In the festive newlyweds' room, Zheng Wan clenched her fists tightly and waited nervously for Cui Wang's answer.
Although chances were slim, maybe... she could still strike the lottery?
"After we get out, I can make you the crown princess again."
Cui Wang's answer was completely out of Zheng Wan's expectations; she did not expect...
His proposition meant that she had failed.
Her engagement with the crown Prince had just been annulled the day before, and here she was, professing her love to him. On the surface, his offer to mend the broken engagement seemed to be for her sake, when in fact, he was affirming her fickle and vain nature-
In other words, he did not believe that she was truly in love with him.
"State- State Preceptor, if you don't like me, just say so. Why push me away to someone else?"
Cui Wang cast his eyes downward; his gaze seemed sarcastic and mocking.
"Someone else? The day before, the two of you were still engaged to be married."
"So what?"
Zheng Wan squeezed his sleeves tightly. She seemed to be annoyed, but also proud. "If I, Zheng Wan, must marry, I want to marry a hero who can save me from danger, j-just like... State Preceptor did earlier. I don't care if you are a wanderer or a blade of grass.
"In addition, the crown prince was the one who had abandoned me. N-no matter what, I will never be betrothed to him again."
With affection in one eye, and stubbornness in the other, she held her head high huffily.
Cui Wang looked at her.
"But I am not willing to, don't want to, don't wish to."
With three consecutive 'no's, he conveyed his determination to refuse.
"Why?"
The light in Zheng Wan's eyes dimmed instantly, but she regained her strength in a moment. She clenched her fists to encourage herself, and asked, "Is it because the State Preceptor doesn't find Wan'niang beautiful enough?"
"If you think so, then so be it."
Without waiting for Zheng Wan's response, Cui Wang stepped back, widening the distance between them. He turned his head to look at the painting, and said, "It has changed."
"What has changed?"
Zheng Wan was still immersed in the heartfelt blow she had just received, looking wane and weary.
The one thing she was most proud of was her appearance, but she had been put down repeatedly in this aspect in front of this son of the Cui clan of Boling. Before she had the time to adjust her mood, she turned reflexively to what Cui Wang was looking at-all the indignation she had been feeling flew away in an instant.
The painting hanging on the wall has changed!
The couple who had been bowing to each other just a moment ago, was now beside a table. There was only a short bit left of the dragon and phoenix candles; the couple's arms were intertwined, each drinking from a nuptial wine cup simultaneously. They seemed to be...
...full of affection.
She instantly turned around to look at the Puppet Mirror enshrined between the dragon and phoenix candles, and was astonished yet again:
"This has changed too!"
The mirror had started to play a scene of her and Cui Wang drinking nuptial wine together. She wasn't sure if it was only her imagination, but Zheng Wan suddenly felt that the dragon and phoenix candles on the table were burning faster.
Cui Wang's lips were pressed tightly into a flat line, revealing his opposition; nevertheless, he still explained:
"The shadow play is not over."
"State Preceptor, do you mean that... we still have to continue acting?"
"Yes."
Cui Wang nodded.
For some reason, Zheng Wan felt that the temperature around her had suddenly dropped by a lot. She couldn't help rubbing her shoulders:
"It's so cold."
It was cold, no doubt, but she was in a rather good mood.
This transient realm was turning out to be a blessed place for her; things were going in the direction she wanted.
Didn't Cui Wang dislike her, and constantly rejected her?
But he still had to act out this play with her like a marionette. It would be even better if this shadow play had a consummation scene. If it did, she wondered if the young Sword Sovereign would sacrifice that pure and noble body of his for the sake of breaking out of this realm.
......By that time, he wouldn't be able to shake off his responsibility even if he wanted to.
Zheng Wan's heart was full of inappropriate thoughts, but her face bore the expression of an aggrieved young wife; she went over to the table with reddened eyes, mustered her courage and filled the nuptial wine cup, then sat down.
Cui Wang moved faster than her. He had already filled his cup, and was waiting for her with one arm outstretched.
The wide sleeves of the red mangpao fell upon the edge of the table, looking charming in the candlelight.
Zheng Wan looked at him and slowly reached out her arm, wrapping it around his right arm like a vine.
