Shang Lingjun’s expression shifted slightly. 【My adoptive parents.】
At the ancestral hall…
Xiao Jing was both pained and vexed, while also wondering how Shang Lingjun had learned such a tricky method of hitting people. He clearly had never taught her that.
He was annoyed with himself for forgetting the important matter. He had been so busy teaching Shang Lingjun a lesson that he had forgotten to have her go from household to household tomorrow to explain the misunderstanding.
He was not a male paramour. He had to make that clear.
“Brother Jing, you’re bleeding! Mother, quickly send someone to fetch a physician!”
Xie Zhaoqing spoke with anxious concern.
That shameless Shang Lingjun had actually laid hands on Jing-lang. If she had not been seriously injured and too weak, Xie Zhaoqing would have whipped her fiercely to vent her anger!
Madam Qu could not be bothered with her. It would be better if that libertine bled herself dry.
It was true that Shang Lingjun had exposed this scandal, but if Xiao Jing had not coaxed Zhao Qing into doing such a despicable thing, how could matters have reached this unmanageable state?
Xiao Jing waved his hand. “I’m fine…”
But before he could finish speaking, he caught sight of the two figures at the doorway. His pupils instantly contracted, and his mouth trembled open and shut in panic.
“F-Father, when did you arrive? Mother… listen to my explanation!”
In the next instant, Xiao Jing was kicked flying. He shot several yards through the air before crashing heavily to the ground and vomiting a mouthful of blood.
“Wretch!”
General Xiao’s face was livid. Although frost had already touched his temples, he possessed a stern, murderous aura forged through years on the battlefield. Anyone who saw him standing there would instinctively feel awe.
Xiao Jing retreated awkwardly in fright.
“Father, I really am not a male paramour! Zhao Qing is even less so—she’s actually…”
“Shut up!”
Madam Qu shouted sharply, pointing at Xiao Jing with a trembling finger.
“You’ve already ruined my daughter. Do you intend to cost her life as well?”
Xie Zhaoqing’s disguise as a man absolutely could not be exposed!
Xiao Jing’s expression changed. He forcibly swallowed the rest of his words, vaguely sensing a terrifying possibility: this misunderstanding would probably be very difficult to clear up…
Meanwhile, Shang Lingjun had already gone far away.
【Why don’t you want to see your adoptive parents?】
Huo Chuan was curious.
Shang Lingjun slowly exhaled the foul air from her lungs. After cursing those two and beating them up today, she felt much more at ease.
【Because I don’t want to argue with them.】
For the sake of the life-saving favor they had once done her, General Xiao and his wife had treated her fairly well. They had never mistreated their adopted daughter materially.
But one matter was one matter. Xiao Jing had harmed her so terribly in her previous life, and she was determined to avenge herself.
If she met her adoptive parents, she would inevitably have to hear them out.
They were Xiao Jing’s parents, after all. No matter how angry they were, they would still try to smooth things over for him. Shang Lingjun did not want to listen, so she would not see them.
Huo Chuan seemed to think of something. 【Ati is your childhood name?】
Shang Lingjun paused. 【Mm.】
【It’s a lovely name. The character “Ti” has beautiful connotations. Your parents must have loved you very much. If they could see from the afterlife that you had bravely fought back, they would be proud of you.】
He spoke gently.
Shang Lingjun fell silent. Only after a long while did she say:
【Thank you. Someone who has died once is much braver than she was in her previous life.】
Huo Chuan hesitated, but asked anyway:
【What did you go through in your previous life?】
【It no longer matters. Since I’ve been reborn, this life is what matters most.】 Shang Lingjun said.
Huo Chuan gave a dry laugh. 【Yes. That’s how I should think too—if I still have the chance…】
【You know perfectly well that they aren’t a pair of male paramours. What if they reveal the truth?】
Huo Chuan’s voice returned to its lazy tone.
【They won’t. Xie Zhaoqing took the imperial examinations. If her identity as a woman were exposed, it would be a crime warranting the extermination of nine relations.】
Shang Lingjun narrowed her slightly dim eyes. That was why she had only said that Xie Zhaoqing was a male paramour, rather than revealing that she was a woman. She did not want to be dragged into the matter.
