Discovering the Truth

Xianyue followed behind Liu Xinyou, maintaining a respectful distance as she circled around the sleeping quarters of Weiyang Palace. A vast artificial hill loomed ahead, and in the breeze, she could faintly hear the sound of water dripping. The surroundings were deserted, and she followed Liu Xinyou's trail, descending the steps, only to find a hidden paradise behind the hill.

Beneath the sunlight, the azure lake glimmered with crystalline clarity, its serene surface sparkling like gems. Gong Shaohua, still clad in her deep purple palace attire, sat near the lake in a pavilion, holding a small dish in her hands, gazing vacantly at the blue waters as she fed the fish gliding gracefully beneath the surface. Her delicate fingers, translucent and elegant, were poised gracefully. Xu Mama stood behind her, and upon noticing Liu Xinyou's arrival, leaned in to whisper something while pointing in Liu Xinyou's direction.

Gong Shaohua lifted her gaze to the approaching figure of Liu Xinyou and passed the tray of fish food to Xu Mama before rising. Instead of greeting Liu Xinyou, she seated herself at a small stone table. Xu Mama poured all the fish food into the lake and resumed her position behind Gong Shaohua.

As soon as Gong Shaohua settled down, a palace maid promptly appeared with a basin of fresh water. After Gong Shaohua washed her hands, another maid offered her a clean towel. Just as she finished drying her hands, Liu Xinyou had already taken a seat opposite her, without a bow or a greeting, her demeanor arrogant and insolent. Xu Mama was about to speak up but was halted by Gong Shaohua.

"You all may leave," she said, waving her hand dismissively. Xu Mama and the others bowed and departed, leaving only Gong Shaohua and Liu Xinyou in the pavilion. Meanwhile, Xianyue crouched beneath the small table, her garments drenched from the lake, yet her feet were firmly planted on the clean stone slabs, which, in the daylight, gave no sense of foreboding.

The entire mountainside formed a circular expanse, with a small slope directly facing the lakeside, offering a splendid view. Within the pavilion, every move made by Gong Shaohua and Liu Xinyou was visible. Although there was some distance between them, Xianyue had learned to read lips in the past; while she wasn't proficient, she could discern bits of their conversation. Liu Xinyou sat with her back to Gong Shaohua, allowing Xianyue to grasp Gong Shaohua's words, while Liu Xinyou remained unaware of what was being said.

To facilitate their discussion, a straight path led from the hill to the pavilion. Having grown up in the mountains, Xianyue quickly spotted it and, seizing the opportunity when the palace maids left, descended from above. She moved gracefully and went unnoticed.

The wooden structure creaked beneath her, the floorboards showing signs of wear, every sound above was crystal clear below. The clinking of the teacup against the marble was distinctly audible.

Gong Shaohua gently set down her teacup, observing Liu Xinyou across from her, her brows furrowing and her expression turning somewhat ghastly, her words starkly contrasting her usual gentle demeanor as the Queen of the Lan Kingdom. "You claimed that if I followed your instructions, I could ensure that Lan Yixuan, that wild spawn, would suffer for life. I've already arranged for him to marry Xianyue; now you may reveal your reasons."

Make Lan Yixuan suffer for a lifetime? Xianyue's heart jolted, her ears perked up at the mention of "wild spawn." She was almost certain that this woman could not be Lan Yixuan's biological mother. The façade of hypocrisy they wore before her was cracking. Everything she possessed was derived from Lan Yixuan's mother; Lan Yixuan was the true heir to the Lan Kingdom. This woman was nothing but a ruthless thief. What did it mean for her to marry Lan Yixuan if it would cause him suffering? Reflecting on Lan Yixuan's recent reactions, an icy dread crept over Xianyue, igniting an urge to flee. What scheme had Liu Xinyou concocted?

"Why the haste? I told you I would share the details in due time," Liu Xinyou chuckled coldly. Though she now held the status of Queen, favored by the King and cherished by the people, she was merely a pitiable woman, obsessed and deranged for a man who was not hers. No matter how splendid her façade, it was merely superficial. Unlike Liu Xinyou, who was unafraid to love and hate, they were too alike; even their methods mirrored each other, pouring their pent-up resentment onto their juniors. This mutual understanding prompted Liu Xinyou to reveal her most authentic self.

Even if she couldn't witness it firsthand, Xianyue could predict that at this moment, Gong Shaohua must be burning with anxiety, unable to maintain her composure.

"Xianyue has been afflicted by the Love Gu, specifically the Heart Flower Poison."

Gong Shaohua's head shot up at those words. Liu Xinyou pressed her lips together, a triumphant smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"What do you mean?" Gong Shaohua inquired, voicing Xianyue's silent question.

"The Love Gu consists of the Mother Gu and the Child Gu, linked intrinsically. The Mother Gu must be wholly devoted to the Child Gu; otherwise, the Child Gu will suffer and perish. Ten years ago, I planted the Mother Gu and Child Gu in Xianyue and her brother. If Xianyue develops feelings for another man, the Mother Gu within her will respond, no matter the distance. When feelings run deep, the connection intensifies. Over time, Lan Jiulan will begin to experience symptoms of heartbreak, ultimately leading to his demise after a few months of continuous suffering."

