"Taiping City?" An Ruoyun's expression shifted. "What happened?"
The name Taiping City might have been unfamiliar to others, but to An Ruoyun it was like a thorn lodged deep in her heart. The man Shi Tianhe had once defied her to marry was from that very city.
Hearing her question, Shi Tianhe's delicate body trembled. She timidly raised her head to steal a glance at An Ruoyun, only to find that An Ruoyun didn't so much as look her way. Her heart was filled with bitterness. She knew her Master had never forgiven her. Otherwise, having spotted her long ago, why had she never summoned her forward to speak?
An Ruoyun looked thoughtful as she regarded the pale-faced Shi Tianhe in the distance, her expression inscrutable, betraying no emotion.
"How does Taiping City have anything to do with Senior Sister?" Changsun Ying asked curiously. "Brother Yang, do tell us more."
Yang Kai said, "Junior Sister
He proceeded to recount everything that had happened at the city gates in full detail, his gaze fixed on An Ruoyun the entire time, as though he were telling the story for her alone.
When he reached the part where
Though Shi Tianhe was a disciple she had cast aside, she had still been raised under her own care. Since when did some Dong Family get to bully her like this?
What was more, An Ruoyun understood Shi Tianhe's character better than anyone. How could she possibly have stolen anything?
"Afterwards, Junior Sister Ji Yao and I learned that the so-called theft of the clan treasure was nothing more than a fabricated charge. The real reason was that Tianhe had heard her sect was in danger and wanted to return to the valley to do whatever small part she could. But with the Northern Region in such turmoil, anyone with even the slightest connection to
Yang Kai continued, "It was by chance that Junior Sister Ji Yao and I encountered Tianhe, and only then did we learn of Ice Heart Valley's situation. That's why we rushed here without stopping."
Having finished, he picked up the cup of tea beside him and took a quiet sip.
"Outrageous!" An Ruoyun could hold back no longer. She slammed her palm down and shattered the other armrest as well.
The many Ice Heart Valley women in the hall wore expressions of fury.
Back in the day, every man in the Northern Region had considered it a great honor and pride to marry a disciple of Ice Heart Valley. But now, like a dragon stranded in shallow waters or a tiger fallen to the plains, even some mere Dong Family from Taiping City had the audacity to bully them.
A disciple who had married into the Dong Family for a hundred years, who had held the honored position of mistress of the household, had ultimately been expelled before the public eye and branded with the stigma of theft.
The women were practically spitting with rage.
"Tianhe, come here!" An Ruoyun raised her eyes and looked at Shi Tianhe, who had been standing behind Yang Kai all along.
At her words, Shi Tianhe's body lurched violently. Her steps were heavy, each one a struggle, and she could barely move forward. It was
She said nothing, but tears streamed down her face without end.
An Ruoyun raised her hand high, her face a mask of bitter disappointment, as though she wanted to bring it down in a slap. But after several attempts, she couldn't bring herself to do it. In the end, she stamped her foot and lowered her hand.
Drawing a deep breath, An Ruoyun spoke in a heavy voice. "Rebellious disciple, do you acknowledge your mistake!"
Shi Tianhe nodded through her tears. "Disciple acknowledges her mistake!"
An Ruoyun said through clenched teeth, "A hundred years ago I warned you not to marry into the Dong Family over some one-time debt of gratitude. There are countless ways to repay a life debt — there was no need to sacrifice your own happiness. But you refused to listen, and now you've ended up like this. Why must you debase yourself so!"
Shi Tianhe pressed her forehead to the floor and prostrated herself, weeping. "Please, Master, punish me!"
An Ruoyun said coldly, "Don't call me Master. A hundred years ago I disowned you as my disciple. Our bond of master and disciple was severed long ago. The fruit you reap today is from the seed you planted then. Whether it tastes sour or bitter, you will bear it yourself — it has nothing to do with me, and nothing to do with Ice Heart Valley."
"Please, Master, punish me!" Shi Tianhe begged in anguish.
An Ruoyun snapped, "How dare you still call me Master!"
Changsun Ying couldn't bear watching any longer. She rose to her feet. "Senior Sister, please don't be angry. Though Tianhe didn't heed your words a hundred years ago and defied you, she has paid the price in suffering. I believe she will never make that mistake again. Besides… this time she risked her life to return to Ice Heart Valley the moment she heard the sect was in danger. With that kind of resolve and loyalty, can't you find it in yourself to forgive her, Senior Sister?"
The other fellow disciples all nodded as well, speaking up one after another to plead Shi Tianhe's case.
An Ruoyun listened, but remained silent.
Seeing this, Yu Dan hurried forward and knelt before An Ruoyun with a thud. "Master, please forgive Junior Sister Tianhe this once."
The two of them, like Shi Tianhe, were disciples under An Ruoyun, and naturally had the standing to plead on her behalf.