Chapter Text
Some people had forgotten about Zhou Zishu entirely. Those who remembered him could only speak of the person he used to be. A kind omega with bright eyes and the persistence of a young heir to a blossoming clan. Ten years later, he was only a shell of the bright young man many people thought of.
Locked away in the Window of Heaven, Zhou Zishu’s days have been the same for years. After waking up at dawn he dresses in the robes given to him and eats the breakfast brought to him. Then, he stays in his room until he’s needed by his cousin and Leader of the Window of Heaven clan Jin Wang. Jin Wang was the only person Zhou Zishu could run to after the death of his clan and accepted the omega was open arms. Still, Zhou Zishu couldn’t help but feel like a stranger in his cousin’s house, even after ten years. At times he felt more like a prisoner, caged until he was needed to gain information. The skills he learned in the Four Seasons manor, including disguise and stealth, were used by the Window of Heaven to keep all the smaller clans under their thumb. Zhou Zishu had always been conflicted about using his skills for Jin Wang but thought that he owed the man for taking him and his younger adopted brother in. That didn’t stop the guilt that slinked through him every time he went out on a mission.
Missions had been few and far between lately and it made Zhou Zishu anxious. Peaceful times were not something he ever got familiar with. Still, there was nothing that he could do within the gaudy, golden walls that became his sanctuary and his place of confinement. Such was life as an omega with no clan to call a real home.
The day that everything fell apart started no differently than the day before. Zhou Zishu rustled awake as the sun breached the horizon and lit up his overbearingly large room. The room was sparsely decorated with gifts from Jin Wang, something the alpha did to show off his wealth and grace. All the things Zhou Zishu had from his old life in the Four Seasons manor were packed away in a single trunk or with his little brother, Qin Jiuxiao, in his home outside the clan leader’s manor.
Not wanting the handmaidens to put their hands all over to wash and dress him, Zhou Zishu hurried to his vanity to clean up and make himself presentable. In the Window of Heaven omegas were beautiful gems owned by the Clan Leader. Meant to be admired and lusted after but never heard. Behind the scenes, the omegas closest to Jin Wang were the reason why he was one of the most powerful clan leaders of the time. In the public eye, they had to play the part or risk being ostracized.
Part of playing the part was wearing the colors of the Window of Heaven. Zhou Zishu often reminisced about the bright and colorful robes of the Four Seasons clan. He would run around with his younger clan members in their beautiful robes, hand-embroidered with the flowers that decorated the mountains in all four seasons. The only robes that made it out of the fires were the ones on Zhou Zishu’s back. Now, he was always dressed in the gold, black, and greys of the Window of Heaven. Thick cloths that weighed a ton were helpful in the colder climate but they weighed on him in more than one way. The robes were luxurious and rather beautiful but despite how well made they were they would always lack the life that Four Seasons’ robes had.
He was already dressed before the handmaidens arrived so they brought his breakfast to his small, solo dining table. Zhou Zishu took almost all his meals there, as most omegas only ate regular meals with the higher level of the clan if they were already mated and their partners allowed it. Unmated omegas of marrying age were barely seen outside the main manor.
As he ate his breakfast, Zhou Zishu longed for the days when he was treated the same as his alpha and beta counterparts. That kind of hierarchy didn’t exist in the Four Seasons clan. Zhou Zishu, as an omega, was meant to inherit the entire clan and his claim on it had never been questioned. He could only look back on those days with a sad fondness.
“Young Master Zhou, Leader Jin has asked for your presence immediately after breakfast.” One of the handmaidens said to him, and Zhou Zishu only nodded in response. The air around the handmaidens was more grave than usual but he learned not to ask questions. People lied often and Zhou Zishu trusted his perception over everything else, so watching and listening for clues was a must.
After his meal was done Zhou Zishu made the long walk to the main hall. A couple of handmaidens trailed behind him as he made his way across the expansive manor. His black robes weighed him down intensely, gold belt accentuating his waist and matching the hairpins tying up his long black hair. The omega felt more like a doll, or maybe a painted-up actress in a play.
