Qin Feng had planned, and Lin Liushui had arranged. Between the two of them, they dragged Li Changhai at a furious pace, arriving at the Gates of the Sect within five days, rather than the expected seven.With the Second Ducal Prince complaining about how his a*se was so saddle-sore that he would have to sleep on his belly for a month!
But none of the trio had expected the reception that they would receive, the moment that they arrived at the Main Gate of the Snow Swallow Mountain Palace. Instead of the usual guards and the boring doc.u.ment check, they were met by the famous Xu Yanzhi herself, clad in a resplendent gown that marked her clearly as a special disciple!
Which was enough to set the three men checking and adjusting their own attire! While the Palace Guards were staring at them with tecup round eyes!
Xu Yanzhi, however, ignored all of the guards" expressions, and ran up to grab Qin Feng by the hand. "Ah! You are here! You are finally here!" she cried out happily, as though she was more than pleased to see him.
Which was certainly out of his expectations. As well as that of his two companions. In fact, from the looks that the two men had on their faces, he was rather certain that they had completely misread the extent of his relationship with Xu Yanzhi!
Did they really believe their own stories? The ones that the two of them had been throwing out, among the Snow Swallow Palace disciples? He had heard what Lin Liushui had been saying to the other girls, about how he had met with Xu Yanzhi before, in the South. And how he had attached himself to the Second Ducal Prince"s party when he had heard that they were heading this way, so that he could see her again.
Wasn"t that Lin Liushui"s own story? How had it suddenly become something that Qin Feng had done? And wasn"t the three of them there based on the fact that he was holding onto Elder Ling Liyun"s token? How had it all turned out like another of those nonsensical romance stories that Lin Liushui was always throwing about?
But he didn"t have time to worry about that at the moment. Not if he was still planning to "entrap" Xu Yanzhi!
So Qin Feng put on what he hoped could pa.s.s as a warm smile, and reached out to Xu Yanzhi"s hands. And grasped them too, before the girl realized what he was intending to do. Then he dropped them in a hurry, as though he had just remembered himself.
That was a particularly engaging sequence that he had read in one of those books, so he thought it might be useful. It would hint that he liked her more than he should, according to Yuan Qianlei. And should start giving the rest of the girls in the huge entrance court all sorts of ideas regarding their relationship.
And Qin Feng was pleased to note that he was not short of witnesses, who were watching their "reunion" very, very intently!
Which made his "show" all the more important now!
"This one has missed Lady Xu since your departure, and has been worried that you would be accosted by the Purple Serpent Sect when this one heard that they were targeting your Snow Swallow Palace. Hence, this one has rushed all the way here.
"And this one is greatly rea.s.sured that you are not ... bothered by those rascals."
Xu Yanzhi looked a little puzzled by his polite speech, but caught the look in his eyes when he glanced at the older women who were obviously lurking around the entrance to the Sect. Which had her snorting in a most unladylike manner immediately.
"Oh, don"t bother with all that polite nonsense, Brother Feng! We had fought each other before and that binds us in ties that are more important than normal folk. Besides, there is no need for all that polite nonsense here! Everyone knows about your proficiency with the White Jade Beauty"s Palm."
Qin Feng gave out one of those irritating polite laughs that Lin Liushui was so fond of, and reached out to pat her on her upper arm. And sn.i.g.g.e.red inwardly, as he saw how some of the eyes of the other women went wide with shock. Xu Yanzhi, on the other hand, seemed to take it as a sign of agreement from him, that they should forgo the more polite manners.
That was almost sufficient to make him burst out into laughter! Unfortunately, that would go against the script that he had prepared, so he merely wore a very bright smile. And pulled her closer, as if he wanted to share some secret that was only meant for her ears.
"Just to let you know that I had totally eradicated a good number of Purple Serpent Sect malefactors who were targeting your Snow Swallow Palace"s allies. Don"t you think I deserve some sort of reward for my efforts? Haven"t I shown you my care and concern?"
His mock-whisper was clearly loud enough to be heard by those close by, and judging from the shocked expressions on those girls" faces, he had not failed to surprise them.
Xu Yanzhi"s laugh and her casual slapping of his upper arm only made the story more convincing. So much so that even Li Changhai and Lin Liushui were showing awe on their faces. And their jaws dropped too, when she reached out to pinch his cheek!
"Oh, you are too adorable, Brother Feng! No worries, no worries. I shall make sure that you get a nice fat reward for your efforts!
"But first! We need to get the three of you to the Main Audience Hall. The rest of the Elders would like to meet with you, to learn more about the Purple Serpent Sect and their plot. So your reward will have to wait a bit!"
"Ah. A pity. I was hoping that I could ..."
Qin Feng let his voice trail off there. Let those listening in make their own guesses as to what he was hoping he could do! With the way that he was looking at Xu Yanzhi, it should be enough of a hint!
Inside, he was laughing evilly at the thoughts that he was certain was running through the minds of all those feverish girls in the Snow Swallow Palace! "Let us see how you attempt to wash your reputation clean after this, Xu Yanzhi!"
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