Nuit éternelle

Chapitre 31

Homeland of Qin, Chapter Fifty-Seven: What Are You?

After Xi Suifeng and other representatives of the Lie Army, who had avoided Feng Xinglie's presence, arrived, a belated announcement was made after everyone had taken their seats. Qin Yue, finally displaying some regal bearing, slowly made his entrance and sat at the head of the table. Qin Yue's appearance was not quite similar to Qin Han's, but he was still an extremely handsome man with a well-defined face and a resolute chin. He exuded an air of nobility from within. Raising his wine glass high, he exchanged some polite words, and with his command, the banquet began. During the banquet, there were song and dance performances, and music began to play softly, creating a lively atmosphere.

A pot of fine wine, a multitude of beautiful women, the fragrance of rouge wafting in the air. From somewhere, four stunningly beautiful women emerged. These four beauties approached Ling Yuxiang, one smoothing his clothes, one pouring wine, one serving him food, and one feeding him wine, attending to him with utmost care. It seemed that this was Qin Yue's painstaking effort.

Looking across the wall, he saw the same situation on Qingli and Xi Suifeng's side. He raised his leg and looked around, and the envoys from various countries were all in the same situation. Feng Xinglie realized that this was Qin Yue using a honey trap to win them over.

Are you tired of living? Who do you think you are, daring to openly seduce my man? Do you think the person I'm holding in my arms is just for decoration?

Feng Xinglie was furious. He pinched Ling Yuxiang hard, and his original lazy and charming temperament vanished. His sharp gaze swept over the four beauties, and he gave a cold snort, clearly displeased.

Ling Yuxiang, his face grim, was in great pain from being pinched, his face turning even darker. He restrained his urge to throw the four women out, picked up a wine glass and slammed it heavily on the table without any hesitation, making a loud noise.

The four women were first frightened by Feng Xinglie's cold and murderous gaze, and then splashed with wine by Ling Yuxiang's heavy throw. They couldn't help but take two steps back, too terrified to approach any further.

The entire room was stunned, and all eyes turned to him, but no one dared to show any dissatisfaction. Ling Yuxiang's phoenix eyes swept over them casually, and the cold, oppressive aura alone was enough to stop the envoys from those small countries.

"Have you forgotten how I beat those women who tried to seduce me to death with sticks during the Battle of Izumo?"

Although the words were plain, they were like a raging storm, stirring up tears and countless discussions.

Arrogant! Such a presumptuous attitude in front of an emperor is utterly disrespectful! Isn't Ling Yuxiang implying that Qin Yue would become his enemy if she did so? Apart from a few people at the banquet, this is the first time they have encountered someone so arrogant in someone else's place.

The four women turned pale with fright and took several steps back in unison.

The envoys from the surrounding areas of Western Qin finally believed that this handsome, god-like man truly deserved the title of 'God of War'.

Qin Yue's eyes flickered. The oppressive aura he had just exuded was still above that of an emperor, which was truly alarming. His meaningful laughter drifted over: "I have long heard that the War God of Great Ling, Prince Ling, is not interested in women. Recently, I heard that Prince Ling has suddenly become interested in a dancer. I thought that Your Highness had changed your ways. I was being presumptuous. Please do not take offense, Prince Ling."

Qin Yue raised the golden cup, filled it with wine, and drank a cup herself as an apology.

At this moment, no one felt there was anything wrong with this. Qin Yue and Ling Yuxiang were originally equals as princes of the same country. In the current situation, he was asking for a favor, and the fact that he could still sit in the position of this pseudo-king was already a sign that the other party was giving him face.

"However, I am truly curious. Since Prince Ling likes that dancer, he should clearly state that he is not averse to women. Why is he completely uninterested in the beauties I have chosen? Could it be that the women of my Western Qin are simply not worthy of his attention?" He asked casually, seemingly out of curiosity, but with a hint of peculiarity in his tone.

What is this? Testing the waters? Qin Yue is not exactly a fool.

The true intention of Western Qin was to borrow troops to launch a counterattack against Qin Han, or at least prevent Qin Han's army from entering the pass. Qin Yue's use of a beautiful woman to test the waters was intended to win them over, but Qin Yue did not expect that Ling Yuxiang would publicly disrespect him. Refusing even a perfunctory gesture, how could he not suspect that Ling Yuxiang had no intention of forming an alliance?

