Chapter Forty-Eight: Ling Jun’s Selfishness

Update time: June 17, 2013

Lian Yue slept straight through to noon, only to be awakened by Lan Shui. The carriage had stopped before a roadside tea stall.

Inside the carriage, Lian Yue stretched indulgently and tidied her appearance before stepping down. The tea stall was small, now entirely taken over by Qing Feng. Though modest, its fare catered to travelers, offering simple dishes with a distinctive flavor. For Lian Yue, everything was novel; her first meal away from home was pleasant.

After eating, Lian Yue returned to the carriage. They were to reach their first stop, Mianli City, by evening. The afternoon’s journey was less smooth than the morning’s, and by the time they arrived, Lian Yue felt thoroughly rattled. As soon as the carriage halted, she eagerly got out, savoring the sensation of solid ground beneath her feet.

Qing Feng had arranged everything along the way, saving them much trouble. Now, he had already booked their lodgings and reserved a private dining room for the evening.

After the exhausting afternoon, Lian Yue had little appetite. She ate a few bites, then followed the inn’s attendant to the upper room specially prepared for her.

Mianli City could not compare to Lingyang City in scale; the so-called upper room was merely more spacious and clean. It was nothing like home, but travel always fell short of comfort. Lian Yue felt only fatigue and did not complain.

Once hot water was brought, she washed simply and, attended by Zi Zhu, soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, the journey continued. This time, several soft pillows had been placed in the carriage—such thoughtful care could only be from Lan Shui. Lian Yue embraced Lan Shui, showering her with thanks. The day passed, and she felt less discomfort than before.

Yet, after several days of relentless travel, by the fifth day, Lian Yue was struggling. At dinner, she finally voiced her first complaint.

“Big brother, can I ride a horse tomorrow?”

Yue Lingjun looked at his little sister’s weary face, feeling a pang of guilt. His thoughts had been consumed by their elder sister lately, neglecting Lian Yue. The carriage, though comfortable, had proved tiresome after days of travel.

“Just one more day, Yue’er. Tomorrow night, we’ll reach Heluo Prefecture and rest in the city for two days.”

Lian Yue’s face fell at the prospect of another day in the carriage, oblivious to Lan Shui’s discomfort beside her. “Then I want to ride a horse tomorrow!”

“Alright!”

With his promise, Lian Yue, exhausted, returned to her room. Zi Zhu massaged her for a while before she had the energy to bathe and wash. Her hair still damp, she fell asleep.

Seeing this, Lan Shui took the cloth from Zi Ling’s hands and said softly, “Rest for a bit. I’ll do it.”

Zi Zhu, who had accompanied Lian Yue throughout the journey, was also worn out. Gratefully, she handed over the cloth and settled onto a stool at the table.

She tried to stay awake, holding her head in her hands, but soon succumbed, sleeping with her head on the table.

Lan Shui had meant to ask her for another cloth, but seeing her asleep, she rose to fetch it herself.

Once Lian Yue’s hair was dry, Lan Shui covered her with a thin blanket, closed the window curtains, and went to wake Zi Zhu.

Zi Zhu opened her eyes groggily, realizing she had fallen asleep. She glanced at the bed, saw that Lan Shui had finished everything, and murmured apologetically, “Thank you, Sister Lan. I…”

Lan Shui silenced her with a gesture and waved her off, quietly leaving Lian Yue’s room.

Lan Shui’s room was next door.

She had just stepped inside when she saw a shadow before the bed. Startled, she recognized who it was.

What must come, will come. A bitter smile touched Lan Shui’s lips as she went to the table and lit the lamp.

The room brightened. The figure facing the window turned—it was Yue Lingjun.

“Yue’er is asleep.”

“Mm.”

Silence filled the room, broken only by the crackle of the candle.

Neither moved. At last, Yue Lingjun broke the quiet.

“You still won’t change your mind?”

Lan Shui lowered her gaze, hiding a flash of pain, and removed a silver hairpin from her head, prodding the flickering wick as she replied coldly, “No.”

The single word weighed like a thousand pounds on Yue Lingjun’s heart, leaving him breathless. Unwilling, he pressed, “Why?”

Lan Shui focused on the lamp, refusing to answer.

Yue Lingjun forced himself to bear the pain. “So many years have passed. Cousin Qin Che is married with children. If he truly cared for you, how could he—”

A sharp crack cut him off. Lan Shui had snapped the silver hairpin in two.

Yue Lingjun looked at her with complicated emotions, berating himself for raising the subject.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring it up.”

“I know.” The hairpin broken, Lan Shui sat quietly, doing nothing. Yet her calm only made others more uneasy.

Yue Lingjun hesitated. “Perhaps we should bypass Heluo Prefecture.”

