Chapter 012: A Subtle Change

“Thank you, miss. It seems I’m fortunate to have your help!”
Seeing the cold and serious man’s face light up with joy, Lianzi smiled gently. “You flatter me. As long as you don’t mind my slowing you down, that’s all that matters. You seem quite anxious—no doubt you have something important to attend to.”
“To be honest, I’m here to find a cure for my younger sister. If I can’t make it up the mountain, she may not last until tomorrow.”
Lianzi’s heart softened with sympathy. “You will surely succeed, and your sister will be safe and sound.”
Ji Lin, unable to bear listening any longer, tugged at Lianzi’s ear. “I told you to pass the trial, but here you are making friends?”
“Ouch, ouch… My mistake!” Lianzi rubbed her ear, silently complaining about Ji Lin’s heavy hand.
“What’s wrong, miss?” the man asked with concern. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Lianzi smiled awkwardly. “It’s nothing. Let’s hurry on to the third trial!”
Ji Lin strode ahead, showing Lianzi the way, and whispered, “He’s a mortal. You mustn’t help him again! The third trial is quite difficult—even alone you’ll struggle. Don’t make me worry more!”
The scenery of the Snow Bamboo Grounds remained as it always had: lush greenery mingled with drifting snow. Located at the northwest corner of the Heavenly Mountain peaks, with the Bridge of Broken Souls flanked by the Western Spring Palace on the left and the Northern Winter Palace on the right, the grounds captured both summer and winter’s beauty, famed above all for its snowy bamboo.
Within the White Pine Pavilion, Celestial Lord Qian Gui sat at the place of honor. Lan Shui served fragrant tea to each guest in turn.
Celestial Lord Qian Gui’s gaze never left Xue Ze. Celestial Master Qing Lian, dissatisfied, murmured, “Celestial Lord, are you tired of looking at the Snow Bamboo? Since Xue Ze returned, you can’t take your eyes off her—it’s rather vexing to me.”
Qian Gui laughed heartily. “Of all in Heavenly Mountain, you speak most frankly with me! It’s been so long since we last met—why not show this old man a little courtesy? I’ve gazed upon the Snow Bamboo Grounds thousands of times and never found them dull. Why would I be weary? It’s just that seeing Xue Ze again is like witnessing a celestial being descend to earth; I must look closely to see if my disciple has truly returned…”
“Master, you always enjoy teasing me,” Xue Ze replied with a gentle smile.
Watching the harmonious scene among the disciples and master in Snow Bamboo Grounds, Qing Lian’s discontent was hard to dispel; though she constantly worried about Xue Ze, she could not bear to break this tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.
“We disciples have never left, and we keep in touch by letter. Why would I tease you? It’s just that your sudden appearance truly astonished this old man…”
Celestial Lord Qian Gui laughed for a long while, glanced at the stern-faced Qing Lian, and finally spoke to Xue Ze, “Among us four disciples in the Snow Bamboo Grounds, your Listening Wind Pavilion remains unchanged, though it needs a bit of tidying. I expect your senior brothers are willing, but they never have a daughter’s meticulous touch. Xue Ze, you’d best go see to it yourself.”
Xue Ze nodded, rose, and took her leave from the Lord and Master, with Lan Shui accompanying her to her chambers.

