The Beauty with Poison 3 E-Book

Chenyue Shuang

• Herausgeber: via tolino media
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

"The more handsome a man is, the more poisonous he is." The affectionate and kind-hearted Zhou Huan, who was destined to be surrounded by admirers, was originally a humble person in the troubled times. Greed for wealth led him to be tricked and taken to the palace by mistake, accidentally ending up in the emperor's bedchamber. Just after indulging in the pleasures of the flesh, he faced imminent danger. Initially only wanting to escape and survive, Zhou Huan unexpectedly glimpsed the unknown bitterness and helplessness deep within the puppet emperor's heart. "He stands high above everyone, enjoying the wealth and splendor of the world, surrounded by thousands of beautiful women in the imperial palace. Who would have thought that this vast palace wall is actually just a huge prison?" Accidentally getting dragged into this world of fierce competition and survival of the fittest, Zhou Huan chose to confront the challenges. With his shrewd and flexible mind, he maneuvered between various factions, facing opponents like the lonely emperor who was high in position but whose inner loneliness was unknown to all, the general who loved him deeply but found it difficult to express his feelings, and the swaggering and unrestrained wandering swordsman. Dealing with these beautiful women, Zhou Huan suffered greatly, but he also relied on his courage and daring spirit to turn danger into safety again and again. Let's see how Zhou Huan uses his wits and bravery to fight with these beautiful women, turning a losing hand into a winning one, and achieving a legendary story of a humble person's rise to success and winning the heart of a beautiful woman.

Leseprobe

The Beauty with Poison 3 The Unveiling of the Hidden Dagger

The Beauty with Poison, Volume 3

Shuang Chenyue

Published by Great Wall Publishing, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.For permission requests, write to : [email protected]

THE BEAUTY WITH POISON 3 THE UNVEILING OF THE HIDDEN DAGGER

First edition. July 2, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Shuang Chenyue.

ISBN: 979-8227730398

Written by Shuang Chenyue.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The Beauty with Poison

Volume Three: The Unveiling of the Hidden Dagger

Table of contents

Chapter Thirty: Delight in Your Presence

Chapter Thirty-One: Bait and Hook

Chapter Thirty-Two: Battle of Words

Chapter Thirty-Three: A Chance Encounter

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Perverse Habit

Chapter Thirty-Five: Heartwarming Lotus Seed

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Most Unreliable Thing is the Human Heart

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Falling into the Mortal World

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Beastly Nature of Man

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Plotting

Chapter Forty: Confession

Chapter Forty-One: Severing Ties

Chapter Forty-Two: The Incident at Mausoleum Rudolf

Chapter Forty-Three: Utter Defeat

Chapter Forty-Four: The End of the Line

Chapter Forty-Five: Defense Through Offense

Chapter Forty-Six: Long-Awaited Reunion

Chapter Forty-Seven: Fortunate Missteps

Chapter Forty-Eight: Substitute the Plum for the Peach

Chapter Forty-Nine: Karmic Retribution

Chapter Thirty: Delight in Your Presence

Timothy envisioned a beautiful future, but reality cruelly dashed his hopes.

The next day, Timothy woke up to find that Abbe had vanished. The vast house was left in disarray, with only Timothy remaining amidst the chaos.

Timothy had no idea when Abbe had left. If not for the mess recalling the wild and intimate scenes of the previous night, he might have thought it was just a dream.

Abbe did not return to Pavilion Arnold; he disappeared like morning dew at dawn. No one knew where he had gone, and he vanished without a trace.

Timothy was disheartened. He had thought that his efforts with the plums had touched Abbe’s heart, opening a crack in his tightly shut heart. Despite the impulsive nature of their encounter, Abbe’s reactions gave Timothy reason to believe there was something between them.

But Abbe left without a word.

Nevertheless, Timothy couldn't delay any longer due to the uncertain situation in Poiema, which was worrying. He had to put aside his personal matters and embark on his return journey with doubts and concerns.

"Are you worried about Chief Master?" Adam, who was riding in the carriage, noticed Timothy's frown and absent-mindedness, and couldn't help but ask.

Timothy nodded. "Where do you think Abbe might have gone?"

Adam, now dressed in a neat, light blue outfit resembling a clever servant, tilted his head thoughtfully. "Chief Master’s hometown is in Euyle. He might have gone there to seek refuge."

"Euyle? Seek refuge? I thought his family was exterminated. Does he still have acquaintances there?"

"The Simpson family was a prominent clan. It's hard to wipe out all connections at once. Besides, Chief Master prefers Sunder over Poiema."

Abbe doesn’t like Poiema?

This piqued Timothy's curiosity, prompting him to inquire further.

It turned out that after Payton became an official, he wanted to bring his family to live in Poiema. However, Abbe complained of discomfort and demanded to return to Euyle after just a year. Payton couldn’t resist his beloved son and sent him back home. Thus, except for the few months around the New Year, Abbe spent most of his time in Sunder.

"Abbe claimed discomfort in Poiema? Really?"

"Of course not. After spending three months with Chief Master, don't you know his character? He hates being controlled, even by his father," Adam laughed. "It's ironic. Mr. Simpson, a renowned scholar, preached loyalty and filial piety, yet he raised a son who yearns for a free-spirited life and despises fame and fortune."

Timothy finally understood. In Sunder, far from the emperor’s reach, Abbe could roam freely and associate with various people. But in Poiema, not only was it close to the emperor, but he also had a strict father at home, making him feel restrained.

"In short, Chief Master isn't a naive child. If he hadn't wandered on his own, he wouldn't have gained so many loyal followers, nor would there have been the later Sabra Village."

"Indeed, he’s as free as the wind. My worry for him is truly misplaced..." Timothy sighed with a bitter smile.

"The one misplaced is not you..."

Adam mumbled under his breath.

"Hmm?" Timothy looked at him with wide eyes. "What did you say, Adam?"

"N-nothing!"

