Peach Blossoms

Chapter 25

"If you leave her, I can let her continue to be my tutor, and her true identity as a woman will not be exposed. When the time is right, I will dismiss her from her post, and it will not matter if she reverts to being a woman. You should think this through."

"I never knew that the aloof Grand Tutor Lin would abandon her family for another person. It's clear she values you highly, and you're willing to do anything for her, which shows you value her too. I'm not one to break up lovers. If you truly want to be with her, listen to my advice. Grand Tutor Lin is a rare talent in our Great Yang Dynasty. I won't deny her everything just because she's a woman. Therefore, I will do my best to protect her. However, now that you know her true identity, whether you can safely return to your former life depends on you..." Qin Hao walked to the door.

"Think it over carefully and decide what to do. I believe you are a smart man and should be able to make the clearest decision."

Qin Hao opened the door and went out. Lin Ziyan and Lin Suyang were standing under the peach tree. When they saw him, Lin Suyang hurriedly came over and opened her mouth to speak, but Qin Hao didn't even look at her. He said to Lin Ziyan behind him, "Let's go."

Lin Ziyan looked at Lin Suyang with concern, and finally followed Qin Hao out of the courtyard.

Lin Suyang quickly returned to the house, and Si Junxing also stood up from the ground.

"What did the Emperor say to you?" Lin Suyang asked.

"It's nothing." Si Junxing smiled at her and said, "Su Yang."

"Um?"

"come over."

As Lin Suyang approached, he hugged her tightly. "Let me hug you. It'll only be a moment."

After a long while, he finally released her and said gently, "You... go back to Dayang with them."

Lin Suyang took a few steps back, looking at him in disbelief: "Why?"

"Listen to me," Si Junxing said, realizing she had misunderstood. He quickly explained, "I mean temporarily. You go back to Dayang with them first. The Emperor has agreed that you can continue to serve as Grand Tutor after you return. He will dismiss you in a year or two. Then we can be together without any worries."

Lin Suyang asked doubtfully, "Did he really say that?"

"Of course. Actually, your Emperor Hong isn't as cruel and heartless as those other emperors. He knows we're sincere and is willing to help us. However, it's not easy to hide your disguise as a man, so we need to separate for now. Besides, if we just ignore everything, what will happen to your family, and what will happen to Princess Jingyang who's been waiting for you?"

Speaking of Qin Yu, Lin Suyang felt extremely guilty. She had only been preoccupied with being with Si Junxing, forgetting that there was someone waiting for her to return to the Scholar's Mansion. If her true identity were discovered by someone with ill intentions, how would Qin Yu, as the princess of Dayang, face the world? Would people say she was so blind as to marry a woman? And what about her elderly father and her younger brother, whose official career was progressing smoothly? Would they be accused of not even changing the gender of their own child?

Now that he has been seen through by the most dangerous person, and that person has not pursued the matter further, he might as well do as the person suggested and go back to continue serving as Grand Tutor. Once everything is arranged, he can either resign or request the Emperor to dismiss him, and then live in seclusion with Si Junxing. At that time, no one will know whether he is male or female, and no one will care.

After much deliberation, she gradually agreed to the plan, but still had some concerns: "If I leave, what will you do alone?" Now that he is blind and has no martial arts skills, how can he fight back if he encounters a righteous person who wants revenge? Even if no one is chasing him, how will he live alone?

“You don’t need to worry about that. Master Guigan promised that I could go back to Guigan Mountain if I wanted. I’ll send a message to Mu Qing by carrier pigeon later, and he and Shen Xiao will come down the mountain to pick me up. From now on, I will wait for you on the mountain until you come,” Si Junxing said.

Lin Suyang thought about it and decided it was a good plan. So she said, "Okay, but I'll wait until Mu Qing and the others arrive before I leave. Otherwise, I won't leave. Also, you must take good care of yourself and don't worry me."

Si Junxing took her hand and said with a grin, "How dare your husband disobey your wife's command?"

Lin Suyang blushed: "You're always being cheeky."

The next day, Lin Ziyan came again. When he saw Lin Suyang, he forgot how to start the conversation he had prepared. In the end, he only said one word: "Sister."

Lin Suyang sighed and made him sit on the stone bench in the courtyard. "Did you come here to ask me for the answer?"

Lin Ziyan lowered his head and did not answer.

“I’ll go back with you,” Lin Suyang said.

Lin Ziyan suddenly raised her head: "Really?"

Lin Suyang nodded, "However, it will take a few more days."

"Sister...do you really like him?" Lin Ziyan asked, suppressing her curiosity, the question she had always wanted to know.

