linfengchun

Capítulo 80

"There's no mistake, the carriage bears the insignia of the Royal Palace."

The four pure black horses moved in unison, their bodies adorned with bright embellishments. The black lacquered carriage frame was decorated with simple and elegant patterns engraved with silver lines. It was not overly luxurious, but it exuded a certain aura, quite different from the many ornate carriages that came and went.

The car stopped in front of the small building, and the servant jumped out of the car nimbly and placed the footstool there. His movements were extremely agile.

The first to come down were a man and a woman, who moved with agility and speed, quickly surveying their surroundings. They then formed a barrier with the people coming out of the building to separate the curious crowd.

The brocade curtain was slightly lifted, and a man with a refined and elegant demeanor peeked out. As soon as his face came into view, everyone gasped and recognized him as Yu Sui, who had once been a guest at the Xie family.

"...So he was Jun Suiyu." Qinglan was stunned, her eyes widening in disbelief. "He used to be sworn brothers with my elder brother, and he's actually..."

Who would have thought that the gentle and kind young man was actually a giant in the martial arts world of the North?

"Why didn't you tell me first?" Bi Jun complained, surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

"I've never seen him before, this is my first time here too," Yin Hu said irritably. "Do you think the head of the King's mansion is someone you can just meet whenever you want?"

While the commotion was raging, Jun Suiyu turned around, reached up to catch the person in the carriage, and seemed to say something.

A fair, delicate hand emerged from the room, exquisite and beautiful, as if carved from jade under the lamplight, and the surroundings instantly fell silent. The hand gently descended and rested on Jun Sui's jade palm, soft and boneless, with slender fingers, captivating the eye even without the embellishment of jewels.

With a gentle pull, a beautiful woman in brocade appeared before them.

Her slender figure was wrapped in a snow-white mink coat, and her glossy black hair was loosely tied up.

Her beauty was unparalleled, her skin as white as snow, her dark eyes like still pools that beckoned one to drown, her soft lips as delicate as springtime, bright and alluring, clear and vibrant. One's thoughts were completely lost, only her slightly furrowed brows like mist shrouding distant mountains. One immediately felt tenderness and pity from the bottom of one's heart, wishing one could give anything to bring joy to her face.

That kind of breathtaking beauty is too beautiful to be disturbed in the darkness of night.

Countless eyes were fixed on them, and for a moment, everyone held their breath, fearing that if they took even the slightest breath, the person before them would melt away.

The group had been inside the elegant pavilion for quite some time when the area in front of the building gradually returned to its lively state. Many people were somewhat distracted, still immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the place.

“That…” Bi Jun was stunned for a long time. “Is it the Snow Envoy? Why do I feel like…”

“It’s different, isn’t it? I thought so too at first.” Yin Hu regained the upper hand, beaming with pride. “Supposedly, the Snow Envoy’s appearance shouldn’t change, but who else could it be but her?”

“Her… appearance…” Qinglan was in a daze.

Xie Yunshu didn't speak, but his eyes never left her.

Watching her sit down on the brocade stool, leaning against the window to admire the scenery, tilting her head slightly to listen to the man beside her, her black hair still held up with that same ivory hairpin, and a hand warmer covered with a brocade bag in her arms.

No one will think of her as a child anymore.

The beautiful woman before me has graceful curves, displaying the elegant figure of an eighteen-year-old girl. If she was like a budding green flower in the past, she now has blossomed with boundless splendor.

Four years have passed, and she has truly grown up.

“Now I understand why she took that poisonous flower.” Bi Jun commented as he watched, “If that’s the case, there’s no way the King would let her go.”

"Qianming's judgment is indeed excellent," Yinhu said, focusing on the matter at hand.

“Third Brother has a good eye too,” Qinglan couldn’t help but agree.

"But it's strange, she's been the same for so many years, how could she suddenly change?" Bi Jun was quite puzzled. "Could Jun Suiyu have some secret method? When did he get involved with Xue Shi?"

Silver Swan immediately struck him, and Jade Falcon finally came to his senses, breaking out in a sweat. He secretly glanced at Xie Yunshu, but thankfully he was still staring, as if he hadn't heard anything.

"So he was already harboring malicious intentions back in Yangzhou." Qinglan gritted her teeth, extremely dissatisfied that the other party dared to steal her third brother's sweetheart.

Why did he go to the Xie family under an assumed name?

"I think I mentioned that she was like an old friend or something," Yin Hu recalled with difficulty.

“Since childhood, Xue Shi has lived in the Tianshan Mountains. Where would she find old friends in Jiangnan? Instead, she has one enemy after another.” Bi Jun was puzzled.

"It must be an excuse." Qinglan said bitterly, "I didn't realize he was so cunning. It's a wonder the Xie family treated him like an honored guest."

