Chapter 17: Reasonably Free

In Yu Tingye’s dream, he held Wanwan’s hand and stepped forward toward his parents. Then, he knelt before them, begging for their forgiveness and pleading for their mercy. But what he received was a harsh rebuke:

“Xiao Ye, she is a demon, a devil. Father and mother will never allow you to associate with such a fiend.”

“Xiao Ye, you must avenge your parents and your clan. Kill her!”

“Xiao Ye, you cannot like her, let alone love her, or else your parents will never rest in peace!”

“Xiao Ye...”

Yu Tingye suddenly opened his eyes. The dream shattered instantly. Yun Xin collapsed to the ground with a thud, writhing in pain. He begged Yu Tingye, “Lord Tingye, please save me.”

Yu Tingye sat up and looked at him coldly. “You saw what you shouldn’t have.”

“Lord Tingye, please save me, I won’t tell anyone,” Yun Xin pleaded, blood continuously trickling from his mouth.

Yu Tingye ignored him.

Yun Xin reached out to grab him, but as soon as his hand touched Yu Tingye’s robe, his body gave out, and he fell dead.

Yu Tingye stared at the corpse for a while. Then, clenching his fists tightly, he crushed the body until there was no trace left.

—

Yu Tingye arrived at Yushan Village and stood before his parents’ graves. He fiercely slapped himself twice.

He had truly lost his mind.

—

He had actually taken that old demon to ask for his parents’ forgiveness.

Yu Tingye, what a disgrace you are!

He hated himself deeply and kept beating himself until he had no strength left.

—

As soon as Yu Tingye returned, he ordered Lin Xihe to be locked up in the prison.

Tang Xiner was overjoyed when she heard the news.

“Huawu, why do you think Brother Tingye locked up that old witch again?” Tang Xiner asked her maid while eating snacks.

Huawu shook her head, signaling she didn’t know.

Tang Xiner guessed, “That old witch is so flirtatious; she must have been fooling around with other men. Brother Tingye found out, and then...”

“That’s what the mistress says.”

“Ugh, boring.”

Tang Xiner closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of sunlight bathing her. “Huawu, Brother Tingye dotes on me so much, but why doesn’t he touch me? Could it be that I’m not pretty enough? Or maybe I lack the desire that makes men want me?”

“Mistress, Huawu doesn’t understand.”

“You only know fighting and killing and nothing else. So boring.”

“Sorry, mistress.”

—

In the dungeon,

A Jiu brought food to Lin Xihe but was stopped by the jailer, who said sternly, “Lord Tingye ordered that no one is allowed to see her except him.”

“Please have mercy, I’m just bringing food to my lady. It’ll only take a moment—”

“No.”

A Jiu tried every polite way to reason, but the jailer remained unmoved and kept pushing her away.

Helpless, A Jiu had to leave the food and walk away.

Lin Xihe lay flat in the cell. This time, Yu Tingye showed some mercy; he didn’t lock her up tightly but merely confined her.

She still had some freedom.

Lying on the floor with her head resting on her arms, she was utterly bored. So she began to sing, improvising wildly, and the more she sang, the more spirited she became...

Singing alone wasn’t enough, so she got up and started dancing.

She performed energetic dances and gentle ones as well. It might not have been perfect, but it was at least halfway convincing.

Yu Tingye stood in a hidden corner, watching her from afar. After a while, he turned and left.