Chapter 18

I began my life as a wandering heroine.

On the side, I wrote travel journals and sent them to the two most exalted people in the realm.

In the southwest, I ran into the alien.

Fanning himself, he blocked my path. “Hey. My imperial brother says the southwest is dangerous and told me to accompany you. Don’t be ungrateful.”

I kicked at him, then patted my chest. “You scared me to death. A ghost in broad daylight.”

“Anqing! Have you gone mad? You still dare kick me!”

Mei Anqing was dead. My original name had been Anqing, so I’d simply gone back to it.

I turned and walked away.

Murong Cheng followed, shouting indignantly. “I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear?”

I answered solemnly, “They say when a ghost calls your name, you mustn’t answer or look back.”

“…Tell me the truth. Were you sent away because your tongue was too poisonous?”

“Since you know, stop pestering me.” I smiled and kept going.

He followed anyway.

There was nothing I could do if he insisted. Having someone to talk to on the road was rather nice.

He always had so many questions. Eventually, they all came back to why I’d run away.

I answered him distractedly. “I only wanted to see the beautiful mountains and rivers.”

He pressed on. “Will you go back?”

I glanced at him. “Why do you ask?”

He was simplehearted and spilled everything at once. “You’ve made my brother and sister-in-law miserable. Every time a travel journal arrives, they fight to read it first.”

“Especially my brother. He doesn’t visit the inner palace anymore. Whenever he’s idle, he stares sadly at the moon. He really wants to see you again.”

“I couldn’t believe you were that wonderful. I had to come and see for myself.”

His words brought back that Mid-Autumn night.

It felt like another lifetime.

I walked on. Behind me, he kept asking, “Say something. Are you going back or not?”

I didn’t answer.

Perhaps I’d never go back.

Perhaps I’d miss them and go back at any moment.

As long as I wanted to.

As long as I was free.

“I hear there’s a living immortal around here who can ride the clouds. Don’t you want to have a look?” I changed the subject.

He hurried up eagerly. “Of course I do. Let’s go!”

I smiled and strolled on with the breeze.

Murong Su, don’t miss me too much. Our lives haven’t reached their ending yet.

Look forward to the day we meet again. Until then, I promise I’ll be happily enjoying my life.