Lin Qianyi and his people arrived at the third hour after noon.

He stood in the center wearing a gray robe, like a straight dividing line, separating eight people in black on the left and eight in white on the right. Each had a robust build with gleaming eyes, clearly all first-class fighters.

When they arrived, Shen Zuitian and I were drinking.

A strong liquor from beyond the passes, which felt like holding a fierce flame in your mouth, burning from your throat down to your chest. This sensation made your blood vessels expand, countless streams of hot blood surging vigorously as if about to burst through your skin.

The alcohol was brought by Shen Zuitian. He said drinking was something that required the right time and place, and on this day, this was exactly the kind of liquor we should be drinking. I raised my cup in agreement.

It was late April, the sunshine clear and gentle, intense yet serene.

Shen Zuitian suddenly asked me, “Miss Rong, what kind of person do you think Lin Qianyi is?”

I drank the liquor in my cup and smiled, “A contemptible villain!”

He nodded solemnly, “Then I can rest easy.”

I laughed, “What were you worried about before?”

He drained his cup in one go and said, “As your foster father who has shown you deep kindness, I was concerned whether you could fight with all your might against him.”

I cried out in feigned surprise, “Have you ever seen a scoundrel of the jianghu who cares about righteousness and gratitude?”

He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ancient teachings say a married woman follows her husband. Since I’ve already married, naturally I listen to my husband.”

As I spoke, I turned my head to stare at Lin Qianyi, saying coldly, “Whoever dares to touch a single hair on my husband’s head, I will never let them go.”

Shen Zuitian’s laughter grew louder.

Lin Qianyi’s expression turned unpleasant, his gloomy gaze fixed tightly on me. I stared back at him fearlessly. Since we had already torn apart all pretenses, I’m not Rong Shuguang anymore, so why are you still putting on airs?

Finally, he turned to look at Shen Zuitian and smiled, “When did Young Master Shen join forces with Chu Tianyao?”

I was furious! This old fox was trying to sow discord.

Shen Zuitian laughed heartily and said, “Though I’m not very talented, I do have a soft spot for beauties. Now that this lovely lady is in trouble, how could I stand by and do nothing?”

Lin Qianyi’s expression shifted slightly, and he fell silent.

The two men looked at each other, with strange expressions in their eyes.

Finally, Lin Qianyi frowned and said, “Young Master Shen’s actions are truly unexpected.”

Shen Zuitian maintained his composure and smiled, “The feeling is mutual!”

Lin Qianyi’s face alternated between red and pale, murderous intent suddenly rising in his eyes.

I looked at them curiously, not knowing what game these two were playing.

Lin Qianyi suddenly proclaimed loudly, “Today, Yu Chi Mountain Manor is cleaning house. Anyone who dares to interfere is an enemy of Yu Chi Mountain Manor and will be killed without exception!”

As soon as he finished speaking, two black shadows immediately flew out like lightning from behind him. Two sharp swords bringing a cold, chilling light swept toward us.

I let out a cold laugh, swiftly waving my sleeve to catch one sword while bending my elbow to strike the person’s chest. My right hand exerted force, hurling the wine cup forcefully, embedding it deeply in the forehead of the person on the right. One died with shattered ribs, and vomiting blood. The other had blood splashing from his brow, dead with eyes open.

The entire series of movements was completed in the blink of an eye. Both men fell to the ground, not even having time to let out a scream.

I turned and stood firm, brushing my sleeves, my gaze sweeping across the shocked faces before me, finally resting on Lin Qianyi’s face. I deliberately said with a grieved tone, “Foster Father, all my life I’ve listened to you. If you just say the word, I’ll immediately return the position of Manor Lord to you, so why must you…”

“Silence!” Lin Qianyi shouted angrily, with an expression like someone with a fishbone stuck in his throat.

“Tian Yu Wuji, seize this ungrateful wretch!”

Xiao Tianyu and Hai Wuji exchanged glances upon hearing the order, hesitated briefly, then stepped forward.

