Conversation

After finishing breakfast, Bei Gong Juechen went off to manage the affairs of the manor, leaving Bei Gong Qiyi alone and bored, sprawled across the railing of the pavilion, gazing at the sea of lotus blossoms. Though Li Manor boasted flowers in every season, neither Bei Gong Juechen nor Bei Gong Qiyi were particularly fond of them. Yet for some reason, Bei Gong Qiyi felt an unusual attachment to the lotus. Bei Gong Juechen was, in every respect, nothing like a lotus. Still, since the day in their youth when Juechen leapt across the water to pick a lotus for him, the man and the flower became stubbornly entwined in Qiyi’s mind.

Stretching out two fingers, a white lotus sailed into his hand. Bei Gong Qiyi stroked the pure white petals, his gaze so tender it seemed he was caressing the delicate, warm skin of a lover.

Su Yueling noticed Bei Gong Qiyi from afar. The pavilion was built at the center of the lake, which was vast; even standing at the shore, Su Yueling was separated from him by quite a distance. Always a man of propriety and courtesy, he initially meant to greet Bei Gong Qiyi, but seeing the youth’s attention wholly absorbed by the flower, he hesitated and decided to quietly leave.

“Master Su, since you’re here, why not come and sit for a while?” Though they weren’t close, Bei Gong Qiyi’s voice carried clearly to Su Yueling. The volume was just right—not too loud, not too soft. His tone was gentle and clear, pleasing to the ear.

Su Yueling smiled faintly at Bei Gong Qiyi, and with sword in hand, walked slowly into the pavilion.

Placing the flower on the railing, Bei Gong Qiyi sat at the stone seat. There was always wine in the pavilion, regardless of the hour. Filling two cups, he set them down just as Su Yueling reached his side.

“Master of the manor,” Su Yueling greeted with a fist salute. Bei Gong Qiyi looked up at him and smiled lightly. “They say the disciples of Jade Flower Palace are upright and virtuous. Seeing you today, Master Su, the rumors are clearly true.” He gestured to the seat opposite, raising his brows, “Please, have a seat.”

Su Yueling nodded with a smile and sat across from Bei Gong Qiyi. “You may simply call me by name, Master,” he said. Bei Gong Qiyi smiled noncommittally, his slender, flawless fingers lightly caressing the porcelain cup. Su Yueling’s gaze lingered on those fingers, feeling as if they might merge with the cup itself.

“As far as I know, Master Su, you are the chief disciple of Jade Flower Palace, always assisting Master Yinji with matters of the sect. Now that you’ve descended the mountain, I suppose Master Yinji has emerged from seclusion as well?” Bei Gong Qiyi kept his eyes lowered, as if lost in thought, but at the end of his words, he looked up and smiled at Su Yueling.

Su Yueling’s long brows furrowed unconsciously. That last glance from Bei Gong Qiyi, coupled with the smile at his lips, was... a little unsettling. He blinked, meeting those deep, bottomless dark eyes with a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Master. My teacher has indeed returned.”

His smile was perfectly measured, and his features were as elegant as a painting, giving the impression of a refined and courteous gentleman.

Even Bei Gong Qiyi had to admit, Su Yueling was nearly flawless; yet because everything he said and did was so precisely appropriate...

Things taken to extremes always reverse, Bei Gong Qiyi mused, smiling slowly. “Master Yinji is renowned for his martial prowess—unmatched at twenty—yet twenty years ago he began frequent seclusions. Zhu Sha had just been born then, and was saved by Master Yinji. Zhu Sha will soon turn twenty-two. Is there a connection between these events?”

Su Yueling’s eyes darkened momentarily, but when Bei Gong Qiyi looked his way, he was back to his usual composure. “What do you mean, Master?” Bei Gong Qiyi raised his brows in response, “What do you think I mean?”

Su Yueling’s smile faded, and he replied earnestly, “My teacher developed a new sword technique twenty years ago. He regards the sword as his life, naturally he would often enter seclusion to practice.”

“Master Yinji’s Autumn Water Sword, created at twenty, is already famous throughout the martial world. I wonder what advanced sword technique he devised, that it has taken more than twenty years without full success.” Bei Gong Qiyi pressed his slender fingers to his sharp chin, narrowing his eyes and asking in a low voice.

Su Yueling’s face was now devoid of any smile. He locked his gaze on Bei Gong Qiyi and spoke, word by word, “My teacher’s life is devoted to the sword. Twenty years is nothing; his whole existence is dedicated to the pursuit of swordsmanship.” Having said this, his tone softened again. “Master, your questions are rather aggressive. Even if it’s speculation, you should provide evidence.”

The lotus blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance drifting on the air. Bei Gong Qiyi, chin in hand, watched Su Yueling’s impassive expression. After a moment, he suddenly pursed his lips and chuckled softly. “Heh, it was only a jest, Master Su. No need to take offense.” He raised his cup and drank it down. “Let me apologize to you here.”

Su Yueling’s expression remained unchanged. He too drank his cup, then said calmly, “Master should apologize not to me, but to my teacher.” Bei Gong Qiyi paused, then burst into laughter.

