One Hundred Ways to Have a "BE" (Bad Ending) with the Protagonist Gong [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 3

Not to mention Xiao Ziyi, even Xue Xuening himself longed to find this scholar named Qin Guan.

Since that rainy day, he had dreamt of Qin Guan almost every night.

In his dreams, they were always inseparable far closer than mere friends, surpassing even the deepest confidants. They were as intimate as a married couple; whether they were playing the flute and zither or composing poetry and painting, Qin Guan always seemed to understand exactly what was in his heart.

This should have been a source of immense joy, yet every time he woke during the day to find the surroundings empty and devoid of people, Xue Xuening couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.

Just as Xiao Ziyi had said, one could turn the entire city of Liancheng upside down and never find a scholar named Qin Guan, and that small poem was something no one had ever read.

Could it be that everything was merely a fleeting dream?

Xue Xuening remembered that when he first saw him in the rain, he had even asked Qingbao to help Qin Guan find that lost poetry collection.

But when he asked now, Qingbao was completely bewildered, as if he had no memory of the incident at all. Even that poetry collection that used to lie by Xue Xuening’s bedside had vanished without a trace.

What was a dream and what was reality Xue Xuening understood less and less.

It was now the beginning of the eighth lunar month. While others had changed into light shirts, Xue Xuening still wore long robes with long sleeves. Feeling it was still not enough, he even draped a blue fur cloak embroidered with golden peonies on peacock feathers over his shoulders. His pale, colorless face, framed by the velvet collar, made him appear all the more spiritually refined and elegantly noble. Even Qingbao, who had served him for many years, couldn’t help but steal extra glances at him.

“The Second Young Lady is here.”

A report came from outside. A vivacious young girl in a green dress hurried into the room. “Third Brother, why have you been so reluctant to go out lately? The weather is nice, and there are many people taking pleasure boats on Lake Pao Shan. Why don’t we go for a trip as well?”

As soon as Xue Mengyao entered, she took Xue Xuening’s hand and pouted playfully. They were twins, born of the same pregnancy; Xue Mengyao was only older than him by half a joss stick’s duration. She had a lively and cheerful personality and loved excitement; she was also fair and lovely. She didn’t look like an older sister, but rather like his younger one.

Xue Xuening said gently: “I heard that a few days ago, Second Sister nearly fell into the water while praying for Buddha at the temple, and only escaped through the helping hand of a scholar surnamed Ning, allowing you to return home safely. Father says he is one of the candidates for the upcoming provincial examination; he is of upright character and humble demeanor a talent worth utilizing. Does Sister have any thoughts on the matter?”

“How would I know anything about such things?”

Xue Mengyao’s face suddenly flushed red. Her expression was clearly that of a young girl in love, yet she feigned indifference. “I clearly just said we should go to Lake Pao Shan to play, yet you bring up such irrelevant matters.”

Xue Xuening’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled slightly: “Just a passing thought. The wind on Lake Pao Shan is strong these days, and my health has not yet recovered, so it is inconvenient for me to go out. Why not ask Eldest Brother to accompany you instead?”

Xue Mengyao’s eyelashes trembled as she pouted: “This… I suppose that is fine, but Eldest Brother is dull in temperament; I cannot speak more than a few words with him.”

Xue Xuening smiled faintly. Their eldest brother was older, and his personality was steady and reserved; naturally, he would not be one for playful conversation.

Seeing him cover his mouth and cough repeatedly, Xue Mengyao asked with concern: “Even though it is late spring, it is common for the weather to be cold and hot by turns. It has been raining these past few days; do not be stingy with your clothing out of a desire for coolness. I see you have no color in your face, so I specifically had someone boil ginseng soup to send to your room tonight. Remember to drink it.”

Xue Xuening’s heart warmed slightly: “It is kind of you to be concerned, Sister. This body of mine has long been plagued by chronic illness. I suppose it is because I have been reading late into the night recently, which has tired me out. I shall be fine after a few days of rest.”

“Naturally. You have always been diligent, but do be sure to rest.”

The two exchanged more pleasantries. After Xue Mengyao left, Xue Xuening rubbed his temples with a weary expression.

His second sister had always been coddled at home and was simple-minded. It would be difficult for her to manage a typical aristocratic household after marriage, and if her husband wished to take concubines, there would be no reason for her to refuse. It would be better for her to marry into a scholarly family where life would be simple.

As for Ning Yuanshan, the one who sent her home, Xue Xuening knew a little about him.

