The fading sun cast long shadows across the garden stones as Fang Yuan made his way down the winding path that led beyond the inner walls.
The hush of evening had settled in, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the occasional soft flutter of a lantern ribbon caught in the breeze.
He had done all he could for the girl, for now.
What remained... was in the hands of soone far humbler, but no less vital.
Past the arched gate, nestled beside a grove of jade bamboo, stood a small tiled building, a modest structure surrounded by flowering herbs and drying dicinal roots strung neatly along a wooden rack.
The scent of crushed leaves and spirit bark lingered thick in the air.
Fang Yuan approached the front step and lifted a hand to knock but the door opened before his fingers touched the wood.
An old man with a snow-white beard and slightly hunched back stood in the doorway, eyes sharp beneath his bushy brows.
Despite his age, his gaze remained clear, his aura completely mundane, unadorned by qi, yet grounded by decades of experience.
"Patriarch Fang," the old doctor greeted with a respectful nod. "It’s been a while."
Fang Yuan inclined his head slightly. "Doctor Mu. I need your skills. It’s urgent."
Before the doctor could reply, a girl stepped out from behind him, young, no older than eighteen, in a simple white robe.
Her hair was tied back in a ribbon of soft green silk, her hands dusted with dried petals and ink-stains from grinding herbs. Her gaze t Fang Yuan’s, and she quickly bowed.
"Family Head Fang," she greeted politely, but her voice had a quiet flutter to it, like a lantern caught in uncertain wind.
Then, hesitantly, almost in passing—
"...Is Senior Brother Fang Tian well?"
Fang Yuan’s expression didn’t shift.
Stillness.
Then a slow, asured nod. "He’s doing fine."
The girl’s eyes lit for the briefest of monts, an involuntary flicker of joy and then dimd again just as quickly, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"Oh," she said. "That’s good."
She busied her hands imdiately, adjusting the herb pouch at her waist, brushing nonexistent dust from her sleeves, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Movents too quick. Too precise.
Fang Yuan watched silently, his gaze softening a fraction.
He had known for a long ti.
The way her eyes lingered just a mont too long whenever Fang Tian visited.
The way she offered him the freshest tea leaves from her own supply, pretending they were part of Doctor Mu’s standard store.
How she always seed to find a reason to co into the room when Fang Tian laughed.
Now, she stood there with her shoulders held carefully still, back straight, posture perfect, like she had practiced how not to care.
But her fingers fidgeted behind her back.
And her lip trembled slightly when she thought no one saw.
Fang Yuan didn’t say anything.
He could have said he’s taken. He could have said don’t wait. But what purpose would it serve? She already knew that.
So instead, he simply offered a small nod of gratitude.
"Your master’s help is needed at the pavilion," he said gently.
Doctor Mu stepped forward, already packing up his tools with quiet efficiency. "A patient?"
"Yes. A young woman. She’s stable for now, but in poor condition."
"I see. Then we’ll go at once," Doctor Mu said, stroking his beard with mild intrigue. "I must admit, I’m curious to et the woman who warranted a personal visit from the esteed family head himself."
His gaze flicked to the girl beside him. "Lian’er, co along."
She nodded quickly, gathering a satchel of clean bandages and prepared tinctures, wrapping the leather ties around her wrist with practiced ease.
But when she looked at Fang Yuan again, there was a new stillness in her eyes, one of effortful calm.
The three walked side by side through the garden paths, moonlight beginning to spill softly over the walkways.
Lian’er said nothing during the walk. Her gaze never once drifted toward Fang Yuan again, nor did she ask more about Fang Tian.
But she walked a little faster.
As if trying to get through the mont before her thoughts caught up.
Fang Yuan glanced toward the night sky, the stars above just beginning to blink into view.
The path back to the Phoenix Soul Pavilion wound gently beneath the plum trees, their white blossoms glowing faintly under the moonlight.
The three of them, Fang Yuan, Doctor Mu, and Fang Lian walked in calm silence.
The only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet and the faint chi of Lian’er’s dicine pouch swinging at her side.
Fang Yuan walked with his usual calm, hands folded behind his back, his gaze level but distant.
Lian’er kept her head slightly lowered, walking half a pace behind the doctor.
Her face was composed, the corners of her lips gently curved in that polite expression she always wore in public but her hands were wound tightly around the strap of her satchel.
A faint murmur of laughter drifted down the path ahead, light, warm, and familiar.
Lian’er’s steps faltered. Then, around the bend...
Two silhouettes turned a bend in the path and ca into view, illuminated by the lantern light.
Fang Tian and Fang i walked side by side, their hands loosely intertwined, fingers brushing now and then as they spoke in low voices.
The mood between them was light, and Fang Tian was mid-laugh as if whatever weight had burdened him had finally lifted just a little.
Lian’er’s steps faltered only slightly.
Just a breath.
Fang i noticed them first.
Her eyes flicked up, gaze sharpening ever so subtly when she saw who approached.
Her fingers remained laced with Fang Tian’s, but her posture straightened, and the hand that held his tightened just a little more.
Fang Tian looked up a mont later.
His face broke into an easy grin.
"Lian’er!"
He stepped forward slightly, releasing i’s hand out of instinct and raising his own in a friendly wave.
"It’s been years! Look at you—you’ve grown a head taller!" he laughed warmly. "Still helping old Mu keep us cultivators alive, huh?"
Lian’er returned the smile effortlessly, bowing with a calm that belied the little shake in her breath. "Senior Brother Tian. You look well."
Fang Tian didn’t notice the pause.
"Of course I do! Life’s good. And hey—Fang i, you rember Lian’er, right?"
Fang i stepped beside him again, her smile smooth, almost serene. "Of course. We t once, years ago. The other adopted girl... though I don’t think we ever got to speak properly."
Lian’er nodded. "That’s right. It’s nice to see you again, Sister Fang i."
"Likewise," i said, though her gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Fang Tian clapped his hands together. "Ah, I rember how Uncle Chen used to say you two were like plum blossoms grown apart—both picked by the sa hand."
"Picked, yes," Fang i said quietly, her fingers subtly reclaiming Fang Tian’s hand again. "But not ant for the sa vase."
He blinked, confused for a mont as he blinked,"Huh?"
He scratched his head. "Poetic as ever, i’er."
Lian’er’s eyes flickered to their hands then back to his face. Her expression didn’t change.
That sa calm, well-mannered smile remained in place.
But her fingers gripped the satchel tighter.
Fang Yuan stood off to the side, silent. Watching.
He didn’t say a word. Not when Tian greeted her with casual warmth.
Not when Lian’er smiled with heartbreak in her eyes. Not when i said nothing but made her aning clear.
Doctor Mu finally stepped in, clearing his throat as he tapped his cane lightly against the ground.
"Ahem. As much as I enjoy blooming sentint and old reunions, we’ve a patient waiting, Patriarch Fang."
Fang Yuan nodded, his voice level. "Of course. This way."
Doctor Mu bowed politely to Fang Tian and Fang i, then resud walking, his cane tapping rhythmically against the stones.
Lian’er gave a parting bow. "Senior Brother. Sister Fang i."
And then she followed.
Her steps were steady. asured. Quiet.
She didn’t look back.
Fang Yuan lingered a mont longer. Just enough to see Fang Tian turn to i with a puzzled look as if trying to figure out what he’d missed.
i only leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder with deliberate tenderness.
Fang Yuan’s eyes flicked away.
Then he turned to walk after the others.
Love, it seed, demanded no fewer sacrifices than war.
User Comments
0 comments from readers