Chapter 128: Side Story 3: The Mountain Has Trees, the Trees Have Branches

—The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches; my heart delights in you—do you know?

—Obsessive fantasies are a sickness; they must be cured.

It was the vernal equinox, when the weather was still chilly despite the first warmth; outside, a fine rain fell incessantly, and droplets occasionally drifted in through the half‑open window, dampening the clothes and hair of the person by the window.

A Bi hurried forward a few steps, reached out to close the window, but she heard the lady beside her speak in a voice threaded with endless sorrow: "Willow threads are long, spring rain is fine, beyond the flowers the sound drifts afar. Red candles behind, embroidered curtains hang, dreaming of you, you do not know."

"Miss…," A Bi said tenderly, her eyes full of pity as she looked at the lady's gaunt, haggard face, "The spring rain is chilling; prolonged exposure will bring illness."

The woman in white, leaning by the window, slowly extended her hand, her palm as smooth as congealed cream, to catch the falling spring rain; her almond eyes, rippling like water, gazed at the misty spring scene and, as if speaking in a dream, said, "I actually wish I could truly fall ill; if I were sick, perhaps I could see him once more. I am not greedy—I only desire to see him one more time."

"Miss! How can you gamble with your own body?" A Bi shouted, stepped forward, forcefully shut the window to keep out the rain, then dragged the lady—her hands and face already chilled to ice—back to the bedside, consoling, "Miss, there are plenty of fine men in the world; why cling to a single one? With your grace, talent, and learning, you could even enter the palace and become a noble consort. Doctor Xiao, however magnificent, is still a married man. Would you still be willing to be a concubine?"

"Indeed, how could I willingly be a concubine?" The woman in white lowered her curved long lashes, hot tears sliding from her eyes, "But A Bi, matters of the heart are beyond our control. Every day, the thought that I will never see him again leaves me feeling life has no attachment."

A Bi, seeing her lady's tearful, heart‑broken state, felt endless pity and regret, sighing, "Honestly, you and Doctor Xiao are as beautiful as figures stepped out of a painting; together you look like a pair of golden boy and jade girl, far more fitting than his wife. It's a pity… if only you had met Doctor Xiao earlier."

"What if we met late? Is there any man in this world that my sister Wan'er cannot match?" A resonant voice suddenly came from outside, and the lightly ajar wooden door was pushed open, revealing a tall man. "Wan'er, tell me, which lucky lad have you set your eyes on? Brother will have the emperor himself arrange the marriage!"

"Brother—!" Si Tu Wan exclaimed with delight, "You're back?"

Si Tu Lei strode to his sister's side, gazing at her gaunt, pale face, and frowned, "Damn! A Bi, I was away only three months, yet Wan'er has lost an entire circle of weight. How have you been attending to the lady?"

"Young master, calm yourself!" A Bi, panicked, fell to her knees, trembling, "It's not that the maid is inattentive; it's truly… the lady, for Doctor Xiao, neglects tea and food, washing her face with tears all day—how could she not lose weight?"

Si Tu Lei, eyes flashing cold, snorted, "What a Doctor Xiao—he can't even look at my sister. I want to see what kind of a creature he really is."

A Bi whispered cautiously, "Doctor Xiao doesn't disdain the lady; he married years ago."

"So what if he's married?" Si Tu Lei flashed a brazen grin, "He can still take a concubine. With Wan'er's grace and family standing, I doubt any man in this world wouldn't be moved."

"Brother, you must not!" Si Tu Wan cried, tears brimming, looking at the brother who had always answered her pleas, choking, "Doctor Xiao loves his wife dearly; how can you, using your power, tear them apart?"

Si Tu Lei seized his sister's slender wrist, a strange curl at his mouth, "When both sides' affection is as solid as gold, that's true rivalry. If that man shifts his love elsewhere, can we blame others? Moreover, my sister only has you to reject him; how could he possibly not want you?"

Having said that, he hauled Si Tu Wan outward. She staggered, opened her mouth to protest, but her gaze dimmed; after gently closing her eyes for a moment, she quickened her steps, matching her brother's pull.

No matter what, she wanted to see him once more. Even if it meant trampling her pride, even if she were cursed, she would not regret it even unto death.

At that moment, Bing Yi half‑opened her eyes; the cool, faintly medicinal scent of the human‑flesh pillow beneath her moved gently, causing her to wake as well.

"Bing Yi, it's already the end of the Wei hour; get up, or the night will be sleepless again." Qi Ran brushed her reddened, warm face, swept aside hair clinging to her skin, and said softly.

While speaking, he lowered his head, glanced at the small spot of his collar stained with saliva, then leisurely unbuttoned his nightclothes, revealing a chest as white as jade and a tight, well‑proportioned set of abdominal muscles.

