NO ONE ON EARTH was less likely to criticize Murong Chuyi than Yue Chenqing. Since he was little, he had worshipped and loved Murong Chuyi, this uncle with whom he shared not a drop of blood. This was the reason a pampered young master like him would follow Xihe-jun to the northern frontier; this was the reason he would pore over all manner of books and records for any hint of a magical panacea.
He knew coming to Bat Island alone was a mistake. He'd started regretting it almost as soon as he set out, and had long since realized he was a failure who'd troubled his fourth uncle and the others to come to his rescue.
But no matter how he apologized, Murong Chuyi didn't soften in the slightest. He lashed out at Yue Chenqing, scolding him for not valuing the life his mother died to give him. He said such heartrending words to Jiang Yexue, who had opened his own veins to save his nephew. Yue Chenqing was devastated.
"Fourth Uncle…I know I'm no good, I'm too stupid and impulsive… I just wanted you to get better, but you won't tell me anything. What could I do but try to help you on my own… I'm sorry, I couldn't find a cure and caused you so much trouble…but…but…" He closed his eyes, tears flowing down his face. "Won't you even listen to my explanations…?"
He continued, "You say my life came at the price of my mother's, and Jiang… You say he's a bastard… But he didn't ask to be born to a concubine…and I didn't ask to kill my mother by being born! Why do you blame us? Fourth Uncle, I revere you and love you. For so many years, I've agreed with all you say and adored all you do. But have you ever turned to look at me?" Yue Chenqing sobbed. "Have you… Have you ever seen me as your nephew, even once?"
"Chenqing, forget it, Chuyi's—" Jiang Yexue murmured.
Murong Chuyi's face was ashen. He cut Jiang Yexue off, his bright brown eyes fixed on Yue Chenqing's face as he spat each word: "Let him speak!"
Jiang Yexue fell silent.
Yue Chenqing wiped at his tears, hanging his head and sniffing. "I don't know… I won't say anymore… I-I shouldn't be rude to Fourth Uncle… I shouldn't talk back to Fourth Uncle…" He muttered again and again, "I shouldn't disagree with Fourth Uncle" as though to calm himself. But as he mumbled on and on, he buried his face in his hands and sobbed like a whimpering cub. "Is it because you wish I was never born…?"
Murong Chuyi froze.
"But my mother is dead. I'm not Murong Huang, I'm Yue Chenqing!"
The atmosphere in the cave turned glacial. Everyone could see Murong Chuyi trembling with the clashing emotions in his heart; his jade-like face flushed faintly as his bone-pale fingers curled into fists. He looked at Yue Chenqing, then at Jiang Yexue, and closed his eyes. "Very well… Very well," he gritted out. He took a step back, and his sharp brows drew together as he coughed up bloody spittle. He covered his mouth with a sleeve, hiding it from sight.
Murong Chuyi opened his phoenix eyes, red-rimmed and glimmering. His gaze raked over his two nephews, its freezing glint hiding heartbreak. "I've heard your explanation. I won't reprimand you anymore, Yue Chenqing." His nails were digging into his palms so hard they nearly drew blood, but still he lifted his chin and assumed a cold calm. "Fend for yourself."
With a sweep of his sleeves, he turned to leave.
"Xiaojiu!" Jiang Yexue cried after him.
The sight of Murong Chuyi's expression seemed to wake Yue Chenqing from a nightmare. He stared at his uncle's retreating silhouette in blank confusion, tear tracks shining on his face. "Fourth Uncle…"
But Murong Chuyi was gone. He pretended not to see Gu Mang and Mo Xi as he swept from the cave mouth, his face as pale as the first snow of winter. He took not a single look back.
After more than a moment, Mo Xi broke the silence. "H-how did it end up like this?"
Jiang Yexue sighed. "As soon as Chenqing woke up, Xiaojiu started in on him. He asked why he would come to Bat Island alone, so Chenqing explained he wanted to find medicine for him. Xiaojiu… he felt it wasn't worth Chenqing risking his life, so he grew even angrier and berated Chenqing for being without sense… Xiaojiu's always had a temper, he doesn't mean it that way. I'm sorry, these Yue Clan matters…are rather embarrassing."
