As Jiang Ci turned her head towards the garden entrance, she was startled by the nightmarish sound. With a soft “crack,” she felt a sharp pain in her neck—she had twisted it.
Maintaining her composure, she managed not to cry out. She forcefully straightened her head, enduring the intense pain in her neck, and controlled her wild heartbeat to avoid arousing Pei Yan’s suspicion.
The pain and shock blurred Jiang Ci’s vision momentarily. After a moment, she saw a white figure gliding into the main garden under the brilliant lamplight.
The person approached slowly, the lamplight making him appear as beautiful as fine jade and as pure as a snow lotus. His long hair, black as satin, was lightly fastened with a single jade hairpin. Beneath his jet-black hair, his skin was like winter ice, his eyebrows like ink strokes, his nose high and elegant, and his lips like peach blossoms. But what truly captivated one’s gaze were his eyes, shining like black gems. When he glanced around, they exuded a bewitching charm that stole one’s soul.
He floated in from the garden entrance, his white robes billowing in the wind. The white made him appear as pure as a celestial being, but the way his clothes fluttered like raging flames made him seem like an Asura stepping out from the realm of ghosts.
The night wind suddenly intensified, sweeping up several red chrysanthemums that clung to his robes, like alluring red blossoms blooming in a snowy field—an indescribably enchanting sight. In that instant, everyone in the garden drew a sharp breath and fell silent.
Seeming to understand their thoughts, he halted his steps. His gaze swept across the crowd, cold as frost, causing most people to lower their heads quietly.
Pei Yan stepped forward with a smile, saying, “Third Young Master honoring us with your presence truly delights me beyond measure.”
Steward Wu came forward and bowed respectfully to Wei Zhao, who nodded slightly. The steward then cupped his hands towards Pei Yan before leaving the garden.
Wei Zhao’s lips curved into a smile, his gaze seemingly intentionally yet unintentionally brushing past Jiang Ci behind Pei Yan. He said, “How could I not attend the birthday celebration of the Young Lord’s esteemed mother? I was just delayed by a small matter, arriving a moment late. I hope the Young Lord won’t mind.”
Pei Yan repeatedly assured him it was no trouble, stepping aside slightly to guide Wei Zhao into the main hall. As he turned, he glanced back at Jiang Ci, who followed expressionlessly behind him and Wei Zhao towards the main hall.
As soon as Wei Zhao entered the main hall, Prince Zhuang stood up with a smile: “Third Young Master, sit beside me.” Prince Jing’s brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out again, while the Crown Prince’s round face maintained its perpetual warm smile. Wei Zhao didn’t bow to him, but the Crown Prince didn’t seem to mind.
Just as Wei Zhao was about to take his seat, someone at the table suddenly stood up, letting out a light snort and sweeping his sleeves as he moved to another table. Prince Zhuang looked somewhat embarrassed. Wei Zhao’s eyes swept over the scene, his lips curling into an almost devilishly beautiful smile as he sat down, saying, “This table has lost a bottle of Hexi old vinegar, but it’s quite refreshing now.”
Pei Yan noticed that the one who had left in a huff was Yin Shilin, the Grand Academician of the Longtu Pavilion, a native of Hexi. This man was a pillar of the Qingliu faction. Though lacking real power, his reputation resounded throughout the court and society, and he was highly respected for his integrity. Pei Yan then moved to Wei Zhao’s side, picked up the wine jug, and filled Wei Zhao’s cup, smiling as he said, “Everyone said we’d start the feast when the Third Young Master arrived. Since you’re late, you must punish yourself with three cups!”
Wei Zhao leaned back in his chair, glancing sidelong at Pei Yan, his eyes shimmering with light: “It seems the Young Lord is determined to get me drunk tonight. I’ll drink, but shouldn’t we first toast to His Majesty?”
Pei Yan slapped his forehead and hurried to the Crown Prince’s side, inviting him to rise. All the guests stood up, raising their cups to wish His Majesty ten thousand years of life, then toasting to the Crown Prince’s health. After Pei Yan gave a speech of thanks, everyone noisily returned to their seats. Servants streamed in and out, bringing steaming dishes to the tables. The music on the stage started up again, and the garden burst into a cacophony of sounds. With the clinking of cups, the birthday feast at the Pei residence officially began.
Jiang Ci stood behind Pei Yan, occasionally glancing at Wei Zhao seated beside him.
From her position standing while he sat, she had a perfect view of his exquisitely beautiful profile. With each lowering of his head or slight turn, his long eyelashes trembled faintly, and his dazzling pupils flashed with complex light—sometimes a faint smile, sometimes mockery, sometimes cold arrogance, sometimes gentle beauty. Occasionally, his gaze would sweep across the guests at the table, then close his eyes, revealing a desire for both weariness and destruction.
