Jiangnan Gaiden

Chapitre 23

"This isn't fun! I'm going to catch cicadas! Catch every single one!" Ye Xiao said angrily, then disappeared back into the shade. Xiao Xun sighed, his lips pouting in grievance.

Ye Xiao wandered around Langjing Village under the guise of catching cicadas, but failed to run into Luo Qingcheng, leaving him quite disappointed. His cloth bag was overflowing with cicadas, and with the moon already high in the sky, he had no choice but to return home listlessly.

As I passed by a wall, I overheard someone saying, "What's wrong with Old Zhang? He hasn't finished what the young master asked him to do again?"

A voice said softly, "Sigh, I don't know what happened, but I sneaked over in the dark in the middle of the night and was found lying at the gate by the brothers. When I got back, I went crazy, and kept muttering about flowers, stones, fences..."

"Flowers? Stones?...The Illusory Flower Mind-Sealing Array?" the voice exclaimed in surprise. "So there were Mind-Sealing Sect masters here all along?"

Ye Xiao quietly climbed over the wall and looked inside. He recognized one person as Fang Qin, and the other seemed familiar as well; he appeared to be one of Huang Tingfeng's henchmen. He couldn't help but curl his lip and say, "Hmph! What kind of wicked scheme is that Ah Huang up to now!"

Unfortunately, she was in a bad mood and didn't take the matter to heart.

The next morning, Ye Xiao jumped out of the door quickly. No one was there. She sighed in disappointment, having thought Luo Qingcheng would change his mind, but alas… “It won’t be that fast!” she consoled herself, then suddenly noticed the hibiscus flowers scattered haphazardly in the courtyard, almost withered. Remembering that wretched herbalist had thrown them there, she flew into a rage, grabbed a broom, and swept away the withered flowers. As she swept, she cursed, “Sweep away you, you heartless bastard! Tear you to pieces! Throw them in the dustpan!”

A bright, round moon hangs high in the sky. Beside the suspended pavilion on the shore of Biluo Lake, couples and friends chat and laugh softly. On the lake, several small boats glide by, shattering the mirror-like reflection of the moon.

Luo Qingcheng picked up the wine jar, broke the seal, and poured in about half of it in one go.

"The moon reflected in the water at Langjing Manor. This is a major scenic spot in Langjing Manor, and also the origin of the manor's name. It is said that every Mid-Autumn Festival, a bright moon hangs in the sky, and its reflection appears in the water, a rare and beautiful sight. Legend has it that if one burns incense and prays to the moon at this time, one will be blessed with a happy marriage... Many lovelorn men and women come here..." A beautiful woman in white said, then suddenly turned around shyly to look at Luo Qingcheng.

"Nonsense." Luo Qingcheng took another big gulp of wine.

"Brother Luo, why did you suddenly move out? Are you not used to living with them?" Shen Wan noticed that Luo Qingcheng seemed unhappy, so she quickly changed the subject.

Luo Qingcheng paused slightly, then slowly looked into the lake. A gentle breeze stirred, causing the full moon reflected in the water to ripple slightly before quickly smoothing out again. "In this world, there aren't many truly reliable things. Many things are like reflections in a mirror or the moon in the water, desirable but unattainable... So let it be. To avoid the heartache of not getting what you want." He said slowly, a sudden pang of bitterness rising in his heart, a silent, self-deprecating laugh at his own wishful thinking.

Shen Wan paused for a moment, then suddenly felt melancholy and remained silent for a long time. Both of them were silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

A sudden commotion arose from the distant alley. Luo Qingcheng picked up a small dish to accompany his wine, glanced around idly, and then suddenly froze, standing up. Somewhere on the street, a faint red glow illuminated the full moon in the sky, creating a bewitching beauty.

Almost in the blink of an eye for Shen Wan, Luo Qingcheng rushed out and disappeared without a trace!

The same moonlight

Sure enough, it was Ye Xiao and his group's residence that caught fire. By the time Luo Qingcheng arrived at the scene as fast as he could, the fire had already spread. Neighbors were carrying buckets of water and waving brooms, and had already joined in the firefighting efforts. However, there was no sign of the fire being brought under control.

Luo Qingcheng's eyesight was exceptionally sharp; his gaze swept quickly, and not seeing the two people, he shouted, "Xiaoxiao! Third Brother!" No one answered. Only the crackling sound of flames burning inside and outside the house could be heard.

Almost without hesitation, Luo Qingcheng grabbed a bucket of water, soaked himself completely, covered his mouth and nose with a wet cloth, and rushed into the fire. The scorching flames and thick smoke assaulted his senses, making it almost impossible to open his eyes. Guided by instinct, Luo Qingcheng crept to Ye Xiao's room, kicked open the burning door, and rushed inside.