Beneath the flesh of the man's arm were bones of steel and iron. Both of their clothes were extremely thin and when pressed together, she could feel Cui Wang's robust and stretched tendons. Touching them felt like touching velvety cold iron.
She glanced faintly at him:
"State Preceptor, Wan'niang can drink this nuptial wine; I won't hold you responsible either. Just look at me and tell me honestly, is Wan'niang really ugly?"
Father once said when he was drunk that he fell in love with Mother when their eyes met in a crowd; she would try this method out today.
If she failed again...
Well, she just had to redouble her efforts.
Zheng Wan was still inwardly anxious, but Cui Wang had already raised his eyes to look at her.
Those eyes were extremely beautiful; the tails of the eyes were long and narrow, and long raven eyelashes cast fan-shaped silhouettes on his face. Candlelight cast overlapping shadows into his eyes; they seemed as if a burning flame had been ignited-and those flames carried a surge of affection.
Zheng Wan only felt that there was a scorching hot, yet icy cold blade hidden in his gaze. It scraped across her face inch by inch, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Her eyes watered from her prolonged staring, and she blinked unknowingly.
Cui Wang nodded and said:
"Zheng Qingwu1, you have indeed been born with an excellent physical appearance."
With this sentence, Zheng Wan was satisfied.
She wrapped her arm tighter around his. The wide sleeves of her red wedding gown slipped down, revealing a frosty wrist as fair as snow, and red-painted fingernails. Under the candlelight, they actually seemed breathtakingly magnificent.
"To us."
The two looked at each other, then looked away again, and downed the wine in unison.
A gust of wind suddenly arose; Zheng Wan's arm was still poised in mid-air when she noticed that the image in the mirror had changed again.
Suddenly, the east turned fish-belly white3-a faint light passed through the paper window screens into the room. It was...
Dawn.
In the mirror, was a playful scene of a lovers' game in the boudoir: Cui Wang held a thin brush and was painting her eyebrows2 for her. The painting on the wall had also changed to one reflecting the joys of "Zhang Chang Painting His Wife's Eyebrows"4-the consummation scene had been omitted.
Could it be that the Puppet Mirror actually had a conscience, and knew that it shouldn't peep into other people's privacy?
Zheng Wan felt regretful, but she moved automatically in front of the dressing table and sat down. She looked shyly at Cui Wang and said, "Mister- Mister Cui5, you have to hurry, the incense... is about to burn out."
She took the liberty of addressing him more intimately; Cui Wang did not raise any objections.
He walked up to Zheng Wan, looked back at the Puppet Mirror, and picked out an identical brush from the vanity box. But when the time came to begin drawing, he was troubled.
The little lady's skin was delicate and white, and she had a pair of thin and curved eyebrows. She was already born with the best appearance, so there was no way to start.
Zheng Wan bit her lip and touched his wrist tentatively; this time, she didn't meet with any opposition. She held it firmly-it was cold to the touch-and said simply, "Watch this."
Cui Wang let her guide his hand; he drew lightly from the head of the eyebrow to the peak, then from the peak to the tail. The woman's skin was as delicate as porcelain. He steadied himself, and finished painting one brow with undivided attention. Zheng Wan let go of his hand; she tilted her small face up at him and urged:
"Hurry up, there is still one more side."
Cui Wang looked at her silently and saw that the little lady had closed her eyes, so he had no choice but to follow the pattern to draw the other side.
When he finished, he put down the brush and said:
"It's done."
Only then did Zheng Wan open her eyes. She looked in the mirror, and saw the reflection of a woman with a pair of thinly arched brows. It was a rather novel look; the left eyebrow was curved like a new crescent or a willow leaf, thin and soft, while the one on the right... twisted and wriggly, like a fat worm was curved and twisted, like a fat worm on a mulberry leaf.
She hated bugs the most.
Without realising it, Zheng Wan puffed up her cheeks; she found that Cui Wang wore a rare look of embarrassment, pushed her luck and said, "Redraw it." Her voice took on the usual wheedling tone she used with Father, a little spoiled and pettishly charming.
Cui Wang glanced at the candles and saw that there was still a little left. He gave an "Mm", and really picked up the brush, wiped clean her right eyebrow again, and started redrawing it.
Zheng Wan tilted her head up and didn't close her eyes this time. She looked straight at him as the soft silk swept across her cheek. As she gazed at him, her face turned red, but the words that came out were very bold:
"Mister Cui, you are so good looking."