Bing Yi lay on the bed as if without bones; one hand covered her face to block the light, the other hand, as if guided by a ghost, reached out, poked at the artwork‑like perfect abs, then touched them again.

Qi Ran paused, his hand that had taken the clothing, then grasped the mischievous little hand at his waist, yanked the boneless‑soft figure into his arms, lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to her petal‑soft mouth.

The gentle, water‑like kiss quickly turned scorching, becoming as aggressive as a raging storm; the mingling fluids and interlaced breaths made the afternoon chamber's temperature soar.

His scorching palms lifted the thin hem of the nightclothes, winding over the cream‑smooth skin, kneading heavily. Shattered moans intertwined with heavy panting, like the most exquisite music.

Bing Yi felt as if a fire burned inside her; her already soft body seemed to turn completely into water, her legs on the bed's edge went limp, nearly slipping out of Qi Ran's embrace.

Qi Ran's lips barely left his breath‑broken wife; he turned, sat on the bed's edge, lifted her sideways with both hands, settled her onto his lap, pulling her close. He intended to perform a movement that would not disturb sleep yet benefit body and mind.

But suddenly a voice from the courtyard, belonging to Xiao Si, broke the scene: "Young master, an honored guest has arrived."

Qi Ran's motion halted, his face dark enough to seem ink could drip. This Xiao, completely lacking sense, kept charging head‑on—already more than once; if it weren't because he was the elder brother's guard gifted to Bing Yi, he would have torn this fellow apart.

Xiao, waiting too long for a reply, couldn't help raising his voice: "Young master, you rescued Miss Si Tu last time; now even her brother has come, saying he wants to thank you properly!"

The veteran servant Xiao, who had been serving for ten thousand years, waited half a day without response, about to shout again, when someone suddenly covered his mouth and nose and dragged him out of the courtyard.

Bing Yi, lying in Qi Ran's arms with a half‑smile, looked at her dark‑eyed husband and said softly, "Si Tu Wan'er really came quickly; this is clearly a life‑saving debt that can't be repaid, a willingness to give herself entirely, right? With a beauty in his arms, what would Doctor Xiao think?"

Qi Ran frowned, his expression unkind as he looked at her, "If it weren't for those women under your command, always pitying the world and insisting on rescuing the dying, would I have gotten tangled in this trouble?"

"Ahem…," Bing Yi coughed weakly twice, hugged his neck and kissed the corner of his lips, soothing, "No matter what, publicly you're a doctor; not treating the wounded is still wrong. Since the guests have arrived, we must entertain them. If it truly becomes too troublesome, we can simply throw them out."

Qi Ran's complexion finally improved a bit; he got up, dressed, put on a mask, and was about to leave the room when he suddenly turned back, as if nonchalantly saying, "A few days ago Qian Xuan sent word that there's some movement at the Chuyun Mountain iron mine; your relay station hasn't reached there yet, so perhaps tomorrow send Xiao Si to handle it, that would also help brother."

Having said that, he left the room without looking back, leaving a bewildered Bing Yi alone on the bed, both laughing and crying.

Bing Yi, after dressing and washing, stepped outside; a fresh scent of pear blossoms and grass rose to her nose. She inhaled deeply, stretched her limbs, and felt completely at ease.

After returning from a sea voyage, they stayed in the capital of Qi for several months, then bid farewell to Wei Lingfeng, traveling onward, eventually settling in the pleasant, mountain‑by‑sea territory of the original Ting state.

The house they now live in is a replica of a siheyuan‑style compound rebuilt from Bing Yi's simple sketches, with five courtyards in total, two gardens, and the estate spanning most of a hill. The spot where she stands is the largest area, the "Snow Pear Garden," featuring pavilions, towers, corridors, rockeries, and abundant flora and herbs; the most beautiful sight is the central lotus pond, which in August‑September bursts into fragrant blossoms, stunning from near and far.

The rear courtyard of Snow Pear Garden occupies half the estate, yet only she, her companions, and Bu Sha actually reside there. Xiao Si, Qiao Ke and others live in the central courtyard; the front courtyard is generally for receiving guests.

Although Qi Ran's primary occupation is a physician, he refuses to open his clinic to the public; thus his patients are either those who seek him out or those brought in by Qiao Ke's rescue work.

Bing Yi's current residence is grand and luxurious on the outside, exquisitely refined inside; even the bathroom was fashioned according to her description into a modern automated facility. The construction cost is staggering, and the annual maintenance alone is terrifying. Adding the expenses of Xiao Si, Qiao Ke and others, even though the wealth left by Bing Ling can rival a nation, it cannot be spent frivolously. Therefore, two years ago when Qi Ran settled here, he began reorganizing the remnants of Bing Ling's enterprises—such as the flower‑steamed Tianya Tower in Ye City, and the Chuyun Mountain iron mine in the former Key Kingdom.

