Four years—enough time for a youth to grow into a young man.

The time of immortal cultivation was too long. Actually, she had long ago lost any concept of time. When entering the time gap, she knew that one entrance and exit was countless years passing.

But discovering Pei Zichen standing so abruptly before her, she suddenly had a tangible sense of time.

The change was too great.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but sigh.

Then she suddenly realized what she was doing.

Her fingertips were on Pei Zichen’s skin. She felt somewhat awkward—after all, he wasn’t a child anymore. Touching like this was ultimately improper. She could only cough lightly, feigning composure as she withdrew. After thinking, she said: “Where is this place?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. Jiang Zhaoxue felt his scrutinizing gaze and frowned slightly: “What, after four years of not seeing me, you won’t even answer my questions?”

“Master’s Wife…” Pei Zichen hesitated before speaking. “Can you not see?”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoxue folded her hands in her sleeves, slightly raising her chin, deliberately making it sound serious. “I first lost all five senses, then gradually recovered. After recovering for a long time, now I’m merely blind—not bad really.”

“Master’s Wife…” Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s voice trembled. “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Zhaoxue snorted coldly, feeling somewhat guilty. She changed the subject: “Where exactly is this place?”

“Near the capital.”

Pei Zichen finally talked about proper matters. Thinking of the current situation, he said to Jiang Zhaoxue: “Master’s Wife, we should first find lodging, then discuss details.”

“Fine.” Jiang Zhaoxue casually agreed, then frowned. “But where do we stay?”

Pei Zichen froze, then heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “Shen Yuqing should be nearby right now. If we just go to an inn, he’ll catch up quickly.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue clearly felt Pei Zichen’s aura become much gentler. He said softly: “Master’s Wife needn’t worry. Tianji Institute has arrays that block tracking and spying. Master won’t be able to follow.”

“Tianji Institute?” Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat confused. “How will you get in?”

Such major sects had protective arrays, certainly—but they only protected their own disciples. How would Pei Zichen sneak in?

“Master’s Wife,” Pei Zichen spoke, amusement in his tone, “I’m now a Tianji Institute disciple.”

“What?” Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat shocked. “You’ve returned to your old profession?”

“A professional Lingjian Immortal Pavilion disciple,” A’Nan couldn’t help praising. “Truly worthy of being Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s chosen disciple representative. He was born to do this!”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s reaction seemed to amuse Pei Zichen, but he didn’t dare really laugh. He only said: “Master’s Wife just needs to follow me. The only problem is…”

As Pei Zichen spoke, he turned to look at a child who had been curled up in the corner, cautiously observing. “What do we do about this child?”

“Child?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand. “What child?”

“The one who’s been following Master’s Wife…”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know, Pei Zichen also became puzzled.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked completely blank until finally she heard a familiar childish voice timidly speak: “Sister…”

“You dare follow?!”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue reacted instantly, then was somewhat shocked: “How did you follow us?”

“He was following Master’s Wife from the start. After seeing me, he kept clinging to me.”

Pei Zichen understood from Jiang Zhaoxue’s words—this child and Jiang Zhaoxue shouldn’t know each other. He examined the boy, explaining: “I thought he was acquainted with Master’s Wife, so I brought him along.”

“I’m sorry, Sister.” The boy, hearing Pei Zichen’s words and knowing he couldn’t hide anymore, quickly spoke up. He kowtowed several times to Jiang Zhaoxue, urgently saying: “I was kidnapped and trafficked by those bandits. I finally managed to escape. I can’t go back. I know Sister is a good person—I could only follow Sister. Please, Brother and Sister, help me!”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes, turned her head and heavily exhaled, cursing “what karma” before finally saying: “What help do you want?”

“I… I want to go home.”

The boy’s logic was clear, his speech fluent. He recalled: “They kidnapped me from Jiang Zhou. My father is called Li Guizhen, my mother is called Pei Shulan.”

Hearing this, both Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue frowned slightly, probing: “Then you… are called Li Xiuji?”

“How does Sister know?”

The boy spoke in surprise. Jiang Zhaoxue fell silent.

To actually encounter four-year-old Li Xiuji right upon landing?

Since he was someone she knew, she couldn’t just ignore him. After thinking, she said to Pei Zichen: “Bring him along. Let’s go back first. Kid—” Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand beckoning Li Xiuji. “Can you walk by yourself?”

“I can walk.” Li Xiuji hurriedly said: “Sister, I can do everything myself. I won’t be troublesome.”

These words were too sensible for a four-year-old child. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help softening a bit, but she didn’t show it on her face. She only called to Pei Zichen: “Let’s go. Bring this burden along.”

Hearing this, Li Xiuji lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly, seemingly uneasy.

Pei Zichen glanced at the child, walked forward, and half-knelt, his tone gentle: “Young Master Li, may I carry you?”

“No need…”

“We’ll be flying up to the sky.” Pei Zichen smiled, as if seeing through his thoughts, explaining: “You’re still young. Master’s Wife is a woman—it’s not convenient.”

These words made Li Xiuji freeze. He could only say quietly: “Thank you, Brother.”

Pei Zichen nodded in greeting and picked up Li Xiuji.

He was gentle throughout, but Li Xiuji somehow still felt somewhat afraid of him.

Pei Zichen carried Li Xiuji with one hand and walked before Jiang Zhaoxue. For some reason, he felt nervous. After hesitating a moment, he finally extended his hand, saying hesitantly: “Please hold onto me, Master’s Wife.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue unhesitatingly extended her hand and grabbed his.

The instant their hands clasped, Pei Zichen was so startled his muscles tensed. He instinctively wanted to pull back but forcibly stopped himself.

Jiang Zhaoxue found it strange: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Pei Zichen reacted, suppressing his heartbeat, saying softly: “Master’s Wife, please.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue felt herself lift into the air. Something seemed to support her feet beneath as she rapidly rose and moved forward.

Li Xiuji gasped. Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help laughing: “Kid, scared?”

“Not… not scared.”

Li Xiuji spoke tremblingly. But Jiang Zhaoxue knew Li Xiuji was definitely frightened and consoled: “If you’re scared, hold Brother tighter. The first time I was taken sword-flying, I was scared to death too. I held onto the person the whole way and wouldn’t let go—almost got kicked off.”

Listening, Pei Zichen glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue.

He wanted to ask something, but with a thought, he knew—among the sword cultivators Jiang Zhaoxue knew when young, those she would hold tightly, how many could there be?

He remained silent. Jiang Zhaoxue, not noticing anything unusual, only continued consoling Li Xiuji: “But swaying back and forth, I didn’t fall.”

“When sword cultivators fly on swords, there are barriers around them.”

Pei Zichen finally spoke, picking up Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, consoling Li Xiuji: “You won’t fall.”

“I… I understand.”

Li Xiuji was frightened into stuttering but still held Pei Zichen tighter, saying earnestly: “Thank you, Brother.”

Their location wasn’t far from the capital. Pei Zichen brought Jiang Zhaoxue to the capital first, then used his Tianji Institute token to swagger in with Jiang Zhaoxue.

Tianji Institute had a special status in this small world. The guards didn’t dare obstruct much—they didn’t even ask many questions before letting Pei Zichen lead Jiang Zhaoxue into the city.

After entering the city, Pei Zichen found a carriage at the city gate and briefed Jiang Zhaoxue on her identity.

“Four years ago, I changed my name to Jiang Chen, disguising as a guard who, after his family head perished, was ordered to protect his family’s lady but eventually became separated from her—with this identity I entered Tianji Institute. So I’ve already reported your identity. Your name is Jiang Xue. You’re the lady I’ve been searching for.”

Despite having told this lie for many years, when saying “the lady I’ve been searching for,” Pei Zichen looked at the person before him and still felt his heart race. But seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression showed no concern, he boldly stared at Jiang Zhaoxue, probing as he continued: “From now on, in public I can’t call you Master’s Wife—I’ll have to call you Lady.”

Thank heavens, well done!

Jiang Zhaoxue secretly praised in her heart but couldn’t show she was too happy on her face. She nodded: “Acceptable.”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue agree, Pei Zichen relaxed.

He knew Jiang Zhaoxue valued her status as Shen Yuqing’s wife. In the past at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, everyone privately called her Lady, but if anyone dared call her Lady to her face, she wouldn’t forgive them.

Everyone had to call her Madam.

And when he first saw her, what she taught him was also Master’s Wife.

He remembered when he called out Master’s Wife, her joyful expression. Initially, he thought it was because she saw him.

Later he learned it was because Master’s Wife was acknowledging her identity as Shen Yuqing’s wife.

