Chapter 39 – Guan Qinghan
The boundless heavy rain finally reduced in intensity, however the rain continued on. Jun Xie walked leisurely, causing those who saw him through either the door or the windows to wonder: Oh, God! What kind of madness is the Young Master up to now? Well, compared to his previous sort of crazy trouble, this one seemed more reasonable, although it does seem peculiar. What is he doing outside when it is raining like cats and dogs?
As he was passing by the garden area, he suddenly heard the melody of a flute slowly emanating outwards. Within the melody of the flute was an unforgettable sorrow. Listening to the sound of the flute, one could imagine the sorrow and hidden feelings of resentment filling the person playing the flute.
But when Jun Xie heard the sound, he felt that it coincided with his current state of emotions. Unable to help himself, he went towards the source of the tune.
In a pavilion situated in the middle of the garden, a white robed woman sat on a stone bench, her back facing Jun Xie. Her hair rolled up high like dark clouds, her waist slender; looking at her from behind, one would have believed that she was a cold but refined woman. However, to be accompanied by the mournful melody of the cold flute in this desolate autumn, it would appear that this woman was lonely and dismal.
Jun Xie stood quietly in the rain, he closed his eyes slightly, listening to the sorrowful tune of the flute. His mind was in a trance, as though he was listening to his favourite song from his past life, the song “Vain Eyebrows” from Red Dream Mansion, that same graceful sorrow, that same tearful resentment...
Jun Xie’s mind felt itself going drunk. In this heavy autumn rain, for whom was this pain and sorrow? At this moment, Jun Xie suddenly felt that the woman before him was suffering the same solitary loneliness as him! However, when compared to himself, her state was one that was far more helpless.
Amidst the sorrowful resentment of the flute’s melody, even the wind became suffocating...
The flute’s melody gradually became weaker, just like a thread of silk swaying in the air, swaying until there was nothing. The white robed woman remained seated; she placed down the jade flute and faintly sighed. The sound of her sigh was dispersed by the sound of the rain, apparently showing how weak it was in comparison.
Jun Xie’s heart felt moved, he could not help but also let out a gentle sigh.
Even though the sound was light, the woman became shocked. She immediately turned around, her gaze locking onto Jun Xie. Her face showed surprise, then it became faintly disgusted and she looked at Jun Xie with contempt. “It is you.”
“The flute melody is not bad, very beautiful,” Jun Xie smiled as he leisurely stepped into the pavilion. His rain soaked body caused the floor of the pavilion to become wet. “Sister-in-law, how did you suddenly have this elegant interest?”
The woman’s looks were as a painting, her bearing graceful, but her face was filled with coldness. This woman whose body exuded an aura of coldness was Jun Moxie’s sister-in-law and Jun Moyou’s wife, Guan Qinghan. She was the only daughter of the famed Guan Family, a well-known family in the Tianxiang Kingdom.
In truth, calling her Moyou’s wife may be inappropriate. Their engagement was something that was set when they were both still toddlers. Three years ago, Jun Moyou was twenty-two years old and Guan Qinghan was eighteen years old. It was then which the two families began preparing the marriage for these two, however a war suddenly erupted between them and Shenci Kingdom. Jun Moyou and his little brother Jun Mochou were selected to join the expedition against Shenci. Thus the two families decided to hold the marriage after Jun Moyou returned victoriously.
Before Jun Moyou left for the army, they had already finished with the engagement ceremony and Guan Qinghan was already considered a member of the Jun Family. Once Jun Moyou returned, their wedding would take place. As for the wedding date, that too was already set. However, none of them would have expected that Jun Moyou would never return, his body left to rest upon the battlefield. The two childhood sweethearts were now separated, faced with regrets forever!
A precious talent, dying in an unclear and pitiful manner!
When the bad news arrived, Guan Qinghan fainted on the spot. After that, she disregarded her family’s advice and chose to enter the Jun Family. She adopted the identity of a widow of the Jun Family and helped in taking care of the elder in the Jun Family. Grandpa Jun had asked her not to a number of times. After all, with her looks and background, there was no need to fear not being able to have a good marriage. He even proposed breaking off the engagement agreement to allow Guan Qinghan freedom from this situation.
But Guan Qinghan persistently refused. Even after exhausting themselves, the elders of both families were unable to change her mind. All they could do was wait. Should the time ever came when she changed her mind, then they would send her back to the Guan Family.
