Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Qianyan Temple remained as quiet and serene as ever, as if the noise and turmoil of the outside world had nothing to do with it.

Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, dappling the temple's cobblestone path. The pine and cypress trees within the temple grounds were lush and verdant; a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if nature were whispering ancient tales.

The four walked along the path, flanked by well-arranged Buddha statues and sutra pillars. Each Buddha statue appeared so solemn and compassionate, as if quietly guarding this land and those who came to pray. The sutra pillars were covered with densely packed scriptures, each stroke revealing the craftsman's piety and skill.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the temple, they stopped. Yun Chu stepped inside, while Nan Rao and the other two waited outside.

The temple was filled with the faint scent of incense, which gave people a sense of peace and tranquility.

There was no one else in the hall at this time. Yun Chu lit incense and candles, put her hands together, and knelt devoutly before the Buddha, praying that the Buddha would bless Gu Ruoxiao to return safely.

She kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead turning red.

"donor."

Yun Chu looked in the direction of the sound and saw the old monk sweeping dust outside the courtyard that day.

Yun Chu bowed respectfully.

"How is your health, benefactor?" the old monk asked.

"Are you Master Liaoran?" Yun Chu asked after thinking for a moment.

“Indeed, Old Nafa is quite clear.”

“Master Liaoran, I wish to seek the safety of one person,” Yun Chu said.

The old monk sighed, "The life and death of the person you seek is predetermined."

"But..."

"Does the benefactor still remember the signed agreement?"

"I remember, it will last for all eternity, until death do us part."

“Then you should know that this is destiny.”

"But I'm alive and well, how could he be dead?"

“Benefactor, you have already died once,” Master Liaoran said, looking at Yun Chu.

Yun Chu's eyes widened suddenly. He meant, Ruo Xiao, he... Yun Chu's heart sank instantly.

"I want him to come back safely!" Yun Chu said anxiously, looking at the master.

“Benefactor, I once told you not to be greedy or to force things. Do you remember that?”

“I remember. But I must take his life,” Yun Chu insisted.

Master Liaoran sighed, “Benefactor, this is a tribulation in his destiny. If it is averted, it may be replaced by another tribulation. The world is about cause and effect, and the balance of yin and yang. Your prayer for his peace will backfire on you, turning into a tribulation between you and him. Benefactor, you should not force it.”

"Is the conflict between him and me a matter of life and death?"

"It has nothing to do with it."

“Then I’ll change it. I want him to come back safely,” Yun Chu said earnestly to the master.

The master shook his head.

"Master, I beg you!" Yun Chu knelt down. "I want him back safely. I'll do anything for him!"

"Sigh!" The master sighed and took out a copper coin from his pocket. A thin talisman was tied to the coin, and a red thread was tied to the talisman.

"Go and throw this into the Pond of Hope for Life." Master Liaoran handed the copper coin to Yun Chu.

"Thank you, Master!" Yun Chu kowtowed in gratitude.

When she looked up, the master was already gone.

She stumbled out, and Nan Rao and the others who were waiting outside the hall quickly surrounded her.

"Your Highness, why is your forehead all red?"

"Where is Wangsheng Pond?" she asked.

“Over there, I just saw it.” Zhu Ling pointed to a spot not far away.

Yun Chu hurriedly ran over.

"Your Highness, please slow down."

Standing by the Wangsheng Pond, Yun Chu tossed a copper coin into it. The deep, green pool was filled with swirling, obscuring the view.

Yun Chu clasped her hands together in prayer, hoping that Gu Ruoxiao would return safely.

After she finished praying, she suddenly felt a strong wave of dizziness. The world before her eyes began to blur, and then everything went black. She lost consciousness and fainted.

When she woke up, she was already in the Prince's mansion.

Zhu Ling brought over a bowl of porridge. "Your Highness, the doctor said you fainted because of insufficient qi and blood. Please eat something."

Yun Chu obediently took the porridge and started eating.

The extent to which he obeyed astonished Zhu Ling.

Yun Chu thought that Gu Ruoxiao would definitely come back, so she should take good care of herself and wait for him to return.

Three days later, she received a letter from Chiwu, saying that the Black Knights and secret guards were searching for the prince's whereabouts and would send a message to the princess as soon as they had any news.

Ten days later, Chiwu sent a letter saying that he had found clues to the prince's whereabouts and was searching for him based on the clues.

Fifteen days later, Chiwu sent a letter saying that a wandering doctor had seen the prince, but in another county.

Things are moving in a positive direction.

Twenty days later, Chiwu sent a letter saying that they had finally found the Prince. However, the Prince was seriously injured and it was not advisable for him to travel a long distance back to the capital. The letter also mentioned that the Princess should wait patiently in the capital and not travel long distances to look for him.

When Yun Chu received the letter that day, she finally cried in front of Nan Rao and the others.

She longed to get to Gu Ruoxiao's side immediately, but Zhu Ling's words made her put her mind at ease.

Zhu Ling said that the prince wouldn't allow her to go because he didn't want the princess to be saddened by his serious injuries. The prince couldn't bear to see the princess upset. So the princess waited patiently for the prince to return at the palace.

On the 25th day, Chiwu said that Elder Wei had arrived and begun treating the prince, and that the princess should rest assured.

After a month, Chiwu said that the prince could walk again and his health was improving day by day.

Twenty days ago, Chiwu said that they had begun their journey back to Beijing.

Great news! Gu Ruoxiao is coming back! Yun Chu cried again.

Five days ago, Chiwu said that the prince would be able to return home in a few days.

From the moment Yun Chu learned that Gu Ruoxiao had gone to the front lines, she was determined to help him protect the Great Jin and safeguard the Emperor. Now that he was injured, she would do what he wanted to do in his absence.

She was busy at the same time, anxiously waiting for Gu Ruoxiao to return.

That day, the sun shone brightly, and magpies chirped incessantly on the branches.

"Your Highness, the Prince is back!" Zhu Ling called out before even stepping into the courtyard.

Upon hearing this, Yun Chu hurriedly got up and ran outside. Gu Ruoxiao was back! The person she had been longing for was back!

She rushed to the gate of the mansion and saw Gu Ruoxiao, who had just gotten off the carriage. He had lost a lot of weight, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

He was facing away from her, talking to Chengfeng beside him.

Yun Chu walked to within a meter of him, but she didn't dare to rush at him. She was afraid that his injuries hadn't healed yet, and what if she pulled on his wounds?

"You're back?" she asked softly, her eyes welling up with tears, her voice filled with longing.

Gu Ruoxiao turned around to look at her, and Yun Chu was about to step forward.

The next second, he drew the sword from the side of him and thrust it forward.

"Your Majesty!"

"princess!"

A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd.

Yun Chu's eyes widened as she watched the sword pierce her left shoulder, blood seeping into her clothes and a sharp pain instantly washing over her. The longing in her eyes hadn't faded, yet her brows furrowed slightly.