Chapter 17: Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path

Part 1

(Thai version translated by me)

When Zhuan Xu was in Gao Xing, he depended on others for shelter. He had the high status of a prince, but he couldn't enjoy any happiness. Now that he has returned to Xuan Yuan and become closer to Chui Liang, he went to banquets every day to drink and seek pleasure, led by Chui Liang to experience those things that were alluring and debauched. Zhuan Xu tasted the excitement and began to gradually adopt Chui Liang's bad habits.
The quiet house where he once lived became filled with singing girls and dancing girls. It is not unusual for a womanizer to indulge in lust. Among the descendants of great families, who does not keep women? Chui Liang and his companions, to enhance the fun, felt that the wine was not strong enough, so they would sometimes take drug pills made by Wu Yi (a sorcerer and doctor) with magic herbs. If too many of these pills are taken, one will lose consciousness, but if taken in small doses, they will make one excited and hallucinate. In the drunken state of being lost in a dream, one will experience the greatest pleasure. Chui Liang offered it to Zhuan Xu to try. At first, Zhuan Xu refused to take it, and Chui Liang never forced him.

But Chui Liang had it more often. And the women at his side, kept provoking him by using her lips [she's like giving Ing Tao(cherry fruit)*] gave medicine from mouth-to-mouth.
 Finally, Zhuan Xu could no longer endure it. He tried it once. And with the first time came the second... Zhuan Xu and Chui Liang became even closer together. Chui Liang brought women to Zhuan Xu's residence to hang out.
When Xiao Yao found out in a fit of rage, she went straight to Huang Di and told him everything in precise detail, without holding anything back. Huanf Di ordered that Zhuan Xu and Chui Liang be whipped sixty times each. Zhui Liang was unable to get out of bed for a whole month. And in front of the officials, Huang Di proceeded to scolded and chastised Cang Lin and Yi Yang, who were made to kneel for over two hours.
Chui Liang was so terrified of Xiao Yao from then on. He didn't dare go near Zhuan Xu's residence place again. Whenever he encountered Xiao Yao, he would shy away.
So Zhuan Xu began to go back to his  little residence less and less, and would often go everywhere with Zhui Liang.
 No one in Xuan Yuan had ever paid attention to Zhuan Xu, so nobody felt sorry for him. Anyway, one more or less playboy in Xuan Yuan wasn't a big deal. Only General Ying Long was shocked when he saw Zhuan Xu drunk one time. He had come up to him in drunk state and made a pass at him. Ying Long slapped him and said, "I slapped you on behalf of your parents."
Stunned from the slap, Zhuan Xu finally came to his senses. Feeling ashamed, he closed his door and stayed in his room, trying to repent. But he hadn't been able to stay in his room a few days before Chui Liang came to see him when Xiao Yao wasn't around. After only a few drinks, Zhuan Xu went out with Chui Liang again.

In the beginning, Zhuan Xu still had some conscience. He felt ashamed for several days before going out on a crazy spree for several days. As time passed, the number of days that his feeling of ashame decreased. Finally, one day, he met Ying Long again. Ying Long tried to teach him a lesson, but Zhuan Xu drew out his whip and lashed out at Ying Long. Chui Liang and the others quickly dragged Zhuan Xu away and ran away. Ying Long was an important confidant of  Huang Di, who had followed him in conquering the land. Like a stone in a toilet, Ying Long's disposition was both foul and hard. Even Cui Liang's father, Cang Lin, feared and respected Ying Long. How could Chui Liang dare to make trouble for him? In Xuan Yuan, the person who was most grieved because of Zhuan Xu was A Nian.
She often reminded Zhuan Xu, but every time, Zhuan Xu would respond gently, but as soon as he turned around, he would forget everything. Zhuan Xu did not return to the house in the end.
A Nian was unfamiliar with Xuan Yuan city, and did not know where to go. She could only wait in pain every day and night. It was not easy to wait until Zhuan Xu returned, but he was so drunk that he did not know what she was saying. He pretended to agree to everything as before, but he could not fulfill a single thing. A Nian was pushed to the brink of desperation. She quarreled with Zhuan Xu and even cursed him. But no matter how gently she urged him or how willfully she made a fuss, even threatening to return to Gao Xing and ignore him forever, Zhuan Xu just slowly agreed in a soft voice. A Nian no longer had the mood to be angry. She began to cry and wail, resentful of Xuan Yuan city!

In the greatest mainland city, she suffered the most helpless and distressing blow in her life.

As she watched Zhuan Xu gradually transform into a stranger, embracing different woman every single time, she still could not muster the will to stop Jiansu because of Zhuan Xu’s affairs.
A Nian’s pair of eyes that had never known sorrow were filled with gloom, as if she had suddenly become an adult. After a long hesitation, A Nian finally lowered her head and pleaded with Xiao Yao, asking Xiao Yao to stop Zhuan Xu from visiting Chui Liang. If that was really impossible, she was willing to take Zhuan Xu back to Gao Xing. Xiao Yao said helplessly, “It’s not that I haven’t stopped him. I’ve already warned him and fought with him, and even invited grandfather to come and sort things out as if he should have been beaten when he should be beaten, and killed when he should be killed, but you’ve already seen the results.”
 A Nian was so distressed that she burst into tears. Xiao Yao said, “You’ve already done everything that can be done. If you really don’t want to see him anymore, then go back to Gao Xing.”
Xiao Yao’s calmness and A Nian’s sadness were completely different.Ah Lian suddenly became angry at Xiao Yao. “You cold-blooded fiend! If it weren’t for you, big brother wouldn’t have come back to Xuan Yuan. It was because you wanted to come back and worship your wicked mother and had big brother escort you back that he came to Xuan Yuan. If big brother hadn’t come back to Xuan Yuan, none of these things would have happened! Since you already disappeared, why did you come back again? Someone like you shouldn’t have come back at all!”
Xiao Yao stared at Ah Lian and said, “Don’t speak disrespectfully of my mother, or don’t blame me for not caring about our sisterhood!”
A Nian felt a chill in her heart, but she refused to admit that she was afraid, and shouted even more loudly, “I’ve never thought of you as an older sister before, and you don’t have any of an older sister’s kindness!”

Is it possible that if she were not a wicked woman, would abandon her husband? She is indeed a wicked woman who ran away with some barbarian..". A loud slap was heard. Xiao Yao slapped A Nian in the face and A Nian fell to the ground, trembling. Xiao Yao said, "This is not Gao Xing, but Xuan Yuan. The person you insulted is Princess Xuan Yuan, who fought bravely in the war to protect the people of Xuan Yuan. To this day, everyone still remember her grace and miss her. Based on the few words you said, Huang Di could have taken it as an excuse to attack Gao Xing. If you want to cause trouble, go back to Gao Xing! Don't cause trouble here in Xuan Yuan!" Xiao Yao instructed Hai Tang, "Take her back to her room and wait for the poison to wear off in half an hour." Hai Tang did not dare to say anything more. She quickly picked up Ah Nian and left. Xiao Yao waited outside the door of Zhuan Xu's room. Zhuan Xu returned home unconscious, carried by his guards. The maidservants were all very experienced, and they skillfully helped Zhuan Su change his clothes and go to bed. Xiao Yao asked them to leave and sat by the bed.
She watched as Zhuan Xu acted out the scene, but Zhuan Xu had never consulted with her, so she could only play along without understanding anything. Xiao Yao lifted Zhuan Xu's wrist to check his pulse, then popped a pill into his mouth. Zhuan Xu slowly regained consciousness. Xiao Yao said, "If you continue to act out this scene, the other scenes will have to end because you are becoming a cripple."

Zhuan Xu looked at Xiao Yao. "What if it's not an act? What if I've truly changed?"
"What are you trying to test? You don't consult with me because you want to see if I will abandon you? Sorry, you can't test this, because I understand you thoroughly. I know that you're acting. Why are you doing such childish nonsense?"
Zhuan Xu sighed. "Sometimes people can be stupid." He really wanted to know how Xiao Yao would treat him if he really became a good-for-nothing. "If I really became like I am now, will there come a day when you can't stand it anymore and leave me?"
Xiaoyao smiled helplessly. "You should ask yourself that same question. If one day I were to become so terrible that no one could stand me, would you abandon me?"
Zhuan Xu gathered his thoughts for a moment and then said, "No! If you really became like that, something terrible must have happened to you. I would have to stay by your side to take care of you, to help you gradually improve. Even if you don't want to get better... that's fine. I'll still stay by your side."
Xiao Yao asked, "Do you know my answer now?"
Zhuan Xu smiled and nodded as Xiao Yao said, "Those drugs that you're taking... why didn't you tell me to prepare an antidote beforehand?"
"Don't worry, I've already asked Wu Ma. These medicines are addictive. For ordinary people, they might be terrifying, but I can endure it. Since I've decided to act, I must do it realistically. I want to make them believe that I'm trustworthy and that they should exile me to the Central Plains. I have to make them believe that I'm helpless."
"It's not just addictive. In fact, these medicines are all slow-acting poisons that will destroy your internal organs."

Zhuan Xu smiled, “Isn’t it because there is you?”
Xiao Yao said, “Even if you can remove the poison in the future, but there will be an effect on your magical powers.”
Zhuan Xu smiled as he said, “Didn’t I say it initially? I don’t rely on magical powers to survive?”
“How long more do you need to have it?”
“It’s almost done, we’ll be able to go to the Central Plains very soon.”
Xiao Yao said, “A Nain is very sad, she’s not sad that you have changed, actually from the looks of it, for upperclass children who have never been troubled about food and accommodation in their lives, you indulging in your desires is not a frightening thing. There’s no need for her to wash her face in tears everyday like this… I can see from the look in her eyes when she looks at those women of yours, I think the love she has for you is not just the love of siblings.”
  Zhuan Xu covered his eyes, “What do you want me to do?”
“How would I know? But you must remember, she’s my father’s daughter. Not only does my father feed you, but he also taught you knowledge and skills.”
The truth is, Xiao Yao rather wanted A Nain to return to Gao Xing, thus she purposely made things difficult for her so as to force her to return to Gao Xing. But how could A Nain be willing to go?
Zhuan Xu sighed deeply, “I understand, which is why I have always sincerely protected and taken care of her, not like how I treat those group of Xing Yue.”
“There’s still a group of?” Xiao Yao twisted his ear ruthlessly, “Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt only had each other in their entire lives, they did not abandon each other, and when they lived and when they died they were together. You are completely different from Fourth Uncle, I really want to see how many women you can get involved with in this lifetime.”

Zhuan Xu bared his teeth and rubbed his ears, looking as if he had been wronged. "I didn't want to meddle in this at all."
Xiao Yao didn't bother with him, stood up to leave, and sarcastically asked,"Should I call a woman in for you?"
Zhuan Xu closed his eyes. "I still feel dizzy!"
Xiao Yao closed the door and went back to her own room. Xiao Yao lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep. A Nian's condemning words towards her mother were the greatest horror hidden deep in her mind. She didn't want to think back on it. But in front of her, the blood-red dress kept appearing. That man was arrogant, and crazy, as if he would trample the whole world under his feet, but the eyes he looked at her mother were so gentle and deep. As for the eyes her mother looked at him with... At the time, Xiao Yao didn't understand, but now she did.
Mother's tears seemed to still be on her face, and Xiao Yao couldn't help but reach out to touch her cheek, intending to wipe away the tears. But she found nothing.
 Xiao Yao was so scared that she sat up straight away, opened the small chest at the head of the bed, and took out a bottle of plum wine from it amidst the many bottles and jars of poison that were lined up.
This was the wine that Jing had sent. She didn't know if he had already dragged out the traitors, or thought of a way to hide it from his grandmother, or perhaps because Zhuan Xu and Feng Long had reached an agreement together, hence they trusted Jing more and were willing to use a secret guard to contact him. In any case, every two months now, Xiao Yao would receive two bottles of plum wine through Zhuan Xu.

Xiao Yao drank a few gulps and felt a surge of energy from Jing, which comforted her. Xiao Yao dispelled all her thoughts and feelings about her mother. She drank while thinking about her father, and gradually smiled. The fear diluted. Her heart clearly told her: her father loved her very much! She must be her father’s daughter!
Suddenly, a person jumped in through the window, quickly closing it right after. The sound of yelling soldiers could be heard outside, apparently chasing someone. Xiao Yao didn’t cry out or move, only playing with the wine bottle in her hands. She expressed some dissatisfaction as being disturbed. “I won’t be forced by you to hide you. Leave as soon as possible; it’s not too late to find someone else.”
The intruder evidently didn’t accept Xiao Yao’s suggestion. He walked to the bed, and Xiao Yao started counting down for him: “One, two, three...” When she got to ten, he still hadn’t fallen. Xiao Yao knew the newcomer possessed profound power, and no poison could fell him. The man raised his clenched fist and sat down on Xiao Yao’s bed.
Xiao Yao said, “Even if you have profound power, you’ve already been hurt. I still advise you not to come looking for me.” The man wore a mask, and he looked at Xiao Yao silently. Xiao Yao’s body tensed up. A feeling told her that this man was someone she knew.
She reached out and the man did not stop her.

Xiao Yao slowly removed the mask and it was Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao forced a smile and said, "I somewhat hoped that you would come to visit my bedroom at odd hours on purpose."
Fang Feng Bei did not speak, so Xiao Yao asked, "Do you not know how to meet with your buddies for drinks and hang out ? Why did you have to come to me?"
"You said it yourself, they are buddies for drinks and hangout"
As soon as Fang Feng Bei spoke, some fresh blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away indifferently.
Xiao Yao really did not know what to do, but she could not not grab his wrist, and take out the healing medicine that Wang Mu(Royal Mother) had given her, and give some to Fang Feng Bei."You should lie down."
Fang Feng Bei lay down on the bed, Xiao Yao also lay down, and covered herself with the blanket."My elder brother cannot control the situation now, and my status is not such that I can be of use. In a moment, if the others were to forcefully come in and search, I would be helpless."
Fang Feng Bei did not speak, Xiao Yao felt that tonight, he was acting very strangely. Just as she was thinking about it curiously, a commotion was heard outside. Xiao Yao could do nothing but wait quietly.
She whispered and asked, "What on earth did you go and do? You did not go to assassinate Huang Di, did you? It likely is not that, there are many assassins who boldly and recklessly come and die tragically. An intelligent person like yourself would not do such a foolish thing."
Fang Feng Bei still ignored her.Xiao Yao sighed and said, "It is truly a pity that you are not really a wastrel!"

Chapter 17: Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path

Part 2

(Thai version translated by me)

The maid knocked at the door. Xiao Yao let her knock for a while before acting as just waking up and asked, “What is it? What’s the commotion outside?”
 The maid replied: “It’s Chi Zi. He’s leading the soldiers to arrest people.”
“Chui Liang?” Xiao Yao covered herself with a coat and stood up.
“He wants to search this place?”
“Brother is still unconscious!” Another maid uttered anxiously: “Princess, hurry and get dressed! The soldiers have searched the Prince’s room, making a total mess of it. The clothes were all torn to shreds. I’m afraid they’ll come and lay hands on you in a moment!” Xiao Yao clenched her fists. She had to admire the Zhuan Xu’s great tolerance. He was a Prince but still let soldiers ransack his room until it was in a shambles.
 Xiao Yao opened the door and let the two maids in. She sat upright.
The two maids offered timidly, “Those soldiers are all very crude. Princess, why not leave for a while? We’ll stay here.” Xiao Yao smiled faintly: “That’s fine. I’d like to see for myself.”
A group of soldiers were ransacking every room. As if having heard of Xiao Yao’s ferocity, they all tried their best to avoid her. A group of soldiers searched their way into A Nian’s room. The soldiers weren’t that polite.
As soon as Hai Tang opened the door, they immediately thought of rushing in.

*Chi Zi:The eldest son born from the official wife, who will inherit the title of Prince

Hai Tang was not polite either. She took action immediately. Hai Tang was trained by Xun Di to protect A Nian. It was a small matter to teach these soldiers a lesson.
Xiao Yao sat on the bed and laughed non-stop when she saw it. Xuan Yuan Guards have always been known for their courage and recklessness. Under the command of the four low-level divine soldiers. They set up the formation in a short while, surrounding Hai Tang. Hai Tang gradually began to show signs of exhaustion.
Xiao Yao sighed secretly. It was no wonder that Huang Di was able to make the world fear him. Even a group of ordinary soldiers were not afraid of the powerful Divine Race.
A Nian walked out of the room and waved her hand, shooting out a row of ice blades, causing several soldiers to fall down. However, she knew how to spare their lives and did not inflict fatal injuries. More soldiers swarmed in and formed a formation to besiege A Nian. There were also two Demon Race members riding mounts in the sky, looking as if they were planning to scout the situation clearly before attacking and killing in one go.
Xiao Yao said to the maidservant, "Go and ask Chui Liang if he doesn't want to live anymore?"One maidservant hesitated and did not dare to go, but the other maidservant did not hesitate at all. She walked to the door and shouted loudly, "The princess asks if the prince doesn't want to live anymore?"
In an instant, Chui Liang smiled apologetically and walked in. He bowed to Xiao Yao, who was sitting on the couch. "Why did elder sister say that?" As he got up, his gaze swept across the room. Xiao Yao smiled and said, "I don't know what's in your mind. You have eyes but no vision. Look at that maidservant. Do you think an ordinary person can use such a person? It's not that I look down on you, but among those women around you, I'm afraid you can't even find a young lady with such a beautiful appearance and high cultivation."
"I think it is my elder sister's person," said Chui Liang with an ambiguous tone.
"No, she is my younger sister's maid," Xiao Yao retorted, pointing at A Nian.Chui Liang's face changed immediately, and he shouted, "Stop!"His expression was unreadable. "Princess Gao Xing has come to visit, but your elder sister has kept her arrival secret?" What angered him more was that no one had even informed him of it.
Xiao Yao squinted and said, "Do you think I can keep her here if I want to? It's just that my grandfather doesn't want you to know about it. He's afraid that you'll do something reckless and disturb my younger sister's peace. If you don't believe me, you can ask your father!"
Chui Liang had stopped, but A Nian had not. She took out all her pent-up grievances toward Zhuan Xu and her hatred toward Xiao Yao on the Xuan Yuan soldiers, beating them so hard that they all fell to the ground. She then asked furiously, "Who else wants to try?"
When Chui Liang learned that Huang Di had allowed A Nian to stay here. No matter how angry he was, he didn't dare show any dissatisfaction toward Xiao Yao. He smiled apologetically and said, "Please persuade the princess, elder sister. It's not that I intended to offend her. I just didn't know about her arrival."
Xiao Yao stood up and lifted the curtain for Chui Liang to see. "Aren't you going to thoroughly search my room?"Chui Liang quickly said, "I don't dare, I don't dare." But his eyes were still darting around. All he saw were some clothes and blankets lying in disarray, which showed that she had just gotten up in a hurry. On the corner of the bed, he faintly saw a red silk robe with flowers embroidered on it.


Chui Liang couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. Looking at Xiao Yao's chest according to his own instinct, thinking that his older sister probably wasn't wearing it...

    Xiao Yao herself had already seen her robe. Her face suddenly changed color and she hurriedly let go of the curtains. Her face turned cold, she forced himself to act firmly and said, “Get out!”
Chui Liang's heart felt even more itchy. He almost want to pet him. But no matter how much lust arises He didn't dare touch Xiao Yao but retreated

    Chui Liang thought about it. Xiao Yao's room had already been looked at. It didn't look like hiding a person. Right now, the person he was suspicious of was A Nian. But the soldiers were already beaten to the ground by A Nian. He didn't want to have a direct conflict with A Nian. After all, Xiao Yao was considered half family person. Is there anything lacking, could still be able to talk to grandfather. But if there really was a matter of harassment against A Nian, as such, it would be considered a blatant challenge to Gao Xing.

    Chui Liang stopped to think for a moment. Then he ordered the men to retreat from the small house, and instead watched from outside. On one side he asked for forgiveness from A Nian. On the other side, he said “Because there are criminals who are causing trouble. I was afraid that the princess would encounter danger, so I intended to send soldiers for protection.”

    A Nian's hated for Chui Liang was the cause of Zhuan Xu to astray. She almost wanted Chui Liang to say something wrong, giving her a chance to find trouble and teach him a lesson hard, and then to go and find  Huang Di to complaint. But Chui Liang purposely tuckled the favor. This made A Nian unable to find loopholes and find fault. But she was furious and went back into the room. And because her heart was open, and there is nothing to hide, A Nian didn't care at all about the soldiers outside.

    It was quiet outside. The two maids respectfully retreated and closed the door behind them.

    Xiao Yao extinguished the lamp, sat on the bed, and let down the curtains. Lift the blanket up. It revealed Fang Feng Bei's head.

She hissed, "Won't you suffocate to death?" Fang Feng Bei closed his eyes and ignored her.
 Xiao Yao couldn't light the lamp, so she stuck her hand under the covers and groped to touch his wrist to check on his condition. The rare special pill she had fed him earlier had no effect whatsoever. Xiao Yao let go of his hand and lay down, staring blankly at the rotting ceiling for a long time before asking, "Who are you, exactly?"
"Who do you want me to be?" Fang Feng Bei's voice was cold. Xiao Yao didn't make a sound. After a long pause, she said, "Whoever you want to be."
Fang Feng Bei half-raised himself, his head low down. His lips approaching at Xiao Yao's neck.
Xiao Yao put up a hand to stop him. "No!"
 His lips pressed against her palm.Fang Fengpei lay back down immediately. Xiao Yao turned sideways and offered him her wrist. "Bite here."
"Why not there?" Fang Fengpei asked, his face expressionless. Xiao Yao was suddenly reminded of the Fang Feng Bei who always acted as he pleased and enjoyed himself. "What do you think, Fang Feng Bei?"
Fang Feng Bei paused for a moment, holding Xiao Yao's wrist up. Several small, sharp fangs pierced into her wrist. This was the first time Xiao Yao had seen him drink her blood with her own eyes. She felt no pain, but instead a sense of cool pleasure, like a breeze blowing over her. Xiao Yao watched Fang Feng Bei intently. Fang Feng Bei glanced at Xiao Yao, and she hurriedly closed her eyes obediently.