The doors to the main hall were tall and imposing, a hint of the grand nature of the hall itself. Zhou Zishu felt stifled just from standing in front of those doors as he waited to be announced.
“Young Master Zhou requests to enter the main hall.” A servant announced. Jin Wang’s voice rang out through the door.
“Come in, Zhou Zishu.”
The main hall was already full when Zhou Zishu walked in. Jin Wang sat in his ornate golden chair in the back center of the room, elevated off the floor with three steps so he could look over his subjects. As Zhou Zishu walked down the long aisle between the door and Jin Wang he took in all the people there. It seemed that all the advisors and high members of the clan were there, staring Zhou Zishu down. He wondered what type of show they were in attendance to see.
The most familiar face was Jing Beiyuan, Zhou Zishu’s closest friend and fellow omega. The regal young master sat at Jin Wang’s left side so the entire court could see the Clan Leader’s favorite omega. Jing Wang was the only omega in the entire clan that had Jin Wang’s ear and all his trust. He was also the one behind the Window of Heaven’s most successful strategies. If Zhou Zishu was Jin Wang’s eyes and ears, Jing Beiyuan was his brain.
Usually, Jing Beiyuan was stoic but kind, with a playful charm in his eyes. Now, it seemed like the omega was front seat at a funeral. Tears fell from his eyes unchecked and his hands shook in his lap. His typical air of indifference was replaced with a grave, sorrowful gaze. When their eyes met, Zhou Zishu’s eyes immediately began to tear up. Whatever this news was, Zhou Zishu knew that nothing would be the same again.
Zhou Zishu broke eye contact with Jing Beiyuan and kneeled down a few feet away from the steps toward Jin Wang’s throne. He brought his hands up before him and bowed low before sitting on his knees.
“This humble member greets you, Clan Leader.”
Jin Wang stared down at Zhou Zishu like a predator ready to take down their next meal. The air in the room was so heavy that it pressed down on his entire body. Zhou Zishu couldn’t move and could barely breathe.
“Smile, Zhou Zishu.” Jing Wang’s voice boomed through the room and sent a shiver down Zhou Zishu’s spine.
“Your wedding is in just a few days.”
Zhou Zishu’s heart lept into his throat and choked him, bringing tears to his eyes. He hadn’t heard anything of a marriage within the clan, especially not his own. He worried that Jin Wang was making good on his threats to take Zhou Zishu as a concubine. Married only in name as a way to keep Zhou Zishu locked away forever.
“Wedding?” Zhou Zishu asked, voice wavering. Jin Wang’s grin was sickeningly satisfied as he poured salt on the wound he just opened.
“Tomorrow I will personally escort you to Ghost Valley and you will be wed to Ghost Valley Chief.”
Zhou Zishu had to cover his mouth to prevent a sob from coming out. His breakfast threatened to come back up and he collapsed to the floor. As he fell, Zhou Zishu prayed that it was all just a nightmare.
*****
10 years ago
The sound of screaming woke Zhou Zishu out of his sleep with a start. He barely had time to get out of bed before a roaring fire reached his room. Screaming and yelling came from all sides and his people were scrambling in an attempt to fight or flee from what was attacking them. Zhou Zishu, only sixteen years old, didn’t hesitate to grab his sword and run straight into the fight.
Fires had erupted everywhere in the manor and surrounding city. Zhou Zishu didn’t have to go far to find the attackers. They came towards him wearing fiery red clothes with white masks that resembled ghosts. Zhou Zishu had only seen them in drawings but they struck fear in him nevertheless.
Members of Ghost Valley were notorious fighters who didn’t care if they lived or died. Their chief’s only mission in life was destruction and his warriors dealt it out with impunity. As Zhou Zishu fought through those unyielding fighters he could only think about his adopted family. He ran towards the clan leader’s quarters, evading the attackers as he ran.
Zhou Zishu ran straight to the sound of a baby crying, knowing exactly who he would find. Qin Jiuxiao was in his dead mother’s arms, cradled tightly even as she lay still. Zhou Zishu kneeled beside her and covered her before bundling the baby in his arms. Outside the quarters Zhou Zishu could hear his master and members fighting with their attackers. He ran towards the sound, determined to help if he could.
