SCT-Novel #327 - Fishing, who?
#327 - Fishing, who?
The head of the Bai family, Bai Wenyu, arrived at the Xu Prefecture Governor's mansion near dusk.
As soon as he arrived, he was invited to the study.
While he and Governor Pan were talking behind closed doors, Xu Chengxian even extended his divine sense to observe for a while.
Unfortunately, he couldn't discern any clues.
Although these two were relatives, ostensibly an uncle and nephew relationship, their address to each other upon meeting was Wenyu and Sir.
Moreover, the meeting began with pleasantries, and within the pleasantries, they started exchanging veiled remarks, probing back and forth.
One wanted to know if Bai Wenyu had noticed anything unusual about the person beside his pillow.
The other was cautiously deflecting with minimal effort, unwilling to give a definite answer.
Xu Chengxian's eyelids were twitching just from listening.
Even with the ability to read minds, he still didn't understand what these two wanted to do.
He only vaguely sensed that Bai Wenyu was concealing something.
It seemed that the head of the Bai family knew some other details.
In the end, Pan Shouan couldn't help but bring up the matter of a 'Pan Mengdie' arriving at the mansion, who might also be Lin Rumeng.
Then, he led him to take a look through the window at the 'Pan Mengdie' who revealed her true face.
Afterward, the two returned to the study again, sitting in silence for a moment.
After a while, the first to speak was actually Bai Wenyu, but what he said had nothing to do with the authenticity of Pan Mengdie, but rather mentioned Xu Chengxian.
He said, 'This Daoist Xu is indeed a true person with cultivation.'
Xu Chengxian, as the person whose name was suddenly mentioned, didn't initially understand how the conversation had turned to him.
Pan Anshou, however, seemed to immediately understand Bai Wenyu's meaning, nodding and saying, 'Daoist Xu is indeed skilled.'
Then, he spoke of Xu Chengxian's purpose in coming.
When Bai Wenyu heard that he was there at the Pan family's request to extend the life of their young master, he frowned slightly.
Upon hearing Pan Anshou say that Xu Chengxian wanted to seek an opportunity for a child named Song Jue to join the Sea Soul Gate,
he immediately said, 'This matter should be expedited.'
Before long, Pan Anshou arranged a feast, and the three sat together.
… …
During the banquet.
They exchanged toasts.
No one spoke on behalf of Pan Mengdie.
Instead, they spoke of Qin Hong, who was far away in Lingzhou, mentioning that the families were old acquaintances and even relatives.
Afterward, they naturally spoke of Xu Chengxian and their affairs in Lingzhou, praising Madam Bai's benevolence.
Then, using benevolence as a pretext, they brought up Qin Hong's letter and the subsequent request for Xu Chengxian to save someone on his behalf.
Finally, Pan Anshou and Bai Wenyu, acting in concert, seized upon Xu Chengxian's agreement to save Pan Anshou's youngest son, showering him with compliments and gratitude.
Amidst the gratitude and compliments, Bai Wenyu asked if there was anything he could do to help.
Pan Anshou mentioned the matter of building a temple and sculpting statues.
Bai Wenyu immediately said: "Once the location is selected, I will send a trustworthy person from my family to help with the construction."
Then, the two together asked Xu Chengxian: "Daoist Xu, besides this, what other preparations need to be made?"
"Prepare good rice and flour, and invite as many elderly people as possible to fold gold ingots," Xu Chengxian said with a smile.
Both of these men had a certain status and position, and even their diligent flattery was just a slight lowering of their stance, with the two of them praising him, so their words weren't so sickeningly sweet.
But it must be said that being praised like this actually felt more comfortable.
So, he went along with their wishes.
Wasn't it just to firmly establish the matter of saving someone that he had agreed to during the day?
He hadn't intended to go back on his word anyway.
Moreover, Xu Chengxian wanted to quickly finish this part so that the next part could begin as soon as possible.
