Chapter 65
Horse hooves trod across the official road, raising a trail of light dust.
Su Yan sat astride his horse, the hem of his dark-colored outfit stained with bits of grass and mud. His lips were tightly pressed together, his temples were slightly disheveled by the wind, his brows were furrowed, and his sharp eyes were fixed on the road ahead, as if he wanted to stare a hole through it.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
He and Gu Linzhao spent three days exploring the depths of the legendary "Mysterious Amber Grass," searching through several dangerous places recorded in ancient texts, but they didn't even find a trace of it! Although Gu Linzhao also frowned and said, "The records in ancient texts may be inaccurate," there was little disappointment in his eyes. Instead, there was a sense of relief.
Then, recalling Gu Linzhao's words before leaving—that "Ze Lan is already capable of taking care of herself" and "His Highness Xiao Qiyun will take better care of her"—and Su Ze Lan's hesitant expression as she looked at Xiao Qiyun with pleading eyes...
"Hmph!" Su Yan pulled hard on the reins, and the horse snorted in dissatisfaction. He turned his head and glared at Gu Linzhao, who was riding beside him with a calm expression.
"Gu Linzhao!" Su Yan's voice was filled with suppressed anger, like muffled thunder rumbling in his throat. "Tell me honestly! That 'Mysterious Amber Grass,' was it something you made up to fool me?!"
Gu Linzhao's hand holding the reins paused almost imperceptibly.
He turned his head to meet Su Yan's eyes, which were almost spitting fire. His face remained calm and composed, his eyes as still as a deep pool: "Ayan, what makes you say that? Ancient books do record it, but it is from a long time ago and the traces are hard to find."
"Stop trying to fool me!" Su Yan's voice suddenly rose, startling several sparrows in the roadside trees. "What do you mean, 'hard to find'! I don't think there's even one! You're just deliberately sending me away so that that idiot Zhelan will have a chance to talk to Xiao Qiyun! Isn't that right?!"
He grew angrier as he spoke, his chest heaving violently: "I knew it! Zhelan's eyes were off before she left! Like she'd lost her soul! And you! Saying 'His Highness Xiao Qiyun took better care of her'! I think you're in cahoots with them! You're conspiring to deceive me!"
Gu Linzhao listened silently to Su Yan's roar, his face expressionless, only his fingers tightened slightly around the reins.
He knew, of course, that he couldn't hide it from Su Yan; Su Yan had a fiery temper but was extremely perceptive. He hadn't expected to completely conceal it, but he hadn't anticipated that Su Yan would react so quickly, realizing what was going on halfway home.
Seeing that Gu Linzhao remained silent, Su Yan became even more furious, convinced of his guess: "I was right, wasn't I?! Humph! I knew it! You all! You've all been fooling me like I'm an idiot! Sheng Chi! Xiao Qiyun! Even you..."
He spurred his horse, and it galloped a few steps ahead of Gu Linzhao. Su Yan turned his head and continued firing at Gu Linzhao: "Do you know that Zhelan is simple-minded?! That Xiao Qiyun... that kid..."
He kept repeating "that kid" for a while, seemingly unable to find the right words to describe Xiao Qiyun's overly attentive concern for Su Zhelan. In the end, he could only say indignantly, "...He's got a lot on his mind! If Zhelan spends too much time with him, she might get completely fooled! What if she suffers the consequences?!"
"And another thing!" Su Yan's voice came out like a machine gun, giving Gu Linzhao no chance to interrupt. "Zhelan's health! He looks like he can get out of bed, but his heart meridian is still weak! The scar on his wrist hasn't healed yet! What if he gets impulsive and goes to hurt himself again?! Who among you can keep an eye on him?! Huh?!"
"The cooks at the General's Mansion! Their food is too salty! Zhelan needs to eat something light now!"
"The guards in the manor! They're all like wooden stakes! What good are they?!"
...
Su Yan's complaints came like a flood that had been released, going on and on. From Gu Linzhao "making up lies to deceive him", to Xiao Qiyun "being cunning", to Su Zhelan "being a worry", and finally even the cooks, guards and even the steam in the Shuyu Courtyard became targets of his rants.
He rode his horse, dashing left and right on the official road, spitting as he spoke, his voice so loud it could be heard for two miles.
Gu Linzhao followed half a step behind him, listening silently. His face remained expressionless, but the lines of his tightly pursed lips seemed straighter than usual, and the veins on the back of his hand holding the reins were slightly bulging.
He would occasionally glance up at Su Yan's excitedly waving arms, or listen to the endless, energetic complaints, a faint hint of helplessness and... indulgence flashing in his eyes.
