Chapter Thirty-Six: Visiting the Sick (1)

Update time: June 5, 2013

Once her father had gone, Lian Yue intended to visit Yu Wen Lingxi, but she hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. After all, there still lingered that connection between them; despite her father's admonition, Lian Yue found it embarrassing to bring up now.

Lian Yu, however, feigned surprise and said, "Oh? Why are you still here, Yue? Weren't you going to visit Young Master Yu Wen?"

Lian Yue's face flushed crimson, and even Qing Feng and Qing Luan struggled to suppress their laughter in the room. She protested coquettishly, "Big Sister..."

"Did I say anything wrong? Father instructed it, after all..." Lian Yu gazed at Lian Yue's bashful demeanor, her heart full of delight.

In Lian Yu's eyes, Yu Wen Lingxi was quite a good match. Though his temperament was somewhat reserved, he possessed many virtues: handsome, heir to the Yu Wen clan, and most importantly, he had stepped forward without hesitation when Lian Yue was in danger.

That last point was what mattered most to Lian Yu, and it nearly erased all the worry she'd felt for Yu Wen Lingxi after the incident with the Soul Severing Array.

As for his reserved nature, Lian Yu never saw it as an issue. Before marrying her, the Prince of Nanping had been cold and taciturn as well, but after their union, he showered her with sweet words, so much so that even she felt overwhelmed.

Thus, Lian Yu did not oppose the two spending time together, and seized this opportunity to tease Lian Yue, hoping to encourage her to visit Yu Wen Lingxi. She knew her sister's temperament well; without a push, Lian Yue might not go even by nightfall.

As expected, Lian Yue asked, "Shall we all go now?"

"Of course, but not all of us—just you. Jun and I already visited on our way back," Lian Yu said, casting a meaningful glance at Yue Ling Jun.

Though unsure of his sister's intentions, Yue Ling Jun knew Lian Yu cherished both himself and Lian Yue, so there must be a reason. When Lian Yue looked at him questioningly, he nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Lian Yue, full of doubt, glanced at them again but saw nothing amiss, and so believed them. She inquired about Yu Wen Lingxi's injuries, "How is he? Are they serious?"

Lian Yu, hearing her younger sister's concern, grew mischievous and deliberately suppressed her smile, putting on a solemn face. "He seems quite badly hurt, still bedridden."

Lian Yue's heart tightened at once. Forgetting her shyness, she hurriedly said, "Then I'll go check on him right now," and vanished through the doorway, with Bluewater following without needing any signal from Lian Yu.

"Big Sister, what are you up to?" Yue Ling Jun asked, noting the enigmatic smile on Lian Yu's face.

Lian Yu gracefully took her seat by the table, smoothing the hair by her ear with her right hand, and replied leisurely, "Just what you see. Jun, when will you confess your feelings to Bluewater?"

Yue Ling Jun stared, astonished, at his serene elder sister, stammering, "Big Sister, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Don't pretend with me. Your heart is so obvious that only Bluewater, whose heart is dead, and naive Yue haven't noticed. The only other ones who haven't are blind. Ask your attendants if you don’t believe me. Do you really need to hide this from me?"

Yue Ling Jun glanced at Qing Feng and Qing Luan beside him; both wore the expression of observing their noses and hearts, and he realized with a touch of self-mockery how transparent he'd been.

"Enough, think it over. Bluewater grew up with us and has cared for you and Yue. It’s natural for you to fall for her, but I must remind you—Bluewater’s past is no mystery to you. Her heart is dead. If you aren’t determined to marry her, best abandon the thought."

"Big Sister, I am willing to wait!"

Lian Yu looked at her brother's resolute gaze, sighed helplessly, and waved her hand. "Fine, fine, think it over. Waiting alone won't resolve this. It's been a long day—go rest."

Yue Ling Jun looked at his sister, weary-faced, wanting to say more but held back. He returned to his room with Qing Feng and Qing Luan and sat in a daze.

Meanwhile, Bluewater, the subject of their discussion, was accompanying Lian Yue as she paced outside the small courtyard the Hidden Sect had arranged for the Yu Wen family.

Arriving at the entrance, they discovered the gate was latched from the inside, which brought about the scene before them.

Bluewater, seeing Lian Yue's hesitation, stepped forward decisively and knocked on the gate.

Lian Yue stared anxiously at Bluewater's action.

"What must be faced should be faced sooner or later, Miss," Bluewater took the opportunity to counsel Lian Yue.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened from within, and Yu Wen Lingxi’s page, upon seeing Lian Yue outside, hurriedly welcomed her in.

As Yu Wen Lingxi's personal attendant, he was well aware of her connection to his young master. Having twice witnessed his master’s unusual behavior toward her, he would never foolishly offend this young mistress.

