When Cui'er saw Third Young Master Ji's crestfallen expression, she felt somewhat guilty. She said, "Third Young Master, Cui'er knows you're a good person. It's not that our young lady thinks poorly of you — it's that she has someone else in her heart. She's always had that one person. For all these years, she's never let him go."
Hearing this, Third Young Master Ji's expression gradually dimmed.
The feelings between a man and a woman were just that strange. If her heart were empty, Third Young Master Ji firmly believed that with enough sincerity, the day would come when stone would yield to gold.
But if she already held another in her heart, then trying to walk in would be the hardest thing in the world.
"Third Young Master, you should go." Cui'er let out a soft sigh and turned away helplessly.
Jiang Chen patted Third Young Master Ji on the shoulder. "Brother Ji, let fate take its course."
Third Young Master Ji was, after all, a man of easy spirit. He smiled and said, "Perhaps you're right, Brother Jiang. All things in this world come down to fate. Perhaps Miss Dan and I truly don't have that kind of destiny."
He shook his head gently. "A fair lady is the gentleman's desire. I, Ji San, may admire a beautiful woman, but I also know that a melon forced off the vine is never sweet."
The two left the area. Third Young Master Ji's spirits were still somewhat low at first, but after a moment he shook off the melancholy.
"Who would've thought that my first heartbreak would come so quickly — and that I'd recover just as fast." After walking out, Third Young Master Ji laughed at himself.
That group led by Miao Suo was still waiting there. When they saw Third Young Master Ji emerge, they couldn't help but mock him: "Ji San, we told you not to go. Got a face full of rejection, did you?"
Third Young Master Ji flashed a carefree smile. "No matter what, I still received better treatment than you, Fatty Miao."
…
Meanwhile, Cui'er had returned inside the bamboo grove. Beyond the bamboo, the view suddenly opened up into a pastoral scene — a cluster of buildings like a hidden paradise, serene and untouched by the world.
"Young lady, I've sent them all away." Cui'er stood at the doorway and spoke toward the room inside.
"Mm." A clear, quiet voice drifted from within.
"Young lady, if Cui'er may speak out of turn — that Third Young Master Ji just now, his character and talent are both excellent. Most importantly, his appearance and bearing are upright and proper. In my opinion..."
"Cui'er, His Majesty entrusted you with tending to my daily needs. Are you planning to switch careers to become a matchmaker?" The voice carried a hint of cold displeasure.
Cui'er hurriedly said, "Young lady, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Mm, I'm not blaming you. Just don't let it happen again." The voice let out a soft sigh.
"Yes, young lady. I won't dare do it again." Cui'er stuck out her tongue, still shaken.
"How has His Majesty been lately?"
Cui'er replied, "His Majesty recently came out of seclusion. It seems he's planning to host a Peacock Grand Assembly. Young lady, would you like to go and see it?"
The voice paused for a moment, then sighed faintly. "I think I'll pass."
"Young lady, please don't be like this. You train and cultivate every day — you should go out for a walk every now and then. I know there may be many stories in your heart, but Cui'er worries that if you keep going like this, you'll hurt yourself."
As Cui'er was speaking, a hand gently patted her shoulder. She turned around and saw who it was, and her eyes went wide: "Your Majesty?"
The visitor was none other than His Majesty the Peacock Great Emperor.
"Cui'er, you may leave. I'll have a few words with Dan'er." The Peacock Great Emperor's voice was gentle. Even toward a servant, there was no trace of condescension.
Cui'er nodded repeatedly, too nervous to form proper words, and scurried away in quick, tiny steps.
"Dan'er, may I come in?"
"Your Majesty?" The voice inside sounded faintly surprised. "Please come in."
The Peacock Great Emperor pushed the door open. Inside, a slender figure stood by the window, leaning against the frame. From a distance she appeared somewhat thin, but her figure was gracefully elegant.
"Dan'er, the Peacock Grand Assembly is coming up. Why don't we go take a look together?"
"Your Majesty, I don't wish to go." Dan'er's tone remained as light and detached as ever, as if nothing in the world could stir her interest.
"Alas." The Peacock Great Emperor sighed softly. "Dan'er, your martial foundation isn't particularly deep. Even though I've helped you rebuild your roots, you mustn't push for progress too quickly."
Dan'er shook her head stubbornly. "Your Majesty, Dan'er cannot afford to be lazy. The homeland lies in ruins, and everyone I care about has vanished without a trace. How can I sit still?"
The Peacock Great Emperor sighed again. "The destruction of the Myriad Phenomena Region is not something that can be reversed overnight. You don't take proper care of yourself like this — by the time that day comes, your body may have already given out."
Then he added, "Don't forget — you still have Nian'er."
At the sound of that name, Dan'er's delicate frame trembled ever so slightly. "Your Majesty, how is Nian'er? You promised me you would take good care of her."
"Rest assured, Nian'er is doing well. I've already had the Duomei Radiance Emperor personally tutor her. Given time, she will surely become a shining pearl of our Peacock Holy Mountain."
"Your Majesty, your kindness to me is as weighty as a mountain. In my next life, even if I must serve as an ox or a horse, I will find a way to repay you."