He knew that Su Yan wasn't really that angry.
Or rather, that anger at being "deceived," and this endless complaining, were more like a venting, a subtle sense of loss at his disciple slipping out of his "control," and a... indirect form of recognition—recognition that Su Zhelan had indeed recovered well and no longer needed him to stay by her side every step of the way.
So Gu Linzhao chose to remain silent. Like a silent mountain, he steadily followed behind the furious Su Yan, letting the muttered words, mixed with worry, dissatisfaction, and a hint of barely perceptible relief, rain down on him.
The official road was long, and Su Yan's complaints seemed endless.
"...And you!" Su Yan's voice was already a little hoarse, but his momentum remained undiminished. He abruptly reined in his horse, turned around and glared at Gu Linzhao, "The most infuriating thing is you! Gu Linzhao! You actually helped outsiders plot against me! I think you're just a..."
Before he could finish speaking, his gaze went past Gu Linzhao's shoulder and landed on the increasingly clear city tower of the General's Mansion in the distance.
The city gate tower stood majestically, casting long shadows in the setting sun. Su Yan's voice abruptly stopped.
He seemed to have all his strength suddenly drained away; his shoulders slumped slightly, and the anger on his face faded, leaving only a deep weariness and... a trace of barely perceptible relief.
He remained silent for a moment, then finally let out a heavy "humph," turned his head away from Gu Linzhao, spurred his horse, and galloped off towards the General's Mansion, leaving behind only a muttered word carried away by the wind, so faint it was almost inaudible:
"...Never mind...for the sake of that silly boy...he looks pretty good..."
As Gu Linzhao watched Su Yan ride away, his tightly clenched lips finally relaxed almost imperceptibly, revealing a faint, somewhat helpless smile.
He shook his head slightly, urged his mount on, and followed at a leisurely pace.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two men onto the dusty official road.
Su Yan, standing in front, still stood with his back straight, as if the "condemnation" that had lasted for half a day had never happened.
Behind him, Gu Linzhao could still hear the incessant complaints echoing in his ears. He raised his hand and gently rubbed his temples, which were throbbing from the noise. Deep in his eyes, however, was a calm and gentle expression.
Su Yan dismounted, his movements carrying the dust of the long journey and the lingering melancholy.
His dark, tight-fitting clothes were stained with night dew and dust, his temples were slightly disheveled, and his brows showed the weariness of a long journey, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the Shuyu Courtyard in the night.
The courtyard gate was ajar, letting in a warm yellow light and... the faint sound of chess pieces falling onto the board?
Su Yan's brows furrowed instantly! He pushed open the courtyard gate and strode inside!
Inside Shuyu Courtyard, a misty haze hung in the air, and lanterns under the eaves cast a soft glow. At the stone table in the center of the courtyard, two figures sat facing each other, playing chess.
Su Zhelan, draped in a thick cotton robe and wrapped in a fleece blanket, was slightly bent over, a white jade chess piece between his fingers, intently watching the chessboard. His profile, illuminated by the lamplight, appeared thin but had a more rosy complexion than before. Opposite him, Xiao Qiyun sat upright, toying with several black pieces in his hand, his expression calm.
The atmosphere was warm and peaceful.
However, this peaceful scene, in Su Yan's eyes, was like lighting the fuse of a powder keg!
"Su Zhelan!" Su Yan's roar was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the tranquility of the courtyard! He rushed to the stone table in a few steps, his tall figure carrying a chilling night wind, which startled Su Zhelan so much that her hand trembled, and the chess piece fell to the chessboard with a "thud," rolling several times.
Su Zhelan looked up abruptly and saw her master, who was travel-worn and had a livid face. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by great panic: "Master...Master? You're back?"
Xiao Qiyun also put down his chess piece, stood up, and looked calmly at Su Yan: "Mr. Su, you're back? Was your journey smooth?"
Su Yan seemed not to hear Xiao Qiyun's words! His gaze was like torches, fixed on Su Zhelan, especially his thin figure wrapped in a blanket and his pale face in the night wind!
"You! You! You!" Su Yan's fingers trembled with rage as he pointed at Su Zhelan's nose. His voice, shrill with anger, pierced the quiet night. "In the middle of the night! Why aren't you lying in your room?! What are you doing out here?! In the cold wind?! Playing chess?! Do you think you're too old to live?!"
As he roared, he roughly ripped off his dew-covered cloak and, without a word, forcefully wrapped it around Su Zhelan! The force was so great that it almost knocked Su Zhelan off the stone bench!
