La vie parfaite sous la dynastie Song

Chapitre 134

Yi Han hurriedly withdrew his hand, covered her with the blanket, and turned to leave in a hurry. He couldn't ask for anything, he couldn't have any unrealistic hopes, otherwise it would surely end in mutual destruction. How could he bear to leave her alone in loneliness and sorrow?

In a daze, he recalled that cold, rainy day two years ago, and the three days in front of his master's wife's grave that felt like hell. He couldn't disobey his master, who was as dear as a father, he couldn't let all of his master's wife's hard work go to waste, and he couldn't leave Lin Yu to die alone... But just because of these things, did they, he and Lin Yu, deserve to be so close yet so far apart?

Two night watchmen stood at the entrance of the newly completed Chiyu Tower, while guards patrolled the courtyard. Suddenly, everyone felt a blur before their eyes, as if a gust of wind had blown by.

Yi Han used his lightness skill to reach the back mountain without stopping. This was a place he came to every day after moving into the new building. The mountain was quieter in the early morning than at night, even with a mysterious, deathly stillness. The air was heavy and sticky, and after a few steps, one would have the illusion that something dirty was sticking to their body.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Yi Han. He chose this place for two reasons: first, because he was going with Chi Yu Lou, any noise could be clearly seen from the mountain; second, few people came here, which was suitable for him to practice his sword without distraction.

The damp mountain wind was swept away by the sword energy with unusual sharpness. Yi Han leaped up and lightly stepped on the bamboo tip, sending bamboo leaves shooting down like sharp swords and piercing into the ground. He jumped down and looked at the few submerged and scattered bamboo leaves, his brows furrowing slightly.

In the martial arts world, haste makes waste. This is especially true of the Tianxing School of martial arts, which, after reaching the Innate Realm, aims for a state of effortless action, where the mind moves at will and leaves no trace. Yi Han knew perfectly well that the more anxious he was to break through to the Dustless Realm, the more traces he would leave behind. At best, he would make no progress for over a hundred years; at worst, he would suffer a qi deviation and lose all his martial arts.

But he had no time left! No one understood his master's resolve better than him; even his junior sister Yao'er hadn't spent as much time with Fu Yu as he had with her. His master had treated him like his own son since childhood, even more so. Although he hadn't liked sitting in that Star Soul position, he had thought that if his master insisted, he ultimately wouldn't be able to refuse.

When Yi Han met the young master, he possessed a dazzling brilliance, yet lacked grand ambitions. It was with this indifferent attitude that Yi Han chose to follow him. When did this indifferent following transform into an indispensable loyalty? And when did the originally clearly defined loyalty become an unwavering protection until death?

Yi Han silently recalled, but couldn't make sense of it. The decision to pledge allegiance to her had become his greatest nightmare. If he chose to serve someone else, he would inevitably have to leave her, or even become her enemy; if he chose to serve her, he would inevitably be unable to love her. He wanted to protect her, to cherish her, to kiss her, to possess her… As his emotions shifted layer by layer, he realized that his indifference could no longer suppress the surging feelings.

He regarded Fu Yu as his teacher and father, and he was once willing to die for this master who had raised him for over a decade. But now, he couldn't do it. Leaving her or hurting her were things he absolutely couldn't do. Therefore, he would not obey his master's orders to marry Ling'er, and he would not marry anyone other than Lin Yu, not even for a casual fling.

Because he knew that even if it was just a performance, she would still feel pain, excruciating pain. To sprinkle salt on her old wounds, to let the salt slowly dissolve in the blood and seep into her skin, was something Yi Han would rather die than do.

That's why he was so eager to improve his martial arts skills. It was a path he would never have considered before, nor would he have allowed himself to take, but now, he had no choice but to walk it.

As the sun rose, Yihan had already returned to her room, taken a shower, and changed her clothes. From next door came Linyu scolding Feifei: "You're wearing too little clothing, your hair isn't combed, don't climb onto the bed with your shoes on..."

The voice was soft, without obvious inflection, its clear quality possessing a gentle, soothing quality. Yi Han couldn't help but chuckle softly, then his expression turned somber. He slowly walked to the next room.

As the door opened, Lin Yu, dressed in a thin undergarment, looked up at him. A gentle light shone in his azure eyes, making him tremble slightly: "Yi Han, you've come?"

Yi Han nodded, picked up her coat and handed it to her, watching her put it on carefully before secretly letting out a sigh of relief. She was actually not very good at taking care of people, whether it was Fei Fei or herself; but her desire to take good care of people was clearer than anyone else's, so she could easily gain people's acceptance and be moved.

