Chapter 5 - Ancient Star

Yin Su smiled sadly and looked at the hem of her dress. The cave was warm but the tenderness in his voice towards her warmed her heart.

"My parents were killed when I was young. It was my uncle who brought me up, some years after, I ran away from my uncle to revive the Ghost Sect in the martial arts world."

"But after getting a taste of this cruel world and getting caught up in a web of revenge, hatred and emptiness. I don't know how much longer I can live, even if I live, I would never be able to bear children."

Tears filled her eyes and her voice broke. Yin Su didn't even know why she was telling a stranger everything. Could it be his warm aura or his tenderness towards her?

A warm sensation spread as Fanglie reached out to hold her. The cave had a dim glow as the fire was starting to die out.

Yin Su held back her tears and looked at him as he placed his hand over hers but he said nothing.

"Although I have not known you for long but if you would accept me, I will take care of you and give you a beautiful life," Fanglie thought but he had no courage to say it out loud.

How would she believe a stranger that she just met but Fanglie was drawn to her voice, her natural scent and the feel of her body close to his.

Yin Su withdrew her hand and rose to her feet. Wiping away her tears, "Fanglie, it's late, let me prepare a good bedding for us to sleep on."

Fanglie curled his fingers, his body itching to hold her and nodded.

Yin Su didn't have much clothes packed and placed some bunch of clothes on the floor.

She led Fanglie to where to lay and laid beside him. There weren't much clothes and she didn't want to sleep on the floor also.

Fanglie laid on his side against her while she laid on her other side, facing the wall of the cave.

Yin Su couldn't sleep, for many reasons and stayed awake till the fire burnt out. The moonlight shone dimly into the entrance of the cave but the remaining parts of the cave was dark.

Yin Su thought of all her previous actions. She had regrets from leaving her uncle, for being so stubborn and arrogant, for competing in that competition, for being driven by revenge and engaging with the yin and yang generals.

For almost losing her chastity as a woman to Xiao Yin.

Tears streamed out of her eyes effortlessly and Yin Su couldn't help but despise herself. Her cries became louder and she couldn't help but cover her mouth to not awaken Fanglie.

Yin Su felt a light touch on her arm. She stopped her cries immediately but the light touch became warm when he placed his hand on her arm.

"Cry, if you want to cry, Susu, pretend I am the wind and let me dry your tears," his voice was so gentle and relaxing.

Yin Su turned around slowly into his embrace. She couldn't recall how long she cried. All Yin Su could recall was how that night, things went from warm to hot.

And before she slept, he promised to take care of her and marry her.

Unfortunately when Yin Su woke up the following day, like a dream Fanglie was no longer beside her. She searched for him all round the mountain but he was gone.

Yin Su sighed. The pain she felt that morning was more than any other pain she had ever experienced.

She adjusted the quilt over her body and closed her eyes. Yin Su came to the capital to search for him and now she found him.

Her next plan was to bring him out of the capital and take him home, where she needed him.

3 MONTH LATER

Little droplets of rain dropped into the pond at Summer Palace. Susu had moved to a different residence which belonged to Royal Princess Zhao.

Her Highness had put a lot of servants to tend to her as the wedding neared. At Summer Palace, there was a courtyard that named Spring Bridge Pavilion. The pavilion was built over a lake and hence the name.

Under the pavilion sat a young lady with a maid behind her. Susu had been learning the etiquettes of a noble lady and how to be a good wife.

Ever since she moved to Summer Palace, Yin Su had not set her eyes on Fanglie. She had also been introduced to the social circle by her Highness, Royal Princess Zhao and attended many banquets.

"My lady, the wedding dress fitting has been perfected, it is the most beautiful I have ever seen," Wan Li said calmly but her eyes glistening with excitement.

Yin Su smiled and nodded, "Truly, it is beautiful to me too."

Wan Li had stayed by her side long enough for them to become close. Wan Li was born as a concubine's daughter of a rich merchant. The main wife sent both her and her mother out of the house where they were captured by slave traders.

Her mother was sold to the north while she was brought to the capital and sold to Fu Manor. Wan Li was also new to Fu Manor when she was put as Yin Su's maid.

Wan Li told her that this was because she came from a city close to where the Ghost Sect once resided so the Head Maid thought that Wan Li would understand her more.

As time flew by, Wan Li became aware of her identity as the Ghost Princess and respected her even more. Maybe from fear of being killed if she offended her.

