Chapter 91: Young Master, Are You Pregnant?

**Chapter 91: Young Lord, Are You With Child?…**

As September’s eagles soared, Southern Zhou issued a proclamation to the world, announcing the passing of Emperor Guangyi and the revelation of an imperial decree naming Li Weiyan, Prince Yu’s Heir, as the successor. Lady Lu escorted the heir to hold court in Jinzhou, awaiting the prime minister and other officials from Jianye to deliberate on the ascension of the new emperor.

Whispers spread among the populace—some feared for Southern Zhou’s future, while others murmured that Prince Yu’s Heir seemed reluctant to take the throne. Amidst the chaos of conflicting opinions and turbulent times, military movements in Jinzhou grew frequent, and the atmosphere grew heavier by the day.

At this critical juncture, Ah Zeng and Dou Yan remained with the Marriage Alliance Mission, stationed in Jinzhou to await news.

Ah Zeng left early and returned late, clearly occupied with tasks assigned by Lin Ye—after their reunion in Yunlan Town, Lin Ye had reestablished contact with the Mission.

Dou Yan was no less busy. She, too, had received orders from Lin Ye to dispatch people in search of Liang Chen and Ming Jing. Lin Ye had explained that Liang Chen, due to his unique status, left behind special traces wherever he went—a kind of *golden butterfly powder*. Liang Chen would apply this powder to tree trunks or walls, and at midnight, it would glow briefly before fading.

With this rare substance, they could track Liang Chen’s path and, in turn, locate those he was pursuing.

Dou Yan was astonished, growing increasingly curious about Young Master Liang’s identity. As far as she knew, this *golden butterfly powder* had never circulated in the market. It was an aristocratic luxury, unseen by commoners, and even nobles rarely used it so lavishly.

What status did Liang Chen have to afford such extravagance?

Moreover, Lu Qingmei, the woman currently overseeing Jinzhou, had repeatedly inquired with the Marriage Alliance Mission about Liang Chen’s whereabouts.

It seemed Lin Ye, Xue Li, Ah Zeng, Ming Jing, and Liang Chen—each had their own secrets. This Marriage Alliance Mission was truly a nest of hidden talents, and it fascinated her.

Amidst this flurry of activity, Dou Yan finally detected traces of the *golden butterfly powder*. After informing Ah Zeng, she led a small group on horseback out of the city, following the trail. The journey took them through towering mountains and rushing rivers, the terrain growing increasingly remote until they neared the Great San Pass.

The Great San Pass…

Such a strategically vital location put Dou Yan on high alert.

One day, they encountered a group of enemies in the forest. While the others gave chase, Dou Yan ventured deeper into the woods alone.

Night fell, and the moon hung bright in the sky. The forest stretched like an emerald sea, the wind rustling like waves. September brought cooler air, and the faint chirping of cicadas mingled with the rustling of leaves, creating an eerie tension coiled in her chest.

The trees loomed dark and oppressive in the deep night, and Dou Yan soon hesitated. Gathering her resolve, she turned to retreat, intending to regroup with her guards before pressing forward. But as she turned, a shadow flickered at the corner of her vision.

Poisoned silver needles were already between her lips, poised to strike.

Her expression hardened as she called out sharply, “Who goes there, skulking in the shadows?”

A dispassionate voice echoed through the forest: “After abandoning the title of Winter Envoy to serve another for a few days, has your courage withered so quickly?”

That voice…

Dou Yan looked up.

Leaves showered down like rain. High above, under the moon, a tall figure cloaked in black stood atop the swaying treetops. The hooded cloak concealed their form entirely, their face shrouded in darkness beyond the moonlight’s reach.

Had this shadowy figure been Song Wanfeng, Dou Yan might not have recognized them. But she knew this person far better than she knew the "Wind Master." A smirk played on her lips as she murmured, “So it’s Spring Lord.”

Her smile was sweet, her face charming, but the hidden mechanisms in her sleeves were locked and loaded.

