I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

When Li Bai stepped out of the Yang mansion gate, the streets were deserted. Dusk deepened, and the distant sound of the night watchman's clapper echoed—dong, dong, dong, dong. It was the fourth watch. He walked slowly along the cobblestone path, his fingers tightly clutching the plain paper in his sleeve. The edges of the paper were rough, rubbing against his palm with a slight stinging sensation. Reaching the alley's entrance, he stopped and looked back. The lanterns of the Yang mansion cast a dim, yellowish glow in the night, like a silent eye. He remembered Yang Yuhuan's lowered eyelashes as she played the pipa, the glance she gave him, and the elegant handwriting on the paper. Hope, like the warmth of his palm, seeped into the paper, then dissipated in the night wind. He took a deep breath, carefully folded the paper, and placed it in his inner pocket. Then he turned and headed towards the inn. The night swallowed his figure, only the sound of his footsteps echoing in the empty streets, one after another, like a heartbeat.

When Li Bai returned to the inn, Wu Zhinan was already asleep. He didn't light a lamp, but groped his way to the window and opened it. The night breeze, carrying the moisture from the Huanhua Stream, rushed in, its chill seeping into his thin clothes. He gazed towards the Yang residence on the opposite bank, where the lights were extinguished, leaving only deep darkness. He took out the plain paper from his robes and, by the faint moonlight streaming through the window, unfolded it once more.

"Longing for You, in Chang'an."

The six characters, faintly tinged with ink under the moonlight.

He stared for a long time, until his eyes stung. Then he picked up a pen from the table, spread out a sheet of paper, dipped it in ink, but hesitated to write. The ink dripped from the pen tip onto the paper, spreading into a black blot. What should he write? Should he write that he also missed her? Should he write that he didn't want her to go to Chang'an? Should he write that he wanted to take her away?

The pen tip hovered on the paper, trembling.

Finally, he wrote a line: "The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to heaven."

After writing those seven characters, he put down his pen, folded the paper, and placed it with the plain paper. He knew this wasn't enough. He needed more time, more opportunities, more... strength.

***

The next morning, when Wu Zhinan woke up, he saw Li Bai sitting by the window, holding the paper in his hand, staring blankly out the window.

"Brother Li, you didn't sleep all night?" Wu Zhinan rubbed his eyes and sat up.

Li Bai didn't turn around, but simply gave a soft "hmm".

Wu Zhinan got out of bed and walked to the table. He saw a piece of paper spread out on the table with only seven words on it. He paused for a moment, then understood what was going on, and sighed, "Brother Li, you can't go on like this. You have to think of a way; just sitting here reading won't do any good."

Li Bai turned his head, his eyes bloodshot: "I know. That's why I'm thinking about how to reply to her."

"A reply?" Wu Zhinan's eyes lit up. "You have a way to get it in?"

"That maid from yesterday," Li Bai said, "if she could get things out, she should be able to get them in too. But... how do we find her?"

Wu Zhinan thought for a moment: "Every morning, servants from the Yang residence go out to buy groceries at the West Market. We can try our luck there and see if we can run into that maid from yesterday. Since she's a personal maid, she probably won't be out buying groceries, but perhaps she can pass on a message through other servants."

Li Bai stood up: "Let's go now."

***

West Market, located in the western part of Chengdu, was the city's largest market. At dawn, the market was already bustling with activity. Vendors selling vegetables, meat, fish, and cloth crowded the streets. The air was thick with the mingled smells of fish, the fresh aroma of vegetables, the savory scent of cooked food, as well as the pungent odors of sweat and animal manure. The cries of vendors, the sounds of bargaining, the clatter of carts and horses, the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs blended into a cacophony of noise.

Li Bai and Wu Zhinan wandered around the market for over an hour, their eyes fixed on every young woman dressed in a light green dress. But none of the maids from the Yang household appeared.

"Maybe it's not her who's coming out today," Wu Zhinan wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Or maybe she won't come out to shop at all."

Li Bai remained silent, his gaze still searching through the crowd. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure—the maid in the light green dress who had sat beside Yang Yuhuan at yesterday's gathering. She was standing in front of a silk thread stall, holding a bundle of light green silk thread in her hand, talking to the stall owner.

Li Bai's heart raced. He strode over, with Wu Zhinan close behind him.

The maid seemed to sense something, turned around, saw Li Bai, paused for a moment, then lowered her head, hurriedly paid the money, picked up the silk thread, and was about to leave.

"Please wait, young lady," Li Bai stopped her.

The maid stopped, head bowed, and asked softly, "Young Master Li... is there something you need?"

Li Bai took out the folded paper from his pocket and handed it to her: "Please give this to... your young lady."

The maid didn't take it, but simply lowered her head: "Young Master Li, this...this is against the rules. Yesterday, I only took the risk because I saw how resilient you were. If you do it again today..."

