Chapter 22: Chapter 22: To Kill or Not
The horsewhip was tightly held in Ning Yin's hand as Yu Lingxi forcefully pulled it, but it remained motionless.
"Let go!"
Yu Lingxi stared at Ning Yin with wet, red eyes, in a standoff.
Ning Yin didn't loosen his grip; instead, he tightened it, winding his arm around the whip twice.
"Miss is delicate; another strike, and your hand will be useless."
His expression was solemn, but his voice was incredibly gentle, "How many more strikes do you have left? I'll endure them for you."
With a flick of his wrist, the whip slipped from Yu Lingxi's hand, coiling like a black snake around his slender and strong forearm.
Yu Lingxi, disarmed and with a burning pain in her palms, had exhausted all her strength in the previous two strikes.
"I won't hit you."
She stood tall, lips pursed, "If you don't understand why the whip falls, what's the point of being punished? It will only make you vent your anger even more on others."
Ning Yin looked at her for a moment, then said, "I am not wrong."
"Your past hardships might justify self-defense. However, now, you are indulging in the pleasure of orchestrating cruelty for your own desires."
This version of Ning Yin resembled his past self, causing bloodshed at the slightest displeasure. Today, he might kill Xue Cen, and tomorrow, it could be her father, brother, or any innocent person in the world.
"So, Miss, are you going to expose me?"
Ning Yin's mouth twitched, and Yu Lingxi guessed he wanted to smile, "Or are you going to drive me away again?"
With Ning Yin's revealed ruthless nature, neither of these options would work.
Yu Lingxi was well aware that if she had decided to take him in, she should bear the corresponding risks and consequences. If she abandoned him in the face of setbacks halfway, she would be no different from those hypocritical pseudo-gentlemen with powerful influences.
"I will tell everyone that you appeared here tonight because I was worried about Xue Erlang and had you come early to deliver a message. Our conversation is private, and none of the attendants are aware."
After a pause, Yu Lingxi told the unyielding black-hearted youth in front of her, "Now, you have two choices. Either come back to the mansion with me, or use your usual methods to kill everyone here and silence them."
Ning Yin's eyelashes trembled, and he suddenly looked up.
The girl in front of him was shivering in the cold, but her eyes were unexpectedly stubborn and calm.
"If you choose to kill, then kill me first."
She said, "Otherwise, as long as I have breath in my body, I won't let you harm a single hair on the people around me."
Ning Yin laughed, a laugh that sounded insane, yet also charming.
Even in his eyes, there was no trace of cruelty. He spoke politely, "Miss has torn through the veil of guise, aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid."
In matters of life and death, how could one not be afraid?
But Yu Lingxi understood Ning Yin. If he really intended to kill and silence, he wouldn't waste so many words.
When she was drowning in the lake, Ning Yin had the opportunity to kill her. He didn't even need to personally intervene; just like when he coldly watched Xue Cen drown, within half an incense stick's time, she would have perished.
In that way, no one would know he had been here. However, Ning Yin jumped down and pulled her out from the bottom of the lake.
Yu Lingxi decided to take another gamble; after all, the madman liked to bet with his life, didn't he?
She even took a step forward, then another, her wet dress adhering to the graceful curves of her body. Water droplets from her hair fell onto Ning Yin's suede boots, creating dark wet marks.
In her past life, with nothing to lose, she managed to survive in Ning Yin's unpredictable and violent temperament for a long time. In this life, she had everything she needed. Was she afraid of dealing with Ning Yin, who was not yet mature?
The lantern swayed slightly, and the shadows on the wall almost overlapped, one high and one low.
After soaking in the lake for a long time, even their breaths felt damp. When Yu Lingxi raised her head and looked up, Ning Yin suddenly increased the force on the hand holding the whip, and his knuckles turned somewhat pale.
"Now, are you going to kill me?"
She resisted the desire to shrink back, looked at Ning Yin's cold and pale face up close, and repeated, "Will you kill me?"
