Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 33: Inside the Meng Residence

Looking at the two lanterns in his hand, Lin Rufei’s expression froze. He slowly raised his head and asked in a deep voice: “Who put up the lanterns?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Qi Yansheng. One was put up that day and the other was put up yesterday.” He lazily continued, “The one put up yesterday says Xiao Yu and the one put up that day says Meng Lanruo.”

Countless thoughts reverberated in Lin Rufei’s mind before they eventually converged into an unbelievable guess. Finally, Lin Rufei put those words into a question: “Meng Lanruo is dead?”

Gu Xuandu did not answer nor did he deny.

“Exactly what is going on? Meng Lanruo, the Meng family, Xiao Yu, and Qi Yansheng.” At this moment, the sense of incongruity that had existed since the beginning became stronger and stronger, and countless questions flooded Lin Rufei’s mind, “Could it be that Qi Yansheng killed Meng Lanruo?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Don’t be anxious, some things can be clarified slowly.” Lin Rufei’s face was heavy but he had a smile in his eyes, “This is the charm of Jianghu. In Jianghu, there are always things that are beyond your expectation.” He saw the truth, but he did not want to unravel it. Some answers were more interesting when you search for them yourself. This was the purpose of traveling in Jianghu.

Gu Xuandu doesn’t want Lin Rufei to be ignorant about the world forever. He would rather watch Lin Rufei grow up little by little.

This was the matter with the Meng family. Gu Xuandu could have said it directly, but he did not.

Lin Rufei also understood Gu Xuandu’s meaning and his emotions gradually calmed down. He grabbed the lantern and sat down, staring at the name in the lantern silently for a long time.

“I’m going to look for Qi Yansheng.” Lin Rufei said, “He must know the truth.”

Gu Xuandu smiled, “You know, no matter what you do, I will support you.”

Lin Rufei put down the lantern, turned around, and left the room.

At this time the sky was dark, the Meng residence’s lights made the daytime lush flowers seem a bit eerier. Lin Rufei walked through the familiar scenery, but he inexplicably felt something strange. The only thing that remained the same was the rich aroma of Qilin grass.

However, after spending so many days in the Meng residence, Lin Rufei’s nose was almost used to this smell. After some more time, he probably wouldn’t be able to smell this aroma anymore. 

Qi Yansheng’s room was on the south side of the Meng residence and it was close to the place where Meng Lanruo lived. He didn’t know if it was a coincidence, on the way to search for Qi Yansheng, Lin Rufei did not meet a single person. The servants who used to walk through the Meng residence were currently all gone. 

When he arrived at Qi Yansheng’s room, he could see the dim light inside the window from outside, and it seemed that Qi Yansheng was inside.

But when Lin Rufei raised his hand to knock on the door, he found that the door was half-open, and no one answered. He hesitated for a moment and called out Qi Yansheng’s name a few more times, but there was still no response.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Rufei said an “excuse me,” then raised his hand, and pushed the door open. However, the room was empty and only a few oil lamps were lit. There was no figure of Qi Yansheng.

Qi Yansheng’s residence was very simple. In the living room, there was only a wooden table and a few chairs. On the wooden table, there wasn’t even a cup of water or tea. There was a huge folding screen in the corner of the living room. Behind that screen was most likely Qi Yansheng’s bedroom.

Lin Rufei had rashly come in and he already felt somewhat improper. Seeing that Qi Yansheng really was not in, he intended to exit. But who knew that just as he turned around, a small sound came from the bedroom. Lin Rufei frowned and asked, “Qi Yansheng?”

No one answered.

Lin Rufei hesitated for a moment, but he still took a step towards the bedroom. He went around the screen and saw the bedroom. However, what puzzled him was that the bedroom was empty, but the sound seemed to be close at hand. This Qi Yansheng’s bedroom was almost as simple as the living room. Except for the bed and table, there was only a small closet, and the sound seemed to be coming from the closet.