"Just this once," Li Bai said softly but firmly. "Please help me this once, young lady."

The maid looked up at him. Li Bai's eyes were bloodshot, and there was an almost desperate plea in them. She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally reached out to take the paper, quickly stuffing it into her sleeve.

"I'll find a way," she whispered, then turned and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd.

Li Bai stood there, watching her figure disappear, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"It's done." Wu Zhinan patted him on the shoulder. "Let's go back and wait for news."

***

For the next three days, Li Bai went to the West Market every day. He didn't encounter the maid again, but he knew the letter should have been delivered. He was waiting for a reply.

On the morning of the fourth day, as he stepped out of the inn, he saw a small bunch of osmanthus flowers tied with light green silk thread on the stone steps at the inn's entrance. The osmanthus flowers were still very fresh, with dew clinging to their petals, emitting a rich, sweet fragrance. The color of the silk thread was exactly the same as the one the maid had bought that day.

Li Bai knelt down and picked up the bouquet of osmanthus flowers. Tucked inside was a small slip of paper with only two words on it: "Read."

The handwriting was the same as on the plain paper, delicate and elegant.

Li Bai held the bouquet of osmanthus flowers, standing there motionless for a long time. The fragrance of the osmanthus filled his nostrils, sweet to the point of being cloying, yet it warmed his heart. She received it. She read it. She replied.

Although it's only two words, it's enough.

He carefully put the osmanthus flowers away, returned to his room, found a rough porcelain bowl, filled it with water, and placed the osmanthus flowers inside. A sweet fragrance filled the entire room.

That afternoon, he wrote another letter. This time it was longer, containing his understanding of "Chang Xiang Si" (Longing for Each Other), his views on Yuefu poetry, and his superficial insights into music. He didn't write about love or longing; he only wrote these seemingly insignificant things. But he knew she understood.

The letter was still delivered through that maid.

The reply came quickly. The next morning, another small bunch of osmanthus blossoms appeared on the stone steps, this time with a note that read: "Midnight Song, Sentiments of the Four Seasons".

"Midnight Song" is an old Yuefu title that describes a woman's longing for her lover, divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

She was telling him that she was also missing him, in every season.

Li Bai's heart pounded even faster. He replied, describing the rhythmic characteristics of "Midnight Song" and the emotional shifts with the changing seasons. She replied again, writing "Jiangnan Melody," about the feelings of the lotus-picking girls.

In just seven or eight days, they communicated five or six times in this clandestine manner. Each time, they exchanged only a few words, each time hidden among the osmanthus blossoms, and each time conveyed through the maid. But it was these few words that made Li Bai feel that the distance between him and her was gradually closing.

He learned what kind of poetry she liked, how deep her understanding of music was, and that beneath her seemingly gentle exterior lay a sensitive and rich heart.

He also let her know that he was not an ordinary scholar; he had a unique perspective, insights that transcended this era, and... a soul that resonated with hers.

Feelings grow in a hazy, ambiguous way, like seeds quietly sprouting in spring.

***

But undercurrents are also surging.

On the seventh day, when Li Bai went to the West Market to wait for the maid, he noticed something was amiss. Several unfamiliar faces had appeared in the market. They were men dressed in coarse cloth shirts, who looked like ordinary porters or laborers, but their eyes were strange. Their gazes frequently swept across the market, as if searching for something, or perhaps monitoring something.

Li Bai noticed that one of the people's gazes lingered on him for a moment.

His heart tightened, but he pretended to be nonchalant and turned to walk into a shop selling writing brushes and ink. Through the shop window, he saw the man follow him, stand at the shop entrance for a while, and then turn and leave.

"Someone is watching us," Li Bai told Wu Zhinan after returning to the inn.

Wu Zhinan's expression also turned serious: "I've noticed it too. There have been some unfamiliar faces around the Yang residence these past few days, always loitering at the alley entrance, as if they're keeping watch."

"Are they from the Yang family?" Li Bai asked.

"It doesn't look like them." Wu Zhinan shook his head. "I know a few of the guards at the Yang residence, and they're not these people. These people... look like street thugs."

Li Bai's heart sank. If it were just people from the Yang family, it might be manageable. But if they were street thugs, it meant that the matter had already gone beyond the Yang family's purview.

"I'll go ask around," Wu Zhinan said. "You stay at the inn and don't go out."

Wu Zhinan went out for an entire afternoon and didn't return until evening. He looked very unwell.

"I've found out," he said as soon as he entered, his voice low. "There is indeed an imperial decree to select candidates in Shu, and Yang Yuhuan's name is at the very top of the list. The eunuch in charge of this matter is surnamed Gao, a distant nephew of Gao Lishi. He has already set off from Chang'an and is expected to arrive in Chengdu within ten days."

