Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery Butterfly
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Bang!!HdkEprLoBDNonCDAMhDpECRwVXmmtE

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A loud crash erupted from the inner chamber, and a tall, slender figure was violently thrown out, smashing the fragile wooden door into splinters, landing among the shattered remains.ZbnbZGweECJZOLYBXvlBaYyvSabpyV

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The man groaned softly, propping himself up with his hands as he tried to rise, but he collapsed back onto his knees, saying in a deep voice, “This subordinate has failed in his duty, and deserves death.”hHENAwwcOaVhEhbCjAUstuWYybpRmW

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“You do deserve to die!!!!” A furious roar came from the inner chamber, the voice trembling with a rage that could shake a person to their core.lZChsJOAWaqfAFFucMJkGVIXnpyRAZ

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Another voice hurriedly interjected, “Please, Young Master, grant us pardon. Subordinates have already sent people to track him down. There will definitely be news of him soon.”zMTzZYaczpqszaLgIyiYwOJFWdtiYQ

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“You even messed up something that was already arranged!! You managed to lose someone who was in your hands!!! What can you even do!!! Useless trash!!!”MNNvcJBnwScZByaQaWAiNZBWsPLERA

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“…..Young Master…..” The man kneeling on the ground, with blood still on the corner of his mouth, wanted to explain that he was only half an hour late, but thought better of it, fearing it would only provoke greater wrath.MrRSkKMowKSyiFMGLSAlcSenFkyItD

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“Young Master, please grant me three days, just three days, and I will surely find Jin Xiao Bao!!”nkjeTxovuUAKohaTykiTtyBYpNaFui

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Before he could finish speaking, he was kicked to the ground. A flash of white light emerged from the inner chamber.aDCEsFYjfpMrslKSxedERLSEFnXZHB

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His beauty rivaled the literary poise of Ban Jieyu and the tranquil elegance of snow-lit verses in the Xie family’s courtyard.¹kbIPYVgnAKPvEeMYiCDZIggCdZISlo

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No amount of praise would be too much for this person’s appearance, yet the vicious expression on his face made him utterly intimidating.QrBfWRXYOofJlzRDJtowCWHXblfQZP

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He grabbed the kneeling man by the collar and pulled him up, “Less talking. I’m going to find him myself. You, go and muster the troops.” With that, he strode towards the door without a moment’s hesitation.jFoAOvrxiqvMZyYEiWCLdLSFlUWYAs

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Just as his foot was about to cross the threshold, a low, raspy voice effortlessly stopped him in his tracks, “Huai En, you’ve only been back a few days, and already you’re tearing the place apart?”EbWbvQZWrRySxHlfmojlVBLZyYpzQb

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The young man in white paused, frowned, took a step back, then reconsidered and stepped forward again, “I’m leaving. I don’t have time to explain.”dooNUJWGUBiJRthYYINcoCXfwbqHmW

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“You’ve never bothered to explain your actions. But just because you don’t explain, do you think your father doesn’t know?” The man speaking was dressed in the same white attire as Huai En. His appearance was refined and handsome, with a remarkable aura that commanded respect. Even just standing there with his hands behind his back, there was an implicit air of superiority, though his slender frame made it difficult to gauge his age. His gaze was sharp and cold, yet there was an unshakable sadness in his eyes. This man was none other than the former second prince, now the leader of the Tong Sect, Zong Zheng Yuzhan.nPufNhZyQSAqfKyBtGDvOyAIWxJlio

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Huai En responded coldly, “If you know, then don’t block my way. I’ve completed everything you asked of me.”OfRRdJnpmGtrzqnWqjkNCFoNtjgnuA

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“Yes, you did it very well, even better than I expected. But your dealings with that Jin family young master have caught me even more off guard.”PZKcHoCCqaUgCChvLEltnRJNWzRlMI

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Zong Zheng Yuzhan’s tone was calm and indifferent as he spoke, devoid of any emotion, as though the coldness between them was unbreakable. Despite his non-threatening appearance, and lacking even the usual aura of authority, his words carried a discomfort that reached deep into one’s bones.SlTxqEvjBiRVTedGNhgABqOwonojxT

