Chapter Fifty-Three: Beauty Saves the Hero

A slender figure, pale-skinned, with elegant phoenix brows and a hawk-like nose, stood dumbfounded atop the treetop, gazing at me as if under a spell, forgetting even to wield his celestial arts to fly. Suddenly, the peach branch beneath his feet gave a sharp crack under his weight, snapping and sending his body tumbling downward.

His gaze remained fixed on me, unwavering—even as he plummeted to the ground, he made no effort to save himself. Was he truly addled? I hurriedly leapt down, catching him just as he was about to hit the earth, supporting his back and arms. He stared at my face in a dazed, entranced manner.

We looked at each other in silence, you watching me, and I watching you.

Why does he stare so intently? Has he recognized my true identity? I wondered to myself.

With a tearing sound, my robe ripped open at the shoulder, exposing my skin. The tear, originally caused by a branch, was further split by my vigorous movement in catching the celestial lord. Quickly, I pushed him aside and clutched my garment.

He seemed to come to his senses at my touch, and immediately conjured a cloak to drape over me.

"My lord... thank you," he said, bowing deeply, his tone earnest and sincere.

I smiled faintly and waved him off, thinking, "I merely steadied him; yet he acts as if I have granted him a great favor."

"Are you new here, unfamiliar with how to use these celestial branch shears?" he spoke with gentle refinement.

I nodded.

"You’ve been assigned such hazardous work as a newcomer?" he pressed.

I was uncertain whether to nod or shake my head.

"Enough, I see. You may continue," the refined celestial lord nodded, then softly addressed another celestial nearby, dressed as a general—sharp brows, fierce eyes, exuding heroic vigor.

The general spoke with authority, "Who ordered her to do that?"

The two celestial maidens who had previously directed me came forward, trembling.

"Lazy, all of you! She does your work while you idle. What use are you in the Heavenly Palace? You might as well descend to the mortal realm!" the heroic lord scolded.

The two maidens knelt in terror, knocking their heads against the ground, pleading, "Second Prince, forgive us! We admit our fault, spare us!" They turned to the refined lord, "First Prince, have mercy, please intercede for us!"

So these two celestial lords were none other than Prince Tiande and Prince Tiansheng of the Heavenly Palace—a fact I'd heard from my eleventh senior disciple, though I’d never met them until now, unexpectedly encountering them in the Peach Orchard.

Tiande gave a cold smile, "I came to stand up for you, but you brought this upon yourselves."

The maidens kowtowed, admitting their fault.

"Go beg Tiansheng for mercy," Tiande instructed.

"Finish your tasks today, then transcribe the celestial rules a hundred times," Tiansheng told them. Turning to me, he added, "You left your post without permission; transcribe the rules a hundred times. Yet, since you helped another, you are awarded a millennium peach and a celestial garment. Henceforth, perform your duties diligently. Should I find you scheming or neglecting your station again, your celestial rank will be stripped, and you will be severely punished!"

Second Prince Tiansheng indeed possessed a measure of Baize's authority.

Thinking it over, I realized my mistake and accepted my punishment with a cupped salute.

Pruning the flower branches was the maidens’ duty, yet I had overstepped my bounds, helping where I shouldn’t. Aid one, and soon there are two, three—causing them to forget their own tasks and earn reprimand.

"Celestial maiden, are you aware there’s a flower thief in the Peach Orchard?" Tiande asked with concern.

"Are they here to capture the thief?" I found the notion amusing.

I shook my head and pointed to my mouth, indicating I was unable to speak.

"You cannot speak?" Tiande asked in shock.

I nodded.

"So... you were born mute?" Tiande murmured to himself.

He assumed my silence was innate. Seeing his befuddled look, I found it all the more amusing.

"My lord has received reports of a flower thief in the Peach Orchard—coming and going freely, possessing great power. With the Peach Festival underway and celestial beings from all realms gathered, be cautious. Since you cannot speak, take heed and guard yourself well," Tiande advised me with the warmth of family.

I bowed in thanks.

"Take this flute; if you encounter danger, blow it and someone will come to your aid," Tiande offered me a small, exquisite emerald bamboo flute.

His earnestness made me feel awkward, so I waved him off; after all, I was the flower thief—what need had I for such a thing?

Ignoring my refusal, Tiande pressed the flute into my hand, repeating his warning, "If you are ever in trouble, remember to use it."

I humored Tiande, but my ears were tuned to Tiansheng, who was questioning the maidens about the flower thief. The "flower thief" in their tales was now a monstrous villain, akin to the dark lord of the Nether Realm.

Hearing the maidens' exaggerated stories, I could scarcely contain my laughter, thinking that Master’s “sensational tales” must have originated just so.

"Wait for me a moment; I’ll attend to the flower thief matter so you may be at ease," Tiande, seeing my interest, went to handle the maidens' grievances.

"Why must I wait for you?" I pouted, and, seizing the moment when Tiande, Tiansheng, and the maidens were distracted, slipped behind a tree, transformed into white light, and flew away.

After shifting back into proper celestial attire, I lay atop a broad branch, resting my arm beneath my head, sipping nectar and lazily gazing at the cloak and bamboo flute hanging from the peach branch. The cloak was just ordinary silk; the flute, aside from its emerald hue, seemed unremarkable.

