Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое - Глава 45
"Perhaps you're mistaken, brother. Even if she did you a favor, you can simply repay it. Why bother..."
“Brother, I am no longer the person I was seven years ago. My hands are covered in blood and I have killed countless people. I dare not call myself a member of the Xie family. Perhaps in your eyes I am still the same as before, but in my heart, I know that I am no different from Jia Ye.”
"So you've chosen to degenerate, avoiding association with ladies of noble birth and instead spending your time with this witch?"
"...In my eyes, she is the best." He was a little tired.
He had been talking for a long time, but the other person still didn't understand. He didn't belittle himself, but his older brother looked down on Jia Ye. "I like her, and I don't care what others think."
"Don't you think about the Xie family? My father's reputation is so great, how can he bear such a burden?"
"So I don't plan to go back. I originally wanted to go home privately to visit..."
"As long as you part ways with her, you will still be the Xie family's third young master, admired by everyone. Your father will never blame you for the things that happened in the past that were beyond your control."
He was speechless in the face of his elder brother's earnest gaze.
Despite his family's hopes, the past cannot be erased. He no longer wishes to embellish or pretend that nothing ever happened, nor to play the role of a perfect Xie family son. All the principles he once held dear have crumbled in the seven years since, leaving no possibility of redemption.
Pushing open the door, I saw Jia Ye sitting alone at the table, playing chess with himself.
Bored, he played with the chess pieces, the black and white pieces gleaming faintly between his fingers.
"You promised to come but didn't arrive until past midnight, idly tapping chess pieces as the lamplight flickers?" He embraced her delicate body from behind.
She glanced at me sideways. "I don't recall having an appointment with you."
“Gaye”.
"Um."
After thinking for a long time, he swallowed his words and let go of her as he sat down opposite her.
"I'll play chess with you."
Silently watching him clean up the mess, a cold hand brushed across his brow.
You look a little tired.
"fine."
"Because of me?"
He smiled, took her hand, and pressed it to his lips.
"Are you concerned?"
"You asked for it." She tried to pull away forcefully.
He held on tightly, even wrapping his arms around her slender waist. "You're right, you can start laughing now."
I gradually got used to his behavior and let it go. "I should have killed that old guy back then."
"He is no ordinary person."
"Hmm." If I weren't certain I could kill him with a single blow, why would I leave this hidden danger? "But he didn't recognize you, so I'll leave tomorrow."
"Jia Ye." He lifted the small body onto his lap, his tone slightly more forceful. "You promised to go to Yangzhou together."
"Are you sure?" She quietly curled up in her arms. "My identity is already giving you a headache, isn't it?"
"It's alright."
I thought you were a smart person.
"Shh, don't speak." He gently covered her lips with his.
She listened intently. "Why? There's no one outside."
"Because I want to kiss you."
As he spoke, he touched soft, slightly cool lips.
Chaotic Clouds
"Third Brother!"
A boy leaped into Xie Yunshu's arms and hugged him tightly.
“Qinglan.” He looked at his younger brother with great surprise. “Why did you come to Hangzhou?”
Upon seeing her brother whom she hadn't seen in a long time, Xie Qinglan's eyes reddened.
“I can’t believe it. My elder brother sent a message by carrier pigeon saying you’re back. I begged Father to let me come and pick you up.”
"Dad told you to come out. You passed the test?" He stepped back a little and looked him up and down. He was just a ten-year-old child back then, but now he was a spirited young man, almost unrecognizable from his former self.
"Just over a month ago, I had been lying in bed for more than 20 days. As soon as I got up, I was eager to go out. Luckily, my mother intervened on my behalf."
"How is Mother's health?"
"Upon hearing that you had returned unharmed, I felt much better and now I eagerly await your arrival in Yangzhou."
He paused for a moment, then Xie Qinglan spoke up hastily.
“Your elder brother explained everything in the secret letter. Father only said it was good that you came back.” The boy’s eyes darted around as he whispered in his ear, “I secretly saw Father reading the letter and his hands were shaking. He looked at those short notes many times.”
My father, who was always serious and rarely smiled...
"Third brother, you have no idea how happy the family is. In the past few years, Mother would always stay in your room for a long time, and when she came out, her eyes were full of tears. No one could persuade her otherwise. Now she is finally smiling again."
He took a deep breath. "Father, is there anything you need?"
Xie Qinglan scratched her head and glanced furtively out the window.
"There's no one around, so you can speak."
As expected, even if the father heard good news, he would not be so excited as to send Qinglan over. He would only need to wait for ten days or so before returning with his elder brother. Why bother with all that?
Xie Quheng suspiciously accepted the secret letter handed to him by Qinglan and began to read it carefully.
"Was there really a secret instruction? Why not use carrier pigeons?"
