074 Kong Yue Lin

Suddenly, I opened my eyes. At last, I awakened from a muddled slumber. How did I end up here? My gaze swept around and I realized this was an ordinary room. The furnishings were simple—an antique bronze mirror, yellowed with age, but no items for grooming. I couldn’t tell whether the master of this place was a man or a woman.

I got out of bed and hadn’t taken more than a few steps before dizziness washed over me. One hand pressed against my temple, and, unsteady, I stumbled into the table.

What was happening to me? Why had my constitution become so frail? It made no sense; something seemed off. I sniffed the air and noticed unfamiliar fragrances clinging to me—subtle, yet distinct, because they’d never been there before. Could it mean...

Just then, the door swung open. I looked up in alarm and saw Li Yexuan. Relieved, I exhaled.

“Are you alright?” Li Yexuan strode over in a few brisk steps and steadied me.

“I’m fine. And you? Anything strange? Where are we?”

“It’s nothing. We’re at a friend’s place.” Li Yexuan appeared somewhat pensive. His friend’s place. I pushed his hand away and stepped back, suspicion in my eyes.

“Mufan, I...”

“That’s enough, Li Yexuan. To think I considered you a friend, and you drugged me!” So that’s why I fell asleep in his arms so easily—I’d been drugged and brought here. I cursed myself for my carelessness, for never learning my lesson. One day I’d be sold off and not even know it.

Since this was Li Yexuan’s friend’s domain, he’d be safe. I’d even worried for him—what folly. The sting of betrayal surged through me.

Friend. I did think of Li Yexuan as a friend. In my previous life, I held power and rank too lofty for genuine, disinterested friendship. Once, I was betrayed by a friend; had my subordinate not been clever, that assassination would have ended me.

If I’d died, so be it, but the Huangfu family’s bottleneck would have remained unbroken. If those who came before or after had the ability, they’d have broken through long ago.

After that, I rarely appeared at social events, and those I befriended were merely business partners. I never expected, after living again, that as Mufan I’d be just an ordinary person, fate-tossed but now at least bearing a common identity. I thought I might finally make a friend. How foolish of me. The man before me was famed throughout the Night Network—royalty, a mysterious presence. What was I imagining?

I thought I might fall for Yun Heng, but before I could, my heart still trembling, Qiao Ruoqing was already lying beside him. I thought I could trust Li Yexuan, but he’d kept a card up his sleeve.

“It’s the custom here in the Valley of Illusions. There are traps outside; inhale them, and you’ll collapse, weak and unconscious. Mufan, I thought you’d understand. If I truly meant to kill you, why wait until now?” Li Yexuan explained. He was actually explaining himself—unusual, given he was so sparing with words.

Silence again. There was always so much silence between us.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to doubt you. Next time, tell me in advance. Every place has its own rules—I can understand that.” He was a prince, after all, and I would need him to leave this realm. Best to stifle my rebellious impulses. What did it matter? The incident had happened; protesting would be pointless. Ah, I could only admire my own resilient and forgiving heart. Truly, it was too grand. No wonder my brother always mocked me for being so forgetful.

Being absent-minded about small things is nothing, but he’s never seen me forget big ones. In those days, I was muddled, not yet adept at guarding myself. Perhaps peace had made me complacent—never did I expect to face swords and danger so often. I’d overestimated this world.

“Come. Don’t forget why we’re here.” Li Yexuan walked a few steps, then turned back, “Why aren’t you coming? Feeling unwell? The drug should be wearing off.” He frowned slightly.

“No, I just... What was our purpose here again?” I scratched my head, puzzled.

“...”

After Li Yexuan looked at my drawings, he pulled me along. On the way, we encountered the child who nearly died beneath my horse’s hooves, then I was drugged and brought to this Valley of Illusions. Li Yexuan had never explained, or perhaps never had time to say why we were here. I’d blindly followed him. Was I too trusting? He drugged me—how could I not be angry?!

“Of course, to accomplish what you asked. Hurry up.”

