Neither of them understood what Lu Chengsha was asking.
Hua Yan’s thoughts were still immersed in her earlier conjecture. There wasn’t any concrete evidence, and the two people didn’t look alike at all. It was just that Nian Yi’s age was just right, and the description of his deceased wife matched very well with the description her mother had given of Lu Chengsha’s mother. From the perspective of who might have caught his mother’s eye, it also made sense. The two of them had a similarly lonely and cold demeanor, which sparked this idea in her mind.
Of course, there was also a touch of Hua Yan’s selfishness.
If Lu Chengsha’s father were still alive, would there be someone in this world who would love him?
Nian Yi, interrupted by this, returned to his previous cold and distant demeanor. He leaned against the courtyard wall, coughing violently, and with trembling hands, took out medicine from his pocket. Hua Yan wanted to ask if he needed help, but as soon as she approached, Nian Yi stepped back, clearly averse to any proximity or assistance from others.
Seeing this, Hua Yan recalled that there wasn’t even a single servant boy in his courtyard and stopped insisting.
After taking the medicine, Nian Yi felt somewhat better but seemed to have lost interest in conversation.
Hua Yan still wanted to pursue her questions. “Who is that woman? Is she from the martial world?”
Nian Yi shook his head gently and walked slowly back into the house.
Hua Yan felt a bit disappointed, but there was always tomorrow. Nian Yi wouldn’t die tomorrow; she could come back and ask again.
However, Lu Chengsha was still deep in thought. Hua Yan poked him and asked, “What did you want to ask earlier? What did you mean?”
Lu Chengsha replied, “What he said, I want to know a bit more.”
Nian Yi had been talking about his lover. If he truly was Lu Chengsha’s father, then he was undoubtedly referring to Lu Chengsha’s mother, Lu Huaixian.
Hua Yan suddenly became alert. Could it be that Great Hero Lu felt something too?
She had heard that close relatives, even if separated, would feel a sense of connection due to their shared bloodline.
Hua Yan immediately asked, “What do you want to know?”
Lu Chengsha said, “That feeling… what does it mean?”
Now, this was the right question!
Hua Yan said, “Do you feel very close… no, do you feel a strong desire to get close?”
Lu Chengsha looked at her, blinked, and nodded slightly.
But Great Hero Lu didn’t seem very daring earlier.
Hua Yan continued analyzing, “But you feel a bit embarrassed, right? Like it’s too sudden and you should get to know him better first…”
Lu Chengsha nodded again, indicating Hua Yan’s analysis was spot on.
Hua Yan felt a surge of confidence. There was no doubt in her mind now—this had to be Lu Chengsha’s father!
Lu Chengsha was not good at talking and found it hard to approach Nian Yi, but she was here to help!
Hua Yan immediately took on the responsibility and said to Lu Chengsha, “Don’t worry, leave this to me! I promise to help you figure this out…” She thought about it and couldn’t help but smile a bit. “If it turns out to be true… Great Hero Lu, you’ll have family from now on.”
“Family?” Lu Chengsha asked.
Hua Yan nodded, her smile light and joyful. “Yes, family… I mean, you had family before, but this is different. They won’t be strict or mean to you; they’ll treat you well.” Considering Nian Yi’s remorseful attitude towards his lover, if he found out he had a son, he would likely make amends and not be so bent on seeking death. This brightened Hua Yan’s outlook.
As Lu Chengsha stared at her, thinking, Hua Yan continued to skip along the roadside, “Great Hero Lu, don’t you want a father?”
“…??? Huh?”
Lu Chengsha was bewildered.
Hua Yan froze as well. “What’s wrong? You don’t want one?”
Lu Chengsha was puzzled about why the topic had suddenly shifted. He had never met his parents and had no particular yearning for them. However, he shook his head, easing Hua Yan’s concerns.
She patted Lu Chengsha and smiled brightly, “Great Hero Lu, don’t be shy!”
Lu Chengsha pondered and finally responded, “Hmm.”
On the way back, Hua Yan noticed the woman named Xi Wu. She, along with Xue Tingshan, who was greeting Ling Tianxiao at the gate, were the two managers of Cixin Valley. At that moment, she was sitting in a small pavilion not far from Nian Yi’s courtyard, staring absentmindedly at a bell in her hand.
The bell, also known as the Yaohucheng, was a symbol used by traveling doctors and itinerant physicians to commemorate the Medicine King. The chief physicians of Cixin Valley each had one, usually tied with white silk around their wrist, or sometimes worn around the neck or elsewhere. Over the past few days, Hua Yan had observed that the more experienced and skilled the doctor, the more exquisite their bell. However, the one in Xi Wu’s hand looked old and crude.
Before Hua Yan could take a closer look, Xi Wu had already put away the bell and was glaring at her with a fierce expression. “What are you looking at?”
This person really had a bad temper!
