Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Forty-Four

The two of them froze in surprise and let go, just as Xilan stormed in, lifting her skirts in a huff. “You’re not allowed to embrace each other.”

Geng Yuan’s expression darkened, his cold gaze fixed on Xilan, a trace of impatience in his eyes—perhaps her incessant noise had truly tested his temper.

Jinli nodded. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

But Xilan showed her no kindness. After a cursory glance, she wrapped herself around Geng Yuan’s arm and spoke in a saccharine, enchanting voice, “Brother Geng.”

Her tone was honeyed and charming, her every gesture radiating the sheltered pride of one born to privilege, yet without a trace of arrogance.

Geng Yuan extricated himself and walked to Jinli’s side, his eyes grave as he spoke in a low voice, “Your Highness, I ask you to respect yourself.”

Xilan, undeterred, said, “Father has already decided to marry me to you. Whether or not you have a wife.”

A wife?

No wonder Xilan had always seemed to be probing and sizing her up.

Jinli couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

She glanced at Geng Yuan, whose ears had flushed red.

And now, he openly took her hand and said to Xilan, “In this lifetime, I will have only my lady. Your Highness should seek another match.”

Xilan was not known for her patience. As a pampered princess, she asked for what she wanted and tried to seize whatever was denied to her.

“No! I won’t allow it!”

Geng Yuan frowned, his tone low and solemn. “I have already agreed to the master’s terms. Your Highness, from this day forth, I am no longer of your kingdom.”

“Brother Geng!”

Geng Yuan no longer looked at her. Jinli, seeing the petite princess on the verge of tears, slipped her hand from Geng Yuan’s grasp and said to the stunned and disappointed young man, “You’ve been away for days. Her Highness has been worried about you—she even went to the city gates to welcome you herself. Go and keep her company for a while.”

“Ah Jin, do you realize what you’re saying?” Geng Yuan looked at Jinli, bewildered. The girl before him was as dazzling as ever, but her eyes now held a new, quiet composure.

What had happened?

Jinli watched as Geng Yuan was pulled away by Xilan. An unfamiliar emotion welled up within her, one she couldn’t quite name. She could no longer focus on her reading.

In the end, she sat cross-legged to cultivate, but no matter what she did, she could not dispel the gloom in her heart.

At dinner, Geng Yuan entered with a dark expression. Dressed in travel clothes, he seemed all the more striking.

“Why have you come back? Did Her Highness not keep you for supper?”

Geng Yuan spoke in a low voice, “Did you miss me these past few days?”

The girl smiled, “What are you talking about? Have you been drinking? How are you tipsy before any wine?”

The youth knelt before her, his dark eyes shimmering with tears. “Did you?”

“You saved me. Naturally, I thought of you.”

“You know that’s not what I want to hear.”

Jinli met his gaze. “Geng Yuan, then what do you wish to hear?”

“Seeing another woman at my side—doesn’t that make you angry?”

“What is our relationship, that I should be angry?”

A tear slipped from Geng Yuan’s right eye, shining like a pearl. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse. “What am I to you, in your heart?”

“The antidote to the Beauty Gu? Does that answer satisfy you, Geng Yuan?”

He said no more, rising and leaving the room.

Jinli’s hand, clenched beneath her sleeve, slowly relaxed. Her eyes reddened as well. Perhaps she now understood the goddess’s fate—perhaps the goddess was never meant to live as she wished.

She made her way to the lakeside pavilion.

Xiao Ze asked, “Have you found your answer, Divine Lord?”

Jinli smiled softly. “All things in this world ought to have a guardian—neither perishing nor being born anew.”

She left, departing from the Kingdom of Xi, leaving the mortal realm behind.

Once more, she left without saying goodbye.

She divined to trace Ruixin’s whereabouts. Of the Six Realms, the most likely place for Ruixin to hide now was the mortal world.

But the mortal world itself was divided into Illusory Dust and Ordinary Dust.

Those of Illusory Dust possessed spiritual powers, existing between immortals and gods, easily wielding spiritual arts.

