Two days later, early morning.
A plain-looking carriage stood quietly at the entrance to Shrek Academy. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu stood by the gate, reluctant to let go of Zhu Zhuqing's hands.
"Zhuqing, you have to take care of yourself." Ning Rongrong's eyes were a little red. "If anyone from the Star Luo Imperial Family dares bully you, just have Master teach them a lesson!"
Xiao Wu nodded emphatically. "Exactly! Master's so powerful, he'll definitely be able to sort everything out! Don't worry!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at her two dear friends, a warm current welling up in her heart. She nodded gently. Her voice was still cool, but held a trace of warmth. "Mm, I will."
Yi Chen came over from beside the carriage and glanced at the three girls. "All right, this isn't a final farewell. She'll be back in a few days."
Only then did Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu let go, watching Yi Chen and Zhu Zhuqing climb into the carriage.
The curtains fell, and the horses' hooves clattered as the carriage slowly left Shrek Academy, heading southeast toward Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.
Inside the carriage, Yi Chen leaned against a cushion with his eyes closed, resting. Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite him, hands on her knees. She stared through a gap in the window at the scenery rushing past, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Yi Chen asked without opening his eyes, as if he could see right through her.
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I was thinking... about my sister."
Yi Chen opened his eyes and glanced at her. "Zhu Zhuyun?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, her voice somewhat low. "She's three years older than me, and she was the Zhu Family's most outstanding genius from the time we were little. Everyone said she would be the finest daughter of her generation in the Zhu Family and become the empress of the Star Luo Empire. As for me, I was only her replacement."
Her voice was calm, but Yi Chen could hear the complicated emotions hidden beneath it.
"When we were little, my sister and I actually got along very well." Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned distant, as if she'd fallen into a memory.
"She would secretly take me out to play. When Father punished me, she would plead for me. When I got hurt during training, she would bandage my wounds. Back then, I thought she was the best big sister in the world."
"What happened after that?" Yi Chen asked.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes dimmed. "Later, she awakened the Nether Civet Martial Soul and was chosen as the fiancée of Dai Weisi, the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire. I was chosen as Dai Mubai's fiancée. After that, she changed."
"She began to distance herself from me and speak to me coldly. She even deliberately made things difficult for me during training. Once, she beat me so badly during a spar that I was bedridden for an entire month."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled slightly. "After that, I never called her 'sister' again."
Yi Chen listened quietly without interrupting.
"I know she wanted to force me to leave the Star Luo Empire."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and clenched the hem of her clothes in both hands.
"The rules of the Star Luo Empire say that the heirs must compete against one another. The loser has only one fate: death. She didn't want me to die in the final contest, so she wanted to drive me away beforehand."
"But she didn't know that I'd rather die in a fair fight than flee in such a wretched state."
Her voice carried a trace of stubbornness and resentment.
"So I left the Star Luo Empire and came to Shrek Academy. I wanted to grow stronger—strong enough to face her in a fair fight. Then I could tell her I didn't need her pity."
Silence fell over the carriage for a moment.
Yi Chen looked at Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze gentle. "Have you ever considered that maybe your sister wasn't pitying you?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
"She wanted to protect you," Yi Chen said slowly.
"She knew she couldn't change the rules of the Star Luo Empire, so she could only use the clumsiest method: push you away, make you hate her, and make you leave this place of trouble.
"That way, you wouldn't have to be caught up in that cruel contest or face a fate where one of you had to die."
Zhu Zhuqing's lips trembled slightly. "But..."
"But she didn't know you'd rather face death than be pushed away by her like that."
Yi Chen picked up where she left off, his voice carrying a trace of feeling.
"You sisters were both trying to protect each other in your own ways. It was just that your different methods caused this misunderstanding."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head. Her eyes reddened, but she stubbornly held back her tears.
Yi Chen said nothing more.
Some knots had to be untied by the people involved themselves.
All he could do was create an opportunity for them to sit down and talk things through.
The carriage continued onward, crossing mountains and rivers, passing towns and villages.
Two days later, a magnificent city appeared on the horizon.
Star Luo City.
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City was every bit as impressive in scale and grandeur as Spirit City.
Its tall walls were built from enormous blue-gray stones. Banners fluttered above them, and the patrol soldiers wore gleaming armor, radiating a murderous air.
Buildings crowded the city, its streets broad and clean, and pedestrians came and went in an unending stream—a thriving scene.
The carriage was stopped at the city gate. A guard captain stepped forward and said sternly, "Who's inside? Show your identification."