Hua Yan originally didn’t want to bother with her, but thinking of Nian Yi, she felt this woman might know something. She set aside her annoyance and said, “Why are you being so fierce? I didn’t provoke you! I just want to ask you something. Do you know the circumstances of the Valley Master’s deceased wife? Who was she?”
Xi Wu sneered, “Why do you ask? Are you, at such a young age, planning to become the next wife of a man about to go to his grave?”
Wow, this woman’s words were really sharp!
Hua Yan replied, “I have no such interest, but it seems like you do.”
“Nonsense!” Xi Wu stood up abruptly, her voice loud enough to startle Hua Yan. Beside her, Lu Chengsha cast a cold glance at Xi Wu, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. Hua Yan quickly held Lu Chengsha back, indicating she wasn’t angry.
Xi Wu soon calmed down and said, “Has he been spouting sentimental nonsense about his deceased wife again?” She chuckled mockingly, “He’s said it so much, he probably believes it himself.”
Hua Yan was puzzled, “… Huh? Could it be fake?”
Xi Wu waved her hand dismissively, “It’s none of your business, just go.”
Hua Yan was unwilling to leave things so unclear. She stomped her foot and exclaimed, “Is it true or not?”
Xi Wu suddenly smiled, “Did you know he once had two wives?”
Hua Yan: “What???”
This gossip just kept getting bigger!
Could Lu Chengsha’s mother be one of them? No wonder she wouldn’t forgive him.
After speaking, Xi Wu left the pavilion, her steps unsteady. Hua Yan noticed two wine jugs in the pavilion.
As Xi Wu walked away, a disciple of Cixin Valley approached to help her. “Aunt Xi, you’ve had too much to drink again. Let me take you back.”
Xi Wu pushed the disciple away, “Leave me alone, I can go back by myself. Mind your own business!”
Helping Lu Chengsha find his father seemed fraught with obstacles.
Hua Yan sighed deeply. Lu Chengsha didn’t react much, but seeing her sigh, he asked, “Are you unhappy?”
Hua Yan shook her head, “Not really… Sigh, I’ll ask again tomorrow.”
Lu Chengsha wasn’t sure what she wanted to ask but still nodded. He then asked, “What does ‘next wife’ mean? What does having two wives mean?”
Huh?
When did Great Hero Lu become so eager to learn?
Hua Yan was a bit surprised, but she explained, “A ‘next wife’ means that after a man’s wife has died, he marries another woman. Having two wives means, um… well, like after marrying a second wife, the man has had two wives in his life. Some men even have three or four wives, marrying multiple women. Do you know what a wife means? When a man marries a woman, she becomes his wife.”
Lu Chengsha nodded but looked confused. “Didn’t you say that the word ‘marry’ should only be used for one person in a lifetime?”
Hua Yan felt that her explanation might have tangled her up a bit.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to clarify, “Yes, generally that’s how it is! So men who marry many women are bad guys, they’re liars!” She righteously fabricated an explanation, knowing Lu Chengsha wouldn’t notice the inconsistency.
Lu Chengsha seemed to understand and said, “So she was saying the Valley Master is a liar?”
…Well, you caught on quickly!
In a way, that’s not incorrect.
But would they still be able to recognize each other as father and son?
Hua Yan coughed and said, “…Maybe there’s some inside story. Anyway, I’ll figure it out!”
As she spoke, she seemed to hear Lu Chengsha mumbling something.
What?
Even Great Hero Lu was mumbling?
Hua Yan immediately leaned in to listen, “What are you saying?”
Lu Chengsha was slightly startled by her sudden approach. His gaze swept past her, “…I’ll figure it out too.”
Not bad, Hua Yan thought, Great Hero Lu indeed wants to recognize his father!
***
Hua Yan returned to her room, planning to have a nice soak in the bath before going to bed. Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered, she saw a young woman jump off her bed. The woman wore a misty purple robe, with a beautiful face and a comfortable skin tone, not too pale. Her eyes were sharp and lively, filled with vitality.
“Yinyin, when did you arrive?” Hua Yan exclaimed in surprise, then she realized, “…Uh, the Sect Master isn’t really here, is he?”
The woman before her was Ning Yin, one of Xie Yingxian’s two maids.
Ning Yin first inspected Hua Yan from top to bottom, then, propping her chin on her hand, she pretended to ponder and said, “The Sect Master said the Holy Maiden has gained weight, and it seems to be true…”
Hua Yan protested, “Why is he spreading rumors everywhere?”
Ning Yin replied, “Hmm? Where did the Sect Master spread rumors? Isn’t it the truth?” She sniffed the air, “I smell flower cakes. Are you hiding them?”
Hua Yan: “…”
So frustrating!
Ning Yin laughed heartily at her reaction, “Isn’t it a good thing?” Her gaze settled on Hua Yan’s chest area. “This seems to have grown too. Let me measure.”
Hua Yan immediately covered her chest, “…Don’t come any closer!”