Finding himself in the middle of this mess, Mo Xi wasn't sure what to say either. It wasn't his nature to meddle in the business of others, so he paused and said only, "It's too dangerous out there. I'll go after Murong."
"Hey," Gu Mang grabbed his arm.
"What is it?"
"That hissy beauty is too smart to go far. He just wants to calm down—didn't you see his face when he left?" Gu Mang glanced at Yue Chenqing and Jiang Yexue, then lowered his voice so only Mo Xi could hear. "He was so angry he was on the verge of tears."
Mo Xi was stunned for a moment. Whose tears? Murong Chuyi's? Didn't he leave in a furious huff?
"Wouldn't it humiliate him if you went to look for him now? Give him some space," Gu Mang advised.
Mo Xi hadn't noticed any such vulnerability in Murong Chuyi's expression, but Gu Mang had always been the more observant one. Since Gu Mang had spoken, he wouldn't insist even if he did disagree.
Jiang Yexue was worried. "I'm afraid my xiaojiu…"
"Don't worry." Gu Mang stepped deeper into the cave, waving a hand. "You guys rest up a bit. I'll go find him in a little while, then we can set out for Chonghua."
"You figured out where to break through the barrier?"
"Duh. Did you forget who I am? I was already this great back when we hung around together."
They tidied the inside of the cave. Gu Mang was the most idle among them, leaning against the cave wall to rest. He summoned his demonic dagger, spinning it in slender fingers. After playing with it for a time, he felt a pair of hesitant eyes quietly watching him. Gu Mang looked down and met the feathered girl Rongrong's wide eyes.
Rongrong didn't expect Gu Mang to suddenly notice her. She averted her gaze, but it was too late.
Gu Mang smiled. "Hi, gorgeous. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You, you…" Rongrong's pretty face was red. Stumbling and hesitant, she murmured, "You…you smell so strongly…of him."
His fingers spinning the dagger froze. "Who?" he asked in surprise.
Rongrong didn't make a sound, but her eyes flicked toward Mo Xi, who was standing next to Yue Chenqing, examining his wounds.
Gu Mang's lips quirked up into a smile. "Oh, him. It's normal; we were sitting close to each other."
"No, not that, you two seem like—"
With a smile, Gu Mang laid a finger on her lips, then patted her head and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry, I know how astute you feathered people are. Demon blood runs in my body, and you're sensitive to demon scents, right? But, little beauty, demons and humans are not the same. While you're with us, you need to learn human rules—with some things, it's best to pretend you don't know. Behave, sweetheart."
Hearing the soft rustle of their movements, Mo Xi turned. "What are you two doing?"
Gu Mang drew back from Rongrong and grinned. "Nothing. I'm just teasing her." He reached out and flicked the flame marking on Rongrong's forehead. "Remember what I said. Why don't you get ready to leave the island with us?"
Thanks to the vulnerability Gu Mang found in the barrier, evading Bat Island's defenses was the work of moments. The two nut boats broke past the clouds, and by the time the patrolling bat demons spied them, they were much too far away to pursue.
Gu Mang had invited the feathered girl Rongrong onto the ship as well. Once they were deep in the sea of clouds, he brought her out from the cabin. "Mount Jiuhua is right below us here. Miss Rong, you can go home."
Rongrong leaned over the ship's rail and looked down. Beneath the vast layer of clouds, a greenish-blue mountain was visible, faintly glowing with the light of the feathered tribe's barrier. She couldn't help the pink flush that spread over her cheeks as she stared for a long while, lost for words, before turning to speak. "Thank you, thank you, Da-gege…"
"Da-gege?" Gu Mang smiled. "It's fine if you call us da-gege. Even if you're older than all of us, you look younger. You can call us whatever you'd like."
"You cured Chenqing of the gu," said Jiang Yexue. "It is us who owe you a debt of gratitude, so it would be too bold of me to accept your thanks." Jiang Yexue performed an obeisance. "Miss, take care."
Rongrong was eager to go home. After bidding farewell to all of them one last time, dazzling gold-red wings sprouted from her back, and she gracefully leapt into the sea of clouds and disappeared into that golden light far below.
