Chapter 125: A Romance That Isn't Quite a Romance

Dressed in robes of moon-white, he walked with steady grace through the wind. The billowing sleeves and his ink-black hair, reaching past his knees, danced wildly in the air, tracing the lines of a delicate ink-wash painting.

A white silhouette, untouched by dust or mortal vanity, drifted further and further away until, at the corner, he finally vanished from sight. Zi Lian, you are a High Immortal of the Heavenly Realm, the Sect Leader of Spirit Cloud Mountain, and above all, my master. Do they not say that immortals possess universal compassion? Yet, why is it that I see none of it in you? If it were I being bullied today, would you remain as calm and composed, ignoring my plight just the same?

After Zi Lian departed, I remained rooted to the bank of the Lotus Pond, my eyes fixed on the corner where he had disappeared. My heart surged with hesitation and struggle, torn over whether or not I should proceed to Luo Fu Palace.

"Young Master-Uncle, shouldn't we hurry to Luo Fu Palace?"

As these thoughts swirled, Fen Dudu urged me from behind.

Already displeased by Zi Lian’s coldness, his shouting only deepened my irritation. I turned back and snapped, "What’s the rush? I never said I wasn't going."

With that, I hitched up my skirts, scrambled onto the bank, grabbed Fen Dudu’s small, chubby hand, and began to run toward Luo Fu Palace. Neither of us dared to slacken our pace; we pressed onward with all our might.

I was not truly close to Lan Duo'er; we had met only a few times. When I first saw her strike Fen Dudu, I realized she was a woman to be avoided. Yet, later, when she assisted us on the road to Infinite Palace, I dismissed my initial judgment, convincing myself she was merely a noble-born immortal with a spoiled and petulant temper, but no real malice.

Thinking back, I realize how simple-minded I was. Upon reflection, from the moment she feigned ignorance of Feng Qiao Yexue despite their obvious acquaintance, to the trace of mocking laughter on her beautiful face when she spoke of Feng Qiao Yexue and Feng Shi Liuying, to the cold, detached way she recounted those heartbreaking memories—I should have been on my guard.

I blamed myself for my negligence. It is easy to paint a tiger’s skin, but difficult to discern its bones; it is easy to know a person’s face, but impossible to know their heart.

Before we even reached the gates of Luo Fu Palace, we heard the sound of angry shouting carried across the river. It was no surprise that the voice belonged to Lan Duo'er, and I knew all too well who the target of her rage was.

*Snap.*

The sound of a whip striking flesh echoed from across the water.

"Hurry, Young Master-Uncle!" Fen Dudu tugged hard on my sleeve, pulling me forward.

"Slow... slow down," I gasped, clutching my chest as I struggled to catch my breath. I didn't know where this little one found such stamina; he had been dragging me along at a jog since we left Azure Phoenix Palace, giving me not a moment’s respite.

Hearing my plea, he remained unmoved. "We cannot slow down. Any slower, and Aunt-Master Liuying will be bullied to death."

Fen Dudu’s face was flushed red with anxiety, his small hands pulling me forward as I stumbled along, unsteady on my feet.

"Oh, Fen Dudu, please, run a little slower! I truly cannot run another step."

I tried to pace myself, gasping for air between steps, and pleaded with him in a low voice. Yet, seeing his desperate expression—as if he wished he could sprout wings and fly to the palace gates—I said nothing more. I simply whispered to myself that we would arrive soon, and soon I would finally be able to breathe.

"Young Master-Uncle, just try a little harder! This morning, I saw Aunt-Master Lan Duo'er rushing toward Luo Fu Palace in a fury, saying she would beat Aunt-Master Liuying to death and warn her never to pester you again."

"Pester me?"

I was bewildered. "I have only met Aunt-Master Liuying once, and we barely exchanged a few words—most of which I said to myself. How could that be considered 'pestering'? Besides, even if I were, what of it? My affairs are none of Lan Duo'er’s business. Who I choose to be close to is not for her to dictate."

I felt a surge of indignation. Pestering? Good heavens, if anything, it was I who was pestering Feng Shi Liuying!

"Because Sister Duo'er has fallen in love with you, Young Master-Uncle."

The sentence that followed from Fen Dudu struck me like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, leaving me utterly stunned.