The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 21: A Former Best Friends

　　Hearing the girl speak so confidently, Si Yao almost choked on the tea she had just sipped.

　　What nonsense was this?

　　She and Jiang Shuo had a thing?

　　When did that even happen, and why hadn’t she known?

　　Her relationship with Jiang Shuo was clearly one of deep-seated hatred, a grudge that could never be reconciled.

　　Si Yao set down her tea cup, holding her breath as she focused, curious to see what other outrageous claims the girl might make.

　　“That’s impossible,” one disciple immediately spoke up, denying the girl’s words. “Liu Shuang, where did you hear this rumor? Back then, that woman caused Jiang Shuo so much suffering. How could he possibly have feelings for her?”

　　The girl called Liu Shuang smiled mysteriously, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “You just don’t understand. They weren’t just close—they were tangled up for years.”

　　The other disciples shook their heads in disbelief, clearly unconvinced by her story.

　　Liu Shuang’s expression darkened, and she patted the table sharply. “I’m telling the truth! A senior sister I know personally told me this. She has been in the sect for over ten years and witnessed everything with her own eyes.”

　　One of the disciples raised an eyebrow, “If you’re so certain, then what was that woman’s name?”

　　“Hmph,” Liu Shuang gave a playful snort and lightly scoffed. “Of course I know.”

　　“She was called Si Yao.”

　　Seeing that the others still doubted her, Liu Shuang pressed on, her tone tinged with frustration. “Back then, Jiang Shuo was weak and powerless, often humiliated within the sect. It was Si Yao who stood up for him, saving him from danger. The two of them were close at first, but who would have guessed they ended up enemies? It must have been because of some emotional entanglement that things turned out this way.”

　　Liu Shuang spoke with such confidence that the others couldn’t help but frown. For a moment, it seemed she really knew some hidden truth, though in reality, it was nothing more than speculation.

　　Si Yao’s face nearly betrayed her, but luckily the mask hid her reaction. She hadn’t expected that her heroic deeds from ten years ago would still be talked about, let alone twisted so badly into a story about her and Jiang Shuo.

　　“Liu Shuang! How many times do I have to tell you not to talk nonsense!”

　　A familiar, piercing female voice rang out, and Si Yao looked up toward the source.

　　A girl dressed in a fiery red robe stormed toward Liu Shuang, hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed, scolding her loudly.

　　“Senior Sister…” Liu Shuang lowered her head, looking pitiful, not daring to respond.

　　Si Yao’s eyes lit up. That girl in bright red had to be Shen Rong, the Xuanming Sect’s famous chatterbox.

　　Shen Rong had a fiery temper, a booming voice, and a love for all kinds of gossip. She had been one of Si Yao’s closest friends back at the Xuanming Sect, so the moment she appeared, Si Yao knew exactly what was going on. The whole mess from before was undoubtedly exaggerated and spread around thanks to Shen Rong’s big mouth.

　　“I told you, stop bringing up the past! What are you even saying to the other disciples here?”

　　Si Yao watched Shen Rong scold Liu Shuang and thought, How dare you say such things? You have the biggest mouth of all.

　　She seriously regretted not taking Shen Rong along when she had “died” back then. No wonder her own reputation in the Xuanming Sect was now infamous.

　　But all complaints aside, after so many years, seeing her longtime friend again still made Si Yao genuinely happy. She watched Shen Rong grab Liu Shuang’s wrist, ready to drag her out of the hall. She quickly stood up and called out to her, “Senior Sister Shen, please wait!”

　　Hearing the voice, Shen Rong turned around, confused by the masked figure before her.

　　“Who are you?”

　　Si Yao smiled and replied, “I am a disciple under Elder Qingxu, newly admitted.”

　　Shen Rong nodded but eyed her suspiciously. “What is it?”

　　Si Yao’s smile was playful, and her eyes sparkled behind the mask. She treated the cautious Shen Rong like an old friend and said casually, “Ever since I joined, I’ve heard that Senior Sister is straightforward and loyal. I’ve admired you for a long time, and today, finally seeing you in person, I feel even more in awe.”

　　“Recently, this Junior Sister obtained two jars of fine wine. I wonder if Senior Sister would care to join me for a small drink.”

　　Shen Rong was the sect’s walking gossip archive. Anyone who got close to her could easily gather any news. Si Yao could use her to find information about Mu Yuanbai and then figure out a way to mend the relationship between Mu Yuanbai and Jiang Shuo.

　　Having been friends with Shen Rong for three years, Si Yao knew her well. Shen Rong loved wine, and with an offer like this, she would certainly not refuse.    

　　As expected, the moment Shen Rong heard the words “fine wine,” her guard dropped noticeably. She raised an eyebrow, clearly a little intrigued.

　　Then she released Liu Shuang’s wrist, clearing her throat a few times and putting on a reluctant air. “Since you're so kind as to invite me, then I, your senior sister, will gladly accept.”

　　Si Yao’s face lit up instantly. She looped an arm through Shen Rong’s and led her toward her residence without a second thought.

　　Si Yao didn’t treat herself as an outsider at all. Just a few words, and she had Shen Rong following her, leaving Liu Shuang alone and flustered in the wind.

　　It was past noon, and the early autumn air had already cooled. Jiang Shuo had left several jars of wine at her residence, and when Si Yao returned, she excitedly grabbed two jars. She didn’t invite Shen Rong inside but carried the wine elsewhere instead.

　　Shen Rong paused, a faint shadow crossing her gaze. This was Si Yao’s old home. Since she had left, no new disciple had moved in, and everything still looked just as it had back then. Could it really be that even this place wouldn’t stay the same?