She felt extremely weak, for she was still in terror of him!
After a while, Xiao Yao started to feel somewhat dizzy, but she refused to make a sound. This was Xuan Yuan City, and he needed to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible!
Fang Feng Bei stopped sucking her blood and gently licked Xiao Yao’s wound. Xiao Yao’s blood had already congealed and stopped flowing out. When he let go of Xiao Yao’s wrist, it was impossible to tell that she had been injured at all. It was as though he had merely given her a somewhat rough kiss.
Fang Feng Pei called out softly, “Xiao Yao.” Xiao Yao did not open her eyes, merely murmuring, “It’s nothing, just heal your wounds. I’ll be fine after a night’s sleep.”
Fang Feng Pei glanced over the medicinal herbs Xiao Yao had gathered before selecting one of the mineral water jade bottles and giving it to her to drink.
Next, Fang Feng Bei laid down, closing his eyes to heal his wounds.
Xiao Yao slept soundly until almost noon before she finally woke. When she opened her eyes, she immediately looked over at Fang Feng Bei. Only after seeing that he was still sound asleep did she finally relax.
Xiao Yao knew that, even though he could not move, he was still able to hear her. Thus, she whispered, “I’m hungry; I’ll go get something to eat. No one will be able to enter, so please focus on healing your wounds.”Xiao Yao stood up and hung up the curtain. She then made her way to the corner of the room, her movements as light as a feather as she changed her clothes. After finishing up her hair, she headed out. As she walked, she placed poison down every ten feet or so. She even placed a layer of poison in front of the door before she was finally left reassured.

Last night, a maid who was brave enough to relay a message to Chui Liang, rearranged the trees and grass in the courtyard. Xiao Yao quietly instructed her, "Keep an eye on them." Given that the maid had dared to deliver a message to Chui Liang the previous night, Xiao Yao was certain that she was  Zhuan Xu's person.
The maid held a watering can and glanced at the soldiers guarding the entrance before replying, "Yes, I understand. If anything happens, I will ring the alarm right away."
Xiao Yao laughed, "What is your name?"
"My name is Xiao Xiao."
When Xiao Yao entered Zhuan Xu's residence, A Nian was there too. Zhuan Xu was still lying in his bed, half-seated and half-reclining, looking quite listless. The room was very messy. The wardrobe was open, and the clothes had been ransacked. Several torn pieces were strewn on the floor.
A Nian told him angrily about what had happened the previous night. Zhuan Xu seemed to be very angry, and repeatedly promised that he would settle the score with Chui Liang.
A Nian saw Xiao Yao enter, and felt slightly scared. She glared at Xiao Yao before leaving.Xiao Yao walked around the room, and made  "shh" sounds. "Surely they didn't search your body, did they?"
Zhuan Xu smiled, "It wasn't that bad. They just lifted the covers and peeked twice."
Xiao Yao fell silent. How dare they!
Zhuan Xu called out loudly, "Whoever! Come in!"
The maids quickly brought in washbasins. Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu washed their faces and mouths at the same time.

The maid brought the food in, and Xiao Yao began to eat. Zhuan Xu said, "Yesterday's incident can be considered a disgrace. No matter how shameless I may seem, I should make a rampage this time. So I have to go and settle this with them. If you feel that it's too filthy and unbearable here, take A Nian and go back to Chao Yun Peak."
Xiao Yao said, "Would you ask why Chui Liang led the soldiers to conduct the search in person?"
"If you don't say it, I'll have to make them explain it to me"
Zhuan Xu said with a pale face as he walked out. Xiao Yao finished her meal and returned to her own room.Xiao Yao was afraid of disturbing Xiang Liu while he was recuperating, so she whispered, "It's me," when she entered the room.
She lifted the curtain and saw that Fang Feng Bei was still lying there without moving. Xiao Yao sat cross-legged on the bed and looked at him quietly. Xiao Yao still clearly remembered that it was a summer morning when she had carefully packed the poison that was to be sent to Xiang Liu and went to the Tushan Clan's transport center to send it. She had wondered how Xiang Liu would feel when he saw the beautifully colored poisons. Perhaps he would curse her for being perverse. However, when she was leaving the shop in a cheerful mood, Xiang Liu came walking towards her leisurely like a young dandy who was used to flirting with women. He had smiled and teased her, and even offered to teach her archery. Xiao Yao was amused, but she didn't reject his advances.

Perhaps it was because he had always made her feel familiar with him ever since he taught her archery that day until now. It had been two years already. Within these two years, they had been friends traveling to every nook and cranny of Xuan Yuan City.
Sometimes he would disappear, sometimes he would appear as his mood took him.
Xiao Yao often thought that they would be able to continue traveling like this forever, because both of them had very similar dispositions, not caring about anything, indulging in everything without restraint, being interested in everything. Everything could make them smile.
They appreciated everything beautiful but did not think of possessing anything. Their lives were like treading on the dividing line between light and darkness. If they chose to face the light, there would be thousands of miles of chilly desolation behind them. However, if they chose to face the darkness, then the world's glory would shine behind them. But even if they faced the light, they would still be treading in the darkness. It was not that they did not know the pure and genuine light, but everything they had experienced could never be forgotten. It was like a shadow that followed them closely. They were strong, solitary, and cold. No matter what they encountered, they could all continue to live on.
Last night, when she found out that he was Xiang Liu, she did not feel surprised at all, as if everything should be like this. Even a part of her heart seemed to have been released, but at the same time, another part was hung up.
On the evening of the second day, Zhuan Xu returned with unsteady steps. How he went to argue and reason, one could not know. One only saw him embracing two beautiful women, speaking and laughing as he walked into the room.
The servant explained to Xiao Yao and A Nian in a low voice, "In order to apologize, Chi Zi has offered these two maidservants to the young prince."
A Nian was furious and asked incredulously, "For the sake of two women, elder brother won't even pursue the matter of someone ransacking his and our rooms?"



Chapter 17: Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path

Part 3

(Thai version translated by me)

The servant lowered her head in distress. “Chi Zi has already asked for forgiveness from the prince.”

    “Ask for forgiveness? Can a single apology be enough to stop the matter from last night?" A Nian was so angry that her voice changed. The Xuan Yuan soldiers fought with her, and there was only an apology?

    A Nian pushed the servant away. and rushed into Zhuan Xu's room, but she immediately withdrew. Her face was red, tears streaming down her face, showing that she had seen something she shouldn't have seen. It was probably a picture of him getting closed and intimate with the two young women.

    A Nian stood dumbfounded for a while. Then she suddenly turned her body and ran to her room. Soon, Hai Tang was seen carrying luggage, walking with A Nian out of the room.

    Xiao Yao asked. “Are you going back to Gao Xing?”
An Nian glared at Xiao Yao, coldly sarcastic “I heard that last night, Chui Liang even ransacked your bed. But you didn't dare do anything at all! You are only good at bullying me!” Xiao Yao was speechless and still silent, Hai Tang had already summoned the transportation beast (Xuan Bird). A Nian jumped up and sat on its back and then soared up into the sky.

    During the time they were in a hurry, Xiao Yao only had time to insist Hai Tang that,
 “Protect the princess back to Gao Xing.”

    Xiao Xiao saw Xiao Yao still staring at the sky, so she walked gently over and whispered, “Elder Princess, you need not be worried. There are people to protect second princess secretly."
“Yes,” Xiao Yao said, “I know.”
Throughout all the time, Zhuan Xu had been the person who had protected An Nian the most. But it was he who brought pain and storms came into A Nian's life for first time. It wasn't that A Nian's position in his heart was changing. But it was because he had more important matters. Therefore he chose to abandon in protecting A Nian.

Xiao Yao returned to the room. She took Fang Feng Bei's hand and checked his injuries for a moment. His treatment was almost finished. Xiao Yao placed a set of clothes beside him and quietly left.
 She could calmly face Fang Feng Bei and smile in front of Xiang Liu. However, she didn't know how to face Fang Feng Bei and Xiang Liu at the same time.
Xiao Yao was lying on the stone floor in the garden, admiring the moon. Zhuan Xu covered his coat and sat beside her. "A-Nian has left?"
"Mmm." Zhuan Xu asked, "Are you angry with me?"
Xiao Yao looked at Zhuan Xu. His hair was still wet, indicating that he had just taken a bath. Zhuan Xu originally didn't like fragrant perfume. But right now, there was a faint fragrance of sea amber on his body, indicating that he was intending to get rid of the scent he hated even more.
 Xiao Yao asked, "During the time you were immersed in the world of mundane lust, were you happy?"
Zhuan Xu smiled wryly. "Nightmare! It's not only women who feel bad about being with someone they don't love; men feel the same way. To be honest, I'd rather be stabbed twice."
Xiao Yao laughed in amusement. "The one who suffered the most this time is you. You've already been cruel to yourself. How could I be angry with you?"

Comparing with Zhuan Xu's self-harm, his harming Anian was almost unworthy of mentioning.
Zhuan Xu knocked Xiao Yao's head. Xiao Yao held Zhuan Xu's wrist and quietly checked his pulse for a while, and then she said, "Hurry up, you are becoming more addicted every moment. If another half a year has passed, I no longer dare guarantee that I'll be able to eliminate the toxin from your body completely."
Zhuan Xu muttered, "It's close, very close. Everything is ready now. All that's left is the final step."
Xiao Yao asked, "What about last night?"
"Something is missing. Cang Lin and Yuan Yarn's map of residence is gone. I think there must be something else that they do not want people to see. That's why they are so nervous. But I think the thief's target may not be Cang Lin and Yuan Yarn, but the other two inconspicuous maps. Xuan Yuan has some secret warehouses of provisions and weapons located in the central plains to prepare for any sudden outbreak of war so that weapons and provisions can be moved in time. I guess someone must have set their eyes on those warehouses and weapons."
Xiao Yao was silent for a while, and then he asked, "Do you plan to tell grandfather or not?"
"Why would I tell him? If Xiang Liu really sent people to do it, then the volunteer soldiers of Sheng Nong are thorns to of Cang Lin and Yuan Yarn' side. It has nothing to do with me. In some situations, the enemy of an enemy was a friend."
Xiao Yao was relieved and said, "Brother, can you please do something for me? I want to know everything about Fang Feng Bei. Everything you can find out from the day he was born until now."
Zhuan Xu looked at Xiao Yao, "You...you don't really have feelings for him, do you?"

Xiao Yao could not bear to meet Zhuan Xu's sharp gaze. She turned her head away and said, "I'm just curious, and I want you to find out for me."
"I got it." Zhuan Xu was now interested in what Xiao Yao was interested in.He came out for a while. Zhuan Xu grabbed Xiao Yao's sleeve, buried his head on her shoulder, sniffed softly as if he was acting coquettishly towards her, and said with annoyance and grievance, "I don't want to go back. I hate those two women!"
Xiao Yao couldn't help laughing, "No one forces you to go back."
Zhuan Xu leaned on her silently for a while, then raised his head, and said calmly, "From the moment my mother killed herself, I couldn't afford to be willful anymore."
He got up and was about to leave. Xiao Yao grabbed the hem of his sleeve. "Although I can't help you get rid of those two women, I can help your nose, so that you won't be able to smell anything temporarily."
Zhuan Xu let out a laugh, and the worry between his eyebrows dissipated.He shook his head gently. "No, I will let myself remember all this humiliation firmly. If I become lazy in the future, I will think about what I had to endure to survive at that time."
Zhuan Xu left.  Xiao Yao stared at the moon and fell asleep.The next morning, when she went back to the room, the bed was tidy.It was empty and no one was there. Xiao Yao sat down on the bed slowly held her hands together, and unconsciously stroked and played with her fingers that had mark.

Three months later, a serious mistake happened on the canal managed by Zhuan Xu. Huang Di was very angry. He ordered Zhuan Xu to move back to Chao Yun Residence and forbade him from leaving the peak. He was to stay there and reflect on his mistake.
It so happened that a small palace on Silver Mountain collapsed due to the long-term lack of maintenance for hundreds of years since it was abandoned. This made quite a few conservatives among the Sheng Nong tribe upset. They petitioned Huang Di to repair the palace on Sheng Bong because  Sheng Nong mountain was the symbol of Zhongyuan. Huang Di agreed to repair the palace at Sheng Nong, especially the Zijing Palace.
The courtiers discussed who should be sent. Someone of low status could not represent Huang Di, but none of high status wanted to waste their time to live in the ruins of Shen Nong mountain. This was a seemingly good job, but in reality was a terrible task. Huang Di's trusted aide quietly told Chui Liang and Shi Jun that Huangdi planned to select one of his grandchildren. Chui Liang and Shi Jun were shocked. There were twenty-eight peaks on the Sheng Nong Mountain that had names. It would take at least eighty to a hundred years to repair the palace on each peak. By the time the repairs were completed, it would be reasonable if they had succeeded. If the repairs were not done well, the great families in Zhong Yuan(Central Plain) would surely submit petitions to complain endlessly.
Now his body was very weak. What if something happened to him? They were tens of thousands of miles away. In that case...So Shi Jun suggested a plot and told it to Chui Liang. After Chui Liang discussed the matter with his father, they both agreed to do it. They could resolve an urgent matter for the prssent moment, and dwelling on the time Huang Di was displeased with Zhuan Xu, to exile him permanently.

If not then, if Zhuan Xu did remain in Xuan Yuan, would Huang Di's satisfication not increase? Because after all, only Zhuan Xu had been able to share Xhao Yun Hall with Huang Di every day and night. As for them, if Huang Di did not summon them, they could not even enter the Chao Yun Hall gates. After the imperial court officials discussed the matter several times, someone suggested that Zhuan Su should go. All the officials agreed. Huang Di considered the matter for a night and also agreed to the officials' suggestion. He sent Zhuan Xu to Zhong Yuan (Central Plain), entrusting him with the task of overseeing renovations to all the buildings on Sheng Nong Mountain. Xiao Yao had never been to Sheng Nong Mountain before and felt curious about this mountain that had been the dwelling place of every generation of Sheng Nong nobility. Therefore, she asked Huang Di's permission to accompany Zhuan Xu to Sheng Nong Mountain for sightseeing. Cang Lin and Yuan Yang objected, saying that Xiao Yao was Princess Gao Xing and had already stayed in Xuan Yuan for a while. Therefore, it was inappropriate for her to travel to Sheng Nong Mountain next. They indirectly suggested that Huang Di should send Xiao Yao back to Gao Xing. Huang Di was enraged. He stated to Cang Lin and Yuan Yang plainly, "Xiao Yao is my and the Imperial Consort's descendant blood. Xuan Yuan was founded by me and the Imperial Consort. As long as I live for a day, even if she spends her entire life in Xuan Yuan and travels throughout the entire state, it is up to her!"
When he spoke, Huang Di used his spiritual power. His fearsome voice clearly echoed beyond the hall, reaching everyone outside. Everyone outside heard every word clearly and distinctly. Cang Lin and Yuan Yang did not understand why the normally mild-tempered Huang Di would become enraged this time, but they felt a flash of anger in his eyes and were so shocked that their knees went weak,and quickly kneel down, leading all the ministers in the main hall to kneel down. Soon enough, the ministers in the entire Xuan Yuan empire, including the heads of every major clan in Da Huang, all understood that Xiao Yao was extraordinarily important in the Emperor's heart. Changing the word "granddaughter" to "beloved granddaughter" would be a more accurate description. Xiao Yao felt that she couldn't quite understand the purpose behind her Huang Di's actions in saying those words to the ministers of Xuan Yuan. However, she felt that Huang Di didn't seem very assured in having her travel to Zhong Yuan, as if thinking that the power of Xun Di did not have enough influence to protect her. Therefore, he had to instill in her the Huang Di's own power as well. By letting everyone know that she was the bloodline of Xuan Yuan's Emperor and the Empress Lei Xu. Harming her was equivalent to neglecting the Emperor and Empress Lei Xu.
But who would harm her? Xiao Yao could not figure it out. She had no life-or-death feuds with anyone, and could only conclude that she was thinking too much. After all, it was very difficult to predict the thoughts of an Huang Di. Perhaps Huang Di was just finding an excuse to warn Cang Lin and Yuan Yang.
When spring arrived, the weather was warm and the flowers bloomed. After selecting an auspicious date, Zhuan Xu set out from Xuan Yuan city for Zhong Yuan(Central Plain), with over ten followers in tow.
Xiao Yao brought along her personal maid, Shan Hu, as well as over ten guards that had followed her from Gao Xing, to accompany Zhuan Xu to Zhong Yuan. As the cloud carriage rose from Chao Yun Peak, Xiao Yao could not help but gaze towards the manor of Chao Yun Peak once more. Those towering guppy trees were all blooming a fiery red, as if the sunlight of dusk was covering the entire manor of Chao Yun Peak. Zhuan Xu did not look back at all. He just sat there in silence. 

Before, as Xiao Yao was about to leave the last time, her mother was by her side. She waved goodbye to Zhuan Xu, who was standing under the Poinciana tree to see her off. She thought that she would soon be back to swing under the Poinciana tree with Zhuan Xu again. But neither the innocent and ignorant Xiao Yao nor Zhuan Xu, who had experienced pain and suffering for the first time, could have imagined that their farewell that time would last more than three hundred years. This time, they had all experienced both happiness and suffering, and they had come together and been separated again. They all understood that it was as difficult as ascending to heaven to return and swinging on the swing under the poinciana tree again. Even if they could come back, they did not know how many years it would be. Zhuan Xu saw Xiao Yao lying down by the window, looking back all the time, so he said, "I will plant a poinciana tree on Zijin peak in Sheng Nong mountakn and make you another swing."
 Xiao Yao sat up straight and turned to look at him. Zhuan Xu had given up everything to go to Zhong Yuan(Central Plains), choosing a path where he would either succeed or be utterly defeated. If he could not plant a Poinciana tree on Zijin Peak in Sheng Nong Mountain, then he would probably never have the chance to see the poinciana tree on Chao Yun Peak again. So he had to devote himself to planting the Poinciana tree on Zijin Peak at all costs. Xiao Yao smiled with her eyes narrowed and said, "Okay, I'm sure I'll love swinging on the swing on Zijin Peak." Xiao Yao returned to Xuan Yuan Mountain to pay her respects to her mother. Because her blood relationship with Huang Di (Yellow Emperor), not relating to the power struggles in the Xuan Yuan court, she was in the eyes of everyone just the Princess of Gao Xing who was related by blood to Huang Di.

But when Xiao Yao chose to go to Zhong Yuan(Central Plains) with Zhuan Xu, it was tantamount to Xiaoyao declaring to the world that she had chosen to stand on the same side as Zhuan Xu in the eyes of everyone.
Xiao Yao had become Zhuan Xu's younger sister who was related by blood. Everything Zhuan Xu does will affect Xiao Yao. It might even take her life.
 Zhuan Xu looked at his hands and said with a wry smile, "Am I too selfish? In fact, I should let you go away from me like A Nian."
Xiao Yao took Zhuan Xu's hand, "There is one line that grandfather said that is correct. I am the blood of the Empress of Xuan Yuan. Only you and I are left in the entire Chao Yun Residence. Before my grandmother died, she told us to help each other. If you are doing well now, I can ignore it, but in your current state, even if I go far away, I can't feel at ease."
Zhuan Xu said to himself, "Help each other? I only see you helping me. I have never seen you help me."
Xiao Yao shook Zhuan Xu's hand and joked, "Why are you in such a hurry? Our deities' lives are so long. Are you still afraid that you won't have a chance to help me? I'm already good at counting glass abacus beads! Just let you lean on me now, and I'll rely on you for everything in the future!"
Seeing that Zhuan Xu was still frowning, Xiao Yao leaned her head on Zhuan Xu's shoulder, her voice becoming both gentle and soft. "Do we still need to distinguish between you and me so clearly?"
Although the corners of Zhuan Xu's mouth were still tightly pressed together and there was no smile on his face, one of his raised eyebrows slowly relaxed, and then he called out, "Xiao Yao."
He gently clenched Xiao Yao's hand. Xiao Yao didn't know what awaited Zhuan Xu and her in Zhong Yuan. It was a place where the power of the Xun Di hardly reached, and even Huang Di who had subdued it had limited influence over it. There were the oldest and most ancient clans in the Da Huang. There was military of Sheng Nong which was still deeply connected Sheng Nong Mountain. And there were the most prosperous commercial cities of the Da Huang. There were the six great clans of Zhong Yuan who were extremely arrogant and conservative... but no matter what awaited them, Xiao Yao only knew that they had to keep moving forward.

End of Chapter 17

Remark: from I call the red little flowers as poinciana or royal poinciana instead of guppy

Chapter 17: Going Round and Round Along A Distant Path

My Thoughts 

Zhuan Xu's Scheme To Get Himself to Sheng Nong
Abstract
Zhuan Xu smiled wryly. "Nightmare! It's not only women who feel bad about being with someone they don't love; men feel the same way. To be honest, I'd rather be stabbed twice."
Xiao Yao laughed in amusement. "The one who suffered the most this time is you. You've already been cruel to yourself. How could I be angry with you?"
Comparing with Zhuan Xu's self-harm, his harming Anian was almost unworthy of mentioning.
Zhuan Xu knocked Xiao Yao's head. Xiao Yao held Zhuan Xu's wrist and quietly checked his pulse for a while, and then she said, "Hurry up, you are becoming more addicted every moment. If another half a year has passed, I no longer dare guarantee that I'll be able to eliminate the toxin from your body completely."
Zhuan Xu muttered, "It's close, very close. Everything is ready now. All that's left is the final step."

In chapter 17, we could see how much Zhuan Xu invested himself into paving way to Sheng Nong. He acted all as if he was really becoming a wastral, good for nothing prince, using toxic drug, had fun with women and missing on his duty that Huang Di. Of course, Zhuan Xu called it "nightmare". He certainly was not enjoy doing it. And it was eating him up.
I think he chose to do this method because he wanted his enemy to lay low on him so that they could see that he was such unchallenging enemy. This was all acting. 

