When love draws near, it's like snow

Chapter 47

"Why would I put my sister in such an awkward situation?" Lu Jianfeng retorted.

"I don't recall ever hearing that you siblings have such a good relationship?!" Huaiyuan's words carried a hint of mockery—the implication being: While I may have wronged her, you're not exactly any better off!

"What if I insist on saying it?" It was clear that Lu Jianfeng was deliberately provoking him.

"You won't." Huaiyuan's voice was damnably certain.

"What makes you think that?" Lu Jianfeng's words already carried a hint of anger.

"Because this doesn't align with your purpose for coming," Huaiyuan stated calmly, pointing out the fact. Indeed, since he was representing Master Lu to discuss the marriage, he couldn't afford to create unnecessary complications. Doing so would only prolong the marriage negotiations, which suited Huaiyuan's intentions perfectly. Was this Huaiyuan's plan? To make the Lu family back down? To subdue them without a fight? But could things really be that simple?

“Jiang Mohui, you are indeed cunning.” Lu Jianfeng’s tone was sarcastic, sounding very unwilling. “However, you’ve misunderstood one thing—although you, Jiang Mohui, have always acted arrogantly, I, Lu Jianfeng, am not one to play by the rules! What benefit would it bring me to facilitate this marriage?!”

"If you want to mess it up, go ahead." Huaiyuan's cold voice rang out—was he truly indifferent to the marriage being ruined? Or was he certain Lu Jianfeng wouldn't dare? —I'm truly confused. Huaiyuan has never shown such a cold and ruthless side to me before. I can't tell from his words whether he's sincere or not. —I'm truly afraid. Is he still the Huaiyuan I know?!

"Hahaha!" Lu Jianfeng, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly burst into wild laughter. Then, he abruptly stopped laughing and coldly mocked, "The Heartless Sword truly lives up to its name, it really cuts off all feelings and love. However, I'd like to know if you dare to say those words again in front of that tomboy surnamed Ye?"

"It doesn't matter who comes." There was no emotion in Huaiyuan's voice—he didn't even have time to think before casually stabbing me in the heart.

"Could the rumors in the martial arts world be wrong? You didn't actually take a fancy to that girl?" Lu Jianfeng's voice was half doubtful and half probing.

"Do you think I'm that stupid?!" Huaiyuan responded with his usual indifference, without giving a direct answer.

"Jiang Mohui, you're ruthless." Lu Jianfeng spat out the words through gritted teeth. "Farewell!"

"No need to see me out." Then came a deathly silence—had they all left? My tense nerves finally relaxed—only then did I realize that, although it was late autumn, my clothes were soaked with cold sweat. The golden moon hanging high in the sky reflected coldly on my window, sending chills down my spine.

I closed my weary eyes and leaned limply against the door, tears of sorrow silently streaming down my face—I realized how terrifying habit can be. I had long since grown accustomed to Huaiyuan's gentleness, his companionship, his scent, and my attachment to him… so I took it all for granted, forgetting to think, to analyze, to discern the truth from falsehood! And when I discovered it was all merely a tactic of his, it was already too late for redemption!

But all those moments from the past year—the warm time we spent together in Wushan; his quiet companionship in Jiangling; his meticulous care in daily life; our deep affection at Xuanwu Lake; our sweet kisses… I truly cannot believe that all of this was just my imagination? I refuse to believe it! Yes, I must find him—I must make him tell me clearly, face to face: does he truly love me? Perhaps he really has his reasons, perhaps he was forced to lie to Lu Jianfeng? If he is willing to defend him, to give me a reason—even if it's just a beautiful lie—I will forgive him!

I quickly wiped away my tears and rushed out the door—almost bumping into Xiaofeng who was coming right in front of me.

"Qingyang, where are you going?!" Xiaofeng grabbed my hand curiously, scrutinizing me closely. "Were you crying?!"

"No, I just got some sand in my eye." I smiled awkwardly at Xiaofeng. "I'm looking for the Master of the Manor. Do you know which courtyard he's in right now?!"

"Is it something urgent? What should we do? A message just arrived by carrier pigeon saying that something happened at Lingchuan Ranch and they've already left with the Second Master. It seems they won't be back for at least half a month!" Xiao Feng panicked upon hearing this.

"Gone?! They were just here a moment ago?!" I murmured softly, feeling utterly lost—why was it such a coincidence?! Were we destined to be apart?!

"Sister Qingyang, are you alright? Should we send a message by carrier pigeon to ask the Master to come back? He just left, he should be able to catch up! I'm going to find Shijian." Xiaofeng hurriedly ran out—how naive of her to think that Huaiyuan was the kind of person who would come running at a moment's notice? Besides, who am I to him?! What right do I have to ask him to come back?!

"No need, it's not urgent." I called out to Xiaofeng casually, "I'm just a little bored and wanted to talk to him for a bit. If he's not here, then forget it."

Time passed so slowly; every minute, every second felt like torture. I could recite Huaiyuan's words from that day backwards—human memory is truly a strange thing. Even though I deliberately tried to forget, the more I tried, the more firmly I remembered—in the end, I could almost picture Huaiyuan's posture and eyes as he spoke each word!

I've lost a significant amount of weight. I was so thin I thought I'd fall ill—strangely, however, my spirits were exceptionally high—I barely needed sleep, and every night I hoped Huaiyuan would suddenly appear at my bedside with a smile—just as he always did every time he came back from going out! Of course, the result was countless disappointments.

Finally, on that day, Xiaofeng excitedly ran over to tell me that Huaiyuan would arrive at sunset.

