Chapter 22

Chapter 22

After Qiao Ying led Shen Qingyu through a satisfying meal, they were just leaving Zhao Manor when Xue Heting extricated himself from the crowd of guests and hurried to the entrance. He cupped his hands to the two of them.

“Last night, when Fangcun City was on the brink of life and death, I thank you both for lending your aid.”

In truth, Qiao Ying was only an ordinary person. When it came to saving Fangcun City, she had not been of much help. But Xue Heting could tell that the reason Shen Qingyu had ultimately acted and sealed the entire city in ice was because of Qiao Ying.

Qiao Ying looked at Shen Qingyu.

Shen Qingyu held his Blind Staff, tall and elegant as jade, merely smiling without a word. From the look of it, he had no intention of acknowledging Xue Heting at all.

Qiao Ying could only step forward and say the polite words expected of her. “Ahem… well, Shen Qingyu is kindhearted and benevolent. He loves helping others more than anything and can’t bear to see people suffer. His intervention was simply in his nature, so Young Master Xue need not take it to heart.”

Shen Qingyu laughed out loud.

Qiao Ying stiffened her neck and did her utmost to keep her expression calm.

To be able to say such nonsense as Shen Qingyu being kindhearted and fond of helping others without even blushing or missing a beat-Qiao Ying was, in her own way, quite the talent.

Naturally, Xue Heting could also see that Shen Qingyu was not like ordinary people and did not seem the warmhearted type. But a gentleman judged deeds, not intentions. No matter why Shen Qingyu had ultimately chosen to help, the fact remained that the people in the city had avoided casualties.

Xue Heting said again, “On behalf of the people of Fangcun City, I thank you both. Today is Zhiyi’s wedding, so he cannot get away. He also asked me to convey his thanks to you.”

Shen Qingyu’s voice was clear and pleasant. “Only thanks? No gift of gratitude?”

Xue Heting probably had not expected Shen Qingyu to speak, and for a moment, he froze.

Qiao Ying hurriedly tugged at Shen Qingyu’s hand in secret. She was thin-skinned, and asking for a thank-you gift outright made her feel rather embarrassed.

But Shen Qingyu only smiled. “Don’t you mortals have a saying, that life is precious? I saved so many people-countless lives. How much are they worth?”

Qiao Ying covered the side of her face with one hand and quietly lifted her eyes, but the look she shot him was aimed at a blind man and had no effect whatsoever.

Xue Heting came back to himself. His expression had already regained its composure, and his tone carried a measure of apology and sincerity. “Young Master Shen must be joking. How would we dare neglect a debt for saving lives? It is only that today has truly been rushed. Tomorrow, a gift of thanks will certainly be delivered. I wonder whether Young Master Shen has any other requests. If it is within my power, I-”

“Enough, enough.” Qiao Ying stepped in front of Shen Qingyu and forced a smile onto her face. “It’s getting late, and we still need to hurry home. Young Master Xue, no need to see us off. Goodbye.”

She reached out and dragged Shen Qingyu away. The first tug did not move him, so she tugged again. Only then did Shen Qingyu cooperate and shift his steps, following unhurriedly at her side.

“You’re really that at ease about that man called Shen Qingyu?”

Ming Caihua was crouched on the roof eaves, his chin propped in both hands as he watched the man and woman walk away. His eyes were appraising.

Xue Heting said, “His strength exceeds what you or I can imagine. Zhiyi’s people also investigated him, but his background and origins are completely blank. At present, there is no sign that he has committed evil or brought chaos to the world. Since he saved people, it is only right that I thank him.”

Ming Caihua was unconvinced. “Xue Heting, since when did you become so easygoing? Back then, I only went to someone else’s house to borrow a little jewelry for a while, and you insisted on tying me up like this. That man looks even more dangerous, yet you turn a blind eye. You’re treating us differently!”

Xue Heting could not be bothered to respond. Suddenly, the Qingshuang Sword in his hand trembled again, as if it had sensed something. His mind sharpened, and he followed the perception from his sword, walking quickly back inside.

Ming Caihua hurried after him. “Hey, Xue Heting! Don’t run just because you can’t out-argue me!”

Xue Heting made his way into the rear residence and stopped before a room. The Qingshuang Sword’s reaction grew even stronger.

Ming Caihua also noticed the Qingshuang Sword’s response. He shrank back slightly. “Is there a Great Yaoguai?”

Xue Heting’s brows drew together. Lifting his sword, he pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the room sat the bride, dressed in full wedding finery. After wearing such heavy adornments for so long, they were almost enough to press the breath out of a person.

Though it was somewhat against custom, before Zhao Zhiyi went out to entertain the guests, he had specifically said the bride should make herself as comfortable as she liked. And so the maid Ah Yuan had removed the bride’s extremely heavy head ornaments.

Just as Ah Yuan was helping the bride out of her outer robe, she suddenly saw someone barge in with a sword in hand. In an instant, she was so frightened she cried out.

Mu Yunshu lifted her eyes and looked over.

Xue Heting’s expression stiffened slightly. In a fluster, he turned around, putting his back to the improperly dressed bride. The sword in his hand trembled even more violently as he said, “My apologies. I was rude.”

Ming Caihua saw Xue Heting withdraw from the room again, his expression looking extremely off. Curious, he asked, “Did you see a female demon?”

The tips of Xue Heting’s ears were faintly red. Deeply embarrassed, he turned his face aside and did not answer.

Before long, Zhao Zhiyi, who had heard the commotion, hurried over. Reeking of wine, he saw Xue Heting and Ming Caihua standing outside the bridal chamber and looked puzzled. “What are you doing here?”

Ming Caihua said, “The Qingshuang Sword led us here.”

