Chapter 206: Each seeks their own needs, mutually utilizing one another.
Lan Yi Xuan leaned back in his chair, remaining perfectly still, not even raising an eyebrow.
"Do you truly think I would believe you?" Liu Xin You furrowed her brow, her voice laced with disdain. She was no naïve child— even a three-year-old would not be fooled. How could she possibly trust someone who had stolen her candy to genuinely go to such lengths to fulfill her wishes?
On that day at Wei Yang Palace, Gong Shao Qiu had already informed her that Lan Yi Xuan not only knew about Xuan Yue being poisoned by the flower of love, but also that she was the one who had administered the poison. This man, though refined and noble, bore a heart that was anything but benevolent. He loathed himself too much to consider helping her—he would rather see her suffer a thousand deaths.
"Lan Yi Xuan, you are no good man." She would not be swayed; even if he were entirely ignorant of her plight, her mistrust extended to all men in this world.
"The pain of unrequited love, is it not unbearable?"
Liu Xin You leaned closer to Lan Yi Xuan, letting out a laugh. She wished him to taste this torment; since she could not punish Ye Wu Ji, let his prized disciple bear her wrath. The cycle of karma was unexpectedly in her favor—perhaps the heavens recognized her suffering over the years and offered her a companion in her torment.
"Are you truly pleased?"
Lan Yi Xuan chuckled softly, his demeanor unruffled. His resentment for this woman ran deeper than that for Gong Shao Hua; if not for her, he might have attained his own happiness.
Liu Xin You, indeed, felt joy from the thrill of her revenge. Yet, even in this moment of triumph, her heart could never be fully joyful, for neither Xuan Yue nor Lan Yi Xuan was the one she yearned for. She longed to inflict upon that person the very pain she had endured over the years, which was precisely why she had come to Lan Yi Xuan, fully aware of his ulterior motives. Ye Wu Ji lingered in this place, burdened with guilt towards her.
"Liu Xin You, I assure you, I come with good intentions." Lan Yi Xuan spoke her name directly, but no ties he shared with Ye Wu Ji or her relationship with Xuan Yue could alter the pain she had caused them, nor could it diminish his hatred for her. This woman's heart was even colder than that of Gong Shao Hua.
Liu Xin You let out a cold laugh as Lan Yi Xuan gazed at her, smirking. "Do you not wish to see my master?"
Liu Xin You froze, her icy gaze sharp. How could she not wish to see him? For over twenty years apart, she had thought of him daily, imagining what she would say and do upon their reunion. Yet, even if she met him, what would it change? Apologies could alter nothing; they would only deepen her resentment.
"Do you not wish to spend time with him? To rekindle your past together?"
Liu Xin You fixed her gaze on Lan Yi Xuan, who maintained his calm, unaffected demeanor—a testament to the training he had received from his master, showing an admirable progression beyond the blue.
To be with her master as they once were on Mount Tian? Each day and night over those twenty years, the memories of their shared moments surfaced in her dreams—meals together, training, gathering herbs. During her illness, he had tenderly cared for her. Despite the years that had passed, her hatred for him had only intensified. Yet, she could never forget those beautiful memories or that gentle face; it felt etched in her mind. With time, the past did not fade—it only grew clearer. Even now, she struggled to comprehend why her master had so callously abandoned her.
"What do you truly want?"
Liu Xin You clapped her hands together and stood up, unconvinced that Lan Yi Xuan had any genuine desire to assist her. He surely harbored ulterior motives that eluded her understanding.
Lan Yi Xuan chuckled lightly, his laughter like the gentle sound of water trickling down a mountain stream, striking a chord within her heart, resonating clearly. He rose to meet Liu Xin You, standing opposite her, a smirk playing on his lips. His nonchalance effectively quelled her fury.
"Would you like to fulfill the wedding that never came to pass with your master?"
Lan Yi Xuan stood, his warm gaze unwavering, confident and resolute.
Since Liu Xin You stood before him, it indicated that she had not completely abandoned hope for Ye Wu Ji. Whether it was love or hate, it was a deeply rooted emotion. Even now, she remained entangled in her feelings, proving she had not moved on. The depth of her love, and the agony of her longing, were palpable.
