Chapter 145: Zhou Rui’s Fury, Then Tang Zhi’s; Assassination at the Nunnery
Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Zhou Rui’s Fury, Then Tang Zhi’s; Assassination at the Nunnery
"Brother Pei! Brother Pei!"
Two mornings later, just as Pei Shaoqing was heading out with Xie Qingwu, Ye Hanshuang, and the others to pray at Qi Yun Temple, Zhou Rui came running up to them, shouting.
"What’s wrong, Brother Zhou? I don’t see a tiger chasing you," Pei Shaoqing asked curiously.
Zhou Rui wasn’t a martial artist, so he stopped, panting for breath. Once he recovered a little, he thrust a slim book into Pei Shaoqing’s hands. "Take a look at this."
Pei Shaoqing’s eyes were immediately drawn to the cover.
*Secrets of the Officials’ Sons*!
As he flipped it open, his expression became utterly priceless.
It described an encounter between Zhou Rui and Tang Zhi at a poetry gathering that led to a drunken, debaucherous affair. Though the story wasn’t long, it was written in vivid detail.
"I can’t believe you got this story published so fast, Brother Zhou!" Pei Shaoqing had only been shooting his mouth off before; he never thought Zhou Rui would actually do it.
"It wasn’t me!" Zhou Rui said, his face contorted with anger, his teeth gritted. "I just hired someone to start writing it! I never imagined a story about me and Tang Zhi would already be on the market. This is outrageous!"
Pei Shaoqing’s expression changed. ’If Zhou Rui wasn’t the one who had this story written and circulated,’ he thought, ’then someone else did it intentionally. And whoever could pull this off in such a short time must be a person of considerable means.’
"That bastard beat me to it! How am I supposed to sell my book now?" Zhou Rui fumed.
Pei Shaoqing’s mouth twitched. ’I thought you were angry about being slandered, but it turns out you’re just mad they beat you to the punch and cornered the market.’
’That’s Brother Zhou for you.’
So he consoled him, "Don’t worry, Brother Zhou. This story is short. It’s perfect for warming up the market and piquing the readers’ curiosity. When you release your book, you can just add the gimmick that it’s ’personally compiled by the man himself,’ and it’s guaranteed to be a bestseller."
"Hey, you’ve got a point, Brother Pei! I’ll make a fortune while that bastard Tang Zhi’s reputation is dragged through the mud." Zhou Rui froze for a second, then his face instantly brightened. He put his hands on his hips and roared with laughter. Only then did he notice Pei Shaoqing was about to leave. "Where are you off to, Brother Pei?"
"Qi Yun Temple, outside the city," Pei Shaoqing replied.
The moment he heard it was a nunnery, Zhou Rui lost all interest. "Well then, Brother Pei, I’ll let you get on with it. I’m off."
"Go on, Brother Zhou." Pei Shaoqing watched Zhou Rui leave before turning and climbing into the carriage. "Depart."
Shen Zhen, a junior officer, took the reins himself.
SLAP! At that same moment, in the Tang Family household, an enraged Tang Fei struck Tang Zhi across the face. Red-faced and veins bulging in his neck, he roared, "You bastard! Do you have any idea the looks everyone was giving me at court this morning? You’ve completely disgraced me!"
"Father? What did I do? I haven’t even left the house in two days!" Tang Zhi felt terribly wronged.
Tang Fei pulled a book from his sleeve, slammed it into his son’s face, and roared, "See for yourself!"
Tang Zhi first touched his stinging cheek, then crouched down to pick up the book and began to read.
He was instantly consumed by a burning rage.
"Outrageous! How utterly outrageous! That bastard Zhou Rui! He actually did it!" Tang Zhi cursed hysterically, his body shaking. He looked at his father with bloodshot eyes and, clinging to a last sliver of hope, asked in a trembling voice, "Is... is the book widely circulated?"
"Hawkers are selling it on every street corner, using your and Zhou Rui’s names. What do you think?" Tang Fei said coldly.
Tang Zhi nearly fainted from the shock. He stormed toward the door. "I’m going to take Zhou Rui down with me!"
The rumors Zhou Rui started before were limited to word-of-mouth within a small circle. But now that it’s been published as a book, everyone in the Capital City—perhaps even the entire country—would know.
