Lan Yin Bi Yue

Kapitel 27

Qin Hao slowly turned to look at her. Consort Qi knew she had spoken out of turn but was unwilling to admit it, so she said to Qin Hao, "Your Majesty, this Xuan Ge is a songstress from Yan and Liao. How can she become a concubine of our Great Yang Kingdom? Wouldn't this make people laugh at our Great Yang Kingdom for having no one to serve it?" After saying that, she turned to Lin Suyang and said sternly, "Grand Tutor Lin, as the chief official in charge of selecting concubines, you actually put a songstress from another country on the list. What exactly is your intention?"

Just as Lin Suyang was about to reply, Qin Hao coldly said, "Xuange was added by me at the request of Grand Tutor Lin. Does Consort Qi mean that I am licentious and extravagant?" Consort Qi's face immediately turned pale, and she hurriedly got up and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty dares not."

Empress Dowager Fengxiang, who had remained silent until now, stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Your Majesty need not be angry. I suppose Consort Qi is thinking of the Great Yang Dynasty and Your Majesty's reputation. Since Your Majesty likes Xuange, then take her in. Just don't harm your health." She then reprimanded Consort Qi, "A consort should behave like one. What kind of decorum is this? His Majesty has his own arrangements. Although beautiful women are said to bring disaster, what kind of person is the Emperor of Great Yang? He is wise, intelligent, and decisive. How can a woman possibly influence him? Furthermore, if anyone in the harem relies on their position to be arrogant and disrespectful, don't blame me for being impolite!" Her words were all well-intentioned, ostensibly condemning Consort Qi, but in reality, a warning to all the women below, especially Xuange. If she wanted to bewitch and charm the emperor, she would first have to get past Empress Dowager Fengxiang.

"Alright, that's enough. Xuan Ge doesn't need to perform anymore. Grand Tutor Lin, please bring up the selected list later." Qin Hao didn't look at anyone else, but glanced at Lin Suyang and said.

"I obey the order."

After the three most stressed individuals left, the other young ladies breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Suyang smiled faintly, shook his head, tidied up the booklet, and said loudly, "It's getting late. All of you ladies should go back and rest early and await the imperial decree." He was about to leave when someone walked up from the front. It was Yang Zhixiao.

"Zhi Xiao thanks the Grand Tutor!" He curtsied to Lin Suyang. Lin Suyang quickly waved his hand and said, "Miss Yang, there's no need for such formalities. I haven't done much."

“No, it was the Grand Tutor’s gentleness that made Zhixiao feel relaxed and prevented her from being impolite in front of the Emperor. Zhixiao is extremely grateful to the Grand Tutor.” Lin Suyang reluctantly accepted Yang Zhixiao’s thanks, and only left quickly after she departed. As he passed by someone, he heard that person say, “It’s a pity you are a man.” Looking back, Xuan Ge’s beautiful back was a silhouette swaying in the breeze.

Lin Suyang felt only sympathy for Xuan Ge. Like Ying Ru, she was caught in a web of circumstances, the difference being that Xuan Ge was in the palace, while Ying Ru was in a brothel. Xuan Ge had left her hometown to come here, and regardless of her motives or whether it was voluntary, she had no choice. Ironically, both of them were entangled with the royal family: Ying Ru had fallen in love with the Emperor of Yan Liao, while Xuan Ge was about to be locked away in the deep palace. Life is truly full of twists and turns…

Volume Three, Heartbreak, Chapter Sixty-Three: Drunken Pavilion with Brocade Feathers (Part 1)

Unsurprisingly, Yang Zhixiao, Xuan Ge, Li Fu, and Chen Yuqiao were selected as imperial concubines. When determining the concubine ranks, Emperor Hong bestowed the titles of Consort Xiao upon Yang Zhixiao, Consort Jin upon Li Fu, and Consort Qiao upon Chen Yuqiao. With this, along with Consort Qi, four of the four imperial concubines were complete. As for the remaining empress, many speculated that if Xuan Ge were also made a concubine, the empress's position would be chosen from among these five. Consort Qi, having always been protected by Empress Dowager Fengxiang and being the mother of princes and princesses, had a very high chance of becoming empress. However, Emperor Hong made a decision that surprised everyone: he bestowed upon Xuan Ge the title of Beauty, a rank one level lower than the other three concubines. This resulted in the empress's position being vacant.

