Schatzkammer von Jianghu

Kapitel 41

The stone path and clouds are all dark, only the fire in the small building shines brightly. Just a few more steps forward, and that light and warmth will be within reach.

Qiu Yeyi's chest pounded wildly, the throbbing pain within him like a dragon rising from the depths, threatening to erupt. "Being hunted like a dog..." The words escaped his lips, his face contorted in a ferocious tremor, as if an invisible hand were squeezing his bones, making them crack. With a violent tremor, he raised his hand and mercilessly slapped it against his own chest.

He realized he couldn't stop the pain in his heart. He coughed twice, then raised his eyes and stared blankly at the tiny point of light ahead. The shimmering yellow halo, radiating mystery, concealed itself in endless darkness. This scene made his gaze wander aimlessly, and the long-suppressed bitterness finally escaped from his chest.

He recalled many complicated past events.

A pair of eyes remained etched in his memory—the eyes of Chu Yi. On Changshi Street, who could have the resolve to venture alone into danger? Who could be so brave as to draw their sword? Who could maintain the cold, fierce look in their eyes while writhing in pain? It could only be the abandoned child, Chu Yi. But this person was actually a woman, and she had escaped his grasp time and again, catching his attention.

"Why did you grant my wish? First year of junior high?" Qiu Yeyi muttered to himself, staggering a few steps before grabbing a pillar to steady himself. "Three Ape Gorge, Ancient Well Terrace, you're everywhere, why did you grant my wish? Why did you appear before me!" His face was deathly pale, his breathing rapid, and an unnatural blush began to rise on his handsome face: "Do you know how shocked and overjoyed I was to meet you this time?"

The night sky was dark, windless, and starless. Autumn leaves, like swords, lingered beneath the tree, their fiery intensity piercing through the leaves and soaring into the deep night. He clenched his fists like a trapped beast, surprised by the intense surge of jealousy within him. Why did he harbor such resentment for not saying a word or glancing at her more? Why did seeing her smile so familiarly and friendly with Guang feel like a thorn in his heart? Why did the thought of killing Chu Xuan arise when she stared at him in a daze? A clear, turbulent current seemed to surge into his heart, forcing him to confront his feelings—a feeling he had never experienced before: joy mixed with fear, heartache mixed with panic.

He remembered the underwater room on Wufang Island, the place where he practiced his martial arts. He had spent twenty years in that tranquil, crystal-clear palace, twenty years of uneventful, uneventful life, until he met Chu Yi. No opponent could be as patient and bold as Chu Yi, who had entered his world with an unwavering courage, and who could be his equal. Only now did he realize that this was the very thing that had initially stirred his heart.

Now, Chu Yi is within his reach, yet he can't touch her. He's afraid that if he takes her body, she'll disappear without a trace. The only time he approached her, Chu Yi's frightened expression remained vivid in his memory.

Qiu Yeyi couldn't help but raise his hand and look at his palm. His palm was stained with blood; visible were the drops of blood from his coughs, but unseen were the bloodstains from the days he had forced Chu Yi to endure it. He felt a chill run through his body again, and he felt despair, a desolation far more intense and painful than the vast emptiness of the ocean depths he had once known.

A few words from Chu Yi plunged him into an abyss of no return. Every night, he would stand before her, gazing longingly at her face. This joy came too quickly, so happiness went far away, and it couldn't erase the coldness he felt at that moment.

"You're on my left, and I crave your scent." Qiu Ye Yi Jian smiled bitterly, like a bewitching begonia blooming in the night, her hands clenched tightly. "Now, standing here, I feel like dying. People used to say I was cruel and cold-blooded, and I didn't care at all. But you say the same thing about me today. It feels like there's an awl in my chest, slowly scraping my heart. This pain is worse than any poison inflicted on my body. But even this short time away from you, without seeing you, makes me feel uneasy. I feel like I've lost something. Chu Yi, I'd rather you kill me than have you hate me."

Qiu Ye stood frantically in the courtyard, his eyes bloodshot, a terrifying sight. His hair was tangled, his clothes fluttering, and his pale, bloodless face stood out in the wind like a sinister demon. His mind was in turmoil, filled only with Leng Shuangcheng's cold eyes. Overwhelmed with grief, he finally groaned and vomited a mouthful of blood.

