Eternal Night - Chapter 137
If he could, he wouldn't want her involved anymore. However, how could he leave her out? How could she believe him if he didn't let her see clearly? But was that too cruel to her? Feng Yangxi was torn. His gaze swept over Yongye's neck, and he thought blankly, what if she wasn't wearing that wooden plaque to use him?
He couldn't help but smile bitterly. Had he chosen the most difficult path to win her heart?
The sun sank into Sunset Lake, and the light inside the bamboo house gradually dimmed.
Feng Yangxi took down the zither from the wall, gently plucked the strings, and played a piece called "Qing Ping Yue." The zither music was elegant and clear, like water washing over a blue sky, full of peace and tranquility. Such music calmed his mind and also brought peace to the chaotic atmosphere of the eternal night.
The An family was the richest family in the State of Qi, and their downfall was related to the financial strength of the State of Qi.
If the An family asked Youli Valley to capture the person Yongye cared about most to blackmail her, how could the An family have found out her identity so quickly? An Boping wouldn't dare to blackmail Yongye into making a fake painting even if he knew she was the future Crown Princess.
The moonlight illuminated the lake, and the wind stirred his thoughts, which danced and shimmered like the ripples on the water. He pieced together the whole story bit by bit.
Is Youligu turning around and threatening Anjia? Why does Youligu want Anboping to stay and paint in the eternal night?
Youli Valley had been plotting for over a decade to seize the throne of Anguo, but changed his mind in an instant. After Emperor Yujia of Anguo died and Emperor Youqing ascended the throne, Youli Valley's Peony Courtyards in the capitals of various states vanished overnight. It seemed as if no action had been taken. However, in Qi, he repeatedly appeared.
Is it only because she is Xinghun, an assassin who betrayed Youli Valley, that we need to capture her?
Three days ago, after rescuing Yongye, I went back to that alley, but it was deserted. It was as if nothing had happened. The elaborate setup seemed designed to deter Yongye from acting rashly, as if just seeing for herself that Yuepo and Qiangwei were in their hands would make her afraid to act. Meanwhile, after Yongye's unexpected escape, the assassins from Youli Valley were already waiting for her on her way to the palace. What was their purpose? It seemed they only wanted to trap her, preventing her from having any contact with Murong Yan.
The breathing behind her shifted slightly before returning to normal. Feng Yangxi stopped her thoughts and turned around: "You're awake."
"Is my injury serious?"
"Hmm, the person who injured you was a master of internal martial arts. Was he from Youli Valley?"
“An Boping said that Uncle Ping is the steward of the villa. I know he is highly skilled in martial arts, and I’m afraid that if he goes back to the villa, he will never be able to get out again.” Yongye said sadly, and a dull pain shot through his chest again.
"There's no use in being anxious; they're already gone. If you want to find them, you have to take care of yourself first," Feng Yangxi gently advised.
He didn't light a lamp. In the darkness, Yongye remained silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, I will recover. I will definitely find them."
Feng Yangxi walked to the bedside, reached out and placed her hand on Yongye's wrist to feel his pulse. After a moment, she smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. He'll be fine after a few days of rest. The scenery here is excellent, which is also good for recuperation."
Why don't you kill me? Am I the person you've always wanted to kill?
Yongye stared at Feng Yangxi, confused. He remembered slapping her; he must hate her. Ever since she first killed Old Man Wang, the noodle seller, with a throwing knife eight years ago, Feng Yangxi had wanted to find her and kill her as soon as possible.
“It wasn’t your choice. I just wanted to kill the person who told you to pick up the throwing knife. He ordered too many people to kill for his own selfish reasons.”
Feng Yangxi's voice turned cold, and she suddenly smiled bitterly, "Is it because I wanted to find Xinghun and kill her that you stabbed me in the back, and that's why you were afraid to lie to me when you saw me?"
He won't kill her? Yongye couldn't accept this outcome. She murmured, "I'm afraid of you. Years ago, Youli Valley deliberately made me kill a complete stranger, a noodle vendor, just because you ate noodles at his stall every day. If I didn't obey them, they would tell you I was Xinghun, using you to kill me. For many years, every time I saw you, I thought, 'One day you will kill me...'"
