Chapter 36: The Chaotic World Melody (4)

  On the fifteenth day of the first month in the third year of Yongye, after bidding farewell to Yu Feiyan for many days, I sat in the Xiangxin Pavilion, leaning over the desk where Wen and Mo were playing with ink, concentrating on writing a flying letter to Feibai.

  I looked up and gazed out of the window, where the old, sturdy red plum blossoms were in full bloom, their crimson petals dancing in the snowy landscape. It occurred to me that it had been four months since I last saw Mei.

  The two of us were like nothing had happened, and our letters to each other were very frequent. He told me about all the arrangements he made for his family, and I gave him my advice, agreeing with his ideas, politely praising them when they were good, and patiently debating with him in letters when they weren't. However, neither of us ever mentioned the big fight we had before he left for Kyoto, which was supposed to be a quick trip back, but ended up being extended due to the death of Empress Dowager Dou.

  Two days ago, I reminded him that the death of Empress Dowager Cixi means it's time for the two houses to show their cards, and a palace coup might be the best approach. Yuan Shikai replied that he had made sufficient preparations for the original house, telling me not to worry. We discussed my proposal to station troops in Luoyang via letter. Luoyang is picturesque with beautiful mountains and rivers, fertile land, and talented people. It's close to Xi'an, borders the Wei River to the south, and faces the capital to the north. If the Yuan house sends troops to garrison it, they can occupy Qinzhong, advance into the Wei River, and easily enter the capital from the north. Whether for a short-term or long-term war, it's the best strategic location.

  Today is the day of Dowager Empress's funeral, I didn't receive any white pigeons, but received a letter from Song Ming Lei. My second brother's frequency of writing letters is basically as high as Yuan Fei Bai's. He told me that now in Kyoto City, soldiers and armor are everywhere, and the two families of Du and Yuan are on the verge of breaking out. However, he often mentions that Yuan Fei Bai is not only Yuan Qing Jiang's right-hand man but also has become the object of invitation for Kyoto's noble ladies to go boating, drink tea, and recite poetry. Among many beauties, Yuan Fei Bai seems to be closer to Xuan Yuan Shu Yi, frequently entering and leaving Jing Xia Wang Fu.

  A sharp pain in my left ribcage brought me back to reality, and I let out a soft sigh as I gently rubbed the area. The weather had turned cold, and old wounds were acting up again. Although Fan Wei and Song Minghui had sent many supplements from Kyoto, and Zhao Menglin had come to visit me several times, they didn't seem to be having much effect. His gaze when looking at me grew more worried with each passing day.

  I don't know why, but my heart keeps pounding, so I had to comfort myself again that it might be an old wound acting up. I checked the letter from Fei Bai once more and then put it in a small bamboo tube.

  I smoothed out my breath, personally went to the pigeon house, selected a particularly fat carrier pigeon, tied it to her small red leg, and then threw the big fat carrier pigeon into the sky with all my might. Wei Hu was smiling on the side.

  As I watched the big fat dove disappear into the snowy sky, I yawned and put on my bright red feather cloak with white crane down, came to the courtyard, looked at the garden full of floating red plum blossoms, my mood slightly eased a bit.

  Time flies, and in the midst of broken jade and scattered pearls, it's again the season when red plum blossoms bloom. I really didn't expect that I've already been living in Xifeng Garden for a whole year... I stretched out my hand to catch a petal of red plum mixed with snow, watching as the snow melted on the petal, making the red plum even more beautiful. It made me think of Hongfa, and I wonder how he's doing now - is he still resentful that I didn't wait for him, or has he become disgusted with me because I was poisoned by the "birthmark that won't leave"?

  In my distraction, I hadn't noticed Qipu handing me the silver fox fur collar. "Miss, please put it on, Doctor Zhao instructed you to avoid catching a chill at all costs." I came back to myself and took the collar, just about to leave when a soft call came drifting over: "Muyutou!"

  I turned back immediately, stunned there, a red-haired youth, with a faint smile on his face, wearing a white sable cloak, and pale cheeks like snow, hidden between heaven and earth. He stood quietly in the rain of red plum blossoms, letting his long red hair scatter, gazing deeply at me.

  Plum blossoms fall, thinking of each other, tears dripping like plum rain. I couldn't make any sound, only greedily staring at his handsome and quiet smile, also squeezing out a faint smile for him.

