Chapter 24: The Beauty That Outshines All

A cool breeze swept through the air, carrying with it the scent of lotus blossoms. Beigong Qiyi rose and walked to the corner of the pavilion, her slender, delicate hand resting lightly upon the mahogany railing. “Do you know why, though it’s only early autumn, the lotuses upon the lake are still in full bloom?”

Chu Muji came to stand beside her, leaned forward to gaze out, and laughed. “I’ve heard that on Hainan Island, there’s a kind of lotus that blooms through all four seasons, never withering, and is at its most resplendent even in the depths of winter.” Beigong Qiyi glanced at him, a soft scoff in her voice. “You are well-informed. This water I had brought specially from Dan County in Hainan, and the lotuses were transplanted here from the Clearwater Pond.” Her eyes lowered, and the long hair draped over her shoulders was tousled by the wind. Looking at the lotuses at the bottom of the pond, she murmured, “But these lotuses are not the most beautiful I have ever seen.”

Chu Muji looked at the lotuses on the lake. They were blooming perfectly, each one like a sunset glow, standing gracefully upon the water, dewdrops sparkling on their leaves. He raised an eyebrow. “Since they are at their best in the twelfth month, naturally, their true glory is only revealed then.” But Beigong Qiyi shook her head. “That summer, I once saw the world’s most beautiful lotus. There can never be another more beautiful than that…”

That summer—she remembered the youth who stood tall among the lotus leaves, the boy reflected in a pool of white lotuses. There truly could never be a sight more beautiful.

After that day, the youth who had leapt into the pond to pluck a lotus for her became etched forever in her heart, a bright red cinnabar mark upon her soul.

“I think your interest lies not with the lotuses themselves,” Chu Muji teased. Beigong Qiyi snorted softly. At that moment, someone approached. Chu Muji, upon recognizing the newcomer, smiled and said, “Ah, little Xi Mo, it’s been some days since we last met.” Xi Mo cast him an indifferent glance but said nothing, simply standing quietly beside Beigong Qiyi.

Chu Muji received nothing but coldness for his warm greeting, but he wasn’t bothered. He thumped Beigong Qiyi lightly on the shoulder and joked, “I say, Beigong, you’ve been spoiling Xi Mo so much lately, he’s becoming quite the little tyrant.” Beigong Qiyi glanced at him, snorted, then affectionately patted Xi Mo’s head and said gently, “Well done.” Xi Mo smiled slightly.

“So, you two have joined forces to bully me!” Chu Muji protested. Beigong Qiyi ignored him, returning to the stone table and asking, “Xi Mo, is there something you need?” Xi Mo nodded. “Young Master, the master of the manor requests that you see him after you’ve finished speaking with Young Master Chu.” Beigong Qiyi nodded, poured herself a cup of tea, and finally asked in a low voice, “Chu Muji, do you have further business?”

Chu Muji knew she would like nothing better than for him to leave, but instead he sat firmly down on a stone stool. “Of course I do.” Beigong Qiyi sipped her tea unhurriedly. Once half the cup was gone, she set it down and said quietly, “If that’s the case, Xi Mo, see that Young Master Chu is well entertained.” Xi Mo raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Yes, Young Master.”

Watching the exchange between master and servant, Chu Muji felt a chill run down his spine.

***

The viewing terrace loomed grand and tall. Beigong Juechen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture proud. His ink-black hair billowed in the wind, lending him an air of both wickedness and chill. From a distance, Beigong Qiyi gazed at him, her narrow, beautiful eyes half-closed. After a long while, she smiled softly and approached.

“You’re here.” Beigong Juechen’s gaze rested on the bustling throngs below, carts and horses streaming past. His tone was calm. Beigong Qiyi gave a faint “Mm” and followed his gaze. Standing atop the terrace, she could take in all of Lich Manor at a glance: countless ornate buildings stretched on and on, like some mighty beast, majestic and imposing, dominating the land beneath the heavens.

