Xuan Pei’s expression suddenly changed dramatically. He was so shocked that he stepped back several paces, then his expression underwent earth-shaking changes—seeming both joyful and sorrowful. Xiao Shao took in all his expressions, slowly furrowing his brow.

After a long while, Xuan Pei finally recovered from his entangled emotions. He looked at Xiao Shao, and Xiao Shao suddenly had an illusion—as if standing before him was not a tender youth, but a weathered elder. The corners of Xuan Pei’s lips seemed to hold both relief and bitter laughter. Looking at Xiao Shao, he slowly said, “I want to see her.”

Xiao Shao replied in a low voice, “Very well.”

“Ming Yue, Chao Yang.” Xuan Pei suddenly called loudly. The two palace maids guarding outside hurried in. Xuan Pei composed his expression, his tone instantly becoming extremely cold: “I need to leave the palace. Before I return, use every means to keep this matter secret.”

“Your Highness must not,” upon hearing this, Chao Yang urgently said, “Being discovered leaving the palace without permission would be a serious matter. If His Majesty inquires… so many people in the palace are watching you—we cannot hand them leverage ourselves.”

“Am I the master, or are you the master?” Xuan Pei asked in return. “If you can’t even handle this small matter, then there’s no need to stay by my side.” There was absolutely no room for negotiation. Chao Yang suddenly remembered that the youth before her had once watched a personal maid who had served him for over ten years be beaten to death before his eyes without changing expression—he had never been an ordinary youth. His current cold tone made Chao Yang shiver, intimidated by such cruel eyes, she could no longer speak.

Xiao Shao watched coldly from the side, discreetly giving Ming Yue a meaningful look. Seeing this, Ming Yue said to Xuan Pei, “Your Highness may go without worry. This servant will handle palace affairs properly.” Today’s departure from the palace ultimately stemmed from Xiao Shao’s actions—he couldn’t simply stand by. Moreover, since Xuan Pei and Jiang Ruan seemed to have a deep relationship, he couldn’t let Xuan Pei suffer because of this matter.

His own palace maid was following someone else’s orders. Xuan Pei let out a cold laugh, casually grabbing a cloak from nearby: “Let’s go.”

…

At Prince Jinying’s manor, Xia Qing had just checked Jiang Ruan’s pulse. After drinking the medicine, she had finally calmed down this morning and fallen into deep sleep. However, everyone else in the Prince’s manor had lost any desire to sleep peacefully, all showing dark circles under their eyes. Xia Qing, being a physician, naturally racked his brains trying to detoxify Jiang Ruan. Yet after searching through medical texts all night, he remained helpless. Jiang Xinzhi needn’t be mentioned—after staying with Jiang Ruan all night, though no one knew what he had heard from her, everyone who saw his expression today found it extremely desolate, as if he had aged ten years overnight.

Qi Feng sat at the courtyard gate with Guan Lianghan and Mo Cong beside him. Guan Lianghan said, “This Jiang family sister usually appears so lively and spirited, with schemes beyond ordinary people’s reach. Who knows where she fell into a trap? She was just a little girl back then—how could someone be so cruel as to target a little girl?” Being an upright gentleman, discussing such sordid back-courtyard affairs disgusted him immensely.

Mo Cong, who had always found Jiang Ruan somewhat disagreeable, now felt quite uncomfortable: “Though I previously thought Third Sister-in-law was too domineering for a woman, compared to seeing her lying on the bed so pitifully now, I’d rather she be as arrogant as before.” He looked at Qi Feng beside him: “Fourth Brother, why do you look so absent-minded?”

Qi Feng snapped back to reality, forcing a bitter smile: “I’m fine.”

Seeing this, Xia Qing patted his shoulder comfortingly: “I know—with your intelligence, you couldn’t detect what scheme Third Sister-in-law fell victim to, so naturally you’d blame yourself. But this matter isn’t your fault. Perhaps Fifth Brother will formulate an antidote today—don’t be sad.”