Xiao Yao's Support & The Importance of Central Plain
Abstract
Zhuan Xu looked at his hands and said with a wry smile, "Am I too selfish? In fact, I should let you go away from me like A Nian."
Xiao Yao took Zhuan Xu's hand, "There is one line that grandfather said that is correct. I am the blood of the Empress of Xuan Yuan. Only you and I are left in the entire Chao Yun Residence. Before my grandmother died, she told us to help each other. If you are doing well now, I can ignore it, but in your current state, even if I go far away, I can't feel at ease."
Zhuan Xu said to himself, "Help each other? I only see you helping me. I have never seen you help me."
Xiao Yao shook Zhuan Xu's hand and joked, "Why are you in such a hurry? Our deities' lives are so long. Are you still afraid that you won't have a chance to help me? I'm already good at counting glass abacus beads! Just let you lean on me now, and I'll rely on you for everything in the future!"
Seeing that Zhuan Xu was still frowning, Xiao Yao leaned her head on Zhuan Xu's shoulder, her voice becoming both gentle and soft. "Do we still need to distinguish between you and me so clearly?"
Although the corners of Zhuan Xu's mouth were still tightly pressed together and there was no smile on his face, one of his raised eyebrows slowly relaxed, and then he called out, "Xiao Yao."
He gently clenched Xiao Yao's hand. Xiao Yao didn't know what awaited Zhuan Xu and her in Zhong Yuan. It was a place where the power of the Xun Di hardly reached, and even Huang Di who had subdued it had limited influence over it. There were the oldest and most ancient clans in the Da Huang. There was military of Sheng Nong which was still deeply connected Sheng Nong Mountain. And there were the most prosperous commercial cities of the Da Huang. There were the six great clans of Zhong Yuan who were extremely arrogant and conservative... but no matter what awaited them, Xiao Yao only knew that they had to keep moving forward.

Xiao Yao was all beside Zhuan Xu to suppport him. Zhuan Xu knew that. We could see that he did feel bad that Xiao Yao had to give this much to him. But from Xiao Yao's side, we could see how much she value her bond with Zhuan Xu, not only because he was her blood connected family but because his happiness was her happiness, according to what she said, "Do we still need to distinguish between you and me so clearly?"
Central plain is vast. Most powerful families were living here. Although Huang Di might had conquered war with Sheng Nong but its not that he had really so much power over all the land. And there existed a Sheng Nong army who was still rebelling.
Zhuan Xu had gamble it with his alliance Chi Sui Feng Long and Tushan Jing.
A little more of my taking on the subject of Zhuan Xu conquering Da Huang. Would Zhuan Xu still won over Da Huang if he did not get Jing & Feng Long?
My answer was no. Because of Tushan wealth and Chi Sui's political power is important support for exiled Xuan Yuan prince like Zhuan Xu. We knew Huang Di would support him. But from chapter 15 to 17, we could see Zhuan Xu uncles and cousins were no joke with their power as well. Feng Long said those Xuan Yuan Princes were powerful in Xuan Yuan with supporters. Tushan Hou support those Xuan Yuan princes to get more power connection and Feng Long even hesitated on supporting Zhuan Xu. If its not for Jing's advice, Feng Long might not dare to give in that much. But even if Huang Di insisted on giving Zhuan Xu Xuan Yuan (which is probably not), Zhuan Xu would still need to won over Central Plain families such as Chi Sui and Tushan and others to really conquer the world. 

I do really love how the drama clearly show Jing advicing Feng Long, and they both made an event to bring Cang Xuan to Sheng Nong mountain. 

I do love how Jing is calmed in handling things, warn Feng Long to not show being too eager. 

Xiao Yao and Fang Feng Bei/Xiang Liu
His Intruding

Abstract
The sound of yelling soldiers could be heard outside, apparently chasing someone. Xiao Yao didn’t cry out or move, only playing with the wine bottle in her hands. She expressed some dissatisfaction as being disturbed. “I won’t be forced by you to hide you. Leave as soon as possible; it’s not too late to find someone else.”
The intruder evidently didn’t accept Xiao Yao’s suggestion. He walked to the bed, and Xiao Yao started counting down for him: “One, two, three...” When she got to ten, he still hadn’t fallen. Xiao Yao knew the newcomer possessed profound power, and no poison could fell him. The man raised his clenched fist and sat down on Xiao Yao’s bed.
Xiao Yao said, “Even if you have profound power, you’ve already been hurt. I still advise you not to come looking for me.” The man wore a mask, and he looked at Xiao Yao silently. Xiao Yao’s body tensed up. A feeling told her that this man was someone she knew.
She reached out and the man did not stop her.
Xiao Yao slowly removed the mask and it was Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao forced a smile and said, "I somewhat hoped that you would come to visit my bedroom at odd hours on purpose."
Fang Feng Bei did not speak, so Xiao Yao asked, "Do you not know how to meet with your buddies for drinks and hang out ? Why did you have to come to me?"
"You said it yourself, they are buddies for drinks and hangout"

When Xiao Yao was all having hard time with Zhuan Xu and her own deep emotion on what A Nian said about her mother, the injured Fang Feng Bei had arrived. We can see Xiao Yao was dissatisfied and disturbed with this intruding. She sacastically said she's purposely waiting for him followed why did he know to find his buddies. Indeed she has to force herself to smile. But he needed her help and not buddies for drinking and hangout.

The Bite for Her Blood
"Who are you, exactly?"
"Who do you want me to be?" Fang Feng Bei's voice was cold. Xiao Yao didn't make a sound. After a long pause, she said, "Whoever you want to be."
Fang Feng Bei half-raised himself, his head low down. His lips approaching at Xiao Yao's neck.
Xiao Yao put up a hand to stop him. "No!"
 His lips pressed against her palm.Fang Fengpei lay back down immediately. Xiao Yao turned sideways and offered him her wrist. "Bite here."
"Why not there?" Fang Feng Bei asked, his face expressionless. Xiao Yao was suddenly reminded of the Fang Feng Bei who always acted as he pleased and enjoyed himself. "What do you think, Fang Feng Bei?"
Fang Feng Bei paused for a moment, holding Xiao Yao's wrist up. Several small, sharp fangs pierced into her wrist. This was the first time Xiao Yao had seen him drink her blood with her own eyes. She felt no pain, but instead a sense of cool pleasure, like a breeze blowing over her. Xiao Yao watched Fang Feng Bei intently. Fang Feng Bei glanced at Xiao Yao, and she hurriedly closed her eyes obediently.
She felt extremely weak, for she was still in terror of him!
After a while, Xiao Yao started to feel somewhat dizzy, but she refused to make a sound. This was Xuan Yuan City, and he needed to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible!

Xiao Yao let him drank blood from her wrist instead of her neck (she's in terror). This scene to me was a bit tricky. Because his bite was not painful. According to the context it left mark as rough kiss. To her feelings, it is a cool wind pleasure sensation that passed her. I was carefully reading. It is described as that of intimate touch(the word "pleasure" and "mark as rough kiss". But that feelings never lingers on her as I know notice because I am comparing with Jing's kiss on her forehead and emberassing getting shy around him, such as when she was near his body in chapter 1 or when sniffing his hair.
Nevertheless, she still value her relationship with Fang Feng Bei. But she would not answer him when he asked "who do you want me to be?"
Because it was all up to him whether whom he wanted to be.

Their relationship
Abstract
Perhaps it was because he had always made her feel familiar with him ever since he taught her archery that day until now. It had been two years already. Within these two years, they had been friends traveling to every nook and cranny of Xuan Yuan City.
Sometimes he would disappear, sometimes he would appear as his mood took him.
Xiao Yao often thought that they would be able to continue traveling like this forever, because both of them had very similar dispositions, not caring about anything, indulging in everything without restraint, being interested in everything. Everything could make them smile.
They appreciated everything beautiful but did not think of possessing anything. Their lives were like treading on the dividing line between light and darkness. If they chose to face the light, there would be thousands of miles of chilly desolation behind them. However, if they chose to face the darkness, then the world's glory would shine behind them. But even if they faced the light, they would still be treading in the darkness. It was not that they did not know the pure and genuine light, but everything they had experienced could never be forgotten. It was like a shadow that followed them closely. They were strong, solitary, and cold. No matter what they encountered, they could all continue to live on.
Last night, when she found out that he was Xiang Liu, she did not feel surprised at all, as if everything should be like this. Even a part of her heart seemed to have been released, but at the same time, another part was hung up.

This passage describes what Xiao Yao thought of Fang Feng Bei (softer version of Xiang Liu). Xiao Yao did find more comfort with Fang Feng Bei who patiently taugt her archery and took her to visit around Xuan Yuan city which was what she liked to do, exploring the world  Xiao Yao thought they had similarities "strong, solitary and cold"! She had no problems with him coming and going at randoms times in her life because they had no restraints. Darkness and light what both of them experience in lifetime. But no matter how much they seems to freely enjoy the world, both of them still tie to their roots. That's when she was confirmed that Fang Feng Bei was Xiang Liu, she was relieved her curiosity was confirmed but also hung up because if he's Xiang Liu, he was so tied to Sheng Nong army.
Nevertheless, Xiao Yao did care about him. I just do not feel lingering sensual feeling towards him like she did to Jing. Just like Tong Hua answered here.....and their relationship was mutual. 

鸵鸟石: I still love Xiang Liu's unfettered attitude. Since he understood they could not be together, he completely cut off any hopes without leaving any room for it, unlike Yin Nanzhao** who dragged his feet, harming others as well as himself!
TH: I feel that [their?] feelings are always mutual. Xiao Yao did not have Luo Xun**'s ability to throw herself passionately in[to a relationship] without consideration for life and death. Xiao Yao clear-headedly pulled him out - someone who could not be allowed to enter [her] dreams.


Link : https://www.zhihu.com/question/614412527/answer/3228535041?utm_id=0

(The article is a great read but this interview was screenshot and the article did not give link. So I had to extract the words. But according to what it is written, it looks reliable) i agree with it so I am adding about it here)

Back in chapter 13, while Xiang Liu was all pointing her to touch his lips, she refused it, admitting her fear of him getting into her dreams. Indeed, passionate love was not something Xiao Yao looking for (Spoiler, i guess she only realised she was that in love when her heart was broken from Jing.)

Comforting Wine From Jing
Abstract
A Nian's condemning words towards her mother were the greatest horror hidden deep in her mind. She didn't want to think back on it. But in front of her, the blood-red dress kept appearing. That man was arrogant, and crazy, as if he would trample the whole world under his feet, but the eyes he looked at her mother were so gentle and deep. As for the eyes her mother looked at him with... At the time, Xiao Yao didn't understand, but now she did.
Mother's tears seemed to still be on her face, and Xiao Yao couldn't help but reach out to touch her cheek, intending to wipe away the tears. But she found nothing.
 Xiao Yao was so scared that she sat up straight away, opened the small chest at the head of the bed, and took out a bottle of plum wine from it amidst the many bottles and jars of poison that were lined up.
This was the wine that Jing had sent. She didn't know if he had already dragged out the traitors, or thought of a way to hide it from his grandmother, or perhaps because Zhuan Xu and Feng Long had reached an agreement together, hence they trusted Jing more and were willing to use a secret guard to contact him. In any case, every two months now, Xiao Yao would receive two bottles of plum wine through Zhuan Xu.
Xiao Yao drank a few gulps and felt a surge of energy from Jing, which comforted her. Xiao Yao dispelled all her thoughts and feelings about her mother. She drank while thinking about her father, and gradually smiled. The fear diluted. Her heart clearly told her: her father loved her very much! She must be her father’s daughter!

This matter of who father really is one of the fear she held deep inside her. And actually her recalling of that scene meaning she might actually knew the truth subconsciously but not wanting to accept it. She loves her family and her father is important to her. And that gulp of wine from Jing comforted her. (In chapter 16, his wine has made her feel fresh.) He was managed to send her two bottles every month. They were in touch.

From drama scenes

Xiao Yao's Happiness in Getting Wine from Jing, his longing token.


END OF CHAPTER 17 REVIEW

CHAPTER 17 (1/2)

溯洄从之,道阻且长


玱玹在高辛时,毕竟是寄人篱下,空有王子之尊,其实什么都没有享受过。


现如今回了轩辕,和岳梁越走越近,每日宴饮寻欢,被岳梁勾得把那些糜烂销魂的玩意儿都尝试了一遍,玱玹食髓知味,渐渐地沾染了岳梁的一些恶习。


原本清清静静的府邸也养了一些舞娘歌姬,好色纵欲倒没什么,反正哪个大家族子弟没养女人呢?


岳梁他们为了助兴,觉得烈酒不过瘾,偶尔会服食巫医用灵草炼制的药丸,那些药丸分量重时可令人昏迷,分量轻时,却可使人兴奋产生幻觉,醉生梦死间能得到极致的快乐。岳梁让玱玹也尝尝,刚开始玱玹还矜持着,不肯吃,岳梁也从不勉强他,可日子久了,岳梁经常吃,又有女人在一旁诱哄着,用樱桃小嘴含着药丸送到玱玹唇边,玱玹终于尝试了一次。


有了第一次,就有第二次……玱玹和岳梁是越发好了。


岳梁带着人到玱玹府上鬼混,结果被小夭撞见了一次,小夭大怒,直接告到轩辕王面前,一个女孩家也不害臊,一五一十地说给轩辕王听。轩辕王下令,把玱玹和岳梁一人抽了六十鞭子,打得岳梁一个月下不了地,还当着许多朝臣的面把德岩和禹阳臭骂了一顿,德岩和禹阳跪了两个多时辰。岳梁算是怕了小夭,再不敢来玱玹府里,见了小夭都绕道走。


玱玹索性很少回府了,常常跟着岳梁东游西逛,轩辕城中本就没有人在乎玱玹,自然也没有人为玱玹惋惜,反正这轩辕城内多一个浪荡贵公子也不多。只有大将军应龙有一次碰到喝醉的玱玹,玱玹颠三倒四地问好,应龙却扇了玱玹一耳光,对玱玹说:“这一巴掌我是替你爹娘打的。”


玱玹被打闷了,半晌后,才反应过来,好似真有些羞愧,在府里闭门思过,可刚修身养性了几日,岳梁拣着小夭不在的日子来找他,几杯酒下肚,玱玹就又跟着岳梁出了府。


刚开始,玱玹还一时羞惭几天,一时又疯玩几天,到后来羞惭的天数越来越少,直到有一次再碰到应龙时,应龙训斥他,玱玹竟然抽出了鞭子,对着应龙嚷,想挥鞭抽应龙,岳梁他们拖着玱玹赶紧跑。应龙是跟着轩辕王打天下的心腹重臣,性子是茅坑里的石头,又臭又硬,岳梁的老子德岩都对应龙客客气气,岳梁哪里敢招惹?


这轩辕城内,估计最为玱玹伤心的人就是阿念了。


她每每苦劝玱玹,可玱玹总是温柔地答应着,一转身就什么都忘记了。到后来玱玹压根儿不回府,阿念在轩辕城人生地不熟,连找都不知道该去哪里找,只能整夜整夜地苦等。好不容易等到玱玹回来,却要么昏醉得根本听不到她说什么,要么就还是那样,温柔地全都答应,却全都做不到。


阿念被逼急了,和玱玹吵,甚至破口大骂,可不管她温柔地劝诫,还是刁蛮地撒泼,甚至威胁说她要回高辛,永不再理他,玱玹都只是温软地应着。


渐渐地,阿念没有了脾气,她开始哭泣,她痛恨轩辕城!在这座天下最重要的城池里,她遭遇了这辈子最伤心无力的事情,看着玱玹渐渐变得陌生,看着他拥着不同的女人,她却没有任何力量能阻止玱玹!


因为玱玹,阿念从不知道愁苦的双眸都含了忧郁,好似突然间长大了许多。


在无数次徘徊后,阿念终于对小夭低头,求小夭阻止玱玹和岳梁他们来往,实在不行,她愿意带玱玹回高辛。


小夭无奈地说:“我不是没有阻止,我劝过他,也和他吵过,甚至把外爷都请了出来,该打的打了,该杀的杀了,可是结果你也看到了。”


阿念伤心地哭泣,小夭说:“你能做的都已经做了,若真的不愿再见他,就回高辛去。”


小夭的平静和阿念的伤心截然不同。


阿念突然迁怒小夭,“你个冷血怪物!如果不是你,哥哥根本不会回来轩辕,都是因为你要祭奠你那个坏母亲,还非要哥哥护送,哥哥才会来轩辕。如果哥哥没有回轩辕城,这些事情都不会发生!你既然已经失踪了,为什么还要回来?你根本就不该回来!”


小夭盯着阿念,“不要辱骂我的母亲,否则别怪我不念姐妹之情!”


阿念心里透出寒意,却不肯承认自己胆怯,更高声地哭骂:“我从没有当过你是姐姐,压根儿和你没有姐妹情!你娘如果不是坏女人,她会抛下自己的丈夫?她就是个坏女人,不知道她跟着哪个野男人跑了……”


啪一声,小夭扇了阿念一巴掌,阿念倒在地上,浑身颤抖。


小夭说:“这里不是高辛,是轩辕,你骂的人是轩辕王姬,为轩辕百姓战死,至今百姓仍在感念她,就你刚才的几句话,足以让轩辕王找到借口对高辛起兵。你要想撒泼,滚回高辛,别在轩辕闹腾。”


小夭吩咐海棠:“把她带回屋子,毒半个时辰后就会解掉。”


海棠什么都不敢说,赶紧上前抱起阿念,匆匆离开。


小夭坐在玱玹的屋子前等候,玱玹昏醉不醒,被侍从背回了府邸,婢女们已经很有经验,麻利地服侍着玱玹宽衣睡下。


小夭让她们都下去,她坐到榻旁,看着玱玹。


这是一场戏,可玱玹并未和她商量。她只能稀里糊涂地陪着他演。


小夭提起玱玹的手腕,把了一会儿脉,给他嘴里扔了一颗药丸。


玱玹悠悠醒转,小夭说:“这出戏再演下去,别戏结束了,你却已经成了废人。”


玱玹看着小夭,“如果不是戏呢?如果我是真的变了呢?”


“你想测试什么?你不和我商量,是想看看我会不会抛弃你吗?抱歉,测试不出来,因为我很了解你,知道你在演戏。你怎么干这么幼稚的事情?”


玱玹叹气,“有些时候人都会犯傻。”他的确是想知道小夭会如何对待这样不堪的他,“如果我真的变成了现在这样,你会有一日受不了离开我吗?”


小夭无奈地笑着,“你只需问问自己,如果有一日我变得不堪,你会抛弃我吗?”


玱玹凝神想了一瞬,说道:“不会!如果你变成那样,肯定是发生了什么事,我一定会守着你,让你一点点好起来,就算你不愿意好起来……那也没什么,我会陪着你。”


小夭问:“知道我的答案了?”


玱玹笑点了下头。


小夭说:“你吃的那些药……为什么不提前让我给你配点解药?”


“别担心,我早已经询问过巫医,这些药会成瘾,也许对一般人很可怕,但我能戒掉。既然决定了演戏,就必须逼真,想要让他们放心地把我流放到中原,必须让他们相信我已经不能成事。”


“不仅仅是成瘾,其实这些药都是慢性毒药,在毒害五脏六腑。”


玱玹笑,“不是有你吗?”


小夭说:“即使日后解掉了,你的灵力也会受损。”


玱玹笑道:“我不是早说了,我又不是靠灵力混?”


“还要吃多久?”


“快了,很快我们就能去中原了。”


小夭说:“阿念很伤心,她的伤心并不是因为你变了,其实表面上看去,你的放纵对一辈子不愁吃穿的贵族子弟来说也不是多么可怕,并不值得她日日以泪洗面,我看到过她看你那些女人的眼神,我想她对你不只是兄妹之情。”


玱玹用手盖着眼,“你想我怎么样?”


“我怎么知道?反正你要记得,她是我父王的女儿,父王不仅对你有养育之恩,还有授业之恩。”其实,小夭比较希望阿念回高辛,所以她才刻薄地逼她回高辛,但阿念不见得会走。


玱玹叹了口气,“我明白,所以我一直是真心护她,和对馨悦她们不同。”


“还是她们?”小夭狠拧了他耳朵一下,“四舅和舅娘一生一世只一双人,不离不弃、生死相随,你却和他们截然相反,我倒是要看看你这辈子能招惹多少女人。”


玱玹龇牙咧嘴地揉耳朵,委屈地说:“我又不是故意招惹的。”


小夭懒得理他,起身要走,嘲讽地问:“要不要我给你叫个女人进来?”


玱玹闭上了眼睛,“我还昏着呢!”


小夭把门关上,回了自己屋子。


小夭躺在榻上,怎么睡都睡不着。


阿念骂母亲的那些话是藏在她心底最深的恐惧,她不愿回想,但眼前依旧浮现出一袭血红的衣袍,那男子睥睨张狂得好似要踏碎整个世界,可是他看着母亲的眼神却是那么温柔缠绵,而母亲看他的目光……小夭当时不明白,现在却懂了。


母亲滴落的泪,似乎还印在小夭的脸上。


小夭不自禁地摸了一下自己的脸颊,想擦去那些眼泪,却什么都没有。


小夭惊得一下坐起来,打开榻头的小箱子,从摆满了毒药的瓶瓶罐罐中,拿出一瓶青梅酒。


这是璟送来的酒,也不知道他是揪出了内奸,还是想出了瞒过奶奶的方法,或者因为玱玹和丰隆有了协议,更信任璟,肯动用暗卫和他联系,反正现在每两个月,小夭会通过玱玹收到两瓶青梅酒。


小夭大喝了几口酒,好似从璟那里获得了力量,慢慢平静下来。小夭把关于母亲的思绪都赶走,她一边啜着酒,一边想着父王,渐渐地笑了,恐惧淡去。她的心清清楚楚地告诉她,父王很爱她!她肯定是父王的女儿!


一个人突然从窗户跃进来,又迅速地把窗户关好。


隐隐地有士兵的呼喝声传来,显然是在追捕什么人。


小夭没叫、没动,把玩着手中的酒瓶,带着几分被打扰了的不悦说:“我不会被你要挟帮你遮掩,趁早离开,重新选人还来得及。”


来人显然没接受小夭的建议,向着榻走来,小夭替他数数:“一、二、三……”一直数到了十,男子走到了榻前,依旧没有倒。


小夭知道这次来的人灵力高强,毒药很难毒倒。


男子伸手挑起了纱帘,坐在小夭的榻上。


小夭说:“你虽然灵力高强,不过你受伤了,我还是建议你不要找我。”


男子戴着面具,静看着小夭。


小夭的身体紧绷,感觉告诉她这是个熟人。她伸手,男子没阻止,小夭缓缓摘下了他的面具,是防风邶。


小夭苦笑,“我比较希望你是专程深夜来探访我的香闺。”


防风邶没说话,小夭说:“你就不能去找你的狐朋狗友吗?干吗要投奔我?”


