A hint of mockery played on Liu Rushu's lips: "Do you protect everything related to her like this?" Her self-deprecation was tinged with loneliness.
However, Qingchen's tone remained casual, yet icy: "If you harbor even the slightest intention, you're likely to suffer... I have many ways to deal with women."
"I believe that." Liu Rushu glanced at him with a seductive look. "But why did I abandon the struggle for the position of Southern Courtyard Beauty Envoy back then to follow Qingyuan, who is now nothing..."
Qingchen stared at her intently, his smile revealing no emotion: "Can I say without shame that it was for me?"
Liu Rushu scoffed: "What do you think?"
"If you want to hate, hate me. But if you're after Susu—" Qingchen's voice suddenly lowered, her slender fingers twirling the woman's hair, her gaze falling on the fingertips she was playing with, her expression empty and tinged with a hint of irony, "You know, if I don't like someone, I always—make her disappear..."
The last note, soft and deep, gradually dissipated in all directions. Vague and ethereal.
Liu Rushu hadn't paid any attention to it, but when she glanced over unintentionally, her eyes met Qingchen's. When their gazes met, she clearly saw a hint of murderous intent in those eyes that had always been smiling.
"Fine, fine, fine... No matter how hard any woman in this world tries, she can't compare to Qing Yuan, is that it?" She laughed angrily. "Back then, Murong Shi and I schemed and plotted just to win your favor, but both of us only got a one-night stand. I thought that since neither of us could catch your eye, there was probably no one else in this world who could win your heart. If you didn't belong to anyone, I would accept it. Who would have thought, who would have thought... that you would fall in love with Qing Yuan!"
Qingchen's smile remained unchanged throughout her words, but the temperature at the corners of her lips gradually dropped, eventually freezing to the extreme.
Liu Rushu's expression held a hint of mockery: "It's a pity that Qingyuan didn't take you seriously at all. Qingchen, Qingchen, tell me, isn't this an eye for an eye? You could have been famous throughout the world, but you insisted on hiding in this small Shengxiao Valley. Do you know how many people are out there searching for news about you? Don't you even look at yourself now? Qingyuan is dead, and you've 'died' with her?"
Liu Rushu's words were sharp, but Qingchen's eyes were calm and still, listening quietly as if it had nothing to do with him. He was unusually quiet, looking at Liu Rushu with a detached expression, his face pale in the moonlight. After she finished speaking, his peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, his expression indifferent and serene: "Is that all you wanted to say?"
I'm not sure if I should say he's aloof.
"If I were to tell the world that you are here, that Qingyuan's daughter is here, what do you think would happen?" Liu Rushu smiled, but her smile was rather cold. "What are you going to do? Protect her? Preserve the last bloodline of Qingyuan? Susu is that man's child. Are you willing to help another man protect their daughter? Don't forget, Qingyuan has never stayed by your side for even a moment."
She thought Qingchen would be angry, but to her surprise, he simply pinched her chin gently and said calmly with a smile, "You won't do that."
Liu Rushu sneered: "How do you know I can't?"
"You sent Susu back to Shengxiao Valley this way just to see how we'd treat her, didn't you?" Qingchen looked at the strikingly beautiful face, but showed no appreciation whatsoever. "Since you wanted to see, why were you in such a hurry? If Susu becomes another Qingyuan, wouldn't that be exactly what you wanted to see? None of you can compare to Qingyuan, and you and Murong clearly know that..."
The story is told slowly, yet it is the cruelest of all.
Liu Rushu bit her lip tightly, clearly unwilling, yet unable to utter a single word in rebuttal. She knew she couldn't compare to that woman; from the first time she met her, she was already so aloof. Everyone revered her like a goddess, and initially, she could only watch from afar, sharing the same reverence and worship as everyone else. Having met Qingchen first, she initially thought he was already an ethereal figure, thus constantly vying with Murong Shi, believing no woman in the world was worthy of him, only dreaming of one day standing beside him. However, that day, when she first saw him appear in public with Qingyuan, she felt that only this woman could stand beside him without being overshadowed, yet this feeling filled her with jealousy.
Yes. She can never compare to her.
