Fengcheng Flying General

Chapter 53

In the distance, a melodious zither tune drifted over. Zhu Yu stopped, listened for a moment, and then involuntarily headed towards the sound.

It was a quiet little square under a banyan tree. Flowers bloomed all around the square, and in the center of the open space sat a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), where a young boy sat leisurely, gently playing the strings.

Zhu Yu stood blankly in the crowd, like a wooden stake, unable to think or move. She felt that love and hate had become so distant in the world.

The music was so beautiful that it brought a sense of peace and tranquility to the listener's mind and body, unlike anything they had ever experienced. The person playing the music had an infinite smile on their face and an ethereal, otherworldly air about them.

A large number of tourists gathered around the boy, listening quietly. Most of them were women and children of various ages and backgrounds. Many girls and children held flowers in their hands. When the boy finished singing, they all cheered and threw the flowers onto the stage. Instantly, the boy's head and his wide, brand-new blue robe were covered with flowers of all shapes and sizes.

The girl smiled and greeted everyone. The setting sun shone through the dense leaves of the banyan tree, its quiet light flowing across her face, making the smile emanating from her dark eyes all the more warm and pleasant.

The people admiring the flowers and listening to the music dispersed one after another. In the twilight glow, the small square became empty, with only the warm fragrance of the surrounding flowers wafting through the air.

Junyu stood up, shook off the flowers scattered on the ground, and smiled, "Zhu Yu, what a coincidence?"

That smile was so bright and clear that it made one's heart feel like it was about to burst into flames. Zhu Yu couldn't speak and looked down at the flowers all over the ground.

During the avalanche, Zhu Yu's scream was so tragic that Jun Yu was deeply moved when she recalled it afterward. Now that she saw him safe and sound, although she was somewhat surprised, she was genuinely happy: "Zhu Yu, thank you!"

After a long while, Zhu Yu raised her head and said calmly, "Are you truly thanking me?"

Junyu nodded.

Zhu Yu's lips curled into that mocking smile again: "How will you thank me? By offering yourself to me? I won't accept any other way except offering myself to you."

Junyu laughed loudly: "No reward, no benefit, just this empty 'thank you,' Zhu Yu, will you accept it or not?"

Such relaxed, unguarded laughter left Zhu Yu's mind reeling. He looked away from that unbearable smile and asked, "You're surprised to see me, aren't you?"

"Yes, it was unexpected, but I was also very happy."

"Aren't you going to ask me what I'm here for?"

"If you want to tell me, you will; if you don't want to tell me, why should I ask?"

Junyu's smile remained unchanged. She raised her hand, and a camellia blossom landed squarely on Zhu Yu's hat: "You once asked Xiaoshuai to bring me plum blossoms from afar, so now I should take advantage of what's readily available and give you a flower in return."

Zhu Yu seemed to be bent over by the weight of the flower. At that time, he didn't know Jun Yu's identity; at that time, he only hoped to become friends with her. He suddenly reached out and took the flower, wanting to crush it into powder immediately, but his heart ached and he couldn't bring himself to do it. After a moment of silence, he whispered, "Consider it a gift from you, I accept it!"

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Chapter 145: 11

"Junyu, dinner is ready."

Shu Zhenzhen's voice came from afar. She took a few more steps, then suddenly stopped and looked at the person next to Junyu.

"Sister Shu, you know this is my friend Zhu Yu."

Zhu Yu, entrusted by Jun Yu, had saved Shu Zhenzhen during the battle at Qingcheng Mountain, so Shu Zhenzhen naturally remembered him. Although Shu Zhenzhen had a deep grudge against Prime Minister Zhu, she had received a favor from Zhu Yu. In addition, after hearing Jun Yu mention that Zhu Yu had jumped down with her before the avalanche, she no longer harbored any ill will towards him. However, she couldn't get along with him normally for the time being, and simply said, "You two talk first, I'll go check on the seedlings in the flowerbed."

Knowing her feelings, Junyu didn't say much. After watching her leave, he smiled and said to Zhu Yu, "You've come from afar, why don't you stay at Hanjing Garden for dinner tonight?"

Zhu Yu froze, as if she had heard a tremendous surprise, and was unable to react for a moment.

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Junyu laughed and said, "What's wrong? Not going to do me the honor?"

