After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 69

By the time Ran Fanyin and her party returned to the Huaxu Realm cave, the sky was completely dark.

Bo Xue had swept a clean area on the open ground outside the cave and set up a large table. Cang Min, Cen Ran, and Helan Mianmian were already seated. However, Cen Ran and Helan Mianmian were not sitting together as usual; there was a distance of one person between them.

Helan Mianmian still wore a glum expression, but when she saw Lin Yuxue walking in front, she instantly beamed. “Sister Lin Yuxue, where did you go? Why did it take so long?”

After greeting everyone, Ning Songwu walked directly past the dinner table to help Bo Xue serve the dishes. Ran Fanyin found a seat and sat down.

Lin Yuxue smiled at Helan Mianmian and naturally took the seat next to her. “We were discussing some important matters. You definitely wouldn’t be interested.”

“If you say I wouldn’t be interested, then I must not be interested,” Helan Mianmian said with a compliant smile, her dimples deep and adorable.

Lin Yuxue raised her hand and patted Helan Mianmian’s head. “You little imp. Why are you smiling at me like that for no reason? Is there something you want to play?”

“No… I just feel that Sister is very kind, and I wanted to say a few more words to you.” Helan Mianmian shrugged her nose, her round eyes with long lashes blinking.

Cen Ran suddenly stood up in silence and walked toward the inside of the Huaxu Realm cave.

Hearing the movement, Helan Mianmian turned her head, quietly watching Cen Ran’s retreating back.

Ning Songwu was coming out with a plate of food. Seeing Cen Ran, she stopped her in confusion. “Senior Sister, aren’t you eating?”

“…I don’t have much of an appetite. I wanted to let you know, the Huaxu Realm can’t accommodate so many people, so I’m going to a guest room in Kunlun. I’ll find you when I have time tomorrow.” Cen Ran forced a smile, then turned and left with downcast eyes.

Ning Songwu grabbed Cen Ran’s hand. “Senior Sister, at least have some dinner. Besides, are you going alone? Aren’t you waiting for Helan Mianmian?”

“She doesn’t need me to wait.” Cen Ran frowned and closed her eyes. “I’ve been busy with your affairs these past few days, running back and forth between Beifa and Kunlun. I haven’t had a good rest, and I’m a little tired.”

“I’m truly sorry, Senior Sister. Then please go back to the guest room and rest,” Ning Songwu didn’t know what conflict had occurred between Helan Mianmian and Cen Ran, so she simply told Cen Ran to rest. After watching Cen Ran leave, Ning Songwu placed the last dish on the table.

Ran Fanyin glanced at Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu understood Ran Fanyin’s hint, lowered her head with a smile, and sat down next to Ran Fanyin.

Ran Fanyin picked up her chopsticks, scanned the table, and asked faintly, “Where is Cen Ran?”

“Senior Sister said she was tired and went back to the guest room to rest first,” Ning Songwu glanced at Helan Mianmian.

“…” Helan Mianmian lowered her head and ate in silence.

Cang Min counted on her fingers and said, “There haven’t been many people in my Huaxu Realm for a century, and now there are suddenly so many. Luckily, there’s one spare guest room that can fit two people, but there’s only one bed. Young Valley Master, would you be willing to squeeze in with this young girl, Helan Mianmian…”

“Do you think I’m very delicate, Senior?” Lin Yuxue smiled gently. “Jianghu folk don’t bother with minor details. We’re both women, and Helan Mianmian and I are acquainted. Why not?”

“Mmm…” Helan Mianmian, her mouth full of rice, vaguely agreed.

Ning Songwu put some vegetables in Ran Fanyin’s bowl and pursed her lips. She seemed to know why Senior Sister Cen Ran was upset.

After dinner, Ning Songwu said to Ran Fanyin, “I’ll go see Senior Sister. The medicine is already hot on the stove. Master, please drink it first. Remember not to fall asleep, and wait for me to return.”

Ran Fanyin nodded in agreement, standing in place and watching Ning Songwu leave.

Lin Yuxue, Ran Fanyin, and Ning Songwu traveled by carriage for three days before passing through the gate and entering the Central Plains.

Luanhua Valley is located in the southern part of the Central Plains, and they still had some distance to travel to reach it. The provisions in the carriage were nearly exhausted, so they decided to rest and resupply in a city named Zhongyang. Since they planned to sightsee along the way anyway, and the city looked very lively and prosperous, staying for a day or two seemed perfectly fine.

It was Ning Songwu’s first time seeing so many sights and people. Her attention was completely captured by the vibrant world outside. The moment the carriage stopped at the inn, her face showed an eagerness to immediately go out and look around.

Ran Fanyin’s eyes curved slightly, containing a smile, but she merely lowered her head and drank her tea in silence.

Lin Yuxue spoke with the innkeeper at the counter: “…Please prepare some good food and dishes, and choose a few clean, superior rooms for us.”

“Alright, miss. May I ask how many rooms you require?” The innkeeper clacked the abacus loudly.

Lin Yuxue looked at Ran Fanyin, who was drinking tea, and Ning Songwu, who was looking around, thought for a moment, and said, “Three.”

