linfengchun - Capítulo 37
As the Shangsi Festival approached, crowds thronged the area. Many young women adorned themselves with willow branches and wore bright red and green clothes, looking exceptionally beautiful. Along the winding bridges and clear ponds, vendors sold sachets and snacks, and there were even all kinds of kites, exquisitely designed and delicately painted with beautiful women and swallows, making them irresistible.
"You want it?"
Unexpectedly, Jia Ye would like these little trinkets. Seeing her staring blankly at a butterfly-shaped kite, he went over, bought it, and put it in her hand.
"No...no..." She was momentarily dazed as she took it in her hand.
The riverbank was covered in lush green grass, and countless kites soared up and down, vying for attention. The fragrance of flowers mingled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, and the air was filled with the constant whistling of whistles, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
"You don't know how?" Seeing that she didn't move, he tugged at the kite. "This kind of butterfly kite has too soft bamboo ribs; it's just pretty, it can't fly very high. Should I get you a different one?"
She instinctively clenched her fists and blurted out, "No need."
"……I…………"
Jia Ye turned her head, ran down the stone steps to the riverbank, tried it a few times in the wind, and the kite in her hand rose crookedly into the air.
Unexpectedly, she actually went and flew the kite. The expression on her face didn't seem joyful, but rather dreamlike.
It seemed to be her first time playing with such a thing, and she didn't quite manage to launch it well; it never flew high and just twirled and somersaulted. She gently tugged at the silk thread, biting her lip anxiously. Her black hair covered her forehead, as distinct as snow-covered raven wings, making her look extremely innocent and adorable. Some of the young people around her couldn't help but step forward to offer their guidance.
With skillful manipulation of the string, and after taking a few steps back, the kite, which had been sliding downhill, gradually rose, stumbling and wobbling into the air. Its frame was indeed a bit too soft; going any higher wouldn't be so easy.
Jia Ye watched nervously, afraid that it would get mixed up with other kites. She had never seen her so flustered over such a small thing, so she couldn't help but chuckle and held her down to prevent her from pulling too hard and breaking the string.
"Can it fly a little higher?" She stared at that tiny dot in the sky, not daring to turn her head.
"The wind is strong in March, it would be dangerous to go up there, I'm afraid we'd be blown apart." He took her slender hand, embraced her and stepped back a few paces, avoiding the line that almost disturbed her.
"I used to put it higher than this," she said with a sullen sigh, leaning against him as she gazed at the sky.
Flying kites is a custom in Jiangnan, which must have been something she did in her childhood.
He silently guided it, and the bright butterfly rose a little higher. She gradually became happier, pointing with delight.
"A little higher... Don't tilt, watch out over there... Ouch!"
The childlike cheers suddenly stopped, and she glanced coldly to the side, her aura suddenly turning icy.
A beautiful girl in a yellow dress smiled gently and stepped forward to comfort him. "What a pity, little sister, the wind broke the thread." Her words were gentle, but her eyes shone brightly as she looked at him behind her, her cheeks slightly flushed.
He lowered his eyes, looking only at the person in his arms.
The hidden blue bee sting swiftly severed the string, failing to deceive both him and Jia Ye. The kite, now free of its tether, plummeted and fell into the river, carried away by the current.
The girl in yellow felt slightly embarrassed when neither of them responded.
"How about I buy you another one and we can put them together?"
The chill emanating from Jia Ye grew stronger. He silently pressed down on her shoulder. There were many people here, and if he were to harbor murderous intent, it would likely cause a disturbance.
Seeing that the situation was not right, the young man in brocade robes who was standing a little distance away from the girl immediately stepped forward.
"I am truly sorry, please forgive my sister's playful behavior." He bowed deeply, his long sleeves touching the ground, his attitude humble and polite, skillfully blocking the way for the girl in yellow. "Please allow me to apologize."
"Brother!" The girl stamped her foot, her pink face blushing.
"Please forgive my abruptness. My sister only admires your outstanding character and wishes to befriend you. She did not mean to offend you."
