All my strength seemed to be dissolved and surrendered to dust by this scene of stone bridges, flowing water, green grass, and the image of my beloved. In a daze, I seemed to grasp a soft and strong support in my hand. I didn't have time to look, I didn't have time to think. All my strength was concentrated in my eyes, as if in the blink of an eye it would become an illusion, as if a heavy breath would wake me from a dream.
"Yunzhou, long time no see." Jiang Chen's soft voice was like a sharp blade, severing my nerves that had been stretched to the limit. A heavy, dull pain shot through my heart. This wasn't a dream; it really was him!
Has it been a long time? Yes, a long time. Half a month feels as long as a past life and this one.
Yunzhou first bowed to Madam Qi, then pursed his lips and looked at me, then at Jiang Chen, and smiled slightly: "I didn't expect to meet you all here, we're family." His words paused for a moment, with a sour tone at the end.
These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly shattering all the indescribable emotions—shock, joy, regret, sadness, disbelief—that I felt upon our reunion. Now, in everyone's eyes, and in his eyes, I am the future daughter-in-law of the Jiang family.
Jiang Chen cupped his hands and smiled, "I didn't expect to meet you in the capital. I heard from Zhao Yebai that you were going to Fujian."
He smiled faintly and said, "I was originally going to Fujian, but my father was summoned to the capital, so I came to the capital to see him first."
His gaze swept across my face, then he smiled at Jiang Chen, gave Madam Qi a slight bow, and indicated that he was about to take his leave.
As he took a step, my heart sank into my throat, and I couldn't help but hold my breath.
Am I supposed to just watch him walk by, miss him, and treat this reunion, a gift from heaven, as nothing more than a mirage, a fleeting dream, to be swept away by wind and rain?
His few steps seemed to decide my entire life. What should I do? Should I call out to him, or let him go? Never before have I faced such a difficult moment, such a painful choice.
He was about to turn around the screen when I blurted out, "Yun, Senior Brother."
I will never call him brother again, and I will never use the word "brother" to hide the fact that I do not regard him as my brother.
He stopped and turned around. In his deep, still eyes was that familiar gaze, and today, I finally understood.
A thousand words stuck in my throat, but I could only force a sore throat and feign calmness while my heart was breaking as I uttered, "I'll return that dagger to you. If it's something you like, why give it away so easily?"
He seemed to be suddenly startled, his sword-like eyebrows furrowing slightly.
I never gave him the dagger he was going to give to Jiang Chen. Looking at that dagger only reminds me of a line of poetry. I've always hoped that one day I could return it to him, even if it were ten or twenty years later. I believed that we would meet again someday. I never expected that we would actually meet again today.
At this moment, I am separated from him only by a sandalwood table, yet we are still separated by countless mountains and rivers. My identity, his identity, the kindness of my master, Jiang Chen's deep affection, the family background of a high-ranking official, the reputation of the Xiaoyao Sect—all these threads are woven into a net, like a large cocoon, heavily enveloping my heart, from which I cannot escape.
I can only utter one sentence, knowing it won't change my identity, his family background, or the fact that I'm engaged to Jiang Chen. But if I don't say it, I'll feel a lifelong regret and eternal unease. These words can't change anything; I only have a faint hope that he'll understand I wasn't joking with him. I once had the truest and most sincere heart for him, but alas, fate intervened...
He paused, then his furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, as if a ray of light had fallen upon them. He narrowed his eyes slightly, pursed his lips, said "Okay," and turned to walk towards the east.
I sat down listlessly, feeling utterly drained as soon as I touched the chair. Only then did I realize that Jiang Chen had been holding my hand the whole time, sitting on the sandalwood table. I knew I shouldn't be so lost in thought; I knew I should smile calmly; I knew Lady Qi was sitting to my left and Jiang Chen was standing to my right. I knew there were many people sitting in this Star-Picking Tower.
However, I couldn't control my heart, nor could I stop the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I could no longer shield my eyes with my hand and say, "The sunlight is so blinding today."
After a long silence, Jiang Chen asked in a low voice, "What dagger are you returning to him?"
His voice was deep, and the hand holding mine was slightly damp. Was it his sweat or mine?
I whispered, "He once gave me a dagger, and I... I want to return it to him."
"Alright, from now on you can only accept things from me. Guiyun Manor can also send you things." He looked at me with a smile, but for some reason, I felt that his smile was different from usual. It seemed a bit forced, a bit nervous. There was no smile in his eyes, only a slight upturn of his lips.
My mind was in turmoil, and I sat there blankly, lost in thought. Suddenly, I heard a bell tolling from the top floor, deep and resonant, its echo lingering far and wide.
Then came shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" Jiang Chen pulled me to the front of the red carpet, where I knelt down with everyone else.
A moment later, a group of people appeared on the red carpet. Black boots, tan boots, red embroidered shoes, and then bright yellow boots. My heart skipped a beat; this must be the Emperor.
"Rise, everyone, please sit down." The slightly aged voice carried an imposing and authoritative air. After expressing their gratitude, everyone took their seats.
A moment later, a figure flashed behind the screen and sat down.
Jiang Chen stood up, bowed, and said in a low voice, "Uncle."
"Father."
"Big brother."
I snapped out of my daze and quickly stood up to bow.
"Yunmo?"
Jiang Chen said in a low voice, "Yes, Uncle."
"Yes. Please sit down."
With the Emperor present, the Star-Picking Tower quickly returned to complete silence.
General Qi Chong sat beside Lady Qi, and I didn't even have the mind to look at the legendary Tiger Wing General, the great hero in the eyes of the people, and the pillar of the nation with high merit and great position in the hearts of the people.
At this moment, the dragon boats have begun to paddle on the river, the water ripples and the sound of rushing water is loud, and the banks are also in an uproar.
I was lost in thought, feeling dejected and absent-minded. Yunzhou was in the east, and I was in the west, separated by the emperor's throne.
The dragon boat broke through the water from the other side of the river and arrived in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, only a few feet away from the Magpie Bridge.
Of the four dragon boats, only one was slightly behind; the other three were neck and neck, locked in a fierce battle. Some on board were already preparing to draw their bows; a tense and exciting scene was about to unfold.
Suddenly, a white figure leaped down from the Star-Picking Tower, as graceful as a crane in the clouds and as swift as a shooting star.
I almost cried out in surprise, because I was very familiar with that figure's movements; it was Yunzhou!
His graceful figure landed on the last dragon boat. Before the people on board could react, he snatched the bow from their hands with a swift and fluid motion, drew the bow, and nocked an arrow.
Whispers arose from the Star-Picking Tower. Then, a fearful voice of apology came from the east side of the screen: "Your Majesty, this old minister is terrified. My son Yunzhou acted rashly, and this old minister was unaware of his actions beforehand. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Minister Yun, is this your young master?"
"yes."