Xia Yunting only showed his true face once, for no more than the time it took to eat a meal. That he was targeted so quickly showed that the people from Blood Drinker Pavilion had never intended to let him go.
The unassuming man, after leaving the yamen, went to a house in the south, knocked on the door, and it was quickly opened. He slipped inside.
The two of them eavesdropped outside the wall. They heard voices speaking in hushed tones from inside.
"Tell Hall Master Zhu that we have located Xia Yunting. Hall Master Tang intends to wait and see, and investigate quietly."
After someone responded, the man came out of the courtyard and headed towards the Zhang residence.
This time, Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting did not pursue.
Rong Zhi glanced at Xia Yunting, then suddenly tore open his clothes and took out a token from inside.
Xia Yunting was initially confused. Rong Zhi pointed to the courtyard, and Xia Yunting immediately understood.
"Sowing discord?"
"Watching the tigers fight from the mountain."
A look of admiration appeared in Xia Yunting's eyes. Rong Zhi grabbed the top of the wall with one hand, peered over, and saw the man inside preparing to leave. She tossed the token in her hand with a "swoosh."
The man seemed to sense something, turned, and caught it. At first, he didn't know what it was, but upon seeing the token, his eyes lit up.
"A token from the White Rat Hall! Hahahaha... This is easy now. Let's see how arrogant the White Rat Hall can be!"
He then tucked the token into his chest and left with great excitement.
He didn't know that two people were already quietly following him.
Following him all the way, Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting discovered a problem: the influence of the Blood Drinker Pavilion had already infiltrated every corner of Changping County. There was Li Hao of the Zhang family, Tang Yuanjiang of the yamen, the Five Ghosts of Yanzi Mountain, and various messengers hidden in the marketplace.
The man went to a tavern on the west side of the market and gave the token to a waiter, whispering a few words in his ear. The waiter nodded in agreement. After the man left, the waiter went to the backyard, took out paper and pen, wrote a few words, grabbed a pigeon from its cage, placed the note in the small tube attached to its leg, and then released it.
At this point, they could no longer follow. After all, although Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting had excellent lightness kung fu, they couldn't fly.
"It seems he's sending a message to this Hall Master Zhu. I wonder if there are others," Rong Zhi said.
Two hall masters had appeared so far. As for Li Hao, judging by the yamen runner's attitude towards him, they didn't seem to be on the same level.
"We should keep an eye on these places."
Rong Zhi began to ponder whether to stay here and keep watch.
"Chen Lin's house is right behind us."
Xia Yunting suddenly pointed to the courtyard behind them.
Rong Zhi took a look and found it somewhat familiar. It was indeed Chen Lin's house.
"But Chen Lin has already moved. It's not very convenient if we ask him for help."
Just as she finished speaking, conversation could be heard from inside the courtyard.
"Husband, you must be tired from studying all morning. Have some tea and rest."
"Thank you, wife. I'm not tired."
Then, their laughter followed.
"Someone's living here?"
Rong Zhi tugged at Xia Yunting. "Let's go find Chen Lin."
"Okay."
The two of them went to Chen Lin's new home and found several people holding basins standing at his doorstep. Chen Lin had set up a table at the door, with tofu on it. He was scooping tofu into the customers' basins.
He seemed quite busy. After the people left, Chen Lin finally saw Rong Zhi.
"Miss Lin, why have you come?"
His face showed surprise, then he gestured to invite her in. "Please come in and sit for a while."
Rong Zhi entered the courtyard and asked, "How is Auntie Chen?"
"Much better. Sister-in-law Zhu and Xiaoyuan often come to help. Having someone to talk to has greatly improved her spirits."
Chen Lin's tone was filled with gratitude. "Thanks to you, Miss Lin, and Brother Xia."
As they spoke, Rong Zhi had already entered the house. As soon as she entered, she heard bursts of laughter. Xiaoyuan was sitting by the bed telling jokes, making Auntie Chen laugh as well.
"Divine Doctor."
Zhou Xiaoyuan immediately saw Rong Zhi and stood up. Auntie Chen's eyes lit up when she saw Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting.
"Young lady, young man, you're here."
"Auntie Chen, how are you feeling recently?"
"Much better. I can even walk around on my own now."
She thought her illness was incurable and never expected to be able to walk again. Then, she suddenly remembered something and called out "Son," giving Chen Lin a meaningful look.
Chen Lin also looked as if he had suddenly realized something. He turned and took a money bag from the cabinet, handing it to Rong Zhi.
"Miss Lin, thank you so much for helping me move. I've rented out the old courtyard. This is the first month's rent. Please accept it."
"What is this for?" Rong Zhi looked at the money bag, somewhat surprised.
"You've helped us so much, and I have nothing else to thank you with. Life is much easier now. This gift of gratitude must be given."
"I've already received my consultation fee. Please keep this money for Auntie Chen to buy some tonics. Auntie Chen is my patient, and her illness is not completely healed yet. You must help me take good care of her, otherwise, I'll be a doctor in name only."
Her words made it impossible for Chen Lin to refuse. He opened his mouth but said nothing, only smiling sheepishly. "Miss Lin, your words are truly sharp. I can't argue with you."
Xia Yunting glanced at Rong Zhi and smiled faintly.
She was not just sharp with her words.
"If you really want to thank me, help me with something."