The same smile would appear every time she acknowledged this identity.

Even the reason she would take disciples, would wait for him at the mountain gate, was for this identity.

Knowing she valued it, when proposing this request, he was terrified she’d refuse.

But if he had to continue calling her by that title…

He didn’t know why, but his heart inexplicably resisted.

Probably because this identity was too troublesome for conducting business outside. In the past, when he was a youth, everyone gossiped easily. Now walking around, he obviously looked like a young man. The Mortal Realm also gossiped easily. He didn’t want Jiang Zhaoxue’s reputation insulted.

Fortunately, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t fixate on the title and smoothly accepted his proposal. His heart relaxed with some secret joy, but he didn’t dare go too far. He turned to look at the road and still said: “Master’s Wife, we’ve arrived.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue wanted to tell him to keep it the same in public and private, but thinking of her past behavior, it wouldn’t be good to change too much. Thinking she’d find another opportunity, she responded: “Mm.”

“Master’s Wife—” Moments later, Jiang Zhaoxue felt him lean close before her, saying softly: “Lady, pardon the offense.”

With that, he placed a veil imbued with spiritual power over her face. Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then realized it indeed wouldn’t do to cause trouble here.

After Jiang Zhaoxue donned the veil, the carriage also stopped. Pei Zichen paid the driver, then picked up the sleeping Li Xiuji. Through his sleeve, he had Jiang Zhaoxue hold his hand to exit the carriage.

After exiting, he handed one end of his sword scabbard to Jiang Zhaoxue. He looked down gently at the hand gripping his scabbard, saying softly: “Lady, please follow me.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue followed him forward. After a few steps, she sensed layers upon layers of array formations.

The capital was indeed Tianji Institute’s core. The arrays were clearly set by masters. For Shen Yuqing to find someone wouldn’t be easy.

She followed Pei Zichen inside, hearing him exchange pleasantries with people.

“Oh, Fellow Daoist Jiang, this is…”

“Found her.” Pei Zichen’s tone carried uncontrollable joy, saying gently: “This is my lady.”

“Oh, congratulations, congratulations!”

Everyone was clearly familiar with his search. After some pleasantries, they let Pei Zichen enter.

Compared to his youth, Pei Zichen was obviously much gentler and more tactful. Jiang Zhaoxue quietly listened to him chat with people, then finally heard the surroundings gradually quiet. Pei Zichen opened a courtyard gate, softly reminding: “Master’s Wife, watch your step.”

“Can’t you just help me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt helpless. In public was one thing, but now with no one around, he insisted on making things difficult for a blind person.

Pei Zichen’s movements paused. After hesitating a moment, he finally extended his hand, stopping before Jiang Zhaoxue, saying softly: “Master’s Wife can hold my hand.”

“Wow, what kind of chaste and virtuous man is this?”

A’Nan couldn’t help exclaiming. Jiang Zhaoxue felt irritated and simply grabbed his hand. Pei Zichen’s muscles tensed. Jiang Zhaoxue urgently pulled him, gripping him and walking inside, cursing in a low voice: “How you ended up in Jiuyou Realm, I don’t know. Any random person there is more sensible than you.”

Being pulled by her, Pei Zichen was completely at a loss. Suppressing his emotions as he led the way for her, he frantically said: “What is Master’s Wife saying?”

“I’m saying—” Jiang Zhaoxue rolled her eyes, dissatisfied. “Any random person I met on the road was more familiar with me than you. They knew to hold my hand and walk.”

These words made Pei Zichen’s heart tremble. He keenly sensed something, helping Jiang Zhaoxue: “Someone helped Master’s Wife on the road?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Zhaoxue let him help her enter. Pei Zichen guided her to sit on the bed, hearing her talk about that person: “Otherwise how could the time gap path be so easy to walk? I encountered a benefactor.”

Pei Zichen helped her sit down, his eyelashes slightly lowered, concealing the emotions in his eyes. He said softly: “Master’s Wife, wait here for me. I’ll take Young Master Li to the guest room.”

“Why bother taking him?”

Hearing he wanted to send Li Xiuji away, Jiang Zhaoxue asked in confusion: “He’s a small child—just put him in this room.”

Pei Zichen’s aura slightly condensed. Jiang Zhaoxue knew his obsession with propriety was acting up again and quickly said: “Boys and girls don’t share seats until age seven. He’s only four. Put him down and kneel to speak.”