Liu Rushu turned her head away, broke free from Qingchen's grasp, took a few steps back, and turned to leave. She walked away dejectedly, almost as if fleeing. Suddenly, she turned back and gave the man watching her leave a cold smile: "I'll see what Susu looks like a few years from now, but you must remember, she is Susu, not Qingyuan."
Qingchen's silent eyes darkened slightly for a moment, but his lips tightened slightly. Only after watching Liu Rushu leave did his smile fade, leaving a blank expression. He gazed into the distance, his gaze seemingly fixed on the distant horizon.
“It’s Su, not Qingyuan…” He sighed softly, standing in the courtyard. The wind slightly lifted his white, pure white clothes. Qingchen recalled the moment of infatuation that evening and couldn’t help but sneer: “She’s not Qingyuan, of course I know. ‘Living in a drunken stupor,’ indeed impressive.”
He sat down blankly, his body still slightly hot, a stark contrast to the cool, still breeze around him.
"It seems I've really overdone things lately." Qingchen felt unwell, his head heavy, and he couldn't help but reflect. In fact, Liu Rushu wasn't wrong. Perhaps with Qingyuan's passing, Qingchen had died with her. A sorrowful smile, like one painted in ink, appeared on his lips: "Qingyuan? Senior Sister... even in death, she was always just my Senior Sister."
Upon recalling Zhuang Su, Qing Chen's expression momentarily turned indifferent.
Indeed, she is that man's daughter...
But he was Qingchen, and he never bothered to compete with others. Therefore, even with the woman he loved, he only watched from afar. Others thought he was indifferent, but he himself was simply proud, so proud that he disdained to compete, even at the cost of hurting others.
Because he is Qingchen, he always views the world from the perspective of an outsider. No matter how many people wrong him, he just smiles casually, as if such apologies are nothing more than a matter of course.
Only he was Qingchen, so many people watched him, so many people said he was unrestrained and dissolute, and so many people admired him.
He is Qingchen. Everyone says that he doesn't care about anything else, and that he only cares about the common people.
However, this same Qingchen vanished as if he had disappeared from the face of the earth after Qingyuan's death, never to concern himself with worldly affairs again. Chaos and calamities seemed to have no effect on him. His benevolent attitude towards the world suddenly vanished from everyone's sight. All the speculation and rumors of the past years, he simply drank, alone, drunk amidst the shady summer trees of Shengxiao Valley, wasting his life in solitude.
That person left, and suddenly everything in the world seemed irrelevant to him.
Perhaps many people still believe that Qingchen will reappear in this world one day, but now, he truly doesn't want to think about anything.
Until that day, I saw the stake.
She wasn't beautiful or outstanding. Standing among a group of children, she didn't stand out at first glance. But she was calm, a calmness without fear. Almost instantly, he knew she was the one he was looking for.
He couldn't control Qingyuan, but surely he could control Zhuangsu now? Qingchen smiled faintly, suppressing the dizziness rising in his head; he felt somewhat lightheaded. No one knew that he was actually such an extreme person.
Now, no one can take Zhuang Su away from him. Nobody.
Zhuang Su is his, and only his. He had let go of anything related to Qing Yuan once, and he didn't want to let it go a second time. He was obsessive, so obsessive that he had hurt himself to this point of destitution.
But Zhuang Su was different from Qing Yuan. Qing Chen recalled Zhuang Su's gentle embrace, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Indeed, they were different. Qing Yuan didn't possess that tenderness; if it were her, he would probably have been kicked away long ago. Zhuang Su was very docile, and that calm and composed demeanor was perfect for being a "pet."
"Susu, you will become another Qingyuan, you will definitely..." Qingchen didn't realize the tenderness in her expression, and let out a soft sigh that sounded like a long sigh.
Feeling slightly tired, he closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep.
The next day, when it was discovered that he had been sleeping outdoors, Qingchen was once again subjected to a long and earnest lecture from Li Jiu. Unfortunately, this time he had gone too far, causing his already slightly feverish body to develop a high fever, which led to infection of his wounds, a condition that lasted for a full month. Under Li Jiu's supervision, Shengxiao Valley was cut off from its wine supply for a while, which led Jin Ruoyu to look at Qingchen with a hint of sympathy whenever she came.