Qi Feng smiled without speaking. Xia Qing naturally didn’t know his thoughts. Just looking at Jiang Ruan lying on the bed with a pale face, listening to her heart-stopping words, Qi Feng felt shocked once again. He had never liked women who cried and wailed—he had previously admired Jiang Ruan precisely for her courage. Yet yesterday, inadvertently seeing Jiang Ruan’s sorrowful questioning, he actually felt his heart ache and wanted to comfort her, but could only watch from afar. He hated his own powerlessness, unable to help in any way.

As everyone pondered their own thoughts, they saw Steward Lin leading Xiao Shao hurrying toward them, with another person following behind Xiao Shao. Everyone found this somewhat strange—at such a critical moment, Xiao Shao was bringing people to the Prince’s manor? Wasn’t he afraid of making things more chaotic? Looking again at the person following Xiao Shao—richly dressed, not very tall—when they drew closer and revealed a refined, beautiful face, he looked like some family’s young master. Somehow familiar.

“Thirteenth Prince!” Mo Cong called out first. He looked at Xiao Shao, then at Xuan Pei: “Third Brother, how did you bring the Thirteenth Prince out?” Being free-spirited by nature, he first thought not of the trouble Xuan Pei’s unauthorized palace departure might bring, but wondered why Xuan Pei was called when Jiang Ruan had an incident. He couldn’t recall any friendship between Xuan Pei and Xiao Shao, and as for Jiang Ruan, it was even more impossible for her to have any relationship with Xuan Pei.

“You may go in,” Xiao Shao said to Xuan Pei. “She’s inside.”

Xuan Pei glanced at him: “Thank you.” This glance contained various complex emotions. Though everyone around was confused, they felt this didn’t seem like a conversation between an adult man and a youth, but rather stood on equal ground—a promise between men.

After Xuan Pei entered, Guan Lianghan finally couldn’t help but say, “Third Brother, what are you up to, calling the Thirteenth Prince over? If His Majesty finds out, you’ll have another pile of troubles.”

“He had to come,” Xiao Shao said flatly. “Some matters—only he understands what’s really happening.”

Inside the room, Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao withdrew. Xuan Pei closed the door behind him. He seemed somewhat afraid to approach the bedside, only stopping several steps away from the bed. Jiang Ruan slept peacefully and quietly, her face somewhat pale. Xuan Pei watched and watched, finally taking a few steps forward to the bedside, suddenly dropping to his knees with a “thud.”

The youth’s spine remained perfectly straight, like a truly proud aristocrat, yet his eyes immediately filled with tears. When too many tears accumulated, they finally couldn’t be contained and rolled down from his eye sockets, hot tears dripping onto Jiang Ruan’s hand. His refined, beautiful small face crumpled together, his usually mature demeanor now full of childishness, like a child who had been pretending to be strong finally seeing his mother—his long-maintained disguise crumbling completely, leaving only deep grievances to be freely vented.

“Imperial Mother,” Xuan Pei choked out. “Is it you? Imperial Mother, have you returned?” He slowly grasped the woman’s hand on the bed. Those hands still seemed to hold the warmth from his memories. He pressed the hand to his cheek, breaking into a broad smile: “Do you still remember Pei’er? Pei’er is so happy. Imperial Mother, when will you wake up?”

“It’s been so long, I was so scared.” Xuan Pei gripped Jiang Ruan’s hand tightly: “I thought I was the only one here, that only I had returned. I wanted to avenge you, but I didn’t know how. I slowly established myself in the palace—only this way could I help you. Later I saw you, Imperial Mother. I thought you weren’t my Imperial Mother, that you didn’t recognize me at all. Pei’er thought this was fine too—this time, let Pei’er protect you…” He suddenly paused, then slowly, slowly began to sob: “But it turns out, you’re still my Imperial Mother.”

“If only we could have recognized each other sooner. Imperial Mother, in this lifetime we’ve finally reunited with such difficulty. I don’t want to leave you. Imperial Mother, please don’t leave Pei’er alone again, all right?” The youth’s humble pleading drifted in the air and scattered. The proud, sinister youth in the palace also had such fragile moments—if others saw this, who knows what they would think. However, Xuan Pei was now simply immersed in his own sorrow and joy of loss and recovery, unable to care about anything else.