  Qī Fàng had never seen Yuàn Fēi Jù before, but he understood the visitor. Since he could silently and stealthily avoid Méi Qī Xīng Zhèn's attack, he must be an extraordinary master. He flashed towards Yuàn Fēi Jù like lightning, but Yuàn Fēi Jù lightly dodged his attack. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before me, with a few strands of red hair floating to my nose tip.

  He smiled at me again, ignoring the incoming attack from behind, and without looking back, he secretly hugged me and flew away from Xifengyuan.

  I tightly wrapped my arms around Fei Ge, my face deeply buried in his embrace. At this moment, I didn't care where he took me or what he wanted to do to me. As long as I could be with him, that was all that mattered.

  After a while, Fei Ge brought me to a place where there were many people, I opened my eyes and found that I had arrived in Xi'an City at the foot of the mountain. The city was filled with lights and lanterns, and the streets were crowded with people. I suddenly remembered that today is the Lantern Festival!

  Although it was a national mourning period, the scale of the festival had been greatly reduced as usual, but the joyful atmosphere still infected everyone's heart. The lanterns seemed to moisten every dry heart in the world and warm up every cold body. I looked at Fei Ge, and Fei Ge smiled gently: "Mu Ya Tou, have you forgotten? Today is the Lantern Festival."

  He tied a silver fox fur trim on me and said softly: "I like your 'Qing Yu An' the most, so I want you to accompany me to the Lantern Festival."

  I didn't adjust the crooked scarf he helped me tie, I just held his hand tightly and nodded with a smile. I pulled him along to stroll down the brightly lit Zhuque Street. The fire trees shone with silver flowers, the star bridge opened its iron locks, and the lanterns illuminated everything. The bright moon followed us as we strolled. All the courtesans were like beautiful Li, their songs all fell on the plum blossoms. The golden watchman didn't hurry us, nor did the jade clepsydra urge us to leave.

  It seems that both of us have forgotten the terrible life and death separation, just like an ordinary couple on the Lantern Festival, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, strolling around the Lantern Festival with a light heart.

  I begged Fei to buy me a candied hawthorn, but it made him discover the different taste from the roasted lamb skewers. He not only finished his own candied hawthorn clean, but also drooled while staring at the half-eaten one in my hand. I handed over mine with affection and watched him continue to devour it, feeling content.

  I bought a white satin ribbon for him to tie up his fiery red hair, revealing his face and making his youthful complexion even more radiant and full of vitality.

  After eating the tangyuan, we came to a magnificent building with twenty rooms, about one hundred and fifty feet high, shining brightly with golden light, extremely majestic.

  This lantern tower is exquisite and resplendent, expressing the fairyland of Penglai, with the Eight Immortals under the lantern tower shining brightly together, as if real and illusory, and people are even more immersed in this mortal fairyland.

  I and Fei Ge smiled at each other, pointing and gesturing. He recited: "The east wind blows through a thousand trees, blowing down stars like rain. Precious horses and carved chariots fill the road. The sound of phoenix flutes moves, jade pots turn, one fish dragon dance..." At this time, gongs and drums sounded, a lion dance team jumped out from the lantern tower, rushing into the crowded crowd, I didn't hold Fei Ge's hand tightly, and was suddenly swept away by the crowd.

  Fei Ge's eyes are not good, and he will be pushed by the crowd to wherever. My heart becomes anxious, loudly shouting Fei Ge's name, but it is faintly drowned out in the thunderous cheers of the sea of people.

  Half the column had passed, and the lion dance team was performing. My heart was so anxious that it almost jumped out. I came up with a plan and used my light skill to jump onto the Penglai lamp tower. The stout rich son and his concubines on the lamp tower first let out cries of surprise, then burst into warm applause. But from high above, I hastily searched for Fei Niao.

  The moth-like snow willow is golden, the smile is full and gone. Thousands of times in the crowd to find him. Suddenly turned back, that person is there, in the dim light of the lamp. My eyes stopped at the opposite side of the lamp tower, a red shadow entered my eyelids, and the big stone in my heart was put down.

  But all the beautiful scenery around me suddenly lost its color, and all the cheers and applause also quietly disappeared, leaving only the lonely red figure across the street.

  He sat quietly on the slightly smaller three-country lamp tower opposite, with his hands holding his legs, his red hair disheveled by a few strands, blown towards his young cheeks by the night wind. Those bright wine pupils, desolate and desperate, helplessly, deeply gazing at me, as if it were a lost and bewildered little dog, evoking pity.