Qin Huizhang, leader of the clan, fought with determination outside the main hall. His whip-like sword cut through Ghost Valley members without hesitation. He caught sight of Zhou Zishu and the bundle in his arms and shouted for him to run.
“Clan Leader!”
Someone grabbed Zhou Zishu’s arm and pulled him away, running away from the fight. He hesitated but he knew that he needed to protect Qin Jiuxiao above anything else. The two of them ran towards the main hall. The false wall in the back led to a secret chamber and Zhou Zishu hurried inside with the baby in his arms.
“Don’t move, don’t leave, just stay here until it’s over.”
Arms came around him in a quick embrace and lips touched his for second. Before he could react, the chamber was locked and Zhou Zishu was locked inside with Qin Jiuxiao. He screamed for the boy who left him there, not wanting this time to be their last.
“Zhen Yan, come back!!”
****
“Please, Cousin, please rethink this.”
Zhou Zishu was still kneeling, his forehead pressed hard into the carpet of the main hall. Tears fell freely, ruining his makeup and blurring his vision. His fingernail clung to the carpet in front of him in an attempt to keep himself grounded.
“Don’t beg, Zishu. It’s unbecoming.” Jin Wang said, watching him from his throne as he drank wine.
The room had been cleared out, leaving only the two of them. Zhou Zishu wondered if he should scream and beg and plead if anything like that would change Jin Wang’s mind. It hadn’t ever worked before and he doubted that it would work now but he was on the end of his rope.
“How can you ask this of me?” Zhou Zishu lifted his head just to see Jin Wang looking down at him cruelly. The alpha was enjoying this, a fact that made Zhou Zishu sick to his stomach.
“Why are you taking this so hard?” Jin Wang set his wine down, standing up from his throne and walking down the three steps until he reached Zhou Zishu. He loomed over the omega like a specter, leading him to certain death.
“I took an oath-”
“Your promise to never marry?”
“I am betrothed.”
“To a dead man!” Jin Wang’s shout echoed on the walls and rang through Zhou Zishu’s body. “A dead child, really. Your silly promise means nothing when it comes to gaining power.”
Zhou Zishu's knees ached from being on the floor for so long and he wondered if he could even stand if he wanted to. He should have known that Jin Wang would have ulterior motives.
“This marriage is another mission, isn’t it?”
Jin Wang smiled down at Zhou Zishu, leaning down to grab his chin and hold his gaze.
“You’re smart, Zishu. You are the only one that can do this for me.”
The alpha felt so cold, and Zhou Zishu didn’t breathe until Jin Wang let him go to continue his diatribe.
“The Ghost Valley Chief has something I want. The key to the Jade Palace.”
The Jade Palace was only something Zhou Zishu knew about in passing. A glittering palace carved into the side of a mountain is said to contain riches and long-lost knowledge. After its discovery, the search for the key caused long bloody battles. Zhou Zishu had thought that the secrets of the Jade Palace were lost for good.
“He announced that he would give the key to his heir. He has one already, an adopted son, but he wants a blood relative to pass it down to. That's where you come in.”
Zhou Zishu wasn't sure if he was hearing the man correctly. He didn’t like what he was implying.
“You want me to marry the chief of Ghost Valley to steal the key.”
“I want you to marry the chief of Ghost Valley and produce an heir.”
Zhou Zishu's stomach was giving him hell and he felt bile rise in his throat. It was too much for him to believe and dug his nails into his skin to wake himself up from this nightmare.
“I can find the key and bring it back to you. How many secrets have I uncovered for you?”
“It’s too well guarded, I’ve sent a man to retrieve it and he never came back. Besides, the key is only half of the goal. If you give him an heir, Ghost Valley will fall into my hands. Once I have the power of both clans and the secrets of the Jade Palace, I will be unstoppable. Once I have the heir and the key, I’ll bring you back to the Heavenly Manor.”
