Chapter 1097 Today is Yesterday (Part )

When Pan Yuyin said this, Lu Tingxiang and the other two were caught off guard and were stunned, but Teng Cang and his group couldn't help laughing.

Especially Teng Qiner, the instigator of the whole incident, whose face turned red and she almost laughed out loud.

Lu Tingxiang originally wanted to use the opportunity of "saying goodbye" to force Liu Xunyi to show up, but he did not expect that Pan Yuyin "took him in his own way" and cut off his own retreat.

People in the martial arts world always keep their words. Since Pan Yuyin made Lu Tingxiang's "purpose" clear in public, in order to avoid being criticized, they can only bite the bullet and say goodbye to Xie Xuan.

"How could such a thing happen?" Xie Xuan pretended to be regretful and repeatedly slapped his forehead, seeming to be very annoyed, "Blame me! Blame me! If I had known that the three of you were so pressed for time, I would have held a banquet last night and drunk with the three of you. Alas!"

"Thank you, Lord. Actually..."

"Forget it!" Without waiting for Lu Tingxiang to explain, Xie Xuan suddenly waved his hand and said in a serious tone, "Since that's the case, I won't force you any more. I can let you go today, but you must have a light meal and some wine before you leave, to thank you three for your help yesterday."

"This……"

"Come here! Hurry up and set up a banquet at Jutian Pavilion. I want to personally send off Master Lu, Sect Leader Zuo, and Master Miao'an!"

To anyone with a discerning eye, Xie Xuan's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness seemed like an attempt to drive away guests.

At the same time, the behavior that was very different from the past also made the disciples of Jueqing Valley and the Teng clan wonder about Xie Xuan and even Liu Xunyi's thoughts.

Little did they know that to "fawn on" the three major forces of Lu Mansion, Qingcheng and Emei so blatantly and to turn a deaf ear to their "fawning" again and again, not to mention that Xie Xuan did not dare to do so in the past, even Luo Tianjin would have to think twice.

At least, the surface work must be done in a realistic manner and will never be as... stiff as it is today.

At this moment, Lu Tingxiang and the other two were in the most complicated mood and the most awkward situation. They could not refuse Xie Xuan's farewell, nor did they want to be kicked out without knowing why. They were in a dilemma and felt very depressed.

Seeing that Lu Tingxiang and the other two were still silent, Xie Xuan changed his mind and pretended to be unhappy: "Why? Can't you three wait even for a moment? Are you blaming me for not welcoming you well?"

"Thank you, Lord, please don't misunderstand me. We are just..."

"It's a long journey to Jiangnan. No matter how anxious you are, there's no need to rush. I'll arrange a carriage for you later. Let's go have a few drinks first."

"But Brother Liu..."

"Master Lu, don't worry. Xunyi is just in low spirits, but his life is safe. Just let him rest well."

"Can……"

"You three are honored guests of the Xianwang Mansion. Even if the matter is of great importance, I cannot be disrespectful. Mr. Lu, don't worry too much. Let's go, let's go to Jutian Pavilion now."

After saying that, Xie Xuan didn't give them any more chances to speak. He grasped Lu Tingxiang's wrist familiarly and intimately, and pulled him without saying anything. He also pushed Zuo Hongxuan and Miao An who wanted to say something but hesitated. Under the gaze of Teng Cang, Chang Wuhui and others who looked at each other in bewilderment, the group walked towards the direction of Jutian Pavilion "talking and laughing".

"This...what's going on?"

Looking at the backs of Xie Xuan and the others walking away, Chang Wuhui, who was confused, suddenly felt at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He subconsciously cast his gaze towards Xiao Zhirou, who remained calm, and said in astonishment: "Valley Master, Xie Xuan...can't he see that Lu Tingxiang and the others are having a hard time speaking? Why is he acting so strangely?"

"It's not that Palace Master Xie can't see that they are reluctant to speak, but he deliberately doesn't let them speak. Sometimes, 'not to keep' means 'not to welcome'. They are all smart people. Some things should not be exposed in public for consideration of their feelings. It is enough for them to keep it tacitly." Before Xiao Zhirou could speak, Teng Cang, who was standing beside her, had already revealed everything. He smiled and said, "As I expected, Palace Master Xie's attitude is the same as Liu Xunyi's attitude, which should also be... the attitude of Valley Master Xiao, right?"

"Lu Tingxiang, Zuo Hongxuan, and Miao An have always been unstable and wavering. They flatter their superiors and take advantage of their subordinates. Most of these people who curry favor with the powerful have ulterior motives and should not be offended or befriended." Xiao Zhirou said calmly, "Besides, they have a close relationship with Jinjianwu, so we must be more careful to avoid falling into their trap."

"We?" Teng Cang seemed to hear something strange in Xiao Zhirou's words. He frowned and asked in a low voice, "From what the young lady said... it seems that she has reached some kind of consensus with Xie Xuan?"

"Everything... is just for Xunyi. I will explain this matter to my father in person." After saying that, Xiao Zhirou cast a calm gaze at Pan Yuyin who seemed to be thinking about something, and said softly, "Miss Pan, Xunyi has woken up. Please go in and change his medicine."

"Brother Liu is awake?" Pan Yuyin's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe it. "But Uncle Xie just said..."

"Just now was just now, now is now, just go in."

