That night, rain fell softly and silently, instantly dampening the dark gray roof tiles.

Qin Chang Ge tucked in the blanket corners for her soundly sleeping son, but she herself had no desire to sleep and only sat in meditation practicing martial arts.

The rain tapped against the eaves with a mournful and delicate sound, carrying a timid carefulness, as if afraid to disturb the serene countenance of the person beneath the roof.

Yet Qin Chang Ge’s heart was not serene at all.

That shocking sword that came from the western sky during the day, and Shangguan Qingxun’s strange expression with those seemingly intentional glances—both made her inexplicably vigilant. She felt a hidden and vague unease in her heart, as if drifting clouds carrying some darkly flashing lightning were quietly approaching—black and heavy, yet clouds without rain.

She pondered silently in the darkness.

Suddenly she heard someone lifting the covers. Xiao Rong sat up groggily, murmuring: “Water.”

Qin Chang Ge reached over to feel the teapot on the table. It was slightly cool to the touch. Thinking that the weather had turned cold and drinking cold water might upset her son’s stomach, she said: “Wait while I go to the kitchen to get you hot water.”

But Xiao Rong tugged at her garment: “Need to pee too.”

“There’s a chamber pot under the bed.”

“Uncle Qi Fan said that when you pee, you should face the clear wind and bright moon, invite heaven to drink your pee—that’s what feels really satisfying.”

…

Qin Chang Ge laughed with particular delight as she dressed her son, praising highly: “Good! That’s ambitious! Come, let’s take you to give heaven a drink!”

Mother and son went to the courtyard. Xiao Baozi climbed onto a rock beside the pond, assumed a horse stance, pulled down his pants with one arm while pointing at the sky with the other, expelled his breath with a sound, and solemnly pointed his sword finger at the heavens.

Splashing sounds…

Qin Chang Ge held an umbrella for her son while folding her arms in thought. Next time she saw Qi Fan, how should she torment him?

Such a profound question indeed…

After her son finished displaying his prowess, mother and son moved to the kitchen. Xiao Baozi’s drinking water was just a pretext—rummaging for food was the real purpose. In the kitchen he felt around here and there, finding a package of assorted pastries. He first touched them with his fingertips and sniffed to confirm they were edible before happily preparing to feast.

This child clearly didn’t like dark places. Even eating something, he had to climb to the window and sit on a high stool, swinging his legs back and forth. Qin Chang Ge was about to remind him to sit more steadily when suddenly Xiao Baozi let out a sharp cry and whooshed down from the stool, diving headfirst into his mother’s arms.

Trembling like a rabbit: “Ghost! Ahhhhhhh…”

All his earlier heroic spirit of inviting heaven to drink his pee was gone.

Qin Chang Ge held her son and slowly turned her head. The kitchen window was half open. In the moonless rainy night, all scenery was painted with a layer of hazy pale gray. Within those pale gray outlines, she could vaguely make out a black shadow in the corridor ahead, approaching with swaying steps.

A ghost?

Qin Chang Ge narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Patting her son, she said: “Rong Rong, they say on-site teaching makes a deeper impression. Come, I’ll teach you a few principles.”

The little rabbit timidly poked his head out, only daring to look at her eyes: “What?”

“First, there are originally no ghosts in this world—when many people speak of them, ghosts come to exist. Second, in this world, humans are often more frightening than ghosts. Ghosts are just illusions—they can’t gnaw you or bite you, but humans can skin you alive, dismember you, burn your corpse and scatter your ashes. Third…”

“What’s the third…?” Little Rabbit Xiao complained resentfully. Why did bad mommy use such a sinister tone to say such bloody things at such a scary moment? Wasn’t she deliberately trying to frighten his young heart… Well, okay, he admitted that although he was a little bit scared, he wasn’t that scared. He just wanted to burrow into mommy’s arms to smell her fragrance… Could it be that mommy saw through this too?

“Third…” Qin Chang Ge smiled with ill intent, “Whatever you think is a ghost is usually not a ghost!” She dragged her son up and pulled him toward that shadow. “Come, let’s go see.”

“No—” Xiao Baozi struggled. “Uncle Qi Heng said ghosts love eating little children…”

Qi Heng? This time the male lead had changed? Qin Chang Ge smiled so gently: “He’s talking nonsense. That’s insulting your bravery. You even dared to make heaven drink your pee—would you fear a mere lonely ghost? That would be too shameful.”

“Oh…” Xiao Baozi felt face was very important, so he was confusedly dragged along, his mind spinning. This didn’t seem like the same thing, did it?

The corridor wasn’t long, and that shadow kept approaching leisurely. Qin Chang Ge went toward it, and when she saw clearly who it was, she frowned slightly, then smiled.

Your supremely noble Imperial Majesty, do you sleepwalk too?

Looking at Xiao Jue who was only wearing sleeping robes, her first glance lingered at his chest. You’ve continued practicing martial arts all these years, haven’t you? Your physique is quite good.

However, his eyes were vacant, his expression between real and illusory. Though he clearly saw Qin Chang Ge and his eyes showed some changes of light and shadow, he remained expressionless.

Because his long hair was loosely spread when he went to sleep and he had removed his crown and belt, at this moment he no longer had the sharp edge of daytime but carried more gentle tranquility, with faint traces of fatigue between his brows and a desolate expression.

The corridor was open on three sides. He walked barefoot along the corridor with no awareness of avoiding rain. His garments were already soaked, the moon-white soft satin sleeping robe clinging to his skin. The milky white had become transparent, vaguely revealing smooth skin. Qin Chang Ge looked carefully and confirmed that His Imperial Majesty was currently quite alluringly exposed and delectable to behold—it would be best if too many people didn’t observe this.

Whether it was Xiliang’s so-called “soul-confusion syndrome” or what modern science described as sleepwalking, Xiao Jue at this moment could not be awakened by a sudden shout.

Qin Chang Ge smiled as she took his hand, leading him into the nearby kitchen. “Come… come…” Her voice was gentle, like silk rain drifting with the wind from the horizon.

Xiao Jue turned to look at her. For a moment his gaze both focused and scattered, but he silently allowed her to lead him inside.

In the inner room of the kitchen where items were stored, to prevent dampness, the platform was raised and covered with floor mats. Qin Chang Ge brought her son and gently pushed Xiao Jue to sit down.

The three squeezed behind several rice sacks. Xiao Rong generously offered the assorted pastries he had never forgotten to throw away, quietly asking Qin Chang Ge: “Is he starving stupid?”

Qin Chang Ge glanced at Xiao Jue and whispered in her son’s ear: “He’s dreaming. Don’t make noise. Watch me ask what kind of dream he’s having.”

“Oh,” Xiao Baozi immediately withdrew his pastries. “I’ll eat, you ask.”

Qin Chang Ge took Xiao Jue’s hand, using her palm’s warmth to warm his cold hands. As soon as that heat penetrated his skin, Xiao Jue immediately turned toward her.