Everything around him was already blurred, his vision and hearing were obscured by darkness and chaos. He kept repeating the two phrases over and over: "Disregarding human life and playing with emotions, vicious, cruel, and ruthless." Sometimes he would recite them quickly and vaguely, and sometimes he would pronounce them slowly and coldly, word by word. He muttered to himself as he walked forward slowly and silently.

In the backyard of the Ye residence, there was a secluded pond. Amidst the chilly spring air, a cool fragrance wafted through the air, refreshing and invigorating. Qiu Yeyi, drawn by the scent, unknowingly arrived at this place.

Even with his eyes closed, he couldn't banish the voice of deep hatred from his mind. He couldn't help but smile coldly, as if mocking his own ignorance and shallowness, and without hesitation, he lunged at the artificial hill.

……

Leng Shuang had been standing before the pillar for a long time, gradually calming his wild, galloping anger. The night was cool as water, and a chill like a net enveloped him, soon soaking his clothes with a misty sheen, a chill that penetrated to the bone.

She slowly walked to her room, pushed open the door, and went inside. The room was pitch black and completely silent.

Leng Shuangcheng silently sat down in the armchair, her mind restless as she thought about the past. After a while, the light from outside the window shone softly.

A crystal-clear gauze palace lantern was held on a slender, fair wrist. As the person approached slowly, a serene and profound face turned around.

Leng Shuangcheng rose indifferently, lowered her eyes, and slightly raised the corner of her mouth: "Does Young Master have any further instructions?"

Qiu Ye gently placed the gauze lantern on the sword and stood three feet away from Leng Shuangcheng without saying a word, gazing at her with deep eyes.

A cool spring night breeze swept by, causing the white jade palace cup to sway gently, shattering the delicate, translucent light and shadow on the ground. Under the flickering light, Leng Shuangcheng's face remained distant and silent.

Leng Shuangcheng lowered her eyelids and waited for a long time. She noticed the icy aura flowing in front of her and looked at her in the light. Only then did she see clearly that Qiu Yeyi was wearing only a single layer of clothing. Her hair was slightly messy, and there were several torn wounds on her face, wrists, chest, and even the top and bottom of her clothes, with faint traces of blood seeping out.

Leng Shuangcheng was taken aback, but tried her best to remain calm: "Should we summon the imperial physician?"

Qiu Yeyi stared into the pair of cold, clear eyes before her, and before she even realized what she was doing, she had already touched her eyelids—Leng Shuangcheng hurriedly retreated, but ended up in front of her seat.

Two slender, snow-white fingers touched her eyes, startling and angering her, but her movements were hindered and her inner energy insufficient to avoid them. Just as she was furious, Qiu Yeyi's hand caressed her cheek, gently stroking it, and then he lowered his head and kissed those thin lips that he had longed for for so long.

9. Distracted

Leng Shuangcheng's eyes hardened with ice. She tried desperately to dodge, but couldn't escape his grasp. Taking advantage of the brief moment his lips brushed against her ear, she cried out in surprise, "Qiu Ye Yi Jian!"

Qiu Yeyijian cupped her face in his hands, gazing at her with a sly smile: "You can't escape. Even if your inner strength doesn't diminish, you can't escape my grasp." His smile was breathtakingly beautiful and confident. His eyes held a deep depth, a far cry from his usual coldness, now etched with unwavering determination.

Leng Shuangcheng, caught in a fit of shock and anger, didn't even look at him before striking his wide-open ribs with both palms. A low groan was heard, but he neither dodged nor avoided the blows, taking them head-on while still holding her firmly in his arms.

The moment he touched her body, all the suppressed, painful emotions in his body poured out like a raging torrent—Qiu Ye Yi Jian kissed her lips, eyebrows, temples, and neck fiercely. Wherever his lips touched, he gnawed deeply, completely ignoring the furious roars of the person held in his arms.

Leng Shuangcheng struggled left and right, writhing in Qiu Yeyijian's arms with difficulty. She had never been treated like this before, which made her lose her composure. Just as she was about to curse, his icy lips seized the opportunity to enter her mouth, churning and plundering her taste. She raised her hand to kill him, but her arm was barely freed. He took the opportunity to grab her tightly and entangle her between his fingers.

