“You asked for me?” Tang Qingshan stood before Mo Chou, his face truly cold and harsh. Having learnt what he hadn’t known before, his heart was worried. Maybe, he even felt a bit betrayed deep inside.
Tang Qingshan had saw the signs even from the assassination before, where the man was acting so weird towards Lu Fengmian. His first instinct was to believe Lu Fengmian, because something in him told him to trust the man. Now, realizing that the man was a fox demon, that his sister was the one who killed his father, he was conflicted. He wanted revenge for his father, but he also wanted Lu Fengmian to redeem himself, for Lu Yingyue to tell him the truth behind his father’s death.
Mo Chou looked at Tang Qingshan’s face, noticing his slight oddity. “I heard that Weiyuan has come back. How is Fengmian doing?” Unlike Tang Qingshan, who was unaware of the feelings Lu Fengmian had towards him, Mo Chou had clearly seen it. Unfortunately, Lu Fengmian loved a man whose heart belonged to someone else.
“He left.” Tang Qingshan simply said, his eyes heavy. He didn’t go any further. While he was betrayed, Tang Qingshan knew that Lu Fengmian’s actions had been real. Until the ending really came, Tang Qingshan wouldn’t let anyone else know about his identity. This was his own conflict to solve, no one else’s.
Mo Chou didn’t continue, knowing that Tang Qingshan didn’t want to continue with this topic. “Mo Shen has begun moving. I dug in a bit and found out that he has begun making a deal with the fox demons. He has some connections with Hong Pavilion, and I presume that the owner of Hong Pavilion is using the people within it to find out information.”
“What do you want me to do?” Tang Qingshan asked, his voice cold.
“Monitor Mo Shen’s action closely. The people by his side have begun moving quite a bit. I presume that he wants to rebel soon.” Mo Chou added.
Tang Qingshan listened, quiet and silently, he merely nodded his head. Truth be told, he had other things on his mind, especially Lu Fengmian. That man, Tang Qingshan knew that he was true, that he wasn’t lying and just trying to get close to him for the sake of using him.
“I understand, then I will take my leave first.” Tang Qingshan didn’t stay any longer when he knew that he had other things he needed to solve.
Mo Chou watched as Tang Qingshan left, gently shaking his head. This… reminded him of a familiar scene from his past. Back then, a man had once walked from him too, slipping right out of his reach. Because he was blind, he had let the one he loved most slip away, he had hurt him. He wondered how that man was doing.
Thinking this, Mo Chou smiled regretfully. Unfortunately, he was impulsive back then, he had been blinded and had let greed get to him. He had hurt the man he loved most, causing a scar for the both of them.
If time could be turned back, how many mistakes would be fixed then?
–
“He is a demon, he is a fox demon.”
“His sister was the one who killed your father, I’m sorry for not telling you. You are my son, I knew that you trusted him and that you truly cared for him, but things have already come to this point. I don’t want to lie to you forever.”
There was an aching from deep within his heart. Tang Qingshan’s eyes grew clouded. Having ditched his carriage, Tang Qingshan walked aimlessly in the streets. Night had come, the Moon festival was being celebrated by everyone.
Yet, in Tang Qingshan’s heart, he had begun to waver. Lu Fengmian had already become someone he truly cared about. Now that he found out they were enemies, what could he possibly do? Tang Qingshan avoided the people walking, ignoring the voices overlapping from around him.
The night was filled with lanterns, the River had floating lanterns lit, sweeping across the water.
Tang Qingshan did not know what to do. He wanted revenge but he didn’t want to hurt Lu Fengmian by taking away his sister’s life.
As Tang Qingshan recalled the last memories of his father, he became even more muddled. He knew that his mother was still in pain, even after so many years have passed, deep down, she hated Lu Yingyue for taking away Tang Shouxin’s life. It was the same for Tang Qingshan, but he didn’t want to hurt Lu Fengmian.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
What was he going to do? Get revenge or just let his father’s death disappear like that?
But how could he when his father died so unjustly? He didn’t know what to do…
–
“This robe looks great but the red robe looks amazing too.” Xi Feng held two robes in her hands, her face troubled as she carefully looked at them and then stared at Lu Fengmian.
