The two of them roughhoused for the entire night, but the portrait of the late Empress was ultimately completed.

Di Yiqiu looked at the woman in the painting. He didn’t know how much this painting resembled his mother.

But since Huang Rang said the late Empress looked like this, he believed her.

He personally had this painting mounted and hung it in his study.

Looking at her masterpiece, Huang Rang was also quite gratified: “Originally I studied painting diligently to consolidate the reputation of ‘Fairy Xuandu.’ Who would have thought that after so many dream cycles, I actually accomplished something meaningful.”

“Fairy Xuandu?” Di Yiqiu frowned. “Xuandu refers to the moon—you have such an elegant sobriquet?”

Huang Rang glared angrily: “Who are you looking down on?”

Di Yiqiu said: “I just feel your words are strange. I heard you arrived at the breeding institute at age eight and didn’t breed a single variety in fourteen years. Where would this reputation as Fairy Xuandu come from?”

Huang Rang wore an expression of vicissitude, sighing: “That was truly many years ago. Best not to mention it. Just tell me whether this painting is good or not.”

“The technique is solid.” Master Qiu wouldn’t speak against his conscience. He nodded and said: “If you were more serious as a person, you would surely accomplish something.”

“How am I not serious?” Huang Rang rolled her eyes, then remembered the important matter. Her expression turned grave: “Remember to get my mother out of here today. I truly have nothing to say to her.”

She really didn’t want to meet with Xi Yin. Mother-daughter heart-to-heart talks and such—just thinking about it seemed hypocritical and affected.

Di Yiqiu said: “Later I’ll take her out to tour the capital.”

Huang Rang raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Di Yiqiu said helplessly: “I’ll accompany you both.”

After speaking, he seemed to realize something and immediately backtracked. He pointed at the portrait of the late Empress on the wall and said: “Consider it thanks for this painting.”

Only then did Huang Rang say reluctantly: “Fine.”

In the dormitory, Xi Yin also felt quite uncomfortable.

She both wanted Huang Rang to return and feared her return.

Time was like gradually thickening ice. Between her and Huang Rang now stood twenty-two years of frozen walls.

All the wrongs of these years, all the words to say—where would she even begin?

Just then, someone outside said: “Aunt Xi Yin.”

Xi Yin opened the door full of trepidation and saw a youth standing before her, still in purple official robes with a jade belt around his waist. He was very fair-skinned, and these official robes made his face appear jade-like.

Huang Rang stood behind him, her back turned as she gazed at the sky outside, not looking this way.

Di Yiqiu’s voice carried the clarity and vigor of youth. He cupped his hands and said: “I am Di Yiqiu, the current Holy Emperor’s… eighty-sixth son. Years ago, the Xi family formed a marriage alliance with the imperial family. If we’re going by seniority, I should address you as Aunt.”

Xi Yin came back to her senses and said despondently: “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten that I did have a sister who married into the imperial family. However… I haven’t had dealings with the Xi family for a long time, so this connection is rather tenuous.”

“No matter.” Di Yiqiu possessed a steadiness beyond his years. “It’s rare for Aunt to come to the capital. Why don’t I accompany you on a tour? Would that be acceptable?”

Xi Yin looked toward Huang Rang not far away. Huang Rang still didn’t look this way, as if she couldn’t hear the conversation between the two at all.

“That would be good, but I fear it would delay Your Highness’s official duties.” Xi Yin exchanged pleasantries with Di Yiqiu. She actually hadn’t spoken with someone like this in a very long time. But the youth before her was protecting Arang.

Xi Yin could see that.

Di Yiqiu said: “It’s no problem. Aunt, please.”

He invited Xi Yin out. Today in the capital, the weather was fine.

Golden sunlight spilled abundantly, the world flowing with light.

Xi Yin followed Di Yiqiu, walking under the brilliant sunshine along the flower-brick pathways of the Bureau of Celestial Oversight.

Her clothing was plain and simple. The injury on her face had been medicated and finally the swelling had subsided—the medicine Di Yiqiu gave her was quite effective.

After the two had walked for a while, Di Yiqiu suddenly asked: “Aren’t you coming?”

Xi Yin was slightly startled, then heard Huang Rang behind them say huffily: “Mind your own business!”

Though she said this, she still followed along.

Di Yiqiu knew Xi Yin had never been to the Bureau of Celestial Oversight, so he slowed his pace.

The three people walked and stopped, passing by the Xuanwu Division with its sound of reading aloud. Students coming and going either chased and played or read under trees.

They passed by the Zhuque Division where weapons were forged and pills refined. Many weapon smiths were racking their brains over their craft, not noticing who passed by.

At the Baihu Division, on the training grounds, Bao Wu was teaching blade techniques.

