Lan Yin Bi Yue

Kapitel 18

Lin Ziyan didn't answer him, but asked anxiously, "Where is the Grand Tutor?"

"Eh? Commander, haven't you seen the Grand Tutor?" Liu Ming asked, feigning surprise. "The Grand Tutor went out to look for you after you hadn't returned for a long time, and I couldn't stop him..."

"You..." Lin Ziyan started to get nervous. She hadn't seen him at all. "Which direction did he go?"

"This... I don't know."

Lin Ziyan ignored Liu Ming and rushed out the door like a madman. Inside the half-closed door, Liu Ming, who had just been bowing and scraping, revealed a strange smile.

Lin Ziyan searched all over Chenggao but couldn't find Lin Suyang. Just as he was about to mobilize the men waiting in the suburbs to search together, Liu Ming ran up to him with a letter and said, "This is a letter from the Grand Tutor, sent for you, Commander." He quickly took it and opened it. It was indeed Lin Suyang's handwriting. It read: "Ziyan, a friend needs your help. I've left with him. You go back to Yundu first and will come back later. Don't worry. Suyang's handwriting."

His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was relieved. He asked Liu Ming, "Where is the messenger?"

Liu Ming replied, "It seems to be a servant from a wealthy family. He left after delivering the message, saying that the person we were looking for had already left Chenggao with his master and that we shouldn't worry."

"Lord Liu, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back to Yundu first." Without waiting for Liu Ming to speak, he grabbed the horse he'd brought from the county office, mounted it, and sped off towards the outskirts. Liu Ming, however, chuckled sinisterly behind him: Want to find Lin Suyang? Maybe in your next life!

Upon reaching the outskirts, Lin Ziyan met up with Lin Yi and the others. After discussing for a while, they decided to return to Yundu immediately. Although they had received news of Lin Suyang, Lin Ziyan felt something was amiss. After thinking carefully for a long time, he finally found the suspicious points. Lin Suyang never addressed him as Ziyan in his letters; he was used to calling himself Yan'er. Also, the signature would never be "Suyang" but rather "Brother." Lin Ziyan secretly regretted that he had been too hasty and hadn't paid close attention. Calming down, he carefully recalled the whole process, realizing that the most crucial person had been overlooked. Thinking about how to clarify things, Lin Ziyan's face darkened: "Damn it, we've fallen for a trap!"

Lin Suyang woke up to a slight jolt. His vision was still blurry, and he couldn't see his surroundings clearly. He vaguely felt that he was in a moving carriage because he could hear the sound of horses' hooves. After his eyes had fully adjusted, he looked around and realized that he was indeed in a carriage, but it was a cage-like carriage without windows or locks.

Compared to ordinary carriages, this one was more than twice as large and extremely luxuriously decorated. The walls of the carriage, made of high-quality wood, were adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists from various dynasties. Between each painting and calligraphy hung pearl chains of varying lengths, each pearl large and gleaming white, illuminating the interior. Each pearl chain was completely fixed to the wall with silver wire, so that they would not collide with each other as the carriage moved.

On one side of the opposite carriage door, there stood a small cabinet, its door tightly closed, obscuring its contents. Several bowl-sized holes were left in the ceiling, covered by oil paper painted with landscape scenes; the faint light filtering through indicated that it wasn't yet evening. A gap about half a finger's depth was left where the side wall met the ceiling, presumably for concealed panels.

He glanced at the layers upon layers of fine southern silk quilts beneath him. This silk was said to be exceptionally soft, lustrous, and resilient to fire and water, its production process extremely complex. Only one silk shop in Gucheng, Jiangnan, could produce it, yielding no more than ten bolts a year, thus it was often presented as tribute to the current emperor. He recalled that last year, the Lin family had been fortunate enough to receive a bolt as a gift from Emperor Shun, which Lin Cheng had carefully locked away in the storeroom like a treasure; even Lin Suyang had never seen it. However, because Qin Yu was a princess, she could also receive some from the palace each year, so Lin Suyang immediately recognized the origin of the silk beneath him.

