094 Human Sentiment

I was certain this time there was no sleep-inducing drug in my food, yet I drifted off regardless, and when I awoke, I was already in the Valley of Illusions. Perhaps it was the constant worry over Bai Li Yue in the Maple Forest, or fearing that Li Ye Xuan might sneak in at midnight, bundle me up in my quilt and carry me away while I slept soundly. Indeed, my sleep had been shallow. So, on this journey, I ended up sleeping through it all. The first time, Li Ye Xuan had given me a harmless dose of medicine; the second, I simply fell asleep and arrived. I had now entered the Valley of Illusions twice, yet I still had no idea how to get in from the outside, though I had figured out how to leave.

The term "directionally challenged" can't be entirely pinned on me; after all, I do know a thing or two.

When I first opened my eyes, I thought I was dreaming, but Li Ye Xuan’s words brought me back to reality. He said we truly were in the Valley of Illusions, not dreaming, and if I didn’t believe him, I could check whether Kong Jue Lin was in the house.

Dismounting with a flourish, I fancied myself a heroine, haughtily breaking free from Li Ye Xuan’s embrace. But still half-asleep, I stumbled and nearly fell.

I must thank Li Ye Xuan’s agility and quick reflexes; he caught me by the collar, leaving me dangling awkwardly.

Though I didn’t fall, my clothes pressed uncomfortably against me.

A cough, and Li Ye Xuan finally let go. I landed safely on the ground, and any trace of sleepiness vanished.

Stepping out of the house, Kong Jue Lin witnessed the scene and cried out excitedly, “Little Fan, you miss me so much…”

In Li Ye Xuan’s disdainful gaze, Kong Jue Lin restrained the urge to rush over and hug us both. When I first met Kong Jue Lin, I thought he was just another charming young lord; I never imagined such a spectacle. Truly, appearances can be deceiving—the old saying rings true. My internal howl at the sky showed nothing on my face; it was my own little secret, no need to shout it aloud. I wasn’t foolish enough to invite trouble.

“Is everything ready?” I asked.

“Of course! Who do you think I am? Come in,” Kong Jue Lin replied, all seriousness.

He produced a box and placed it before me.

“Open it and see.”

Inside was a silver bracelet inlaid with a sapphire, dazzling like a star in the night sky.

“This was made according to your design, forged from thousand-year black iron. Turn the gemstone, and it releases ten-thousand-year celestial silk. As for the other compartments, you can add medicines yourself—I’ll show you how.”

To say he was teaching me would be inaccurate; I designed it, and Kong Jue Lin merely made some modifications. Soon enough, I mastered its use.

The bracelet wasn’t ostentatious, blending in quietly on my wrist. It was perfectly normal for any girl to wear gold or silver adornments. The feel of it around my wrist gave me a sense of security.

I wanted to thank them properly, but couldn’t find the words. Li Ye Xuan said there was no need, that I could consider it his thanks to me. Kong Jue Lin, behind him, stomped his feet, muttering that it was his creation, so the gift was from him.

That evening, Li Ye Xuan led me toward the edge of the Valley of Illusions.

“Li Ye Xuan, where are we going?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

Fine, a maid can only follow her master.

Looking at my dress, I twirled happily twice. Li Ye Xuan said I could wear women’s clothes again and needn’t hide my appearance anymore.

And so, clad in a sky-blue gown, my hair loosely pinned up, I followed him.

After a long walk, halfway up the mountain, exhaustion overcame me and I refused to go any farther.

“Don’t you want to see the sunrise?” he asked.

To my surprise, he was like an earnest young man, wanting to watch the sunrise with me—how could Li Ye Xuan possess such a romantic streak?

“You…” I placed my hands on my hips, demanding an explanation, then sat down on the mountainside. “Li Ye Xuan, why are we out here at night instead of sleeping? Watching a sunrise is child’s play.”

“You don’t like it?”

“I do, but I’d prefer a good sleep indoors. These are childish pursuits—not for me.”

“How can you be so lacking in sentiment?”

Under Li Ye Xuan’s astonished gaze, I decisively returned to sleep.

Only later did I learn that Li Ye Xuan had intended to confess his feelings that night, but my lack of enthusiasm disrupted his plans. When I found out, my eyes paused lightly—no great shock, just a quiet remark: perhaps feelings weren’t deep, and fate was even shallower. That earned me a dramatic eye roll.

Our journey to Maple Leaf City ended well enough. I knew Li Ye Xuan had spoken at length with the city lord, and in the end, Wang Huan failed to win the city away from him. Li Ye Xuan hurried back, and I, reluctant to leave the Valley of Illusions, mounted my horse once again. My reluctance was mistaken for attachment to Kong Jue Lin, and I nearly fled the valley.

“Li Ye Xuan, do I have to go to Prince Xuan’s residence?”

After much careful deliberation, I asked cautiously.

I didn’t want to enter the prince’s mansion or remain a servant.