Suddenly, someone called out, “Wait!”

I turned to look—it was Yan Fufeng.

He walked over, looking at me with a sincere expression.

“Shuguang, the old Manor Lord has always loved you dearly. All this is because of Chu Tianyao. If you kill him to show your stance, I believe the old Manor Lord will surely forgive you.”

After he finished, he turned to look at Lin Qianyi.

Lin Qianyi’s face was expressionless, his deep eyes flashing, and after a long moment, he finally said, “Good! As long as you kill Chu Tianyao, I will let bygones be bygones.”

I drew my Caiyun Blade, slowly pulling it from its sheath, and answered him word by word: “Dream on!”

At this statement, Yan Fufeng’s face turned ashen.

Lin Qianyi threw his head back and laughed uncontrollably. Suddenly, he stopped laughing, glanced left and right, and said coldly, “You all heard that. What are you waiting for?”

Before he finished speaking, three people emerged from each side. Six figures flew over instantly, their moves simple and vicious.

I raised my blade to my brow, meeting them head-on. Blood splattered like raindrops, and a head rolled through the air in a beautiful arc.

The other five people, like beasts driven mad by the smell of blood, roared and pounced forward.

I wielded my blade like a ribbon, with killing intent both fierce and resolute, moving freely in all directions. The carefully cultivated green trees and red flowers in the courtyard fell like rain under the intertwining deadly attacks of the combatants.

Shen Zuitian still hadn’t moved.

I slashed forward with my blade, forcing them back, and glanced sidelong at the western wing room. Yan, Song, Xiao, and Hai had already engaged with Feng Ming, while Fei Wu had not yet appeared.

In an instant, several gusts of powerful wind brushed against my body, and the blades of the five attackers approached again.

I dared not lose focus, frantically wielding my blade like a white ribbon. In the completely silent killing atmosphere, two or three short cries of agony rang out, the killing intent around me weakened slightly, but immediately three more white figures joined in.

The wound on my arm had reopened, and I was gradually feeling strained.

Suddenly, a chill arose between heaven and earth, as if plunging from the scorching heat of summer into the ice and snow of severe winter, while the killing intent around reduced from full strength to just three-tenths.

Shen Zuitian had finally made his move.

I maneuvered around with him amidst a vast and dense layer of blade and sword shadows, moving like lightning, now left, now right, feinting east but striking west. The black and white figures surrounding us fell one by one.

Lin Qianyi suddenly shouted, “Everyone back!”

All responded by retreating.

My chest burned with pain, my arms numb, yet I resisted strongly, not daring to show the slightest sign of weariness.

Of the seventeen people, only nine remained.

Yan, Song, Xiao, and Hai were all wounded, their faces showing signs of pain, and the other two were also injured.

The greatest threat came from Lin Qianyi and the two white-clothed figures with a white cloth covering their faces behind him—presumably the mysterious experts.

Shen Zuitian’s face still wore a smile, his white robe spattered with blood like flowers, whether his own or others, I couldn’t tell.

I turned to look at Feng Ming and was greatly startled—he was leaning against a corridor pillar, half his body covered in blood, his long sword broken, his pale face marked with a bloody gash from his left eyebrow across his forehead, shocking to behold.

I leaped to the western corridor to support him, “How are you?”

He looked up, shaking his head dismissively.

Lin Qianyi waved his hand, and the white-clothed person on the left moved like lightning, initiating a pale blue cold light aimed directly at Shen Zuitian.

He turned to look at me, with a cold smile and said, “Rong Shuguang, I raised and nurtured you for twenty-five years, today…”

“At this moment, still putting on a false act, aren’t you tired?” I interrupted without mercy.

He suddenly erupted in anger, his sleeves moving without wind, his body abruptly floating to the front, a powerful palm wind hitting silently.

