Lan Yin Bi Yue

Chapitre 16

"Oh. Her." Han Yufeng slowly poured Lin Suyang a cup of tea. Then he poured himself a cup before continuing, "She was also coming to Yancheng on business. But she was attacked by bandits on the way and fell off a cliff."

"Ah!" Shen Xiao and Kong Ling exclaimed in surprise. Si Junxing looked at him coldly. Lin Suyang picked up the teacup on the table and started playing with it.

“However,” Han Yufeng said with a faint smile, looking at Lin Suyang, “she’s alright now. I’ve also taken care of those thugs who attacked her.” Lin Suyang paused, then gently put down her cup.

"Then why isn't she with you now?" Kong Ling asked, feeling that something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I also want to know why she won't be with me. Do you think I should find a chance to remind her?" Han Yufeng gave everyone a dazzling smile, then slightly bent his long fingers on the table and tapped the table lightly, making the tea in Lin Suyang's cup ripple.

Si Junxing now fully understood that Feng Hanyu was not only here to cause trouble, but also to "steal" him! This was enough to prove that he and Lin Suyang knew each other. What was their relationship? Thinking of this, his heart jumped again, and his body involuntarily leaned closer to Lin Suyang beside him. While feeling safe, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. When did he, who was once carefree, become so anxious and insecure?

"Perhaps she has some difficulties," Shen Xiao said, gazing intently at Han Yufeng. Kong Ling looked around in confusion, and when she saw the way Han Yufeng was looking at Lin Suyang, an unbelievable thought popped into her head: Could it really be like that? She was startled by her own thought, then felt a strange sense of joy. "Yes, perhaps Madam Feng is just not clear-headed for the moment. Young Master Feng should try to persuade her; I believe she will soon return to your side," Kong Ling offered "enthusiastic" comfort.

Han Yufeng remained noncommittal, only staring intently at the silent Lin Suyang. Si Junxing stood up heavily, pulled Lin Suyang aside, and said to the others, "I'm sorry everyone, I must go and rest with my wife first." He emphasized the word "wife."

Just as they reached the door, Han Yufeng's infuriating words rang out: "Welcome, both of you, to come and chat anytime..." With a "bang," Si Junxing slammed the door shut.

Back in the room, Lin Suyang went straight to the bed and sat down. Si Junxing turned around, closed the door, and stood there, asking cautiously and nervously, "You... don't you have anything to say to me?"

“He is the emperor of Yanliao Kingdom, Han Yufeng,” Lin Suyang said softly, looking at him. “We used to be friends before I knew his identity. Then he disappeared for two years. Three months ago, he visited Dayang, as the Holy Emperor Han. As for why he came here, I don’t know.” In just a few words, she revealed her past with Han Yufeng. There were many things she didn’t explain, such as Han Yufeng knowing that she was being chased and fell off a cliff, how he followed her to Yan City, and how he called her “wife”… There were many things that Si Junxing didn’t want to ask and dared not ask. He knew that what he had to do was to believe her. Since she no longer resisted him, perhaps it wouldn’t be long before his place in her heart would grow bigger, until it filled that small space completely, leaving no room for anything else.

Si Junxing completely let go of his anxiety, walked up to Lin Suyang and kissed her forehead: "Are you tired? You should sleep for a while, I'll wake you up later."

Seeing that Lin Suyang had gotten into bed and covered herself with the blanket, he bent down and removed her veil: "There's no one else here." After tucking her in, he quietly left.

While Lin Suyang was still half asleep, she heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was Si Junxing, she got out of bed and opened the door without putting on her veil. When she opened the door, she saw Han Yufeng leaning lazily against the door frame, looking at her.

"How could it be you?" Lin Suyang asked in surprise.

"Why isn't it me? Do you think it's your imposter husband?" Han Yufeng said, squeezing in through the small crack in the door.

"Isn't it improper for Young Master Feng to enter a woman's room without permission?" Lin Suyang said coldly.

"Tsk tsk tsk, why does Grand Tutor Lin always keep people at arm's length?" Han Yufeng lifted his robe and elegantly sat down on the chair by the bed.

"I don't understand what you're saying, young master. Please leave," Lin Suyang said.

