Chapter 4375 — It Was All a Misunderstanding
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
"Who was it, exactly?" Ling Yuanqing demanded, his expression darkening. Morning Star Academy encouraged its disciples to compete and never frowned on them stirring up a little trouble out in the world, but if the other party was the Hong Clan Merchant Guild, with whom they had always enjoyed cordial ties, then this was rather hard to justify.
"It was..." Qin Deli feigned hesitation, stealing a furtive glance at the Holy Nun of the Eastern Sea to gauge her mood.
"What are you dawdling for? Out with it," Ling Yuanqing said with a frown.
"It was... Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao..." Only then did Qin Deli force the words out through gritted teeth, as though it cost him great effort.
At that, Ling Yuanqing and Wei Hebei could not help turning to look at the Holy Nun of the Eastern Sea, and for a moment all of them fell silent. Since the matter concerned Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, it naturally had to be left to the Holy Nun to decide; that was the barest minimum of respect.
The Holy Nun of the Eastern Sea was briefly taken aback. She recalled that Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao had indeed come back rather late the night before, but there was no anger in her bearing. She said at once, "As to what actually happened, we had best hear it from Yan'er and Xiaotao themselves."
A short while later, Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao appeared before the assembly, greeting each of the three magnates in turn. Having heard out Qin Deli's account, they promptly burst out laughing.
"To report to Master, and to our two martial uncles: last night your disciples did indeed pay a visit to the Hong Clan Merchant Guild with Ling Yi, and we did indeed take down Wei Zhaotong," the two women said, unhurried and composed, after exchanging a glance.
So there really was such a thing? Ling Yuanqing and Wei Hebei both raised an eyebrow. In their recollection, these two had always been good, well-behaved girls who never stirred up trouble. How had they suddenly pulled a stunt like this?
The Holy Nun of the Eastern Sea was somewhat surprised as well. She at once looked the two women up and down, her manner faintly tense, while Qin Deli watched from the side and could not help gloating inwardly. It seemed he had been right to come. As long as the Holy Nun did not shield Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, she would certainly not side with an outsider like Ling Yi either. The tide was turning, after all!
Yet the Holy Nun's next words nearly made Qin Deli spew a mouthful of blood.
"Neither of you is hurt, are you? Why didn't you say a word to your master about a thing like this? If something had gone badly wrong, what would have become of you?" the Holy Nun said, drawing the two women to her with a face full of concern.
Qin Deli was struck dumb on the spot. He had not had much contact with this Holy Nun, a magnate of the Sect-Founding stage, and how could he have known that this so-called renunciant was in truth a champion of her own chicks through and through...
"Not at all. Apart from Wei Zhaotong, they had only two skilled retainers on their side. If we had been hurt even by that, would we not have been disgracing you, Master?" Wang Xinyan said with a smile, and Huang Xiaotao nodded vigorously along with her.
"That's good, then. You may go out and temper yourselves, but you must be careful. If you find yourselves outmatched, come to your master and let me stand up for you. Whatever you do, don't push yourselves too hard, understand?" the Holy Nun admonished.
"We know. Your disciples won't make you worry," the two women said with a laugh, each clinging to one of the Holy Nun's arms.
Qin Deli's face went blue at the sight. He could only turn to Ling Yuanqing in desperation, hoping the Chancellor would step forward and see justice done. Otherwise, not only would he fail to salvage the situation today, but a mere tongue-lashing would likely be the least of it.