schlanke Taille

Kapitel 36

Li Huangyin's gaze shifted to Ye Changsheng, and gradually, the ripple in his eyes turned into waves... He glanced at Helan Ronghua slightly, then turned and walked away. On his way out, he casually pulled away Jia Ling, who had run out of the house after hearing the commotion and was shocked to see him.

A night wind blew, and the chill of midwinter was biting; winter here was unusually cold.

Ye Changsheng gazed at the shimmering pool, the fragmented moonlight reflecting off her face, making her pale skin almost translucent. She buried her face in Helan Ronghua's arms, remaining silent.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but the cold wind made her body feel icy cold.

A rustling sound of sleeves came from the wind, and two people were now standing on the wall.

One of the men in black looked at Ye Changsheng, who was kneeling in the courtyard, and seemed to sigh softly. He glanced at the man on his right, feeling a lump in his throat. He paused for a moment, but ultimately did not speak.

Hearing the commotion, Ye Changsheng slowly raised her head and looked towards the high wall. She couldn't make out the face clearly in the twilight, but the blurry figure was one she knew intimately… A smile appeared on her lips—was it a bitter smile? A mocking smile? Even she couldn't tell.

The dark figure remained silent for a long time before leaping down from the wall and walking to Ye Changsheng. After looking at her for a while, it slowly said, "Sheng'er... hand Ronghua over to me..." Finally, it added, "I don't want to fight you."

Ye Changsheng shook her head, a sharp pain shooting through her chest. She silently endured it, and stood up unsteadily—she clutched her clothes tightly, not wanting to look awkward standing.

But she was in so much pain, so much so that her nose and eyes stung, her face was pale, but a faint smile lingered on her lips. She could only smile, unable to speak, afraid that if she opened her mouth, tears would fall...

Whether it was the darkness of the night or the moisture in her eyes, she could barely see the person in front of her. Her eyes widened as she stared ahead, shaking her head repeatedly, her voice heavy as the endless darkness: "Father, what should I do? I have no family left. Mother is dead… Father is dead, Master… is dead too. Are you going to kill me too…? Are you here to kill me…? Why did it have to come to this? What do you want…? Wouldn't it be better if everyone lived…? Why… did someone have to die? We were all raised by you… weren't we? What are you doing? What do you want…?"

Ye Junshan stared at the person in front of him without speaking. In his memory, she had never cried since she was old enough to understand things, but now, perhaps even she herself did not know that she was already in tears.

After an unknown amount of time, Ye Junshan slowly spoke: "I...did not intend to kill Rong Hua."

Ye Changsheng laughed, she laughed out loud, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hissed, "How could you... how could you... still say such things even now..." She screamed hoarsely, "What are you going to do... do you really want to kill everyone in the world?"

Ye Junshan did not answer. Looking at the daughter he had raised for seventeen years, he was momentarily lost in thought: "You look so much like him... I have never beaten him, even if he is dead... I still can't beat him... Sheng'er, don't blame me..." His eyes sharpened, and he shouted loudly to the people behind him: "Zhu Luan, take him away."

Another dark figure flashed down from the wall and leaped toward the corpse behind Ye Changsheng. Ye Changsheng turned around quickly and was about to make a move, but was stopped by Ye Junshan's sword. Zhu Luan pounced as fast as a hawk. Just as Changsheng was blocked by Ye Junshan, she swept Helan Ronghua up and in the blink of an eye, she had reached the top of the wall.

Ye Changsheng retreated swiftly, half-supported on the ground, cold sweat beading on her forehead—Ye Junshan landed gracefully, already back in front of Zhu Luan.

The two were ten feet apart, their eyes meeting.

Immediately afterward, with a "snap," Ye Changsheng drew the dagger from his boot, leaped up in an instant, and chased after Zhu Luan in the direction she had left. With a "crack," a burst of white light erupted in the air. Ye Junshan's longsword deflected Ye Changsheng's dagger back. His internal strength was profound, and his swordsmanship was precise, showing no signs of someone whose tendons had been severed.

Ye Changsheng clutched her chest, panting heavily, her breathing becoming more and more rapid. She supported herself with her other hand, her fingers buried deep in the soil.