A thunderclap echoed in Xianyue's mind, leaving her blank. She understood that if she continued her relationship with Lan Yixuan, she would bring about her brother's death. What should she do? Her thoughts spiraled into chaos, overwhelming pain coursing through her, she almost collapsed onto the stone slab beneath her. Bracing herself with her hands on the ground, she struggled to stabilize her trembling form, her reactions becoming painfully slow. Biting her lip, she soon tasted the salty tang of tears that streamed silently down her face.

"What if he disregards Lan Jiulan's life?" 

The Child Gu would perish, while the Mother Gu would remain unharmed. If Lan Jiulan died, Xianyue would still be intact. Would that not be handing Lan Yixuan an unearned advantage?

"It won't happen," Liu Xinyou asserted. "She is different from us."

She and Gong Shaohua would go to any lengths to secure their beloved, consumed by the bitterness of unfulfilled desire for years, yet Liu Xinyou was too astute to fall into despair.

Years ago, when Lan Jiulan nearly drowned, a mere four-year-old girl had chosen to confront the unknown future to save her brother. Over the years, Xianyue endured hardships at Lihua Mountain, and her very survival was for the sake of Lan Jiulan. Such love had not diminished despite their prolonged separation; instead, it had deepened. Her concern for Lan Jiulan eclipsed her own life; family bonds reigned supreme, and even in death, she would not allow Lan Jiulan to suffer.

"If she learns of this, Lan Yixuan and Lan Jiulan, knowing Xianyue's character, will undoubtedly choose her brother."

Gong Shaohua interjected, "That's not enough; if she opts for Lan Jiulan, Lan Yixuan will endure merely the anguish of longing. Lan Jiulan is frail; who knows how long he will survive? If he dies, Xianyue and Lan Yixuan will inevitably come together."

Her venomous tone resonated with an unyielding determination; she would never allow such an outcome to transpire.

"Lan Yixuan has yet to consummate his marriage with Xianyue; he should be aware of this. Xianyue is likely still in the dark. If Lan Jiulan were to pass away while Xianyue remains in the Lan Kingdom, we can then unveil the truth to her."

Ultimately, to her surprise, Gong Shaohua burst into laughter. 

Xianyue covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face, yet an urge to laugh bubbled within her. At this moment, she finally grasped the meaning of a serpent's heart and understood why Lan Yixuan was so determined to seek vengeance, and why he had left the Lan Kingdom at such a young age. It was not merely because her cruelty had led him to send his own mother to her demise, nor was it solely the tainted memories of this place that tormented him. Instead, it was this woman who had cast him onto an irreversible path. A woman who meticulously plotted against him, driven solely by a desire to inflict suffering; as long as she lived, he would be unable to find solace in this realm. 

In truth, she should have deduced it long ago. That night in Pan City when she encountered Liu Xinyou, it was indeed a pity. Such a pair, seemingly well-matched—yet the true sorrow lay in the realization that no matter how compatible they were, they could never be together. She had told Lan Yixuan, "Twenty years ago, your master abandoned me, and now, you will never possess the love of my disciple." It was not that they could not attain each other's affection; rather, no matter how deep their love, they could never unite. If they were to be together, it would inevitably lead to mutual resentment. Just like her; despite loving Ye Wuji so profoundly, they ultimately remained apart. She wished for herself the same fate as Liu Xinyou—to endure a lifetime of torment rooted in hatred for the one she cherished. She had explicitly warned herself that if she fell for Lan Yixuan, someone would die. And Jun Pinyu was aware of this too; he had cautioned her against forming attachments. Despite the repeated warnings, why had she chosen to ignore them? 

"Xianyue, if one day both I and Feng Jiulan were in peril, and you could save only one of us, who would you choose?" 

"No matter what happens in the future, do not blame me." 

"You can leave whenever you wish, but do not depart without a word." 

"I truly fear that you will leave my side." 

He had known all along; he must have anticipated this. Xianyue crouched on the ground, her body curled up. Though autumn had just begun, she felt an overwhelming chill, as if trapped in an icehouse. 

If he was aware, then had he not also foreseen the outcome? She would choose her brother. Knowing this, he repeatedly questioned himself, wondering if he would regret it, even allowing himself the chance to regret. 

She had often pondered Lan Gongzi's reaction, sensing it was somehow connected to her brother, yet she had never imagined it would unfold this way. Liu Xinyou had orchestrated everything long ago. She was lonely and consumed by wrath, and she had chosen Xianyue to be her companion. She would not allow her to find happiness—never. 

The chill seeped into her bones, yet Xianyue felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. Truly, having watched her grow, she understood her all too well. 

"With a heart so wicked, it's no wonder Xuelan has refused to see you all these years."