Lu Fengmian’s long hair had been styled, with half of it tied back with a ribbon and a green jade hairpin in it. His eyebrows had been carefully painted over, his blue eyes entrapping.
Xi Feng let out a troubled sound before she nodded her head, “This silver and white robe will look better. Red looks beautiful, but the color is not suitable for the character we want to build for you.” Saying this, she handed the robe to Lu Fengmian.
Lu Fengmian accepted it without saying a word, his face cold and chilly. Slipping on the robe, Xi Feng helped him adjust the clothing, fixing it.
“Everything is complete. We simply need you to wear the veil and appear after we draw back the curtains. The guqin is already set, so simply go at it. Master will come to introduce you so you won’t need to speak.” Xi Feng stepped back, turning to grab a white veil as she put it on Lu Fengmian.
As Lu Fengmian looked up, his character was finally complete. Ming Yu was his title, the White Jade of Hong Pavilion, he was the newest addition to Hong Pavilion’s list of the four top figures, four of the greatest beauties of Hong Pavilion.
With the veil on his face, Lu Fengmian’s striking blue eyes were clearly seen. Now dressed up, his figure was truly eye-catching, a beauty of his own league. Noble and poised, Lu Fengmian was elegant and cold, a cold beauty only to be admired from afar. His long white hair brought about a beauty to the blue mark between his brows, highlighting the difference.
Lu Fengmian could hear the clamors, the voices from the huge crowd that were gathered inside of the pavilion. As he adjusted his mind, there was a hint of sorrow in his eyes. The veil covered his face, so only his eyes were showing. Lu Fengmian’s heart was truly not at rest.
But even so, he continued, letting Xi Feng lead him onto the stage, hidden behind the curtain.
As Lu Fengmian sat down and carefully touched the seven-stringed instrument, from behind his veil, a sorrowful smile came onto his face. Tang Qingshan had once praised him, saying that he was truly talented in playing the guqin. Only, the difference was that Tang Qingshan already had a lover. The fate between the two of them were too murky, they can only be enemies.
Hong Daiyu walked towards the crowd, strong and poised, all the men paused and looked at her, the owner of this pavilion. The clattering cups of wine and sweet words stopped, everyone looking at Hong Daiyu.
“To all the ladies and gentlemen here, I, Hong Daiyu, am glad to announce that I will be introducing another addition to the Four Beauties of Hong Pavilion! Having carefully selected this man, he will be titled Ming Yu, the White Jade of Hong Pavilion. Today, I introduce to you, Ming Yu, who will be playing the guqin along with Xi Feng who will be singing a short opera!” Saying this, Hong Daiyu gestured to the curtains as it opened.
On the stage, a beautiful man was sitting on a chair. His blue eyes were cold and serene, his pale fingers laying on the guqin. His slender fingers moved, a sorrowful sound coming from the strings that he plucked. His beauty was truly outstanding, with long white hair and blue eyes, he was a beauty no one had ever seen before, rendering everyone speechless. Even with the veil, the man’s beauty was outstanding.
Lu Fengmian’s attention was solely placed on the strings he currently plucked. With a cold expression on his face, he didn’t let the presence of all the people get to him, merely continuing his act.
From the edge of the stage, Xi Feng walked forward. Dressed in her red robes, she swiped her sleeves, flicking it into the air as she danced, opening her mouth and singing in a sorrowful tone.
“Oh,” From Xi Feng’s mouth, a loud sound filled with sorrow echoed, following the soft plucking of the guqin.
“Flowers bloom, the sky has changed a different color.
Ccbatfg rfjrbc mbwfr, ktlif atlr tfjga gfwjlcr kjlalcu,
Mbg jc biv jmdejlcajcmf ab gfaegc ilxf atf qgbwlrf rjlv.
Unfortunately, time has changed and memories have to be forsaken.”
Singing this, Xi Feng dramatically twirled, her long sleeve drawing arcs in the air as she pulled back, gasping with tremors.
