Chapter 440: 204 Misidentification (Second Revision)_2
Chapter 440: 204 Misidentification (Second Revision)_2
Chapter 440: 204 Misidentification (Second Revision)_2
Translator: 549690339
This was Ming Jing, Ran Tengxiao’s “Red” referred to by Zhao Qin, who had recently become famous throughout the country.
Her appearance was indeed as acclaimed.
Beyond the disdain in Ran Qing’s eyes was another woman trying to get close to Ran Tengxiao. She’d seen many like that before.
“You all may leave. I need to speak privately with Xiao.”
Zhao Qin swiftly left to find Xi Yu.
Ming Jing gracefully rose, the hem of her skirt remained undisturbed as she walked, every step perfect.
When she passed Ran Qing, she smiled whereas Ran Qing gave her a cold face. Ming Jing wasn’t annoyed though, her face still maintained a gentle smile, leisurely leaving.
Ye Jian followed Ming Jing out.
Once their silhouette disappeared from the doorway, Ran Qing asked unhappily, “Why is she here?”
Ran Tengxiao frowned; “We are friends.”
“Friends? Someone like her? Don’t be naive. She is targeting you for your status. Play around if you want, but don’t get too serious. You’re engaged.”
Ran Tengxiao laughed, shaking his head: “Auntie, you’re overthinking.”
“I know your male instincts all too well. She’s smart, beautiful, and has ways. Be careful not to play with fire and get burned.”
Ran Tengxiao’s eyes turned cold: “Is there anything else?”
Ran Qing was reminded of the real issue, glancing at the floor below: “Xi Yu’s move, ‘The Rushing Waves’, was recognized by Master Ye as originating from Yu Jiang. This Xi Yu’s identity is highly suspicious. I suspect he is colluding with Yu Jiang. I fear the disaster of the past will repeat itself. He should be arrested right away and questioned for Yu Jiang’s whereabouts.”
Submerged in anger, Ran Qing failed to notice the turmoil in the young man’s eyes across her. She continued, “That bastard Yu Jiang killed my uncle and almost destroyed the Qinglong Association. We will never forget this grudge.”
Ran Tengxiao soothingly had a sip of tea, “If I remember correctly, one of the assassins who killed Uncle was sent by you, wasn’t it? Now you’re suddenly righteous, seeking to avenge Uncle? How funny.”
Ran Qing was furious and slammed her hand on the table, “Ran Tengxiao, don’t forget who put you in power. Are you going to betray me?”
“Even without your ‘bridge’, I would’ve crossed the river. But, Auntie, take care of your health. Don’t stress. I have my plans for Xi Yu. You don’t have to worry.”
“Ran Tengxiao, you are becoming defiant, disregarding my words, aren’t you?”
“I’ll say it one more time, Xi Yu, is untouchable.”
Ran Tengxiao suddenly looked up, the coldness in his eyes startled Ran Qing, the young man before her had already evolved into a lurking beast beyond her control.
“Fine, have it your way. I’m done with you.” She huffed angrily and left.
As Ran Qing stepped out of the room, she saw the young girl in white not far away. Standing in the dim light, she was tranquil and beautiful, detached and composed. For a moment, she thought she saw Yu Jiang.
Ran Qing was first stunned, then angry. She rushed over, shouting, “You harlot, you finally show up.”
Ming Jing smiled, “Madam, could you have mistaken me for someone else?”
Her eyes were dark and beautiful, clear as crystal, filled with a gentle smile.
Jiangnan’s spring rain in the apricot blossoms, the cool breeze over the lotus flowers, the dew wrapped in the smoke of the orchids, the cold moonlight reflecting off the clean streets, all gathered in these eyes.
Ran Qing was dazed for a moment, feeling a rush in her head.
“Yu Jiang… Are you Yu Jiang?”
A flash of cold light filled her eyes, the girl’s smile grew even softer, “Who is Yu Jiang?”
Enraged, Ran Qing raised her hand for a slap, “You harlot, I’ll tear your face apart.”
