Chasing Rainbows

Chapter 11

Master Tao continued, "The Ghost Palace has been inactive for twenty years. Even if there are descendants, they were just infants at the time, so naturally they have nothing to do with the sins committed by the Ghost Palace. Why would we pursue someone who is unrelated?"

The man said, "That sounds nice. Isn't your Yunyang martial arts world all about eliminating the root of the problem? Master Tao, Master Bai, Master Nan, although you were just minor figures back then, you still participated in the extermination of the Ghost Palace, right? Weren't there any innocent people in the Ghost Palace at that time?"

Nan Qingyong coldly replied, "Are there any innocent people we've killed?"

The voice sneered, "So you're not innocent after all. Don't covet what belongs to others, or you'll end up like the platform beneath your feet."

This is quite a spectacle. They've been hurling insults at each other for ages, and martial arts practitioners and servants from Qingyu Manor have already begun searching the surrounding mountains, but they haven't found anything.

After he said "the end," I went over to take a look at the fighting platform. It looked very sturdy, and I really couldn't tell what would happen next.

Just then, something whooshed through the sky, no bigger than a fist, and slammed into the platform where Nan Qingyong was standing. The two of them leaped down simultaneously. As soon as they landed, a huge explosion erupted from the platform, causing it to collapse and sending wooden fragments of all sizes flying in all directions. Besides Nan Qingyong and the disciple from Liuhe Manor, I was the closest to the platform. I quickly retreated several feet, simultaneously unleashing my Swift Shadow Dance. But someone pulled me back, then lifted a table and rushed forward to meet me. Another person blocked my way, shouting, "Princess, be careful!" I recognized him as Eunuch Jing, and the one who had pulled me back and used the table was Yi Ge.

I heard Qi Long call me again, "Wu'er, run!" I turned around and saw him shielding He Lanqian in his arms and retreating quickly. I also called out, "Yi Ge, let's go!"

Yi Ge tossed the table forward, bent down slightly to protect my head and back, and walked away. The platform behind us suddenly caught fire, and a wave of heat hit us from behind.

We naturally withdrew to Cheyu Manor. After returning to Zifeng Pavilion, Yi Ge disappeared again. Eunuch Jing said that he had probably gone up the mountain with the heroes to check on the pursuers.

That evening, everyone returned, but they found nothing. However, Nan Qingyong and Bai Xianglong said that when the Ghost Palace Master committed suicide, he seemed to hear a thunderclap, and then the main house collapsed and caught fire.

Yi Ge didn't return until after dinner, and he looked a bit tired. While I asked Chunman to make a bowl of noodles in the manor kitchen, I asked him, "Why are you so late? Did you chase after someone for a long time?"

He nodded: "We crossed three ridges."

Where is that person?

He shook his head.

He must have been better at light-footed skills than others, so he chased after him for a long distance. But that person really was elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

That night, he lay beside me, and I could tell he hadn't slept for a long time. I began to doubt whether he really hadn't caught up with that person. But I didn't ask again.

The next day, after discussing with some martial arts families, Master Tao of Cheyu Manor announced that the remaining six families would not hold a martial arts competition for the time being. Instead, the six families would join forces to search for the Ghost Palace treasure in Lingnan. Whoever could convince the public the most and find the underground palace treasure first would become the martial arts leader of this year's competition.

It's actually a bit funny. But I'm just an observer; who wins or loses is none of my business. I just want to see if they have any clues about the Ghost Palace treasure.

Actually, from the strange man's words yesterday, I also gleaned that the only ones who knew the location of the Ghost Palace and had some clues were Baima Village, Nanfeng Fort, and Cheyu Village. Nanfeng Fort, located in Lingnan, should know the location best.

They've set their treasure hunt in Lingnan for March 15th next spring, with each sect sending five to ten people, depending on their size. I glanced at the list, and there are about twenty well-known sects, meaning at least two hundred people will be digging through those ruins. There are also some smaller sects, and even if they're just curious, one or two might go. They'll really turn that place upside down. As for why they're only going four months after the martial arts tournament, I guess it's because that's the rainy season in Lingnan, when the soil and rocks are loose, making digging easier.

