"Qingshan." Lu Fengmian suddenly froze and looked up. His fingers that were just playing the guqin stopped at once, the ethereal music playing in the small garden quieted.

Tang Qingshan smiled softly, his cold expression softening as he walked over to the table Lu Fengmian sat at. "My mother has begun teaching you how to play the guqin already, I see." Saying this, his eyes ran over the seven-stringed instrument made of the highest quality laying on the table.

Lu Fengmian smiled gently, his fingers gently playing the strings as he replied, "Aunt has just begun teaching me a few days ago. Most of the time, I practiced while you were gone and attending court." Lu Fengmian's long and slender fingers struck the strings, a soft tune was played as his eyes looked down, his long eyelashes clearly shown.

Tang Qingshan took a seat, grabbing a cup of tea for himself as he listened to the music. The melody was soft and gentle, peaceful at heart. The tune was very simple, but it was also heavy in emotion. Tang Qingshan couldn't help but say, "If I didn't know, I would've thought you've been playing the guqin much longer."

Hearing this, Lu Fengmian softly chuckled, a laugh blending in with the soft melody coming from the guqin, his fingers not stopping. "No, I can not compare to your mother. She is truly a master worthy of being revered."

From further away, a few maids stood silently, waiting for both Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian.

A silence descended as Tang Qingshan listened to the music, eyes closing while Lu Fengmian continued playing with a light smile on his face. Soon, the beautiful melody began slowing and Tang Qingshan opened his eyes to look at Lu Fengmian.

Lu Fengmian's fingers stopped and with one last tap of the string, he looked up, catching Tang Qingshan's eyes.

Tang Qingshan then said, "I have been talking to Nianzhen these past few days. He told me that your sister will be coming to this manor soon to visit you. I have been preparing things lately and haven't been able to tell you." Tang Qingshan set down the cup.

Lu Fengmian nodded his head before a sudden thought flew into his mind. He had just recently accepted the gift that Mo Chou had given to him, the Ruyao sword. For some reason, he was aching to have a battle against Tang Qingshan. Of course, it was all just for fun.

"I have just gotten the reward His Majesty bestowed to me. If it doesn't bother you, would you be able to spar with me?" Lu Fengmian!s voice was as calm and gentle as ever, smooth without a hint of any heavy emotion.

To this, Tang Qingshan easily agreed. "Of course, I have been wondering if it would be possible to spar with you."

Lu Frngmian's heart couldn't help but jump while looking at the soft glaze in Tang Qingshan's eyes. He thought he couldn't fall deeper, but here he was, a drunken fool in love. His eyes glimmered gently.

After the both of them were able to retrieve their swords, Lu Fengmian held the white double-sided sword in his hand, taking off the golden scabbard as he stood opposite of Tang Qingshan. His normal smile was erased, a more serene expression on his face though it couldn't hide the soft gleaming in his eyes.

The Ruyao sword was truly worthy of being a treasure from the Royal Treasury. It was a beautiful crafted sword, pure white with elaborate designs. The sword length was a bit on the longer side and was also thicker in length. On the handle, a small piece of red jade was placed, almost appearing like a dragon's eyes with the designing of the sword.

Tang Qingshan held onto a pure black sword. The sword was longer than the Ruyao sword, but it was thinner. The black color was intense and dark, but the engravings on the sword was defined by a white lining. Tang Qingshan had stated that this sword was called the Hexan sword.

Standing opposite of each other, there was a slight tension and nervousness before Tang Qingshan finally spoke up, "The first move is yours to take." Saying this, he moved his head, signaling for Lu Fengmian to begin first.

"Then, I will take the first move." Lu Fengmian responded in turn, taking in a deep breath as he drew the sword into an arc, hand clenching the sword tightly. His eyes became sharper and more stern, his aura shifting, taking Tang Qingshan by surprise before the man smiled in turn as Lu Fengmian closed in on him.

Lu Fengmian thrusted the sword, the blade rushing through the air with a slight noise. As he shifted, the blade moved and curved, swift and fast as it landed near Tang Qingshan.

Tang Qingshan responded right away, moving his sword to block the attack and swinging it off before attacking too.