I snorted softly. Really, he makes a mistake and still wears such a sour face. I hurried after him.

Outside, I finally saw it was truly a valley. In the distance, dense mist drifted everywhere.

A paradise hidden from the world—those words fit perfectly. I must have looked dazzled by the sight.

Ahead, Li Yexuan stopped suddenly. Absorbed in the scenery, I failed to notice and bumped into his back.

“Ouch, Li Yexuan, you—” Before I could finish, Li Yexuan pulled me tightly into his arms, his other hand raised in a swift strike.

Though his back was to me, I could feel powerful inner force clashing behind us, so strong my hair came undone.

In an instant, my dark hair flew wildly. I wondered if my head looked like an octopus.

With a loud bang, Li Yexuan withdrew his force and examined me up and down, only letting me go once he was sure I was unharmed.

“You remember to come back,” a deep voice sounded. Turning, I saw a man, about Li Yexuan’s age, but unlike Li Yexuan’s demonic beauty. His eyes were sharply defined, seeming to pierce straight through to the soul, deep and somewhat cold.

“Of course. You’re not doing badly yourself,” Li Yexuan glanced at him, indifferent, as if discussing someone else’s affairs.

“Come in.”

Li Yexuan led me inside. I was baffled—hadn’t they just been fighting? What was going on?

“Kong Juelin, my friend,” Li Yexuan said quietly, as if he’d seen my confusion. So this was his friend. That settled my nerves. Such force—I could never withstand it. My hair was ruined, and I didn’t know how to fix it.

Since it was clear I was a woman, I didn’t bother being coy. I gathered up my hair and quickly braided it, letting it hang down past my shoulder to my waist.

“Why are you both staring at me?” With my braid finished, I noticed both men’s gazes resting on it.

“Ahem.” Li Yexuan coughed. “You’re quite skilled.”

“Of course.”

It was just a braid.

I was curious—did the customs of this era differ so much? Hair ornaments seemed to be worn freely; some let their hair loose, others tied it up. It was nice, really, to do as one pleased.

“Take a look at these.” Li Yexuan handed some drawings to Kong Juelin.

Kong Juelin took them carelessly, but his eyes lit up, brighter and brighter. He sat down to study them closely.

“Who drew these? You don’t seem capable of such work,” Kong Juelin said disdainfully, casting Li Yexuan a contemptuous glance.

Li Yexuan responded with an equally dismissive look, then turned his gaze to me.

“Was it you?”

“Yes.” They were just simple mechanisms; I’d forgotten that these things surpassed what this era offered. No wonder they were so surprised.

“Your taste isn’t bad,” Kong Juelin remarked, but he was speaking to Li Yexuan.

I was clearly the clever one—why praise Li Yexuan? Wait, did he mean...

“Indeed, I have excellent taste,” Li Yexuan replied.

He was claiming credit for my work. I lifted my foot to kick him, but he dodged. Kong Juelin shot me a glance; to him, this was obviously flirting. Li Yexuan grinned wickedly—this devilish man, with his seductive aura. I wanted to banish him altogether.

Would even jumping in the Yellow River clear my name? Maybe I should try.

“Tell me about this part…” I settled beside Kong Juelin, and Li Yexuan joined us. The three of us began to discuss the drawings.

At last, amidst a pile of messy sketches, we completed the final design.

It was merely a set of personal items with hidden mechanisms. Some of the internal workings were quite complex, beyond anything this era possessed. But fortunately, both of them were exceptionally sharp; with a hint, they understood.

After spending several days in the Valley of Illusions, Kong Juelin finally finished the devices—a suite of mechanism-laden hairpieces, folding fans, and many other items. They each prepared some of their own, and I contributed plenty of suggestions.

When we were about to leave the valley, Kong Juelin had a bundle slung over his shoulder...

Was Kong Juelin planning to join us as we left? I’d wandered the valley these days, and besides him, found no other inhabitants. It puzzled me—such a vast valley, yet only one person lived here. Now that Kong Juelin seemed intent on leaving, I supported the idea.