By now, quite a number of people had arrived one after another, both inside and outside Yunhao Manor. Whether they were renowned senior martial arts figures within the manor or members of the younger generation of the Jianghu waiting outside, they were all waiting for the same person, Lan Jin.
Though no one knew when Lan Jin would appear, Yunhao Manor was already bustling both inside and out. People who knew each other gathered together, some sitting, some standing, and greetings could be heard everywhere. Even those who came across old enemies restrained themselves for the time being. There was no hurry to settle old scores. For now, the Grand Assembly was what mattered most. After all, the moment Lan Jin appeared, the location of the treasure might be exposed. At a time like this, who would still care about old grudges? They could simply pretend they hadn’t seen one another. What the eye did not see, the heart did not grieve over.
Within the hall, where hidden currents were stirring, Yun Jinghao was having Yan Zhen help him prepare for the guests. As the Young Master of Yunhao Manor, Yan Zhen was naturally the one greeting guests in the front hall. Some people thought he bore a striking resemblance to Young Master Yan Qing of Liufang Pavilion, but their temperaments were so different that they thought no more of it. Besides, who here would admit to having visited Liufang Pavilion just to sneak a glimpse of the rarely seen Young Master Yan Qing? If they asked outright, they would likely become a laughingstock on the spot. Therefore, even if someone thought the two looked alike, no one would ever connect them, much less voice the question. It went without saying that the renowned Young Master of Yunhao Manor could hardly have anything to do with Liufang Pavilion. Even if Liufang Pavilion was not some vulgar pleasure house, it was nevertheless a brothel, that much was undeniable. However refined it might be, it was still not considered respectable, and could not compare with Yunhao Manor’s standing in the Jianghu.
Then there was the Young Master of the manor, Yun Yan Zhen, a composed and refined man. There was no way he could be that Young Master Yan Qing of Liufang Pavilion. People in this world could look alike, and it was not at all strange for two people to bear some resemblance. With that thought, their doubts were put to rest. Who would still bother caring whether the two looked alike or not? For now, what truly mattered was waiting for Lan Jin to show himself.
Yan Qing did not involve himself in the affairs of the front courtyard. Since returning to the manor, he had not appeared before anyone else, instead tending to the relevant affairs in the rear courtyard. Yan Zhen had finally come to terms with the feelings between them, and for him, these days together had been especially precious. He did not know what the future would hold, but for now, he only wanted to spend a few more days with Yan Zhen. Once the Grand Assembly was over, he would have to return to Liufang Pavilion. When that time comes, he will probably have quite a bit of explaining to do about the matter of the Supreme Lord.
Thinking of Cheng Ziyao’s departure, he still felt some regret. Once Lan Jin appeared, the whole world was bound to descend into chaos. If Ziyao truly had ties to the Imperial court, then all the more reason the other should remain in the manor now. The earlier incident involving Su Ya’er had made him realize that Lan Jin’s choice of a successor within the manor was no longer merely a matter for the Jianghu, but something that concerned the entire world. If An Yang’s ambitions remained unchecked and returned to provoke them once more, Lan Jin’s safety would also be a cause for concern.
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 83 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
He remembered asking Yan Zhen that day why Lan Jin had chosen Yunhao Manor as the place to select a successor, and even Yan Zhen was not entirely sure. Although Yan Zhen and Lan Jin were acquainted, he had never truly understood the man. The way Lan Jin did things was peculiar, and he often made decisions for no apparent reason. Take this Grand Assembly, for instance. Lan Jin had thrown everyone into a frenzy, yet he himself had disappeared without a trace and was still nowhere to be seen.Setting aside the matters he was dealing with, Yan Qing sighed. He was actually somewhat relieved that Ziyao was not here. If he had been, the Supreme Lord might have appeared as well. Yan Qing truly dared not imagine what kind of upheaval that would cause.
“Why are you sighing for no reason? Do you really not want to stay in the manor? Would you rather be at Liufang Pavilion?” Yan Zhen had been standing outside the door for quite some time. Seeing Yan Qing lost in thought, he did not disturb the other, but simply watched, becoming utterly captivated by the other’s appearance. Only when he heard Yan Qing sigh did he finally speak.
