Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 54

“No.” Bi Jun scratched his head. “She set us free a long time ago.”

"Then what is the source of your fear?" Song Yushang was completely puzzled. The Four Wings' awe of that aloof girl was extraordinary. They should be Xie Yunshu's subordinates, yet they were more wary of her.

"That's because you don't know who she is," Bi Jun kindly replied.

"Who is she?" Song Yushang asked readily.

Bi Jun was speechless, glancing at Yin Hu. His companion understood and smiled, passing the buck for him.

"Speaking of which, we are also very curious. The eldest brother is actually a member of the Xie family. Does Young Master Song know what he was like in the past?"

"Of course I know that, after all, I've known him for many years..." Song Yushang was very tactful and generously provided the answer the other party wanted to know.

Both sides eagerly exchanged information from various sources, obtaining the inside scoops they wanted to know, and everyone was happy.

Xie Quheng shook his head, amused.

Xie Yunshu stepped in with Jia Ye and was slightly surprised to see a scene of intimate harmony.

Jia Ye glanced at it, then pursed her lips with a half-smile.

"You taught him."

Upon spotting the two, Siyi reflexively stood up straight, feeling embarrassed and guilty.

Xie Yunshu smiled and led everyone to sit down.

The clever waiter called out the dishes, while a musician next door began to play the pipa. The melodious and delicate singing filled the air, bringing a lingering and romantic atmosphere.

The dishes were exquisite.

The colors were well-matched, light yet flavorful, rich yet not greasy, and tender and delicious. It was even adorned with delicately carved crane and flower designs, adding a touch of elegance. This slightly sweet and savory flavor suited Jia Ye's taste perfectly, and she ate a few more bites than usual.

Jia Ye herself is quite picky.

Having long held a high position, her daily life was extravagantly refined. Although she enjoyed simple things, they were all top-quality items. However, she was extremely patient. When traveling, she ate coarse food, wore simple cotton clothes, and often went without sleep for days on end without complaint. Even when she came to Jiangnan and experienced many dissatisfactions, she never uttered a word. Only those very close to her could sense it.

Bai Fengge, sitting beside her, tried to be friendly, smiling and striking up a conversation. Jia Ye responded calmly, and the atmosphere remained relatively harmonious. Si Yi, unusually, sat at the same table with her, appearing reserved and uncomfortable, completely devoid of his previous banter, and barely uttering a word. Only the Xie brothers and Song Yushang remained, chatting about random topics, making the scene somewhat deserted.

Bai Fengge picked out a lion's head meatball for Jia Ye with a gentle smile.

"Being too thin is not good for your health. Miss Ye should eat more."

Jia Ye lowered her eyes and looked at the bowl. Xie Yunshu, who was standing next to her, picked it up for her.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Bai, but she has never liked meat, so I'll take her place." Junyan was calm and understanding, and it was the most natural thing for him to do so.

Her cherry lips suddenly turned pale, and Bai Fengge forced a smile, her hand hidden under the table tightly clutching her skirt. Seeing her mistress's resentful and heartbroken expression, the maid beside her couldn't help but feel indignant.

Xie Quheng sighed silently, changed the subject, and tried to ease the awkward atmosphere.

As if unaware, Jia Ye drank a little soup and then stopped eating, instead sitting some distance away to drink tea.

As soon as she left her seat, Si Yi felt relieved and began whispering with Song Yushang again. Xie Yunshu politely chatted with Bai Fengge for a few words, after all, Xie Quheng had invited her to Yangzhou on his father's instructions, so it was inappropriate to be too cold to her.

"After several days of sightseeing, Miss Bai, are you getting used to the scenery here?"

“Yangzhou has absolutely stunning scenery. Everywhere I look, I see beautiful views. How could I not be delighted?” Bai Fengge smiled gracefully, reserved and elegant. For the past few days, they had been traveling together, and Xie Yunshu had mostly been focused on Jia Ye, rarely having any close conversations. Now, with this rare opportunity to get closer, she tried to remain calm, but her face still flushed slightly. “It is all thanks to Uncle’s kind invitation that we have this chance.”

“My mother has been praising Miss Bai recently, saying that she is gentle and charming, which relieves her regret of having no daughter. She really hopes that she can stay in the Xie family permanently,” Xie Quheng replied with a meaningful smile.

Xie Yunshu glanced across the way; Jia Ye leaned against the railing on the other side of the building, holding a cup of fragrant tea and admiring the flowers. Several large pots of camellias were brightly colored, with vibrant flowers and leaves, dazzling and flamboyant.

“Miss Bai, if you have the time, please stay a little longer. There are many good places to visit in Yangzhou,” he suddenly chimed in.

The four wings froze for a moment, then all turned their heads to look over.

Bai Fengge was somewhat surprised, and her beautiful eyes lit up. "Thank you, Third Young Master. If it's not too much trouble, I would like to ask you to point out some famous scenic spots."

"That's easy. Just have Yunshu accompany you around and you can try some local delicacies." Xie Quheng was overjoyed and immediately took care of it for his third brother.

"If it's convenient for you, Third Young Master," Li Rong said expectantly, a hint of shyness in her voice.

Xie Yunshu's eyes flickered, and he suddenly smiled faintly, "I will do my best in my duty."

A girl in the distance bent down, picked a withered leaf, and twirled it between her fingers.

With a gust of wind, the dry, yellow leaves fluttered down, twirling and falling from the high building.

A fast horse stopped in front of the building, its hooves pounding on the fallen leaves.

The rider nimbly dismounted and strode into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

"The subordinates of the Prince of Nanjun request an audience with the two young masters of the Xie family, Miss Ye, Young Master Song, and Miss Bai."

