Chapter Fifty-Seven: She Slandered Me!

"The spring scenery of the South is intoxicating," Li Yunjie sighed as he gazed at the beautiful landscape outside the window.

"You still have the mood to enjoy the view?" Su Qingmeng retorted. "We’ve been running around for so long and haven’t even caught a glimpse of Gu Xian’er."

"Even your father couldn’t find her—did you think a couple of days would be enough for us to find a clue?" Li Yunjie sighed softly. "Wishful thinking."

"Aren’t you supposed to be the clever one?" Su Qingmeng shot him a glare and snorted. "So what now?"

"We wait," Li Yunjie said, spreading his hands.

"Wait for what?" Su Qingmeng asked irritably.

Before the words had left her mouth, a shadow drifted by the window.

"Wait for me~"

Yun Qiwu’s graceful figure appeared before their eyes.

Su Xiyan was so startled her face went pale, and she instantly hid behind Su Qingmeng.

Li Yunjie, on the other hand, barely reacted at all.

The reason was simple: he recognized her.

Did this woman have an obsession with climbing through windows?

Su Qingmeng frowned. As a fourth-rank expert, her awareness of her surroundings far surpassed that of ordinary people. If anyone approached, she should have sensed it. Yun Qiwu’s silent arrival surprised her.

"Impressive lightness skill," Su Qingmeng said with a forced smile. "I didn’t even notice you."

"You’re too kind," Yun Qiwu replied with a light laugh. "It’s just a small trick."

"And who did you learn from, Miss?" Su Qingmeng asked.

"No school, no sect," Yun Qiwu replied breezily as she landed. "Just figured things out on my own."

Since the other woman was unwilling to elaborate, Su Qingmeng didn’t press further. She swept her eyes coldly over Li Yunjie and said, "You just said he was waiting for you—what did you mean by that?"

"The matter the young master asked me to take care of a few days ago is done," Yun Qiwu replied, her gaze falling on Li Yunjie, her lips curling into a smile.

"A few days ago?" Su Qingmeng’s eyes widened in anger as she looked at Li Yunjie. "You two met in private?"

Li Yunjie’s heart skipped a beat.

Let me explain!

"It’s not what you think," Li Yunjie quickly turned to Yun Qiwu, pleading with his eyes, "Please, tell her!"

Say it! Hurry up and say it!

Tell her I sought you out to ask about Gu Xian’er! Let her realize her mistake! Let her be ashamed for looking at me like I’m some kind of scoundrel!

"Oh, young master~" Yun Qiwu suddenly cooed, "Didn’t you tell Miss Qingmeng about what happened that night?"

As she spoke, she shot Su Qingmeng a provocative glance.

She’s doing this on purpose!

Absolutely on purpose!

Li Yunjie’s eyes widened in outrage, his trembling finger pointing at Yun Qiwu. "Slander!"

He turned to Su Qingmeng. "She’s slandering me!"

Then to Shiyi and Su Qingmeng again. "She’s slandering me!"

But it was useless.

At a time like this, who cared about the truth? People only chose to believe what they heard, and then filled in the rest with their own imagination.

Such as: "that night," "we."

"So, what exactly happened that night?" Su Qingmeng suddenly asked in a light, almost cheerful tone, a smile even appearing on her face. But the look she gave Li Yunjie was darker and more terrifying than if she’d come at him with a knife.

A chill ran down Li Yunjie’s spine.

"Just teasing," Yun Qiwu suddenly broke into a hearty laugh. "Nothing happened that night."

With that, she pulled a medicine bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Li Yunjie. "Gu Xian’er asked me to give you this."

Su Qingmeng stared at the bottle in astonishment. "You know Gu Xian’er?"

Yun Qiwu smiled. "I do."

Su Qingmeng was still skeptical. "How did you come to know the divine healer?"

"Not telling," Yun Qiwu replied, her tone tinged with a kind of pride.

Su Qingmeng pouted, eyeing the medicine bottle in Li Yunjie’s hand, half believing, half doubting. "So, is this for curing Xiyan’s muteness?"

Yun Qiwu shook her head. "Gu Xian’er said this is for you."

"For me?!"

Su Qingmeng frowned deeply.

Hadn’t Li Yunjie said he wouldn’t reveal her inner energy backlash until they’d met Gu Xian’er in person?

"That doesn’t make sense," Li Yunjie said doubtfully. "How would Gu Xian’er know about her condition?"

Yun Qiwu answered without hesitation, "Gu Xian’er’s medical skills are unparalleled. She can diagnose illness by observing one’s aura. She noticed something was off when you all first arrived in Jiangnan."

"But there were so many people on the street that day. Why would she pay attention to us?" Li Yunjie pressed.

Yun Qiwu laughed. "The young master is handsome. Naturally, she took a second look."

Seriously?

Could it be that, like Yun Qiwu, Gu Xian’er was also a woman with a wandering eye?

"She said this medicine will suppress the true energy in your body and temporarily ease the pain of the backlash," Yun Qiwu said, turning to Su Qingmeng seriously. "But a true cure isn’t possible right now."

"Then when will it be possible?" Li Yunjie asked.

"She didn’t say," Yun Qiwu replied, spreading her hands.

"And what about Xiyan? How will her muteness be cured?" Clearly, Su Qingmeng cared little for her own illness; her mind was on Su Xiyan’s muteness.

"As for the second young lady’s condition, she only said the time isn’t right," Yun Qiwu replied lightly.

It sounded like she’d given an answer, and yet she hadn’t.

Judging by her words, a cure was possible?

If so, what did she mean by "the time isn’t right"?

Do all big shots have to speak in riddles?

For a moment, none of them knew whether to feel hopeful or disappointed.

After a brief silence, Su Qingmeng took the medicine bottle from Li Yunjie, her eyes cold. "And why should I trust you?"

After all, Yun Qiwu’s background was a mystery. Not to mention she seemed to covet Li Yunjie’s "good looks."

Su Qingmeng had every reason to be suspicious.

"Believe it or not, it’s up to you," Yun Qiwu said, rolling her eyes. "Makes no difference to me."

With that, she turned and drifted away, leaving the others standing dumbfounded in the room, exchanging looks.

"So," after a long silence, Shiyi spoke timidly, "is this an antidote… or a poison?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Who could say?

Just to be safe, Li Yunjie decided to put the medicine bottle away for now.

Not being able to meet Gu Xian’er left Li Yunjie feeling a bit disappointed. But if Yun Qiwu was telling the truth, it meant Gu Xian’er was indeed in Jiangnan. Judging from Yun Qiwu’s demeanor, she didn’t seem to be lying.

...

The next day.

Morning.

At the break of dawn, Li Yunjie knocked on Su Qingmeng’s door.

"What is it?" Su Qingmeng opened the door, sounding annoyed.

"The weather’s fine today, why not go out for a walk?" Li Yunjie smiled.

"I’m not in the mood."

She was about to shut the door, but Li Yunjie blocked it.

"I know you’re worried about your sister’s muteness. But moping alone won’t help you find a solution, will it?"

Su Qingmeng said nothing.

"Instead of sitting inside all day, why not go out for a bit?" Li Yunjie coaxed. "You might even run into Gu Xian’er."

Of course, Su Qingmeng was unmoved, but Su Xiyan was different. Her bright, watery eyes sparkled as she stared at her sister.

"Sister~"

"Please..."