Sure enough, hearing him say this, Pan Anshou was very happy, spewing out good words like they cost nothing, and even drank several more cups, finally patting his chest and promising that he would definitely handle the matter entrusted to him by Xu Chengxian properly.
After speaking, he paused for a moment, then changed his words, saying: "No, no, no, that's not appropriate. How can we make Daoist Xu wait? Tomorrow, I will send out invitations to the Sea Soul Gate Master."
"Daoist Xu, I also have some friendship with that Gate Master Wang, and I am willing to be a guest with Sir and Daoist Xu," Bai Wenyu followed, raising his cup and smiling.
"That would be great, of course," Xu Chengxian replied with a smile.
At this point, he had already understood.
What was there not to understand?
The other two were clearly sending hush money.
Using the benefits given to shut his mouth, they obviously didn't want him to publicize the matter of the two Pan Mengdies.
As for the reason, it wasn't difficult to understand.
Times were different now.
One was the highest-ranking governor of Xu Prefecture, backed by the Great Zhou Imperial Court.
The other was the largest local power in Xu Prefecture, with a legendary Nascent Soul ancestor in the family.
For both sides, it was mutually beneficial to cooperate and mutually harmful to separate.
Therefore, it was best if the in-law relationship between the Pan and Bai families didn't encounter any twists and turns.
And Xu Chengxian also needed to rely on them to enter the Sea Soul Gate's base and avoid the outer defensive formations.
It was in this tacit understanding that everyone knew.
The banquet could be considered a pleasant occasion for both host and guest.
… …
"What do they mean? Why don't I understand?"
As soon as Xu Chengxian returned, Da Hei began to question him about the events of the banquet.
It had to watch Si Jiao She, Liuguang, and Yin Kong, making sure they didn't go to the banquet.
After asking, it couldn't help but say.
"What's there not to understand?" Xu Chengxian smiled.
"Why didn't they mention the real or fake Pan Mengdie?" Da Hei asked in confusion, "Could it be that they know who is real and who is fake?"
"They don't know," Xu Chengxian said with certainty.
His divine sense had been focused on the two of them, and he had a clear understanding of their thoughts.
If either of them knew the truth, that would be even better.
The system's task could be completed smoothly.
Unfortunately, these two didn't seem to be in a hurry to figure out the truth.
"Perhaps, for them, the authenticity of Pan Mengdie is not important," he said with some emotion, "The impact this matter will have on the two families is more important."
Especially for the Bai family.
The Bai family only had one son, who was born to the current head mistress of the Bai family, 'Pan Mengdie'.
This child was not only the sole heir of the Bai family but also the candidate to fulfill that unusual marriage contract.
And Pan Anshou, wanting to secure his position as governor, could not do without the support of the Bai family.
"After all, no matter who the current Bai family mistress is, it's enough as long as she sits in that position with the name of Pan Mengdie."
The essence of the marriage alliance was more like a stamped contract.
It seemed very useful, but in fact, its usefulness was very limited.
Especially when both parties had the strength to disrespect the 'binding rules'.
"It's like a royal marriage, it doesn't matter whether the woman who is married over is a princess or not, even if she is a palace maid, as long as she has the title of princess and the princess's dowry."
To tear up the contract, you only need to kill the woman who is marrying in, bearing the title of princess.
And to kill this woman, both sides have plenty of ways.
But obviously, the Pan and Bai families didn't want the contract to become invalid.
"Humans have so many tricks," Da Hei said after listening.
"Humans? Don't demons have them too?" Xu Chengxian chuckled, "They are all similar."
"That's right," Da Hei nodded, "But I don't understand, what does the identity of the mother have to do with the marriage contract of her son?"
No matter who the mother is, the child is still from the Bai family.
Then naturally, he can continue to fulfill the marriage contract.
So it felt that Xu Chengxian's guess that the Bai family was not in a hurry to investigate the authenticity of Pan Mengdie was not necessarily correct.
"Heh heh, you don't understand, do you? I only just understood," Xu Chengxian said with a chuckle, "Those two want to 'fish'."
"… … Fish for whom?"