My chest tightened, I couldn’t breathe, and hurriedly flew away to avoid it. Unexpectedly, that palm force seemed to have strong adhesive properties, following me like a shadow—so the masked person in Quyang County was him, no wonder he avoided Lin Shaoci when he saw him.

I was unprecedentedly shocked and slashed backward in mid-air with my final strength. Immediately, the palm force weakened slightly, and I took the opportunity to land and turn around.

His gray sleeves billowed like wild ocean waves, a strong palm force sweeping me until I could barely stand, unable to see, with a bloody, sweet taste in my mouth.

At the same time, I vaguely heard a sharp ringing sound heading straight for the back of my head, mixed with two shrill screams.

Immediately after, there was a thunderous boom like an angry roar, with rocks and soil flying everywhere and the ground shaking.

Amid the dust, a pair of warm, large hands caught my waist as I was about to fall.

When I opened my eyes to look, I was immediately terrified to the core, about to speak.

He quickly said, “Don’t speak!”

I immediately felt a warm current flowing from my waist throughout my body. Not daring to speak, I just stared at him blankly.

He wore a smile, his gaze warm and serene, three thousand silver hairs cascading down, highlighting an increasingly pale, handsome face.

He held me and walked back to the corridor to stand, raising his head to look at the people in the courtyard. His gaze suddenly became profound and sharp, sweeping over like a cold lightning bolt.

Following his gaze, I saw Lin Qianyi leaning against a pile of rubble, gasping for breath, his face ashen.

Shen Zuitian lay on the ground, with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, yet remarkably still wearing a smile on his weak face. The rest had all been knocked unconscious.

Only the two white-clothed figures stood motionless, their face coverings hiding their expressions, but their gazes were exceptionally sharp and fierce.

After a brief silence, Yan Shao looked at Lin Qianyi and said lightly, “So you’re a member of the White Lotus Sect. That does surprise me.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Lin Qianyi, a member of the White Lotus Sect?

At once, all eyes focused on Lin Qianyi, except for Shen Zuitian, who maintained an air of composure, as if he had known all along.

Lin Qianyi stood up amidst the shocked gazes, methodically arranging his clothes, glanced at the two silent white-clothed figures, and suddenly laughed.

“Chu Tianyao, you’ve been poisoned with our sect’s deadly ‘Heart of the Red Lotus.’ Do you still have the strength to fight?”

Didn’t these words amount to admitting his identity?

A flash of realization went through my mind, and past clues suddenly surfaced. If Lin Qianyi was from the White Lotus Sect, naturally he knew all about the poison I had ingested. No wonder he became suspicious when I remained unharmed! No wonder he dared to bring his group here!

So his sudden deployment of Song Qingge and others to Taiyuan was for Tang Sai’er? And the pursuit to kill the Three Saints of Tianchi was also for Tang Sai’er?

I angrily said, “You’re truly despicable, taking advantage of someone’s weakness…”

He sneered, “You foolish girl, do you think he still can protect you now?”

Yan Shao held me, smiling faintly, “Why don’t you try and see?”

Lin Qianyi’s expression changed, but before he could respond, the two white-clothed figures suddenly attacked together, flying forward like shooting stars and lightning, their killing intent pouring down like a river breaking its banks, unstoppable once released.

I felt as if my entire body was being pierced by countless fine needles, a breath stuck in my chest unable to rise.

Yan Shao’s silver hair fluttered in the wind. His palm exerted force, and I suddenly rose from the ground, landing safely inside the room. Feng Ming landed with me.

The two white-clothed figures, when they were three feet from his body, suddenly halted in mid-air. That abundant and desperate killing intent seemed temporarily frozen by an invisible substance.

Just at that moment, a sword shaped like a curved hook, accompanied by a deep cold white light, pierced toward his chest.

My scream had not yet left my throat when I heard a light sound—

The sharp sword had already pierced through Lin Qianyi’s left shoulder, firmly pinning him to the white remnant wall, while the brilliant white light left by that sword still hadn’t dissipated.