Listening, Pei Zichen fell silent for a moment, clearly quite unwilling.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow: “Hm?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen hesitated, then still put the person down. After setting up a soundproofing barrier, he straightened and, listening to Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, knelt before her, saying softly: “Disciple has knelt.”

“Heard you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue took out a round fan from her sleeve. Sitting on the bed, she gently fanned herself, saying with a half-smile: “Tell me, what did you do these four years?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen couldn’t help but look up to examine her.

She still wore the same dress from when they parted. Her spiritual power was abundant, her clothes clean and neat, without half a trace of fatigue. The days apart should have passed well.

His heart relaxed somewhat. He told her about everything he’d done these years, one by one.

“After Master’s Wife left, I obtained the Yuan Luogong.”

“Oh, you got it.” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart soured. She mocked: “Congratulations. How did it take a fancy to you, this drama queen always wanting to die?”

“At that time, it gave me two choices.” Though not understanding what “drama queen” meant, Jiang Zhaoxue often said such incomprehensible things. Pei Zichen was accustomed to it. After all, Penglai demonic cultivators were different from human cultivators. Connecting context, he could roughly understand. Lowering his eyes, he described the situation: “It said, let me choose to obtain it, or let Master’s Wife safely return while I fall forever into the space-time gap. I chose to let Master’s Wife go back. This happened to be its test.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s smile couldn’t quite hold: “It likes saints?”

“It said it wanted someone who didn’t want it.”

Pei Zichen spoke truthfully. Jiang Zhaoxue nearly ground her teeth: “Quite the personality. Then what—you got the Yuan Luogong and started waiting for me?”

“After obtaining the Yuan Luogong, I first performed transcendence for Zhuang Yan. From her, I learned that a Wraith Fiend had made a deal with her that year, attaching to her soul body. I transcended her, then according to Master’s Wife’s instructions, rescued Ye Wenzhi and had him create golden statues and build temples for Master’s Wife, accumulating merit.”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened quietly, her expression gradually becoming serious: “And then?”

“Later, Master probably sensed spiritual power fluctuations from the Su Guangji or Yuan Luogong and rushed over using the Time-Seeking Mirror. I… I had to wait for you.” As Pei Zichen spoke, he became somewhat nervous, unconsciously curling his fingers. “I could only hide from Master. Though this is the Mortal Realm, Tianji Institute and Lingjian Immortal Pavilion seem to share the same origin. Master became a guest elder at Tianji Institute and searched everywhere for you and me. So I simply forged several identities—usually entering Tianji Institute as a disciple, occasionally using other identities to exorcise demons outside, then using the silver earned to build temples for Master’s Wife.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow: “Why build temples for me?”

“I wanted to make offerings to you.” Pei Zichen spoke earnestly. “I didn’t know when I’d meet you, but I knew that if Master’s Wife appeared, you could hear every wish made at each temple.”

However many years he waited, however many temples he built—when she took her place among the deities, these voices would rush in—

“Then you’d be completely surrounded by his voice. Master’s Wife, Master’s Wife, Master’s Wife—it’s me, are you there?”

A’Nan’s voice abruptly interjected. Jiang Zhaoxue was startled by this description and coughed lightly: “Well, that’s not necessary. I formed the Life Attendant contract with you. As long as I appear, you’ll definitely sense it.”

Listening, Pei Zichen smiled: “I know.”

But the waiting time was too long and agonizing. He didn’t know when the end would be. He could only do everything he could think of related to her and wait day by day.

Listening to him say these things, the fire in Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart slowly subsided, but she still felt somewhat unwilling. She said irritably: “Do you know why I had you kneel?”

Pei Zichen’s movements stiffened. After hesitating a moment, he said with difficulty: “I harmed Master’s Wife.”

“Wrong.” Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and lightly poked his forehead with her fan.

That force was like tickling. Pei Zichen felt his heart instantly go numb and tingly. He lowered his eyes, listening to Jiang Zhaoxue wave her fan and continue: “If this choice of yours could get the Yuan Luogong, I’d think it was a worthwhile deal—not a big issue. I’m angry you wasted all my efforts.”

The more Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, the angrier she got: “I saved you over and over, day after day coaxing you, accompanying you. In the end, you weren’t happy at all, weren’t moved at all, had no attachment at all?”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help bending slightly forward, leaning over, her breath spraying on his face. She couldn’t help saying through gritted teeth: “Am I not good? After paying so much, you don’t care at all—you just want to die that badly?”

