The great hall fell into a deathly silence, as if everyone was shaken by Qu Qi’s sheer bluntness.
Even the smile on Jing Shu’s face couldn’t hold; his mouth twitched as he spoke. “Young friend Qu Qi is truly witty. May I ask what led you to say that?”
Ji Ling’s face turned pale with fright. He frantically signaled Qu Qi with his eyes: Senior Sister, please, hold it back!
Once the Elders knew they had had a dispute with the deceased before their deaths and left on bad terms, they might truly be listed as primary suspects!
Qu Qi sensed her junior brother’s desperate hints. Turning her head, she saw his eyes twitching so hard they looked like they were cramping, and she suddenly understood.
She once again flashed her “Trust me, I’ve got this” gaze and gave a confident smile.
For some reason, a premonition of doom sprouted within Ji Ling.
In the next second, Qu Qi’s voice rang out clearly as she answered, “It went like this.”
“Those three senior brothers and sisters were likely jealous that I study more diligently than them, which made them feel very inferior. Thus, after class, they spoke ill of me to my face. I can’t say I don’t understand that feeling; after all, being excessively outstanding always leads to being ostracized.”
“But besides insulting me, they even dragged Junior Sister Su into it. How could anyone endure that? In a fit of rage, I argued with them!”
Ji Ling’s vision went dark: Little Senior Sister has started letting herself go again.
I told you to be restrained, so why are you adding fuel to the fire and making up nonsense?!
Hearing the first half, Jing Shu’s expression shifted unpredictably, but upon hearing that the matter involved Su Fuwan, his gaze suddenly grew sharp.
Jing Shu stroked his horsetail whisk with an air of profound mystery, making it impossible to read his thoughts. “This matter also concerns Fuwan?”
“It’s related, but not by much,” Qu Qi said with a pained expression. “Those senior brothers and sisters said I wasn’t fit to be compared to Junior Sister Su. They were clearly trying to drive a wedge between my relationship with her. The schemes of those people were simply too deep.”
Everyone’s expressions varied upon hearing this.
Sheng Xizhu: “…” She truly admired Qu Qi’s mouth; she could wash black into white.
However, she quickly realized that Qu Qi’s approach was quite clever.
By mixing mostly truths, she first dragged Su Fuwan into the mess, then shifted the blame for the conflict entirely onto the deceased. With this narrative, she appeared clean, and since the deceased were already in the ground, dead men tell no tales.
Jing Shu felt a headache coming on and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You did nothing wrong; their words were indeed inappropriate.”
Sheng Xizhu glanced sideways and saw Qu Qi secretly pinch her own thigh. When Qu Qi looked up, her eyes were suddenly rimmed with red.
Qu Qi said with tears in her eyes, “Although those senior brothers and sisters were in the wrong, their crimes didn’t deserve death. This matter is also inseparable from me. If I hadn’t argued with them at the time, perhaps they wouldn’t have stayed in the classroom and encountered that her… that insidious and crafty killer.”
Seeing her tearful appearance, Jing Shu sighed. “If it truly is as you say, you are also a victim in this matter. There is no need for self-reproach.”
Qu Qi lowered her head in sorrow, performatively wiping away her crocodile tears.
However, only from Sheng Xizhu’s angle could it be seen that the corners of her mouth were secretly tilted up, like a clever little fox whose ruse had succeeded.
Qu Qi knew perfectly well that only by dragging Su Fuwan into it could she guarantee her safety. After all, the original book was a “silly-sweet” Mary Sue novel; the whole world revolved around the female lead, and people would automatically lose their intelligence whenever she was mentioned.
As the Elders’ most favored disciple and the face of the Wenjian Sect, Jing Shu certainly wouldn’t allow the female lead to suffer grievances or slander, nor could he tolerate any stain on Su Fuwan’s reputation.
