Chapter 120 Obsession: Excessive obsession may damage the heart.
Xie Yunying was originally sitting idly in her own courtyard when she heard that Yue Yining had come to the Xie residence. So she took her maid and went to the outside of Xie Qingyu's courtyard, hoping to have a chance encounter.
As a result, he happened to witness Yue Yining walking out of the Frost Sprayer Courtyard with a cold expression.
This was the first time Xie Yunying had seen an expression like anger on her face, which stunned her so much that she stood there dumbfounded. Yue Yining walked very fast and disappeared in no time.
Xie Yunying: "......What's going on? Did the female lead and Xie Qingyu have a fight?"
The system was even more surprised than she was: "These two actually managed to start arguing?"
Xie Yunying was puzzled and glanced in the direction of the Frost Spray Courtyard.
Xie Qingyu did not chase after them.
Xie Yunying hesitated for a moment. Perhaps it was due to a keen sense of danger, but she felt that going to Xie Qingyu at this time might not lead to anything good.
She decided to go back to her own courtyard to use the props to check on Yue Yining's situation. She had just turned around when she heard a commotion in the Frost Spray Courtyard.
Xie Yunying's steps faltered. Immediately afterward, a cacophony of footsteps and exclamations erupted. Suddenly, someone shouted, "What are you all standing there for?! The young master has fainted! Quickly, fetch the physician!"
Xie Yunying was shocked: "What?!"
At the Xie residence, chaos reigned, and everything was in a frenzy. Yue Yining, however, had already left the Xie residence, completely unaware of everything.
Yue Yining entered the Xie residence without Fu Yao accompanying her, so Fu Yao could only wait for the others to return from the carriage.
To everyone's surprise, Yue Yining left quickly and returned just as fast. Before long, Fu Yao, who had been eagerly waiting, spotted a familiar figure in green in the distance. She was still wondering: Wasn't it supposed to be a meeting? It's over in less than the time it takes to eat a meal. What could have been discussed so quickly?
As they got closer, Fu Yao could see Yue Yining's expression clearly.
It was so ugly and rare that even Fu Yao, who had been with her for many years, couldn't help but be stunned. Yue Yining, however, said nothing and went straight to the carriage with her head down.
Fu Yao quickly lowered the curtain and instructed the coachman to set off.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the autumn night. The jeweled carriage swayed and rocked forward, while Fu Yao, filled with doubt and unease, looked anxiously at Yue Yining, "Miss..."
"Are you unhappy? What happened?" Fu Yao asked worriedly. "Did Xie Qingyu upset you? Tell me, and I'll go teach him a lesson later—"
“...Yao Yao”.
The lady-in-waiting, who had been sitting quietly in the carriage, called her name softly. Half of her face was shrouded in dark shadows, like moonlight soaking into the deep night, an elusive haziness and fleeting illusion, a phantom and nightmare piled up upon each other.
She spoke up: "Do you think it's truly impossible for people to defy fate?"
Yue Yining recalled the past. She and Xie Qingyu went to the city together and then parted ways. At that time, she hid in a street corner and overheard a country Taoist priest making a prediction about Xie Qingyu.
The old man with white hair said that they would be irreconcilable enemies in the future and become like strangers.
Before this, she thought these words were utterly absurd and laughable. Xie Qingyu had been incredibly kind to her, and she appreciated his kindness. How could they have ended up in such a terrible situation? She simply couldn't imagine it.
Now that she has truly broken ties with Xie Qingyu, and recalling the old divination from yesterday, she finally understands.
It is indeed laughable. What is laughable is not the absurd divination, but herself, who believes she can control everything.
Yue Yining's voice carried a hint of weariness and bewilderment: "I have done many things, and I firmly believe that my fate is not determined by heaven, but I always have a hidden fear. The further I go, the more I find that everything is confirming my initial divination, and the more powerless I feel."
"My master may not be wrong. Those who try to change their fate will eventually face reality, submit to fate, and understand that it is inviolable."
She could never see through the plans of Heaven.
If everything is unchangeable, irreversible, and destined to happen, then why does Heaven tell her through divination that she might be able to save the world?
Why give her hope that is destined to be dashed?
Suddenly, another pair of hands grabbed her wrist, which was hanging by her side.
