Rivals Meet

It so happened that Zen Master Shan had been suffering from a prolonged illness, and although many famous physicians had been invited, his condition showed no improvement. Wei Dan Sheng then introduced Wu Huai Fei to his master, inviting her to the monastery to treat Zen Master Shan.
Xi Cui felt a headache coming on.
The difficulty of conquering someone versus conquering someone who already held another in their heart was truly not on the same level.
Wei Dan Sheng had already developed a unilateral fondness for Wu Huai Fei. To make someone like him change his heart, Xi Cui felt she did not possess enough charm.
As Xi Cui was troubled, Wu Huai Fei's voice came from behind her.
"Alright."
Xi Cui turned around.
Her ankle was covered by the flowing silk skirt, only vaguely revealing a slightly upturned cloud-patterned shoe.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"It was merely a small matter, no need to mention it."
Perhaps because Wu Huai Fei had mistaken her for Gao Qian, to maintain Gao Qian's persona, Xi Cui mimicked Gao Qian's icy demeanor, even lowering her voice considerably.
Wu Huai Fei tried to stand up, at first unsteady. Fortunately, Xi Cui was quick and nimble, catching her.
"Are you alright?"
The young woman shook her head, gently letting go of her hand. "I'll be fine in a moment."
Xi Cui bent down, picked up the medicine box, and handed it to her.
Wu Huai Fei took the medicine box and asked curiously, "Is Young Master Gao also going to Kongshan Temple?"
"I have some business."
"Your foot is injured; why not come with me?" Xi Cui said. "I can look after you along the way."
Wu Huai Fei said without hesitation, "Then I thank Young Master."
Xi Cui couldn't see her injury, but from Wu Huai Fei's walking posture, it seemed she had a very severe sprain.
The mountain path was long and winding. With each step, the young woman beside her faltered slightly, but she endured it without a word.
Gao Di Yu not only looked more masculine but was also much stronger than other girls.
Seeing her quiet and resilient demeanor, Xi Cui finally couldn't bear to watch any longer.
There was still a very long way from the mountain gate. Seeing her endure like this was not a solution. Xi Cui crouched down slightly, signaling, "I'll carry you up."
Wu Huai Fei was startled, then realized, and politely refused her.
"Thank you for Young Master's kindness, but I can walk. Besides, it is not proper etiquette."
Xi Cui said, "If I let you walk alone like this, I fear it will take until nightfall. There are no outsiders on the mountain path today, so there's no need to worry about gossip. I am merely repaying your previous life-saving grace, helping my savior a part of the way."
Xi Cui tilted her face. "Or does Lady value these false etiquettes more?"
The young man before her tilted his head, his cold voice carrying a hint of concern.
For some reason, the sharp eyebrows and eyes she had initially seen now seemed much gentler, like a bright moon hanging high in the sky.
Something seemed different...
Wu Huai Fei hesitated for a moment, then her slightly cold arms wrapped around Xi Cui's neck. A faint, distant scent of medicine wafted to her.
With her previous experience of carrying Wei Dan Sheng, coupled with Gao Di Yu's natural strength, Xi Cui felt no difficulty carrying her.
Wu Huai Fei was very nervous; her whole body was stiff, not daring to press close to her, even her breathing was forced to be extremely light and slow.
She studied medicine, and Xi Cui had been a little worried that Wu Huai Fei might notice the difference in their male and female physiques, but the young woman behind her was naive, already lost in a daze.
When Xi Cui set her down before the mountain gate, she was still somewhat bewildered.
It wasn't until Xi Cui called out that she suddenly snapped back to reality.
"Ah, ah?... Oh..."
She hurriedly jumped down, her face flushing crimson from her neck to her cheeks. The calm and gentle female lead from the book now seemed a little afraid to look directly at her.
For some reason, Xi Cui vaguely discerned a hint of naivety.
Wu Huai Fei was a little vexed. "I... I'm sorry..."
But at this moment, a clear male voice, like pine wind and spring water, suddenly cut between the two, interrupting Wu Huai Fei's words.
"Lady Wu?"
Xi Cui looked back. Wei Dan Sheng was standing before the mountain gate, his face showing surprise as he looked at the two of them.
His kasaya billowed in the wind, a polite smile gracing his face, and the prayer beads on his wrist jingled softly in the mountain breeze.
Xi Cui: "..."
The atmosphere was a little strange, as if stagnant.
Xi Cui was looking at Wei Dan Sheng, and Wei Dan Sheng was also looking at her.
His gaze neither avoided nor shied away, the corners of his lips slightly curved.
The wind filled his sleeves, making him feel light as if about to ascend to immortality.
She said nothing to him, silently bowing to the other party.
Although she had imagined many kinds of reunion scenarios, Xi Cui had not expected to meet under circumstances akin to being caught in the act.
The strange atmosphere was finally broken by Wu Huai Fei.
"Junior Master Wei?"
Wu Huai Fei spoke, and Wei Dan Sheng immediately moved. He withdrew his gaze, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I saw that Lady Wu had not yet arrived, and feeling a little worried, I came to the mountain gate to check."
"My apologies for making you wait so long. I am fine; Junior Master is too polite, there was no need to wait before the mountain gate."
"Lady was specially invited by me," Wei Dan Sheng said, not looking at Xi Cui, and smiled. "Naturally, I must be responsible for Lady's safety."
Wu Huai Fei carried her medicine box, took two steps forward, and went straight to the main point. "May I ask where your Honored Master is now? Could Junior Master lead me to see him?"
"I will lead Lady there immediately."
Wu Huai Fei looked towards Xi Cui. "Young Master Gao, I must go treat the Zen Master, so I will go ahead."
Xi Cui replied, "Please."
Wei Dan Sheng looked at him, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile and said, "Is this Patron Gao?"
Unexpectedly mentioned so suddenly, Xi Cui said in a low voice, "My surname is Gao, and my given name is merely Qian."
But how did he recognize Gao Qian?
Theoretically, if not for her butterfly effect, Wei Dan Sheng and Gao Qian should not have truly met at this time.
Could this be called truly understanding one's love rival?
This speculation made Xi Cui feel a little amused.
Because of her presence, Wei Dan Sheng had met her and Gao Qian a few days ago. If from then on, he harbored some thoughts about Gao Qian, Xi Cui was unsure if Wei Dan Sheng had recognized her as an impostor.
But looking into his eyes, she saw nothing unusual, like a lake at the foot of the mountain, clear as glass.
Yet, she always felt he might have seen through her.
He had been intelligent since childhood, able to endure so much on Biao Mountain.
"This junior monk's surname is Wei, and my Dharma name is Ji Kong. I had heard of Patron Gao's name at the foot of the mountain. Seeing you today, you are indeed imposing and extraordinary."
"I find Junior Master's appearance also upright and spirited."
"Patron Gao is too kind."
After a few false pleasantries, Wei Dan Sheng nodded slightly to her and led Wu Huai Fei away.
One in front, one behind, from a distance they looked like a destined couple.
Xi Cui watched silently.
At the same time, she secretly resolved that from this day forward, she must find a way to personally sever the ties of her own romantic fate.