After Jiang Zhaoxue sent out this utterly absurd message, her entire body relaxed.

She didn’t expect Pei Zichen to reply. Given his current state of mind, he would likely read the letter and start suspecting that she and Shen Yuqing had joined forces to trap him. He probably wouldn’t believe a single word she said now. Writing all this only served to comfort her own heart.

She had said such things rarely before, and even when she did, it was merely perfunctory.

Before he left, she was always thinking about other matters—the Spirit-Locking Formation, wondering if she entrusted her true feelings to him and he changed his mind in the future, wouldn’t that be no different from Shen Yuqing?

If someone stumbles into one pit, that’s acceptable, but if it happens again and again, she couldn’t tolerate her own foolishness.

With layer upon layer of defenses in her heart, in the end even she couldn’t distinguish truth from falsehood. She kept thinking “wait until tomorrow,” kept thinking she would use the Spirit-Locking Formation to take his spiritual power, then bring him back to Penglai to seek an answer, but as she kept waiting…

Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and sighed, unwilling to think further.

At least he was alive. At least he had returned.

Although his mind was somewhat troubled now, he was still alive, and that was better than anything else.

After consoling herself for a while, Jiang Zhaoxue fell back onto the bed.

She decided to get a good night’s sleep and search for him again tomorrow to figure out what to do.

She and A’Nan covered themselves with the blanket and closed their eyes to sleep. In her daze, she dreamed of walking alone on an endless road through ice and snow. With each step, she felt her flesh and blood being torn away by the frozen terrain.

She exhaled into the icy air when suddenly she heard someone calling softly.

“My lady.”

Jiang Zhaoxue whirled around abruptly and saw a figure standing in the darkness. He was hidden in shadow, only the vague outline of black robes and wide sleeves visible, yet she recognized him at a glance.

Her eyes widened as she suddenly understood why she was in this dream. Like a madwoman, she chased after him, crying out urgently: “Pei Zichen! Stop right there, Pei Zichen!”

Blood spread across the ice as she lunged forward desperately. He seemed to stand there the whole time, yet the instant she tried to touch him, he vanished like smoke.

“My lady.”

The lingering echo made Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes snap open. Gasping for breath, she stared at the canopy above. The cold from her dream crept up from the soles of her feet, spreading throughout her body.

A’Nan was awakened by her breathing and lifted its head drowsily: “What’s wrong?”

This question finally helped Jiang Zhaoxue slowly emerge from the dream. A’Nan sensed her emotions and couldn’t help asking: “Why are you so frightened?”

“I had a nightmare.”

Jiang Zhaoxue recovered and only then realized dawn had already broken.

She rubbed her temples and sat up, not daring to sleep again, and simply pulled open the bed curtains.

As soon as she moved, a creaking sound came from outside the door, followed by paper servants filing in to attend to her.

Despite last night’s commotion, Pei Zichen still didn’t intend to mistreat her. Everything continued as if nothing had happened.

She dressed and her emotions stabilized.

A’Nan followed her to sit at the dining table. She began drinking congee while A’Nan pecked at melon seeds. One person and one bird pondered together at the table about how to reconcile with Pei Zichen.

She didn’t have much experience pursuing people—really just Shen Yuqing, but back then she had relied entirely on brute force, and the results weren’t particularly favorable.

When it came to how to reconcile, she felt somewhat at a loss and proactively asked A’Nan: “What do you think I should do?”

“First of all, you definitely can’t contact Ye Tianjiao,” A’Nan lifted its head from the melon seed bowl and said seriously, “He feels insecure. If you keep contacting others, won’t that confirm you’re conspiring with them to harm him?”

“That makes sense.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and commented: “Besides, Ye Tianjiao does more harm than good anyway. No need to contact him.”

As for the others, as long as they were alive, that was enough.

“Secondly, you need to explain to him clearly what happened. Face-to-face conversation is best,” A’Nan thought carefully as it offered advice. “Feelings develop fastest when you meet in person. Didn’t Ye Tianjiao say to give him happiness? Look, if he’s forgotten something, it proves that thing made him happiest. We can make him happy every day!”

