Un joven errante

Capítulo 10

"Chang Sheng, don't even think about it. The Yan Kingdom has come here this time to make things difficult for our dynasty. What's wrong with letting them succeed for a while?"

"Director, you don't know how arrogant they were. Damn it, I wanted to kill that kid Batu right there and then."

The gray-robed man smiled slightly, but a chilling intent was hidden beneath that smile, unseen by anyone.

Just as the man named Changsheng was about to flip the table in anger, a cheerful voice rang out: "Director, Changsheng, you're all here."

The guide looked up and saw Anhe and a little girl in a light green dress. The little girl was panting heavily, as if she had just finished a long journey and had not yet recovered.

The director unconsciously narrowed his eyes slightly.

Chang Sheng had already looked away and was laughing as he greeted Xie An, “An, you’ve arrived. Perfect timing,” Yu Chang Sheng handed him the short arrow, “The ambassador of Yan has set a test for us, demanding that we find the answer today, but we haven’t come up with one yet… You’re the smartest among us, quickly think of a way…”

Xie An looked at the arrow in his hand with a puzzled expression and asked innocently, "What is this?"

The guide came down and smiled gently, "It can't be broken, it can't be snapped, it can't be damaged. How do you shorten the arrow? One day."

Xie An stared at the strange arrow with a puzzled look. Just then—a soft chuckle came from behind him.

I held back for a long time, but I couldn't resist. This question seems so familiar; it's like a riddle I saw in modern times. How did it become a product of conflict between two nations in ancient times?

The director looked behind An and saw the source of the laughter—the little girl who had been keeping her head down. Her unique and delicate face stunned the director. Especially her bright, sparkling eyes, which seemed to reflect a pool of spring water, inspiring contemplation.

All that could be heard was An looking at the strange girl with a smile, her eyes full of affection, and saying, "Ying'er, what are you laughing at?"

The girl looked directly into the eyes of the people present without any panic, her smile fading as she quietly said, "I was laughing because the messenger was joking about something even a child could understand."

Before the guide could even change his expression, the impetuous Changsheng had already strode forward fiercely and said sternly, "Little girl, you can't just say things like that. Do you want to get punched?"

"Chang Sheng, don't scare her."

The little girl, however, seemed unfazed by Changsheng's threats, looking at him fearlessly with a hint of a cold smile playing on her lips. Director Wang couldn't believe it; when he looked again, that disdainful expression had vanished, but he instinctively knew he hadn't misread it.

Before anyone knew it, Nan and Wen walked over. Xun Nan gave a cold smile, "Do you know the answer?"

The little girl smiled faintly, "I didn't mean to look down on you, don't misunderstand. It's just that this question is really simple."

She stepped over several handsome men and entered the inner room. She surveyed the room for a long time before finally fixing her gaze on a corner where Changsheng usually practiced his martial arts and disguised his weapons. She calmly walked over, picked up an arrow, and took it from An's hand, comparing them. Only then did Dao notice that the arrow she had chosen was longer than the one An held.

The director's expression changed, and then he looked at his companions, whose expressions were exactly the same—

Avoiding the ambiguous gaze of the Sixth Young Master, I placed the two arrows together, smiled slightly, and said, "When a short arrow is placed next to a long arrow, it naturally becomes shorter in comparison."

The rude man named Changsheng slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Damn it, it's that simple!" Then he dashed off, saying, "I'm going to report the results to the imperial court." He disappeared like the wind.

I stood there, stunned, and shrugged, indicating that it was originally that simple. It's just that those caught in the situation are always too clever for their own good.

Third Brother turned to me with a warm smile and said softly, "Ying'er, I never knew you—"

"Third Brother, I just stumbled upon this by sheer luck," I quickly interrupted, "It's not because I have any special intelligence or talent, as you might think."

"Pfft"—now it wasn't me who laughed; all the handsome men present were captivated by my shamelessness and were grinning unceremoniously.

I pouted, feeling wronged, and thought, "Actually, I didn't do anything!"

Finally, someone said, "Wen, is this the legendary fourth young lady of the Xie family who rejected you but won you over?"

Volume 1, Chapter 17: The Trap

After safely returning from the Red Flower Garden with my third brother, I felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. Lying in bed, I recalled everything that had happened that afternoon and felt incredibly embarrassed.

Someone said, "Wen, is this the legendary fourth young lady of the Xie family who rejected you but won you over?"

In that instant, I felt my ears turn red and my face turn red, but I had to force myself to suppress all these strange feelings and keep my expression normal.

Huan Wen remained unmoved and replied coolly, "Xun Nan, your Dan Yi girl is still waiting for you to please her; it's none of your business."

