Teng Yuyi’s brows furrowed slightly as she opened her eyes in a daze.
Above her was the dark ceiling of a carriage, and the sound of wheels rolling reached her ears. At first, she was bewildered, taking a moment to realize she was lying in a cart. Her mind jolted alert, and she quickly sat up from the couch, turning her head to observe her surroundings, discovering this was the cart from Qingyun Temple.
Looking down at herself, she found she was covered with a great cloak, and her Daoist robe was somewhat damp, clearly having been soaked in water. Glancing toward her feet, not far from the couch sat a brazier with burning charcoal, wisps of heat rising from it. Since waking, she hadn’t felt cold, likely due to the fire’s warmth.
Hmm, Teng Yuyi stared blankly at the charcoal brazier – hadn’t she been trapped in the demon’s cave? When did she return to the carriage?
The window curtains fluttered in the wind, carrying in the voices of Jiantian and the others talking.
“Young Master, earlier this old Daoist thought you were overly worried, but after today’s events, this old one also feels something is amiss.”
Upon hearing the words “Young Master,” Teng Yuyi’s chest inexplicably tightened. She unconsciously gripped the armrest of the low couch, tilting her head as she struggled to recall. Vague fragments of memory surfaced – earlier when she was underwater, just as she thought she was about to lose consciousness, someone…
A flash of white light crossed Teng Yuyi’s mind.
Then, a rush of heat suddenly flooded her face.
She held her head in her hands – it must have been an illusion, definitely an illusion.
Shen Chengyou hadn’t embraced her, nor had he kissed her.
But whenever she closed her eyes, that underwater scene appeared clearly before her.
He hadn’t just sealed her mouth with his, he had accidentally knocked against her teeth.
Even underwater, she had heard a very faint sound.
And when he pulled her into his embrace, his chest seemed to contain ten thousand wild horses galloping – even through their clothes, she could clearly hear his thunderous heartbeat.
When his lips touched hers, his dark pupils grew distant for a moment, but immediately after, a gentle stream of true qi flowed from his lips into her body. There was also his breath, crisp like mint.
If it had all been an illusion, why could she remember it so clearly?
She hadn’t just heard, seen, and smelled it – she had even felt the temperature of his lips and…
The more she thought about it, the more her mind roared with confusion.
Could it have been real?
Impossible, she must be remembering wrong.
At the time, she had been holding her breath for so long that her consciousness was muddled – it wouldn’t be strange to have hallucinations.
Perhaps it was an illusion set by the demon – hadn’t it used this method against her before?
She instinctively squeezed her eyes shut tighter, muttering non-stop under her breath.
After repeating “illusion, illusion” countless times, she finally felt her mind settle somewhat.
However, upon opening her eyes, her face still felt hot.
She continued holding her head in both hands while glancing sideways at the charcoal brazier by her feet – it must be because of the charcoal.
With the weather this hot, how could one not feel warm with burning charcoal in the carriage?
She got down from the couch and walked to the brazier, unhesitatingly taking the lid to cover the heat.
Then she heard voices outside: “Young Master? Young Master?”
Jianle said, “The Young Master has been in a daze since earlier, who knows what he’s thinking about. Young Master, don’t just stand there lost in thought, the old Daoists are speaking to you.”
Teng Yuyi froze, wanting to return to the couch and pretend to sleep, but she moved too hastily and accidentally bumped the charcoal brazier.
Outside the carriage, Duanfu immediately responded: “Young Master, are you awake?”
Shen Chengyou’s face flushed red down to his neck.
Teng Yuyi’s toe had bumped the charcoal brazier, and she was grimacing in pain, but for some reason, she didn’t want anyone to know about this. So she cleared her throat and pretended nothing was wrong, saying, “Oh, I’m awake.”
As she spoke, she limped back to the couch.
Listening to the sounds from inside the carriage, Shen Chengyou felt as if a fire was burning in his chest. She had just woken from unconsciousness – who knew if she remembered what happened earlier?
If she did remember, how should he greet her later: “You’re awake?”
“I didn’t mean to take liberties with you, I kissed you to save you.”
Given Teng Yuyi’s temperament, hearing such words, it would be fortunate if she didn’t immediately jump down from the carriage and give him a sword strike.
He pulled the reins, turning his head to survey the surroundings. After aimlessly searching with his gaze for a while, not knowing what he was looking for, Wudao noticed Shen Chengyou’s strange behavior and asked curiously, “Young Master, what are you looking for?”
