Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery ButterflyUpsENybHkLUHmdtqajqmbUlbNdvdSp

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In an environment almost completely devoid of cold air, the cold poison indeed showed improvement. However, the poison’s attacks always came without warning, so Su Yin simply moved into Xiao Bao’s room to stay with him, preventing him from harming himself during an attack.lDBBXJyMlsdRbvYswqcbCdQgHLAlBV

Living on edge like this for over a month, the cold poison seemed to become a part of his daily life. He went from initial fear to a numb despair.MtQDYKbvAooDFBzamDxYzgllGUcECr

Su Yin couldn’t stay at the mansion every day; he had a mountain of tasks to handle. Duties from Prince Li, responsibilities from the Wulin Alliance, and his own matters kept him busy. He couldn’t even practice his internal techniques properly, relying on Zhao Cai Jin Bao to repeatedly help channel his inner energy through his meridians, allowing him to achieve minimal effects.lyzEVEMcRTlhIISPhwLARJFHPDxzTF

One day, Su Yin brought back a large wooden box, about the length of an adult’s forearm, looking excited and asking everyone to come and see. Inside was a huge flower, resembling a blazing flame. Each of the three petals was the size of a palm, with edges tinged in light red and yellow, deepening to a rich, dark red towards the center, where the flower heart was almost black.UMJokkUzRpXSlyRaClHPXtMDUqfGuP

Que Siming raised an eyebrow. “Dali Yan, I’ve only seen it in books. It’s actually this big.”RDtiAwFDOwiltfVOwEJRjZCMgHdnZE

Su Yin nodded happily. “I got it from my grandfather. This flower was picked six or seven years ago, and it hasn’t decayed at all. Truly a rare flower.”RtVDbsNBvFnREMIdiwaAQRzdgBSfNo

Xiao Bao noticed the dark circles under Su Yin’s eyes. In just a month, he had lost considerable weight, and his face was full of fatigue, but his gaze remained resolute and powerful, always exuding a sense of pressure and conviction.JrAgEWtmqFvxQbPodziVznmcyTqnHF

When Su Yin was supporting the whole family, what was he doing? He could only hide in an airtight room every day, wrapped in thick blankets, staring blankly at the fireplace, watching Zhao Cai Jin Bao, who was sweating profusely, insist on staying with him.zxopEcCwxJZBzPjDQMrZcMuKPNgjDs

That’s what it means to be a man. What kind of man was he?uHIuMGJSIluPwReayfNjWZIrcJcEVd

Looking at that hard-won, enchanting magical flower, Xiao Bao felt a deep sense of suffocation in his chest.YnlgSLRXFwpSMocfGySJfjSlBNpHev

When he was still the young master Jin, he never considered such questions. Now, he couldn’t ignore them. What does it mean to be a man?KSlsughJljerpkwQZsCzXPpVMoldvq

It certainly wasn’t him, who was useless and couldn’t survive without others. His existence not only failed to bear or undertake anything but was a huge burden. Without him, Su Yin could have more time and energy to focus on crucial matters. Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, with their excellent martial skills, could make a name for themselves in Jianghu, but they were tied to him as mere servants . Even their monthly expenses were paid by Su Yin.hpBzLmjKDpouONGuFxslWRRWUBxzJe

From the moment he ceased to be the young master Jin, his self-loathing had hardly ever stopped. In his high-spirited days, when had he ever thought about what else he had besides an endless supply of money?WuAiTRqWIMzPpEYmDOdnYiIdGwMYRj

That persistent sense of frustration and inferiority seemed to fester and grow in the deathly still room, making Xiao Bao increasingly lifeless.jfdWoiWGBEvusMQAewGrfnsMQxpLqm

So much so that he didn’t even notice that Jin Bao seemed like a lost soul, sporting huge dark circles under his eyes every day, and reacting to Que Siming like a rabbit encountering a wolf, his eyes reddening with urgency.OuJaSZaSfrqQWfuDpgaSpCLNeuDFYf

Except for Que Siming, who always looked leisurely and at ease, everyone else spoke less and less, until an unexpected visitor broke the silence.FczsJNgvkmnhYFXICEZdPpOXrWzBbl

