Su Ya’er was naturally beautiful and charming. And now, with tears clinging to her face like raindrops on a pear blossom, she appeared even more innocent and vulnerable, evoking sympathy. Yan Zhen sighed as he looked at her, but before he could respond, Yan Qing already spoke coldly, “Do you still think you can stay in the manor? You nearly cost Yan Zhen his life, yet you seek his forgiveness. Such a shameless woman, I, Yan Qing, have never seen before.”
“Yan Qing.” Yan Zhen shook his head at him, indicating he should say no more. Now that things had come to this, harsh words were of no use. A single betrayal meant it would be difficult to return to how things were in the past. Even if he still held onto old feelings, he could not accept her staying in the manor anymore. There was no need for Yan Qing to worry about that anymore.
“You should leave.” After much hesitation, Yan Zhen finally said.
“You want to let her go?” Yan Qing did not agree. Su Ya’er’s tearful eyes widened as she shook her head in disbelief. “You…… you really want to drive Ya’er away?” Over the years they had spent together day and night, she had thought Yan Zhen felt some affection for her. Though she had done wrong, she had been forced into it. If she had not held back, Yan Zhen would have already died long ago. Why did he not show any gratitude, and instead act so heartlessly?
Through her misty tearful eyes, a hint of resentment showed. Feeling rather wronged, she bit her lip and said through tears, “Ya’er has no family left in this world. If Yan Zhen gege drives me away, it would be no different from sentencing me to death. What difference is there?” Her voice came in broken sobs as she looked at Yan Zhen, her expression filled with sorrow. “Entering the manor was my master’s order, but Ya’er’s feelings for Yan Zhen gege are sincere. You cannot be unaware of everything that has passed between us. Are you really so heartless as to ignore Ya’er’s feelings completely? Do you truly mean to drive Ya’er away?”
Yan Zhen sighed as he faced her. How could he not know her feelings? But he had always regarded her as a sister. Even the care he showed her was only that of brotherly affection, with no other intent. Now, hearing her words, he could only frown and sigh, feeling a touch of helplessness. She had done such a thing, so letting her leave was already lenient. Yet she continued to press him, leaving him at a loss for what to do.
Yan Zhen remained silent. Yan Qing, however, laughed lightly. “It seems Elder Brother is soft-hearted after all, too tender toward women to be truly heartless. Yan Qing was overly meddlesome before. Whatever happens between you two is none of my business. If you want to let her stay, go ahead.” Yan Qing’s lips carried a faint seductive smile, his words light and suggestive, yet his eyes held a deeply suppressed bitterness. Qi Mingyue watched from the side and could easily guess what was on Yan Qing’s mind. This was not the first time Yan Zhen had thrown Yan Qing into disarray, and this tangled involvement with Su Ya’er had already stirred his anger.
“When did I ever say I wanted to let her stay?” Hearing Yan Qing call him ‘Elder Brother’ again and seeing the look on the other’s face, Yan Zhen suddenly felt agitated for some reason. It was as if a cold fire had been ignited in his heart, icy and biting yet burning to the core, sending a sharp pain through his chest. His expression changed at once, like calm waters being stirred into turbulence, losing its former serenity.
Su Ya’er saw everything. With a woman’s intuition, she had long since noticed the unusual feelings Yan Qing harbored toward Yan Zhen, yet only today did she realize that Yan Zhen, too…… She shook her head. No, impossible. Yan Zhen was so elegant and pure, how could he be like Yan Qing, disregarding proper human relationships and harboring such filthy thoughts towards his own blood? Her lower lip, caught between her teeth, had already drawn blood. Her expression flickered, her thoughts churning into something close to madness. “So it truly has come to this. Yan Zhen gege really wants to drive me away…… Truly…… heartless and cruel…… All your kind words and smiles, were they all Ya’er’s own delusion? I believed Yan Zhen gege was not without feeling for me, so I defied my master’s orders and spared your life. Even when you lay in that eternal sleep, I never left your side for a single moment. Had I known it would end like this, Ya’er would rather you had never awakened at all!”
