Chapter One: Sleepless by the Maple Bridge at Night

As night descended upon the Yuan residence, exquisitely crafted lanterns were lit along the corridors, waterways, and shaded paths connecting its various courtyards. From afar, they resembled a scattering of stars, adorning the layered eaves and painted beams, infusing the estate with a serene, natural tranquility.

On the path leading to the southern annex of the Yuan residence, a youth dressed in white walked, carrying a wind lantern fashioned from osmanthus bamboo and hemp lattice. One side of the lantern bore the surname "Yuan," while the other displayed the official title, "General of the Left Army." Towering black pines, each several meters tall and encircling the path, stood dignified and evergreen, their ancient beauty unmatched. This was the only place in the Yuan estate where such pines grew.

In truth, the pine tree was intimately linked to Taoist totemic worship. Ancient texts from the Han dynasty, such as the Jade Tablet Record and the Changyu Classic, spoke of millennium-old pines with sprawling branches, their tops never growing, appearing like canopies when viewed from afar. Within them, mysterious creatures—blue oxen, blue sheep, blue dogs, blue humans—all were said to possess longevity for tens of thousands of years. Similarly, the Universal Chronicle of Taoist Immortals recorded Hou Daohua ascending into the heavens atop pine clouds. Thus, the pine connected the mortal and immortal realms, affirming Taoism's quest for eternal life.

Naturally, this was the residence of Yuan Qingqi.

The youth halted, raising his hand to knock softly at the gate. After a moment, a maid answered. Seeing him, she whispered, "Qimo, what brings you here?"

The youth lowered his head, gazing at the lantern’s pale light cast at his feet. "Has the lady retired for the night?"

"The night has only just begun. She has not yet gone to bed."

"Please, could you announce me? I have urgent business and must see her."

"But it’s so late…"

"No matter. Ask Shuixi first. If she says no, I will return tomorrow."

The maid nodded and closed the gate again. Everyone in the Yuan residence knew Qimo was brought back by Yuan Qingqi during her travels, and had served Yuan Jie for many years, his status thus somewhat unique. Had it been another servant, not only would visiting a lady’s quarters at night be forbidden, even wandering freely would risk severe punishment if caught by Feng Tong.

Not long after, the same maid returned, opening the gate and leading Qimo to the steps before the central chamber. "Please extinguish the lantern and wait here a moment. Sister will come to speak with you."

The sister she referred to was Shuixi. With that, she departed, leaving Qimo standing alone in the empty courtyard. The late autumn, early winter night wind was like the lingering glance of a beloved departing in disappointment—not harsh, yet filling the soul with sorrow.

Qimo lifted the lantern to his tightly pressed lips, extending fingers as slender and fair as any maiden’s. He unlatched the wind cover from below, gazed at the flickering flame, and gently blew it out.

The light wavered, then faded into darkness.

He could not tell how much time had passed before the chamber door silently opened. Bright light spilled through the crack, illuminating only a few steps, yet bringing a touch of warmth to one waiting in the dark. Shuixi emerged, standing beneath the eaves, and, gazing at Qimo, sighed softly, "You shouldn't have come…"

Qimo’s voice was gentle and low, devoid of earthly warmth. "I could not stay away."

Shuixi knew persuasion would fail, so she said no more, stepping aside to stand by the door. Qimo placed the extinguished lantern down, ascended the steps, stopped beside her, brushed his clothing, and, head still bowed, knelt, hands folded at his brow, prostrating himself and refusing to rise.

"You shouldn’t have come," Yuan Qingqi spoke, echoing Shuixi’s words. This time, Qimo could not answer as before. "I know my presence puts you in a difficult position, but this is the only chance I have. If I lose it, living on would be no different from being a dry bone in a grave. How could such a skeleton pursue the Way alongside you, learn, cultivate, and witness its truths? If so, I would rather die beneath the Sword of the Daoist Sovereign, become a wandering spirit, and forsake humanity altogether!"

Shuixi glanced at Qimo, anxious, yet dared not speak out of turn.

"Do you remember the Ten Precepts of the Dao?"

"I remember…"

"Recite them for me."

Qimo’s head lowered further, his hands growing pale with pressure. "Act with loyalty and filial piety, uphold harmony, banish anger and joy, avoid excess, know contentment, do not resent nor covet… covet…"

"Hmm?"

Qimo bit his lip. "Covet not, resent not."

Yuan Qingqi spoke softly, "Do not resent, do not covet. Your past is indeed tragic, but from the day you entered my Daoist school, you should have let go of worldly grievances. To not resent is true kindness; to not covet, true forgiveness. Though that person took everything from you, they left your true nature behind. If you seek only vengeance, what you ask of me will destroy your essence, and you will never learn the peace and resolve of the Way."

