Chapter 44: Finally, Someone to Listen to You Longsheng's Rant
Chapter 44: Finally, Someone to Listen to You Longsheng's Rant
And so, You Longsheng's journey home now included five people.
Ding Chengfeng took the initiative to tell You Longsheng about their travels so far.
This was Ding Baiyun's first time venturing into the jianghu. Indeed, Ding Chengfeng had been traveling with her around Hebei and Shandong. They had planned to follow the Grand Canal to Gusu to catch up with their friends from the Nangong family. However, they had then heard the news about the appearance of the Plum Blossom Thief, as well as the disgrace of the daughter of Hua Mountain's sect leader.
Although Hua Mountain Sect had been in a decline in recent decades, it still had a deep heritage and was not to be trifled with. Thus, the disciples of Hua Mountain emerged to search for the Plum Blossom Thief.
So they immediately changed their route and headed west, traveling upstream along the Yellow River to Hua Mountain to comfort Hua Yiyi.
And this Hua Yiyi was none other than the third daughter of the current sect leader and a close friend of Ding Baiyun.
Before the Hua Mountain disciples could find any traces of the Plum Blossom Thief, they heard that the thief had killed Qin Zhong, the first secular disciple of Shaolin, and that Li Xinhuan, suspected to be the Plum Blossom Thief, had been captured and sent to Shaolin.
With Shaolin's involvement, Hua Mountain naturally stood down.
Having heard the news, Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun, who had been staying at Hua Mountain for almost a month, bid farewell to Hua Yiyi and prepared to return home. Of course, they could also inquire about the Plum Blossom Thief along the way.
"So Li Xinhuan isn't the Plum Blossom Thief?" Ding Chengfeng asked.
"Of course not," You Longsheng replied, recounting the events at Xingyun Manor and how he had accompanied Li Xinhuan to Shaolin. "It was purely out of Zhao Zhengyi's grudge, colluding with Long Xiaoyun, Tian Qi, and Gongsun Moyun to scheme against Li Xinhuan."
"But isn't Long Xiaoyun like a brother to Li Xinhuan?" Ding Baiyun asked.
Ding Baiyun had initially looked down on You Longsheng, especially when he deliberately teased Sun Xiaohong, displaying such a lewd expression. Even though he had injured Yin Wuji, she didn't care because she believed she could defeat Yin Wuji herself.
However, when You Longsheng and Ding Chengfeng fought to a draw, her attitude towards You Longsheng began to change.
In the martial arts world, strength was paramount!
Ding Baiyun had always respected, even admired, her older brother. Ding Chengfeng's martial arts prowess was undoubtedly top-notch among the younger generation of the four great families. Even their father, the head of the Ding family, would find it challenging to defeat him.
Yet, You Longsheng could match Ding Chengfeng in battle!
As You Longsheng narrated his story, Ding Baiyun had to admit that his verbal skills were impressive. At the very least, in that situation, she would have found it difficult to defend Li Xinhuan.
Elder Qi, or Tian Qi, was a veteran of the martial arts world for decades, well-connected and adept at navigating social circles. Most people would find it hard to get the better of him in an argument. But You Longsheng had managed to extricate himself from Tian Qi's web of words and even turned the tables on him, leaving him and Zhao Zhengyi speechless.
This made Ding Baiyun realize that sometimes, words could be as sharp as a sword. At least, when she thought of the expressions on Zhao Zhengyi and Tian Qi's faces, she couldn't help but feel amused.
However, she still had some questions, such as why Long Xiaoyun would betray Li Xinhuan. "Is it because Li Xinhuan crippled his son?"
"That's one reason," You Longsheng said, "but the main reason is jealousy and guilt."
"Jealousy and guilt?"
Both Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun were important and powerful characters in the original story. Ding Chengfeng was known for his integrity and discretion, and Ding Baiyun...
Well, Ding Baiyun also had impeccable character. If she said she would kill your entire family, she would do just that. Of course, she wasn't the type to gossip, either.
Finally, You Longsheng had someone to vent to. What was the point of ranting to those two side characters, Duan Qian and Feng Wan?
