The Price!

"Why?" 

Yu Wenxin's complexion turned even paler, devoid of any color, as if she might faint at any moment.

Yang Fan remained silent, his gaze distant, fixated on the faraway Xiyue bird soaring into the sky. 

Yu Wenxin's bright eyes dimmed as she watched the bird fade from view, a hint of disappointment coloring her words. "Even the birds can find their freedom. Why can't you, Apothecary Yang, be the one to set me free?"

"Freedom?" Yang Fan's eyes held a trace of mockery and pity as he continued to gaze at the flying bird, as if he could already foresee its demise and the endless darkness that awaited it. He spoke coldly, "It comes at a price you cannot bear…"

In that moment, he seemed somewhat unfeeling. Yet, deep down, Yang Fan felt a twinge of regret. Earlier, in the study of the royal residence, he had suggested to King Yan that his daughter Yu Wenxin should decide her own marriage and destiny. Unfortunately, the king, a man of the world, was bound by rigid traditions and refused to heed his counsel. Yu Wenxin had been present, and while it might have been acceptable for an ordinary girl, she was anything but. Possessing extraordinary wisdom and the mysterious "Nine Constellations Profound Veins," the seeds of rebellion had already begun to take root in her heart.

The thought of a future where her fate was beyond her control, where she might be wed to someone she did not love, filled Yu Wenxin's soul with an undercurrent of dissatisfaction. At the same time, an inexplicable fear and aversion toward marriage surfaced within her, a sentiment she herself could not articulate.

"Come with me." 

Yang Fan stepped closer to Yu Wenxin, taking her hand as they moved outside. 

"Apothecary, you…" A flush crept onto Yu Wenxin's delicate cheeks, and though she resisted slightly, a gentle warmth enveloped her, flowing into her being. 

"I will show you something. If you remain so resolute, I will make an exception and take you to the path of immortality, to fulfill your wish." 

Yang Fan spoke with a calm demeanor.

"Alright." Yu Wenxin replied softly, a strange feeling stirring within her as Yang Fan began addressing her as "Miss Xin" instead of "Princess." Unbeknownst to her, this subtle shift made the once-foreign man feel much closer.

"Through my power, feel the winds that flow around you, and the boundless energy that has existed since time immemorial…" 

"Experience it, truly experience it, and see if you can awaken the latent bloodline within you…" 

As Yang Fan led her along, his voice floated like a distant echo, resonating in Yu Wenxin's mind. To onlookers, it seemed as if Yang Fan's lips were moving, but no sound could be heard. 

Yu Wenxin, perceptive and insightful, quickly entered a meditative state. Under Yang Fan's enigmatic guidance, she gradually began to perceive the extraordinary nature of the world around her. 

Unbeknownst to her, the clarity of her eyes reflected the bright moon and countless stars in the night sky, a force that seemed untouchable resonating with the mysterious existence within her. 

Yang Fan maintained his pace, silently observing her. At that moment, he noticed an ethereal starlight enveloping Yu Wenxin's porcelain-like face, a hint of color adding to her divine beauty. It radiated an aura of grace and sanctity, transcending the mundane. This beauty demanded reverence, infused with wisdom and purity.

The proximity was intoxicating. The faint scent of her lingering fragrance wafted through the air, stirring Yang Fan's heart, rendering him momentarily distracted. 

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Yu Wenxin's ears flushed crimson, her heartbeat quickening, and her breath became slightly erratic as she abruptly broke away from the mystical state. 

"What a pity." Yang Fan sighed internally, feeling a flicker of guilt.

"It's my fault, Apothecary…" Yu Wenxin said, her expression filled with regret. 

She too felt a twinge of self-reproach; though she had grown accustomed to the many gazes directed at her, she found herself flustered under Yang Fan's intense scrutiny.

"It's fine. We are almost there." 

Yang Fan offered a gentle smile. 

Yu Wenxin regained her composure, realizing they had unknowingly left Xin Ning Courtyard and reached a secluded part of the palace grounds, just beyond which lay the palace wall. 

Yang Fan held her hand and approached the wall. 

"Are you planning to…" Yu Wenxin asked, her expression one of astonishment. 

"Yes, I intend to take you out of the palace." Yang Fan replied with a smile.

Yu Wenxin gazed deeply at him, uncertain of his true intentions, but a surge of inexplicable confidence filled her heart as she softly said, "Alright." 

"Hold on tight! Be careful!" 

Suddenly, Yang Fan swept her up, and with a light leap, they soared over the walls of Yan Wangfu. 

Yu Wenxin closed her eyes, feeling the wind rush past and the comforting scent of his presence enveloping her. It was a mixture of fear and safety—a peculiar yet unprecedented experience. 

