Consultor de vida de la dinastía Song del Sur

Capítulo 71

Two elegant figures walked past one after the other. The man was as cold as snow, and the woman was as gentle as water. Her straight black hair cascaded down her back. Leng Shuangcheng looked at the two handsome figures, who seemed to be in a painting, and smiled bitterly. He then turned to look at Yuwen Xiaobai.

Yuwen Xiaobai had a high alcohol tolerance, which was her first observation. She had overheard the courtesans discussing that the sake served tonight was mild yet potent, and that if they continued drinking it, even Du Kang (the legendary inventor of wine) would find it difficult to handle.

She noticed that Xiaobai had drunk a lot, and Qiuye Yijian had also drunk quite a bit. If a person loses their mind, can they do whatever they want while drunk?

Yuwen Xiaobai got all the beauties drunk, shook his white robes, stood up, and chuckled as he stroked their faces a few times before walking out the door with a smug look on his face. Leng Shuangcheng silently approached and softly called out, "Xiaobai!"

Just as Yuwen Xiaobai was about to ask in surprise, Leng Shuangcheng grabbed his wrist and gestured for him to be quiet. Xiaobai found it amusing and silently followed her as they leaped over the wall. Leng Shuangcheng led him to the riverbank outside Xianju Mansion and instructed him, "Old Jin used those courtesans to entertain you this time, which makes him somewhat suspicious of your identity. I think he wanted to use the girls to test your gender. Be more careful in the future."

Yuwen Xiaobai, who had been smiling happily, pondered for a moment after hearing her words before understanding what she meant. He grinned and said, "Would that person be that bad? But the girls have really been on me all along..."

Leng Shuangcheng sighed and said, "Let's go, I'll take you back." Yuwen Xiaobai smiled as he looked at her gloomy face, swaying back and forth as they walked, "Shuangcheng, when do you think my brain will get better?"

"What's wrong?"

“I recognize the two men in Yixianju. One is Young Master Qiuye, whose swordsmanship I have learned from, and the other is Zhao Yingcheng, the son of the Northern Prime Minister. But when I look at Prince Zhao, I feel like I’m familiar with him.”

Leng Shuangcheng was taken aback. She subtly tugged at Yuwen Xiaobai's sleeve and urgently asked, "Did Grandpa mention Young Master Zhao to you?" Xiaobai shook his head. Leng Shuangcheng sighed, "I understand now. It truly is about letting you come and go as you please, doing whatever you want..."

At this point, Leng Shuangcheng suddenly remembered another question: "Did those two see you?" Xiaobai thought for a moment and smiled: "I arrived before them and have been playing chess in the house the whole time. I'm afraid they didn't notice me... You know, I'm actually a little scared. If they catch me and beat me up, I'll definitely be the one who suffers."

Leng Shuangcheng turned to leave, but Xiaobai grabbed her hair and said with a grin, "Shuangcheng, there are many beauties in Yixianju, like fairies. I saw them kiss the boss, and the boss fell head over heels in one of the ladies' arms."

"Yes, I saw it..." Leng Shuangcheng seemed to still have something to say, and sighed, "Especially that girl with the flowing black hair, so soft and silky, she was truly beautiful." After walking a few steps, the night breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, and she suddenly came to her senses, turning her head to ask, "Where's the boss?"

Yuwen Xiaobai chuckled and continued, "Old Jin was urging me to play chess, which blocked my view. I only saw from the corner of the window that he seemed to be being helped inside..."

Leng Shuangcheng's face paled slightly. She said, "Xiaobai, you go back first. I have something to do..." She rummaged around in her clothes for a while, then pulled out a doll and handed it to him, managing to coax him away.

The innocent Yuwen Xiaobai occasionally mentioned a detail to Leng Shuangcheng. As Leng Shuangcheng cautiously walked along the wall, he kept guessing why Xiaobai hadn't been killed to silence him. It could be his seemingly cleverness, or it could be that the courtesans were afraid of Xiaobai's swordsmanship. These questions remained unanswered.

After a moment's silent contemplation, she decided to sneak towards Qiu Ye Yijian's room first. The moonlight swayed the shadows of the trees, mirroring her anxious heart. Most importantly, she dared not gamble with Qiu Ye Yijian's life—she had witnessed the strange occurrences Xiao Bai had mentioned before, and she remembered Zi Ying's methods last time. It was rumored that there was a powerful drug called "Flower Branch Spring Sleep," which, when applied to the lips of an unarmed woman, could knock out dozens of camels with just a single drop.

