Love Beyond the Grave

Duan Xu didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with his words. Leaning lazily against the chair, he said, “In the years after I first returned to the Southern Capital, Jing Yuan would go on and on about how wonderful her third brother was—praising him endlessly without repeating a single phrase. Except, none of it was about me. Sister-in-law said she was overly attached to her brother, but I think she wasn’t attached to her brother—she was attached to you.”

Fang Xianye raised a finger to point at Duan Xu, warning, “Duan Shunxi, what are you scheming now?”

Over the years, he had come to truly understand Duan Xu’s unpredictability. If Duan Xu went mad, he wouldn’t just reveal his own identity—Fang Xianye believed he was even capable of rebellion.

With a smile, Duan Xu pressed Fang Xianye’s finger down and said, “If you also like my sister, I think it wouldn’t be a bad match.”

Fang Xianye immediately retorted, “What nonsense are you spouting? You’re from the Duan family, aligned with Duke Du, while I’m a retainer of Duke Pei. In the eyes of the world, we are mortal enemies—and that’s the way it needs to be for our plans. If I were to marry your sister, what would that look like? Besides, if you don’t tell her about those seven years in Dài Province, she would never accept me. And with her temper, if she found out, how could she possibly keep it a secret? Do you want to get her killed?”

Duan Xu stared at Fang Xianye for a moment before chuckling softly. “You’ve given so many reasons, yet not a single one was about not liking her.”

Fang Xianye was momentarily speechless. Gritting his teeth, he turned away to drink water and cool his temper.

For once, Duan Xu didn’t press his advantage. Lowering his gaze, he fell silent as the sound of a clear pipa melody filled the air. The girl Luo Xian began singing a sorrowful tune, her soft voice lingering like an unbroken thread: "He taught me to bury my regrets, to curb my pride, to renew myself, to change my nature, to let go of the past, to turn back from the sea of bitterness, to awaken early to the orchid’s truth..."

Finally, Duan Xu spoke softly, “Fang Ji, I’ve fallen for a girl.”

The lid of Fang Xianye’s teacup clinked lightly against the bowl. He looked at Duan Xu with some understanding, studied him for a moment, and then said, “I take it she doesn’t like you?”

Duan Xu shook his head—whether to say “she doesn’t” or “I don’t know” was unclear.

“She didn’t come back to the Southern Capital with you?”

“No, she went home.”

This wasn’t like Duan Xu, Fang Xianye thought, surprised.

Duan Xu’s usual approach was to win through surprise tactics and relentless persistence—never short on methods, never one to be considerate, turning three parts certainty into ten parts success.

With a long sigh, Duan Xu said, “Her family is well-off, and she’s their only daughter. If we were to be together, I’d have to marry into her family.”

Fang Xianye choked on his hot tea and coughed violently.

Duan Xu turned to look at him, a faint trace of amusement in his eyes. He reassured Fang Xianye, “Don’t worry, she rejected me. In her eyes, not only is the Duan family of the Southern Capital nothing, but even Great Liang—or the entire world—means nothing.”

After a pause, Duan Xu continued, “Xianye, you also believe that no one in this world can’t live without another, that no one is irreplaceable, right?”

Fang Xianye’s gaze flickered. He sighed softly and set the teacup down on the table.

“Yes,” he answered.

Duan Xu was silent for a moment. When he looked up again, his usual bright smile had returned. “Perhaps so.”

Fang Xianye frowned.He had always felt that Duan Xu's spirit was somewhat unusual, though not to the point of any major issues. Yet Duan Xu didn't seem to express his emotions like ordinary people, as if there were two fractured selves within him constantly at war.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Don't worry, I won't let court affairs drag you down."

Duan Xu spoke lightly.

Indeed, he effortlessly performed a scene of rivalry and discord with Fang Xianye, which Luo Xian, the beauty, embellished and spread, making the entire Southern Capital believe they were at each other's throats, mirroring the factional strife behind them.

Though Young Master Wang had little to do with the matter—at most fanning the flames—he inexplicably felt a sense of pride and began addressing Duan Xu as a sworn brother. Hearing that his father and Duan Xu's intended for Duan Xu to marry his sister, he eagerly played matchmaker. That day, as Duan Xu entered Yù Zǎo Tower, he spotted Young Master Wang waving frantically at him from the second-floor railing, alongside a young woman in pink hiding her face behind a round fan.