"How long are you going to keep pretending with me, Lin, Su, Yang!" Han Yufeng simply opened the window and stared intently at the person in front of him.

Lin Suyang remained silent for a while, then realized she couldn't hold back any longer. She let out a long sigh: "Your Majesty, what exactly do you want me to do by pressing me so hard?" She didn't understand why he had changed so much in just two years, why he wouldn't let her go even after she'd chased him to Yan City, or what she could possibly gain from him. They had only spent some time together; even if they were close, they couldn't be that close. Moreover, their identities were that of a king and a tutor to a ruler. Even good friends would be wary of each other.

"I didn't force you." Han Yufeng stood up and walked closer to her step by step. "I just hope you can be with me and become the Empress of my Yan Liao Kingdom, because I love you." His deep gaze locked onto her misty eyes.

"I knew you were a woman two years ago, and then I fell hopelessly in love with you. When I was fighting with my eldest brother, my heart and eyes were filled with your smile, your coldness, and your thoughtfulness. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm afraid of never seeing you again. When I came to Dayang, I couldn't sleep day and night, thinking about what I should say and do when I saw you, and how I could make you willing to come back to Yanliao with me..."

Han Yufeng poured out his heart, expressing his longing for her over the past two years, but Lin Suyang didn't listen at all. When she heard Han Yufeng say he liked her, her mind went blank. This… this was a confession? No man had ever told her he liked her to her face before, not even Si Junxing. In her past life, she was also a quiet and reserved person with few friends, and she left this world early without even knowing what love was. She felt lost. How should she react in this situation?

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Forty: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road (Part Two)

Lin Suyang was completely unaware of Han Yufeng's approach. She stood there blankly, her mind a jumble of thoughts. Only when she realized her rapid breaths were hitting her face did she look up. By then, Han Yufeng had already seized the opportunity to capture her lips. Lin Suyang's eyes widened, and she raised her right hand to slap him, but his hand held her firmly, preventing her from moving. She could only grit her teeth and shake her head from side to side to stop Han Yufeng from going any further. But he held on tightly, biting her lip, and accidentally bit her lower lip, filling their mouths with the strong taste of blood.

"I'm sorry, I was too impulsive. Does it hurt?" Han Yufeng immediately released Lin Suyang and asked anxiously.

Lin Suyang took a few steps back, ignoring her still bleeding lips, and looked at him calmly: "Is that enough? If so, Your Majesty, please leave."

Han Yufeng saw the piercing coldness in her eyes and panicked. He quickly stepped forward and pulled her back, saying, "Don't be like that, don't look at me like that. Your gaze is colder and more painful than the arrow my eldest brother pierced my body. I'll never do that again, please don't be angry, okay?" His tall, imposing frame trembled slightly, which deeply moved Lin Suyang. Although she hated Han Yufeng's rudeness, seeing him like this softened her heart.

"Let her go." A deafening roar followed, and a gust of wind swept behind Han Yufeng. He quickly grabbed Lin Suyang and dodged to the side. Looking back, he saw Si Junxing standing there, exuding a murderous aura, his eyes red as he stared at him. "Let her go." The emotionless words were filled with the prelude to a violent storm.

Han Yufeng glanced at him, turned his head, turned Lin Suyang's body around, and slowly said, "You are mine." While Lin Suyang was stunned, she caught sight of Si Junxing, who was already furious, swinging his palm to strike. Han Yufeng was worried that he would hurt her, so he immediately let go of her hand, then raised his arm to block Si Junxing's palm strike, and with a spin, he went to meet it again.

For a moment, Lin Suyang felt as if two blurry shadows were fluttering about like busy butterflies, their palms flashing, alternating between blue and white, creating small tornadoes wherever they passed. Before long, the room was a mess. The tables and chairs were crushed to pieces under the intense aura, and the four corners of the carved bed in the distance were broken, with sheets and pillows scattered all over the floor.

Before long, a commotion arose outside. The moment the door opened, the two people who were having a great fight stopped at an incredible speed, each standing on one side, staring at each other in a frozen pose.

