Chapter 40: First Encounter in the Rear Mountain (Part Two) (Additional Chapter by Qingyun)

Chapter 40: First Encounter in the Rear Mountain (Part Two) (Additional Chapter by Qingyun)

"Brother Jì Yuè, don't go there, don't go there, you'll be torn apart alive..."

After Yun Ji spoke those words, he continued walking towards Su Rao. Yun Muyue's sudden panicked cry was cut short by Yun Ling, who stepped in front of him and gestured coldly for him to leave.

Yun Muyue's handsome brows knitted together like caterpillars, but knowing Prince Jì Yuè's temperament and with Yun Ling blocking his way, he could only take one step forward and then turn back three times, his face filled with worry.

The concern in his eyes was as if his own tender white cabbage was about to be trampled by a pig.

Yet, all he could do was watch as Yun Ling politely escorted him away.

With the noise gone, Su Rao suddenly felt the air around her grow still as Prince Jì Yuè drew closer. Even the howling cold wind seemed to fade into silence.

Despite the silk veil covering his eyes, it seemed as if he knew exactly where she was, moving straight towards her as if he could see. For a moment, it was almost believable that he had sight.

But that was impossible.

If he could see, why would he pretend to be blind for so many years?

Was it self-inflicted torment?

Princeling Jì Yuè halted three steps away from Su Rao once again.

At such close proximity, Su Rao, for some inexplicable reason, did something foolish. She abruptly held her breath, lifted the hem of her skirt, and attempted to tiptoe around Princeling Jì Yuè before sneaking away.

As soon as her right foot lifted off the ground, a soft laughter entered her ear, like a gentle May breeze, warm and soothing, stirring ripples in her heart.

"Yu Mo said you were very amusing, that if I met you, I would surely agree."

Su Rao's raised foot wobbled, nearly causing her to stumble. She quickly set it back down, stabilizing herself to avoid unexpectedly kneeling before Princeling Jì Yuè, prostrating at his feet.

"But now that I've seen you, I still can't truly see you. How would I know you're amusing? Yet, it turns out that you really are quite interesting."

The words were still spoken with a light chuckle, like a whispering willow breeze caressing her face.

Once more, Su Rao froze, her expression stunned. In an instant, she realized that she had not only done one foolish thing but also committed an even greater one.

Yun Ji was blind; whether she was beautiful or ugly, fat or thin, tall or short, it made no difference to him. She was merely Su Er's sister. Thus, her elaborate efforts to transform herself into an unsightly appearance early in the morning were utterly unnecessary and futile.

For a brief moment, a twisted expression flickered across Su Rao's face, but it quickly vanished.

Determined, she made up her mind.

If he couldn't see her appearance, then she had to make him despise her through her behavior.

With this thought, Su Rao prepared to mimic the arrogant and wayward actions she displayed towards Yun Muyue, adding a touch of licentiousness and infatuation. Ideally, she would throw herself at Yun Ji, making him detest her thoroughly.

As she moved forward, a cool voice reached her ears, tinged with a subtle misty quality that veiled Yun Ji's tone.

Su Rao forcefully restrained her body from lunging forward and swallowed the words of infatuation that were about to spill from her lips.

...

The purple bamboo forest seemed particularly lively today. First, there was the Duke of Yi and Su Rao, followed by the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince, accompanied by a woman who exuded elegance like a lotus on the shore.

"Lotus Cousin, have you seen Eighth Brother? He vanished in the blink of an eye."

Amidst the purple bamboo forest, Zhao Lianxin tiptoed gently in her lotus-step, wearing a peach-red floral robe with a rose-colored snow plum jacket draped over her shoulders. A conical hat concealed her features, yet it couldn't veil the ethereal elegance and natural grace that radiated from her. Her gaze fell upon the Fourth Prince striding towards her.

Bowing slightly, she inclined her knees.

Shaking her head, she said, "Cousin Muyi, I haven't seen Eighth Prince. He must have wandered off to play again. Don't worry, Cousin Muyi, let the guards search for him."

Her gentle and composed voice was like a blooming magnolia, pleasing to both the eye and ear, with an elegant freshness that captivated one's attention.

