The desire for beauty is universal, and it should surely know no distinction between men and women.

In the afternoon, Crane Spirit Village was an entirely different world. Above, the mountains were shrouded in dense fog, yet here the sun shone brightly, revealing a hidden paradise. Looking at the many-colored flowers and plants scattered across the fields, Yue’er could not resist the urge to examine them up close. It was simply a girl’s nature; girls were born to love beautiful things, and Yue’er was no exception. Gazing at the flower fields, she said to the two men beside her, “Let’s go take a walk over there. There’s no point in standing around here like fools!”

Before either man could answer, she had already walked out of the stone house and dashed toward the flower fields.

Feishu could not understand how Yang Wentai, a grown man, could be so fond of flowers. Wasn’t it a little too effeminate? Shaking his head, he said to Zhao Chengxian, “The newly crowned scholar has a rather feminine hobby, doesn’t he?”

He did not know that Yue’er was actually a girl, and that loving flowers was perfectly natural for her.

Zhao Chengxian smiled. “Not at all. Everyone has a heart that appreciates beauty. It shouldn’t be divided by gender, should it? I have flowers I like, too. I’m sure you do as well. He merely expresses his fondness more openly!”

Since Yue’er had already told him that she was Yue’er, he had to help conceal her identity. Zhao Chengxian gazed toward Hui Yue’er in the distance, his face filled with quiet delight.

Dressed in men’s clothing, Hui Yue’er darted through the flower fields, making the vivid blossoms and grasses seem even more alive. In a patch of flowers less than fifty meters from the stone house, Yue’er saw a cluster of daisies. They reminded her of that rainy afternoon in the rear garden of Prince Jun’s residence, and she stopped in a daze.

She gently stroked the petals of the daisies, recalling every little moment she had shared with Zhao Chengxian. In a soft voice, she asked, “Can we ever return to the way we were?”

It was not that they could no longer return to what they had been. Rather, the circumstances made it difficult for them to remain together.

In truth, Zhao Chengxian had already come to stand behind her. After hearing her words, he did not reveal himself at once. Instead, he pretended that he had heard nothing and did not know that the person before him was the Hui Yue’er he had thought of day and night. In an even tone, he said, “I never expected the top scholar to be so fond of flowers. There was once a girl who said that daisies were her favorite. She thought they were pleasing to look at. Unlike other flowers, they were not dazzlingly beautiful, yet they carried a meaning of sunshine and happiness. I wonder, Scholar, what do you think of daisies?”

He knew that unless she had been forced into it by circumstances beyond her control, Yue’er would never have concealed her identity from everyone. Why had she lost all her martial arts? And who had harmed her two years ago? A whole series of questions remained unanswered.

He understood that this was not yet the time for them to acknowledge each other. He had to endure and wait. After all, he had already waited for two years. What difference would waiting a little longer make? Besides, being able to see her every day was already a gift from Heaven. How could he ask for more?

Yue’er turned around in astonishment, unable to think of anything to say. Several seconds passed before she finally replied, “Indeed, daisies are very lovely. I like them as well. Your Highness, let’s go back and take a look. Perhaps the Crane Immortal and the others have already returned!”

If they continued speaking, Yue’er feared she would be unable to keep herself from telling Zhao Chengxian the truth. She therefore hurried toward the stone house.

It was impossible for Yue’er to face Zhao Chengxian without emotion. And where there were feelings, heartache was inevitable. That was why she wanted to avoid him.

As soon as they returned to the stone house, they saw a crowd surrounding Feishu. At its head stood the very person they had been searching for—the Crane Immortal.

His hair was completely silver, yet his face was radiant and his spirit vigorous. With a powerful voice, the Crane Immortal demanded of Feishu, “Who are you? How dare you trespass into my Crane Spirit Village? Do you not know that outsiders are forbidden from entering?”

Crane Spirit Village had been founded by the Crane Immortal, and everyone who lived there was either his disciple or a descendant of one of his disciples. Doors were never locked at night, and nothing was ever left unattended in the streets. Calling Crane Spirit Village a paradise beyond the mortal world would not have been an exaggeration.

Zhao Chengxian knew that Feishu’s temper would be of no help in dealing with the situation, so he quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, “We are admirers of the Crane Immortal. We came especially to Crane Spirit Mountain in search of him. You must be the venerable Crane Immortal, Elder? This junior offers his respects!”

He cupped his hands and bowed politely. Seeing Zhao Chengxian’s refined and courteous manner, the Crane Immortal and his disciples’ expressions softened somewhat. After all, people were rarely offended by excessive courtesy.

The Crane Immortal saw that Zhao Chengxian was a well-mannered young man, and his tone became gentler as he asked, “From your accents, you sound as though you are from the capital. How did you find Crane Spirit Village?”

The Crane Immortal and his disciples all wore matching white robes, except for the dozen or so young women, who were dressed in white gauze skirts. Together, they looked free-spirited and ethereal.

Zhao Chengxian smiled with graceful composure. “It must be fate. The three of us were searching for the Crane Immortal through the mist at the summit of Crane Spirit Mountain when, quite unexpectedly, we stepped into empty air and fell here. To think we would actually encounter the Crane Immortal himself—it seems our misfortune led us straight to good fortune!”

Zhao Chengxian was indeed experienced. Before long, he had persuaded the Crane Immortal to let them spend the night in Crane Spirit Village. They intended to use that night to investigate who had infiltrated Phoenix Dwelling Palace and stolen the Wish-Granting Lock.