"My lady, soon it would be autumn and we would need to sow a new coat for winter," Wan Li said out of the ordinary.

Yin Su nodded, "It might not be necessary when the time comes."

"What does my lady mean?" Wan Li asked and bent to fill up her mistress empty cup.

"My lady, the tea has run cold, let me heat up the tea," Wan Li said and picked up the tea pot and placed it upon a tray before taking her leave.

Yin Su smiled, "Wan Li, Wan Li, why are you so scared of me?"

The smile disappeared in a second as Yin Su recalled that her wedding was in few days. Yin Su felt a looming fear as she thought of the wedding.

Xiao Yin had threatened to tell the Fu manor about her relationship with him if she didn't give him what he wanted. But so far, Xiao Yin had not asked anything from her.

Just thinking about involving herself with him again made her stomach sink in fear.

She didn't know what the yin and yang brothers were planning against her.

Few days later...

Red lanterns were hung everywhere and fire crackers set off as nobles and high ranking families gathered at Fu Manor to celebrate the marriage ceremony of the Third Young Master Fu, son of Royal Princess Zhao and General Fu with Miss Yin Susu, a distant cousin of Royal Princess Zhao.

Rumors said that they have been engaged from a young age. Royal Princess Zhao's maternal family was from a military descent and her mother, Empress Dowager Xi had several brothers who served in the military.

Miss Yin Su Su was said to have lived on the bordering towns all her life because she also served in the army with her father and brothers but her mother deemed it wrong for a young maiden to live all her life on the battlefield.

Hence writing a letter beforehand and sending Miss Yin to the capital to get married. No one could disrespect Royal Princess Zhao and hence had to respect Miss Yin.

Fu Manor bustled with so many people. Old friends greeted each other and cliches sat together in clusters. The best dishes and wine in the capital were served as the vows had been taken and the bride led to the nuptial chambers.

Deep down, many were happy for Third Young Master who was said to be blind. Before it was a rumor but now, everyone saw it with both eyes how the third young master was assisted throughout the marriage rituals.

First Young Master Fu, also known as Commander Fu stayed by Fanglie side till evening, introducing him to noble officials and having drinks.

By the time it was evening, Fanglie called it an evening and left the guests to join his newly wedded wife in their nuptial chambers.

At the nuptial chambers, a young lady dressed in an exquisitely designed red wedding robe sat on the bed, her face covered with a red veil.

She sat in an upright position and her back ached but with Gui Momo —an old lady versed in many things— standing right next to her, instructing her— Yin Su dared not stretch.

Wan Li walked in with tender steps and informed them of the arrival of the third young master.

Gui Momo almost squealed in excitement and waved her hand away towards Wan Li. Assisted in by Bi huo, Fanglie walked into the room.

"Alright, I have arrived, leave us!" Fanglie's voice came out strong to everyone's surprise.

"But..." Gui Momo looked at the many ceremonies still yet to perform in the nuptial chamber but she couldn't disobey the order of the young master.

"Yes," everyone bowed in unison before leaving.

Wan Li smiled inwardly as she took her leave.

Feeling no other person in the room except from Yin Su, Fanglie steadily walked towards her. Yin Su watched him through her veil, although it was blurry, she could still see his figure.

He was walking like a person who could see perfectly and doubts became to arise in her mind. Could Fanglie be lying to everyone that he couldn't see?

Soon enough, he sat next to her and slowly lifted her veil before removing it. Her red lipstick shone beautifully in accordance to the golden hairpins which adorned her hair.

Yin Su's eyes were glued to the ground. Maybe because although they had once been intimate, Yin Su had never imagined to be married to him. Or perhaps, she was feeling like a shy bride.

"Susu," Fanglie rose to his feet and reached out his hand to her.

Yin Su glanced at his hand before slowly looking at his face. His intense gaze took her by surprise and this time, it seemed like he was looking straight at her.

"You..." She was lost in his gaze and placed her hand in his.

Fanglie smirked and pulled her up carefully before leading her to the table. Yin Su felt something wrong, something extremely wrong.

Although this person had Fanglie's face and voice, he seemed like an entirely different person besides, he could see.

Fanglie poured two cups of wine and gave her one to complete their wedding ceremony.

"Like I promised Susu, I will take care of you," he smiled and drank the cup of wine, whilst his eyes still remained on her.

Yin Su was shocked.