A Fated Reunion Among the Stars [Jing Yuan x F!Reader]

Chapter 9 (PART 1)

[?????]

All is quiet now, except for the faint murmurs of other guests in this building. My guest is waiting for me outside, I shouldn't make her wait any longer. I peek through the slightly ajar wooden door, making sure she's not around. Hearing no signs of activity from the room across, I start making my move towards the lobby. Lucky for me, the inn isn't swarming with people tonight. At least, it doesn't make it more difficult. Just as I arrive at the entrance door, a buzz comes from my phone. A message.

'Meet us in the alleyway.'

My focus shifts back to the small path besides the inn, figuring that they must be there already. Stopping not far into the alleyway, a man wearing a plain brown robe under the pale moonlight, bowing his head while carrying a parcel in his hands. I nod once as I take it from him. The man takes a few steps back, and a woman's voice greets me.

"General." I smile slightly, knowing the figure behind the shadows. "Ah... The Master Diviner herself is here." She sighs softly, stepping closer to me at last. Ignoring my statement before, she says, "I brought what you've asked for. How is she?" Smiling a bit wider at the mention of her, I reply, "She's just fine under my care, Diviner Fu." Fu Xuan narrows her eyes, waiting for me to continue. "She doesn't know yet, rest assured." Fu Xuan raises one of her eyebrows with a look of curiosity. "You seem very close to her, general. That was unforeseen.." I let out a deep chuckle, amused by her remark. "Not even the Matrix of Prescience can help, eh?" She rolls her eyes, sighing heavily.

Her expression turns serious once more, and she adds, "Whatever it is, you mustn't reveal the truth. Not yet." I tilt my head slightly, my smile disappearing slowly. "Sigh, I understand that very well. Aside from that, you surely do not mind telling me what fate awaits for her, yes?" Fu Xuan shakes her head disapprovingly, "I've told you countless of times already, general. I won't leak the Heaven's secret." Disappointed by her response, I simply nod and greet her goodbye.

"Till we meet again, Diviner Fu."

"I'll be waiting for your abdication."

"Patience, Diviner Fu. The time will come."

Once the conversation ends, I walk back to my room with the item in hand. It isn't as lively as before inside. After getting off the lift, I step into my room, closing the door behind. A streak of white reveals itself from the tear of the packaging. It's a clean set of my usual attire. Tossing the paper into the trash, I smoothen out the pristine fabric and place it beside my bed.

"What a tiring day, indeed." I mutter, letting myself fall on the soft cushioning. Without realizing it, I begin to drift off to the land of slumber. Who knows of the dream that would visit me tonight?

[End of ?????]

.

.

.

.

Into the dead of the night, wind blows across Xian Zhou Luo Fu. Hustle and bustles that were once present are now dying down. The pale moonlight shining down, highlighting most of the buildings. Only some shops remain open, yellow lights illuminating from its windows. Lamps inside the inn have been turned off, leaving a few on. There I lie on my bed, unable to sleep immediately...

'Why is it almost impossible to sleep? Ugh..'  I toss and turn on the bed, feeling more restless than before. Rolling over, my eyes lay upon the window. Countless stars gleaming up above in the sky, accompanying the moon. No matter what, my thoughts always come back to Jing Yuan. 'Is he sleeping already? Or maybe he's still awake? Who knows he's also staring at the same sight as me? Hmm, how does he look like when he sleeps...? His hair must be disheveled... It somewhat looks like a nest in my head— Wait, why am I thinking about this??'

I run my hands through my hair, trying to get him off my mind. I toss again to the side and suddenly feel the mattress under me gone.

Thud.

"Ughh..." I rub my sore nose from the impact. 'I should really sleep now. Maybe I should've hit my head harder.'  Standing up again, I climb back onto the bed and bury my face into the pillow, hoping to finally get some sleep. Like magic, today's event takes a toll on me. My vision becomes blurrier every second, and it eventually fades away.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I expect to see my current bedroom when I open my eyes. But no. Instead, there are two bodies in front of me replacing that image. Why... Why must it be this memory of all things? Those lifeless eyes and splattered blood all over their clothes as well as mine. Coming closer to them, only now do I realize that there's a noticeable bump on her stomach... I choke back a cry as a grim realization dawns on me. I stumble backward, putting my hands over my mouth in shock and terror.

In a split second, everything turns dark. I open my eyes again and see the familiar walls surrounding me. Looking below, my limbs are all bloodied and bruised. A tray of enticing food is slid through a small opening on the thick metal door. Not bothering to spare a glance at it, I hug my knees, tugged away in a corner. Then, her voice soon follows. "Eat it, I'll let you out after this, okay?" A somewhat soft and friendly laughter echoes throughout the hall, her footsteps faltering.

Closing my eyes once more, I silently wish to be in a better place. Away from these memories. With now half lidded eyes, I feel her patting my head slowly. It's almost like how a mother would do it. "You've grown so much in a span of 2 months." She gives me a warm smile. "Go ahead and finish it, I brought it only for you, anyway." I immediately devour the remaining snacks in front of me. Instinctively, I turn to thank her. "Thank you... Hehe, please bring more." She chuckles and replies, "Of course. But first, you will need to do a small favor for me." As if an invisible force is at work, I nod at her. After knowing I would agree, she holds my left hand as she leads me to a mysterious room...

"It won't be long, I promise."

.

.

.

.

.