Yan Muqing, Kong Ling, Shen Xiao, and a large group of people who rushed over after hearing the commotion crowded at the doorway, staring dumbfounded at the house that had been reduced to ruins. "What... what happened?" Yan Muqing asked in astonishment, pointing inside.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to spar with Young Master Si on a whim, but I didn't mean to go a little too far," Han Yufeng said nonchalantly, crossing his arms.

Silence fell, except for the sound of gasps. He looked up in surprise, and all eyes were fixed on one place. Following that gaze, he saw Lin Suyang, who had removed her veil. She was without makeup, her features were cool and stunning, and she stood there like a goddess descended to earth, so radiant and dazzling that no one could look away.

Before anyone could see clearly, Si Junxing flashed in front of Lin Suyang, shielding her behind him. Han Yufeng coughed lightly, his fist half-clenched and raised to his lips. Yan Muqing snapped out of her daze and quickly turned to the people behind her, saying, "It's alright. Everyone, go back to your work." She then immediately closed the door with Shen Xiao.

Kong Ling looked at Lin Suyang, who stood calmly behind Si Junxing. She watched Si Junxing carefully protecting her, and a bitter feeling welled up inside her. She felt an unreachable distance between herself and them, as if no matter how hard she tried, she would never get close to them. Si Junxing, for her, had become a hazy, budding love. She knew she should withdraw as soon as possible, yet she couldn't help but focus all her attention on him. Was this what they called love at first sight?

"Kong Ling. Kong Ling." Yan Muqing noticed that Kong Ling had been lost in thought since she entered the room and assumed she was preoccupied with something. She asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Kong Ling suppressed her surging emotions and replied with a faint smile, "I'm fine, Brother Mu Qing."

"That's good," Yan Muqing said. Then he said to Han Yufeng and the others, "The banquet is about to begin. Let's hurry to the hall." It was unclear whether he was genuinely dazed or pretending. He didn't ask a single question about what had just happened. As for Chen Xiao, his eyes were completely focused on Han Yufeng, and he had long forgotten all about directions.

Lin Suyang took a new piece of gauze from the bundle outside the quilt on the ground, put it on, and said, "Let's go."

When the group arrived at the Kong family's main hall, they found they weren't too late; several tables were empty, indicating that some of those present had come to watch the commotion. Therefore, Lin Suyang's entrance immediately drew whispers from below. Various gazes flickered—some admiring, some disdainful, some sincere—making Chen Xiao, who had been holding her hand, feel uneasy, like a monkey performing in the street. Lin Suyang ignored the conversation and found a relatively secluded spot to sit with Si Junxing.

Seeing that Si Junxing was sitting to Lin Suyang's right, Han Yufeng naturally sat to her left. Chen Xiao, with her sharp eyes, grabbed the stool next to Han Yufeng and slid up to sit down. Yan Muqing was quite annoyed by his junior sister's behavior and was about to sit down when Kong Ling pushed him aside and sat next to Si Junxing.

"What's wrong with today? Everything seems strange." Yan Muqing scratched his head, looked around at the people who were already seated, and stood there blankly for a while before finally sitting down with peace of mind.

No one spoke; the corner was eerily quiet compared to its surroundings. Si Junxing and Han Yufeng glared at each other like long-lost enemies. Lin Suyang ignored the impending hostility between the two beside him, preoccupied with what information he could glean from the martial arts tournament. Kong Ling kept her head down, lost in thought. Shen Xiao, that infatuated girl, sat sideways, her hands cupping her head as she observed Han Yufeng's every move. Her large eyes were brimming with admiration; she was practically drooling. Yan Muqing, watching this, felt extremely embarrassed and turned his head away. If anyone said Shen Xiao had anything to do with him, he would definitely fight them.

One after another, guests arrived to offer their birthday wishes and the hall was soon filled with seats. Once everyone was seated, the head of the Kong family walked to the center and began his speech. The forty-year-old Kong Mingqi possessed the strong physique typical of a martial artist. His short beard gleamed as if it had been groomed, sticking straight to his pointed chin. With a face similar to Kong Ling, he wore a wide black robe with wide sleeves that fluttered even without wind, demonstrating his profound inner strength. He truly had the air of a great hero.