"I am the flower thief—this is all a misunderstanding. I will not keep his things. I’ll find a chance to explain and return them," I mused.

"Fei’er!" a voice called.

At once, I was revitalized—"It’s Master! Master has come for me!" I quickly jumped down.

Indeed, Master stood beneath a nearby tree! In the Peach Orchard, days dragged like years; seeing him was like seeing light and hope, and I rushed to him like the wind.

"Dressed like this, are you out to catch the flower thief again?" Master asked with a cheerful smile.

I was so happy, I forgot to revert to my male form.

"I’ve heard there’s a flower thief in the Peach Orchard, with considerable powers. Don’t risk yourself again," his cool, serene face softened with affection.

I plucked a flower, pointed to myself, and shook my male attire.

"You mean they mistook you for the flower thief?" Master asked.

I nodded.

Master laughed heartily, "No wonder you’re dressed as a celestial maiden. Since you cannot speak, male attire is indeed ill-suited here."

I nodded.

"Is the nectar effective?" Master asked.

I nodded again. After taking the nectar refined in the white jade bottle, I felt much better—my yin and yang balanced, my mind clear, my throat less constricted, though still unable to utter a sound.

"Good. I have important matters to attend; stay here a few more days, and when I’m finished, I’ll come for you," Master instructed, then went off to his "business."

"Isn’t it just the matter of his engagement to the Third Princess..." I reverted to my true form, pouting as I flew to a branch.

"What does the Third Princess look like? Is her temperament as false as Lu Xue’s? Has Master truly forgotten Lu Xue, the Lady whom he once cherished? Who was the original of that sticky, sweet 'first night' little celestial maiden?" With these thoughts, I spent a restless night on the tree.

At dawn, a gentle breeze stirred the peach blossoms, scattering them. With my mind burdened, I resumed my role as a maiden of the Peach Orchard, gloomily gathering dew. Midway, I remembered that in my haste to see Master the day before, I had left Tiande’s bamboo flute hanging on a branch overnight. If it were lost, a few coins would mean little, but if Tiande demanded an identical flute in return, I’d be unable to reproduce it. I hurried to find the tree.

Beneath the tree, Tiande stood, cloak draped over his arm, bamboo flute in hand, looking around anxiously. Upon seeing me, he rushed over.

"Celestial maiden! You haven’t encountered the flower thief, I hope?"

His worried expression amused and shamed me—the "flower thief" I was had stirred such anxiety.

Suppressing my laughter, I shook my head.

"Good. I heard the flute last night and hurried here, but found only the flute, not you. I waited for you half the night. You truly worried me," Tiande said, with dark circles under his eyes and a foolish smile.

It must have been the wind blowing through the hanging flute. That he stood guard all night was indeed foolish. I pointed to the flowers, then the jade bottle, and mimed sleeping.

"You mean you gathered dew and then slept?" Tiande asked.

I nodded.

"I see. Keep the flute; the thief is still at large, be vigilant," he said, handing back the flute.

I tried to refuse, but he insisted, pressing it into my hand.

"It’s nothing. Keep it. It’s merely a bamboo flute for transmitting sound, not a precious item."

I pushed his hand away, thinking, "This flower thief business is a misunderstanding; how can I accept his gift? How should I explain to him?"

He saw me retreat and thought himself rude, stepping back and explaining, "Forgive me, celestial maiden. I am concerned for your safety. My apologies."

I smiled and bowed in return, wondering why Prince Tiande was so solicitous toward me. With so many maidens in the Peach Orchard, why was he so concerned for me? Was it merely sympathy for my muteness?

"Do you spend every day gathering dew here?" Tiande asked.

I nodded.

"No wonder the other maidens assign you rough tasks; they're jealous of your role," he remarked.

I waved off the concern.

"Yet your work is more taxing on the spirit than theirs. Let me help you," Tiande offered, stepping forward.

I stepped aside, feeling awkward at his unfamiliar warmth.

"If anyone bullies you again, tell me—I’ll stand up for you," Tiande said.

As I gathered dew, I smiled inwardly. He had scolded me for dropping the celestial shears, but he himself had fallen from the tree, and I, a little maiden, had caught him. With his gentle scholar's demeanor, what defense could he offer? Perhaps only the authority of the First Prince to rebuke mischievous maidens.

The First Prince lingered, polite and attentive, and I responded with casual smiles, brushing him off.

The next day, I moved to another spot to collect dew. Unexpectedly, Tiande appeared again, sweating as he rushed over.

"I finally found you. I asked the celestial officials, and it’s true—gathering dew is exhausting. No wonder you work so far from others. I’ve ordered the maidens in the orchard to assist you each day."

I quickly waved my hands, not wishing to trouble them.

"Don’t be shy. I cannot stand to see you bullied," Tiande said.

I bowed deeply to him.

"You’re still so pure and kind..." Tiande murmured, stepping closer.

I lifted my head as he drew near, his gaze fixed upon me.

Startled, I retreated two steps and halted, unable to go further.

Tiande advanced, his slender, pale hand reaching towards my cheek...