A’Nan spoke euphemistically, but Jiang Zhaoxue understood its meaning immediately.

She pondered for a moment, furrowed her brows, and thought aloud: “Romance between men and women is just icing on the cake. His current mental block is that he can’t feel my affection. If we use this method, I’m afraid the intention would be too obvious and counterproductive.”

“But…”

“If this method could work,” Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted when A’Nan tried to persuade her further, reminding it, “why did he push me away last night?”

This question stopped A’Nan, making it realize Jiang Zhaoxue was right.

This left the bird troubled, and it couldn’t help asking: “Then… then what should we do?”

“We still need to take it slowly,” Jiang Zhaoxue considered, finally deciding, “Heart ailments require heart medicine. Let’s meet face-to-face first.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue sent Pei Zichen a message, wanting to see him.

The message went out and, as expected, sank without a trace.

Jiang Zhaoxue and A’Nan exchanged glances. A’Nan pondered: “Why don’t you force your way out to find him?”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and shook her head: “No, I can’t force things right now.”

She considered for a moment, then sent another message: “This concerns your constitution. I have something to discuss.”

Given Pei Zichen’s temperament, even if he was angry, he wouldn’t delay important matters.

Sure enough, shortly after this message was sent, Pei Zichen replied: “One quarter-hour. I’ll come back.”

“Tsk.”

Seeing these words, A’Nan quickly said: “Look at his wording—’come back.’ This shows he has you in his heart and considers your place home!”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak but her eyes carried a smile as she wrote back: “No need. You are the master, I am not a prisoner. In one quarter-hour, I’ll come find you.”

After finishing, Jiang Zhaoxue ignored any reply, directly cut off the communication, and hurriedly got up to prepare.

One quarter-hour wasn’t long—just enough time for her to make slight adjustments and touch up her makeup.

Then she gathered her resolve and said decisively: “By the mandate of Heaven, I seek Pei Zichen.”

“So direct?!”

A’Nan was shocked, but Jiang Zhaoxue was sensing the spiritual power around her.

Pei Zichen’s cultivation was now clearly far higher than hers. If Pei Zichen had no intention of letting her see him, gambling on fate like this would only result in backlash from the Heavenly Dao.

However, the spiritual power now trembled. In no time, she felt herself yanked by a pulling force. When she came to her senses, she was already standing in what appeared to be a study.

Compared to an ordinary study, this place was obviously much larger. Inside and out, layers of soldiers stood guard—it resembled more the “imperial study” of human emperors.

As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue appeared in the room, the soldiers outside immediately became alert. Just as Jiang Zhaoxue steadied herself, blades surrounded her, accompanied by a demonic cultivator’s loud shout: “What villain dares to intrude upon Xuanshu Pavilion?!”

“Xuanshu Pavilion.”

Hearing this obviously centralized name, Jiang Zhaoxue knew she hadn’t come to the wrong place. She looked up and saw Pei Zichen sitting behind a desk in the distance, calmly staring at her.

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately raised a smile. With her hands folded in front of her, she didn’t even glance at the people around her, smiling cheerfully: “I have an appointment with the Emperor. I’ve come as agreed.”

“I didn’t agree,” Pei Zichen said coldly.

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately responded with regret: “Since I’m already here, why quibble over formalities?”

This left Pei Zichen speechless. Seeing she had no intention of leaving, he impatiently put away the documents in his hand and waved: “Everyone leave. No one is permitted to enter the hall.”

Upon receiving the order, everyone stole a glance at Jiang Zhaoxue before quickly retreating and closing the doors.

The hall suddenly became quiet. Pei Zichen conjured a paper servant to attend to Jiang Zhaoxue’s seating.

Jiang Zhaoxue followed the paper servant to sit at a small table beside Pei Zichen. Watching the paper servant pour hot tea for her, she smiled again: “You say you didn’t plan to see me, yet the tea is already hot…”

“There is no cold tea in my hall.”

Pei Zichen interrupted her. Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements froze slightly, then she pretended nothing happened and smoothly picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised: “Good tea.”

