Reborn As The Short-Lived White Moonlight of the Tragic, Powerful Male Lead - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Gu Yunqi suspected his ears were malfunctioning—or perhaps he had simply drunk too much and misheard. However, the secret guards eavesdropping from the shadows were nodding in unison: That’s right, he’s talking about our Young Master!

Xie Lanting continued his sigh of admiration: “He is truly excellent.”

Gu Yunqi almost blurted out, “But you’ve never even met him!” but he managed to swallow the words just in time.

Gu Yunqi thought for a moment. Perhaps some disciples from the Royal Sword Sect had been whispering fabricated stories into Xie Lanting’s ear after the marriage was finalized. Feeling a complex swirl of emotions, he asked, pretending ignorance: “Is this a conclusion you reached after spending time with him?”

His intention was to subtly remind Xie Lanting that hearsay shouldn’t be trusted and that Gu Yunqi was no saint. But Xie Lanting shook his head: “No, we haven’t even met.”

Exactly. I’m right in front of you and you don’t even recognize me, Gu Yunqi thought, before trying to lead him further: “Then perhaps you don’t actually know him well enough…”

Xie Lanting was resolute: “But he is simply that good.”

Gu Yunqi: “…”

Fine. Now I suspect Xie Lanting is genuinely drunk. One cannot take the words of a drunkard seriously.

“Truly,” Xie Lanting said to himself, “ten thousand weights of wind and snow cannot break him; he possesses a radiant heart that always faces the dawn. I thought a figure like him could only exist in books. Who knew that instead of him stepping out of the pages, it was I who stepped into the book.”

As Xie Lanting was lost in sentiment, his wrist suddenly felt heavy. He turned to find Gu Yunqi gripping it tightly. Gu Yunqi was using significant force, his jaw clenched as he struggled to suppress something. His pupils trembled, and his voice was slightly distorted as it squeezed through his teeth: “How do you know that ‘ten thousand weights of wind and snow cannot break him’?”

Even if outsiders were to lie, they would only weave vague, empty praises. After all, in their eyes, Gu Yunqi was a brat with no parental upbringing—a “wait-to-die” parasite who had nothing to his name except his father’s legacy.

Xie Lanting couldn’t exactly tell him: I’ve read a book that detailed Gu Yunqi’s entire life. I don’t just know what he did; I know every thought in his head. He didn’t understand why the youth before him had suddenly become so emotional, as if someone had stepped on his tail.

“I just know,” Gu Yunqi heard Xie Lanting say. “I’ll even go as far as to say that no one in this world understands him better than I do.”

Gu Yunqi felt the wine he’d just drunk ignite with a delayed burn, scorching his brain. Does Xie Lanting even know what he’s saying?

Xie Lanting, however, was perfectly sober. He gave a firm flick to Gu Yunqi’s wrist, causing the youth to let go instinctively. Xie Lanting then composed himself and provided a convenient excuse for Gu Yunqi’s outburst: “Are you drunk? If you’re drunk, go down and rest. Or I can take you back to the inn.”

Gu Yunqi massaged his wrist. Though he was mature for his age, his emotions had just cracked under the pressure. He regained his composure quickly, at least enough to hide it on the surface. While a tidal wave raged in his heart, his voice returned to its usual tone: “I am not drunk.”

Xie Lanting studied him for a moment, as if confirming whether the kid was actually lucid, then continued: “At dawn, I’ll make a trip to Purple Flower Town, and then I’ll be leaving directly.”

Gu Yunqi lowered his hand: “You’re going to Purple Flower Town for the murdered townsfolk?”

“I sought them out; I should see it through to the end. Word needs to get out about those poor souls, and someone needs to give their remains a proper burial.”

Xie Lanting thought of those fleshless white bones and sighed again. Gu Yunqi looked at his profile and felt that the phrase “ten thousand weights of wind and snow cannot break him” actually applied better to Xie Lanting himself. Immortal Lord Lanyue had fallen from the clouds and been betrayed, yet he remained full of sincerity and kindness, willing to light a lamp for those who would never return, even if he had never known them.

