How could she be here? Bai Shuo was startled, leaping down from the carriage.
“A-Xi!” she called, running forward. She stumbled and fell, but Bai Xi caught her in time.
“Careful.”
Seeing Bai Xi brought on a torrent of emotion that Bai Shuo could no longer hold back. She threw herself into Bai Xi’s arms, crying, “A-Xi! A-Xi…”
“There, there, it’s alright. You’re safe now, no need to cry.” Bai Xi gently stroked her back until her sobs quieted.
“I…” Bai Shuo’s face was streaked with tears, and she glanced back at the carriage, not knowing where to begin.
“Some things you don’t need to tell me,” Bai Xi said softly. “Father arranged for a convict to take A-Zhao’s place, so no one knows the prisoner in the Heavenly Prison wasn’t him.”
“And the Chong family?” Bai Shuo asked, voice trembling.
Bai Xi shook her head, sighing. “At noon, they were all executed.”
Bai Shuo paled, biting her lip, but Bai Xi took her hand. “A-Shuo, this isn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself. A-Zhao was innocent, and you’ve done all you could.”
Bai Shuo’s hand trembled. She nodded, then shook her head.
“A-Zhao can’t stay in the capital. He must live in hiding now. If you want to come back with me, Father and I can…”
“No.” Bai Shuo interrupted, glancing back at the carriage. “A-Zhao has nothing left. I’m afraid he might do something foolish. I want to stay with him until he’s ready to let go of the past.”
A shadow passed over Bai Xi’s face. Bai Shuo took her sister’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “It’s okay, A-Xi. You know me; I never really liked being a noble lady. The daughter of a general… My dream since I was little has always been to roam free, to live like an immortal.”
Bai Xi gave her a resigned look, tapping her lightly on the forehead. “You…”
“You’re the crown princess; you can’t leave the Eastern Palace for long. It’s time we say goodbye. Go on back. One day, I’ll become an immortal and come back to see you, alright?”
Bai Shuo smiled, and Bai Xi’s eyes reddened slightly as she nodded. “Alright, I’ll wait for our little immortal to come back to me. But remember, it’s rough out there. Take care of yourself. And if you ever… if you ever find it too difficult or you don’t want to chase that dream of immortality anymore, come home, okay?”
Bai Shuo’s eyes were red, and she nodded fiercely. “Okay.”
She let go of Bai Xi’s hand and walked away, only to turn back and run into her sister’s arms.
“Sister!” she cried, hugging her tightly. It was the first time in eighteen years that Bai Shuo had called Bai Xi “sister.”
“I’ll leave Father and Mother to you. Take care of yourself!” She released Bai Xi abruptly, turning and walking away without looking back.
“A…” Bai Xi extended her hand, but only managed to graze the edge of Bai Shuo’s clothes.
The carriage rolled away down the road. Bai Xun appeared quietly by Bai Xi’s side, watching Bai Shuo disappear into the distance.
* * *
A-Zhao woke two weeks later. He didn’t ask Bai Shuo any questions; it was as if he already knew everything. He stopped speaking, and when he wasn’t eating or drinking, he stayed curled up in the carriage, lost in a stupor.
Bai Shuo drove the carriage eastward, showing him all the sights along the way, telling him stories, cracking jokes to make him smile. She stayed close during the day and wouldn’t let herself fall deeply asleep at night, afraid he might slip away.
And so, another month passed. Bai Shuo didn’t dare stop for too long, braving wind and rain, camping rough. Winter approached, and the wind grew harsher along the way. Her once-smooth hands were now rough and cracked from the reins, her face tanned and worn by the elements. Yet her eyes shone with undimmed determination.
She believed that one day, A-Zhao would want to speak to her again. She believed, too, that one day she’d reach the eastern sea and find the fabled immortal mountain.
Days went by like this, and by the time they reached the easternmost city of Da Jing, it was already the end of the year.
That night, fireworks lit up the sky, and the entire city celebrated. Bai Shuo only then realized it was the Emperor’s birthday. She wanted to leave the bustling town, but the crowd pushed her carriage beneath the dazzling display. Then, someone gently grasped the reins.
A-Zhao had woken up, looking at her warmly with a soft smile.
Tears filled Bai Shuo’s eyes, but she couldn’t manage a single word.
“Where are we going, A-Shuo?” he asked, his voice as gentle as always.
“To… to become immortals,” she choked out, forcing herself to speak word by word. “Is that alright?”
“Alright,” A-Zhao said, patting her head. He took the reins and, guiding the carriage through the brilliant fireworks, led her eastward.
* * *
That same night, far in the northern lands of the demon realm, in the Hall of Luminous Moon.
Fan Yue drank alone under the moonlight, the little wooden donkey casually tossed by the incense burner. A wine cup tumbled across the table with a clink, and Dragon Pig, drunkenly flapping his wings, climbed onto the desk, leaning against the incense burner and resting one hoof on the wooden donkey.
“Hey, little blockhead…” Dragon Pig slurred with a hiccup. “How long have we been back here now? Why haven’t you eaten that donkey yet?”
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