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 77 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“What a vicious heart you have. I treated you as my own sister, even wished for you and Yan Zhen to be together, yet you would treat him like this and still expect anything from him?!” Hearing her words, Yan Qing was furious. Thinking about how he had left the manor for her, only for Yan Zhen to suffer at her hands, struck him all at once, filling him with both pain and bitter regret.“You? You wanted me to be with him?” Su Ya’er let out a cold laugh. Tears still clung to her face, yet it twisted with harsh, bitter hatred. “If you truly wanted that, you should never have come back. Yan Zhen gege and I were perfectly fine, until you left that letter and shamelessly went to live in Liufang Pavilion, throwing Yan Zhen gege into constant worry and distress. He became like a different person, even going out to search for you. Do you think I would have resolved to use Gu poison if not for you? All of this, all of this is because of you!”
“Even now, you still push the blame onto others. Ya’er…… you truly disappoint me.” Fearing Yan Qing might be affected by these words, Yan Zhen gently tugged at the green sleeve beside him. As his sleeve was faintly tugged, Yan Qing turned his head with a soft smile, appearing unconcerned, though he was secretly delighted by Yan Zhen’s concern.
Su Ya’er stared at the two brothers standing side by side. The unwillingness in her heart twisted through her chest like a blade. Why was it that the one she had given her heart to showed her no tenderness, even casting aside all that had once passed between them? And Yan Qing, had he not appeared so suddenly, how could things between her and Yan Zhen have fallen to this?
Pointing at Yan Qing, the resentment in her eyes grew stronger, disdain and jealousy twisting her beautiful face “It’s all because of you! If not for you, Yan Zhen gege would never have treated me this way! You have no shame, harboring such filthy desires toward your own brother. You utterly shameless male whore!”
Her frenzied words made everyone’s expressions darken. Yan Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts unreadable. Yan Zhen’s heart was a tangled mess, being pulled again and again, leaving him unable to name what he felt. All that he had long avoided was laid bare before him, and those final two words struck like a thunderbolt, jolting him awake to a sudden, crushing realization. It was actually he who had driven Yan Qing to this.
Yan Zhen’s face went deathly pale. His hands tightened again and again around the back of the chair, until the wood burst apart beneath his grip. Splinters flew in all directions, one striking across Su Ya’er’s face and drawing a line of blood. The twisted features that once held beauty were now ruined, threads of crimson swaying beneath the wavering candlelight, making her appear like an evil spirit, filled with resentment and unwillingness.
“If I had known it would come to this, Ya’er would never have switched the Gu poison. I should have let Yan Zhen gege sleep forever, staying by Ya’er’s side day after day instead.” She let out a few bitter laughs. She truly regretted it now. She should never have softened her heart and defied her master’s order, leaving Yan Zhen a chance to live. Looking at Yan Zhen, her gaze remained gentle and soft, yet filled with hidden resentment and lingering. “Ya’er would rather Yan Zhen gege had never woken up……”
Hearing this, Yan Qing was immediately alarmed, a sense of danger rising in his heart. Almost instinctively, he stepped in front of Yan Zhen to shield him, but there was no time to dodge or block. The hairpin shot toward Yan Qing’s chest like a piercing thorn and had already sunk into his body.
Su Ya’er clutched the bloodied hairpin in her hand, slowly stepping back as her hand was dripping with blood. The look in her eyes was filled with such grief, as though she herself were the one truly wronged, sorrowful and filled with bitter resentment. “You again…… it is always you standing in Ya’er’s way. Yan Zhen gege is mine! Why must you always come between us!” Yan Zhen caught Yan Qing as he collapsed, panic surging through his heart. Yet in the next moment, Su Ya’er’s expression changed completely, madness rising in her eyes. “They won’t spare me! Since there is no path left for me anymore, let us all die together! If Ya’er cannot have him, neither can you!” She had never possessed anything that truly belonged to her. Never had anyone treated her with such gentleness and care until she met Yan Zhen gege. She had thought the two of them could be together, yet unfortunately there was still Yan Qing. It was all because of him that she lost everything. Him! If it were not for him, how could Brother Yan Zhen drive her from the manor!