Feifei clumsily combed Lin Yu's hair, her movements awkward, often accidentally pulling and hurting it, yet she seemed to enjoy it immensely. A tender, contented smile graced her fair, radiant face, as clear as the moonlight. This was the Liu Cenfeng of yesteryear, this was his ruthless and ambitious second senior brother—who would believe it?

Yi Han took the comb from his hand, and seeing his slightly puffed-out cheeks and gloomy expression, she didn't react. She simply handed the comb to Lin Yu, then went to the table and made a cup of tea.

Feifei glanced at the comb, then at the tea, her dark eyes darting around, her naturally upturned lips pursed, and then she walked over.

After he finished his tea, Lin Yu finished combing his hair. She beckoned Fei Fei over, stood up, looked up at him, and frowned slightly.

Feifei stretched out her fair and slender hand and gently massaged her brow, her expression serious and persistent.

Lin Yu sighed and said, "Feifei, why don't you go with Lin Xuan to Yixiu Academy for a while, okay?"

Feifei seemed to be stunned for a moment, then his face showed some hurt and grievance. He lowered his head slightly, and his already dark eyes became even darker at this moment: "Yu, don't you want me anymore?" He asked very softly, trying hard to control the trembling of his voice.

"No." Lin Yu hugged him tightly and said softly, "I won't abandon you. Yu will never abandon Feifei. But it's dangerous here, and I don't want Feifei to be in danger..."

"Will Yu be in danger?" Feifei suddenly asked, interrupting her.

Lin Yu smiled and said, "No, I have Yi Han protecting me, so there's no danger."

Feifei puffed out her cheeks, looking extremely aggrieved: "Then why didn't he protect Feifei?"

Lin Yu chuckled and ruffled his hair, a gesture he often made: "Yi Han can only protect one person. Be good, go back with Lin Xuan first, I'll have someone come and pick you up soon."

"How long?" Feifei stared at Lin Yu stubbornly, asking twice, "How long is 'not long'?"

A look of pity and sorrow flashed in Lin Yu's eyes: "At the latest, it won't be more than two months."

Feifei slowly lowered her head and answered softly, "Okay."

Next update: Sunday, March 9th.

Chapter 18 Green Robe and Silver Threads (Part 2)

Chapter 18 Green Robe and Silver Threads (Part 2)

Just as Yi Han was about to leave the room with Lin Yu, Fei Fei stopped him. Looking into Fei Fei's dark, pleading eyes, even Yi Han couldn't help but soften his tone: "What's wrong?"

"I want to learn martial arts," Feifei said. "I want to protect Yu."

Yi Han remained silent for a long time, reluctant to answer. He could only tear away the hand that was gripping him, cruelly abandon him, and chase after Lin Yu.

Feifei, you have no idea that once your martial arts are restored, you will never fly again. At that time, at that time... Yihan couldn't be sure if Linyu wanted Feifei to turn back into Liu Cenfeng, but he would never allow such a terrible person to stay by her side.

"Where are you going, young master?" Yi Han quickly caught up with Lin Yu, who was almost at the door. He was about to call someone to bring the carriage over when Lin Yu stopped him.

"We're just going to Empress Dowager Shengjin's residence outside the palace; there's no need to call a carriage."

Yi Han's hand, which was being held by her, trembled slightly: "Where are we going?"

Lin Yu stretched and said, "I don't know. Let's talk about the future development of Fengyin, the economic recovery, and the improvement of people's livelihoods... Anyway, I need to find an opportunity to have a deep conversation with Mu Shuangshuang. There's no time like the present, so let's do it today."

Yi Han's lips moved, wanting to stop her from going, knowing that if he did, she would agree even without a reason. However, the words "Don't go" ultimately stuck in his throat, turning into a sigh.

What's meant to be will be. Even if he can stop it temporarily, can he stop it forever?

However, he regretted it as soon as he entered the "Green Water Courtyard". Who else could the middle-aged man sitting in the "Wuyi Pavilion" be but his master, Fu Yu? As if he had known they would come, he drank his wine with a cold expression, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yu without lingering for a moment before landing on himself.

Fu Yu took a sip of wine and said calmly, "How have you considered that matter?"

Yi Han subconsciously gripped the hilt of the Qing Shuang sword: "Impossible." He said, word by word, "No matter how many times Master asks, it's the same, impossible."

Master! That was the master he had respected since childhood. He didn't want to be his enemy, much less pour his killing intent on him. So, please don't force him anymore! Remaining unmarried for life and staying by Lin Yu's side was his... only bottom line.

"Heh..." Fu Yu sneered, his gaze finally settling on Lin Yu. "Did you ask your master's opinion?"