Yan Qing turned around and saw Yan Zhen standing at the door, but not coming in. He walked over and took the other’s hand. Yan Zhen felt a sudden tight grip around his wrist and instinctively stiffened for a moment, but did not resist, allowing himself to be pulled into the room. His eyes remained as calm as still water. Only upon closer inspection could one detect the countless waves hidden beneath that calm surface. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Is the manor really not enough to make you stay? Do you still miss that Liufang Pavilion, or is there someone there you can’t let go of?”
“I’m truly delighted that Yan Zhen would actually care about such things.” Yan Qing couldn’t help but smile, his eyes crinkling with delight, unmistakable joy shining through his alluring gaze. “I thought I’d never see Yan Zhen show any concern for me. I also thought Yan Zhen wouldn’t care about me and other people……”
“Stop talking!” Hearing Yan Qing speak of other people, remembering the other’s identify at Liufang Pavilion and imagining him being intimate with others, the calm Yan Zhen had been forcing himself to maintain finally shattered. He couldn’t help but say, “Yan Zhen is nothing more than your older brother. What you do with others is none of my business. If you’re still longing for Liufang Pavilion, then by all means, go back. If you do, don’t ever come back here again!”
It was always like this. Yan Zhen was unwilling to admit what truly bothered him, always using anger to cover it up, though his eyes clearly betrayed his displeasure. Seeing him angry, Yan Qing felt indescribable joy in his heart. Ziyao had once said that Yan Zhen’s emotions were restrained and reserved. Someone as pure and guileless as Yan Zhen, if not approached with some initiative and made to confront those uncertain feelings, might never acknowledge them in this lifetime. Now, it seemed Ziyao had been right after all. Though Yan Qing was delighted by how much Yan Zhen cared about him, he ultimately couldn’t bear to see the other like this. With a soft laugh, unable to suppress the emotions stirring in his heart, he gently kissed the corner of Yan Zhen’s lips before saying, “There is no one else. Yan Qing has only ever had Yan Zhen in his heart. Even when I was at Liufang Pavilion, I never had anything to do with anyone else. We merely met and talked. Yan Qing has never sold himself to anyone. I only stayed there to conceal my identity. The fact that Yan Zhen cares this much shows that perhaps my feelings were not one-sided after all. It truly makes me happy.”
Yan Qing gave him a quick peck at the corner of his lips. Remembering that Yan Qing was his own younger brother, Yan Zhen couldn’t help feeling somewhat conflicted. But then, upon hearing what Yan Qing said, he was taken aback, and the complicated feelings stirred by that intimate gesture were immediately forgotten. “What do you mean by concealing your identity? What exactly is your identity at Liufang Pavilion?”
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 83 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“I am the one who runs Liufang Pavilion. My identity as Young Master Yan Qing, Liufang Pavilion’s top attraction, was simply a convenient way to meet people and pass along messages.” Thinking of that man whose orders he actually followed, Yan Qing continued, “Yan Zhen, do you know of the Dark Emperor who once existed in the Jianghu many years ago?”“How could I not know? Although he has vanished from the Jianghu without a trace, who among those who know of him would dare forget? It is said that his methods were ruthless, and it was impossible to tell whether he was righteous or evil. More than half of the Jianghu’s factions were connected to him. Yan Zhen has heard enough about what that man is capable of to never forget him.” Hearing Yan Qing suddenly mention the Dark Emperor, Yan Zhen was instantly startled. “Could it be……”
“That’s right. I have served the Supreme Lord for many years.” Speaking of the Supreme Lord, Yan Qing could not help but mention Ziyao. “And Cheng Ziyao, the one who saved you that day, is also one of the Supreme Lord’s people.”