As Zhou Zishu listened to Jin Wang in disbelief. He wiped his tears away without a care for his expensive robes. He shouldn’t have felt surprised by Jin Wang’s indifference to him.
“And when I come back, what will I be? A disgraced wife with a child from the most despicable clan in this world? Who will have me then?”
“I will have you.” Jin Wang said, confirming Zhou Zishu’s worst fears.
Zhou Zishu had turned down Jin Wang’s marriage proposal. It had been years ago, but Zhou Zishu knew that he had never been forgiven. Now, Jin Wang had found the cruelest way to punish him while also reaching his goals.
“Once the Ghost Valley Chief is dead, you'll become one of my concubines. I'll even adopt your bastard child.”
Zhou Zishu bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from cursing. If he needed confirmation that he was nothing but a bargaining chip that Jin Wang wanted to finally bet on.
“Let me take Jiuxiao with me.”
“Absolutely not. It's dangerous in Ghost Valley, Zishu. But worry not, I'll keep him safe for you. Perhaps even adopt him as my son.”
It was a clear threat. Zhou Zishu had to stay in line or his beloved little brother would face the consequences. The conversation was over and the order had been sent out. There was nothing more that the omega could do so he sat up on shaky legs. He made sure to bow at the Jin Wang.
“As you wish, Clan Leader.”
*****
When Zhou Zishu returned to his room he slammed his door closed and locked. The doors of an omega’s room were never to be locked, but he didn’t care about the rules anymore. Zhou Zishu slid a chair in front of the chair, propping it up so it would keep the door closed. After throwing his top layer of suffocating robes to the ground, he searched for the first breakable thing in the room.
He grabbed a vase filled with dead flowers and launched it into the wall. It broke with a satisfying crash and sent water, pottery shards, and flowers onto the floor. It didn’t make him feel much better but that didn’t stop his tirade. Zhou Zishu sobbed as he sent an ornate jewelry box straight into the ground and watched it shatter into a thousand pieces. All of the expensive pieces in the room were worthless gifts, gross displays of wealth that Zhou Zishu had always despised. He wanted to break it all down as his first and probably only form of rebellion.
“Young Master!” A servant called from outside the door. “Young Master, are you alright?”
Zhou Zishu grabbed a pitcher of water from his table and threw it at the door, making the servant gasp.
“Leave me alone! Can’t I have a moment alone!” Zhou Zishu screamed. He had never raised his voice before and it sent the servant scurrying away. No one else dared to check on him for the rest of the night.
When Zhou Zishu finally exhausted himself, he collapsed on the floor and cried. As he sobbed he placed a hand over his chest where his beloved necklace always lay. The ring sitting over his chest was the only thing he had left of his betrothed.
******
Eleven Years Ago
It was summer in the Four Seasons manor, and Zhou Zishu sat comfortably on a blanket in the soft grass. In front of him were an assortment of herbs and his journals. His notebooks were full of notes on almost every plant in the manor and surrounding countryside. When he wasn’t practicing martial arts, he worked diligently on his study of plants. Before her passing, his mother had taught him how to use plants as food and medicine and he worked hard in her honor.
“Shixiong, are you more in love with plants than me?”
Zhen Yan, Zhou Zishu’s junior and probably his closest friend, sat down on the blanket with a huff. Zhou Zishu didn’t look up from his notebook as he spoke.
“You know you’re my favorite Junior, A-Yan.”
Zhou Zishu felt Zhen Yan press against his back and scent him, the younger’s head resting on his shoulder. Zhen Yan’s scent hadn’t fully developed yet, but the underlying alpha earthiness was already present. Zhou Zishu’s scent resembled soothing lemongrass and fresh rain. It was Zhen Yan’s favorite and he would spend ample time scenting Zhou Zishu whenever he could. Zhen Yan was the only one who got away with it like he got away with everything when it came to Zhou Zishu. He was a mischievous boy but he had a good heart and eased his way into Zhou Zishu’s heart over the years.
“I don’t want to be only your favorite junior.”
Zhen Yan nudged Zhou Zishu over and over again until the teen turned to look at him. Zhen Yan took the opportunity and kissed his cheek, making Zhou Zishu sputter.
