The Twelve Spirits: Ugly Spirit

[7]

It was Su Zicheng's birthday the next day.

Early in the morning, Ning Xishi changed her clothes into the dress she had picked out the night before. I had booked a banquet for the two of them.

Ning Xishi waited for a long time. Only when the skies had darkened and silver of the moon glimmered within the skies did Su Zicheng finally appear, a strong smell of liquor clinging onto him. He stumbled into the courtyard, and as his gaze landed on her, his lips stretched into a carefree smile.

'Xishi,' he said, calling her name from afar.

Ning Xishi smiled. She stood in the courtyard and gazed at him with bright eyes. Behind her, peach blossoms fluttered from the trees and scattered across the grounds. Clothed in a pale blue dress with her hair fastened by a white ribbon, at that moment, Ning Xishi was the picture of a virtuous wife awaiting the arrival of her husband who had returned after days apart.

The serenity she exuded caused Su Zicheng's breath to hitch.

A long time ago, the thought had crossed his mind that, in his lifetime, he wanted to meet such a woman – one who, no matter where he was, would always be at home with a pot of lukewarm fine wine, awaiting his return.

And at this moment, he had finally met her.

The young woman he had met by chance on a drizzling spring day had always been silently waiting for him, carrying a love which had she had harbored close to her heart for years.

Su Zicheng felt his heart constrict, and a sudden phrase sprang into his mind.

Till the end of time.

He could not help the quickening of his steps as he drew closer to her, clasping her hands tight within his.

Her hands were cold, and he spread his hands, covering hers with his as he lifted their intertwined fingers to exhale a warm breath of air onto her palms. Rubbing her palms gently, he said, 'Why are you so cold? Have you been waiting for long?'

'I have...' Ning Xishi exhaled and raised a hand to stroke his face. 'Zicheng, I have waited too long for you. But...' Her eyes curved into smiles. 'I'm grateful that you've come at last.'

Su Zicheng could not help but be slightly dazed.

Perhaps, even after he had lived his entire life, he would still be unable to understand the love this young woman held for him.

Ning Xishi spoke. 'It's your birthday. Have a seat, I'll dance for you.'

She performed the Startling Swan dance.

She had practiced this dance for three years, from when she was thirteen to sixteen.

Each movement of the dance was something she had practiced hundreds of times, and each time she had practiced this in her youth, she thought of him.

Thought of his easy-going humor and flirtatiousness; thought of the elegant way with which he sampled fine wine and admired the flowers; thought of how he often raised his brows when his attention was piqued, and the way his lips curved. It seemed like a trance, where she was trapped in a beautiful dream.

Ning Xishi extended her arms; turned her body; unfurled her sleeves.

Like a butterfly, she danced through the night.

Su Zicheng stared at her, his gaze caught on the deep love reflected clearly within the depths of her eyes.

A long time later, the dance came to an end and she stopped in front of him, watching him silently.

On this night, the moonlit the skies. Peach blossoms fluttered gently to the ground, but all else was still.

Su Zicheng's lips parted as he spoke, his words sincere. He said, 'Xishi, I've been amorous my whole life, but this is the first time I have wanted to spend the rest of my life with one person.'

'Xishi, I like you.'

Ning Xishi did not say a word, but she smiled, tears shining in her eyes.

Su Zicheng pulled her into a hug and said, 'Xishi, will you marry me?'

'Yes,' Ning Xishi said, without hesitation.

Yet her face was deathly pale. She understood that she did not have much time left.

She grasped his sleeve tightly within her hands and said, 'Zicheng, help me to paint my face once, okay?'

'En.' Su Zicheng nodded and clasped her hands within his, leading her into the room.

Ning Xishi sat before the copper mirror while Su Zicheng stood behind her. His slender hand reached for the brow pencil, and cupping her face, he started to draw her brows.

'When we are married, I'll help you to paint your face every day.'

Ning Xishi lifted her head to look at him. 'When I'm old, you must remember this is how you should draw my brows.'

Su Zicheng murmured in assent and picked up the rouge, his attention fixed on her. 'I'll always be with you, to paint your face for a lifetime.'

He powdered her face and painted her lips. Minutes later, it was done.

Ning Xishi turned her head and stared at the image of the two of them reflected in the mirror – a picture of bliss and contentment. She was in a daze as she stared at their reflection for a long time, before she finally smiled, her eyes shining with tears.

She knows her energy slowly to leave her body and reached for his hand. 

'If one day I die. Zicheng, marry someone and be happy.'

'What...' Su Zicheng wanted to say something, but abruptly froze. He saw the woman in the mirror slowly close her eyes, her body falling backward.

The world began to shake in tremendous fashion. I sighed and pushed the door open, walking in.

Ning Xishi was leaning against Su Zicheng's chest, her eyes closed. I cast a spell onto Su Zicheng, strode in, lifted Ning Xishi onto my back, and left the room.

The peach blossoms strewn across the grounds of the courtyard shone brilliantly. Ning Xishi rested her head against my back and whispered her last words.

She said, 'This is...the best I could have hoped for.'

To die in a time when Su Zicheng loved her when she was at her happiest.

Truly, this was the best Ning Xishi could have hoped for.