Chapter 4: Yunmeng Marsh

The night wind on the river was biting cold. Di Jiang and Wen Yao sat at the bow of the boat, riding the waves, waiting for Wu Rui’an to return.

Di Jiang’s chin was hidden in her fur-lined scarf, her long lashes resting on her eyes. With the mist occasionally drifting past, she looked like a beauty lost in melancholy over the waters. She rolled up her red sleeves and lit a brazier on the table to warm some wine.

By now, the wine in the flask had been replaced with an ordinary fine vintage. The subtle aroma of wine wafted through the air, adding a touch of human warmth to the desolate atmosphere of the river, somewhat alleviating the loneliness.

When Di Jiang was quiet, there was a natural flamboyance about her that was impossible to ignore. But when she smiled faintly, after that brief smile, her eyes seemed to carry a sense of time slipping away—something intangible and unreachable, leaving others unsure whether she was laughing or on the verge of tears...

“Why aren’t you eating?” After Wu Rui’an returned, his demeanor quickly returned to normal. He sat opposite Di Jiang and enthusiastically urged, “These dishes were probably bought at high prices from the shore, right? They won’t taste good once they get cold. What a waste! Eat up, eat up...” As he spoke, he placed a piece of chicken into Di Jiang’s bowl.

Both Di Jiang and Wen Yao were surprised.

Wen Yao looked at Di Jiang with confusion, while Di Jiang stared wide-eyed at Wu Rui’an, finding it hard to believe.

“What are you looking at me for? No appetite? You should at least have a little; you haven’t eaten all day.” After saying this, Wu Rui’an gnawed on a chicken leg and then filled everyone’s cups with wine.

Wen Yao glanced at Di Jiang, her eyes asking, “Boss, how is he alright?”

“I don’t know either...” Di Jiang, full of suspicion, absentmindedly finished the meal. While Wu Rui’an and Wen Yao cleaned up, she quietly turned and went to the stern of the boat.

The jade lamp at the stern still emitted a dim glow, competing with the moonlight on this dusky river surface. It was the only light visible for miles around, appearing so lonely and aloof.

Di Jiang approached the ferryman and asked, “Is the water of Forgetful River you gave me real?”

“Yes,” the ferryman nodded, his tiny eyes conveying utmost certainty and respect.

Di Jiang was even more puzzled.

The water of Forgetful River could erase emotions, yet Wu Rui’an drank it and acted as if nothing happened, still caring for her deeply. This seemed inexplicable... What exactly was going on?

“What’s wrong? Why do you seem so distracted?” Wu Rui’an appeared silently behind Di Jiang, draping a cloak over her shoulders as he spoke, “The wind is strong on the river. What if you catch a cold? You should go back to your room and rest early.”

Wu Rui’an’s voice was gentle and steady, pleasant to hear, but the gentler it was, the more suspicious Di Jiang became.

Even the ferryman looked puzzled, seemingly thinking, “Why didn’t the water of Forgetful River affect him?”

Di Jiang turned around, lifted her head, and fixed her gaze on Wu Rui’an. Seeing Di Jiang look directly at him made Wu Rui’an happy, and he joyfully said, “Madam Di seems to have something to say?”

“You... Do you still like me?” Di Jiang didn’t want to beat around the bush and decided to be straightforward.

“Why do you suddenly ask this?” Wu Rui’an’s expression faltered.

“Answer me, do you like me or not?”

Di Jiang’s serious demeanor made Wu Rui’an mistakenly think she was finally accepting him, so he hastily replied, “Of course I like you!”

“How does it compare to before?” Di Jiang frowned, her brows knitting together.

“I like you even more!” Wu Rui’an declared openly, pulling Di Jiang into his arms.

Di Jiang didn’t resist. She rested her head on Wu Rui’an’s shoulder, her eyes fixed tightly on the ferryman.

The ferryman looked astonished, then spread his hands as if to say, “I don’t know what went wrong...”

It was almost midnight, and the wind on the river was strong and chilly. But no amount of cold wind could compare to the chill in Di Jiang’s heart. At this moment, her thoughts became crystal clear.

If the water of Forgetful River had no effect on Wu Rui’an, there was only one possibility—Wu Rui’an never liked her. Everything he did was just for show, with some other hidden purpose. Although Di Jiang didn’t know what he intended to do, she was certain that Wu Rui’an’s feelings towards her were not as indulgent and affectionate as they appeared.

Everything was deliberately faked.

After realizing this, Di Jiang didn’t feel angry but instead felt relieved.

As long as Wu Rui’an wasn’t genuinely treating her well, she wouldn’t feel burdened. Even if she played along with him for a while, it wouldn’t matter...

Di Jiang smiled lightly and gently embraced Wu Rui’an, softly saying, “Di Jiang thanks His Highness for his kindness.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Rui’an shuddered and hugged Di Jiang even tighter, as if wanting to merge her body into his own. Feeling the pain from his tight embrace, Di Jiang casually made up an excuse of being tired and returned to her room.

After Di Jiang left, Wu Rui’an was excited all night, chatting nonstop with the ferryman for half an hour, recounting how he had pursued Di Jiang unsuccessfully for years, and now finally saw a glimmer of hope.

“Indeed, being alone together in a confined environment is the best way to build feelings! Isn’t such a difficult woman like Di Jiang ultimately conquered by this prince? My charm is still invincible!” Wu Rui’an spoke animatedly, completely missing the fading smile on the ferryman’s face.