Shen Chengyou spotted the pile of food beside Duanfu, collected himself, and swung out his silver chain to retrieve a wine flask. He opened the stopper and took a drink.
“Thirsty, let me have some wine first before speaking.”
Jianmei looked suspicious: “Young Master, your face is extremely red, could you have been infected by demon poison in the water?”
Shen Chengyou choked violently on a mouthful of wine, then acted as if nothing had happened: “The weather is too stuffy – how could one not be hot after fighting so many demons?”
Jiantian recalled the scene of Shen Chengyou emerging from the water holding Teng Yuyi, and gave his junior disciples an ambiguous look: “What are you all asking about? Speaking of drinking, this old Daoist is also parched. Brother Duanfu, throw us each a flask of wine too.”
Duanfu tossed the Bolo wine from beside his feet one by one to the Five Daos.
Jianle remembered what had happened earlier and still felt fearful. After taking a few sips of wine to calm his nerves, he smacked his lips and asked, “Senior Brother, what exactly was the deal with this Seven Desires Heaven? Looking at its true form, it was just a python spirit, yet its magical powers were so formidable. And those flower spirits from before – their true forms were all just tender branches. Even in human form, their magic should have been weak, yet unexpectedly they could fight against us.”
Jiantian said, “The Seven Desires Heaven has never referred to any specific demon, but rather a category of demons, usually transformed from snake spirits, flower spirits, or fox spirits. After taking human form, they are all of devastating beauty, using this as bait to lure men into illusions. Then, when their victims are confused by desire, they find ways to steal their essence. Take this python spirit for example – its magic was originally mediocre, and even with another hundred years of cultivation it would have been hard to amount to much. But it was fortunate to encounter celestial anomalies, with killing energy secretly surging between heaven and earth, which is most helpful for such spirits to become demons. It only needed to release its demon core under moonlight each night, and then use the killing energy to aid its cultivation. In just a few short months the demon core would shine brilliantly, thus cultivating into a Seven Desires Heaven possessing extremely high demon power. Those flower spirits were already under the python spirit’s control, and when cultivating they were also contaminated by this killing energy, so their magical power was naturally much higher than ordinary minor demons.”
He continued, “Young Master, when Chi Kuo appeared before, we could still say it was a coincidence, but today’s Seven Desires Heaven almost confirms that there is killing energy between heaven and earth. Such great killing energy is not ordinary – either someplace harbors great injustice, or war is imminent. We cannot take this lightly anymore. Should we immediately order people to search for the source of this killing energy?”
Shen Chengyou said, “We’ve been investigating these past few days, but haven’t figured out what’s going on yet. It’s getting late today, so let’s each return to our temples. Let me discuss these recent strange events with my master first, then arrange the next steps afterward.”
“Very well.”
Teng Yuyi had her head covered with the great cloak, but her ears remained perked up. Suddenly she felt the carriage stop, then heard Duanfu say outside, “Young Master, we’re home.”
So soon? Teng Yuyi was stunned – it seemed she had been unconscious for quite a while.
She lifted the cloak, adjusted her Daoist robe preparing to exit the carriage, but just as her hand touched the curtain, she pulled it back as if burned.
For the first time in her life, she had the urge to vanish into the ground.
As soon as she got out of the carriage, she would see Shen Chengyou.
But right now she didn’t want to face him at all.
Sigh, if only she could fly straight back to the manor like the demons.
Or… just pretend nothing happened.
That demon could transform in countless ways – maybe this never happened.
Her brows relaxed as she steeled herself and lifted the curtain to exit the carriage.
It had been early morning when they set out, but now night had fallen. The evening breeze blew, somewhat reducing the burning sensation on her face.
Teng Yuyi strode down from the carriage, first glancing around with her peripheral vision. She caught sight of Shen Chengyou’s white horse but didn’t meet his gaze, only casually saying to the Five Daos, “Would the five venerable ones like to come in and sit for a while?”
The Five Daos were very tactful: “No, no, we’ll come visit another day.”
Teng Yuyi then walked to Shen Chengyou’s horse, trying to keep her expression as normal as possible when speaking: “Thank you for your trouble today, Young Master.”
Shen Chengyou’s heart pounded violently. Under the intent gazes of the Teng household servants and the Five Daos, he didn’t look at her, saying calmly, “Don’t catch cold – return to rest early.”
Teng Yuyi didn’t raise her eyes to look at Shen Chengyou, only cupping her hands slightly in salute. She didn’t linger at the gate, immediately striding into the manor.
Shen Chengyou stared at the stone lion nearby. After Teng Yuyi entered the manor, he shook the reins and rode away.