The Wind Master and the Snow Girl were reclusive, supreme figures within the *Assassins' Guild*, mysteries even to most assassins. But who among them had not seen the *Four Seasons Envoys*’ leader, the Spring Lord? Who did not know that since the late Guildmaster’s death, all affairs of the *Assassins' Guild* had fallen to the Spring Lord’s hands?

Though a new Guildmaster had yet to be chosen, the *Assassins' Guild* was not without leadership—what difference was there between the Spring Lord now and the Guildmaster, save for the title itself?

Especially…

Dou Yan’s smile turned thoughtful. “For the Spring Lord to appear here, does this mean the *Assassins' Guild* truly has ties with Huoqiu Kingdom? Though I wonder—is this by your will, or Emperor Xuanming’s?”

“Save your suspicions. I have never betrayed the *Assassins' Guild*,” the cloaked man replied, his voice as detached as his demeanor—just as Winter Envoy had always known him to be, like a machine, utterly indifferent. “But you—you’ve grown so close to the Marriage Alliance Mission. It seems you’ve forgotten who killed your sister.”

Dou Yan almost blurted out—killed by Snow Girl, killed by your schemes, killed under your coercion.

If her sister hadn’t fallen into Snow Girl’s hands, if she hadn’t failed in her duties at Jianye, her sister wouldn’t have taken such a desperate risk to confront Snow Girl in Xiangzhou. But if we truly speak of "failure," wasn’t Snow Girl’s pursuit, as it now appears, a trap set by Qin Yueye’s leadership?

Now everything points to the fact that Master Yulong was not killed by Snow Girl. So why has the Assassins' Guild hounded her nonstop?

Dou Yan had only spent a few months with Xue Li, yet she was leaning toward believing Xue Li is innocent. What about Chun Jun? Knowing far more secrets than Dou Yan, could Chun Jun truly be unaware of whether Snow Girl murdered her master?

...But this isn’t the kind of thing you talk about openly.

Dou Yan took a step back, leaning against a tree, her fingers idly twirling a loose strand of hair by her temple. With a smile that was part tease, part complaint, she said, "Lord Chun Jun, what else can I do? The young master doesn’t keep idle hands around, and he’s too sharp for his own good. If I don’t work for him, he’ll kill me."

Chun Jun neither confirmed nor denied it.

Instead, he asked, "A-Yan, do you wish to stay by the young master’s side?"

Dou Yan froze.

This form of address—not the formal "Dong Jun" used in official matters, but an intimate nickname. Few in the world knew the name "Dou Yan," yet Chun Jun was one of them.

The Four Seasons Envoys had clawed their way out of blood and storms. The person they most frequently reported to was Chun Jun—not Wind Master Snow Girl, nor even Master Yulong. Between Chun Jun and them, there was always... something a little different.

Dou Yan looked up, quietly studying Chun Jun.

After a long pause, she smiled. "The young master won’t let me stay. My hands are stained with too much blood. Right now, he’s flexible about who he uses and doesn’t care who I am. But in the long run, Lin Ye surely wouldn’t want an assassin by his side. I am a blade of 'Qin Yueye.' I’ll have to go back sooner or later."

With a shrug, she added, "Once I find a way to kill Snow Girl and avenge my sister, I’ll go back."

Chun Jun stared at her for a moment.

Then, he said slowly, "We’ve known each other for years. If you want to cut ties with 'Qin Yueye,' I can give you one chance. Pass this up, and leaving later will mean 'betrayal.' You’ve seen how 'Qin Yueye' deals with traitors."

Of course, Dou Yan had seen.

She had witnessed Xue Li’s ordeal from beginning to end.

Dou Yan looked down with a faint smile. "What does Lord Chun Jun want me to do?"

Chun Jun’s voice, amid the rustling leaves, sounded ethereal: "Cooperate with Lord Summer to trap Snow Girl."

Dou Yan’s eyes narrowed.

Among the Four Seasons Envoys, Lord Summer was the master of killing. He was so shadowy even fellow envoys hardly ever saw him. Chun Jun’s words implied that Lord Summer was stepping in against Snow Girl? Song Wanfeng had never lifted the hunt for Snow Girl, and now even Lord Summer was stepping in.

