Aviso de muerte 2 Destino

Capítulo 6

Ningyue couldn't help but gasp, thinking to herself, "What an amazing Prince Suning!"

Jicui Villa was a villa that the lady bought three years ago. She chose it because it was sparsely populated and had a pleasant view. People from the Nan family usually did not come to live here, and only a few servants were sent here to look after the garden.

It was nearly dusk when they arrived at Jicui Villa. After a day of traveling, Ningyue felt her body was stiff.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [17]: In the distance, the mountains rise one after another, ancient trees stand tall, and the fiery sunset paints the boundless sky. Ningyue is like a bird just released from its cage. When has she ever seen such a beautiful scene? She can't help but sigh. Ling'er just shook her head helplessly. She and Ningyue have been locked up for too long and should relax. But it's just relaxation, not 'indulgence'! Nanbin only stayed for one night before hurriedly returning to the Nan Mansion!

three

Spring city is filled with flying blossoms, and the east wind of Cold Food Festival makes the willows slant.

On the Cold Food Festival, Ling'er sent Ningyue to Guangji Temple, not even letting Ximei come along. The fewer people who knew about this, the better. Although Qingming Festival was approaching, the weather was still very nice, with a clear blue sky, and the sun made people sweat slightly.

Outside the main hall, Ningyue finally saw her beloved Sun Chenlin, whom she had longed for day and night. Time had passed swiftly, but Sun Chenlin hadn't changed much, only gaining a more composed and reserved demeanor. Ningyue wanted to cry; tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt a thousand words swirling in her chest, yet she didn't know where to begin. Sun Chenlin felt the same way; his eyes were like two deep pools, brimming with hope.

Ling'er knew they must have a lot to say, and not wanting to disturb them, she stepped forward and said, "Brother Sun, you stay with Ningyue. I have things to do. I'll come back to pick her up in two hours. Please take good care of her." When Ningyue heard that Ling'er was leaving, she hurriedly grabbed her arm and murmured, "Ling'er, don't go." Ling'er smiled slightly, shook her head, gently removed her hand, and left.

Ling'er strolled leisurely, visiting each of the halls along the corridors. Guangji Temple was bustling with activity, and the number of people gradually increased. Ling'er, preferring tranquility, headed west.

In her utter despair, she suddenly heard the sound of water. Ling'er knew there was a lake nearby called Tranquil Lake, but she had never been there. Following the sound, she found herself surrounded by surging pines, verdant bamboo, and winding paths strewn with flowers. A few steps later, she arrived at Tranquil Lake. The lake's surface was a jade-like turquoise, its surface as smooth as a mirror, instantly brightening her spirits. Ling'er stood by the lakeside, facing the wind, her sash fluttering lightly. Her expression was serene, her eyes distant. What was she thinking? Truly, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea!

Suddenly, someone appeared out of nowhere and loudly recited poetry beside her: "Spring outing, apricot blossoms fill my hair, on the roadside, whose young man is so dashing? I intend to marry him, for life. Even if I am heartlessly abandoned, I will not be ashamed." The voice was high-pitched and lingering, breaking the silence and causing Ling'er to turn around.

Standing next to her was a young, unfamiliar man. Ling'er was somewhat surprised: When did this person arrive? How come she hadn't noticed him? Moreover, reciting such poetry loudly in front of a woman was extremely rude, while the man looked at Ling'er with a half-smile.

Without thinking twice, she turned to leave. But the man rushed forward, spreading his arms to block her path.

"Miss Ling, please wait!" the man said.

Ling'er was taken aback. How did he know her name?

Only then did Ling'er take a closer look at this person. He appeared to be no more than twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, tall and slender, wearing a gold hairpin, with a slightly pale complexion and handsome features. However, his eyebrows and eyes exuded a frivolous air. He held a gold-flecked fan, wore white robes with a dark blue belt, and had jade pendants and a sachet hanging from his waist—the typical appearance of a spoiled young master. Ling'er was certain she didn't recognize him and had never seen him before.