Of course, Ling Yuxiang and Lie Jun's original intention was simply for the three kingdoms to sign a contract concerning Fengcheng. Qin Yue's territory was connected to Fengcheng, which was why she accepted the invitation. This was merely a show; who they would actually ally with in private remained to be seen. As for not going through the motions, it wasn't because they didn't want to give Qin Yue face, but because Ling Yuxiang genuinely disliked using honey traps, especially since it would upset Feng Xinglie in his arms!

Besides Feng Xinglie, what other woman is worthy of his attention? For Ling Yuxiang to have fun with these women and leave his beauties aside is more of a pipe dream!

When asked about this, how could Feng Xinglie tolerate those beauties around Ling Yuxiang? A pair of jade-like arms hooked around Ling Yuxiang's neck, but his expression exuded an aura of dominance. He curled his lips into a smile, leaving no room for negotiation, and spoke clearly yet vaguely on Ling Yuxiang's behalf: "He is my man! He can only be mine!"

She gave Qin Yue a plausible reason, ignoring her probing. Ling Yuxiang was startled by her words, but thought to himself, "Brilliant!" However, the others, of course, could not fathom the woman's thoughts. They were simply shocked by the shocking nature of her words, and gasps filled the air. Everyone in the hall was stunned by the woman's words, and almost everyone was speechless with astonishment.

Never before had a woman, subordinate to a man, dared to speak so arrogantly. What's even more unbelievable is that the man in question is none other than the God of War of Ling Kingdom, who has always been averse to women. Yet she dares to say that Prince Ling is hers! He belongs to her alone!

Good heavens! How can there be such an arrogant woman? Her words are even more arrogant than Prince Ling's!

However, to everyone's astonishment, the aloof and celibate God of War of Ling Kingdom did not throw her out for her audacity, nor did he show any sign of blaming her. Instead, he hugged her even tighter, a doting and approving smile on his face, and even kissed her forehead!

Has the heavens sent down a red rain? This war god of Ling Kingdom actually allows a woman to flaunt that he is her everything?

While everyone was stunned and bewildered, Qin Yue suddenly let out a cold snort, her voice carrying a hint of anger.

"A woman like her has no right to spout nonsense here!"

In her, Qin Yue saw the shadow of another person, a person who had truly frustrated and troubled him. She was just a woman, a woman appendage of a man; what right did she have to be respected? What right did she have to argue with him? Everything he did was the truth! He was the emperor! He was the heavens! What right did a woman have to criticize his mistakes? What right did she have to take everything from him?

He loved her, but why did he have to give so much? She was just a woman. As long as he had power, he could control her completely. He had done so for so long. This woman was just like him, clueless and wicked, actually trying to get everything from a man!

Qin Yue stared at her coldly, her eyes flashing with a deep chill, yet it seemed as if she were looking through her at someone else.

Meeting Qin Yue's gaze, Feng Xinglie was taken aback. His originally peaceful heart was now filled with anger because of her words.

"Just a woman? Hmph, so what if she's a woman!"

An elegant figure in red rose abruptly from that broad chest, her stunning beauty captivating and dazzling, leaving everyone in awe. Feng Xinglie's eyes, filled with disdain and sarcasm, swept across the hall, his gaze fixed on Qin Yue without yielding an inch. "May I ask, Your Highness, since you so readily proclaim your contempt for women, why did you adopt my sworn sister Lian Ji's suggestion to convene this banquet in Western Qin?"

Everyone was surprised again, but upon hearing her words, they still looked at each other with equal astonishment.

This state banquet was actually a scheme orchestrated by Lian Ji, the most beautiful woman in Qin? And the woman before us is actually the sworn sister of the most beautiful woman in Qin? If you still can't recall that legendary tale that shook the world, you're probably a fool! This woman in red, alluring yet exuding a chilling aura, is none other than Feng Meiniang, the famous courtesan of Jade Gong City back then!

Although the capital was crowded with people and rumors, apart from a few envoys, ordinary officials and the envoys from the small countries did not know much. Suddenly, there were whispers and murmurs. After all, it was a state banquet, and no one dared to be as loud and unrestrained as Feng Xinglie. However, discussions about poetry were inevitable.

"She's just my woman, Qin Yue's woman. It's only right that she advises me!" Qin Yue glared angrily at Feng Xinglie. Her seemingly mocking words reminded him of that woman's stubbornness, and his anger intensified: "A woman, daring to try and get what she shouldn't have! Who does she think she is? Women like you need to be taught a lesson before you understand what fear is! Before you understand what stupidity is!"

