54 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

### Chapter 54: Dust-Free Ran Fan Yin, without changing her expression, reached for the freshly poured tea from Duan Xi, glanced at her briefly, and said softly, "Sit on the couch first, I have some questions for you." Duan Xi smiled charmingly and followed Ran Fan Yin's words by sitting on the couch. "It seems this gentleman in white doesn't quite appreciate my presence. Compared to the beautiful girls in our Floating Jade Pavilion, he seems more interested in this handsome young man." Ran Fan Yin remained silent, sipping her tea with her gaze lingering on the tea leaves floating on the surface. Ning Song Wu quickly picked up the conversation. "No such thing, Miss Duan Xi. There are indeed some matters I'd like to inquire about. Would you be willing to talk?" "You are my guests, so naturally, I should answer your questions." "Is the person currently staying at the North Tai Lake Pavilion the one who rented the entire Floating Jade Pavilion? Have you seen them?" Duan Xi was taken aback by the question but soon propped her head lazily on her hand, her demeanor changing as she replaced 'your servant' with 'I' in her speech. "Yes, I have seen them. However, it's not 'he', but 'they'." Ning Song Wu and Ran Fan Yin exchanged a glance before Ning Song Wu continued, "How many are there? What do they look like?" "I only saw them briefly when they first arrived. The leader is a man wearing a black bamboo hat, presumably the master of the group. I don't know what he looks like. Behind him was a burly man with a sword and a woman in traditional Miao attire." "Just these three?" Ran Fan Yin asked calmly. "And a few attendants, all dressed the same," Duan Xi's gentle hand brushed over her own brow as she looked at Ning Song Wu with interest. "Why are you asking about them? Do you know these people?" "What do they discuss with the visiting heroes? Do you know?" Lin Yu Xue shot a quick glance at Ran Fan Yin before breaking into a slight smile. "Should I teach you?" Ran Fan Yin's gaze briefly flickered over Lin Yu Xue. "Hmm." "What's in it for me?" Lin Yu Xue asked cheerfully as she turned to stir the pot. "Nothing to offer. If you aren't willing, I'll figure it out myself," Ran Fan Yin replied expressionlessly. "You're really no fun," Lin Yu Xue chuckled, shaking her head. "Shouldn't you sweet-talk me into helping? Then I could hold out a bit, make you promise me something in return, and then agree to teach you cooking. That's how it normally goes." Ran Fan Yin's expression softened a bit, her lips curling into a slight smile. "It's not that I'm no fun. You just have too much free time." "Really? That's odd. I always have plenty to chat about with others, but talking to you feels like being doused with cold water—awkward to the extreme." Ran Fan Yin quietly gripped the egg in her hand, not responding, when Luo Sheng's voice suddenly came from behind. "What are you doing here?" Ning Song Wu quickly wiped away the corner of her eye, smiling, "Nothing." Luo Sheng circled in front of Ning Song Wu and noticed the sugar-coated hawthorn in her hand, chuckling softly. "So you're hiding here to sneak a bite. Your senior sister Cen Ran specifically brought those for you. She also sent a large bag of candied fruits and sweets, saying you should share them with He Lan Mian Mian." "Thank her for me," Ning Song Wu said, putting the hawthorn back in the paper bag, her expression unreadable. "She's right in front of you, no need for me to relay the message," Luo Sheng crossed his arms, pausing before continuing. "Ning Song Wu, it's just the two of us now. I have a few questions for you. Don't be shy, just tell your senior brother the truth." "Questions? What could make me shy?" Ning Song Wu raised an eyebrow, curious. Luo Sheng chuckled awkwardly. "Do you... have anyone you like? A crush?" Ning Song Wu's smile froze at the corners of her mouth and slowly faded. She lowered her head, fiddling with a firecracker in her hand, her voice faint. "Why ask such a thing?" "Your master's senior disciple, Jing Hu, you know him, right? Two years younger than me, twenty-three this year, you could consider him half our senior. I've often practiced with him in the past, and he’s very reliable in missions—a true talent..." "I