***
Returning to Prince Cheng’s manor, Shen Chengyou strode in: “Prepare water, I want to bathe.”
Commander Chang and Kuan Nu exchanged puzzled glances – the Young Master usually waited until just before bed to bathe, but it was only the middle of the Xu hour now, wasn’t it too early?
Looking at the Young Master’s clothes, they suddenly understood – it seemed the Young Master had encountered water demons on this trip outside the city. His clothes didn’t look as neat as usual, wrinkled as if they had been soaked.
“Go prepare some hot water to help the Young Master ward off the cold.”
But they heard Shen Chengyou say from ahead: “No need, cold water is fine.”
After taking three cold baths in succession, Shen Chengyou finally felt somewhat refreshed. Coming out of the bathhouse, he couldn’t be bothered to have any late-night meal, falling directly onto his bed.
Kuan Nu puzzled asked from outside: “Is the Young Master going to sleep so early?”
“I’m tired, don’t disturb me,” Shen Chengyou said with furrowed brows, eyes closed.
Kuan Nu waved away the servants and left on tiptoe.
Shen Chengyou lay with his eyes closed pretending to rest, but though his ears heard silence, his heart was in tumult. Whenever he closed his eyes, everything that had happened earlier would float up in his mind – Teng Yuyi’s lips were as tender as fresh flowers, making one unable to resist…
Unable to lie still any longer, he simply got up from bed, walking barefoot to the table to pour himself a large cup of water to drink.
But perhaps because he had been bewitched for a while in the illusion earlier, even the coldest water couldn’t extinguish the heat in his heart. As soon as he settled down, it was as if he could hear Teng Yuyi calling him “Lang You” softly by his ear. She wore wedding clothes lying beneath him, her whole being as charming as a blooming peony. In his confusion of desires he lowered his head to kiss her red lips, and she reached out two tender white arms to embrace his neck.
Thinking of this, Shen Chengyou fell face-first back onto the bed – this damned Seven Desires Heaven.
To distract himself, he shook his head to calm down. Rolling over, he began to ponder that scene from earlier.
Teng Yuyi must have remembered what happened, which was why her attitude was so unnatural.
What to do next?
Pretend nothing happened? But he had already kissed her…
Why not go directly to propose marriage tomorrow?
But – Teng Yuyi hadn’t fallen in love with him yet.
What if she became angry?
Wait, when saying goodbye at the Teng manor gate earlier, although Teng Yuyi’s expression was strange, she didn’t seem to show hatred or anger.
Could it be—
If Teng Yuyi was repulsed by him and learned that he had kissed her, shouldn’t she want to kill him by now?
Moreover, when he was trapped underwater, she unhesitatingly dove in to save him.
Could it be… that she had developed some feelings for him?
Just as he was lost in these scattered thoughts, Kuan Nu suddenly called from outside: “Young Master.”
“Get out, get out, I’m sleeping!”
Kuan Nu said urgently: “Young Master, there’s an urgent matter from the palace. Tonight His Majesty was feasting with officials in the Hanyuan Hall, and during the banquet, the topic of marriages between officials’ children and students from the Xiangxiang Academy came up. The Huaixi Military Commissioner Peng Sishun, emboldened by wine, requested His Majesty, saying that since the Young Master has no wife, and his granddaughter Miss Peng is both beautiful and talented, he wanted to take advantage of tonight’s festivities to ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage between his granddaughter Miss Peng and the Young Master. Once these words were spoken, quite a few officials supported the idea. Peng Sishun then said his days were numbered, and what concerned him most now were his grandchildren’s marriages. If His Majesty could fulfill this wish, he could die without regret. As he spoke, tears began streaming down his face. Additionally, several other officials sought marriages between their sons and General Teng’s daughter. Young Master, if you don’t want any mishaps, you should hurry to the palace!”
Shen Chengyou rolled out of bed to dress.
Arriving at Hanyuan Hall, it was indeed extraordinarily lively.
Besides Deng Zhiyao, Wu Rujun, and other senior court officials, there were also Peng Zhen and other regional military commissioners who had returned to the capital to report.
Additionally, the Empress was entertaining the noble ladies and female relatives in the Cuihua Hall.
Shen Chengyou first went to Hanyuan Hall to pay respects to his uncle.
As soon as he entered the hall, he felt countless gazes fall upon him.
Peng Zhen laughed heartily: “Your Majesty, the Young Master has arrived.”
The Emperor beckoned: “You’er, come.”
