The scent on Pei Zichen’s body was a mix of bamboo leaves and pine cypress, a fresh fragrance that Jiang Zhaoxue was very familiar with.

So when he returned, Jiang Zhaoxue called out to him, then paid no more attention and continued discussing the next steps with Ye Wenzhi.

“The Tianji Academy is deeply rooted in Great Xia, with many believers among the common people. If they recognize the Crown Prince as the true dragon, the people will also worship the Crown Prince.”

Ye Wenzhi was worried: “The Third Prince is right. If His Highness still wants to compete, asking the ancestors at the altar is his only path. But if he’s not fated to be a true dragon, I fear His Highness…”

“Rest assured on this point.”

Jiang Zhaoxue comforted Ye Wenzhi with considerable confidence: “Let him boldly ascend the altar. As for the matter of true dragon fate, I guarantee there will be no problem.”

“That would be truly wonderful!”

Hearing this, Ye Wenzhi was overjoyed. He stood up and performed a grand salute to Jiang Zhaoxue: “On behalf of the Third Prince and Great Xia, I thank Immortal Master Jiang.”

“It’s nothing.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. Thinking about the time—tonight her fire poison would flare up and she still needed to prepare early—she said: “It’s already late. Young Master Ye should rest. We can discuss the specifics tomorrow.”

With that, she stood up and saw Ye Wenzhi out.

Seeing this, Qian Sisi also stood up, clapping her hands: “Alright, then I’ll go rest first too.”

With that, Qian Sisi turned back to look at Pei Zichen, who had entered at some unknown time: “Where’s Ye Tianjiao? Is he alright?”

“Quick!!” Just as the words fell, Ye Tianjiao rushed in boisterously, shouting loudly: “Hurry and prepare food for me, I’m starving!”

Hearing this voice, Qian Sisi understood: “Oh, he’s fine. Alright.”

Qian Sisi nodded, patted Jiang Zhaoxue’s shoulder, leaned close to her ear, and quickly whispered “Pei Zichen isn’t right” before bidding the two farewell: “I’m leaving first.”

After Qian Sisi left, only then did Jiang Zhaoxue sense and turn back, looking in Pei Zichen’s direction, asking curiously: “Zichen?”

Pei Zichen paused, speaking hoarsely: “Female Sovereign.”

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively felt his emotions weren’t right.

Although he was always quiet, he was always proper and generally greeted her when returning.

She couldn’t see, but she could still sense the atmosphere. Today Pei Zichen was clearly different.

A’Nan also sensed it, chattering away: “Why does he look so miserable?”

Hearing the word “miserable,” Jiang Zhaoxue had an idea and assumed he’d been struck down by Shen Yuqing.

Pei Zichen was her Life Servant, their divine souls connected. She knew clearly whether he was safe or not, so she wasn’t too worried.

But she understood Shen Yuqing. If he didn’t kill Pei Zichen and let him go, it wasn’t magnanimity—perhaps it was to humiliate him.

She had run away with Pei Zichen, severely embarrassing his Immortal Venerable face. Simply killing Pei Zichen would be letting him off too easily in Shen Yuqing’s mind.

Pei Zichen had been in the sect for seven years. By this time, Shen Yuqing rarely drew his sword in public and had never personally taught Pei Zichen, so Pei Zichen wasn’t clear about his actual strength.

Today he must have faced him directly. Shen Yuqing probably shattered the young man’s self-esteem.

Jiang Zhaoxue understood.

But thinking that Pei Zichen still had this competitive spirit, she couldn’t help but laugh softly, turning to lead him forward: “Guide me.”

With these words, Pei Zichen stepped forward and handed his sword sheath to Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue grasped his cold sword sheath, pretending not to know what happened to him to save his face, and began chatting casually: “Today I met Song Wuya. He refused to leave with me and made a demand. He said if I could change his fate to that of a true dragon, three days from now at the altar when he asks his ancestors, if he can gain his ancestors’ recognition and their protection to obtain the throne, he’ll give me the Lingxu Fan.”

“Did Female Sovereign agree to him?” Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, forcing himself not to overthink, to listen to Jiang Zhaoxue’s words as he pulled her toward the room.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue laughed: “Of course I agreed.”

“How can true dragon fate be changed?” Pei Zichen couldn’t understand.

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her lips together. She looked left and right, walked in front of Pei Zichen, and patted his shoulder.

Pei Zichen swept the surroundings, confirmed no one was there, and slightly bent down. He heard Jiang Zhaoxue whisper: “He is the true dragon.”

These words made Pei Zichen freeze, then he didn’t quite understand: “He is… how could he not know?”

“I also found it strange.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sensed they had arrived at her room, released Pei Zichen’s sword sheath, withdrew inside, and said with a smile: “So when I returned, I asked Ye Wenzhi. It turns out Ye Wenzhi told me that four years ago, he was calculated by the Tianji Academy to have the fate of a flood dragon.”

“Flood dragon?”

Pei Zichen stood at the door. Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back: “Don’t stand outside, come in.”

Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly. Jiang Zhaoxue knew his concerns and immediately said: “Starting at the hour of chou tonight, my fire poison will arrive. Your cultivation needs to transfer spiritual power to me in advance, so don’t worry about propriety. Stay in my room tonight.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s words instantly flashed through Pei Zichen’s mind.

“I can personally teach you, pass on my mantle to you, but you must remember to observe a disciple’s proper place, follow the Pavilion’s rules. These days, the presumptuous acts between you and your Master’s Wife cannot happen again.”

“She can come find me, or I can go find her. Either is fine.”

He opened his mouth, trying to speak. But before he could, Jiang Zhaoxue called out: “Don’t just stand there stupidly, come in!”

This voice interrupted his words. First strike with momentum, second strike weakens.

He couldn’t speak. After hesitating for a moment, he finally still carried his sword inside.

As soon as he entered, Jiang Zhaoxue began urging: “There’s a bath in the inner room. Hurry and wash up. You’re covered in dust and it stinks.”

“Female Sovereign…”

“I’m blind, I can’t see anything,” Jiang Zhaoxue assumed he was embarrassed and materialized a set of inner robes from her cosmic pouch, tossing it to him: “These were originally prepared for your master, never worn. Might be a bit big. Hurry and wash up and come out.” Jiang Zhaoxue blinked, teasing: “Tonight I’m counting on you.”

Pei Zichen gripped the inner robe. He knew he shouldn’t stay here, shouldn’t listen to her. He should tell her the truth. He didn’t need to stay here, didn’t need to wash up, because… Master was waiting for her. Master would take care of all this. But in this moment, he wanted to be near her, wanted to hear her voice, wanted to be in any place with her scent to soothe the fear in his heart from who knows where.

He struggled and finally still spoke, saying quietly: “Yes.”

With that, he stepped into the inner room. As he undressed and sank into the water, the Yuan Luogong laughed: “Does Master’s Wife’s bath smell nice?”

“Get lost!”

Pei Zichen shouted sternly. The water rippled slightly.

Sitting in the outer room drinking tea, Jiang Zhaoxue heard the water sounds from inside. Knowing Pei Zichen’s nature, she comforted him: “It’s running water. I bathed an hour ago and the water has long been changed.”

Pei Zichen’s movements paused. Hearing her words, he raised his eyes and looked around.

The water was changed, but this was where she had been naked. On the beast-shaped platform beside were incense tablets she hadn’t used up. There were even flower petals scattered on the water surface—he didn’t know if they were newly laid or had been there before.

The incense tablets and her fragrance were the same, as if her scent surrounded him.

He soaked quietly in the water. Jiang Zhaoxue twirled her folding fan, waiting for him as she continued: “I hadn’t finished speaking just now. Ye Wenzhi told me that when he was born, the Tianji Academy actually calculated he had true dragon fate. Because of this, he and his mother were greatly favored. But unexpectedly, four years ago, when the Tianji Academy recalculated before establishing the heir, they suddenly discovered he wasn’t a true dragon but a flood dragon.”

“A flood dragon is a false dragon,” Jiang Zhaoxue knew Pei Zichen wouldn’t understand and explained: “Which means the Tianji Academy had been mistaken all along. When a flood dragon appears among princes, it can steal and kill the true dragon’s fortune, causing confusion. So the Tianji Academy carefully recalculated all the princes. In the end, they calculated that the current Crown Prince Song Zhen’an was the true dragon. It was only because Song Wuya’s fortune interfered that he had been overlooked before. At that time, the monarch greatly favored Song Zhen’an’s mother, Noble Consort Zhao. Using the pretext of harming the true dragon, they sent Song Wuya to the border.”

“Sent to the border,” Pei Zichen looked at his reflection in the water, “weren’t they afraid he’d control military power?”

“Of course they were afraid,” Jiang Zhaoxue answered decisively, “so after sending him there, they cut off his supplies and provisions, always giving him the hardest battles to fight. They didn’t expect he couldn’t be killed no matter what. In the end, he even obtained the supreme treasure Lingxu Fan at the border. His Majesty was afraid, which is why he summoned this son back. After returning to the capital, he happened to meet Shen Yuqing. Shen Yuqing looked at him and said he had true dragon fate. When this spread, everyone rekindled hope, always hoping the Tianji Academy had made a mistake.”

Jiang Zhaoxue waved her fan leisurely: “They say compared to the Crown Prince, Song Wuya’s temperament is much better, so court officials all hoped Song Wuya was the true dragon fate. But now except for Shen Yuqing, all fortune tellers think he’s a false dragon. And Shen Yuqing is a sword cultivator—when he speaks of fate matters, it carries no weight. So after the Tianji Academy thought it over, they finally decided to choose the Crown Prince. As for Song Wuya himself, he’s been worn down over these years and doesn’t dare think of himself as a true dragon. He only wants to try his utmost to change his fate. I heard from Ye Wenzhi that this Lingxu Fan—he heard it could change fate, so he did everything possible to obtain it.”

“So how did Song Wuya, a true dragon, become a false dragon?”

