Chapter 2: 002 Sword Dance (I'm Back!)

 Chapter 2: 002 Sword Dance (I'm Back!)  

Spring in March brought blooming flowers in the garden, a profusion of colors painting the air with a delicate fragrance.  

A mistress and her maid strolled leisurely along a winding cobblestone path toward a small lake.  

"Miss, look, it's the Third Miss and His Highness the Second Prince," Liu Li exclaimed, pointing ahead with excitement.  

By the lakeside stood a two-story waterside pavilion, its structure seamlessly blending with the shimmering reflections of the water.  

The spring breeze carried a rich floral fragrance and the melodious voice of a young girl:  

"Cousin, how do you like this pair of mandarin-duck swords? They were my birthday gift from Father."  

On the open ground beside the pavilion stood a girl with an oval face, dressed in a pink jacket embroidered with intricate patterns of hibiscus flowers. She handed one of the swords to the youth beside her with a graceful gesture.  

The girl in pink gazed intently at the boy, her eyes filled with nothing but him. Her gaze was tender, as if imbued with a deep and affectionate longing.  

The boy, around fourteen or fifteen years old, had handsome features with a fair complexion, red lips, and white teeth. He wore a lake-blue robe with a subtle pattern of the Eight Immortals and a jade-adorned belt. His jet-black hair was tied back with a white jade hairpin, giving him a refined and gentle air that left a good impression on anyone who saw him.  

The youth in blue took the sword and unsheathed it partway with a swift motion, the silver blade gleaming coldly under the sunlight.  

"Excellent sword, Cousin Ling!" he praised, before returning the blade to its scabbard.  

He was about to hand the sword back to Chu Qianling when his gaze shifted toward Chu Qianchen. A faint smile curved his lips, like the warm March sun touching the earth, filling the air with warmth.  

Chu Qianling also noticed Chu Qianchen, her gaze turning icy as she glared at her face.  

"Sister Chen," the boy in blue addressed her, walking toward Chu Qianchen with the sword in hand.  

His tone was gentle and courteous, devoid of any princely aloofness.  

"Cousin," Chu Qianchen said, meeting his gaze steadily, her eyes deep with emotion.  

Gu Nanzhao, it’s been a long time.  

This was none other than the Second Prince of the Qi Dynasty, her cousin.  

In her past life, her youthful ignorance led her to believe she was special to him.  

She harbored dreams and admiration for him, thinking he was the kindest and most perfect man in the world. However, reality had dealt her a harsh lesson.  

After her face was disfigured, he gradually distanced himself from her, choosing someone else...  

She had been heartbroken, filled with grief, resentment, and self-doubt. Looking back now, years later, she could only laugh at how foolish her younger self had been.  

Seeing Gu Nanzhao again now, Chu Qianchen felt an unprecedented calm. He no longer stirred any waves in her heart.  

"Sister Chen, I heard you caught a cold recently. Are you feeling better now?" Gu Nanzhao asked with a gentle smile, showing concern.  

"I'm much better these past two days," Chu Qianchen replied with a faint smile, her tone calm.  

Behind her, Chu Qianling stared daggers at Chu Qianchen, her delicate face twisting slightly. She fumed inwardly: *What cold? Chu Qianchen is obviously pretending! If not, why would she rush over as soon as she heard Cousin was here? How shameless!*  

Gu Nanzhao continued, "Sister Chen, the spring cold—"  

Before he could finish, Chu Qianling interrupted loudly from behind, "Second Sister, I’ve been so worried about you these past few days, but I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I dared not visit."  

Chu Qianling, the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Chu family, was ranked third among the sisters and was only a year younger than Chu Qianchen.  

As she spoke, she quickly stepped forward, her face full of concern as she looked at Chu Qianchen with a show of sisterly affection, as if Chu Qianchen's illness had nothing to do with her.  

"Third Sister, I’m much better now, so I came out for a walk in the garden," Chu Qianchen replied with a smile.  

"That’s great!" Chu Qianling said cheerfully, her gaze lingering on Chu Qianchen’s face. Her bright black eyes shone unusually under the sunlight. "It’s been a few days, and Second Sister has grown even more beautiful!"  

Chu Qianling's heart was filled with resentment, and her eyes flashed with a trace of grievance.

She had always disliked her second elder sister from the main branch. Despite being just a concubine-born daughter, Chu Qianchen's beauty outshone all the other sisters in the family. Her skin was like polished jade, her features delicate as if painted, and her youthful charm resembled a budding peach blossom—radiant and captivating.