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Huai En sneered, “If you know, then you know. I must leave now, what are you going to do about it?” He wasn’t surprised that his father’s spies among his entourage had reported everything back. He had never made any attempt to hide his interactions with men from Zong Zheng Yuzhan. Between them, there had never been any semblance of a normal father-son relationship, let alone any affection. What existed between them was only orders and obedience.QKBfdgIgrTxSYqKzhclbgeUnVucxuI

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“Huai En, you’ve grown wings, haven’t you? Engaging in such disgraceful acts with another man, and you still have the audacity to stand tall. You really don’t care about your father, do you?” The undertone of these words was clearly one of great displeasure, but Zong Zheng Yuzhan’s expression and voice remained completely still, making the scene even more unsettling.OjluDmQZLVMGIezBQsTXnNhpIMWyEU

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“I’m involved with a man, and it hasn’t affected you. Why do you care so much?” Huai En was clearly irritated. Every second he wasted here was a second he would be delayed in seeing Xiao Bao. Su Yin was meticulous and thorough in his actions; if he was determined to hide someone, how much effort would it take to find them? Hadn’t Xue Lianqing managed to hide for three years without being discovered by them?tHGfXzXnYRRcBgWyyqzrOHLdLDyasX

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Since everything had been pre-arranged, the officers responsible for escorting Xiao Bao thought they were following the plan to rescue him, so they barely resisted and didn’t pursue them afterward, disappearing without a trace in a short time. Huai En knew he had to get to Jiangnan as soon as possible. He had been feeling inexplicably uneasy for the past few days, unable to sleep at night thinking about how Xiao Bao would react to all this. Although the escorting officers had said Xiao Bao was just thinner and mentally not in the best state, Huai En still felt anxious, restless to the point where he felt he had to see Xiao Bao immediately. He didn’t want to wait even a moment longer.UQlKqhEPMUgtcHXIxerQBopDOJEGnB

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He believed that as long as he put aside his pride, Xiao Bao wouldn’t bear to blame him. Once Xiao Bao was settled, Huai En could return to his life of extravagance and indulgence, having everything he wanted just like before. Under his protection, the Jin family would actually be safer and more secure than ever.DjzILBQRocbGpHUgrBUnZfQPqCOIAj

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Right now, his anxiety was palpable—he feared that Su Yin might be feeding Xiao Bao certain ideas. Xiao Bao was already easily influenced, and what’s more, he trusted Su Yin implicitly. If Xiao Bao were to resent him, be angry with him, and refuse to see him anymore, what would he do?NkYLjhmjXhWoLHGFxSUYNgxweClyrK

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He couldn’t let that happen!TWCHCDaJiATHnlCqHFTYeFygXHpRpY

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Huai En’s urgency was written all over his face, and Zong Zheng Yuzhan raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting slightly. “Have you forgotten that your father arranged a marriage for you when you were young?”ZTsmLnmNgoAhRYSALWlHsqACeaWwCP

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Huai En snapped angrily, “When did I ever agree to that?” He had never even seen that so-called barbarian princess; he couldn’t even remember her name. In the past, he had been indifferent to the matter, not bothering to express any opinion. But now, he absolutely could not allow himself to be manipulated by his father.POOSzRycMHyehSauQJMwZcTnLrZtAY

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“I don’t need you to agree. You’ll just do as you’re told.”TAOJincojjOZcHvmdLqMzQvHLLsxfS

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Huai En replied coldly, “I followed your orders before because there was no reason to defy you, but you can forget about it this time.”CwAbKMjYMCNIcAmfblrmWQBhItlcsm

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“Huai En, your father always thought you were sensible, but now you’re acting recklessly. If you fancy that boy, bringing him back is not out of the question. You’re of age now, and I’ve never stopped you from taking a few concubines. Are you really going to defy your father for his sake?”ziCJMCkyMxXjGaSTHzQvINgJqKPjVt