“If I haven’t guessed wrong, it must be related to that Noble Consort Zhao—or rather the Crown Prince. But I still need to investigate further tomorrow. Right now I’m only worried about one thing.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice was somewhat low. Pei Zichen turned his eyes: “What worries Master’s Wife?”

“If Song Wuya’s fate was deliberately concealed by someone, to conceal true dragon fate must not be an ordinary person. I’m not confident I can handle them. If pushed to extremes,” Jiang Zhaoxue twirled the fan in her hand leisurely, “I’ll have to go find Shen Yuqing.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s heart tightened.

The Yuan Luogong laughed even more happily, transforming into mist in the water and swirling around him.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and continued: “But he’s fixated on you. I need to think of a way.”

What way, why need a way.

Pei Zichen turned his eyes to look at the reflection on the screen, his throat moving slightly.

He wanted to speak but couldn’t make a sound.

Shen Yuqing wouldn’t kill him anymore. He was still waiting at the Tianji Academy for Jiang Zhaoxue to return.

The two of them, husband and wife, in mutual love. Now Jiang Zhaoxue would return too.

Then what about him? Where would he go?

Dazed and confused, he washed for a long time before finally rising from the bath.

After drying off the water, he took the garment Jiang Zhaoxue gave him and put it on.

This garment was Shen Yuqing’s. Pei Zichen forced himself not to think about why Jiang Zhaoxue would have Shen Yuqing’s clothing here, but he still couldn’t help noticing all the details.

This set of inner robes was vastly different in style from what Shen Yuqing usually wore.

Shen Yuqing’s clothing, or rather all of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s attire, emphasized “dignified and elegant.” Colors were mostly plain, lines upright and neat, covering what could be covered, plain rather than ornate.

But these inner robes were completely opposite to the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion style.

Although in plain colors, golden patterns were embroidered on the collar edges—the patterns were all golden tigers, as if Jiang Zhaoxue was embroidered on the garment.

In terms of style, the collar was low. In fact, if one didn’t deliberately pull and tie it tight, the collar would naturally open, exposing a large expanse of chest—quite romantic.

This was how they were in private.

Pei Zichen stood still, raising his eyes to look at himself in the mirror.

Long hair loose, clothing slack—in that moment, it was as if he saw Shen Yuqing’s face in the mirror, silently meeting his gaze across space, looking down at him coldly.

He didn’t dare look more. He forced himself to turn away and walked out from behind the screen. As soon as he emerged, Jiang Zhaoxue looked in the direction of his voice. Although she couldn’t see anything, she still smiled and asked: “Does it fit?”

It didn’t fit.

Half an inch too short.

He should have said this. But when he opened his mouth, it became: “It fits.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and stood up: “Good that it fits. Come over.”

Pei Zichen didn’t move. Jiang Zhaoxue noticed he stopped in place and turned back in confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Master’s Wife…”

Pei Zichen spoke hoarsely. He wanted to remind himself of this person’s identity before him, then say what he should say. But after this address came out, other words couldn’t be spoken.

Whether Shen Yuqing’s message or anything else, nothing could be said.

Seeing his silence, Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and knew something must have happened. Calculating the time, knowing she shouldn’t force it, she turned and walked to the vanity, calling: “Come, sit down. I’ll dry your hair.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen breathed a sigh of relief.

He couldn’t care what he was going to do. Listening to Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, he sat before her, only wanting to delay as long as possible.

Jiang Zhaoxue took a cloth and, not very skillfully, pressed his hair dry, asking leisurely: “Tell me, what really happened today?”

“Master’s Wife…”

Hearing her inquiry, Pei Zichen lowered his eyes. His fingers resting on his knees curled slightly: “Were you… happy at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him, knowing this must be related to Shen Yuqing. She didn’t ask more, only said honestly: “Happy about what?”

Just mentioning the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion made Jiang Zhaoxue want to roll her eyes. She couldn’t help complaining: “Rules everywhere, people annoying to death. Everyone with their noses in the air. Demon cultivators in Zhongzhou have almost become an insult. Do you think I’d be very happy there?”

“But you still stayed there.” Pei Zichen said hoarsely, “Refusing to leave.”

“My brain has problems.” Jiang Zhaoxue sighed, “You think I didn’t want to leave? I wanted to leave too. But every time I thought of your master, I felt I could endure a bit more. Endured year after year. Then he pushed his luck and brought Mu Jinyue back. Says she’s a female disciple, but I’ve never seen this kind of master who puts his wife aside to live with a female disciple. Is Mu Jinyue’s talent very high? He doesn’t even teach you, but watches her every day. Problematic.”

“Then…” Pei Zichen struggled. He knew he shouldn’t ask, but he still couldn’t help it: “Why not dissolve the Dao companion contract?”

“Dissolving the contract isn’t that simple.” Jiang Zhaoxue dried his hair ends patiently: “When forming a Dao companion contract, both parties must burn a contract pledging to share fate for a lifetime to Heaven, receiving Heaven’s supervision and recognition. Dissolution is the same. After one party sends the dissolution decree to Heaven, they must wait for the Heavenly Dao and the other party’s agreement.”

