“Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!” The rest of the crowd snapped back to their senses a half-beat later and applauded together. “What extraordinary skill on the qin, Your Highness!”

“Chunran’s humble technique only offends the ears of all present.” Fengxi, seated properly before the instrument, spoke the words Hua Chunran would have said — while her two hands could not help but rub the goosebumps rising on her arms.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chao and Yu Wuyuan could not help but exchange a glance. So this Princess of Huaguo also possessed a deep and formidable inner energy? How else could her voice, amid all this clamor, still carry as clearly as a whisper right beside one’s ear?

“The Princess has long held the title of the most beautiful woman in the world. We have admired you for so long — might we ask Your Highness to step out from behind the silken curtains and allow us a glimpse of your beauty?” One among the crowd suddenly proposed this.

The suggestion was immediately met with a chorus of agreement. “Yes! Please let us see your face, Your Highness! Only one man can be chosen as prince consort — but even if we are not selected, to have seen the Princess once would make our failure entirely worthwhile!”

“Gentlemen — Chunran too would gladly meet with all of you. Only, before we meet, Chunran would first like to select a prince consort. I wonder what all of you think of this arrangement?” The clear and bright voice still rose above all the commotion, reaching into every corner of the Lanlan Lake.

“Then please set your test at once, Your Highness!” everyone called out.

“Very well!” Fengxi nearly cried out in delight — she hastily covered her mouth, then remembered that no one outside the pavilion could see her movements at all. She settled comfortably back into her chair, and her voice remained composed and refined. “It has been Chunran’s aspiration since childhood to marry a prince consort who excels in both literary and martial arts. That so many distinguished heroes have honored Chunran with their presence today — Chunran feels truly fortunate.”

That bright, clear voice subdued the impatient crowd, and since these words now concerned the fate of those who wished to be prince consort, everyone fell quiet at once.

“In truth, to become Chunran’s prince consort is quite simple — it requires only two things.”

“Only two things? But what if everyone manages both?” The crowd, hearing how simple this sounded, all spoke up at once.

“Please allow Chunran to finish.” Fengxi ground her teeth quietly behind the curtain and silently cursed these impatient men — the moment a beauty was before them, they truly lost all their senses. “The first is this: each of you must leap from the water pavilion where you now sit to this Cailian Terrace. You may use the water’s surface as a stepping stone, but no other implement may be used for assistance. Anyone who falls into the water is immediately disqualified!”

“What?!” The moment these words landed, voices of shock rang out immediately.

One had to understand — the distance from any of the surrounding water pavilions to the Cailian Terrace was at the very least five zhang. Ordinary jianghu fighters who had trained their lightness skill to the point of leaping three zhang in a single bound were already considered first-rate. Those who could reach four zhang were counted as the finest of the finest. Those who could reach five zhang could be counted on one’s fingers. And even if you could skim the water’s surface and leap the full five zhang of the lake — there was still the Cailian Terrace itself, three zhang tall, waiting beyond! Who among them could manage this? How could any of them fail to be struck dumb? This one condition alone was enough to defeat them all.

“In days past, Princess Xiyun of Fengguo, at the mere age of ten, composed the ‘Ten Strategies for the Jing Terrace’ — her literary brilliance was unmatched among women and rare even among men. Therefore, the second point is this: I invite each of you to write, within one hour, an essay on the subject of the Jing Terrace that surpasses Princess Xiyun’s. Anyone who can accomplish both of these points shall become Chunran’s prince consort! If there is any among you who cannot do both — Chunran begs your forgiveness — but you are not worthy to be her prince consort!”

This second point sent the crowd into another uproar. Princess Xiyun’s “Ten Strategies for the Jing Terrace” had, upon its completion, made even Fengguo’s top scholar of that year bow his head in admiration. And Fengguo’s culture had always held the foremost place among the six kingdoms — a position no other kingdom dared contest. This fact alone spoke to the incomparable nature of her talent. After the Princess’s essay had been written, no one had ever dared to compose another piece on the Jing Terrace. Now that Princess Chunran had raised this requirement, was she not simply making things impossible for everyone? Even those among the crowd who were proud of their own literary names could not help but feel their hearts pounding when they thought of having to surpass the Princess Xiyun whose fame had spread across all the world — let alone do so within a single hour. How could any of them manage it?

“Is there anyone among you who believes he can meet both of these requirements?” Fengxi listened idly to the sounds of sighing from the crowd beyond the pavilion, and her eyes swept toward Huang Chao and Yu Wuyuan. Those two were sitting across from each other drinking wine, as though they had not heard a word.

“Very well! Since the Princess has raised this challenge, Ming Yue Shan will make the attempt! Whatever the outcome — so long as I give my best effort, I can have no regrets!” A young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six rose — he stood atop the railing of his water pavilion, his long robe rippling, his brows sharp and eyes bright, possessing a manner that was far from ordinary.

“The great hero of the Qiyun Sect, Ming Yulang?” Fengxi glanced at him, and could not help but nod in acknowledgment. “Then Chunran awaits the hero’s arrival.”

“Very well!”

