Chapter 13: In a Fury

Xuan Yue had practiced martial arts for many years and had the habit of rising early to practice his forms. He had originally thought that by the time he finished a set, Qingfeng would be back.

After all, his residence was only a short tea break’s distance from Yushou Village, and Qingfeng had always been quick on his feet. A round trip shouldn’t have taken long.

But unexpectedly, after finishing his practice and gnawing down the leftover roasted meat from the day before, only then did Qingfeng come charging through the door.

And as soon as he entered, he didn’t report back any findings. Instead, he blurted out, “Master, I’ve found you a maid to serve you!”

Xuan Yue stroked his slightly growing beard and narrowed his phoenix eyes at Qingfeng, displeased. “This is what you found out?”

“Yes,” Qingfeng answered with great cheer. He rushed to sit across from Xuan Yue, gulped down some tea, then leaned in close and whispered mysteriously, “Master, that Lin Furong is indeed from Yushou Village, but she tried to kill herself for a hidden reason.”

Seeing that Qingfeng had finally gotten to the point, Xuan Yue’s expression relaxed a little. He picked up his teacup, sipped lightly, and asked, “What hidden reason?”

Qingfeng took another gulp of tea and then vividly recounted everything that had happened that day in Yushou Village.

Xuan Yue listened without reacting, but just outside the door, Wen Lan was slightly moved. She hadn’t expected that Lin Furong’s family would actually go into the river to search for her body.

So they did care after all.

Wen Lan felt slightly comforted on Lin Furong’s behalf.

“Master, that Lin Furong is truly pitiful, really.” Qingfeng was now laying it on thick, nearly to the point of tears in order to set up what he would say next.

But Xuan Yue remained unmoved, quietly sipping his tea.

“I think—! This Lin Furong can’t go back home. With her fierce temper, she’d definitely try to kill herself again. So—” Qingfeng dragged out the word, sneaking a glance at Xuan Yue’s face.

“So,” Xuan Yue set down his teacup and raised his gaze to Qingfeng, “she’s the maid you found for me?”

Qingfeng knew his master would piece things together on his own, so he grinned and nodded quickly.

Outside the door, Wen Lan was still confused, but her sharp mind caught something new.

The man who called himself the cousin had referred to the hunter as Master, not Cousin.

Something wasn’t adding up. Wen Lan touched her soft pink chin thoughtfully.

Master—in the Southern Dynasty, that was a respectful title used for men with power and status. Could it be that this scruffy-bearded “hunter” who suddenly appeared in Yunchong Mountain was actually someone important?

Oh my God! Wen Lan realized she had stumbled upon something huge.

Immediately, she covered her mouth and giggled.

Looks like fate hadn’t handed her the wrong script. There had to be a reason she’d transmigrated from the 21st century into the body of a mountain village girl.

Heaven must have recognized her unique talent and wanted her to make something great of herself in the Southern Dynasty.

And this hunter—he was her golden finger!

Yes, this golden finger must be secured.

With this in mind, she refocused on eavesdropping, pressing her ear against the wooden door.

Inside, Xuan Yue’s deep, slow, yet unmistakably dangerous voice rang out again. He asked Qingfeng, “I’m a man living alone in the mountains. Lin Furong is already being so misunderstood by the villagers. Do you really think her parents would let her come here to be a maid? Besides, who are you? Who am I? Even if we’re trying to save her from her dire straits, we can’t let her reputation be further ruined. You also said before—I won’t be staying here for long. When I leave, what will become of her then?”

“You don’t have to worry about any of that, Master!” Qingfeng patted his chest confidently. “Lin’s parents are more than willing to entrust her to us, and the villagers won’t say a word. As for when you leave—don’t worry, I’ve already thought it through. Lin Furong is also willing to leave this place. When the time comes, we can send her to work as a servant in another household. For her, that’s like flying up to the branch and becoming a phoenix!”

“Her parents are more than willing to entrust her to us?” Xuan Yue narrowed his beautiful phoenix eyes. “Qingfeng, what tricks are you up to now?”

Qingfeng grinned, “I knew I couldn’t hide this from you, Master. That’s right—I gave a bride price to the Lin family just now and told them you were going to marry Lin Furong.”

“What?!” Xuan Yue shot to his feet in shock, frowning deeply at Qingfeng. After a long silence, he bellowed, “Utter nonsense!”

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