Blooming of the Red Spider Lily: The Enchanting Pavilion Master - Chapter 43 - The Master of Fate

Such things shouldn’t be shared with a stranger one has just met, yet for some reason, the moment Le Zimu laid eyes on Li Bai, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He always thought that they were soulmates who had known each other for many years.

Li Bai tilted her head, seeming to understand yet not quite. She was a natural spirit born of this land, nurtured by the wind and rain of nature. Without any family, she was unaware of human customs and, of course, did not comprehend what the death of a mother meant to Le Zimu. However, after listening to the teacher’s lessons for so many years, she vaguely understood that a human mother is a formidable presence, immensely important to every child!

Whether a human or a spirit, all beings in the world can understand love and, when they meet, they fall in love, even if it means defying taboos to be together for life.

As the pear tree, Li Bai had often heard Le Zimu speak of his mother. She was a gentle and polite woman, dedicated to raising her children without conflict and strife. Even though her husband had several concubines, she remained kind-hearted and forgiving, and the entire Le Family held her in great respect.

Nature treated its only son, Le Zimu, with exceptional affection, but this beloved mother, who was the most cherished person in his heart, passed away from an illness caused by the cold-an illness that occurred only because she was preparing a late-night snack for Le Zimu, who was still studying in the study.

The cause of her death stemmed from his own actions, leaving Le Zimu with not only sadness but also a deep sense of guilt.

Li Bai did not know how to make Le Zimu happy again, but she understood that the only thing she could do was to hold the heartbroken man in her small arms, patting his back while attempting to comfort him in the way she had seen human mothers soothe their children.

Li Bai was petite, forcing Le Zimu to bend down and be enveloped in her embrace. Initially confused by her sudden action, he quickly broke down in tears, releasing all the pent-up emotions that had been weighing him down.

From that day on, Li Bai became familiar with Le Zimu not as the pear tree but as a being in her own right. She often sat atop the branches of the pear tree, swinging her feet and waiting for Le Zimu to arrive. Their relationship naturally evolved from acquaintances to friends, and then to lovers. Everything unfolded seamlessly.

Li Bai entered his heart when Le Zimu was at his most sorrowful, listening to his outpourings and providing comfort. Aside from Li Bai, Le Zimu didn’t know who else to love. In turn, during Li Bai’s moments of despair, Le Zimu offered her warmth, even if he himself was unaware of it. But he taught her how to love and how to feel compassion, and Li Bai couldn’t help but love him.

Li Bai remembered how Le Zimu once held her hand and gazed deeply into her eyes, saying, “No matter who you are or what your status is, I want to marry you.” Those words should have been moving, but when Li Bai heard them, her heart was filled with more anxiety than joy.

Le Zimu probably thought her family was poor; how could he know that she was a spirit? Humans and spirits were destined for different paths. Their love was born of irresistible emotions, yet making any promises was utterly impossible. Li Bai recalled an ancient spirit who had lived for thousands of years telling her that if a spirit wished to be with a human, they must prepare themselves for a fleeting companionship. Not to mention that human lifespans are already shorter than those of spirits, sharing nights together would only shorten a human’s life.

Moreover, a romantic relationship between a human and a spirit was a violation of taboos and would never be able to bear children.

The Le Family had only one direct male heir. Despite having many concubines, only the eldest branch, which included Le Zimu, could continue the family line. How could Li Bai bear to sever the connection of the Le Family?

“I heard the teacher say: among the three forms of unfilial conduct, having no descendants is the greatest. I don’t want to place the burden of unfilial conduct upon Le Zimu, nor do I want him to be doomed to a shorter life because of me, so I wish for a human heart. I want to become a real human.”

When Li Bai spoke again, her voice was no longer as resolute as before. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. If her wish were to be rejected, would she have to cruelly part ways with Le Zimu? She couldn’t bear the thought; she truly didn’t want to live the rest of her life in lonely solitude.

Seeing Li Bai’s distress, Feng Moqing instinctively connected her with the gloomy Xiao Jin and felt a surge of compassion. He turned his head, his gaze intensifying as he looked at Bi’an, hoping she might lend a helping hand to this little spirit. The moment he thought of the similarity between this person and Xiao Jin, Feng Moqing found it impossible to turn a blind eye to her plight.

Noticing Feng Moqing’s hopeful gaze, Bi’an put down the now-cold cup in her hand and observed the tea leaves floating on the water’s surface. She lifted her head, casting a casual glance at Feng Moqing before focusing her attention on Li Bai. Slowly, she said, “Miss Li Bai, all this pavilion can do is help you exchange for a heart. As for where that heart comes from, that is up to you. But I must warn you, taking a heart means harming another’s life. You must be prepared to pay the price for this wanton act of taking innocent lives.”

Her words made both Feng Moqing and Li Bai turn pale as paper. Feng Moqing knew that Bi’an could surely help with the heart exchange but had never considered where a heart that corresponded to Li Bai’s youthful appearance would come from. Did it mean that to fulfill Li Bai’s wish, she would have to kill a little girl herself?

Gazing at Li Bai with a complex expression, Feng Moqing lost the hopeful sentiment he had felt earlier. Every spirit in The Chronicles of the Nine Provinces was, without exception, a dangerous being that could take human lives without hesitation for their own selfish interests. If that was the nature of spirits, what choices would Li Bai make?

