“He should be responsible.”
Gu Nanyi’s one sentence nearly made Feng Zhiwei, kneeling on the ground, jump up in shock.
She suddenly raised her head to look at Gu Nanyi. His face hidden behind the veil naturally showed no expression, but the veil stirring without wind made it clear Gu Nanyi was very displeased.
And that man on the ground—his clothing somewhat disheveled, face pale green, actually looking as if frozen stiff. Feng Zhiwei carefully identified him by the lamplight and recognized him as none other than Ni Wenyu, who’d given false testimony at the Three Judicial Offices that day and had his scholarly honors stripped!
This person who absolutely shouldn’t appear here now appeared here, clothing disheveled, expression panicked, golden light flashing between his fingers. Looking carefully, it was an exquisite, imperially used, gold thread tourmaline ankle bracelet that only unmarried princesses could wear.
Needless to say, one could understand what he’d just done.
From between Feng Zhiwei’s teeth came a hissing sound. Raising her eyes to see Emperor Tiansheng’s expression—the old Emperor’s face, unmoved by the eight winds, was still unmoved by the eight winds. Yet in just an instant, one felt those crisscrossing wrinkles had deepened somewhat. And those eyes sunken like deep pools, hidden behind the lamplight, faintly flashed with ghostfire-like light—jumping, jumping.
Feng Zhiwei, who understood Emperor Tiansheng to a certain degree, knew the old fellow had already flown into a rage.
His beloved daughter had actually been deceived and violated—which father could tolerate this? Let alone a noble, proud emperor? Emperor Tiansheng at this moment must have developed killing intent!
An enraged emperor would vent his anger indiscriminately, would silence witnesses, would not hesitate to let blood flow like rivers for the imperial family’s dignity!
“Your Majesty!” She swiftly advanced on her knees, grabbing that frozen fellow viciously: “So this is that palace-disturbing assassin, bold and reckless, actually attempting to assassinate Your Majesty—such a vicious beast should immediately be beaten to death with random clubs!”
Her words sounded somewhat hollowly cool in the night. Though clearly indignant and passionate, because of Emperor Tiansheng’s eerie expression, they seemed light and insubstantial without foundation. All around, except for the unconscious Princess Shaoning and the ever-silently standing Gu Nanyi, everyone hunched their backs and bowed, wishing they could shrink into the ground.
Cold sweat faintly rose on Feng Zhiwei’s back. She tightly pressed her lips.
Emperor Tiansheng remained silent, ghostfire-like eyes staring at her, then passing over her back to look into the hall interior. There, Princess Shaoning lay unconscious, sleeping peacefully. At the corners of her lips was even a trace of sweet smile as if her wishes had been fulfilled. She was completely unaware that tonight’s bout of indulgence had implicated the entire imperial court’s situation, causing unseen injuries and endless ripples deep down, with immeasurably far-reaching effects.
Unaware that during her very sleep, there had already been open spears and hidden arrows, treacherous currents, back and forth several rounds. Silently, who knew how many heads would roll, how many official positions would be stripped, how many innocent lives would be lost? Perhaps even her lover would soon be killed because of her.
Emperor Tiansheng’s gloomy, resentful gaze wandered in a circle over his daughter’s body, finally settling on those smiling lips, fixating there motionlessly for a long time.
No one around dared breathe loudly. It was so quiet one could hear the sound of water droplets splashing in the distant Imperial Garden’s jade pool.
As if a very long time later, Feng Zhiwei finally heard Emperor Tiansheng’s voice, deep and slow, also carrying a trace of hollow coolness as it transmitted over.
“Breaking into the palace to assassinate, a heinous crime—naturally cannot be lightly forgiven.” He said: “Sixth son, I’m leaving this matter to you. Handle it cleanly for me.”
Ning Yi bowed in acknowledgment.
The breath Feng Zhiwei had been holding suddenly released. She secretly felt fortunate. Emperor Tiansheng, such a cold and callous ruler—his extreme favor toward this daughter could already be considered an anomaly in the imperial dynasty. Properly speaking, with his temperament, in this kind of situation the most likely course would be to kill everyone who could be killed to silence them, then send this daughter far away.
Bestowing Shaoning to Ni Wenyu was absolutely impossible. Killing Ni Wenyu without saying anything then marrying Shaoning off to a distant land—Shaoning, not knowing the inside story, would definitely not comply. Now with Feng Zhiwei voluntarily shouldering responsibility, Emperor Tiansheng, for his daughter’s lifelong happiness, ultimately acknowledged Feng Zhiwei’s explanation. Covering everything with one large quilt, concealing all matters.
