Chapter 224
A few days later, after the rain cleared on Yunhua Mountain, the sky brightened, and the world welcomed the warming May.
The plum blossoms in the plum garden had begun to wither, and after a spring rain, they were even more sparse, with fallen petals scattered on the ground. Ji Wanshu sat upright in the pavilion, reviewing various memorials on the table. Around noon, Lu Huaiwei arrived carrying a food box, and Ji Wanshu asked her, "What did the elders say?"
Lu Huaiwei brought out the food and placed it on a small table next to the desk, replying, "The date has been set, it's up to you now. The elders all say that Mingguang Hall can't be rebuilt in less than three months. If you want to officially ascend to the position of sect leader, you can't be without a decent hall. It just so happens that the annual new disciple gathering is in three months, so let's hold it together. With double celebration, the palace will be even more lively. What do you think?"
Ji Wanshu seemed to be deep in thought.
“I have already given instructions to the craftsmen to make sure that the Mingguang Hall is completed before August,” Lu Huaiwei said. “Elder Xu consulted the almanac and said that the eighth day is an auspicious day, suitable for holding the enthronement ceremony. The ninth day is also good, as it can be followed by the new disciple assembly.”
Ji Wanshu remained silent for a while before hesitatingly saying, "...That's not what I asked. What about the message I asked you to convey?"
"What are you saying?" Lu Huaiwei was puzzled at first, then understood and laughed, "The date has been set, do you have other ideas?"
Ji Wanshu gripped her chopsticks, her appetite gone, and pressed, "So, did you ask or not?"
Lu Huaiwei said, "I asked." The wind was too strong, so she lowered the curtain and sat down opposite Ji Wanshu. "We've come this far, so stop thinking about unrealistic things. You're already the well-known young sect leader. Besides you, who else can take over the position?"
“I just think it’s too fast,” Ji Wanshu sighed. “I thought it would take at least seven or eight years for the sect leader to step down, but who knew that she would have an accident just a few days after I became the young sect leader. For me, this is really too hasty. The position of sect leader is no child’s play, and I was not mentally prepared at all. Maybe… we should wait a couple of years?”
"You make it sound so easy, saying we can wait two years?" Lu Huaiwei said. "Which martial arts sect can go two years without a leader? It's only early May, you still have three months to prepare, that's more than enough time. Besides, if you don't take the position, who will?"
Ji Wanshu said, "Uncle-Master...don't we still have another Uncle-Master?"
“If my martial aunt wanted to be the sect leader, things wouldn’t be like this today,” Lu Huaiwei said. “However, we should wait for her to return before discussing this matter. Judging by the days, they should be back in the next couple of days.”
Ji Wanshu pondered for a moment, then sighed again: "It's not that I'm without responsibility, but it's all too fast. What's the difference between this and forcing a duck onto a shelf? Besides, I still have a wish to fulfill. If I don't resolve all my concerns, I won't be able to go anywhere from the palace. Just thinking about it makes me feel suffocated."
She was still young and had been forced into the position. She had never valued the position of sect leader. Now that the storm had passed and everything had settled, Yunhua Palace truly needed someone to fill Xie Yijun's vacancy. Not to mention Ji Wanshu herself, even the elders and disciples felt the same way about her. But things had come to this point, and there was no point in refusing. Ji Wanshu had to accept the position of sect leader, whether she wanted to or not. In the current situation, she was the only candidate, and her ascension was legitimate and without objection.
“You’re still unwilling, but what can we do?” Lu Huaiwei said. “Everyone is waiting for you to take charge. I know the burden is heavy and the responsibility is great, but I can’t help you much. I can only do some trivial things to share your burden. But then again, I always give you advice so eloquently, but if I were the one who had to be the sect leader today, I would probably be even more worried than you. I understand your feelings very well, but right now, there’s no other way but to make you suffer.”
Ji Wanshu remained silent for a moment before replying, "In that case, let's wait for Uncle-Master to return before discussing it further."
"So you just said you still have one wish to fulfill," Lu Huaiwei asked, "What is that wish?"
Ji Wanshu glanced at her, about to reply, when suddenly a disciple ran excitedly from outside the garden, shouting, "Senior Sister Ji, Senior Sister Lu, Martial Uncle and Senior Sister Yin are back!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wanshu and Lu Huaiwei were both delighted and quickly followed the disciple away from the plum garden. As the three of them passed the Mingguang Hall, which was under construction, Man Jiangxue and Yin Qiu were being escorted up the steps by the disciples.