I handed a letter I had already written to Xiaofeng, asking her to give it to Shijian—I had arranged to meet Huaiyuan tonight; he absolutely had to make time for me. I had something to say to him—over the past twenty days, I've thought it through very clearly—I'm a modern woman with higher education, and since I've fallen in love with him, I must actively fight for this love! I can't be like women of ancient times, passively waiting for men to choose—tonight, I will tell him my love! If he's still undecided, then I'll have no choice but to sever our ties! At least I'll have tried my best, and no matter the outcome, I won't regret it! Isn't that right?!

Sitting quietly before the bronze mirror, gazing at the girl whose brows were furrowed with sorrow, whose eyes held a hint of resentment, and whose face revealed a sense of loneliness, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness—where had the confident, composed, carefree, and refreshingly charming Ye Qing gone?!

She pulled out a light blue dress from the bottom of the closet and carefully put it on. She lightly brushed her eyebrows and touched up her lips. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw a hint of shyness, adding a touch of charm, and she no longer appeared so frail. —I didn't want to confess my feelings to him while dressed as a man; I wanted him to know that I, Ye Qing, am a girl one hundred percent!

Seeing that it was already late, I figured Huaiyuan must have escaped from his countless official duties by now. I left Youhuang Residence, walking under the moonlight, with the resolute determination of a warrior cutting off his own arm, and slowly headed towards Liaoting Garden. Hmm, at the crossroads, should I turn left or right? Ah, right, left. Sigh! Even that road sign seemed to sense my tension, tilting slightly to one side!

The courtyard was silent—had Huaiyuan sent Shijian and Shishu away?! I took a deep breath and stepped through the gate—the jasmine by the window was still exuding its fragrance, which slightly eased my tense and uneasy mood.

"Brother Mo Hui!" Lu Rumei's voice came in—why is she here? I frowned, instinctively not wanting her to see me—and quickly hid behind the door.

"Rumei, you've arrived." Huaiyuan came out to greet me—through the crack in the door, I gazed at him greedily: he had become thinner in the twenty days since I last saw him, was he sick? His voice sounded a little hoarse.

"Brother Mo Hui, I missed you so much!" Lu Rumei, incredibly alluring, threw herself into Huaiyuan's arms and offered her fragrant lips—and he, surprisingly, didn't push her away? Instead, he reached out and hugged her tightly? I could hardly believe my eyes—but the couple passionately kissing before me was such a stark reminder of this fact? —So, this was the real reason for his hesitation?!

"Rumei!" So, Huaiyuan's voice could be so alluring and seductive? He took out a round jade pendant from his robes and personally placed it on Rumei's chest, then bent down and carried her into the inner room...

My mind was reeling, I was stunned, as if struck by lightning—that jade pendant was clearly the one I'd seen in Huaiyuan's study that day, the one carved with a dragon! If I had harbored any illusions about him, they were all shattered—he had handed over the jade pendant, clearly making his choice and giving his promise! Tears fell silently, my heart shattered into a million pieces…

This book was first published on Xiaoxiang Novel Original Website. Please retain this information when reprinting!

[Volume 3: War and Chaos, Chapter 9: Pulling Back Clothes to Ward Off the Slight Chill]

I stumbled back to Youhuang Residence, my clothes disheveled and my expression utterly dejected. Xiaofeng looked at me timidly, too afraid to approach me.

"Xiaofeng, did you give the letter to Shijian or not?" I stared intently at her, gripping her hand tightly as if it were a lifeline. I desperately hoped it was all just a dream—Huaiyuan knew I was going, so how could he do this? Unless he deliberately wanted me to see it, to discourage me? Or was he using this method to declare his unquestionable authority as a man?!

"I, I..." Xiaofeng was startled by me and stammered incoherently, nodding repeatedly without daring to meet my eyes—did I look that fierce?!

I let go of her hand in despair, silently returned to the bedroom, collapsed onto the bed, and let my tears flow freely—it turns out that happiness is really short-lived, and it can even grow wings and fly away!

Look, I'm even having this illusion now—I can actually smell Huaiyuan's scent, and even feel his embrace is still so warm?! And I can even feel his soft, warm breath brushing against my cheek?!

No! I suddenly opened my eyes—those black eyes, sparkling with a playful glint and shining like stars, could it be Huaiyuan?!

"Who was it that went to all that trouble to send a letter and tell someone to wait for her, only to sleep soundly all night?" Huaiyuan laughed so heartily. But it could no longer warm my heart—he thought I hadn't seen what happened, and he actually tried to lie to me?!

I gently broke free from his embrace and quietly observed him in the moonlight streaming through the window—how could he pretend to be nonchalant and put on such a passionate act in front of me after he had done such a cruel thing to me?!

"Huh! What day is it today? You're actually wearing a dress?!" Huaiyuan looked at me with surprise, then smiled broadly. "Did you wear this especially for me because you knew I was coming back today?!"

I remained silent, a deep bitterness welling up inside me—Huaiyuan, how could you be so cruel? Knowing full well that "a woman adorns herself for the one she loves," you stabbed me without a second thought. And yet you could so calmly ask me who I adorn myself for?!

"Qing'er, are you sick? Why have you lost so much weight?" Huaiyuan's smile gradually faded, and he reached out to touch my face with a look of concern—I subconsciously turned my head away, avoiding his touch.

His hand hung awkwardly in the air as he looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Qing'er? Are you angry with me?! The situation was urgent, and I didn't have time to tell you. I'm sorry! But I did instruct Shi Jian, didn't he tell you?!"