The hooded figure looking down from above saw the woman’s expression clearly. Dou Yan thought she’d masked it well, but to someone who knew her, it was transparent. Yet Chun Jun seemed indifferent. He continued calmly:

"...There will come an opportunity when 'White Tiger' strikes at Snow Girl, with 'Lord Summer' assisting. 'Lord Summer' needs to retrieve something, and he requires your cooperation. All you need to do is betray the Marriage Alliance Mission from behind and back him up.

"Do this, and you may return to 'Qin Yueye' at any time without facing punishment."

Dou Yan fell silent for a moment before asking, "What does Lord Summer want to retrieve?"

Chun Jun chuckled.

Dou Yan’s heart churned as the sound of falling leaves filled the air. Unable to suppress her turmoil, she looked up—but Chun Jun was already gone.

Her hands were clammy, her mind reeling. She didn’t know what choice to make, torn between which side to betray. She should have pledged loyalty to Chun Jun without hesitation—so why did the thought of Xue Li make her hesitate?

It was Snow Girl who killed her sister. It was Snow Girl who...

"Madam Dou!" The voices of the guards grew louder as they approached, and Dou Yan collected herself before continuing the pursuit of Liang Chen with them.

Along this journey, she not only tracked Liang Chen’s whereabouts but also discovered clues left by Lin Ye—Lin Ye and Xue Li were not far from her. Should she confront Lin Ye directly and warn him that Liang Chen and the others were heading toward Dasan Pass?

--

Chun Jun returned to the Huoqiu Kingdom's camp late at night.

The night was deep and silent, the mountain forest bustling with restless winds. Most slept outdoors like primitives, while the few tents available were reserved for high-ranking individuals.

Gliding silently against the wind, Chun Jun noticed a light still burning in Princess Ming Jing’s tent. A gust lifted the edge of the felt curtain, revealing Liang Chen (Liang Xiao Chen) and Ming Jing exchanging whispers on the ground inside.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

Moving further ahead, he spotted Ming En, the third prince of Zhuju Kingdom, ingratiating himself with General Wei Changyin of the Huoqiu Kingdom. "Great General, rest assured—I’ve already persuaded Xiao Jing (Little Jing). Please don’t kill her; she will help us control the Snow Girl. *Xue Nü* commands countless *Troopers*, all under Xiao Jing’s *Magic Flute*. My flute skills are poor, but Father taught her well..."

Chun Jun reflected drily: Even if General Wei wanted to kill you, he wouldn’t dare harm Ming Jing. This third prince truly worries too much.

As Chun Jun stepped onto a treetop, a blade-like silver leaf suddenly slashed toward him. He dodged swiftly, but it still grazed his hand, leaving a shallow cut. Raising his gaze, he saw Bai Li lounging lazily on a branch, pushing aside leaves and yawning before flashing him a lazy grin.

Chun Jun lowered his eyes, cupped his hands in greeting, then moved on.

Bai Li tsk’ed. “Tch, running off already? Every time I see you, you ignore me. I thought you were shy, but even now, you won’t talk. How did Yu Long ever pick you as ‘Chun Jun’...”

Bai Li prattled on endlessly. Privately, Chun Jun found it hard to believe such a carefree man could be one of the Four Great Assassins of the Western Regions.

But he was.

Perhaps those who reached the pinnacle of *martial arts* all shared a certain indifference toward the world.

Yu Long didn’t care. Xue Li didn’t care. Bai Li didn’t care. And Song Wanfeng… didn’t care either.

Chun Jun paused outside his tent, where flickering lamplight revealed a slender figure in green robes, reading in solitude—Song Wanfeng.

Silently, Chun Jun lifted his cloak and bowed.

Song Wanfeng smiled faintly. "Where have you been?"

Chun Jun reported his whereabouts.

Song Wanfeng set down the scroll, tapped the table with his fingers, and studied Chun Jun. "Our plans do not require *Dong Jun*..."

Chun Jun replied coolly, "Her name is Dou Yan."