Adam quickly lowered his head, embarrassed by his slip of the tongue.

Did he realize his mistake? Adam worried, stealing a glance at Timothy. To his relief, Timothy seemed lost in thought, gazing out of the window, not focused on him.

Adam breathed a sigh of relief, his mind a jumble of thoughts before finally calming down.

Horse hooves clattered as they sped across the fertile plains, soon leaving the Sunder border.

It was midsummer and noon, typically marked by scorching heat. However, the weather this year was unusual. Not long after entering Kamal, a sudden downpour forced them to seek shelter in a nearby county.

After the heavy rain, the temperature dropped drastically. Despite it being June, it felt chillingly cold. By midnight, hail began to fall.

The hailstones, as large as eggs, pelted down fiercely. Lying in the inn, Timothy listened to the hail mixed with the wind, thundering on the roof. The noise was so intense that he wouldn’t have been surprised if the roof caved in.

Timothy couldn’t sleep all night, and neither did Adam next door. Early the next morning, Timothy stepped out to find Adam yawning, dark circles under his eyes.

The rain had cleared, and Timothy was stunned by the scene outside. Houses were destroyed, rubble was everywhere. Compared to the devastation, their inn was relatively intact, with only a few broken windows, which was a blessing.

The innkeeper, a kind-hearted man, saw the many homeless people shivering in the cold and had his young waiter cook a large pot of porridge for the affected villagers. Timothy and Adam, with nothing else to do, helped the innkeeper. Adam served porridge and water, while Timothy called out on the streets. Soon, a long line formed, with people constantly coming for the porridge, stretching to the end of the street.

"First the drought, then locusts, now hail. How are we supposed to live?"

"It's an ill-fated year. These disasters must be a bad omen."

The crowd murmured in despair, their grievances towards the government clear, though unspoken.

Suddenly, commotion erupted in the crowd. At the back, some kind of disturbance broke out. The sound of galloping hooves grew louder as a group of soldiers on horseback forced their way in, shouting and even arresting and driving people away.

Someone in the crowd yelled, "They're conscripting!" Immediately, the long line dispersed in panic.

"What's happening?" Timothy asked the innkeeper, bewildered.

"Well, they're conscripting labor for the army. Those being taken are former slaves who had recently gained freedom. Originally displaced by famine and war, they became slaves and were sold to warlords. Now that they've settled and started a new life, they’re being taken again for military service."

Timothy was still confused. "But there’s no war. Where are they being sent?"

"Mausoleum Rudolf," the innkeeper explained patiently. "Since spring, the weather has been unpredictable, even affecting the grasslands up north. With more nomads migrating south and frequent border skirmishes, the government is preparing for worse in autumn by conscripting labor from Kamal."

"Even so, they shouldn’t be so oppressive!" Adam, overhearing, was indignant. "They ignore the starving people but are quick to conscript and oppress. What a bunch of scoundrels!"

Seeing Adam's indignation, Timothy quickly covered his mouth. "Adam, be careful. They’re the government. It’s not something we can meddle in."

"I know," Adam said gloomily. "But seeing those people reminds me of my past... This world, officials are never good!"

"Adam, you were conscripted too?"

Adam's eyes darkened. "I was originally from Tim County, Kamal, and I had an older brother, one year my senior. When I was fourteen, a group of soldiers suddenly burst into our home and took us away, saying we were to be sold in Sunder to raise funds for the army. On the way, those soldiers treated us like animals, often beating us and giving us only watery gruel to eat. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so my brother and I escaped halfway. My brother starved to death on the road, and I wandered aimlessly until I finally met Chief Master, who helped me live like a human being."

Adam recounted his harrowing past in a calm tone. His eight-word phrase—"wandering aimlessly, enduring hardships"—barely scratched the surface of the hardships he and his brother endured, leading to his brother’s death and leaving Adam alone.

Timothy believed that Adam wasn’t the worst off; whether it was Abbe or the other brothers in Sabra Village, their individual tragedies might have been different, but they were all filled with blood and tears.

"Do you miss your brother?" Timothy suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Of course I do..." Adam looked up at the sky, as if lost in memories. "Although he was only a year older than me, he always looked out for me. He had an endless supply of jokes. Whenever I felt life was unbearable, he would tell me jokes, making me laugh so hard I couldn’t stand."

"He must have loved you very much." Timothy looked at Adam and smiled gently. "I’m an only child, so I’ve never known what it’s like to have siblings. I envy you for having such a good brother."

Adam stared at Timothy for a while, wide-eyed, and said, "I just realized, Alan, when you smile, you look a bit like my brother."

"Really?" Timothy was taken aback, then his smile grew even brighter. "Then I’ll smile more for you, Adam."

Adam's face turned crimson. He lowered his eyes awkwardly, scooped a spoonful of white porridge, and nervously put it in his mouth. Strangely, despite the porridge having no seasoning, Adam tasted a hint of sweetness.

To thank Timothy and Adam for their kind help, the generous innkeeper treated them to a hearty meal. After their fill, Timothy and Adam set off again. With most of the remaining journey being mountainous, they abandoned the carriage and rode horses, traversing muddy paths for half a day until they reached a lush valley with babbling brooks.

The rain-washed sky was a vivid blue, and a deep breath brought the fresh scent of grass and earth, lifting Timothy’s spirits. Having grown up in Poiema, then spending three months in the drought-stricken Sunder, he savored being surrounded by nature once more, slowing his pace.

In this verdant valley, a shallow river flowed throughout. The clear, emerald water, like a ribbon of blue silk, alternated between gentle and turbulent as it wound through the mountains. Though Adam had wandered the lands of Kamal and Sunder for a year, he had never seen such a breathtaking sight.

"It's like a paradise on earth..."

Adam stood at the edge of a cliff, daringly stretching his neck to look at the river below. The cliff was not very high, only a few meters, but standing at the edge still made his legs feel weak.

