Three Lives, Three Worlds: Jasmine's Fate [Hiatus]

Reminiscence 3 - "The Awaken Rogue"

At nightfall, when everyone had retired to their rooms and the only sound was the wind howling on the mountain, Yan Zhi felt confident enough to leave the comfort of her chamber. Qiao Er was fast asleep; the poor but happy child had exhausted herself under the care of Zi Lan's seniors while Yan Zhi had recuperated from her injuries. They had given Qiao Er all the attention she had never known she could get, which meant that Yan Zhi had been able to relax for the first time in what seemed forever. But this was not a time to dwell on her own needs. She had a mission tonight.

Yan Zhi walked through the dark passages. The moon was rising late tonight, it was pitch black outside - but immortals from the Ghost tribe were comfortable in the darkness. Low light had always been an advantage to her clan, especially during combat and spy missions, because they could take opponents from other clans by surprise easily. Finding what she was seeking would not be hard under these conditions. She only hoped her mission would be completed swiftly without any further incidents.

She knew she shouldn't return, but she had no other choice. What happened today was a mistake, an unfortunate incident, an embarrassment to both of them. Luckily, it was only Si Yin who had barged in. She was sure Si Yin wouldn't gossip to others about what she had witnessed. Yan Zhi couldn't have predicted that a moment of weakness would have such drastic consequences. How could she face Zi Lan now? Would he want to pursue the matter further?

With these thoughts in her head, she had to take a deep breath before she could gather the courage to enter his room for the second time today. Cautiously, she moved towards his bed within the dark, unlit room. When Yan Zhi reached the bed, she was relieved that Zi Lan was sound asleep. Now, the real mission was to find what she had left behind.

She searched the surroundings of his bed, praying for luck to be on her side - alas, she was not that fortunate. If only her powers were not suppressed on this mountain, she could have moved in and out swiftly, or could even have conjured what she sought. Turning her attention to his bed, she dreaded what she had to do next. Hovering over Zi Lan, she tried to lift the edge of his blanket, carefully, slowly.

Without warning, his hand shot out and caught her wrist. Zi Lan's eyes were wide open, staring into hers.

"Yan Zhi," he said.

This was not her day. She had made another miscalculation. She should not have returned. If only she had never entered his room earlier today, things would not have proceeded as they had. Could she turn back time, so her humiliation would be over, and her dignity was intact?

*******

Earlier that day....

For several days, Yan Zhi had inquired about Zi Lan's condition from his seniors. They had told her he was recuperating well, and there was no need to be concerned. But the memory of his collapse when they had arrived at Kunlun still alarmed her. He had been severely injured because he had taken blows that were meant for Qiao Er and herself.

She knew he had never left, the foolish man, despite her wish to sever their ties. He had been hiding in the bamboo forest, like a phantom, never straying too far in case more assassins would appear. He was forever playing the hero, a hero she could no longer accept. He had repeatedly made contact with Qiao Er, even bribed her for rice buns. Why he craved her inedible rice buns so much she would never know. She had turned a blind eye to their meetings, because it brought joy to Qiao Er. She had also tried to improve the rice buns but in vain.

Now that he was injured, Qiao Er had asked about him daily, but he needed to recuperate more, they were told. However, it had come the time when Yan Zhi couldn't wait any longer. She had to see Zi Lan in person to assure herself his condition was stable. She had come to his room when no one was present and found Zi Lan soundly asleep. She sat next to him and checked his forehead, only to find that his skin was on fire and he was sweating profusely. Wanting to comfort him, she went and got cold water but she could not find a towel in the room. She didn't want to ask his seniors, so instead, she dipped her hands in the water, and soothed him with her touch. Hoping that under her care, his suffering would lessen.