The Thread of Fate

Bai Jue sat alone in his chambers, his thoughts consumed by memories of Yang Mi. Despite all his duties and responsibilities as the Heaven Crown Prince, his heart ached with the longing to find her. He had spent so long searching through the mortal realms, yet she remained elusive. It was as if she had vanished without a trace, leaving only the echo of her presence in his heart. The weight of his responsibilities tugged at him as his loyal eunuch, Dai Yi, entered the room.

"Your Highness," Dai Yi said gently, "the Emperor and Empress are awaiting your presence in the Celestial Hall. They wish to speak with you."

Bai Jue's expression tightened, the concern on his face evident. "Very well," he replied, his voice low and filled with resignation. As much as he wanted to continue his search, he knew his duty as the ruler of the three realms came first. He couldn't neglect the responsibilities that had been bestowed upon him.

In the grand Celestial Hall, the Heaven Emperor and Empress were seated with the Queen Mother, Lord Fang Zhu, and Lord Zhe Yan. The air was thick with the weight of their discussion. Despite the pleasant exchange of courtesies, there was an underlying tension in the room. The Queen Mother had not come simply to visit; she had come with a purpose.

"My old friends," the Queen Mother began, her voice steady and composed, "I have come to discuss an important matter—one that concerns the future of the realms and the well-being of my daughter, Yang Mi."

The Emperor nodded gravely. "We understand your concern, Queen Mother. Please, tell us what troubles you."

The Queen Mother took a deep breath before continuing. "As you know, the marriage between my daughter and the Crown Prince of Heaven was decreed by the previous Emperor. This union was destined to bring balance and peace to the three realms. However, my daughter is currently in a dire situation, one that threatens her very existence. I fear that if this marriage does not take place soon, we may lose her."

The Empress leaned forward, her expression one of sympathy. "We have always respected the bond between our families. If this marriage is what is required to save your daughter, then we will do everything in our power to ensure it happens."

Just as the Queen Mother was about to respond, the doors to the hall opened, and Bai Jue entered, his usual stoic and cold demeanor firmly in place. His handsome features were as impassive as ever, but there was an undercurrent of tension in his eyes. He bowed deeply to his parents and the Queen Mother, offering them the respect they were due.

"Your Highness," the Emperor began, "we were just discussing your forthcoming marriage to Lady Yang Mi, as decreed by the previous Emperor."

For a moment, Bai Jue's composure faltered, his eyes widening in shock. The name—Yang Mi—struck him like a bolt of lightning. Could it be the same Yang Mi he had been searching for? He quickly regained his composure, masking his surprise behind his usual indifferent facade.

"I see," Bai Jue replied, his voice measured and calm. But internally, his thoughts were racing. He felt a strange sensation in his fourth finger, where the red thread of fate connected him to his destined partner. He had always known that the thread was connected to someone special, but he had never been able to trace it fully in the mortal realm. Now, back in the heaven realm, he could feel the connection more strongly than ever.

The Queen Mother, unaware of the turmoil in Bai Jue's heart, continued, "This marriage must take place as soon as possible. It is the only way to ensure that the balance of the realms is maintained, and that my daughter is saved."

Bai Jue listened silently as they discussed the arrangements for the wedding, his mind still focused on the red thread that now tugged at his finger. He didn't refuse the marriage, but he didn't accept it either. Instead, he remained stoic and indifferent, his face betraying none of the emotions churning inside him.

As the meeting came to an end, it was decided that the wedding would take place in five days. The news spread quickly throughout the heavens, and soon reached the ears of Sun Jin, who was in her chambers in the west palace.

When Sun Jin heard the news of Bai Jue's impending marriage, she was furious. Her heart burned with jealousy and rage. She had always believed that she would be the one to marry Bai Jue, the man she had loved for so long. In a fit of anger, she trashed her chamber, smashing vases and throwing anything she could get her hands on. The maids in her palace cowered in fear, too terrified to make a sound as Sun Jin's wrath tore through the room.

Back in the Kunlun Mountain, the Queen Mother returned to the academy to check on her daughter's condition. She had moved all her work to the academy to be close to her sick daughter, and now she anxiously awaited any sign of improvement.

Meanwhile, Bai Jue, now in his office, sat quietly as Chang Er and Pei Yuan reported the latest developments in the mortal realm. Despite his usual composure, Bai Jue was impatient, his mind still preoccupied with the red thread that connected him to Yang Mi. He needed to find her, to confirm whether she was the same woman he had loved in the mortal realm.