“What if the other party doesn’t agree?”

“Then you wait.” Jiang Zhaoxue was casual, “As long as one party dissolves the contract, it means they’ve withdrawn the power supporting the Dao companion contract. The Dao companion contract must have yin-yang combined forces to operate. After either party dissolves it, given enough time, the Dao companion contract will naturally dissipate. So from when one party dissolves the contract, as long as there’s no change that makes the dissolving party regret it, the dissipation of the Dao companion contract is just a matter of time.”

“So it can be dissolved.”

Pei Zichen murmured.

“It can be dissolved, but needs time.” Jiang Zhaoxue said, finding it strange: “Why are you asking this?”

“Because… I wish to save someone.”

Here’s the key point.

Jiang Zhaoxue understood. All the roundabout talk before was preamble. After all this, the core of today’s unhappiness was still this “person.”

“Then save them.” Jiang Zhaoxue followed his words, “Why not save them?”

“Because she is willing.” Pei Zichen murmured lowly, “She willingly sinks in the sea of suffering. By emotion I shouldn’t save her, by reason I shouldn’t save her, by propriety I shouldn’t save her…”

“Who is this?” Hearing this description, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat bewildered, asking A’Nan: “Willing herself, by emotion shouldn’t save, by reason shouldn’t save, by propriety shouldn’t save?”

“Think about who he saw today.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue understood.

According to Qian Sisi’s description upon returning, today he saw Mu Jinyue.

If it was Mu Jinyue, following the current plot development, with Mu Jinyue and Shen Yuqing together every day, Shen Yuqing should have fallen for her. Could Pei Zichen think today that Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue were in mutual love?

So by emotion he shouldn’t save her, because this was Mu Jinyue’s will.

By reason he shouldn’t save her—Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue’s relationship wasn’t his place to manage given his status.

By propriety he shouldn’t save her—Shen Yuqing was his master. According to rules, he couldn’t offend Shen Yuqing. Whatever Shen Yuqing said was law.

That made sense!

He saw the two of them together, so he sympathized with her, thinking she was being cheated on and should divorce.

“Worthy of being the female lead,” A’Nan and Jiang Zhaoxue figured it out and marveled: “Over four years without seeing her, and upon one meeting she can disturb our Little Pei’s heart and mind.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt disappointed at his failure to meet expectations.

She somewhat wanted to scold Pei Zichen for not focusing on proper business, but thinking this was the legitimate female lead, it actually counted as proper business.

He’d have to fall for Mu Jinyue sooner or later anyway. Early or late didn’t matter.

Right now he definitely didn’t know his own feelings yet, so here he was pondering whether to save her or not. Seeing his lost appearance, Jiang Zhaoxue decided to enlighten him. She coughed lightly and reminded: “Then what about your heart?”

Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue dried his hair, smiling as she asked: “What does your heart say?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He quietly looked at the person drying his hair in the mirror.

She was rarely this gentle, like a wife. Yet her words were full of reason, calmly and freely saying: “Pei Zichen, in doing things, ask your heart. Act as your heart moves, to achieve naturalness.”

“What if asking my heart brings guilt?”

“Since it’s saving someone,” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled as she reminded, “why would there be guilt?”

“It doesn’t conform to propriety…”

“What propriety?”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled as she countered. Pei Zichen froze as he heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “Whose propriety? Heaven’s determination? Man’s determination? Or the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s?”

Pei Zichen couldn’t answer. Jiang Zhaoxue understood: “You were just taught too well by them.”

With that, she played with his hair.

A cultivator’s bodily functions operated much faster than ordinary people. His hair was already mostly dry. Jiang Zhaoxue lifted his smooth strands, saying softly: “The Lingjian Immortal Pavilion has so many rules. How can they all be right? Did your master scold you today? You don’t dare save her because you’re afraid of defying your master, aren’t you?”

“Yes…”

Pei Zichen quietly looked at the two people in the mirror, watching her play with his hair. He felt himself entirely in her palm. Palpitations arose in his heart and spread throughout his body. He gazed at the person in the mirror, saying hoarsely: “Master said I forgot the rules, that I violated human ethics.”

“Listen to his nonsense.” Jiang Zhaoxue scoffed, “Look at him and Mu Jinyue. Does he understand shit about ethics? If anyone violates ethics, it should be him. The weak talk about rules, the strong make rules. Besides, since you’ve left the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, you should forget their rules. You’re already my Life Servant. Shouldn’t you follow Penglai’s rules?”

“Penglai, what rules?”

“In our Penglai, as long as we don’t harm heaven or reason, whatever you want, fight for it yourself. Whatever you want to take, grab it yourself.”

“What if it’s something you shouldn’t have?”

“Either give up or accept punishment.”

“What about feelings?”

At this question, Jiang Zhaoxue laughed: “Then you should fight for them even more. Other things, when you snatch them, might still be forceful taking. Only feelings can’t be forcefully taken. What can be snatched,” Jiang Zhaoxue placed her hand on his shoulder, leaned close to his face, diligently playing the role of a heart demon villain, smiling as she reminded him, “should all be yours.”