Zhu Yu finally realized what was happening and smiled, "Thank you for your hospitality, Young Master Jun. I dare not refuse."

On the dining table was a vase with a sprig of red plum blossom inserted at an angle.

Zhu Yu held the rice bowl, his hands trembling slightly. In his entire life, he had never eaten such a disheveled meal. He couldn't even see what dishes were on the table; he just listlessly picked at the rice grains in his bowl.

He glanced up at Junyu, who was no longer sitting upright as she had in the army; instead, she was smiling and seemed to be enjoying herself.

The wind outside the window is so fresh, and the eyes of the person beside me are so bright. They are so close, within reach, yet my heart is far away, and I feel utterly hopeless.

"Zhu Yu, is the food to your liking?"

That familiar voice was celestial music he had never dared to imagine in his life. For a fleeting moment, he had a strange feeling that this was his home, and the person opposite him was the partner of his dreams. However, this happiness was too ethereal, and he dared not speak, afraid that if he did, he would be jolted awake from his dream.

Chapter 146: Killing the "She" I Loved Most (7)

"Junyu, dinner is ready."

Shu Zhenzhen's voice came from afar. She took a few more steps, then suddenly stopped and looked at the person next to Junyu.

"Sister Shu, you know this is my friend Zhu Yu."

Zhu Yu, entrusted by Jun Yu, had saved Shu Zhenzhen during the battle at Qingcheng Mountain, so Shu Zhenzhen naturally remembered him. Although Shu Zhenzhen had a deep grudge against Prime Minister Zhu, she had received a favor from Zhu Yu. In addition, after hearing Jun Yu mention that Zhu Yu had jumped down with her before the avalanche, she no longer harbored any ill will towards him. However, she couldn't get along with him normally for the time being, and simply said, "You two talk first, I'll go check on the seedlings in the flowerbed."

Knowing her feelings, Junyu didn't say much. After watching her leave, he smiled and said to Zhu Yu, "You've come from afar, why don't you stay at Hanjing Garden for dinner tonight?"

Zhu Yu froze, as if she had heard a tremendous surprise, and was unable to react for a moment.

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Junyu laughed and said, "What's wrong? Not going to do me the honor?"

Zhu Yu finally realized what was happening and smiled, "Thank you for your hospitality, Young Master Jun. I dare not refuse."

On the dining table was a vase with a sprig of red plum blossom inserted at an angle.

Zhu Yu held the rice bowl, his hands trembling slightly. In his entire life, he had never eaten such a disheveled meal. He couldn't even see what dishes were on the table; he just listlessly picked at the rice grains in his bowl.

He glanced up at Junyu, who was no longer sitting upright as she had in the army; instead, she was smiling and seemed to be enjoying herself.

The wind outside the window is so fresh, and the eyes of the person beside me are so bright. They are so close, within reach, yet my heart is far away, and I feel utterly hopeless.

"Zhu Yu, is the food to your liking?"

That familiar voice was celestial music he had never dared to imagine in his life. For a fleeting moment, he had a strange feeling that this was his home, and the person opposite him was the partner of his dreams. However, this happiness was too ethereal, and he dared not speak, afraid that if he did, he would be jolted awake from his dream.

“Zhu Yu…”

He suddenly snapped out of his reverie and forced a smile, "Oh... what is it?"

Which inn are you staying at?

"I haven't found an inn yet."

Junyu smiled: "Hanjing Garden has many rooms. I'll have the butler prepare a guest room for you. What do you think?"

Zhu Yu didn't speak, nor did she know how to begin.

Junyu smiled: "If you have other plans..."

"No, I didn't make any plans. I really like it here."

Zhu Yu hurriedly said, sweat beading on her forehead. In this life, she had never been so close to happiness, how could she easily choose to leave?

Dinner had long since ended, and the delicate fragrance of Hanjingyuan's specially made flower tea wafted through the air.

Zhu Yu sat helplessly in the old-fashioned living room of the ancient courtyard. Ever since he stepped into Hanjing Garden, he felt as if he had suddenly fallen into a dream from which he could not wake up. He was dizzy, lightheaded, and his mind could no longer function properly.

After a while, he finally composed himself: "How many more days will this garden be open to the public?"

"Three more days."

"Then, may I stay here for three days?"

Junyu smiled: "You're most welcome."

