Chapter 38: A Thousand Regrets

The lanterns flickered in the distance, the cold night hastened the wind, and a lone, cold moon hung at a slant like a silver hook across the heavens. Unnoticed, the hour had grown late.

Beigong Qiyi stood alone at the prow of the boat, the chill wind whipping his black hair and long robe into a wild dance. With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed out over the lake, the many-colored lights reflected on the water casting his extraordinary features into a beauty both ethereal and demonic—like a water spirit surfacing from the depths, hauntingly exquisite yet capable, in the next instant, of tearing a man open.

After a moment, the youth sighed softly and turned to enter the cabin.

Unlike the decadent opulence of other embroidered boats, this cabin was furnished simply with only two plush chairs and a wooden table. Resting on the table was a reddish-brown clay teapot with four matching cups, a seven-stringed ancient zither, and reclining inside the cabin with knees drawn up and eyes closed as if dozing, a breathtakingly beautiful man. Beigong Qiyi raised an eyebrow, smiled slightly, and went to sit opposite him.

Beigong Juechen kept his eyes closed and spoke lightly, “How is the view outside?” Beigong Qiyi looked at him, tapping his palm with a folding fan, and replied with a gentle smile, “Not as lovely as it is inside.” The man’s sharply arched brows furrowed slightly, but he merely snorted coldly. Beigong Qiyi propped his chin on his hand, watching him with a smile, and for a while, neither spoke.

Outside, song and laughter drifted over the water, but within the cabin, all was tranquil and serene.

Suddenly, the youth’s slender brows twitched, and Beigong Juechen slowly opened his eyes, glancing through the sheer white curtain toward the lake. Beigong Qiyi raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Who would have thought even a secluded spot would attract disturbance?” Beigong Juechen sat upright, lifted the window, and nodded. “It means you haven’t chosen a remote enough place. Otherwise—” He fixed his gaze on a luxurious flower boat gliding closer, sneering, “—any manner of riffraff wouldn’t be able to find us.”

Beigong Qiyi touched his nose and gave a dry laugh. “So by your reckoning, Brother, we count as riffraff too?” Beigong Juechen shot him a cold, sidelong look and flicked the youth’s forehead sharply, scolding with a wry smile, “You brat, always looking for trouble.” Beigong Qiyi massaged his brow, pursing his lips in protest. “Brother, you’re too rough.”

A flush spread over the youth’s forehead, mingling with the vermillion birthmark between his brows like rouge bleeding across his skin. Beigong Juechen chuckled, whispering, “Serves you right.” As they spoke, the oblivious flower boat drew closer—now no more than a dozen yards away.

Beigong Qiyi snorted softly and stood. “I’ll go have a look.” The man relaxed against the cushion and nodded lazily.

The flower boat came to a gradual halt about five yards away. Onto the deck stepped a woman, scantily clad and strikingly pretty. At the sight of Beigong Qiyi, she started, then lowered her gaze, blushing as she murmured, “Young master, what brings you to such a secluded spot?” Beigong Qiyi arched an eyebrow, laughing with a hint of mockery. “If I’m here, it’s because I wish for privacy.”

Her smile faltered, embarrassment flickering across her face. “Are you the ‘Peerless Young Master’? My lord wishes to invite you aboard as his guest.” Lowering his long lashes, Beigong Qiyi replied coldly, “But I am not interested.” With that, he swept his sleeves and returned to the cabin.

As soon as he entered, he was met by a pair of green eyes, half-smiling, half-mocking. Beigong Juechen regarded him with amusement. “The Peerless Young Master truly lives up to his name.” Beigong Qiyi frowned and retorted coolly, “Whatever I am, I’m no match for you, Brother.” Beigong Juechen’s laugh was careless as his slender fingers drummed idly on the table. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?” Beigong Qiyi asked. The man’s gaze drifted from him to the window. “The painting Qiyang brought to your birthday banquet—it was your work, wasn’t it?” Beigong Qiyi’s hand tightened imperceptibly on the fan. “Yes,” he answered quietly, eyes lowered.

