Chapter 25: The Apricot Flower Deity

After returning to his mansion, Rui’an immediately ordered his men to retrieve the records of Princess Taihe’s life. After carefully reviewing them and finding no discrepancies, he invited Di Jiang over two days later to discuss their findings. His visit served two purposes: one was to provide her with the information she sought about Princess Taihe, and the other was to express gratitude for saving his life.

In the pavilion of the back garden of Prince Wu’s residence, a lavish feast was laid out on the table, each dish exquisitely prepared. However, Di Jiang paid no attention to the food, focusing instead on studying the documents.

After flipping through the records of Princess Taihe, Di Jiang noted the name of a particular individual—Shen Zimo, the top-ranking scholar who had passed the imperial examinations that year.

The records stated that shortly after Emperor Taizong betrothed the princess to Scholar Shen, he was demoted for violating court regulations. Following this, Princess Taihe fell into melancholy, contracted a severe illness, and soon passed away.

Upon finishing the records, Di Jiang was profoundly shaken.

She suddenly recalled that the anniversary of Emperor Taizong’s death had been just a few days ago—the day when Sister Li would don mourning clothes every year. It now made sense; unable to bid her father farewell in life, she mourned him annually on this day as a gesture of remembrance.

Di Jiang finally understood why Sister Li’s demeanor always seemed different from others. Wen Yao had once dismissed it as the air of a wanton woman, but now Di Jiang realized it was the aura of royalty. No matter how Sister Li appeared outwardly, the noble bearing cultivated since childhood set her apart from ordinary people.

Thus… Shen Zimo must have been Pan Xingui before he changed his name and identity.

After passing the imperial exams, Shen Zimo offended powerful officials at court. He was beaten until his legs were broken in prison and later sentenced to death for unknown reasons. Not long after his execution, Princess Taihe also passed away.

Di Jiang finally pieced everything together. Perhaps Princess Wanyan had used a condemned prisoner as a substitute for Shen Zimo during his execution. To follow Old Pan, she abandoned her royal status as a princess and remained devoted to him for decades. This also explained why she forbade Pan Yuelang from pursuing an official career.

If Pan Yuelang entered the imperial court, their secrets would inevitably be uncovered, potentially leading to charges of treason punishable by extermination of nine familial generations!

But if both she and Pan Xingui died, Pan Yuelang would be seen as a commoner with a clean slate. With talent, he could still achieve success and rise to prominence in the future.

Di Jiang shook her head repeatedly, lamenting how foolish Sister Li had been. All her painstaking efforts over the years—unbeknownst to her, the man she vowed to follow for eternity, Pan Xingui—or rather, Scholar Shen Zimo—had already abandoned her. The figure waiting for her beside the Three Lives Stone was no longer Shen Zimo.

And Shen Zimo’s actions, upon reflection, seemed reasonable.

As for them—one being a crippled scholar with no physical strength, the other a delicate princess who had never even touched water for laundry—falling into rural life, she adopted a sharp-tongued persona as a shield against unwanted advances. Proud and spoiled by nature, decades of poverty left her with nowhere to vent her frustrations except by blaming Pan Xingui.

Thus, for decades, he endured immense suffering.

His life had been utterly miserable. Death, for him, was not something to regret—it became a form of liberation.

Who knows how heartbroken Sister Li would be upon learning the truth?

“Di Jiang has urgent matters to attend to. I humbly take my leave,” Di Jiang suddenly remembered something, quickly gathered the documents, and bid farewell to Rui’an.

Before Rui’an could react or try to stop her, she vanished without a trace, leaving him alone with the sumptuous feast.

“Despite my prowess in the realm of romance, no one has ever escaped my grasp before. Doctor Di, we shall meet again.” A faint smile played on Rui’an’s lips as he drank alone, his expression resembling that of a wolf king eyeing its prey.

Returning to the end of South Street, Di Jiang saw Zhong Xu sweeping snow in front of the door while Wen Yao stood beside him, looking astonished.

Approaching them, Di Jiang heard Zhong Xu say: “Zhang Quande broke the precepts of lust and false speech, and Widow Meng harbored impure intentions. After death, they will likely reincarnate into the animal realm. As for the magistrate, he will probably endure centuries in the Avici Hell, subjected daily to endless torment without reprieve.”

“So severe?” Di Jiang’s eyes widened. “The punishments in the underworld seem excessively harsh.”

“People must pay for their actions. Isn’t this the suffering he deserves?”

“And what about Sister Li?”

“Suicide is a grave sin. Naturally, she won’t fare well either.”

“But she did it out of love…”

“Out of love?” Zhong Xu murmured: “She fulfilled her devotion to Pan Xingui, but what about Pan Yuelang? Suicide brings liberation only to oneself. Did she ever consider the feelings of those left behind?”

“…True.” Wen Yao nodded, falling silent.

Seeing her slightly disheartened, Zhong Xu added: “Karma is inexorable, and retribution is certain. These are the consequences of their own deeds—you needn’t dwell on it too much. Perhaps, a hundred years later, they might reunite as promised in their vows and become husband and wife again.”

“I doubt it,” Wen Yao interrupted: “Old Pan has surely had enough of her! Old Pan suffered his entire life. In the next life, he deserves a gentle and considerate wife to care for him—one who ensures peace and smooth sailing.”

As she spoke, she met Di Jiang’s fiery glare. The boss shot her a sharp, reproachful look.

Wen Yao gasped, frowning: “Did I say something wrong? It’s clear Old Pan has had enough of her!”

“…Perhaps.” Di Jiang’s tone was faint, realizing she couldn’t refute it.

Wen Yao shook her head repeatedly, sighing: “Let’s not talk about them anymore. This spring outing has been exhausting. From now on, let’s stay home and avoid going out—otherwise, even the longest life wouldn’t withstand such troubles!”

Di Jiang chuckled softly, nodding: “Yes, yes—who would have thought it would lead to so many complications?”

That evening, Di Jiang invited Zhong Xu and Changsheng to dinner as a token of gratitude for his care during these days. It was also an opportunity to bring them closer.

With Wen Yao entertaining everyone, the meal proceeded harmoniously.

After dinner, Di Jiang returned to her room, washed up, and retrieved The Record of Flower Deities from under her pillow. At the beginning of Chapter Two, she inscribed Princess Wanyan’s name. Instantly, her life story unfolded on the page.

Her apricot flower deity was none other than a royal princess. Compared to Wu Jingyi, however, she had been far too naive…

That night, Di Jiang had a rare, pleasant dream.

In the dream, Sister Li stood on the Bridge of Helplessness. The silent, unmoving Pan Lang she had guarded for days finally opened his mouth.

He said: “Wanwan, I owe you this lifetime. I’ll repay you in the next. Go ahead and reincarnate—I’ll follow soon.”

“Alright, alright—as long as I can be with you, anything is fine.” Princess Wanyan obediently departed, though she kept looking back. But in the end, she trusted Pan Lang’s words.

Pan Xingui watched her leave, ensuring she entered the Hall of Yama before dissipating into a wisp of smoke, vanishing without a trace.

It was merely a fragment of a soul…

In an instant, a lifetime concluded.

A bowl of Meng Po’s soup erased all memories of past lives. In the next life, may they never meet again.