Chapter 21: Farewell at the Long Pavilion

It was probably because that person had something to ask of His Highness…

After two days of hurried preparations, the departure was finally set. Early on the third morning, a grand procession assembled in front of the Grand Princess’s residence—carriages, servants, and guards in an imposing formation.

The disaster relief supplies and funds were entrusted to Xiao Linjia for transport, while the food provisions were procured from nearby prefectures.

Li Yunli boarded the carriage and found the interior spacious and warm, with even a small stove for comfort. It was as luxurious as a bedroom.

She couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagance of the royal family—traveling for disaster relief, yet still granted such luxurious accommodations.

Looking outside at the departing procession, she noticed that her carriage led the way, followed by General Mingyi and a contingent of elite soldiers. Infantry trailed behind, making for a truly grand spectacle.

Opening the window, she saw Yun Chu riding beside her on his horse, Zhuxue. He wore a plain robe embroidered with ink bamboo, without a cloak, seemingly unaffected by the cold.

“Hey,” Li Yunli called out to him.

Yun Chu turned his head.

She lifted her chin slightly at him. “Get in the carriage.”

His eyes widened slightly, glancing at his horse and then at her, looking somewhat bewildered, as if he hadn’t understood her.

The sound of carriage wheels rolling against the ground filled the air. Perhaps fearing he hadn’t heard her due to the wind, Li Yunli raised her voice, speaking clearly and deliberately:

“Stop riding. Get in the carriage.”

Yun Chu finally heard and understood.

He nodded. “Alright.”

Yet, he was still confused. He had been puzzled since the moment they set out that morning.

Li Yunli loved horses to an almost obsessive degree. Having finally obtained Zhuxue, he had assumed she would endure the cold rather than part from her prized steed.

But this morning, before setting out, she had pointed at Zhuxue and asked, “Do you want to ride it?”

Before he could answer, she had already climbed into the warm carriage, curling up inside.

He thought she was simply entrusting Zhuxue to him for the journey. Yet, after barely riding two miles, before the wind had even chilled him, she was calling him into the carriage?

Was she being a little too unpredictable?

Yun Chu boarded the carriage, settling into a corner near the door.

“Why are you sitting so far away? The door lets in drafts. Aren’t you afraid of the cold?”

The stove’s fire wasn’t particularly strong—just enough to keep warm. Li Yunli shifted slightly, making room for Yun Chu to add more coal if needed.

After all, her attendant was troublesome—afraid of both heat and cold. He hadn’t even worn a cloak while riding. The journey to Yongzhou was long; she didn’t want him getting sick.

But Yun Chu didn’t dare sit too close.

He shifted slightly closer but remained at a respectful distance. “It’s warm enough here.”

Fair enough.

Li Yunli nodded, reminding him to add coal if he got cold, then turned to open a small window to enjoy the passing scenery.

The carriage had barely traveled far beyond the capital when it stopped.

What now?

She looked up. Beside her, Yun Chu also raised his head.

Was someone really here to see her off?

Shortly, Shi Liu, who had gone ahead to investigate, reported from outside:

“Your Highness, Daoist Wuyou from the Sitian Bureau has come to see you off.”

“Wuyou?”

Li Yunli recalled the young Daoist she had met once at the city gate.

He had seemed quite otherworldly, but she had no particular connections with the Sitian Bureau.

Shi Liu hesitated. “Does Your Highness wish to see him?”

Li Yunli straightened her attire. “Let him come over.”

She stood up and opened the carriage door. Noticing Yun Chu watching her, she said, “You don’t need to follow.”

She stepped outside.

Before she even descended fully, she saw a tall, slender young Daoist approaching.

Just as she remembered, he was indeed quite tall and thin.

Despite the biting cold, he wore only a plain Daoist robe with embroidered cuffs and collar. The wind filled his sleeves, but he seemed unfazed. His lotus-patterned coronet and mid-parted hair gave him a truly ethereal presence.

Li Yunli couldn’t yet tell if he was friend or foe. She stepped down.

Wuyou had already reached her, forming a Daoist hand seal in greeting.

“Greetings, Your Highness Nian’an.”

“Daoist Wuyou.” As the Grand Princess, Li Yunli saw no need to return the gesture. “What do you want?”

“I have come to see Your Highness off and to provide some clarification.”

Li Yunli frowned. “Clarification? What confusion do I have?”

Wuyou straightened, his smile faint yet knowing.

Only then did she notice—his long, fox-like eyes gleamed with clarity.

“We met briefly at the city gate,” he said. “I assume Your Highness had questions to ask.”

So, he had noticed her back then too.

Li Yunli chuckled. “Ah, so you’re being direct now? Worried I’ll blame the Sitian Bureau for the assassins entering the city?”

Wuyou shook his head with a smile. “Your Highness, you are no longer the same person as before. I am not worried about you misunderstanding me—I am only concerned you might misunderstand the Sitian Bureau.”

Li Yunli’s heart skipped a beat.

What did he mean by that?

She was no longer the same?

Did this Daoist know something?

“You mean, you’re afraid I’ll make trouble for the Sitian Bureau?”

Wuyou’s smile didn’t waver.

For the first time, his gaze unsettled her.

“Enough riddles,” she said. “Just speak plainly.”

“Your Highness, the Sitian Bureau serves no one’s private interests. Every divination we make is real. I hope Your Highness can grant us some trust to avoid unnecessary losses.”

“Real?”

As someone deeply ingrained in modern scientific thought, this was the most absurd statement she had ever heard.

“Fine,” she smirked. “If you claim to be truthful, then tell me—why am I here?”

She had transmigrated into this world. If he could answer that, she might believe him.

“Your Highness may dismiss the Sitian Bureau’s words as superstition,” Wuyou said calmly. “But can you explain your presence here in your own terms?”

Li Yunli stared at him.

Did he really know something?

As she hesitated, Wuyou extended a silk pouch.

She looked down but didn’t take it.

“The time has not yet come, so I cannot speak too much,” he said. “But as you travel northwest, the matter weighing most on your mind will see progress. If you encounter confusion, open this for answers.”

His voice was gentle and sincere—unlike the mysterious, cryptic tone of the old National Diviner.

Li Yunli thought, if he weren’t a Daoist, she might trust him.

But her modern instincts still harbored doubts.

“Your Highness may doubt me, but please accept this.”

His long, fox-like eyes gleamed, as if seeing through her.

That unsettling feeling returned.

She took the pouch and tucked it away.

“Fine. I’ll take it. But I believe in actions, not fate. I might not need it.”

“You will need it,” Wuyou said lightly. “The variable by your side has already appeared—you just haven’t noticed yet.”

Li Yunli didn’t want to continue this guessing game. “Farewell.”

Wuyou bowed, his composure unwavering, and stepped aside.

Back inside the carriage, Yun Chu reached out to steady her.

“Did you hear everything?” she asked.

“Your Highness didn’t seem intent on keeping it secret.”

“Because I didn’t expect him to say anything surprising.”

“And now?”

Li Yunli thought for a moment. “Still within expectations.”

Yun Chu was silent.

If Wuyou’s words were true, then the hope that Li Yunli wasn’t reborn had now completely shattered.