Chapter Four: The Enigmatic Dream

Tailspoon Shallow Words moved directly into the Zhiyu Pavilion; she should have informed Feng Jinye, but there was no need now—after all, with the shadow guards everywhere, was there anything he didn’t know?

Qingxia paced anxiously in the courtyard, worried about the master’s current state, only hoping Banqiu would return soon. Tailspoon Shallow Words originally had only Qingxia and Xuechun as her maids; Banqiu and Dongnuan had once been shadow guards assigned to her by Feng Jinye...

Half a year ago, when Feng Jinye returned to Yue City, Dongnuan went ahead to gather information. This marriage was strange, and Tailspoon Shallow Words found it odd; she didn’t understand why she had become Feng Jinye’s princess...

Banqiu came back with her, but upon entering Yue City, immediately went to meet with Nuandong. An entire day passed without her return, and Qingxia grew increasingly worried...

Near noon, Lu Yanran arrived at the door, reminding Qingxia that someone still remained in Qinglan Courtyard.

Lu Yanran was furious; upon waking, she found Qinglan Courtyard deserted and the main yard locked. She felt tricked by Tailspoon Shallow Words and her maid, despite thinking last night that Tailspoon Shallow Words wasn’t entirely wicked, and leaving her behind...

It was Lu Yanran’s first time at the War Prince’s Mansion; Qinglan Courtyard was remote, unfamiliar, and she dared not ask directions. She searched nearly all morning before finally finding Zhiyu Pavilion...

Bursting in with anger, she confronted Tailspoon Shallow Words, but upon seeing her face, she was suddenly speechless. Where was the ugly creature she’d imagined?

Lu Yanran stared, wide-eyed, at Tailspoon Shallow Words, whose bright eyes and delicate features, lips like rouge, defied belief. “Impossible! The antidote was supposed to...”

Tailspoon Shallow Words laughed softly. As expected, Lu Yanran knew about the antidote.

Since arriving at the War Prince’s Mansion, Lu Yanran had become a fool, exposed at once by Tailspoon Shallow Words’ probing.

“So you do know where the antidote is!” Qingxia cried loudly. “How vicious! Pretending to care for Miss, while hiding the news of the antidote. Do you intend to ruin her for life?”

Lu Yanran lowered her head, silent—Qingxia’s words rang true. She was indeed Lady Lu...

“Have Aunt send the antidote, and I’ll give you a way out,” Tailspoon Shallow Words said softly, her tone brooking no refusal.

Lu Yanran refused to yield. “Why should I? Even if my mother doesn’t give you the antidote, so what? Your face wasn’t harmed by us; our family didn’t—”

Tailspoon Shallow Words interrupted, weary of Lu Yanran's self-justification. “You know the title of War Princess, but have you considered why His Majesty bestowed this marriage? Why did Feng Jinye not refuse it? Why did Grandfather and Cousin insist I become Lu Shallow Words and marry into the War Prince’s Mansion? Have you thought through any of this?”

Tailspoon Shallow Words rarely spoke much to outsiders, but Lu Yanran was, after all, her blood cousin...

Lu Yanran was momentarily speechless. She truly had never considered these things, only believing that by becoming War Princess, she could start anew.

Tailspoon Shallow Words glanced at her, actually admiring Lu Yanran’s courage—she pursued what she wanted, fought, even seized, and Tailspoon Shallow Words minded none of that. But Lu Yanran was simply too selfish.

Tailspoon Shallow Words spoke no further to her, instructing Qingxia to prepare the meal. “Second Miss will dine here as well.”

Lu Yanran was settled in the side courtyard of Zhiyu Pavilion. After she left, Qingxia came in to ask, “Miss, will we return home tomorrow?”

“Yes, to see Grandfather,” Tailspoon Shallow Words replied.

“But Miss, you...” Qingxia wanted to say she shouldn’t have quarreled with Feng Jinye—at least she should play along for tomorrow’s visit!

“No matter, just follow his lead tomorrow,” said Tailspoon Shallow Words. She believed Feng Jinye would visit the Duke’s Mansion, for at twelve, he’d lived there a year, and at thirteen, he’d entered the army under the Duke’s command. For the sake of old ties, he would surely go, though she wasn’t sure if he’d go with her...

At this moment, Feng Jinye sat in the study of Tingfeng Pavilion, recalling Tailspoon Shallow Words’ eyes. It was exactly a year ago, when he awoke in the capital of Xiyan Kingdom after being assassinated—she had been the assassin. That attempt had been strange; the assassin wore fiery red, her face veiled, and the swordplay was exactly the same as Tailspoon Shallow Words’ today...

Tailspoon Shallow Words’ sword technique was identical to Feng Jinye’s own. In his memory, he’d taught only one person that style—the false heiress of the Duke’s Mansion, Lu Huiyan.

Lu Huiyan was later discovered to be a spy from Xiyan Kingdom. So, had Tailspoon Shallow Words learned her swordplay from Lu Huiyan? Was she originally from Xiyan? Was she here for revenge?

Feng Jinye began to guard against Tailspoon Shallow Words—which was exactly what she wanted. The more he suspected, the less likely he’d let her leave the War Prince’s Mansion; her position as princess would only become more secure...

Winter nights were cold. Tailspoon Shallow Words clutched her warming jug, unable to sleep, wondering if Feng Jinye would accompany her home tomorrow. She had told Qingxia she would follow his lead, but in truth, she cared. What newlywed woman did not hope for a fresh start?