It was already the twelfth lunar month, and because of the high altitude, Dali was even colder. Su Yin was practicing martial arts in the courtyard, wearing only a thin dark blue martial outfit. He stood tall and imposing, exuding an extraordinary aura. His exceptionally handsome face appeared even fairer and brighter under the gloomy sky, and his expressive eyes conveyed an aura of arrogance and composure that seemed to dominate the world. One could say that any woman who saw him would likely be captivated.ncIMlnhSHoAiUVbJNtCQkxoJJgQBWa

At that moment, he was practicing a vigorous set of punches, his movements so fierce that the surrounding air seemed to flow with him, creating a scene where the world appeared empty.cFCXDpFTlUzjUzrDSSqRNbfucvyAEv

Suddenly, a clear voice pierced through the somber atmosphere.qaqkxQHjbPBFJPSiqFZEWWAsCbVGjH

“Gege!!” The voice was crisp and lively, carrying the vitality and energy of a young person, and was incredibly pleasant to the ear.CFrqcFUhLatafmqgiVpiBAtgOqvdqx

Su Yin paused, his movements momentarily freezing, only to see a bright figure leap into his arms and tightly hug his waist.mmOQPWfNJidSPQlTsapYfSqSRopaTm

The boy in his arms lifted his face, beaming with joy, his smile blooming like a flower. He appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, with exquisitely delicate features, his cheeks as white and tender as milk with a hint of rosy red. His brows already showed signs of heroism, and his overall temperament was quite outstanding, as if he radiated light.lZFuEWmuSHMmXlqykoteCmYjedhvtn

Su Yin’s initial surprise gradually turned to calmness. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke, “Your Highness, it’s improper to embrace me like this.”rcmnefByWqHTgAUDrahXyjTovjbBpG

The boy was taken aback, then frowned and said, “Gege, it’s just the two of us here. Why be so distant? Just call me by my name.”YNDsneKcckeVXLZCXCStbKNNNlYZDC

Su Yin also frowned, trying to pry the boy’s arms off as he said, “Things are different now. Your Highness is beginning to engage in politics and should conduct himself appropriately.”CQNkeZroUqSDwIutySbthzvxSKtSMW

The boy glared in dissatisfaction, tightening his hold around Su Yin and refusing to let go. He said unhappily, “We haven’t seen each other for almost three years. I finally got a chance to come see you, and you’re making it difficult for me right away. I don’t care, you have to call me by my name like before. Quickly, call me.”eKPbDCBIeXklgeZTtbBxHwEvixadhI

The boy was clearly skilled in martial arts, clinging to Su Yin like an octopus. Su Yin didn’t dare to hurt him and found himself unable to break free, only getting more entangled. Su Yin sighed helplessly, “Your Highness…”jmjMicLASGUQQmkqEACCvcdViLunzp

The boy barked, “Call me by my name! I command you to call me by my name!” In that moment, with a glare and a raised eyebrow, he exuded a natural authority.VuLiRLXDGGETGlMfQeUfQZWLxCUvGU

Su Yin had no choice but to say, “Shao Yu, please let go of me.”gqexVOCTUQOnIiGzyKrbfCTyDxbKxW

Upon hearing this, the boy’s eyes immediately lit up, and he smiled brightly, hugging Su Yin and acting spoiled. “No, let me hold you a little longer. I’ve missed you so much, gege. Have you missed me?”uGKwbMhzwHXVziaBYGjLnaCEdKYEYm

Su Yin patted his head. “Of course, gege has missed you. But how did you manage to sneak out?”jXJjlENSzzIYUTlwNGFUbjJQCkRYTC

The boy, looking proud as if seeking praise, said triumphantly, “A few months ago, I first ran from Lin’an to my fourth uncle, but you had gone to Yunnan, so I missed you and was summoned back by my father. As the New Year approached and my father got busy, I snuck out again. I want to spend the New Year with you, gege.”avXIKBsQPeKOUWEoSILweIqctjRGiq

Su Yin sighed, “Shao Yu, you can’t be so willful. As the Crown Prince, you have to take responsibility. You must understand that your every action affects the entire kingdom.”RlmoCTsNnPEJQZgWOSDiDoksPiEeyo

