Although Xihe couldn't see, her other senses were sharper. Feeling a sudden gust of cold wind, she stopped and shook off her brother's hand. She didn't like this kind of place; it was cold, devoid of the warmth of the sun.
The master saw that Xihe's face no longer had the joyful expression it had before, and asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
Xihe was silent for a moment, then subconsciously took a step back, looking ready to run away at any moment: "Where is this place?"
The gentleman explained softly, "This is where you were born. Haven't you always wanted to see what the world looks like? Come with me."
When the master spoke to Xihe, his tone was always as gentle as the water of a spring lake, rippling with shallow circles. Seduced by these ripples, Xihe once again took his hand and followed him into the cold.
Yao Chen didn't wait for them, as they were going in different directions. As he entered the candlelit cave, he remembered the warning he'd received upon waking ten years ago: don't wander around. He'd returned to see his master, and the siblings probably had other things to do. With the master leading the way, it made no difference whether he was there or not.
As she drew closer to the core of the chill, Xihe's eyes gradually underwent some miraculous changes. It was as if, faintly, she could sense that within the darkness that enveloped her, there was something different.
Inside this man-made cave, a massive stone radiated a mysterious, pale green light. As Xihe drew closer to the stone, the light grew brighter. Slowly, she could clearly see her own hands, the path beneath her feet, the candlelight around her, and the person holding her hand.
“……!”
The gentleman gently stroked the boulder and said, "This magical stone has miraculous effects. As long as you don't stray too far from it, you will be able to see the world you want to see."
Xihe stared at the soft light in front of her with wide eyes. Was this the light that had always been looming in her mind?
Xihe stood there blankly for a long time. The first words she said left her husband at a loss for words: "Brother, why did you abandon me and leave me alone in the ancient tomb for so long without coming to pick me up?"
The master sighed slightly. "Abandon? My brother was protecting you. The outside world is too dangerous. Staying in the ancient tomb is the best protection for you. You are tired too. Rest for a while. I will report to the master."
Xihe didn't want to leave yet. She was afraid that if she lost sight of the magical stone, she would be swallowed up by darkness again. "I want to stay a little longer. Can you tell me who the 'master' is?"
Seeing that she still didn't want to leave, the husband simply pulled her aside and sat her down: "You'll know later. Since you still want to stay a while, I'll sit with my good sister for a while."
"Um."
When Xihe was first sent to the ancient tomb, his hair was still jet black. Whenever he missed her, he would come here to stay for a while. Sometimes he would just glance at her, and sometimes he would sit there for days. Finally, they could be together again.
...When Yao Chen saw the master the gentleman had mentioned, the woman, always graceful, elegant, and dignified, was sitting on a stone bench, writing something. The woman's serious expression, with her head lowered, bore an indescribable resemblance to Wang Yanzhou.
Yao Chen walked in with his head lowered and his steps light, calling softly, "Master."
Seeing him coming, the woman slowly raised her head and smiled: "Are you back?"
"yes."
After the woman had the maid tidy up the things on the table, she straightened her sleeves and stood up. The rings on her waist jingled softly as she walked in front of Yao Chen: "Do you remember what you promised me when you left?"
Yao Chen lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eyes: "Remember..."
The woman turned around, waved her sleeves, and said, "Since you remember, then go and accept the punishment yourself. Someone will naturally clean up the mess outside for you."
"yes."
Yao Chen was about to leave when the woman stopped him again: "Wait. Can you see Wang Yanzhou when you go out this time?"
Yao Chen replied in a panic, "Yes, I saw it." When he was allowed to leave and could mobilize the power in his master's hands at will, she had warned herself that she must never kill innocent people indiscriminately, must not have too much contact with Qingliang Valley, and must not cause any trouble to Wang Yanzhou.
He was called back in such a hurry, it was obvious that she already knew everything. Yao Chen was afraid that if he broke the taboo, there would be no hope of revenge in this life.
"How is he now?" The woman spoke in a tone that seemed to show that she was simply concerned about Wang Yanzhou's recent situation and had no intention of blaming Yao Chen.
After Yao Chen told him everything he knew, he added, "Valley Master Wang is married, and he seems to be living a better life than I imagined."
Upon hearing this, the woman suddenly turned around and asked with concern, "What kind of person is his wife?"
Yao Chen said: "He is just an ordinary person with a sharp tongue, no background, and even no relatives."
The woman looked up at the stone wall above her head, gently stroked the cinnabar birthmark on her forehead, and smiled comfortably: "Alright, let's go down."
After Yao Chen left, the woman changed into thick and warm clothes, held a lamp, and walked alone to the coldest place in the cave. She was going to meet someone and keep a life-and-death appointment.
The coldness of the entire artificial cave came from a massive ice cellar deep within the mountain. In this place, illuminated by the interplay of light from crystal gemstones and night-shining pearls, stood a woman who looked almost identical to Master Yaochen, save for the cinnabar on her forehead.
Wang Ruo put the lamp aside and gently stroked the crystal coffin. "Sister, did you know that your child has married? Just as you always hoped, he married the person he loves and lives happily in Qingliang Valley."
Wang Ruo was Wang Zhen's twin sister, and Wang Yanzhou's aunt, whom he had never met. She and Wang Zhen had come here together, intending to die together.
But who would have thought that while she was secluded under the guidance of a hermit, her sister would embark on a completely different path. She entered the mortal world and became the empress, but after the emperor's death, she was forced into a fire by his eldest son.
If she hadn't arrived in time, she wouldn't have been able to bring back even the body. When she found Wang Zhen in the fire, she was still breathing, holding another child tightly in her arms. Not long after returning to this place, Wang Zhen finally passed away, and she took in the child who was trapped in the fire by her own father.
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