Chapter 308: Su Shaoying and Xue Bing Join Forces
Chapter 308: Su Shaoying and Xue Bing Join Forces
Xue Bing's eyes shifted, and she quickly defended herself, "Of course I'm not one of the Red Shoes. Look, I'm not wearing any red shoes."
"I'm not worried about Lady Gongsun; I'm worried about Lu Xiaofeng," Xue Bing said. "Lady Gongsun isn't easy to deal with. Aren't you Lu Xiaofeng's friend?"
"Who's Lu Xiaofeng's friend? Don't slander me!" Su Shaoying hurriedly shook his head. "Hu Tianqing, Hu Xiu, Snake King, and Jin Jiuling are all Lu Xiaofeng's friends. Look at the company he keeps!"
Xue Bing was speechless, but Shi Xiuxue was displeased. "Hua Manlou is also Lu Xiaofeng's friend."
Su Shaoying spread his hands. "Who knows what secrets Hua Manlou might be hiding?"
Shi Xiuxue clenched her fists. "If you keep talking like that, I won't help you take care of Xue Bing."
"Alright, alright, Hua Manlou is as pure as jade. Fine," Su Shaoying waved his hand dismissively, placating Shi Xiuxue before turning to Xue Bing with a serious expression. "Let me make this clear again. I am not Lu Xiaofeng's friend."
"But you still saved me," Xue Bing said.
That afternoon, before Jin Jiuling had even left for the black-varnished carriage, Su Shaoying had already hidden himself beneath it. With his light martial arts skills, Ru Shaohua, who was waiting in the carriage, wouldn't have been able to detect him. And with the 'Turtle Breath' technique he had learned from the Lian Hua Bao Jian, he could easily evade Jin Jiuling's perception.
Su Shaoying then followed Jin Jiuling to the Snake King's tower and back to his secret courtyard. While Jin Jiuling went to deal with Lu Xiaofeng, Su Shaoying quietly rescued Xue Bing and even set a fire while he was at it.
—As for the charred corpse, whether it was the Snake King or one of Jin Jiuling's subordinates, Su Shaoying felt no remorse for taking their life.
After rescuing Xue Bing, Su Shaoying returned to the prince's mansion, asked Shi Xiuxue to take care of her, and leisurely waited for Jin Jiuling.
Hearing Xue Bing's words, Su Shaoying nodded. "I saved you because of Lu Xiaofeng, that's true."
"Then you..."
"You should know about Lu Xiaofeng's relationship with the Emei Sect," Su Shaoying said.
Xue Bing sighed. "I heard that your master almost died because of a misunderstanding caused by Lu Xiaofeng."
Su Shaoying replied indifferently, "Because he trusted the wrong person."
Xue Bing was speechless, as her own predicament was also a result of Lu Xiaofeng's misplaced trust.
Su Shaoying continued, "He trusted a woman."
Xue Bing grit her teeth. If a woman doesn't get jealous, it means she doesn't love you. Xue Bing loved Lu Xiaofeng, so of course, she would be jealous.
"So I saved you, not to put Lu Xiaofeng at ease, but to make him worry," Su Shaoying said. "I want to see him anxious and flustered because of you."
Xue Bing was first stunned, but quickly recovered, "But you still saved me."
If Su Shaoying truly bore a grudge against Lu Xiaofeng and wanted to see him suffer, he wouldn't have risked being discovered by Jin Jiuling to save her.
The last time they met in Hangzhou, Xue Bing had realized that despite their constant bickering, Su Shaoying and Lu Xiaofeng shared a mutual respect.
Shi Xiuxue spoke up seriously, "We're not the kind of people who would stand by and watch someone die."
"I understand," Xue Bing nodded, smiling gently. "In that case, I'll stay here. I'll appear whenever you need me to."
"Huh?" Xue Bing raised her head in surprise.
"If you don't tell me, I'll just go help Lu Xiaofeng deal with Gongsun Daniang." Su Shaoying pointed out. "After all, she's currently the prime suspect, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to hold back if I happen to cross paths with her."
Xue Bing's eyes darted back and forth. "Actually... the Red Shoes is just an organization where sisters help each other out."
"So Gongsun Daniang is the leader?" Su Shaoying asked.
Xue Bing nodded vigorously. "Yes."
"What does the organization require of you?" Su Shaoying inquired.
"There's nothing I need to provide." Xue Bing shook her head firmly.
"Shangguan Feiyan is also a member of the Red Shoes, and she can offer them the treasure of the Jinpeng Dynasty, right?" Su Shaoying stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Does that make her stronger than you?"
"That was just a one-time deal!" Xue Bing gritted her teeth. "I'm the daughter of the Divine Needle Xue Clan!"
"I understand now!" Su Shaoying exclaimed, as if he had just had a revelation.
"Daniang isn't the Embroidery Bandit," Xue Bing added.
"I know, don't worry." Su Shaoying waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave. "And don't underestimate Lu Xiaofeng either. He's not that foolish."
"He's as stubborn as a pig!" Xue Bing huffed in frustration.
When Su Shaoying and Shi Xiuxue arrived in the courtyard, Shi Xiuxue asked, "What did you understand?"
"I don't understand anything," Su Shaoying replied.
Shi Xiuxue looked bewildered. "Then why did you say you understood?"
"It felt like she was already hinting at something quite clearly," Su Shaoying explained. "If I said I didn't understand, it would be a loss of face for me, wouldn't it?"
Shi Xiuxue nodded. "Alright, then I have one last question."
"Go ahead," Su Shaoying said.
"Who is Gongsun Daniang?" Shi Xiuxue asked.
Su Shaoying was speechless.
...
When Su Shaoying arrived at the east gate, he didn't have to wait long before a horse-drawn carriage carrying Jin Jiuling and Lu Xiaofeng appeared.
"What are you doing here?" Lu Xiaofeng asked, noticing Su Shaoying.
"Boss Jin said your mind is in turmoil, so I'm here to help," Su Shaoying replied with feigned concern, his insincerity evident. "How are you feeling now?"
"I'm fine!" Lu Xiaofeng ground out through clenched teeth.
"Then why don't you thank me?" Su Shaoying smiled.
"Why don't you go back to sleep then?" Lu Xiaofeng rolled his eyes. Seeing Su Shaoying, he was reminded of Hua Manlou. "Where's Hua Manlou?"
"The young prince has returned and was quite impressed with Hua Manlou. He insisted on keeping him as a guest for a few days," Jin Jiuling explained. "Having him in the palace also puts my mind at ease."
Lu Xiaofeng wasn't concerned about the palace; his thoughts were solely on Xue Bing.
Where was she?
Someone had heard her groans. Had she sustained internal injuries?
The bumpy ride in the carriage made Lu Xiaofeng, who hadn't eaten much, feel nauseous. He felt like he was about to vomit up the bitter bile in his stomach.
"You must eat something, or how will you make it to see Gongsun Daniang again?" Jin Jiuling said worriedly.
And so, they encountered the honest monk at the tofu shop in the morning.
(End of Chapter)
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