Someone Had Poisoned the Food

"Going back on your word?" Tang Susu berated him. "Is that how you speak to your sect elders?"

Song Yanqing was barely able to suppress his anger. Shaking his head, he said, "This disciple doesn't understand!" As he spoke, he dropped to his knees with a thud and kowtowed as he begged, "I truly do like Senior Sister Tang. If I'm lying even in the slightest, may heaven strike me dead! I implore Elder to grant this disciple's wish!"

Tang Susu let him kowtow several times before looking down at him. "It's not impossible to grant your wish. Are you willing to become the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect? As long as you agree to become the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect, there's no need to consider Niu Youdao. I'll immediately have Tang Yi marry you. How about it?"

"This..." Song Yanqing lifted his head, the corner of his mouth twitching. It wasn't that he had never entertained the thought, but his father in the Capital City had already warned him. The relationship between Shangqing Sect and Shang Jianbo, Prince Ning, was impossible to disentangle, and it could easily arouse His Majesty the Emperor's suspicion. The Song Family held a high position and could not touch that seat.

He was not so muddleheaded that he couldn't tell which was more important. Besides, with his family background, he had no need to take advantage of this opportunity. Why should he exhaust himself and invite trouble?

"This disciple's abilities are limited. I cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility." Song Yanqing lowered his head and spoke weakly.

Tang Susu said calmly, "Since that is so, you might as well try to persuade your father. As long as your father is willing to take over as Sect Master of Shangqing Sect, I will likewise marry Tang Yi to you."

"How could a son presume to decide matters concerning his father?" Song Yanqing replied guiltily. If he could not sit in the Sect Master's position, his father could all the less touch it. How could he fail to understand such a simple principle?

Tang Susu's eyes flickered. "All right, I won't force you father and son over something like this. Let me ask you something else. Do you hope Tang Yi will become Sect Master?"

Song Yanqing abruptly raised his head, his eyes shining with hope. "Of course! This disciple naturally hopes Senior Sister can become Sect Master. If Senior Sister can take that position, I'll be overjoyed!"

Tang Susu cursed him inwardly. Fool. You father and son aren't willing to touch that position, so how could the Song Family allow you to marry the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect? From the moment they decided to have Tang Yi inherit the position of Sect Master, you were destined to have no future with her!

Nevertheless, she patiently asked, "Before Sect Master Tang Mu passed away, he designated Dongguo Haoran as his successor. Now that Dongguo Haoran has likewise met with disaster, according to the sect rules, who should take over the position of Sect Master?"

"This..." Song Yanqing hesitated for a while before reluctantly spitting out a name. "Niu Youdao!" Then he argued forcefully, "But Niu Youdao has already voluntarily relinquished the position of Sect Master!"

Tang Susu said, "How he relinquished it, surely I needn't say more. Everyone knows perfectly well. The reason no one speaks up is that they know he is unsuited to become the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect. In that case, who else in Shangqing Sect has the prestige to take charge? Everyone thinks highly of your father and son's background and hopes you can step forward to lead Shangqing Sect back to prosperity. But for certain reasons, you father and son are unwilling to take over. The three of us old fellows do have the prestige, but Shangqing Sect has rules to keep old fellows like us in check. Those who have retired to the position of Elder cannot come out of retirement to take over as Sect Master. Wei Duo would originally have been the most suitable, but unfortunately he stammers. If he became Sect Master, he would only make people laugh at Shangqing Sect for having no one else. Besides, Wei Duo is single-minded and stubbornly clings to Sect Master Tang's final decree, shouting that once the rules are broken, disaster will begin, and spouting nonsense. We had no choice but to punish him by sending him to the rear mountain to reflect in seclusion! And the others? Under those circumstances, Niu Youdao renounced his claim, and no one was willing to step forward and bear the infamy. Every one of them was simply protecting himself!"

At this point, even she could not help sighing inwardly. When all was said and done, it was because Shangqing Sect had fallen into decline and was now adrift amid storms, its future fraught with danger. Being the leading sheep was no easy task. If the sect had been flourishing, countless people would probably have been willing to step forward, scrambling to become Sect Master.

Song Yanqing said, "That is why this disciple believes Senior Sister is the most suitable to take over!"

Tang Susu gave a quiet hum. "Tang Yi is the Sect Master's daughter. At this critical juncture, if she doesn't step forward and shoulder the burden, who will? But everyone in the Inner Sect knows exactly how she came by this position. How can she win their support? And how can she prove that Tang Yi isn't acting out of selfish motives? If she wants to shoulder this responsibility, she must pay a price. Do you think she wants to marry Niu Youdao? If she wants to sit in this position, she must give Niu Youdao an explanation. Her sacrifice is also to give everyone in and outside Shangqing Sect an explanation. Do you understand?"

As she spoke, she took a letter from her sleeve and tossed it before Song Yanqing's kneeling knees. "This is a letter your father just sent from the Capital City. Read it yourself."

Although Song Shu was her disciple, there were still matters within Shangqing Sect that required her to keep him informed and seek his opinion. It concerned the extent of the Song Family's support for Shangqing Sect, and she had no choice but to do so. Song Shu's reply also approved Tang Yi taking over as Sect Master.

Song Yanqing picked up the letter and opened it. His face immediately filled with sorrow. His father, Song Shu, sternly warned him not to entertain improper thoughts and ordered him to heed Tang Susu's discipline. Otherwise, he would be punished without mercy.

After reading the letter, Song Yanqing completely collapsed onto the ground, dejected and heartbroken, his heart bleeding...

After sending Song Yanqing away, Tang Susu went to the rear courtyard, where she found Luo Yuangong and Su Po sitting in the pavilion, waiting while playing chess.