“You-!”
Zhen Yan laughed and stole another kiss from Zhou Zishu. The omega felt his cheeks go red and he lifted his hand to push Zhen Yan away. When he did, Zhen Yan slipped something around his ring finger. Zhou Zishu sat dumbfounded and stared at the ring on his fingers. It was a golden band, melded to resemble a vine with leaves and petite flowers. It was simple, and clearly made by a student's hands. Zhou Zishu looked at Zhen Yan with a bewildered look on his face.
“A-Yan, what is this?”
“It’s a ring, for my betrothed! Don’t you like it?”
Zhou Zishu rolled his eyes and pushed the fourteen-year-old out of his space.
“Who says I want to marry you?”
“Who else would you marry? If you like someone else, I’ll beat them up!”
“You’re such a brat!”
Zhou Zishu, blushing and flustered, picked up his notebook and ran off. Zhen Yan chased close behind him and soon they were both laughing and playing around. They tumbled in the grass, not caring about how mussed their pretty robes got.
After that day, Zhou Zishu could always be seen wearing that gold ring. Not long after, Zhen Yan proudly showed off a gold ring of his own for anyone who would look.
*****
“Wake up, wake up!”
Zhou Zishu was roused awake by hands grabbing his robes and shaking him. He was startled, almost pulling away until he realized it was Jing Beiyuan at his side.
“We have to go now.” His friend whispered as he helped him stand up, careful to avoid the broken things littered around the floor.
“How did you get in here?”
Jing Beiyuan gestured towards the window and pulled Zhou Zishu towards it. Zhou Zishu couldn’t tell if Beiyuan was the one shaking so violently or if it was him.
“If we leave now, we’ll have time before he realizes we’re gone.”
Zhou Zishu wanted to go with his friend but something made him hesitate. He pulled out of JIng Beiyuan’s grip and his friend let out a frustrated sigh.
“I can’t. I can’t go.”
“Zhou Zishu, we don’t have time. Do you know what will happen the moment you’re in Ghost Valley?” Jing Beiyuan grabbed Zhou Zishu’s arms and leveled him with a serious look. “At best, he’ll kill you quickly but at worst… Can you really give a child to the man who killed your entire family?”
“What else can I do?” Zhou Zishu sobbed, “If I refuse, Jin Wang will use Qin Jiuxiao against me. If I run, he’ll chase me to the ends of the earth. I don’t have a home to run to.”
“I can’t let you go there alone.” Jing Beiyuan’s voice cracked, and his eyes were shiny with tears. Zhou Zishu wished for another way, but there was no saving him.
“Do something for me.”
“What?”
“Escape. Use the wedding procession as a distraction and get out of here while you can.”
“Not without you!”
“Please, please do this for me. Take Jiuxiao and go to Wu Xi, where it’s safe. Care for him, please.”
Wu Xi had visited the previous year, an ambassador for his clan further north. He came from a different culture, one where omegas were admired and, more importantly, treated as equals. Wu Xi and Jing Beiyuan became fast friends and love followed soon behind. Zhou Zishu helped keep their late-night rendezvous and day-long outings a secret from Jin Wang. When the clan leader finally caught wind of their love he sent Wu Xi back to his clan in fury. Still, Jin Wang couldn’t stop the two of them from exchanging letters and meeting in secret. Jing Beiyuan had already been making plans to leave but had always waited for the best opportunity.
“Zhou Zishu…”
“You have somewhere to go, someone that’s waiting for you. All I have are memories and a broken ring.” Zhou Zishu hugged Jing Beiyuan tightly, not sure if he would ever see his friend again. “If I make it out, I’ll find you. If I don’t…don’t let him forget about me.”
The two of them collapsed onto the floor, sobbing hard. Both knew that this could be their last time together and all they could do was hold onto each other for as long as they could.
