Chapter 009: A Meeting in the Garden of Blossoms

Ling’er and Ji Lin whispered to each other along the way, growing more and more suspicious, puzzled as to why they were being led toward the Flower Garden.

“Aren’t you both eager to meet Miss Xuezhe? Why do you still have the mind to admire flowers?”

“How should I know? Senior Brother must have his reasons! Pear blossoms are so pure and lovely; perhaps he’s preparing a meeting gift for Junior Sister.”

Yu Qixian simply led the way, Lan Shui walked ahead as well, neither paying any attention to the murmuring pair behind them.

Soon, the outer view of the Flower Garden came into sight, and at that moment, Ling’er understood the answer.

Green mountains and clear waters surrounded the place. Fences of bamboo rose from the earth, and elegant, modest houses exuded a faint fragrance, whose source was the grove of flowering trees rising above the courtyard walls; pale green and white hues, a gentle, refined scent wafting on the breeze.

“So that’s why! We’re headed to Brother Yu’s Flower Garden because your Junior Sister is inside!” Ling’er, sensing Lianzi’s presence, happily shared her deduction with Ji Lin.

Ji Lin nodded, suddenly enlightened. “Junior Sister is most fond of simple, elegant blossoms. She must have been drawn to this garden. It seems I am not as attentive as Senior Brother after all!”

“Not just attentive—your wit and looks can’t compare either!” Ling’er teased.

As the two bickered, Yu Qixian had already opened both gates of the Flower Garden. Once inside the inner courtyard, they were captivated by the scenery, the delicate floral fragrance intoxicating in the air.

“This is my Flower Garden,” Yu Qixian announced. “It’s rather humble, but please, feel free to look around.” With that, he was about to head to his distillery to fetch some flower wine as a gift for his benefactors, but was stopped by Lan Shui.

“Master Yu, if you find my Junior Sister has entered uninvited, please forgive us!”

With that, Lan Shui led Ji Lin further inside. Ling’er gave Yu Qixian a brief explanation, and then they followed as well.

Ling’er wanted to direct Lan Shui and Ji Lin, Yu Qixian intended to guide them too, but both were ignored by Lan Shui. It was as if he knew the place intimately, heading straight to the Ruoyun Retreat.

Ling’er and Yu Qixian were just wondering how they could go directly there when they suddenly heard some faint sounds. The four of them passed through several flowering trees, following the sounds, and stopped beneath a great pear tree.

Petals lay scattered beneath the tree, and from time to time more drifted down. The blossoms were in full splendor, the tree resembling one dusted with snow; looking up, only quivering branches could be seen, with nothing else amiss. The sounds ceased. A gentle breeze swept by, and suddenly a strip of white silk fluttered down from between the branches…

At this, Yu Qixian was greatly alarmed. “My Flower Garden is well guarded, with strict orders. Who could have managed to slip in?”

Before Lan Shui and Ji Lin could explain, a lotus seed fell from the tree above. At once the flowering branches shook, and in a flash, a yellow-white figure swooped down, catching the falling lotus seed before it touched the ground.

Petals fluttered everywhere as she landed on the grass—a graceful young woman, holding the lotus seed, staring blankly at the group before her.

Each of the onlookers was stirred by different emotions. The woman wore simple robes and a light veil, concealing her true features but not her beauty.

Her eyes shone like dew-drenched jade, her skin smooth as congealed cream, her hair black as dyed silk, her figure as graceful as a dancing fairy. Though she had just descended from the pear tree, it seemed as though she had stepped down from the clouds, freezing time in that instant.

Lan Shui knew it was Xuezhe who stood before them, though he had never imagined he would truly see her again.

Ji Lin realized his Junior Sister had returned, but had not expected her beauty to surpass that of the immortals.

Ling’er recognized the maiden’s presence, but was astonished to find her even more radiant than before.

Yu Qixian saw a wondrous guest in his garden, yet could not have guessed how profoundly she would stir his heart.

At last, it was the lotus seed who broke the silence. Transforming into a red-clad girl, she stepped between Xuezhe and the others, patted her two braids, and demanded loudly, “Who are you people?”

“Red Lotus, don’t you recognize me?” Ling’er strode up, matching her proud tone. “These two have come to fetch your mistress, and this is the master of the Flower Garden. And look at you, acting all righteous!”

Lianzi said nothing, retreating dazedly to Xuezhe’s side. At this, Lan Shui and Ji Lin stepped forward to approach Xuezhe.

“Junior Sister!” they called out, one after the other.

Xuezhe removed her veil, greeting her Senior Brothers with gentle grace. “Senior Brothers, I have finally found you!”

Yu Qixian also came over, intending to ask something, but was so struck by Xuezhe’s beauty that he could not speak. The two Senior Brothers recounted their journey, and then everyone noticed Yu Qixian’s gaze.

