To be honest, Xu Qi’an had been somewhat mentally prepared for the scene before him, he was not completely at a loss.
Firstly, an open and honest confrontation was bound to happen sooner or later.
The Great Feng operated under a system of one wife multiple concubines, and as a man who adapted easily, Xu Qi’an thought he should follow local customs.
However, he knew that rules were rules, but people were people.
If rules solved everything, why would there be open and secret strife in wealthy households?
Besides, none of the fish in the pond were pushovers.
Secondly, Luo Yuheng’s “love” personality and temper could easily cause the situation to explode ahead of schedule.
Back in Yongzhou, when the National Teacher demanded he draw a clear line with other women, Xu Qi’an had already braced himself for it, having analysed his own strengths and weaknesses.
Xu Qi’an’s strengths were:
First, none of the fish had reached the stage of discussing marriage with him, which reduced the intensity of the situation; if things came to blows, no one could claim the moral high ground.
Second, he had a curated public image.
Everyone knew Silver Gong Xu was a regular at Jiaofangsi, of the twenty-four Oiran, he had slept with more than half…
It left the impression that: he had always been like this.
Therefore, when it came to his romantic exploits, people were very forgiving.
His weaknesses were: precisely because his relationships with the fish hadn’t reached the marriage stage, they might simply leave the pond altogether.
But, after knowing his persona and still maintaining goodwill towards him, the chances of them actually leaving were slim.
So what needed doing now was to redirect Luo Yuheng’s fire.
Because only she would come out and declare that he was her man, and demand the other wh*res go fuck themselves.
The other fish would not be so aggressive since their relationships with him had not reached that point.
In Xu Qi’an’s view, there was no simple solution, only time could properly resolve such conflicts.
What he needed to do was to defuse matters with skillful handling whenever tensions flared.
For now, the best solution Silver Gong Xu could think of was, to summon Xu Lingyue!
She was well suited to playing the role of peacemaker.
A younger sister would not provoke resentment, and as the man at the storm’s centre, anything he said would be wrong.
While danger and undercurrents swirled in the air, there came a knock at the door.
Phew… Xu Qi’an exhaled, then strode decisively to the door and opened it.
Standing at the threshold was his lovely younger sister, while Chu Yuanzhen, showing tact, had not returned, removing himself from the storm altogether.
“Lingyue, what brings you here?”
Xu Qi’an beamed in his elder brotherly way.
Xu Lingyue gave him a complicated look, her eyes glimmering as she glanced inside.
The first thing she saw was Luo Yuheng’s back, dressed in feathered robes, a ribbon tied tightly about her slim waist.
The National Teacher did not turn, coldly surveying the women at the table, as if anyone who dared challenge her would be instantly suppressed.
Xu Lingyue’s gaze swept past the National Teacher and over the other women: the cold as frost Princess Huaiqing, holding her teacup in silence with downcast eyes; Lady Flying Swallow, exuding loyalty, glancing away and occasionally grinding her teeth; the extravagantly dressed Princess Lin’an, eyes red but unafraid as she glared at the National Teacher.
Even the usually lively and cheerful Chu Caiwei was frowning in rare silence.
“I heard big brother had returned. Mother waited and waited, but you didn’t go home, so she worried and asked me to come and check on you,” Xu Lingyue said gently.
Auntie, I’ll have to trouble you to be the scapegoat this time… Xu Qi’an realised, cleared his throat, and said:
“Alright, I’ve been away from the capital for some time, I should go home and have a look.
“Mm, mm… ladies, I’ll take my leave now.”
“You’re not allowed to go!”
“You can’t leave.”
“Just try leaving and see what happens.”
“…”
The women in the room all expressed their views one after another.
Sure enough, the National Teacher wants me to draw a line with them, and they want me to take a stand. At a time like this, obviously it’s best to keep silent and handle things privately, one by one.
…Xu Qi’an glanced at Xu Lingyue, who ignored him and remained silent.
Luo Yuheng’s gaze turned chilly, her lips curling into a dangerous arc as she said,
“Xu Lang, if you keep dithering, I’m going to get angry.”
The looks from Lin’an and the others sharpened instantly as they fixed their eyes on Xu Qi’an.
Alas, National Teacher, the main reason I avoided this matter was because I didn’t want you to totally lose face! Xu Qi’an sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Lingyue beat him to it:
“Xu Lang?”
She looked utterly shocked. “Nat– National Teacher, you and my brother…?”
Luo Yuheng finally turned around, looking directly at this nominal disciple of the Human Sect, and said lightly,
“Xu Qi’an is my dual cultivation partner.”
