The atmosphere had been quite harmonious, so Cai Zhao was puzzled when Lei Xiuming suddenly lost his temper.
Chang Ning leaned his tall frame against the corridor pillar. "Didn’t you see the little bows tied on those ducklings’ heads? They’re Lei Shibo’s beloved pets."
"Who keeps ducks as pets?!" Cai Zhao couldn’t believe it.
"If people can keep cats and dogs, why not ducks? Lei Shibo never allows his ducks to be eaten—they must live out their natural lives." Chang Ning shook his head. "Thankfully, back then, your aunt only took robes and jade crowns. If she’d taken a duck, Lei Shibo would’ve hated Fallen Blossom Valley until the end of time."
Cai Zhao shuddered at the thought—she had actually considered sneaking away with a duckling or two when no one was looking.
That afternoon, Cai Zhao had originally planned to stretch her limbs and practice martial exercises as scheduled. But as soon as she returned to the Seclusion Chamber, she saw Dai Fengchi approaching with his lackey, Cui Sheng, to announce, "Madam Zong requests your presence."
Chang Ning frowned, but Cai Zhao smiled. "Let me guess—has Master gone down the mountain?" She might not understand ducks, but she certainly understood Yin Sulian.
"Whether Master is here or not, you should still heed Madam’s summons," Dai Fengchi said evasively.
Chang Ning would’ve preferred to simply drive these two dogs out, regardless of whose wife or husband they served. Yet, to his surprise, Cai Zhao agreed with unusual cheerfulness, smiling as she complied. Left with no choice, Chang Ning followed.
On the way to the Twin Lotus Pool Palace, Chang Ning murmured, "Madam Sulian summoning you can’t mean anything good. We should avoid her for now and wait until Qi Zong returns."
Cai Zhao looked at him in surprise. "Have you never disciplined a spoiled brat before? From the moment I first offended Senior Sister Lingbo, I knew Madam Sulian would come looking for trouble sooner or later."
"And yet you’re walking right into it?"
Cai Zhao adopted a mysterious expression. "How do you know it’s not Madam Sulian who’s walking into my trap?"
Chang Ning didn’t buy her nonsense for a second. "If you plan to make a move on Yin Sulian’s turf, you’d better find a solid excuse first. Otherwise, just the charge of disrespecting your elders will be enough to ruin you. Even if Qi Zong protects you, your reputation will suffer."
Cai Zhao waved a hand. "Ah, Senior Brother Chang, what are you thinking? How could a righteous disciple like me raise a hand against an elder? You make me sound so quarrelsome. Ask anyone within three hundred li of Fallen Blossom Town—they’ll all say I’m gentle, kind, and always smiling, the very picture of meekness and grace!"
"..." Chang Ning said, "Did you drink during lunch?"
"Rest assured, I won’t lay a finger on Madam. I’m not insane."
Chang Ning remained skeptical.
Ahead, the clear pond shimmered under the sunlight, adorned with rare and exquisite lotus blossoms. White cranes danced beneath flowering trees, while kingfishers flitted around gilded beams—a scene straight out of a fairy realm.
This was the Twin Lotus Pool Palace, where the Yin sisters had grown up.
Cai Zhao marveled, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at this grandeur, this refinement. Compared to this, Fallen Blossom Valley is like the home of some country bumpkin who’s just had two decent meals." Suddenly, she wondered, "Is the Azure Tower Sect rich?"
Chang Ning: "Yes, very."
"How do you know?"
"Seeing that even the eaves of this palace are gilded told me everything."
Cai Zhao looked impressed. "Senior Brother Chang, your insight is peerless."
"You flatter me. It’s hard to miss when everything here glitters with gold."
In truth, though the Twin Lotus Pool Palace was lavishly decorated, it retained an elegant charm, showing good taste. But their back-and-forth banter still left Dai Fengchi’s face green with irritation.Entering the hall, they saw Yin Qinglian seated high upon a golden lotus-shaped throne at the far end, with Qi Lingbo sitting smugly beside her. Flanking the mother and daughter on both sides stood a row of martial maids with swords at their waists, each wearing a hostile expression. Behind the martial maids stood another row of burly servants wielding eighteen-foot serpent spears. As Cai Zhao and Chang Ning walked in, the lackeys collectively turned their gazes upon them, exuding an intimidating aura.