Ming Yue Shan let out a great shout, then launched himself into the air with a free and sweeping form. A single leap carried him three zhang — then he suddenly dropped toward the lake’s surface, the tips of his feet touching down on a floating peony. The flower sank into the water, while his body shot upward again, flying straight for the Cailian Terrace. But when he was still a little over one zhang short of the terrace, he seemed to exhaust his energy, and his body began to fall. Yet at the very moment he was about to hit the water, his hand shot out and his palm pressed flat against the pavilion’s column — and clung there solidly. Using the column as a pivot, he pushed off, and his body flew upward once more, landing on the Cailian Terrace.

“Magnificent!” Everyone who had watched burst into applause, and even Huang Chao and Yu Wuyuan gave approving nods.

“Your Highness — though I have reached the Cailian Terrace, at the last I had no choice but to use the column for assistance, and so I have violated the rule Your Highness set. I have not passed this test.” Ming Yue Shan pressed his fists together respectfully toward the figure behind the silken curtain. “Yue Shan did not come with any extravagant hope of becoming prince consort — only to see the Princess’s incomparable beauty with his own eyes. If Your Highness would grant me this one sight, Yue Shan would be joyful even in defeat!”

“Ming Yulang has a distinguished bearing, formidable martial arts, and a generous spirit — he is truly a fine and rare young man in this world.” The beauty behind the curtain said softly. “That you could use the drifting flowers to push off and leap another zhang shows that your Bright Family’s Water-Skimming technique is truly a marvel of the jianghu. But the tops of your shoes are completely soaked through — your skill appears to have only reached the seventh level. Had you trained to the full measure, you would have been able to leap the entire five zhang before needing to use anything for assistance. But since you have not met this Princess’s requirement, this Princess will not meet with you at this time.”

“To think the Princess is also deeply versed in the martial arts — Yue Shan is full of admiration, and dares not ask for anything more.” Ming Yue Shan bowed deeply. “Yue Shan takes his leave.”

“Very well! This Princess will see you off!”

No sooner had the words been spoken than the silken curtains inside the pavilion began billowing wildly. Ming Yue Shan felt a surge of air rushing toward him, and found himself moving backward involuntarily. Seeing that he was about to be pushed off the edge of the terrace, he hurriedly channeled his energy through his body and launched himself into the air — flying back toward the shore. All the way, he felt as though something was pushing him along from behind, and in the blink of an eye he had landed safely back in the water pavilion where he had originally been standing.

“The Princess’s martial arts are this formidable — Yue Shan bows in reverence!”

By this point, Ming Yue Shan already understood that the martial skills of the Princess within the pavilion surpassed his own by a considerable measure, and he submitted with complete sincerity. The others, having seen even the great hero of the Qiyun Sect fail, weighed their own abilities and found themselves growing rather faint-hearted.

“The Princess of Huaguo’s martial arts are this formidable!” Huang Chao’s gaze fixed intently on the Cailian Terrace.

“How is it that there has never been any word of this?” Yu Wuyuan’s gaze also fell upon the Cailian Terrace.

“Are there any other heroes among you who wish to try?” Fengxi twirled a strand of her long hair idly between her fingers. With even Ming Yue Shan unable to do it — among this whole crowd, other than Huang Chao, there was not another person with the ability. And as for Huang Chao — Fengxi let out a quiet smile.

But the crowd, hearing the Princess’s question, dared neither answer yes nor no. To say no one was too shameful. To say yes — and then not be capable — was even worse. For a moment, everyone stood frozen.

“It has been Chunran’s lifelong aspiration to marry the greatest hero in the world. If none, Chunran would willingly live out her years alone. If all of you, as heroes and men of distinction, find yourselves unable to cross this lake — then it seems Chunran will not be able to select a prince consort today.”

Hearing the Princess’s decisive words, everyone grew anxious. The entire match-selection had come to an end before a single proper test had been conducted? What a humiliating outcome!

“Your Highness, Shan Ye Cheng of the Bai Kingdom has a question.” A young man in scholar’s attire stepped to the railing and called out.

“The newly crowned top scholar of the Bai Kingdom’s imperial examinations, Shan Ye Cheng? Please ask your question.”

“Both of the conditions Your Highness has set are genuinely beyond what most of us can accomplish. And Ye Cheng does not believe there is anyone in the world who can satisfy both. So I would ask: has anyone actually done so? If no one has, then we are all forced to suspect that this match-selection is nothing more than an elaborate jest, and that the Princess has no genuine intention of selecting a prince consort at all!” Shan Ye Cheng spoke with force and conviction.

“Scholar Shan’s reasoning is indeed meticulous. But this Palace can tell you — both conditions have indeed been met. Not long ago, Chunran made the acquaintance of a friend who, though a woman, can leap from a water pavilion to the Cailian Terrace in a single bound, without need of any external assistance whatsoever.” The voice from within the Cailian Terrace carried a note of laughter beneath it.

“Who is she?” Ming Yue Shan blurted out. His Ming Family’s lightness skill was considered among the very finest in the jianghu — even he had barely managed it. He could not think of which woman could possibly possess such lightness skill.

“Bai Fengxi!”

“Her?!” The entire crowd was jolted at once.

