Chapter 3

The small boat drifted smoothly downstream.

The journey was somewhat dull, but fortunately, Mu Guanghan had brought many books with him.

The lush summer scenery on both banks was beautiful. Although it was a chaotic era, the vegetation remained vibrant, and along the way, some towns and prefectures free from warfare still thrived. Mu Guanghan would stroll and pause occasionally, sometimes even taking an interest in sitting at riverside teahouses, lingering at notable scenic spots.

Passing through Suizhou, Mu Guanghan climbed Sanskrit Mountain.

He had been cheerful while climbing, but unexpectedly, halfway up, upon seeing the maple trees on the mountainside veiled by a sea of clouds, he was momentarily dazed.

The Valley of Confusion was also filled with many maple trees and mist.

And Wei Liuyi had accompanied him climbing those mountains several times.

...

Of course, Mu Guanghan did not want to recall these memories.

Yet some memories, if one tries too hard to forget, might just vanish easily... alas.

Though Wei Liuyi was the hereditary Marquis of Wuheng, he was surprisingly attentive. He scouted ahead for Mu Guanghan, cut away thorny plants, and whenever he reached out to pull him, his palms were always warm.

Few people were unafraid of Wei Liuyi’s demeanor and willing to hold his hand, but Wei Liuyi did.

He did not disdain eating sour apricots from the medical hut with him, nor mind his lengthy talk about medicinal herbs. He never called him ugly or looked at him with cold disdain. Instead, he always smiled gently and patiently.

Mu Guanghan was quite experienced with heartbreak in this lifetime.

He understood better than anyone that “once you let go, do not linger” — yet knowing this, sometimes he still couldn’t help but secretly wonder if, with Wei Liuyi, he had once touched a small corner of true happiness.

Perhaps the vows whispered near death were not entirely false.

Perhaps Wei Liuyi had, in his final moments, harbored a genuine affection for him.

For so many years, he had tried countless times, hoping someone would accept his wholehearted passion. Could it be that a faint glimmer of hope had appeared, only for him to let go at the crucial moment?

“...”

Mu Guanghan shook his head.

No, he had to hurry to Luozhou and meet his warm new love.

A mere portrait was not enough; he had to soon travel and drink merrily with the real beauty, to drown away all sorrows in drunken bliss!

The small boat continued forward.

Still recovering from heartbreak, Mu Guanghan wished to sleep deeply like usual, but often woke suddenly halfway through the night, his heart empty.

At such times, he would crawl out of the cabin and onto the deck to gaze at the moon.

That night was the first day of the lunar month, no moon visible, only a sky full of stars embedded in a black jade-like canopy.

Barefoot, Mu Guanghan stood on the wooden deck, head tilted back, arms outstretched.

The vast starry sky made one feel insignificant beneath the heavens. The night breeze was cool, tousling his hair. In this chaotic world, moments of such tranquility were rare.

Under such a sky, the countless tiny lives should have let go of obsession, freed from attachments.

He did not want to cling to anything.

Who in their right mind would want to be mocked daily by the cunning fox, saying, “Our lord is good at everything except being a hopeless romantic”?

Yet, just like some are born craving fame, some are born indifferent to the world, and some pursue freedom all their lives—he was simply someone who wanted to find a person to share sweet, loving days with.

He knew the idea was foolish and was aware life was vast; one could live brilliantly alone.

Many times he had vowed to reform, but it was hard to go against his nature.

Even now, he secretly thought how wonderful it would be to have someone close beside him, sharing this beautiful night sky.

In recent years, he often dreamt a dream.

Under a similar starry sky, a gentle breeze whispered, and river reeds swayed like fluffy tails. He lay with his head on his beloved’s lap, intoxicated.

The beloved carried the scent of orchids, fingers adorned with a cool ring gently pinching the nape of his neck like a kitten. He felt soft and limp, filled with contented comfort, heart heavy with sweet reassurance.

Dreams were always sweet and ephemeral.

If only someone would indulge him like that—given his hopeless romantic nature, he would “give them his life.”

Alas, he was ugly, and many despised him, unwilling even to touch him.

“Master, beware of the chill at night.”

Lost in thought, a deep male voice suddenly came from behind, accompanied by a faint scent of osmanthus.

A handsome, capable figure appeared and draped a cloak over him.

Under the sea of stars, Mu Guanghan was not wearing his usual half-mask and felt slightly flustered. He instinctively shrank back, but the darkness and lack of moonlight concealed his features from the person behind.