“你也说了他们是狐朋狗友。”防风邶一说话,唇角有鲜血溢出,他不在意地擦掉了。


小夭无奈,很无奈,可不得不抓起他的手腕,然后把高辛王和轩辕王给她的灵丹妙药分了防风邶一些。


“你躺下吧。”


防风邶躺到榻上,小夭也躺下,盖好被子,“我哥哥如今完全镇不住场面,我的身份不见得管用,待会儿人家要硬搜,我也没办法。”


防风邶不说话,小夭觉得他今晚十分怪异,正狐疑地琢磨,听到外面闹腾起来了。


小夭什么都不能做,只能静静等待。


她低声问:“你究竟干了什么?不会是去刺杀轩辕王吧?应该不是,多少刺客轰轰烈烈而来,凄凄惨惨而死,你这么个聪明人应该不会干这种傻事。”


防风邶依旧不理她。


小夭叹气,“真可惜你不是真正的浪荡子!”


婢女来敲门,小夭配合地让她敲了几下,才装出刚睡醒的样子问:“怎么了?外面闹什么呢?”


婢女回道:“是世子带兵在抓人。”


“岳梁?”小夭披衣而起,“他打算搜府吗?表哥怎么说?”


“王子还昏睡着呢!”


另一个婢女急急忙忙地说:“王姬,快点穿好衣服吧!士兵已经搜了王子的屋子,把王子的屋子翻得乱七八糟,衣服都挑破了,奴婢怕他们待会儿冲进来冒犯到您!”


小夭不禁捏了捏拳头,不得不佩服玱玹真是能忍,堂堂王子竟然由着几个士兵搜自己的房间,乱翻自己的东西。


小夭打开门,让两个婢女进来,她端坐到榻上。


两个婢女小声提议:“那些士兵都很粗鲁,不如王姬暂时回避一下,奴婢们在这里看着就行了。”


小夭笑笑,“没关系,我也正好见识一下。”


几队士兵正挨着房间搜,似乎都听说过小夭的泼辣名气,都刻意避开。一队搜到了阿念的房间,士兵没客气,海棠刚一开门,他们就想往里冲,海棠也没客气,立即动手。海棠是高辛王训练来保护阿念的,对付这几个士兵自然小菜一碟。


小夭坐在榻上,看得直笑。


轩辕的士兵向来以悍勇著称,在四个低等神族的指挥下,一下子竟然摆出了阵形,将海棠团团围住,海棠开始渐渐显得吃力。


小夭暗叹,难怪轩辕王令天下畏惧,就这么一群普通的人族士兵都丝毫不畏惧灵力高强的神族。


阿念走出了屋子,挥手射出一排冰刃,将几个士兵射倒,但她也很有分寸,没伤及性命。更多的士兵拥了进来,结成阵形,围攻阿念,还有两个驱策坐骑的妖族立在半空。看样子是打算观察清楚后,一击必杀。


小夭对婢女说:“你去问问岳梁,他是不是不想活了?”


一个婢女迟疑着不敢,另一个婢女却毫不犹豫地走到门口,扬声问:“王姬问世子是不是不想活了?”


一瞬后,岳梁赔着笑走了进来,给端坐在榻上的小夭行礼,“表姐何来此言?”起身时,眼睛滴溜溜地把屋子扫了一圈。


小夭笑着说:“你脑子里也不知道装了些什么,一点眼色没有。你看看那个婢女,你觉得一般人能用得了吗?不是我瞧不起你,就是你身边,要找出模样这般好、灵力又这般高的女子,只怕也没一个。”


岳梁不阴不阳地说:“我以为是表姐的人。”


“不是,是我妹妹的。”小夭指指阿念。


岳梁脸色变了,大喝一声“住手”。


岳梁的脸色很难看,“高辛王姬来了,表姐却隐匿不奏?”更怒的是,竟然没有人通知他。


小夭笑眯眯地说:“你以为我想隐匿就能隐匿?不过是外爷懒得让你们知道而已,怕你们几个动什么歪主意,扰了我妹妹的清净,不信你回去问你爹!”


岳梁这边住手了,阿念却没住手,把对玱玹的伤心、小夭的讨厌全部发泄到了轩辕士兵身上,把所有士兵都打倒在地,还怒问:“想动手的都过来!”


岳梁知道了轩辕王默许阿念在此,心里再怒,也不敢给小夭甩脸子了。他赔着笑说:“还请表姐安抚一下王姬,不是我有意冒犯,实在是完全不知道。”


小夭站起,拉开纱帘,让岳梁看,“要不要仔细搜搜我的房间呢?”


岳梁忙道:“不敢,不敢。”却仍旧是扫了一眼,只见被褥零乱,显然是匆匆起身,榻角还有一件大红的绣花抹胸若隐若现。岳梁不禁心里一荡,下意识地看向小夭的胸,表姐只怕没穿……


小夭也看到了自己的抹胸,脸色立变,忙放下纱帘,冷了脸,强装着镇定说:“出去!”


岳梁越发心里痒痒,恨不得能摸一把,可再有色心,也不敢动小夭,只能退了出去。


岳梁琢磨着小夭的房间他已经看过,并不像藏了人,现在他怀疑的是阿念。可士兵都被阿念放倒在地,他不想和阿念直接起冲突。毕竟小夭算是半个自己人,有什么不周,和爷爷还好交代,可如果对阿念真有失礼之处,那就是对高辛的公然挑衅。


岳梁想了想,命人退出小院,却在外面守着,一边给阿念赔罪,一边说:“因为有奸徒作恶,怕王姬遇险,所以特意派兵保护。”


阿念深恨岳梁带坏了玱玹,巴不得岳梁说错话,让她借题发挥,狠狠揍他一顿,再去和轩辕王告状,可岳梁曲意奉承,硬是让阿念一个错都挑不出,只能气鼓鼓地回了屋子。因为很坦然,阿念对外面的士兵是一点不在乎。


外面渐渐安静了,两个婢女行礼退出,把门关上。

CHAPTER 17 (2/2):

小夭熄了灯,坐到榻上,把纱帘放下,掀开被子,露出防风邶的头,低声问:“没闷死吧?”


防风邶闭着眼睛没理她,小夭也不能点灯,只能手塞进被子里去摸他的手,搭在他腕上,查看他的伤势,刚才喂给他的稀世灵药没有发生一点作用。


小夭猛地放开他的手,躺倒,呆呆地盯着帐顶。


半晌后,她才问:“你究竟是谁?”


“你希望我是谁?”防风邶的声音很冷。


小夭不吭声,好一会儿后说:“你爱是谁就是谁吧!”


防风邶半撑起身子,头缓缓地伏下,唇就要挨着她的脖子,小夭的手挡了下,“别!”他的唇挨在了她的掌心。


防风邶立即躺了回去,小夭侧身而躺,把手腕递给他,“咬这里。”


“为什么那里不行?”防风邶的脸很冷。


小夭开始很怀念随意随性、风趣无赖的防风邶,“你说呢?防风邶!”


防风邶沉默了一瞬,扶着小夭的手腕,几颗尖尖的小獠牙,刺破了小夭的手腕,这是小夭第一次亲眼看到他吸她的血,并不觉得痛,反而有种凉飕飕的快感。


小夭专注地看着防风邶,防风邶扫了一眼小夭,小夭立即乖乖地闭上眼睛。她郁闷!她还是怕他啊!


好一会儿后,小夭觉得头有些晕,却没吭声,这里是轩辕城,他的伤必须尽快好!


防风邶停止了吮血,他轻轻舔舐着小夭的伤口,小夭的血凝住,不再往外流,等他放下小夭的手腕,已经看不出是伤,只像一个激烈的吻痕。


防风邶轻声叫:“小夭。”


小夭睁不开眼睛,喃喃说:“没事,你疗伤,我睡一觉就好。”


防风邶翻了翻小夭的疗伤药,拣出一瓶玉髓,喂着小夭吃了。


防风邶躺下,闭目疗伤。


小夭一觉睡到快晌午才醒,她睁开眼睛,立即去看防风邶,看他依旧闭目静静躺着,才放下心来。


小夭知道他虽不能动,却能听得见,低声说:“我饿了,去吃点东西。不会有人进来,你安心疗伤。”


小夭起身,把纱帘掩好,走到角落里,窸窸窣窣地把衣服换了,梳好头发,走了出去。边走边下毒,在门口又布了一层毒药,才放心。


昨夜敢大声传话给岳梁的婢女正在庭院内侍弄花草,小夭对她悄声吩咐:“看着他们。”就凭昨夜她敢对岳梁传话,小夭肯定她是玱玹的人。


那婢女提着水壶,扫了一眼庭院外守着的士兵,回道:“奴婢明白,若有事,奴婢必会立即闹起来。”


小夭笑起来,“你叫什么名字?”


“奴婢潇潇。”


小夭去玱玹屋里,阿念也在,玱玹仍懒懒地半躺在榻上,满屋狼藉,衣箱敞着,被翻得乱七八糟,地上几件被撕毁的衣袍。


阿念怒气冲冲地说着昨夜的事,玱玹也好似十分生气,一遍遍承诺,必要去找岳梁算账。


阿念看到小夭进来,心中有一丝畏惧,瞪了小夭一眼,离开了。


小夭在屋子里转了一圈,啧啧两声,“他们不会连你的身子都搜了一遍吧?”


玱玹笑笑,“那倒没有,只是掀开被子看了两眼。”


小夭沉默了,他们竟然真敢!


玱玹大叫一声:“来人!”


婢女立即端了洗漱用具进来,小夭和玱玹一起洗了脸,漱了口。


婢女送来饭菜,小夭吃饭。


玱玹说:“昨夜应该算是奇耻大辱,我好像再没血性也该发作一下,所以我得去找他们算账,你若觉得这里乌烟瘴气,就带阿念回朝云峰。”


小夭说:“你问一下是为了什么岳梁要亲自带兵搜查。”


“你不说,我也得要他们给我个交代。”玱玹苍白着脸,出去了。


小夭吃完饭,回了自己屋子。


小夭怕扰到相柳疗伤,刚一进门,就低声说:“是我。”


她掀开纱帘,防风邶依旧静静地躺着。


小夭盘腿坐在榻上,静静地看着他。


小夭清楚地记得那是一个夏日的早上,她仔细地装好送给相柳的毒药,去涂山氏的车马行里,把东西送出,还想着相柳看到她那一盒子绚丽美艳的毒药该是什么感觉,也许要骂她变态。


当她心情愉悦地走出车马行时,他翩翩而来,就像所有浪荡子勾引女人一般,含笑搭讪,居然要教她射箭。小夭一边好笑,一边并不排斥他的接近,也许是因为他总让她觉得熟悉。


从他教她射箭的那日到现在,已经两年。


两年间,两人结伴玩遍了轩辕城的每个角落,他有时候失踪,有时候出现,随意随性,小夭都觉得他们能这么天长地久地玩下去,因为两人的态度太像了,什么都不在乎,什么都不介意尝试,什么都感兴趣,什么都能令他们微笑。他们欣赏一切美丽美好,却什么都不想要,他们的生命就好似踩在明与暗的交界处,如果选择面朝光明,则背后是千里荒凉,如果选择了面朝黑暗,则红尘繁华只在他们身后绚烂。但即使面朝光明,他们依旧踩着黑暗,不是不明白纯粹的光明,但曾经历的一切永不会遗忘,如影随形地跟随着。他们坚强、独立、冷漠,不管遇见什么,都可以好好地活着。


昨夜,她知道他是相柳时,一点诧异的感觉都没有,就好似一切本该如此,甚至她心里的某个角落如释重负,可同时另一个角落又悬了起来。


第二日傍晚,玱玹才七倒八歪地回来了。


他如何去质问岳梁的,无法知道,只是看到他搂着两个美貌的女子,边说边笑地进了屋子。


侍从小声给小夭和阿念解释:“是世子为了赔罪,送给王子的婢女。”


阿念不敢相信地怒问:“为了两个女人,哥哥就连人家搜他的屋子,搜我们的屋子都不计较了?”


侍从为难地低着头,“世子也给王子道歉了。”


“道歉?前夜的事是一声道歉就能了的事?”阿念气得声音都变了,轩辕士兵都对她动了手,只是一句道歉?


阿念推开侍从,冲进玱玹的屋子,可又立即退了出来,脸涨得通红,眼中泪花滚滚,显然是看到了不该看到的画面,应该是玱玹和那两个女人在亲热。


阿念呆呆地站了一会儿,猛地转身,匆匆向自己的屋子奔去。不一会儿,就看海棠提着行囊,陪着阿念走出屋子。


小夭问道:“你是回高辛吗?”


阿念盯着小夭,冷冷地嘲讽:“听说昨夜岳梁连你的床榻都翻看了,你却什么都不敢做!你的本事也不过是欺负我!”


小夭什么都说不了,只能沉默。


海棠已经召唤了玄鸟坐骑,阿念跃上坐骑,腾空而起。


匆忙间,小夭只来得及对海棠叮嘱:“护送王姬回高辛。”


潇潇看小夭一直凝望着天空,轻轻走过来,低声道:“大王姬不必担心,会有人暗中保护二王姬。”


小夭说:“我知道。”玱玹一直是最保护阿念的人,却是他带给了阿念人生中的第一次风暴和伤害。并不是阿念在玱玹心中的地位变了,只不过因为玱玹有更重要的事,他选择了放弃保护阿念。


小夭回了屋子,她握住防风邶的手,查探了一下防风邶的伤势,他的疗伤快要结束了。


小夭把一套男子衣衫放在他身旁,轻轻离开了。她可以从容地面对防风邶,也可以嬉笑地面对相柳,但现在还不知道该如何同时面对防风邶和相柳。


小夭躺在花园里的青石板上,看月亮。


玱玹披着外袍,坐到她身旁,“阿念走了?”


“嗯。”


玱玹问:“你生我的气了吗?”


小夭侧头看玱玹,他的头发仍湿着,显然刚洗过澡。玱玹本不喜熏香,现在身上却有一股浓重的龙涎香,显然是想熏去更让他讨厌的气味。小夭问:“这段荒淫的日子你过得开心吗?”


玱玹苦笑,“噩梦!不是只有女人与不喜欢的男人虚与委蛇时才会难受,男人一样难受,说老实话,我宁愿被人刺上两剑。”


小夭幸灾乐祸地笑,“这次的事最苦的人是你,你都已经对自己下了狠手,我还生什么气?”相比玱玹给自己的伤害,他给阿念的伤害简直不值一提。


玱玹敲了小夭的头一下。


小夭握住了玱玹的手腕,静静把了一会儿脉说:“抓紧时间,你对药的依赖会越来越强,如果再过半年,我也不敢保证能把你身体内的毒全部清除。”


玱玹喃喃说:“快了,就快了,现在万事俱备,只差最后一步。”


小夭问:“前夜的事是为了什么?”


“丢了东西。有德岩和禹阳府邸的地图,估计还有他们一些见不得人的东西,所以他们十分紧张。不过我看那贼子的意图可不是德岩和禹阳,而是不起眼的另两张图。轩辕在中原有一些秘密的粮仓和兵器库,是为了防备突然爆发战争,可以及时调运兵器和粮草。我猜测有人打上了粮仓和兵器库的主意。”


小夭沉默了一会儿,问道:“你打算告诉外爷吗?”


“为什么要告诉他?如果真是相柳派人做的,现在神农义军是德岩和禹阳的麻烦,与我无关。某种程度上,敌人的敌人就是朋友。”


小夭放下心来。小夭说:“哥哥,帮我做一件事情。我想知道所有关于防风邶的事,从他出生到现在,一切你所能查到的。”


玱玹审视着小夭,“你……不会真被他勾得动了心吧?”


小夭受不了玱玹的锐利目光,偏过头说道:“我只是好奇,反正你帮我查查。”


“好。”能让小夭上心,现在玱玹也很好奇。


他出来已经有一阵子,玱玹抓着小夭的袖子,头埋在她衣服间,轻轻地嗅着,像是撒娇一般,恼怒地说:“我不想回去,我讨厌那两个女人!”


小夭忍不住笑,“没人逼你回去。”


玱玹静静趴了一会儿,抬起头,淡淡地说:“从我娘自尽那一刻起,我就不能再任性。”


他起身要走,小夭抓住他的衣袖,“我虽不能帮你把那两个女人赶跑,但我能解救你的鼻子,让它暂时什么都嗅不到。”


玱玹笑了,眉间的阴郁散去,温柔地摇摇头,“不,我要让自己好好记住一切的屈辱,日后若有懈怠时,我可以想想当年为了活下去我都曾忍受过什么。”


玱玹离去了,小夭看着月亮发呆,直到沉睡过去。


清晨,她回到屋子时,床榻整整齐齐,已经空无一人。小夭缓缓坐在榻上,双手互握,无意识地抚弄着指上的硬茧。


三个月后,玱玹负责的河运出了大差错,轩辕王恼怒,令玱玹搬回朝云殿,不许再下山,好好思过。


恰好神农山的一座小宫殿因为几百年无人居住,年久失修,坍塌了,惹得神农族的不少老顽固们不满,上书轩辕王应该好好维修神农山的宫殿,神农山可是中原的象征。轩辕王同意整修神农山的宫殿,尤其是紫金殿。


众位官员商讨该派谁去,身份太低的不足以代表轩辕王,身份高的又没有人愿意去已经废弃的神农山虚耗生命。这是一件看上去很不错,其实非常差的差事。


轩辕王身边的近侍偷偷和岳梁、始冉他们说,轩辕王打算从他们几个孙子中挑选一个,岳梁和始冉吓坏了,神农山能叫得上名字的山峰就有二十八峰,一座座宫殿整修,没个百八十年根本回不来,修好了,是应该,修不好,那些中原氏族恐怕会不停上书批驳,现在爷爷的身体那么差,万一爷爷有个闪失,他们人在万里之外,那……


始冉想了个鬼主意,和岳梁一说,岳梁再和父亲商量完,都觉得如此办既能解了眼下的燃眉之急,又可以趁着轩辕王现在气恼玱玹,彻底把玱玹赶出去。否则玱玹在轩辕城,指不准又能把轩辕王哄得上了心,毕竟只有玱玹能住在朝云殿,和轩辕王日夜相伴,他们却是没有轩辕王的召见,连朝云殿的门都进不了。


朝臣们几经商议后,有人提议让玱玹去,得到众朝臣的纷纷赞成,轩辕王思索了一夜,同意了朝臣们的提议,派玱玹去中原,负责整修神农山的宫殿。


小夭从没有去过神农山,对这座曾是神农国历代王族居住的神山很是好奇,向轩辕王请求,允许她去神农山玩玩。


德岩和禹阳都反对,认为小夭是高辛王姬,已经在轩辕住了一段日子,实不适合去神农山,委婉地建议轩辕王应该送小夭回高辛。轩辕王竟然大怒,对德岩和禹阳一字一顿地说:“小夭是我和轩辕王后的血脉,轩辕国是我和王后所建,只要我在一日,她就是在轩辕住一辈子,玩遍整个轩辕国,也全凭她乐意!”轩辕王说这话时用了灵力,威严的声音一字字清晰地传到了殿外,所有站在殿外的人都听得一清二楚。


德岩和禹阳不明白很少动怒的轩辕王为什么会生气,却感受到了轩辕王眼中那一瞬的怒意,吓得腿软,忙跪下磕头,连带着殿内的几个心腹重臣都纷纷跪倒。


没有多久,整个轩辕朝堂的臣子,连带着大荒所有氏族的族长都明白了,小夭在轩辕王心中非比寻常,把外孙女的那个外字去掉会更贴切。


小夭觉得轩辕王的那些话是特意说给整个轩辕的臣子听的,不太明白轩辕王这么做的用意,她觉得轩辕王对她去中原似乎有些不放心,似乎认为高辛王的威仪都不足以保护她,所以要再加上轩辕王的威仪,让所有人明白,她是轩辕王和轩辕王后缬祖的血脉,伤她,就是在辱轩辕王和缬祖。


可谁能伤她呢?小夭想不出来,她可从来没和谁结过生死仇怨,只能觉得是自己想多了,毕竟帝王心思难测,也许轩辕王只是寻个借口警告德岩和禹阳。


春暖花开时,在择定的吉辰,玱玹带着十来个侍从,离开轩辕城,去往中原。


小夭带了一个贴身侍女珊瑚,十来个高辛侍卫,随着玱玹一起去往中原。


当云辇从朝云峰飞起时,小夭忍不住再次看向朝云殿,那些高大的凤凰树,开着火红的凤凰花,像晚霞一般笼罩着朝云殿。


玱玹却未回头去看,他只是静静地坐着。


上一次离开,小夭身旁是娘亲,她对站在凤凰树下送别的玱玹频频挥手,以为很快就能回来和玱玹哥哥一起在凤凰花下荡秋千,可不管是天真懵懂的小夭,还是已初尝人世疾苦的玱玹,都没有想到这一去就是三百多年。


这一次离开,已经历了世事无常、悲欢离合的他们都很清楚,想再次在凤凰花下一起荡秋千难如登天,就算能再次回来,也不知又会是多少年。


玱玹看小夭一直趴在窗口往后眺望,说道:“我会在神农山的紫金顶上也栽下凤凰树,再给你做个秋千架。”


小夭坐直了身子,回头看向他。玱玹放弃了一切,去往中原,选择了一条不成功就全输的路。如果他不能在神农山紫金顶种下凤凰树,那么他只怕也永不会有机会看到朝云峰的凤凰树,所以他必须不惜一切代价,在紫金顶上种下凤凰树。


小夭笑眯眯地说:“好的,我肯定会喜欢在紫金顶上荡秋千的。”


小夭为了祭拜母亲回轩辕山,是她和轩辕王的血缘关系,没有牵涉到轩辕的朝堂斗争内,在所有人眼中,她只是和轩辕王有血缘关系的高辛王姬。可是,当小夭选择了和玱玹同赴中原,小夭等于告诉天下,她选择了站在玱玹一边,在所有人眼中,小夭变成了和高辛王有血缘关系的玱玹的妹妹。玱玹的一举一动都会影响到小夭,甚至小夭的性命。


玱玹看着自己的手,讥讽地笑,“我是不是太自私了?其实我应该让你和阿念一样,离开我。”


小夭握住了玱玹的手,“外祖父有句话没有说错,我是轩辕王后的血脉,整个朝云殿,只剩下你、我了。外婆临终时叮嘱过我们,要我们相互扶持,如果你现在过得很好,我可以什么都不理,可你现在的情形,我纵使远走,也不得心安。”


玱玹自嘲:“相互扶持?我只看到你扶持我,没看到我扶持你。”


小夭摇晃着玱玹的手,开玩笑地说:“你着急什么啊?我们神族的寿命那么漫长,你还怕没机会扶持我?我小算盘打得精着呢!如今让你略微靠靠我,日后我可打算完全靠着你了!”小夭看玱玹依旧眉头蹙着,头靠到玱玹肩头,声音变得又低又柔,“你和我需要分那么清楚吗?”