The ministers were puzzled. This selection of consorts was simply to allow Emperor Hong to fill the harem with one empress and four consorts, thus stabilizing the harem. So why was the highest position unfilled? Emperor Hong did not give an explanation, and the ministers dared not ask too much. Let the empress's position remain vacant. After all, it was a matter for the emperor's family. Perhaps their stern emperor was actually observing his consorts carefully to see who had the ability to fill the position!

In any case, the selection of concubines has come to an end. Lin Suyang breathed a sigh of relief. These past few days have been exhausting. She thought she could finally rest for a few days, but she just couldn't stop.

For some unknown reason, Qin Hao suddenly had the idea to ask Lin Suyang to take him to a brothel! Upon hearing this news, Lin Suyang was stunned at first, but then agreed with a wry smile.

Although the city was desolate in late autumn, the bustling streets did not silence this economic and political center. The noise and shouts continued, and the colorful decorations exuded lush vitality and life.

Qin Hao walked down the street with great interest, followed by Lin Suyang, who looked helpless.

"What, does the Grand Tutor seem unwilling to come out with me?" Qin Hao stopped and whispered in Lin Suyang's ear after she caught up.

"Your Majesty, I dare not." What else could be said? That Your Majesty has eaten honey, struck gold, or has lost your mind? With such a huge pile of memorials left unreviewed in the Imperial Study, you're out drinking and carousing like a spoiled brat?

"In that case, Grand Tutor, you'd better hurry up and catch up." He left those words behind, but slowed his pace and headed towards Ping'an Street.

Zui Lou Fang remains unchanged. Although it is a place of extravagance, Zui Lou Fang is more tasteful than others. Looking at the interior decorations, there is no tacky gold and bright colors. Instead, it is full of elegant and light colors. In particular, the huge artificial lotus pond in the middle of the lobby, with small bridges and flowing water, is refreshing.

The brothel had changed madams, so when Lin Suyang entered, no one came to greet her warmly. She, Lin Suyang, used to be quite the "charming and dashing" woman, with more than one or two close friends in the Red Chamber. Those youthful arrogance were long gone; now, she could only smile bitterly, realizing that even her simplest dream could only be pursued one step at a time.

Although the madam had changed, the girls in the brothel hadn't changed much. Seeing Lin Suyang's devilishly handsome face, who wouldn't recognize him? "Look, look! It's Young Master Lin! Sisters, come quick! Young Master Lin is here..." someone shouted. The brothel erupted in chaos. Men and women alike rushed out, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the handsome young master.

As a barrage of various cosmetics and powders was about to hit them, Lin Suyang was so frightened that she quickly grabbed Qin Hao and rushed inside. They finally found a small room and burst in, slamming the door shut. Only then did she stop, panting heavily.

After resting for a while, she looked up and found Qin Hao looking at her with a meaningful gaze. She coughed awkwardly a few times and said, "If Your Majesty wants to call for the young lady, then... then please leave."

"Oh. Then how about I go out and say, 'Ladies who want to see the most handsome young master, Young Master Lin, come with me'?"

"Huh?" Lin Suyang looked at him in surprise. "Then Your Majesty should stay here." Has Emperor Hong changed his ways today?

"What the Grand Tutor means is..." Qin Hao glanced casually at the room. Lin Suyang then realized that the room... besides a bed and a table... was completely empty. She realized this and immediately felt so embarrassed that she wanted to run out the door.

Calming herself down, she walked over and casually said, "What I mean is, if Your Majesty needs, I can change rooms."

Qin Hao watched with amusement as she tried to hide her earlier nervousness, and said casually, "I never imagined that the Grand Tutor was a regular at Zui Lou Fang. No wonder he was so favored."

"Alright, let's go quickly. It's not good to keep that girl waiting so long." After opening the door and making sure no one was outside, he said to Lin Suyang, "Let's hurry up and go before your admirers arrive."

Lin Suyang followed Qin Hao with a puzzled look through the empty corridor, turned a corner, and headed towards a room with an open door. Lin Suyang was quite familiar with the Drunken Pavilion; he had gone to the wrong place earlier because he was in a panic. Now, upon closer inspection, he realized that this row of rooms was the proper private room.

Upon entering the room, Lin Suyang saw a woman sitting inside, wearing a veil that obscured her features. However, the moment Lin Suyang saw her, he felt a strong sense of familiarity. The woman's figure closely resembled the vaguely glimpsed figure he had seen on his way back from Xiangkong Mountain that day.