Once they had departed, Qing Lian turned to Celestial Lord Qian Gui. “If you care for Xue Ze, then heed my advice! I am her mother and truly wish the best for her. Times are difficult now—how can you summon her back at your whim?”
“She is my disciple. Why shouldn’t I look after her?”
“And she is my daughter!”
Qian Gui looked at Qing Lian gently. “Qing Lian, I understand your feelings, but have you forgotten the rules here? Xue Ze can only be my disciple; she must not be your daughter.”
Qing Lian fell silent, knowing that here in the sacred snowy domain, the past must not be mentioned, nor could she lay blame at Xue Ze’s feet.
“I know what happened long ago, but precisely because of that, I do not wish to let Xue Ze return. If she repeats her mistakes, how could I bear it?” Qing Lian said, worried.
“I understand! But you are a person of Heavenly Mountain—have you forgotten your roots after so long away? Even Xue Ze knows to uphold Heavenly Mountain’s honor, yet you distance yourself—how can you carry the mantle of Master?”
Faced with Celestial Lord Qian Gui’s reproach, Qing Lian could not answer. Her dissatisfaction and worry gradually gave way to shame.
“You love your daughter dearly, but you must follow the proper order. All things have their rules, and people their fates. Xue Ze has just come of age; trials and hardships await her—how could she escape them? Besides, can you not see her exceptional bearing? So outstanding—if she does not return to Heavenly Mountain, would it not be a waste to let her remain among mortals?”
“Kunlun is hardly the mundane world. The northern peaks too have places for cultivation, though hidden from ordinary eyes. Why must Xue Ze belong to Heavenly Mountain?”
Qian Gui sighed. “Qing Lian, you are so stubborn and rebellious. I wonder why the Celestial Saint chose you as Celestial Maiden! Disciples and masters here possess hearts as calm as still water, pure and unclouded, but you are unique in your insight and conduct. Years have passed, yet you remain unchanged. I can indulge you, but what if the other Lords see this?”
“I acknowledge my fault! Though I’ve spent years outside, my affection for this place remains unchanged, and I’ve never forgotten its rules. If not for Xue Ze, I wouldn’t be so bold. If not for you, I wouldn’t dare speak so freely.”
Qian Gui sighed again and sipped his tea. “The ways of the world are ever-changing; cause and effect, karma and fate, are not for us to control. Qing Lian, let it go.”
Qing Lian was once a disciple of Snow Bamboo Grounds, and a direct disciple of Celestial Lord Qian Gui; only after becoming Celestial Maiden did Lan Shui and Ji Lin enter as disciples.
Letting go of her attachments, Qing Lian sincerely apologized to the Lord. “I was at fault in the past, and only thanks to your intervention was I saved. My respect for you surpasses all others; even among mortals, I never relaxed my discipline. Now I have offended again—please forgive me.”
“It’s alright! It’s best to speak your mind. This is not another place, and there are no outsiders—you need not be so formal. I care for you and Xue Ze as always; both are my cherished disciples, regardless of time. But you must put aside your worries. Even if Xue Ze faces calamity, she must overcome it herself.”
“Yes,” Qing Lian replied, after much thought, deciding not to be stubborn any longer.
After all, this was Heavenly Mountain; she could not dote on Xue Ze excessively, nor impose her own will. “Xue Ze has her parents’ consent and her master’s affection—she will surely stay here for a while. I don’t know how long I’ll remain; I must ask you to look after her in my stead.”

“Don’t speak of farewell so soon! Xue Ze has just returned and must attend to important matters. Can you really leave with peace of mind? Moreover, you oversee the snow lotus affairs—when Heavenly Mountain needs you, can you, as Master, simply depart?”
“Though I am Master, I wish to help, yet my strength is limited—what can I do?”
“My two disciples have just returned, bringing unresolved news. Wait a few days; there will surely be opportunities to assist. I hear the matter concerns Heavenly Mountain’s snow lotus—if you leave, you’ll have to communicate by letter, which is troublesome.”
Within the Listening Wind Pavilion, Xue Ze surveyed the room, a gentle smile spreading across her lips. Seeing the furnishings and decorations, she knew her senior brothers and master had tended to them with care; the style was precisely the elegant simplicity she favored.
Lan Shui stood behind Xue Ze, quietly gazing at the maiden before him, his heart stirred with emotion…
He had once thought of her day and night; now, his wish was fulfilled, and his heart finally settled into peaceful calm. This moment seemed like a beautiful dream, as if he were floating on clouds.
The person before him nearly matched his height, no longer the little girl who used to chase after him and beg him to make honey hawthorn cakes.
She no longer bounced around, interrupting his work, his tea, his sleep, always grinning and never remorseful. She no longer clung to his every step, no longer made him carry her or hold her in his arms. She would not say silly things to make him laugh, nor cause trouble for him to resolve…
But she was still Xue Ze—the one he cherished and cared for most. Time may change, but some feelings never do.
Just as the grown Xue Ze stood before him, she was still the adorable little girl he remembered…
Beneath trees in full bloom, the gentle breeze scattered petals, covering the meadow and settling upon the girl herself. Soon, she and the petals became one with the earth—flowers as her cover, the ground as her dwelling, beautiful and refreshing, like a painting.
Sometimes, he would quietly lie beside her, letting petals cover him as well, and together they would enjoy the quiet, tranquil moments.
With the beloved nearby, time flowed gently, everything as poetic and wonderful as a dream.
Even if time cannot be held and the world changes, he believed his heart would remain unchanged and his feelings undiminished.