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 77 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Her expression grew increasingly cold as she surged forward again. A fierce, merciless palm immediately struck her with full force, sending her crashing heavily to the ground. Blood gushed from her mouth, her internal organs felt as if they were being torn apart, and everything went black before her eyes. In the haze, she heard that familiar voice not far away, trembling with panic and urgency, “How dare she hurt you like this! You…… Are you all right, don’t scare me…… Yan Qing……”Yan Zhen’s gentle, soft words spoken to another person were the last thing she heard in this life. Still unwilling to accept it, she closed her eyes as blood kept spilling from her mouth. She struggled, wanting to say something, but in the end, she was swallowed by darkness, dragged under by overwhelming pain.
Looking at Su Ya’er lying on the ground, Yan Zhen felt no regret. In his haste, he had struck out with full force, causing Su Ya’er to die. But if she had not intended to harm Yan Qing, things would never have come to this. No matter what, as long as Yan Qing was safe, that was all that mattered.
Yan Qing slowly lowered his head. Dark red blood seeped through his clothes from the wound in his chest. Strangely, he felt no pain at all. All his thoughts were fixed on the person beside him. Seeing Yan Zhen unharmed, he finally let out a breath and covered his wound with his hand. Only then did the piercing pain begin to surge through him. Forcing a smile, he raised an eyebrow, “It’s nothing. How could a small hairpin hurt me? Seeing Yan Zhen this anxious is what’s really frightening……”
Seeing Yan Qing still joking, Yan Zhen’s face darkened. The anxiety and worry in his heart did not lessen in the slightest. Thinking back to the danger from earlier, he grew both anxious and angry. “There was no need for you to block it for me. Am I, in your eyes, really that useless?” Yan Qing’s jade green robe had already darkened. Yan Zhen tore open the fabric at the wound and was suddenly shocked to see layers of white bandages beneath the other’s clothing. Yan Qing had already been injured before!
“Yan Zhen is simply too important, and I was just too worried and lost my composure……” Hesitating, Yan Qing reached out to touch the hair of the person in front of him. Seeing that Yan Zhen did not move away, joy welled up in his heart. Unable to suppress the emotions surging within him, he drew the other into his arms.
Seeing Yan Qing’s bloodied fingers tentatively reach out, Yan Zhen was slightly startled, yet did not pull away, out of reluctance to hurt him, and out of heartache. He looked at the man before him, wounded even further for his sake. How could he ignore the other’s feelings any longer?
Remembering there was still someone else in the room, Yan Zhen raised his head from Yan Qing’s embrace and lifted his gaze to look around, only to find that at some point, Cheng Ziyao had already disappeared.
By the window, Qi Mingyue withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned his head to look at the two embracing within the room. A smile appeared in his eyes. Having sensed Su Ya’er’s intentions earlier, he had deliberately chosen not to stop her. It now seemed that Yan Qing’s injury today had been well worth it. Gazing at the full moon, he turned around and made his way back to his courtyard, while faintly hearing Yan Zhen’s concerned whispers from inside the room.
He let out an inexplicable sigh. Suddenly, he found himself deeply missing the person back in the palace. He had promised to return within a month, yet more than half the month had already passed. Even if he rushed back immediately, he feared he would miss the agreed time. I wonder……will Father Emperor be worried……
***
Ever since the appearance of Tianyin, a young hero had risen to fame throughout the Jianghu almost overnight. His handsome features and exceptional bearing drew admiration wherever he went, and his every word and deed inspired the younger generations to imitate him. For a time, the attention focused on him even surpassed that of Lan Jin. Before the Grand Assembly had even begun, Yunhao Manor was already bustling with activity. Some welcomed his rise, while others were less pleased. Many regarded him with admiration, yet those who envied and resented him were hardly few. Since his arrival, several renowned beauties of the Jianghu seemed to have drifted straight into his embrace, frequently paying him visits and inquiring after his well-being. Their constant attention was enough to make those who pursued them see him as a thorn in their side.The young hero seemed entirely unconcerned by it all. He always carried himself with a calm, gentle ease toward people and situations alike. In his interactions, he was neither overly enthusiastic nor cold. Yet whatever came from his lips always sounded pleasing to the ear. At all times, he remained composed and elegant, as though his every word and deed were entirely natural, without the slightest effort, so that people were unconsciously captivated by him. It was said that the tenderness in his eyes could make any woman in the world fall for him, while his bearing alone was enough to make all men in the world admire him.
