The relationship between Yu Xian and Qingque was doomed from the start. A union between a long-life species and a short-life one could only ever end in tragedy — that much, Fu Xuan was certain of.
So, how could one prevent this future heartbreak from becoming reality?
The answer was simple: they had to break up — the sooner, the better.
Fu Xuan believed this wholeheartedly, and she had been working tirelessly toward that goal.
For quite some time now, she had used nearly every spare moment to divine readings for the young couple, hoping to find even the smallest possibility of a breakup.
But the results always disappointed her.
Qingque and Yu Xian — two people who seemed so utterly mismatched — were deeply and genuinely in love.
No matter how many times Fu Xuan attempted to divine an opportunity for their separation, every possible future showed the same result: their bond only deepened. They would inevitably marry one day. And then…
Beyond that point, her visions grew hazy — the limits of her divination blurred what came next. But Fu Xuan didn't need to see clearly to know what awaited them. She had already witnessed far too many stories like theirs.
Even with her eyes closed, she could predict the tragedy that would follow.
At the latest, a hundred years from now, Yu Xian would die of old age — and Qingque would be left to bear that grief for the rest of her life.
Cruel, wasn't it?
Yet if Yu Xian and Qingque truly stayed together, this was the inevitable conclusion.
The difference in lifespan between mortals and long-life species always led to the same sorrow. It was an axiom carved into the history of the Xianzhou — one written in pain and loss.
A hundred years.
For Yu Xian, it would be a lifetime — his entire life.
A mere century would turn him from a strong, youthful man into a frail elder with trembling hands and brittle bones. He would grow short of breath after only a few steps, his body aching whenever the weather turned. The arms that could so easily lift Qingque now would one day be so weak that a gentle touch from her might accidentally break them.
But for Qingque — blessed by the Abundance, of a race that barely ages — a hundred years would be little more than a blink of time.
When Yu Xian grew old and passed away, when his ashes rested in an urn and his name was whispered only in remembrance, Qingque would remain unchanged — just as youthful, just as radiant as she was now.
At barely three hundred years of age, she would still be considered young among her people.
Yet she would carry the ache of his absence forever. A lingering sorrow that would never fade.
Every divination Fu Xuan performed ended the same way — tragedy, unending tragedy.
She clenched her teeth in frustration. But then, after a moment, she exhaled and forced herself to calm down.
Fortunately… yes, fortunately, she had finally found one acceptable future.
Fu Xuan had seen a timeline where no tragedy would occur — the optimal path forward.
"This is the best outcome foreseen by the Omniscia Eye," she thought.
In that vision, today was the turning point.
If Yu Xian skipped work to go on a date with Qingque, their bond would strengthen, setting them firmly on the path to marriage — and thus, to tragedy.
But now that Fu Xuan had caught him, that future could be rewritten.
A faint, satisfied smile curved her lips.
In the new future she had crafted with such care, Yu Xian and Qingque would not marry at all.
There would be no death separating them, no lifelong grief. In this timeline, all three of them — Qingque, Yu Xian, and Fu Xuan herself — would live happier lives.
It might not be a perfect outcome for the couple, but it was the best Fu Xuan could manage.
She just had to ensure that everything went according to plan.
Fu Xuan had seen enough suffering, enough loss. She didn't want her two most valued subordinates to repeat another avoidable tragedy.
Still, she chose not to tell Yu Xian any of this — not her reasoning, nor her divinations, nor the bleak future she had seen.
She knew too well that the more one tried to separate a couple, the more determined they became to stay together. Some things didn't require divination to understand.
So instead, Fu Xuan took a different approach.
"This Seat already knows why you're so eager to skip work and leave," she said, her tone sharp. "You're meeting that Qingque, aren't you? She already slipped out of the Divination Commission early — so you two can enjoy your little date together?"
Despite the turmoil in her heart, she wore an expression of stern authority. Outwardly, she looked simply irritated by Yu Xian's neglect of duty — which, admittedly, was true — and seized the opportunity to scold him.
"Hmph! Qingque is one thing, but now you too? What do you two think the rules of the Divination Commission are for? It seems you both need to be reminded of your responsibilities."
Her tone was cold, her words deliberate.
"Yu Xian, the choice is yours. Either you stay here and study divination with me tonight to refine your skills… or I'll track down Qingque and make sure she receives the punishment she deserves."
Inside, Fu Xuan quietly exhaled.
Plan successful.
Her ultimatum appeared to offer Yu Xian a choice, but in truth, it locked the future firmly in place.
To protect Qingque, he would choose to stay — just as she had foreseen.
And afterward, he wouldn't resent her. On the surface, it would all seem perfectly fair and justified.
Two people skipped work, yet she punished only one. Wasn't that merciful enough?
As expected, Yu Xian didn't hesitate for even a moment.
He immediately bowed his head and replied earnestly, just as Fu Xuan had predicted.
"Your Excellency, I'll stay. Please, just let Qingque off this once."
Then, in a quiet, pleading tone, he added,
"As long as you spare her, I'll do anything."
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober