Chapter 223 Mei Liangyu's Favorite
Yu Sui's eldest brother, Han Bing, was intelligent and precocious. He was taught by Madam Han from a young age to be very sensible and was the most outstanding among the Nangong family's children in all aspects.
Whether as the eldest son of the Nangong family, or as a son and elder brother, he seemed to be impeccable.
While Su Feng and Sheng Fei were still bickering and vying for favor over trivial matters, Han Bing remained neutral, acting as a peacemaker between his two younger brothers.
Ironically, his two younger brothers could sometimes be intimidated by him and obediently listen to him.
Unlike other princes and nobles, the inner quarters of the Nangong Prince's Mansion were not filled with sordid affairs. The three wives were all intelligent women, and at most they would quarrel and fight, rarely resorting to underhanded or ruthless tactics against each other.
They all had their own ulterior motives for marrying Nangong Ming.
Madam Han admires and idolizes Nangong Ming and is willing to follow him in anything.
Madam Hui grew up with Nangong Ming from a young age. The two families often visited each other back then. She watched with her own eyes as the young Nangong Ming, who stood quietly in the crowd without making a fuss, grew into the Nangong Prince who had a three-point smile on his face but was full of pressure.
At that time, the Su family was incredibly prestigious, and everyone fawned over them. However, after the father passed away, the Su family was targeted by political enemies in the court, and half of the men and women in the family were imprisoned. The mother was even on the verge of death in prison.
In order to save the Su family, she went to Nangong Ming for help.
Although Lady Hui had always been fond of Nangong Ming, she never expected that the two would become entangled because of him. Otherwise, she would never have been content to be just a lady of the Prince's mansion, rather than a princess.
Madam Hui was raised innocent and carefree by her family, but her later scheming and cunning were all taught by Nangong Ming. Fortunately, her younger brothers were capable enough to work for Nangong Ming and returned to the capital in glory within three years, revitalizing the Su family.
Nangong Ming greatly admired Madam Sheng's business acumen, but many of her ambitions and ideas would be impossible to realize in Qingyang without support.
Nangong Ming used her influence to help Madam Sheng rise to power.
The marriage was proposed by Madam Sheng. She was ambitious and didn't care that Nangong Ming had other women. Madam Sheng believed that a man like Nangong Ming would only have people he liked, not a woman he would love wholeheartedly.
This man's world has many things more important than love.
He will indulge, pamper, and cherish you, but he will not love you.
The three ladies in the Prince's mansion were all initiated by various reasons, but only Lady Su was initiated by Nangong Ming.
The three ladies raised their children in different ways, and so did the three children's personalities.
Han Bing had the demeanor of an adult since childhood and genuinely cared for his two younger brothers. This continued until Yu Sui returned to the Prince's Mansion and was granted the title of Princess, becoming Nangong Ming's personally designated future heir.
Because of this relationship, the three brothers' initial attitude towards Yu Sui was quite subtle.
At the Prince's Mansion, they almost always played together, leaving Yu Sui alone.
However, when they were out, Han Bing would take the lead in taking care of his two younger brothers and one younger sister. After all, he couldn't let the Nangong family down. Whenever his younger brothers and sisters made mistakes or caused trouble, it was always the eldest brother who stepped in to resolve and settle the matter.
One year, two years, ten years, twenty years—this has become Han Bing's habit.
Regardless of his true feelings or his own state of mind, he would instinctively prioritize protecting his younger siblings and upholding the family's dignity.
Even if the three ladies had verbal arguments, they would often get together to do things, whether it was for the Prince's Mansion, the Nangong family, or what Nangong Ming had instructed them to do. Over time, their relationship wouldn't get too bad.
The ladies got along well, so naturally the children didn't have any estrangement.
Lady Kesu made it clear that she did not like dealing with these three ladies.
If it weren't for Nangong Ming's request, Madam Su wouldn't have stepped in to discipline Yu Sui.
At that time, Madam Su did not want to see this child in front of her every day. Every day and every moment that Yu Sui appeared reminded her of her past foolishness, tormenting her with regret and guilt.
Because of Madam Su's presence, Yu Sui couldn't get close to the other three ladies, and she also couldn't get close to her brothers in the early stages.
It wasn't until that year, when she took the initiative to learn riding and archery from Sheng Fei, that her three older brothers realized that their little sister wasn't so difficult to get along with.
That's all.
Even though they knew that Yu Sui was always being forced to kneel and recite texts by Madam Su, they had no right to interfere. Although they were siblings, there was always a subtle distance between them because of their different mothers.
