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"Well, let's not talk about Mr. Lan Sizhui for now. I'm more curious about why Senior Wei holds this person in such high regard. Their identity must be quite remarkable, yet I haven't heard of any notable figures from the Yiling area..." Ning Feiwan interjected, forcefully changing the topic. "Ms. Wei, could you tell us more about the 'senior' who took you in?"
Just when one wave settled, another rose...
Shouldn't this be beside the point? Why focus on such trivial matters?
And can I really reveal this...?
After a moment of hesitation, I replied softly, "It's Song Lan, Master Song."
Forget it; rather than hiding behind excuses and letting them continue to speculate wildly, I might as well just tell the truth.
After all, the deeds of Song Zichen are events from over a decade ago. Aside from those who experienced the Yicheng incident back then, no one among the younger generation should know anything about it.
In that case, it should be fine to say it...
"Song Lan?" Ning Feiwan suddenly narrowed her eyes in thought. "That name seems somewhat familiar..."
"Song Lan... Ah, is it Song Zichen? The one known as 'Clear Breeze, Bright Moon, and Morning Stardust, Proud Amidst Snow and Frost'?"
"Yes, it's the Song Zichen from White Snow Temple!"
Exclamations erupted around us like a guessing game where someone had just hit the jackpot.
...Heaven is out to get me!
Well done! It seems I've messed up!
I underestimated the fame of these two Daoists; I never expected the secret to leak so quickly.
Great! Forget you, Mo Fei Law; I might as well dig my own grave! Happy digging~~ bury me deep~~
"To think it's Master Song Zichen!" Ning Feiwan couldn't help but express her surprise. "I remember this person has been a mystery for quite some time. So they have been living in seclusion in Yiling?"
"No, that's impossible!" Lan Juan interjected again, refuting the claim. "Xiao Xingchen and Song Zichen rose to fame, and after the White Snow Temple was destroyed, both of them went missing. By that time, Senior Wei had already passed away. The return of Senior Wei's remains is a matter of recent years. How could Master Song have been acquainted with Senior Wei? Clearly, she is lying!"
...Setting aside why they at such a young age would be so familiar with the pasts of the two Daoists, what concerned me more was that in the public's memory, Song Lan seemed to still be in the stage of "mysterious whereabouts" and "missing." Did no one truly know that he had passed away?
If that were the case, perhaps the situation wasn't too dire...
"I speak nothing but the truth," I maintained my calm demeanor. "Master Song never mentions his own affairs, and I am not clear on how he came to know Senior Wei. However, it is an undeniable fact that Senior Wei came to Yiling to reminisce with Master Song."
"Hmph! Keep on boasting! How can the living possibly be acquainted with the dead? Should we ask a spirit? Not to mention that from Song Zichen's righteous standpoint, there is no reason to inquire about the spirit of the Yiling Patriarch for no reason. Moreover, asking spirits is a secret technique exclusive to the Gusu Lan; outsiders cannot use it! What is impossible is simply impossible. You are just too proud to admit you are lying!" Lan Juan sneered disdainfully. "In any case, the person who sheltered you could never be Master Song. It must have been some nameless nobody or a problematic figure that makes you too ashamed to speak their name, which is why you suddenly thought to use Song Zichen's name as a cover to deceive others! Otherwise, you should have stated it directly from the beginning instead of being so evasive!"
Of course, it was because I still couldn't grasp the actual situation and didn't want to complicate matters unnecessarily!
I silently stared at Lan Juan without saying a word.
In fact, this matter didn't require much debate. Since they were so determined, they could simply take some time to inquire around Wailing Hill and find out the truth; after all, Song Lan was currently quite popular among the local residents!
It was a pity that for those who were unaware of the truth yet stubbornly held their opinions, no amount of explanation would be meaningful—it would only be a waste of effort.
Although I usually adhered to a philosophy of taking things one step at a time, it seemed... I had now fallen into a predicament with no way out?
So then, what should I do next?