Song Wanfeng paused, giving him a long look before smiling again. "Very well, Dou Yan. My plans have never required her involvement. She is an outsider. Why did you go out of your way to turn her against them? The longer she stays with Lin Ye and the others, the less likely she is to aid us. If she reveals our plans to Lin Ye, do you realize the magnitude of your mistake?"

Chun Jun: "She won’t. Even if she doesn’t help us, she won’t betray us to the Young Master. I’m adding a safeguard to our plan—under the *Heartless Art*, with the *Magic Flute*’s influence, no one can predict Xue Li’s state. Not even Bai Li knows. If Bai Li fails to restrain her, Dou Yan will be the final failsafe. I must ensure the plan’s success."

Song Wanfeng stared at him.

Then, suddenly, he laughed. "Chun Jun, I never imagined you were so loyal."

Chun Jun: "I have my reasons."

Song Wanfeng raised a brow.

Chun Jun: "I’m giving Dou Yan a chance to return to us—to avoid being purged by *Qin Yueye*. Too many have died in this calamity. I don’t want her to be among them. Before the Xiangzhou mission, her sister begged me."

For a moment, Chun Jun was lost in thought.

Miao Niang and Dou Yan were nothing alike as sisters. Yet, to protect her younger sister, Miao Niang had willingly stood against Xue Li, knowing full well the dangers of the Xiangzhou mission. Her only condition had been to ensure Dou Yan’s survival.

Chun Jun agreed.

Song Wanfeng stared at him, studying his every feature, weighing whether there was any deceit in his words.

And Chun Jun said, "I don’t want my people to throw their lives away, just as the Wind Master desires—haven’t you done all this just so Master Yulong and the Snow Girl will return to your side one day?"

Chun Jun lifted his head, the candlelight illuminating his handsome face.

He said coolly, "That future day—isn’t that what the Wind Master seeks? Then, Wind Master, you should understand what I seek."

Song Wanfeng paused briefly, his fingers flexing around the scroll. Yet, Chun Jun’s words temporarily dispelled some of his doubts.

The Qin Yueye organization had existed for ten years, and Chun Jun had followed Yu Long for those ten years. During that time, Xue Li remained solitary, while Song Wanfeng and Chun Jun became friends, often spending time together. And Song Wanfeng’s friendship with Chun Jun was also born of his own selfishness—after their master took them to the snowy mountains, they found Chun Jun.

Little Xue Li, that airhead, never cared about the comings and goings of those around her. But Song Wanfeng had nightmares for many days, plagued by worry. He worried Yu Long might adopt Chun Jun too.

Song Wanfeng didn’t need another brother.

Him, Xue Li, and Yu Long—that was all he needed.

So Song Wanfeng befriended Chun Jun, tested him, and through various trials, finally confirmed that Yu Long would not take on another disciple. Song Wanfeng set his mind at ease, yet over the ten years, he could never quite understand Chun Jun.

Even in this mess, Chun Jun stood firmly by his side without hesitation. Yet Song Wanfeng always wondered—could friendship truly go this far? Did Chun Jun really have no other motives?

…Forget it. Song Wanfeng smiled bitterly to himself.

He was petty and distrustful by nature, perhaps forever incapable of understanding selfless devotion. His selfishness was reserved for Yu Long and Xue Li. Beyond that, he cared for nothing. As long as Yu Long and Xue Li returned to his side…

Song Wanfeng murmured silently in his heart: *Master, just a little longer. I’ll make all of this right. Then, I’ll bring you back, alright?*

His face lowered, revealing a faint, distant smile.

He didn’t know that Chun Jun, kneeling beneath the candlelight, saw his expression clearly. Chun Jun said nothing, lowering his gaze once more.

--

Meanwhile, Lin Ye and Xue Li were at a tavern at the foot of the mountain, inquiring about the whereabouts of those who had transported goods from the mountain days earlier.

The weapons were hidden as “goods,” kept from ordinary eyes. But the weapon smiths lived in seclusion in the mountains, and when a group carried goods down one day, someone was bound to notice.

Sure enough, as soon as they asked, the tavern waiter immediately recalled.

The waiter’s story matched Lin Ye’s hunch: the northwest direction, precisely toward the Great San Pass.

That group was indeed heading for the Great San Pass.

