Chapter 541: Sudden Change

On that hilltop belonging to Shang Xiangyu, the courtyard where Duan Rong and Xiao Yu resided had already risen from the ground within the dense forest just a few days ago.

Inside the courtyard was a small lake, and by the lake stood a pavilion.

On this afternoon, the water on the lake shimmered, yet inside the pavilion by the lake sat three people: they were none other than Duan Rong, Lv Qingzhu, and Li Ruojian.

They had placed their tea on the horizontal ledge of the pavilion, and the three sat around the stone table in the center; a sheet of white paper was spread across the stone table, and Li Ruojian and Duan Rong each held a brush, writing something on the white paper while speaking.

Lv Qingzhu only interjected a sentence or two occasionally, spending most of the time listening to the two of them speak.

Not far outside the pavilion, Shen Mizhi held a long sword, standing beside a white rock with her willow-leaf eyebrows arched, looking cold and forbidding to strangers.

Meanwhile, in the main room of the courtyard facing south, Xiao Yu walked to the side of the doorway from time to time, lifting her eyes to look outside, a heavy sense of worry flashing through her almond-shaped eyes.

"Miss, the master has been sitting in that pavilion with those two people for over an hour now; who knows what they are discussing? It's so secretive!" Zhu Xiaoqi stood behind Xiao Yu, also glancing at the pavilion by the lake outside, pouting her fresh, lychee-like lips and muttering with some dissatisfaction.

When Duan Rong returned, he hadn't said a single word to Xiao Yu before sitting down in the pavilion with those two people, and he even had Shen Mizhi stand guard there, not allowing anyone else to get close.

Zhu Xiaoqi felt that now that Duan Rong had returned home, he treated Xiao Yu and her like outsiders instead; without even asking them a word, he sat in the pavilion with those unrelated people for over an hour, which made her feel quite stifled. The main thing was that there was a woman in there, with a cold and elegant temperament, so beautiful that it was indescribable; just looking at her made one feel irritated.

Xiao Yu naturally noticed that woman too, and she had long since guessed who she was. However, she had been standing there observing for a long time; Duan Rong, sitting in that pavilion, was basically talking to that somewhat frail-looking man, and both of them looked very focused, clearly discussing something very important, and from time to time there seemed to be some rather intense debates. As for that woman, she only occasionally interjected a sentence or two.

Xiao Yu said, "Xiao Qi, go and bring some more tea. It's been over an hour, the tea in the pavilion should be about finished. My husband and the others have been discussing things constantly, they will surely need tea to moisten their throats!"

"I'm not going!" Zhu Xiaoqi curled her lip and said, "He didn't even say hello when he came back, and now you want me to go and serve him tea!"

Xiao Yu turned her head to look at Zhu Xiaoqi, frowning as she urged, "Be obedient! Go quickly!"

Seeing that Xiao Yu was getting a bit anxious, Zhu Xiaoqi curtsied and said in a strange tone, "Yes, Miss! Xiao Qi is going right now!"

Zhu Xiaoqi stepped over the threshold of the main room, cast a dissatisfied look at the pavilion, and then went to the kitchen to brew a pot of fresh tea, washed three clean teacups, placed them on a wooden tray, and carried the tray toward the pavilion by the lake.

Just as she reached the white rock not far from the lake, Shen Mizhi suddenly grabbed her sheathed long sword, held it horizontally in front of her, and blocked her path.

Zhu Xiaoqi was slightly stunned and smiled, "Miss Shen, I'm here to deliver tea to the pavilion!"

Shen Mizhi's expression was cold as she said, "He only said not to let anyone get close; he didn't say tea could be delivered!"

The "he" Shen Mizhi referred to was naturally Duan Rong.

Zhu Xiaoqi's expression turned displeased as she said, "My mistress told me to bring it!"

Shen Mizhi said coldly, "No!"

Zhu Xiaoqi's pretty face flushed red; she glared at Shen Mizhi in annoyance, turned around, and walked away carrying the tray.

"Miss Shen used to be as close as could be with the mistress, but now look, she's singing the same tune as the master!" Zhu Xiaoqi walked into the main room, placed the wooden tray on the side table, and muttered discontentedly.

Xiao Yu, standing there, had seen the situation over there clearly; she knew even without Zhu Xiaoqi saying anything.

Zhu Xiaoqi looked at Xiao Yu, who was still standing by the door looking toward the pavilion, and said, "Miss, you still wanted me to go and serve tea, but they don't appreciate it at all; they guard against us like we're thieves!"

Zhu Xiaoqi deliberately raised her voice for that last sentence.

Xiao Yu turned back and glared at her, saying, "Xiao Qi, say less!"