In the end, the ferryman looked at Wu Rui’an as if he were already dead. Several times, he almost couldn’t resist telling him, “Your Highness, perhaps we will meet again soon in the underworld. Then... I will surely guide you once more.”

In the days that followed, there was much laughter and joy on the boat. The dynamic between Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang changed drastically. Di Jiang no longer kept people at arm’s length. Instead, she echoed whatever Wu Rui’an said, practically putting him on a pedestal. In front of him, she transformed from the lofty full moon in the sky to the tender moonlight by his bedside, gentle as water, behaving like a coy young girl.

Wen Yao watched in amazement but was genuinely happy. She had always supported her boss enjoying worldly love affairs, which didn’t conflict with the path of immortality, right? Throughout history, countless talented scholars paired with enchanting maidens, writing legendary love stories. Now that her boss was the leading lady, maybe she could play a supporting role too?

Wen Yao was in great spirits, telling more jokes than usual. Despite the fierce winds, the boat was filled with continuous laughter. Even the ferryman smiled more often.

When they arrived at Yunmeng Marsh, Shuzhou experienced its first snowfall of the year. Snowflakes fluttered down, gradually covering the rivers and lakes.

The islands of Yunmeng Marsh came in various shapes and sizes, scattered across the lake like pearls. The slopes on the islands were gentle, the trees lush year-round. Clouds swirled around the mountains and caves, drifting out and dispersing, giving rise to the name Waterland.

Di Jiang and her companions docked on the largest island among the myriad islands. Just as they were disembarking, Wu Rui’an, fearing Di Jiang might catch a cold, took off his clothes and wrapped them around her as a cloak. His affectionate and concerned demeanor made the ferryman and Wen Yao involuntarily shiver.

Unable to bear it any longer, the ferryman softly ‘advised’ Wu Rui’an, “Young Master, until we meet again...”

“Thank you, old man, for taking care of us these past two weeks,” Wu Rui’an said, handing the ferryman a silver ingot, “This money should last you half a year. Go home and rest for a while, spend time with your wife and children! Don’t sail during winter!”

“Miss Di has already paid me for the boat ride.” The ferryman refused.

“One can never have too much money; take it!” Wu Rui’an forcibly stuffed it into the ferryman’s arms.

“It’s not proper...” The ferryman shook his head.

Seeing them push the money back and forth, wasting time, Di Jiang couldn’t help but interject, “Just take it.”

“Well... I shall humbly accept your generosity then. Thank you, Young Master.” The ferryman looked at Di Jiang before reluctantly pocketing the silver, smiling and nodding.

“By the way,” Wu Rui’an suddenly leaned closer to the ferryman conspiratorially, lowering his voice, “Next time you see a pretty girl, just call her Miss. Don’t call her ‘Auntie’ anymore—it doesn’t suit someone your age.”

“I understand...” The ferryman heard this and wanted to burst out laughing, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably. He struggled to suppress his amusement, and once he managed to hold it in, he stopped teasing Wu Rui’an and instead helped unload the white horse and luggage.

Afterward, the ferryman was afraid that staying with this ignorant prince any longer would make him unable to resist revealing the terrible truth, so he quickly set off alone with the painted boat.

Once the ferryman left, thick fog enveloped the river. Mixed with the swirling snow, the scenery of Yunmeng Marsh became dreamlike and intoxicating. The painted boat quickly disappeared into the snowy mist, eventually vanishing without a trace.

“With such heavy snow, does he still plan to continue sailing? Will it be dangerous?” Wu Rui’an gazed from the shore, worried for him.

Di Jiang shook her head, “For travelers, the most anticipated part of the journey is returning home. Perhaps there is someone he eagerly wants to see on the other side of the river. Having traveled these waters for so long, he must have complete confidence. You shouldn’t worry.”

“You’re right...” Wu Rui’an nodded, then leaned close to Di Jiang’s ear, whispering with a smile, “Fortunately, you’re by my side. Wherever you are is the end of my journey.”

“You sure talk sweet!” Di Jiang waved her handkerchief, the scent brushing against Wu Rui’an’s face, making him itch with desire. But Di Jiang, as usual, quietly turned and walked ahead with Wen Yao, leaving Wu Rui’an’s hopes for intimacy unfulfilled.

The trio and their horse walked along the snow-covered riverbank. Amidst the misty waves, the world gradually turned white under the heavy snowfall. The biting wind howled past their ears, causing them all to huddle their bodies. They trudged through the snow for about half an hour before finally reaching the town.

Though called a town, it hardly qualified. Most of the structures on the island were inns for passing travelers. The names of the inns were desolate yet grandiose: ‘Fairy Abode,’ ‘Blessed Land,’ ‘Thousand-Year Holy Ground,’ ‘Boundless Yunmeng,’ and so on. Eventually, Di Jiang and Wu Rui’an chose a relatively ordinary inn to stay at.

Outside the cave entrance of the inn named ‘Blessed Land,’ a signboard hung with the words “How many lifetimes does it take to share a pillow?” Below it, two chubby clay figurines of baby boys were attached. For a moment, the three felt as if they were in a Guanyin Cave of Childbirth. If one practiced here for a while, they might be reborn and blessed with children...

Di Jiang and Wen Yao exchanged glances, neither confirming nor denying anything.

Wu Rui’an, however, was very satisfied. After tying up the white horse, he strode ahead and entered first.