The man in black with the scent of osmanthus was the guard assigned by Xun Qingwei.

Mu Guanghan was already taller and more upright than most men, but this guard was even taller, broad-shouldered and slender-waisted, taciturn, surrounded by a sweet fragrance.

Just before leaving Yuehua City, Xun Qingwei had introduced him: "This man is skilled in swordsmanship and will protect you up close. Should danger arise, you won't be helpless. You’ll suffer fewer deaths and hardships."

Mu Guanghan was used to being alone and initially wanted to decline.

But having died so embarrassingly last time, he found no excuse to refuse against the pressing looks of Xun Qingwei and the steward.

So he had to take the guard along. Fortunately, this man spoke little and caused little trouble. More than a guard, he was more like a shadow, so unobtrusive that one often forgot he was there...

While thinking this, the black-clad man suddenly bent down and grasped his ankle with slender fingers.

Mu Guanghan was startled.

His bare foot was suddenly held, causing his toes to curl in nervousness. The fragrant osmanthus scent made him momentarily distracted, and he stammered completely:

“N-no need. Qingwei asked you to escort me, not to put on my shoes.”

The man lowered his gaze.

In terms of appearance alone, this man’s refined handsomeness rivaled even Mu Guanghan’s former lover Wei Liuyi and his new flame Luo Nanzhi.

But unfortunately...

Mu Guanghan, prone to falling in love at first sight, looked at the handsome guard with a heart as still as a deep well—utterly unmoved.

The guard’s name was Chu Danxi.

At the Yuehua City dock, when bidding farewell, Xun Qingwei had pulled him aside:

“I’ll be frank with our lord: this Chu Danxi was once our lord’s first love.”

Mu Guanghan: “???”

“Probably first love. Back then, you treated him like a precious gem, but he didn’t cherish you. Later, to force yourself to forget him, you drank a forgetfulness potion called ‘Fuguang.’”

Mu Guanghan: “...Ah?”

“Since then, you forgot him. But it was all his fault. Our lord need not dwell on it—just treat him as an ordinary attendant.”

“Rest assured, our lord, he is loyal beyond doubt.”

Mu Guanghan: “Ah, well...”

The story was maddening and gave him a headache.

Chu Danxi finished putting on his shoes and wrapped his cloak back in place.

Mu Guanghan thought it was done, but the man then took his hand from behind, almost embracing him, silently undoing the bandages wrapped around it.

“N-no need,” Mu Guanghan struggled, feeling blood rush to his face. “This really isn’t necessary.”

His health had been poor these past years.

Heartbreak, battles, bloodletting, marrow extraction—all had exhausted him. Not only were the poison marks on his face worsening, but his wrists and ankles often ulcerated, making them unsightly.

“Master didn’t change the dressing yesterday,” Chu Danxi said softly. “Chu Yuan changed it for him.”

Mu Guanghan: “Really, I can do it myself.”

Chu Danxi ignored him, gently removing the dirty bandages to reveal the ugly, bloody flesh beneath.

...It was so ugly that even he despised it.

He glanced secretly and frowned deeply.

He glanced again at Chu Danxi, who was just staring blankly.

The starlight fell into his eyes. His slender, handsome eyes flickered a fleeting tenderness, then lowered in silence, quietly changing the dressing.

He didn’t hurt him at all; his movements were skillful.

Mu Guanghan: “Could it be... this isn’t your first time changing my dressing?”

Chu Danxi hesitated, silent.

Mu Guanghan: “Nor the first time putting on my shoes?”

Chu Danxi’s fingers paused again, pale lips curling into a bitter, self-mocking smile.

Mu Guanghan’s head spun.

He only remembered that since boarding the ship half a month ago, Chu Danxi had taken good care of him. But the details—how many times he changed his dressings, how many times he wrapped his clothes—he couldn’t recall a single one.

It was clear the forgetfulness potion ‘Fuguang’ truly severed emotional ties with powerful effect. Not only had it erased all memories of the past with this man, but even the recent half-month’s shared moments were mostly forgotten.

Mu Guanghan knew himself well.

If it were any other time, having someone gently tend his wounds and not disdain his broken state, given his romantic nature, he would have long since fallen for him.

Who cared about Wei Liuyi or Luo Nanzhi?

Why not just run off with this guard? Handsome and kind to him.

Yet facing Chu Danxi now, he was inexplicably numb and empty inside.

