Once, I Was a Legend | Chapter 7 | A Shadow of the Past | Novela.app

Ye Zhao felt that he had truly been cursed with a streak of abysmal luck lately! At the entrance of the Ten Thousand Flower Garden, Ye Zhao looked up at the brilliant sun in the sky, then lowered his head in somber contemplation. He radiated an aura of dejection and gloom so thick that Jiang Ziqi, standing beside him, felt as if he could see a dark cloud hovering over Ye Zhao’s head. Only upon arriving did they realize that today’s flower-viewing banquet was far from simple. Those in attendance were the crème de la crème of the capital’s nobility. Not only was County Princess Xiyue expected, but rumor had it that the Grand Princess of Wei would also be making an appearance. Normally, anyone with a shred of self-awareness would not have chosen today to join the fray. Yet here the two of them were—individuals who hardly met the social criteria—scurrying toward the event... They had only learned this after being stopped by the gatekeepers, who asked for invitations they did not possess and treated them to a round of disdainful looks. For a moment, Jiang Ziqi suspected that Xie Yusong was playing them, but then he reconsidered; the man didn't seem the type for such petty tricks. Ye Zhao asked him, "Shall we go?" Seeing the look in his eyes, Jiang Ziqi felt too embarrassed to say no. "Uh... let's go!" Just as the two turned to leave, a voice called out from behind them, "Wait!" Ye Zhao didn't want to wait; he wanted to run! Especially since that voice sounded dreadfully familiar. However, he could only stiffly turn his head. As expected, the newcomer was Xie Yusong. His mood turned complicated, yet he managed to force a smile. "...Lord Xie, is something the matter?" Ye Zhao deliberately avoided the topic of entering, but Xie Yusong had not forgotten his purpose. "I suddenly remembered that I forgot to give Lord Ye an invitation the other day. I have been waiting here early today to escort you both inside." As he spoke, he glanced at the two gatekeepers. Receiving his silent command, the two servants retreated two steps, signaling for Ye Zhao and his companion to enter. "After you—" The "Lord Yusong" brand human invitation was incredibly potent! Those who wanted to block them didn't dare, and those who didn't want to enter had no choice but to comply. Ye Zhao bit the bullet and obeyed. Jiang Ziqi was uneasy at first, but soon relaxed completely. Ye Zhao suspected that as long as Miss Li was present, this fellow would stay put even if he were in a dragon's den or a tiger's lair! Fortunately, Xie Yusong could not focus all his attention on him. When a crowd gathered around Xie Yusong, Ye Zhao took the opportunity to slip away. The Ten Thousand Flower Garden truly lived up to its name. Many flowers that were not supposed to bloom in this season were displaying their beautiful forms to the fullest. There were passionate, fiery reds and gentle, lovely pinks; a myriad of colors and various forms of beauty converged in one place. With its pavilions, terraces, seas of flowers, rockeries, clear streams, and green woods, it was a true eye-opener for Ye Zhao. It made him wonder if the "Ten Thousand Flower Garden" he had visited in the past was a fake. As he strolled along, he overheard many people discussing the same topic. "I heard Her Imperial Highness the Grand Princess is coming today." "Really? Then we might be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of her." "Indeed. The Grand Princess has been in poor health these past few years and rarely makes public appearances. One can't even see her at national banquets. Today is a rare stroke of luck." Two young noblemen brushed past Ye Zhao. One suddenly exclaimed, "Then County Princess Xiyue should be here as well. I wonder if they've arrived yet." "Of course. County Princess Xiyue is the Grand Princess's most beloved granddaughter; she will naturally be by her side. I've already looked into it—the guards at the gate said they arrived long ago!" The second man lowered his voice toward the end. The two of them simultaneously quickened their pace, clearly intent on orchestrating a "chance encounter." They seemed to say more, but as the distance grew, Ye Zhao could no longer hear them clearly. He murmured in confusion, "The Grand Princess?" He had naturally heard of the Grand Princess's reputation. In fact, there was likely no one in the State of Wei who hadn't. The Grand Princess’s surname was Wei, and her given name was Meng. Her title was Ningmeng—adding a character