“No need. You’ve already promised Yue’er.”

Rarely, Lan Shui’s reply was longer than usual.

Yue Lingjun pursed his lips, swallowing his words.

“Then rest early. I’ll go to my room.”

Lan Shui did not answer. Yue Lingjun looked at her deeply before closing the door softly behind him.

The bitter smile on his face deepened. Perhaps he was being too obvious; she must have guessed his intentions. Well, if she guessed, so be it. She had long understood his feelings. Perhaps, seeing it for herself this time, she would let go.

The cousin Lian Yu spoke of, who had so deeply wounded Lan Shui, was Qiao Che, living in Heluo Prefecture. His mother was Yue Zhanpeng’s only sister, Yue Shiru, and his father was the prefect of Heluo.

If Lian Yue and her party stayed in Heluo, they would inevitably visit, and Qiao Che would surely be present.

Aside from personal motives, their father, Yue Zhanpeng, had specifically instructed this.

The next morning, Yue Lingjun fulfilled Lian Yue’s request. She finally escaped the torment of the carriage, joyfully riding a horse.

But the pleasant weather did not last. Though not yet hot, by noon the sun was blazing.

In the end, Lian Yue sheepishly returned to the carriage.

Zi Zhu hurriedly fanned her and gave her a glass of plum juice to cool off.

Lian Yue set her tea down, panting, “Why is it so hot!”

“Isn’t it, though?” Zi Zhu replied, her fan never stopping.

Lan Shui, however, remained silent, staring out the window, lost in thought.

Lian Yue poked Zi Zhu, mouthed, “What’s wrong?”

Zi Zhu shook her head, mimicking, “She’s been like this since boarding.”

Lian Yue understood. Considering her brother’s mood today, perhaps something had happened between them.

No longer bothered by the heat, she moved to Lan Shui’s side, waving a small hand before her eyes. When Lan Shui returned to herself, Lian Yue asked, “Sister Lan, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just too hot. I’m a bit tired.”

The excuse was flimsy, and Lian Yue did not believe it. Seeing Lan Shui’s reluctance to speak, she tried to distract her.

“Sister Lan, I just asked my brother—we should reach Heluo Prefecture in about an hour.” At this, Lian Yue stalled. Heluo Prefecture—wasn’t that…

As expected, Lan Shui’s expression changed instantly.

Lian Yue’s frustration rose; she rolled up her sleeves, shouting toward the driver, “Stop! Stop!”

Yue Lingjun quickly rode up to the window. “What’s the matter, Yue’er?”

“Big brother, I have something to ask you.”

When the carriage stopped, Lian Yue ignored Lan Shui’s attempt to stop her and jumped out, fuming.

Yue Lingjun glanced at his angry sister, then at the helpless Lan Shui, guessing what had happened.

“I know what you want to ask. Let’s talk aside.”

He dismounted, handed the reins to Qing Luan, and strode toward the woods.

Lian Yue followed. As soon as Yue Lingjun stopped, she demanded, “Did you deliberately set our stop in Heluo Prefecture? Don’t you know about Sister Lan?”

“If I said father insisted on Heluo, would you believe it?”

Yue Lingjun’s gaze was intense.

Lian Yue remembered that besides her cousin, her aunt lived in Heluo. Embarrassed, her anger faded. “I believe…”

She looked at Yue Lingjun, uncertain. “Then what about Sister Lan?”

“It’s been years. It’s time to face it. Don’t you think cousin owes Lan Shui an explanation?”

Yue Lingjun successfully persuaded Lian Yue—it was time to clear things up. With the matter settled, she turned to return.

Yue Lingjun spoke again, “Honestly, I have personal motives too. If Lan Shui can finally let go, maybe she’ll try to accept me. Or maybe she’ll hate me more.”

Lian Yue’s heart ached for him. She turned to her conflicted brother and comforted him, “Sister Lan won’t. Don’t worry, big brother. You have me!”

Yue Lingjun still wore a bitter smile. Having decided, he could not turn back. One must take a chance, or else never know the outcome.

Perhaps, things would turn out well.

That was the only hope Yue Lingjun could hold.

“Come on, let’s go back!” He forced a smile and headed for the carriage.

Following him, Lian Yue pondered how to handle matters in Heluo Prefecture, seeking a way to satisfy everyone.

Back in the carriage, she continued to strategize until they stopped again.

“Huh, are we there?” She looked out the window—still not in the city, and puzzled, asked, “Why are we stopped?”

“I’ll ask.” Zi Zhu knocked on the carriage door, “Why have we stopped?”

“Please wait, miss. Young master met someone he knows and asked us to wait,” Qing Luan’s voice came through the door.

Lian Yue was curious, but her mind was elsewhere. She sat quietly, running through her plans.