As the two exchanged moves, time passed by. While sweat was slowly showing on both of them and both were tired, there was a sense of ecstasy that they felt as they continued, their swords hitting against one another with a loud metallic sound in the peaceful garden.

So entranced, they didn't notice the few figures who had already appeared in the garden.

Lu Fengmian couldn't help but smile softly as he noticed that Tang Qingshan was not going to quit so easily. Truth be told, the Ruyao sword was proving to be very much to his liking as it was both easy in his hand and rather light. As Lu Fengmian continuously flicked the sword, creating a wave in the air, Tang Qingshan backed away and avoided his quick attacks.

From across Lu Fengmian, Tang Qingshan also had a brilliant smile on his face, beads of sweat evident on his forehead. The black robes he was wearing was still nice and neat, not ruffled one bit from their continuous movements. Even his hair was still carefully held up by a crown and not out of place.

Of course, the first to admit defeat was Lu Fengmian who had realized that the sun was going to set soon. Moving back quickly, Lu Fengmian swiftly drew his sword back and admitted his defeat. "This will be my defeat. It seems that I am still far behind you."

Tang Qingshan also withdrew his sword, placing it within its scabbard as he shook his head and refuted, "No, if anything, you seem to be on equal footing as I am."

Suddenly, there was a round of applause and the two both turned their heads to catch some familiar figures.

Shan Mingxia walked forward with Jiang Nianzhen and Lu Yingyue following after her.

Lu Fengmian's eyes lighted up as he spotted Lu Yingyue, "Sister." Stepping forward, Lu Fengmian stood in front of Lu Yingyue who smiled lightly, a cold sense of beauty with her eyes gleaming softly.

"Feng'er, how have you been?" Lu Yingyue's voice was soft, eyes gentle as she looked at Lu Fengmian. It seemed like staying at Tang Qingshan's manor had made him appear even more outstanding.

"Sister, I have been well. How have you been?" Lu Fengmian could see the light in Lu Yingyue's eyes, the undeniable warmth within them and also responded in kind.

"I have been a bit busy during this time and haven't been able to visit you. Other than teaching the soldiers, I have been well. Nianzhen's treatment was truly kind and his family was also welcoming." Lu Yingyue didn't go into details but the soft smile on her lips was enough for Lu Fengmian to determine that she had a rather great time.

The two talked for a bit more, catching up about everything lately. As they came to a stop, they both looked at the other three people who were staring at them.

"Excuse me for my manners, Madam Shan. It's just that it has been a while since I have seen my brother and couldn't wait to speak with him." Saying this, Lu Yingyue directed her eyes at Shan Mingxia.

Shan Mingxia merely shook her head and said, "No, Miss Lu. Fengmian has told me about how close your bond is so it is only understandable. Not to mention, it has been quite long since the two of you have seen each other. It is only normal to want to catch up. Let us enter the manor so that we can all talk over some refreshments." Shan Mingxia very quickly led the way.

Without a moment of rest, they all followed after Shan Mingxia. Lu Fengmian and Lu Yingyue kept close, looking at one another but still keeping quiet. They both smiled gently as they nodded, walking forward.

Tang Qingshan and Jiang Nianzhen exchanged a glance, to which Jiang Nianzhen winked. Seeing this, Tang Qingshan furrowed his brows but didn't say anything, merely looking away.

-

"Royal Strategist, Qi Longhai, I have long since heard of your name and your achievements. Unfortunately, when I entered the court as an official, you had already resigned from your position. Now that you have returned, I am glad to be the first person you meet." Sitting across from Qi Longhai, an elegant youth was dressed in pure white robes, his long hair flowing freely. With a graceful smile on his face, he lifted his sleeve as he grabbed the bottle of wine and poured a cup for himself and Qi Longhai.

Qi Longhai stared at him with a cold smile, eyes sharp. "Yang Delun, your name has spread far and wide."



(Yang Delun (Virtuous Order), 20 years old, Duke of the second rank, the second son of the Yang Family)

"Your words are much too high for someone like me, Royal Strategist." Yang Delun merely smiled in turn as he heard Qi Longhai's words.