Even if they told their mother about it, she would only tell them to mind their own business.
Su Feng once said to his mother, "Why don't you go and persuade Fourth Aunt to stop making the princess kneel and recite her lessons all the time? Aren't you afraid that she will be embarrassed if others find out when she goes to the Imperial Academy?"
Madam Hui flicked her son's forehead with her finger and snorted, "The daughter is her own, and who can tell her how she wants to teach her? Since the prince asked her to teach the princess, he didn't interfere too much. How could I dare to speak to her? Do you think your mother is too idle lately?"
Young Su Feng covered his forehead, wondering: Why is Fourth Aunt so strict with Sui Sui?
It wasn't until many years later that Su Feng learned the answer.
Although Han Bing had mentioned this to his mother, Madam Han simply smiled faintly and said nothing more. She saw through her son's thoughts but ignored them.
Han Bing dared not bring it up again.
That was just a small matter.
Perhaps if someone had spoken to Madam Su in person, Yu Sui wouldn't have knelt in front of her door for so many years.
While kneeling in front of the door reciting her lessons, Yu Sui also had to resist the restlessness growing in her heart. Her silent screams were swallowed up by the irritability surging in her chest, turning into an invisible snake that coiled around her neck, forcing her to open her mouth slightly.
The words spoken can turn into sharp insults, vicious curses, and angry questions at any moment.
One day, two days; one year, two years.
It was just a small matter, and because of their different backgrounds and positions, no one stopped them.
In Yu Sui's memory, the older his elder brother Han Bing became, the more mature and steady he became. When he was young, he would show a little childish smile, and there would be curiosity in his eyes. He would also play with his brothers.
Han Bing went to Taiyi when he was sixteen, and Yu Sui rarely saw him after that. When she saw him again, the elder brother in her memory became both familiar and unfamiliar.
He is more capable than before, more reserved, more tactful, and more silent.
When he was in Taiyi, Han Bing would only return in winter, but he was busier every year. Sometimes when he left Taiyi, he would go out with Nangong Ming and never return to the capital. Even when he did return to the capital, he might be too busy with other matters to even go back to the Prince's residence.
Yu Sui saw Han Bing outside the Prince's Mansion several times.
Although Han Bing became busy and was far away in Taiyi, he never forgot to send birthday gifts to his younger siblings every year.
Based on his work style, Yu Sui believed that Han Bing personally selected the gifts every year. He liked to do everything himself, as if only by doing it himself could he avoid mistakes and achieve satisfaction.
This is also a manifestation of extreme distrust of others.
Because of Han Bing's busy schedule, Yu Sui hadn't seen him in the past two years, and the only messages she received from him were fragmented daily greetings between the siblings.
Sometimes Han Bing sends it on his own initiative, and sometimes Yu Sui sends it on his own initiative.
The man's silent and reserved appearance came to mind. He had a face that resembled Nangong Ming's, but his temperament was completely different.
She had similar features to her brother who taught her archery at the riding range in her memory, but he had a sharper aura than the quiet boy.
Yu Sui recalled the appearance of her elder brother, Han Bing.
She knew that Han Bing worked for Nangong Ming, but she never imagined that he had known about Qing Kui's existence all along.
“Han Bing was also in charge of Xuan Kui’s affairs at Taiyi,” Nian Qiuyan said in a low voice. “He provided a lot of cover for Xuan Kui, and there were disciples who had noticed clues about Xuan Kui before…”
He paused at this point, then said, "Han Bing resolved it all."
Yu Sui stared at him without blinking and asked bluntly, "He killed him?"
The autumn geese nodded gently.
Zhang Xiangyun also said, "In addition, he will select suitable targets to help them get on Xuan Kui's good side and get what they want."
Xuan Kui gave these people orchid poison, and these people used their status to provide Xuan Kui with conveniences throughout the six kingdoms.
As he said these things, he couldn't help but think of Han Bing.
The man, silent as a stone, possessed a ruthless streak. It seemed that as long as it came from the Prince or Madam Han's orders, even if it meant his death, he would obey without hesitation.
Yu Sui chuckled softly, "Should my elder brother choose the suitable person, or should our Qingyang Hundred Bandits pre-select the candidate for him?"
Zhang Xiangyun hesitated for a moment, but Nian Qiuyan answered first: "Qingkui will give us the list, and we will follow it."
The implication is that Han Bing wasn't the only one doing this.