As for Bu Sha, he disappears intermittently—sometimes to seek instruction at Xie Yan's secluded retreat, sometimes to raid a thousand li for a head he dislikes, and sometimes to avoid the deep affections of Cheng'er, Jiang Xiao Qi, etc. In any case, the reasons vary, but within a month he always returns to reside long‑term in Snow Pear Garden.

Bing Yi leisurely strolled toward the front courtyard, brushing against willow branches, touching grape trellises, becoming scented with grass and flowers, and after more than ten minutes arrived at the front courtyard.

Before she could ascend the front‑courtyard steps, a "crack" of a shattered cup rang out, and a stranger's angry voice shouted, "Do you think I'm now begging you to marry my sister? It's you who, while treating my sister, seduced her, making her love‑sick; now I won't let you take her former wife and marry her—that's the greatest mercy I could grant you. How dare you stall and resist? Do you think my title 'General Si Tu' is just for show?!"

"Brother, please stop," a woman's sobbing and the sound of clothing being tugged followed, "Doctor Xiao never seduced me; it's just that I… I was the one who unilaterally fell for him!"

Bing Yi gripped the door handle tightly, her fingernails digging into the wooden latch, feeling as if a breath were held in her chest, suffocating.

After a moment, Si Tu Wan's slightly hoarse yet still graceful voice sounded again: "Doctor Xiao, please believe me, I'm not here to bully you today. There's something I've been keeping inside; if I don't say it aloud, Wan'er would never be at peace even in death."

"Wan'er is just a commoner; why must you …"

"Brother, please stop verbally insulting Doctor Xiao." Si Tu Wan's voice trembled with anger, "That would make Wan'er feel even more humiliated than herself."

Bing Yi heard Si Tu Wan's brother let out a heavy snort, but said nothing further. The room was left with Si Tu Wan's restrained, intermittent sobs; after a while she spoke, filled with sorrow and hope: "Doctor…young master, I only wish to ask you one thing: On the mountain there are trees, and the trees have branches; my heart delights in you, but do you know it?"

"Know your sister—!! Using Jiang Xiao Qi's dumb theft of an ancient poem from my phone to lure my man, are you trying to die or what?!!"

Bing Yi "Bang—" kicked open the front hall's door, stepping slowly inside, standing beside Qi Ran, looking at the beautiful, pitiful woman, and sneered, "Miss Si Tu, you know he's a married man, yet you still recite love poems and indulge in delusional fantasies—that's a sickness, it must be cured!"

Si Tu Wan's face turned deathly pale; she stared blankly at the cold‑hearted Bing Yi and at Xiao Qi Ran, who naturally held her in his arms, her tears silently streaming.

"How pitiful, another one instantly slain by the miss." Maid A sighed, holding a tea tray against the doorpost.

"She's already lucky! The miss's strike is just an instant kill; if the young master acted, it would be a total disaster!" Maid B stole a piece of pastry from the tray, eating while retorting.

"Honestly, I think the miss works too hard; the young master attracts so many suitors." Maid C lowered her voice, "No wonder the miss keeps warning us that a man's appearance can't be a meal; it brings rotten love affairs and may be useless."

Before Maid C could finish, a sharp, glancing stare swept over, frightening the three; they instantly lifted the tea trays, clutching their heads and fled.

Situ Wan closed her eyes, tears like hot blood from her heart dripping away; when she opened them again, only resolute, unyielding obsession remained: "Lady Xiao, I know you look down on me, but…"

"Mother… Empress?" Situ Wan's words hadn't finished when a shout came from behind—Situ Lei excited, shocked, incredulous: "Is it really the Empress?!"

Bing Yi heard this long-unheard title; her first reaction was not surprise, but a chill that shot up from her spine, the hand of someone lightly resting on her waist clearly unmoving yet making her feel as if pricked by needles, unable to stand still.

She composed herself, took a deep breath, Bing Yi looked at the agitated man before her for a moment, but felt no familiarity, so she hesitated: "Who are you…?"

"I am Subordinate Situ Lei. Your Majesty, you forgot—when our Qi State forces were at death's door, you descended from heaven into the Emperor's embrace, miraculously saving us and General Xuan. This lifesaving, nation‑protecting grace I will never forget in my lifetime."

"Descended from heaven…" Qi Ran lowered his head, leaned close to Bing Yi's ear, and whispered like a lover: "Landing in elder brother's embrace? What a one‑in‑a‑million fate!"

"Just an accident… nothing but an accident!" Bing Yi bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, wishing to raise every hair: "Besides, you already knew this, didn't you? There's no reason to settle scores with me now."

Situ Lei listened to their unguarded conversation, his gaze slowly falling on the man wearing a silver‑gray mask yet unable to hide his peerless bearing; his unfocused eyes gradually sharpened, then suddenly contracted, and he trembled as he looked at Qi Ran: "Ice Ling Young Master… Peerless Divine Doctor—Xiao Qiran!"