The Great San Pass…

Lin Ye knew the land well. He quickly mapped out the Great San Pass’s strategic value, understanding how capturing it would destabilize the surrounding provinces. He silently considered—if he had around ten thousand troops against twenty thousand, how would he use the terrain of the Great San Pass to turn the tide?

But something still felt off.

The Great San Pass was in Southern Zhou’s hands, not Huoqiu Kingdom’s. To set a trap, Huoqiu Kingdom would be at a severe disadvantage. Even with Northern Zhou’s support, Northern Zhou wouldn’t risk openly sending troops—there was a marriage alliance between Northern Zhou and Southern Zhou. So how exactly did General of the Guards from Huoqiu plan to maneuver?

If he were in charge…

Lin Ye closed his eyes, his eyelids twitching faintly.

Beside him, Xue Li watched the waiter hustle around, helping others load wine jars and utensils onto carts. Curious, she asked, “Are you moving?”

The waiter laughed and shook his head. “No. Our young lady’s birthday is coming up, and she’s fussy—insists on a big party in the city. Our master sent us to bring wine for her… Originally, he wanted to celebrate here at the tavern, but couldn’t refuse her. Can’t blame him—she’s his only girl.”

Xue Li froze for a second.

Xue Li said, "You're clearing out the whole wine shop."

The waiter replied, "Yep."

Xue Li asked, "But you still need to do business. If you move everything out today, will you bring it all back tomorrow?"

The waiter answered, "Exactly."

Xue Li was completely confused.

She murmured, "It's just a birthday celebration..."

Suddenly, she thought of something and turned to look at Lin Ye beside her. If a birthday gift was so important, then Lin Ye's own birthday... had it been too simple?

He was General of the Shining Night, after all. If his coming-of-age ceremony had been held in Sichuan, it would surely have been a grand affair.

Just as Xue Li turned to look at Lin Ye, he happened to open his eyes, his crystal-clear gaze meeting hers. Lin Ye blinked and smiled at her.

Lin Ye still hadn't figured out the strategy of the General of the Guards from Huoqiu Kingdom, but it didn't ruin his mood. This young man was extraordinarily open-minded. When Xue Li looked at him, he wasn't thinking about himself but had indeed gotten sidetracked.

Lin Ye smiled, his eyes curving. "Birthdays are like that—no celebration's too big. A Xue, haven't you experienced one?"

Xue Li pursed her lips.

She suddenly realized there were many things she hadn't experienced, and her growing pride made her unwilling to admit she was lacking compared to others. So she said, "My birthday is in winter. Master celebrates it for me every year and has never forgotten."

Lin Ye gave her a surprised glance.

Her account didn't match what he had guessed about Yu Long's behavior. Yu Long should have been a heartless woman—why would she care about Xue Li's birthday?

Xue Li averted her gaze, avoiding Lin Ye's eyes. She wiped her face and looked at the distant mountain mist in the fading light. "We should get moving. Bai Li and the others went that way. If we push through day and night, we can catch up to them soon."

Xue Li turned and walked toward the stable outside the wine shop. Lin Ye watched her back as she walked away thoughtfully, then suddenly darted forward, catching her hand from behind to stop her.

Lin Ye said, "Hey, lightheaded and queasy—I feel terrible."

Xue Li: "..."

She turned back and stared at him in surprise—the young master hadn't pulled this act in ages, and she'd almost forgotten his fussy nature.

Lin Ye complained to her while holding his chest, staggering unsteadily before collapsing onto a bench in the wine shop.

A waiter carrying a wine jar toward the cart outside was startled by Lin Ye. After looking around in confusion, the waiter hesitantly asked, "Lightheaded and queasy... sir... you pregnant or something?"

Lin Ye: "...?"

Xue Li: "...?"

With both of them staring holes through him, the waiter awkwardly laughed and tried to back away. But Lin Ye was quick—he grabbed the waiter's arm to prevent him from escaping. Turning back to Xue Li, he said bossily, "Anyway, I'm not feeling well. I can't go on. Do you know what you should do?"

Xue Li replied, "Knock you cold and drag you along."