The loud voice echoed down the stairs, and the air instantly became solemn.

Many eyes were fixed on the envoy, and the man generously clasped his hands in front of his chest.

"The Crown Prince has sent me to deliver this invitation, sincerely inviting you all to grace us with your presence at the Qionghua Banquet in ten days." Along with the words, he attached an exquisitely crafted gold invitation, which he respectfully presented to Jia Ye.

Several people at the table exchanged glances, all somewhat surprised.

Jia Ye flipped through the gleaming letter, but showed no interest and casually declined.

"I am honored by your kind invitation, but my old injury has not yet healed and I am unable to attend the banquet. Please decline on my behalf."

The envoy seemed to have anticipated this and immediately bowed in greeting.

"Before coming here, the young master instructed that Miss Ye's injury was caused by him, and he has been feeling guilty ever since. Please do me the honor of a face-to-face apology." Before she could speak, he took out an item and placed it on the table with both hands. "This is a thousand-year-old snow ginseng. It is just a small token of my gratitude. If it can slightly heal your body, it will ease the young master's regret. Please do not refuse, Miss."

Everyone was surprised and confused, unable to guess what his intentions were.

The thousand-year-old snow ginseng is a rare treasure. Xiao Shicheng gave it to the opponent who caused his downfall and then subtly asked for it. What was his purpose?

Is it really an apology that even a three-year-old wouldn't believe?

"The item is good, but unfortunately I don't need it. Take this invitation back with you." Jia Ye didn't even look up, flicked her finger, and sent the golden invitation over.

The envoy was momentarily embarrassed by the decisive refusal and then spoke again.

"Why must Miss Ye keep her at arm's length? Besides the young master, there is another old friend who eagerly awaits her return."

"I don't recall having any old friends in Jiangnan."

"This old friend came from the Western Regions and had met you once before." Feeling an invisible pressure, the envoy unconsciously took a step back. "I was deeply impressed by your beauty and have never forgotten you for many years."

"What is his name?" Xie Yunshu asked coldly, his smile long gone.

"We'll know when we see it." The envoy's nose was slightly sweaty, and he forced himself to straighten his back.

"I want to know right now." Xie Yunshu took a step forward, and the air became so tense that it seemed like they were about to explode.

"With the Xie family's reputation, I am certain that the Third Young Master would not resort to violence against an envoy." The envoy's expression changed, and he took another step back, trying his best to remain calm.

Faced with the threat of his family's reputation, Xie Yunshu could not help but hesitate.

After a moment of stillness, Jia Ye stood up and moved, the golden ribbon returning to her slender white fingers.

"Go back and tell Xiao Shicheng that I'm really looking forward to it."

Han Guang

The sun was high in the sky, but Jia Ye still hadn't gotten up.

A long, jet-black head of hair lay loose on the couch as she lazily curled up, flipping through a medical book.

He knocked on the door but received no response, so he opened the window.

Her hair fell down and covered her brows, making her snow-white face even whiter than usual. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked up, then she focused on her book again.

Why aren't you getting up?

"I slept in late," she replied simply, tossing the book aside and languidly lying on the soft pillow and plain mat, her silk quilt disheveled.

He was about to reach out and brush his hair aside when she slapped his hand away.

"What's wrong?" He asked, puzzled, as his fingertips throbbed slightly.

Jia Ye remained silent.

After a long pause, a strange thought came to mind.

"Are you angry?" He was skeptical, but there seemed to be no other reason to explain her inexplicable abnormality.

"I don't understand what you're saying." She frowned, threw back the covers, and sat up. Her clothes were neat, with slight creases, indicating she had slept fully clothed all night.

Feeling something was off, he changed the question.

What are your plans regarding Xiao Shicheng's banquet?

Jia Ye tidied her long hair in front of the mirror, her tone still indifferent. "Let's go take a look first."

No banquet is ever a good banquet.

"So what?" She glanced at herself in the bronze mirror. "You don't need to go; this has nothing to do with you."

Again, a distant and aloof tone followed, which he ignored. "Guess who that person is."

"Who cares who he is?" she said casually, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "I have countless enemies anyway."

"Could it be a bait deliberately laid?"

"Perhaps. I would be quite surprised if there were any old acquaintances here." He curled his lips expressionlessly. "You don't need to think too much. This is Xie family territory after all. I'm sure he'll know what he's doing."

"He knew where we came from, but he never announced it..."

"If you were in their shoes, how would you feel?"

"Keep the secret to yourself and use coercion to recruit her." He watched her every move silently, his deep eyes never wavering. "If it really doesn't work out, spread the word and use the power of the Central Plains martial arts world to crush her."

"Well said. In your opinion, how should this be resolved?"

"Kill the person who knows the truth." This is a decisive move. By eliminating the only witness, Xiao Shicheng's testimony alone greatly reduces its credibility, making it easy to refute and counter.

"Pretty much, so you don't need to get involved this time. I'll handle it myself."

"You expect me to stand idly by? After you've gotten yourself into trouble because of me?" he asked incredulously, staring at his reflection in the mirror. "Is this some kind of care and protection? I'm not happy about it at all."

"What do you want? To come with me to the Southern Prince's palace to kill someone?" Jia Ye sneered mercilessly. "Do you still think you're the nameless shadow you used to be? Your current identity will only bring trouble."

The people behind her fell silent. She paused for a moment, then continued.

"After this is resolved, there will be no more hindrances. Just play the role of Young Master Xie well, and choose a suitable wife like yesterday. You will get everything you want." His light and casual words revealed a hint of sincerity. He rubbed his temples with his slender fingers, looking slightly pale and weary.