Le ciel au-dessus des rivières et des lacs est dégagé

Chapitre 50

“But this is the first time we’ve seen the young master bring a girl in. Father was very happy, saying he’s finally come to his senses. The young master is almost twenty-four this year. Most people would have grown children by now, but he still hasn’t made a move. Father is very worried.” Xiaoman chuckled twice: “Actually… it’s not what you think.”

Sanxi said to himself, "Our young master is so good! He's handsome, skilled in martial arts, and never flirts with other women. What more could you want?"

Xiao Man slowly put down the jar, feeling a warm sensation in her chest.

It wasn't a matter of satisfaction. She slightly raised her head, because she already had someone in her heart; she didn't want to look at anyone else, and she wouldn't want anyone else.

Although he was probably no longer alive, she was still proud, and a proud smile appeared on her face.

She felt as if she had become very rich again, as if the whole world was in her arms.

Chapter Three: The Signs of Change (Part Three) of The Killing of the Crow

Updated: 2008-10-08 21:45:00 Word Count: 5589

I wrote an extra chapter, so there will be two updates today. This is the first update.

The snow stopped the day Tianquan returned.

Xiao Man was sweeping snow in the yard with Uncle Zhao and his two sons, chatting and laughing, and not a trace of gloom could be seen.

"So, according to Man'er, the cherry juice meat is sweet? If the meat is sweet, how do you eat it?" Unexpectedly, beneath Uncle Zhao's cold exterior, he was actually a person who was passionate about cooking. Hearing that Xiaoman could cook some Jiangnan cuisine, he kept asking questions.

Xiao Man carefully swept the snow off the steps with a large bamboo broom, and said with a smile, "Jiangnan cuisine is mostly sweet, of course. Actually, although cherry juice pork is sweet, it tastes pretty good. You'll know once you make it."

Uncle Zhao repeatedly asked about the recipe. Xiao Man didn't have much talent for cooking, unlike her mother who could make everything taste delicious. Moreover, it had been too long, and she couldn't remember clearly. She could only make up some guesses. Seeing Uncle Zhao nod seriously, she found it amusing.

Sanxi laughed and said, "Dad, so we can have that cherry juice meat tonight, right?"

Uncle Zhao shook his head: "Wait, we need to study it further before we can make a move."

Qifu said, "You've been researching for three days. Last time, Xiaoman mentioned squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and you said you couldn't make it without the ingredients. Eel paste also lacked ingredients. This time, cherry juice pork is made with pork, so you have all the ingredients. Just go ahead and make it. We'll see if it tastes good or not."

Uncle Zhao shook his head again. Sanxi and Qifu shoveled the snow and poured it into a large bamboo basket. Just as they turned around, they saw Tianquan standing behind them, quietly watching them. They were startled. They exclaimed, "Young Master is back!"

He nodded silently. In fact, he had been standing there for quite a while, while they were all so engrossed in talking to Xiaoman that no one noticed. Seeing Xiaoman's radiant expression, he seemed less inclined to speak and more content to simply watch. She was completely different from her previous dejected and pained state; she seemed to have regained her former vitality, and even appeared to have changed considerably, her face radiating light.

His appearance immediately chilled the air. Sanxi and Qifu busied themselves emptying the snow, and Uncle Zhao became serious, bowing respectfully before leaving. Xiaoman, alone, swept the snow, then turned back and smiled slightly at him: "You're back."

Tianquan felt a moment of embarrassment, then immediately nodded and said, "Yes, I... am back."

Xiaoman swept the remaining snow and piled it beside the steps, then easily put the large broom away. Tianquan silently watched her busy in the large courtyard. Her slender waist was so thin it could be encircled by a single hand, and the winter sun shone on her, making her hair appear soft and yellowish, giving her a youthful and adorable look. Large puffs of white mist escaped from her lips, and tiny water droplets clung to her eyelashes.

She put the broom down, then hurriedly ran back and stood in front of him. Her face and nose were flushed, and she said softly, "Yes, you're finally back. Thank you for saving me. I've been doing well these past few days. Uncle Zhao and the others are all good people."

He didn't know how to respond. Such a complicated yet heartwarming experience had never occurred in his life before. The usually decisive and efficient young master of Tianquan suddenly became awkward. He nodded again and whispered, "That's good."

Xiao Man lowered her head and played with the ribbon of her clothes. White mist brushed past her ears, making them red and translucent like agate in the sunlight. Tian Quan suddenly wanted to gently touch it. It was a very vibrant and wonderful life, completely out of place with his habits, but for some reason, it made him feel a kind of lonely stubbornness hidden inside, and he unconsciously wanted to get closer.

"I think I should go. I can't stay here any longer," she said softly. "So, please see me off, okay?"

Tianquan was slightly startled: "Why are you leaving?"

"Because I can't live here forever, this isn't my home."

Tianquan said calmly, "Don't leave for now. The Liao soldiers have already withdrawn from Mount Bugui. They are looking for you everywhere, and Tiancha Shifang is also looking for you. If you go out, you will become the target of everyone's attacks."