Gu Mang sighed. "All right, we've performed the rescue and cured the poison. Time to go home and rest. But you guys can't sell me out," he warned. "I plan to keep pretending to be stupid when I return to Chonghua, just as we agreed."
Yue Chenqing was standing beside the mast with a thick coat draped over his shoulders, staring blankly at Murong Chuyi's pleasure boat in the distance. He'd not yet been apprised of Gu Mang's situation, and at these words, turned to Gu Mang in shocked silence. "What did we agree?"
Before Gu Mang could answer, Jiang Yexue cut in. "Don't worry, I'll explain it to him later. You two must've had a long night. Go back to the cabin and rest. Once we reach the capital, you'll need to report to His Imperial Majesty."
"Sure, I'll rest, but can you change rooms with Xihe-jun?" Gu Mang asked. "You can sleep with me, and Xihe-jun can sleep in a different cabin."
Jiang Yexue hesitated. "Did you two…fight again?"
"Haven't we been fighting the whole time? More like we never stopped." Gu Mang smiled. "Look, he hates me so much he's gnashing his teeth. Plus, he looks so deliciously pretty—don't forget I'm an insane Liao Kingdom demon. If I get too excited I might end up defiling and killing him. What would we do then?"
Mo Xi and Jiang Yexue stared.
"I'd really appreciate it. If it's too much of a bother, I'll go over to Murong-xiansheng's boat and make do for a night."
"It's no bother at all," Jiang Yexue replied. "And Xiaojiu is in a temper right now; we shouldn't disturb him." He gave Gu Mang a small smile. "If it makes Gu-xiong more comfortable."
"Jiang-xiong is as accommodating as ever; how nice." Gu Mang batted his eyelashes at him, lips curving into a smile. Then he lifted the bamboo curtain and ducked into the cabin.
Mo Xi stood silent for a moment, then announced, "I'll go rest too." He disappeared into the other cabin.
Yue Chenqing was stupefied. "Wh-what happened between those two?" he stammered.
"It's a long story. If you don't mind hearing it from me, I'll tell it to you from the beginning." With a twitch of his fingertips, Jiang Yexue wheeled his chair over to Yue Chenqing. "Chenqing, are you willing to hear me out?"
"I…" Yue Chenqing looked at Murong Chuyi's ship in the sea of clouds, then glanced down at Jiang Yexue's wounded wrist. He hung his head. "I'm sorry. I made things difficult for you all."
"You've said sorry many times. It's water under the bridge," replied Jiang Yexue. "Just don't be so reckless next time. You see how we all worry about you, whether it's your father, your bofu, your uncle…or me. You meant well; you didn't act out of mischief. I know this, and I'm sure Xiaojiu knows as well. His temper's always been like this when he's anxious. Don't think he doesn't care for you."
Yue Chenqing stood in dejected silence and didn't raise his head.
Jiang Yexue instructed two little clay people to bring cushions and desserts. "Sit down," he said to Yue Chenqing. "You've just recovered, so have a snack. You'll feel better if you eat something sweet like a flower cake. Give it a try."
The dawn breeze ruffled Yue Chenqing's hair. He sat down as told, watching the crooked little clay person that came to deliver snacks, then voiced his thanks and started nibbling on the cake. When half of it had disappeared, he reluctantly lifted his head. "Um…"
"Hm?"
"Did giving blood…hurt? The wound on your wrist looks really deep, I-I have medicine…"
"I have medicine too." Jiang Yexue smiled, his eyes like two clear pools scattered with jasmine blossoms, their subtle fragrance rippling outward. "Don't worry. It doesn't hurt, and I don't blame you. You don't need to be so nervous with me."
Yue Chenqing's eyes were a little red. His head hung so low his chin nearly touched his chest. "I-I'm sorry…"
Jiang Yexue sighed deeply. "Silly child, why are you apologizing again?"
"I-I treated you so badly before, but—but you still helped me like this. I… I feel very sorry." The light flush reddening his ears spread to his cheeks as his voice grew thick with shame and embarrassment. "I'm apologizing on Fourth Uncle's behalf too. We… we shouldn't have said that about you." He set down the flower cake, hesitated for a moment, then raised bright, limpid eyes. "Jiang…er, Qingxu Elder, thank you."
