Chapter 43: 01
The bitter winter was severe, condensing water into ice, with white covering the entire mountain and frost adorning the verdant trees. This year, Haoyun Mountain received a heavy snowfall, though this place hadn’t seen snow for fifty years. The nearby villagers discussed it extensively, all saying that if this wasn’t an auspicious sign, then it must be an omen of disaster.
This snowfall was quite heavy. The trees were covered with hoarfrost, and the ground where grass and trees still remained accumulated over half a foot of white snow, contrasting with the still verdant trees—white snow and dark forest creating a peculiarly beautiful scene.
“Young Master Bi” Qi Xing held a scroll of books in his hand, pacing in the courtyard, when someone outside the door tiptoed in. “Qi brother, how many people now?” Qi Xing closed his book scroll. “Six hundred and eighty-five people.”
The person peeking in was “Young Master Yu” Zheng Yue. Ever since Tang Lici announced the news about one additional person earning an extra one hundred and fifty-eight taels of silver, more and more people joined Haoyun Mountain. Most were second or third-rate figures from the martial world—though not masters, they came in great numbers, making Haoyun Mountain’s momentum increasingly flourishing. Occasionally, some would fight over the misuse of gold and silver. Each time, Qi Xing would inquire into the details and expel the troublemakers from the mountain. After several instances, people no longer dared to easily resort to violence.
Meng Qinglei had also advised Tang Lici, saying that treating people with gold and silver inevitably led to material desires. Though money attracted many to join, it also made certain upright seniors of the martial world unwilling to come. However, Tang Lici said that those truly committed to the martial world wouldn’t be tempted by petty gains, nor would they be troubled by petty gains. Those who cared about gossip and rumors weren’t truly noble characters—he didn’t care whether they came or not.
His reasoning was sound, so Meng Qinglei stopped mentioning the matter of gold and silver.
Time passed quickly. After this heavy snowfall, it had been over a month since Tang Lici returned to Haoyun Mountain. During this month, Zheng Yue naturally hadn’t discovered the slightest news about the Romantic Shop. Tang Lici didn’t blame him either, greeting him with smiles each time they met, which made Zheng Yue see him as a snake or scorpion, avoiding him as much as possible.
He truly feared Tang Lici from the bottom of his heart, yet didn’t dare voice it. Now everyone on Haoyun Mountain praised Young Master Tang—how could he dare easily provoke public anger? Moreover, he was somewhat tempted by those one hundred and fifty-eight taels of gold, which was indeed no small sum.
“Xifang Tao” never appeared. Tang Lici dispatched Cheng Yunpao and Dong Hubi to lead separate search parties, but they found no trace of Xifang Tao either. The martial world suddenly quieted down. Haoyun Mountain’s influence gradually strengthened, the Romantic Shop lay low, and everything seemed to return to the tranquility before the poison crisis.
These days Tang Lici was very busy. A’Shui avoided people whenever she saw them, rarely speaking with anyone. Wearing a simple hairpin and coarse cloth dress without makeup, no one paid attention to an unremarkable maidservant. Thus, having lived on Haoyun Mountain for over a month, with people coming and going outside her window, she remained as if dwelling in isolated seclusion.
Fengfeng held a tattered book, reading with complete concentration. He no longer tore books now, having turned to enjoying reading them. She didn’t know whether he was looking at those strokes on the pages that resembled pictures, or if he truly understood something. In any case, since Fengfeng enjoyed reading, she quietly sat beside him to keep him company. Fengfeng held the book sideways, upright, and upside down while reading. She plied her needle and embroidered—the days were so peaceful and quiet.
“Knock knock”—someone gently rapped the wooden door a few times.
A’Shui raised her head. Few people came looking for her, and Yu Tuan’er never knocked. “Who is it?”
The person outside had a gentle voice. “Your maidservant Zi Yun.” A’Shui stood up and opened the door. Outside stood a woman with delicate features and petite build, dressed in purple, carrying a tray with two bowls of bird’s nest soup. “Young Master Tang ordered this sent. Miss, please eat it while it’s hot.”
A’Shui’s brow furrowed slightly as she took the tray, sighing softly. “Thank you. Why did he suddenly think to send me bird’s nest soup? Has he eaten yet?” Zi Yun also sighed. “Young Master Tang instructed that since he’s busy with affairs and has no time to care for Miss, he wants me to stay by Miss’s side to serve at all times.” She bowed gracefully to A’Shui. “If Miss needs anything, please instruct at any time. Whatever is within Zi Yun’s ability, I will certainly do my utmost.”
A’Shui shook her head and helped her up, saying gently, “I actually don’t need anyone to care for me. Miss Zi Yun, feel free to sit and chat whenever you have time.” Zi Yun shook her head dejectedly. “Young Master Tang’s instructions—Zi Yun dares not disobey.” A’Shui smiled slightly, though her smile was also somewhat dim. “Did he not want you to serve him anymore?” Zi Yun lowered her head. “Yes… he wants me to serve Miss, and from now on I’m not to deliver messages or enter his courtyard.” A’Shui said, “Don’t be sad. Young Master Tang is just…” Just what? She fell silent, her heart filled with a thousand tangled thoughts that she simply couldn’t express.
Zi Yun said dejectedly, “I understand. He just doesn’t want me interfering in his private affairs. He doesn’t like having other people under the same roof.” A’Shui sighed. “His treating you this way doesn’t necessarily mean he thinks ill of you in his heart.” Zi Yun’s eyes reddened. “I think so too, but I still feel very sad.” A’Shui had her sit down, feeling increasingly bewildered in her heart while showing a smile on her face. “You care deeply about Young Master Tang?” Zi Yun nodded, her delicate face blushing. “I…” A’Shui smiled even more gently. “Young Master Tang is young and handsome, intelligent and brave. Caring about Young Master Tang is natural.”