Yu Sui glanced at Zhang Xiangyun, who said awkwardly, "This is our mission in Taiyi. Talented students from the six kingdoms with good family backgrounds all flock to Taiyi. It is indeed the most suitable place for us to select 'hostages'."
“Dragging those high-and-mighty aristocratic sons into the mud, watching them struggle in a sorry state, and finally kneeling down to beg for mercy, is indeed something you might find addictive,” Yu Sui said with a smile.
Caught off guard, Zhang Xiangyun touched upon his deepest, most secret thoughts, causing him to shudder. All he could hear was the sound of his own heart pounding.
At this moment, he felt a sense of shame, as if he had been stripped naked and exposed to Yu Sui's eyes.
Yu Sui ignored him at this moment and looked at Nian Qiuyan instead: "You do this kind of thing too?"
Nian Qiuyan saw the mockery in Yu Sui's eyes and pursed her lips, saying, "This kind of thing is not my place."
His main task in Taiyi was to research the new orchid poison.
Yu Sui rolled her eyes, her words carrying a hint of intrigue: "Are the only people you're choosing disciples of the academy?"
Nian Qiuyan looked down at Zhang Xiangyun, and Zhang Xiangyun, who was being stared at by the two of them, trembled inwardly. Nangong Sui was really not easy to fool.
"And the academy's instructors," Zhang Xiangyun said, trying to calm himself down. "Some thirteenth-realm sorcerers are only one step away from breaking through to sainthood. If they use the Orchid Poison, which can enhance the power of the five elements... even if they can't become saints, they can still distance themselves from other thirteenth-realm masters and break through the limits of the thirteenth realm."
For some, the allure of gaining power, becoming stronger, reaching their limits, and pursuing higher realms is immense and irresistible.
Many masters at the thirteenth realm believe they are strong enough to control Lan Du, but only after truly clashing with Lan Du do they realize whether the one who ultimately gains the upper hand is "themselves" or Lan Du.
There are many people in Taiyi who act as a cover for Xuankui.
The residents living in the outer city, the merchants, the teachers of the academy, the students from all over the six countries, and so on, all these people have woven a spider web in Taiyi, spreading all over the place.
Last time the academy conducted blood tests, the instructors of the Thirteen Realms were undoubtedly involved in a sleight of hand, and not a single person was detected.
Yu Sui was not surprised by this situation. She looked Zhang Xiangyun up and down and asked, "Do you remember?"
Before Zhang Xiangyun could answer, Yu Sui continued, "Tell me the list of Lan Shi you know, and I'll let you get up."
Zhang Xiangyun slightly curled the corners of his mouth, took a deep breath, and answered in a steady tone: "Don't I need to get up first before I can write it to you? Besides, I only know the list of Lan Shi that has passed through my hands, and I don't know the list of Lan Shi that others have."
Zhang Xiangyun didn't know the complete list of Lan Corpses who had been lured by Xuan Kui or made deals with him to consume Lan Poison.
There are too many.
He can't remember everyone.
Yu Sui glanced at Nian Qiuyan. Although she didn't say anything, Nian Qiuyan understood her meaning and stepped forward to take out Zhang Xiangyun's Wind-Listening Ruler.
Nian Qiuyan said, "First, check how many orchid corpses are in your Listening Wind Ruler."
Zhang Xiangyun glared at him fiercely, but Yu Sui chuckled softly, causing him to instantly composed himself.
"If I want to complete the task my father entrusted to me, I need to know more, but you won't tell me anything. Is this also my elder sister Qingkui's order?"
Yu Sui deliberately used Qingkui to pressure him, and Zhang Xiangyun broke out in a cold sweat, his face stiff as he said, "Of course not, it's just that there were some things we couldn't discuss before..."
“They think I’m useless because I can’t do anything at the first level, so they’re too lazy to say anything.” Yu Sui interrupted him, nodding knowingly.
Zhang Xiangyun's mind flashed to Gu Gan's face, and she said what Gu Gan often said: "Xuan Kui has too many dangerous things, I'm afraid that you, Princess, will get hurt."
Yu Sui leaned forward slightly and asked, "So who is the one who has been hurt now?"
Zhang Xiangyun: "...The princess's strength is indeed beyond my imagination, and I admire her greatly."
"There's no need for such flattery. I didn't see your sarcastic face before, and you seemed quite unfamiliar to me." Yu Sui smiled and squinted. "If it weren't for Taiyi coming here, I would just be someone you chose and then used the orchid poison to lure into my scheming."
Zhang Xiangyun, however, understood the key point in those words: Nangong Sui's abilities were acquired after she entered Taiyi; she was indeed a person of the Pingshu school before.