With a whooshing sound of clothes fluttering in the air, Ye Changsheng rose up from the ground, his dagger gleaming like autumn water, brighter than the moon in the sky! He aimed directly at Zhu Luan's heart. Zhu Luan hurriedly retreated, but because she was holding someone, she couldn't free her hands. With a shout, a person and a sword shot towards her like cranes soaring through the clouds. Ye Junshan had already arrived, meeting Ye Changsheng's attack with his own sword. The weapons clashed, and the light of blades flashed.

For a moment, Zhu Luan felt that Ye Changsheng harbored the intention of mutual destruction and mutual destruction!

She wasn't fighting desperately like a cornered beast; perhaps—perhaps—she just wanted to vent. To vent the dissatisfaction she had forgotten, to vent the resentment that belonged to Ye Sheng.

The moon is very round tonight. A night with a full moon is supposed to be a time for family reunions, but instead, these people who are supposed to be relatives are fighting each other.

He could even see that the veins on the back of Ye Changsheng's hand, which was gripping the dagger, were bulging, and that her body was trembling slightly.

Suddenly, Ye Junshan's voice came from ahead. He said in a deep voice, "You go first..." He was naturally referring to himself. Zhu Luan nodded slightly, glanced at Ye Changsheng, and got up to leave.

"You killed Zhu Yun, didn't you..." Ye Changsheng's emotionless voice rang out behind him—Zhu Luan shuddered and froze in place.

"Hurry up and leave!" Ye Junshan snapped.

Zhu Luan was stunned for a moment, then darted away and disappeared into the dense forest in a few leaps.

Ye Changsheng crossed Ye Junshan, trying to catch up with Zhu Luan. Just a few steps away, a piercing pain shot through her chest, her vision went black, and like a phoenix with broken wings, she slowly collapsed...

Ye Junshan caught her and gently placed her on the ground. He looked at her for a long time, then leaped away and disappeared into the vast night.

As Ye Chang collapsed, he gazed in the direction Zhu Luan had left and slowly closed his eyes. Darkness gradually enveloped him, something within him shattered, and the image of that person slowly faded into oblivion. She realized there were so many things she hadn't said to him…

Once lost, it's gone forever...

Everything seemed to be over. No one pursued the matter, no one reminisced. Those things vanished so quickly as if they had never existed... The turbulent waves and twists and turns in between, without resolution or result, dissipated with the sobbing night wind, like a dream.

In early spring in Jiangling, the sun shines brightly, casting golden rays. The shadows of ancient locust trees pierce the long windows of the Ye family's main hall. A gentle breeze stirs, causing the bamboo curtains to flutter and the white screen to gleam. The weather is warm and fine. Outside the window, the water ripples, and white lotuses stretch for miles.

When Ye Changsheng opened her eyes again, she was somewhat dazed to find herself lying on a bed. She reached out her hand and could almost feel the cool jade mat on the bed and the chirping of birds outside the window.

Is this the Su residence? Or... the Fansheng Garden?

She actually returned to Jiangling, back to the Ye family mansion? Where is Li Huangyin? Where is Jia Ling?

Just as she was feeling extremely confused, the curtain suddenly moved and a person walked in. Then she heard a woman's gentle voice, "Sheng'er, what time is it? Why haven't you gotten up yet? Today is your eighteenth birthday, and your friends are all waiting outside."

Looking at the beautiful and virtuous woman before him, Ye Changsheng asked in surprise, "Who...who are you? How did I get here?"

"Silly child, why don't you recognize your mother after waking up?" She took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the sweat from Ye Changsheng's forehead. "Look at you, covered in sweat. Did you have some nightmare?"

Ye Changsheng swallowed hard, then asked incredulously, "Are you Pan Yuerong?"

"This child, why are you calling your mother by her first name?" A very pleasant male voice came from outside the door.

Changsheng stared at the newcomer, stunned for a moment, then her eyes stung with tears. She stammered, "Father..."