"Look at your face! You're as pale as a ghost! Your hands are ice cold!" Su Yan's palm suddenly pressed against Su Zhelan's forehead. The rough calluses on his palm and the slightly cool touch from the journey made Su Zhelan flinch. "Your heart meridian hasn't recovered yet! And you dare to come out into the night wind?! What if the cold gets into your body?! What if your old injuries flare up?! Huh?!"
He yelled and shoved Su Zhelan toward the main house, yelling, "Get inside! Now! Right now! Get back to bed and lie down! Cover yourself with the blankets!"
Su Zhelan stumbled as he pushed her. Wrapped in two thick layers of cloth, she looked like a clumsy rice dumpling, but dared not resist in the slightest. She could only frantically reply, "I...I understand, Master...I'll go in right away..."
As he spoke, he glanced back worriedly at Xiao Qiyun, who was left standing there.
Su Yan pushed Su Zhelan into the room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang! It was as if he wanted to shut out all the cold air!
After doing all this, Su Yan suddenly turned around! His eyes, burning with raging anger, were like two quenched knives, stabbing fiercely at Xiao Qiyun, who stood calmly by the stone table!
He rushed to Xiao Qiyun, his chest heaving violently, spittle almost hitting Gu Linzhao's face, his voice hoarse and distorted with extreme anger and disappointment:
"Xiao Qiyun!!!" Su Yan almost shouted, "What did I tell you before I left?! Huh?! I told you to help take care of him! I told you to keep a close eye on him! Is this how you take care of him?! Huh?!"
He pointed to the tightly closed door, his fingers trembling with agitation: "In the middle of the night! Letting him sit in the yard in the cold wind?! Playing chess?! Are you out of your mind?! Or did you get your head caught in the door?! Don't you know his health condition?! Huh?!"
"His heart meridian is damaged! He's deficient in both qi and blood! He's most vulnerable to wind, cold, dampness, and cold! And what did you do?! Let him stay outside?! And even play chess?! That can replenish his qi and blood?! Huh?!"
Su Yan's roar was like a storm, raining down on Xiao Qiyun. Every word was filled with boundless anger and heartache for Su Zhelan. "I entrusted him to you! Is this how you take care of him? I think you're trying to drive me crazy!"
Xiao Qiyun stood still, like a rock standing firm in a storm. He calmly endured all of Su Yan's anger and accusations, his face showing no sign of resentment, his eyes remaining steady.
He didn't even offer a word in his own defense, but simply listened quietly until Su Yan's breathing became unsteady and his chest heaved violently. Only then did he slowly speak, his voice perfectly calm and without a trace of emotion:
"He wrapped himself in a blanket and sat for only fifteen minutes. The charcoal brazier was also moved to the side."
Xiao Qiyun's gaze swept over the small copper basin beside the stone table, which was burning with silver charcoal and radiating warmth, and then looked at Su Yan's face, which was flushed with anger. "I checked his pulse, and it was steady and strong, with no signs of cold invading him."
His explanation was extremely concise, stating only the facts without any evasion or excuses.
But to the furious Su Yan, these words were like adding fuel to the fire!
"Steady and strong?! Steady and strong my ass!" Su Yan was so angry he almost jumped up. "He looks fine now! Does the cold entering the body show up immediately?! By the time it shows, it's too late! Are you the doctor or am I?! Huh?!"
He pointed at Xiao Qiyun's nose, his finger almost poking the other's face: "Xiao Qiyun! Let me tell you! If Su Zhelan catches a cold tonight and develops a chronic illness, I'll never forgive you!"
After shouting that, Su Yan seemed to have exhausted his strength. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, and he glared at Xiao Qiyun with a look full of accusation that "you have disappointed me too much".
He ignored Xiao Qiyun, turned around abruptly, and strode towards the main house with lingering anger. He slammed the door shut, leaving Xiao Qiyun standing alone in the courtyard.
A night breeze blew by, bringing with it the unique sulfurous aroma and a touch of coolness of the hot spring.
Su Yan's angry roar, filled with disappointment and rage, "I'm not done with you!" still echoed in the courtyard. He slammed the door shut with a loud "bang," causing dust to fall from the door frame.
Xiao Qiyun stood alone in the courtyard, the night breeze ruffling his moon-white robes, bringing a touch of coolness.
He stared silently at the closed door of the main house, then looked down at the broken chess game on the stone table, scattered by Su Yan's anger. His expression remained calm, but a faint trace of helplessness flashed deep in his eyes.
Just then, steady footsteps came from the courtyard gate.
