Early that morning, the sun had just begun to cast its rays of sunlight. Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin stood in front of the gate of Jinfeng Sect bidding farewell to Chen Dandan.
Although Chen Dandan was sad to see Yan Zhanjin leave, she respected his wishes, as he was a free spirit who detested being bound by rules.
Chen Dandan whined affectionately, "Shixiong, I will visit you soon."
Yan Zhanjin, ever practical, reminded her, "Take care of Ma ge. We promised Batu that we will keep an eye on him."
Chen Dandan smiled, reassuring him, "Don't worry, I will make sure he eats three meals every day. Shimu said he is in seclusion improving his skills. If there is anything new, I will write to you."
Yan Zhanjin simply replied, "Take care."
Chen Dandan hugged Yan Zhanjin tightly, not wanting to let go. "Shixiong, I know you don't like martial arts, but I will protect you when I get better," she vowed.
Yan Zhanjin pulled away gently and tapped her forehead lightly. "Silly girl, men protect women, it's never the other way around." He smiled at her. "I'll leave now." He quickly walked down the stone stairs. Halfway down, he met Zhu Mingyang, and the two men walked out of the Jinfeng gate together.
Standing hidden beside a tree, away from the eyes of others, Gu Yingjie watched Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin walk down the mountain path happily.
Although his heart was hurting seeing such a sight that reminded him of the days they shared, at the same time, he was glad and happy to see the person he loves no longer had to be bound by rules or suffer for others' wrongdoing.
He let out a soft sigh, blowing out the heaviness that he had collected inside his chest.
He smiled, thinking to himself that even though the both of them didn't get their chance to live in seclusion away from the chaos of the martial world, at the very least one of them could.
Yuan Chaomei looked at Gu Yingjie and asked, "Are you sure you made the right choice for him?"
Gu Yingjie looked at Chao Mei, his expression peaceful despite the pain in his eyes. "I believe this is the right choice. He is very happy."
"He is happy, but you are suffering," Yuan Chaomei countered, stating the obvious truth.
Gu Yingjie smiled at her, a hint of irony in his voice. "Were you the one who taught me this?"
Yuan Chaomei returned the smile. "I hope Zhu Xiong will not hate me."
Gu Yingjie replied, the words a final, painful acceptance of his fate. "If there is a person he hates, let that me be." He looked at Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin, letting his despair show in his gaze before turning around and starting to walk back.
"Chaomei, we live in an era when our parents choose our life partner for us. They think they made the best choice to ensure our happiness, but they didn't realize that the choice they made was not what we wanted." He stopped and looked at Yuan Chaomei. "Do you miss him?"
Yuan Chaomei met his gaze, and she sighed, "Every day."
Gu Yingjie looked at Yuan Chaomei and said, "We are truly perfect for each other." He let out a soft chuckle, acknowledging the bitter irony of their shared fate.
Yuan Chaomei scoffed, casting a sarcastic expression on her face. "You are right. We are perfect for each other and deserve every hate and ill word from them," she said with a teasing smile on her face, yet a deep sadness in her eyes.
As they walked back toward Jinfeng Sect, Gu Yingjie's thoughts drifted to the painful past. He recalled the specific, heart-wrenching realization he had come to: someone like Zhu Mingyang will never leave willingly, unless he slowly inflicted pain and disappointment one after another.
The Gu Manor was a sight of festive tradition, decorated red in every corner with stickers bearing congratulatory words. The excited voices of gathered guests mingled with the echoing music throughout the hallways.
On his wedding night, Gu Yingjie sat at the table and looked across the room at his bride, who was seated silently on the bed. He recalled the cold reality of their union: before his parents, Gu Tingfang and Yuan Zixin, had arranged the wedding, he had only met Yuan Chaomei twice.
Gu Yingjie looked at the silent figure on the bed. "You can lift your own veil. I can't see, so I'm not able to do that."
Yuan Chaomei did as he asked, lifting the embroidered red silk veil to reveal her face. "It is not my choice to marry you," she stated bluntly. "You can do whatever you want with this body, but I have written another person's name in my heart."
Gu Yingjie sighed, the sound carrying the weight of his own concealed sorrow. "Don't worry, I don't want your body or your heart." He got up from his seat. "Please help me take off these clothes."
Yuan Chaomei walked slowly towards the young handsome man. She gently took off Gu Yingjie's outer wedding robes.
Gu Yingjie smiled and said, "Help me sleep in the armchair over there."
Yuan Chaomei held Gu Yingjie's hand and helped him settle into the wooden armchair. Feeling a rush of sympathy, she asked, "Child Gu, I apologize for my impulsiveness."