Ling'er had seen plenty of people like this in the business world. He was just an idle playboy who, relying on his family's wealth, deliberately showed off and acted like a playboy. His eyes were lewdly staring at Ling'er.

Ling'er hated this kind of look. Her eyebrows furrowed as she was about to question him when she heard the man speak with a grin: "Miss must be wondering how I know your name? Please look!" The man opened his palm, and a small hairpin was lying in his hand. It was the very hairpin that Ling'er had lost when she went out last year.

“Speaking of which, you are my savior. At the end of last year, outside Ruyi Restaurant, I was careless and didn’t bring any money. Ruyi Restaurant was so arrogant and bullied its customers. If you hadn’t paid for my drinks, I would have been bullied by those people. I really want to thank you! I will also return the ten taels of silver!”

His words reminded Ling'er of the incident on her way back to the manor last year. He had addressed her respectfully as "this humble one." The man before her, in terms of clothing, demeanor, and speech, was someone Ling'er could never believe was the same sleazy drunkard who couldn't pay his bill in front of Ruyi Tower.

If it were according to Ling'er's usual temperament, she would never have spoken to him, but now that she heard him speak so politely, she coldly said, "It's nothing. Since you picked up my hairpin, just return it to me, and we'll be even. You don't need to return the money!"

Upon hearing this, the man waved his fan and said, "Alas, how can that be? I will never forget your great kindness! I must repay you properly! Moreover, it is truly fate that I found your hairpin! My surname is Zhu, my given name is Chengyu, I am twenty-seven years old, my ancestral home is Anhui, I have many children, my family is well-off, and I am still unmarried..." "What are you trying to say?" Ling'er interrupted him impatiently.

The man chuckled and said, “Young lady, you are so intelligent, how could you not understand my meaning! As the ancients said, ‘A drop of water in need should be repaid with a spring of water,’ let alone the fact that you saved my life. After much thought, I have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. I am willing to repay you with my body, and I hope you will not reject me. What do you think?”

Even Zhu Chengyu was surprised that he spoke so fluently, as if he had memorized it beforehand. He had originally planned to follow the tricks taught by Shang Minglun, first reciting some poems and couplets, then talking about the scenery and such, proceeding slowly. Didn't the girls all like young and talented men?

Since Zhu Chengyu had already spoken, he couldn't take it back. He looked at Ling'er, waiting for her reply.

Ling'er frowned, thinking to herself: This person is talking incoherently, is he out of his mind? Thinking this, she was about to leave.

"Don't go!" Zhu Chengyu shouted, "You haven't answered me yet!" He once again pretended to be crazy and blocked her way.

Oh dear! Is he really out of his mind?

"I don't even know you, what's the point of talking to you!" Ling'er said dismissively.

"Now that we know each other, don't we?" Zhu Chengyu said defiantly, "Do you agree or not?"

Ling'er's face darkened: "Boring! Get out of the way!"

"I just won't let you. Tell me, if you don't want me, is it because you've taken a fancy to that leather seller at Jinxiu Manor?" Zhu Chengyu blurted out in a moment of desperation.

"Nonsense, get out of here!" Ling'er felt that this person was rude and troublesome, and she was eager to get rid of him.

Ever since Zhu Chengyu told Shang Minglun that he wanted to get to know and befriend Ling'er, he had put in a lot of effort. First, he sent people to stake out the South Gate day and night, and then he followed her to Jicui Villa, waiting for an opportunity to act. Otherwise, how would he have known about Sun Chenlin's affairs? And how could they have met by such a coincidence at Jingxin Lake?

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [18]: "I'm asking you a question. Will you answer or not?" Zhu Chengyu's aggressive fan blocked Ling'er's path. His piercing gaze was fixed on Ling'er, and Ling'er looked back at him without flinching. Their eyes seemed to be locked in a contest. After a moment of silence, Ling'er said, word by word, "What if I don't answer?"

