Xuanyuan Qingfeng returned to the courtyard of the Eldest House. The glazed fish tank beneath the hall’s skylight had been destroyed. Looking up at the plaque, she saw the words “Hutian Yongchun” written in regular script by her father, Xuanyuan Jingcheng. Passing through the hall, she reached the Imperial Edict Library. As a youth, Xuanyuan Jingcheng had spent nearly all his time here, housing over six thousand scrolls of classical texts. But unlike the Wending Pavilion, this place held few martial arts manuals, mostly works from the Hundred Schools of Thought. The small building was modest, but its windows were clear and its floors clean. The top floor offered a broad view, perfect for observing the southern stars and the northern Dipper.
Behind it stood the Lingzhi Courtyard, narrow in appearance, with small wing-rooms on either side. Originally meant for the servants and maids, these rooms had been left empty due to the Eldest House’s decline and the lady’s cold nature, which disliked noise and commotion. Only one personal maid remained, while the rest of the rooms were used for storage. Many of Xuanyuan Jingcheng’s youthful poems and essays, filled with righteous indignation, had been discarded in heaps, scattered across tables and floors. Along the corridor grew a pair of ancient male and female Arhat pines, their roots entwined and their peaks side by side, making the place feel even more desolate and unsettling. Xuanyuan Qingfeng continued to the private rear hall of the lady. Once adorned with countless calligraphies and couplets, now all had been removed, save for a large plaque hanging in the hall reading “Rulai Buruqu” — likely left behind only because of the difficulty in moving it.
Xuanyuan Qingfeng walked to the tea pavilion overlooking the Longwang River, where she found the lady sitting silently. Beside her lay a pile of ashes, and only the jade scroll remained of what had once been a painting. Xuanyuan Qingfeng spoke coldly, “Father killed the Patriarch in the realm of a land deity. Xuanyuan Jingyi was ambushed successfully by Huang Fangfo and Hong Biao. Grandfather was driven off the mountain. The heir of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian, slaughtered over a dozen men outside the Snowy Courtyard, hanging their corpses at the main gate of Mount Hui, declaring he would accept no one from Hui Mountain. Now, nearly a third of our guest martial artists have left, and many wandering martial artists and vagrants have also chosen to descend the mountain.”
Only when facing her daughter Xuanyuan Qingfeng did the lady soften her tone and expression, smiling gently, “Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for you to take control of Hui Mountain? Your father cleared the Snowy Courtyard, and now with the heir of Beiliang watching like a tiger ready to pounce, it’s truly a time of internal and external crises. History tells us that great restorers always rise in such times, turning the tide and earning both gratitude and fear. Governing hearts is simply a matter of kindness and authority. If your mother isn’t mistaken, Xuanyuan Jingcheng has already reached a secret agreement with the young lord, removing the visible threats of Huang Fangfo and Hong Biao, while leaving other hidden pieces in place, am I right? What your mother is most curious about now is whether the young lord made any outrageous demands that might trouble you. If he asked for you to become his concubine in Beiliang, it wouldn’t be so bad, would it? With the centuries-old legacy of the Xuanyuan family of Hui Mountain as your dowry, how many women in the world could boast such a grand gesture?”
Her voice was soft and pleasant, yet the meaning behind her words, spoken so gently in this moment, was chillingly cold.
Xuanyuan Qingfeng laughed uncontrollably, until tears streamed from her eyes. She wiped them away, saying, “I’m afraid I’ve disappointed you terribly, Mother. That young lord has no interest in this Hui Mountain, let alone me, who doesn’t even make it onto the list of beauties. You should blame yourself for not giving birth to a more enchanting daughter!”