I was stunned. Oh my god! He was talking about the beautiful sister! Could this Xun Nan also be one of the beautiful sister's admirers? Heh, that's really tough on him. In the two years we've known each other, I've witnessed the beautiful sister's cold indifference. So many people have committed suicide for her, gone bankrupt for her, divorced their wives and abandoned their children for her… and none of it could earn her a cold smile.

Such a heartless person, once in love, is hopelessly and endlessly immersed... with no way back...

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look at him with a touch of pity...

Seeing that his attempt to find fault had backfired and he had been mocked, Su Xunnan became enraged. He snorted coldly and turned his attention back to me, saying coldly, "Since you're so confident, why don't we play a word puzzle game and test you with four characters?" He looked at me disdainfully and continued:

Divide it little by little.

Little by little, combine them.

Leave a little bit at a time.

Little by little, less and less.

Seeing my slightly somber expression, my third brother quickly stopped me, saying, "Xun Nan, stop fooling around."

I frowned, looking at the handsome young man. I hadn't expected him to be so narrow-minded, and there was even a dark, unsettling gloom between his brows. Then I looked at Huan Wen; even this usually carefree man's expression changed several times. It's true what they say: I don't offend others, yet they often offend me.

I walked to the desk to the side, casually picked up a calligraphy brush, dipped it in ink, and appeared calm and composed. However, I was uneasy as I put pen to paper. It had been a long time since I had held a calligraphy brush, and I didn't know if I could still write.

Alright. I put down my pen. Although my writing was crooked and messy, it was still legible. I smiled innocently at them and said, "I'd also like to ask Brother Nan four lines." Then I recited:

One horizontal line, one horizontal line, and another horizontal line.

One vertical line, one vertical line, and another vertical line.

One stroke after another,

One stroke after another, and another stroke after another.

With a gentle smile, he swept his gaze over the crowd, but in his heart, he could only leave this place of trouble. If he had known that his third brother had brought him here, he would never have come.

Seeing him frowning for a long time, unable to answer, I smiled and leaned down, saying, "Sorry to bother you brothers. Ying'er must go home now." With that, I made a playful face and turned to leave.

On the open sheet of white paper on the table were clearly written: Fen. Qia. Liu. Sha.

Third Brother called from behind, "Ying'er—"

Seeing me leave calmly, Director Wang revealed a strange smile. "An, your fourth sister is quite something. Bring her here often in the future. The Red Flower Tree is much more interesting now."

Xie An had no time to care about any of that and had already followed. Huan Wen leisurely waved his folding fan, then looked at Xun Nan's ashen face, patted his trembling shoulders, and said knowingly, "You won't get any benefit from her." Then, with a pleasant smile, he added, "But that's just who she is."

"I'm off to Yichun Garden. I'll go see your 'Earthly Dream' girl." With that, he drifted away.

Just then, the noise outside the door drew my attention. I had just dealt with Third Brother, and now who is it? I had just settled into the soft chair, can't I even catch my breath?

"Miss, Miss—" Yunying rushed in in a panic, "Something terrible has happened."

"What's wrong?" I lazily rolled over; none of the Xie family's affairs were my concern.

"The master found out about my second sister's affair with that poor doctor. He's furious and even said he'd punish her according to family rules."

"What?!" I jumped up, and before Yunying could recover, I dragged her hurriedly to the hall. This poor doctor, isn't that Chen Ningyuan? Using family discipline? That would kill both of them! Hopefully, it's not too late to stop it.

As soon as they stepped into the hall, they saw the patriarch raising a thorny branch, ready to strike the two kneeling figures. Chen Ningyuan stood calmly and fearlessly upright, while his second sister trembled, tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the autumn wind.

A chill ran through me, and my body instinctively activated the "Ethereal" technique to move past.

When I left that day, I told him, "What I owe you today, I will repay double in the future."

I didn't expect it to be fulfilled so soon.

Seeing the patriarch's face turn ashen, his hawk-like eyes fixed on me as if I were prey fallen from the sky, the sudden oppression made it hard for me to breathe, and my body stiffened to the point of being unable to move.

Those around me gasped, staring at me in astonishment. More precisely, they stared as I grabbed the thorny branch the patriarch had been using to strike the two men. My hand was already pricked by it, and blood was streaming down my face.

Ignoring the heartache in her third brother's eyes, the strange and complicated look in her eldest brother's eyes, and the astonishment in the eyes of the first and fifth wives...

I forced a smile, my lips dry and cracked, and said, "Father, who has angered you so much?" I glanced at my second sister, who was kneeling on the ground in terror, and said as if I were startled, "How could it be my second sister? Father, are you mistaken about something?"

Since I've already stepped on the tiger's tail, I'm not afraid of being bitten back. I forced myself to remain calm and looked at the patriarch, smiling, "Father, tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help you?"