Go boldly, my young man!

The female lead should rightfully be yours! Break them up! Beat up Shen Yuqing!

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, Pei Zichen felt something slowly loosening in his heart.

He stared at the two people close together in the mirror, an extreme longing surging in his heart.

“Moreover,” seeing he didn’t speak, Jiang Zhaoxue felt she’d gone a bit overboard. She coughed lightly, straightened up, and continued: “Don’t make things difficult for yourself. Sometimes, it’s not whether you want to do something, but whether you can. People actually have no choice. What they think are choices are all inevitable paths. Just follow your heart. Don’t be crushed into stupidity by rules.”

Like tonight, he could never open his mouth. He couldn’t tell Jiang Zhaoxue that Shen Yuqing was waiting for her.

He couldn’t do it.

He looked at himself in the mirror, countless voices interweaving in his mind.

On one side were the teachings he’d received, on the other everything he’d experienced.

Ten thousand swords of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion pointing at him, four years walking alone.

He couldn’t do it.

No amount of propriety, human ethics, or morality could suppress the thoughts growing within him.

The Yuan Luogong was right. In his bones, he was a despicable embryo. If she lived well, that would be one thing. But what was Shen Yuqing?

Locking her in the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion for two hundred years, using emotion as a sword to drive her into a corner, then letting everyone see her crazed appearance, mocking her, gossiping about her, belittling her.

She was such a good person… why should she go back?

If she went back, it would just be like the past—letting Shen Yuqing rely on her affection to trample and torment her again and again.

He could take her away from there.

He’d take her far away, let her forever leave that person. Given enough time—a hundred years, two hundred years, a thousand years—she would eventually forget that person.

They could forever be like now. He could forever be her disciple, she his Master’s Wife. But they would always be together, and no one could take her away.

“But Master’s Wife,” as evil thoughts sprouted in his heart, rapidly taking root, he suddenly understood—this was just the kind of person he was. Somewhat weary and not wanting to resist anymore, he only looked at the two people in the mirror, speaking hoarsely: “There are too many rules I don’t want to follow.”

“Such as?”

“I want to serve Master’s Wife,” Pei Zichen spoke of those impulses he’d always suppressed, never dared to voice, “I want to arrange Master’s Wife’s clothing, want to comb Master’s Wife’s hair, want to paint Master’s Wife’s eyebrows, want to guide Master’s Wife…”

“Good heavens,” hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue reacted, “he has OCD?”

She’d always known her clothing was somewhat unruly. She hadn’t expected Pei Zichen would note it down item by item.

A’Nan was also somewhat shocked: “He remembers even these trivial matters in his heart?”

“I want to do many improper things, Master’s Wife,” Pei Zichen turned to look at her, his eyes deep, “May I?”

“Uh…” Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat stunned, then reacted, hurriedly saying: “Of course you can! Whatever makes you happy!”

She knew he didn’t dare speak his true inner thoughts, only daring to start with small matters.

But that was fine. She could encourage him: “Don’t take these rules too seriously. Although Shen Yuqing is your master, everything should be judged by right and wrong. Defying one’s superior isn’t such a big deal!”

Hearing her words, looking at her confused but still trying to coax him, Pei Zichen couldn’t help but smile.

Defying one’s superior…

He gazed at the person before him, slowly smiling: “Female Sovereign.”

He called to her softly, turned back to look at himself in the mirror. After a long while, as if finally making up his mind, he spoke seriously: “Please crown me.”

“Ah?” Jiang Zhaoxue was bewildered, thinking this person really was unpredictable.

But sensing his emotions weren’t right, she coughed lightly and still said: “Alright then.”

The ceremonial crown had been selected long ago anyway. She took out the crown, saying somewhat hesitantly: “Crowning you now, isn’t it a bit hasty? I originally wanted to invite a few tables…”

“No need.”

Pei Zichen gazed at them in the mirror, saying gently: “For my coming-of-age ceremony, I only need Female Sovereign.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze, momentarily at a loss.

Holding the crown, she couldn’t help saying: “How about… another day? How can it be this simple…”

“Today.” Pei Zichen said with certainty, “This moment, please crown Zichen.”

Seeing him so determined, Jiang Zhaoxue could only take the crown, threatening: “If you want to be crowned now, I can only keep everything simple and just put a crown on you.”

“Good.”

Pei Zichen didn’t care at all.

Having no choice, Jiang Zhaoxue could only fumble to take a wooden comb from the side and earnestly begin combing his hair.

Although keeping everything simple, she still couldn’t help but recite blessings as she combed his hair.

She recited almost all the blessings she could think of, finally placing the crown on him.

Pei Zichen looked at the young man in the mirror whose hair was neatly tied up. He didn’t want to ask her why she knew how to style a man’s topknot, nor did he want to inquire about the origin of the clothes he wore. He only said calmly: “Please bestow a courtesy name, Female Sovereign.”

“What kind of name do you want?”

Jiang Zhaoxue probed: “I’ve prepared several for you, look…”

“I want a name related to Female Sovereign.”

