L'amour sous les étoiles lointaines

Chapitre 51

Young Master Song, who was always being praised, couldn't stand such an insult and immediately flew into a rage!

"Men—all of you, surround this area!"

The steward immediately ordered his men to surround the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, which frightened the girls inside into huddling together. However, the person behind the bamboo curtain remained unmoved, letting out a faint sigh.

"The celestial music is played lightly, specially designed for those who appreciate refined music. The clear sound under the bamboo tree permeates the mundane world. It is an elegant sound and an elegant realm, but it cannot erase the person who is not brave enough and has lost his virtue."

"You people inside, stop showing off your literary skills! Whether I have any moral character or virtue, you'll know when you kneel down and beg for mercy!" Song Zishao's face was almost contorted with rage. "Anyone who dares to block his way, stop them from leaving! Men—flip over this Purple Bamboo Platform!"

"Why take your anger out on the innocent!"

Just as the sound from behind the bamboo curtain rose again, several sharp gusts of air pierced through the air. The men who were about to strike felt excruciating pain pierce through their raised palms, their knives fell to the ground, their hands were lacerated and bleeding, and they screamed in agony.

"You know martial arts because you can transform internal energy into qi?"

"Martial arts!" This really brings up a somber topic. "Right now, not anymore!"

"Good heavens, you dare to play tricks on me—" Martial arts skills that I don't even have now!

Feeling disregarded by the response from the person behind the bamboo curtain, Song Zishao snatched a knife from his subordinate, leaped past the four martial artists in front of him, and swung the knife towards the Purple Bamboo Pavilion!

Contrary to Song Zishao's playboy appearance, the sword strike he unleashed was surprisingly powerful, its sharp edge slashing towards the bamboo curtain of the Purple Bamboo Pavilion!

Immediately following was the lifting of the bamboo curtain, and two sword-wielding figures leaped out, their swords flashing and deflecting the force of the sweeping blade.

Chapter Five

"I never expected that this seemingly arrogant and domineering young master would have such decent swordsmanship. It's a pity he's still lacking in skill. Born into an official family, he's actually an accomplice to evil. How is he any different from bandits and villains? Killing him wouldn't be unjust."

“Since the young master says so, then we shall not spare his life!” Yan Pingfei replied.

The two swordsmen attacked Song Zishao from the left and right. Each of them was an outstanding master in terms of skill and swordsmanship. After more than ten moves, they had severely injured one of Song Zishao's hands and one of his feet!

"Young Master—"

The butler was terrified and desperately tried to get people to surround and rescue the person, but the aura emanating from the bamboo curtain stopped everyone who wanted to help.

"Weigh it carefully. Is it worth risking your life to get involved?" The slow, deliberate warning continued from behind the bamboo curtain.

Those around them exchanged terrified glances. Although they didn't know the origin of the person in front of them, he seemed to be a master with profound martial arts skills and was indeed capable of dealing with them.

Just as Song Zishao collapsed from his injuries, a woman's scream was followed by a familiar figure rushing out.

"Wait!" Liu Tian'er suddenly rushed to Song Zishao's side to stop him, then turned and knelt down before the person inside the bamboo curtain. "Young master, please be magnanimous and show mercy."

"Stop!" The voice from behind the bamboo curtain commanded the two swordsmen to cease their attack.

“Young master, I know you must have a remarkable background, otherwise you wouldn’t provoke the son of an official in a foreign land. But… Zishao… Young Master Song, you did this because you are too kind to me, not because you are truly an accomplice to evil.”

“Tian’er…this is none of your business, you don’t need to bow down to him.” Song Zishao, who was injured and half-kneeling on the ground, shouted from behind.

“Even if you cause a huge mess, give up on yourself, and even lose your life for such a thing, it will not change my opinion of you, nor will it make me accept you into the Song family.” Liu Tian’er said without turning around, taking a deep breath.

"Why? Why did you suddenly become like this towards me?" Song Zishao asked painfully.

Liu Tian'er did not respond, but kowtowed to the person behind the bamboo curtain, "Young master, all of this is because of me. If I have offended you in any way, please blame Tian'er!"