Leng Shuangcheng was breathless from his kisses, and could only moan like a little beast struggling to survive on his lips. His nose was filled with a light and ethereal fragrance, his mouth tasted the bitter and slightly hot blood, and his fingertips felt a wild and surging pulse. Leng Shuangcheng's entire body, inside and out, was branded with his fiery and tender touch.

With a ripping sound, her long dress was finally torn off, and a long, slender, strong hand with cool, snow-white fingertips touched her chest. She was held tightly in his passionate embrace, and the intense surge of desire made her open her eyes wide in shock and anger, but her lips could not utter a word—as he swallowed her mouth fiercely.

Qiu Yeyi's warm lips traced a path from her brow and lips to her shoulder and neck. When his hand touched a daisy-like scar, he couldn't help but gently bite her thin, fair shoulder, feeling a raging fire within him. Just as he was dizzily tearing at her binding bodice with his lips instead of his hands, he heard her voice, which was trying to remain calm but trembling slightly: "Prince Qiu Ye, do you really want my body?"

In the dim light of the candlelight, Leng Shuangcheng's shoulders slumped, her deep, cold eyes staring straight at the air in front of her, like a Taoist who had experienced countless trials, with a stubborn indifference, silently watching the suffering people.

Qiu Ye felt a pang of pain in her heart. The burning heat throughout her body gradually subsided, but she still couldn't bear to let go of her, holding her close to her chest. She sighed with deep regret. Sensing the growing resistance from the person in her arms, she hugged her waist tightly, lowered her head, and whispered in her ear, "Don't move."

Leng Shuangcheng misunderstood his meaning. Taking advantage of the moment when Qiu Yeyijian was unable to grab her, she swung her elbow sharply, breaking through the ambiguous and cold air, and struck his left rib with a bang.

Qiu Yeyi couldn't dodge the sword again, and took the blow in a dull thud. He frowned, his handsome and firm eyebrows furrowed, and he turned to the side and released his grip.

Leng Shuangcheng gave a cold laugh, looked directly into his eyes which were filled with lust and pain, and said in an icy tone, "Your Highness is not in very good health right now."

Qiu Yeyi pursed her pale purple lips, slowly straightening her body. Her long, narrow phoenix eyes shimmered with a captivating light as she calmly said, "Chu Yi, I'm not having an easy time either." Her tone was depressed and low, quite different from her usual cold and aloof demeanor. He gazed intently and greedily at the icy face before him, a long sigh escaping his lips: After devising a way to escape me, she discovered I was also injured internally, and then brazenly threatened me, saying she would fight to the death if I made another move.

Leng Shuangcheng stared at him and smiled sinisterly again. She even mimicked the way he had been scolded by him for changing clothes the first time, slowly raising her hands: "Master, aren't you going to do it yourself?"

Qiu Yeyi stared at her silently for a long time, her thoughts surging like a tide. Unable to bear it any longer, she finally blurted out a few words: "You cold-hearted..." She bit her lip, gave her a deep look, and left with a cold face and her hands hanging down.

Only after Qiu Yeyi's silhouette had completely disappeared from the window did Leng Shuangcheng slump heavily into a chair, weak and drenched in sweat. She then realized that her sweat-soaked clothes were cold as ice.

……

The sun rose in the east, and the sky was clear and bright. Although it wasn't a gentle breeze or the first clear day after the rain, the capital city welcomed its first festival with such pleasant weather—the Lantern Festival. Since the winter solstice before the New Year, Kaifeng Prefecture had erected wooden sheds in front of the palace, facing the Xuande Tower. Tourists had already gathered under the eaves of the Imperial Street, waiting for the evening market to begin.

The Ye residence was bustling with activity and filled with joy. Servants passing by the young master's residence greeted him with smiles. The approachable Leng Shuangcheng returned a slight smile, and after watching the visitors leave, he remained standing motionless outside the pavilion.

Dressed in new clothes, Yin Guang hurried over from afar. When he reached Leng Shuangcheng, he raised his head and bowed, asking, "Chu Yi, how is the young master?"

When Leng Shuangcheng saw him, her eyes lit up slightly: "The old imperial physician is treating him inside." Seeing his worried expression, she just sneered inwardly: How could such a eccentric person catch a cold?

Yin Guang looked up at the airtight pavilion and said anxiously, "Why isn't he coming out yet? There's no one in the manor to look after us."

