Апрель

Глава 44

The man was silent for a moment, then stood up, smiled, and walked up to Xiaoxiao. "Although my 'Music Workshop' has only been in business for a few years, I've seen quite a few people. But I've never met anyone like you before. I am Helan Qifeng, and I'll make you my friend today." He handed over the document. "I'll accept the Heavenly Ying Decree. You may choose any item from my workshop. It's a matter of reciprocity."

Xiao Xiao looked around. This was a brothel; all she saw was wine and girls. Choosing something wouldn't be easy. Oh well, she'd just grab anything. She slowly walked to the pear tree and picked up a jug of wine.

"Then I'll take this pot of pear blossom spring wine," she said with a smile, standing beneath the fluttering pear blossoms.

He Lan Qifeng paused for a moment, then nodded. "Hehe, so you're a connoisseur of fine wine, young lady. Since our shop opened, very few people have come to buy wine. You're the first." He walked to the tree, picked up another flask of wine, and handed it to Xiao Xiao. "Our shop isn't stingy; buy one, get one free."

Xiao Xiao happily accepted the flask of wine, but then suddenly remembered something. "You sell wine here? Aren't you a brothel?"

Upon hearing this, the girls burst into laughter.

Helan Qifeng sighed and looked at Yin Xiao, "Look at what you've said to that young lady! This is a legitimate winery, how did it turn into a brothel?"

Yin Xiao chuckled, "I never said anything; she's just making things up."

Xiao Xiao looked at everyone awkwardly, speechless.

Yin Xiao laughed, "Since the transaction is over, I won't disturb the shopkeeper's enjoyment any longer. Let's go." He reached out and pulled up the stiff Xiao Xiao, then stepped out the door.

Helan Qifeng weighed the "Tianying Token" in his hand, watching the two leave. A smile played on his lips as he casually addressed the girls behind him, "My little ladies, let's get started. Aren't you all quite interested? That girl's wealth..."

The women giggled and said in unison, "We obey!" Then they all leaped away.

The woman who had answered the door earlier walked up to Helan Qifeng with a smile and said, "Master, that girl doesn't seem to be a master. You're probably going to be disappointed."

He Lan Qifeng laughed heartily, "Hehe, I smelled a ghostly aura on that girl..."

...

When we left the music hall and returned to the town, it was already past dawn.

Xiao Xiao held the scroll in her hands and read it carefully in the morning light.

The documents meticulously recorded the names of all sorts of people who had searched for the "Three Corpse Divine Needles." What made Xiao Xiao feel a little embarrassed was that these people came from all over the country. Searching for them one by one would have been an immense effort.

She sighed, feeling that her luck was terrible, when she suddenly saw a name.

Jiyu Mountain Villa?!

She stopped abruptly, frozen in place. The Jade Mountain Manor was also searching for the "Three Corpse Divine Needles"? A bad feeling crept over her. The missing Ling You, the kidnapped girl, the walking corpses, the Three Corpse Divine Needles… and, moreover, the Three Corpse Divine Needles might be one of the Nine Emperor Artifacts… What was brewing behind the shadows and traps she saw that night?

Seeing her stop, Yin Xiao also stopped. Noticing her thoughtful expression, he asked, "Girl, are you hiding something from me?"

She raised her eyes slightly, about to reveal the truth about the zombie disguise. Suddenly, a chilling killing intent approached. Yin Xiao sensed it and immediately drew his sword to block.

Xiao Xiao stepped aside and was astonished when she saw the attackers.

Yin Xiao chuckled, responding as he spoke, "Young Master Mo Yun is in quite the mood, picking a fight so early in the morning."

That's right, the person who attacked with a knife was none other than Mo Yun, the second young master of Hero's Fortress.

Mo Yun's expression was indifferent, and the "Min Yan" in his hand gleamed with a cold light.

"Hand over Zhao Yan, and I'll spare your life!" Mo Yun said, his tone domineering.

Yin Xiao looked puzzled. He forced the two apart with a few moves and said with a cold smile, "Young Master Mo Yun, forgive my ignorance. Who is 'Zhao Yan'?"

"Hmph. As expected of a womanizer, he doesn't even know the name of the person he robbed!" Mo Yun grew increasingly furious, and the steel knife in his hand became even more menacing.