"Alright, just tell me. As long as I can help."
Rong Zhi then asked, "You said the original house was rented out. Who did you rent it to?"
"A young couple. The man is a scholar, and the woman is an embroiderer who often sells her embroidery to support her husband's studies."
"I see. I wanted to ask the couple to help me keep an eye on the tavern in front of your house. Some old acquaintances might be coming soon. My husband and I live far away and are afraid of missing them."
"This is a small matter. I'll go tell them later. I wonder what this acquaintance looks like, what their name is, and where they are from. If I see them, I'll bring them directly to Yunshui Village."
Rong Zhi waved her hand. "No need. We don't want to alarm this acquaintance. If you see any strangers from out of town who look like martial artists, just go to Yunshui Village and let us know. My husband and I have some conflict with this acquaintance."
Towards the end, Rong Zhi showed a look of difficulty.
"I understand. Leave it to me."
Chen Lin agreed readily.
Next, Rong Zhi went to the Jishetang. Jishetang was not far from the house where the messenger came from and the yamen. Rong Zhi told An Ping to pay attention to whether there were any strangers on the street, and then returned to Yunshui Village.
"Now we just have to see their reaction. I'm afraid peaceful days are over."
Rong Zhi said, but her tone was not worried. She hadn't come here to live a quiet life. Relatively speaking, she was looking forward to this matter ending soon so that Xia Yunting could fulfill his promise as quickly as possible.
Xia Yunting didn't know Rong Zhi's thoughts. He just watched her quietly, finding her confident and assured demeanor very charming. The fact that she could come up with a plan and put it into action so quickly proved her intelligence.
The two of them arrived at the entrance of the haunted house. Before they could enter, they saw a figure acting suspiciously, approaching in their direction.
"Is that... Brother Liu Hong? Brother Liu! What are you doing here?"
Rong Zhi waved at him.
The figure froze. Seeing that it was Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting, he gave an embarrassed smile.
"Miss Lin, Brother Xia, I was just about to go hunting in the mountains."
Why would someone hunting in the mountains be so secretive?
The two were somewhat puzzled when someone was already chasing after him from a distance.
"Hunter Liu, why are you running so fast? I can't catch up."
It was Wu Guixiang, carrying a basket. As she approached, a strong aroma wafted from the basket.
"Why did you run faster when I called you from behind?"
Liu Hong looked distressed. Wu Guixiang took a few large flatbreads from the basket and handed them to Liu Hong.
"These are freshly baked cakes. They're delicious. How can you go hunting without any food?"
"Auntie Wu, I brought my own provisions. I can't bother you."
"You brought your own. You saved Xinlan last time, and I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. Please take them. Don't be so polite with me."
As she spoke, she pressed the cakes into Liu Hong's arms. Liu Hong had no choice but to accept them, feeling as if his chest was burning.
"That's better. Don't be polite with Auntie. If Xinlan has any problems in the future, I'll still need your help."
A look of joy appeared on Wu Guixiang's thin face. Seeing that he had accepted them, she left satisfied.
Liu Hong touched his burning chest and sighed faintly.
"Brother Liu, what's wrong? Auntie Wu brought you food, but you look like you're being punished. There's no poison in the food."
"Miss Lin, please stop laughing at me." Liu Hong recounted everything that had happened that day, including how he had impulsively said he would marry Gu Xinlan.
"I'm too embarrassed to face Auntie Wu and Xinlan now."
Rong Zhi smiled upon hearing this. "Xinlan is in such a state, it's indeed not easy for her to get married. Brother Liu, do you like her?"
"No... Miss Lin, what are you saying? How could I like Xinlan?"
"Do you dislike her?"
"No, no!" Liu Hong quickly shook his head in denial. "I've never thought about it that way."
"I understand. You're afraid that if people find out about what happened before, Auntie Wu will blame you, right?"
Therefore, he subconsciously wanted to distance himself from Gu Xinlan.
Liu Hong thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Brother Liu, actually, you did nothing wrong in this matter. On the contrary, you are Xinlan's savior. If Auntie Wu knew, she would be grateful to you, not blame you."
"But, if it weren't for me, Xinlan wouldn't have become like this. Perhaps if I married her, it would compensate her."
His words lacked conviction, clearly showing he hadn't thought it through.
"Perhaps you can imagine life after marriage. If you're not particularly resistant, you could try."
"Ah?" Is it possible?
Liu Hong was confused.
"Feelings are hard to explain. Some couples don't fall in love at first sight, but they can live very happily in the end."
"Is that so... Then... I'll consider it carefully. Thank you, Miss Lin. I'll be going now. See you, Brother Xia."
Liu Hong bid them farewell, but walked slowly, heading up the mountain absentmindedly.
Rong Zhi watched Liu Hong's receding figure and murmured to herself, "Looking at him like this, even if he doesn't marry Gu Xinlan in the end, he'll never forget her."
Xia Yunting also looked in that direction, but his thoughts had long since wandered.
What was said without intent was heard with intent.
The two sentences Rong Zhi had used to advise Liu Hong had actually made Xia Yunting think seriously.
He even began to wonder what life would be like if he and Rong Zhi weren't in this cooperative relationship, but were a normal couple.
As he thought about it, images of them practicing martial arts together, eating together, and sleeping in each other's arms at night surfaced in his mind. It seemed... not too bad.