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Fu Xuan pushed open the door, with Qingque following closely behind.
Despite being uninhabited for a long time, the Grand Divination Pavilion remained dust-free due to its protective array.
Qingque examined everything with intrigue, feeling as if she had entered a tale herself.
Oh wow! That desk must be where the Grand Diviner's Master worked!
Was this where the Grand Diviner used to sit and study with her master? And at that nearby table, there lay an exquisite set of teaware—surely the one they had shared tea from together? As Qingque observed each detail, matching them with Fu Xuan's stories, the narrative transformed into reality before her eyes.
[Stelle: I get it now; Qingque is on a pilgrimage to sacred sites!]
[Silver Wolf: Impressive.]
[Silver Wolf: Seriously though, you're spot-on!]
[Qingque: Huh? What does that mean? Now I'm even more confused...]
[March 7th: Ha ha, @Stelle, seems like you and your mom have a lot in common.]
[Stelle: Of course, we're both internet-savvy pros. ?]
[Kafka (with feigned sigh): Ahh, seeing Stelle closer to "Mom" makes me feel a bit sad.]
[Silver Wolf: Wait, so my role as Stelle's godmother is universally accepted among you?!]
Even Qingque felt a sense of nostalgia, as if transported to another era.
For Fu Xuan, the sentiment was even stronger. After over a hundred years, she found herself back in the place where she once studied diligently.
As Fu Xuan stepped inside, she gently caressed the walls, bookshelves, and teaware while walking through the room...
Memories slowly surfaced, revealing how everything remained just as it was before. Although Fu Xuan had spent only five years here, she was intimately familiar with every object in the space.
As her master's disciple, Fu Xuan had also been responsible for tidying and organizing this space back then. Each item held cherished memories of her time with her teacher.
Fu Xuan approached the desk. She paused at a short distance away, not venturing any closer—a sentiment akin to trepidation before returning home after long years away.
Seeing Fu Xuan motionless, Qingque dared not disturb anything in the room either. After completing his own "pilgrimage" around the sanctum, he asked, "Grand Diviner, shall we begin sorting now?"
[March 7th: It feels like Qingque is truly becoming Fu Xuan's secretary now, huh.]
[Qingque: Don't say such terrifying things with such a cute expression!]
[March 7th: Huh? I-is that really so scary?]
[Stelle: Yes, it's quite alarming. Especially for Qingque.]
[Qingque: No way! Becoming the Grand Diviner's secretary or something... At least let me...let me coast for another eight hundred years first!]
[Seele: By then, you'd have retired already!]
[Qingque: That's exactly what I want!]
Fu Xuan snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, right."
After a moment's consideration, she said, "Qingque, why don't I start by organizing the desk? Could you please move the books from the shelf onto it? I'll sort through them to see if there's anything worth keeping."
"Sure thing!"
Qingque asked, "By the way, are there any items I shouldn't look at? This is, after all, the office of the former Head of the Jade Oracle Division."
Fu Xuan shook her head. "Not likely. Important official documents would have been handled by my master already. What remains here should be his personal collection—some manuscripts and books."
With that, Qingque nodded and approached the bookshelf.
Fu Xuan started by organizing the desk.
The items on it were quite simple—a set of traditional writing tools, a stack of manuscripts pressed under a paperweight, and a few books Su Qing might have been reading at the time.
Fu Xuan retrieved the manuscripts, noticing her master's familiar handwriting. Carefully examining them, she confirmed they contained valuable divination content and meticulously stored them away.
"Ho-hum!" Qingque lifted a pile of books onto the table. "Grand Diviner, these were prominently placed in the middle of the bookshelf, very eye-catching."
"And, this seems to be the divination journal from Yu Que you mentioned in your story earlier?" Qingque opened one of the books for a glance. Just seeing the sequence of calculation symbols inside, she swiftly pulled her arm away.
Qingque wailed dramatically, "Aaahh! It's full of abstruse divination knowledge! Stay back, stay back!"
Watching her antics, Fu Xuan felt somewhat speechless. "Qingque, stop goofing around. We have important tasks to attend to right now."
[Guinaifen: Enjoying this, @Qingque? The tone Fu Xuan uses when addressing you really hits those two extremes!?]
