Chapter 183: Even Yao Yue Can

"Is this really my granddaughter?"

Tie Wushuang stared at Tie Pinggu, eyes filled with disbelief.

Tie Pinggu glanced at Gu Qing and Yao Yue, then gathered her courage and revealed her identity, recounting how Li Dazui had left her in care, how she suffered abuse, and how she eventually fled home and, by chance, was taken into the Yihua Palace.

Tie Wushuang studied Tie Pinggu, and the more he looked, the more he saw his daughter's features in her face; after hearing her story, he wept uncontrollably and accepted her as his granddaughter.

"Li Dazui still had a shred of conscience."

Tie Wushuang embraced Tie Pinggu, overwhelmed with mixed sorrow and joy.

The thought of his daughter being eaten by Li Dazui made Tie Wushuang's heart ache; this granddaughter, Tie Pinggu, was the last trace of kindness Li Dazui had left behind.

Tie Wushuang led Tie Pinggu before Gu Qing and Yao Yue and bowed repeatedly.

Gu Qing smiled and accepted the good deed, helping both of them rise.

"Since I've reunited with Pinggu, this is a great joy—I wish to set up a banquet in town to celebrate, and I humbly beg Master Gu and Lady Yao Yue to grace us with your presence."

As he spoke, Tie Wushuang also mentioned he had some modest gifts he hoped to present to Gu Qing.

"No need."

Gu Qing waved his hand. "If you truly mean well, convert these into silver and help the beggars."

Gu Qing had three passions: good deeds, martial arts, and beauty.

Tie Wushuang could offer only good deeds; having earned them, Gu Qing prepared to take his leave.

"Tie Pinggu will stay with us for now. Where she goes afterward is her own choice."

Gu Qing said.

Tie Wushuang had eighteen disciples, all prominent figures; once his granddaughter was seen near him, many would seek to marry her to inherit his resources—but among his disciples were traitors, and Tie Pinggu was easily deceived.

So such a person should be kept close, educated, taught to discern good from evil in the Jianghu, before letting her decide her own path.

"Then we beg Master Gu to guide her well."

Tie Wushuang felt at ease—his granddaughter was from the holy Yihua Palace; his own status would grow even more secure. Precisely because of this, he was determined to cultivate closer ties with Gu Qing.

Tie Wushuang gave the order, and his disciples galloped or used lightness skill toward the town; soon, a banquet was set up by the riverbank, every dish lavish. Seeing Tie Wushuang's sincerity, Gu Qing's system even reacted, so he sat down and shared a few cups with him.

After about half an hour, Gu Qing finally took his leave, departing with Yao Yue and Tie Pinggu.

"Master Gu is truly formidable."

One of Tie Wushuang's disciples, watching Gu Qing and Yao Yue vanish into the distance, couldn't help saying: "I thought Master Gu just stumbled upon treasure and clung to the Yihua Palace Mistress—some soft-bodied parasite. But today's meeting proved Master Gu truly has ability."

"Yes! When Master Gu sat down to eat and drink, Lady Yao Yue stood beside him—she didn't dare join the table!"

"To make Lady Yao Yue refuse to sit at the table—Master Gu's household authority must be immense…"

"Admired! Truly admired!"

Thumbs up!

Tie Wushuang's disciples all raised their thumbs for Gu Qing in sincere admiration.

These men thought Yao Yue had gone far enough—but within a hundred zhang, even falling petals and drifting leaves were clear to her ears; hearing their noise, her face turned icy.

It wasn't that Yao Yue refused the table—she simply found the chairs and tables too dull, the food unworthy, so she stood beside Gu Qing. Now, hearing such disrespect, she turned to kill.

"Forget it, forget it," Gu Qing said, holding Yao Yue's hand. "They're Tie Pinggu's kin."

"No kin of hers is exempt!"

Yao Yue snapped.

If this spread through the Jianghu, where would Yao Yue save face?

Gu Qing smiled. "Your Mingyu Gong shackles grow heavier. If you don't learn to let go of fame and gain, when Lianxing emerges from seclusion, you truly won't be allowed at the table."

Hearing Gu Qing mention Mingyu Gong and Lianxing's impending breakthrough, Yao Yue gritted her teeth. "Fine—I'll spare them this once."

Seeing Yao Yue actually listen, Gu Qing smiled. "Come, let's find a restaurant. Have the owner clean thoroughly, then prepare special dishes for you."

Yao Yue, led by Gu Qing, offered no resistance. The three entered the city, found a large restaurant, and Tie Pinggu paid silver to lease the entire place, ordering the kitchen scrubbed down completely, watching over the staff as they prepared Yao Yue's meal.

Only when the dishes arrived did Gu Qing release Yao Yue's hand—this was their first true, meaningful hold.

Yao Yue took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the hand Gu Qing had held. Seeing his dark gaze, she calmly placed the handkerchief aside and picked up her chopsticks.

No loud chewing, no crude gestures—every movement of Yao Yue's was refined, the meal nearly silent, utterly graceful to behold.

!

Only after Yao Yue finished eating did Tie Pinggu sit at another table and eat quietly.

"Today we…"

Gu Qing was about to speak when his gaze met Yao Yue's. He sat her down, then vanished from the inn. Moments later, he returned, dragging two men by the scruffs and tossing them onto the floor.

Jiang Biehe, Jiang Yulang.

After some time apart, both men were hunched, emaciated, utterly wretched.

"You two on a diet?"

Gu Qing broke the silence.

"Er…"

Jiang Biehe and Jiang Yulang were so gaunt, turning their heads seemed laborious; at this moment, the two schemers exchanged a glance.

After all, they'd grown this thin because Gu Qing had forced them to hide in a cave, sealed the entrance, promising to return in two or three days—then vanished. By the time they realized something was wrong, it was too late. Luckily, Jiang Yulang had dug tunnels in the Diling Palace before—he had enough experience to bypass the stones Gu Qing had blocked the entrance with, and dug himself out.

But it had reduced Jiang Yulang and Jiang Biehe to this state.

"I know you have words in your hearts."

Gu Qing tapped the table, calmly. "If you speak them, don't be surprised by what follows."

This quiet remark snapped them back to reality; both cried out in protest.

"We forever remember Master Gu and Lady Yao Yue's life-saving grace."

Jiang Biehe said: "My son and I have been practicing Indian yoga, enduring hunger and thirst—that's why we look like this."

"Yes, yes!"

Jiang Yulang said: "That's our honest truth!"

(End of Chapter)