Chapter 323

Chapter 323: Openly Spreading Rumors

Jiang Yu Wei was puzzled: “What do you mean?”

Lin Jing Xuan also looked confused: “Xin Yue, do you know something?”

Chen Xin Yue sighed softly: “I’m not sure-I’m only guessing.”

Because this touched on the Martial Alliance’s future, Jiang Yu Wei grew anxious: “What is it? Don’t keep us hanging!”

Only then did Chen Xin Yue, as if embarrassed, say, “I’ve been wondering. Second Sister is just an ordinary woman Second Uncle brought back. Even with the Martial Alliance behind her, to be frank, within the Alliance the governor would only really notice you and Second Uncle.”

“Yet a few days ago, the governor actually came to her welcome banquet and even stood up for Second Sister in public…”

With that, the couple understood.

Jiang Yu Wei frowned, saying nothing at first.

Lin Jing Xuan’s face sank: “Don’t talk nonsense. Jin’er isn’t that kind of person!”

Chen Xin Yue didn’t refute her; she even went along: “Aunt is right. Maybe I’m overthinking.”

Hearing that, Lin Jing Xuan still felt uneasy. The governor’s public support for Yu Zhi Yi that night was strange. She had turned it over in her mind for days, but it was still hazy, like looking at flowers in fog. Now, led this way…

She actually didn’t want to think in that direction, but her thoughts drifted there anyway.

As Alliance Leader, Jiang Yu Wei thought more and stayed calm: “It’s absurd, but not impossible. If Madam Song has really come to make trouble, we’ll have to plan carefully.”

Lin Jing Xuan pressed her lips and, in the end, didn’t voice a rebuttal: “Should we inform Second Brother?”

Even if saying it out loud might earn a beating, compared to the Alliance’s future, a beating was nothing. Besides, if it turned out to be true, who would be beating whom was still up in the air. In her heart, though, she still didn’t believe that dignified niece would do such a thing. Sending a message was only a just-in-case precaution.

Yu Zhi Yi saw the maid at Aunt Lin’s side hurry back into the manor. As the maid passed, she even shot Yu Zhi Yi a strange look. Yu Zhi Yi pinched her fingers to calculate and then… [nothing].

That meant the trip was about her. If she had to force a result, she could use a deeper method, but that would burn more Spiritual Energy. No need-she’d know soon enough.

Before long, the maid returned, with a storming-mad Xiao Qing Xuan right behind her.

The moment Xiao Qing Xuan saw Yu Zhi Yi near the gate, her anger faded; worry and pity filled her eyes as she said, “Jin’er, don’t take their filthy words to heart. I’m going to rip that vile girl’s mouth right now!”

She rarely used such harsh words for other women, but Chen Ruo Lan and Chen Xin Yue were foul to the core!

Chen Ruo Lan was an old snake who always hid her hand and left no trace. She played weak and pitiful, but her heart was more poisonous than a scorpion’s. Chen Xin Yue had inherited her mother’s “talents” and was full of schemes, too.

Normally, Xiao Qing Xuan understood people fighting for their own benefit. In the martial world, if you have no fire and never compete, you might as well go home and farm.

But!

These two never fought fair; they always used dirty tricks. And today they were even spreading obscene rumors out in the open! [If I can swallow that, I’m not Xiao Qing Xuan!]

Yu Zhi Yi: “?”

She didn’t know the details, but she could guess Chen Xin Yue had stirred up trouble again-and this time trampled right on her mother’s last nerve. [Now I’m curious.]

Over these days, she had learned her mother wasn’t the petty type. Even after suffering a huge loss back then, her mother only hated Chen Ruo Lan and never took it out on Chen Xin Yue. So whatever Chen Xin Yue did today had to be big.

Leisurely, she followed Xiao Qing Xuan toward the gate.

By the time mother and daughter arrived outside, the Song couple had just stepped down from their carriage.

Not noticing Yu Zhi Yi and her mother, the Jiang family went up to greet them, bowing respectfully: “Commoner Jiang Yu Wei and commoner Lin Jing Xuan pay respects to the Commandery Governor and Madam Song.”

Chen Xin Yue dipped in a graceful curtsey: “Commoner Chen Xin Yue pays respects to the Commandery Governor and Madam Song.”

Though people of the martial world, their manners were proper. No matter how famous or strong a fighter is, in the end they are commoners. And in every age, using force to break the law is forbidden-some dynasties are strict, some looser.

In stricter times, ordinary homes could keep only kitchen knives and farm tools. If real weapons were found, the lightest punishment was seizure and a beating; the worst was years in prison.

The Great Sheng Empire isn’t especially harsh about weapons and treats people of the martial world fairly.

A hundred years ago, things were different. Back then, martial artists-especially those of the Martial Alliance-were often rude to Imperial Court officials. Those were blooming, wild days. But the martial world grew so bold that some even plotted against officials. The Imperial Court, enraged, began a heavy purge.

After decades of cleanup, the martial world hasn’t withered, but it no longer dares to defy the Court. As the largest force in the jianghu, the Martial Alliance carries the duty of keeping balance between the Court and the martial world, so it doesn’t dare act out-mostly because it can’t.

If the Court truly cracks down, small sects and lone wanderers can hide deep in the mountains and wait out the storm. But a giant like the Martial Alliance can’t hide at all.

Besides, men have ambition. No matter how powerful an alliance leader is, he is still a commoner. Jiang Yu Wei wants to climb higher, so he is eager to build a good relationship with Commandery Governor Song.

Lin Jing Xuan, however, doesn’t want ties with officials, especially not to marry her daughter into officialdom-but she can’t decide this.

Chen Xin Yue’s aim is simpler: she wants to climb. If the Martial Alliance won’t be her backer, she’ll climb higher on her own.

“Rise,” Commandery Governor Song said casually, then asked with some doubt: “Why don’t I see the Second Miss?”

Jiang Yu Wei’s heart thumped; he couldn’t decide what to do.