Un corazón puro en una vasija de jade

Capítulo 81

“The people in the mountains live a hard life, and it’s not easy for merchants to earn a little money. As the prospective consort of the Chen Kingdom, Yongye would love to raze all the mountain strongholds within a hundred miles as a generous gift for the princess. Killing a few highway robbers is nothing. General Yi, you’ve worked so hard for the country, it’s rare for you to have some leisure time, please!” Yongye ignored the sarcasm in Yi Zhongtian’s words and handed him a cup of tea with a light laugh.

What a silver-tongued Marquis of Yong'an! Yi Zhongtian's eyes were sharp as knives, already exuding murderous intent.

Unexpectedly, the pale face also met his gaze with a smile, and a pair of dark eyes shone with a gentle light, showing no sign of fear.

How many people in this world can meet his gaze? Yi Zhongtian recalled the black-clad youth from many years ago who challenged him at Qishan outside Sanyu Pass with a long sword. If he hadn't heard that the youth had defeated Qingxuzi, the number one expert in Qi, he wouldn't have accepted the challenge.

However, on the chess mountain, the young man fought him to a draw, and his gaze was just like that of the Marquis of Yong'an, peaceful and smiling.

The young man from back then had amazed him. This young Marquis of Yong'an had no martial arts skills, a frail body, but a calm and ruthless heart. How could he dare to underestimate him? Hundreds of lives were lost without exception. If Lu Da and his four personal guards hadn't been kept alive to embarrass him, they would probably be dead already. Yi Zhongtian watched Yong Ye leisurely brewing tea, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. He found the tea fragrant and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste, and couldn't help but sigh at the skill of the brewer.

Yet, a sense of resentment lingered in his heart, the image of Yu Xiu, so elegant and poised, flashing into his mind. As a child, she had embraced him affectionately, calling him Brother Yi. Later, he had personally taught the princess martial arts. He had watched her grow up, and her every smile and gesture was etched deeply into his heart like a knife carving.

The Emperor had promised him that he would be allowed to marry the princess after the Battle of Sanyu Pass. However, the battle was lost, and the princess vowed to go to Anguo to kill Prince Duan. Given Yu Xiu's intelligence, she was no match for the Marquis of Yong'an. How could he allow her to take such a risk?

His princess, married to this Marquis of Yong'an who might die young at any moment? Would she become a widow after marriage? Or suffer a disgraceful death?

He was determined to kill him, to inflict pain on Prince Duan, and to sever Yu Xiu's feelings. He would rather fight Prince Duan again at Sanyu Pass than let Yu Xiu spend her whole life with him.

Yi Zhongtian said coldly, "The princess is kind-hearted and will not appreciate your generous gift."

Yongye watched the changes in Yi Zhongtian's eyes, his anger and murderous intent surging forth, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. Forcing herself to calm down, she struggled to utter, "As long as Xiu likes it, Yongye will get her whatever gift she desires."

That affectionate address pierced the only soft spot in Yi Zhongtian's heart like a knife. "Crack!" The teacup in his hand shattered under his force. He raised his hand in a swift motion, and the tea in his palm struck Yongye's chest like beads.

Water droplets, infused with internal energy, slammed heavily against Yongye's chest. She felt incredibly suffocated, and her vision blurred. She cursed inwardly, "If I exert any more force, I'll vomit blood."

“This cup is too thin; it’s not suitable for a martial artist like me,” Yi Zhongtian said coldly.

The murderous aura vanished instantly, breaking the tense silence in the air. Yongye clutched her chest, secretly astonished; Yi Zhongtian's martial arts skills were truly impressive. She forced a smile and said, "It wasn't General Yi's fault. Next time, Yongye will definitely remember to invite General Yi to have tea, using a large, rough porcelain bowl!"

Yi Zhongtian pushed away his cup and stood up, coldly saying, "My heart is filled with nothing but swords and bloodshed. Listening to the rain in the mountains is not to my liking. Farewell!"

"General Yi, please wait! Please inform Prince Chen and the princess that the wedding was originally scheduled for August. Now that Yongye has arrived, please take the princess back to Anguo with you."

She successfully saw Yi Zhongtian's gloomy face, and then, oblivious to the danger, added, "This way, the princess won't suffer from lovesickness, and Yongye will also feel heartache! I wonder if General Yi would be willing to serve as the emperor's bodyguard and come to my An Kingdom to tour the bustling capital!"

Yi Zhongtian's murderous intent rekindled. What was the purpose of this Marquis of Yong'an constantly provoking his anger?

Turning around, he saw Yongye smiling at him, a silver light shimmering between her fingers. His pupils contracted sharply; if he wasn't mistaken, she was holding a silver needle between her fingers. Had she been concealing her martial arts skills all along? Insidious, cunning, and vicious—if she wasn't eliminated, the consequences would be dire. Yi Zhongtian turned and left.