"Miss Jinling, you've kept me waiting." Qin Hao said to the people inside, then invited Lin Suyang to sit down with him in the chair opposite him.

"It is my honor that you have come, young master. How could I possibly blame you?" The clear voice instantly brought a name to Lin Suyang's mind: Kong Ling. But Shen Xiao had said that she had disappeared during the Mu Cuo battle. How could she be in Dayang, and in a... brothel?

Lin Suyang watched Jinling begin to play the pipa, trying to see her face through the veil that was partially obscured. But the woman kept her head slightly lowered, her long hair falling loosely, covering most of her face, and she couldn't even make out her features.

"Is Su Yang very interested in this Jinling girl?" Qin Hao looked at Lin Su Yang, who kept staring at others, with a half-smile.

Lin Suyang withdrew his gaze, took a sip of tea, and said, "I was just checking on behalf of you, young master. Please don't misunderstand."

With delicate fingers plucking the strings, the pipa's melodies lingered in the air.

Nine-Bend Alley

Heartbroken

Waking up in a foreign land

Where should my old friend go after he/she returns?

Light gauze curtains

Beauty Fragrance

Soft and long around the finger

The night dew deepens as I wander along the corridor.

The landscape is like a painting, but who can compare to the phoenix?

The moon shines brightly over the empty pavilion, and the tea is cold.

With a flourish of the brush

Only after applying ink can one perceive the paper's pale hue.

I abandoned myself and rode alone in a small boat.

Looking out from the tower, all I see is a blur.

Sorrowful parting

The bleak autumn wind never ceases

Surprisingly, Qin Hao started tapping on the table while listening to the music. Lin Suyang turned to look at him and said sarcastically, "Young Master is in quite a mood today. Do you still remember that there are still many things to do in the study?"

Qin Hao ignored her and after a long while replied, "Isn't Su Yang here? What do I have to worry about?"

Jinling's eyelashes trembled, and a hint of anger flashed imperceptibly in her eyes as she looked at Lin Suyang. Qin Hao noticed all of this, and he slightly curled the corners of his lips, glancing indifferently at Lin Suyang. Seeing that she was still puzzled by his unusual behavior today, he couldn't help but feel happy and wanted to laugh.

Today, Emperor Hong really baffled Lin Suyang. Has this emperor, who usually only cares about state affairs and never cares about romance, really taken the wrong medicine? As darkness fell, Qin Hao still showed no sign of going back. The young lady Jinling played and sang, sang and danced, and then played again. Was he deliberately causing trouble?

Lin Suyang saw Jinling's hands tremble a few times from exhaustion, but she still forced herself to continue playing. She couldn't bear it and wanted to tell her to stop and rest for a while, but Qin Hao always diverted the conversation with one topic or another. This made her wonder if there was some kind of hatred between Qin Hao and Jinling. Moreover, the more she observed, the more she felt that this person named Jinling looked a lot like Kong Ling. Their names differed by only one character. Could they be the same person?

Lin Suyang felt very irritable. Why were there always things he couldn't understand lately? He had lived two lives, yet now he was acting like a fool, knowing nothing and wasting decades of his life.

Qin Hao had been watching Lin Suyang closely. She was pressing her forehead, seemingly lost in thought, but he was certain something was bothering her. Since she had become his tutor, every movement and glance of hers had been unconsciously memorized by Qin Hao. Although he usually pretended not to notice, this feeling had become increasingly apparent, especially after their return from Yanliao. He had developed a strong desire to get closer to her and understand her. Even though he knew she had fallen in love with a man named Si Junxing, he had constantly ignored this fact, leading to his current deep attraction to her, even imagining that he was the one she loved. This was like the modern phenomenon of love: the more mysterious and distant something is, the stronger the desire to conquer it becomes, even at the cost of everything. The consequences of this kind of thinking can sometimes be terrifying, as it can potentially cause irreparable and devastating destruction.

Jinling looked up and met Qin Hao's deep gaze fixed on Lin Suyang. She sneered inwardly and cursed him fiercely: "Fickle woman!"

Volume Three, Heartbreak, Chapter Sixty-Four: Drunken Pavilion with Brocade Feathers (Part Two)

"I wonder what business Young Master Lin has with Jinling? I have guests waiting for me." Jinling leaned against the door frame with a soft, boneless grace, gazing at Lin Suyang standing inside with an alluring air.