know all that. After all, I know him. So what?" Ning Song Wu cut Luo Sheng off. "So? So... he's five years older than you, isn't that the perfect age difference? Just right to take care of you and indulge you. He's the master's senior disciple’s main disciple, with a bright future ahead... He told me he..." Though a sect like Beifa practices the Way, most disciples are from secular families, and only a few truly intend to remain unmarried, like the three respected masters or Ping Zi. Typically, disciples come from prestigious backgrounds and their families wouldn't abandon future generations, so they are allowed to become Dao companions with someone they fancy, or directly marry. This is why many male disciples in Hongfei Pavilion openly pursue He Lan Mian Mian. It was clear Luo Sheng was trying to set Jing Hu up with her. "Not interested," Ning Song Wu responded coldly, cutting Luo Sheng off again and standing to leave. Luo Sheng watched her leave but didn't stop her and spoke again. "Ning Song Wu... don't be mad. Think it over." Ning Song Wu suddenly turned back. Luo Sheng, thinking she had changed her mind, was about to speak, only to see her grab the bag of sweets and the hawthorn and walk away briskly, leaving behind a final remark. "Not a chance." Luo Sheng smiled ruefully, scratching his head. By dinner time, Ran Fan Yin, Luo Sheng, Cen Ran, Ning Song Wu, and He Lan Mian Mian were all eating together at the large table in the main hall. The usually cold and somber Yong Ku Pavilion suddenly became bustling and lively. To everyone's surprise, He Lan Mian Mian didn’t sit next to Cen Ran but squeezed in beside Ning Song Wu, her eyes dangerously narrowed, clearly here to settle accounts. "Ning Song Wu, have I ever wronged you? Haven't I treated you well?" He Lan Mian Mian smiled innocently while putting food into Ning Song Wu's bowl. Although it seemed like a friendly gesture, on closer inspection, it was all chicken tail. "No, you haven't," Ning Song Wu replied with a shallow smile, letting He Lan Mian Mian fill her bowl with oddities. "Senior sister Cen Ran accuses me of flirting with everyone, but have others also whispered such things to her? Did you tattle on me and Senior Brother Jing Hu right in front of me earlier?" "Did I do such a thing?" Ning Song Wu raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. "He Lan Mian Mian, you must be mistaken. We've shared a bed for so many years..." He Lan Mian Mian noticed Cen Ran's gaze drawing over and hastily interrupted her, "Who's shared a bed with you!" Ning Song Wu laughed, while He Lan Mian Mian lowered her voice. "Are you really unaware or just pretending? It's you that Senior Brother Jing Hu likes! He was dragging me today to ask about you. We aren't affectionate at all." Ning Song Wu's smile faded, and after a while, she replied, "If that's the case, just explain it to Senior Sister Cen Ran. Why bother me?" "I won't tell her. I want her to be jealous. I love seeing her care about me because of someone else," He Lan Mian Mian grinned mischievously. "You're just asking for trouble," Ning Song Wu sneered lightly. She glanced at Luo Sheng, who was engrossed in conversation with Cen Ran, and mischievously swapped her bowl full of chicken tail with his. He Lan Mian Mian gave her a satisfied nod. Suddenly, Ran Fan Yin, who had been quietly eating, spoke up. "Ning Song Wu." Ning Song Wu immediately straightened up, putting on a serious expression as she looked at Ran Fan Yin. "Yes, Master." "Come to my quarters after dinner." Ning Song Wu's eyes lit up with a smile. "Yes, Master." After dinner, Ning Song Wu followed Ran Fan Yin to her quarters. But reality could never stay still; it wouldn't stand still for someone's obsession, nor would it turn back for someone's regrets. Upon entering her quarters, Ran Fan Yin looked around and waved away all the attendants before sitting on a nearby chair. Ning Song Wu sat down beside her and asked, "Master, why did you call me here?" Ran Fan Yin lifted her teacup, took a sip, then raised her eyes to Ning Song Wu, hesitating slightly. "Didn't you say that after the dumplings, we'd make lanterns together?" Ning Song Wu was taken aback and recalled something from earlier. It seemed they had indeed talked about it. Ran Fan Yin pointed to