Whispers of Fate (Shui Long Yin)

Bi Lianyi did not turn around but nodded slightly.

"He knows I want to kill him?" Hong Guniang stood by the qin, her fingers resting on its strings. "And yet he sent you?"

Bi Lianyi nodded again.

"If I said I admire Wan Yu Yuedan ten times more than you, what would you do?" she said coolly. "Would you be jealous?"

Bi Lianyi turned to face her. Hong Guniang stood there in snow-white robes, her figure as ethereal as an immortal's as she caressed the qin. He answered calmly, "No."

Her expression turned icy. "If not, then why did you come?"

"You adore Liu Yan a thousand times more than the palace master," Bi Lianyi replied. "Why should I be jealous of him?" He continued slowly, "It's Liu Yan I envy."

Hong Guniang bit her lip, glaring at Bi Lianyi with thinly veiled anger. Without another word, Bi Lianyi turned and left, not pausing for even a step. Frustrated, she flicked her sleeve, striking the qin strings and sending them into discord—a reflection of her turbulent emotions. After a while, the music ceased, and her mind gradually cleared. She plucked the strings once more, producing thirteen lingering notes, then sighed softly.

Bi Lianyi was a good man. It was a pity she could never bring herself to love good men.

Still, meeting a decent man who loved her purely was clearly not a bad thing.

East Mountain.

Shumei Residence.

Fang Pingzhai meandered through the woods outside Shumei Residence, swaying his head as he walked. The area wasn’t remote—people often passed by—but his bright yellow robes and fluttering red fan made him stand out. His erratic pacing through the trees inevitably drew curious glances. He paid them no mind. With a flourish of his fan, he sighed dramatically.

"My master told me to find a drum. But with the world in such turmoil, wars still raging, who has the leisure for drums and gongs? I don’t want to antagonize the authorities by stealing the grievance drum from the yamen, nor do I want to rob a wedding procession. Even with money, I can’t buy a drum. Ah… I’m becoming too kind-hearted—so kind I might as well be bitten by a dog."

Suddenly, two horses thundered past through the woods. Their riders, spotting Fang Pingzhai’s swaying figure, wheeled their mounts around and galloped back. A man and a woman dismounted.

"Judging by your attire, you must be from the martial world," the man said. "Meeting a fellow traveler is fate. Might we ask which way leads to Lingyuan Temple?"

Fang Pingzhai turned to face them. Both wore tight-fitting clothes and carried swords—typical martial artists.

"Lingyuan Temple? I believe it’s to the east."

The two vaulted back onto their horses and clasped their fists. "Our thanks." They made to ride off, but Fang Pingzhai, struck by their nimble movements, flicked his red fan to block their path.

"Wait! Since I’ve helped you, perhaps you could return the favor? Fair and square, mutual benefit."

The riders reined in their horses. "What trouble do you face, brother?"

"Well… I just need to know where I can buy a drum. Any drum—big or small, flower drums, waist drums, flat drums, fat drums, tall drums, skinny drums. As long as it’s a drum, I’ll take it."

The two exchanged glances, amused as if encountering an eccentric.

"So you need a drum? In a short while, we’ll have someone deliver one to you. Will that suffice?"

Fang Pingzhai gasped in exaggerated surprise. "Do you carry a drum with you while traveling?"

The pair smiled faintly. "That’s none of your concern. Just know that within half an hour, someone will bring you a drum.""Oh..." Fang Pingzhai covered his head with his red fan and lightly tapped his forehead. "The world is truly strange—a drum can fall from the sky halfway through a journey. I thought that in places of green mountains and clear waters, where Immortal cranes dwell, one would either encounter immortals or ghosts. Who would have guessed—when luck strikes, even a drum can be picked up along the way." The two riders tugged their reins and rode off with a laugh.

These two were no ordinary folk. Their martial prowess aside, anyone who could procure a drum within half an hour was far from simple! Watching them ride some distance away, Fang Pingzhai slung his red fan behind his back and followed their hoofprints. At first, he walked leisurely, but his pace quickened until, in mere moments, he became a blur of yellow, swift as a galloping horse.

The man and woman rode eastward, dismounting outside Lingyuan Temple and entering the abbot's quarters. Fang Pingzhai leaped onto the roof, lounging by the skylight with one leg crossed over the other. Below, the man spoke: "Abbot Wanfang, it's been a while. How have you been?" The abbot of Lingyuan Temple, Wanfang, replied respectfully, "This humble monk is well. Might I ask if Your Excellency has come to Lingyuan Temple to pay homage to the Buddha or to enjoy tea?" Hearing the monk refer to himself as "this humble monk," Fang Pingzhai grinned, flicking his red fan twice. Two monks emerged from the side rooms and looked up to see him—dressed in yellow with his red fan—sitting atop the roof. Just as they opened their mouths to shout, their breath suddenly caught, their chests seized with pain, and their entire bodies stiffened, frozen in place like wooden statues.

