Chapter 769

“Why are you going? Why visit her?” Pei Ye’s throat seemed to tighten all at once. “Why visit her?”

“If I’d moved any faster, would you have blocked me right in front?”

“No… you—what are you going for?”

Seeing his panic, Li Piaoqing’s heart pinched suddenly, yet she couldn’t help smiling at him: “What do you think I’m going for?”

“… ”

“We made a pact,” Li Piaoqing gazed at the horizon as she strolled. “Didn’t I tell you that night on the boat? I came to Shenyang thanks to Prince Jinyang’s arrangements—so I connected with Immortal Platform and the Shenyang Yamen .”

“Oh.” Pei Ye replied dully.

He remembered that rainy night on the deck—the moment his heart had softly surged with warmth—when the girl stepped back, smiling, saying she owed her arrival here to Prince Jinyang’s personal letter.

Emotion and love have always been heavy—even when they were sweet.

Back then, people were willing to hold them up; if they loosened their grip, the feelings sank like silt, leaving only the clear, light water of thought above—long separation made you believe they had thinned, vanished.

But one stir, and all that muddy silt would instantly dye the water.

For Pei Ye, that stir was merely a reunion.

At that time, his anger and distrust toward Li Xizhou had reached its peak; seeing the girl suddenly, the familiar, warm scent of Bowang seemed to rush over him—but one sentence from her snapped him back to clarity.

After all, things remain, but people change; seasons turn, and nothing is as it once was.

“You and Prince Jinyang… are you quite close, aren’t you?” They walked quietly forward for a while, then Li Piaoqing turned to look at him.

Pei Ye’s heart lurched—how long had his fear of meeting the girl taken concrete form in this very question?

Pei Ye pressed his lips: “Very close.”

He stared at the road’s patterns, his mouth dry, yet without hesitation—as if he’d prepared this for a long time: “… Better than with Cui Zhaoye, or Changsun.”

“Better than with Qi Jushi too?”

“Better.”

“Better than…” Li Piaoqing trailed off, thinking, “better than with Little Jiang Daozhang too?”

“… Better.”

Li Piaoqing fell silent for a moment, then whispered: “Then… better than with me too?”

In an instant, Pei Ye had countless words to say; the sounds of the street seemed to sink beneath, waiting for his long speech.

But in the end, he only lifted his head, meeting the girl’s clear eyes: “Now, better than with you too, Piaoqing.”

Li Piaoqing pressed her lips

and turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.

She’d brought up this topic herself—she’d intended to laugh it off, having already prepared for this when she parted from the boy in Bowang last year. But the weight of these words exceeded her expectations.

“Alright, I understand,” she turned back quickly. “Love shifts—it’s natural. I knew that before coming to Shenyang.”

Pei Ye stared blankly: “Mm.”

“Now she’s the new one, and I’m the old one,” Li Piaoqing murmured, kicking at a pebble—though the pebble didn’t even exist.

“… Mm.”

“You don’t have to say ‘mm’ to every word!” Li Piaoqing laughed, half-angry. “I’m annoyed with you.”

“… Then be annoyed with me.”

“Who’d want to be annoyed with you forever?” Li Piaoqing turned away, smiling, gazing at the clouds on the horizon.

They walked in silence, slowly, shoulders still touching.

After a moment, Pei Ye suddenly said: “Piaoqing, I… I prepared a gift for you.”

The topic came abruptly, awkwardly—but the girl’s eyes lit up instantly: “What is it?”

Pei Ye reached into the Jade Jiao Ring and pulled out a finely carved little sword, made of some unknown material, pale green like the sky before rain, translucent and ethereal, as if faint mist drifted inside—but when he stared closely, it seemed an illusion.

Its shape was no longer the Heart-Cutting Obsidian; it was the Lost Emerald Sword, every detail utterly real.

“This jade can be ground into powder and swallowed. In emergencies, you can eat it whole,” Pei Ye said. “Within the Eight Waters of Shenyang, you can use it to enter the Spirit Realm in nearly all water systems.”

Li Piaoqing took it, smiling: “When did your hands get so skilled?”

“Not skilled at all—I ruined many before I got this one,” Pei Ye admitted honestly.

Li Piaoqing held it before her eyes, studying it closely, then gently closed her palm around it, saying nothing.

Pei Ye felt uneasy: “You don’t like it?”

“I’m calming my emotions,” Li Piaoqing whispered.

“Oh.”

They walked slowly along the Shenyang streets, speaking little but not silence, Li Piaoqing occasionally pointing out places she’d visited recently, while Pei Ye told her what he knew.

When the warm golden clouds deepened into crimson, the entire horizon burning, the long wall of the Xiwen Pavilion came into view.

“Are there really many famous scholars inside Xiwen Pavilion? I heard Master Xu’s retinue is full of talent.”

“I’ve heard so… but I don’t know who’s famous or not.”

