"All right, Miss, don't overthink it. The master was truly panicked this time. Please don't think he doesn't love you—you have no idea how happy he was like a child when you finally had a pulse. After he finished your acupuncture, his back was soaked through with sweat. In all the years I've been with the master, this is only the second time I've seen him so flustered."
"The second time? When was the first?"
"The first time? That’s a long story."
"Then tell it slowly."
"Silly Miss, usually when someone says it’s a long story, it means they don't want to talk about it anymore."
"I see. I understand."
"Get some rest now, and be sure to take care of yourself. The master cares for you more than he cares for himself; you just don't know it."
"Thank you, Uncle Mu. I know."
After Uncle Mu left, Xuanling helped her lie back down and cleared away the bowls.
"Rest now, Miss. I'll clean up and keep watch tonight."
She didn't reply, her mind racing. Did the original owner really just die like that? It felt so bizarre! And yet, looking at her master, he seemed like anything but an ordinary man—from his bearing and his speech to his profound knowledge. Why, then, had he hidden so much from her?
*Sigh.* The original owner was such a tragic child. Abandoned by her parents at a young age, sent to a wet nurse, and then left behind on Nanhua Mountain when everyone else had departed. She had been abandoned by everyone. It was fortunate that she had found some warmth, but the things she had endured were still vivid in her memory.
The master had been strict and demanding. He had poured every piece of knowledge a man or woman could learn into her head. Fortunately, she had succeeded, and the master had occasionally praised her. Standing in the shoes of a man like Zhao Qiang, he truly wanted to mold her into someone capable. Whether in literature or martial arts, he taught her every skill needed to survive and thrive, holding nothing back.
This old man truly loved her. The original owner had just been a little girl; she would understand once she had suffered through a few more years. Unable to sleep, she analyzed the situation until she finally drifted off.
Only Xuanling remained, wiping her forehead over and over throughout the night.
Before dawn, he—having woken up according to his own internal clock—felt helpless. He had intended to confess his true identity to them today. He looked down to see the young girl sleeping beside the bed.
He climbed out of bed carefully and found a more neutral-style outfit to wear. He still wasn't used to this body. How was he supposed to face the future?
He opened the door softly. The morning was misty and the sky hadn't yet brightened; it was probably around five o'clock. He didn't know how they measured time here—that wasn't within the expertise of a science student like him.
He headed down the mountain to look at the spot where the original owner had met her end. It was supposed to be a simple drowning. Poor soul.
A dark shadow appeared in the distance, moving slowly toward him. He became alert; they never had visitors in this area.
He hid himself and saw that it was his master. Did the master do morning exercises? No, that wasn't right—the master didn't know martial arts. He was an early riser, but not this early.
He saw the master holding a stick of candied haws and some pastries.
Candied haws. His mind went blank. Was it because she had acted like a spoiled child yesterday, saying she wanted to see the Lantern Festival and eat candied haws, that this white-haired old man had run down the mountain to buy them? Had he been walking all night? Why had he been so slow? Because it was dark?
His heart ached, and his throat tightened. His vision blurred. He watched the elderly man, carrying those items, coughing twice. After walking a bit, the master rested, sitting down right where she had fallen, muttering, "Child, it's a blessing that you're alright."
Then, he continued on his way. He remained frozen in place. What was this feeling? It was so warm, a radiant heat spreading through his entire body.
He followed slowly behind the master. Several times, he wanted to rush out and support him, but thinking of how the master usually treated her with such severity, he stayed silently in the shadows.
He followed the master to Uncle Mu’s room and knocked on the door.
"Master? What is this? You didn't sleep, and you went down the mountain to knock on someone's door in the middle of the night again! You could have just told me; I could have gone to buy them. What if something had happened to you? How would I answer for that? Please, don't do this again," Uncle Mu said, weeping.
"It's fine, it’s good exercise. Don't tell Jiu'er. Just tell her you bought them as usual."
"Master, hurry inside and warm up. You treat the young Miss so well, why can't you let her know? Every time the Miss wants something, you're the one who goes to get it. You never let me go, and you always let me take the credit."
"The little girl has had a hard life since she was young. When I first picked her up, she was just a tiny little thing, barely three years old. I am old now; I don't want to become her dependency. When the time comes that I can no longer be by her side, I don't want her to feel as if I've abandoned her. It’s better this way—let her study and train."
"The imperial court is already a bloodbath. If she isn't courageous and clever, how will she protect herself?"
"Does the master intend to send her away?"
"It’s not a matter of me sending her away; she will have to leave sooner or later. Her father, the current Prime Minister, would never easily let go of his own daughter, especially when she could be used for political marriages to consolidate power."
"So, the master doesn't know when they will return for her?"
"We'll take it one day at a time. Personally, I hope she stays in these deep mountains forever, completely removed from all that."
"Who's there?" Mutong opened the door and saw Jiu'er.
"It's just me, Uncle Mu. I got up to use the latrine."
"Miss, I've told you many times, please use the proper term."
"Yes, yes, I'll remember." She turned and scurried back to her room.
The old man’s love for her was so profound and heartfelt. How could he possibly tell him the truth? If he confessed, he wouldn't be able to go anywhere else, anyway. It would be better to just stay here, playing chess and drinking tea with the old man—wouldn't that be wonderful?
This kind of peaceful life had always been what he longed for.
He understood the subtlety of the old man’s love, so he would not expose it. If the old man said her "father" would come to take her back to use as a pawn for power, then he simply wouldn't go back.
Time flew like a horse galloping past; four years had passed. Over these years, she had gradually accepted herself, studying hard and practicing martial arts with all her might. Finally, on a scorching summer day, amidst the sound of cicadas, she defeated Uncle Mu. The shrill cries of the cicadas seemed to transform into cheers.
"Miss, perhaps you should hold back a little. I know you could have surpassed me a long time ago."
"Uncle Mu, if you keep saying such things, I’ll become arrogant."
After she finished speaking, she went to bathe. She felt great today; she had finally found the right moment to defeat Uncle Mu naturally, so she wouldn't have to worry about accidentally revealing her true skill level later.
"Mutong, ever since she fell into the water four years ago, Jiu'er’s personality has changed. Even her playfulness feels stiff. She used to smile so sweetly. She still smiles now, but I can't put my finger on it—it just doesn't feel right."
"Perhaps the Miss has grown up. Young girls always have their little secrets."
"Perhaps. Come, let’s have a drink. It’s only one more year until Jiu'er comes of age."
"Don't worry, Master. If the Miss doesn't want to go back, no one can drag her away."
"Sigh."
"Miss, the hot water is ready. You may bathe."
"Xuanling, I want to use cold water. Don't you know I can't stand the summer heat?"
"That won't do. The Master said that a woman should not indulge in cold water. You’re studying medicine, you should know that."
"I can't argue with you. At least tell me there's plum juice?"
"There is. It's on the table."
"That's good, that's good. Help me scrub my back."
By now, Jiu'er had completely adapted to being a woman. She had made a promise to the original owner: if she didn't have to go back, she would live a stable life. If she were ever forced to return, she would fight to reclaim what was hers. Of course, that was the worst-case scenario. For now, she only wanted to stay with the old man, Uncle Mu, and little Xuanling, living freely and without restraint in the mountains.
As for going back, she hadn't thought about that day at all.