Chapter Nine, Greed for Wealth and Lust

Si Tian smiled shyly. This was the first time she had been complimented on her appearance by an outsider, and she couldn't help but feel a little bit of joy, like a small flame dancing happily in her heart

With a wave of his hand, Shang Yu scattered the fish food, lifted his eyelids, and smiled slightly: "No rush, no rush, it can be anytime, and it doesn't matter if it doesn't come back."

Shao Pei still exudes an air of elegance and indifference, his long robe neatly draped, showing no signs of the dust of travel, as if he had remained in the study for the entire month without venturing outside

Lin Xiyan sat down in a daze, gazing at the bodhi tree outside the window, her thoughts fluctuating. Sister Su's words pierced her heart like a sword.

Sister Su was somewhat surprised: "So this is the owner of the White Tiger Courtyard, aren't you the Vermilion Bird? How come you have never met Xiao Cong?"

She pouted in annoyance and said, "Hmph, next time you bet him one hundred taels of silver, bet that I won't laugh."

Sister Su slowly said: "As a girl, you have already passed the best time for martial arts training. Even if you were to take a renowned master as your teacher, unless you are a martial arts prodigy, it would be difficult for you to achieve great success. As for revenge, I fear that you might even end up losing yourself in the process."

Si Tian responded with "yes," leading Sister Su out of the study, only to find Lin Xiyan still standing inside the room. She then said, "Master, I have a request."

I am leaving. Lin Xiyan said this to Si Tian and then went straight into her own room to start packing her things

Si Tian was puzzled, not knowing what Lin Xiyan had left behind to ask Master.

Si Tian's anger was effortlessly extinguished by his two gentle remarks. At this moment, he displayed a touch of humanity and was quite reasonable, resembling a gentle and amiable older brother next door

When Si Tian was called to Shao Pei's retreat, she caught a faint, elegant fragrance before even entering the room. The moment she stepped inside, her gaze was captivated by a woman within. Her mother, Xi Ran, had once been one of the most beautiful women in Luoyang, possessing a beauty that was both dignified and noble. However, the woman before her, in addition to her beauty, exuded a strange allure. With her bright, autumn-like eyes, a mere glance seemed to ripple through one's heart, stirring emotions and evoking an irresistible desire for closeness.

Suddenly, Sister Su raised her hand and waved her sleeve. Su Tian was taken aback, feeling that her gesture was quite familiar, as it was indeed the same move as the one from "Red Sleeves Adding Fragrance"

Looking at you, I am reminded of someone. However, she is much more lively than you. How old are you this year

Shao Pei looked up and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

You have cried enough, so do not speak of leaving lightly in the future. Your master is a heartless person, do not think that he will keep you, haha. She smiled faintly, stood up, and left, her figure graceful and enchanting, her silhouette also exuding unparalleled elegance

Si Tian stared blankly at Sister Su, who still had a delicate face like a hibiscus, her smile as gentle as spring

Shang Yu suddenly smiled with her lips pressed together. Having grown accustomed to his cold demeanor, the sudden warmth of spring was indeed unfamiliar to her. She could not quite pinpoint what felt off, but whenever he smiled, she vaguely sensed a bit of discomfort. In a hurry, she left the Qinglong Courtyard and took a few silver coins to find Shao Pei

He still did not look at her, leisurely teasing the fish, his voice much softer than usual: "Aren't you in a hurry for money? Take it first, and return it to me when you are more financially comfortable later."

Si Tian understood another principle, which is that doing less leads to fewer mistakes, while doing more leads to more mistakes. She had good intentions, yet she ended up creating a rift with the senior brother. In the following days, Shang Yu did not give her a pleasant expression.

Sister Su let out a soft "oh" and gently said, "You should head back first; we will start again tomorrow"

Because just now, the senior brother made a bet with me, saying that when you see the silver, you will definitely smile with delight, and he even wagered three taels of silver with me. With your smile, I have lost.

Lin Xiyan bit her lip in silence. She was not wrong in what she said, but there are many things in this world that one knows are impossible yet still must be pursued. Letting go is simply not an option.

Si Tian felt a bit embarrassed: "Last month, I borrowed three taels of silver from Young Master Pei. This is his purse; please return it to him on my behalf when you see him, Master."

Sister Su leaned against the soft couch, smiling gently as she observed Si Tian, her gaze somewhat dreamy

Shang Yu squinted slightly in the sunlight and nodded, saying, "Alright, don't forget."

Sister Su curled her lips and said, "In fact, there are many methods that are both labor-saving and worry-free. Why must one choose the most conspicuous, the most blatant, and the most difficult option? Do you not have a heart, aside from your hands and feet?" Her tone was as warm as a spring breeze, yet her words were utterly merciless

On the fourth day, Shang Yu finally ceased to make them perform this inhumane task, as Shao Pei had returned

Si Tian, you take Sister Su to rest first

Seeing that Si Tian had no intention of leaving, she quietly retreated and entered her own bedroom. Shao Pei had returned, and she was eager to request a leave of absence in the afternoon to go down the mountain and visit her mother. While she was contemplating this, Qi Yang entered from outside the courtyard, bringing ten taels of silver each for her and Lin Xiyan. It turned out that she had already been at Qishi Gate for a whole month.