A misty haze rose from the emerald spring, like wisps of fairy mist filling the entire Su Hong Jin Pavilion. Leng Shuangcheng, as if facing a formidable enemy, held his breath and abandoned his usual agility, using the lightest of steps to inching closer to the window.

Soft, panting breaths drifted from inside, like the first warbling of a nightingale, or the gentle rustling of a flute in a breeze, echoing faintly: "Young master, please... you've tormented me all night..."

Her voice was so charming and seductive that just hearing her call was enough to make one's blood boil. If the two of them were to meet naked, Leng Shuangcheng couldn't imagine such a beautiful scene. She silently lowered her head and looked down, like a lonely shadow hidden on the wall.

The woman screamed twice, then could not make a sound, pleading intermittently, "No... I can't breathe..." Before she could finish speaking, Leng Shuangcheng gritted his teeth, his face stern, and broke through the window.

Her skin was soft and delicate, and she looked incredibly beautiful. Shu Xue shivered as she leaned against Qiu Ye Yi Jian's chest, like a pear blossom in the rain or a cicada on an autumn branch. Tears slowly streamed down her face. Qiu Ye held her waist tightly, and her red lips were held between his fingers, her words indistinct and unable to form.

Qiu Yeyi tucked a strand of hair from the beauty's shoulder under his sword, gave Leng Shuangcheng a wicked smile, and said with an indescribable charm: "Whether you are a member of the Tantric sect or not, I'll let you broaden your horizons tonight." As he spoke, his right hand slid down, tightly locking Shu Xue's throat bone, and then released his left palm.

Shu Xue's naked body slid softly into the bath, leaving only a small section of her hair above water before it sank to the bottom. Qiu Ye Yi Jian's silky upper body, exuding his unique refined and imposing aura, was directly exposed to Leng Shuang Cheng's eyes.

Leng Shuangcheng's face turned pale instead of red as she realized what was happening. She darted to the door like the wind. Qiu Yeyi grabbed the palace dress silk ribbon on his left and used all his inner strength to silently swirl it towards her ankle. With a flash of water, his tall figure, like a dragon, swiftly scooped forward with a move called "Azure Sky Embracing the Moon".

Leng Shuangcheng lunged forward, dodging the whip, but couldn't avoid the ghostly approach of Qiu Ye. Moreover, facing a naked man, she had no way to strike and could only dodge. Qiu Ye, having come prepared with his sword, wouldn't let her escape. Taking advantage of his position, he attacked relentlessly, ultimately pulling her into his arms.

"Qiu Ye Yi Jian!" Leng Shuangcheng cried out in horror, her face turning deathly pale. Qiu Ye Yi Jian stroked her pressure points with his left hand, then slowly lowered his head and kissed her: "Third time's the charm, Leng Shuangcheng!" With that, he lifted the hem of his robe from the ground, which fell like snow, covering Leng Shuangcheng's entire body. He held the person in his arms steadily, then turned and walked away unhurriedly.

13. Methods

The moon was bright and the stars were pale, a soft light seeping through the window. In the other room of Su Hongjin Pavilion, shrouded in mist, Qiu Yeyi's breathing was uneven and erratic. The clear spring bath at night, the beautiful scenery, had finally brought him the moment he had been longing for. He could no longer suppress his emotions and lowered his lips without hesitation.

The crisp aroma of the wine reached Leng Shuangcheng's lips. She suddenly remembered that Qiu Yeyijian had drunk no less than ten cups tonight. Perhaps due to his drunkenness, his eyes and brows were like the cold moon cutting through the clouds, exceptionally cold and alluring.

Leng Shuangcheng dared not look into those eyes. They were misty yet brimming with a thousand pearls, clearly holding a wealth of unspoken words. But as he lowered his head to conquer, only one sentence escaped from his lips: "Look at me, Leng Shuangcheng, you cannot imagine the pain I usually suppress."

Warm lips roamed over her brows and cheeks, nibbling lightly and heavily like snowflakes. Leng Shuangcheng felt an unbearable itch, her face turning away from him, letting out a startled cry, her trembling voice swallowed by his lips: "Qiuye, Qiuye, calm down..."

Qiu Ye Yi Jian didn't respond, his burning lips entwining around her tightly guarded collar, then with a swift movement, he pulled open her clothes. Her loose garments fell to her waist, revealing her flawless, white breasts, their gentle rise and fall like flowing emeralds. His eyes deepened, and he bent down to take the purple nipple of her left breast into his mouth, his right hand following suit, reaching up to the other soft spot, caressing and teasing it with his long fingers.