“What do you want to say?”

Pei Zichen ignored her deflections and went straight to the point.

Jiang Zhaoxue also knew Pei Zichen wasn’t in the mood for small talk at this time, so she got straight to business: “There are some misunderstandings between us that I want to clarify. First, I came to the Jiuyou Realm to resurrect you. Second, I’m staying here now because I want to save you.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue recounted everything that had happened between her and Ye Tianjiao from beginning to end.

Pei Zichen listened silently. After hearing everything, he summarized: “So you’re saying that if I can’t love you like I did in the past, I’ll be eroded by resentful energy and become an evil god?”

At these words, Jiang Zhaoxue froze slightly.

She realized this sounded somewhat absurd. Pei Zichen probably wouldn’t believe it. She could only bite the bullet and explain: “Actually, everything I’ve said can be verified.”

“I know what you’re saying might all be true.”

Pei Zichen immediately responded, staring at her: “But even if it’s true, Immortal Jiang, feelings that cannot be felt are unnecessary to continue.”

Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned. Pei Zichen lowered his eyes to look at the words before him. Not knowing what he was trying to verify, he said softly: “I can’t judge whether you want to be with me to prevent me from becoming an evil god or because you’re sincere. But if I can’t judge, it proves the feelings aren’t genuine enough. I still have some lingering affection for Immortal Jiang, but mountains and rivers can change, the sun and moon can fade—there’s nothing in this world that cannot be altered. Rather than this, let’s keep public matters public and private matters private. If you’re here about me becoming an evil god, I can leave a fatal curse with Immortal Jiang. If I become an evil god, Immortal Jiang can kill me. No need for such roundabout methods.”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened without speaking, sipping her tea as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Pei Zichen didn’t want her to avoid the issue and pressed: “What does Immortal Jiang think?”

“I think regarding our private matters, you need not draw conclusions so hastily, Emperor.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up with a light smile, appearing carefree as she said: “Why not give me a chance? Let’s spend some time together before making a decision.”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond, only stared at her.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t give him space to refuse, immediately saying: “If you didn’t want to rekindle our relationship, allowing me to come to the Jiuyou Realm must serve your own purposes. Before that’s done, why not give me a chance? If your business is finished and you still think I have ulterior motives and no true feelings for you, we can discuss going our separate ways then. Wouldn’t that be more appropriate?”

“You…”

“Or are you afraid that after spending time with me, you’ll find it hard to let go and will be deceived by me again? I suppose so,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes curved with a smile as she sighed, “You could even entrust your life to me. With such deep affection, how could you withstand my deliberate seduction?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s expression changed immediately. He quickly explained: “I did it because…”

“Just kidding,” Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted him, her expression serious. “I know you’re also afraid of becoming an evil god, but you’re more afraid of repeating past mistakes. I did deceive you before, so I understand your resentment and doubts. But regardless…”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked around and gave him an out: “You brought me to the Jiuyou Realm—you should at least ensure my safety, right?”

“You’re very safe in my bedchamber.”

“But I can’t stay locked up in there forever, can I?” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately responded, “What am I to you, to be kept hidden away in your bedchamber like a treasured mistress?”

This question stumped Pei Zichen.

Jiang Zhaoxue sighed and said softly: “Zichen, you can’t actually control me. If you don’t agree, I’ll come again tomorrow. If that disturbs these guards and leads to a fight, it won’t look good.”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. Sensing his wavering, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately clapped her hands and struck while the iron was hot, finalizing: “It’s settled then. Starting tomorrow, I’ll come find you every day. You do your work and don’t worry about me. Just treat me like a tree or a flower, something pretty growing beside you.”

“With this time, you might as well go find your young disciple.”

Pei Zichen, seeing he couldn’t refuse, spoke sarcastically. Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements paused slightly, and she looked at him sideways with meaningful intent.

Pei Zichen realized what he’d said and immediately felt embarrassed, turning his head: “Since I’m allowing you freedom of movement, you can go wherever you want.”

“Of course I’ll come see you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and immediately said: “Before, I didn’t know you were my little Zichen. Now that I know, I won’t go anywhere except by your side.”