Zhu Xiaoqi said, "Miss, you just spoil the master! You let him bully you too much."

Xiao Yu said, "Go and prepare some dishes; they might eat at home tonight, don't be flustered and neglect the guests when the time comes!"

Zhu Xiaoqi looked at Xiao Yu with a worried expression and said, "Miss, that woman seems to be that Lv Qingzhu, the one who lived in the Ancestor's deep valley with the master."

"I know." Xiao Yu's gaze turned deep and distant.

She had seen this woman seven years ago in Xiangu County; at that time, Lv Qingzhu had not yet fully blossomed, not as breathtakingly beautiful as she was now. Duan Rong had told her about his affair with her in a ruined temple on the outskirts of Xiangu when they were both Registered Disciples.

At that time, she thought this was just an accident. Moreover, Lv Qingzhu was of the bloodline of the Sect's Ancestor, and at that time, she and Duan Rong were merely Registered Disciples at the bottom of the Sect; there was a world of difference between them, and they probably wouldn't have any intersection in the future.

But she never expected that in just seven years, everything would change!

Duan Rong had not only become a personal disciple of an Elder but had even moved into the deep valley where the Sect's Ancestor lived in seclusion, receiving personal guidance in cultivation from the Ancestor.

What made Xiao Yu even more anxious was that at this moment, Lv Qingzhu was sitting in that pavilion with Duan Rong. Lv Qingzhu would look at Duan Rong from time to time; although it was only an occasional, faint glance, every time it happened, it made Xiao Yu's heart jump with fear!

"Why are you still standing there? Go quickly!" Seeing that Zhu Xiaoqi was still standing there refusing to move, Xiao Yu couldn't help but stamp her foot.

"Fine, fine, fine! Miss, I'm going now!" Zhu Xiaoqi had no choice but to leave the main room and go to the kitchen to prepare the dishes.

The three of them sat in the pavilion until dusk, when the setting sun spread a layer of residual red across the lake water; only then did they suddenly stand up. Duan Rong picked up the three large sheets of paper that he and Li Ruojian had filled with writing, and with his Qi surging in his hands, the three large sheets turned into powder, drifting away in the evening wind.

Xiao Yu, behind the door of the main room, immediately went to greet them as soon as she saw them stand up in the pavilion.

The three walked out of the pavilion and happened to see Xiao Yu coming to greet them, dressed in fine silk.

Xiao Yu curtsied and said with a humble demeanor, "Husband, dinner has been prepared at home. You and your guests have been chatting all afternoon, and you must be tired; why not have dinner at home before leaving?"

Duan Rong was startled, not knowing why Xiao Yu had suddenly come to greet him in such formal attire, and he said, "No need!"

He knew that Lv Qingzhu and Li Ruojian had already achieved Inedia and basically did not eat anything.

As Duan Rong spoke, he was actually about to leave the estate with Lv Qingzhu and Li Ruojian.

Xiao Yu said anxiously, "It is already late, are you still going to leave the estate now, Husband?"

Hearing this, Duan Rong turned back to look at Xiao Yu, only to see her still curtsying there, her face like peach blossoms, and her eyes filled with sorrow and reluctance, staring blankly at him in the slanting sunlight.

Duan Rong's heart stirred, and only then did he remember that he had been living in the deep valley for several days in a row and had not stayed at the estate.

Duan Rong looked at Lv Qingzhu and Li Ruojian and said, "You two go back to the valley first; I will stay at the estate tonight."

Hearing Duan Rong say this, Xiao Yu's heart eased. If Duan Rong had left resolutely just now, she feared that he and Lv Qingzhu really would have had something going on.

As Duan Rong spoke, he flipped his hand and handed a brown Porcelain Bottle to Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Qingzhu took the Porcelain Bottle.

Duan Rong asked, "Do you know how to use it?"

Lv Qingzhu said, "I do."

Lv Qingzhu and Li Ruojian cupped their hands to bid farewell to Duan Rong, and Duan Rong also cupped his hands in return.

Lv Qingzhu was still holding the Porcelain Bottle; she looked at Xiao Yu not far away, gave a slight nod to Xiao Yu, and then turned to walk away.

Xiao Yu watched Lv Qingzhu leave, smiled brightly at Duan Rong, and said, "Husband, you seem to have something on your mind lately, don't you?"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Trying to pry information out of me, are you? I'll tell you about this in detail when I get back."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "What would you like to eat tonight, Husband?"

Duan Rong said: "Let Xiao Qi cook a pot of fresh soup. I haven't eaten for these few days, and I really have been craving it!"

Lv Qingzhu walked out of the mansion gate; as she walked, the quiet and dignified appearance of Xiao Yu from just a moment ago kept flashing through her mind.

