Chapter 23 [VIP] The Jianghu Saga (Part 4)

Chapter 23 [VIP] The Jianghu Saga (Part 4)

"I’m not blaming you. It's my fault for avoiding you, okay?" Xie Yu explained further, and seeing her mood soften, he finally let her go.

He turned to help Nan Yan up, noticing the abrasion on her palm, his brow furrowed slightly, "It’s just a scrape, nothing serious."

Xie Yu patted her sleeve, looking at the obedient and quiet girl in front of him, then at the visibly upset woman beside him, feeling somewhat headache.

As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it hard to settle a family dispute. Between Nan Yan and Su Mo, he instinctively chose to protect his beloved, "Why did you suddenly come over? My injuries are minor and already healing. You heard it, Su Mo didn't mean it. It was just an accident during the scuffle. Yan Yan, can I apologize on her behalf?"

Although the words were apologetic, the bias and protectiveness were quite evident.

Nan Yan wasn't surprised by his response, shaking her head nonchalantly, "It's fine, I just didn’t stand steady."

She truly didn't mind, her facial expression unchanged.

Xie Yu, looking at her scraped palm, felt a slight sense of guilt, "Alright, if you're sure you're fine. Then wait here, I'll take care of it for you."

Nan Yan smiled lightly at him, "No need to bother, it's just a small scratch, I can handle it myself."

After saying this, she gestured towards him, her eyes conveying a clear message – what better opportunity to appease your beloved?

Her actions just now clearly upset her.

Xie Yu immediately understood what she meant. He was also thinking about Su Mo and knew she must be angry now. Yet, seeing Nan Yan's indifferent demeanor, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.

He and Nan Yan had always been close since childhood, and this was the first time she had pushed him away towards someone else.

Xie Yu suppressed this subtle emotion.

Remembering his earlier words, his tone softened, "Don't be stubborn, let me take care of it for you. I brought you here, so it's my responsibility to ensure your safety."

He said this to prevent any misunderstanding. Though they had a clear understanding regarding the canceled engagement, he truly viewed her as a sister and wanted to protect her.

However, Nan Yan withdrew her hand, smiling lightly and shaking her head, seemingly not bothered by what had just happened, "Brother A-Yu, you really don’t need to worry about me. It’s just a minor scrape, I can handle it myself."

Her refusal was quite apparent.

Xie Yu observed her for a while. Despite his indifference, the repeated rejections made him visibly uncomfortable.

Was Yan Yan trying to set clear boundaries between them?

He fell silent for a moment, thinking that perhaps this was for the best. He always saw Nan Yan as a sister, and being overly close might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings and complications.

"As you wish."

After saying this, Xie Yu grabbed Su Mo's wrist and left with her, seemingly indifferent to her feelings.

However, his tone seemed somewhat petulant, and the reason for his sullenness might not even be clear to him.

……

"Clever tactics, Miss."

Nan Yan, lost in thought watching the departing figures, was startled by the voice behind her. A smile appeared on her face, gentle but not reaching the depths of her eyes.

"What do you mean by that, sir? I don't quite understand," Nan Yan turned, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

Xiao Guanxue observed her quietly, his gaze distant and detached.

Nan Yan looked back at him. As their eyes met, Xiao Guanxue saw her face more clearly – delicate and pretty like a painting, with a hint of charm in her slightly upturned eyes despite her demure demeanor.

She seemed indifferent to his words, her expression calm and gentle.

Xiao Guanxue frowned, then averted his gaze, "If Miss doesn’t understand, let's pretend I never said it. But sympathy gained through schemes is never lasting. Xie Yu doesn't like you, and such tactics of playing hard to get are futile with him."

Nan Yan laughed softly upon hearing this, her eyes sparkling and lashes fluttering. She stepped forward, closing the distance with Xiao Guanxue, "How curious. Why should my actions concern you? Are you perhaps smitten with me at first sight?"

She looked straight into his eyes, speaking boldly without any hint of shyness or discomfort at being exposed.

Xiao Guanxue's frown deepened, knowing that women who remain composed are more challenging to deal with as they are often more calculating. This thought cooled his demeanor, "You're overthinking it. I'm just warning you, Xie Yu is no fool."

Such tactics of stepping back to gain sympathy might work once or twice, but a man won't fall in love out of pity. If she continued to persist, Xie Yu would eventually see through it.

Nan Yan responded indifferently with an "Oh."

Xiao Guanxue’s gaze swept over her unruffled eyes, feeling a sense of futility, like hitting cotton. This matter was none of his concern, but he cared more about Su Mo, worried that Nan Yan might harm her. He didn’t want Su Mo to get hurt because of this.