"What do you think?" Zhu Chengyu asked slowly, his tone laced with provocation, as he approached Ling'er step by step.

Ling'er took a few steps back, her face changing color. "What are you doing?" Zhu Chengyu stepped forward, grabbed Ling'er's wrist with one hand, and gently pulled her into his arms with the other. He whispered in her ear with concern, "Be careful, there's water behind us!"

Zhu Chengyu held Ling'er in his arms, his face close to hers, creating an intimate atmosphere. His warm breath brushed against Ling'er's face, making her tremble slightly. She was completely enveloped by his scent. She could clearly feel Zhu Chengyu's face pressing against hers, his lips brushing against her pink temples like a kiss.

This isn't just inappropriate, it's indecent!

"Who are you trying to fool? Let go!" Ling'er's almond-shaped eyes widened as she struggled fiercely, but Zhu Chengyu only tightened his grip. She felt how strong and solid his arms were, and Ling'er could only use her elbows to brace against his chest, barely managing to separate them a little.

Zhu Chengyu refused to let go and said in an extremely ambiguous voice, "Why would I lie to you! I never lie to women! If you don't believe me, see for yourself!" He picked up Ling'er's body, turned her around halfway, so that Ling'er faced the lake, while he himself had his back to the lake.

"I wasn't lying to you, was I!" he said flippantly.

Looking down from Zhu Chengyu's shoulder, Ling'er realized she was only a step away from the lake. If Zhu Chengyu hadn't pulled her back in time, she would probably be soaked to the bone. But Zhu Chengyu didn't have any good intentions either; they were still embracing each other.

"Alright, you didn't lie to me! Can you let go now?" Ling'er stopped struggling, after all, a woman's strength is limited and she can't defeat a man.

"Okay! But as a reward, let me kiss you, so I won't be afraid you'll run away in the future." After saying that, Zhu Chengyu pursed his lips and brought his face close to Ling'er's cheek as if to kiss her. Ling'er quickly put the back of her hand on her face, blocking the kiss, which landed on Ling'er's palm instead.

"Zhu Chengyu!" Ling'er shouted sharply.

He chuckled casually, "Don't be so loud. Don't you know that girls should be gentle? I've never had a woman dare to speak to me so loudly before! But I forgive you. I only kissed your hand just now, that doesn't count. Let's do it again!" As he spoke, he brought his lips closer.

"No!" This time Ling'er didn't stop her, but lowered her head and suddenly became shy and demure, her face flushed. Her voice was very soft and almost inaudible.

"That's more like it! Women should be coy and affected, that's what makes it interesting! This is barely considered gentle!" Zhu Chengyu looked at the lovely woman in his arms, her cheeks as white as jade, her shyness boundless. If he kissed her any further, he would be desecrating her, but he couldn't bear to let her go. After all, this woman was different from those ordinary beauties.

Ling'er slowly raised her head, revealing a smile as beautiful as a spring flower. Zhu Chengyu gazed into her crystal eyes, so serene and gentle, so clear as water. Zhu Chengyu slowly withdrew his smile; he was stunned and bewitched by it.

Suddenly, Ling'er's gaze changed abruptly. Zhu Chengyu, bewildered, felt a powerful force pushing him backward, and then he fell into the lake. He heard the instigator on the shore laughing uncontrollably, "Trying to take advantage of a young lady? Not so easy!" His voice and demeanor were anything but those of a 'lady'.

The lake wasn't deep, and it was close to the shore. As soon as Zhu Chengyu fell into the lake, his mind cleared immediately. This little girl was really clever; she used her smile to deceive him, and then, while he was distracted, she pushed him into the lake to escape.

Zhu Chengyu stood up, the water up to his waist, looking utterly disheveled. Seeing Ling'er about to leave, he disregarded his soaking wet state and hurriedly called out to her, "Don't you want the hairpin anymore?"