Ming Jing’s smile never left her lips as she stood there, not moving an inch.
The slap did not fall, for it was blocked by a large hand. Ran Tengxiao dismissed her, causing her to step back.
“Auntie what are you doing?” His voice cold as ice, he protected Ming Jing with his body, staring at Ran Qing with cold eyes.
Ran Qing pointed at Ming Jing, “She is Yu Jiang, you must kill her.”
Ran Tengxiao ordered Ye Jian who was standing by his side, “Bring a basin of water.”
Ye Jian acted quickly, dashing the water onto Ran Qing’s face. Ran Qing screamed, finally waking from her delusional state.
“Madam, I am Ming Jing, you must have mistaken me for someone else.” Ming Jing stepped out from behind Ran Tengxiao.
“I wonder what grievance this person named Yu Jiang has with Madam, that she has incited such hatred?” She lightly shook her head, her expression showing pity.
Ran Qing gazed at the face right in front of her, beautiful as a goddess. Her eyes, however, were like spring waters that had melted millennia-old frozen pools, gentle yet chilling.
Such extreme contradiction Ran Qing had only ever seen in one person.
She pointed at Ming Jing in disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost, “What is your relationship with Yu Jiang?”
Ming Jing turned her head to look at Ran Tengxiao, cocking her little head slightly. She seemed a bit confused, which, coupled with her slightly childish face, made her seem quite adorable apart from her usual solemnity.
“Mr. Ran, who exactly is Yu Jiang?”
Ran Tengxiao was taken aback, coughed, quickly lowering his head: “An old acquaintance.”
“I’m sorry you were frightened today, I will make it up to you another day, Ye Jian, take Ms. Zhu home.”
Ming Jing nodded, “Alright.” Then, she turned around to leave.
Ran Qing wanted vainly to catch up but was stopped by Ran Tengxiao, he coldly said, “Auntie, save your strength.”
Ran Qing grabbed Ran Tengxiao’s arm in desperation, “Don’t you believe me? No one knows Yu Jiang better than me, she must be disguised, she came back….”
Ran Tengxiao showed impatience and suppressed his anger, “Enough already.”
The moment Ming Jing turned around, the smile on her face vanished immediately, her brows furrowed into a cold frown, chilling to the touch.
The depths of her dark eyes seemed to be steeped in a turbulent fog, brewing something mysterious and sinister.
Ming Jing was walking slower than usual. As she was walking down the stairs, every step was a struggle. The impatient Ye Jian who was following her wanted badly to carry her downstairs.
The staircase led to the outside, the boisterous cheers from the main hall suddenly seemed very far away. The chilling wind from the basement blew towards them, then, the voice control lights suddenly went off, leaving the basement in complete darkness.
Ye Jian only saw a vague white silhouette in the darkness, her skirt fluttering in the wind. Coupled with this eerie scene, it sent chills down his spine.
“Ms. Zhu?” Ye Jian called out.
The voice control light came back on after sensing the noise, revealing the young girl in her fluttering white gown, like a lone, startled swan.
Upon hearing, she stopped and turned her head, “What is it?”
Facing those calm and dark eyes, for some reason, Ye Jian felt a chill settling in his heart.
He remembered what Ran Qing had said earlier. Is Ming Jing, Yu Jiang?
How ridiculous, it’s even more absurd than the sun rising from the west.
However, now, looking at the young girl standing amidst the chilly wind, in her fluttering white robe, silently walking, like a ghost, he could not laugh it off.
He had never seen Yu Jiang, but had heard from his Master. Despite being a frail woman, anyone who underestimated her was seeking death.
To gain the trust of the extremely paranoid Ran Bowen, becoming his number one right-hand man, to single-handedly destroy an entire school of martial arts, incite internal strife within the Qinglong Association, and finally kill Ran Bowen, the depth of her scheming and strategy was terrifying.
She was dead, but legends about her persisted.
Then, what about this young girl in front of him?
Based on the information he had gathered, she was NOT Yu Jiang.
But she was the second Yu Jiang!