A quick count revealed ten layers of such quilts stacked together, all made of Southern Silk, which suggests how wealthy the owner of the carriage must be.

After seeing all this, Lin Suyang began to wonder who brought him here and where they were taking him.

Enemies? He thought of the people who had been hunting him down. Since the attack on the dilapidated temple, they seemed to have made no further moves. But this time… it couldn't be the same group, otherwise they wouldn't have left him alone in the carriage so carelessly. It was certain that Liu Ming was involved. Remembering how Liu Ming had kept urging him to drink tea that day, Lin Suyang was annoyed at himself for not paying more attention. If he had been more careful, this situation wouldn't have happened. Truly, a moment of folly amidst a lifetime of wisdom. But who could have imagined that a mere magistrate of Chenggao County would have such audacity to plot against a high-ranking official of the court?

If it wasn't an enemy, then who could it be? Lin Suyang wasn't foolish enough to think this was just a misunderstanding. He racked his brains for a long time, but no matter how smart he was, he couldn't make sense of it at this moment. The only thing he could do now was wait, wait for the person who had captured him to show up.

Lin Suyang sat on a thick silk quilt, leaning against the side of the carriage, his eyes closed as he listened quietly to the sounds outside. Apart from the sound of horses' hooves, he could hear nothing else. The carriage was moving at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow, suggesting it was traveling on an official road. Just as Lin Suyang was wondering why it was so quiet, he suddenly heard the neighing of several horses ahead. The carriage abruptly stopped, the inertia causing him to lurch forward involuntarily. Then he heard the sound of the carriage door opening.

As soon as the door opened, the intense light outside stung Lin Suyang's eyes. He squinted and raised his hand to his forehead. Before he could fully see who had come in, he heard a voice say, "What's wrong? Does your eye hurt?" Then he heard the door slam shut immediately.

Lin Suyang abruptly lowered his hand, staring intently at the newcomer, and said in an incredulous tone, "It's you?"

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Forty-Five: Si Junxing (Extra Chapter)

I don't know who my parents are; all I know is that I was born the leader of a demonic cult. To outsiders, the leader of a demonic cult is a prestigious title, granting immense power and wealth within the evil path despite being opposed to the righteous. However, I don't want any of that. If I had a choice, I would rather be an ordinary person with parents and siblings, so I wouldn't be lonely.

The Demonic Cult is a place devoid of humanity, filled with indifferent faces and bloody violence. Its indifference terrifies me, and its bloodshed makes me want to vomit.

The only thing I'm truly proud of is my resilience. In this dark, dog-eat-dog world, I had to learn cunning, patience, and cruelty. From childhood to adulthood, I've had a total of 180 masters who taught me martial arts, and I've killed all 180 of them without batting an eye. My hands are stained with blood—real human blood.

My prestige was built amidst my red-eyed glare. No one dared to disrespect me, no one dared to harbor disloyalty towards me. They were not afraid of death, but they were terrified of the torment before their demise; so terrified that if I said one thing, they would never say another.

In the entire Demonic Sect, only one person was truly kind to me: Uncle Lian. Uncle Lian was just a servant, a servant who raised me from childhood. Before I gained control of the sect's affairs, it was he who protected me from the humiliation of the sect members at all times; when I practiced my skills to the point of demonic possession, suffering excruciating pain, it was he who watched over me every second, tightly binding my hands to prevent me from harming myself; when I drank myself into a stupor at night, it was he who patted my back, and I could vaguely hear his soft sigh: "Xing'er, you're not alone..." I knew nothing about Uncle Lian's background, yet he was the only person I would never doubt. In my eyes, he was simply my family, nothing more.

But later, my loved ones disappeared without leaving a single word, leaving quietly. By the time I discovered it, the place was deserted, and I was left alone in this world, to bear the loneliness and sorrow that I never wanted to accept.

Due to my physical condition, all my masters advised me not to be impatient for quick success in my training. However, I was extremely competitive, so I ignored their advice and practiced the forbidden martial arts in the sect's secret chamber time and time again. This led to me having frequent headaches and fatigue. It was because of this problem that I met the most important person in my life one day by chance.

