“Manman?” Qiu Honglei frowned. “I don’t think it’ll work. She's been good friends with Chu Chuyan since their time at Brightmoon City. There’s no way she would help us deal with Chu Chuyan’s master.”
“Just because they're good friends doesn’t mean they're on good terms. If they are that close, why would Manman get together with Ah Zu even though he’s married to Chuyan?” Yun Jianyue pointed out.
“There must be a reason behind that.” Qiu Honglei rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you get together with Ah Zu despite knowing my relationship with him too?”
Yun Jianyue was speechless. Gah, it feels like I've shot myself in the foot.
Qiu Honglei quickly grabbed Yun Jianyue’s arm and said, “Master, I’m kidding. Manman is your younger cousin, so she should be closer to us. Let’s do as you say and ask her for help.”
Yun Jianyue’s complexion finally improved. This lass would have never dared to joke with me like that in the past. It’s all Ah Zu’s fault!
“You ask her. I’m not close with Manman, and you've known her longer.”
Qiu Honglei was baffled. “She’s your younger cousin! How are the two of you not close?”
Yun Jianyue replied sheepishly, “I can’t shrug off the feeling that she’s a junior. It’s embarrassing to talk about such matters with her. It’s better for you to do it.”
Qiu Honglei belatedly remembered that others still didn’t know about her master’s relationship with Zu An, so she had no choice but to take on the job. I must have owed my master a lot in my previous life. Not only did I get my man taken by her, but I even have to cover her ass.
So, Qiu Honglei went out and visited Pei Mianman’s room.
Pei Mianman rushed over to support her. “Honglei, you should take it slow. You've only just recovered.”
Her concern brought a smile to Qiu Honglei’s face. “Thank you, Manman, but I am still a cultivator. I’ve been resting too much in recent years, so I’d like to walk around more.”
The two of them exchanged some pleasantries. Pei Mianman sensed that Qiu Honglei had come with a purpose, so she probed about that.
Qiu Honglei was put on the spot, but she still replied, “Manman, what do you think about Ah Zu and Sect Master Yan?”
Pei Mianman was taken aback. “Why do you suddenly ask that?” Have they figured out Ah Zu’s relationship with Yan Xuehen?
Qiu Honglei didn’t notice her anomalous response. “I just think that they look too distant.”
Pei Mianman breathed a sigh of relief. “Do they?” More like negative distance.
“Didn’t you see how Ah Zu was sitting five meters away from Sect Master Yan when treating her earlier in the day? I’m worried there’s a conflict between them.” Qiu Honglei wasn't so foolish as to reveal that she suspected them of having an affair right away.
Pei Mianman scoffed in her heart. I bet Ah Zu didn’t expect his cautiousness to backfire on him.
“Sect Master Yan values propriety and avoids physical contact with men. Ah Zu probably kept his distance because of that.” Pei Mianman couldn’t help but recall intimate images of the duo as she said those words. Honestly, I can’t understand how Yan Xuehen fell for Ah Zu.
Yan Xuehen hadn't just been putting on an act all these years. She was true to her reputation, but Zu An had somehow managed to melt even the icy mountain.
Qiu Honglei was aware of Yan Xuehen’s reputation, and she knew no one would believe her if she said that Yan Xuehen had seduced her disciple’s man. On the contrary, people would think that she was slandering Yan Xuehen. /Thus, she could only remark, “Sect Master Yan is simply too powerful, so much so that my master went all out and accidentally released her desire energy in the duel. We were worried that she would be affected, but fortunately, she looked fine earlier on. Her self-discipline is truly formidable.”
She didn’t voice her suspicion, but instead subtly revealed the key phrase ‘desire energy’. She knew Manman was smart enough to draw a link. She’s Ah Zu’s woman and Chuyan’s best friend. She wouldn’t turn a blind eye to this matter!
Unsurprisingly, Pei Mianman’s complexion darkened. I was wondering why she and Ah Zu looked so formal in the room. I bet something indescribable must have happened in there earlier. They must have used some method to deceive our eyes...
They chatted a while longer before Qiu Honglei took her leave, knowing that Pei Mianman had to be harboring doubts now.
After she walked out the door, she hid in the corner and secretly observed Pei Mianman. It was only when the latter rushed out of the door that she finally left with a satisfied smile. I am indeed a Devil Sect demoness. Somehow, I feel excited doing this.
Meanwhile, Pei Mianman finally found Zu An. The latter was sending off a few imperial court officials who had come to visit.
Zu An smiled and stepped forward with open arms to embrace her. “Manman, you’re here.”
Pei Mianman stepped aside and avoided his embrace.
“What’s wrong, Manman?” Zu An was taken aback.
“Ah Zu, I won’t say anything about your philandering ways, but why do you have to get involved with Sect Master Yan, of all people?” Pei Mianman finally let it off her chest.
Zu An replied bitterly, “Would you believe me if I said it happened by coincidence?” He knew Pei Mianman had seen them that day.
“It doesn’t matter what I think. The question is whether others believe you or not.” Pei Mianman took a deep breath. “How much longer do you intend to conceal this matter?”
“I don’t know.” Zu An sighed in resignation. “You also know Yan Xuehen’s position. It doesn’t matter to me whether this gets revealed or not, but I fear she won’t be able to take the backlash. She might just end her life out of shame.”
“You two should never have overstepped your boundaries!” Pei Mianman was both angry and agitated.
Yan Xuehen’s reputation was too resounding. She was the leader of the orthodox sects, the incarnation of justice, the divine fairy who practiced the Unshakable Daoist Manual... It would be no exaggeration to say that the world already saw her as a saint.
The higher a person stood, the greater they stood to fall. It would be a huge scandal if she were exposed to be in a relationship with a man, not to mention that it was her disciple’s man. Even Pei Mianman felt stifled thinking about it, let alone Yan Xuehen.
Zu An asked, “Manman, why are you suddenly asking me about this?”
“You shouldn’t have done it if you didn’t want others to know,” Pei Mianman coldly uttered. “I’m here to warn you that others have started suspecting your relationship with her. It won’t be long before they arrive at the truth. You should mentally prepare yourselves for that.”
Then, she left without giving him a chance to ask further questions. She wasn't going to betray Qiu Honglei.
Zu An fell into deep thought. He could guess what was going on.
Qiu Honglei and Yun Jianyue barged into the room earlier today to catch us. I was still overjoyed when they patched things up, but to think they would join forces to pull this off right after.
Did they find out about me and Yan Xuehen?
No, that can’t be. If she had conclusive evidence, Yun Jianyue would have confronted Yan Xuehen right away. They're probably just suspecting it...
Should I pull both sides together for a show of hands?
No, that won’t do. Their situations might be similar, but Yun Jianyue is from the Devil Sect and has less regard for her reputation. Yan Xuehen is at a disadvantage...