Jiang Ci suddenly felt as if she had returned to that night in front of Changfeng Manor, perched on that big tree. That night, when the envoy from the Huan Kingdom recounted the story of Yueluo, he had laughed through deep pain. Which one was the real him? Was he that frenzied and ruthless assassin, or this illustrious Commander Wei Zhao, the Third Young Master of the Guangming Court?
She had originally hoped that the Star Moon Sect leader was a minor official, thinking perhaps Pei Yan could find a way to capture him and force him to hand over the antidote. But she never imagined that the Star Moon Sect leader who had been so ruthless towards her, whom Pei Yan was so eager to capture, was the legendary “Phoenix,” Wei Third Young Master.
Judging by Pei Yan and others’ attitudes towards him, it was clear he wielded immense power. Even if she were to identify him as the Star Moon Sect leader, without other evidence, could Pei Yan deal with him? If he couldn’t be captured within a month, how could she ensure her survival?
Yet, given his status and talent, why did he assume such an identity and engage in such extreme actions? Behind his stunningly beautiful exterior and bewitchingly aloof smile, what hatred and sorrow lay hidden?
A burst of laughter erupted from the table—Pei Yan had lost a drinking game and was being forced by Prince Zhuang to down three cups, his right arm firmly grasped. Smiling, he tucked a black chrysanthemum behind his ear: “Today I’ve fallen for Your Highness’s trick, having to wear this flower.”
The Crown Prince slapped the table, laughing: “Wearing a flower is fine, Young Lord, just don’t be a flower-destroyer. The fresh flowers of all the great households in the capital are still waiting for you to pluck them.”
Hearing the Crown Prince’s frivolous words, the others felt contempt in their hearts but outwardly agreed. Pei Yan pointed at Wei Zhao and laughed: “Third Young Master should be punished too. I saw him secretly switch the game tokens with Prince Zhuang, but I couldn’t catch him in the act. Now I’m wrongly drinking these three cups!”
Wei Zhao just leaned to one side, his lips curving slightly, but said nothing.
Prince Zhuang put on a stern face: “Young Lord, falsely accusing me and Third Young Master of cheating deserves further punishment!”
Pei Yan became excited: “This time I must find the flower garden. Could it be in Minister Tao’s hand?”
Right Prime Minister Tao Xingde smiled and opened the token in his hand: “I have the stone path here. Young Lord, you may take a winding path to a secluded place, but you won’t find the flower garden. Drink another three cups as punishment!”
Prince Zhuang laughed heartily and made Pei Yan drink three more cups. Pei Yan had no choice but to empty them. From time to time, officials would come to toast him, and he began to feel a bit flushed. He loosened his collar slightly, and in the candlelight, a faint redness appeared on his neck. Paired with his ever-smiling bright black eyes, he and Wei Zhao sat together, each with their distinct charm, making it difficult to say who was more captivating. This caused most people in the garden to occasionally glance at their table.
As the crescent moon rose higher, the sounds of toasts, guessing games and laughter gradually faded in Jiang Ci’s ears. She heard the sound of a moon guitar from the stage in a corner of the garden. After a prelude, Su Yan’s voice rose in a melodious song, performing “A Hall Full of Ivory Tablets.”
Jiang Ci looked towards the stage. Su Yan was wearing a bright red opera costume, her makeup alluring. Accompanied by the cheerful music and drums, along with the festive lyrics, it should have been a joyous scene. But Jiang Ci saw a mocking smile on her face as if she were looking down from above at this garden full of wealth and nobility, coldly sneering at this hall full of official tablets.
Jiang Ci turned her gaze back to Pei Yan and Wei Zhao before her. One smiled like the spring breeze, the other beautiful as a spring willow. The willow swayed in the wind, the wind stirred the willow branches—but was it the wind moving the willow, or the willow disturbing the wind?
These two men who had fed her poison, these two men locked in a life-and-death struggle—why, she wondered, had fate arranged for her to stumble into their conflict?
Jiang Ci stood quietly, and for the first time in her life, she found herself without a keen interest in the opera or the banquet.
Pei Yang approached and whispered a few words into Pei Yan’s ear. Pei Yan seemed startled and looked up. Pei Yang then shielded his right hand and extended it in front of Pei Yan, who lowered his head to look. Suddenly, Pei Yan stood up.
He rushed out a few steps, then stopped and turned to bow to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, I must excuse myself for a moment.”