In his pavilion, Huang Chao’s hand gave an involuntary tremor, and wine spilled from his cup.

“So Bai Fengxi truly is in Huaguo — and it seems she is right here in the Palace of Huaguo.” Yu Wuyuan said with a quiet smile.

“And as for writing an essay that surpasses the ‘Ten Strategies for the Jing Terrace’ — Princess Xiyun, at the age of fifteen, composed the ‘On Governance.’ Our kingdom’s Grand Preceptor, Minister Qian Qi, assessed it as more mature in argument and more transcendent in literary brilliance than the ‘Ten Strategies for the Jing Terrace.’ What do all of you think?”

The crowd fell silent.

“Both of these women have accomplished what I ask. And yet all of you, strapping men of seven chi, cannot match two women — how is Chunran to be impressed by you?” The voice from the Cailian Terrace carried a subtle note of mockery. “All of you regard yourselves as heroes and men of talent, and believe you should have a beauty as your wife. But Chunran also considers herself a woman of distinction — and as such, she should be matched to a true hero and a true talent!”

“The Princess’s words shame Ye Cheng utterly.” Shan Ye Cheng, though proud by nature, had no choice but to concede.

And those among the crowd who had thought highly of themselves — seeing even two figures as outstanding as Ming Yue Shan and Shan Ye Cheng bow their heads in deference — understood well enough on their own where they stood. Every one of them was without hope.

“Though none of you can become Chunran’s prince consort, each of you is nonetheless a remarkable individual. So I invite all of you to proceed to the Golden Hall, where my father the King will receive you. Father thirsts for talented men — he will certainly find important use for each of you!”

Just when everyone’s spirits had sunk, the road ahead suddenly opened again with this bright prospect.

“If there are no objections, please follow the palace attendants to the Golden Hall!”

The moment those words fell, a palace attendant appeared before each of the guests to lead the way. Everyone rose to their feet — but before leaving, each one lingered with reluctance, looking back at the Cailian Terrace.

“Your Highness, you promised just now to meet with us — I wonder…” One man finally plucked up the courage to raise the matter.

“A meeting? Very well!”

A bright voice with a hint of laughter rang out cheerfully. The moment the words fell, the silken curtains of the Cailian Terrace billowed wildly, and a white figure flew out — robes as clean as snow, hair as dark as ink, skirts and tresses streaming in the air. Light as a feather, she landed silently atop the floating flowers.

“King Zhao of Yan honored Guo Wei, And so the Golden Terrace was built. Ju Xin came all the way from Zhao, And Zou Yan journeyed again from Qi. Yet what becomes of those blue-sky scholars? They cast me aside like dust. With pearls and jade they buy songs and laughter, While coarse grain sustains the worthy and true. Only then does one understand why the great swan takes flight — To wander alone across a thousand li.”

The white figure in the middle of the lake lifted her voice in song — the sound clear and bright, drifting like a lone note from a valley. The tips of her feet touched the flowers as she danced with effortless grace. Her slender hands unfurled and she moved like a startled swan in flight; her wide sleeves swept through the air and she sprang like a dragon through the deep; her long hair flowed like silk, half-veiling a face of jade…

In that moment, everyone in the surrounding water pavilions felt their eyes grow dazzled. They could see a white figure singing and dancing upon the lake — but could not make out her face. Yet the immortal bearing of that person dancing on flowers and standing above the water was burned into every mind present. Many years later, when someone compiled the story of Princess Chunran’s match-selection into a tale that passed down through the ages, there were those who said that the Princess Chunran of that day had actually been Bai Fengxi in disguise. The true Princess Chunran possessed a face that could topple kingdoms — but not martial arts like that.

“You have all had your look at me. Please proceed quickly to the Golden Hall — would you not be showing disrespect to my father the King by making him wait so long?”

When the white figure finished her song, she leapt into the air and soared upward, then landed lightly in the water pavilion where Huang Chao was — her back to everyone else.

At these words, the crowd, however reluctant, dared not linger further. In a moment, every last one of them had gone — though all were privately wondering who could possibly be in that highest water pavilion, that the Princess should come to land there personally.

Within the pavilion, Huang Chao and Yu Wuyuan, who had been seated comfortably in their chairs, both rose involuntarily to their feet when the white figure landed before them.

Fengxi’s eyes swept first to Huang Chao, then to Yu Wuyuan. In a single glance she was struck with quiet wonder — no wonder he was called the number one young master under heaven. Setting aside his appearance entirely, setting aside his bearing entirely — his eyes alone. Those eyes, which seemed as though they could hold the entirety of the world within them, surpassed anyone she had ever seen. Within those eyes there was not a single trace of the darkness, narrowness, jealousy, hatred, or desire that human beings carry — only complete gentleness, tranquility, and compassion, like the ancient, serene, and still lake of a god’s heart.

Comparing the four young masters: Feng Xi carried too much noble grandeur — it came at the cost of that pure and lofty ease. Huang Chao carried too much imperious arrogance — it came at the cost of that quiet, undisturbed calm. This man before her should have been a celestial immortal at the Jade Pool’s banquet in the heavens above — yet for some inexplicable reason he had descended to wander the mortal world.

