“Not that?”

Teng Yu’yi’s gaze flickered briefly before she snorted dismissively. “If not for that reason, what else could it be? I had just returned from outside the city yesterday, and then suddenly at night—”

“Can’t you tell that I like you?” Lin Chengyou abruptly interrupted her, his eyes black as ink, focusing intently on her.

Teng Yu’yi’s face instantly burned hot, half her body freezing in place.

Lin Chengyou wasn’t faring much better.

After speaking those words, his heart pounded like war drums on a battlefield, his breath coming hot and quick. Steeling himself, he decided to lay everything bare: “Don’t you understand yet? I want to marry you because I like you.”

His frankness made Teng Yu’yi’s blood rush even more forcefully to her face. Forget about responding—she couldn’t even breathe.

“I haven’t liked you for just a day or two. If not for that, why would I constantly hover around you?”

Thunder and lightning seemed to crash through Teng Yu’yi’s ears and heart. She opened her mouth, stammering out just two words: “I… you…”

Lin Chengyou immediately held his breath, but Teng Yu’yi stopped after those two words.

“You what? I what?”

Teng Yu’yi’s throat seized up again.

“Should I make myself even clearer?”

Teng Yu’yi drew in a sharp breath. Though her breathing normalized, her mind remained in chaos. She clenched her palms and lifted her chin slightly: “Go ahead, speak. I’m listening.”

She tried desperately to appear composed, but as soon as she spoke, her unsteady voice betrayed her true state.

Lin Chengyou watched Teng Yu’yi without breaking his gaze, seeing her dazed expression. He realized she was merely putting up a brave front—in truth, she was probably just as flustered as he was.

He couldn’t help but smile, and with that smile, the burning restlessness throughout his body eased somewhat.

His smile softened: “Very well, I’ll be even clearer. I taught you lightness skills because I wanted to make you happy. I took you monster-hunting because I wanted to see you often. I gave you the Flame Stallion and the step-shake ornaments because I wanted to give you the finest things in this world.”

His bright gaze held nothing but Teng Yu’yi’s reflection. Combined with his intensely focused expression, it was more dazzling than early summer sunlight.

“Since returning from the Colored Phoenix Tower, you’ve been in my heart.”

Teng Yu’yi’s eyelashes trembled as she instinctively stepped backward, unexpectedly stumbling over a stone, her body lurching sharply.

Lin Chengyou gripped her wrist to steady her: “Why are you running away?”

“I’m not running.” Teng Yu’yi cleared her throat.

Lin Chengyou meant to say something, but because he was holding her wrist, he happened to feel her pulse beneath her skin, beating so fast and erratic…

His face grew hot, and he turned his head aside with a small smile before looking back: “Yesterday’s marriage proposal was rejected—that was my fault for being too hasty. Now that you understand my feelings, if I were to propose again, would you marry me?”

Teng Yu’yi closed her eyes briefly: “No.”

Lin Chengyou’s smile froze: “Why?”

“Because… because I don’t want to marry anyone.”

Lin Chengyou faltered—this response was completely different from what he had expected.

“Do you mean—you don’t want to marry others, or you don’t want to marry me?”

“Neither.”

Lin Chengyou was struck speechless. He glanced at her wrist still in his grip, a trace of a smile flowing from the corner of his mouth: “You don’t like me at all?”

Teng Yu’yi frowned and nodded.

“I don’t believe you. If you’re not embarrassed, why are you so flustered?”

Teng Yu’yi followed Lin Chengyou’s gaze to her wrist.

Lin Chengyou gazed at her, his voice lowering: “Your heart is beating faster than mine.”

Startled, Teng Yu’yi hurriedly pulled her hand back: “That’s only because of all these things you’re saying. Hearing such words suddenly—how could I not be flustered?”

Lin Chengyou was half-skeptical.

Never mind.

“Why won’t you marry me? Am I not good enough?”