"How did this child become so silly after taking a nap? Hurry up and put on your clothes." Liang Ning's voice was filled with laughter. "The guests are all waiting. Your Uncle Ye has been urging us several times. Huang Yin was outside the door and insisted on barging in, but I stopped her. Do you remember what your father said? When you turn eighteen, you can change back into women's clothes and go out to travel."

"I know, I know, my husband, you should go out and greet the guests. I need to change my clothes..." Pan Yuerong said with a smile as she pushed Liang Ning out the door.

"You..." Ye Changsheng's eyes remained fixed, as if she feared that everything would vanish in the blink of an eye. She watched helplessly as Pan Yurong brought out sets of moon-white long gowns for her, helped her put them on one by one, and then tied her hair up with a ribbon. Changsheng stroked the delicate lotus patterns on the clothes, her eyes welling up with tears.

She watched as the servants rolled up the bamboo curtain. A gentle breeze blew in, and Ye Changsheng looked out at the lotus pond with its rippling blue waters, stretching for miles with lotus blossoms...

Pan Yuerong pushed her out of the house. She walked somewhat dazedly in the bright spring sunshine. The corridor was lined with maids carrying fruit; they blushed at her sight and quickly hid to the side. Changsheng entered the main hall and saw one familiar face after another: Ye Junshan, Uncle Hu Zi, Uncle Gongsun, Ling Baiyu, Bai Qiuling, and Han Dang and Qi Niang… He heard their laughter, blessings, and praises…

She stood still, watching carefully, not wanting to miss a single detail. She watched Gongsun Xi joking around, watched Bai Qiuling flirting with Ling Baiyu, and she smiled as she watched them…

Just then, Li Huangyin gently patted her shoulder, pointed to the depths of the lotus pond, and said softly, "Chang Sheng, someone is waiting for you there. Go..."

Ye Changsheng nodded in confusion and walked in that direction.

She stepped out of the threshold and walked along the lotus pond.

Willow branches droop with the color of children, pear blossoms and snow-white birds. Under the green window, peach and plum trees stand. The wind sways, the mist is hazy, and the tender green branches and spring blossoms are vibrant.

Red lotuses sway gently in the autumn mist. Light clouds stir in the breeze below the ridge.

The lotus leaves rippled gently in the breeze, and the pure white lotus flowers exuded a delicate fragrance.

In a daze, she saw a man standing with his back to her on the white jade steps by the lotus pond. The bright sunlight shone on him, bathing him in a white light, making him appear as quiet and peaceful as a lingering fragrance of sandalwood.

The figure was tall and handsome, standing against the light, surrounded by a soft white light that seemed to emanate from him, melting and intertwining like threads.

The man seemed to hear footsteps, slowly turned his head, and stood quietly in front of her. Beneath his long, dark eyebrows were a pair of deep eyes. The moment he turned and smiled, it was as if he had crushed a gentle breeze and washed away the sunshine. His smile was gentle and elegant, and his eyes were like two clear springs, serene and soothing, making people unconsciously want to get closer.

Those eyes held that familiar smile.

His expression was calm and composed as he gazed at me. His refined and elegant face held a hint of expectation, tinged with lingering tenderness. He slowly extended his hand towards me.

"Sheng'er, come here..."

Her heart was like a lotus flower stretching for miles, graceful and swaying gently in the breeze. She gazed at him quietly, a beautiful smile blooming on her lips…

It turned out it was all just a dream. When she woke up, everything was still around her; she had never lost anything...

Even though she had realized that it was all just a dream...

The red candle on the table weeps.

The flickering candlelight was alluring and enchanting in the darkness, its warm yellow light spreading in layers, shimmering and dazzling, captivating the eye.

Li Huangyin stood with her hands behind her back, covering Ye Changsheng with a blanket.

He walked to the window, looked at the dark night outside, and sighed softly.

I still remember it.

On New Year's Eve at dusk, the streets of Jiangling were nearly deserted. A few street vendors were packing up their stalls to go home for their reunion dinner. The sky was so overcast it seemed almost icy, and a gust of cold wind swept through, causing large, fluffy snowflakes to fall. Shop signs fluttered in the wind, and passersby, carrying loads on their shoulders, tucked their necks into their collars.

