Chapter 81
Yu Ling’er returned with several food baskets, munching on her spoils as she listened to Xiao Xiao’s plans for their next adventure.
Upon hearing Xiao Xiao mention Zhangwei Mountain, Yu Ling’er realized she still wasn’t ready to reconcile with Wei Jie and his group. “Wei Jie used to cling to you like a shadow,” she sighed. “Are you truly giving up on him?”
Xiao Xiao fell silent for a moment. “He doesn’t need me anymore…”
The memory of his murderous rage, his hands around her throat, surfaced. His hatred for her was undeniable.
She didn’t know if her demonic nature would act up again. If Wei Jie, out of obligation, was forced to suppress his disgust and come to her rescue… she didn’t want that.
She didn’t want to be a burden. He had started gathering followers, expanding his influence. He could handle Prince Can on his own.
After all, Wei Jie was in a much better position now than he had been in their past life. He had the Wei family’s support, his divine power restored, and a loyal disciple who had experienced everything firsthand.
Compared to him, she, his nominal master, was incompetent, plagued by demonic energy, and burdened by a tarnished reputation. What was the point of clinging to him when his future was so bright?
She decided to abandon her investigation into Prince Changshan, focusing on putting as much distance between herself and Wei Jie as possible.
Yu Ling’er, now adept at reading the mood, knew it was best to drop the subject. She didn’t think Xiao Xiao needed Wei Jie.
He might have a sharp tongue, but it was always him who initiated their interactions, clinging to her relentlessly.
Xiao Xiao was loyal and compassionate, but she was also resilient. Her sadness was becoming less and less apparent.
It seemed a few more feasts would be enough to erase all traces of that rebellious disciple from her heart.
With enough time and distance, she would surely forget about Wei Jie.
And by then, even if he begged the Queen Mother of the West for a second chance, it would be too late. Yu Ling’er sighed again, thinking of Tang Youshu.
She didn’t believe he would ever find another fox as kind and considerate as her! That stupid scholar… why hadn’t he come to apologize and beg her to return?
But since Xiao Xiao was heading to Zhangwei Mountain, she would accompany her, no matter the danger.
Zhangwei Mountain was located beyond the Northwest Sea, a long journey. Having settled on a destination, they set off immediately.
But before they could leave the outskirts of Luoyi City, as they rounded a bend, a valley came into view.
A sweet fragrance wafted from the valley. Yu Ling’er sniffed the air, recognizing the scent of magnolia blossoms. As they drew closer, they saw that the valley was filled with blooming magnolia trees.
But it wasn’t the season for magnolias. And these blossoms, large and vibrant, were clearly cultivated, not wild flowers growing in an untended valley.
Foxes were naturally drawn to fragrances, and this scent was intoxicating. Yu Ling’er’s long ears and tail emerged, unable to be contained. She dashed towards the valley.
“Xiao Xiao, I love the smell of magnolias! I wanted to make a magnolia sachet, but that hateful Wei Jie stopped Tang Youshu from buying me petals, saying they smelled like death!”
She was referring to their time at Guishi Cliff. Tang Youshu had bought her various fragrances, but the lack of magnolia had upset her.
Xiao Xiao didn’t respond, determined to avoid mentioning Wei Jie. She watched Yu Ling’er twirling beneath the trees, her laughter echoing through the valley.
But the scent alone wasn’t enough. Yu Ling’er climbed a tree, wanting to pluck a blossom and wear it in her hair.
Her sachet was losing its fragrance. She could dry these petals and refill it.
But just as her hand reached for a blossom, a gentle voice stopped her. “Please, spare these flowers, young lady. I planted them in memory of my late wife.”
Xiao Xiao turned and saw a tall, slender man dressed in scholar’s robes standing beneath a magnolia tree.
She had seen her fair share of handsome men.
Wei Jie, Qin Lingxiao… they were both incredibly attractive.
But looking at this man, she realized there was another kind of beauty.
Not striking, but gentle and warm, like a flawless jade.
His features weren’t particularly remarkable, but a flawless jade didn’t need intricate carvings. It was captivating in its simplicity.