The atmosphere remained tense for a while, then Jia Ye suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"Young master, there's no need for such formality. It was an accident. Just now, it was like a gentle spring breeze."
I've always known that Jia Ye is eloquent, but I rarely see her being so sarcastic. If it weren't for the fact that the person opposite her blushed so much that they almost burst out laughing, they would have been mortified.
“You…” The girl glared at her reproachfully, probably not expecting such a young girl to be so formidable.
"Miss should be grateful to have such a good brother." Jia Ye nodded with a half-smile, turned and left without saying another word.
His gaze lingered on the young man in brocade for a moment, then followed his gaze.
The brother and sister were left behind, one feeling annoyed and ashamed, the other lost in thought.
Nightmare
"Should I buy you another one?" he asked softly after walking a short distance in silence.
Jia Ye shook her head listlessly.
“You really are…” she paused for a moment before speaking again, half-sarcastically, half-jokingly. “A source of trouble.”
He was caught between laughter and tears, knowing that the trouble was his own doing, and had nothing to say.
"Those two are probably from aristocratic families; they seem to come from good backgrounds." Jia Ye lazily slowed her pace. "Were you always this arrogant before?"
"That's why I was captured and taken to Tianshan," he consoled himself with a self-deprecating laugh. "I've already been punished."
Once her anger subsided, she glanced at him indifferently, somewhat surprised by his composure.
"How did you offend the Pope?"
"Back then, I was young and impetuous. I saw them humiliating a defeated martial artist, and their methods were too cruel," he said calmly. Many years have passed, and he no longer dwells on it. "In the end, I forgot to consider my own abilities."
A naive young man, full of ambition to conquer the world with his sword, encounters the most powerful demon.
“You’re really unlucky.” She paused for a moment. “Very few people run into Xiu She.”
“Now we know there are always people more capable than us.” He smiled meaningfully. “They were just reckless and ignorant.”
"What are you worried about?" Sensing his underlying meaning, a mocking glint appeared in his dark eyes. "Afraid I'll kill her? I don't have that kind of free time. There are plenty of people who can enjoy the life of a pampered young lady like that. What does it have to do with me?"
Having ruled the Western Regions for many years, Jia Ye was not bloodthirsty. He might teach them a lesson, but those two were dressed smartly and spoke with composure; they were clearly not ordinary people. It was best to avoid trouble.
"What you said isn't wrong. There was a slight hint that I did have murderous intent..." she murmured softly, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "Arrogance and unbridled behavior are truly annoying. I was just flying a kite... It's always like this..."
A hand reached out and rubbed his head; his eyes were full of pity and understanding, miraculously dispelling his depression.
"There are many interesting things in Jiangnan. I'll take you to see them all next time." He naturally took her hand and smiled gently. "Are you hungry? How about trying some Jiangnan cuisine?"
As dusk deepened, lanterns hung above the market stalls, and the bustling activity continued unabated.
"It's this lively even at night?" she asked with a touch of curiosity. The gauze lanterns on the painted boats and pleasure boats reflected on the lake, and a gentle breeze blew, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.
"This is the most prosperous place in the Central Plains, and with the Shangsi Festival approaching, there will be a lot of people." He led her through the crowd, occasionally asking if there was anything she liked, but she kept shaking her head.
"Why are so many people looking at us?" She had never attracted such attention in the Western Regions. After enduring it for a day, she stopped and looked herself over.
"Clothes." He glanced at them and explained the reason. "People in Jiangnan rarely see this style." Neat everyday clothes are a style favored by people from the Western Regions, but they are out of place in Jiangnan.
She disliked attracting strange looks, but ordering new clothes wasn't something that could be done overnight. She frowned in annoyance, momentarily at a loss. He smiled without saying a word, and pulled her towards another street.
In this land of gold and jewels, commerce flourished. She then realized that Jiangnan was teeming with clothing shops, offering both custom-made and ready-made garments. Listening to the woman's incessant praise, she desperately resisted the urge to gag her.
"...These are the fine clothes prepared for the young princess of the Prince's mansion. It's quite timely for you to arrive, young lady..."
