C21

If, if Xue Ronghua died, if...

"I advise you not to waste your time."

When Xue Ronghua said this, she did not have the slightest bit of emotion. She only shook the water droplets on her body, and brushed the hair in front of her forehead.

"Think carefully about who caused you like this, who was it that wanted you to frame me, and who was it that kept on bullying you, humiliating you, and you did everything in your power to help them, and now, when you were in trouble, they avoided you completely without even saying a good word."

In the simple and crude room, there was only one silver candle that was on the verge of collapse.

Xue Ronghua's voice was thin, and it was at this time that she deliberately lowered her tone. As the candle flame swayed, her every word was like a tiny lantern flower, burning Xue Yaohua's heart.

"Madam …"

Xue Yaohua's voice was hoarse, as if she had thought of something she was afraid of. She subconsciously took a step back, and the golden hairpin in her sleeve dropped onto the ground.

"Madame … Madame …"

As if he had fallen into a nightmare, Xue Yaohua's expression became pained. "Why … why have I … haven't I done enough for you all these years …"

"My birth mother … you were afraid that your father would spoil her too much. I … I helped you frame her in front of your father …"

"Why … why … why did you do this to me?"

This was the benefit of Soul-taking Technique.

Xue Ronghua quietly squatted down and picked up the golden hairpin on the ground. The golden hairpin was obviously the style from a few years ago, and only Xue Yaohua, who would do anything to climb up the stairs, would treat it as a treasure.

Could it be that someone who could frame her own mother was willing to work for Madam Ye?

Xue Ronghua sneered, she moved as fast as lightning and pressed on the big hole on Xue Yaohua's neck. After she weakly fell to the ground, Xue Ronghua looked around, blew out the candle, closed the window and quietly retreated.

It was unknown when the snow finally stopped, but it was getting colder and colder by the second. Xue Ronghua looked at the miserable stars in the sky and couldn't help but wrap herself in a thin, short garment.

With Xue Yaohua's keepsake, everything that happened afterwards would become logical.

The corner of her mouth curled up into a smile, but that smile froze in an instant.

On the path in front of him, there was a young master wearing a snow fox cloak.

His black hair was tied up by a warm white jade hairpin, making him look like jade. The two were so close, that even Xue Ronghua could see the playful smile on his face.

Chu Zongge raised his eyebrows, and sized Xue Ronghua up with interest.

"These clothes don't fit you well."

"I think it's better for you," he said, even thoughtfully.

"How dare you wear crimson when you are born from a concubine?"

Xue Ronghua replied coldly.

Although she didn't show any expression on her face, her heart was raging like a storm.

Yes, Mu Langhua had already died, so the body of this fourteen year old girl couldn't be compared to her from the past, but, but …

Xue Ronghua subconsciously held tight to the few silver needles in her hand.

But no matter what, with her sensitive senses, it was impossible for someone to be so close without noticing it.

However, this could only mean that this person's martial arts was unfathomably profound. Even with Mu Langhua's physique, she did not have much chance of winning.

Xue Ronghua quickly calculated the result in her heart. Her forehead started to drip with sweat, but she could only watch as the person walked over, step by step, towards her.

"A concubine?"

Chu Zongge seemed to have heard a funny joke as he chuckled, "I see that you don't consider yourself to be a concubine at all. Coming to this Xue Family's home temple late at night, you even used a soul stealing technique to trick your sisters, and even placed a soul stealing incense in your sister's house so that she would listen to you even more. Second Miss Xue, tell me, is this what a concubine should do?"

He actually saw it.

A hidden killing intent flashed past Xue Ronghua's eyes, but immediately after, she gave up on that idea.

This won't do. With her current level of martial arts, killing the person in front of her was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

"… She set me up first."

After a moment of deathly silence, Xue Ronghua opened her mouth and spoke. She slightly raised her head, her expression not the least bit panicked, "Master Duanwang was waiting here late at night for my daughter, could it be because of these words you have said to me?"

The moon was full of stars, but the girl's eyes were brighter than the stars.

Chu Zongge was startled, for a moment he could not resist extending his hand, wanting to stroke the girl's beautiful eyes.

However, in the next second, an ice-cold feeling pressed against his throat.

"This is the hairpin I got from my concubine."

Xue Ronghua's face was extremely pale, but her strength did not decrease in the slightest. Chu Zongge could even feel a slight pain, and he only frowned slightly.

"You used the instant from the Soul-taking Technique?"

Xue Ronghua did not reply, she merely nodded her head, this technique was just like her name, it was able to calm her mind in an extremely short amount of time, but this technique also had the ability to kill eight thousand enemies and damage her soul by ten thousand. At this moment, the Qi and blood in Xue Ronghua's chest was surging, and it was extremely painful, and she, who had truly been on the battlefield for many years, was able to endure the pain and stand there properly.

"Now, the prince can tell me everything."

"Nonsense."

