Chapter 12: Encounter with the Immortal

Clad in a cloak as dark as the night itself, Li Linghuan seemed to blend seamlessly into the shadows. She swiftly slipped past the patrols of the Marquis of Wu and began her search for Princess Taiping’s residence in Zhengping District.

Having earned the special favor of the Empress, after Princess Taiping’s first husband was imprisoned and died under charges of treason, the Empress arranged a new marriage for her: an alliance with the Wu family. This alliance perfectly distanced her from the treasonous accusations that plagued the Li clan.

Princess Taiping’s mansion occupied nearly half of Zhengping District, less than ten li from the Ziwei Palace, and directly aligned with the grand Ying Tianmen gate, the city’s symbol of tribute from all nations.

Li Linghuan found a concealed spot and gazed long at the princess’s residence. This sister, linked by blood to her past life, had known a vastly different kind of maternal love. After finally supporting Prince Li Dan’s ascension to the throne, Princess Taiping’s power peaked, dominating both court and country. Compared to their mother, she was but a step away from claiming the throne herself.

Yet, the name Li Linghuan had vanished from the annals of history the moment she was born.

In her previous life, a fragment of her consciousness had been reborn in the body of one of Wu Zetian’s daughters, whom the Empress had personally killed. She did not know her origins but strangely foresaw the fates of all those around her. Abandoned at birth, she once yearned as any ordinary person might—for parental love or sibling affection.

But Wu Zetian, her mother, never offered an ounce of warmth or remorse. Such affection, she found only among a few brothers. At first, it was Crown Prince Li Hong, then Li Xian, and finally Li Xian’s younger brother, Li Xian. Though younger, because of her unrecognized status, she could only refer to them as princes or elder brothers.

After the deaths of Li Hong and Li Xian, she devoted herself entirely to Li Xian’s side, becoming a sword of protection—eliminating all threats against him, even if those threats came from their own mother.

What she never expected was that in the first year of the Shenlong era, when she and five ministers overthrew Wu Zetian during her illness and restored the Tang dynasty, she would ultimately die at the hands of Li Xian, whom she considered closest to her.

She had underestimated how power corrupts the heart. She never imagined that a man like Li Xian—so devoted to his wife and daughters yet timid and frail—would draw his bow and shoot an arrow straight into her chest.

She smiled wryly, silently reflecting.

Once more, Li Linghuan cast a glance at the Wanxiang Divine Palace, the towering emblem of Wu Zetian’s dominion, then at the distant mansion imprisoning Prince Li Dan. Only then did she quietly slip away from the hidden alley.

In this lifetime, she must live differently. Moreover, she was no longer entirely Li Linghuan. Having made a pact at the Spring of Reincarnation, she could only exist as a subordinate consciousness attached to Murong Huan. No one would remember her, not even the brothers she once trusted most. And as long as Murong Huan’s lifespan endured, she could never fully usurp his primary consciousness.

Because she was a person who should never have existed.

...

Racing through the night, she passed the Gentle District, where a group of revelers staggered along, their steps unsteady.

“Hey, did you hear? The fifth daughter of the Wang family refused to marry me and tried to drown herself. But she didn’t die, and now there are strange rumors—some say she’s a celestial maiden descended to earth.”

“Bah, celestial maiden? She’s just flaunting her status as the Wang family’s legitimate daughter from Taiyuan. So what if the Wang family is noble? Once they’re thrown in jail, their reputation’s ruined. Their bones are soft as anything—no scholar’s dignity left. You’ve never seen the Zhaoyu prison?”

“I was the one who interrogated Minister Le. At first, he wouldn’t confess to treason. But when I brought out the torture instruments, he started crying like a child. Quite a sight... But scholars don’t endure pain well. A few lashes too many, and he died.”

“Right, right. So what if he was the prime minister? Under the Empress’s rule now, no prime minister lasts more than three years...”

“Ha ha ha! Exactly! None last longer than three years!”

“But unfortunately, just last night, one slipped through the cracks! When the Le family was wiped out, a little brat escaped. Hundreds of Qian Niu guards were dispatched to find him, but no luck... If you don’t cut the grass to the root, it’ll grow back with the spring breeze!”

“A little brat, huh? Without the prime minister’s old father watching over him, what trouble could he cause? Lord Jiu, you should relax and focus on winning over the beauty first!”

“Indeed, speaking of the fifth Miss Wang, I’ve only heard of her beauty. When I tire of her, I’ll share her with you all!”

“Thank you, Lord Jiu! Thank you, Lord Jiu!”

...

“Curfew’s almost upon us. Let’s head back!” one urged.

“Yes, yes, time to go!”

Supporting each other, they moved forward. Perhaps due to too much wine, they suddenly saw an ethereal figure glide through the air—a fairy stepping lightly as if walking on clouds, her body shimmering with moonlight. Her eyes were pure and enchanting, veiled with a thin silk scarf, smiling faintly, captivating anyone who looked upon her.

