Chapter 164 - 54: Severing Ties on the Lake (Part 1)

Words : 1525 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Xie Yu’s drunkenness this time truly caused a significant debacle, a tremendous one indeed. When he awoke, he was first frightened into breaking out in a cold sweat. With his reputation as the Jade Finger Killing God on the Eastern Continent, one incident of drunkenness was already enough for him to have been executed countless times. One mistake could be understood, but to repeat it two or three times and to fall into the hands of the same person each time, that was a grave error. Demon indeed, she really was a demon. Xie Yu reached into his bosom, finding it empty. The Dan Xuan Card he always carried was gone. But then, he remembered the scene before his drunkenness. Recalling his earlier encounter with Yue Jinghua, his complexion turned both red and green, and he swiftly dashed out. Outside the annex, his palanquin had already been dismantled beyond recognition, especially the ludicrously large quilt and the luxurious bed inside, which had been moved out entirely. Xie Yu’s face became terrifyingly grim, his fists clenched unconsciously, and an unexpected murderous intent, barely contained, loomed over him, "Yue Jinghua, you, if you really dare..." He gave a muffled hum, and his figure darted towards the banks of Cuiwei Lake. Cuiwei Lake is a renowned scenic spot in Shang Kingdom, located outside Poluo City, at an elevation of over five hundred meters on the hillside of Cuiwei Mountain. Amidst mountains and dense forests where neither waterfalls nor large rivers, lakes or seas exist, this patch of emerald lake sparkles like a jade, showcasing the marvels of the Creator. Every autumn, when it’s time to admire the maple leaves, the shores are covered with millet-sized chrysanthemums, the trees adorned with yellow maples, and the sky bathed in golden light, offering an incomparably splendid sight. This place is also a popular spot for the nobles of Shang Kingdom to cool off. Each year, during the late summer and early autumn, nobles reveling in romance gather at Cuiwei Lake, some secretly meeting with their lovers while hiding from their spouses at home. Hence, Cuiwei Lake also goes by another name—Lovers’ Lake. Yue Jinghua and Fa Xiaoyi were here to cruise the lake by the decree of the Empress Dowager, with neither party having any choice but to appear. Yue Jinghua also pondered why the Empress Dowager, despite knowing that Fa Xiaoyi’s pride would never allow him to marry an ugly woman, was still keen on matchmaking her with Fa Xiaoyi. On the surface, it seemed to be because she cared for Feng Wanwan’s friendship and wanted to look after her friend’s descendant. But upon closer observation, if the Empress Dowager truly had affection for the Lie Rou’s family, then why would she sit back and allow them to face neglect at the Lie Family Mansion? Thinking it over, the rumor that Lie Sisi and Fa Xiaoyi were engaged in a romance had been swirling outside. If Fa Xiaoyi were to break the engagement, he would likely take Lie Sisi as his wife instead. By marrying Lie Sisi, he would effectively gain the support of the Lie Family Mansion, which would undoubtedly add leverage to Fa Xiaoyi’s influence. Clearly, the Empress Dowager did not want to see this happen, which is why she was forcing Yue Jinghua and Fa Xiaoyi to marry as soon as possible. With this in mind, the picturesque Cuiwei Lake was suddenly shrouded in a haze of political scheming. On that day, Fa Xiaoyi arrived rather late, walking up the winding mountain path, the air filled with the scent of autumn’s millet chrysanthemums and the cool mist of water, a rich natural aroma greeting him. On the southern side of the lake, a luxurious boat with fluttering pink curtains, used by the Shang Kingdom’s royal family, was already docked at the pier. The boat, modeled after the private boats of Jiangnan, was not large but extremely exquisite. It featured two cabin rooms where one could lean against the railings to enjoy the panoramic beauty of Cuiwei. When Fa Xiaoyi arrived, "Yue Jinghua" was already there; she brought a food box, a pot of wine, and her face veiled in a thin gauze—a departure from her usual court attire, yet consistent with her previous public appearances, so Fa Xiaoyi had no suspicions. Perhaps tired from the wait, when Fa Xiaoyi entered the boat, "she" wasn’t waiting at the prepared table and chairs. Instead, she sat by the railing facing the water, her skirt pulled up, revealing