Yue Yining looked up and saw Fu Yao holding her hand tightly, staring at her with eyes as firm as torches. This made Yue Yining briefly break free from the quagmire of emotions, and she was stunned for a moment.
Fu Yao said firmly, “I don’t understand why Miss’s master said that, but I think the same as Miss. I don’t think accepting fate is the right thing to do, and trying to change fate is not a waste of effort.”
“Who says fate can’t be changed? I should have starved to death in the drought in Luoshui, but because I met Miss, I am now well-fed and clothed, and I have even learned martial arts. I can fight for justice outside and protect Miss’s safety inside. I am the most powerful proof.”
"When you're feeling disappointed and down, Miss, just think of me! I'm the one whose fate was changed by you!" Fu Yao's eyebrows relaxed, and she broke into a big smile, like a sunflower. "I'm definitely not the last person whose fate was changed because of you, Miss!"
"Back in Suyang, Miss solved the Green Ghost case, saving many children who might have been killed by lead coins, and also changing the fate of Miss Jin and Miss Jiang," Fu Yao chattered on. "And that Miss Li who received a bag of silver from Miss, with money to study, she no longer had to be forced to farm at home. She studies so hard, she will definitely pass the imperial examinations in the future!"
"And another thing, didn't Miss say that Deputy Commander Jiang in Qinghuai would have continued to harm Miss if it weren't for the fact that you saved Miss Jiang? But now, she and Miss have become friends and she's even moved into the Princess's residence!"
"And He Chan and the others! If it weren't for Miss's suggestion to accept the imperial pardon and her efforts in mediating on their behalf, where would those women without proper place of origin and burdened with criminal charges have gone? They certainly wouldn't be able to live with dignity and respect like they do now." Fu Yao spoke at length, recounting everything from beginning to end, just to say the final sentence with a sense of catharsis, "—Miss, you see, it's not just me, but many others whose fates have been changed because of you!"
Yue Yining stared at her blankly, not missing a single detail, which made Fu Yao a little embarrassed: "...Although I don't understand anything, I don't understand those complicated intrigues and power struggles, nor do I understand things like the Way of Heaven, the Five Arts, or destiny. But when I see Miss worrying about these things, I can't help but think about it myself."
“I think if the fate of every single person in the world were to change, wouldn’t the fate of the entire dynasty also be changed? After all, the Dongxi Dynasty is the dynasty of the people of Dongxi, not the dynasty of the Dongxi Emperor; this so-called world is not the world of the supreme ruler, but the world of all people.”
Yue Yining continued to stare blankly at her, not moving an inch. Fu Yao, seeing that she was staring at her without reacting, waved her hand in front of her eyes, "Miss?"
Unexpectedly, Yue Yining suddenly grabbed her hand that was swinging in front of her and held it tightly.
“You’re right!” Yue Yining’s eyes crinkled, her dark pupils gleaming. “The world isn’t called the world because of one family’s power and influence, but because of the lights of countless homes. The world belongs to all the people, not to the highest heavens.”
If one person alone cannot turn the tide, then gather the strength of ten thousand people and make all the heroes and outstanding figures of this era serve her: those wise strategists who can plan and win battles from afar; those brave warriors who are invincible; those capable ministers who can govern the world and bring peace to the country; and those skilled craftsmen who possess extraordinary skills and ingenuity.
Amidst the convergence of fortunes, dragons and tigers gather beneath the Phoenix Palace, united in purpose and effort.
Let all people under heaven unite to create a powerful force for the world!
The gentle and beautiful lady-in-waiting lifted the little maid's chin and planted a loud kiss on her forehead.
Fu Yao covered her forehead with her hand after being kissed. She was shocked and speechless, frozen in place, her eyes fixed on Yue Yining's radiant smile.
"Thank you, Yao Yao. I suddenly understand what I should do."
Fu Yao blushed and stammered, "I...I didn't say anything...Anyway! I'm just happy to be able to help Miss!"
Yue Yining had thought it through and made up her mind, feeling much more relaxed. However, the smile on her face slowly faded again when she thought of Xie Qingyu.
She belatedly realized that Xie Qingyu had such a great influence on her.
Yue Yining was not as calm as she appeared.
The moment she heard Xie Qingyu admit it in his room, a raging fire burned in her chest. It was only through her repeated self-control that she managed to suppress the urge to punch and kick him.