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 77 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Yet strangely enough, no one ever received any special treatment from him. Toward everyone, he remained that same gentle yet distant figure. Through word of mouth, and before anyone knew it, people had begun to call him Young Lord Shuiyue
水月公子
ShuǐYuè GōngZǐ
Young Lord Water Moon
A poetic title derived from the Chinese idiom 镜花水月 (JìngHuā ShuǐYuè - Mirror Flower, Water Moon), suggesting things that can be seen but not touched, being reflected in mirrors or the surface of still water, and thus symbolizing something beautiful yet unattainable.
1 .
ShuǐYuè GōngZǐ
Young Lord Water Moon
A poetic title derived from the Chinese idiom 镜花水月 (JìngHuā ShuǐYuè - Mirror Flower, Water Moon), suggesting things that can be seen but not touched, being reflected in mirrors or the surface of still water, and thus symbolizing something beautiful yet unattainable.
Just like flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in the lake, visible before one’s eyes yet beyond reach.
***
In contrast to the bustling Jianghu, the Palace of Cang He was unusually quiet, though faintly permeated by an atmosphere of tense activity. Palace attendants and guards were as busy as ever, attending to their tasks. The ministers were also worried, as the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony was fast approaching, leaving little time and many details still to prepare. Amid their busyness, everyone was somewhat puzzled. The Crown Prince had not been seen for many days. Rumor had it that he had left the palace on the Emperor’s orders, though for what purpose no one knew. Although they were curious, no one dared to ask. As the deadline of one month drew near and the Crown Prince still had not returned, the Emperor’s mood seemed to worsen with each passing day. In the past few days, no one had dared to present memorials in person, instead submitting them through Head Steward Liu. Even during morning court, the officials conducted themselves with fear and trembling, terrified of provoking the Emperor’s displeasure. Although the Emperor still appeared as indifferent as ever, everyone knew that the warmer his smile, the more unfathomable the thoughts hidden beneath it. As a result, each of them behaved with exceptional caution, not daring to utter even a single word about His Highness the Crown Prince.Wisps of sandalwood incense drifted faintly through the air. The two desks, one large and one small, remained arranged as they always had been. In the Imperial study, the man in black robes tightened his grip on the paper letter in his hand. Beneath furrowed brows, his sharp eyes were slightly narrowed. A faint smile lingered on his lips, though something in it felt distinctly unsettling.
Head Steward Liu stood waiting at the side. Seeing that His Majesty had worn the same expression ever since receiving news from Yunhao Manor, he naturally guessed that His Majesty’s displeasure stemmed from His Highness the Crown Prince. Thinking of how many waves the Crown Prince’s entry into the Jianghu would cause, how many women would fall for him, and how many men would admire him, even he could not help but feel a little worried on His Majesty’s behalf.
Unable to suppress a slight smile, Liu Yi stood with his head lowered, sighing inwardly. Had it not been for His Highness, he would never have imagined that one day he would see such an expression on His Majesty’s face. Having served the other for so many years, how could he not know just how fickle and heartless the man before him could be? Back then, the Empress of Lian Tong and His Majesty had been a couple envied by all, yet in the end, had it not still come to this? Thinking it over carefully, only His Highness Mingyue could make the Emperor feel such concern.
The man, who had not spoken since receiving the report, finally lifted his gaze. The smile on his lips grew slightly more pronounced. With a wave of his hand, his embroidered golden sleeve swept through the air like a shadow. “Issue the order. We will leave the palace.”
His deep voice suddenly echoed in the Imperial study. Liu Yi bowed slightly and responded in a low voice, asking, “Your Majesty, what about His Highness the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony……”
“Postpone it.”
I am really sorry everyone, but my hiatus ended up lasting longer than I had hoped (◡﹏◡✿)
Su Ya'er was by the way really delusional (◔_◔)
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