Duan Xu frowned almost imperceptibly before breaking into a radiant smile. He walked over and sat down across from Young Master Wang, saying, "Bringing your sister here—are you trying to undermine me?"

"Seeking pleasure is common for men. How could a well-bred lady like my sister, so cultured and refined, mind your romantic entanglements?" Young Master Wang wore a carefree grin. Though handsome, his years of indulgence in wine and women had left his gaze murky and lecherous.

Duan Xu's eyes shifted to the woman beside him. She lowered her fan, revealing a gentle and delicate face with willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, studying him curiously.

Duan Xu bowed slightly. "I am Duan Xu. A pleasure to meet you, miss."

The woman returned the gesture. "I am Su Yi. A pleasure to meet you, young master."

Young Master Wang, though lacking in other areas, had a keen eye for romantic affairs. After a few words, he excused himself to mingle with his beauties, leaving Duan Xu and his sister at the table and instructing Duan Xu to escort Wang Suyi home.

Wang Suyi nervously tightened her grip on the fan handle, her eyes darting toward Duan Xu now and then. Duan Xu chuckled brightly. Leaning against the window, he gazed at her and said, "You didn’t want to come here to see me, did you?"

"No..."

"You actually mind men visiting pleasure houses, don’t you?"

Wang Suyi froze, surprised that this young man had seen through her in mere moments. Fortunately, Duan Xu deftly steered the conversation elsewhere, chatting amiably about the sights of the Southern Capital and amusing anecdotes of noble families. Though the topics weren’t dull, Wang Suyi sensed he wasn’t particularly interested in getting to know her.

Suddenly, a loud thunderclap boomed from the sky. Wang Suyi startled so badly she nearly knocked over her wine cup, but Duan Xu steadied it in the instant it tilted. She was astonished—she hadn’t even noticed him move.

Duan Xu smiled. "Be careful."

It was the gentlest smile he’d given since entering, as if recalling something amusing.

Wang Suyi cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed, and looked out at the street beyond the railing. "It’s raining," she said.Duan Xu also looked out the window. With the clap of thunder, a torrential rain poured down from the gloomy sky. The raindrops splashed a foot high as they hit the street tiles, shrouding the world in a misty haze. Pedestrians hurriedly opened umbrellas, while those without covered their heads and scrambled for shelter, creating a chaotic yet lively scene on the street.

"Yes, summer showers..." Duan Xu's voice trailed off.

Wang Suyi turned to him in confusion, only to find the smile gone from his face. His eyes were wide open, fixed intently on a spot in the street as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. The tremor in his gaze was a stark contrast to the carefree young man who had been chatting and laughing moments ago.

Before she could ask, Duan Xu pushed off the table, vaulted over the railing, and—amidst the gasps of the diners—landed on the first-floor eaves. With another leap, he used the eaves to break his fall before landing on the street. In the blink of an eye, his lavender-clad figure vanished into the rain-soaked road.

Wang Suyi was left stunned. She thought, He couldn’t even wait to take the stairs? He kept his eyes locked on that direction as if afraid he’d lose sight of it if he blinked. What on earth did he see?

She had never imagined seeing Duan Xu so reckless and frenzied.

Duan Xu sprinted down the street, weaving through the crowd with the speed and agility honed from brutal battles, refusing to let anyone slow him down. The wind and rain lashed against the Illusion-Breaking Sword at his waist, its metallic chime ringing out. His clothes were drenched, his boots splattered with mud. People seemed to be murmuring about his actions, but he paid them no heed.

Amidst the countless faces and the cacophony of the world, his mind was blank—save for one pair of eyes.

His breath was tight until he seized the wrist of a girl holding a red lotus-patterned paper umbrella, yanking her around so abruptly she stumbled.

The girl looked unfamiliar—plain brows, round eyes, dressed in an off-white cross-collared gown embroidered with simple cloud patterns, her hair half-tied with a jade hairpin and the rest cascading down her back. She was the most ordinary commoner girl one might see in the Southern Capital, standing in the rain with an umbrella in one hand and a sugar figurine in the other—a sight almost comical.

Frowning, she tried to pull her hand free and snapped, "Who are you? What kind of ruffian just grabs people like this?"

