Xuanji couldn't remember how she had survived that night. She was in a state of shock and bewilderment, with some doubts that she might have seen wrong.
She couldn't believe it, wondering what the Dongfang Island Master would do if he knew his wife was having an affair with someone else, and that someone was his Chief Steward. Throughout their journey for Demon Hunting, Xuanji knew he was an affable and amusing good person. Knowing this would undoubtedly cause him great pain.
Perhaps because Xuanji rarely had anything on her mind, she even lost her appetite. Eventually, Linglong couldn't stand it anymore, tapped her on the forehead with chopsticks, and frowned, "Have you gone silly? What are you thinking about! You're not eating, just biting the bowl for what?"
Xuanji was startled, then realized that she had been holding the bowl subconsciously, not eating, but nibbling on the bowl.
She quickly forced a laugh, grabbed a chopstick full of food, stuffed it into her mouth, and said, "I... I'm so hungry..."
Linglong glared at her, "You're acting really strange, what exactly did you do with Si Feng this afternoon?" After saying that, she looked suspiciously toward Yu Sifeng, who stuffed his face with white rice, looking innocent.
"I... I'm just worried that Wu Tong might find out it was a trap we set," Xuanji finally came up with a good excuse.
Yu Sifeng nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes! He is, well, very clever. It's not that he couldn't have guessed."
Zhong Minyan, seeing them playing off each other, laughed internally and then said, "What's there to fear? If he comes, we'll just deny everything, let's see what he can do!"
Linglong tilted her nose up to the sky and scoffed, "Exactly! This is Shaoyang territory! Let's see what he dares to do!"
No sooner had she spoken than a knock was heard from outside. Feeling guilty, Linglong jumped up and hid behind Xuanji, anxiously saying, "Is he here?! So soon!"
Yu Sifeng looked at her amusedly, set down his chopsticks, and went to open the door, only to pause in surprise. Linglong had guessed correctly; the person standing at the door was indeed Wu Tong.
Who knew how much effort he had spent to get away, probably coming straight here once he had, looking utterly unkempt with his hair messy and clothes covered in grass, leaves, and mud... the works.
However, despite his chaotic appearance, his expression was anything but.
He was actually smiling, a cold smile.
"Oh," he said, "so that's how it is. When did Lize Palace get so cozy with the Shaoyang Sect."
Seeing his scheme uncovered, Yu Sifeng decided to cut to the chase and threw the words out brazenly.
"Stop with that act. If you're not satisfied, you can go cry to your superior. Let him come find my Master and punish me."
Wu Tong glanced into the house, Zhong Minyan and Linglong provocatively made faces at him, while Xuanji dutifully kept her head down, eating, not even glancing at him.
He sneered, "Shaoyang Sect, lacking in skills, no wonder you resort to these crooked tactics!"
Linglong immediately bristled, angrily saying, "Watch your respect! I'm the one who planned this, don't drag the Shaoyang Sect into it! You hurt my sister, and you think you can get away without a word? Where on earth does that happen!"
Wu Tong looked her up and down, remained silent for a long time, and finally bowed coldly, "In that case, I'll remember the hospitality of the Shaoyang Sect heiress. I shall repay this debt doubly some other day! Farewell!"
With that, he leaped, floating out of Yu Sifeng's courtyard like a crane.
"I'm not scared of you! Bring it on!" Linglong chased after him, cursing loudly.
Zhong Minyan grabbed her, frowning, "Linglong! Don't be impulsive. I think this man is narrow-minded and cunning; you must be very careful not to fall for his tricks."
"I'm not afraid! If he comes once, I'll beat him once!" she insisted fiercely.
"Fool!" Zhong Minyan couldn't help but knock her on the head. "After all, you're still a girl. Being cautious doesn't hurt. Look at Xuanji; she's your younger sister. You, as an older sister, should learn from her."
"Stupid..." Xuanji and Yu Sifeng simultaneously sighed inwardly, "Isn't this adding fuel to the fire!"
Sure enough, Linglong was so angry that her eyebrows inverted, and she pushed him hard in the chest as if she were about to scold him. But somehow, her eyes suddenly reddened, and she choked out, "I'm just not as good as her! Don't you meddle with me!"
She stomped her foot and turned to run away.
"Uh, Linglong!" Zhong Minyan rarely saw her like this, and for a moment, he was so stunned he couldn't react.
Yu Sifeng patted his shoulder, "Well, aren't you going to chase after her? You're really dense, like a blockheaded goose."
Zhong Minyan scratched his head and sighed, "Her temper is really bad, why is it always like this!"
Yu Sifeng shrugged his shoulders; after all, it takes one to strike and another to endure.
"Hurry up and go," he pushed him.
Zhong Minyan's face darkened as he said, "I won't go! She never listens to advice. Why should I always go and coax her with a smile!"
He, too, stormed off, but in the opposite direction.
This time it was Yu Sifeng's turn to be stunned.
"The two of them, really." Yu Sifeng gave a bitter smile, turning his head to look at Xuanji, who had started to space out while chewing on her bowl, her expression vague and dim, clearly lost in thought.
"Still thinking about this afternoon's event?" he leaned closer and asked softly.
Xuanji let out an "Ah" as if waking from a dream, hurriedly scooped several mouthfuls of rice, and repeatedly said, "No, no, I was just eating!"
Suddenly realizing the room was left with only herself and Yu Sifeng, she curiously asked, "Eh? Where are Linglong and Sixth Brother?"
She truly was a pig. Yu Sifeng chuckled inwardly; he gently tapped her back and laughed, "They left early! While you were spacing out. It's strange, how you can space out so easily."
Xuanji put down her bowl, her face filled with worry, "I—I was thinking, if the Dongfang Island Master finds out about his wife like this… what he would do. I don't want him to be upset because the Dongfang Island Master is a good person."
Yu Sifeng sighed, "What can he do? Divorce her, keep silent, or perhaps, kill the adulterer. I think he still doesn't know. If you don't want him to be upset, just don't tell anyone about it. Otherwise, you and I are in big trouble."
Xuanji, mimicking him, also sighed, "You mean, the Dongfang Island Master might feel disgraced and even blame us?"
He nodded, then hesitated and said softly, "The Island Master might not do anything. But if it's the Island Owner's Wife, she might do anything. People who do bad deeds often commit even worse ones to cover them up."
Xuanji seemed to half-understand and whispered, "Si Feng, you know a lot, many principles I've never heard before. No one has ever talked to me about these things. Do you find me very ignorant, annoying, and stubborn?"
Yu Sifeng narrowed his eyes, suddenly recalling the day he met his master, completely at a loss, waiting for the severe punishment after returning to the palace. No one dared to intercede, only she stepped forward to defend him.
He could never forget that moment—her slender white figure, like the sharp sunlight cutting through gloom, fearless and straightforward. Her long hair flowed in the wind, so delicate it seemed it could break with a single touch.
But it was only her, just her. He had never thought, it would be her.
He smiled, speaking softly, "Stubborn, maybe a bit. But I don't care at all."
Having said that, his fingers affectionately touched her crystal-clear cheek, as if he had touched a priceless treasure, not daring to linger, hastily withdrawing them.