The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 69

Murong Jingxuan sat in front of Yingshuang yard's window, staring blankly at the red spider lilies at the door. He'd never thought that he would see that kind of fiery red spider lilies here.

He once saw in a book: Red Spider Lily*, the soul guiding flower of Hell.

(*TN: Some background info: The book he refers to is most likely the 'Lotus Sutra', which describes it as an ominous flower that grows in the underworld that guides the dead into their next reincarnation. The Chinese name of the red spider lily literally translates to 'flower of the other shore', which refers to the other shore of the Sanzu River.)

It usually only grows in the underworld, on the riverbanks of the Sanzu River, the guiding flower of the Forgotten River shores. It's rumored that the flower's fragrance had magical powers, able to awaken the memories of a deceased's previous life. And because it was red like fire, it was praised as the 'Blazing Path'. And it was also the only scenery and color of that long long path to the afterlife.

And unexpectedly, he was able to see this red colored spider lily here.

Murong Jingxuan gazed at the scenery before him, happily smiling.

Su Qingyan's room was also a bit different than what he had imagined. In the previous times he's visited, he never had the chance to properly observe this room. Looking at it now, the simple arrangements was rather similar to his taste.

He walked up to her desk and saw the calligraphy on top. He could even imagine that serious look of hers.

'Red sleeves adds fragrance*', wasn't that precisely the life he always yearned for?

(*TN: This comes from a line of poetry from the Song Dynasty, it refers to the image of a scholar studying with a young and beautiful woman accompanying his side.)

It's a shame that kind of life was still too far from him.

Donghe right now was also in an anxious period. In the imperial court, every influential clan were watching closely, like a tiger watching its prey. Outside the courts, they were also view by Nanchen as a thorn in the eye. It really is an 'internal troubles and outside aggression' situation.

Murong Jingxuan knew very well that if it wasn't for Su Yun defending Qinzhou year round, Qinzhou would have already fallen into the hands of Nanchen.

But it's a pity the current Emperor of Nanchen has drowned himself wine and women, not focusing on his duties. And his Crown Prince, Weisheng Minning, was only the Crown Prince in name, empty of power. This was most likely closely related to his mother, Qilian Qingyan's, passing.

Worn out from the journey and in addition to having experienced something frightening, everyone all returned to their own residences once they got back to the Su manor. Su Jiashi didn't urge Su Qingyan to stay either.

Watching Su Jiashi's figure in the distance, perhaps Su Jiashi believed in abbot Lingyang, but whether she believed her or not, she didn't know. However, now, everything is already not of importance anymore, because everything was already unable to be changed.

Qingyan returned to her yard with Qingdai and Chishao. When the other four girls saw Qingyan, they welcomed her with a smile. Qingyan right now only wanted to lay down on her own bed.

At that place, she simply couldn't differentiate between night and day and could only rest for bit when she felt tired. Yet, she never thought that she'd end up staying at that place for as long as five days.

But she knew when she made the first jade flute, under the assistant of Weisheng Junmo and Yunhen, it also took them an entire month. But now, she only needed five days.

When Qingyan returned to her yard and pushed opened the door, she just saw Murong Jingxuan sitting there. She looked to the person before her and smiled, sounding her clear voice, "Zizhu, how come you didn't even notice a thief coming into the room?"

When Zizhu heard this, she was already standing behind Qingyan. And at a glance, she saw Murong Jingxuan's figure.

"Beautiful, you've finally returned." Murong Jingxuan looked up and met Qingyan's eyes with a smile, "I missed you very much."