“Like light clouds veiling the moon, like flowing winds swirling snow—now this is truly a celestial maiden descended from the heavens,” murmured Lord Zhou, eyes gleaming with desire, already salivating and unable to resist lunging forward.

“What’s that scent? So fragrant! No wonder a celestial maiden’s very presence exudes such exquisite aroma!”

“Look, she’s still smiling at me, even beckoning. Where is she leading us?”

“Let’s follow her!”

Guided by the fairy, several gentlemen flowed into an abandoned mansion within the Gentle District. There, several long-sleeved maidens floated toward them with gentle smiles, each falling into their arms, and a vivid scene of passion unfolded.

Meanwhile, Li Linghuan was still racing through the night. She knew exactly where the Marquis of Wu’s guards patrolled, where the Qian Niu or Jinwu guards roamed. She carefully avoided their watchful eyes as she made for the Su family residence in the southern district.

Yet, despite her vigilance, she unexpectedly encountered a formidable opponent: Deputy Commander Wuling Yue of the Imperial Guard.

“Who goes there? Roaming at night during curfew?”

Li Linghuan bolted. Wuling Yue pursued with sword drawn. After a fierce struggle, Li Linghuan spotted a brightly lit courtyard and leapt inside.

Inside, she found someone familiar sitting peacefully, gazing at the moon.

It was none other than Xiao Muchen, with silver hair and half a white jade mask covering his face.

As Li Linghuan contemplated taking Xiao Muchen hostage, a group of black-clad men suddenly surged out, surrounding him.

Just then, Wuling Yue burst through the door.

The black-clad men’s attention shifted to the newcomer.

Xiao Muchen turned and coldly addressed Wuling Yue: “What business do you have intruding upon my estate?”

Wuling Yue’s expression changed instantly, bowing with respect. “You are... the Grand Minister?”

“Earlier, I saw a suspicious person enter this mansion on the street, so I rushed in and collided with you. I apologize!”

“What crime did this person commit?” Xiao Muchen asked coldly.

“Nothing beyond breaking curfew,” Wuling Yue replied.

“If nothing else, you may leave.”

Wuling Yue hesitated, then responded, “Yes, sir,” and began to withdraw. As she stepped over the threshold, she heard Xiao Muchen call after her, “Wait. Last night, the entire Le family was exterminated. Who was responsible?”

Wuling Yue stopped and turned. “I do not know. But Minister Le was coerced into confession by Sub-Minister Zhou Xing’s men and later committed suicide out of guilt. I suspect those men were responsible for wiping out the Le family.”

“Good. That’s all I needed to know. You may go.”

“Understood.”

Wuling Yue cast a lingering glance at Xiao Muchen before she left. Once alone, Xiao Muchen turned to look for Li Linghuan—but the courtyard was empty.

She ran fast.

He thought for a moment, then asked, “Any unusual findings about the Su family today?”

Xuan Yu replied, “Aside from a minor disturbance caused by two young maidens returning home, nothing unusual. Our agents have only just infiltrated the Su family, so news won’t spread so quickly.”

“Keep watching them.”

“Understood. What about the person who just intruded into your estate? Should we pursue?”

“No need.”

...

In the Wisteria Courtyard, Ashu waited anxiously for a long time, growing restless and pacing at least fifty circuits, tears threatening to fall. After two hours, she finally saw a figure vault over the wall.

The third son of the Su family happened to step out to relieve himself and, in an instant, caught sight of a shadow rushing by. Terrified, Su Sanlang screamed and fainted. The accompanying servant screamed again, drawing servants and the Qin family running over.

The Su mansion erupted into chaos, loud and bustling.

Hearing the screams, Ashu’s heart sank with a bad premonition. She paced nervously and was about to rush out when the Wisteria Courtyard’s door was suddenly slammed open. A swift figure dashed into her arms.

“Quick, change clothes—dress as Murong Huan!”

“Where have you been?” Ashu asked, recognizing the form.

“I’m going to sleep now. No time for chatter. Leave the rest to Murong Huan!”

“?”

Countless question marks appeared over Ashu’s head, but before she could ask, Li Linghuan had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Frozen and helpless for a moment, Ashu noticed a knife wound on her arm. Though shallow, blood had soaked the dark cloak. She hurriedly removed the bloodied garment, cleaned and dressed the wound, applied medicine, and wrapped it up. Only then did she cover her with a blanket.

Seeing Murong Huan fast asleep, Ashu’s tears fell uncontrollably. The outside noise continued unabated. She fetched water and washed the blood-stained cloak, crying as she worked.

When would the lady’s illness truly heal? She used to injure others in danger; now, she was hurting herself.