Shen Chengyou smiled and came forward to bow.
After rising, he sat beside the Crown Prince and the Prince.
The Crown Prince wore an expression that said “What took you so long,” while beside the Prince sat a small wine cup for immortals.
Shen Chengyou caught sight of it by chance and his whole body froze – this wine cup was too familiar. That time when Teng Yuyi was trapped in Dayin Temple, she had been drinking from this very cup. The style was very unique; besides Teng Yuyi, he had never seen anyone else use it.
This wine cup… how did it end up in the Prince’s hands?
His Majesty smiled at Peng Sishun: “I deeply sympathize with your intention, but marriage is no trifling matter. Besides matching social status, spouses must also be compatible in temperament. If after marriage they share interests and affection, naturally they will have a harmonious life together. But if their personalities clash, they will inevitably become a resentful couple. I know that the children of the Peng family must all have golden and jade qualities, but all things depend on the eye of the beholder, and marriage is no exception. You’er has had a strong mind of his own since childhood. I am his uncle – how could I rashly arrange his marriage without his consent?”
Peng Sishun listened to the Emperor’s words prostrate on the ground. With his son’s support, he tremblingly returned to his seat, took a breath, and said with a bitter smile: “Your Majesty speaks reason. This old official knows I was rash. Allow me to boldly ask one question – since the Young Master has no one in mind yet, how does he know he won’t get along with my granddaughter Da’niang? Da’niang is as beautiful as flowers and the moon, and has been in Chang’an for several months now. I wonder if the Young Master has ever seen Da’niang? Since the Young Master is here, this old official would like to ask him personally.”
Shen Chengyou’s gaze shifted. He put down his wine cup about to speak when the Prince of Chun’an smiled slightly and said to His Majesty: “Your Majesty asked this younger brother something earlier, but I haven’t yet answered.”
He had forcefully cut off Peng Sishun’s line of conversation.
His Majesty originally didn’t want to openly embarrass his officials, and hurriedly smiled to change the topic: “Look at me, we were only halfway through discussing Min’lang’s matter. You all know that although Min’lang is only a few years older than Qi’er and the other children, his generational status is a whole generation higher. If we’re truly discussing marriage, we should start with Min’lang. Min’lang, could it be that you wish to request an imperial marriage decree?”
The Prince of Chun’an maintained his serene expression: “I remember Your Majesty told this younger brother that my marriage would be left entirely to my own decision. If one day this younger brother had someone in mind, Your Majesty would arrange the marriage for me on the spot.”
Shen Chengyou’s wine cup stopped at his lips and his heart sank.
His Majesty was both surprised and delighted: “You truly have someone in mind? Feel free to speak – your royal brother will decide for you. That child you mentioned earlier, is she from outside the capital?”
Just as the Prince of Chun’an was about to speak, Shen Chengyou suddenly rose from his seat and went before the throne, smiling as he kowtowed: “Tonight is truly lively, even Uncle is speaking of marriage. Since Old General Peng brought up your nephew’s marriage, I’ll also brazenly join in the excitement. Last time at the Ledao Manor when the Empress summoned the children of officials, I caught a distant glimpse of General Teng’s daughter. This lady is outstanding in both talent and beauty, perfect in every way that touches my heart. Besides Miss Teng, your nephew doesn’t want to marry anyone else. I beg Uncle to fulfill this wish – otherwise, I won’t get up tonight.”
These words caused shock throughout the assembly.
The Prince of Chun’an was startled for a moment, then smiled and shook his head.
The Emperor’s face bloomed with joy: “Good child, your uncle is willing to fulfill your wish, but if you want to marry someone, you must also obtain their consent, isn’t that so? Tonight General Teng is still at the Western Camp and hasn’t returned to the city, so your uncle can’t ask him directly. Let’s do this – first, let Chief Eunuch Liu go to the Teng manor to sound them out. If Miss Teng doesn’t object, then your uncle will fulfill your wish, how about that?”
Shen Chengyou’s heart pounded rapidly several times. Tonight’s conversation had been forced to this point – although he had impulsively proposed marriage, thinking of various earlier events, he felt that Teng Yuyi might not be unwilling to marry him. So he smiled carelessly: “I’ll follow Uncle’s arrangement. Oh yes, please ask Chief Eunuch Liu to inform Miss Teng of tonight’s events in the hall.”
His smile was as bright as sunshine after rain. Chief Eunuch Liu smiled and bowed as he withdrew.
***
Teng Yuyi was bathing in the washroom.
