Chapter 40

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Chapter 40: Privilege

Lin Haoqing was unable to speak for a long time.

He looked at Ji Yunhe in silence. The sun shone in at just the right angle, creating a bit of displacement in time. He seemed to see her spreading her butterfly wings again, telling him: I'm going to leave, and I will definitely fly over the world this time.

Stubborn enough to make people laugh, and sincere enough to make people cry.

"Why?" After a long time, Lin Haoqing finally opened his mouth. His question came out of nowhere and no one would have been able to understand what he was asking, but Ji Yunhe quickly responded.

"I care about him." Her eyes appeared a little misty under the sunlight. "I want him to get back the freedom that I can never get. If my life still has any value, I want to use it on him."

Lin Haoqing was lost in thoughts.

Over the years, Lin Haoqing had finally become a person who only cared about himself.

Ji Yunhe, on the other hand, wanted to use her life to exchange for someone else's freedom.

Through their personal choices, they finally became two different kinds of people in the end.

It was not really about right and wrong, or good and bad. It was just where a bleak, desolated path led them in life.

Ji Yunhe stood up from her chair, pulling Lin Haoqing back from his drifting thoughts.

"How about it, Valley Master?" She smiled softly. "Consider it my last wish. For the sake of all these years of entanglement, bid your farewells to me."

Under the warm, late spring sun, he looked at Ji Yunhe's face and smiled back.

"Okay."

"Many thanks."

Without further words, Ji Yunhe turned around to leave.

"Ji Yunhe."

She paused.

"When are you planning to leave?"

Ji Yunhe pondered for a moment. "Today you will write to the court and have them send someone to pick us up. With the back and forth, we should depart in three days." Ji Yunhe smiled. "Timing is just right, I will still get to see you sit as Valley Master in the Li Feng Hall."

Lin Haoqing lowered his head.

"Go. I will write the letter for you right now."

Ji Yunhe waved her hand and walked into the sunlight outside.

When she returned to her small courtyard, Luo Jinsang was still sitting there drinking tea. "Jinsang, you really gave me a good idea this time."

"What? Did Lin Haoqing agree to let you be the Valley Master? You can let the fish go now?"

Ji Yunhe smiled. "Yes, I can take him away in three days. You leave first. Go outside and find your monk. Even better if you can find some news on Snow March. Meet up with them then wait for me outside."

"Hrm? You got the position of the Valley Master but you're not going to be the Valley Master, instead you're going to take the fish and run away?"

"Right." Ji Yunhe handed her the teacup and teapot. "This tea set has been with me for so many years, I kind of like it. Hold on to it for me and feel free to use it yourself. I will take it back from you when I can."

Luo Jinsang was excited. "Good. Finally we're talking business!"

Ji Yunhe smiled and looked at her. "You should leave as soon as possible."

"Okay, then I'll go first. When will you make it out?"

"Probably... ten days from now."

Luo Jinsang turned invisible, grabbed the tea set and rattled away. Ji Yunhe looked at the sunset that was already starting to disappear. She took a deep breath and headed for the dungeon to see Changyi.

When Ji Yunhe arrived, Changyi was playing chess with himself.

They had drawn the chessboard together some time ago, and she taught Changyi how to play. He was not calculating and always lost, but he never grew angry or frustrated. He just patiently learned from his mistakes again and again.

When Ji Yunhe walked into the dungeon, Changyi looked at her with calm and gentle eyes. Not a trace of displeasure could be seen on his face, as if her deliberate avoidance all these days did not exist.

"I played a few games against myself, I think I've made a lot of progress."

He did not hesitate to praise himself when he got the chance.

Ji Yunhe smiled. She opened the cell door and walked in. "Really? Then let's play a match."

Changyi placed the chess pieces back into their trays and handed the white tray to Ji Yunhe. Neither of them talked about the incident with Princess Shunde the other day. There was no mention of Ji Yunhe's wretchedness or her emotional breakdown.

They quietly played a game. When they finished, it was already midnight.

Changyi still lost, but he survived longer than before.

"You really have improved." Ji Yunhe acknowledged his efforts.

Changyi looked at the chessboard, still analyzing, "If a wrong move was made here, then all the following moves would be wrong too. There is no recovering."

Ji Yunhe quietly waited until he had studied the defeat thoroughly and concluded the reasons for his failure, then said, "Changyi, I want... to ask you for a favor."

Changyi looked up at her, his clear blue eyes reflecting her face.

And under such a gaze, she still hesitated even after giving herself countless preparations.

She wondered whether she should deceive him, and if what she was about to say might hurt him.

But like with everything, there was no giving without taking.

"Changyi," Ji Yunhe calmly asked him, "are you willing... to go to the capital and serve Princess Shunde?"

Changyi gazed into her eyes. "Do you want me to go?"

"Yes, I want you to go."

He lowered his head and looked at his defeated chess game.

The humble chess board carved into the dungeon floor was littered with pieces. He patiently picked them up one by one, returning white pieces to the white tray, and black pieces to the black tray, while he replied in the same orderly manner.

"If you want me to, then I will go."

Ji Yunhe had known Changyi would agree. But sitting there listening to his clear and calm voice, her heart still could not help but tremble.

However, her eyes blocked all the emotions raging inside her.

"Changyi," the corners of her mouth lifted, "you're really too kind."

Changyi finished picking up all the pieces and looked at her.

"I don't want you to suffer again."

"Thank you so much."

Ji Yunhe stood up and turned her back. "I will see you tomorrow."

She walked out of the prison with quick steps, her feet did not dare to stop even a second. She kept walking and walking until she reached the depths of the sea of flowers.

She looked up at the vast starry sky and fiercely pounded herself in the chest.

You don't want me to suffer.

I want you to be free even more.

So, I'm sorry, Changyi.

At the same time, I am so thankful to have had the privilege of knowing you...

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