“I—”

Lin Chengyou nodded: “I understand. Do you think I’m not sincere? Then listen well—”

He declared in a clear voice: “Teng Yu’yi, you are the finest girl I’ve ever met. You have a fierce temper, hate being wrong, are clever to the point of being supernatural, and must avenge every slight. When you truly want to anger someone, you can drive them to death. But you’re kind-hearted and lovable, fiercely loyal to your own, and take every promise to heart. For those you care about, you’d sacrifice anything. Though cold on the surface, your heart runs hot—you even showed mercy to the courtesans at the Colored Phoenix Tower. Yesterday when I was trapped in the water, you jumped in to save me despite not knowing how to swim. You’re so wonderful, more beautiful than the moon in the sky. Since meeting you, my heart and eyes have been filled with only you. When you smile, I’m happy; when you’re angry, I find it adorable. I, Lin Chengyou—”

He lowered his gaze with a smile: “I am the finest young lord in this world, and now I wish to marry the finest young lady. Would she be willing?”

May is the most radiant season of the year. In the distance, the misty waters were beautiful; nearby, orioles sang and butterflies danced. The breeze carried the fresh fragrance of cardamom, delivering Lin Chengyou’s words one by one to Teng Yu’yi’s ears. Gradually, a sweet haze seemed to unfold before her, as if one step forward would plunge her into intoxication. Her heart trembled, and she blurted out: “If I marry you, will you take concubines in the future?”

Lin Chengyou started: “Concubines?”

Teng Yu’yi also started, but once the words were out, she instantly became calmer. She straightened her chest and said: “My husband can only have me alone. Forget about concubines—if he dares to look at another woman, I will immediately sever all ties with him. I’m serious about this, not joking at all. Do you dare guarantee that in the future, your heart and eyes will have only me?”

“I dare.” Lin Chengyou replied without hesitation.

He understood now—so this was what she was worried about.

“You’ve dealt with me so many times—do you think I’m that kind of person? If I fell for every girl I met, would I have waited until you came to Chang’an this year? Besides you, Teng Yu’yi, I look down on everyone else. Besides you, Teng Yu’yi, I don’t want to marry anyone else.”

Teng Yu’yi’s ears began burning again. After a moment’s silence, she snorted: “Do you dare swear an oath?”

What’s there not to dare? Lin Chengyou pointed to the sky: “If Teng Yu’yi agrees to marry me, I will never be unfaithful. In this life, I will love only her, my heart will have only her. If I break this oath, let lightning strike me down.”

Before his words faded, thunder rolled overhead, accompanied by a brilliant flash of lightning striking down from the sky.

Lin Chengyou moved quickly, swiftly pulling Teng Yu’yi aside.

Both were stunned.

If they had been a step slower, Lin Chengyou would have been struck by lightning.

Teng Yu’yi stared blankly at the spot where the lightning had struck.

Lin Chengyou looked up at the sky in exasperation—was it deliberately messing with him? This was the second time now. No lightning before, no lightning after, but it had to strike right when he was making his oath.

After who knows how long, Teng Yu’yi came to her senses. Looking at the scorched ground, she nodded troubledly.

She knew it…

She knew it would be like this.

Even the heavens didn’t believe men’s words.

She turned to glare at Lin Chengyou’s profile. She had to admit, he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. If even she found him attractive, others would find him even more so. Whether he wished it or not, in this life, he was destined to face the temptation of countless beautiful women. Right now he could speak with such certainty, but if one day he didn’t like her as much anymore, what use would oaths be then?

While Lin Chengyou was lost in thought, Teng Yu’yi resolutely pulled her wrist free and pointed at the ground: “Look, it’s heaven’s will. Young Master, I appreciate your kind intentions. I will never forget Young Master’s great kindness, and if you ever need my help in the future, just say the word. But I don’t want to marry you. Let’s end it here today. I’m leaving first.”

With that, she lifted her skirts and ran, calling out: “Dun Fu, let’s go.”

Rain began pattering from the sky, and Teng Yu’yi simply pulled her headscarf over her head, running with her head down for several steps before the oppressive feeling in her heart began to ease somewhat.

Lin Chengyou took a step to follow, then suddenly stopped. What good would pulling her back do? Should he make another oath? That damned lightning had confused everyone—whatever he said now, she wouldn’t believe. Anger burned in his stomach with no way to release it. He had said so much, why wouldn’t she believe him?

The rain fell harder. Teng Yu’yi and Dun Fu’s figures quickly disappeared into the curtain of rain. Lin Chengyou wiped the raindrops from his face and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi had already run over.