"Adam, are you afraid of heights?" Timothy dismounted and walked over to Adam.

"Not really..." Adam hesitated. "Why do you ask?"

Timothy nodded towards the cliff's edge. "Not afraid? Then let’s go down and have a look!"

"What? Hey!"

Before Adam could react, Timothy had already jumped down, skillfully navigating the bushes and branches with agility that made one wonder if he was part monkey.

Adam hesitated, unsure whether to follow or stay. Seeing Timothy already at the bottom, waving at him, Adam steeled himself and carefully started his descent.

"It's okay, almost there!"

Originally, Adam was climbing down slowly, but hearing Timothy's encouragement, he lost his focus and slipped, falling straight down.

In that moment, Adam's heart sank. Fortunately, he landed heavily in a strong embrace. Timothy had caught him securely.

"See, I told you it was fine," Timothy said, laughing carelessly.

Adam, however, was so shaken he was covered in cold sweat, his legs trembling so much he couldn’t stand, so he crouched by the river, clutching his pounding heart and gasping for breath.

Timothy went to the river, scooped up some water, and took a sip. He felt rejuvenated, as if his entire body had been refreshed.

"Adam, this water is so cool! Come and try it."

"I can't stand up." Adam murmured, holding his ankle.

"Let me see." Timothy approached. "Did you sprain it?"

Without hesitation, Timothy reached for Adam’s slender ankle.

Caught off guard, Adam’s heart raced uncontrollably.

"It’s fine..." Timothy examined for a while, seeing no swelling or bruising. He then gently massaged Adam’s ankle. "Does this feel better?"

Since that night in Sabra Village, Adam hadn’t had the chance to be this close to Timothy. Seizing the rare opportunity, Adam watched Timothy intently while he was focused.

Timothy’s nose was a nose, his eyes were eyes, and his eyebrows were eyebrows.

This might sound redundant, but Adam, not well-versed in words, thought it was the best description he could muster.

He had seen handsome men before—Abbe and Penelope, both stunning. Among such beautiful people, Timothy's features weren't the most striking. Yet, for some reason, on Timothy’s face, these seemingly ordinary features combined to form an incredibly pleasing appearance, making it hard to look away.

"...Is it because I like him?"

"Hmm?" Timothy suddenly looked up. "Like what?"

Adam's face turned bright red. He hadn’t realized he had spoken his thoughts aloud while staring at Timothy.

"I-I mean..." Adam awkwardly withdrew his foot, murmuring, "I..."

Somehow infected by Adam’s nervousness, Timothy’s heartbeat also quickened. For a moment, neither spoke, their only companions the sound of flowing water and the songs of birds in the empty valley.

Chapter Thirty-One: Bait and Hook

In the end, Adam stammered in front of Timothy for a long time but still couldn't bring himself to say the words "I like you."

Finally, it was Timothy who broke the silence first. He released Adam's ankle, stepped back two paces, and maintained a certain distance from him.

Timothy was afraid of startling Adam, but regardless of his intentions, this distancing added a touch of awkwardness to the silence.

To alleviate the awkwardness, Timothy turned around, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. Suddenly, he noticed something floating on the rapid water, drifting leisurely towards them.

"What’s that?"

Timothy walked curiously to the riverbank and picked up the object. It was a shoe. It was unknown which careless person had dropped their shoe in the water. Timothy inspected the shoe closely; it wasn’t completely soaked, indicating it had only recently fallen in.

Timothy turned to Adam. "Adam, someone dropped a shoe. The owner should be nearby. You stay here and rest; I’ll go and return it."

As soon as Adam heard this, his leg seemed to heal instantly. He jumped up and grabbed Timothy's sleeve. "I want to go too."

Timothy's guess was correct. Following the river upstream for just a quarter of an hour, they found the owner of the shoe—a man dressed in white, sound asleep by the riverside.

Timothy had thought someone so careless to lose a shoe must be a scatterbrained fool, but upon closer inspection, he was amazed.

The man was delicate and handsome, with sharp eyebrows and thin lips, dressed in a moon-white robe, lying quietly on a large boulder by the riverbank. What was strange was that although his eyes were closed, he was holding a fishing rod in his arms, wearing a shoe on his left foot, while his right foot was bare, revealing a fair and slender foot. He looked like an immortal from folklore, devoid of any worldly aura.

Adam whispered in Timothy's ear, "Are we encountering an immortal?"

"Maybe," Timothy smiled, putting a finger to his lips and whispering, "Let’s not disturb him."

Saying this, Timothy tiptoed forward and gently placed the shoe beside the white-clad man.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly thought, what if the man kicked the shoe back into the river in his sleep? After some deliberation, Timothy decided to complete the good deed. He quietly approached and carefully put the shoe on the man's right foot.

"You’re here."

A warm, clear voice sounded in his ear. Startled, Timothy looked up to see the white-clad man, who had been asleep, now wide awake and staring intently at him.

What do you mean by "you’re here"? Timothy was baffled. He hesitated for a moment, then pointed to the shoe on the man's right foot. "Sir, your shoe fell into the river."

The white-clad man didn't respond, his eyes only scrutinizing Timothy's face closely.

Even someone as well-versed as Timothy felt uneasy being stared at so intently by such an ethereal person. He was about to avert his gaze when the man slightly nodded and said, "Thank you. My name is Austyn Powell. May I ask your name?"

"Timothy," he replied, glancing at the fishing rod in Austyn's arms. "Are you fishing?"

"Yes," Austyn nodded.

Timothy pointed to the empty hook. "But you don’t even have bait. How can you catch fish?"

"Bait?" Austyn was momentarily taken aback before replying calmly, "Of course, I have bait."

"Where is it?" Timothy asked, puzzled.

Austyn pointed to the shoe on his right foot. "This is the bait."

Timothy blinked, dumbfounded for a moment, before realizing Austyn’s implication. If the shoe was the bait, then the fish caught must be Timothy himself.

"What nonsense!"