Yan Shao’s left hand, which hung within his robe sleeve, seemed to move slightly.

In the moment between light fading and stars extinguishing, the killing intent around suddenly surged, cruel and resolute.

The two white-clothed figures simultaneously shot out four sharp daggers from their hands, with a fierce and deadly aura like the rebirth of Asura, unstoppable and impossible to suppress.

My heart suddenly contracted, and everything around spinning. My body involuntarily fell backward, then was supported by a pair of hands.

Feng Ming’s voice was anxious and shocked: “My lady!”

I tightly closed my eyes, only daring to open them slowly after a while. I saw two vivid peach trees under the corridor, with emerald leaves and light pink petals drifting down, the surroundings peaceful.

After the fierce killing intent like wind sweeping snow, heaven, and earth suddenly became as quiet as a patch of idle clouds under a deep blue sky.

Yan Shao stood under the peach tree, turned around, and smiled at me.

I walked out in a daze, unable to speak through my choked voice.

He held my hand, smiled knowingly, and said, “It’s all right now!”

I awoke as if from a dream and looked around. The two white-clothed figures lay face up on the ground, each with a dagger in their chest, their white clothes soaked with fresh blood, splattered like flowers, beautiful yet grotesque.

He embraced me as I turned, saying, “Don’t look.”

Tears burst from my eyes, and I said with a trembling voice, “Your body…”

“Don’t worry! Even if I’m severely poisoned, dealing with them is still as easy as turning my hand.”

As he spoke, he gently raised his sleeve, releasing a force that caused Lin Qianyi to fall to the ground with a groan, standing up holding his shoulder, his face as white as paper.

“Out of consideration for the care you’ve given to Shuguang, I’ll spare your life. Go now!”

Lin Qianyi was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned and stumbled away through a pile of ruins. Yan, Song, and the others also left one after another.

In the silence, a burst of laughter suddenly rang out.

“Master Chu is truly magnanimous. I admire you greatly!”

Shen Zuitian leaned against the wall, with more than a dozen wounds on his body, his robe dyed with blood, contrasting with his extraordinarily handsome face, strangely enchanting.

Yan Shao quietly looked at him for a while, then smiled.

“Shen Zuitian, regardless of who you are, I, Chu Tianyao, owe you a favor today.”

Shen Zuitian laughed heartily and said, “I dare not accept that! I was helping Miss Rong, not Master Chu.”

Yan Shao firmly held my waist, smiled, and said, “Shuguang is my wife. Helping her is helping me, Chu Tianyao.”

Shen Zuitian was slightly stunned, then laughed loudly and said, “Then these few wounds I suffered today were not in vain! Haha!”

Yan Shao said lightly, “Why doesn’t Young Master Shen attend to his wounds first.”

“Until we meet again!”

Shen Zuitian gave a slight bow, then soared into the air. From his manner, it seemed he had only suffered flesh wounds, without any internal injuries.

I had thought he would use this opportunity to make a request, but unexpectedly, he just left. This fellow’s thoughts were truly hard to fathom.

Suddenly, Yan Shao lowered his head onto my shoulder, his thick eyebrows furrowed like distant mountains, his pitch-black pupils revealing a strange deep purple color.

I instantly felt as if I had fallen into an ice cellar, my whole body cold.

He turned his head slightly, signaling me to help him inside. I quickly supported him into the room where he sat down quietly with his eyes closed.

Despite his serious injuries, Feng Ming still guarded nearby with his sword, his expression solemn.

For a time, the room was silent, with only the faint sound of the three people’s breathing rising and falling.

I was about to persuade Feng Ming to rest, when I suddenly caught sight of the red box placed safely on the table, and the delicate copper lock had not been opened.

I abruptly turned my head, staring at Feng Ming in shock.

He looked at me strangely, then followed my gaze and his face drastically changed.

I was even more shocked, questioning him with my eyes: Could it be that you didn’t know either?

He was stunned for a while, then shook his head.