Lin Suyang paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, I like him very much. Yan'er, don't ask me too many questions. I don't want to answer, and I don't know how to answer, so please don't force me, okay?" Her tone was gentle but left no room for refusal.

“…Okay,” Lin Ziyan replied.

"Yan'er... I'm sorry." At this point, all Lin Suyang could say were these few words. He felt that he had never fulfilled his responsibilities as an older brother or sister. He thought that he was just a person who needed to do his own thing, but now he realized that he was still constantly causing trouble for others and making them worry.

“You don’t need to apologize. I’ve said it before, whether you’re my brother or sister, you and Father will always be the most important people in my life. Father and the princess were very worried when you went missing. Although Father didn’t say anything, he often went to the General’s Mansion to inquire about your whereabouts. The princess has been staying home all day, waiting for you to come back. So sister, you don’t need to apologize to me. As long as you are safe and sound, that’s the best thing for us.”

After Lin Ziyan finished speaking, he saw Si Junxing come out of the inner room. He stood up and said to Lin Suyang, "Sister, it's getting late. I should go back and report as soon as possible. These days, the Emperor and I are returning to visit Emperor Shenghan of Yanliao. After things there are over, I will come to pick you up." Then he left without looking back.

Lin Suyang watched his retreating figure, shook her head helplessly, and walked to Si Junxing's side. "I owe them too much."

Si Junxing comforted her, "Don't be like that. They are all your family and they care about you a lot, so you should feel happy." Lin Suyang thought of how Si Junxing had never met his parents since he was a child and had suffered so much. Compared to him, she was indeed much luckier.

“Promise me you won’t be sad, and you won’t overthink things. Everyone in this world makes sacrifices, and you’re no exception; you just haven’t realized it yet. Once you resign from your official post, we’ll find a secluded place to settle down and live our own lives,” Si Junxing said.

"...I promise you."

When Shen Xiao and Yan Muqing arrived, Lin Ziyan had just called a carriage and was waiting outside the door.

Shen Xiao pulled Lin Suyang and said, "Sister Suyan, are you leaving again?"

"Xiao'er, I still have a lot to do. I'll leave Si Junxing in your care. I'll come to the mountain to find you as soon as possible."

Lin Suyang walked up to Yan Muqing and said, "Muqing, I'm sorry, I broke my promise again."

Yan Muqing glanced at Lin Ziyan waiting by the car, then turned to Lin Suyang and said, "You don't need to worry. I believe you are sincere towards Brother Si Junxing, so we will take good care of him. You can go and do your own thing with peace of mind."

Lin Suyang looked at the person in front of him. He wasn't as foolish as he had imagined. Perhaps he already knew a lot, but he didn't say it. Having such a friend was enough for him in this life.

"Thank you."

Yan Muqing shook her head. "No need to thank me. Just don't forget that we're friends."

Lin Suyang laughed, "Never."

Holding Si Junxing's hand, Lin Suyang said softly, "I'm leaving."

Si Junxing hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "My lady, please go and return soon."

Lin Suyang glared at him and pinched his hand, saying, "My husband will have to wait a long time." She turned and walked towards the carriage, but halfway there, she suddenly ran back. She took out the jade pendant that still carried her body heat from her bosom and carefully tied it around Si Junxing's neck.

“Remember, no matter what happens, never take it off,” she said.

Si Junxing reached out and gripped the jade pendant tightly, nodding with a faint smile.

I never knew what longing was, until I experienced it, and now I am consumed by it. Before I knew what longing was, I felt I was ill; before the longing had even subsided, it had already become incurable. From now on, I fear we will be separated by distance, and the pain of longing will only intensify…

Volume Three, Heartbreak, Chapter Fifty-Nine: Yearning for Home

Qin Yu stood in front of the door, staring blankly at the smiling person standing in front of her.

After a long while, Lin Suyang called softly, "Yu'er, I'm back."

Tears she had held back for so long finally welled up and slid down her pretty face. She still stood there, gazing at Lin Suyang with a dreamy smile through her already misty eyes, "You're back."

In the tenth month of the first year of the Hongli reign, Emperor Hong of the Great Yang Kingdom returned from his visit to Yan and Liao. Grand Tutor Lin, who had secretly gone on a mission to Yan and Liao, also returned safely. Thus, all the rumors about Grand Tutor Lin were dispelled, and the capital of the Great Yang Kingdom, Yundu, seemed to have returned to its former peaceful and prosperous days.

Lin Suyang found it hard to believe that so much had happened in the court in just over half a year. The once all-powerful Right Chancellor, Wang Cheng, had been demoted to a commoner; only those involved truly knew the inside story. The newly appointed Right Chancellor was Fang Xi, formerly a principal officer in the Ministry of Works, who had been promoted due to his outstanding achievements.