Normally, you could just wait for a rumor like this to blow over.
But once it’s in writing, it’s tantamount to historical fact. With someone fanning the flames, it will keep circulating until the story becomes accepted as truth.
"Enough! Haven’t you caused enough shame?" Tang Fei snapped, rubbing his temples wearily. "The priority right now is to go explain this to the Jiang Family."
"Yes, yes, you’re right, Father. I’ll go right now, I’ll go right now," Tang Zhi replied, snapping back to his senses.
He hadn’t been particularly keen on the marriage at first.
After all, even though he was entering his second marriage as well, that didn’t stop him from looking down on Jiang Yuechan, who was also marrying for the second time.
That was why he’d so brazenly shown up to their first meeting with a bruised and swollen face. But the moment he saw the stunningly beautiful Jiang Yuechan, he fell hopelessly in love.
Now, he thought of nothing but making her his wife.
At the same time, Jiang Yuechan was complaining tearfully to Jiang Xiaoyun about the affair. "For the sake of our family, I would marry anyone," she said, her eyes red-rimmed. "But I absolutely will not marry a laughingstock! Second Brother, I refuse to marry him!"
She had thought marrying Tang Zhi was humiliating enough.
She never expected to have this humiliation piled on top of the first.
This, she could not tolerate.
"Alright, alright, don’t cry. I’ll write to Father at once and explain the situation. I’m sure he’ll cancel the engagement. Otherwise, our entire Marquis’s Mansion will become a laughingstock along with them," Jiang Xiaoyun hastily soothed his sister.
He was furious as well. For both his sister’s happiness and the honor of the Marquis’s Mansion, there was no way he could let this marriage proceed.
As for the Tang Family’s support...
With a scandal like this, if it spiraled out of control, the Emperor—if he cared at all about public perception—would certainly postpone Tang Fei’s appointment to the cabinet.
And a postponement like that could mean the opportunity was lost forever.
Suddenly, a servant rushed in.
"Second Young Master, Young Master Tang is here to visit."
"Hmph. Show him in," Jiang Xiaoyun said coldly.
A moment later, Tang Zhi rushed in. One look at the expressions on the Jiang siblings’ faces told him they had already seen the slanderous, lewd book. ’This is bad,’ he thought, and hastily said, "Second Brother, Sister Yuechan, please listen to me! That book is complete and utter nonsense! That bastard Zhou Rui wrote it to slander me!"
"That’s enough, Young Master Tang. Please leave," Jiang Xiaoyun said, his face devoid of expression. "As for the engagement between you and my sister, let us pretend it was never mentioned." It no longer mattered whether the story was true or false. The key was that it had become public knowledge.
"Second Brother..." Tang Zhi looked as if he’d been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale. He turned to Jiang Yuechan. "Yuechan..."
"Young Master Tang, it seems we were not meant to be. Please leave," Jiang Yuechan said coolly, though inwardly she was filled with joy. ’I don’t have to marry him after all!’
Tang Zhi left, completely crestfallen.
He stopped at the gates of the Marquis’s Mansion and glanced back, his face a mask of bitter resentment. Then, with bloodshot eyes, he let out a gut-wrenching roar: "Zhou Rui, I swear, this isn’t over until one of us is dead!"
In truth, the lewd books had been commissioned and printed by the King of Qi. His men had been monitoring both the Tang Mansion and the Pingxi Marquis’s Mansion, so he learned of the two families’ reactions immediately. The King of Qi couldn’t help but roar with laughter.
"Excellent! Excellent!" he boomed. "The alliance between the Pingxi Marquis’s Mansion and the Tang Family is ruined, and no one suspects me in the slightest. They all think it was Zhou Rui’s doing."
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" His advisors exchanged smiling glances and congratulated him in unison.
"It is all thanks to the help of you gentlemen," the King of Qi said with a smile, clasping his fist to his palm in a salute. He then turned to Steward Cai and asked, "Is there still no progress with Gao Xi?"
"No, Your Highness," Steward Cai replied. "In my opinion, I fear this case will never be solved."
