Chapter 133 – Extra Chapter One

Chapter 133 - Extra Chapter One

In the midst of an endless void of darkness, Pei Yuanxi felt as if she were trapped within a confined world. She could sense the vitality beyond its boundaries and struggled desperately to break free.

At last, she managed to escape and regain her freedom. The sun shone brightly, indicating a pleasant day, with a cloud in the sky resembling a floating, blossoming flower.

In a moment, she realized something was dreadfully amiss – she couldn't move, and she had no idea what form she had taken. Fortunately, her life had been filled with peculiar experiences, so she quickly regained her composure.

She found herself in Ren'an Palace, a place familiar yet strangely different. The palace attendants passing by were all strangers, their faces filled with anxiety as they searched for someone.

"Where could the Crown Prince have gone?"

"Have we checked inside the palace? Behind the bookshelves?"

"We have, but he's not there."

Crown Prince?

A slight tremor stirred in Pei Yuanxi's heart. Was it possible that what she was thinking was true?

A tiny figure emerged from behind a cluster of flowers, his vibrant golden brocade robe enhancing his delicate charm and innocence. He wrinkled his tiny nose and brushed off the dirt from his clothes.

Suddenly, he let out an "Eh," and in a soft, childish voice, he asked, "When did a grass sprout grow here?"

The palace attendants, hearing the commotion, rushed over swiftly. They surrounded him, either attending to his needs by brushing off the dust or, still visibly shaken, urging him back to the palace to have some refreshments.

He asked one of the palace maids, "What kind of herb is this?"

Only then did the palace maid notice the small peach tree emerging from the corner. "Your Highness, this is a peach tree. This servant didn't see it yesterday. I wonder when it sprouted."

"A peach tree?" The young prince's clear eyes blinked. "Then let it grow."

Only then did Pei Yuanxi realize that she had transformed into a peach tree. She gazed intently at the young prince's face, which was as delicate and charming as a porcelain doll.

This was Chong'er.

There was hardly any doubt, for the child's features resembled Gongye Chu's immensely. The son she had seen was Shangxing, who naturally looked different from her and her husband.

She had once fantasized about his true appearance, never expecting the day when they would actually meet.

She longed to weep, but now she was merely a peach tree. She had no voice to speak, no arms to embrace her son. All she could do was watch him with a bittersweet mix of longing and reluctance.

Gongye Zhong paid no heed to the eunuchs' urgings to change his attire and partake of refreshments, his attention solely fixed on the young peach tree nestled in the corner. The tree was still in its infancy, sporting delicate, tender green leaves that clung gently to its slender branches.

He suddenly rose to his feet and, with rapid footsteps, hurried away, leaving the courtiers scurrying behind him in haste.

Pei Yuanxi's covetous gaze followed his diminutive figure, never imagining that she would one day witness him with her own eyes. Even if she were to transmute into a peach tree, it would be worth it.

She rejoiced, elated at the prospect of seeing her son again. Yet, she was plagued with melancholy, unsure if she lived or died in that other life, and what would become of her son and A Chu in that world.

Her heart was torn in two, pulled in divergent directions.

If only it were possible, she would have wished for herself to be split into two halves. One part to remain here and witness her son's growth, the other to return and accompany her husband and child.

"Liu Ze, come quickly and see, there's a tiny peach tree here." Gongye Zhong, with his matured demeanor, reappeared, accompanied by the solemn and handsome Liu Ze.

Pei Yuanxi caught sight of Liu Ze, who appeared even more composed than she remembered.

Gongye Zhong crouched down, his chubby fingers poking at the leaves of the small peach tree. "Liu Ze, do you think it will bloom anytime soon?"

"It might take a few more years," the translator rendered, capturing the essence of the slow growth of a sapling before it blooms and bears fruit.

"Can't it grow faster? You said my mother once sent a peach blossom to my father. I want it to grow up and bloom quickly; I'm sure it would make Father happy," Gongye Chu spoke with the maturity of a young adult.

