Volume Two: An Abundance of Blossoms Always Feels Lonely
Heart Thoughts Rise in Chaos
Dedicating oneself to the test, the tower master has completely turned cold-hearted
In the morning of Zhouji, it is always exceptionally quiet. Except for the occasional patrol guard walking by inside the city, the entire city seems to be asleep. Only Qin Junlan knows that this is merely the calm before the storm, in places where light cannot be seen, too many unknown conspiracies are hidden.
At the fourth watch, Liu Qianxun, unlike usual, woke up early. As if having some kind of premonition, she always felt somewhat uneasy at heart. She put on her clothes and opened the door, discovering a letter placed on the ground, with the words written: “Xun’er, personally open.”
“I have an urgent matter to handle, will return within two days, do not worry.”
This is Qin Junlan’s handwriting. Her characters are elegant with a bit of wildness, wide open and close, quite full of momentum. Just these few short words reveal her skill in calligraphy.
Where did she go?
Liu Qianxun did not have time to think, and quickly ran towards the city tower. The morning light had not yet appeared, the east was gradually whitening, and only two horses could be seen driving away to the west. Qin Junlan’s spirited posture, while riding and galloping, was graceful and moving, but those deep thoughts behind her unannounced departure were more unreachable than the deep mountains and secluded valleys.
Could she have gone to Qionglong Mountain? Liu Qianxun pondered. In recent days, when she discussed matters with Lord Lin, she never let her participate, nor did she ever reveal her own thoughts and plans. Surely, she had already devised a strategy on how to deal with the bandits of Qionglong Mountain. However, would it not be dangerous for her to rashly go up the mountain like this?
No, she is the emperor, her body is tied to the world, she would absolutely not easily risk herself in danger without a foolproof plan in place before setting out. Liu Qianxun fell into deep thought, always feeling that this disaster and famine were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wei had prepared part of the food supplies, and tens of thousands of dan of sand and straw disguised as food packages, and inside were hidden explosives. Watching the busy Jiang Wei and the city soldiers, Liu Qianxun could almost guess that Qin Junlan intended to first use wisdom to take control, and if that failed, she would resort to a strong attack. For this, she did not hesitate to go personally; such courage and boldness are truly not something an ordinary person could possess.
“Tower Master, the Sect Leader has arrived,” Ye Ming presented the latest letter. She opened it and glanced at it with no expression on her face, “You help me keep an eye on Bai Ruoxi, do not let her discover that I have left the city. If I do not return tonight, I will certainly return tomorrow.”
“Subordinate follows orders.” Ye Ming sighed with melancholy, since that night, Bai Ruoxi had not paid attention to her, instead spending every day with Jiang Wei, settling disaster victims, distributing food, busy yet content.
It seems this Xicheng County Princess is truly angry.
From Zhouji to Weixian, riding a horse can quickly arrive, and before noon, Liu Qianxun discreetly left the city, heading towards Weixian.
Traveling until evening, the sunset light illuminated, making the whole Weixian seem like a landscape painting, so beautiful it didn’t appear to be of the mortal world, more like an immortal realm.
Liu Qianxun settled the horse well and came to a brothel, where the paper lantern riddles and the world of dust and dirt always presented a scene of full bloom. Here indeed was a hiding place, and before she stepped in, someone came forward and bowed to her, “Tower Master, the Sect Leader is in the backyard.”
She nodded.
The front courtyard was bustling and noisy, while the backyard was quiet and elegant, making it hard to imagine this was a brothel.
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The gentle sound of the xun came, suppressing the quiet night, carrying sorrow in its depth, dark yet soul-stirring. She knew that whenever Ling Yu was in a bad mood, she would play the xun. She faintly remembered the first time she saw Ling Yu, she was attracted by the xun’s sound. That graceful figure in the independent pavilion, with a drifting sorrowful melody, carried a faint sadness, and from then on, Ling Yu lived in her heart, living there for seven years.
Liu Qianxun somewhat missed the Ling Yu of that time, always with a faint smile, yet full of cunning. Liu Qianxun did not even know how a person could hold so many schemes in their heart, nor did she understand why Ling Yu, at such a young age, was so adept in schemes, skilled at controlling court situations. Even the elders and princes of the Yu Kingdom were not her match. Whoever she wanted to overthrow would lose power in court.
Ling Yu really seemed like a demon, just like at this moment, wearing a purple tight robe sleeve top, with an emerald smoke gauze scattered flower skirt below, her waist wrapped in a gold silk soft smoke Luo ribbon. That graceful figure was faintly visible, her slender figure enchanting and captivating. Her outer garment’s thin gauze revealed the eye-catching iris tattoo. She had light makeup, with her eyebrows and eyes upturned, every movement exuding a fox-like charm. Even from a step away, Liu Qianxun could smell her subtle fragrance.
