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A big thanks to Arya Kyo, Julia, and Elamia! ? Many, many thanks for your awesome contribution! ? Your continuous support means a lot to me and keeps me motivated. Cheers to all the readers, and enjoy the happy reading vibes! ??

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Chapter 53: Encounter

“Happier things?”

The posture of her back against his chest was too dangerous. Yu Lingxi couldn’t resist turning around, looking at Ning Yin’s face immersed in the dim light.

Ning Yin made a low “hmm” sound, his arms supporting the windowsill, encircling her. His eyes were deep and profound, with a faint glimmer, like scattered starlight between the clouds. Yu Lingxi, as if seized by her thoughts, suddenly realized that, surprisingly, Ning Yin’s eyes were bright even when he wasn’t killing someone.

The night wind scattered the three thousand lanterns, and the shadows at the staircase swayed slightly. Ning Yin raised his right hand, supporting the back of her head, with a strangely gentle expression.

“It’s my turn to reciprocate, Miss.”

He casually tilted his head, and when his breath landed on her lips, Yu Lingxi slightly widened her eyes.

That moment of surprise made her forget to react. Firstly, because Ning Yin rarely took the initiative to kiss her. In both past and present lives, he had only initiated once in the fragrant and blissful warehouse, and it was indifferent, devoid of any emotion. Secondly, she was astonished at the current warmth of Ning Yin’s lips, different from the usual coolness.

A faint sound of something falling to the ground came from the staircase. Yu Lingxi’s eyelashes trembled, subconsciously looking towards the source of the sound, but Ning Yin pinched her chin to make her focus.

As he touched her soft lips, he delicately traced with the tip of his tongue, then opened his mouth, slowly engulfing her lips, as if savoring some earthly delicacy bit by bit.

Gradually, all those deliberate techniques were discarded, replaced by a firm, entangled, instinctive demand.

Ning Yin always enjoyed watching the expressions of others trying to escape but failing, even the distorted pain on the face of someone about to die. For him, those were the most beautiful pleasures. However, at this moment, his casually opened eyelashes drooped down, casting a submissive shadow. In a vortex, only her sweetness could fill.

Yu Lingxi was pressed back, her figure tilting, her lower back against the cold windowsill, her black, silk-like hair gently swaying in the night breeze, intertwining in Ning Yin’s ink-colored eyes.

The octagonal lamp under the eaves spread a blurry halo overhead. Yu Lingxi’s heart beat rapidly, pounding against her chest. 

Something softened within her heart, flooding uncontrollably. She held onto the windowsill tightly, afraid of falling, afraid of drowning in Ning Yin’s thin lips. Ning Yin stifled a gentle laugh in his throat, one hand stabilizing her waist, the other firmly pressing down her hand that was haphazardly supporting the windowsill, guiding her to wrap her arms around his neck.

Yu Lingxi found something to cling to, her chest slowly pressing against his, trembling as she closed her eyelashes.

The high building was quiet, and no rustling wind could be heard. Only the breaths intertwined with each other, hot and rapid.

As their lips parted, it was like waking up from a beautiful dream, lingering with a taste of entanglement.

So, this was the “even happier” thing.

Yu Lingxi weakly clung to his shoulders, panting like someone just pulled out from drowning.

Ning Yin, on the other hand, remained composed, but his lips had gained a hint of color, carrying a hoarse and deep smile. “Miss, your breathing needs some practice.”

Yu Lingxi tightened her grip on his collar, almost as if punishing him, and breathed out in short bursts, “Alright, tomorrow I’ll find someone to practice with.”

The arm loosely wrapped around her waist tightened slightly, and Ning Yin gently pinched her chin, making her lift her head.

“What are you muttering about?”

He looked at Yu Lingxi’s flushed and charming face, dangerously narrowing his eyes. “Miss, with such a picky mouth, others might not be as dedicated as I am.”

Helpless and annoyed, Yu Lingxi found herself scolded by him when it was him with the picky mouth. She would have liked to practice with someone else, but unfortunately, for two lifetimes, she was hanging on the same tree.

Outside the window, sky lanterns floated in the black-blue night sky. When the wind blew, the orange-yellow warm light dispersed, making it unclear which one was their “May every year be peaceful.”

Yu Lingxi’s concerns swayed with the floating lanterns, ascending into the vast sky.

She thought, maybe what her sister-in-law said was right.

“Do you know what this is called?”

Ning Yin stared into her eyes, the faint vermilion color of his lips hooked, and he said in a low voice, “Compromise.”

Yu Lingxi was stunned for a moment and then raised her ink-lined eyelashes, softly retorting, “There’s no ‘compromise,’ only ‘together.’”

This time it was Ning Yin who was momentarily stunned. Soon after, he laughed extremely lightly, his chest vibrating gently. To him, her mouth was so rare and sweet that he wished he could hide her away, deep in the most profound place, allowing those beautiful eyes to shine only for him.

“It was my negligence.”

Ning Yin raised his finger and stroked the stray hair at Yu Lingxi’s temple, his low, hoarse voice filled with satisfaction. “Next time, I’ll find a beautiful and spacious place, and I’ll make sure Miss gets what she wishes for.”