“Father said it was a matter of great importance, and since I was going to come anyway, I brought it along.” He boasted with a grin, “Besides, my presence can also lend a hand to my eldest and third brothers, killing two birds with one stone.”
After reading it, Xie Quheng handed the letter to him.
Upon seeing the familiar handwriting, his heart skipped a beat, but he restrained himself and continued reading. He skimmed through it, then asked with a puzzled look, "What is the background of this Prince of Nanjun's heir?"
"The Prince of Nanjun is one of the princes of different surnames conferred by the emperor several years ago. He enjoys the emperor's favor and has extraordinary power. With the backing of the court, both the government and the martial arts world give him a wide berth. Originally, the officials and the common people had nothing to do with each other, but the heir is ambitious and intends to use his position to unify the martial arts world of Jiangnan. He has already wiped out many gangs. The first obstacle is our Xie family, which has become a thorn in his side for no reason."
"How does he operate?" When did such a person emerge?
“Ruthless and vicious, most of the gang leaders he absorbed suffered the complete annihilation of their families, leaving no one alive, young or old. The government classified it as a feud between the martial arts world and the underworld, but since it was inconvenient to confront him directly, there were frequent nighttime assassinations seeking revenge. He recruited a group of experts to act as his henchmen, and so far no one has been able to succeed in taking him down.” Xie Quheng’s expression was solemn.
"Judging by his manners, he seems to want to emulate the King's Palace. Doesn't he know how skilled they are? How could he act so petty?" Xie Qinglan interjected, full of disdain.
Xie Quheng nodded in agreement and sneered. "I think he does have this intention. He is determined to become the overlord of the Southern martial arts world, replace the Xie family, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Northern King's Mansion. Unfortunately... he may not be able to achieve his goal."
Have you ever fought them?
“We’ve clashed in secret before, and both sides suffered losses. They’re not easy to deal with.” Xie Quheng pondered for a moment. “I’m afraid he has the same intentions towards the Xie family. Father’s letter said that he has been making unusual moves recently and is secretly planning to take action. He must be targeting Yangzhou.”
Prince of Nanjun's heir...
Another storm is brewing, and he pondered silently for a long time.
Hearing the children laughing and playing, I subconsciously moved closer to the window.
As late spring approaches, countless flowers have fallen in the garden.
Amidst the layers of flowers and leaves, a frail figure stood gracefully, letting the stumbling boy cling to her leg. Though somewhat impatient, she did not flinch, letting him act coquettishly. A few butterflies fluttered around her, reflecting the rosy sunset, like a breathtaking painting.
His dark eyes glanced over casually, then quickly looked away, as if he were somewhat embarrassed.
At that moment, my heavy heart suddenly felt lighter.
"Who are you."
The boy's eyes widened, and he questioned him in an unfriendly tone.
She stared at the girl who had settled down leisurely, then looked at Xie Yunshu. The latter was peeling fresh, bright orange cherries for her, placing the peeled ones in a delicate porcelain bowl and pushing it towards her. She lazily ate a few, her brows furrowing slightly at the sweet and sour taste.
Those who enjoy the benefits and those who contribute their efforts are treated as naturally as people, which is very displeasing to others.
Xie Quheng was fine as he could ignore it, but Xie Qinglan, being young and impetuous, couldn't stand seeing her god-like third brother serving a girl younger than herself.
"Who is he?" Jia Ye glanced at the other person and asked lazily.
Fifth Brother Qinglan.
"You have so many brothers."
The words, though not meant to be malicious, were unpleasant to hear, and Xie Qinglan couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Who are you? Why should Third Brother peel it for you? Don't you have hands?" A furious voice rang out in the courtyard, drawing attention in the night.
Jia Ye waved his hand, indicating to Xie Yunshu.
"Stop peeling, it's noisy."
The slow, deliberate words nearly made Qinglan's lungs explode with anger; she couldn't stand being ignored again and again.
"Who exactly are you? Why isn't Sister Feng Ge sitting here?"
"Speaking of which, he's a bit like you when you first came up the mountain, but thankfully you're not as long-winded as him," she said to the man beside her, ignoring him after glancing at him.
"Qinglan, sit down."
Xie Yunshu smiled as she looked at her younger brother, whose face was flushed, and took a wet wipe to clean her fingertips.
"You must not be rude to Miss Ye," Xie Quheng said, issuing a perfunctory reprimand.
Jia Ye wanted to leave with little interest, but Xie Yunshu grabbed her wrist.
"Sit a little longer, the night is just right."
Jia Ye glanced around; the gauze palace lanterns hung high, casting layers of flower shadows, and a gentle evening breeze blew.
It's really good, but...
She shook her head. "Too noisy."