Chapter 155 - Since Ancient Times, Farewells Have Always Hurt
âCha Jin, why havenât you gone to make tea yet?â asked Su Yi. He suddenly realized that Cha Jin seemed to be enjoying the show; she had none of the awareness a servant ought to have. Thus, he couldnât help but rebuke her.
âAh? OhâŚ.â Cha Jin instantly tensed up and ran off in a panic.
Su Yiâs gaze then returned to Zhu Guqing. He said calmly, âI trust that youâre not here to cause trouble this time. Come on in and have a cup of tea.â
Zhu Guqing was briefly stunned. Inside, she snorted, Heâs right. With my status, why would I make trouble for a teenager like him? It would make me look far too petty.
At the same time, Su Yi smiled and tousled Wen Lingxueâs hair. âCome inside to talk,â he said gently. âDonât just stand there.â
âHm!â Wen Lingxue smiled sweetly.
In three short sentences, Su Yi displayed three starkly different attitudes to these three peerlessly exceptional beauties.
He rebuked Cha Jin.
He conceded to Zhu Guqing, and in doing so, advanced. By displaying his magnanimity, he also gave her an opportunity to back down.
And when it came to Wen Lingxue, his thoughts were nowhere near as complex. His affection for her came straight from the heart.
The clever thing was, just like that, heâd eased the ambient tension in the air. For Su Yi, so long as he wanted to, resolving a petty little conflict like this was almost effortless.
Meanwhile, within the courtyard.
When she saw Cha Jin fumbling with the teapot, Wen Lingxue couldnât help but laugh. âBig Sister, how about you let me do it?â
With that, she deftly got to work.
As Cha Jin watched her boil water, wash the tea leaves, and brew tea with practiced efficiency, she couldnât help but feel ashamed of herself. Was I really so pathetic before?
Zhu Guqing sat casually on a round stool, her dress outlining the full arc of her hips.
She said nothing, and her expression was cold and aloof, but in reality, she felt as if she were sitting on a bed of needles.
After all, it was just yesterday that she and Su Yi clashed and argued. Worse, sheâd been so angry that she almost coughed up blood. Now, sheâd come to his door of her own volition. This feelingâŚ. She felt deeply embarrassed.
If I knew it would be like this, I never would have come!
Only Su Yi sprawled out leisurely in his wicker chair. He thought to himself, When the time comes that I leave the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, I have to take this wicker chair with me. That way, no matter where I go, I can lie down whenever I wantâŚ
Cha Jin lowered her head as she stood off to the sides, not saying a word.
She was a servant, but she couldnât brew tea for their guests, and Su Yi had only just rebuked her. She felt deeply at ease.
Before long, Wen Lingxue had poured everyone a cup of tea, and she took a seat beside Su Yi. âBrother-in-Law, where are Big Brother Feng and Xiaoran?â
âItâs been dangerous here of late,â said Su Yi. âAlthough Iâm not worried about myself, I have no choice but to consider their safety, so I entrusted them to someone else.â
Wen Lingxue exclaimed, âDangerous? What happened?â
It was just one sentence, but Cha Jin and Zhu Guqingâs hearts clenched.
It was Cha Jin who led Nan Wenxiang here, resulting in his death. She almost died that night too.
Zhu Guqing had come here with hostile intent too. Then, due to their initial misunderstanding, Su Yi angered her to the point that she almost lost her cool.
In short, both of them had been involved, and not in a good way. If Su Yi told everyone what happened, it would put them in an awkward spot.
âItâs all in the past.â Su Yi, however, couldnât even be bothered to explain. He just laughed and looked Wen Lingxue up and down thoughtfully. âWhat about you? What did you get so dressed up and come to see me for?â
âIâŚ.â When he brought up their goal, Wen Lingxueâs brow instantly knit together with worry.