Zhuang Su was already extremely dissatisfied with Qing Chen's lack of consideration for her, and this time, with the help of the determined Li Jiu, she dared to vent her anger.
Qingchen had someone to take care of her, so she naturally wouldn't get involved unless there was something wrong. Firstly, she was afraid of Li Jiu, and secondly, every time she saw him, she would think of that day's ambiguous moment, and her face would flush.
But Qingchen's attitude only made her more uneasy. Every time he saw her, he would greet her with a smile, but once she was there, he would make her sit to the side and just stare at her blankly. Sometimes this would last all day. If she couldn't stand it, he would grab her, pinch her cheeks, and roughly playfully tease her, saying things like, "Susu has indeed become more womanly since studying at the South Courtyard." Often, Liusu would be there too, making her extremely embarrassed.
But thanks to Qingchen, the events of that day gradually faded into the mundane days as time went by.
Zhuang Su went to the South Courtyard to learn various skills with Su Qiao, and also went to the North Tower in Yanbei. Shen Jian's whereabouts after entering the Silver Hall were already somewhat elusive, and Zhuang Su could only see him when she went to the North Tower. Just as Su Qiao said, people were selected from all four places to be sent to the Silver Hall. Su Qiao was selected from the South Courtyard, but Shen Jian was actually sent in under the name of the North Tower.
Chapter Eight: When the Rain Flows Like Water (Part 1)
Zhuang Su stayed at Yiye Alliance for five years. During these five years, Qingchen continued to force her to learn opera, but she had no interest in it whatsoever, instead possessing an extraordinary talent for writing lyrics and composing music. Every time she finished writing lyrics, she would take them to Liusu for discussion. At first, Liusu could nitpick, but later she gradually could no longer find any fault with them. Liusu collected all of Zhuang Su's lyrics and music into a book, named "Su Xin Ji" (Collection of Pure Heart), which she treasured alone, never allowing Zhuang Su to divulge it.
Seeing that Zhuang Su truly had no interest in the treacherous path, Qing Chen didn't force her. Instead, she often encouraged Zhuang Su to visit the South Courtyard, where Murong Shi would find someone to teach her the most exquisite skills in the world. Whenever they went to the South Courtyard, Su Qiao would accompany them as they studied together, making it far from boring. Zhuang Su was happy to have such a companion of similar age, someone she had grown up with, and they had a very good relationship.
Su Qiao often slacked off during her daily classes, and whenever her teachers weren't looking, she always found a way to escape their notice. If she was ever caught, her charming eyes would fill with tears, giving her a pitiful look that made it impossible for anyone to be ruthless towards her.
Zhuang Su lived a simple and uneventful life, which suited her personality. In the past few years, she would occasionally receive letters from Aunt Liu, telling her that everything was fine. She was quite surprised when she received the first letter, but then she thought that perhaps Qing Chen had secretly sent someone to her hometown because she was worried about her, so she was relieved.
What she liked to see most was Yanbei and Murong Shi together. At those times, Yanbei, this aloof man, would always be unusually charming, while Murong Shi would be nonchalant and composed, leaving him standing there dumbfounded, listening to her.
Zhuang Su secretly teased Su Qiao, saying that if Yan Bei ever married Murong Shi, he would definitely be a henpecked husband. This was meant to be a private conversation between the two, but Murong Shuangfei overheard them. Murong Shuangfei seized the opportunity to threaten her with a smile, only to be met with a flurry of punches and kicks from Su Qiao, who warned him to be careful with his words or she would make sure the ladies of the South Courtyard would never speak to him again. Hearing this, Murong Shuangfei dodged Su Qiao's blows, exclaimed "A good man doesn't fight with a woman," and then walked away, fanning himself with a self-satisfied air. This left Su Qiao and Zhuang Su secretly nauseous.
Zhuang Su occasionally went up to the North Tower, and it was there that he would encounter Chen Jian.
Over the past five years, she felt that Shen Jian had become increasingly silent, perhaps due to his experience in Yintang. His demeanor was becoming more and more similar to Yan Bei's. Zhuang Su had also heard people mention him in secret, saying that he was highly valued in Yintang and that no matter what he handled, nothing was left unfinished. Because he rarely interacted with others, he had vaguely earned the nickname "Cold-Faced Guest".
