linfengchun

Capítulo 77

After a moment of silence, Bi Jun closed his mouth. "She's really bold."

"She's got some nerve," Yin Hu nodded in admiration. This kind of upright female knight-errant... it's quite an eye-opener.

He probably wanted to use this opportunity to build a connection. If things went well, at the very least he could take control of the Hengshan Sect with the Xie family's secret assistance. If things went well, he could go even further. The Xie family, with its strict family traditions, would never allow their son to commit such a scandal and bear the reputation of starting something and then abandoning it.

Bi Jun glanced at the captivatingly handsome face. Over the years, countless women in Jiangnan had tried to win the boss's favor, but this was the first time someone had dared to be so bold. Aside from being foolish, it was truly... commendable in its courage.

"Should we tell...?" That person is really slow, otherwise there wouldn't have been a chance for someone to pull this stunt.

"Forget it, let's save face for the Hengshan Sect." Xie Yunshu smiled. "He'll come over after his performance, what's the rush?"

I never expected it to be an aphrodisiac...

The reason I can recognize it is because of a sentence someone said many years ago.

"Poison is one thing, but why even this...?" What assassin would need to be wary of aphrodisiacs?

"...With looks like yours, you'd better learn more..." A cold voice mocked. "If you don't want to be bullied and toyed with by someone like Elder Xiao again, then you'd better watch out..."

Such a long-standing entanglement... A smile suddenly appeared on his handsome face, and his eyes shone with a clear light. He tossed aside the handkerchief he was using to wipe his hands and began to plan his next target for subjugation.

"Thank you for waiting so long, Third Young Master..."

"No need for such formalities, we're all family," Xie Yunshu interrupted the other party's apology. "Have the others been appeased?"

The one who bowed respectfully in response was none other than the acting head of the Hengshan Sect. "There are no objections. After I analyzed the pros and cons, they agreed to respect the Xie family. However, if the elders return in the future, I fear…"

"You don't need to worry about that." Xie Yunshu naturally understood the unspoken meaning. "Since I've put you in this position, I'll help you remove any unnecessary obstacles. Not many of those elders will be able to return. Perhaps the Hengshan Sect should hold a celebration soon."

"happy event?"

"Your happy news with Miss Xianglan." He smiled faintly. "Elder Wuliang will be very happy that his daughter has become the sect leader's wife."

The other person's eyes lit up. "But she..."

"She's an ambitious woman," Xie Yunshu remarked casually. "I think you'll have a way."

"What you say is true, young master." If successful, it would indeed be a good way to consolidate one's position. With the status and reputation of Elder Wuliang, there would be no need to worry about dissenting fellow disciples. "I am deeply grateful for the help of the Third Young Master. I will do my utmost to serve you in any way that is of any use to me."

Xie Yunshu didn't move, and the silver swan behind him presented a scroll.

"There is only one thing I need your help with for now," he calmly stated the purpose of his trip, "to borrow the power of the Hengshan Sect to help me find someone."

"Find someone?" This request was surprisingly simple.

"Yes, find her for me by any means necessary, but remember to be discreet." The man's voice suddenly softened.

"I will do my best and deliver it to you as soon as I find it." He glanced at the painting briefly; it seemed to depict a young girl who could be easily found if she appeared in the vicinity.

Bi Jun coughed softly and was glared at by Yin Hu.

"Just send a message by carrier pigeon, and don't disturb them." Xie Yunshu smiled slightly, his fingertips brushing the hair of the person in the painting.

"As long as we can find her... you can do whatever you want with the Hengshan Sect."

longing

The phoenix soars gracefully, seeking its mate across the four seas.

I miss him terribly if I don't see him for a day.

Jia Ye disappeared for four whole years without a trace.

She disappeared completely, leaving no trace whatsoever. It was as if her existence was merely a figment of imagination, never mentioned and never seen by anyone.

The anger in his chest grew increasingly frenzied, intertwined with longing and love, it was hard to say which was stronger. The unfulfilled pursuit left him empty and anxious, so he poured all his energy into family affairs, using every means to expand his power. Compared to the past when the Xie family was the de facto leader controlling Yangzhou, the Xie family now had complete control of the south. All resistance, large and small, was subdued by overt or covert means, and their prestige was at its zenith. They even began to try to infiltrate the north.

Despite discovering the homeland of Jia Ye, monitoring the Fang family in Shu, and exhausting all methods of investigation, they still found nothing.

The lotus flowers in Xia Chu Yuan bloomed and withered, withered and bloomed again, but the slender figure who once lived here could not be found. Everything was just as it was when she left. He would stay here every few days. His family knew about this special habit, but they could not persuade him, so they could only turn a blind eye.

Silver lamps, painted screens, butterflies and kites.