A slight tremor ran through the room, and Feng Xinglie's deep laughter rose up, growing louder and louder until it could be heard throughout the entire hall, making Qin Yue extremely embarrassed and annoyed.

"why are you laughing?"

Feng Xinglie glanced at him disdainfully and sneered, "Then who do you think you are? What do you think you deserve?"

Upon hearing this, the palace maids and eunuchs around Qin Yue all stumbled and fell to the ground. Apart from Qingli, Ling Yuxiang, and the Flame Riders, none of them in the hall were able to think straight.

Homeland of Qin, Chapter Fifty-Eight: A Head-to-Head Standoff

A hush fell over the hall. Everyone was astonished, their faces showing disbelief. Had they misheard?

But why does everyone look so terrified? Her words just now were like thunderclaps that shook the entire room. Even Qin Yue was stunned by this arrogant woman until Ling Yuxiang's loud laughter rang out, which brought her back to her senses.

Regaining his senses, Qin Yue was nearly driven mad with anger by this woman. If it weren't for Ling Yuxiang's laughter reminding him, he would have ordered her dragged out and beheaded! Seeing Ling Yuxiang's smug expression only made Qin Yue feel more humiliated. Not wanting to escalate the situation, he glared at him with a dark expression, "This is Prince Ling's woman? Prince Ling dares to bring a woman like this to this kind of occasion? Aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"

Qin Yue suspected that Ling Yuxiang had deliberately sent her to embarrass him, but she couldn't retaliate because the woman's words didn't specifically name him. If he hadn't responded to her, the woman wouldn't have had the opportunity to speak so arrogantly, and it would have been Ling Yuxiang's reputation that was damaged instead.

Thinking about this, Qin Yue calmed down. She felt that the woman in front of her was a bit strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

After laughing enough, Ling Yuxiang leisurely shook a finger and said lazily, "Let me correct a few mistakes, Prince Yue. First, she is not my woman. She has already declared that I am her man. Second, it was not my idea to bring her here. It was you, Prince Yue, who sent someone to invite her a few days ago. If I didn't bring her, wouldn't I be disrespecting you? Third, it's her business if she causes trouble. I don't need to deal with it. You, Prince Yue, don't need to worry."

Despite Feng Xinglie's arrogance and capriciousness, there was a reason she dared to say such things, besides anger. She always had a clear sense of the bigger picture, unlike Qin Yue, who was easily provoked and fell for a trap! Of course, if she couldn't handle it, he would step in, but Ling Yuxiang dared not say those words aloud…

As Qingli drank her wine, she thought about how Feng Xinglie's arrogance and pride had not diminished in the past, and she also lamented Ling Yuxiang's unbridled behavior.

Xi Suifeng and the others remained expressionless, but inwardly they had already sighed. They knew Feng Xinglie's personality all too well. If they had known, they would definitely not have been able to hold back and would have been furious when Lian Ji was mentioned. Now look, it was just as they expected!

Everyone was already too shocked to remain, and upon hearing Ling Yuxiang's last sentence, they couldn't help but worry about the stunning woman. Wouldn't Prince Ling stand up for her? Although it was only natural, it seemed strange after all the shock they had just experienced.

Trying to decipher the meaning behind Ling Yuxiang's words, Qin Yue's eyes lit up. Did he mean he was abandoning this woman? Seeing Ling Yuxiang's detached demeanor, Qin Yue stared intently at the woman the prince was coldly glancing at with mocking eyes, a hint of malice in her smile.

"You're just as audacious as your sworn sister! But do you know that Lian Ji is still obediently in my hands? What can she do if I want her to be my slave? All the land under heaven belongs to the king; she can't fly to the sky. You're just an ignorant and arrogant girl. Don't think you can act lawlessly just because you have Prince Ling backing you up. This is, after all, still Western Qin territory! I can throw you into a pile for a few days and then cut your flesh inch by inch with just a word. Then I'll see if you're still as arrogant as you are now!"

Hearing Qin Yue's sinister and aggressive words, Feng Xinglie found it amusing. How could she use such intimidating words on stage? Did Qin Yue really think she was just a naive young girl?