While I was unconscious, I felt a cool sensation on my arm, as if a thin layer of ice had formed. Soon the ice melted, but I felt an empty sense of loss. Then I heard his voice: "I saved your life, so you give me fruit as payment." When I woke up, there was nothing around me except a jade pendant hanging on a withered branch on the ground. I picked it up and saw that the character "林" (Lin) was engraved on it.

The second time I saw him was a year later at a small inn. I recognized his voice, but he had probably long forgotten me. Watching him walk up the stairs, I saw that back view, which I had never seen before, yet it felt strangely familiar, like a distant memory, deeply etched in my heart.

I never understood the meaning of fate until I met him again. I learned his true identity; he was "she." I can't describe the feeling in my heart, only a light, joyful flutter that seemed to soar within me. I felt as if I had found a new purpose, so excited I wanted to shout. She told me her name: Lin Suyang. (The last two lines are a poetic expression and don't directly relate to the preceding text.)

I became obsessed with her. Her trip to Shenzhou ran into trouble, so I mobilized my followers from the Demonic Cult to find her lost supplies, just so I could see her.

I'm not one to give up easily. Even though I know she's always been cold to me, even though I've long understood that my efforts might just be in vain, I'm still willing to follow behind her, silently watching her figure, watching her smile at others, watching her forget me.

Sometimes I think. What if... that day... I hadn't suddenly developed a headache while dealing with the righteous people and fled to the foot of Xiangkong Mountain? What if... that day... I hadn't been bitten by a snake without even realizing it? Perhaps... I wouldn't have met her. Perhaps... I wouldn't have suffered all the pain that followed. But... I don't want those "what ifs." Even if I could do it all over again, I would still be willing to give everything for her.

The moment I saw her fall off the cliff, my heart seemed to stop beating. Almost without hesitation, I jumped after her. I caught her. Her body temperature told me she was still alive.

She suffered severe internal injuries. Yet, she showed no pain or worry. I know it wasn't because she was strong, but because her indifference to the world had robbed her of the instinct to feel pain and worry.

The days that followed were the happiest time of my life. I could hold her without restraint. I could call her "my wife" without a second thought. At that moment, she was mine. Forever and ever, she was mine.

Once we're out of the cliff, the first thing I'll do is avenge her. I'll secretly send orders to the sect members to wipe out the Fire Cloud Sect. Then, happily, I'll accompany her to Flame City.

When she cried for me, I was shocked and couldn't think of anything else. When she said she was willing to try to accept me, my shock turned into an uncontrollable trembling. That night, I couldn't sleep, my eyes filled with her smile, her coldness, and her tears.

The next day, as we set off, it felt like I was in a dream, watching her walk ahead, calling her name over and over again. She asked why, and I said, "What should I do if I call your name and you don't answer?" Yes, what should I do if you don't answer? Should I go back to that dark sky I used to live under, or should I pretend to be nonchalant and follow you?

The medicine that could treat her injuries was at the Kong family's house. So I accepted Kong Ling's suggestion and naturally entered the Kong family's gate. Actually, I knew what Kong Ling meant to me, because the way she looked at me was exactly the same as how I looked at Lin Suyang. Unfortunately, in my heart, there was no one else but Lin Suyang.

Han Yufeng was the first person to make me feel threatened. His gaze, fixed on Lin Suyang, was intensely fiery, like the scorching sun in midsummer, ignoring everyone else and focusing solely on her. I must admit, Han Yufeng was handsome, so handsome it was like seeing a celestial being. If Lin Suyang stood next to him without her veil, they would undoubtedly be a perfect match. But what does a perfect match matter? If I'm not mistaken, Lin Suyang came to Yan City to avoid him. So, what do I have to worry about?

