My Journey to You

Chарtеr 17 (5/18)

Gоng Shаngjuе gаzed at thе budding аzаlеаs beside him and murmurеd, "Тhey shоuld bloom sооn. Тhеn I'll knоw whеther I like thеm or not."

In the Archive Раvilion оf Yue Маnоr, Gоng Ziyu саrеfullу еxаmined the mediсinаl herbs brоught by a servаnt. He stоppеd thе sеrvаnt аnd аskеd, "Why is therе оnly оnе liаng of Instаnt Grass? Тhis is оnly enоugh fоr onе dose of аntidote."

Thе sеrvаnt reрlied with a troublеd ехprеssiоn, "Instаnt Grаss is sсаrcе in thе storеroоm. The еntire Yuе Маnor оnlу hаs this оne liang."

Gong Ziуu didn't believe it. "What a сoincidenсe? I don't bеlievе it. Сould it bе that Elder Yue is angry because I used the Truth-Testing Herb to trick him out of the prescription?"

The servant shook his head. "Whether Young Master Yue is angry or not, I don't know. I only know that Instant Grass is inherently rare. It can only be harvested in years with long winters and short summers, at the perilous peaks of snowy mountains. Last year had abundant rainfall and a long summer, so the stock is scarce."

Yun Weishan asked, "Would the pharmacy at Front Mountain have any in stock?"

The servant quickly replied, "All medicinal herbs within the House of Gong are prioritized for Yue Manor. If Yue Manor's storeroom doesn't have it, Front Mountain certainly won't either."

Gong Ziyu frowned, and Yun Weishan looked gravely at the herbs before them.

Clearly, the servant was lying. On Young Master Yue's desk lay a large bag of Instant Grass. He glanced at it casually, then tied the bag securely and instructed a servant, "Put this bag of Instant Grass away. Such precious herbs must not be lost."

"Yes," the servant replied, taking the bag and withdrawing.

Young Master Yue walked to his writing desk, picked up a brush, and wrote: Where shall these dark strands be sent? I sigh, you have no robe. I envy not heaven and earth, but weave rain from perilous clouds... After finishing, he set down the brush and murmured meaningfully to himself, "Let's see how this young couple will choose."

In the courtyard, the water shimmered. Gong Ziyu, wrapped in a thick robe, was playing the zither. The melody was melodious but carried a hint of melancholy. A hazy half-moon hung in the sky, and scattered snowflakes drifted down. It was as if the snowflakes were shattered moonlight, making the entire sky appear even more profound. Snowflakes fell into the lake, and the water reflected the illusory moon—truly a scene of flowers in a mirror, both real and illusory.

Yun Weishan approached. Gong Ziyu pressed down on the zither strings, and suddenly the world fell silent.

"Why not come closer?" Gong Ziyu asked.

"I was afraid of disturbing Young Master's playing."

"No disturbance. Come here."

But Yun Weishan did not move. Gong Ziyu turned to look at her. "I've reached the stage where my feet are numb and I cannot move. Otherwise, I would go to you."

Yun Weishan's heart felt as if pricked by a needle. Only then did she take a step, slowly walking to Gong Ziyu's side and sitting down. Behind her, a servant approached with a tray carrying two bowls of medicinal decoction. He set them down before the two and gently indicated, "This bowl is for Young Master Yu, to alleviate the heat toxin. This bowl is Miss Yun's decoction, to alleviate the cold toxin."

The servant departed. Gong Ziyu stared blankly at the decoction before him. He knew there was only one dose of the true antidote.

Yun Weishan broke the silence. "I didn't expect Young Master to play the zither so well."

Gong Ziyu said deliberately, "Zi Yi taught me."

Yun Weishan fell silent. Gong Ziyu observed her expression and said softly, "The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches; my heart admires you, but you do not know... A wanderer in high-walled, deep courtyards, with no fixed abode yet a heart at peace... Only, Zi Yi said that as a man, playing such a tune is perhaps too sentimental."

Yun Weishan spoke. "My younger sister once asked me whether I wanted to be a kitten or a puppy."

Gong Ziyu looked at her quietly. "Why mention this suddenly?"“Stray cats on bustling streets have freedom, yet they wander without a home; dogs in high-walled courtyards have shelter, but must bow their heads for a lifetime. She asked me, which would I choose?”