The group exchanged greetings and nods before heading to a council hall next to the Mingguang Hall. The disciples served tea, and Lu Huaiwei first showered Yin Qiu with concern, asking about her experiences after arriving at Fanxin Valley. Yin Qiu answered her questions, recounting how wonderful Fanxin Valley was. The disciples listened with great interest and curiosity.
Seeing everyone chatting and laughing around Yin Qiu, creating a lively atmosphere, Ji Wanshu invited Man Jiangxue to move inside for a talk. Once the curtain was drawn, blocking out some of the noise from outside, Ji Wanshu got straight to the point: "Huaiwei and the elders have discussed it before, and the enthronement ceremony is scheduled for August, to be held concurrently with the new disciple assembly. However, I'm still a bit undecided. Fortunately, my uncle has returned in time, and I'd like to hear your opinion."
Man Jiangxue picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "Since it was decided by all the elders, there should be no mistakes or inappropriateness. Setting it for August is not bad, but we must instruct the craftsmen to complete the Mingguang Hall before August. You can make this decision yourself; I have no objection."
Ji Wanshu probably anticipated Man Jiangxue's reaction, so he bluntly said, "But it's too fast. Time is so tight, and I'm completely unprepared. How can I be a good sect leader?"
Man Jiangxue glanced at her, did not reply immediately, but smiled enigmatically.
"What are you laughing at, Uncle-Master?" Ji Wanshu asked, puzzled. "Did I say something wrong?"
The scenery outside the window was beautiful, and the flowers in the palace were in full bloom. Man Jiangxue looked at the spring scenery outside, paused for a moment, and then said, "You just want me to take charge and persuade the elders to postpone the ceremony. Although I understand your intentions, I can't bring myself to say it."
It would be difficult for anyone to say that.
A family cannot be without a head for a day, and a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Xie Yijun is dead. How can such a large sect as Yunhua Palace remain without a new sect leader to take charge? Right now is a crucial moment after all the turmoil has subsided. The disciples are all hoping that Ji Wanshu can take the throne and restore order to the sect, so as to stabilize people's hearts. If a decision is made to delay taking the throne at this time, it will only cause unrest in the palace and allow others to gossip and speculate.
There are people who want to become the sect leader, but the rules of the palace are such that Ji Wanshu is already the young sect leader, and no one can surpass her to ascend to a higher position. Although Man Jiangxue can understand Ji Wanshu's difficulties, she cannot ignore everyone in the palace for Ji Wanshu's sake. At the same time, Man Jiangxue cannot lecture Ji Wanshu as an elder, nor can she force her by acting as if it's none of her business, after all, Man Jiangxue herself is someone who has never wanted to be the sect leader.
As the saying goes, "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you," so Man Jiangxue could only remain neutral regarding Ji Wanshu's request and let her make her own decision.
Although the two did not talk much, their thoughts were already clear to each other. Ji Wanshu could only sigh and say, "Since that's the case, I won't force you, Uncle-Master. Let's just do as the elders have decided."
Man Jiangxue hummed in response and offered a few words of simple comfort. After sitting for a while, she grew a little tired and asked just before leaving, "Where is Wen Chaoyu? Shouldn't she be in the palace with you?"
“She’s gone back to Shangyuan City. Xue Tan is the only one in the house. She has to go back to visit him from time to time,” Ji Wanshu said with a heavy heart. After saying this, she called out to Man Jiangxue, “Uncle, please wait. I have something I need your help with.”
"What is it?" Man Jiangxue paused in her act of lifting the curtain and turned to look at her.
Ji Wanshu hesitated for a moment, then said respectfully, "Uncle, your injuries have not yet fully healed, and you have been traveling back and forth for several days. I shouldn't be asking you to do this now, but since you have already returned, and I am getting busier and busier and won't have a chance to leave the palace, I can only ask you to take my place for two days."
"Are you leaving?" Man Jiangxue asked.
“Hmm,” Ji Wanshu sighed, looking preoccupied, “I want to go back to Jincheng.”
Man Jiangxue's expression revealed her understanding. Even though Ji Wanshu hadn't explicitly stated it, she knew what Ji Wanshu intended to do. Man Jiangxue looked at her: "If Wen Chaoyu asks, should we tell her?"
Ji Wanshu thought for a moment and shook her head: "Don't tell her yet. Just say that I went home to visit my parents and nothing else... After all, I'm not sure about what I want to do yet, so as not to cause her any unnecessary trouble if she goes with me."
Man Jiangxue indicated that she understood, replied "okay," and then left to return to Jingyue Peak with Yin Qiu.