to her name to signify peace and tranquility. She was eighty years old this year. During the national turmoil of the past, she had stepped forward bravely. Her husband and two sons had died in battle for the country, and she had painstakingly cared for the current Emperor, organizing the inner court for him. Now, she had only one son, two grandsons, and one granddaughter remaining. That granddaughter was County Princess Xiyue. If possible, Ye Zhao also wanted to see this legendary Grand Princess, but the thought vanished as quickly as it came. His attention returned to the brilliant flowers blooming by the path. Suddenly, he heard a soft thud behind him, as if something had struck a tree. "?" The leaves of a tree about thirty meters away swayed gently, like a tremor caused by a passing breeze. He glanced at it and then withdrew his gaze, wondering, "Strange, was there a wind just now?" In the blink of an eye, he pushed the question to the back of his mind and continued his leisurely stroll. Meanwhile, on the other side, a member of the Yulin Guards—who had grown quite bored after tailing Ye Zhao for several days—returned to report with an expression of excitement. A fish had actually taken the bait! He promptly delivered the captured man in black to Wei Feng. Inside the dungeon of Qiongyu Tower. Wei Feng sat reclined in a grandmaster's chair, one hand propping up his cheek. His right hand held a whip that was half-stained with blood as he watched the man bound to the wooden rack with composed interest. The prisoner was covered in wounds, his mouth stuffed with coarse cloth, his head hanging as if he had already fainted. Beneath the wooden rack, a pool of blood had gathered. Fresh gore dripped slowly, drop by drop, from the man's hands and feet. Wei Feng spoke to himself, "I accidentally let someone slip away at Mount Bushi last time. And now, he actually sent a small fry like you to poke your head out? And you were targeting a profligate playboy? Heh..." As if discovering something amusing, his eyes filled with interest. He slowly approached the man and whispered, "What did he send you to do? My men saw you following Ye Zhao for quite a while, yet you did nothing. This is truly strange." Though he called it strange, an excited expression flickered across his face, his eyes filled with deep darkness. He used the whip to lift the man's chin and gave a light chuckle. "What does he have that's worth your attention? Or rather... do you want to kill him?" The man slowly looked up at Wei Feng, who was inches away. Their gazes met. In the next instant, Wei Feng withdrew his hand. The expression on his face vanished instantly, leaving only cold indifference. He tossed the whip aside and turned to leave the cell. From that one look, he knew this man was not a "death soldier." He had approached Ye Zhao for a specific purpose. This also proved, from another angle, that there was indeed something about Ye Zhao that had drawn the attention of that faction. He assigned additional personnel to continue monitoring Ye Zhao in secret. Ye Zhao, unaware that he had become the bait Wei Feng was using to lure out that mysterious group, once again felt as though he were cursed by that stick of incense. What was it like to wander around only to run into Xie Yusong again? Ye Zhao’s answer: he wished he could turn invisible. "Lord Ye, I didn't expect to find you here." This came from the refined and elegant Xie Yusong. Ye Zhao looked at him and the several people beside him, slowly forcing a stiff smile. He suppressed the urge to bolt. "Lord Xie, we meet again." Xie Yusong stared at him for two seconds before breaking into a smile. "Is Lord Ye unhappy to see me?" "How could that be? Lord Xie must be joking." Ye Zhao replied quickly and perfectly, his face full of sincerity. Xie Yusong gave a light chuckle, a sound like jade striking jade or a clear spring flowing. "That is good to hear. I thought Lord Ye didn't wish to see me. It seems I overthought it." Ye Zhao... Ye Zhao tenaciously maintained his smile. Aside from smiling, he was incapable of producing any other emotion. "Eh?" Someone let out a short sound of surprise. Xie Yusong and the others followed the direction of the person's gaze. They saw four people walking down the small path to the right. At a glance, they saw the young man in black walking in the center. His face was cold and handsome, his aura sharp and piercing. Xie Yusong showed a hint of confusion. "Is that... Yunting?" Just as he said this, Pei Yunting also recognized him. Then, Ye Zhao watched as the two groups merged. It was common knowledge that Pei Yunting and Xie Yusong were close friends. Having not seen each other for a long time, the atmosphere of their reunion was naturally warm. Ye Zhao, forgotten on the periphery of the crowd, took the opportunity to see the grace of the legendary Pei Yunting—the man hailed as the second "Lord Tianshu." A thought immediately popped into his mind: *Truly, his reputation is well-deserved; he perfectly embodies the legends!