Like glue and lacquer, dry kindling meeting fierce fire, inseparable as shadows, harmonious as qin and se, tender affection and honeyed sentiment… All the most sickeningly sweet words in the world still couldn’t adequately describe the sickeningly sweet behavior between Second Sister and Kongshu. Every time I saw them chasing each other around Zichao Palace like playful mandarin ducks in water, every time I heard Kongshu’s clear calls and Second Sister’s charming laughter, I had the illusion that this was Second Sister’s first time falling in love.
Second Sister was someone who wore her heart on her sleeve. Even when handling state affairs, she could hardly avoid being influenced by her partner. So initially, I was somewhat worried that Kongshu would be like Lord Kaixuan—a beautiful disaster bringing chaos to the court and harm to the nation. I was prepared to eliminate another threat to the country at any moment. Later, I discovered he was a good man who followed the three obediences and four virtues, properly devoted to Second Sister without ever interfering in political matters.
Thinking of this, I felt much more at ease. Seeing Second Sister so happy, I also felt quite comforted. While she was busy handling the major events of her life, I was busy helping her handle government affairs.
One afternoon, my brother came to visit me again. He happened to find me reviewing documents in Second Sister’s bedchamber and said, “Weiwei, you’ve been working day and night lately, almost exhausting yourself. Why don’t you come back to Tianshi City with me? I’ll take you to relax.”
“No. I’m busy,” I replied decisively.
“You’re getting bold now. You even dare to disobey your brother?”
Actually, hearing mention of Tianshi City inevitably made me feel nostalgic. The immortal realm had jade terraces and crystal chambers, divine fairy lands, exotic beasts and strange flowers, hosts of ascending immortals—all things absolutely unseen in Suozhao. Tianshi City also had water-blue skies, the Fahua Cherry Plains, White Emperor Valley, Pagoda Star Sea… At the mention of Pagoda Star Sea, my heart couldn’t help but tighten.
I gripped my brush tightly and said casually, “Is Master in Tianshi City?” Deep down, I truly didn’t want to face that person.
Fu Chenzhi said, “He hasn’t been there these past few days. He seems to have returned to the divine realm.”
For some reason, I felt relieved, though also with a shallow sense of regret. I said, “Then I’ll go with you to have a look.”
“So you were afraid of Master. Don’t worry, we just won’t go to Cangying Gate.”
My brother cast a spell and drew out his sword. The precious blade spun neatly several times in the air before sliding under his feet for him to command. He extended his hand to me, indicating I should get on. I hesitated for a moment, then smiled and tossed my brush aside, flying to his back and grabbing his belt.
Then he cast another spell, and with a “whoosh,” he carried me on his sword into the high sky. Wild wind accompanied by mist rushed toward us, blowing our long hair into tangled grass. My jade earrings beat against my cheeks painfully, and the flying speed was astonishingly fast. In the blink of an eye, the great desert and barren mountains became tiny piles of stones, and Suozhao became a thin sheet of stone. After another moment, all of this had disappeared from view, and we entered the borders of the immortal realm.
Around us, white birds flew in flocks, immortal cranes in formations, and occasionally passing phoenixes moved proudly, disappearing at the horizon in the blink of an eye.
I said, “Brother, your sword-riding technique is truly extraordinary. Thinking back to childhood, the royal children of Suozhao used to like bullying you, laughing that you couldn’t perform Daoist arts. If we could return to childhood now, it would slap their faces hard.”
Fu Chenzhi said, “I have no interest in slapping their faces.”
“Why?”
“Back then, my eyes could only hold one person. I didn’t care how others looked at me or what they thought.”
He answered so easily, but I was too embarrassed to speak. Over all these years, I hadn’t been blind to his genuine feelings for me. I truly liked this elder brother too, but I could never give him the response he wanted.
He seemed to notice my discomfort and accelerated his sword flight, carrying me toward the higher, more distant sky. I was startled and quickly spread both arms to hug his waist.
He said, “If I didn’t do this, you’d probably become distant from me.”
I couldn’t see his expression and couldn’t guess what he was thinking.
I only heard him continue, “Weiwei, you don’t need to worry. No matter what happens, I’ll stay with you. Whether you inherit Suozhao or marry someone, it won’t affect me one bit.”
“Really? You’ll always stay by my side?”
“Of course.”
“You can’t go back on your word like Father did. He said he’d always stay by our side but didn’t keep his promise.”