Li Bai clenched his fist. Ten days. Only ten days.

"Furthermore," Wu Zhinan continued, "Yang Xuangui's elder brother, Yang Xuanyan, is an official in the capital and has recently become very close to the powerful minister Li Linfu. It is said that Li Linfu intends to win over Yang Xuanyan, and Yang Xuanyan also wants to take this opportunity to curry favor with the powerful. Therefore... Yang Yuhuan's entry into the palace is not only an imperial decree, but also involves the power struggle in the court."

Li Bai closes his eyes. Gao Lishi's nephew. Li Linfu. A powerful minister. Court intrigue.

Every word felt like a boulder weighing on his heart.

He was just a scholar, a scholar without official rank, background, or power. What could he possibly use to fight against all of this?

"Brother Li," Wu Zhinan looked at him, his eyes filled with worry, "I know you can't let go. But... this matter is really too difficult. The imperial decree is hard to disobey, the powerful minister is hard to resist, we... we can't win."

Li Bai opened his eyes, his gaze filled with an almost obsessive determination: "Even if we can't win, we must fight."

"But……"

"No buts," Li Bai interrupted him. "I've tried. I've tried giving up, tried forgetting, tried starting over. But I can't do it. I couldn't do it in my past life, and I can't do it in this one. Since I can't do it, I can only keep moving forward until I can't walk anymore."

Wu Zhinan looked at him, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed, "Alright. So what are you planning to do?"

"I want to see Yang Xuangui," Li Bai said, "to see him formally and in person."

***

The next morning, Li Bai visited the Yang residence again.

This time, instead of going through Mr. Zheng's introduction, he directly presented his visiting card and requested an audience with Yang Xuangui. The gatekeeper took the card, glanced at him with a strange look in his eyes, but still went in to announce his arrival.

Li Bai stood outside the gate, gazing at the vermilion facade. The brass rings on the door gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the two large characters "Yang Mansion" above the lintel were written with vigorous strokes, exuding authority. He recalled a past life where he too had stood outside a gate, waiting to see someone. Behind that gate was his wife, Yang Xiaohuan. The gate opened, but instead of her, two burly, tattooed men emerged.

His palms began to sweat.

About fifteen minutes later, the door opened. The gatekeeper came out and said expressionlessly, "Master, please invite Young Master Li in."

Li Bai took a deep breath and followed the gatekeeper through the main gate.

This time, he wasn't taken to the waterside pavilion, but rather to the front hall. The front hall was more formal and solemn than the waterside pavilion. The hall was spacious, with blue bricks paving the floor, calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and a rosewood eight-immortal table in the center, flanked by armchairs. There was a faint scent of sandalwood in the air, mixed with the aroma of aged wood.

Yang Xuangui sat in the main chair, dressed in a dark blue casual robe, holding a cup of tea in his hand. He didn't look at Li Bai, but simply blew on the tea foam and sipped slowly.

Li Bai walked into the hall, bowed, and said, "This junior, Li Bai, greets Mr. Yang."

Yang Xuangui put down his teacup, looked up, and glanced at him. His eyes were indifferent, devoid of warmth.

"Have a seat," he said.

Li Bai sat down in the guest chair, his back ramrod straight. He could feel Yang Xuangui's gaze scrutinizing him, as if examining a piece of merchandise.

"What brings you here today, Young Master Li?" Yang Xuangui asked, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

Li Bai took a deep breath and said, "I have come today to express my feelings to you, sir."

"True feelings?" Yang Xuangui raised an eyebrow. "What true feelings?"

"This humble one..." Li Bai paused, his voice slightly strained, "I have fallen in love with your niece, Miss Yu Huan, and wish to entrust my life to her. I beg you, sir, to grant my wish."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Yang Xuangui didn't speak, but just looked at him, his gaze gradually turning cold. The sandalwood scent in the air seemed to become heavy, making it hard to breathe.

After a long silence, Yang Xuangui finally spoke, his voice cold: "Young Master Li, do you know what you're saying?"

"I understand," Li Bai met his gaze. "I'm serious."

"Seriously?" Yang Xuangui sneered. "Young Master Li, you're just a commoner scholar, without official position, without merit or fame. What makes you think you can 'entrust your life to me'? What makes you ask me to grant your wish?"

Li Bai clenched his fist: "Although I have no official rank, I possess talent and ambition. Given time, I will surely..."

"You're guaranteed what?" Yang Xuangui interrupted him. "You're guaranteed to pass the imperial examinations? You're guaranteed to rise above others? Young Master Li, you're too naive. Even if you pass the examinations and become an official, so what? What rank can you reach? Fifth rank? Fourth rank? Third rank? Even if you reach the third rank, so what? Can you compete with the Emperor's decree? Can you compete with powerful ministers?"

