Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 286 Side Story: Awakening Incense Eight

Outside a small post station on the south bank of the Yellow River.

Xingxiang stood amidst the snow-covered ground, gazing at a lone plum blossom blooming in the cold.

The bright moon is high in the sky, making the white plum blossoms appear even more pristine.

Even trees are like this, how can humans bear it?

Xingxiang held a plum branch in her hand, recalling the ancient hero who uttered these words, whose name was the same as Liangyu's, both containing the character "Wen".

This plum tree was planted by her and Liang Yu when they went on a trip together not long after they met.

As time has passed, it is now covered with a profusion of flowers, which appear even more desolate under the reflection of snow and moon.

How could one not feel moved by such a scene?

Xingxiang was momentarily unaware of the time, frozen in place, as if transformed into a sculpture.

Fine snowflakes slowly accumulated on her head and shoulders, but she was unaware of it until she was covered in a layer of snowflakes.

The silence of the cold night was broken by the sound of a blade of grass snapping.

The fragrance waking me from a dream made me turn around.

Li Keyong emerged from the roadside weeds, his shoulders and head also covered in a layer of snow powder, clearly indicating that he had been standing there for a long time, just like her.

The clear moonlight reflected off the snow made his fair skin stand out even more, making his delicate features even more beautiful than a woman's.

For a moment, both of them looked somewhat embarrassed.

Xingxiang was pondering what to say when Li Keyong's lips moved, and he spoke first.

"Lady Xingxiang, I want to talk to you about something."

Before Xingxiang could reply, Li Keyong continued, "I, Li Keyong, have fallen in love with you and want to spend my life with you."

His cheeks flushed red, like a beautiful jade blushing, but his eyes revealed a determination unlike anything he usually showed.

Without a trace of hesitation or wavering, yet pure and without a single impurity.

Xingxiang never expected that this weak young man would be so confident and unpretentious when he confessed his feelings.

She saved his life during the battle against the Tatars. Unexpectedly, discovering that he had someone in his heart became the opportunity for him to confess his feelings.

“I know you like someone else. And in your eyes, I may be weak and lack masculinity.” Li Keyong smiled, his smile clearer than ever before, his voice like jade striking ice: “But you’re not with him now, there must be some reason, right? And I will definitely grow into a man you can respect, a man who stands tall and upright.”

"We may not know each other well enough yet. But isn't that better? I have a lifetime to get to know you."

These were sweet words that Liang Yu had never said to her before.

At this moment, Xingxiang realized that the boy who seemed weak and ignorant when she first met him had really grown up.

His gaze held the passion of fire and the gentleness of water, seemingly capable of melting away everything in the world.

An ordinary girl would never refuse such a confession.

But Xingxiang was only slightly moved.

She immediately had her own answer.

Now is not the time to say it.

Her initial indifference towards Li Keyong had turned into appreciation. But matters of the heart cannot be forced.

What he needs is growth, not her.

His growth is not yet complete.

Xingxiang decided to give him a push.

……

After returning from his official business in Henan, everyone in Zhenwu Army noticed that Young Master Keyong had undergone a complete transformation, becoming exceptionally capable and decisive in his actions, without any hesitation or delay.

In his daily work, he gradually developed the authority befitting someone in power.

In front of Xingxiang's mother, Dugu, Li Keyong was exceptionally kind and considerate. He often inquired about her well-being, brought gifts to her door, and even learned to tell stories with great enthusiasm, making her laugh heartily.

Lady Dugu was well aware that Young Master Li had fallen in love with her daughter, and she was overjoyed.

She felt that since her daughter hadn't explicitly rejected him, there was still hope. With Li Gongzi's background, looks, and now such a sensible person, even the most hard-hearted person would eventually be won over by persistent effort.

However, she will never see the day when her daughter finds a good home, as she had hoped.

After being driven out of her family in her early years, Dugu had been working hard to raise her daughter, which had taken a toll on her health. Although she was in high spirits when happy, she could not escape the ravages of time.