Lin Suyang's words were like a sudden storm, dragging my world from a vast, clear sky into a hell from which there would never be light. I felt only a chilling, utterly hopeless chill, ten times, a hundred times more painful than the injuries I sustained when I was desperately training. I didn't understand why she had changed so much in such a short time. I couldn't believe she was truly heartless, couldn't believe that what she said a few days ago was a lie, couldn't believe she truly felt nothing for me. I decided to leave, not only because of the hurt she had caused me, but more importantly, because I still had something important to do: steal the medicine.

When Han Yufeng told me that Jiulianbing wasn't at the Kong family's residence but at the Yanliao Imperial Palace, I truly fell into a deep struggle. I would do anything to save Lin Suyang, even give him my life without complaint. However, his conditions were too harsh, involving the future of the entire Demonic Sect, and what I couldn't accept most was never being able to see Lin Suyang again. Should I agree? I truly couldn't make a choice.

The person in my arms was sleeping restlessly, their brows furrowed, a pain that tugged at my heartstrings. I sighed and said, "What should I do?"

In the end, I agreed to Han Yufeng's request. He said he had a way to get Lin Suyang to go back to Yanliao with him. I never imagined his method would be to drug her. But what method could he possibly come up with? Given Lin Suyang's personality, even a knife to her throat wouldn't be enough to force her to do something she didn't want to do.

Volume Two, Chapter Forty-Six: Sudden Changes in the Weather

"Did you plan all of this?" Lin Suyang looked coldly at Han Yufeng, who walked in and sat down next to her.

"What? Does Su Yang still have doubts?" Han Yufeng leaned against the carriage wall and chuckled. "We're already in Yanliao territory. If you don't believe me, you can go out and take a look."

"Why?" Lin Suyang's eyes were filled with a chilling frost, as he hated those who deceived him more than anything in his life.

Han Yufeng was stunned. This scene was just like the one he had forcefully kissed her that night, and a sense of panic welled up inside him. He straightened up and stared at her intently: "Because of your injury."

Now it was Lin Suyang's turn to be stunned. Her injury? How did he know she was injured? Could it be...?

“It was Si Junxing who told me,” Han Yufeng continued. “He said that you were hit by the Fire Nether Palm, and the antidote for the Fire Nether Palm was originally in the Kong family, but now it is in the palace of my Yan Liao.”

"so?"

"So he asked me to take you back to Yanliao." He did so much for you, but I don't want to talk about it. Han Yufeng doesn't consider himself a magnanimous person. In the face of love, he only wants to try his best to fight for his own interests. Although he admires Si Junxing's courage to disregard everything for Lin Suyang, he has always been very selfish, so selfish that he ignores the sacrifices of others and only wants to keep the person he loves by his side, even if others see it as the behavior of a petty person.

"So I'm just an object in your eyes, something you can take away as you please," Lin Suyang sneered.

"No, that's not it," Han Yufeng quickly said. "We're only thinking about your health. If the heat poison from the Fire Nether Palm isn't cured soon, it will have endless consequences. I know you'll say you don't care, but have you considered our feelings? For you, I put aside the affairs of Yan and Liao to come to Yan City to find you. For you, I didn't hesitate to mobilize all my secret guards to eliminate those who wanted to harm you..."

"Do you know who wants to kill me?" Lin Suyang looked at him. No wonder when they met at the Kong family, he said he had dealt with all the robbers who attacked her.

“Yes. But don’t worry. They won’t come back.” Han Yufeng got up, took a box of delicate pastries from the cabinet by the door, and sat back down. “Don’t ask who I am. I won’t tell you,” he said. He opened the box and held it out to Lin Suyang. “Hungry? Have some pastries. We’ll have a good meal when we get to the next town.”

Lin Suyang ignored him. He closed his eyes and asked, "Is Liu Ming one of your men? Aren't you worried about exposing him this time?" It seems he has quite a few informants in the Central Plains. He even has people among the court officials.

Han Yufeng replied, "Just a useless pawn. It doesn't matter if I lose him." Lin Suyang's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that spies from Yan and Liao have infiltrated the court? Is that why Han Yufeng is so indifferent to Liu Ming, who is merely a county magistrate? If that's the case, then isn't the Great Central Plains always under his control? Shouldn't he find an opportunity to warn Yan'er and the others to be careful?