"it is good……"

Perhaps because she was intimidated by Xiao Zhirou's powerful aura and dared not raise any more questions, Pan Yuyin, who seemed to understand, responded hastily, bowed to Xiao Zhirou and Teng Cang in a panic, and then ran towards the inner court with the medicine box in her hand as if escaping.

"Afu, come with me!" Under the respectful and solemn gazes of Teng Cang, Teng Qiner, Chang Wuhui, Feng Wuxin and others, Xiao Zhirou greeted them with an expressionless face and walked away.

After leaving the inner court, Xiao Zhirou returned to the guest house accompanied by Tang Afu, without saying a word the whole time.

Entering the guest room, Xiao Zhirou sat silently at the table with a heavy heart. Tang Afu was busy running around, pouring tea and water for her, preparing bath water and a silk handkerchief, and carefully folding a snow-white dress and robe at the head of the bed.

After everything was ready, Tang Afu tiptoed to Xiao Zhirou and said, "Valley Master, please take a rest. Your disciple will be waiting outside the door."

After saying that, Tang Afu took another peek at the teacup on the table and saw that there was still seven points of tea in the cup, so he did not stay any longer and turned away silently.

"and many more!"

Before Tang Afu could step out of the door, Xiao Zhirou, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke, causing him to pause and quickly turn around to answer, "Is there anything else the Valley Master wants to say?"

"Afu, I haven't talked to you for a long time. It's rare that I have free time now, can you talk to me?"

"As ordered!"

Tang Afu readily agreed, and at Xiao Zhirou's suggestion, he returned to the table and sat down.

"Afu, how is your relationship with Xunyi?"

"To be honest with you, Master, before I learned about Liu Xunyi's true background... he was one of my few friends." Facing Xiao Zhirou's unreasonable questioning, Tang Afu looked at his master with his eyes, nose, mouth, and heart, but he didn't dare to look at his master directly. "You can also say that he is the only person besides my junior brothers and sisters who can be considered a friend."

"I don't quite understand what you mean." Xiao Zhirou slowly pushed her half-finished cup of tea in front of Tang Afu and asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'before learning about Liu Xunyi's true life story'? Isn't he your friend now?"

"It can be, or it can't be." Tang Afu's tone was as calm as ever, but his words were more intriguing. "Whether it is or not, it's up to the Valley Master to decide."

"Let me decide?" Xiao Zhirou was even more confused. "Why?"

"Because he is the Valley Master's own flesh and blood, and the legitimate young master of Jueqing Valley. If the Valley Master allows me to treat him as the young master, then he and I will be master and servant. If the Valley Master allows me to treat him as Liu Xunyi, then he and I will be friends. If the Valley Master allows me to treat him as a stranger, then he and I will be just passers-by..."

"Afu, I raised you and taught you martial arts, not to enslave you." Xiao Zhirou said righteously, "You can be grateful and distinguish between the old and the young. But the difference between the high and the low, the title of master and servant... don't force it on yourself. Remember! You never owe me anything, and you don't owe Xunyi anything."

"Not to mention all my studies, even my life... was saved by the Valley Master. The Valley Master has treated me with great kindness, and his kindness is as deep as the sea. I, as a disciple, will never be able to repay him in my lifetime." Tang Afu said word by word, "Although the Valley Master has no intention of restraining me, in my heart... the Valley Master is more kind and caring than my mother, and he deserves my respect more. Therefore, no matter what the Valley Master says, Afu will do it without changing a word."

"Your words... leave me speechless." Tang Afu's heartfelt words deeply moved Xiao Zhirou, and her eyes turned red unconsciously. "It's worth it that I have treated you as my own child and taught you carefully for so many years. In fact, among all the disciples in Jueqing Valley... you have always been the one I am closest to, the one I trust the most, and the one I love the most. Not only because you have followed me the longest, but also because you are intelligent, tenacious, and know right from wrong, and you will repay kindness and revenge."

"Valley Master, I..."

"When I asked about your friendship with Xunyi, I didn't mean to interfere with your relationship, and I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable." Xiao Zhirou said with a hint of meaning, "On the contrary, I hope you can keep your original intention and always regard Xunyi as a brother who has shared weal and woe and is loyal to you."

"I will follow the orders of the Valley Master..."

"Not only that! I also want to... discuss something with you." Why? Xiao Zhirou's expression suddenly became a little awkward, and her words became hesitant, "Rather than discussing, it's better to say... begging. However, I am not the master of Jueqing Valley, but an ordinary mother. Therefore, you don't have to look back and forth, and you don't have to compromise. This matter is up to your heart. You can agree... or refuse. I will never force you, and I will not blame you."

"This..." Tang Afu had never seen Xiao Zhirou so submissive, and was shocked. He hurriedly expressed his determination, "As long as the Valley Master speaks, I will obey..."

"No, no, no!" Xiao Zhirou waved her hands repeatedly, "This is not an order, but... a discussion."

"I understand what the Valley Master means!" Tang Afu said calmly, "I wonder what the Valley Master wants me to discuss with you?"

"Teacher wants to ask...are you willing...are you willing..." Xiao Zhirou hesitated and couldn't say the next words for a long time.

"What are you willing to say?" Xiao Zhirou's tangled look made Tang Afu, who was standing nearby, feel inexplicably nervous. "Valley Master, please feel free to speak."

"Are you willing to... leave the Heartless Valley?"

……

(End of this chapter)