the table opposite. "I've had both bamboo strips and red cloth brought over. You can start now." "Alright, but Master, you have to join me," Ning Song Wu said, finding her master particularly adorable at this moment—slightly awkward and with her earlobes faintly turning red. Truly adorable. "Of course... of course, I will also participate," Ran Fan Yin coughed lightly, moving to the cluttered table and picking up two bamboo strips, glancing at Ning Song Wu. Ning Song Wu also walked over and sat down. She had specifically asked Senior Sister Cen Ran to teach her beforehand. Thus, her technique with the bamboo strips, though not perfect, was quite presentable. Ran Fan Yin leaned in slightly, focusing on the movements of Ning Song Wu's hands, trying to mimic her actions somewhat clumsily. As Ran Fan Yin's wide sleeves, adorned with white cranes, slid down her wrist, they revealed a dark red scar shaped like a lotus flower on her left wrist. Ning Song Wu's gaze frequently lingered on it. "Master, you've never told me about the scar on your wrist... I remember you were injured when I was little, but you never mentioned how it happened," Ning Song Wu's voice was gentle as she looked at Ran Fan Yin's delicate profile. "It has nothing to do with you," Ran Fan Yin replied coldly. ### Chapter 54: Dust-Free Ning Song Wu paused, then smiled bitterly. Indeed, many of her master's affairs truly had nothing to do with her. Snap. Ran Fan Yin looked at the bamboo strip in her hand, which had snapped inadvertently. Her ears began to turn red again. Ning Song Wu stood up and walked over to Ran Fan Yin, picking up another bamboo strip and placing it in her master's hand, covering it with her own. "Master, your strength is too great. Just bend it like this..." Ran Fan Yin snapped out of her momentary daze. The warmth of Ning Song Wu's touch felt intensely uncomfortable, and she reflexively jerked her hand back. "Don't touch me." Ning Song Wu's hand hung there awkwardly, her eyes darkening almost to the point of overflowing. After a while, she withdrew her hand with an embarrassed smile and returned to her seat. After a moment, Ning Song Wu spoke softly, “Master, why is it that the older I get, the more distant you become?” “Because you’re grown now, it’s important to keep a distance,” Ran Fan Yin replied seriously. Every night, He Lan Mian Mian watched her go out to practice her swordsmanship, often without enough sleep, and tried to dissuade her. Yet, Ning Song Wu couldn't forget the sight of her master exhausted to the point of vomiting blood while she had been powerless to help. As long as she hadn’t vomited blood herself, she felt she had no right to stop. Nobody knew the extent of her struggles in Hong Fei Pavilion over the years, except for herself. She knew exactly how much sweat and blood she had shed. She did it all for her master. But her hard-earned growth only made her master more distant. Was she really still worse than the child she had been seven years ago? Ran Fan Yin, noticing Ning Song Wu's unusual silence, quietly stood up and left. After a while, Ran Fan Yin returned, holding a sheet of white paper about three palm-widths long, inscribed with vigorous characters. Handing the calligraphy to Ning Song Wu, she said, "You said you liked my writing earlier. The pair I wrote is already hung above the door. I wrote this one just now; you can take it if you wish." Ning Song Wu's eyes lit up like rekindled candles, flickering with uncertain light. She carefully accepted the thin paper, which bore four large characters in high-quality ink: "A Lifetime of Serenity." The script resembled the previous horizontal couplet but was slightly smaller. "Thank you, Master," Ning Song Wu whispered. "Consider it an early New Year's gift. There is an even better present I’ll give you later," Ran Fan Yin said. "Anything from Master, I cherish," Ning Song Wu replied. Ran Fan Yin glanced at the somewhat messy table. "You should go back. I'll finish the rest myself." "Yes, Master." Cradling the sheet of paper, Ning Song Wu slowly walked out of Ran Fan Yin's quarters. She looked at the closed door for a long time. As the snow began to fall lightly from the sky, Ning Song Wu snapped back to reality. She carefully folded the paper along the corners, turning the