Huang Chao’s gaze did not move from the jade ornament at the white-robed woman’s brow. After a long while, he stepped forward, his fingertip touching the crescent of moon there, and spoke quietly — as though making a vow: “If I am one day Emperor — would you be willing to marry me and be my Empress?”

“No.” The answer was dry, clean, without a moment’s hesitation. The white figure shifted three steps back in a flash.

“Ha ha ha —!” Huang Chao, upon hearing this, did not show the slightest displeasure. He only laughed with open abandon. “Of all the women in the world — only you would say this to me!”

Yu Wuyuan looked at the young woman before him. White clothes, black hair, simple and clean as a painting of black mountains and white water. Brows at ease, eyes smiling, cheeks full of meaning, lips full of feeling — as though nothing in the world could touch those brow-tips with a shadow of sorrow, no one could veil those clear eyes with a mist of worry, and that flower-like smile would never fade or wither, as though it could shine brilliantly until the end of all time… Suddenly he felt a strong desire to cover his own eyes — so that he would not be struck by the brilliance of her radiant clarity, so that that face of flawless brightness would not shake the heart-lake that was otherwise as still as an ancient well.

“Bai Fengxi!” Yu Wuyuan let those three syllables pass his lips gently.

“Yes — I am Bai Fengxi, not Hua Chunran.” Fengxi broke into a brilliant smile, and her gaze slid across Huang Chao. “How was my singing just now?”

“Good.” Huang Chao picked up the wine vessel and poured three full cups.

“I sang that especially for the two of you.” Fengxi reached out and took one of the cups, then leapt back to perch on the railing. “Consider it my way of thanking you for treating me to a meal last time.”

Yu Wuyuan looked at the cup in his hand, then looked at Fengxi. In those usually calm and clear eyes, a mist now arose. He murmured quietly: “‘White robes and snow-moon, a beauty that surpasses the world’ — so it really is true.”

“Ha ha ha —!”

Fengxi laughed with open joy, and in that instant her laughter could be heard throughout the entire Jinhua Palace — clear and bright, like a stream rushing out from a mountain gorge.

“Is it the case that anyone who is with you would be able to laugh all the way until they are old?” Huang Chao looked at her. He had never seen anyone laugh with such complete and unrestrained abandon.

“No.” Fengxi’s laughter quieted. She tossed the cup in her hand up and caught it again. “Crown Prince Huang Chao — do you know that what I did today has cost you half of Huaguo? With that in mind, can you still laugh?”

Huang Chao’s eyes flashed at this, then he laughed again: “If I could have you as my wife today, that would be worth more than half of Huaguo.”

“Ha ha —!” Fengxi burst out laughing. “The King of Huaguo invited you here to watch the spectacle — he certainly has his reasons. But I wonder how confident the Crown Prince feels that this match-seeking of yours will succeed?”

“Originally, I would have said fifty percent. But later I revised it to one hundred percent.” Huang Chao looked at the full cup of wine before him.

“Because Young Master Lanxi of Fengguo has not yet arrived?” Fengxi blinked, smiling with an air of considerable mystery. “But your opponent is not only one person.”

“Other than Lan Xi, what other person in this world is my match?” Huang Chao did not believe there could be a second.

“People who are too proud and self-satisfied always fall the hardest and the fastest!” Fengxi flung the cup in her hand — it shot straight at Huang Chao.

“Only those with genuine ability have the right to be proud!” Huang Chao flung his own cup to meet it.

Crash! The two cups collided midway and shattered into powder.

“A person should hold an open and humble heart!” Fengxi swept her sleeve, and the fragments of the cups swirled toward Huang Chao.

“Anger, arrogance, and coldness expressed openly are always more honest and trustworthy than smiling daggers hidden behind a pleasant face!” Huang Chao flung his wide sleeve open, and a surge of energy struck out, blocking everything flying toward him — leaving all the fragments suspended between the two of them.

“Why not both of you sit down.” Yu Wuyuan raised his hand slightly, and all the suspended fragments flew scattering across the lake’s surface.

“Ha — is the Crown Prince absolutely determined to secure the beauty on this visit?” Fengxi glanced at Yu Wuyuan, and clapped her hands together.

“What does Miss Fengxi think?” Huang Chao settled back into his chair.

“You still only have a fifty percent chance.” Fengxi raised a hand and smoothed back her long hair, a sly gleam in her eyes. “This match-selection has gathered the finest talents of the entire world. The Crown Prince will have to expend considerably more effort going forward!”

Those words carried a hidden barb, and Huang Chao caught it immediately. His thoughts turned quickly, and then he asked: “I wonder how it is that Miss Fengxi came to be involved in this match-selection?”

“Ha — because I agreed to help someone!” Fengxi laughed lightly, and her eyes slid across Yu Wuyuan, who continued calmly pouring and drinking his wine as though none of this had anything to do with him.

“Help whom? Hei Feng Xi?” Huang Chao’s gaze sharpened.

“Him, her, you.” Fengxi bent her fingers and tapped her head. “One move that benefits three — not favoring anyone in particular, useful to all. Not bad… not bad at all!”

“Miss Fengxi also helped me?” Huang Chao could not help but smile faintly.