When she arrived, the two stopped at the same time. Luo Yuangong looked at her and asked, "Have things been settled with the Song Family?"

Tang Susu glanced at the outcome on the chessboard and said, "I just sent Song Yanqing away. As long as Song Shu has no objections, that represents the Song Family's position, and everything will be easy to handle. The problem now is that Song Yanqing's emotions are running high. He won't be able to swallow the loss he suffered at Niu Youdao's hands. This spoiled young master may not dare do anything openly, but who knows what he might do to Niu Youdao in secret? In any case, the matter is almost settled. Niu Youdao absolutely cannot run into trouble at this point. If anything happens to him, none of us will be able to answer to the disciples above and below. By then, even if Tang Yi had a hundred mouths, she still wouldn't be able to explain her way out of sitting in that position. Everyone would suspect she had done it, and the consequences would be endless. Senior Brother Su, I'll have to trouble you to arrange reliable people for this. Song Yanqing can no longer be allowed to control Peach Blossom Spring!"

"Mm!" Luo Yuangong also nodded at Su Po in agreement.

Su Po said nothing. He silently rose and left.

Tang Susu watched him go, her gaze steady and resolute. To clear every obstacle and help Tang Yi ascend, she had truly exhausted her heart and mind. Her husband had died for Shangqing Sect, her son had died for Shangqing Sect, and now her nephew had died for Shangqing Sect as well. Her family had given far too much to Shangqing Sect. She had already come to regard Shangqing Sect as the family estate she had to protect...

"I'm Tu Han! From today onward, I'll be taking care of your food and daily needs."

At Peach Blossom Spring, Chen Guishuo and Xu Yitian were nowhere to be seen. A burly, one-eyed man leaning on a crutch appeared before Niu Youdao and introduced himself. His voice was hoarse and muffled, as though his throat had been damaged as well. On closer inspection, one could see a knife scar on his neck, apparently indicating damage to his vocal cords...

Niu Youdao could not help sizing up the cripple leaning on a crutch. His skin was dark, and a thick beard covered his cheeks. Perhaps because a knife scar had slashed across one of his eyes, his face looked rather ferocious—the sort of appearance that could make children burst into tears if he walked past them.

"Sorry for the trouble, sorry for the trouble!" Niu Youdao politely took the food box from him.

Tu Han asked again, "Is there anything else?"

Niu Youdao tried asking, "Why did they change people?" He had been worried that Song Yanqing might act against him. Was changing the person at this time Song Yanqing's idea, or what?

When he saw what Niu Youdao was asking about, Tu Han said nothing. He turned and limped away.

Niu Youdao was speechless. It seemed he had run into another person who could not be bothered with him.

Several days later, Peach Blossom Spring began hanging lanterns and decorating with streamers. A group of Shangqing Sect disciples bustled about inside and outside Peach Blossom Spring, making preparations for the auspicious day two days later.

Standing atop another mountain cliff and gazing into the distance, Song Yanqing burned with jealousy. He had guarded Tang Yi in this wilderness for so many years. Just as the meat seemed about to reach his mouth, someone had suddenly stuck out a hand and snatched it away. If it had been some scion of a prestigious family, he could have accepted it. But it was a bumpkin from the countryside. How could he bear it?

And he was supposed to watch them go through the wedding ceremony with his own eyes? The more he thought about it, the more he could not swallow his anger. In the end, he turned around and went down the mountain.

There was a fixed schedule for sending food boxes to Peach Blossom Spring. A disciple carrying one had just crossed a wooden bridge when Xu Yitian and Chen Guishuo emerged and stopped him.

"Senior Brothers, I was instructed from above that we won't trouble you two with meal deliveries anymore." The disciple spoke politely. Previously, the two men had taken turns delivering food to Peach Blossom Spring for a long time, so he had misunderstood.

Song Yanqing came around from behind a nearby boulder, walked up to him, and held out his hand. "Hand it over. I'll inspect it."

"This..." The disciple looked troubled.

Song Yanqing reached out, snatched the food box into his hands, then turned and walked behind the boulder.

"Senior Brother Song..." The disciple anxiously tried to follow, but Xu Yitian and Chen Guishuo simultaneously stepped across his path and blocked him. He opened and closed his mouth, wanting to speak but not daring to offend Song Yanqing. Who in Shangqing Sect did not know Song Yanqing's background? Even several Elders were wary of him. How could he dare provoke him?

Fortunately, Song Yanqing seemed to have merely looked it over. He soon emerged from behind the boulder, handed back the food box, and waved him away. "I've checked it. There's no problem. Take it over!"

The disciple timidly carried the food box away.

Still, he remained somewhat uneasy. After walking a distance, he found a secluded spot and opened the food box to look inside. Seeing that everything was intact and apparently untouched, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He made his way to the mountainside below Peach Blossom Spring. There was a stone cave there where Tu Han was temporarily staying. After handing the food box to Tu Han, the disciple returned.

Tu Han opened the food box and took out a silver hairpin. He dipped it into some white powder from a porcelain bottle, then inserted it into the dishes to test them one by one. But when he pulled the hairpin out, the part that had pierced the food immediately turned black.

Someone had poisoned the food! Tu Han's expression changed drastically. His already somewhat ferocious face became even more terrifying. With a single flash, he reached the mouth of the cave, then flipped and floated down the nearly twenty-zhang-high cliff, blocking the path down the mountain. He happened to intercept the disciple who had delivered the food, grabbed him by the collar, and asked in a deep voice, "Did anything happen while the food box was being delivered?"

The disciple was startled. He had no idea what was going on. After Tu Han repeatedly shoved and pressed him for answers, he had no choice but to explain that he had encountered Song Yanqing along the way.

"Come with me!" Tu Han dragged him away.