thin sheet into a small square, and tucked it into the brocade pouch she carried close to her, securing it inside her garments. Approaching the Lunar New Year, the weather was indeed getting colder. Ning Song Wu pulled out the jade pendant she always wore from under her clothes and held it in her palm, as if seeking some warmth from it. Lin Yu Xue chuckled, "Alright, enough teasing. For now, just try making some egg custard. Here's a bowl. Crack the egg into it." Ran Fan Yin, her face calm like still water, raised the egg to the bowl Lin Yu Xue handed her. She paused, then applied a bit too much force, and the fragile eggshell shattered in her hand, the thick egg white and yolk spilling and covering her hand, with a couple of drops nearly splattering onto Lin Yu Xue. "My goodness... do you think you're crushing a head?" Lin Yu Xue exclaimed, jumping backward. Ran Fan Yin stared at the mess on her hand with slight confusion, frowning slightly as she examined the broken egg. Lin Yu Xue sighed. It seemed teaching Ran Fan Yin to cook was proving to be quite a challenge. "...Maybe, Master, you should leave the kitchen for now, and I'll bring the finished dish to you?" Lin Yu Xue suggested. Ran Fan Yin shook her head. "No. Why is it so easy for her to cook, but not for me?" "You mean your young disciple? I've tasted her cooking in Huaxu Province; she's indeed quite good," Lin Yu Xue mused. "You seem to treat her differently. When it comes to her, you always show a unique attitude." Ran Fan Yin interrupted, "I like her." Lin Yu Xue fell silent. "She was raised by my hand. She’s my dearest disciple," Ran Fan Yin added, still staring at her hands, not looking at Lin Yu Xue. Lin Yu Xue breathed a silent sigh of relief. Although her mood lightened somewhat, an inexplicable weight on her chest persisted, making it hard to breathe. Her fingers habitually touched the white jade mask hanging from her waist. Seeing Ran Fan Yin engrossed in her own thoughts, Lin Yu Xue allowed herself a moment to gaze at her, a gentle smile forming on her lips. Ran Fan Yin slowly opened and closed her fingers, recoiling slightly at the slimy feel of the egg. "I want to learn to cook. I want... to make something for her to taste." Lin Yu Xue's expression shifted slightly, darkening again. Lowering her voice, Ran Fan Yin admitted softly, "Please, teach me." "Alright." Ran Fan Yin finally managed a faint smile and went to wash her hands. Lin Yu Xue scooped the contents from the pot, tidying up the stove. “It has been a full day since we left the Floating Jade Pavilion. After waking up, I thought we had already encountered members of the Burning Heaven Sect when we entered Zhongyang City. I overlooked this detail. Wen Jinglei must have been monitoring our every move since then.” Ran Fan Yin spoke over the sound of running water, “He’s indeed very clever. From your reaction upon entering the room, he could infer you had an outside contact. Though the purpose of the gu worm remains unclear, seeing no change in your expression, he must have assumed that the black-clad man on the beam came to harm.” Ran Fan Yin continued, “Perhaps there are no imperial soldiers near Sifei’s Tomb; that’s why members of the Bing Shan Sect would go there.” “This doesn’t make sense. Given it’s a concubine’s tomb, soldiers should be stationed there…” Lin Yu Xue mused, suddenly realizing something and abruptly raising her head. She slammed the bowl down on the table, exclaiming, “Oh no!” “What’s wrong?” Ran Fan Yin paused, looking at Lin Yu Xue. “Yesterday, I was still unconscious, and today I didn’t think things through. Since the Burning Heaven Sect started monitoring us as soon as we entered the city, they must know our current accommodations... Ning Song Wu is severely injured, and I've failed to move her to a safe location immediately.” Ran Fan Yin and Lin Yu Xue exchanged a look, their expressions changing drastically. They simultaneously dropped what they were holding and sped towards the inn. The pair moved incredibly fast, but too much time had already passed since they left Ning Song Wu alone. When they pushed the door open, the bed was curled up in the corner, and the person on it was nowhere to be seen. "I don’t know if they were seen again after settling at the Taihu Pavilion. They