“I just dispatched all those ‘heroes and men of distinction,’ did I not? That also counts as reducing the number of your competitors.” Fengxi looked at Huang Chao with a cheerful smile and extended a hand. “Am I not considerably more useful than that whole lot of them?” Her manner was exactly like a child angling for praise.

“Considerably more useful, yes.” Huang Chao nodded. “In which case, does it not follow that I owe Miss Fengxi thanks?”

Yu Wuyuan, who had been listening to their exchange all this while, could not help but let out a quiet laugh. Even the perpetually imperious Huang Chao was completely following Bai Fengxi’s lead.

“Young Master Yu.” Fengxi suddenly turned and addressed him directly.

“What is it, Miss Fengxi?” Yu Wuyuan said with a quiet smile.

“I have heard that within Hua Du there is a mountain called Tianzhi Mountain, with a peak at its summit and a pavilion called the Flowing Water Pavilion.” Fengxi looked into those clear, unblemished eyes.

“Yes.” Yu Wuyuan’s gaze settled on Fengxi, a gentle, quiet smile on his face.

“What do you say we go there together tomorrow evening?” Fengxi asked pleasantly.

“Very well.” Yu Wuyuan inclined his head.

“Is Miss Fengxi only inviting Young Master Yu?” Huang Chao suddenly cut in.

“Huang Chao.” Fengxi called him by name directly.

“Mm.” Huang Chao’s eyes lit up slightly upon hearing her address him so directly.

“You cannot come — because the day after tomorrow, the King of Huaguo will be hosting a banquet for you and the Black Fox!” Fengxi suddenly launched herself backward and flew out of the water pavilion. The tips of her feet touched down lightly on the flowers floating across the lake, and in the blink of an eye she had flown clear across the Lanlan Lake and out of the Jinhua Palace. “And besides — I am not inviting you!”

The Jinsheng Palace. The southern study.

“Ha ha — I won again! Father, your daughter won again!” Hua Chunran’s bright and joyful laughter rang out.

“Yes, yes — you won again!” The King looked at the weiqi board and shook his head with fond helplessness.

“Father, what will you reward Chun’er with this time?” Hua Chunran shook the King’s arm with playful sweetness.

“A reward! A reward!” The King patted his beloved daughter. “How about this — Father rewards you with a prince consort?”

“Father is teasing Chun’er again!” Hua Chunran turned away in protest.

“Chunran.” The King patted his daughter’s hand, then rose to his feet. His expression became very grave. “Do you truly like that Hei Feng Xi very much?”

Upon hearing this, Hua Chunran lowered her head slightly. Her delicate teeth bit gently at her lip, a rosy flush spread across her jade-like cheeks — the perfectly enacted bashfulness of a young woman in the grip of feeling.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about.” The King, seeing this, immediately felt tender protectiveness. He took his daughter’s hand and helped her up, then said gently, “Men marry and women wed — this is something everyone must go through in life.”

“Father, Chun’er… Chun’er…” Hua Chunran’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper, and she found she still could not bring herself to say the words directly. She tucked her face into her father’s chest, hiding the flush on her cheeks — and also hiding the victorious smile in her eyes.

“There, there — Father knows your mind even without you saying it.” The King held his beloved daughter in his arms, yet his expression was noticeably serious. “That Feng Xi — Father received him in audience a few days ago. His appearance is indeed as beautiful as a jade-carved man, his talent as brilliant as Song Yu of old. And yet…” The King suddenly stopped.

“Father…” Hua Chunran lifted her head from the King’s chest, and seeing her father’s serious expression, felt an involuntary twinge of unease.

“Chun’er — how do you see this Feng Xi? What kind of man is he?” The King suddenly asked his daughter.

“A peerless man of an impure world.” Hua Chunran said it in a single, simple phrase, the conviction in her eyes unwavering. Looking at her, the King understood full well — she had made her decision about him.

“Chun’er, you have always been an exceptionally clever child, and your ability to read people is equally keen. And yet — this Feng Xi… Father has lived fifty years and ruled for nearly thirty of them. Father has known countless people. Yet Father has never encountered anyone of this kind, and cannot see through him to know what manner of man he truly is!” The King looked at his daughter with an expression of complete seriousness, and a sharp light gleamed in his eyes.

“Is there something wrong with Young Master Feng?” Hua Chunran’s heart gave an involuntary jump seeing her father’s expression.

“There is nothing wrong with him at all. On the contrary — one could say he is perfect in every way. A handsome and refined appearance, composed and unhurried bearing, appropriate and eloquent speech, talent overflowing in abundance… and yet…”

The King recalled the black-robed young master he had received in audience that day — an ordinary jianghu wanderer on the surface, yet carrying himself with a noble, sovereign ease that made him, the King of an entire kingdom, feel somehow lesser in his presence. It was as though it were this man who was the king, and he himself who had become the lesser subject. That air of authority — he had only ever seen it in Huang Chao, the Crown Prince of Huang Chao, and in Huang Chao’s case it was entirely expected, for he was heir to a kingdom. But in a man of common birth — this Feng Xi left him even more wary than Huang Chao. If Huang Chao was a sword drawn from its scabbard — brilliant and sharp, its edge plain for all to see — then because it was unsheathed, one could look at it directly and know to guard against it. But this Feng Xi was like a dragon hidden deep in an abyss — concealing himself entirely, and when he finally chose to reveal himself, it would shake heaven and earth.

