Arrancando flores y sonriendo

Capítulo 30

"I heard that a young master Yan recently arrived in Jiangning, and many celebrities, wealthy people, and high-ranking officials are vying to befriend him. You must be the one?" Lu Rumei raised an eyebrow, her expression slightly sarcastic.

"I wouldn't dare, it is I." Yan Zongwang lightly waved his folding fan and walked over slowly, retorting indifferently, "I heard that the number one manor in the world has a sharp-tongued and fickle mistress, it seems that you are the one?"

"Shut up! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I..." Lu Rumei trembled with anger, and with a whoosh, she drew her silver leather whip again.

"Oh? I'm talking nonsense? Where exactly am I talking nonsense?" Yan Zongwang pretended to be puzzled. "Is it because you're not fickle, or are you not the master's wife? Alas, I've only been here a short time and don't know much about these things. Please forgive me, Miss Lu."

"Tch!" Seeing his pretentious act, I couldn't help but chuckle, glancing at Huaiyuan with a smile. "Brother Yan, it's rather ungentlemanly of you to be so abrupt with a beauty like that. That love-binding whip is no joke. You're a guest from afar, so it's best to be careful on their turf."

"Rumei! How dare you be so rude!" Liu Wufeng frowned slightly and stopped her. Then he smiled slightly, "Is this Young Master Yan? I've long admired your name. May I ask what brings you here today?"

"I've been visiting a friend since I had nothing else to do," Yan Zongwang said with a smile, but his words carried a hidden barb. "It seems that Master Liu has come here to collect debts."

"Brother Yan, you jest. Even if we were friends, it's only natural for friends to help each other out. Even if we were complete strangers, it would be only right to lend a hand since we've met." Liu Wufeng smiled calmly. "Do you think my prestigious Jingyou Manor would care about a mere few hundred taels of silver?"

"Then I misunderstood and wrongly accused Master Liu. Please forgive me, Young Hero Liu." Yan Zongwang knew when to stop, and then glanced at Huaiyuan. "But this gentleman is quite unfamiliar. May I ask who he is?"

“My name is Jiang Mohui.” Huaiyuan stood coldly in place, showing no intention of continuing the conversation. “I’m sorry, but a death has occurred here today. I’m afraid Qingyang doesn’t have time to entertain a ‘loser’ like you. Please leave.”

Good grief, he actually dared to presume to kick me out?! I glared at him, but he was even angrier than me, sporting a sour face and speaking in a sarcastic tone. Are you kidding me? Who's the one who should be angry here?

Glancing at the two corpses lying in the courtyard, Yan Zongwang nodded without changing his expression. "It seems that a lot happened here last night. It's a pity I missed the good show." He strolled leisurely to my side and whispered something in my ear.

"How did you know?" I looked up at him in surprise, then it dawned on me—of course he would know. No wonder he was so sure last night that he wanted me to make a wish; it turns out he wanted to be the river god himself.

"So, will you accept this generous gift I'm giving you or not?" He looked at me with a beaming smile.

"Yes, of course I want it!" I was overjoyed. "I couldn't ask for more! If my wish can really be fulfilled, I will do anything you ask of me in the future, even at the cost of my life!"

"I don't need to die ten thousand times, just agree to two conditions when the time comes." Yan Zongwang laughed freely, as if he had received a generous gift.

"No way!" Huaiyuan refused decisively. "Qingyang, how can you agree to something so casually? What if he asks you to do something you can't? Wouldn't that be breaking your promise? What do you want? Why don't you tell me and see if I can help you?!"

"No need! It'll save you from people saying I'm trying to scam you. I don't care about the bad reputation, but it would be bad if it affected your relationship as engaged." I coldly refused him—wanting to have your cake and eat it too? No way!

"Then, see you at Moonlit Pavilion tonight." Yan Zongwang didn't waste any more words, clasped his hands in a salute, turned and walked out—truly a sudden arrival and a swift departure! This is a man who truly accomplishes great things! Unlike some others? Humph!

"Qingyang, listen to me." Huaiyuan wanted to say something more, but suddenly more than a dozen men dressed in black rushed into the courtyard, bowing to them and interrupting him. —It seems that Jingyou Manor has sent people to help arrange the funeral arrangements for Xiaofeng's family.

The efficiency of Jingyou Manor is truly remarkable. In just half a day, not only were the coffin and burial plot arranged, but all the necessary funeral supplies were also provided. They even prepared a large bundle of white chrysanthemums that I requested—money really can make the devil turn the millstone!

Silently placing the last white chrysanthemum on the grave, I slowly walked to Xiaofeng's side and embraced her frail, thin body—I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! A thousand words were stuck in my throat, but I couldn't say them.

"You really don't want me to come with you?" Huaiyuan looked at me and Xiaofeng with some concern. "I'll just walk a little further away, I promise I won't bother you, is that not enough?"

"No need, I want to talk to Uncle Shen and the others alone. I don't think Xiao Feng would like having a few more outsiders here." I looked up at the sky. "It's still early, you should go. I'll take Xiao Feng home later."

"And what about you? Are you really planning to continue living alone in that secluded little courtyard?" Huaiyuan sighed softly, took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, and handed it to me. "You're welcome to come anytime you want. I just hope you won't think about it for too long."

I silently took it, glanced down at it, and saw it was a detailed map of the Xuanwu Lake Villa in the Tranquil Mountain Villa—seeing something like this, I couldn't help but feel moved! But what could I do? He still had Lu Rumei; there was no future for me and him. I would never allow myself to follow in my mother's footsteps.