Liu Ze sighed. Ever since the Empress passed away, the Emperor had not smiled since. During those years when the Empress was alive, His Majesty had seemed like a person full of life and emotions. Who could have foreseen her sudden departure, leaving the young Crown Prince and the Emperor to depend on each other for solace?

"I believe the Emperor would be pleased."

"I'll water it every day, and I'll watch over it closely," Gongye Zhong vowed with a serious expression, as if nurturing the little peach tree to bloom was of utmost significance. "Liu Ze, can you tell me more about how my mother courted my father?"

With just one "again," Pei Yuanxi knew that Liu Ze had recounted this tale countless times before. Liu Ze didn't exaggerate the story; still, she felt a deep flush of embarrassment hearing those long-forgotten events from his lips.

He spoke for at least half an hour.

Liu Ze was indeed quite talkative, she mused.

As for Gongye Chu... How would he appear now in this moment? She thought with immense guilt that her meticulous scheming to manipulate his feelings was not worthy of his profound and unwavering affection.

At dusk, she caught sight of him.

Solitude and aloofness enveloped the scene, colder than she remembered. His stern face and detached expression seemed even more distant since their first encounter. She witnessed little Gongye Zhong rushing into his arms, melting the frost on his demeanor the moment he saw his son.

He lifted his child, softly inquiring about something.

Gongye Zhong wriggled in his embrace, pointing in her direction, "Father, there's a tiny peach tree growing over there. Liu Ze said it will bloom in a few years, and then I'll bring you some flowers."

His gaze shifted towards her, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Her heart pounded rapidly, filled with a bittersweet sensation. Compared to the man she once knew, his aura had become even colder. His eyes were cold and serene, deep as an unfathomable abyss.

This version of him would no longer exhibit bashfulness or blushing.

"Father, Father, do you like peach blossoms?" The child's innocent voice brimmed with anticipation. "I heard from Liu Ze that you like the peach blossoms Mother gives you."

Peach blossoms?

Gongye Chu vividly recalled that enchanting peach blossom. In the peach grove outside the Eastern Capital City, she was as delicate and bashful as the blooms themselves. She claimed to be lost, saying she couldn't find her way out after wandering around. Her tone was filled with urgency, and her expression carried a hint of embarrassment.

Yet who was he not to see through the cunning behind that charming facade?

He wondered what motives lay behind her efforts to get close to him. Since their chance encounter on the street, she seemed to be appearing before him frequently.

He pretended not to see through her deception and earnestly directed her on her way.

She thanked him with gratitude, plucking a peach blossom as she did. "Thank you, sir, for your guidance. I have nothing to repay you with, so please accept this flower as a token of appreciation. I hope you won't disdain it."

The peach blossom was in full bloom, and he took it almost involuntarily. As her graceful figure disappeared into the distance, he coldly threw the flower to the ground.

After a few steps, he retraced his steps and picked it up again.

From the beginning, he knew her true intentions were shallow. He watched her with a cold detachment, believing himself immune, only to find himself unknowingly drawn in.

Gongye Zhong, waiting in vain for his father's response, felt a pang of disappointment. "Father, don't you like peach blossoms?"

How much he wished his father could be happy, how much he yearned to see his father smile.

Gongye Chu gazed at his son's hopeful face. This child was the result of his relentless pursuit. It was one thing to understand things in his heart, but quite another to put them into practice.

Despite her constant scheming, he was filled with joy in her presence.

"Like."

Upon hearing this word, Pei Yuanxi felt even more despicable. With his depth of character, how could he not see through her shallow manipulations? Sometimes she even found her tactics cliché; surely he knew as well.

He must have known, but he pretended otherwise.

This was the man she loved.

In the past, she was ignorant of deep affection, but now she despised herself for being too resolute and cold-hearted. Heaven took pity on her, allowing her to return to this life. Even if she were but a peach tree, simply seeing him and their son every day brought her contentment.