Cui Wang paused; the little lady's eyes were clear and innocent, as if all the hidden cunning from before had disappeared, leaving only eyes full of joy and adoration.
"It's done."
He finished the last stroke. When he set the brush down, the sky was bright, and even the Puppet Mirror was shining brightly.
Zheng Wan forced her eyes open, and as tears squeezed out from the strain of the effort, she seemed to see a wisp of smoke rise out of the mirror, and there was a woman's shrill and bitter laugh in her ear.
"...When at leisure your heart changed, then 'all hearts are changeable' is what you claim6... Men are so inconsistent, so fickle! Hahahahahahaha..."
The female ghosts of supernatural novels came instantly into Zheng Wan's mind; she grabbed Cui Wang's sleeve and moved reflexively to hide behind him. Unexpectedly, before she managed to duck behind him, the Puppet Mirror flew in front of her, and in jerky movements, drew a...
...flower in mid air?
Zheng Wan cried, "There's a ghost!"
She buried her head in Cui Wang's arms, her body trembling with fear.
"Get up."
Cui Wang's tone revealed his impatience.
Zheng Wan hugged him hard around the waist and shook her head. "There's a ghost."
"That is your chance."
Cui Wang peeled her fingers away one by one; he beckoned, and the mirror flew obediently into his hand. He handed to her, "It wants to recognise you as its Mister; give a drop of blood."
Zheng Wan then remembered the all-powerful immortal objects from her dream.
"This is a... magical item?"
"Spiritual item."
Cui Wang flicked his finger; Zheng Wan felt a pain in her fingertip, and a drop of red blood, seemingly pulled by a traction force, dripped into the mirror. She felt that the atmosphere was clearer, as if there was suddenly something else.
"You have no vital energy in your body, so you can only use it as a mirror. However, if there is a killing intent, there will be a protective force-mortal man cannot hurt you. As for the rest...
"...Never mind. You will find out later."
Cui Wang spoke with indifference. He didn't seem to have any regrets about the fact that the mirror had been taken away by her.
"How does one get vital energy?"
Zheng Wan quickly seized the opportunity to ask.
Cui Wang looked at her.
"From cultivation."
"M-Mister Cui, can you teach me?" Zheng Wan plucked up her courage to ask, as she squeezed the handle of the Puppet Mirror. She was unaware that the ambition blazing in her eyes was clearly exposed.
"No."
Zheng Wan deflated like a punctured ball; she almost bit through her lower lip. "I thought- Well, we've at least gone through life and death together once."
Cui Wang answered her with a gust of wind; Zheng Wan was sent to another corner of the room by a soft wind, and the white silk between their wrists tightened into a straight line due to the distance.
"Stay three zhang away from me."
Zheng Wan was almost overwhelmed by her sense of loss.
She thought her efforts had paid off, but with the man's sudden outburst, everything was back to square one.
The weak can only ask for mercy.
Fortunately, there was still a protective spiritual item; spiritual items were much more powerful than magical items.
Zheng Wan rallied herself. With the slightest stirrings of intent, the mirror disappeared from her hand. At the same time, a delicate tattoo appeared on her wrist. She touched it with her fingertips and found that there was a lingering joy in her heart.
It seemed like the mirror was trying to express their close relationship.
Zheng Wan still didn't know how she had won the mirror's favour. She saw Cui Wang circle around the room with his hands clasped behind his back, then finally walking back to the now blank painting.
"What's the matter?"
She went over; Cui Wang did not expect her to adjust her mood so quickly, and glanced at her in surprise before turning away. He spread his right palm out and placed it on the painting for a moment-then, the painting disappeared.
"Hmm?" Cui Wang brows furrowed, then relaxed again in an instant. There was a rare smile on his face.
"What is this?"
Maybe it was because they had gone through some experiences together, Cui Wang did not tell her to stay one zhang away, and even answered her question. "A small transient realm. It will take a lot of time before it grows into a big transient realm."
He thought that Zheng Wan didn't understand, but his words had already set off a storm in her heart.
Original transient realms are akin to seeds, they cannot be controlled by humans-but secondary transient realms could.