Even the Sect Master of the Carefree Joy Sect, who had seen countless beauties, couldn’t help but stare.
He smiled politely, and she finally snapped out of it, apologizing hastily. “We were traveling and didn’t realize this was private property. Please forgive our intrusion.”
Yu Ling’er, also captivated, mumbled, “I just thought the flowers smelled nice. I wanted to make a sachet…”
The man chuckled. “The scent of magnolias is indeed intoxicating. But their beauty and fragrance are best appreciated when they’re still on the tree. Once they fall, their petals turn brown and lose their appeal… Tell you what, I’ll have my servants bring you some dried magnolia blossoms from my carriage. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on their fragrance.”
Yu Ling’er, who had only acted on a whim, didn’t want to accept a stranger’s gift.
Thanks to Tang Youshu’s influence, she now understood the importance of financial independence. She politely declined.
But the man, ignoring her refusal, summoned his servants and gave them instructions. “They’ll be back shortly,” he said with a smile. “Would you ladies care for some pre-rain tea? I recently acquired a new batch. It’s quite fragrant and flavorful.”
Xiao Xiao intended to refuse, but something about his gentle voice compelled them to sit down at the tea table beneath the magnolia trees and accept his offer.
Yu Ling’er, drawn to his warmth, couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask for your name, sir? And where you reside?”
The man rolled up his sleeves, his movements elegant as he prepared the tea. “My surname is Ye,” he answered with a smile. “I’m from Changcheng.”
Xiao Xiao froze, her hand tightening around her teacup. She studied him again.
He wasn’t dressed extravagantly. His plain hemp robes and light cotton outer garment suggested a modest background. His hair was tied back with a simple white cloth instead of a hairpin.
But the teacups and utensils he used were of the finest quality, their thin, translucent porcelain showcasing the beauty of the tea.
And his servants and carriage didn’t suggest a humble upbringing.
He was surnamed Ye, from Changcheng, and he had a deceased wife…
Xiao Xiao recalled a wealthy family in Changcheng whose circumstances matched his. They were also surnamed Ye.
“Sir… are you acquainted with the Marquis of Zhongyong?” she asked hesitantly.
The man’s smile deepened. “You have a keen eye, young lady. How did you deduce my connection to the marquis? I am Ye Yi, his eldest son.”
Xiao Xiao was stunned, but Yu Ling’er nearly choked on her tea.
He was Ye Yi? The widower, the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong? The good-for-nothing Princess Yongning refused to marry?
After the brick incident, Yu Ling’er’s impression of the marquis’ family was abysmal.
And based on Princess Yongning’s tearful complaints, this Ye Yi was supposed to be a debauched scoundrel, not this refined gentleman.
This elegant man, tending to these magnolias in this secluded valley, mourning his deceased wife… he seemed like a devoted romantic, not a heartless rake!
Had everyone been mistaken? Or were they only seeing a carefully crafted facade?
Ye Yi, seeing Yu Ling’er’s shock, chuckled. “Have we met before, ladies?”
Xiao Xiao averted her gaze, maintaining a polite smile. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Princess Yongning a few times. I’ve heard your name mentioned.”
At the mention of his fiancée, his smile faltered. “I was away on a journey when my father arranged the marriage,” he said. “I only recently learned about it. And I’ve heard that Princess Yongning is reluctant to marry me, that she insists on returning the betrothal gifts. I was planning to visit Luoyi City and speak with Prince Changshan. If the princess truly doesn’t wish to marry me, I won’t force her. I will gladly break off the engagement. I wouldn’t want to delay her future.”
Yu Ling’er, now thoroughly charmed by Ye Yi, felt a pang of sympathy for Princess Yongning.
“Marriage is a serious matter,” she said softly. “It’s important for the parties involved to meet. Your family might not be wealthy, but the princess isn’t shallow. I’m sure she would change her mind after meeting you…”
Xiao Xiao kicked her under the table, stopping her mid-sentence. Pointing out someone’s poverty, no matter how well-intentioned, wasn’t something a few books could fix.
“Indeed, marriage is a matter of great importance,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice calm and steady. “Thank you for the tea, Ye Gongzi. We won’t take up any more of your time. Farewell.”