Gu Yingjie dismissed her apology with a soft sigh. "You are not the only one who was forced into marriage." He then smiled, his thoughts turning to her true love. "What is he like?"
Yuan Chaomei chuckled, a bittersweet sound. "A gentleman does not seek fame and wealth. My father does not approve of our marriage because of his pitiful statue. My father told him that the only way my father will allow him to marry me is he must be greater or equal to my father."
"And then," Gu Yingjie prompted gently.
"He left me. He promised that when we meet next time, he will be more famous than my father." She smiled sadly and sat in the long armchair with Gu Yingjie. "I haven't seen him since. He learned that I have been betrothed to you. He wrote to me and explained that even though his statue is higher than my father, he doesn't want to go against the Gu family. He wrote on his letter that he didn't want to put my happiness in his hands. He wished me a happy marriage." She paused for a moment, her eyes distant. "A few years ago, my sister told me that he is a leader of some clan, and many people respect him."
Gu Yingjie nodded. "That's good."
"I'm sorry," Yuan Chaomei said, "I shouldn't talk to you about another man on your wedding night."
"Yuan Xiaojia, don't worry. I don't plan to marry any woman in my life. I will let you go when I finish my task."
"What kind of task?"
"Don't worry, it is safer for you to not intervene in this kind of matters. The less you know, the safer you are."
"Then I won't ask anything," Yuan Chaomei conceded. "Sometimes if you want to express yourself, I am a very good listener."
The memories of the past slowly faded as the road in front of him became clearer, Gu Yingjie looked at Yuan Chaomei, a deep gratitude in his eyes. "Chaomei, thank you for being by my side when I need to express myself. All those years, I didn't know how to repay you."
Yuan Chaomei shook her head. "Yingjie, between us, there should be no thank you or sorry."
"If I may ask," Gu Yingjie said, leaning closer, "how did you find out about Mingyang and me?"
Yuan Chaomei chuckled and said, "It's the way Zhu-xiong, look at you." Yuan Chaomei then frowned slightly. "If Zhu-xiong found out, he will be very angry with you."
Gu Yingjie remained calm. "He will not be angry with me because he found his happiness."
Gu Yingjie saw the two servants approaching them, and he grabbed Yuan Chaomei's hand, signaling the end of their private talk.
Yuan Chaomei immediately switched to the role of a devoted wife. "Lao gong, do you feel better with the fresh air?" she asked.
Gu Yingjie smiled, playing his part. "My dear, I feel better, thank you."
Yuan Chaomei turned to Gu Yingjie. "Should we head back?"
She took Gu Yingjie's hand, cementing their public facade, and walked toward the two waiting servants.
The Maid spoke up, "My lady, the horse carriage is ready."
Yuan Chaomei smiled sweetly, playing her role for the benefit of the staff. "Lao gong, slowly watch your step."
During this time, the people of the Gu Household bid farewell to the people of Jinfeng Sect. Then, approaching from the road were Fu Yuanjun and the ten elders of Tianshan.
Kuo Jing Song saw Fu Yuanjun and the ten elders of Tianshan, and he walked over to greet him. At this moment, the maid was helping Yuan Chaomei up the steps and into the carriage.
Fu Yuanjun asked, "How does Kuo Shifu feel?"
Gu Yingjie noticed that Yuan Chaomei stopped and stared at Fu Yuanjun until Fu Yuanjun and the ten elders of Tianshan followed the disciples inside to rest. Only then did she climb into the carriage and look out the window quietly.
As the carriage moved, she silently wiped her tears with her sleeve.
Gu Yingjie looked at her and asked, "Is he Fu Yuanjun?"
Yuan Chaomei replied, "Yes."
Gu Yingjie, "Did your dad tell you how successful he is now?"
"No," Yuan Chaomei whispered.
Gu Yingjie smiled faintly, confirming the devastating truth. "Fu Yuanjun is the leader of the Tianshan Sect. In the martial arts world, he ranks fifth. In the six sects, he ranks second after the Shaolin monks. His statue is higher than your father."
Yuan Chaomei's eyes widened with realization. "No wonder he wrote me that letter. Today he is different from yesterday."
Gu Yingjie quoted sagely, "This tells us that blowing someone else's candle will not make your light brighter." He also looked out the window. "If we are separated from someone for more than three days. After we meet again, we must reassess."
Yuan Chaomei said sadly, "You are right, time always moves forever, and no one will choose to wear old clothes if there are new clothes in the dresser."