On the island, An Jiu, satisfied after a hearty dinner, went with Chu Dingjiang to walk Da Jiu in the garden.

The setting sun bathed the two people and the tiger in a golden-red glow. Mist layered the flower beds, and ice crystals hung from bare branches, refracting the orange sunlight into twinkling points. The scene seemed otherworldly.

An Jiu let out a contented burp and asked Chu Dingjiang, “When are you leaving?”

“Early tomorrow morning,” he replied.

If not for the Emperor’s illness and the tense situation, he might have stayed longer.

“I felt like someone was following us earlier, but I couldn’t detect anyone,” Chu Dingjiang mused. He’d been pondering this. Logically, even with his diminished powers, few in the Song Dynasty could evade his spiritual sense, unless…

“Wei Yuzhi,” he suddenly realized. This man was skilled in formations and could alter the environment to block spiritual senses. “He might have tracked us here.”

An Jiu pursed her lips and sat on a nearby stone. “I told you to eliminate the threat early on, but you insisted we needed him to destroy Liao. I prefer to remove all visible threats. If I get another chance, I’ll strike. Even if I don’t cause him trouble, he’ll surely come after me.”

Chu Dingjiang fell silent.

He was accustomed to considering the bigger picture, accepting that sacrifices were necessary for the greater good. This time, he hadn’t anticipated Wei Yuzhi posing a threat to An Jiu, or perhaps he had known but hadn’t taken it seriously.

“I’ve let you down this time,” Chu Dingjiang murmured, unclear whether he was addressing An Jiu or himself.

An Jiu looked puzzled. “How have you let me down?”

She thought for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. “Did you sleep with another woman?”

“Nonsense!” Chu Dingjiang flicked her smooth forehead. “I meant stopping you from killing Wei Yuzhi.”

An Jiu relaxed again, waving her hand dismissively. “No need to apologize.”

Chu Dingjiang felt relieved. Indeed, the woman he had chosen was truly understanding.

As he was considering how to praise her, she continued, “I’ve never had high hopes for men in this regard, so you don’t need to feel pressured.”

Chu Dingjiang’s prepared words died on his lips.

An Jiu’s expectations of men were low. As long as they didn’t abuse her like her father or stab her in the back, it was a passing grade.

“I’d rather bear that pressure,” Chu Dingjiang sighed, steering the conversation back. “I’ll go check over there. Don’t leave the island for now. What about that bounty you accepted?”

“It’s in the house,” An Jiu replied.

Chu Dingjiang said, “Bring it to me later. I’ll have someone take care of it for you.”

An Jiu rested her chin on her knee, looking up at him. “No, I’d be bored with nothing to do.”

Chu Dingjiang suggested, “You could learn accounting from Miss Zhu. It’s not ideal to leave all our finances to an outsider.”

“Hmm, that makes sense,” An Jiu smiled.

She wasn’t concerned about the property issue, but she liked how he said “our,” that intimacy touching a hidden softness in her heart.

“I’ll go out to take a look around the island,” Chu Dingjiang said.

He turned, but An Jiu grabbed his hand. “They won’t run away.”

In the fading light, ice crystals sparkled like stars, and mist hung like a delicate veil. An Jiu tilted her head, stray hairs falling across her forehead, her gaze clear. Her face was like jade, captivating Chu Dingjiang.

A demeanor can completely transform a person. An Jiu’s features had matured somewhat, showing no trace of Mei Jiu. Instead, she increasingly resembled her previous life’s appearance.

“Ah Jiu,” Chu Dingjiang grasped her hand in return.

The lake’s misty expanse stretched before them.

On the opposite shore, plum blossoms bloomed fiercely in the night.

Wei Yuzhi hurriedly returned, gathering the Ghost Tigers to leave.

He wasn’t sure of the extent of Chu Dingjiang’s powers, but he knew the man’s spiritual sense surpassed his own. At the level of Huajing Yipin, it was a realm Wei Yuzhi didn’t understand. He couldn’t be certain if his formations could fool Chu Dingjiang. If discovered, losing some Ghost Tigers would be a minor issue, but exposing his whereabouts and displeasing the new Emperor would be disastrous!

The Ghost Tigers grumbled about Wei Yuzhi’s sudden change of plans, but he didn’t care about their feelings as long as they obeyed.

“We’re withdrawing from Meihua Village. How will we capture Mo Sigui and Mei Shisi?” the Ghost Tiger leader asked.

“We can’t rush. I have my plans,” Wei Yuzhi replied.

“Sir, if you don’t explain clearly, we may have difficulty following your orders,” the Ghost Tiger leader slowed his pace, and the others followed suit.

Wei Yuzhi understood he needed patience now, but his poor health and a sense of impending doom made it difficult to remain calm.

His face was frosted over, dark eyes were cold. “Is the Princess sending you to supervise me?”

Wei Yuzhi’s displeasure was evident. Though the Ghost Tigers weren’t afraid, they dared not easily shatter the facade of harmony between the Princess and this man.

“The Princess sent us to assist you, but…” the Ghost Tiger leader’s tone sharpened, bordering on harsh, “You’ve failed repeatedly, sir, with heavy losses. We Ghost Tigers don’t fear death, but we won’t die in vain.”

This was an outright challenge to his competence.

Wei Yuzhi’s anger peaked, but suddenly he felt calm. He sneered, “As long as you don’t go to your deaths, you won’t die in vain!”

With that, he stormed off.

The Ghost Tigers hesitated briefly before following their leader.

The clouds thickened overhead. As night fell, not a single star was visible, and light snow began to fall.

Dream Flowers were gradually covered in snow, and the mist around the island dissipated. Originally from swamps, Dream Flowers had been cultivated to bloom in icy conditions. However, cold still suppressed their vitality. Though they could flower year-round, winter was their weakest season, especially during snowfall.

Chu Dingjiang stayed in An Jiu’s room for over two hours before leaving. He couldn’t rest easy without checking the surroundings.

Reaching the ferry dock, he sensed something amiss. Looking around, he realized the mist had thinned.

A thin layer of snow covered the Dream Flowers, their petals and leaves drooping as if dying.

Chu Dingjiang immediately turned back, heading for Mo Sigui’s quarters.

Knowing Mo Sigui’s room was full of traps and poisons, Chu Dingjiang didn’t sneak in. Instead, he kicked the door open.

A thick smoke billowed out. Chu Dingjiang, prepared for this, leaped back several zhang.

Moments later, a tall, thin young man emerged from the smoke, squinting his bloodshot eyes buried in dark circles. He exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe and drawled, “Well, well, who’s so hot-tempered? If it isn’t the recently deflowered Lord Chu!”

“Indeed. Compared to the still-virginal Divine Physician Mo, I consider myself lacking,” Chu Dingjiang countered dryly.

Mo Sigui clicked his tongue. “I was tasting the pleasures of the flesh when you were probably still playing with yourself, old man.”

“Is that so? Then I misunderstood you, Divine Physician. My apologies,” Chu Dingjiang chuckled. “However, some things aren’t about being early or late. I’d rather wait for the day when true lovers become a married couple.”

Mo Sigui suddenly hurled his pipe at Chu Dingjiang. “Damn it, what’s there to be proud of! I’m going to bed!”

Chu Dingjiang dodged the pipe instead of catching it. “Wait, I have something to discuss with you.”