He glared at me: "Even if you're not hungry, you have to go back and eat."
I had no choice but to say goodbye to the Seven Fairies and follow Jiang Chen back to Zhuzhi Courtyard.
"Jiang Chen, do you know them?"
"I only know Master Yu."
I exclaimed excitedly, "Great! It's easier to get things done if you know someone."
"What do you need me for?"
"The girl who led you in just now, I think she's a perfect match for Senior Brother Yunzhou, what do you think?"
Jiang Chen stopped, looked me up and down, and said with a half-smile, more like a sneer, "You want to be a matchmaker?"
I said seriously, "It's Hongniang." Matchmaker has a slightly derogatory connotation, and I think the name Hongniang sounds more elegant.
He chuckled and poured cold water on me: "Xiao Mo, people should know their own limitations and not do things they can't do."
What do you mean by that?
"What I mean is, you've already accomplished something great if you can just manage to get married yourself. Don't worry about other people's affairs. Do you know the saying 'to do more harm than good'?"
I was indignant: "Jiang Chen, are you jealous of Yunzhou? Don't worry, if I see someone suitable, I won't forget you." I'm not one to hold grudges. Although we had some past issues, I slept on that cherry pit pillow every night. When I thought about how he had spent four years collecting enough for such a pillow, my heart softened and I forgave him.
He said "Oh," then squinted at me with a half-smile: "What kind of woman do you think is suitable for me?"
I had thought about what kind of girl would be suitable for him before, so I replied without hesitation, "I think a girl like a demon would be more suitable for you."
His smile vanished, and his face immediately darkened.
Seeing that he was a little displeased, I quickly said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely find you a handsome demon."
He sneered twice, glared at me, and his eyes were piercingly cold.
I shrank back and watched helplessly as he walked away with a stiff back, secretly regretting that I had fallen for my habit of telling the truth again.
After dinner, while it was still dimly lit, I went out of the courtyard and looked at the Lotus Courtyard next door to the east. I began to rack my brains for an excuse to invite Shui Muyun out and then invite Yunzhou to join me.
Yunzhou is a rather serious person, usually not one to smile. If I were to directly tell him, "I've found a girl for you, go and see if you like her," he would definitely turn away with a cold face. Therefore, I have to subtly, indirectly, and roundaboutly bring them together "unintentionally."
Just then, a burst of laughter came from the neighboring house to the west, a hearty laugh that seemed to soar to the heavens. Several heroes from the Boundless Sect lived in Peach Blossom Village next door. I'd seen them before at meals; they were all dressed in serious, formal black robes, their faces righteous and their expressions awe-inspiring. For some reason, I immediately pictured several large black crows perched atop the vibrant peach blossoms.
What are they laughing so happily about? I secretly stood at the west gate and vaguely heard them shouting in the courtyard, "No gambling, whoever loses has to take off a piece of clothing, hahaha."
My God, are these hypocritical heroes really like this in private? I quickly moved to the Lotus Courtyard to the east, and suddenly a picture flashed into my mind. If the fairies of the Distant Mountain Sect were playing dice, and the loser had to take off a piece of clothing, how alluring, seductive, and alluring that would be...
I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild, and my heart was filled with excitement.
"Xiao Mo, what are you doing sneaking around like that?"
Jiang Chen suddenly appeared out of nowhere and jumped up to my ear, startling me.
I glared at him and whispered, "Nothing. I was just thinking how beautiful it would be if the fairies next door rolled dice and the loser had to take off a piece of clothing." As I finished speaking, I couldn't help but swallow, my voice trembling with saliva.
Jiang Chen's expression changed, and he stared at me blankly for a long time before saying, "Xiao Mo, are you a woman or not?"
I glared at him and said, "Of course I am."
How could a woman have such thoughts?
"Who says women can't have such thoughts? I think Little He Bao's figure is much prettier than Seventh Uncle's." Seventh Uncle, I caught a glimpse of him, and he was like a black weight.
Jiang Chen's lips twitched, and his expression became even more gloomy.
"Xiao Mo, you... you like men, don't you? Last time, didn't you choose Yun Zhou?"
I sighed dejectedly: "Everyone says that beautiful flowers are wasted on cow dung, so I give up."
Jiang Chen looked remorseful: "I was the one who said it."
"you!"
He hurriedly said, "I originally said you were a flower, but then the brothers talked about it, and somehow you became cow dung."
So that's how it is! But thinking about it carefully, I really have to thank my senior brothers for daring to speak the truth and waking me from my dream. How could I have such a lewd dream? Sigh.
In my eyes, Yunzhou is as perfect as a fairy in the clouds. If I had to find a flaw, it would be that he's too handsome, which means he'll definitely have no shortage of suitors. However, given his fiery nature, flowers will wither at the sight of him. Especially peach blossoms, which need the spring breeze to bloom, while my senior brother Yunzhou is always like a northwest wind. So, this flaw is hardly a flaw at all.
Thinking of this, I felt quite melancholy and sighed sadly, "Sigh, next time, I'll find someone extremely ugly, and I guess I can still be a flower."
Jiang Chen frowned and asked, "You don't like good-looking people?"
I sighed softly, "I don't like them. Good-looking people are always so troublesome. I hate competing with people for things the most."
Jiang Chen glanced at me, then turned and left. I was taken aback. Every time I got into a lively conversation with him, he would turn and leave, most likely because I had angered him. I carefully observed his back, and sure enough, this time it was stiff as a board.
The next morning, Yu Xuan Courtyard was bustling with activity. Heroes from all walks of life gathered, chatting and laughing, a far cry from the treacherous and unpredictable world of legend. Since the highly respected Master Yuanzhao was elected the leader of the martial arts alliance, a martial arts gathering had not been held for many years. He handled matters of the martial arts world impartially and with reason and evidence, earning him deep respect and love. Therefore, his birthday celebration was as lively and grand as a martial arts gathering.
In the hall, everyone presented their gifts to express their good wishes. Master Yuanzhao smiled and bowed, saying, "You are all too kind. I originally intended to invite everyone here on my birthday so that we could get together and have some fun. I am truly ashamed that you have brought such gifts."
A man from the Wuyai Sect immediately said, "Master Yuanzhao, you mustn't say that. Even if you weren't the leader of the alliance, we, as the younger generation, should still show our respect. Don't you all agree?" Many people immediately smiled and echoed his sentiments.
The young prince of Huai'an Prefecture smiled and said, "In recent years, the martial world has been peaceful, thanks to Master Yuanzhao's hard work."
"That's right, that's right," the crowd echoed in agreement.
I looked over next to the young prince, but where was the young princess? Strange, could she have already left? I was so eager to see what the legendary noblewoman looked like; what a pity.