Before Timothy could respond, Adam stepped forward, glaring at Austyn with a flushed face. "We kindly returned your shoe, and you insult us with such nonsense! I thought you were an immortal, but you’re just a ruffian!" Adam grabbed Timothy's hand. "Alan, let’s go. Ignore this crazy Taoist priest!"

Timothy was surprised. It was the first time he had seen Adam so impolite to a stranger. Moreover, he deliberately emphasized "we" to stress that the shoe wasn't found by Timothy alone.

"I meant no offense," Austyn said indifferently. He jumped lightly off the stone. "I am Austyn Powell. I have some knowledge of divination, medicine, and astrology. Three days ago, I divined that a noble person who can help me escape my plight would pass by here today. That’s why I traveled here to wait."

"And this noble person... is me?" Timothy looked at Austyn half-believingly.

"Yes," Austyn nodded.

Timothy was speechless. He scrutinized Austyn, seeing his stern expression and serious demeanor, and didn't seem to be joking.

"Sir, forgive my skepticism," Timothy said awkwardly, "We don’t know each other, and I have no idea how I could help you. If you were in my place, would you believe it?"

Austyn was silent for a moment before quietly saying, "No."

Timothy sighed in relief. "Exactly!"

"Belief is entirely up to Mr. Shaw. I don’t force it," Austyn said, turning and walking away. After a few steps, he stopped and looked back at Timothy with icy eyes. "Before I leave, I want to remind Mr. Shaw of something... Within three days, you two will face a calamity of bloodshed. To avoid disaster, remember these eight words: 'The Dazzling Star enters the room, the year in quiet light.'"

Leaving these words, Austyn turned and left.

"The Dazzling Star enters the room, the year in quiet light."

After Austyn left, Timothy kept pondering the meaning of these eight words.

The Dazzling Star signifies disaster. The star entering something usually indicates trouble for a place or person. This was simple enough for Timothy to understand, but the latter part left him puzzled. Knowing nothing about astrology, he couldn’t figure it out by thinking hard.

Adam's thoughts were simpler. He believed Austyn was just a fraudster. Talk of destiny and disaster relief was self-deception. So, Austyn's words were not worth taking to heart, and worrying about them was pointless.

Timothy thought Adam made sense. Considering the number of disasters he had faced, he had always managed to deal with them. Even if something went wrong one day, it would be fate. Rather than worrying about uncertain future events, he preferred to focus on the present and live each day well.

As for destiny and fortune, those are beyond our control. Everything should go with the flow. With this in mind, Timothy felt at ease.

Timothy wasn’t a seer and couldn’t predict the future. So, he treated his encounter with Austyn as a negligible episode, unaware of how this meeting would alter his fate.

But soon, the series of events that followed slapped him in the face.

Three days later, at noon, when Timothy and Adam stood in Mausoleum Rudolf, looking at the ruins burnt to ashes, cold sweat trickled down Timothy’s back. Adam, who had once dismissed Austyn's words, was speechless.

This fire in Mausoleum Rudolf swept through almost the entire street, causing numerous casualties, especially at the inn where the fire started, resulting in the loss of thirty-six lives, with no survivors.

Timothy and Adam had originally intended to stay at that inn. If not for the heated argument Timothy had with the innkeeper the previous day, resulting in them being kicked out, they might have also been caught in the disaster.

As for why Timothy, usually so amiable, had a fierce argument with the innkeeper, it all began on the day Timothy and Adam arrived in Mausoleum Rudolf.

After a long and arduous journey, they reached the administrative center of Kamal, Mausoleum Rudolf. The city was bustling with people, and the citizens were flocking in one direction as if attending a market fair. Upon inquiry, they learned that Kamal had been plagued by frequent natural disasters recently. The people, who believed in the interaction between heaven and man, naturally attributed these calamities to the current ruler's loss of virtue, thinking that the heavens were punishing them for his misdeeds.

Consequently, rumors and unrest spread throughout the city. To calm the populace, the governor of Mausoleum Rudolf decided to hold a grand ritual to pray for good weather and peace.

As a passerby, Timothy initially had no interest in joining the crowd. But when he heard that the ritual would be held at a temple called Temple Kalpana, he was taken aback.

The Dazzling Star enters the room, the year in quiet light.

Coincidentally, Austyn's words also mentioned "quiet light." Could this be a coincidence? If not, might there be a connection between Temple Kalpana and the bloodshed disaster Austyn foretold?

Intrigued, Timothy decided to join the crowd to investigate further, persuading Adam to accompany him.

As soon as they entered Temple Kalpana, they saw from a distance a tall man standing in the center of the altar in front of the main hall. The man was handsome and dignified, dressed in a dark blue robe with gold trimmings, exuding a noble and stern aura. He held a piece of talisman paper in his left hand and a brush in his right, muttering something under his breath. The people in the temple, however, were all lying prostrate on the ground, reverently worshiping the man on the altar.

The man in black chanted for a while, then suddenly raised his hand and scattered the talisman paper into the air.

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind swept through, lifting sand and stones. The crowd raised their sleeves to shield their faces. Miraculously, the overcast sky was cleared by the sudden wind, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, shining like a holy light on the man in black.

When the wind subsided and the people looked up again, the sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky.

Seeing this miraculous scene, the people prostrated on the ground shouted, "Mr. Brown is virtuous and blessed with longevity!" and knelt down in waves. Even Timothy, who had seen much in his life, had never witnessed such a divine ritual.

"Who is that man on the altar?" Adam asked Timothy curiously. "Why do they revere him so much?"

"I want to know too," Timothy replied, frowning. "I thought he was just a sorcerer hired by the officials, but it seems he is someone extraordinary."

Perhaps their murmuring was too loud, as a man dressed as a commoner turned to them, glaring as if they had committed a blasphemy. "Show some respect! That is Governor Jadyn Brown, Mr. Brown!"