Though the display was laughable, Cai Zhao couldn't help but notice that a few among these lackeys possessed remarkable skills.
Seeing their arrival, Yin Sulian spoke coldly, "Oh, you've finally arrived. What esteemed guests we have today."
Cai Zhao flashed a bright smile. "No need for such courtesy, Madam. On such a fine and sunny day, did you summon us here to admire flowers and share tea together?"
Yin Sulian slammed the armrest of her golden lotus throne with force. "Enough of your pretense! From the moment you set foot on Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, you've been spouting insolence and disrespecting your elders, repeatedly bullying my daughter! Today, as your teacher's wife, I shall properly discipline you for your offenses—disrespecting your elders and showing contempt for your senior sister!"
"Madam, you've got it backward. It's Senior Sister Lingbo who has repeatedly bullied others," Cai Zhao replied with a smile. "As for disrespecting elders, that's absurd. I'm looking right at you now—where is the disrespect?"
Yin Sulian sneered. "I know you're sharp-tongued and skilled with your hands. Today, I'll see just how capable you are! Servants, make Miss Cai kneel, serve tea, and kowtow to properly apologize to my daughter!"
At her command, the lackeys on both sides stepped forward menacingly.
Qi Lingbo beamed with delight and laughed loudly. "And this Chang fellow—make him kowtow and apologize to me too! Grandma Mao, bring out the 'Perfect Nourishment Soup' and have them both drink it. Consider it a token of goodwill from your senior sister." With a wave of her hand, a muscular woman with a fierce expression brought forth two bowls of a pitch-black substance, its stench so overpowering it made one gag.
Cai Zhao covered her nose in disgust. "Did you dig this out of a cesspit? Senior Sister Lingbo's tastes are truly... distinctive."
Chang Ning's eyes flickered as he noticed the sharp glint in the eyes of the old woman called 'Grandma Mao.' Despite her restrained aura, she was clearly a top-tier expert in external practice horizontal strikes.
"Stop putting on airs," Qi Lingbo chortled. "You've bullied me time and again—did you think I was made of clay? But as your senior sister, I'm magnanimous. Just kowtow and apologize, then drink this, and we'll consider the matter settled!"
Cai Zhao said, "Senior Sister Lingbo is truly broad-minded. But what if I refuse to kowtow or drink this foul concoction?"
Yin Sulian's face darkened. "That's not for you to decide! Servants!"
At her command, the surrounding martial maids drew their swords, the servants brandished their spears, and Dai Fengchi rested his hand on his sword hilt. Dozens of gleaming blades and spearheads pointed menacingly at Cai Zhao and Chang Ning, closing in on them.
Cai Zhao looked at the lackeys and laughed in exasperation. "At yesterday's initiation banquet, our master explicitly forbade anyone from bullying me or Brother Chang in front of everyone. Yet here you are, acting so aggressively. Aren't you afraid of the master's reprimand afterward?"
Chang Ning remarked casually, "You're overthinking it. These aren't sect disciples. They're private guards raised by the Yin family, obeying the Yins' orders. When Qinglian Furen and Madam Sulian married, the old Yin patriarch gave each daughter a retinue as dowry. If not for Zhao Tianba and Han Yisu's rampage over a decade ago, there would be even more Yin family members in Azure Tower Sect."Grandma Mao's brow darkened with a shadow of anger as she said in a low voice, "You two little brats spouting nonsense, do you think just because the old patriarch is gone, the Yin family's young lady can be bullied? Today, I'll show you the might of the Yin family! Men, surround them!"
The lackeys stepped forward again, encircling Cai Zhao and Chang Ning with their blades at the ready.
"Looks like we'll have to fight," Chang Ning said expressionlessly. "Reasons can always be found later. No point suffering losses first."
Cai Zhao frowned, adopting a delicate and frail demeanor. "Brother Chang, please don't speak of violence so casually. A weak maiden like me is truly frightened. Let's prioritize harmony."
Before Chang Ning could respond, Cai Zhao stepped forward and loudly recited, "Brother Zhang San, since parting at Qianqiu Peak, months have passed without seeing your heroic figure. This little sister misses you dearly, thinking of you day and night. May your heart be as mine—"
"Stop!" Yin Sulian suddenly paled and shouted in agitation. "Don't you dare continue!"
Qi Lingbo, startled by her mother's roar, froze in place.