After a few breaths, Yang Fan landed them outside the palace. He smiled, saying, "Let's take a brief flight as free birds." 

"Thank you, Apothecary!" A genuine joy illuminated Yu Wenxin's features as she surveyed the moonlit night with curious eyes.

"You've never left the palace before?" 

Yang Fan asked with curiosity. He hadn't brought Yu Wenxin out for a simple stroll. In truth, elite guards from the palace were lurking in the shadows, all of which fell under Yang Fan's keen perception. 

"Since childhood, I have been frail, rarely venturing out more than once a year. Each time, it was always confined to a palanquin…" Yu Wenxin replied, her bright eyes dimming slightly as she spoke. 

"Very well, follow me." 

Yang Fan regained his calm demeanor and led her at a leisurely pace toward a certain direction. 

"What are you taking me to see, Apothecary?" Yu Wenxin asked, unable to suppress her curiosity. 

"You'll find out soon enough." Yang Fan replied nonchalantly. 

They wound through alleys and backstreets for a while, finally arriving in front of a modest dwelling. 

This was an ordinary commoner's home. 

Knock! Knock! 

Without a hint of politeness, Yang Fan rapped on the door, while Yu Wenxin stood beside him, visibly anxious. 

"Who's there?" a slightly impatient voice responded from within. 

With a creak, the door opened to reveal a burly man, half-clothed, who grumbled, "Who's visiting at such a late hour? Is it Fourth Brother Ma?" 

"Ah…" 

The man's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the pair standing at the threshold. Upon seeing Yu Wenxin, his entire being froze, eyes going wide. A commoner such as himself had never laid eyes on a beauty of her caliber. 

"Let's go inside." 

Yang Fan ignored his surprise and pulled Yu Wenxin into the yard. 

"Hey, wait… who are you?" 

After a moment of shock, the man hurriedly called after them. 

At that instant, Yang Fan led Yu Wenxin into the kitchen. 

"Look…" Yang Fan released Yu Wenxin's hand, gesturing for her to observe a corner of the room. 

There, in stark contrast to the ordinary surroundings, lay a pile of brightly colored feathers that looked eerily familiar. 

The feathers were stained with alarming blood. 

"What… is this?" 

Upon witnessing this scene, Yu Wenxin's face turned ghostly pale, a flicker of terror flashing in her eyes. 

She walked to the fire pit, picking up a skewer of roasted chicken, its savory aroma wafting through the air. With a faint smile, she added, "This was the 'Baiyue Bird' you just set free. Now it has become someone's dinner." 

With that, he held the skewer of roasted bird flesh up to Yu Wenxin. 

The realization that the companion she had freed just moments ago had met such a tragic fate filled her with heartbreak. Weak as she was, she immediately felt faint, her body swaying dangerously. 

Yang Fan quickly dropped the skewer and steadied her, channeling a continuous stream of vitality into her. 

After a moment, her complexion began to normalize, though her eyes still shimmered with sorrow and weakness. 

"Who are you?" 

At that moment, the burly man entered, casting a fierce gaze at the pair, though his expression softened with a hint of awe as he regarded Yu Wenxin. 

Yang Fan paid him no mind, still supporting Yu Wenxin as he calmly stated, "It was once a bird caged in safety, but in your desire to grant it freedom, you let it fly—only to discover that the 'Baiyue Bird' could not adapt to the world outside, ultimately falling prey to the citizens of the capital." 

"This is the price of freedom!" 

Yang Fan's eyes sparkled with an unusual light, subtly radiating an oppressive force that left Yu Wenxin breathless. 

At first, she felt a surge of fear, but her keen intellect quickly led her to a realization. Regaining her composure, she spoke with newfound brilliance, "Though the Baiyue Bird has perished,

 it still chose to embrace its destiny—its fate determined by its own decisions, rather than living in a cage forever." 

"That's right," Yang Fan nodded in agreement, smiling slightly. "You are indeed a wise one." 

"Then… is it worth it?" Yu Wenxin posed a question that carried a hint of uncertainty. 

"What do you believe?" Yang Fan asked, his eyes filled with intrigue. 

"I…" 

Yu Wenxin hesitated, her heart pounding. Would freedom bring more pain? Should she accept a cage built from protection and care? 

"I'm not certain," she finally replied, her voice low, reflecting her internal conflict. 

"Follow me." 

Yang Fan gestured for her to leave. 

With the sensation of losing the warmth of his hand, Yu Wenxin felt as though she was being abandoned, a chill creeping into her heart. 

"Apothecary, what do you intend to do?" 

Her voice trembled with worry, reflecting her apprehension. 

"Take you to a place where you can reflect on all that you've witnessed. Perhaps you will find the answers you seek." 

His tone was gentle yet firm. 

"Let's go."