After the former Right Chancellor was demoted, many people speculated that Lin Cheng, the Minister of Rites, would take over the position. However, the result was quite unexpected. Many people also knew that Fang Xi was once Lin Cheng's student. It is self-evident who actually held the power of the Right Chancellor. However, why did Emperor Hong not directly appoint Lin Cheng as Right Chancellor? Was it because Lin Cheng himself was unwilling or because Emperor Hong deliberately did not do so? The subtle relationship between the emperor and his minister is well hidden.

Behind Xiangkong Mountain stands a Buddhist temple. The temple has a long history and is very popular. In addition to locals from Yundu who come to worship and burn incense, many people from other places also come to visit.

On the bustling official road, a small but clearly wealthy carriage slowly made its way along.

Lin Suyang leaned against the soft couch inside the carriage, dozing off. After the morning court session, Qin Yu had dragged her out, saying they were going to a Buddhist temple to fulfill a vow. He believed Lin Suyang's safe return was a blessing from heaven, so they absolutely had to go.

There are many devout men and women in this era who are willing to believe in the existence of ghosts and gods. As a result, large temples like Buddhist temples are often overcrowded, and there are countless people making vows and fulfilling their vows.

"Madam, Young Master has arrived," Qiao Sheng called from outside.

Lin Suyang rubbed her forehead, feeling tired and wanting to clear her head. Qin Yu looked at her with concern: "Are you very tired? We'll go back after we finish offering incense. Or you can wait here. I'll be there soon."

Lin Suyang smiled at her and said, "It's alright. It's good to go up for a walk." He then helped her down from the carriage.

Climbing the long, thousand-step stone staircase, you reach the temple's front gate. Upon entering, you'll see a massive, four-cornered bronze cauldron standing in the center of the square. Countless incense sticks and candles are inserted inside, with plumes of white smoke rising straight into the air. Directly behind the cauldron is the main hall of the Buddhist temple. Inside, the Buddha statue is bathed in golden light, its solemn appearance inspiring awe and reverence. To the right of the hall's entrance is a long table. Several women, young and old, are gathered around it, seemingly asking questions—presumably where fortune-telling is performed.

Lin Suyang wanted to accompany Qin Yu inside. Qin Yu stopped her, saying, "You're not feeling well right now. Going in might be seen as insincere. You should walk around the area instead." Fortunately, Lin Suyang didn't want to be exposed to the smoke while her mind was still foggy. She agreed, saying, "I'll come find you later." Qin Yu nodded.

Only after watching Lin Suyang's figure disappear into the crowd did she turn to her maid and say, "Let's go."

Upon entering the main hall, the maidservant first added some money for incense oil and then collected incense and candles. Qin Yu knelt before the Buddha statue, clasped her hands together, and spoke words of gratitude. Then she bowed deeply, rose, and looked up at the Buddha revered by all. She murmured, "This faithful woman, Qin Yu, prays before the Buddha. I, Qin Yu, have done good deeds and accumulated merit every day, and have committed no wrong in my life. I only ask that the Buddha have compassion on my sincere goodness and bless our Great Central Plains with favorable weather, national peace, and prosperity... bless Lin Suyang... with a peaceful life. I am willing to bear all her suffering for her." After speaking, she bowed deeply once more.

At this moment, the maid took a tube of bamboo sticks from the offering table and presented it to Qin Yu. She hesitated for a moment, but still took it. She sighed, closed her eyes and then opened them again. She gently shook the tube, and the bamboo sticks inside made a rustling sound. Soon, a stick was shaken out and fell to the ground with a "thud".

Qin Yu reached out and picked it up; it said "twelve." He returned the divination box, then got up and walked to the area near the door where people were having their fortunes interpreted. There were far fewer people there now than before. Qin Yu waited until everyone else had left before sitting down.

The fortune teller was a plump old monk. He took the fortune slip from Qin Yu with a smile, glanced at the number, moved his mouth as if chewing something, and then asked Qin Yu, "I wonder if you are seeking a marriage partner?" Qin Yu was taken aback. The young monk who came to tidy the table heard this and exclaimed, "Oh dear, Master, you're confused again! This lady is already married, how could she be seeking a marriage partner?" The old monk didn't speak, but only frowned slightly, his clear and bright eyes fixed on Qin Yu.

Qin Yu raised her hand to smooth the woman's hair, a pang of pity crossing her face. Yes, she was already a married woman, so why should she ask? After a moment of hesitation, she still nodded. The old monk saw a fleeting determination in her eyes, sighed, turned around, and took out the number twelve fortune slip from behind him, handing it to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat. After thinking for a moment, he slowly unfolded the small red paper, on which were written a few words:

Like a mirage, a fleeting dream, a silent entanglement. Alas, though I journey to the farthest heaven, my unrequited love ends in separation.