The carriage curtain lifted at one corner, and Yi Chen leaned halfway out, holding up a golden token. It bore the mark of Spirit Hall, with a line of small characters beneath it: Honorary Elder.
The guard captain read the words on the token, his face changing dramatically. He hurriedly dropped to one knee. "Greetings, Elder! We didn't know you were visiting and have been remiss in our welcome. Please forgive us!"
Yi Chen put the token away and said calmly, "There's no need for formalities. I'm here on personal business. There's no need to alert the imperial family."
"Yes, yes!" The guard captain hurriedly gestured for them to pass, and the carriage entered Star Luo City without issue.
Zhu Zhuqing looked through the window at the familiar streets, her heart a jumble of emotions.
She had left more than a year ago and thought she would never return. She hadn't expected to set foot on this land again so soon.
"Let's find somewhere to stay first. Then I'll have someone deliver a letter to the Zhu Family."
Yi Chen leaned back against the cushion, his tone casual.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll personally take you back to the Zhu Family and clear things up."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded softly, feeling both nervous and hopeful.
She didn't know what would happen tomorrow, but she knew that with Master by her side, she had nothing to fear.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Yi Chen brought Zhu Zhuqing to the gate of the Zhu Family's mansion.
The Zhu Family was one of the prestigious clans of the Star Luo Empire, and its residence was magnificent.
The vermilion gate stood three zhang tall. Two imposing stone lions guarded it, and a gold-lettered plaque hung above the entrance, bearing the words "Zhu Mansion."
Yi Chen stood before the gate with his hands behind his back. Zhu Zhuqing stood beside him, her head slightly lowered as she unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.
"Please announce us. Tell them that Yi Chen, Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall, has come to pay a visit with his disciple, Zhu Zhuqing."
Yi Chen spoke to the guards at the entrance.
Hearing the words "Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall," the guards didn't dare delay. One of them hurried inside to announce their arrival.
Before long, the great gate swung open.
A middle-aged man in fine clothes strode out, followed by several Zhu Family elders and clansmen.
His features bore some resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing's, and the authority of someone long accustomed to being in a position of power showed between his brows. He was the head of the Zhu Family and Zhu Zhuqing's father.
"Elder Yi Chen, I didn't know you were coming and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me!" Patriarch Zhu cupped his hands in greeting, respectful but measured.
Yi Chen gave a slight nod in return. "You're too kind, Patriarch Zhu. I've come unannounced because there's an important matter to discuss."
Patriarch Zhu's gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing beside him. Complicated emotions flashed through his eyes: surprise, relief, and a trace of guilt.
But he quickly composed himself and stepped aside. "Please come in, Elder. We can talk inside."
The group crossed the courtyard and entered the Zhu Family's reception hall.
After taking their seats as host and guests, a maid served them fragrant tea and then withdrew.
Only Yi Chen, Zhu Zhuqing, Patriarch Zhu, and several senior elders remained in the hall.
Yi Chen picked up his teacup, took a sip, then set it down and got straight to the point. "Patriarch Zhu, I've come today about my disciple Zhuqing's marriage."
Patriarch Zhu's brow twitched slightly. He didn't speak, waiting for Yi Chen to continue.
"I hope the Zhu Family will take the initiative to dissolve Zhuqing's engagement to Dai Mubai." Yi Chen's tone was calm, but carried undeniable weight.
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the hall turned heavy.
The elders exchanged glances, their expressions less than pleased.
Patriarch Zhu was silent for a moment, then said gravely, "Elder Yi Chen, this engagement is an agreement passed down through generations between the Zhu Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family. I can't decide on it by myself."
"I know." Yi Chen nodded. "That's why I haven't come to ask for the Zhu Family's consent. I've come to inform you."
His tone remained calm, but the forcefulness in his words made everyone present shudder inwardly.
"Zhuqing is my disciple. She gets to decide her own marriage. She doesn't want to marry Dai Mubai, so there's no reason for this engagement to exist."
Yi Chen's gaze swept over everyone present.
"As for the Star Luo Imperial Family, I'll speak to them in person. If they have a problem with it, they can come to me."
The reception hall fell silent.
The elders looked at one another. They wanted to say something, but in the end, none of them spoke.
Although they didn't know Yi Chen's exact strength, someone who could become an honorary elder of Spirit Hall was no one they could afford to offend.
Patriarch Zhu remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh. "Since Elder Yi Chen has put it that way, the Zhu Family has nothing more to say. It's just..."