“Wei Zhi,” Emperor Tiansheng sat high on his palanquin, looking at him heavily. “In the examination questions case, you suffered. After returning to court, work diligently and conscientiously. As long as you serve your sovereign with loyalty, I will not treat you unfairly.”
He spoke of the examination questions case, but actually referred to tonight’s matter. Emperor Tiansheng himself had swallowed a silent loss, but at least knew Wei Zhi had swallowed an even greater silent loss. Once his anger passed, this was him coming to pacify and make his position clear.
It was pacification, but also warning. Feng Zhiwei humbly lowered her head: “This minister is willing to sacrifice life and limb, ceasing only in death.”
Emperor Tiansheng gazed at her for another long while. In his eyes flashed a gleam of satisfaction, yet he let out an almost inaudible sigh and waved his hand.
The imperial palanquin silently sank into darkness. The floating red lanterns were like eerie ghost eyes, blinking and closing in the darkness. Feng Zhiwei remained prostrate on the ground for a long time. After a while, she climbed up drenched in cold sweat.
A pair of hands gently helped her up. Ning Yi’s faint smile bloomed in her field of vision.
Feng Zhiwei smiled slightly, using his sleeve as a shield, asking softly: “How did he know so clearly?”
“Earlier when the assassin commotion started, Father Emperor was worried about Shaoning and sent people to Yuming Palace.” Ning Yi quietly said: “Shaoning wasn’t there. He immediately thought of your place—I heard that a few days ago, Shaoning had already been pestering him to come visit you. He didn’t agree.”
Feng Zhiwei sighed, muttering: “Tonight, cold sweat after cold sweat…”
Ning Yi’s voice was low, carrying a trace of teasing: “This Prince is the same. How about we go to the bathhouse together to bathe? This Prince’s back-scrubbing skills are excellent.”
“This humble minister’s sweat has already dried. I dare not trouble Your Highness.” Feng Zhiwei smiled falsely, pushing him away with one motion. She first went before Gu Nanyi, carefully looking him over: “Are you all right?” She extended her hand to check his pulse.
Gu Nanyi’s sleeve slid away in evasion. Feng Zhiwei looked at him in surprise, thinking he was still angry. With a gentle smile she said: “Brother Gu, we’re currently in the palace, thin in power and inconvenienced. In some matters we must act expediently…”
Gu Nanyi listened silently, listening very seriously. After a long while he shook his head, saying slowly: “Don’t like you suffering losses.”
Feng Zhiwei froze again. After thinking for a while she understood his meaning. So he wasn’t angry—he just wasn’t willing to accept her suffering silent losses. A warm current surged in her heart. She smiled with raised brows: “Rest assured, there’s no loss in this world that I’ll keep taking indefinitely.”
Gu Nanyi looked at her silently, then suddenly leaned close, quietly asking: “Are you going to marry her?”
Feng Zhiwei thought it was remarkable Little Dullard had made so much progress recently. If it were before, how could he have sorted through tonight’s complex situation? While nodding, she also quietly said: “Taking it one step at a time. Keeping our lives is what matters.”
Gu Nanyi contemplated by her ear. The scent like green duckweed—clean yet slightly astringent—transmitted over, bringing to mind autumn’s clear, lofty sky. Just being that close made one’s spirit feel refreshed and comfortable.
Feng Zhiwei shifted somewhat uncomfortably, feeling the two were too close. In the darkness, a gaze from the side seemed to burn as it looked over, landing on her back with an itching sensation.
But Young Master Gu had always been single-minded, not caring about any outside movements, only concerned with Feng Zhiwei alone. When Feng Zhiwei shifted, he also shifted, concentrating on discussing with her: “Mm… how about I marry her instead?”
“…”
Feng Zhiwei began coughing loudly, coughing torrentially and unstoppably. Bent at the waist supporting her knees, face flushed red, trembling in the wind. Gu Nanyi stared at her, not understanding what this woman was so agitated about.
After a long while, Feng Zhiwei asked while coughing: “You… you like her?”
Gu Nanyi shuddered.
“Then why would you marry her?”
Gu Nanyi looked at Feng Zhiwei like looking at an idiot, saying matter-of-factly: “Marrying her is bad for you.”
Feng Zhiwei stood dazed, a foolish question slipping out: “Good for you?”
Gu Nanyi glanced at her—if it’s bad for you, naturally I must think of a way to resolve it. What does whether it’s good for me have to do with anything?