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Following the sound, Lin Rufei walked towards the closet. He held the handle and was about to pull it open, when suddenly behind him Qi Yansheng’s surprised voice rang out, “Lin gongzi, what are you doing?”

Lin Rufei’s hand trembled slightly. He turned his head and saw Qi Yansheng, who had appeared behind him at some point. Being caught by the owner of the room, Lin Rufei suddenly felt awkward. Fortunately, Qi Yansheng didn’t seem to mind, he just smiled and said he had left to take care of some business and asked Lin Rufei what was the matter. 

Lin Rufei said: “I heard some noise in the closet.”

Qi Yansheng said, “Noise?” He took a look at the closet and then said indifferently, “Probably a rat. The Meng family has a lot of plants and flowers, it’s normal to have rats.” 

Lin Rufei didn’t believe it. He frowned at Qi Yansheng, “Qi gongzi, you are an honored guest of the Meng residence. It can be assumed that you will not do anything harmful to Meng gongzi, right?”

Qi Yansheng’s smile faded: “What does Lin gongzi mean by this?”

Lin Rufei said, “I was also present that night.”

Qi Yansheng pursed his lips.

Lin Rufei said, “I saw you and Xiao Yu setting up lanterns by the river.”

When Qi Yansheng heard this, he looked very calm, “I just got some freshly boiled tremella lotus seeds soup[1] from the kitchen, how about Lin gongzi you join me and we can have a nice chat?”

Lin Rufei looked at him, “Okay.”

The closet was still rattling, but the two of them tacitly didn’t mention it again. Walking to the living room, Qi Yansheng served two bowls of tremella. One bowl was handed to Lin Rufei, and then he drank the other one in front of him.

“It’s so late. There must be a reason for Lin gongzi to come visit me.” He swallowed his soup before he opened his mouth.

Lin Rufei was not in a hurry. He simply waited before saying: “The two lanterns you sent off, I have retrieved them.”

Qi Yansheng’s hands paused for a moment.

“Xiao Yu’s name is explainable.” Lin Rufei said, “But can you tell me why the name on the other lantern is Meng Lanruo?”

If it was just Xiao Yu, Qi Yansheng could say that it was to pay tribute to the dead Xiao Yu. However, Meng Lanruo was still alive and well, so who would write the name of a living person on a lantern that was only used by the dead? The strange occurrences in the residence must have something to do with Qi Yansheng.

Qi Yansheng, who was exposed, did not feel angry. Instead, he smiled and softly said: “Lin gongzi has a heart.”

Lin Rufei looked expressionlessly at Qi Yansheng.

Qi Yansheng took another sip of tremella and calmly said, “Lin gongzi, you know that in Jianghu, everyone has some secrets that cannot be known to others.”

Lin Rufei said coldly: “Everyone has secrets, but it’s not a reason to hurt others. The Meng family treats you well, why do you have to do such a heartbreaking thing.”

“Yes, the Meng family treats me well.” Qi Yansheng let out a long sigh, his tone was somewhat a bit vicissitude, “If not for their family treating me well, why would I have stayed in this Xinzhou City for a full ten years.”

Ten years? Qi Yansheng had been an honored guest of the Meng family for ten years. Lin Rufei frowned, feeling that things had become more complicated.

Qi Yansheng said: “Lin gongzi, I can only tell you that I have never thought about hurting Meng Lanruo. He is the child I watched grow up, and I couldn’t wait to spoil him, so how could I possibly do anything against him?” 

Lin Rufei said, “Then how do you explain the lantern?”

Qi Yansheng showed a distressed look and did not speak for a long time. He seemed to be considering how to explain. Lin Rufei was not in a hurry and sat next to him waiting quietly.

“Sorry, Lin gongzi, I’m afraid I can’t answer you.” Qi Yansheng opened his mouth.

