Proofread by Claire.KK
The sound on the rooftop was extremely subtle so that others who were poor in kung fu failed to notice. Although Xugu Ling was well-versed in martial arts, Uncle Luo awoke to the sound, considering his kung fu and social experience.
He suddenly opened his eyes with a terrible look, but in a second, he recovered as usual. Afterwards he turned to the wall and fell into sleep.
Xugu Ling went to the roof of the room where Xie Mengxuan lived. Looking around, he didn’t find any tree that was suitable for him to land on. As a result, he took an action which would leave others speechless. He moved a tile to peep through the hole.
However, it was pitch-dark in the room. He saw someone in deep sleep on the bed but failed to get a clear view.
Xugu Ling was in a haze and then shook his head with a quiet smile. How could he dream of seeing her clearly in such case? It was just wishful thinking.
He let out a sigh of regret and went away silently after putting back the tile.
When he pa.s.sed by the rooftop of the room where Gu Yusheng lived in, he stopped. Still hot with rage, he took out a bottle, moved one tile and spread some into the room. Later, he put away the medicine bottle and left with a delightful feeling.
He vanished into thin air. Others knew nothing but Uncle Luo was the exception.
On the following day, when Gu Yusheng got up, he was aware of a bad smell, but after careful examination, it turned out that nothing was wrong.
After another check of himself and the surroundings, he left it behind.
If he missed the meal provided by the temple, he would have nothing to eat. Gu Yusheng went out to meet Uncle Luo who seemed to smell something wrong but didn’t utter a single word.
Dressed in coa.r.s.e clothes, Xie Mengxuan simply fixed her long hair, who offered to greet them. “Did you have a good rest at night? Let’s set out after breakfast.”
“Okay.” Gu Yusheng nodded and set his heart at ease. “Xuan, it’s time for you to get well-dressed.”
“Not now. I’m going to the southern reaches of Yangtze River so that I’d better look simple on the appearance in case some trouble might be brought about.” Xie Mengxuan announced blandly.
Astonished at her words, Gu Yusheng pursed his lips. “The southern reaches of Yangtze River? You’re going to there? Won’t you go to the Imperial Capital?”
Xie Mengxuan didn’t change her face while advancing slowly. “Both, but the matter presses in the southern reaches of Yangtze River. I have to leave for there first.”
She blinked, and lowered her eyelids with a faint smile. “Big Brother Gu, if you are eager to return to the Imperial Capital, when we leave the Hanshan Temple, we’d better go a separate way. When all is done in the southern reaches of Yangtze River, I’ll visit the Gu family for myself after returning to the capital.”
Gu Yusheng seemed to be on the verge of success but failed at the critical moment. He lowered his voice. “No!”
Xie Mengxuan was freaked out. She patted her chest with one hand and wore a smile. “What’s wrong? Why did you have such a strong reaction? You scared me!”
Having taken a deep breath, Gu Yusheng recovered from the shock and put on a gentle smile as usual. “You’re just a weak woman. How could you go to the southern reaches of Yangtze River on your own? Moreover, why do you need to go there?”
Hesitant, Xie Mengxuan turned her eyes. “It…It’s about the business of the Xie family. You know, I’m responsible for the business in the southern reaches of Yangtze River. There’s a case which my subordinates are incapable of handling. They have already pa.s.sed the message to me. However, I’ve been halted by the accident. It’s improper to show no care so that this trip is quite necessary.”
“How did you receive the message since we left that place one day ago?” Gu Yusheng was on the alert. In Zhoujia Village, there was no message from the outside. Under his constant guard, he thought that it was difficulty for the Xie family to pa.s.s any message. Nevertheless, he seemed to be wrong.
Xie Mengxuan showed a bright smile. “Don’t be silly, Big Brother Gu. The pigeons from the Xie family can find me wherever I am.”
Her smile fainted. “It’s strange that I never saw any pigeon from the Xie family in Zhoujia Village. But since I arrived here, I’ve seen two and received the message.”
The heart of Gu Yusheng jumped, but Xie Mengxuan ceased to find out the truth.
She was proud with her chin up. “Big Brother Gu, after all these years, you must have no impression of how wonderful the pigeons from the Xie family are, which have ever been praised by His Majesty.”
“I keep it in mind. How could I forget that?” Gu Yusheng returned to her a smile.
Uncle Luo said in a hoa.r.s.e voice. “Lady Xie, we’re worried about your security if you go to the southern reaches of Yangtze River by yourself. Childe, why not write a letter back to send your best regards and then accompany Lady Xie on the trip?”
Xie Mengxuan didn’t feel surprised with his words. In a haze, Gu Yusheng soon wore a pleased look.
She pretended to be embarra.s.sed. “Well, it might be inconvenient for you. The Gu family is still in chaos. For Big Brother Gu, the earlier he goes back home, the earlier he can settle down. It’ll take at least two months for him to leave for the southern reaches of Yangtze River in my company.”
Gu Yusheng shook his head and appeared magnanimous. “The Gu family remains there. I’m worried about you who have no servant. The letter can be omitted since the Gu family has no knowledge of the latest news on me. You don’t want me to keep you company?”
Xie Mengxuan turned to look at him with a delightful look. She hurried to chime in. “Of course not, it’s my pleasure to be accompanied by you and Uncle Luo.”
Gu Yusheng nodded with satisfaction. Xie Mengxuan was wearing a smile. Uncle Luo, who stood behind them with his eyelids lowered, raised his firmly pursed lips.
Xie Mengxuan casted a glance at him and then her lips curled as well.
Gu Yusheng didn’t think further about her att.i.tude, but Uncle Luo figured it out as an onlooker. She was very polite as if she was playing cat and mouse with him.
After having breakfast in the temple, Xie Mengxuan packed her bag. She went to say goodbye to the abbot who prepared some solid food for her to take in the journey and sent them out.
Upon their arrival at the mountain gate, a woodcutter, covered in blood, ran to them. He yelled as running. “Help! Help!”
“This benefactor, why are you in a hurry?” The abbot supported him with his hands and asked in a low voice.
The woodcutter took a deep breath and pointed at the path on the side.
“Over there, there"s a man covered in blood on the mountain road. He seems to roll down the mountain. What a scare! He’s covered in blood!”
“Take some helpers to have a look.” The abbot turned his head to give an order.
Without further thinking, Xie Mengxuan was about to leave when something in the woodcutter’s hand attracted her attention.
“Uncle, what’s the source of this thing in your hand?” Xie Mengxuan changed her face and took two steps forward with an anxious look.
In a daze, the woodcutter replied. “Well, this…this belongs to that man…”