“Subordinate pays respect to the Sect Leader.” Liu Qianxun was already accustomed to this; once upon a time, she never saluted Ling Yu. The current unfamiliarity, perhaps, is the best state.
Ling Yu slightly retracted her smile, her gaze suddenly changing. In one swift move, she wrapped an arm around Liu Qianxun’s slender waist and captured her fragrant lips.
The unexpected hot kiss, like a wave of heat, surged through her entire body. Ling Yu’s tongue tip domineeringly pried open her mouth, wantonly wandering between her teeth and tongue.
Liu Qianxun was unable to react, only instinctively reaching out her hand to resist against Ling Yu’s shoulder, yet Ling Yu had no intention of stopping. She gripped Liu Qianxun’s wrist, forcing her step by step to the wall, pinning her body, kissing passionately. Liu Qianxun’s tongue kept dodging, yet she still could not resist Ling Yu’s entanglement; that warm moisture filled her mouth.
It was as if she was tasting a delicacy, with every touch affecting her heart. Her whole body was filled with a strong possessiveness, like a conquering king invading a city, or like a domineering lion declaring its sovereignty.
Ling Yu became more and more excited, while Liu Qianxun grew increasingly clear-headed, somewhat resisting this sudden intimacy. She lifted both hands, increased her strength to push Ling Yu away, and shouted, “Are you crazy?!” She did not indulge in this moment of passion, only feeling that today’s Ling Yu was somewhat abnormal.
“I am crazy! Crazy from missing you.” Ling Yu licked her lips, unsatisfied, the corners of her lips still holding Liu Qianxun’s lingering fragrance, with a smile full of endless aftertaste, extremely enchanting.
“What exactly do you want?” Liu Qianxun was already powerless to face her, teased again and again, only to be pushed away repeatedly for so many years; she had really had enough!
“You tell me what I want?” Ling Yu raised her enchanting eyebrows, slowly approaching her, each breath carrying confusion, that long-suppressed desire spreading around her. Her bewildered gaze was covered with a layer of faint mist. For the first time, Liu Qianxun felt that Ling Yu, aroused by desire, could be so seductive.
“Xun’er…” Ling Yu hooked both hands around Liu Qianxun’s neck, her forehead touching hers, nose tips touching, able to clearly feel each other’s breath. Yet, compared to Ling Yu’s excitement, Liu Qianxun remained much calmer.
“Ling Yu, what exactly do you want to do…” Liu Qianxun’s tone was full of helplessness. Even after knowing her for so long, she still couldn’t guess Ling Yu’s thoughts.
Ling Yu lightly brushed her hair at the temples, every movement exuding her charm. Saying she is a bewitching fox spirit would not be excessive, yet she had not the slightest air of worldliness; occasionally, one could still feel her elegant demeanor. She pulled Liu Qianxun’s wrist, rolled up her sleeve, seemingly without showing emotion, her feelings deeply hidden. However, Liu Qianxun still captured the slightly twitching muscle under her eyelid, which seemed to show a bit of excitement.
Yet her eyes had already returned to calm, not like the earlier passion. The cinnabar mark on Liu Qianxun’s arm was clearly visible, with no sign of fading.
“Qin Junlan actually didn’t touch you?” Ling Yu’s tone was half-believing, half-doubting, with surprise.
This was the cinnabar mark that Ling Yu personally applied for Liu Qianxun when she was fifteen. Liu Qianxun is the kind of person who, once she invests in love, does so without regret, loving deeply to her very core. But Ling Yu never truly accepted her; they were ambiguously intimate, yet never had real physical intimacy. Liu Qianxun always thought that it was because Ling Yu didn’t love her enough that she didn’t touch her.
Today, it seems, this cinnabar mark is such a good symbol of a virgin body. From the moment Ling Yu discovered Liu Qianxun’s astonishing appearance, a plan had already spread in her heart. Even without the current empress’s beauty trap, Liu Qianxun might have been sent to seduce others, perhaps some general holding military power, or some prince. Who doesn’t like captivating beauty, and who doesn’t like a woman with a virgin body? This is the true reason Ling Yu never touched her.
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But Ling Yu miscalculated, her biggest mistake was allowing herself to fall in love with Liu Qianxun as well. This kind of love became a burden, becoming the deepest abyss she most wanted to have yet dared not touch.
So it is, Liu Qianxun only understood today, Ling Yu’s “well-intentioned efforts.”
She chuckled silently, retracting her arm, “Let the Sect Leader be disappointed, Qin Junlan still does not love me to the point of intoxication. Her self-control exceeds your imagination.”
“Heh… I, Ling Yu, very rarely admire people, and I have never regarded anyone as an opponent before. This Qin Junlan truly did not let me down. I never underestimated her; otherwise, how could I bear to let you personally take action?” Ling Yu lightly teased her chin, but she avoided it.