The room was scorching hot from the fire; the bed frame and window lattices were ablaze, spewing flames at Luo Qingcheng like a ferocious beast. "Xiaoxiao! Xiaoxiao!" Luo Qingcheng shouted several times, rushing to the bedside without a second thought. The bed was empty. He quickly turned and ran out the door. Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind above him, and his body was flung out. With a deafening crash, a large beam, blazing like a dragon in flames, crashed down from above, sparks flying everywhere.

The house was about to burn down… Luo Qingcheng was so anxious his vision blurred. He pounded on Xiao Xun's door, and with a crash, most of the eastern half of the wall collapsed. “Third brother! Xiao Xun!” he cried, rushing into Xiao Xun's room. The room was engulfed in flames; apart from the blinding fire, almost nothing could be seen. “Xiao Xiao!” he shouted desperately. At that cry, the entire roof finally gave way and collapsed…

With a loud bang, Luo Qingcheng burst out of the house, his hair and clothes ablaze. Several neighbors rushed over and extinguished the flames on his body.

"Brother Luo!" Shen Wan, who looked like a fairy in white, rushed over and hugged him, checking his injuries from head to toe. Luo Qingcheng remained motionless.

The fire continued to spread to the houses on both sides, showing no signs of abating. The towering flames reflected the bright moon, creating an eerie and awe-inspiring sight. Luo Qingcheng stood there, dazed and disoriented, almost incapable of thinking. It wasn't until he heard a woman's heart-wrenching cries beside him that he snapped out of his daze and suddenly joined the firefighting efforts like a madman.

"Brother Luo! You have burns in many places. Apply some medicine first..." Shen Wan called to him softly, but he seemed not to hear her. He just mechanically used his lightness skill to carry water back and forth.

The fire gradually subsided by dawn, and the entire street was almost completely reduced to rubble. Luo Qingcheng remained silent, burying himself in searching through the burning debris.

"Brother Luo, do you want to rest for a bit? Have something to eat? Are you tired?" Shen Wan reached out her fair little hand to help him and asked him in a low voice.

A sarcastic laugh rang in his ears: "Hmph! Isn't this the lecherous Young Master Luo? Something happened?"

Luo Qingcheng didn't move. Recognizing Yuan Peixin's voice, a sudden wave of disgust washed over her. Unfortunately, the voice remained oblivious to the sarcasm, saying, "What? All your valuables burned? No money to stay any longer? Then get out! Anyway, I don't plan to marry… uh…"

In a flash, a cold hand was already on his throat, and a chilling voice said, "Did you set the fire? Did you kill them? Are you seeking revenge?"

Yuan Peixin's face paled, staring in terror at Luo Qingcheng before her. Her once spring-like eyes now flashed with a cold, sharp light, like a venomous snake ready to pounce at her. She shook her head with all her might, denying it, terrified that in the blink of an eye, her delicate neck would be snapped.

Luo Qingcheng released his hand, then looked at his palm in disbelief, before glancing at Yuan Peixin. Yuan Peixin, terrified, took a few steps back, cursing him inwardly as a madman, and ran home.

In the Chunfeng Deyilou restaurant, the beaded curtain on the door of the private room swayed gently in the breeze, making a soft rustling sound. Ye Xiao and Xiao Xun ordered several baskets of xiaolongbao (steamed buns). Feeling a little annoyed, Ye Xiao took a bite, then jumped up with a "Wow!" and was moved to tears.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Xun asked in surprise.

Suddenly... I really miss Qingcheng...

"Oh. Thank goodness." Thank goodness that person left on their own… Xiao Xun feigned a soft sigh. She elegantly picked up a steamed bun and took a bite. Instantly, the bun was scalding hot, and she jumped up, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank goodness Qingcheng wasn't here… otherwise, she would have suffered the same fate…"

Ye Xiao nodded seriously: "It's a pity he's not here... Today will be very boring..."

"Is it boring without him?" Xiao Xun retorted indignantly, "I'll take you to a fun place..."

Since they were going to spend the night away from home, the two packed their bags and headed out.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky. On the Azure Lake, several small boats glide by, shattering the mirror-like full moon reflected in the water.

"The moon's reflection shimmers on the water at Langjing Manor. Of the three parts of the moon's brilliance in the world, two parts reside at Langjing Manor... Especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a bright moon hangs in the sky, its reflection appearing in the water—a rare sight indeed..." On a painted boat, Xiao Xun leaned against the railing, beaming with pride, "Boss, look over there, there's a suspended pavilion. Langjing Manor has two excellent spots for moon viewing: one is on Biluo Lake, and the other is that suspended pavilion over there..."