Behind the octagonal gate on the east side of the main road, in a secluded alley, a small clinic had recently opened. Calling it a clinic was an understatement; it was even worse than the coffin shop across the street. The door creaked and groaned, dilapidated and flimsy. A banner in front of the shop faintly bore the words "Peaceful Clinic." The furnishings inside were very simple: a low table, a medicine cabinet, and rows of ceramic medicine jars.

At this moment, a young woman dressed in gray cloth was holding a medicine pot and quietly pounding the medicine.

A middle-aged woman carrying a basket was passing by the door. Seeing this, she peeked inside and called out, "Dr. Ye, you're working so hard. Why are you still busy at this hour? It's New Year's Eve, everyone should be having their reunion dinner. Where's your husband?"

The woman brushed a strand of hair from her temple with the back of her hand, looked up and smiled gently, replying, "He's making dumplings in the kitchen. I'll go over as soon as I'm done." The older woman chuckled upon hearing this and praised her repeatedly, "Dr. Ye has truly married a good husband! It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now." The young woman nodded, watched her leave, and then lowered her head again to continue grinding the medicine.

As dusk settled, red gauze lanterns were hung in twos and threes along the street, swaying gently in the cold wind. Another year was almost over.

The woman stood up, rubbed her now-cold hands, and stared blankly at the desolate street.

Suddenly, someone hugged her from behind. He held her cold hand in his own and said gently, "I told you I'd get those herbs. Your hands are so cold. It's getting cold, so wear more clothes. The dumplings are ready. Let's have our New Year's Eve dinner."

The woman nodded and was led into the kitchen by the man. Their house wasn't large, so the New Year's Eve dinner was served on a small low table in the kitchen. She sat down, looking at the man in front of her, then at the large bowl of dumplings in front of her—not exactly beautiful, but each one was plump, with a few scallions floating on the surface of the soup, making it quite appealing. She took a deep breath and smiled, "It smells so good..."

The candlelight was soft and warm, and the man opposite smiled slightly, saying, "I'm glad you like it." His voice was like a clear spring gurgling from a high mountain, very melodious and pleasant to hear.

The woman picked up her chopsticks, took a small bite of a dumpling, then paused as if she had thought of something. She put down her chopsticks and said somewhat dejectedly, "I'm sorry."

"What's wrong?" The man put down his chopsticks and asked, looking at her.

“I can’t even cook…and I often break things in the house…and now you’re the one who makes the New Year’s Eve dinner…” The woman sighed softly, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

“It’s alright,” the man said, his eyebrows curving upwards and a smile playing at the corners of his eyes, gazing at her intently as he asked, “Are you feeling better lately?”

The woman shook her head and sighed, "It's still a bit blurry..."

The man frowned, placed his hand on the back of the woman's hand, and said softly, "Don't worry, it will be alright."

The woman nodded and then buried her head in her noodles again.

The candlelight was warm and inviting. The woman ate half of her meal, then patted her stomach. The man opposite her looked up, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "If you can't eat anymore, then don't."

The woman shook her head, pointed to the half-bowl of dumplings in front of her, and said, "We can't waste them."

The man smiled indulgently, poured all the dumplings from her bowl into his own, and said with a smile, "Then I'll reluctantly eat yours too."

"It's half a portion," the woman said, somewhat embarrassed, but still earnestly arguing.

“Longevity…” The man suddenly raised his head and stared at the woman for a long time.

"Huh?" The woman looked up and stared at him blankly.

"It's nothing..." The man's exquisite face shone brightly in the candlelight, his charm undiminished even in coarse gray clothes. He paused, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes, "After the New Year's Eve dinner... let's go watch the fireworks..."

"Okay." The woman nodded with a smile. The man finished clearing away the dishes and chopsticks, then took her hand and walked out of the yard.

The sky is vast and boundless, dotted with countless stars.

The two sat on the rooftop, waiting patiently. The night wind was a bit chilly, and Li Huangyin held Ye Changsheng in her arms, trying to keep her warm.

"Did we watch fireworks like this before?" Ye Changsheng suddenly asked.