Are there more compassionate people or heartless people in this world?

As the bamboo curtain was lifted, an elegant and refined young man stepped out, accompanied by five or six swordsmen, his hands behind his back.

"Why am I considered heartless when I have a heart, while those who seem heartless are considered to have a heart?"

A handsome and refined face was framed by hair that was gently tousled by the breeze. At this moment, his brows were slightly furrowed as he slowly descended from the Purple Bamboo Pavilion.

"Alas! Swordsman, if I were to drink another thousand cups of this mortal wine, I would not know to whom I should offer a toast."

The young man was so elegant and outstanding that it was astonishing. He wore a deep purple brocade overlay on a snow-white outer robe. His long hair was tied up with two purple and white tassels, and the purple and white tassels hung down and swayed lightly with his hair falling over his shoulders. His clear and intelligent eyebrows were reserved and gentle.

"Perhaps as early as half a year ago, during that snowy peak in the clouds, the carefree spirit of wandering in the mortal world no longer belonged to me."

The handsome young man smiled wryly, as if he had something on his mind. He wore pearl earrings, which also revealed a hint of feminine elegance, making it hard to identify "him" or "her" for a moment.

Su Shaochu helped Liu Tian'er, who was kneeling on the ground, to her feet.

"Don't touch her! This has nothing to do with her!" Song Zishao shouted angrily upon seeing this, but he was too injured to fight back.

“Tian’er, make a choice! A heartless person with feelings, or a heartless person with feelings, which do you want? When both of them cause you pain, why not face it with feelings and compassion?”

Su Shaochu took her hand and walked towards Song Zishao.

"Avoidance only torments you who can't be the bad guy, and him who doesn't understand the true meaning."

When Liu Tian'er came before Song Zishao and saw his injured appearance, a wave of sorrow washed over her.

"Tian'er..."

Looking into Liu Tian'er's tearful eyes, Song Zishao couldn't help but whisper excitedly.

"For the past few years, you've been neither too close nor too distant, yet you've never rejected my confessions. I thought you knew my feelings, but in the end, you stopped seeing me. What happened?"

“Zishao, although we…have different parents, since Mother remarried Prefect Song, in name we are siblings. After Father's death, I didn't want to rely on Mother, not only because I resented her abandoning me and Father when he was ill, but also because of your feelings…” Tears welled up in her eyes; no matter how cruel it was, she had to make her feelings clear. “Even if Prefect Song doesn't mind this worldly difference in status and accepts me as a Song family daughter-in-law, but…when it comes to becoming a Song family daughter-in-law, I truly want to call you…brother!”

"Brother!" Song Zishao was stunned as if struck by lightning.

“Your concern makes me feel the warmth of family. I know that what you hope for is different from what I want. At first, I was afraid of losing this warmth, so I didn’t dare to tell you the truth. I could only keep my distance from you. But I was also afraid that after I made things clear, you would stop talking to me. I’m sorry.” She choked up and sobbed.

Song Zishao's face darkened, and he pursed his lips, remaining silent for a moment before finally speaking, "You just want family affection? Or do you think this feeling is what family affection is?"

He suddenly smiled, a glimmer of light appearing in his dark eyes. "You want to treat me like family, you're afraid I'll ignore you. It turns out my efforts weren't in vain. Perhaps... you're the one who didn't understand."

"Whether it's right or wrong, don't tell me now. At least give me the leeway and opportunity for this final step."

Song Zishao nodded to Su Shaochu as both an apology and a greeting, then led his men away.

Will you... will you come again?

"How could I possibly give up this last chance and opportunity?" The injured man staggered to a stop, and without turning around, said, "Don't worry! When we return to Green Bamboo Music, there will be no more Young Master Song acting as an accomplice to evil."

Watching the figure finally disappear into the distance, the heaviness in Liu Tian'er's heart seemed to lighten instantly, but a different kind of sadness welled up from somewhere, and she felt uncomfortable with his lonely departing figure.

"At least he understands your thoughts now, and even acknowledges his efforts again, which is a good thing," Su Shaochu sighed softly.