The man was handsome and talented but from a poor background. Although his father was merely a ninth-rank official a low-level registrar in the Imperial Academy his uncle, Fang Zhijiao, had just been appointed as the Riverway Governor and Salt Commissioner, a lucrative position, and was at the peak of his power.

However, Fang Zhijiao was of the Crown Prince’s faction and had just been heavily relied upon by him. If the Second Sister were to truly marry Ning Yuanshan, the Xue family’s long-standing neutrality would be difficult to maintain.

Fortunately, it seemed his sister had not taken notice of the man.

Xue Xuening thought quietly until his eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep while half-leaning on the couch.

Although it was only a light slumber, he still saw the person he longed for.

At that moment, Qin Guan was bending over to organize a newly acquired brush rack. The shallow sunlight shone in through the parasol tree outside the window, falling upon the moon-white sparrow-patterned sash at his waist, making his waist appear slender enough to be held in one hand pathetic and charming.

Xue Xuening’s gaze deepened. He walked behind Qin Guan and slowly let his hand rest upon his back.

“Xuening, why did you come in so quietly? You gave me a fright.”

Qin Guan muttered under his breath and turned to glance at him sideways, his eyes and brows overflowing with elegance and spirit.

Xue Xuening watched that face, becoming increasingly mesmerized, and couldn’t help but lean down and kiss him. Because the two had been inseparable these past few days, they were already familiar with each other’s scent. By the time he came back to his senses, the brush rack on the table had collapsed, and several brushes had rolled to the floor.

Qin Guan pushed his shoulder and climbed off the table, somewhat angry, his face still flushed: “I was almost finished organizing! You deliberately came to tease me and made everything a mess again!”

Xue Xuening smiled, his voice exceptionally gentle: “Don’t be angry, I shall compensate you with two more sets later.”

Qin Guan glared at him: “Who wants your compensation?”

The smile in Xue Xuening’s eyes deepened: “Do you truly not want me to compensate you?”

“You bad thing…”

Qin Guan realized what he meant belatedly. His originally bright pupils revealed an unnatural, enchanting charm that made one’s heart itch, yet his words remained sharp: “Stop spouting nonsense. I am truly going to be angry.”

Xue Xuening did not tease him excessively. He reached out to tuck a strand of hair from Qin Guan’s forehead behind his ear, picked him up from the table, and coaxed him softly: “Alright, it is my fault. It won’t happen again.”

Qin Guan snorted coldly, lazily leaning into his embrace and remaining motionless, allowing Xue Xuening to slowly comb his black hair with his fingers from top to bottom, his voice becoming increasingly soft.

“If there is a next time, see how I punish you.”

Today was supposed to be a rare, clear day, but the heavens were not in a cooperative mood.

By the time Xue Xuening woke up, the drizzling rain had been falling outside for who knows how long. Many water droplets had squeezed in through the window seams, flowing across the floor.

Qingbao entered the room and carefully closed the wooden window, discovering that the person on the couch had already risen.

Xue Xuening seemed to be between waking and sleeping, his voice still tinged with weariness: “Did Second Sister leave the estate?”

Qingbao said: “The Second Young Lady left half an hour ago. But she did not go with the Eldest Young Master; she only brought one personal maid. Presumably, she has already reached Lake Pao Shan.”

“The bridge galleries there are slippery, and even more difficult to walk on during a rainy day. Have a few more people follow her. I wonder if she brought an umbrella.”

“Yes, I shall go at once.”

“The wind whispers, the rain is thin and fine.

No wonder this spring melancholy grows ever more detailed.”

Xue Xuening stepped outside. Seeing the rainwater dripping from the pavilion eaves in the distance, he was reminded of the scene when he first met Qin Guan and couldn’t help but smile slightly. He said to the person beside him: “The rain is not heavy. Prepare the sedan chair; we shall go out for a walk.”

It was a coincidence that the road on Chang’an Street was undergoing repairs, and all carriages and sedan chairs had to take a detour.

Xue Xuening, in high spirits for his outing, simply stepped out of the sedan and, taking only Qingbao, walked through the bamboo forest along the mountain path to Lake Pao Shan.

As they walked, the sky grew darker. Qingbao held the umbrella, looked up at the sky, and said: “Young Master, perhaps we should return early. I believe there is going to be thunder.”

“That may be best.”

After walking for so long, his legs were sore. Xue Xuening intended to find a place to rest briefly before heading back, but unexpectedly, he saw two people sitting in a pavilion in the distance a man and a woman intimately embracing, like a pair of lovebirds with their necks intertwined.