The nearby Zhu Guqing answered on her behalf. âToday, Lingxue will accompany me back to Heavenâs Origin Academy, where she will continue her cultivation. Sheâs here to bid you farewell.â
Su Yi was instantly stunned, and his smile cooled down slightly.
He naturally understood that someone like Zhu Guqing wouldnât go all the way to the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital just to accept new disciples into the academy. There was only one explanation: Wen Lingzhao had made these arrangements!
Wen Lingxue lowered her pretty head and said softly, âBrother-in-Law, donât misunderstand; Iâm just going there to cultivate, thatâs all. Besides, with Senior and Big Sister to look after me, you have nothing to worry about.â
After a momentâs silence, Su Yi burst into laughter. âThis works too. When I arrive in the Imperatorial Provincial Capital, Iâll go looking for you.â
Wen Lingxue instantly exhaled. âMm!â
Su Yi thought for a moment, then said, âAlright. Iâll see you off.â
Zhu Guqing was just about to refuse, but when she considered how utterly infuriating Su Yi was when he put his mind to it, she forced the words back down.
An hour later.
Su Yi stood on the pier just outside the city, watching the passenger ship Wen Lingxue and Zhu Guqing had boarded fade into the distance. He couldnât help but feel somewhat melancholy. Even Lingxue leftâŚÂ Whatâs keeping me in the prefectural capital now?
Cha Jin sensed that Su Yi was in low spirits, and despite herself, she was stunned. Donât tell me this guyâs fallen for his little sister-in-law?
But then, Wen Lingxue really is a rare and exceptional beauty. Itâs hard to find someone so radiant.
I just donât know how good-looking her big sister isâŚ
As she thought to herself, Su Yi turned to leave, and Cha Jin followed hot on his heels.
âŚâŚ
Meanwhile, aboard a passenger ship on the Great Azure, Zhu Guqing hesitated. In the end, she decided to say what was on her mind anyway. âLingxue, donât tell your sister about what happened between Su Yi and I. Iâm afraid it would stir up numerous waves.â
Wen Lingxue couldnât help but ask, âSenior, just what happened between you two?â
âThatâs not for you to know.â Zhu Guqing shook her head. Inwardly, she sighed.
At first, she thought that Su Yi was just the Wen Familyâs live-in son-in-law, someone beneath her notice. Sheâd even warned Wen Lingxue to interact with him less.
Whoâd have thought the Wen Familyâs live-in son-in-law and the youth living at Humble Tranquility Cottage were one and the same?
As a result, when she faced Wen Lingxue, Zhu Guqing couldnât help but feel awkward and a little embarrassed. Is that kid my natural enemy or something? Why is it that every time I see him, I leave suppressing a bellyful of fire?â
âSenior, please rest assured, I wonât say anything to my sister,â said Wen Lingxue gently. âAlthough I donât know what exactly happened, I guarantee that my brother-in-law isnât a bad person.â
Zhu Guqing paused for a moment, then asked out of the blue, âWhy would someone like him marry into your family?â
âUh, I donât know either.â Wen Lingxue shook her head.
âSomeone who lost his cultivation underwent such a thorough metamorphosis and became a mighty expert. Itâs really hard to believe.â Zhu Guqing frowned. âRight, you shouldnât tell your big sister about this, either.â
âWhyâs that?â exclaimed Wen Lingxue.
Zhu Guqing sighed. âIâm afraid she couldnât take the shock. Donât you know? Your big sister is cold, noble, and aloof by nature, and sheâs proud to the bones. She detested this marriage right from the start. If she knew your brother-in-law was nothing like he was in the past, what would she think?â
Wen Lingxue fell silent for a moment. Then, she couldnât help but object, âBut we canât keep something like this a secret forever!â
âThen letâs just keep it a secret as long as we can. Your sister is currently completely focused on her cultivation, and this is the perfect chance for her to grow and break through. We cannot allow these matters to delay her progress,â said Zhu Guqing solemnly.