Ning Yin was a bit dissatisfied, “We’re all women here, why are you being so stingy, Holy Maiden?” She sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. “You have no idea what we’ve been through recently. That mad dog Yu Ye… oh, do you mind if I curse him?”
Hua Yan quickly said, “I don’t mind!”
Ning Yin continued, “That mad dog wouldn’t leave us alone, determined to kill the Sect Master. If it weren’t for the Sect Master’s quick reactions, I wouldn’t be here talking to you. Too bad he’s hiding among the righteous sects. The Sect Master thinks he’s planning something. Otherwise, I’d have loved to assassinate him directly.” She took a sip of tea. “Holy Maiden, he didn’t trouble you, did he?”
Hua Yan thought for a moment and said, “Not really.”
Ning Yin consoled her, “Don’t be sad, Holy Maiden. There are plenty of good men out there. I’ll find you ten or eight more gentle and considerate ones! You can have any type you want!”
Hua Yan wasn’t very sad to begin with. She could only manage an awkward but polite smile, “…Thanks!”
Ning Yin thought Hua Yan was forcing a smile and took another sip of tea, staring at her chest. “How about considering our Sect Master? He’s much better than that mad dog Yu Ye!”
Hua Yan almost spit out her tea. “That’s really not necessary, thanks!” But she did worry a bit. “Is the Sect Master okay?”
Ning Yin sighed softly, which made Hua Yan nervous. “Is he okay?”
Please don’t tell me he’s having issues after being in that prison.
Ning Yin burst out laughing. Her laughter was enchanting and lively, “Haha, don’t worry, don’t worry. The Sect Master is fine. Though he was troubled by the righteous sects for a while, they are obviously a bunch of idiots and couldn’t outsmart the Sect Master.” She suddenly remembered, “Oh right, the Sect Master asked me to tell you to go see him.”
Hua Yan was curious, “How do I see him?”
Ning Yin pushed open the window as she spoke, “How I came here is how you’ll go to see him. If anyone comes, I’ll cover for you.”
The window opened to reveal a lake, its green waters shadowy and unfathomable. Ning Yin pointed to the water and said bluntly, “Jump in.”
“…??? Are you serious?”
This water looked pretty dirty!
Ning Yin continued, “Keep it quiet, it’s best to get into the water slowly.”
Hua Yan was hesitating when Ning Yin suddenly hugged her and lowered her from the window. Hua Yan immediately exclaimed, “Hey, hey, hey!”
Ning Yin laughed heartily, “Don’t worry, it’s fine! Trust me! You’ll understand once you’re down there!”
Hua Yan felt helpless. The last time she entered the water was during a sect battle, and she had been with Lu Chengsha… She was lost in thought when Ning Yin dropped her into the water.
Just before she hit the water, she heard Ning Yin’s carefree voice behind her, “The Holy Maiden has such a nice figure, I wonder which man will get lucky with her in the future…”
The water was icy cold, chilling her to the bone. There were water plants and accumulated dirt floating around, and the smell wasn’t pleasant.
Hua Yan held her breath and swam down, spotting some faint lights. She swam toward them, seeing some scattered stones. As she wondered what they were, one of the giant stones moved, revealing a passage. Hua Yan swam in, and soon, the water became shallower, and her feet could touch the ground.
Someone tapped her on the head, “Why so slow?”
Hua Yan looked up and saw Xie Yingxian in gray clothes, hands in his sleeves, leaning against the wall in a bored manner. He seemed to have been waiting for a long time, his narrow eyes half-closed as if he were sleepy.
“So you were down here!”
No wonder the righteous disciples couldn’t find Xie Yingxian!
No wonder Yu Ye was so sure Xie Yingxian was here—he really was!
“Yeah,” Xie Yingxian replied, casually giving her a bit of internal energy. “Dry your clothes first, let’s go.”
He wasn’t in the Dangshan prison anymore and didn’t have any shackles. He seemed exceptionally relaxed, strolling through the underground passages of Cixin Valley as if he were in his own garden.
Of course, Hua Yan had many questions. “How did you know there were secret passages down here?”
Xie Yingxian answered as if it were obvious, “The Valley Master told me.”
Hua Yan was shocked, “You know Nian Yi?”
Xie Yingxian said, “We have a bit of a cooperative relationship.”
Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know who his deceased wife is?”
Xie Yingxian paused, “Why are you even curious about that? I’ll ask him next time there’s a chance.” Then, as if remembering something, he added, “In seven days, there should be an opportunity.”
Hua Yan couldn’t help but follow up, “Why in seven days?”
Xie Yingxian smiled at her, his slanted eyebrows raised, his handsome face exuding a mischievous charm, “Because in seven days, I’m going out, and I’m going to give Yu Ye a big surprise.”
Hua Yan instantly became excited, leaning closer to gossip, “What kind of surprise?”
Xie Yingxian didn’t answer directly. Instead, he suddenly asked, “Do you want to come with me then?”
Hua Yan was stunned: “…Huh?”