With a quick glance, she abruptly changed the subject, saying in a low voice, "So, Prince Yue, you mean that in your eyes, the respect, morality, affection, and caution that men of your status show towards women are all a joke, and even more ridiculous in the case of you, the emperor? You hold a high position and wield great power, yet you use violence to seize, imprison, and break down the character of women, killing every man they come into contact with. Is this your consistent practice, and quite effective at it?"

In fact, throughout history, how many emperors have not acted this way? How many delicate and pitiful women have fallen into the arms of these disgusting men?

Then, she endures abuse and bullying, overcomes jealousy and suspicion, and still loves this man wholeheartedly. She is utterly hurt by this ridiculous love, ultimately compromising and at most waving goodbye and leaving without a trace. Such a woman certainly fits the image of Lian Ji in the eyes of the world. But is that really the case?

Qin Yue gave a smug, cold snort, "Not bad!"

"Is it the same for Lian Ji?"

"So what?" Those mocking eyes infuriated Qin Yue once more. "Haven't I given her enough? Yet she thinks of other men all day long. I want to treat her well too, but she's just like you, taking advantage of my kindness. Being my favorite isn't enough; she ignores my position as empress. What else does she want? Does she want my entire empire?" He added with a hint of frustrated irritation, "Her appetite is certainly large. She killed a man for me and now she dares to challenge me, wanting everything I have! Hmph, she's dreaming!"

Before Qin Yue's words had faded, another loud and melodious voice echoed throughout the entire hall.

"Indeed, you're just dreaming! How ridiculous you are! How much do you really know about Lian Ji? You still dream of ruling the world and possessing the beautiful land. Do you even have the ability to do that?"

With a slender finger pointing lightly from within her fiery red sleeve, her pupils contracted, and her sharp gaze shot towards Qin Yue. Everyone was shocked; the aura she exuded in that instant was astonishing, actually on par with Ling Yuxiang!

However, Qin Yue, who was truly enraged this time, failed to notice that his long sleeves swept across the table in front of him, sending the table full of delicacies flying everywhere, along with the wooden table. Porcelain bowls shattered and wooden tables rolled to the ground. The sound of breaking was nothing compared to his furious roar: "Take them away!"

The guards who rushed out from behind her, brandishing gleaming swords and spears, all pointed at Feng Xinglie and surrounded her. The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned tense, and everyone retreated in slight panic, sensing the prelude to a storm.

Dark clouds loomed, yet could not conceal her unparalleled beauty.

Strangely, the woman showed no sign of panic. Instead, she calmly glanced at the guards surrounding her. The guards who had been arresting her were terrified by her gaze and took a step back in unison!

This involuntary step back caused the guards to exchange shocked glances. These guards were all Qin Yue's personal guards, rigorously trained soldiers, not common soldiers, yet they were intimidated by the aura of a woman! This...this...is truly contemptible!

Feng Xinglie ignored his anger and laughed loudly.

"Qin Yue, I never imagined you could be so stupid! Are you so sure Lian Ji won't harm you? Are you so sure Lian Ji will help you conquer the world? Utterly foolish! You have great ambition, but unfortunately, you lack the ability. No matter how great your ambition, it will only bring destruction. Tell me, which of the people here can you truly understand? You don't even know Qin Han's true strength. You only think that Lian Ji's plan is feasible, but why don't you think about why others would act according to your plan?"

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sweeping over the surroundings with a smile, like a sharp glint in her eye, as if she could see through everyone's plans and thoughts. This glance filled the people in the hall with dread, as if all their plans had fallen into her hands.

These small countries are only capable of this much. No matter how many bad ideas they have, there's no need to take them to heart. Once they've intimidated you, Feng Xinglie will no longer pay attention to them. He will then coldly observe Qin Yue and engage in a war of words.

"In your heart, Lian must always be as gentle and yielding as water. When you're angry, she won't argue back; when you hit her, she won't fight back; whatever you tell her to do, she'll do. You claim to love Lian Ji, yet you don't even understand her thoughts. It's not that she won't fight back, it's just that you won't learn a lesson from her in small matters. It doesn't bother you much, so she doesn't argue with you. You increasingly think she's weak and easily bullied, and under your so-called 'lessons,' she doesn't dare to have any disloyalty, doesn't take it to heart, and thinks she won't do anything to you because she loves you. So when she offers advice, you think it's feasible; when she offers schemes, you don't doubt them. Hmph, you think she's in your shoes, that you're in the same boat, and that she would never harm you. But Qin Yue, what if Lian Ji didn't care about her own life? What if she were so extreme as to risk her life to retaliate against you? Would you still think she would care about these things?"