Cheng Ziyao is actually one of the Dark Emperor’s people. Hearing this, Yan Zhen was struck by a sudden chill. He immediately realized that if the Dark Emperor obtained Lan Jin at the Grand Assembly, then not only the Jianghu, but the entire world might fall into the other’s hands. Shaking his head, he could only hope that this would never come to pass. The Dark Emperor had always been at odds with the Imperial court. If that truly happened, he feared Cang He would likely be plunged into internal turmoil, while An Yang was already poised to make a move. Though all of this had begun because of Lan Jin, wasn’t holding the Grand Assembly here in the manor tantamount to bringing a catastrophe upon the entire world?
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. Yan Zhen met Yan Qing’s gaze, his expression grave. “Do you know whether the Dark Emperor will appear at the manor this time?”
“Unfortunately, no one in this world can fathom the Supreme Lord’s thoughts. There had been no sign that he was particularly interested in the Grand Assembly before, but Yan Qing called upon Ziyao to help save you, which already displeased the Supreme Lord. Ziyao knows about the Gu poison and everything that happened with An Yang, so the Supreme Lord must know all about it as well. I wonder if he……”
“What are you both still doing here? The front courtyard is already buzzing with activity, and you two still have the leisure to chat here? Now hurry up and go greet the guests!” Unable to find Yan Zhen anywhere in the front hall, Yun Jinghao had gone to the rear courtyard to look for him. Sure enough, he found the two of them in Yan Qing’s room, apparently discussing something, both wearing unusually grave expressions.
Yan Zhen was just about to answer when one of the manor’s guards came rushing over, his expression one of alarm, shouting, “My Lord! Something has happened in the front courtyard!”
“What happened?” Yun Jinghao frowned.
“My Lord, Huosha Pavilion’s Master has arrived at the manor! His men got into a verbal dispute with someone, and it looks like they’re about to start fighting!”
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 83 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Only Fan Hao, the Huosha Pavilion Master, would dare behave like that inside the manor. He had always acted without restraint, and back then, he was even strong enough to contend with the Dark Emperor. Now at this Grand Assembly, aside from the Dark Emperor, he was the most powerful, and no one else had the power to rein in his arrogance. If something happened in the manor, it would be difficult to handle.“Well, things are certainly getting lively now.” Hearing the manor guard’s report, Yan Qing couldn’t help remarking, “If the Dark Emperor were to make an appearance now as well, then it truly would be……”
“I can only hope that Young Lord Shuiyue does not become curious about Lan Jin. Otherwise, if what Yan Qing said is true and the Dark Emperor follows him here, there would truly be no peace in the manor.” Thinking of Huosha Pavilion’s Master, the Dark Emperor, countless Jianghu sects, and martial arts seniors, Yan Zhen shook his head helplessly. It was truly impossible to imagine what the Grand Assembly might turn into. He could only hope that things would not turn out as Yan Qing had predicted.
“What do you two mean by that? That person has not shown himself in the Jianghu for many years. Don’t tell me he really is going to appear this time as well? And what does he have to do with Young Hero Cheng?” Yun Jinghao was obviously unaware of what was really going on, and having suddenly heard all this, his expression immediately turned tense.
“The two of them……” Yan Qing was pondering how to respond when he suddenly heard the shouts of the manor guards coming from somewhere in the distance.
“My Lord! A carriage has arrived at the gate. Young Lord Shuiyue, who left some time ago, has returned with another person……” The manor guard stationed at the front gate came running up to them, gasping for breath, his face filled with terror. He swallowed hard and, after steadying himself, continued, “And the other person, seems to be the rumored Dark Emperor of the Jianghu!”
“Are you sure it’s him?” Yun Jinghao, already having lost his composure, asked the guard sternly.
“This subordinate has been guarding the manor for many years. I couldn’t possibly have mistaken him!” Anyone who had seen the Dark Emperor once could never forget his imposing presence. How could he possibly have mistaken him? The manor guard wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes still filled with awe.
Hearing the manor guard speak with such certainty, no one doubted it anymore. The Dark Emperor really had come. The three of them exchanged a glance, then, without further hesitation, hurried toward the front courtyard.
Looks like Yunhao Manor is going to be really lively (－ˋ⩊ˊ－)
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