Cai Zhao dropped her smile and said calmly, "Madam, let's prioritize harmony."
Yin Sulian trembled uncontrollably. Grandma Mao supported her while barking orders, "Everyone, out! Retreat twenty paces from this hall and stand guard!"
The old woman commanded such authority that the lackeys immediately withdrew. The bewildered Qi Lingbo tried to resist but was shoved out by Grandma Mao, with Dai Fengchi following suit. Chang Ning gave Cai Zhao a deep look before turning to leave.
Only Yin Sulian, Grandma Mao, and Cai Zhao remained in the hall.
"Where... where did you see those letters?" Yin Sulian's voice quivered.
Cai Zhao replied, "How would I have those letters? They were left behind by my aunt."
Grandma Mao, sharper, snapped, "Don't think you can trick us with a few words. What letters? We know nothing of them!"
Cai Zhao sighed. "Well, if Madam doesn't believe me, I can recite a few more. This time, I won't mention Zhang San—'Dear Brother Zhizhen, upon receiving this letter, know that I heard of your slight cough a few days ago. This little sister's heart burns with worry, unable to rest day or night. Your pain is my pain. I have specially prepared loquat syrup with my own hands—'"
"Enough!" Yin Sulian screamed.
"Madam's youthful prose was quite elegant—fluent, sincere, and heartfelt. Far better than the eulogy Master read the other day," Cai Zhao said, rubbing her ears. "Though the dates were unfortunate. When you wrote those earlier letters, you were still betrothed to Senior Brother Qiu Renjie. The later ones were even worse—by then, Patriarch Yin had already arranged your marriage to Master."
Yin Sulian staggered and collapsed into a seat.
Grandma Mao gritted her teeth, still denying. "A few letters mean nothing. Who knows if they're real? Don't think you hold some trump card!"
Cai Zhao said, "Whether they mean nothing isn't for me to say. But Madam's handwritten letters aren't solely in my possession. Aunt Zhixian kept several of your letters, and Vast Heaven Gate likely still has the ones you wrote to Qinglian Furen. Not to mention, the ladies of Four Stallions Gate must have some too. A simple comparison of handwriting will reveal the truth."
Grandma Mao's eyes gleamed with malice, her knuckles cracking softly.
Yin Sulian's face was deathly pale as she whispered weakly, "So Cai Pingshu had been guarding against me all along, stealing those letters to blackmail me."
Cai Zhao smiled wryly. "You and my aunt knew each other since childhood. Even with your grudges, do you truly believe my aunt would steal those letters?"
Yin Sulian's face whitened further.
"Those letters were handed to my aunt by Uncle Zhou himself. You just refuse to believe it.""No, no, Zhou... Master Zhou is a true gentleman, he wouldn't, he couldn't..." Yin Sulian struggled desperately, clutching Grandma Mao's arm like a drowning woman.
"Uncle Zhou is indeed a gentleman, but even gentlemen have their priorities. In Uncle Zhou's mind, easing my aunt's suspicions was far more important than keeping your secret, Madam." Cai Zhao mocked lightly.
Yin Sulian let out a sob, covering her face as tears fell.
Grandma Mao said gravely, "That's because Master Zhou trusted your aunt, knowing she wouldn't spread rumors."
Cai Zhao tilted her head in thought. "...That's true, my aunt isn't that kind of person."
"Then how did you see those letters!" Yin Sulian demanded anxiously.
Cai Zhao teased, "Madam, your daughter should consider my aunt's position. With such a 'loving' elder like you around, could my aunt possibly let me come to Azure Tower Sect unarmed?"
"What exactly do you want?" Grandma Mao stepped forward, her aura radiating power.
"I want nothing," Cai Zhao said calmly. "The affairs of the older generation belong to them, and the younger generation's matters are theirs. From now on, please refrain from interfering in my dealings with Senior Sister Lingbo and my fellow disciples."
......
The golden-red sky painted the entire Twin Lotus Pool Palace in indescribable beauty. Walking back to the Seclusion Chamber, Cai Zhao inhaled the fresh scent of surrounding plants, unable to help admiring the splendid scenery.
Suddenly, Chang Ning remarked, "So, Madam Sulian and Zhou Zhizhen had an affair?"
Cai Zhao jumped. "Don't talk nonsense! Uncle Zhou isn't that kind of person!"
"Then it was unrequited love on her part."