“Very well, very well. Please have a seat, miss.”

“No hurry. Let me ask you, are there any interesting activities in Zhongyang City recently, like a lantern festival, perhaps? …We’re passing through and would like to find some entertainment.”

The innkeeper chuckled guilelessly. “A lantern festival, or anything like that, is not happening anytime soon. But tonight, I did hear people talking about the Fuyu Tower… Oh, never mind, never mind. What use would a few young ladies have for knowing about that?”

“Tell me about it?” Lin Yuxue leaned against the counter, interested, adopting a stance that suggested a long conversation.

“The Fuyu Tower? Haven’t you heard of it, miss? Our Zhongyang City is considered a key fortress connecting the Central Plains and the Northern Territories. There are so many merchants and shops in this city, but the Fuyu Tower is the most famous of all the wine houses and restaurants. But that’s a place men love to go, to drink flower wine, and so on… Do you understand, miss? Hehe. All of you ladies are exceptionally beautiful. It’s best not to go to those places where Jianghu folk mix.”

“I heard you mention just now, what’s happening at the Fuyu Tower tonight?”

“Something interesting… attracting everyone to that place. What is this person trying to find out…” Lin Yuxue smiled, tipping the innkeeper with some silver.

Wu Ji returned from scouting outside, his expression troubled. He exchanged a look with Lin Yuxue, walked over, and lowered his voice. “Young Valley Master, we just ran into someone from Fentian Gate… I’ve fought him before, so I recognized him. We exchanged a few blows near the city gate just now, but he escaped. We lost him in the southeast of the city.”

“The southeast of the city? …What places are in the southeast of the city?”

“Many places. Zhongyang City is already prosperous. That corner is where merchants gather, and the crowd is chaotic…”

“Is there a place called Fuyu Tower?”

Wu Ji nodded. “How did Young Valley Master know? Yes, the Fuyu Tower, the biggest brothel in Zhongyang, is also there.”

Lin Yuxue pondered for a moment. Meeting someone from Fentian Gate here seemed quite a coincidence. It looked like Fentian Gate was either passing through or had some connection to the Fuyu Tower.

After a brief thought, Lin Yuxue dismissed Wu Ji and returned to the table. The food had all been served.

She mused for a moment and said, “There’s still most of the day left. I know you two don’t know where to go for fun. I just heard the innkeeper recommend a good place. How about we go there tonight and check it out?”

Ning Songwu laughed. “What place? What kind of fun can we have?”

“A great place, with plenty of fun,” Lin Yuxue smiled, pursing her lips. “But the Jianghu is dangerous, and crowds easily lead to trouble. It would be best if we… changed our attire.”

“We’ll follow your lead,” Ning Songwu nodded.

“Good. After dinner, I’ll have someone send clothes upstairs. You change and then come down to join me.”

“Is Master going too?”

Ran Fanyin looked up, gazing blankly at Ning Songwu.

“She absolutely must go. She’s never been to a good place like that in her life. She must go this time. Besides, what if something happens? …With her, the Honored Lord, present, it will be easier for us to handle things, won’t it?” Lin Yuxue raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“…Mm,” Ran Fanyin responded faintly.

Lin Yuxue booking three rooms was expected.

Ning Songwu returned to her room and saw the clothes laid out on the bed, commenting inwardly on the efficiency of Lin Yuxue’s subordinates. She was a little excited. She stepped forward, picked up the light blue gown, shook it out, and quickly examined it.

It was men’s clothing.

Ning Songwu realized what Lin Yuxue’s earlier words implied—they were secretly meant to change into men’s attire. She had never tried this kind of clothing before and was utterly delighted. She changed into it in a few quick motions. She then took down her hair, tied it into a man’s topknot, and examined herself closely in the mirror.

This look was a bit too much like a pretty boy… especially the vermilion mole on her forehead and the slightly upturned corners of her eyes, which made her features even more delicate. Where did she look like a man? …Are men this beautiful?

Ning Songwu adjusted her robe. Looking at herself from front to back, it wasn’t too bad. At a quick glance, one might mistake her for a handsome young man with delicate features. A thought crossed her mind: I wonder what Master looks like in men’s clothing…

Ning Songwu covered her mouth and smiled. She couldn’t wait and hurried out the door. Wu Gong was guarding the door. Seeing Ning Songwu come out, he gestured. “Miss, please head downstairs. The carriage is already prepared at the entrance. The Young Valley Master and the Honored Lord are already waiting there.”

Ning Songwu went downstairs and indeed saw a magnificent carriage waiting at the entrance. She got into the carriage. Tossing the curtain aside, she saw a man in blue and a man in white sitting across from each other, talking.

It went without saying that they were Lin Yuxue and Ran Fanyin, dressed as men.

Lin Yuxue, in men’s clothing, looked incredibly gentle and refined. He held a plain folding fan, tapping it lightly against his palm rhythmically. Ran Fanyin heard the movement and turned to look at her.

This person… is truly peerless and utterly beautiful. For a moment, Ning Songwu thought that if Ran Fanyin had been born a man, she would have definitely fallen in love with her.

