He turned around and looked at me.
I was stunned. I had never seen him look like this before. He looked slightly weary, with a hint of loneliness, like the only star in the sky, bright and shining, yet serene and distant.
He stood right in front of me, within reach yet so far away.
I longed to hold his hand. He was like a secluded mountain range, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, making one yearn to linger and find a paradise. However, my fingers clenched into a tight fist, and in the end, I lacked the courage to reach out.
He sighed almost imperceptibly, turned and went down the steps.
I stared blankly at his retreating figure. He called me out just to ask me this one question? My heart was filled with curiosity about what the young princess and he had discussed, but I didn't have the courage to ask him. I could only struggle with this question in my mind.
The next day, I sat quietly in the house, waiting for lunch so that I could go down the mountain with my master and fellow disciples to go home.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the courtyard, and I recognized the voice as that of the young princess. I immediately closed the door, intending to stay inside. It seemed that nothing good ever came of me running into her.
Unexpectedly, just as I was closing the door and not planning to cause trouble, trouble found me instead.
All that could be heard was the young princess shouting in the courtyard, "Call that girl out! She must have stolen my things!"
A maid? Everyone in this courtyard is a man except me. The maid the little princess is talking about must be me. But when did I steal her things?
Being falsely accused of being a thief, I couldn't sit still any longer, so I got up and opened the door.
There were quite a few people standing in the courtyard. Besides the four maids brought by the young princess, there were three heroes from the Wuya Sect next door, two beauties from the Yuanshan Sect, and three Taoist priests from the Wudang Sect in the backyard. They must have all been attracted by the young princess's loud voice. Master, Yunzhou, and several senior brothers also came out and surrounded the young princess.
As soon as the young princess saw me, she pointed with her jade-like hand and said, "Yinghong, Yingcui, go and search her room!"
Yunzhou glanced back at me and said to the little princess, "Yuyao, stop fooling around."
"Who caused this trouble? Last night, she was acting suspiciously at the gate of my courtyard. These maids all saw her. When I got back, I found that the pearl necklace in the room was missing. Who else could it be but her?"
I understand now. It turns out that I was mistaken for a thief just because I loitered around her yard last night.
I gave a wry smile and stepped down the stairs, bowing to the young princess and saying, "Princess, you must have misunderstood. Even if you gave me the pearl necklace, I wouldn't want it, let alone steal it. I never wear such things."
Yunzhou stared at me blankly, his eyes filled with complex emotions. I looked back at him, my feelings equally complicated.
The young princess sneered, "I don't care what you do with it, but you're the prime suspect. If you have nothing to hide, let them search the place."
I smiled and said, "Alright. Please go ahead, Princess."
The young princess nodded to Yinghong and Yingcui. The two maids went straight to my room.
Suddenly, I remembered something and quickly grabbed their arms. I am a martial artist, after all, and dealing with two maids was more than enough for me. I immediately immobilized them.
"No, you can't go in and search."
The young princess sneered, "Why? Are you feeling guilty?"
I did feel guilty, but not because I had stolen anything, but because the Chongshan Sword Manual was under my pillow. My master had instructed me not to let anyone know, and now that they were rummaging through my room, they would definitely look under my pillow. So, I couldn't let them in, but I couldn't say that my reason outright.
"I didn't take your things, so why should I let you into my room and search it?" I was originally fearless, but now I felt a sense of unease, and my confidence suddenly weakened; I seemed to feel guilty and ashamed. This was truly an injustice.
Yunzhou frowned and said in a low voice, "Yuyao, stop making trouble. Even if Yunmo passed by your courtyard, what evidence do you have to prove that she went to your room?"
"Hmph, you don't need to protect her. If she didn't take my things, why didn't she dare let someone in to check? Are you feeling guilty?"
I gave a wry smile and looked at Yunzhou. He was looking at me too, his eyes deep, and I couldn't tell if it was suspicion or trust.
"Fine, if you don't dare let anyone in, then admit you're a thief."
I don't admit I'm a thief, but I can't let anyone in to search me either. I stood there stiffly, unable to explain myself, completely at a loss.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind me, saying, "How annoying to disturb my sweet dreams so early in the morning."
Everyone turned to look, and I turned around too when I heard the sound. What I saw terrified me!
Jiang Chen had somehow sneaked into my room and was now lazily leaning against the doorframe, his clothes disheveled! Very disheveled.
I was so surprised I almost fainted!
His hair, loosely tied back with a ribbon, was jet black and glossy, cascading down his shoulders. His white inner shirt, smooth and flowing silk, hung loosely, and a gold lock dangled casually around his neck. He was undeniably dashing and handsome. This appearance clearly suggested a love affair that had lasted a night, a spring slumber just ended, a spring sleep unaware of dawn, oblivious to how many flowers had fallen.
The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone's eyes looked bigger than usual. Even He Xiaole, whose eyes are usually so small we couldn't tell if they were open or closed, I could see his pupils.
"Hmph, so it turns out you not only steal chickens and dogs, but also steal people." The little princess chuckled sarcastically.
Stealing, stealing people! I was startled and swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I asked, "Jiang Chen, what were you doing in my room?"
He casually adjusted his clothes, smiled gently at me, and said tenderly, "Don't you know why I'm here?"
The courtyard was once again so quiet that not even a breeze stirred.
My mind went blank, and I stared at Jiang Chen, speechless. I really didn't know anything. What was he doing in my room dressed like that? And if he was dressed like that, why did he come out here in the first place?
He passed by the young princess, gave her a cold look, and said, "Princess, if you want to search, just go in."
I quickly said, "No."
He walked over to me, gently patted my shoulder, and chuckled softly, "I'm already out, what are you afraid of? Weren't you just worried that they'd go in and see me inside?"
Everyone's eyes widened even more.
I wiped the cold sweat from my brow and stammered, "I... I'm not afraid they'll see, I'm afraid they'll see you... I'm afraid they'll see..."
I couldn't utter the words "Chongshan Sword Manual." So, my explanation was pointless. I noticed that, apart from my master, everyone's gazes had become ambiguous, giving Jiang Chen and me meaningful looks. The heroes of Wuya Sect were chuckling, barely suppressing their laughter, not caring if they were to suffer internal injuries. The two beauties from Yuanshan Sect showed expressions of surprise, envy, and regret.
I simply dared not look into Yunzhou's eyes, because even if I jumped into the Yellow River now, it would only become more yellow.