In the blazing summer, he was bare-chested. His warrior’s body had firm muscles and glistening skin. Veins bulged on his arms, and every glance revealed strength. The golden sword in his hands seemed to have life, incredibly nimble, almost like part of his body.

Bao Wu came from a warrior family and was hired by Shi Wenyu at great expense. His cultivation would be worthy of recognition even in the immortal sects. For the newly established Bureau of Celestial Oversight, he was everyone’s courage.

Therefore, whenever he taught martial arts, all the attendants were unwilling to miss it.

At this time, the training grounds were packed with people.

Amidst the crowd, Xi Yin spotted him at a glance.

But after just one look, she averted her gaze.

She was born a young lady of a prominent family—when had she ever seen such a crude warrior?

Exposing his chest and abdomen like this—even looking once was improper.

She quickened her pace. Behind her, Huang Rang stopped.

On the training grounds, besides Bao Wu, there were many attendants. Since Bao Wu was bare-chested, they naturally followed suit. Among them were quite a few young and handsome men with lean waists.

In her previous dream cycles, Huang Rang hadn’t had this fortune.

—Which disciple of Yuhu Immortal Sect would dare disregard propriety like this? They’d be beaten to death by their master.

So in this lifetime, she hadn’t had the fortune to see many…

“Ah—” Huang Rang hadn’t enjoyed this fortune for long when suddenly her ear hurt. The Director was practically dragging her away by the ear.

On the training grounds, the attendants wanted to laugh but didn’t dare.

Bao Wu was drawn by Huang Rang’s cry of pain. His gaze looked over and saw a woman in a plain dress with graceful steps. The summer breeze passed through her garments. She was truly too thin, as if about to rise on the wind.

Bao Wu recognized who that woman was—Huang Rang’s mother. He’d heard she was once a noble lady from a prominent family who mistakenly married a wolf through a moment’s error in judgment.

But he wasn’t concerned with such matters. As a warrior, as long as he had his blade, why would he care about romance and love?

“Hey, what’s Deputy Director Bao looking at?” Some bold attendant noticed his gaze and teased.

Bao Wu glared: “Good lad, come out. Master Bao will spar with you.”

That attendant’s face immediately fell. When Bao Wu’s gaze looked over again, that woman was already obscured by flowering branches.

So he didn’t look anymore.

—That woman was truly too thin, like a skeleton frame.

That’s what Master Bao thought.

Xi Yin had actually become much fuller. She bathed in the summer sunlight, and those moldy old matters seemed to slowly stop festering.

The scent of sunshine was truly good, as if stained with mortal fragrances.

Di Yiqiu accompanied her, stepping out through the gates of the Baihu Division.

—Xi Yin should be quite curious about where Huang Rang had been living these years. He was conveniently showing her around.

This long street outside the Baihu Division wasn’t one Xi Yin frequented.

—This street had always sold coffins, burial clothes, incense, candles, and paper offerings. It wasn’t auspicious.

Following behind them, Huang Rang looked at both sides of the long street and involuntarily slowed her pace.

This street was called Yongshou Street. Di Yiqiu had brought her here before.

Only in the world outside the dream, she had sat in a wheelchair and couldn’t freely go wherever she wanted.

Huang Rang silently measured this street with her footsteps. The sunlight was warm and wordless.

The dream was too beautiful—it truly made one willing to sink into it for eternity.

Di Yiqiu walked side by side with Xi Yin, asking: “Has Aunt been here before?”

Speaking with him felt more comfortable for Xi Yin than speaking with Huang Rang. Her voice shed that sharpness and truly became like an elder’s.

She said: “I was born into the Xi family. Because we were right in the capital, I used to travel around everywhere.”

Di Yiqiu said: “There have been many changes in the capital these past few years. Oh, there’s a jewelry shop ahead that’s quite famous in the capital. I’ll take you to see it.”

A jewelry shop?

Huang Rang was slightly stunned. Sure enough, Di Yiqiu led them into Artisan’s Heart Studio.

There was indeed a lot of jewelry in the shop. Huang Rang could finally browse freely.

She rushed in joyfully, and a dazzling array of gold and jeweled ornaments immediately crowded into her view.

There were translucent sapphires that seemed ready to drip water, emeralds green as spring water, rubies red as pigeon blood…

As for gold jewelry, there were countless pieces.

Huang Rang wanted them all, but she had no money.

The truth was too cruel. Huang Rang was like a punctured ball—all the air went out of her.

The word “poor” was truly helpless.

Di Yiqiu helped Xi Yin select jewelry. The shopkeeper, seeing Di Yiqiu’s attire, enthusiastically came forward.

Xi Yin naturally wouldn’t be moved by these gold and silver objects, but since Di Yiqiu’s hospitality was hard to refuse, she selected a couple items. Huang Rang was incredibly envious. Finally she sidled up to Di Yiqiu and said quietly: “I want one too.”