"This way, Miss. My master is in the main hall with the young master and Sixth Prince. Please follow me..."

Lian Yue asked in confusion, "Wasn't he supposed to be resting in bed? Why is he in the main hall?"

"The young master is strong—he never rested in bed," Mu Shan replied, puzzled.

Only then did Lian Yue realize her sister had played a trick on her. She had to swallow this silent grievance; if he wasn’t bedridden, then his injuries weren’t as serious as she’d feared. Relief washed over her as she took the chance to inquire about the details.

Those in the main hall must have heard her voice, for as soon as she crossed the threshold, Yu Wen Mo’s voice rang out, "Yue, are you here to see Lingxi? It’s just a minor injury—why come all this way?"

Lian Yue curtsied to Yu Wen Mo and apologized softly, "He was hurt because of me. I should have come earlier, but was delayed by other matters. Please don’t blame me, Uncle Yu Wen."

"How could I be displeased with you, Yue? All right, you young people talk. I need to find your Uncle Zhou for something," and as he passed Lian Yue, he gently ruffled her hair, whispering, "You must keep that jade pendant safe."

Lian Yue’s cheeks reddened, and she glanced furtively at Yu Wen Lingxi. Seeing that he hadn’t noticed, she nodded imperceptibly.

Yu Wen Mo ruffled her hair again, then departed amid rare hearty laughter.

With his exit, the atmosphere in the room immediately became lively.

Qiao Zhi, eyes narrowed in a smile, imitated Yu Wen Mo by ruffling Lian Yue’s hair and teased, "Yue, you finally remembered to come over..."

Lian Yue, annoyed, brushed his hand away and retorted, "The person involved doesn’t mind—what business is it of yours?"

Qiao Zhi raised his brows and looked at Yu Wen Lingxi, who sat silently at the table. "See? It seems you’re not welcome," he said, reaching for Lian Yue’s head again.

Lian Yue glanced at Yu Wen Lingxi, who was absorbed in his tea, and it really did seem he wasn’t welcoming. A hint of hurt flickered in her eyes, and a wave of disappointment rose in her heart. She ignored the hand tormenting her head and said listlessly, "If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave."

Yu Wen Lingxi, who had been covertly watching, frowned almost imperceptibly, set down his teacup, and spoke, "How does the Prince know I am not welcoming? Have you turned fortune-teller, Your Highness?"

Lian Yue's heart leapt. She withdrew her step, realizing he was welcoming after all. It was as if a thousand butterflies fluttered around her, an indescribable joy blooming within.

Qiao Zhi caught Yu Wen Lingxi’s warning gaze directed at his marauding hand and withdrew it, sheepish. He understood at once—Lingxi was truly invested. Glancing at the now elated Lian Yue, he felt oddly unnecessary, yet reluctant to leave.

"Brother Yu Wen is quite the jokester. I was merely teasing her."

"Hmph..." Lian Yue waved a fist at him in mock threat and strode toward Yu Wen Lingxi.

"How are your injuries? Thank you for today—otherwise, it would have been me who got hurt." She was unaware of the unusual concern in her tone.

Yu Wen Lingxi’s heart trembled, warmed by a gentle current that soothed his battered soul. His voice unconsciously softened, "It’s nothing, just minor injuries. A bit of rest and I’ll be fine."

"But..."

For some reason, Qiao Zhi felt uncomfortable watching their interaction and, compelled by some impulse, stepped forward to interrupt, "All right, all right, do you two see anyone else in the room? Yue, aren’t you tired standing? Sit down, have some tea, then continue chatting."

Lian Yue was annoyed at Qiao Zhi for interrupting, but his warm smile made it hard to get angry, so she took a seat by the table. At this point, she didn’t know what to say, so she pretended to examine the surroundings.

But Lian Yue soon found that every room in the Hidden Sect was arranged identically; aside from the bed not being warm jade, all the furniture was sandalwood, stark and uniform—nothing novel to study.

Moreover, she could distinctly sense a gaze occasionally falling upon her, subtle and elusive, but she couldn’t tell whose it was.

For a moment, the whole room fell silent.

Bluewater, standing nearby, wore a complex expression. She had personally experienced the Soul Severing Array and knew it was not as simple as Lian Yu believed. Though her heart had been focused on Yue Ling Jun at the time, she had seen Yu Wen Lingxi’s suffering—he had fainted, yet remained in agony.

Within the array, the simpler the heart, the less one is affected—like Zhou Ziwen, who hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

Thus, though Yu Wen Lingxi and Lian Yue were engaged in name, Bluewater had always regarded Lian Yue as her own sister and felt some resistance to the match, even favoring Qiao Zhi somewhat.

But seeing Lian Yue’s current behavior, it seemed she had fallen for Yu Wen Lingxi after all, and Bluewater felt torn.