Ling'er stopped the car and turned to look at Zhu Chengyu. He was soaking wet and still standing in the water, seemingly with no intention of getting out.

"Will you give it back to me?" Ling'er didn't believe that Zhu Chengyu was such an easy person to talk to.

To Ling'er's surprise, Zhu Chengyu was not angry at all; there wasn't even a trace of anger on his face, and he was even smiling.

“Of course, this is yours! Here you go.” Zhu Chengyu stretched out his arm and opened his palm, where the hairpin was still lying intact.

"Can't you come up and give it to me again?"

"Do you want it or not?" Zhu Chengyu's face was flushed with anger, and his tone suddenly changed, as if he were giving a final ultimatum.

Why not take it? It's your own stuff, you should take it back.

Ling'er had no choice but to go back to retrieve the hairpin. When she reached the shore, Zhu Chengyu was still in the water, and if Ling'er wanted to get the hairpin back, she would have to bend down and reach out to take it.

Just as Ling'er's hand was about to reach the hairpin, she glanced at Zhu Chengyu casually. His eyes gleamed with excitement and cunning. Ling'er immediately sensed something was amiss, quickly retracting her outstretched hand, straightening her posture, and glaring at him, saying, "Trying to drag me down with you? If you can't see through me, you're not 'Ling'er' anymore?" With that, she turned and left.

Seeing that his trick had failed, Zhu Chengyu wasn't angry. Instead, he laughed and shouted in a jeering voice, "Ling'er, will you come again tomorrow? I'll be waiting for you, no matter what! You must come to get the hairpin! I'll be waiting for you!"

Ling'er gradually disappeared into the distance, while Zhu Chengyu continued to murmur to himself in the water, "Ling'er, Ling'er, she really does have some spirit!"

Zhu Chengyu got ashore, soaking wet. Fortunately, the weather wasn't cold, and he was young and strong, so he probably wouldn't catch a cold. He couldn't go back to the post station now; what if Shang Minglun was there? He would definitely keep asking questions, and if he saw him like this, he'd probably laugh his head off. He had no choice but to wait until his clothes dried before going back.

What kind of luck is Zhu Chengyu having today? No one dares to treat him like this, except for this little brat! Shang Minglun passed on his usually foolproof method to him, but today he tried it and got a bad experience. He refused to admit that he was stupid, insisting that the girl wouldn't fall for it.

Zhu Chengyu tried hard to make himself angry; he felt he couldn't possibly explain himself. He'd been pushed into the water, too afraid to go back—thankfully, no one had seen him. When had he ever felt so humiliated?

However, he vaguely sensed that he wasn't really angry, and even felt a sense of joy and hope for their reunion the next day. What was wrong with him? No! He had to see her tomorrow, see her tomorrow… what should he do when he saw her tomorrow? He didn't know; he only had one belief in his mind: he couldn't just turn her down for nothing! There was no such logic in the world! He would see her tomorrow and then decide.

Shaking off these unfamiliar thoughts, he strode away from Tranquil Lake.

The next morning, Zhu Chengyu arrived at the lakeside early. It was Qingming Festival, and although it wasn't raining, there was only a light breeze. The rising sun pierced through the treetops, casting countless rays of light on the ground.

Zhu Chengyu, dressed in tattered clothes, stood beneath a large willow tree. Its sturdy trunk was strong and powerful, and its drooping branches swayed in the wind. He was constantly calculating what he should say and do when Ling'er arrived, in order to avenge yesterday's drowning incident.

Thinking back to being pushed into the water yesterday, she laughed. Luckily, Shang Minglun didn't come yesterday, or she would have lost face terribly. The sun was high in the sky; it was already late. Why hadn't Ling'er arrived yet? Was she not coming? Anyone else would dare not not come, but her—it was hard to say!

