The Sickly Beauty Official Faked His Death and Now the Tyrant Has Gone Mad - Chapter 30

Upon hearing that voice, Su Yang felt as if his breath had been stolen away.

The night was as still as water, with stars scattered across the sky. In an instant, a cloud drifted over the moon, blocking out all light, plunging everything into a darkness as deep as an abyss.

Su Yang wasn’t sure what he felt when he heard that Lin Huaiyu was surrounded by many people. It was a heavy, suffocating sensation, making it difficult even to breathe.

But when he heard Lin Huaiyu say he had someone in his heart, Su Yang wanted nothing more than to rush over and see for himself to see what that person looked like. Could they possibly be better than him?

He even wanted to ask Lin Huaiyu: Could that person truly satisfy him?

For the past year, Su Yang had thought of Lin Huaiyu every single moment. Now that he had finally received news of him, he was told that Lin Huaiyu already had someone in his heart?

Su Yang trembled almost imperceptibly, clenching his jaw until his voice grew low and hoarse. “Do you know who this person in his heart is?”

Fang Zhixu sensed danger in Su Yang’s tone and shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s a private matter for the teacher, and he never speaks of it himself.”

Never speaks of it.

Su Yang’s gaze darkened, as if a storm were brewing in the depths of his eyes.

Hiding that person so well, what was Lin Huaiyu afraid of? Afraid that if Su Yang found out, he would kill that “person in his heart” and then force himself upon Lin Huaiyu?

Lin Huaiyu you truly are something.

Why? Why couldn’t it be him? Out of all those people, why couldn’t it be him?

They had already slept together, yet Lin Huaiyu only wanted to escape him, resisting him, despising him, hating him while holding someone else in his heart?

Who was it? Someone he had liked long ago, or during this past year, while Su Yang was away, had someone taken advantage of his absence?

The more Su Yang thought about it, the more his mind raced. The mere thought of Lin Huaiyu being touched by someone else drove him mad with jealousy.

Lin Huaiyu was his, and his alone! No one could ever take Lin Huaiyu away from him!

With red-rimmed eyes, Su Yang looked like a trapped beast as he turned to Fang Zhixu and asked in a low voice, “Where does this Yuxi live?”

At this moment, he both hoped that Yuxi was Lin Huaiyu and dreaded that he might be. Yet, in the end, his longing overpowered the twisted jealousy in his heart. He desperately wanted to see Lin Huaiyu.

He didn’t want to return to the cold, lonely nights in the Qinchun Palace, where he was left alone under the cold moonlight, with only a solitary lamp for company unable to catch even a trace of Lin Huaiyu’s scent, unable to even dream of him.

Fang Zhixu looked at Su Yang and felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The emperor’s gaze was as cold and menacing as a ghost risen from hell, sending a chill down his spine. Under Su Yang’s intense stare, it took him a long moment to point in a direction. “The Yuxi Gate in the Qingshui Quarter, west of the city.”

Almost as soon as Fang Zhixu finished speaking, Su Yang strode off toward the west of the city.

Only after Su Yang had left did Fang Zhixu feel as though his soul had returned to his body. For a moment, he had truly believed that the emperor intended to kill him that if he had lied or refused to answer, Su Yang would have torn his head off right then and there.

But seeing Su Yang’s reaction now, the suspicion in his heart seemed to have been confirmed.

Yuxi was none other than Lin Huaiyu, the former prime minister whom the emperor had refused to believe was dead.

No wonder, as soon as he had arrived in the capital, Zhao Xiangyi had remarked on his resemblance to Lin Huaiyu, and the emperor had repeatedly tested him.

So, his teacher was Lin Huaiyu after all.

Yet this man, who should have been living a life of utmost luxury and honor, now lay bedridden in this small Jiangnan town. He was as fragile as a figure sculpted from snow, seeming as if a gust of wind could scatter him away.

The Emperor appeared deeply concerned about the gentleman why, then, had he allowed him to fall into such a state?