“Before touring Shenyang, I asked someone supposedly knowledgeable—he said Xiwen Pavilion is a must-visit for refined scholars; any literate person, rich or poor, can walk in, and even the destitute can find work.”

“Mm, that’s true—this is Qi Jushi’s doing.”

“I see… This method is good. When I return to Bowang, I’ll imitate it.”

“It takes a lot of effort and money, with almost no return,” Pei Ye warned. “I heard it from Qi Jushi.”

“This requires a lot of effort and costs a fortune, with almost no return,” Pei Ye reminded him. “I’ve heard Master Qi say so.”

“…” Pei Ye recalled she’d just taken over her sect, everything in disarray—but her words left him baffled.

Li Piaoqing squinted: “I can’t explain it to you. Wait till you return to Bowang—I’ll treat you then.”

The gates of Xiwen Pavilion drew near; two welcoming scholars recognized the sword-carrying boy—Qi Jushi had specifically instructed they be allowed free entry, with rumors claiming he was even a trusted aide of Master Xu.

But the beautiful girl in the green dress was utterly unknown—and strangely, when they stood before the gate, the boy stopped first, while the girl turned back and smiled: “Aren’t you coming in? If you don’t want to, stay here—I’ll come find you in about half an hour.”

But this beautiful girl in the green skirt was utterly unfamiliar; strangely, as they stood before the door, the boy halted first, while the girl turned back and smiled: “Are you coming in or not? If you don’t want to, stay here—I’ll come out again in a little over half an hour to find you.”

The girl then turned, smiled, bowed slightly, and handed them a formal invitation.

The two scholars bowed immediately; Li Piaoqing stepped over the threshold, gazing curiously around, while Pei Ye followed half a step behind, silent.

He glanced far off—the small blue pavilion still stood by the lake, no miraculous disappearance occurred.

Qi Zhaohua waited before the pavilion; seeing the two walk side by side, she felt a quiet warmth. The three—mainly the two women—exchanged pleasantries, then Qi Zhaohua smiled: “Master Li sent me to wait and guide you, but since Xiao Pei is here, I’ll save myself the climb.”

Qi Zhaohua waited before the building; upon seeing the two walking side by side, she felt an instant warmth. The three—mainly the two women—exchanged pleasantries, and finally Qi Zhaohua smiled: “Master En sent me here to await and guide you, but since Young Master Pei is here, I’m spared the climb.”

Qi Zhaohua sensed the young swordsman’s distraction today but didn’t understand why—she merely smiled and let them ascend.

The quiet, plain staircase echoed clearly with each step.

He’d climbed it countless times alone—but now, another set of footsteps accompanied him.

The girl still delighted in looking around, studying the wall paintings and calligraphy, sometimes slowing her pace deliberately.

“All of these are Master Xu’s own brushwork,” she said.

“All of these are Xu Guan’s own handwriting,” she said.

Li Piaoqing couldn’t help smiling softly: “Don’t force yourself—you can still turn back now.”

“… No need,” Pei Ye stared at the steps.

But no staircase lasts forever; when no more steps appeared ahead, Pei Ye knew he stood at the top.

He looked up—two maids were drawing back the curtain of the terrace. A woman, draped in a spring robe, sat cross-legged before a table laden with fresh, steaming dishes, two empty places already set.

Li Piaoqing saw this woman for the first time; she’d imagined her before, but never imagined her presence could be so breathtaking. Her beauty seized her—hard to define her aura: serene, languid, delicate, commanding…

For a moment, Li Piaoqing struggled to imagine the boy standing beside her.

Then the high-ranking woman spoke, calmly: “Before leaving, you said you’d bring me something strange—never expected it’d be a person.”

Pei Ye opened his mouth to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.

Li Xizhou looked at the girl beside him: “Little Master Li, we’ve exchanged letters twice—I’ve long heard of your name. A pleasure.”

Li Piaoqing smiled and bowed: “Your Highness. Pei Ye probably knew you were thinking of Piaoqing—he’s considerate.”

“I was indeed thinking of Master Li,” Li Xizhou said softly, gesturing. “Dinner’s ready—extra dishes were prepared. Please sit. Eat while we talk.”

Pei Ye had spent the whole walk rehearsing how to introduce them—last time he’d agonized over wording in the National Academy, forced to write essays—but now, after memorizing his lines dozens of times, he suddenly felt they didn’t fit his lips.

Li Piaoqing bowed again, then sat cross-legged before the table; Pei Ye sat silently beside her.

Li Xizhou signaled, then lifted her chopsticks first.

Seven or eight dishes on the table—after shedding the Shenxue , the woman no longer craved cold food so intensely; though still fond of light flavors, she’d added several hot meat dishes.

“I wasn’t sure if Master Li is accustomed to Shenyang cuisine, so I prepared a few Longxi dishes,” Li Xizhou turned her head. “Penglai, bring the clear wine.”

“Your Highness goes to too much trouble—I’m deeply humbled. Piaoqing is a martial cultivator, eats casually, no preferences.”