She knew that Xiao Yu, like Duan Rong, came from the remote Xiangu County; logically speaking, she should have met Xiao Yu seven years ago. But thinking about it now, she seemed to have no impression of Xiao Yu from that time at all.

How Duan Rong and Xiao Yu met, and when they got married, Lv Qingzhu actually knew nothing about.

But still, the way Xiao Yu responded and answered just now had touched her deeply.

"She really is a virtuous and kind woman; no wonder Duan Rong would rather violate the Sect Iron Law than save her from the Tower Forest?"

A slight sourness had already welled up in Lv Qingzhu's heart.

After nightfall that day, the lamps in the mansion were lit.

This residence was quite large, but only the family of Lv Zhongtang lived there, and there were not many house servants or attendants; once night fell, the entire residence became pitch black, and those few maids and Personal Attendants did not dare to run around.

At this time, Lv Zhongtang and Li Baoyue, both dressed in formal attire, were sitting in the hall. Two large red lanterns were lit in the courtyard, illuminating the area at the entrance brightly.

Lv Zhongtang's brows were tightly locked, and his face was full of gravity.

He had gone to tell Lv Qingzhu about the meeting gift ceremony with the Li family tonight, and Lv Qingzhu had actually agreed readily.

Lv Zhongtang had originally prepared a bellyful of soft and hard tactics, but he hadn't even said a word of them; sitting in the hall at this moment, he couldn't help but feel suspicious in his heart, worried that Lv Qingzhu would stand him up.

That night, when he first spoke to Lv Qingzhu about the marriage alliance, her attitude had been very intense. But now she had readily agreed to the meeting gift ceremony. With such a huge change in attitude, it was no wonder Lv Zhongtang was suspicious.

Just at this moment, he saw Lv Qingzhu walking in from outside the main gate.

In the courtyard, illuminated brightly by the two large red lanterns, Lv Zhongtang saw Lv Qingzhu the moment she appeared; his hanging heart immediately fell back into his stomach, and looking at Li Baoyue sitting to the side, he said: "Qingzhu has grown up after all, and can understand the situation!"

Hearing this, Li Baoyue just sat there in silence with a sorrowful look on her face.

She remembered Lv Qingzhu's words from that night; that Li Ruozhou did not seem to be a good person. After all, Lv Qingzhu was the flesh and blood of her sister, and she had watched her grow up; how could she bear to watch her jump into a pit of fire?

Lv Qingzhu walked into the courtyard and saw the two high-hanging red lanterns; a flash of disgust crossed her face.

She walked into the hall, curtsied, and said respectfully: "Father! Aunt!"

Lv Zhongtang said: "Go into the room with your aunt and change into your ceremonial dress first."

"Yes!"

Li Baoyue walked over, took Lv Qingzhu's hand, her eyes full of heartache, and said: "Qingzhu, come with Aunt!"

Lv Qingzhu followed Li Baoyue into the inner room, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she had changed into her ceremonial dress and sat in the hall in full attire.

The lamplight shone on Lv Qingzhu; her originally cold and beautiful face, set off by the ceremonial dress, was even more like a fairy descended to the mortal world.

Lv Zhongtang glanced at her and said: "Time was short; the ceremonial dress was found by your aunt at the Inner History Department according to your size. Although it is an old item, no one has ever worn it."

Lv Qingzhu nodded and said: "Thank you for your trouble, Aunt."

Li Baoyue said: "For this ceremonial dress, Aunt should have made one for you by hand. Making you wear such an old thing, child, Aunt has wronged you."

As Li Baoyue spoke, she raised her sleeve to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. She was somewhat touched by the scene, thinking of her deceased sister.

Lv Zhongtang glared at Li Baoyue, seemingly blaming her for losing her composure at an inappropriate time. Li Baoyue noticed Lv Zhongtang's expression and immediately straightened her posture.

Lv Zhongtang waved his hand at a wooden box beside him; the wooden box drifted over like a falling leaf and landed steadily on the tea table beside Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Zhongtang said: "Inside is a Jade Ruyi, the quality is quite good. In a moment, you and that Li Ruozhou will use this item as the exchange meeting gift."

"Yes!" Lv Qingzhu didn't even look at the wooden box and nodded: "Thank you, Father, for arranging this!"

The three of them sat in the hall and waited for more than another incense stick's time before the figures of Li Yunjing and Li Ruozhou, father and son, appeared at the mansion gate; the steward Han Cheng had already been waiting there.

Lv Zhongtang, Li Baoyue, and Lv Qingzhu all sat in the hall without moving; the meeting gift had a specific ritual, and they were proceeding according to etiquette.

Han Cheng welcomed Li Yunjing to the hall entrance, while Li Ruozhou stood in the center of the courtyard waiting.

