Un rêve de transmigration

Chapitre 64

Qiu Yeyijian stood before her, gazing intently at her lonely and sorrowful face. Even when they were fighting to the death in Ruzhou, he had never seen her so grief-stricken, yet her eyes still shone faintly. It was as if all the beautiful scenery had turned into a sliver of starlight falling into her eyes. Without a second thought, Qiu Yeyijian leaned down and kissed her thin lips.

Leng Shuangcheng was slightly surprised and instinctively dodged to the right. Qiu Yeyi's expression changed, his cold black eyes deepened, and his handsome lips fiercely stabbed towards that direction. Leng Shuangcheng was greatly embarrassed and hurriedly dodged to the left. A chill swept across her cheek, and those unwavering lips followed.

The reason we didn't avoid it is because we couldn't avoid it.

"Young Master!" Leng Shuangcheng gasped in alarm, "Young Master, you..." Her words were cut short as her lips were swallowed by a tidal wave, and she could only manage a few muffled sounds. A cool, silky texture moistened her lips and the corners of her mouth. Qiu Yeyijian cupped her face and pressed his lips together in a deep, desperate embrace.

"Calling the wrong name is punishable..." he mumbled, as if he had a grudge against her, relentlessly demanding and exerting force. His wild, scorching breath rushed towards her, and his warm, burning lips pressed tightly against hers, lingering and searching for an outlet.

Leng Shuangcheng was completely startled by this cool, spring-like sensation. She tried her best to resist and struggled in secret, only to find that Qiu Ye's chest was as vast and unshakable as the East China Sea. Just as she was feeling angry and ashamed, a slender, slightly cool hand touched her chest again.

The finger, seemingly carrying a warm current, slid expertly inside her shirt. Leng Shuangcheng trembled as if electrocuted, and cried out anxiously, "Qiuye! Qiuye!"

She called out twice, her voice filled with such fear and despair.

Qiu Yeyi smiled wickedly, a deep satisfaction playing on his lips. His right hand, seemingly unsure where it had been, gently brushed against his clothes and slowly slipped out. Leng Shuangcheng glared at him fiercely, but once freed, her right hand shot up with lightning speed.

After the gust of wind subsided, Qiu Yeyijian remained motionless, bending down to gaze directly at her face without flinching, his burning, bright pupils piercing the depths of her soul. His handsome, pale face bore faint traces of age as he smiled slightly and said, "Silly girl, feeling close to you is my natural reaction. Besides, your constant wallowing in sorrow makes me feel distant from you."

Leng Shuangcheng felt a pang of unease, speechless at his roguish yet well-intentioned behavior. She could only shift her body to the side, facing Shui Guang. Qiu Yeyijian sat down gracefully, reached out his right hand to pull her cheek back, and kissed her fiercely once more.

“I know what you’re thinking.” He gathered the ends of her hair in his palm and pulled them taut like tassels. “You’re upset right now, but thankfully you’re not taking it out on me. I’m not afraid to tell you, I was really worried that you’d be like a volleyball, ready to unleash your fury on me.”

Leng Shuangcheng stared silently at the shimmering water. Qiu Yeyijian glanced at her profile, then pulled her hair forcefully. "Don't think about such trivial things anymore. You've been carrying too much. Take a break." Whether from pain or anger, Leng Shuangcheng didn't look at him, her left arm sweeping towards his chest. Qiu Yeyijian smiled wickedly, grabbing her arm with one hand and using his right to pull her up to his chest.

Leng Shuangcheng roared, "Shameless! Let go!" Qiu Yeyijian held her tightly with one arm, his left hand deftly removing her clothes from her shoulder. Leng Shuangcheng was horrified and cried out, "Qiu Ye, you, a noble young master, actually resort to such despicable means!" "A young master is still a man," Qiu Yeyijian shamelessly took the opportunity to kiss her fair neck, mumbling, "Don't move, let me check your injuries." Leng Shuangcheng struggled, shocked and angry, "Is it necessary to check injuries like this! Move away, I'll roll up my sleeves and let you see clearly!"

“Indeed.” Qiu Yeyi’s voice held a hint of realization. Her left hand stopped moving, her lips still lingering on Leng Shuangcheng’s bare shoulder. “I was so foolish, how could I not have thought of that?” Leng Shuangcheng was furious. She mustered all her strength and hissed like a hedgehog with its quills bristling, emanating a chilling aura. Qiu Yeyi’s lips touched the coldness, and she secretly smiled. She released Leng Shuangcheng and said, “Let me see quickly. I’ve been worried about your wound.”

