026 Destined for Greatness

No longer looking at Late Spring’s departing figure, I felt a pang of sadness; it was as if we were heading in opposite directions—one ascending the mountain, the other descending. The pace of romantic tales outstrips even rockets; would you dare to doubt it? Just as two hearts once nestled close together, now slowly drift apart.

I vaguely recall waking that morning to find Late Spring by my side, feeding me porridge. After surviving the cliff’s peril and returning by sheer luck, she grasped my hand, her anxious expression vivid in my memory. She plucked a blossom and tucked it into my hair. She took me to see Yun Heng, reminding me along the way to mind this and that. Late Spring, Late Spring, I thought you might become my second A-Fu, but reality is always so cruel. How many things were done for my sake, piled atop deceit and ulterior motives?

A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, unbidden and unnoticed. Then a pair of hands reached out to wipe it from my cheek. Realizing my loss of composure, I looked up and saw Li Yexuan’s face.

“The Mu Fan I know isn’t someone who gives up so easily, or who sheds tears so readily.” With those words, Li Yexuan strode ahead.

I longed to rush after him, to grab him and shout. To say I’m not as strong as he imagines. Mu Fan is a false persona, a person who does not exist—while I am Huangfu Ziyun.

Huangfu Ziyun, raised in pampered luxury, never lacking the indulgence of a princess. I am capable of fear, of anxiety, of tears. If pressed, I might even kill. I enjoy smiling with confidence, living as a person of power whose very hands summon clouds or disperse rain. Even in the quiet of night, tears stain my pillow. I worry, too, about my brother whose fate remains uncertain.

Perhaps seeing I did not follow, Li Yexuan turned and found me still standing where he had left me.

On the mountainside, not far apart, we gazed at each other. The mountain wind stirred the wildflowers, carrying them between us before letting them fall. Li Yexuan made no move to comfort me, so I gathered up my skirts and walked forward. As I drew near, he extended his hand.

Placing my small hand in his large one, I saw before us a steep incline I could only cross with his help.

“No matter how treacherous the mountain path, you must walk it yourself. Others can lend a hand, but they cannot carry you for life.” Li Yexuan’s words were gentle, just loud enough for me to hear.

“I truly am grateful to have met you, to have you lend me a hand.” I met his gaze, thanking him silently for his guidance. Whatever Late Spring’s reasons for deceiving me, it is her chosen path; I lack the power to twist her thoughts or change her actions. So long as she brings me no harm, I will not dwell on it further.

“You’re quite fortunate, for a maid so absent-minded, to have survived this long—it’s nothing short of a miracle.” Li Yexuan’s remark made my lips twitch, but I decided not to argue.

“How is your hand?” Glancing at the mountain branches, I remembered his injury from when he saved me after I fell from the cliff.

“It’s nothing, not as serious as the doctors at the clinic claimed.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing else?”

“No trouble.” Li Yexuan walked on, leaving me no choice but to stomp my feet and follow. Why didn’t he understand? I meant to ask whether he remembered anything else, like my little golden bell—yet he acted as if he knew nothing. Damn him, could he be so stingy as to refuse to redeem it for me? Though impatience gnawed at me, I could hardly shamelessly demand back what I had given away.

After nearly half an hour of climbing, we finally arrived at the Temple of Five Villages. Li Yexuan’s stride remained vigorous, while I was weary and reluctant to move. This mountain was truly high, and there were visitors even at this temple.

Inside, I knelt before the Buddha and respectfully burned incense. When I went outside again, Li Yexuan was nowhere to be found. The matter of burning incense and fulfilling vows was not something he would take part in; he said he’d wait for me outside, but he was gone.

Frowning, I began searching for him through the temple.

“Miss,” came a hoary voice from behind me. Turning, I saw an elderly abbot. Wandering aimlessly, I had no idea where I had ended up.

“Master Abbot, were you calling me?” I pressed my palms together and bowed respectfully.

The master studied me, then smiled, saying, “By chance you have arrived here, miss; perhaps fate has brought us together.”

“Master Abbot, you jest.”

“Truth and illusion, shadows and light.” Unexpectedly, the master uttered these words, leaving me puzzled.

“Mu Fan is dull-witted; I beg your guidance, master.”

“Mu Fan—such a fine name. Ordinary is good, yet your fate is extraordinary.”

“What do you mean by extraordinary?”

“Only after enduring countless tribulations will you attain true fruition. Never abandon yourself.”

These words, spoken or unspoken, only deepened my confusion. I wished to press the master for more, but as I pondered, he vanished without a trace.

“Mu Fan,” Li Yexuan’s voice sounded behind me.

“Li Yexuan.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to find you when I didn’t see you.”

“Are you finished? If so, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I followed Li Yexuan back, saying nothing of my encounter with the abbot. The descent seemed far easier, not so exhausting. Laughing and chatting with Li Yexuan, we soon reached the foot of the mountain; it amazed me how familiar we had already become.

Back at the General’s residence, I lay on my bed, pondering the words of the master abbot…