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [19]: After waiting and waiting, it was noon. The sun was shining brightly. Zhu Chengyu had been waiting for Ling'er for a long time, and the sun was shining so brightly that his originally pale face had turned slightly bluish-purple.

It seemed she wasn't coming. A wave of disappointment, dejection, and anger washed over him. How dare she not come? He'd go find her!

The secluded and elegant Jicui Villa had its gate tightly closed. Beside the gate were some rockery bonsai and a few clumps of bamboo. Zhu Chengyu climbed the steps. Upon reaching the door, he wiped his sweat and then began to knock.

After a series of knocking sounds, no one came to open the door. Zhu Chengyu became annoyed and started banging on the door. After quite a while, someone finally came to open it.

The door opened, and Zhu Chengyu saw a gaunt old man dressed as a servant. He was about to go inside when he forgot that this was not his home.

When the old man saw that he was a stranger, he stopped him at the door and looked him up and down with a pair of wary eyes before asking, "Who are you looking for?"

"Is Ling'er here?" Zhu Chengyu was quite blunt, addressing her by her given name directly. The old man frowned. He was a gatekeeper at Jicui Villa, and he knew a little about Ling'er's situation. Wasn't Miss Ling already betrothed to the eldest young master? Who was this person? Judging from his clothes, he was just a pretty face, yet he dared to come knocking on our door?

"Not here!" the old man replied coldly.

"Where did you go?"

"have no idea?"

When will you return?

"have no idea!"

"How come you don't know anything?" Zhu Chengyu hadn't expected to encounter an old man who knew nothing. "Then shall I go inside and wait?" he said, lifting his leg to go inside.

"No!" the old man blocked him at the door. Zhu Chengyu glared at him and said, "I have urgent business!"

"If it's anything urgent, you can tell me!" Zhu Chengyu chuckled, thinking to himself, "What I want to say to Ling'er is not the same as telling you."

Zhu Chengyu said, "Is this how you treat your guests?"

The old man gave him a disdainful look and said, "Of course not, it depends on who you are. We can't be lacking in courtesy when dealing with distinguished guests, but when it comes to you, we can only do this."

Zhu Chengyu was so angry that he was speechless. When the old man saw that he was no longer asking questions, he was about to close the door again.

"Hey!" Zhu Chengyu reached in, stopping the old man from closing the door. "I haven't said I was leaving yet!" He hesitated for a moment, then immediately changed his tune, saying, "I'm a business friend of your Miss Ling. I really have urgent business to discuss with her. Since she's not here, I don't want to disturb her. Please let me in so I can leave her a note. It wouldn't be good if my business was delayed!" He then tried to enter the courtyard, but the old man still guarded the door tightly, though his attitude had clearly changed: "Since you're a friend of our young lady, wait here. I'll get you a pen and paper. You can write here at the door!" With that, he slammed the door shut, refusing to let him in.

He brought out the pen and paper and handed them to Zhu Chengyu. Zhu Chengyu looked around and saw that there were no tables, chairs, or benches outside the door, only steps. How could he write on them?

"Where should I write?" Zhu Chengyu asked, frowning. He fully expected the old man to let him in, but the old man pointed to the door, indicating that he should write on the door. Helpless, Zhu Chengyu had no choice but to lean over the door and write.

Zhu Chengyu was rebuffed by his boss, and he was angry but couldn't let it out. He thought to himself, "I'll settle this score with Ling'er for now, and then I'll settle it with her later!" After writing the note, he handed it to the old man, adding, "Please be sure to pass this on!"

Ling'er and Ningyue did go out today. They made an appointment with Sun Chenlin to sweep Master Sun's grave, and then went to admire the flowers. They stayed until the subtle purple-orange color flowed into the west and turned into crimson before they returned home, tired of their outing.

"Sister Ling! Did you have fun today? Are you tired? Can you take me next time?" Xi Mei didn't say it aloud, but she was very unhappy. She gets to deliver messages, but not be taken out for fun? Is that fair?