Fang Pingzhai remained seated on the roof. The autumn air was crisp, and yellow leaves rustled in the breeze. The view of Lingyuan Temple from above was refreshing to the spirit. Below, the conversation continued, with Abbot Wanfang growing increasingly deferential—these two were clearly figures of importance. After listening for a while, Fang Pingzhai learned that the pair had come to inquire about a bloody incident on the temple's back mountain a few days prior, where a group of bandits had been found dead. They also asked the abbot if a solitary young woman—beautiful but melancholic—had come to pay respects to the Buddha. Fang Pingzhai paused his fan. From the description, were these two searching for the purple-clad girl who had repaid kindness with betrayal by stabbing Lin Bu? Abbot Wanfang repeatedly shook his head, insisting no such woman had visited. The pair seemed disappointed and rose to leave.

"Though this humble monk has not seen such a female devotee," the abbot clasped his hands, "a few days ago, I overheard disciples mention a purple-clad woman heading toward the back mountain. If Your Excellency seeks her, perhaps inquiries in the nearby woods may yield results." The two brightened at this and took their leave. At this point, Fang Pingzhai flicked his fan, and the two Lingyuan Temple monks collapsed onto their backs. No sooner had they fallen than the man and woman stepped out of the abbot's quarters. The woman frowned slightly. "Did you hear something just now?" The man replied, "Hmm? No. Ah, I'm troubled. Every time we get close to finding our younger sister, she slips away." The woman reassured him, "Don't fret. Now that someone has spotted her, we’ll find her eventually."It turned out these two were searching for relatives. Fang Pingzhai drifted back, retracing his steps to the grove outside Shumei Residence. Before long, twenty-some fine horses came galloping over, their riders all robust and imposing. One of them dismounted and asked, "Might you be the gentleman waiting for the drum delivery?" Fang Pingzhai responded with a "Hmm?" before replying, "Indeed." The man retrieved a large drum adorned with golden lacquer from his horse. "My master requests your acceptance of this gift." Fang Pingzhai said, "Ah... Just set it on the ground. I'll drag it home slowly later. Many thanks to your master. I suppose there are countless people in the world facing hardships. If everyone could be as fortunate as I to encounter your master, with every wish granted, then there'd be no more famine or poverty. Everyone would have what they need, and war would never happen." His words were as sweet as honey, but the dismounted man merely smiled, placed the golden drum on the ground, gave a shout, and led the group away on horseback.

Hmm—they were soldiers! This matter was getting more and more interesting. Fang Pingzhai stood there, watching the cavalry disappear into the distance, waving his red fan. And—not just ordinary soldiers, more like guards of some high-ranking official or noble.

"A thousand miles of sunset shines upon the great river, autumn hues fill the waters, yellow leaves blanket the mountains, wind and rain sweep the city." Fang Pingzhai lifted the golden drum. "Ah, I'm getting better and better at composing poetry."

Returning to Shumei Residence, a woman in purple robes opened the door. Seeing him carrying a large drum, she was momentarily stunned. "Where did you get that drum?" Fang Pingzhai lightly flicked his red fan behind his back. "The Buddha says: Do not speak." The woman had jet-black hair and pale skin, with fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and slightly slack skin at the corners of her mouth. Yet her bright eyes sparkled, and her features were well-proportioned, clearly those of a young woman. Though she looked older than her actual age, she was no longer the grotesque figure with a face full of wrinkles and spots. This was Yu Tuan'er. Over the past few days, the effects of Liu Yan's elixir had gradually manifested, and she was changing rapidly, no longer the ugly girl with an old woman's face.

"Every time I see you, I'm reminded of my master's miraculous skill—how he managed to transform you like this. Keep changing, and you might even become a beauty. Who knows, you might even have a romantic encounter." Fang Pingzhai set the drum down and dodged a punch from Yu Tuan'er. "Hey—no hitting your junior. That's very rude." Yu Tuan'er snorted. "You're getting more and more annoying."

"And where is my gloomy, terrifying, enigmatic, and nearly-suicidal master?" Fang Pingzhai asked. Yu Tuan'er pointed to the Elixir chamber. "Still in there." Fang Pingzhai said, "Hmm, I have something to discuss with my dear master. You can guard the door and eavesdrop if you like, but it's best not to come in." With that, he stepped into the Elixir chamber, his figure vanishing into its dim light.

Fang Pingzhai was anything but serious. Was what he wanted to discuss truly important, or was it just nonsense? Yu Tuan'er walked to the door of the Elixir chamber and let the curtain fall.

Liu Yan remained seated in the shadows of the Elixir chamber, facing the wall, motionless as ever."Hey, it's a pity the sea is far from here, and you can't walk. No matter how much you think about it, you can't jump in. Just relax." Fang Pingzhai walked up behind him. "Still in a bad mood? Life is like a play—if one act goes wrong, just switch to another. There's nothing you can't let go of. With just a few short decades, are you going to stay gloomy forever? That’s really boring!" Liu Yan remained silent, eyes closed.

