Chapter 2 — The General's Path

A voice drifted from behind, leisurely yet sharp with a cold, investigative edge. My entire body stiffened, and I instinctively tucked the jade pendant back into my robes. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with the gaze of Li Thai, eyes as glacial as a midwinter pond.

Why has the young heir come here?

I lowered my eyes, forcing my voice to remain as steady as a calm sea.

If I did not come, how would I catch a thief skulking in the shadows?

I was momentarily struck dumb, unable to find an explanation. Li Thai let out a low, mocking scoff.

The servants of the Marquis household are truly dim-witted.

His disconnected remark left me stunned.

The Marchioness is a renowned beauty of the capital. If you were truly her own blood, would there even be a need for blood-testing rituals?

Li Thai paused, his voice dropping to a gravelly, dangerous register.

You—lift your head.

He seemed to be waiting for something, or perhaps harboring a seed of doubt. An ebony-framed white jade fan lifted my chin. The surface of the fan was deathly cold, biting into my skin like the edge of a blade.

I do not like to repeat myself, heir-apparent or not.

In truth, the lines of my brow bore a striking resemblance to the Marchioness. However, since the moment I stepped through the doors of the Marquis estate, I had kept my head bowed, shielding my expression from view. I had never allowed anyone to see my features clearly. Just as I stood motionless, refusing to lift my gaze, a voice cut through the air.

The two of you… what are you doing?

Shen Dan Xue had suddenly caught up to us. Seeing the scene, her breath hitched. The fan in Li Thai’s hand faltered, then immediately pulled away from my chin. I expected salvation, but the jealousy in Shen Dan Xue’s eyes vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She adopted an air of innocent, guileless concern.

This elder sister here—surely the young heir is simply curious about her appearance. Since it has come to this, sister, you should be generous and let him take a proper look.

I had no path left for retreat; I could only raise my head slowly. The late autumn sun fell upon my face, but his scrutinizing stare felt heavier than the weight of the light itself.

I met the depth of Li Thai’s profound disappointment. The surface of the pond reflected my silhouette. My skin was sallow and jaundiced, my lips cracked and parched. My brows were withered like scorched, fallen leaves. After more than half a year of sleeping under the stars, trekking on foot from Qi Province to the capital, I had been worn down into a stranger. How could anyone see even a fraction of the Marchioness in me? Li Thai pressed his lips into a thin line and looked away. Shen Dan Xue, seemingly satisfied with the answer she had anticipated, beamed. She hooked her arm through his, pouting playfully.

Young heir, you won’t have nightmares tonight because of this, will you?

My fingertips dug deep into my palms. I offered a formal bow and quickly took my leave. Behind me, the muffled sounds of an argument, intentionally hushed, still reached my ears.

You still don’t believe I was the one who saved you all those years ago, so you wanted to look at her face, isn't that right?

A-Xue, I was wrong. It is not as you think, listen to me…

By the time I left the Marquis estate, the sky had begun to weep a fine mist. The dense drizzle fell onto the blue-stone path, draping it in a layer of pale, ghostly ash. I stood under the eaves, contemplating my next steps. Distracted, my foot slipped, and I fell hard. The jade pendant flew from my robes, skittering away. I looked down at my bleeding knee and offered a bitter, weary smile. In this life, my luck remained as wretched as ever. I bent to retrieve the pendant, wiping away the mud. I suddenly remembered the Temple of Sweet Dew. It was the old abbess there who had taught the Marchioness how to siphon my destiny to ward off misfortune for Shen Tri Han. Now that I had resolved never to return to the Marquis estate, our ties were severed. Taking back what was rightfully mine was surely not a sin.

The following day, upon arriving at the Temple of Sweet Dew, I learned the old nun had long since passed away. Her eldest disciple greeted me. I had expected to spend many words explaining my presence, but she cut me short. Her voice was soft, yet it held a stillness that seemed to pierce through the grime of the mortal world.

That which belongs to the seeker cannot be taken by another. If you truly let go, the karmic bonds will fray and sever of their own accord. The destiny that belongs to you will return, inevitably.

I stood frozen. I did not need to force anything after all. In my previous life, I had not been able to find this clarity even unto my death. But after a life of such deep resentment, how could one simply cast it all aside with a single word of letting go?

In my past life, when I first returned to the Marquis household, the Marchioness had treated me kindly enough. Shen Tri Han had not been close to me, but for the sake of his mother, he had maintained a veneer of courtesy. The imperial-grade silks and jewels brought into the estate were always offered to me first. At the banquets of the nobility, the Marchioness had made it a point to bring me along. Yet, all those gestures, when weighed against Shen Dan Xue, were as fragile as sugar frosting; they melted the moment they touched the water. Shen Dan Xue understood all too well how to exploit the Marchioness’s guilt.