Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Butterfly Fairy

After walking for a short while, Hongyu noticed a colorful butterfly resting languidly on Chu Youcai’s shoulder, seemingly fast asleep. The butterfly’s entire body radiated a golden glow, its sleeping posture reminiscent of a beauty in repose, and its wings shimmered with a dazzling array of colors, exquisite beyond words.

For a moment, even Shangguan Wanru was taken aback, for she could distinctly hear the butterfly’s gentle breathing. Beneath the moonlight, it seemed as if this delicate creature was absorbing the essence of the moon itself.

Could this be a butterfly born with innate knowledge, which, if it continued thus, would one day cultivate a shadow soul, and perhaps even transform into a human?

The notion of a “Butterfly Immortal” flashed through her mind.

Yet the stranger the occurrence, the more cautious she became. Where had this butterfly spirit come from? She quickly stopped Hongyu from reaching out to touch the butterfly.

Just then, the butterfly awoke, as if shaken from a pleasant dream. Its gaze was enchanting, like that of a beauty roused from slumber. Without hesitation, it spread its wings and flew away, trying to distance itself from Chu Youcai and the others.

At first sight of the butterfly, Hongyu felt an inexplicable surge of warmth and affection. She momentarily forgot Shangguan Wanru’s warning and dashed after it.

But Shangguan Wanru caught her by the arm, and the two began to argue in hushed tones.

During their dispute, the butterfly soared farther and farther, piercing the horizon, as if it had finally gained its freedom from a gilded cage. Its wings glittered with the joy of release.

This butterfly was, in fact, the transformed form of Princess Lotus. From childhood, she had possessed the ability to absorb moonlight, growing ever more beautiful. Yet, as a princess, she was bound by endless rules and ceremonies, shackled by propriety. Still, her longing for freedom only grew stronger with time.

She had taken this form to accompany Chu Youcai, intending to assist him against the demon python. Unexpectedly, he dispatched the threat with such ease that her heart soared. The burden she had long carried lifted, she felt as if she had finally escaped her prison and tasted true freedom.

Although she greatly admired Chu Youcai—for both his bearing and his talent—she had been born a princess and could not bear to be anyone’s concubine. Moreover, his words about equality between men and women had struck a chord within her. Now, feeling as if the world had opened before her, she yearned to roam freely.

Yet, she had not flown far when a flash of green light streaked past her. From a tree, a centipede spat a cloud of poisonous mist in her direction and leapt at her.

Caught off guard, she felt the poison invade her body, robbing her of all control.

The centipede opened its maw wide and lunged to devour her.

Almost simultaneously, Princess Lotus saw, next to the centipede, many ferocious-looking grasshoppers and green snakes coiling in the tree branches, their eyes fixed hungrily upon her.

Instantly, terror drained the color from her face. She could only watch helplessly as she lost command of her body and was seized in the centipede’s grasp.

“So this is the price of freedom?” A deep fear welled up inside her.

At that very moment, a cold, gleaming blade flashed by. The centipede was sliced clean in two.

A gentle hand then lifted her up.

It was Chu Youcai.

“What an adorable butterfly,” Chu Youcai said, turning to Hongyu. “If you really like them, I’ll catch a few for you another time. But this one has spirit and seems to long for freedom. Let her be.”

Hongyu blushed. “Alright.” Then, her face grew curious. “When you say ‘spirit,’ does that mean she can absorb moonlight and eventually take human form?”

Chu Youcai recalled the time he had rescued a wild goose, also possessed of spirit, and smiled. “Yes. Heaven cherishes all life. We should protect such rare beings.” Then he opened his palm and said, “Go on, little butterfly. But the mortal world is dangerous. Take care.”

Hearing this, Hongyu beamed with joy, though tinged with a hint of regret.

Chu Youcai was about to release the butterfly, but to his surprise, it landed on his neck and clung to his jade pendant, refusing to leave.

He was momentarily puzzled—had the earlier ordeal frightened it so, or was it drawn to his pendant? Perhaps the Dragon Pearl hidden within the pendant gave off a peculiar aura?

He thought no more of it. The Dragon Pearl had already recognized him as its master and could not be taken by others. If the butterfly liked it, he was content to let her remain.

Seeing how docile the butterfly was toward Chu Youcai, both Shangguan Wanru and Hongyu were intrigued. When Hongyu saw that the butterfly had not left, she gleefully reached out to tease it.

But as soon as her hand approached, the butterfly fluttered away, dodging her touch, leaving Hongyu crestfallen.

Amused by Hongyu’s childlike disappointment, Chu Youcai gently tapped her nose. “When we get home, let’s make a little room for our butterfly. Then you can watch her as much as you like.”

Hongyu nodded happily. Only Shangguan Wanru frowned ever so slightly, her wariness toward the butterfly undiminished.

At that moment, no one knew the butterfly—Princess Lotus in disguise—was filled with helplessness. She had meant to fly away, but the aura of the Dragon Pearl was even more alluring than the moonlight. The moment she touched it, she found herself utterly enthralled, unable to break free. No matter how she tried, her body remained pressed against the jade pendant.

She struggled for a long time, growing ever more frustrated. Yet, to Chu Youcai, her efforts appeared as if she were simply basking in the Dragon Pearl’s radiance, which only exasperated her more.

Thus rendered powerless, Princess Lotus nearly burst into tears.

In the end, she resigned herself, allowing her body to remain attached to the pendant.

“Perhaps it can only be this way for now. I’ll wait until I have the means to protect myself,” she thought, accepting her fate. At the same time, a spark of curiosity arose within her: Chu Youcai cherished his wife so dearly and was eager to return to her side. Just what kind of woman was she?

Shangguan Wanru’s suspicion of the butterfly lingered until she reached her own doorstep. Only when she saw that the butterfly had done nothing unusual did she finally feel at ease. She bid Chu Youcai goodbye and entered her courtyard.

It was already the fourth watch of the night. Not wanting to disturb her mother, she held her breath and listened for a while. Her mother’s breathing was steady and peaceful, and she felt a weight lift from her heart. Her mother was her greatest comfort; as long as she could sleep soundly, that was happiness enough.

For some reason, she felt no urge to sleep at all.

Her mind was filled with the events of the day—Chu Youcai’s words and actions, the idea that those whose paths differ cannot work together, and the belief in equality for all things, for men and women alike. Lost in thought, the more she pondered, the more inspired she became. Suddenly, she remembered something important.