Chapter 141: The Gossip

Wang Cong said gently, "Fourth sister, there are always places in this world where sunlight never reaches. The Academy is like a small imperial court, and naturally, there are those who seek only personal gain."

"Whether it was the letter we lost from Sanqing Temple before, or the incidents after you entered, these are merely the result of selfish motives—and," Wang Cong paused, then lowered his voice, "how do you know this isn't your father's scheme? If it is his scheme, isn't that also selfishness?"

Pan Yun raised her thumb at him directly. "Damn, you just said exactly what I wanted to ask but didn't dare to."

Miao Zhen and Miao He stared in stunned silence.

Wang Cong dropped the subject of his father and changed the topic. "Little Uncle, the shop is arranged, and Master Chen has arrived. I'll head home first thing tomorrow."

"Go home in peace," Pan Yun said, rising on her toes to pat his shoulder. "I won't cause trouble at the Academy, and I'll protect Miao Zhen and Miao He. Focus on your exam—don't overthink it. Worst case, your father's got your back."

Wang Cong: … Now I'm even less at ease.

The four walked past the crowd. Xuan Li, who had been tiptoeing to peer into the center of the crowd, turned around and realized they'd left her behind. She was displeased.

She chased after them. "How could you do that? I deliberately stepped aside so you could whisper secrets, and now that you're done, you won't even invite me to walk with you?"

Pan Yun blinked, then immediately apologized. "My mistake. I thought you were still watching the spectacle and didn't want to interrupt."

Xuan Li's expression brightened instantly. "I forgive you. Let's go together."

But as they walked, she still kept craning her neck to peek at the commotion.

Miao He did the same, stretching her neck to look.

Wang Cong quickened his pace and grabbed the back of Miao He's robe. "Hurry up."

Miao He was dragged forward, her head still stretched out. "I'll walk myself, I'll walk, Big Brother…!"

Wang Cong feared they'd see something unpleasant. He not only dragged them along but turned his body to block their view, refusing outright to let them get close to the spectacle.

Only after they'd left the crowd did Wang Cong hear murmurs: Zhang Liuzhen and Zhou Wang Dao had already been taken away. Now the crowd had gathered out of habit, likely discussing the earlier incident and their progress from this morning's meditation.

Zhang Liuzhen's lesson had already run late to bring them into stillness, and with the unexpected incident, it was already noon.

The remaining class had already begun halfway; they couldn't join mid-session, so they'd have to attend the afternoon class instead.

So Wang Cong brought them straight to the dining hall.

"The dining hall has already served food. While no one's around, eat your meal, then walk back to digest, rest a while, and recall what you learned this morning—recharge your energy for the afternoon class."

Pan Yun and the other two nodded obediently.

Xuan Li turned to look at him. "How do you know all this?"

Wang Cong smiled at her. "I studied here for three years."

Xuan Li's eyes brightened slightly. "You studied here too? And graduated in just three years? So Big Sister wasn't wrong—Sanqing Temple really does have capable people."

Wang Cong smiled at her. "You're a nun from Yuling Temple, aren't you?"

Xuan Li lifted her chin. "Correct."

Wang Cong nodded in understanding.

Wang Cong fetched bowls and chopsticks and, relying on his youthful appearance, joined them to get food.

The old Daoist serving them stared at the large bowl extended toward him, fixed Wang Cong with a long look, then still served him the dishes and steamed buns.

As Wang Cong turned to leave, the old Daoist asked, "Wang Cong, are two steamed buns enough for you?"

Wang Cong stiffened, turned back, and forced a smile. "Uncle, could you give me two more?"

The old Daoist snorted, but handed him two more. "Are you here to retrain, or just to eat free meals?"

Wang Cong hurried to explain. "I brought my little uncle and sisters to the Academy. I just missed the dining hall food so much, I followed them along to eat."

The old Daoist's expression softened considerably. He leaned out to glance at Pan Yun and the others. "All four are your family?"

Wang Cong pointed to Pan Yun. "This is my little uncle. These are my two sisters. This is Xuan Li, the nun from Yuling Temple."

"Oh? You mean that little nun from Yuling Temple who kept chasing after your third uncle, until your father broke them up with a stick?"

Xuan Li:!!??

Pan Yun and the other two instantly widened their eyes, their expressions visibly thrilled.

Did Third Brother have something like this?

Wang Cong saw their looks and quickly explained. "Misunderstanding! All misunderstanding! Uncle, don't spread rumors—my father, he's not that kind of person!"

The old Daoist lifted his eyelids lazily. "Is that so? Then what's the real story?"

Yes—what was the real story?

Pan Yun and the other three stared intently at Wang Cong.

Wang Cong: … How should he explain? Should he say that Master Xuanqiong had a crush on Third Uncle, but Third Uncle had no interest, kept refusing, yet couldn't shake her off—so his father stepped in to sever this unreciprocated affection?

Would saying that damage Master Xuanqiong's reputation and heart?

Wang Cong slumped his shoulders. "Fine. I don't know the real story either…"

The old Daoist smiled sweetly and handed him another steamed bun. "I always said they weren't meant for each other. That little nun didn't believe me. Hmph."

Wang Cong weakly replied, "Yes," took his five large white buns, and turned to leave. But the old Daoist called him back. "How's Xuanmiao doing at your place?"

Wang Cong hurried to answer. "Fourth Uncle is well—his cultivation has advanced further."

The old Daoist nodded in satisfaction. "Who accompanies him on his external trials now?"

"Third Uncle. The two sisters are still too young. Whenever Fourth Uncle goes on external trials, Third Uncle always goes with him."

The old Daoist nodded, said no more, and waved him off.

Pan Yun fell into thought, then after a moment, smiled faintly and followed Wang Cong to find a seat.

Wang Cong looked up and saw her smiling, utterly clueless as to why.

Xuan Li, however, looked slightly displeased. She poked at her food with her chopsticks. "Why did your father break them up? We've all taken vows—marriage should be our own choice. After escaping parental control, we're now controlled by our senior?"

Wang Cong evaded. "Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. These are elders' affairs—we juniors shouldn't pry."

Xuan Li thought that made sense. She turned to Pan Yun. "They're juniors. We're peers."

!. Read

Pan Yun: "… Xuan Li, I'm only nine. I hadn't even entered the Academy when this happened—I can't ask about it."

Xuan Li grew gloomy. She pitied her senior.

Pan Yun gave her a piece of meat from her own bowl. "Stop worrying. I saw Master Xuanqiong last time—she's happy, lively."

Xuan Li frowned. "How can anyone be happy separated from the one they love?"

"Happiness comes from contrast. Imagine—if she'd married Third Brother, she'd live on Sanqing Mountain, right? Every morning she'd wake up and argue with Big Brother, and wouldn't stop until bedtime. Doesn't that sound terrifying?"

Xuan Li imagined it, shuddered, then lowered her head and ate in silence.

Xuan Li finally let go of the matter—but Wang Cong wasn't sure whether to be glad, because his father's public image seemed even worse now.

After eating, Xuan Li bounced back. "What class do you have this afternoon?"

"We're going to Taisu Academy."

Xuan Li sighed. "I have class at Mingyuan Academy this afternoon—we can't go together."

"Why are you all going to Taisu Academy? Didn't you take the technique exam? You should be at Mingyuan."

Pan Yun said, "I'm studying all three categories. I want equal exposure."

"My Big Sister warned me before I came: greed leads to indigestion. Don't be greedy."

Pan Yun replied, "My teeth are strong, my heart is big—I'll digest it all fine."

Xuan Li stopped urging. As they left the dining hall, Pan Yun handed her two folded talismans.

"These are peace talismans—they bring blessings and ward off disaster. Take one. Give the other to Cui Huai. He went to watch the spectacle and I didn't get a chance to give it to him."

Xuan Li took them, nodded. "Alright."

Wang Cong watched, and only after she left did he ask, "Little Uncle, are you protecting them?"

Pan Yun said, "Li Qingyin's concern was right. When they can't hurt me, they'll target those close to me."

"Miao Zhen and Miao He stay by my side—it's hard to harm them. But what about Xuan Li and Cui Huai, who are close to me?" she said. "When I'm in such danger, they still choose to befriend me—I must protect them in return."

"Especially Cui Huai. Xuan Li comes from an official family—she already has one layer of protection. But Cui Huai—what does he have?"

So he became Pan Yun's target.

She wanted allies, not people dragged down by her. Basic protection was still necessary.

Wang Cong nodded. "Master Chen downstairs has some martial training and knows much about the Jianghu—he's well-informed. If you need anything, you can rely on him. Some inconvenient tasks can be entrusted to him."

Pan Yun nodded. "I actually have something for him. Every month I send letters to Datong. Big Brother has blocked the heavenly patterns around me—they can't trace my origins. But if I contact Datong too often, they'll notice."

Her identity was a thunderbolt.

Especially with enemies around—this weakness couldn't be seized.

So she had to reduce contact with Datong, and all incoming and outgoing letters had to pass through someone else's hands.

"Before I left, Father instructed me. Don't worry—I've already told Master Chen. Just hand him your letter; he'll mail it. Retrieving letters is simple: just have Datong write the address and name."

Pan Yun nodded. "Tell Master Chen: next time we meet, act as if you don't know me."

Wang Cong suppressed a smile and nodded. "Alright."

He couldn't help feeling that Little Uncle was more practiced in this than he was—like a foreign spy.

Pan Yun saw him smile and snorted. "I'm being cautious. With our luck, we have to be even more careful than others to survive. Understand?"

Wang Cong nodded. "Understood!"

(End of Chapter)