...

Returning to the cabin, Mu Guanghan lit a stick of moonlight incense.

In the haze, Xun Qingwei appeared gracefully, bowing:

“Master, all is well in Yuehua City. How goes your journey?”

Mu Guanghan nodded, they exchanged many questions, and he also inquired about Chu Danxi’s past.

Unfortunately, just after asking, he forgot most of it again.

The effect of ‘Fuguang’ was evident. What little remained was not a dramatic tale but a rather innocent one.

Xun Qingwei said, “Indeed, compared to the cruel, treacherous, murderous men our lord has met later, Chu Danxi is of pure character.”

“But who could blame our lord for drinking the once-in-a-lifetime forgetfulness potion ‘Fuguang’ too early.”

Mu Guanghan thought this made sense.

He had indeed taken it too early.

Had he known, he would have waited, then forgotten all the messy people later on, sparing himself the painful memories passing by each ex’s territory.

If only he could forget all the past and go meet Luo Nanzhi carefree—it would have made his devotion easier.

...

Soon, the boat passed Moqian, only five days from Anmu City, Luo Nanzhi’s domain.

Though Mu Guanghan had already sent several large ships laden with gifts to Luo Nanzhi, he himself was not idle, loading the small boat with local specialties.

That day, the boat stopped at Qianjun City in Yizhou. Mu Guanghan went shopping in the bustling market again.

Buying this and that, he wanted to show his new love all the novelties. Only when the bags were overflowing did he notice his guard’s dark, clearly restrained expression.

Mu Guanghan had completely forgotten Chu Danxi had changed his dressings and put on his shoes that day.

But he could tell the man was sulking.

He reflected briefly: yes, it was his own fault for burdening the man with so many packages, making the nine-foot tall man’s fingers covered with colorful little candies.

Chu Danxi was a guard, not a servant, so naturally displeased.

And this was not the first time he had been willful. The last time at the teahouse, because the storyteller praised “The Legend of the Twin Heroes of Luochuan” so well, Mu Guanghan insisted on paying to bring the storyteller aboard to continue the tale, and Chu Danxi had endured it all.

A good lord of Yuehua City must know how to coax his subordinates.

Mu Guanghan decisively took Chu Danxi to the Treasure Seeking Pavilion and picked up a fine sword on sale.

Chu Danxi hesitated to speak.

Mu Guanghan said, “Speak.”

Chu Danxi lowered his gaze: “That sword of Luo Nanzhi’s, ‘Shuli’... is famous throughout the land. I doubt she would trade it lightly.”

Mu Guanghan: “I know. This sword is for you.”

Chu Danxi was momentarily stunned.

“You’ve worked hard all this way; you deserve a trusty weapon.”

At that moment, an indescribable light flashed in Chu Danxi’s eyes, like fireworks in the night—bright for a moment, then extinguished.

Though not expensive, the sword was no rare treasure.

Mu Guanghan simply thought that since the man protected him and worked long hours, it was only right for his employer to buy him something.

...

The boat finally passed Wuheng.

Wei Liuyi’s territory was shrouded in endless plum rain, damp enough to soak to the bone, with ripples steaming over the water.

It dampened the spirits.

Fortunately, it was only a day and a half to Luozhou. Mu Guanghan had already planned to find an inn, bathe, and change before visiting the Marquis’s mansion.

Amidst the mist and rain, a large shadow appeared on the river.

Several large boats patrolled and stopped them.

In these chaotic times, government inspections of boats were normal. Mu Guanghan was not worried; Yuehua City had a hereditary travel pass valid throughout Daxia, plus a family head token granted by the King of Nanyue.

Wuheng belonged to Nanyue territory, so the family head token was even more effective than the travel pass.

Chu Danxi stopped the boat. Mu Guanghan already held the token and several bags of silver; with both, the inspecting soldiers should not cause trouble.

However...

As he stepped onto the deck, Mu Guanghan’s smile froze.

Wei Liuyi, whom he had not seen for over a month and a half, had grown noticeably thinner. He stood at the prow of a large boat, staring fixedly at him, his dark eyes filled with a heavy, dark gloom.

Mu Guanghan’s scalp tingled.

He could only hope that, separated by several meters and thick fog, Wei Liuyi’s gaze was not directed at him—the man who had just fled death over a month ago.

But how could that be?

“Lord... Yuehua City...”

Wei Liuyi bit his teeth, snarling those four words viciously.