Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Returning Home (Part 3)
Xiqiu knew that Fourth Master Xiao had already taken those four people away.
Only at this moment did she let out a breath, still frightened. She looked back and searched around secretly, knowing he couldn’t have gone far with four people. However, the surrounding darkness was so deep that she couldn’t see her hand... She didn’t find him, but gratitude surged within her heart. If not for Fourth Master Xiao tonight, she might have already become a victim under the knife... Even if she managed to escape, the appearance of so many men in her room would ruin her reputation completely, leaving her no chance to defend herself, no matter how innocent or victimized she was.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, filled with a chilling coldness.
At this moment, Chunyan and Chunliu both woke up, looking at the scene before them with dazed expressions, then frantically searching for Xiqiu. Finally finding her in the crowd, they noticed the treated wound on her neck and nervously held her: "Miss, what on earth happened? How did you get injured, and why did a fire start out of nowhere?"
"Don’t talk about that now. If you’re unharmed, help with putting out the fire. Be careful!" Seeing the fire behind them, Chunliu and Chunyan were shocked, quickly grabbed buckets to pour water. All the structures had wooden walls; Master knew it was hard to extinguish the fire quickly, only to control it. She remembered Xiqiu’s belongings were still inside, so she had people rush in to retrieve Xiqiu’s chest boxes. Fortunately, although the courtyard where Xiqiu lived burned, the connected courtyards were safe!
By dawn, the fire was finally extinguished. Master arranged for the courtyard again, and Chunyan and Chunliu moved the remaining boxes inside. Master Puning’s gaze rested on Xiqiu. Xiqiu lowered her face, aware of the circumstances. Her inexplicable wound and the sudden fire could fool others but not Master Puning.
"Come with me!" During this time together, Xiqiu had started to respect her like an elder. Master Puning loved her but was quite strict, often explaining Buddhist doctrines to her after morning classes. She didn’t want Xiqiu to become a devotee but, understanding Tong Mansion’s situation, hoped Xiqiu wouldn’t hold onto hatred. She wished Madam Xia’s child could live happily in her own life.
"Yes!" Xiqiu followed with her head lowered behind Master Puning, into the meditation room. Master Puning closed the door, her face turned solemn, and sternly looked at her: "Sixth Miss, what exactly happened?" Xiqiu frowned, explaining the night’s events from start to finish, but omitted Fourth Master Xiao’s identity, only mentioning a masked hero who saved her without leaving a name.
"Amitabha Buddha." Master Puning’s face looked dreadful. She had always known about the hidden conflicts within the Tong Mansion, with potential dangers everywhere, but didn’t expect them to escalate to this point. She held Xiqiu’s hand compassionately: "Sixth Miss... what do you intend to do next?"
Xiqiu sighed, gazing at Master Puning’s face full of determination...
"Using their tactics against them!"
Master Puning’s face showed a slight movement, she then turned aside and sighed, "Amitabha Buddha." Turning back with a face filled with elder-like affection, she said, "Although I don’t agree, I have no words to dissuade you. Just hope you and Peirong remain safe." Xiqiu smiled and bowed to her. The two sat in the room with various thoughts, silent for a long time!
Xiqiu returned to her room to find the He Tian Jade Hairpin Fourth Master Xiao had left with her. She thought it had fallen into the fire, but luckily the box Chunyan stored was rescued. Holding the hairpin, she was lost in thought, wondering how Fourth Master Xiao had left last night, how he would handle those people, and if acting so mysteriously would cause him trouble because of this incident.
Xiqiu had many questions, but the key person she wanted to find, she couldn’t locate!
She looked at the hairpin in her hand, sighed... hoping he stays safe and uninvolved!
Chunyan and Chunliu watched her absent-minded expression, curious about last night’s events, and seeing Xiqiu’s absorbed state with the hairpin further puzzled them.
After a silent moment, Xiqiu raised her head to look at Chunliu: "Father and the others should arrive in a few days. You and Chunyan gather the clothes and shoes I made for First Master, then later go down the mountain to get some medicine for me." Chunliu understood gathering First Master’s clothes, but why did Xiqiu need medicine?
"Miss, are you ill, or were you injured last night?" Xiqiu bit her lip and said: "No, don’t ask, just go get them. I’ll write the prescription for you later." Understanding Xiqiu, Chunliu connected to last night’s incident but dared not ask further. Then Xiqiu paused and added: "Bring some strong liquor back too." Chunliu muttered and nodded.
The fire at Puji Temple was neither big nor small news, circulating for some days without drawing much attention. Upon hearing about Xiqiu’s incident, Tong Shen Zhi hurried over by noon, followed by Tong Xiyan. Both breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Xiqiu; Tong Xiyan even cried: "I truly thought something happened to you, how did the fire start out of nowhere?"
Xiqiu smiled at her, adjusting the rabbit-fur scarf around her neck: "It’s nothing, just a false alarm." Her actions were casual, but Tong Xiyan’s gaze followed her movements, landing on the half-inch wound visible from the scarf, full of terror. She reached out to pull the scarf open, shocked: "False alarm? How can there be a wound with a mere scare?! What are you hiding from me, what happened exactly?"
Tong Shen Zhi’s face also turned pale; the wound on Sixth Sister was clearly caused by a sharp object. How could she be injured while being safely in the temple, especially when other courtyards were fine, but hers caught fire... It was too suspicious.
"Just an accident." Xiqiu hurriedly tied the scarf again: "Really nothing, don’t worry about me!" Tong Xiyan was full of sorrow and tears fell down. Tong Shen Zhi squinted slightly. If it was simply a burglar breaking in, the temple should have some commotion. But the little nun who notified the Tong Mansion only reported an accidental fire, burning many things, yet saying Sixth Miss wasn’t injured.
Why would she hide being injured? Could it be?
Xiqiu sensed the change in the two, smiled, stood up: "Since you’re here, have a vegetarian meal before you leave." Saying this, she then went to call Chunyan. Suddenly, her vision darkened, body swayed; Tong Xiyan quickly caught Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, what’s wrong?"
Tong Shen Zhi also approached anxiously; Xiqiu steadied herself on her arm, holding her forehead: "I’m fine, just felt dizzy." Not mentioning her health anymore: "I’ll have Chunyan prepare vegetarian food, you can eat before you leave."
Tong Xiyan turned back to look at Tong Shen Zhi, full of plea.
Tong Shen Zhi frowned, thought for a moment, then said: "Sixth Sister, why don’t you come back to the mansion with us today!" To his surprise, Xiqiu resolutely shook her head: "It’s almost the anniversary of Big Sister’s death; although I can’t observe mourning for three years, I will complete this year!"