Ning Yin, with half-lowered eyes, remained motionless.
As if centuries had passed, Yu Lingxi nodded understandingly, "Alright, then I'll go back to the mansion now."
Ning Yin made no attempt to stop her.
"Do you still want to come with me?" Yu Lingxi asked.
Ning Yin just looked at her and nodded.
Yu Lingxi could see a reflection of her small self in Ning Yin's eyes.
She stubbornly kept her eyes open until she confirmed that the young man had no intention of leaving. Then, she took a step back, turned around, and boarded the carriage. As she entered the carriage, she glanced at the side. Ning Yin had not left, nor did he make any dangerous moves.
Yu Lingxi knew that at least it was safe for now.
It was colde and painful. After the forced composure dissipated, the suppressed cold and pain rushed back, invading every part of her body. She took the cloak from the carriage to wrap around her trembling body and leaned against the carriage wall, exhausted.
Opening her palm, she saw two intersecting red and swollen whip marks, with a little fresh blood seeping from the purple-red broken skin.
Her nose tingled with bitterness. Yu Lingxi touched the broken skin on her palm, biting her lip without making a sound. In her two lifetimes, even during the most difficult times, she had never experienced such intense physical pain.
But she didn't regret using the whip she had dropped; those two lashes woke her up. She once harbored a sense of luck but forgot that an extremely twisted personality could not be formed overnight. She couldn't separate the madman from her past life and the young man before her now; Ning Yin was Ning Yin.
To deal with Ning Yin, she had to be even crazier than him.
Back at the Yu Mansion, her parents had already heard the news of Xue Cen falling into the lake, resulting in chaos once again.
Changing into dry clothes, Lady Yu led Yu Lingxi to her quarter. Applying medicine to Yu Lingxi's palm, Lady Yu looked at the swelling in her precious daughter's palm, her heart aching, causing her eyebrows to furrow.
Yu Lingxi's thoughts were smooth, leaning on the desk and blinking at Lady Yu, "The lake was too dark, and I accidentally made a mess. Mother, don't worry, it doesn't hurt anymore."
Lady Yu, with red eyes, gently touched her daughter's hair.
Since childhood, her little daughter had been delicate and frail, crying even from minor bumps. However, since waking up from a severe illness last autumn, she had grown a lot overnight.
Clearly fifteen or sixteen years old, she exhibited a gentleness and resilience beyond her age, making people even more heartbroken.
"You, always so reckless."
Lady Yu tenderly wrapped the bandage, holding her daughter's fingertips in her palm. She sighed suddenly, "If there could be a warm-hearted person who knows everything, protecting you for a lifetime, I would be content."
"Daughter doesn't want anyone to protect her, just wants to stay by parents' side."
Yu Lingxi understood the implication in Lady Yu's words. After a while, she spoke lightly but firmly, "Mother, my feelings for Xue Erlang are only that of siblings, with no romantic intentions."
After Yu Lingxi left, Lady Yu sat alone in the hall for a long time.
Until a warmth on her shoulder, General Yu's large hand embraced her. His resolute face showed a trace of tenderness, "Madam, what are you thinking about here?"
Lady Yu returned to her senses, relaxed her eyebrows, and smiled, "I was thinking that Sui Sui, who has always been delicate, dared to jump into the icy pool to save Xue Erlang."
Speaking of this, General Yu also sighed lightly, "I didn't expect Sui Sui to go to such lengths for Xue Cen."
"But just now, Sui Sui said she only has brotherly affection for Xue Erlang."
Lady Yu was troubled, "What do you think Sui Sui is thinking?"
"Leaving other matters aside, Xue Cen is a sincere person."
After pondering for a long time, General Yu spoke in a deep voice, "Now, the Eastern Palace is watching closely. We can't let this drag on."
The matter of his daughter's lifelong decision was hastily decided under the pressure of the Eastern Palace, akin to a gamble.
Lady Yu sighed, "If Sui Sui could have a husband who truly loves her, that would be great. As long as he is willing to risk his life to protect her and keep her safe, even if his family background is not prominent, I would accept it."