“Father… Father…” Seeing the King drift into thought, Hua Chunran gently called to him.

“Mm.” The King started and collected himself, looked down at the beloved daughter in his arms, and said, “Chun’er, if you wish to choose Feng Xi as your prince consort, Father does not oppose it — after all, he truly is a rare talent. Only… there is still one thing Father wishes you to hear.”

“Please say it, Father.” Hua Chunran helped the King to his seat, then rested her head in his lap.

“The present age is one of turmoil. The other five kingdoms are all pushing outward into the Wangyu territory, and their lands and strength are nothing like what they once were. Huaguo alone — though the wealthiest of the six kingdoms — has always been squeezed between Fengguo and Huang Chao, without any border touching the Wangyu, leaving our territory without a single inch of expansion! All these years, Father has been trying to extend Huaguo’s lands, but we have suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of Huang Chao, and as for Fengguo — no matter how we attack, we cannot breach their cities. If this continues, Father’s great ambition of seizing the world will not only come to nothing, but Huaguo itself will sooner or later be swallowed by Huang Chao!” The King could not help but clench both fists.

“In terms of talent and appearance, the Crown Prince of Huang Chao is no less than Feng Xi. If we form a union through marriage with Huang Chao, he will no longer come to attack us, and moreover the Crown Prince came to seek your hand with a promise to assist us in attacking Fengguo! If we could have the Conquer-Heaven Cavalry on our side, what would Feng Xingtao be against us? Fengguo would be ours for the taking! And so…”

The King lowered his gaze to his beloved daughter — but before he could finish, Hua Chunran completed the thought for him: “And so Father hopes that I will choose Crown Prince Huang Chao as my prince consort, does he not?”

“Father does have this in mind, Chun’er…” The King’s words trailed off — for he saw that the daughter resting in his lap already had eyes shining with tears, and hurried to say: “Chun’er, do not cry…”

“Father — does your heart hold only your ambitions, only Huaguo? Is there no room in it for your daughter?” Hua Chunran raised a hand to gently dab the corner of her eye, her expression overtaken by a shadow of sorrow.

“Chunran, please do not cry!” The King felt his heart go soft the moment his daughter’s tears appeared. All thoughts of conquest and grand ambition dissolved in an instant — he wanted only to stop his beloved daughter from weeping. “Chun’er, Father was only suggesting it — nothing has been decided yet. Please do not cry.”

Hua Chunran choked on a sob: “Chun’er only wants to marry someone she cares for — and moreover, that person Chun’er cares for can equally help Father conquer the world. Why will Father not let Chun’er have her wish? All of Chun’er’s life, she has never once asked Father for anything — and now this one time, this single one time… wuu wuu wuu…” And with that, she buried her face in her handkerchief and wept quietly.

“All right, all right, Chun’er — stop crying. Father promises you: the matter of the prince consort is entirely for you to decide. Whoever you wish to choose — that is final. How is that?” The King held his daughter and coaxed her.

“Truly?” Hua Chunran raised her head, eyes swimming with tears, and looked at the King.

“Truly!” The King nodded, and thought to himself that perhaps Feng Xi was after all better suited to be Huaguo’s prince consort than Huang Chao — he had no position of power that could threaten the King.

“Many thanks, Father!” Hua Chunran could not help but break into a bright, delighted smile.

“Alas — sometimes Father thinks: is this entire world still worth less than Chun’er’s tears?” The King looked at his daughter’s flower-like face and sighed.

“In this whole world, Father is also the most important person to Chun’er!” Hua Chunran moved with emotion and embraced her father — her sweet words eight parts sincere and two parts coaxing. “Chun’er will certainly help Father, together with her prince consort, seize the world!”

“Yes — still my best and most obedient Chun’er!” The King was moved, and held his daughter close.

“Father — should you not go to the Golden Hall now to receive the talented men from every kingdom?” Hua Chunran, seeing that matters had been settled to her satisfaction, helped the King to his feet. “Did your daughter not gather a great number of talented men for you today?”

“Indeed — still my cleverest Chun’er!” The King laughed and pinched his beloved daughter’s cheek fondly. “Father is off to the Golden Hall now. You go back and rest — build up your energy. The day after tomorrow, Father will host a banquet for the Crown Prince, Young Master Feng, Young Master Yu, your Bai Fengxi, and the talents Father selects today. At that time, you may bring your golden brush and mark your prince consort!”

“Chun’er respectfully bids Father farewell!”

Hua Chunran watched the King’s departing figure, and a faint smile spread across her face — while within her eyes a gleam of quiet triumph surfaced. As a woman, she might never be able to hold the seat of supreme power directly — but as long as she could hold the person who held supreme power, as long as she could secure the very first place in the heart of that person, there was nothing in Huaguo — or in all the world — she could not bring about. Having made her father nod his agreement to Feng Xi as prince consort today, she would in time surely be able to make that prince consort ascend as king — and if, as her father said, they truly did one day seize the entire world, then she would stand at the highest place a woman could stand — as Empress.

