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墨書 Inktalez
Today was supposed to be a day off, a chance for me to sleep in a little longer. However, Qi Wei still arrived bright and early, knocking on my door.
“Mian Fei, you’re awake? This won’t do! You only eat one meal a day; what will you do if you miss breakfast?”
...Isn’t it fine to just have lunch instead? People shouldn’t be so rigid!
Before I could protest, she dragged me out after I reluctantly tidied myself up.
As soon as we entered the Dining Hall, I noticed something odd—the usual whispers that accompanied my presence had vanished. Everyone looked at me as if I were a harbinger of disaster, doing their best to avoid me.
It seemed that the severe punishment from yesterday had indeed served its purpose of deterrence; at least I no longer had to worry about rampant rumors.
Now, I had become the person everyone avoided at all costs.
Well… from another perspective, this might not be such a bad thing.
It appeared that the only one still willing to approach me was Qi Wei, who seemed a bit oblivious.
After getting our meals, we found a corner table and sat down.
“Mian Fei, I’ll accompany you to the library later,” Qi Wei said, then curiously added, “But I’ve read some documents related to Master Song Zichen before, and they didn’t mention how Master Song and Senior Wei met. Why does Mr. Lan want you to look into it?”
“Perhaps he wants me to understand more about Master Song’s character and background; after all, I don’t know much about him,” I replied casually.
“Speaking of which, what kind of person do you think Master Song Zichen is?” Qi Wei asked.
“Hmm…” I tilted my head in thought. “I believe Master Song is somewhat similar to Hanguang Jun; both are serious and not very talkative. However, compared to Hanguang Jun, Master Song seems more approachable in his interactions with others. He just doesn’t like being around people.”
“So under what circumstances did Master Song take you in? And how long have you been living together? Just the two of you—doesn’t that raise any eyebrows?”
A sense of inexplicable discomfort prompted me to silently raise my gaze towards her. "…Is there more?"
"There's more, there's more! Why does Master Song live in Yiling? Does he know about Daozhang Xiao Xingchen's death? What does Master Song look like? And also…"
I listened quietly as she rattled off a series of questions, still maintaining my indifference. "Is there anything else?"
"Um…" Qi Wei tilted her head in thought. "That's it, I think."
It was clear that these questions were not her own but rather inquiries entrusted to her by someone else.
I couldn't tell if it was because Si Chui's punishment truly had nothing to do with me, or if it was simply that these girls were particularly curious about a legendary figure they had never seen in person. Their fascination with Song Zichen had completely overshadowed the original rumors and shifted the focus entirely.
Still, I genuinely felt—aren't you all a bit too idle?
"Is that so?" I casually surveyed the crowd, pretending to eat while actually straining my ears for their responses, and gave a slight smile. "Well then, regarding the questions you've asked, I must refuse to answer all of them."
I had no intention of inadvertently revealing any information that could be used against me. Besides, I wasn't obligated to satisfy your curiosity.
In an instant, I sensed some disappointment and murmurs of complaint around me.
To this, Qi Wei suddenly froze, then shyly scratched her face with her finger. "Uh, well…"
I expressionlessly tapped the table twice with my index finger. "No talking while eating. Now, focus on your meal."
"Ah, okay…"
***
"…Mian Fei, are you angry?" In the library, Qi Wei cautiously whispered to me.
"Um? No, not at all." I smiled at her leisurely. "What's wrong?"
Rather than being angry, it would be more accurate to say I felt helpless. Besides, these matters had nothing to do with her, so I really had no reason to be upset with her.
"Uh... it's nothing, as long as there's nothing..." Qi Wei quietly touched her nose. "Ah, the records of Master Song's deeds are probably just these."
"Okay, thank you." I took the stack of books from her and placed them on the table beside me, slowly flipping through them one by one.
The library mostly contained important records from various eras of the cultivation world, accounts of demonic beasts and sinister objects, as well as numerous musical scores. Therefore, unless someone needed to look up information, very few people came in and out.
The scrolls regarding Song Lan contained only a few lines, most of which were related to Xiao Xingchen or the White Snow Temple. In fact, there were even more entries about Xiao Xingchen than about Song Lan, as if Song Lan were merely an accessory to Xiao Xingchen's existence.
I had initially thought that I could boast to Master Song about having read his heroic deeds when I returned home, but this... well, it doesn't matter; I'll still brag!
I wonder what kind of expression he will have when I tell him? Hehe!
"Ah, there's also this." Qi Wei brought over another scroll. "This is the report on what Mr. Lan Sizhui and the others experienced in Yicheng. Although it doesn't mention Master Song, it details the events leading up to master Xiao Xingchen's demise. Do you want to see it?"
"Oh, sure." Just what I wanted to read!
I carefully browsed through the account of the Yicheng incident and confirmed that it only mentioned the old grievances between Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen. It briefly mentioned A Qing's bamboo stick guiding them; as for Song Lan's presence, he was likely summarized among the corpses controlled by Xue Yang, with no mention of his name at all.