…

Yet even after Xuan Pei’s arrival, things didn’t improve. On the contrary, once Jiang Ruan fell asleep, she showed no signs of awakening. Everyone was anxiously running in circles, and Jiang Xinzhi was so worried his eyes were red-rimmed. At night, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xia Qing finally came out hanging his head, dejectedly saying, “Third Brother, it’s no use. I can’t cure this poison.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone grabbed his collar—not Jiang Xinzhi, but Xuan Pei. Everyone except Xiao Shao looked at him with some surprise. Xuan Pei said word by word, “So-called Jinling Sacred Healer—turns out to be just a quack doctor. This Prince now tells you clearly: if you can’t cure him, this Prince will report to Imperial Father, tear down your medical clinic, and chop off your head. My Great Jin Dynasty doesn’t need such undeserving divine physicians!”

His tone was sinister, like a cornered beast. Everyone’s hearts jumped, and Xia Qing was intimidated by this youth’s fierce appearance, even forgetting to be angry, only staring at him blankly. Qi Feng frowned—he didn’t know why, but he always felt something familiar in Xuan Pei’s eyes. He didn’t know if it was his current delusion, but he always felt Xuan Pei’s angry expression was identical to Jiang Ruan’s. This was naturally impossible. Qi Feng shook his head, cutting off his own wild thoughts.

“Thirteenth Prince, you’re being too aggressive,” Mo Cong couldn’t stand it and spoke up for Xia Qing. “Though my Fifth Brother is a divine physician, he’s not an omnipotent immortal. Otherwise, no one in this world would die—what would we need so many coffins for?”

“I won’t let you mention coffins!”

“Shut up.”

Two voices spoke simultaneously. The former was Xuan Pei, clearly already beside himself with rage. The latter came from Xiao Shao, who glanced at Mo Cong with a warning look that immediately silenced him. Jiang Xinzhi forcibly suppressed his emotions, managing a strained smile as he asked, “May I ask Divine Physician Xia—if you cannot cure my sister’s poison, are there any other methods?”

Xia Qing shrank back as Xuan Pei released his grip irritably. Looking at Xiao Shao’s cold gaze, he said with difficulty, “I studied under Master Ba Qi—he’s the wisest person in the world. Though I cannot cure this poison, perhaps Master could. If even Master cannot cure it, then no one in the world can.” He looked at Xiao Shao: “Third Brother, why don’t you take Third Sister-in-law to Ganan Mountain? Master should have emerged from seclusion by now.”

Xiao Shao was stunned, suddenly remembering that during his last visit to Ganan Mountain to see Master Ba Qi, the master had asked if any special people had appeared around him. At the time, he hadn’t understood what Master Ba Qi meant and hadn’t spoken clearly. Master Ba Qi had said that person came for revenge and also for repaying kindness, with their fate entangled with his—could he have meant Jiang Ruan? Yes, Master Ba Qi had also said he would have an encounter with that person—wouldn’t that be now?

Seeing Xiao Shao lost in thought with flickering emotions, not knowing what he was pondering so deeply, Jiang Xinzhi patted his shoulder: “Prince Xiao.”

Xiao Shao snapped back to reality, glanced at Xia Qing, and said, “I’ll depart first thing tomorrow morning.”

“I want to go too!” As soon as the words fell, Xuan Pei cried out. Seeing everyone looking at him strangely, Xuan Pei was startled, then covered: “This Prince and Princess Hong’an are siblings after all. When she’s in trouble, this Prince naturally cannot stand by. This is imperial family business anyway—this Prince has the right to manage it.”

This was merely an adopted princess without a trace of blood relation—what kind of siblings were they? Everyone’s gazes clearly showed disbelief. Xiao Shao said coldly, “No.”

“You—” Xuan Pei was about to speak when he heard Xiao Shao’s emotionless words: “You’ve been out of the palace too long. Your servants can’t cover for you—if discovered, it will implicate her.”