“I wasn’t sure if Lord Li was accustomed to the capital’s cuisine, so I prepared a few Longxi dishes,” Li Xizhou said, turning his head. “Penglai, bring out the clear wine.”

Pei Ye sat cross-legged, staring at the dishes on the small table. It was so tiny, occupying only a narrow patch in the center—left side, the orange-yellow robe took half; right side, the cloud-blue robe took the other half—both colors beautiful.

“Why are you staring at me so much, Master Li?”

Pei Ye sat cross-legged, gazing at the dishes on the table. The small table was far too tiny, occupying only a small patch in the center of his vision; the rest of the space was taken up on the left by half a span of tawny-yellow skirts and on the right by half a span of cloud-blue skirts, both colors strikingly beautiful.

“Master Li is strikingly beautiful. I’m confined to Shenyang, rarely meet someone as spirited as you,” Li Xizhou smiled.

“Just rustic charm from a small place. I’ve heard whispers that Your Highness is the crown jewel of the Great Tang—today I see it, truly heart-stopping.” Li Piaoqing ate two bites, then accepted the wine cup from the maid, raising it solemnly: “Yu Fei came to Shenyang thanks to Your Highness’s aid. Piaoqing offers this cup in gratitude.”

“Too much honor,” Li Xizhou replied, raising her cup, sipping.

“The Tian Shan enters the world to transcend it; Yu Fei revives to survive. Your Highness’s ‘western lands’ refers to the Li family of Longxi.”

"You flatter me. The west has long been separated by thousands of li; now that Mount Tianshan enters the world and Jade Fei is reborn, I too wish to hear the wise words of Master Li." Li Xizhou raised his cup and drank.

Took a bite.

"Mount Tianshan enters the world to transcend it; Jade Fei's rebirth is for survival. Your Highness's 'west' refers indeed to the Li family of Long."

“Indeed.” Li Xizhou smiled, lighting up the room. “Master Li, though stationed in a remote corner, has vision that spans the world.”

“What vision? I’ve merely absorbed it from Master Zhang and the high houses of Mount Tian.”

Li Xizhou studied the girl for a moment. “Master Li, your eye makeup is truly beautiful—I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“I painted it myself when I was young and just learning to care about beauty. I grew used to it.” Li Piaoqing smiled. “If Your Highness likes it, I can teach you how to apply it later.”

Li Xizhou smiled as he gazed at her. “This look is ethereal, but I’m too lazy to paint—I’d only end up imitating clumsily.”

She turned her head toward the boy absorbed in his meal. “Does this makeup suit me?”

Pei Ye paused his chopsticks, not looking up. “Whatever you paint looks beautiful.”

“Then do you like it?”

“I like it all—” Pei Ye halted, then paused again, breaking into a cold sweat.

Li Piaoqing smiled. “Pei Ye must like this makeup—I taught him to apply it before. I only wonder if he’s forgotten.”

“...Oh.” Li Xizhou smiled back. “Applying eyeliner is indeed a delightful pastime.”

“Indeed.”

Li Xizhou then poured wine himself; Li Piaoqing quickly raised her cup to meet his. Pei Ye sat motionless.

“Aren’t you fond of meat? This lamb stew was made especially for you.” Li Xizhou gestured with his head. “Eat it before it cools.”

Pei Ye lifted his chopsticks and took a piece.

Li Piaoqing said, “Mount Tian wishes to pay a visit to Your Highness and the Taizhu during this trip to the capital. I’ve been asked to extend the invitation.”

“We await you at all times. I’m certain Master Li feels the same.” Li Xizhou picked up a strawberry. “If convenient, let us arrange a meeting before April. Otherwise, after the Linxue test, things will surely grow busy.”

“May Your Highness secure the succession.”

“I’ll take your good wishes.” Li Xizhou devoured the strawberry. “Was the Mount Tian Sword Banquet successful today? I hear the capital is buzzing with talk.”

“Thank Your Highness for your concern—everything went smoothly.” Li Piaoqing paused, then smiled sideways. “There was one small incident—ask Pei Ye, the young hero.”

Li Xizhou said, “I’m not the least surprised.”

Pei Ye kept his head down, eating.

“What happened? Need me to settle it for you?” Li Xizhou tilted his eyes toward him.

“Nothing. I had a brief exchange with Yunlang. The elder was magnanimous and didn’t hold it against me.”

Li Xizhou was genuinely surprised now. “You argued with Yunlang?”

She didn’t show the reverence a martial artist might hold for Yunlang’s status—she simply found the name “Yunlang” unexpectedly fitting. She smiled at the boy. “I thought you admired Ming because she was Yunlang’s heir.”

“Ming is Ming.”

“Yunlang is Yunlang. I respect and admire Ming—not because she is Yunlang’s heir.”

Li Piaoqing smiled. Li Xizhou spoke softly: “Next time Ming Qitian sits here, try saying that sappy thing again.”

“...”

Pei Ye’s chopsticks hovered midair, paused, then picked up a sprig of green leaves.