Chapter 3153 — Hindsight
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
And Xiao Taohong had taken a Concealment Pill, so it was all the less likely that Ancestor Xuanchen would detect her.
The two of them crept silently beneath Ancestor Xuanchen's window, and just at that moment, Kang Jingming had also just entered Ancestor Xuanchen's room.
"Back already?" Ancestor Xuanchen glanced at Kang Jingming and nodded. "How did it go?"
"Father-in-law, everything went smoothly. That stupid woman Xiao Taohong believed every word I said—she even thinks my feelings for her are genuine. She has already agreed to my proposal!" Kang Jingming said smugly.
Xiao Taohong, standing beside Tian Chan, visibly shuddered at Kang Jingming's words, a deep indignation and fury flashing through her eyes. She had never imagined that Kang Jingming had deceived her yet again! To think he would say such things right in front of Ancestor Xuanchen!
Sure enough, Tian Chan had been right. Kang Jingming was utterly unreliable!
"Mm. But mind your limits—I do not want to hear of anything actually happening between you and her!" Ancestor Xuanchen nodded as he spoke.
"Rest assured, Father-in-law. With a face like Xiao Taohong's, who would ever fancy her? I'd be sick to my stomach even with the lights off and her in my bed!" Kang Jingming hastened to declare. "She's nothing compared to Little Eleven! Not even in the same league! The only reason I ever got close to her was to curry favor with Tian Canbian. But now that I have a backer like you, Father-in-law, I have no need to flatter anyone else!"
"Good. Since that is so, go and draw up the plan!" Ancestor Xuanchen nodded, well pleased. Kang Jingming's earlier pursuit of Xiao Taohong merely to curry favor with Tian Canbian might seem contemptible to most, but Ancestor Xuanchen was a man of sinister cunning; in his eyes, it only proved Kang Jingming to be a promising talent. Kang Jingming was treacherous indeed—but so long as he was not treacherous toward him, that was enough.
"Father-in-law, then I shall take my leave..." With that, Kang Jingming turned and withdrew.
Outside the window, Xiao Taohong was trembling with rage, her face ashen. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Kang Jingming had been using her all along—all to get close to Tian Chan! Tears streamed down Xiao Taohong's face. She had been heartbroken when Kang Jingming rejected her before, but never like this!
Tian Chan gently patted Xiao Taohong on the shoulder, then led her away without a sound. As they left, Xiao Taohong's agitation seemed to rouse Ancestor Xuanchen's suspicions. He walked to the window and opened it, but saw only a disciple passing at a distance. He shook his head, deciding he had been overly suspicious.
"Young Sect Master, I am so sorry. In the past, I said so many good things about Kang Jingming in front of you..." Now that Xiao Taohong had seen Kang Jingming's true colors, her words were steeped in grief and regret.
"It does not matter. That was not your fault—speaking well of one's beloved is only human nature," Tian Chan said with a wave of her hand. "I brought you here only so that you could see Kang Jingming for what he truly is, and never be deceived by him again."
"Young Sect Master, rest assured, I will cut all ties with him!" Xiao Taohong said resolutely.
"There is no need for that. You can turn his scheme against him and see what he and Uncle Master Xuanchen are really up to," Tian Chan said. She suspected that Kang Jingming and Ancestor Xuanchen were brewing some new, sinister plot. With Xiao Taohong helping to gather information, Tian Chan could save herself some time in the investigation.
True, she could have Tian Die'er follow them in secret, but Tian Chan avoided using Tian Die'er whenever possible. After all, one who walks the night long enough will meet a ghost—Tian Die'er's secret must never be discovered by Ancestor Xuanchen.
"Understood, Young Sect Master. Xiao Taohong will do as you say," Xiao Taohong said with a hasty nod. "Then what should I do?"