With that thought, Xiao Guanxue said no more and left, clearly not wanting further involvement with her.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu explained all the recent events to his beloved, persuading her to reluctantly forgive him.

Although the two hadn't explicitly defined their relationship, there was an undeniable, subtle romantic tension between them, visible to any discerning eye. Both seemed to have feelings for each other but chose not to clarify, perhaps enjoying the ambiguity.

Afterward, the group settled in Medicine King Valley. Xie Yu and Su Mo returned to their usual playful bickering, bringing much liveliness to the usually serene valley.

"Impressive tactics, young lady."

Nan Yan, absorbed in watching the departing figures, was caught off-guard by the voice behind her. Her face broke into a smile, warm but not reaching the depths of her eyes.

"What do you mean by that, sir? I'm somewhat puzzled," said Nan Yan, turning with a hint of surprise and confusion in her eyes.

Xiao Guanxue watched her silently, his gaze distant and detached.

Nan Yan met his gaze, and as their eyes locked, Xiao Guanxue got a clearer look at her face – delicate and artful, with a hint of allure in her slightly upturned eyes, despite her demure air.

She seemed unconcerned about his words, her expression calm and gentle.

Xiao Guanxue frowned, then averted his eyes, "If Miss doesn’t understand, let's just forget I said anything. Just remember, pity gained through manipulation doesn’t last. Xie Yu doesn't truly like you, and such tactics won't work on him."

Nan Yan laughed lightly at this, her eyes twinkling and lashes curling. She stepped closer to Xiao Guanxue, "How curious. What does my strategizing have to do with you? Are you perhaps infatuated with me at first sight?"

She gazed directly into his eyes, her words bold, yet her face showed no sign of embarrassment or discomfort from being exposed.

Xiao Guanxue's frown deepened, realizing that composed women are often more challenging, as they tend to be more calculating. This thought chilled his demeanor further, "You're overthinking it. I'm merely reminding you, Xie Yu is no fool."

Such tactics, effective for gaining temporary sympathy, won’t lead to love. If she continues, Xie Yu will eventually see through her.

Nan Yan responded indifferently with an "Oh."

Xiao Guanxue’s gaze swept over her unruffled eyes, feeling a sense of futility. This woman was impervious to influence. Initially indifferent to the matter, his concern was more for Su Mo, fearing that Nan Yan might target her. He didn’t want Su Mo to be hurt.

With that thought, Xiao Guanxue left without further comment, clearly not wishing to be involved further.

Elsewhere, Xie Yu thoroughly explained recent events to his beloved, finally managing to coax her into a reluctant forgiveness.

Though their relationship remained undefined, there was an undeniable, subtle romantic tension between them, evident to anyone observant enough to notice. It seemed they both enjoyed the current ambiguity.

After this, they all settled in Medicine King Valley. Xie Yu and Su Mo resumed their usual playful dynamic, bringing much liveliness to the usually serene valley.

Nan Yan, while walking forward, glanced at Su Mo and commented softly, "Miss Su, you're quite as I imagined you to be."

Su Mo clearly hadn't expected such a direct question.

She was momentarily taken aback but then thought of the woman's relationship with Xie Yu and frowned.

"What does that have to do with you?"

Su Mo didn't deny it outright, but even she wasn't sure of her own feelings.

She had always thought she liked Xiao Guanxue, but somehow, during Xie Yu's absence, she hadn’t felt at ease.

Thus, Nan Yan's words stirred something in her, but she quickly suppressed these subtle emotions.

Seeing Su Mo's changing expressions, Nan Yan's smile deepened, "There’s no need to be nervous, Miss. If you truly like him, just say so. I'm sure Brother A-Yu would be more than happy to take you as a concubine."

Su Mo's face changed drastically at this.

Whether it was out of embarrassment or anger, or a mix of both, she glared at Nan Yan, her face flushing red with fury.

"Concubine?" Her tone rose sharply in disbelief.

Although Su Mo usually didn't care about her reputation, she was infuriated by Nan Yan's words and retorted instinctively, "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever say I wanted to be Xie Yu's concubine?"

Nan Yan looked surprised at her reaction, but her own demeanor was unusually calm as she replied lightly, "I thought you were willing, given how concerned you are about him."

Flaunting affection in front of his betrothed, acting so close under the guise of friendship – it was hard to believe there was nothing between them.

Nan Yan glanced at her, her eyes filled with understanding and gentleness, "Miss, you must know that the Xie family is a martial family allied with Moonlight Villa for generations. My engagement with Brother A-Yu, being arranged since birth, makes our breakup difficult."

As long as she held onto the engagement, the two couldn't be together legitimately. If it were truly for love, they could just elope, but the status gained from eloping, compared to that of a concubine, might be even less.