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“Hmph, if you need support and descendants, why don’t you take a few concubines yourself? No one’s stopping you.”vknDtfSetMGIIdNudBRbbIpxBFJlrO

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Zong Zheng Yuzhan’s face instantly stiffened, and a fierce killing intent radiated from him. He said in a deep voice, “I have only ever been loyal to your mother. How dare you compare your sordid affairs to the love between your mother and me? You’re courting death!”meIpiGaDMdWgFZNyLWKdZIIitwUxYg

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Huai En swiftly drew his sword. “In your eyes, only what you and Mother had was love; everyone else is just a pawn to be used or discarded. You can think whatever you want, but I’m going to find him. If you try to stop me, I’ll tear this place apart.”NZfCytXtypOGSDXUNPBmtjigdLefQj

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Zong Zheng Yuzhan glared at Huai En for a moment, his explosive aura suddenly withdrawing, his expression returning to the same cold and indifferent demeanor as before.EKGylyhlLwBMqwqOFetsgQdHOmMMii

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“Put your sword away.”GlvLXzmwWnjblLgieksjlzyZYwxHEu

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Huai En raised an eyebrow but didn’t move.xYgVKkBaxQIFTIkHuXPEthFRktsyVb

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“Put your sword away. Do you have any respect for your father, behaving so insolently?”cwUHWvGnYJfCoFMUQPJegPWjrxDpFc

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Huai En lifted his chin and said firmly, “I’m going to find him.”qTraMsfJRnNdOAgXfCKJdVVybtOlgA

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“You’re still young, inexperienced in matters of the flesh, and it’s easy to lose control. Do you really think this is some deep emotion?”QeoffKnNRZIhqZECUnbYYDMqMGWFQE

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Huai En let out a derisive snort, sheathed his sword, and strode towards the door. As he passed by Zong Zheng Yuzhan, he didn’t even spare him a glance.RURdrrmubYUwxorloORNxvkZjifkWZ

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“Stop!”JHgelcBxcWQccRSoUBXWRJCqKMNoll

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“There are still some affairs within the Sect that require your attention. If you leave now, how many matters will be delayed? Let Zuo Ying and You Ying go find him. You stay here.”tOLSrhsIhbvFyVFYFLAZeiDUaZqHXH

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Huai En didn’t pause.wojEYmqjeNNGRPVSrsrZySULETOeBf

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A flash of white flickered through the air, and Zong Zheng Yuzhan was suddenly standing in front of him, blocking his path.wsdXrsMcFBhMUjDvkfxCTpRdYpQDSW

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Zong Zheng Yuzhan’s expression was cold and determined. “Huai En, your father is willing to overlook your stubbornness, but don’t push it too far. I’ve already compromised—talk of marriage can wait. You can do as you please with that boy, but you’re not leaving this palace. Ask yourself, can you really walk out of here if I don’t permit it?”ZWuUNaxjUDcFNPpGGwOgUkRneQcStn

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Huai En’s expression shifted multiple times, his fists clenching and unclenching inside his sleeves.vaZMKLAkiCkhJIwXkTXtbYSDeTkCUa

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He knew his father was right. If Zong Zheng Yuzhan was determined not to let him leave, escaping the palace was nearly impossible. It wasn’t just that the Sect was full of experts; even facing his father alone, Huai En wasn’t confident he could win. If he insisted on going now, he might accomplish nothing. He rarely defied his father, who had always been resolute. The fact that Zong Zheng Yuzhan was even making a concession now was no small thing. Weighing his options, having Zuo Ying and You Ying search for Xiao Bao was the most feasible choice. Despite his urgency, he had no better plan.QUnXjQgjTNfkQpOqmiQgulAXfenoOc

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But the unease in his heart only grew heavier.JqOMHgGJnwhURgafhTdmWIXNZQCnGW

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Xiao Bao, wait for me a little longer. I’ll come to you as soon as I can. Don’t blame me please. I’ll be good to you and treat you well. We’ll be together forever, just wait a little longer…..nPVSBikdaoNAhRGsFvZPAqrltjuPxE

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