His tone was extremely serious.

Leng Shuangcheng leaped up, standing a good zhang away, her gaze fixed on his eyes with an uncertain expression: "With the water-repellent garment covering me, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, sir." Qiu Ye sat upright on the stone, his gaze sharp as a blade, staring directly at her chest, and said, "I suppose it's for me to examine carefully later." As soon as he finished speaking, Leng Shuangcheng rolled up her sleeves without another word, revealing a section of her arm.

There was a light-colored, thread-like scar on it, damp with mist, somewhat noticeable. Qiu Yeyijian's gaze softened, he pursed his lips, and extended his left hand: "Here." Leng Shuangcheng carefully looked into his eyes, hesitated, and said, "It's alright now, it's nothing..." Qiu Yeyijian still stubbornly extended his palm, his gaze fixed on her face.

"Speaking of which, I have something important to report, but I almost forgot about it because of what happened just now." Leng Shuangcheng stood still and spoke calmly.

"Come here!" Qiu Yeyijian uttered coldly, his tone sharpening, a hint of malice creeping into his smooth, handsome face. Leng Shuangcheng exhaled resentfully and resignedly walked over. Qiu Yeyijian took her arm and examined it closely, his expression growing increasingly cold and somber. His eyes, once clear, dark, and sparkling with starlight, became as dim as misty mountains, their white irises appearing like two grayish-brown glass beads. After scrutinizing her for a while, he carefully removed her sleeve and said in a deep voice, "Sit down and talk."

Leng Shuangcheng sat down as instructed, noticing a cold and restrained aura emanating from the person beside her, like frost-covered trees in the snow. She sighed softly in her heart. The sound of pine trees rustling, the fragrance of clothes wafting in the air, smoke shrouding the cold water, moonlight veiling the sand—Leng Shuangcheng listened to the wind whispering in her ears, lost in thought. “Young Master was absolutely right about one thing: ‘With great responsibility comes great burdens.’ I’ve rarely gotten the better of you before, but even now, without your intervention, I still can’t fulfill my promise.”

Leng Shuangcheng recalled the hardships of the past. It was on such a quiet and beautiful night that, due to a habit formed since childhood, she finally gradually opened her heart amidst the beautiful scenery.

Qiu Yeyijian understood her words. He recalled what the withered tree in Qingshan Temple had said, and realized that she had a knot in her heart that she couldn't untie. If this knot wasn't untied, she would take the opportunity to fall into a deep sleep and retreat into the innermost part of her body. He listened carefully to every word she said, his deep, chiseled profile expressionless.

Seeing Qiu Yeyijian so quiet, Leng Shuangcheng felt a pang of sympathy. She thought for a moment, but the distress swirling in her heart was too much to express, so she had to find another way and bring up everything she had planned to report earlier.

"There's something wrong with the two interpreters on the Hu merchant's ship. You can find out the whole story after you investigate carefully, young master. I heard that the Sun and Moon Golden Wheel will land in the East China Sea and be transported to Jingxiang by merchant ships. I went into the water and felt the bottom of the ship and noticed some weapons."

The trees in the Starry Forest were draped in a silver veil in their tranquil slumber. Qiu Yeyijian stared straight ahead, remained silent for a moment, and then replied, "I understand. You should rest. I'll take care of these things."

“And then there’s Young Master Lin,” Leng Shuangcheng said bitterly. “This man is like a mystery, and I suspect he’s connected to Tang Wu’s death and the Golden Wheel weapon.”

“Leng Shuangcheng.” Qiu Yeyijian quickly interjected, coldly saying, “Remember, besides me, don’t think about any other men.” Leng Shuangcheng gave a silent, bitter smile and said, “I’ve been living in fear for the past two months, and I’m really tired. Please bear with me, young master. I’ll take my leave now.”

"where you go?"

"I'm going to rest now."

"Resting in this place of pleasure?" Qiu Yeyi raised her voice. "Those women were screaming so loudly, couldn't you hear them?"

Leng Shuangcheng smiled blankly and said, "I can still sleep even if you keep making noise."

