For the first time, Jian Yu Yan realized that he had developed some feelings for Ah Ming.
In this world, apart from Jian Yu’er, Ah Ming was the second woman who inevitably made him feel distressed and wanted to care for.
Even though it was initially because her face resembled Yu’er’s, he found that in the past half a year of getting to know Ah Ming, he rarely sought traces of Jian Yu’er in her.
Ah Ming was an extremely contradictory yet strangely harmonious woman. When she was wild and brazen, even the women in the brothels could not compare to her. Yet, when she picked up a brush or played chess, she was more stable and elegant than many noble young ladies. Despite having the most humble of statuses, she had an indescribable dignity.
Jian Yu Yan smiled helplessly. He had not visited Ah Ming lately, but the thought of her had only grown more frequent.
He was currently staring at a portrait of a beauty. Originally intended for Ah Ming, however, the painting was accidentally seen by Yu’er. These days, Yu’er would occasionally ask if the painting was finished. Jian Yu Yan had no choice but to paint a new painting for her.
The strokes were still similar; he had painted too many portraits of beauties, but most of them were of Jian Yu’er. As he casually picked up the brush, in no time, a clear outline formed followed by the meticulous depiction of facial features.
After framing the painting and giving it to Jian Yu’er, she was somewhat surprised. “Huh, why isn’t it the one from that day? That one was already very well done.”
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“Mblal oyp y qzyo kd vbyv rklnl,” Kkyd Zw Zyd pxkzle. “Ps usw zkjl vbkp sdl?”
“Xq nswapl R es,” Fbl alrzkle. Fbl bye osad vbl swvqkv kd vbl rykdvkdt fwpv y qlo eyup yts, ps kv xwpv byhl clld rykdvle prlnkyzzu cu Ql-tl qsa bla alnldvzu. Kkyd Zw’la lmyxkdle vbl rykdvkdt nyalqwzzu plhlayz vkxlp. “Ql-tl‘p rykdvkdt pjkzzp yal tlvvkdt clvvla.”
Kkyd Zw Zyd yqqlnvksdyvlzu nyalpple Kkyd Zw’la’p byka. “Gp zsdt yp Zw’la zkjlp kv.”
Kkyd Dkydt pldv psxlsdl vs zssj qsa Kkyd Zw Zyd nywpkdt vbl pxkzl sd bkp qynl vs ekpyrrlya nsxrzlvlzu. Kkyd Zw Zyd’p clywvkqwz yzxsde-pbyrle, rlynb czsppsx lulp, iwknjzu clnyxl ellr yde nsxrzlm yqvla ckeekdt qyalolzz vs Kkyd Zw’la.
Kkyd Dkydt pldv qsa Kkyd Zw Zyd vs nsxl shla vs bkp pvweu. Gqvla ekpxkppkdt vbl svblap yaswde vblx, bl obkprlale, “Tkp Yyflpvu, vbl Oxrlasa byp qyzzld plakswpzu kzz.”
Kkyd Zw Zyd kxxlekyvlzu zssjle wr.
Mbl nwaaldv lxrlasa oyp dsv hlau sze, fwpv kd bkp lyazu qsavklp, cwv zkjl bkp ralhkswp ralelnlppsa, kv pllxle vbyv vbl elpnldeydvp sq Lydtsdt czssezkdl olal dsv zsdt-zkhle.
Mbl ypnldpksd sq vbl nwaaldv Oxrlasa bye yzoyup clld y plnalv vbyv ds sdl eyale vs prlnwzyvl ycswv. Gqvla yzz, vbl Oxrlasa oyp dlkvbla vbl psd sq vbl Oxralpp Psoytla dsa vbl lzelpv psd sq vbl ralhkswp Oxrlasa. Vlabyrp kv oyp clnywpl sq vbkp alypsd vbyv pkdnl bl ypnldele vs vbl vbasdl, vbl Oxrlasa bye clld lmnlrvksdyzzu ekzktldv. Lso, okvb rlynl qkdyzzu ralhykzkdt vbaswtbswv vbl zyde, bkp blyzvb bye yzps pwqqlale.