Just then, the servant returned with a pouch of dried magnolia blossoms.
Ye Yi accepted it and handed it to Yu Ling’er. “Since you have business to attend to, I won’t delay you any further,” he said with a warm smile. “Safe travels.”
The scent of his magnolias lingered even after they left the valley.
Yu Ling’er, glancing back, sighed. “Rumors are truly unreliable. They said the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong was a debauched scoundrel, but he doesn’t seem like that at all. He’s so refined and elegant. Even though his family might not be wealthy, he’s a rare gem!”
Xiao Xiao, however, was counting on her fingers, her brow furrowed.
“What are you calculating?” Yu Ling’er asked.
“Is it… is it the season for magnolias?” Xiao Xiao asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Yu Ling’er thought about it. It wasn’t. Xiao Xiao recalled the strange sense of complacency she had felt while surrounded by the flowers… She turned back.
“Where are we going?” Yu Ling’er asked, confused.
“We need to go back,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice firm.
They retraced their steps, but the path, although familiar, no longer led to the valley filled with blooming magnolias.
Instead, they found themselves in a desolate wasteland, strewn with dead leaves and withered branches.
“Xiao Xiao, are we lost?”
Xiao Xiao’s eyes fell upon a tea stain on the ground – the tea Yu Ling’er had spat out after learning the man’s identity.
They were in the right place. But the magnolia trees, along with Ye Yi, had vanished.
Yu Ling’er, recognizing her own tea stain, felt her admiration for the elegant gentleman fading. “Who is he? How could he possess such power?”
Xiao Xiao took a deep breath. “It seems even noble families harbor hidden talents. Princess Yongning commands the wind, and this Ye Gongzi… he’s quite the gardener!”
Just then, a harsh caw echoed through the air. They looked up and saw a crow flying overhead, squawking in distress.
But strangely, the crow didn’t seem afraid of them. It circled and descended, landing on a branch.
Yu Ling’er realized that a small paper figure was perched on its back, clutching a tuft of feathers, pulling it this way and that.
Despite being made of paper, its movements were skillful, like a seasoned rider. The crow, unable to shake it off, had been forced to carry it all the way here.
The paper figure jumped off the crow’s back, landing on Xiao Xiao’s outstretched palm. The crow, as if its tail feathers were on fire, took flight and disappeared.
Xiao Xiao recognized the paper figure. It was the one she had given to Princess Yongning.
She hadn’t expected her to use it so soon. The figure, now in her hand, began to writhe, as if trying to communicate.
It had no mouth, no voice. But Xiao Xiao had a solution. She calmly snapped off a twig and placed it in the figure’s hand.
The figure hopped onto the ground and began to write.
Xiao Xiao watched as it scribbled out Princess Yongning’s message.
After their heartfelt conversation, the princess had been plagued by doubts. Upon returning to the mansion, she couldn’t even muster the energy to protest her marriage. She was too preoccupied with observing her disfigured father’s every move.
And the more she observed, the more she noticed discrepancies. His mannerisms, his demeanor… there was a strangeness to him, an unfamiliar oldness that hadn’t been there before.
Determined to probe further, she instructed the kitchen to prepare stinky mandarin fish for dinner.
Those who enjoyed it found it savory and appetizing.
But those who disliked it found the smell repulsive.
Prince Changshan loathed stinky mandarin fish.
She remembered a time when a cook had accidentally served it. Her father had been so disgusted that he had vomited, then ordered the cook to be severely punished.
But this time, despite the pungent aroma, her bandaged father didn’t react at all. He calmly picked up his chopsticks and ate several pieces of fish, seemingly enjoying it.
Princess Yongning forced herself to swallow every bite, her gaze shifting from her father to the guards surrounding him, then to the servants in the hall. She realized that all the familiar faces, her father’s trusted attendants, had been replaced.
It was as if the entire mansion had been infiltrated. She was the only one who belonged, sitting there with this stranger, eating meal after meal.
For a moment, she wanted to flip the table and confront this imposter.
But Xiao Xiao’s words, her parting advice to “plan carefully,” echoed in her mind.