Qiu Ye Yijian suddenly remembered the house in Sihai. Although it was two or three stories high, when Leng Shuangcheng stayed there, the shouting and cursing inside were deafening. The thin door panel really couldn't block out any sound. His face was indifferent, but his heart was like a surging wave, a thousand sails racing, feeling like it was about to burst the dam. He couldn't help but say, "Enlightenment at Qingshan Temple, gambling in Sihai, I finally understand your past life."

Leng Shuangcheng was startled and turned to look at him.

“I’ve walked through all the places you’ve stopped,” Qiu Yeyijian said slowly, then continued before Leng Shuangcheng could react, “Sleep, everything will be different when you wake up.” His fingers, however, quietly moved downwards, suddenly brushing against her acupoints. Leng Shuangcheng’s body gradually softened, collapsing against Qiu Yeyijian’s right shoulder. He steadily caught her, embracing her with both arms, sitting calmly on the star stone with a serene expression.

Qiu Yeyi's sleeves carried a special fragrance, just like always, which soothed Leng Shuangcheng and helped her relax and fall asleep. He clasped his hands around her waist, silently pondering his thoughts, while occasionally raising his palm to gently caress her face.

Night fell, the sound of oars echoed, lanterns flickered, and a cool breeze rustled through the air, creating a dreamlike, shimmering scene. The night was eerily still, mist shrouded the water, and the gentle lapping of ripples against the shore could be heard, their movement subtle yet palpable. As Qiu Yeyijian prepared to leave, her left hand moved slightly, producing a purple brocade pouch which she held flat in her palm.

This was the only personal treasure he discovered after regaining consciousness from his serious injuries. He later guessed that it was a brocade pouch that Leng Shuangcheng had entrusted to Yin Guang to deliver. The pouch was made of purple satin and faintly exuded the fragrance of orchids, signifying its owner's name: Lan Jingru.

Qiu Ye looked down at the sword in her arms and smiled.

The things in this world are so intricately connected. For example, the concubine whom Leng Shuangcheng is so obsessed with is actually the leading lady of Shuiyun Inn, though she doesn't know it yet. And Qiu Yeyijian, because of the resentment that Leng Shuangcheng passed on, was moved to come here when Zhao Yingcheng persuaded him to leave the manor to clear his mind.

So he said that God had eyes, and after sending Leng Shuangcheng to Wufang, He also fulfilled his wish.

Qiu Ye placed the brocade pouch flat on the stone, tightened his embrace around her, and carefully led her away. As they passed the Bodhi tree, the wind rustled through the leaves, casting swaying shadows that carried lingering memories of the past. He remembered a sentence Leng Shuangcheng had said to the withered tree, but he held her firmly, determined not to let her leave so easily.

"May my heart be like crystal when I attain enlightenment in my next life."

Leng Shuangcheng slept restlessly in her dream. Numerous faces flooded her vision like a tidal wave, finally settling on Xiao Qiao's face. Xiao Qiao's face was etched with deep sorrow, as if vast snowflakes and darkness had engulfed her, leaving her struggling in a death throes amidst raging flames, unable to awaken, her brows tightly furrowed. Gradually, a cool, slightly warm touch, like the gentle caress of a feather, soothed her agitation.

Qiu Yeyi straightened up and left the room after hearing the servant's announcement. Outside, Zhao Yingcheng stood with his hands behind his back, his brow furrowed. Seeing Qiu Yeyi emerge, he went to greet her: "I've already instructed Boss Ya to hold off the Hu envoy. Those two Hu merchants have disappeared since disembarking..."

The two walked towards the door without saying a word.

In the thin twilight, the colorful sailboat stood imposingly like a giant. Qiu Yeyi, sword in hand, stepped forward first, and amidst the salutes of the guards on either side, coldly boarded the deck. The deck was densely packed with dark, lotus-shaped hammers; he glanced at them briefly and estimated there were about a hundred. In the silence, Zhao Yingcheng spoke first: "Only a hundred? Why is that?"

“Something’s not right,” Qiu Yeyi suddenly said. “Gunpowder is afraid of water, so why was it so casually discarded at the bottom of the ship? The behavior of those two foreign merchants is also too suspicious. I’m afraid these things are worth investigating.”

"What if this news is true?"

Qiu Yeyi glanced down at the sword for a moment, then coldly replied, "How easy is it for weapons to reach Jingxiang via the Song territory? If I were the seller, I would definitely find various ways to transfer these weapons in batches."

Zhao Yingcheng seemed to be moved and asked, "Young Master, are you saying that the merchant ships we discovered may only be the tip of the iceberg?"

