Brothers' Midnight Talk

"Zijin..."

At the mention of Zijin, Li Dalu fell silent again.

But Uncle Fu, having drunk a couple ounces of spirit wine, grew more talkative. A wistful, almost mysterious smile spread across his face.

He sighed. "Young master, the year the Second Prince was married in the imperial capital... they say a golden phoenix appeared in the sky and circled the palace several times. What a pity I didn't see it."

As if he had long since guessed how things would turn out, Wang Xian showed little emotion.

Only the hand holding his cup trembled ever so slightly.

Li Dalu, however, sensed his junior brother's feelings from that unintentional gesture.

He smiled faintly. "After what happened with Mister, it's no surprise Zijin made that choice."

Wang Xian nodded.

He smiled at Uncle Fu. "It was just a misunderstanding."

Only he and Zijin knew about that misunderstanding. Wang Xian didn't know whether Zijin had told Mister.

But he knew that, given Zijin's temperament, she certainly wouldn't tell her senior brother, Li Dalu... With Master Bai Youyue gone, no one in this world could understand what was in Zijin's heart.

Li Dalu thought for a moment, then continued, "That year, Wang Yu'an married the Left Chancellor's granddaughter at the emperor's behest. Zijin came to the Academy, and in the blacksmith's shop, swallowed the spirit pill my junior brother gave her."

At last, Uncle Fu seemed to understand something.

His mouth twitched. "Young master, so that phoenix was your friend?"

Wang Xian nodded and smiled at Li Dalu. "Some things were a misunderstanding... Back then, I didn't choose for Zijin. I only found her a powerful master."

"Wang Yu'an was fortunate to marry Zijin; losing her was the Second Prince's fate. It was all destined long ago."

In Wang Xian's view, even without