’Why does this feel so familiar? Was it those two masters who killed Liu Wen outside Iron Wall Town?’
’Did they kill Yan Fusha and his men to rescue Chen Yi and Pei Guanli?’
Liu Zhaoxue guessed, her expression flickering with uncertainty.
She didn’t much care if Yan Fusha and his people died. That had little to do with her.
What she worried about was whether Yan Fusha had exposed her before he died.
After all, Chen Yi’s status was no longer that of the obscure son-in-law of the Xiao Family. He was now a master of poetry, a master of the Calligraphy Dao, and an Instructor at Guiyun Academy.
If someone like that revealed her connection to the Five Poison Sect, she would face immediate and utter disaster.
And then there was Pei Guanli of the Mountain Race.
She was Granny Shan’s own granddaughter. If Pei Guanli found out Liu Zhaoxue was working with the Five Poison Sect, wouldn’t she send people to kill her on the spot?
At this thought, Liu Zhaoxue’s gaze fell on the furrows left in the ground by the long spears. She gritted her teeth and hissed,
"We’re leaving. Back to Jing State tonight!"
She had to go.
If she didn’t, she feared she would meet the same end as her second brother, Liu Wen.
’It just so happens that Third Uncle expressed his displeasure with me staying in Shu State tonight. When I return to Jing State, I’ll have an explanation for Father.’
With these thoughts, Liu Zhaoxue boarded her carriage and methodically arranged for people to stay behind in Shu State to continue preparations for Xinglin Hall.
Soon after, the carriage headed east.
As the carriage rumbled along, Liu Zhaoxue gazed at the bright moon outside her window and thought to herself:
’After some time, once I’m sure Chen Yi, Pei Guanli, and the others don’t know about my connection to the Five Poison Sect, I’ll have to find a way to storm back into Shu State.’
’But by then, returning will be incredibly difficult.’
...
「Outside Spring Lotus Garden, Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.」
A full moon hung in the sky, and a gentle breeze was blowing.
Wisps of floral fragrance drifted by, carrying the faint sounds of laughter.
"...’May we all live long and share the moon’s beauty, though a thousand miles apart.’"
"Second Young Master-in-law is so amazing, to be able to write such beautiful, bittersweet lines."
"I heard that when Third Master found out, he praised him nonstop, saying he must be the Wenqu Star reincarnated to have composed such a timeless masterpiece."
"The Master praised him, too."
"What did the Marquis say?"
"He said Second Young Master-in-law doesn’t know how to hide his talents, and that it was a waste to use such a poem to compete for some Poetry Champion title. He said it sullied such fine words."
"Huh? Was the Marquis angry?"
"Of course not. The Master must have just thought it was a pity..."
Listening to the discussions from the surrounding courtyards, Chen Yi thought to himself, ’News certainly travels fast.’
Fortunately, his fight with Yan Fusha tonight had taken place outside Shu State.
If they had come to blows on the Quchi river, he feared the talk in Shu State City wouldn’t just be about his "Song of the Water Melody."
Instead, they’d be singing the praises of Chen Qingzhou’s Perfect Calligraphy Dao, Perfect Martial Arts, and Great Success in the Medical Dao.
What kind of uproar would that cause?
He reckoned that aside from a small number of people who would praise and admire him, the vast majority would just call him a scheming "villain."
’If you aren’t a deeply scheming person, why hide who you are?’
After letting his thoughts wander for a bit, Chen Yi reviewed the night’s events in his mind. He relaxed slightly, certain that for the time being, no one had found out.
Before returning, he had cleared away the traces as much as possible.
Not only had he made Pei Guanli use Corpse-Dissolving Powder to get rid of the bodies of Yan Fusha and the others, but he had also deliberately used the Saber Dao to create confusion.
Even if someone investigated soon, it would be impossible for them to suspect him.
Unless someone had happened to see him fighting Yan Fusha.
And unless that person recognized him and also happened to be a gossip, he could keep his secret for now.
’I hope no one saw...’
Chen Yi sighed inwardly, but he also quietly prepared himself for the possibility of being discovered.
If the worst-case scenario really did occur, he wasn’t afraid.
Just as he had told Liu Lang, the worst that could happen was that he’d get a good scolding from Xiao Jinghong and the Old Master.
Just as he was thinking about this, he heard several sets of footsteps from a nearby corridor.
Among them were the laughing voices of Xiaodie, Cui’er, Juan’er, Pei Guanli, and others, mostly discussing the events of the poetry gathering.