"...How lovely the girl is! These clothes seem to be an extension of her body..."
"...Speaking of clothes from our workshop, they're famous even in the palace..."
"...In a few years, she will definitely be a stunning beauty..."
"...This one also fits the young lady quite well, you should try it on too..."
She tried on a few pieces, but finally couldn't stand the nagging any longer and rushed out of the inner room. Her pride wouldn't allow her to use her martial arts against an ignorant woman, especially since the other woman was extremely kind despite her nagging.
Although he was outside, he could still vaguely hear the sounds from inside. Seeing her flee as if she were running away, looking unusually disheveled, he couldn't help but smile.
Her flowing sleeves and light silk gauze dress, paired with a pale green spring gown that accentuated her snow-white skin, made her slender waist appear even more delicate and fragile, exuding the graceful and gentle charm of a girl from Jiangnan. She possessed a unique, pure, and ethereal beauty that inspired both pity and a reluctance to approach.
"Very beautiful." After gazing at it for a while, the man murmured his praise, his gaze...
She turned her head away uncomfortably, her ears burning slightly.
The silence was broken by the woman who followed behind.
"Why did you leave, young lady? There are still several fine clothes you haven't tried on."
"These few items are fine." The loud voice startled her, and she immediately retreated to the man's side, unsure how to deal with his excessive enthusiasm.
"That would be such a pity. With a face like yours, you could have a hundred more pieces of clothing..." The woman began her enthusiastic recommendation again, but he chuckled and stepped in front of her, cutting off her endless chatter.
"Thank you, I'll wrap up everything she tried."
The woman was about to speak again when a few bright yellow gold beads fell into her palm, immediately stopping her from speaking and repeatedly agreeing.
"Please wait a moment, young lady." Jia Ye was about to leave when the woman quickly blocked her way at the door, taking out a silver chain from her bosom. "I'm giving you a fashionable pendant. Such exquisite clothes deserve an accessory. I hope that when you wear it, you will look even more elegant."
Seeing that there was no room for refusal, Jia Ye bit her lip and let her tie it, her impatience almost showing between her brows. Having roamed the Tianshan Mountains for many years, she was always a woman of her word and had no experience dealing with such a businessman. She couldn't afford to lose her temper, and just hoped to leave as soon as possible.
As she walked out of the shop, the anklet jingled softly. She felt him chuckling behind her. She tried to hold back, but finally couldn't resist. She bent down and ripped it off, but just as she was about to throw it away, he took it from her.
The anklet was exquisitely crafted, with dense silver bells adorning the thin straps. It made a crisp sound with the slightest movement, small, cute, and melodious, perfectly complementing her outfit.
He lifted her to sit on the railing, bent down and fastened the chain again. The chain was a little loose on her slender ankle, so he patiently knotted it and tightened it.
Seeing that she was about to say something, he smiled slightly.
"It looks great, wear it."
She lay on the pillow, gazing at the silver chain in her hand.
It was the first time I had worn such cumbersome ornaments, and I didn't like them. The jingling silver bells were especially incompatible with my habits. In the past, I would never have allowed such a thing to be on my body.
Why was this time an exception?
Unable to fall asleep for a long time, she tossed aside the ornaments in frustration and turned to the other side.
A sharp pain flashed through her legs like lightning, and she suddenly curled up, no longer able to think.
He suddenly woke up from his deep sleep.
The room was quiet, but my heart was pounding with inexplicable unease.
Finding nothing amiss, he got up and poured himself a cup of cold tea. A faint ringing sound reached his ears, almost like an illusion. He closed his eyes, held his breath, and listened intently. Suddenly, he heard a thud from the next room.
He suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed his sword, and rushed over.
The room was completely dark.
With no one else around, Jia Ye curled up on the ground, huddled up like a baby. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but her heavy breathing betrayed her unusual state.
She was huddled up, her arms tightly wrapped around herself, her fingertips digging into her arms, the blood staining her undergarment red. Her vest was soaked with sweat, her face pale as a ghost, taut like a fish pierced through the skin. She bit her lip hard, almost fainting from the pain, but made no sound.