His voice grew louder and colder: "Yu Huan has already been chosen to enter the palace. This is the Emperor's decree, an imperial edict, and no one can change it. Moreover, my brother has already taken care of everything in the capital. After Yu Huan enters the palace, she will have a bright future. This is not something a scholar like you can interfere with, nor is it something you should be concerned with."

Li Bai's heart sank deeper and deeper, but he still refused to give up: "Sir, does Miss Yang Guifei...is she willing? Is she willing to enter the palace? Is she willing to leave her hometown for that unfamiliar place?"

"Does it matter whether she's willing or not?" Yang Xuangui looked at him, his eyes filled with an almost cruel calm. "She is the daughter of the Yang family. Her fate was sealed from the moment she was born. Bringing glory to the family is her blessing, and also her responsibility. As for whether she's willing or not… Young Master Li, after all these years of schooling, don't you understand? How many things in this world can truly be done according to one's own wishes?"

Li Bai was speechless. He understood, he understood all too well. In his past life, Yang Xiaohuan had also been unwilling, but she had still stood between those two burly men and uttered those heartless words to him. Because she had no choice.

"Young Master Li," Yang Xuangui stood up, walked to him, and looked down at him, "I consider you to have some talent, and you were recommended by Mr. Zheng, so I will pretend I didn't hear what you said today. But from now on, please do not approach Yu Huan again, do not send any more letters, and do not have any improper thoughts. Otherwise..."

He paused, his voice low but clear: "Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite. The Yang family has been operating in Chengdu for many years; making a scholar disappear is not difficult for them."

Li Bai raised his head and looked at Yang Xuangui. His face was expressionless, only displaying a cold warning. He knew Yang Xuangui was telling the truth. In this era, in this place, a scholar's life was truly worthless.

He stood up, bowed, and said, "This junior... understands."

After saying that, he turned around, walked out of the front hall, and out of the gate of the Yang residence.

The sunlight was blinding, reflecting a blinding white light onto the bluestone pavement. He stood outside the door, watching the vermilion gate slowly close with a heavy creak. The door was closed, completely shut.

He stood there for a long time, until the sunlight stung his eyes, before turning away.

***

He walked slowly down the street, his mind blank. Yang Xuangui's words still echoed in his ears: "The imperial decree is hard to disobey... the powerful minister is hard to resist... she is a daughter of the Yang family... her fate is sealed..."

Every word was like a knife, stabbing into his heart.

He walked to a street corner and turned in. The alley was narrow, with high walls on both sides blocking the sunlight, making it cool and shady. The air was damp and musty, mixed with the sour stench of garbage.

As soon as he entered the alley, he saw two people standing in front of him.

They were two burly men in coarse cloth shirts, their faces full of menacing features. They blocked the middle of the alley, arms crossed, looking at him sideways.

Li Bai stopped in his tracks, his heart tightening. These two men were the ones he had been monitoring in the market and near the Yang residence these past few days.

One of the men stepped forward, looked him up and down, grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth: "You're Li Bai?"

Li Bai did not answer, but simply looked at him.

"I heard you've been going to the Yang residence a lot lately?" the man continued, his voice rough and hoarse. "And you're even flirting with one of the young ladies there?"

Li Bai clenched his fists: "Who are you people?"

"You don't need to know who we are." Another man walked over and stood on his other side, the two of them flanking him. "We're just here to deliver a message: Be smart and stay away from Miss Yang. She's not someone a poor scholar like you can even dream of."

The musty smell in the air was even stronger, mixed with the sweaty stench of the two men, making one want to vomit. The alley was quiet, with only the faint sounds of the market coming from afar.

Li Bai looked at them, his voice calm: "What if I don't know what's good for me?"

The first man laughed, but his laughter was cold: "Then we'll have to teach you a lesson."

He reached out and patted Li Bai on the shoulder. The pat was heavy, making Li Bai stagger. "Kid, listen to my advice, your life is more important. It's not worth risking your life for a woman."

After saying that, the two glanced at him again, then turned and left. Their footsteps echoed in the alley, gradually fading into the distance.

Li Bai stood there, watching their figures disappear into the alleyway. Sunlight streamed in from the alleyway, casting a bright band of light on the ground, within which dust motes danced.

He lowered his head and looked at his hands. His hands were trembling slightly.

It wasn't out of fear, it was out of anger.

In his past life, he was in the same situation, cornered by two people, and then a knife was plunged into his chest.

This life is like this again. Again, two people, again, threats.

Is this all he'll ever be? Will he forever be forced to watch helplessly as the person he loves is taken away, forever powerless to do anything about it?

He clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm, causing a sharp pain.

The pain brought him to his senses.

He looked up at the light at the alley entrance. The light was so bright it hurt his eyes.

But he did not close his eyes.