Leng Shuangcheng's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Where is Steward Bai?"

"It's strange, but Steward Bai has been missing ever since last night." After glancing at Leng Shuangcheng, Yin Guang stammered, "Steward Bai's personal maidservant went into the young master's room to light a lamp for her, but she hasn't been seen returning since."

Leng Shuangcheng was startled and wondered where Bai Li had gone. He remained silent for a moment.

Yin Guang looked at Leng Shuangcheng, seemingly having endured for a long time, before softly asking, "Chu Yi, tell me the truth, what exactly happened to the young master?"

Leng Shuangcheng snapped out of her daze, looked at him, and said, "You'll have to ask your young master."

Yin Guang sized up Leng Shuangcheng, noticing his blue brocade robe and calm, unpretentious expression. He refrained from speaking out of suspicion. "There's something else strange," he said, "the rockery in the backyard is gone."

This news shocked Leng Shuangcheng even more than Bai Li's disappearance—Bai Li might have been secretly hidden away by Qiu Yeyijian. How could the artificial mountain made of rocks have been moved? Did he so violently bury Bai Li in the artificial mountain? Then how come I'm unharmed? What about Wu You's Gu poison? A deep sense of astonishment welled up in her heart. She looked back at the sealed doorway and turned to Yin Guang, saying, "Please trouble Young Master Yin Guang to keep an eye on things. I'll be right back."

After receiving Silverlight's approval, she hurriedly rushed to the backyard.

A winding path leads to a secluded spot where a pond, about an acre in size, suddenly appears. The soft glow of the morning sun spills onto the emerald lake, causing it to shimmer and sparkle like twinkling stars. Along the shore, plum blossoms bloom in the early spring, their cool fragrance filling the air.

Leng Shuangcheng lowered her head and walked around the corridor, carefully examining the scene. She was filled with doubt and unease: the artificial mountain had turned into fragments and scattered into the pond, settling to the bottom. But instead of the powder and stars scattering, large chunks of it had been knocked down by the force of a palm strike. Could there have been a fierce battle here yesterday? She hesitated for a moment and stood by the railing of a curved bridge, reaching out to brush off a bit of the powder to examine it.

"If you have any doubts, just ask. I'll answer you." A voice, each word distinct and deliberate, suddenly came from behind her, causing Leng Shuangcheng's back to stiffen. Her heart skipped a beat. She gritted her teeth, turned around, lowered her eyes, and bowed respectfully with a blank expression: "Young Master."

Qiu Yeyi, draped in a silver mink coat with a front opening, over which lay a sky-blue robe with wide sleeves, slowly emerged from the desolate plum grove, coughing softly. His figure was incomparably handsome and elegant, though his face was as pale as snow. The air was thick with the fragrance of plum blossoms, a poignant reminder of spring's fleeting chill. He walked straight ahead, seemingly carrying the delicate, crisp scent from afar towards Leng Shuangcheng, overwhelming her with its fragrance.

Leng Shuangcheng steadied herself and remained lying still.

“Chu Yi, I know what you mean, you just want to remind me to maintain my dignity, right?” Qiu Ye Yi Jian spoke calmly, “But it depends on whether I’m willing or not.” He finally stopped in front of Leng Shuang Cheng, looking down at her spread-out black hair: “Stand up and talk, I need to be able to see your face.”

Leng Shuangcheng pursed her lips, cursed viciously in her heart, then silently stood up and took two steps back without leaving a trace. Qiu Yeyi suddenly reached out and grabbed her body. As if he had expected it, Leng Shuangcheng hurriedly dodged to the side, but she was still grabbed by the end of her hair after only one move.

— Qiu Ye Yi Jian didn't suffer much internal injury at all, yet I can't dodge a single move now.

Leng Shuangcheng's mind raced, and she stood silently without struggling. Qiu Yeyijian glanced at her face, then continued to grasp her hair, pulling her towards his chest. How could Leng Shuangcheng not understand Qiu Yeyijian's intentions? She suppressed her anger and coldly struck out with her right hand, but Qiu Yeyijian caught it, saying indifferently, "Be gentle, you broke my left rib yesterday."

Leng Shuangcheng thought for a moment and said, "It is said that the young master is a man of his word. Since the young master has agreed to serve me for three years, I suppose the young master will not force me to commit suicide at this moment."