“In the South, a letter flies, still not delivered to the owner.
Pc atf Rbgat, rbwfbcf rlar ys atf klcvbk, ibbxlcu bea klat kbggs.
Pc atf Qfra, rbwfbcf wjgmtfr, kjulcu kjg jujlcra atf ecxcbkcr.
Within the East, the sparks of a fire begins to spread.”
Xi Feng continued singing, acting in a heart-tugging way as her face expressed thousands of emotions. Her figure danced on the stage, flying and moving fast, slow at times, grasping at her heart.
Unlike Lu Fengmian, Xi Feng did not wear a veil, hence her face was displayed. But while she was beautiful, many’s eyes lingered on the cold man, sitting silently and aloof, curiosity filling their eyes.
“Plucking the many strings, recounting the days till he returns,
C tfjga bo sfjgclcu obg atf vjs atja kf rtjii wffa bcmf wbgf.
But his return is late, the seasons have changed four times now.
Waiting silently, worry etched upon the brows dye my hair white.”
Lu Fengmian plucked the strings harder and harder, to mark the significance in how Xi Feng’s singing was getting to the climax. His fingers moved, flying across the strings, creating a poetic scene, his white hair moving softly.
Xi Feng’s movement got faster, her voice higher and shakier, to evoke a sadness from within. Her sleeve covered her face, swaying her body as she elegantly moved.
“This heart of longing cannot be healed, waiting to hear from him.
Shall we be parted in life and death, willing to follow till my last breath.
Receiving this paper, I drink a cup and wipe away my fallen tears.
Close my eyes and fall asleep, a smile so peaceful on my lips…”
Xi Feng suddenly walked over to Lu Fengmian, moving past him as she twirled, her robe flying, her steps staggering, a smile of happiness came on her face.
“Merely hoping that we will meet once more in another life.
To receive a paper that lets us love till our hair whitens…”
Lu Fengmian’s fingers slowed, the melody he played came to an end as it slowly drowned out. Finally calming himself, he looked up. Xi Feng’s singing was beautiful, so entrapping, Lu Fengmian now understood why she was so famous.
But more than that, this opera was written by Xi Feng. Hearing it in person, Lu Fengmian felt his heart aching from deep within.
As Xi Feng paused, her chest heaving up and down, she finally stood up, fixing her garment as she smiled.
Below the stage, a round of applause and cheers were heard.
“As expected from the Flourishing Phoenix of Hong Pavilion! Xi Feng is as spectacular as always, her voice and beauty having matured even more! The new beauty is also mighty, extraordinary in the art of playing the guqin. Worthy of his name, White Jade!”
“Beautiful as always! I feel honored to hear Xi Feng’s own opera, Paper of Fate! Not to mention, Ming Yu is truly fantastic as the new addition to the Four Beauties of Hong Pavilion.”
“Here, come and collect the money.”
As soon as this was heard, many people in the audience began taking out the money they had prepared, tossing it on stage.
From the crowd, Hong Daiyu smiled brightly, looking at a man who sat in the audience. The man looked at Hong Daiyu, finally standing up as he walked towards her.
“Duke Yang, you have finally come.” Hong Daiyu said, her eyes not straying from the stage.
Yang Delun stood next to Hong Daiyu, “I came to talk to you.”
“What do you think about Ming Yu? It seems that Hong Pavilion will become even more powerful. Even though I had Xi Feng try to cover his spotlight, with an appearance like that, it is hard to hide him.” Hong Daiyu had a smirk on her face as she looked at Yang Delun.
Yang Delun’s face was cold, not caring to say anything at Hong Daiyu’s words.
Hong Daiyu smiled as if nothing had happened, merely turning to Yang Delun and saying, “Alright then, follow me. Ming Yu is one of my trusted subordinate, and he is the one who may be able to help you.”
Saying this, Hong Daiyu sent a look towards Lu Fengmian who stood in silence, cold and aloof.
She had made the right decision. Her lips rested into a curve.
.
.
.
I’m at the edge of my seat. Please be a happy ending. I beg you 😭
At this point, you’re still waiting for an happy ending to this arc?😣