"But when I came here, my mother advised me – if Brother A-Yu truly likes another woman, we shouldn't make it difficult for her. Simply having Brother A-Yu marry her as a concubine would suffice. Do you understand my meaning, Miss Su?"

After hearing this, Su Mo couldn't help but understand her intention.

But this "generosity" was humiliating and confusing, as if she were some cheap item for selection. Her face turned from red to pale, visibly distressed.

Besides, didn't this woman also like Xie Yu?

If she truly loved him, how could she calmly discuss the prospect of taking a concubine for him?

Su Mo felt her dignity trampled upon. Though customs of the martial world were more relaxed, she had her pride. The idea of eagerly becoming a concubine for Xie Yu was utterly unthinkable.

Taking a deep breath to calm her inner turmoil, Su Mo asked, "When did I ever say I liked Xie Yu?"

Nan Yan had anticipated this reaction, pausing momentarily with a slightly surprised expression.

"Isn't it so? I thought Brother A-Yu's feelings were quite evident, and since you haven’t rejected him, doesn’t that indicate some interest?"

Su Mo clenched her fists, her gaze towards Nan Yan slightly irritated, "Of course not. Xie Yu and I are just friends, nothing more. Besides, I've already set my heart on someone else. Don't spread such baseless rumors again. I will never become his concubine."

She instinctively denied any romantic link with Xie Yu.

While she might harbor some fondness for Xie Yu, it was just that - no more. These subtle feelings were insignificant compared to her pride and self-respect. She couldn't imagine being reduced to a mere concubine, existing solely for someone's pleasure.

"I see."

Nan Yan seemed satisfied with the answer, her smile becoming even gentler, "My apologies for the misunderstanding. I thought you and Brother A-Yu were mutually attracted. I didn't realize it was unrequited love on his part. If that’s the case, may I ask you to disregard my words today?"

With this light remark, she effortlessly glossed over the day's events.

Su Mo felt an increased sense of discomfort, feeling manipulated and powerless, as if she had lost control of the situation.

Yet if she didn't agree, it would seem as if she indeed had some involvement with Xie Yu.

Su Mo subtly furrowed her brow, showing no outward sign of concern, yet inwardly, she was affected. "Rest assured, I won't take today's matter to heart."

Hearing this, Nan Yan's smile became more genuine. She stepped forward and gently took Su Mo's wrist, displaying a familiar and friendly demeanor.

"I'm truly sorry, I've been misunderstanding Sister Su. But since you don't like him, could you please not mention this to Brother A-Yu? I'm afraid it might lead to misunderstandings later."

Calling her 'sister' seemed to imply a close relationship, but Su Mo was no fool. She knew Nan Yan was deliberately trying to sound her out.

Having already spoken her mind, Su Mo naturally couldn’t tell Xie Yu about this encounter, thus suppressing her annoyance.

"…Don’t worry, I won't tell him."

She turned away, her expression cold and unapproachable.

"Thank you for your understanding, Sister."

Nan Yan thanked her with a light laugh, seemingly wanting to continue the conversation. However, Su Mo was clearly distracted, responding only occasionally and soon fell silent.

Nan Yan kept talking about their past, Xie Yu's embarrassing moments, and his tender side never shown to her, each casual word feeling like a tightly wound thread pulling at Su Mo's heart.

Eventually, Su Mo couldn't take it anymore.

She made an excuse and turned to leave.

This disheveled departure starkly contrasted with her usual poised demeanor in the original text.

In the original story, Nan Yan was not magnanimous. Upon learning about Su Mo's existence, she became impatient and, as the fiancée, demanded that Su Mo stay away from Xie Yu. However, her words couldn’t change the situation.

Rather, she found herself cornered by the other’s words.

Now, her magnanimity in directly addressing the unspoken between them, offering to accept her as a concubine, met with reluctance.

It seems true love also hinges on social status.

Nan Yan pursed her lips, smiling lightly and feeling quite pleased. She slowly walked back the way she came, only to see an unexpected figure under the eaves nearby.

Oh, what a coincidence.

Dressed in a simple green robe, his long black hair was tied up with a jade band that fluttered in the breeze, lending him an extraordinary air.

His eyes were cold, a fallen leaf resting on his shoulder, indicating he had been standing there for some time.

Therefore, he had overheard the entire conversation.

Su Mo, naive and straightforward, couldn’t grasp Nan Yan's insinuations, but Xiao Guanxue was far from naive. He understood that Nan Yan had been leading Su Mo into a trap from the beginning.

She intentionally guided Su Mo into making insincere statements, clearly scheming to distance her from Xie Yu.

With this realization, Xiao Guanxue felt a heaviness in his heart. While he could overlook much, he couldn't bear to see Su Mo manipulated in such a way, “All those words you said were part of your calculation.”