Profound Feelings, Fleeting Fate

Xu Ziyan had been listening behind the screen to the elaborate scheme Master Xu had devised. In the end, she could not bear it any longer. “Father, please let Yage go. Saving Li Bai was my own willing decision; I never expected anything in return from him.”

She slowly stepped out from behind the screen, graceful as a lotus standing tall, exuding a serene beauty.

Master Xu spoke coldly, “He has no affection for you. You truly are obstinate, and you infuriate me.”

“Father, Mother passed away early, and you have cherished me since I was young, always afraid I might stumble. This time, I beg you, please.”

“Unless he is willing to marry you and become a son-in-law in our Xu household, everything else is out of the question. Having him as a son-in-law is already a favor. Do not try to negotiate with me further, or I will disregard our bond as father and daughter.”

Master Xu slammed his cup heavily onto the table, causing it to crack, water spilling over.

Li Bai gave Xu Ziyan a gentle smile but said nothing, searching her eyes for the reason she cared for him. Xu Ziyan avoided his probing gaze and lowered her head. Li Bai chuckled quietly, “Miss Ziyan, may I ask what it is you like about me? I am but a scholar, without power or status, hardly worthy of such devotion.”

“Whether it’s worth it is something only I know. I’ve never expected you to repay me, so there’s no need for you to dwell on it.” Xu Ziyan then turned to Master Xu, “Father, can you truly not grant your daughter this last request?”

“I have made myself clear and do not wish to repeat myself,” Master Xu replied, expression unchanged, though anxiety flickered inside him. Xu Ziyan’s stubbornness worried him. As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Ziyan drew the sword from the official at her side and pressed it to her neck, stunning everyone.

“Ziyan, what are you doing? Put the sword down at once,” Master Xu was first to react, stepping down from his seat, his face filled with concern for his emotionally agitated daughter.

“Sister, please put it down, it’s dangerous,” Xu Jin urged.

Xu Ziyan replied, “If I cannot save Li Bai, then dying in his arms would be a happiness for me.”

Xu Jin said, “Are you going to leave Father, me, and Sister Dujuan behind like this?”

“Not at all. Dujuan will stay by your side, and with her, you will be even happier. That would give me peace of mind.” Xu Ziyan’s grip tightened on the sword, pressing it closer to her throat; a slight movement would draw blood.

Li Bai was silent. A woman willing to risk her life to save him—he did not know how to face her, but above all, he could not allow Xu Ziyan to be harmed. He slowly approached her. Xu Ziyan shouted, “Do not come any closer!”

Step by step, she retreated, while Li Bai advanced, saying, “Are you truly unafraid of death for my sake?”

“I only fear watching the one I love die before my eyes. If it must be so, I would rather die first.”

Li Bai was deeply moved by Xu Ziyan’s words. In her, he seemed to see the shadow of Chen Yage once more. He stopped, and so did Xu Ziyan, though she still held the blade firmly.

Li Bai said, “Put down the sword. If you die, whom would I marry?” His words were weighted and seemed sincere, but inside, he repeated apologies to himself. Yes, his promise was only a temporary measure, a means to rescue Chen Yage, using the feelings of someone who loved him. Li Bai felt despicable for the first time, but he could not bear to see Chen Yage suffer. Something inside compelled him to act.

“Is what you say true?” Xu Ziyan looked at Li Bai, unbelieving, awaiting his answer.

Li Bai nodded, “Yes. I am willing to become a son-in-law in the Xu household, but I ask Master Xu to release Yage.”

“Chen Yage is your sister; I would not take her life over such a minor matter. Rest assured, once you and Ziyan are married, I will release her immediately.” Master Xu stroked his beard, greatly satisfied with Li Bai’s attitude.

Li Bai said, “Since Yage is my sister, as her brother, how could I enjoy happiness alone while she suffers in prison?”

Xu Jin, who had at some point changed his attitude toward Chen Yage, spoke up in her defense. He stepped forward and respectfully addressed Master Xu, “Father, Li Bai makes sense. Chen Yage is hardly a threat. If you worry she might disrupt the wedding, let me be responsible for watching over her.”

Master Xu relented, waving his hand, “Let it be as you say.”

Everyone dispersed. Li Bai, supported by Xu Ziyan, moved into the guest room. Seeing the welts from the lashings on his body, Xu Ziyan’s heart ached and she wept. She then ordered the servants to bring the finest medicine for his wounds.

In the prison, Chen Yage curled up in a corner, arms wrapped around her knees, listening to the heavy footsteps approaching. She stood up warily and saw that it was Xu Jin. Grasping the iron bars, she called out, “Where is Brother Bai? What have you done with him?”

Xu Jin did not answer. Chen Yage pressed, “Answer me! What have you done to Brother Bai?”

Xu Jin sighed softly, “He is doing well now, and will be even better in the future. You needn’t worry about him—worry about yourself instead.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean…” Xu Jin paused, then signaled the jailer, “Unlock the cell for me.”

The jailer eagerly complied, unlocking the door. Chen Yage strode out indignantly and met Xu Jin’s gaze, coldly demanding, “What do you mean? Where is Brother Bai? I want to see him.”

Xu Jin lowered his head in thought, then suddenly smiled, “Very well, I’ll take you to see your Brother Bai. But from now on, he will no longer be your Brother Bai. What must end, you must resolve yourselves.”

Xu Jin led the way out, and Chen Yage followed. It was already deep into the night; the evening breeze brought a chill, and Chen Yage felt uneasy, sensing hidden meaning in Xu Jin’s words.

Restless and anxious, she arrived at the Xu estate, where Xu Jin took her directly to Li Bai’s guest room. The lamp was still lit. Overjoyed, Chen Yage pushed open the door, but the scene before her stopped her in her tracks: Xu Ziyan was leaning close to Li Bai, carefully applying medicine to his wounds, her gaze intent, while Li Bai’s expression remained calm. In that moment, Chen Yage felt as if she had fallen into an abyss.