The remaining half of the game, the clothes worn, the pen held, the comb that once held black hair…

And the pillow she leaned on.

She once nestled in his arms on the couch, her delicate skin as smooth as silk.

Her scent seemed to linger on the ice silk mattress. With his eyes closed, he could see her soft, white, and slender neck, her graceful back, and the soft moans she had made beneath him, her innocent responses, and her passionate, desperate embrace.

The enchanting and sensual memories burned within him, forcing him to frequently get up and splash his face with cold water. Years had passed since their separation, and his longing had only intensified. Once he caught that capricious woman, he would demand her a hundredfold, determined never to let her escape again.

The surging longing always reached its peak at night. In a daze, he heard a woman's footsteps outside the corridor, and a face without makeup appeared through the crack in the door. Dressed in snow-white clothes with black hair and clear, cold black eyes, she smiled gently at him as she approached the bedside.

He instinctively grabbed her slender wrist, and in a dizzying motion, her exquisite body was pressed down onto the bed. Her skin was smooth and delicate, and the soft, fragrant flesh filled his arms—it was an existence that couldn't be more real.

"Jia Ye?" he called out in disbelief.

She turned her pretty face slightly and pursed her lips without answering.

The person he had been longing for day and night was right in front of him. He could no longer restrain himself. His desire erupted like molten lava, and he passionately kissed her red lips and beautiful neck. His hands had already torn open her plain clothes and were eagerly exploring her curves.

The woman obediently let him indulge her, feeling suffocated by his passionate caresses.

Like a man on the verge of dying of thirst receiving a spoonful of water, he held on tightly, kissing her all the way down, savoring her fragrant body. The sweet aroma alerted him to something strange, and his unrestrained lips suddenly froze on her chest. All his movements came to a standstill, and after a long while, his body went from burning hot to icy cold.

He released the person who was overcome with emotion, straightened their disheveled clothes, and their eyes, which had been clouded by desire, regained their clarity.

"I apologize, it was my rudeness." His heart was gnawed by disappointment, but his face showed no sign of it. "I have offended you, young lady."

Two years ago, the battle on Mount Tianshan had settled, and news arrived from afar that Qianming's death had paved the way for the birth of a new leader. Jiuwei, with an iron fist, reorganized the Demonic Sect and ascended the throne with supreme authority. He immediately asked Jiuwei to search the Western Regions and investigate Jiaye's whereabouts.

After several fruitless searches, Jiuwei sent Yanrong to Yangzhou, his intentions clear.

He was both amused and exasperated, and could only temporarily house Yan Rong at the inn, treating her with the utmost courtesy. But today… he seemed to be bewitched, mistaking her for Jia Ye.

“Young master, what are you saying? It was Yanrong who shamelessly offered herself to you, I never expected…” She sat up and gave an embarrassed smile, her slender hands trembling slightly. “Young master’s deep affection for Xue Shi… truly makes Yanrong envious.”

He gave a wry smile and remained silent.

Some people envy it, while others discard it like trash, drifting away without looking back.

"Yanrong is of humble origin, and to have three parts resemblance to her is a blessing from her past life. If you do not mind, young master, I am willing to serve you until the Snow Envoy returns. I will never have any unrealistic desires."

Her words sounded gentle and ordinary, but her slender fingers unconsciously clenched into fists, revealing a lack of composure compared to her outward appearance. Tears welled in her clear eyes, making her even more pitiful and endearing.

He gazed quietly at the gentle and understanding person. A cold and indifferent face floated before his eyes, vaguely overlapping with his emotions... Ultimately, they were different. The person he longed for in his dreams never shed a tear, nor did she understand how to yield to his feelings or speak tenderly and gently.

“You are a good woman, worthy of being cherished and cared for, not to be someone else’s substitute.” He lowered his eyes, feeling somewhat guilty.

“Yanrong… Since entering Qingjia Pavilion, she has become accustomed to seeing people off and welcoming guests.” Her gentle voice trembled slightly. “There are many beauties in Meiyuan, and Yanrong is not a stunning beauty. The reason she can live alone in a pavilion is entirely because her face bears a resemblance to Xue Shi.”

“Countless people have come and gone, all embracing me… yet my heart is set on her.” A single tear silently slid down her cheek. “Only the young master is different. Although he also seeks her shadow in me, he has never been frivolous or disrespectful. He treats me with courtesy and regards Yanrong as a real person.”

"I came to Jiangnan willingly. To have gained your favor and temporarily soothe my loneliness is already an honor beyond measure." She wiped away her tears and gave a charming smile. "Yanrong knows her own identity and has no ulterior motives. She will not cause anyone any trouble. You can rest assured, sir."

His affectionate gaze left him speechless.

“You deserve a better man, not me.” He shook off his momentary illusion, his rejection tinged with remorse. “You… are indeed similar, but you are not her… I’m sorry.”