Not daring to disturb Yan Shao’s meditation, I immediately signaled for him to come out with me.

“What’s going on? Yan Shao didn’t take the antidote?” I asked as soon as we left the courtyard.

“I don’t know!”

“Is it that the lock couldn’t be opened? Or is there a problem with the antidote?” My thoughts were in disarray, I urgently asked, “Why didn’t he take the antidote?”

Feng Ming seemed more terrified than me, his eyes flickering, his expression constantly changing.

I became even more flustered by his behavior, feeling increasingly cold, a voice in my mind commanding me to be calm, calm down, but I just couldn’t.

“Fei Wu!” Feng Ming suddenly grabbed my shoulders and called out, “It’s Fei Wu, the problem must be with her.”

I was stunned, then understood immediately, trembling as I said, “Where is she? I’ll go find her.”

“You stay with the master, I’ll go!” He said and quickly flashed away, disappearing without a trace.

I hurried back to the room, gently pushed open the door to look, and was immediately terrified to my core.

The room was empty, with no sign of Yan Shao anywhere.

I stood dumbfounded at the door for a moment, then suddenly calmed down.

Even if Yan Shao was poisoned, no one could take him away without a sound. The possibility of Shen Zuitian returning was small; he wouldn’t dare. So it could only be Fei Wu.

I carefully examined the surroundings, then refocused my attention on this room, searching inside and out thoroughly without finding anything. I went out and quickly circled the courtyard front and back, still without any discovery. My heart sank once again.

By this time, the red sun was about to set, twilight enveloping from all directions. The late spring evening breeze blew over, carrying the thick smell of blood from the courtyard. I couldn’t help but lean against a broken wall, bending over and retching.

A large hand silently touched my back.

My body stiffened, and I turned sharply, all emotions instantly frozen on my face. “Why is it you—”

Lin Shaoci’s lips curled into a mocking smile, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to pester you.”

I awkwardly said, “That’s not what I meant.”

He looked at me quietly for a while, then resumed his usual proud and cold expression, saying lightly, “Thank you for sparing him! This time, I’ve decided to go back and face reality. He is, after all, my father.”

My mind was in chaos, not knowing what to say.

He looked at me for a while longer, then suddenly said, “He went west.”

I widened my eyes, looking at him.

He slightly curled his lips. “I mean Chu Tianyao—”

Before he could finish, I ran off to the west, vaguely hearing a sigh behind me.

I ran westward against the setting sun, the cold night wind brushing past my ears, something inside me seemingly gradually flowing away.

Under the heavy night sky, long winds blew through the sturdy grass, the world vast and tragic. The clear crescent moon hung like a hook, and not a single figure could be seen on the vast, desolate plain.

Suddenly, darkness fell over heaven and earth, bringing with it endless desolation and despair.

After an unknown amount of time, a blue-black carriage slowly approached from under the bright moonlight. The carriage stopped in front of me, and Feng Ming leaped down, smiling with a pale face.

My entire body was rigid, unable to move a step. “He…”

The blue-black curtain of the carriage lifted slightly, and a low, slightly weak voice said, “I’m fine.”

My tightly strung nerves suddenly relaxed, my vision darkened, and I knew nothing more.

After some unknown period, I woke up in a faint scent of ink, stared blankly for a moment, then jumped up to open the door, immediately seeing Feng Ming standing outside.

I grabbed him and asked, “Where is Yan Shao?”

He said softly, “The master is resting. My lady has not yet recovered from her internal injuries, don’t get excited.”

I urgently said, “Take me to him quickly.”

He nodded toward the room and said, “He’s in the room.”

I was startled and walked quietly back into the room.

There were two rooms inside, separated by an elegant plum blossom screen. Behind the screen, Yan Shao sat quietly with his eyes closed, his full head of white hair flowing like a mirror, his forehead covered with a layer of fine sweat, a strange glow constantly flowing on his handsome face, circulating endlessly.

