Zhi You’s smile was so happy and brilliant, his entire being was radiating with the light of joy. Faced with such a Zhi You, Jiu Hui couldn’t bear to ask the questions in her heart.
“Follow me.” Zhi You gently took her hand and held it in his palm.
The flowers on both sides of the road bloomed more and more, and they became more and more gorgeous. Jiu Hui walked beside Zhi You, looking at the sea of flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see. Could this be Zhi You’s mood at this time?
At the end of the road was the stone bridge of Shanghuang Village. Grandpa Long was fishing by the bridge, wearing a bamboo hat. When he saw them, he smiled and said, “You’re back?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he didn’t wait for Jiu Hui to answer. He stood up, put away his fishing rod, and said, “Let’s go home and eat.”
Under the big tree at the village entrance, Grandpa Bu was playing chess, and the treetops were hung with bright red lanterns with the character for “joy” written on them.
Jiu Hui looked up at the red lanterns with the character for “joy” for a long time, and asked in confusion, “Who in our village… is getting married?”
What on earth was going through Zhi You’s mind?
Hearing this, Zhi You’s handsome face flushed red. “It’s… us?”
Jiu Hui widened her eyes and slowly turned her head to look at Zhi You, finding it hard to believe what she had just heard.
“Yesterday, in front of all the yaos of Nushen Mountain, you made me the zhuixu of the yao young master.” Zhi You emphasized, “You also swore to the Heavenly Dao that I am your only zhuixu.”
Jiu Hui: “…“carpreads.pages.dev
Zhi You had been reading Eldest Senior Brother’s storybooks and damaged his brain?
“Dinner is ready!” Aunt Jiao and Aunt Liu waved at them from afar. When they got closer, Aunt Jiao’s face was full of smiles. “You two are a match made in heaven.”
“That’s right, the two boys from the White Tea and Kong families aren’t as worthy of Jiu Hui as Zhi You is.” Aunt Liu nodded in agreement.
Jiu Hui’s expression became even more bizarre. She had never expected that Zhi You would have such a strong opinion about Bai Yan and Kong Cangnan, to the point of comparing himself to them even in the realm of consciousness.
She sighed and said, “Why are you comparing yourself to them? In my heart, you are different.”
“What?” Zhi You turned his head to look at Jiu Hui, smiling very nicely. “That’s just an expression of affection from the aunts. They’re your friends. How could I possibly compare myself to them?”
Jiu Hui: “…”
Fine, fine, fine. You didn’t compare them yourself, you just let the aunts compare them in your mind illusion.
As she walked from the village entrance to the kitchen courtyard, the village elders seemed to line up to appear, praising how well-matched she and Zhi You were.
“Truly a match made in heaven.”
“I’ll be at ease if Zhi You becomes our son-in-law* in Shanghuang Village.”
TN: this son-in-law is just the regular one, not the specific marrying into the family zhuixu one.
Looking at these “elders” who were practically talking in her ear, Jiu Hui’s mood was extremely complicated. She had thought that Zhi You’s desire was to leave Fuguang Mountain and become a free person, living the best life in the world, or perhaps ascending to become an immortal.
But she didn’t expect that when she pushed open his heart, she would see Shanghuang Village.
She had never seen Zhi You so carefree before. In his spiritual platform illusion, there were no ten major sects, no immortal cauldrons, and no responsibilities.
He was just a happy young man, blushing under the praise of his elders, laughing with a radiant expression, even his steps were filled with joy.
As they walked, they saw that the entire village was decorated with red lanterns. Large, bright red characters of “joy” were pasted on the walls, doors, and windows…
“Little Senior Sister, I’m so happy. This is all so wonderfully dreamlike.” Zhi You held Jiu Hui’s hand, reluctant to let go. He looked back at the elders in the village who were smiling at him. “Starting today, everyone will know that I’m your zhuixu.”
Jiu Hui’s fingertips trembled slightly.
“Even if it’s a dream, it’s the most beautiful dream.” Zhi You’s eyes sparkled with stars, and he was so happy that Jiu Hui couldn’t bear to say “no” to him.