Pei Zichen spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then heard him say: “A name forever related.”

Hearing this, she inexplicably felt somewhat nervous, not daring to deeply consider the meaning beneath these words. She only advised: “This… this will follow you for life after all…”

“Female Sovereign saved my life, gave me rebirth,” Pei Zichen spoke grand words, his tone calm and unruffled, “I want to remember this kindness, never forget it in this life.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly saying: “That’s wonderful, then…” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, “How about Shicang?”

“Shicang?”

“Mm, Penglai has a Xuancang Mountain,” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, thinking: “It snows year-round, never melting through the years. Always asking when the snow stops, never melting on Xuancang Mountain. What do you think of this name?”

“Good.”

Pei Zichen looked at her in the mirror, decisively agreeing.

Jiang Zhaoxue relaxed. Her cultural level wasn’t high. If she had to come up with more, her education wouldn’t support it.

Thinking about it, she was somewhat happy. Even after meeting Mu Jinyue, Pei Zichen hadn’t forgotten her, the Master’s Wife who risked life and death for him.

“Good character is good. Even in the face of love, he has righteousness!” A’Nan couldn’t help praising, “Good thing he’s not another Shen Yuqing.”

“Of course,” Jiang Zhaoxue happily responded, “he’s the male lead after all.”

One person and one bird sang in harmony. Pei Zichen just silently watched them in the mirror.

The young man in the mirror wore a crown, dressed in his master’s clothes, completely appearing as a fully adult man.

When she stood behind him, it seemed… just like when she stood behind his master.

He had actually glimpsed scenes from their private quarters. He remembered one year… should have been when he was thirteen, or fourteen.

Jiang Zhaoxue smashed the Punishment Hall wanting to see Shen Yuqing. When Shen Yuqing returned from demon hunting with him, he went straight to Yunfu Mountain.

He stood guard outside. The two argued fiercely in the room. In the end, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly pounce forward and knew he shouldn’t stay, withdrawing further away.

The next morning, standing in the courtyard, through the open window, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue standing behind Shen Yuqing, tying his hair.

At this moment, Jiang Zhaoxue stood behind him, no different from what he’d seen before. He quietly looked at them in the mirror until he heard the sound of fine rain outside.

The drizzle pattered down on his heart, slowly staining and soaking him.

He confirmed his desires and cravings, yet his expression was no different from usual.

After waiting a moment, he stood up, calmly pulling Jiang Zhaoxue over, saying gently: “Female Sovereign, the hour of chou is approaching.”

“Oh.” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue reacted and smiled: “Happy now?”

“Happy.”

Pei Zichen spoke, pulling Jiang Zhaoxue toward the inner room’s bed.

The night wind blew in. Their inner robes’ wide sleeves crossed. Wherever they passed, candles extinguished one by one until finally they reached the bed. Pei Zichen pulled her to sit on the bed.

Then he stood and lowered the bed curtains.

Although Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t sense changes in light, hearing him rustling about, she inexplicably felt somewhat nervous and couldn’t help saying: “Why do you need to lower the bed curtains for detoxification?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen laughed softly.

That laugh scattered into the night, making Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart beat slightly faster.

She felt Pei Zichen tentatively lean forward, raising his hand to grasp hers.

“Female Sovereign,” his spiritual power flowed gently into her body like himself. He seemed to press close before her, mere inches from kissing her. She could clearly sense the fragrance from his body, wrapping and devouring her bit by bit. As if declaring something, he said seriously yet gently: “Today I was scolded by Master. I’m troubled in my heart. Can you share your feelings with me again?”

“Sure.” Jiang Zhaoxue pretended to be calm, “Small matter.”

“Thank you, Female Sovereign.”

Pei Zichen smiled, slowly sending spiritual power into Jiang Zhaoxue’s body.

On the other side at the Tianji Academy, Shen Yuqing’s body tilted, feeling slightly weightless as he suddenly awoke from his dream.

After waking, he realized he seemed to have been dreaming just now.

He rarely fell asleep so unconsciously like this. It must be because he was too tired.

Just now he dreamed of two hundred years ago, the day he married.

At that time he hated her and hated himself. He was almost forced by everyone, for the dignity of both sects, gritting his teeth to marry her.

But she was very happy.

She seemed unable to sense his emotions at all, being happy on her own. He hated her happy appearance, yet couldn’t help softening three parts in her smile, accompanying her through the bowing ceremony, forming a Dao companion contract at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion altar.

The feeling of forming the contract—he had originally forgotten it. Looking back, he thought there should have been more hatred and pain.

But tonight suddenly dreaming of it, he remembered Jiang Zhaoxue looking at him seriously, smiling and saying “Contract formed, marriage complete, life and death never parting.” Then as the two bowed at the altar, she slipped him a small note. When they came down from the altar and he opened the note, seeing the sentence “Jiang Zhaoxue likes Shen Zeyuan” reinforced with countless talismans, he felt a small ripple in his heart.

There was still some joy.

It seemed time had been too long. Two hundred years were too exhausting.