Lan Shui frowned, a hint of displeasure passing over his usually calm and cool face.

“This is the master of the Yu family’s fleet,” Ji Lin explained to Xuezhe. “Thanks to his help, we were able to reunite.”

Xuezhe nodded, and, meeting Yu Qixian’s awestruck gaze, stepped forward to thank him with a formal bow. Even after Xuezhe had finished speaking, Yu Qixian remained entranced, until Ling’er gave him a sharp pinch to snap him out of it.

“My apologies, Miss Xuezhe. I fear this mere mortal is overwhelmed by your beauty. Please forgive him!” Ling’er laughed.

“Miss Ling’er, you flatter me! It was wrong of us to trespass,” Xuezhe replied.

Yu Qixian’s cheeks flushed. He struggled to compose himself, then smiled and replied, “Your beauty is that of a celestial maiden, and your presence alone has honored my humble garden. There’s no question of offense.”

Xuezhe smiled gently, and Lan Shui moved to her side. The two exchanged a glance, and without the least hesitation, Lan Shui took Xuezhe by the hand and began to lead her away. After thanking Yu Qixian, Ji Lin and Lianzi quickly followed.

As the four departed, Ling’er took the opportunity to give Yu Qixian a good-natured teasing.

“Stunned, aren’t you? Such a rare encounter has come to you twice—surely you owe the gods your thanks!”

“You’re right!” Yu Qixian said, laughing as he walked on. “To be struck by such an immortal vision—what a marvelous fate!”

Ling’er smiled faintly, but suddenly felt a strange stirring within her, as if Yu Qixian’s words echoed her own secret heart. “What’s happening to me? Why am I so curious about Miss Xuezhe, my feelings no different from this fool’s? Could it be that I…”

A nameless feeling rose and gradually flooded her entire being. Ling’er lost interest in Yu Qixian’s antics, and they both fell into a pensive silence as they made their way back. Only once they boarded the boat did they regain their composure.

Yu Qixian sat on the boat for a long time, still unable to calm his heart. Ling’er, now at ease, grew bored and decided to tease Yu Qixian again. “Ah! I’ve never seen you so flustered as you were today!”

“Huh?” Yu Qixian stared at her in alarm. “Did I look that awkward? Was I so embarrassed?”

“How would I know? When you see Qiu Di, it’s as if you’re looking at a mountain of gold, but when you see Xuezhe, it’s like—”

“Like what?” Yu Qixian involuntarily stood up, his face brightening with anticipation and a hint of shyness.

Ling’er burst out laughing. “You really are a fool! Usually you’re surrounded by lovely ladies, yet never blush or stammer. Why are you so tongue-tied today? Have you never seen a beauty before?”

“I…I…” Yu Qixian didn’t know how to answer. He ran his hands over his face and checked his reflection in a mirror. “I really…ah, what a disgrace—”

“Lost all your face?”

“No!” Yu Qixian shook his head. “I lost all my composure!”

“Oh, come off it! You, composure? Don’t think I’m teasing you for nothing—Miss Xuezhe is truly a peerless beauty, a fairy come to earth, so your reaction is perfectly natural. But since you care so much, I’m curious what’s really on your mind!”

“My mind? What could I be thinking?” Yu Qixian tried to dodge the question, but couldn’t help recalling the scene just now…

The moment Xuezhe removed her veil, Yu Qixian happened to step forward. He saw a slender, graceful maiden, poised and elegant, her beauty gentle and serene, her bearing incomparably refined. In that instant, Yu Qixian felt as if he wasn’t in the Flower Garden, but beneath some celestial tree in the realm of the gods.

The petals of the Ruoyun pear tree drifted onto Xuezhe’s shoulders, as if the blossoms had opened only for her, their fragrance released by her presence. Yu Qixian suddenly felt that this garden was, in truth, his true home.

“Hey!” Ling’er tapped Yu Qixian’s shoulder. “Lost in thought again?”

“Mm? What is it?”

“Just look at you! You’re a mess. Pull yourself together and escort Qiu Di back to your West Sea Hall!”

Yu Qixian nodded, knowing he couldn’t let his thoughts wander now, that he had to finish this task first. “All right. Will you come with me?”

“No, and don’t you dare say I helped you, lest the Lady of the Zither grows suspicious!”

The Lady of the Zither of the West Sea Hall was always sensitive and distrustful, expecting her son’s utmost sincerity. In all things, she first considered the benefit to the Hall, then weighed the consequences. No one could discern her true aims, though some suspected she bore a grudge against Yu Qianye and was ever hungry for honor.

“Very well. Thank you for today.”

“Don’t mention it. Just remember our agreement!”