Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 109 Pang Lingyi's Heart

"who!!"

When Huyan Zhuohua returned to his room with his maid Xiange, he saw two people at the table in the outer room and immediately reached for the nine-section iron whip at his waist.

Upon seeing clearly that it was Zhan Zhao and Pang Lingyi, a perfect pair, the hand that was about to draw its weapon stopped, and its eyes were filled with curiosity.

They had just talked about this handsome and virtuous monk, but it was just talk, a fleeting moment of enjoyment.

Is my best friend really going to do it?
Wow!
So bold!
"Zhuohua, you've come!"

Ignoring the gossip in the other woman's eyes, Pang Lingyi immediately pulled her in: "What is the background of your maid 'Yu Le'?"

"Yu Le?"

Huyan Zhuohua was taken aback: "Why ask her?"

"Please take a look, Mr. Huyan."

Zhan Zhao handed over the two slips of paper with identical handwriting.

The first note that was left behind also had writing on it, and it still contained the same eight characters.

Shang Su asked his friend, Bai Xiaofeng left.

"This should be what 'Yu Le' left behind, and he even used a technique called 'True Flame Illumination' to specifically hide the writing..."

In modern terms, it's like hidden ink; similar plots exist even when the clumsy Ma Kui is framed as the Emei Peak, demonstrating its versatility.

But in fact, similar methods existed in ancient times.

The principle is very simple: it's an organic acid reaction. Citrus juice (citric acid), vinegar (acetic acid), and rice water (starch) can all be used to achieve this.

Because acidic substances can slightly corrode paper fibers, and when heated, the corroded parts carbonize faster, revealing brownish-red characters, the ancients had long used the method of writing secret messages with specially made vinegar.

Of course, it's not that magical in practice. The secret technique recorded in the Lotus Heart Treasure Mirror is much more complicated and is called "True Flame Illuminates Form".

It not only records detailed operating methods, but also reveals flaws.

Zhan Zhao first judged from the thickness of the paper that it was not just any paper he had found, but rather a specially made one.

Further, by smell, it could be discerned that there was not only the scent of ink from writing, which Pang Lingyi believed to be the perfume used by Shang Suwen, but also a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.

So they roasted it over a fire.

It will appear immediately.

It must be said that the miscellaneous knowledge recorded in the Lotus Heart Mirror is indeed useful.

"Bai Xiaofeng? The world's number one master thief!!"

Hu Yanzhuohua was stunned when he read the message, and subconsciously said, "Who is Shang Suwen? She seems very powerful!"

Pang Lingyi didn't really want to show the whole message, feeling that Bai Xiaofeng would implicate Sister Shang.

After all, the actions of this world's number one thief have made many powerful and influential people grit their teeth in hatred.

Once they find out about the relationship between the two, those people might try to cause trouble for Shang Suwen if they can't catch Bai Xiaofeng.

However, Zhan Zhao believed that since there was such a message, there was no need to deliberately cover it up.

If the message is fake, and the other party is not a friend of Shang Suwen at all, then they must have ulterior motives.

Pang Lingyi could easily find out the truth and relieve her friend's worries.

If the message is true, then we are close friends, so why worry?

People of the martial world live by their own rules and are quick to repay kindness and vengeance. If they are timid and hesitant, what right do they have to associate with such people?
Pang Lingyi wholeheartedly agreed and said frankly, "Shang Suwen is a good friend of mine in the martial arts world, and a goddess doctor who saves lives."

"Oh? She really is an amazing older sister!"

Huyan Zhuohua stared at the note, still finding it hard to believe: "That poor child Yule, could it be Bai Xiaofeng? That's impossible!"

"Pitiful?"

Upon hearing this, Pang Lingyi's brows twitched, and she immediately understood. She sighed and said, "Have you taken in some pitiful people who are selling themselves to bury their fathers or save their mothers again?"

"This time is different!"

Huyan Zhuohua's face flushed instantly: "Her father and brothers were soldiers of the Western Army of my Great Song Dynasty. After they died for their country, they didn't even have the money for a burial. How can I not take them in?"