[Qingque: (hands on hips) Of course! With years of experience, how could I be wrong?!]
[Bronya: Ha ha ha, getting rather proud of yourself, aren't you?!]
"Yes, Grand Diviner!"
Smiling, Qingque set down the journal she was holding and fetched another stack from the shelf. "These two sections seem to contain similar journals but are separated differently. Can you spot any distinctions between them?"
"Let me see," Fu Xuan replied casually.
She picked up a few journals from the first stack and began flipping through them.
Her eyes widened slightly as she realized, "This section... contains all the journals I read with my master, where he clarified my doubts."
She then examined the second stack, confirming that these were ones she hadn't read before.
Initially, Fu Xuan had been idly browsing both stacks. Upon this discovery, her expression shifted noticeably, indicating a profound impact.
[Silver Wolf: First crack!]
[Silver Wolf: It seems like Fu Xuan is starting to break down!]
[March 7th: I think Su Qing might have just casually placed and sorted them. But for Fu Xuan, the emotional impact is truly significant.]
[Black Swan: Though it appears casual, such actions often stem from habits.]
[Black Swan: Su Qing likely envisioned his disciple returning someday, intending to continue guiding her studies, hence the separation.]
[March 7th: That makes sense.?]
[Fu Xuan: @Black Swan, please stop, don't say anymore...]
[The vividness and plausibility of Black Swan's explanation overwhelmed her.]
[Fuxuan seems genuinely taken aback; she can't bear hearing this.]
Beside the petite pink figure, frozen with journal in hand, stood another delicate green silhouette softly calling out, "Lady Grand Diviner?"
Noticing Fu Xuan's trance while reading, Qingque tried once without getting a response and decided not to persist. Understanding that Fu Xuan might be reminiscing about the past, Qingque turned away to continue tidying up.
[March 7th: Qingque, you're such a perceptive secretary little bird. ?]
[Qingque: I've said it before, don't use such a cute tone for such terrifying words!?!?]
[Seele: Dead from laughter.]
Qingque glanced around and spotted a chair tucked in the corner. She recalled that in the story, this was the very chair where the Grand Diviner sat beside her master during lessons.
Looking back, she saw Fu Xuan still absorbed in the journal. It could have been pure curiosity or perhaps a hint of longing for those bygone scenes depicted in the tale.
Unable to resist, Qingque walked over and took a seat on the chair. Sitting neatly, she looked around, trying to immerse herself in Fu Xuan's experience as a student.
As she leaned slightly forward in her small heeled boots, she realized her toes couldn't quite reach the ground. Suddenly, it dawned on her:
"Lady Fuxuan is the same height as me; when she sat here, did she also..."
She imagined Fu Xuan with feet dangling above the ground, possibly even swinging them, attentively listening to her master's teachings.
At this thought, Qingque couldn't help but burst out laughing.
[Fuxuan: Qingque?!]
[Seele: Hahahaha, both expressions materialized at lightning speed!!]
[Stelle: Laughing, @Qingque, impressive detective work uncovering such tiny secrets!]
[Sparkle: Laughing, @Fu Xuan, didn't realize you omitted these little details back then, huh?]
[Fuxuan: ...What's there to mention about not reaching the floor with one's feet?]
[Sushang: I never expected that despite hearing a condensed version, Qingque could still fill in the gaps herself!]
[Firefly: ? Truly, human imagination knows no bounds!]
Fu Xuan briefly skimmed through some journals.
Her memory was indeed exceptional, vividly recalling even the scene of her first reading aloud for her master...
Suppressing the urge to continue reminiscing, Fu Xuan finished organizing the items on her desk.
Next, she opened the top drawer.
Inside, she found a divination disk and several seals.
Fu Xuan picked up one seal, gently caressing it.
She remembered the time when, while massaging her master's shoulders, she was taught how to handle the affairs of the Divination Commission. On that occasion, her master had also asked her to assist in stamping documents with this very seal.
The memory felt as if it were unfolding before her eyes...
Suddenly snapping back to reality, Fu Xuan vigorously shook her head.
Not good—how did she inadvertently get lost in memories again?
She opened the second drawer.
At once, she spotted a small lantern model nestled within.