Gu Nanzhao's gaze lingered on Chu Qianchen with a gentle smile, his expression clear and bright. "Beautiful, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley."

Chu Qianling's eyelashes quivered, and her expression darkened for a moment. However, by the time she looked up, her face had returned to its usual calm. She smiled sweetly at Chu Qianchen, saying, "Second Sister, I was just talking to Cousin about this. My father recently gave me a pair of mandarin-duck swords. Come take a look!"

The words were exactly the same as in her previous life. Chu Qianchen simply curved her lips in a faint smile but said nothing.

She knew all too well what Chu Qianling would say next.

"It's been ages since we last practiced sword dancing together, hasn't it?" Chu Qianling stepped forward affectionately, taking Chu Qianchen's arm and pressing one of the swords into her hand.

"My father went to such lengths to gift me these swords. Why don't we perform a sword dance together?"

Then she turned her gaze to Gu Nanzhao, who was standing a few steps away, and said with a radiant smile, "Cousin, it's been a while since you've seen Second Sister dance with a sword, hasn't it?"

Gu Nanzhao's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Sister Chen, I still remember your last sword dance during your birthday. It was as graceful as a startled swan and as elegant as a swimming dragon..."

His gaze was tender, his handsome face seemingly glowing.

Chu Qianchen glanced at the sword in her hand, appearing momentarily hesitant. The embedded rubies sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight, each the size of a fingertip. 

Liu Li, standing nearby, chimed in with a laugh, "Miss, I agree with His Highness the Second Prince. You look like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm when you dance with a sword. It's truly stunning!"

Chu Qianchen turned her head slowly toward Liu Li, her smile faint yet devoid of warmth in her dark eyes.

In her previous life, it had been the same. Liu Li had urged her to dance with Chu Qianling, repeatedly invoking the Second Prince's name.

She had agreed then. What followed was the destruction of her face.

Drawing the sword from its sheath, Chu Qianchen watched as the cold glint of the blade reflected in her eyes, making them shine like the stars. A faint aura of heroism and icy beauty surrounded her.

"Alright, I'll spar with Third Sister," she said with a smile.

Her lips curled deeper, her youthful visage under the sunlight radiant and as captivating as a camellia in full bloom.

Since they had gone to such lengths to make her dance, she would oblige.

Let her see whether Chu Qianling's actions were deliberate or unintentional this time.

It was easy to find out—just follow the script of her past life.

Gu Nanzhao appeared pleased, his smile warm as he said, "Then I shall provide accompaniment."

Chu Qianling quickly ordered a maid to bring a jade flute.

Soon, the clear and ethereal sound of the flute echoed by the lakeside, blending harmoniously with the gentle spring breeze.

Beneath the willow trees, the youth in blue played the jade flute elegantly.

The two girls, similar in stature, each held a sword and began dancing gracefully. With each strike of the flute's rhythm, they moved in unison, thrusting their swords forward in perfect synchrony.

As the tempo quickened, the two spun lightly, their movements as agile as swallows, their swords flowing with the rhythm. Their dance was visually captivating, though lacking the power and strength of seasoned swordsmen—it was more for display than combat.

Gu Nanzhao played the flute while his gaze lingered on Chu Qianchen.

At thirteen, the girl's slender figure moved nimbly, her long skirt swirling like blooming lotus flowers along the hem.

Her radiant face shimmered under the sunlight, her skin as flawless as jade, her lips as vivid as blossoms, and her dark eyes gleaming like starlight. She was a breathtaking sight, a perfect harmony of cold elegance and youthful grace.

Sword and maiden—sharpness and softness intertwined—a scene as beautiful as a painting.

Gu Nanzhao's eyes filled with warmth, his gaze as tender as spring water.

Chu Qianling noticed his expression and followed his gaze, landing on Chu Qianchen's exquisite face.

It was her face again!

If not for that face, would Cousin still look at her this way?

Chu Qianling's lips pressed into a tight line, a flash of malice flickering in her eyes. Suddenly, she turned sharply, her sword sweeping wide, and let out a startled cry.

Her sword slipped from her grasp, flashing silver as it flew directly toward Chu Qianchen like a bolt of lightning.

I'm back! Did you all miss me? 

See you next time at the usual time~~ End of Chapter