Si Tian had no choice but to say "okay" and, feeling extremely embarrassed, requested an hour's leave to go down the mountain to see her mother

Si Tian looked at him with a sulky expression, her demeanor resolute as she declared to him: "I will definitely repay you."

She led Sister Su to the White Tiger Courtyard. This was her first time visiting the White Tiger Courtyard, yet Sister Su seemed even more familiar, heading straight to the guest room. Although there was no one living in the courtyard, it was spotless, indicating that the servants must come daily to clean and tidy up.

Almost fifteen years old

Si Tian was very grateful and felt even more fondness for Shao Pei; he was truly understanding and reasonable. Among the entire Seven Forces Gate, only Shang Yu was difficult to deal with

Sister Su turned her gaze, her smile bright and gentle: "You are also very beautiful, but you are still young and have not fully blossomed yet, just like a lotus just emerging from the water, truly a wonderful age."

In the study, Shao Pei was brewing tea. The new tea was as green as jade, and with a pour of boiling water, it danced gracefully, releasing a fragrant aroma. Amidst the swirling steam, Shao Pei's expression bore a hint of restrained solitude, which made one hesitate to approach, yet also stirred a desire to part the clouds and reveal the moon, to uncover that sense of loneliness.

She angrily picked up three or two silver coins and ran to the Qinglong Courtyard

Lin Xiyan's face flushed slightly, as no one had ever spoken to her in such a manner. She had been cherished since childhood, and when she slacked off in her training, her father merely tapped her forehead.

She said somewhat petulantly, "Alright, I will return it to you next month"

"It is you, and you are being too polite with me." Shao Pei's face seemed to carry a hint of sentiment and loneliness, yet Sister Su remained oblivious, still smiling like a spring breeze, warm and charming

Sister Su smiled at the corners of her lips and said, "He, when he was young, was as beautiful as a flower and jade; now, he is simply a disaster for the country and the people"

Si Tian and Lin Xi Yan paid their respects to Sister Su, who smiled sweetly and said, "No need for formalities, from now on we are family, so there is no need to be polite"

Si Tian could not help but laugh. This Miss Su was not only beautiful but also witty in her speech. She found herself developing a fondness for her; some people are simply likable at first sight, and Miss Su was evidently one of those exceptional individuals.

His words were unintentional, yet Si Tian felt a flush in her ears as she listened. She did not wish to be understood by him in such a way, especially as someone who was both greedy and opportunistic.

Si Tian stood at the door and softly called out "Master"

The task of picking beans was something she and Lin Xiyan worked on for a full three days. It seemed that Shang Yu was merely trying to torment them, deliberately testing their patience. Although he was not present to supervise them directly, he would occasionally appear out of nowhere to inspect their progress. The two of them dared not slack off, gritting their teeth and persevering through the work.

"Revenge does not necessarily involve real knives and bloodshed." Sister Su's voice was like a gentle breeze, soft yet powerful in every word. Si Tian and Lin Xi Yan turned around to see her, not knowing when she had quietly stood outside the door, her brows and eyes filled with a smile, her gaze sparkling, yet her expression evoked an involuntary sense of reverence.

Si Tian came out of the White Tiger Courtyard and happened to encounter Lin Xiyan, who was approaching from the study with red-rimmed eyes.

The courtyard gate is open, and in the small pond in front of the rockery, the green duckweed is lush and vibrant. A few red fish are frolicking in the sunlight, while Shang Yu is holding a handful of fish food, playfully teasing the fish

Sister Su smiled and said, "How could I dare to be picky, Master Shao, you are too polite." When she mentioned Master Shao, she paused slightly and smiled gracefully

Lin Xiyan finally stopped sneezing after a while, with her eyes and the tip of her nose flushed bright red

In the future?" Si Tian was very surprised

Si Tian rushed a few steps to his front and said angrily: "Senior Brother, here is your money back"

Si Tian bit her lip, feeling somewhat reluctant, yet found herself unable to speak up to dissuade.

Sister Su set down her burden, glanced around the room, and casually asked, "How long has Xiao Cong been out?"

Qiyang looked at Si Tian's smile and said with a frown, "Alas, my three taels of silver are gone"

Lin Xiyan did not know what was happening, suddenly sneezing incessantly, with tears flowing even more.

He said to Si Tian and Lin Xi Yan: "This is a master I have invited for you. You may call her Sister Su."

Si Tian stared into Ying Che's eyes and asked curiously, "Why?"

Lin Xiyan, while picking, suddenly threw herself onto the small basket and began to cry loudly

Shao Pei smiled at her and said, "You have worked hard all the way; you should rest first. The White Tiger Courtyard is currently vacant; would it be suitable for you to stay there?"

Lin Xiyan paused in her packing, yet tears flowed uncontrollably, with droplets still clinging to her eyelashes

Si Tian's face turned "red"; Shang Yu, he is really going too far

Shang Yu turned to look at her palm, let out a soft "Oh," and casually said while scattering fish food, "Let's talk about it later."