And so the farcical martial arts tournament came to an end. On this day, the various sects could still exchange skills, get to know each other better, or seek revenge.

Now that I've seen the excitement, it's time for me to leave.

Just as he was instructing Chunman to pack her things, he suddenly heard someone knocking on the door outside the courtyard. Someone asked, "Is Lady Qi here?"

A young man in blue and a round-faced girl stood at the entrance. I recognized the young man; he was a disciple of the Fengming Sect who had spoken up for Qi Long on the first day of the martial arts tournament. Because of this, I had a favorable impression of the sect and would always nod when I saw them. Later, we gradually became acquainted. The young man pointed at the girl and said, "Luoluo saw how well Lady Qi wielded her whip yesterday and would like to spar with you, to learn a move or two." The girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, smiled, her large eyes full of anticipation.

Since I had nothing better to do, I nodded: "Let's go to the backyard near Good Sound Valley. There shouldn't be anyone around now, right?"

The little girl's whip technique was from the Liuhezhuang style, and I understood. After easily defeating her, I shared some insights I had gained from observing the Liuhezhuang whip technique with her. She nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, Sister Qi, you observed so carefully; you pointed out all my shortcomings." I quite liked this straightforward and unpretentious girl. At this moment, the young man also came up to thank her, saying, "Thank you, Lady Qi. Luoluo has benefited greatly from this."

Looking at their expressions, I chuckled and teased, "Whose family does Luo Luo belong to?"

The boy blushed and choked up, but the girl quickly stepped forward to help him, saying, "He didn't know. I didn't tell him."

Looking at the young girl, I was reminded of myself a year ago, and I joked, "You won't tell me? What if you meet someone you like who also likes you, but he's someone who cares about family background? You'll be in trouble if you don't tell him honestly!"

The young girl glanced at the boy and said, "If I encounter someone like that, I'm out of luck. Does he value family background more than me? I'd rather not have someone like that!"

The boy panicked and blurted out, "I'm not that kind of person. Luo Luo, I've never asked about your family background."

I laughed out loud, and Luo Luo stomped her foot and ran away in a hurry. The boy didn't even have time to say goodbye to me and chased after her.

I turned around with a smile, but when I saw Bai Yifei standing by the grove of trees behind me, my smile froze.

I called out, "Brother Bai," and headed towards Zifeng Pavilion. He stood there, frozen in place, not moving an inch. As we brushed past each other, he suddenly and swiftly grabbed my wrist. "Xiao Wu, I have something to tell you." Caught off guard, I was caught red-handed and simply said, "Brother Bai's skills have indeed improved greatly this year."

A flicker of pain crossed his eyes: "Last year, I left before I could finish speaking. Now, whether you still hate me or not, whether you are willing to forgive me or not, I want to tell you what I've been holding back for a whole year."

I said, "Okay, I'm listening. Can you let go of my hand now?"

He let go of my hand and said, "Let's talk in the woods then." He really did like the grove.

“Xiaowu, I’m sorry, but it’s definitely not because I look down on your family background. My father wanted to form a marriage alliance with Nanfeng Fort, but if I refused, he might not have forced me to, since I’m not the only eligible son in Baima Manor. But because I did something wrong, I’m too ashamed to face you, so I thought it would be better to distance myself from you and let you go.”

I corrected him, "You distanced yourself from me first before you did something wrong, didn't you?"

He added, "It wasn't that time, what you saw... was the second time."

I stared, unsure how to react. "So how can you still be affectionate with me?"

He reached up and touched his forehead. "That time was unconscious. Do you remember when we fell into the Hanging Valley? After we came up, I hugged you and stole several kisses. I'm embarrassed to tell you, but that night in the cave, I had a wet dream, a dream about making love with you. Actually, it wasn't a wet dream, I really did it, but with Nan Ya. At the time, I was under a miasma, feeling dizzy and confused, and the woman's face beneath me was blurry, so I thought it was a dream. You went to the Xin family in Nanjun, and I felt like I was living in an eternity at Nanfeng Fort. I stayed for five days before coming out to find you. Originally, I wanted to take you back to Baima Manor and tell my father that I didn't want to marry Nan Ya and that my younger brother could marry her. But, unexpectedly, Nan Ya brought the marriage certificate from Nanfeng Fort and told me the truth about that night. I... I can't not take responsibility for her."