Returning to the palace after many days, Yin Qiu's state of mind had changed considerably, and she would linger over every place she visited. The two of them were quite tired from the bumpy journey back, and after taking a bath together in the hot spring, they were about to rest when the disciples outside Chenxing Hall suddenly cheered, as if someone very popular had arrived.
Man Jiangxue had just lain down and, upon hearing the commotion, was too lazy to get up again. Yin Qiu, wearing wooden clogs, lifted the curtain of the bedchamber, just as Wen Chaoyu pushed open the door to the outer hall. Upon seeing her, he smiled and said, "Oh, isn't this our adorable little niece? How have you been getting along with your father these days?"
Yin Qiu welcomed her in, pouring tea as she said, "My father has gone on a journey to seek medical treatment, and we don't know when he will be back."
"I received the message and asked him to come to the palace. He's a man who came back from the dead, and we're old acquaintances. I'd like to meet him," Wen Chaoyu said as she sat down, holding her teacup and glancing at Man Jiangxue on the couch. "You're always either sleeping in or on your way to sleep in. You don't even know how to get up and greet our distinguished guest. Don't you know any manners?"
"Distinguished guest," Man Jiangxue said, her eyes heavy with sleep, but she patiently joked with her, "may I ask what brings this distinguished guest here?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "It's nothing important. I heard you were back, so I had to come and see you." Then she added, "I just got here from the city. Lu Huaiwei said Wan Shu was with you, but I haven't seen her."
Yin Qiu yawned repeatedly, rubbing his eyes, and said, "Senior Sister Ji is not on Jingyue Peak. We saw her once during the day and then she went off to do something else. She didn't come with us."
Wen Chaoyu paused for a moment and said, "That's strange. I've searched many places, but I still can't find her. Lu Huaiwei said that she recently claimed she was coming to Jingyue Peak to talk to Man Jiangxue. Why didn't she come?"
Yin Qiu looked at Man Jiangxue, who turned over and hid in the tent, saying, "She left things to me and went down the mountain herself."
Wen Chaoyu raised an eyebrow: "Go down the mountain...where to?"
Man Jiangxue said, "Go back to Jincheng. The enthronement ceremony is in August, and she will rarely have the opportunity to leave the palace after that. Take this opportunity to go back and see her, so that it won't be even more difficult for her to leave after she becomes the sect leader."
Wen Chaoyu's eyes flickered, and she murmured to herself, "Back to Jincheng at this time?"
Yin Qiu looked at her for a while and asked, "Is there a problem? My master and I just happened to be back. Senior Sister Ji doesn't have to worry about who will handle her official duties, so she can go home with peace of mind. Isn't it safer to go back to Jincheng now?"
"Shouldn't she at least have told me?" Wen Chaoyu was suspicious. She rushed to the bed and pulled back the bed curtains. "Weren't you covering for her? Is she going back to do something she doesn't want me to know?"
Man Jiangxue said, "I don't know anything, don't disturb my sleep."
"You definitely know!" Wen Chaoyu raised her voice. "You're the kind of person who lies without ever blushing, and you can spout nonsense better than anyone else. It would be strange if I believed you!"
Man Jiangxue gave her a cold look, then turned her back and ignored her.
Wen Chaoyu gave a low snort and left Chenxing Palace in a hurry without saying a word. Seeing her leave so hastily, Yin Qiu couldn't help but worry and said, "Oh no, Senior Sister Ji repeatedly told us not to tell Uncle Wen too much. Why didn't Uncle coax her more?"
“Heaven and earth can bear witness, I didn’t reveal anything, I only said Wan Shu’s exact words,” Man Jiangxue said. “I couldn’t coax him, and I was too lazy to coax him, so I came over to sleep.”
Yin Qiu took off her shoes, crawled into the quilt and lay down next to Man Jiangxue, asking, "So what exactly is Senior Sister Ji going back for? Martial Uncle hasn't told me yet."
Man Jiangxue turned over to face Yin Qiu, hugged her in her arms, and said, "You don't believe me either? Wan Shu didn't tell me, and I only guessed a little, but I really don't know what she's going to do."
Yin Qiu was about to ask again when Man Jiangxue chuckled twice, patted her, and mumbled a few words. Yin Qiu didn't understand, and when she tried to listen again, Man Jiangxue quickly fell asleep.
As darkness fell, the disciples outside the hall went elsewhere, and Jingyue Peak returned to its usual tranquility. Yin Qiu's eyelids grew heavy, and she snuggled closer to Man Jiangxue's arms before falling asleep as well.
·
When Ji Wanshu arrived in Jincheng, it was already dusk five days later.
The setting sun hung in the sky, its afterglow reflecting on the streets like a faint layer of beacon fire. Horse hooves shattered the light and shadow, galloping across the stone pavement, leaving a trail of thin dust. The Ji family mansion stood amidst a colorful sunset, magnificent and imposing.