As Chang Er finished his report, Bai Jue nodded absently, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. Once alone, he focused on the red thread, using his magic to trace its path. The thread glowed faintly, leading him out of his office and through the palace. He followed it with determination, his loyal guards and eunuch, Da Yi, trailing behind him.

The thread led Bai Jue to the gates of the Kunlun Academy, where the guards immediately recognized him as the Heaven Crown Prince. They hurriedly opened the gates, bowing deeply as Bai Jue and his entourage passed through. The disciples of the academy rushed to inform Lord Fang Zhu of the Crown Prince's arrival.

Lord Fang Zhu, who had been reviewing documents in his office, looked up in surprise when a disciple burst in, breathless and flustered. "Your Lordship, the Heaven Crown Prince has arrived at the academy!"

Fang Zhu's eyes widened in shock. "The Crown Prince? Here? Why?" He hurriedly followed the disciple out of the office, his mind racing with questions.

Lord Fang Zhu, as depicted in the image, exudes an air of elegance and refinement. His long, dark hair flows gracefully down his back, contrasting beautifully with his pale, ethereal complexion. Dressed in flowing robes of soft green, he embodies the serene and noble aura of a higher deity. His features are finely chiseled, with sharp, intelligent eyes that hold a depth of wisdom accumulated over centuries. There is an almost otherworldly grace to his movements, and his expression, though calm and composed, hints at a mind constantly at work, always a step ahead in the celestial game of politics and power. His presence commands respect, not through force or intimidation, but through a quiet confidence and an undeniable authority that comes from his status and the responsibilities he bears.

As Bai Jue arrives at Kunlun Mountain, Lord Fang Zhu stands as the gatekeeper to the answers he seeks, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there's a glimmer of humor in his eyes, perhaps a result of countless years of navigating the complex relationships between gods and mortals.

As Fang Zhu approached the courtyard, he spotted Bai Jue striding purposefully across the grounds, the red thread still guiding him. Fang Zhu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Bai Jue was here for...?

"Your Highness," Fang Zhu called out, trying to keep his voice steady. "What brings you to the Kunlun Academy?"

Bai Jue didn't stop walking, his eyes focused on the thread. "I'm following the thread," he replied curtly, not offering any further explanation.

Fang Zhu's brows furrowed in confusion. "Thread? What thread? There are no women here, Your Highness. Only male disciples."

Fang Zhu's mind began to race as he considered the possibilities. Could it be that Bai Jue... preferred men? The thought made Fang Zhu's face turn an awkward shade of red. "Your Highness," he began hesitantly, "I must inform you... this academy only houses men. There are no women here. Are you sure you're in the right place?"

Bai Jue continued walking, completely ignoring Fang Zhu's bewildered expression. "I know what I'm doing," he said calmly, his voice betraying no hint of the turmoil inside him.

Fang Zhu, still flustered, followed closely behind. "Your Highness, I... I mean, it's perfectly fine if you... have certain preferences, but I really think we should talk about this..."

Bai Jue gave Fang Zhu a withering look, causing the man to fall silent. As they reached the far end of the academy, the thread led Bai Jue to a secluded room. He pushed open the door and found Yang Mi lying on a bed, her face pale and her breathing shallow.

The sight of her nearly took Bai Jue's breath away. The cold mask he had been wearing melted away, replaced by raw emotion. He moved swiftly to her side, his heart pounding in his chest. Tan Qi, who had been tending to Yang Mi, looked up in surprise, quickly rising to her feet and giving a deep curtsy.

"Crown Prince," Tan Qi whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please, help my lady..."

Bai Jue knelt beside Yang Mi, gently taking her hand in his. "Yang Mi," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I've found you... I've finally found you..."

Yang Mi stirred slightly at the sound of his voice, her eyes fluttering open for a brief moment. "Bai Jue..." she whispered weakly, before slipping back into unconsciousness.

Lord Fang Zhu, who had been standing in the doorway, finally understood. Bai Jue was here for Yang Mi, his niece. He felt a pang of guilt for his earlier misunderstanding, but now was not the time for that.

"My Lord," Fang Zhu said quietly, stepping forward. "We need to get her help. She's been weakened by a mystical interference, and we must act quickly."

Bai Jue nodded, his jaw clenched with determination. "We will do whatever it takes to save her. I won't lose her again."

As Fang Zhu and Bai Jue began to discuss the next steps, the realization that they were united in their goal to save Yang Mi brought a renewed sense of hope. Though the path ahead was fraught with challenges, Bai Jue was determined to protect the woman he loved, no matter the cost.