Everyone was surprised, not knowing what had happened. They all looked at Pei Yan with questioning eyes, even guests at more distant tables turned to look towards the main hall.
Pei Yan seemed not to notice and strode out of the garden. Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment, remembering his earlier instructions that she was to stay close to him tonight and not leave his side. She hurried to follow him.
As she passed by Wei Zhao, he was just picking up the black chrysanthemum that Pei Yan had worn earlier. His devilishly beautiful face bore an enigmatic smile. Suddenly, a gust of wind rose from his palm, sweeping up the black chrysanthemum and tossing it in front of Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci was startled. The black chrysanthemum suddenly burst open in mid-air, its petals scattering and slowly falling, like flames from hell, embedding themselves deep in her heart.
Suppressing her inner fear, Jiang Ci dared not look at Wei Zhao again and quickly followed Pei Yan out of the mansion gate. She saw Pei Yan ordering Pei Yang to lead all the attendants at the gate back into the mansion. Soon, only he and she remained at the gate, with an ornate carriage quietly waiting on the main road in front.
Pei Yan looked back at Jiang Ci, hesitated for a moment, then quickly walked down the steps toward the carriage, speaking softly.
The carriage curtain lifted slightly. Jiang Ci tilted her head, trying to see who was inside, but saw Pei Yan bow and step forward, exchanging a few words in an extremely low voice with the person inside.
Pei Yan took two steps forward. The carriage driver jumped down and handed the whip to Pei Yan. Pei Yan cupped the black steed’s reins and, to Jiang Ci’s surprise, began driving the carriage towards the eastern side gate of the mansion.
Alarmed and curious, Jiang Ci quickly followed. Seeing her approach, Pei Yan fixed her with a piercing gaze for a few moments but ultimately said nothing. When Jiang Ci moved to take the reins from his hand, he didn’t let go.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the eastern side gate of the mansion. Pei Yan stopped the carriage, turned, and bowed as he lifted the curtain. A person stepped out.
At this moment, with all the attendants withdrawn from the mansion gate and no lanterns lit, Jiang Ci couldn’t see the person’s face in the darkness. She only saw that he was quite tall, with an indescribable air of dignity and majesty in his every movement.
Pei Yan led the way, guiding this person into the mansion. Neither of them spoke. Seeing that Pei Yan hadn’t told her to leave, Jiang Ci could only follow behind them, passing through the eastern garden, along a corridor, through a moon gate, and over a winding bridge. Soon, they arrived at a circular gateway.
A palace lantern hung beside the moon gate. Jiang Ci looked up and saw two characters written in cursive script above the round gate—”Butterfly Garden.”
In the lantern light, Jiang Ci could now see that the person was wearing a deep purple robe. He stood with his back to Jiang Ci, hands clasped behind him, gazing at the characters “Butterfly Garden” for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.
Pei Yan stood quietly to the side and said softly, “This is the place.”
The man in purple robes remained silent for a moment, then said, “Lead the way forward.”
Pei Yan responded with a “Yes” and led the man into the garden, with Jiang Ci still following behind.
Inside the garden, the fragrance of chrysanthemums filled the air, and the vines provided a cool atmosphere. The three passed through a long corridor and arrived at the entrance of the main room.
Pei Yan bowed and said, “I’ll go announce your arrival first.”
The man in purple robes gave a light “Mm” in response. Pei Yan glanced at Jiang Ci before entering the room. Shortly after, more than ten maids exited the room, all bowing deeply and quickly retreating out of the garden gate.
Pei Yan stepped out of the main room and respectfully said, “Mother invites you in.”
The man in purple robes was silent for a moment, then said, “Wait for me outside the garden.” With that, he slowly entered the room.
After the man in purple robes had entered and his footsteps faded away, Pei Yan led Jiang Ci quietly out of Butterfly Garden.
Jiang Ci followed Pei Yan out of Butterfly Garden, stopping by a small lotus pond outside.
At this time, the moonlight was faint, and the starlight dim. It was silent by the lotus pond, with only the occasional sound of music and singing from the main garden carried by the night wind.
Pei Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the withered lotuses in the pond before him for a long time, silent.
His collar was still slightly loose, and in the moonlight, one could still see the faint flush of intoxication. After a while, as if the effects of the alcohol were rising, he loosened his collar a bit more and sat down on a large rock by the lotus pond.
Jiang Ci found this quite strange, feeling that Pei Yan at this moment was very different from how he usually was. Gone was his smile as gentle as the spring breeze, gone were the constant calculations behind that smile, and gone was his usual composed and elegant demeanor.
