Chapter 205: Revenge on Liu Xinyou
The night had deepened, and the Snow Orchid Palace of Lan Kingdom lay shrouded in silence.
"Young Master, Cheng Qiang's army has arrived at Ye City and is now united with Miss Xianyue."
Lan Yixuan responded indifferently, continuing to review the memorials. Given Cheng Qiang's marching speed, they should have reached Ye City by now.
"The Xuanyuan army has departed from the camp city—"
Lei Yun glanced at Lan Yixuan but chose not to elaborate. Over the years, he, along with Lei An and the Young Master, had traversed much of the Great Zhou; no one understood better than him the time it took to journey from the camp city to the Bi Luo River. Bai Chu and Chu Kingdom were separated by the Bi Luo River, and if Xuanyuan intended to annex Bai Chu, they would have to cross it. With Xuanyuan Hao's ambition, he would surely not allow the river to impede his advance.
The Xuanyuan soldiers were adept at warfare, advancing with ferocity and vigor, and Xuanyuan Hao was no easy opponent. Since the Young Master regarded him as his only rival in the quest for dominion, there must be considerable merit in him. Was the Young Master not the least bit concerned?
"Lan Kingdom and Xuanyuan are bound for a fierce battle at the Bi Luo River. Are you not worried about Miss Xianyue at all?"
Lei An, unable to contain himself, posed the question directly.
During this time, he and Lei Yun had remained by Lan Yixuan's side. He was a straightforward person, sensing that Lan Yixuan had grown more taciturn than before, yet this change was too subtle for him to fully grasp.
Didn't the Young Master love Miss Xianyue dearly? Had he not once risked his life for her? The battlefield was fraught with peril; how could he bear to leave her alone? Moreover, upon learning that Miss Xianyue resided at the Bai Manor, he appeared entirely unperturbed. Was he not even a little jealous? Could it be that he had changed his heart? Lei An could hardly believe it. A love that had once driven the Young Master to risk everything could not so easily dissipate. Besides, if he had indeed changed his affections, he would not have uttered such words in the Yu Xuan Palace today. The more Lei An pondered, the more perplexed he felt, unable to make sense of it all.
"Lei An," Lei Yun called softly. Could he not see how deeply the Young Master was already pained?
"Let him speak," Lan Yixuan replied, laying down his pen and casting a measured glance at Lei Yun, signaling Lei An to continue.
"Lady Bai is troubled day and night over this matter. Why does the Young Master not show any reaction?" Lei An's voice was low, yet tinged with unmistakable discontent. He simply could not understand how Miss Xianyue and the Young Master had come to such a state. After enduring so many trials, they had finally managed to be together; were they not meant to share both joy and adversity and live happily? Yet the reality was that the Young Master was preoccupied with the duplicitous courtiers of Lan Kingdom while Miss Xianyue faced the fierce Xuanyuan. This was utterly contrary to his expectations.
"Lei Yun, Lei An, you may leave now."
Lan Yixuan rubbed his temples, his brows slightly furrowing.
"Young Master."
Lei An still wished to say something more but was pulled away by Lei Yun, who dragged him out.
"Why are you stopping me?" As they reached the doorway, Lei An brushed off Lei Yun's hand, his face a mask of indignation.
"Could you not see how exasperated the Young Master already is?" Surely, he had his reasons for parting ways with Miss Xianyue.
"But that does not mean we can disregard her affairs," Lei An retorted, still seething. "That is a battlefield, fraught with danger, and the opponent is Xuanyuan Hao. Aren't you worried about Miss Xianyue?"
"If the Young Master truly did not care, would he still ask us to report daily on Miss Xianyue's situation?"
Seated in his chair, Lan Yixuan listened intently to the exchange between Lei Yun and Lei An.
He was not unconcerned; yet even in his worry, his apprehensions differed entirely from those of the young lady of Bai Manor. Bai Zhanfeng's heart and mind were wholly consumed by Xianyue; it was only natural that she would feel discomfort and anxiety. But for him, he had faith in Xianyue. At least regarding their feelings, he would never question her. He understood that she held no romantic sentiments for Bai Zhanfeng; regardless of what she did, even in silence, he grasped her intentions. Thus, he would not lose sleep over baseless worries; his concerns lay elsewhere.
A fierce battle between Xuanyuan Hao and Xianyue was inevitable at the Bi Luo River. The woman he admired was resourceful and cunning; he trusted she could handle it. Yet being in Lan Kingdom, he felt uneasy.
Before departing, she had vowed to manage everything for him. This splendid land was her recompense to him, and concerning Gong Shaohua's matter, he sometimes wondered: if she were to suffer defeat, and if Xuanyuan Hao were to rise as the sovereign of this realm, would she then offer herself as his compensation, pledging to remain by his side for eternity?
He never regretted encountering Xianyue. He scorned women who would sacrifice their lives for him, yet he willingly gave his life for a woman who did not hold him in her heart.