玱玹虽然唇角依旧紧抿,没有一丝笑意,眉头却渐渐地舒展开,他轻轻地叫了声“小夭”,紧紧地握住了小夭的手。


小夭不知道中原等待着玱玹和她的是什么,那是一个高辛王几乎影响不了,即使征服了它的轩辕王也影响力有限的地方,那里有大荒最古老的世家大族,有神农义军心心念念的神农山,有大荒内最繁华的商邑,有骄傲保守的中原六大氏……但不管等待他们的是什么,小夭只知道他们必须走下去。

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                                                                 LOST IN TRANSLATION -Chapter 17

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Exploration post on differences in translations in this chapter. A voyage into words. Not exhaustive, but with some hopefully interesting insight :) .

(http://m.xsbiquge.la/book/36337/19812276.html)/Winny's book/Koala's transcription)

Shortcuts = C/T/K -Let's enter the subject!.
Passage 1-context: Xiao Yao slaped Ah Nian for her harsh words she angrily let out, on Xiao Yao's parents. But the ongoing  confrontation unexpectibly re-open a deep burried memory. She recall a moment of her parents together with her.
Extract/Chinese:
The words Anian scolded her mother were the deepest fear in her heart. She didn't want to think about it, but a blood-red robe still appeared in front of her eyes. The man was so arrogant that he seemed to crush the whole world, but he looked at her mother His eyes were so gentle and lingering, and the way his mother looked at him... Xiaoyao didn't understand it at the time, but she understands it now. The tears her mother shed seemed to still be imprinted on Xiaoyao's face.
Xiaoyao couldn't help but touch her cheek, trying to wipe away the tears, but there was nothing.
Xiaoyao sat up in shock, opened the small box at the head of the couch, and took out a bottle of green plum wine from the bottles filled with poison.
This is the wine sent by Jing. I don’t know if he found out the traitor, or figured out a way to hide it from grandma, or because Xuanxuan and Fenglong had an agreement, they trusted Jing more and were willing to use secret guards to contact him. , anyway now every two months, Xiaoyao will receive two bottles of green plum wine through Xuanxuan.
Xiaoyao took a few sips of wine and seemed to gain strength from Jing, slowly calming down. Xiaoyao pushed away all thoughts about her mother. While sipping her wine, she thought about her father. She gradually smiled and her fear faded away. Her heart told her clearly that her father loved her very much! She must be her father's daughter!
Extract/Thaï:
A Nian's condemning words towards her mother were the greatest horror hidden deep in her mind. She didn't want to think back on it. But in front of her, the blood-red dress kept appearing. That man was arrogant, and crazy, as if he would trample the whole world under his feet, but the eyes he looked at her mother were so gentle and deep. As for the eyes her mother looked at him with... At the time, Xiao Yao didn't understand, but now she did.
Mother's tears seemed to still be on her face, and Xiao Yao couldn't help but reach out to touch her cheek, intending to wipe away the tears. But she found nothing.
 Xiao Yao was so scared that she sat up straight away, opened the small chest at the head of the bed, and took out a bottle of plum wine from it amidst the many bottles and jars of poison that were lined up.
This was the wine that Jing had sent. She didn't know if he had already dragged out the traitors, or thought of a way to hide it from his grandmother, or perhaps because Zhuan Xu and Feng Long had reached an agreement together, hence they trusted Jing more and were willing to use a secret guard to contact him. In any case, every two months now, Xiao Yao would receive two bottles of plum wine through Zhuan Xu.
Xiao Yao drank a few gulps and felt a surge of energy from Jing, which comforted her. Xiao Yao dispelled all her thoughts and feelings about her mother. She drank while thinking about her father, and gradually smiled. The fear diluted. Her heart clearly told her: her father loved her very much! She must be her father’s daughter!
Extract/Koala:
The insults Ah Nian hurled at her mother were the words hidden in her heart that she was most afraid to face. But in her eyes there was the image of a vividly red robe, and a man with the look in his eyes that was so arrogant and wild that he could eviscerate the world in his one glance, yet when he looked at her mom, his eyes was so tender and loving. And the way her mom looked at him…..Xiao Yao didn’t know it then, but she understood it now.
The way her mom cried when she looked at him…the feeling of the tears landing on Xiao Yao’s face was a sensation she could still feel.
Xiao Yao touched her face as if to wipe those tears away but there was nothing.
Xiao Yao sat up in shock and opened the box on the foot of her pallet and pulled out a bottle of plum wine. Jing found a way to send plum wine every few months now, whether it was because he found the spy or another way to avoid his grandmother, or because of his alliance wit Zhuan Xu and Feng Long.
Xiao Yao gulped down the wine and felt like she got strength from Jing and slowly calmed down. Xiao Yao chased the thoughts of her mom away and drank her wine and thought about her dad. She smiled and her feelings told her that her dad loved her very much! She had to be her dad’s daughter!
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Now...let's highlight specific excerpts from each passage that demonstrate differences:


-C:The words Anian scolded her mother were the deepest fear in her heart. She didn't want to think about it, but a blood-red robe still appeared in front of her eyes./T:A Nian's condemning words towards her mother were the greatest horror hidden deep in her mind. She didn't want to think back on it. But in front of her, the blood-red dress kept appearing./K:The insults Ah Nian hurled at her mother were the words hidden in her heart that she was most afraid to face. But in her eyes there was the image of a vividly red robe, (notice the coma here too)

Analysis:
Chinese Original Text:
"The words Anian scolded her mother were the deepest fear in her heart."
The use of "deepest fear" conveys the intensity of Xiao Yao's emotions and the significance of Ah Nian's words in affecting her.
"a blood-red robe still appeared in front of her eyes."
The imagery of the "blood-red robe" is vivid and striking, suggesting a powerful and haunting memory associated with Ah Nian's words.
Thaï Physical Book Extract:
"A Nian's condemning words towards her mother were the greatest horror hidden deep in her mind."
The use of "greatest horror" emphasizes the profound impact of Ah Nian's words on Xiao Yao's psyche.
"But in front of her, the blood-red dress kept appearing."
Similar to the Chinese version, the imagery of the "blood-red dress" is retained, symbolizing the persistent intrusion of Xiao Yao's traumatic memory.
Koala Transcription:
"The insults Ah Nian hurled at her mother were the words hidden in her heart that she was most afraid to face."
Here, the term "insults" adds a layer of directness to Ah Nian's words, highlighting their hurtful nature.
"But in her eyes there was the image of a vividly red robe,"
Here, the absence of "blood" and the use of "vividly red robe" suggest a difference in imagery.As blood is clearly an organic word. Additionally, the inclusion of a comma implies a continuation or connection to what follows.
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C:. The man was so arrogant that he seemed to crush the whole world, but he looked at her mother His eyes were so gentle and lingering, and the way his mother looked at him... Xiaoyao didn't understand it at the time, but she understands it now. //T:That man was arrogant, and crazy, as if he would trample the whole world under his feet, but the eyes he looked at her mother were so gentle and deep. As for the eyes her mother looked at him with... At the time, Xiao Yao didn't understand, but now she did.//K:, and a man with the look in his eyes that was so arrogant and wild that he could eviscerate the world in his one glance, yet when he looked at her mom, his eyes was so tender and loving. And the way her mom looked at him…..Xiao Yao didn’t know it then, but she understood it now.


Let's pinpoint the specific differences in wording and phrasing between the Koala transcription (K) and the original text (C) and Thaï version (T):
Original Text (C):
"he looked at her mother His eyes were so gentle and lingering"
Thaï Physical Book Extract (T):
"but the eyes he looked at her mother were so gentle and deep"
Koala Transcription (K):
"yet when he looked at her mom, his eyes was so tender and loving."
Here both Chinese and Thai use the word gentle and lingering, deep- but not K => tender and loving.The difference in wording regarding the description of the man's gaze towards Xiao Yao's mother between the Koala transcription and the original text/Thaï version implies a nuanced shift in the portrayal of the emotional dynamics of the scene:


Original Text (C) and Thaï Physical Book Extract (T):
By using the phrases "gentle and lingering" and "gentle and deep," these versions emphasize - tenderness and depth in the man's gaze towards Xiao Yao's mother. This portrayal suggests a complex emotional connection between the man and Xiao Yao's mother, hinting at underlying affection his outward arrogance.
Koala Transcription (K):
The choice of "tender and loving" in the Koala transcription introduces a slightly different emotional tone. While still conveying affection, this phrase imply a more overt and openly caring demeanor in the man's gaze. The use of "loving" suggests a deeper emotional bond or affectionate regard, possibly portraying the man's feelings towards Xiao Yao's mother in a more overtly positive light. 


Therefore, the difference in wording implies a subtle shift in the interpretation of the man's gaze. While the original text and Thaï version suggest a nuanced blend of gentleness and depth, the Koala transcription portrays the man's gaze as explicitly tender and loving, possibly emphasizing a stronger emotional connection between the characters.
 The use of "gentle and lingering" and "gentle and deep" in the original text and Thaï version  also serves to reveal the complexity of the man's character:
Contrast with Outward Arrogance:
The description of the man's gaze as "gentle and lingering" or "gentle and deep" contrasts starkly with his outward appearance of arrogance and wildness. This stark contrast suggests a multifaceted character who possesses both an outwardly harsh demeanor and a hidden, softer side.
Revealing Gentle Inner Nature:
The portrayal of the man's gaze as "gentle" implies the existence of a gentle inner nature beneath his outward bravado. This suggests that despite his arrogant and wild exterior, there is a deeper complexity to his character, including the capacity for gentleness and affection.
Complex Emotional Connection:
The description of the man's gaze hints at a complex emotional connection between him and Xiao Yao's mother. It suggests that their relationship is not defined solely by surface-level interactions or appearances but involves deeper emotional bonds and complexities.

Both phrases (C)&(T) "gentle and lingering" and "gentle and deep" not only emphasize gentleness and depth but also serve to illuminate the complexity of the man's character and the nuanced dynamics of his relationship with Xiao Yao's mother. This portrayal adds depth and richness to the scene, inviting readers to consider the multidimensional nature of the characters and their interactions.
The use of "gentle," "lingering," and "deep" to describe the man's gaze in both the Chinese original text (C) and the Thaï physical book extract (T)  resonate with  Jing's main character traits. These adjectives suggest qualities of depth, tenderness, and introspection, which all reflect Jing's personality. He is depicted as kind-hearted, compassionate, and considerate, especially towards Xiao Yao. His gentle nature is one of his defining characteristics, and it often influences his interactions with other characters and shapes the dynamics of the relationships in the narrative.
Given Jing's gentle nature, the use of descriptors like "gentle," "lingering," and "deep" to describe the man's gaze in the original text and Thaï version could indeed be interpreted as subtly linking these qualities to Jing. These adjectives align with Jing's character portrayal and could serve to underscore the described man's emotional depth and tenderness, especially in the context of his relationship with Xiao Yao's mother.
In the Koala transcription, the omission of these specific adjectives might deviate from directly associating these qualities with Jing.
In  (K), these specific adjectives are omitted, potentially indicating a deliberate choice to deviate from directly linking the qualities of the man's gaze to Jing. This omission might be intentional, as it allows for interpretation or imagination regarding the nature of the man's gaze and its significance to Xiao Yao's emotional journey. Thelack of "deep", "lingering" by "loving" " remove the  added sense of prolonged or lingering affection present in (C) and (T), that  hints at an emotional connection that persists over time -rather than a plane emotional adjective.

Here is an exemple , an extract from ch 20, i choosed  over many, because the word gentle appear a lot in one single paragraphe:

Jing gently kissed the corner of her mouth. Xiao Yao closed her eyes, and didn't dare to move. Jing kissed the other corner of her mouth. Xiao Yao still did not dodge. Finally, he gently sucked Xiao Yao's lips. Jing's lips were warm, soft, and moist. It reminded Xiao Yao of the guppies on a summer morning. When she was young, she used to bring dew-soaked guppies,  pursed it on her mouth, then gently suck out the nectar. Mild sweetness seeping from her mouth to throat, from the throat flowing smoothly to the heart.

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                                                         "While sipping her wine, she thought about her father." 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

这是璟送来的酒,也不知道他是揪出了内奸,还是想出了瞒过奶奶的方法,或者因为玱玹和丰隆有了协议,更信任璟,肯动用暗卫和他联系,反正现在每两个月,小夭会通过玱玹收到两瓶青梅酒。


小夭大喝了几口酒,好似从璟那里获得了力量,慢慢平静下来。小夭把关于母亲的思绪都赶走,她一边啜着酒,一边想着父王,渐渐地笑了,恐惧淡去。她的心清清楚楚地告诉她,父王很爱她!她肯定是父王的女儿!

                                                                        

Extract: This is the wine sent by Jing. I don’t know if he found out the traitor, or figured out a way to hide it from grandma, or because Xuanxuan and Fenglong had an agreement, they trusted Jing more and were willing to use secret guards to contact him. , anyway now every two months, Xiaoyao will receive two bottles of green plum wine through Xuanxuan.

Xiaoyao took a few sips of wine and seemed to gain strength from Jing, slowly calming down. Xiaoyao pushed away all thoughts about her mother. While sipping her wine, she thought about her father. She gradually smiled and her fear faded away. Her heart told her clearly that her father loved her very much! She must be her father's daughter!                                                                                            
Chinese Original Text (C):
In this version, Xiaoyao retrieves a bottle of green plum wine from a small box at the head of the couch.
The passage explores Xiaoyao's thoughts about the origin of the wine and her speculation about Jing's involvement in sending it.
Xiaoyao finds solace and strength in drinking  Jing's wine, which helps her to push away thoughts of her mother and focus on her father's love for her.
Thaï Physical Book Extract (T):
Similar to the original text, Xiaoyao retrieves a bottle of plum wine, but this time it's from a small chest at the head of the bed.
The passage also delves into Xiaoyao's thoughts about the wine and Jing's involvement, with speculation about the reasons behind the wine's delivery.
Xiaoyao finds comfort in drinking the wine, allowing her to dispel thoughts of her mother and focus on her father's love, resulting in a gradual easing of her fear.
Koala Transcription (K):
In this version, Xiaoyao retrieves a bottle of plum wine from a box at the foot of her pallet.
The passage discusses Jing's regular delivery of plum wine and speculates on the reasons behind it, including potential actions against traitors or alliances with other characters.
Xiaoyao finds strength and calmness in drinking the wine, enabling her to push away thoughts of her mother and focus on her father's love, resulting in a sense of reassurance and identity.


The difference in the portrayal of Xiaoyao's emotional journey and the role of Jing's wine in the acceptance of her father's love between the Chinese original text (C) and the Thaï physical book extract (T) compared to the Koala transcription (K) may stem from various factors, including the choice of words, phrasing, and structure. Let's analyze these aspects with extracts:
Choice of Words:
In the Chinese original text and the Thaï version, Xiaoyao takes "a few sips" or "a few gulps" of wine, respectively. These phrases suggest a gradual and measured consumption of the wine.
However, in the Koala transcription, Xiaoyao "gulped down" the wine, implying a more rapid consumption. This choice of words may contribute to a different interpretation of Xiaoyao's emotional response, as it suggests a more immediate and intense reaction to the wine.
Phrasing:
In the Koala transcription, the phrase "Xiao Yao chased the thoughts of her mom away and drank her wine and thought about her dad" presents Xiaoyao's actions in a sequential manner. Each action (chasing away thoughts of her mom, drinking her wine, and thinking about her dad) is described as occurring one after the other.
This sequential phrasing differs from the concurrent presentation of actions in the Chinese original text and the Thaï version, where Xiaoyao's actions of pushing away thoughts about her mother and thinking about her father are depicted as happening simultaneously with her consumption of Jing's wine.
This difference in phrasing  subtly affect the pacing and flow of the passage, as well as the perceived connection between Xiaoyao's emotional processing and her interaction with Jing's wine.
Structure:
In the Chinese original text and the Thaï version, Xiaoyao's actions of pushing away thoughts about her mother and thinking about her father are presented as concurrent with her consumption of the wine. This structure implies a direct connection between Xiaoyao's emotional processing and her interaction with Jing's wine.
However, in the Koala transcription, Xiaoyao's actions as we saw precendently in phrasing- are presented sequentially: she first chases away thoughts of her mother, then drinks the wine, and finally thinks about her father. This structure slightly alter the perceived relationship between Xiaoyao's emotional journey and her consumption of the wine: her action is chopped.
Overall, the differences in wording, phrasing, and structure between the three versions contribute to variations in the portrayal of Xiaoyao's emotional journey and the role of Jing's wine in facilitating her acceptance of her father's love.

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                                                                                          A BITTER SMILE

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C: Xiaoyao slowly took off his mask, which was Fangfeng Bei.
Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "I hope you made a special trip late at night to visit my boudoir."//T:Xiao Yao slowly removed the mask and it was Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao forced a smile and said, "I somewhat hoped that you would come to visit my bedroom at odd hours on purpose."//K:She reached out, and the man didn’t stop her, and she slowly took off his mask.It was Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao laughed “I much rather you were making a late night call to my lady’s chamber.”

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Let's delve into an in-depth comparison of these three passages:
Chinese Original Text (C):
Xiaoyao slowly removes the mask, revealing Fangfeng Bei's identity.
Her response is bitter and somewhat sarcastic, expressing a mixture of emotions including resignation and a hint of amusement and cynicism. The use of the phrase "visit my boudoir" adds a touch of irony , and humor to the situation.
Thaï Physical Book Extract (T):
Similar to the original text, Xiaoyao removes the mask, revealing Fang Feng Bei. Her response is forced and somewhat resigned. The same level of sarcastic tone is used as in the chinese version.
Koala Transcription (K):
Xiaoyao takes the initiative to remove the mask, and Fang Feng Bei does not stop her.
Her response is more lighthearted and playful compared to the original text and Thaï version. The phrase "making a late night call to my lady’s chamber" adds a whimsical tone to the interaction, suggesting a playful flirtation or banter between the characters. In the Koala transcription (K), Xiaoyao's tone and demeanor come across as more playful and flirtatious compared to the other versions. This is evident in a few key ways:

Light-hearted Response:
After revealing Fang Feng Bei's identity, Xiaoyao's response is characterized by laughter rather than bitterness or forced smiles. This laughter implies a sense of amusement or enjoyment in the situation, adding a playful tone to her interaction with Fang Feng Bei. In (K) no trace of bitterness. Just a laugh.
Whimsical Phrasing:
The choice of words in Xiaoyao's response in the Koala transcription adds to the playful atmosphere. The phrase "making a late night call to my lady’s chamber" has a whimsical and romantic undertone, suggesting a playful flirtation or banter between Xiaoyao and Fang Feng Bei.
Absence of Bitterness:
Unlike in the other versions where Xiaoyao's response is tinged with bitterness or resignation, in the Koala transcription, there is no indication of bitterness in her demeanor. Instead, her response is characterized by light-heartedness and humor, contributing to a more flirtatious dynamic between the characters, as she simply laugh.

=> A bitter or forced smile hits  a little different ....  

The difference between a bitter or forced smile and laughter signifies a significant difference in tone and emotion:

  • Bitter or Forced Smile: Implies a subdued or a  restrained emotional response, often accompanied by feelings of resignation, bitterness, or discomfort. Xiaoyao's use of a bitter/ forced smile in the passage suggest that she is trying to maintain composure despite feeling displeased. It conveys a sense of  overall dissatisfaction. 

  • 小夭苦笑,“我比较希望你是专程深夜来探访我的香闺。”

                                                                              

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            A global analysis of  Chapter 17 - "Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path" :

Thoughts on the title:

The chapter title "Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path"  relates to the journey and the cyclical nature of events that unfold throughout the chapter.

  1. Journey: Throughout the chapter, characters embark on various physical and emotional journeys. An Nian decides to leave Xuan Yuan and return to Gao Xing, marking the end of her current path within the court. Meanwhile, Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao prepare to travel to Zhong Yuan, beginning a new journey fraught with challenges and uncertainties. The title captures the idea of characters navigating through the twists and turns of their respective paths, both literally and metaphorically.

  2. Cyclical Nature of Events: The title also suggests the recurring patterns and cycles that characterize the characters' lives. They find themselves caught in a cycle of familial obligations, political intrigues, and personal struggles. The title reflects the idea that, no matter how far they travel or how much they strive for change, they often find themselves returning to familiar patterns and facing similar challenges along the way. Just like traveling along a circular path, they find themselves returning to familiar territory or facing similar obstacles in their lives. This reflects the idea of destiny playing a significant role in shaping their experiences, regardless of their intentions or actions. 

  3. Distance: The notion of a "Distant Path" evokes a sense of longing for something beyond reach. It implies that  characters are striving towards distant goals or aspirations, facing challenges and obstacles along the way. The title captures the theme of distance, both physical and emotional, as characters embark on their individual journeys towards fulfillment and self-realization.

         4.Repetition and Renewal: On a deeper level, the title may suggest the cyclical nature of life itself,                   where endings are followed by new beginnings, and experiences are repeated in different forms.                   Each round along the path offers opportunities for growth, learning, and renewal, even as                                  characters confront familiar struggles and setbacks. This cyclical pattern underscores the                                   interconnectedness of past, present, and future in shaping the characters' destinies.

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 Themes and Motifs:

Deception and Disguise: The chapter opens with a depiction of Zhuan Xu's deliberate deception, as he adopts a facade of dissipation and indulgence to mislead his enemies. This theme of deception permeates the narrative, highlighting the complex strategies employed by characters to achieve their goals.
Self-Destruction and Addiction: Zhuan Xu's descent into a lifestyle of hedonism and drug use reflects themes of self-destruction and addiction. His reliance on toxic drugs not only symbolizes his internal turmoil but also serves as a metaphor for the destructive nature of power and ambition.
Sibling Relationships: The strained relationship between Zhuan Xu and A Nian underscores the importance of sibling bonds amidst turmoil and adversity. A Nian's anguish over Zhuan Xu's transformation reflects the emotional complexities of familial relationships and the challenges of loyalty in the face of personal change.
Identity and Self-Reflection: Through Xiao Yao's interactions with Zhuan Xu and A Nian, the chapter explores themes of identity and self-reflection.  Fang Feng Bei reveal himself as being XIang Liu, but ask Xiao Yao " Who do you want me to be?". Zhuan Xu's questioning of his own character and Xiao Yao's deep introspection about her familial legacy reveal the internal struggles faced by characters grappling with their sense of self.
Emotional Depth and Character Revelation:
A Nian's condemning words towards Xiao Yao's deceased mother evoke deep emotional turmoil in Xiao Yao, revealing her inner conflict and the haunting memories of her past. This passage provides insight into Xiao Yao's complex relationship with her mother and her struggle to come to terms with her family history.
Her vivid  contemplation while drinking plum wine illustrates the attempt to find solace and comfort amidst her inner turmoil. It's through Jing's positive  and symbolic presence (the plum wine gifts)- that Xiao Yao finds the courage to confront the memory of her father's love,  allowing her to process and face her emotions with resilience and determination: foreshadowing the question - who is really her father?