For some reason, I let out a sigh of relief.
Although I wasn't sure if the records kept by each family were consistent, at least it was clear that the public perception of Song Lan being alive should not be an issue. Wailing Hill shouldn't cause any trouble because of this.
Unless some disciple from a family that experienced the Yicheng incident back then accidentally let something slip...
"Ah, Ms. Wei, I've found you," a Disciple named Xu Ran entered and approached me. "Ms. Wei, Hanguang Jun requests your presence. Please follow me."
Hanguang Jun? What could it be this time? I turned to Qi Wei, feeling puzzled.
"Oh, it's fine! You go ahead! I'll take care of things here," Qi Wei quickly replied.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," I said, bowing to the Disciple. "Please lead the way."
***
I thought I was being taken to the elegant room, but instead, I was led to the Quiet Room.
Outside the Quiet Room, I saw Wei Wuxian lounging with a yawn, seemingly waiting for my arrival, while Lan Wangji was nowhere in sight.
"Senior Wei," the Disciple greeted Wei Wuxian and glanced around. "Huh? Where's Hanguang Jun?"
"Lan Zhan had something to attend to and stepped out for a bit. Just leave her with me," Wei Wuxian replied with a smile.
"Then, Ms. Wei has been delivered. I'll take my leave now."
"Thanks for your hard work!"
Once the Disciple left, Wei Wuxian turned to me, who was still in a daze, and asked curiously, "Xiao Hua, what happened yesterday? Why did it cause such a commotion?"
Though I didn't quite understand the situation, I answered without hesitation, "Are you referring to the punishment of the female cultivators for skipping classes? I don't think that's my fault."
Is this an interrogation? Why does it feel like I'm being treated as the instigator? I'm clearly the victim here!
"Oh? So what exactly happened? Can you tell me about it?"
"Um..." I lowered my gaze and hesitated for a moment before finally recounting the events of the situation. "That's about it."
Then, I silently watched Wei Wuxian, who was laughing so hard he was rolling on the ground.
"Hahaha! Who on earth came up with this rumor? It's just too funny! Ahahaha... Oh no! My stomach hurts! Ahahaha..."
Is it really that funny? I raised an eyebrow at him in silence.
Wait, he doesn't even know about these rumors? It seems like these tales must have only circulated among the female cultivators and never made it over to him.
"Well, if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that Si Chui's punishment was such a matter of concern." Once he had laughed enough, Wei Wuxian wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and continued, "But I always thought girls were supposed to be gentle and demure. Who knew they could cause such a ruckus? It’s quite astonishing! This could add quite a bit to the Lan Family records!"
"...It has nothing to do with me; I'm innocent," I protested softly.
"Haha! Not necessarily, since you were indeed involved. Don’t think you can just wash your hands of it," Wei Wuxian said with a grin as he ruffled my hair.
"Ugh!" I resigned myself to the chaos and awkwardly tried to smooth down my disheveled hair.
"By the way, when Lan Juan came to find Lan Zhan for punishment yesterday, it really surprised me. I've hardly ever heard of female cultivators receiving punishments; after all, girls usually act more cautiously and adhere to the rules, rarely breaking family regulations," Wei Wuxian lamented.
...If you think that way, you're mistaken! Girls are meticulous thinkers; they know how to navigate the boundaries of rules and play their strategies just as well as men. I couldn't help but ponder this in my heart.
"Also, the reason I brought you here is that there's one more thing... Ah, Lan Zhan!" He cheerfully waved at someone approaching from another direction.
I turned to look and indeed saw Lan Wangji returning.
"Hanguang Jun," I greeted respectfully.
"I say, little flower, you also need to receive punishment," Wei Wuxian suddenly said. "Do you know why?"
"Eh?" I was taken aback.
I have to face punishment too? Why? What have I done that warrants this... Ah, come to think of it, there is indeed one thing—
"…Falsely proclaiming an imperial edict?" I cautiously probed.
"Ha! That's right, it seems you know in your heart!" Wei Wuxian tilted his head in admiration. "To dare play around with Hanguang Jun, you're the first person in history to do so."
I see, it seems I accidentally got stabbed in the back by Lan Qian, huh? Even trying to pull a little trick can end up being a setup by the law of unintended consequences. The rules of fate are indeed harsh, tsk!
"Ms. Wei," Lan Wangji said solemnly as he handed me a stack of paper. "‘In the depths of Yunshen, do not speak falsehoods,’ one hundred times."
I was stunned.
"…After completing this punishment, can I really stop wearing the forehead ribbon?" I couldn't help but bargain.
Lan Wangji looked at me for a long moment with an inscrutable expression before sighing lightly, "Agreed."
I took a deep breath, feeling quite helpless as I accepted the punishment paper.
"I will accept my punishment."
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