He felt this woman was being very stupid tonight and not worth engaging with, so he turned his head away.
But Feng Zhiwei had already begun laughing softly.
Tonight’s bellyful of unwillingness and resentment instantly dissipated like smoke—in this world there were still people willing to sacrifice everything for her regardless of any benefit, regardless of personal gain or loss.
So precious. So precious it made one unable to voice any dissatisfaction toward this world’s injustice and trampling.
“There’s nothing bad about it.” She sighed by Gu Nanyi’s ear: “I became a prince consort, my office wasn’t lost—I’m already very fortunate. You caught the real culprit. The Emperor knows I was wronged, so he has no misgivings in his heart. In the future, considering I’m his son-in-law and took this great wrong for his daughter’s sake, he’ll treat me better… My good days are coming soon.”
Gu Nanyi thought about it and let out a long breath as if relieved of a heavy burden.
Marrying a wife meant sleeping in the same bed with the wife. The thought of sleeping in the same bed with Shaoning made him feel heaven and earth were collapsing.
Actually, the thought of sleeping in the same bed with anyone made him feel heaven and earth were collapsing.
However…
“Sleeping together—not acceptable.” He contemplated, emphasizing.
“Hm?” Feng Zhiwei was about to go interrogate Ni Wenyu. She turned her head questioningly.
“Sleeping with you.” Young Master Gu, immersed in his own thoughts, said earnestly: “This one is acceptable.”
“…”
Feng Zhiwei stumbled and toppled into the flower bed at the courtyard’s edge…
Feng Zhiwei, defeated by the formidable Young Master Gu, almost fled to Ni Wenyu’s side. Ning Yi had already awakened him.
He’d been facing away from Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi the whole time, not watching the two whisper privately. Feng Zhiwei went over with somewhat unnatural expression. Under the thin human-skin mask one could see the blush caused by that formidable statement earlier. Ning Yi glanced once and smiled lightly.
Feng Zhiwei found that smile displeasing and didn’t want to acknowledge him. Yet she heard him say lowly: “Zhiwei, you see—in this world only I am most suitable for you. Thoughts, pace, schemes, decisiveness—you, and me.”
“Too similar, each with sharp edges.” Feng Zhiwei said indifferently. “The possibility of collision is even greater.”
“I look forward to you violently colliding with me or being violently collided with by me. I’m sure that moment’s sparks will be wonderful.” Ning Yi smiled wickedly, speaking with double meaning.
Feng Zhiwei twitched the corners of her mouth, not planning to engage in verbal sparring in this inappropriate place. With one slap she patted the dazed-looking Ni Wenyu, discovering his touch was ice-cold. She couldn’t help looking at Gu Nanyi.
Young Master Gu’s internal energy wasn’t icy-cold internal energy. Where did this cold air come from? Did Ni Wenyu get contaminated when he expelled the cold energy?
“He crashed into the outer wall of my room.” Young Master Gu explained indifferently.
Gu Nanyi’s externally released cold energy had directly frozen Ni Wenyu, who was trying to escape, outside the wall?
Such powerful yin-cold energy—if even a bit remained stored in the internal organs it would leave lasting harm. Had Gu Nanyi completely expelled it or not?
Ni Wenyu was awakened by Feng Zhiwei’s slap. Trembling, he hugged his shoulders curled into a ball, teeth chattering, eyes panicked. After a long time he recognized Feng Zhiwei and Ning Yi, becoming even more frightened and flustered.
“Spare me… spare me…” He said in a raspy voice: “I just didn’t want to be exiled…”
After questioning for a long time, Feng Zhiwei finally understood clearly. This person, for giving false testimony to frame a current court official, after being cangued at the Qingming Academy entrance was locked back in the Ministry of Justice prison, prepared for autumn exile to southern Fujian. Last night, however, someone came to the prison and made a deal with him.
—Sleep with someone somewhere, and he could avoid exile and be sent back to his native place.
As for where that somewhere was, Ni Wenyu didn’t know. Who the person to be slept with was, he’d also been warned not to ask. If he’d known who it was, he’d probably prefer to be exiled rather than dare come sleep this one time.
“Who came to discuss this matter with you?” This was a key question.
Ni Wenyu shook his head: “Wore a mask, stood in darkness. Couldn’t make them out. At that time, not a single Ministry of Justice bailiff was present.”