“Brother is an immortal—are you still worried about my lifespan?”
“Then… if I…”
“Even if you marry, it doesn’t matter.” My brother truly understood me best, immediately guessing what I was about to say. “No matter who you like, you must bring them to me for approval. As long as they treat you well and love you enough, I’ll be even happier than you and wholeheartedly bless you.”
That “I” he used when referring to himself as my elder brother, which used to make me secretly laugh, now made my heart ache. I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his back. “Brother… thank you…”
“My little sister has reached marriageable age, too. Time passes so quickly.”
My brother sighed lightly, seeming to want to say more, but didn’t continue. I wanted to comfort him by saying “I haven’t found anyone suitable yet,” but couldn’t bring myself to speak. Thinking of how quickly I’d fallen into romance before, if Second Sister hadn’t appeared, things between Kongshu and me would probably have been a sure thing. No one could guarantee when I might meet the next person.
Later, we entered the Azure Dragon Heaven, passing over the Fahua Cherry Plains. The cherry blossoms here bloomed in all four seasons and didn’t fall for a hundred years. Even in winter, there was a beautiful scene of cherry blossoms and snow dancing together. I quickly patted my brother’s shoulder, indicating he should stop here. Then we sat down to rest under a cherry tree.
Shortly after sitting down, I began to regret it. Years ago, my brother had kissed me at this very place. How could I have forgotten such a thing?
Thinking of this, I felt even more uncomfortable all over. I stood up, cleared my throat, and said, “I’ll go wander around where there are more people. I’ll be back soon.”
“Mm, okay.” I saw my brother lower his long eyelashes, also seeming uneasy.
I jogged for a while through the cherry plains, encountering quite a few troublesome incidents. There were more and more “corpses” staring at me, many of them frantically trying to get me to take them away, using all sorts of strange tricks. Some even used magic to hang my hair from flower branches.
Finally escaping these people, I hid near the cloud and mist area, where I saw several fairy maidens slip out with secretive, delighted expressions. One said excitedly, “Did you see? Those men on Star Sea Rock seem to be from the divine realm…”
“Yes, yes! They released such a huge dragon. I’ve never seen such a big dragon in my life.”
As they spoke, they looked toward Star Sea Rock. The cherry blossoms there were particularly luxuriant, blocking most of the solitary figure standing there. Star Sea Rock was an extension of the Fahua Cherry Plains, directly facing a corner of the Pagoda Star Sea, hence its name.
At this moment, it was noon with warm breezes for ten li and nine-heaven cloud mist. The stars weren’t as bright as at night, but the Milky Way’s light created its splendor even in the morning sun. The sound of flutes and drums came from the clouds, with painted boats returning. Seeing those figures standing there, my heart couldn’t help but race as I supported myself on flower branches and quietly walked over.
Then a male voice, respectful yet slightly playful, rang out: “Two years ago, a spirit person died drunk in the Fahua Cherry Plains and once wrote a line of poetry: ‘Break red cherry branches for wine money, year after year drunk beside the flowers.’ Since then, immortals living in other cities have also come to the Fahua Cherry Plains seeking fame. I don’t approve of such idle pursuits, but the scenery is indeed beautiful.”
This man and another group stood in the back, surrounding the young man in front like stars around the moon. The young man sat in a chair facing the star sea, eyes downcast, holding a bunch of peach blossoms in his hand.
He seemed like someone who loved flowers but was troubled by them, so someone held an umbrella for him, blocking the falling petals.
The umbrella was dark green. When pink flowers fell, it was like remnant snow falling into a deep lake, rippling with soundless sorrow.
Seeing that familiar deep blue robe, I almost burst into tears on the spot. Pushing aside branches and leaves, afraid I was seeing wrong, I didn’t dare blink, holding my breath and only daring to watch from afar. I saw his hand holding the flower branch hanging at his side, with a jade ring decorating his snow-white, slender fingers.
After ten years apart, I could still recognize him immediately. At this moment, my heart was so sensitive I could even hear the sound of flowers blooming.
After struggling for a long time, I decided not to go see him. Because I knew that just seeing his back once, even if I remained lonely for another ten years, I couldn’t remove him from my heart. Let alone hearing him speak or seeing his eyes.
Just as I was about to let go and leave, he spoke: “Ten years without a word, returning to Tianshi City without even saying hello before leaving—truly my good disciple.”
My heart jolted. I quickly walked over and knelt behind him: “This disciple would never dare. I greet Master.”