The lady did not grow angry, simply waiting patiently for Xuanyuan Qingfeng to finish laughing. Seeing her daughter’s tears still flowing, she reached out to wipe them away, only to have her hand struck aside violently. Still unbothered, she spoke gently, “When the mice leave for lack of grain, the dogs sleep boldly for poverty of home. But this only applies to small households. Though Hui Mountain has suffered greatly, it may not truly fall into ruin. Today’s plight of Niu Mountain is still better than the near-annihilation of the Wujia Sword Tombs in the northern wilderness a hundred years ago. The young lord of Beiliang hanging corpses to intimidate others is clearly creating momentum for you. If, as you say, he truly has no interest in Hui Mountain, even better. Once he leaves with his troops, if you find yourself short on resources and unable to maintain control, you can always seek some protection from the Dragon and Tiger Mountains. The Celestial Master’s Temple and Niu Mountain have always prospered and declined together for centuries. Distant relatives are not as reliable as close neighbors — that’s exactly what I mean.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng sneered, “In the end, it still comes down to begging.”
The lady murmured softly, “In this life, one must always seek the heavens, the earth, the emperor, and one’s parents. Who doesn’t rely on others?”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng said expressionlessly, “That young lord left over a hundred light cavalry behind at Hui Mountain, saying they were to be responsible for transporting copies of the Wending Pavilion’s secret scriptures back to Beiliang.”
The lady smiled, “Your father once said something I rarely remember: ‘A man’s talents weigh a thousand pounds, but not as much as a woman’s bosom of four taels.’ In my opinion, the young lord clearly has some interest in you. Whether you become a concubine of Beiliang or not is not so important. Royal and noble families may feast on delicacies, but for a woman, it’s not always a blessing. But if you can use this opportunity to stabilize Hui Mountain, that is the most important matter at hand. One more word from your mother: no matter how talented Yuan Tingshan may be, never meet him again. A martial artist, no matter how accomplished, cannot compare to a single word from the young lord of Beiliang in terms of benefit and practicality. For now, the young lord of Beiliang is someone you should approach, not distance. As for the long-term, we’ll take one step at a time, like playing a game of chess. Qingfeng, don’t rush to place your pieces.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng fell into a daze, pouring herself a cup of wine. The wine was still warm and fragrant, and she took a large sip.
The aging woman’s eyes were gentle as she smiled, “One cup of osmanthus wine, and two peach blossoms bloom on the face.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng said flatly, “That was written by Father.”
She replied calmly, “Xuanyuan Jingcheng said and wrote so much, but some lines are worth remembering. Ancient records say that Zhaoyaoshan is filled with ancient osmanthus trees, but when I climbed the mountain, there were few left, except for an old Tang-era osmanthus tree, the oldest and most flourishing. Every autumn, its blossoms fall like rain, beautiful but not gaudy.”
She hesitated slightly before continuing slowly, “Just like how Xuanyuan Jingcheng conducted himself.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng gripped her wine cup tightly, lifting her head to stare fixedly at her mother, her voice trembling with emotion, “To speak of Father’s virtues now—how bitterly ironic!”
She said calmly, “Have I ever spoken ill of Xuanyuan Jingcheng?”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng bit her lip until it bled, the crimson droplets falling into the wine cup as she asked, her voice trembling, “Mother, did you ever love Father, even just a little?”
She shook her head, “I don’t know.”
Xuanyuan Qingfeng laughed bitterly, almost madly, “So you never loved him at all. Poor Father, studying for twenty years for you, becoming the most ridiculous and laughable earthly immortal in all of history!”
She did not argue.
Xuanyuan Qingfeng threw the wine cup, rising abruptly, and said coldly with her back to her mother, “Mother, rest assured, Father has worked hard to create the current situation. Qingfeng will fight with all my might to keep Hui Mountain from falling, so you can live out your remaining years in peace!”
She remained silent.
Only after Xuanyuan Qingfeng left the courtyard did she slowly rise, lifting the hot teapot without flinching, and walked directly toward the Snowy Courtyard.
The rain had stopped, and the scenery of the Snowy Courtyard was pleasant.
She came to the cliff’s edge, revealing a sorrowful, beautiful smile unseen by anyone. “Jingcheng, I won’t be angry with you anymore.”
And with that, she leapt.
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