I sat there, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, my legs gently swinging, my voice softening:
"Anything will do, tell me."
Kình Uyên looked at me, the corners of his lips curving upwards. His eyes held an unusual tenderness, a stark contrast to his usual coldness. He was silent for a few seconds, as if considering something, then slowly began:
"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess, both talented and virtuous. Beside her were three friends, all equally talented and close."
His voice was deep and even, as if he were telling a familiar fairy tale.
"Among them, one was particularly noticed by a prince from a neighboring country. Not because of her cunning or superior intelligence, but because of her honesty and innocence."
I listened silently, without interrupting.
"But another friend… also fell in love with that prince. Jealousy gradually built up, especially when she learned that the princess and prince had a child together."
Kình Uyên paused slightly, his gaze darkening.
"While the princess was distracted, that friend pushed her down the stairs. The princess lost a lot of blood. The child miraculously survived, but the mother did not."
I paused briefly.
"The child grew up without maternal love. The father, having lost the woman he loved, gradually came to hate his own son, for in his eyes, he was the reason she took away the woman he loved most."
Kình Uyên smiled faintly, but the smile held no joy.
"That child grew up consumed by resentment. When he learned the whole truth about what happened all those years ago, he only had one thought: revenge. Revenge on the person who caused it all, the one who now has a happy family, as if nothing ever happened."
At this point, he turned to look at me:
"Young master, what do you think? Was what that boy did… right or wrong?"
I remained silent for a moment.
The story sounded like a fairy tale, but a strange feeling welled up inside me, as if he wasn't just telling a story, but referring to a real life.
I replied indifferently, according to my own thoughts:
"To say it's right isn't entirely true. But to say it's wrong... isn't entirely false either."
I looked up at him:
"That boy only wanted revenge. His method, while understandable, was too cruel. In my opinion, if he could let go of his hatred and move on, perhaps he would feel lighter. Bad people will eventually face retribution... it's just a matter of sooner or later."
Kình Uyên didn't answer immediately.
He looked at me more intently, his eyes darkening slightly, then softly said:
"Young master... sometimes justice doesn't come on its own. To obtain it, you must seize it yourself."
The words carried an enigmatic meaning.
Immediately afterward, he returned to his familiar demeanor, smiling at me as if what had just happened was merely a casual remark. I instinctively asked,
"If he gets his revenge, will that boy… really be happy? Living in such hatred, is that what he wants?"
Jing Yuan paused for a moment.
I could clearly see his stunned expression.
A strange thought flashed through my mind:
This story… is it like he's recounting his own life?
I looked at him, smiling slightly to break the silence:
"Jing Yuan, what's wrong? Why aren't you answering me?"
Only then did he come back to his senses and reply,
"Ah… I was just thinking about something."
I tilted my head curiously:
"What is it?"
He chuckled softly:
"It's a secret."
Then, unexpectedly, he lifted me up. I was startled and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck:
"What are you doing?!"
Jing Yuan just smiled:
"Helping the young master change clothes."
I was bewildered:
"Change clothes for what?" "Let's go outside and play."
Hearing those three words, "Let's go outside and play," I immediately brightened up, and my attempts to push him away stopped. Perhaps I had become accustomed to him doing this without even realizing it.