The boy, Zong Zheng Shao Yu, the Crown Prince, immediately shook his head. “Gege, don’t talk like my fourth uncle. If I don’t take this chance to see you more now, I’ll have even less time once I become emperor.” Then he rolled his eyes and smiled, “When I become emperor, I’ll make you a high-ranking official. No, that’s not enough. I’ll make you the empress, gege, hehe.” Zong Zheng Shao Yu joked half-seriously, but his eyes sparkled with a determination unusual for someone his age, as if he was intent on getting what he wanted.spEdAeahaBiwNSIpTjnhROjeAdHvMp

Su Yin gave an uneasy smile and didn’t respond.QUaJZfhnsJxMSnERcWCirKKdDyrXUx

Over the years, he had encountered countless people, especially those with ulterior motives, so he couldn’t miss the obvious affection. He had been deliberately avoiding Shao Yu, hoping that as he grew older, his feelings would normalize. However, it seemed that instead of fading, Shao Yu’s feelings had only intensified with age. This gave Su Yin a headache and an unsettling premonition. How could he handle the affection of the future emperor?ygGduJcuLdfyoIhENTXERxooTzQElz

Zong Zheng Shao Yu didn’t mind the lack of response, smiling as he raised his hand to measure himself. “Look, gege, I’ve grown taller. I’m up to your shoulder now. In another three or four years, I’ll definitely be taller than you.”XeoAMLDlAKDETmdMIgRXbNgMERtHiV

Su Yin smiled and said, “You will.”XjAhmzyOAUniOlpxEChWfDuQKDpUPK

“My martial arts will surpass yours too. By then, I’ll be able to capture you easily.”EYTvAHfSpNZpbDBYcJcKLXHZsQtXOr

Su Yin continued to smile and nod.QlFFZFoMJaUAVckiqfLvPIEFfGVgYl

“And guess what, gege? This year’s royal hunt, I won again. The archery and horsemanship you taught me are so useful, much better than what those masters teach. When will you come to Lin’an to teach me archery and hunting again?”PRPRGVbSoQqLfedakDcdEikbNVAjqb

Su Yin replied, “If there’s a need, I will naturally go.”wtYNqqQLbALzSbDViXnOfCWYeHwSMX

Zong Zheng Shao Yu pouted, “Can’t you come just to see me even if there’s no need?”jgUUhUxEOfKUNKMBNVKLPTFxTHHUmr

“The journey is long; it’s not something that can be done on a whim.”fiUGfjmpwBHDfHbtBZDHZYspgEqhNt

Zong Zheng Shao Yu clearly sensed his coldness, reluctantly releasing his hold on Su Yin’s waist, though he thought longingly, “Such a slender yet strong waist, and his scent is so pleasant…”QVEQrEgfnRQmZECtySNcUTODIXLvyQ

Su Yin breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “Did my grandfather arrange a place for you to stay?”qQHZkxeWksHosjaZrQhjnOQdXAjJvm

“No, Prince Li doesn’t even know I’m here. I wanted to surprise you. Naturally, I’m staying with you.”GDEaNlZIjkDnjJSwusFjVYjvjCkycr

Clearly, he had snuck out to avoid being discovered. Su Yin decided he’d send a secret letter to Prince Shen through his grandfather, asking him to take this troublemaker back quickly.dCORvCFjKTXUaPuYSsDFCUZoXlnMYz

With no other choice, Su Yin led him inside. It was too cold outside, and he couldn’t afford to let this young master catch a chill.fCOpuyDhBiXMHmjtOhLHtAkjtLhnbG

Zong Zheng Shao Yu immediately clung to Su Yin’s arm again, refusing to be separated from him.uhiEOfPMpXOiTEHkZNqFswtOCEzfDL

Upon entering, Su Yin carefully closed the outer door before opening the door to the inner room. Xiao Bao was still in the bedroom inside. Su Yin instinctively didn’t want him to see Xiao Bao but couldn’t avoid it. Just as he was pondering how to explain, the bedroom door suddenly opened.trriZNHQItRiRgfNcgCsBJvOwnHUto

Xiao Bao, opening the door, said, “Su Yin, I heard someone…” His words stuck in his throat as he stared in shock at the young boy beside Su Yin, who wore a cold and hostile expression.rEztGrQkLPOQrsDkwJVEoSOAKaIdtz

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