Hearing about implicating Jiang Ruan, Xuan Pei fell silent. He clenched his fists, and after a moment said, “Fine, I’ll return to the palace. But if there’s any news, you must have someone send me word.”

Xiao Shao neither agreed nor refused, which meant tacit consent. Seeing this, Jiang Xinzhi said, “Then I’ll go with you. I don’t need to stay in the palace—I’m Ah Ruan’s older brother. I can’t feel at ease leaving her alone.”

“Ganan Mountain has an Eight-Ring Formation. Since you’re not a disciple of our school, you cannot break through the formation,” Xiao Shao said flatly. “If you go, you’ll only delay time.”

Jiang Xinzhi was speechless. Qi Feng smiled: “I’ll accompany Third Brother with Fifth Brother. Fifth Brother understands medicine and might be able to help Master. I also have some matters to consult Master about.” He said, “We’ll find a way to get Third Sister-in-law to see Master as quickly as possible.”

Xiao Shao glanced at Qi Feng without objecting, turning toward the room: “That’s settled then.”

…

Ganan Mountain was perpetually snow-covered, with high peaks and deep valleys—a northern landscape year-round with jagged ice and flowing streams. From the mountain’s base to its peak were eight interconnected plum blossom formations, each linked to the next in exquisite complexity.

The Luyang Manor atop the mountain differed from the scenery below. Even in deep winter’s twelfth month, colorful flowers bloomed everywhere in warm, spring-like weather. The green-feathered parrot at the manor entrance was already flapping its wings and calling loudly. In the courtyard, a gray-robed elder gazed thoughtfully at a chess board on a stone table—the game had been played into complete chaos, showing no discernible pattern. The green parrot called joyfully as the elder shook his head: “Linglang, we have guests.”

As his words fell, an urgent voice came from the manor entrance: “Master—”

Xia Qing ran in breathlessly. Over ten days of non-stop travel had been quite taxing for him. Xiao Shao, having been an Embroidered Uniform Guard leader for so long, didn’t mind such distances. Though Qi Feng was somewhat strained, he had martial arts training after all. Only Xia Qing, a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken who happened to know medicine, didn’t know how to strengthen his constitution. However, being an excellent physician who upheld the medical principle of treating patients like parents, he had gritted his teeth without complaining of fatigue throughout the journey.

Master Ba Qi smiled slightly: “Little Fifth.”

Xiao Shao and Qi Feng appeared behind Xia Qing. Xiao Shao still carried Jiang Ruan while Qi Feng, seeing Master Ba Qi, called out “Master” then said, “Third Sister-in-law has been poisoned. Master, please save her.”

Master Ba Qi’s gaze fell on Xiao Shao, pausing only briefly before settling on Jiang Ruan in his arms. Sighing softly, he said, “This fated encounter has finally come.”

Xia Qing scratched his head: “Master, what are you saying? I really can’t cure Third Sister-in-law’s poison. Master, please see if there’s any solution—it’s a matter of life and death. Third Sister-in-law hasn’t awakened for days. This disciple is truly worried.”

“Carry her to my room,” Master Ba Qi instructed.

After moving Jiang Ruan to the bed in the room, Master Ba Qi suddenly said, “Little Fourth, Little Fifth, you may leave. Ah Shao and I have matters to discuss.”

“Master, whatever you need to say can wait. Shouldn’t we save Third Sister-in-law first?” Qi Feng said urgently. He had always been calm and wise, rarely showing such anxiety. Now seeing Jiang Ruan’s condition worsen daily, he was truly distressed and losing composure. Xia Qing pulled him: “What nonsense are you talking? With Master here, Third Sister-in-law won’t be in danger. Let’s go.”

Qi Feng was startled. Though Master Ba Qi was usually gentle with his disciples, he actually valued master-disciple propriety. His earlier words had indeed been somewhat excessive. Feeling embarrassed, he said, “Forgive me, this disciple was too anxious.” After uneasily glancing at Jiang Ruan once more, he withdrew with Xia Qing.