"yes."

The two men, recalling the weapon's domineering power, fell silent in thought. Zhao Yingcheng examined the weapon before finally speaking first: "This thing is so powerful that even Japan, with its entire national strength, could hardly provide tens of thousands of gunpowder. I wonder if there are any secrets behind it that we are unaware of?"

After a long silence, Qiu Yeyi asked, "Does the young master know the skilled craftsman Wu You?"

"I've heard of him. He's incredibly clever and skillful, with a photographic memory, and can create anything you can imagine." After a pause, seeing that Qiu Yeyijian didn't elaborate, Zhao Yingcheng had no choice but to continue asking, "However, it's rumored that this person is currently missing. Could this matter be related to Wu Sanshou?"

“This person is the key.” Qiu Yeyi said coldly, her hands behind her back, “Since she can create things, she can probably also unravel the secrets within them.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yingcheng understood. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "The situation is urgent. How about we split up, young master?"

"Of course."

"Zhao Yingcheng is going to distribute invitations to heroes, calling on heroes from all walks of life to assist the court in attending the gathering, and to make arrangements in advance. Please take charge of Wu Sanshou's matter, and after it is done, we will discuss the meeting place. As for the envoy from Hu, I will send someone to send him back to his foreign land."

Qiu Ye Yijian remained silent, tacitly agreeing to his suggestion. He glanced at the horizon, where a wisp of pale red cloud seemed about to burst forth from the clouds. After assessing the time, he turned and left. Traveling back to his lodging in the brocade pavilion, shrouded in the morning mist, Qiu Ye Yijian went straight to the bed curtains.

Leng Shuangcheng lay peacefully on the bed, fast asleep, her posture and expression exactly the same as when he left. Qiu Yeyijian recalled her sleeping face from before, and a thought struck him. He reached out and turned her face, then placed her hand on his waist, observing her reaction.

Sure enough, not long after, Leng Shuangcheng seemed to sense something was wrong in her sleep. She rubbed her head slightly, straightened her face, and unconsciously slid her hand down to her side.

"Even when you're asleep, you're so proper." Qiu Yeyi chuckled, jumped onto the bed curtains, squeezed her body next to her, and after bothering her for a while, she also fell asleep peacefully.

5. Playing chess

The fresh, hazy May has passed, and upon closer inspection, early summer arrives, its intoxicating beauty like a surging tide. Like a spring rain's gift, thousands of trees burst forth with vibrant green, spreading across both banks of the great river overnight. While the beauty of the world continues, Leng Shuangcheng's consciousness remains trapped in the mountains and rivers, struggling and entangled for five days.

Qiu Ye Yi Jian's calming incense didn't have such a lasting effect; she knew this better than anyone. While she slept, she was aware of the cool, warm lips that fed her protective jade dew each day, and of the heavy shoulder that deliberately pressed against her right arm each night, but she refused to open her eyes. The dream seemed to drag on for a long time, stumbling and struggling, until finally, the chirping of birds awakened her.

On a clear, early summer morning, the earth exuded an indescribable peace and tranquility. Leng Shuangcheng leaped to her feet, the wind ruffling her robes, only then realizing she had changed her attire. A pale purple silk robe with cloud-like sleeves and brocade trim, its neat and elegant design accentuated her graceful, willow-like figure. Leng Shuangcheng glanced down, and recalling Qiu Ye's scheme regarding the daylily and her recent actions, she was greatly alarmed.

Her clothing did not restrict her movements, but rather followed the etiquette she had learned in the past; it was an elegant style for a court concubine.

The saying goes, "Continuous rain obscures the passing of spring, only a clear sky reveals the depth of summer." Leng Shuangcheng, facing the faint morning light and the jade-green bamboo outside the pavilion, first calmed her mind. Now that she was clear-headed, she naturally had to face reality—the lesson of her previous breach of trust hadn't faded, and now another major problem lay before her: Qiu Ye Yijian.

Several days ago, during their late-night conversation under the stars, she, as always, avoided sensitive topics, intending to stall for time and adapt to the situation later. However, Qiu Ye Yijian saw through her wavering mind and, taking advantage of her unconsciousness, brazenly attacked her. Thinking of this, Leng Shuangcheng deeply examined her own heart while simultaneously washing herself with a wry smile.