Xiaofeng sobbed softly at Aunt Shen's grave, and my heart ached terribly—if it weren't for me, how could she have ended up in such a tragic state, with her family destroyed?! Fourteen years old, the age when flowers should be in full bloom, the age when one should be nestled in their mother's arms, being pampered! And what had I done to her?!

"Uncle Shen, Aunt Shen, Second Uncle Shen, Xiaolong, I'm so sorry! I know the mistakes I made for you can never be made up for in this lifetime." With tears streaming down my face, I knelt before the four new graves and whispered, "But I swear on my life that I will never let anyone hurt Xiaofeng again in my lifetime! Please believe me and entrust Xiaofeng to my care!"

"Brother Qingyang, thank you." Xiaofeng stood shyly beside me, tears welling in her eyes, a faint blush on her face. —My heart skipped a beat. Could she be...? No, no, she's only fourteen. Why am I letting my imagination run wild and scaring myself? I shook my head vigorously, banishing those absurd thoughts from my mind. Yes, Xiaofeng is my sister, and she has always respected me like an older brother.

However, for some reason, a sense of unease kept creeping into my heart, making me unable to look Xiaofeng in the eye again—I sincerely wished her happiness and joy, and I couldn't bear to cause her even the slightest harm!

My eyes darted around haphazardly, but I dared not look at Xiaofeng again—even though she had lowered her head and was concentrating on burning joss paper, muttering something under her breath.

Not far from us stood a young woman, her figure graceful, a snow-white dress accentuating her curves. She bent slightly at the waist, bowing her head to retrieve wine and food from a basket she carried, presumably also offering sacrifices to her loved ones. Beside her stood two maidens with downed hair. Behind them was an incomparably magnificent four-wheeled carriage—clearly belonging to a young lady from a wealthy family.

I couldn't help but sigh silently. Whether a person is poor or rich in life, after death they are nothing more than a handful of dust. Strangely, though, the young lady, though dressed only in simple clothes, couldn't hide her noble and refined air, yet her new grave appeared hastily and simply, completely incongruous with her attire and bearing—but that's none of my business; perhaps she simply preferred simplicity. Besides, what use is a lavish and grand tomb when someone is already dead?

Looking around, many new graves stand in this area. A few clouds drift slowly across the pale blue sky, and the wildly growing weeds on the ground stretch towards the horizon like waves, gradually merging with the distant Yangtze River, making it impossible to distinguish where the water ends, the grass begins, and the sky ends.

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard the tinkling of jade pendants. The magnificent carriage had already sped past me. A gentle breeze blew by, lifting a corner of the curtain. Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, I saw a stunningly beautiful woman!

A beautiful woman in simple white clothes, with bright eyes and white teeth, exuded elegance and nobility, like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley. Noticing me watching her, she showed no annoyance. With a slender, jade-like hand, she half-concealed her face with a snow-white fan, smiled sweetly at me, and then vanished without a trace.

"Brother Qingyang!" Xiaofeng called to me sweetly.

"Huh?" I finally snapped out of my daze. That Lu Rumei, although her looks were comparable to hers, was arrogant and domineering; the two were worlds apart in terms of temperament! She was only fit to carry her shoes! "What did you say?"

"I said, it's getting late, let's go back." Xiao Feng tugged at my sleeve, "Brother Qingyang forgot about Xiao Feng as soon as he saw the pretty girls!"

"Hehe, Xiaofeng, you've misunderstood. I think she's nowhere near as pretty as Xiaofeng. Our Xiaofeng is the most beautiful girl in the world." I chuckled, flattering her.

"Hmph! Brother Qingyang has learned to lie too!" Xiaofeng rolled her eyes at me, pouting, "How dare I compare to Li Yanluo, the number one courtesan of Qinhuai?"

"Oh, so she's the most famous courtesan of Qinhuai? No wonder she has such unparalleled beauty!" I sighed with admiration—no wonder she didn't get angry when I stared at her earlier, but instead gave me flirty glances; it was just her professional habit. I had thought it was because I was too dashing as a man that I had captivated her heart! This book was first published on Xiaoxiang Novel Original Network; please retain this information when reprinting!

[Volume 2: Parting Chapter 11 - Oath of Brotherhood at Xuanwu Lake]

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a soft orange hue over the Qinhuai River, and along its winding course, several lights gradually illuminated the waterway. Dusk slowly deepened.

Xiaofeng and I walked side by side through the market. This was the first time we had gone shopping together. Xiaofeng seemed exceptionally happy. She held a jade hairpin that I had bought for her in her hand, looking around excitedly, her pretty face beaming with smiles—she was still just a child, having so quickly cast aside the pain of losing her loved one.

I smiled as I watched her profile, temporarily setting aside my guilt—after all, the living are more important than the dead. If Xiaofeng could open her heart and live happily, wouldn't that be exactly what I wanted?

"Hey! Isn't this Miss Yunxian?" Suddenly, a drunkard appeared out of a roadside restaurant. He staggered over to us and grabbed Xiaofeng's hand. "What? I offered you two hundred taels to comb your hair, and you refused! And you said you'd sell your art but not your body?! Bah!"

"Ah!" Xiaofeng screamed, breaking free from his grasp and hiding behind me. "What are you doing? I don't know you, get away from me!"

"Don't you recognize me? I recognize you! Aren't you Shen Yunxian, the courtesan from Yihonglou?" The drunkard followed her relentlessly, trying to forcibly drag her out from behind him. "Didn't you say you wouldn't sell yourself for any amount of money? What? You've taken a fancy to this pretty boy?"