The gatekeepers were overjoyed to see Ji Wanshu riding in from the street corner and quickly informed him. When Ji Wanshu dismounted and entered the front courtyard, his parents were already waiting under the eaves. The three of them met in the interplay of light and shadow and all smiled at the same time.
"Why did you suddenly come home?" Madam Ji was overjoyed, both happy and surprised. "You didn't even give us a heads-up before you came. Your father and I didn't prepare anything. Come in and sit down with your mother. I'll have someone cook you a meal of your favorite dishes. Are you hungry?"
For the past five days, Ji Wanshu had been traveling almost non-stop, rarely resting along the way, so she was naturally exhausted. However, she had no time to remove the dust from her clothes, and after meeting her parents, she did not show much affection. Instead, Ji Wanshu lifted her robe and knelt down at the foot of the steps.
"What are you doing?" Madam Ji looked surprised, exchanged a glance with Master Ji, and quickly helped Ji Wanshu up, saying, "You're giving such a grand greeting so soon after we meet. Has something important happened? Please get up, and we'll talk about it slowly."
Bright colored lanterns hung under the eaves, and the candlelight flickered. Ji Wanshu did not get up, but looked at the two elders with a calm expression and said, "I have two things to tell you this time. First, you should have already heard that the sect leader has passed away and I will take over Yunhua Palace in August and become the new sect leader."
When this was mentioned, Madam Ji's face lit up with joy, and even Master Ji's expression softened, a rare occurrence.
"Your father and I have heard about this for a long time. Wanshu, you have a bright future ahead of you, and we are so happy for you," Madam Ji said with a smile of satisfaction. "We have heard a lot about your deeds outside lately, and your father and I receive a lot of praise every time we go out. You have brought honor to the Ji family. Good child, stop kneeling and get up to speak."
Ji Wanshu remained motionless and said slowly, "I owe my success today to the careful upbringing and guidance of my father and mother. As I ascend to the position of sect leader, I will be able to return home less and less often, and I will not be able to serve them as filial as other children. This is my fault. I kowtow to my father and mother here, and I hope you will understand and not blame me." After saying this, he solemnly kowtowed three times.
Mr. Ji remained silent, maintaining the demeanor of a strict father. Mrs. Ji smiled broadly and urged him repeatedly, "Alright, alright, we understand your filial piety. You've said your piece and kowtowed. Now it's time to get up."
“No rush, there’s one more thing for you to hear before we talk about it,” Ji Wanshu said calmly, raising her head. “Secondly, it’s about my marriage. I came back specifically to discuss this with my parents.”
Upon hearing this, the couple were overjoyed and quite surprised. However, Ji Wanshu's next words immediately froze their smiles, leaving them speechless.
Ji Wanshu said, "I have decided to remain unmarried for the rest of my life and dedicate myself to serving my sect. I have someone I love, and Father and Mother should know that. Although I don't ask you two to grant my wish, as a daughter, I should tell you face to face." She clenched her palms, her expression resolute, and said, "Wen Chaoyu and I have long since confessed our feelings for each other. Although we haven't made it public, it's common knowledge. If Father and Mother still want to find a husband for me, you should give up that idea as soon as possible. I said a long time ago that I don't want anyone but Wen Chaoyu."
The moment she finished speaking, Madam Ji and Master Ji were both stunned and stood frozen in place. The maids and servants around them were also astonished and looked at each other in disbelief, speechless with fear.
The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; no one dared to make a sound. The previously joyful and cheerful atmosphere vanished instantly, turning the place into an extremely cold and desolate place.
"Wan Shu, do you...do you know what you're saying?" After a long while, Madam Ji finally came to her senses, covering her lips and speaking in a trembling voice.
“I know,” Ji Wanshu said, kneeling upright and neither humble nor arrogant. “I am very clear about what I said and I take responsibility for what I said.”
As the light dimmed, Master Ji's face turned ashen. He strode down the steps and rushed to Ji Wanshu, shouting, "I thought you had grown up and become sensible, knowing to come back and care for your parents. I never imagined you had this in mind!" He suddenly raised his hand, as if to slap Ji Wanshu, but hesitated to strike.
"That's a demoness from the Demonic Sect! That's the demoness from the Demonic Sect who has killed so many people!" Master Ji roared in fury, his hand, frozen in mid-air, trembling slightly. "I've told you countless times, but you never listen! I could let it go before, but now that you're going to be the head of Yunhua Palace, how can you still associate with people from the Ziwei Sect? If you don't care about your reputation, do you think your mother and I don't care about ours either!"