The moon remained hidden behind the clouds, and the night was still as deep as an abyss, as if a storm were brewing, gathering momentum for a torrential downpour.

Su Yang walked through the cold, quiet streets, crossed the long bridge, and finally stopped before a plaque inscribed with the words “Jade Stream Gate.”

The place was sparsely populated, with only a few scattered lights, and it felt somewhat secluded. Inside Jade Stream Gate was a modest yet elegant estate, distinctly characteristic of the Jiangnan style.

No one stood outside the gate. Su Yang pushed it open and entered, greeted by the sight of a serene waterside pavilion and a refined courtyard. He passed through the winding corridors, paying no mind to the exquisite scenery of the garden, and walked straight to the opposite side of the pond.

No lights were lit in the rooms. Su Yang did not know which chamber might hold Lin Huaiyu, and since the other was likely already asleep, he had no intention of disturbing him.

Yet he was desperate to know whether Jade Stream was indeed Lin Huaiyu.

Su Yang hesitated for a moment, preparing to quietly slip inside to investigate. Just as he moved, a dark figure suddenly emerged from the side, launching a fierce attack toward him.

Su Yang frowned, blocking the assault. In the darkness, he couldn’t make out the figure clearly, but from their exchange, he could tell this person possessed formidable martial skills.

“Who are you?” Su Yang asked as they fought.

The man chuckled softly, his tone casual. “You don’t need to know who I am. I’ve seen plenty of scoundrels like you. Don’t disturb others’ rest!”

Su Yang understood this person was likely guarding Jade Stream, who was resting inside the room.

Su Yang, however, grew intrigued. Lin Huaiyu had Lin Fei by his side, but the man before him was clearly not Lin Fei.

He lowered his gaze and probed, “You call me a scoundrel, but what about you? Staying up late in the courtyard, waiting for scoundrels to show up? And then what? Trying to impress the person inside?”

The man’s movements faltered for a moment, nearly getting hit by Su Yang’s fist as he barely dodged the strike. “What’s it to you?”

Su Yang smiled. This reaction confirmed that the man was not the beloved Lin Huaiyu had spoken of likely just another admirer lingering in the courtyard.

He added, “I’m merely curious about who resides here, someone who could make the Crown Prince of Great Chu travel thousands of miles to a foreign land, willingly playing the role of a gatekeeper.”

Ji Wuyou, the Crown Prince of Great Chu, raised an eyebrow upon being recognized but did not cease his movements. “Someone far beyond your reach, of course.”

Su Yang’s eyes darkened, and the force in his strikes intensified. The two fought fiercely in the courtyard. Sensing Su Yang’s ferocity, Ji Wuyou realized he was facing a formidable opponent. “Whatever your purpose may be, I advise you to leave now.”

Su Yang retorted coldly, “With such an air of ownership, do you truly believe you can speak for the gentleman inside?”

Ji Wuyou recognized Su Yang’s attempt to provoke him and sneered. “At least I’m better than a rude intruder who sneaks into private residences in the dead of night!”

“An intruder?” Su Yang scoffed. “And what does that make you? A homeless stray? A shameless loiterer?”

Ji Wuyou immediately flared up in anger. “Su Yang! Don’t think that just because you’re the Emperor of Great Yong, I won’t dare to beat you!”

Su Yang raised a brow lightly, unconcerned. “You can try.”

Ji Wuyou was the type to settle scores on the spot, regardless of who stood before him. He charged forward without hesitation, and the two of them fought fiercely, evenly matched. However, Ji Wuyou’s anger clouded his judgment, making his punches erratic. Su Yang quickly seized the opening, twisting Ji Wuyou’s arm behind his back and sneering, “You need more practice. As for the person inside, you’re still not qualified to claim them.”