Ye Xiao looked back and, by the bright moonlight, he could indeed see faint figures there, and he could almost hear their low laughter.

"However, in the hot summer, it's best to enjoy the cool breeze and moon-viewing on the lake without any problem..." Xiao Xun said with a smile.

Ye Xiao looked up at the bright moon in the sky and nodded sadly. She really thought of Luo Qingcheng. Where was he? Did he also see such clear and peaceful moonlight?

The food and wine served on the pleasure boat were quite delicious. The two of them ate heartily and slept soundly in the cabin. Accompanied by the soft sound of oars and bathed in the silvery light of the water, they drifted into a sweet dream.

After disembarking in the early morning, I went to Chunfeng Deyilou for breakfast. I then happily walked back to my lodgings.

“There are two corpses here…whose are they?” a young man helping to clear the rubble asked loudly.

Luo Qingcheng slowly shifted his gaze. Two charred corpses, a man and a woman, lay side by side beside a blackened, crumbling wall. Suddenly, he reached up and clutched his chest, feeling as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer, his heart shattered into dust. He staggered over, his legs giving way, and he knelt on the ground. He grabbed the smaller, charred corpse and pulled something salty and wet down his numb cheeks, which trickled into his mouth.

"Xiaoxiao..." He bit his lip in despair. How did all this happen? It was all his fault for leaving in a fit of pique... Otherwise, with his alertness and skills, he could have definitely rescued them... How could this have happened?

"Xiaoxiao... Xiaoxiao..." he whispered, praying for a miracle. "Xiaoxiao, come back to life... I'll let you bully me all you want... I won't be angry anymore... Xiaoxiao, I know you're incredibly smart, always the most resourceful... Come back to life..."

Suddenly, someone rushed out from the side: "Oh dear! What happened? What's going on? Where's the house? My precious things!"

Luo Qingcheng looked up, tears welling in her eyes, hardly believing her own. The rising sun cast a milky yellow halo over Ye Xiao's face, making her look like a translucent pearl. She squinted her eyes, bewildered and pained, and stomped her feet in annoyance—a series of familiar and playful little gestures.

A man rushed out from the side, his tall figure blocking Luo Qingcheng's view: "On fire? In the blink of an eye, a hen turned into a duck! Luckily, I had the silver notes with me..."

"My wings that soar to great heights..." Ye Xiao wailed.

Luo Qingcheng stared blankly at the two of them, then suddenly called out, "Xiaoxiao... Third Brother..."

Ye Xiao turned around and paused for a moment.

Luo Qingcheng slowly got up and tiptoed toward Ye Xiao, as if afraid of shattering a dream. He bypassed Xiao Xun and opened his arms... Then, with a slap, he was struck in the chest and rolled to the ground.

Xiao Xun, who considered herself a protector of the flower, glared at him fiercely: "Don't touch the boss! You just held a charred corpse... You stink and you're filthy!"

A wave of dizziness washed over Luo Qingcheng, who only then realized that he had been working like a madman all night, and his stomach began to rumble uncontrollably.

A voice suddenly came from afar, crying out as it rushed towards the two charred corpses: "My poor, wretched parents! Not only did they both die suddenly, but their bodies can't even be laid to rest in peace... even the coffin lids are burned to ashes..."

Luo Qingcheng sighed, feeling exhausted and hungry, and then passed out peacefully...

Whose blunder was it? (Updated)

A burning pain shot through Luo Qingcheng's body in a daze, and he woke up in agony to find himself soaking in a large tub of steaming water. Xiao Xun, pinching his nose, stood at a distance, took a long-handled horsehair brush, and vigorously scrubbed himself up and down until several patches of his skin were bright red.

"What... are you doing?" Luo Qingcheng asked, feeling dizzy.

"I'll give you a bath...to wash away the bad luck...How come you were holding a corpse back then?" Xiao Xun's hand remained on his nose, his voice became shrill, and he continued to vigorously wield the horse brush.

"Hungry..." Luo Qingcheng said weakly.

"You can't eat yet... You still smell terrible!" Xiao Xun threw down the horse brush and poured a basin of water over Luo Qingcheng's head.

He suddenly paused, then said, "Your face... the edges are frayed..."

Luo Qingcheng paused for a moment, then reached out. The mask on his face, having been repeatedly soaked and rinsed in water, had lost its adhesive and peeled off in large pieces. He reached out, ripped the mask off, washed it in the water, and hung it to dry on the rim of the tub.

He glared fiercely at Xiao Xun: "Get me some food right now! Or I'll eat you up!"

However, Xiao Xun seemed not to hear him, only staring blankly at him. The man before him had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, red lips and white teeth, his whole being as smooth and flawless as a piece of fine jade, without any flaws or cracks. Yet, he also exuded an aura of majesty, like the full moon in the azure sky last night, radiating dazzling light from head to toe, as if a god had descended to earth.