He understood that Liu Xin You was no fool; like Xuan Yue, she was an exceptionally astute woman. The only difference was that Xuan Yue did not regard love as her singular pursuit. This difference stemmed from their upbringing. In Liu Xin You's world, Ye Wu Ji was not only the man she cherished but also a kin; she held him in such high esteem that she could not let him go. For this reason, he was untroubled by her feelings—he understood her desires perfectly. It was akin to his feelings for Xuan Yue; he vaguely recognized that if Liu Xin You were to tell him he could be with Xuan Yue, he would not believe it. Yet, he would pursue it without hesitation because the allure was too great. What he offered her now was what she had dared not dream of, yet it was precisely what she desired.
For over twenty years, her existence was sustained not only by her hatred for Ye Wu Ji but also by her love and the dreams she had cherished in her youth—those shattered dreams.
Liu Xin You stared blankly at Lan Yi Xuan, her heart in turmoil. She understood she should not trust his words; this was all merely a trap he had intricately crafted. Yet, despite this knowledge, she still yearned to leap into that snare. After more than twenty years of a soulless existence, she had had enough. She could not bear to continue. Now, with her hair turned white, what did her youthful face matter? In truth, she felt like neither a person nor a ghost, utterly alone. Could anything be more terrifying than this? No, nothing.
"On what grounds should I trust you?"
Her voice rose sharply in excitement; she yearned for Lan Yi Xuan to offer her proof. She gazed intently at him, her eyes filled with hope.
"Are those not the very things you long to do? Liu Xin You, do you have another choice?"
Had she completely let go, perhaps there would be an alternative. But she was still trapped in her feelings. Regardless of whether Lan Yi Xuan's words held any truth, she would believe him, for that was hope. Whether love or hate, she still wished to be with Ye Wu Ji. Even in death, she wanted to take him with her. Her madness was a stubborn obsession.
Were there truly other options? In reality, she could turn away and leave, yet Lan Yi Xuan knew she would not. Even if it were a lie or a trap, she would still dare to try.
As Lan Yi Xuan passed by her, he moved with an air of leisure, unperturbed.
"Have you thought this through? I can give you time to consider." He was not in a hurry; he had all the time in the world for this matter.
"Why are you doing this?" Liu Xin You turned, her icy gaze betraying her agitation, struggle, and hesitation, ultimately morphing into a frigid confusion.
"Each seeks their own needs, mutually utilizing one another."
"Once you have come to a decision, let me know your answer," Lan Yixuan said with a light chuckle.
After speaking, he turned away without hesitation. Liu Xinyou quickly caught up, blocking his path. "Take me to see Ye Wujie."
Lan Yixuan smiled faintly, unperturbed by Liu Xinyou's urgency. The so-called rationality was merely an illusion, a façade that would crumble upon encountering the one who could drive one to madness. Just like him at this moment, he had never felt such an overwhelming desire to pursue this course of action.
"Very well."
As Lan Yixuan reached the door, Lei Yun and Lei An, standing outside, caught sight of the figures reflected in the door and swiftly pushed it open.
"Lei An, take her to meet the Master," Lan Yixuan instructed, his tone calm. Lei An glanced between Lan Yixuan and Liu Xinyou before leading the way for her.
"Master," Lei Yun called softly, watching Lei An and Liu Xinyou retreat down the corridor. "Why is the Young Master doing this?"
His voice was barely above a whisper. He understood he should not be questioning such matters, yet his curiosity overwhelmed him. Although Ye Taifu was the Young Master's mentor, they had not interacted much over the years. Why was the Young Master going to such lengths to summon him, especially when he had also brought along Xuan Yue's master? What was the connection between Ye Taifu and Xuan Yue's mentor?
"This will bring a sense of joy to my heart," he replied, embarking on an endeavor he believed might bring him happiness. Except for a select few, no one could comprehend his intentions—not even Lei Yun, who was usually in tune with his thoughts.
"Lei Yun."
Lan Yixuan called gently, "If one day my mother were to meet that man, what do you think would happen?"
Lei Yun was taken aback, staring at the already distant Liu Xinyou. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "If you are burdened with unspoken pain, you may share it with me. Aren't you going to see the Taifu?"
He wondered how the Taifu would react to Liu Xinyou being suddenly sent over.
"At this moment, he would likely prefer not to see me."
Is it painful to love without being loved in return? Two people who care for each other yet can only avoid one another each day—that feeling is truly agonizing. If one person loves openly and fervently, while the other refrains from expressing their feelings and harbors resentment, deliberately avoiding the other, that too would be unbearable. He merely wished for Liu Xinyou to experience such torment. Before long, she would come to realize that the suffering endured over the past twenty years might amount to nothing at all.
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