The touch was warm and trembling, unlike the smoothness of silk, but a real and comfortable texture. All of this made Qiu Yeyi's deep eyes darken. He lifted her waist with both hands, buried his head in his chest and kissed her passionately, his mouth full of warm and soft jade, his tongue licking and teasing incessantly.

Qiu Yeyi's breathing gradually became heavier.

A tingling sensation swept over Leng Shuangcheng's entire body. That handsome, persistent face was so close, his faint, ambiguous scent filling her nostrils. Tormented by her restraints, she gripped the feather-like blanket with her fingers, trembling as she said, "Qiuye, you can't be so rude... Let me go, I'm in so much pain..." Qiuye savored the exposed peaks of her breasts for a moment, then raised his dark eyes to look at her, before leaning down to deeply seduce her: "If you're in pain, just scream it out."

His fingers, trembling with a chilling sensation, slid down her lower garment, sending a wave of icy torment through her ankles.

Leng Shuangcheng was extremely anxious. Xia Tiao followed the movement of her fingers, her body trembling violently, her face flushed red as she screamed, "Are you going to force me... How is this any different from being an animal?" Qiu Yeyi suddenly grabbed her chin and seized her trembling, bright red lips. His handsome face coldly kissed her hard, his fiery hand resting on the inside of her smooth, slender thigh, making the word "animal" tremble slightly.

Wherever her lips and hands attacked, flames raged. Qiu Ye pressed down on her taut, shapely body with her sword, spreading her legs apart with her palms. Leng Shuangcheng's heart pounded wildly. In the nick of time, she struggled desperately, finally letting out a scream as her head slowly fell to the side, and she remained motionless.

The candlelight flickered red, the moonlight scattered, casting dappled reflections that perfectly mirrored Qiu Yeyijian's sinister face on the large bed. He coldly propped himself up with his palms, gazing at the calm face beneath him, the dark, brooding intensity in his eyes undiminished.

Those deep, bright eyes slowly swept over Leng Shuangcheng's exposed body, touching the varying shades of her skin, before deepening the sensation with her lips. Leng Shuangcheng's body remained limp and motionless, her eyelids trembling slightly, like a hibernating deer. Seeing her flushed face and pale body, Qiu Yeyijian felt a surge of heat rise within him. He tightened his grip on her exposed skin, but she remained unmoved.

Long, slender, and fair fingers with supple, smooth fingertips and neatly trimmed nails—what a suffocating and terrifying experience it would be to have such hands roam over your body!

"Leng Shuangcheng, you know I'm not one to lie still, yet you've resorted to such a desperate measure today." Qiu Yeyijian leaped up, donned a snow-white robe, and sat beside the bed, speaking in a somber tone. He stretched out his right palm, slowly stroking her face, chest, and long legs, as if admiring a piece of flawless porcelain, but his voice grew colder and colder: "Am I really that much to make you resentful? Uncomfortable? To make you go to great lengths to escape me and see Nan Jingqi? To make you hide in a tree in the wind instead of coming down to see me? If it weren't for Chuge smelling your scent and using a scheme to force you out, you would probably still be watching me and others enjoying our lovemaking?"

Leng Shuangcheng remained calm, but sighed inwardly.

It seems her previous guesses were true; it seems Qiu Ye Yijian will eventually blame her.

Although the kite yesterday was ordinary, how could he, with his meticulous mind, not have seen it? The esoteric arts are ever-changing, and they will not be able to find any clues when there is water. Given his nature of always having a purpose when he takes action, how could it be as simple as going to a banquet for entertainment?

Qiu Yeyi stepped out of the intricately carved and painted bed curtains, lifted his tailored robes, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed them aside by the spring, stepping into the shallow, emerald pool. The water cascaded down like silver beads, his satin-black hair flowing above the misty surface, lost in endless reverie. He took a few deep breaths, and his stunningly beautiful face blossomed in the clear water.

A moment ago, by the emerald pool, the same enchanting scenery stirred the imagination—her skin was as white as snow, smooth as cream, requiring no flattery or seduction; her mere presence exuded a captivating charm that defied description. Qiu Yeyi, her clothes disheveled, silently observed for a long while before leaning against the pool wall and coldly remarking: "The less you wear, the more genuine your moans, the happier you'll likely make men."

