Chapter 46: Exchange of Moves

Chen Yage firmly believed that the entrance was hidden behind the waterfall. She climbed up along the path of the falling water, and sure enough, near the top, she found an opening just as she had expected. Gathering her strength, she leaped into the cave, with the guards close behind her.

This time, fortune favored Chen Yage, and she landed on a patch of solid ground. Though the landing was painful, she was spared the fate of some guards who fell straight into the water and were swept back out of the cave, plunging into the icy pool below.

Climbing to her feet, Chen Yage pressed on, feeling her way forward. The cave was steeped in darkness, the faint light barely illuminating the rough outlines of her surroundings. She led the way, while the guards behind her gripped their blades, wary of any danger.

“Drip, drip, drip...” The quiet of the cave was broken only by the ceaseless sound of water droplets. Each of their steps was taken with utmost care, feet barely making a sound as they touched the ground. Suddenly, a dark shadow burst from the stone wall. “Who’s there? Come out!” The guards drew their swords at once, pressing their backs together defensively. Startled, Chen Yage stumbled and fell. Only when the commotion settled did they realize that the shadow had been nothing more than a bird.

Relieved, the group collected themselves. Chen Yage rose and took the lead once more. Suddenly, a fierce gust swept through the cave, carrying with it a flurry of sand. Chen Yage shouted, “Be careful!” The guards halted and raised their hands to shield their faces.

The wind soon died down, and silence returned to the air. Chen Yage stepped forward cautiously, but as fate would have it, she stepped into a hole and, caught off guard, fell headlong into it. The guards stared in shock, their outstretched hands not even brushing the hem of her robe as she disappeared.

This time, Chen Yage was acutely aware of plunging into water. After struggling underwater, she surfaced to find herself surrounded by a sea of purple parasol flowers, swaying in the wind.

“Purple parasol flowers—I’ve finally made it in, finally come back!” Chen Yage cried out in delight, but her elation quickly faded. She climbed up the rocky bank, slumped beside the flowers, and sat down.

Yesterday, she had escaped from Taoyuan, and today, after much hardship, she had returned. If only Li Bai had escaped with her the day before, none of this would be happening now. Where was he? How was his injury?

A wave of anxiety swept over Chen Yage. With a splash, she dove into the water and swam across to the other side. She intended to sneak into Lady Yue’s house to check on Li Bai. As Lady Yue’s residence loomed before her, Chen Yage paused, thinking, “Even if Brother Bai is truly held by Lady Yue, what can I do? I’ve seen her martial skills myself—I’m no match for her. Charging in would not only fail to save Brother Bai, but would mean walking into a trap myself!”

She absentmindedly plucked a purple parasol flower, inhaling its refreshing fragrance, which reminded her of Chaoyun. The thought of Chaoyun’s tragic death rekindled her resolve. Chen Yage decided to expose Lady Yue—not only to bring justice for Chaoyun, but also to rescue Li Bai.

Just as she turned, Chen Yage froze. Lady Yue, draped in red, stood behind her. With a seductive smile, she approached and looked Chen Yage up and down. “You’ve finally come,” she said.

What did she mean by “finally come”? Had Lady Yue predicted she would return? But she was right, for with Li Bai still in her grasp, Chen Yage had no choice. Leaving was never an option. The smile on Lady Yue’s lips sent a chill down Chen Yage’s spine, but she refused to show her fear or reveal any weakness. Straightening her posture, she declared loudly, “Let Brother Bai go!”

“Release him?” Lady Yue sneered. “And what’s in it for me?”

“I won’t report you as the murderer. It was you who killed Chaoyun!”

“How amusing! Just because you say I did it, does that make it true? What proof do you have? And even if I did, do you really think I would let you go? The only ones who can keep a secret are the dead.”

Lady Yue laughed as she advanced, and Chen Yage retreated step by step, torn between fleeing and confronting her. But in either case, she knew she stood little chance.

Suddenly, Lady Yue flicked her sleeve, and two red sashes lashed out like blades. Chen Yage leaped into the air, narrowly dodging the attack. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the sashes struck again like swords. Chen Yage seized one and pulled with all her might, but it did not budge. Lady Yue gave a cold laugh, “You? Come back after ten more years of training.”

With a flick of her left hand and a tug of her right, Lady Yue yanked Chen Yage to the ground at her feet. Bending down, she gripped Chen Yage’s throat. “No one can expose my secret—not even you!”

“Mother, please, let her go! Let her go!” Out of nowhere, Dujuan rushed forward, desperately trying to pry Lady Yue’s hand away. Lady Yue shot her a cold glare, and Dujuan’s hands fell away at once.

Suddenly, a sword pressed against Lady Yue’s throat. “Let her go!” The voice of Ziye sounded from behind, sending a chill through the air.

Slowly, Lady Yue released her grip and knelt before Ziye. “Young Master, Chen Yage fled Taoyuan without permission—her crime is unforgivable! Please, punish her severely!”

Ziye stepped past Lady Yue, bent down, and helped Chen Yage up. “Today is our wedding day. Come with me,” he said.

Chen Yage stared at him in shock, her mouth open, words caught in her throat. Her eyes pleaded with Ziye to repeat himself, but he paid her no heed. Instead, he took her hand and led her step by step toward his residence, the Ziye Pavilion.

“Why do you want to marry me?” Chen Yage pulled her hand free and met his gaze. “There are many women in Taoyuan more beautiful than I am. Why insist on marrying me? Is it just because I saved you? I’ve always been meddlesome; saving you was an accident. There’s no need for you to repay me with your life, especially when Dujuan truly loves you.”

“Come, there are many people waiting for us—Li Bai is there too.”

“Don’t use Brother Bai to threaten me. Neither of us are murderers. The real killer is Lady Yue. If you must arrest someone, arrest her, not two innocent people!” Chen Yage had never tolerated threats, just as she despised deceit. She glared at Ziye in anger.

Ziye sighed softly. “Do you have any proof?”

“Dujuan—she’s the witness. When Chaoyun died, he was holding a jade pendant—the very one Lady Yue always wears.”

“Dujuan, come here!” Ziye called without further comment, gesturing for Dujuan to step forward. He seemed indifferent to whether Lady Yue was truly the killer, watching the proceedings as if it were a show. This infuriated Chen Yage, but as the young master, everyone in the village obeyed his commands. No matter how dissatisfied she was, she dared not show it openly.