A pale yellow ribbon, barely an inch wide, trimmed with thin silver threads, shimmered in the candlelight. Zu Xian rummaged through the drawer for a while, then took out an ivory comb and returned to the wooden couch.
"Chongyang, turn around."
Even though she had already been hugged, Hua Chongyang suddenly felt embarrassed. She hesitated for a moment, then knelt down on the couch, her legs drawn up. Her long, black hair was loose, and Zu Xian gently took it in his hands, smoothing it down her back before slowly combing it from the top of her head.
"Tell me if it hurts."
Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down to the wooden couch, adorned with a snow-white fox fur coat, its color vibrant. In the dim candlelight, amidst the blurry red shadows outside, Hua Chongyang, her face slightly lowered, slowly smiled and called out:
"Zu Xian."
"Um?"
The hand holding the comb kept moving, and a soft reply came. Hua Chongyang turned his head slightly, suddenly lowered his voice, and, raising an eyebrow, glanced at the tall, slender figure that had landed on the couch, and slowly said:
"...I don't know why either."
I don't know why... From the first moment I saw him drunk in the half-curtained octagonal pavilion, I remembered him; when I saw him again, I remembered his sickly appearance; and then I remembered his half-drunk eyes under the corridor and the long row of lanterns with their staggered red lights connecting them...
"People talk about love at first sight..." Her hand, which was combing her hair over her shoulder, paused, her low voice trailing off. Then she chuckled softly, "I heard it from my mother. She said that the moment she saw my father, she knew she had to marry him."
After a pause, Hua Chongyang smiled again:
"My mother is actually very strong. I don't know if others know this, but I remember when I was a child, someone bullied me, and without saying a word, she rushed over and argued with that shrew. In the end, she actually made that notorious shrew in the whole town cry and scream in public..."
Clearly, even Hua Chongyang herself realized that her words seemed to have strayed too far from the topic, so she paused, glanced at the figure beside her, and asked in a low voice:
"...You...know what I mean, right?"
Zu Xian's long hair was combed into a bun, and his fingers gripped it, his hand holding the ribbon paused:
"……"
"I think," Hua Chongyang said, a slight smile playing on his lips, his thin, pointed chin arching slightly, his snow-white skin piercing the bright candlelight, "I think I might like you, Zu Xian."
There was no movement behind him. His hands, which were combing his hair, did not stop. The ivory comb slid from the top of his head to the ends of his hair, making a soft "shush" sound. After a long while, Zu Xian finally put down his hands, put his left hand around to Hua Chongyang's front, and held hers.
There was no reply. After a long while, the ancestor's chin touched Hua Chongyang's left shoulder. Only then did she hear slightly heavy breathing. She quickly turned around and saw that Zu Xian's face was pale. She was startled and reached out to help him up, but immediately withdrew her hand as soon as it touched his shoulder. Looking down, she saw a handful of water on his head.
His blue silk robe was soaked with sweat, yet his body felt icy to the touch. Zu Xian kept his face down, his chin resting on her left shoulder. Hua Chongyang pressed his hand down and asked softly:
"what to do?"
"...I'm a little tired." Zu Xian reached out and wrapped his arms around her, his voice soft as silk. "Let me lie down for a while."
Hua Chongyang remained silent for a moment, then supported his waist and lay down on the couch.
A soft fox fur quilt was draped over the two of them. Hua Chongyang lay down behind him and said softly:
"You can get some sleep. Just call me if you need anything."
She gently reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind to warm his back. Sweat dripped from her fingertips, and she could hear Zu Xian's breathing growing heavier, his back growing colder, a chill she could feel even through his clothes, yet he remained silent. Hua Chongyang remained still, holding him tighter and closing her eyes. After a moment, she regulated her breathing and pretended to be asleep, when she saw Zu Xian gently pull away from her arms, get up, and, supporting himself on the wooden couch, walk to the table.
The sound of rushing water filled the air, followed by the pervasive smell of alcohol. A moment later, Zu Xian returned to the wooden couch, slipped on his slippers, and lay down, pulling Hua Chongyang into his arms. The strong stench of alcohol filled her nostrils, and Hua Chongyang immediately understood that Zu Xian had gotten up to drink. She buried her face in his chest, silent, but gradually she understood why she always saw him drunk.
I woke up to find myself in a half-drunk tavern again.
Hua Chongyang frowned slightly and removed the grey fox fur coat she was wearing. The dark clouds outside obscured the time, and she wasn't fully conscious. She got up, walked to the back door, saw an iron lock, and turned back, clutching the fur coat, to walk out through the bamboo curtain door with a dazed expression. Walking back to the Flower Garden, her mind cleared considerably, though she still had a hangover headache. She rubbed her temple with one hand and reached to knock on the door with the other, but her hand struck nothing. Uncle Fu opened the door, saw her, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, taking the fur coat from her hands.
