sjar Chapter 125 Mirror Flowers and Moon in the Water
Chapter 125 Mirror Flowers and Moon in the Water
Zuixianglou on Dousu Street in the capital was as bustling as ever.
The palace coup two months ago was a taboo subject for ordinary people.
As time went by, the topics of conversation changed again and again.
Except for those unfortunate people who lost loved ones in that upheaval and are still unable to recover from their grief, everyone else has long forgotten about that coup.
The hottest topic lately has been the twelve newly appointed Flower Goddesses.
The people of the capital are all betting on which Flower Goddess will be next to be favored by Emperor Hua.
Don't think it's strange that the common people are all focused on discussing Emperor Hua's harem.
Throughout history, the scandals surrounding emperors and their harems have always been one of the most popular topics of gossip.
As the saying goes, talking about sex won't necessarily get you arrested, but talking about politics will definitely get you free accommodation.
No matter how wise and great a king may be, he could not stop the masses from gossiping that he slept with his own sister-in-law.
The two innermost private rooms on the second floor of Zuixianglou are empty today.
In the innermost private room, a refined-looking man with a handsome face sat by the window, gazing out, seemingly lost in thought.
He toyed with a xun in his hand; the white jade fish-shaped instrument moved like a small fish leaping and turning off the shore in his slender, well-defined fingers.
"Young Master Tang, it's best to keep things you can't give away as soon as possible. Otherwise, it'll be a pity if they fall into a mud pit and break."
The voice outside the door seemed to genuinely feel sorry for him. Upon hearing this, Bai Yu paused for a moment, then rolled the fish back and forth between her jade-like fingers.
Tang Huaiyi smiled slightly at the person who pushed open the door and entered.
"It doesn't matter. The heart is in the heart, not in external things. Her wish is my heart. Since she already understands my heart, what is there to fear even if Huaiyi is shattered to pieces?"
After saying those carefree words, Tang Huaiyi's smile faded, and he changed the subject.
"She has always been clear-headed, but unfortunately some fools neither understand her nor their own hearts."
"So what? At least his heart doesn't lie. Besides, I'll give him whatever he wants."
"Don't go too far!"
His voice was low and tinged with anger. Seeing Tang Huaiyi's anger, the visitor smirked with amusement.
“You know too little about the sacred objects of our race.”
"That's why I've come to you today. Do you know that this place was once restarted? I suspect that someone has tampered with my memories."
As Tang Huaiyi spoke, he handed the white fish in his hand to the guest.
The visitor lightly touched his lips, his gaze sweeping over Tang Huaiyi with an air of undeniable charm and elegance.
"Although we've known each other for hundreds of years and have a deep bond like we grew up together, my preferences have never changed. She doesn't want your fish, so there's no need for you to give up on yourself and settle for me, right?"
Tang Huaiyi ignored the other person's frivolous teasing. He stared at the fish-shaped musical instrument in his hands, his expression more serious than ever before.
“The white fish told me that it had never seen her since it came here with me. But last time, I clearly remember taking out the white fish hoping that she would leave with me.”
The visitor's smile froze instantly. After lowering his eyes and thinking for a moment, he looked at Tang Huaiyi and replied seriously.
"Baiyu is right. Last time, none of us saw her. Zhuang Zhou dreamed of a butterfly. Whether it was Zhuang Zhou or the butterfly, this world will only revolve around Zhuang Zhou or the butterfly."
"You mean, she did this?"
"You don't understand my clan's sacred artifact." The visitor didn't answer Tang Huaiyi directly, but instead repeated what he had said before.
"If you treat this place as a dream, approach it with a playful attitude, and take it lightly, you will be making a big mistake."
"Zhuang Zhou was once a butterfly, which is why there are stories of butterflies flitting among flowers in this world."
"Reality and dreams coexist; dreams originate from reality; and real people shape this world."
"The illusory world that exists outside of reality and dreams will reflect the host's past as if looking in a mirror."
"Is everything predetermined by fate? So that's what he meant..." Tang Huaiyi murmured softly, then looked at the pensive visitor with a puzzled expression.
"If it's destiny, what do you mean by helping that idiot achieve his wish?"
"Throughout the myriad realms of existence, the true nature of humanity is multifaceted. What is 'me' is not 'me'; the choices of fate are like a mirror, reflecting different futures. The dreams that lead to the past are created by people in the present; don't you anticipate what kind of flowers they will bloom in the future?"
Tang Huaiyi was speechless. He suspected that his friend had been a monk for too long, and that his speech always sounded like Zen koans, going around in circles.
"Jie Wang! I told you she's my friend. Who gave you permission to touch her?"