Only a half-truth could fool these two disciples of the Fangji family.
Yu Sui deliberately said, "I really didn't like your attitude before. My father always taught me that I must not lose face for the Prince's Mansion when I'm out, and I must not be bullied by others. If anyone insults you, then I should pull out that person's tongue."
Before Zhang Xiangyun could beg for mercy, Yu Sui said again, "While I was enduring this, I was thinking about when I should pull out your tongue."
"Princess..."
“Now is probably not the right time. After all, we still have to work together. I don’t know if I will end up like my elder brother, staying in Taiyi for many years. During these years, I will have to rely on you, Senior Xuan Kui, for your support.” Yu Sui looked at Zhang Xiangyun with a smile, her words carrying a profound meaning.
Zhang Xiangyun dared not agree and could only laugh awkwardly, "Your Highness is joking. From now on, I will only obey Your Highness's orders. I will tell Your Highness everything in detail and will never hide anything from you."
Yu Sui blinked, the oppressive aura around her completely dissipated, and she casually said in a tone that sounded like a complaint, "If you hadn't insisted that I argue with my senior brother tonight, I wouldn't have lost my temper with you."
Zhang Xiangyun was horrified after hearing this.
Whether these words meant it was because of Mei Liangyu, or whether she had long disliked him, Zhang Xiangyun needed to think it over. He preferred to believe that Yu Sui disliked him rather than believe that Liangyu was so highly regarded by her.
What makes that kid so special?
“I don’t like others seeing me lose my temper. It would damage the image of a princess of the royal family, and my father would definitely be angry if he found out. When he gets angry, I will be punished; if I am punished, I will complain about the person who made me suffer the punishment, and I will think day and night about making that person pay the price before I can relieve my hatred.”
Yu Sui asked Zhang Xiangyun, seemingly seriously, "Did you understand?"
Zhang Xiangyun said with a straight face, "I understand."
He didn't want to be the one that Nangong Sui "thought about day and night" for the time being.
Therefore, it's best not to tell anyone else how terrifying Princess Nangong's temper can be.
"But... what about Gu Gan?" Zhang Xiangyun asked tentatively. Yu Sui raised her hand to smooth her hair and smiled, "I've been with Brother Gu for many years, and I don't want him to know the truth. If he finds out the truth, he won't want to protect the delicate princess in his heart anymore. What am I going to do then?"
The last question, tinged with distress, made Zhang Xiangyun's heart tremble. He was locked in by Yu Sui's gaze, with no way to avoid it. He could only meet those smiling eyes and say, "I will absolutely not let Gu Gan know."
Yu Sui listened to Zhang Xiangyun announce the list of orchid corpses in the academy on the roof of the dormitory building, and left just before dawn.
The night rain soaked Zhang Xiangyun completely, and blood flowed across the ground. After the dragon ladder arrived, Yu Sui stepped inside and left alone.
Only when the dragon ladder started to descend did Zhang Xiangyun breathe a sigh of relief, and his tense eye muscles finally relaxed for a moment.
“I’m leaving too,” Nian Qiuyan said gently.
Zhang Xiangyun's eyes widened instantly, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You're just leaving like that?"
"Hmm?" Nian Qiuyan turned around and looked at him good-naturedly, asking, "Can't you go down by yourself?"
Zhang Xiangyun: "What do you think?!"
His hand was broken!
Nian Qiuyan gestured with her eyes to the sacred wood slip that had fallen not far away: "Since she returned the sacred wood slip to you, it's because she doesn't want you to die here. Think of a way to climb over and get it yourself."
Climb over and get it.
Zhang Xiangyun's temples throbbed; the effects of the medication were wearing off. His injuries hadn't been treated, and waves of pain surged through him, almost rendering him speechless. His teeth chattered, and while he mentally cursed Nian Qiuyan, he could only watch helplessly as she vaulted over the rooftop railing with one hand and disappeared from sight.
That bastard!
Zhang Xiangyun couldn't think of anything else at this moment. The excruciating pain prevented him from thinking about anything else. He could only curse wildly in his heart while writhing and crawling on the cold, damp ground covered in night rain.
Yu Sui walked silently along the road to the dining hall, holding an umbrella. The night rain had lessened and fell softly on the umbrella without making a sound.
She remained silent, her gaze somewhat unfocused, until the warm yellow light emanating from the distant dining hall was reflected in her pupils. Only then did Yu Sui stop, her expression thoughtful.