As for the “sowing discord” tactic, she just wanted to shift the focus to Su Fuwan. She herself was just a useless piece of cannon fodder; they didn’t care what happened to her. Jing Shu was only worried about whether Su Fuwan would be implicated.
Sure enough, Jing Shu began to clear Su Fuwan’s name. “When you were arguing, Fuwan wasn’t present, right?”
Qu Qi wiped her tears. “She wasn’t there, but her spirit was with me!”
She lowered her head shyly. “Since returning from the back mountain, I have admired Junior Sister Su for a long time. I keep her every word and action etched in my heart and study diligently. Although she wasn’t there in person, she is always in my heart.”
Jing Shu: “…” Do you hear what you’re saying?
Ji Ling was shocked: “!”
He looked at Qu Qi, then at the expressionless Sheng Xizhu beside her, automatically mentally composing a tragic romance.
Jing Shu said pointedly, “Fuwan has always been extremely popular and has never made enemies.” His underlying meaning was that the fate of those three had nothing to do with Su Fuwan.
Qu Qi replied with deep meaning, “Those senior brothers and sisters must have seen how perfect Junior Sister Su is and felt resentful. If Junior Sister knew that someone was trying to provoke conflict among fellow disciples, it’s inevitable she would be angry.” It’s not impossible that Su Fuwan committed a crime in a fit of impulsive rage, you know!
Jing Shu spoke with hidden meaning: “Fuwan is naturally steady; she wouldn’t act impulsively.” She isn’t that kind of impulsive person!
Qu Qi wasn’t to be outdone. “Junior Sister Su has always hated evil as if it were her enemy, so how could she sit by and watch?” The female lead has such a strong sense of justice; how do you know she wouldn’t stand up for me?
The two engaged in a war of words for several rounds, unable to determine a victor, until both were parched. They shared a tacit look and entered a halftime break.
Ji Ling took out a bamboo tube to give his Senior Sister some water, and Sheng Xizhu also produced a handkerchief, gently placing it on Qu Qi’s sweaty forehead.
Qu Qi obediently closed her eyes and let her wipe her face. The light fabric brushed over her damp eyes with rare gentleness.
She heard Sheng Xizhu whisper, “You really dare to say anything.”
Qu Qi opened her eyes and flashed a smile like spring sunshine, bright and vivid. “How about it? I’m pretty great, right?”
Sheng Xizhu froze for a moment. Suddenly, her heart beat a little fast, and she subconsciously avoided Qu Qi’s gaze.
Qu Qi continued gulping down water. On the other side, Huailu lifted her fan to fan the sweating Jing Shu, looking like she was enjoying the show.
“It’s rare to see Senior Brother suffer a setback. This girl is quite silver-tongued; how interesting.”
Jing Shu shot a glance at her. “Whose side are you on anyway?”
Huailu shrank her neck guiltily and continued to fan him vigorously. “I’m naturally on Fuwan’s side.”
The second round began, but neither could convince the other. Jing Shu, nursing a headache as he looked at Qu Qi, took the initiative to concede. “In my view, yesterday’s argument has no connection to the murder; it was merely a coincidence.”
Qu Qi said, “Elder, you are mistaken. Sometimes too many coincidences mean it was destiny.”
She whispered in her heart: Female lead, forgive me! I’m not targeting you on purpose; I’m only shifting the blame to save my life!
Hearing this, Jing Shu’s face turned pale, looking utterly helpless. He had given her a way out, so why was this girl being so aggressive?!
Huailu, happily enjoying the drama from the side, saw her Senior Brother’s “constipated” expression and finally couldn’t help but burst out laughing, collapsing into her chair. “Hahahahaha!”
Jing Shu glared at her, and the laughter stopped abruptly. Huailu immediately pulled herself together and sat upright. “Alright, let’s not mention this matter anymore and talk about something else.”
With that, the debate of hidden meanings finally came to an end.
Huailu proactively started a new topic. “At the time, did you notice anyone suspicious passing by nearby?”
The three below all shook their heads.