Before departing for the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, she helped Wen Lingzhao obtain a spot to enter the trials held at the âWhitecloud Mountain Secret Realmâ.
One month from now, the gateway would open. With Wen Lingzhaoâs talents, with a little luck, she was highly likely to temper her energy and reach âAstral Manifestationâ in one fell swoop.
In doing so, sheâd establish incomparably firm foundations for future growth, and sheâd step into the Grandmaster Realm with ease!
Wen Lingxue pursed her lips and sighed. âWhy is it that the older I get, the more complicated everything seems?â
Zhu Guqing couldnât help but smile. âThatâs what it means to grow up.â
âŚâŚ
A group appeared on the docks outside the city: Zhou Zhili and his companions.
âPrefectural Governor Mu, if everything goes well during our trip to the Imperatorial Province, youâll take another step up the ladder and become one of the highest-ranked officials outside of the Jade Capital!â
âMany thanks for your support, Sixth Highness.â The Harmony Prefectural Governor, Mu Zhongting, smiled and clasped his fist.
Zhou Zhili said solemnly, âItâs too early for thanks. In just half a month, the curtain will open on the Imperatorial Provinceâs âTea Party.' Thatâs the true crux of the matter. Neither of us can afford to get complacent.â
The Imperatorial Provinceâs Tea Party!
Mu Zhongting was instantly solemn, and he nodded silently.
âI originally came to the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital to recruit Qin Wenyuan to my cause. Whoâd have thought Iâd be so unlucky? Young Lord Su actually went and killed him!â Zhou Zhili sighed.
âQin Wenyuan was already in the second princeâs camp, and he was a capable man. His death isnât a bad thing at all,â said Mu Zhongting. He paused, then said hesitantly, âSixth Highness, if youâll forgive my boldness, might I ask why you havenât recruited Young Lord Su? His methods are reminiscent of a fallen immortalâs. With his aid, what couldnât you accomplish?â
âYou said it yourself,â Zhou Zhili sighed with exasperation. âHeâs like a fallen immortal. How could he possibly consent to work for me?â
Mu Zhongting froze, stunned. âYour Highness, you neednât lose heart. Remember, youâve already befriended him, and youâve helped him clean up his messes twice. I trust that he appreciates the favor. If you truly encounter a thorny adversary or difficult problem, how could Young Lord Su possibly remain uninvolved?â
Zhou Zhili let out a long breath of turbid air. âPerhaps.â
âYou done talking yet?â said Qing Jin coldly.
Zhou Zhili hurriedly smiled and approached. âDonât fret, Martial Aunt. Weâll leave as soon as our ship arrives!â
After Su Yi slapped her last night at the Sand-Scouring Waves, Qing Jin seemed to have become an entirely different person. Her words were icy, and her temper was extremely poor.
This gave Zhou Zhili an awful headache.
Qing Jin fell silent, then said out of nowhere, âMy master responded to my letter. Three days from now, the sect will send someone to the Imperatorial Provincial Capital. When the Tea Party rolls around, heâll help you out.â
Zhou Zhiliâs spirits instantly soared, and his face lit up with delight. âMartial Aunt, might I ask just which expert is coming to my aid?â
âYouâll know when you see him, wonât you?â said Qing Jin coldly.
Zhou Zhili fell silent, but inwardly, he was already full of confidence. With an expert from Qing Jinâs sect helping him out, what did he have to be afraid of on this trip to the Imperatorial Province? I've got this in the bag!
Qing Jin glanced at him, then said expressionlessly, âDonât count your chickens before theyâve hatched. Thereâs no way Xiang Tianqiu will just obediently offer up his authority on a silver platter. With his shrewdness, Iâm afraid heâs long since sensed trouble and made ample preparations.â
Xiang Tianqiu.
The governor of the Imperatorial Province!
He reigned over one of the Great Zhouâs six provinces, making him one of the highest officers of the frontier!