  From then on, this scene was forever etched in my mind, a lifetime that cannot be shaken off.

  The lion dance team finally passed by, and the long dragon-like crowd slowly surged forward. The lamp tower cleared out some space, I jumped down from the lamp tower, ran to the opposite street, Fen Jue's gaze was fixed on me, saw me looking up at him, waving my hand, he smiled relievedly, jumped down, tightly hugged me, and then burst into tears: "Mu Ya Tou, I thought I'd never find you again?"

  "How could that be? I've been searching for you everywhere, have you forgotten? I still have the magical artifact you gave me," I took out the silver chain that had been hanging around my neck and held it in both hands, gently stroking the silver pendant as I softly comforted him: "As long as I wear this chain, no matter where I go or what kind of person I become, we will always be able to recognize each other."

  He choked back a sob, smiled contentedly, then collected himself and looked at me for a moment, as if summoning up his courage. "Wooden sister," he said seriously, "the war is about to begin, come with me to the Western Regions."

  Ah! What war? Just as I was about to ask in detail, Fei Jue shook my shoulder and said: "If you are worried, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to get the antidote." I smiled with tears: "What if it can't be found?"

  "I..." Before Nonuo's voice fell, a loud noise came, and the ground also shook violently. The crowd began to be puzzled, but the loud noise kept coming, every time it rang, the ground shook violently, and the crowd started to move.

  My heart skipped a beat, wasn't that the sound of cannons attacking? At this time, a column of troops rushed over from the south gate, anxiously shouting: "General Wang has an order, the Southern Yan army has broken in, everyone quickly hide!" The Yuans were founding meritorious officials, and Xi'an was the land granted by the Taizu Emperor. For generations, the people of Xi'an had been under the protection of the powerful Yuan family, and for over a hundred years, they had not experienced the devastation of war. The extreme disbelief was evident on every face in Xi'an, and fear spread to every heart in Xi'an.

  My waist tightened, Fei Ya pulled me back up to the lantern tower: "I didn't expect Nanzhao to arrive so quickly."

  The crowd began to scream, and the mournful cries rose everywhere, mercilessly replacing the silk and bamboo music. Children cried out for their mothers, husbands called out for their scattered wives, servants searched for their masters, and the crowd pushed each other frantically, like fish suddenly caught in a fishing net, rushing about without choosing a path. In an instant, the scene of the Lantern Festival had turned into a hellish scene of people trampling each other.

  The crowd swarmed in from all directions, only to disappear into the once bustling streets. I and Fei Jue jumped down, Fei Jue's expression was grave: "My spies in Nanzhao told me that Left Prime Minister Su Rong was executed ten days ago for treason. The pro-war faction led by Prince Yu Gang is getting close with the Duan family. Before I came to find you, Guo Er Ren told me that at the moment of Empress Dowager Duan's funeral this morning, the Duan family launched a coup and forced Princess Chang to death. This sudden change must be the Duan family letting Nanzhao launch a surprise attack on Xi'an, borrowing a knife to kill people and eliminate the old nest of the Yuan family."

  I was shocked: "What to do, we have to go back and inform the people of Zǐ Qiū Mountain Villa to prepare for battle." Fēi Jù looked at me and sighed: "Too late, Mù......"

  The sound of cannons was still coming in waves, and amidst the shaking earth, another group of fleeing civilians rushed over. Fei Ge protected me and retreated to the side of the street. A team of black-armored cavalry appeared in the crowd, led by a burly man wearing a black face veil. He rode up close, bowed slightly on horseback, and performed a Turkic salute. He removed his face veil, revealing piercing eyes that couldn't conceal his excitement as he gazed down at us: "Young Master, Lord Hou has sent ten million urgent gold plaques to Yu Fei Yan, summoning him to meet in Luoyang. Now the defense of the Yellow River is empty and weak, it's certain that they will take advantage of the void and head east. This is a great opportunity for us to return to Western Tujue."

  He suddenly saw me, and his face sank again: "The old slave searched everywhere for the young master, but it turned out that he was having a good time with Mu Gongniang." Fei Ge pulled me to stand in front of Guo Erren and said firmly: "Guo Erren, I want to take Mu Yaotou back to Tujue."

  Guo Erren said coldly, "Young Master, don't forget that Mu Niang has been bound by the 'birth separation' curse. This life is destined to be with Bai San Ye." "What's it to you? Whoever I take a liking to, no one else will dare to touch."

