Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The cold moon hung high in the sky, casting its clear light upon the corridor of Leng Mansion.
Leng Shaoqing stood quietly there, his figure elongated by the moonlight.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind him. The sound paused for a moment before gradually fading away in the opposite direction.
He slowly turned around, his gaze sharp, and indeed caught sight of that familiar silhouette. His heart tightened, and he blurted out, "How long are you going to avoid me?"
Bai Youlian froze at the sound of his voice, slowly turning around. Her expression was calm as she countered, "Why should I avoid you?"
Leng Shaoqing approached with steady steps, his tall figure looming over her as he slightly looked down at her, urgency and questioning lacing his tone. "That’s a question I should be asking. You've been avoiding me everywhere these days—what's the reason?"
"You and I are ultimately different in gender; logically, we shouldn't be too close," Bai Youlian replied with a neutral expression and a calm tone, though her eyes instinctively darted away.
Leng Shaoqing's eyes darkened suddenly, a flicker of disappointment and confusion crossing his face.
At that moment, the steward hurried over and respectfully said, "Master, Master Xu from Xu's Tailoring Shop has arrived. What would you like to do?"
"Bring him to my room!" Bai Youlian's eyes brightened instantly, a hint of anticipation appearing on her face as she lifted her foot to leave.
But Leng Shaoqing reached out to stop her. His brow furrowed, displeasure evident on his face. "Didn’t we just say there are differences between men and women? Calling a tailor into your room—aren't you afraid of gossip?"
"Master Xu is here to make me a new cheongsam; what's inappropriate about that?" Bai Youlian's expression turned cold as she sidestepped him and walked straight toward the room with quick and determined steps.
"I can only see you once every half month; it hurts just thinking about it!" A man's deep yet gentle voice came from inside the room.
"Shh, be careful not to let anyone hear..." Bai Youlian responded softly right after.
The door slammed shut, and fragmented words accompanied by the rustling of silk fabric reached Leng Shaoqing's ears.
His face instantly turned pale, and reason told him he shouldn’t care or listen, yet his feet felt rooted to the ground, unable to move. His body stiffened with anger and shock.
She actually... With a loud "bang," he could no longer contain the fury within him and kicked the door open.
Inside the room, the two were startled by this sudden intrusion and hurriedly separated.
Bai Youlian's gaze fell on Leng Shaoqing, momentarily stunned, her eyes filled with surprise and embarrassment. How could it be him? She had thought it was... Soon, a look of shame and anger crossed her face, her almond-shaped eyes wide open as she shouted, "Leng Shaoqing, what kind of behavior is this?!"
Leng Shaoqing glared at the man named Xu Sheng, his eyes seemingly ready to spit fire as he spat out a single word through gritted teeth: "Get out!"
Xu Sheng appeared quite frightened, scrambling out in a hurry. Leng Shaoqing stepped toward Bai Youlian, a strange and mocking smile on his face. "You say you're trying to please that Japanese for the sake of the Leng Family. What about this Xu? A mere tailor—how could he possibly help the Leng Family or you?"
Bai Youlian shook her head gently, a complex expression crossing her face as she replied softly, "He can't help me with anything, but I just like him."
"What did you say?" Leng Shaoqing looked at her in disbelief, his eyes filled with hurt and confusion.
"That day you asked me why I married into the Leng Family and married your uncle? Let me tell you."
Bai Youlian smiled, but there was a hint of bitterness and determination in her expression. "Everything was my choice. I am that kind of person; I like having power in my hands. I enjoy having men revolve around me. I've had enough of my past hardships—do you understand? The mistake was yours for not telling me who you were. Otherwise, maybe compared to Leng Kun, I would have chosen someone younger."
"You—" Leng Shaoqing's eyes widened in disbelief at her words.
"Bai Youlian!" She interrupted him, her tone becoming firm. "I won’t hold previous matters against you anymore. But from today on, remember this: in the current Leng Family, I am in charge. If you continue to behave as you did that night or today, you can pack your things and move out!"
The lake shimmered in emerald green, and the mountains stood like dark shadows.
Once, she had smiled brightly and said, "Shaoqing, I will wait for you, whether it’s four years or forty years, I will wait for you..."
Yet, it turned out that she had long forgotten all of that.
He would never forget the feeling he had when he rushed back due to his uncle's death, only to see the woman from his dreams dressed in mourning attire sitting in the main hall.
The woman who had promised to wait for him four years ago had married his uncle and become the matriarch of the Leng Family Manor. She was now his Aunt, no longer the beloved he once knew by the shores of Xiang E Lake.
Leng Shaoqing stared at Bai Youlian as if she were a stranger. After a long moment, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a bitter smile. "Aunt's teachings have been remembered by your nephew. I only hope Aunt also remembers what a proper widow should not do."
He walked to the door but suddenly turned back, as if murmuring to himself, "Sometimes I truly don’t understand how four years can change a person."
It was not until the door closed again that Bai Youlian slowly sat down and pulled out a newspaper from beneath her new cheongsam.
The newspaper bore news from the day before: several miners from Tushan had gone missing without a trace.
Her fingertips curled slightly as she recalled Leng Shaoqing asking her why she had married into the Leng Family. Why?
A fleeting sadness crossed her eyes because this was her mission; she must remain here until...
Comment 0 Comment Count