The wind made the window creak, and Yu Lingxi came back to her senses, pushing against his solid chest. “Get up, we should go down.”

If her older brother noticed something amiss, there would surely be another round of questioning.

Ning Yin, calm and collected, glanced towards the staircase and said, “Sure.”

He obediently released his arm, seemingly brewing some clever thoughts, and followed her lead.

Yu Lingxi rubbed her slightly numb lips, not daring to let Ning Yin see her blushing face. She lowered her head and walked towards the exit. 

Then she paused. She saw a piece of jade pendant that had fallen on the stairs.

As Ning Yin’s footsteps approached, Yu Lingxi pursed her lips, swiftly pressing the jade pendant beneath her shoe.

…

Xue Cen stood on the suspended painted bridge, looking up at the vast night sky. At his feet lay an unlit wishing lantern. 

Yu Lingxi stood silently on the corridor for a moment, gathered her thoughts, and then gently walked towards Xue Cen. Upon seeing her, Xue Cen’s face, still bearing the restrained sorrow, hadn’t managed to conceal it completely. He averted his eyes somewhat awkwardly.

Ning Yin stood at the staircase at the end of the long corridor, taking in everything on the painted bridge with his eyes. His mood was exceptionally good at the moment. Even Xue Cen, pretending to be sad and standing there like a fool, trying to attract attention, didn’t bother him.

Moreover, he was curious to see how Yu Lingxi would handle the current situation.

If Miss didn’t handle it to his satisfaction, he would have to intervene personally.

He was not a patient person, and even if she came crying to him later, he wouldn’t be merciful. Just as he was thinking, there was movement on the painted bridge.

Yu Lingxi took out a sheep-fat-colored jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Xue Cen. “Brother Cen, you dropped this.”

Xue Cen’s face showed a hint of surprise, followed by a sense of panic.

She had figured it out, he realized that he had gone to the top floor just now and stumbled upon her and the guard named Wei Qi in…

He took the jade pendant, and his finger bones turned slightly white as he forced himself to swallow the words “illicit affair.”

Such dirty words should never be used to describe his younger sister; they were not even allowed in his thoughts. 

“Thank you.” He dared not look into her eyes, and his usually clear voice now carried a tinge of suppressed pain.

Had that guard tempted his sister, or had he forced her?

It was the sister he had cherished for ten years! How could Wei Qi be so audacious to dare to touch her so recklessly?

He couldn’t help but maliciously speculate about Wei Qi, feeling a mix of heartache and anger.

“In fact, I should thank you.” Just as he was thinking, Yu Lingxi’s voice flowed like a clear spring, gentle and composed. “Thank you for your integrity, not disturbing that beautiful moment.”

She said it was a moment of “beauty.”

Xue Cen, holding the jade pendant, gradually reddened his eyes.

The normally composed Xue Erlang had lost his composure in the face of her gentle and subtle words.

He wasn’t foolish; he understood her meaning.

“You’re too young, Second Sister.” Xue Cen’s voice was heavy as he looked at her. “Drinking poison to quench your thirst will ruin your life.”

“Ah Cen, Sui Sui!”

Yu Huanchen’s voice came, interrupting their conversation with a smile. “Couldn’t find you anywhere; turns out, you’re hiding here!”

Xue Cen quickly turned his face to avoid revealing his current emotional state.

“Why hide here and chat? Can’t big brother listen?” 

Yu Huanchen crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping between the two, sensing that something was amiss.

“Ah Cen, you…”

Yu Huanchen was about to ask when Yu Lingxi quickly stepped forward, blocking her older brother’s view.

“It’s nothing; we were just admiring the lanterns.”

Yu Lingxi knew Xue Cen’s pride, so she glanced at the new tassel on her brother’s sword hilt and changed the subject. “Big brother, the tassel on your sword looks very nice. Don’t you plan to give sister-in-law a gift?”

Xue Cen turned around, his face now restored to a gentle and refined demeanor. He spoke in a warm tone, “The jewelry and rouge from Wanzhen Pavilion are unparalleled in the capital. Ah Chen, go pick something as a gift for the honored lady. Don’t wait too long; they might close.”

“In a hurry to send me away, feeling guilty?” 

Yu Huanchen chuckled, rubbed his sister’s head, and said to Xue Cen, “You, don’t bully my sister.”

Xue Cen didn’t retort.

He propped up a smile and took the initiative, “Mei Zi wine at the Wangxian Tower is exceptional. I’ll accompany you to taste it.”

Only then did Yu Huanchen hook Xue Cen’s shoulder, and they walked away with a smile.

As they descended the stairs, Xue Cen’s steps hesitated for a moment, but he didn’t turn back.

Ning Yin stood in the shadows on the stairs, watching Yu Huanchen’s big hand that was caressing Yu Lingxi’s head. 

Fingertips rubbing gently, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he made a low hum.

Only when the interfering parties were gone did he put his hands behind his back and leisurely descend the stairs.

“Ning… Wei Qi.”

Yu Lingxi corrected herself and smiled lightly at him, her clear eyes devoid of any trace of darkness.

