Everything Will Pass

Li Yexuan’s words, though rather domineering, were nothing but the truth. No matter how prosperous Maple Leaf City might be, it was, in the end, just a city. If the Moonlight Nation were to send a contingent of troops, it could easily flatten it. Yet, those in high positions always hope for true submission, for a city’s wholehearted surrender is a prize far greater than a forced conquest. To Night King Li Yexuan, Maple Leaf City was insignificant; no matter how grand it seemed, could it ever eclipse the royal family?

“No, no, that’s not it.” The woman clearly did not believe Li Yexuan’s words and slowly backed away.

Seeing her foot about to slip into empty air, my heart leapt into my throat. If she fell, that would mean two lives lost. How could I allow such a thing?

“Miss, don’t jump—trust us…”

“No, I truly have no way out, and I cannot drag you down with me.” Tears welled in her eyes, her gaze lingering on the depths below.

I realized something was amiss in my hand; the hairpin I’d been holding was gone.

A moment later, something flashed through the air. Li Yexuan’s hand moved faster than I could see, using my own hairpin as a weapon.

The woman was struck, her acupoint sealed. With quick reflexes, I moved with Li Yexuan to pull her back from the edge, while Kong Jielin calmly picked up my hairpin, now used as a tool for sealing acupoints.

Li Yexuan released the seal, but the woman had already fainted. We had no choice but to bring her to the inn with us, taking rooms for ourselves as well—four of the finest, making the innkeeper beam with joy. He hurried to fetch a doctor.

I covered half the woman’s face with a brocade handkerchief. She had sought death on the mountain and still hadn’t awoken; we knew nothing of her identity, so caution was best.

The doctor, clearly perceptive, said nothing. He prescribed medicine to calm her pregnancy and left with a generous reward.

“What sort of woman is she, to be left on the brink of death with no one to save her?” Having settled her in, I strode to the table, poured myself a cup of tea, and downed it in one gulp, bristling with indignation.

“If I’m not mistaken, she must be connected to the lord of Maple Leaf City,” Li Yexuan said, picking up his own teacup with far more grace than I could muster.

“Oh? And why are you so certain?” I too suspected as much, but Li Yexuan spoke with such certainty.

“It’s simple. The city lord’s surname is Baili, and your clothes were purchased from Baili Yue.” Kong Jielin had already questioned me about my attire, and I hadn’t concealed anything.

“So that’s it.” Apparently, I was the only one who hadn’t known the city lord’s surname. How embarrassing…

“Let’s not dwell on the woman who tried to end her life. What about you two? I saw you tumbling down the mountainside. Did either of you have a death wish?” Kong Jielin’s mind was truly unfathomable—couldn’t he wish for some good fortune for once?

“Ahem… It was merely a slip.” I quickly interrupted, not wanting him to voice any more outlandish theories. Best to cut him off myself.

“A slip, was it? Did Yexuan tear your clothes, and did you both end up in a tangle?”

“Pfft…” The water I just drank sprayed gloriously all over Kong Jielin.

“Cough, cough…” I was nearly choking, and Li Yexuan hurriedly patted my back. I suddenly realized I hadn’t tried to avoid him. Since when had we grown so close?

Kong Jielin could never utter a word that wasn’t shocking—such was the story of his life.

“Um, I think I’d better return to women’s clothes. This outfit surely won’t suffice. I’ll go buy some more.” Setting down my cup, I fled the inn, intent on putting some distance between myself and that man of boundless imagination.

I strolled through the streets, stopping at a tailor’s for a few changes of clothing. Suddenly, it occurred to me that when I returned to the Moonlight Nation, perhaps I could open a dress shop myself. I never cared for bright, gaudy colors. With Father and Mother gone, I ought to be in mourning, but I hadn’t managed to do so. Now, changing back into women’s clothes, I opted for plain, somber tones.

I also stopped by a neighboring jewelry shop and, to my surprise, found a simple jade hairpin, much like the one I’d once given Li Yexuan. I bought it on the spot.

Time slipped by as I wandered the streets, and when I returned to the inn, my arms were laden with small parcels.

Li Yexuan saw me and asked, “What did you buy? So much.”

“Roast duck, preserved plums, candied hawthorn, pear syrup sweets…” The list of delicious treats was endless, too many to count on my fingers.

“You… really can eat.”

“Well, women are born shopaholics. Want some?” I said, extending a box of preserved plums to him, feeling quite generous.

At that moment the door opened and Kong Jielin entered. “That woman is awake.”

We hurried to her room. She was already sitting up.

“Why did you save me? Wouldn’t it be better to let me die? That way, I’d be free, and so would everyone else.” The coldness in her gaze made the air seem to chill.