That peerless visage, unmatched medical skill—in a world where north and south stand opposed and overwhelming power lies within reach, he yielded thousands of miles of land and vanished among temples and rivers and lakes, the legend—Xiao Qiran.

Situ Lei felt a cold sweat dampen his back, recalling his own recent threats and his sister's foolish infatuation; his heart lurched, his knees went weak, and with a "thud" he knelt on the ground.

Xiao Qiran glanced at him, his face dark, tone icy cold: "You'd best know what may and may not be spoken before Prince Qi."

Having said that, he almost forcibly pulled Bing Yi away; seeing her turn back as if to say something to Situ Lei, he simply seized her chin, kissed her deeply, flicked his form, and in the blink of an eye vanished from the front hall.

Still shaken, Situ Lei rose from the ground, saw his sister's ashen, lost expression, and involuntarily let out a long sigh, lightly pressing her shoulder as he whispered: "Waner, forget him—he's not someone you can entrust yourself to."

"But brother, you said the men of the world…"

"Men of the world may change their hearts, but Xiao Qiran never will." Situ Lei sighed, shook his head, and forcibly dragged his sister away from the Xiao Manor.

What a joke—who among the Emperor's close attendants doesn't know that Xiao Qiran personally founded the Yi State, spared no expense to unleash the Supreme Gu Technique, and relinquished the easily attainable throne and rivers and mountains, all for the woman at his side—Shui Bingyi?

"Men of the world may change their hearts, but Xiao Qiran never will?" Bing Yi clasped her hands, hung on his neck, her eyes full of mischievous sweetness.

Qi Ran lowered his head to lightly kiss her long lashes and thin eyelids, his voice hoarse: "Don't you believe it?"

Bing Yi rose on tiptoe, bit his lip—not too hard, not too light—seeing his reddened lips turn pale where she bit, she released her teeth, lifted her head, and gazed deeply at him, her eyes soft enough to seem to drip water: "Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter. You only need to know I will never be the first to let go of your hand. Shui Bingyi may love without the earth‑shaking, fervent intensity of Xiao Qiran, but my love is surely longer lasting, endless and continuous."

Qi Ran swept her into his arms, held her tight, yet spoke lightly: "We are fated to die on the same year, month, and day; do you think you still have a way out by letting go?"

Bing Yi played with the clasp on his chest, smiling helplessly: "Still angry? You said you flirted with gorgeous women, I wouldn't mind, yet you're still stewing over old vinegar… By the way, tonight I want sweet‑and‑sour fish slices, fermented red date chicken, crispy duck, matcha cream cake roll…"

Qi Ran glanced at her: "Eating too much at night causes indigestion; I'll save the last two dishes for tomorrow."

"Qi Ran, I love you so much!" Bing Yi happily hugged him and planted two heavy kisses on his lips.

Qi Ran affectionately yet helplessly held her as they sat by the pond, then suddenly thought of something and said: "Bu Sha has been gone for over half a month this time; I wonder what happened."

Bing Yi frowned at his words: "Yeah, Bu Sha really has been gone a long time this time, and even before he left I always sensed he had something on his mind."

Qi Ran nodded: "Probably due to a bottleneck in his martial arts; Bu Sha's cultivation has long surpassed mine, I can't guide him, he must figure it out himself."

Bing Yi suddenly took off the Gold and Silver Soul-Linking Bell from her ankle, shook it, listening to its clear, pleasant chime, and said somewhat dazedly: "Yesterday for a moment I felt Bu Sha wasn't on the Heaven and Harmony Continent, yet not far from us. You know that after the Ninefold Water Chant broke through the seventh cycle, via the pull of the Gold and Silver Soul-Linking Bell, I've become especially sensitive to spacetime fluctuations."

Qi Ran raised an eyebrow, tone tinged with surprise: "What do you mean?"

"Who knows!" Bing Yi recalled her son's wordless departure years ago, still gritting her teeth: "He's always been close to Shuo Er, knows as much about spacetime travel as I do, plus he's protected by a Spirit Butterfly. Maybe he's vanished right now just to go catch up with an old friend!"

Qi Ran burst into helpless laughter, patted his wife's angry cheek, and said softly: "Shuo Er insists on leaving without word; given Bu Sha's nature, how could we force him? All we need is to know they're both safe; the rest doesn't matter. What do you think?"

"Hmm…" Bing Yi murmured low against his chest: "No matter where they are, as long as Bu Sha and Bing Shuo live safely and happily, that's enough."

Spring breeze swept the earth, lifting willow leaves and petals, dispersing clouds and rain, letting warm sunlight shower the moist, fragrant soil. Lush greenery, perfumed blossoms—everything vibrant, refreshing the heart.

(End of chapter)