She knew her daughter's temperament and couldn't force her; she could only hint at it indirectly. But when she passed away, she did so with a smile on her face.

Xingxiang cried bitterly. She felt that her mother did love her after all, but had become too obsessive because of the suffering she had endured.

Mother had no idea how outstanding Liangyu was. Xingxiang absolutely refused to believe that such a young man would never have a chance to rise above his circumstances.

Even if it's not true, it doesn't matter. Xingxiang is willing to be content with love and companionship. It's just that Liangyu has a strong conviction: if he can't make something of himself, he won't formally confess his feelings to her.

Xingxiang felt that letting her mother believe that her beloved daughter would be with Young Master Li, and leaving this world with that thought in mind, was not a bad thing. In the end, she could find peace of mind.

She firmly believed that she and Liangyu would find happiness together.

After Xingxiang completed her mourning period, Li Keyong began pursuing her again, his words becoming increasingly passionate and bold.

He would sometimes reveal his past vulnerability, chuckling as he said, "When we first met, Lady Xingxiang thought I was a girl, saying that it would be wonderful to have a sister like me. I, Keyong, have also thought that if I were your sister, I could grow up with you when I was young. At night, I could watch your sleeping face under the bright moon on two beds placed side by side."

He already knew about Xingxiang's impoverished childhood and the cramped living conditions in her home.

Li Keyong's delicate and beautiful appearance, surpassing that of many women, often led people who met her for the first time to mistake her for a woman disguised as a man. However, Li Keyong used this to tease Xingxiang.

He then adopted a very serious expression: "But since Heaven has given me the body of a man, I can only do something great and upright. Along this journey, I only want to walk hand in hand with you."

The fragrance faded with a smile.

Standing tall and upright?
Then I'll see if you've truly become a pillar of society.

Li Keyong had long appeared timid and submissive in front of his renowned father.

Xingxiang then said to him, "Under your grandfather's oppression, you will never be able to forge your own path."

"With your talent, where can't you achieve great things?"

“I want to leave Zhenwu. If you come with me, I might consider it.”

He quietly left with her, and they walked side by side across a swaying suspension bridge amidst the mountains.

Feng Shuai Li Guochang and his men caught up.

"Kid, get back here to your father!"

That majestic face, as imposing as a lion, emitted a roar like the clash of metal.

Li Keyong had never seen his father so furious.

"Otherwise, even if you escape to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back and tear you to pieces."

His voice turned icy cold.

Faced with such heartless words, Li Keyong couldn't help but tremble all over.

Xingxiang helped him draw the knife from his waist and gestured to him with her eyes.

Li Keyong only needed to swing his sword and cut the ropes of the suspension bridge, leaving only an abyss so deep that even birds could not cross it between the two sides.

Li Keyong caught the knife handle, his arm trembling, and the blade fell softly onto the rope.

My father's roar came again from the other side of the river, like a thunderclap in my ears.

Li Keyong lost his grip on the knife, and the long sword slipped from his hand, falling into the ravine and disappearing without a trace.

He was drenched in cold sweat, yet as if unable to control his body, he involuntarily turned around.

“Coward,” Xingxiang calmly remarked. “I knew you were like this all along.”

As she watched Li Keyong walk back to the other side of the bridge, she uttered these words.

Then he left without a second thought.

Li Keyong will never know that the news of his "elopement" with her was originally sent by her to Feng Shuai.

She wanted him to confront his deepest fears and understand the source of his deepest cowardice.

Xingxiang hid among the rocks, quietly watching Li Keyong, dejected and trembling, follow his father back, his figure disappearing into the trees.

May you, in the not-too-distant future, truly become a man of integrity, just as you said.

Li Keyong took him in for a period of time, and Xingxiang saved his life, which was already enough to repay him.

But her time with Li Keyong over the past few years has ultimately allowed her to see some things that have touched her heart.

This guy, who's as pretty as a girl, deserves his own path.

Xingxiang, on the other hand, has her own happiness to pursue.

(End of this chapter)