Thе rерutаtiоn of the Sichuаn Тang Clаn for using pоisоn is knоwn thrоughоut thе world. Thе Tang Clan is a familу-stуle mаrtial аrts sесt, а renоwnеd linеаgе of hiddеn weapоns еxрerts celеbrated аcross thе mаrtiаl wоrld. With thеir mаstеry of hiddеn wеaроns аnd pоisons, thеу have dоminаted thе Shu region for сenturies. Thе Таng Clаn excеls in dеsigning, invеnting, and еmрlоуing vаriоus hidden wеаpоns and рoisons, аll of аstоnishing рowеr. Таng disсiples rarеly venture into the mаrtial world, and thе Tang Fоrtress is hеаvily fоrtified with intricate mechanisms and hidden weapons, making entry extremely difficult. Thus, despite their widespread fame, the Tang Clan has always remained shrouded in mystery. Tang Clan members seldom appear in the martial world, and their actions are secretive and unpredictable, often defying conventional reasoning.
Tang disciples act mysteriously and unpredictably, giving off an ambiguous, inscrutable aura of being neither wholly righteous nor entirely evil. Concepts like martial righteousness or national loyalty hold no meaning for them; they live solely within their own world. They neither seek alliances with reputable orthodox sects nor condescend to associate with demonic cults. However, many martial artists in the martial world fear the Tang Clan’s unparalleled hidden weapons and poisons, yet are frustrated by their inability to glimpse even a fraction of the Tang Clan’s true nature. Consequently, most martial artists regard the Tang Clan as a sinister faction, keeping a respectful distance. Tang disciples pay no heed to worldly opinions, continuing to roam the martial world alone and unaccompanied.
The Tang Clan is adept at designing, inventing, and using various hidden weapons, and excels in the art of poison. The clan’s founder left behind the Poison Sutra and the ancestral instruction: "Command all poisons to relieve the people’s suffering." It is stipulated that the Tang Clan leader must be a direct descendant of the Tang family. The four treasures of the Tang Clan—the Sutra, Robe, Pearl, and Staff—are to be safeguarded by the leader to prevent harm to the martial world and to preserve the clan’s reputation.
The handkerchief in Han Yan’s hand was precisely a specially crafted Shu brocade, also known as Celestial Radiance Brocade, soaked in medicinal liquid by the Tang Clan. In the past, Tang women were known for their aloof pride, insisting that even their personal belongings be unique. Celestial Radiance Brocade is more durable and lustrous than ordinary Shu brocade, making it the preferred choice for Tang women and a distinctive emblem of the Tang Clan.
Han Yan asked curiously, "Then, do you know what the scorpion on the handkerchief means?"
Jiang Yulou smiled. "I do not know, but it must also be a symbol of the Tang Clan. Scorpions are venomous, and the Tang Clan is skilled in using poison."
"So, the owner of this handkerchief is a Tang Clan member," Han Yan mused, then looked at Jiang Yulou. "Sir Jiang, in your travels through the martial world, have you ever heard of a Tang Clan member surnamed Qiao?"
Jiang Yulou laughed heartily. "All Tang Clan members bear the surname Tang. How could there be one surnamed Qiao?" Seeing Han Yan still staring intently at him, he couldn’t help but touch his nose. "I’m not lying to you. I truly have never heard of a Tang Clan member surnamed Qiao."
Han Yan lowered her head. The matter seemed to grow increasingly complicated, even involving affairs of the martial world. If Abi was her mother’s personal maid, and her mother had ties to the Donghou Prince, this handkerchief served as a clue connecting her mother to the Donghou Prince. Yet, this handkerchief belonged to a member of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Could it be that she would have to travel to Sichuan? That was naturally impossible. Not only would Zhuang Shiyang never allow it, but the journey was also long and arduous—how could it be feasible? The more she thought about it, the more she felt the matter had no clear direction, and she couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
"What’s the matter?" A familiar, cool voice sounded beside her ear. Han Yan thought she was hallucinating, but when she looked up, she saw Fu Yunxi standing at the beaded curtain entrance, gazing at her calmly.Jiang Yulou's smile stiffened: "Yunxi, it was your wife who came to find me herself. I didn't deliberately meet her behind your back." As he spoke, he stood up, lightly coughing twice into his fist. "I'll take my leave now. You two can chat slowly."
Han Yan rubbed her forehead—this was his shop, after all. Why did she and Fu Yunxi seem like the hosts while Jiang Yulou was the guest? But from what Jiang Yulou had just said, it seemed he and Fu Yunxi were quite close. She looked up and remarked, "Your relationship with Young Master Jiang seems better than most."
Fu Yunxi replied, "He once helped me."
Han Yan felt somewhat awkward. "You don't need to explain to me. I was just making conversation."
Fu Yunxi didn't ask why she was there. Instead, he walked over to her and asked, "Would you like to go for a walk?"
Han Yan widened her eyes. "A walk?"
Fu Yunxi turned and called out, "Mufeng, Muyan."
Two sword-bearing guards appeared instantly behind him. "At your command."
Fu Yunxi took Han Yan's hand. "Leave your maid to them. Let's go."
Caught off guard by his sudden grasp, Han Yan was momentarily stunned. His hand was cool and slender, perfectly enveloping her smaller one in his palm. Though still chilly, it seemed to carry a hint of warmth.
Fu Yunxi led her outside the building. In the stable below, a black horse was tethered at the outermost stall. Its coat gleamed, and its eyes held an air of pride. Upon seeing Fu Yunxi, it snorted excitedly and rubbed its large head against him. Intrigued, Han Yan reached out to touch it, but the horse lifted its head to avoid her touch and let out a long whinny, startling her.
"Zhanchen," Fu Yunxi called softly. The horse obediently lowered its head, pawed the ground with its front hooves, and quieted down. Fu Yunxi guided Han Yan's hand, teaching her to stroke the horse's mane gently downward. The black horse relaxed under the touch, becoming less wary of Han Yan.
"It's called Zhanchen?" Han Yan asked with a smile. "A lovely name."
Fu Yunxi untied the reins as he explained, "It was found on the battlefield and raised to this size. It's a fine horse."
Zhanchen seemed to understand that Fu Yunxi was praising it, letting out a low, contented snort and growing even more gentle and endearing.
"But," Han Yan tilted her head to look at him, "why did you bring me here?"
In one fluid motion, Fu Yunxi mounted the horse and reached out to her. Before Han Yan could react, he wrapped one arm around her waist and supported her arm with the other, lifting her onto the horse.
This Fu Yunxi—why did he always startle her without warning!
Han Yan patted her chest and glared at him. "Why are you always like this!"
Fu Yunxi laughed heartily. He was usually expressionless, like a block of ice, exuding an aura that kept others at a distance. But now, with this unrestrained laughter, he seemed carefree and dashing, as if he had become a completely different person.
"You—hey!" Before Han Yan could finish, he cracked the whip, and the horse galloped forward. Han Yan leaned back, her back pressing against Fu Yunxi's chest. Startled, her cheeks flushed, and she forgot to speak.Being held in the arms of such a handsome man while galloping on horseback was something Han Yan would never have dared to imagine in her previous life. In that life, her existence was confined within the small, four-cornered sky of the manor, never stepping beyond its constraints to see the world outside. But in this life, she did not squander the hard-won opportunity of rebirth. Those who harmed her, she repaid with all her might, and she herself would live better and better!
A surge of emotion stirred in her chest, a rush of exhilaration sweeping away the gloom brought by Abi’s recent troubles. Like a true child, she burst into unrestrained laughter.
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