Her black hair was loosely tied at the back of her head with a white jade ribbon, the ends of her long hair gently falling onto the white fabric draped over her shoulders. The simple, elegant white men’s attire made her appear even more composed and grand, exquisite and captivating. The excellent etiquette she had cultivated over the years made her every movement overflow with scholarly grace. The coldness and aloofness in her clear eyes made people want to approach and understand her even more.

Ran Fanyin awkwardly lowered her head and fiddled with her sash. Seeing Ning Songwu still standing there in a daze, she extended her hand. “Aren’t you going to come in and sit down?”

Ning Songwu snapped out of her daze, grabbed the hand Ran Fanyin offered, and with a push, entered the carriage, sitting down next to Ran Fanyin.

“Ning Songwu looks really handsome in men’s clothing. If I didn’t know you were a woman, I would certainly be infatuated with you,” Lin Yuxue teased.

“Young Valley Master is joking,” Ning Songwu said, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment.

Ran Fanyin turned her head to look at Ning Songwu and calmly said, “She is much more handsome than those men in Zisheng.”

“Actually, it’s not ‘handsome.’ Look at your Master. Although her men’s clothing is beautiful, it’s too plain. You, on the other hand, are enchanting in women’s clothing and even more beautiful in men’s clothing. Don’t all the young girls like your dangerously beautiful looks now? Just wait. When there are more people, plenty of girls will be clinging to you,” Lin Yuxue laughed.

Lin Yuxue walked over, following Ran Fanyin’s gaze, and chuckled. “You truly are concerned about your little disciple, constantly watching her here. Are you worried she’ll fall down on the path at night?”

“No…” Ran Fanyin curved her lips and looked at Lin Yuxue. “Doesn’t the Young Valley Master like the tea I brew? Come here, let’s brew some tea together to ward off the cold.”

“We’ve known each other for quite some time. I’ve always considered you a friend. Why must you constantly be so formal with me?” Lin Yuxue followed Ran Fanyin to the stove under the tree.

“It’s just habit. What would Young Valley Master consider ‘not being formal’?” Ran Fanyin sat cross-legged, took the medicine pot off the stove, her gaze fixed on the medicine inside.

Lin Yuxue was silent for a moment. Her hand touched the white jade mask hanging on her waist. Her voice was very soft. “You can just call me by my name…”

“Lin Yuxue,” Ran Fanyin continued faintly, seemingly without care, without even looking at Lin Yuxue.

When Ning Songwu found Cen Ran, Cen Ran was sitting high up on the roof, staring blankly.

“Senior Sister, weren’t you tired? Why are you sitting here?” Ning Songwu teased, sitting down beside Cen Ran.

“…You know the answer.” Cen Ran heard Ning Songwu’s tone and roughly understood what she knew.

Ning Songwu brushed the snow off the hem of her clothes. “Senior Sister, aren’t you cold? You’re sleeping alone tonight, with no one to warm your bed. It wouldn’t be good if you caught a chill sitting here.”

Cen Ran was startled. “Is Helan Mianmian… not sleeping in a guest room…”

“The Huaxu Realm just happened to have a vacant room. Tonight, Helan Mianmian will be squeezing into one bed with the Young Valley Master,” Ning Songwu narrowed her eyes, carefully observing Cen Ran’s expression.

“One bed… ha…” Cen Ran’s voice suddenly became heavy.

“Senior Sister,” Ning Songwu placed her hand on Cen Ran’s shoulder.

“…It’s late. If it gets any later, it will be hard for you to go back. You should return to the Huaxu Realm first.” Cen Ran rubbed her eyes, looking very weary.

“Senior Sister, don’t be angry. Helan Mianmian is just young…”

“She’s only one year younger than you,” Cen Ran interrupted Ning Songwu. “Our situation is already complicated, and the future is very uncertain. I know that when she reaches a certain age, she should return to the imperial palace to accept the Emperor’s arranged marriage. …Many things aren’t that simple. It’s not about doing whatever you want.”

“Does Senior Sister mean…”

“…If this path is already difficult to walk, and the two people can’t even stand united, what’s the point of continuing?” Cen Ran gave a bitter laugh.

“Senior Sister, you shouldn’t say that so easily. Helan Mianmian is not what you think. You always see her enjoying flirting with people everywhere, but that’s not her true intention. Many times, she just wants to see you jealous. She likes to see that you care about her.”

“Ning Songwu, I need to hear those things from her herself. But given her unique status as a royal, she will never say them,” Cen Ran sighed deeply. “…She likes to play around, and I’ve let her do whatever she wanted. But endless indulgence only brings about her increasing carelessness and recklessness. How can I… Forget it. I’ll return to Beifa tomorrow morning. There are still many sect affairs waiting for me to handle.”

“Senior Sister, Helan Mianmian is a very good person. Don’t give up on her,” Ning Songwu patted Cen Ran’s shoulder. She understood that Cen Ran cared too much about Helan Mianmian, which was why she was generating so many feelings of insecurity and fear of loss. When she calmed down, she would realize she still couldn’t leave her.