HomeTales of Dark RiverAct Three: Spring Equinox

Act Three: Spring Equinox

An He Zhuan: Act Three – Chapter 1

The gentle patter of spring rain fades away,

As willow branches sway, guiding travelers home…

The rain had stopped.

Su Changhe lit a candle in his room. For the Dark River, this was no ordinary night, yet Su Changhe—who now commanded the Su family’s operations—remained in this quiet inn. He had been drinking, slightly tipsy, humming an unknown tune to the sound of light rain outside his window, finding a measure of contentment in the moment. But as the rain gradually subsided and finally ceased altogether, the world outside his window fell silent, and with it, his intoxication faded.

“How dull,” Su Changhe mused, toying with his wine cup in the candlelight.

With a sudden “snap,” the window flew open, and a golden ring sailed into the room. Su Changhe caught it with one hand, feeling the small characters engraved upon its surface. He ran his fingers over them, reading softly: “Orders from the Family Head: Strike immediately.” Su Changhe smiled faintly, applying slight pressure with his finger to completely smooth out the text. Then, taking up his dagger with his left hand, he carefully carved two characters in response: “Unsuitable.”

With a gentle flick, he sent the ring flying back out the window.

“For such a composed person, the old master still loses his patience when it comes to the position of Family Head,” Su Changhe remarked softly.

In the adjacent room, Mu Yumo slowly opened her eyes. In the flickering candlelight, she gazed at the shadowy figure and smiled. “You really can’t let me go, can you?”

“I bear no grudge against you, there’s no reason for me to kill you,” Tang Lianyue sat on the long bench, slowly sipping his tea.

“Don’t sit over there. Come, sit here,” Mu Yumo patted the space beside her.

Tang Lianyue remained speechless.

Mu Yumo glanced out at the pitch-black night, estimating the time, then smiled coquettishly: “It’s getting late, let’s sleep together.”

“…” Tang Lianyue stared at Mu Yumo. Though she had just awakened from serious injuries, her face pale and weary, barely able to muster the strength to pat the bed, she still playfully teased him as always. That alluring manner, combined with her current weakened state, somehow made her even more enticing. What could he do? Tang Lianyue could only continue drinking his tea.

“Won’t you sleep with me? Tomorrow when you wake, you’ll leave, won’t you?” Mu Yumo said with slight disappointment. “You know, despite how I act, I’ve never actually slept with a man before. Have you ever slept with a woman?”

“…” Tang Lianyue wanted to say something, perhaps scold her as he had before, but he felt hypocritical. Because in his heart, he didn’t want to scold her.

Instead, he truly… wanted to sleep with her.

While Mu Yumo slept, Tang Lianyue watched her for a long time. In his life, he had encountered many beautiful women, whether in the Tang Clan, throughout the jianghu, or in the beauty-filled Tianqi City. Countless women had wished to marry him, yet he had always remained alone, to the point where rumors circulated within the Tang Clan that Tang Lianyue preferred men. But he simply wasn’t accustomed to staying close to anyone, regardless of gender. Yet during this past day, sharing a roof with Mu Yumo—one sleeping soundly in bed, the other keeping watch by lamplight—he suddenly felt a warmth at some point.

Was this what it felt like to be with someone?

It wasn’t bad at all.

Of course, it mainly helped that Mu Yumo was, truly, exceptionally beautiful.

“I’m tired and can’t talk much more. If you want to come to bed, just come over. I won’t beg you anymore—making it seem like I’m so fond of you,” Mu Yumo’s tone carried a hint of coquettish resentment. “For the past twenty years, others have always chased after me. When have I ever been the one doing the chasing?”

“I… need to step outside,” Tang Lianyue suddenly stood up.

“What is it?” Mu Yumo asked, puzzled.

“Drank too much water,” Tang Lianyue said as he pushed open the door.

In the pitch-black corridor, a young man with a small mustache leaned against the railing. Hearing Tang Lianyue exit, he turned slightly and smiled, “Half in the river wind, half in the clouds?”

“When I saw you earlier today, I thought you seemed familiar. Sure enough, it’s you with an altered appearance,” Tang Lianyue frowned slightly. “Why did you hide your true face from me then, only to come see me now?”

Su Changhe stroked his small mustache: “When I don’t wish to be seen, I hide. When I wish to be seen, naturally I appear.”

“The person in that room is from your Dark River. Since you’re here, I’ll hand her over to you. My target is only the Grand Elder—the other members of Dark River are of no concern to me, nor are your internal conflicts,” Tang Lianyue said slowly.

“The person in that room is the Grand Elder’s guard, and my purpose here is to ensure the Grand Elder’s death. If you hand her over to me, I’ll have to kill her,” Su Changhe’s hand flashed with a cold glint as he leaped past Tang Lianyue and burst into Mu Yumo’s room.

“That fast? Did you just urinate right at the doorway?” Mu Yumo opened her eyes, only to see a familiar yet punch-worthy face. “Changhe?”

Su Changhe raised his dagger and swung it down sharply: “It’s me!”

“Have you gone mad?” Mu Yumo exclaimed.

With a clear “ding,” an almost transparent small blade intercepted Su Changhe’s dagger.

“Oh? It seems you have some tender feelings for our Dark River’s premier beauty,” Su Changhe withdrew his dagger and stepped back.

Tang Lianyue frowned slightly: “You were testing me?”

“I’ve always wondered which is more formidable—my Inch Sword or your Fingertip Blade. I truly wanted to know the answer,” Su Changhe smiled and sheathed his dagger. “But today isn’t the right time. Yumo, have you chosen to stand with Su Muyu?”

“I stand with no one. I just want to sleep here, and none of you should disturb me,” Mu Yumo’s tone carried a hint of coquettishness.

“In your heart, Su Muyu is still more important, isn’t he? Otherwise, you wouldn’t keep helping him by detaining this most dangerous member of the Tang Clan,” Su Changhe sighed softly.

Su Muyu? Tang Lianyue’s heart stirred slightly.

“Don’t say such things,” Mu Yumo smiled. “I’m staying close to Master Tang because I like him.”

“Is that so? A few years ago, you said you wanted to marry Su Muyu. Women truly are fickle,” Su Changhe walked to the window. “Xuanwu Envoy, if you truly care for my sister, then guard her here for a few days. The winds of change are coming to Jiuxiao City. I’ll bring you the Grand Elder’s head myself.”

“I…” Tang Lianyue wanted to refuse, but Su Changhe gave him no chance. He pushed open the window and leaped down, landing on the empty street below.

The rain had stopped, leaving a cool breeze in the deep night.

A golden ring fell from above, flying toward Su Changhe’s head. He casually deflected it back.

“Uncle Zhe, time to work.”

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