Year after year, the identity of "Young Master Xingqiu" had gradually seeped into every aspect of Xingqiu's life, evolving from an initial mission and disguise into a part of her—indeed, the part most familiar to the outside world.
She became increasingly adept at playing this role.
Her speech, behavior, poise, and even her way of thinking were subtly influenced over time.
When the guild required it, she could calmly receive minor guests on behalf of her father and brother with proper speech and measured conduct. Among friends, she naturally participated in discussions from a male perspective and tone, occasionally cracking harmless jokes like any other young man.
The sword she used for self-defense and practice grew increasingly sharp in her hands. Amidst the flashing blade, she embodied the elegance of a young chivalrous hero; who could ever associate her with a sheltered young lady?
She even began to secretly write and submit the chivalric novels she loved under the pen name "Second Miss." Watching her words being read and discussed by countless readers brought a strange sense of achievement.
It was as if this was the quiet voice of her suppressed self.
Habit is a powerful force.
The initial awkwardness and struggle were gradually replaced by instinctive proficiency.
Xingqiu no longer needed to constantly remind herself, "I am a boy"; many reactions had become subconscious.
Only in rare moments of solitude—while bathing, changing into her specially made chest binder, or trying on small "girlish" accessories she had secretly brought home in front of a mirror—would that intense sense of fragmentation strike again, reminding her: everything that seemed habitual was, in the end, a meticulously painted mask.
She was used to playing the "Second Young Master," but that didn't mean she fully accepted this fate. That yearning for a "normal" life and the desire to show her true face were like seeds buried deep in her heart; they were merely suppressed for now, not gone.
They transformed into the characters in her writing who longed for freedom and to break free from their shackles.
Xingqiu knew that she was drawing closer and closer to the age of sixteen mentioned by that master.
The turning point of fate was approaching. Would it bring calamity? Or would the clouds part to reveal the moon? The future remained shrouded in mist.
But regardless, at this moment, she was the "Second Young Master" of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, "Brother Xingqiu" in the eyes of her friends, and the somewhat famous wuxia author "Second Miss" in Liyue Harbor.
These identities, a mix of truth and fiction, together formed her current life.
[Chapter 5: Maintaining the Status Quo]
Her sixteenth birthday arrived quietly.
There was no grand banquet or noisy guests. Deep within the inner residence of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, only her closest family and one or two trusted Shop Assistants silently witnessed this moment, which had been invested with great hope and carried countless secrets.
Xingqiu wore a flowing cloud-patterned dress her mother had secretly prepared long ago. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, and though she wore no makeup, she already possessed a breathtakingly pure beauty.
The person in the mirror had the same features, but without the deliberate heroic air of her male disguise, a long-suppressed softness and vitality flowed out naturally.
Her mother's eyes welled with tears, reflecting both the relief that her daughter had finally grown up safely and the excitement of seeing her beauty Bloom. Her father stroked his long beard with a complex expression, his relief mingled with concern for the future. Her elder brother stood to the side with a gentle gaze.
Curls of smoke rose from the incense burner in the hall, but the atmosphere was strangely stagnant. The "calamity" from the prophecy showed no signs of appearing as the birthday arrived; outside the window, there was only the pitter-patter of fine rain, so peaceful it was unnerving.
"So, it's... over?" her mother asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty as she tightly held Xingqiu's hand.
Her father pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "The master only said she needed to live as a male until sixteen to avoid the calamity. The time has passed and Qiu'er is safe and sound. It must have been... resolved."
It should have been a celebration of liberation, the start of a return to a "normal" life.
But as Xingqiu looked at the stranger in the mirror, her heart pounded like a drum—a mixture of expectation, apprehension, and a confusion she hadn't even anticipated herself.
However, just as this silence was about to be broken by cheers, an unusual commotion came from the guild's outer courtyard. The old butler rushed in and whispered a few words into her father's ear, causing his expression to turn grave.
"Envoys from the Fatui?" Her father's brow furrowed. "At a time like this... they say they heard it was the Second Young Master's birthday and came specifically to 'congratulate' him?"
Although Liyue Harbor was governed by the Qixing, the Snezhnayan Fatui's influence was pervasive, and their "diplomatic" methods were known for being aggressive and probing.
The Feiyun Commerce Guild was a prominent target. Any unusual movement right now could be used as a pretext. If the shocking news that the "Second Young Master is actually the Second Miss" got out, heaven knows what rumors would be spun. It could bring unnecessary trouble to the guild and even to Xingqiu herself.
Xingqiu exchanged a glance with her family, seeing the same concern in their eyes.
Without any hesitation, Xingqiu took a deep breath and whispered to her maid, "Change my clothes."
"Qiu'er?" Her mother was stunned.
"Father, Mother." Xingqiu's voice returned to its usual clear and gentle "Young Master" tone, but her gaze was exceptionally firm. "Right now, Liyue Harbor needs 'Young Master Xingqiu,' not the Second Miss of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. The Fatui's intentions are unclear; it's better to avoid unnecessary complications."
More importantly, she suddenly realized clearly that she had long since grown accustomed to everything the identity of "Xingqiu" brought.
She was used to the freedom of being called brothers with Chongyun and other friends while discussing the way of the sword. She was used to the pleasure of reading widely and writing freely under the name of the "Second Young Master." She was even used to the personal achievement brought by that little "pen name."
If she returned to being a girl now, how would she face Chongyun's pure yet confused gaze? How would she explain this deception that had lasted over a decade? Would the social circles and recognition that existed because of "Young Master Xingqiu" collapse because of it?
The world of a sheltered young lady felt as foreign to her as a story from a martial arts novel.
The chest binder was tightened once more over her emerging curves, her long hair was tied up neatly, and the familiar male attire concealed the softness of the dress.
In the mirror, the elegant and handsome "Second Young Master" had returned, though deep in his eyes, there was an extra touch of knowing helplessness and personal choice.
She stepped into the front hall and handled everything with ease, politely thanking the Fatui envoys for their ill-intentioned "gifts" with such poise that the brief moment of fluttering skirts in the inner residence seemed like a dream.
After seeing off the guests, her father looked at her, his eyes full of apology and pride. "Qiu'er, I have wronged you."
Xingqiu shook her head, a complex smile touching the corners of her lips. "Father, there is no need for that. It wasn't entirely for the sake of the guild."
She walked to the window, watching the fine rain outside gradually stop.
"The things 'Second Young Master' can do are perhaps much more numerous and far freer than what 'Second Miss' can do," Xingqiu said softly, as if explaining to her family and convincing herself. "This freedom... I am not yet ready to give up."
The calamity might have passed, but a life had already been forged.
She chose to continue down this path, to keep wearing the mask she had grown used to, and to do what her heart desired under the name of "Young Master Xingqiu."
Only, when her gaze occasionally drifted to the training grounds in the courtyard, and she thought of that simple Taoist Practitioner who would spend an entire day in serious thought—even hunting through ancient texts—just because she casually mentioned his "sword moves seemed a bit stagnant," a tiny pang of pain and guilt would linger in her heart for a long time.
Maintaining the status quo was the best choice.
The Second Young Master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild remained the Second Young Master.
The secret remained a secret, but it had changed from a passive burden into an active choice.
(The End)
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