Lin Rufei knew that there was no way he could get an answer from Qi Yansheng. He got up and was about to leave, but after walking to the door, he suddenly realized something. He turned his head and called out, “Qi Yansheng.”

Qi Yansheng hummed a low acknowledgment.

“Is your name really Qi Yansheng?” Lin Rufei said, “I have heard of the art of Loathing Victory[2], and when I first heard your name, I thought it was rare. Would there really be someone in the world with such an unlucky name?”

(t/n: for those who need a refresher; Yansheng means Loathing Victory/Hating Victory. To keep things clear, I will write loathing victory as to differentiate between the character and the art.)

The expression on Qi Yansheng’s face gradually disappeared and he looked at Lin Rufei in silence.

The art of Loathing Victory, also known as the art of Nightmare Town[3], referred to a variety of mediums to curse others. This spell was very malicious. Those who had been cursed; if it was light, their family would be broken, if it was heavy, then the person would die. 

Name was the most important symbol of a person. Lin Rufei was from Kunlun and its jade was famous, so he was named Rufei.

But Qi Yansheng, would there really be elders who would give such an inauspicious name to the younger generations? 

If these things hadn’t happened to the Meng family, Lin Rufei might have felt that Qi Yansheng’s elders were just being irresponsible. However, at this time, he felt that there was a hidden agenda.

Qi Yansheng was not as simple as he appeared to be, the same applied to his name.

Qi Yansheng suddenly laughed loudly. His laughter was incomparable and he even bent his waist because he was laughing so hard. He slapped the table and said loudly: “Good question, good question! Lin gongzi, your question is really wonderful.” His voice trailed off and turned into a murmur, “If no one had asked me again, I’ll almost forget.”

Lin Rufei said, “Forget what?”

Qi Yansheng said, “Forget my name.”

Lin Rufei revealed a look of understanding. It was indeed not Qi Yansheng’s real name.

Qi Yansheng sighed and said, “Lin gongzi, why do you need to leave in a hurry? The night is still young, we can take our time to talk.”

Lin Rufei then turned back and sat down in front of Qi Yansheng. He(LRF) probably felt that the atmosphere was slightly stiff so after a moment of hesitation, he took out a jug of good wine from his dimensional ring and placed it on the table. 

Qi Yansheng smiled at the sight of the wine. He unceremoniously poured it into a cup and drank it, praising: “Good wine.”

Lin Rufei said, “The wine is naturally good wine.”

Qi Yansheng said, “Good wine should also be accompanied by a good story.” He leaned back in his chair and made a lazy posture. The arrogance between his eyebrows had long disappeared and he became as steady and deep as an old man. “Does Lin gongzi know that in the south of Yunxiang, there is a place called Wuyu[4]?”

Lin Rufei said, “Yes.”

That place was famous for witchcraft and once produced two ancient great witches. Now, although it was not as glorious as it once was, it was still a bad place to mess with. It was said that nine out of ten people casually found on the roadside were proficient in witchcraft and one of them was still a babbling brat.

“That’s my hometown.” Qi Yansheng said, “Within Wuyu, there is a family whose witchcraft is unparalleled and its children are all proficient in witchcraft. They were all powerful people. Lin gongzi, guess what was their family’s last name?”

Was there a need to guess? Naturally, they were surnamed Qi, Lin Rufei thought.

Qi Yansheng also did not wait for Lin Rufei to answer, he simply continued: “But the Qi family has a rule. As long as they leave Wuyu, they could not use their real name. For a wizard, their real name was a very important thing. If it was known by outsiders, it would inevitably bring some trouble.”

Lin Rufei had already understood what Qi Yansheng meant. He was a wizard from Wuyu and had changed his name to Yansheng.

It was just so blatant. The Meng family probably already knew the identity of Qi Yansheng.

As expected, Qi Yansheng continued, “Yes, the Meng family knows where I came from. In fact, I am the one they invited.”

Lin Rufei said, “Invited?”