I'm standing there, completely frozen.

After a long pause, I finally remembered to say, "I thought you were celebrating your survival, but it turns out you had some romantic thoughts." I seem to have missed the point again.

Even if he has romantic thoughts, it can be considered that he has feelings for me. I remember once when I was a child, I heard the head maid scolding the girls in Jinchun Garden: "How could I not know that he has romantic thoughts about you? He comes to touch and pinch you. It's good that he has romantic thoughts, it means that you are a woman with charm. Even the nuns in the nunnery have people who have romantic thoughts about them. Besides, what are we for? If the men who come in don't have romantic thoughts, what will we eat?"

My words caused his face to flush red and then pale, and he opened his mouth to argue. I then smiled wryly and said, "It's okay to have fantasies. Why don't you start fantasizing earlier? If you did, wouldn't everything be different?"

He lowered his head and said, "Yes, if we... then, I will never leave you for the rest of my life, even if my father objects."

I added, "But later, I saw you and Nan Ya... like that, you might not have been heartless towards her either."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I felt more pity than affection for her. But it wouldn't be true to say I had no feelings for her at all. I sensed her interest in me a long time ago, and she's so different from you. Back then, I didn't know how to treat you. Although you're easygoing, cheerful, and optimistic, you're very independent at heart, and you're skilled in martial arts. I didn't know what you needed me for. Back at Youxian Village, you were able to retrieve your belongings even without me. And on the way to Longcheng, when we were helping the poor, after we used up that thousand taels of silver, I originally wanted to use the shops at Baima Village to get some more, but you somehow managed to get a large sum of money again. I think you're very capable, but at the same time, I feel that I'm useless to you."

Nan Ya made me feel needed; she had a hero complex towards me, a kind of admiration that gave me a sense of accomplishment. Therefore, I couldn't help but pay attention to her, as was the case at Siwei Mountain. But ultimately, I like you more. We have an unspoken understanding; our hearts are connected without words. But things changed after Nan Ya revealed what happened that night. Furthermore, my father has always valued family lineage, considering the benefits of marriage alliances between martial arts masters. And as the young master of Baima Manor, I still have family responsibilities to bear.

But, Xiaowu, I chose her, but I can't get over you in my heart. This past year I've practiced martial arts relentlessly, seeking out opponents everywhere to hone my skills, always believing that as my martial arts prowess increased, you would one day need me, and even if you weren't my wife, I could still help you. But today, I suddenly realize that no matter how high my skills improve, you won't be standing beside me anymore; you'll always be so far away. I…”

Adoration? A hero complex? I certainly had those feelings for him, but I thought that if I admired him, I would necessarily help him from behind. Was I wrong again?

I held back for a long time before finally saying, "Understanding? Mutual understanding? Perhaps we are good partners. Otherwise, how come I didn't know you thought this way about me? Besides, 'the lord has a wife, and Luo Fu has a husband,' so it's pointless for you to tell me these things now."

He said urgently, "I am not married."

I smiled faintly: "Alright, Your Excellency just has a fiancée. But you two are still engaged. I think I haven't changed much since then, and I'm still not the person you want to protect."

His eyes reddened: "Xiaowu, what I mean is that you are someone I want to protect but can never do."

I turned my head away: "Forever? Then let it be. I don't hate you now."

I don't hate him anymore. It turns out that liking and needing can be completely separated. He liked me but didn't need me. In his eyes, I was a female warrior. The one who feels the most defeated is probably my beautiful father.

Before leaving the grove, I saw a crimson hem of clothing fluttering past outside the woods.

It's another forest where the leaves are almost all gone; what a tragedy.