Zi Yun shook her head. “I know he has a close female friend in the capital, Miss Huang Sanjin, and Miss Zhong Chunji also has feelings for Young Master Tang. Moreover, he personally said…” Zi Yun said in a daze, “He said before Consort Yun married into the palace… she was deeply infatuated with him…” She looked at A’Shui in confusion. “He also has you, Miss A’Shui. So what… what do I amount to?”
A’Shui looked at Zi Yun with equal confusion. Behind Tang Lici were several beauties—some she knew, some she didn’t. But regardless of who they were, regardless of their status or identity, he wouldn’t give any response. He was just… just seeking in these women… seeking maternal tenderness, while also gaining a sense of conquest.
That was all.
So all the women infatuated with Tang Lici were pitiable. He had no heart to fall in love with any woman. Even though he only took from her alone, that obsession wasn’t born of love—it was merely displaced anger and transferred affection.
“His… telling you about Consort Yun might be hoping you’d give up sooner. He’s thinking of you.” A’Shui said in a low voice, her tone very weak. “And I… I equally don’t know what I amount to in Young Master Tang’s eyes…” She looked at Zi Yun sincerely. “I am a person who has lost family, and I’m not pure in body. More than anyone, I hope Young Master Tang can find a good match to accompany him, but it certainly won’t be me.”
Zi Yun’s tears burst forth, suddenly throwing herself into A’Shui’s embrace and sobbing against her.
Just as the two were feeling sorrowful, a figure suddenly darted into the room with light and agile movement, swift as a flying swallow, making not the slightest sound. A’Shui suddenly saw this and was startled. “Who—” Zi Yun wiped away her tears and raised her head, only to see a white flash before her eyes as a gleaming blade pointed at her throat. The intruder wore tight clothes and a face covering, speaking in a lowered voice. “Silence!”
A’Shui’s alarm subsided, and suddenly seeing this person’s tall stature, graceful waist, hair in a simple bun, and very familiar figure, she paused slightly. “Miss Bai?”
The masked intruder who had burst into her room pulled off the face covering and smiled faintly at her, sitting down. “So it’s you.” Though she sat down, the Duan Jie blade still pointed at Zi Yun’s throat. A’Shui said, “She won’t make a sound. Miss Bai, she’s Young Master Tang’s personal maidservant, not an outsider.”
The visitor was indeed Bai Suche. Hearing this, she slowly withdrew the Duan Jie blade. “I haven’t closed my eyes for two days and nights, haven’t had a drop of water or bite of food…” She spoke very flatly. Zi Yun quickly offered the two bowls of bird’s nest soup, her eyes full of fear. She recognized this famous female general of the Romantic Shop—she had led the last night attack on Haoyun Mountain.
Bai Suche didn’t refuse and quickly finished both bowls of bird’s nest soup. A’Shui remembered her secret gift of “Kill Liu” and felt no hostility toward her. “Miss Bai has come from afar. I wonder if it’s…” Bai Suche said in a low voice, “I came from Piaolng Mei Garden. I told others I was going out on patrol and can’t stay here too long. Go call Tang Lici here—I have something to tell him.”
A’Shui’s expression changed slightly. For Bai Suche to come from Bodhi Valley, risking the crime of betraying the Romantic Shop and going two days and nights without rest, what she had to say must be momentous. Her thoughts turned quickly, and she pushed Zi Yun. “Miss Zi Yun, go call Young Master Tang here. If anyone asks, just say I’ve fallen seriously ill.” Zi Yun’s face went pale as she nodded repeatedly and left.
A’Shui poured a cup of tea for Bai Suche. Bai Suche looked at her coldly, and seeing her gaze filled with killing intent, no one could imagine that not long ago Bai Suche had risked her life to save A’Shui. A’Shui pressed her lips together slightly. “Miss Bai.” Bai Suche made a faint sound of acknowledgment, seeming to respond yet not respond. “At the Beauty Residence, why did Miss Bai save me?” A’Shui wasn’t surprised by her coldness. “Could it be that you… you’re Young Master Tang’s spy in the Romantic Shop?”
Bai Suche said coldly, “I’m not anyone’s subordinate. I am only myself.” A’Shui’s white teeth showed slightly as she bit her lower lip. “I thank you on behalf of Young Master Tang for coming from afar.” Bai Suche’s face showed mockery. “Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to speak for Tang Lici?” A’Shui trembled slightly, saying in a low voice, “Why are you angry?” Bai Suche’s expression changed slightly. A’Shui bit her lip again, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
The atmosphere between the two women suddenly became very strange. Fengfeng crawled out from the pile of tattered books, and seeing Bai Suche, his face immediately lit up with joy. “Aunt—Aunt—” He babbled to himself, thinking he was calling correctly.
Before long, Tang Lici pushed the door open and entered, followed by Zi Yun.
Bai Suche immediately stood up. Seeing her expression, Tang Lici’s face also grew slightly pale. “Speak. What is it?”
Bai Suche drew something from her bosom—a piece of paper stained with a corner of dark blood. Tang Lici stared intently at that paper. Bai Suche slowly handed the paper to Tang Lici. It was a bank note worth ten thousand taels of gold. “He said to return this to you.”
Tang Lici raised his hand to support his chin and closed his eyes. It was a very familiar bank note—the one he had paid Xue Xianzi at the Bright Moon Tower. “What happened to him?”