Li Yunjing stood at the hall entrance; Lv Zhongtang and Li Baoyue sat in the hall without moving, while Lv Qingzhu stood up alone to pay respects to Li Yunjing.

Li Yunjing then entered the hall, took two steps, and Lv Zhongtang and Li Baoyue stood up; after the three exchanged bows, they each took their seats.

After the three were seated, Lv Qingzhu, who was standing at the side of the door, then took her seat.

At this time, Han Cheng then led Li Ruozhou, who was standing in the center of the courtyard, to the hall entrance.

Li Ruozhou was a man lecherous to the bone; what he coveted most was Lv Qingzhu's beauty. He had already inquired about it, and it was said that this woman of the Lu Clan bloodline was a peerless beauty on earth, stunningly beautiful.

He had long been impatient to see her true appearance.

Standing in the center of the courtyard, he couldn't help but lift his eyes to look at Lv Qingzhu as she paid her respects.

But his father was blocking the way at the hall entrance, and they were two zhang apart, so how could he see clearly?

At this time, standing at the hall entrance, he couldn't help but look toward Lv Qingzhu.

With this look, he immediately froze there.

He had seen many women, but he had never seen such a woman, with charm hidden within and a cold, arrogant beauty, as if she were a delicate rose frozen in a layer of ice.

A wave of heat immediately rose in Li Ruozhou's lower abdomen.

Lv Qingzhu naturally noticed Li Ruozhou's lecherous gaze; her moth-like brows furrowed, her cold eyes looked at the ground, and killing intent surged in her heart!

Li Yunjing sat there and coughed lightly.

Li Ruozhou then woke up as if from a dream!

He stood at the hall entrance and paid his respects to Lv Zhongtang and Li Baoyue respectively!

Lv Zhongtang and Li Baoyue sat upright there, and after accepting Li Ruozhou's respects, Han Cheng led Li Ruozhou to sit opposite Lv Qingzhu.

Li Ruozhou sat down opposite Lv Qingzhu, and his gaze looked at Lv Qingzhu even more unscrupulously.

Lv Qingzhu turned her face away, wanting nothing more than to draw her Sword and slay this wretch!

According to the ritual of the meeting gift, Li Yunjing and Lv Zhongtang recited the ceremonial words one by one.

After the ceremonial words were finished, Han Cheng called out: "Exchange gifts!"

Hearing this, Li Ruozhou stood up, took a wooden box, and walked toward Lv Qingzhu; when he reached close by, Lv Qingzhu's brows were right before his eyes, and he saw her faint moth-like brows slightly furrowed, like ripples on autumn water.

Li Ruozhou bowed and paid his respects, holding the wooden box with both hands in front of Lv Qingzhu.

Lv Qingzhu suppressed the anger in her heart, stood up according to etiquette, paid her respects first, and then received the wooden box.

Li Ruozhou stood up, took a deep look at Lv Qingzhu, and only then turned and left.

Lv Qingzhu stood there holding the wooden box, and only after Li Ruozhou sat down opposite did she place the wooden box in her hand onto the small table, pick up the other wooden box, and walk toward Li Ruozhou.

Li Ruozhou could not bear to take his eyes off Lv Qingzhu for even a moment.

Lv Qingzhu walked to the front of Li Ruozhou, bowed to pay her respects, and held the wooden box in her hands out in front of Li Ruozhou.

Li Ruozhou stood up, also returned the bow, and then went to take the wooden box from Lv Qingzhu's hands.

Li Ruozhou deliberately slowed his movements, carefully admiring the pair of delicate hands Lv Qingzhu was using to hold the wooden box!

Slender and fair, with rounded and full fingernails adorning them, they were truly a sight to behold!

Li Ruozhou slowly took the wooden box, greedily watching those delicate hands throughout the entire process, just as an expert would when appraising a rare antique!

Just at this moment, the Qi around Lv Qingzhu's right wrist suddenly surged slightly, and the cuff of her formal gown there suddenly flipped up lightly!

Her right side was facing the entrance of the hall, so Lv Zhongtang, Li Yunjing, and the others had their lines of sight blocked and could not see this side.

But Li Ruozhou, who was close right in front of her, saw it very clearly!

In the instant the cuff flipped up, he clearly saw that Lv Qingzhu's right arm, from wrist to elbow, was covered in dense red rashes.

Accustomed to the ways of romance, he recognized at a glance what kind of rashes they were.

Those little bumps, some slightly raised, some festering, some full! It was clearly venereal disease!

The full ones were as bright as peach blossoms. The festering ones were a yellowish-white color.

If it is not venereal disease, then what else could it be?!

(End of this chapter)