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Character Analysis:

Zhuan Xu: Zhuan Xu emerges as a complex and multifaceted character, grappling with internal conflicts and external pressures. His adoption of a dissolute persona masks deeper motives and strategic calculations, highlighting his cunning and intelligence. However, his descent into addiction and self-destructive behavior underscores the fragility of his psyche and the weight of his responsibilities.
A Nian: A Nian's character embodies themes of loyalty, love, and betrayal. Her unwavering devotion to Zhuan Xu contrasts with her growing disillusionment and despair over his transformation. A Nian's emotional journey reflects the complexities of sibling relationships.
Xiao Yao: Xiao Yao's character serves as a voice of reason and moral clarity amidst chaos and deception in this chapter . Her interactions with Zhuan Xu , A Nian  and FFB, reveal her pragmatic approach to conflict resolution and her unwavering commitment to her principles. Xiao Yao's role as a mediator and confidante underscores her importance as a stabilizing force within the narrative.


Symbolism and Imagery:

Toxic Drugs: Zhuan Xu's use of toxic drugs and indulgence in hedonistic activities serve as part of his elaborate ruse, further convincing his enemies of his supposed decadence and incompetence. In reality, every action he takes is calculated and deliberate, serving to advance his overarching objectives while maintaining a facade of irresponsibility.The use of toxic drugs symbolizes the allure of power and the corrosive effects of addiction. Zhuan Xu's reliance on these drugs reflects his inner turmoil and the lengths to which he will go to maintain his facade of dissipation. Ready to loose himself in the process, while counting on Xiao Yao to pull him out.
Blood-Red Dress: The blood-red dress symbolizes Xiao Yao's familial legacy and the weight of her mother's actions. It reflects her internal conflict and unresolved emotions surrounding her mother's past. The term "blood" often symbolizes familial ties . In this context, the "Blood-Red Dress"  symbolize the interconnectedness of family members and the significance of familial relationships in the characters' lives . Highlighting the importance of blood ties. The use of the color "red" in conjunction with "blood" evoke strong emotions and associations related to those ties. Red on itself is associated with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Red is commonly used in traditional Chinese weddings to symbolize joy and love, and it's traditional for brides to wear red dresses on their wedding day.

Xiao Yao recurrent distress at the sight of the blood-red dress suggest a deep-seated internal conflict and trauma. She is struggling to reconcile past actions with her sense of self and her understanding of familial love and loyalty.
Plum Wine: The plum wine serves as a symbol, a media  of comfort and connection amidst turmoil. Its association with Jing and Xiao Yao's father is deeply meaningfull. It serves as a refuge in which she can  cope with her overwhelming emotions and fears. It is Jings remembering tokens of love for her, his symbols, that permit to  alleviate Xiao Yao's anxieties: As Xiao Yao drinks his plum wine and reminisces about her father, she gradually finds solace and peace. The surge of energy she feels from the wine reinforces her belief in her father's love and strengthens her resolve to embrace her identity as his daughter. Despite all the uncertainties surrounding her families ties, Xiao Yao's connection with her father remains unwavering, bringing her comfort and reassurance.  

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                                                                       Narrative techniques:

Character Perspective:
The narrative shifts between Zhuan Xu, A Nian, and Xiao Yao, allowing readers to experience the story from multiple viewpoints.
This technique adds depth to the characters by providing insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
By presenting contrasting perspectives, the narrative creates a more nuanced understanding of complex relationships and conflicts.
Readers gain empathy for each character as they navigate their individual challenges and dilemmas.
The use of multiple perspectives enhances the thematic exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and self-discovery by showcasing how these themes manifest differently for each character.
Exemple:
Zhuan Xu: "I think I should let you go away from me like A Nian."
A Nian: "I’ve never thought of you as an older sister before, and you don’t have any of an older sister’s kindness!"
Xiao Yao: "You cold-blooded fiend! If it weren’t for you, big brother wouldn’t have come back to Xuan Yuan."

Here we had - Zhuan Xu expressing his thoughts about A Nian and his relationship with Xiao Yao, indicating his internal struggles. A Nian, on the other hand, voicing her feelings towards Zhuan Xu, resentment toward Xiao yao revealing her perspective on their dynamic - And finally Xiao Yao's outburst to Ah Nian trying to open her eyes, holding her responsible for the circumstances that led to Zhuan Xu's return...This is a  full circling narrative shift within characters point of views.
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Further in chapter:
Aftermath of the intrusion into Xiao Yao's room by Fang Feng Bei and the soldiers led by Chui Liang. The narrative unfolds as Xiao Yao navigates the tension within Zhuan Xu's residence following the disturbance. She finds Fang Feng Bei injured and hiding in her room, prompting her to provide aid despite her reservations about him. Meanwhile, Zhuan Xu confronts the soldiersand the tolerance of the soldiers' actions hints at the intricate power dynamics at play within the Xuan Yuan royal family.
The Confrontation:
As the soldiers ransack the premises, Xiao Yao remains composed, even amused, by their crude behavior. Despite the chaos, she maintains her authority and composure, confronting the soldiers and asserting her presence.

A Nian's Fury:
A Nian, fueled by her frustration and resentment towards Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao, unleashes her anger upon the soldiers, demonstrating her strength and determination. Her actions reflect the turmoil within her, torn between loyalty to her brother and her own moral compass.

Chui Liang's Interference:
Chui Liang's arrival interrupts the confrontation, revealing tensions between him and Xiao Yao. Despite his attempts to maintain diplomacy, his underlying frustration and desire for control become evident as he seeks to assert his authority.

Xiao Yao's Defiance:
Xiao Yao refuses to back down in the face of Chui Liang's veiled threats, asserting her autonomy and challenging his assumptions. Her defiance reflects her strength of character and unwillingness to yield to intimidation or manipulation.her strategic placement of poison and her interactions with Chui Liang, demonstrates her cunning and ability to navigate complex political landscapes.


Fang Feng Bei: Fang Feng Bei's intrusion in Xiao Yao's room adds an element of intrigue to the narrative. His injuries and subsequent interaction with Xiao Yao provide insight into his character and complex motives, contributing to the tension and uncertainty surrounding his presence. Xiao Yao provide aid to his wounds and interacts with him cautiously. It suggests a level of empathy and  concern for his well-being, even in the face of danger. We learn that his target was:  two inconspicuous maps and weapons. 

Extract: "Xuan Yuan has some secret warehouses of provisions and weapons located in the central plains to prepare for any sudden outbreak of war so that weapons and provisions can be moved in time. I guess someone must have set their eyes on those warehouses and weapons."


Departure of An Nian: 
An Nian, feeling deeply upset and betrayed by recent events, decides to leave Xuan Yuan and return to Gao Xing. She lashes out at Xiao Yao, expressing her frustration and accusing her of not standing up for herself against Chui Liang's advances.
Xiao Yao's Concern for An Nian: Despite the tension between them, Xiao Yao ensures An Nian's safety, instructing Hai Tang to protect her on her journey back to Gao Xing.

Chapter ending:
Emotional Conversation with Zhuan Xu: Xiao Yao shares a heartfelt conversation with Zhuan Xu, expressing concern for his well-being and reflecting on their past experiences together. Zhuan Xu reveals his struggles with self-harm and his determination to overcome them, while Xiao Yao offers her support and encouragement.
Plans for Renovations: Huang Di orders Zhuan Xu to oversee the renovations of the palace on Sheng Nong Mountain, a task fraught with challenges and political implications. Despite objections from some courtiers, Huang Di asserts Xiao Yao's importance and her right to accompany Zhuan Xu on the journey.
Symbolism of Departure: As Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao prepare to depart for Zhong Yuan, their departure symbolizes a significant shift in their path and  their roles within their world. Xiao Yao's decision to accompany Zhuan Xu reflects her commitment to their bond and her willingness to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Setting the stage for future developments in the story.

As @winny have already shown in her post - the drama showed all the preparatives and the underwork made by Jing and Fenlong that is making the whole Cang Xuan plan viable...I just want to share , as you see above, the first image in the episode,  showing Tushan Jing and Feng Long meeting to further help Zhuan Xu (CX).  YES! There's a RAINBOW! =)))!

 Winny:
Would Zhuan Xu still won over Da Huang if he did not get Jing & Feng Long?
My answer was no. Because of Tushan wealth and Chi Sui's political power is important support for exiled Xuan Yuan prince like Zhuan Xu. We knew Huang Di would support him. But from chapter 15 to 17, we could see Zhuan Xu uncles and cousins were no joke with their power as well. Feng Long said those Xuan Yuan Princes were powerful in Xuan Yuan with supporters. Tushan Hou support those Xuan Yuan princes to get more power connection and Feng Long even hesitated on supporting Zhuan Xu. If its not for Jing's advice, Feng Long might not dare to give in that much. But even if Huang Di insisted on giving Zhuan Xu Xuan Yuan (which is probably not), Zhuan Xu would still need to won over Central Plain families such as Chi Sui and Tushan and others to really conquer the world.

I do really love how the drama clearly show Jing advicing Feng Long, and they both made an event to bring Cang Xuan to Sheng Nong mountain. 

While all characters seek to uncover hidden motivations, untangle complex relationships, and confront the realities of their world.  Both Jing and Feng Long exemplifies this theme . Because it's their actions that reveal and pursue underlying agendas and alliances that shape the events of the story. Additionally, their partnership highlights  in the story, the need to confront the realities of their world , their storyline contributes to the broader narrative of characters grappling with truth and deception in a complex and shifting landscape.Their actions reveal a commitment to understanding the true nature of the power dynamics shaping their world, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths and challenging long-standing assumptions.   They exemplify the mutual benefit of working together towards a common goalsand the idea that collaboration, wisdom, and decisive action are essential tools in their journey along the distant path towards understanding and growth.   ....Remember, the drama showed there is a rainbow over there, right?!.

End of my global analysis. 

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                                                                        SHE MUST BE HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER

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This is my favorite part of chapter 17. Much is to be said, yet so much is contained that this is not an easy task....I'll start with simply sharing the extract, and it's transcription.

Extract:

小夭把门关上,回了自己屋子。

小夭躺在榻上,怎么睡都睡不着。

阿念骂母亲的那些话是藏在她心底最深的恐惧,她不愿回想,但眼前依旧浮现出一袭血红的衣袍,那男子睥睨张狂得好似要踏碎整个世界,可是他看着母亲的眼神却是那么温柔缠绵,而母亲看他的目光……小夭当时不明白,现在却懂了。

母亲滴落的泪,似乎还印在小夭的脸上。

小夭不自禁地摸了一下自己的脸颊,想擦去那些眼泪,却什么都没有。

小夭惊得一下坐起来,打开榻头的小箱子,从摆满了毒药的瓶瓶罐罐中,拿出一瓶青梅酒。

这是璟送来的酒,也不知道他是揪出了内奸,还是想出了瞒过奶奶的方法,或者因为玱玹和丰隆有了协议,更信任璟,肯动用暗卫和他联系,反正现在每两个月,小夭会通过玱玹收到两瓶青梅酒。

小夭大喝了几口酒,好似从璟那里获得了力量,慢慢平静下来。小夭把关于母亲的思绪都赶走,她一边啜着酒,一边想着父王,渐渐地笑了,恐惧淡去。她的心清清楚楚地告诉她,父王很爱她!她肯定是父王的女儿!

Xiao Yao closed the door behind her and went back to her house.

Xiaoyao lay on the couch, unable to sleep.

Ah Nian scolded her mother those words are hidden in the deepest fear of her heart, she does not want to recall, but still in front of her eyes appeared a blood red robe, the man looked out of the corner of his eye so wildly that it seemed to want to trample the whole world, but he looked at his mother's eyes were so gentle and lingering, and her mother looked at him ...... Xiaoyao did not understand it at that time, but now she understands it.

The tears dripping from her mother still seem to be imprinted on Xiao Yao s face.


Xiao Yao could not help but touch her cheeks, wanting to wipe away those tears, but there was nothing.


Xiao Yao was so shocked that she sat up at once, opened the small chest at the head of the couch, and took out a bottle of green plum wine from the bottles and jars filled with poisons.

This was the wine sent by Jing, and it was not known if he had uncovered the traitor, or figured out a way to hide it from grandma, or because Zhuan had made an agreement with Fenglong, he trusted Jing even more and was willing to use his secret guards to contact him, anyway, every two months now, Xiao Yao would receive two bottles of Plum Wine through Zhuan Xu.

Xiao Yao took a few large gulps of the wine, as if she had gained strength from Jing, and slowly calmed down. Xiao Yao chased away all thoughts about her mother as she sipped the wine and thought about her father, gradually smiling as her fears faded away. Her heart told her clearly that Father loved her! She was definitely Father's daughter!

Translated with DeepL.com.

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  • SymbolismThe blood-red dress serves as a powerful symbol of Xiao Yao's  emotional baggage she carries. Its appearance represents the lingering trauma and unresolved issues stemming from her relationship with her mother and an unknown persona by their side. By using this symbol, Tong Hua effectively conveys the weight of Xiao Yao's past and the impact it has on her present psyche.  The absence of specific details about who wore the dress adds to its symbolic power, allowing readers to project their own interpretations onto the symbol and emphasizing its universal significance in Xiao Yao's journey of self-discovery and healing. 

    The juxtaposition of her father's outward persona with the inner reviewing, private moment shared between her mother and the man in red,  adds layers to Xiao Yao's perception of their relationship. While she  have always felt her father's love for her, the revelation of her mother's hidden emotions challenges this perception, casting doubt on the authenticity of the familial bond.

    As Xiao Yao grapples with these revelations, she is compelled to confront the discrepancies between her idealized image of her family and the harsh realities that lie beneath the surface... The blood-red dress serves as a persistent reminder of the secrets and mysteries shrouding her past, driving her quest for truth and understanding.

  • Foreshadowing:The mention of the poison jars among Xiao Yao's possessions serves as a reminder of her tumultuous past and her  relationship with her mother. While the poison jars symbolize Xiao Yao's expertise in crafting poisons and antidotes, they also represent the poisonous, darker aspects of her past and the challenges she has faced. The poisonous nature these memories have on her.  Despite her proficiency in crafting poisons, Xiao Yao's association with them suggests a potential for danger and conflicts in her life. However, the juxtaposition , made in this chapter, of the poison jars with the bottles of plum wine from Tushan Jing -highlights Xiao Yao's ability to find solace and comfort amidst adversity and remind us of the creative way she handle it. Thus-  Control and  self expression. 

  • Characterization through Dialogue: Through the interaction between Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu, Tong Hua reveals the complex dynamics of their relationship. Xiao Yao's sarcasm and Zhuan Xu's defensive reaction provide insight into their individual personalities and the underlying tensions between them. This characterization  enriches the reader's understanding of their motivations and conflicts.

    In the exchange between Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu, their contrasting perspectives and underlying tensions come to the forefront:

    -Xiao Yao twists Zhuan Xu's ear and remarks sarcastically, "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt only had each other in their entire lives, they did not abandon each other, and when they lived and when they died they were together. You are completely different from Fourth Uncle, I really want to see how many women you can get involved with in this lifetime."- This dialogue reflects Xiao Yao's bold and confrontational nature, as well as her loyalty to family bonds.

    Zhuan Xu responds defensively, baring his teeth and rubbing his ears, as if wronged. He retorts, "I didn't want to meddle in this at all." This reveals Zhuan Xu's sensitivity to criticism and his desire to avoid conflict with Xiao Yao.

    Additionally, Xiao Yao's inner monologue provides further insight into her character:

    -"Her heart clearly told her: her father loved her very much! She must be her father’s daughter!"- This introspective thought demonstrates Xiao Yao's longing for parental affection and her sense of identity rooted in her father's love.  It underscores her emotional vulnerability and the significance of familial bonds in shaping her worldview. 

    By juxtaposing dialogue with internal reflection, Tong Hua deepens characterization and enriches the narrative, inviting readers to empathize with the characters' inner struggles and motivations.


  • Flashback: The seamless transition into a flashback allows readers to delve into Xiao Yao's memories and gain deeper insight into her past experiences. By exploring Xiao Yao's memory with her mother through flashback sequences, Tong Hua enriches the narrative with layers of emotional complexity. This technique enables readers to empathize with Xiao Yao's struggles and understand the roots of her inner turmoil.

  • ImageryTong Hua employs vivid imagery to evoke powerful emotions and sensory experiences. The description of Xiao Yao reaching out to touch her mother's cheek, only to find nothing, creates a poignant visual image that resonates with readers. 

    Tong Hua's use of vivid imagery in this passage intricately weaves together sensory details and emotional resonance, drawing readers into Xiao Yao's inner world with remarkable depth.

    The imagery of "feet, gentle and deep, tears, reach, touch, cheek..." paints a rich  emotional complexity. The contrasting portrayal of the man's demeanor, with his feet seemingly ready to trample the world yet his gaze gentle and deep when looking at Xiao Yao's mother, highlights the  nature of their relationship. This juxtaposition of strength and gentleness adds another layers of depth to the character dynamics.

    The image of Xiao Yao reaching out to touch her mother's cheek, only to find nothing, resonates deeply . It conveys a sense of emptiness, longing and loss, as well as the intangible nature of memory itself. Through this poignant moment, readers are reminded of the impermanence of life and the enduring impact of past experiences on the present. -"but there was nothing", as she have no grasp on something that is more than physical. It's  extremly profound. As Xiao Yao despite her desire to physically reach out and connect with her mother,  and prolonge this moment, she is confronted with the harsh reality of her absence. It hits hard. "but there was nothing" extends beyond the physical realm to encompass , let us enter the emotional emptiness that Xiao Yao feels- all  her sense of disconnection and the absence of closure in her relationship with her mother becomes palpable.  
    As she "sit up at once" -> Tong Hua  juxtapose  the plum wine amidst the poison jars , further heightening the emotional intensity of the scene. The contrast between the comforting warmth of the wine and the  poison jars symbolizes Xiao Yao's struggle to reconcile her past with her present reality. The mention of Jing, whose gift of plum wine serves as a source of solace and connection, infuse hope  and strenght amidst the darkness. In the box....
    Tong Hua's masterfully use of imagery creates a multi-dimensional world that is at once vividly tangible and deeply introspective, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in Xiao Yao's emotional journey.

  • Inner Monologue: Xiao Yao's inner monologue provides a window into her thoughts and feelings, allowing readers to empathize with her internal struggles and conflicts. By revealing Xiao Yao's innermost thoughts, Tong Hua enhances character development and emotional depth, fostering a deeper connection between the reader and the protagonist. She talk to us, as she talk to herself.

  • ResolutionThe resolution in the passage provides a poignant moment of closure and emotional release for Xiao Yao, offering readers a glimpse of hope amidst the turmoil she experiences. Let's delve deeper into the elements that contribute to this resolution: 

    • Few gulps and surge of energy from Jing: Xiao Yao's act of drinking the plum wine sent by Jing symbolizes her connection to her father - as both man have already met in ch.9, and serves as a source of comfort and solace. The surge of energy she feels suggests a renewed sense of strength and resilience, bolstered by her bond with Jing and the memories of their relationship.-" Xiao Yao took a few large gulps of the wine, as if she had gained strength from Jing"- making the plum wine a tangible representation of that connection. By consuming the wine in large quantities, Xiao Yao metaphorically absorbs Jing's  presence , his strength and reassurance, allowing her to confront her inner demons and find a sense of stability amidst the chaos. Also, Xiao Yao's ability to consume the wine in large gulps despite her inner turmoil demonstrates her resilience and determination to overcome her fears and insecurities. It showcases her willingness to confront her past.  Through his symbolic gift, Jing reaffirms his role as a protective figure in Xiao Yao's life, providing her  a sense of security. 

                    The words "surge"  and "energy" both  refer to Physical Vitality-suggesting a sudden                              increase in physical vigor and vitality. In this context, it implies that the act of consuming                       the wine invigorates Xiao Yao's body, providing her with a renewed sense of energy and                        vigor. 

    • Emotional Rejuvenation: Beyond its physical effects, the surge of energy also symbolizes an emotional rejuvenation for Xiao Yao. The act of drinking the plum wine serves as a form of self-care and emotional nourishment, offering her a temporary reprieve from her inner turmoil and providing a moment of comfort and reassurance. This emotional upliftment manifest itself as a sense of inner peace.

    • Symbol of Hope: The surge of energy serves as a beacon of hope, reminding Xiao Yao that she is not alone in her struggles and that there are sources of support and comfort to draw upon during difficult times.

    • Comfort and dispelled fears: As Xiao Yao drinks the plum wine, she finds comfort in the familiar taste and the memories it evokes. The act of drinking helps to dispel her lingering fears and anxieties, allowing her to absorb and deal  with what haunts her. The warmth of the wine and its association with Jing provide a strong sense of security and reassurance in the midst of fear: each gulp of wine act as anchors, grounding her in the present moment. Guiding her untill Xiao Yao is able to regain a sense of agency and empowerment over her emotions,  and allowing her to move forward with renewed strength. ...extracted from his strenght.  

    • Gradual smile and diluted fear: The gradual smile that spreads across Xiao Yao's face signifies a subtle shift in her emotional state. As she reflects on her father's love and the memories they share, the fear that once consumed her begins to dissipate. The word "diluted" suggests that the intensity of her fear diminishes, gradually replaced by a sense of calm and acceptance.It suggests that she is beginning to find peace within herself and reconcile with her past, paving the way for her to embrace the future with newfound strength and clarity. 

    • Catharsis and reflectionThrough this resolution, readers are offered a moment of catharsis and reflection alongside Xiao Yao. The act of drinking the plum wine becomes a metaphorical journey of healing and self-discovery, allowing Xiao Yao to confront her inner demons and find closure. It also prompts readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and forgiveness, fostering a deeper emotional connection to the narrative.- The sentence- "She must be her father’s daughter!" -Xiao Yao set  reassurance and stability by reaffirming her connection to her father that has raised and love her deeply. By her convincting expression to herself of this truth, she not only validates her sense of belonging, but also strengthens her resolve to confront the challenges ahead, watherver the truth is. This inner dialogue highlights the resilience and determination within Xiao Yao as she grapples with her past and strives to forge her own path forward.