Don't believe everything others say!

Pang Lingyi sighed again: "Forget it! Even if she's really that miserable, she hasn't been in the Huyan Manor for very long, so why bring her to the banquet?"

Huyan Zhuohua began to stammer, "Yule has been very sad these past few days because of her father and brothers, and she has been crying constantly... So I wanted to take her out to cheer her up... She is very well-behaved and obedient..."

His voice trailed off, finally fading into a mournful tone as he asked, "Is she a bad person? Is she the murderer who killed your uncle's attendant?"

"You don't need to be sad."

Pang Lingyi said, "The key point now is that we can't be sure the other party is Bai Xiaofeng just based on a single note..."

After saying that, he looked at Zhan Zhao with a questioning expression.

"Judging from this method alone, it is very likely that it was left by Bai Xiaofeng."

Zhan Zhao said slowly.

The key is the aroma.

The note contained the goddess healer's perfume, which not only proved her relationship with Shang Suwen but also cleverly concealed other scents.

Even the exceptionally intelligent Pang Lingyi couldn't uncover the secret behind the paper.

If he hadn't been reading the "Lotus Heart Precious Mirror" during this period, he wouldn't have thought of the method of True Flame Illumination.

Such ingenuity is certainly not something an ordinary thief would use; it perfectly matches the methods Bai Xiaofeng is rumored to employ.

Before stealing any important treasures, they would always leave a notice.

They even deliberately left flaws, just to see if the other party could discover them.

Other thieves, fearing being caught, would never do such a thing.
It is precisely because of this carefree attitude that many people in the martial arts world think that the world's number one thief is just having fun.

Combined with the ghostly figure at the murder scene, whose lightness skill was unprecedented, it wouldn't be surprising if it was the world's number one thief.

Pang Lingyi, convinced of her senior brother's judgment, frowned and asked, "If it really is Bai Xiaofeng, then Ding Chen was killed by Bai Xiaofeng?"

Hu Yanzhuohua said, "I've never heard of the world's number one thief committing murder before!"

"It's just that we don't know, not that it isn't true."

Zhan Zhao said, "Given Bai Xiaofeng's elusive and secretive nature, this person has never been confirmed to have killed anyone. Every time, he steals valuable treasures and leaves in a carefree manner. As for what he did behind the scenes, it is still unknown."

Hu Yanzhuohua said, "Now that Bai Xiaofeng has left a note and admitted his identity, isn't that the same as admitting to murder?"

"We cannot say for sure."

Zhan Zhao said, "The two notes, one is 'Xi Yan is not precious, Ding Chen is tainted by dust,' and the other is 'Repaying kindness with enmity, attempting to capture me.' They are not absolutely related to Ding Chen's death. Even if this person escaped from the murder scene, he may not necessarily be the murderer."

Given that the other party was not playing by the rules, Zhan Zhao really didn't think this was an admission of the Xi Yanhua murder case.

It could be another case of deliberate misleading.

Moreover, there's another detail regarding the mention of flowers.

Zhan Zhao looked at Huyan Zhuohua: "Huyan Tanyue, have you met Dingchen tonight?"

Thinking of the deceased she had spoken to not long ago, Hu Yanzhuohua pursed her lips, her voice devoid of the fear typical of a woman: "Yes."

Zhan Zhao didn't question him, but asked a rather strange question: "Did Ding Chen mention back then which '夕' in '夕颜花' (Xiyan Flower) refer to?"

Hu Yanzhuohua was taken aback, then thought for a moment and said, "Of course it's the 'Xi' of 'Xi'!" Zhan Zhao nodded: "If we follow what Benefactor Luo said about returning to youth, then 'Xi Yan' should mean the appearance of the past."

"But the note clearly says 'Evening Glory'!"

"Xi, meaning 'dusk,' is derived from the sight of the half-moon. The setting sun and the evening glow represent dusk, while spending time together day and night represents the evening itself. The end of the year is also called 'year's Eve,' and 'Xi' signifies the passage of time!"