“Honeyed words and flattery.”

“Wonderful!” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately praised herself, exposing him: “It seems you really like what I said?”

Pei Zichen paused, his face showing some annoyance: “Jiang Zhaoxue, you…”

“Alright, Emperor,” Jiang Zhaoxue knew when to stop and stood up, saying magnanimously, “I know you’re not ready yet. Today, you prepare yourself mentally. Tomorrow I’ll come find you.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue turned to leave. After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Pei Zichen curiously: “Pei Zichen, do you manage the demon palace treasury now?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen knew she wanted something. He raised his hand and tossed a token over, saying impatiently: “The paper servants will take you there.”

“Good.”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand to catch the token, looked down at it, and immediately praised again: “Our Zichen is still so generous.”

“You—”

Pei Zichen seemed to look up in exasperation, but Jiang Zhaoxue quickly waved her hand: “I’m leaving.”

With that, she walked out swinging the token. When she reached the door, A’Nan finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief: “That scared me to death. Master, you’re so adaptable. Just now I thought he’d said everything so definitively.”

“He has a knot in his heart, so naturally he wants repeated confirmation. How can I argue with him?”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she lowered her eyes to look at the token in her hand and chuckled softly: “Such a child, putting on airs.”

Having obtained the token, Jiang Zhaoxue had the paper servants lead the way to the treasury. She found many items she liked—all small decorative objects.

The colors of the Jiuyou Realm were oppressive, so most of the items she liked were bright things—one could tell her style at a glance.

Then, thinking of Pei Zichen’s constitution, she also took some medicinal herbs.

The next day, she went to visit early.

Pei Zichen had lifted her restrictions and specifically assigned a paper servant to guide her. Early in the morning, she brought her qiankun pouch to Xuanshu Pavilion where Pei Zichen handled daily affairs. Seeing that Pei Zichen hadn’t returned yet, she began taking out the small furniture she’d selected yesterday and started arranging things.

The people around saw her moving things about and immediately widened their eyes. But they looked at each other uncertainly, remembering Pei Zichen’s parting instruction yesterday to “let her do as she pleases,” and none dared step forward.

Jiang Zhaoxue happily decorated every available space in the room with her own things. Finally, she placed the silver incense burner with little flowers that she’d selected onto Pei Zichen’s desk. After lighting the incense she used daily, she happily returned to sit behind the table Pei Zichen had prepared for her earlier.

Seeing the table set with a fruit platter, A’Nan couldn’t help saying: “He said he didn’t want you to come, yet he’s prepared everything so perfectly?”

“No helping it,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s face carried a smile. Though she was refuting, she was obviously very happy as she peeled an orange. “It was all my forcing.”

“You’re really giving him face.” A’Nan expressed disdain, but Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t mind.

She leisurely placed orange segments in her mouth, listening as A’Nan asked curiously: “But why are you coming so early to decorate his room?”

“Naturally to strengthen his impression of me,” Jiang Zhaoxue said casually. “If you want someone to get used to you and remember you, you need to maintain a consistent style, starting from the details.”

The items she selected were almost all white and silver with floral and plant patterns—completely different from the Jiuyou Realm’s style, distinguishable at a glance.

“Everywhere he looks, there’s a trace of you. Everywhere he smells, there’s your scent. Meeting him at fixed times, leaving at fixed times—over time, he’ll grow accustomed to it. Once he’s accustomed, feelings will develop. When that time comes…”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she heard footsteps from outside. She turned to look just as Pei Zichen stepped inside.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Zhaoxue smiled slightly: “Zichen, you’re back?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen withdrew his gaze from her and walked back to his desk. When he sat down, he noticed the additional incense burner on his desk.

He paused for a moment but ultimately said nothing, lowering his head to review documents.

When he stared at the incense burner, Jiang Zhaoxue stared at him. After waiting a long while and seeing him lower his head without comment, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart finally settled completely. She placed an orange segment in her mouth, feeling several degrees more confident.

Afterward, Jiang Zhaoxue came every morning and returned every evening.