I stared at him for a long time, until Feng Ming lightly tapped my shoulder, only then did I come to my senses.

I quietly closed the door and asked in a low voice, “What exactly happened?”

“The master has taken the antidote and will recover in twelve hours.”

“What about Fei Wu?”

“She has been sent back to Moye Mountain by the master.”

Before I could speak, he suddenly said, “I’m sorry.”

I was startled, “What?”

His face slightly reddened as he said, “The person who revealed the master’s poisoning was Fei Wu.”

I was quite shocked and blurted out, “Why?”

He remained silent.

I somewhat understood, but still couldn’t believe it. “She wanted to use others to kill him?”

His expression darkened, and he smiled bitterly, “She has been obsessive and aloof since childhood, seeing no one else in her eyes except the master. I don’t know why she suddenly became confused this time. Please don’t blame her.”

“Of course I blame her!” I exclaimed, “How could she risk Yan Shao’s life?”

He sighed lightly, “She was certain nothing would go wrong. The master’s skills are unparalleled…”

“Even if he were a god, she shouldn’t have done this!”

I was furious, “What if something had happened? Do you know how I’ve been these days? You two were quite at ease, weren’t you? If his skills are so unparalleled, why did he get poisoned…”

“That was because of you!” he looked at me coldly.

I was taken aback, suddenly noticing that his left arm was wrapped in a white cloth. I felt my previous words were too harsh and couldn’t say anything more.

He also seemed to feel he had misspoken and remained silent.

Suddenly, he smiled bitterly and said, “Perhaps I was too confident. In twenty years, I never knew anything in this world that he couldn’t accomplish. Even if mountains crumbled before his eyes, he wouldn’t even furrow his brow. I’ve become too accustomed to this feeling…”

I patted his shoulder and sighed, “I’ll watch over Yan Shao. You go and rest.”

I returned to the room and looked at Yan Shao’s silhouette through the screen, my emotions gradually calming down.

As my nerves relaxed, I began to feel the pain throughout my body. The wounds on my arms and chest had reopened, with blood congealing into black streaks.

Lin Qianyi’s martial arts were truly strange, sticking like super glue once it touched you. Since he was a member of the White Lotus Sect, his attempt to control Yu Chi Mountain Manor made sense. In the Yongle years, Tang Sai’er’s rebellion failed, and her followers must have hidden in the jianghu, becoming underground operatives, hoping to stage a comeback.

I lay on the bed, carefully combing through the events of the past few days, deeply feeling that masters Jin Yong and Gu Long had indeed not deceived me—the jianghu was truly extraordinarily treacherous, a bloody life of the strong preying on the weak, not something everyone could endure. As for me, Fang Yi, I was just a modern homebody who rarely left the house, entrusting my life and property safety to the police, so I had nothing to worry about. Only after coming to the Ming Dynasty did I realize the terrors of feudal society. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to secure Yan Shao; otherwise… the thought alone makes my skin crawl…

I wonder if Feng Jingli has met with Zhu Zhanji yet?

I got up and checked the calendar—it was almost May. I hoped things would go smoothly without any more complications. Once Yan Shao’s poison was cured, I would find a way to lure him away from the jianghu to live a carefree and happy life, free from the troubles of the world.

The things of this world are strange, often not following common sense. I had washed myself clean, dressed up beautifully, guarding Yan Shao’s bedside without daring to close my eyes, playing the role of a devoted lover, imagining how moved he would be when he opened his eyes to see me.

Who would have thought that after just dozing off, when I opened my eyes again, I was already in bed?

Yan Shao lay beside me, blinking his thick eyelashes, smiling gently as he gazed at me. I also stared at him without blinking, thousands of words choked in my throat unable to be expressed, truly feeling like I had survived a calamity.

He seemed to understand my feelings, reaching out to pinch my face, smiling, “Silly?”

I held his hand, kissing his long, beautiful fingers, large teardrops rolling into his palm. His palm trembled slightly, then he lowered his head to kiss my cheeks, his pitch-black eyes full of tender affection.

