Chapter Eight: I Once Pledged My Heart to the Bright Moon, Yet the Moon Shines Only Upon the Ditch

Time slipped away like a fleeting shuttle; in the blink of an eye, autumn had arrived. Su Mengling still remembered the spring when she and her eldest brother set out from Tianshui City, first heading east, then, after a brief rest upon reaching Central Divine Continent, continuing northward.

As she recalled the countless mountains and rivers along their journey, the contrast to her former life at home was stark, yet her heart was warmed by the constant companionship and protection of her elder brother.

She had once harbored lofty dreams of the Cloud Peak Palace, for through her brother’s words, it was a paradise on earth, a celestial realm beyond worldly concerns.

Countless times, Su Mengling had imagined living there together with her elder brother amidst such beauty—even if it meant sacrificing her life after a single day’s enjoyment, she would willingly accept it.

Whenever these thoughts crossed her mind, her delicate face would flush with a gentle rosy hue, a wave of shyness washing over her.

“Ah! Elder brother never spent even a single day with me!” Su Mengling sighed deeply, leaning by the flower-latticed window.

“The early autumn night is so chilly,” she murmured instinctively, tightening the sheer scarf draped over her shoulders and reaching out to close the window.

Turning around, she picked up a small poem she had penned at her desk:

"You had no intent to stir the mountain breeze,
Yet my heart was drawn like a raging torrent’s seize.
Though cold and rugged the valleys may be,
With stones in mouth, the frozen plains will thaw free."

“Elder brother has been away from Cloud Peak Palace for so long, overwhelmed with countless matters to attend to. Once he finishes handling them, he will come to be with me, won’t he?” Su Mengling carefully placed the paper into a wooden box. Just as she was about to extinguish the lamp and retire, a knock sounded at the door.

“Who is it?” she asked softly.

“It’s me, Zhuo Yun,” came the reply from outside.

“Zhuo Yun? It’s late at night; is something the matter?” Su Mengling hesitated before opening the door.

Zhuo Yun answered, “My brother asked me to prepare some late-night refreshments and bring them to you.”

With a creak, the door opened inward. Su Mengling, dressed simply in plain robes, stood at the doorway, tilting her body slightly in a welcoming gesture.

Zhuo Yun smiled warmly, nodding as she stepped inside, carrying the snacks.

“Yuan Jun makes you prepare late-night food at this hour?” Su Mengling closed the door behind her and asked.

“They’re still deliberating at the Lingjue Palace. My brother had me make some refreshments to keep everyone’s spirits up. This portion was specially instructed to be delivered to you, Mengling,” Zhuo Yun explained.

She carefully arranged the dishes from the food boxes into a plum blossom shape on the table.

“Zhuo Yun, you have such refined taste! Even the plating is so elegant,” Su Mengling praised upon seeing the presentation.

Zhuo Yun smiled sweetly and said, “I just love pretty tableware; once I see them, I can’t help but linger. Come now, little sister, enjoy the snacks.”

“By the way, let servants handle such tasks in the future. You, as the esteemed younger sister of Yuan Jun, shouldn’t be serving tea and food,” Su Mengling chided gently, scooping a spoonful of white fungus soup and tasting it.

“I’m simply too idle here in the cloud palace; of all, I am the most leisurely. I don’t enjoy cultivation or training—I prefer exploring delicious foods. Besides, I’m serving the top figures of various palaces, so it’s no disgrace. Well? Is it tasty?” Zhuo Yun asked eagerly.

“Delicious beyond words! Why is this white fungus so crisp and firm, with a subtle floral fragrance? And these lotus seeds—they melt in the mouth, soft and sticky. Sister, how did you make this?” Su Mengling looked up in wonder.

Zhuo Yun laughed, covering her mouth. “It’s all due to the fresh ingredients! The white fungus from the old forest on Mount Cuiwei bathes daily in the mist of the celestial realm, making it incredibly fresh. The lotus seeds from East Lake are equally beloved.”

Su Mengling nodded in agreement as she continued eating. Suddenly, she seemed to recall something and asked, “You mentioned the important figures are still discussing matters at Lingjue Palace. Do you know what great matter they are deliberating?”

Zhuo Yun glanced around cautiously, then closed the doors and windows tightly before leaning close to whisper, “Don’t tell anyone, but I heard from Lan Sheng that a new star in the Ninth Heaven is about to explode, producing endless golden solar essences. They’re discussing how to bring back as much of this essence as possible.”

“That sounds dangerous, though I don’t understand it much,” Su Mengling remarked. “But why do they need so much essence?”

Zhuo Yun’s face showed disbelief. “You really don’t know what the essence is used for?”