Chapter Eighteen Returning Home

The weather wasn't any colder than it had been a few days ago, but as I passed by this stream pavilion outside Hengling Town today, I felt the autumn chill fading and the winter atmosphere gradually growing stronger, perhaps because the morning mist had just dissipated and the air was still chilly.

There were even earlier travelers than us! There were already people in the pavilion by the stream. A clear voice called out to me, "Awu!"

It turned out to be Qianqian and Qilong; the other Si Xie Palace servants were not with them.

I jumped out of the car and asked Qi Long, "Brother, are you going straight back to Shangjing or to Sixie Palace?"

He replied, "There's nothing major happening in Si Xie Palace, but we still need to send Qianqian back first."

I said, "How long will you stay in the Si Xie Palace? If it's a short time, I'll wait for you to return to the capital together. If it's a long time, I'll leave on my own."

He said, "I'm not sure. It depends on whether Fourth Uncle has any instructions."

I nodded: "Oh, then go ahead, but don't argue with Qianqian."

He rolled his eyes at me: "When did I ever argue with her?"

Qianqian also said, "He doesn't really pay attention to me in the palace. Why bother arguing? Just don't take my things."

I nodded again: "Oh, then don't argue with him." That's exactly what I was waiting for her to say.

Qianqian scoffed and said, "I knew you guys were in cahoots and wouldn't side with me."

I chuckled and said, "We can still travel together for a while, let's go together."

Just then, a loud female voice came over and said, "Why are you leaving? You didn't even wait for me to see you off before you went your own way."

I turned around and saw that it was Yi Mei. The people from Nanfeng Fort weren't leaving until tomorrow, and I hadn't expected her to come to see me off. I said, "Didn't I say goodbye to you last night?"

I said goodbye to a group of famous martial arts families last night, and I was worried they would come to see me off in a polite manner, so I went out early this morning.

Seeing Yi Mei, Qian Qian was also very happy. Suddenly, she frowned and said to me, "Oh dear, I forgot. I have some good news to tell you."

I looked at her, waiting for good news. She said with a grin, "Yesterday, Sister Yimei invited me to lunch at Cheyu Manor. The whole Nanfeng Fort family, plus their prospective son-in-law, were there. I felt particularly angry looking at Nanya, and I couldn't eat much, but I couldn't let the food down, right? So, I chatted with Sister Mei, and we talked about you. The Nanfeng Fort master said he hadn't realized Miss Qi's whip skills and lightness skills were so superb, no less than the disciple from Liuhe Manor. I nodded and said, 'That's right, that's right, her teacher is excellent!' The Nanfeng Fort master then asked, 'I wonder if she studied under Young Master Cong or Madam Xin?' I said, 'What's the difference? They have the same father and mother anyway.' Hahaha, their whole family was stunned, except for Sister Mei. Nanya almost choked on a meatball. Later, I saw they weren't eating much either, so I felt quite at peace. That Chen Shimei's face, hehe, it's really something, so sinister you could wring water out of it."

This trip to Hengshan was also the first time I'd seen Qianqian since I came down the mountain. She might have heard about my heartbreak, but didn't know the details. This time, I guess Yimei told her everything in detail. Knowing her temperament, she immediately showed it. I glanced at Yimei. This girl knows Qianqian's personality; she probably wanted to say it herself but couldn't, so she used Qianqian's mouth to say it. Entering Nanfeng Fortress has indeed made her more cunning.

Yi Mei also smiled and said, "These past few days of the martial arts tournament, we sisters haven't had much time to chat. Last night I was eavesdropping again and got some news from someone who wanted to talk to me. But it's not exactly good news, so just take it with a grain of salt. Didn't you leave first after the big banquet at the manor last night?" Bai Yifei was restless and stood up after a while. Not long after he left, Manor Lord Bai followed him out. I was impatient to listen to those people flattering me in the Dragon Roar Hall, so I also left.

Then, in the back courtyard, they overheard Master Bai asking Bai Yifei, "Fei'er, do you resent your father for forcing you to marry Nan Ya? For breaking you up with Miss Qi? But she was so tight-lipped back then. How could we trust a girl of unknown origin?"