Zhuang Su couldn't help but feel a sense of pride whenever she heard people mention Shen Jian's achievements, but when faced with a difficult task, she couldn't help but worry about him. On the one hand, she hoped that Shen Jian would have his own career, but on the other hand, she didn't like him taking such risks. She knew she was very conflicted.
However, Shen Jian continued to treat her well. Whenever he returned from a distant mission, he would bring back many interesting little trinkets, which Zhuang Su carefully put into a box and hid in the cabinet. Because Zhuang Su often went to the South Courtyard, Shen Jian would initially go there to see her as well. But gradually, every time he came, he would attract the attention of the girls in the South Courtyard. His brows would suddenly furrow, and as more and more people gathered to watch, he would suddenly stop appearing in the South Courtyard altogether.
Zhuang Su couldn't help but tease Murong Shuangfei, saying, "Look at you, you always boast about being a charming womanizer, so why do the girls' attention always seem to be drawn to Shen Jian?"
Murong Shuangfei remained calm and composed upon hearing this: "Do you understand what aesthetic fatigue is? Besides, I have just as many followers as he does."
Murong Shuangfei's statement was not without basis. Murong Shuangfei and Shen Jian each had their own temperament and were both young talents in the younger faction of the One Leaf Alliance. The girls in the South Courtyard secretly divided into two factions, each focusing on their own ideal partner.
The weather has been cold these past few days; it's already winter, and the wind howls, bringing with it a chill.
Zhuang Su put on her shawl and hid herself in her bulky cotton coat, but still couldn't help shivering when she opened the door. Su Qiao sat by the fireplace in the room and clicked her tongue in amazement: "Women are indeed blind. To see your Shen Jian, she actually ran to that lifeless place in the North Building on a day like this."
Zhuang Su, after being reminded of this, pretended to glare at her: "What nonsense are you spouting now? Today is an appointment with Uncle Yan, it has nothing to do with Shen Jian."
"Is that so?" Su Qiao raised an eyebrow, her smile turning mischievous. She flicked her slender finger, pointing at the basket in Zhuang Su's hand, and teased, "Then what's this?"
"Pah, you brat." Zhuang Su's face flushed slightly, whether from the cold wind or from embarrassment, she didn't know. She turned around and ignored Su Qiao, walking out the door. "I'm not like you, a little girl who's afraid of the cold and refuses to leave the house even in the dead of winter. I brought these pastries over because no one was eating them. If you like them, I'll keep them for you."
"Hey, don't! You know I have a small appetite, and if you waste food, the young lady might beat me to death." Su Qiao immediately put on a flattering face and beckoned to her with a charming smile, "Aren't you going to the North Tower? Why don't you go?"
Zhuang Su was both amused and exasperated. She tightened her coat and plunged into the cold wind.
Since seeing Shen Jian again, Su Qiao knew their relationship and began jokingly referring to Shen Jian as "hers" to Zhuang Su. Shen Jian's visits to the South Courtyard were always to see Zhuang Su, which some women noticed and started gossiping about. These gossips were harmless in themselves, but somehow Qing Chen overheard them. He then began coming to the South Courtyard whenever he had free time to accompany Zhuang Su in her music and painting lessons, thus drawing all the women's attention to him.
Although the resentment towards Zhuang Su lessened slightly after it was revealed that Qingchen was her father, some people still didn't believe it because Qingchen had been too casual at first. However, Murong Shi would follow Qingchen around whenever he came, and anyone who whispered would immediately fall silent when she swept her icy gaze over them.
When Zhuang Su was learning his skills, the most common scene was this: on the left was the increasingly charming Su Qiao, on the right was the pretentious Murong Shuangfei, and behind them sat the peerless Qing Chen. Beside Qing Chen was the stunningly beautiful Murong Shi. Sometimes, there would also be the taciturn Yan Bei. And in the distance, you could always spot many passersby who pretended to be casually passing by, but none of them were not secretly stealing glances in their direction...