He realized somewhat confusedly that actually when forming the contract, he seemed to have already accepted this matter, secretly thinking that marrying her and tormenting her for a lifetime was better than letting her marry someone else.

He had already accepted this—accepting marriage, sharing everything with her. Her sins would be his sins. They would endure through one lifetime like this. When one day the two of them atoned for their sins completely, perhaps they could start over.

He was already prepared, yet she dissolved the contract.

Thinking of this, thinking of her leaping down the cliff with Pei Zichen, he felt his heart contract in pain, spreading all the way to his hands.

His entire body ached somewhat. His breathing trembled slightly as he raised his hand to his forehead.

Repeatedly admonishing himself.

Forgive her.

She was always this willful in temperament, not knowing the heights of heaven and depths of earth.

She just didn’t believe in the Book of Fate, wanting to protect Pei Zichen. This was nothing. She was using her way to atone for him.

This was her goodness. He should be glad she was a person with good and evil, right and wrong. Perhaps different from him, but with her own integrity.

She loved him.

She just… just because he quarreled with her over Mu Jinyue, deliberately used Mu Jinyue’s communication jade token to agree to eat with her—just because she was jealous, she did this absurd thing.

All because she loved him.

She was immature, but she was his wife. He could forgive her.

He found countless reasons, soothing his own state of mind. The drizzle pattered down. After completely calming down, footsteps suddenly came from the doorway.

Secret joy surged in his heart. He suppressed himself from being too obvious, needing to maintain dignity lest Jiang Zhaoxue know his feelings and become too arrogant.

He listened to the sounds. The moment the person entered, he looked up and blurted out: “Jiang…”

The instant the sound emerged, he saw who came.

Mu Jinyue held an umbrella. Hearing Shen Yuqing’s voice, she looked up in surprise.

Thunder crashed loudly. Shen Yuqing stared blankly at the woman before him, unease and panic spreading in his chest.

He looked at the person before him, suddenly fully awake.

It was the hour of chou.

Yet Jiang Zhaoxue still hadn’t returned.

His hands trembled slightly. Mu Jinyue asked doubtfully: “Master?”

Then she looked around and couldn’t help saying: “Where’s Master’s Wife?”

“She…” Shen Yuqing struggled to control his emotions, saying hoarsely: “Something happened to her.”

That’s right.

Only if something happened to her, or… or Pei Zichen didn’t tell her the message.

But why wouldn’t Pei Zichen tell her the message? How could that be?

With Pei Zichen’s nature.

Something must have happened to her.

He suppressed his emotions and stood up, saying calmly: “You sleep first. I’ll go find her.”

“Master?” Mu Jinyue was surprised, “How will you find her?”

“I’ll go find her.”

With that, Shen Yuqing picked up his whisk and strode out urgently.

Wind and rain blew into the corridor. He hurried along. He didn’t know what he was afraid of, only feeling something quietly slipping away, yet didn’t know specifically what.

He could only desperately use the resonance contract to sense the surroundings, frantically expanding his divine consciousness, trying his utmost to search every inch of land in the entire capital.

As soon as the resonance contract’s searching function was activated, Jiang Zhaoxue would sense it.

She was sending her emotion-laden spiritual power into Pei Zichen’s body, then having Pei Zichen circulate it back. Pei Zichen’s spiritual power happened to counter the fire poison perfectly. He also transmitted it exceptionally gently. Jiang Zhaoxue, in her dazed state, felt her heartbeat accelerating again and again.

Her brows furrowed slightly. Pei Zichen sensed her restless state of mind and opened his eyes.

His gaze fell on her chest as he said gently: “Female Sovereign, what’s wrong?”

“Shen Yuqing…” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke with some difficulty.

She panted lightly, saying with difficulty: “Is searching for me…”

The instant the words fell, Pei Zichen felt Shen Yuqing’s divine consciousness cover them.

His expression became stern: “Yuan Luogong?”

“Don’t worry.”

The Yuan Luogong laughed. Black energy spread from Pei Zichen’s body, surrounding Jiang Zhaoxue, isolating Shen Yuqing’s prying.

However, the resonance contract still existed.

Although Pei Zichen didn’t know what was interfering with Jiang Zhaoxue, he knew there was something existing in Jiang Zhaoxue’s body that let her sense Shen Yuqing at any time.

Was it the Dao companion contract?

Thinking of that thing, his eyes deepened. Seeing Shen Yuqing’s divine consciousness continuously strengthening, he simply reached out and gently pulled Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue instantly lost strength, leaning against him, trembling out: “Zichen…”

“Female Sovereign,” black energy spread out, wrapping the two even more tightly. Jiang Zhaoxue’s consciousness gradually blurred. Pei Zichen vigilantly watched the surrounding wandering divine consciousness of Shen Yuqing. One hand gripped Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand transmitting spiritual power, the other drew her into his embrace, completely enveloping her with his own aura, whispering in her ear: “You’re too tired. Lean on me, alright?”

As he asked, black energy from his spiritual power quietly sent toward Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t respond at all. He didn’t know what was happening either, only feeling his entire person seemed to melt into a pool of warm water, floating lightly in the clouds, only able to hum softly from his nose.