At that moment, Li Bai was trembling all over, as if she had just heard something terrifying. After a brief pause, she sat up and thanked Bi’an, leaving behind a faint, “Let me think about it,” as she staggered out of the Pavilion of Rebirth. As her figure disappeared around the corner, the red lantern in front of the pavilion suddenly extinguished, and the entire Pavilion of Rebirth was plunged into darkness.

Feng Moqing, surprised, wanted to ask Bi’an about it, but then noticed a glimmer of light appearing on the horizon. Unbeknownst to them, a new dawn was gradually arriving, representing hope and renewal.

After a night of turmoil followed by listening to Li Bai’s oppressive story, Feng Moqing and the others had lost all desire for sleep. He decided to sit comfortably at the entrance of the Pavilion of Rebirth, holding the remaining pastries in his hands, quietly waiting for the day to fully arrive, all the while thinking about how Li Bai would decide her fate.

Hua Ning suddenly shouted and ran toward the kitchen to help Bi’an prepare breakfast. She thought to herself that Bi’an had likely not eaten well in recent days, and she was determined to show off her culinary skills this time!

As Jiang Qing watched Hua Ning leave, he raised his feet to follow her but was stopped by Bi’an. Under the astonished gazes of the others, Bi’an signaled for Jiang Qing to follow her as she led him into the backyard. There, she set up a barrier to completely isolate the sounds of the courtyard from the outside world.

“General Jiang, what are your thoughts on Hua-er?” Bi’an casually glanced at Hua Ning, who was pretending not to be interested while still casting glances in their direction. There was a blend of amusement and concern in Bi’an’s eyes, but her tone softened, even taking on a hint of pleading.

Pleading? The word suddenly flashed through Jiang Qing’s mind, stirring him with surprise. In his eyes, Bi’an was a powerful being who needed no one’s assistance. What could have prompted her to speak to him with a note of request?

“General Jiang, what does Hua-er mean to you?” Seeing that Jiang Qing remained silent, Bi’an asked again. As soon as her words fell, Jiang Qing instinctively replied, “Very important!”

With a deeper smile in her eyes, Bi’an lifted the corners of her mouth slightly, as if smiling yet also merely making a subconscious gesture to speak. She turned around, absentmindedly playing with a red spider lily in her hand, twirling the flower.

“In that case, I can rest assured knowing you’ll take care of Hua-er,” she said, her expression remaining unchanged, but the flower in her hand slowly began to crumble under her grip.

Miss Bi’an felt restless, and that was the only sensation Jiang Qing could perceive. However, he didn’t understand what could possibly trouble her in this world. With her skills, there were very few who could rival her. Shouldn’t the reason for her unease trace back to where she had been these past few days?

“Miss Bi’an, forgive my boldness, but what has happened in the past few days?” As memories of Hua Ning’s worries and anxieties flooded his mind and he recalled the parting undertones in Bi’an’s words, Jiang Qing couldn’t help but imagine the sorrowful expression on Hua Ning’s face upon learning of Bi’an’s departure. He stepped forward, taking hold of Bi’an’s wrist and forcing her to look him in the eye. He asked each word with intensity, “Are you leaving Hua-er?”

Bi’an paused for a moment, realizing the implications of her earlier words, a hint of self-mockery creeping in. She gently brushed Jiang Qing’s hand away, turning slowly to face away from him. In a tone laced with determination, she replied, “I won’t leave. But I can’t be with Hua-er forever; you must understand that! Hua-er is a spirit, and you must have guessed this much. If you truly wish to be by her side eternally, I can surely find a way for both of you to be together for a lifetime.”

In this world, her only remaining attachment was Hua Ning. If Jiang Qing was willing, and if Hua Ning felt the same, she would go to great lengths to grant her happiness. As for herself, who could say what fate awaited her once everything came to a close? Even the one who presides over life and death might not know her ultimate outcome.

She was, after all, not a deity; she could neither see her fate nor control it.

“Jiang Qing, I ask you one thing: will you or won’t you?” The woman before him turned her head, her unwavering gaze locked onto him. In her translucent eyes, there was a glimmer of despair. Under that gaze, Jiang Qing slowly nodded. He noticed Bi’an call him “Jiang Qing,” with less formality yet more gravity.

With that nod, he bound his future to Hua Ning’s, binding himself to a lifelong vow. Yet he had no regrets. His feelings for Hua Ning had grown over time, but he wouldn’t declare love just yet; the word carried too much weight. Right now, both he and Hua Ning were not ready for it.

When the time came for their growth, when their feelings deepened instead of fading, he would sincerely tell Hua Ning those heartfelt words, “I love you.” If he could spend his life with someone, it would undoubtedly be her, regardless of whether she was human or not.

“That’s wonderful!” Bi’an lowered her eyelids slightly and, after a pause, said softly, “Now I can feel at ease.”

With the person she cared about most having found the best place for herself, Bi’an finally felt she didn’t have to worry about Hua Ning’s future anymore. A gentle smile emerged on her face as she stepped away, slowly making her way into her room, not once glancing back at Jiang Qing. As she exited the courtyard, the barrier surrounding it suddenly disappeared. Hua Ning rushed over, grabbing Jiang Qing’s wrist and looking toward Bi’an’s retreating figure, her eyes shimmering.

Bi’an had forgotten that, although Hua Ning couldn’t hear, she could still see. Hua Ning had witnessed everything that transpired and had kept it close to her heart. However, Bi’an didn’t want her to know; thus, Hua Ning pretended to be oblivious…

Pretense is easy, but finding a true heart is difficult. All that is sought is a sincere heart, and she would not betray the longing of love. She sought a heart for love, and in turn, he sought a heart for love as well.