Secretly, he hoped this conflict would not conclude swiftly. If it ended too quickly, if victory came too soon, she would depart from his side. How lonely it would be at such heights; no matter how beautiful the landscape, what meaning was there without someone to share it? He did not want her to leave him. If the battlefield were to endure endlessly, then she, Feng Xianyue, would still be his, Lan Yixuan's woman, maintaining their connection. Just the thought of not knowing where she was caused unease in his heart; he even wished she could linger at Bai Manor a little longer. Despite the swirling rumors, he would feel no fear.
The night was eerily quiet, and leaning back in his chair, Lan Yixuan's slightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed. He abruptly opened his eyes as the study door swung open. Gazing at the suddenly appearing Liu Xinyou, the corners of his lips curved upward as he sat up straight. "You have come."
Clearly, he was not at all surprised by Liu Xinyou's arrival.
"Did you not summon me here?"
Liu Xinyou's gaze swept over Lan Yixuan, revealing the usual icy resentment along with a hint of schadenfreude.
As she spoke, Liu Xinyou settled into the seat opposite Lan Yixuan. Just as she became comfortable, Lei Yun and Lei An burst in, their expressions revealing no shock at Liu Xinyou's sudden appearance. The Young Master had previously dispatched someone to seek Liu Xinyou's whereabouts, so her presence here was not surprising to them.
Although Liu Xinyou was Xianyue's mentor, both of them regarded her with unfriendly expressions. Anyone capable of provoking such fury in Miss Xianyue could hardly be deemed a good person. In the past, at the Pear Blossom Pavilion, she must have mistreated Miss Xianyue.
"Young Master," both called as they bowed to Lan Yixuan.
"Swift in your movements," he remarked.
Liu Xinyou turned around, crossing her legs in a casual manner, a posture reminiscent of Xianyue; yet, compared to Xianyue, she lacked a certain elegance and composure. Her cold, rigid face evoked little warmth or sympathy.
The duo of Lei Yun and Lei An, trained personally by Lan Yixuan, were far more alert and nimble than the mediocre Yulin Army. Although Liu Xinyou was adept at climbing walls and leaping across rooftops, her blatant audacity left little room for doubt; having already arrived at Xuelan Palace, they could not be oblivious to her presence.
"You may leave," Lan Yixuan instructed the intruding Lei Yun and Lei An.
"Young Master."
Lei An called out anxiously, his gaze fixed on Liu Xinyou, brimming with wariness. It was only through the combined strength of himself, Bai Zhanfeng, and Xuan Yuanhao that they had subdued Liu Xinyou last time in Panzhong, illustrating her formidable prowess. If she intended harm toward Lan Yixuan, he would undoubtedly be in danger.
Lei Yun exchanged a glance with Lei An before pulling him outside, shutting the door behind them and standing guard.
The young master never engaged in battles without certainty. If Liu Xinyou truly wished to harm him, their presence alone might not suffice to stop her.
"Ye Wujie is also here."
The mere mention of Ye Wujie's name elicited a sharpness in his tone, laced with deep-seated hatred, as if a storm was brewing at sea, threatening to engulf all in its path.
"Hmm." Lan Yixuan responded lightly, his fingers slowly unclenching beneath his sleeve. The slight upward curve of his lips revealed his customary gentle smile, betraying no hint of disturbance.
This very individual had obliterated the happiness he could have claimed. He had never known he could harbor such animosity towards another; even Gong Shaohua had not elicited such feelings. Despite his attempts to suppress it, an uncontrollable rage simmered within him, threatening to consume his reason.
Upon returning from the Chu Kingdom, he had harbored immense hope for the future. Thus, when Jun Pinyu revealed that fateful information, he found it impossible to accept—happiness so near, yet not his to grasp. In that moment, he felt a destructive impulse, wishing for the entire world to share in his torment. Now, the architect of his anguish sat before him.
He had considered killing her in a fit of rage; it was not beyond his capability, yet such a direct approach...
Initially, upon hearing the news, he had been seized by that impulse. However, witnessing Xianyue's suffering during that time altered his perspective. For Liu Xinyou, death held no true terror; though she had endured pain these past years, like Gong Shaohua, her spirit remained unbroken.
"What do you want from me?"
Liu Xinyou cut to the chase, her gaze lingering on Lan Yixuan with a hint of faint admiration, her emotions hidden from view. He indeed possessed the aura of a sovereign, yet how tragic that despite being capable of ruling the realm, the woman for whom he would forsake his life remained forever beyond his reach.
"And what if I told you it was to fulfill a senior's unfulfilled wish?"
Lan Yixuan extended his hand, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table, a captivating cadence echoing in the air. He regarded Gong Shaohua, his jade-like eyes exuding an aura of unwavering conviction. Liu Xinyou gazed back at him, as if she had just heard the most absurd joke. After a moment, she suddenly burst into laughter.
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