No matter how ignorant she was, she knew that having control of a realm was a terrifying power--this was clearly a divine object that Cui Wang obtained only in the later stage of his cultivation; even if it was currently an unformed transient realm, it was still incredible.
All living things were born to support humans, but even humans were beings that were borne of transient realms.
Having obtained this object, Cui Wang obtained the power equivalent to having an entire world supporting one human...
No, that's not right, how could such a divine object have appeared in the mortal realm?
Could it be that her appearance had caused a change in the transient realm that Cui Wang was supposed to enter?
Zheng Wan was puzzled. Cui Wang also found it strange; he waved his hand and put away the small transient realm. The wall that had been tightly blocked disappeared, and a long dark tunnel appeared in front of them.
"Follow me."
Cui Wang offered her his sleeve on his own initiative. "A strange treasure has descended from the heavens-I'm afraid that the road ahead will be difficult. Don't stray more than one zhang away from me."
"The State Preceptor ordered me to stay three zhang away just now." Zheng Wan remained stubbornly where she was.
Cui Wang said nothing more, and just made another move-the little lady who had been so far away moments ago was suddenly right next to him.
He held out his sleeve. "Hold it."
Only then did Zheng Wan grab it, happy as a lark; she thought to herself smugly:
He knows how to offer his sleeve on his own accord now.
Footnotes:
1 Zheng Qingwan: He calls her 郑清芜 (Zheng Qingwu) here instead of 郑菀(Zheng Wan); if you recall from the end of Chapter 1, it is revealed that her courtesy name is Zheng Qingwu, usually used by peers as a mark of respect. (After one has come of age, usually only their elders are allowed to call them by their given name.)
Translator's note: I thought it might be fun to try to understand her names a little, and this is purely based on my understanding, and not canon! (At least, the author hasn't mentioned it till now.) The courtesy name is derived from the given name, and expresses virtue or the meaning of the real name in addition to the given name. Zheng Wan's given name, 菀 (Wan), is used to describe a "lush appearance (of nature), exuberant, flourishing, luxuriant". The first character of her courtesy name, 清 (Qing), means 'clear', and can also mean 'clean up'; and the second character 芜 (wu), is used to describe overgrown/ disorderly/ wild grasslands/ weeds- so the entire name together could be read to mean "clearing disorderliness/ overgrowth of weeds", which pairs well with the meaning of her given name, and actually adds a deeper meaning to it (i.e. Zheng Wan being one who clears away what is unsightly, to restore beauty and flourishing growth) Another side note is the radical used for the characters in both names are the same 艹 (used for grass/ nature), and this strengthens the imagery/ relationship between the names. I thought this was a neat detail on the author's part, and I hope you enjoyed this little titbit too!
2 painting eyebrows: Chinese women have always paid great attention to their eyebrows as they believe that this facial feature is linked to their fate. In ancient times, they would shave their eyebrows and draw new ones instead. Initially, Chinese ladies favoured black eyebrows, using expensive conch ink imported from Persia, but in the second and third century AD, green and blue eyebrows became fashionable-at least in royal circles. Fun fact: it's been recorded that red, yellow, blue, green, purple, black, dark grey have been used as eyebrow colours by the ancient Chinese women.
3 fish-belly white: As white as a fish's belly.
4 "Zhang Chang Painting His Wife's Eyebrows": 张敞画眉; A Chinese idiom used to as a metaphor for a harmonious relationship between couples. It is based on the story of Zhang Chang, an official in the Han Dynasty, who made a practice of painting his wife's eyebrows every morning to cover up a scar she got from childhood.
5 Mister Cui: Here, she is calling him 崔先生-in modern terminology, 先生is now Mr. (i.e. Mr Cui), but in ancient times, this term was used for males born earlier than you (e.g. father and elder brothers), learned men, teachers, or intellectual men/ men of certain status who have come of age. It is a more affectionate term than 郎君 (langjun, TL: gentleman) that she had used to address him before this.
6 The exact phrase that is being quoted here is from a Qing dynasty poem by Nalan Xingde, titled "Mulan flower: An elegy" (木兰花令·拟古决绝词), it means something like: You casually changed the affection you once had for me, but in turn say that it is only human nature, and that people's feelings are inherently changeable. The poem is a lover's lamentation at how easily her lover has broken his commitment to her in spite of the deep affection they used to have.