She forced herself to remain calm, finishing the tasteless meal. Back in her room, after dismissing her servants, she took out the paper figure Xiao Xiao had given her and placed it in her washbasin.
The figure, submerged in water, expanded slightly, twirling and swimming. After receiving the princess’s message, it hopped out the window, climbed a tree, and, riding a grasshopper, jumped over the wall.
It had traveled a long way, switching from grasshopper to sparrow to crow, finally reaching Xiao Xiao.
Yu Ling’er, watching the figure write, exclaimed, “Xiao Xiao, this trick is brilliant! If you had known this before, we wouldn’t have had to resort to me pretending to be a spirit in that box!”
She was referring to their first days in Luoyi City, when, desperate for money, Xiao Xiao had devised a street performance involving Yu Ling’er transforming inside a box.
The memory brought a smile to Xiao Xiao’s lips, but it quickly faded.
Even if she wanted to do that again, she didn’t have the same crew…
Princess Yongning’s test had confirmed her suspicions. Prince Changshan had indeed been replaced. And if her guess was correct, the imposter was Prince Can.
The fire that had disfigured the prince… it must have been a deliberate accident. But if Prince Can was pretending to be Prince Changshan, what was his goal?
And why was he forcing Princess Yongning to marry the enigmatic Ye Yi? Something sinister was afoot.
Then there was Wei Jie, his mood unpredictable, gathering a motley crew of disciples, each with their own hidden agendas. It didn’t bode well.
Xiao Xiao wasn’t as indifferent as she had pretended to be in front of Qin Lingxiao. She couldn’t simply abandon Wei Jie.
She had to return to Luoyi City, get to the bottom of this, and uncover the truth.
She decided to find Princess Yongning first.
They weren’t far from the city. They just had to retrace their steps.
But strangely, as they left the valley, darkness descended quickly.
As the light faded, the scent of magnolias intensified, but they couldn’t see any flowers.
Yu Ling’er, still afraid of the dark, shivered, her heart pounding.
She needed company. She whistled, summoning her fellow foxes.
But despite repeated attempts, they didn’t appear. Only the shrill sound of her whistle echoed through the darkness.
After a while, she pointed ahead. “Xiao Xiao, look! Magnolias on the other side of the river! Did we take the wrong path? Is that the valley we saw earlier?”
Xiao Xiao sniffed the air. It was the same magnolia fragrance. Across the shimmering river, the flowers seemed to emit a faint glow. But their white petals… they were different now. Less pure, more alluring…
Drawn by the scent, Yu Ling’er moved towards the riverbank, Xiao Xiao following close behind.
It was late, but the ferryman was still there, his small boat moored by the shore.
Yu Ling’er pointed towards the flowers. “Ferryman, take us to the other side…”
The ferryman silently picked up his oar, waiting for them to board.
Just as they were about to step onto the boat, the demonic bead’s voice exploded in Xiao Xiao’s mind. “You stupid girl! You’re leading me to my death! Take a good look at that ferryman before you get on that boat!”
Startled, Xiao Xiao’s gaze fell upon the ferryman. A wave of fear washed over her.
She grabbed Yu Ling’er, who was about to step onto the boat, pulling her back. She scanned their surroundings, her heart pounding.
Yu Ling’er tried to shake her off, but Xiao Xiao, in a flash of inspiration, grabbed her tail, hidden beneath her skirt. Yu Ling’er yelped in pain, snapping out of her trance.
Xiao Xiao looked down at Yu Ling’er’s sachet, filled with the dried magnolia blossoms she had just received.
She untied the sachet, her voice slow and deliberate. “You wanted Tang Youshu to buy you magnolia fragrance for your sachet, but Wei Jie stopped him, didn’t he?”
Yu Ling’er nodded. “Wei Jie doesn’t like the smell of magnolias. He said they smell like death.”
Xiao Xiao stared at the flowers across the river. “He’s from the Wei family, the demon hunters who guard the entrance to the underworld. He must have been there… The smell of death… he must have been referring to the other shore flowers that bloom by the River of Forgetfulness…”
Leave a Reply