It was difficult to conceal the joy on Jian Xiang’s face, but Jian Yu Yan’s heart was filled with indescribable complexity and sadness.
Yan Yi Ming watched as Jian Yu Yan’s expression changed instantly after bidding farewell to Jian Yu’er in the playback scene, suddenly a peculiar sensation welled up within her.
Yan Yi Ming was not privy to the exchange between Jian Yu Yan and Jian Xiang afterwards, but based on the brief description of the future in the game background summary. It roughly depicted that the Emperor fell ill not long after coronating the Crown Prince, and the princes of various vassal states were ordered to return to the capital.
Yan Yi Ming, thinking of the princes from all over the country, suddenly realized, “Is Little Five returning to the capital as well?”
Little Apple was taken aback by her sudden question. “Ah… that’s right.”
The northern regions were not peaceful. In the game, another male protagonist, Shao Jing Yu, was also stationed in Bei Ping Camp, north of Bei Ping City. Prince Yue, Nangong Ye, had been in Bei Ping City for a year. He did not even return to Jin Ling Capital at the end of last year, indicating that the political situation in Bei Ping City was complicated.
If Nangong Ye returned to the capital this time, it would be the first time he returned since he left Jin Ling Capital.
Thinking of Nangong Ye, Yan Yi Ming suddenly sighed with a hint of melancholy. It had been a year and a half since she left the first world, and Nangong Ye was now eighteen, having become an adult.
Who knew how much he had changed since then.
Little Apple thought for a moment. However, Nangong Ye was not one of the four male protagonists, so there was very little information about him in the system. The only significant part of his story happened in the future, so Little Apple could not tell Yan Yi Ming anything definitive.
Fortunately, Yan Yi Ming did not ask any further. Instead, she took out Jian Yu Yan’s card which she was currently trying to complete.
The full plotline of this card would only be displayed after the card’s storyline was complete. At present, there is only one sentence on the back of the card.
[Trust and redemption, it is the only light in a world filled with darkness.]
At first, when Yan Yi Ming did not know of Jian Yu Yan’s identity, she thought the darkness in the sentence was referring to Jian Yu Yan’s bleak love life. However, after learning about his identity, the meaning behind this sentence became much richer and more profound than she had initially imagined.
Having such a veiled identity was a big contrast to his gentle appearance. He carried a hatred that he could never shake off from the moment he was born.
On the back of the card, other than Jian Yu Yan’s handsome photo and that sentence were four character statistics: –
Intelligence quotient (IQ): 155.
Emotional intelligence (EQ): 197.
Action ability: 98.
Decision-making capability: 89.
Looking at the last two character statistics, Yan Yi Ming’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.
In terms of IQ and action ability, Jian Yu Yan was 10 points higher than Nangong Xuan. However, because this was an SSR card, it was no surprise that the base statistics were slightly higher. Hence comparing the IQ and action ability statistics of both Jian Yu Yan and Nangong Xuan, they were roughly the same.
While Jian Yu Yan has the highest EQ among the four male protagonists, with a score of 197, it was a stark contrast to Nangong Xuan’s EQ of only 22.
Yet, in the last statistic, decision-making capability, Nangong Xuan’s SR card had a decision-making capability score of 178, whereas Jian Yu Yan’s card, which was clearly an SSR card, only had a score of 89.
As a ruler, especially an Emperor, excellent decision-making capability was undoubtedly one of the most important requirements. However, Jian Yu Yan’s decision-making was terribly low.
In the time Yan Yi Ming had known Jian Yu Yan, she had discovered that Jian Yu Yan was actually someone who was easily swayed by emotions. Therefore, after Yan Yi Ming showed a vulnerable front, she was able to quickly change Jian Yu Yan’s mind about abandoning her. His relationship with Yan Yi Ming was in a state of constantly wanting to end things but being unable to resoluting do so. As for his relationship with Jian Yu’er, he had been unable to let go but also unable to express his feelings. He was sensitive and easily influenced, which could mean that he was gentle and considerate, but in a less flattering perspective, he was clearly being indecisive.