“Disciple knows his error.”

Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, not daring to say more.

Seeing him say only this after so much talking, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help lightly kicking him, then cursing in a low voice: “Get up. Annoying.”

Pei Zichen stood up, hesitating without moving. Seeing him remain silently still, smelling the blood in the air, Jiang Zhaoxue said in a muffled voice: “Where are you hurt?”

“Master’s Wife needn’t worry. Disciple…”

“I asked where you’re hurt.”

Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted him.

Pei Zichen hesitated a moment and said softly: “My back.”

Jiang Zhaoxue knew with a thought. She stood up and beckoned: “Come here.”

Pei Zichen hesitantly stepped forward, supporting Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue gripped his hand and moved forward: “Go find a spot, bring the medicine box. I’ll apply medicine for you.”

“I…”

“I may be blind but I can still do things!”

At Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, Pei Zichen was afraid she’d think he looked down on her and didn’t dare refuse. He could only follow her words, helping her sit on a cushion, then fetched the medicine box and handed her safe ointment before sitting before her.

After sitting before her, he felt inexplicably nervous. Then he heard Jiang Zhaoxue eagerly ask: “Have you undressed?”

Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly. He felt this question was somehow strange but didn’t know where the strangeness lay. He could only suppress his confusion, remove his upper garment, and remind: “Master’s Wife, ready.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue took ointment from the jar and tentatively touched Pei Zichen’s back.

Pei Zichen remained motionless, only looking at the ground. As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand touched him, she sensed Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power and couldn’t help cursing inwardly: “He really struck without mercy! Saying he wants to come out and talk—if I came out, wouldn’t he stab me full of holes?”

“Master won’t treat Master’s Wife that way.”

Pei Zichen spoke calmly. Jiang Zhaoxue snorted coldly: “He dared draw his sword when I was there—didn’t see him show any consideration. He must think I’ve lost him face now. He probably wants to kill me to preserve Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s reputation.”

“Master was cutting tree crowns.”

Pei Zichen reminded. Jiang Zhaoxue paused.

Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, calmly stating: “Master only cut tree crowns to startle me. He thought I’d immediately flee.”

“Oh.” Jiang Zhaoxue reacted, understanding today’s battle of wits between Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing. Using spiritual power, she extracted Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power attached to the wound, comprehending: “So you didn’t move at first. You let forest animals startled by him move first. He thought it was you and went the opposite direction, then you struck to split open space?”

“Yes.” Pei Zichen responded. “I knew Master’s Wife was there. Master couldn’t possibly truly strike.”

“You speak up for him.” Jiang Zhaoxue glared at him. “He wants to kill you, yet you still defend him.”

“I’m not defending him.” Pei Zichen answered truthfully. “I don’t want Master’s Wife to be sad.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements paused slightly. Realizing her past persona, she coughed lightly and decided to slowly change it, saying indifferently: “Doesn’t matter. I’m not that easily saddened. I’ve thought it through. As for you—don’t pull that wanting-to-die act anymore. If you’re unhappy, tell me. I’ll always accompany you.”

“Master’s Wife…”

Pei Zichen looked at the ground. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, but didn’t dare speak.

Jiang Zhaoxue found his hesitation strange and pressed: “What?”

Pei Zichen remained silently still.

He wanted to ask her—if he weren’t Shen Yuqing’s disciple, if he were just Pei Zichen, would she still accompany him, still want to save him?

Or rather, why exactly would she accompany him, want to save him?

But the words came to his lips and he didn’t dare speak, afraid of asking an answer he couldn’t accept. Better to deceive himself.

It didn’t matter anyway…

Thinking this, his heart suddenly calmed. He turned to look back and saw the person behind him groping for the medicine bottle.

She couldn’t see him, so he could gaze at her freely.

He actually couldn’t distinguish what kind of feeling this was. He only wanted to stay by her side, watch her, look at her, accompany her.

She lived, he lived.

He quietly watched her cap the medicine bottle, hearing her lightly ask: “Why’d you stop talking?”

“Nothing.” Pei Zichen smiled, saying gently: “Just wondering how Master’s Wife spent these four years?”

“Me?”

Jiang Zhaoxue changed to a comfortable position, sitting cross-legged, smiling: “I had it much easier than you. After I fell into the time gap, I met someone. Oh, did I tell you before? After we fell off the cliff, I brought you while being chased by Gujun Ancestor to the seaside, then we met a super handsome guy.”