"I am deeply grateful for your presence on my birthday. I would also like to take this opportunity to discuss the upcoming martial arts conference. As we all know, the power of the Demonic Cult has been growing rapidly in recent years. These treacherous members have not only interfered in the affairs of our righteous path, but many sects have also been frequently attacked and harassed by them. Just a few days ago, the Southwest Fire Cloud Sect was completely wiped out, with no survivors. This has caused widespread panic among the righteous sects. Therefore, I have issued a wide call for heroes and convened this martial arts conference with the sole purpose of electing a new leader to lead the heroes in declaring war on the Demonic Cult, avenging our righteous path, and restoring its glory!" His passionate words drew cheers and applause from the audience.

Hearing this, Lin Suyang felt much more at ease. It turned out to be a conflict among martial arts practitioners; those in the court were overthinking it. She had originally come to Yan City to escape Han Yufeng, but who would have thought he would follow her here? Now that Emperor Hong's mission was complete, shouldn't she consider returning to Yundu? As for what happened here, she wasn't a member of the martial arts world, so their grudges were none of her concern. She didn't need to attend the martial arts tournament. But what about Si Junxing? What should Si Junxing do? Lin Suyang looked up at the person beside her. Si Junxing's brows were furrowed for some reason, and his hands on the table were clenched tightly, as if something was troubling him. Was it because of Kong Mingqi's words?

Lin Suyang didn't really understand this person who was so good to her. She knew nothing about his identity, his background, or what he was thinking. She wasn't one to pry into things, and she was never interested in other people's affairs. She simply did what she wanted based on her feelings and desires. Even if someone hurt her, she wouldn't resort to scheming. During those two chases, she only wanted to live if she could; death would be a relief. She had no interest in figuring out who was targeting her, no interest in what would happen to her loved ones after her death. She was simply tired, weary of this life, weary of the monotonous cycle of being alone.

The sleeve felt cool, and Han Yufeng gently twirled it between his fingers, his eyes fixed on Kong Mingqi in the middle. Lin Suyang tried to tug at it, but couldn't get it off, so he could only look around aimlessly. His gaze suddenly stopped on a figure at the table diagonally opposite. The person seemed to sense something, turned around and looked this way, and Lin Suyang quickly lowered his head.

It's Yan'er. What's he doing here?

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Forty-One: Unspeakable Heart

Lin Suyang didn't dare to look up. After a long while, she finally glanced over. Lin Ziyan had already turned away, but her unease grew stronger. Ziyan's presence here meant that the imperial court was also nearby. If someone with ulterior motives discovered her disguised as a woman, it would surely bring about the extermination of the Lin family!

She glanced around and, sure enough, saw Lin Yi, Lin Er, and the others scattered in various corners, with countless others hidden in the shadows. Now she knew this gathering of martial artists wasn't aimed at the imperial court, but the court had still sent so many people to spy on them as a precaution. If they were discovered, it would likely cause another wave of trouble. The situation was truly chaotic!

Kong Mingqi continued his righteous speech, but Lin Suyang had no interest in listening and just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Taking advantage of everyone's attention being focused on Kong Mingqi, she quietly stood up. Since Han Yufeng had been holding her sleeve, it slipped off his hand as she stood up. Han Yufeng turned to look at her, and she said in a low voice, "Going out for some fresh air." Then she slipped out into the crowd behind her.

In front of the main hall of the Kong family was a large courtyard, with a small gate on the side leading to the back courtyard. Lin Suyang glanced around; it was very quiet outside, with only one or two servants occasionally passing by, serving tea. She paused, then walked towards the small gate. Soon after leaving the gate, she reached the small bridge she had crossed earlier. The area was deserted; only the gentle sound of flowing water could be heard.

Lost in thought, Lin Suyang was completely unaware of the dark shadow following her closely. She crossed the stone bridge and quickly reached her room. Standing at the door, she realized that the room had been ransacked. So she turned around and headed towards Si Junxing's room. Pushing open the door, she found a tinderbox and lit a candle by the light of the night outside. Just as she was about to sit down, the door was suddenly pushed open and then slammed shut with a bang.

Lin Suyang stared at the newcomer, speechless. The man, however, stared at her excitedly and asked in a trembling voice, "Brother?"