"Mian Fei..." Qi Wei looked at me helplessly, glancing back and forth between me and the arrogant Lan Juan, unsure of what to do.
Ning Feiwan cast a look at me mixed with disdain, while Yan Yuyan wore an expression that seemed to say "this is a mess!" as she scratched her head. The surrounding crowd began whispering among themselves, and I could vaguely hear some mocking laughter.
Everyone had been convinced by Lan Juan's argument.
...In this world, does speaking the truth become a crime? I gritted my teeth against this invisible pressure and refused to back down easily, though inside I felt quite helpless—
Indeed, living people are far more terrifying than the dead!
"What's wrong? Can't speak anymore? Or have you conceded? Go ahead and keep making up stories if you can!" Lan Juan sneered with pride. "I never expected that the Gusu Lan would accept such a guest who is full of lies. It's a disgrace to the Gusu Lan's dignified and upright reputation! In my opinion, you are a habitual liar, so even Senior Wei and Hanguang Jun..."
"What is going on here?!" A sudden furious shout froze everyone in place.
As they regained their senses, they realized that they had been so engrossed in gossiping that they lost track of time, and the Plum Blossom Chamber was empty. Elder Lan was extremely furious and had come to find them personally!
A collective truancy—this was the first time since the establishment of the Gusu Lan!
"What is happening here? Who will answer?"
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to breathe a word, none had the courage to meet his gaze.
Lan Qiren's sharp eyes swept over everyone present before finally landing on me.
"Wei Hua?"
"...I was clarifying rumors to set the record straight," I admitted quietly.
"Hmph, rumors?" Lan Qiren raised his hand to stroke his goat beard. "‘Do not follow others blindly,’ ‘Do not speak recklessly,’ ‘Do not gossip behind people's backs,’ ‘Do not comment without knowing the full truth’... Have you all forgotten these rules?" He snorted angrily. "For a baseless rumor, you can disregard your duties? In that case, you will all be punished! By the end of today, everyone must copy the Collection of Elegant Rectitude once and submit it without any mistakes!"
The Collection of Elegant Rectitude is the Lan Family Code, personally revised and compiled by Lan Qiren. It is said that copying it once can lead one to question their life choices, and copying it ten times could allow one to ascend on the spot.
Only Wei Wuxian, the renowned Yiling Patriarch, had ever faced such punishment during his studies.
In an instant, everyone internally lamented but dared not utter a sound.
"Sir," Lan Juan boldly raised her hand with reluctance. "Ms. Wei has also committed another offense by 'speaking falsehoods.' Shouldn't she be punished more severely?"
"Oh? What did she say?" Lan Qiren asked.
“She shamelessly claimed to be taken in by Master Song Zichen, and even babbled that it was because Master Song and Senior Wei were old acquaintances that she was sent to Yun Shen Bu Zhi Chu. But logically speaking, Senior Wei and Master Song shouldn’t have known each other, right?”
In response, Lan Qiren and Xu Ran remained silent for quite a while.
“Wei Hua, do you know how Wei Ying and Song Zichen became acquainted?” he suddenly asked.
“...I do not know.” Even if I did, I could only pretend to be ignorant now. “Master Song has never mentioned anything about himself, and I have no right to inquire.”
“Then, after you finish your punishment of copying, make sure to find all the books related to Song Zichen in the library and read them.” He spoke earnestly, “No matter where you come from, at the very least, you must understand clearly who it is that has taken you in and raised you.”
“...Yes.” Although I felt somewhat confused, I could only agree.
“Lan Juan.” Lan Qiren turned to look at her, who was still in shock.
“Yes...” she replied tremulously.
“Wei Hua is indeed entrusted to me by Song Zichen through Wei Ying for the upbringing at the Gusu Lan. This matter was personally witnessed by Wangji, and there is no doubt about it.” He said sternly, “'Without knowing the full truth, do not comment.' As a disciple of the Gusu Lan, knowing this yet still committing an offense warrants severe punishment. After you finish your copying, go and accept your penalty!”
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