Lin Chengyou said expressionlessly: “Let’s go.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi could see their senior brother was in an extremely bad mood and didn’t dare make a sound.

***

Teng Yu’yi returned to the shore and parted ways with her classmates.

On the way there, she had chatted and laughed freely with her classmates, but on the return journey, she barely spoke a word.

Back at the manor, after bathing and changing into clean summer clothes, she sat by the window reading a book by herself.

The rain fell softly for a while, then suddenly stopped. The rain-scented air mixed with flower fragrance, blowing in waves through the deep green window screen. Teng Yu’yi watched the book pages flutter in the wind and fell into a daze.

The scene before her reminded her of her not-so-happy childhood. As a child, she often read alone by the window. In early summer, the wind would rustle the book pages just like this. The roses on the trellis had bloomed a few days ago, and their fragrance floating in the air was exactly like that in the garden of the Yangzhou residence.

In the past, she could happily read for an entire afternoon, but today her mood was different. After reading for a while, unable to take in a single word, Teng Yu’yi simply flopped onto the couch and covered her face with the book.

After speaking so clearly, Lin Chengyou should have completely given up, right? She should feel relieved, so why was her heart still so chaotic?

This unfamiliar feeling troubled her, like an invisible net enveloping her. Eager to escape this feeling, she lay with her eyes closed for a while, then suddenly sat up.

Perhaps she should play the zither.

“Chun Rong, bring the zither,” she called out, putting down the book.

Chun Rong and Bi Luo hurriedly brought in the zither.

Teng Yu’yi strummed casually, the clear notes flowing from her fingertips. “The lord departs amid verdant grass, playing jade zither on the western peak. Not only to enjoy the hillside scene but also to clear a troubled mind.”

After playing for a while, her mood still wasn’t settled.

Chun Rong and Bi Luo also felt something was off. Usually when their lady played this tune, there was a sense of elegant leisure as if dwelling in pure heights, but today’s playing had an indescribable heaviness.

Sure enough, barely halfway through the piece, with a sharp twang, a zither string broke.

Teng Yu’yi impatiently sighed and waved her hand: “Take the zither away. I’ll walk in the courtyard by myself.”

Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt Xiao Ya growing hot in her sleeve. Teng Yu’yi dismissed Chun Rong and Bi Luo, then walked to the window to take out the sword.

Xiao Ya crawled out, movements very sluggish, face sickly pale. After emerging, it couldn’t even speak before collapsing onto the couch.

Teng Yu’yi was startled and hurriedly cradled Xiao Ya in her palm. Just yesterday they had used Xiao Ya’s sword to slay Lady Li’s ghost—it seemed another offering was needed.

“I need Embryonic Breath Transcendence Water,” Xiao Ya said weakly.

Teng Yu’yi nodded anxiously: “Wait here, I’ll get it right away.”

Fortunately, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were in Chang’an this time, so she wouldn’t need to trouble Lin Chengyou. She lowered her head to tuck Xiao Ya’s sword back into her sleeve and stood up, lifting the curtain to leave: “Tell Butler Cheng to prepare the carriage. I need to go to Azure Cloud Temple.”

***

Lin Chengyou rode back to Azure Cloud Temple and asked around—his grand master wasn’t in the temple.

He couldn’t be bothered to go to the palace either, heading straight to his grand master’s main quarters and falling back onto the couch.

Given how the Peng family had suddenly proposed marriage before the throne last night, he had gone to the palace early today to discuss the matter with his uncle. Nearly a whole day had passed—the palace guards and Northern Frontier Army should have made some moves by now.

By rights he should immediately make another trip to the palace, but his heart was too troubled now. He just wanted to lie down with his eyes closed.

Soon after, Kuan Nu came looking for him but didn’t dare enter the room, only calling from the courtyard: “Young Master.”

Lin Chengyou: “Get lost, I’m annoyed.”

Figuring there was nothing urgent, Kuan Nu quickly withdrew.

Lin Chengyou soon fell asleep. After who knows how long, he felt an indescribable ache throughout his body, and his nose burned and stung as if on fire.

In his hazy state, someone touched his forehead: “It’s not the gu poison acting up—this is a wind-chill. Quickly brew medicine for your senior brother, just follow the usual wind-chill prescription.”