A moment later, she chuckled self-deprecatingly and walked out of the room with an air of indifference. The courtyard was extremely quiet, and she didn't know where she was. All the flowers were graceful and elegant, but she was the only one who, while being respectfully greeted by servants, moved forward like the wind, dodging them as she went.

"Come here!" Qiu Yeyi couldn't help but call out when she saw Leng Shuangcheng walking around so casually.

Leng Shuangcheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qiu Yeyi sitting quietly behind a rosewood table, her face perfectly unchanged, but in front of her was a dazzling array of delicacies. She immediately went inside.

"Young Master," Leng Shuangcheng called out obediently, her eyes fixed on the food. Qiu Yeyi glanced at her, then nudged the brocade stool to her left, gesturing for her to sit down. Leng Shuangcheng didn't hesitate, sitting down gracefully and waiting for him to begin the meal.

The menu was filled with a variety of light and delicious dishes, including braised chicken wings with bamboo shoots, silver ingots, auspicious pastries, and many others, all in the Yangzhou style. Qiu Yeyi glanced at her and asked casually, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Okay." Leng Shuangcheng noticed that her right hand was trembling with fatigue and she couldn't hold the jade chopsticks properly. She cursed inwardly and switched to her left hand.

"You eat first, and I have some questions for you after you've finished eating."

Leng Shuangcheng quickly aligned the jade chopsticks and, without hesitation, picked up the lotus-shaped glutinous rice ball in front of her. Qiu Yeyi watched silently for a while, then suddenly said, "Slow down."

Leng Shuangcheng seemed oblivious, devouring her food with lightning speed. After swallowing the last mouthful of congee, she wiped her mouth and asked, "What is it?" Qiu Yeyi's gaze swept over the remaining food, carefully noting the names of the dishes she had eaten more of. Recalling her hearty eating earlier, he blurted out, "A cow chewing on a peony."

Leng Shuangcheng remained calm and rose from her seat. Seeing her composed demeanor, Qiu Yeyijian deduced that she had reverted to her old habits. Without saying a word, she grabbed Leng Shuangcheng's wrist and dragged her outside.

Leng Shuangcheng struggled slightly, but Qiu Yeyi tightened his grip on her sword, pinching and sliding two fingers together until he finally grabbed her hand, pulling it into his sleeve. He walked forward with his hands behind his back, dragging her like a kite swaying from side to side. Leng Shuangcheng was shocked and angry. She called out "Young Master" several times to no avail, and finally kicked his ankle.

“Young Master, you should speak properly.” Leng Shuangcheng said with a stern face, his words carrying a warning.

"The wicked accuse first." Qiu Yeyi sneered coldly, then dragged her to the bamboo grove in the courtyard.

The small, square courtyard was quiet and elegant, with sparse bamboo casting swaying shadows and a gentle stream flowing around the pond. Everywhere, the bamboo, with its soft, dragon-like murmurs and towering, phoenix-tail-like branches, was everywhere. The two walked through and stopped. He released her hand and went straight to the point, asking, "The weapon matter is a bit tricky. Where is Wu You?"

To be honest, I don't know.

Two months ago, Wu You helped Yuwen Xiaobai steal the weapon. Leng Shuangcheng left Yangzhou first, and it's truly unknown where Wu You went afterward. Hearing Leng Shuangcheng's explanation, Qiu Yeyi asked again, "Can we find him?"

"I can try to find him. What happened?"

Qiu Yeyi didn't want to drag her into trouble, and because the source of the information was worth investigating, he stood there somewhat coldly and remained silent. Leng Shuangcheng insisted on getting to the bottom of things and urged him repeatedly, so he finally gave a brief explanation of the key points.

"Does the young master have a solution?" Leng Shuangcheng was somewhat shocked when he first heard the commotion outside.

"Yes," Qiu Yeyijian replied coldly.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced at his face and couldn't help but ask, "What plan?"

Qiu Ye walked over with her sword at her sides. Leng Shuangcheng glanced over and noticed a square stone table by the bamboo stream. It was dark and ancient, hidden by deep grass, resembling a hermit lying drunk in the woods. On the table were black and white chess pieces, glistening with dew in the cool morning light.

Qiu Ye gracefully took her seat, her posture reserved and aloof, like a hermit residing in a tranquil landscape, exuding elegance with perfect composure. Leng Shuangcheng, seeing the chessboard without batting an eye, suddenly brightened up and slowly strolled over: "Young master has quite the leisure."