Peach Blossoms

Chapter 21

"Besides, you are the ruler of Yan and Liao, and you are busy with state affairs. What will happen to your country if something unexpected happens?"

Han Yufeng remained silent, staring blankly at the Nine Lotus Ice in front of him. After considering for a long time, he finally said, "Alright, I'll be there to protect you and take care of you if anything happens."

It was dusk when she returned to the courtyard. Lin Suyang was sitting in the garden reading. The evening breeze blew through her hair, carrying a fresh fragrance. The setting sun cast a pale golden light, covering the ground and draping her slender figure like a thin veil, making her look sacred and pitiful.

Han Yufeng stood there, watching quietly, as if time had turned back to the days in Guangyue Pavilion, when she lay on his soft couch and he sat beside her, watching her quietly, with a faint sorrow on her brow as she slept.

Lin Suyang seemed to sense something, looked up and saw Han Yufeng standing beside her. "Is there something you need?" she asked.

"Let's go to the palace tomorrow. You never go out and stay cooped up in this little courtyard all day. It's not good for your health."

Lin Suyang closed the book and said, "It's all the same no matter where I go. But I wonder when Your Majesty will allow me to return to Dayang?"

Han Yufeng was stunned, staring blankly at her. "You... really want to go back?" You want to leave me?

"I..." Lin Suyang didn't know what to say. She had always considered Han Yufeng only a friend, even after how he had treated her. She admired his talent and appreciated his thoughtfulness, but this feeling was completely different from her relationship with Si Junxing. She didn't know how to reject Han Yufeng's feelings, just as she hadn't known how to accept Si Junxing back then. Sometimes she hated her own calmness and indifference to everything. If she were capable of both love and hate, why would she have so many troubles now?

Seeing Lin Suyang's brows furrow, Han Yufeng couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke them, trying to smooth them out. Lin Suyang watched his action but didn't stop him. The resentment she had felt towards him had long since vanished, replaced by a deep sense of guilt.

"Don't think too much. Come with me to the palace tomorrow. You might really like it there."

As soon as Lin Suyang got up, Lianxiang knocked on the door and came in carrying a few clothes.

"The master said that Miss should wear women's clothing today, and the carriage to the palace is waiting outside," Lianxiang said to Lin Suyang, then placed the clothes on the bed.

Lin Suyang glanced at it and said, "You can go out now, I can do it myself."

"yes."

She picked up the clothes from the bed; they were all light-colored, perfectly matching Lin Suyang's usual preferences. After dressing, she went out and got into the carriage. The moment she stepped inside, she felt dizzy and swayed slightly. Lianxiang, who was behind her, quickly supported her: "Miss, are you alright?"

Lin Suyang paused to catch his breath and said softly, "It's nothing." He touched his face; it felt cool, just like when he had his attack late at night.

Han Yufeng sat on the dragon throne, gazing blankly at the blue sky beyond the gate. She should be arriving soon, right? Yesterday, he had already ordered the palace women not to set foot in the main hall, so they wouldn't be disturbed. If she didn't like those palace women, she could dismiss them; she alone was enough…

A smile appeared on his lips, as if he were about to win the battle against Han Zujun back then.

Hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a palace servant rushed in and knelt down with a thud, saying, "Your Majesty, the carriage...the carriage has arrived at the palace gate."

"Is that so?" Han Yufeng smiled. "I'll go right away."

Lin Suyang fainted. Han Yufeng arrived in high spirits only to find her cold body lying in the car.

Lianxiang trembled as she said, "When you first got into the carriage, I noticed that you looked unwell, Miss. Not long after, you fainted on the bed. I thought you were sick, but... I found that you were cold... I... I..." She sobbed as she spoke.

At that moment, Han Yufeng couldn't hear anything; his mind was completely focused on Lin Suyang lying there with her eyes closed. He picked her up with extreme anxiety and then rushed towards the deep palace like a madman, completely ignoring the guards and palace servants who knelt on the ground and dared not move when they saw him along the way.

His eyes were bloodshot as he kicked open the palace gates and shouted at the empty hall, "Si Junxing, come out here right now!" His voice was filled with intense unease and fear.