“I want to accompany you through every spring and summer, to be your lackey, to be your zhuixu.” Zhi You’s eyebrows were gentle: “I can do anything, as long as I can be by your side.”
Jiu Hui opened her mouth, but suddenly the fog before her eyes surged. When she could see clearly again, Zhi You had already vanished, and she was standing on a boundless, empty, snowy plain.
The cold wind blew over her body. She lowered her head and looked at the hand that had been tightly clasped with Zhi You’s. Her palm was empty, with nothing in it.
In the blink of an eye, the snow beneath their feet vanished, replaced by verdant grass and vibrant flowers. In the sky, a chorus of birdsong filled the air as auspicious beasts soared through the heavens. Amidst a shower of petals, the Fuguang Palace emerged.
“Fuguang Mountain has become very beautiful.”
Jiu Hui turned her head and saw Fuguang, who was wearing a snow-white brocade robe and a crown made of blue jade.
“Hmm.” Jiu Hui reached out her hand and caught a few fluttering petals. “They’re beautiful.”
“For the past decade, I’ve been planting flowers and trees outside the Fuguang Palace. As long as they could survive, I would come to find you.” A gentle smile appeared on Fuguang’s lips. “I’ve been planting for a long time, and fortunately, they’ve all survived.”
Jiu Hui looked at the petals that had turned into nothingness in her palm and gently closed her palm. “This is the most beautiful sea of flowers I’ve ever seen.”
The sea of flowers in the illusionary realm of the sea of consciousness survived. Outside the Fuguang Palace in reality, there was only the perennial unmelting ice and snow. He had never even asked her to stay.
“When did you start growing them?” Jiu Hui walked up to Fuguang and reached out to him. “Such a beautiful place. Show me around.”
A hand as fair as jade gently clasped hers.
His movements were gentle, each finger moving with the utmost care.
The sea of flowers was soft and light, and stepping on it felt like being on a cloud.
A phoenix’s cry echoed through the air. Jiu Hui stopped in her tracks and looked up, admiring the century-old dance of the phoenix.
“Why are there no peacocks?” After the phoenix and the white birds dispersed, Jiu Hui noticed that there were no peacocks among the flock.
“With a phoenix in front of you, a peacock is too ugly.” Fuguang looked at Jiu Hui, his eyes filled with a hint of sadness. “If you like peacocks, I will summon one for you.”
“No, thank you,” Jiu Hui chuckled. “Let’s keep going.”
“Alright.” Fuguang led Jiu Hui to the entrance of Fuguang Palace. He pushed open the palace doors. There were no formations of any kind inside, only various beautiful flowerpots, each of which was worth a fortune.
“I didn’t know what kind of flowerpot you like now, so I prepared all of them.” Fuguang looked at her carefully. “Will you like them?”
Jiu Hui looked at these exquisite and beautiful flowerpots, reaching out to touch them one by one.
Each flowerpot was smooth and delicate. Even if you scratched it hard, it wouldn’t hurt your hand.
“How many flowerpots are there in Fuguang Palace?”
“Two thousand and nine.” Fuguang replied, “There are still many in the back hall. You used to be very picky about pots, always lacking energy, so I prepared many flowerpots for you to nourish your vitality.”
“Were you sad after I went missing?”
Fuguang was silent for a long time. He reached out and gently caressed a celadon flowerpot. “After knowing that you are still alive, I am no longer sad.”
The days on Fuguang Mountain were so bitter. How could he bear to let her live in such a place just so he wouldn’t be lonely?
“Now that Fuguang Mountain has become so beautiful, can you come here and stay for a few days every month?” Fuguang opened the window, and from here, one could see the sea of flowers outside, as well as the sunlight that sprinkled over the sea of flowers.
“We can fly kites outside the palace and have hot pot here.” Fuguang smiled. “Call Master and the others, and bring the cats and dogs from Wangshu Pavilion.”
Jiu Hui felt suffocated. So that was all he could think of, something so simple.
Even if he tried to persuade her to stay, he would have to wait until Fuguang Mountain was filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers.
