Chapter 3

Chapter 3

As expected, Sister Chaowei did not ask me to accompany her when she went to the Purple Origin Hall again.

I wasn’t idle, however, as my mother had sent word that my eldest brother was getting married and asked if I could return home for a visit.

The next day, I flew back home, bringing with me one hundred Changman that the Phoenix Queen had prepared.

The Penglai Immortal Realm is vast and boundless, but the places where immortal herbs and Immortal Insects grow are limited and have long been occupied by various tribes.

The Changman is a type of Immortal Insect, ranging from bluish-green to translucent. They are round and plump, and they love to sleep under the leaves of the Ancient Great Toon. They taste sweet and fragrant, and they condense spiritual power within the body, making one feel warm all over.

Without a doubt, they are very precious Immortal Insects.

Thus, my mother was utterly shocked. “We usually trade Salty Insects and Little Hoppers for Primal Stones. To think the Phoenix Queen gave you a hundred Changman! A hundred! Changman!”

I said, “It’s because Eldest Brother is getting married. This is a wedding gift from the Phoenix Queen.”

“Wow, she must really like our Lingdang.”

“This is for Eldest Brother, not for me.”

“Since it was given to you, you must put it away quickly.”

With that, Mother grabbed the small green pouch from the table and stuffed it back into my arms.

That small green pouch had been a gift from Sister Chaowei. It was sewn from the roots of Thousand-Year Yarrow; though it looked small, it was actually quite large inside, making it easy to carry even hundreds of Changman.

Just as I was about to speak, Second Brother pushed open the door and entered, saying sheepishly, “Mother, did you call me?”

“I didn’t call you.”

“You just said, ‘Wow.'”

“Then I suppose I did. Let me tell you, Lingdang has a hundred Changman.”

“Changman?! Where did she get Changman?!”

“The Phoenix Queen gave them to her.”

“Wow, she must really like our Lingdang.”

I tried to speak again, but Second Brother turned and happily left the room… and before long, the entire tribe knew I had a hundred Changman and that the Phoenix Queen must really, really like me.

I, Wu Lingdang, had long been the pride of the entire Crow Tribe. Everyone took pride in me.

The day of my eldest brother’s wedding was very lively. In the evening, the tribespeople wore their Cloak Feathers and held torches, huddling together in the bitter cold to sing and dance loudly.

The white-bearded Old Chieftain was even invited to pray for the newlyweds.

We held our torches high, a grand spectacle, and shouted at the top of our lungs-

“In Eastern Yi lies Yang Valley, hey-ya-hey! In Yang Valley grows a great tree, ya-hey-ya! Nine suns dwell in the Fu Tree, hey-ya-hey! The divine bird comes to bring blessings, ya-hey-ya!…”

Beneath the firmament lies Penglai, and within Penglai lies the Mad Cliff.

Under the Mad Cliff, there are thatched huts and a group of silly crows who have lit torches in this land of bitter hardship.

Encircled in the center, Eldest Brother and my dark-skinned New Sister-in-Law were both a bit shy, holding hands and looking at each other bashfully.

The light reflected on their faces and in their sparkling eyes. It was truly beautiful.

Our whole family was moved to tears.

Half a month later, I returned to the Cloud Soaring Divine Palace.

Before leaving, I secretly left those hundred Changman in my New Sister-in-Law’s room.

Upon my return, no one was happier than Sister Chaowei.

This was because shortly after I left, His Highness the Eldest Prince had also left the Cloud Soaring Divine Palace for the Fenglin Continent in Western Yi.

By the time I returned, he had returned as well.

In fact, I arrived a bit earlier than him. When he came to see the Phoenix Queen, Sister Chaowei was overjoyed.

However, His Highness the Eldest Prince did not seem happy. His usual cold expression was clouded with a gloom even heavier than usual.

After he left, the Phoenix Queen sighed and informed me that from now on, I was to go to the Purple Origin Palace to serve His Highness the Eldest Prince. I was to stay there and not return.

Both Sister Chaowei and I were stunned.

My shock, however, stemmed mostly from fear.

Who didn’t know that His Highness the Eldest Prince disliked Crow Slaves? To this day, there wasn’t a single Crow Slave in his Purple Origin Palace.

Sister Chaowei volunteered to go in my place, but the Phoenix Queen, who was usually kind to us, actually scolded her: “Nonsense! Have you forgotten your status?”

With that one sentence, Sister Chaowei was frightened into silence, and so was I.

Afterward, I packed my things and obediently went to the Purple Origin Palace.

A crow is destined to be solitary; my shadow stretched long in the glow of the setting sun.

I felt as if I were marching toward my death.

Sister Chaowei felt pity and comforted me, saying, “The Prince just dislikes Crow Slaves; it’s not like he’s going to eat them. Just stay far away from him and don’t be afraid.”

How could I not be afraid? I have always been timid.

Because of this, once I reached the Purple Origin Palace, I didn’t dare go see him at all. I stood alone under the Star Tree in the front courtyard, clutching my bundle, until night fell.

A pitiful, silly bird-knowing full well that His Highness the Eldest Prince was in the hall ahead, I didn’t even have the courage to step forward and pay my respects.

Eventually, my legs grew tired, so I sat under the Star Tree, reaching out to hug its slender trunk. I pressed my face against it, watching the palace with longing eyes.

Sister Chaowei was right; the Star Tree becomes very energetic at night.

But we crows need to rest at night.

So, holding the tree, I drifted off into a daze and fell asleep.

I don’t know how long I slept, but when my head slumped and I jolted awake, the first thing I saw was the elegant, jade-like figure of His Highness the Eldest Prince.

The night was deep. He wore a plain white brocade robe that shimmered with light, as if he had draped the moonlight over his shoulders.

Behind him stood the magnificent, golden palace, contrasting with his cold, indifferent features. From a distance that was neither too close nor too far, he frowned slightly and spoke slowly-

“Lingdang, come here.”