Qiu Ye Yi Jian smiled silently, perhaps somewhat afraid of her stubborn and fickle nature. He released her hair with his left hand, grasped her wrist with his right, and led her towards the pavilion in the center of the bridge. As soon as he let go, Leng Shuang Cheng steadily took a few steps back and stood against the railing.

Qiu Yeyijian watched all this, then sat down indifferently, staring at the figure in front of her: "I have a few questions for you, and you must answer them truthfully." Seeing that she remained silent, he couldn't help but remind her: "You owe me five questions."

"Please, young master."

Qiu Ye Yi Jian was silent for a moment, then asked in a light voice, "What's Chu Yi's name?"

"Leng Shuangcheng".

He silently repeated "Leng Shuangcheng" several times, etching the name into his heart. "Where is his ancestral home?"

"Red Maple Ferry in Yangzhou".

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Yeyi couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth, revealing the spring sunshine after the snow melted: "Running around, you're still my person." Leng Shuangcheng didn't care about or care about anything about him, so she ignored the meaning of his words and silently waited for the next three questions. Moreover, she could also guess that Qiu Yeyi could find out that she was not from Yangzhou in this dynasty based on these two points alone. As for whether to ask again later, that would depend on whether she was willing to answer.

Seeing that she ignored him, Qiu Yeyijian seemed to be used to it and continued to ask indifferently, "Why were you peeking at Chu Xuan?"

Caught off guard, Leng Shuangcheng was stunned and replied, "What?"

"Why were you staring at Chu Xuan so intently during the celebration?" Qiu Yeyi emphasized each word.

Leng Shuangcheng hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously: "Young Master Chu's demeanor is very similar to that of my old friend Chu Yi, and he also possesses a magnanimous and compassionate heart. Not only Chu Yi, but I think all who see him will feel the urge to emulate his virtue."

“Compassionate and merciful,” Qiu Yeyijian repeated coldly, his eyes darkening into a deep cloud. “You are usually extremely quiet, yet you actually spoke a few words for Chu Xuan. Chu Xuan must indeed have extraordinary abilities.”

Upon hearing this, Leng Shuangcheng realized how familiar the words sounded. She felt uneasy and even regretful, as if she had misspoke, trying to cover something up. Chu Xuan's life was still in Qiu Yeyi's hands, and judging from his unfriendly tone, given his cold-blooded nature, he would surely persecute Chu Xuan if she wasn't careful. She pressed her lips together with worry, ignoring his repeated use of the phrase "compassionate and empathetic."

For a moment, the waterside pavilion fell silent again.

The pavilions and white clouds reflect each other, swaying quietly in the clear blue water, surrounding the shy hibiscus buds. A gentle breeze rustles through the forest, shaking off plum petals that flutter down. Two figures, like engraved characters, stand and sit, silently immersed in such a beautiful scene.

Qiu Ye Yijian was unaware that his gaze was as ardent as the bright summer stars. He simply followed his instincts and kept staring at the silent profile in front of him. The smooth facial contours, the long, drooping eyelashes, and the face that was always silent and hidden in the shadows all made him infatuated and heartbroken.

His eyes turned deep again, and before he realized his own abnormality and confusion, he had already reached out to grab the silhouette.

10. Reincarnation

A sudden, cold fragrance wafted up, and the sound of wind drew near. Leng Shuangcheng was startled and quickly retreated. Just as she took a step to the left, she was caught in the arms of the newcomer—Qiu Yeyijian had calculated everything perfectly, and just like that, he held her tightly in his arms.

He held her tightly, his delicate kisses trailing like fluttering butterflies, yet he still couldn't fill the emptiness in his heart. Leng Shuangcheng struggled desperately, but after failing to break free in his warm yet firm embrace, she was overcome with grief and indignation and began to curse: "Qiuye Yijian, shameless scoundrel! How could Mr. Dongge have entrusted me to you..." Her voice was intermittent, uttering incoherent sentences.

"Alright." Qiu Yeyijian lingered for a moment, lightly kissing her lips before speaking coldly and reservedly, "You were originally mine, Dongge just sent you back..." — It was unlikely that his years of indifference, ingrained in his very being, would transform into a passionate tone in such a brief moment; this change in tone had already unconsciously revealed his true feelings.