How could Liu Qianxun know that Ling Yu thought she had already become Qin Junlan’s person? Ling Yu believed that what was done could not be undone, and every day her heart tormented her, imagining scenes of the two of them in moments of passion. Each time, her heart ached uncontrollably, wishing she could dismember Qin Junlan to relieve her heart’s hatred. During these moments, she would desperately practice swordsmanship, find targets, and vent her emotions.
But she never revealed her heart’s truest emotions and thoughts, nor would she let anyone see her weaknesses.
“I do not know what instruction the Sect Leader has for visiting today.” Compared to the joyful meetings of the past, Liu Qianxun now carried a hint of coolness.
“Xun’er, you are becoming colder to me. Must it be this way?” Ling Yu reached out to embrace her; she always liked to hold her, and at every meeting, just being able to hold her slightly was enough for her.
Yet Liu Qianxun was unmoved, her heart, already filled with wounds, was still trying to make one last struggle. Suddenly, she lightly pulled her belt, her inner garment opened, the inner pocket faintly visible. She gazed hazily at Ling Yu and asked, “If so, do you want me?” The last thin garment hung on her shoulder, revealing that stunning iris tattoo.
“You…” Seeing her suddenly like this, Ling Yu’s expression became serious.
Liu Qianxun indeed wanted to see if Ling Yu was as she suspected, keeping her most pure virgin body to obtain what she most desired.
“Xun’er…” Ling Yu turned her face away, avoiding her gaze. She had to admit, at this moment, Liu Qianxun’s unusual behavior was a great temptation to her, so great it made her lose composure. That faintly visible figure, so close to her, seemed capable of igniting a flame within her. Ling Yu took a deep breath, trying to adjust her current panic and let herself remain calm and rational.
“What? Not daring? Or unwilling? Sect Leader.” Liu Qianxun’s words were like pearls, pushing Ling Yu to the corner.
“Hehehehe…” Ling Yu suddenly began to laugh softly, “Are you testing me?” She finally understood Liu Qianxun’s intent.
“You think it is, then it is.” Liu Qianxun raised an eyebrow, with a half-smile, wondering when she and Ling Yu began to walk the path of fighting.
Only she did not know whether Ling Yu’s self-control was stronger than Qin Junlan’s or if she simply did not care. She was so concerned about the cinnabar mark merely because she worried the plan would be affected.
How laughable, the truth is always so cruel, like a scar that has just scabbed over, only to be forcibly torn off again. Ling Yu’s desire is real, yet her caution is even more real. She would never easily destroy Liu Qianxun’s beauty because she needed Qin Junlan to believe that Liu Qianxun was absolutely pure.
She thought she had already given up, but her heart still ached. Their relationship had already reached its end, and Liu Qianxun’s emotions gradually calmed. Her gaze was indifferent, like a fairy isolated from the world, unstained by worldly matters, unmoved by anyone.
“I just like to see you opposing me, being obedient is not you.” Ling Yu raised her eyes, looking hazily at her, this woman who also fascinated her.
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“If the Sect Leader has no other matters, this subordinate will take her leave.”
“Qin Junlan entering the mountain will take at least two days, why are you in such a rush to return?” Ling Yu always controls everything, as if nothing can escape her eyes.
How much more does she know? Liu Qianxun pondered, but she couldn’t show too much, only lightly asked, “Qin Junlan is not here, but her shadow guards are everywhere. On this southern tour, she brought at least ten shadow guards with her.”
“No need to worry, ten shadow guards, four hidden at the foot of Qionglong Mountain, four in the military camp, and two in Zhouji, can’t accomplish much. But…” She slightly nodded, facing Liu Qianxun’s eyes, her voice gradually softening, finally becoming a whisper, murmuring by her side, “I fear she~ will go and not return.”
Liu Qianxun’s heart trembled, but her eyes remained calm as water. She knew Ling Yu was observing her, attempting to find a ripple in her gaze. Ling Yu is skilled at reading expressions and observing words, often judging others by their words and actions. Whenever a subordinate shows disloyalty, she can promptly eliminate them, preventing future trouble. This is where her ruthlessness and fearfulness lie.
“Dead would be best, ending the beauty trap, and I would be happily idle.” Liu Qianxun seemed to have no ripple in her heart, indifferent to Qin Junlan’s life or death, yet her heart was tightly pulling. Ling Yu mentioned danger, which must have come from reliable intelligence gathered by Shura Sect. Is this trip truly very dangerous?
“Hahahaha, just joking, Xun’er. If she died, who would write 《Military Strategy Treatise》 for me? Rest assured, we have our people on the mountain. If necessary, they might be able to help her a bit, and they won’t let her die so quickly.” Ling Yu spoke deliberately, as she would eventually kill Qin Junlan, but not now.
The fact that Shura Sect’s people can even infiltrate Qionglong Mountain made Liu Qianxun have to admire Ling Yu’s ability to train spies. It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t control and no goal she couldn’t achieve. So for 《Military Strategy Treatise》, Ling Yu was determined to obtain it.