Zhao Zhiyi looked again at the Qingshuang Sword in Xue Heting’s hand, which had already gone still once more, and he too frowned.

There was one other person in the manor with exceptional hearing, and that was Old Master Zhao. Supported by his wife, he walked over and asked, “What is going on here?”

Just then, the door opened.
Mu Yunshu was already fully dressed. She first bowed to the elders, then said, “Young Master Xue seems to have misunderstood something. He came here so suddenly that he frightened Ah Yuan.”

Ah Yuan had yet to recover from the shock. At the sight of Xue Heting, she instinctively took a step back.

Xue Heting’s feelings were complicated. He had not expected Mu Yunshu to cover up his own impropriety.

Zhao Zhiyi noticed the gauze wrapped around the index finger of Mu Yunshu’s right hand. Taking her hand in his, he asked with concern, “What happened?”

Ah Yuan lowered her head. “When I was serving tea to the Young Madam, I accidentally dropped the teacup and cut the Young Madam’s hand.”

Zhao Zhiyi was displeased. “How could you be so careless?”

“It’s only a small cut. I’m fine. Ah Yuan didn’t do it on purpose. Don’t blame her.”

Only then did Zhao Zhiyi’s tone soften. “Since Yunshu is pleading for you, we’ll let it go this time. If there is a next time, I will punish you severely.”

Ah Yuan lowered her head even further. “Yes.”

The Old Madam suddenly asked, “Your name is Yunshu?”

Mu Yunshu nodded. “Yes. My name is Yunshu.”

The Old Madam asked again, “Then… could your surname be Mu?”

Mu Yunshu smiled. “It is.”

The Old Madam’s expression changed slightly, as though she had thought of something. All at once, she turned to look at the husband beside her.

Though Old Master Zhao was nearly sixty, his eyes were still as clear and bright as a young man’s. His gaze rested on Mu Yunshu’s face, carrying a focus even he himself did not notice.

“Unmoved by favor or disgrace, one watches the flowers bloom and fall before the courtyard; with no thought of staying or leaving, one follows the clouds as they gather and drift beyond the sky,” the Old Master said. “Yunshu truly is a fine name.”

Ming Caihua nudged Xue Heting and asked in a low voice, “Hey, what exactly did you see just now? Was there really a demon?”

Xue Heting did not answer. When he looked at Mu Yunshu again, the suspicion in his eyes had deepened.

Why had the Qingshuang Sword been reacting so often lately?

And why did that reaction vanish so quickly each time?

Was there truly a hidden demon lurking within Zhao Manor?

Fangcun City was lively even at night. But the closer one walked toward the slums, the quieter it became, until hardly a single figure could be seen on the streets.

Qiao Ying crossed her arms and shot the person beside her a disgruntled look. “Who asks for a thank-you gift as directly as you do?”

Shen Qingyu, however, took it as a matter of course. “Since he believed those people’s lives were very valuable, and I helped him preserve something valuable, asking for a thank-you gift is perfectly justified. Or should I make a losing bargain that gives me nothing for my trouble?”

As his words fell, the corners of his lips lifted slightly. Against his sickly pallor, a hint of slyness emerged. His frost-white hair swayed gently in the night breeze, lending him a vivid spark of youthful spirit.

Qiao Ying said, “You could have put it more tactfully.”

Shen Qingyu turned his face toward her. “How tactfully?”

Qiao Ying thought for a long time before finally squeezing out a line. “A small favor such as this is hardly worth mentioning, but if Your Excellency insists on showing your generosity, I shall not refuse. See? That sounds much more refined!”

Shen Qingyu laughed. “Hypocritical.”

Qiao Ying said, “It’s called knowing how the world works.”

He said, “Hypocritical worldly wisdom.”

Qiao Ying gave up trying to reason with him. With her hands clasped behind her back, she looked up at the moon overhead and sighed. “Starting tomorrow, I won’t have to work for the Zhao family anymore. What kind of job should I look for next?”

Seeing a puddle ahead, she reached out by habit and grabbed Shen Qingyu’s hand. She did not use much strength, but Shen Qingyu cooperatively shifted one step in her direction. In the night wind, she caught the crisp, clean scent that clung to the young man.

With his hand held tightly in hers, Shen Qingyu felt the difference in warmth between them. The first time she had held his hand, her skin had been very smooth. Now, the skin on her hand felt somewhat rougher. For some inexplicable reason, he did not like this change.

He said, “Qiao Ying.”

She gave an absentminded “Mm” in response.

He said again, “I saved people, and they gave me a thank-you gift. I can earn money now.”

Qiao Ying looked up at him. “So?”

“Then this shouldn’t count as living off someone else anymore, right?”

Qiao Ying said, “Huh?”

Shen Qingyu bent down. His frost-white hair fell forward, brushing Qiao Ying’s reddening cheek. His voice was clear and gentle, as though steeped in morning dew. “Someone said that with looks like mine, I could only rely on others to survive, and that would mean living off someone else. But now, I can earn money too.”

He tilted his head slightly, the corners of his lips rising. “So I count as useful now, don’t I?”

Uneasy, Qiao Ying answered, “You do.”

The smile at the corners of Shen Qingyu’s lips was innocent and pure. “Then take another careful look. Is my face still as good-looking as ever?”

Qiao Ying glanced at him again and again. “It’s… still quite good-looking.”

Who knew where Shen Qingyu had picked up what seemed like an endless supply of peanuts? Once again, he reached his hand out to her. Round, shelled peanuts lay in his palm, making that innocent smile look even more lively.

Qiao Ying looked at his pure, flawless, jade-like face, then at the little snack in his hand. For a moment, a strange feeling rose within her.

He really was like a snow-white hamster, with no telling how many little snacks he had hoarded away.