"I didn't expect her to be hiding in Xijing, with the royal palace blocking her way. No wonder we couldn't find her anywhere."

"I even made a trip to southern Vietnam for nothing."

"I've always admired how you managed to find intelligence in such a godforsaken place," Bi Jun blurted out his true feelings.

"Really?" Yin Hu was first surprised, then pleased, and then boastful. "It's rare for you to tell the truth. Even I admire myself. Now you finally admit that my listening skills are better than yours..."

……………………

After a long chatter, their gazes returned to the pavilion across the street.

Her snow-white face reflected a mesmerizing glow under the bright lights, so beautiful it seemed unreal, like something out of a dream, leaving everyone somewhat distracted.

Jun Suiyu poured her tea, chatting and laughing as they gazed at the bustling street scene. After a while, he took Jia Ye's hand and touched it, then turned and gave an order. Soon, the woman beside him handed her a bulging brocade bag, replacing the hand warmer she had been carrying. Presumably, the temperature was gradually dropping, so they added new charcoal.

She smiled lazily, her starry eyes sparkling with a hint of gratitude, a touch of languor, and a hint of nonchalance, revealing a pure and innocent, charming beauty.

Bi Jun swallowed silently, then casually glanced around. Just then, Yin Hu looked over, slightly uncomfortable, and they exchanged an awkward smile.

Reunion

He clung to the dust, breathing deeply and slowly, his breath barely perceptible.

The security here is exceptionally tight; Silver Swan wasn't exaggerating. The wise decision would be to gather as many clues as possible, understand the situation, and then attempt to infiltrate.

But he couldn't wait; his burning desire couldn't be suppressed for even a moment.

Before she and Jun Suiyu could leave the small building, he had already arrived at the King's Mansion with Yin Hu Bi Jun.

The guards did not become lax or negligent because their master was not present. He used his silver swan and green falcon to lure away some of the guards, and then used the stealth and concealment techniques he had learned in the Tianshan Mountains to barely penetrate into the heart of the territory.

Where is Kasya's room?

After peering from the rooftops for a while, he was suddenly drawn to a bright light. In the flickering light of the gauze lamp, a strange, crystalline glow shone, ethereal and dazzling, reminding him of the beaded curtain Silver Swan had mentioned. The closer he got, the more vigilant he became, and the more difficult it was to sneak in. Using breathless, stealthy movements, the exquisite wooden eaves emitted a barely audible creak, like a sudden gust of wind, and he slipped into the outer corridor where the beaded curtain hung low.

Just then, Jia Ye returned to the mansion, and the maids in the courtyard all rushed to the garden gate to greet him. Taking advantage of the gap, he climbed into the room, hovering under the dark dust, observing his surroundings and concealing his presence. His black clothes seemed to have become part of the architecture.

The furnishings are not complicated. Although the tables and utensils are all extremely exquisite, they are not like the legendary pile of precious artifacts.

The only unusual thing was that it was quite warm, which was immediately noticeable upon entering, creating a stark contrast with the biting cold wind of the north. It seemed that the entire room was heated by an underfloor heating system, which never stopped even when the owner was not around.

A room filled with books, a desk, and several layers of plain-colored gauze curtains hanging to the ground, adding a touch of mystery. Wisps of smoke rose from the gilded cloud-patterned Boshan incense burner, creating an atmosphere of extraordinary tranquility.

The jade screen is painted with large green lotus blossoms, and a chessboard stands beside it. The black and white jade chess pieces gleam with a soft glow, and only half of the game remains. At the other end of the gauze curtain is an intricately carved ivory bed. The lacquered box is dimly lit, the silk curtains are half-drawn, and the silver-red silk quilt adds a touch of elegance to the room.

There was only one pillow... and I felt a little calmer.

The wind chimes under the eaves tinkled softly in the winter night breeze, and voices drew closer. Several maids escorted Jia Ye in. She rubbed her temples with her jade-like fingers, seemingly weary, as the maids removed her layers of winter clothing, took off her hair ornaments, and helped her change into her nightgown. The last maid brought a tray; the white jade cup in the black lacquer tray emitted a misty, faint fragrance of medicine. Jia Ye frowned slightly, picked it up, and drank it.

After a flurry of washing and rinsing their mouths, the maids all left.

After resting on the couch for a while, she lazily kicked off her silk slippers and walked barefoot into the next room. The sound of running water could be heard from the adjacent room, which was presumably a bathhouse.

There was no further movement for a long time, and the room was completely silent.

He landed silently on the ground and stepped into the steamy bathroom.

The white marble floor was so smooth and reflective that it could be seen through a mirror. Warm spring water gushed from the jade lotus mouth on the wall. On a silver plate beside the jade platform were silk clothes and ivory combs. A seven-treasure glass bottle contained fragrant hair and body lotion, and the mist softened the translucent and colorful shimmering light.