Shuxue, seemingly not shy at all, blushed and leaned against the pond, beginning to moan and cry out in a seductive manner. A faint, cool fragrance wafted on the breeze, and dappled shadows of trees swayed on the windowpane. Qiuye Yijian glanced at her and smiled coldly: "You truly haven't disappointed me."

Her smile was as cold and indifferent as the moon in the sky, whether it was directed at Shu Xue's cooperation, Leng Shuangcheng's return, or both. As the saying goes, concern makes one confused, and Leng Shuangcheng, after some hesitation, still barged in, appearing before Qiu Yeyijian, whose silk ribbons were soaked with ink.

Leng Shuangcheng guessed the cause and effect, and upon hearing the sound of water outside, silently got up and quickly dressed.

Qiu Yeyi activated her pressure points, and pretending to be dead would only make things more awkward, so she simply faced him directly.

Reaching the curtain, she turned her back slightly and said, "Qiuye, I'm not uncomfortable, it's just that you're too..." She paused, thinking of a word to continue, "...unrestrained, and today I'm trying to forget an old friend, so I really don't feel like spending time with you."

Qiu Ye Yijian gave a cold smile and remained silent.

Leng Shuangcheng waited for a while and when no one answered, he thought for a moment and finally walked to the edge of the pool, looking him straight in the eye: "As a young master, you should keep yourself pure and upright."

His pupils were as cold and deep as the sea, staring directly into the depths of his eyes, like a mountain lake under a clear sky and white clouds, clear yet with a cool glint. Qiu Yeyi looked back indifferently, leaning against the pool wall, motionless. Leng Shuangcheng bent down, scooped up some water to wash his face, glanced at him twice, then wiped the sweat droplets from his face with his sleeve and left the room without a word.

At the corner, a purple ribbon tied up her hair, along with her light-colored cloud-patterned robe, fluttered in the wind, her clothes and hair swaying slightly. The pedestrian silently and resolutely disappeared from sight.

Qiu Yeyi stood in the water with a sullen face, but after a moment, a light, ethereal smile appeared on her face.

Light clouds veiled the moon, obscuring its silvery glow. The moonlight, hazy and veiled, resembled a beauty born only once in a thousand years.

Looking at the scattered, graceful shadows, Leng Shuangcheng suddenly remembered the palace-dressed girl from earlier. She was also extremely charming, with a fairy-like appearance and a natural, thick green hair that was like spring mist, truly captivating.

Leng Shuangcheng was shocked when she thought of the black hair. According to common sense, if a person dies and sinks into a spring, her hair should float on the surface of the water, not be completely swallowed by the water like that girl's. There is only one possibility: she held her breath and gathered her strength, and poured true energy into her hair, causing it to fall straight down like a needle!

She rushed into the room like the wind, searched the pond, and found the girl gone. The water gurgled, the mist swirled, and everything was quiet as if nothing had happened. After a moment's thought, she leaped through the shadows of the trees and returned to the room where Yuwen Xiaobai had been drinking.

A group of white-clad courtesans, their skin as white as snow and their features exquisite, remained slumped over the table, their beautiful faces appearing as if in a deep sleep in the still candlelight. Leng Shuangcheng approached silently and reached out to check; they were already lifeless. Looking around at the fallen beauties, a chill ran down her spine. —The courtesans had their throats crushed in their sleep; the finger movements were practiced and swift, employing the same palm technique used by Qiu Ye Yi Jian in the Jade Pool.

A chilling aura drew near from behind, and she held her breath. A floor-length white robe with gold trim caught her eye, its intricate and delicate brocade patterns layered upon each other. Such attire was beyond the reach of ordinary people, except perhaps for the extravagant and lavish robes of princes and nobles embroidered with crimson and purple embroidery in the palace.

Leng Shuangcheng breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her grip. Qiu Yeyijian noticed her alertness, pulled her close to his chest, glanced at her, and said calmly, "The Dark Night ambushes in Xianju have all been killed, just like them."

"Is all the information you receive from Dark Night, young master?"

"yes."

"Because of the proximity to water, even in the darkness, one cannot determine whether someone is a member of the Tantric sect?"

"No, now that I think about it, it should be that Shuxuewu's skills are superb, able to conceal all the tricks that Tantric Buddhism is familiar with."

