Simply Trading

That was enough to make Lingxi freeze where she stood. She was clearly stunned that their unknown visitor had known that she was there. Then she recovered, and started for the door once again.

Qin Feng was much calmer, compared to the woman beside him. But he didn"t dally either, as he adjusted his now-filthy robe and started for the door. The voice was somewhat familiar, but he couldn"t quite place it. In any case, it didn"t sound like it was someone with particular seniority in the Rear Gardens.

Besides, the ones in charge there wouldn"t bother to give them a warning, and would have simply charged into his poor hut the moment that they wondered what the pair of them were doing. This was someone younger, he guessed. And probably a little more shy, which would explain why she didn"t wish to see the two of them entwined in each other"s arms.

Then he saw Lingxi let out the air in her lungs the moment that she caught sight of their visitor, and guessed that she knew just who it was. And that she was probably a friend, rather than someone who was out to look for trouble.

"Junior Sister Xuan Mei! You shouldn"t go around shouting something like that! Are you trying to get me into trouble? We were just cleaning in the house. Why do you make it sound as if we were up to no good?"

Sister Xuan Mei?

Wasn"t that Elder Xuan"s daughter? What was she doing there, at his medicine field? And interfering with what he was about to do? Or Lingxi, for that matter?

The young woman outside, who looked no more than twelve or thirteen, was grinning at the pair as Qin Feng followed Lingxi out. "Given how quiet you were, I was afraid that he was taking advantage of you. Or perhaps, the other way around. After all, I would not be greatly surprised if Elder Sister Lingxi were to ... show her appreciation to this younger brother here."

"What are you talking about? Look at his hand! Surely it"s clear that I have been helping him with his injuries in there! You have a filthy brain!"

"Oh? But I can think of another ... series of actions that could get your robes covered with sawdust and dirt like that. And you have to admit that you two look as if you have been rolling about on the bed in there. Hmmm?"

Qin Feng laughed as soon as he heard the woman"s risque version of events, while Lingxi looked redder than a lychee fruit. It seemed Elder Xuan"s daughter had more of sharp mouth than the rumors made her to have.

He had heard the tales, of how she had managed to out-talk all of the female disciples already, despite her youth. And how some of the older ones had taken pains to avoid her. Of course, he had thought that it was more likely due to her father"s position in the School. However, it seemed that the tales were more accurate than he had first believed!

Nor did she waste any more time, although the look in her eye told him that she would probably enjoy teasing Lingxi further. But she soon waved at both of them to step closer to her, as she approached. And she made sure that the two of them saw the small basket she had in her arms.

"We don"t have much time, so let"s get to a spot bright enough where we can deal with Junior Brother Qin Feng"s bruises quickly.

"My father is occupied with the discussion now, so he sent me to warn the two of you. The Elders are probably going to demand to see the damage wreaked by the female disciples in person. And that means that they would be headed this way."

"What? The Elders are coming here?"

Lingxi seemed more than a little surprised to hear that.

But Xuan Mei merely grinned at her, as she c.o.c.ked her head, and pulled the older girl by the arm to an empty patch in front of the hut. That was the spot where he dealt with his firewood, Qin Feng noted silently.

"I thought I had better warn you. To keep you from doing ... anything embarra.s.sing."

"Junior Sister Xuan Mei!"

The young girl covered her mouth and giggled again, while Lingxi"s face went a brighter red in color. Qin Feng ignored the pair"s antics as he considered the situation. And the news that he had just received.

"I take it then, that Elder Xuan and the rest of the Elders" Council will be coming here? Together with the Administrator of the Medicine Hall? And someone from the Rear Gardens?"

"Lady Nu Yuanqing, I think, is most likely to be the one from the Rear Garden. After all, Lingyuan is supposed to be her prized disciple."

Lingxi was the one who answered his last question first, while the younger girl nodded at him. "I heard from my father that he will be coming along with Nu Yuanqing. But he didn"t mention anything about the Medicine Hall Administrator. He did say that there would be someone higher up though. In any case, you two should be careful.

"And you should probably work on the garden first, once we are done here, so that everyone can see you. Rather than staying indoors. Which could lead to all sorts of rumours," she giggled again, with a teasing look in Lingxi"s direction.

And she quickly handed out some of the lotions and creams that she had in her basket, and waved for the two of them to get started.

Then she paused, and looked back towards the front of the School, and the Medicine Hall there. "I think we are out of time. And we should concentrate on dealing with Junior Brother"s facial injuries for the moment. It would look more reasonable, since I am here with medicines.

"The Elders are about to arrive."

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