With Jian Yu Yan’s personality, Yan Yi Ming doubted whether he was suitable to be a resolute ruler.
At this point, Little Apple would definitely be playing dead and Yan Yi Ming could not get any information from it. She remembered Little Apple’s previous slip-up, and she recalled that it had insinuated that Nangong Xuan’s ascension to the throne would not go smoothly.
Chinese characters were indeed profound and vast. Yan Yi Ming was now unable to determine whether the focus of that statement was on ‘smoothly’ or ‘ascending the throne’. So no matter how much she racked her brain, she could not figure out what the final outcome would be.
Hence, Yan Yi Ming decided to stop thinking about it. She shook her head to clear her dizzy mind and went back to sleep.
Why bother thinking so much about what will be? Whatever is meant to happen will happen. She just needed to go with the flow of the story.
====
Although Jian Yu Yan no longer mentioned to Yan Yi Ming that he would not come to Plum Blossom Pavilion anymore, he had still previously promised Jian Yu’er. Hence, Jian Yu Yan no longer stayed overnight at Plum Blossom Pavilion, and the frequency in which he visited during the day had also greatly reduced.
Jian Yu Yan was torn between breaking his promise to Jian Yu’er and not wanting to abandon Ah Ming. The situation had developed to such a point and Jian Yu Yan no longer knew how to proceed further.
Yan Yi Ming has once discussed with Little Apple on the psychological process of Jian Yu Yan’s inner struggle.
Jian Yu Yan could not let go of Jian Yu’er as he loved her to his core. This was one aspect of his feelings. On the other hand, Jian Yu Yan still held on to a fantasy. He did not believe that the probability of him and Jian Yu’er ending up together would be zero.
Yet, he could not let go of her. After spending time together, he gradually developed feelings. This was another aspect of his feelings. Jian Yu Yan did not believe that the probability was zero, but he also did not think that it would be a hundred percent. In other words, he was prepared for his fantasy to be shattered and used her as a substitute when the time came.
If it were to be Nangong Xuan, he would not have such concerns. For someone like him, if he loved someone, then it could only be a hundred percent probability and nothing else.
He was too soft-hearted, so he handed over the deciding factor of this matter to Jian Yu’er. This was the main reason why Jian Yu Yan was caught in this dilemma.
After listening to Yan Yi Ming break down the current situation, Little Apple, who was in a daze, finally summed it up with one sentence, “So… in the end, you’re still just a substitute. In the event Jian Yu’er accepts Jian Yu Yan’s affections, you’ll definitely be the one that’s kicked to the curb, am I right?”
Yan Yi Ming, “!!!???”
Its words were unpleasant to hear, but at the same time, it seemed to be the case?
If Jian Yu’er was willing to be with Jian Yu Yan, no matter how considerate or guilty Jian Yu Yan felt, he would not stay by her side anymore.
“So,” Yan Yi Ming circled her name with a pen, “if I don’t want to be dumped, then there’s only one way left.”
“What way?”
“Completely shattering Jian Yu Yan’s fantasy,” Yan Yi Ming uttered softly. “I’m going to take a gamble. I’ll bet on whether Jian Yu’er will keep Jian Yu Yan by her side or send him into my arms.”
Two days later, Jian Yu Yan came to Plum Blossom Pavilion. When he arrived, Ah Ming was painting.
Having retained Young Lady Yan’s memories, Yan Yi Ming was proficient in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Though she had to admit, she was still not as skilled as Jian Yu Yan.
Jian Yu Yan chuckled as he walked over, standing behind her and holding her hand patiently to guide her. After a while, Ah Ming was able to paint out the handsome outline of the man herself.
Ah Ming looked up and smiled at him, “Aren’t I a fast learner?”
Glancing at the painting, Jian Yu Yan realized that Ah Ming was drawing him. He could not help but laugh, feeling amused, yet warm inside. Suddenly, he recalled that he had also taught Yu’er how to paint. However, as Yu’er grew up, she gradually stopped learning from him.