Bai Yifei replied, "My true love has always been her, but if things were to happen all over again, I don't know if things would be different. She was my first opponent, the one who managed to subdue me. Although she later claimed she cheated, I knew that if we continued fighting, I might not win either, and it could end in mutual destruction, which would be pointless. She is actually both kind and intelligent. The deeper my relationship with her became, the more I felt a tacit understanding between us, but at the same time, I felt she didn't need me. I thought a man's pride lay in his success and his ability to protect his wife, but she never needed my protection, so I practiced martial arts relentlessly this past year."

Before I knew about her family background, I felt that although I loved her deeply, it was a painful and unspoken pressure. If she were truly from an ordinary family, and marrying into Baima Manor would be considered a step up, I could at least accept it; at least I could give her a prestigious family to rely on. Now that I know she's of royal lineage and has such parents, she's a true princess, both in and out of court. I feel utterly insignificant next to her, with no advantage whatsoever. How could I possibly dare to marry her?

Master Bai sighed. "In the end, Bai Yifei is still more concerned with himself. But his martial arts have truly improved by leaps and bounds this year; it turns out you spurred him on. I just don't understand. Aren't there couples in the martial world with similar martial arts skills who live happily ever after? So, being highly skilled in martial arts is a fault, and an excuse for him to betray you?"

I said, "He already told me yesterday afternoon. Maybe he's too proud. If he's a poplar tree, he needs a vine, while I might just happen to be a willow tree next to it, its trunk, leaves, and sunlight irrelevant to me." After hearing his reasons yesterday, I thought about it all night and finally realized there was nothing to agonize over. Maybe even if you like something, if it's not suitable, it's not suitable. Like that hairpin I saw on the street last time—the jade was beautiful, the carving exquisite, but it was too big and heavy, and the handle was too short. Someone as lively and active as me would probably have it fall off my head and break in half a day. So I thought about it for a long time but didn't buy it. Bai Yifei, perhaps, is the same; facing such a big decision, he's more rational and knows how to make choices. Suddenly, the knot in my heart was untied.

Yi Mei suddenly noticed Yi Ge by the carriage, turned to me and said, "Your current husband seems to treat you quite well; it doesn't seem like a marriage of convenience."

I smiled and said, "Yes, we treat each other with the utmost respect."

Yi Mei shook her head: "No, it doesn't seem like it. When I met you two in this place that day, I could tell that you two had quite a bit of affection for each other."

I smiled wryly: "I can only say that his bodyguard is really outstanding. He helped me out of a predicament and even had to pretend to be affectionate."

Yi Mei said, "Impossible. That smile could be fake, but the concern in his eyes can't be faked. Besides, what happened yesterday? You were so close to that platform, and he immediately rushed over to shield you from those wooden pieces, didn't he?"

I said, "Of course, we're not complete strangers. He doesn't talk much, but we get along fairly well. Yesterday, Eunuch Jing also rushed up, perhaps out of a protective instinct?"

Yi Mei looked at me and shook her head reproachfully: "Alright, Eunuch Jing has done a good job protecting his master, so you can reward him. But will your husband, who is heartless towards you, go up to him? He is no longer a guard. He won't be held accountable for not protecting you well, and he won't be rewarded for his merits."

I was speechless for a moment. What could I possibly give him as a reward?

Suddenly, Yi Mei turned her head and asked Yi Ge loudly, "Prince Consort, I saw that Wu'er could handle the chaos yesterday on her own. She didn't need your protection, and you might not have been able to protect her either. Can't you see that?"

Yi Ge calmly said, "Whether she needs protection is one thing, whether she can protect her is another, and whether she should protect her is yet another. I am her husband, and I will only do what I should do. If I feel I should protect her, then I will."

Yi Mei gave him a thumbs up and said to me, "Men don't all think the same way. Doesn't your husband have any pride?"

I was slightly stunned, feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions.

At the crossroads leading to Chuzhou, I parted ways with Qi Long and Qian Qian. Qi Long said he would definitely go back for the New Year. Well then, I'll take my time traveling and go back before the New Year.