He gazed at that sincere and genuine smile. It was quite common for an innocent young girl to have such a smile. However, the owner of that smile had suffered hardship in her youth. She had been wandering the world and fighting on the battlefield since she was a teenager. She had long since endured countless hardships and experienced countless separations and deaths.

What kind of pure heart must one have to maintain such a smile forever?

He couldn't help but ask, "Over the years, have you never resented life? Have you never resented those who hurt you?"

Junyu looked at him, and although his words were rambling, she understood what he meant. She smiled slightly and said, "There are very few people who hurt me, and many who are good to me."

"That's because you were kind to others first."

Junyu shook his head. From Mei Mei and Mr. Nongying to Shu Zhenzhen, Zhao Manqing, Mo Feiyan, and many other close friends, all of them were unconditional and did not ask for anything in return for their love and support.

"It was their kindness that taught me to be kind to others!"

Zhu Yu remained silent for a long time before finally asking in a low voice, "What are your plans for the future?"

Junyu glanced at the night outside the window and said, "I'll be heading back to Phoenix Village in a few days to settle some matters. Then, I'd like to start an academy with Sister Shu and Sister Lin. I wonder if it will be successful..."

Shu Zhenzhen and Lin Yi'an were both middle-aged. Zhu Yu felt a chill in his heart: "Have you decided that the rest of your life will be like that of a living dead, with only a lamp and a Buddha statue for company?"

She knew that Zhu Yu was naturally unrestrained and free-spirited, so he naturally disliked and could not understand that kind of somewhat rigid and monotonous life. Everyone has their own ambitions, so she didn't say much, only saying: "Although life in the academy is not exactly colorful, in my opinion, it is at least much more interesting than the battlefield and the court."

Zhu Yu hesitated for a moment: "Maybe."

Night slowly deepened. The entire Hanjing Garden was immersed in the tranquility and peace of the fragrant flowers.

Zhu Yu got up and went to the window, pushed it open, and looked at the deep night of this century-old house. Hanjing Garden was very large, with many courtyards like this. At this moment, although he didn't know which courtyard Junyu lived in, the thought that she was here, under the same night, suddenly warmed his heart, which had long been as hard as iron.

Chapter 147: Killing the "She" I Loved Most (8)

The warm spring sunshine shone over Hanjing Garden. This was the last day the garden was open to the public, and the number of visitors was not only not less, but even more than in the previous days.

The small square, filled with flowers, was already packed with people: young girls in green brocade, women with flowers in their hair, elderly grandmothers, happy children... Many people who came here were not there to admire the flowers and enjoy the spring, but to listen to the exquisite music and witness the unparalleled talent of the musician.

Today, the young woman played "Guangling San." Zhu Yu stood among the crowd, listening intently. For the past three days, he had been among the tourists, crowding into this flower-lined square to listen to her play the piano and sing. He loved watching her quietly, his gaze calm and profound, a gaze that cleansed his soul like never before. When she wasn't playing or singing, she would accompany him for strolls in the picturesque Hanjing Garden, enjoying tea and admiring the flowers; their days were as blissful as a beautiful dream.

As the last song ended, the young man stood up, bowed deeply to the crowd below the stage, and smiled, saying, "I welcome all of you to visit Hanjing Garden again next spring."

The crowd was even more frenzied than usual. Several daring girls even rushed into the square and personally placed the flowers on the boy's wide robe before reluctantly retreating.

A strong impulse suddenly surged in Zhu Yu's heart. He followed the example of those girls, jumped onto the stage, and gently placed a flower on Jun Yu's robe.

Zhu Yu said, "Shall we drink until we drop tonight?"

Junyu nodded: "Okay, let's drink until we're drunk!"

As you drink glass after glass of wine, your eyes become increasingly blurry.

Night had long since fallen, and even the trees and flowers outside the window seemed to have fallen asleep completely.

Zhu Yu stood up and looked at the boy who had fallen asleep on the table. Even in his sleep, a slight smile remained on his face, as if he had never experienced any of the dangers and horrors of the world.

She doesn't belong to me, and she never will!

Zhu Yu raised his right palm, gathering all his inner strength into it. He knew that with this strike, the sleeping boy would never wake up again. And then, the world would never again see such unparalleled elegance, heroic bearing, invincible prowess, and upright character.