shi Le'er said, "Besides her, I don't see anyone else who would benefit from doing this. Besides, only a woman would resort to such a despicable tactic."

Xiao Xiao immediately recalled that dinner that had been spiked with something... Zhao Yan was Madam Xi's personal maid, and she was the one who delivered the meal. Recalling her sharp, piercing gaze at that time, it wasn't hard to understand the deeper meaning behind it.

Alas, indeed, women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with. Even within the dignified Hero's Fortress, such intrigue and backstabbing exist. What's most terrifying is that it's dragged her into it…

“Although Lady tide’s plan failed, a woman’s reputation is of utmost importance. Miss Zuo, you…” Xia Yun began, her voice tinged with worry.

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "It's alright. When you're out in the world, you don't care about those worldly taboos."

Shi Le'er lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said, "Sister is indeed different from ordinary women..." She stood up and took a few steps, "However, Xia is right, a woman's reputation is of utmost importance. Even if Madam Xi's move fails, it is enough to ruin your relationship with Brother Wenxi..."

Xiao Xiao sighed, "City Lord...you must have misunderstood something? There's nothing between me and the Third Young Master."

Shi Le'er looked at her, "You don't like Wenxi?"

"Why should I like Wenxi?" Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

Suddenly, Shi Le'er's eyes lit up. She reached out and grasped the small hand. "In this vast world, finally someone has said something like this to me! Yes, what's so great about Wei Wenxi? Why does everyone think I should fall for him?"

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, then nodded.

“When a woman likes a man, she certainly doesn’t look at his appearance, literary talent, family background, or social status,” Shi Le’er said earnestly. “Falling in love is not that simple at all, is it?”

Xiao Xiao remained stunned, then continued to nod.

“An arranged marriage is inherently unreasonable. Marrying me would secure my position as the lord of Hero's Fortress. How can I accept marrying me for such a reason!” Shi Le’er’s eyes were filled with unwavering stubbornness. “I will definitely destroy this marriage. Neither Madam Xi nor my inexplicable parents can stop me.”

She spoke timidly, "Lord City Lord... please don't get agitated..."