By the time he returned to his senses, Jian Yu Yan noticed that Ah Ming was staring at him in earnest. Feeling a bit guilty, he reached out, held her hand and pulled her onto his lap as he asked, “Have you been feeling bored lately? Let me take you out for a trip.”
Since the last time he came, he had been coming less frequently. On top of that, he no longer brought her out in fear of being spotted by Yu’er again. Ah Ming was someone who loved to play and have fun. Hence, it must have been boring for her to stay cooped up in her courtyard every day.
Unexpectedly, Ah Ming shook her head. “I caught a cold recently, and I’ve been feeling under the weather. I don’t really want to go out. Fortunately, Yan Ge-ge hasn’t been around, otherwise it might have infected you as well.”
Jian Yu Yan did not say anything else but he took the opportunity when Ah Ming was not paying attention to ask the maid serving by her side if she had been feeling unwell these days.
The maid shook her head in confusion. “Miss has been in good health.”
Jian Yu Yan sighed. Ah Ming must have said that deliberately. How could he bear to let go of such an astute, intelligent, and considerate woman?
In the end, Jian Yu Yan did not expose her lies. Instead, he had some top-quality tonic sent over and instructed the maid by her side to accompany her out of Plum Blossom Pavilion more often. Since he could not accompany her, she should still go out and have fun by herself.
Once again, spring arrived in the third month of the year. Peach blossoms bloomed all over Mount Fuyu and Jiang Yi accompanied Jian Yu’er to Fuyu Temple.
Nowadays, Yan Ge-ge no longer went out every day, and her father was also very satisfied with Jiang Yi. Jian Yu’er was also feeling very blissful.
While conversing with Jiang Yi on their way out from Fuyu Temple, she spotted a familiar figure.
Although Jian Yu’er had only seen the woman’s silhouette once from afar, it had left a lasting impression on her. Furthermore, the woman happened to be wearing the same moon-white gauze skirt was embroidered with silver threads that she wore that day.
Even though Jian Yu Yan no longer had any contact with this woman, Jian Yu’er was still curious. She wanted to see what kind of woman could make her brother like her so much. Hence, she walked towards the woman.
Jiang Yi had already noticed the woman just as Jian Yu’er turned her head in that direction. He suddenly remembered the woman’s smiling eyes when she turned to look at him that day, perking his interest as well. He chuckled lightly as he reminded Jian Yu’er to slow down. After catching up with her in a few steps, the woman happened to turn around.
For a moment, everyone’s expressions froze.
The woman’s eyes widened in shock, but comprehension soon flashed through her face. She hurriedly took out a veil to cover her visage and turned to leave after giving them a forced smile.
Leaving behind Jiang Yi, whose gaze was deep and unfathomable, seemingly lost in thought, and Jian Yu’er, who was so shocked that her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Jian Yu’er did not know how she managed to make her way back to Jian’s residence. It was not until a familiar voice sounded in her ears that she snapped out of her daze. Jian Yu Yan saw her pale face and naturally reached out, wanting to caress her head. “Have you caught a cold? Your face looks pale.”
Jian Yu’er snapped out of her trance, and when she saw who it was, she abruptly took two steps back, avoiding Jian Yu Yan’s hand.
Jian Yu Yan’s hand froze mid-air, and with a somewhat forced smile, he called out, “Yu’er?”
“I… I need to go back first.” Jian Yu’er avoided Jian Yu Yan’s gaze. She did not give Jian Yu Yan a chance to ask again before she left in a hurry.
Jian Yu Yan’s handsome features lost all expression as he watched Jian Yu’er’s disappearing figure. Who knew how much time had passed before he turned and walked out of the residence towards Plum Blossom Pavilion.
The author has something to say:
Yan Yi Ming: I’m innocent, I’m wronged, I’m aggrieved! You were the one who told me to go out and play. How was I to know that Jian Yu’er would also visit that place as well!?
Little Apple: Hehe~~~
😂