"Hey! Are you asleep or what?" Fang Pingzhai patted Liu Yan's back. "I found the drum. When are you going to start teaching me how to play it?" Liu Yan replied indifferently, "When I feel like teaching you." Fang Pingzhai sighed. "So that means not now. Fine. Earlier, when I went out, I ran into a group of people—two oddly distinguished men and women, leading twenty or thirty strong, skilled martial artists, scouting within a fifty- or sixty-mile radius. From their words, they're searching for someone. Although—" His red fan tapped Liu Yan lightly, "they're looking for a beautiful young woman with a melancholic air, there's no guarantee they won’t search Shumei Residence. And they're investigating the culprit behind the bloodshed on Lingshan Temple’s back mountain—that is, your ever-loyal, devoted disciple, me. I think this is very, very bad news."

Liu Yan's expression flickered slightly. "Who are they?" Fang Pingzhai replied, "From the looks of it, they resemble government troops. The leading man and woman seem to be of high status—possibly nobility or royalty." Liu Yan pondered for a moment. "What do you suggest?" Fang Pingzhai said, "It’s best if we leave Shumei Residence and lay low for a while. Your appearance is too distinctive—once you attract attention, it’ll be a huge problem." Liu Yan opened his eyes. "No. The medicine isn’t ready yet. Leaving now would mean all our previous efforts were wasted." Fang Pingzhai sighed. "Ah—I knew you’d say that. You’ve always been biased. If this batch of medicine was for me, your decision would’ve been completely different." Liu Yan scoffed. "Tell me your other plan." Fang Pingzhai hummed. "Master really does understand me. If we can’t leave, then first, you need to find a place to hide to avoid being discovered. Then, I’ll go out and lead those soldiers away." Liu Yan flicked his sleeve and closed his eyes. "Good."

"Truly heartless—not even a shred of concern for your disciple’s safety. Ah... my fate is so bitter, meeting someone so unfeeling yet still treating him like a treasure." Fang Pingzhai covered his head with his red fan and shook it lightly. "I’m off. You stay hidden. Don’t get discovered before I lead them away." Liu Yan replied, "I won’t."

Yu Tuan'er, overhearing this, watched as Fang Pingzhai stepped out and suddenly called, "Hey!"

"What?" Fang Pingzhai set the golden drum aside. "Did you suddenly realize how great, kind, and self-sacrificing I am?" Yu Tuan'er's face flushed slightly. "Before, I thought you were a bad person." Fang Pingzhai laughed. "Oh? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that. Maybe I just look too much like a villain—my face is too untrustworthy. No one’s ever mistaken me for a good person." He patted Yu Tuan'er’s shoulder. "That’s a refreshing thing to hear." With that, he strolled away leisurely.

Outside Shumei Residence, the cries of cranes echoed as the setting sun dyed everything in crimson hues, painting the scene like a masterpiece. Fang Pingzhai’s yellow robes fluttered slightly as Yu Tuan'er watched him disappear into the woods, vanishing from sight.Outside Lingyuan Temple, the twenty or thirty burly men split into ten groups, with two or three in each, searching along the country paths. They asked everyone they met if they had seen a solitary woman dressed in purple, beautiful yet melancholic. Fang Pingzhai used his lightness skill to bypass these officers and, sure enough, not far behind the search party, a man and a woman had tethered their horses to a tree and were resting beneath its shade. Fang Pingzhai approached stealthily from behind. The tree was lush with foliage, and he silently leaped onto its branches, concealing himself among the leaves to eavesdrop on the conversation below.

"Our younger sister has been missing for years and may still be unaware of her true identity," the woman said. "I heard that when our mother gave birth, our sister was frail and was mistakenly declared stillborn by the imperial physician. On the third day after her burial, a grave robber broke into the tomb and discovered she was still alive. He took her away and raised her, causing her to be lost among the common folk. After years of investigation, I only know that the grave robber later died of illness. Our sister was given to a nearby renowned scholarly family to be raised, but which distinguished family it was remains unknown to this day."

The man replied, "I’ve already ordered the local magistrate to discreetly investigate the prominent families nearby, but none have a daughter matching our sister’s description. Your information may be mistaken."

The woman countered, "Elder Brother, I’ve verified it multiple times. Perhaps our sister was indeed sent here to be raised but didn’t stay long and left early?"

The man sighed. "If that’s the case, finding her will be even harder. How would she even know her true lineage?"

The woman said, "Bringing our sister home was our mother’s lifelong wish..."

The man murmured, "Before our sister was born, the late emperor once joked that since our mother was granted the title 'Lady of Langya' when she married him, our sister could be called 'Princess Langya.' It’s just a pity that both the late emperor and our mother have passed, and our sister’s whereabouts remain a mystery. The tale of Princess Langya may forever remain just that—a tale."

Fang Pingzhai listened intently from the tree, his eyes narrowing. This was a grave matter—these two were imperial relatives! The purple-clad woman they were searching for was none other than the late emperor’s daughter, Princess Langya!