Difu 4: Chapter 4
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墨書 Inktalez
It was three months after my return to the mortal realm that I saw Mu Liushang once again. 0
 
My former home—the Grand Tutor's Residence—was hosting a Peony Banquet to celebrate the Duanwu Festival, inviting friends and family for a lavish feast. 0
 
With a face strikingly similar to that of the young lady of the Grand Tutor's Residence, I found myself among the guests. 0
 
This was my first appearance in front of so many familiar and unfamiliar faces since my return to the mortal realm. 0
 
The dinner was a whirlwind of intrigue, twists, and dramatic moments. I was busy fending off the curious gazes and inquiries from various guests, hardly managing to eat anything. After much effort, I declined my mother's invitation to stay overnight, and with the reluctant farewells from everyone at the Grand Tutor's Residence, I dragged my weary body into the carriage. 0
 
However, after only a short while on the road, someone outside called out, “ lady Xie, please wait.” 0
 
Upon hearing that voice, I immediately knew who it was. I rolled my eyes inwardly but quickly replaced my expression with one of calmness. I gestured for Zixiao to lift the curtain of the carriage and feigned surprise, expressing my confusion perfectly: “ General Mu?” 0
 
The person was indeed Mu Liushang, the General Mu. 0
 
Looking back now at what I once considered a love story that could move heaven and earth, it turned out to be merely a case of falling for the wrong person. 0
 
Mu Liushang sat atop his horse, looking down at me as he said, “I wonder if Mu has the honor of escorting lady Xie home?” 0
 
“Mu, I'm still just a puppet,” I thought sarcastically. 0
 
Yet, maintaining a polite smile on my face, I nodded and replied graciously, “Then I would trouble you, General Mu.” 0
 
Though internally I felt drained from all this banter, my exterior remained composed. After all, this was Ksitigarbha’s ultimate weapon. 0
 
Every time he spoke solemnly about life and death to the people of Wangsi City, I knew he was secretly bubbling with gossip just waiting to share it with me upon his return. 0
 
Perhaps it was due to his marriage; Mu Liushang’s expression no longer bore that same unchanging indifference from five years ago. 0
 
 
Just like the smile that hung on his face now. I looked at the face I once adored, yet felt no heartbeat at all. 0
 
The world is so unpredictable; we are pushed forward, unable to turn back. 0
 
Sometimes we think we can grasp our own fate, unaware that the heavens have already laid out a path for us, one that we cannot choose to walk or not. 0
 
Such was my relationship with Mu Liushang. 0
 
Speaking so simply like this now was something I had never experienced before. 0
 
Back then, I could only follow behind him, looking up at him, even in closeness tinged with a hint of pleading. I had never placed myself on equal footing with him, and that was my greatest mistake. 0
 
"Lianhua has been troubled for years and hopes that lady Xie can help enlighten her," Mu Liushang suddenly said. 0
 
I looked at him and nodded. 0
 
Some matters could finally be resolved. 0
 
I wondered if it was because Mu Liushang was too strict; the entire general's residence felt like a large house filled with him—lifeless and devoid of spirit. 0
 
Even the maids and servants wore expressions as blank as Mu Liushang's. As I followed him to the backyard, I saw a woman sitting on a stone bench in the garden. 0
 
Her hair was slightly graying, her complexion sallow, and her eyes hollow. Yet upon seeing Mu Liushang, a glimmer of light flickered in her gaze. 0
 
She was Princess Lianhua. 0
 
It turned out she was not happy, even having obtained Mu Liushang. 0
 
 
She looked at me, and upon seeing my face, she was taken aback, her fingers trembling as she pointed at me, exclaiming, “You, you—” 0
 
Mu Liushang quickly grasped her hand and gently reassured her, “This is Madam Zhan ’s adopted daughter, lady Xie, Lianhua.” 0
 
“Nonsense! She is clearly—she is clearly—” 0
 
After arriving in the mortal realm, I found that the wicked humor cultivated by the people of Difu had skyrocketed, making it difficult for someone as virtuous as I to maintain my composure. 0
 
I took a large step forward and raised my hand towards Princess Lianhua, teasingly saying, “I didn’t expect the princess to still remember me.” 0
 
Mu Liushang frowned and was about to speak when I quickly shot him a glance, signaling him not to intervene. 0
 
So, I elegantly walked over to the stone table and sat down, picking up the pastries on it and starting to eat. 0
 
Princess Lianhua ’s face turned pale as she pointed at me, speechless. 0
 
As I munched on the pastries, I said to Princess Lianhua, “I must say, princess, you shouldn’t be so surprised to see me! After all, you come from a prominent family; where’s your poise?” 0
 
Princess Lianhua was so infuriated that she couldn’t find her words. She pushed Mu Liushang aside and sat down across from me. 0
 
I secretly reveled in her frustration while maintaining a calm demeanor. Raising an eyebrow like Ksitigarbha, I continued, “By the way, princess, why are you so afraid of seeing me? We have no grievances in the past and no grudges in the present.” 0
 
 
 
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