Frühlingsreise

Kapitel 35

"If I were to live here, I would plant red lotuses," Tang Qiefang said with a smile, fanning herself. "As for you, you can plant white lotuses."

At that time, he still had sour plum juice in his mouth, so he mumbled incoherently and Tang Congrong didn't hear him clearly.

Strangely, after all these years, the memories are so clear now.

I could clearly see the expression on his face, and I clearly remember the sunlight at that time, the lotus flowers swaying outside the window, and the fragrance wafting in the air.

Thinking like this sometimes makes him smile without him even realizing it. But when he looks up from his memories, he's suddenly overcome with sadness. Yet, in any case, he can remember now.

When Tang Qiefang left, he couldn't even bear to hear anyone else mention those three words.

Each word felt like a heavy hammer blow, striking my chest again and again, making my vision blur.

He got up to find Tang Yuchang and urge the thirteen riders on their progress.

Yue Shenhong's progress far surpassed that of the other disciples. Tang Yu often said, "After the training, she often practiced alone until late at night, and was the first one to arrive the next day."

He spoke with a hint of regret, for he had initially been most opposed to women joining the Thirteen Riders, but now he realized that some women were actually better than men.

Tang Congrong nodded slightly.

He had personally witnessed Yue Shenhong practicing her skills in an empty training ground, and when she was exhausted, she collapsed to the ground and wept bitterly.

【13019.CoM】

He knew why she was crying, and he knew why she was working so hard.

The moonlight that night was truly desolate.

When Yue Shenhong suddenly saw a figure, her crying stopped immediately. When she saw that the figure was Tang Congrong, she stood up and bowed.

"No need for such formalities."

His voice was soft and gentle, as if carrying the fragrance of lotus.

The voice was so familiar to Yue Shenhong; Tang Qiefang often imitated it for her, and finally she could imitate it too. So, she used the same voice and said, "Master, is there something you need for me so late at night?"

Tang Congrong's body trembled slightly. While most people might not know what their voice sounds like to others, he knew it all too well. When learning the art of disguise, the two had swapped appearances and voices; Tang Qiefang was Tang Congrong, and Tang Congrong was Tang Qiefang. Hearing that voice suddenly, that dull pain returned, and he took a slight breath, "How could you…"

Chapter Sixty-Five

"He taught me." Yue Shenhong, her face still streaked with tears, gave a sorrowful smile. "Have you forgotten that he once taught me disguise?"

The night wind was so cold that Tang Congrong's fingertips trembled slightly. "Is that so?... It's getting late, you should go back and rest."

"Doesn't the head of the family rest?!"

Before she could finish her sentence, a cold glint of light grazed her hair, knocking off her hairpin and causing her hair to fall loose.

"Don't talk to me like that." Tang Congrong's voice sounded somewhat ethereal in the night, faint yet irresistible.

Yue Shenhong suddenly burst into laughter, a very loud laugh, "Then, with this kind of voice—"

Hua Manyu pressed the needle against her brow, and Tang Congrong's eyes trembled violently, the moonlight reflected within—an unknowable world. Normally, this world was calm and serene, but now, finally witnessing his emotional breakdown, she laughed even more gleefully. "That's his voice. I've learned it too. Are you afraid to hear that voice? You drove him away, no, you drove him to his death, Tang Congrong, I hate you!"

Her voice was shrill, her laughter maniacal, and Tang Congrong could no longer pierce the needle.

The pain this woman suffered because of Tang Qiefang was no less than her own.

He slowly withdrew his hand and looked at her.

Her eyes held a deep hatred, along with an indelible jealousy. She laughed even more heartily. "Why are you looking at me like that? Are you pitying me? I haven't pitied you yet. Every time you come, you sit in the spot he used to sit in. It's so late, and you're still here. What? Have you come here to miss him?"

"If you continue, I will not show any mercy," Tang Congrong said calmly. "Think about your status. As far as I know, Yue Tong only has one son and one daughter. Yue Shenlan is already crippled, and Yue Tong has no other hope."

The moon was deep red and stiff.

He hit her sore spot. It was precisely because of this that she couldn't travel the world to find that person; she had to stay here, had to stay in this place to face all the memories.

"You are the future leader of Qingcheng Sect, with heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. You cannot have your own life." Tang Congrong's voice was still calm, but there was an indescribable sadness in it. "Yue Shenhong, I have tasted this kind of bitterness for nineteen years longer than you."

The madness in her eyes slowly faded, leaving only sadness.

Tang Congrong stood before her, the night breeze ruffling his clothes. His expression was unreadable, his features gentle and refined.

How familiar was this face to her? She had impersonated Tang Congrong countless times, but only today did she realize that Tang Congrong was Tang Congrong, and the only person who could disguise herself so convincingly was Tang Qiefang.

“If you have time now, come with me,” Tang Congrong said, slowly turning around.

Moon Deep Red followed.

The night was cool and still, and they headed towards Fuxiao Pavilion.

When they reached the courtyard gate, Tang Congrong stopped.

The door was closed; the servants inside must be asleep. I stood there quietly, a desolate feeling washing over me. If I pushed open that door, I would be in that courtyard I had visited countless times, surrounded by those same servants I had seen countless times. The layout of Fuxiao Pavilion was so clear I could see it even with my eyes closed.

He gently reached out his hand and knocked on the door.

Upon hearing this, the servant on night watch quickly opened the door, saying, "The lord has returned—" He paused, then added, "Greetings, Master."

Chapter Sixty-Six

"He is in seclusion refining medicine and has not yet emerged," Tang Congrong said calmly. "You may leave; you do not need to serve him."

The servant withdrew as instructed, and he stepped into the courtyard.

The moonlight cast shadows under the trees, and the outline of the house was quiet and familiar.

Tang Congrong smiled gently.