Su Yueling gave him a heavy look, stood up, grabbed his sword, and made to leave. But Bei Gong Qiyi caught his wrist. Su Yueling turned back, brows furrowed. Bei Gong Qiyi’s eyes narrowed, his smile ambiguous, “I’ve never met Master Yinji, but I’ve heard much. He’s said to be elegant, a handsome gentleman. As you were raised by him, Master Su, could it be...”

He didn’t finish the thought, but it sent a tremor through Su Yueling’s heart. His gaze grew colder as he looked at Bei Gong Qiyi. “Master jokes. In all the world, I doubt anyone is more beautiful than you.” Before his words were finished, another person suddenly appeared before them.

“What are you doing?” Zhu Sha looked at Bei Gong Qiyi’s hand on Su Yueling’s wrist, his already cold eyes growing icier. Bei Gong Qiyi raised his brows and shrugged with a careless smile, releasing his grip.

Su Yueling took a deep breath, and when he looked at Zhu Sha again, the shadow on his face had vanished. “I was passing by and noticed the lotus blooms still thriving in winter, so I exchanged a few words with the Master.”

Zhu Sha’s face was wooden, his gaze moving between the two before settling on Su Yueling. “Are you done talking, Senior Brother?” Su Yueling was briefly taken aback, then nodded. Without another word, Zhu Sha stepped forward, took his hand, and led him away.

Watching their receding figures, Bei Gong Qiyi took up the wine jug, filled a cup, and drank it slowly. “Truly amusing...” A gust of wind swept through, sending the white lotus he’d placed on the railing drifting into the lake.

Unhurriedly finishing the jug of wine, Bei Gong Qiyi glanced at the sky and murmured, “It should be about time.” With that, he rose and left the pavilion, leaving only the pool of lotus flowers to bloom alone.

He strode briskly to the main hall, and as expected, the man had finished his tasks and was now lounging lazily in the grand chair. Upon seeing Bei Gong Qiyi enter, he only glanced at him casually. Bei Gong Qiyi squeezed in beside him, smiling, “Brother, are you tired?”

Bei Gong Juechen didn’t even look at him, only asking, “What do you want?”

Bei Gong Qiyi pouted in dissatisfaction. “I care so much for you, and you ignore me.” His sharp, slanting brows knit together. Bei Gong Juechen turned and raised an eyebrow. “Just a bit of work tires you? If that’s so, I should have died of exhaustion several times over these years.”

Bei Gong Qiyi rubbed his nose and chuckled softly. Seeing the man’s impatient gaze, he finally voiced his true intent. “Brother, I still owe Chu Muji a drink. Will you come with me today to settle the debt?”

Bei Gong Juechen sneered, “You owe him a drink—why should I go with you?” Bei Gong Qiyi hugged his arm, nuzzling him. “Brother, I just want to go out with you.”

Though his two lifetimes added up to nearly forty years, Bei Gong Qiyi was still shamelessly adept at acting spoiled before the man. Bei Gong Juechen looked at his unruly behavior, considered that there was nothing pressing in the manor, and nodded casually.

The market was crowded as ever. Bei Gong Qiyi and Bei Gong Juechen walked side by side. Despite the throngs, the path around them remained spacious. Whenever people caught sight of them, they would freeze in place, staring in awe.

The two ignored the attention. Linjiang Tower was as quiet as ever, but Bei Gong Qiyi didn’t rush inside. Instead, he pulled Bei Gong Juechen toward the riverside. It was deep winter now; the once lush trees along the river had shed all their leaves, leaving only bare trunks and patches of withered foliage scattered on the ground.

“Didn’t you arrange to drink with Chu Muji?” Bei Gong Juechen’s black boots stepped over a layer of withered leaves, his tone careless.

At the roots of a tree lay several tufts of yellow-green grass. Bei Gong Qiyi turned to look at the man’s perfectly sculpted profile, smiling lightly. “No hurry. Though it’s deep winter, some scenes are still worth seeing.”

Few lingered by the riverside; no one wished to brave the cold there. Bei Gong Juechen’s gaze swept across the broad lake. Gone was the nighttime opulence and brilliance—by day, the river was quiet and sparse, returning to its true nature: neither wealthy nor splendid, but simple and clear.

Two figures, one pale yellow and one dark green, stood close together, their robes fluttering and intertwining.

They were both dressed lightly, yet felt no chill. After a while, Bei Gong Juechen withdrew his gaze and said, “Let’s go in.” Bei Gong Qiyi nodded with a smile, following him into Linjiang Tower.

This time, there were no musicians or dancing girls in the private room—only Chu Muji, bored and munching peanuts. That damned rascal, owing me a drink and making me wait so long. I’ll drink him under the table... He popped a peanut in his mouth, thinking fiercely.

The door to the private room opened slowly. Chu Muji, without lifting his head, started to curse with a smile, “You little rascal—” He broke off as he saw the man behind Bei Gong Qiyi, swallowing hard and forcing a couple of awkward laughs.

Author’s Note: Mmm, just pulling Master Chu out for a stroll~