Gu Linzhao appeared at the doorway. He had clearly witnessed the entire storm that had just transpired in the courtyard, and his face showed no surprise, only a calm composure as if he understood everything. Without the slightest hesitation, he calmly walked into the courtyard and went straight to Xiao Qiyun's side.
"Your Highness." Gu Linzhao's deep and calm voice broke the silence in the courtyard. He nodded slightly to Xiao Qiyun, his gaze meeting Xiao Qiyun's calm eyes with an open and honest look.
Xiao Qiyun turned his head to look at Gu Linzhao and nodded slightly: "Alliance Leader Gu".
Gu Linzhao's gaze swept over the tightly closed main house door—from inside, he could vaguely hear Su Yan's low but still angry reprimanding voice, as well as Su Zhelan's soft, somewhat aggrieved explanation.
He sighed silently, looked at Xiao Qiyun again, his eyes sincere, with a hint of barely perceptible apology:
“Just now… Su Yan’s words were somewhat offensive and I hope Your Highness will forgive him.” Gu Linzhao’s voice was calm and powerful, without any excuses or justifications, and he directly stated his purpose, “He is a person who… has a quick temper and a violent temper. He always speaks bluntly and sometimes inevitably loses his temper.”
He paused, his tone carrying a deep sense of helplessness and understanding, but more of an explanation than an excuse for Su Yan's actions: "But Your Highness must also be able to see that he treats Zhelan... as his own son. To him, Zhelan is not just a disciple... but more like family."
Gu Linzhao's gaze became exceptionally solemn: "He cannot bear to see Zhelan suffer even the slightest grievance or pain. Even the slightest disturbance can make him feel as if he is facing a formidable enemy, throwing him into a state of panic. Just now, seeing Zhelan outside late at night, he acted rashly in his anxiety, and his protective instincts... I beg Your Highness... to understand."
Xiao Qiyun listened quietly to Gu Linzhao's frank and sincere explanation. Moonlight fell on his calm profile, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes.
He remained silent for a moment, the complex emotions surging in his eyes gradually subsiding. He spoke slowly, his voice still clear and gentle, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and...relief:
"You flatter me, Alliance Leader."
He shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the tightly closed doors of the main house, and said in a soft voice, "Mr. Su's kindness and deep affection for his disciple, I... understand."
He paused, his voice lowered, carrying a frank sincerity, and his gaze returned to Gu Linzhao's face: "Tonight... it was my oversight."
He recalled Su Zhelan sitting in the courtyard, wrapped in a blanket, playing chess with him by the warm charcoal fire. Her eyes, filled with a sense of ease and anticipation, seemed to think that a quarter of an hour was too short and the charcoal fire was warm enough. However, she overlooked Su Yan's heart, which was tormented by Su Zhelan's injuries and was filled with paranoia.
“Knowing that Zhelan’s health was not yet fully recovered, it was indeed inappropriate to let him sit in the courtyard for so long.” Xiao Qiyun’s voice carried a hint of self-reproach. “Mr. Su’s reprimand was justified. It was my… negligence.”
He looked at Gu Linzhao, and in the moonlight, his usually gentle and composed eyes were now filled with concern for Su Zhelan and a deep determination: "Zhelan's safety and health... weigh more heavily on me than anything else. I want him to be well more than anyone else, and I don't want to see him suffer even a little more. What happened tonight was my fault. Rest assured, Alliance Leader, from now on... I will be more cautious."
Looking into Xiao Qiyun's open and sincere eyes, and listening to his words of selfless apology, Gu Linzhao's last trace of worry dissipated.
He nodded, a relieved smile on his face: "It is a blessing for Zhelan that Your Highness is so understanding."
He raised his hand and gently patted Xiao Qiyun's shoulder, his gesture carrying the magnanimity and trust of an elder: "It's late, Your Highness, you should go back and rest early. As for Zhelan... with Ayan watching over her, she'll be fine."
Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Alliance Leader."
Gu Linzhao said no more, turned around and walked towards the main house of Shuyu Courtyard with steady steps.
Xiao Qiyun stood alone in the courtyard, the night wind ruffling his clothes. He looked up at the cold, lonely moon on the horizon, then turned back to look at the tightly closed gates of Shuyu Courtyard and the faint light shining through, his eyes deep and complex.
Su Yan's roar still echoed in his ears, and Su Zhelan's aggrieved and worried eyes also surfaced in his mind. He exhaled softly, and the white mist quickly dissipated in the cold night air.
The moonlight flowed silently like water. Xiao Qiyun took one last look in the direction of Shuyu Courtyard, then turned around. His pale figure blended into the deep night, his steps steady and firm.
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