He rushed into the small house where Si Junxing lived and bumped into the person who was about to come out after hearing the noise.

"Quick... quick, bring the Nine Lotus Ice over here." Turning around and seeing Si Junxing's lifeless eyes, she realized he was blind, so she stopped talking and ran to the ice room next door.

From the moment Han Yufeng carried Lin Suyang in, Si Junxing could already smell Lin Suyang's unique scent. His heart sank; could something have happened to her?

Guided by instinct, I quickened my pace to the stone bed, and tremblingly reached out to touch it. Exquisite eyebrows and eyes, then a small, straight nose, and then tightly pursed lips. Every part of this face had been depicted in my mind a thousand times over, but at this moment it was so cold that it seemed like a living person.

Sliding down her shoulder to her wrist, I felt a faint pulse, like someone with a serious injury who was about to stop breathing at any moment.

Si Junxing grabbed Lin Suyang's hand, pulled her up, and hugged her tightly, as if that would restore her body temperature.

Han Yufeng rushed in, carrying the Nine Lotus Ice. Ignoring his hands, which were already numb from the cold, he said to Si Junxing, "The Nine Lotus Ice is here. Let's begin."

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Fifty-One: The Peach Blossoms in Full Bloom (Part 1)

He slowly awoke to find the sun high in the sky. Lin Suyang opened his eyes and looked around to find himself in an unfamiliar room, with Lianxiang fast asleep on the table. He stirred, feeling weak and powerless. He didn't feel the biting cold, but instead, a continuous warmth welled up from his heart and lungs, coursing through his entire body.

She struggled slowly, using one hand to support herself on the bed, trying to sit up. In doing so, she grabbed a corner of the curtain that was lying on the bed, and the curtain was covering a white porcelain cup on a small stool. As a result, the porcelain cup was pulled down and fell to the ground.

The crisp sound startled Lianxiang awake. Seeing that Lin Suyang was awake, she immediately cried out happily, "Miss is awake! Miss is awake!" As she called out, she ran out the door to inform her mistress.

Lin Suyang shook her head, finally managing to lean against the edge of the bed with all her might. She rubbed her forehead, unable to remember what had happened. She hadn't been in the carriage long before everything went black; she knew nothing else but cold, an unprecedented cold, as if her internal organs were frozen solid, devoid of any warmth. And then… what happened next? She couldn't remember. She seemed to hear Si Junxing's voice. Si Junxing… was it a dream…?

Han Yufeng was processing memorials and hadn't rested for the past two days. When his eyes were too tired to keep open, he would lean back and rest for a while. When he heard that Lin Suyang had woken up, he threw down his pen and rushed to her room.

Lin Suyang felt better and was about to get dressed and get out of bed when suddenly a gust of wind swept in front of her and she was pulled into someone's arms.

"You're awake." I was overjoyed with excitement.

The ambergris that filled my nostrils was not the familiar scent I had in my dreams.

"I...I'm fine." She wanted him to let go, but the words stuck in her throat.

Han Yufeng slightly increased the distance between himself and Lin Suyang, meeting her watery black eyes. "You've slept for so long, how about I take you out for some fresh air tomorrow?"

Lin Suyang looked at him and nodded gently. Her hand, which was under the covers, tried to pull out, but suddenly touched something hard, round, and when she gently stroked it, it seemed as if words were engraved on it.

She gripped the object tightly in her hand, until her palms were sweaty.

Han Yufeng felt her body stiffen. He asked anxiously, "What's wrong? Are you cold again?"

Lin Suyang shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm just a little dizzy."

Han Yufeng released her. He placed a pillow behind her back and then helped her lean against the pillow.

"That's how it is when you first wake up. Rest for a bit. I'll have someone bring you some food."

A moment later, Lianxiang came in carrying a bowl of porridge. Hanyu Feng took the bowl and waved for her to leave. Lianxiang bowed her head and left, closing the door behind her.

"Your injury has just healed, so you shouldn't eat greasy food. Drink some light porridge first, it's good for your stomach." He stirred the porridge in the bowl with a spoon, gently blew away the steam rising from it, and then scooped up a small spoonful and held it to Lin Suyang's lips.

Lin Suyang was not used to this method and turned her head to say, "I can do it myself."

