Qing’er… it’s been a long time.

His tone was so light, so soft, as if murmuring a gentle sigh of relief and helpless emotion all at once, the kind of voice that made one want to open one’s eyes involuntarily, just to look into his—eyes that seemed, in that moment, just as gentle and soft as his voice.

But the woman held in his arms only squeezed her eyes shut even tighter!

He arched an eyebrow, watching her, his soft gaze brimming with amusement. His long fingers gently traced over her closed eyes, carefully brushing across her long lashes, clearly feeling them tremble faintly beneath his touch.

She said nothing, and so, he too fell silent.

His fingertip slid down past her eyes, tracing lightly along her lovely features, lingering as it descended, until finally it came to rest upon her lips, still slightly swollen from the kiss, pressing gently against them.

The room was silent, utterly still. His hand did not move, watching, waiting with endless patience.

Ziqing’s breathing had clearly grown ragged, her heart pounding wildly—she wished desperately for some means of vanishing on the spot, of escaping immediately!

This man—when exactly had he woken up!

What was he doing right now? Why wouldn’t he move his hand away!

Suddenly, she felt his burning breath drawing nearer to her lips, and she could no longer help herself—her eyes flew open at once!

She found his handsome face pressed so close, his lips gently kissing the very finger pressed against her mouth!

Between their lips, only the width of a finger separated them, and complete control rested entirely in his hands. She couldn’t help but widen her eyes, wary of that hand, which might withdraw at any moment.

Suddenly!

He withdrew his hand without warning, and she cried out at once, “Jun Beiyue, there’s something extremely important I’ve been wanting to ask you!”

He said wickedly, “Mm… go on, then.”

So close—how was she supposed to speak like this!

She immediately pressed a hand against his firm chest, trying to push him back even slightly, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t budge him. He neither advanced nor retreated, simply maintaining that same distance.

His distinctive dragon-saliva incense scent, that overpowering masculine presence, enveloped her completely, and she could barely manage to part her lips to speak.

She had to admit—right now, he carried an even more wicked, domineering air than his usual cold sternness, an air far more masculine, the kind that would surely make any woman in the world throw herself at him like a moth to flame, utterly willing.

Unable to push him away, she had no choice but to avoid his eyes, ignore the amusement dancing in them, and forcing herself to appear composed, she asked seriously, “Jun Beiyue, exactly when did you wake up?”

“The moment my internal energy recovered, I regained consciousness. I know everything that’s happened with the Gu clan. The only thing is, I couldn’t see who administered the poison—I only know it was a man. Poison-drugs are compounded from medicine and poison together—unless brought in from outside the isle, the only way to obtain such a thing on Liuxian Isle would be through Qinse Valley. And for anyone from the Gu clan to obtain such a drug from Qinse Valley, they’d need the patriarch’s own token—otherwise, Qinse Valley wouldn’t extend such a favor.”

He spoke of something so important with remarkable nonchalance, which only startled Ziqing further. “You mean, someone within the Gu clan has been colluding with another family!”

“After all this time apart, you’re still just as sharp,” Jun Beiyue said with a smile, finally releasing her lips, his fingers gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“There aren’t many suspects within the Gu clan—it’s basically down to the Second Miss’s faction and the Eldest Miss’s faction,” Ziqing said seriously.

“Want me to teach you a good method for drawing the snake out of its hole?” Jun Beiyue said with a smile.

Ziqing immediately nodded. Jun Beiyue leaned in and murmured just three sentences in her ear, and Ziqing understood at once, her face unable to hide her astonishment!

“Jun Beiyue, you already knew about the Fusang divine wood!”

“I originally meant to have Yingzi handle it, but…” Jun Beiyue said with a smile, shaking his head helplessly. “That knife of yours came a little too early.”

Ziqing fell silent at once, unconsciously glancing toward his chest, pressing her lips together, unsure of what to say, her head resting on his arm, turning to the side until she was nearly buried against his chest!

“Jun Beiyue, shouldn’t we settle the score properly for that whole ‘National Beauty’ affair!”

“Isn’t a knife to the chest enough already?” Jun Beiyue asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not enough!” Ziqing snapped angrily.

“Then how much would be enough?” Jun Beiyue asked again, his lips mere inches away!

“You bastard, you liar! You nearly had me fooled! Liar!” Ziqing shouted angrily, shoving at him again without warning.

She finally managed to push him back a little, and only then did she let out a small breath of relief. Ever since that “it’s been a long time,” she’d been deflecting the topic this whole time, hiding her flustered state behind feigned seriousness and anger, hadn’t she?

How was she supposed to seriously settle scores with him now?

Watching her indignant, flustered expression, Jun Beiyue saw through her thoughts at a glance, and still smiling, took her small hand and pressed it against his chest. “Han Ziqing, if one knife isn’t enough, how about another one?”

She yanked her hand back forcefully, shouting furiously, “Prince Yao, I don’t have the time or the mood to joke around with you! You’ve been asleep this whole time—can you please be serious for once! There’s a lot we need to discuss!”

Jun Beiyue’s hand paused briefly, then finally released her, letting go, shrugging helplessly and sitting up beside her.

At this moment, Ziqing’s heart was pounding faster than it ever had before.

Had she successfully changed the subject?

Had she managed to fool him?

She coughed lightly a few times, clearly anxious inside, yet slowly sat back down at the foot of the bed, facing Jun Beiyue, her expression serious, about to speak.

But to her surprise, Jun Beiyue was even more serious than she was. “Han Ziqing, there really is a lot we need to discuss. Dawn is coming soon—let’s keep it brief, before someone comes and we tip our hand.”

A flicker of relief crossed Ziqing’s eyes, and she nodded quickly.

“Let’s start with the most important thing,” Jun Beiyue said seriously.

Ziqing nodded again, preparing to listen carefully.

“This matter concerns…” Jun Beiyue said, his handsome brow furrowing slightly, glancing around the room before beckoning her closer.

Ziqing leaned in at once, and only then did Jun Beiyue lower his voice, utterly serious. “Han Ziqing, listen carefully. This matter—only you may know of it. No one else may be told, not even the physician or Yingzi!”

“Mm!” Ziqing nodded earnestly in agreement.

“Han Ziqing, if one knife wasn’t enough repayment, then I’ll repay you with a lifetime instead. Remember that well.”

At these words, Ziqing froze instantly, right there beside Jun Beiyue, turning to stone in an instant!

This… this was the most important matter.

Jun Beiyue pulled her domineeringly into his embrace, leaning back lazily against the tall pillow, glancing once at the ceiling before closing his eyes, murmuring low, “Qing’er, there’s someone on the roof. Whoever’s come… is likely no small talent.”