Huailu fanned herself lightly and asked professionally, “Then before you left Songting Pavilion, did you notice any strange sounds?”
Qu Qi recalled carefully, and a spark of inspiration hit her. “When I walked out of Songting Pavilion… I seemed to hear a scream, but both my Junior Brother and Fellow Daoist Zhang San said they didn’t hear it.”
Huailu and Jing Shu shared a look, and the latter nodded. “Thank you three for your hard work. We have a general idea of the situation now.”
Qu Qi showed her admiration at the right moment. “I believe the Elders will certainly give us justice, and will also give Junior Sister Su justice.”
Jing Shu’s eyes twitched. “…Alright, you should head out first.” That’s enough; stop thinking about your ‘Junior Sister Su’!
Just as Qu Qi was about to turn around, she suddenly remembered something. “I have one more thing I’d like to ask before I leave. I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to say?”
Jing Shu didn’t want to give her another glance; his face was the color of ash, and his eyes clearly read “then don’t say it.” However, Huailu agreed enthusiastically, “Speak.”
Qu Qi asked, “Who is the administrator of our Wenjian Sect’s information network? My permissions were blocked; can I find them to unblock me?”
Huailu was startled, then sized her up with great interest. “So, the person who was blocked for spreading rumors was you?”
Qu Qi nodded bashfully, looking at her expectantly. “About that… I can explain.”
She was a law-abiding citizen; she really couldn’t do such a thing!
“No need. Come to the Baicao Pavilion today at the hour of Shen.” Huailu narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding a mischievous smile behind her fan. “I’ll think of a way for you.”
Qu Qi was deeply moved. So, there were still warm-hearted people in this sect!
She thanked Huailu and was about to pull Sheng Xizhu away when she heard Jing Shu call out, “Fellow Daoist Zhang San, please stay for a moment.”
Sheng Xizhu’s gaze darkened as she stopped in her tracks.
Qu Qi took a step forward, blocking her. “Elder, this has nothing to do with Zhang San. She was just at the scene by chance.”
“Don’t be nervous. I just have a few words to ask her,” Jing Shu said with a smile. “Once I clear up the details, I will naturally give you all justice.”
Qu Qi pursed her lips, looking at her cat-master with worry.
The little kitty isn’t good with words. What if she can’t answer…
Sheng Xizhu glanced at her and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”
Qu Qi looked at her with the gaze of a parent sending their child to school for the first time. “Then you must be very careful.”
She and Ji Ling left together, but along the way, she was reluctant to part, looking back three times for every step she took.
Eventually, Ji Ling couldn’t take it anymore. He reached out and dragged Qu Qi out of the hall step by step.
Once outside the Hall of Governance, Ji Ling comforted his worried Senior Sister: “Don’t worry, Little Senior Sister. Fellow Daoist Zhang San has nothing to do with this matter. The Elders won’t make things difficult for her.”
Qu Qi sighed. “I hope so.”
Seeing her solemn expression, Ji Ling changed the subject: “Back in the hall, the things you said nearly scared me to death.”
Qu Qi replied, “How so? I was just following your advice.”
Ji Ling’s eyes widened. Qu Qi read a vast amount of confusion and loss in his gaze.
Qu Qi scratched her head and thought for a moment. “Didn’t you wink at me first, telling me to complain to the Elder?”
Ji Ling rubbed his eyes and performed a tactical lean-back. “I was clearly telling you to hold it back!” I am not taking the blame for this!
Qu Qi felt awkward. “Cough. The process isn’t important; as long as the goal was achieved.”
She turned back to look at the hall doors, her expression returning to one of bitter worry.
Ji Ling looked at her, hesitating before speaking with a tone of accusation: “Senior Sister, you just said you’ve admired Junior Sister Su for a long time. Then what about Fellow Daoist Zhang San?” Just how many ‘good sisters’ do you have?