"Does the young master also think he's right? Or is it something I didn't understand?" Liu Tian'er asked, somewhat confused.

"If I could answer this question, perhaps I could solve my problem." Alas! For her, love is no longer a nuisance, but a disaster.

"Young Master, have you also encountered troubles in your love life?" Seeing Su Shaochu's bitter smile, Liu Tian'er suddenly felt she had spoken out of turn and bowed slightly. "It is Tian'er who asked. Although you seem young, you may already be married."

"Well, let's not talk about that. Since the matter has been decided, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. Let's go to the pavilion and continue the music that was interrupted earlier!"

At this moment, the managers in charge of greeting people in the garden stepped forward to thank Su Shaochu with clasped hands, and the girls in the Green Bamboo Music Hall also came forward to greet him warmly.

Handsome young men are always popular with girls, let alone such a dashing young man with outstanding looks and heroic spirit.

"Young master, you were truly amazing just now. I thought something terrible was about to happen, but you resolved it with just a few words."

"It's a pity Mr. Jin isn't here, otherwise he would definitely thank you properly."

The owner of Green Bamboo Paradise went to greet another distinguished guest, only instructing that this gentleman in white be treated well.

"It's alright, you can convey my thanks on my behalf." Surrounded by the girls' chatter, Su Shaochu smiled gently, as was his custom. "I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the harmonious sounds of the pipa, zither, and bamboo flute yet!"

"As long as you don't mind, the people of Green Bamboo Paradise are willing to play music for you until you are satisfied."

"To hear the heavenly sounds played by these beautiful ladies, Shao Chu is in for a treat today."

She could never resist cute people and things, and the girls' playful and sweet appearances were like adorable little birds and rabbits, so she could never bear to refuse their requests and kindness.

Her gentle smile and fondness for certain people and things greatly displeased Zhu Yu. He could tolerate it because she was his daughter, but he would absolutely not tolerate anyone else who would steal her attention.

Today she finally had a brief moment to enjoy the pleasures of the past. Without the domineering presence of the Demon Prince, she was extremely happy.

“Young Master, besides the master, there are two other young ladies. The young master has so much gentleness that it’s almost overflowing. He’s chosen three people.”

Yan Pingfei suddenly stepped forward and reminded her in her ear. Before Su Shaochu could respond, a loud shout came from behind her!

"Young Master Su—"

Two pretty girls, dressed in pink and purple with matching headbands, with identical delicate faces and equally precious jewels adorning their bodies, rushed over angrily!

"If you ignore Wuyou (Wuchou) – you'll have time to play with others –"

"Young master, who are those two girls to you?"

"Uh, that's..." He forced a stiff smile, realizing that the chance to finally catch his breath was probably gone.

"A primary wife and a concubine?" a woman beside him guessed, judging from the way the two girls rushed over in a fit of anger. "Young master, you already have a family, and you've married twin sisters!"

"Sigh! I really wish I had that kind of status and ability." It would be better than being targeted by the evil prince.

“If it’s really a case of a primary wife and concubines, why would they call him ‘Young Master Su’?” another perceptive girl remarked.

"No one is allowed to touch Young Master Su!"

"Yes, Young Master Su—he belongs to us and Father—you all get out of here!"

Wuyou and Wuchou pushed all the girls away, each grabbing one of Su Shaochu's arms to prevent anyone else from getting close.

"Is this young master yours and your father's?!"

The girls looked at each other, puzzled by what they had said.

"May I ask what your relationship is with this young master Su? How is he related to your father?"

"Young Master Su is my father's person—which naturally makes him our mother—"

The word "mother" was uttered like a silent thunderclap, leaving everyone in the Green Bamboo Music Hall speechless!

"Mother...you mean this...young master?"

"certainly!"

They held their noses high and hummed triumphantly, knowing that from now on they would not only have a father, but also their favorite young master Su as their mother.

With a soft "pfft," someone couldn't help but laugh, which was followed by a burst of laughter from the entire audience.

"Young ladies, even if you like this young master very much, no matter how handsome he is, you can't let a man be your mother!"