Ning Yin walked over indifferently, lifting his hand to gently brush her hair, as if trying to remove something dirty.

“What’s wrong with my hair?”

Yu Lingxi raised her hand in confusion, touching her hair.

Could it be that she had picked up some dust or cobwebs while coming downstairs?

“Miss should be fortunate. I’m in an excellent mood right now.”

Ning Yin pointedly flicked the pearls and jade in her hair, saying casually, “Next time, it might not be the same.”

“Next time? How long?”

Yu Lingxi smiled, thinking that after “teasing” him for so long, she should make him happy for at least a year or so.

Ning Yin seemed to see through her little tricks and said casually, “As someone as carefree as me, Miss shouldn’t expect me to behave for more than a day, unless…”

He lowered his gaze to Yu Lingxi’s alluring lips, his smile holding a deep and meaningful implication.

Above the imperial palace, the guards were strict. The empress, adorned in an elaborate golden phoenix robe, accompanied the emperor as they gazed at the lanterns outside the palace, quietly massaging his shoulders.

The emperor’s gaze finally landed on the empress’s face. He saw that she remained natural and unadorned, not competing for favor, which evoked memories of her gentle demeanor in their youth.

Accustomed to flattering and assertive women, the emperor, in his older age, increasingly appreciated the empress’s tranquil and composed demeanor.

The emperor’s weathered face softened, and he patted the empress’s hand, saying, “The crown prince is disappointing and continue to make things difficult. You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s the duty of your humble servant. I can never be too tired in serving Your Majesty.” Empress Feng maintained her composure, continuing to knead gently. “This Empress deeply respects Your Majesty in her heart. She just doesn’t know how to express it. Yesterday, she even said that if she finds out about the whereabouts of the seventh prince, she will have a companion and share the worries for Your Majesty.”

At these words, Cui An, who was standing nearby, raised an eyebrow in surprise. Is the empress out of her mind? The third prince is mentally disabled, the eighth prince is only two months old, and the seventh prince is the crown prince’s only formidable rival.

The empress should have eradicated Ning Yin and the Yu family altogether. How dare she voluntarily reveal the news of Ning Yin’s survival to the emperor?

“The seventh prince?” The emperor indeed remembered the child from the cold palace, whose face he couldn’t even recall. He furrowed his brows. “Wasn’t it reported that he died without a body when Li Fei escaped from the palace?”

Empress Feng replied, “Indeed, the Ministry of Justice closed the case that way back then. However, General Yu has been investigating for so long; I believe there will be good news soon.”

“Yu Yuan?” The emperor pressed the empress’s hand and fell silent for a moment before asking, “Is he also involved in this?”

Realizing her mistake, Empress Feng’s expression subtly changed. She walked to the side, curtsied, and said, “I misspoke. The other day, the crown prince came to pay respects, and I heard that General Yu is secretly investigating the whereabouts of the princes. I mistakenly thought it was Your Majesty’s order…”

Hearing this, Cui An finally understood the empress’s intention. Even someone as despicable and filthy as him couldn’t help but admire her ingenious scheme. The empress’s move, shifting the blame to the Yu family and tying them together with the seventh prince, precisely hit the emperor’s sensitive nerve.

The emperor, naturally suspicious and wary of powerful courtiers, especially those who might threaten his authority, would not tolerate others snatching power from him. Otherwise, how did the previous princes die?

The empress’s casual words skillfully entangled the influential Yu family and the seventh prince, who was in exile, precisely hitting the emperor’s raw nerve.

“Enough, rise.”

The emperor toyed with his finger and contemplated for a long time. He stood up and said, “I’m tired. The empress should rest early too.”

“Your servant respectfully sends off Your Majesty.” The empress bowed.

When she raised her head again, her face had shed the deference, appearing calm and almost indifferent.

It rained a little at night.

In the morning, the green bricks were moist, and remnants of prayer lanterns littered the streets.

Ning Yin held a purple-skinned grape, looked at the sky for a while, and complained, “Chen Feng, don’t sell grapes next time, they’re too sour.”

Watching his master’s unpredictable emotions, Chen Feng felt quite wronged. He had specifically selected these sour grapes; if the grapes in the basket were too sweet, attracting more buyers would not be conducive to exchanging information.

Ning Yin entered the house with the grapes, closed the door, and separated the oil-paper layers that wrapped the grapes. He casually glanced at them, placed them on the candlestick, and lit them.

As soon as he let go, the flames fluttered down and turned into black ashes in the blink of an eye.

On the table, there was a roughly carved piece of ink jade.

The ink jade, about the size of a palm, was cut into neatly squared sections at the bottom. A certain object lay horizontally on top, and the contours of its undulating shape could vaguely be discerned.

Just roughly carved; it still needed fine engraving. Ning Yin took the jade with the contours that scratched his hand and played with it carefully. When this jade was finely carved, it would be time for him to leave.

That kind of reluctant attachment had just surfaced and dissipated like a bubble.

Well then, take everyone away.

Ning Yin supported his temple, lowered his eyes, and smiled: She promised, didn’t she?

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