Yongye smiled as she watched his retreating figure, then opened her palm. It wasn't a silver needle, but a delicate silver hairpin. The hairpin head was shaped like a butterfly, and the body was long and thin like a needle. Upon closer inspection, the patterns on it were intricate and the carving was extremely exquisite. It was one of the gifts to be given to Yuxiu.

She figured that given Yi Zhongtian's volatile temper, his aroused curiosity, and the embarrassment of his subordinates being captured, he would definitely come tonight.

Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight

As night fell, the rain intensified, sounding like the rapid, rhythmic beat of drums.

Fearing that Yihong might be hurt, Yongye told her to go sleep somewhere else. He lit the candle and played the zither alone.

The bamboo curtain was half-rolled up, the drapery fluttered, and the sounds of rain and wind outside the window were incessant.

Yongye's gaze shifted to the candlelight enveloping the lantern. That warmest light gently spilled onto the zither, and with a closed eye, it transformed into the gentle smile of the moon. She took a deep breath, and slightly raised her right hand, striking a pose reminiscent of the "Wind Startles the Crane Dance."

This "Wind-Startled Crane Dance" involves tapping and sliding the back of the fingernails to create a sound. With a flick of the wrist, the music becomes clear and resonant, evoking the image of a crane amidst raging waves and a solitary figure poised to take flight.

The music then shifts to a technique reminiscent of a dripping spring in a secluded valley, depicting the slow, gentle patter of rain on banana leaves and the swift, sweeping sound of wind swirling through newly fallen lotus leaves, capturing the essence of a night of stormy weather on the zither. The hand gestures then change again, like the swaying tail of a swimming fish, bringing a sense of peace and warmth to the melody.

She rarely plays the zither, and involuntarily thinks of the handsome teacher who taught her. Years ago, he remarked with a touch of melancholy that she had grown old. Eight years have passed; has the handsome teacher retained his charm?

Is she with Master Qingyi? They don't seem to be in Anguo anymore. They've disappeared from the mountains back then. Did they leave Youli Valley and wander the world to find a beautiful place to live in seclusion, or are they hiding in some country?

Is Prince Chen the mastermind behind Youli Valley? Was Yuxiu's marriage to Anguo Prince Chen's idea or Youli Valley's arrangement?

Will he clash with Mr. Beauty and Master Qingyi in order to eliminate Youli Valley's influence in Anguo and stabilize the imperial power of Anguo?

The music was melodious and far-reaching, breaking through the rain and swirling around it, just like her thoughts fluttering.

The truth, shrouded in a thick fog, was like a rain curtain covering the world. Eyelids lowered, the sound of rain under the eaves outside the window paused for a moment before returning to calm, and a soft thud came from outside the door as a guard collapsed to the ground.

"Are they all here?" Yongye smiled slightly, and the music changed, becoming as rapid as ten thousand galloping hooves, as heavy as a hammer breaking a drum. For a moment, it seemed as if wind and rain were converging, heavy clouds pressing down, the air so stifling it was hard to breathe. She finally exhaled, and again used the Startled Crane technique, striking out a powerful note with lightning speed, like a white crane's cry startling the world. At the same time, a sharp sword aura struck her back.

She seemed unaware, closing her eyes and immersing herself in the music and her thoughts.

"Clang!" The metallic clang produced a crisp sound.

The rain stopped abruptly, and the wind ceased abruptly.

Yongye turned around in surprise, and when he opened his eyes, he had already suppressed his smugness.

Soaked to the bone, Feng Yangxi stood in front of her, sword in hand. His robes were still dripping wet, and a rain hat covered most of his face. His sword pointed forward, as steady as a rock.

Standing before him was a man in a gray robe. He was not masked; it was Yi Zhongtian.

Yongye murmured, "General Yi, what brings you here at my lodgings with your sword in the dead of night?"

Feng Yangxi sneered, "Yongye, are you stupid? He came to kill you. Luckily, I traveled all the way and arrived in time..." Feng Yangxi stopped, a wave of fear washing over him. He had been calculating the day Yongye would emerge from the pass, but he hadn't expected that when he arrived at Sanyu Pass, the city gates would be tightly closed, forcing him to cross mountains and valleys to get here. He arrived in Qingzhou without stopping, only to find Yi Zhongtian actually there to kill Yongye.

Feng Yangxi recalled Yi Zhongtian's sword strike, and anger surged within him. He coldly said, "I have long heard of General Yi of Chen State's formidable reputation, but I never expected him to be such a petty person who attacked from behind!"

Yi Zhongtian stared at Feng Yangxi and suddenly said, "Eight years ago, at the Qishan Gathering."

"It is indeed me, Feng!"

Yi Zhongtian looked Feng Yangxi up and down. The boy from eight years ago was now unrecognizable. If it weren't for his black clothes and sword, he wouldn't have recognized him.

"Eight years ago, were you really capable of fighting me to a draw?"