Su Mengling shook her head, confused.

Suddenly animated, Zhuo Yun sat down and began to explain eagerly, “This golden solar essence is a treasure. Although our Cloud Peak Palace seems like a paradise, every blade of grass and tree depends on the Cloud Sky Pillar outside, which absorbs this essence daily to sustain itself.”

Su Mengling’s eyes widened in awe. “That black stone pillar is really so powerful?”

Zhuo Yun nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! The essence is vital to our palace, and for those who cultivate, obtaining it is like finding a precious treasure. If this mission succeeds in bringing back such a large quantity of essence, then I can marry Lan Sheng.”

At this, Zhuo Yun’s plump cheeks flushed a rosy red.

“What does the essence have to do with your marriage?” Su Mengling asked, bewildered.

“Oh, Lan Sheng lost an arm, you see. My brother can regrow it, but the artifact needed requires vast amounts of essence to function. So the whole point of this expedition is to gather that essence.”

Su Mengling lowered her head to eat quietly, thinking to herself, “No wonder he’s so busy—he’s doing great deeds healing others.”

“Are you troubled, little sister?” Zhuo Yun noticed Su Mengling’s vacant gaze and unconscious movements, and gently inquired.

Su Mengling quickly composed herself, offering a smile. “I was just imagining the grand scene of them collecting the golden solar essence. It must be magnificent.”

Zhuo Yun smiled knowingly. “Though we haven’t known each other long, I can see right through you. Since my brother returned, busy with state affairs, I haven’t seen you truly happy.”

Su Mengling lifted her eyes, setting down her bowl, looking at Zhuo Yun with moist, sparkling eyes. “Really? I’ve been quite happy here.”

Zhuo Yun smiled again and continued, “My brother treats everyone with utmost courtesy, especially the ladies—he cares for them with meticulous attention. His demeanor can easily create misunderstandings. Do you understand what I mean?”

Su Mengling shook her head, unsure.

Zhuo Yun hesitated, murmuring, “Why must I be the one to do this…”

Then she looked up, grasping Su Mengling’s hand. “Tell me, do you know why Sister Qin often conflicts with you?”

“I’ve wondered about that too. Is it because I’m new? Or did I offend Palace Master Qin unknowingly?” Su Mengling pondered, trying to recall any misstep.

Zhuo Yun waved her hand hurriedly. “None of that! You’re well-liked and haven’t offended anyone. It’s just that…”

“Just what?” Su Mengling urged.

Zhuo Yun blushed deeply, struggling to speak.

After a long pause, she finally mustered courage and said, “You both like the same person, which is why she makes things difficult for you.”

Su Mengling’s mouth fell open in surprise. “You mean Palace Master Qin likes elder brother too?”

Zhuo Yun nodded, relief washing over her as she spoke out the truth.

“But!” Su Mengling’s expression grew serious. “Even if she does, I wouldn’t treat her badly for it! Everyone has the right to love someone. Wouldn’t it be too domineering otherwise?”

Zhuo Yun was momentarily speechless, stammering without a word.

“Did Palace Master Qin send you to persuade me? Does she want me to step aside?” Su Mengling’s tone grew sharp, forcing Zhuo Yun to retreat, though she bit her lip in silence.

Seeing this, Su Mengling ceased her questioning. “Whether or not she sent you, please tell her this—I will not step down.”

“But you know this waiting will yield no result!” Zhuo Yun exclaimed, her voice startling even herself.

Su Mengling remained expressionless. “So what? I know I’m just a mere mortal, with only a few decades of life, incomparable to you cultivators with lifespans of millions of years. But I want to live these few years as wonderfully as possible, not just drift through a meaningless existence. As for the one I love, whether I can have him or not—it doesn’t matter.”

“Why bother then? Many admire my brother, but his heart belongs only to that Lanling fairy!”

Su Mengling shook her head, tears streaming down in heavy drops. “I don’t ask him to love me as he does Lanling. Just to stay by his side is enough. Like this, living every day in Cloud Peak Palace, knowing he is not far away in Lingjue Palace, tirelessly working for the world—worrying, caring for him—that is enough.”

She paused, lowering her gaze. “After all, I am alone now with nowhere else to go. If I can’t be near elder brother, I might as well end my life early in this chaotic world.”

These words shocked Zhuo Yun deeply. She hurried to comfort Su Mengling, “Don’t think like that! You’re at the bloom of youth, the most beautiful time of life. You mustn’t speak such despairing words. Well, you’ve finished eating. I’ll tidy up and leave. Rest early.”

Zhuo Yun quickly gathered her things, bowed, and left. Su Mengling saw her to the door, then gently closed it behind her, leaning against it as tears flowed freely.