Ich denke an dich, wenn der Wind weht

Kapitel 42

"Of course not." A sharp pain shot through her wrist, but she let him hold it, her expression unchanged. "That was an excuse for the Pope. I've been eating flowers for years, that's why I feel this way."

"You knew it was poisonous, why..." A sudden thought flashed through her mind, and the angry words abruptly stopped, a chill running through her heart.

“You guessed right. I took it willingly to avoid following in my mother’s footsteps.” Jia Ye smiled, looking up at the bright stars, her beautiful profile as gentle as the moon. “It’s a pity that finding the flower recorded in this ancient book’s fragment takes a long time, otherwise it would look smaller and save a lot of trouble.”

"……"

"If you don't mind the trouble, let the Bai family destroy it. It's fine if we don't mention it, since it has nothing to do with me anyway." She turned her head away, her small body swaying gently against the railing, giving off an inexplicable feeling of fragility and helplessness.

She spoke casually and nonchalantly, but he could hardly contain his shock at hearing the news.

Knowing the consequences, why did they continue to poison themselves year after year in secret? What was the motivation behind their unwavering commitment?

With each bite, a sliver of normalcy is severed. Maintaining a childlike appearance, burdened by eerie rumors…

“Jia Ye.” He remained silent for a long time.

"Um?"

"Will things always be like this, and can they never recover?"

"Probably, it's not a big deal." She didn't seem to care much. "It's the price I'm willing to pay."

"You...don't care at all?"

“It’s better than bowing down to your enemies.” She smiled slightly, frankly admitting it. “When faced with two evils, choose the lesser.”

…………

"What's with that expression? It has nothing to do with you." She asked, her dark eyes filled with confusion, as she glanced at his face with a slightly strange look.

He took her hand and pressed his lips to her cold palm; his voice was hoarse.

"I'm thinking... this price is a bit too high..."

"I think it's worth it." Her mind was slightly dazed; the soft, warm touch of his hand felt unfamiliar, and for some reason, she didn't pull away. "Even if it costs me my life..."

“Not worth it…not worth it at all…” The words became blurry at the end, and she half-guessed them, staring in surprise.

It was completely dark, and with the moonlight behind him, the expression on his handsome face was unclear.

...He seemed...very sad...?

Lament of a Woman in Her Boudoir

A few days later, Bai Yingluo, the eldest daughter of the Bai family, who had just married, returned to her parents' home for a visit.

The atmosphere was joyous and lively, even the temporary guests were stirred up. Many young heroes who had long admired Bai Yingluo were very disappointed by her marriage and hoped to see this most beautiful woman in Jiangnan again today.

He did not go to the front hall, but stayed in the garden to play chess with Jia Ye.

Jia Ye hadn't touched a chess piece for many years, and even his playing style had become rusty. However, he was exceptionally intelligent, his playing style was meticulous and difficult to trap, and he improved extremely quickly. In the quiet courtyard, there was no sound other than the movement of the pieces.

He placed a white piece and watched her ponder.

Her long eyelashes fluttered as she stared intently at the chessboard, her chin resting on one hand. Her small face was delicate and childlike, so fragile and adorable that even being bothered by her seemed like a sin.

He looked at it carefully again and again, thought it over and over, then raised his clear black and white eyes, and his cool voice was crisp and pleasant.

"I lost."

As if jolted awake from a dream, he snapped back to reality and gathered his chess pieces. Jia Ye's pride wouldn't allow anyone to let her win; this was her fourth loss, and she was starting to need to take things seriously.

After delivering a swift and decisive blow to Zhongyuan, he spoke as if casually.

“Gaye”.

"Um?"

"How about we go to Yangzhou in a few days?"

The hand that was suspended in mid-air paused for a moment, then gently lowered the black piece.

What are you going there for?

"Of the three parts of the moon that shines over the world, two parts shine alone on Yangzhou. Don't you want to go and see it?"

"It sounds like a good place."

"It's really good, I can guarantee it."

"However... I have also heard that among the four great families of the Central Plains, the Xie family of Yangzhou is the most important."

"What else have you heard?"

"It is said that martial arts practitioners who come to Yangzhou all pay a visit to the Xie family. Your father's reputation is even greater than that of a local prefect." As he spoke, he continued to place his pieces. "Fortunately, I am not a martial arts practitioner from the Central Plains."

"You don't want to go?"

Is it necessary?

"Or maybe you won't come to my house, and will just enjoy the scenery?"

