Chapter 12: Rebirth

Qi Ran's expression turned slightly grim; even Bu Sha showed a faint change of color.

I know, this is not only Qi Ran's dream, but also the brilliance I, someone who once lived in darkness, have always longed for. Before, I feared the sunlight would be too fierce, too sudden, and I would flinch. But now, ever since that whimsical idea took hold, I suddenly let go of everything.

"Three months!" I raised three fingers, trying to steady my voice trembling with excitement, and said slowly, "During these three months, we will abandon the past, abandon our identities, abandon our burdens, and with our true selves, wholeheartedly create a legend that belongs only to us!"

Qi Ran's body remained seated, dazed, as if not yet come to his senses, yet his eyes radiated an incomparable longing, an incomparable fervent light.

Bu Sha's icy voice remained unchanged, pouring a bucket of cold water over my head: "Not to mention that Qi Ran's identity draws attention—just me! You won't forget the last siege, will you?"

Outside, the rain pattered down, striking the carriage roof with a pattering sound. The rain gradually intensified into a downpour; fortunately the carriage was sturdy and waterproof, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do, though it's a pity for the horse outside.

I lowered my head in dejection, and Bu Sha remained cold and silent.

Qi Ran, however, was silently pondering, then suddenly lifted his head and said, "It's not entirely without a solution."

My heart leapt with joy; I hurriedly raised my head and asked, "Really? What method?"

Qi Ran slightly turned his side, took out something resembling rubber paper from his bundle. I was inwardly puzzled, but I saw him carefully pick it up, flatten it, and press it onto his face, giving it a light rub.

After lowering his hands, he became a completely unfamiliar person, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with an ordinary yet slightly handsome appearance. That was secondary; the most important thing was that this face mask looked utterly real, with no trace of a flaw.

I stared in astonishment for a while, then clapped and laughed, "It's truly marvelous—this way no one will recognize you."

Bu Sha glanced at me, then turned to Qi Ran and said, "I recall this human-skin mask—you only have one, right?"

Qi Ran nodded helplessly, seeing my dejected look, then gave a light laugh: "No problem; after the rain stops, Lan Yan and the others will probably have caught up with us……"

"What?" I exclaimed, jumping up, and accidentally hit the carriage roof, gasping in pain.

Qi Ran felt both heartache and amusement, rubbing ointment on my forehead, saying, "I truly don't understand what environment you grew up in—sometimes calm and wise, brilliantly clever, other times muddled and innocent to the point of exasperation."

I gave an embarrassed smile, really not wanting to answer, yet I couldn't help asking, "Lan Yan and the others will come after us, so why did you still agree to stop the carriage?"

Qi Ran smiled, naturally placing me on his lap and wrapping his arms around me. My face felt a little flushed, yet I ultimately couldn't bear to leave this warm, fresh embrace.

As for Bu Sha, he usually fades his own presence automatically; now he's practically become invisible.

"Lan Yan and the others won't give me trouble; if I don't expose or summon them, even if they find me they'll just follow behind slowly, protecting me."

Although Qi Ran said that, I still felt deeply uneasy; just a few hours ago I had clearly promised to stay away from her young master, yet now I sit shamelessly in someone's embrace—this contrast is really too great.

"Did Lan Yan tell you to leave me?"

Qi Ran's sudden question left me flustered; I hurriedly struggled to stand and sit back in my original spot, saying, "How do you know?"

Qi Ran smiled, that smile light as wind and clouds, much like his usual grin, yet mixed with an indescribable sorrow: "Promise me, don't mind her! We……"

His lips pressed together stubbornly before he barely managed to squeeze out a few words: "We are friends."

I lowered my gaze, not daring to touch that deep blue, fearing it would drag my last shred of reason into the abyss.

"Later I'll have Lan Yan send a message back to the father emperor and mother empress, asking for three months' time before bringing up the succession matter; I think they should agree."

I stared, my heart surging with indignation, my voice sharpening: "Are you saying you'd trade your lifelong happiness for these three months of freedom? How could that be acceptable?"