Xiao Man gently shook her head: "I'm not afraid. Please escort me away. It doesn't have to be far, just to Zhenzhou City."

She's afraid of nothing now; threats, inducements, and intimidation all seem insignificant. Perhaps for the first time in sixteen years, she lives with such peace of mind.

Tianquan was speechless, silently watching her. Sunlight shone on her face; the girl before him was petite, only reaching his shoulder, yet she proudly straightened her back, held her head high, and never gave up. Her gaze was unwavering; she knew what she was doing and what she wanted. Now he finally understood what that radiance on her face meant.

“Even if you go out, you can’t go home. Your parents will be implicated because of you.”

Xiao Man smiled and said, "I'm not going back to Wutong Town. I just want to leave this place and find somewhere to live a good life. Whether they look for me or not, I don't care."

Tianquan was once again speechless.

He slowly turned around, and after a long while, he said, "Slow down a bit, don't rush."

Xiao Man asked softly, "Why?"

Yes, why? Her life or death had nothing to do with him; they were complete strangers.

Tianquan said calmly, "Because there are Tiancha Shifangdi people active in the vicinity recently, sending you away would be discovered."

Xiao Man nodded: "Yes, I can't drag you down with me. Well... let's talk about it later."

Her light footsteps faded into the distance, and Tianquan stood there for a very long time. Even after all that time, he still didn't understand why he had lied.

Snow from the eaves fell onto his shoulder. Tianquan gently brushed it off, stood there for a while, and then turned and left.

That evening, Uncle Zhao still tried making cherry juice pork. It was sweet and sour, unbearably sour; one bite felt like your teeth would fall out. Sanxi and Qifu couldn't resist sneaking a bite in the kitchen, and they suffered terribly from it.

It's rare for the young master to return, and they can finally get together for a meal. But their old man is such a spoilsport; how can anyone eat this kind of food?

Uncle Zhao, all smiles, carefully cut off the largest piece of meat with a small knife and respectfully handed it to Tianquan: "Young master, please try this. This is the cherry juice meat that the girl mentioned, a dish from Jiangnan. I wonder if it suits your taste."

Tianquan nodded. Seeing that everyone at the table was staring at him, he softened his expression and said, "Let's eat. There's no need for so many formalities when we eat."

Sanxi and Qifu bit their fingers, watching as he used chopsticks to pry open the soft, bouncy piece of meat. He picked up a small piece and put it in his mouth—his handsome eyebrows furrowed slightly, then he relaxed his grip.

Uncle Zhao looked at him hopefully and whispered, "Young master, is it delicious?"

Tianquan nodded silently: "That's right."

Uncle Zhao's eyes lit up, and he quickly cut off a large piece for Xiaoman: "Little Man, this dish is all thanks to you, try it!"

Xiao Man smiled and put a piece of meat in her mouth, but almost choked on it, her face turning blue with difficulty. She finally managed to swallow it. Looking up at Uncle Zhao's hopeful eyes, she slowly nodded: "Delicious."

Uncle Zhao sat down happily, stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth, then spat it out, his face turning pale and then red. He was speechless for a long time.

Sanxi sighed, "Dad, it's too sour."

Uncle Zhao angrily said, "Why didn't you say so earlier when you were stealing the food!" Qi Fu whispered, "Wouldn't saying so be the same as admitting to stealing it..."

Uncle Zhao stood up, his face pale, and picked up the plate of meat. He said miserably, "Young Master, the food isn't cooked well. It's all my fault. You rarely come here, yet..."

Tianquan waved his hand and said, "It's alright, there are other dishes. Don't worry about it."

Seeing that Uncle Zhao's eyes were filled with tears, clearly indicating that he couldn't let the matter rest, Xiao Man stood up and smilingly picked up a piece of bean sprout with her chopsticks and put it in his bowl, saying softly, "Uncle Zhao, bean sprouts are delicious."

As he spoke, he placed a chopstick on each of the three—Qifu, Sanxi, and Tianquan—and said with a smile, "It's difficult of course this is the first time I've made Jiangnan cuisine. Although it's a bit sour, it's very tender. Uncle Zhao, don't be discouraged, I'll definitely make it better tomorrow."

After she finished speaking, she saw Qifu winking at her and pointing his chin toward Tianquan. She immediately remembered that this man had a severe case of mysophobia. Uncle Zhao used a knife to cut meat for him, and the knife was different from the one used for them. If she used her own chopsticks to pick up food for him, she was afraid that this young master would be furious and refuse to eat anymore.

Xiaoman carefully sat back down, glancing at Tianquan. He hadn't eaten; he was only staring at the bean sprouts in his bowl. She whispered, "Um... I'm sorry, if you think it's dirty, you can throw it away..."

Tianquan seemed not to hear him, lowered his head and continued eating, finishing the bean sprouts completely, while saying, "Uncle Zhao, sit down and eat. How can you eat standing up?"

Xiao Man breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was very accommodating. Turning around, she saw Qi Fu and San Xi exchanging knowing glances, which probably meant that the young master had never acted this way before, showing that she was definitely special to him.