My senior brother isn't here.
She took the wrong turn.
Yu Sui turned and left, heading towards the Ghost Path Holy Hall.
Mei Liangyu did not leave the academy tonight.
He wrote a few incantations in the Ghost Path Sanctuary, then lay down in his chair, covered himself with a blanket, and fell asleep.
The scent of the sanctuary was clearest when he closed his eyes.
The faint scent of ink played hide-and-seek with him on the night breeze, sometimes there, sometimes not.
It's unclear when it started, but Mei Liangyu stopped closing the doors of the main hall of the sanctuary quite often.
It seems that at first, seeing that the new junior sister couldn't stand the heat, the hall doors were always left open when she listened to the master's lectures inside. The night breeze that came in from outside would rush over her the moment she turned her head, cool and refreshing.
There was a moment when the rain intensified, falling on the glazed tiles of the main hall with a crisp sound. Mei Liangyu heard the sound, lazily opened her eyes, glanced outside, and then closed them again.
After he woke up, he lifted the blanket and draped it over the back of the chair. Outside, a light rain was falling and the morning mist was thick. Mei Liangyu took out pruning shears from the storeroom, climbed up the tall apricot tree, and began to prune its branches.
As the branches swayed, raindrops fell incessantly. Just as Mei Liangyu was about to prune a branch, she saw a figure approaching from afar through the swaying leaves.
He stopped moving, slowed his breathing, and quietly hid in the tree, wondering if Yu Sui could find him.
Yu Sui was still holding an umbrella. After entering the gate, she habitually walked up the steps. After taking only a couple of steps, she turned around as if she had something in mind and looked at the apricot tree not far away.
She turned and went down the steps toward the apricot tree.
Mei Liangyu's lips curved slightly.
Yu Sui stood under the tree, the umbrella handle draped over her shoulder tilted back, and she looked up at the tree: "Senior Brother?"
Mei Liangyu squatted on the thick tree trunk, looked down at her, and deliberately said, "I haven't even seen you yet, how did you find me?"
Yu Sui smiled brightly and said, "I have a one-sided telepathic connection with my senior brother."
The unexpected answer, completely out of the ordinary and beyond imagination, left Mei Liangyu stunned for a moment, pondering the last four words she uttered repeatedly.
Even the slightest hint of ambiguity in Yu Sui's words sent a shiver down his spine, making him addicted to repeatedly recalling the feeling.
“Since we are of one mind, how can it be one-sided?” Mei Liangyu’s voice deepened slightly, as if he were serious. “Then naturally it’s the same for both of us. I saw you a long time ago.”
Seeing that he had changed from a casual look to a serious one, Yu Sui couldn't help but chuckle. Her gaze fell on the large shears that Mei Liangyu was holding on the tree trunk, and she asked him, "Senior brother, what are you doing?"
"Prune the branches, cut off those new branches that will take away more nutrients," Mei Liangyu explained, following her gaze. "That way, next year's fruit will be more plentiful and sweeter."
"It's already grown so big, why cut it off?" Yu Sui felt a little regretful.
Mei Liangyu said, "Since it doesn't bear fruit, it's an unnecessary burden for the tree, so cutting it down is the best course of action."
When he woke up and saw the apricot tree, he inexplicably thought that this might be his last chance.
He might not be here next year.
Mei Liangyu glanced at Yu Sui's face: "Don't you want to cut it off?"
Yu Sui shook his head, "Senior brother, just do what you think is right. I don't understand these things."
Mei Liangyu was about to cut the tree branch when she turned back to look at Yu Sui, frowning as she asked, "Are you unhappy?"
Yu Sui was taken aback by the question and shook her head: "No."
"Is something bothering you?" Mei Liangyu asked again. "Who made you unhappy?"
It couldn't possibly be him, could it?
Yu Sui realized that Mei Liangyu had noticed her hidden emotions, and stared at him blankly for a long time. Just as Mei Liangyu was about to climb down the tree, she shook her head and smiled, "I was a little unhappy before I came, but I was happy after seeing my senior brother."
She wasn't lying.
When Mei Liangyu asked her, and when she realized that her emotions, which she shouldn't and dared not reveal, had been noticed, she was suddenly comforted.
The person in front of her has clearly expressed that he likes her.
Unlike Zhong Lique's favorite friend, unlike Su Feng's favorite sister, unlike anyone else in the world who loves her.
There aren't many people in the world who love themselves as much as they do.
At this moment, Yu Sui realized that Mei Liangyu's affection must be unique.
[Author's Note]
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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