Chapter 1354 - 739:
Yin Tingxue was delighted to hear her senior sister’s affirmation and nodded happily, her eyes curving into crescents. Even the Qingjing Sword seemed to sense its master’s joy and swirled lightly around Yin Tingxue.
However, Lu Ying’s next words poured down like a bucket of cold water, perfectly timed.
"But," Lu Ying’s voice returned to its previous coolness, "though the sword is newly forged and its spirit evident, do not become complacent because of this. The path of cultivation is long, and the Sword Dao is limitless. Cultivating the sword heart and honing Sword Intent is fundamental."
Yin Tingxue nodded earnestly, her expression subdued, and said seriously, "I understand the teaching, senior sister. Tingxue remembers it."
The corridor fell into a brief silence, broken only by the soft swaying sound of lanterns stirred by the night breeze.
Lu Ying’s gaze flickered over Yin Tingxue’s earnest face momentarily, seemingly hesitant, but eventually, she spoke in a voice deeper than before:
"Little junior sister, since you have joined Yin Sword Mountain and embarked on the path of cultivation, you are an outsider." She paused, her gaze subtly shifting to the deep night outside the corridor, "Therefore... do not dwell too much on your husband Chen Yi."
Upon hearing this, Yin Tingxue’s face immediately showed a clear expression of surprise. She widened her eyes, a bit at a loss, looking at Lu Ying.
Lu Ying did not trouble her further and said, "Go back."
Yin Tingxue quickly nodded, unsure of what to say. Lu Ying’s teachings couldn’t be considered incorrect; she indeed occasionally became distracted. However... remembering that Master Zhou also seemed to miss Chen Yi at times, the girl was so embarrassed she didn’t know what to say.
More awkwardly, it seemed the senior sister wasn’t aware of this.
These words were not something Yin Tingxue could possibly say, nor did she know how to say them. Nowadays, Little Fox was the most protective of Master Zhou’s image. Whenever Chen Yi and Master Zhou had conflicts, she would always speak up for Zhou Yitang. Chen Yi often said he couldn’t stand Yin Tingxue siding with outsiders, yet he was ultimately helpless against the girl.
Seeing Yin Tingxue at a loss for words, Lu Ying slightly lowered her eyes, perhaps realizing her words were too harsh and touched a sore spot, she then said:
"Just keep my words in your heart."
Yin Tingxue nodded, ultimately saying nothing, softly replying, "Then... I’ll be going back."
"Go back."
The night wind blew, the lantern light under the corridor casting long shadows of the two figures, one standing still like a rock, the other holding a lantern in the wind, each lost in their thoughts.
Yin Tingxue held the small lantern and turned, stepping into the deep night, the warm yellow glow growing distant, finally swallowed by darkness, leaving only the solitary light of the lanterns under the corridor, reflecting Lu Ying’s slim figure.
The surroundings fell completely silent, with only the slight whimper of the wind passing through the corridor and, further away, the seemingly unchanging sound of ironwork.
Lu Ying did not immediately return to the Scripture Scrolls but stood up slowly, walked to the edge of the corridor, and looked out at the scenery of Sword Town again. Although the heavy snow had ceased, the vast landscape was still covered in thick silver-white, under the faint moonlight and reflected snow light, the mountain contours blurred, resembling a deathly desolate vastness.
In this tranquility, the old phrase she had recently found immature rose again in her mind involuntarily.
"... Life is truly as lonely as snow."
She softly uttered it, her voice so light it could almost be carried away by the wind.
Yet, moments later, she seemed to think of something, her eyes gazing far off, as if across towering mountains and deep night.
She murmured to herself:
"Is there a ’snow’ character in little junior sister’s name?"
This question was not a query, but rather a revelation.
Such a saying... perhaps was never meant for her to hear...
Once this thought emerged, it was like casting a stone onto a tranquil ice lake, rippling with layers of indescribable emotion.
Lu Ying chuckled softly, recalling the cranes in ancient texts, with their red crowns silhouetted against the snow, elegant and transcendental, yet carrying an inherent solitude they cannot escape. When they spread their wings, they could soar to the Han skies, yet when they folded them, they could only stand silently in the vast world, their clear cries understood by none.