She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to tell the truth. Seeing Lin Ziyan's increasingly tense expression as she clenched her fists, she couldn't help but speak up: "Yes, Yan'er."

The familiar scent, the familiar voice, the familiar tone—it was as if a lifeline had pulled Lin Ziyan from the brink of despair, from the depths of a raging inferno. The worry, fear, and pain of the past few days had been like a dense net, suffocating him. He stood there, still caught in that state of mind. After a long while, he took a deep breath, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Then he rushed over and hugged Lin Suyang, choking back tears of joy, saying, "It really is you, brother, it really is you."

Lin Suyang gently patted his shoulder in response, "Yes, it's me."

“When I heard you fell off the cliff, I wanted to rush to you immediately, but the Emperor wouldn’t allow it. He said you were alright. I couldn’t sleep day and night. Every time I closed my eyes, I would see you standing in front of me, covered in blood. I didn’t dare tell Father, worried that something might happen to him. I begged the Emperor several times before he finally agreed to let me come to find you. On the way here, I was so afraid that I would never see you again. Brother, it’s so good that you’re alright.” Lin Ziyan leaned on Lin Suyang’s shoulder like a child, and Lin Suyang felt a tightness in his embrace. She said, “I’m sorry, Yan’er, I’ve made you all worry.”

Lin Ziyan shook his head: "No, brother, it's my fault. I didn't protect you properly and that's why you got hurt."

"It's none of your business, Yan'er. It's my own fault for not being careful enough."

Lin Ziyan slowly released Lin Suyang. He reached out and removed the veil from her face. "Brother, why...why are you dressed like this?" Why are you wearing women's clothes? Why is your hair styled like a woman's? Lin Ziyan looked at her in confusion.

“Because,” Lin Suyang said, taking the ground gauze from his hand and putting it away. “I’ve always been this way. It’s just that before…”

"You mean you've been disguised as a boy all along?" Lin Ziyan's eyes widened. She said incredulously, "Brother...you're lying to me, right?"

Lin Suyang smiled wryly: "Silly Yan'er. When have I ever lied to you?"

Lin Ziyan staggered backward: "Impossible! We've been together for over ten years since we were kids. I had no idea you were a woman. Could it be... could it be that the entire Lin family was kept in the dark?"

Lin Suyang nodded slightly.

“I don’t know, Father doesn’t know, Mother doesn’t know, nobody knows that you even became the top scholar in the imperial examination and became the imperial consort… Imperial consort? Then Princess Jingyang…” Lin Ziyan looked at her with some fear and shock.

"Qin Yu knew I was a woman, and she married me to help me conceal my identity... As for why I had to disguise myself as a man, that's a long story. Yan'er, it's not very safe here. If we're not careful, our Lin family could be in big trouble." Lin Suyang knew that his situation had been a huge blow to Lin Ziyan. Imagine someone who had worshipped his brother like a god since childhood, suddenly discovering that this "brother" was a fake—how would he feel? Lin Suyang didn't want to force him to accept his current self immediately. Letting him think things through would be better for both of them, but given the current situation, it wasn't convenient to say more. They could only return to the Lin residence as soon as possible to resolve this issue.

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Lin Suyang said, "Yan'er, I know you can't accept it right now, you..."

"No, brother. I'm just amazed at how you managed to keep it from so many of us for so many years. Brother, it doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman, because you'll always be my dearest person." Lin Ziyan stared at him intently.

"Yan'er..." Lin Suyang smiled, "Thank you."

"By the way, Yan'er, how many people did you bring this time?" Lin Suyang remembered an important question.

“After you fell off the cliff, the guards immediately went back to report to the Emperor, and then dispatched a battalion of elite soldiers to find you. Only after learning that you might be in Yan City did the Emperor agree to let me bring five hundred men. Adding to the previous three hundred, there are a total of eight hundred men. However, tonight I only brought a dozen or so men into the Kong residence, so we should not be discovered,” Lin Ziyan said.

“There are many martial artists in Yan City now, and they are very vigilant. If they find out that the imperial court suspects them, it may cause unnecessary conflict. Here’s what we’ll do,” Lin Suyang thought for a moment and said, “have everyone else retreat back to Chenggao to find Magistrate Liu Ming and find a place to wait for orders. If the situation here changes, we can summon them to come and help us in time. If nothing unexpected happens, I think we can withdraw by tomorrow.”