The more Feng Xinglie spoke, the angrier he became. He knew Lian Ji's temperament all too well! Qin Yue was an utterly stupid idiot; he had no idea that he had unwittingly pushed Lian Ji into a corner, which was why he had planned this Western Qin state banquet. Lian Ji must also be aware of Qin Han's military strength. At this moment, Feng Xinglie completely understood what Lian Ji was planning. They were so alike that even their methods of revenge were the same!

With Lian Ji's abilities, leaving silently would be absolutely no difficult task. However, she is not a woman who can simply wave her sleeves and leave without a trace. She is not a woman who can wrong herself for anyone. She is as gentle as water, but her extreme temperament is no less than that of Feng Xinglie!

"You're just preoccupied with your pathetic pride, unwilling to acknowledge how much influence a woman has on you, to satisfy your chauvinistic arrogance, and for the sake of your imperial dignity, so you arrogantly disregard her. Then, when Qin Yue and Lian Ji are dead, can you so nonchalantly say, 'She's just a mere woman'?"

Homeland of Qin, Chapter Fifty-Nine: Your Choice

The harsh, angry question still echoed in the hall, and everyone stared intently at Qin Yue's expression, expecting him to be furious. However, he stood there dumbfounded.

It turns out, she wasn't afraid of losing her life.

The woman he thought he had firmly grasped was never actually under his control!

Does possessing, imprisoning, frightening, and threatening her mean nothing to her? Once she loses her life, what in this world is there for her to care about? Does she still need to be afraid? Does she still need to listen to a single word of his threats?

Death—how easy, how decisive! Why did he never imagine that Lian Ji would give up her life?

The gentle, composed, and self-possessed Lian Ji was completely unrelated to the suicidal Lian Ji. Even when told that Feng Xinglie was dead, Lian Ji only felt anger, not despair or suicidal thoughts. Qin Yue had never considered this possibility. But Feng Xinglie's words, which she found unbelievable and stirred up endless fear within her, made her wonder: would Lian Ji really have such thoughts? Would she truly choose death?

Anger and fear caused a tightness in her chest, a feeling of pressure in her throat making it hard to breathe. Qin Yue didn't understand her feelings at this moment, but only now did she realize how ridiculous she had been! Just a moment ago, she was cursing this woman for being ungrateful, saying she was just a woman...

His face turned deathly pale. As if struck by a thunderbolt, Qin Yue's previously nonchalant expression was now filled with deep fear. "You...you're just spouting nonsense!" He pointed at Feng Xinglie in a fit of rage, abandoning his imperial image to hurl insults, but it seemed more like he was trying to comfort himself: "Lian Ji is just a woman, surely she's not afraid of death?"

Feng Xinglie was taken aback upon hearing this, and a pitying sneer appeared on her face. Just as she was about to speak, a soft and clear voice suddenly interrupted her before she could finish speaking, and a woman in a pure white dress slowly appeared.

"Of course not, I'm terrified of dying!"

The voice was soft, yet everyone in the spacious hall could hear it clearly.

The woman in elegant white attire possessed a stunning beauty that captivated every man who looked upon her. She wore few or no ostentatious adornments, yet amidst the breathtakingly beautiful hall, she remained dazzling. Her ethereal气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament) possessed a gentle, feminine grace, and her smiling, exquisite face was the epitome of a fairy in every man's heart. With her appearance, the surrounding men involuntarily held their breath in anticipation. Qingli's hand, holding chopsticks, froze in mid-air, giving Feng Xinglie a rather strange smile. Xi Suifeng had met Lian Ji before, but simply lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. Even Ling Yuxiang was slightly taken aback, but immediately turned to look at Feng Xinglie.

What does it mean to be so beautiful that fish sink and geese fall from the sky, or to be so stunning that a nation could be overthrown? There really are such beauties in the world, such ethereal and otherworldly figures!

The woman slowly approached, and half of the radiance that had been focused on Feng Xinglie was taken away. The two women stood in the center of the hall, one in a fiery red dress and the other in snow-white robes. The two colors were extremes, yet they appeared so harmonious. At this moment, it seemed as if all the radiance had been concentrated on them.

"Lian Ji!" The familiar figure brought a rare warmth to Feng Xinglie's usually cold eyes.