Qi Yansheng continued indifferently, “Otherwise, why would Meng Lanruo always say that I am an honored guest of their family.”

Lin Rufei vaguely guessed a few things, but the guess was so bizarre and absurd that one could not help but wonder if it was just his own delusion.

“The Meng family had a request for me.” Qi Yansheng said, “So I stayed here for ten years, removed my real name, and took on the name of Yansheng.” He drank another cup and smiled lightly, “It’s not bad in the Meng family. There are always interesting people who don’t bore me too much.”

Lin Rufei said, “The Meng family’s request, is it related to the little gongzi?” 

Qi Yansheng raised his eyes to look at Lin Rufei. He looked at him for a long time before he slowly said, “Lin gongzi, you should know that there are not many people who can be called friends by Meng Lanruo. You are just one.”

Lin Rufei said coldly, “If I wasn’t his friend, why would I sit here and talk nonsense with you for so long?”

Qi Yansheng felt that there was indeed some truth to his words and after hearing this he nodded, “Indeed.” He raised his hand and drank another cup, “You guessed right. The reason I came to the Meng residence is definitely related to the young master of the Meng family. That time, he was still a child that hadn’t reached my waist yet…… compared to now, he was just as cute.” His smile was like a kind old grandfather and it made Lin Rufei feel strange. 

“Did you spoil Meng Lanruo like a son?” Lin Rufei asked.

Qi Yansheng said: “Not so much as a son, but certainly, he deserved to be spoiled. After all, I watched him grow up……”

Lin Rufei said: “What’s the relationship between that lantern and the art of Loathing Victory?”

Qi Yansheng shook his head and said that it was just an ordinary lantern. He only sent it in mourning. Other than that, there was no other use.

It was really absurd, Meng Lanruo was obviously still alive, but he used the lantern to mourn. Lin Rufei’s fingers gently tapped against the table and he was silent for quite a while.

Qi Yansheng continued to ramble that the Meng residence had actually not welcomed new guests for a long time. The madam and master are cautious people, it’s not a place that a Tom, Dick, and Harry[5] could enter. And only Lin Rufei, such an aristocratic gongzi, could get close to Meng Lanruo. But although there are many aristocratic gongzis in the world, there are not many who can get close……

Lin Rufei: “Close?”

Qi Yansheng said, “You don’t have a trace of sword Qi on you, right?”

Lin Rufei said, “Mnn.”

Qi Yansheng said in a deep voice: “That’s why you can be Meng Lanruo’s friend.”

Lin Rufei pursed his lips: “Meng Lanruo …… he ……”

The words came to his lips, but he couldn’t say them. He gritted his teeth, lifted the cup of wine in front of him, and downed it. The wine was very strong and soon a sweet red dusted his face. He strained his voice, and finally said the words: “Meng Lanruo, is already dead?”

Qi Yansheng was silent for a long time before giving an almost unnoticeable nod.

Lin Rufei felt a moment of weakness. Although Qi Yansheng said it euphemistically, according to his words and the events in the Meng residence, Lin Rufei still guessed his hidden meaning. Although the truth was ridiculous to the extreme, if Qi Yansheng did not lie, there was only one answer left.

Meng Lanruo was dead. Because he died, the Meng family went to Wuyu to find Qi Yansheng and then invited him into the Meng family.

Lin Rufei had heard many stories of resurrection from the dead and knew that there must be some way to keep the dead, but all of these methods would require a huge price to pay. Teenage Meng Lanruo had already died, so who was the young master that was now spoiled in the Meng residence?

“He is also Meng Lanruo.” Qi Yansheng answered Lin Rufei’s confusion. “As long as he still has Meng Lanruo’s three souls and seven spirits[6], no matter what his body becomes, he is still Meng Lanruo.” The young master of the Meng family.

Lin Rufei found it a little difficult to understand.