Though at a disadvantage, Ji Wuyou thought of who was inside and the relationship between that person and Su Yang. He retorted mockingly, “If I’m not qualified, is Your Majesty? If I’m not mistaken, the person you’re looking for is Lord Lin Huaiyu, right? So why have you stooped to coming all the way to Jiangnan to find an unknown ‘Master Yuxi’?”

Su Yang let out a cold laugh, his tone as frigid as ice. “I wasn’t certain before, but now I am. The person inside is Lin Huaiyu, isn’t it?”

Ji Wuyou winced in pain, his arm nearly dislocated by Su Yang, but his words remained defiant. “Oh, so you weren’t even sure who Master Yuxi was, yet you came running here anyway? If it hadn’t been him, Lord Lin would probably never want to see you again, even in the afterlife.”

Su Yang’s expression darkened instantly. Hidden in the shadows of the night, he threw a punch at Ji Wuyou. “None of your business.”

He simply didn’t want to miss any news related to Lin Huaiyu.

Ji Wuyou took the hit, his face contorting in pain. Seizing an opportunity to counterattack, he and Su Yang resumed their endless brawl.

Despite the sweltering summer heat, the courtyard was eerily silent, devoid of even the chirping of insects or birds. The sounds of their fighting and arguing echoed loudly in the stillness.

As the battle in the courtyard raged on with no sign of stopping, something was suddenly flung out from the window of the house. The throw lacked both force and accuracy, making it easy for either of them to dodge.

Su Yang immediately broke away from Ji Wuyou, avoiding the object. Ji Wuyou, however, ran straight into it, catching it against his chest. He didn’t utter a sound but instead clutched the item as if it were a treasure.

Only then did Su Yang see it clearly a small ceramic bowl, still carrying the scent of medicine. The person inside must have used it to drink their medicine.

In that moment, Su Yang thought of Lin Huaiyu. Lin Huaiyu often carried the scent of medicine too. Though he disliked taking it, he had no choice, and the sight was an endearing one few ever witnessed.

But now… everyone could see it. It was no longer his exclusive privilege.

Holding the bowl, Ji Wuyou spoke softly toward the house. “Did we disturb you?”

There was no response from inside, which Ji Wuyou seemed to take as confirmation. He said, “Alright, we’ll stop fighting.”

Watching Ji Wuyou’s attitude toward the person inside, Su Yang grew even more curious. Why was this man approaching Master Yuxi? Or was it because the person inside was Lin Huaiyu? Was he trying to steal what was his?

Just as Ji Wuyou was about to take the bowl away, Su Yang suddenly reached out and snatched the medicine-scented cup from his hands.

Caught off guard, Ji Wuyou glared at him and lunged forward again, trying to reclaim it. “You, the Emperor of Dayong, stooping to fight over a bowl with me? Have you no shame?”

Su Yang let out a scornful laugh, gripping the cup tightly in his hand as he dodged Ji Wuyou’s reach. “And you, the crown prince of Great Chu, traveling to a foreign land to grovel before an obscure scholar it seems you have even less shame than I do.”

Ji Wuyou, however, clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “That’s because I enjoy it. I take pleasure in humbling myself before Master Yuxi. Since I’ve come here, no one dares to disrespect Master Yuxi, regardless of whether you’re the emperor of Great Yong!”

Su Yang sneered, glancing at the medicine bowl in his hand before casually tossing it back to Ji Wuyou. “Then I’d like to see what kind of person could make me lower my head.”

Ji Wuyou carefully caught the bowl, rolling his eyes to himself. Just as Su Yang took a step forward, another object flew out from inside the room. Su Yang dodged it, only for Ji Wuyou to catch it once again.

From within, a clear, cold voice rang out, carrying a refreshing chill even in the sweltering summer heat: “If you keep making noise, both of you can get out.”

Like a gust of icy wind cutting through a snowy night, it carried the biting frost.

In an instant, all fell silent the rustling of the wind, the murmuring of water, and even Ji Wuyou’s clamor seemed to retreat like distant mountains.

Hearing that voice, Su Yang froze in place, not daring to move another inch.