During Xu Qi’an’s time away from the capital, Xu Lingyue had become a nominal disciple of the Human Sect, in order to avoid Auntie’s matchmaking.
While the other women looked at him, Xu Qi’an was also watching Xu Lingyue.
At present, Luo Yuheng was pressing hard, while the rest of the “fish” were resentful and united in opposition.
On the one hand, they refused to admit their relationship with him, but on the other, expected him to make a stand.
What Lingyue needs to do is defuse the National Teacher’s aggression, lead this matter calmly past. As long as the National Teacher backs down, I’ll be able to coax the others privately…
Xu Qi’an silently analysed, looking at Xu Lingyue with anticipation.
To his surprise, Xu Lingyue pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Her silence proved too much for Biaobiao, who sneered,
“As the Daoist Leader and National Teacher of the Great Feng, an elder equal in status to my imperial father, doesn’t it shame you to dual cultivate with Xu Ningyan, a mere junior?”
This was a veiled taunt at Luo Yuheng, calling her a cradle-snatcher interested in a much younger man.
Lin’an, you really want to get yourself killed with that attitude… Xu Qi’an twitched at the corner of his mouth, provocation was, after all, her specialty.
Zhong Li murmured, “She’s only using Xu Qi’an, she has no shame.”
Li Miaozhen said, “This has nothing to do with me, but I truly dislike the National Teacher’s overbearing attitude.”
Huaiqing said coldly, “We have a purely professional relationship with Sir Xu. However, we are curious as to why the National Teacher is so insistent on having him draw a line with us.”
Even Chu Caiwei felt unjustly treated, saying,
“Xu Ningyan and I are merely friends. Why must you force him to cut off contact? Really, National Teacher, you’re too domineering.”
Huaiqing curled her lips, “Perhaps you have no confidence. Lin’an may be foolish, but her words make some sense.”
Xu Qi’an was mentally shouting “fuck fuck fuck” as he braced for Luo Yuheng to lose her temper.
When confidantes fell to quarrelling, it was hard for a man to openly take sides, but he had to watch out and prevent things turning physical.
Luo Yuheng, beyond angry, laughed coldly: “A bunch of sharp-tongued little bitches. Since you don’t know what’s good for you, don’t blame me for being rude.”
The faces of Li Miaozhen and the others changed, their forcefulness instantly halved.
Lin’an forced herself to say: “Y–you, what are you trying to do?”
The unstable National Teacher ignored her, turned to Xu Qi’an, and said softly,
“Xu Lang, if you won’t give up these bitches, then I’ll have to make the decision for you.
“Zhong Li is a Master of Prophecy. She’ll be confined under the Stargazing Tower for twenty years. I’ll discuss this personally with the Jianzheng.
“As for Lin’an, she’s of marriageable age now. The young emperor has just ascended the throne and his foundation is unsteady. I’ll simply tell him directly that Xu Lang is my Dao companion, let’s see if he dares offend me.”
She turned her gaze on Huaiqing: “Since Wei Yuan’s death, do you still have any backers at court?”
She then looked at Li Miaozhen: “Bingyi Yuanjun is looking for you. Today, I’ll just tie you up and send you as a gift to the Heaven Sect.”
Zhong Li shrank back.
Lin’an bit her lip in anger.
Huaiqing’s expression clouded.
Li Miaozhen trembled with rage.
Then, all of them turned to look at Xu Qi’an.
…Xu Qi’an immediately took a stand: “National Teacher, please don’t say such frightening things.”
Luo Yuheng felt very wronged. While the little bitches were ridiculing her just now, Xu Qi’an did nothing but watch coldly.
At this moment, Xu Lingyue spoke in a small voice:
“Is there any need for the National Teacher to lose her temper?
“My brother may often visit Jiaofangsi, spending his nights among flowers and willows, but I know he is a gentleman at heart, he will never let the National Teacher down.”
Thanks, little sister… Xu Qi’an felt conflicted, sensing the veiled barbs in her gentle words, yet helpless to refute her.
Xu Lingyue continued,
“I can assure the National Teacher that my eldest brother and the two princesses are innocent. While Daoist Li was staying at the Xu residence, she always maintained propriety with my brother, addressing him as a friend. There was absolutely nothing improper between them.”
Luo Yuheng frowned. “Are you insinuating that I am jealous?”
Xu Lingyue hurriedly replied, “This disciple wouldn’t dare, I did not mean that. It’s just that, as a younger sister, I must stand up for my brother’s innocence. I also hope my brother and the National Teacher will not have a falling out due to some misunderstanding.”