Ministry of Justice Minister Peng Pei was awaiting punishment. Currently a Vice Minister was concurrently serving as Minister. This person who came to negotiate the deal, being able to make others avoid the area, must have had considerable status. Inside the Ministry of Justice, there must definitely be problems.
“Your Three Judicial Offices should be purged.” Feng Zhiwei smiled at Ning Yi.
Ning Yi smiled gently yet sinisterly: “Naturally, must be done cleanly.”
The two conversed without reservation before Ni Wenyu. Listening in terror, Ni Wenyu wasn’t stupid. In his heart he vaguely already knew something was wrong. Looking again at the high palace walls on all sides, the palace hall structure, guard uniforms, palace lanterns hung high—his face grew increasingly pale.
“What… place is this…” He asked with trembling lips: “I… know nothing…”
Feng Zhiwei looked at him with cold, disgusted eyes. It was because of this person’s selfish thought, going astray and getting deeper, that he harmed himself and also harmed many people, nearly killing her as well.
She smiled, patted the cowering Ni Wenyu’s shoulder, and with a gentle tone, answered:
“This is your hell.”
The shocking night finally passed. Before dawn, Shaoning was sent back to the palace. Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi left the palace. Ning Yi remained in the palace to handle last night’s follow-up matters. That night, fresh blood that silently flowed from Tiansheng Imperial Palace soaked into the deep black earth, dyeing that night’s pallid moon color. No one knew.
The batch of Imperial Forest Guards on duty protecting Emperor Tiansheng that night were immediately promoted and dispatched to Shannan Circuit to suppress bandits. During their mountain bandit suppression they encountered an ambush and all died. His Majesty ordered Prince Chu to reward the fallen soldiers and provide generous compensation.
Yuming Palace was sealed. Except for Nanny Chen who accompanied the Princess out of the palace to cultivate, the rest of the palace servants were all sent to the Laundry Bureau, Cold Palace, and other such bitter toiling places. Believing it wouldn’t be long before they’d all disappear one by one into the blood-dark palace forbidden grounds due to sudden illness or infractions.
In this world, only cold spirit tablets would remain permanently silent.
Feng Zhiwei simultaneously strengthened security protection for herself and Gu Nanyi—she very much worried the old Emperor said one thing but did another behind the scenes, or the more he thought about it the more frustrated he became and evil arose from his guts. With one moment of displeasure, he might dispatch the Golden Feather Guard to eliminate her. So she passed several days in great anxiety.
What made her even more anxious was that Gu Nanyi’s injury indeed had problems. That day when he appeared, he looked completely normal. After leaving the palace, however, his steps grew slower and slower. When nearly reaching the imperially bestowed residence, he fell with a thud onto Feng Zhiwei.
Feng Zhiwei at that moment felt a huge iceberg crashing down on her head.
His body was cold as an iceberg. The way he crashed down made her heart feel as if smashed to pieces by an iceberg.
Feng Zhiwei rushed into her new residence carrying the ice-cold Gu Nanyi. Unfamiliar and panicked, she actually got lost and nearly crashed headfirst into the spirit wall. The person in her arms was bone-chillingly cold, like a corpse. She ran in circles through the courtyard carrying him into the wind, her heart full of panic and anxiety. She simply ran up onto the roof, running along the roof ridge, facing the dawn’s pale moonlight and night wind, loudly calling for Zong Chen. She didn’t even notice her calls carried a sobbing tone, and tears had fallen at some point, hitting his body and turning to ice beads.
Finally Zong Chen rushed out quickly and caught the headless-fly-like Feng Zhiwei in one swoop, taking Gu Nanyi. With Gu Nanyi handed over, Feng Zhiwei still kept her hands stiffly extended straight—her hands were frozen numb.
Zong Chen pulled her down. A long time later she finally exhaled a long breath and collapsed limply, eyes staring straight at people. Such an unshakably firm person—rare for her eyes to show such desolation.
The desolation of fearing separation.
For two years since their acquaintance, he’d always been within three feet of her. With one turn of the head there was that silent, motionless veiled hat and blue clothing. She’d grown accustomed to his existing that way, moving forward with peace of mind and security. Then one day when that silent person toppled forward, she suddenly realized in an instant that it seemed even heaven and earth were reduced to only those cramped three feet.
She’d thought her lifelong will was strong and immovable as a mountain. Yet it wasn’t until that youth fell into her arms that she understood—deep in her heart was a place fragile as a mirror that would shatter with one strike. And those people who’d always accompanied her were truly the mountain supporting her to bravely forge ahead without fearing having no retreat.