Another man beside Adam added, "You must be outsiders, so it's not surprising you haven't heard of Mr. Brown. Not only is he our governor, but he is also skilled in Mystical Magic, proficient in medicine, and has benefited almost all the people of Mausoleum Rudolf. He can cure diseases and control the elements. Calling him a living god wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

"Jadyn..." Timothy muttered the name softly. He had imagined that the ritual would involve setting up an altar and hiring a sorcerer to perform some ceremonial dances and mutter incomprehensible incantations. He hadn't expected the governor himself to lead the ritual to pray for the people.

"This Jadyn doesn't seem like a bad person," Adam said thoughtfully, looking at the imposing figure on the altar.

Hearing this, Timothy couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise. He could hardly believe these words came from the same Adam who had once said, "There’s not a single good official."

Chapter Thirty-Two: Battle of Words

After the ceremony, Jadyn didn't leave immediately. Instead, he was escorted into the grand hall of Temple Kalpana by a group of admirers.

The hall was spacious, bright, and magnificent. In terms of grandeur, it even surpassed Temple Lrisa in the Great Alvah Palace. Jadyn took his seat on the pulpit, surrounded by a crowd of people eagerly awaiting his discourse. Timothy and Adam were among them.

"What's a discourse?" Adam asked curiously. "I've never heard of it before."

"It's when a bunch of high society folks get together to chat," Timothy whispered to Adam. "I've been to a few with the King of Nixie during Rickie's time. It's all about rubbing shoulders with the elite, chatting away while scratching each other's backs, and sometimes talking till dawn."

"What do they talk about? Anything specific?" Adam's eyes widened with interest.

"Everything under the sun, except politics and social issues," Timothy frowned, nodding towards the pulpit. "Anyway, you'll see for yourself."

"Mr. Brown, you always say that human nature is inherently good. But if that's the case, why is there so much evil in the world? Why do ordinary people have to suffer so much?" an elderly man with gray hair asked Jadyn.

"As Mencius said, human nature is good, just like water tends to flow downwards. When stimulated, it can flow upwards, just like water on a mountain. Is it the nature of water to do so? No, it's the circumstances," Jadyn replied calmly. "I don't deny the existence of evil in the world, but as the sage said, it's a result of circumstances, not our inherent nature. Even evil-doers, as long as they're willing to change, can attain enlightenment."

"But didn't that also say," a young man raised his hand, "I'd rather betray the world than let the world betray me?"

His words elicited laughter from the crowd. Beside him, a woman quickly covered his mouth and tapped his head, saying, "What do you know! Too much storytelling!"

Jadyn smiled faintly and asked, "Have you ever eaten green beans?"

"Yes," the young man nodded.

"Then tell me, if I plant green beans, what will grow?"

"Green beans, of course."

"Exactly." Jadyn nodded and said, "As the saying goes, as you sow, so shall you reap. Mencius said that every person has four virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. These are the seeds inherent in each of us. Without these virtues, where would goodness come from?"

As his words fell, the hall erupted in applause, with everyone nodding in agreement, as if they had just heard the words of a sage.

Even Adam seemed enlightened, looking at Jadyn with admiration in his eyes. He murmured to himself, "Mr. Brown is not only talented but also knowledgeable. No wonder the people of Mausoleum Rudolf admire him so much."

Timothy, who never liked these intellectual discussions, felt a pang of annoyance seeing Adam's almost worshipful gaze towards Jadyn. For some reason, he felt even more irritated when he saw that, casually humming to himself.

"Why are you humming?" Adam looked at him puzzled.

"It's nothing. I just don't think it's that impressive," Timothy said dismissively. Then, spurred by Adam's words, he couldn't help but feel a surge of competitiveness. He grabbed Adam's hand and pulled him back.

"Why rush? Let's see what he's got," Timothy said calmly, looking up at Jadyn on the pulpit with a slight smile. "I bet once I start, Mr. Brown won't be able to get off that stage."

Jadyn noticed the commotion and calmly observed Timothy from head to toe. He saw Timothy dressed plainly in coarse cloth, quite inconspicuous if not for the disturbance. Yet, upon closer inspection, Jadyn found his features handsome, with a hint of recklessness in his eyes. When he stepped into the crowd, he exuded a sense of presence.

Jadyn raised an eyebrow. "May I ask your name, sir? And where do you hail from?"

"I'm Timothy," Timothy replied with a smile, not wanting to attract trouble by revealing his identity. "Just an insignificant passerby. I don't want to disrupt everyone's enjoyment, but this gentleman seemed very dissatisfied with what I said earlier, and he seemed eager for me to debate Mr. Brown."

Jadyn smiled faintly. "What insight do you have, Mr. Shaw?"

"I'm just a layman, not as well-versed as Mr. Brown in quoting scriptures. I simply want to ask Mr. Brown, if human nature is inherently good, how does this goodness turn into evil?" Timothy asked.

Jadyn answered calmly, "Whether it's planting melons or beans, they will experience wind and rain during their growth. Even a good seed, if not carefully nurtured, can grow into a twisted plant."

"Since we all grow in the same environment, under the same sunlight and rain, why do some people follow the rules while others commit heinous acts? If everyone is inherently good, then where does this external evil come from? Isn't it from ourselves?" Timothy challenged.

Jadyn was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond.

Timothy didn't give him a chance to think and continued, "The reason why sages tirelessly persuade people to do good is precisely because it is hard to be good. On the contrary, bad people commit evil without any teaching, they do it instinctively. Everyone, imagine if your loved ones were brutally murdered, and the killer said, 'It's not my fault, it's the world's fault.' Would you forgive him?"

As Timothy finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall changed immediately. Everyone looked at each other and began to whisper, discussing in low voices.

At this moment, Jadyn also realized the difficulty of his opponent, his expression finally changed, and he said in a deep voice, "You also said that most people, no matter how much suffering they endure, can still follow the rules for a lifetime. If people were as perverse as you say, why are there so many good people in the world? Why are there so many good deeds? Do you think they have some ulterior motives too?"