Pei Zichen let her entire body collapse in his embrace, staring at Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power searching everywhere. Like a snake coiling around its prey, he used his own aura and spiritual power to completely wrap Jiang Zhaoxue.

Shen Yuqing searched for her all night. He entangled her all night.

Nearly dawn in a daze, Shen Yuqing probably exhausted his strength and finally withdrew his divine consciousness.

Pei Zichen, vigilant while transmitting spiritual power to Jiang Zhaoxue, was also almost at his limit. When daylight fell on the bed curtains and Jiang Zhaoxue’s fire poison had been completely suppressed, he finally let go.

By this time Jiang Zhaoxue had completely lost consciousness, deeply nestled in his embrace, her entire body soaked with sweat, only knowing to murmur unconsciously “so comfortable.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen turned to look at the face of the person on his shoulder, understanding this was Jiang Zhaoxue’s demonic instinct.

Demons were exceptionally sensitive in their senses compared to ordinary people. This kind of overly intimate spiritual power exchange, especially with him deliberately slowing the spiritual power flow rate, mingling spiritual power with her while suppressing the fire poison that pained her—she would very easily feel comfortable. Not to mention he used the Yuan Luogong’s power.

The Yuan Luogong’s power came from human desire, far more likely to disturb one’s mind than ordinary spiritual power.

Last night, fearing Jiang Zhaoxue would discover something wrong with him, when sending spiritual power over, he let her lose consciousness. She retreated to the most innocent state, saying whatever she wanted, doing whatever she wanted. Even just vaguely spitting out a few words was a kind of torment for him.

She drove him to the brink, yet he didn’t dare offend.

He wasn’t the uncontrolled youth of the past. He could only take a deep breath, smiling somewhat helplessly and bitterly: “Female Sovereign…”

Jiang Zhaoxue unconsciously nuzzled his shoulder. He sighed softly.

After using a cleansing spell to clean her body, he placed her on the bed.

After covering her with the quilt and turning to look, he saw the communication jade token at the bedside flashing.

Shen Yuqing’s name kept jumping. He swept a glance, instinctively wanting to look away.

But then suddenly thought, why hide?

Having already come this far, just keep walking down one path to the end.

Realizing what he’d already done, this matter instantly became unimportant. He looked coldly up at the communication jade token, bent down to take it from the bedside, looked at Shen Yuqing’s jumping name, and calmly inquired: “Is there any way to make Master never disturb Female Sovereign again?”

His tone was gentle, but the Yuan Luogong was scared into a shudder. Then realizing Pei Zichen was doing bad things, it hurriedly said: “Inject my power into this communication jade token and completely isolate Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power.”

“Will it be discovered?”

“No.” The Yuan Luogong pledged confidently, “I’m a divine artifact!”

“I believe you.” Pei Zichen’s tone was gentle as he wrapped a strand of black energy into it, saying softly: “If I’m discovered, I’ll shatter your artifact spirit.”

Yuan Luogong: “!!!”

Hearing this, the Yuan Luogong’s breathing almost stopped. It couldn’t help saying: “No, wait,” the Yuan Luogong couldn’t understand, “are you… growing too fast?”

“Am I?” Pei Zichen watched Shen Yuqing’s name slowly dim, “I’m only doing what I’ve always wanted to do.”

The communication jade token quickly quieted. Pei Zichen placed it back in its original position. He turned back to look at Jiang Zhaoxue sleeping deeply on the bed, his gaze becoming exceptionally gentle.

He looked at her, endured for a long time, finally leaning slightly forward, saying hoarsely: “Female Sovereign, can you give me a sachet?”

Jiang Zhaoxue vaguely heard Pei Zichen asking something, transmitted from the divine soul, seeming to want some item.

She was too lazy to respond, humming “mm” from her nose.

Pei Zichen smiled, reaching his hand under the covers.

After taking the sachet from Jiang Zhaoxue’s waist, his gaze moved to Jiang Zhaoxue’s face. His throat moved. After hesitating for a long time, he tentatively lowered his head and lightly kissed her forehead.

Then he set up a barrier, lowered the bed curtains, and calmly left.

After returning to his own room, he lay on his bed, silently watching daylight shine through the bed curtains into the dim bed canopy.

What was he doing?

He was somewhat bewildered, but quickly became clearheaded.

The weak follow rules, the strong make rules. Fight for what you want, snatch it. What you shouldn’t have, accept punishment for. Feelings that can be snatched back are your own.

Act as your heart moves, to achieve naturalness.

He had nothing left, only Jiang Zhaoxue remained.

He could lose everything, except Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue.

Thinking of this name, he gazed at the sachet floating in midair. The fragrance dispersed throughout the bed canopy. He quietly watched it.

After a long time, he laughed softly.

Propping himself up, he closed his eyes and actively kissed the sachet.

Garments slid down his shoulders. He clearly knew he had no turning back.

A thousand sins, ten thousand transgressions.

A thousand difficulties, ten thousand wrongs.

Even if heaped upon him, he would have no regrets.