Chapter 103 Autumn Hunt in September: We'll Have a Long Time To Come
Under the eaves, the night was shrouded in an inky darkness, the stars and moon completely obscured by the clouds, unable to let in any light. Even the withered branches and leaves in the courtyard were stained with ink, making the desolate and lonely atmosphere all the more pronounced in the boundless autumn night.
In the still of the night, only one room was brightly lit by candlelight, the flickering flame casting a warm glow from the window.
The room was spotless, spacious and empty, with only a memorial tablet enshrined. Even with the candlelight, the inscription on it was still not very clear, as if it had been frequently touched and stained with the marks of time, blurring each stroke.
Qin Jin stood before the memorial tablet, holding three incense sticks, and respectfully knelt down to worship it.
Today is the anniversary of his birth mother's death, but since he was raised in the Ding'an Marquis's mansion since childhood, he cannot even openly offer incense and pay respects to his deceased mother.
Qin Jin placed the incense stick in the incense burner, staring at the tiny, scarlet flame, half of his body falling into the shadows, remaining silent for a long time.
After an unknown amount of time, he opened his mouth, as if trying to smile and speak in a relaxed manner, but he couldn't manage to curl his lips into a smile.
In the end, he still couldn't manage a smile. As usual, his eyebrows drooped, and he began to mutter in a low voice, like a child confiding in his parents, recounting what had happened to him recently.
As Qin Jin stroked the memorial tablet with his knuckles, his mouth went dry as he spoke: "...Mother, next year I won't be the only one coming to pay my respects to you."
"My son has a fiancée, and they will get married next year."
At this point, the heavy sorrow that had been weighing on Qin Jin's heart finally stopped suffocating him. He said, "Mother should be familiar with her. She is Xue Rongyue. Over the years, I have mentioned her to you many times."
"I am very happy, not only because I am no longer alone after getting married, but also because..."
As he spoke, he slowly curved his lips into a smile, seemingly feeling embarrassed, and then stopped talking about the reason: "Mother, you would be happy for your child, wouldn't you?"
In the empty room, after Qin Jin finished speaking, apart from the gusts of night wind that swept away, no other sound could be heard.
Qin Jin lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged: "Mother, you don't need to worry. The wedding arrangements are not only being handled by His Majesty and the Eldest Princess, but I've also consulted several experienced matrons and old stewards. There will definitely be no mishaps..."
Outside the window, the branches rustled in the night wind, and withered yellow leaves drifted down, landing on the windowsill. Day after day, they accompanied the frail figure inside the room, witnessing how the child who could only weep and wail over the memorial tablet years ago has gradually grown tall and strong.
One incense stick burns, then two...
As the wind subsided, the dark clouds that had shrouded Chang'an gradually dissipated, and the stars and moon finally revealed themselves, their silvery light painting the clusters of golden osmanthus blossoms on the branches.
Qin Jin pushed open the door and stepped out of the house.
He had only taken two steps when he suddenly stopped, staring blankly at the familiar shadow cast in front of him.
Qin Jin slowly raised his head and saw Xue Rongyue sitting on the old tree with lush branches in the courtyard, swinging her legs, her plain skirt rippling in the night, looking at him with a smile.
The person he had just been talking about was now right in front of him, and Qin Jin was even momentarily dazed.
"What, you don't recognize me after just a few days?" Xue Rongyue asked, tilting her head.
Qin Jin chuckled in a daze, and Xue Rongyue beckoned to him: "Come up."
After saying that, she couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "Everything in your yard is great, except for the lack of a swing."
Qin Jin obediently came up and said, "If you want it, I'll go and make a swing."
Xue Rongyue became interested and looked around the courtyard. Finally, she pointed to the two old trees not far away and said, "Let's go there. There are fewer mosquitoes in the summer, and in the autumn, there are osmanthus trees next to it, and the fragrance is refreshing."
Qin Jin looked in the direction she was pointing and nodded in agreement.
Xue Rongyue instructed, "When the time comes, you will push me around and also prepare tea and snacks for me."
"good."
"You also want to paint for me."
"good."
"I also need a dog to keep me company."
"good."
"Why do you agree to everything? Are you just trying to appease me?" Xue Rongyue glanced at him sideways.
Qin Jin smiled and looked up at her: "I think everything you said is good."
Xue Rongyue stared at him intently, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Are you unhappy?"
Qin Jin was taken aback.
Xue Rongyue said, "Don't lie to me, I can tell."
As Qin Jin approached, Xue Rongyue could smell the faint scent of incense emanating from him.
Although she didn't know exactly what had happened, recalling the gossip she had heard before, and the unspeakable years Qin Jin had endured under the suppression of the Empress Dowager's faction over the years, she vaguely guessed what had happened.
"...I..." Qin Jin lowered his eyes, opened his mouth after a brief silence, but only uttered a short syllable.
Overwhelmed with emotions, he was momentarily at a loss for how to bring up that past with Xue Rongyue.