The patriarch showed no panic, only staring at me quietly for a moment before chuckling softly. Her expression softened, and she said gently, "Does Ying'er really want to know?" She put down the thorny branch in her hand, gently took my hand, and lightly wiped the blood with her handkerchief. "Ying'er, your second sister's biggest mistake was not cherishing this body that belongs to the Xie family." (I thought to myself with disdain,) She's no longer of any use to you.

I looked up at him. Although the corners of his mouth were upturned and his face was smiling, there was no smile in his dark eyes.

I smiled innocently, though a chill crept into my heart. He was talking about sending my second sister to the palace a year from now. I remembered her blushing cheeks as she read love letters, and the upturned corners of Chen Ningyuan's mouth as he treated patients. I couldn't bear it, couldn't bear to see their love severed so cruelly. But I was powerless—

At this moment, the patriarch gently asked, "Does Ying'er really want to help her father?" After saying that, he took the medicine box brought by the steward and applied medicine to the wound on my palm.

I nodded like a puppet, yet I was acutely aware of the approaching danger. Like a lone beast caught in a trap, I had no room to struggle, only to listen to the approaching footsteps of death.

I am now truly like the caged bird described by Eileen Chang: she is a bird embroidered on a screen... and she will die on the screen.

The patriarch paused, then said, seemingly casually, "Then, could Ying'er take your second sister's place and enter the palace in her place?"

Volume 1, Chapter 18: The Opening of the Glass

"Old man, are you leaving?"

"Um."

For the first time, I didn't have the urge to argue or tease him. Actually, he'd been running around a lot these past few days, always looking travel-worn, and I knew he must have something on his mind, and that his departure would be imminent, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Today, after escaping from that whirlpool-like place and returning to Qulan Garden, I saw him sitting so early and so properly in the living room waiting for me, a first for him.

I nestled obediently in his arms, letting him gently stroke my soft, dark hair.

Gazing silently at his flawless, handsome face, I felt as if it were a lifetime ago. All the turmoil and deceit that had surrounded me these past few days, strangely vanished in that instant.

I nuzzled my head against his broad chest like a little animal. Although I always teased and joked with him, I had long since come to rely on him like family. I don't know why, but being with him gave me a strange sense of peace and a long-lost feeling of familiarity.

"Girl, the martial arts tournament is about to begin, and I have to leave."

I popped my eyes out and exclaimed in surprise, "Why? Wasn't it supposed to be once every five years? It's only been three years since the last one!"

His gaze was detached and cold as he looked into the distance, clear and deep like moonlight, but a thick fog obscured his view. I knew he had never been interested in these things; it was only the responsibility of his family's mission that had compelled him to persevere.

A voice as cold as the water of a deep lake in winter rang out: "An unknown force has risen in the martial world, threatening all the major sects. If it is not stopped in time, it will cause a great calamity. As the master of Jianxian Manor, I cannot stand idly by."

I stroked his smooth face, his softly shaped jawline, his straight nose, and his eyes as clear as a deep spring.

"Promise me, old man, take good care of yourself. Don't get hurt, don't be in danger, and don't do anything foolish... It's not your place to sacrifice yourself for others. Come find me after things are resolved." I chuckled and continued, "From now on, no matter how poor or destitute I am, I will never let you go hungry, and I will never keep chasing you away."

He frowned involuntarily as if recalling some unfortunate past, but still smiled with relief: "At my age, I still have to endure all kinds of torment and difficulties from you. It's really a headache. My body can't take it anymore."

I gave him a grateful look. He knew what I was thinking, yet he taught me various kung fu and self-defense techniques without complaint, and even removed so many obstacles that were hindering my business. I knew everything, but I wouldn't say anything. I knew he didn't care for those useless thanks; he just wanted me to live a good life.

Although I don't know why he wants me to be happy, I know he's always been the one hiding in the shadows, silently being the best to me. Even if the whole world abandons me, he's the only one who won't abandon me.

I composed myself and pretended to be nonchalant, saying, "What do you mean by 'at this age'?!" In a dismissive tone, I said, "Old man, a man is in his prime at thirty, and your flower is flourishing."

"Hehe," he chuckled, his stunningly beautiful face adorned with a captivating smile that left me momentarily stunned. His beauty was truly alluring.

That smile made the moonlight pale in comparison and the stars in the sky lose their luster. It was as if one could see the rising sun slowly ascending from the horizon, instantly radiating boundless light that captivated the soul.

I couldn't help but stretch out my arms and barely manage a hug around him, feeling that only then would he truly be in this world, beside me. I sighed contentedly, "Old man, if you come back, you'll never find the old me again, what will you do?" I didn't want him to know that my life had deviated from all its paths, that our ordinary, safe life at Qulan Garden might never return.

He looked at me and smiled gently, "No matter where you are, I will find you."

"Okay, once you've promised me, don't go back on your word."