Qingque leaned over curiously, "Eh? Isn't this the lantern model you mentioned from your story, the one gifted to your master?"
Gazing at the perfectly preserved little lantern, Qingque remarked with admiration, "It seems your master cherished it greatly, even keeping it specially stored in a drawer. Truly significant!"
"Mm-hmm..."
Despite saying not to dwell on the past, as Fu Xuan looked at the gift she had given her master that Lantern Festival night, she couldn't resist picking it up for closer inspection.
As she examined it, Fu Xuan unconsciously bit her lip, indicating her defenses were faltering again.
[Silver Wolf: Here it comes, second breach!]
[Silver Wolf: And both times, it seems like Qingque played a supporting role?]
[Sushang: Qingque, what are you doing?! Why keep breaking your boss's emotional barriers?!]
[Qingque: I didn't mean to...]
[Stelle: Oh no, Fu Xuan is getting overwhelmed again.?]
[Stelle: In a place filled with memories like this, any moment could trigger her for several minutes!]
[March 7th (somewhat worried): @Fu Xuan, are you okay?]
[Fu Xuan: ...I'm fine.]
[But "fine" was her lie.]
[In truth, she was far from it.]
[As Fu Xuan watched the scene unfold, she could feel the state she had been in at that moment.]
[If not for Qingque's presence nearby, she might have simply crouched down and buried her face in her knees.]
Later on...
Qingque managed to distinguish some divination books, allowing her to assist Fu Xuan in sorting them. Before long, the lower and middle shelves were neatly organized.
"Ahh—"
Qingque stretched up on her tiptoes, straining to reach the uppermost shelf, but found herself just short of it.
[Seele: This bookshelf doesn't seem particularly tall.]
[Qingque: You need to accept one fact—I and the Grand Diviner are both around four feet tall...]
[Seele: Huh? Really that short?!]
[Sparkle: ?? Le, your bluntness reaches new heights this episode.]
[Seele (realizing her mistake): Sorry, sorry!! Because throughout this simulation, you've always been with Fu Xuan, and you're both roughly the same height, I didn't notice...]
[Bronya: Seele, stop adding fuel to the fire.]
Qingque glanced back at Fu Xuan, who was sorting books nearby. "Um, Grand Diviner, can I step on this chair?"
"Sure, just be careful," Fu Xuan advised.
With that, Qingque climbed onto the chair and retrieved the book from the highest shelf.
Alongside a few other volumes, there were also some letters present.
As the Grand Diviner, Su Qing maintained contact with many individuals. Despite Xianzhou's advanced technology, traditional handwritten correspondence remained the most formal means of communication.
[Himeko: (nodding in agreement)]
Qingque handed the letters to Fu Xuan, who set aside her current stack of books to examine them.
Among these correspondences were some addressed to Fu Xuan's master's friends, while others bore the names of Fu Xuan's own parents.
Curious, Fu Xuan opened one to read.
It was a letter from her parents to their daughter's mentor.
This revelation came as another surprise to Fu Xuan...
From the content of the letter, it seemed that every year, her master would send a detailed update about her activities within the Divination Commission to Fu Xuan's parents. In response, Fu Xuan's parents would write back.
Reading through these letters, Fu Xuan found herself deeply moved once again for several minutes.
[Silver Wolf: Triple Breakdown!!! Classic three-hit combo!]
[Stelle: @Qingque, you're really intent on breaking your boss's composure, aren't you?! And since when did you become her secretary?!]
[Qingque: I didn't mean to do it!?]
[Qingque: Also, I'm definitely not her secretary!!]
[Qingque: W-Well, upon seeing such important letters, of course I had to show them to the Grand Diviner!]
[Fu Xuan: It's alright; this isn't Qingque's fault...]
Fu Xuan quickly skimmed through the first four envelopes, all replies from her parents.
However, the fifth and final letter, although placed with their responses, lacked any sender's address on its envelope.
[Fu Xuan felt a sudden premonition.]
[She sensed that perhaps she should take this letter back and read it alone...]
But at that moment, without any hesitation, Fu Xuan opened it immediately.
This was an unsent letter.
Written by her master, it detailed Fu Xuan's progress during her fifth year in the Divination Commission.