Yin Xiao was still completely bewildered, but Xiao Xiao, who was holding her head in her hands, understood immediately. No way? Zhao Yan was kidnapped? And it was Yin Xiao who did it? Today, Yin Xiao's target was Miss Shen Yuan, which means Zhao Yan was kidnapped earlier? ...Could it be... that the sack she saw that night contained...?

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao jumped up and shouted at the two men fighting to the death, "It's a misunderstanding!"

...

After three cups

"It's a misunderstanding!"

As soon as the small shout came out, Yin Xiao and Mo Yun simultaneously stopped their moves and looked at her.

Xiao Xiao stepped forward and said, "I saw it with my own eyes. Miss Zhao was abducted to Jiyu Manor!"

This directness left both of them speechless.

"Impossible. The young lady of Jiyu Manor was also kidnapped last night, so how could it be the work of Jiyu Manor?" Mo Yun didn't believe it.

“It’s very simple…” Yin Xiao chuckled, “Just do this, and the real culprit will be completely cleared of suspicion. In the end, I’ll be the one who suffers the loss.” He sheathed his sword and said, “Young Master Mo Yun, now that things have come to this, we are both victims. Why not join forces to deal with the mastermind behind it all?”

Mo Yun remained silent for a moment, then quietly sheathed his sword. Even if he didn't trust Yin Xiao, Xiao Xiao had still saved his life. Besides, there was no benefit in lying to him.

Yin Xiao smiled. "Alright. Young Master Mo Yun is indeed straightforward. Tonight at 3:45 AM, at Jiyu Manor. I'll lead the way and distract the guards. We'll enter the manor to rescue them."

Xiao Xiao's whole body trembled. Entering the manor to rescue people was extremely risky. She had seen the mechanisms and secret passages, but she knew nothing about what lay within. Add to that the presence of walking corpses… tsk, the odds were against her! However, the current situation left her no room for refusal. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

Mo Yun nodded, then turned and walked away.

She sighed softly, feeling helpless.

Yin Xiao, however, looked relaxed. He glanced at Xiao Xiao and said, "No wonder you insisted on paying only three hundred taels earlier. So you knew the inside story. You look silly, but you're actually quite clever." After he finished speaking, he reached out and patted Xiao Xiao's head. "Alright, little girl, are you hungry? I'll treat you to something to eat."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up. "Uncle Yin, you are truly a chivalrous and kind-hearted man..."

Yin Xiao immediately retaliated by flicking her forehead. "You casually mention Buddha, be careful of retribution. Also, don't call me 'Grandpa Yin'!"

Xiao Xiao rubbed her head and asked timidly, "Then... Master Yin? Young Master Yin?"

Yin Xiao sighed, "My surname is Qi, and my given name is Heng. You can just call me 'Brother Qi' from now on."

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao was a little surprised.

Yin Xiao smiled and said, "If we're talking about seniority, you're not wrong to call me that. Let's go get something to eat. You'll know some things in the future."

After he finished speaking, he walked away with a smile.

Xiao Xiao was unaware of what was going on, but she didn't ask any more questions and followed with a smile.

...

After finishing breakfast, Xiao Xiao parted ways with Yin Xiao and quickly returned to Jiyu Manor. She carefully went through the back door, avoiding the crowd, and was about to go back to her room when she remembered something and turned to walk towards the courtyard where the servants lived.

She had barely taken a step when she bumped into several servants. Startled, she was about to make up an excuse when the servants surrounded her, lowering their voices, "Oh dear, why are you only arriving now? Hurry up, where's the medicine?"

The servant immediately handed over the medicine and gave it to Xiao Xiao.

"Hurry up and go inside!"

The servants, pulling and pushing, brought Xiaoxiao, who was completely bewildered, to the front of the house. She looked at the medicine bowl in her hand, thought for a moment, and then raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Come in."

To her surprise, the voice that answered was that of an elderly woman.

With a slight sense of doubt, she pushed open the door and saw Lian Zhao lying on the bed, with the old lady sitting beside him. Standing next to the old lady was Shen Yuan, the eldest daughter of the Shen family.

Xiao Xiao was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood. No wonder the servants had acted strangely earlier; it turned out to be because of this. Indeed, there had been rumors that the old lady had secretly promised that whoever could guarantee the young lady's safety would be allowed to marry into the Shen family. So, this situation... was it a marriage proposal?

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but stiffen.

"Since you're here to deliver medicine, why are you still standing at the door?" the old lady said with displeasure.

Xiao Xiao snapped out of her daze and carried the medicine upstairs.

Upon seeing her, Lian Zhao looked up and smiled.

At this moment, the old lady frowned again, "Why is the person delivering medicine also carrying wine?"

Xiao Xiao then realized that she was still carrying the two jugs of wine she had taken from the "Qu Fang".

"This...this is a medicinal guide. The doctor instructed me to use it before taking the medicine." Xiao Xiao made up a reason.

The old lady ignored her and turned to Lian Zhao, saying, "Treating your injuries is the priority. Drink your medicine first. Later, the manor will naturally reward those who have contributed."

After saying that, the old lady got up, took Shen Yuan's hand, and walked out.

Xiao Xiao watched them leave, and unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. She turned around and saw Lian Zhao also let out a sigh of relief.

"Uh..." Xiaoxiao didn't know what to say, so she took the medicine and walked over, saying, "Drink your medicine."

Lian Zhao looked up at her and smiled, "Shouldn't we take the medicine first?"

Xiao Xiao smiled. Although she had just made it up, she couldn't go back on her word now that she had said it. She put down the medicine, picked up a pot of wine, broke the seal, poured a cup, and handed it to him.

Lian Zhao took a sip from the cup, then frowned slightly. "Tusu wine?"

Xiao Xiao was taken aback. She had opened the bottle randomly and didn't even know which one she had opened. She looked at the wine pot; it wasn't labeled. She took a sniff, and a rich medicinal aroma wafted out—it was indeed Tusu wine.

She looked at Lian Zhao and asked, "Aren't you going to drink Tusu wine?"

Lian Zhao shook his head, "I just don't like the taste..." After he finished speaking, he drank it all in one gulp, then picked up the medicine bowl and drank the medicine.

Seeing his expression while drinking, Xiao Xiao knew it was more than just "not used to it." If she had known, she would have brewed him a pot of "Pear Blossom Spring Wine." Xiao Xiao smiled and watched him drink his medicine. Then, she noticed his bandaged left hand.

"Are you alright?" Xiao Xiao asked.

After Lian Zhao finished drinking the medicine, he put down the bowl and said, "It didn't injure any bones or muscles. A few days of rest will be fine."

"Oh." Xiao Xiao nodded.

Seeing that she had quieted down and then fallen silent, Lian Zhao lowered his head and pondered for a while before smiling and saying, "Guess what the old lady just said to me?"

Upon hearing this topic, Xiao Xiao was startled. "What?"

Lian Zhao smiled helplessly and said, "She said she wanted to marry Miss to the man who saved her, but that was just the servants' speculation, not true. Besides, Miss is of noble birth; even if she were to marry into a family, it would have to be a match of equal social standing..."

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. A marriage of equals? If the old lady knew later that the man before her was the eldest son of the Lian family, the "Divine Arrow," wouldn't she regret it immensely? However, given the Lian family's reputation, they would absolutely never agree to a son-in-law marrying into the family. Heh, if we were to compare the two families' status, it should be the Lian family who said these words.

She laughed, and Lian Zhao laughed too. "Is it that funny? I feel like I've been looked down upon."

"You're not! You're clearly looking down on them and secretly gloating." Xiao Xiao blurted out with a laugh, then immediately realized her slip of the tongue and felt extremely embarrassed.

Lian Zhao, however, continued to smile and said, "I'm not that kind of person..."

Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but retort, "Stop pretending, I won't be fooled by you. You're clearly just secretly happy!"

Lian Zhao looked at her, his eyes sparkling with laughter.

Xiao Xiao was momentarily lost in thought. No matter how much time had passed, or how familiar she became with him, she still felt that there was an overwhelming distance between them. It wasn't just that they weren't a good match; every lie she had ever told now filled her with anxiety. Compared to her concealment, his honesty was dazzlingly obvious.

"Lian Zhao..." Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Actually, I..."

Lian Zhao looked at her and listened attentively.

At that moment, Xiaoxiao couldn't say a word. She only knew one thing: if she spoke, everything before her would completely disappear... as if it had never existed at all...