* His mind wandered, drifting through various flights of fancy. For a moment, he actually forgot to slip away, instead following the large group for quite a distance like a dazed fool. He was unaware that during this time, Pei Yunting seemed to glance at him several times as if by accident. By the time he snapped back to reality, he could already hear the voices of many noblewomen ahead. Ye Zhao thought, *This is bad.* Their destination was clearly to see the Grand Princess. He debated whether to be sensible and stay out of the way, or to be thick-skinned enough to mingle with this group of "favored sons of heaven" to see the legendary Grand Princess. In the end, Ye Zhao didn't have to make a decision. Just as they passed the outer ring of guards, he was stopped by a maid about thirty meters away from the Grand Princess and her party. She found Ye Zhao unfamiliar; he didn't look like the sons of the families she usually saw. Out of safety concerns, she inquired, "May I ask who you are, My Lord?" "Is My Lord here to pay his respects? Her Imperial Highness the Grand Princess appreciates the sentiment, but she only wishes to enjoy the flowers today and is not receiving outside guests. Please return, My Lord." The maid spoke with an apologetic expression. Xie Yusong and the others seemed not to notice Ye Zhao's situation at all as they prepared to pay their respects to the Grand Princess. Ye Zhao glanced in that direction and very wisely said, "Very well." Then, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation. Seeing him leave so decisively, the maid was slightly surprised, but she did not call him back and returned to her post. Many people had wanted to pay their respects to the Grand Princess today, but Ye Zhao was the only one who reacted so indifferently after being told no. The location was an open-air water pavilion. The Grand Princess and the female relatives of several high-ranking officials were holding a small banquet here. It was a lively scene filled with elegant ladies. Beside the pavilion was a lake. The breeze blowing from the water brought a refreshing coolness, making it a truly wonderful spot for sightseeing. The silver-haired Grand Princess was no longer young. She wore a black, front-opening robe and sat at the head of the table. A green jade hairpin was tucked into her hair, making her look exceptionally plain yet without diminishing her solemn dignity. The Grand Princess had never been known for a gentle appearance, and her authority had not waned with age. Only now, the faint smile on her wrinkled face made her seem less intimidating. Seated on the left side of the banquet were several young ladies in the prime of their youth, each as beautiful as a flower. Opposite them sat several noblewomen of various graces. Among this gathering of lovely guests, only the woman sitting to the Grand Princess's right was simply dressed, yet her elegance was dazzling, outshining everyone else. Who else but County Princess Xiyue could possess such beauty? The juniors below were chatting and laughing, the atmosphere harmonious. No one noticed the elderly woman at the head of the table dazing off toward the lake for a moment. There were no lotuses in the lake. Instead, it was covered with a vast expanse of plants with peach-shaped, pointed leaves and long stems. Among them, many purple flowers bloomed. Those were water hyacinths, scientifically known as *Eichhornia crassipes*. "We pay our respects to Her Imperial Highness the Grand Princess." Several young noblemen of dragon-like stature and phoenix-like grace walked to the center of the banquet, lifted their robes, and knelt in unison. Wei Meng was startled back to her senses by the voices. A moment later, a wide smile broke across her face. Her slightly clouded eyes looked at the familiar juniors before her with satisfaction. She reached out a trembling hand to signal them to rise. "Good, good. Rise quickly. You are all good children..." As she smiled, her gaze inadvertently drifted past them, catching sight of a receding figure