Qi Yansheng said, “There are some things that I am not at liberty to say, you guessed them all yourself.” He shrugged his shoulders and laughed, “Although it seems better for you not to know these things, in the end, Meng Lanruo treated you as a friend. Since you are a friend, you should be treated as such.” 

Lin Rufei then drank while rearranging the information given by Qi Yansheng.

More than ten years ago, the Meng residence’s Meng Lanruo suddenly had an accident and he died an unnatural death. The Meng family then invited Qi Yansheng, who was originally from Wuyu. With the art of Loathing Victory, he retained the Meng family’s young son’s three souls and seven spirits and then sealed it in another body in order to maintain the life of Meng Lanruo.

It’s just that the body…… Lin Rufei thought and asked out.

Qi Yansheng laughed: “Lin gongzi doesn’t have to worry about this, that body is not a human body. It’s made with grass and wood composition, and then a spell was cast to trick the eye. However, the spell is quite powerful and only those with a cultivation of eight or above could see it.” He was again helpless, “But this body is really easy to damage and can only be preserved with Qilin grass, so the whole Meng residence…… no, the whole Xinzhou City has Qilin grass everywhere.”

Lin Rufei said, “So that’s how it is.”

“But that kid is very naughty, he doesn’t want to stay in Xinzhou City obediently.” When Qi Yansheng started talking about Meng Lanruo, his tone carried some helpless doting, “He repeatedly tried to run away. It was a good thing he was caught and brought back, otherwise, he would have made a big mistake.”

Lin Rufei remembered Meng Lanruo’s dream of fighting with a sword in the sky, it seemed that it would never come true. However, he was relieved to know that Qi Yansheng did not do anything against Meng Lanruo, otherwise, he would really like to pull out Gu Yu and take a swing at this Qi Yansheng.

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Some people are born with a pure and innocent heart. Their behavior and speech are very likable and Meng Lanruo, was such a person.

Although Lin Rufei had not been with him for long, he indeed treated him as a friend. Otherwise, he could have just left and ignored everything that might happen in the Meng residence. 

“What about Xiao Yu? What was her situation?” Lin Rufei thought of this and continued to ask, “Xiao Yu’s death has something to do with you, right?”

Who knew that when Qi Yansheng heard the name Xiao Yu, his face showed a little discomfort: “She …… this ……”

Lin Rufei said, “What?”

Even the secret that Meng Lanruo was a dead person was revealed. When this Qi Yansheng started talking about Xiao Yu, he started stammering, and for a long time, he didn’t utter a word.

Lin Rufei was impatient, so he simply guessed: “Is it because Meng Lanruo has fallen in love with Xiao Yu and said he wants to take her out of Xinzhou City? To fight with swords in a far-away place?”

Qi Yansheng nodded his head.

“And you killed Xiao Yu because of that?” Lin Rufei frowned, “Let’s not mention that she is the woman Meng Lanruo loves, even if she wasn’t, it was still a human life. You took a human life without a good cause……”

Qi Yansheng said: “I couldn’t help it. You don’t know that when the Meng family’s little gongzi went to find Xiao Yu, he already had the money prepared. He also had a talisman that was stolen from somewhere, if this talisman was activated, they would be immediately sent away. The location is undetermined and if he really succeeded, no one can save him!”  

Lin Rufei questioned: “How can there be such a talisman?”

“Indeed.” Qi Yansheng said bitterly, “Otherwise I wouldn’t have come up with this!”

It was a stupid method to take Xiao Yu’s life and he didn’t know how to comfort Meng Lanruo, who was now in grief. But if this stupid method was not used, he was afraid that Meng Lanruo’s three souls and seven spirits would have been scattered and long gone.

“Alas, it’s a pity for Xiao Yu that girl, she was just a poor person.” Lin Rufei remembered what Meng Lanruo said to him. Most likely, before Xiao Yu came here, she also suffered a lot of hardships. Originally, she and Meng Lanruo loved each other and the coming days should have improved, however, such an accident occurred.  