Unlike himself, whose heart had long since grown cold as water.

“If the Nian family has already delivered the news, I’ll just take a look and leave.” Xie Lanting lay back lazily on the roof. “To find a cure, to get married… Little friend Wenren, it’s time for us to part ways.”

Gu Yunqi remained silent. Xie Lanting said with a smile: “All good things must come to an end. We shall meet again if fate permits. Hey, if you aren’t drunk, say something.”

“I… I thank Senior for the care and guidance along the way. I have benefited greatly,” Gu Yunqi said. “I also wish to see the Purple Flower Town matter through. Take me with you at dawn.” He stood up. “I think I really am a bit drunk. I’ll go down and rest.”

Xie Lanting waved a hand: “I’ll call you later.”

…

Gu Yunqi went downstairs with a chaotic mind. Before he had walked far, he ran into Xiao Qingfeng, who had claimed to be busy. Gu Yunqi naturally assumed he was looking for Xie Lanting and stepped aside: “He’s on the roof.”

Xiao Qingfeng didn’t move. “I came looking for you.”

Gu Yunqi looked up: “Me?”

Xiao Qingfeng: “My ‘benefactors’ come in pairs. I never said I only had one.”

Gu Yunqi hid his metaphorical thorns, appearing very mild: “This junior has nothing of value. How could I be Immortal Lord Qingfeng’s benefactor?”

Xiao Qingfeng was certain: “There are two people in my life I will never mistake. They are the benefactors I have waited a long time for.”

Between the fact that Xiao Qingfeng had written so many trashy novels about him and Xie Lanting, and his sudden appearance, Gu Yunqi was deeply suspicious. He said coldly: “I’m afraid I cannot help the Immortal Lord with anything.”

Xiao Qingfeng didn’t mind: “I sincerely wish to befriend you both. I only hope that in the future, you two will remember this favor, so that my life might be a bit easier.”

Gu Yunqi said nothing. He knew he was currently a “nobody,” but once he killed Gu Bo and regained control of the Gu family, his weight in the world would be incomparable. It wasn’t impossible that Xiao Qingfeng was playing the long game.

But Xiao Qingfeng said no more. He merely smiled, fanned himself, and walked away, as if he had only come to leave an impression.

The more mysterious he acted, the deeper Gu Yunqi’s suspicion grew. But if his goal was to make Gu Yunqi pay attention, he had succeeded.

..

At dawn, Gu Yunqi followed Xie Lanting to Purple Flower Town. They happened to see the Nian family arriving to deliver the news. The two stayed hidden in the shadows, listening to the cries of grief that woke the morning town. They left the borrowed wedding robes behind and departed quietly.

At the small road leading out of town, little purple flowers swayed in the wind. Year after year, they stood there to welcome those returning and see off those leaving.

The two had exchanged communication talismans. Xie Lanting stopped before the flowers, turned to Gu Yunqi, and said: “We shall part ways here.”

Gu Yunqi stopped as well. He performed a junior’s salute, speaking with sincerity: “I wish you a smooth journey.”

Xie Lanting laughed: “A youth leaving home to travel should be full of high spirits. Enjoy your life.”

He turned away gracefully, waving a hand: “Until we meet again.”

The purple flowers swayed gently as Gu Yunqi watched Xie Lanting leave. He stood there, motionless, until the figure was swallowed by the landscape.

The scenery was beautiful and the parting was quiet—perfect for a moment of reflection. Unfortunately, Gu Yunqi didn’t have the luxury of such an environment.

As soon as Xie Lanting vanished, a figure dropped from a tree nearby, hanging upside down with arms crossed. “But Young Master, you’re a runaway groom. What’s all this talk about ‘high spirits’ and ‘triumphant returns’?”

Gu Yunqi: “…Shut up.”

Chu Yi sat on a branch, swinging his feet: “The moment he steps through our door, we really will have to call him ‘Young Mistress’.”

Chu Er, hanging upside down, managed to keep his mouth shut for exactly two seconds before he started buzzing again: “Can you imagine how spectacular the scene will be when he sees your face on the wedding day?”