"Scenery can be found everywhere, why create trouble for yourself?"

“I won’t make things difficult for you,” he patiently persuaded.

"Getting involved with Young Master Xie is troublesome in itself." She remained unmoved.

"So far, everything is fine?"

"That's because those women aren't thick-skinned enough to surround you and bombard you with questions." She glanced at you coldly. "I must have been out of my mind to travel with you."

"You regret it?" He narrowed his eyes and let out a soft hum.

"It's better to avoid trouble." Ignoring his dissatisfaction, she continued to bury herself in the chess game.

"Traveling alone can be lonely."

"It doesn't matter, you'll get used to it."

"I was talking about myself," he said casually, delivering a deadly blow.

"Whether you're lonely or not is none of my business. Besides, you have your older brother to keep you company." She frowned, thinking cautiously.

"Or we can make a bet on this game; if you win, you can come with me."

"I never bet on things I can't win."

“Then let’s switch games, I’ll give you a four-piece handicap.” He laid out the bait. “That should make it a 50/50 score.”

"So what if you lost?"

"I will accompany you on your travels to other places, and we will not return to Yangzhou."

"You are very confident."

"Don't you have one?" He smiled, looking at her. "I've already promised to let the fourth son have one."

Jia Ye looked up at him for a long time, then pushed the chessboard.

"Acquire pieces, start the game."

Two hours later.

"You cheated." She stared at the densely packed chessboard, her tone icy.

"I'll accept my loss." He was in high spirits, picked up an apricot from the plate and took a bite, his snow-white teeth seeming to mock him.

“You deliberately concealed your strength,” she stated bluntly.

"Warfare is based on deception." He readily admitted. "You taught me that."

"You've surpassed your teacher," she said sarcastically, her face expressionless.

"I still hope to go further." He said with a humble air that seemed to invite a beating.

Almost speechless with anger, she glared at the man in front of her, speechless for the first time.

Years later, how awkward it would be if a couple who were once engaged and destined to marry but never got together met again.

He intended to avoid her, but bumped into Bai Yingluo in the courtyard, who had just come out of the inner quarters after a conversation.

Several years have passed since we last met. The dignified and elegant girl has matured into a charming woman with delicate eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and lips as red as water chestnuts. Her figure is tall and graceful, and her every move exudes endless charm.

Newlyweds should be radiant with joy, but she appeared somewhat pale and dazed. Her gaze shifted past Xie Quheng and fell upon the person following behind him.

Time seemed to flow backward in an instant.

She was still a well-behaved young lady, blushing at her father's praise of her future husband, her heart pounding at the thought of that meeting from afar, picking and choosing her clothes again and again, admiring herself in the mirror, her heart secretly stirred amidst the servants' envious praise, and then, at the moment she glimpsed him from behind the curtain... she lost her heart and her soul.

A handsome young man arrived riding a white horse, his features refined and his demeanor elegant. Standing tall and graceful before his father, he possessed an extraordinary bearing. When he spoke with great enthusiasm, his spirits soared, radiating confidence and captivating charm. He was poised and dignified in the presence of his elders, his words measured and poised, even his discerning uncles could not hide their admiration.

The various men who had long pursued her suddenly paled in comparison, appearing utterly insignificant.

Her father said he would choose someone worthy of her, and it turned out to be true; no one could be more to her liking than him.

Fate plays tricks on people.

In the blink of an eye, she was already married.

The husband who used to draw her eyebrows and do her makeup was someone else.

And the person who should have been forgotten... has also changed.

Tall and slender, with extraordinary good looks, his temperament was deep and reserved, like a sharp sword whose edge was hidden in its sheath. His dazzling flamboyance turned into an elusive and unpredictable one, yet it was all the more deadly. His deep eyes lowered the moment he saw her, covering all his emotions, making it impossible to see through them.

It felt like a sharp thorn piercing my heart.

Silence fell over the surrounding area; the unexpected scene caught everyone off guard, and no one knew how to react.

Despite it being a warm spring day, she felt a chill creeping down her spine.

Watching him bow and greet the eldest brother of the Xie family, it was as if he were addressing a complete stranger.

His indifferent gaze swept over her, without a trace of emotion.

The man who should have been the one she entrusted her life to is now a stranger to her.

"When did the Third Young Master return to Jiangnan?" she heard her own voice asking.

"I arrived a few days ago and haven't had a chance to offer my congratulations. Please forgive me." The clear male voice was calm and composed.

Missed... ultimately just brushed past each other...