*****
The wedding parade itself was just another punishment for Zhou Zishu. The last thing he wanted to do was let the entire world know that he was being sent off to Ghost Valley. Loud firecrackers and trumpets went off as he was carried out in a bridal sedan past the gates of the Heavenly Manor. Zhou Zishu wasn’t even allowed to say goodbye to Qin Jiuxiao before leaving, though he did write a letter to him that Jing Beiyuan promised to relay. Now he could only pray that they would escape safely while he was sent off to certain death.
The bridal sedan felt like a luxurious birdcage. Zhou Zishu was surrounded by lush fabrics and cushions as he was carried by eight men. Every time they stopped for a break one handmaiden would help him as he briefly drank, ate, or relieved himself. Zhou Zishu tried to sleep for much of the journey, but it got harder as they got closer to Ghost Valley.
Zhou Zishu thought he would pass away from heat exhaustion before he made it to his own wedding. His red robes were heavy and layered, good for the frosty mountains where the Window of Heaven clan resided but not as much for the higher temperatures of Ghost Valley. Tied up in all the fabric of the world, Zhou Zishu hadn’t felt so hot and uncomfortable since his last heat. If he hadn’t been strict with his medicinal herbs he would think he was succumbing to his cycle early. Even when he told a handmaiden to relay his discomfort to Jin Wang, he wasn’t allowed to take off even one layer before they arrived.
Jin Wang’s own entourage followed behind Zhou Zishu, carrying beautiful bridal gifts. It was just another way for him to show off to the other clans visiting Ghost Valley. Window of Heaven had so many riches that they could dump them in this scary place.
Zhou Zishu tried not to cry as the journey went on. It was pointless to mourn his past. Instead, he tried to focus on strategies that would help him stay alive long enough to be free. He decided that if he made it out of Ghost Valley he would forsake the rest of the world and live a solitary, peaceful life.
On the last stretch of the journey, Zhou Zishu was woken up by the sound of joyful celebration. Drums and trumpets were going off, bolstered by people cheering loudly. As the bridal parade got closer, Zhou Zishu could hear that they were cheering for him.
“Today is a glorious day!”
“The beautiful bride approaches!”
“Eternal happiness for the Ghost Valley Chief and his bride!”
Most of the stories about Ghost Valley spoke of a ruthless and perilous place where life could not grow. However, life was all Zhou Zishu could hear. Joyful, rambunctious, and chattering life. Instruments played, people laughed and yelled, and more yearning tugged at Zhou Zishu’s chest. This wasn’t the type of wedding he wanted, but he supposed it was the only one he would be allowed in this life.
***
10 years ago
“Shall we have a big wedding, one that all the martial arts world will want to attend?”
Zhou Zishu scoffed at Zhen Yan as the two of them walked back to the manor, hand in hand. The sun was starting to set and the cicadas were loud in the trees. Zhou Zishu loved those late summer days spent with the young alpha and secretly prayed that they would have many more just like that.
“You turned fifteen just a week ago, why are you thinking about weddings?”
“I’ll be eighteen before you know it! And we’ll be married on the very next auspicious day!”
“Who says I want to marry you!” Zhou Zishu said, pulling his hand away from Zhen Yan only fo the other to grab it right back.
“Don’t be like that, shixiong! I’ve stopped slacking off on my training, so you can’t use that as an excuse!”
Zhou Zishu couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head at his silly shidi. They walked into the hills surrounding the manor and Zhou Zishu saw the headstones of his late parents in the distance.
“I don’t want a big wedding. We’ll have our ceremony right in these hills. Early in the morning, we’ll bow to the heavens, to the stones of our parents, and to each other. Then we’ll drink good wine and eat good food, and live the rest of our days here.”
Zhen Yan nodded, looking out into the distance where his own parents were buried.
“Good,” He said with a smile.”A good wedding for a couple of orphans like us.”
***
Zhou Zishu guessed they arrived at the gates of Ghost Valley when the procession stopped. He wanted to lift his veil and open up a window, just to have one look before the wedding. But he didn’t want to get in trouble and he barely had the energy to lift his opaque veil. He listened as someone announced their arrival.
“Omega Zhou Zishu of the Window of Heaven Clan requests entry to Ghost Valley Clan!”
There was a short pause before another voice called back.