Xue Rongyue raised her hand and placed her fingertips on Qin Jin's tightly furrowed brows, which he himself hadn't even noticed. Her cool fingertips conveyed a sense of comfort as she gently smoothed his brows: "Were the past events very painful?"
Qin Jin's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously clenched his fists, his long eyelashes trembling.
The high wall he had painstakingly built over the years almost collapsed at this moment.
Before he could think of what to say, Xue Rongyue covered his mouth first, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting the gentle moonlight: "You don't need to rush to tell me before you've thought it through."
Her voice was soft, yet it seemed capable of shattering any carefully constructed facade in an instant: "Anyway... we have plenty of time, right?"
She said this as if she were speaking to Qin Jin, but also as if she were speaking to herself.
Qin Jin took a deep breath, suddenly raised his hand and hugged her, burying his head in the crook of her shoulder.
At the same time, the system notification sounded—
[Congratulations, host, the special mission is complete.]
[Warning to the host: The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has increased by 4.]
[Warning to the host: The target [Qin Jin]'s hatred level has increased by 3.]
[Warning to the host: The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has increased by 5.]
[Warning to the host: The target [Qin Jin]'s hatred level has increased by 3.]
[Warning to the host: The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has increased by 5.]
......
The leaves rustled in my ears, and after a brief silence, the system notification sounded again—
[Congratulations, host! The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 6.]
[Congratulations, host! The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 4.]
[Congratulations, host! The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 5.]
[Congratulations, host! The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 2.]
[Congratulations, host! The hatred level of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 3.]
[Congratulations, host! The target [Qin Jin]'s hatred level is currently 1, and the progress is 99. Success is just around the corner! Please keep up the good work!]
......
The hatred level fluctuated wildly as always, and remained at 1 as always.
Xue Rongyue frowned; she didn't understand.
Why does her hatred level suddenly and inexplicably rise every time, and why can't she reduce the last 1 point of hatred level no matter what she does?
She thought this special mission, which hadn't been released for a long time, would be the key to breaking the deadlock, but to her surprise, she ended up back where she started.
Is there some misunderstanding between her and Qin Jin that hasn't been resolved?
Or perhaps... there are things she doesn't know?
For some reason, Xue Rongyue suddenly thought of the portrait that Qin Jin had treasured in the secret room.
With her fingertips touching Qin Jin's back, Xue Rongyue tilted her head slightly, her soft lips brushing against Qin Jin's earlobe. She whispered, "Qin Jin, I saw the portrait in the secret room."
Qin Jin's back tensed for a moment, but he quickly relaxed. After a moment of silence, he replied, "I know."
Xue Rongyue was not surprised, after all, Guang Sheng had rushed over and would have informed him.
only......
"That painting is rather strange. When will you tell me the secret behind it?"
—The snow plum blossoms fall softly, leaving behind the blank, unpainted part.
Qin Jin remained silent for a longer time before replying, "I will. I will tell you at an appropriate time."
Xue Rongyue pressed further, "Now?"
This time, Qin Jin answered quickly and confidently: "No."
He repeated, "Not now."
As expected, Xue Rongyue still couldn't help but purse her lips: "Don't you dare betray me."
Qin Jin hugged Xue Rongyue even tighter, buried his head in her snow-white shoulder, took a deep breath, and murmured to himself, "...Sometimes, I really want to cut my whole heart open and lay it out in front of you to show you."
Xue Rongyue also hugged his waist back, her delicate lips pressed tightly against Qin Jin's earlobe, and suddenly sighed.
Warm breath brushed against Qin Jin's left ear, like a feather gently brushing against it, making him tremble all over and his Adam's apple bob involuntarily.
Xue Rongyue said, "How can you say such bloody things in this situation, at this moment?"
Qin Jin loosened his grip slightly, raised his head to look at Xue Rongyue: "Then what should we say?"
"Of course, I won't say anything."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xue Rongyue wrapped her arms around Qin Jin's neck, her snow-white fingertips tracing the bulging veins on Qin Jin's neck, and then she kissed him.
First, she gently touched the corner of Qin Jin's lips, then caressed his smooth, thin lips inch by inch. Qin Jin wrapped one arm around Xue Rongyue's waist again, his large palm strong and warm, while his other hand tightly protected the back of Xue Rongyue's head to prevent her from being scratched by the drooping branches.
Neither of them was in a hurry. Their lips gently touched, as if they were kissing, or perhaps comforting each other. Like dewdrops clinging to the branches in spring, dripping onto the delicate peach blossoms and gently swaying along the petals, a tenderness that was intoxicating.
The kiss didn't last long; after a moment, Xue Rongyue couldn't help but sit up straight. She didn't understand why Qin Jin wasn't making a vigorous thrusting motion to conquer the city, yet she still couldn't breathe.