She didn't know how she got back to her residence.

Stumbling and leaning against the headboard, tears streamed down her face. At first, she sobbed silently, but gradually it turned into a wail.

She forced a smile as she navigated social interactions, disgusted by the men who lusted after other women while clinging to her, yet she had no choice but to appease them. The only one she truly loved wouldn't even give her the chance to be a substitute.

She didn't know whether her appearance was a blessing or a nightmare. She held the bronze mirror, her eyes blurred with tears, and looked at her reflection, feeling only endless sorrow.

"Third Brother." Qinglan glanced outside and sneakily approached, as if she had something she couldn't hide.

He glanced at it, then continued to peruse the reports of his subordinates, planning personnel changes and deployments.

"Speak." He generously gave Qinglan the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"Yesterday I overheard my older brother and father talking," the boy reported, half boasting and not without pride. "That's quite an achievement; you know Dad has the best ears."

"And then?" The point, of course, isn't about eavesdropping.

"They talked a lot, believing that the Xie family's power had expanded too rapidly recently, and they were worried about clashing with the Northern Monarch's Mansion. After all, they had always kept to themselves, and an unprovoked conflict would only benefit others."

"Hmm." He had already considered this point. The Royal Palace had held sway in the north for many years; its influence was deep-rooted and difficult to shake, but...

"So Dad might talk to you tonight and advise you to behave yourself."

"That's it?" He didn't think that such a small matter would make Qinglan so secretive.

“Anything else…” Qinglan chuckled dryly, observing his expression as she spoke. “My older brother said you should get married. He thinks Sister Fengge is a good candidate.”

His hand veered off course while writing, leaving a heavy stroke on the paper. He said in a deep voice, "What did Father say?"

"Dad didn't say much, but it seems he meant the same thing."

Has my father's patience worn thin? A shadow fell over my heart, and I felt vaguely uneasy.

"Third Brother, what are you planning to do?" Curiosity prompted Qinglan to break the taboo and ask about a topic that no one in the family had touched on for years. "Eldest Brother said that if you keep dragging this out, there might be gossip in the martial arts world. Even Brother Song has married her."

Song Yushang, who had always been a playboy, was forcibly summoned back to Jinling by his family to get married. Now he is the father of a two-year-old child and is strictly controlled by his wife. Whenever he talks about it, he sighs and laments that his past romantic life has become a thing of the past.

"Even if I were to marry, she wouldn't be my wife." He didn't give a direct answer.

"Anyone will do, as long as it's not that woman." The abrupt voice came from Xie Quheng, who stepped in by the candlelight. He had clearly heard what Xie Quheng said and looked quite displeased. "No matter which family the young lady comes from, as long as her family background is respectable, her parents will not have any objections."

"All I want is her." Her words were calm yet resolute.

"What do you take the Xie family's reputation for?" Xie Quheng was furious to see his third brother so stubbornly clinging to his delusions for years. "And you still haven't given up on that vixen."

"So the Xie family's reputation rests entirely on my wife's shoulders." He smiled slightly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "The responsibility is so heavy that an ordinary woman truly cannot bear it."

"Stop talking nonsense. She finally agreed to leave on her own, yet you're still hung up on her. Have you forgotten all the trouble she caused?" Xie Quheng was completely baffled. "In what way can she compare to the ladies of high society in Jiangnan?"

“Indeed.” Xie Yunshu shrugged and put down his pen. “Playing the zither, embroidering, writing, painting, exchanging poems, and in terms of family background and social standing, none can compare.” Qinglan was dumbfounded but dared not interrupt.

"But when it comes to martial arts skills, mental fortitude, perseverance, caution, self-control, intelligence, and resourcefulness, which woman can compare to her?" He spoke frankly, his brows furrowed with undisguised pride. "Moreover, what I like has nothing to do with these things, and it's naturally difficult for my elder brother to understand since he's an outsider."

"What you like is nothing more than..." Xie Quheng retorted angrily, but hesitated to speak due to Qing Lan's harsh words. "Bewitched by seductive charms."

Xie Yunshu could certainly guess what he meant, and his expression changed.

"Brother, please spare her from our brotherhood. She is in no way inferior to anyone, and there is nothing to criticize or find fault with her." Unable to contain his anger, he spoke his mind.

"She served the Demonic Sect for many years just to avenge her family and friends. Afterwards, she abandoned her position and fled without any attachment. Because of my entrustment, she stood up to protect the Bai family and fought to the death. She didn't care about the enemies who provoked her and almost killed her. But in my elder brother's eyes, she was worthless. If it weren't for the fact that I was in a difficult position in the Xie family and she didn't want to be implicated, why would she hide away and avoid them? Apart from her background, she is a hundred times better than others. Why is she so intolerant?"