Timothy remained unfazed and calmly responded, "The reason people do good is that if they indulge their nature, everyone would be selfish and evil, and the world would fall into decay. As the saying goes, no one is perfect. I never consider myself a saint. But if a person cannot even face their own inner evil, how do they have the right to preach to others to avoid evil and do good?"

This last statement had a powerful impact, causing Jadyn's face to turn pale instantly. He abruptly stood up, his face alternating between red and white, as if he wanted to refute something, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a word. Finally, in a fit of anger, he flung his sleeves and said in a low voice, "I'm not feeling well, let's call it a day."

After casting a cold glance at Timothy, he hurriedly left.

Jadyn's departure caused an uproar in the hall, as everyone surged forward, surrounding Timothy and Adam, shouting insults.

"Who the hell do you think you are to talk to Mr. Brown like that!?"

"Mr. Brown's discussions are not something you can just interrupt. What are you trying to achieve!?"

Seeing a mob surrounding Timothy, someone even raised a fist and punched Timothy on the forehead. Adam shouted, "Stop!", quickly rushed forward, and stood in front of Timothy, pushing the attacker away.

"Do you have any sense of reason!? What did Alan say wrong!? You can't win the argument, so you resort to violence, and so many of you bully one person! Shame on you!"

"Adam, stop wasting words with them, let's escape!"

Timothy initially just wanted to show off in front of Adam, but instead, it led to an unexpected disaster. Seeing that a fight was imminent, Timothy also had no desire to continue, grabbed Adam, and broke through the crowd, running away.

Timothy never imagined that they would escape Temple Kalpana in such a disgraceful manner. He also didn't expect the seemingly kind and peaceful people to turn into wolves and tigers, relentlessly chasing Timothy and Adam for several streets. It wasn't until they climbed onto a rooftop to hide that they finally shook off their pursuers.

However, their bad luck didn't end there.

A rumor quickly spread in Mausoleum Rudolf about how Timothy publicly rebuked Jadyn at Temple Kalpana, which made Timothy famous—though not in a good way, but rather infamous.

As the night fell, the two, looking for lodging, entered an inn, only to be recognized by the people around. The innkeeper not only refused them lodging but also mocked Timothy and Adam. Timothy, using his eloquence, got into an argument with the innkeeper. Infuriated by Timothy's sharp words, the innkeeper called a group of thugs to beat them out with sticks.

These continuous misfortunes drove Timothy mad. He had never encountered such hysterical rudeness. As they were thrown out by the innkeeper, he couldn't help but shout, "You who can't distinguish right from wrong, only knowing to bully others, will surely face retribution one day!"

Despite the anger and cursing, if they couldn't find a place to stay, they would still end up sleeping on the streets. Fortunately, they later found an abandoned, desolate temple on the outskirts of the city, which barely served as a place to stay for the night.

Timothy harbored a deep resentment, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Mausoleum Rudolf was filled with a strange air, with people seemingly bewitched and not thinking clearly. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but rant.

Compared to the indignant Timothy, Adam was much calmer. He seemed more concerned about Timothy's injuries than their predicament. As he patiently listened to Timothy's complaints, he ground some herbs he found nearby into a paste with a stone.

"They're just a bunch of ignorant brutes, Alan, don't let them get to you." Adam carefully applied the herbal paste to Timothy's wounded forehead as he spoke.

Timothy raised an eyebrow, "And who was it that was singing praises about Mr. Brown earlier?"

"Did I... did I do that?" Adam pursed his lips and looked down, feeling guilty.

Timothy mimicked Adam's tone, saying admiringly, "Mr. Brown is amazing! Not only is he handsome, but he's also knowledgeable and well-traveled!"

Timothy's impression of Adam was spot on, making Adam's face turn bright red in embarrassment, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. In his anxiety, he punched Timothy in the chest, "Stop it! It's so embarrassing!"

Timothy winced, clutching his chest and taking a sharp breath.

Adam immediately remembered that Timothy was still injured and quickly reached out to rub his chest, "I'm sorry, does it still hurt?"

"It's just a flesh wound." Timothy leaned against the wall, feeling the gentle movements of Adam's hand on his chest. His anger turned into a soft tenderness, "Adam, thank you."

Adam tilted his head, not understanding.

Timothy looked into Adam's bright, clear eyes in the darkness, "It's my fault for being impulsive, dragging you into this mess. There were so many people, and the situation was dangerous, but Adam stood up for me, facing them all. I'm really happy."

Seeing Timothy's serious expression, so different from his usual carefree demeanor, Adam felt uneasy, "I... I just did what I had to. We're brothers, naturally, we share hardships."

"Would you do the same for the other brothers from Sabra Village?" Timothy asked, looking into his eyes.

"Of course," Adam's face flushed, and he shifted his gaze, "Why are you asking these strange questions?"

Timothy touched his chest where Adam had rubbed, feeling his heart beating faster for no reason. He smiled slightly and whispered, "I don't know."

"What did you say?" Adam asked, startled.

"Nothing," Timothy replied lazily, yawning and turning over to close his eyes.

"Alan!?" Adam jumped up and grabbed Timothy's shoulder, shaking him, "Don't leave me hanging like this!"

Timothy kept his eyes closed, hearing Adam's anxious yet helpless tone behind him, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth in the darkness.

Chapter Thirty-Three: A Chance Encounter

Timothy could never have imagined that his angry words would come true so tragically. The inn that was perfectly fine yesterday was now reduced to charred ruins overnight.

"No way... I just said it offhandedly yesterday, and retribution came so quickly??" Timothy muttered to himself, standing in front of the inn that had been burnt to the ground.

Adam, hearing this, shivered with fear. He grabbed Timothy's hand uneasily, "Alan, don't talk nonsense! This is their fate, it has nothing to do with you!"