"Chongyang, you're finally back."
Hua Chongyang subconsciously took a step to the side, afraid that Uncle Fu would smell the alcohol on her. As she walked quickly inside, she waved lazily.
"Uncle Fu, I'm a little tired, I'm going to take a nap. By the way, what time is it?"
"It's almost noon. Situ Qingliu came looking for you early this morning, but left after waiting for a while and not seeing you," Uncle Fu said as he walked with her. "It's good you came back. Another guest just arrived and is sitting in the main hall."
Hua Chongyang didn't stop walking, and raised his hand to yawn:
Who is it?
I ruined Ye Qinghua's hero's banquet the day before yesterday, could it be that she's here to collect a debt...?
Uncle Fu glanced at her face and frowned. "It's Young Master Rong of Lake Moon Manor."
"...Senior Brother Rong?" Hua Chongyang paused, turning around. "What's he doing here?"
In the simple front hall of the Flower Garden, Rong Chenfei, dressed in white with a black silk belt, stood with his hands behind his back, looking at a painting on the wall. Hua Chongyang stepped into the front hall, raised an eyebrow at him, and then called out:
"Senior Brother Rong."
Rong Chenfei turned around, saw Hua Chongyang, and smiled:
"Double Ninth Festival."
The two sat down in the hall and poured themselves some tea. Rong Chenfei held his teacup, his eyes lowered in thought. Hua Chongyang was extremely sleepy and had to suppress a yawn, instead gulping down tea. After a few cups, Hua Chongyang gradually woke up and looked at Rong Chenfei:
"By the way, Senior Brother Rong, what made you suddenly decide to come here?"
"Chongyang, you haven't changed much. I came today firstly to see you; secondly," Rong Chenfei smiled at her, his fingers fiddling with the lid of his teacup, his voice suddenly softening, "I wanted to apologize to you. I made you go to Lake Moon Manor that day and have you questioned by those people; I was wronged. I was foolish."
22. Infatuation
"Senior brother, you're too kind," Hua Chongyang said with a forced smile. "I didn't care who it was at all. Anyone who encounters such a thing will inevitably be heartbroken and distressed. The dead cannot be brought back to life; you must accept this loss with compassion."
If it were a few years ago, if Hua Chongyang had heard Rong Chenfei speak to her in such a gentle tone, she might have been moved or even had her heart race. But now, looking at Rong Chenfei in his white robes and his handsome face, which was both haggard and unharmed, she suddenly felt that he was not as handsome as Zu Xian, who was wearing a snow-white undergarment and idly daydreaming under the lamp... Recalling Zu Xian's slender back as he searched for his hair ribbon by candlelight, Hua Chongyang's ears burned, and she couldn't help but hold her teacup and absentmindedly curl the corners of her lips.
Rong Chenfei stared at Hua Chongyang, put down his teacup, and chuckled softly:
"Chongyang, you're really different from when you were a child."
Hua Chongyang suddenly snapped back to reality and looked at Rong Chenfei:
"Ah, what did you just say, senior brother?"
"You didn't sleep well last night? You look so tired." Rong Chenfei still smiled at Hua Chongyang. "I have to say, you're really different from when you were a child."
He sighed softly.
"What's different?" Hua Chongyang got up to refill their teacups, then sat back down and chuckled, "You've grown taller, and your hair's longer, hasn't it?"
"Of course," Rong Chenfei said with a smile. "Your personality has changed quite a bit too. I remember you were only eleven or twelve years old when you were at Wudang. You were thin, didn't talk much, and were stubborn. You were only diligent in practicing martial arts. Now you seem much more cheerful than you were back then."
In his memory, Hua Chongyang, at eleven or twelve, had a face with a small, pointed chin, so thin that only a pair of round, unfathomable black eyes remained. People mocked her for being bald, but she would only purse her lips and listen silently, never retaliating. Even when mischievous junior brothers tried to provoke her, she ignored them, focusing solely on practicing her martial arts in the backyard. Her master, Ji Chong, favored her, which displeased Ji Feixiang, who once publicly mocked her as a bastard without parents. It was then that Rong Chenfei first witnessed Hua Chongyang's martial arts skills.
He looked at Hua Chongyang with gentle eyes, smiled faintly, and added:
"Now she's grown up to be even more beautiful."
"You flatter me, senior brother."
"Although there are few like Uncle Hua, she is even more beautiful than Uncle Hua." Rong Chenfei picked up his teacup and took a sip, his voice suddenly becoming soft and gentle as he laughed. "I still remember when you were little, once under the wisteria trellis in the backyard, after practicing your sword, you suddenly ran up to me and told me that you liked me."