Beigong Juechen withdrew his gaze, turned, and asked, “Looking out from here upon this scene, what do you think?” Beigong Qiyi laughed softly and sighed, “In a lifetime, what more could one desire than to lie drunk upon a beauty’s lap, and to wield power over the world upon waking?” She turned to face Beigong Juechen, light glinting in her eyes. “What do you think, brother?”

Beigong Juechen gave a quiet laugh. “Naturally.” Beigong Qiyi pointed to the guests flocking from all directions, smiling. “Brother’s fame shakes the world, and Lich Manor sends ripples through the martial world. I suppose I am basking in your glory, to have so many come to celebrate your birthday.” At this, Beigong Juechen’s brows lifted slightly and he scoffed. “You are the young master of this manor. How do you call it basking in my glory?”

He stood tall and proud, chin lifted, the cold darkness in his eyes filled with disdain for all beneath heaven. Beigong Qiyi watched him, smiling, her gaze gentle. After a moment, she lowered her eyes and said softly, “I have no such ambitions. You may wield power over the world, brother. As for me, I ask only for a beauty’s lap to rest upon.” She tucked her hands into her sleeves, clenching them tightly together.

Beigong Juechen turned to look at her, eyebrows furrowing slightly. Beigong Qiyi met his gaze, her expression unchanged. After a moment, his brows relaxed and he said quietly, “Very well. So long as I am here, I will see to it that you live well.” Her hands loosened within her sleeves. Beigong Qiyi tilted her head and laughed. “Then I must thank you, brother.” All I truly wish is to sleep upon a beauty’s lap, yet if the beauty is unwilling, I do not mind—beauty and the world alike, I’ll grasp them all within my hands.

After all, under heaven, all land belongs to the king; all who live upon it are his subjects.

The two descended the viewing terrace side by side. Beigong Juechen made his way to the main hall, while Beigong Qiyi returned first to Idle Grace Residence to change clothes.

The maids had prepared garments and headdress in advance. When Beigong Qiyi entered, one stepped forward to remove her outer robe and dress her in an auburn, gold-embroidered brocade robe. Upon its back was stitched a majestic golden qilin. A coronet of white jade rested upon her head, setting off her pale skin, while the cinnabar mark on her forehead echoed the deep red of her robe, rendering her dazzling.

At that moment, Xi Mo entered, gathering Beigong Qiyi’s long hair neatly behind her and smiling with eyes curved like crescents. “Young Master, you look truly stunning today.” Beigong Qiyi raised her brows in jest. “Are you saying I’m usually ugly?” Xi Mo shook his head, his cheeks flushed. “Young Master is always handsome, but today you are beyond compare! Just like the songs of the Music Bureau say: Stones piled like jade, pines arrayed like emeralds. Your beauty stands alone, unmatched in all the world.”

Beigong Qiyi stroked the sleeve of her robe and teased, “Since when did you start reading books?” Her back was to Xi Mo, so she did not see the brief panic on his face.

“It was just the other day, I was bored and picked up a book at random, and that phrase stuck with me.” As he stepped forward to straighten her clothes, he replied softly.

Beigong Qiyi nodded absently, then asked, “And where is Chu Muji?” As he smoothed a crease at the back of her collar, Xi Mo replied quietly, “Young Master Chu seemed tired, so I found him a place to rest.”

Beigong Qiyi turned to face Xi Mo, smiling. “You didn’t knock him out, did you?” Xi Mo pouted. “How could I possibly win a fight with him? He was simply too noisy, and, well, I happened to have the powder you gave me.” Beigong Qiyi couldn’t help but laugh. “You didn’t leave him in the pavilion, did you?” Xi Mo blinked innocently. “Of course. I couldn’t move him if I tried.”

Inwardly, Beigong Qiyi offered silent condolences for Chu Muji, though outwardly her face was filled with satisfaction.