“When the spring wind comes softly by, and the willows are full of tender feeling, I come treading the flowers — only to take Brother’s hand…”

To the south of Hua Du there was a small courtyard. Though small, it was full of quiet elegance — the east and west wings flanking a tiny garden in the middle. At this moment, the sound of singing drifted from the garden. The song itself was soft, but the singer’s joyful mood showed through every note without restraint.

“What has you so happy?” Feng Xi pushed open the courtyard gate and immediately saw Fengxi sitting beneath a flower tree, reaching out to catch a white butterfly.

“Ha — I met Yu Wuyuan today!” Fengxi turned and smiled at him. “The number one Young Master Yu under heaven — truly so much better than you, this black fox of yours!”

Feng Xi’s steps toward the east wing halted abruptly. He looked back at Fengxi — and she had a smile on her face.

Fengxi had always loved to smile. But this smile — he had never seen it before. Most of her smiles were mocking smiles, dismissive smiles, cold smiles, smiles born of boredom. But the smile of this moment had shed every sharp edge and was simply a pure, genuine joy — brows and eyes brimming with it, lips gently pressed together, her whole person soft and luminous, radiating a faint, warm glow, carrying the faintest trace of sweetness.

“Yu Wuyuan?” Feng Xi’s eyes flashed, yet his face lifted into a quiet smile. “He is with Huang Chao?”

“He is.” Fengxi rose and walked toward Feng Xi, looking him up and down once. “Black Fox — it turns out there really are people in this world who are that transcendent! People completely unlike you, this black fox! You calculate and scheme against everyone you meet — but him…” Fengxi tilted her head, and a smile as gentle as a spring breeze floated onto her face. “He calculates for the sake of the world.”

“You —” Feng Xi examined her. Then suddenly he reached out a finger and pressed it against the crescent of snow-white moon at her brow. “Do you… do you have feelings for him…” The rest of the words he did not say — only kept his eyes fixed on her intently, carrying an unreadable light.

“Ha ha —!” Fengxi stepped back with a laugh, and pointed a finger toward the west wing. “Your beauty Miss Feng has been looking for you until her eyes have worn through to the other side. Do you not think you ought to go see her? And moreover…” She suddenly dropped her voice, her expression turning cryptically significant. “Do you not think you ought to give her some proper comfort? After all — what you are about to do next will sting her heart quite painfully.”

As she was speaking, the door of the west wing opened, and Feng Qiwu stepped out, a pipa in her arms.

“Miss Fengxi, you seem so very cheerful — did something good happen?” Feng Qiwu’s gaze slid across Feng Xi. In that brief moment, her cool, clear expression softened just perceptibly.

“Yes — something wonderful happened!” Fengxi’s eyes drifted toward Feng Xi with a laugh.

“Is that so?” Feng Qiwu, contrary to what one might expect, did not press further. Her gaze settled on Feng Xi. “Young Master has been away several days. Qiwu has just learned a new piece — would it please you and Miss Fengxi to hear it?”

“Of course!” Before Feng Xi could answer, Fengxi clapped her hands with delight.

Feng Qiwu settled herself on a stone bench in the garden, plucked the strings of the pipa, and opened her voice in song:

“Orchid leaves in spring grow full and lush, Cassia flowers in autumn gleam bright and pure. All things rejoice in their season of life, Each taking its proper and beautiful turn. Who would have thought that one who lives in the grove Would hear the wind and be moved to love? Grass and trees carry their own desires — Why should they need a beauty’s hand to pluck them?”

“‘Grass and trees carry their own desires — why should they need a beauty’s hand to pluck them?’ — beautifully said!”

Fengxi offered the praise with feeling, and her eyes drifted with deeper meaning toward Feng Xi. She saw — unusually — that his expression was slightly distant, his brow subtly drawn together, as though turning over some difficult question in his mind. His gaze moved at intervals toward her. And for the first time, she could not read anything from those deep, dark eyes.

The twenty-sixth day of the third month. Fengxi, unusually, was awake early.

“Pu’er! Pu’er! If you do not come out right now, I am not taking you to explore the streets! If it were not for my promise to you, I would have already…”

“I am here, Elder Sister! Where are we going today?” Han Pu burst out the door in three bounding leaps.

“We will walk along and see what catches our eye!” Fengxi said entirely irresponsibly.

“Then let us go!” Han Pu grabbed her hand and set off pulling her toward the gate, terrified that any moment someone else would attach themselves to their outing.

The moment Fengxi and Han Pu stepped out the door, the door to the east wing opened, and Feng Xi emerged. He looked at the backs of the two figures — the large and the small — and the elegant composure of that handsome face suddenly turned cold.

“Young Master, the carriage is ready.” Zhong Li stepped forward to report.

Feng Xi, upon hearing this, did not move. He deliberated in silence for a long while, then gave instruction: “No need for the carriage.” With that, he walked out through the courtyard gate. Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan hurried along behind him.

Early as it was, the streets were already quite lively. Shop doors were opening for business, street vendors had their stalls set up and ready — those calling out their wares, those bargaining over prices, neighbors greeting each other, women trading neighborhood gossip. Every manner of sound mingled together, every kind of person converged, forming a bustling and prosperous market street.