"I'm hungry!" Luo Qingcheng was so hungry he was almost going crazy, and he showed Xiao Xun his white teeth.

Xiao Xun threw down the horse brush, his face expressionless, and went out the door. Once in the courtyard, he finally looked up to the sky and roared, "Heavens! How unjust you are! Why did you give birth to a man so captivatingly beautiful!"

In response to his cry, a thunderclap suddenly echoed in the calm blue sky. "Even the heavens are weeping for me! Why did you create both Xiao and Luo?" he continued to question the compassionate heavens.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his head; something had hit the back of his head. He turned around in anger and grief and saw Ye Xiao's smiling face, holding a small handful of lotus seeds in her hand, her small face resting against the window, looking at him.

"Boss! The sky is falling!" he cried out to Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao chuckled, "You're the one who holds up the sky if it falls! Anyway, you're the tallest... Besides," she looked at the churning clouds in the sky, "the sky won't fall, it's just going to rain... Want to come over and eat some fresh lotus pods?"

Xiao Xun immediately forgot about the momentous matter and happily entered the room.

Hearing Xiao Xun's wailing, Luo Qingcheng, still in the bucket, suddenly gave a bitter smile, wiped the water droplets from his mask, and put it on. He quickly climbed out of the bucket, hastily threw on some clothes, dripping wet, his hair plastered to his forehead, his chest pressed against his back, and went to Ye Xiao's room, whimpering, "I'm really hungry..."

Ye Xiao glanced at Luo Qingcheng's ferocious face, her eyelids twitched, she snorted, and opened the food box in her hand. A group of plump, semi-transparent steamed buns lay peacefully inside. Through the thin skin, one could see the glistening soup inside, like plump, greasy little pigs...

The soft morning light reflected on the vast, misty Biluo Lake, creating shimmering golden light on the surface. A small bird with white feathers and a red beak gracefully flew by.

Yuan Ruxuan stood by the lake, his face somewhat displeased, looking at Yuan Peixin who had rushed over: "Langjing Manor's largest weaving workshop in Wuzhou has been destroyed... The leader has quite a connection with that villain Huang Chongshan, and he probably wants to use this to pressure me into marrying you to his son! How despicable! I'll not let him have his way, and I'll insist on betrothing you to that Luo Qingcheng!"

"Father!" Yuan Peixin exclaimed in shock, "That person is a perverted sex fiend..."

Yuan Ruxuan's face darkened: "I told you before, feelings can't withstand deception and traps. He's put a lot of effort into you, and I hope you can cherish this opportunity and not make a mistake you'll regret later... That stuff can tempt people, make them lose their minds, and make them tell the truth, but the dosage is hard to control... At best, it's an aphrodisiac; at worst, it's harmful... You shouldn't use it on him..."

“He… is a ruthless killer!” Yuan Pei felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled the day he placed his hand on his throat.

Yuan Ruxuan was slightly taken aback: "Is it about the day of the fire? Pei'er! Tell your father, you really had nothing to do with the fire?"

Yuan Peixin was stunned, then quickly shook his head: "So Father knew all this. Even the smallest things at Langjing Village couldn't escape your keen eyes."

Yuan Ruxuan slowly turned around, a bitter smile on his face: "Is that so? I've worked hard for decades to build Langjing Manor, always thinking I could see through everything, but I never imagined that so many things could be kept from my eyes and ears... I'm really getting old... Back in the day... I could still go toe-to-toe with Huang Chongshan, but now all I want is to find a good son-in-law to work for me..."

"So this time... Pei'er, you absolutely have to listen to me... Luo Qingcheng is truly a rare talent..."

Yuan Peixin stamped his foot, his eyes sweeping across the water with a sinister glint, then landing on the obedient personal maid not far away, before suddenly lighting up.

"Is Miss just going to sit here and wait to die? Wait to marry that ugly freak?" In Yuan Peixin's boudoir, Chun Shun, who was standing nearby with a submissive expression, suddenly shot out a needle-like glare.

"No! I will absolutely not marry that man!" Yuan Peixin cried out, then suddenly lowered her beautiful head in dejection. "But my father is such a stubborn old man..."

“Young Miss and Young Master Huang are truly a match made in heaven… This servant has a terrible idea… Why don’t you go to Young Master Huang and make it a fait accompli… Or, you could simply elope… That way… the Master of the Manor would definitely have no choice but to agree…”

Yuan Peixin was taken aback and shook her head: "No... Father would be furious... He's promiscuous, but he's only one father. Besides, that Young Master Huang isn't a good person either... Chunshun, think of a way to make Father give up on Luo Qingcheng on his own?"