“Why?” the man asked in a flat tone. The youth said nothing, head bowed. After a moment’s silence, Beigong Juechen closed the window and spoke in a low voice, “You—” But at that instant, the embroidered boat gave a sudden lurch. Beigong Juechen broke off, his dark green eyes narrowing as he glared toward the door, while Beigong Qiyi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Since you arrived just in time, as long as you don’t do anything beyond redemption, I’ll spare your life... The youth’s red lips curled in the faintest, most inscrutable of smiles.

A figure entered the cabin—a young man in a pale blue silk robe, with striking brows and star-bright eyes, handsome and debonair. But the look in those eyes was enough to inspire immediate disgust. When he saw Beigong Qiyi, his pupils lit up; then he glanced at Beigong Juechen and brightened again. He coughed lightly, cupping his fists in greeting. “I am Liu Yu.”

He thought his excitement well concealed, but the two men before him saw everything. The chill around Beigong Juechen deepened, while Beigong Qiyi pressed his lips in a smile.

Years before, at the courtesan contest, Liu Yu had been astonished at first sight of Beigong Qiyi—ever since, he could not forget him. Fond of beautiful men by nature, he had never again encountered the “Peerless Young Master.” Now, the youth’s former innocence had matured into an allure all the more captivating and dangerous. That delicate smile now made Liu Yu’s heart itch with longing; his eyes devoured the youth as if to consume him whole.

Very well, you refuse the road to heaven, yet insist on entering hell; blame yourself for what comes next. The smile on Beigong Qiyi’s lips grew ever more dazzling—so beautiful it sent a chill down Liu Yu’s spine.

Beigong Juechen watched the youth with amusement, his wicked eyes narrowing before he lazily looked away.

Beigong Qiyi smiled politely. “I am Bai Qi,” he said, indicating Beigong Juechen. “This is my elder brother.” Liu Yu hurried to salute Beigong Juechen, who returned only an indifferent glance, leaving Liu Yu awkwardly grinning. “Is Young Master Bai out enjoying the lake with your brother?” Beigong Qiyi sat cross-legged on the cushion by the table, nodding. “Naturally.”

Sitting alone at the table, the youth was radiant, noble, and proud, his elegance striking. Liu Yu felt his heart tremble—he dared not meet the youth’s gaze, but looked quickly away.

With a fan in hand, Beigong Qiyi smiled faintly. “May I ask why Young Master Liu has come calling?” Though his tone was mild, Liu Yu sensed a rebuke beneath the words, and drew a deep breath to compose himself. “Some years ago, at the courtesan contest, I was struck by your beauty—like an immortal descended to earth. Since then, I have longed to see you again, and now, by chance, I could not restrain myself.”

His words were brazen, but Beigong Qiyi seemed not to notice, only inclining his head with a smile. “But surely Young Master Liu knows that disturbing someone’s peace is most discourteous?” Liu Yu’s smile froze. The youth’s own smile remained, but his dark eyes narrowed, a hint of chill lighting within. “Besides, I already refused you once, yet you forced your way onto another’s boat without permission...” He broke off, expressionless as he stared at Liu Yu.

Liu Yu felt a chill crawl over his skin, his throat working as he forced out, “I... with a word from me, every boat on this lake is mine.” Beigong Qiyi’s brows rose in disdain. “And what do you propose to do with that power?”

Thinking the youth had softened, Liu Yu straightened, self-satisfied. “In fact, I am a man who cherishes beauty. If Young Master Bai would do me the honor of returning home with me—” His eyes slid to Beigong Juechen, sweeping him up and down. “Of course, the Liu family would also be delighted to welcome your elder brother.”