Wherever Pei Zichen went each day, she went too.

Pei Zichen kept a very regular schedule.

Every morning, he would first hold an early meeting, then return to Xuanshu Pavilion to review memorials. If he finished reviewing and had no other business, he would leave the palace to clear out resentment insects, then return in the evening for the formal court session. After court, he would return to his cave dwelling to meditate.

So every morning, Jiang Zhaoxue would wait for him at the entrance to the long corridor connecting the main hall to Xuanshu Pavilion.

Then she would return to Xuanshu Pavilion with him. She would have his favorite sweet soup prepared in advance, and while he reviewed memorials, she would make incense and refine pills beside him.

If he left the palace, she would follow, standing aside to watch him clear resentment insects, occasionally lending a hand to help.

Resentment insects were extremely disgusting creatures, and their birthplaces prohibited the use of almost all magic.

Sometimes when she found it too dirty, she would insist he carry her on his back. Unable to withstand her complaints, he would carry her out.

When carrying her, his muscles tensed, afraid she would say something embarrassing and point out yet another instance of his softening.

However, she said nothing, only wrapped her arms around his neck, her face resting lightly against his back, saying softly: “Pei Zichen, you’re so good. I’m so happy.”

His heartbeat quickened. He didn’t know what was so good about him or why she was happy.

He didn’t dare ask, just quietly carried her back.

When he went to court in the evening and returned, he would see her again, smiling as she stood at the palace gate, holding a lantern in quiet waiting.

At first she said she would come to escort him to his cave dwelling, but he refused. Yet she insisted on coming, so it became Pei Zichen escorting her back instead.

At night there were few people and the lighting was dim. In the black and white world, only she stood out as exceptionally bright.

The light falling on her would show colors, mottled and revolving. She would lead the way with him following behind.

They rarely conversed—it was almost always Jiang Zhaoxue chatting alone.

She hardly mentioned serious matters, only telling amusing stories each day. Today she encountered a large ant and deliberately left a piece of candy, resulting in two nearby ant colonies fighting each other.

Tomorrow she encountered a tree that grew extremely beautifully, but when she approached it, she got whipped by a branch.

The two of them passed more than half a month in such peaceful companionship. One day, on the way back from killing resentment insects in the city outskirts…

This was one of the rare times each day they left the demon palace. Pei Zichen would deliberately take her through the liveliest streets of Cangdu for a stretch. If she saw anything she liked, he would buy things for her.

Each time, Jiang Zhaoxue could buy a whole pile of items. She didn’t have the magic crystals that circulated in the Jiuyou Realm, so she could only rely on Pei Zichen to pay.

After just finishing shopping this day, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly remembered something and coughed lightly: “These days have been quite costly for you. Courtesy demands reciprocity—let me give you something too.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen placed the jewelry box she’d just bought into his qiankun pouch and said coolly: “You’re a guest. It’s only proper.”

His words were cold. Jiang Zhaoxue coughed lightly and ignored him, directly taking out a brocade pouch from her sleeve. She stopped walking and held the pouch before him, quite happily saying: “Guess what this is?”

Pei Zichen looked at the obviously pill-filled pouch and remained silent.

Seeing his complete lack of reaction, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed.

She glanced left and right at the people secretly watching, then simply took the initiative to reach out and grasp his hand, placing the heavy pouch in his palm and saying magnanimously: “I know you lack nothing in the demon palace, and I don’t have much to give you. These are all Soul-Stabilizing Pills I’ve refined recently based on your constitution. Keep them, and each time you take one, think of me once.”

With that, she raised her head and said playfully: “How about it?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He only looked down at her.

Under the lamplight, the person before him was very close. Her entire being seemed dipped from a honey jar, radiating a sweet, cloying fragrance inside and out.

It invaded his nostrils, making the person before him seem exceptionally sweet.

He keenly sensed where their hands touched—one of her hands gripping his, the other resting on his palm with the pouch between them.

She wasn’t a sword cultivator, so her hands bore no calluses, smooth as if water might drip from them.

He stared at her eyes, feeling his throat grow parched.