"I know..." Timothy's mood was complicated. He certainly didn't want to believe that his words had come true, but words should not be spoken carelessly, even in anger.

"He is the arsonist!"

Suddenly, a shout came from the crowd, and all eyes turned sharply towards Timothy and Adam.

"Yesterday, I saw them arguing fiercely with the innkeeper, and they were thrown out!"

"That's right! I can testify! They must have set the fire out of spite after being kicked out!"

"Don't let them escape!!"

More and more people stepped forward, identifying Timothy and Adam as the culprits behind the fire. Soon, the angry crowd surrounded them, their eyes burning with hatred, suspicion, and contempt. These emotions snowballed, overwhelming Timothy and Adam.

The fire had happened too coincidentally and mysteriously. Even the usually brave Adam showed fear and clutched Timothy's arm, "Alan, what should we do?"

Timothy held Adam's hand and said, "Don't be afraid. As long as we have a clear conscience, they won't dare do anything to us."

Although he tried to comfort Adam, Timothy himself was inwardly terrified. Just as he was at a loss, the sound of hooves approached, and a group of soldiers escorted a palanquin towards them.

"It's Mr. Brown! Mr. Brown is here!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and the previously fierce people immediately made way, respectfully kneeling.

The palanquin stopped in front of Timothy and Adam, and the curtain was slowly lifted. A graceful, tall man stepped out, none other than the governor of Mausoleum Rudolf, Jadyn.

Jadyn had changed his attire today but still wore a luxurious robe. His complexion was noticeably better than the previous day. Seeing Jadyn, the people who accused Timothy all started to complain to him, identifying Timothy as the arsonist.

Jadyn, however, remained expressionless and walked slowly towards Timothy.

"What? Mr. Brown, are you planning to arrest us?" Timothy didn't kneel, meeting Jadyn's gaze boldly.

Jadyn stared at Timothy for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Shaw, you must be joking. How could I dare?"

Timothy was stunned, "What?"

Jadyn waved his sleeves and respectfully bowed to Timothy in public, saying loudly, "Yesterday, I was blind to the great person in front of me and did not recognize Mr. Shaw's presence in Mausoleum Rudolf. I apologize for any lack of courtesy."

Everyone present looked at each other in disbelief.

Timothy frowned, "How do you know who I am...?"

Before Timothy could refuse, Jadyn enthusiastically grabbed Timothy's hand, his eyes narrowing with delight, "Mr. Shaw, I have prepared a feast especially for you to welcome you and Mr. Adam. If you don't mind, please move to my residence, and we can talk while eating."

Jadyn's gesture silenced all those who doubted Timothy. With Jadyn vouching for him, no one dared to gossip behind Timothy's back. It seemed that in people's hearts, the true culprit of the fire was less important than Jadyn's words.

Thus, Timothy and Adam were carried back to Jadyn's mansion in a grand palanquin.

At the banquet, Jadyn first punished himself with three cups of wine to apologize for the insults and attacks Timothy and Adam suffered due to the Temple Kalpana debate. He also hoped that Timothy would stay in Mausoleum Rudolf for a few days so he could make amends as a host.

Timothy was naturally unwilling to stay. The events of the past two days had completely ruined his impression of Mausoleum Rudolf. More importantly, he didn't want to delay his return to Poiema because of trivial matters, so he repeatedly declined.

However, Jadyn misunderstood Timothy's reluctance, thinking it was an expression of displeasure towards him and Mausoleum Rudolf. Therefore, he became even more anxious, even kneeling in front of Timothy, promising to properly discipline the people of Mausoleum Rudolf and ensure that such incidents would not happen again, begging Timothy to forgive him for Queen Owen's sake.

Timothy had assumed that most literati, despite their pretentiousness, would have some degree of pride. Even though he was known as a favorite of Queen Owen, he was still a eunuch and generally not well-regarded by court officials. So, he never expected that Jadyn, who usually carried himself with such high regard, would kneel before him for the sake of his career.

As the saying goes, "A person who has no shame is invincible." Faced with Jadyn, who was willing to discard his dignity, Timothy had no choice but to agree to stay at Jadyn's residence for another five days after a long negotiation.

Shaw Mansion was large, and Timothy and Adam, as honored guests, were arranged in the main house of the west garden. At nightfall, with the lanterns lit and fireflies dancing, a melancholy flute melody added a unique elegance to the tranquil west garden.

With nothing to do, Timothy accompanied Adam for a walk around the west garden. Thinking about how they had been treated like rats the night before, forced to huddle in a shabby temple, and now being honored guests at the governor's mansion, Timothy felt that life was indeed full of surprises, never knowing what would happen next.

"It seems that Taoist priest was right," Adam said with a sense of wonder. "We really did encounter disaster within three days."

"Indeed, it turns out we should thank the innkeeper for kicking us out."

"If you ask me, we should thank Alan. If Alan hadn't rebuked Mr. Brown at Temple Kalpana, making us the target of public outrage, we wouldn't have escaped the disaster."

"Wait a minute, 'The fire star enters the room, the year is in quiet light'..." Timothy paused, thoughtfully, "Doesn't this mean that we would have perished in that fire but escaped because of the Temple Kalpana incident?"

Just as he finished speaking, the flute music in the silent night suddenly stopped, and a low chuckle came from nearby.

Timothy was startled and looked towards the sound, seeing a slender figure in white standing under the moonlight by the bridge, holding a bamboo flute, ethereal and otherworldly.

"Alan! Could that person be..." Adam exclaimed, pointing at the figure.

"Yes, it should be him." Although there was some distance, Timothy saw clearly under the bright moonlight that the man on the bridge was none other than the Taoist priest, Austyn, whom they had met by the stream.

"Mr. Shaw, we meet again." Austyn turned, his expression serene and distant.

Timothy was surprised, "Why are you here? Did you know Adam and I would come here today?"