Lin Chengyou’s brows twitched, his temples throbbing with pain. He forced his eyes open to see his grandmaster sitting by the couch watching him. A quilt had been added over his body, and the faint scent of medicine wafted in from the corridor.

Master Qing Xu sighed heavily: “You were fine this morning—how did you fall ill after returning?”

Lin Chengyou smiled faintly and turned to get up: “I’m not sick. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

Master Qing Xu: “Still saying nothing’s wrong when you’re burning up. Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi said you went to see Miss Teng?”

Lin Chengyou fell silent.

Master Qing Xu: “Did you get rejected by Miss Teng again?”

Lin Chengyou fell back with his face to the sky: “Grand Master, can we not discuss this? My head hurts.”

Master Qing Xu sighed inwardly. This child had been healthy since young—forget headaches and fevers, he’d barely even sneezed. If not for the torment in his heart, how could he fall ill so suddenly?

According to Master Qing Xu’s original plan, he had intended to let the child figure things out himself, but seeing him like this was truly pitiful. Stroking his beard, he couldn’t help but ask: “Tell your grandmaster, what exactly did you say to Miss Teng?”

Lin Chengyou didn’t want to say a single word.

He recalled the divination his grand master had done for him as a child—the so-called love tribulation must have meant Teng Yu’yi. This feeling of yearning without fulfillment was truly unbearable.

Master Qing Xu knew his disciple’s grandson was hurting and showed unprecedented patience in trying to help: “Miss Teng is a reasonable child. Logically it shouldn’t have turned out like this. Tell your grand master exactly what happened. This is your first love—some things might not be as you imagine.”

Lin Chengyou initially didn’t want to speak, but hearing the last sentence, he pondered for a while before roughly recounting the day’s events.

Master Qing Xu gradually understood: “The child made you swear an oath to her?”

Lin Chengyou closed his eyes again. He had bared his heart and even sworn an oath, yet not only would Teng Yu’yi not marry him, but it seemed she would avoid him from now on.

Ugh, his head was starting to throb again.

Master Qing Xu observed his disciple’s grandson. The illness had come on fiercely—if this heart knot wasn’t untied, it likely wouldn’t improve anytime soon.

He raised his hand and flicked the young man’s forehead: “Foolish boy, haven’t you realized? Miss Teng has feelings for you in her heart. If she didn’t like you, she could have simply rejected you directly—why would she make you swear an oath to her?”

Lin Chengyou’s heart stirred.

“Your uncle told your grandmaster that Miss Teng lost her mother young, and General Teng hasn’t remarried all these years. When this child encounters problems, she has no mother to help guide her. Such children often have knots in their hearts. She’s afraid to marry you because she doesn’t trust you enough yet. Although you swore an oath, unfortunately, it coincided with that passing thunderbolt—now she’s even more afraid to trust you. As long as she believes you’ll love and protect her for life, she’ll eventually let go of her doubts.”

Lin Chengyou’s heart brightened. His grand master’s words were better than any medicine, instantly making his whole body feel more at ease.

Suddenly they heard Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi outside: “That person says he’s Director Yan?”

“That’s right, he says the Court of Judicial Review has a case. Because it involves evil arts, they might need Evaluator Lin personally. Director Yan is waiting in the Cloud Assembly Hall now.”

Lin Chengyou moved to get up.

Master Qing Xu pushed his disciple’s grandson back down: “Stay lying down properly. Your grandmaster will go speak with Director Yan outside.”

But Lin Chengyou said: “If it weren’t urgent, Brother Yan would never come to Azure Cloud Temple. Let this disciple go take a look.”

In the Cloud Assembly Hall, Director Yan sat drinking tea. Seeing Lin Chengyou’s complexion, he was immediately surprised.

“Evaluator Lin, are you ill?”

But Lin Chengyou only said: “Brother Yan, what case?”

Director Yan suppressed his questions and picked up a bundle from the nearby table: “General Li just came to the Court to report a case. He said his third daughter was suddenly attacked on her way home. Fortunately, the Li household had sent guards to accompany her today, otherwise, Third Lady Li might have lost her life. General Li suspects it was done by that group from before and hurried to report it. When I went to the Li residence with others, General Li said someone had also tampered with his daughter’s chambers. Later we found this in Third Lady Li’s room. This doll had been tampered with—there was a talisman hidden inside. The maid only discovered it this morning when taking it out to wash and air.”