    "Her heart clearly told her: her father loved her very much! She must be her father’s daughter!" Sound as if Xiao Yao's heart itself is speaking to her, guiding her towards a realization about her identity and her relationship with her father. This personification of the heart  emphasis the instinctual understanding and connection she feels with her father. She instinctivly understand that wathever the memory urge her to uncover: her father love her and this simple yet profound fact, is a source of solace for her sense of self. Through this line, Tong Hua beautifully captures the complexity of human emotions and the power of introspection in navigating life's challenges.

     

    Conclusion:

    In this intense passage, that delves into the intricate nature of family ties, the burden of hidden truths, and the relentless pursuit of understanding the unattainable, akin to the desire to comfort despite the inability to do so - "wanting to wipe away those tears, but there was nothing". It's with the presence of Jing, another physically absent person, yet guiding source of strength, that the passage concludes with a gradual smile and the dilution of fears, heralding a new chapter of growth and acceptance for Xiao Yao. Confronting the past, embracing the present with self-awareness, and navigating through confusion, Xiao Yao's story highlights that true healing and redemption stem from within, guided by the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. // Through this whole chapter we will see her helping , healling and putting back on their foot 2 man: Zhuan Xu (drug problem) and FFB/XL (wounds) , BUT => The only one man that  give her the needed strenght, helping her in depth when she

    needs it mostly. It's neither of those two above, two that she putted back on their foot in this chapter.  No. It's the absent one. Seventeen....just thinking of him was seemingly enough to help her out and heal the wound**.****小夭大喝了几口酒,好似从璟那里获得了力量,慢慢平静下来.******I mean really...some gives, some takes...Despite Xiao Yao's efforts to support and heal Zhuan Xu and Fang Feng Bei, it's intriguing to note that it's the memory of Seventeen (Tushan Jing) that ultimately provides her with the strength and comfort she needs. This highlights the profound impact that Jing has had on Xiao Yao's life and emotional well-being, even in his absence. It underscores the depth of their connection and suggests that their bond transcends physical presence, serving as a source of solace and resilience for Xiao Yao in her times of need.  Jing's presence looms large in Xiao Yao's heart and mind, serving as a steadfast source of support and reassurance. 

    Whether she's grappling with past traumas or facing present challenges, Jing's presence in her heart serves as a beacon of hope and resilience.

    Moreover, the absence of Jing underscores his significance in Xiao Yao's life. While she may offer her support to others, it's Jing who truly holds the key to her emotional well-being. His absence serves as a reminder of the void left in her life, a void that only he can fill.

    Ultimately, Xiao Yao's reliance on the memory of Tushan Jing in this chapter 17 highlights the profound nature of their bond and the transformative power of love and companionship. Even when separated by distance or circumstance, their connection remains unbreakable, providing Xiao Yao with the strength and courage she needs to navigate life's challenges. While others...heal just themselves . This passage was very subtil. Hope you enjoyed it too! 

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                                                                                              Hair and Blood

Chapter 17 exploration and analysis  with chapter 16 comparative.

Extract1:    

Ch 16-  Seeing that there was no one around, she beckoned to Jing and quietly pulled him into her room. She entered the room, closed the door, and then felt at ease. (...) The brush fell to the ground and a drop of red liquid splattered on the back of his hand.Jing looked at Xiao Yao, stunned. Suddenly, his body lunged down towards Xiao Yao, pressing Xiao Yao underneath him, his lips kissing the corner of Xiao Yao's lips precisely.
Jing couldn't even care about experiencing what it was like, and was so nervous that his face went white, "No, it's not me. I, I'm not." Trying to sit up, he couldn't get up.
Xiao Yao let out a giggle and rolled over him while holding Jing, "I know it's not you, you must be poisoned, I told you to be careful!"
"I, I didn't have that in mind," he said.
Xiao Yao lowered her head and narrowed her eyes. She said softly, "I'm not stopping you to not having that in mind ."
Jing's eyes lit up as he looked at Xiao Yao. He immediately threw himself at her, pressing her down. His lips landed on the corner of her mouth. Jing barely had time to savor the taste before he was startled. His face turned pale. "No, I don't..."

Extract2:Xiao Yao took off his jade hairpiece, letting the smooth black hair on his head fall down. Her hands went into his hair, combing from the roots to the ends. Her hands felt the soft texture, even softer than silk. Xiao Yao asked, "Is it Jing Ye or Lan Xiang who washed your hair for you now?"
"Neither."
"Do you have any other personal attendants?
" Xiao Yao almost wanted to tear his hair out.
"I'm not used to it, so I wash it myself."
Xiao Yao turned from anger to joy, stroking his hair gently. Jing was like a kitten being stroked, looking relaxed and happy. Xiao Yao pursed her lips and smiled for a while, then said to Jing, "Last time at the seaside, you were leaning on the side of the boat, your hair was spread out on your back, I also wanted to stroke it secretly."-Xiao Yao played with his hair happily. She brought his hair to her nose and sniffed. It was still the herbal scent she liked. Xiao Yao murmured to herself, "It's been a long time since I washed your hair. Next time I will wash your hair for you. I will use the leaves of the hibiscus that I picked early in the morning and soak them in water all morning. I will wash it in the afternoon and dry the hair with the remaining sunlight. When smelling it, it will smell both the sunlight and the fragrance of the leaves."

(...)"No matter what method you use, Don't Make Me Wait Too Long!"
XiaoYao's eyes were tightly shut, and her bright red lips were slightly parted as she slept soundly. Jing couldn't help but let out a secret sigh and smiled faintly.
The nex morning, when Xiao Yao woke up, there was a blanket draped over her body. She looked at the table, where the items were all neatly put. There were only three handkerchiefs left. Xiao Yao sat up and was about to reach for the handkerchief when she felt something in her hand. She looked down and saw a lock of hair, which was wrapped softly around her finger. She thought that before Jing left, he didn't want to disturb her, so he had cut off his hair.
Xiaoyao looked at the hair wrapped around her finger in a daze for a moment and then lay down. At this moment, she didn't know where he was anymore, but there was only a lock of hair left to made her heart distracted.

Chapter 17 extract:
 A man suddenly jumped in from the window and quickly closed the window.
There were faint shouts of soldiers, obviously they were chasing someone.
Xiaoyao didn't scream or move. She played with the wine bottle in her hand and said with a bit of annoyance at being disturbed: "I won't be blackmailed by you into covering up for you. Leave as soon as possible before it's too late to choose someone else."
The visitor obviously did not accept Xiao Yao's suggestion and walked towards the couch. Xiao Yao counted for him: "One, two, three..." After counting to ten, the man walked to the couch and still did not fall down.
Xiaoyao knew that the person who came this time had strong spiritual power and it would be difficult for him to be poisoned by poison.
The man reached out to lift the gaze curtain and sat on Xiaoyao's couch.
Xiaoyao said: "Although you have great spiritual power, you are injured, so I still recommend that you don't come to me."The man wore a mask, and he looked at Xiao Yao silently. Xiao Yao’s body tensed up. A feeling told her that this man was someone she knew.
She reached out and the man did not stop her.
Xiao Yao slowly removed the mask and it was Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao forced a smile and said, "I somewhat hoped that you would come to visit my bedroom at odd hours on purpose."
Fang Feng Bei did not speak, so Xiao Yao asked, "Do you not know how to meet with your buddies for drinks and hang out ? Why did you have to come to me?"
"You said it yourself, they are buddies for drinks and hangout"
As soon as Fang Feng Bei spoke, some fresh blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away indifferently.
Xiao Yao really did not know what to do, but she could not not grab his wrist, and take out the healing medicine that Royal Mother had given her, and give some to Fang Feng Bei."You should lie down."
Fang Feng Bei lay down on the bed, Xiao Yao also lay down, and covered herself with the blanket."My elder brother cannot control the situation now, and my status is not such that I can be of use. In a moment, if the others were to forcefully come in and search, I would be helpless."
Fang Feng Bei did not speak, Xiao Yao felt that tonight, he was acting very strangely. Just as she was thinking about it curiously, a commotion was heard outside. Xiao Yao could do nothing but wait quietly.
She whispered and asked, "What on earth did you go and do? You did not go to assassinate Huang Di, did you? It likely is not that, there are many assassins who boldly and recklessly come and die tragically. An intelligent person like yourself would not do such a foolish thing."
Fang Feng Bei still ignored her.Xiao Yao sighed and said, "It is truly a pity that you are not really a wastrel!"
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Let's compare and contrast the key elements of Chapters 16 and 17:

Similarities:

Intimacy: Both passages feature moments of intimacy between Xiao Yao and the male characters, Jing and Fang Feng Bei, respectively. Xiao Yao's interactions with both characters reveal a level of trust and closeness.
Caring Gestures: In both passages, Xiao Yao demonstrates her caring nature by attending to the needs of the male characters. Whether it's helping Jing recover from unintentionally poisoning himself, or tending to Fang Feng Bei's injuries, Xiao Yao's actions highlight her empathy.
Emotional Complexity: Both passages explore the emotional complexities of the relationships between Xiao Yao and the male characters. There are moments of closeness in both mixed with humor, vulnerability, and nostalgia, adding depth to their interactions.
Character Development: Both passages contribute to the development of Xiao Yao and the male characters. Through their interactions, we gain insights into their personalities, motivations, and past experiences, deepening our understanding of their dynamics.


Differences:
Context and Setting: The contexts in which the interactions occur are vastly different. In Chapter 16, Xiao Yao and Jing's encounter takes place in her room, in where she pulled Jing into  -while in Chapter 17, Fang Feng Bei unexpectedly enters Xiao Yao's room with a sense of suspense and intrigue.
Tone and Atmosphere: The tone of each passage differs based on the circumstances. Chapter 16 has a lighter, more playful tone, with moments of humor and tenderness between Xiao Yao and Jing. In contrast, Chapter 17 has a more suspenseful and tense atmosphere, as Xiao Yao confronts Fang Feng Bei under uncertain circumstances. She smile,but it's a bitter smile.
Relationship Dynamics: While both passages involve intimate interactions between Xiao Yao and the male characters, the dynamics of these relationships vary. Xiao Yao's relationship with Jing is characterized by familiarity and romantic vibes, whereas her interactions with Fang Feng Bei are tinged with suspicion and uncertainty.
Character Motivations: The motivations driving the characters' actions differ in each passage. In Chapter 16, Jing's advance towards Xiao Yao is influenced by his feelings for her and the effects of poisoning, Xiao Yao initiate touching, stroking sniffing his hair ,flipping him to lay on his body for the very same genuine reason, while in Chapter 17, Fang Feng Bei's visit to Xiao Yao's room is shrouded in mystery, hinting at ulterior motives and Xiao Yao doesnt initiate any intimate gesture.


Context and Setting extracts :
Chapter 16:
"Seeing that there was no one around, she beckoned to Jing and quietly pulled him into her room."
The private setting of Xiao Yao's room provides a sense of intimacy and privacy, allowing for personal interactions between Xiao Yao and Jing away from prying eyes.
Chapter 17:
"A man suddenly jumped in from the window and quickly closed the window."
Fang Feng Bei's sudden entrance into Xiao Yao's room through the window creates a sense of urgency and tension, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere and signaling that something unusual is happening.
Tone and Atmosphere extracts:
Chapter 16:
"Xiao Yao burst out laughing and flipped Jing over."
The playful interaction between Xiao Yao and Jing, coupled with laughter and teasing, creates a light and humorous tone, even in the midst of a potentially serious situation involving Jing's poisoning.While she flip his whole body.
Chapter 17:
"Xiao Yao played with the wine bottle in her hand and said with a bit of annoyance at being disturbed."
Xiao Yao's annoyance and the tense atmosphere created by Fang Feng Bei's unexpected arrival contribute to a more suspenseful and serious tone. She is annoyed.
Relationship Dynamics:
Chapter 16:
"Jing's eyes lit up as he looked at Xiao Yao."-"Xiao Yao played with his hair happily"
Xiao Yao and Jing's relationship is characterized by familiarity and affection, as evidenced by Jing's immediate reaction to Xiao Yao's presence and their playful banter.
Chapter 17:
"Xiao Yao really did not know what to do, but she could not not grab his wrist."
Xiao Yao's conflicted feelings towards Fang Feng Bei, coupled with his mysterious demeanor, illustrate a dynamic of suspicion and uncertainty in their relationship.
Character Motivations:
Chapter 16:
"Jing's eyes lit up as he looked at Xiao Yao. He immediately threw himself at her, pressing her down."
Jing's actions are driven by his feelings for Xiao Yao, compounded by the effects of poisoning, showcasing his desire for intimacy and connection with her.
Xiao Yao's Initiatives:
"Xiao Yao played with his hair happily... She brought his hair to her nose and sniffed."
Xiao Yao's actions, such as playing with Jing's hair and sniffing it, demonstrate her own feelings of affection and familiarity towards Jing. Her gestures are initiated out of a sense of comfort and connection with him.
Chapter 17:
"Xiao Yao whispered and asked, 'What on earth did you go and do?'"
Fang Feng Bei's motives for visiting Xiao Yao's room being unclear, leads to speculation and suspicion about his intentions, Xiao Yao react with caution and is not initiating or even reciprocating any intimate gestures:

Extract:

Fangfeng Bei half-propelled his body and lowered his head slowly. His lips were about to touch her neck, but Xiaoyao blocked him with his hand, "No!" His lips touched her palm.
Fangfeng Bei immediately lay back, Xiaoyao lay on his side, handed him his wrist, "Bite here."
"Why not there?" Fangfeng Bei's face was cold.

Xiaoyao began to miss the casual, fun and rogue Fangfeng Bei, "What do you think? Fangfeng Bei!"
Fangfeng Bei was silent for a moment, then he held Xiaoyao's wrist and pierced Xiaoyao's wrist with a few pointed fangs. This was the first time Xiaoyao saw him sucking her blood with her own eyes, and she didn't feel any pain, but it gave a chilling feeling.
Xiaoyao looked at Fangfengbei intently, Fangfengbei glanced at Xiaoyao, and Xiaoyao immediately closed her eyes obediently. She is depressed! She is still afraid of him!

                                                                                                               //vs //
Ch16: Xiao Yao sat up and was about to reach for the handkerchief when she felt something in her hand. She looked down and saw a lock of hair, which was wrapped softly around her finger. She thought that before Jing left, he didn't want to disturb her, so he had cut off his hair.
Xiaoyao looked at the hair wrapped around her finger in a daze for a moment and then lay down. At this moment, she didn't know where he was anymore, but there was only a lock of hair left to made her heart distracted.
Here we see the difference in Xiao Yao's response to Jing's advance compared to her response to Fangfeng Bei's actions. Let's explore this further:

Jing's Advance:
When Jing throws himself at Xiao Yao and presses her down, she doesn't explicitly say "no" or resist his initial actions.
Instead, Xiao Yao responds with laughter and playfulness, flipping Jing over her own body when he becomes startled.
The atmosphere is lighthearted and intimate, with Xiao Yao's laughter suggesting a level of comfort and familiarity between them.
Fangfeng Bei's Actions:
In contrast, when Fangfeng Bei attempts to bite Xiao Yao's neck, she immediately blocks him and says "No!"
Xiao Yao's response to Fangfeng Bei is firm and decisive, indicating her unwillingness to comply with his actions. The tone is tense and confrontational, Xiao Yao immidiatly sets barriers.


The difference in Xiao Yao's responses to Jing and Fangfeng Bei highlights the varying dynamics of her relationships with the two characters. With Jing, there is a sense of mutual affection and playfulness, whereas with Fangfeng Bei, there is a level of caution and mistrust mixed with a more sarcastic humor. Additionally, Xiao Yao's actions suggest a greater sense of agency and control in her interaction with Fangfeng Bei compared to Jing.
                The concept of agency and control in Xiao Yao's interactions with Jing and Fangfeng Bei:
Xiao Yao's Interaction with Jing:Despite Jing's non intended, initial advance, Xiao Yao takes an active role in the physical interaction by engaging in playful gestures such asflipping his body; touching, brushing, and sniffing his hair.
These actions signify Xiao Yao's agency in expressing affection and intimacy towards Jing, indicating that her participation in the interaction is not solely reactive but are also fully proactive.
Xiao Yao's Interaction with Fangfeng Bei:Xiao Yao's decision to redirect Fangfeng Bei's actions by tending her wrist instead  of letting him bite her neck - further emphasizes her agency. By taking proactive steps to guide the ongoing interaction , she asserts her control over the situation and set the line not to cross. It's only when Xiao Yao's fear arouse,realizing FFB is XLiu,that there is a shift in the self agency, out of a sense of resignation and fear.
In both interactions, Xiao Yao demonstrates her agency and control, whether it's through proactive gestures of affection towards Jing or assertive actions to redirect Fangfeng Bei's advances. These examples showcase Xiao Yao's autonomy and ability to influence the dynamics of her relationships with both characters.

 She is depressed! She is still afraid of him! (XiangLiu /FFB) & "No matter what method you use, Don't Make Me Wait Too Long!"(Tushan Jing).
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Chapter 16 - Jing's Part:
In Chapter 16, Jing's actions towards Xiao Yao demonstrate love and affection. His advance towards her, despite the unintended consequences of poisoning, reflects his desire for intimacy and connection with Xiao Yao. Jing's gestures of pressing her down and attempting to kiss her convey his romantic feelings and longing for a deeper relationship with Xiao Yao. Additionally, Xiao Yao's playful interactions with Jing, such as touching, brushing, and sniffing his hair, signify her reciprocal feelings of affection and intimacy towards him. Their exchange in this chapter highlights the warmth and tenderness in their relationship, suggesting a deep emotional connection and mutual affection between them.
Chapter 17 - Xiao Yao's Understanding of Xiang Liu/FFB:
In Chapter 17, Xiao Yao's interactions with Xiang Liu (FFB) provide insight into her understanding of his underligned feelings for her (more obvious in the drama covering).  But the passage precise that Xiao Yao redirect Xiang Liu's desire for more- > to let it as is from her point of view - a profound connection and camaraderie ,rather than to  shift to a romantic relationship. Her response to his advances, such as redirecting his actions and offering her wrist for healing, reflects her understanding of her own emotional needs and her boundaries, her own perception. While Xiao Yao acknowledge  Xiang Liu's feelings for her, she prioritizes to pursue it as it is .
ch 16 Xiao Yao to Jing : Xiao Yao lowered her head and narrowed her eyes. She said softly, "I'm not stopping you to not having that in mind ." vs ch 17 Xiao Yao to FFB /XL: No! -Bite here.
The contrasting interactions between Xiao Yao and Jing in Chapter 16 and Xiao Yao's interaction with Fang Feng Bei (Xiang Liu) in Chapter 17 highlight the differences in emotional tone and dynamics between the two relationships.

                 " Even a corner of her heart was relieved, but at the same time, another corner was hanging."
It's so-so. On one hand, there's a feeling of relief or reassurance, because Xiao Yao has finally confirmed Fang Feng Bei's  true identity, which brings clarity and closure to a certain extent.
However, this relief is tempered by another concern that remain, and  suggests that while Xiao Yao  feel relieved about the revelation, the  sense of unease is still there.  It's like saying, "It's nice to have this clarity, but there's still something else on my mind that's clearly bothering me"=>if you have more than friendship feelings for me, its bad, if you want to assassinate Zhuan Xu again it's bad ...drawn me...it's bad too."No!" " She is still afraid of him!". It's quite a lot to meditate on.
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Further and symbolical analysis:


                                       Hair and blood-or- Fierce Hickey and Lock of Hair Gently Wraped on her finger
Or=>                                       One give. One take away & also She take a nap. She wake up.


Both hair and blood symbolize vitality, but they carry different connotations and implications from their  context.

Hair as a Symbol of Vitality with Jing:
When Jing gives Xiao Yao his hair, it symbolizes vitality, connection, and intimacy. Hair is  associated with vitality, sensuality- and life force, as it is a visible and tangible part of one's body. In this context, Jing's gesture of giving Xiao Yao his hair represents a sharing of life force and a deep emotional , bond between them. It symbolizes Jing's commitment to their relationship and his desire to share a part of himself with Xiao Yao, emphasizing the vitality and strength of their connection. 


Blood as a Symbol of Vitality with XL:
Conversely, when Fang Feng Bei takes Xiao Yao's blood, it also symbolizes vitality, but in a more invasive and threatening manner - He TAKE HER BLOOD.  Blood is a symbol of life force and vitality, as it carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. However, in this context, Fang Feng Bei's action of taking Xiao Yao's blood through biting is coercive. It symbolizes his control over her and his potentially dangerous intentions towards her, as he pull it out of her. While blood represents vitality, Fang Feng Bei's actions pervert this symbolism, turning a symbol of life into a tool of manipulation and control.

In summary, while both hair and blood symbolize vitality, they carry different meanings and implications in the context of Xiao Yao's relationships with Jing and Fang Feng Bei. Jing's gesture of giving his hair represents intimacy and connection, while Fang Feng Bei's action of taking Xiao Yao's blood represents control and coercion.
Let's explore these points in more detail:

Emotional Response and Awareness:
In the scene involving blood with Fang Feng Bei, Xiao Yao's response is passive as she closes her eyes and murmurs that she'll take a nap. This suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of the situation, as well as a desire to distance herself from the moment.
On the other hand, in the scene involving hair with Jing, Xiao Yao's awareness is heightened as she reflects on the lock of hair wrapped around her finger- the moment she wake upDespite not knowing Jing's whereabouts, she is emotionally affected by the presence of his hair, which serves as a tangible reminder of their connection. The mention of her heart being distracted  also says that Jing occupies a significant place in her thoughts and emotions, even in his absence.