After Xia Qing and Qi Feng left, Master Ba Qi looked at Jiang Ruan on the bed. The cloth bundle he had brought earlier sat nearby, but he wasn’t hurried to open it, only saying, “Ah Shao, do you understand now?”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Shao said, “I beg Master’s guidance.”

“Ah Shao, you’re so intelligent—how could you not understand?” Master Ba Qi didn’t look at him, only saying, “The words I told you back then—by now, you should understand somewhat. Even now, do you still want to make this decision?”

“Does Master think I shouldn’t make such a decision?” Xiao Shao asked in return.

“I will always respect your wishes,” Master Ba Qi sighed. “Whatever you say, that’s what it shall be.”

“Good,” Xiao Shao said. “I beg Master to save my wife.”

Master Ba Qi’s hand paused as he said flatly, “Ah Shao, I remember telling you once that you’re not suited to be a killer.”

“Master said my blood isn’t cold enough,” Xiao Shao replied.

“Correct. Ah Shao, I knew long ago that you would definitely make this decision. But Ah Shao, you must understand,” a faint compassion crossed Master Ba Qi’s face, “your earthly bonds should have ended here. By making this decision today, your fate can never be reversed. The Purple Star falls—your imperial destiny will fail at the crucial moment. However,” his tone shifted, “in this lifetime, you will no longer have a solitary, baleful fate.”

“I understand, Master. I beg Master to save my wife.” Xiao Shao’s expression remained unchanged, his tone completely calm.

“Going against heaven’s will, altering fate—naturally adverse events will befall you. Your life may suddenly encounter calamity. Even so, Ah Shao, you won’t regret it?” Master Ba Qi asked.

“In this world, there’s nothing particularly precious to me,” Xiao Shao said flatly. “I want to protect her. Whatever decision I make today—whether regarding fate or calamity—I will never regret it.”

The youth’s appearance was peerless, his gaze serene, his tone seemingly as cold and unruffled as usual, without showing even a trace of emotion. Yet the determination and promise revealed within would move even the most iron-hearted person. Master Ba Qi was slightly stunned, his gaze becoming somewhat dazed, as if seeing someone else through Xiao Shao. Many years ago, he had also seen someone who spoke these same words in the same tone as Xiao Shao today, saying they would never regret, but…

Master Ba Qi sighed. Each person had their own destined relationships. He said, “Very well, I will save her. Her poison isn’t difficult to cure—it’s just made from a type of poisonous flower from the southern border. This flower has heart-confusing effects. If one has inner conflicts or demons, any slight unhappiness will result in daily torment, seeing one’s most feared scenes every single day. This poison causes no physical harm but torments the heart, ultimately causing death from mental exhaustion—literally being tortured to death by one’s own inner demons.”

Xiao Shao was slightly startled, then frowned: “Actually from the southern border!”

“Her inner demons are too heavy,” Master Ba Qi said meaningfully. “In fact, she’s at her most vulnerable now. The answers you want to know—you could get them from her current state. If you want to know her secrets…”

“No need, Master.” Xiao Shao interrupted. “Even if I want to know her secrets, she must tell me personally. Such methods—I will not and disdain to use.”

“She won’t want to tell you,” Master Ba Qi asked. “If she refuses to share this secret with you for her entire life, what will you do?”

“Then I’ll spend my life guarding this secret with her,” Xiao Shao replied.

Master Ba Qi was stunned, then suddenly became serious: “Ah Shao, originally I thought you weren’t the world’s greatest killer. Now I feel your inner demons are no fewer than hers. Her inner demon is her secret, while your inner demon is her.”

Those who appear heartless, once they love, become more persistent than anyone else in the world. Xiao Shao’s current state made Master Ba Qi increasingly feel that worldly affairs were unpredictable—otherwise, why would events from years past repeat themselves now? He considered himself capable of glimpsing heaven’s secrets, yet fate was always changeable. Otherwise, why would he never descend from Ganan Mountain for life? Revealing too many heavenly secrets would ultimately invite punishment. Though countless worldly matters could be foreseen, the one thing that couldn’t be predicted was love.

“If she is my inner demon, I’d rather spend my entire life unable to overcome it,” Xiao Shao said.