Lin Suyang frowned, doubting his own judgment. Could this be Kong Ling? After meeting Jin Ling at Zui Lou Fang with Qin Hao that day, he was filled with doubts and finally decided to come to Zui Lou Fang again to find her and ask her clearly.

"I wonder where Miss Jinling's ancestral home is?" After thinking for a moment, Lin Suyang asked.

"Hehe." Jinling straightened up, swayed her waist as she walked towards her, then leaned against her and reached out to hook her neck with both hands. "What, Young Master Lin has taken a fancy to Jinling? Are you going to redeem Jinling from her servitude?" Her breath was as fragrant as orchids, but it gave Lin Suyang goosebumps all over her body.

"My ancestral home is Fengshan Yancheng, and we were once a prominent martial arts family. But now, out of more than 150 people in my family, I am the only one left. I have no choice but to end up in a brothel to make a living. Tell me, am I not pitiful?" Jinling chuckled and released Lin Suyang, then turned and sat down in a chair, gazing at her with a melancholy expression.

Fengshan Yancheng, or a martial arts family? Isn't it already quite obvious? Lin Suyang looked at her in surprise and said, "You...you really are Kong Ling?"

"Why does Sister Suyan seem not to believe me?" Jinling said, removing her veil. Who else could it be but Kong Ling with her delicate features? Wait, Sister Suyan? She's already recognized me?

"Hehe, I didn't know that the beautiful and angelic Su Yan was the famous Imperial Tutor of the Great Central Dynasty... But when did the laws of the Great Central Dynasty include a provision that women can hold official positions?" Jin Ling's eyes looked Lin Su Yang up and down in his men's clothing.

Sensing the hidden meaning in her words, Lin Suyang broke out in a cold sweat. "Kong Ling, why did you come to Yundu, and why are you here?" Yundu is at least half a month's journey from Yancheng. Could she have traveled so far just to survive in a brothel here?

"Why am I here? Sister Suyan, oh no, I should say Lord Lin Suyang, why do you think I'm here? Oh, right, where is Brother Sijunxing?" Jinling looked outside with feigned surprise. "Is Brother Sijunxing at home? Hmm, no, doesn't Lord Lin already have a beautiful princess at home? So where did Brother Sijunxing go?"

Lin Suyang suddenly remembered that Kong Ling's father, Kong Mingqi, was killed by Si Junxing. Could she have come here for revenge? No, she couldn't let her know where Si Junxing was, or the consequences would be unimaginable. Lin Suyang quickly closed the door, sat down opposite Jin Ling, and asked in a cold voice, "Kong Ling, what exactly are you trying to achieve by saying all this?"

Kong Ling slowly stood up, bent down over the table in front of her, and leaned close to Lin Suyang, whispering, "What do I want to do? I want to ruin your reputation, Lin Suyang. I want you to be despised by all the people of Dazhong. Tell me, what would they do if they knew that the celestial being they worshipped was a shameless scoundrel who had risen to a position second only to the emperor through a temporary false rise to power?

"You..." Lin Suyang looked at her in disbelief. "Kong Ling, when did you become so insidious and vicious?"

"When did I become so treacherous and vicious? When I saw Si Junxing's palm strike my father's chest, I knew my past could never be recovered. I hate them. I hate those members of the Demonic Sect. My entire Kong family of over 150 people was burned to ashes by their fire. I hate Si Junxing even more. If it weren't for him, my father wouldn't have died. I wouldn't have been captured by the traitors of the Kong family and suffered all kinds of humiliation!" Kong Ling laughed bitterly, her eyes blazing with deep hatred.

"I wanted to kill him. I wanted to tear him to pieces. But when I heard he fell off the cliff, I felt not joy, but pain." Kong Ling stared intently at Lin Suyang. "Do you know the feeling of extreme hatred and extreme love when your father's killer is the person you love with all your heart?"

"Love?" Lin Suyang exclaimed in surprise, "You've fallen in love with Si Junxing? How is that possible?"

“Yes. I fell in love with Si Junxing. I fell in love with him from the very beginning… your husband.” Kong Ling said coldly. “It’s just a pity that he only has eyes for you. I will never understand why he would fall in love with a liar like you! Disguised as a man to infiltrate the court, married a princess and became the imperial tutor. How could someone like you, who craves power and wealth, be worthy of his love?”