Like a traveler crossing a desert, and her lips seemed to carry glistening moisture, hiding a pool of clear spring water.

But there were too many people around. He quickly suppressed this thought, flipping the pouch back into her palm and turning away: “I don’t want it.”

“Huh?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned and quickly chased after him: “Why don’t you want it? I worked so hard to refine these!”

“That’s exactly why I don’t want them.” Pei Zichen explained coolly, “If I accept today, you’ll give me more tomorrow. You’re not my alchemist. What do I need your pills for?”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue seemed to understand. She walked beside Pei Zichen and said matter-of-factly: “Oh, I see.”

As she spoke, her gaze fell on a young couple nearby.

The woman was fastening a sachet for the man. The woman’s expression was tender, the man’s face flushed.

They clearly shared mutual affection and appeared quite loving.

“You’re right,” Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the two and nodded in agreement. “I’m not your alchemist. Why would I give you this?”

Pei Zichen glanced at her coolly and ignored her.

Having understood, Jiang Zhaoxue then persuaded: “But I’ve already refined them. Besides you, no one else can use these Soul-Stabilizing Pills. Won’t you take them?”

Pei Zichen ignored her and continued walking forward. Jiang Zhaoxue trotted forward, walking backward to block his path, waving the pouch: “Take them. If you don’t, I’ll give them to someone else?”

“Then go give them away.” Pei Zichen immediately retorted, raising his hand to brush aside the pouch and striding forward. “Give them to whoever you want.”

With that, Pei Zichen walked past her. Jiang Zhaoxue pouted.

The two returned to the palace. Pei Zichen went to court, and at night Jiang Zhaoxue came to meet him. He escorted her back to her sleeping quarters, and on the way she began asking: “What’s your favorite animal?”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond. Jiang Zhaoxue recalled: “Dogs?”

“No.”

Pei Zichen immediately denied it. Jiang Zhaoxue thought perhaps Pangpang had hurt him too deeply.

She pondered young Pei Zichen’s preferences, remembering the look in his eyes every time he saw her in transformed form, and had a pretty good idea: “Oh, I know.”

Pei Zichen didn’t understand and frowned slightly but said no more.

He only escorted her to the sleeping quarters before leaving as usual.

As soon as he left, Jiang Zhaoxue took out the needle and thread she’d secretly bought that night.

Seeing her take out needle and thread, A’Nan jumped up in fright: “What are you doing? Are you planning to stab me?”

“Stab you for what?”

Jiang Zhaoxue glared at it, picked up the needle and thread, and began sketching on white cloth, furrowing her brows: “Tell me, how do you embroider a tiger?”

The last time Jiang Zhaoxue embroidered anything was two hundred years ago.

Two hundred years ago she wasn’t skilled at it, and now she was no better. She worked all night, and after embroidering the pattern she wanted, she sewed it into a pouch.

Just as she finished, dawn broke. She hurriedly tidied herself up and went to work.

She arrived at Xuanshu Pavilion early and began sleeping at her table. When she woke from her nap, the hall was filled with the aroma of incense, accompanied by the sound of turning pages. Jiang Zhaoxue drowsily raised her eyes to see Pei Zichen already seated in his usual position.

Jiang Zhaoxue yawned and said groggily: “You’re here?”

“Didn’t sleep last night?”

Pei Zichen glanced at her, asking with feigned casualness.

Jiang Zhaoxue made an affirmative sound, yawning: “Yes, up all night.”

“What were you doing?”

Pei Zichen kept his head down reviewing memorials. Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue perked up, walked around the desk to crouch before him, smiling: “I have a surprise for you.”

With that, she pulled out the pouch, excitedly saying: “Look!”

Pei Zichen looked up and frowned, about to speak, when he saw Jiang Zhaoxue pointing at a tangled mess of silver thread: “Look at this! What is it?!”

This question stumped Pei Zichen. He frowned at the tangle of silver thread.

Jiang Zhaoxue blinked: “Isn’t this tiger cute?”

Pei Zichen froze. Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxue looked back and asked doubtfully: “Can’t tell what it is?”