Han Yufeng remained silent, but his hand continued to be outstretched, like an unmoving fossil, a silent and persistent gesture.

Lin Suyang sighed helplessly, opened her mouth, and Han Yufeng smiled as he fed her the half-spoon of porridge. Once the bowl was empty, he took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped her mouth, and said with satisfaction, "Lie down a bit more, and you'll have the energy to walk around tomorrow."

He lowered her pillow, helped her lie down, tucked her in, and said, "Get some rest." He turned and left, instructing Lianxiang to take good care of the young lady before leaving with a smile.

Lin Suyang stared blankly as Han Yufeng's figure disappeared through the door. She snapped out of her daze, took out the object she had been clutching tightly—a jade pendant engraved with the character "Lin"—and let it sway in the still air. Her eyes were dry, and she felt a lump in her throat.

The next day, Han Yufeng placed a small boat on the largest canal in the palace very early in the morning. Apart from a palace servant who was ferrying the boat, there was no one else on board.

Lin Suyang stood on the shore and saw Han Yufeng reach out his hand to her. After hesitating for a moment, she finally reached out her hand and let him take it.

Once aboard the boat, the palace attendants rowed, and the boat left the shore and sailed along the waterway.

"It's only cool here in the mornings; by noon, it gets unbearably hot." Han Yufeng held Lin Suyang's hand tightly, showing no intention of letting go. Lin Suyang lowered her eyes, concealing the brilliance within, making her expression unreadable.

The banks of the river were adorned with lush green trees and vibrant red flowers, their splendor in full bloom. Magnificent palaces appeared in the distance, some near and some far. Han Yufeng enthusiastically pointed out each spot and explained its origin to Lin Suyang.

“Every large palace in the Yanliao Imperial Palace was built by emperors of past dynasties for themselves, firstly to display their great achievements, and secondly to allow future generations to commemorate them. Look, that is the Xiwu Hall, the largest palace in Yanliao.”

Lin Suyang followed his gaze and saw a nearby palace with high vermilion walls, glazed tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, its magnificent presence like a soaring dragon, making everything around it pale in comparison. Its color scheme was much more vibrant than other buildings. From the outside, the palace had three gates, rising to the top, creating a distinct sense of layering. The carvings on each eave were lifelike, and the various totems on all four sides meticulously depicted several great achievements in the emperor's life.

"This is the palace that Empress Wenxi and Emperor Wu built together back then," Han Yufeng said.

Empress Wenxi, with her unparalleled beauty and talent, became a great virtuous empress in the history of Yan and Liao. Legend has it that she was merely the daughter of a county magistrate. When Emperor Wu was touring the land, he heard someone singing on the shore from his pleasure boat. He leaned out to look, and just then, the person looked in his direction. They fell in love at first sight. Later, despite the opposition of his court officials, Emperor Wu insisted on taking her as a concubine, and soon after, he made her empress. Wenxi, with her exceptional wisdom, assisted Emperor Wu in reforming the old ways, vigorously promoting talented and ambitious individuals to replace some pedantic and outdated officials, earning high praise from both the court and the public.

During Emperor Wu's reign, he rectified the court's discipline and greatly reduced corruption. He also promoted the parallel development of agriculture and commerce, with the court even allocating funds to the people to support those skilled in business and those skilled in agriculture. This measure was almost universally supported. Emperor Wu's reign can be considered the golden age of the Yan-Liao period.

"One day, I will leave the most profound mark on the history of Yan and Liao, just like Emperor Wu." Han Yufeng looked up at the distant sky, his domineering aura subtly transforming into a long roar that soared into the clouds. Only at this moment did Lin Suyang feel that he was a true emperor.

He lowered his head, turned Lin Suyang around, and stared intently into her eyes. He said, "Will you be my Wenxi Queen?"

A leaf drifted down in the early morning breeze, landing on the water and causing ripples. Strands of disheveled hair rose and danced behind Lin Suyang like burning flames.

She slightly raised her head and looked into Han Yufeng's starry eyes, which were like deep pools. Her own reflection seemed to be drawn into a black vortex, drowning in the weak water, unable to struggle.

"sorry."