“Super hand…” Pei Zichen frowned slightly, finding the latter words difficult to understand. But this was the first time he so wanted to know what Jiang Zhaoxue meant, he couldn’t help asking.

Seeing him inquire, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly used words he could understand: “Very handsome, making people feel especially amazing—the kind of person who makes you think ‘wow, such a dazzling person’ when you see them.”

“A man?” Pei Zichen turned around, sitting cross-legged, methodically pulling on his clothes, thinking as he confirmed.

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded: “Right.”

“And then?”

“After I fell, he caught me, transmitted spiritual power to me. After repairing my body, he held my hand, led the way for me, even fed me rose cakes. He took care of me very well the whole way. It felt like about a day? Then he sent me out. When leaving…”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she suddenly remembered something and abruptly stopped.

Pei Zichen watched her. For the first time, he saw something close to shyness on Jiang Zhaoxue’s face.

His heart trembled. He keenly sensed something and pressed: “What happened when leaving?”

“Oh, nothing.” Remembering what happened, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately felt somewhat embarrassed. She coughed lightly, glossing over it, continuing: “Then we separated. As soon as I walked out, I sensed Ye Wenzhi’s fortune coming to me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, thinking: “According to your account, Ye Wenzhi built temples for me. I have a guess. Do you think… people’s fortune can be intercepted?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He only seemed to quietly watch her.

Jiang Zhaoxue continued analyzing: “If fortune can be intercepted, then Ye Wenzhi encountering Zhuang Yan was very likely a setup. The person behind it used Zhuang Yan to make Ye Wenzhi commit evil, forcing him to die at twenty-four. He died early, but his fortune wouldn’t dissipate. If fortune can be intercepted, doesn’t the person behind this have a way to take this fortune for themselves? But now he encountered me. I let Ye Wenzhi live. Only Ye Wenzhi did help Zhuang Yan harm people—though he was also used. But I didn’t kill Boren, yet Boren died because of me. This fortune he ultimately couldn’t keep. Then he built temples and made offerings to me, equivalent to voluntarily transferring this fortune he could no longer possess to me? What do you think?”

“Perhaps so.”

Pei Zichen spoke. After thinking, he said softly: “Master’s Wife, it’s late. I’ll take Young Master Li to sleep first. You rest well.”

“Huh?” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised. “You’re going to sleep already?”

After asking, she reacted: “You insist on taking Li Xiuji away? He’s just a child.”

“Your eyes are inconvenient. It’s better I care for him.”

As Pei Zichen spoke, he extended his hand toward Jiang Zhaoxue, helping her stand: “Master’s Wife, I’ll help you to the bed.”

Hearing his words, Jiang Zhaoxue also found it appropriate. She let him help her stand and sit on the bed.

Pei Zichen crouched down as she removed her shoes. Then, half-kneeling before her, he took out a bracelet, pulled her hand, and gently put it on for her, explaining: “This bracelet contains one of my sword techniques and a wisp of my soul. If you shake it, I’ll appear immediately.”

“Got it.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sensed his soul in the bracelet and smiled: “Thank you.”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He looked up at the woman sitting before him.

She had only passed yesterday and arrived at today—not a bit of change, still the same as four years ago. Even her clothes were exactly the same as when they parted.

But he had already changed from youth to young man.

He quietly gazed at her. After a long time, he restrained his emotions, took a deep breath and said: “Master’s Wife, I’m leaving.”

“Good night.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled in farewell. Pei Zichen stood up, turned to leave.

However, after a few steps, he still felt somewhat unwilling. After thinking, he turned back: “Master’s Wife.”

“Mm?”

“Today when I took you away—do you resent me?”

This question stunned Jiang Zhaoxue. She instinctively said: “How could I?”

Seeing Shen Yuqing—running away was good, running away was wonderful. She’d resent him?

What a joke.

Hearing this, Pei Zichen couldn’t help smiling. He thought for a moment, somewhat nervously walked before Jiang Zhaoxue, saying softly: “Then… do you want to see me?”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze. Before she could react to what Pei Zichen meant, she felt him suddenly bend down, insert his hand into the hair behind her head, and forcefully pull her forward.

In her shock, he pressed his forehead against hers.