Qimo’s body trembled at first, then shook violently, finally unable to contain himself as sweat poured down like rain. Droplets fell from his jade-like cheeks, pattering on the ground, echoing like drumbeats in the silent night, striking the depths of his soul.

Time slipped away. Qimo’s trembling gradually ceased, and he slowly, resolutely lifted his head, casting a final glance inside the chamber, then bowed deeply once more.

Bang.

A trace of crimson spread from where his brow met the ground, lending the night a poignant hue.

"Please, grant me this."

A sigh came from within. "The Prince of Hengyang will arrive in Jinling the day after tomorrow. I will arrange the rest. Whether your wish is fulfilled…"

"As long as I can meet the Prince of Hengyang, I will find a way to seize this chance!"

Yuan Qingqi’s voice sounded fatigued, yet serene. "Go now. I will erase your registration. From this moment, you are no longer of my Daoist school, and must never speak of it to outsiders."

"Grand Libationer…"

Shuixi’s expression changed, rebuking in a low voice, "Do not speak nonsense! The lady has made herself clear. Go quickly!" She had already dismissed the surrounding maids, posted trusted guards in hidden spots, ensuring no one would overhear. Refusing Qimo entry, requiring him to kneel at the door, was also precaution against gossip.

Qimo said nothing more. He waited a moment, and when Yuan Qingqi did not speak, knowing the matter was irrevocable, he bowed three more times. Rising, his delicate face was streaked with tears, and he turned resolutely away, vanishing into the night beyond the courtyard.

Shuixi closed the door, and, gazing at the bed behind the screen, softly said, "Lady, Qimo’s actions tonight are not solely for himself. The Prince of Hengyang will surely propose to the master again when he arrives in Jinling. If Qimo can… fulfill his wish, it would at least make our response easier…"

"Do you think I do not know? To not resent, to not covet—he seeks both gratitude and revenge. His heart is no longer pure; better to erase his registration and return him his freedom. Besides, that person’s status is extraordinary; if he tries to use the Prince of Hengyang for his aims, he could easily fall into ruin and drag the Daoist school down with him. Removing his registration is wise precaution."

Shuixi dared not say more, preparing to attend her mistress, when she heard a whispered phrase from within: "Love knows not whence it arises, only that it grows ever deeper…"

Shuixi paused, her mind conjuring the image of Xu You, and recalling his playful words: "Even if I ignore Lady San, I can’t ignore you—what’s there to argue with her about!"

This man’s eyes were gentle, yet his smile made one want to tug his ear in exasperation.

Unbeknownst to them, the so-labelled scoundrel, Xu You, was sulking in the cabin, now two nights since leaving Jinling, yet he had not spoken a word to Lushuang. Lushuang, however, was not so easily cowed; she smiled as she poured tea and folded bedding, unconcerned by Xu You’s attitude, and helped the boatman’s family prepare meals, currying favor until she and Qiufen became fast friends. Even Left Wen, the venerable ancestor, hinted to Xu You not to neglect her, driving him to curse them both as traitors.

Late that night, Xu You awoke from sleep to the distant, resonant tolling of a bell. He dressed and stepped outside the cabin. The moon hung high, reflecting on the rippling river, banishing all worries.

The bell tolled again and again. Xu You, now wide awake, sat at the bow, hands propped behind him, gazing at the shoreline, legs dangling over the side, swinging leisurely, savoring the moment.

He had asked the boatman earlier; they would rest near Wuxian, so presumably they were not far from there. Though he could not be certain if the bell came from the Miaoli Puming Pagoda—later famed as Hanshan Temple—it was surely a monastery in Wuxian.

Such a scene would prompt any traveler from the future to recite the immortal verse: "The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; riverside maples and fishermen’s lights trouble my sleep. Outside Suzhou’s city, at Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell rings to the traveler’s boat."

"Such poetry, such lines, such beauty!"

Without turning, Xu You knew Lushuang had followed him out. He spoke with a quiet dignity, "You couldn’t sleep either?"

Lushuang approached, admiring his relaxed posture, and asked softly, "May I sit here too?"

Xu You shrugged, shifting aside, "Sit. Now that you’ve left the Yuan residence, you’re free. Do as you wish, no need for anyone’s approval."

Lushuang carefully lifted her skirts and sat at the bow, though as a woman, her hands rested at her sides rather than behind her.

"Have you forgotten? Shuixi handed my registration over to you as well…"

Xu You took the proof of her servitude from his breast, tore it into pieces, and scattered them into the river. "Now what?"

Lushuang stared at the floating scraps, watching them soak and sink, carried away by the current, vanishing without a trace.

She was free.

But was she truly free?

The bell continued to toll. Tears welled in Lushuang’s eyes as she choked, "If you truly despise me so much, I can jump into the river and prove my resolve with death!"