Cai Zhao deflated. "Did Chang Xia tell you this?"
"One can easily guess," Chang Ning strolled leisurely. "The letters you read must have been love letters Madam Sulian wrote in her youth, and to an inappropriate person at that. Before marriage, she was either Qiu Renjie's or Qi Zong's fiancée. If those letters were seen, her reputation would be ruined."
Cai Zhao: "Then how do you know she didn't write them to Qiu Renjie or our master?"
"If it were either of them, she wouldn't have panicked so much earlier." Chang Ning smiled disdainfully.
He continued, "Twenty years ago, the three most promising rising stars in the martial arts world were Song Shijun, Wu Yuanying, and your Uncle Zhou. Song Shijun was already betrothed to Qinglian Furen, and my father said he was quite the playboy in his youth, attracting many admirers. Madam Sulian often stood up for her elder sister against him, so it couldn't be him."
"Wu Yuanying visited Azure Tower Sect constantly. With all the secluded spots at Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, there was no need for letters. That leaves Master Zhou—"
"In terms of looks and upright character, he was the best of the three. Besides, letters to him would likely end up with your aunt. Lady Cai, virtuous her whole life, finally gave Yin Sulian her comeuppance in the end. Truly satisfying." He chuckled, clapping his hands.
After a long silence, Cai Zhao said, "You guessed right about everything except the last part. Those letters weren't given to me by my aunt."
Chang Ning paused. "Then your mother gave them to you for protection."
Cai Zhao shook her head. "No."
She looked up at the magnificent sunset, her chest feeling oddly heavy. "I found those letters by accident as a child, rummaging through my aunt's old belongings."
"The truth is, my aunt had long forgotten about them. She never once thought of using such things against anyone in her entire life.""She burned all those letters and taught me that 'using someone's secrets to coerce them is not the act of an honorable person.' What I recited earlier were just a few passages I had memorized back then."
Chang Ning gazed at the girl: "Yet you still used those letters to threaten Yin Sulian."
"Yes."
Cai Zhao stopped walking, her ink-black eyes unusually calm. "Because I am not my aunt."
Her mind replayed the final exchange she'd had with Yin Sulian moments ago—
"If you truly want the Lady to stay out of your affairs within the sect, you won't say anything?"
"Correct."
"How can we trust you? What if you go back on your word? You must hand over those letters!"
"I won't be producing the letters, so you'd best trust me."
"You—"
"Enough." Yin Sulian cut off Grandma Mao, looking up at Cai Zhao. "I believe you. You were raised by Cai Pingshu. She walked the righteous path her entire life, so I trust you."
As the hall doors closed behind them, Cai Zhao heard Grandma Mao advising Yin Sulian—
"Doesn't the Lady know what kind of person Cai Pingshu is? With her peerless martial arts, she never stooped to coercion, let alone against a delicate lady like yourself. She wouldn't lay a finger on you, which is why things have been peaceful all these years. Had that little girl not been coming to Azure Tower Sect, Cai Pingshu probably wouldn't even have remembered those letters..."
The golden-red hues of the setting sun grew more intense, leaching color from all the flowers and trees.
Cai Zhao laughed mockingly: "So they knew all along. They always knew what kind of person Aunt was."
This was the cruelest joke—people like Yin Sulian didn't hold prejudices against Cai Pingshu out of misunderstanding, but rather despised her precisely because they knew her integrity, even exploiting that very integrity.
Chang Ning suddenly understood the bitter anger in the girl's heart.
Watching the slender nape of her pale neck, he flexed his long fingers open, then clenched them tight. "So what's the use of your anger?"
Cai Zhao was startled by Chang Ning's cold, perverse words.
"You're angry, you're aggrieved, you feel your aunt was wronged—but what's the use? Yin Sulian still lives comfortably."
In the sunset's glow, Chang Ning's strikingly beautiful eyes seemed faintly tinged with red, his lashes unnaturally long, almost eerie.
"Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all creatures as straw dogs. Either become heaven and earth, or remain a straw dog," he said. "If you have grievances, take revenge. If you've been wronged, vent that anger. Bottling up your resentment will only make you miserable—it serves no purpose."
The evening mountain wind whipped his robes violently, his tall, straight figure like a sharp sword thrust into the blazing golden-red horizon, proud and breathtaking.
With this as the boundary, the cunning caution the Chang orphan had employed for survival came to an end.
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