  Guo Er's face looked even more unpleasant, he glanced at me and then at Mu Guiying, his gray eyes narrowed towards me: "Young Master, it's not difficult for you to take Mu Guiying back to the Turks, but first you have to ask if Mu Guiying is willing to go with you?"

  The cannon fire was louder and closer than before, and the fine steed under Gu Erren began to move restlessly, occasionally letting out a low whinny. "Mu Guniang, now that Lord Hou is leading an uprising in Luoyang, your brother and sworn brother Song Mingpei have ridden several thousand-mile horses to death, and after countless hardships, they've finally returned to the Western camp to rescue you. But in my opinion, they're mainly here to take you away. If you want to go back to the Turks with us, that's fine too. However, you must think carefully, for from now on, you won't be able to see those little five heroes again." Gu Erren's gray eyes were icy cold as he leaned forward and spoke sternly to me: "If you want to serve Young Master, you must make a poisonous oath with me. Unless I help him become the master of Jin, for the rest of your life, you won't be able to set foot in Jin again. If you break this oath, you'll die by a hail of arrows."

  What a poisonous oath! I thought to myself, but if I can go to the Western Regions with Fei Ge, and from now on break free from the shackles of my original family, be with my beloved Fei Ge, and fulfill my long-cherished wish, how wonderful would that be? Looking at Fei Ge's sincere face, for a moment my heart was moved, I also have the right to pursue happiness.

  "Muxin," came Biying's voice, she was looking at me worriedly on horseback. I suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering that Yu Feiyan had given up her resignation for me, given up her life of drifting on the green waves... and my only friend Song Mingrui who risked his life to rush back to Xi'an to save me... Muxin, how can you be so selfish? Have you forgotten Xiao Wuyi's kindness to you?

  I let go of Fei Ge's hand and smiled, saying: "Fei Ge, Mr. Guo is right, I can't go back with you because I won't abandon Jin Xiu and Song Erge."

  Fei Ju grabbed my hand again: "Don't talk nonsense, now Nan Zhao is on his way to the Purple Residence Mountain Villa, aren't you going back to send yourself to death?"

  I forced a smile and tried to sound confident: "Don't worry, I know a secret path back to the village. And don't worry about me, I'm Mu Ge, I'll find a way to survive on my own. Plus, with your treasure protecting me, we'll definitely meet again."

  The cannon fire drew closer, and many arrows flew over. Guo Erren led thirteen young men wielding curved knives to deflect them. Fei Ge's hand relaxed, and he said firmly: "Then... I'll go back with you."

  "It's absolutely impossible, Young Master. Have you forgotten that His Majesty is personally waiting for you in Kashgar City? We don't have time to waste, let's hurry up!" Guo Erren stepped forward, pulled over a majestic black horse and forcibly handed it to Fei Jue, who pursed his lips tightly, his eyes struggling with distress.

  After a long time, Fei Jue ran over and handed the reins to me: "Wooden dumbbell, his name is Wula, from now on he's yours. Remember to ride him to Western Regions to find me."

  I grasped the reins tightly, nodded vigorously, and tears welled up in my eyes. My heart was like a knife cut. Biying rode her horse over at a small gallop: "Muke, I'll go back with you."

  I shook my head: "No, Biying, you don't have martial arts skills, and going back with me will be dangerous. You should go back to the Western Regions with Fourth Master first, and after this calamity passes, we will definitely meet again."

  Biying was about to argue again, but I sternly stopped her. She burst into tears and refused to let go of my hand. I pulled her over to Gu Erjin and said, looking at his gloomy eyes: "My family's San... please take care of him for me."

  Guo Erren's grey eyes stared at me in surprise: "Mugui, you're quite bold, don't worry, we'll definitely protect Yinggui."

  I took another look at Biying, steeled myself and shook off her hand, turned around and mounted my horse to leave, not daring to look back.

  I ran against the tide of refugees for a distance before quietly turning my head, only to see that Fei Ge and his group had also started moving forward. Biying's shoulders were shaking as she covered her mouth on horseback, crying silently. The white ribbon I had bought for Fei Ge had come undone at some point, and his red hair was disheveled and flying in the wind. He too turned around, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of panic, heartache, and a hint of desperation. This scene, amidst the chaos of war, brought no comfort to me; instead, it made my heart ache even more.