Before she was steaming bathwater, but her thoughts had long since flown elsewhere. Whenever she heard the sound of water, she would think of the scenes from today that seemed both real and illusory.
In the illusion, her husband was Shen Chengyou, which was truly strange – why would she dream of marrying Shen Chengyou? Fortunately, this was false. If… if after marriage her husband’s affections strayed, wouldn’t her experience be so similar to her mother’s?
Even though it was just an illusion, the bitterness of lying on that sickbed felt as if she had truly experienced it.
She was once again grateful this had only happened in an illusion.
Just as she was pondering this, she suddenly heard Bilo say in surprise: “Young Miss, what’s that on your lips?”
Teng Yuyi, already feeling guilty, covered her mouth at these words: “What is it?”
“This servant sees what looks like broken skin – could you be getting internal heat? Let this servant take a look.”
“Nonsense.” Teng Yuyi panicked and refused to lower her hand. “You all go out first, I don’t need your attendance here.”
Chunrong and Bilo were bewildered – it was just a mention of broken skin on her lips, yet the Young Miss acted as if she’d been burned by fire.
As the two left, they heard Teng Yuyi say in a muffled voice: “Oh yes, bring me a mirror.”
After the two puzzled maids left, Teng Yuyi slowly raised the mirror.
One look made her scalp tingle.
Her lip was indeed broken, right on the lower lip – a very, very small cut that wouldn’t have been noticed by Bilo and the others if it hadn’t bled a little.
So earlier hadn’t been an illusion.
This cut was where Shen Chengyou had accidentally knocked against her.
Teng Yuyi closed her eyes and put the mirror aside.
Don’t panic, Shen Chengyou hadn’t meant to take liberties with her. The situation had been so urgent then – if he hadn’t done that, she might have drowned.
Since he hadn’t done it intentionally, she just needed to act as if it had never happened.
If Shen Chengyou didn’t mention it, she would never bring it up.
Even if he brought it up first, she would pretend not to know.
She supported herself on the edge of the bath, wrapped herself in towels, and stood up.
Time to sleep – perhaps tomorrow morning she would have forgotten about this.
After coming out and drying her long hair, she changed into nightclothes and lay down in bed. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard Uncle Cheng say in the courtyard: “Young Miss, there’s an imperial verbal decree.”
Teng Yuyi was stunned and hurriedly had Chunrong and Bilo prepare clothes, asking: “Is the decree for Father?”
“It’s for the Young Miss.”
Teng Yuyi was bewildered: “For me? Did they say what about?”
Uncle Cheng’s level of surprise was no less than Teng Yuyi’s: “They say tonight the Young Master of Prince Cheng requested before His Majesty to arrange a marriage between you and him. His Majesty had Chief Eunuch Liu come to ask you one question: ‘Are you willing to marry the Young Master of Prince Cheng?'”
Teng Yuyi tumbled right off the bed.
***
Shen Chengyou continued drinking and making merry in Hanyuan Hall, but his ears remained alert to any movement outside the hall.
Every time a palace servant entered, a breeze of anticipation would sweep through his heart. The Crown Prince and the Prince kept trying to engage him in conversation, but he heard none of it.
Who knows how long he waited before the Empress and Master Qingxu sent a eunuch with a message saying that Azhi missed her brother and wanted the Crown Prince and Shen Chengyou to come to Cuihua Hall.
Shen Chengyou and the Crown Prince arrived at Daming Palace. By the fish pond, Master Qingxu was leisurely teaching Azhi and Changyi to fish. Seeing Shen Chengyou approach, before Master Qingxu could speak, Azhi was the first to jump up: “Elder Brother!”
Shen Chengyou lazily opened his arms to welcome Azhi. Outside, a palace servant said: “Chief Eunuch Liu has returned from the Teng manor. His Majesty wants Chief Eunuch Liu to personally repeat the message to the Young Master.”
The air fell silent.
Shen Chengyou didn’t respond, but his heart instantly jumped to his throat.
Master Qingxu noticed something was off with his grand disciple and asked the Crown Prince: “What’s going on?”
The Crown Prince then explained what had happened earlier. Azhi and Changyi immediately became interested and hurriedly said: “Quick, invite Chief Eunuch Liu in.”
Chief Eunuch Liu entered with a smile.
The Crown Prince asked with a smile: “What did Miss Teng say?”
Chief Eunuch Liu reported: “Miss Teng said—”
Shen Chengyou held his breath.
“Miss Teng said: she will not marry.” Chief Eunuch Liu repeated Teng Yuyi’s words word for word.