“Unfortunately, we’ve already saved you,” I said, sitting by the bed and taking her hand. “Since you’re alive, you might as well stay that way, lest our efforts be in vain. There’s food over there if you’re hungry. The bottle by your pillow contains medicine for your pregnancy—take it once a day. These are preserved plums; eat some to feel better. Rest now. Whatever troubles you, you’ll have to resolve it yourself. We’ve done all we can.”

“Why don’t you ask about me? Don’t you want to know anything after saving me?”

I stood and tucked her in.

“A life is a life, and now you carry another. How could we watch you die? The three of us came here as guests, drawn by the fame of the Maple Forest Auction. You must have a story—when you’re ready to tell it, we’ll listen. You’ve suffered a shock; if not for yourself, then for your child, try to rest. Sleep well, and memories will fade; everything will pass.”

Tears slid down her cheeks as she nodded desperately.

I left the room, followed by Li Yexuan and Kong Jielin, who said nothing.

“I’d like to take a walk alone. You two go rest,” I said.

“Mufan…”

“I’m fine.”

Alone, I stepped into the night.

I asked myself why I was so determined to save that woman, why I spoke so much. It was because she was a mother—the way she looked at her unborn child was all too familiar, the very same way my own mother had looked at me.

The streets were bustling, but I had no heart for the festivities.

I made my way to the riverbank and stood there, gazing at the bright moon hanging high above.

The moon was bright, but so very lonely.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling behind me made my heart skip a beat. Could I be so unlucky as to run into thieves the moment I ventured out alone?

Turning, I saw two men regarding me with ill intent.

I backed away step by step, but the river was right behind me—I’d retreated as far as I could.

I hadn’t brought my folding fan, but the bracelet on my wrist had been modified by Kong Jielin in the Lost Valley, with several additions of my own. It could take down two men if necessary, though I mourned the loss of the poison inside—such a waste on these two. My hand was already moving toward the bracelet on my other wrist.

“You really are mischievous.” That familiar voice came from another direction. Li Yexuan approached, a jug of wine in hand.

His steps were swift yet silent. Though I knew nothing of martial arts, I could tell by his bearing that he was a master.

The two men’s faces paled instantly.

“You’re here,” I said, letting go of my bracelet and smiling. In that moment, I truly felt safe again.

Li Yexuan pulled me into his arms.

“Gentlemen, may I ask what business brings you here?” His gaze was as sharp as a blade.

“Nothing, nothing at all. We just saw a young lady alone at night and wondered if she needed any help. Since she’s fine, we’ll be on our way…” The two men, evidently quick-witted, vanished in a flash.

I struggled twice but could not break free from Li Yexuan’s grasp.

“Li Yexuan, what are you doing? They’re gone, you can let go now.”

“Don’t move.”

My vision swam, and suddenly I was up a tree.

It was indeed a tree, one by the riverbank.

“What are we doing up here? Is there something good to eat in this tree?” I asked, clutching the trunk.

“Aren’t you upset? I bought you wine—if you want to drink, stay still.”

“I am staying still.”

“Staying still, yet you wandered so far. If I hadn’t arrived in time, would you still be alive?”

“All right, I was wrong, okay?” I tugged at his sleeve, coaxing.

The wine quickly found its way into my hands.

Li Yexuan kept urging me to slow down, but I gulped it down mouthful after mouthful.

“Do you know? They all died, right in front of me. The fire was so fierce. I ran for my life, didn’t dare look back. My little brother got lost too… Do you know… Do you know… hic… hic…”

Half-drunk, I clung to Li Yexuan, pouring out words I couldn’t remember, smearing tears all over his clothes, until I finally fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke the next morning, my head felt unbearably heavy.

Kong Jielin came by especially to recount the previous night.

“You know, when Yexuan carried you back last night, I thought you’d been attacked. But when I got closer, you reeked of alcohol, and his clothes were wrinkled beyond recognition. I asked again and again before finding out he’d let you drink. Serves you right—you really need to work on your tolerance. Yexuan’s a clean freak; for him to wear clothes that’d been so ruined, I’ve never seen anything like it. He never lets women near him—those who try are usually thrown out. But you, you get to climb into his bed again and again. Is it because you wear men’s clothes too often that nothing’s ever happened between you… Hey, hey—Mufan, stop hitting me…”

He rattled on endlessly, so I grabbed a pillow and chased Kong Jielin out, slamming my door.

He never lets women near him—those who try are always thrown out. That line pierced my heart. Why had Qiao Ruoqing never been thrown out by Yun Heng? What a bitter joke.