Immortal fog drifted among the clouds as she arrived in the Kingdom of Illusion.

The Illusory Kingdom was at the height of its power, and by chance, it was the annual day for the selection of royal consorts.

Perhaps Ruixin might be mingling among the candidates.

She veiled herself in shark silk and wore plain robes, blending so seamlessly into the crowd with their varied attire that she looked even less conspicuous than the maids accompanying noble ladies.

It was unclear whether the selection was for the king or for a prince.

Just then, the swelling crowd swept her into the midst of the embroidered ball ceremony, surrounded by shrill cries and cheers. The young women were giddy with excitement, their pale faces tinged with blush, as lovely as blossoming flowers and impossible not to pity.

At that moment, the cheers rose again like waves. Jinli frowned—she had never enjoyed such clamor; to her, this was sheer torment.

But just then, in the press of the crowd, a vibrant red embroidered ball, adorned with intricate flowers, tumbled into Jinli’s hands. It all seemed so accidental, even coincidental. She looked up to see a lone figure on the dais, slowly walking away—a man in a pale robe, embroidered with blooming crabapple flowers in silver thread.

The crowd was quickly dispersed, but Jinli found herself surrounded. A ceremonial official approached, voice pinched and formal. “Congratulations, miss, you have won Prince Ce’s embroidered ball. Please follow me to the palace.”

“No, I didn’t compete—I was just passing by, sir, you must be mistaken.”

The official smiled. “Miss, you jest. It was Prince Ce who threw the ball to you. Please, follow me to the palace.”

As he spoke, several palace guards with weapons stepped forward. She had just arrived in Illusory Dust and could not afford trouble.

So she had no choice but to follow the official.

The Illusory Kingdom was divided into ten domains. The king’s palace was at the center, surrounded by the residences of the princes.

The king had five sons, each renowned for beauty and extraordinary spiritual power.

The eldest and third princes were already married. The second prince preferred to live among mountains and rivers, disinterested in politics—a man of poetry and romance. The fifth was still a child, leaving the fourth prince—surely, Prince Ce.

She had heard little of Prince Ce, and knew nothing of his character. Yet, judging by the eagerness of the girls vying for the embroidered ball, he was clearly popular—and evidently adored crabapple flowers.

The official led her into a bedchamber. Jinli glanced around. As she considered what she had seen, she dismissed her earlier speculations: the eldest prince was a martial fanatic, so his palace must be filled with weaponry and training grounds. The second prince loved poetry and art—his halls would be lined with calligraphy, poetry, and paintings. The third was cheerful and easygoing, fond of immortal arts, and was still away cultivating on Immortal Mountain. The fifth prince, being so young, would have many governesses in his palace.

But only the fourth prince—his nature was harder to discern. The palace gardens held every kind of flower and plant in equal measure, betraying no particular preference. There were both archery and martial grounds, as well as books, paintings, and musical instruments. He was impossible to read; was he a man of many talents, or of none?

She sat quietly. At dusk, the official returned, this time followed by many palace maids carrying food boxes.

A large round table was set with a dazzling array of dishes, each looking more delicious than the last.

“Princess Consort, this is tonight’s supper. We did not know your preferences, so the Fourth Prince ordered a selection of everything, hoping you’ll find something you like.”

Jinli glanced over the dishes. “Is he not eating?”

Before the official could answer, the herald’s voice rang from outside.

“Prince Ce has arrived!”

Everyone in the room, except Jinli, knelt at once in greeting.

Clearly, this fourth prince was well liked among the palace staff.

Jinli remained seated, turning her head to the door.

What met her eyes was a pair of boots embroidered with swirling clouds in brocade, and as her gaze traveled upward, she noted the extraordinary length of his legs. From waistband to shoes, her eyes followed until she saw the familiar pale robe she had glimpsed earlier—its moon-white sash swung gently with each step.

His waist was slender and strong, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist.

But that face—Jinli was stunned.

Stars seemed to bloom in his peach blossom eyes, the corners tinged with a hint of mischief. Handsome features—who could it be but Geng Yuan?