She watched the little one grow day by day, becoming increasingly lively and cheerful. As the young master of Tai Ling Palace, every corner of the palace became his playground for adventures.

Every few days, he would come to water her and sometimes chatter away. She gradually grew accustomed to these days, with the highlight of each day being the sight of father and son.

Winter passed, spring arrived, and three cold seasons later, the peach tree had grown much taller, allowing her to see further. On a sunny day, she encountered Master Diviner Ye once more.

The ethereal man remained unchanged, save for a cloth covering his eyes. The moment he entered Ren'an Palace, it seemed he sensed her presence, despite his blindness. Yet, she knew she had been recognized.

He spoke to Gongye Zhong, "Your Highness, this peach tree has a special connection with you; it can be considered your foster mother."

Gongye Zhong, knowing from his father that Master Diviner Ye was an extraordinary individual, was somewhat puzzled by this, "It's merely a tree, how can it become my foster mother?"

"Everything in the world possesses a spirit. This peach tree is the embodiment of the essence of heaven and earth. In your past life, you were her son."

"In that case, I shall acknowledge it." Half believing, half doubting, Gongye Chu bowed to the tree and called out, "Foster mother."

Pei Yuanxi knew that Master Diviner Ye had recognized her. Filled with gratitude, she swayed gently in the wind.

As Heavy (a nickname for Gongye Zhong) grew older, she quietly accompanied him. Sometimes she thought that simply watching over him like this might be a source of happiness.

In the year he turned ten, he suddenly fell into an unresponsive sleep.

The entire Tai Ling Palace sank into silence, and Gongye Chu felt even more isolated and desolate. She could do nothing but watch him waste away day by day. How she wished she could tell him that Heavy would be alright, that he had merely gone to find her in their previous life.

Master Diviner Ye came to visit her, and she noticed that all of his hair had turned white. He told her that everything was part of the cosmic karma, the result of cause and effect. Although she knew Heavy would return, she couldn't help feeling sorrowful.

Was it for their current lives, or for their past ones?

Eight months later, Chong'er regained consciousness. After waking up, she often found herself lost in thought, gazing at a particular spot. She knew he was reminiscing about their past lives together with Gongye Chu.

From that day on, she never saw Master Diviner Ye again.

She heard from the palace servants that he had left the palace, but no one knew where he had gone. But she knew his destination; in this life, he had undoubtedly made the same choice as before.

Year after year passed, and at twenty, Chong'er ascended to the throne. He resembled his father more and more, appearing even taller than Gongye Chu.

Gongye Chu stepped down as emperor, taking the title of Taishang Huang, yet still residing in Ren'an Palace.

The peach tree had grown tall, its flowers blooming and falling each year without bearing fruit. When in bloom, Gongye Chu would often gaze at it, every petal on the branches reminiscent of the one she had given him.

In another year, when the frosty winds blew, he fell ill.

His illness came on suddenly, and the royal physicians said he lacked the will to live, perhaps his time was near. She heard her son's stifled sobs and felt her own tears streaming down her cheeks.

All gatherings must eventually disperse. She sensed that her own departure might be drawing near.

On a cold, frosty night, she saw a solitary figure sitting outside, gazing at the bright moon in the sky. He muttered her name softly, lost in his thoughts.

Desperate to respond, an unexpected surge of energy coursed through her body, causing her to shudder as if a bloom had suddenly burst into vibrant life. It was a dazzling spectacle, akin to flowers blossoming in full splendor.

In the gentle floral scent, she sensed her consciousness fading, as petals danced wildly through the air. The ground was soon covered with peach blossoms, which, as they fell, gradually formed two words.

A Chu.

Gongye Chu's eyes, as still as death, fixated on those characters. A peach petal landed softly in his palm, while the very tree from which they fell withered instantly after the last petal descended. A realization dawned upon him—she had always been there.

"Peach Blossom Spirit."

Wait for me.