Hearing his plea to stay and catching a glimpse of his reddened eyes, she couldn't help but feel pity, and had to harden her heart to leave without looking back.
She was astonished by her own anger, weakness, and reluctance when facing Xie Qingyu.
This is wrong. She shouldn't have developed these feelings for him, much less experience such intense emotional turmoil because of his betrayal and deception. He shouldn't be someone who can sway her, hurt her, or change her; this goes against her original intentions.
Perhaps this confession is her chance to pull back from the brink. Now that she has a reason to be cold to him without feeling guilty, she should take this opportunity to cut ties with him.
Only by severing all ties with him can we get back on track.
Yue Yining did not tell Fu Yao about these thoughts. Although Fu Yao pressed her to tell her what had happened between her and Xie Qingyu, she simply shook her head and brushed it off with reasons such as political differences, unwilling to go into details.
The princess's carriages sped away. A short while later, the physician's carriages slowly came to a stop in front of the Xie residence.
The elderly physician was welcomed into the mansion and then into Xie Qingyu's bedroom.
The news of Xie Qingyu's sudden collapse spread throughout the mansion, alarming Xie Yueshuang and Xie Lianquan. At this time, people from three courtyards were crowding into Xie Qingyu's courtyard. Although Xie Yunying was the first to arrive, she only brought one or two maids with her, and was instead blocked on the outside by this group of people.
Xie Yunying cursed inwardly, but there were people everywhere, and she couldn't get anything out of it by squeezing forward. So she could only stand under the tree and chatter with the system.
"Speechless, what are they pretending for?" Xie Yunying said. "When Xie Qingyu was sick before, Xie Lianquan didn't even send medicine, and he couldn't be bothered to show any concern. Now he's eagerly trying to curry favor? Xie Yueshuang used to stay in her room studying diligently even when thunder was striking her, and she didn't care about Xie Qingyu's affairs. What is she doing here now?"
System: "Master, people's hearts are unpredictable and fickle. Perhaps with Xie Zhi dead, they also know that the future of the Xie family will mostly depend on Xie Qingyu. Moreover, Xie Qingyu has already taken power, and the connections and resources of the aristocratic families are all in the hands of the patriarch. Shouldn't they try to curry favor with him more?"
Xie Yunying: "What about me? Why don't they try to curry favor with me? I'm the patriarch's own sister!"
System: "No, you are the domineering and shrewish wife of the disabled prince."
Xie Yunying: "........?"
Xie Yunying: "Try saying it again?"
System: "I also need to remind the host that Xie Yueshuang has planted spies in your courtyard. She already knows that you go out every few days to date the eldest son of the Yuan family. You'd better be careful."
Xie Yunying: "Huh??? You mean Xie Yueshuang??"
Why would she plant people in her yard?!
Just as Xie Yunying was about to grab the system to get some answers, there was a commotion in front of Xie Qingyu's bedroom door.
The physician closed the door and stepped out into the corridor. Xie Lianquan, seeing him emerge, quickly surrounded him with his servants. "Old sir, how is my brother? What illness did he have, and why did he suddenly faint?"
The physician stroked his long beard and spoke slowly: "It's a brief fainting spell caused by excessive stress and mental exhaustion. Judging from the pulse, the condition isn't serious, and he should wake up soon."
"If you are still not at ease, I have written a prescription. It is made with herbs that nourish qi and blood and replenish the spirit. You can give it to the young master to drink regularly to help regulate his body."
Xie Lianquan visibly breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, sir."
“However, I would like to add one more thing. It would be best if Second Young Master Xie could persuade him more,” the old physician said slowly, his tone heavy. “The root of your brother’s illness ultimately lies in his heart.”
"He is too preoccupied with his thoughts, too obsessed with them, and he stretches himself too tightly, like a bowstring that is too taut. How can it possibly break?"
"It should be known that the seven emotions can cause illness: anger injures the liver, worry injures the lungs, excessive thinking injures the spleen, and excessive fear injures the kidneys. But the most exhausting of the heart and blood is none other than the two words 'love and hate'—great sorrow and great joy, great love and great hate, are the most damaging to the heart and blood vessels. Over time, even the strongest body cannot withstand such torment."
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Author's Note: A major foreshadowing is subtly planted in this chapter [Side note: Rabbit with upright ears]
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