The questioning voice that burst through the door carried a sense of impatience and urgency.
The richly dressed young nobleman resembled a fiery little lion, believing that by showing his sharp claws, he could instill fear in his target.
"Don't think I don't know, Mother..."
“I don’t expect it, and besides, don’t forget. Since we’ve known each other, when have you ever seen her obediently follow other people’s ideas? She won’t walk the path you’ve chosen.”
Two voices rang out almost simultaneously, and only then did the young master realize that there were other people in the room.
"Young Master Gu, the fact that Xiao Xi was able to alter the secret techniques of a hundred schools has somehow spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world. Now that the secret techniques of various schools have been leaked is no longer a secret, Xiao Xi and her companions' journey to the desert will likely be fraught with danger. I hope Young Master Gu will take good care of Xiao Xi's master. I, Huaiyi, will take my leave now and go ahead."
Tang Huaiyi had already put away the white fish-shaped musical instrument in his hand, and he bowed to Gu Mingfeng, who had unexpectedly barged in.
Ignoring the awkward reply behind him, he quickly left Zuixianglou.
He has almost finished his business in the capital.
He asked his friend a question, but his friend refused to answer him directly. However, he understood a few things his friend told him.
This is not a dream.
This world is based on everything that happened to Xiaoxi.
However, the course of this story will be altered by the different choices made by different people.
Is it true?
A new life, like being reborn, is truly tempting.
Tang Huaiyi shook his head with a wry smile. He suddenly understood what his friend wanted that idiot to fulfill.
But what he really wanted to know was why Xiaoxi was trapped here and unable to leave.
……
The things that almost slipped out were clearly not things that should be known to outsiders.
Besides, he still remembers the person in front of him!
That guy who takes advantage of Fei is such a pretentious pretty boy!
Gu Mingfeng glanced at the two people in the room with an unfriendly look.
What are these two plotting by sneaking into their grandmother's territory?
Who is this pretty boy talking about?
"You don't need to tell me! Whatever my relationship with Miss Fei is, Master Wei's business is my business!"
Before Gu Mingfeng could finish speaking, the person in front of him had already disappeared from the spot.
He gritted his teeth, feeling as if he had been tricked.
Suppressing his anger, Gu Mingfeng turned his head, arrogantly raising his chin.
"My maternal grandfather suddenly bestowed honors upon the Qingcheng Sect and even conferred the title of Princess upon Miss Fei. Was he trying to control Miss Fei and thus influence those people in the martial arts world?"
"The Princess will be very pleased that Prince Gu has come to this understanding."
"Hmph, she won't listen to your arrangements. Aunt Hua sent word that Miss Fei is missing. You'd better not be involved, or I'll never let you off the hook!"
As soon as Gu Mingfeng finished speaking, he belatedly realized that the "she" the pretty boy was talking about must be Miss Fei.
Miss Fei is valuable to my mother, so if it is my mother's order, Miss Fei will be fine now.
However, he is temporarily unable to leave the capital...
“The princess is highly sought after by everyone right now, so Your Highness can rest assured that she is not in any immediate danger. However, if the princess falls into the hands of those martial arts practitioners, she might die the very next day after rewriting their ultimate techniques. His Majesty’s actions are also for the princess’s safety, which is why he has bestowed upon her royal status.”
"You! You must immediately send someone to find Miss Fei. She is a princess bestowed by my maternal grandfather. We cannot let her be bullied by those Jianghu people. Don't think I don't know that my maternal grandfather has entrusted you with the daily orders of the Zhenfu Division."
"Your Highness, rest assured. The kidnapping of the Princess is a matter of great importance to the court's reputation."
Gu Mingfeng glared fiercely at the monk who was looking at him with a smile and satisfaction, feeling that the other party was up to something bad again.
He recalled Aunt Hua's letter asking him about Miss Mu, her words implying that he could rest assured and that she would take good care of her.
Gu Mingfeng couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
Aunt Hua seemed to have misunderstood something; the token was given to Miss Fei by him, not taken by Miss Fei from Miss Mu.
Aunt Hua harbored prejudice against Miss Fei, and she entrusted Miss Fei's safety to these people, none of whom she trusted.
It seems he needs to reconsider his father's side of things.
"Don't think that just because your grandfather has recently taken a liking to you, I can't do anything to you. If you handle Miss Fei's matter well, I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, I'll settle all the old and new scores together, and don't expect me to let you off the hook!"
……
Monk Jiewang stood quietly by the window, watching Prince Gu leave.
His pure and flawless face wore a smile that embraced all things in the world, and his expression did not change in the slightest even though the other party had just said some harsh words to him.
My friend doesn't understand; it's more interesting that she won't follow his plan.