Hearing this, Qi Longhai merely lifted his brows.

Suddenly, Yang Delun spoke up, "I have heard that the Royal Strategist has a strong relationship with His Majesty. Years ago, when you had first left, I dug into some information." Saying this, he paused for a second, monitoring Qi Longhai's expression that had turned even colder, his eyes that had gotten much sharper.

Yang Delun continued, "Royal Strategist, everyone praises you as a man unrivaled. And yet, even you could lose at this game of love." There was a swish in the air as a cup was thrown. Yang Delun merely smacked the cup away using his fan and smiled while looking at Qi Longhai's dark eyes.

"Duke, what is your purpose in saying those words?" Qi Longhai's chest heaved up and down after he had thrown the cup to hopefully hit Yang Delun. This man had really just struck his sore spot, pouring salt directly into his open wound.

"Royal Strategist, I am merely stating the truth. Years after you left, His Majesty brought more women into the harem. It began with your sister and Shu Lirong. After one year, Mian Huaran entered the harem. Three years later, Ling Daiyu entered. Now, we have Empress Hui Yin who rules over the Nine Palaces. Qi Meizhen has given birth to two of His Majesty's children, a prince and a princess. Shu Lirong has given birth to a prince. Currently, both Mian Huaran and Ling Daiyu are expecting. The future is unknown, Royal Strategist, but the fate between you and His Majesty has already ended." Yang Delun's words were truly the truth, striking straight at Qi Longhai's heart.

Qi Longhai clenched his fist. No matter how much he wanted to hate Yang Delun, the man's words were true. Though harsh they were, they were the undeniable truth. Mo Chou was now the Emperor, carrying the weight of a nation on his back. The future for him was already set in stone.

"Royal Strategist, my words are heavy but they are the truth. His Majesty had chosen the throne over you the moment he took in your sister as his secondary wife, that was the reason why you had left. His Majesty chose this throne, betraying you by taking in your own sister as his first consort and solidifying his position as the Crown Prince." Yang Delun's eyes grew stern, even as his faint smile was still lasting.

"Who told you to come say these words to me?" Qi Longhai kept his cool, even as his eyes grew red with both anger and pain. After all, he knew better than anyone else that though he said he would let go, the truth was that he still wants to hold on.

Yang Delun chuckled, his long white fingers were wrapped around the cup of wine. "No one did, I am doing everything of my own accord. I wish to help you. I have always admired you for the majority of my life and you were a great figure in my eyes. When you left, I began seeking the answers I sought after. But, truthfully, I merely wish for you to understand that it is time for you to begin your own life. Everything you have done, it was always for His Majesty. Royal Strategist, why don't you begin seeking your own path?" Yang Delun's eyes were truly bright as he said this.

And that was what Qi Longhai first noticed. Yang Delun was both crafty and sly, yet elegant and graceful, so much that it covered his cruelty. Yet, without knowing why, Qi Longhai found that Yang Delun's word were truly lifting for his heart.

Qi Longhai couldn't help the bitter smile that showed on his face. "It is always easier to say the things that you have never gone through."

"And who says I haven't gone through it." Yang Delun refuted. His eyes darkened as he took a sip of wine before he continued, "I love someone who was never mine, someone who has always been so far out of reach. This forbidden fruit appeared when I was young and it still is the same. Only, I am able to bear with the pain and cover it now." His mood was truly light. Yang Delun even showed an energetic smile, as if he didn't even understand what he was saying about himself.

Qi Longhai's eyes narrowed, his gray eyes probing Yang Delun, who still remained smiling.

Seeing that Qi Longhai was not going to speak up, Yang Delun continued, "Actually, I wish to help you, Royal Strategist. If you may allow then I will explain to you why I invited you here today."

Qi Longhai's eyes were clouded, unable to discern just what Yang Delun was planning. The man was smiling so elegantly yet, his words and his actions were too different. But even so, Qi Longhai wanted to listen. There was something about Yang Delun's words that made the heavy feeling in his heart reveal itself, the truth that he had been refusing to accept.

If anything, Yang Delun was speaking the truth that of which his heart refused to accept.

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