Leng Shuangcheng's hands grew cold. Hearing Qiu Ye's indifferent voice, she understood one thing. The girl in white was named Shu Xue. Judging from her ruthless and meticulous methods, she was very likely the young master of the Tantric Sect, the one and only young master of the Tantric Sect in the world. After Qiu Ye's attention turned to her, he ignored Shu Xue's life or death. Shu Xue then reciprocated in kind, her methods and malice no less than those of the young master of the Evil-Slaying Sect.

"If that person is the young master of the Secret Sect, why did he remain inactive when facing you, young master?" Leng Shuangcheng pondered this question, a thought suddenly occurring to her. Qiu Yeyi led her out of the desolate, misty room, soothingly kissing her cheek, as if she could read her mind: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Since the young master of the Secret Sect is neither male nor female and is unpredictable, his visit here is definitely to spy on me."

Leng Shuangcheng grabbed Qiu Yeyi's wrist and said, "So many people have died, how can you speak of it so casually, young master?"

Qiu Yeyi's eyes were like cold stars, her face like silver gauze. She looked at Leng Shuangcheng's slightly angry face with indifference and restraint for a while, then lowered her head and kissed him: "You are the most important."

Leng Shuangcheng paused for a moment, then asked, "Where is Young Master Zhao?"

"Old Jin's hidden weapons couldn't defeat his Demon-Subduing Palm, so he had the eight courtesans entangle Zhao Yingcheng while he escaped by diving into the water."

At the banquet, unless everything was absolutely certain, Lao Jin and the others wouldn't dare to rashly use inferior tactics like poisoning or assassination. Leng Shuangcheng could guess all of this, but seeing Qiu Ye Yijian's calm and collected demeanor, and the sudden retreat of the Tantric practitioners after their attack, she felt that something was amiss.

After exchanging a few words with Zhao Yingcheng, Qiu Yeyijian, along with the pensive Leng Shuangcheng, boarded the Hualong and departed. Inside the carriage, Leng Shuangcheng was still pondering a few doubts when Qiu Yeyijian glanced at her slightly disheveled clothes and the faint marks on her cheeks and ears, and a subtle smile played at the corners of her lips.

Leng Shuangcheng occasionally looked up. Qiu Yeyijian had a handsome face and fair, cool skin, as if sculpted from ice crystal. He still carried the shadow of the man who stood solemnly at Luoyan Tower, aloof from the world, cold and ruthless. Only when facing her did his eyes break through the icy shadows and contain the light of the warm May sun.

She felt a chill in her heart, just like on the night of the night raid on Youzhou, when she vaguely knew that something was going to happen, but was powerless to change it.

After careful consideration, Leng Shuangcheng's expression turned solemn as she coldly looked at Qiu Yeyijian: "Young Master, did you deliberately attend the banquet? Did you deliberately fail to stop what happened? Why is that?"

"Come here." Qiu Yeyi ignored Leng Shuangcheng's unfriendly expression, stretched out her hands to expose her knees, and said indifferently, "Come into my arms, and I'll tell you."

Leng Shuangcheng stroked the car wall, slipped into a corner, and coldly pressed, "I suppose this is another instance of going with the flow to push forward the Tantric plan? No matter what happens, no matter who dies, you remain indifferent?"

Qiu Yeyijian straightened his sleeves and replied coldly, "Since you invited me and Zhao Yingcheng, it must be to keep us calm while sending the others to cause trouble."

He did not answer the second question because he had already answered it.

Leng Shuangcheng's expression changed, and he grabbed Qiu Yeyi's collar, demanding, "If they're trying to distract you, where would they go and what would they be doing?"

"Leng Shuangcheng, you're becoming more and more unruly," Qiu Yeyijian said coldly, pulling down her wrists and hugging her tightly. "If I don't cooperate, and they keep hiding in the shadows without making a move, I can't wait that long."

Startled, Leng Shuangcheng struggled, but Qiu Yeyijian, prepared, watched as she held him tightly in his arms. His lips, however, expertly slipped inside her clothes, kissing her tenderly. Leng Shuangcheng trembled like a falling leaf, raising her face to bite his cheek, but missed. She scolded him in shock and anger, her words falling on Qiu Yeyijian's ears, which he mistook for a groan: "You...you actually...you really are a beast..."

Qiu Yeyi lifted her head from Leng Shuangcheng's embrace and pressed her lips to hers, sealing the word "beast" back onto her lips. "I made a vow that after destroying the Eastern Japanese esoteric sect, I would kidnap the emperor and force him to agree to our marriage."