dispersed all the sisters, only entertaining visiting jianghu figures." Ran Fan Yin glanced at Ning Song Wu, who understood and stood up to leave. Outside, she softly called out, "Wuji!" Wuji appeared instantly from who-knows-where, standing respectfully. "What is it, Miss?" "Did the Young Master go to the Taihu Pavilion?" Just as Wuji was about to answer, someone else interjected, "Who said I went to the Taihu Pavilion?" Lin Yu Xue, fanning herself with a plain fan, smiled as she approached from the stairs and stopped before Ning Song Wu, glancing into the room with a sidelong look. "I didn’t enter. I just wandered around outside." "You plan to kill Wen Jinglei... Just the few of us?!" Ning Song Wu exclaimed, eyes widening. "Perhaps not to kill, but I must at least check it out. Even if killing isn’t possible, I need to gather valuable information." Lin Yu Xue lowered her gaze and sighed. "You don't understand. The surface of the martial world may seem calm, but it’s turmoil beneath, infiltrated on all sides by the Burning Heaven Sect. We can't overlook anything related to them." After a moment’s contemplation, Ning Song Wu nodded, "Alright, shall we go now?" "It’s getting dark; wait until it’s fully night," Lin Yu Xue snapped her fan shut with a slap and led Ning Song Wu into the room. After dusk, Lin Yu Xue and her group headed towards Taihu Pavilion. Indeed, there was a large body of water to the north of the Floating Jade Pavilion. Under the night sky, the lake water resembled a vast piece of emerald glass, without a single ripple. A mountain had been built on the opposite side of Taihu, seemingly formed from the soil excavated when the lake was dug. It wasn't small. A five-story pavilion appeared embedded in the mountain, resembling a pagoda from a distance, layers stacked high with towering eaves, looking immensely grand. As they were about to part ways, Lin Yu Xue reconfirmed, "Make sure not to alarm the guards. Once inside, head straight for the top floor, staying in the shadows. Understand?" “Attempting an assassination is rash. The previous visitors from jianghu were all harmed. Be careful and avoid hasty actions,” Ran Fan Yin advised Lin Yu Xue softly. “Alright.” Lin Yu Xue's eyes seemed to soften briefly as she gazed deeply at Ran Fan Yin before turning away. Ran Fan Yin silently made her way around the other side of the lake, intending to circle to the back of the small mountain and climb over the gap there. Ning Song Wu watched her master's unusually quiet figure. After a few steps, she caught up and gently held Ran Fan Yin's hand. "Master..." "Hmm?" Ran Fan Yin replied coolly. "Are you angry? Why have you not spoken to me?" Ning Song Wu lightly squeezed her master's hand. "No, don't overthink it." Ran Fan Yin turned her head and gave Ning Song Wu a fleeting glance, squeezing her hand back. Ning Song Wu pouted. "But your expression doesn't look right." "...You know why." "I don't know. Tell me," Ning Song Wu tilted her head, smiling faintly. Ran Fan Yin let out a helpless smile, her voice still gentle. "You know, I'm a clean freak. When someone touches my things, how can I be happy about it?" "I didn’t mean to; it won't happen again," Ning Song Wu lifted Ran Fan Yin’s hand to her lips and kissed it softly a few times, her smile unwavering. "…Compensation." "What?" Ning Song Wu raised an eyebrow. "I want compensation." As Ran Fan Yin finished speaking, she smiled softly, her warm gaze like melting ice. It had a gentle yet cool quality. This rare look of a thawed icy gaze on such a serene and cold woman, it made one feel that dying under her glance would be worth it. Ning Song Wu fell silent, staring dazedly at Ran Fan Yin. She deeply wanted to hug Ran Fan Yin in that moment, kiss her eyes and lips, and then hide her away so no one else could see. She had to muster all her self-control to restrain herself, fearing that if she acted impulsively, she might hurt this woman. She seemed like the most ethereal haze, a flake of snow on the petals in early winter, as though merely admiring her from afar was the right thing to do, and it would be wrong for anyone to try to claim her. "I'll buy you a bunch of sugar-coated hawthorn tomorrow," Ning Song Wu said softly after a long pause. "...Very well." Ran Fan Yin's smile deepened.