Chapter 76: The Seventy-Sixth Day of Slacking
Hearing Wen Ying’s dismissive title, a collective gasp rippled through the surrounding crowd. The noisy chatter instantly died down.
Most of the onlookers were disciples of the Xun Xian Sect; they knew exactly what Wen Ying was made of. Besides, in terms of age, the Xianzun was much older than Wen Ying. How could he possibly be her little brother!
After thinking it over, they could only conclude that Wen Ying’s weakness for handsome men had struck again. She was just trying to latch onto the Xianzun in her own weird way, desperate to get his attention.
But this title…
Forget getting his attention, it was more likely to provoke his anger.
Even they couldn’t stand being called “little brother” so casually by a stranger, let alone a lofty figure like a Xianzun!
No one knew where Wen Ying got the nerve.
But then again, if it was Wen Ying doing it… it wasn’t really that surprising.
The brainless know no fear, after all.
The crowd’s apprehension gradually shifted into the anticipation of watching a good show.
“Miss Wen, what are you doing here too?”
However, to everyone’s astonishment, the Xianzun didn’t get angry or reprimand her as they had expected. Instead, he accepted the title with perfect ease. He even had a slight smile on his lips as he spoke to her, looking somewhat… happy?
True, the Xianzun from Tianjian Ge was known for his gentle nature, but his high status was undeniable. Just a moment ago, the crowd of onlookers had already managed to annoy him. They had thought Wen Ying’s “little brother” comment would be the final spark to ignite his fury, but who would have thought it would actually make him smile?
The crowd stared in disbelief at the scene before them.
How was this possible? How could the Xianzun accept such a demeaning title from Wen Ying!
On the contrary, the Xianzun not only seemed to have known Wen Ying for a long time, but he was even being incredibly polite to her… How could this be! What had she… what had Wen Ying possibly done to deserve this?!
Back when she was complaining about the nickname “Gege,” Wen Ying had never imagined that this man—with a heart condition, who lived off his parents, a mama’s boy, and an idle good-for-nothing—would actually be the Xianzun of Tianjian Ge!
Lin Ruge asked with a warm, gentle smile, “Could it be that you, Miss Wen, are also leading your esteemed sect’s disciples…”
“Because I’m a disciple of the Xun Xian Sect,” Wen Ying quickly cut him off. “I’m here to participate in the Trial of Immortals.”
What a shame. A single oversight in a hundred careful plans. Wen Ying had thought the people in the mountain stronghold were just ordinary folks, so she hadn’t bothered to put up her guard…
But on that last day, Lin Ruge had seen her in action.
Wen Ying was still planning to throw the match and get it over with as soon as possible! If the other disciples found out about her cultivation level, her plan would be completely ruined.
“Ah? Just an ordinary… participating disciple?” Lin Ruge was a little surprised. “But Miss Wen, that day you…”
This couldn’t go on.
Anyway, her reputation was already bad enough, and besides, Wen Ying didn’t care about any of that.
She simply grabbed Lin Ruge’s wrist and used his own hand to cover his mouth.
A “muting spell”—by physical means.
“Come with me,” Wen Ying whispered in his ear, then pulled him away from the crowd.
Lin Ruge didn’t resist. Apart from his initial surprise at having his mouth covered, he followed Wen Ying away with complete obedience.
The crowd stared, dumbfounded, as Wen Ying docilely led Lin Ruge away.
That was a Xianzun! Wen Ying had grabbed his wrist and covered his mouth, yet not only was he not angry, but he… just let her drag him off?!
And the Xianzun’s last sentence, the one Wen Ying had interrupted—
“That day…”
It was just too suggestive.
Could it be that Wen Ying and the Xianzun…
But not only did Wen Ying have a terrible personality, she had even kept more than one male concubine. How could the Xianzun possibly fall for her! Even though the Xianzun was beautiful, in everyone’s hearts, he was a being to be admired from afar, not to be trifled with.
And now, not only had a fine cabbage been eaten by a pig, but…
To say they weren’t envious, jealous, and hateful would be a lie.
Damn it! How is she worthy! Why isn’t it me!
Shen Linfeng watched from the side, his usually clear and obedient eyes now turning sinister and vicious.
No one noticed that a flower near his feet withered in an instant.
Xiao Hei, who was leisurely licking his fur, suddenly became alert.
This dangerous feeling… it seemed familiar… but from where…
After investigating for a while, Xiao Hei found nothing unusual and simply lay back down to continue grooming. After this recent period of good food and drink, his fur had grown back quite a bit. A full coat, without the need for a wig, was just around the corner!
Shen Linfeng’s expression had already returned to normal.
He bent down, patted Xiao Hei, and pointed in the direction Wen Ying had dragged Lin Ruge.
“Let’s go find Wen Ying,” Shen Linfeng held a note right under Xiao Hei’s nose.
“Meow~” Xiao Hei nodded his little cat head in agreement.
It wasn’t until the man and cat started walking that Xiao Hei belatedly had a doubt.
Weird, how does the master’s little male concubine know I can read?
But in the next moment, Xiao Hei resumed his naturally elegant cat-walk.
Hmph, this kid can’t talk. He was probably just desperate and trying his luck. A blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.
Ugh, he was definitely not a blind cat.
A handsome cat stumbling upon a mute mouse.