She opened her eyes and saw that his hand was still outstretched. The pastry box lay motionless in front of him. Lin Suyang sighed and took the box. Han Yufeng immediately smiled: "Eat up. I know you don't like sweets. This was specially made for you by the imperial chef."

"So you had planned to bring me to Yanliao this way all along." Otherwise, why would you have considered so many things?

"I had no choice. If I told you to come to Yan and Liao with me, would you be willing?"

Lin Suyang stopped talking, took out a small piece of pastry and gently put it in her mouth.

Si Junxing rode his horse, his eyes fixed on the carriage ahead. He longed for Lin Suyang to emerge from the carriage and turn back to look at him, for her to tell him in person that she missed him. If that happened, he would rush over and hold her tightly, never letting go. He wouldn't care about the Demonic Sect or Yan Liao; he would risk his life to retrieve the Nine Lotus Ice for her. Even if they could only enjoy a brief reunion, he would be willing.

However, before Lin Suyang could turn back, Si Junxing received a letter from the sect ordering him to return immediately. Halfway there, he encountered Kong Ling and his group, who had followed his trail. He coldly stared at the three before him, then without a word, spurred his horse and galloped forward. Kong Ling, seeing this, cracked his whip and gave chase. Shen Xiao and Yan Muqing exchanged a glance and also turned their horses to follow…

Upon realizing he had fallen into a trap, Lin Ziyan's first action was to find Liu Ming, the magistrate of Chenggao County, to demand an explanation. However, upon returning to the Chenggao government office, he discovered Liu Ming had suddenly died in his bedroom. According to the servants, it seemed to be due to excessive drinking, leading Lin Ziyan to suspect that Liu Ming had been silenced by the mastermind behind the scheme. Lin Ziyan immediately ordered the eight hundred or so men who had accompanied him to search along the city walls of the surrounding counties and to notify the city's garrison to assist in the search, fully exercising his authority as the commander of the imperial city's guards.

After several days of searching, a group of soldiers found a letter in a small town not far from the border, bearing the name of the Minister of Rites. Lin Ziyan carefully examined it and discovered it was the letter Lin Suyang's father, Lin Cheng, had given him before he left, instructing him to seek help from the Prefect of Yancheng if needed. It seemed Lin Suyang hadn't sought out the Prefect after arriving in Yancheng, and therefore hadn't handed the letter over. But why was this letter here? Lin Ziyan was completely baffled. This small town was less than a hundred li from the border between Yanliao and Dayang, often serving as a trading area between the two countries, a melting pot of all sorts of people; it was normal for some unusual individuals to appear there. Finding any clues here was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Lin Ziyan picked up the letter and held it up to the sunlight, faintly noticing some faint marks on it, barely visible unless you looked closely. He quickly put it down, found a piece of burnt charcoal on the ground, and gently swept it over the mark, instantly revealing two faint characters.

Yan and Liao? Lin Ziyan frowned and thought about some things carefully. Finally, he gave an order for the search team to continue and focus on the border area. Then he rode back to Yundu alone. This matter was probably not so simple.

June of the first year of the Hongli reign was the most eventful month since the new emperor of the Great Yang Dynasty ascended the throne. During this month, a civil war, the most spectacular and largest in martial arts history, erupted between martial arts practitioners residing in the southwest of the Great Yang Dynasty on the Mu Cuo Plain, known as the "Battle of Mu Cuo." In this battle, the righteous path, with its overwhelming strength, had driven the demonic sect to the brink of destruction. Unexpectedly, the demonic sect, from who-knows-where, borrowed a highly skilled surprise force, not only repelling the righteous path's siege but also launching a fierce counterattack, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, with more than half of their elite forces lost. Simultaneously, Kong Mingqi, the leader of the righteous martial arts alliance, died from his injuries, and the leader of the demonic sect was thrown off a cliff and disappeared. Finally, representatives from both sides signed a fifty-year ceasefire agreement in Yan City. The agreement stipulated that neither the righteous path nor the demonic sect would retaliate militarily, and both sides would resume managing their respective territories, refraining from mutual oppression or aggression. The peace period lasted fifty years. Thus, the conflict between the righteous path and the demonic sect came to an end.