Having lost all relatives in her life, her only vulnerable point was facing death’s parting once more.
Zong Chen took over the responsibility of treating Gu Nanyi. The palace imperial physicians weren’t skilled at treating this kind of cold syndrome caused by martial weapons. Gu Nanyi could have used energy circulation to expel the cold, but at the critical moment he struck out to seize Ni Wenyu, disrupting the breakthrough and causing cold poison to enter his organs. Zong Chen kept comforting Feng Zhiwei, saying the problem wasn’t major. As long as he recuperated well and avoided cold, damp places in the future, it would be fine. Listening, Feng Zhiwei still felt bad—didn’t this mean leaving a lifelong root of illness?
For a time she hated that Second Prince’s group so much her teeth itched. All day she shut herself in her room scheming how to finish them off. Yet she was also glad that fortunately Shaoning had come to cause this commotion. Though it harmed her into having to marry her, it had also gotten her out of the palace in time. Otherwise, if Gu Nanyi had been delayed further by quack doctors, problems would inevitably have emerged.
After several days, Emperor Tiansheng’s decree came down. The spring examinations appointed Feng Zhiwei as chief examiner. Though there was no promotion in rank, the rewards were truly considerable. He also transmitted an edict to court about Shaoning’s cultivation matter. The imperial temple would be overseen and constructed by Minister Wei. The court officials were all very shrewd. As soon as the edict came down, immediately a pile of people came to “congratulate Marquis Wei, felicitate Marquis Wei.” Asked what there was to be happy about, one by one they winked and squeezed eyes, mouths full of envious and jealous words saying Marquis Wei was truly an imperial dynasty anomaly, His Majesty’s favor unprecedented and unparalleled from ancient times to the present, henceforth enjoying eternal blessings, having both wedding chamber candle night and golden board name inscription and so on. Feng Zhiwei listened with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, bellyful of fire rising wave after wave—such great favor, how many innocent lives had it cost?
Wei Manor’s threshold was like a marketplace, carriages and horses like dragons. Feng Zhiwei was vexed beyond tolerance. Finally she claimed illness and declined visitors, daily attending to her family’s Young Master Gu in the rear courtyard.
Called attending, but actually Young Master Gu’s injury treatment didn’t permit others to enter. Daily Zong Chen hung heavy curtains, doors and windows all tightly closed, using large amounts of water and medicinal materials. For this purpose they specially opened a small water channel behind the room connecting to the pond. Large amounts of dark black medicinal water continuously flowed out.
Gu Zhixiao hadn’t seen her father for several days. With difficulty her father returned, then in that condition. Immediately her small face paled in fright. Feng Zhiwei thought this little terror would definitely raise heaven-overturning chaos. She didn’t. Eyes staring straight, all day in a dazed state. Feng Zhiwei worried again whether this child had been frightened stupid. She hadn’t. Her spirit was very focused, her will very strong. Not allowed through her father’s door, she clung to door cracks and window cracks keeping deadly watch. The second night after Gu Nanyi returned, she clung to Gu Nanyi’s bedroom door listening to sounds. Suddenly she beamed with joy. Feng Zhiwei was also clinging there at the time. Turning her head, she saw in the dim darkness this child who’d worn a funeral face for days suddenly display this kind of smile. She jumped in fright, thinking she’d lost her mind. Result: Gu Zhixiao raised her finger to her lips, shushing her, mysteriously tiptoeing and pulling her aside, ghostily telling the baffled Feng Zhiwei: “Yiyi-daddy is better!”
Better? What better? Feng Zhiwei, who’d also been clinging by the window but heard no sounds at all, stared at that child full of smiles, considering whether to ask Zong Chen to examine her. Then she heard the door sound. Zong Chen came out wiping his hands with a smile. Seeing the two sneaking around there, he smiled: “Just forced out most of the congealed poisoned blood. Nothing’s wrong now. You two don’t need to spend whole nights eavesdropping here.”
Hearing this, Feng Zhiwei was very delighted. In her delight, looking at that small child with a face full of radiance, her heart also felt sour. She thought Zhixiao was truly and genuinely raised by Gu Nanyi—held in arms, carried on shoulders, personally bathed, diapers all changed by Gu Nanyi himself. Even sleeping, they embraced like a pair of bears. Though without blood relation, their bond far surpassed biological father and daughter. Otherwise Zhixiao couldn’t have this spiritual connection. Thinking about it, she carried her aside, patted her head, and asked: “Want to change sleeping places? Mm, blow some wind, look at stars—especially open, especially refreshing, something like that.”
