Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Darkening Rain Clouds

"Pawn it? Of course not. Anyone who dared to accept your Jade Pendant must have a death wish." Xie Ming’an scoffed.

He held the crescent jade pendant, sizing up Xu Jingxi.

His gaze was profound.

"Everyone in the Capital City recognizes this. The pendant is like the Xie Mansion’s family crest; only the children of the Xie family possess one. I’ve always wanted to ask, where did you get yours?"

Facing Xie Ming’an’s deep, probing gaze,

Xu Jingxi remained perfectly composed, neither servile nor overbearing. He lifted his head, his sharp eyes as clear as a moonlit breeze, as pure as frost and snow.

"I found it."

Xie Ming’an was taken aback.

Xu Jingxi added, "I found it while scavenging."

Xie Ming’an was left speechless.

His face turned grim. "How is that possible? For a piece of Jade this valuable, the mansion records every one that is given out. As it happens, our family lost a crescent jade pendant once. That’s why the position of the third child in the Xie family has remained vacant. I suspect yours is that very piece."

Xu Jingxi’s thin lips curved into a smile for the first time.

His smile carried a faint trace of mockery.

"The Xie Mansion managed to lose a legitimate daughter, let alone a piece of Jade."

Xie Ming’an froze, unable to refute it.

He could only watch with a grave expression as Xu Jingxi walked away, his back as straight as bamboo.

Xie Ming’an gritted his teeth and summoned a Hidden Guard.

He ordered, "Go and find out where Grandpa Xu found Xu Jingxi all those years ago."

The Hidden Guard nodded. "Second Young Master, are you suspecting..."

"Xu Jingxi is right. The Xie Mansion went through a terrible, dark period back then. I suspect Xu Jingxi is also one of our family." Xie Ming’an gazed toward the end of the alley, his handsome, cold expression inscrutable.

He gave his instructions to the Hidden Guard as he departed.

Hiding around the corner, Xie Yuanjiu covered her mouth, her heart pounding.

’Xu Jingxi... might be a child of the Xie Mansion!!’

The shock she felt upon hearing this speculation was immense.

’Then it hit her—Xu Jingxi was about her age...’

’Could it be!’

Of course, Xie Yuanjiu didn’t suspect that Xu Jingxi was her brother.

’Instead, she wondered, could Xu Jingxi be Fang Qingdai’s child!’

She recalled the Emperor’s smiling jest at the banquet just now.

Xie Yuanjiu suddenly felt it was highly possible.

’So Father betrayed us long ago, hiding such an earth-shattering secret.’ She gritted her teeth, her eyes red with hatred.

’Ever since I was born, has Second Master Xie ever treated me like a daughter?’

’I’m afraid that in his eyes, my very existence has always been a disgrace!’

’Fine. Then I’ll destroy Fang Qingdai as well!’

’General Liang’s widow? How laughable. I’ll make sure everyone knows that before Fang Qingdai went to the border, she was already having an affair with Second Master Xie!’

’Her return to the Capital City this time must be to rekindle their old flame!’

The heavy rain fell without pause.

Not only had it caused a flock of birds to rain droppings down on the banquet, but it had also trapped Fang Qingdai and Second Master Xie at the National Temple.

The two of them had, by coincidence, both come here today.

Because Fang Qingdai had lit two everlasting lamps in the National Temple for her long-deceased parents.

Every year she couldn’t return, Second Master Xie would quietly come to add money for incense oil and commission the abbot to chant scriptures for the salvation of their souls.

Today, a downpour had trapped the two of them under the eaves of the Great Hall.

There were few people around to begin with. Now, one stood on the left and the other on the right, separated by the wide doors of the Great Hall.

The temple was rustic, with drooping trees lush and green, creating a solemn and serene atmosphere.

Inside the hall, the scent of Tan Xiang wafted faintly. The Four Heavenly Kings glared, having guarded the mortal realm for countless days.

The splashing rain kicked up a mist, visually stretching the distance between them.

Second Master Xie gazed at the curtain of rain, his steady black eyes deep and silent.

Fang Qingdai felt a little awkward.

The servant boy she had sent to scout the path soon ran back through the rain.

"General, the mountain path is slippery and muddy from the rain. It’s probably not safe to descend now. Let’s wait a little longer until the rain lessens."

Frustrated, Fang Qingdai could only agree.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Second Master Xie as his attendant draped a thin cloak over him.

His profile had lost all of its former boyishness since the year they parted, replaced by a chiseled, stern solemnity.

Time had erased all the brightness from the eyes of that once-arrogant youth.

Listening to the sound of monks chanting in the distance and smelling the familiar, rustic air,

Fang Qingdai’s thoughts drifted, and it was as if she had suddenly returned to nine years ago.

After they had pledged their love, they came hand-in-hand to the National Temple to offer incense.

It seemed to be a similar downpour that had trapped the two lovers under the eaves right after they had finished offering incense.

Fang Qingdai tugged on Xie Dizhi’s hand and asked with playful imperiousness, "I just told Buddha that if you’re not good to me after we get married, I’ll have him punish you!"

Xie Dizhi, with his sword-like brows and star-like eyes, was at the height of his fame as the Little Martial God. Dressed in simple, light attire, he looked exceptionally handsome.

"How could I ever betray you?"

"Who can say what the future holds? The operas all sing about how men are the most faithless creatures, their hearts easily changed. You have to be like your older brother with Sister Shen. After you marry me, you’re not allowed to take any concubines. Otherwise—I’ve already had a word with Buddha—if you dare bully me, you’d better watch out, hmph!"

Looking at the playful imperiousness and brightness in Fang Qingdai’s eyes, Xie Dizhi laughed heartily.

He raised three fingers and said with great solemnity, "Alright. I will never take a concubine."

"Buddha above, your humble devotee Xie Dizhi swears an oath here today. If I should one day betray Qingdai, may all my skills turn to nothing, may I become a cripple, and may I not die a good..."

Before the word "death" could leave his lips, Fang Qingdai clapped a hand over his mouth.

Her eyes were red with panic. "What are you doing! You can’t say such things in front of Buddha."

Xie Dizhi smiled and wiped away her tears. "I’m not going to betray you, so of course I’m not afraid. I’m asking Buddha to oversee my every word and deed."

"Qingdai, I, Xie Dizhi, in this life and for all eternity, will never betray you."

Fang Qingdai wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her head against her beloved’s chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.

It felt exceptionally sweet.

The laughter of the past seemed to still echo in her ears.

But now, nine years had passed. They stood once again outside the Great Hall, but everything had changed.

Fang Qingdai’s eyes stung badly, and she raised a hand to rub them.

Just then, a thin cloak was draped over her shoulders.

Fang Qingdai opened her eyes to see that Xie Dizhi had brought his cloak over to her.

The moisture in her eyes rapidly receded, replaced by an expression of icy rejection and distance.

"Second Master Xie, what is the meaning of this?"

"The wind is cold in the rain, and you’ve always been afraid of the cold. Keep the cloak," Xie Dizhi said, his gaze as clear as light on snow, without a trace of ulterior motive, only faint concern.

Before Fang Qingdai could refuse, he said, "My presence here likely makes you uncomfortable. I’ll leave. If you don’t want the cloak, you can give it to the abbot."

Then, he walked out into the rain. His attendant quickly opened an umbrella to shield him as he went.

Watching Xie Dizhi’s receding figure, Fang Qingdai clutched the thin cloak, momentarily frozen in place.

Her eyes reddened once more.

The bleak early winter wind whistled across the silent mountain. Someone’s choked sobs could be heard, and the rain clouds seemed to darken another shade.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.