Though she seemed strong, Tailspoon Shallow Words was sometimes fragile. She remembered yesterday, when their eyes met from afar—she quickly looked away, unable even to gaze at him for fear she would cry...

Today, she saw he was still handsome, brows like ink, nose like jade, though he seemed thinner, with a faint shadow beneath his eyes. Hadn’t he lost his memory? What could trouble him so much that he looked so haggard?

She had prepared herself before the wedding, but within a single day, Tailspoon Shallow Words realized she had overestimated her heart. Feng Jinye’s every word and action affected her, just as his mention of Lu Yanran, his probing, even the tea he drank made her ache...

Tailspoon Shallow Words knew little of tea. Three years ago, she had tasted Rainflower tea and praised it; thereafter, the War Prince’s Mansion served Rainflower tea. Today, Feng Jinye drank his favorite, Lushan Cloud Mist...

In Tingfeng Pavilion, Feng Jinye dreamed again of the assassination—a scene that had haunted him...

“Feng Jinye...”

“The rice and grain from Xiaoyu Villa were stored for the War Prince...”

“Before, it was just children playing; today, let’s see if the prince can pay the price I ask...”

A woman spoke to him. In the dream, Feng Jinye felt a strange familiarity, a stifling pain in his chest. He seemed to have heard her voice before...

“Are you here to do business with me?” In the dream, Feng Jinye doubted it was that simple...

“Yes. But the business is large; I wish to see the prince show some sincerity—perhaps, by removing your arm?”

Feng Jinye laughed softly. Though the woman before him seemed hostile, in the dream he felt oddly delighted, an experience he had never had before...

“You jest, miss. If I remove my arm, there’s no need to fight, so what use is the grain?”

Feng Jinye, both in dream and waking, couldn’t understand why he spoke so...

“Then there’s no deal. I’ll take my leave!”

“Ha, you ask for my arm and expect to leave unharmed?” Feng Jinye replied, confident and audacious...

“Then, Shallow Words, shall we spar?”

Feng Jinye was unguarded, and the woman attacked, using his own sword technique. He was shocked...

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Shallow Words...” That name, Feng Jinye seemed to have called before...

Distracted, the sword meant for his heart shifted, slashing his left wrist instead. And Feng Jinye, too, diverted his blade from the woman’s throat, flicking off her hair ribbon...

He stared at the woman before him, ignoring his wrist wound, yet she wept like rain and raised her sword to clash again...

“Feng Jinye! Don’t move!” she cried, voice trembling. Feng Jinye halted, everything falling still. He couldn’t understand why he obeyed, and her sword again changed direction, slashing his left wrist once more...

Then she removed her veil...

For the first time in a dream, Feng Jinye saw her face clearly, and his chest felt even tighter...

“Feng Jinye, do you remember me?

“If not for meeting you, I would have been fine on my own!

“If not for you, my family and the assassins from Xiyan Kingdom would have never been involved!

“If not for you, my father would not have died~!”

“All because of you! Why did you have to meddle in my life? Feng Jinye, I hate you!”

“Feng Jinye, I hate you!”

She cried with heart-wrenching anguish...

Feng Jinye stared blankly at her, the pain in his chest intensifying, spreading through his body, as something in his mind threatened to burst forth...

Cold sweat broke on his forehead, his face grew paler, and he could no longer grip his sword—it fell to the ground...

“Feng Jinye, what you owe me ends with this sword. We are finished!” The woman pointed her blade at his heart and thrust it in...

“Whether he lives or dies is none of my concern.”

That was the last thing Feng Jinye heard before fainting.

He woke in a start—this was the first time he had seen her face clearly. Throwing aside the blanket, he donned his boots and, like the wind, rushed to Zhiyu Pavilion...

It was a dream, yet also a memory: the event that occurred when he awoke after seven years in a coma, one that had always troubled him...

That night, Tailspoon Shallow Words could not sleep. Feng Jinye appeared silently at her bedside; she awoke with a start. “What are you doing?”

Feng Jinye’s cold, severe face showed no change. “Why do you wear a veil?”

Tailspoon Shallow Words knew Feng Jinye must have remembered something. “Because I am plain and homely, afraid I will frighten you, Your Highness.”

“Remove the veil,” Feng Jinye commanded, his presence suffocating.

A trace of panic flickered in Tailspoon Shallow Words’ eyes. Feng Jinye could see her uncertainty clearly, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared...

In the next instant, Tailspoon Shallow Words threw back the blanket, rose, and lit the lamp. The bedroom brightened. As a newlywed, she wore a crimson silk robe; Feng Jinye, awakened so abruptly, was clothed in white undergarments. The atmosphere was awkward...

Feng Jinye turned away, avoiding her gaze. Tailspoon Shallow Words spoke, “Would Your Highness care to remove it for me?”

Feng Jinye was flustered, his tone unnatural: “You—have no shame!”

Tailspoon Shallow Words smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Why say so, Your Highness? I am your princess! At this hour...” She paused, her gaze sliding from top to bottom, assessing him, then continued, “At this hour, Your Highness comes here, isn’t it...”

Her bold perusal made Feng Jinye even more uneasy. He was, after all, wearing only undergarments in the dead of night in a woman’s bedroom—improper indeed. Yet she, a woman, stared at him without embarrassment—shouldn’t she feel ashamed?

Feng Jinye’s brows furrowed, a hint of displeasure...

Tailspoon Shallow Words, beneath the veil, let her lips curve. He still loved to frown.

“Hmph...” With a cold snort, Feng Jinye left.

Tailspoon Shallow Words breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly, she needed to obtain the antidote as soon as possible!