Gu Zhixiao was indeed very clever. She immediately pointed at Gu Nanyi’s roof: “There!”
Feng Zhiwei stared at her for a long while, then reached out to pick her up, muttering: “How come you’re not as simple-hearted as your father…”
With three bounds and two leaps they reached the roof. One big, one small lay down comfortably on the not-so-comfortable tiles. Feng Zhiwei removed her outer robe for Gu Zhixiao to cushion on, also not minding that the outer robe was thin and couldn’t provide much protection—though girls should be pampered, their family’s girl didn’t need pampering. Pampering her would get people killed.
Besides, following Zong Chen, the little girl’s physical constitution was excellent.
Gu Zhixiao pillowed both hands under her head, lying beside her like an adult. She’d always only stuck to Gu Nanyi, being very indifferent to everyone else. That indifference even carried a flavor of looking down—even touching you once seemed like bestowing favor. Feng Zhiwei often wondered where this child got this bearing from. Her family’s Little Gu was very approachable. From the womb?
“Sigh.” The Gu family’s little miss gazed at the starry sky, releasing a long, drawn-out sigh.
Feng Zhiwei ignored her, eyes narrowed listening to the movements below.
Half an hour later.
“Sigh…” The Gu family’s little miss released her hundredth long, drawn-out sigh.
Feng Zhiwei could bear it no longer. She rolled over and quietly said by her ear: “I say, Zhixiao, we women doing things shouldn’t be wishy-washy. If you want to peek, then peek. I’ll pretend I didn’t see.”
Gu Zhixiao remained silent for a long while, sniffled, patted Feng Zhiwei, and said profoundly: “Auntie, you’re not bad.”
“Thanks for the praise.” Feng Zhiwei replied profoundly.
Gu Zhixiao stopped sighing. Full of energy, she climbed up, with one motion tossed aside the robe, and carefully moved roof tiles. Feng Zhiwei lay to the side, not helping. Whether killing people or peeping, Feng Zhiwei believed one needed personal practice. At most with half-closed eyes she gave guidance: “Hands must be light, body lean back some, don’t accidentally move the tiles under your own feet…”
Gu Zhixiao bent her head moving tiles. Feng Zhiwei half-asleep said: “I’m saying, you move one tile to look and that’s enough. Do you think your father can’t hear? Or do you really want to dismantle your father’s roof?”
No answer.
Feng Zhiwei tilted her head and saw Gu Zhixiao prostrate beside a very large hole, like a groundhog with her little butt sticking up, motionless.
Eh, what was she looking at so intently?
Just as Feng Zhiwei was about to poke her head over to look, Gu Zhixiao swiftly spun around, butt blocking her face. Feng Zhiwei hastily yielded, patting that small round butt, smiling: “Your father discovered you?”
Gu Zhixiao didn’t answer. Clinging to the hole opening, she drew in sharp breaths, suddenly murmuring: “We women doing things shouldn’t be wishy-washy.”
“Ah?” Feng Zhiwei looked over with a face full of bewilderment.
Then she saw the Gu family’s little miss—hair standing on end, face glowing red, small nose twitching excitedly, big eyes burning with wolfish light. Suddenly she rose up and howled like a wolf:
“Daddy—I’m—coming—”
With a whoosh.
Head first, she jumped.
Resolutely disappearing through the rooftop hole.
“Splash.”
Seemed to be the sound of falling into water.
Feng Zhiwei’s hair also stood up. Dumbfounded, she stared at the empty hole, completely unable to process what had just happened.
It seemed like—Gu Zhixiao—jumped down?
What happened to make the peeping maniac resolutely plunge down?
Suddenly remembering Gu Zhixiao’s fierce head-first diving posture when she jumped, Feng Zhiwei’s heart panicked. She hastily called: “Zhixiao! Zhixiao! Are you all right?” While also fiercely jumping down.
The room had no lights lit.
But the rooftop’s large hole let in countless bright star and moonlight beams.
In the star and moonlight, Feng Zhiwei dropped straight down. In the instantly passing field of vision, she vaguely saw in the darkness directly below her—heat rising in mist, water waves splashing up a crystal wall with a crash. Someone rose dripping wet from the water, a clean white arm tracing a smooth arc, bringing up hazy falling-star broken-moon-like gauzy light. In a stretch of jade color, he slightly raised his head, expression innocent, bewildered, smooth and slippery all over, lifting his head to look at her.