Wen Ying led Lin Ruge to a deserted pavilion and, with a casual wave of her hand, set up a barrier around it.
Although A’kui’s puppet strings could control others’ self-awareness and actions, they didn’t change a person’s personality. Just like the Lin Ruge before her now, he was no different from the one she had known.
“Miss Wen, thank you for what happened in Ping’an Town,” Lin Ruge said, giving Wen Ying a respectful bow. “If it weren’t for you, Miss, I and the other villagers would probably still be trapped in that illusion.”
The gratitude in Lin Ruge’s voice was sincere, but the hint of sadness in his eyes as he spoke the last few words was not feigned.
Wen Ying recalled his predictable impulsiveness that day. But when faced with family ties versus right and wrong, Lin Ruge had a very clear head.
“As expected of the Xianzun praised by the disciples,” Wen Ying’s gaze was full of approval as she asked with a smile, “Do you want to know everything that happened at the end that day?”
“I do,” Lin Ruge replied without the slightest hesitation. “I’ll have to trouble you to tell me, Miss Wen.”
Wen Ying then recounted in detail what had happened that day. She only omitted details about the Bone-Changing Mirror and the identity of the mastermind, as they were unrelated to the fate of Hua Pi and her husband.
After hearing her description, Lin Ruge fell silent for a time. His eyes were deep as he lowered his head, saying nothing. After a long while, his eyes could no longer hold back the overflowing tears, and a single, crystalline drop slid down the side of his face.
Lin Ruge raised his sleeve and wiped the tear away.
“Thank you, Miss Wen.” His eyes were filled with gratitude and emotion. “In my heart, you are the benefactor who saved everyone, but you are not the one who killed my parents. This… was my parents’ choice.”
“Not entirely,” Wen Ying shook her head.
She never regretted what she did, nor did she feel she had done anything wrong. But no matter what, she had indeed facilitated the end for Hua Pi and her husband. A false beauty always needed someone to break it.
“Miss Wen, I’m not afraid to tell you,” Lin Ruge took a deep breath and said to her, “Actually… everything about me in the mountain stronghold was true.”
Huh?
Everything was true? The heart disease, the mama’s boy, the moocher, the good-for-nothing?
Lin Ruge continued, “I was indeed abandoned by my family… and I was indeed found and adopted by my parents on the mountain. My original name is Song Di. The name Lin Ruge is one I gave myself.”
The surname Song was not unfamiliar to Wen Ying. Several reincarnations ago, she had been given the bizarre identity of “the second female lead in a palace drama.” So, the system’s bug was indeed incredible, able to stuff anything in. Wen Ying remembered that Song was the surname of the imperial family.
“You’re a prince?” Wen Ying asked.
“Miss Wen is truly knowledgeable,” Lin Ruge nodded. “I was indeed a prince once, but by generation now, I should be… an Imperial Grand Uncle.”
That made sense.
Even the youngest Xianzun should be over a hundred by now. But Wen Ying truly hadn’t expected this Xianzun to be a discarded child of an imperial struggle. Probably because of his heart condition… so he was abandoned?
“Miss Wen should have heard that the imperial family has always been thin on affection. My mother consort passed away early, and I was never favored by my father emperor… My parents in Ping’an Town were truly good to me.” Lin Ruge’s gaze was wistful. “Those ten days should be the warmest family affection I’ve ever enjoyed. And you, Miss Wen… when our family ate together, it was truly… even now when I think back, it’s an unprecedented happiness.”
Ten days?
Since Cao Ruobing was also from Tianjian Ge, perhaps… they, like the Xun Xian Sect disciples, were there on a mission?
In that case, Sheng Qing’s tenure as a female lead was really short-lived. Not only short-lived, but she even managed to get herself killed. As it stood, she was definitely the foremost among all the female leads.
Foremost in dying.
The imperial family was a heartless one.
“I understand you,” Wen Ying comforted him. “It was the same for Hua Pi and her husband. A’kui told me that having a child was their shared wish. The time you spent as their son, they were very happy too.”
“Thank you, Miss Wen.” Lin Ruge’s smile was gentle and brilliant. “Thank you for telling me this. Regarding my parents, I think I will always remember, but I will also forever let go.”
A happy ending is always a good thing.
But… Wen Ying’s real purpose in pulling Lin Ruge over was really not to say those things…
“Xianzun Lin, actually, I pulled you over because I might have something I need your cooperation with,” Wen Ying said.
“Didi,” Lin Ruge stubbornly called out that strange name.
“Huh?” Wen Ying was confused.
“Miss Wen, from now on, you should still call me that,” Lin Ruge explained.
“Xianzun Lin, don’t you think that this title is just a tiny bit… inappropriate?” Wen Ying expressed婉转 (wǎnzhuǎn – tactfully).
“Not at all,” Lin Ruge shook his head. “It’s very appropriate, extremely appropriate.”
Wen Ying: “…”
No, big brother, calling you that in the stronghold was one thing, but now I, a junior disciple of the Xun Xian Sect, am calling the Xianzun of Tianjian Ge “little brother” all day. Do you really think that’s appropriate?!
Wen Ying had no idea Lin Ruge was so stubborn, latching onto something and not letting go.
Wen Ying felt she was wrong, terribly wrong.
She shouldn’t have, out of annoyance at being taken advantage of with the nickname “Gege,” jokingly given herself a title of such high seniority…
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