  Wula was unexpectedly gentle and lived up to her reputation as a fine horse from Dayuan, with extremely fast speed. I rode her along the small path around Xilin from the west, and saw thick smoke in the distance, my heart cooled down a bit. When I arrived at the mountain villa, I felt dry mouth and tongue.

  Zi Xiu Mountain Villa, the place where I lived for six years, was once a place of grandeur and luxury, with silk fabrics dancing in the wind, colorful phoenixes flying overhead, gold and silver shining brightly, and precious jewels sparkling everywhere. But in an instant, it turned into a hell on earth, with flames and smoke billowing everywhere, corpses scattered all over the ground, and the sons of the aristocracy and the soldiers of Nanzhao engaged in fierce battle. However, more Nanzhao soldiers were busy looting precious jewels and silks, while shards of jade and porcelain lay scattered all over the ground. The air was filled with panicked cries and shouts, when a Nanzhao soldier spotted me, his face twisted into a cruel smile as he pounced on me. I raised my right wrist, and he fell to the ground with a thud. Seizing the opportunity while the remaining soldiers were stunned, I urged my horse on, galloping swiftly towards Xifeng Villa in the west.

  As I approached the West Maple Garden, several corpses of seven-star cranes were scattered on the ground, their bodies pierced with arrows. The corpses of ten soldiers from Nanzhao floated on the surface of the lake, and the once clear water had turned red with blood, emitting a pungent smell that made my eyes sting. The sound of fighting came from inside the garden, and I shouted loudly: "Su Hui, San Niang!" Rushing into the West Maple Garden, I saw the two cold-faced guards desperately fighting off the Nanzhao soldiers, while Lu Yuan was using his modified crossbow to shoot at the enemy, his eyes bloodshot and crazed.

  Against my expectations, Xie San Niang wielded two axes, her face covered in blood, calmly and efficiently chopping down enemy soldiers. With a few swift chops, the Southern Zhao soldiers fell to the ground like piles of dry firewood. Her normally plump figure suddenly became slender and agile, darting about with ease. When she saw me, her spirit shook, and she frantically shouted: "Wei Hu, Mu Gu Niang has returned, quickly take him and Su Hui away!"

  Countless Nan Zhao soldiers rushed towards me, but immediately two figures flew over, dancing out a sword shadow to block the Nan Zhao soldiers. It was Su Hui and Wei Hu, covered in blood. Su Hui panted, her small face gloomy, swinging her sword while her eyes flashed with madness: "Mu Ya Tou, you're back! Qi Fang went to find you but hasn't returned yet."

  I turned to Wei Hu, and was shocked to find that his left arm had been severed at the root, with blood gushing out, and his entire body was covered in blood from the wound. Wei Hu let Su Hui jump onto my Wula, then kicked down a large piece of wood, opening up a path ahead, leading us to rush to the Xie Fu Pavilion. He kicked open the large door, letting us enter, then gritted his teeth and used one hand to tightly close the door behind us. We arrived at the shrine where Madame Xie's portrait was hung, and after moving the plaque, a hidden mechanism was triggered. Madame Xie's portrait suddenly slid upwards, revealing a secret door. He opened the secret door, letting me and Su Hui enter. I had originally thought that Wula wouldn't be able to fit in, but unexpectedly, the hidden passageway inside was very spacious, and Wula also squeezed in obediently. Wei Hu closed the secret door with one hand, urging us to hurry forward, and we plunged into darkness.

  Su Hui pulled me, secretly sobbing: "Mu Girl, can I see my mother again?"

  Fortunately, the dim light of the lamp obscured his view of my tear-stained face. Wen Li comforted me, saying "Don't worry, it's going to be alright." Then, with a worried tone, he asked: "Wei Zhuang, are you okay? Do you need to apply medicine immediately?"

  In the darkness, I didn't hear Wei Hu's response, only his heavy breathing. After a while, a bright light appeared, and Wei Hu said in a low voice: "We're here, Mu Niang. This tunnel leads directly to the secret villa of the Hua Shan Nei Yuan family. Er and Jin Furen are both there. We're safe."

  As soon as the words fell, his body collapsed like an iron tower. Su Hui and I cried out in surprise, attracting a familiar figure - Song Ming Lei, who looked exhausted and desperate. When he saw us, his expression didn't change.

  Song Mingkui quickly pressed several major acupoints on Wei Hu's body to stop the bleeding, then the three of us lifted Wei Hu back to the secret villa in a flurry of activity.