Upon hearing this, Qu Qi quickly cleared the air, acting very much like a heartless scumbag who leaves as soon as the job is done: “What Junior Sister Su? We aren’t close.”
It was just a temporary measure. How could a mere female lead compare to her cat-master?
The moment Sheng Xizhu walked out of the Hall of Governance, she heard the girl’s bright and lively voice: “Only Miss Zhang San is my true good sister!”
Sheng Xizhu paused for a moment, then silently walked toward Qu Qi.
The crisp sound of the bells on the red string fell like a pitter-patter of rain, clear and ethereal.
Qu Qi turned around quickly. “You’re back?”
The girl’s dark eyes curved into crescents like those of a mischievous little fox. Accompanied by the cheerful ringing of the bells on her wrist, she ran all the way toward her.
Perhaps because she was running too fast, Qu Qi failed to notice a small pebble lying in her path. Her foot suddenly slipped.
By the time she regained her senses, a cold, snow-like scent had already enveloped her completely.
Qu Qi’s mind went buzz.
She slowly raised her head and saw a beautiful jawline. Looking further down, the porcelain-white neck was as slender as a swan’s, yet it was bound by a thin, crimson cord.
Sheng Xizhu held her upright and said softly, “What’s the rush?”
As she spoke, the red cord on her neck tightened slightly with the vibration of her voice, adding an indescribable, fragile sense of eroticism.
It made one inexplicably want to reach out and firmly squeeze that delicate neck, just to see the woman lose her composure with reddened eyes.
“Cough, cough.”
Qu Qi turned her head in alarm and saw Ji Ling hiding behind a tree, peeking at them and coughing lightly.
Qu Qi: “Put away that ‘I’m shipping this’ smile.”
Ji Ling tried to hide his grin with his hand. “Sorry, it’s hard not to.”
Qu Qi was speechless. She reached out to rub her burning cheeks and backed out of Sheng Xizhu’s embrace.
As the warmth in her arms dissipated, Sheng Xizhu stood quietly, like a handful of white snow on a high mountain, crystalline and detached.
She reached out and tested Qu Qi’s forehead. Her brow furrowed, as if the snow from the heavens had suddenly fallen to the mortal realm.
“Why is your face so red?”
As the icy fingers touched her brow, Qu Qi couldn’t help but swallow. She whispered, “Wasn’t it because I was worried about you?”
She pulled on Sheng Xizhu’s sleeve and leaned in to ask, “What did the old man say to you?”
Sheng Xizhu replied, “He asked a bit about Mingyue Villa.”
Qu Qi’s face paled in fright, her eyes wide. “And were you able to answer?!”
Sheng Xizhu couldn’t resist pinching the girl’s cheek. “I just made something up.”
Qu Qi let out a yelp: “Ow! Why did you pinch me?”
Sheng Xizhu calmly tucked her hand back into her sleeve, acting as if nothing had happened.
Qu Qi: “!”
The world is upside down! The Qu family’s ‘live-in cat’ dares to bite its master!
A strange laugh came from behind the tree. Qu Qi reached her limit: “Ji Ling!”
Ji Ling stood straight by reflex: “Present!”
Qu Qi: “Shut your mouth!”
Ji Ling made an ‘X’ over his lips with his fingers, miming a seal.
Qu Qi turned back to Sheng Xizhu. The heat on her face hadn’t faded; instead, it grew even redder. She slapped her face a few times, trying to beat out the strange images in her head.
First of all, I’m not a lesbian. Secondly, I’m not a furry. But isn’t it human nature to want to be close to a beauty? If a person isn’t attracted to beauty, then ‘how are you’?
That’s right, it was just her face-con instincts acting up. It had to be.
Sheng Xizhu watched her slap her face like a seal and flicked the girl’s nose. “What kind of craze are you having now?”
Qu Qi feigned composure. “Nothing. Let’s go get some food.”
With that, she turned around coolly and walked forward, her arms and legs moving in unison on the same side.
Sheng Xizhu: “…”