"If this flower's real name were 'Evening Glory,' then the meaning would be completely different!"

Hu Yanzhuohua was startled, and Pang Lingyi was also greatly disturbed, muttering to herself, "Xi Yan, Xi Yan, not only can she not regain her former appearance, but she is also like the setting sun, in her final moments?"

"So Bai Xiaofeng is trying to stop us from being tricked!"

Huyan Zhuohua finally breathed a sigh of relief: "I always felt that Yu Le wasn't a bad person..."

The maid, Xiange, was terrified. She hadn't expected to spend so many days with the world's number one thief. She was sure her master would be furious when they got back.
Seeing that Huyan Zhuohua's emotions had stabilized, Zhan Zhao gave Pang Lingyi a wink, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble monk has come to capture the culprit. I hope you will forgive my intrusion. Farewell!"

Having said that, she walked out with her sleeves fluttering.

Pang Lingyi understood immediately. After the man left, leaving only the woman in the boudoir, she stepped forward to comfort him: "Zhuohua, you are kind-hearted and naturally trust her, but the thoughts of such wandering Jianghu people are truly unpredictable... Can you tell me about Yu Le's affairs at the Huyan residence? I don't intend to do anything to her, I just want to be on guard!"

"All right!"

Huyan Zhuohua thought for a moment and said to his personal maid, "Xiange, you stay outside and keep watch."

The maidservant walked out, turning back to look at herself every few steps.

Seeing that there was no one else around, Hu Yanzhuohua sat down and suddenly became excited: "You and Master Jiese are exchanging glances, have you known each other for a long time?"

Pang Lingyi was caught off guard by her sudden change of topic, but she still brought it back: "Let's talk about Yu Le first."

Huyan Zhuohua pouted and said, "If you don't tell me, I won't tell you about Yule!"

Pang Lingyi's eyes darted around: "I didn't know Master Jiese at all before. This is the first time I've met this eminent monk at today's birthday banquet."

"Is it?"

Hu Yanzhuohua was skeptical: "I heard from You Ning that you've been frequently going to the Great Xiangguo Temple to offer incense lately. Isn't it to meet with Master Jiese?"

'I'd like to too, but my parents are very strict, and I can't find an opportunity...'

Pang Lingyi shook her head calmly: "I have never seen Master Jiese in the Daxiangguo Temple."

Every word is true.

"Is that so?"

Hu Yanzhuohua's eyes dimmed slightly: "I originally thought that you two were like those in the storybooks, mutually in love, secretly pledging your lives to each other, abandoning worldly etiquette, and creating a beautiful love story!"

"How can storybooks be taken seriously?"

Pang Lingyi chuckled, then suddenly fell silent.

Hu Yanzhuohua murmured in unison, "My age is approaching, and my family is already looking for a husband. I wonder what kind of person I will spend my life with. If he doesn't meet my expectations, will I become a lonely woman in her boudoir, picking up old dreams in the dead of night and drinking with tears in my eyes?"

Pang Lingyi remained silent.

She's fifteen this year, still young, and won't have to worry about marriage for the next two or three years, but that day will come eventually.

By then, will she be able to disregard social conventions and marry the person she desires?

After a moment of silence, Pang Lingyi took a deep breath and brought the topic back to the present: "Zhuohua, now you should tell me about Yu Le, right?"

Two cups of tea later.

Pang Lingyi left Shuyu Pavilion, and without needing to search, Zhan Zhao arrived gracefully.

She glanced at her senior brother and began to recount the intelligence she had just obtained: "'Yu Le' stayed at Hu Yan's residence for a total of thirteen days. In such a short time, he gained the trust of everyone, but unfortunately, he did not reveal any clues during their time together. He merely fabricated a story about the relatives of a fallen soldier."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Has there been any war in the country recently? How come there are already soldiers who have died in battle?"

"some."