"Whenever I think about how you can be bisexual, I feel... disgusted!" Kong Ling looked at Lin Suyang with eyes full of loathing. "Oh, right, you're not only disgusting, but also promiscuous. Having Si Junxing and a princess wasn't enough; you had to seduce others..."

Lin Suyang's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, as if Kong Ling hated her, not Si Junxing. She didn't really care about Kong Ling's words, because she didn't need to explain herself. Besides, what was the point of explaining? When someone truly hates another, there's no room for any rebuttal or understanding in their heart. But did Kong Ling truly hate her to the core?

"What exactly do you want to do?" Lin Suyang asked calmly.

Kong Ling was shocked that Lin Suyang could ignore her words just now, and laughed angrily: "I know Si Junxing will not die so easily, so I want revenge. Aren't you his treasure? Very well, I will make him know the pain of losing a lover."

Lin Suyang didn't speak, but just looked at her with cold eyes.

"Don't worry," Kong Ling paced slowly in the room, "I said I would make Si Junxing suffer terribly and I wouldn't let you die so easily. Just wait and see how I torture you little by little... torture Si Junxing."

Lin Suyang stared at Kong Ling without moving for a long time, then chuckled softly.

"What are you laughing at? Are you laughing at me for being pitiful and despicable?" Kong Ling shouted uncontrollably.

Lin Suyang shook his head and stood up: "I'm not laughing at your pitifulness, but at your self-deception."

Qingshui Jian looked at the panicked person with clear eyes. "You've said so much just to let me know there's danger ahead and to warn me to be careful, right? If you really wanted revenge, you wouldn't have told me, and you wouldn't have made it so obvious. Even if you did, with my power, you'd probably be thrown into prison by the authorities before you even got halfway through your plan. You know I'm second only to the emperor, do you really think I got this far just by disguising myself as a man? You're underestimating me, Lin Suyang."

"You don't believe me?" Kong Ling asked doubtfully. She didn't know where she had gone wrong. Everyone said that the Grand Tutor of the Great Yang was exceptionally talented, but she didn't know that her observation skills were also so sharp.

"You don't believe me? Then just wait and see." Kong Ling dared not stay any longer and hurriedly ran out of the room, leaving Lin Suyang alone.

Lin Suyang sighed, watching her retreating figure. Still such a naive young girl! What could possibly have prompted her to warn him in this way? She had just said she liked Si Junxing, and Lin Suyang didn't believe she was lying. At least, the subtle gentleness in her expression when she uttered those three words revealed it—something even she herself hadn't noticed. Unfortunately, she was too late. Neither Si Junxing nor Lin Suyang would abandon either of them, no matter how difficult the road ahead. They wouldn't waver in their affections. Kong Ling's love was destined to be nothing but a mirage.

As Lin Suyang entered the house, she was about to call Qiao Sheng out to get something when she suddenly saw Qin Hao sitting leisurely in the hall, reading a book. She walked over and said, "Does Your Majesty have some free time today?"

Qin Hao slowly raised his head, glanced at her, and then continued to read the book. "Oh, the Grand Tutor is back. I happened to have nothing to do today, so I wanted to come and see my sister and the Grand Tutor, but I'm too early. Where did you come from, Grand Tutor?"

"I merely went out for a stroll. As for where I went, I believe Your Majesty need not know."

"I don't need to know, but brother-in-law, remember to change the flavor of the Red Chamber next time you come back, lest my jealous sister finds out." The ambiguous voice echoed from the front.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for the reminder." Lin Suyang glared at him and turned to go to the backyard to change his clothes.

At the dinner table, Qin Yu kept putting food on Lin Suyang's plate, with spicy chicken being the most frequent dish. Qin Hao glanced at it; the bright red chilies had stained the originally white chicken pieces a different color. He frowned, but finally took a bite himself. Qin Yu looked at him in surprise and said, "Brother, don't you not eat spicy food?"

Forcing down the pungent spiciness, Qin Hao lowered his head and said, "Ahem, I've recently changed my tastes and suddenly developed a great interest in spicy food. I found the spicy dishes at my sister's house quite delicious, and I really enjoyed them." As soon as he finished speaking, his bowl was filled with a pile of small, pointed chili peppers—the "Hell" chili peppers, known as the top-grade chili peppers of the Central Plains, thirty times spicier than ordinary chili peppers. At the same time, Lin Suyang's fearless voice rang out: "Your Majesty, this 'Hell's Finest' dish was personally prepared by the Princess. It's delicious! Since Your Majesty likes spicy food, you must try it!"