“I know, those who see the Black Fan die!” Yun Qi said with confidence. “But I guess your current identity is neither the Black Jade Fan King nor the White Xia Sword Master, but simply Xiao Jin!”
“Did she tell you all this? Never mind, you guessed correctly. Right now, I’m nothing more than a lovesick man who can’t let her go,” Xiao Jin said with a bitter smile, seemingly self-mocking.
Yun Qi slightly raised his head, looking at this man who came and went like the wind, the one who had occupied Bing Zhi’s heart! “Want to see her?”
“You’re quite magnanimous. If it were me, I would never be like this,” Xiao Jin’s tone revealed no emotion.
“What can I do? The person in her heart is you, not me.”
No matter how I keep her by my side, I can’t compare to her keeping you in her heart.” Yun Qi said this with inevitable disappointment.
“Okay, okay, we’re leaving. Yunqi, happy newlyweds!”
“Thank you, take care.” Yunqi was also slightly drunk, and his words were somewhat slurred.
“Big brother, are you okay? If you’re drunk, you should have some sobering drink,” Yi Mu’er said after sending the guests away.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll go back now. Here, please trouble you and Uncle Yi.” Yunqi finished speaking and staggered away.
Yi Mu’er watched Yunqi’s somewhat swaying back, worrying about him in her heart.
“Go ahead, why hold back? To learn to let go, you must first learn to take hold,” Yi Tianyun gently patted Yi Mu’er’s shoulder. “This daughter of mine, everything is good, just sometimes too stubborn!”
“Can I?”
“If you think you can, then you can.”
“I understand, Dad!” Yi Mu’er turned back and gave Yi Tianyun a bright smile, then strode off to chase Yunqi. Yi Tianyun watched all this, a profound smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Yi Mu’er hurried towards the bridal chamber, but couldn’t find Yunqi anywhere along the way.
Now anxious, she looked around, just about to call Yunqi’s name when she found him looking drunk behind a rockery. “Big brother, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting here?”
Yunqi’s eyes were blurry and sad, a bitter smile on his lips, “I thought she would come, but it’s you.”
Yi Mu’er knew the “she” in Yunqi’s words was Bing Zhi. He wasn’t waiting for her; he didn’t need her.
“Do you know? That person came today. The person in Bing Zhi’s heart. I saw him. He said he would protect her. Ha, how laughable! Why him? What gives him the right?” Yunqi spoke loudly, excitedly waving his arm, “I dare not tell Bing Zhi his intentions. I’m so despicable. I’m afraid she’ll leave me if she knows.”
“Tell me, what reason do I have to go to Bing Zhi? I’m a small-minded person! I…”
Before Yunqi could finish, Yi Mu’er angrily slapped him and shouted, “Yunqi, are you stupid? You and Murong Bing Zhi are now husband and wife. How can you say you have no reason to find her? You knew from the beginning she didn’t love you, but you chose to love her. So stick to it! You have no responsibility to clear up the misunderstanding between Murong Bing Zhi and that person, but that person has an obligation to make your marriage with Murong Bing Zhi happy. Because one day, you will replace that person.”
You’ve always believed this, haven’t you? Have you forgotten how you told me back then?”
The slap stunned Yunqi. He opened his eyes, staring blankly at Yi Mu’er, listening to her words.
“All of this is what you brought upon yourself, and you must bear it! If you’re going to regret, do it earlier. It’s too late now!” These words were not just for Yunqi, but also for herself.
Yunqi lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought. Moments later, he raised his head, his eyes clear, all traces of drunkenness gone. “Yes, I brought this upon myself. Mu’er, thank you. I’ve figured it out.” Yunqi’s words carried a sense of sudden enlightenment, no longer as dejected as before.
“Now that you’ve figured it out, why are you still standing here? She’s waiting for you! Go quickly!” Yi Mu’er looked at those eyes that haunted her dreams and forcefully patted Yunqi’s shoulder, trying to appear casual.
Yunqi followed her suggestion and left. “You should rest too. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Yi Mu’er said softly, afraid Yunqi would hear the choke in her voice. This was also something she brought upon herself, unable to pick up, unable to let go. Let it be. Yi Mu’er turned away, disappearing into the night.
Yunqi stopped and looked back at her until she was out of sight. He knew he had let Yi Mu’er down, but was powerless to change it.
Yunqi shook his head and slowly walked away.
Yunqi returned to the bridal chamber. The red candle made a faint “sizzling” sound, its light flickering, sometimes bright, sometimes dim. The wedding quilt was quietly covering Bing Zhi, and the Wedding pillow was covered with her loose blue hair.
Yunqi noticed Bing Zhi was lying on the inner side of the bed, leaving half the outer side empty, as if waiting for him to return. Touched, Yunqi carefully blew out the candle and gently lay down on the bed, facing upward.
“Did I wake you?” Yunqi noticed a slight change in Bing Zhi’s breathing and turned to speak softly.
Bing Zhi’s body stiffened before opening her eyes, but she said nothing, unsure what to say to Yunqi. She tried hard to appear natural, but in fact, she couldn’t manage it.
Yunqi sighed softly, “Bing Zhi, I want you to know that I will always be good to you. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Sleep well, goodnight.”
“I’m sorry,” Bing Zhi said in a low voice.
Fool, what have you done wrong to me? I am willing to marry you, want to marry you, and it’s not something you forced me to do. Bing Zhi, I love you and am willing to do anything for you, do you understand?
“Yun Qi’s voice was full of deep affection.
Bing Zhi no longer spoke, turning her face back to the wall, closing her eyes and letting tears silently fall.
Yun Qi understood Bing Zhi’s state of mind, but now was not the time to say more. With a low sigh, Yun Qi turned sideways, gently wrapping his arm around her waist, conveying wordless comfort and love.
The night grew deep and quiet, and both of them fell into a heavy sleep.
Early the next morning.
“Let the young madam sleep a bit longer, don’t wake her. If she wakes up, tell her I’ve gone out for something and will definitely return by noon for lunch. Got it?” Yun Qi instructed Xiao Ai while carefully covering Bing Zhi’s blanket.
“Yes,” Xiao Ai obediently stood to the side.
“It’s summer now, if needed, get some ice to cool down, don’t forget,” Yun Qi said worriedly.
“Yes. I understand, young master. Young master, I will take good care of the young lady,” Xiao Ai said.
Yun Qi laughed and waved his hand, “It’s fine, just call her however you’re used to. I’m leaving.” He left with a young attendant who had been waiting outside.
Following Yun Qi’s instructions, Xiao Ai brought some ice. Perhaps the noise was too loud, and Bing Zhi woke up, “Xiao Ai, where’s Qi?”
“Young master went out.”
He asked me to tell you that he has some matters to attend to, but will definitely return by noon to have lunch with you,” Xiao Ai said.
"Hmm. What are you doing?" Bing Zhi guessed Yun Qi probably went out to deal with the wedding incident.
"Responding to the young madam, young master said it's too hot and wanted to cool down the room," Xiao Ai always remembered Yun Qi's instructions.
Bing Zhi slowly walked to the doorway and saw a beautiful woman sitting in the room.