"I'm sorry," she said. Han Yufeng's hand fell limply to his side, a bitter smile creeping onto his lips.

"Why?" he asked.

Yes, why? Lin Suyang was stunned. The jade pendant appeared before his eyes again. He held the string in his hand and it swayed back and forth, making the wind rise and the rain fall. He got soaked but still thought it was someone else's world.

"I know where he is." Han Yufeng turned his back, not daring to look at her again. Every time he looked, his heart ached.

"Who?" Lin Suyang asked unconsciously.

"Si Junxing."

The fish stopped breathing and disappeared into the water. Everything became quiet, except for the palace servants on the ferry who continued to row silently, "creak, creak," like a closed, dilapidated door that was about to be pushed open.

"Isn't he the one you're worried about?" Han Yufeng said calmly. It turned out that he had already seen clearly the changes in Lin Suyang since she was in Yundu. Although she was still aloof and taciturn, she had gained some sorrow that shouldn't belong to her. Even if it was just a little, it was enough to make such a gentle woman like a breeze carry the heaviest emotions in the world.

"I……"

“Go see him,” he said before Lin Suyang could continue. “He’s waiting for you.”

I closed my eyes, shutting out the bright sky. Mother, you see, don't you? This is all I can do for my son what you entrusted to him…

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Fifty-Two: The Peach Blossoms in Full Bloom (Part Two)

Si Junxing walked step by step through the courtyard, measuring every place and every corner. He stopped in front of a tree and reached out to gently stroke it.

I wonder what the peach trees look like at this time of year? They're probably no longer in full bloom. Withered? Dead? Winter hasn't even arrived, and it's already ending.

He turned around, and a gust of wind brought him to a sudden halt. He stood there, like a complete fossil, motionless, letting the blazing sun shine through the branches of the peach tree behind him, making him hot and sweaty.

The corners of her mouth slowly, slowly turned up, a smile that made the surrounding scorching light shimmer and exude a cool sensation.

“You’ve come,” he said.

Lin Suyang remained silent, standing five meters away, watching him. His once clear and bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, seemingly empty except for their sockets. Yet, these eyes, which could see nothing, were fixed on her precisely, without bias, as if what she saw was merely a mocking mask.

Lin Suyang smiled and said, "Yes, I'm here." Her hands were cold, and when she looked down, she saw tears that had fallen without her noticing.

“It’s very hot outside, let’s come inside,” Si Junxing said, taking a step forward. Lin Suyang stepped forward and grabbed his arm. Si Junxing paused, patted her hand, and said, “I can do it.” Lin Suyang didn’t let go, and slowly led him into the house.

There were two small houses, one of which was a kitchen. Everything was simple and unpretentious, but it was all neatly arranged, as if to tell others that this place had not been abandoned.

After entering a room that could barely be called a bedroom, Lin Suyang released Si Junxing, turned around and closed the door to block out the scorching sunlight.

"If you're doing this out of gratitude or pity, you should go back." Si Junxing gently clutched his chest, trying to suppress the sudden pang of pain.

She felt a pair of slender arms wrap around her waist. Then, a cool, soft surface pressed against her back. Lin Suyang turned her head and rested her face on Si Junxing's back. "I won't leave. Unless... you never want to see me again. I'll go very, very far away. So far that you'll never find me."

I once heard a poem that went something like this: "I never knew what longing was. Then I knew it, and I was tormented by it. Before I knew it, I felt I was ill. Before the longing was even over, I was already terminally ill." Only now did she understand. The red bean, perhaps, had already taken root in her heart long ago.

Si Junxing's body trembled slightly uncontrollably. After a long while, he finally let out a soft laugh. "So long. My Su Yang is still so heartless." He pulled her hand down, turned around, and said to her, "How could I bear to let you go? Even if I were to die, I would be content to have you by my side."

The familiar tone that returned instantly startled Lin Suyang. After a moment, she lightly pinched Si Junxing's waist and said, "Yes. If you really can bear to, then I will never look back at you again."

Inside, laughter and chatter filled the air. Outside, however, the heat was unbearable. Han Yufeng dragged his heavy steps out of the courtyard and boarded the carriage.

"Let's go." A sigh escaped. Dust filled the air. Whose desolation remained?