Chu Zongge's face darkened, "Your Soul-taking Technique is just the tip of the iceberg, using it so frequently. Why, didn't the person who taught you how to use it tell you that you are going to go berserk like an idiot?"

"Even if it's just a piece of fur, it can still restrain a person."

Xue Ronghua's throat felt sweet, but she endured it, and only pursed her lips, "Since Your Highness has seen what I've done tonight, then, I presume that Your Highness has a better idea than both sides being injured? For example, tell me why the Prince is here tonight? "

"Seriously, this is even more unexpected."

A glint of light flashed across Chu Zongge's eyes. He smiled, extended his hand out without care, took off the cape on his body with one hand, and casually threw it on Xue Ronghua's shoulder.

"The Soul-taking Technique originated from the Chiron, and was created by the likes of the Buddhist Sangha. It is a rare and refined treasure, and I occasionally hear of it in the Central Plains, so I treated it as a mediocre trick."

He glanced at Xue Ronghua, his eyes filled with an unfathomable light, "Even if someone is lucky enough to obtain the Soul-taking Technique's secret technique, the number of people who managed to cultivate it is still one in a thousand, do you know what it is?"

"Why?"

Xue Ronghua had a faint premonition in her heart, as if there was some answer that was about to burst out from its cocoon. She stared fixedly at the handsome and elegant youth in front of her, as if she wanted to obtain some answer from that flawless face.

"Because those who cultivate the Soul-taking Technique must be, Soul-Returning Person."

It was as if a part of her heart had been ruthlessly stabbed out. Unexpectedly, Xue Ronghua slowly calmed down after hearing these words.

"Soul Summoner?"

It was as if she was trying to decipher these words. After a moment, Ye Xue once again waved his hand and received the golden hairpin. She asked word by word, "Then Master Duanwang, where are you from?"

That night, the snow stopped again and again.

When it was late in the morning the next day, Nanny Song led a black and blue servant and sneakily knocked on the door of the Qing Xue faction. Xue Ronghua was already dressed properly, sitting at the round table, and helped by Little Zhui to eat lunch.

In the past, Xue Ronghua was an unknown concubinage. In the Xue Residence, even girls who had a bit of face would not look at her twice.

However, the present was naturally different from the past.

Little Zhui smiled as she led Nanny Song in, and saw that there was a stone pot on Xue Ronghua's round table that was emitting a fragrance. Seeing Nanny Song's doubtful gaze, Little Zhui smiled like a flower, pointed to the stone pot and said: "This is the food from Shu that the Master Duanwang's residence has only brought today, and said it is the most nourishing food in the winter. In our Xue Manor, only the second young miss has this dish."

Master Duanwang actually thought so highly of this second young miss?

Nanny Song's mouth did not say anything, but her heart was filled with doubts. She looked at Second Miss Xue who was usually calm and collected, as if the sky had fallen, and upon seeing the servant boy she was leading, she immediately stood up and said: "Is this Cousin Zhao's servant boy? Can he bring the message to my cousin on my behalf?"

Xue Ronghua was young in the first place, but at this moment, she appeared to be extremely similar to her young age that wasn't familiar with the affairs of the world. Nanny Song sneered in her heart, looks like the Madam was right.

While he eagerly received the Master Duanwang's favor, he was also tangled up with his cousin from Ye Family.

Now that she was in the hands of the Madam, all that could be considered as her bad luck.

He pulled the servant behind him out, pointed at the scar on his face and said: It's not, Miss, look, this was beaten up by the servants the other day. Sigh, his body was injured, and one of his ribs were broken, this, after recuperating for two days, he will be returning to the Ye Residence today.

"I was in the wrong. If it wasn't for me that day, Cousin Ye would not have to suffer like that."

Xue Ronghua remained calm as she said that, she quickly gave Little Zhui a meaningful glance. Little Zhui understood and immediately went to the cabinet to take out a embroidered bag.

"This is a purse that I embroidered. Please bring the Ye Residence back."

Xue Ronghua said as she opened the drawer under the round table with her other hand and poured out a few ingots of gold and handed it over to the servant.

That manservant had only been forcefully called over by Grandma Song. Now that he saw the gold, his eyes widened. How could he say anything else? He quickly nodded. "Don't worry Miss, I will make sure to handle this matter well."

"Thank you very much."

Nanny Song naturally accepted the bounty as well, the two anxiously thanked each other, and Xue Ronghua repeatedly warned them to be careful so that no one else in the manor would know about it.

"So much gold, plus yesterday's gold bracelet."

Only Xue Ronghua and her servant were left in the Qing Xue faction. After a long while, Little Zhui huffed and puffed, "How lucky she is!"

"Yeah."

Xue Ronghua sat down again and picked up a piece of beef that was scalded in the hotpot. The beef was fresh and tender, melting in her mouth.

"But if it wasn't for so much gold, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to catch such a big fish."

"But Miss, where did you get so much money?"