A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 2

30

Zuiju listened.

The sound of the qin was like a speech, as if reporting every single event that had occurred. Even if it was not a personal experience to others, they could empathise the grief behind it.

Yet in such a cold, chaotic situation, the tone remained clear.

Was the country or feelings more important?

Would one rather protect the universal feeling of love or protect one's own country?

Not daring to touch the matters in the heart was a fear like a needle posed high in the air which pierced at Zuiju's organs, causing a deep sorrow.

Humans were not inanimate objects and could not be heartless.

The thin strings had become a strangling weapon, torturing her until she broke into a cold, blood-like sweat.

No longer able to stand the piercingly harsh qin sound, Zuiju stepped forward, trying to restrain her emotions. She whispered, "Miss, you should stop. The lunch has been sent a while ago."

Pingting pressed her fingers onto the qin, causing the sound to suddenly stop. She lifted her head, her eyes bright as they flickered towards Zuiju.

"No matter what, at least eat a little." Zuiju avoided her gaze and helped her up.

Hongqian deftly set up the dishes on the table.

Pingting scanned the table and her gaze stopped. She was shocked to realise that all sorts of different Gui Le dishes had been placed on the table, a variety of delicacies and ordinary dishes. She sat down on the table, squeezed to pick up something and then placed it down.

"All of these are Gui Le dishes personally made by He Xia." Pingting was silent for a long time and opened her mouth once more. "He sure shows great determination."

Her sense of danger pressed down on her heart, without barrier.

Hongqian could barely breathe in this heavy silence and boldly offered, "Although the residence is surrounded by soldiers, seeing the Marquess of Jing-An's latest actions, I'd say that he remembers his old friendship with Miss Bai. Even if..." She was suddenly warned by Zuiju with a zip of her mouth and realised what she had said, immediately closing her mouth.

Pingting did not blame her. A bitter smile played on her lips as she said, "And how much heartfelt remembrance of old friendship is worth?"

It seemed that perhaps He Xia could accept anyone as the owner of Bai Pingting, except for one – Chu Beijie.

Chu Beijie, the only person under the skies who could make He Xia feel afraid.

Chu Beijie, also the only person under the skies who could make He Xia feel jealous.

If the world was a battlefield, how could a contest between old enemies be limited to the smoke of the battlefield?

The snowflakes floated around outside the room. Occasionally one would follow the movement of the door curtain and crashed into the warm room, willingly melt into winter tears.

The head of the sun hung directly upwards, causing slight shadows eastwards.

A half of the sixth had already passed.

Just a half. Twelve hours left.

He Xia was located on a high ledge of the mountain, gazing eastwards with his hands behind his back.

In the heavy snow, in the quiet residence underneath his eyes, hid a person called Pingting.

Pingting, his maid of fifteen years, his playmate, and music critic. She who accompanied him as he read, watched over his sword practices, and clapped while cheering.

Who could easily give up fifteen years? From cute little children to a well-bred lady, Bai Pingting of the Jing-An Ducal Residence was also one of Gui Le's two famous qin players. She had truly been a budding flower in the valleys.

So many people had looked out for her; so many people had praised her.

He had quietly protected, cherished and took her to all sorts of places like the battlefield. He took her to see the amoured calvary and the dancing sandstorms.

She was supposed to be his. In these circumstances, she was his.

But he'd never thought he'd be forcing her to stay.

His Pingting was a phoenix with brightly coloured wings who waited for a man of indomitable spirit to take her by the hand and from there, unite.

That was her wish, her happiness until the end of the world.

Only He Xia, rather than Chu Beijie, should have the greatest portion of Pingting's heart.

Yet the one who had stolen her heart was Chu Beijie.

It could be anyone, anyone apart from Chu Beijie.

How could he allow his Bai Pingting to be with Chu Beijie, his sworn enemy? How could she stargaze with him, talk about life with him, sing for him and play qin for him?

He couldn't accept it. His gentleness as he endured parting with Bai Pingting was exchanged for someone as cheap as Chu Beijie.

He could feel the snowflakes flying with the wind.

The sky was almost dark. It was already the sixth today.

"Master?" Dongzhuo walked to the high place and stopped ten feet behind He Xia.

"Dongzhuo, your voice is both heavy and sad." He Xia's voice became serious as he asked, "Do you think Chu Beijie will hurry back in time?"

"No."

"Are you upset that Chu Beijie is unable to hurry back."

Dongzhuo shook his head, hesitating. He took his time before looking up and saying, "Master, please order us to attack. The residence has very little ability to defend and with Master's skill, it isn't difficult to capture Pingting alive. When she comes back with us, we can naturally persuade her to change her mind."

He Xia did not answer. His back, illuminated by the setting sun in the west, appeared very distant.

"Master, don't you feel any pity for her since we grew up together?" Dongzhuo had an unbearably sad feeling in his chest from watching He Xia's back. He knelt down and bashed his head onto the ground, crying, "Master, you know that Chu Beijie is unable to return, yet why do make Pingting's heart break by waiting?"

A dark light flashed in the depths of He Xia's raven-black eyes, a twisted pain that mercilessly surfaced. It quickly skimmed over his eyes and was gone.

"Not only do I need her heart to break," He Xia's eyes reflected the little dots of fire over at the residence as he grinded his teeth, "I need her to lose all hope in Chu Beijie."

As night fell on the residence, it became even quieter.

Even the outskirts of a graveyard could not be more silent. Not even the slightest sound of the snowflakes flying in the air could be heard. It seemed like an illusion to the eyes.

Like a dream. When one reached a hand, the dream dispersed, leaving emptiness.

Pingting watched the east.

Time was ruthless, slipping away little by little from her slender fingers.

She had been staring out there for a long time, not blinking at all, as if this was the most important thing of her life since birth.

The east was where Chu Beijie would return from. She could not see the main, straight road to the east since it was blocked by the mountain forests, where He Xia and his men were camped. Pingting did not worry. They could stop Chu Beijie's progress.

Today was the sixth.

The moon had already risen, yet where was Chu Beijie?

Zuiju quietly opened the curtain. She had been standing outside the door for a long time, long enough to feel that the date of the sixth had been imprinted into her heart.

She approached Pingting, peeking at the beautiful and dignified, turned face in the moonlight. It sharply stabbed at her heart, causing her to momentarily lose her balance.