My heart palpitated, uncontrollably, tears falling once more.

He suddenly extended his hand to press gently on my chest, massaging softly, saying in a gentle voice, “Your wounds haven’t healed yet, don’t get excited.”

I felt a warm current permeating my entire body, indescribably comfortable and pleasant. After a moment, I felt an intense drowsiness and unconsciously drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, the sky was dimly lit, a dying candle in the room neither extinguished nor burning brightly.

Yan Shao lay beside me with his eyes closed, his breathing even. The collar of his white undergarment was slightly loose, his strong chest muscles gleaming with tantalizing luster in the candlelight.

I stared at him foolishly for a while, then reached out to pull up his blanket, silently getting up, intending to personally prepare breakfast. It’s quite embarrassing to admit that as a wife, I had never cooked for my husband even once.

Just as I was bending down to put on my shoes, I was suddenly pulled back by a large hand, and a lazy, hoarse voice whispered in my ear, “Sleep a bit more.”

I turned to kiss his face, smiling, “I’m going to cook.”

He smiled, “Hungry?”

I asked curiously, “You haven’t eaten for three days, aren’t you hungry?”

“Of course I’m hungry!” he smiled mischievously, entangling me, reaching out to undo the ties at my waist.

I held his hand, mimicking his tone, “You’ve just recovered, don’t get excited.”

His chest vibrated with suppressed laughter, “Just looking.”

I blushed slightly, “It’s not like you haven’t seen it before.”

He didn’t answer, just continued to unfasten my clothes, lowering his head to gently kiss that scar, and after a while, raised his head with a slight sigh.

Not wanting him to feel guilty, I caught his hand, smiling, “I’m hungry, I need to go make food.”

He caressed the calluses on my palm, teasing, “Hands that dance with knives and swords can also cook?”

I grinned smugly, “I know how to do many more things.”

He suddenly rose, smiling, “Good, let me see your skills.”

I hurriedly said, “You lie down first, I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

Ignoring me, he just got up and dressed. I had no choice but to go with him to the kitchen and busy ourselves for a while. Following my usual eating habits, I prepared four dishes, soup, and steaming hot rice.

He stood up, dusting off the ashes and grass on him, sighing, “I thought brewing medicine was difficult, but cooking is even more challenging.”

I suddenly remembered that day at the inn when he brewed medicine for me and got ashes all over his face, feeling both moved and amused.

When we brought out the dishes, we met Feng Ming who was fetching water to wash his face. He was so shocked that he spilled the entire basin of water on himself.

I laughed, “Quickly wash up and eat.”

I don’t know if Yan Shao was hungry or if my cooking was truly good, but he was very appreciative. As for me, I didn’t eat much; just watching him made me feel full in both heart and stomach.

After the meal, Feng Ming brought out a large stack of letters. Yan Shao was drinking tea and without raising his head, he lightly said, “We’ll discuss that later.”

Feng Ming was slightly stunned, then withdrew.

I sat across from him, tilting my head to gaze at him foolishly.

He put down his tea, held my hand, and smilingly suggested, “Shall we go for a walk?”

I shook my head.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled mischievously, “Hmm, then let’s continue in bed…”

I burst out laughing, squeezing his hand, and asked, “How did you know the antidote wasn’t in the box? You didn’t even open the lock.”

He smiled, “Fei Wu has always been ambitious. Having obtained the antidote, how could she let the Three Saints of Tianchi deliver it?”

I rolled my eyes at him, saying irritably, “You seem to understand her quite well!”

He laughed, “I’ve already sent her back to Moye Mountain to reflect.”

I said, “I want to go to Moye Mountain too.”

He was startled, then said softly, “It’s very desolate there. I fear you won’t be comfortable.”

I smiled, “With you by my side, I’m not afraid.”

He ruffled my hair, readily agreeing, “Alright, once things are settled here, we’ll go back.”