her ankles, idly flicking them over the surface of the water. Cuiwei Lake in autumn, clear and pristine waters, the boat moored by the shore attracting the playful greenback fish, chasing the reflection of the pink curtains above. On the not-too-distant lake surface, a pair of vibrantly colored mandarin ducks hovered. The female duck was preening the male’s feathers, displaying a picture of affection. At that moment, "Yue Jinghua’s" figure became even more delicate and lovely in the rippling water. It cannot be denied, ignoring the damaged half of her face, Yue Jinghua had black hair and fair, flawless skin, lips red but not garish, truly a rare beauty. But that is a thing of the past, beauty turns to dust in the blink of an eye. Fa Xiaoyi could not recall in which tender land he had heard this from his drinking companions. Women are like flowers, blooming with each passing year. Yet, there are such women, who reveal different visages at different ages. "Yue Jinghua" as a child and the "Yue Jinghua" from a few days ago are clearly two different people. Fa Xiaoyi, precocious from a young age, born into the Imperial Family, every step he took was meticulously planned. When he first saw "Yue Jinghua," he had already learned everything about her, the prized pearl of the Yue Family, the center of attention. If he could pluck this pearl, it would ensure his safety for at least ten years. Ten years is enough to build his own power. Upon their first meeting, Fa Xiaoyi took an instant dislike to her. Both human, yet why was she born to parental love and sibling companionship, while he, like a parasitic dodder, barely survived as a Prince of the Huang Family in the Shang Kingdom? His brothers, ever watchful, his temperamental father, his sickly mother, were like a heavy stone pressing down on Fa Xiaoyi, making it hard for him to breathe. "Prince, you’ve come," "Yue Jinghua" suddenly turned around, her smile barely a curve, upon seeing the two Hidden Guards by Fa Xiaoyi’s side, a hint of mockery in her eyes. That mocking intent caused Fa Xiaoyi’s cold gaze to sharpen. "I heard that the Prince likes Osmanthus Brew, Jinghua took the liberty of preparing some," said "Yue Jinghua" as she set down her skirt and sat at the table, pouring two cups of the brew. Ever since knowing that "Yue Jinghua" was a Pill Master, although he had never seen her engaging in alchemy herself, being as cautious as Fa Xiaoyi, he had always been on guard. The drinks on the boat, as long as they were brought by "Yue Jinghua," he would not touch. He covertly signaled, and a poison-skilled Hidden Guard stepped forward to inspect the brew and the vessels. After examination, the Hidden Guard nodded, indicating there was no issue with the drinks. Still, Fa Xiaoyi did not move. "Yue Jinghua" spoke leisurely, "Does the Prince still remember, ten years ago?" Fa Xiaoyi frowned, clearly displeased by her mention of the past. Those considered heartbreakers mostly only see the immediate benefits; past kindness becomes like a fishbone stuck in their throat, eager to rid it as soon as possible. "Thank you, Miss Yue, for the brew, but I heard that you are not fond of drinking. I have specially prepared some exquisite rain after spring tea," Fa Xiaoyi lifted his hand, and upon his command, the two Hidden Guards served the tea. "Yue Jinghua" looked at the tea calmly and accepted a cup. "By treating me this way, aren’t you afraid of making Lie Sisi angry? It’s clear that you wish to marry her," Yue Jinghua caught Fa Xiaoyi staring at her, then brought the cup to her lips. Under the sheer veil, her dainty white teeth and rosy tongue lightly touched the tea, as if afraid of the heat, quickly withdrawing, her cheeks already flushed. Fa Xiaoyi was startled, feeling an inexplicable agitation, but then remembering something from ten years ago, he turned cold again and his gaze drifted outside the painted boat. The lakeshore scenery started to move, the boat gradually drifting away from the shore. Mountains in the distance were picturesque, the two of them sat by the window in silence. After a long time, Fa Xiaoyi finally said, "Indeed, Miss Lie and I are very much in love. I have come today to discuss with you about calling off our engagement. You’ve been avoiding me all this time; you must have guessed what I was thinking. Don’t waste your time. Since the first time I met you, I’ve always disliked you."

Chapter 164 - 54: Severing Ties on the Lake (Part 1)

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