Leaning against the tree trunk, Qin Jin pulled Xue Rongyue into his arms, letting her sit on his lap. He stroked Xue Rongyue's earlobe with his fingertips, saw through her confusion at a glance, and chuckled softly.
Xue Rongyue was displeased, suspecting he was mocking her: "What are you laughing at?"
Qin Jin didn't dare to speak, and changed the subject, saying, "It's getting late, I'll take you back."
Xue Rongyue glared at him.
Holding Xue Rongyue's hand, Qin Jin's thin lips curled up slightly as he looked up at her quietly. The heavy pain and loneliness he had felt every year on this day suddenly vanished.
Qin Jin thought that his birth mother would be happy about this.
Xue Rongyue felt a little embarrassed and awkward under his gaze, and said in a rough voice, "What are you looking at?"
Qin Jin suddenly said, "The autumn hunt is just around the corner."
Xue Rongyue was taken aback and looked at him, puzzled.
Qin Jin sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said seriously, "You must remember what I'm about to tell you."
***
[The last time]
Xue Rongyue thought she would die tonight, but Qin Jin said, "This is the last time."
So, Qin Jin sent her away.
She was taken to a private residence. The residence was not large. She was locked in one of the rooms with the windows sealed and a mute guard at the door. She was not allowed to leave. Even her daily meals were delivered by several skilled nannies.
Xue Rongyue had no idea how long she would be imprisoned. As time passed, she lost track of how long she had been imprisoned and whether she was still in Chang'an.
But she knew that the struggle between the Empress Dowager's faction and the Emperor's faction had gradually reached its most intense moment, and this was one of her few remaining opportunities.
Therefore, when firecrackers went off in the neighborhood, and Xue Rongyue looked through the crack in the door at the brightly lit streets in the distance, she realized in a daze that it was already the New Year.
As her fingertips traced the robes, boots, and sachets she had embroidered day and night over the past few days, Xue Rongyue's eyes revealed a mixture of reluctance, sadness, and a desperate resolve.
She knew that once she actually sent these things to Qin Jin, she would be completely estranged from him, and she would fall into an abyss of no return.
But when the nanny came to deliver the meal, Xue Rongyue stopped her: "These are the embroidered pieces I made these days. It's the New Year, could you please ask the nanny to send them to Lord Qin? It would be a way for me to make up for my guilt."
Although she was imprisoned and unable to leave the room, Xue Rongyue was not mistreated in the slightest. Maids would respectfully serve her daily needs, and her meals were always to her liking. Whatever she wanted, she could ask for it and it would be delivered the next moment. If she wanted to embroider something, someone would bring her the best fabric.
Therefore, after she was locked up, she took the initiative to beg for help for the first time. The old woman did not dare to refuse her directly. After thinking it over, she called a guard over and whispered a few words in his ear. The guard then left in a hurry.
Two incense sticks later, the guard returned.
After the doctor's careful examination, the guards took away all the things she had embroidered.
The old woman also respectfully withdrew. As the door closed once more, Xue Rongyue gazed longingly at the moonlight outside the window. When the room returned to its dim silence, she stood there quietly for a long time.
The carriage swayed and rocked along the road. Xue Rongyue let out a soft breath, her fingertips following her gaze to the last line of words.
This is the original text that I hadn't finished reading a few days ago because I was interrupted by a special mission suddenly announced by the system.
Although she didn't know what she was going to do in her previous life, Xue Rongyue's heart still skipped a beat when she saw the end.
Xue Rongyue slowly exhaled, as if trying to release all the pent-up emotions in her heart, but her heart was still filled with unease.
Xue Rongyue simply stopped thinking about it, lifted the curtain, and sunlight streamed in, the golden leaves trembling in the cool breeze.
Xue Rongyue asked, "How much longer until we reach the hunting palace?"
As time went by, by the end of September, it was already time for the autumn hunt.
Because of Qin Jin's arrangements and instructions that night and Princess Yu'an two days later, Xue Rongyue was still on the list of those who would accompany the hunt.
Jingnu followed the carriage and looked ahead along the dragon-like convoy: "We're almost there. We can already see Huangyan Mountain. We should be able to reach the Hunting Palace in about an hour."
Xue Rongyue sighed.
Jingnu asked, "Is Madam tired of sitting and would like to get down and walk around? The Princess instructed earlier that if Madam can't sit still, she can get down and ride a horse."
"Never mind." Xue Rongyue was in a bad mood. The mountain path was steep, and it would be bad if something happened to her.
Jingnu then asked, "Shall I come up and play chess with you, Madam?"
This time, Xue Rongyue nodded.
The magnificent carriages filled the mountain road, heading towards the majestic hunting palace not far away. And Xue Rongyue was not the only one whose mind was uneasy during this journey—
"Is everything arranged?" the man asked casually from inside a magnificent and spacious carriage.
The subordinate respectfully replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, everything is perfectly safe."
The man smiled slightly and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp: "That's very good."
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Author's note: Goodnight
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