The contents were devoid of sentimentality. Instead, they meticulously reported every aspect of Fu Xuan's life within the commission over the past year—her advancements, achievements, joys, and concerns.
With objective precision yet attentive care, clearly reflecting deep observation, the letter chronicled the growth of a disciple from her master's perspective.
Fu Xuan clenched the letter tightly in her hand.
As she read word by word, her breathing quickened involuntarily, recognizing her master's familiar handwriting.
Finally, reaching the end of the letter, she noticed something different. While the preceding paragraphs were objectively descriptive, the last segment conveyed Su Qing's emotions.
"Recently, Fu Xuan asked me why I took her as my apprentice; I revealed that it was connected to a certain prophecy."
"After hearing this, she became deeply disheartened and sullen every day, which filled me with some guilt."
"However, in life, disappointments often outnumber contentment by far."
"As a non-eternal being, I could never accompany her on a long journey. Moreover, prophecies are unpredictable, with no certainty of when they might come true."
"Therefore, having these few years of mentorship, bestowed by the heavens, is already more than I could have hoped for. I am immensely proud of her."
"Fu Xuan possesses extraordinary talent and works tirelessly. In the future, she will undoubtedly achieve feats equal to or surpassing mine."
"I kindly request your assistance in comforting Fu Xuan."
"My hope is for her to remain steadfast on the path of divination, reaching heights unattained by those before her."
The letter concluded here, followed by brief pleasantries and the signature of her master.
This letter likely remained unsent because Fu Xuan had already fled Yu Que before its completion.
Fu Xuan's hand holding the letter began to tremble slightly.
***
On the side, Qingque, who had nearly finished organizing the books, discovered a few small divination tools, almost like toys. Intrigued, she smiled and approached Fu Xuan.
"Grand Diviner! Look at this, look at this! Isn't this little fate disk gadget quite interesting?"
[Seele: Look at how happy Qingque is!]
[Firefly: Your boss is about to shed tears!]
"Are you reading a letter?" Qingque approached, leaning over to see what Fu Xuan was holding.
However, the first thing she noticed were two streams of clear tears sliding down Fu Xuan's cheeks.
Qingque was utterly stunned!
[Silver Wolf: Ah?! Fu Xuan actually cried?!]
[Stelle: She really did cry?!]
[March 7th: No way!!!]
[Jingliu: Unexpected...]
[Sushang: Oh my goodness!!!]
Initially, when viewers joked about Fu Xuan breaking down or shedding "little pearls," it was all in jest.
After all, within this simulation, Fu Xuan was no longer the clingy little disciple who would sweetly dote on her master. The Fu Xuan we saw now appeared delicate, but she had already become Luofu's Grand Diviner—one of the six rulers, standing just below the highest authority and above countless others across the entire Luofu Immortal Ark.
Even if she felt upset or slightly overwhelmed,
no one anticipated that she would truly burst into tears, especially with someone else present—right there in front of Qingque...
This unexpected display left everyone astonished.
The most unexpected reaction came from Qingque herself.
She had initially approached with a smile, but now, her grin transformed into astonishment. Holding her divination toy, she seemed frozen in place.
After a moment, Qingque cautiously and gingerly asked, "Grand Diviner, you...you're shedding tears?"
"Ah." Fu Xuan held the letter in one hand while wiping her eyes with the other.
Upon hearing Qingque's question, she instinctively smiled. "Qingque, what are you talking about? This venerable one isn't crying; I'm just feeling somewhat sentimental."
As Fu Xuan spoke, however, she felt a distinct wetness on her fingertips.
Lowering her hand, she stared at the tear stains.
Did I truly shed tears?
Fu Xuan opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, perhaps offer another explanation:
"My relationship with my master was ordinary; I merely read his unsent letter. There's no way I would cry."
She even considered pausing time again, freezing all this sorrow within that empty expanse of starry sky.
However, the emotional dam had already begun to crumble.
At first, it started imperceptibly, with two clear streams of tears rolling down Fu Xuan's cheeks. Then, these emotions began to intensify.
Emotions delayed by over a hundred years, sorrow postponed for more than three decades, gradually overwhelmed her, proving irresistible as they engulfed her soul.