“Benefactor, you must make a decision when necessary.” The old monk had already known her meaning and could not bear to see such a noble and elegant woman take the wrong path.

Qin Yu gripped the note tightly, a bitter smile on her face. "If we could just cut ties so easily, there wouldn't be so much suffering in this world." She thanked him, then silently rose and walked towards the door. The old monk watched her swaying figure, shook his head, and sighed repeatedly, "A tragic fate, a tragic fate."

After parting ways with Qin Yu, Lin Suyang strolled leisurely nearby, unknowingly arriving at a tall banyan tree. Looking up, she saw many red and green ribbons hanging from it. Just as she was staring in a daze, a man and a woman walked by. The man was holding a red ribbon in his hand, the same one hanging from the tree, with words faintly visible on it.

Upon reaching the tree, the woman kept urging the man, "I've heard this tree is very effective for marriage, hurry up and hang it up, hang it high!"

The man readily agreed, took a few steps back, and with his right hand, gripped the orange at one end of the red ribbon and threw it forcefully towards the top of the leafy tree. The orange shot straight up, hitting the highest branch, and landed right there, getting stuck. The woman clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Look, that's the highest!"

Seeing the couple leave happily, Lin Suyang felt a sudden stirring in her heart and walked towards the row of red prayer ribbons hanging beside the tree. She reached down a foot-sized piece, picked up a brush from below, dipped it in ink, thought for a moment, and then wrote two characters: Lin, Si. After writing, she returned to the tree and, imitating the man's actions, aimed at a branch and tossed an orange towards the top. The orange flew high and landed safely. Lin Suyang smiled contentedly and turned to leave, but then heard a "crack"—the orange had broken off the branch, detached from the red ribbons, and tumbled down the tree.

The red silk fluttered down in front of her. Lin Suyang stared blankly at the broken oranges and the stained red silk lying on the ground. After a while, she bent down, picked them up, carefully folded them, and put them in her bosom. As she left, a strong wind suddenly rose, for no apparent reason.

After finding Qin Yu and descending the mountain, they boarded the carriage. Neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts, a heavy weight pressing down on them, making them unwilling to speak. The carriage returned to the scholar's residence. Qiao Sheng called out several times from outside, but no one answered. It wasn't until he knocked on the carriage door that Lin Suyang seemed to wake up and softly said to Qin Yu, "Yu'er, we're home." Qin Yu looked at her blankly and replied softly, "Oh."

After getting off the carriage, Lin Suyang felt like she was being watched by a pair of eyes. Turning around, she saw a dark figure flash by. Though it was only for a moment, she could clearly see that the figure was slender and graceful, clearly a woman. There was also a strange sense of familiarity about her, but she couldn't remember who it was. Perhaps she was just imagining things, Lin Suyang chuckled to herself and stepped into her house.

The figure hidden behind the high wall removed the black cloak from his head the moment Lin Suyang stepped through the gate, revealing himself to be Kong Ling, whom he hadn't seen in a long time!

Volume Three: Heartbreak, Chapter Sixty: The Selection of a Concubine (Part 1)

Lin Suyang arrived at the morning court session exceptionally early that day. Only a few people stood in the square in front of the Jinhe Hall, including her father, Lin Cheng. After hesitating for a few steps, she finally walked over there.

"Father," Lin Suyang called out.

"Hmm," Lin Cheng replied calmly, then turned to the other person beside him and asked, "What does the Right Chancellor think of my opinion?"

Lin Suyang looked up and saw that the person was none other than the newly appointed Right Chancellor, Fang Xi.

"Yes, yes, what you say makes perfect sense, and I agree. Since Grand Tutor Lin is here, I shall go over there. I will remember your suggestion, teacher," Fang Xi said to Lin Cheng with a hint of respect.

Lin Cheng nodded, and after Fang Xi left, he glanced at Lin Suyang and said, "Why haven't you been home to visit lately?" Lin Suyang replied, "I've been very busy with affairs at the Imperial Study lately, so I haven't had much time."

Lin Cheng frowned. "Let's go home for dinner tonight. Yan'er is free too."

"yes."

During the morning court session, it was customary to speak only when there was something to report and not when there was nothing to say.

"Do any of you ministers have other important matters to discuss?" Emperor Hong squinted at the crowd below the stage.

“Your Majesty,” Fang Xi stepped forward, “the Ministry of Revenue has compiled the list of candidates for the imperial concubine selection. We request that Your Majesty hold the selection ceremony as soon as possible.”