"No." Qi Ran remained gentle and refined, his cool fingertips lightly touching the scar on my cheek, his eyes flickering with a hint of pity as he whispered, "Regardless of whether I survive these three months, even if I happen to live through them, I can use this time to search for the eldest imperial brother's whereabouts."

"Once I find him, I will return the heir-apparent position to him, and then I will be free."

Looking at Qi Ran's smile, my heart gradually calmed, yet I still harbored some doubt. Back then, Xiao Qixuan had abandoned the heir-apparent position and left; no matter the reason, how could he easily return?

But I would never say such things; this also counts as constructing a beautiful yet illusory ending for our three months of happiness.

I shook my head, casting aside all distracting thoughts, and looked at Bu Sha, saying, "Mr. World's Number One Assassin, what do you say?"

He pondered briefly, then placed the mask Qi Ran had taken off onto his face, instantly transforming into another person.

Knowing he had agreed, I smiled like a flower (though an ugly one), my excitement indescribable, I raised both hands above my head. The two of them, in perfect unison, stretched out their big hands to meet mine.

"Pa—" two overlapping clear claps sounded.

I announced with high spirits: "The Wanderer Group is officially established!"

Qi Ran and Bu Sha were astonished; still, Qi Ran asked, "What does 'zu' mean?"

I racked my brains for many words to explain, but still couldn't get it across; in the end I slumped and said, "Just think of us as a small gang!"

"If it's a gang, how could it possibly have only three members?"

I stomped my foot, impatiently saying, "I already said it's a small gang—there really isn't one; we'll just kick off with the first case. What man, what proper gentleman, needs so many nagging women?"

Qi Ran and Bu Sha both wore expressions of helplessness and bitterness; after I shouted, I too felt a bit embarrassed, and for a moment didn't dare speak again.

Bu Sha's cold voice then sounded: "But why is it called 'Wanderer'?"

It's rare that the great assassin Bu Sha would take the initiative to ask me a question; I'm truly honored—how could I not answer? "'Wanderer' literally means unemployed drifter; think about it—we three are a runaway maid, a prince who fled home, and an assassin fried like squid—none of us have a job, right? Calling us unemployed drifters hits the nail on the head."

Although they didn't understand some of the words, Qi Ran and Bu Sha both simultaneously sweatdropped, and dared not ask another question.

The rain that had fallen through half the night finally ceased in a sparse drizzle at dawn; the post-rain sky was a vast, clear blue, like Qi Ran's eyes.

We three sat side by side in the driver's seat; although a bit cramped, we felt a different kind of excitement.

Lan Yan had just received Qi Ran's order and already returned to report; before leaving, she gave me a deep look, her expression complex, and I could only pretend not to have seen it—sweating profusely!

I shook off my spirits and said, "Suddenly I really want to sing; Qi Ran, why don't you try to see if you can keep up with this song's tune?"

Qi Ran gave a light smile, rubbed my head, his blue eyes glowing faintly, and casually took out a wholly jade-green flute, saying, "Don't treat me as an immortal; just do your best to try."

I beamed, fell silent, took a deep breath, and began to sing:

Great rivers, vast waters—heaven itself is high.

Eyes ought to be lit up.

In life's triumphs, don't speak of early.

Right and wrong are judged by later generations.

A light boat cuts through the river, laughing as mountains and rivers wind around both banks.

Love between sons and daughters lingers; after the dream awakens, another morning arrives.

In the northwest, southeast, and among people, there are many storms, alas.

It's best to regard things with an ordinary heart.

Who loses, who wins—clear at a glance.

Floating clouds make worldly affairs hardest to predict.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter—the world has its ups and downs.

Too many people who fuss are already old.

Why not share hardship and joy, give your all, that would be good.

In life, what's to fear is having few true friends.

After the song ended, a surge of waves rose in my heart, yet gradually it returned to calm. Qi Ran's flute sound had already stopped halfway through listening, perhaps moved by the lyrics and melody.

I clenched my hands tightly, fingertips pressing against my palms, gazing at the boundless blue sky, I silently murmured: Dad, older brother, Xiao Yu… and everyone in that world, please allow me to temporarily forget you; please allow me to let go of the past and begin a true rebirth!

(End of chapter)