She couldn’t imagine how many times Fuguang had tried to grow flowers and plants in the snow during the years she had been gone, or what kind of mood he had been in when faced with seeds that would never sprout or take root.
She did not have those four hundred years of memories, but she could imagine how important a glowing, moving garlic chive would be to a five-year-old child who had only ever seen snow.
“I’ve grown up now, and I don’t have to be afraid of them taking you away anymore, that I had to hide you under my pillow.” Fuguang recalled his childhood, when he was afraid of being discovered by the people of the Ten Great Sects for secretly raising a glowing grass, so every time they came, he would secretly hide the little grass under his pillow.
He was afraid that they would take the little grass away, afraid that she would be uncomfortable hiding under the pillow, and afraid that the wind and snow on Fuguang Mountain would freeze her.
Although the little grass couldn’t speak, it would emit the most beautiful light at night, and it would shake its green leaves for him during the boring years.
When he learned that Jiu Hui was the little girl from before, he could only feel fortunate.
She was fortunate to have grown up happily, with so many people who cared about her.
She still shone in his eyes, so bright, so vibrant.
They?
Jiu Hui understood in an instant that “they” referred to the people from the Ten Great Sects.
“Well, you’re already a very, very powerful person, the most remarkable cultivator in the world.” Jiu Hui took Zhi You’s hand and led him into the sunlight.
The sunlight in the illusionary realm was devoid of any warmth, or perhaps Fuguang simply did not know what warmth on Fuguang Mountain felt like.
He had never experienced it before, so even in the illusion, the sunlight was cold.
“What else do you want to do?” Jiu Hui held Fuguang’s hand tightly. “It’s still early, and I’ll be with you.”
“No more.” Fuguang smiled with satisfaction. “Being your zhuixu, being able to see the most beautiful sea of flowers on Fuguang Mountain with you, is already the most wonderful thing in the world.”
Jiu Hui lowered her eyelids. “What if I want to see the sea?”
“Then I’ll accompany you to see the sea.” Fuguang pulled Jiu Hui to sit down on the steps outside the Fuguang Palace. “Wherever you go, I’ll go. No place is that important.”
As long as I have you.
“Then come with me.” Jiu Hui committed this sea of flowers to memory, not missing even the little grasshoppers hopping in the dirt. “Fuguang, I’m here to take you away.”
“Alright,”
“You don’t ask me where I’m taking you?”
“Anywhere is fine.” Fuguang agreed without hesitation.
Jiu Hui stared blankly at Fuguang, who had no reservations about her, and reached out to clasp his hands with hers. “If this place were still covered in ice and snow, would you keep me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I can’t bear to.”
His gaze was so earnest, and so gentle.
“I told you long ago, you are a fool.” Jiu Hui held Fuguang’s hands tightly, slowly closed her eyes, and said, “I will take you away.”
Jiu Hui opened her eyes on the soft couch. She looked at the carvings on the ceiling and slowly sat up.
“Good disciple, how are you?” Yu Jing reached out to support her.
“Don’t worry, Master, I’m fine.” Jiu Hui stood up and walked to the bedside, reaching out to touch the forehead of Zhi You, who was still sleeping soundly.
The three Taos, father and sons, gathered around, all looking at Zhi You nervously.
Zhi You’s eyelids twitched, and Tao Er exclaimed in surprise, “He’s awake, he’s waking up.”
Opening his eyes groggily, Zhi You looked at the people gathered around his bed, finally resting his gaze on Jiu Hui. “What… happened to me?”
He seemed to have had a very long dream.
Tao Er explained, “You were poisoned by a fox yao, but fortunately, Immortal Jiu Hui saved you.”
“Don’t knock your head, you’re already silly enough.” Jiu Hui held down his hand that was knocking his head. “I’ll give your dream some serious thought.”
Zhi You asked cautiously, “What… dream?”
Jiu Hui chuckled softly, “Zhuixu.”
“Ah?!”
The three members of the Tao family exclaimed in shock.
Author Notes:
Zhi Youyou: I wish everyone’s dreams come true ~ After I dreamed, the young master of the yao clan made me her beloved.