Everyone in the Jun Family from the elderly Grandpa Jun, Jun Wuyi all the way down to the servants treated this young maiden with respect, not slighting her off in any way. However, there was one person who constantly made her unhappy, and that was her little brother-in-law, Jun Moxie!
After his beautiful sister-in-law moved in, the prodigal debauchee, Jun Moxie became restless, his manner of speech flippant, his bearing frivolous, causing Guan Qinghan to feel extremely disgusted. Unable to tolerate him, she had once given him a harsh lesson. Even though she was the only daughter, she was quite proficient in martial arts. While not at the Silver level Xuan Qi, she was already at the peak Ninth level Xuan Qi! Dealing with someone like Jun Moxie was hardly a difficult task.
However, the beatings did nothing to change this dissolute brat. Knowing that his beautiful sister-in-law would not inflict heavy injuries upon him, he would always peep at her secretly. Seeing such a shameless piece of “tough shank”, Guan Qinghan was unable to come up with any other method and chose instead to simply hide herself in her room most of the time. But today’s rainy weather caused her heart to suddenly feel bitter and sorrowful, engulfing her with sadness. Thus, she decided to go to the pavilion to express her sorrow with the flute. Unexpectedly, this debauchee would brave the rain to come over!
What an obsessive person, do you not understand that my Ninth level Xuan Qi is far higher than yours? If I want to teach you a lesson, it would not take much effort! The reason I choose not to do so was simply because I did not want to disturb the peace of this residence, and also to not cause gramps any heartaches. Did you think I was afraid of you?
“Oh, I just have nothing to do at the moment, and decided to play the flute for a bit. Could it be that Third Young Master is an expert in this subject?” Hearing Jun Xie’s words, Guan Qinghan felt even more disgusted: What does this debauchee knows about the melody of a flute? Beautiful? Not bad? He is obviously trying to strike up a conversation with me! She stared at him coldly, wondering what kind of new “face” was he intending to show today. Barbs accompanied even her words.
With Jun Xie’s wisdom, how could he not understand the meaning in her words? However, this woman was someone he admired. Not to mention, he also understood just how unbearable the original Jun Moxie was. It was no wonder everyone would look down upon him! On the other hand, Guan Qinghan’s affectionate devotion was something that Jun Xie found himself respecting.
“The melody of the flute projects the melody of the heart, the past is the past, it would be better for sister-in-law to allow your heart to let go. Let the past remain a thing of the past,” Jun Xie hesitated slightly before replying.
Guan Qinghan gave out a “heng” before turning her body to the side, ignoring him.
Jun Xie began losing interest. If someone chose to ignore him, then he would simply ignore them even more! So what if she was a beautiful woman? Can beauties simply throw disdainful looks at others? He reluctantly said. “I was presumptuous earlier, causing a disturbance for sister-in-law. I will go back now.” Having said that, he smiled, turning around and walked away without hesitation. You are going to ignore me? That is fine. I will just go to sleep.
Guan Qinghan became greatly surprised.
She originally thought that he was planning to stalk her again, using false pretences to get near her. Unexpectedly, he actually said some humane words. He even chose to leave on his own regardless of the rain.
Observing Jun Xie’s back as he left amidst the rain, Guan Qinghan opened her mouth, but then hesitated; gazing at him again, she found that her little brother-in-law seemed really different today.
This brat had always sported a nasty roguish smile, his eyes filled with dishonesty, darting everywhere. Whenever he saw her, he would drool in an unbearable manner. However, his earlier actions did not show any trace of frivolousness and was instead solemn, a very... calm and profound demeanour.
Furthermore, his eyes did not stare upon her at all. Observing his back as he left through the rain, she saw that he remained calm...
Did he really change? Guan Qinghan inwardly gave a cold sneer: Since his stalking actions did not yield any results, he decided to change tactics and wear the face of a “gentlemen” to get close to me? Hmph! Jun Moxie, did you expect me to fall for your trick? Even after you have changed your face a thousand times, in my heart, you will forever be the dirty, shameless prodigal debauchee! That will never change!
With such a heavy rain, you actually allowed yourself to be drenched in rainwater as you came over here only to say those few sentences? As if anyone would believe that? This could only prove that you have hidden motive for your actions! You are a gentlemen? Would anyone believe that?
Guan Qinghan’s beautiful face instantly turned ice cold!
However, this brat actually did not show any fear when he saw me glaring at him today... hmph!