Pang Lingyi explained: "Although our dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have made an alliance to cease hostilities, there are still disputes with the Dangxiang people in the northwest, and the border frictions are constant, so naturally some soldiers have died in battle."

“‘Yule’ said that her father and brothers had unfortunately died in the northwest border region. The Huyan family already had members serving in the Western Army, so they naturally felt close to them and were willing to take in these soldiers’ relatives.”

Zhan Zhao asked, "Does she speak a local dialect from Northwest China?"

Pang Lingyi actually asked, "Yes."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Does he also imitate your lifestyle perfectly?"

"Yes."

Pang Lingyi nodded: "It wasn't entirely Zhuohua's decision that she was allowed to become a maid in the Huyan Mansion. The old steward of the mansion also saw her and thought there was no problem, which is why he believed her."

Zhan Zhao then asked, "Has any treasure been stolen from the Huyan Manor?"

Pang Lingyi smiled wryly: "We'll have to wait until Zhuohua returns to the manor tomorrow to check."

If anyone else knew that the world's number one thief had been staying in their own home for more than ten days, they would probably go home immediately to see if any treasures were missing.

Especially the imperial whip that once held up half the sky.

After Hu Yanzhuohua finished speaking with Pang Lingyi, he lay down to sleep, and when he went out, he could hear steady breathing coming from inside.

They're also very carefree.

Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Not long ago, the Six Doors received a notice that Bai Xiaofeng was going to steal the Buddhist weapon 'Precept Against Killing' from the Great Xiangguo Temple."

"Is this really true? No wonder the world's number one thief would appear in the capital at this time!"

Pang Lingyi was genuinely unaware of this matter. Upon hearing this, she first realized what was happening, but then felt puzzled: "If Bai Xiaofeng wanted to steal the 'Killing Precepts,' why would she go to the Huyan Mansion? Her family doesn't go to the Great Xiangguo Temple."

Just now, Hu Yanzhuohua said that he learned from Wang Xiaoniangzi Wang Youning that Pang Lingyi had been going to Daxiangguo Temple to burn incense recently, rather than seeing it with her own eyes.

That's because the Huyan family didn't believe in Buddhism and, except for necessary festivals, they didn't go to temples to offer incense and worship.

Even if Bai Xiaofeng needed a stepping stone to get closer to his target, the Killing Ring, he shouldn't have chosen the Huyan family.

"That's really strange."

To imitate the relatives of a soldier in the Northwest, it's not as simple as making yourself disheveled and fabricating an experience.

There are requirements for both local dialects and body language.

Otherwise, the Huyan family wouldn't trust people so easily.

Bai Xiaofeng would need to make some preparations before he could infiltrate the Huyan Mansion.

And then, for the sake of the evening glory, he directly abandoned this identity?
'Could it be that……'

Pang Lingyi was completely baffled. Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment, and a guess came to mind. He immediately said, "Junior sister, could you ask a painter to depict the appearance of 'Yu Le' based on the accounts of Lady Huyan and the other maids around her, so that it can be preserved?"

Pang Lingyi agreed: "I'll take care of it tomorrow. Does Senior Brother have any other instructions?"

"Nothing."

Zhan Zhao looked up at the moon, then heard the distant sound of the night watchman's drum: "The dew is heavy and the night is deep. Everyone is tired tonight. Junior sister, go and rest."

"it is good."

Watching Zhan Zhao's tall figure disappear into the night, Pang Lingyi thought about how the two of them would be staying in the same mansion tonight. The shock of the murder case had completely faded, leaving only a sense of peace.

It was unfortunate that a murder occurred at the Pang residence, but fortunately, my senior brother was there.

Before a night had passed, the details of the case gradually became clear.

Thinking back to the question Hu Yanzhuohua had raised earlier, she uttered a sentence calmly, her voice light yet firm: "I will not be a resentful woman confined to her chambers, only to reminisce about her past beauty when I am old and frail. I will rely on my own efforts to take control of my own marriage!"

(End of this chapter)