A soft, silvery net held a luminous pearl the size of a baby's fist, which cascaded down from the ceiling, scattering a pure white, gentle light. The water rippled and the mist was faint, creating a dreamlike scene.

Jia Ye was mostly submerged in the water, her head resting against the pool wall, her black hair spread out like clouds, her long eyelashes lightly closed, as if she were already asleep. Her snow-white cheeks were flushed slightly by the heat. Her silk dress, soaked in water, became almost transparent, revealing glimpses of her delicate and alluring breasts. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion, yet also a strange unease. She remained unawakened despite being so close, which was highly unusual.

The skin felt warm to the touch, a stark contrast to the coldness of the past. I gently patted her face, but she remained motionless, as if unconscious.

A chill ran down my spine. I checked her over and over but found nothing amiss. She was definitely asleep, but how could she be sleeping so soundly, completely oblivious to my presence? Was she... that tired?

A pang of sadness welled up in his chest. He temporarily put aside his worries, lifted her out of the water, and gently stroked the face he had been longing for day and night with his fingertips.

She's more beautiful than before, less naive and more alluring, her skin as smooth as ever, her soft and full body exuding a familiar cool fragrance, her slightly parted lips seeming to invite one to taste her.

He really kissed her, and it was as sweet as he remembered. He slowly savored the softness, unable to extricate himself from the moment he touched her beautiful body. His breathing gradually became erratic.

She suddenly moved, as if sensing someone's advances. Before she even opened her eyes, her slender hand shot out like a sword, but he grabbed her wrists and suppressed the force in his palm. Looking at her open black eyes, he smiled with a hint of smugness, pleased to see her eyes widen so much that he could almost see her reflection.

"It's me." He lightly pecked her snow-white nose, his voice slightly hoarse with a playful smirk. "Look, I've caught you."

She was stunned for a moment, her brows furrowed slightly, and she muttered to herself in surprise.

"This dream is so strange."

"A dream?" He laughed, his fingertips deliberately brushing against her soft breasts, rubbing against a delicate red spot. "You like such an absurd dream?"

The physical stimulation made her tremble, her face flushed, and she quickly grabbed his mischievous hand.

“You…” She touched his firm chest, then his handsome face, “How can you be so real…” She wanted to bite his soft fingertips, but he pulled her away.

“If you want to prove it, I have a better way.” Without waiting for a reply, he kissed her delicate collarbone, his hot breath brushing against her skin, carrying a long-suppressed thirst. The kiss gradually moved down, gently biting through her soaked white clothes. She trembled involuntarily, weakly trying to push him away.

"Wait, something's not right..."

He ignored the warnings, knowing the timing was inappropriate, yet still lost control and acted recklessly. A chill suddenly swept behind him, and he instinctively pulled Jia Ye a few feet away, avoiding a sword strike brimming with killing intent. The bright sword light pursued him, and in a series of dodges and leaps, he used one hand to exert force and strike. With a clang, the longsword slashed straight away, widening the distance between them and the attacker.

The one wielding the sword was a woman, one of the attendants who had accompanied Jia Ye to admire the lanterns. At this moment, her face was as cold as frost, her killing intent palpable, and she glared fiercely at him.

"Who dares to be so insolent in the King's Palace? Release the young lady!"

He ignored her, and the person in his arms slid softly down, so he reached out and hugged her tighter. Looking closely, he saw that her dark eyes were hazy and confused, as if she was about to fall asleep again, and this startled him greatly.

"Jia Ye!" He disregarded the enemy in front of him and felt her wrist pulse. "Don't sleep, what happened?"

"Let go!"

The chilling blade thrust forward, but he had no heart for fighting, focusing solely on holding her and dodging. Once away from the hot spring, their wet clothes were chilled by the wind, and their soft bodies grew cold.

The cold slightly awakened Jia Ye, who managed to suppress her drowsiness.

"Shuangjing, stop! He's not an enemy..." She stopped the maid from calling for the guards, her voice growing increasingly weary. "...Don't tell Sui...Yu...Wait until I wake up..."

Before she could utter the last few words, a powerful sleepiness seized her, and she fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

The two sober individuals stared at each other for a long time. The woman's icy gaze swept across his face and lingered on the long sword at his waist for a long time.

"Xie San of Yangzhou?"

He nodded, ignoring the rudeness in the words.

The coldness seemed to subside slightly, but the tone changed to sarcasm. "I never imagined that a young master from a prestigious family in Jiangnan would be like such a third-rate scoundrel."

"What did you give her to drink?" He remembered the medicine he had received while changing clothes, and his anger flared up instantly.

Shuangjing sheathed her sword, picked up the silk handkerchief she had just tossed aside, and glared at him rudely.

"Get out, I need to help Miss change her clothes."