Another burst of laughter drifted over from the main garden, faint and indistinct. Pei Yan suddenly gave a cold laugh, clenched his right fist, and struck the large rock forcefully, startling Jiang Ci.
Pei Yan seemed to suddenly realize there was still someone beside him and turned his head to look at Jiang Ci. The night breeze blew past, and Jiang Ci smelled a strong scent of alcohol, knowing that he had been toasted too many times by the guests earlier, and now with the wind blowing, he was likely becoming drunk.
Seeing that she was the only one by his side, Jiang Ci felt inexplicably afraid and said softly, “My Lord, shall I go find someone to bring some sobering soup?”
Pei Yan stared at her for a moment, his gaze somewhat unfocused. After a long while, he turned his head away. A moment later, he patted the large rock beside him.
Jiang Ci was stunned for a moment before finally understanding Pei Yan’s meaning. Being alone with him now, she dared not contradict him as she had before. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly moved to sit down beside him. She felt that everything tonight was extremely strange, and even though she was usually brave, her heart was pounding wildly.
Pei Yan looked up at the cold crescent moon in the night sky and the myriad stars. His breathing grew heavier, and he suddenly asked, “You’re an orphan?”
Jiang Ci lowered her head and said, “Yes.”
“Was it your master who raised you?”
“Yes.”
“Your master, was she good to you? Did she often scold you, beat you, or treat you coldly, ignoring you for long periods?”
Pei Yan’s series of questions stirred up Jiang Ci’s feelings of longing for her master. She raised her head to look at the withered lotuses in the pond before her and the light mist hovering over the water. She shook her head and said, “My master was very good to me. She never beat or scolded me, nor did she treat me coldly or ignore me. She treated me like her own daughter. Until I was ten years old, I always slept in my master’s arms.”
Thinking of her master who had passed away, and of the warm Deng family village and her senior sister who must be worrying about her, Jiang Ci’s voice grew softer and finally choked up a bit.
Pei Yan listened silently, then turned his head to look at Jiang Ci again. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he leaned back slightly and chuckled, “Why are you crying? You’re so fortunate, you should be laughing. Do you know, in this world, there are people who from the moment they’re born, have never been held by their father, never been loved by their mother, let alone having such a good master like yours.”
Jiang Ci said softly, “But my master passed away a year ago.”
Pei Yan leaned back, lying down on the large rock, and closed his eyes. He said softly, “It’s good that she’s gone. When you’re dead, you don’t have so many troubles anymore.”
Jiang Ci felt a bit angry and let out a light snort.
Pei Yan covered his face with both hands, suddenly rubbing it vigorously several times. He said in a muffled voice, “Don’t be angry. In life, birth, aging, illness, and death are normal. What’s truly frightening is not knowing why we’re born, why we suffer, and why we die.”
Jiang Ci was still feeling emotional and didn’t quite understand Pei Yan’s meaning. Moreover, Pei Yan’s words and actions tonight were too strange, so she didn’t respond.
Pei Yan lay on the large rock, looking up at the sky above. After a long while, he spoke again, “Do you not know who your birth parents are?”
Jiang Ci shook her head, “I don’t know, and neither did my master. If she knew, she would have told me before she passed away.”
“Then do you ever wonder who your birth parents are?”
Jiang Ci was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly, “No, I don’t.”
“Why not?” Pei Yan sat up.
Jiang Ci didn’t look at him but gazed into the distance, saying softly, “What’s the use of wondering? I can’t find them anyway. My master told me that I’m not living for them. I just need to live my own life well.”
Pei Yan was stunned. After a long while, he smiled, “You’re quite open-minded. Some people have pondered this question for over a decade without reaching such clarity.”
Jiang Ci felt increasingly strange. Knowing that Pei Yan was becoming more intoxicated, and with no one else around, she had been repeatedly oppressed by him and didn’t dare to get too close. So she moved her body slightly away.
Pei Yan didn’t notice. He seemed to be recounting something, or perhaps talking to himself: “Tell me, if a person is born and lives for twenty years striving for an illusory goal, only to find out in the end that this goal was false. Would you say this person is pitiful?”
Jiang Ci couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Who? Yes, that does sound pitiful.”
Pei Yan was startled for a moment, then quickly lay back on the rock and laughed loudly. After laughing, he covered his face with both hands and said no more.
Jiang Ci gradually began to understand. As she looked at Pei Yan lying on the rock, another beautiful face like a willow suddenly appeared in her mind. These two men, beneath their dazzling exteriors, how many secrets were they hiding?
After a moment, another burst of laughter drifted over from the direction of the main garden, accompanied by the sound of instruments. Pei Yan seemed startled and suddenly sat up.