"It's useless to think about these now. To choose the lesser of two evils, marrying Sui Sui to someone who genuinely loves her is better than marrying her to someone who doesn't."
General Yu comforted, "Go to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll take Sui Sui to the Xue Mansion and see their attitude."
...
The next day, Yu Lingxi prepared medicinal gifts and went to the Xue Mansion with General Yu to pay a visit. After all, the incident involving Xue Cen falling into the lake was related to her, and the two families had a longstanding relationship. In terms of both sentiment and reason, she needed to visit.
When she went down the steps, she subconsciously reached out her right hand, intending to hold onto the arm of the attendant to board the carriage.
Unexpectedly, with a glimpse from the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar arm wearing a leather wrist guard. Following the arm upwards, she saw Ning Yin's unmistakably handsome face.
The events of the previous night seemed to have never happened. He stood calmly at the steps, ready to assist her in her journey back to the mansion.
Yu Lingxi's fingertips hesitated for a moment, then she casually switched to her left hand, holding onto the other side of the attendant's arm. Her left hand, which had received two lashes the previous night, was now wrapped in rough white gauze, particularly eye-catching.
Ning Yin's eyes darkened. The whip marks from the previous night seemed to be etched in his heart, and all he could see in his mind was her trembling and injured palm.
But Yu Lingxi didn't say a word to him. Without a sound, she held the arm of another man and boarded the carriage, leaving without a word.
He slowly lowered his arm and stood there for a long time.
Still angry.
Xue Mansion.
Yu Lingxi had just stepped down from the carriage when she encountered an old acquaintance in front of the Xue Mansion. The steward of the Xue Mansion bowed apologetically and smiled, "I'm sorry, Miss Zhao. Our Second Young Master is still unwell and cannot receive guests."
Zhao Yuming, looking concerned, took two packets of medicinal herbs from the maid's hands and handed them to the steward, saying, "In that case, please have these delivered to the Second Young Master."
Turning around and seeing Yu Lingxi, Zhao Yuming paused for a moment, then tactfully avoided eye contact and said, "Uncle, cousin Lingxi."
After exchanging greetings, the steward of the Xue Mansion respectfully ushered the father and daughter of the Yu family through the main gate.
As the beast-head gate of the Xue Mansion closed before their eyes, a servant from the Zhao Mansion spat, "Dogs look down on people. Why should they be allowed in?"
Zhao Yuming stared at the closed gate for a long time, furrowing her brows, "Hongzhu, don't speak nonsense."
The Xue Mansion was spacious, and the main hall, while seemingly simple and elegant without extravagant decorations, was made from the finest materials. Every beam and pillar, every lacquered column used the best wood, making the main hall alone worth more than the entire residence of other wealthy families.
Artworks adorned every corner, and the fragrance of ink and brush permeated the air, showcasing the grandeur of a century-old aristocratic family.
"Younger sister!"
From outside the hall came a few suppressed coughs. Xue Cen, upon hearing that the father and daughter from the Yu family had come to visit, hastily threw on a robe and hurried over.
Still unwell, Xue Cen's complexion was slightly wan, but he remained clear and refined.
Perhaps due to the rush, he didn't tie up his hair and instead loosely fastened a bamboo-green ribbon at the end of his hair. This added a touch of gentle scholarly charm, and he smiled, asking, "Second sister, where is General Yu?"
"In discussion with your father. I was allowed to stroll around freely," Yu Lingxi replied, standing up. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "Is Brother Cen all right?"
She was referring to the incident of falling into the lake the previous night.
"Drank too much water, felt heavy-headed all night, but seeing my younger sister has made me feel much better," Xue Cen answered.
The more tolerant and generous he was, the more guilty Yu Lingxi felt.
"I'm sorry, Brother Cen."
Her voice lowered, and she said earnestly, "If not for me, if I hadn't arrived late, you wouldn't have experienced all this."
