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As soon as Yan Zihua finished speaking, everyone thought they had misheard.
Yuan Shuangshuang slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and shrieked, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Finally, as everyone stared intently at the swallow flower, she added, "Lin Fengzi was only ten years old that year."
"Shut up!" Chong Xuezhi interrupted, "Yan Zihua, what kind of relationship you have with Shangguan Tou is between you two, but Lin Fengzi is innocent. How can you speak so carelessly?"
He said it, but lacked confidence.
But she believed things weren't that simple.
"If you don't believe me, go ask Young Master Shangguan yourself." Yan Zihua's lips curled up as she looked directly at Shangguan Tou. "Young Master Shangguan, I dare to say this in front of everyone today because I have evidence. Do you want me to produce the evidence, or do you want me to admit it myself?"
Shangguan Tou had long anticipated this day. It just came too suddenly and too quickly, catching him completely off guard.
He could hardly remember the last time he felt completely helpless.
Chong Xuezhi stared intently at Shangguan Tou, desperately holding back her questions. She gripped the corner of the table tightly, trying to shift her gaze, and smiled slightly:
"Swallow Flower, I don't know what your purpose is. But now is not the time to discuss such trivial matters. The entire martial arts world is in crisis; let's talk about something else—"
“Even if we are in crisis, there’s no rush.” Master Xingyi stepped forward. “Yanzihua, you say you have evidence that Valley Master Shangguan did such a heinous thing. Please show us the evidence first.”
Yan Zihua still smiled and asked, "Young Master Shangguan?"
Hundreds of eyes turned to Shangguan Tou's face.
Shangguan Tou remained silent.
"Young Master Shangguan, tell me first, did you do this, or didn't you?"
"Enough!"
The speaker was Lin Fengzi. She was sweating profusely, her body seemed to be crumbling, and her voice trembled slightly:
"Please don't bring this up again; I personally don't want to hear about it."
Master Xingyi said, “Miss Lin, this matter is of great importance. If Valley Master Shangguan has really done such a thing, we must never rely on him again.”
Feng Cheng said, "Brother Shangguan, just tell the truth, and we'll all believe you."
No one paid any attention to Lin Fengzi. She covered her face, took several steps back, and sat down on the ground.
"Anyone who continues this topic is going against Chonghuo Palace!" Chong Xuezhi, unable to bear it any longer, drew her sword and pointed it at Yan Zihua. "If you utter another word, I will kill you!"
"A clear conscience fears no accusation. Palace Mistress Xue, I understand you. If everyone knew about this, you probably wouldn't be able to marry him in style. But, which is more important, your matter or the affairs of the entire martial world?"
Just as Xuezhi was about to make a move, Lin Yuhuang suddenly asked, "Xiao Tou, is this true or false?"
Xuezhi had no energy left to deal with Yanzihua and could only watch them.
None of the people present who knew Lin Yuhuang had ever seen him so serious.
Shangguan Tou looked into his eyes, but couldn't bring himself to speak.
Lin Yuhuang then asked, "Is it true or false?"
for a long time.
Even breathing seemed to freeze in the air.
Shangguan Tou said softly:
"It's true."
Before he could finish speaking, he was punched by Lin Yuhuang. Shangguan Tou stumbled back several steps and crashed into the wall. Lin Yuhuang pointed at him, trembling with rage: "You actually dared to do that to Feng Zi—you even dared to pursue Xue Zhi, you little brat, you've got guts!"
Xuezhi stepped forward and said, "Second Father, please stop talking. Let's leave here first."
"Xuezhi!" Lin Yuhuang lowered her voice, "Do you think I don't know what he did to you?"
Xuezhi's expression changed drastically.
Lin Yuhuang punched Shangguan Tou several more times. Shangguan Tou didn't retaliate, but simply looked up at him intently:
"What's past can't be changed, and I won't shirk my responsibility. But my feelings for Xuezhi are as clear as day."
"How dare you mention my daughter's name?" Lin Yuhuang continued to beat Shangguan Tou mercilessly. "Don't let me see you again!"
Although no one heard Lin Yuhuang speak, judging from his anger and the conversation between Yan Zihua and Chong Xuezhi, they could guess the gist of it.
Just then, a cheerful voice rang out:
"The Second Palace Master may have misunderstood. Valley Master Shangguan does have feelings for the Palace Master, but this has nothing to do with the Palace Master. After all, there are many people in the world who like the Palace Master."
All eyes turned to the doorway.
A man stood at the door, wearing a black cloak trimmed with red, his eyebrows raised, his long black hair tied high at the back of his head, and his wispy bangs fluttering in the wind with the cloak. At his waist was a purple phoenix sword, which made a crisp sound as it touched a jade pendant.
Lin Yuhuang stopped: "...Mu Yuan?"
Mu Yuan cupped his hands towards Lin Yuhuang and said, "Greetings, Second Palace Master."
Yan Zihua sneered: "Our own people will definitely help each other. What is Protector Mu still explaining?"
“If it weren’t for some troublemakers, I wouldn’t need to explain,” Mu Yuan said with a faint smile. “What I’m saying today is that Palace Master Lian has already betrothed her to me, and she doesn’t want to marry anyone else. Miss Yan can guess about other people’s relationships herself; no one will mind. But please stop spreading rumors here.”