Sister Su said slowly: "You see, I merely waved my sleeve gently, and you are already feeling quite uncomfortable. If I had waved poison, I fear you would have been bleeding from all seven orifices by now"

When did he become so easy to talk to? Is it because he won a few taels of silver in a bet, which has put him in a good mood?

Si Tian solemnly said: "I will never forget"

Si Tianxin's thoughts stirred; she still had a creditor, Pei Yunkuang. If she repaid that debt, she would only have four taels of silver left this month. With the weather warming up, she had not even prepared summer clothes, and her mother's summer garments had long been pawned, requiring new purchases. She also needed to buy medicine, and four taels of silver were truly tight. Therefore, she decided to first repay Pei Yunkuang three taels of silver, and the remaining debt to Shang Yu would be settled next month. After all, he regarded her as a greedy person; since she had already taken on this reputation, she might as well make it a reality. Thus, she would first repay Pei Yunkuang three taels of silver, and the debt to Shang Yu would be settled next month. After all, he regarded her as a greedy person; since she had already taken on this reputation, she might as well make it a reality

Si Tian looked at her tears, feeling a deep sense of sorrow within her. She knew her hatred ran deep, and she was anxious for revenge. Picking up the beans only made her more restless. However, the Zhuque of the Seven Forces Sect chose not to learn martial arts. She did not know how to comfort Lin Xiyan, just as Aunt Yang comforted her mother, saying that although Xiao An was gone, there was still A Tian. Yet in her mother's heart, A Tian was A Tian, and Xiao An was Xiao An; no one could replace the other. The comfort from outsiders is usually of little use; only time can gradually heal the wounds. She did not know how to comfort Lin Xiyan, just as Aunt Yang comforted her mother, saying that although Xiao An was gone, there was still A Tian. Yet in her mother's heart, A Tian was A Tian, and Xiao An was Xiao An; no one could replace the other. The comfort from outsiders is usually of little use; only time can gradually heal the wounds. Even if Lin Xiyan were to kill her enemy, it would only slightly diminish that pain; the anguish in her heart could never truly fade.

Si Tian asked, "Who is Sister Su referring to?"

It was last month, on the stone steps. He said he was a friend of the master. He asked me to return the silver to the master.

Shao Pei nodded and said: "I forgot to mention, after the monthly salary is distributed, you will have half a day's leave to attend to personal matters. In the future, there is no need to specifically come to me to request leave."

Shao Pei lifted his eyelids and said, "Pei Yunkuang? When did you meet him?"

Si Tian was taken aback and hurriedly followed behind her, asking: "Why?"

I just went to seek my master, wanting to learn martial arts. My purpose in coming to the Seven Forces Sect is to avenge my family, but my master said it is not allowed. I cannot waste any more time here; I must find another master to learn advanced martial arts and avenge my family

On the third day, both of them were on the brink of collapse, feeling as if they wanted to die. Lin Xiyan cried out in anguish once more, and Si Tian felt an unbearable tightness in her heart; she too thought that if this continued, she would soon go mad. She gritted her teeth in resentment towards Shang Yuzhen, yet felt utterly helpless.

Fortunately, during the second inspection by Shang Yu of her red sleeves adorned with fragrance, she barely managed to extinguish the candle flame, thus passing one hurdle. Shang Yu left in silence, and the ointment was deemed unnecessary.

She stepped lightly into the room, sat down by the window, and raised her eyes to survey Lin Xiyan's room. A fleeting look of daze crossed her face as she sighed: "The Zhuque Courtyard has not been inhabited for three years. I used to live here."

Shao Pei poured a cup of tea and said softly: "This, when you see him in the future, please return it to him in person. I have many trivial matters to attend to, and I fear I might forget this. If I happen to forget, it would seem as if you borrowed something without returning it."

Qi Yang shook his head with a苦脸: "The senior brother is not that foolish; it seems he knows you very well."

She secretly rejoiced throughout the night, but unexpectedly, the next day, Shang Yu assigned a task that was utterly horrific! He sent two small baskets, instructing her and Lin Xiyan to separately pick out the red beans and green beans from the baskets. Just hearing about this task made one's scalp tingle, and after doing it for a while, it was simply unbearable. After an hour, it felt as if the beans were dancing before her eyes, leaving her in a daze, her spirit nearly collapsing

Si Tian then realized that the "Xiao Cong" she mentioned was her second senior brother whom she had never met. She smiled shyly and said, "I have just arrived for a month and have not seen him."

She felt quite gloomy, not understanding why Qi Yang could get along with her so amiably, while Shang Yu was always critical and harsh, seemingly finding fault with her in every way. Could it be that his first impression of her as "greedy for wealth" was too deeply ingrained? Yet when she first met him, she thought he was "lecherous"! The two of them together perfectly embodied the phrase "greedy for wealth and lecherous." She couldn't help but laugh, then sighed softly. The term "compatibility" truly had no rationale; since she was not compatible with him, she might as well go with the flow.