　　Si Yao didn’t notice Shen Rong’s hesitation. She cheerfully beckoned her along.

　　Before long, Si Yao led Shen Rong to a small lakeside. The lake was clear and shallow, with a few weeping willows along the shore. A light breeze drifted by, carrying a fresh, calming scent.

　　Si Yao set the jars on a stone table by the water and waved back to Shen Rong. “Senior Sister, come on.”

　　Shen Rong walked over, her expression tinged with melancholy. Si Yao frowned slightly, puzzled. She knew Shen Rong better than anyone. Normally carefree and unconcerned, Shen Rong rarely showed this kind of sadness.

　　“In the past, our favorite thing to do was to come here and drink,” Shen Rong said, her voice carrying a touch of sorrow.

　　Si Yao paused mid-pour, looking around and then back at Shen Rong. Of course, she and Shen Rong used to love drinking together by the lake. Though their souls came from different worlds, they had always clicked. Conversations between them had never seemed to run dry.

　　Si Yao felt a wave of nostalgia. Just now, she had almost felt like she was back in the past, which was why she had instinctively brought Shen Rong here.

　　A cool breeze brushed past, waking her from the daydream.

　　She blinked back tears, pressed down her sadness, poured two cups of wine, and handed one to Shen Rong. Her voice was clear and steady. “The wine is before us, Senior Sister. Don’t let trivial matters trouble you.”

　　Shen Rong looked at the cup Si Yao handed over, took it, and drained it in one bold gulp. “Good, I won’t let trivial matters bother me.”

　　She set the empty cup on the stone table, savoring the lingering sweetness. “As expected, this is truly fine wine!”

　　Si Yao smiled and poured her another cup.

　　Shen Rong loved her wine, sure, but Si Yao had always enjoyed good drinks too. The two of them quickly got caught up in the buzz, and for a moment, Si Yao even forgot her real purpose.

　　“Little Junior Sister, we really hit it off. What’s your name?” Shen Rong asked, her cheeks flushed from the wine, her words slightly slurred.

　　Si Yao, though also tipsy, was still clear-headed. She answered casually, “I’m called Si Luo.”

　　“Si Luo,” Shen Rong repeated, then slapped Si Yao lightly on the shoulder with the easy confidence of an older sister. “If you ever run into trouble, just tell me. I’ve got your back.”

　　Seeing that Shen Rong was clearly drunk, Si Yao steered the conversation to her real reason for coming. “Senior Sister, has Senior Brother Mu Yuanbai ever had any conflict with Jiang Shuo in the sect? Any disagreements or quarrels?”

　　“Huh?” Shen Rong’s eyes were glassy as she looked at Si Yao. “Nope, not at all. Senior Brother has the best temper, never gets into trouble with anyone.”

　　“Does he dislike Jiang Shuo then?” Si Yao asked again.

　　Shen Rong drank another sip before answering. “Senior Brother treats everyone kindly. I’ve never heard of him disliking anyone.”

　　Si Yao frowned. In the sect, any incident would never escape Shen Rong’s notice, which meant everything with Mu Yuanbai inside the sect was normal. She pressed further. “Has Senior Brother been out of the sect recently?”

　　If nothing unusual had happened inside, then any friction must have occurred outside.

　　“Nope.” Shen Rong waved her hand lazily, still tipsy. “Senior Brother keeps to himself, often secluded in cultivation. He hasn’t stepped outside the sect in nearly ten years.”

　　Hearing this, Si Yao felt a twinge of frustration. If everything with Mu Yuanbai was normal, that meant the story’s breakdown must have started from Jiang Shuo’s side.

　　She shifted the topic and asked about Jiang Shuo. “Then how’s Jiang Shuo’s relationship with Mu Yuanbai?”    

　　“They don’t seem all that close, do they?” Shen Rong found Si Yao’s question a bit strange and tilted her head. “Why are you asking about this?”

　　Si Yao stammered, unable to answer at once. Shen Rong’s flushed face broke into a knowing smile. “Oh, I see.”

　　“Be honest now. Are you interested in Senior Brother or Jiang Shuo?”

　　“Ah?” Si Yao blinked, caught off guard that Shen Rong had guessed this. She froze for a moment.

　　Shen Rong chattered on without pause. “Senior Brother is handsome and elegant. There are countless admirers in the sect, yet all these years, I’ve never seen his heart stirred by anyone.”

　　“As for Jiang Shuo, that’s even more impossible. His heart already belongs to someone. You’d better give up now.”

　　Someone? Who?

　　Si Yao looked at Shen Rong with wide suspicion.

　　“Jiang Shuo fell in love with a girl ten years ago. Even though she’s no longer around, you have no chance with him anyway.”

　　Hearing Shen Rong's words, Si Yao was speechless. Good heavens, you're the one who started this rumor! You're the root of all evil!

　　The two kept talking, Si Yao asking Shen Rong countless questions, but by the time the sun dipped below the horizon and night fell, not a single useful answer had been gleaned. It was a long afternoon full of pointless chatter.

　　By then, the two wine jars were empty. Shen Rong had drunk the most, and at some point, she had slumped face-down on the table, completely out cold.

　　Si Yao felt dizzy too, clearly drunk, but she held onto the stone table and staggered to her feet.

　　Even in her tipsy state, her senses were still sharp. She vaguely heard unhurried footsteps beside her and, dizzy, turned her head and asked coquettishly, “Who’s there?”    

    

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