Xue Cen was taken aback, then softened his gaze, saying, "It has nothing to do with you, younger sister. Don't blame yourself."
He clenched his fist against his lips and coughed lightly. Then, with a slightly hoarse voice, he said, "Actually, I'm glad you didn't arrive on time last night, avoiding encountering any danger. If you were in danger too, I would regret it for a lifetime."
That was an emotional burden Yu Lingxi couldn't bear.
As she pondered how to tactfully refuse, Xue Cen noticed the left hand of Yu Lingxi wrapped in bandages. He immediately paused, "What happened to your hand?"
Yu Lingxi shook her head and placed her hand behind her back. "It's nothing."
"Is it because you got injured while saving me?" Xue Cen's eyes showed evident concern.
Perhaps too anxious, he suddenly coughed violently. The attending servants promptly brought tea to help him catch his breath. After a while, he managed to calm down.
Even though he was so severely ill, he remained gentle and sincere, considering others at every turn. Looking at his weak appearance, Yu Lingxi opened her mouth several times, but then closed it again, unable to find the right moment to speak her prepared words.
Returning to the general's mansion, a continuous drizzle began to fall once again. As she bent down to step out of the carriage, a dark green oil-paper umbrella extended across, shielding her from the slanting raindrops.
Yu Lingxi lifted her skirt and looked up, meeting the rain-soaked gaze of Ning Yin.
She pursed her lips, then stepped down, leaping into the shelter of the paper umbrella held up by the wooden frame. The faint fragrance of her lingered briefly under Ning Yin's umbrella, disappearing completely as the wind blew, leaving no trace.
Without looking back at Ning Yin's expression, Yu Lingxi only knew that he had probably stood in the rain for a long time. She wouldn't harm Ning Yin out of resentment, but she couldn't forgive him so easily either. Otherwise, if he tasted the sweetness of forgiveness, he would only intensify his actions next time.
Ning Yin had only said he wouldn't kill her. However, Ning Yin didn't know that using deceit and manipulation on someone who cared for him was already a torment to the heart.
All of this, he needed to realize on his own.
Even if he could grasp just a tiny bit of understanding, there would be a faint glimmer in this high-stakes gamble, supporting her in steadfastly following her plan.
After several days of dampness, the rain finally stopped. The air returned to a refreshing dryness, presenting a rare clear sky.
The Eastern Palace remained quiet, and it was uncertain whether this tranquility signaled a good or bad omen.
Yu Lingxi had a moment to catch her breath, speculating that after these few days of respite, the extreme nature of the madman should have calmed down.
Perhaps, maybe... she could have a good talk with him. So, she decided to dismiss the maids and headed to the backyard.
As she turned the corner of the corridor, she saw Ning Yin standing at the steps in a dark-colored martial attire, hands behind his back, gazing with interest at a blooming magnolia tree in the courtyard.
White magnolias blossomed above his head and fell at his feet, resembling clouds and snow, naturally framing the serene youth in a picturesque scene.
For a moment, Yu Lingxi felt as if she had returned to her previous life, where the crippled Regent also stood under a flowering tree. Beneath that tree lay buried deep, thick blood that nourished the flourishing magnolias.
Collecting herself, Yu Lingxi took light steps towards him.
Ning Yin didn't turn around, speaking nonchalantly as if there were eyes on his back, "Miss is acknowledging my existence again?"
He couldn't be bothered to conceal his disguise anymore, his tone both cold and biting.
Hmm, it's really the familiar tone from my previous life. But, compared to the Regent of the past life, the young man in front of her was still lacking in some aspects.
"What are you looking at?" Yu Lingxi stood beside him, the fragrance of magnolia flowers refreshing and clean.
Ning Yin, with a smile devoid of warmth, hooked a temperatureless smile, "Watching a play."
Suspicious, Yu Lingxi followed his line of sight, and instantly fell silent.
Where was the play?
Clearly, it was a thick black snake lurking in the flowerbed, raising its head to spit venom, preparing to hunt an unsuspecting canary.
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