"Mr. Shaw, you misunderstand. This time is really just a coincidence." Austyn's lips curled slightly, "To be honest, Jadyn is my senior brother, and I am currently staying here as his guest."

With that, Austyn walked forward and bowed to them, "Although I am a guest here, I would like to extend my hospitality to both of you. If you don't mind, please join me in the pavilion for a chat. I'm sure you have much to say to me."

Under the bright moon, the night grew darker. At Austyn's invitation, Timothy and Adam went to the pavilion by the pond, where the three of them sat around a table, enjoying the fragrance of the lotus brought by the breeze, drinking under the moon.

Timothy raised his cup, "Master Powell, this cup is from Adam and me. Thanks to your eight words, we were able to escape disaster."

Austyn replied calmly, "Being able to escape disaster is your own good fortune. There is no need to thank me."

Timothy drained his cup and said, "Master Powell, your predictions are truly remarkable. May I ask who your teacher is?"

"Austyn is from Jacintha. At the age of five, he and my senior brother Jadyn apprenticed under Heart-Guarding Master Carter of Mountain Wenhaver Temple," Austyn replied.

"Master Carter!?" Timothy was shocked. "Do you mean the Master Carter, known as the greatest fortune teller in Great Alvah?"

"Yes," Austyn nodded.

"Who is Master Carter?" Adam asked curiously, not understanding.

"You haven't heard of the greatest fortune teller in Great Alvah?" Timothy patiently explained to Adam. "He helped the founding emperor conquer the land, strategizing from thousands of miles away, and was known as the greatest military advisor in Great Alvah. After helping the emperor secure the throne, he retired to the mountains to seek immortality and never intervened in worldly affairs again."

"Such a remarkable person is Master Powell's teacher!?" Adam was increasingly amazed, looking at Austyn with wide eyes. "Is he still alive?"

Austyn shook his head, "My master passed away five years ago."

Timothy counted on his fingers and said, "He lived a long life. Master Powell, why didn't you mention this earlier? No wonder your predictions are so remarkable; you were taught by a master. I truly didn't recognize a great person. My apologies."

Austyn replied humbly, "Although I studied under my master for fifteen years, I am far from matching his talent and wisdom. I didn't mention him because I feared bringing shame to his name with my limited abilities."

"Can Master Powell control the weather like Mr. Brown?" Adam suddenly asked, remembering something.

"Control the weather?" Austyn was taken aback, then realized, "You mean the ritual at Temple Kalpana?"

Adam nodded, "Mr. Brown was amazing. We saw him with a piece of talisman paper and a pen, performing a few gestures on the altar, chanting a few incantations, and the cloudy sky cleared up immediately."

Austyn smiled faintly and sipped his wine, saying softly, "How could I compare to my senior brother?"

When Austyn said this, his eyelids drooped, and his long, thick eyelashes covered his eyes, as if he was hiding something unintentionally.

"But to us ordinary people, Master Powell is already very impressive. In contrast, I'm just a commoner. I can't even protect my own life, let alone save others. How can I change your fate and help you out of your predicament?" Timothy said.

"Actually... I can't explain it either." Austyn's eyes darkened as his gaze fell on the wine swirling in his cup.

"Even someone as wise as Master Powell has things they don't know?" Timothy asked.

Austyn smiled bitterly, "Austyn is not a god, just a mere mortal. In the grand scheme of things, Austyn is nothing but a tiny speck of dust. It's only natural to have mysteries that are beyond comprehension."

With that, Austyn stood up silently, walked to the balustrade, and looked up at the bright moon, his brows furrowed slightly, as if lost in thoughts only he knew.

Timothy and Adam exchanged glances, neither daring to speak, fearing they would disturb Austyn's contemplation.

After a long time, Austyn sighed softly and said, "Indeed, to outsiders, it may seem that Austyn, with his skills and a senior brother who holds high office, living in this peaceful and serene place, leading a life of comfort... Compared to those struggling to survive, Austyn should have no worries or concerns about fate."

Timothy didn't know why Austyn suddenly felt this way. It was as if Austyn was not answering Timothy's question but talking to another part of himself, using this self-dialogue to express some unresolvable emotions.

Perhaps Austyn had some unspeakable troubles. Even if Timothy could indeed change Austyn's fate, as Austyn claimed, they had only just met. Who could open their heart completely and without reservation to a stranger they had just met?

"Sorry. Austyn's old habit of talking to himself kicked in again." When Austyn turned back, his face was once again calm and smiling. "Tonight is a rare, beautiful night. Why talk about such disheartening things? Meeting friends over wine is a pleasure. It's rare for the three of us to come together like this, enjoying the moonlight and drinking. Austyn is already content, with no other desires."

Timothy picked up the wine jug, filled his cup to the brim, and walked over to Austyn. "Master Powell, let's drink this cup together."

Austyn took the cup from Timothy and drained it in one gulp.

Timothy gazed intently at Austyn and said seriously, "Even a chance meeting is a kind of fate. After drinking this cup, Austyn is my friend. From now on, no more formalities."

Austyn stared at Timothy, speechless.

"But since we are friends, it would be too formal to call you Master Powell," Timothy said with a bright smile. "From now on, we will address each other as brothers. Austyn, if you have any concerns, don't hide them. Feel free to talk to me."

"Ahem!" The atmosphere was just right when Adam's dry cough broke the silence.

"Of course, there's also Adam." Timothy nudged Adam and laughed, "After all, Austyn has saved our lives, right, Adam?"

Adam turned his head away, "I am unlearned and rustic. I don't dare to comment on Master Powell's personal affairs. But if anyone dares to disrespect Master Powell, I won't let them off."

Timothy, always perceptive, immediately sensed the hint of jealousy in Adam's words.

In the past, whether in Sabra Village or in Rickie, Adam always hid his feelings, never showing a trace. However, since he decided to follow Timothy back to Poiema, Adam seemed to have gradually opened up and now even showed a bit of jealousy towards Timothy.

---ENDE DER LESEPROBE---