Lin Ye curled his lip, and he said seriously, "I just need to rest here for a while before we continue. You, on the other hand, should go ahead and check for leads. Your martial arts are so strong—you can cover more ground. If you're lucky, you might find traces of Bai Li. Then you can come back for me."

Xue Li: "..."

She sized up Lin Ye, seeing him digging in his heels, and finally gave in to this "pointless" demand. Lin Ye likely had suspicions about the wine shop—ones he couldn't voice with her present. Perhaps he had something to discuss with the waiter and needed to send her away.

She and Lin Ye had always been in sync. Xue Li urged her horse onward, heading northwest to investigate—though she knew full well she would find nothing.

About an hour later, Xue Li returned to the tavern. As she rode along the country path, she noticed something unusual—

People carrying lanterns lined both sides of the path, and groups of villagers were making their way toward the tavern. Her horse stuck out here. Just as she felt bewildered, someone eagerly approached to take her horse, saying she would have to walk the rest of the way.

Dazed, Xue Li started to piece it together.

About thirty feet from the tavern, she saw it brightly lit, alive with activity—servants darting through the crowd. Villagers arrived in small clusters, chatting casually as they brought their families along:

“Half an hour ago, someone came to my house saying the tavern was hosting a free feast tonight. I don’t know if it’s true.”

“It is! Someone came to my house too—it was the tavern waiter, someone I know. He said a wealthy guest had booked the place for the night and was treating everyone.”

“To what?”

“Didn’t say. Probably just some rich kid showing off.”

But that wasn’t all.

The further Xue Li walked, the more the lanterns lit up the path like fireflies. She saw colorful banners fluttering and smelled the aroma of wine hanging in the air. She also watched people rush forward to snatch up the stacked sky lanterns in the tavern courtyard. And there, surrounded by the crowd, was the only person she recognized—the young master, Lin Ye, scribbling messages on paper slips with others before attaching them to the lanterns.

In the jostling, a lantern was knocked loose, but no one went after it. They kept crowding around Lin Ye, writing notes, their voices a jumble of excitement.

The stray lantern drifted toward Xue Li. She looked up and saw the slip of paper beneath it, the script graceful and refined—*“Eternal youth and joy.”*

Standing outside the tavern, Xue Li’s eyes mirrored the sea of lanterns and the crowd inside, with Lin Ye at its center.

Villagers hurried past her. An elderly couple, their eyesight faded with age, unable to read the words or recognize faces, had wandered here just for a free feast. Seeing the throngs of people, they still weren’t sure if they’d been tricked.

And there, at the path’s entrance, stood a young maiden in golden robes and a white skirt, her delicate features and bright eyes gazing up at the flickering lanterns. The breeze grazed her cheeks as she stood serene and luminous.

The old couple asked, “Young lady, have you just arrived too? Is this not a scam? Do you know why that wealthy young master put on such a spectacle?”

“It’s not a scam,” Xue Li replied, her eyes shifting to the young master in the crowd.

Slowly, she made her way deeper into the tavern, toward the lanterns and the night breeze. Her mind was a jumble, but amidst the confusion, she slowly pieced together why Lin Ye had sent her away earlier—and why this place felt so strange. She had never thought the world’s changes had anything to do with her. But tonight…

Tonight, the moon shone bright, and lanterns soared into the sky. As the crowd cheered, Lin Ye laughed along, tilting his head back.

The sky lanterns rose like winding dragons, their glow shimmering, forming a faint river of stars that draped over the moon. Lin Ye, thoroughly pleased, joked with the villagers around him, bragging about the lanterns.

Fragments of their conversation drifted on the wind—

They were only saying, “Such beautiful lanterns. It’s not a festival or a birthday—what’s the occasion, young master?”

The wind was cool, the moon serene. Lin Ye gazed up at his handiwork with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming. Then he sensed a gaze fixed upon him. He turned toward the tavern’s entrance and saw Xue Li standing there, stepping through the frost and lantern light.

The glow bathed the maiden on the country path. Xue Li stood amidst ash and firelight, her gaze distant and unreadable: “…For me.”