Her words were well-crafted, both speaking for Huaiqing and the others, and tacitly admitting to the relationship between Luo Yuheng and Xu Qi’an.
She was playing the peacemaker without offending anyone.
Sure enough, with this way out, Li Miaozhen and the others fell silent.
Those who know how to assess the situation are wise, and none of them wanted to get into an argument with Luo Yuheng.
But Luo Yuheng was not taken in and said displeased,
“This is not a place for you to speak.”
Xu Lingyue’s face went pale, tears glimmered in her eyes, and she started sobbing.
Just this and you’re crying?
Even Lin’an thought she herself was not that delicate.
Xu Qi’an let out a breath, straightened his back, and said in a deep voice,
“National Teacher, how can you speak like that to my little sister?”
Privately, he transmitted a message, “Enough. There is nothing untoward between me and them. Let’s not cause a scene.”
Luo Yuheng sneered.
Xu Lingyue shook her head and sobbed,
“Brother, I spoke out of turn.
“You may have been raised by mum and dad, but, after all, they’re not your birth parents. Whoever you wish to take as your Daoist companion is your own choice. Mum and dad aren’t qualified to interfere, much less should I point fingers.”
Luo Yuheng’s eyebrows shot up.
Xu Lingyue had brought out Xu Qi’an’s uncle and aunt. On the surface, she was backing down, but, in fact, it was a clever way of making progress through retreat.
Though they were not blood parents, gratitude for raising outweighs that for giving birth.
She was using this to refute Luo Yuheng’s “this is not a place for you to speak”.
She could urge Xu Qi’an to distance himself from other women precisely because she and Xu Qi’an were Dao companions, but she could not compel him to deny his relationship with his own sister.
Luo Yuheng said calmly,
“Enough. Xu Lang, just swear an oath here.
“Swear that you’ll never have any illicit entanglements with these bitches, not in the past nor in the future.
“Once you’ve sworn, the matter is finished.”
Several of the princesses’ faces changed slightly, their anger so fierce that they turned pale.
Now all eyes and reproach focused on Xu Qi’an.
Luo Yuheng was not easy to fool and had a very clear goal.
No matter how hard Xu Lingyue tried to smooth things over, shift the rhythm, or divert the focus, she was not to be swayed.
How would Lingyue respond to this? Xu Qi’an wondered, when he heard Xu Lingyue chokingly say,
“National Teacher, this isn’t right.
“My brother is innocent with both princesses, Daoist Li, and the two sisters from the Sitianjian.
“If you insist on making my brother swear an oath, isn’t that suggesting there’s something improper between them? In this world, a woman’s reputation is paramount, especially for the two princesses…
“Aren’t you humiliating them?”
Luo Yuheng sneered,
“Are you teaching me how to do things?”
Xu Lingyue lowered her head timidly,
“This disciple wouldn’t dare.
“But I am not only a registered disciple of the Human Sect, I am also my brother’s sister and a friend of Daoist Li and the others. I cannot just watch while the National Teacher bullies and humiliates them.
“Even as the National Teacher, you shouldn’t be so unreasonable.”
Luo Yuheng narrowed her eyes, scrutinising Xu Lingyue, her expression showed she was angered.
Xu Lingyue’s face turned paler, her timidity growing deeper, and she said in fear,
“If National Teacher does not wish to listen, then this disciple will just leave.
“It’s only that my brother has been away from the capital for several days. Father and mother are worried about him. Surely, National Teacher, you wouldn’t stop him from seeing them?”
Luo Yuheng replied without expression, “You are not allowed to leave!”
She knew her own condition, she could not afford to waste time. If she didn’t settle things today, she would never get another chance.
Hearing this, Xu Lingyue turned to Xu Qi’an and said,
“Brother, since the National Teacher insists, just do as she asks and swear the oath.”
After that, she looked at the girls with an apologetic face,
“Your Highnesses, Daoist Li, Senior Sister Zhong Li, Senior Sister Caiwei, it wasn’t my brother’s intention to harm your reputation. He had no choice.
“Please do not mind.”
Li Miaozhen and the others said nothing, making it impossible to tell if they agreed or not.
Xu Qi’an had more or less figured out what Xu Lingyue was doing. He coughed and said,
“If the National Teacher insists on an oath, then I…”
Luo Yuheng suddenly whipped her head around, glaring at him in anger. She ground her teeth and said, “You know this isn’t what I want!”
She suddenly pinched her brow, let out a sigh, and said, “Forget it.”
With a sideways glance at Xu Lingyue, the National Teacher turned into golden light and vanished.
Xu Qi’an at once looked at the girls, Biaobiao turned her face away in a huff, Huaiqing was expressionless, Zhong Li hung her head and ignored him, Chu Caiwei curled her lip.