Feng Xi strolled along the street without purpose, his gaze drifting across the crowd. The ever-present refined smile on his face had thinned somewhat — his attention was not quite here, and something seemed to be unsettling him.

Then his gaze was arrested by a particular figure. He looked more carefully — and his eyes went cool for a brief instant before deepening once more into a smile. He moved toward the figure.

“Young Master Yu!”

“Young Master Feng!” Yu Wuyuan had been looking at a pearl flower on a small street stall. At the sound of his name, he raised his head, and a quiet smile appeared on his face. “After parting at the Riling Tower, who would have thought we would meet again here in Huaguo!”

“Xi also did not expect such a connection with Young Master Yu.” Feng Xi smiled with his customary graceful composure, and his gaze fell briefly on the pearl flower. “Young Master Yu’s interest in this object — could it be that you are thinking of buying it as a gift for someone dear to you?”

“Young Master Feng is teasing me. Wuyuan is alone in this world — there is no one dear to me.” Yu Wuyuan shook his head mildly, his gaze drifting over the pearl flower — light, unhurried, undisturbing. “It is only that looking at this stall selling pearl flowers, I found myself thinking of a friend I recently made. She never seems to wear such ornaments — and so Wuyuan found himself lingering here a little without quite knowing why.”

“Ah — so it is that an object brings the person to mind.” Feng Xi said, as though it had just dawned on him. “This pearl flower may not be anything particularly precious, but it is simple and refined in its own way. As the saying goes, the gift need not be expensive — it is the feeling that matters. Why not buy this pearl flower and give it to your friend? The reason she never wears ornaments may simply be that she has never had someone of Young Master Yu’s caliber to give her one.”

Yu Wuyuan gave Feng Xi a long, deep look upon hearing this. The smile at his lips remained warm. “Perhaps Young Master Feng knows this friend of mine even more than I do — after all, she and the Young Master have shared a name for nearly ten years.”

“Could it be that the friend Young Master Yu speaks of is Bai Fengxi?” Feng Xi said, as though the thought had not quite occurred to him yet. “If it is that woman — I would advise Young Master Yu not to buy it after all. If you give it to her, she will certainly…”

“Certainly trade it for wine.” Yu Wuyuan finished the sentence.

“Ha ha — so Young Master Yu also understands her this well!” Feng Xi burst into laughter — though the laughter, at this moment, seemed to carry some small measure of effort within it.

“Wuyuan only met Miss Fengxi for the first time yesterday — only one meeting. But even from that one meeting, one can see that she is a person who speaks and acts entirely according to her nature, and does everything simply to follow the heart’s ease and joy.” Yu Wuyuan said with a quiet but pointed air, his gaze direct upon Feng Xi’s eyes.

“It seems Young Master Yu may be said to know that woman better than anyone!” Feng Xi’s smile remained unchanged as he picked up the pearl flower.

“Young Master, this pearl flower is the finest quality! Real South Sea pearls! Please buy it, Young Master!” The vendor, who had been standing silently for quite some time and had long since identified these two gentlemen as wealthy customers, had been preparing a whole basket of words. Now that Feng Xi had picked it up, he naturally unleashed his three inches of eloquent tongue. “I, Luo the Second, have a name in this neighborhood for being an honest man — I would never deceive a gentleman like yourself. These are absolutely genuine South Sea pear—”

Luo the Second was still in full flow — but Feng Xi simply lifted his eyes and gave him a mild, unhurried glance. In an instant, Luo the Second felt a chill run straight down his spine. Something seemed to lodge in his throat, and every last word he had been about to say was swallowed back down into his stomach.

“Young… Young Master…”

“As Young Master Yu said — I will buy it to follow the heart’s ease and joy. I will take this pearl flower.” Feng Xi slipped the pearl flower into his sleeve, then glanced back at Zhong Li. Zhong Li stepped immediately forward to pay.

“Is Young Master Feng buying this pearl flower to give to Miss Feng Qiwu — the Miss Feng you met once at the Riling Tower?” Yu Wuyuan watched Feng Xi’s actions with an amused smile. “How has Miss Feng been keeping?”

“Safe and well.” Feng Xi looked at Yu Wuyuan and said. “Xi has business at the Pinyu Pavilion today and needs to make a trip there. Where is Young Master Yu headed?”

“Wuyuan was on his way to Tianzhi Temple.”

“Then we part here.”

“Farewell.”

The two men exchanged their goodbyes. One turned east, the other west — and as they passed each other, Feng Xi’s lips moved slightly, as though murmuring a few words. And the habitually tranquil Yu Wuyuan, upon hearing them, changed expression entirely — shock, bewilderment, fury, and even a thread of grief, all of them human expressions one after another, flickered across that face as serene and peaceful as a Buddha’s. But in an instant, every one of them was gone, replaced by composed stillness. Only the color of his face had turned starkly, completely white. He stood staring at Feng Xi’s departing figure, motionless on the street for a long while.

And Feng Xi watched every one of those expressions pass across his face — then smiled faintly, and walked away.