Duan Xu's gaze flickered. He stared at her intently, rainwater dripping from his hair and brows, seeping into his eyes—yet he didn’t blink.

"Have you forgotten me so quickly?"

His smile brightened.

"I am Duan Xu—the Xu from 'Feng Lang Ju Xu.' My courtesy name is Shunxi."

Pausing, he enunciated each word deliberately:

"He Simu."

The girl held his gaze for a long moment before slowly relaxing her frown. She exhaled deeply and lifted the umbrella to shield them both from the rain.

"You recognized me, little fox."

Duan Xu tightened his grip on her hand, but He Simu didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she asked frankly, "How did you recognize me?"

He hesitated briefly, then glanced at the sugar figurine in her hand.

"Who else would get a crow-shaped sugar figurine?"

He Simu twirled the figurine—still untouched—in her fingers. It was a rather abstract crow, and she had to admit it was impressive he’d recognized it.They stood on a stone bridge, with Duan Xu a few steps higher than her. He was drenched, water dripping from his arms and soaking her sleeves and wrists. His eyes seemed misted over, like jade submerged in water, as if about to dissolve in the heavy rain.

His eyes brimmed with laughter as he said, "You came to the Southern Capital."

"Mm."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

His tone was casual, as if making small talk between friends.

He Simu seemed to find it absurd. Her unfamiliar face bore the familiar expression of indifference as she turned her head away and said, "I have my own business in the Southern Capital. It's not like I came to see you—why should I tell you?"

"So, you weren't planning to see me at all?"

"The Southern Capital isn't that big. Haven't you already run into me?"

Duan Xu seemed about to say more, but before he could speak, a white robe appeared between them. The newcomer said leisurely, "What a coincidence, General Duan. Why are you holding onto my friend like this?"

Duan Xu turned his head and saw a man dressed in white, his robe embroidered with the golden patterns of the twenty-eight constellations. The man's hair reached his waist, tied back with a ribbon. His features were exquisitely carved, his eyes deep as the night. The only flaw was his sickly pallor and extreme thinness. In his hand, he held a white carved wooden cane as tall as his shoulder, making him appear frail and unsteady.

Behind him stood a beautiful woman in purple, her eyes lowered as she quietly held an umbrella over him.

Duan Xu's gaze shifted between him and He Simu before he bowed and said, "State Preceptor, Lady Ziji."

The Ghost King and the current State Preceptor were unexpectedly close.

The State Preceptor, Feng Yi, smiled and turned to He Simu. "In the blink of an eye, you went off to make a sugar figurine. You can't even taste it—why are you so fond of these things?"

He Simu scoffed. "Worry about yourself. With your poor health, you still insist on strolling around in the rain. Do you have a death wish?"

"To each their own quirks, no questions asked. Shall we go?"

"Let's go."

Their conversation was familiar and intimate, as if they shared an unspoken understanding. It seemed the State Preceptor had known her for a long time, and to her, he was more pleasing than any Evil Ghost in the Ghost Realm.

The State Preceptor was also a living person.

He Simu turned to leave, but her hand was tugged back by Duan Xu—he still had no intention of letting go. He looked at her without speaking, the earlier casual smile gone. His lashes and hair were dripping with water, falling drop by drop.

He Simu was silent for a moment before giving a light laugh. She firmly withdrew her wrist from Duan Xu's grip, then placed the handle of the umbrella she was holding into his hand, making sure he held it properly.

Duan Xu looked down at her hand. The body she inhabited had warm, soft palms that covered the back of his hand. After a brief pause, she patted it lightly, as if to comfort him.

Then she took his free hand and placed the crow sugar figurine she had made into his palm. Through the amber-like transparency of the figurine, her smile was radiant. "Help me taste if it's sweet."

Just like when they had first met on the walls of Liangzhou, each concealing their secrets, testing each other's boundaries. She had changed bodies, changed appearances, but from the depths of her pupils, the same soul could be glimpsed—reflecting the same him, once again handing him a sugar figurine.Then He Simu released Duan Xu's hand. Feng Yi held up an umbrella, and she walked under it, waving her hand behind her back as a farewell gesture before walking away with Feng Yi and Ziji.

Just like every time she left, this time she didn't look back either.