As Lianzhen heard those three words — "I love you" — he was flustered beyond belief. His heartbeat quickened suddenly, his face turning red as warmth spread through his chest.
Yu Meixian looked at him expectantly, her eyes soft and glimmering in the moonlight.
Lianzhen smiled shyly, his lips trembling slightly. "I… love you too."
Yu Meixian's expression brightened as her heart fluttered. She smiled softly, her gaze filled with rare tenderness. "Then… will you marry me?"
Lianzhen froze. He was about to answer, but instead, he slowly stood up, his smile fading into hesitation. "I can't marry you right now."
Yu Meixian stood as well, her expression serious. "Is it because of Rin?"
Lianzhen looked down and nodded. "Yes. Rin still needs me. And… there's more to it — about my clan."
Yu Meixian's voice softened, filled with determination. "I don't care. Whatever you want, I'll be with you. I'll go wherever you go."
Lianzhen looked at her with innocent, glimmering eyes. "Is it true?"
"Yes, it is," Yu Meixian said, stepping closer to him. She gently placed her hand on his face, her touch warm and delicate. "You can take care of Rin… but let me take care of you."
Their gazes locked. Then, Yu Meixian leaned in and kissed him. Their lips met — a passionate kiss filled with longing and acceptance, their hearts beating as one beneath the starry sky.
Yu Meixian's hand slowly slid inside Lianzhen's clothes, tracing the warmth of his skin — but suddenly, Lianzhen pushed her away gently, breaking the kiss.
"It's late night," he said softly, his cheeks glowing red. "So… goodnight."
He turned and hurried down the stairs toward his room, his heart racing. His face remained flushed, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
Yu Meixian stood still on the rooftop, the night wind brushing against her hair. She smiled faintly, looking toward the sky. "Master," she whispered, "I think I found something more than my sword."
The moonlight fell gently on her face as she closed her eyes, enjoying the cool breeze.
Lianzhen returned to his room, where Rin was preparing to sleep. Rin turned when he heard the door open, noticing Lianzhen's red face and hurried steps.
"Brother, are you sick?" Rin asked with worry as he approached him.
Lianzhen shook his head quickly. "I'm not sick."
"Then what happened? Why is your face so red?" Rin pressed, eyes filled with curiosity.
Lianzhen sat down on the bed, still smiling happily. "I… have something to tell you."
Rin tilted his head. "What is it?"
Lianzhen's expression softened with joy. "Yu Meixian proposed to me… and we talked about marriage."
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Rin's face darkened, his expression hardening into disbelief.
"So… you love Yu Meixian, brother?" he asked quietly.
Lianzhen covered his face with one hand, his voice shy and tender. "Yes. I love her."
Something inside Rin snapped. His voice rose suddenly, filled with anger and pain. "Brother, you fool! How can you be this foolish!?"
Lianzhen was startled, his joyful expression fading into confusion. "Rin—"
"How can you trust a woman?" Rin shouted, his tone trembling. "You know she just wants to play with you — to use you until she throws you away!"
Lianzhen's eyes widened in shock. "She's not like that, Rin."
But Rin's expression twisted into something manic, his eyes growing red with rage and sorrow. "You don't know what women are! They gain your trust, take what they want, and destroy you afterward!"
"Rin, calm down," Lianzhen pleaded, his voice shaking. "You know Meixian helped us a lot. You know how righteous and kind she is."
Rin's madness deepened as he grabbed Lianzhen's shoulders tightly. "This is her plan, brother! She just wants your body and soul. From the start, she's been playing carefully to gain our trust, waiting until we let our guard down — and then she'll take everything and betray us!"
Lianzhen's voice cracked with emotion. "You know that's not true, Rin! I love her — from the start, from the first time I met her. I just didn't have the courage to say it. But today… I know she loves me too, and I'm happy."
"Happy?" Rin growled bitterly. "You're happy, huh? Then what about our goal? What about our trip? Tell me, brother!"
Lianzhen answered firmly, his tone steady. "She'll help us complete our journey. She promised me she'll never leave me."
Rin's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Promises… those are just words women use to play with us — until they leave us with nothing."
"Ha, women this, women that!" Lianzhen shot back, frustration breaking through. "Can you say the same about our mother, Rin?"
Rin's face darkened further, his voice trembling with buried rage. "Mother? The one who used me for political bargains? The one who said the clan mattered more than family? She saw us as nothing but trash! How did our father die, huh? Because of her!"
Slap!
Lianzhen's palm struck Rin's cheek. Tears welled up in Lianzhen's eyes. "Rin! How can you say that about our mother!?"
Rin's eyes flickered between anger and sorrow. His voice lowered to a gloomy whisper. "This love thing… is wrong, brother."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"Rin! Rin, where are you going!?" Lianzhen called out.
But the door slammed shut, leaving him alone in silence.
Lianzhen sat on the bed, grief clouding his heart. It was the first time he had ever slapped Rin, and his happiness felt suddenly distant, swallowed by guilt and regret.
Meanwhile, Rin too lay in his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The echo of their argument haunted him. His eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness as he thought over everything his brother had said.
The night passed slowly, filled with unspoken pain
When morning arrived, sunlight spilled through the inn's windows. Both Rin and Lianzhen descended the stairs quietly.
In the dining hall, Yu Meixian and Tang Xiuying were already waiting.
Lianzhen tried to speak to Rin, but Rin refused to respond. For the first time, he didn't sit beside his brother — he took a seat on the opposite side of the table.
Yu Meixian noticed the change instantly, her brow furrowing. "Did something happen?"
Lianzhen forced a small, fake smile. "It's nothing. We just had a little… hard conversation about something. Rin is angry."
Rin crossed his arms, his tone sharp and distant. "It's true what people say — experience makes you realize your mistakes. Don't you think so, Miss Tang Xiuying?"
Tang Xiuying smiled awkwardly. "It's true, haha."
"Rin…" Lianzhen called softly, but Rin ignored him.
To ease the tension, Tang Xiuying quickly spoke up. "How about you come to the Tang Clan? My mother wishes to meet Meixian, and I can arrange a nice trip for you to Kunlun as well."
Yu Meixian smiled faintly. "That would be great."
They all agreed, though Rin's expression remained cold.
As Yu Meixian placed her hand over Lianzhen's, the two shared a subtle, affectionate glance — a moment of warmth in the midst of morning light.
But Rin's irritation grew stronger. He suddenly stood up. "I'm done."
He walked out, his footsteps echoing through the quiet hall.
Lianzhen immediately rose and followed him, catching up outside the pavilion. His tone turned serious. "We need to talk, Rin."
The morning breeze brushed past them as the weight of brotherhood, love, and anger hung heavy in the air — a fragile balance on the edge of breaking.