Invitation from Hua Chuxue

In the early morning light, as dawn broke, the sky stretched like blue velvet, adorned with clouds tinged with gray. The sun had yet to fully emerge, and the sky gradually tore open, momentarily bursting forth with radiant beams of light. 

This was Xianyue's first intimate encounter with the ocean. The cerulean waters, strikingly vivid and pure, resembled blue gemstones, merging seamlessly with the sky. Waves crashed against the rocks while the sea breeze caressed her face, her pristine white garments fluttering in the wind, her hair clinging to her face, obscuring much of it. 

It was still early, and as she gazed out, the expansive blue sea seemed endless. For the locals of Chu, accustomed to these shores, the ocean held no novelty. Although Yancheng was not as frigid as Panshi, the deep winter had only just faded. This early in the morning, the winds off the sea were strong and cold against her skin, making it an unusual hour for anyone to brave the seaside. 

The land of Chu was abundant in trees, yet here, a vast expanse of sandy beach unfolded. Xianyue removed her shoes and socks, carelessly tossing them aside. The sun had not yet risen, and the sand, cool and damp from the previous night's tide, felt refreshing against her skin. With her long skirt lifted, she sprinted and leapt into the water, splashing playfully. Before her lay the boundless azure sea, stretching infinitely. 

"Ah!" 

She watched the waves roll towards her, frothy white peaks cresting higher with each surge, enveloping her calves, then reaching her knees. The icy touch of the water washed away the last remnants of her sleep. 

"Ah!" 

Xianyue exclaimed in delight, for this was her first close encounter with the ocean. It was not that she had never seen the sea; during her time as Su Zhixin, she had ventured to the coast with a few noble gentlemen. However, as a wealthy young lady, she could not indulge in the carefree play of the other girls. Now, as Feng Xianyue, she often remained in the Pear Blossom Chamber, surrounded primarily by verdant trees. The vibrant blue before her filled her with longing, and the crashing waves resembled blood surging through her veins, igniting her passion. 

The waves churned like a white fortress, and another massive surge crashed over her knees, soaking the skirt she held aloft. Without a second thought, she released the fabric, allowing her sheer white dress to cling to her knees, cool and damp. While any ordinary Chu woman might have faltered at the morning's chill, she moved through the water with the ease of a joyful fish. 

Her snow-white toes danced upon the fine sand, her lithe figure shifting gracefully as she twirled, the vast ocean seemingly populated only by her spirited presence. Unbeknownst to her, a shadow lurked amidst the greenery, a figure of violet blending into the foliage. 

Golden sunlight broke through the clouds, casting shimmering reflections across the crystal-clear waters. As the waves ebbed and flowed, they refracted a kaleidoscope of colors. Xianyue was not particularly adept at swimming; wary of venturing into the deeper waters, she contented herself with exploring the shoreline. By the time she returned, the sun blazed brightly, and the once tranquil sea buzzed with activity. Stalls lined the beach, offering various local delicacies and vibrant shell jewelry, a dazzling array of goods rivaling those found in the bustling streets. Yet the beach remained remarkably clean, with little litter in sight. 

After breakfast, Xianyue savored the bountiful seafood, yet her taste leaned toward the bold and spicy. Although the local fare was fragrant, it lacked the robust flavors she craved. No matter how exquisite the offerings, if they did not suit her palate, their price or quality mattered little to her. 

She nibbled on a few snacks as the lively crowd passed by, admiring the beautiful items that captivated many women but failed to catch her interest. Retrieving her shoes and socks, she disregarded the gazes of those around her. Clutching one shoe in her hand, she found a quiet spot, placing each shoe on either side, knees drawn to her chest. She could feel the cool sand beneath her gradually warming under the sun's rays, a comforting warmth enveloping her face. She closed her eyes, resting her chin on her knees, occasionally peeking at the sun dancing upon the waves, as if waiting for something. 

The sound of the ocean began to drown out the commotion of vendors calling out their wares. Xianyue opened her eyes to the lush greenery surrounding her, with only her arms exposed to the sunlight. The sea breeze brushed against her face, pleasantly cool, and she squinted at the sun, stretching her legs and yawning lazily. 

Lowering her gaze, she scooped up a handful of fine sand, letting it slip through her fingers, then lightly patting the sand beneath her. She looked around, as if anticipating someone's arrival. 

The dense thicket rustled softly, and Xianyue's little finger, resting in the sand, twitched. A smile crept onto her lips, reminiscent of the sunlight—bright and radiant. Turning to face the source of her delight, she spotted a shadow of gray-black emerging from the thicket, melding seamlessly with the bark. The figure was slender and agile, resembling a slender vine. 

"Princess." 