"As the saying goes, a favor as small as a grain of rice is still a favor, and an offense as small as a grain of rice is still an offense," You Longsheng said. "Now, suppose you saved someone's life, and as a token of gratitude, they want to give you their mansion in the city, dozens of shops, and hundreds of acres of farmland outside the city. What would you think?"
Ding Chengfeng was left speechless, unsure how to respond.
Ding Chengfeng was stunned. "Li Xinhuan..."
You Longsheng nodded. "Sending money, houses, fields, and women. Tell me, isn't Li Xinhuan extraordinary?"
As a woman, Ding Baiyun instantly empathized with Lin Shiyin. "Extraordinary, my foot!"
"Well said!" You Longsheng gave her a thumbs-up. "Li Xinhuan surpasses Long Xiaoyun in looks, talent, character, and martial arts. But there is one aspect where he falls short."
"What's that?" Ding Baiyun asked.
"His self-centered, chauvinistic attitude," You Longsheng replied. "He believed that Long Xiaoyun was more dependable, and that it would be better for Lin Shiyin to marry him. So, without explaining the situation to Long Xiaoyun or considering Lin Shiyin's feelings, he unilaterally carried out his plan.
As a result, Lin Shiyin fell into despair and married Long Xiaoyun. While Li Xinhuan felt self-satisfied, he also suffered immensely, feeling heartbroken and disillusioned. In his anguish, he gave away all his possessions in Baoding to Long Xiaoyun and Lin Shiyin as a wedding gift and left by himself to wander the martial world.
Li Xinhuan endured agony for over a decade. Lin Shiyin, deeply in love with Li Xinhuan, suffered just as long. And Long Xiaoyun, knowing that everything he had was given to him by Li Xinhuan, lived with the knowledge that his wife's heart belonged to another man, suffering for years as well."
"Serves them right!" Ding Baiyun exclaimed angrily.
"Indeed, they deserved it!"
You Longsheng gave Ding Baiyun another thumbs-up. "If Li Xinhuan had truly considered Long Xiaoyun and Lin Shiyin as equals, as a brother and his fiancee, he should have clarified the situation with them. If Lin Shiyin had been a bit braver, she should have spoken frankly to both Li Xinhuan and Long Xiaoyun. And if Long Xiaoyun had possessed more spine, he should have gone after Li Xinhuan upon learning the truth.
But none of them did.
Li Xinhuan, under the pretext of acting in their best interests, showed a complete lack of respect for Lin Shiyin by treating her like an object to be given away. Lin Shiyin, lacking the courage to defy societal norms, pined for Li Xinhuan while also giving birth to Long Xiaoyun's child. As for Long Xiaoyun, though he shared a bed with his wife, her heart belonged to another, yet he still deeply loved Lin Shiyin and couldn't bear to let her or their child go."
"Strictly speaking, they all had their shortcomings," You Longsheng said. "But Li Xinhuan managed to maintain his self-satisfaction until the end, never speaking ill of Long Xiaoyun.
However, Long Xiaoyun's feelings for Li Xinhuan, over time, morphed from guilt over taking his wife to jealousy and murderous intent, warping his psyche. His actions, colluding with outsiders to harm Li Xinhuan, could only be described as repaying kindness with enmity.
Of course, the most blameless one in all this was Lin Shiyin. As a young lady of an official's family, we can't expect too much from her. So, she was caught in a difficult situation.
As long as Li Xinhuan never reappeared, Long Xiaoyun and Lin Shiyin could maintain a superficial harmonious marriage. But once Li Xinhuan returned..."
You Longsheng shook his head and sighed. "How deep must their emotional reserves be for them to be able to coexist peacefully?"
"Li Xinhuan is despicable!" Ding Baiyun cursed. "He's the one who started all this!"
"Well said!" You Longsheng exclaimed. "I also think Li Xinhuan is despicable, but I wouldn't dare say it to his face."
Upon hearing this, both Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun burst out laughing.
Ding Chengfeng's reaction was understandable, but Ding Baiyun's gaze toward You Longsheng held a peculiar glint, as if seeing him in a new light. "You're quite honest and considerate, aren't you?"
You Longsheng's heart skipped a beat. Don't tell me this lady has taken a liking to me and sees me as a confidante?
I can't handle that!
(End of Chapter)
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