"Such a playful and irresponsible nature for our Eighth Brother, regardless of his age. Wandering around in the Wanglang Temple like that... If he were to cause any trouble..."

Yun Muyi halted, his face showing irritation, but only for a moment. Then, he continued, "Oh, by the way, did you happen to see Prince Jiyue, Cousin Lianxin?"

The princes of the Yun family seldom addressed Yun Ji as their cousin but rather with respect:

Prince Jiyue.

Only the Eighth Prince, with his unconventional ways, would call him otherwise.

Yun Muyi's inquiry caused the delicate elegance around Zhao Lianxin to wane slightly; she shook her head gently with a hint of disappointment.

A veil of loss draped over her.

Even without seeing her expression, one could sense it from her demeanor.

"Serving maid Shulan answers Prince Fourth, Prince Jiyue is not here," the attendant responded, her voice tinged with resentment. "Our Miss thinks of Prince Jiyue day and night, but he..."

"Shulan, don't speak nonsense," Zhao Lianxin abruptly chided, a subtle reprimand surfacing beneath her hood.

Shulan fell silent.

"Fourth Imperial Brother, Sister Lotus, you're here! That's great, come with me quickly, hurry, or Brother Jiyue will be devoured by that lecherous, ugly girl Su Rao until there's nothing left."

In the distance, Yun Muyue's alarmed cry echoed, loud enough to be heard in the nearby dwellings. Su Er's brows knitted slightly, but only for an instant before he returned to his reading, his face devoid of emotion.

"Milord, aren't you going to see?"

Observing Su Er's reaction, Su Han commented softly.

Our young miss is alone. What if she gets bullied?

After a long silence, Su Han thought that he wouldn't get an answer. But then, he heard these words in his ear:

"If you want to go, then go take a look. Just don't meddle. With Jì Yuè around, no one can bully her."

...

Over on this side, Yun Ji's lips curved into a faint smile as he spoke coolly:

"Miss Su doesn't wish to see me, and I don't wish to see her either. However, I couldn't refuse Yu Mo, so I agreed to meet you here. Otherwise, Yu Mo would have disturbed my peace every day.

My heart belongs to someone else. Apart from her, I won't marry anyone. There's no need for Miss Su to put on an extravagant and wayward facade in front of me. It's tiring. In truth, we're both just people who can't follow our hearts."

With those words, Yun Ji stepped closer to Su Rao, standing right in front of her, only a single step away. Looking at her slender figure, he was a full head taller than her, forcing Su Rao to crane her neck to look up at him.

From this angle, Prince Jì Yuè's jawline was smooth and flowing, without any harsh edges. It was a gentle contour.

A sense of gentle warmth pervaded the air.

Su Rao observed, then took a step back. She disliked the feeling of looking up at someone like that.

She was surprised by Prince Jiyue's mention of having a beloved in his heart.

What kind of extraordinary woman could have captured the affections of this Yun Ji?

But Su Rao's astonishment dissipated as quickly as she had stepped back.

Since Yun Ji had been so candid from the start, Su Rao, too, was not one to be overly coy. She wouldn't make things worse by causing Yun Ji to dislike her further.

Moreover, Yun Ji's words implied that Su Er must have told him that all her mischievous behavior was just an act. If she continued to pretend, wouldn't she only be making a fool of herself for others' amusement?

"Since Prince Jiyue is so open with me, I, Su Rao, am not one to be overly timid or pretentious. You, Prince Jiyue, are the radiant light in Yun Lang's sky, while I am but an unremarkable face. I am well aware that I am not worthy to stand beside you. With that said, I bid you farewell."

With those words, a captivating smile graced her face, her peach blossom eyes curving into a crescent moon shape, accentuating the rosy hue at the corners. All the weight she had carried in her heart these days vanished abruptly.

If she had known that meeting Prince Jiyue would lead to this outcome, she should have asked her brother to bring her here sooner.

A hint of joy welled up within her, and she unexpectedly gave Prince Jì Yuè a slight bow, about to once again bypass him and depart.

Yun Ji extended his arm, his wide sleeves stirring a chill in the air as they swayed gently.

He intercepted Su Rao's departure.

The smile on Su Rao's face faded slightly, her eyebrows knitting together. Since everything had been clarified, why was this person still obstructing her way?