But she was open-minded about it, saying generously: “It’s normal if you can’t tell. I haven’t made this kind of thing many times either. If you like it, I’ll make you more in the future.”

Pei Zichen said nothing, his gaze falling on the needle marks on her fingertips.

Everything in the Jiuyou Realm had a corrosive effect on her. If injured, it was difficult to heal.

He quietly looked at those needle marks. Jiang Zhaoxue pulled away his brush, drew his hand over, and placed the pill-filled pouch in his hand, saying without any embarrassment: “I reflected on what you said last night. You’re right—I’m not your alchemist. Refining pills for you isn’t really that helpful to you. It’s just that I truly don’t know what I can give you, so I can only do whatever I’m capable of.”

She spoke lightly, but emotions surged in Pei Zichen’s heart. He felt something churning in his chest as he listened to her rambling: “I know alchemy, so I refine pills for you. I know artifact crafting, so I craft artifacts for you. In the future, I can also pray for you, seek blessings for you. Whatever you need, whatever I can give, I’ll give you. But all these things I give are actually the same meaning as this pouch.”

“What… meaning?”

Pei Zichen’s voice came out somewhat hoarse.

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, not expecting Pei Zichen to ask. After a moment’s hesitation, she coughed lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, but still raised her eyes and said solemnly: “It means I like you.”

Pei Zichen’s heart felt like it had been struck heavily. In that instant, an enormous sense of happiness came like a tsunami, accompanied simultaneously by a pain that seemed to tear his soul apart.

The two sensations intertwined. His face paled slightly.

Jiang Zhaoxue keenly noticed and couldn’t help saying: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Pei Zichen forcefully suppressed all the pain. He was also accustomed to this kind of agony and feigned coolness: “I already told you last night, I won’t accept this.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Zhaoxue observed him and said casually: “But if you don’t accept it, wouldn’t it be wasteful? Besides you, no one else can use these pills. Just considering my sincere intentions, I’m begging you,” Jiang Zhaoxue clasped her hands together, “please accept them. Look at this little tiger—isn’t it adorable?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. His gaze fell on the thread ball on the pouch, and gradually he could indeed make out the shadow of a little tiger. It was indeed cute.

For a moment he couldn’t bring himself to put it down. Jiang Zhaoxue tested: “Besides, this kind of thing can’t just be given to anyone, right?”

“I’ll accept it.”

Almost the instant he heard this, Pei Zichen spoke.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him in surprise. Pei Zichen realized he’d reacted too quickly, his ears turning slightly red.

He forced composure, only saying: “But my accepting it doesn’t mean anything.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded carelessly, keenly sensing the spiritual power fluctuations around them. She stood up: “Oh my, it’s time for lunch. I want to eat braised fish. I’ll go check the kitchen.”

Pei Zichen said nothing, watching Jiang Zhaoxue stand.

She strode outside, raising her hand: “Do as you please. I’m going to eat fish.”

With that, she stepped through the door, and her expression immediately turned cold.

Actually, she had occasionally sensed spiritual power fluctuations before whenever Pei Zichen’s emotions changed, but she had thought this came from Pei Zichen himself absorbing resentful energy.

However, this time she clearly realized this wasn’t something Pei Zichen was absorbing himself. She had observed for a long time just now, focusing on the source of that power, and now pursued it all the way.

This power source was very close. Jiang Zhaoxue turned only two or three corners before reaching the end, stepping through a moon gate. She could still hear a group of people chatting casually. She strode forward, crossed through the gate, then followed that spiritual power to see the person in the opposite corridor.

Her figure was extremely tall, dressed in red robes, flanked by two women.

Sensing Jiang Zhaoxue’s entrance, all voices stopped. The woman raised her head, meeting Jiang Zhaoxue’s gaze across the courtyard.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at her, and in an instant her heart settled.

This was also a person within expectations.

She looked at the other’s cold eyes and raised a smile.

“Oh my, long time no see.”

With that, she tilted her head and said with a light laugh: “Should I call you New Left Emissary, or should I call you Mu Jinyue?”