As she spoke, she shivered. Feng Yangxi instantly realized this, realizing he had shot himself in the foot, and couldn't help but berate himself for being stupid. Seeing Yongye's helpless appearance, a wave of pity welled up in his heart. He smiled and said softly, "How could I kill you, you fool?"
For so many years, she had been like a mouse before a cat whenever she saw him. Her fur would stand on end in his presence. Yet this man spoke to her in such a tone, assuring her that he seemed unlikely to harm her. Yongye was momentarily bewildered. "You said you wouldn't associate with the powerful and wealthy, yet you helped Li Tianyou; you told me to return the horse, but you sold me to the Peony Courtyard, letting Li Yannian torture me… I don't believe you…"
She recalled the scene at the Chen State post station where Feng Yangxi searched for her amidst the flames, and she couldn't help but want to kill him to prevent future troubles. Even when he came to the mountains to rescue her, she considered killing him. She was truly afraid. The fear instilled in her from childhood by the Valley of Wandering had surpassed everything else. Only one thing occupied her mind: Feng Yangxi would kill her because she was the Assassin Star Soul.
Feng Yangxi was taken aback. Seeing the wariness in Yongye's eyes, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. Yongye pushed him away angrily, but Feng Yangxi only held her tighter, as if his chest was the safest place for him.
Yongye felt a strange aura surge towards him, yet it was kind and warm. He struggled until he was powerless, and finally gave up, saying in frustration, "You don't understand. I'm afraid of you, so afraid that I want to kill you every moment."
"If I'm going to kill you, I won't save you," Feng Yangxi sighed.
His voice, like a towering mountain, gradually soothed Yongye's emotions. She closed her eyes and told herself again and again that it was true, he wouldn't kill her, and she was no longer afraid of him.
Her years of fear and nightmares vanished in an instant. She only felt a lingering unease, worried that it was all just a dream in the night. When she awoke, he was still the righteous hero, about to kill her.
My mind is a mess. Why didn't he kill her? Why did he save her? Why is he being so good to her? Why?
Yongye looked up, and Feng Yangxi's eyes gleamed in the darkness. She suddenly realized how close he was, close enough to hear his heartbeat. She awkwardly stepped back, but Feng Yangxi reached out and pulled her close, kissing her lips. He didn't give her a chance to escape. His kiss was domineering yet tender, gently sucking at her lips.
Yongye stood there dumbfounded. He kissed her? Yuepo only kissed her cheek, so why was she kissed by him? Subconsciously, she lightly and crisply slapped Feng Yangxi's face.
She was small in strength, yet her applause was loud. In the silent darkness, it was like a knife slicing through harmony and warmth.
Yongye was startled and murmured, "I want to live a peaceful life with Yuepo..."
She was stunned. What did she say?
But hadn't she always wanted to live a peaceful life with Yuepo? Yuepo said he wanted to take her back to his hometown, and he hoped she would marry him. But why didn't she dodge when Feng Yangxi kissed her? She even thought he was very gentle? Her mind was a complete mess.
Her words made Feng Yangxi gasp. She wanted to be angry, but seeing Yongye's dejected and curled-up appearance, she felt extremely sorry for him.
Her apparent weakness made Feng Yangxi suppress his anger. He calmly stood up and said, "Rest for a few more days to heal your injuries. I'll go investigate the An family and Youli Valley. You stay here and don't wander around. I'll ask a maid from the Chen family to serve you."
He opened the door, and the sky was filled with starlight.
Feng Yangxi closed the door and leaped into the lake. He desperately needed the cold water to calm himself down.
Yongye sat motionless on the bed for the entire night.
When the sun shone brightly on the bamboo house again, she finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
"Don't think about anything else, just rescue Yuepo and Qiangwei first," she told herself, closing her eyes.
Everyone has their own ideas
The door creaked open, but Yongye did not open his eyes.
The door was closed again.
After several attempts, she squinted and opened her eyes a crack. Her gaze fell on a corner of a blue skirt, and Yongye woke up with relief.
"Miss is awake? It's almost late! My name is Minglan, and I'm from Master Chen's Manor. Master Chen sent me to serve you." Her voice was sweet, like glutinous rice wine—sweet but not cloying, yet very comforting.