Di Yiqiu replied equally quietly: “Is that so? Auntie Huang, please help yourself.”

…Bastard.

Huang Rang muttered a curse, looked around at the prices, and wore a disappointed expression.

—Di Sanmeng, oh Di Sanmeng, you’re so great, so noble.

Why should I, Huang Rang, suffer poverty because of this?

She grumbled inwardly and could only watch helplessly as Xi Yin selected several pieces of jewelry.

Di Yiqiu paid for her, and the three left Artisan’s Heart Studio.

Huang Rang was sulking, walking behind like a little tail.

Di Yiqiu said: “Aunt’s dress is too plain. Let me accompany you to pick out a couple more outfits.”

Xi Yin initially wanted to decline, but ultimately, favors owed were still owed. If she continued with pleasantries now, it would seem distant.

She could only say: “The styles in the capital—who knows how many times they’ve changed.”

Di Yiqiu accompanied her into an embroidery workshop.

—Immortal Lingering Workshop.

Di Yiqiu selected two dresses for Xi Yin, and Xi Yin went into the back room to change.

Huang Rang stood before these dresses, looked at the price tags, and couldn’t help but snort coldly.

Di Yiqiu asked: “What, does Auntie Huang have such high standards that not a single piece catches her eye?”

Huang Rang said through gritted teeth, after quite a while: “You’re the one who wants to buy them—it has nothing to do with me!”

Di Yiqiu laughed and said: “I’m showing filial piety to my own aunt. Auntie Huang needn’t worry.” After speaking, he suddenly said: “However, if Auntie Huang also likes something, why not…”

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by a word squeezed out through Huang Rang’s teeth.

“Scram!”

…

Xi Yin’s figure and temperament were three parts similar to Huang Rang’s.

She could wear each dress here with unique charm.

Huang Rang discovered that when one was poor, one liked every outfit encountered.

Finally, Xi Yin wore a light purple garment. The purple of the dress gradually faded to white from the waist toward the sleeves and hem. Below the waist sash, the skirt’s layers were like flower petals—dignified and beautiful.

She walked gracefully before Di Yiqiu and smiled at him: “Does it look good?”

Di Yiqiu said: “Elegant and dignified. Very good.”

“Hmph!” Huang Rang at the entrance sneered coldly.

Di Yiqiu stole a glance at her with his peripheral vision but didn’t speak to her.

She huffed angrily but refused to come over. Xi Yin finally confirmed what kind of understanding her daughter had with this youth before them. Only she saw through it but didn’t speak—this youth… seemed a bit too young, didn’t he?

Di Yiqiu led Xi Yin outside, saying: “Speaking of which, I have a plot of land on my manor in the suburbs. Originally it was excellent, but these past few years the harvest has declined sharply. No matter what, the soil can’t be adjusted properly. Since Aunt has come, if you could help this junior take a look, I would be extremely grateful.”

When he brought this up, Xi Yin’s heart actually relaxed—receiving favor without merit always made one uneasy.

She said: “Very good.”

So Di Yiqiu took Xi Yin to his manor in the suburbs.

The manor indeed had ten acres of farmland. Only these years it had obviously not been managed properly and could no longer be considered quality land.

Without Di Yiqiu needing to speak again, Xi Yin had already taken the initiative to examine the farmland—indeed, earth spirits in their bones loved the land.

Xi Yin said: “Your Highness, please come again in half a month.”

Di Yiqiu thanked her repeatedly and finally called servants to temporarily settle her in the manor for residence.

After settling Xi Yin, the Director brought Huang Rang back to the Bureau of Celestial Oversight.

Huang Rang said: “Something as trivial as adjusting soil—you could just ask me. Why bother her?”

Di Yiqiu glanced at her sideways and asked: “True. But if we don’t give her work to do, where will you sleep tonight?”

Huang Rang’s mouth fell open. After a long while she reacted: “You did it on purpose! Just to coax her into living at the manor?”

Di Yiqiu made a scoffing sound: “Otherwise what? Drive her out of the Bureau of Celestial Oversight because you, her daughter, have nothing to say to her?”

“You, you’re really… so calculating!” Huang Rang sighed. “What about your ten acres of poor farmland?”

The Director walked forward with his hands behind his back, saying: “Before leaving, I ordered someone to buy the manor and farmland together. The ink on the deed hasn’t dried yet.”

“Before leaving?” Huang Rang was suspicious. “How come I didn’t see it?”

The Director’s tone turned slightly sour: “Yes. At that time you were at the training grounds, staring at the attendants there with drooling desire. How could you have time…”

“Ahem!” “Auntie Huang” said seriously: “What are we eating tonight?”

It’s over. This bastard was already this petty at such a young age.

So afraid she couldn’t outmaneuver him.

“Auntie Huang’s” heart felt doomed.