Qi Yansheng saw Lin Rufei’s pitying face, and several times he wanted to say something but stopped.

Lin Rufei only took his expression as shame and did not think much of it. He only reminded Qi Yansheng to find a good tomb for Miss Xiao Yu and to bury her generously.

Who knew that when Qi Yansheng heard this, his expression grew awkward. When Lin Rufei asked, he learned that this man had gone too far. He had burned Miss Xiao Yu’s body in a fire after salvaging them.

“You went too far. Although Xiao Yu was a woman in a flower house, she didn’t do anything wrong to Meng Lanruo. You had no choice but to take a person’s life, okay I can understand, but how come you didn’t even leave a corpse?” Lin Rufei frowned. He looked at Qi Yansheng, only to feel that all the good impressions just now were gone.

Qi Yansheng, who was blamed by Lin Rufei, had an expression that showed that he had nothing to say. He just kept on drinking. He didn’t know if he drank too much, but that high and proud handsome face became red. 

Seeing that Lin Rufei still wanted to reprimand, Qi Yansheng hurriedly begged for mercy: “Lin gongzi, Lin gongzi, please be merciful, please be merciful! I know I’m wrong. I already chose a tombstone for her after burning and buried her!”  

Lin Rufei frowned at him.

“This is something I didn’t do properly. This is my fault! Consider me confused!” Qi Yansheng raised his cup and poured the last of the wine into his mouth. He laughed bitterly, “People are not sages, who can be without fault.”

Since the words have come to this, Lin Rufei also couldn’t say anything else. Just pity that Xiao Yu, who had no relatives and no friends, just died like that in a foreign country …… as he was thinking this, Lin Rufei heard a low laugh from beside him. He turned his head to look and saw Gu Xuandu leaning on the edge of the bed, covering his mouth and laughing all over.

Lin Rufei cast a puzzled glance towards him.

Gu Xuandu laughed: “Why did Xiao Jiu suddenly become stupid.”

Lin Rufei: “Huh?”

Gu Xuandu said, “If he can create a Meng Lanruo, why don’t you guess if he can create an oiran?”

Lin Rufei: “……”

“It’s a pity that this oiran doesn’t have her three souls and seven spirits and she still has to be manipulated by this Qi gongzi.” Gu Xuandu finally could not hold back and laughed loudly, “I would really like to see this Qi gongzi’s heroic sword dance.”

Then, the still drinking Qi Yansheng saw that Lin Rufei, who was opposite him, had slowly hung his head. His expression was bizarre to the extreme. No matter how one looked, it looked like he was holding in laughter……. 

Qi Yansheng: “……” He knew.

(t/n: Oh. What a plot twist LOL. Bet none of you guys expected that)

********

The author has something to say:  

Lin Rufei: No wonder Xiao Yu’s sword dance is so beautiful….

Gu Xuandu: Beautiful?

Lin Rufei: Yes. It’s the most beautiful that I have seen.

Gu Xuandu expressionlessly unsheathed his sword.

Lin Rufei: What are you doing?

Gu Xuandu: First hack Xiao Yu to death, and then dance again for you.

Lin Rufei: ………………….

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[1] One of my favorite sweet desserts  (just minus the dates, not a big fan of them uwu) 

[2] An ancient form of sorcery. It is said to be able to subdue a person or object with a curse. The word “loathing” is used as “pressure”, which means to overturn, fit, inhibit, or block. “It is a long-standing practice of sorcery,” and has been used to harm people in both the court and the people. 

[3] It means to do something unlucky when others are praying for blessings. 

[4] Wu meaning “witch”, and Yu meaning “remainder.” 

[5] What’s written here is “阿猫阿狗” basically meaning like the people with very common/basic names; John, Tom, Jane etc. 

[6] three immortal souls and seven mortal forms in Daoism, contrasting the spiritual and carnal side of man.