Besides, the identity of a male paramour was already enough to ruin them—perhaps it would be even more effective.
Just imagine how humiliating it would be once the rumor spread.
And Xie Zhaoqing could only suffer in silence, unable to speak of her grievance.
Even if she wanted to risk everything and reveal the truth, the Xie family had more than enough ways to keep her mouth shut.
Huo Chuan could not help clicking his tongue in admiration. This woman had thought everything through so thoroughly.
【By the way…】
Shang Lingjun rubbed her faintly aching hand. 【What kind of attack was that just now? It looked formidable. Do you know martial arts?】
Xiao Jing’s nose had been bleeding, and the corner of his mouth had split open. How could a delicate woman like Shang Lingjun possess such strength?
Clearly, Huo Chuan had used skillful leverage.
【Of course. I am but an unremarkable man, yet I can just barely face a hundred opponents alone.】
Having suddenly been praised by her, Huo Chuan could not help boasting.
Shang Lingjun: 【…】
Facing a hundred opponents alone? That was far too exaggerated. This man really knew how to brag about himself.
【Wow, you’re so amazing, Chuanchuan~】
Still, she really ought to thank him for his righteous “intervention,” so she might as well flatter him a little.
At the sound of the name “Chuanchuan,” even Huo Chuan’s thick skin could not quite withstand it.
【Er… Er, I’m not that impressive…】
Chuanchuan?
That form of address was rather interesting.
“Seventh Madam, this is Qixia Pavilion, beside Lingfeng Courtyard. You will live here from now on, which will make it convenient for you to care for Seventh Master. As for your dowry articles, I will have someone move them over tomorrow.”
Before she knew it, Qingzhi had led Shang Lingjun to Qixia Pavilion.
Shang Lingjun knew that Lingfeng Courtyard was Seventh Master Xie’s residence. It was located in the southern part of Xie Residence, in an excellent position, near the main branch and far from the Third Branch.
Since she was already here, perhaps she ought to go take a look at her future husband.
“I would like to see Seventh Master. Please trouble yourself to show me the way.”
Shang Lingjun put on a worried expression and dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
Seeing her act so convincingly, Huo Chuan could not help laughing as he teased her:
【You really are deeply devoted to your husband, aren’t you?】
He deliberately emphasized the words “your husband.”
Shang Lingjun ignored his teasing and followed Qingzhi into Lingfeng Courtyard. The courtyard was enormous, broad, and bright. There was even a small practice yard inside, though the weapon rack stood completely empty.
“Seventh Master is actually a martial practitioner,” Shang Lingjun murmured.
It was certainly surprising that a son of a civil official’s household enjoyed practicing martial arts.
Qingzhi spoke up. “Indeed. Seventh Master’s martial arts used to be formidable. The imperial physician said that it was only because he possessed such a strong constitution that he managed to survive. Otherwise…”
Otherwise, he would have died long ago.
Qingzhi did not finish, but Shang Lingjun understood what she meant.
The furnishings inside were simple and elegant, without an excessive accumulation of extravagant objects, yet every item was carefully chosen. Two calligraphic works hung on the wall. Shang Lingjun recognized them as the work of famous masters from the previous dynasty, and they were worth a considerable sum.
The incense burning in the purple-gold censer carried a faint medicinal scent. It rose in wisps and drifted toward the dark-blue curtains, behind which lay a slender man.
The man possessed exceptionally handsome features. His face was as flawless as white jade, and his refined beauty was without equal. He lay there quietly, his eyelashes exceptionally long.
Qingzhi thought it would be good to let Madam and Seventh Master spend some time together, so she called the young male servant attending inside and left with him.
Shang Lingjun found an eight-legged round stool and sat down, quietly gazing at the unconscious Xie Yan'an. This man would be her support for the second half of her life.
More precisely, it was this man’s identity that would be her support.
【I really did guess correctly…】
Shang Lingjun could not help muttering inwardly.
【What?】 Huo Chuan asked.
Shang Lingjun slowly uttered four words:
“Refined, noble, and handsome.”