In that instant, Jiang Zhaoxue felt her soul violently pulled into his consciousness sea. She opened her eyes to see the young man before her lowering his head, forehead pressed against hers.

This was Pei Zichen’s soul. His soul looked the same as his body.

They still maintained their positions from reality, only she had changed from sitting to standing. They were extremely close, breaths entangled—the kind of distance where they might kiss at any moment, making Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart race.

He slowly released his hands, letting her conveniently raise her eyes to look at him.

She swept her gaze forward, bit by bit looking at the young man before her.

He was much taller. His body had obviously filled out—broad shoulders, narrow waist, distinct muscles.

The youth’s roundness had completely disappeared. In its place were distinct angles, three-dimensional features. From pretty, he’d completely become handsome. When he looked down at her, even desperately restraining himself with gentle expression, he couldn’t hide that instinctive sense of aggression.

Actually, Pei Zichen’s features were never gentle—his black-purple eyes were born wolf-like. It was just his temperament that was usually too gentle, suppressing the sharpness his features brought.

But this kind of rebellion in his bones—any slightly strong posture would display it thoroughly and exhilaratingly.

Pei Zichen looked at her nervously yet longingly. Remembering her unconscious smile when mentioning that person in the space-time gap earlier, the way she unconsciously pressed her lips together when pausing, he couldn’t help raising his hand, trembling as he lightly touched her lips.

The cool fingertips made Jiang Zhaoxue instantly sober. She instinctively wanted to retreat.

But Pei Zichen spoke first, as if begging: “Look at me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements paused slightly. She heard the plea in those words, raised her eyes, and met his gaze.

Strikingly beautiful features crashed into her eyes. Pei Zichen watched those eyes gradually fill with his face, his heart also filling.

He couldn’t help smiling: “Master’s Wife, look—”

His expression seemed as restrained and gentle as when he was seventeen: “This is me at twenty-one.”

Jiang Zhaoxue quietly looked, not speaking. Pei Zichen finally felt what he’d been longing for was obtained. He stepped back and bowed in greeting: “For Master’s Wife to see, disciple is extremely joyful. Disciple takes his leave.”

With that, Pei Zichen’s consciousness sea withdrew. In reality, his hand also withdrew from her hair.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes. Though she couldn’t see, she still felt Pei Zichen retreat like a tide.

“Lady,” he quietly changed the title. “Sleep well.”

With that, he turned and withdrew, picked up the sleeping Li Xiuji, and left Jiang Zhaoxue’s room with feigned composure.

Once the door closed and only Jiang Zhaoxue remained in the room, she finally belatedly realized: “You know…”

She asked A’Nan in confusion: “Just now, was I… seduced by a twenty-one-year-old brat?”

“You seem to have been seduced by two people in one day.” A’Nan ruthlessly exposed her. “Shouldn’t you consider if you’re the problem?”

“I can’t possibly be the problem.” Jiang Zhaoxue decisively denied. “I just purely like good-looking people.”

“That is indeed quite pure.” A’Nan spoke.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and couldn’t help saying: “But was Pei Zichen trying to seduce me?”

“His character probably wouldn’t.” A’Nan analyzed. “He probably hasn’t seen you in four years and got too excited. Aside from touching your mouth being somewhat strange, everything else was pretty normal. Forehead to forehead was to let your soul enter his consciousness sea. Nothing else really… right?”

“True.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. “Right now, I’m his only attachment. Being a bit excited is normal.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt somewhat guilty: “Am I too mean to him?”

“You mean now or the future?”

A’Nan couldn’t help inquiring. With this question, Jiang Zhaoxue had her answer.

“I should be nicer to him…” She pondered. “Look, he seems all neurotic now.”

On the other side, Pei Zichen placed Li Xiuji on the small couch, covered him with a blanket, returned to his own bed. He kept his eyes open but couldn’t sleep.

What was he doing?

He felt somewhat confused. However, this confusion was quickly covered by another question.

Who did Jiang Zhaoxue meet?

That person…

Thinking of Jiang Zhaoxue’s somewhat evasive way of unconsciously pressing her lips together, he clearly knew.

Something happened between them.

Someone had quietly stolen into Jiang Zhaoxue’s life when he wasn’t there.

Thinking of this, he coldly closed his eyes, gently brushing over his sword hilt that couldn’t stop trembling.

No matter. He accompanied Master’s Wife.

His lady.

That was enough.