“Ghost Valley welcomes Zhou Zishu of the Four Seasons Clan!”
As the sound of the gates opening hit his ears, Zhou Zishu wondered if he was hallucinating. No one in the last decade had even mentioned the Four Seasons Clan. But, Zhou Zishu reminded himself, The Ghost Valley was the reason why they were all dead. He wouldn’t let his guard down for something so small. Though he did like to think that the wording would make Jin Wang fume.
The procession continued through the gates and Zhou Zishu was relieved when his sedan was finally put down. He worried that he wouldn’t be able to stand up but it wasn’t like he had a choice. Zhou Zishu waited until the sedan was open, holding out a hand for someone to help him. A hand did come to take his, assisting him out of the sedan. It was a soft, cool hand, and Zhou Zishu guessed it was another omega. It was customary for only other omegas to assist on the wedding day.
“Young Master Zhou, welcome to Ghost Valley.”
The woman’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and her powdery scent was sweet without being overbearing. Zhou Zishu stepped onto to solid ground and his knees wobbled for a moment before getting used to holding him up again. He recovered quickly but the woman noticed and her grip on his hand tightened.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Zhou Zishu whispered, “Just warm.”
“Come this way, Young Master Zhou, to a private room.”
He allowed himself to be led, not trusting her but having no other choice. Zhou Zishu couldn’t see anything and the heat was getting to him, so he hoped that wherever the mystery woman led him to was cooler.
They entered a room and the woman led him to a plush seat, much more comfortable than the seat of his sedan. The temperature was better but he still felt disgustingly hot and sweaty.
“Young Master, shall I remove your veil? There is no one here besides you and I.”
Zhou Zishu nodded his head and the veil was lifted from his head, revealing a new world. The room they were in seemed to be the guest house of the manor. Rich, but not overly decorated. Zhou Zishu’s eyes moved away from the room to the woman beside him. She was beautiful, reminiscent of a carefully painted portrait in a parlor. She wore robes of deep blue and purple and her hair flowed down her back. Zhou Zishu noticed a scar that covered her right eye and part of her cheek. She smiled at Zhou Zishu and dabbed the sweat away from his hairline with a handkerchief.
“I am Liu Qianqiao, My Master told me to help you.”
Zhou Zishu only nodded, feeling the tightness of his robes still. He found himself staring at her because her face was so familiar with it.
“If Young Master is willing, I can help you out of that heavy wedding dress and into one more suitable for our warmer weather.”
A new dress would be another slap in the face to the Window of Heaven. Zhou Zishu wondered if it was a test. If it was, who was testing him?
“Clan Leader Jin Wang has been very good to me. I don't want to disrespect his clan.”
“I understand, Young Master. My Master has no interest in marrying the Window of Heaven Clan. He had this dress made with the Four Seasons in mind.”
Zhou Zishu looked away, scoffing angrily at that idea..
“Ghost Valley is the reason why I have no home. How can he have my clan in mind?”
Liu Qianqiao placed a hand on Zhou Zishu's.
“You would have been around twelve years old when I came to the manor, but I remember your master, Qin Huiazhang.”
Zhou Zishu thought back, remembering a woman with her face covered in bandages coming to the manor when he was a child.
“You…your lover left you for dead.”
She smiled and nodded sadly. Zhou Zishu had always wondered what happened to the woman after she left the mountains. He was surprised to find her in a place like Ghost Valley.
“If not for the care your master showed me, I would not be here today. I wish I could thank him.”
“I don't understand. I don't understand anything. I should hate you, I should hate all of Ghost Valley.”
Liu Qianqiao held his hand tighter and kept his gaze on her next part.
“I can't explain it now, but I assure you that all will be revealed. Trust me, and trust my master, please.”
Liu Qianqiao guided his gaze towards the other corner of the room where his wedding dress hung.
While red and gold were still the main colors, the skirt had light blue fabric, designed with green, yellow, and pink flowers. The veil was similar, made from a more transparent fabric so Zhou Zishu wouldn't be walking blindly.
“Alright,” Zhou Zishu agreed. “Help me out of this damn dress, please.”