Lin Chengyou froze upon seeing the doll.

It was an old doll, the fabric worn almost beyond recognition. The style was different from other dolls—it depicted a mother holding a girl in her arms.

Lin Chengyou paused for a moment, then walked straight to Director Yan and took the doll, turning it over to examine it. There was no mistake—in all his years, he had only seen this doll in one person’s possession.

“This was found in Third Lady Li’s room?”

Director Yan: “I heard it’s a doll Third Lady Li has had since childhood. She usually keeps it on her bed and recently took it to Fragrant Elephant Academy. Who knows when the culprit tampered with the doll? Take a look at this talisman—”

Lin Chengyou thought briefly then stood up: “I’ll go take a look.”

Suddenly they heard Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi exclaim from the courtyard: “Miss Teng!”

Then came the sound of running footsteps into the room: “Senior Brother, Miss Teng is here.”

Lin Chengyou’s heart skipped a beat. A girl’s voice spoke from the front hall, the sweet sound seeming to sprout wings and fly straight into his ears. His feet suddenly felt rooted to the ground, unable to take a single step. He could only smile and say to Director Yan: “Why don’t you go ahead first, Brother Yan? I’ll come shortly.”

Director Yan looked outside and indeed saw a lady wearing a veiled hat. He smiled slightly and said understandingly: “Very well.”

***

Teng Yu’yi chatted and laughed with Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi while following them into the Cloud Assembly Hall. Upon entering and looking up, she saw Lin Chengyou and Director Yan inside.

Teng Yu’yi couldn’t help glancing at Lin Chengyou and noticed that not only was his face flushed, but his thin lips were redder than usual, and his dark eyes showed signs of illness.

She was stunned for a moment, then thought that perhaps he wasn’t sick—it could just be the stuffy weather affecting him.

Meanwhile, Director Yan nodded to Teng Yu’yi, then turned back to tie up his bundle. Teng Yu’yi happened to glimpse a corner of fabric peeking out from the bundle that looked somehow familiar.

She puzzled over it silently. Just before leaving home, she had just seen her doll. Even if the doll had grown wings and flown away, it couldn’t have ended up in Director Yan’s bundle. Assuming she was seeing things, she withdrew her gaze.

She bowed to Lin Chengyou and Director Yan, then had Dun Fu and the others set out the many gifts they had brought from the manor on the table. Only then did she say to Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi: “I’ve come abruptly to ask a favor of you two young Daoists.”

Lin Chengyou didn’t respond, simply leading Director Yan toward the exit.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were dazzled by all the items in the room and said awkwardly: “Miss Teng, Brother Dun Fu, please sit. Do you need us to help exorcise something?”

After Lin Chengyou had left with Director Yan, Teng Yu’yi said with a smile: “I need to discuss this matter privately with you two young Daoists.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi nodded in bewilderment.

Teng Yu’yi was still pondering what she had seen earlier. How could there be such a coincidence in the world? No, she would have to ask Lin Chengyou later whose item that was.

Just as she was about to state her purpose, an elderly temple cultivator came to serve tea. Teng Yu’yi had to stop speaking again. After waiting a while, old Daoists and cultivators kept coming and going, never leaving a moment of peace. She had to say to Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi: “I need to ask you for something, but I can only discuss it with you two alone.”

Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng scratched their heads in confusion and quickly led Teng Yu’yi to the eastern corridor: “This place is secluded. Please speak, Miss Teng.”

Teng Yu’yi took out the Xiao Ya sword from her sleeve, preparing to brazenly ask for the bath water.

“Is your senior brother ill?” she asked softly.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze. That wasn’t what she had meant to say first at all.

Qi Zhi nodded hurriedly: “Yes, he’s sick. Burning with fever.”

Jue Sheng added details: “He’s coughing too. Grand Master just gave Senior Brother medicine. It’s probably from getting caught in the rain—”

Just then they heard someone cough behind them. Teng Yu’yi turned to see Lin Chengyou standing there.

“Weren’t you here to see Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi? Why are you asking about this?”

[Author’s note: In the next chapter, Li Huaigu exits the story, and A’Da and A’Gu recognize each other.]