"Okay. I'll also send a message to the princess by carrier pigeon to tell her about you," Lin Ziyan nodded.

"Is she alright?" I haven't written to Qin Yu in a long time; I wonder if she's worried about me too.

“She didn’t know you had fallen off a cliff. She was just suspicious because you hadn’t written home for a long time. Before I left, she repeatedly told me to write to her as soon as I saw you.”

"That's good," Lin Suyang breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your concern."

Lin Ziyan said, "Brother, don't think too much. As long as you're alright, everything is fine. You should rest first, I'll go down and make arrangements."

When Lin Ziyan came out of the room, he felt much more relaxed. He had felt that the woman on the table looked familiar. Although she was wearing a veil, her movements and eyes were very similar to the person he was looking for. When he saw her go out alone, he unconsciously followed her and kept observing her walking posture. He couldn't help but rush in to ask her when he saw her enter the room. It turned out that it really was "him".

Upon learning that Lin Suyang was a woman, Lin Ziyan did not feel the same unacceptable reaction that Lin Suyang had expected. Instead, she felt a strange sense of joy, but at the same time, she was also experiencing a more painful inner conflict. She could no longer distinguish what kind of feelings she had for this "brother," only knowing that the attachment she had felt since childhood was becoming increasingly difficult to sever.

When Si Junxing entered, Lin Suyang was already sitting quietly on the stool, her face covered by a veil, waiting for him.

"I'm going back to Yundu tomorrow," Lin Suyang said.

“No,” Si Junxing said immediately. Lin Suyang looked at him. “Your injury can’t wait too long. I’ll find the antidote soon. Can you… wait a few more days?”

Lin Suyang gently shook her head: "I don't care." Hearing these words, Si Junxing was furious. He grabbed her hand and roared, "You don't care? I do! What did you promise me? You said you would try to accept me and stay by my side. You broke your promise after only a few days. You're only thinking about going back to Yundu to find your wealth and glory?"

Despite Si Junxing's unforgivable attitude, Lin Suyang remained calm and said indifferently, "Yes, I can't let go of my power and wealth, so I need to go back as soon as possible. As for what happened that day, just treat it as a joke."

"A joke? My deep affection for you was just a joke?" Si Junxing stared at her fiercely as if he had never seen her before.

"Is everything you've done just to appease me?"

"Yes. I don't like owing favors, so I said those things only to repay your life-saving grace." The emotionless words were like ice water poured on Si Junxing in the dead of winter, instantly freezing him into numbness.

Volume Two, Chapter Forty-Two: The Melody of the Qin and Se Fades Away

"Is your heart... made of iron?" Si Junxing was unsteady on his feet, his hands bracing against the table in front of Lin Suyang. Lin Suyang remained silent, watching the swaying table.

"Fine, very well," Si Junxing said with a bitter laugh. "Remember what you said today, Lin Suyang." With that, he slammed the door and left.

Lin Suyang lowered her eyes, refusing to look at the receding figure, its body covered in wounds. How could she explain that it wasn't what he thought? How could she explain her predicament? After speaking with Lin Ziyan, she had already decided to do this. She wouldn't abandon the lives of dozens of people in the Lin family just to be with Si Junxing. The crime of deceiving the emperor would result in the execution of the entire family. The excuse of dying at the bottom of the cliff was only good for fooling children; otherwise, how could they have found her in such a short time? Besides, her injuries… the antidote must be related to the Kong family; otherwise, why would Si Junxing repeatedly try to approach the Kong residence?

Lin Suyang is very smart. There are some things she doesn't know, but she simply doesn't want to investigate them. She sees many things clearly, but given her personality, she is indifferent to everything, except that this matter involves the people she cares about.

Judging from Si Junxing's unusual reaction to Kong Mingqi's words, Si Junxing probably has some connection with the Demonic Sect. It's certain that he would steal medicine from the Kong family for her. If so, his identity might be exposed. Right now, it's the time when the righteous path is fighting against the Demonic Sect. If Si Junxing is caught while venturing alone, he will have no chance of survival. How could she bear to see him get into trouble?