He still wouldn't call Jiang Yexue dage, but at least he didn't just say "hey," or call him by his full name with no mark of respect. Jiang Yexue smiled, his cheerful expression like pearls beneath water, like flowers in the wind or feathery snow falling over a river in the dead of night.
"I don't blame you, and of course I won't blame him," Jiang Yexue said softly. "I've lost many people—my mother, my wife…my family. I understand some things a little better than you. Nothing is so important compared to life and death. And I won't bother quarreling over unimportant things. Also, he…he's a good person. Back when we were at Yue Manor, he never bullied me."
"Do you still want to come back to Yue Manor?" Yue Chenqing asked.
"I'm teaching at the academy now, and all the disciples are very cute." Jiang Yexue turned and smiled. "Whether I come back or not— this isn't important either."
Yue Chenqing sighed softly. "You're so even-tempered. If only Fourth Uncle could be the same—"
"Then he wouldn't be Murong Chuyi," chuckled Jiang Yexue. "All right, let's speak no more of these things. Once he's cooled down, I'll talk to him properly. Weren't you curious about Gu Mang a moment ago? I'll tell you what happened."
Yue Chenqing nodded, pulling over a cushion and sitting closer to Jiang Yexue. Jiang Yexue's voice was soft as flowing water. "Have you ever heard of the Time Mirror…?"
By the time he finished telling the whole story, the sun was high in the sky. He produced a well-crafted yet very old little clock from his robes. This clock was unique—it held neither water nor sand, but scarlet beads. After looking down at it, Jiang Yexue said, "It's getting late. Use this time to rest before we return to the capital. Remember to keep Gu-xiong's secret. We made him a promise."
Yue Chenqing went off to sleep, and Jiang Yexue directed the little clay people to put away his cushion and the leftover tea and snacks. The walnut ship's sails fluttered in the wind as it soared under the vault of the sky. Jiang Yexue sat beside the ship's railing, looking into the distance at Murong Chuyi's vessel.
As he watched, the bamboo curtain on Murong Chuyi's pleasure boat rolled up, revealing a man's sickly face. Murong Chuyi seemed to have many things weighing on his mind and had opened the curtain for some fresh air. But he took not a single breath before he noticed Jiang Yexue watching him through the banks of clouds.
Murong Chuyi stopped cold.
Jiang Yexue gave him a tiny smile, his gentle face bathed in dazzling golden sunshine. With a twirl of his fingers, he conjured a paper crane and sent it gliding toward Murong Chuyi's bamboo window.
Murong Chuyi slammed the curtain down with a discourteous crash. The paper crane stuttered in midair. It turned with a rustle and gazed clumsily at Jiang Yexue. "Honk?"
Gu Mang was exhausted; he'd already fallen asleep under the blankets. The faint scent of soap hung in the air; he must have just bathed. Yet this piqued Jiang Yexue's curiosity—Gu Mang was famously lazy and didn't like to bathe before sleeping. He'd always preferred to bathe in the morning.
"No matter if he's angry—send the message," Jiang Yexue instructed.
"Honk!" Having received its orders, the paper crane flapped its wings and transformed into a beam of golden light that darted unheedingly behind Murong Chuyi's tightly closed window curtain.
Propping his elbows on the armrests of his wheelchair, Jiang Yexue put a hand to his chin. Moments later, he watched the paper crane he'd folded tossed furiously out the window, crumpled into a tight ball.
Jiang Yexue arched a brow, unbothered. Then he shook his head, chuckling softly, and stepped into the cabin he now shared with Gu Mang.
Jiang Yexue had been his comrade for many years; he still remembered this quirk of Gu Mang's. Why would he suddenly change his habits? When Gu Mang had come in earlier, Jiang Yexue had noticed the heavy weariness in his eyes despite his efforts to feign alertness. What was going on…
He looked Gu Mang over but saw nothing strange. Just as Jiang Yexue was about to tidy up and go to bed, a thought occurred to him. He froze. His dark brown eyes slowly scanned the scene, landing on the hair ribbon Gu Mang hadn't removed.
It was black with gold trim—Mo Xi's hair ribbon.