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, complex emotions in his eyes. "Zhuqing, have you... really made up your mind?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and met her father's gaze. For the first time, she answered with such conviction. "I have. I don't want to marry Dai Mubai, and I don't want to take part in the struggle for the throne of the Star Luo Empire. I want to walk my own path."
Patriarch Zhu looked at her determined eyes. For a moment, he seemed to see the shadow of her mother.
He was silent for a while, then slowly nodded. "All right. Since this is your choice, I won't force you."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned. She hadn't expected her father to agree so easily.
In her memories, her father had always been stern and unfeeling, never caring about what she thought or how she felt.
Yi Chen spoke up at the right moment, changing the subject. "Patriarch Zhu, there's one more thing I'd like to ask."
"Please, Elder."
"Is Zhu Zhuyun, Zhuqing's older sister, at the residence right now?"
Patriarch Zhu paused in surprise, then nodded. "Zhu Yun is in the back courtyard. Would you like to see her, Elder?"
"No." Yi Chen shook his head. "Zhuqing wants to see her."
Zhu Zhuqing abruptly raised her head and looked at Yi Chen, alarm and resistance in her eyes. "Master, I..."
"Running away won't solve anything." Yi Chen looked at her, his gaze gentle but firm.
"Since you've come back, say what needs to be said. Whatever the result, at least you won't be left with regrets."
Zhu Zhuqing looked into Yi Chen's calm, gentle eyes, and the resistance in her heart slowly faded.
She took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand, Master."
Though Patriarch Zhu was somewhat puzzled, he still sent someone to fetch Zhu Zhuyun.
Before long, a tall figure emerged from the rear hall.
She looked to be in her early twenties. Tall and slender, she bore a seven- or eight-tenths resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, but with a more mature charm and sharper air.
She wore a fitted purple outfit, her black hair tied high. She moved with the grace and alertness of a leopard.
She was Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing's older sister.
When she saw Zhu Zhuqing seated in the reception hall, her steps faltered. Complicated emotions flashed through her eyes: surprise and joy, but above all, profound guilt and pain.
"Zhuqing..." she called her sister softly, her voice hoarse.
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked at the sister who was both familiar and strange to her. Her lips parted a few times, but she didn't know what to say.
The sisters simply stared at each other, and the air in the reception hall seemed to freeze.
Yi Chen picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip, then rose to his feet. "You two should talk things out. I'll wait outside."
He gave Patriarch Zhu a knowing look. Patriarch Zhu understood, stood as well, and left the reception hall with the elders.
The spacious reception hall was left with only Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
Silence stretched on for a long time.
At last, Zhu Zhuyun spoke first. Her voice was hoarse and trembling slightly. "Zhuqing... I'm sorry."
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She had imagined all kinds of ways their reunion might go. She had thought her sister would continue speaking coldly to her, pretend not to know her, or even try to hurt her.
But she had never imagined her sister would say, "I'm sorry."
"W-what did you say?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled.
"I'm sorry." Zhu Zhuyun repeated herself, her eyes already reddening.
"I'm sorry for what I did to you and the things I said back then... I never really wanted to hurt you. I just... didn't know how else to protect you."
Tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "You know the rules of the Star Luo Empire. Sooner or later, there'll be a fight to the death between Dai Weisi and Dai Mubai. And as their fiancées, we'd have to take part in it too. I didn't want you to get caught up in that struggle or face the threat of death. So I could only use that clumsy method to drive you away..."
Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at her sister, at her tear-streaked face. The wall of ice that had stood in her heart for years came crashing down.
She suddenly remembered being little, when her sister had taken her hand and led her to the back hill to pick flowers.
She remembered the way her sister had carefully bandaged her wounds when she got hurt during training.
She remembered the nights her sister had secretly brought her treats after Father punished her.
Those memories she had deliberately forgotten now surged into her mind like a flood tide.
"Sister..." Zhu Zhuqing's voice choked with emotion. She stepped forward and gently embraced Zhu Zhuyun. "I don't blame you. I never did."
Zhu Zhuyun's body jolted. Then she hugged her younger sister tightly and burst into sobs.
Years of misunderstanding, guilt, longing, and pain turned to tears and flowed freely.
Outside the reception hall, Yi Chen stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. Hearing the sobs from inside, a relieved smile slowly curved his lips.
He looked up at the sky, where blue stretched beneath white clouds, the weather clear and fair.
"All right, that's one more worry taken care of." He stretched and muttered to himself. "Next, it's time to talk with the Star Luo Imperial Family."