The King of Qi’s expression shifted, and finally, he sighed. "If it can’t be solved, then let it go. Whatever the Jiang Family was plotting, I have already destroyed their alliance with the Tang Family in retaliation."
.........
「Qi Yun Temple.」
Xie Qingwu, Ye Hanshuang, Liu Yuheng, and Zhao Zilan had all gone to pray. Although Pei Shaoqing was a transmigrator and had even seen a demon with his own eyes, he still didn’t put much faith in the blessings of Immortals, so he didn’t join them.
He wandered the temple grounds by himself.
Qi Yun Temple was vast and popular, with a history spanning several hundred years. The grounds were tranquil and secluded, filled with all sorts of flowers and plants. The atmosphere was enough to soothe anyone’s mind.
Suddenly, Pei Shaoqing felt a surge of energy from behind. His expression changed instantly. Without even turning his head, he sidestepped the attack while simultaneously drawing the Mo Tan Sword from his waist.
Only then did he get a clear look at his attacker: a beautiful, curvaceous nun. Her loose monastic robes failed to conceal her graceful figure.
’The habit and cowl actually gave her a unique sort of charm.’
"I have no quarrel with you, Reverend Nun. Why do you wish to kill me?" he demanded, his face cold.
Miao Yin snorted. "Your father-in-law, Xie Wenjin, is the man who murdered Jiang Xue’s father!" she snapped. "You took her innocence, then had the gall to trick her into believing you would help her avenge her clan’s extermination. You are shameless! I will kill you!"
Only after arriving in the Capital City had she learned that Pei Shaoqing was Xie Wenjin’s son-in-law. Later, she received a letter from Jiang Xue, delivered by a messenger, in which Jiang Xue joyfully announced that Pei Shaoqing had promised to help her avenge the Xu Family and restore their honor.
Her hatred for Pei Shaoqing was as great as her pity for Jiang Xue, that poor, foolish girl he had deceived.
After all, in her eyes, Jiang Xue was not only the daughter of her savior but also like a daughter of her own.
Having taken up residence at Qi Yun Temple, she had by chance learned that Pei Shaoqing was visiting with his wife to pray. She decided then and there to assassinate this utterly shameless villain and get a measure of justice for Jiang Xue.
"You know Jiang Xue?" Pei Shaoqing said hastily. "This is a misunderstanding! There’s been a huge misunderstanding! Please, Reverend Nun, lower your sword and let me explain."
Miao Yin refused to listen. With a flick of her wrist, she charged at Pei Shaoqing. "Explain it to my sword."
"Then, Reverend Nun, forgive my impending rudeness." ’I have no choice,’ Pei Shaoqing thought. ’I’ll have to subdue her first and explain later.’
CLANG!
Miao Yin’s sword shattered the moment it met the Mo Tan Sword.
"Ah!" She cried out in shock, then tossed aside the broken hilt and drew a Duster from her waist to continue the fight.
But she quickly regretted her rashness.
She was no match for Pei Shaoqing at all.
She had deliberately avoided Liu Yuheng, Shen Zhen, and the others, waiting for a chance to strike when Pei Shaoqing was alone. She had never imagined that his own Martial Arts would be a cut above hers, leaving her struggling to defend herself.
After all, she was a latecomer to both the convent and the martial path, having only begun her training after the destruction of the Xu Family. Her skills were limited.
"Ah!"
A flick of Pei Shaoqing’s sword sent her monastic cap flying. A cascade of jet-black hair tumbled down her back. Biting her lip in shame and anger, she charged again. "I’ll fight you to the death!"
The angrier she got, the more openings she exposed.
THUD! Pei Shaoqing feinted with his sword, then seized the opening to land a swift kick to Miao Yin’s abdomen.
Miao Yin coughed up a mouthful of blood as she was sent flying backward.
Pei Shaoqing pressed his advantage.
He sprang forward, his toes barely touching the ground.
And landed two more palm strikes on Miao Yin’s chest.
Miao Yin collapsed to the ground, unable to rise. Her face was ashen, and her breathing was so shallow it seemed she could expire at any moment.
Pei Shaoqing shook his head. With a final flourish, he sheathed his sword. "Now, are you ready to listen?"
’This nun was just asking for a beating!’