Zhuang Su only had a gut feeling that she might not have made any real progress over the years, but because of Qing Chen, she had definitely become much thicker-skinned.
Recalling all these memories, she couldn't help but sigh. She tightened her coat in the cold wind and hurriedly ran to the North Building.
Surrounding the North Building is a teahouse. From afar, the four characters "Linfeng Teahouse" are clearly visible. Although it is deep winter, it is still bustling with customers, and the faint aroma of tea can be smelled from a distance. The tea is very light, but the scent lingers for miles, and passersby can't help but glance inside.
Linfeng Tea House is located in the heart of town, in the most bustling area. Because the prices inside range from several taels of gold to a few copper coins, the tea house attracts a diverse clientele, both rich and poor. The tea house is simply yet elegantly decorated, possessing a unique charm, making it a favorite gathering place for scholars from the surrounding villages and towns.
No one passing by would suspect that this place is the training ground for the One Leaf Alliance's suicide soldiers.
As Zhuang Su entered the teahouse, a waiter came to greet her. She had been there many times and naturally recognized him. The waiter chuckled at her and said, "Miss Su, your room number three in the 'Heavenly' section is ready. Please come with me."
Knowing that someone might be watching, Zhuang Su smiled slightly and replied, "Okay."
The servant led Zhuang Su into room number three of the "Heavenly" section, then closed the door and hurried off to attend to the other guests. Zhuang Su listened as the sounds outside faded into the distance, and only after everything had quieted down did she walk to the wooden balustrade and find a particularly unique and elegant vase. She gently turned it. The vase, which had been fixed in place, lifted the wooden lattice below, revealing a door that had seemingly fallen against the wall.
Zhuang Su walked into the door with practiced ease, patted a stone brick inside, and the door closed behind him again.
Before her lay a winding, deep tunnel, its sides lined with brightly lit candles, illuminating the way. Zhuang Su carefully descended the steps. The tunnel was extremely deep; after a short while, a cool breeze began to appear before her. The further she went, the brighter the light became. Finally, after passing through the tunnel, Zhuang Su's vision was suddenly clear, and she saw the light of day again.
The teahouse's interior is a hidden world. It's a huge courtyard, which is also the north building of the One Leaf Alliance.
The courtyard was quite large, but no one was moving about, giving it a rather desolate feel. This was the time when Yan Bei was training his assassins in the training hall, and Zhuang Su knew this, so he didn't want to disturb them. He only glanced at the massive, solemn hall before turning and heading in the opposite direction.
Shen Jianfang returned from his mission a few days ago, and presumably has not yet set off again.
She walked slowly along the path, gradually approaching a plum grove. A faint fragrance wafted around her, soothing her senses. A few whistles echoed in the breeze, and Zhuang Su's eyebrows lifted slightly. She walked along the pebble-paved path deeper into the plum grove, and a figure came into view in the distance.
Amidst the fluttering of fallen leaves, he danced with his sword among the flowers.
Zhuang Su was dazzled by the ground, and as he slowly approached, he couldn't help but stare at it in a daze.
As for Chen Jian's swordsmanship, it wasn't the first time she had seen it. But every time she saw it, she was always struck by its dazzling beauty, making her unable to resist wanting to get closer and observe it more closely.
Today, Shen Jian wore a simple blue robe. His body was as light as a swallow, and his robes fluttered subtly with his sword dance, complemented by the faint red plum blossoms, creating a scene reminiscent of a painting. Zhuang Su had seen Qing Chen's "paintings" before, but Shen Jian's "paintings" were quite different. Even if they resembled each other in form, their spirits were still completely different.
She gazed silently, and without realizing it, stepped on a dry branch. A soft "crack" echoed around her.
"Who goes there?" Suddenly the wind in front of me changed, and a blinding light flashed before my eyes.
Zhuang Su's eyes relaxed slightly, but she did not shout. She just watched as the sword light changed direction just as it was about to reach her, severing a plum branch that was only inches away from her.
Chapter Eight: The Gentle Flow of Time (Part Two)
Zhuang Su's eyes relaxed slightly, but she did not shout. She just watched as the sword light changed direction just as it was about to reach her, severing a plum branch that was only inches away from her.