Liu Yu was indeed a slave to beauty. Though foolish, he was not completely witless. Beigong Juechen’s beauty was of a different sort than Beigong Qiyi’s—colder, more daunting, enough to make Liu Yu tremble and keep his distance. But as the saying goes, the word ‘lust’ is a blade above the head. Emboldened by his own bravado, he cast aside his earlier caution.

Beigong Qiyi’s foxlike eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the fan.

Just then, a cold, magnetic voice sliced through the stillness. “With a single word, I could wipe out your entire Liu clan—every last branch, not one left alive.”

Liu Yu started in terror, turning to meet a pair of dark green eyes, cold as glacial ice. He shuddered, overcome with fear. “You... you...”

Beigong Juechen sneered, turning his head away. Beigong Qiyi’s smile remained, dazzling but now terrifying in its chill. Liu Yu, trembling, asked in a broken voice, “Who... who are you?” At last it dawned on him—no ordinary men could exude such an aura.

Beigong Qiyi tapped his closed fan lightly and answered, “I am Beigong Qiyi.” Liu Yu’s eyes went wide. He stumbled back. “Bei—Beigong?” Beigong Qiyi’s eyes widened in feigned innocence as he nodded. Liu Yu’s strength left him; he collapsed. Turning a dazed gaze on Beigong Juechen, he stammered, “Then he’s... the master of Beigong Manor?” Beigong Qiyi’s lips curled in mockery. “Exactly.”

Liu Yu shook uncontrollably, all trace of his former poise gone. He had long heard that the Beigong clan’s beauty was unmatched under heaven, but never imagined... Gasping for breath, Liu Yu forced himself upright, crawling shakily toward Beigong Juechen.

Beigong Qiyi’s eyes turned frosty. He kicked Liu Yu over and squatted beside him. “Anything left to say?” Liu Yu clutched his stomach, face contorted in pain. “I... I...” Beigong Qiyi smiled coldly, voice low. “Think carefully. This is the last thing you’ll ever say.”

Liu Yu stared up at him, and perhaps realizing there was no escape, grew oddly calm. He forced a laugh. “That day at the courtesan contest, when I first saw you, young master, I was haunted ever after, longing only to see you again...” He never finished—the words trailed off as he slumped to the floor. Beigong Qiyi withdrew his hand and stood coldly.

Beigong Juechen watched from the side, brows drawn, meticulously wiping his hands with a silk kerchief. Beigong Qiyi met his gaze and smiled. “Of all his mistakes, the worst was coveting you, Brother.”

Beigong Juechen snorted. “And you?” Beigong Qiyi arched an eyebrow, feigning incomprehension. Beigong Juechen stepped closer, speaking softly, “What thoughts do you harbor for me?”

Beneath the cover of his sleeve, Beigong Qiyi’s hand tightened on the fan. He met the man’s cold, sharp gaze, voice steady. “You are my only kin, my greatest respect in this life. I have no improper designs upon you.”

Beigong Juechen’s eyes narrowed. The youth’s dark eyes were earnest and true. He patted the youth’s now-broader shoulder, and, smiling, looked away. “Remember what you’ve just said.” The tense hand relaxed. Beigong Qiyi nodded solemnly, and as he lowered his eyes, a trace of coldness flickered at their edge.

Beigong Juechen glanced at the man sprawled on the floor and said offhandedly, “Throw him out.” Beigong Qiyi acknowledged and dragged Liu Yu from the cabin.

A lavish, ornate ship was docked nearby. Beigong Qiyi looked at the limp body in his hand as if it were refuse, smiled coldly, and flung him onto the deck of the other ship.

The night had grown deep—the hour when revelry reached its peak. On the lake, the pleasure boats rang with laughter and licentious songs. Beigong Qiyi withdrew his gaze indifferently, unmoved by the festive beauty surrounding him, and turned back into the cabin.

All his devotion, spanning two lifetimes, had been given to one person—how could he ever let go?

Author’s note: Ancient danmei + main seme + literary style is already niche enough here. My work earns almost nothing from piracy; for heaven’s sake, can’t you at least wait five or six days?