At this moment, she stood alone under the snowy corridor and unduly tasted a few similarities.
A faint trace of melancholy, almost imperceptible, like ink dripping into a clear pond, quietly spread in the depths of her heart, as cold and still as an ancient well. Enlightened, she stood quietly, her shadow stretched thin by the corridor lantern, as if it too wished to fade into the boundless, lonely snowy night.
.........
"Life is truly as lonely as snow."
Chen Yi lazily stretched, casually pulling the little lady into his arms.
Lin Wanxiao was taken by surprise, instinctively wanting to struggle to rise but was held tightly by Chen Yi, feeling ashamed, she hurriedly crossed her arms to protect her chest.
Following him these days, the little lady had realized that this man’s nature was unrestrained and undisciplined, not knowing when he might suddenly become hands-on.
Seeing the little lady resist like this, Chen Yi frowned slightly, sneering, "Why so distant?"
It would have been better if he hadn’t spoken. As soon as he did, the little lady recalled that evening, her cheeks flushing instantly, yet unable to break free from him, she replied:
"I know etiquette, unlike you."
Chen Yi sneered again.
Last night, Lin Wanxiao was used by Great Yin, and after Min Ning mentioned it, Chen Yi wondered if he had neglected the little lady too much, leaving her vulnerable to Great Yin’s manipulation. However, when he wanted to get closer today, the little lady was exceptionally resistive.
Perhaps what the little lady appreciated had always been harmony in music and mutual respect.
Chen Yi wasn’t entirely without a sense of refinement, as he understood the impending image of cultured couples, but his nature was lively, his ambitions lay elsewhere, never indulging in it.
He thought to himself, maybe he should tame her.
This was not a thought that emerged suddenly.
He knew Lin Wanxiao was timid yet slightly obstinate. If he couldn’t make her accustomed to and dependent on his presence in both body and heart, similar incidents of her being exploited by Yin Weiyin might occur.
But as the thought passed, Little Fox’s worried little face appeared in his mind.
Chen Yi immediately restrained the wicked thought, frowning slightly, slowly asking, "Lin Wanxiao, what do you truly want?"
"Ah...?"
He suddenly asked this, with Lin Wanxiao forcibly confined in Chen Yi’s embrace, her heart was a mixture of emotions, reluctant yet conflicted.
His embrace was warm, even scorching, carrying a unique masculine scent, not uncomfortable but rather a disconcerting sense of security.
But she deeply knew such intimacy was against etiquette, especially soon after he married the Prince... She felt more debased, like an adulterous woman stealing affection, or a powerless floating plant.
What she resisted was the forceful posture, making her feel unrespected, just a toy for his momentary whim.
The conflict arose from a trace deep within, even she dared not admit to herself—of craving.
Seeing her silent, Chen Yi coldly chuckled, "You don’t know, do you?"
The little lady was silent for a long time before nodding slightly, in the calm autumn, her profile appeared melancholy.
Chen Yi lowered his gaze, realizing the little lady didn’t know, and honestly, neither did he, speaking truthfully, his flaws often grated on Little Fox, and he was aware, yet chose not to change them. Regarding Lin Wanxiao, he considered that since she was devoted to him, and attractive, having shared past connections and bonds, he might as well accept her in his arms.
After holding her, he found her emotions tangled and chaotic, troubling him, so he was often indifferent, sleeping and letting it pass.
Truthfully at this time, Chen Yi did desire to sleep more with the little lady. Once asleep, all would be well, just like Yin Tingxue, who once fiercely resisted, ultimately arriving at fruition. Yet whenever he deeply considered this, Little Fox’s face would again appear in his mind.
"Sigh..."
He sighed softly, then squeezed the little lady’s waist,
"There grows millet, there grows sorghum. On the journey weary and weak, my heart is stirred."
Lin Wanxiao glanced back at him, her gaze surprised.
She hesitated for quite a while before softly responding:
"... Those who know me, say I’m worried. Those who don’t, say what I seek."