Xianyue gazed at the person kneeling before her, giving a slight nod before turning her back once more to the expansive blue sea. In the distance, a tiny black dot marked the horizon, and she lowered her head to brush the sand from her feet, letting out a soft "hmm." 

"Young Master Bai has returned from the palace. The Bai family shows no signs of anything unusual, and Old Master Bai is perfectly well." 

The slender figure, resembling a vine, bowed low, not daring to meet Xianyue's gaze. 

The surface of the sea still churned with waves, yet they lacked the earlier ferocity. Xianyue's fingers intertwined tightly behind her, her brow furrowing in a hidden direction where the other person could not see. In her clear, bright eyes lay a hint of impatience. After a long silence, she waved her hand dismissively: "Continue monitoring. Inform me immediately of any irregularities." 

Her voice was cool and detached, and as she gestured, the person behind her darted away like smoke. Xianyue remained in her original position, her limbs growing numb. The wind had dried her clothes, and she closed her eyes, burying her head in her knees. One hand emerged, forcefully striking the fine sand beneath her. 

She had initially believed that Bai Ao would confide everything to Bai Zhanfeng, at least compelled by the guilt that lay buried within him, leading him to visit that place. To her surprise, he had made no move whatsoever. Indeed, was it true that the old fox was as cunning as ever? 

As the sun dipped low in the west, the jewel-like blue of the sea gradually transformed into a burning gold, shimmering with light. Xianyue opened her eyes, momentarily blinded by the brilliance, her eyes watering painfully. Rubbing them, she stood, confronted by a blinding brightness that made her see stars. Shaking her head and lightly tapping her temples, she felt much more alert, realizing her clothes were now damp and covered in sand. She brushed the grains off, embraced the ocean air, and took a deep breath. How wonderful it would be to have a camera now, so that she could share this moment with her brother upon returning to the Feng Kingdom. 

Thoughts of Feng Jiulan stirred a sense of agitation within her; not even the crashing waves nor the gusts of wind could fully ease her unease. 

"The entrance to the Valley of Death," she murmured softly. Bai Ao was indeed a shrewd old fox; he surely anticipated that she would send someone to follow him after that night, so he would certainly refrain from any actions during this time. Bai Zhanfeng was notoriously single-minded. If he wouldn't confide in her, there was no point in pressing him further. The tides of the world shifted swiftly; as a princess of the Feng Kingdom, how could she afford to linger in the Chu Kingdom for too long? It appeared that a visit back to the palace was inevitable. 

As dusk descended, she returned to the residence, finding it illuminated with the glow of lamps. The atmosphere was notably quiet; she noticed Lan Yixuan was nowhere to be seen—truly quite self-aware. 

Upon entering, she spotted Leiyun standing at the door, and she instantly recalled that she had only eaten breakfast at the beach all day—her stomach was growling. She hurried over to him, but before she could speak, he interjected, "Why are you back so late, Xianyue? I've had the kitchen prepare dinner; it's warming in the pot. I'll fetch it now." 

Xianyue's eyes lit up like flames ignited, and she nodded in appreciation. 

After dinner, Leiyun cleaned the table and departed. Xianyue took a hot shower and lay in bed, the moonlight streaming through the window, bathing her face in a cold glow that felt almost freezing. Tossing and turning, she found it difficult to sleep. 

Taking a deep breath, she turned and stood up, taking a few steps forward. Just as she approached the window, a sharp gleam whizzed through the air towards her with formidable force. Instinctively sensing danger, she stepped aside without hesitation, allowing the projectile to pass by, followed by a deafening crash that made the pillar to her right shudder. 

In that instant, Xianyue swiftly produced a small porcelain vial from her robes, uncapping it to sprinkle some yellowish powder over the flying dagger. Once assured it was not poisoned, she retrieved a note hidden inside. 

"Knowledge of the Valley of Death's entrance; meet at Zijing Garden at the hour of the unseen." 

Xianyue read the note aloud, crumpling it into a ball, her hands now dusted with a hint of the yellow powder. Approaching the window, she clapped her hands; the night air was slightly damp, brushing against her face with a cool, moist touch. 

"Zijing Garden," she repeated, leaning against the window and letting the wind tousle her hair before leaping out. 

Zijing Garden was not far from Lan Yixuan's residence, taking only about half an hour to reach. As Xianyue arrived, it was precisely the hour of the unseen, showcasing her adeptness at timekeeping and her understanding of herself. 

"You've arrived," a voice greeted her. 

Before Xianyue could take in her surroundings, a figure clad in blue emerged slowly from the violet-hued trees, exquisitely refined. Even in the dark of night, those enchanting fox-like eyes remained captivating, resembling a fox spirit that had cultivated in the mountains for a millennium—who else could it be but Hua Chuxue?