He had no interest in prying into other people’s privacy and was just about to tell Qingbao to return the way they came when, in the next flash of lightning, he inadvertently saw the person standing guard outside the pavilion.

It was Second Sister’s personal maid, Lianqiao.

Qingbao was startled: “What a loud thunderclap! I fear there will be a heavy storm; let us hurry! Young Master?”

Xue Xuening awakened from his silence and said slowly: “Go and hand the umbrella to the Second Young Lady. Tell her to return to the estate early, so as not to be chilled by the rain.”

“Second Young Lady? You saw the Second Young Lady?”

“She is in the octagonal pavilion to the north. Go.”

From the moment Xue Xuening returned to the estate, the rain grew heavier, and the thunder rumbled. The parasol trees in the courtyard had their leaves stripped by the storm, and the lush greenery of the afternoon was nowhere to be seen.

The Yingxue Study was locked early this evening. Because the sound of the rain was too loud, it took a long time for those inside to hear the knocking.

Qingbao carried a lantern and opened the door, illuminating a desolate, pale face. He was shocked: “Second Young Lady, why have you come so late? Please, come inside quickly.”

The water vapor on a rainy day was heavy, and clothes sticking to the skin were quite uncomfortable. Xue Xuening had just finished his bath and was about to rest when he saw a drenched figure walk in.

He lowered his eyes: “Qingbao, bring my fur cloak and hand warmer, then pour a cup of hot tea.”

The two remained silent for a long time. The door opened, then quickly closed again.

The room was lit by only a single lamp, making it very dim.

Xue Mengyao, huddled in the fur cloak, could not see her face clearly. She gripped the hand warmer tightly, her fingertips pitifully white.

Xue Xuening grew drowsy. He was weak by nature, and at this hour, he was already quite tired. Finally, he heard Xue Mengyao murmur: “Third Brother, did you… did you see everything today?”

The customs of the dynasty were conservative, and a woman engaging in illicit affairs was a disaster, let alone in the strictly governed Xue household.

Xue Xuening set down his teacup and, before Xue Mengyao could continue, said: “I saw nothing. Second Sister, Ning Yuanshan is not a good match for you; it is better to break it off early. If Father discovers this, he will surely ruin his career.”

He was always gentle and sparing with words, but his few sentences hit the mark. Every triennial examination, Xue Yongchang was the chief examiner. If Father discovered this, Ning Yuanshan would undoubtedly fail the exam.

Xue Mengyao’s face turned pale as a sheet: “Father has always been fair. How could he, because of this…”

Before she finished, her own resolve wavered.

Father had always valued reputation above all else and was a man of strict self-discipline and propriety. If he were to find out that she had done such a disgraceful thing, she might not even be able to protect herself, let alone an unrelated outsider.

Xue Xuening stood up: “It is late, Second Sister, go back and rest early. Let this matter end here.”

A single tear from Xue Mengyao hit her hand with a heavy thud: “Third Brother, I have never asked for anything in all the years I have grown up. Please, help me this one time. In truth, I have… I have already consummated my marriage with Ning Lang. I know I was wrong! But in this house, besides you, no one can help me.”

Xue Xuening paused, but his expression remained unchanged, identical to his usual self: “The rain is heavy today. After you return, be sure to take a hot bath so you can get a good night’s sleep. It is late; please return, Sister.”

Xue Mengyao, disregarding her position as his elder sister, continued to plead bitterly: “It was love at first sight for us at the Wanfo Temple, and we have long since promised ourselves to each other. Father has always valued you the most. If you are willing to plead for me, even just a word, I am sure—”

He merely looked into her eyes and said calmly: “Second Sister, go back.”

Xue Mengyao was stunned for a long moment, realizing for the first time that her third brother, who appeared gentle and affectionate, was, in reality, cold and decisive by nature.

She had originally thought that since Father was extremely strict with his subordinates, Mother was busy with household affairs, and Eldest Brother was difficult to approach, only Xuening, this younger brother, was understanding and easy to get along with.

It appeared now that they were all cut from the same cloth of indifference. Only she had been hot-headed and acted on impulse; she was not at all like a member of the Xue family.

Xue Mengyao felt a sudden surge of anger.

She stood up abruptly, staring coldly at Xue Xuening: “It was my mistake to beg you today. But Third Brother, to err is human are you telling me that you have never made a mistake yourself!”

With a “rumble,” a bolt of lightning illuminated the room in a pale, bright light.

And then, just as quickly, it was extinguished.