Fate determines destiny, but marriage is determined by human effort.
The moon was bright and the stars were few; a lone figure stood on the ground, as solitary as a wandering soul. At that moment, I actually hoped that my master would punish me severely, so that it could cover up all the inexplicable sadness and heartache I felt.
I wandered aimlessly to the entrance of Zhuzhi Courtyard, and to my surprise, I found several people standing there in a lively atmosphere: my master, Yunzhou, the young prince, Jiang Chen, and a few maids.
Seeing Yunzhou, my heart seemed to fall from a ethereal void and settle firmly into my chest. He wasn't out enjoying the moonlit night with Shui Muyun; he had returned. I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. He was speaking to the young princess, his back to me, so I couldn't see his expression, but his tall, handsome figure brought a sudden sense of peace to my heart.
“Yuyao, my junior brother likes to joke around. He was just teasing you and didn’t mean any harm. Don’t be angry. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
"Zizhao, all you do is favor them. You don't care when they bully me once or twice."
Yunzhou remained silent.
The young princess turned to the young prince and said, "Brother, you must stand up for your sister."
The young prince said, "Sister, we came here to celebrate Master Yuanzhao's birthday. This is Tai'an, not Huai'an Prefecture. Let's forget it and go down the mountain tomorrow."
"Zizhao." The little princess stomped her foot and called out to Yunzhou.
That one word filled me with emotion and envy. When I called Yunzhou "brother," my voice was powerful and resounding. When would I be able to call him "Zizhao" so softly and sweetly? I silently tried it in my mind, and not only did I get goosebumps, but a bitter sadness welled up inside me. Those two words were ultimately not what I should call him.
"It is getting late. Your Highness and Princess, please go back and rest. I have failed in my duty to teach them. I will teach them a lesson later. Please forgive me, Princess."
The young princess remained unmoved by her master's apology, and only said softly to Yunzhou, "Zizhao, I have something to ask you."
Yunzhou said calmly, "Please ask, Princess."
The young princess's voice lowered another twenty percent, and she said softly, "Come with me."
Yunzhou hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he followed the young princess and the young prince.
Could it be that the young princess is taking advantage of the dark and windy night to confess her feelings to him? My heart tightened, and it felt like I had a fishbone stuck in my throat, something I couldn't swallow or spit out, it just choked me there.
Yunzhou's figure disappeared into the night, gradually receding into the distance. I watched helplessly, my heart growing heavier like the ever-deepening night.
After seeing off the young princess and the young prince, the master urgently convened a second small meeting.
Master first pointed at Jiang Chen, then at me, and said succinctly, "You two, from now until we descend the mountain tomorrow afternoon, are not allowed to leave Zhuzhi Courtyard."
His expression was more stern than ever before, exuding the aura of a sect leader.
I nodded repeatedly, feeling that I and the young princess were incompatible. Even if my master hadn't said anything, I planned to stay at home and never see her again.
Jiang Chen replied, "Master, I provoked her on purpose."
Why?
"The Prince of Huai'an's mansion has always harbored great ambitions. The young prince's visit to celebrate Master Yuanzhao's birthday this time has ulterior motives. He wants to win over some gangs in the martial arts world and bring them under his control. I deliberately angered the young princess in order to make the Xiaoyao Sect stay out of these troubles."
I see. I also thought Jiang Chen wasn't such a petty person. If he didn't like someone, he usually ignored them completely, disdaining to speak or even lay a hand on them.
Upon hearing this, Master's expression immediately softened into a kind and gentle one. He smiled and said, "Little Jiang, I'm so sorry to have troubled you. I was wondering why you'd suddenly become so petty, getting upset over a little girl!"
Jiang Chen turned to look at me and smiled: "I only bother with Xiao Mo; I can't be bothered with the other girls."
"Please don't!" I looked at Jiang Chen with a "flattered" expression and pleaded sincerely, "Senior Brother Jiang, I think it would be better if you included me among the other girls."
He smiled and said, "No way, you're one of a kind in heaven and earth, I just love to argue with you."
As I watched his smile, bright and radiant like a flower in April in full bloom, I suddenly felt a sense of unease about his future.
The master looked around uncomfortably, coughed twice, and said, "Xiao Jiang, these kinds of things are best discussed privately between two people. It's more effective to say them under the moon and flowers."
Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then said to his master, "Sect Leader, you have experience?"
Master rubbed his temples and said, "Ahem, you all go to sleep."
I returned to my room dejectedly and lay down, but couldn't fall asleep at all. Yunzhou had been summoned by the young princess; what would she do to him?
After a long while, I heard a soft sound at the courtyard gate. Yunzhou had finally returned.
I watched his figure pass by my window, and I really wanted to open the door and ask him what the little princess had said to him. But, in what capacity or from what position should I ask that question?
I sighed heavily and decided to go to sleep.
Suddenly, a low voice came from outside the door: "Xiao Mo, you're not asleep, are you?"
I was startled. He must have heard my sigh, right? His internal strength was excellent, and the night was so quiet.
I hurriedly replied, feeling a little flustered.
Yunzhou said in a low voice, "I have something to tell you."
I quickly got up and opened the door. Yunzhou was standing in the corridor with his back to me.
A serene moonlight, like water, spread across the courtyard. A lantern beneath the corridor cast a soft glow, resting on his shoulder. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of his robe, then drifted down and unfurled. He seemed like an immortal standing on the water, ethereal and otherworldly.
I vaguely called out "Brother," feeling that the figure in front of me was hazy and noble, somewhat unlike a real person.
He remained silent, his back to me.
The night was so quiet you could almost hear your own breath.
"Xiao Mo, did you bump into Miss Shui by chance today?"
His voice was deep and melodious, like a zither melody in the night wind, distant and clear.
I whispered, "No." At that moment, the night and the moonlight were like a thin mist, hazy and indistinct, and even my own voice sounded somewhat unreal.