“So this is how you serve as my close maid? I have to seek you out for a meeting?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

Li Ye Xuan halted his horse and looked at me, perhaps a little angry. I stopped mine as well.

“I want to manage Jade Pavilion properly and live by my own efforts. My ambition isn’t to be a servant relying on her master.”

Li Ye Xuan said nothing, riding on ahead, and I had no choice but to follow.

In the end, he couldn’t resist my persistence and agreed.

He dropped me off at Jade Pavilion and hurried away.

I stepped inside, where an attendant greeted me, asking what I wished to buy.

“I’m looking for Uncle Jin.”

“One moment, please.”

Uncle Jin was as unchanged as ever, gazing at me in surprise.

“Is there a private room available?”

“Yes, yes.”

Uncle Jin led me inside, leaving just the two of us.

“Uncle Jin, is Aunt Jin’s health improving? Why don’t you recognize me?”

“You’re the owner?”

“Indeed,” I replied, showing him the jade pendant Li Ye Xuan had given me. Uncle Jin was suddenly enlightened, praising my beauty. I suppose there’s a hint of sadness in having to use Li Ye Xuan’s token to prove my identity—it feels a bit forlorn.

Soon, everyone at Jade Pavilion knew—their proprietor was a woman, newly returned from a month of training. Rumors spread quickly; men and women alike flocked to see what I looked like, and I generously let them look their fill.

There were rumors that Huangfu Ziyun was already dead, so I needn’t be overly cautious anymore.

Yet I hadn’t expected that person to arrive.

Dressed in white, he stepped through Jade Pavilion’s doors, drawing countless eyes. He requested to see me directly.

Uncle Jin brought him to the back garden and left us alone.

In the small garden, I brewed tea myself.

“General, it’s an honor to have you,” I said with a smile, handing him a cup.

I remembered his favorite tea—he liked a few drops of dew and a couple of leaves in it.

“Tea brewed by you always suits my taste best.”

Indeed, it was the result of months of careful refinement. Like a modern researcher, I recorded every experimental batch until I achieved precise perfection.

“General, you flatter me.”

I sat with Yun Heng, never imagining we’d sit down for a conversation like this. I always thought I’d feel nervous upon seeing him again, yet my heart was astonishingly calm—no matter how I prompted myself, not a ripple stirred.

“You’ve managed Jade Pavilion well. I never expected you’d have such talent.”

“I didn’t expect it either—it was just a lucky accident.”

“Where have you been? You disappeared for over a month,” Yun Heng suddenly stood and approached, his tone somewhat accusatory, which unsettled me.

“I simply went out to take care of some matters,” I replied, standing as well. If talking seated wouldn’t work, then we’d both stand.

“How have you considered my proposal?”

I took a deep breath, meeting Yun Heng’s gaze. “General, Mu Fan is but a palace maid, fortunate to have been rescued by you. I see through your proposal—it’s just asking me to work for you. I lived in the palace, saw enough intrigue, and now that I’ve finally escaped, I don’t wish to be drawn into conflict again.”

I had originally resolved to accept Yun Heng’s offer, but after traveling with Li Ye Xuan to Maple Leaf City and staying so long, everything was set aside. I wanted to evade it, yet couldn’t escape the issue.

“You think you can avoid involvement just by wishing it?” Yun Heng pressed.

“I owe you my life, General. Within my capability, I will do what I can.”

“Good. I want you to impersonate Huangfu Ziyun and stay by Li Ye Xuan’s side!” Yun Heng’s words made me recoil two steps. What did he mean, impersonate Huangfu Ziyun? He wanted to use me as a pawn against Li Ye Xuan!

“What, you can’t do it?” Yun Heng grabbed my hand, but I wrenched it away.

A moment of confusion, and I recovered.

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, General.”

“You refuse?” Yun Heng’s eyes turned sharp, a fleeting murderous glint that made me doubt my own vision.

“No, the prince already knows the real Huangfu Ziyun is dead, and that I am the princess’s maid.”

“You…” Yun Heng not only didn’t let go, but gripped tighter. “Mu Fan, come with me.”

“Yun Heng, let go of me…”

“What are you doing!”

A voice rang out, and we turned to see Li Ye Xuan approaching, travel-worn and clearly having rushed here.

“Greetings, Prince.”

“So it’s the great general.”

Li Ye Xuan turned to me. “Come here.”

Obediently, I went to stand behind Li Ye Xuan, under Yun Heng’s astonished gaze.

“There’s something I’d like to ask a favor of the general,” Li Ye Xuan said.

“Anything, Your Highness.”

“This girl was formerly from your household. I wish to ask your permission to take her in.”

“You’re too polite, Your Highness. She’s just a maid.”

A cold dismissal, and Yun Heng departed.

Hearing that phrase—just a maid—my heart trembled.

“Are you alright? Did you argue with him just now?”

I shook my head. “He wanted to take me back as a maid, but I wasn’t happy about it.”

“Would you be happy if he made you his captive bride instead?”

“That’s worth considering…”

“…”