In court affairs, Right Chancellor Wang Cheng was suspected of embezzlement, bribery, forming cliques, and plotting against court officials. After investigation, the allegations were found to be true, and his home was searched and he was sent to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Before going to the Ministry of Justice prison, he cried out that he was wronged and said that he had important matters to report to the Emperor. Emperor Hong allowed him to submit his memorial, but the next day, before he even entered the Jinhe Hall, he found that he could no longer speak. In a panic, he wrote on paper, "This sinful subject is talking nonsense. I know that I have made a grave mistake. Now I have destroyed my voice. I hope that Your Majesty will have mercy on my old age and weak body and give me a lenient punishment." As for the "important matters" of the previous day, he did not mention them at all.

Empress Dowager Fengxiang, who had long resided in the inner palace, mobilized Wang's faction to testify and protect Wang Cheng. In the end, Emperor Hong, because of his "meritorious service and the appreciation of the late emperor," allowed him to be spared the death penalty, but he could not escape punishment. He was demoted to a commoner, all the men in his family were exiled to the army, the women were registered in the wards, and all the property in his family was confiscated. The Ministry of Revenue counted his assets and put them into the national treasury.

In a short time, the political situation in the court changed dramatically. The Wang faction collapsed at an extremely rapid pace, and the balance of power tilted towards the faction led by Lin Cheng. Although Lin Cheng was only the Minister of Rites, his two sons were highly favored by the new emperor. One was a high-ranking official among the Three Dukes and served as the emperor's tutor, while the other commanded the military power in the capital. In addition, there was a vast and unknown network of officials behind Lin Cheng. One wonders what kind of plan Emperor Hong had made for this foreseeable situation when he eliminated Wang Cheng's faction?

Speaking of Lin Suyang, the eldest son of the Lin family and the current Grand Tutor, it has been several months since he was last seen, inevitably sparking various rumors. Some say he was lured away by a lovesick young lady, others say he is secretly carrying out a mission, and still others say he has seen through the vanities of the world and has already followed a Taoist master to cultivate immortality. Coupled with the Lin family's silence and his wife Princess Jingyang's continued seclusion, the rumors have only intensified, fueling much speculation.

Soon after, rumors spread through the court that Grand Tutor Lin Suyang had secretly gone on a diplomatic mission to the Yan-Liao Kingdom a few months earlier. The young ladies of various households, who had been keeping a close eye on Lin Suyang, spread the news, their hearts finally at ease. It was a great joy that their idol had not been abducted.

At the morning court that day, Emperor Hong, citing the principle that "Great Yang is a land of propriety, upholding the ancient teachings of reciprocity," decided to personally visit the Yan-Liao Kingdom in two months. This would serve two purposes: firstly, to return the courtesy extended by Emperor Shenghan of Yan-Liao, and secondly, to observe the people's conditions in the capital, thus enhancing the friendship between the two countries and further strengthening their relations. Upon hearing this, no one in the court dared to object. In truth, everyone understood the main reason, even without Emperor Hong's explicit statement. If it weren't for Grand Tutor Lin, even if Emperor Shenghan visited every year, their emperor might not have gone to Yan-Liao. Now, without Wang Cheng's opposition, as long as Lin Cheng didn't speak, who else would dare to object? Moreover, it was Lin Cheng's son who was "on envoy"!

Thus, the morning court session ended with Emperor Hong in a very pleasant mood.

Volume Two, Chapter Forty-Seven: Yan and Liao Follow the Wind (Part 1)

Ji'ao City was the capital of the Yan-Liao Kingdom, and also its most prosperous and wealthy city. Compared to its neighbor, Dayang, Yan-Liao's territory was much smaller; however, the people of Yan-Liao were skilled in commerce, resulting in a concentrated and developed economy. Located in the southeast of Yan-Liao, Ji'ao City had numerous waterways, and the scene of carriages and boats traveling side by side within the city was comparable to the fertile rice-producing regions of ancient China.