Images flashed through his mind, and Hua Chongyang lowered his eyes slightly embarrassed:
"...Yes, that's right. Senior Brother Rong still remembers."
"You really startled me back then." Rong Chenfei laughed without any hesitation, as if he were just joking. "Come to think of it, you were the first girl to confess her feelings to me."
"It's nothing now," Hua Chongyang said with a smile, rising to refill their teacups. "Senior brother, you're such a handsome man; I've heard that suitors line up from Hangzhou to Suzhou."
"If this hadn't happened, things would be fine." Rong Chenfei smiled bitterly. "From the time this happened the day before yesterday until now, I haven't slept a wink."
Hua Chongyang lowered his eyes and waited for him to speak again.
Rong Chenfei's visit at this time was certainly not to reminisce; it was time to get to the point. Sure enough, Rong Chenfei took another sip of tea and put down the teacup:
"I won't lie to you, Chongyang. The Qingfeng Sect's Yue Feilong was also wiped out the other day, and now everyone suspects that Lanying Palace is behind it."
Hua Chongyang raised his eyebrows:
"If you suspect Lan Ying Palace, then you've come to the wrong place, Senior Brother. You should go find Lan Wuxie."
"Lan Wuxie avoids seeing anyone." Rong Chenfei frowned. "The people from Lan Ying Palace are always seen on the painted boats on West Lake, with small boats carrying dancers and singers going up and down. Those dancers and singers say that Lan Wuxie is also on the boats, but they never see any outsiders. Furthermore, although Lan Ying Palace is both righteous and evil, there is ultimately no real evidence."
"It would be better to just lead men and kill them, like the day they convicted me. Everyone would have the same story; there's no need for concrete evidence." Hua Chongyang curled his lips. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill Lan Wuxie?"
Rong Chenfei pretended not to notice Hua Chongyang's sarcasm and said with a wry smile:
"Now, in the martial world, I'm afraid there's no one who can rival Lan Wuxie. With Yue Feilong dead, who dares to speak up? Even when Master suggested bringing Lan Wuxie in for a face-to-face confrontation, apart from Prince Situ and Bo Jiang of the Lingmen, no one dared to agree."
Hua Chongyang glanced at him and finally understood Rong Chenfei's purpose. Rong Chenfei held the teacup, only lowering his eyes to scrape the tea leaves:
"So, after much thought, Chongyang, I'd like to ask you to make a trip to the pleasure boat. Just deliver the invitation."
He put down the bowl lid, raised his eyes, and stared intently at Hua Chongyang:
"I'm afraid only you can handle this matter."
There were only a few people in the main hall of Lake Moon Manor. As soon as Hua Chongyang entered, he saw only Ji Chong sitting on the east side and Situ Qingliu at the head of the table. Upon Hua Chongyang's arrival, Situ Qingliu merely put down his teacup and nodded slightly.
"Miss Chongyang."
Ji Chong stood up and stepped forward to greet him:
"Double Ninth Festival."
Hua Chongyang nodded and sat down in the seat on the west side.
"Uncle Ji, what should we do to talk to Lan Wuxie?"
Ji Chong looked at her with a mixture of embarrassment and worry:
"Are you really determined to go find Lan Wuxie? Actually—"
"Uncle Ji," Hua Chongyang interrupted him, a smirk playing on his lips, "besides the Azure Sky Heart Sutra, what else can Lan Wuxie possibly care about? Furthermore, Lan Ying Palace hasn't openly opposed the Martial Alliance; he might not be unwilling to come. Thirdly..."
She paused, then gave a bitter smile:
"Since everyone knows that I have some connection with Lan Ying Palace, I suppose he won't do anything to me."
"Since that's the case—you've been wronged, Chongyang." Ji Chong looked at her, then glanced at Rong Chenfei beside him. "Chenfei has already agreed. If this matter goes smoothly, you will be a hero of the martial arts world, and the position of vice leader in the future is inevitable. Your uncle knows you don't care about fame or fortune, but you're willing to endure this injustice—"
Hua Chongyang interrupted him in his mind and stood up abruptly:
"Uncle Ji, there's no need to say more. It's just another invitation. I've done my best, but whether it will work out is another matter—"
"etc."
Before she could finish speaking, Situ Qingliu suddenly stood up, interrupting Hua Chongyang, and walked to her side. He looked down into her eyes:
"Miss Chongyang, you cannot go."
Hua Chongyang looked up in surprise.
"You're a smart man, you should understand that if we hand over the Azure Sky Heart Sutra to Lan Wuxie, he'll likely become even more unscrupulous towards you." Situ Qingliu seemed oblivious to the awkward expressions on Ji Chong and Rong Chenfei's faces. "Once he gets his hands on the Azure Sky Heart Sutra, if he treats you—"
That's all I need to say.