in the distance. Her eyes narrowed. The noblewoman sitting at the head of the left row was dressed in red. She had striking features and a straightforward personality. Her eyes lit up when she saw Pei Yunting, and she said enthusiastically, "Oh, is this Yunting? It's been so long I almost didn't recognize you! But one look at that aura of yours and I knew it had to be you!" This praise was delivered with a melodic, winding tone. When Pei Yunting saw the speaker, he politely greeted her, "Auntie Wei, you are just as you were years ago, your beauty undiminished." "Oh, you certainly have a way with words." The woman he called Auntie Wei seemed a bit embarrassed, but her face was full of smiles. She was the current matriarch of the Duke of Zhen’s estate. The two families were close; while he might ignore others, he had to respond to her. As expected, the moment the famous Pei Yunting returned to the capital, he immediately became the center of attention. One person said, "Lord Pei's grace is even greater than in the past." Another added, "Having returned from his travels, his knowledge must be even more vast, his talent peerless." "I fear no one embodies the style of the former Lord Tianshu more than Lord Pei." "Indeed, indeed..." "In both civil and military affairs, I believe he is not inferior to Lord Tianshu!" "I think so too..." In an instant, various praises came thick and fast. The others standing with Pei Yunting felt both envious and bitter, but mostly respectful. Pei Yunting, the man called the second Lord Tianshu of this generation, naturally had the ability to deserve such acclaim. Just as the crowd was talking animatedly... "Lord... Lord Shu." The Grand Princess stood up tremblingly, staring ahead. County Princess Xiyue hurried to support the elderly woman to prevent her from falling. Madam Wei couldn't help but laugh and explained to her, "Grand Princess, you've mistaken him. That is Yunting, not Lord Shu." "Yes, Lord Pei truly resembles Lord Tianshu; even the Grand Princess was mistaken." "..." Others chimed in with explanations. They looked at Pei Yunting, who stood still with a slightly startled and suspicious expression, and then at the Grand Princess, whose eyes seemed to shimmer with tears. They all assumed this was the case. The elderly woman, in her advanced age, urgently bypassed the table and walked forward. Pei Yunting reached out to support her. To everyone's surprise, the old lady brushed his hand aside. Her steps were stumbling yet hurried as she continued to rush forward. County Princess Xiyue could barely keep up and hurriedly urged, "Grandmother, please slow down." The old woman looked at the increasingly distant back, the urgency on her face growing. She shouted, "Lord Shu!" Who? Everyone was startled and looked in the direction the Grand Princess was chasing. There did indeed seem to be a figure in white. Someone wondered, "Who is that?" "I don't know." Another person lowered their voice to reply, "The Grand Princess must have seen wrongly." Many people thought so, because everyone knew that the "Lord Shu" the Grand Princess spoke of—Lord Tianshu—always wore black. Not to mention, they hadn't even seen the person's face yet. How could they say it was Lord Tianshu based solely on a back view? It was simply a joke. "Lord... Lord Shu!" The old lady ignored them all, her heart set only on chasing that silhouette, calling out repeatedly. Even County Princess Xiyue couldn't stop her. Pei Yunting clenched his hand hanging at his side and glanced at that distant back. Xie Yusong turned his head and glanced at Pei Yunting as if by accident. Noticing his movement, he withdrew his gaze, a tiny, faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Judging by that silhouette, if he wasn't mistaken, it should be him... *** Glossary Table: Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 万花园 | Ten Thousand Flower Garden | A famous garden in the capital. 魏朦 | Wei Meng | The given name of the Grand Princess. 宁朦 | Ningmeng | The title/honorific of the Grand Princess. 天枢公子 | Lord Tianshu | A legendary figure, often compared to Pei Yunting. "Tianshu" refers to the star Dubhe. 羽林卫 | Yulin Guards | Imperial guards (lit. "Feather Forest Guards"). 琼羽楼 | Qiongyu Tower | A location associated with the guards or intelligence (lit. "Jade Feather Tower"). 太师椅 | Grandmaster's chair | A traditional high-backed wooden armchair. 凤眼莲 | Water hyacinth | Scientific name: *Eichhornia crassipes*. 镇国公 | Duke of Zhen | A high-ranking noble title (lit. "Duke who Guards the State").