Bai Shuo was a clever person; she always preferred to solve problems with her wits rather than relying on magic, especially since she didn’t have much magic to spare. So when she saw Qing Yi waiting for her at the bottom of Jiu Hua Pavilion, she immediately knew that her explanation to Chong Zhao had likely been in vain.
Perhaps the other day, when Qing Yi had asked her about the origin of the jade flute, she had still held back, unsure of what to say. But now, after learning that Chong Zhao had entered the imperial palace, there was no point in further deception. Her appearance in Foreign City was known not only by Mu Jiu but also by various immortal clan members like Bei Chen and Shou An. If Qing Yi dug deeper into Chong Zhao’s background as a mortal, the imperial assassination would no longer remain a secret.
For an immortal to assassinate the Ziwei Star was a crime of defying the heavens, punishable by death according to the Immortal Realm’s laws.
Bai Shuo never would have imagined that saving an immortal with the jade flute in passing would bring such monumental trouble to Chong Zhao.
Faced with the situation, she could only gamble, placing her faith in Daze’s six-thousand-year legacy and reputation for benevolence.
“Bai Shuo of Miao Miao, greeting the Upper Lord Qing Yi.” Before Qing Yi could speak, Bai Shuo stepped forward and bowed.
Qing Yi looked at her, his gaze softening slightly. “Why choose to no longer deceive me?”
Bai Shuo, having decided not to deceive him further, was perhaps hoping for a sliver of understanding.
“As you see, I’ve only cultivated to become a half-immortal; by Miao Miao’s standards, I’m considered just an outer disciple,” she replied.
Seeing that Qing Yi wasn’t outright questioning her upon arrival, Bai Shuo relaxed slightly.
“If you are truly from Miao Miao, why trick me into bringing you to Phoenix Island?”
“Well, didn’t you trick me too? How was I supposed to know that you’re the Phoenix Emperor’s nephew and the grand-disciple of the revered god Dong Hua?” Bai Shuo muttered under her breath, then suddenly looked up. “The other day, Upper Lord offered me a mountain charm in gratitude for saving you. Might I use that charm now to make a request?”
“You wish me to stop investigating the matter of the jade flute?”
“Not exactly. I’d like to tell you a story instead,” Bai Shuo said, raising her head, her expression pleading.
Qing Yi paused, then nodded.
Bai Shuo turned to gaze at the distant, obscured silhouette of the Carefree Pavilion and began her story.
"Long ago, the Imperial General’s Mansion welcomed a pair of twin daughters. The eldest, Bai Xi, was gentle and reserved, chosen to be the Crown Prince’s bride. The youngest, Bai Shuo, was lively and willful, betrothed to Chong Zhao, the son of the Chancellor’s family..."
The long night stretched on, and within the quiet of Jiu Hua Pavilion, only Bai Shuo’s voice could be heard. For most mortals who became immortals, memories of the past were rarely revisited. The millennia of cultivation made the brief mortal years seem insignificant. Yet for Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao, with their short lives as cultivators, those mere mortal years felt all the more real.
After a while, Bai Shuo turned back to look at Qing Yi.
“When the entire Chong family was executed, I pleaded with my father to save A-Zhao. From then on, we distanced ourselves from the mortal realm and joined Miao Miao. Upper Lord Qing Yi, Chong Zhao is inherently kind-hearted. He’s not one for rebellion or murder, but after experiencing such devastating loss, resentment grew in his heart toward the mortal emperor, leading him to make a grave mistake in the imperial city.”
Bai Shuo shared the brief span of their mortal lives, leaving out what had happened after they joined Miao Miao.
Qing Yi looked at her, and at last, he understood where his sense of familiarity with Bai Shuo stemmed from.
He had encountered her once before. Years ago, during the demon disturbance on Mu Xiao Mountain, he had saved a pair of unconscious mortal girls. Time had passed, and he hadn’t imagined that those two would tread the path of immortality and find themselves with such fates.
“From what I know, the mortal Ziwei Star who descended to rule was a just and benevolent ruler, wise in his judgments. He never wrongfully executed loyal ministers.” Qing Yi frowned. “So… the accusation of rebellion that led to the Chong family’s massacre—wasn’t it a fair judgment?”
Bai Shuo’s face held no surprise. “Yes. My father once told me that Chancellor Chong did secretly raise private forces with intentions of rebellion.”
Qing Yi was taken aback. “Chong Zhao didn’t know?”
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