4.1 - Snowy Mountain with a Peach Blossom Tree: Volume I

Chapter 4: The book Snowy Mountain with a Peach Blossom Tree Volume I

On the day I was to set off, Xiao Lan woke me up early in the morning and delivered a set of clothing that fitted the setting and context of Snowy Mountain with a Peach Blossom Tree. The light blue dress had simple clouds and mountains embroidery. Even with narrow sleeves, it was elegant and graceful. There was also a matching dark navy blue embroidered cloak. Although the clothes were specially tailored for Miss Li, it was fortunate that they fitted me well. Left alone in my room, I stood before the mirror and swirled around. The light fabric of the dress floated in the air as I swayed and spun around.

Hearing footsteps, I quickly sat back down in front of the dresser and played with my hair, wondering how Xiao Lan would style my hair. It was as if I had visited a hanfu shop back in modern society and I was getting dressed up to walk around the streets—something I would only dare to dream of doing. However, I was not going to be participating in the hanfu movement today. Instead, I would be travelling through time into a historical fiction book.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Xiao Lan had already effortlessly tied my long black hair up into a simple topknot without any elaborate styling.

"Wait, why did you tie it up like this?" I cried out in surprise. This was not at all feminine!

Wordlessly, Xiao Lan picked up a jade hairpin and slid it through the middle of the hair bun.

"Xiao Lan," I said as I stared at my reflection in horror, "this is a male hairstyle!"

I watched her through the mirror as her expression turned into one of amusement. She placed a pair of black boots in front of me and handed me a pair of knee-length high socks.

"Here are the shoes that you will wear."

I stared down at the manly boots. They looked so different from the silk or brocade shoes I had seen before. I shook my head in disbelief. "No way. You want me to crossdress?"

"Did no one tell you?" Xiao Lan tilted her head, pretending to be innocent. "I thought Han-dage already told you that you have to dress up as a male as a protective measure, since you will be travelling alone. It's a standard protocol."

I scrutinised my reflection once again. "How do I look male? I am obviously still a girl."

"At least you look like a prepubescent boy," she said as she draped the cloak over my shoulders. "This should hide your figure..."

I stared at myself glumly as all hopes of wearing a set of pretty fairylike female clothes vanished from my mind. Well, protecting oneself was definitely more important.

There were also three rules important to remember on the trip.

First, I was to protect the book that would accompany me. I should keep it in its original condition and be careful not to lose it. If the book were to be lost or damaged, the universe would crumble and I would never be able to return.

Secondly, I was not to interfere with the life stories of any of the NPCs. If I ran into any of the main or supporting characters, I should be careful not to interfere with the plot of the book.

Finally, the time in the book universe flowed the same way as the time in the Garden. Last night, I was given a special watch adjusted to the Garden's timezone. After three days, I was to return back to the Garden even if I could not find any clues. More importantly, if there were any frustrating events or emergencies, I should leave the world immediately through the way I came.

As this was a historical novel set in ancient China, I could not take a train to enter the book realm. Instead, I had to be ferried via a boat from a little pier at the lake located at the edge of the Garden. The lake was surrounded by real mountains and a thick fog covered its surface. I looked at the boatman with uncertainty and back at the frightening looking lake.

"Is this safe? Can't someone go along with me?" I whispered to Han Dong and Xiao Lan who were sending me off with relaxed expressions. Should they not be as nervous as me? They were sending a rookie into an unknown, dangerous universe to rescue their Young Master who has been stuck inside and missing for ages!

"Do not worry too much. The boatman is experienced," Xiao Lan whispered back and rubbed my hand reassuringly.

My feet shuffled backwards as I cried out while shaking my head. "That's not the point, Xiao Lan. The boatman won't be travelling with me! He is just going to ferry me to the destination and abandon me there."

"The rules of the Tower do not allow us to go along with you." Han Dong shook his hand and gave me a sorry looking expression. "But you do not have to worry. The boatman will be waiting on the other side for you to be done. Just follow the rules and you will be safe."

My shoulders slumped in resignation as I unwillingly let myself be ushered onto a small wooden boat. Sitting down on the low bench, I placed my tie bag onto my lap. Tightly secured in the cloth baggage was a fresh set of clothing, some pieces of silver for my expenses, a dagger and a bottle of pepper spray that I had concocted for self-protection. I opened the first page of the book and handed it over to the boatman, along with a silver compass. I observed as he placed the compass on the book, waited for the needle to stop moving, and started paddling. I looked out of the window and searched for Han Dong and Xiao Lan. They were still standing on the pier.

"I wish you success in your mission!" Xiao Lan shouted and gave me a big wave.

I smiled wryly and wave back, hoping that I would successfully find some clues regarding Ji Kai's whereabouts on this trip as well.

"Miss Yuhan, remember to return in three days!" Han Dong raised his hands to his face as he called after the departing boat. "Remember that you are there to be a scout for information! Not to be a busybody and mess up the plot any further!"

I rolled my eyes internally at his nagging but I held out a thumbs up sign through the opening of the boat.

Pressing against the half-opened plastic window, I watched as the two figures became smaller and blurry, before they faded away as the mist enveloped the boat. The surface of the lake was calm and quiet. There was no wind movement and I could only hear the sounds of water swooshing and the creaking of the wooden paddles. Unsure of how long the ride would take and having woken up before dawn, I closed my eyes as my sleepiness overcame me. When I opened my eyes, hopefully I would have reached my destination and not have sunken to the bottom of the lake.

The boat bumped against something, rousing me from my brief snooze. I opened my eyes and sat up immediately.

"Young Miss, we have arrived."

I peered out of the boat and saw that the boat was docked at a busy pier. I stood up slowly to maintain my balance as the boat bobbed up and down in the water. Carefully, I hopped off the boat and stepped onto the platform of the pier. A chilly wind blew in my direction and I wrapped the cloak around myself more tightly.

It was early winter during this part of the book, and on the eve of winter solstice there would be a martial arts convention held in this bustling town. Jing An Town was located at the foot of a mountain where one of the prominent sects was located. It was in this town where Bai Zhen and Mo Yue met Chu Shiyin. Bai Zhen and Chu Shiyin were taking part in the friendly competition while Mo Yue was invited as a distinguished guest.

According to the book, Bai Zhen and Mo Yue met outside of Jing An Town and journeyed together as they became fast friends. The book also recorded that there would be a fight that would take place in an inn before the convention, where Bai Zhen stood up for injustice for Chu Shiyin. Perhaps I should look for the inn where the protagonists would have their first encounter.

Speaking of inn, I should look for a place of lodging. Hopefully, there would still be vacant rooms. The convention was the next day and the guesthouses and inns should be at their maximum occupancy at this time.

"Young hero!" The boatman stopped me when he saw that I was turning to leave. "Don't forget your book!"

I quickly took the book and the compass, keeping them in my bag. I had almost destroyed the universe!

"I will be here for the next three days. Just show me your waist pendant and I will take you back to the Garden."

I touched the pendant engraved with the Ji family's crest that was hanging on my waist before cupping my hands and giving a small bow. "Thank you," I said with the air of a wannabe martial hero.

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