You must be joking. He was just giving her face because she's a girl. People are usually more lenient with girls. If it were a man, he probably would have turned pale and left long ago.

After finishing the meal, Xiaoman helped clear the plates away. Just as she stood up, a piece of white silk cloth suddenly fell out of her arms. Qifu quickly picked it up and said with a sly smile, "The beauty deliberately left behind her handkerchief, which shows her treacherous heart."

Xiao Man hurriedly reached out to take it, but he stopped her and handed it to Sanxi, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "No, once it's lost, it belongs to my young master, I can't give it back to you."

Sanxi unfolded the white silk, intending to join in the commotion, but suddenly realized that instead of flowers, birds, fish, and insects, the silk depicted a handsome, aloof, and melancholic young man, his features so lifelike and breathtakingly beautiful. He froze, then whispered, "Who is this? Your brother?"

Qifu also went over to take a look and praised it.

Xiao Man quickly snatched the white silk, carefully folded it, and put it in her bosom. She smiled slightly and said softly, "No, it's for the person I love."

She admitted it so readily, without any shame or even a hint of guilt.

Sanxi and Qifu watched her retreating figure in silence, then secretly glanced at Tianquan, whose face remained expressionless. They were at a loss for words.

The darkness was like an overturned ink cartridge, thick and spreading out layer by layer.

Lianyi was half asleep in the darkness, feeling a sharp, throbbing pain in her shoulder, as if a knife was twisting around it. A cold sweat broke out on her back. But what was more terrifying than the pain was the vague sensation of a pair of hands touching her face and body.

She barely opened her eyes and saw only a sliver of dim red candlelight. Several strange figures were pressed against her, some undressing, others touching her body. She was terrified and managed to cry out, "No, no!" but she was too weak to move.

In a daze, she heard a commotion in the distance, followed by screams. Calls rose and fell as she was grabbed and hoisted onto someone's back, being dragged along in a frantic run. Hot liquid streamed down her arms from her shoulders. Her lips moved slightly, and she whispered, "Who?"

His hair brushed against her cheek. It was soaked with sweat, carrying a sweet scent mixed with a slight smell of perspiration. His voice was low: "I'm... fine."

The voice sounded like both Gengu and Yelü, and she couldn't tell who it was for a moment. But then she felt relieved, and everything went black before her eyes. She fainted.

After that, she remained in and out of consciousness, and the images she saw were also fragmented. Sometimes it was the deepest darkness of night, sometimes the faint light of dawn, sometimes a man was kneeling beside her feeding her medicine, and sometimes she was alone facing a moss-covered cave wall.

She drifted in and out of consciousness, losing track of how many days and nights had passed. Finally, Lianyi regained consciousness.

This was a dry cave. The cave walls were covered with dried moss, and the firelight was blazing. It was quite warm. Lianyi moved slightly and felt that the wound on her shoulder didn't hurt so much anymore. She slowly got up and looked down. The bandage on her shoulder was rather simple, but the wound didn't hurt; it was just slightly numb.

Footsteps sounded outside the cave. Lianyi turned around abruptly and saw Yelü carrying two bundles of dry branches as he walked in. Seeing that she was awake, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, asking, "Does your wound still hurt?"

His clothes were dirty and disheveled, showing no trace of the air of a noble young master, but his face was clean and he looked refreshed. Lianyi shook her head blankly, watching him walk over and sit down beside her, and then said, "When we were hunting, it was normal to get scratched by hawks or something. The doctor often crushed a kind of herb and applied it to the wound to relieve pain and stop bleeding. Luckily, we can find some nearby, otherwise your injury would have been hard to heal."

Lianyi seemed to still not quite believe it, and was in a state of extreme panic and loss, unable to utter a single word.

Yelü touched her face, his eyes smiling like crescent moons: "Your fever is gone, you're in good health. If you had continued to have a fever, it would have been terrible. We're wanted by the Song government, and we can't even get a doctor. We must leave Song territory as soon as possible."

"Why?" she murmured.

"Because they discovered that Gengu and I were Khitans, and that I was a prince. Most importantly, in order to rescue you from those bastards, we killed several Song Dynasty soldiers."

Lianyi stared at him intently: "You... saved me?"

Yelü smiled slightly, raised his hand and gently pressed her head down, whispering, "Don't look at people like that. Otherwise, how do you explain yourself getting here?"

Lianyi looked around. This was clearly a forest in the suburbs. Moonlight poured in from the cave entrance, and it was so quiet that it was as if they could hear each other's heartbeats.

"Where's Gengu?" she asked instinctively.

Yelü hummed in agreement, put his arm around her shoulder, and said with a smile, "Don't ask so many questions, go to sleep for a while."

"Something happened to him?" Her face turned deathly pale. "Or was he captured by the Song soldiers again?"

Yelü sighed: "We were also in prison at the time. We managed to break through the wooden bars to escape and find you, but we encountered more than a dozen Song soldiers. I carried you out, and he covered our retreat, and that's how we got separated."

Lianyi got up to leave, but Yelü grabbed her and whispered, "What are you doing?"