Ji Wanshu said frankly, "She has already left the Ziwei Sect and returned to Yunhua Palace. She is not some demonic witch," and then added, "never was."
"But she's your sister!" Old Master Ji was furious and said coldly, "If word gets out that sisters are in love, how will our Ji family have any face left in Jincheng!"
“She is not my sister,” Ji Wanshu said. “You have never acknowledged her. She is not a member of our Ji family, and no one outside knows her.”
"You—!" Master Ji could no longer bear it and finally slapped him hard, but was stopped by Madam Ji in time.
"Let's talk this out. The child is so big already, why did you hit her?" Madam Ji said with heartache. "What a tragedy... truly a tragedy!"
"I won't allow this!" Master Ji gritted his teeth, turned and went into the corridor. "Whether you choose your parents or her, it's up to you! You value your sect more than this family anyway. If you want to pledge your life to her, then don't come back. I'll pretend I don't have a daughter like you!"
Anticipating their reaction, Ji Wanshu did not argue or quarrel with her parents as usual, but simply knelt quietly.
"You come in here too!" Master Ji pushed open the door and looked at Madam Ji, saying, "If she wants to do something that will be ridiculed, neither you nor I can control her, so let her be!"
Madam Ji covered her face and wept bitterly, at a loss for what to do. Ji Wanshu couldn't bear it in the end and said gently, "Mother, please go in and rest. Don't worry about me."
"How long are you going to kneel like this?" Madam Ji said. "Your father will never agree. He will never budge on this. Wanshu, Wanshu, why do you have to like her of all people? It's true that your father and I have made mistakes, but at our age, we can't bring ourselves to see her, let alone apologize or admit our mistakes, much less allow you two to be together. We will never be able to reconcile with her in this lifetime, and she will never forgive us. You've put your father and me in this mess, what do you expect us to do?"
Ji Wanshu choked up and lowered her head, saying, "I told you, I don't need your approval. Actually, whether Wen Chaoyu is there or not, I will not marry anyone else. Although the sect leader has made mistakes and committed unnecessary killings, she has been dedicated to the sect and has never married. That is what I admire. If she can do it, I can do it too."
"Your father and I are tired of hearing you say you won't marry or have children, and it's not that we can't do what you want," Madam Ji said, tears streaming down her face, her heart aching with heartache. "But can you two, people like you, last? I'm worried about you. She knows you're her sister and should avoid suspicion, yet she deliberately got close to you, first taking you as her apprentice, and then having these absurd things happen between you. Wanshu, maybe I'm overthinking it, maybe I'm narrow-minded, but have you ever considered that she might be deceiving you, or that she might be using you to get revenge on us?"
Ji Wanshu shook her head: "No, she's not that kind of person." She then smiled and said, "Mother doesn't know, she's actually a very, very good person. Compared to her, I'm nothing."
Madam Ji was in tears and speechless.
“I know Mother loves me, please help me persuade Father,” Ji Wanshu said. “I am an unfilial daughter, but I feel that I have not disobeyed you two in any way in the past twenty years. This is the only matter I want to decide for myself. Father is old and getting angry will harm his health. You don’t need to stay with me, go and stay with him.”
"Wanshu, what are we supposed to do..." Madam Ji sighed helplessly, "So be it, so be it..."
The figures dispersed one after another, their initial joy vanishing like smoke. The door remained tightly shut. At first, a few angry shouts could be heard, but gradually, all sounds fell silent. The courtyard became desolate and lonely, and no one came again.
As the setting sun disappeared behind the western mountains, the magnificent sunset was replaced by the night. Ji Wanshu knelt alone in the courtyard, staring at the tightly closed door, motionless.
As midnight approached, a chilly breeze rustled through the flowers and grass in the courtyard, and the chirping of insects began. Soft footsteps sounded behind her. Ji Wanshu seemed to sense something and turned slightly. Before she could see who it was, a glimpse of a dark blue garment flashed in her eyes. Wen Chaoyu had removed her straw hat and knelt silently beside her.
Ji Wanshu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she said in a daze, "You..."
"Remember to tell me where you're going in the future," Wen Chaoyu said, shaking the wine jug in her hand and downing the last mouthful of wine. "If anything happens, we'll face it together. Don't carry it all alone in your back. That would be too formal."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ji Wanshu finally said after a long while, "Why are you kneeling? Stand up."
"If you can kneel, why can't I?" Wen Chaoyu grinned, pinched Ji Wanshu's chin and kissed her. "Besides, I don't kneel to heaven or earth. I'm here just to be with you."
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