Before Lin Suyang and his group even entered the city gate, a garrison officer stopped their carriage. The carriage paused briefly before continuing on its way.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you?" Han Yufeng looked at Lin Suyang, who was holding a book beside him. The carriage door was open, and a semi-transparent gauze curtain was draped over it. The bottom of the curtain was rolled up with green bamboo tubes to prevent it from being blown up by the wind, so the light inside the carriage was much brighter than before.

"Now that I am in Yanliao, I'm afraid I have no place to speak," Lin Suyang replied without looking up.

"It seems Su Yang trusts me quite a bit," Han Yufeng chuckled softly.

Unsure of the exact size of Ji'ao, Lin Suyang only heard the carriage moving continuously. The sounds outside gradually increased from quiet to noisy and chaotic, then slowly faded away, finally coming to a peaceful stop. Han Yufeng got out of the carriage first, lifted the curtain, and said to the person inside, "We've arrived."

Lin Suyang climbed out of the carriage and saw Feng Hanyu reaching out to help her. She immediately said, "No need to trouble yourself." Then she turned and jumped down from the other side. Feng Hanyu withdrew his hand somewhat displeased, gave the coachman a wink, and the coachman nodded knowingly before driving the horse away.

Only then did Lin Suyang realize they had arrived at the entrance of a secluded and narrow alley, barely wide enough for three or four people to pass side by side. No wonder the carriage had to stop here earlier. She followed Han Yufeng inside and soon reached a wide-open door. Han Yufeng waved inside: "Go in." Lin Suyang glanced at him and stepped inside.

The outside felt cramped and crowded, but stepping inside brought a sense of openness and spaciousness. It was a double courtyard, with an inner and an outer one.

Walking straight in leads to the inner courtyard where the master lived and conducted business, while the outer courtyard was where the servants rested and did chores.

The courtyard was simply furnished, with nothing but some common flowers, plants, and trees. To Lin Suyang's surprise, there were only a few people walking around in the large courtyard. When they saw the owner enter, they simply bowed to him and continued with their work, demonstrating their high level of discipline.

“Come here when you want some peace and quiet,” Han Yufeng said, leading Lin Suyang towards the inner courtyard. “The location is a bit out of the way, but the environment is very nice. There’s no disturbance from those ministers in the court. For me, living here is like a fish returning to the sea. I’m so free that I don’t want to go back.”

Han Yufeng's steps were slow. His eyes were hazy, making them difficult to see clearly. Lin Suyang recalled their first meeting. The vermilion staircase. The pristine white walls. The ink-wash calligraphy and paintings. That peerless face. Everywhere he looked, there was a serene and comfortable scholarly aura. It made it easy for her to accept and approach him. It wasn't love. It was simply an attraction based on shared auras. However, this attraction changed after he returned to Yundu. It became something that could only be admired from afar.

Han Yufeng pushed open the door. Lin Suyang stopped in his tracks as soon as he stepped inside. The furnishings in the room were exactly the same as his study in Guangyue Pavilion.

The same mahogany staircase. The same calligraphy, paintings, tables, and chairs. Even their placement was unchanged. This made Lin Suyang feel as if she had returned to that spring. Peach blossoms fluttered and fell to the ground. A few pale pink petals filled the bright sky. Subtly, the fragrance of paper and ink wafted through the air.

She walked over. She lightly wiped the table. She looked up. There wasn't a speck of dust.

"Do you remember? This is where we met." Han Yufeng slowly walked up the stairs. "Back then, you were standing there, reciting my poem. And I was standing here, listening to your voice, reading my poem word by word. I never knew that someone could read poetry with such a serene feeling. Without sorrow or joy, yet with a natural sense of melancholy."

The moon's shadow, scattered flowers, and melancholy thoughts.

How can one feel sorrow when the ground is so heartless?