I stared at him, playing dumb, “Isn’t everything already over? Your poison is also cured…”

He stood up, smiling, “We’ll return to Jinan tomorrow. Do you not want to go out for a walk?”

I held him back, “I’d rather continue in bed—”

He laughed and pulled me back to bed. The spring sunlight lazily crawled across the window lattice, table, chairs, and beams, then gradually climbed onto our bodies. I lay languidly against his chest, playing with his silver-white, resilient hair, and asked, “How did you know Lin Qianyi was from the White Lotus Sect?”

He said in a low voice, “After Fei Wu emerged from seclusion, she confirmed that Feng Jingli’s master was indeed Tang Sai’er. After being injured by the Three Saints of Tianchi, she immediately sent Feng Jingli away, then contacted two Guardian Law Masters.”

I was startled, “Guardian Law Masters? Those two masked white-clothed figures?”

He made an affirmative sound and continued, “Lin Qianyi ordered Song Qingge and others to hunt down the Three Saints of Tianchi. Besides the reason of Tang Sai’er, it was also to regain control of Yu Chi Mountain Manor. Controlling Yu Chi Mountain Manor would indeed be the best cover for the White Lotus Sect—”

I exclaimed, “That’s right, Shen Zuitian said Lin Qianyi was deliberately let go by him.”

He smiled, “Shen Zuitian’s interests don’t lie in the jianghu. The existence of the White Lotus Sect benefits him without harm, so letting Lin Qianyi go is understandable.”

I asked, “Does he truly have ambitions for the empire?”

He pondered, “The Ghost Valley Alliance rose to power in the north overnight, operating mysteriously with strict organization. Shen Zuitian, despite his young age, commands respect among heroes. Besides his martial arts and wisdom, there must be strong financial backing. I had people investigate his funding sources, and all signs point to Northern Yuan…”

I was greatly surprised, “Could he be a Mongol?”

He smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

I frowned, thinking carefully. It wasn’t impossible. If he could win over the heroes of central China, it would naturally be easier to lead troops southward in the future. He was stirring up this pool of water in the jianghu, trying to fish in troubled waters… But his appearance was so enchanting, lacking the rugged and domineering air of northerners…

“Be careful not to overthink!”

Yan Shao touched my furrowed brow, feigning anger, “At this moment, thinking of another man is a bit too much.”

I burst out laughing, leaning forward to kiss him, and exploring him.

He caught my hand, smiling, “The wound hasn’t fully healed yet.”

I helplessly lay back down, but he grabbed my breast and began to knead it gently.

I drew in a sharp breath, “Are you doing this on purpose?”

He smiled wickedly, his long, powerful fingers evilly exploring downward, his fingertips emanating an intense, burning force like an electric current attacking me. As his movements quickened, I couldn’t help but cry out, gasping, “What devilish technique is this?”

His gaze deepened as he said hoarsely, “The Ecstasy Technique created by my father. How does it feel?”

I collapsed powerlessly in his arms, laughing and crying, “No way, did he teach you this too?”

He chuckled lightly, “He kept it in his study, and I secretly looked at it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “You bad child, not learning the good things, only the bad.”

He glared at me, snorting, “Taking advantage and still complaining.”

I only had enough strength left to laugh, curling up against his chest and falling fast asleep.

When I awoke, it was already late, and there was no one beside me. Looking up, I saw him sitting at the desk reading letters. In the candlelight, his profile was as sharp as if carved by a knife, his lips suddenly curling up slightly as he turned his head to smile at me, his pitch-black eyes as clear as autumn waters.

My heart stopped, unable to breathe.

He softly asked, “Hungry?”

I nodded, then shook my head.

He tossed aside the letters, smiling as he walked over. “Lost your ability to speak?”

I held his hand, honestly saying, “I was hungry, but that smile of yours just now was so beautiful it took my appetite away.”

He laughed heartily, pulling back the thin blanket to help me up, leading me to the front hall for dinner.