Physical Representation and Symbolism:

The description of FFB leaving a fierce hickey on Xiao Yao's wrist conveys a sense of aggression and dominance. The term "fierce hickey" relate an invasive and forceful act, reflecting Fang Feng Bei's control over Xiao Yao and the further harmful nature of their relationship.
In contrast, the hair wrapped softly around Xiao Yao's finger represents a gentler and more tender form of connection. The softness of the hair and the gentle act of wrapping it around her finger evoke feelings  tie closeness and a tender embrace  , symbolizing the depth of Xiao Yao's emotional bond with Jing.
Overall, these contrasts highlight the differing emotional landscapes and dynamics in Xiao Yao's relationships with Fang Feng Bei and Jing. While her interaction with Fang Feng Bei is marked by tension and resignation, her interaction with Jing is characterized by tenderness and emotional significance.
Unlike her passive response to Fang Feng Bei, Xiao Yao actively engages with the symbolism of Jing's hair, allowing herself to be emotionally affected by its presence. Jing's gesture symbolizes a deeper emotional bond between them, one characterized by tenderness and mutual affection. Unlike the aggressive nature of Fang Feng Bei's actions, Jing's gesture serves as a symbol of comfort and reassurance.
               
                                FFB leave a mark of himself, vs Jing leave a part of himself to her

 Leaving a Mark of Himself (FFB):
Leaving a fierce hickey on Xiao Yao's wrist, signify his desire to assert dominance and leave a lasting impression on her. The hickey serves as a physical manifestation of his control and possession over Xiao Yao, symbolizing his attempt to assert power in their relationship. By leaving this mark, Fang Feng Bei seeks to imprint himself upon Xiao Yao, ensuring that his presence lingers in her thoughts and emotions.

It's a hematoma. A bruise. 

Jing: Leaving a Part of Himself to Her:
In contrast, Jing's gesture of giving Xiao Yao a lock of his hair represents a tender and selfless act of love. By leaving a part of himself with Xiao Yao, Jing symbolically entrusts her with his affection and devotion. The act of giving his hair is a gesture of intimacy and connection, signifying his desire to forge a deeper bond with Xiao Yao. Rather than seeking to assert dominance or control, Jing's action demonstrates his willingness to share himself with Xiao Yao in a vulnerable and meaningful way.

In essence, while Fang Feng Bei (Xiang Liu) seeks to leave a mark of dominance and control, Jing chooses to leave a part of himself as a token of love and connection.For the first -> she close her eyes for a nap //while for the second -> she is waking up and " there was only a lock of hair left to made her heart distracted".
These stark contrasts contribute to the richness and depth of the story, offering insights into the characters' motivations, emotions, and the complexities of their relationships.

Going though these details,  reminded me of some passage in -ch 13/14 were :

In13- XY pamper herself to go to her appointment with Jing. While XL manipulate Ah Nian in order to set her a trap and forcibly get her presence to get airkissed......
But in 14 - it's Xiao Yao who initiate a kiss and insist to put the 15 years promise with Jing back on track. Further contrast: promise of making poison was put back on track by Xiang Liu with no possibility for her to say no -and we have also read how her airkissing him is clearly rejected- she'd rather die.  Followed by even More contrast - as she is in Jing arms in ch 14: "her waist was her waist, and her breasts were her breasts, and she could see it extraordinarily distinctly."= which tell us the self awareness of her feminity in Jings arms and her sensing sensuality ("she didn't feel any pain, it gave a chilling feeling".in ch 17with the FFB's action).

 Xiao Yao's sudden awareness of her body in precise detail, emphasizing her heightened physical sensations. The imagery of her waist and breasts becoming distinctly visible highlights her acute self-awareness and vulnerability in Jing's presence. This moment of self-revelation is intensified by the physical sensations she experiences, such as sharing  the electric shock she feels when Jing pulls her arm and initiate it./

 The parallels between Chapters 13/14 and the subsequent interactions with Fang Feng Bei (Xiang Liu) and Jing are striking, revealing contrasting dynamics and emotional experiences for Xiao Yao:

Rekindling of Promises:
In Chapters 13/14, Xiao Yao initiates a kiss with Jing, symbolically reaffirming their 15-year promise and rekindling their emotional connection. This act is a proactive gesture of love and commitment, demonstrating Xiao Yao's agency in their relationship.
Conversely, in the interactions with Xiang Liu, the promise of making poison is put back on track through coercion and manipulation. XL's actions leave Xiao Yao with no possibility to refuse, highlighting the lack of agency and control she has in their relationship. The rejection of a kiss with him further emphasizes Xiao Yao's unwillingness to engage in intimate moments, contrasting sharply with her willingness to initiate affection with Jing.
Self-awareness and Sensuality:
In Chapter 14, Xiao Yao experiences a heightened sense of self-awareness and sensuality in Jing's arms. The vivid imagery of her waist and breasts becoming distinctly visible underscores her acute awareness of her body and vulnerability in Jing's presence. This moment highlights Xiao Yao's emotional intimacy and connection with Jing, as well as her physical attraction to him.
In contrast, the interaction with Xiang Liu in Chapter 13 is marked by coercion, near death torture (drawning) and manipulation, as he uses airsharing to drown Xiao Yao in order to obtain a kiss. This moment lacks the emotional depth and intimacy present in Xiao Yao's interactions with Jing, emphasizing the stark difference in the dynamics between the two relationships.


Overall, the parallels between all  these chapters serve to highlight the differing dynamics and emotional experiences in Xiao Yao's relationships with XL/FFB and Jing. While her interactions with Jing are characterized by love, agency, and intimacy, her interactions with XL are marked by coercion, manipulation, and a lack of control. (ch13)"Xiaoyao didn't know why, but she felt like she was sinking to the bottom of the water again, even though she was on the surface of the water, and her chest felt very tight. She suddenly remembered something, took out her wet purse, took out a small jade bottle, poured out a handful of colorful pills, spread them out in the palm of her hand and showed them to Xiang Liu, "Would you like to try them?"

After all, genuine friendships are built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding, receiving and giving -particulary in intimate moments -  qualities that can thrive without the complications of manipulation and coercion. We saw that how by marking her, was not ideal...but mostly vital to his health .
Another jelly bean, perhaps? 

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     WHO - HIDDEN Names, naming & meanings

Chapter 17 - My last analysis & exploration.

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To introduce the subject , here are 3 precedent chapter extract, before I dig into... :)

Extract  1-(ch 16): Xiao Yao remained silent, drew an arrow, put it on the bow, slowly turned around, pointed at Fang Feng Bei's heart, and drew the bow, "Who are you?"

Fangfeng Bei was helpless, "I now live in my future brother-in-law's house, and I see my sister every day. Who else do you think I am besides Fangfeng Bei?"

Looking at him now, he doesn't look like Xiang Liu anymore. Xiaoyao glared at him, "If I find out that you lied to me in the future, I will shoot an arrow in your heart."

Fangfeng Bei laughed, "Who do you want me to be? That friend you want to poison?"

Extract 2-(ch17-seventeen): Masks off .FFB reveal XY he is XL:
The rare elixir I just fed him didn't have any effect.
Xiao Yao suddenly let go of his hand, lay down, and stared blankly at the canopy.

After a while, she finally asked, "Who are you exactly?"

"Who do you want me to be?" Feng Fengbei's voice was very cold.

Xiao Yao didn't say anything, and after a while said, "Whoever you like to be!""

Feng Fengbei half propped himself up, slowly lowered his head, his lips about to touch her neck, Xiao Yao's hand blocked him, "No!" His lips touched her palm.

Feng Fengbei immediately lay back, Xiaoyao lay on his side, handed him his wrist, "Bite here."

"Why not there?" Feng Fengbei's face was very cold.

Xiao Yao began to miss the carefree, humorous Feng Fengbei, "What do you think? Feng Fengbei!"

Extract 3-(ch1):-From now on you are YeSHIQI(Seventeen):
The man sat obediently on the stone steps aside, slowly tore open the licorice, broke off a small piece and put it into his mouth. He was also eating licorice, but his movements were very elegant and noble, making people think that he was not eating licorice, but the spiritual fruit from the sacred mountain.

"Hey, beggar... this is licorice, it's good for your throat." Mazi scratched his head and said to Xiao Liu, "Brother Liu, give him a name. You can't still call him a beggar."

Xiao Liu said: "Just call him Licorice."

"No way!" Ma Zi and Chuan Zi opposed in unison, "Come up with a better name, not like ours."

Xiao Liu slapped himself, "What's wrong with our names?"

"Suitable for us, but... not for him," Chuan Zi earnestly said, with Ma Zi nodding in agreement.
Xiao Liu blinked, looked at the beggar sitting on the stone step, leaned towards Chuan Zi and Ma Zi, pointed at his own nose, and couldn't believe it as he whispered, "Am I worse than him?"
Chuan Zi cautiously asked, "Liu Ge, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
Ma Zi comforted, "Liu Ge, some people are born as clouds in the sky, while others are like mud on the ground, there's no comparison. Let's just stick to our roles as the mud on the ground."

Xiao Liu got angry, "I'll call him Mud."

Ma Zi and Chuan Zi immediately said in unison, "No way!"
To prevent the beggar from resenting him in the future because of his name, Ma Zi pleaded, "Liu Ge, at least think of a new one."
Chuan Zi added, "Yeah, yeah, think of a name that sounds as good as Liu Ge's."

Only then did Xiao Liu cheer up, casually picked a herb from the mat used for drying herbs, and threw it to Ma Zi, "Count how many leaves there are, we'll name him based on that."

"One, two, three... seventeen leaves."

Xiao Liu turned and loudly said, "Beggar, from today onwards, you'll be called  Seventeen."
Seventeen nodded, Ma Zi and Chuan Zi thought it was alright, and they all greeted Seventeen with smiles.(...Half a year later...)

The old man(Lao Mu) stood behind him and asked, "Who are you?"

In the evening breeze, came the hoarse voice, "I am Seventeen."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From the last extract shared from  ch 1 extract we witness Xiaoyao's act of naming Seventeen and her willingness to accept him into their group  in the clinic and the contrasts  with Xiang Liu's struggle to fully reveal his own name- (himself) to her.
The naming of Seventeen represents a gesture of inclusion and compassion, while Xiang Liu's reluctance to disclose his true identity underscores the barriers he faces in seeking acceptance, but moreover, manipulate (not revealing as in ch16 extract).
Naming is also a quite meaningfull act, while a sentence as " be whoever you want to be" is like -i dont care-just- name yourself->Xiaoyao's act of naming Seventeen reflects a deep sense of empathy and care, as she seeks to provide him with a sense of belonging and purpose. Because she care ("only then did Xiao Liu cheer up").
In contrast, Xiang Liu's responses implies a degree of  amusement, detachment or resignation towards his own identity, highlighting the internal struggles he faces in defining himself to her.

Naming = Meaningful: 
Xiaoyao Naming Seventeen (Yeshiqi): 
Xiaoyao's act of naming Seventeen as "Yeshiqi" carries deep significance. By bestowing a name upon him, she not only acknowledges his presence but also grants him a sense of identity and belonging within them and in her own life.
The act of naming represents a form of validation and recognition, signifying Xiaoyao's compassion and willingness to include Seventeen as an integral part of their community.
Additionally, the choice of the name "Yeshiqi"  carry further personal and symbolic meanings, reflecting Xiaoyao's perception of Seventeen's character and his journey.
Xiaoyao's Response to Xiang Liu: 
When Xiang Liu asks, "Who do you want me to be?" Xiaoyao responds, "Whoever you want to be." This reply suggests her acknowledgment of his struggle with identity and her willingness to grant him autonomy in respons.
However, her response also convey a sense of detachment or indifference, as it implies she doesn't have  to be further implicated on the matter concerning=>  for who he should be or not.
The later (ch17) Xiaoyao's subsequent actions and demeanor, such as blocking him when he want to bite her  further suggest a lack of investment in defining Xiang Liu's identity.

 
                                                                 Meaningful Identity vs. Personal Autonomy: 
Xiaoyao's act of naming Seventeen demonstrates her desire to provide him with a sense of belonging and significance, offering him a new identity and purpose.
In contrast, her response to Xiang Liu indicate a reluctance to engage in defining his identity, instead preferring to let him determine it himself. As she seek honesty: The man wore a mask  - Xiaoyao smiled bitterly .
The comparison between Xiaoyao's act of naming Seventeen and her response to Xiang Liu's struggle with naming himself to her - by extention, struggles with his own identity highlights the different ways in which she expresses  her empathy and compassion. While naming Seventeen represents a deliberate gesture of inclusion and recognition, her response to Xiang Liu indicate a sense of detachment  mixed with fear, expecting him to define himself on his own terms without her interference. 
                                                                            Contrasting Dynamics : 
Dependency vs. Empowerment: 
Xiang Liu/FFBei exhibits a sense of dependency on Xiaoyao for validation and clarity regarding his identity, reflecting his internal struggle and uncertainty.
In contrast, the beggar's naming reflects a sense of empowerment and affirmation, as Xiaoyao and her friends proactively seek to provide him with an identity a sense of belonging and embracing.
The act of naming and inclusion carries significant weight in the narrative, particularly in how it affects the characters' sense of belonging and identity. Let's refine the comparison: 

                                        Xiaoyao's Act of Naming vs. Xiang Liu's Struggle with Identity 


Xiaoyao's Empowerment through Naming: 
When Xiaoyao names the beggar (Tushan Jing), she not only assigns him a name but also extends a sense of belonging and recognition within their group. This act represents a profound gesture of inclusion and compassion, as she actively gives him a place in her life and affirms his existence. Independent of indebtedness or obligation, freely. This very freedom allows Tushan Jing to re define himself on his own terms and pursue his own goals and aspirations, unencumbered by a sense of indebtedness to her.
By bestowing a name upon him, Xiaoyao and her friends validate his humanity and recognize his worth, offering him a newfound sense of identity and purpose within their community=> through naming him, they accept him for who he truly is, recognizing his intrinsic worth as a person - He is who he is.
Xiang Liu's Struggle with Identity: 
In contrast, Xiang Liu's struggle with identity: "Who do you want me to be, particularly through his Fang Feng Bei persona, reflects his failed attempts to establish a place for himself in Xiaoyao's life. Despite his efforts to embody Fang Feng Bei and integrate into her world, he ultimately grapples with internal conflicts and is unable to find genuine acceptance or belonging. 
Xiang Liu's manipulation and deception, while aimed at securing a place in Xiaoyao's life, ultimately fail to establish a meaningful connection based on trust and authenticity. Seeking to exert control over Xiao Yao's perceptions and desires by forcing her to confront his own expectations and desires regarding his identity -  is not what she want to hear and deal with.
Further Analysis: 
Difference in Inclusion and Recognition: 
The difference between Xiaoyao's act of naming the beggar and Xiang Liu's struggle with identity lies in the authenticity of inclusion and recognition. While Xiaoyao actively extends a sense of belonging to the beggar through naming early  in chapter 1, Xiang Liu's attempts to establish his place in Xiaoyao's life are fraught with manipulation and deception.
Xiaoyao's genuine compassion and empathy contrast with Xiang Liu's flawed attempts to secure acceptance, highlighting the importance of authenticity and sincerity in fostering meaningful connections. 
                                                                        TWO YEARS - TWO IDENTITY
 
SHIQI will LEARN medical Herbs  from XIAO LIU for 2 Years.

Extract (ch1):
More than two years later, Shiqi still looks thin, but he is surprisingly strong. He can carry water, chop firewood, plant medicine, and grind medicine. He especially has a very good memory. Mazi and Chuanzi have been following Xiao Liu for more than ten years, and they still can't remember many herbs. But Shi Qi is different. No matter what herbs they are, he can remember them firmly as long as Xiao Liu explains them to him. Gradually, Xiaoliu took him with him wherever he went. He was strong, had a good memory, and was taciturn. He would do whatever he was told, and he was simply his first choice partner for killing people, setting fires, and doing bad things. 
FFB TEACH XiaoYao archery skills for 2 YEARS: 
Extract (Ch17)-It has been two years since the day he taught her archery.

In the past two years, the two of them played together in every corner of Xuanyuan City. He sometimes disappeared and sometimes appeared, casually. Xiaoyao felt that they could continue playing like this forever because their attitudes were so similar. 
 

Textual Parallels: 
Two-Year Timeframe: Both Shiqi and Xiang Liu engage in activities with their partners over a two-year period, indicating a parallel in the duration of their interactions and relationships.
Skill Acquisition and Growth: Shiqi learns medical herbs and practical skills, while Xiang Liu teaches Xiaoyao archery. Both demonstrate dedication to their partners through skill development and shared activities.
Partnership Dynamics: Shiqi becomes Xiao Liu's valuable partner (the clinic is runned way more efficiently), accompanying him wherever he goes and assisting in various tasks. Similarly, Xiang Liu spends time with Xiaoyao, engaging in many various activities and strengthening their bond.

Conclusion 1: 
In conclusion, the development of these themes highlights the importance of authenticity, compassion, and empathy in fostering meaningful relationships. Xiaoyao's genuine compassion and inclusive nature empower those around her and strengthen bonds within their community. In contrast, Xiang Liu's struggle with clearly establishing his identity and reliance on manipulation underscore the consequences of insincerity, marked by twists and turns- and the importance of authenticity in building genuine connections. As the narrative unfolds, these themes continue to shape the dynamics of their relationships and the characters' journeys toward understanding and acceptance.

Xiang Liu's actions, such as interrupting Xiao Yao's romantic moments with Tushan Jing and infiltrating her life as Fang Feng Bei,  manifest a sens of jealousy, possessiveness, and a desire for being the one in control. The voodoo bug, through which he can sense Xiao Yao's feelings for Tushan Jing and track the movements of his rival Zhuan Xu, further underscores his intrusive and manipulative behavior. This not only underscores his possessiveness but also his willingness to go to extreme lengths to maintain a sense of control over Xiao Yao's life.

From this perspective, Xiang Liu's behavior aligns with traits commonly associated with possessive and controlling individuals in relationships. His actions highlight the complex dynamics between him and Xiao Yao, characterized by manipulation, jealousy, and a struggle for dominance. Putting this aside his prime mather and interest => Loyalty to Gong gong cause  and repeated temptative of Zhuan Xu assassinations - His line from ch.16: "Hope is a lie from the start" chapter 16 illustrate perfectly his  

The "who do you want me to be?" from Xiang Liu carries in itself all the ambiguity. On one hand, it could be interpreted as a genuine inquiry, reflecting his willingness to adapt or change for Xiao Yao-BUT: given Xiang Liu's manipulative nature and tendency to control situations,  the question is completly ironic. His question is loaded with subtext. It implies that he is capable of morphing into whatever persona Xiao Yao desires, not out of genuine concern for her preferences, but rather as a means of manipulation. By posing this question, he subtly asserts his control over the narrative of their relationship, suggesting that he can tailor his identity to fit whatever role she wish to envisions for him - a wish he cannot  trully fufill as his own wishes are deadly striking elsewere.  While he presents himself as flexible and accommodating, his underlying motives are rooted in a desire for his own goals. The WHO, who expressed himself here is  an ironic loophole. Akin to opening a Pandora's box. In asking this question, Xiang Liu presents himself as a blank canvas, seemingly offering Xiao Yao the opportunity to define his identity according to her desires. However,  Xiang Liu's "who" is not a shifting construct, he is the General of the residual rebel army.- and he is fully all of them with loyalty. There is no "who" , even less a one that i allow you to name to be ". As he said in ch 16: "Hope is a lie from the start" illustrate it perfectly.

Conclusion 2:Chapter 17 Absence of Tushan Jing: 
The absence of Tushan Jing in Chapter 17, juxtaposed with the significance of his name "Seventeen," reflects the underlying themes of identity, desires, absence, and longing in Lost You Forever.
Throughout this discussion, I've try to explore the relationships between various characters in the story    - and the ways in which they define themselves and want to relate to one another.

 Tushan Jing's meaningfull absence in Chapter 17 serves as a reminder of his presence in Xiao Yao's life and the impact he has on her (ex.the strenght she get from his wine longely developped in previous post, his  sensual hair lock etc...). As Seventeen/Yeshiqi, a freely given, and adopted name : I AM YESHIQI - he metaphoricly symbolize liberation, freedom from the whole chapter title: Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path -underscoring his clarity and inner peace .Tong Hua allow his character to fully personalize Xiao Yao's hope amidst the tumultuous journey and the further twisted long path to go. It simply reflect Tushan Jing/Yeshiqi(17) role in Xiao Yao's life and the story as a whole.

17- A Metaphorical Representation of Liberation and Inner Peace: 

Tushan Jing's role as Seventeen/Yeshiqi metaphorically symbolizes liberation and inner peace. By embracing this new identity, he transcends the constraints of his past and embraces a sense of clarity and purpose. As such he is the personification of freedom. His only tie is her in his heart. Seventeen as  part of Tushan Jing , and his name giver Xiao Yao are the only persona in the story that can define who they really wants to be and how they want to live their life and fufill it.  This act of self-determination empowers him to break free from the limitations imposed by others and forge his own path forward. It's Xiao Yao gift. The chapter title, "Going Round and Round Along a Distant Path," underscores this journey of self-discovery and transformation. Despite the twists and turns they encounter along the way, Tushan Jing's presence, even in his absence, fill Xiao Yao with a sense of direction and hope for the future. Because in embracing this identity, he gained a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world.  What is important, what is not. Who - he - is. This clarity of purpose provides him with a sense of inner peace and fulfillment, anchoring him amidst the uncertainties of the long  journey ahead. He is the beautifull hidden gem of this chapter. It's very body: Just as the body contain the essence of a person, Tushan Jing's character through 17 -  encapsulates the essence of liberation, inner peace, and self-discovery within the story, he enriching it with his profound and peacefull presence. Tushan Jing, in return of  Xiao Yao gift, seeks to reciprocateher,  by offering Xiao Yao everything that the name "Yeshiqi" represents.  Their exchange of gifts goes beyond mere words or gestures, reflecting a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other's true selves. This time, it was  simply contained in 2 bottles.

(drama added the rainbow) -Thanks for reading!. 

Navigating LINKS:

Prologue & Chapter 1: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?page=1

 Chapter 2: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?page=2

Chapter 3 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?page=2 &https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/122339-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2928519&page=3

Chapter 4 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?page=3

Chapter 5 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2929973&page=4

Chapter 6 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2931067&page=4 

Chapter 7 :https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2932103&page=5

Chapter 8 :https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2933193&page=6

Chapter 9 :https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2934021&page=9

Chapter 10: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2937913&page=10

Chapter 11: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2944787&page=11

Chapter 12: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2950115&page=12

Chapter 13: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2959463&page=14

Chapter 14 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=2990417&page=15

Chapter15: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=3006365&page=18

Chapter 16:https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?p=3022047&page=19

Chapter 17 : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever/122337-tong-hua-s-xiaojing-drama-novel-exploration-x1f49c?page=last&p=3034983#p3034983

The End of Volume 1 ! Thx for reading <3