The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 146

Although Xuanyuan Yuzhen had doubts about Xiuran's death, but because of Su Qingyan, he still dispelled that smudge of misgiving in his heart.

He had never met Qilian Qingyan before, so he didn't notice the similarities between Qilian Qingyan and Su Qingyan either.

Just occasionally when hearing Qilian Yuran mention her, he felt that perhaps in some aspect, Su Qingyan was Qilian Qingyan.

"Yuzhen, if there's nothing else, I'll send Yan'er back first." Murong Jingxuan looked to Qingyan lying on the bed and calmly spoke.

Qingyan sat up and looked to them, helplessly speaking, "I can go back by myself." With that said, Qingyan crawled down from the bed, "Besides, it's not appropriate for you two to appear at the Su manor at this time."

Although it's already been a few days since the Dragon Gate Banquet, Hongjia Emperor knowing about this matter, for the people present, was still nevertheless worrisome. That's why they didn't say anything else.

As for Su Yun, he still maintained attending the imperial court everyday. Su Qingyu and Luo Bing thus was in charge of handling the army barrack outside the city. And Su Qingyan, only after learning that Xiuran was kept in this prison, did she decide to appear here at this time.

Furthermore, she had originally came here by herself, letting Murong Jingxuan send her back was really a bit embarrassing.

"Yan'er, your body?" Murong Jingxuan saw Su Qingyan's determined look and couldn't help frowning.

Qingyan shook her head at him, "I'm fine."

Murong Jingxuan knew that Su Qingyan was some with principles. And this bottom line, she doesn't hope for anyone to touch upon. So after sending Qingyan away, he once again returned to the prison.

Qingyan sat by herself in the horse carriage, thinking about that gaze from the Dragon Gate Banquet. She thought for a long time and finally realized that the gaze probably belonged to Yaochi.

Yaochi's gaze, only when facing Qilian Qingyan, appeared especially gentle. And when regarding others, he's always met them with his cold gaze.

This was also the reason why Qilian Qingyan would fancy Yaochi.

Yaochi was an expert martial artist second only to Fengqing in Jianghu. If she can become the Thousand Beast Pavilion master, then she can think of a way to leave Yaochi, Yanmei, and Anying by her side. As for Liushang, he can just continue to stay in the palace. At least, it would be like leaving a spy in the palace.

Qingyan took out the jade flute and continued to stare at it absent-mindedly. She couldn't remember that dream, but towards Yunhen Priest's words, she still remembered very clearly.

Yunhen Priest once said, only Su Qingyan's body was the best vessel that could store Qilian Qingyan's soul. But what kind of price Yunhen Priest paid, she didn't know.

When she arrived at the General Manor's entrance, Su Qingyan gracefully got down from the horse carriage. She directly walked into the manor and saw Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong currently playing in the courtyard, and Jia Yun*, who was looking after them.

(*T/N: In case you've forgotten this is Deng Yan's new identity and I believe from here on out she'll be referred to by this name.)

"Miss, you're back." Zizhu walked up to Qingyan and untied her cloak for her. Afterwards, Huangcen brought over a cup of warm water.

"En, did anything happen today?" Qingyan accepted the water and took a sip.

Huangcen and Zizhu looked to Qingyan and shook their heads, "However, earlier, Teacher Song came by. He even said that the little young master and second miss performed really well."

"En." Qingyan smiled at the two who were happily playing at the moment, "I'll head back to my yard first. Later, if there's anything, please come find me."

"Yes."

With that said, Qingyan walked in the direction of Yingshuang yard. This whole way back, she still felt that cold gaze of Yaochi's. That's why she wanted to wait until she got back to her yard, before thinking of a way to draw out Yaochi.

After Qingyan returned to her yard, she directly sat onto the swing. Afterwards, she picked up Yaoyao who was crouching to the side. She turned her head towards the direction of the big tree, "Since you've already been following me for almost a month now, it should be about time you show yourself."

When Yaochi heard this, he very naturally appeared in front of Su Qingyan. As soon as he appeared, he pulled out his sword and stabbed it towards her. "Just who are you? Why do you have connections with our previous pavilion master?"

That blade's edge directly pointed to her throat. Perhaps with only a single step forward, this sword can pierce through her throat. She tilted her head to look at Yaochi, still smiling, "I don't have any relations with Qilian Qingyan."

Seeing her calm appearance, Yaochi still spoke coldly, "Then why do you know how to dance 'Qing Cheng Dance' and know how to play [Thousand Beasts and Phoenix]? This tune is our Thousand Beast Pavilion's mark. Aside from our pavilion master, there simply shouldn't be anyone that can play it."

"Oh!" Qingyan looked to Yaochi before her and curved her lip, "I recall saying at the Dragon Gate Banquet that this was taught to me by someone in a dream."

"Heh." Yaochi coldly snorted, "You can't deceive me with just this bit of ruse. I don't believe you."

Qingyan looked to Yaochi still with a smile, but her voice had abruptly turned cold. "Yaochi, haven't you been living in the shadows of Qilian Qingyan's death this whole time?"

When Yaochi heard this, the sword in his hand dropped to the ground in response. Qilian Qingyan certainly was the knot in his heart, and he also was indeed living in the shadows of Qilian Qingyan's death.

He'd always felt that Qilian Qingyan's death was caused by him, but he couldn't do anything about it. Even Liushang wanting to take revenge was stopped by him, because he didn't want the Thousand Beast Pavilion to have an internal strife because of this.

Because they were the Thousand Beast Pavilion's guardians after all. They bore a life's mission different from others. They wanted to protect Qilian Qingyan, but they needed to watch over the Thousand Beast Pavilion Qilian Qingyan created even more.

"Yaochi." Qingyan step by step walked towards him. She looked to her own pair of fair white hands. "Qilian Qingyan is already dead, she died in a huge fire. That feeling of the blazing red flame burning the body, you'll forever never be able to experience."

Yaochi grabbed Qingyan by the throat at once. Yaochi raised his scarlet eyes filled with killing intent. "Miss still hasn't died. She can't die, she wouldn't leave us behind."

Qingyan felt Yaochi's hand getting tighter and tighter, but she still maintained a gentle smile on her face. "Yaochi, Qilian Qingyan's dead, but I'm still alive."

Yaochi couldn't hear Qingyan's words anymore. Seeing Yaochi on the brink of going mad, Qingyan attempted to reach her hand towards him, her mouth seemingly slowly mouthing that name that Yaochi hasn't heard in many years---Qinglong*.

(*T/N: His other name translates to azure dragon)

Hearing this name, Yaochi's eyes instantly returned to their normal color. Afterwards, he released his grip. Qingyan very naturally landed on the ground.

"Yaochi, Qilian Qingyan is already dead." Qingyan walked to Yaochi's side and spoke in a deep voice, "So you don't need to shoulder that responsibility. This was her choice."

When Yaochi lifted his head to look towards Qingyan, he seemed to see the former Qilian Qingyan. Seemingly seeing a woman in bright yellow standing behind Su Qingyan, and that woman carried a bright smile on her face, "Yaochi, this Empress has already returned."