Chu Er’s eyes sparkled as he swung back and forth. Gu Yunqi looked at him like he was a noisy gourd—why can’t this gourd’s mouth be plugged?

He turned to Fifteen, the only one not gloating: “Find a physician and prepare the third dose of the antidote for ‘Qurishi’.”

Fifteen: “Yes.”

Gu Yunqi was one who planned three steps ahead; it was expected that he wouldn’t fully trust Xiao Qingfeng. Fifteen accepted the order crisply, but it would have been better if he hadn’t added a final comment.

Fifteen, the most reliable guard, said solemnly: “I have fully understood your feelings for the Young Mistress. I will handle this matter perfectly to ensure the Young Mistress understands that ‘Qingfeng Brushing the Moon’ is fake, and you are the real deal.”

“…”

Gu Yunqi issued a cold command: “From now on, all of you are forbidden from speaking for two hours.”

Two hours! Chu Er flipped himself back onto the branch, frantically gesturing to Chu Yi and Fifteen: Not being allowed to talk is torture!

Chu Yi and Fifteen simultaneously blamed Chu Er for the silence, signaling back: Just shut up!

…

As the day grew brighter, Dongyang City became exceptionally lively.

First, every bookstore and bookstall simultaneously promoted a new book. it told the story of a man named “Baili” who was twisted from childhood and became a monster as an adult—killing his own kin, brutalizing innocents, deceiving wealthy ladies, and plotting against his elders, only to be rightfully killed by the righteous path.

Perhaps because it was a new release, every vendor claimed the book was a free gift today. Consequently, the story of “Baili” was snatched up and spread through the city in an instant.

The Nian family had planned to buy some novels to cheer up their lady, but they were horrified after reading it! Is this not exactly Baili Wuhen?!

They immediately reported it to Nian Wan’er. She had been full of rage, but as she read, she became lost in confusion.

The major events of the protagonist’s life at ages three, six, and ten matched Baili Wuhen perfectly—those were facts everyone knew. But the book also contained things no one else knew, written with such detail they had to be true.

The “Baili” in the book had drowned his younger brother and claimed it was an accident; Baili Wuhen’s second brother had indeed drowned. Most terrifyingly, a specific line the book-Baili said to a wealthy lady was a direct quote from Baili Wuhen.

Nian Wan’er remembered clearly: there had been no third person present when Baili Wuhen said those words to her.

Nian Wan’er’s hand began to tremble, and a chill ran down her spine. Who? Who could possibly know this so clearly? It’s just a novel… Recalling her guard’s claim that Baili Wuhen was a hypocrite, she silently tucked the book away. Perhaps she should show this to the Baili family.

While only a small group was shocked by the new novel, the rest of the city was rocked by a different event in the literary world: all the authors famous for writing “Qingfeng Brushing the Moon” had simultaneously announced they would no longer write stories about Xiao Qingfeng and Xie Lanting!

The announcement was met with a chorus of wails. Fans wept in the streets as if their own spouses had run away.

Meanwhile, those very same popular authors were gathered at the Dongyang Bookstore, rolling up their sleeves for a new project.

“Shopkeeper, what are we writing now?”

Xiao Qingfeng had the attendants spread out several manuscripts. Everyone leaned in to see: they were stories about Gu Yunqi and Xie Lanting.

“Certain people in the Royal Sword Sect and the Gu family are chasing empty fame,” Xiao Qingfeng said, taking a slow sip of tea. “To prevent people from calling them heartless, they commissioned novels to make it seem like Gu Yunqi and Xie Lanting are a match made in heaven—that they aren’t forcing an alliance, but fulfilling a beautiful romance.”

Xiao Qingfeng smiled faintly. “The couple is a match made in heaven, but those people are villains, and the trash they hired people to write is an eyesore. From now on, you will write the stories of Gu Yunqi and Xie Lanting. Let those people from the Royal Sword Sect see what real emotion looks like.”

“I’ve already thought of the name.” Xiao Qingfeng’s smile widened. “It’s called—Drifting Clouds Enfolding the Bright Moon.”