Li Miaozhen glared at him, “What are you looking at? Get lost!”
When you’ve made a mistake, admit it, and stand at attention to take your punishment… Xu Qi’an muttered silently, then left with Xu Lingyue.
The moment they stepped over the threshold, Xu Lingyue’s delicate, beautiful face gradually lost all expression, revealing a rare coldness.
All her former weakness, pitifulness, and timidity were gone.
“Lingyue, thank you for your help. Let me see you home,” Xu Qi’an said.
Xu Lingyue closed her eyes, let out a slow breath, and once again became meek and lovable, speaking softly,
“I didn’t cause you trouble, did I?”
“No, you did very well.”
Xu Qi’an took her to the window at the edge of the corridor, wrapped his arm around her waist, leapt out, and rode the wind towards Xu Manor.
With Qi surrounding her, Xu Lingyue didn’t feel cold. Nestled against her brother’s warm chest, she whispered,
“Big brother, you really put me in a difficult spot. I was so frightened just now, I nearly wept.
“Thank goodness the National Teacher is so understanding and finally let you go.”
Yes, yes, brother knows you’re completely innocent of all these schemes and intrigues. It was the National Teacher who changed her mind and gave up, not that your tactics forced her into a corner, leaving nothing but a hollow oath… Xu Qi’an lampooned inwardly as he flew on the wind.
Come to think of it, he’d only understood Xu Lingyue’s strategy in hindsight.
After her first attempt to “extricate herself” failed, she’d kept quiet, actually studying the crowd.
When Luo Yuheng finished her skirmish with the rest, Xu Lingyue saw Huaiqing and the others looking uneasy, cornered on their sore spots, so she took the initiative, vouching for everyone and saying fine words that gave Li Miaozhen and the others a way out.
This temporarily settled the other fishes.
Only Luo Yuheng was left.
In the later exchange, seeing that Luo Yuheng was unmoved by either soft words or hard, and still insisted on the oath, Xu Lingyue devised a new plan: she deliberately provoked Luo Yuheng and twisted the terms, turning the “oath” into a hollow formality.
Bear in mind, by then the others had taken the step down and compromised. So, none of them would be truly devastated by an oath now emptied of real meaning.
There might be some awkwardness, but it was bearable.
It was because Luo Yuheng realised this point that she did not deign to demand the oath any longer.
Xu Qi’an summoned his little sister for two reasons: first, he needed a peacemaker, someone whose position was safe enough to break the deadlock; second, because he could trust Xu Lingyue’s abilities.
“Brother, the National Teacher must resent me now,” Xu Lingyue said worriedly.
“Will she be really angry with?
“If she gives me trouble when you leave the capital, what should I do?
“The National Teacher is so terrifying, just now she almost forced you to swear an oath and put you in a bind.
“I’m not like that, I just care for you.”
What bad intentions could a little sister have? A good sister that cares for her brother
As for the National Teacher, whether she’ll give you trouble, I don’t know. But she’ll definitely hunt me down for embarrassing her terribly… Xu Qi’an thought with a gloomy face.
The National Teacher’s social death was terminal, beyond cure.
…
Night gradually deepened. Luo Yuheng stood in a quiet courtyard, gazing into the sombre night.
“Sigh…”
She gave a melancholy sigh and said with resentment,
“Next month, next month I’ll force you to make a choice, and sell every woman you’re ambiguous with, along with Mu Nanzhi, to the Jiaofangsi.”
She sulked for a while, then the corners of her mouth lifted and she muttered,
“At least I got what I wanted. With this proud nature of mine, if I’m not forced to a dead end, I’d probably remain aloof after the seven days are over.”
At this moment, her ears twitched. She turned to look into the shadows and said icily,
“You’re not in the Sitianjian keeping your little lovers company. What are you doing here?”
“Because I’ve fallen in love with the National Teacher’s bed.”
Xu Qi’an emerged from the darkness.
Luo Yuheng spat, face cold, “No dual cultivation tonight, Sir Xu. Please see yourself out.”
With that, she turned and went back to her meditation chamber.
Xu Qi’an smiled bitterly, crossed the courtyard, came to the door, and pushed, it bounced back under a hidden force.
“Then I really am leaving.”
He called into the room, turned, and left.
An incense stick later, he returned, tried the door again, but still couldn’t get in.
“Really no dual cultivation tonight?”
Xu Qi’an scratched his head, glanced around, spotted the window, and his thoughts stirred.
A moment later, the window creaked open, then shut again, and Freeloader Xu disappeared from the house.
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